by Reiter
Dungias smiled when he opened the technician’s panel just under the engine. He was able to look directly at the power systems, flight systems and the technological workings of the spacecraft. It was obvious that the machine had been built with the potential for customization and adaptability. What Dungias thought would have taken a few tonki slowly became a labor of love and admiration.
“Would the master care for any assistance?” BJ said as he entered the hangar. He was wearing an old tool belt that fit him perfectly.
“You are the last one I would have expected to call me that,” Dungias said, looking back at the ship.
“I am glad, then, that I can still surprise you,” BJ offered.
“I am sure,” Dungias remarked, wiping his brow. “And I would gladly accept assistance.”
“As you wish,” BJ smiled and clapped his hands together, causing light to spark from them. Five larger flashes of light appeared around Dungias and when they faded, he could see his family. Each one wore a necklace with a small chair as the centerpiece. Dungias glared over at BJ who was shrugging his shoulders as he smiled. “You told them to keep their seats… they still have them! And no, I don’t normally play the loophole game, but there comes a point where good intentions become utter foolishness.” Dungias did not have to reflect for too long after he looked at his timepiece. He nodded without saying anything and returned to his work. “I’ve got weapon systems,” BJ announced before running over to the fighter.
“Laejem, assist me with the flight systems please,” Nugar said softly and his gemvazi was nodding with an anxious gleam to his eyes.
“Exemplar, will you be an extra pair of hands for me while I peruse the power systems?” Danatra asked as she donned a pilot’s helmet. Felrus’ face fostered a soft grin as he ushered Danatra to walk ahead of him.
A hand slapped down on the back of Dungias and he was pulled from his work. He turned to see Saru looking up at him, a slight leftward tilt to her head. “And I will see to the pilot,” she spoke as she placed her hand on Dungias’ chest. “Can you give us time?” Dungias nodded and Saru led him to the far wall.
“I should apologize–” Dungias started, receiving a sharp grasp of his hand from Saru. He had half-expected her hand to go across his face.
“For what?” Saru asked. “And before you offer your woman a sorrowful excuse of an answer, know that I have shared minds with my saytrah. I have seen you through her eyes... all three of them!” Dungias pressed his teeth together as the way he was looking at Saru became a stare. “And now you are uncomfortable,” she stated. “For one with such a mind, I can see how that happens. But even you are only a single Star in the sky, nyaka. There is more to the Void than you will ever know.”
“I am aware of this.”
“Then not knowing what I am thinking should not give you distress,” Saru returned.
“You are not just any part of the Void,” Dungias argued as he started to lower his head. Saru caught his chin and lifted it away from his chest.
“No, my man, I am a part of you, now and forever! No, I do not like what you have done, but I cannot see a wiser course to trek. I have looked with every part of my soul and the only answers I give are founded by my love for you. They see to the callings of my heart and our love, but none of them makes you stronger or improves your chances against the sort of enemy you face.”
“One might say that your pledge to me should be counted among the foolish things you have done,” Dungias said. Saru smiled just before she kissed her mate.
“Then forever I am a fool!” she testified. Dungias wrapped his arms around her, bringing her body close against his. Saru sighed as her arms wrapped around his neck.
“So be it,” Dungias whispered. “… we are both fools!” The young Traveler held his mate close and allowed his responsibilities to delay for a moment. He would return to them soon enough, but for this moment he wanted to be held by only one thing – one glorious thing: Saru!
Perhaps he should have left instructions to his mind to take a moment of inactivity. In the future, he would have to learn how to do that. His head came up from Saru’s shoulder and she lightly touched her fingertips to his lips.
“Go and do what you must, nyaka,” she said with an understanding smile. Dungias took hold of his woman and pressed his lips against hers. She accepted his sweet and moving passion, caressing his face and opening her heart to his perceptions. To the unengaged, it was simply a moving kiss, but Danatra was wearing a helmet for a reason. She had just become comfortable with her perch as she looked at the power systems of the spacecraft. She started accessing some of the texts she had hidden in her Vu-Prin’s brain, just to get an operational understanding of the hardware. A tap against her leg made her grunt in frustration as she turned to see her Vu-Prin looking intently at her.
