by Ryan DeBruyn
“I understand that this is news to you, and to the Guild Collective. However, without Ether, planets will die.” Sela’s voice snapped like a whip. “Please keep monitoring the situation, but I think the possibility of them finding a planet still alive will be more of a surprise. Especially with the length of time—we estimate for the Ether to have been missing.”
“They speak,” said Amelia. “The Guild Collective has run countless experiments, attempting to uncover the age of the Etherless Void. I would be extremely interested in how long your ‘theories’ estimate.”
There was no doubt in Rocky’s mind—that was a tone of condescension. The tension in the room shot up an octave.
“We are not estimating, I assure you,” said Rocky, trying to stop the conversation before it devolved. Rocky knew just how sharp Sela’s tongue could be. One more scathing remark from Sela, and the discussion would surely amplify into a shouting match.
The fox mask that hid Sela’s face glanced at him, and he couldn’t tell what was going on behind it. He shrugged. She did this to him all the time. But he did consider—perhaps she had been about to respond calmly, after all.
“I have trouble believing those words.” The iridescent Kobold glanced at Sela’s form and added, “I apologize for my tone, but how could you be confident of your assessment? We know that it has been there for thousands of years, and I have never heard of a race that is long-lived at your reported low-levels.”
“The existence of the Etherless Void dates further back than that. Have the Guilds never discovered mention of the Etherless Void in literature?”
Amelia eyed Sela up and down, sizing her up. Cautiously, she said, “Actually, the Guilds believe that they have the most extensive records of the Void. Their—my planet is the closest to the edge of the void. How could you possibly know more than they have gathered in thousands of years?”
Rocky again saw the storm coming, but this time chose to let the little Kobold suffer it. “You haven’t asked the Martians or Humans about the Void, then?” Sela said scorn lacing the words.
Amelia’s eyes went wide, and she glanced directly at Garnell. “Are you telling me that my theories about the Void stemming from the Humans or Martians was correct?”
Garnell shrugged and indicated the four who sat across the table. “Perhaps, if ye asked them that question…”
Amelia stared daggers at Garnell, then snapped her focus back to Sela. “What would you like in trade for more information?”
Sela remained silent, and as it stretched, Rocky felt more and more uncomfortable.
“We know that any help you offer us is also helping yourself…” As soon as he said it, he could feel satisfaction radiating from his Ancestral companion.
“I thought you said that this lizard had the knowledge we needed?” asked Smith.
“I thought we needed a ship from her?” asked Zippo.
The tension broke, and Amelia smiled at Zippo’s form. Sela stood up and walked behind the young man. She whispered something in his ear, and Rocky couldn’t be sure, but it seemed that the shoulders of his friend slightly drooped.
“Am I to take it that you don’t have space-capable ships strong enough to repel the incoming invasion?” Amelia asked, tenting her scaly fingers together below her chin.
Sela sat back down and folded her hands. Amelia studied the human hands that protruded from the robes, and Rocky wondered if this was an intentional move by his guide.
“What we are truly looking for is a ship to study. We wish to know what to expect from the enemy,” Sela said after a moment.
The Kobold studied Sela’s long, intertwined fingers. “This, I can provide. My race is hiding deep underground, but we have the blueprints for every ship the Guild Collective has ever built or purchased.”
“While blueprints are part of it, a ship or two that demonstrates the capabilities of the approaching fleet would save time,” Rocky said.
“Do not worry about time. Maybe you didn’t hear me earlier, but the beacon’s coordinates indicate nearly the entire Nebula. It’s actually hard to pinpoint the exact location of the signal. I would say you have at least a year to prepare. Likely more.”
“Do you not have any ships to offer, then?” Sela stood up, ready to port out of the meeting.
Smith and Zippo followed her lead, and Rocky pushed his chair back.
“Yes, of course, we have some ships. I just figured you would rather build one yourself. If you wish to save time—I can understand that. A completed ship or multiple ships will cost you in trade,” Amelia said, raising a hand to forestall them.
The conversation continued along this path, each group attempting to gain the upper hand in the negotiations. Sela and the others sat back down after a time. Finally, the terms of the agreement were laid out, and Sela removed her mask as part of a concession.
Amelia didn’t seem as surprised by Sela’s appearance after the negotiations. When the mask came down, she said, “This makes me more confident that you might know as much as you claim about the Etherless Void, human.”
The agreement was for Rocky’s Territory to work with Amelia and her people. They agreed to share information and attempt to destabilize the Guilds from two ends of conflict.
“This, and everything that follows, is shared in confidence.” Sela paused to look at Garnell, who nodded. “We can probably discover the exact age of the Void once we are back to our Territory. However, I can guarantee it has been present for at least a billion years.”
Seeing Amelia’s mouth fall open was satisfying.
“I understand your skepticism, but the Planetary God we reside on is over 2 billion years old, according to the evidence. We will confirm this information as well. The Planetary Gods you claim eldest are but children to Gaia.” Sela pulled out her Knowledge Tablet and pointed to it. “The ancient or dead languages on these devices were once commonly spoken in this Solar System.”
