And then, unbelievably, she rose several inches off the ground. They were never sure if the updraft from the brutal wind caused her to rise or if she had at last attained sufficient psychic energy to levitate.
Ascending slowly, the halo of light previously encircling only her head expanded until her entire body was bathed in it, now eclipsing the black haze. Rocks and stones pelted her, sand as sharp as needles stung her, and lightning bolts caused her to jerk like she was a marionette under the control of a crazed puppeteer.
Finding his voice, Emmanuel roared, “No more, she cannot take more!”
Whether precision timing or divine intervention, the lightning suddenly ceased hammering Mariah’s body and the gale force wind lost heart, conceding defeat. Lowered gently back to the ground, her legs buckled and she fell face down in the rubble.
#
The five who witnessed this astonishing display rushed down the passageway and leapt onto the LIMC. When it reached bottom, Sateron psychically keyed the mechanism to open the PEA and they exploded out into the canyon.
She had not moved. Dropping to his knees, Emmanuel’s hand reached out toward her. He stayed it when Sateron said softly, “Do not touch her. She may have residual electrical energy and you have not the means to defend against it.”
Helplessly they waited and watched. Only Sateron and Aleris, who were able to maintain professional curiosity, noticed that her chest no longer rose and fell with the expansion and contraction of her lungs.
Before they could question this more in depth, she lifted herself onto her hands and knees then rose slowly to her feet. The halo encompassing her body shrank, returning to its original position around her head. Once again, she stood before them, encased by that sparkling blue energy sheath.
She looked into the faces of each one. They were mesmerized by the light that emanated from her eyes. She touched Emmanuel’s cheek and his look of fear and anxiety disappeared instantly. The halo of fantastical light encircling her head was now plainly visible. Its brilliance, and the glow that radiated from within her eyes, was almost painful to behold.
Mariah’s gaze settled last on Sateron. We must go to Hakilam and quickly. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Unique in its texture, Mariah’s psychic sending was received differently by each one. They would not know this until sometime in the future, but the light from deep within her eyes wrapped each one in serenity and reassurance.
The vid-screen in the MERS relay station was programmed to respond to any changes in Mariah’s psychic abilities. No one was there to see the numerals pulsing with intensity. No one was there to gasp in astonishment, frightened and awed at the same time.
No one except The Shadow—Galaxaril, Minister of Finance. He had set his own relay from the Lepitera’s NMIP to the hidden screens below the Sho’revra.
He stared at the green numerals. She was now much more powerful than any of the Min’yel’os individually:
7.8
Chapter 79
His hands clasped before him at chest level, his impassive face carved in granite, Galaxaril stared at the flickering flames licking the inside of the orb. He allowed himself the tiniest hint of satisfaction; immediately one of the fingers of fire became a pinpoint of light which detached itself from the roiling fury and struck the spot between his eyes.
There is that which you find amusing in the destruction of our military cruiser, Minister?
Nay, Masters, not in the demolition of the Prehendere and the loss of its complement. I allow to a certain curiosity regarding the tutivillus, this ... supernatural being. Although never to equal Your might and intellect, it does possess extraordinary psychic capabilities heretofore unknown in Your Empire. Could we but subjugate rather than destroy it, our geneticists could learn much of its astonishing evolution. I am affirmed that You have rationaled this and wish it to be in-drawn. What appears to be amusement is naught more than exultation at Your sagacity, combined with some scientific consideration. Amnest me the ambiguity.
Mollified, the Min’yel’os withdrew from his mind and Galaxaril continued to remain attentive. He was finally dismissed after receiving several terse commands. Hastening to his quarters, he allowed himself unfettered delight at the Hevru’s performance.
He believed she would no longer be psychically visible to his satellite probes, but he had no further need to chart her progress. What more proof need he then she had manipulated an Intezelin Torpedo, causing it to target and destroy the Prehendere? This act alone proved her more powerful than any single Anorasian in the documented history of their race. Still, she would need his assistance when she came to destroy the Min’yel’os ... and even then, the outcome was doubtful.
She was on her way to Hakilam, of that he was certain. The Min’yel’os at last comprehended this unquantifiable force, a dynamism that would require immediate preparation. Yet Their colossal arrogance would prevent Them from taking the necessary precautions to defeat this superanimate—something he anticipated with relish.
Because it was expected of him, Galaxaril formulated a plan of action to defeat the Hevru (human no more). With the loss of Meron Senala, Galaxaril assigned a new Prime Commander, Meron Ta’daeu, he with far less experience than the former commander plus having a more exaggerated sense of self-importance. Ta’daeu’s conceit and ignorance would be invaluable.
We will have little time to wait, the Minister reflected, his amber eyes gleaming with righteous fervor. The words of the Great and Glorious will be reverenced and clarified by the destruction of the Evil at the hands of the Man’asorai , the Chosen One.
#
Awake in the dark hours of morning, Aleris’ mind was uncharacteristically a jumble of unresolved questions. Finally giving up the attempt at sleep, she headed in the direction of the Lepitera’s bridge compartment, psychically seeking the one she knew would also be awake at this hour. Receiving a response she reversed her direction and made for the lab.
