by G. P. Hudson
“You forget that those Chaanisar were freed from Juttari control.”
“Yes, and is it not strange that it happened to be the Juttari ship that pursued the Hermes? Of all the Chaanisar in the Juttari Empire, that crew alone was mysteriously freed. Is it not strange that you later orchestrated the liberation of thousands of Chaanisar? These are not mere coincidences.”
“Like I said, I did what I had to do. None of it was pre-planned.”
“And yet the events were foreseen.”
“I’m no puppet, Tallos. Nobody pulls my strings. Not you, not The Faction, not the Great See’er.”
“The Great See’er does not control your actions. She simply possesses the gift of sight. She sees potential futures, but those futures can be altered. I know you believe this to be true, or you would not bring me to Her.”
Jon couldn’t argue. The Great See’er had an almost magical ability to see the future and the past. He’d experienced it himself. “Yeah, you’re right. That is why I’m taking you to the Temple. Are you nervous?”
“I am a general. I do not get nervous.”
Jon rolled his eyes at Tallos’s bravado. “Have you met her before?”
“No. Very few Diakans get this opportunity. It is a great honor to meet Her.”
“So I’m told,” said Jon, glancing at the overhead display.
The great spiral towers of the Temple seemed to pierce the sky as the shuttle neared its destination. Fighters streaked by, racing ahead to establish a perimeter around Mount Tos. The rest stayed in formation around the shuttle. Upon landing, all fighters would patrol the area, and strictly enforce a no-fly zone.
The roof of the first building opened as they approached. The shuttle came to a landing on a pad in the center of a large cavernous room. The very same room in which they had landed days earlier with Major Ilthos. The room in which they were attacked.
As the engines powered down, several Marines and Diakans removed their weapons, and moved through the open hatch, fanning out to clear the room. They remained unarmed, respecting the temple’s weapons protocols. Inside the shuttle, however, was some serious firepower. Just in case. On the all clear signal, Jon and Tallos stepped out.
Jon wasn’t surprised to see the same three priestesses waiting for them. Tallos craned his neck around as they approached the women. “Blasphemy!” he said, inspecting the damage done by The Faction’s attack on the Temple. “How could any Diakan do such a thing?”
“They did it alright,” said Jon. “And they didn’t seem too upset about it.”
Nearing the three priestesses, Tallos bowed deeply at the waist.
“We are here to see the Great See’er,” said Jon, uncertain if they would allow him an audience. The three women silently turned and began walking toward the exit. “Let’s go,” he motioned for Tallos to follow.
The priestesses led them out of the building and onto the same long glass bridge. Powerful winds shrieked all around them, but to Jon’s surprise, this time he had no difficulty maintaining his balance. He assumed it was related to the symbiont’s health.
Tallos, on the other hand, stumbled with every step, gripping the railing with both hands. Jon reached out to grab Tallos’s arm. “Come on. I won’t let you fall.”
Tallos paused for a few moments, seemingly trying to decide whether he could trust Jon. Then let go of the handrail. Jon felt the power of the winds tugging and pushing at Tallos as they continued, but his grip was steel.
Jon released his grip as they entered the second building. Tallos took in the surroundings in wonder and awe. “Glorious,” he said repeatedly, soaking up the priceless works of art all around him.
Arriving at the massive, carved doors, a priestess turned with an outstretched hand. “Give her your comm,” Jon said to Tallos, removing his own.
“Of course.” Tallos handed over his device.
The great doors slowly creaked open. The priestesses moved as one, allowing Jon and Tallos to enter the chamber of the Great See’er’. When the doors closed behind them the room seemed darker than Jon remembered, but he pushed deeper inside.
“The universe abounds with contradictions,” said the woman’s voice.
“Is that her?” whispered Tallos.
“It is I,” said the Great See’er, directly beside them. Tallos, startled jumped back several steps. Upon regaining his composure, Tallos dropped to his knees, touching his head to the floor in reverence.
