by Petra Landon
“What are you waiting for? Get your butt to Cruiser Control pronto.”
Novi hesitated. Technically, she was on the clock.
“Ask Burok, Novi. He’ll understand” Kidani signed off.
Thus adjured, Novi made her way to Space Bay where the mechanic worked on repairs.
“Novi” he greeted her absently, his eyes on the damaged board before him.
Novi hesitated and Burok seemed to sense it.
He looked up. “What is it?”
“We’re about to jump the SPL” she said.
Comprehension flashed across his face. “Never jumped the portal?”
Novi shook her head.
He smiled. “It’s a treat. Enjoy your first jump, Novi.”
She grinned. “Thanks, Burok. I’ll finish up after.”
The board in his hand beeped urgently and he turned back to it as Novi hurried away.
In Cruiser Control, Kidani waited for her, brimming with excitement. “A jump never gets old” she remarked to Novi. “No matter how many times you do it.”
Novi noted that the crew in the chamber didn’t seem to share Kidani’s excitement. While the Cruiser idled in space, Kali and the Captain chatted desultorily and the others focused on their stations. The Co-Pilot Seat beside Kali was unoccupied. This surprised Novi who had assumed that a portal jump would require two pilots working in tandem — one to navigate the ship and the other to deal with SPL procedures.
Kidani, a fountain of knowledge, explained that they were at the portal, awaiting their turn. At night, the Labyrinth rarely had a queue. But during peak times, like now, vessels might experience a short delay as they queued up to jump. On the Vista Screen, Novi could see nothing but empty space — no SPL installation or lights of any kind. It was like they were the only people in the middle of nowhere, waiting in the dark to jump to a different corner of the Inner Worlds. It was all Novi could do to contain her excitement.
Abruptly, a disembodied voice filled the chamber, pumping through the speakers. “SPL Authority to Ilar’s Justice, you have priority. Proceed to the jump area. You will jump next.”
“Being Venn Corp’s blue-eyed boys has some advantages” Kidani murmured sotto voice to Novi.
Kali turned his attention to the controls. The Cruiser eased forward slowly and he engaged the Star Hailer. “Ilar’s Justice to SPL Authority, moving to jump area.”
Novi watched eagerly as Kali carefully steered the big Cruiser. Gradually, the inky blackness on the Vista Screen was replaced by the outline of a craft; first, in the distance and then, closer. That must be the jump area, she realized excitedly. The ship on the screen was waiting to jump.
A brilliant flash lit up the Vista Screen, almost blinding her. Novi shielded her eyes as bright light silhouetted the waiting craft, making it shimmer against the dark background. A jagged gap opened up in space to show a yawning void lit up by the incandescent ship. Novi’s jaw slackened as the void seemed to pull the ship into it. Before she could blink, the gaping void had swallowed the vessel whole to revert back to unremarkable black space. She stared at where the ship had been only moments earlier. But the view on the Vista Screen was unremarkable again — vast, empty and dark. Then, something shimmered where a starship had been swallowed whole.
Novi turned to her companion. “Is that …?” her incredulous voice trailed off.
Kidani grinned. “Zufon Ventini is nothing if not a showman. The StarVision celebrity stuff didn’t happen in a vacuum.”
Novi’s stunned eyes returned to the Vista Screen to catch a last glimpse of the winking alphabet. It was almost as if Zufon Ventini had added a signature to his portal — a large, shimmering version of the alphabet Z, akin to the lightning-shaped insignia on the Ventini Guards’ livery.
“Wow” she muttered under her breath.
“Something, isn’t it?” her companion agreed.
“Aye” Novi assented, giddy at having seen a live portal jump. It was beyond anything she had imagined.
Ilar’s Justice, which had paused when the portal opened, slid forward again and Novi’s anticipation kicked into higher gear. What a day this was turning out to be, she mused. Ryfkin Soren had agreed to take her on as a temporary member of his crew and she’d viewed an SPL jump up close. Now, she was about to embark on an experience that, under normal circumstances, would be beyond the reach of most InnerWorlders, except the seriously well-heeled.
