by E. R. Torre
The video accelerated before slowing to normal time. A vessel approached the Apokalupto.
“That’s the Iconoclastic, another private business vessel operating in that area,” Sullivan said. “The Iconoclastic pretended to offer aid to the Apokalupto but her intentions were far from honorable.”
The video again accelerated and the Iconoclastic fled the area.
“Before the good folks within the Iconoclastic could finish their particular brand of help, the asteroid field erupted.”
A tense silence settled upon the room. An alien vessel emerged from the maelstrom. It was followed closely behind by another. The second ship destroyed the first and Sullivan stopped the video.
“Does anyone recognize the design of either vessel?”
The room was very silent.
“They have to be Phaecian ships,” Marcus finally offered.
“Given they’re not any known Epsillon vessels, that a logical guess,” Sullivan said. “But if they’re Phaecian, and considering their sophistication and advanced design, they represent something our rivals would take many decades creating and refining. Is it possible for them to create something like this without us knowing?”
“Given our… contacts… within the Phaecian Empire, that’s unlikely,” Brigadier Offerman said. “We’d have some idea, if not full blueprints.”
“Agreed,” Doctor Sullivan said. “But even assuming the Phaecians somehow did create these ships in total secret and without our knowledge, why send them to a dead end system within our borders? Especially a system like Skryty? If they wanted to test their advanced crafts in Epsillon territory, why not use Adelphia or Menova or—”
Doctor Sullivan’s eyes moved from one officer to the next.
“But we haven’t focused on the most obvious issue: These two vessels are clearly fighting against each other.”
“War games?” C.O. Anderson said.
Doctor Sullivan pressed a button and the video re-wound and re-played. The first ship exited the maelstrom and was fired upon by the second ship. The energy burst reduced the first ship to ash.
“War games are just that,” Doctor Sullivan said. “These vessels are engaged in a life and death battle. Ladies and gentlemen, this much we know: The ships are very likely not Phaecian and they’re certainly not ours. The fact that they’re fighting –again, to the death– suggests we’re dealing with two unknown rival forces. Forces which were to this point, unless you know something I don’t, hidden within our territories.”
Doctor Sullivan let that information sink in before adding:
“I’ve been pouring over our intelligence since receiving this footage. And then, in a rather… unusual place, I found this.”
Several photographic and video images appeared behind Doctor Sullivan. Some were distorted. Some presented images that were too dark or out of focus. They were pictures taken over many years by many different vessels. Some were hundreds of years old and several were very well known cultural icons.
“You brought us here to talk about ghost ships?” one of the older Generals scoffed. “They’re nothing more than children’s stories and tabloid fodder!”
“I think it’s more than that, General,” Doctor Sullivan said and pressed more buttons. Computer graphics were superimposed over several of the older pictures. A comparison of these crafts showed they had similarities to the crafts filmed by the Apokalupto.
“It’s been proven many of those images are fake,” another General said. “Even the ones you’ve presented and compared are hardly proof of the existence of these ghost vessels.”
“Agreed,” Doctor Sullivan said. “I only present them for context and the possibility, slim though it may be, that these ships have been around for many years.”
She pressed a button on her computer keypad. The main monitor and all the monitors around the table changed to a map of the Epsillon Empire. A series of red dots appeared over different systems and each dot had a date and time listed beside it. The very last system to have a dot and time stamp was Skryty.
“On this map you have twelve systems that reported the presence of unidentified vessels within the past three days. These reports have come in without raising much of an alarm. That is, until we received the Apokalupto’s footage and linked the events.”
Doctor Sullivan pressed another button and a red line traced a route from system to system.
“This is the order in which the sightings occurred,” she said.
On the screen was footage of shadowy vessels and bursts of light. The videos went on, showing different space vistas and vessels. Some were lit by starlight, others were half-hidden behind rock and planets. There were videos from weather satellites, Displacers, and spacecraft. Some showed light bursts that were so far away as to be almost invisible.