“Dungias?” she said, removing her helmet. “Wh–”
“Did you share minds with Saru?” he projected.
“I thought it was the least I could do to explain what I had done to you,” Danatra replied. “She was… we were all so worried about you. I thought if I gave her some of–”
“Can you show me that technique?!” Dungias asked and Danatra presumed that the strength of his stare was not necessarily emotion so much as it was intensity. For him, this was a pressing need. Danatra closed her eyes and put her hand on the side of Dungias’ head. It took less than five tanku for the information to be shared, and Dungias pulled back from her touch.
“Get back to work!” Dungias commanded as he hopped down from the fighter and walked toward Saru. “That fighter needs to be ready for departure by the end of the star-term. Beta-Alphexeous and Beta-Chiaro, I have need of the both you in the forge. BJ, I need you to ready all of the dark stones.
“And you, I have need of you for forever,” Dungias said softly, wrapping his arm around Saru’s waist. Her hands found his shoulders as she gazed up in his eyes.
“That is where you will find me then,” she said before they kissed again. When their lips parted, Dungias could not open his eyes. Instead he brought Saru forward for another kiss. She turned her head so that they kissed each other’s cheek.
“See to your work,” she whispered. “I will see to mine.” Dungias smiled as he stepped back from Saru. His hand dropped to Alpha and he was airborne in the next instant. He smiled, realizing that his Osamu was more powerful here.
“No,” he realized, “I am more powerful here!” He banked to exit the hangar and increased in speed as he streaked down the corridor. “Given who I am about to meet with, perhaps I will discover the reason behind that.”
The fires of the forge were already burning near white hot and Dungias landed just inside the sliding doors. His cloak fell around him and Dungias stood up to see the two requested Beta Forms were already in the room.
“Hands down, the best entrance a student has ever nailed!” Beta-Alphexeous said before taking a long drag on his short, slender cigar, called a cheroot.
“Efficient for traversing distances quickly and, with that cloak, effectively dramatic,” Beta-Chiaro added. “But I doubt we are here to grade your true flight.”
“True flight?”
“You are not using a means of propulsion to fly,” the Light Priest replied. “You are using gravity, and quite well I might add.”
“Thought we weren’t here for grades,” Beta-Alphexeous muttered loud enough for the Priest to hear. The young Traveler could hardly contain himself, looking at the two bodies standing in front of him. They had been modeled after the original Founders, and with the knowledge Dungias had gained from the Savanté, it was something of a surprise to see the Light Priest possess a more physically intimidating stature than the Soul Fighter. Alphexeous was noted as the sort who would go alone to challenge a battle frigate, while Chiaro was noted in a support capacity most of the time. Dungias had to question the accuracy of the recorded accounts of the Founders.
“Actually, it is an odd request I ask of the two of you,”
Dungias started, drawing Alpha out of its sleeve.
“Kid, you haven’t seen odd yet,” the Soul Fighter doppelganger remarked before blowing out smoke. “Trust me, unexpected ain’t odd. But you’ll get there with the way you’re going. So out with it.”
“I would ask that the two of you lower your mental guards and take hold of my Osamu. Chiaro, I would request that when you do so that you recall your days as the creator of the Polaris Corps; and Alphexeous, the beginnings of what it was to become a Soul Fighter.
“But I would make a further request,” Dungias said, lowering Alpha. “… I give you freedom of choice; the ability to refuse the Master of The Campus if you feel this is inappropriate.”
“And here I thought the kid was beginning to understand who and what we are,” Alphexeous said, making a beckoning gesture that forced Dungias to lift Alpha high enough for the Soul Fighter to grasp.
“How did you do that?” Dungias asked, surprised at his lack of voluntary action.
