“That… I’m hungry?”
So-Elku shook his head but continued waving his hand.
“That I’m smelling warm bread…”
“Which is coming from?”
“From… from someone who’s making it?”
“Yes!” So-Elku clapped his hands in celebration of the small victory. Piper smiled at his exuberance, apparently pleased. “So the scent leads to somewhere else.”
“Oh, so you’re saying that I can smell the Nexus from the pond.”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. But unlike the bread analogy, we’re not going to find the baker and the bread shop. We’re going to stay right here and look more closely at the smell.”
“You can’t see smells.”
“It’s an analogy, Piper.”
“Doma.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re supposed to call me doma, not Piper.”
Was she always this much of a handful? he wondered. “Do you want me to teach you something interesting or not?”
Piper withdrew again. “I was just trying to point out that you called me the wrong thing.”
For what felt like the hundredth time, So-Elku took a deep breath, steadied himself, and cleared his mind. “Thank you for the correction, doma.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now, shall we see what we can see?”
“Sure,” she said, winking with one of her big blue eyes.
“Focus, doma,” So-Elku said, lifting his palm to each side of her head like blinders. Piper straightened her back and then closed her eyes. “I want you to feel the Nexus flowing up and into the lily pond, feeding it, surrounding it, sustaining it. Can you sense it?”
“I… yes, I think so.”
“Good. Now, follow that feeling, not—”
“Not down to the Nexus. I got it, shydoh.”
So-Elku nodded. Perhaps she’s not entirely hopeless after all. “Instead, dwell within it. Exist within it. Feel yourself merging with the energy and becoming a part of it.”
“Like this?”
Suddenly, a blast of energy knocked So-Elku off his feet—not just within the Unity but outside of it. The wave was so powerful that it dislodged him from his second sight and forced him out of the ethereal realm. He lay on his back, ears and head ringing, and squinted as he got his bearings. When he could focus, he saw Piper hovering above the pool—no, where the pool had been. There was only a shallow pit in the ground. Instead, the water, the fish, the lilies, algae, all of it circled Piper. Her hands were lifted as if controlling the movements of everything within the lily pond, fingers flowing in rhythm with the Nexus’s power.
“That’s marvelous, Piper,” So-Elku said, aware that his voice freely betrayed the wonder he felt inside. He touched the back of his head and then saw blood on his fingertips, barely aware of the injury. He looked back at the girl. “Now, now—can you feel deeper? Can you sense that there is more to explore?”
“Uh-huh,” Piper said. “Should I?”
So-Elku braced himself, still out of breath. “Yes.”
The next demonstration of power came not as a blast but as a rumble that made the pebbles on the stone path pop off the ground in fits. So-Elku steadied himself, hands on the ground, body vibrating. He glanced around the garden and noticed the tree limbs quivering and the flower beds shaking. The birds had gone silent too.
Then So-Elku witnessed something he never imagined possible. The matter surrounding Piper began to spread apart.
At first, the change was subtle, as if the floating pool of water and all its contents were blurry. So-Elku thought to rub his eyes save for the fact that Piper herself wasn’t blurry; unlike everything else in the garden, she was utterly still. Then separation became more noticeable as droplets of water began separating from one another. The fish too began pulling apart—not in a violent way that suggested their death. So-Elku imagined they were still very much alive. Instead, it was as if the fish had been separated on a fundamental level, their life force present, but their composition exposed.
The pool and its contents suddenly began to expand—matter pulled apart in a swirling display of colored light. So-Elku hadn’t the slightest idea how any molecular bonds remained intact. By all accounts, this act should have released cataclysmic levels of energy. Instead, the pool’s components broke down into some infinitesimal level that defied understanding. The light and matter spread out over the garden like the helical star cloud of a distant nebula. So-Elku felt as though he was gazing into eternity itself as the cascade of light swirled above him.
“Magnificent,” he said, barely able to speak the word. Tears rolled down his cheeks, and he found himself hardly able to breathe.
“I see it,” Piper said at last. “I see it all.”
“Yes. Mystics yes, you do, my child.”
“It’s beautiful.”
This time So-Elku couldn’t respond. He was shaking in ecstasy. There was no precedent for what he was witnessing. Piper made whatever thresholds So-Elku had crossed look elementary at best and unmentionable at worst. This was a display of power no Luma had ever seen, and may never see again.
“I can see more,” Piper said after a moment.
“More?” What more was there to see?
“I see a path leading up to this moment,” Piper continued. “And paths leading away. They’re like trails for all the things that make up the pond.”
Mystics, was she seeing time? It wasn’t unheard of for Luma to traverse limited aspects of time. But to see the routes of matter itself? It defied explanation. No wonder the girl had been given a suit to regulate her abilities.
Seeing Piper like this, So-Elku knew he’d been right to secure her for his plans. What force existed that could withstand her? That could rival her? But not just for his sake—for hers too. She owed it to herself to be a part of the galaxy’s future. She might not see it today, of course, but she would arrive at it soon enough—if she is adequately guided. Everyone needs guidance, he reminded himself, lest they fail to see what is right in front of them. And guide her he would.
