“Maybe,” Triltan replied, though the look on her face suggested she wasn’t so sure.
“Please, Triltan, what are you thinking?” Arthur asked. “We’ll do whatever we can to help.”
“I just wanted to hear his voice,” Triltan said sadly. “I don’t understand why he wouldn’t respond to me personally, not unless…”Triltan turned away from the monitor, not wanting Arthur to see her cry.
“Don’t think like that,” Arthur said sympathetically. “There’ll be a reason, an explanation as to why he couldn’t respond. As soon as the engines have charged, we’ll jump in and find out.”
“Thank you, Arthur,” Triltan said. “For everything.”
“No need,” Arthur replied. “We’ll speak again after the jump.”
*****
The final jump brought them to the outskirts of the Teleri system. The scout ship followed closely behind Silan Daltas’ ship as they sped past the third planet and approached the remains of Teela.
“Is everything still being blocked?” Arthur asked, remembering how the scanners had been fooled on their first visit to the Teleri system.
“No, not this time,” Gwen said, confused. “But I’m only picking up one ship, and it’s much smaller than the Ardent Dawn.”
“So where are they?” Arthur asked.
Lance began to tap icons on his console, attempting to contact Triltan, when the large monitor at the front of the cockpit suddenly showed a Teleri male in full uniform. “Human and Teleri vessels,” he said. “I am Principal Kintock Aln of the Horizon Star. Disable your engines and declare your intentions.”
“Our intentions?” Arthur said. “What is he talking about?”
The Horizon Star was similar in design to Silan Daltas’ ship, though larger and clearly designed for battle. The sleek silver curves were lined with weapon platforms, a combination of rail guns and ion cannons, and they were all turning towards Arthur’s ship. The screen split to display Silan Daltas’ image alongside Kintock Aln.
“Principal Kintock,” Silan Daltas began. “Where is Principal Borst? She was Principal of the Horizon Star when last we spoke?”
“Principal Borst chose the false path,” Kintock Aln replied.
“Arthur, they’re powering up some sort of energy weapon,” Gwen warned.
“Raise shields,” Arthur ordered, “and put us between Daltas’ ship and the Horizon Star. Lance, try to get hold of Triltan and find out what’s going on.”
Lance tapped at the icons on his console, calling up an image of Triltan on his screen. “Lance?” Triltan asked, terrified.
“What’s happening?” Lance asked. “Gwen says they’re preparing to fire.”
“We don’t know,” Triltan replied. “None of us know who that is, but he shouldn’t be in charge of the Horizon Star. Something is really wrong.”
“We’ll do what we can to protect you,” Lance promised.
“Arthur?” Merlin asked, appearing in the cockpit before them.
“Not now, Merlin,” Arthur said, standing. “Gwen, connect me to Kintock Aln. We need to stop this before it gets out of hand.” Gwen tapped icons before her before pointing to Arthur to tell him to speak.
“Principal Kintock,” Arthur began. “This is King Arthur of, well, our ship doesn’t have a name. We’ve come to aid the Teleri in any way we can. Power down your weapons, we’re no threat to you.”
“Ajoch has spoken,” Kintock Aln said before his image disappeared from the screen.
“Arthur, they’re firing,” Gwen shouted a moment before the blast struck the shield. The ship lurched to the left, knocking Arthur from his feet. He pulled himself up and strapped himself into the closest chair.
“Gwen?” Arthur asked.
“Another hit like that and the shield will collapse,” Gwen replied as she began evasive manoeuvres.
“I can’t believe we’re going to die before we even think of a good name for our ship,” Lance mumbled.
“Just do what you-” Arthur began as the Ardent Dawn appeared before them, seemingly out of nowhere.
“Horizon Star,” Caran Doc’s voice demanded through the speakers. “Stand down your weapons and surrender. This is your only warning.”
Gwen watched the monitor as the Horizon Star continued to fire, the weapon blasts striking harmlessly against the Ardent Dawn’s shield. Caran Doc’s image on the monitor looked fraught, the pain of his decision showing clearly upon his face. “Return fire,” he ordered, and the side batteries of rail guns and ion cannons reduced the Horizon Star to floating debris.