“Now, let’s see the rest of the Apokalupto’s footage,” Doctor Sullivan said.
The video from the ship appeared, this time showing the alien vessel approaching the cargo vessel. A metal tendril emerged from it and stretched out. The footage was again paused.
“Unknown vessel number two has, at this moment, linked up with and is now aiding the Apokalupto,” Sullivan said. “Had it not done so, the crew would have frozen to death and it’s very likely we would have never seen this footage. If our mystery ship wanted to, it could have destroyed the Apokalupto or ignored her entirely and left the crew to their fates. We would never have been the wiser.”
“The ship’s actions were benevolent?” Marcus said.
“Toward the Apokalupto, certainly,” Sullivan said. “As compared to unknown vessel number one.”
“Madam, you’re suggesting the people behind at least one of these vessels may be a potential ally?”
Doctor Sullivan nodded. She pressed more buttons and in the middle of the conference table appeared a holographic image of two vessels.
“In sum, we have two forces represented by these two ship types. Luckily for us, the fighting has been limited to systems away from major populations. Perhaps even luckier for us, at least one of these forces may be on our side. That’s the end of the good news.”
Doctor Sullivan pressed another button on her computer keypad and the image on the monitors changed back to the Epsillon map. The image zoomed out to show the Phaecian Empire’s territory. Finally, she pressed another button and the dots indicating where the mysterious ships and the apparent battles occurred. The dots formed a line.
The line led from the deepest corners of the Epsillon Empire toward the Phaecian Empire. And then, a single dot appeared within the Phaecian Empire. Then another.
“By the Gods,” Lieutenant Andrews said.
Doctor Sullivan nodded.
“Their war is spreading from Epsillon into Phaecia,” she said.
When the meeting was over, Doctor Sullivan retreated to her office.
She found an elderly man dressed in a crisp military uniform sitting before her desk. In his hands was a computer tablet.
“General Jurgens,” Doctor Sullivan said. “I didn’t think you’d still be here.”
“How did the meeting go?”
“Well. They’ll make preparations. It’s the best we can hope for.”
“I’ve received more intel,” General Jurgens said. “We have a few more dots to add to our map.”
General Jurgens tapped the tablet and a holographic image appeared over it.
It was the same galactic map Doctor Sullivan presented at the end of her briefing but more red dots appeared within the Phaecian Empire.
“These are the latest reported skirmishes,” General Jurgens said. “We have enough of a pattern to make an educated guess as to where our mysterious fighters will show up next.”
On the hologram appeared a dotted line. It moved directly to the next system in the line, then the next.
Doctor Sullivan let out a gasp.
“Is this correct?”
“I’m afraid so,” General Jurgens said.
If the pattern of a
ttacks continued as plotted, one system within the Phaecian Epsillon, a system that housed billions of people, would soon witness these alien crafts and their war.
The system was Helios.
The Phaecian Empire’s seat of power.
32
The planet Helios, Phaecian Empire
The funeral of Holly Raven was a sparsely attended affair.
Inquisitor Raven, the deceased’s husband, held his two young sons, Michael and Janus, at his sides. His hands, quivering, settled on the boys’ shoulders. Despite the incredible grief he felt, he was proud of them. They held their composure through much of the service, giving in and crying only after their mother’s casket was blessed.
Afterwards, the Priest spoke well of Raven’s wife and her sacrifice. But there were times he was at a loss of words. It was difficult to speak of Holly Raven’s passing given the way she perished. It was during those moments of silence that Inquisitor Raven seethed.
“Easy, William,” a voice whispered from behind him.
It was Inquisitor Fulano. He was the Empire’s senior Inquisitor and his ship, the Reverie, was the largest, most powerful, and sophisticated battleship in the fleet.
Inquisitor Raven nodded.
The few who attended the funeral were aware Holly Raven’s death was the result of Inquisitor Raven’s failure to capture Inquisitor Cer and the Xendos while it hid in the Longshore Space Lanes.