She found Mariah studying a newly developed hybrid of dicit. Not wishing to intrude, the Anorasian remained still, her mind replaying the conversation with Mariah several days previous...
“It’s time to answer your questions to the best of my ability,” Mariah had said, addressing the five before her.
“First, all of you think I’m experimenting with the moss to see if I will find a newly created version that will reveal its inner secrets. Not going to happen. I do it so I can see what happens physically with the change. This has nothing to do with how I react to it.
“I don’t believe dicit has conscious thought as we know it. I can’t communicate with it, but I know it’s sentient. And there’s race intelligence. When I stepped into the quercus grove, they recognized me. At first it felt like they were touching my skin, my hair ... and then they were inside me, charging me like I was a rundown battery. It was a Joining like I’ve never experienced before; frightening and wonderful at the same time.
“Possibly Eocene dicit’ledoni was created by a race even the Anorasians know nothing about. Maybe they seeded it throughout many universes to see how it would interact with different life forms.”
Pausing, she seemed to be listening to something they could not hear. Aleris had received Sateron’s confusion; to whom, or to what, does the Hevru listen? Mariah had sighed and come out of her trance.
“So, what race created the dicit? And, more to the point, are they still around? I’ve received images and sensations from the dicit but I’m not evolved enough to understand. Nevertheless I sense that the Anorasian race istied to the race that created it, maybe descendants several times removed.
“Since we now know humans descend from the Anorasians who colonized Earth, we can assume the genetic code of this superior race is imbedded in human DNA.
“I wish I knew where all this is leading. But something happened these beings didn’t count on—something I feel is death and destruction on an unimagin
able scale. It may have even destroyed them. And I sense it’s tied to the bizarre SOS I’ve been receiving.”
Again she paused. The light coming from deep within her eyes pulsed and shimmered. It was like observing her brain processing data by staring directly into her pupils which had, thankfully, returned to their previous state.
Emerging from her reverie and coming to her feet, Mariah said briskly, “Anyway, the next logical question is; what am I becoming? As simply put as possible, I seem to be mutating into an energy form. I absorb energy from my surroundings through this blue sheath. You received a first-hand demonstration when I absorbed energy in the Agrist K’anna. This bodysuit is, by the way, a dual-action transfer medium, absorbing energy to keep my vital organs running while setting up a barrier against the physical world. And if that’s not enough, it has intelligence, reasoning, and communication.”
She smiled at their dazed expressions. “Remember that surveillance van I destroyed? I could pop a dozen now with very little effort. And I canconvert anything into fuel for myself as long as it’s made of atoms. Which everything is.”
Chapter 80
Her smile was replaced by a look they could not interpret. “The problem is, the more energy I consume ... and the more I’m able to control the forces of nature around me ... and the more I’m encouraged to do so ... the stronger the seduction becomes to do whatever I want. With no consequences. I fight this power-hungry addiction to generate mass destruction each time I use this overwhelming psychic energy. I have to control this unregulated power by tamping it with ... consequence.” Ending her speech, she promised to let them know if she learned anything new.
It was the first time Mariah had admitted to the temptation of the power and where it could lead. They were not only concerned for her mental stability and physical strength, they were equally concerned for those that might get in the way of this unrestrained force.
Aleris understood why Mariah kept to herself for most of the trip to Hakilam, but the Three were worried. They found her prowling the spaceship—every compartment, every deck, every inch of space on the Lepitera──at all hours of the day and night. They said she usually seemed distracted upon their approach, acknowledging them when she finally realized they were there.
Mariah required a maximum of four hours sleep every three to four days and consumed food only as a social distraction when she infrequently joined them at mealtimes. What absorbed a great deal of her time was engaging the NMIP in continuous rapid-fire dialogue, absorbing Anorasian history and technology at an extraordinary rate. From hers and Sateron’s memories, Mariah extracted centuries of living experiences; not only the history of Earth but of other galaxies they visited.
#
Mariah’s psychic sending interrupted Aleris’ reverie.
This hybrid gives me no more information than its predecessors. She looked up from her scrutiny of the nearly white moss-like substance. The facilities on the Lepitera are sufficient for most trials, but I reason I could do much more if I had the lab facilities on Hakilam at my disposal.
Nodding in agreement, Aleris continued to study Mariah. Sometimes her vocabulary was as formal as theirs. To Aleris it was an essential indication that a potent force was succeeding in reforming Mariah physically, mentally, and emotionally. She wondered if anyone but she had noticed this. She even wondered if Mariah knew; however, for some reason, Aleris was reluctant to ask. There was, moreover, no more information about what would happen once the MERS reached Hakilam. This bothered Sateron more than it did her, but she would still prefer not to be surprised.
