Torchworld: Akha

by Levan, Dannielle

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  1. Null

  2. Landing

  3. Surf & Turf

  4. Paranoia

  5. Meeting

  6. End Times

  Notes

  Thank you to my friends and family who patiently read my drafts and give me their honest opinions on all my work. It'd be a lot less fun without you all.

  - Dannielle

  "Nonentities. That's all you are, until the day you graduate from the program. Blank slates to be written on."

  "From the universe, we learn." I chanted with the other blanks. Graduation day was a sombre event; but somewhat exciting as soon we'd be able to choose a form. First, the previous generation would sort us into categories. My footsteps echoed down the empty hall to my assignment room. A Phoenix from the last generation would be waiting in there for me. They would assess my strengths and weaknesses and sort me into the appropriate job.

  As I grew closer, it felt as though my nerves were fraying like old rope. I hope that I'd be deployed to a quiet planetoid where the upcoming conflict could be avoided.

  I startled when the silver-haired Phoenix agent popped her head out of the doorway in front of me. I hadn't realized that I'd stopped walking and evidently, been staring into space.

  "Steady, Alastair."

  "My apologies, Agent." I smoothed down my stiff dress uniform and saluted, palms upturned.

  "No need for apologies. We were all in your position once. Young, nervous. Inexperienced." She smiled on the last word. "Come in. Sit."

  I stopped in my tracks to stare at the unexpected layout of the room. Two simple white chairs sat facing outward at the large glass wall. I could see an amazing view of the city outside, glittering towers rising in the distance outside the campus. An array of blooming plants and shrubs were scattered around the room. A large trellis covered in green, fruiting vines made a stunning centrepiece to the room.

  "Were you expecting something more corporate?"

  Fidgeting with the seam of my dress jacket, I nodded and walked to the two seats. I examined each one, and turned to the agent for some sort of cue.

  She smiled and extended a hand toward the closest one. "Either one is fine, this isn't a test. Our meeting is more of a test for us, than for you Alastair."

  Ok, I guess I could deal with that. My head was light and hazy, it'd been a stressful day. After I'd sat down we observed other students outside, travelling across the complex in light tunnels. I could see the sylph group gliding along like wisps of data streams. They were the most chaotic agents, chosen to adapt at will to what their client needed. They would change on the fly to bring in the target for training.

  The only ones that were categorized earlier on, too. Sylphs showed their traits at a young age, unlike other Akha.

  "I always thought they floated around like proud little clouds."

  Turning to the agent, I half grinned. "That's why they're called Sylphs though right? Like air fairies."

  "Probably. The nickname has been around for a long time, I think they came up with it in first gen. Long time ago."

  She materialized a cup of steaming rekka tea in her hands and took a sip before setting it down.

  I straightened up in my chair. "I didn't catch your name, agent?"

  Laughing, as she gestured a dismissive hand at the window. "Agent Ke'rekh."

  "Like the stew?" I replied.

  "Yes. My family came up with the recipe, a few generations back of course. You're very quick on the mark, Alastair."

  "Thank you Agent."

  "Humble too."

  "I give credit where it's due, Agent."

  Agent Ke'rekh guffawed, spitting her tea out.

  My lips pressed, I struggled to keep a straight face.

  "I like you, Alastair. You have a certain confidence, dare I say, arrogance, that will serve you well in the position I've been considering you for."

  "What would that be? Something peaceful I hope?"

  "Depends on your definition of peace."

  "Hmm. Quiet, with no bloodshed?"

  Ke'rekh nodded. "They're past that."

  "Ok, so where is it? Close?"

  She shook her head. "Not in our system. Out on the Orion Cygnus arm. Little blue planet the natives call Earth. You'll be in a Companion role, as expected from your prior screenings." She brought up a holo of the Sol system. "They're reasonably advanced. They know where they are in the universe, and have figured out their own evolutionary process. So they've passed the Species Awareness test. Used to be more of them, though. This planet is strategically important, which is why I'm sending you there instead of someone else, given your natural skills."

  I narrowed my eyes at her, and looked over the planet's statistics. "How so?"

  Ke'rekh grimaced, her face paling. "The thing is, we screwed this one up awhile back. Because of the current conflict, we weren't watching too carefully and they ah, well, they destroyed themselves. War, it's always war." She stroked her chin. "In any case, we had to restart it from the latest backups the Core had, so we only saved a small fraction of them. To cope with this, we set them up with some basic infrastructure to help things along. Basically, we're more visible on this planet than most, because we need to be. We won't make the same mistake again."

  My eyes widened. This was quite a bit to take in. Akha usually weren't involved at all with planetary development, at least on the ground level. We're the creatures behind the curtain, pulling levers.

  "Will I be paired with someone else?" I said, after a few moments. Companions were sometimes sent out solo, but it was standard to be paired with someone else. Perhaps even a Sylph. Great.

  "You will indeed. Circumstances around the current-er, late Guideflame have changed, and he's no longer useful. He has volunteered to retire, thus, the new one needs to be retrieved. She's a bit younger than usual, but we'll just force-age her up a few years."

  "How young?"

  "Mid-teens, by human measure. Fourteen or fifteen, I think her file said."

  I stroked my chin. "I forgot they live much shorter."

  The agent nodded, hair falling across her eyes. The silvery crown-set she wore for the ceremony jingled.

