“It is truly good to see you, Ms. Davis.” Admiral Conway looked tired, dark purple ringing her eyes. “I worried about your fate.” She looked around, questioning. “Where is Mr. Harris?”
“The Lohil is before his masters,” an ageless looking woman interrupted, her voice and appearance creating a sudden chill in the air as if Sarah and the rest needed anything more to remind them of their dire situation. “He will be judged, and your fates will be decided.” The woman looked at the rift wriggling in the center of the laboratory. “I cannot wait to leave this forsaken realm.”
Sarah narrowed her eyes. “Erika? Is that you?”
“Only in appearance, Ms. Davis,” Admiral Conway winced. “Only in appearance… She calls herself Vengeance and has a temper to support the name.”
The woman ignored the exchange.
“What has happened, Ms. Davis?” Admiral Conway asked.
It took Sarah a moment to focus on the admiral, forcing herself to stare away from all the demons filling the hall. Judging by their faces, the rest of the group was not doing any better. “Well, we found the rift which apparently leads to that temple Sim’Ra told us about.” Sarah knit her brows. “At one point, we were guests at the Cosmon Brotherhood headquarters.”
“The Cosmon Brotherhood?” Admiral Conway’s voice tensed. “They tried to sabotage Deviator, more than once.”
“Well,” Sarah shrugged, “things are a bit complicated on that front.” She nodded at Eras, standing by Elaine’s side and looking more puzzled than worried. “They seem to be in league with our insect cloud friend and with Ray at the same time.”
Admiral Conway’s forehead wrinkled. “But why would they try to cripple my ship?”
“Well, as I said, it’s complicated. Archibald Cosmon turned out to be Sim’Ra’s brother in disguise with a different take on things. You know, the destruction of their home and such. All in all, the interference of the Brotherhood was for a whole different reason than we’ve assumed.”
“That does not explain their actions against my crew. And Sim’Ra getting involved in things is definitely not a good sign. One way, or another; whatever we face, he ends up as a part of it.”
“Well, what can I say? I’m as lost as you are on this one.” Sarah realized she really was confused. It was easier for her to assume the tall aliens were bad guys, here to invade their home. The invasion had turned out to be an act of desperation, and they had been introduced to another, a more devastating enemy that could eat them or turn them into monsters. According to Ray, things were not that simple, and the Devourer was not doing it for her own purpose or because she wanted to. Although Sarah still felt conflicted about Ray’s take on the Devourer, especially when the Devourer’s minions stood before her, menacingly, Sarah had to admit her perception of what an enemy was had changed. Considerably. “Anyway, we made our way to Tarra eventually, and with the help of a local ranger, we found the place.” Sarah looked at the tall ant standing near her, observing Sarah with uninterested eyes. “After Ray and Sim’Ra took the rift, we headed topside, but we bumped into these guys,” she nodded at the beasts, “somewhere near the entrance. I’m guessing your arrival here was no coincidence?”
Admiral Conway frowned. “I do not believe anything involving Mr. Harris and his stones is a coincidence. Our end of things was pretty much about running from her forces,” she indicated the ageless woman, Vengeance, with a gesture of her head, “and eventually getting caught in the process. We had received your signal about Tarra but never had the chance to act on it. Well, we are here, anyway. Seems like Mr. Harris still is the binding force of fate, pulling us all toward himself.”
“His ignorance is not helping us!” Brother Cavil protested, sitting on a dusty chair, looking around the laboratory in discontent. “At least we have some light,” he said finally, looking at the weird vines now covering the ceiling high above them. “Although I prefer torches or light bulbs.”
“The same… thing covered Deviator as well.” The pain of seeing her ship infested with vines of unknown origin truly showed on the experienced admiral’s face. “We resisted, but they are simply greater in numbers and in tactics. Each man I lost was a man gained on their side.”
“That is because you are weak, human.” The infested woman was near them once more. “Without your precious Lohil and his stones, your race has no chance to stand against the might of the Creators. Even with him, I would not keep my hopes high.”
