Star Chaser- The Traveler

by Reiter

  “I would think that would be obvious,” he replied.

  “Uh, no offense, but I saw the fight in the hangar.”

  “You sound concerned,” Dungias said, feeling a measure of apprehension for his well-being. He had already extended his senses to take inventory of his immediate area. He felt when a small ship had arrived and docked. It was most probably the landing craft for Ushava.

  “You’re not?!” Taas snapped back. He smiled at the emotion he heard in her voice. “That guy’s got about seven and half centimeters on you and at least ten kilos!”

  “Closer to twenty-two from what I felt in our previous engagement,” Dungias corrected, smiling at the possibility that the Chieftain had made the arrangement of having Ejdren prepare in the chamber adjacent to his own. Dungias knew that the walls were thin and he saw no need to lower his voice.

  “That’s at least ten!” Taas shouted.

  “Fair point.” The weapons belt catch released and Dungias placed it beside his cloak. He could see light coming from the tip of Alpha. “I know,” Dungias said softly as he started to remove his armour. “I understand your concern, Taas. Furthermore, I am touched by it. And your fear is justified. This Ejdren managed to take several of my better attacks and shake them off. It was only the collision with his own ship that seemed to actually hurt him, and even then he was only stunned.

  “But the White Star has shown me the way,” Dungias continued. “It has given me its light and I have seen Nyx’Zynkor. He appeared to me in the same way he once appeared to the one I must fight. But much had changed in that warrior since that day… Ejdren has changed since then.”

  “Then you have everything you need,” Taas replied, sounding relieved. Dungias could feel that particular sensation again – the same he had felt when he first heard Taas; floating alone in the InterVoid, she had made him feel as if he had come home.

  “Make preparations to come out of your room, then,” Dungias said, walking toward the door. “Once I have dealt with this, I will ask if the Athun will help us with the Tohgrunn. If not, the raiders of our ship will suffer the same fate as this Ejdren…”

  “What is it, Dungias?”

  “I’ve fought with this man,” Dungias said, sounding as if he was choking back tears. “I know him! I do not know how he has become lost, but his Light is great, and I would rather not extinguish it.”

  “Walker of the Black Stars,” Taas started, causing Dungias’ brow to furl. “You did not bring us to this point. Lies and greed delivered us to this! Only honor and the will of Nyx’Zynkor can bring us back. You have both, Dungias. Walk with that in mind and in hand.” The door to the chamber opened. It was Adelfa and she was dressed in heavy armour, toting a spear or Sherar in the tongue of the Athun. She was an escort, and she was a guard. Dungias thought it better to ease what potential tension there might be between the two of them.

  “I am ready,” he said confidently and Adelfa nodded, a certain fire to her gaze as she turned her back to Dungias and started marching away. The door to Ejdren’s room was opening as Dungias followed behind Adelfa. He made it a point not to look at the Athun fighter.

  Walking down the corridor, Dungias eventually reached the arena. The skill that Ejdren had demonstrated was beginning to make more and more sense. This construct took up a considerable portion of the ship and since it was not the flagship of the Athun fleet, it was reasonable to presume that every ship possessed such a facility.

  Dungias kept close to Adelfa’s heels as she led him to his place on the gritty floor. She pointed to his mark and Dungias assumed it, beginning to stretch and shadowbox. He did not look up to see Ushava, though he could feel her looking down on him. When her eyes moved from him, Dungias could hear the murmurs of the audience. The overall tone was not positive. Dungias turned to see Ejdren, but he did not see the man whom he had faced earlier. He was weeping and staggering his way into the arena. He walked to the middle of the floor, looking at Dungias. He jumped slightly, his eyes widening for a moment, as if he had seen something stirring. He shook his head and turned to face his Leader.

  “I cannot continue this,” he said. Ushava was quick to leave her seat and Dungias was impressed with her frame and movement. She was a warrior supreme! She appeared to be of the material that could best Guyn if necessary. Vibrant white hair framed her slender face and she set her orange eyes on her Battle Pack Leader.

  “Cannot continue what?” she asked.

