X-Calibur: The Descent

by Jackson-Lawrence, R.

  “DESIGNATION ERROR,” Merlin said, though the voice wasn’t his. The others turned to look at him, stunned and scared in equal measure.

  “Merlin?” Arthur asked. “Are you okay?”

  “Of course, Arthur,” Merlin replied. “Why do you ask?”

  “You said designation error,” Arthur continued. “What does that mean?”

  “No, I said I wasn’t there,” Merlin insisted. “Though I’m sure you did the right thing.”

  “Right thing about what?” Arthur persisted, confused and concerned my Merlin’s denial. They were used to him being eccentric, speaking about demons and computational machines, but this was something else entirely.

  “Why, your plan of course,” Merlin remarked, looking at Arthur with equal confusion. Arthur exchanged wary glances with Gwen and Lance, though Gwen nodded as though to say I heard it too.

  “Okay, right, the plan,” Arthur said, trying to focus on the conversation. “Gwen, what do you think?”

  “I’m with Lance on this,” Gwen replied, her eyes fixed on Merlin as she spoke. “First you lied to our own people, and now you’re lying to the only people in the galaxy who might be able to help us.”

  “It’s not a total lie,” Arthur mumbled. “The Skarl are a threat, Gar-Wan said so himself.”

  “All we have are stories,” Lance objected. “You implied the Skarl were an imminent threat to the Teleri home world.”

  “I just wanted them to listen to us,” Arthur said sombrely.

  “I hope you’re right,” Gwen replied. “I’m worried though, Arthur. Attempting an alliance based on a lie? I thought we were better than that? I thought you were better than that.”

  Arthur looked down at his feet, at a loss for anything to say.

  *****

  Arthur was spared further embarrassment when a Teleri emerged from a corridor and began walking towards the scout ship. Instead of announcing her presence over the intercom, she instead waved up to them through the cockpit window.

  “I’ll lower the gangway,” Gwen said, sliding her fingers over one of the consoles.

  The Teleri was of a similar height to Gwen, though narrower about the shoulders than Caran Doc had been and just as narrow at the waist. She was wearing pale blue trousers and a sleek white shirt, buttoned near the neck. Her large dark eyes lit up as she climbed aboard the scout ship.

  “I’ve read the reports,” she said, “about the humans. I never thought I’d live to see one.”

  “Arthur,” Arthur said, extending his hand. The Teleri jumped back in fright. “I’m sorry,” Arthur continued. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “No, no problem,” the Teleri said nervously. “It’s just, amongst my people it’s quite threatening.”

  “I’ll try to remember,” Arthur replied.

  “I’m Gwen,” Gwen said, smiling though her hands remained relaxed at her side.

  “And I’m Lance,” Lance added.

  “You’re not human?” the Teleri asked.

  “No, Dorgan,” Lance replied.

  “Oh, I’ve never read about your species in the records,” the Teleri remarked. “My name is Triltan. I’m here to escort you to the Assembly and help you in any way I can.”

  Triltan turned and walked down the gangway, back the way she had come. Arthur and the others fell into step behind her, walking across the buoyant white floor and into a narrow corridor hewn from the surrounding rock.

  “How did you learn about humans?” Gwen asked, breaking the silence.

  “My people visited your planet, thousands of years ago,” Triltan explained. “After the alien vessel attacked us, we looked up towards the stars differently. My people had never been interested in what lay beyond our world, but we were suddenly reminded that others may not share our ideas.

  “My ancestors visited many of the surrounding systems, cataloguing the planets and any life that they discovered. One such planet was the home of the humans, though they were far more primitive than you appear now. They had begun to experiment with nuclear energy, and we kept watch on your planet over the years.

  “Then, on one of the routine visits to your world we found it empty, the northern hemisphere awash with radiation. We returned over the years, but no humans were ever found.”

  “That must have been when the Mori enslaved us,” Arthur remarked.

  “Ah, yes, the Mori,” Triltan remarked. “Those are the species who attacked us all those years ago?”