“Is it true, then, that the Seraphim Seven, the Martian Hive, the Asgardians, and many other strong factions originated from the Void?” Amelia asked in amazement.
Rocky squeezed Sela’s shoulder. “I can assure you at least some of those groups originated from this very planet.”
Amelia clapped her hands excitedly, her greed on full display. “Is there any chance that they will come to your aid in this fight?”
“I don’t think they are even aware of our return. I am unsure if this information will garner aid or destruction from said forces,” Sela admitted.
Her old guild, Cathodiem, likely had some ties to the Seraphim Seven, if her reaction and his gut were any indication. The fact that her first thought wasn’t to contact them spoke volumes of her recent discoveries.
Rocky needed to look further into Michabo’s accusations.
“Now that I have agreed to purchase and provide you with a Shop Warehouse, a ship, and blueprints. What sort of fleet can you muster on your end?” Amelia demanded.
“That one ship will be the first of our fleet. We have a Territory and plans to capture many more in the upcoming days. We should be able to build some defenses and gather support before the invasion,” Sela said.
Sela’s words didn’t appease Amelia’s growing anger. , “This is what you brought me? Then you stood by during this agreement. You Katydid!” She sneered at Garnell and transferred the look to Sela. “You four better have a good motive for this. Explain.”
Rocky took the lead and was helped along by all attendees—including Zippo. Amelia asked many questions throughout the conversation and seemed truly impressed with the number of humans that had survived the apocalypse—and the number who had perished. She didn’t entirely change her mood, but by the end of his story, she had at least considered their logic.
When they reached the end of the story, Amelia asked, “How many do you think can reach Master class or higher in the next year?”
Sela tilted her head back and forth and said, “I believe quite a few. According to the Planetary Lea
derboards, two already exist, and at least forty approach ‘The Grind.’ If that’s what we have in a month, I would guess there will even be a few who make Epic rank before the year is over.”
“You have access to the Planetary System already?” Amelia stroked her snout. “That is certainly a development. If you could guarantee the participation of all those fighters, you would easily be a match for the Guilds’ invasion force. They have one Epic rank, Darhix, with them, approximately forty thousand Master ranks, and at least two hundred thousand who are Journeyman and below.”
She tapped her claws on the polished wood table. “They have brought with them a considerable amount of weaponry and ships, which will make your task extremely difficult. They also have the Mechano-Lord’s conversion seeds, which can create instantaneous high-level troops for their cause.”
The meeting continued for approximately an hour, and another time was scheduled for a follow-up. Amelia purchased the Guild Warehouse from Garnell, which paid for the use of the room. The Warehouse was another metal box the size of a refrigerator.
“Once you have this set up, I will sell you your ship for one Crystal. We both have some work to do. I will expect a progress report at the next meeting,” said Amelia before she winked out of the room.
Rocky placed the metal box in his Bag of Holding. He removed his mask and said, “Thanks for all your help, Garnell. Everything you have heard here was in confidence, right?”
Garnell’s mustache twitched. “I will have to share the news of the Ether returning to the Void. However, the return of yer planet will not escape me mouth. Ye have me word.”
“When will you have to share that news?” asked Sela.
Garnell frowned and whispered, “Today.” Then spoke louder, “They will hear within the week, anyway, of the Guild Collective fleet. I am sorry.” He scratched his beard and said, “but Amelia shared this information as part of a separate agreement.”
Rocky and the others abruptly arrived back in the Seed Shop. The room they occupied had enlarged itself to fit the four of them, creating a larger pie-shaped space. It was strange to think that their bodies just stood in this room the entire time—like coats on a hanger waiting for them to put them back on. He shivered.
The dark of night greeted them as they exited the structure. The only illumination in the Grotto came from the windows of the powered buildings.
Note to self—get some street lamps.
Victoria ran up to them. Saluting Smith, she said, “The council wishes to meet immediately; they are already waiting at the bonfire.”
“Why at the bonfire?” asked Rocky.
“The golems are being included in the meeting.”
Smith saluted Victoria, signaling her dismissal. Rocky moved to the side of the Seed Shop and placed the Shop Warehouse in a position opposite the Citizen Accessible Shop, and the structure started to grow. The sight of the Arbuckle expanding never got old for him or the others. Before they left for the meeting, they took a quick look through the new building.
The interior was nearly identical to most warehouses Rocky had seen in his lifetime. The major difference was the lack of workers within. However, the warehouses before the apocalypse had been moving in this automated direction. The door also had a security option to gain access, which only listed Sela and himself.
Once the building had finished expanding, the group made their way to the meeting site, and Zippo split off tiredly, mumbling about arranging food. The kid always needed something to eat, and Rocky had to agree with the sentiment. These meetings were bad enough, so eating would at least be some help. He hoped this one wouldn’t last all night.
The council had prepared a substantial argument for why the golems and the military couldn’t be absent simultaneously from the Grotto. When they heard about the destroyer class ship that would be arriving the following day, the argument was dropped.
Instead, the group discussed what areas needed to be freed first. North Bay was placed atop the list, followed by Toronto. The council hoped one of them would turn out to contain a Territory that would be conquerable.