With the excitement flooding her and the heightened buzz of rising anticipation, it took Novi a few minutes to sense the onset of a headache. A familiar pressure assailed her. Much like the pull of the strongbox, she realized. But this was stronger and seemed to increase in intensity. What could it be, she wondered in confusion. Whatever it was, the effect on her was profound, much stronger than the box hidden in the duct.
No, no, no — this is the wrong time to go to pieces.
But it was not to be. The dull ache in her head exploded abruptly into a piercing pain that made Novi see stars. Cruiser Control and the Vista Screen faded into the background as Novi fought to stay on her feet. As the agony washed over her in never-ending waves, she reached blindly for the wall behind her to slump against it. Kidani, her attention on the Vista Screen, missed the signs on the girl struggling beside her.
Fighting to not succumb to the beckoning darkness, Novi closed her eyes, taking shallow breaths to counter the throbbing in her head. In the background, she heard the discombobulated voice of SPL Authority tell Ilar’s Justice to get ready to jump. Under her, she sensed the cessation of all vibration as the Cruiser slid to a complete stop. A flash lit up the Vista Screen and Novi felt the stabbing pain in her head ratchet up a notch. She clenched her jaw, biting her lips to draw blood as she struggled to not cry out. Stars danced around her head, in groups and scattered, moving towards and away from each other, in a dizzyingly busy and colorful kaleidoscope.
As the Cruiser was pulled inexorably into the portal, Kidani turned excitedly to her companion, only to note Novi’s distress.
“Novi” she exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm. “Are you alright?”
But Novi was past answering her, her agony now unbearable — she felt as if her head might explode from the flood of sensation. Unable to take it anymore, she opened her mouth to scream. What came out was a hoarse whimper. Dimly, she heard the others exclaim as Kidani’s concerned voice called urgently to her. Hands reached to steady her and footsteps ran towards her as everything went black. The winking stars, whirling madly around her head, blinked out abruptly and Novi slid into blessed oblivion.
The Benevolent Ones
“Approaching Sacred Realm” Kali’s voice, with its exotic RimWorlder cadences, announced through the speakers. “Kidani, it’s a sight.”
Kalinjan Voten, ex-Renegade and current member of Ilar’s Justice, dedicated much of his spare time to pulling Kidani’s leg. There was much Novi admired the big RimWorlder for, including his extraordinary abilities as a pilot. Kali could make the large unwieldy Star Cruiser glide effortlessly through the narrowest of apertures, kissing any space debris in its path, and his navigation of asteroids in the Ring was a sight to behold.
“Come on, Novi” Burok called to her. “Don’t want to miss this.”
Novi’s eyes shot to him. “You’re interested in the Realm, Burok?” she exclaimed. She had not expected InnerWorlder myths or spirituality to hold much appeal for the soft-spoken RimWorlder.
The mechanic smiled. “I’m interested in history, not religious beliefs. From all accounts, the Benevolent Ones have had a huge influence and impact on your history and the advancement of the Invun Welds, aside from any contributions to InvunWelder beliefs.”
“You’re right” Novi affirmed, setting aside her tools. “The Benevolent Ones touch all aspects of life on the Inner Worlds. Even our language is heavily inspired from theirs, while our script is borrowed from them.”
“Let’s go” he urged her. “Before Jerik finds a shiny new toy to divert his attention.
”
Novi fell into step beside him. “Kidani would never allow it. She’s excited about the Realm.”
Burok shot her a glance. “And you, Novi? I thought you’d be wild to see it.”
“I am” she acknowledged.
For a moment, he said nothing.
“I heard what happened at the portal” Burok said quietly. “You’re not the only one to have a tough first jump. There are many who have trouble with it. The jump throws our bodies momentarily out of whack. You’ll get used to it.”
Novi, who suspected that she wouldn’t get used to the jumps, remained silent, following the mechanic into Cruiser Control.
