“Is that what the shimmering effect is on the hull of the Valoran?” More facts for Li’ara.
“You are quite observant, Lieutenant Commander. But unlike our shields, theirs cannot be seen or detected.” Telarrek continued the video of the armoured alien traversing the distance to the Icarus station.
The impact was savage. The beast crashed through the viewport forcing debris in every direction as the vacuum of space created chaos inside. It was easy to see from the hologram how far the creature impacted, as the lights on at least seven decks winked out of existence one after the other. It was a miracle they even survived that.
“The armour was strong from what I saw on your station, but how it survived that impact is beyond our understanding of any alien biology.”
The hologram flickered as Telarrek changed the view. In the new hologram, only one object could be seen, obviously somewhere beyond the Earth and probably even Venus.
The ender of Kalian’s world.
That missile had been fired into the Sun to end all things human. The image was sharper than the holographic one he had seen on the Icarus command bridge. The main body was a giant sphere encased by four grips that converged at the front extending into a point. It was entirely encompassed in light from the Sun, with a comet tail that spread for kilometres behind.
“Let me guess, this had shielding as well.” Li’ara was rubbing her eyes; Kalian couldn’t tell if it was frustration or irritation from the light of the hologram in a dark room.
“Actually it did not.” Both humans shared a quick glance before looking to Telarrek for answers. “Our scans hit no such barrier on the object, but it matters not, we could not scan beneath the hull.” Their faces dropped in unison. “The data we received from its exterior, however, is quite interesting.”
Kalian was hesitant to feel any kind of hope.
Telarrek altered the hologram again, turning the image into more of a schematic of the pointed object. It moved across the column of light extending in size, the backdrop of space disappeared, being replaced with faint light.
“There are some familiar elements in the hull’s material, but the majority is a type of alloy we have never encountered. But this is the most interesting part.” Telarrek typed in a command that enlarged a section of the sphere. In the middle of the flat surface was a small circle, slightly raised from the main body.
“What is it?” Kalian was wishing he had studied engineering instead of history.
“It’s a door...” Li’ara had that calculating look on her face again.
“That is our estimation as well.”
“Why would a missile have a door?” Kalian was looking from Li’ara to Telarrek.
“A construct of that size would require internal maintenance and configuration,” Telarrek offered.
“How big is the whole thing?” Kalian asked.
“It is two miles in length.”
That was a hard fact to swallow.
I suppose if you’re going to make a weapon to blow up a star, it’s got to be big.
The thought stopped Kalian; how did they blow up an entire star?
“How was it even possible?” Li’ara beat him to it. “Just before it happened you knew, you knew it was too late.”
“Our sensors show that the object entered your star and was able to survive the journey through the chromo and photosphere. Once it punched through the radioactive envelope it pierced the core. We are not sure what happened next, whether it exploded or released some form of payload. Either way, it appears the weapon was designed to increase the internal pressure of a star, causing it to collapse on itself and cause a supernova.” Telarrek leaned forward, placing all four hands on the floating console. “I did not know a weapon of such magnitude existed, I believe its very creation to be a crime against all life.”
“We have to assume they have more of these weapons, and that they’ll use the same plan of attack on Century.” Li’ara sounded like a General making battle plans.
“That is an apt evaluation, Lieutenant Commander,” Telarrek replied.
“So what’s our plan of attack?” she asked quite aggressively.
“This may be a ship of exploration and observation, but we are not defenceless. However, it is impossible to predict potential outcomes based on the mysterious nature of the ship.”
“Whatever you hit them with, just make it big.” The only thing Kalian was sure of was the immense size of their attackers.
“When we arrive in Century’s orbit we shall put ourselves between them and your fleet, we will give your people as much time as we can to evacuate.”
Telarrek’s words were sobering; winning this fight wasn’t even an option, they could only hope to slow them down. Li’ara didn’t look satisfied when something on the console caught her attention. She stepped closer to the orange hieroglyphs displayed around the disc.
“That word...” Li’ara looked to Kalian for reassurance. “It’s in Central, I can understand it.” She turned to Telarrek. “Is it supposed to be like that?”
Kalian walked round to see for himself.
“I don’t see anything - just symbols.”
“Right there, it says ‘rotate’ in Central.” She was pointing at what Kalian saw as three vertical lines with a dot above each.
“Your implant is becoming fully integrated,” Telarrek explained.
Kalian instinctively reached for the metallic dot behind his left ear.
“What do you mean, fully integrated? I thought it was just so we could understand one another?”
“The implant is given to every individual within the Conclave. Once fully integrated it allows the wearer to see and hear each other’s languages. Without it there would be chaos and confusion, there could be no trade or share of discovery. In time, both of you will be capable of understanding, not just everything you see and hear in Novaarian, but also that of all Conclave members.”
“How the hell does that work?” Li’ara was circling the edge of the small device with her finger.
“Do you understand the inner workings of the thalamus or cerebral cortex in relation to fluid neuro-netics?” Telarrek’s head was raised a little higher than normal.
Li’ara’s quizzical facial expression was answer enough.
