Shadows of Olympus (Universe in Flames Book 6)

by Christian Kallias

  “What about women?”

  “They have other gifts.”

  “Such as?”

  “The females have an impressive tolerance for extreme temperatures. Fire or sub-zero temps don’t seem to impact them as much as men. They also have a deafening screech that is effective against many predators. Many came to our world, but most often it was our females that drove them away.”

  “Seems to me, between the male’s speed and the female’s other attributes, your people could make a very good ally.”

  “If we can convince the queens. They aren’t keen on forming alliances. We tried it once with another insectoid race, the ZorZans. It didn’t go well at all and resulted in a long, drawn-out war that has left the queens very queasy about ever forming another alliance.”

  “Do you have ships?”

  “During the brief alliance with the ZorZans we acquired new technologies, and some of our scientists have indeed learned how to create ships, basic defenses and such, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been back home. I’m not really sure of how much or how little progress has been made since.”

  “When was the last time you were home?”

  “I don’t know. I guess it must have been nearly three thousand years.”

  Ryonna’s jaw dropped. “I don’t think I heard you correctly. Did you just say three thousand years?”

  “Give or take a century, yes.”

  “How old are you, Tar’Lock?”

  “Six thousand three hundred and seventy-two years, next month.”

  Ryonna felt as though a train had hit her at full speed. The number defied imagination. Sure, Olympians were immortal and perhaps so were the Asgardians and a few other old races that were no longer seen or present in galactic affairs. But she felt very small all of a sudden, even though she was three times the size of her insectoid friend. A flurry of questions filled her mind and she had to focus to select a few to ask.

  “This is unbelievable.”

  “To you perhaps, to us it’s mostly boring to live that long. Most of us commit suicide once our place in society is no longer needed. We get bored easily.”

  “Yeah, I understand why you would. Why didn’t you tell me earlier how old you were?”

  “Who’s old? I’m not old, Ryonna. Some Gorgars live to be twenty-five thousand years. As for why I didn’t tell you, well, frankly, you never asked.”

  “I hope you’re not going to be offended, but I would think at this age, old or not for a Gorgar, you’d be, how should I put this?” She winced before finishing, “Wiser.”

  Tar’Lock clicked. “Good job on the not offending part. Very smooth.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “That’s okay. It’s also physiological. We have a smaller brain than humanoids, and our memory is, for that reason, very selective. We can’t retain all the memories of everything we experience. We select a few memories we want to keep but, sometimes, to store a new one, an old one has to be deleted. That makes it difficult for us to become big thinkers, philosophers or even intellectuals. On my homeworld, each worker specializes in a very specific field and learns only about that field. We can’t multi-task and learn different professions like most other races. We simply don’t have the brain capacity. So we do have historians and philosophers, but these aren’t one person. They’re entire colonies, with each member retaining only a part of the information.”

  “Surely you have computers to do that.”

  “Yes, well, I guess. I left my homeworld before the ZorZans debacle. Before that we had storage units, but I wouldn’t call them computers. Still, they could serve that role, I guess.”

  “Why didn’t we talk about all of this earlier? Are you ashamed of your past?”

  “Again, it’s not that simple. Most of my memories pertaining to my homeworld are gone. I’ve been away so long that I had to make new ones. So there wasn’t much to tell, really. Many times before, when people asked about my past, they didn’t understand why I couldn’t tell them what my place looked like, or what I liked about my family. They couldn’t grasp the fact that it’s not that I don’t want to talk about it, it’s that I don’t know anymore. Once a memory is replaced, it’s gone for good.”

  “That must be frustrating.”

  “You get used to it around the time you turn three hundred years of age.”

  Ryonna chuckled. “Yeah, I bet. Perhaps this limitation has been fixed by your people since then, technologically.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Take Spiros. He uses augments to help his memory and his brain’s computational power. That’s why he’s one of the most revered engineers in the Alliance, despite his age. Perhaps the Gorgar have augmented themselves since last you were in your homeworld.”

  “That’s an intriguing thought,” said Tar’Lock with a strange clicking sound, one Ryonna had never heard before.

  “I think it’s time you went back home to see for yourself and, while you’re at it, see if they’d be open to join the Alliance as well.”

  “Okay, we’ve got nothing to lose, and, well, you know me.”

  “Yeah, anything to not get bored.”

  Tar’Lock smiled.

  “How come you never tried to get back home before?”

  “There simply wasn’t anything waiting for me there. Usually when you’re sold you don’t come back.”

  “What do you mean ‘sold?’”

  “I was sold from my collective. That’s why I went off-world in the first place. Every so often traders come in with food and water, which tend to be scarce because of overpopulation. So a select few, the fastest and best workers amongst us, are selected and traded for vital goods.”

  Ryonna swallowed hard at the implication behind his words. “For what were you sold?”

  “Some water. That’s a great honor amongst my people. I was the fastest in my colony.”

  “And what did the trader do with you?”

  “Asked me to perform physical tasks for him.”

  “Yeah, I imagine that, but for how long?”

  “I did it for about sixty years or so.”