  “Defaulter!” cried one of the Athun as he flew from beside Ushava. The same elderly crewman who had stood at the advisory capacity for Adelfa leapt from his place, wielding a Half-Sherar that he set to impale a weeping Ejdren who was not moving to defend himself. A powerful side kick struck the shoulder of the attacker, spoiling his aim, but only slightly. He missed the middle of the chest, but the left shoulder of Ejdren was claimed by the weapon and all three bodies fell: Ejdren, Dungias and the Elder Blade called Brykan! Guards and attendants moved into position, but were held there by the raised hand of Ushava.

  “Let fate bear this out!” she commanded.

  “You are dead!” Brykan hissed at Dungias as he got to his feet.

  “Apparently age has already claimed your eyes,” Dungias replied, wondering if he had managed to face a more skilled opponent. It was a thought he put from his mind as he set himself for combat. “He is my better,” he thought, trekking his own Stars, his inner Light. “… but I will not withdraw. He will have to prove his superiority!”

  Brykan advanced and delivered a lightning jab that was easily deflected. Dungias moved in behind the deflection, but then stepped back quickly, avoiding a powerful hook that would have struck the side of his head.

  Both took steps forward and grasped hands. Brykan smiled, knowing he was stronger than his opponent. But before he could force Dungias to bend his wrists, the stranger left the ground and pounded both feet into his chest. Dungias used Brykan for a springboard and landed after a backflip. He was denied the sight of Brykan’s initial flight, but he saw the man land and roll backward. Dungias bent at the knees and bolted forward in a run.

  Brykan huffed as he got up, the kick barely registering on his powerful frame. He looked up to see the stranger charging him and he smiled, waiting for the arrival. Dungias jumped up into the air, preparing his legs to deliver another double kick. Brykan moved his hands to catch his opponent. Dungias’ feet came apart and he collided with Brykan with a leg over either shoulder. His fingers stabbed at the old one’s eyes and Brykan screamed as he was struck blind. The momentum of the charge made Brykan fall backward and Dungias landed, seated on top of the Elder Blade. He drew his right hand back and he focused his power, sending his fist down, crashing against Brykan’s face. The Elder Blade stopped screaming immediately, unable to command his body to do anything. A second blow took him from the conscious world; many present heard the man’s skull crack. Still focused on pounding his enemy, Dungias drew back for a third blow but his wrist was grabbed. Dungias looked up to see the wounded Ejdren.

  “You were dishonored,” Ejdren said softly as his tone locked Dungias’ arm in place. “… and his death, along with mine, would be a fit justice for our crimes. But I beg of you… show mercy.”

  Dungias roared as he twisted his wrist free, locking Ejdren’s arm in an arm-bar. “Tell me why!” he shouted. “Why have you done this?”

  “I fell,” Ejdren said, not struggling against Dungias. “I lost my tribe its home… I brought us to this place and all we have found here is misery. We are dying in this place of white skies. The coin offered for your deliverance is considerable and would have sustained us for a time… perhaps even helped me to find a means to return us to our stars.” Dungias released Ejdren and looked up at Ushava who was slowly lowering her hand.

  “You defeated my Battle Pack Leader without a single blow, and you bested an Elder Blade in three passes.” Ushava leaned forward and put both hands on the edge of the high wall. She smiled as she spoke. “Upon our last embrace, it too
k me five. The son of Z’Gunok has proven himself. He is not what we were told, and the White Star will forever be embraced by this tribe.

  “I will recall my men from your ship,” Ushava said, standing up and turning to leave. “We will then be on our way.”

  “Strong Ushava, let me take council with you,” Dungias offered. “I believe that the only true fault here has been the interpretation Ejdren assumed.”

  “Careful!” Ushava warned. “You do not toy with a blinded fighter here!”

  “You already know I do not toy with anything,” Dungias argued. “No matter what we might believe in, we are here… for a reason… what sort of fools would we be not to fathom that reason before proceeding to the next encounter?”

  “Very well, son of Z’Gunok,” Ushava said, picking up her Half-Sherar. “Let us… fathom!”

  He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.