So-Elku struggled to prop himself up on his elbows. Then, as he sought to gain control of his voice, he said, “Now bring it back. Slowly. Let everything be rejoined as it once was.”
Piper seemed to acknowledge his instructions with a nod though it was hard to make her body out amidst the brilliant lights. She moved her hands up and down as if they played on the winds of the universe. At once, the helical expanse began to collapse. The light folded in on itself—atoms fused, particles rejoined, and the droplets of water merged just as the fish and the lilies took shape once again. And then, the whole scene descended back into the pit until the waters lapped against the pool’s stone edges.
When Piper looked up, water still above her knees, she let out a giggle. “That was super awesome,” she said, looking all around.
So-Elku smiled, thinking of what was to come. “You don’t know the half of it, my child.”
8
“We’re jumping in-system now, my lord,” said the Peregrine’s captain.
Moldark couldn’t remember the man’s name. Ellis perhaps. But why bother with names when this quadrant’s organizations had given everyone ranks. Pathetic. “Thank you, Captain,” Moldark replied. “I’ll be up momentarily. Begin scanning the coordinates I gave you for ships.”
“As you command, my lord.”
Moldark closed out the channel and stared at the mirror in his quarters. Kane’s body was deteriorating faster than expected. Apparently, human physiology was weaker than he first surmised. “The decrepit species,” he said, seething the words through pointed teeth. Spittle landed on the mirror and ran down his black eyes and scabbed skin. He would need more sustenance, and more frequently if he was to stay bound with this… this thing.
Finding hosts was a troublesome affair, and building a reputation that allowed for adequate manipulation of the infrastructure even more so. But Moldark wouldn’t be without some
measure of convenience should Kane’s body fail him. There was always Admiral Brighton, Captain Seaman, and several other notable leaders within the Paragon who would suit his purposes. Plus, they’d already surrendered enough to his mind-crafting that taking control would be far less of a hassle than it had been with Kane.
But Wendell Kane served another purpose, one far more critical than strategic leadership within the quadrant’s ruling military arm. Kane was seed-bearer to her—progeny of the Unity. That the fates would have granted him such a find was proof that he was to silence the pitiful cries of mortal life.
He feared, however, that the seed had been tampered with, that she had been caught up with those who resisted the Paragon and the Republic. Perhaps even So-Elku meddled with her—steward of the Unity for this pithy sector of a forsaken universe. And she was close—he could feel it. Coaxing her to join him, however, may present his greatest obstacle yet. But he would find a way—he must. He needed the child if he was going to accomplish his plans.
For all Moldark’s powers as an Elemental, he could not commune with the Unity. That was reserved for mortals, and he scorned them for it more than ever. Likewise, he despised them for finding freedom from their meager existence through death. They lived but the span of a vapor before blinking out of existence. Meanwhile, he was cursed to roam the cosmos with no hope of rest. None, that is, unless he were to vanquish his foes and eradicate life until the universes were quiet once more. The Republic and its amalgamation of species were not the first victims to suffer his relentless pursuit of his mortal enemies. And they would not be the last.
* * *
“What have you found?” Moldark said upon entering the ship’s bridge. A few other crew members occupied workstations throughout the dimly lit space, their faces illuminated by the glow of holo displays and button-strewn consoles.
“We have identified dozens of Republic ships coming and going from Worru, my lord. But none of them match the description or location you provided.”
Moldark’s teeth pricked his tongue, and he instantly tasted Kane’s blood. The ship was most likely gone, as he suspected. But if the scout vessel he’d sent to the quantum tunnel’s location returned with a negative report, then he knew the rebels and their new void horizon wouldn’t be far. “No matter,” Moldark said, sucking the blood across his teeth. “Keep scanning. If you discover anything out of the ordinary, let me know.”
“Surrounding the reconstruction efforts?”
Moldark had turned away but stopped to look back at the captain. “What reconstruction efforts?”
“In the capital city, my lord.” The captain paused, but when Moldark didn’t say anything, he added, “There seems to have been a sizable ground conflict in the capital city.”
“Show me. Ellis, is it?”
“Yes, my lord. As you wish.” The captain called his sensors officer to attention and ordered images to the main viewing window. Within seconds, live orbital views of Plumeria populated the Peregrine’s bridge, each sub-window showing details of the destruction. Hundreds of black blisters pockmarked the roads with gashes that streaked away from their epicenters. Buildings crumbled into street corners, and wreckage from blown-up vehicles made certain side-streets impassable. He even thought he saw the remains of starfighters littered throughout the city. That, along with the decimated planetary defense batteries, meant a significant conflict had played out here not more than a few days ago—perhaps even around the time that Nos Kil had sent his transmission.
“There,” Moldark said, pointing to a particular docking bay. “Zoom in and clarify.” The sensors officer followed Moldark’s orders and brought up the image of the bay.
Moldark felt Kane’s heart skip a beat. “She was there.”
“Who was, my lord?” Ellis asked.