  “That’s right,” Gwen replied. “They had already enslaved the Dorgans before they attacked your world.”

  “And you have been their slaves for all these years?” Triltan asked.

  “Not us personally,” Lance said with a chuckle, “but our people, yes.”

  “And yet, here you are,” Triltan replied. “That is a story you must share once you’ve finished with the Assembly.”

  They turned a corner and found themselves at the entrance to another cavern, though one much smaller than the one housing their ship. The cavern was semicircular, with rows of tables on raised levels reaching up to the ceiling. The tables on the left were simple, made of wood and engraved with ornate symbols along the legs, while those on the right were metallic and had holographic displays projected above their surface.

  Triltan observed the others examining the cavern before them. “Those on the left belong to the representatives from the surface,” she explained. “On the right sit representatives from the subterranean cities. My people lived separately before the Mori attacked, but following that fateful day a unified Assembly has brought our people closer together.

  “Be seated, and I’ll let the Elders know that you’re here.”

  Arthur, Gwen and Lance sat where they were instructed, while Triltan crossed the Assembly Room and disappeared into a small alcove and out of sight.

  “Have you worked out what you’re going to say yet?” Lance asked once they were alone.

  “I’m going to tell them the truth,” Arthur replied. “I think it’s for the best.”

  Gwen smiled at him, placing her hand on his and squeezing it gently. “It is,” she said quietly. “The truth is always best.”

  Triltan returned a moment later, looking flustered and harassed as throngs of Teleri left the alcove behind her and climbed the stairs to the various tables. “They weren’t too keen to see you,” she explained, “but my father’s word still carries some weight. Good luck.”

  “Your father?” Arthur asked.

  “Yes, Caran Doc,” Triltan replied. “Didn’t he explain?”

  Arthur wanted to say more, but his attention was drawn by a loud thumping as the Elders struck the tables before them three times. “Who seeks to attention of the Assembly?” a loud, commanding voice asked. Triltan ran quickly from the Assembly Room, leaving Arthur and his companions alone.

  Gwen placed a hand on Arthur’s shoulder and nudged him towards the crowd. Those on the left of the Assembly were dressed in simple fabrics, trousers and shirts or long flowing dresses. Those on the right wore clothes similar to Triltan, shiny and skin tight, their hands manipulating the displays before them.

  “Step forwards,” the voice continued.

  Arthur stepped forwards with his head held high, Lance to his left and Gwen to his right. He could feel the Teleri eyes on him, scrutinising him. His hands were sweaty and his breath came faster, but he held their gaze, looking to the left and the right as he stepped forwards.

  “Who seeks the attention of the Assembly?” the voice of Elder Joleen asked again, and Arthur was able to identify it was one of the Teleri on the left of the semicircle.

  “I am Arthur, King of the Britons,” Arthur announced. “I’m human, from the planet Earth.”

  “And you bring word of a threat from a species called the Skarl?” Elder Joleen asked.

  “What kind of threat do they pose?” Elder Minsc queried.

  “How long do we have to prepare?” Elder Yamon demanded.

  Arthur took a deep bre
ath before speaking. “Members of the Assembly,” he said. “I must apologise for having misled you.”

  “Misled?” Elder Joleen bellowed. “Explain yourself, now!”

  “The Skarl are a threat,” Arthur clarified. “They are a warlike species, but as far as I know they remain in the distant regions of the galaxy. I wish to speak to you on another matter.”

  “What trickery is this?” Elder Joleen yelled. “Begone from this place. The Followers of Ajoch have no time for liars and miscreants.”

  “Please,” Arthur protested, but the members of the Assembly were already rising from their seats. “My people are in grave danger, the threat from the Mori is real! I know you were able to resist them before, all I ask is for a moment of your time.”

  “We have no interest in the affairs of outsiders,” Elder Joleen remarked. “Be glad you are leaving with-”

  Before she could finish his words, the whole room began to shake violently around them. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as the tables rattled and a small crack grew along the floor at Arthur’s feet. Without a handhold he stumbled and lost his footing, falling painfully. Gwen fell with him, though Lance was able to keep upright and help them back to their feet.