In ancient times, when the Empire was young and weak, discipline was maintained at sometimes extreme cost. For the Inquisitors of that bygone era, failure to carry out a command directed by the Council of Twelve could result in extreme punishment. This punishment was designed to focus the Inquisitor’s mind and make them eager to successfully complete future missions.
After failing to capture the Xendos and Inquisitor Cer, Overlord Emeritus, the most senior member of the Council of Twelve, ordered Inquisitor Raven to Helios and, in his chambers, presented him with a stark choice: To pick one among his immediate family –wife or sons– to be executed in penance for this failure.
The casket before Inquisitor Raven spoke of his choice.
Today, such punishments were unheard of and it was whispered most in the Halls of Power were shocked by the Overlord’s decree. But Overlord Emeritus’ pronouncement and the execution of Holly Raven were done quickly, well before the other members of the Council were consulted or could object.
There was talk of repercussions. They would come too late for Holly Raven.
“You will make it through this,” Inquisitor Fulano whispered.
In that moment, Inquisitor Raven felt his emotions nearly overwhelm him.
Inquisitor Raven was, if nothing else, a man devoted to Church and Empire. His oath was the bedrock of his soul. If an Overlord decreed he suffer for his failure, he would accept the punishment for their proclamations were The Word of the Gods themselves.
Inquisitor Raven drew a deep breath.
He imagined Holly escorted to the Overlord’s personal Medical Chambers on the pretext of receiving an examination. Overlord Emeritus’ Doctor administered a sedative and when she was unconscious, a second, lethal drug was administered. Her death, he was told, came without pain.
Inquisitor Raven pleaded with Overlord Emeritus to be there with his wife during her final moments but the request was denied.
“I do this for your own good, Inquisitor,” Overlord Emeritus said. “I do not wish her to know what is about to happen for I do not wish to further your suffering.”
Further your suffering.
A sudden, blinding rage filled the Inquisitor.
“Suffering strengthens the soul as surely as it builds character,” Overlord Emeritus told Inquisitor Raven even as his wife’s last moments slipped by. “Our journey is far from done and I know we will find Inquisitor Cer and the blasphemers who helped her escape. You will avenge your dear wife’s death. I promise you that.”
Inquisitor Raven closed his eyes. His head dropped.
Inquisitor Cer’s escape from the Longshore Space Lanes was nothing short of a miracle. It was the only way to explain how she made it past so many Phaecian ships covering all possible escape routes.
When he opened his eyes again, he looked around at the few people attending the funeral.
Not a single one of the Overlords or Council Elders, not even Overlord Emeritus, were present. Other than Inquisitor Fulano, still standing behind him with his hand on Raven’s shoulder, no other Inquisitor showed up either.
Inquisitor Raven was glad they stayed away even as he was thankful Inquisitor Fulano came.
He didn’t know Inquisitor Fulano well but that would be rectified soon enough. Between the Reverie and the Cygnusa, Inquisitor Raven’s ship, they would take up the search for the Xendos. The vessel would be found, this much Inquisitor Raven swore.
His chest tightened and his breathing grew sharper.
Inquisitor Cer.
He knew her back when she first entered the Corps. She was such an arrogant woman. Then again, to Inquisitor Raven all women who aspired to jobs meant for men were arrogant. He treated her as he treated them all: badly. In the end she had her revenge.
You’ll get what’s coming to you, he thought. Soon.
The Preacher finished the Words of Grief and took a step back and away from the casket.
As he did, it lowered to the bottom of the freshly dug pit. Machines at either side covered it with dirt. In seconds Holly Raven was buried.
The Preacher shook hands with Inquisitor Raven’s sons before offering his hand to Inquisitor Raven. After looking at it for several seconds, the Inquisitor chose not to take it.
This lack of protocol shocked the Priest and he was about to protest.