Mariah swiveled around and their eyes locked. Instantly Aleris felt at peace. She knew her mind was being manipulated, but it was useless to argue the ethics of this type of invasion. Besides she was fascinated. Mariah’s sendings were filled with emotions that infiltrated her senses, something unknown to Anorasian psychic delivery. At first it was disconcerting, receiving information combined with feelings; however it was becoming increasingly more interesting and rewarding.
She felt the presence of her colleague as he entered the lab. Did I awaken you? she sent to him.
I was summoned by this one, he responded grumpily, causing Mariah to grin.
Sorry old man, but I needed to speak with you both and as long as Aleris was awake ... well, you may go back to sleep once I tell you what happened last night, although I doubt you will.
#
Galaxaril lay as if dead, physically and mentally drained as never before. Still he relived, with joy, his encounter with the Man’asorai.
The Hevru entered his mind while he slept. Rather, had opened him up, peeled back the layers of mystery and buried desires, delving more deeply than ever the Min’yel’os could have imagined—and discovered his secret, his hidden resources. Satisfied he was who he claimed to be, she had moved back to his conscious mind and awakened him without ceremony.
Never had he trembled so completely before any, including Them. But he now quaked before her awesome might. She was a scintillating presence in his brain likened only to his encounter with Shen’dalah. Before he could address her she informed him that she was not Shen’dalah, had never been, would never be, and he was never to treat her as a deity.
Once that was established, she gave him full understanding of her mental and physical being. Bewildered at first, he finally understood her relationship with the dicit: that she was now a creature that took its life force from the universe, sucking on its atomic tit for nourishment. More dynamic than any living entity ever encountered, he realized she could harness enough energy to create a nuclear explosion—and possibly more.
Still it would not be enough. She knew it as well as he. Galaxaril was delighted by her humility as she solicited his aide. Unlike the Min’yel’os, she remained in touch with her humanity.
Nevertheless, beneath the surface he sensed the pomposity of unmitigated power. For now, praise be, it was harnessed by rationale, sanity, and purpose.
When he outlined his plan, she was skeptical that his abilities would suffice. After an hour of dialogue she was finally convinced that it was their only chance against the Min’yel’os who were ten psychics each at a minimum of level seven.
She quit his mind several hours past, leaving him empty and drained but aching for an intimacy he had never experienced with another. Even exhausted he still savored their contact. Never had he known that a psychic touch could be so familiar, so fulfilling, so sensual. Galaxaril was greatly saddened that he would never come to know the human race if she was indicative of its passion and candor.
Finally his mind quieted and he fell into a deep, undisturbed sleep.
Chapter 81
“I made contact with the Minister last night.” Mariah watched the reaction of the two Anorasians closely. “Were you aware that he is close to two million years old? The Min’yel’os have cloned him so many times he has no conscious recollection of his original body. I think they may have even altered him physically for their own amusement.
“So in his spare time, Ton So’Galaxaril has developed a rather unique talent. He claims it is a gift from Shen’dalah, given to him during their only encounter.
“Over the years he’s had autopsies performed on those whose minds have been fragmented by the Min’yel’os. And discovered that they destroy only the part of the brain where the intellect is stored. So he practices and becomes able to partition off a part of his own brain where the Min’yel’os would never think to look. And then he has this vision in which Shen’dalah makes him a Shel’Zib just like Hesad. Into this secretly segmented part of his brain he hides not only this religious fervor, but a white-hot hatred of the Min’yel’os and a small amount of extra psychic ability. It’s made him more psychically potent then they think he is.”
She grinned, admiration for the Minster lighting her face. “He’s been waiting for this Prophecy to be realized; that is, waiting for a being he calls the Man
’asorai. He thinks it’s me. For now I’ll allow him to believe this since I can’t refute it.
“But even with the magnitude of energy I’m able to control, I won’t be able to touch the Sho’revra. The combined strength of the Min’yel’os, along with millions of years of technology, has made their lair impregnable. I’d have to blow the planet to smithereens just to get to them. Even if I could, I won’t murder billions doing this.”
She hesitated. Since patience was a genetically cultivated Anorasian attribute (although slightly lessened in Sateron), the two scientists waited until she completed her musings.
“Did I say ‘impregnable’?” Her grin widened, her eyes dancing with excitement. “I should have said nearly impregnable. Galaxaril discovered a weakness in their system. And has a plan. It’s dangerous and the odds of succeeding are slight, but it’s the best he can come up with. Reluctantly I have to agree. The only dilemma is once he gives me the window of opportunity to get inside, the Min’yel’os will know it’s him and will destroy his mind. He accepts this. He doesn’t want to live in service to them any longer. He’d rather die in the knowledge that they’ll be totally eradicated.
“One other thing happened about an hour after I broke contact with him.” Her smile faded, a look of unease now shadowing her features. “That bizarre SOS returned. Either it’s changed, or the dicit have given me the ability to read it a bit more.
“Whatever is out there is even more deadly than your Min’yel’os. No star system, no galaxy, no universe—hell, no dimension—is safe from it. Every cell in my body tells me that if it’s not dealt with soon, everything you’ve worked for, every risk you’ve taken, and everything we’re about to do will be for nothing.”
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