  “Back to the corridor,” Arthur commanded, his arm around Gwen’s waist as they staggered from the Assembly room. Once they were halfway across the floor, the shaking suddenly stopped.

  The room was in chaos, the Elders wandering around the semicircular chamber in a daze. Arthur noticed one pinned beneath one of the heavy wooden tables, and directed Lance to help free him. Meanwhile, Arthur ran towards an Elder who had fallen down the flight of stairs, his leg oozing a thick black liquid as he cried out in pain.

  “Gwen, do what you can,” Arthur ordered as he applied pressure to the Elder’s wound. The Elder cried again as Arthur pressed down hard, but looked at him with appreciation despite the pain he was in.

  Moments later, Triltan ran from the corridor and into the Assembly Room, a number of people behind her carrying stretchers and medical bags. Arthur called one of the medics over to him, staying with the Elder until the medic applied a clear gel to the Elder’s wound. They continued to help where they could, carrying stretchers and lifting debris, until the Elders were returning to their chambers or the closest medical facility.

  “Thank you, for your help,” Triltan said. “That was the third quake this week, and they’re becoming increasingly violent.”

  “You’ve had quakes like that before?” Arthur asked.

  Triltan gave Arthur a conspiratorial look before directing him towards the corridor where there were fewer people around. Lance and Gwen followed, questioning looks upon their faces.

  “There have been quakes like this for almost a year now,” Triltan explained, once she was sure she wouldn’t be overheard. “It is a cause of great concern amongst my people.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Gwen agreed. “Do you know what’s causing it?”

  “It’s not for me to say,” Triltan replied, though she looked eager to say more.

  “Please,” Lance said. “We might be able to help.”

  Triltan looked over her shoulder again, lowering her voice even further before speaking once more. “The subterranean cities have long used the power of geothermal energy,” she explained. “That’s where the heat from deep within the planet is drawn towards the surface and converted into energy we can use.”

  “And that’s causing the quakes?” Lance asked.

  “As the population of the cities grew, more and more energy was needed to power them,” Triltan continued. “My ancestors dug deeper and deeper towards the core, and now we’re paying the price. Some believe it’s only a matter of months before the planet literally shakes itself apart.”

  “That’s terrible,” Arthur exclaimed. “Can’t you do anything about it?”

  “We’ve spent what time we have building ships to evacuate the planet when the time comes,” Triltan explained. “Few know the cause of the quakes though, for fear it would ignite the fires of war which separated my people so long ago.

  “The Followers of Ajoch still shun technology, but they are accepting of it in times of great need, as they did when the Mori attacked. If they were to learn that technology is to blame for the planet-wide quakes, they may refuse to board the evacuation ships when the time comes.”

  “The Followers of Ajoch?” Arthur asked. “One of the Elders mentioned that?”

  “Ajoch was a ruler, many thousands of years ago,” Triltan explained. “Back then, the Teleri were one people, living on the surface of our world. Advancements were occurring every day, technological marvels to help make life easier.

  “Then Ajoch spoke to the people, warned them against their dependence on technology. He told them of a simpler way, a true path for all Teleri to follow. Over time people joined him, and his idea grew until two sides developed who were diametrically opposed to each other.

  “Neither was right nor wrong, but anger became war which killed millions before a ceasefire was called. Those who embraced technology moved underground, while the Followers of Ajoch remained on the surface. The two sides lived separately until the Mori arrived.”

  “When then those beneath the surface came to their aid,” Arthur said.

  “And the Assembly was formed, to help heal the wounds of the past,” Triltan concluded.

  “But with all of your technology, your advancements,” Lance asked, “can’t you fix the planet somehow, stop it shaking itself apart?”

  “Many of our scientists have tried, but without success,” Triltan said sadly. “Silan Daltas believed she had the solution, but she hasn’t been heard from for a while.”