*****
Gwen followed Silan Daltas’ ship as it moved alongside the Ardent Dawn and into the docking bay. As she touched down, she noticed that the hangar was otherwise empty, the silvery diamond ships nowhere to be seen. Instead, the floor of the hangar had taken on the same silvery sheen, the only light coming from above.
They lowered the gangway but remained aboard their vessel, remembering the stark warnings they had received the last time they had docked within the Ardent Dawn. As they watched, a small army of guards approached them. They were fully armed and wearing the bright white armour and carrying rifles, similar to the weapon Triltan had carried with her beneath the surface of the ice planet.
“Arms by your sides,” Arthur reminded them, but just as the guards approached the gangway they suddenly turned, moving instead to surround the airlock of Silan Daltas’ ship.
“What’s going on?” Lance whispered.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Arthur replied with confusion.
They continued to watch as the guards at the front overrode the airlock controls and opened the outer door. The passengers stepped slowly from the ship, their faces a mixture of surprise and terror at the sight of the armed guards. Triltan and Silan Daltas were allowed to pass, but the remaining members of Silan Daltas’ crew were surrounded and marched away from the hangar and into the body of the ship.
“Triltan?” Arthur asked, stepping from the gangway and approaching the two women.
“I don’t know,” Triltan replied. She was visibly upset, as was Silan Daltas, and more than a little scared.
“It’s okay,” Silan Daltas said soothingly. “Your father will be here soon. He’ll explain everything.”
“Why would his guards take your crew?” Gwen asked.
“Because I no longer know who I can trust,” Caran Doc announced, emerging from one of the passageways leading into the hangar. Triltan ran to him without another word, wrapping her arms around him.
“You’re safe now,” Caran Doc told her. “I promise.”
“Please, Principal,” Arthur said, stepping forwards. “What’s happened?”
“Yes, Doc,” Silan Daltas added. “What are you doing with my team, and why did the Horizon Star fire on us?”
“Come, this way,” Caran Doc replied. “I’ll tell you everything that’s happened since, since Teela.”
Caran Doc led them from the hangar and along one of the brightly lit corridors. The symbols streaming along the walls looked different to Arthur, darker and more urgent somehow, a lot more red and a lot less green and blue.
They moved further into the ship than they had done during their last visit, no longer walking in circles but keeping to a straight line leading deeper into the enormous vessel. There were far more Teleri around, almost all dressed in armour, though some in same dark blue uniform as Caran Doc. They moved with purpose and determination, eyes ahead and focussed on whatever goal they had been given. More than once, Arthur and the others had to step aside to let a hurrying group of Teleri through.
“In here,” Caran Doc said, pausing before a section of wall and manipulating the symbols to form a door. Behind it was a large, open room with a central circular table surrounded by chairs. Caran Doc stepped through and took a seat, encouraging the others to follow.
“I’m sorry for the detention of your team, Daltas,” Caran Doc began, “but once you hear what I have to say, I’m sure you’ll un
derstand that it was necessary.”
“Before you continue,” Arthur interrupted, “can I ask that Merlin be allowed to join us?”
“The AI?” Caran Doc clarified.
“His input has always proven invaluable,” Arthur replied.
“As you wish,” Caran Doc said, and a moment later Merlin’s face appeared on a screen before them.
“These last few days have been the worst in our history,” Caran Doc began, “and yet I wonder if the end of our world is the worst thing that will happen to our people.”
“Explain,” Silan Daltas said.
“As the quakes intensified,” Caran Doc continued, “the Assembly gave the order to evacuate. The ships landed and as many boarded as possible, the Assembly included. However, the quakes intensified, growing exponentially until the planet tore itself apart. Many of the evacuation ships were still docked, or not far enough away to escape. They were lost along with those both on and beneath the surface.”
“How many escaped?” Silan Daltas asked, her voice barely above a breathy whisper.
