by G. P. Hudson
“How do you know The Faction won’t come after us here?”
“No one has ever violated the sanctity of the Temple. Even in the past, when Diakans warred against each other, no side dared attack the other in the Temple, or on the mountain itself. If The Faction violated this tenet, all Diakans would turn against them.”
The answer satisfied Jon to a certain extent, but he knew that just because something hadn’t happened before didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen again. “How long are we staying?”
“I do not know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? What exactly are we doing here?”
“The Great See’er has requested our presence. She has requested your presence in particular. It is a rare honor for the Great See’er to call for you by name.”
“Really? I guess I should have gotten a bottle of wine, or something.”
Ilthos stared at Jon with a blank expression.
“Never mind,” said Jon. “Human humor. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Evidently.”
The aircraft hovered above the Temple, until part of the roof retracted. The craft slowly descended into the opening, finally resting on a landing pad.
“All weapons must remain here,” said Ilthos.
“I don’t think so,” said Kevin. “That didn’t go well the last time.”
“I assure you, there is no need to fear for your safety here.”
“That’s what Diakan Security said. You saw how that played out.”
“It’s okay,” said Jon. “Leave the weapons.”
“Yes, Sir.” Kevin furrowed his brow at Ilthos. “Anything happens here, I promise it’ll turn out badly for you.”
“No need for threats, Captain. I did not rescue you in order to kill you here.”
Kevin took a step toward Ilthos. “I don’t know how your brain works. Just remember what I said.”
Jon put his hand up for Kevin to stop. “Lead the way, Major.”
Ilthos stepped through the hatch. Jon followed with Breeah tightly holding his hand, and the rest of the group close behind.
Outside three Diakan women waited. They wore hooded white robes adorned with golden trim, that shimmered in the light. The three gazed directly at Jon. He immediately noticed a different quality in their eyes. It was unlike every other Diakan he had seen. An unmistakable radiance, and power. He’d never liked the unblinking eyes of most Diakans, but these fascinated him so much that he found it difficult to look away.
Major Ilthos approached and bowed deeply before them. Jon noted that none of the three women returned the bow, their eyes remaining fixed on him alone. Ilthos didn’t seem to mind the snub, rising to face Jon. “The Priestesses will take you to see the Great See’er. You must go alone.”
“But he is sick,” protested Breeah.
“I’ll be fine,” said Jon, squeezing Breeah’s hand.
“I do not like this.”
“I know.”
“You should not be alone.”
“I won’t be.”
Breeah glared at the priestesses, levelling a finger at them. “Know this. A Reiver is not bound by Diakan custom. If he is harmed in any way, I will paint the walls of this place with your blood.”
The priestesses remained silent.
“Charming,” Jon said smiling. “I’m glad you’re on my side.”
Breeah wrapped her arms around him pressing her face against his chest. “Return to me.”
“I will.” Jon returned her embrace waiting for her to let him go. When she finally released her hold, he joined the priestesses, whose strange eyes remained trained solely on him.
“Okay, let’s get this over with,” said Jon.
The three stood in still silence.
“They don’t talk much, do they?”
“It is not their way,” said Ilthos.
“It’s kind of creepy, if you ask me. How long are we going to stand here like this?”
As if in response to his question, the priestesses turned simultaneously, and began to walk away. Jon followed quietly, having given up on any communication with his guides. The whole time the creature had continued to calm down, and now its mood had turned into one of serenity.
You like this place, huh? he said to his symbiont.
Beautiful, it replied.
Yeah, I guess it is.
A door slid open and they stepped through it onto a long, narrow, glass bridge. The first thing Jon noticed was the wind, the second was the drop. Looking down through the glass, he saw a great chasm, and briefly wondered how far it was to the bottom. He decided it better not to think of such things.
Looking along the bridge he found it connected two of the great spiral structures. It seemed odd that, while the Temple used modern technology, they still relied on strange bridges like this one. Then again, understanding why Diakans did things the way they did was never one of Jon’s strong points.
As they slowly crossed, the wind became more of an obstacle. At the halfway point, the winds became so powerful that Jon had to hold onto the handrails to keep from being flung off. Astonishingly the three priestesses walked through the gale force winds without as much as a stumble, let alone the need to grab hold of a handrail.
Through it all his symbiont remained calm, unperturbed by the danger the winds represented. That in itself was strange, as the symbiont always reacted to even the smallest threats.
On the other side they entered a cavernous chamber. Jon followed the silent priestesses across the room, in quiet awe of his surroundings. Sweeping canvases adorned the walls, and enormous sculptures stood over them, passively watching the group pass.
The room was a Diakan history lesson. One intricate sculpture depicting two Diakans entwined in deadly combat against each other stood out. He was particularly struck by the intense emotions on the faces of the two combatants, something that seemed out of place when compared to the Diakans he had encountered.
Jon had always distrusted Diakans partly because their faces were so expressionless. Yet there was no mistaking the emotions in this sculpture. The two fighters were completely consumed with their hatred for each other.