“Why, was it odd?”
Taking hold of the available end, Chiaro looked at Dungias and gave him a soft smile. “What my more than eccentric and often homicidal cohort is trying to say is that if there is nothing else we have learned, the best rule on what should and should not be done in the art of teaching is a law best written in smoke. What works best for one student may or may not work best for another. As teachers, the first thing we are tasked with is being students, opening ourselves to understand not only the needs and desires of a student–”
“But their limits!” Alphexeous said as his eyes took on a soft white glow. Dungias shuddered, releasing Alpha and collapsing to his hands and knees. Smoke rolled up from the Osamu as it contended with what it had been given. “Have fun, kid. Never forget to have fun!” Beta-Alphexeous patted Dungias on the back as he started for the exit.
“Was that necessary?” Beta-Chiaro asked, following his friend.
“Yeah, like you left the download only at what he requested,” Beta-Alphexeous muttered.
“That is hardly the point…” the heavy doors closed behind them and Dungias found that he was panting for air. He looked up at the room and then at the floor.
“I require all forge systems to activate,” he commanded. The room was suddenly much brighter as environmental shields formed around the workstations. Access doors opened all over the ceiling and twelve robotic arms lowered to the floor. Panels along the walls lowered into the floor and ten androids walked out in the chamber, waiting to do Dungias’ bidding.
The Star Chaser closed his eyes and focused his thoughts to pull his mind from the feelings of weakness and dizziness that tried to take hold of his mind and body. He had a new appreciation for the Beta Forms. If two possessed so much knowledge and power, what could be said of the others? So much ability, and they were content to serve out their lives as instructors. Dungias found it hard to take to heart, but he had no reason to doubt their veracity or dedication. Their sensibility became an anchor for him, allowing Dungias to put himself into perspective. He had not lived as long as the Beta Forms, nor did he possess a fraction of their ability. Still, they saw their obligations to their master molds, and The Campus, as being greater than anything that they could do or be. Anyone who had been in their company long enough could easily launch an argument to that presumption, but it was highly unlikely that any debate could get the Beta Forms to change their opinions.
“And they serve,” Dungias concluded. “For what else should power do?” His body quickly recovered and Dungias stood up, holding out his hand. Alpha flew to his grasp, giving a flash of warmth when contact was made.
“This path is not going to get any easier,” Dungias claimed, looking down at his extension, his most constant companion. “… and while I would rather take the time it would require to forge you a second time, the challenge has not been suspended; they are looking for us! We cannot give them the opportunity to trip along and find the means to access The Campus. That means we must take action.” Dungias twirled his Osamu before taking a firm grasp of the center of the construct. He walked over to the main computer and touched the end of Alpha to the machine and started the forging process. The robotic arms began securing the proper attachments as the androids fetched the necessary raw materials.
Dungias took hold of Alpha and started for the door. “I believe I know the very action we need to take!” he said softly as his speed of stride increased.
** b *** t *** o *** r **
The doors slid apart and Nugar walked into the room, quickly taking notice of the changes that had been made since his last visitation. “You’ve made a few changes,” he said as he stepped further in and then to the side. “Quite a few for the star-terms we have been away.”
“A few changes,” Saru commented as she looked at the Gamma Chamber. In the very center of the room, Dungias was backing away from his latest work. He was not wearing his cloak or what she had come to call his battle gear. It was a refreshing sight to the Vinthur female. “My nyaka,” she whispered.
“My best promise,” Dungias replied. “Thank you for coming.”
“My mate summoned me,” she said while shrugging. “What would you have me do?”
“I fear I have asked too much already.”
“We have not yet begun, nyaka, and you will have to ask of me so much more,” she said, softly touching Dungias’ face. “You will ask and I will deliver.”
“I am not worthy of you.”
“That is not in argument,” Saru replied. “… but I am just as unworthy of my most glorious man!”