“We’re still not sure,” Caran Doc told her. “One million perhaps? Though a lot has happened since then.
“The craft with the Assembly was one of the first to depart. The Elders stood side by side with the crew and watched, helpless as the planet destroyed itself. Elder Joleen asked the Principal of the Lambent Twilight if she could address the people, to offer them guidance. Of course, the Principal agreed and allowed her to speak.”
“What did she say?” Triltan asked.
“Elder Joleen stood on the bridge of the Lambent Twilight and told everyone how the subs, as she called the Teleri who lived beneath the surface, were responsible for the destruction of Teela. She called upon all Followers of Ajoch to rise up and take control of the remaining fleet and to punish the unbelievers.”
“Why?” Triltan asked. “Why would she do that?”
“Grief? Anger?” Caran Doc suggested. “Though I suspect this has been planned for some time.”
“Why do you think that?” Arthur asked.
“The number of Teleri joining the TDF from the surface has increased considerably in recent years,” Caran Doc replied.
“And it wasn’t noticed?” Arthur continued.
“It was applauded,” Caran Doc continued. “Said to be a sign of the growing unity between our people. While some of them returned to their simple lives at the end of their deployment, many others chose to remain with the TDF and rise through the ranks. Followers of Ajoch were to be found on almost every ship in the fleet.”
“Even the Ardent Dawn?” Arthur asked.
“Even the Ardent Dawn,” Caran Doc replied, looking down towards the table and avoiding eye contact as he continued his story. “Those first hours where chaos. Everyone was grieving, distracted, it was easy for the Followers to attack.
“They pressed on the bridge, the armoury, taking weapons and killing any who got in their way. We fought back. Too many died. Good people. Friends
“The Ardent Dawn is secured, but much of the fleet fell to the Followers. Elder Joleen, she demanded the remains of the Assembly renounce their ways and follow Ajoch. Those who refused, well, their executions were broadcast for everyone to see. Other vessels cast their prisoners from the airlocks, including the Horizon Star.”
“Principal Borst?” Silan Daltas asked.
“I’m sorry, Daltas,” Caran Doc replied, looking up and meeting her gaze.
“What now?” Lance said, asking the question on everyone’s lips.
“Elder Joleen has called upon the Followers to eradicate the non-believers,” Caran Doc continued. “She’s massing her forces, preparing to strike.”
“But, the Followers of Ajoch don’t use technology?” Gwen asked. “How can they justify using the ships?”
“No, not in their everyday lives,” Caran Doc explained. “But in war? They’ve been given permission to use any and all means at their disposal to achieve victory.”
“Typical,” Merlin remarked. “If there’s one thing worse than a zealot, it’s a hypocrite.”
“How can we help?” Arthur asked.
“You’re under no obligation-” Caran Doc began.
“Just tell us,” Lance interrupted.
“Thank you,” Caran Doc replied. “The remaining TDF fleet is meeting to discuss our strategy. No one wants to fight, there are so few of us left already. You’d be very welcome to join us.”
Chapter 10
War and Peace
Earth Year 6239
Caran Doc escorted them back to their ship before leaving for the bridge. He explained that the remaining TDF fleet was stationed two jumps away, so they had time to rest and gather their thoughts before meeting the remaining members of the Teleri military. Triltan joined them aboard the Mori scout ship, declining an offer to join her father and Silan Daltas in his quarters.
“How’s your leg?” Triltan asked.
“Almost back to normal,” Lance replied. “The gel you applied, it’s incredible.”
“I’m just glad it worked,” Triltan continued. She hovered in the doorway to the galley, looking sheepish.
“Come, sit down,” Lance said, offering her a seat. “You’re welcome to stay for as long as you want, but won’t your father be offended?”
“He won’t admit it,” Triltan replied, “but he’ll want to spend some time with Daltas. Besides, I don’t know what I’d say to him. All we have in common is what I don’t want to talk about.”
“I’m sorry,” Lance said. “I wish, I wish we’d made it back sooner, managed to use the element in time.”