“There was also this.” Admiral Conway sighed. “Look, lady, I do not even know who these Creators are, and frankly, I am too tired to care at this point.”
“I am guessing that kindly asking you to leave us be is out of the question? And while doing so, cleaning the mess you have made of my planet in the process?” Brother Cavil’s voice was not sarcastic, nor was he in his usual craziness. It was mean, threatening even, Sarah realized.
“Easy, old man,” she had to interfere—the man had been beyond reason since he had seen the infested Bunari. His erratic behavior had turned into fringe emotional outbursts.
“No. I want my planet back. My forests and those beautiful animals, I want them back. Tell me,”—his jaw clenched, “do you ever ask what those people, those animals think about being transformed into these mindless drones, these… abominations?”
“Abominations?” the infested woman’s face was truly showing signs of curiosity as if the whole concept of infestation was a common thing in everyone’s daily life.
“Abominations!” Brother Cavil pointed at the ant creature. “Tell me, is this normal? For Light’s sake, this is an ant. It should be the size of a nail, and it should be working with its own kind in forming a nest and collecting seeds, leaves, and water for its colony. Not standing guard in front of a human!”
Vengeance smiled, her red eyes gleaming. “You are but a creation yourself, and not once have you questioned if you are acting according to your purpose. Not once have you questioned your place in the chain of events, and not once has your race realized how destructive they were to their environment, altering things irrevocably.” She sounded truly amazed at the old man’s defiance, his ignorance. “How many species you are so concerned about now have your race destroyed in their quest for self-preservation? How many species in your understanding of a year did your kind make extinct? Tell me,” the infested woman walked to where the old man sat and crouched to ask him, “Have you seen a rhino recently, human? A woodpecker? A leopard or a gorilla? Were these animals not indigenous to your home planet? Earth? Did I kill them? Did I infest them? Did I skin them?” She stood. “You may not understand how the system works but do not insult me by playing the hypocrite. Even in its pathetic form, your species should have higher standards than that.”
“I am not from Earth,” the old priest mumbled.
“In your pitiful excuse of an existence, you may have surpassed the expectations, and in bizarre circumstances, you may have indeed developed an awareness, human. However, that does not change the fact that you, as a species, are a failure at the preservation of other life forms.”
Brother Cavil said nothing, but his nostrils had grown large, his mouth twisted.
“I will let your ignorance slide. You think these creatures were a divine creation. Yes,” Vengeance nodded, “they are the fruits of a divine touch. The touch of the Creators. You wonder what this animal thinks?” Vengeance walked over to a creature covered in chitin, its eyes like a bee’s eyes, but ‘tiger’ would be the word to define it if anyone had asked Sarah. Vengeance touched its head, closing her eyes. Her hands glowed with a sick, greenish aura and illuminated the animal’s head, covering his face. “Speak your mind, creature.”
If Sarah had to explain what was happening, she would use the word “miracle” this time. The creature straightened its posture, a sudden spike of intelligence on its face. “Garass ate Umasa. Garass killed Umasa. Garass wore Umasa. Umasa children no more. Umasa survived with Mother.” As words died, the aura around the creature did
so as well, and the tiger returned to itself again.
Vengeance stroked its head, and Sarah thought she saw true affection, but those red eyes promised their deaths when Vengeance turned back to the humans. “Garass was an industrial species, only focused on improving their machines. They multiplied, and they killed everything in their habitat for food, for wearing their pelts and for their pleasure, and so Umasa’s kind is no more. If his race had not merged with the hive, they would have been gone.”
“Tell me,” Admiral Conway interrupted Vengeance, “was it you adding Umasa to your collective or your mother? And if we are seeded by your Creators, would it be wrong to assume our mistakes are theirs if we do not have free will?”
“The hive is one. Our purpose is clear.” The question angered Vengeance, and if Sarah had any doubts about their fate, she had none now. Good, let’s make sure we are truly screwed.
“And yet, you killed your sisters up there, taking charge. Were they not a part of the hive?”
Vengeance’s anger turned into a deadly pleasure. “You are intelligent, human. I believe yours will be the first species I will merge into the hive.”
