by Angela Timms
She stood back and looked at them. “Wow, what a difference! We will all do very nicely. Come on before I change my mind. Let’s see what sort of a ship they have found for us.”
They walked side by side down the corridor to the Hopper Bay. Beyond its doors there was a slightly shabby trading vessel. It resembled a sea going ship with a prow and bow and huge flying fish like fins which were folded to its side. It was slightly tatty and had seen better days but as Rennon gave it the once over he smiled and patted it on the side. “She may look tatty but there’s life in the old dog yet.”
Rennon took the pilot’s seat, Dr Samson the co-pilot’s, leaving Kel and Kyla in the passenger seats behind. They didn’t waste any time, they blasted off immediately they had the go ahead.
After a three hour journey as the ship had no ability for anything other than basic, if not extremely fast, space travel they neared the planet and began hailing. It was a predominantly grey and blue planet hanging between a moon and a sun. Another twelve planets were in orbit around the sun. As they watched many shuttles and spacecraft of different shapes and sizes were coming and going. Most looked very similar to the ship they were flying.
Rennon transmitted the code he had been given and they waited and waited, in silence, as they got more and more nervous.
It took about a quarter of an hour before they were really fidgety, after there had been no reply for nearly half an hour the tension in the cockpit was unbearable.
Rennon kept checking the readouts, still no news. He looked around the others. “Should I try again? Or is that showing that there is something out of the ordinary here?”
Kyla looked down at the screen from her position standing behind Rennon. “Well how can there be anything out of the ordinary. We have never been to his planet before either for real or as who we are supposed to be so how can we know the protocols?”
Kel looked uncomfortable. “Don’t ask me, if it was me I’d be demanding to land by now.”
Rennon had his hands on the keyboard when a message flashed on the screen with their landing codes and directions to switch their ship to automatic and to allow the planet’s pilot to bring them down to land. Rennon hesitated then switched to automatic. Checking all communication was shut down he looked around the others. “We have no alternative, to hesitate or to try to keep control would alert them that we are suspicious and that something may be up.”
The ship glided effortlessly downwards leaving the blackness of space and entering the gentle blue hue of the planet’s atmosphere. As they passed through the planet’s shields they all felt a slight tingling sensation. It was like a minor and painless electric shock.
As they passed through the fluffiness of the clouds they could see the world unfold below them. It was like many others they had encountered. The scene was the same blue sea, green landscape and cities sprawling below them. Kyla smiled to herself thinking how mundane all this wonder had become. It was just another planet in another solar system in another galaxy that was so far from her home. This time it was different somehow.
It held an excitement she hadn’t felt in a long time. She wasn’t on some passenger transporter as a travelling mystic fulfilling her tasks. This was a little more than some of the diplomatic missions she had been on and it was a little more than the trading missions she had done on occasion. This was somehow thrilling and full of a temptation to think that it could end up in some glorious victory where they stole their person from the evil grasp of some domineering master. She smiled at the thought and watched as the small buildings got larger and the detail on them clearer.
As they approached the landing pad they took in the view. It was perched on the edge of a great expanse of ornate buildings the like of which they had never seen before. Every building was carved with gargoyles. The landing pad itself looked like a huge slab of marble. The veins creeping through it like it was a great lump of cheese. It glistened in the sunlight, the natural crystals in the marble catching the sunlight. So much so that it inspired an unnatural silence as they were brought effortlessly down to land. The landing pad was constructed on huge pillars which stood firm on the top of one of the buildings. Stone bridges spanned spider leg like, each leading onto a flat roof of one of the many ornate buildings. Other buildings had turrets and many porticos and minarets were in contrast with the glassy smoothness of the landing pad.
The ship came to a stop and Rennon opened the back hatch. A rush of warm air rushed in, scented with a sweet flowery aroma. As they looked at each other a reassurance spread around them. Kyla smiled and they turned and left the Hopper. As they stepped away from the Hopper almost invisible cracks in the marble opened like huge fissures as the pad it was standing on descended and the Hopper disappeared from sight as the doors closed over it.
Kel stepped to Kyla’s side and took her arm to support her as she swayed slightly as she stepped away from where their ship had been. Seeing it disappear made her shudder slightly and the fluttering sensation of fear gripped her. She felt slightly feint and was glad of his arm for support. Although feeling him there made her calmer she could feel he was tense. Rennon fell in behind her while Samson stepped up to her other side and looked slightly concerned. There were choices of ways to go as all the bridges led to different buildings but one bridge was wider. It spanned a huge gap and was wide enough to drive a truck across. There was nobody about and as they looked at each other it became obvious that to all of them it was the choice to make. So, as a group they stepped towards it. Kyla was nervous to start with. Unlike the others she took notice of the marble which looked quite slippery. As she walked on it she realized it was far from that. It gripped her boots as she walked.
They were all very vigilant as they crossed the bridge which led to an open area which in turn led to a large flight of stairs which swept upwards to a large open fronted balcony.