Before he could, Inquisitor Fulano pulled him away and, as he moved on, the Priest saw the rage in Inquisitor Raven’s eyes.
“Don’t push this,” Inquisitor Fulano said.
“The Gods forgive him,” the Priest muttered.
The ceremony was over.
“Give me a moment,” Inquisitor Raven told his boys.
They waited in the shade of the Ulanah trees while Inquisitor Raven walked toward the departing procession.
“Inquisitor Fulano?” Inquisitor Raven called out.
Inquisitor Fulano came to a stop and faced Inquisitor Raven.
“Inquisitor,” he said and bowed.
“Thank you for coming,” Inquisitor Raven said. Even as he said this, he was surprised to find the Cygnusa’s Chief Engineer, Carlos Muses approach.
“My vessel happened to be in orbit around Helios and…” Inquisitor Fulano shook his head. “What am I saying? My deepest condolences, Inquisitor Raven. Words mean nothing in a time like this—”
“I have no need for words, kind or otherwise,” Inquisitor Raven said. “What I need is to capture the Xendos and Inquisitor Cer.”
Inquisitor Raven winced at the mention of her name.
“You command the fleet’s most fearsome vessel, Inquisitor Fulano. I mean to contact all other commanders of all other ships and coordinate a search. The Xendos will be found. Inquisitor Cer will be brought to justice.”
Inquisitor Raven’s eyes drifted back to Chief Engineer Muses. Inquisitor Fulano followed his gaze.
“You’re wondering what Chief Muses is doing here,” Inquisitor Fulano said.
“I am,” Inquisitor Raven admitted. “He was on leave. He wasn’t supposed to return to the Cygnusa until next week.”
“Chief Muses is on Helios because…” Inquisitor Fulano began and stopped. He shook his head. “It pains me to give you this news here and at this time but… Chief Muses was reassigned to my ship. Part of the reason we’re here is so he can get his personal effects.”
“Is this… is this further punishment against…?”
“No!” Inquisitor Fulano said, perhaps a little too quickly. “I received word of this transfer well before the events involving the Xendos. That’s why he took leave shortly before you were in… i
n Longshore.”
Inquisitor Raven straightened up.
“Chief Muses has been a very valuable member of the Cygnusa,” he said. “He will make your ship proud.”
“I’m certain he will,” Inquisitor Fulano said. He extended his hand. “I’ll be off, Inquisitor. If there’s anything you need…”
Inquisitor Raven grasped Inquisitor Fulano’s hand.
“The only thing I need is help in capturing Inquisitor Cer,” Inquisitor Raven said. “Nothing else matters.”
Inquisitor Fulano walked away, stopping for a few seconds at the Graveyard’s entrance to talk to Chief Muses before moving on. Chief Muses remained where he was, unsure whether to approach Inquisitor Raven. Behind him appeared two women dressed in blue. They were from the Sacred Hearts School and were there to pick up Inquisitor Raven’s boys.
“Dad?” Michael, his eldest son, said.
Inquisitor Raven bent down.
“Michael, Janus,” he began. “There is much I have to do and I won’t… I won’t be around for a while. You’ve been through much and the pain you’re feeling, the pain we are feeling, is overwhelming. But it will go away in time. You must dedicate yourselves to make your mother proud. You must show the universe everything she did for you, all her kindness, meant something.”
“Yes Dad,” Michael said.
Inquisitor Raven gave his sons a final hug.
“Stay strong,” he said. “Promise me you will.”
“We will,” they said.
Inquisitor Raven straightened up just as the Sacred Heart School escorts were at his side.
“Inquisitor,” one of the women in blue said and bowed.
The boys were allowed entry in this prestigious school and their education paid for under the instruction of Overlord Emeritus himself.
Parents would do almost anything to get their children into this school and his sons, as dear to him as they were, did not have acceptable entry grades. By allowing his children in, it was clear Overlord Emeritus was trying to smooth over the punishment he forced upon Inquisitor Raven. Or so it seemed.