***
“So, tell me, what did she do again?”
The female Architect stiffened. It seemed as if she wanted to crush Ray’s head but held back. “That is none of your concern, Lohil. You are here for your own crimes.”
“Let me tell you what she did,” Ray had no intention of slowing. “You created her as a weapon of mass destruction. You gave her a single purpose, and she delivered it vigorously as she didn’t know any better. And when she finally had the chance to explore her roots and grow a conscience, she suddenly became a liability because she knows what you really are.” Ray looked at the Devourer, and for a moment, a glimmer of hope sparked in her eyes. “Tell me, isn’t it funny? One of your creations, by chance, assimilated another of your seedlings and turned the tables on you. How ironic is that?”
The female laughed in a voice with corners. “Do you really think your speeches of grandeur or morality will alter the grand plan? We, the Creators, rule your fate. Are you really that blind to think you can make a difference in your pitiful, little rebellion?” A shriek turned into a howling from the Devourer’s cage. Ray had no idea what they were doing to her, but she was in distress like no other. Her endless eyes rolled back, her wail dying coarsely in her throat as her muscles tensed beyond possibility.
“Lohil, help me.” The voice echoed in Ray’s mind. “I cannot hold for much longer.”
“Is… is that you? What can I do? I can’t reach the stones.”
“The stones do hear you. The temple blinds you to their existence. The plane walker is the key. His stones and his thoughts can be your vessel.”
“You want me to give Sim’Ra the power of Arinar? Are you genuinely mad?”
“I understand your reluctance. Against the odds of certain death and enslavement, it is a risk you must entertain. His race is blind to the five main Arinar. He can never control the stones as you do.”
Ray’s head cleared as the Devourer cut—or lost—her connection. She was right, and Ray knew it. This judgment was a charade. Perhaps something inside Ray or the Devourer prevented them from killing their creations, but that would be pushing their luck. Sim’Ra, in all his devious schemes, was on his side. His nemesis was not Ray, not even the Devourer, but the Architects of his people’s downfall. Ray tried to reach Sim’Ra’s mind, but nothing happened. Stupid, you think you are special without the stones.
“And you, Marakhunassan prince.” The female turned her attention to Sim’Ra, her eyes a monument of mockery, her tone insulting with every vowel. “What did you think you would achieve by coming here? You will strike me down? Kill a few of us?”
“One at a time, she-devil.”
The Architect waved away the idea. “Your quest died long before your ideas of revenge sprouted.” She seated herself with an aura of royalty. “The Devourer will be punished by the very product of her own insolence. The Marakhunassan prince was already punished once. Now, he will watch his scheme dissolve into nothingness, and that will be his second lesson. And for you, Lohil,” she leaned forward. “For you, I have a special plan.”
“Yeah, cakes and fireworks?”
“The one thing that weakens you. The one thing that differs you.” Her laughter was even more sinister this time.
“God, what’s with the mystery with you guys? Just tell and—” Ray’s words died, his eyes bulging, feeling as if a foreign shadow was invading his mind, desecrating his privacy, crawling into his deepest, most private thoughts. “No!”
“Yes,” the female’s eyes narrowed. “Affection.”
“Elaine!”
***
Vengeance stared at Admiral Conway with pure hatred that made Sarah shiver. How the woman handled the pressure was beyond her understanding. Admiral Conway was their leader. Her decisions, tactics, and will had carried them all to this point, keeping them alive. If it weren’t for Rebecca Conway, having Ray’s powers would probably mean nothing. Sarah was sure the man would do something stupid or make a bad call anyway. Admiral Conway had a radiating aura—an unbendable, iron will. It gave Sarah confidence, no matter how bleak the situation was.
“Mother was weak. She gave in to your species’ flawed emotional turmoil. In her flawed curiosity, something she also took from your kind, she delved into things she was not made for.” Vengeance circled the admiral slowly, her eyes weighing her prey. “She was not fit to lead.”
“If her sin was curiosity, yours is true arrogance.”
“Pride maybe, but not arrogance. I am simply stating the obvious.”
Sarah saw Admiral Conway’s right hand twitch.