  Ralph Waldo Emerson

  Dungias stepped back into the hangar he had flown from and already he could feel the difference in the ship. “You’ve been busy,” Dungias said as he made his way to the door.

  “Hey, you were doing your thing, I was doing mine,” Taas replied. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

  “I have little doubt, my far from little one,” Dungias replied. He could hear the footfalls of the Athun behind him and he stopped at the edge of the corridor. “The Leader Ushava may accompany me. The rest of you must wait here.” Many of the Athun moved to speak, but once again Ushava proved to be too quick and too authoritative, silencing them before they had opportunity to voice their opinions.

  “Between this woman, Narwyss, Voko and Guyn, I cannot say I do not know how to lead people, Dungias thought. “That is not a coincidence, is it, my Stars?”

  “Adelfa, keep my tribe until my return,” Ushava said, not waiting for any acknowledgement. She exited the hangar ahead of Dungias and waited for him in the corridor.

  “Interesting that you would opt to go to the right,” Dungias said as he walked by the woman. “Sensor arrays on the armour of your men?”

  “That and small robots with mapping programs dropped in various places along the route from the original landing point,” Ushava answered.

  “Clever,” Dungias judged.

  “If only I could drop one of those drones inside you,” Ushava said, but Dungias decided not to respond to the statement.

  The two made their way to the computer room and Dungias was made aware of one of the changes Taas had made in his absence. Dressed in armour and carrying energy weapons were men and women who still wore their yellow body suits. Taas had freed some of the prisoners and armed them. Since they were still wearing their prison clothes, Taas could hit a switch and render each one of them unconscious if need be. Dungias appreciated the maneuver, and was even more pleased that he did not see any of the Tohgrunn in his route from the hangar to the computer level. When the doors opened, he was surprised to find the room in nearly pristine condition. All of the lights were working and all of the debris had been cleared, swept into the far corner.

  “And with all of the clutter put away, I can see so much more!” Dungias thought before projecting his thoughts. “You can hear me, can’t you?”

  “I hear!” a voice responded, but it sounded weak and confused.

  “You’ve been very busy,” Dungias said as he approached.

  “A girl’s gotta do something to pass the time,” Taas replied as she turned to face Dungias. “Are we taking her?”

  “I would not recommend that course of action,” Dungias quickly answered as he approached the main console. “She is fully armed and armoured, not to mention expecting something exactly like a dishonorable act. For all our sakes, I say we should fall short of her expectations.

  “And I have need of Kiason,” Dungias said as he took Ki-Aegis from his shoulder.

  “For what?” Taas asked, not liking his tone.

  “It is time for him to go home,” Dungias answered.

  Taas started to shake her head when her form collapsed and once again she was gently lowered to the ground. The small female reached for Kiason, but he was moving too fast for her to get a hold.

  “Ushava, would you be so kind?” Dungias asked. Taas looked to where the Athun Chieftain was standing and decided to jump away from her. She gasped when her small body was plucked out of the air. “Thank you.”

  “I get the impression she did not know you were going to do this,” Ushava stated.

  “My Lady, she does not know what I am going to do.” Dungias walked over to Kiason and gazed upon the form of life. “And neither does this one, do you, Kiason?”

  “I do not know,” it answered.

  “I thought as much,” Dungias concluded, holding up his shield. “I think you are going to need this.”

  “Gift,” Kiason replied. “To a trusted friend.”

  “Then trust me when I tell you that I cannot keep it,” Dungias replied. “Believe me, it is a very much appreciated gift, but the simple truth is that you need it more than I do.”

  “Why does he need it?” Taas asked, dangling from Ushava’s outstretched hand.

  “Because Kiason is not whole without it,” Dungias answered. “Just as Kiaplyx is not whole without Kiason!” Dungias eased Ki-Aegis forward into Kiason and the mass reluctantly received back part of itself.

  “This is a regrettable truth,” Kiason said, looking as if it were about to cry. “Alpha will no longer have a voice.”

  “Alpha will always have me,” the young Traveler said softly, trying to console Kiason. “When needs be, I will be all the voice it will ever require! That is a vow.”