A massive painting depicting the aftermath of a battle hung on the wall nearby. An innumerable number of Diakan corpses littered the ground. In the midst of it all, a group of Diakans stood, looking out at the viewer, their expressions stoic.
From their torsos an aura emanated, almost like a halo. In the distance behind them stood the Temple of the Great See’er, standing atop the sheer cliffs of Mount Tos. The same aura emanated from the temple.
The priestesses reached the other end of the room and turned to face Jon. “From here you must travel alone,” said one, her eyes boring into Jon’s like lasers.
“She speaks.” said Jon. “Just through those doors then?”
With no response from the priestess, Jon shrugged and moved to walk around the three women. As he did they shifted as one to block his path.
“What’s the problem now?” said Jon.
“You must travel alone,” repeated the woman.
“I am alone.”
She pointed to Jon’s comm. “Artificial life forms are not permitted.”
“Careful, you might hurt AI’s feelings.”
“I do not have feelings to hurt, Admiral,” said AI.
The woman turned her hand palm up, and waited.
“Well, I guess we’ve already started this dance. Might as well see it through to the end,” said Jon, removing his comm and placing it in the priestess’ open hand.
The woman closed her hand over the technology, and the three moved aside allowing Jon to pass.
Intricate carvings adorned the doors standing several stories high in front of him. Their entire length etched with scenes from Diakan history. Like the sculptures, the carvings were incredibly detailed and vivid, and Jon couldn’t help but admire the artist’s skill.
The giant doors swung open independently. Jon turned back to the priestesses. “I bet that scared th
e crap out of the Diakans who had to climb up here, huh?”
The priestesses watched without a word.
“I don’t know why I try,” he said, stepping into the adjacent room. As he entered, he felt an odd sensation. Something he had never experienced before. His symbiont began to purr.
I think you’ve finally lost your mind, Jon said to the symbiont. Where’s that growl I’ve come to know and love?
Undisturbed, the creature responded only by continuing its rhythmic sound. Jon stepped deeper into the room, which was darker than the last, but for a strange glow emanating from its center.
“It is strange that one who hates us so would become our salvation,” said a female voice.
Jon unsuccessfully tried to zero in on its origin. Instead, the sound seemed to envelop him.
“Am I speaking to the Great See’er?” said Jon.
“You are.”
Again Jon tried to pinpoint the location of the voice. “Where are you?”
“I am here,” she whispered in his ear.
Jon spun around, startled. In front of him, mere inches away, stood a Diakan woman, not much different from the three priestesses. She wore the same white hooded garment, and stood with her head lowered so as to conceal her face. “How did you do that?”
“I did nothing.”
“How did you sneak up on me like that? Nobody gets that close to me without me sensing them long before.”
“You rely on your symbiont for much.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“And yet you consider its destruction.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You would have the symbiont removed.”
“It’s an option.” Jon was struck by how much this woman knew. He hadn’t had much time to consider what the doctor had said about taking the symbiont out, but now that she brought it up, he realized that he seriously considered it. He could finally be rid of the damned thing.
“Why?” said the woman, head still lowered, hiding her face.
“It’s dying. If I don’t take it out, it will kill me.”
“No.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You hate your symbiont, as you hate all Diakans.”
“That’s not true.”
“Your lies have no power here, Jon Pike.”
“Look, I don’t know who-”
The Great See’er raised her head, revealing her face. In it Jon saw an intensity he had never seen in a Diakan. But the eyes completely disarmed him. Like the priestesses, they had a radiance to them, but unlike the priestesses, they also possessed a frightening power. Every muscle in Jon’s body seized up, leaving him frozen and helpless before her.
You cannot hide here, her voice said in his mind, as everything went black.
Chapter 28
“How many did we lose?” Jon said to Kevin.
“I haven’t gotten exact numbers yet, but it looks like almost three quarters of our team.”
“Goddamnit!” Jon wheeled around to face the Diakan commander, who stood quietly several meters away. “Did you hear that? Three quarters of our team, dead.”
“The mission was successful,” said the Diakan commander, without any hint of emotion.
This lack of empathy made Jon furious. “We’re not pawns for you to sacrifice whenever you feel like it. Those people didn’t have to die. We should have waited for orbital support.”
“Lieutenant Pike, so long as you are on this ship, you are still on loan to the Diakan armed forces. That means you are under Diakan command. Insubordination will not be tolerated. Punishment for insubordination is extremely harsh, up to and including execution. Choice of punishment is at my discretion. I suggest you end your outburst, or you will be punished.”
Jon glared at the Diakan, every inch of his body filling with hate. He had lost some good people on the planet. Many of them he considered friends. But he knew the Diakan wasn’t bluffing, and he wanted to see his family again, so he turned away.
“We’ll be off this bucket soon enough, Sir,” said Kevin.
“How long until we are back in Sol?”
“Another day or so. We have to transit in system a few times which will slow us down.”