“Look, I cannot say the same for these people, and I truly wish for their safety. But for the love of everything holy, if you are planning to kill me, please do it with your claws and not your words. Dying of rhetoric boredom was not on my bucket list, errand girl.”
Vengeance hissed, and Sarah saw her face cracking as if it was about to open like a flower, but the motion stopped, and instead, the creature’s lips turned into a vicious smile. “I am beginning to like you, human. You will truly be a good pet.”
“I would prefer a dog. Easier to tame. Or a cat, maybe. Easier to take care.”
Sarah suddenly felt a spike of panic. Darty! They had left the cat on board Fox. She had never considered if the cat would be all right if none of them made it back. Now she wondered if she would ever see Darty again. There’s plenty of food on board, and she survived Tarra long enough, girl. Sarah bit her lip; no way the cat would be able to open the hangar doors to leave the ship—she would probably starve to death after a few weeks—if she could turn on the faucets for water. Damn this war! Damn these creatures, and damn Ray and his stupid stones!
Captain Samir stood a step in front of the kids to block the path of the ant guard. His eyes met Sarah’s, and he saluted with a slight nod. Sarah smiled back. The group looked like cattle awaiting butchery.
“I will not leash you, human, but you will always be a pet of my will.” Vengeance stopped her words, her twisted eyes rolling back, losing their red glow.
“Huh?” Captain Samir asked.
“Software update,” Admiral Conway sighed. “She does that.”
“Looks like she’s not here.”
“Talking with the Devourer, maybe?” Samir said, scratching his ear.
“I do not believe her mother is in the picture anymore. The people holding the strings, more likely.”
Vengeance lowered her head after a good long minute, her eyes glowing bright red once again. She smiled at Admiral Conway. “The judgment is complete. Now comes the execution.” She turned to look at Elaine and clicked.
“What? No, Elaine—” Sarah started, but her words cut short when an ant guard caught her from behind with its unbreakable grasp. Air flushed out of her lungs with the force of the grip, and her protests turned into coughs.
&nbs
p; Samir was better prepared for the sudden turn of events and jumped on the ant guard nearby, fiercely punching and kicking the insect. The veteran soldier was experienced in combat, but it was his first time fighting hand to hand with an ant. Chitin didn’t help Captain Samir’s fists much. Captain Samir howled in pain as his blows met the unbreakable armor, blood dripping from his fists. He struggled, but the creature had two more free limbs it used with precision, and soon, Captain Samir was knocked out on the floor. Sarah closed her eyes, expecting the final blow—but it never came. The ant guard stood atop its prey, waiting, seemingly emotionless. Sarah had no idea how to read the emotional state of an insect, anyway.
The ranger, Jan-Chris, fared better. He broke one of the branches covering the nearby consoles and used it as a bat. It was still a lost cause with all the force Vengeance had. Sarah realized the infested woman enjoyed the battle like a ruler watching the bloody arena games in ancient Rome. Jan-Chris soon lost his upper hand. The ant guard recovered from the unexpected blows, and, following a fierce smash to the head, the ranger’s fate was the same as Captain Samir’s.
Vengeance walked toward Eras and Elaine, carefully passing over Captain Samir without touching him as if he would degrade her royal skin with his contact. “Now, girl, you will come with me.”
“No!” Eras dashed forward, feral like a wild cat. Only… it was a cat versus a demon. Vengeance caught his hand in midair with one swift move, twisted the boy’s arm, cracked it in at least two places. Then she threw him to the other end of the hallway.
“Eras?” Brother Cavil was on his feet, but the guard nearby didn’t allow him to move. “You monster!”
Vengeance didn’t heed his words. She took another step forward, her hand brushing Elaine’s cheek. “Sweet girl.”
“Leave me alone,” Elaine hissed, spitting in Vengeance’s face, but the infected woman didn’t even blink.
Vengeance grabbed Elaine violently by the hair and dragged her toward the rift.
“No… No!” Sarah writhed in vain, unable to free herself from her captor.
Balance of Power: The Blackened Prophecy Book 2 Page 29