“I thought you didn’t get nervous,” Jon said to Tallos. “And seriously,” he said to the Great See’er. “You need to stop sneaking up on people like that. You’re going to give someone a heart attack one day.”
“Arise, General Tallos,” said the See’er.
Tallos got up, keeping his eyes trained on the floor.
“Contradictions,” she continued. “Boundless contradictions.”
“Okay, I don’t know what that means,” said Jon. “But that’s not what I’m here for. Can you see his future? His past? Like you did with me?”
“Yes.”
“What do you see? Can I trust him?”
“What do you see?” she said locking her eyes onto Jon’s.
He was suddenly on the bridge of the Freedom, in the middle of a massive battle. On the viewscreen was a giant planet he didn’t recognize, orbiting a red star. Thousands of Juttari warships hung in space between Jon and the planet. He looked down at his command console to see Tallos’s face on the display. He was saying something. “You can count on my ships, Admiral,” said Tallos. “We will not fail you.”
Yet it wasn’t Tallos’s words that left an impression. Rather it was the feeling that Tallos would not let him down. That he could trust him implicitly.
Tallos’s face faded, replaced by the Great See’er, her eyes as radiant as ever. “Do you have your answer, Jon Pike?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“I do not understand,” said Tallos. “What has happened?”
“What will happen, has happened. This is the way,” said the See’er.
Behind them, Jon heard the great doors creak open. “Time to go,” he said.
Chapter 35
Jon studied Tallos on the shuttle ride back to orbit. The Diakan had been staring at his feet since they left the See’er’s chamber. “Tallos, what’s wrong? I figured you would be happy, now that you’ve met the Great See’er.”
Tallos briefly glanced up at Jon, before returning his gaze to the floor. “You are correct. It was a great honor.”
“Then what’s the problem?” said Jon.
“Inside the Temple, the Great See’er communicated with me.”
“I know. I was there, remember?”
“No. That’s not what I mean. She spoke to me telepathically.”
“What did she say?”
“Not words. She showed me visions.”
“Yeah, she does that. What were they?”
“You. You are of the Temple. You are holy.” Tallos looked up at Jon again, with a reverence in his eyes he had never seen before.
“Goddamnit Tallos, do I look holy to you?”
“Your symbiont is of the Temple. That means you are of the Temple. Despite your appearance, it also makes you Diakan. It now makes sense. I never could understand how such a role could befall a human. If The Faction knew, they wouldn’t oppose the prophecy.”
“Of course they knew. They created the damned symbiont.”
Tallos recoiled.
“That’s right,” continued Jon. “They stole DNA from the Great Pool, and genetically engineered the symbiont. You think these people give two shits about the Temple? Have you forgotten their attack? They only care about power. They created the symbiont and tested it out on me, trying to make a super soldier. Think about it. If it worked, and they could control me, then they could do the same with thousands of humans. They would have their own version of the Chaanisar.”
“There is wisdom in your words. The Faction is an abomination. I will make a personal reco
mmendation for the timely execution of its members.”
“You Diakans don’t play around, huh?”
“I believe you meant to say, ‘we Diakans’, Admiral.”
“Look, let’s get something straight right now. I’m no fucking Diakan. Understood?”
“As you wish, Admiral.”
“And I’m not your damn savior!”
“Of course.”
Jon glared at Tallos, who continued to stare at the floor. Glancing around the shuttle, he caught the watchful eyes of the Marines on board, all of whom were paying close attention to their conversation. “The same goes for all of you,” he said. “I’m human, not some Diakan savior. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Sir!” they replied in unison.
Jon nodded, casting an accusing eye toward the Diakan soldiers on board. To his annoyance, none of them returned his gaze. “Tallos!” he said, turning back to the Diakan general.
“Yes, Admiral.”
“Look me in the eye.”
Tallos hesitantly raised his head and cautiously locked eyes with Jon.
“Are they glowing?” said Jon.
