by Luigi Robles
“Kya,” Fain said without looking away from the machine. “Get a video feed going to Sodenia’s bridge, then relay one to Green and Truman if possible; whatever we know, they should know. Mikey, I think I’m going to need a translator earpiece; set it to Acram.”
Kya and Mikey began moving behind Fain.
“Pycca, I hope you’re seeing this,” Fain said as the machine began to pulse.
“Every second of it,” Pycca said.
Fain got the earpiece from Mikey and threw it on his right ear.
Moments later, as the artifact began to emit light, the image of Saavan appeared before them like a hologram. But the hologram was far different from the ones he was used to seeing in advertisements on the streets back on Earth. This hologram was more rudimentary, less clean and barely visible at times. The Kaneans moved away from the node anchor; some went as far as to put their backs against the nearby walls.
“Captain Fain Jegga,” Saavan said in plain English, but with a heavy Acram accent.
“Noble Saavan,” Fain said, nodding once.
“I’m grateful to speak with you directly,” Saavan said, switching to Acram. Fain’s earpiece translated instantly. “Though I regret that I must speak with you at all under these circumstances. The time for us all has come once again.”
“Thanks for reaching out. What is all of this about?”
“The Immortals are back, though they appear to have receded into the shadows, but make no mistake, they will be back. We fought with them using the entire force of our Golden Armada and were easily and overwhelmingly defeated. The vastness of my Armada did not stand a chance against a small group of them. We did not eliminate a single one of them, while they destroyed a good portion of my kin. We are outmatched in every way.”
Fain had a hard time believing what Saavan was telling him. He remembered the Golden Armada being a vast and overwhelming force. The claims Saavan was making were jaw-dropping, to say the least. But then Fain remembered his own experience against a single Immortal, and he could picture Saavan easily losing to them. So, here was probably one of the greatest military minds in the galaxy, defeated.
“Using all of our recourses, we’ve formed a perimeter just beyond Acrania. We asked all of our subspecies that can jump here to come to our home planet. Those who are too far away I’ve instructed to defend their planets. Here we will make our last stand when the enemy comes knocking at our door. No matter what happens, they will not get through. If we’re breathing, we will fight.” Saavan said the last part with force. “But that is far from defeating them. I believe the rest of the galaxy will perish, and we eventually will too. Unless we cut off the machine’s head.”
“The machine’s head?”
“Yes,” Saavan said. “Based on their behavior, we believe they have a collective consciousness. What we’ve fought are simply the creature’s limbs.”
“So, going after their head will defeat all of them?”
“That’s our theory. If it does not defeat them entirely, perhaps it will disable them sufficiently that we will be able to defeat them.”
“We defeated one,” Fain said.
Saavan stood quiet, with an incredulous look.
“Back on Doka,” Fain continued. “We encountered a single Immortal that came after me. It disabled all our weapons, all our shields. But my team managed to take it down. It took everything we had. Though as much as I’ve thought about it, I don’t know how we will deal with a group of them. They are beyond powerful.”
“I’m impressed, Fain Jegga. Your ancestors would be proud. They couldn’t have sent their champion to a better place. But I’m afraid that we must not allow ourselves to feel comfort in victory. Never underestimate the opponent. The real war is about to begin.”
My ancestors would be proud? Fain wondered. They couldn’t have sent their champion to a better place? What the heck is going on? Is he talking about Sodenia? But he brushed aside the questions for now; he wanted to focus on Saavan.
“We must, I say this again, cut off the machine’s head,” Saavan continued.
“How do you propose we do that?” Fain asked.
“There is only one other overwhelming power I’ve seen thus far in the galaxy.”
“Which is?”
“The main weapon on your ship. I don’t see anyone or anything standing in its path, no matter how powerful they think they are.”
“Are you suggesting that we go after the creature’s head?”
“Exactly. If we can somehow track the machine creature’s point of origin, your ship might be able to destroy it. I, for the most part, have mapped out the place in the galaxy where I believe they reside. I’ll send you the map now. All we have to do is find a way to pin it down.”
“So, it’s a one-way mission, one that you aren’t going to partake in? That’s one way to get rid of us.” Fain was beginning to feel anger at the things that Saavan was saying.
“If you choose to think of it that way, you may, but the alternative is just as dim. If we wait for them to come, we will surely be annihilated. If we attack them in force, the same will happen. If it makes you feel any better, I can take that trip with you. Nothing would be more honorable than to save this galaxy from its imminent doom.”
“That’s if we can find them and their exact point of origin. Then what?”
“Then you choose the biggest target, unleash everything that Herrion ship has and hope for the best. At the same time, if you let us, we can also flank the enemy and do our best to distract it while you and your ship cut off the head. This is, unfortunately, the only thing we can do against this power.”
Fain felt the weight of the world drop onto his shoulders. He thought about Pycca, Larissa, Kya, August, Eora, Mikey and everyone else that might be joining him on the mission. He couldn’t do that to them. He couldn’t expect that much from them, he shouldn’t. They would have their entire lives ahead of them if there was no more immortal menace. In that instant, Fain had made up his mind. He knew what he needed to do, he just didn’t know how.