A few hours of reflection had Novi reach two conclusions. The contents of the box in the duct was connected to the SPL. Though of course, the energy waves from the portal were exponentially stronger than anything she experienced with the strongbox. The silver lining was that finally, she had an explanation for her nightly blackouts and agony. Courtesy of Venn Corp, this Cruiser had unlimited privileges on the Labyrinth. And every time Ilar’s Justice jumped a portal, she experienced the debilitating effects of the SPL — acute agony followed by blessed oblivion. But though alarming and inexplicable, the Labyrinth’s effect on her was nothing compared to Novi’s terror at the second inference she'd drawn from the incident. She was the only one aboard the Cruiser to experience this extraordinary and profoundly powerful fallout of a portal jump. Just as the slingers had been oblivious to the energy from the strongbox in the duct, so were her shipmates. Before, this had merely been a mystery that puzzled Novi. Now, it petrified her. In the silence of her chamber, she’d made herself a pledge. Every time the Cruiser used the SPL, she must ensure none of the crew was around to witness its agonizing effect on her. Now that she was on the duty roster, Novi also had access to the Cruiser’s itinerary. She was determined to familiarize herself with all upcoming portal jumps and make herself scarce. One extreme reaction to a Star Portal could be explained away, but more would cause talk on the Cruiser. Given that Ryfkin Soren already had questions about her, she did not intend to add to them.
When she’d come to after blacking out during the last jump, Novi had found herself in the Rec Chamber, with an anxious Kidani and a surprisingly solicitous Yukon hovering over her. Plied with water by Kidani, while Yukon kept up a steady stream of soothing small talk, Novi had recovered her composure. But her fortitude was merely a veneer. Novi’s mind continued to grapple with the strange circumstances and extraordinary coincidences. What did the SPL have to do with Zufon Ventini’s dig? As before, Ventini’s expeditions continued to search for Realms and the Heavenly Abode. What could possible connect the Labyrinth to them? But more importantly, why was she the only one affected so powerfully by the portal? This Cruiser carried RimWorlders and InnerWorlders alike and yet, she was the only one to suffer the side-effects of a portal jump. An uneasy suspicion continued to intrude, vying with all the other jumbled and confused half-explanations in her head. Did it have anything to do with her ability to be a shadow — the reason for the locket she always carried on her. The strange anomaly was intrinsic to her, something she’d been aware of for as long as Novi could remember. Like a familiar friend who’d been through thick and thin with her, Novi had stopped wondering about it. Until now.
As they entered Cruiser Control, Novi’s eyes shot to the Vista Screen. A planet featured prominently on it — a gleaming star surrounded by swirling darkness. This was Fumiko Terra – the third Sacred Realm to be discovered in the Inner Worlds. The crew gawked at it with varying degrees of curiosity and wonder.
“Strange” Kali muttered from the Pilot Seat, his attention on the controls. “Something on the planet is starcasting to all Hailers within range.”
Commander Jeryn looked startled. “Starcasting what, Kali?”
The pilot shrugged. “Beats me.”
“Send it through the speakers, Kali” Ryfkin Soren directed.
A robotic voice filled the chamber to announce mechanically. “Greetings from Ventini Corporation. We welcome all InnerWorlders to sacred soil once blessed by the Benevolent Ones.”
The message continued to play in a never-ending loop, but after the third iteration, Kali shut it off.
“TziGaros!” Soren swore lustily. “What the feck does Venn Corp have to do with this?”
Zinera Jeryn shook her head in confusion, equally at sea. “I thought all Sacred Realms were administered by the Guild.”
The others, not as well-versed with local history, stared at their InnerWorlder crewmates. A puzzled Jerik said nothing, merely glancing at Kidani, whose face was a mask of astonishment.
It was Novi who proffered an answer. Distraught and alarmed she might be by the mysterious cargo in the duct and the Labyrinth’s ill-effects on her well-being, but Novi knew her history. Wy’s interest in the past had made her very proficient with their heritage.
“Only the early Realms, Commander” Novi responded confidently. “Because they were discovered by Guild-funded expeditions. But since then, there have been expeditions funded by others.”
Soren frowned. “Did not Zufon Ventini discover all the Sacred Realms?” he asked Novi.
“He did, Cap’n. He was searching for the Heavenly Abode when he came upon the first Sacred Realm. Since then, he’s discovered two more Realms. But clearly, this one was the result of a Venn Corp expedition.”
Under the RimWorlder’s frowning gaze, Novi expanded. “Rumors abound that Zufon Ventini found a map on the first Realm.”
“What kind of map?” the Captain asked.