“I don’t understand.”
“My eyes. Are they glowing?”
“No.”
“Do they look different in any way?”
“No.”
“There you go. You see, I’m not like the See’er, or those priestesses. So you don’t have to stare at your damn boots.”
“It is disrespectful to make eye contact with those who are of the Temple.”
“Are you loyal to me?” said Jon, leveraging the vision the See’er had shown him.
“Yes, Admiral. Without question.”
“Good. I want you to issue an order to all Diakans under your command. They are all to look me in the eye whenever speaking with me. This begins with you.”
“But Admiral-”
“Are you loyal to me?”
“Yes.”
“Then prove it. Issue the order.”
“As you wish.” Tallos turned toward his soldiers who were cautiously waiting. “You will all do as the Admiral wishes.”
“Yes, General,” the soldiers replied, turning their gaze toward Jon.
“Good,” said Jon, looking each Diakan in the eye, one by one. “Now we need to hurry up and get back to Earth. My ships need to stay behind for repairs, so I’ll have to catch a ride with you.”
“Of course. It would be an honor.”
Jon cringed. He was used to Diakans being condescending, and rude. He didn’t think he could get used to this new found reverence. “If Dathos is complicit,” he continued. “Who knows what he’s been up to while I’ve been gone.”
“Yes. General Dathos is the greatest remaining threat. I will transmit instructions to my ships to prepare to disembark immediately.”
Chapter 36
First Colonel Brock used his brain chip to scroll through the numerous readiness reports, as he made his way to the Mountain Complex’s Operations Room. Governor Sallas and his generals had significantly complicated the original plan to retake Telepylos, with their desire to attack the Kemmar on two fronts.
He didn’t necessarily disagree with their plans. He was concerned that they would stretch their resources substantially, especially without Diakan support. Mistakes, under those circumstances, would become a luxury, and he was not sure how many they could afford.
The plan was logical, however. The Kemmar Empire was weaker than the Juttari. The stalemate between the Juttari and the Alliance made it reasonable to target the Kemmar. In fact, it may be crucial. Otherwise, the partnership could tilt the scales in favor of the Juttari, and they could break the stalemate.
He wondered again why General Dathos wouldn’t support the operation. Had the old Diakan grown tired of war? He would have to press for more information at the nearest opportunity.
Dathos had requested an urgent meeting, piquing Brock’s curiosity. He had not been informed of any developments. Perhaps there was more news from Diakus.
If only Admiral Pike were still here, he thought.
The Admiral had said he would embark on an aggressive strategy, just before he fallen ill. With his death Brock wondered if the Alliance could remain united. Cracks were already beginning to form. Would the Alliance still exist in another year?
The thought troubled him. If the Alliance crumbled, what would happen to the free Chaanisar? He knew the Diakans would move to take control of the captured Juttari territory, and the colonies would have to choose whether or not they would join the Galactic Accord.
If they chose against, the humans would be left isolated, to face the Juttari and Kemmar alone. With Chaanisar assistance they could manage the Kemmar, but the Juttari were another matter. If the colonies remained independent, they would soon be conquered by the Juttari. He and the rest of his Chaanisar would lose their freedom, returning to Juttari slavery. Brock would rather kill himself.
The free Chaanisar were in a difficult position either way. If the colonies joined the Galactic Accord, they would quickly end up subservient to the Diakans. The Diakans had fought against the Juttari, and their Chaanisar, for centuries. The Diakans had a deep hatred of the Chaanisar, and he didn’t think it mattered much if they were free. Even in his dealings with General Dathos, Brock knew that Dathos simply tolerated him. He would never believe him an equal.
Of course there was a third option. The Chaanisar could simply leave. Their jump ships could take them anywhere in the galaxy, leaving the Diakans and Juttari behind. He cringed, the Chaanisar may be many things, but they were not cowards. They would stay, and they would fight, regardless of the outcome.