“It was our first contribution to the other races in the formation of the Conclave.” Telarrek stepped away from the console and started for the door.
The hologram blinked out and the up lighters against the wall increased their brightness. The large door parted in half again, flooding Kalian’s senses with the sights and sounds of the bridge.
Telarrek stopped in the middle of the doorway. “Whatever we find when we reach Century, know this,” he bowed his head looking from one to the other, “I will ensure Kalian’s survival.” He centred his eyes just on Kalian and walked off, into the bridge, without waiting for a reply.
They knew what he was saying; I will leave Century to its fate if that is required to keep Kalian safe.
“What am I to them?” It was said so only Li’ara could hear him.
“I don’t know, yet. But I will not leave Century to burn; it’s all we have left.” Li’ara lowered her head.
Kalian couldn’t read her face; she was still too much of a mystery to him.
“You should both get some rest before our arrival. Ilyseal will show you to your quarters if-”
“We’ll be fine on the Fathom, but thank you,” Li’ara interrupted.
Kalian wasn’t sure if Li’ara had ever said thank you before.
“As you wish, you are guests here. Ilyseal will escort you back to the hangar.” Ilyseal led them over to the Translift that they had arrived in, with Telarrek coming up behind them.
He stopped, clearly intending to stay on the bridge. “I promise you, we will do everything in our power to help your people.”
Li’ara entered the lift turning back to face Telarrek. “What if that’s not enough?”
Before leaving them on th
e Fathom, Ilyseal gave them a disc the size of a human palm which was interlaced with smaller raised circles. She told them it was a way of communicating with the bridge should they require it. Kalian left the details of how to use the device with Li’ara; he avoided small electrical objects whenever possible.
Li’ara keyed in the code to close the ramp and hatch behind them as Kalian looked across to the medical bay behind the glass. It was still a mess with used canisters of Medifoam on the floor. He could see blood staining the table and half a bloodied handprint on the edge of the door, his blood. At the time he hadn’t realised how close to death he had come; up to the moment he had collapsed in the Valoran’s hangar, everything had been an adrenaline-fuelled run for his life.
Li’ara had entered the armoury towards the back of the ship, most likely in search of her relinquished weapon. Being the only other person around, Kalian naturally gravitated towards her. The armoury was a small corridor lined with sidearms, rifles, a collection of knives and even another railgun propped against the far wall.
We really did come prepared for a war.
The room was a contrast of dark grated walls and bright overhead spotlights. With her back to Kalian, Li’ara began to remove the various segments of her armour. Depressing hidden buttons under the plating created a suction noise before they fell to the floor. After removing her grieves, boots and shoulder guards she reached for a switch under the back of her chest plating. Kalian tensed for a moment unsure of what he should do next, he hadn’t announced his presence or made it clear why he was even in the armoury. Very aware that an awkward situation was seconds away he quickly turned to leave only to bump into the door frame.
“Try not to fall over yourself, Kalian; I’m only taking the armour off.”
Had he not been so flustered and embarrassed, he would have detected the hint of playfulness in her voice. “I wasn’t-”.
At the sight of her, he couldn’t quite find the words. With the armour removed she was wearing a tight fitting undersuit in black with a zip down the centre. The only skin it revealed was her hands and feet which were now bare. She pulled down the zip giving her neck more room to move as she slid passed Kalian and into the rest of the Fathom. Lump firmly removed from his throat, Kalian left the armoury behind her.
“So where do we sleep on this thing?” Kalian was looking everywhere but at Li’ara, while trying to move the topic along.
“We aren’t sleeping.” Li’ara activated the hull cameras creating giant holograms of the outside. No one would be arriving unannounced.
Kalian could now see the hangar stretched out before him. There were rows of ships identical to the ones that Telarrek had arrived in when they had first met on the Icarus station. To his left was the vast portal that stretched across the hangar, from there he had seen his world come to an end. He pushed the memory away.
“You need sleep, Li’ara. I got some while I was passed out but you, when was the last time you got any rest?” He had noticed the pale skin under her eyes becoming darker over the last couple of hours.
“I’ll sleep when there’s time.” Always the soldier. “Right now I need to know more about you.”
Kalian looked into the distance of the hangar. He knew what she wanted to know. She wanted to continue their conversation from earlier. The topic was hard for him to discuss out loud. He had spent his whole life keeping it a secret without even knowing what it was himself, and he had no idea how to explain the event in the medical room.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything. Chances are high this is the reason they’re so interested in you. If we can maybe figure it out before they do, we’ll have the advantage.”
That’s what it was to her, what he was. Just another way to gain the advantage against a species they couldn’t hope to beat, and why should they? Telarrek had said they were guests, not prisoners. So far the Novaarians had done nothing but try and help. How could she see them as such a threat? Even Kalian was frustrated at Telarrek’s lack of answers regarding his significance, but that didn’t make him the enemy.
He realised he hadn’t said anything for a while but couldn’t think of anything to say, it was like his brain wouldn’t allow him to talk about it.
