Phoenix Rising: The Covenant (Phoenix Rising Infinitology Book 1)

by Angela Timms

  The first thing they got rid of was the meeting places so that anyone who did have rebellious ideas couldn’t spread them to others. Taverns on some worlds are banned. It is only on planets like Whitewater and the ones they haven’t really worried about that you can still meet with other people. Where free spirits had met in pubs and taverns on the planets these became a thing of the past. The Followers banned alcohol where they could and their strict religious doctrine forbade their believers to touch it. From our point of view and with a bit of knowledge you can see why they did. There is something in alcohol which lessens the effect of their mind effecting drugs. We aren’t sure yet how it works and it doesn’t work forever but there is something there. The only places left to meet were the Follower Meeting Houses where obviously it was not possible to say a word out of turn. This in turn destroyed various small economies. Many businesses supplied the now non-existent meeting places. They went out of business overnight. In truth it drove drinking underground. People chose to drink in their own homes and this meant that they drank more and without social interaction there was a greater incidence of depression. This led people to reach for something in their lives and the Followers were more than happy to oblige. It was a win, win situation.

  Where they encountered a non-technological planet they harvested it for its natural resources and left it a wasteland. Planets like Kel’s ended up that way. As most of these were under-developed for a reason, be it harsh climate or their location they were unsuitable for colonization, harvested and abandoned.

  Manipulating internal struggle for their own political advancement and using bureaucracy to slow everything down allowed them the opportunity to gain a foothold. Subterfuge and some incredibly ingenious minds allowed them to infiltrate all levels of government on those planets with a complex political structure and the resulting discussions they initiated meant that they could take over before there was a chance to rally ordinance and gather troops. In all it was a swift, well thought out and excellently executed take over that left governments in tatters and enough planets under their control organized resistance.

  They also managed which they managed to eliminate through the same use.”

  Shantara looked confused. “I think you’d better explain that last bit. You lost me there.”

  Rowland smiled. “Bad way of putting it. Basically we used to use teleport devices a lot. Matter was broken down to its basic particles, or strings, and then reformed at the new location. This was an ideal and very environmentally friendly way of travelling apart for the huge amount of energy required to break something down and reform it. Anyway, before we realized that they were tampering with it most of the major players were eliminated as they were scrambled when they reformed. That had a dual purpose. Firstly it eliminated people who were a threat without the followers getting the blame and secondly it meant that teleport transport was deemed too dangerous to use. That restricted people’s movement and ability to get together. They already had every form of communication bugged and logged so it effectively gave them full access to any information that was typed or spoken. The technology was scrapped and those who after the initial invasion to quell any further

  to manipulate other forms of technology made it were put out of work. It is safe to say that anyone who was in Research and Development disappeared shortly afterwards.

  They have tried to cover their origins up but initially as you may have heard from Kel they were an environmentally friendly group. They brought about sweeping changes that were definitely for the better on some planets which were nearing extinction through overuse of their natural resources and pollution. They were known as “Fallow Earth” then. They took on the nickname “Fallowers” due to their preaching that it was better to leave planets and areas to recover, to be “Fallow” for a while and to let nature take over again and replenish its resources. I remember reading the writings of Erasmus Deck many years ago. He was an idealist and a visionary. He basically put into words what the rest of us were thinking. He was outspoken and many people believed he wouldn’t last the year but he did. His writings about a Utopian Civilization where everyone could live in harmony with nature formed the basis of what is now the Followers’ philosophy, albeit corrupted and implemented by force. I don’t know what happened to him, he seemed to just disappear. No record of it anywhere. One day he was here, the next he vanished. If you want my opinion he is in a Follower research establishment somewhere.

  Way back they started removing some cities that were decaying after relocating their inhabitants and planting whole areas with trees and reintroducing wildlife. That was also how they got into such positions of power. People liked it and even where they had to be voted in it was normally a landslide in their favour. Then it all changed.

  They played on the mistrust that they could easily create. Followers look no different to anyone else and wear no insignia or use identifying equipment. Anyone could be a Follower and it was well known that they had “sleepers” everywhere who didn’t even know they were Followers until they were activated. So, who could be trusted? It was mostly the conspiracy theorists was pretty oblivious weren’t worried about the Followers being everywhere but in general I think that they were happy with their lives and didn’t want to rock the boat. Not everyone wants to be an individual and their controlled lives were very comfortable. It was hard to question them as well. What could anyone really say? They gave everyone a better standard of living. No, I correct myself, they gave their chosen few a better life and those were generally those who were useful.

  Only now that we think that they have progressed into genetic engineering do find distasteful. exoskeleton makes them look like they are wearing a skeleton mask. Few have been caught and when they have their self-destruct ensured that there was little to analyze. As to what they look like under the mask, or if that worried about this obviously. The general public

  or was pretending to be. They may have said they

  we have a distinct enemy and something that people Their bone soldiers are easy to recognize. Their that was a mask and not a part of them, that is unknown. What is known is that their great strength and speed totally loyal to the Followers and them when they were carrying out a command. We have lost a lot of good people to them.