“It’s not your fault,” Triltan assured him. “There are too many ‘what ifs’. What if Silan Daltas had discovered the element and the planet sooner? What if the Assembly had let my father take the Ardent Dawn to find her? What if my ancestors had never dug so deep into the core in the first place?”
Triltan stopped talking, trying not to let the overwhelming emotions take control of her. She’d cried and cried, watching the images from Teela over and over again, but nothing she could do would bring them back. Her home was gone, as was almost everyone she had ever known.
“But still, I’m sorry,” Lance replied. “And now…”
“And now, Elder Joleen wants to kill anyone who doesn’t agree with her,” Triltan said sharply. “What does it say about the Teleri as a species if, at the time of our greatest need, we’re prepared to go to war with each other. Maybe we don’t deserve to survive.”
“War’s not inevitable,” Lance told her. “Your father will find a way to prevent it, and we’ll do whatever we can to help.”
“You’re a good person, Lance,” Triltan said with a smile. “Are all Dorgans like you?”
Lance smiled back at her, happy that she had correctly remembered the name of his species. “Most,” he said. “Not all. Arthur, Gwen and I, we’ve chosen to live by something called the Knight’s Code. Merlin explained it to us.”
“I heard you mention that, when you were arguing,” Triltan replied. “I didn’t mean to listen, it was just, the shield wasn’t that big.”
“It’s okay,” Lance said.
“You said that Arthur had broken the code?” Triltan continued. “What does that mean?”
“A knight should protect the weak and help the helpless,” Lance began. “He should be truthful and honourable, both graceful in defeat and merciful in victory.
“Arthur; he lied and he cheated, and he put us all in danger. I know, ruling isn’t as simple as the code states, but that’s no reason to ignore it when he feels like it.”
“I think he agreed with you,” Triltan replied. “That’s what it sounded like.”
“We’ll see,” Lance continued. “I hope so.”
They sat together in silence for a minute, reflecting on what the other had said. Lance hoped Triltan was right, that Arthur had learned from his mistakes. When they made it back to Camelot, if they did, they still had to deal with th
e lies he’d told the people, about the attack coming from the hive ship. Once they knew the Mori-Gran-Ra was coming for them, they’d be right to panic.
Maybe he’d done them a favour, keeping the truth from them, but when was lying justified? What does the code mean if it’s optional?
“You still owe me a story?” Triltan said, startling him from his thoughts. “About how you escaped the hive ship and freed the slaves?”
“Are you sure you want to hear it?” Lance asked. “I mean, with everything that’s happening?”
“I do,” Triltan replied, sitting back in the chair. “Please?”
“Okay,” Lance said. “Well, it all started about a year ago. Arthur and I were bred to work on one of the mining asteroids tethered to the hive ship.”
*****
The second jump brought the Ardent Dawn to a small solar system, where a single planet orbited a small red dwarf. The planet was a barren rock, similar to Earth’s moon, but a deep red colour and in an elliptical orbit around the star.
Gwen watched over the shoulder of one of the Teleri officers, as they programmed the navigational system to head for the planet. Caran Doc had escorted them to the Ardent Dawn’s bridge shortly before the final jump. The trip had taken them through the long, white corridors, and onto a train, which Caran Doc had explained ran through the centre of the craft. From there, they passed through further corridors and up a long walkway, flanked to either side by lines of guards, before stepping onto the bridge itself.
The bridge was nothing like the small cockpit of the scout ship. It was spread over three levels, with a central walkway with sweeping stairs leading up and down. Stations were situated on each of the levels, but unlike the complex controls and displays she was used to, a floating holographic display changed to display only the pertinent information as determined by the ship’s AI. The network allowed the officers to communicate directly with the computers through their capsules, a perfect merging of man and machine.
Caran Doc stepped along the central walkway, stopping at the end where he was able to overlook the display screen at the front of the bridge. This was enormous, extending over all three levels and as wide as the bridge itself. Gwen and the others joined him as they approached the planet.
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