Jon nodded absently, his mind remaining in the battle, powerful Juttari energy bolts cutting through his team in explosive, bloody bursts. Heavy weapons that the Diakans were supposed to knock out from orbit.
His head filled with the screams that came through his helmet. Countless screams, until they fell quiet, unconscious or dead. Some combat suits were so mangled that their medical functions we no longer operational, and no meds could be given. Those horrific screams haunted Jon most of all.
“Lieutenant Pike, report to nearest communication console,” came a voice over Jon’s comm. He snapped back to reality.
“Understood,” he answered, making his way to a comm console.
“Please stand by, Lieutenant Pike,” said a synthetic voice, once his DNA had been confirmed.
When the display came to life, Jon was staring at a human face in a Space Force uniform bearing the rank of Major. “Lieutenant Pike?”
“Yes, Sir,” said Jon.
The Major took a deep breath. “I’m Major McFadden. Lieutenant, I regret to inform you that there has been an attack on Earth. Fort Atkinson has been hit.”
“What?” Jon could barely get the word out. His chest constricted, and he couldn’t take a breath.
“Much of the base was destroyed in the attack, including the family housing section. I regret to inform you that your wife and children did not survive the attack.”
Jon’s vision blurred as tears streamed down his cheeks. “No. You’re wrong.” He barely recognized his own voice. It sounded distant. Disembodied.
“I wish I was. I’m very sorry.”
Jon brought his trembling hands to his head, pulling mindlessly at his hair. “How?”
“We’re not sure yet. The Juttari were able to get operatives onto the planet, most likely Chaanisar.”
“And you’re sure? There’s no mistake?”
“No mistake. I’m sorry. There will be an official ceremony for all the victims in a couple days. I understand you will be back in Sol in time to attend. If there is anything Space Force can do, please let me know.”
“Yes, Sir,” said Jon, struggling to hold it together.
The screen flickered and the Major disappeared, leaving Jon alone, his whole world in tatters. He wanted to die, but he also wanted revenge. Staring at the blank screen he became aware of eyes staring back at him. Powerful, radiant eyes. The Great See’er.
Jon wiped the tears from his face. “Why? Why would you make me relive that?”
“It is your truth.”
“I should have been there. They died alone, without me. You Diakans were supposed to protect us. That was the deal. That’s why I fought for you.”
“Diakans did not kill your family. Yet you hate them as if they did.”
“What difference does it make? Juttari? Diakans? You’re all to blame. Fucking aliens.”
Her eyes bore into Jon’s again, transporting him back into the past. This time he was in Admiral Walsh’s office, on board Orbital Station Alpha, in the Sol System.
“Your record is quite impressive, Captain,” said Walsh from behind his desk.
“Thank you, Sir,” said Jon, standing at attention.
“Take a seat.”
“Yes, Sir,” said Jon, lowering himself onto one of the chairs.
“Tell me why you volunteered for this assignment.”
“I want to kill Juttari, Sir.”
“Your record shows you’ve already killed plenty. More than any other operative.”
“I’m not done.”
Walsh studied Jon for a moment, and then looked back at his service record. “I see here that you lost your family in the attack on Fort Atkinson. Is that why you’re doing this?”
“I am just doing my duty, Sir,�
� Jon lied.
“Captain, do you have some kind of death wish? Is that what this is all about?”
“No, Sir. No death wish,” Jon lied again.
“Well, I can’t argue with your success. I’ll let you know what you’re volunteering for, and then I’ll give you an opportunity to back out. Others have volunteered before you, but changed their minds after they learned the details.”
Walsh paused, giving Jon a chance to speak, but Jon stayed silent. Walsh nodded, continuing, “This is a joint Diakan-Space Force operation, but you will be working for Space Force. In fact, you will report directly to me. What I am about to tell you is top secret, and even if you do not accept the mission, you will not disclose what you’ve learned today. If you do, you will be charged with treason. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. We want to insert a Diakan symbiont into your belly. If all goes well, that symbiont will give you enhanced physical powers. You will utilize these enhanced capabilities on future missions where you will assassinate high level targets.”
Jon soaked in the surprising information. When he volunteered for the secret mission, he hadn’t expected anything like it. “This thing will help me kill more Juttari?”
“That’s right.”
“Is it permanent?”
“No. Symbionts are common on Diakus. They can be removed at any time. If you volunteer, you will be committing to a minimum term, after which you can choose to remove the symbiont.”
If I live that long, Jon thought, realizing this operation might end his suffering once and for all. “I’ll do it.”
The Admiral faded and he faced the Great See’er again. “You all manipulated me. The symbiont didn’t just help me kill the enemy, it made me kill anyone it perceived a threat. I never agreed to that. You treated me like a pawn, again and again. Why shouldn’t I hate you?”
“Is this why you chose to kill your symbiont?”
“I already told you, if I don’t remove it, I will die.”
“Your symbiont is healing as we speak. Have you not noticed its change?”
“I noticed something. I figured it just liked being here.”
“It is one of us. It draws power from the great pool.”
“So you’re helping it heal?”