“What else can you do Kalian?” Li’ara sat on the backrest of the long sofa, her bare feet digging into the cushion beneath. “You pushed me away without touching me. Not to mention all the floating stuff in the room. I’m no expert but that sounds like...”
“Telekinesis.” Kalian couldn’t look her in the eyes as he said it, it sounded so absurd. But he had done his own research growing up. Waking up almost every morning with his belongings floating around had forced him into looking into it. “I’ve never been able to use it on a person before, only small objects, things I could actually pick up, you know?”
Kalian took his jacket off, throwing it onto the sofa. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he could feel a headache coming on. He looked down at his long-sleeved top that had once been a navy blue colour. Now it was stained with soot and ash with blood stains around the hole near his abdomen. It would have to do though since his entire wardrobe was distant stardust.
“Is that it, nothing else? You mentioned something about breaking Info-bands earlier.”
Kalian could feel those green eyes boring into him. “I don’t get on very well with electronics...” He slumped onto the sofa opposite.
“What does that mean?”
“It means they malfunction around me. I walk into a room after a bad day and all the fuses meld together, lights overheat, alarms go off, doors don’t open for me because the sensors short circuit.” He was getting frustrated thinking about it. “Shit just breaks around me.” He let his head fall on to the soft backrest.
“That sounds exhausting.” Li’ara appeared only half interested as she was trying to piece a bigger puzzle together. “How have you kept this a secret for so long, you obviously haven’t learned to control it?”
Kalian lifted his head to argue his side but the subject exhausted him. He had been fighting this thing for as long as he could remember, and telling her all the ways he had tried to take control wouldn’t change the fact that she was right. In a pinch, he could focus his thoughts and feelings to limit its reach, but he couldn’t use it at will or for any good.
“I’ve kept to myself, a lot.” He let his head fall back again. “I’m the reason my parents are dead...”
He didn’t know why he said it. The words had never been spoken out loud before, only ever in his thoughts. His world had spiralled that day and nothing had ever been the same since.
Today had that same feeling.
“The accident with the Mag-car.” It was a statement, not a question.
Li’ara had clearly done her research on him. With the world having come to an end only hours before, this seemed so trivial in comparison.
“They were arguing about something. I don’t remember what. I was in the back becoming upset about it. I remember the Weather Net had created a rainstorm that night, it was pounding the windows. I don’t think they even noticed the speed, why would they, it was on auto. It was the last bend before our exit, the Mag-car should have slowed down automatically but it just got faster and faster. At those speeds, the magnets just weren’t strong enough to keep us connected.” It was as though a weight was lifting off his chest. Just talking about it out loud gave him the feeling of release. But the guilt was still rooted.
“It went over the edge, into the lanes below.” Li’ara finished it for him.
She was right of course; they dropped fifty feet, colliding with the back half of an empty Mag-transport.
“The report didn’t make much sense after that.”
Li’ara left her words hanging, giving Kalian the opportunity to fill in the hazy facts. “The car was a mess. Just a ball of twisted metal and broken glass. They told me my parents died on impact, but I...” He had to think of the right words. He had spent years reliving this mem
ory, trying to define what he could remember. “They had to prise the car apart to get to me. The space around me was untouched; the metal literally bent away from me, even my seat wasn’t scratched. I passed out before they removed me. The next thing I know I’m waking up in hospital.”
“What happened?”
“I think...” He paused for a moment. He couldn’t believe what he was about to say. “I think I kept it all back. The same way I lift things or the way I pushed you. It’s just instinct.”
Li’ara was just looking at him, no expression to give her thoughts away. Silence filled the ship as she absorbed his words. Kalian couldn’t believe the only person he had ever opened up to was a UDC soldier. The one organisation he had feared would lock him up forever and turn him into a lab rat was the UDC. Something about Li’ara was different though; there was an understanding beneath all the training she had been put through. He couldn’t explain it, but he trusted her. His head had become a lead weight sinking into the sofa.
“What am I, Li’ara?” He knew she wouldn’t have the answer, but he asked anyway.
“You’re different.” Her smile was almost undetectable.
5
Not long after their conversation, Li’ara disappeared into the cockpit. She said something about running a diagnostic on the Fathom, but Kalian could tell her armour had cracked. There was a sad glint in her eyes after talking about memories of Earth. She had certainly lost someone, but he couldn’t tell who and he didn’t want to press her. She would talk to him when she wanted, or shoot someone - he wasn’t sure which.
Before she left, Kalian retrieved his Datapad from a storage locker disguised as a wall. Apparently, Li’ara had stored it away along with his bag. Kalian had thought he’d never see such things again. He had used this Datapad for teaching since he qualified; it was the one piece of technology that he hadn’t wrecked.
With all the recent revelations about this new galaxy, he couldn’t relax enough to sleep. His head was full of new ideas about the other species Telarrek had spoken of, this Conclave and new invaders that even they didn’t know about. He had so many questions and almost no answers. Thinking about what they were flying towards made it all so trivial. There was a chance they might not even survive another encounter with the invaders, he had only just made it through the first.
The Terran Cycle Boxset Page 13