“We are such criminals!” Dungias said, gently touching his forehead to hers for a moment. He then stepped back from her and to the side, looking at the others as they entered the Gamma Chamber. “Thank you all for coming.”
“The Master of The Campus called for us,” Beta-Zeu Rex noted as he entered the room, giving the master of the room a slight bow. It was customary of his way, and Dungias was quick to respond in kind. “So long as the protocols are maintained, we will do all that we can.”
“What mystifies me,” Laejem said, walking around the leader of the Beta Forms, “is why you called for me when you have them!” Laejem looked on the Beta Forms that were still coming into the room. He shrugged his shoulders and looked back at his kommis.
“You will note behind me there are three stations,” Dungias explained as he gestured to the consoles. “I will need you to man the station on your left, and my Exemplar to man the one that is two stations down from it.”
“Consider it done, Master,” Felrus said as he slapped Laejem’s shoulder.
Beta-Zeu Rex looked back at BJ, Beta-Arrjeeh, Beta-Forrell, Beta-Red Bear, Beta-Chiaro, Beta-Alphexeous, and Beta-Nexeous, ushering them toward the center of the room. “I think we’ll be required on that specialized flooring over there.”
“I know we are very appreciative of this Dungias,” Beta-Nexeous said as he walked forward.
“Some more than others, little brother,” Beta-Alphexeous quickly replied as he walked around the group to walk ahead of them.
“Hope you’re happy,” Beta-Zeu sniped.
“What did I do?!” Beta-Nexeous questioned.
“There went his quota of humanity for the day!”
“Hmmm,” Beta-Chiaro sounded off, putting his hand to his chin. “Given what he did for the Traveler earlier, I would dare say we are in dire straits!”
“Terrific!” Beta-Arrjeeh muttered.
“Vi-Prin?” Dungias called out. She slowly stuck her head into the room. The look of fear in her eyes tickled Dungias, but only for a moment. He needed her to be steady and strong if this ‘action’ was going to be effective. Dungias walked over to the door and reached out for her hand.
“What if I were to tell you that if we are successful in this you will no longer feel guilty about a past between us that you cannot change?” he asked.
“I would feel redeemed,” she answered, nearly sighing. Dungias put his hand to her shoulder.
“Then you need to leave,” he said. “My Vi-Prin does not stand in question in my eyes, and that is what I need, my Vi-Prin, not some wishful fraction of a woman who helped me become a Star Chaser.”
“That boy will always have a way with words,” Nugar whispered to his Osamu.
“I am your Vi-Prin,” Danatra said, looking directly into Dungias’ eyes. “Put me to task.”
“Sit in the middle of the flooring,” Dungias directed. “And, Master, I will need you to empower me and Alpha.”
“I thought that might be the situation,” Nugar responded, lifting up his Osamu as he made his way to the far corner. He would be in line with Felrus and Laejem, but he would not stand too close to them for fear of what it might do to the consoles. “We are both eager and able.”
“I expected nothing less,” Dungias said, closing the doors to the room.
“Perhaps this would be a good time for me to remind you that as Beta Forms, we cannot bring direct harm to anyone,” Beta-Arrjeeh pointed out. “… provided that we are even in the area of space where we are allowed to exercise our abilities.”
“Your sector of space encompasses the Deku and the K’Dalkian systems,” Dungias stated. “… as well as three other systems that were used as staging points for the conflict with the BroSohnti. And to be more specific to your first point, you are not allowed to bring harm to the Vinthur and the Malgovi that are loyal to the throne, save in the case where you are training or defending yourselves. The latter would explain the fate of the Shadow Corps, would it not? I am open to debate with you many things, but after what was done to the First Prince, how can the claim be made that they are loyal to the throne?”
“Wasn’t a bad effort,” BJ consoled, patting Beta-Arrjeeh on the back several times.
“Says you,” Beta-Alphexeous muttered.
“Having said that,” Dungias said, taking a step toward Beta-Arrjeeh, “if you do not wish to be here, I will not force you to do anything.”