Ottawa also became a hot topic, as the broken beacon was a constant reminder of an eventual threat.
The meeting finished in two hours, and they now had a plan for the next week. During the time spent freeing the prioritized areas, the ship would be taking Adam and small strike forces to clean up the small towns listed by the System-generated quests.
It was like a weight had lifted from his shoulders... right up until Bart suggested, “Perhaps we can use these Territorial Ether Points to create more ships faster?”
The rest of the council agreed and Rocky promised to look into it. His heart, however, was either frozen or beating so fast that it hurt. As soon as the meeting ended, he motioned Sela to follow him. He walked to a vastly empty expanse in the Grotto. He didn't want the news of Amber getting out. “Sela, we can’t let them spend the Ether points. Otherwise, we will never save enough to resurrect Amber.”
“Rockland, I know how you feel, but they don’t know about Amber. So, of course, the most logical use of this resource is to raise up our defenses. I think there are other options to create defenses in the Grotto that we should be considering.”
Rocky was nearly speechless. She had pushed for the connection, and now she was suggesting other uses for the Ether?
He tried again. “We need to come up with some believable story as to why we can’t spend these points. I will not allow Amber to be sacrificed to the Spirit Realm.”
“I am not suggesting we spend the points, Rockland. I am simply pointing out better uses of building time and resources that may be available. However, we cannot lie to them. Your suggestion of making something up is atrocious. Either we admit to them the decision we made, or we allow them to spend the points. Lying to hide a logical decision will only create larger problems.”
Heat suffused every limb of his body. He closed his eyes and sucked air in through his nose. Trying to keep his mouth closed. Trying to avoid shouting. Sela had suggested the decision, even pushed for it. Michabo’s words returned to his thoughts. Did Sela not want other strong women alive?
He opened his eyes, in control once again. “Sela, we have already omitted this information. That is lying, no matter how you spin it. Why aren’t you willing to do anything to bring Amber back?”
Sela’s mouth set into a firm line and she squared her shoulders. He couldn’t help but take a step back from the storm brewing in her eyes. Her finger jabbed him in the chest, her fury penetrating through the layers of armor and Nanoweave, and he flinched.
After her second prod, she hissed, “Are you questioning my morals? Or questioning my loyalty?” She jabbed him again. “Omission is something a true leader must do, Rockland, and you must learn the lines you are pushing. An outright lie is a line that a leader should never cross. An omission can be rectified, but a lie will always remain a lie.”
Her hand turned into a fist, and a tear traced its way down her cheek. “Without that connection to the Ethernet, how many would have died? And you are insinuating what? That I don't care about Amber?” She shot her fist into his chest and sobbed. “That I would dismiss her life so casually? You must think me a cold, unfeeling person. But I'm not surprised, after I practically throw myself at you, and you don't even notice, but this—perhaps it is you that is the callous and cold-blooded one.”
Her words struck him harder than any physical attack she could have thrown. Then his brain played a montage of her taking the lead in situation after situation.
“You think me cold? Sela, I am trying so hard. One moment, you want me to be a leader, but then the next, you won’t let me. You dismiss my input. You’re holding meetings without me. Everyone always goes to you! Are you sure you want me to be a leader, or do you want that role for yourself? Make up your damn mind.”
He clamped his mouth shut. His suspicions had just exploded out of him. He hadn’t wanted to say all that.
Sela’s
face blanched and she stepped back. A tear traced down her cheek. She wiped it away. “I don’t want you to be a leader, Rockland. These people need a leader. I thought you were it. But a leader can’t just stand in front of people and demand the position. You need to earn it, something you haven’t bothered to do yet.”
“Earn it?” Rocky sputtered. “The system awarded me this Territory. I’m letting people stay here. To stay safe. You are here because I captured the Territory. I don't need your or anyone else's permission to be the leader of my own Territory.”
She opened her hand, tears flowing down her cheek. Then she slapped him across the face. “How dare you! You just want me to be a tool. Do exactly as you say. I hoped you were better than that, Rockland. I hoped you saw me as something more.”
The shock of her slap snapped him out of his stupidity. He stood there with his eyes closed, and he could feel Sela glaring at him. His head was spinning and cool tears ran down his burning cheeks. He had let his anger get the best of him. And not for the first time.
Eyes still closed, he opened his mouth and pleaded, “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean—” His brain caught up to the conversation. He replayed her earlier words and his eyes flew open. “Wait, you threw yourself at me? You hope I see you as something more?”
“That’s what you got from all of that?”
“You and I are related, Sela! You know, Ancestral guide and all?”
She scoffed. “We aren’t even distantly related. Azrael was adopted into the Cathodiem Guild, and none of the nobility ever mixed with his line. Even if you were from my noble line of Selaphiel, it is common to marry within noble houses.”
Rocky had only heard her admit they weren’t related. He must have stood stunned for too long. By the time he regained the use of his primary brain, Sela had stormed off.
Chapter Seventeen
Rocky hadn't felt like going back to his apartment in the Town Hall. There was too much to do. Contrary to the list of things he should be doing, though, he wandered at first, trying to come to terms with Sela's revelation.