by Z. M. Wilmot
***
I was floating in a field of stars. Fear gripped my mind as I thought that I was again under Psy’s influence, and I panicked. I felt a hand my shoulder, and I stopped moving. I slowly turned around.
The green-cloaked man removed his hand and looked at me. “You have survived. That is good.” I wondered why he was invading my dreams. “My servant Yttrios did as he was bid, I take it?”
I assumed that that was the black silhouette. I nodded.
“Then all is well. Psy has been driven back – for now. Do not be too confident, though. Psy will return. He does not give up easily.” I felt a note of pity in his voice. Yes, I felt it. “He will hound you for the rest of your life. We will try to keep him from your planet, now that we know where you are from. We will also end his influence there – he has been monitoring your planet for some time. It is entirely possible that he is the one responsible for your race’s devolution and subsequent re-evolution, through his manipulation of psychic patterns. It is a crime that he did not report the planet to Juxtani Civilization – although he is, like me, separate from it. Be on the lookout, Jak.”
“Why did you lie to me about Psy being gone?” I asked him, surprising myself at my boldness.
“Nothing is perfect, Jak. We are not as strong, nor all-knowing, as we may appear. Psy is a being of immense age, power and experience. Though he may act like a child at times, it is important to remember that he is not. He is the greatest manipulator of all time – what Psy wants, he almost always gets. You are the first real exception. He will not give up on you.”
Another question entered my mind. “Why do you all think I’m so important?”
A chill entered the air. “That does not concern you… yet. Do not ask again.” I remained silent for a moment.
“What was all that the captain was talking about? What is ‘Juxtani Space?’ What did he mean about us devolving?”
“Assuming I know what he was talking about, which I believe I do, although I did not hear the conversation, is that your race was once part of Juxtani Civilization. When K’Shatryan rose, ages ago, most of Juxtani Civilization became separated, and entire races and civilizations were lost. Your race was one of those lost, and instead of becoming an independent society, you degenerated somehow, but then re-evolved into your previous forms, complete with an ability to speak Kordic.”
“But what about the fossil records?” I exclaimed. “They don’t support what you’re saying!”
“It is irrelevant what the fossils records say, Jak. I tell you truth. I cannot linger long here. It is exceedingly important that you survive, and return to your Earth. Do you understand?”
I nodded.
“Very good. Now, go, and fulfill your destiny.” And he was gone without another word.
The Official Crew of the Ambassador (Name, Country, Planet)
Captain:
-Jeremiah E. Korzos (Namibia, Earth)
First Mate:
-Sir Henry J. Mather (America, Earth)
Helmsman:
-Fineas Sparten (Egypt, Earth)
Commando:15
-Menthus Crydgar (Baja, Earth)
Chief of Security:
-Vincent Cellitti Magritto (Genova, Earth)
Security Staff:
-Scipio Deredus (No Official Affiliation, Rumano, Earth)
-Valerius Publiatys (No Official Affiliation, Sicilia, Earth)
-Cato Sireni (No Official Affiliation, Napolo, Earth)
-Claudius Appia (No Official Affiliation, Venicia, Earth)
Engineer:
-Matthias Newson (England, Earth)
Assisant Engineer:
-Methuselah of Enoch (Enoch, Newgarden)
Assistant Engineer and Physicist:
-Daniel Fetherkap (Eden, Eden)
Environmental Officers:
-Stephen Krafting (Miridian, New Dominica)
-Allon Rezzat Lazu (Indo-Australian Confederacy, Earth)
Environmental Staff:
-Allen Kahyyru Rasjane (Balladia, Ulkind)
-Fullen Khangrat (Mongolian Republic, Earth)
-Caleb Halfmoon (Zaimbabswana, Earth)
-Darien Lordhall (Wyrland, Adenia)
Cook:
-Joseph Antiochus (Lithestatvia, Earth)
Cook’s Assistant:
-Ezekiel Yevon (No Official Affiliation, Ysrayel, Earth)
Physician:
-Gerald Forgeson (The Yegev, New Testament)
Crew Officers:
-Rafael Donnar (Kazk, Earth)
-Nemhet Ahuja (Afganisten, Earth)
-Peter Robos (Corgath, New Babylon)
-Daniel Ironton (Zeelind, New Babylon)
-Michaela Jonson (Jorland, Ulkind)
Crew Hands:
- Ivoranov Karazkevitch Karonov (Ryussa, Earth)
-Adam Sansson (Ireland, Earth)
-Mikhail Nikkelei (Akroli, Pallas)
-Daniel Oldman (Kingdom of Antarctica, Earth)
-Jeen Xianqing (China, Earth)
-Angela Lorenos (Dorlash, Adenia)
-Aleks Vesselheff (Dutchland, Earth)
-Fetiz Calepernas (Mejica, Earth)
-Karl Greyson (Chercher, New Dominica)
-Abdul Yevash (Moroccan Empire, Earth)
-Timon Felzmad (Madagascar, Earth)
-Jonathan Terr (Sepra, Delos)
-Raheed Pesanamar (Indya, Earth)
-Seamus Drood (Keltas, Gallica)
-Makar Cuzcas (Peruvia, Earth)
-Lukas Fiefsson (Lordian, Nordica)
-Kroiso Norroika (Grecia, Earth)
-Mordred von Rattelstein (Darkytt, Siria)
-Ryan Donnelkan (Volvet, New Gibraltar)
-Kyle Jon-Derricks (United Federation of South America, Earth)
Priest:
-Lazarus Lanoné (Canadia, Earth)
###
More Books by Z. M. Wilmot
The Jakken Trilogy
The Loneliness of Stars
The Light of Civilization
The Libel of Blood
Other Books
Dark Aeons
Z. M. Wilmot on the Internet
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ZMWilmot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZMWilmot
Website: https://zmwilmot.com/
Cover image from NASA’s Picture of the Day Archive.
Novel edited by Noa Karr.