Fain glanced at Kya, and she nodded. Had she been thinking the same thing?
“The decision is yours, Captain Fain Jegga. It is the only tactic I can offer, the only thing that might work. For now, while there is silence in the galaxy, you may rejoice within the time we still have, but make no mistake, they will come again. Have your allies protect their planets, and have your fleet protect yours. Protect them with everything you’ve got. Perhaps fate is on your side. I’ll look forward to hearing from you, and if I don’t, may you have a peaceful farewell. It was my honor having such a prominent adversary as yourself. I will do whatever is in my power to defend this galaxy. I hope you do the same. Take the node anchor as a gift. Until I hear from you.”
“You will hear from me. We aren’t giving up that easy. We will always fight, and we will win, make no mistake.”
Saavan’s image disappeared as he nodded, and the node anchor fell silent.
Fain didn’t know what to feel or what he should be feeling after speaking with Saavan. His worst fears about life as he knew it ending this way were materializing before his eyes. There just wasn’t much they could do against such an overwhelming force.
“Oh, come on,” Mikey said, exasperated. “That cannot be the only way that we can win. There has to be another way.”
“I agree with Mikey,” Pycca said. “That is just beyond ridiculous. How can he ask that of us? Yeah, go into the unknown, risk your life, die a few times and see if it works. You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“If anyone else has a better idea,” Fain said as he looked around the room, “I’m all ears.”
“Eshafalda, shafan shen,” one of the Kaneans said as he began walking towards the hallway that led to the docks. The rest of its group began to follow.
“I guess they are leaving,” Mikey said. “I’ll escort them out, but we aren’t done yet. We aren’t done by a long shot.” He began walking with the group of Kaneans.
“Fain, don’t tell me you’re actually considering it,” Pycca asked. “And if you are, we’re coming with you. There is absolutely no way around that.”
“Yeah, Fain, this is crazy,” August chimed in through the open channel Kya had created. “And that guy is crazier for suggesting it. It’s so easy for him to go and die. But if he doesn’t appreciate his life, then let him be the only one. We need to figure out something else. I’ll put up the battle boards again. Something has got to give.”
“What else can we do, if not that?” Fain said. “I’m open to any and every suggestion. But I’m afraid all roads will lead to the same place. Think about it: the Golden Armada was defeated.”
“What if it’s a trap?” Eora asked in a soft voice. “You said it yourself, that’s one way to get rid of us.”
“He offered to come with us,” Fain said. “I don’t think this is a trap. It’s more along the lines of a desperate attempt.”
“Why doesn’t he go and try it out then let us know if there’s a chance?” Pycca said with clear distaste. But the comment sparked something in Fain’s mind.
“What did you say?” Fain asked, fully turned towards Pycca.
“That he should freaking go,” Pycca said with a bit more distaste than last time. “And let us know if it’s something we can do or not.”
“That’s it,” Fain said enthusiastically. “We could one hundred percent do that. Well, kind of.”
“I’m not following,” Pycca said, eyebrows furrowed.
“I mean, it’s just an idea,” Fain said. “But we have drones, we have the Ochilenes’ gates in Earth’s orbit, and we have the device you are working on to track them. I mean, we’ll have to make a lot of adjustments, but we can make something work so that at least we won’t go in blind. If you know the enemy, you need not fear the results. Sun Tzu.”
“OK, that’s starting to sound like we aren’t just going to go and die,” August said. “I like the sound of that much better.”
Mikey came running back into the room and hit a chair on his way in. He was panting for air. Fain wondered why he seemed not to have enough air. The docks weren’t that far away, and Mikey didn’t look to be that out of shape.
“Damn, I need to work out,” Mikey managed. “But what did I miss? I hope we’re not going, right?”
“Maybe something will work out after all,” Fain said.
Fain now had a better idea of what to do in the situation at hand. A solid plan was forming in his head.
10
Paths
Saavan walked back towards the main view window of the Iveria after talking with Captain Fain Jegga. Something about being in front of the window of his ship brought him deep comfort. It was about knowing where he was heading, despite the danger. He liked to think he was in total control of his destiny.
“Well, that went outstandingly well,” Galeah said as she went to stand next to Saavan. “Humans are impressive beings. After all the Acram have done to them, they are willing to forgive.”
“They might be willing to forgive, but make no mistake, they will never forget. No, they’re just doing what in their eyes is right. It was apparent that the rest of the room was far from happy with our conversation. We owe a great deal of their cooperation to Captain Fain Jegga.”
“A true warrior’s path is always interlaced with another.”
“That old Acram saying seems to be true, doesn’t it?”
“It does, Noblest Saavan.”
They stood in silence, admiring the beauty of space.
“If they ask you to go with them, will you?” Galeah asked.
If it had been anyone else, absolutely anyone else, Saavan would probably have beheaded them for asking that question. But it was Galeah who dared ask. Saavan wondered if it was because she knew that no harm would come to her for asking, or because she was still naïve about what it meant to be a Noble.