But Moldark barely heard the man’s question. The girl had been in that hangar bay—he could feel it. He didn’t need second sight to see there had been a release of power, one so strong that its marks would never leave that place. Hundreds of lives had been snuffed out at that moment. Which meant… “She’s becoming herself.”
“My lord?” Ellis asked from beside him.
Moldark eyed the man curiously. He seemed unusually pliable. Perhaps he would make a good underling. Or a good meal, Moldark couldn’t decide. “Hail the planet,” he said. “I want to speak to So-Elku, Master of the Luma.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
The comms officer went into motion, making the necessary contact with Plumeria and eventually getting through to the Grand Arielina and Elders Hall.
“I have Master So-Elku, Captain.”
Ellis was about to say something, but Moldark said, “Bring him up.”
The comms officer complied, and a holo feed of So-Elku stood before Moldark at the front of the bridge. He seemed to be standing in a garden of sorts, though the background details were washed out.
“Fleet Admiral Kane,” So-Elku said. “To what do I owe the displeasure of this unsolicited communication? I see you are in-system and without invitation.”
“Come now, Luma master, is my presence here really all that unwelcome?”
So-Elku seemed to consider this for a moment before saying, “Considering the scope of our last encounter, I should think so. Unless, of course, you’ve come to make amends.”
Moldark placed his hands behind his back and ignored the statement. “It seems you have been visited by some misfortune as of late.”
“If by misfortune you mean your own presence, then I heartily agree.”
“Our sensors are detecting quite the skirmish in your city’s center.”
“And what business is this of the Republic’s?” So-Elku asked, clearly unaware of the Paragon as a name.
“I was hoping you could tell me that, seeing as how you have become such close friends with them.”
If So-Elku was put off guard by the words, Moldark could not tell. The man was as slippery as a Limerian nethermander in a sewer. No wonder he’s at home with the Nine, Moldark remarked to himself. Not that he had any experience with Limerian amphibians, but Kane did.
“Admiral Kane,” So-Elku said after a short pause. “Unless you have official business with the Luma, I suggest you leave the system before we are forced to prevail upon the Galactic Republic.”
“And yet, it seems you’ve already conferred with them enough as it is.” Moldark thought he saw the Luma’s eye twitch. “Be that as it may, I won’t leave the system. In fact, it’s come to my attention that you and I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
“I must warn you that any attempt to land on Worru will be met with force,” So-Elku said.
“Not very becoming of a peace-minded Luma master.”
“We render peace to those who wish to make it with us. You, however, have ulterior motives, ones which we will take every measure to thwart. I can assure you, Admiral, that we will thwart you.”
“And I can assure you, Luma, that based on my review of your planetary defenses, you are in no shape to be making threats against me.” Moldark was about to continue when he saw someone walk behind So-Elku. A child. A female child with blonde hair dressed in green and black robes. She’d been there for only an instant, but it was enough. It was her.
“Admiral, I must insist that—”
“Terminate,” Moldark ordered the comms officer, and the woman wasted no time in closing the channel. Then he turned to Captain Ellis, spitting as he spoke. “Order the Valiant to prepare an away team, four platoons. Departure in ten minutes. We’re landing in Plumeria, and I want every weapon we have on civilian targets. Is that clear?”
“Yes, my lord,” Ellis said, wiping blood from his cheek. “Consider it done.”
9
“How we looking?” Magnus asked as he ripped off his helmet and threw it into a crash couch. Awen and Willowood turned to greet him and Caldwell while Nolan reviewed the data on several holo screens.
“You’re late,” Awen said, hands on her
hips.
“We ran into some trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Nothing we couldn’t handle, Miss Awen,” Caldwell said. He looked at Nolan and repeated Magnus’s initial question.
“The good news is that no one’s questioned our ship ident and security clearance yet. So as long as we move slow and steady, and the towers don’t get curious about our ship’s visual presence, we should be good.”
“And the bad news?”
“Paragon ships just landed, ten bays down.”
“Splick.” Magnus looked at Caldwell. “This is gonna be closer than we thought.”
“I’m afraid it’s worse than that,” Nolan added. “According to Ricio, Moldark’s personal ship is called the Peregrine.”
“Why the hell do I care about… Splick. It’s here, isn’t it.”
Nolan nodded. “Like I said, ten bays down. And if his accompanying transports are full, like I suspect they are, then he has a small company of troopers along for the ride.”
Magnus looked at Caldwell, then said, “One look at this ship, and they’ll know something’s up.”
“Agreed,” the colonel replied. “Let me check in with Forbes—see where he’s at.” Caldwell stepped out of the bridge and started shouting in his comm.
“Why are you shouting?” Awen redirected the question to Magnus. “Why’s he shouting.”
“Long story. Listen, how’s Piper?”
“It’s hard to say, but I think she’s okay.”
Magnus ran a hand over his face. “And you couldn’t speak with her or anything?”
Awen shook her head. “It isn’t like a comms system, Magnus. We felt her presence. That’s all.”
“Well, at least she’s alive, right?”
“Yes.” Awen put a hand on his chest. “Let me remind you of what you just told me: we’ll come back for her.”
Ruins of the Galaxy Box Set: Books 1-6 Page 141