The balcony was as wide as it was deep and at the back of it the huge three floor structure was colossal and looked like it was the place to go. A second staircase at the back led to a second balcony with a huge fountain on it and behind that square balcony was a third which led to an open area with a roof held up by ginormous marble pillars. There seemed to be no access to the roof but on top of it there were three pyramids, the center being on the pinnacle of the roof, the other two at the corners. The building stretched up a good two hundred feet and reached across the end of the landing pad and towered into the sky above as well as down many more levels to the planet’s surface below. They could see that it stretched into the distance as well. The balconies were just the front of it.
As they reached the top of the first flight of stairs they were able to see a large bronze statue of a noble warrior dressed in a similar fashion to Kel’s outfit. It stood on a plinth at the back of the balcony, raised up out of a fountain fed by four sea creatures. There were two wide marble stairways which ascended to the next level on either side of it. They crossed the first balcony and ascended to the next where they were met by soldiers wearing heavy duty battle armour. The armour was ornate and resembled the style that Kel wore but this was seriously thick. The thick carapace armour was scaled, the face covered by a black reflective helmet. At the back of this balcony there was another fountain carved to represent a huge statue of a man with a serpentine tail. He was twisted around a huge sea creature which fed the fountain from its mouth. Each balcony was edged with pillars with a stone rail on top.
They crossed the balcony to meet with the soldiers who stood in front of a columned entrance to the building on that level. Twin staircases again led anyone who wanted to go there to the next level up. Behind the guards they could see either side of the staircase to the left and right were ornate and extremely ostentatious marble rooms fronted by more columns which supported a pointed roof on each side.
The soldiers stepped aside to allow a dignitary dressed in ornately embroidered robes depicting the sun and moon to step forwards. He looked slightly nervous and looked them over cautiously. “Welcome to our fair c
ity. I hope that you enjoy your stay with us. If you adhere to our laws and rules while you are here then I am sure that you will find this a profitable and rewarding visit. I must excuse myself for the scanning I am about to do. These are as you know difficult times. I assume I have your permission?” He raised his hand, there was a metal spider like piece of equipment that was wound around his right palm and it glowed red as he moved it over Kyla. He took a step back. “My lady, we are honored that you would grace us with your presence. May I offer you our hospitality and we would of course be delighted if you would stay with us in our palace during your stay on our fair planet.”
Kyla looked nervously at Kel who was watching the dignitary’s every move. She turned her attention back to the City Official. “I thank you for your hospitality and extending me such a warm welcome. I had sought to visit this place in a way to be able to enjoy all that your City has to offer.”
The official coughed slightly. “My lady, I am afraid that would be totally impossible. Now that the galaxies are changing we have had to do much to protect ourselves from would be infiltration from the Followers and their allies the Yxathon. There are scanners and detectors everywhere and almost every household and business has their own. Your royal blood would be detected as soon as you step outside the palace. You would be much safer staying with us, there is much dissent on the streets and we would not wish a diplomatic incident.”
Kyla bit her lip and smiled. “I thank you then for your hospitality and we would be delighted to accept.”
The Official rose to his feet and bowed. “If you would follow me I will take you to the baths so that you may take your ease.”
They followed him in silence and the guards fell in behind them. They were led across the vast marble hall with its huge vaulted ceiling and they could not help but look up. The ceiling was completely covered in paintings of the gods ascending and offering solace down to man. The artwork was truly magnificent. Dark oil paints made the figures look real in the flickering light. Their richness was not lost despite them being obviously many, many years old. Their colours were dark and moody and the attention to detail was remarkable. Kyla was mesmerized by them. She had seen the like in many cities on many planets but never this quality and never this attention to detail. They looked real and to start with she had thought they were a hologram. She was more amazed when she realized that they were real murals painted by a real artist. The deep rich oils of the paintings seemed to come alive and move as they watched. It looked like it may well be truly someone’s life work. Kyla opened her mouth to ask but the dignitary was so intent on walking and she didn’t fancy asking one of the guards behind who looked so menacing so she stored the question for later.
The huge ornate metal shod doors on the far side of the room opened smoothly as they approached and beyond the galleried corridor was carved from marble. Statues adorned the base of every pillar of the gallery.
Kel looked up. “The perfect kill zone.”
Kyla glared at him and then smiled when she noticed the Official watching her. “My husband is constantly worried for my safety. I could not ask for a more devoted mate.”
The Official smiled, his smile was genuinely warm. “You are both truly blessed. Male and female bathing is separate. Female bathing is to your right, male bathing to your left. If you would leave your clothes in the antechamber they will be returned to you when you leave. We have provided attire which I hope you will find quite appropriate.”
Kel glared at the Official. “I am not parting with my weapons. How may I defend my wife if I have nothing to defend her with?”
The Official looked Kel up and down, taking in his intimidating build. “I am sure you are more than capable of defending her without a weapon.”
Kel took a step closer to the Official. “I mean it. I will not be left without a weapon.”
The Official looked terrified. “Very well, I will provide you with a sword, which is all that we will permit.”
Kel grunted.
They looked at each other nervously and Kel was left standing watching Kyla go through the ornate gold door. He then turned and followed Rennon and Samson through the other door.
The men were bathed and massaged by beautiful women who left them to relax in the warm mineral bath area once their task was done. Rennon and Samson were enjoying themselves and relaxing in the soft water. Kel looked on edge.