“Galeah, Galeah,” Saavan said as he released anger through his breath. “Listen to me carefully. A Noble’s word is his life. A Noble must stand by what they say no matter what. If a Noble cannot live up to the expectations they have set themselves, they do not deserve the honor of being a Noble. Nobles aren’t cowards; they are the greatest amongst all Acram. Now, imagine what it means to be the highest Noble.”
Galeah immediately kneeled before Saavan and bowed her head. “Forgive me, highest of Nobles.”
“Stand up,” Saavan snapped, but at the same time, he offered her his hand for leverage.
Galeah took his hand and stood up.
“You bow before no one,” Saavan said in a soft voice. “Not me, not anyone in this galaxy. Do you hear me? It is you, and you alone, that will hold this honor.”
“Yes, highest of Nobles,” Galeah said in a low voice, looking down.
“Look at me,” Saavan said. “Hold your head up high.”
Galeah turned her head up to look at Saavan.
“If something happens to me,” Saavan said as he tenderly held the side of Galeah’s head, “you are to be my successor. There is no one else that I can think of in all Acrania with a life as pure as yours. You will be truly worthy of being the highest Noble.” Saavan saw the struggle in Galeah; she wanted to look down. “Hold your head up high. Not everything you hear will be what you want to hear. There will be overwhelming and purely evil things to come, but I trust that you will lead our people to their peaceful place in the galaxy.”
“It will be the honor of a lifetime,” Galeah said.
Saavan pulled away and returned to face the main window, arms crossed this time.
“We will wait for the humans’ answer,” Saavan said. “But we will be ready for anything if the Immortals show up. No matter what happens, they will not get through us. As long as we can fight, we will fight.”
Fain and the crew that had gone with him to the ISCO were getting ready to head back to Sodenia. Despite Mikey’s protests about wanting to know the new plan, Fain told him that he would know the details of it when the time was right.
Mikey groaned profusely, but he ended up agreeing with Fain. There were too many ears and eyes in the room. Not to mention the large alien device left behind. The node anchor seemed to be completely shut off—Fain had Kya and Ktwo run diagnostics just to make sure—but with alien technology, it was anyone’s guess if it was what it said it was.
“Mikey,” Fain said. “I need you to get this in a room and set up a video relay feed with Sodenia. We’ll have Ktwo monitor it twenty-four seven in case there’s any unwanted activity.”
“Got it,” Mikey said. “But you’ll tell me your plan once you guys decide, right? Because if the world is going to end, I’d much rather be on Earth than up here.”
“Don’t worry,” Fain said firmly. “That’s not going to happen. Besides, I need you up here until all of this is over. You’ll know.
Mikey nodded.
Fain and his group made their way to the docks with Mikey and two other ambassadors escorting them. On the way to the docks, the group was engaged in small talk about what had just happened—everyone except two. Eora and Mikey weren’t walking too far away from him, and without meaning to, he overheard Mikey’s attempt at a conversation with one of the toughest women Fain had ever met.
“Hey, I’m Mikey, by the way.”
“I know.”
“Eora, right? That’s a pretty name. It fits you well, quite unique.”
There was an audible sigh from Eora. “If you’d like to keep your face intact, I suggest we leave this conversation for another time.”
“You know, if I were anyone else, that might seem like a pretty easy decision. But the galaxy might end soon, and having a conversation with someone like you might be worth it. Well, it depends on how much time we have left. But yeah, I’m willing to take the risk. I’ve also never been punched by a woman before, at least not one as beautiful as you.”
“What?” Eora asked, sneering.
“Didn’t see that one coming, did you?”
“Woah, woah,” Mikey said. “There’s a big difference between striking up a conversation and getting to know someone and hitting on someone… And hitting someone.”
“Really? So, what do you call the parts about being pretty, unique and beautiful?”
“Those are just adjectives,” Mikey said with a hint of frustration. “They are usually used to describe a thing, in this case how I feel about your name and the way you look compared to those who’ve punched my face in the past. If I didn’t feel that way, then I wouldn’t have used those words. I was just being honest. But I’m sorry if I offended you or came across as sleazy, which is far from what I was trying to accomplish.” He sighed. “Fain can vouch for me; I’m far from being that type of guy, you know. But eh, forget it. I’ll just take a few steps back and do my job and pretend I didn’t screw up again, like I always do. But if one day you change your mind and would like to get to know the real me, let me know.”
Eora didn’t fire back or say anything; she just kept walking.
“This is one of the things the Acram got right,” Mikey muttered. “At least when they talk to each other, they know exactly what they mean and the intentions they have.”
When they reached the dock, Fain stopped and turned towards Mikey and the ambassadors.
“Director Harmon, take care of the ISCO,” Fain said in as formal a voice as he could muster. “Send a full report to Commander Felix. I’ll be in contact with you soon. As for the rest of the ambassadors on board”—he turned to the two ambassadors that had accompanied them to the dock—“I hope you will do your absolute best. We’ll be sending a full report soon that you will forward to all our allies.”
“Yes, sir, we’ll do our best.”
Fain turned around and headed towards the shuttle. He was the first one to reach the door, but instead of going in, he stood beside the door, letting everyone else in first.