  Mission Command only survived because it was well hidden and the genius minds that had gathered here managed to keep it that way. It had been created for just such an occurrence, initiated by a lone scientist many hundreds of years ago. How he knew I cannot hazard to guess. He had been heralded as a nutcase by his peers but thankfully he had been a very rich nutcase with a very clear idea of what he wanted to create. He had set up “The Foundation” and they had then set up Command bases around the galaxies to protect against the event of an incursion such as that of the Followers. Each was a different design and hidden in a different way. There was no communication between them and each was unknown to the others until they were needed.

  I remember it well and it had not been long ago that I and Lex, a Sharathian Warrior, you know the Lizard folk.”

  Shantara looked blankly at him.

  Rowland smiled. “Oh well, never mind, they have green skin and slightly reptilian features, anyway we had been seated in the Debriefing Room for a meeting with Commander Zack. Just like any other day really. That was the day he had informed us that everything had changed. Where to start with the Followers had demanded conversion and had spent time preaching their beliefs, from then on they had another way of spreading the word. They had created a drug and an implant that cut that process out and removed any free will in the matter. Those who were taken were removed to their research facilities, put in pods, the implant was injected and they spent time being indoctrinated with the Followers’ belief system. That way they could guarantee loyal followers and they could also know if there was a spy in their ranks. The implant was not only detectable it was coded to the person it had been implanted in. They could track any of their followers at any time. Well that is
how I heard it back then.

  The implant was relatively small but the chemical that was also introduced has proven almost impossible to analyze as we have never managed to get hold of any in a large enough quantity to isolate its properties.

  The only positive news that comes from this is that if we could develop the technology then we could possibly be able to detect who is a Follower. That doesn’t apply to the “Originals”, those who came to be Followers because they actually believed and those who had fully converted without the implant and the drug. It is hoped that on one of our missions we will find some intelligence that will give us a way to counteract the drug. Until today we had to work with what we had. That makes them a formidable enemy, unstoppable other than destroying was why today’s mission was so important. That mercenary was an undercover Follower. What he carried was a report but I don’t know what was in it. So you’d better go and get that delivered to Commander Zack.” He pointed to her orders flashing on the screen to report to Commander Zack.

  Shantara looked down at the items that Kel had given her. “I suppose I’d better.” She got up and left the room.

  2

  Commander Zack was in his office sitting at a desk piled high with files, looking through papers. The Commander was in his early fifties. His uniform was immaculately pressed. His grey shirt crisp and recently laundered, his grey military issue trousers ironed with a razor sharp precision. His shoes shone and his insignia was immaculately polished. His balding head was slightly shining, reflecting the light above him and what was left of his receding hair was immaculately cut. His deep blue eyes were sharp and took everything in and his face though round was decidedly bird like and predatory.

  The room was square, large and painted a pale military grey. The floor was practical black rubber with an anti-slip surface of raised rubber circles which matched the corridors outside. Behind his head there was a painting of a coniferous wooded valley with a Planet Hopper flying over it with a dramatic sunset highlighting its chrome metal hull with oranges and yellows.

  To the left of the room the wall was mostly filled by a five shelf bookcase which displayed procedural manuals. These were all blue with gold letters. A collection of legal books which were red with gold lettering filled the top shelf and other military handbooks which were a similar size but which were gathered in their colour coded subjects filled the bottom shelf.

  To the right there was a long dresser filled with trophies and awards with the Commander’s name on them. The wall above this was almost completely covered with bravery and other military honors.

  As Shantara knocked and kindly as she stepped through the door. She stepped nervously across the expanse of floor, taking small calculated steps and stood to attention in front of his desk, holding out the items that Kel had given to her.

  He was slightly rotund in his smart uniform which was a stark certificates and framed awards for entered he looked up and smiled contrast to the pictures of the lithe young man that adorned the wall but the warm smile was the same. Now as then his collar was neatly buttoned, his tie just so. His military honors were pinned to a black pad in the center of a frame amongst the other awards on his shelf. He wore the basic uniform and rank insignia.

  He was surrounded by papers, piles of files and maps and looked up with a pen in his hand. Shantara’s file was open on the desk in front of him. She caught a glimpse of the rather strictly posed photograph of herself clipped to the top left hand corner and the printout of her skills that she had helped Elana, the Personnel Officer put together to fulfil the protocols.

  Commander Zack cleared his throat. “Shantara, you have been with us for three months now and your contribution to the crews you have accompanied has been very much appreciated. I also appreciate your great skill in flying our Planet Hoppers and your contribution as a Combat Medic. In that respect it is felt by me and Central Command that you should receive your full membership of this facility and that your probation period is considered over. So, it gives me great pleasure to be able to present you with your statutory insignia, making you a full time and permanent member of staff.