  Ryonna’s eyes widened. She was aware slavery still existed in some parts of the universe, but she had no idea the Gorgar were willingly selling their own people. Considering their long lifespan, and barring injury, a Gorgar slave could technically work for his buyer forever; most likely outlive his master, in fact.

  “Is there a duration to these deals? This seems a relatively long term to work for some water.”

  “No, once you’re sold usually it’s for as long as you’re needed. Sometimes we are sold to be eaten. There are races that find insectoid flesh delicious. My owner died during one of his missions and I just went from place to place for thousands of years. Until one day I became mixed up with the wrong people, a bunch of thugs really, and got sent to Hellstar.”

  “So this entire time with me must feel like a really short time compared to your full life.”

  “You would think so, and that’s because you humanoids can store so much more long term memory than we can. So you probably think I had thousands of adventures, visited an equal number of worlds, and whatnot; that it’s all glamorous and all.”

  “And is it?”

  “What?”

  “Glamorous? Did you have thousands of adventures? Meet races and people the universe over?”

  “Ryonna? Have you listened to anything I’ve been saying to you? I wouldn’t know. I can barely remember any of it. I remember being sold because it’s an honor among my people, to serve one’s colony in that fashion, so I kept that memory. I don’t have many more memories from the other times, though.”

  “Okay, your brains are small, I get it. You can’t store as much as we do, but surely you have a few highlights to share.”

  Tar’Lock shrugged.

  “But you seem to remember most of what we tell you.”

  “That’s short term memory. Our short term memory is good for a few months. If we don�
�t make a conscious effort to store a specific memory past that time, then it’s gone.”

  “Surely you saved a few of these over the years.”

  “I did, but I replaced them over time.”

  “All of them?”

  “Most of them.”

  “What are the ones you hold now?”

  Tar’Lock clicked nervously and another suspicious farting sound could be heard.

  “Tar’Lock?”

  “I’ve erased my memories with memories I formed in your company.”

  And then it hit her, like a ship entering hyperspace. A species with the ability to store only a few memories, with thousands of years of lifespan, and he erased most of his memories for time they shared together.

  Ryonna felt touched. She had suspected he was being more than friendly, but she had never thought much of it. Not only did Droxians most only fall for other Droxians, but Droxians and the Gorgar weren’t even genetically compatible species. Still, love was a complex thing, no matter the species.

  Tar’Lock was agitated and kept moving about at super speed; small distances, but he was doing it so fast he looked as if he was in three places at once.

  “You’re okay, champ?”

  He stopped.

  “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was doing that.”

  She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. He made another brand-new clicking sound, one she could definitely assume had something to do with happiness.

  “What was that for?”

  “Well, for being such a good friend.”

  And for erasing most of who you are because of how you feel about me.

  She couldn’t help but think that was one of the most romantic gestures anyone had ever done for her.

  * * *

  When Daniel entered Rae’s room, he was surprised by how messy it was.

  “I’m sorry, Dan, I’m such a slob. I’ve been working non-stop since you gave me access to these chambers and your incredible database. I just couldn’t stop myself.”

  Indeed, there was a lot of flexi-paper, data tablets, clothes and food containers scattered across the floor of the small quarters. But he didn’t mind.

  “I can see that,” he said with a smile. “What can I do for you, Rae?”

  “I think I found them.”

  “What are you talking about? What did you find?”

  “The Asgardians. I think I know where their homeworld is.”

  “You’re shitting me, right?”

  “No, I’m dead serious, Daniel. With the help of your friend Yanis, who gave me access to some samples of electromagnetic signatures from what he thinks could be Asgardian tech, I was able to scan distant worlds you guys sent probes to. Two of them were in range of potential star systems that matched my previous archeological and historical investigation, and one of them matched the signature. I’m pretty sure there are Asgardians in this part of space,” said Rae, pointing to one of their data tablets.

  “This is huge!”

  “Well, we can only be sure if we get there, but yes, I’m excited too,” she said with sparks in her eyes.

  “Come with me.”

  “Where are we going, Daniel?”

  “It’s time you met my good friend, Chase.”

  * * *

  Ares appeared in Chase’s quarters while he and Sarah were having a private moment.

  Chase jumped out of bed naked by reflex and was already preparing a fireball when he realized it was Ares teleporting in. “Don’t you ever knock? Get the hell out of here, Ares. I’m busy.”

  Sarah covered herself with the bed sheets. “Christ!” she added.

  “I’m sorry, Chase, Sarah, I didn’t think you’d be awake at this hour.”

  Chase aimed his hand towards his pants and they flew into it. He put them on. “Is that supposed to make us feel better? Are you creeping in while we sleep, like an old pervert?”

  “No, of course not. I meant I thought I would gently wake you up, if need be.”

  “What is it, Ares? What took you so long?”

  “Once you left orbit I couldn’t teleport back to the ship. Had to get creative and didn’t realize right away that I wouldn’t have enough energy to get back to you. Something is definitely wrong with me and I’m losing my powers.”

  “Could it be a side effect of you teleporting through Earth’s shield?”