  “What happened?” Arthur asked.

  “She travelled to a distant system where she believed a planet had the answer,” Triltan said. “Her reports suggested she was making good progress, but two weeks ago they just stopped and she hasn’t been heard from since.

  “My father asked the Assembly for permission to investigate, but his request was denied. They insisted the Ardent Dawn was needed here, in case we had to evacuate the planet sooner than expected.”

  “Are your father and Silan Daltas close?” Gwen asked.

  “Very,” Triltan said with a smile.

  “And he sent us to the surface to meet you,” Arthur thought aloud, “knowing full well the Assembly would deny our request. Well played, Caran Doc. Well played indeed.”

  “Arthur?” Gwen asked.

  “Don’t you see?” Arthur explained. “If we hadn’t mentioned the Skarl, he would have proposed it himself. This is exactly what Caran Doc wanted all along.”

  *****

  Arthur marched back to the scout ship, Triltan hurrying along behind him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “My father only told me to meet you and help you with the Assembly.”

  “It’s okay,” Arthur reassured her. “All his talk about soldiers and bureaucrats, the slow walk to the door when he denied our request. He was playing us all along.”

  “Arthur, just slow down,” Gwen said. “What are you talking about?”

  “Caran Doc,” Arthur said, turning to face them. “He wants to go and find this scientist, but the Assembly won’t let him. Then we turn up with a jump capable ship and ask him for help? He must have thought it was his lucky day.”

  “He wants us to find Silan Daltas,” Lance agreed.

  “Exactly,” Arthur continued.

  “So?” Lance asked.

  “So what choice do we have?” Arthur replied. “If we want the Teleri to help us, it’s in our best interests to help them first. I just don’t like being manipulated.”

  “Feels a bit like being lied to?” Gwen suggested with a knowing smile.

  Arthur laughed and nodded his head. “Yes,” he said. “Yes it does.”

  They crossed the hangar to the scout ship, where Merlin was waiting for them on the gangway. “The scanners detected significant seismic activit
y,” he said. “I’m glad to see you’re all well.”

  “This is the Artificial Intelligence?” Triltan asked.

  “I am a wizard,” Merlin retorted. “It’s not my choice to remain inside this computational machine. And who might this be?”

  “This is Triltan,” Arthur explained. “She’s coming with us.”

  “I am?” Triltan asked.

  “You are,” Arthur replied. “You know a lot more about Silan Daltas than we do, and I doubt she’d accept help from strangers in a Mori vessel without seeing a friendly face. Besides, we don’t even know where we’re going.”

  “Where are we going?” Merlin asked.

  “Power up the engines, Merlin,” Arthur ordered. “We’ll explain on the way.”

  Gwen flew the ship as Arthur and Triltan explained what had happened at the Assembly. Merlin nodded and smiled, laughing once he had heard the whole story. “A feat worthy of Uther himself,” he said. “I suppose saving their planet might encourage them to aid us in the defence of ours.”

  “Wait,” Lance interrupted. “What about these things in our head? I still want it out.”

  “Why?” Triltan asked, cleared confused by the question.

  “I never asked for it,” Lance replied. “Who knows what it’s doing to my brain?”

  “All Teleri have them,” Triltan remarked. “All except the Followers of Ajoch. The capsules make life so much easier, why would you choose to be without one when you embrace other technology so readily?”

  “The other technology isn’t inside my head,” Lance clarified, but the explanation meant little to Triltan.

  “Can they be removed?” Gwen asked.

  Triltan thought about it. “I suppose so,” she replied. “But I honestly don’t know that anyone has ever tried.”

  “But we’re stuck with them for now?” Arthur asked.

  “I wouldn’t say stuck,” Triltan began, but Lance only grumbled and secured himself into one of the seats.

  “As soon as we’ve found this scientist,” he said, “this is coming out.”

  *****

  Gwen slowed the ship as they approached the Ardent Dawn, tapping icons on the control panel as she called up the communication settings. After a moment, Caran Doc’s face appeared on the display.