  I realize that your information has been necessarily limited over this time. Our survival as you know depends on secrecy for us and our operatives. Rest assured you will be fully briefed on issues you need to be aware of now.

  I trust in your time here your fellow crewmembers have brought you up to speed on the basics. I am not underestimating the value of your previous knowledge either. Your reports were extremely informative and detailed. But, recently information has come to light and you will now be granted access to it.

  The Personnel Department will be speaking to you about allocation of a permanent room and you will receive full pay and pension rights as well as being able to access the amber restricted zones.”

  The smile on Shantara’s face was like none that had been seen in many weeks. She stepped forward, held out her hand and took the offered pin and shook the Commander’s offered hand. She immediately unclasped the pin and attached it onto her uniform in the empty space that she had wanted to see filled since she had first set foot on Mission Command.

  Commander Zack nodded and smiled. “I understand you are flying evac missions this afternoon. I would like to wish you every success. Thank you, you may go. Congratulations and we are pleased to have you on board officially.”

  She turned on her heels smartly and left the room, shut the door, leant against it and took a deep breath. The smile was still all over her face as she walked away. The corridors about their business. members that they needed to get to the Hopper Bay and prepare for an emergency mission. Two middle aged men in boiler suits immediately turned and ran in the Bay’s direction. Those in their path got out of the way, including Shantara. She made her way along the maze of corridors until she came to a door marked “KR2316A CREW ROOM”. With her hand on the door she hesitated a moment, took a deep breath and opened the door and stepped over the threshold.

  Rennon, the Science and Research Officer, the fourth member of their team was smiling his usual warm and inviting, bright eyed smile. It flashed through her mind as she entered and saw him that he always seemed to be smiling unless there was a real crisis. He was a striking looking man. He looked small compared to Kel but he was at least six foot tall. His elfin pointed features and wildly unruly spiked hair made for a handsome slightly mischievous, roguish look that he was happy to maintain and live up to. His face lit up as she came in. He had a selection of equipment laid out around him and a laptop which was scrolling down what looked like an endless list of figures. He smiled broadly and spoke quickly in his broad Scottish accent. “Shantara, our wee lassie, I see you’ve got a new piece of jewelry on that suit of yours. Welcome to the Unit.”

  Kel was sitting by the window, his chair tipped back, his feet crossed on the table with a cup of steaming coffee in his hand. His blaster hung down by his side, his long coat was draped over the back of his chair and he looked relaxed as always in his native buckskins and leather trousers. He looked up, his deep brown eyes sincere as always.

  Rowland the engineer was sitting on the other side of the table opposite Kel. He had been trying to fix a scanner and bits of it were set out on the table in front of him. His features were lost under an unkempt mop of dark brown hair; his beard was straggly and tatty. He looked up and grunted. “Well done.”

  Rennon bounced from his chair and went over to congratulate her with a hug.

  Rowland grudgingly stepped up to congratulate her. He looked awkward then offered a hand which she shook politely. But her eyes were on Kel.

  Kel put his cup down, looked up, stood up and went over to her slowly. She looked up at him expectantly staring far too intently into his deep brown eyes so he was forced to look away as he smiled and in his deep voice spoke slowly. “Well done.” Although he pulled himself up to his full height as Shantara stepped far too close to him. “I am pleased for you.”

  She looked disappointed and she froze in the
middle of reaching to hug him. “So formal from our native hunter?” She laughed were crowded with crew members going A siren went off, its tone alerting certain nervously. “You won’t be able to get rid of me now. I, like you have been accepted, we’re both aliens who found a home here. As I told you, I want to be part of the team. You’ll appreciate me one day, you know that. Perhaps we can all move forward now. I feel it, now that I’m no longer on probation, now that I’m one of the team. If it was that you feared I was going away?”

  Kel scowled. “Do not spoil your special moment. I am pleased for you. You have a home here.” He caught her hand and gently pushed it down to her side. “I do not wish to get rid of you.”

  Shantara looked hopeful while Rennon and Rowland gave each other nervous looks.

  Kel looked from one to the other then back to Shantara. “You are a member of the team, a valued member. We are all pleased you are able to stay. I am sure Rennon here agrees with me too. After all he is in exactly the same position as we are.”

  Shantara pouted and Rennon looked relieved but the smile soon faded when Kel looked at him expectantly.

  Rennon swallowed hard. “We’ve all lost people but there are people out there who need to be found. Ours and others. Kel is right, don’t spoil your moment. Tonight when you get back we will celebrate properly, won’t we Kel?”

  Unseen by Shantara, Rennon gave Kel a knowing look. Kel looked awkward. “Indeed, we can do that.”

  Shantara looked a little deflated. “I’m due in the Hopper Bay right away anyway. Thank you, I’d like that.” She gave Kel a meaningful look which lingered far too long, turned and left.

  The door closed and the three sat in silence for a long time. Rennon went back to his scanners and Rowland to his bits and pieces. They looked up occasionally, nervous.