Rennon splashed over to him. “What’s the matter with you?”
Kel looked over, his black curls soaked, his muscular chest glisteningly wet. “What do you think is the matter with me? The first thing we do when we get here is allow her to go off by herself and let them take all our concealed weaponry.”
Rennon smiled reassuringly. “We are here on a recon mission; this is not a war zone. We had to give a little here. That scanner would have revealed whatever we had hidden. We were lucky he neither commented nor reacted to it. I am sure it breaks a million protocols.”
Kel climbed out of the bath and a leggy blonde stepped from the walkway behind to wrap him in a soft warm towel. He grasped it and headed for the steam room, the only way out of the baths. The others grudgingly followed him.
Kyla emerged to join them smiling and looking relaxed. She was dressed in a figure hugging floating red gown of a similar style to the gold one she had left behind. A handsome youth followed her and wrapped a deep red silk cloak around her shoulders. He lingered far too long as he fastened it about her neck, his fingers brushing her porcelain skin. Kel growled under his breath and Rennon laughed. Kel elbowed him in the stomach so he had to struggle to regain his breath.
Kel held out his hand. “My dear, I am glad you enjoyed your experience in the baths.” He turned to the youth. “I thank you for taking care of my wife.” He emphasized the last word.
The young boy bowed. “It was indeed my pleasure.” He turned to go with an impish look on his face.
Kyla caught Kel as he stepped forwards to follow the youth. “Leave it, I have been safe and well looked after. I have an audience with the General. He has been informed that I carry the Noble DNA and he has requested a meeting. He wants to introduce me to someone. As my husband you would be expected to accompany me but I can’t get Rennon or Samson in with us.”
Samson emerged from the baths just as the Official emerged from a corridor. “If you would like to follow me I will take you to your rooms so that you may rest and I will then return later to take you both to see the General. I have arranged that you can visit the Gladiatorial Stadium this evening. I trust you will find it entertaining.”
They followed the Official down the corridors. The rich purple deep pile of the carpet was soft under the soft shoes they had been given to wear. Purple drapes hung on the walls and the plinths that lined the corridors were adorned with busts of regal looking men. The Official began explaining who they were in great detail with excruciatingly long anecdotal dialogue and although Kyla attempted to look interested, Kel had long since lost interest and was deep in his own thoughts. Rennon was fascinated and Samson couldn’t help focusing on the well- armed guards following them down the corridor.
After what seemed like an age the Official finally took them to their rooms. Kyla and Kel were shown to a double room, Rennon and Samson to the rooms either side. The Official then left them with a deep bow.
When Kyla and Kel were on their own in their room Kel walked over to the bed. He turned around and fell backwards onto it and sank into the deep well filled mattress. “Now you are talking, this is comfortable. I could enjoy this.”
Kyla had gone to the window and was looking down. “There are so many people here. Look down there, the street is teeming with them. How will we ever…” She hesitated and turned to Kel. He glared and shook his head and she immediately went back to looking out of the window.
Kel looked over to where she stood, silhouetted by the golden light of the fading sun. “Don’t worry; I am sure that the negotiations will go well. We are after all prepared to be fai
r and would hope that our hosts would be also.”
Kyla tensed up. “Look, look, down there, something is going on. Oh by the stars look at that, Followers, there in the street.”
Kel leapt to the window and looked down. His arm snaked around Kyla and he pushed her back behind him. “Get back.”
Down in the street there was a group of black robed figures striding down the center blasting anyone in their path and anyone they saw in windows along the roadside. Bodies fell like rain. In the corridor outside there was a scream. Kel ran to the door, opened it carefully and nearly came face to face with a black robed figure just about to come in. Kel reached for his blaster, it wasn’t there. He did have a sword he had been given by the Official. The blade glistening in the evening light from the window as it smoothly exited the scabbard. Kel took a step back and swung his sword and the head fell from the black robed Follower. He nimbly dodged the blade of a second who stepped in as the first fell. His blow hit flesh, severing the arm that had been left exposed before smoothly turning the sword in an arc to slice the torso with an upper cut. That one too fell and Kel found himself facing the City Guard. They nodded to each other politely. Kyla ran to the window and looked down.
In the street below everything seemed quiet. The bodies were being loaded onto a wagon and as she watched the blood was scrubbed from the ground until there was no sign that anything had happened.
Moments later the Official was at their door. “I am so glad that you were not harmed. You may see the General now. He has asked that your two companions also accompany you. In light of the incursion you may feel more comfortable remaining together.” He stood and waited for them to follow him. He stopped again at Rennon’s room and Samson’s then led the way through a maze of corridors.
The General’s room was adorned with gold and red drapes. The General himself was larger than life as was his room. He was a tall and muscular man with a huge bushy beard. His black mop of hair was tamed into style but it threatened rebellion at any moment. He wore his armour with a token gesture of wearing an open ornate robe over the top. He was seated behind a huge gold carved desk and large gold statues of winged men in armour similar to the guards stood in an arc around the back of him. As they came in he looked up and they were offered chairs facing his desk.