“One that traces the Benevolent Ones’ footsteps through the Inner Worlds. It might explain why he’s the only one to discover all the Realms so far, despite the many well-funded expeditions in recent years.”
As the crew gaped at her, Novi shrugged self-consciously. “It’s a rumor. Might have nothing to it.”
The confusion in his fellow Renegades drove Ryf to a decision. If he intended to take on the Guild, he must understand the history, beliefs and practices of the Inner Worlds. The previous confrontations with the Guild had been on RenWelder turf. Then, it was the Coalition that had suffered a disadvantage. But to engage the Guild in their own backyard, he’d have to level the playing field. The Sacred Realms and the Benevolent Ones played a prominent role in the InvunWelders’ belief system. To successfully challenge the Guild’s domination of the Inner Worlds, he must understand them.
“Park us close, Kali” he directed. “Time for a history lesson.”
The RimWorlder pilot reached for the controls, to steer the Cruiser away from the planet. The Captain turned to Novi again.
“You know your history, Novia Dozanti?” he queried.
She gave him a mute nod by way of answer.
“Explain it to me” he commanded.
Novi took a deep breath. “Legend has it that eons ago, when life on the Inner Worlds was in its infancy, an alien race visited us from far beyond the Ring. They introduced themselves as star seekers — wanderers of the stars. At first, the InnerWorlders welcomed them with open arms. They were an advanced race, with technology far beyond our ken. Only a few scattered Inner Worlds were inhabited at that time, with little means of inter-planetary travel. But the aliens helped us with our infrastructure, built us cities far beyond anything we could imagine and connected the Inner Worlds with their space technology. Eventually, a few intrepid InnerWorlders expressed an interest in traveling the stars and the aliens encouraged and assisted them in this endeavor. But soon, the first rumors started trickling in and thanks to the aliens’ efforts in connecting the Inner Worlds, the whispers spread like wildfire. They hinted darkly that the InnerWorlders who left to travel the stars with the aliens were gone forever, dead or worse. That perhaps they’d been taken far from their homes to be sold as slaves. After all, no one ever returned and neither did anyone hear from them once they commenced their journey to the stars. Fear spread across the Inner Worlds and suddenly, those we looked upon as our benef
actors began to appear as something far different. A small cadre of InnerWorlders pooled their resources together to send out distress calls on the Star Hailer. After all, we were not strong or advanced enough to take on the aliens by ourselves. And it was poetic justice to use the technology the aliens had given us against them. They received no response on the Star Hailer at first, though the rumors soon gained traction and there were sporadic reports of revolts on some planets asking the aliens to leave.”
“Did they?” Kali interrupted her to ask curiously. “Leave when the locals asked?”
His question seemed to break the almost hypnotic silence in Cruiser Control. From Wy, Novi had learned the artistry of a consummate storyteller. And when it came to the past, she was in her element, holding her audience enthralled as they lapped up the tale of a long-ago legacy.
She shook her head. “They did not return to their faraway world as increasing numbers of InnerWorlders desired. Eventually, as circumstances became more desperate, a race responded to our distress hail. More advanced than us, they were willing to tangle with the aliens and force them out of the Inner Worlds. But many of the same people who’d advocated asking for assistance from other races also advised caution. We’d been burned once, and they did not want history to repeat itself again. A small band of InnerWorlders, leaders of the nascent resistance, met with representatives of the new race willing to help us. And, a deal was agreed to.”
“The Benevolent Ones” Ryfkin Soren murmured, mesmerized as the others with the unfolding tale.
“Yes” Novi affirmed. “They brought a small army to the Inner Worlds and engaged the aliens. After a long and brutal skirmish, mostly fought in space and away from the InnerWorlders who could only wait and hope for a victorious result, the aliens were forced to leave the Inner Worlds. The Benevolent Ones set about repairing the damage done by the aliens before them. Their assistance was better received by the locals — mainly because the Benevolent Ones worked to provide basic services to the Inner Worlds and improve the InnerWorlders’ daily existence, not on advocating and encouraging star travel to distant worlds with their focus on space technology. The Benevolent Ones’ influence on our worlds continues on and the signs can be seen all around us, even today.”