  “Kiason… Ki-Aegis… we envy Alpha.”

  When Ki-Aegis was fully immersed, a muffled flash of light shone from Kiason’s center before it expanded, gaining more mass and turning silver. Instead of a mobile blob, Kiason was a perfect sphere, appearing to be more solid than liquid and maintaining a steady glow of white light.

  “A white star!” Ushava exclaimed in the softest voice. Dungias was tickled by the coincidence.

  “What is your will, Master?” the form asked of Dungias and the young Malgovi man put his hand to his chin for a moment, contemplating his next move.

  “What are you waiting for?” Ushava asked.

  “Resolve,” Dungias replied, looking back at the female Athun. He lowered his eyes to the floor and gave a soft nod. “Can you transfer control protocols?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Identify Taas,” Dungias commanded. He could see the small pink eyes flash as he spoke her name. Ushava looked at the small creature as she started to shake her head ‘no’.

  “Easy little one,” the chieftain spoke, lowering the small female to the ground. “In his words, I would not recommend that course of action.”

  “What course of action?” Taas snapped.

  “Any of them that would place you in conflict with him,” Ushava replied.

  “Taas identified,” the form reported. “Considerable data has been collected on the Kwilek female.”

  “I am sure,” Dungias responded. “Place information regarding Taas and the Kwileks as classified to the Control Level.”

  “Done,” Kiason confirmed.

  “Transfer–”

  “Dungias, no!” Taas said as tears welled up in her eyes. “Don’t do this. None of this would have happened without you. The ship is yours!”

  “I see,” Dungias said, looking over his shoulder. He turned back to the improved Kiason and placed his hand against the side of the sphere. “Transfer, without exception, all control protocols to Taas and rejoin Kiaplyx.”

  “Clearance is requested,” Kiason said as the floor shuddered.

  “Aahhh,” Dungias concluded as he turned for the door. “It would seem that we are standing on the access port.” Dungias started for the door with two females quickly following him.

  “Clearance achieved,” Kiason reported before Dungias actually reach
ed the doorway. Taas and Ushava turned to see the center floor panel split into four sections before they slid apart. Another unlocking sound drew their attention to the ceiling where another door opened. Two more matching sounds, and side panels also opened.

  “Nyx’Zynkor’s first arm!” Ushava whispered and Dungias chuckled as he put his right knee to the floor. He pulled his hood over his head, wrapped his cloak around his body, and closed his eyes.

  Beams of pure energy fired from the floor, ceiling and wall, striking Kiason. The brightness of the light nearly blinded the two women. They both gasped as the energy slowly turned into metal, all linking into Kiason. The metallic arms formed seams and signal boards with flashing lights.

  “Energy becoming metal?!” Ushava whispered.

  “Yeah,” Taas answered with a smile. “And trust me, it doesn’t ever get old! Ray-Ray… the things you never told me.”

  “He could not,” Dungias said. “I am not sure of the exact details, but from what I have gained from Ki-Aegis, your Ray-Ray is a sentient life-form that can express its form in pure energy, living metal, or a combination of the two. It would seem that a long time ago, what you called Ray-Ray was jettisoned from this ship. From what I could see, it is some sort of defense mechanism. Without Kiason, Kiaplyx could not fully function and it seems that either the defense function was triggered after too much damage had been absorbed, or in its escape from the ship, Kiason was hurt. It survived the attack, but with considerable damage done. Without the power to access all of its memory banks, and I believe that is also a defense mechanism, it could not remember what it was doing.”

  “And when we got together, it started to remember!” Taas asserted.

  “Indeed,” Dungias said, coming up from the floor.

  “But that would mean… uhm… that means Ray-Ray–”

  “Influenced your thoughts to where you sought out the ship,” Dungias concluded. “Though I do not think it did so consciously simply because of the capacity you held on board.”

  “Right!” Taas said, quite relieved that her Ray-Ray, her best friend in life, had not been controlling her for its own aims... like she had tried to control Dungias and so many others. “Right,” she said again with her voice trailing off and sounding heavy. Dungias turned to face her and took to his knee again.