  “I thought so at first, but I’m not so sure anymore. I think I might just be losing life force in general.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  “How do you think it makes me feel? I can’t make teleport jumps as long as I used to before. I had to make five smaller hops before I was in range to teleport inside the Hope. And I feel drained, Chase. I couldn’t teleport to the other side of the ship if I wanted now.”

  “I can feel it. You’re really low in energy. Wasn’t it supposed to be infinite in this form?”

  Ares shook his head. “It felt that way, but obviously it’s not the case.”

  Chase could feel more than just worry behind his old mentor’s words.

  “Now is not the time for you to be feeling weak. We’ll soon go to Olympus, and your presence will be paramount. In fact, I was counting on your help to teleport us there.”

  “I know. But I can tell you right now, such a long teleport jump is out of the question for the time being, unless we discover what’s wrong with me. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t have to be sorry, Ares. It’s not your fault.”

  Sarah interrupted. “Guys, if you wouldn’t mind going for a walk or something.”

  Chase felt bad. Moments ago, they were in the middle of an intimate moment, and he had just dropped everything. Seeing Chase distracted by something else, Sarah probably wanted to sleep now. He kissed her quickly but passionately, and before she could react or say anything he opened the door and gestured Ares outside.

  “Sorry, honey, you should go to sleep.”

  We’ll finish in the morning what we were doing, he added telepathically.

  Yeah, we’ll just have to see about that, she answered, smiling and winking at him as he left.

  * * *

  Chase and Ares walked to the observation deck of the Hope. It had been a long time since Chase had come here. In fact, the last time he came to take advantage of the large, panoramic viewport was the day he was handed the ship. Things had been so hectic, always fighting one enemy or another. Not to mention his time spent in the underworld, where he met Hades. Chris being born while he was one inch away from dying. Now that they walked, silently, it all seemed surreal to him. Ever since the original attack on the Star Alliance by the Obsidian and Zarlack forces, moments of pure calm and reflection had been few and far between.

  Ares broke the silence. “It may be time for me to travel the Styx to the other side. I don’t want to alarm you, but I’m feeling it in my bones, Chase. I don’t have much longer to live in this form.”

  Definitely not what Chase wanted to hear.

  “I wish we could be sure what’s happening to you. When I was fighting Miseo on Droxia, you were stopped by him. How is that even possible? Shouldn’t whatever attacks he threw at you just pass through you?”

  Ares winced. “I didn’t expect it, no. But some of the forces that rule the physical universe can still impact me. I clearly felt that when I passed through Earth’s super shield. So I’m thinking that the type of attack Miseo used on me affected one of these rules. I couldn’t tell you which, though. I can affect gravity on a localized scale, as I did with General Arkoolis. Perhaps gravity can be used against me in one shape or another.”

  “Wouldn’t you require mass for gravity to have any hold on you?”

  “Chase, I didn’t say I knew everything about this form of mine. I’m just using my instincts to make things happen. Let’s not mistake that for a true understanding of my powers.”

  “Fair enough. There has to be a way to help you, though.”

  “Perhaps my father or one of his entourage will
have information about this, but somehow I doubt he’ll care to share it with me.”

  “That doesn’t bode well for us convincing Zeus to join the fight.”

  “I don’t think he will, Chase. We might be wasting our time altogether in this endeavor. Perhaps we should follow the Asgardian trail you’re on.”

  “That’s all well and good, Ares, but you said yourself, it’s probably one or the other. Are you telling me the Asgardians are a better ally? Can we really afford to not try and convince them both if we want not only to survive the Furies but also have a chance at reclaiming Earth? As powerful as those shields are I’m sure Gaia 2 will find a way to bring them down.”

  Ares stopped and looked at the mesmerizing lightshow of hyperspace.

  “I don’t know, Chase. I don’t see Asgardians and Olympians working hand in hand.”

  “Didn’t they work together during the last Fury war?”

  “Yes, but that’s when things went south and Zeus declared them an enemy to Olympus shortly after the Furies were defeated.”

  “We both know they weren’t defeated, just imprisoned and left for dead.”

  “Until they came back we thought they had been defeated. Of course, we know differently now.”

  Tension could be read on Chase’s face. Small lightning bolts of frustration sizzled all over him for just a second. “I can’t believe your father would rather let the universe burn than help us rid ourselves of the Furies, once and for all.”

  “Then you know nothing of Zeus. He was never a fair leader. He always used fear to achieve his goals and he cares mostly about one person: himself. Since no Olympian can ever hope to defeat him, he reigns unchallenged.”

  “Theoretically speaking, if he were defeated, what would happen? Would Olympians elect a new leader?”

  “You’re not seriously considering killing my father, Chase? If you are, I’m telling you right now: I can’t be part of that. Granted, we are estranged and there is no love lost there, but he’s still my father.”

  “Relax, Ares, I’m hoping we can convince him, but it can’t hurt to have all the facts before making an informed decision. We may have to do things we don’t want to. We’re not in a position to take our sweet time to resolve our problems. We either act now or face the fact that this might be the end of most civilizations in the universe.”