When he approached the Operations Room, he was surprised to find two Diakan sentries at the entrance. It was normally a Marine post. This was Earth, after all. He rationalized it thinking that the Diakans were temporarily standing in until Marine replacements arrived.
The Diakans looked straight ahead, neither of them acknowledging his presence as he passed. This too was different, Marine sentries always saluted his arrival. He decided to shrug it off.
Inside the Operations Room he spotted more Diakan sentries. Why did Dathos need all this extra security? After centuries of war with the Diakans, this second change instantly made Brock suspicious, priming him to deal with any surprises. That was why he didn’t hesitate when the nearest Diakan raised his weapon.
Brock had learned that in moments such as these, there was no time for questions. Reasons were irrelevant. There was only action. Speed. Resolve.
He wheeled around on his assailant, seizing the weapon with one hand, and the Diakan with the other. He kept turning, bringing his captive around just in time. Energy bolts ripped into the Diakan as the other sentries fired.
Brock moved the Diakan with his one hand, effectively shielding himself from his attackers, returning fire with it’s weapon. He attempted a distress call through his brain chip to the Chaanisar in the complex, without success.
Communications from within this room are being disrupted, said AI, through Brock’s brain chip.
The Chaanisar must be notified of this aggression, Brock replied.
I can bypass the disruption through the computer network, said AI.
Understood, said Brock, using the Diakan to shield him further, as he tried to reach a nearby network console. The Diakan, now dead weight, became more difficult to manipulate, even with his augmented strength. Dragging the Diakan, in an upright position, like a full length Roman shield, proved challenging.
Having taken out the Diakan on his flank early on, he maintained some freedom of movement. But there were still many left in the room, all firing on him, and there wasn’t much in the way of cover.
Brock noted that General Dathos was absent. Coward, he thought. How does someone like that attain the rank of General?
The door slid open and the two Diakan sentries rushed in and opened fire. Simultaneously, another Diakan bolted from his position, in an attempt to flank Brock. He
was quickly becoming compromised.
He chose the flanking Diakan, turning to send several bolts crashing into the man’s torso. The Diakan fell to the floor. But Brock’s left side was now exposed. He pulled his Diakan shield back to cover his side, just as an energy bolt hit him in the shoulder. The searing pain nearly paralyzed his arm, and he cried out while fighting to keep the Diakan up.
His implants moved rapidly to compensate. He exhaled sharply as they acted to numb the pain, and clot the wound. Every Chaanisar was trained to withstand pain, but it was never easy.
As he drew closer to the console, the Diakan assault became more ferocious. The only thing keeping him alive was the Diakan he used as a shield, his augmented speed, and accuracy. His aim in particular, forced the Diakans’ heads down. They were unable to rush or flank.
Altering tactics, their rate of fire intensified, focused solely on the dead Diakan he used for protection.
He felt the heat on his hand first. The dead Diakan’s body armor had begun to fail. The other Diakans were attempting to capitalize on that failure. Soon their energy bolts would reach him. It would be the end. He had to make a move now.
The console was still several feet away from him. With very few options remaining, Brock mustered all his strength to throw the dead Diakan at the enemy. He leapt and fired in one fluid motion.
His hand slapped down on the console just as the energy bolts struck. Fire burned across his torso and blue lightning tore into his side. He hit the floor and rolled. The console blew. Smoke emanated from the ravaged system, and he wondered if he had been too late.
Had AI gotten through before the console was destroyed? Did she manage to make it into the network?
Energy bolts bit into him, forcing him to keep moving. His speed was now his only defense. He was out of options, out of time, and out of room. The Diakans would soon circle to finish him off, alien hunters taking down a vicious beast.
Fighting for his last remaining seconds, his newly freed mind pondered his own existence. His life had been incredibly long, and short, at the same time. All those centuries, and so precious little of that long life had actually been his. Aliens had stolen his life from him, so it seemed fitting that aliens would now end it, but he damn well wouldn’t make it easy for them.