  "That's changing too. We're going to be doubling, if not tripling their normal lifespan. Technology and genetic screening are wonderful, aren't they?"

  "Indeed." I wonder which Sylph I'd be paired with. They're all chaotic creatures, but some more than others. One particular one came to mind, and as if bidden by my thoughts, appeared at the door.

  "Agent Ke'rekh?" she sang in that weird musical tone Sylphs use. She bowed toward us. So much as a floating being could. Although Sylph had the standard grey, bipedal blanks, they preferred to use their inborn traits and float around like fog.

  "Promethea, take a seat if you wish." Agent Ke'rekh gestured to the empty space next to me. The lithe creature instead hovered cross legged while peering at the side of my head. I stayed facing the Agent, fixing my gaze on the plant behind her.

  Ke'rekh pointed to the still rotating holo of Sol.

  "There's another issue you both need to know about. More so Alastair, actually." She zoomed in on the western coast of a large northern continent. "So you know the basics about this planet, but the ground level issues are a little troubling," she said, pointing to a large walled city. "This is Opalesk city, the capital of the twelve settlements we restructured."

  We both nodded, processing the info into memory.

  "It's also the headquarters of Sky Farms, the company we set up to facilitate building aforementioned infrastructure. It was previously headed by three people. Two were assumed dead a short while ago, one survived. Of course, Alere was the resident Guideflame, his death wasn't pos
sible. It's by sheer favourable circumstance that we didn't have to clean up that one." Ke'rekh pulled up some of the planet's media on the accident, and Alere's retirement some decades later. "Alere had planned for this, but I'll let him tell you that when you arrive, Alastair." With some more shuffling she revealed a picture of the two dead co-founders. "This is Serena and Aquila Emet. As you saw, they were presumed to be dead, killed in a terrorist explosion."

  I contemplated the portrait of Serena. She looked like a calm creature, fitting of her name. Composed, seated on a stone bench with a small human child in her arms. The background seemed familiar, yet I couldn't place it. With a shrug, I examined Aquila's picture instead. The man was all lean angles and shadows. In contrast to his wife, he looked anxious and tense like a coiled spring. Aquila stood tall in a severe, dark grey uniform. A posed picture, I assume.

  "He looks like a mean creature," Promethea said. I nodded my head in agreement.

  "Aquila does look as though he has something to hide."

  "Emet is alive, that's what he's hiding." Agent Ke'rekh displayed several propaganda posters on the holo. "Although he's presumed dead, so he's not going under his original name. Now he's Markin, the rebel leader."

  "Rebel leader? I suppose I'm going to have trouble with him then."

  "Not so much as you'd think," Ke'rekh replied. "It's his protege I'm worried about."

  "The file says his child went missing. Presumed dead, although I guess that means nothing with this lot."

  She shook her head. "Not his child, at least, not biologically. We've been tracking her since she appeared in the system at roughly age five, which is strange. The Core has no birth registered for her. Or family."

  I scratched my head and leaned back on my heels. "That is quite odd. Hypothesis?"

  The agent nodded. "Could be just an error. It happens rarely, but it's possible. We want you to follow it up, nonetheless."

  Pursing my lips, I looked over the scant amount of information on the protege. "Possible Second aberration?"

  Ke'rekh shook her head. "It's been suggested, although we prefer to keep that part quiet for now. Follow it up. If she is a plant, we'll deal with it. Bear in mind she's probably not aware of it, regardless."

  My jaw clenched. The implications of a Second aberration on Earth were inconceivable. We thought that they didn't know about this planet, but if they did - well we'd have to deal with it.

  Ke'rekh patted me on the shoulder. "I wouldn't worry about it much for now. Like I said, more likely a minor system error. It happens."

  I nodded, glancing at Promethea, who gazed back at me, brows furrowed. "I think we should just erase her."

  Ke'rekh gasped at the grinning Sylph. "You know very well that's not how we deal with problems, young Sylph. You have much to learn!"

  Promethea shrugged. "Suit yourself."

  I glared at her as she floated around the room like a cloud. "Sometimes I think you say things just to get a reaction, regardless of the consequences."

  She laughed, that tinkling bell sound that creeps out every creature in the universe. "That's what we do. Gather and adapt. Gather and adapt."

  Agent Ke'rekh rolled her eyes and gave me a tired look. I suppose I'm not the only one that hates dealing with Sylphs.

  "You both have enough background information about Earth. Promethea has been programmed with her job, so no explanation needed on that front." She turned to me, patting my hand. "Have you chosen a permanent form yet?"

  I paused for a moment. "It would make sense to stay bipedal and take on a form close to my future student, so I'll be boring and go with a young, male humanoid form. I have already established visual details in my head, you may execute the process when convenient for you, Agent Ke'rekh."

  Ke'rekh stood up with me, and extended a palm to my shoulder. "I'll miss your blank face, Alastair. I've enjoyed our brief meeting."

  I grinned and tried to maintain some composure. Promethea stayed silent, knowing her form would be decided the moment she arrived at her destination.

  Ke'rekh remained silent for a moment, communicating with the Core system. "Ok, I've put in the request. By the time you arrive, your form should be complete."

  I smiled, and saluted her. "Thank you, Agent." Turning to Promethea, I raised a palm in farewell. "I guess I'll see you again, at some point."

  The Sylph raised her own wispy palm and winked at me. I smirked and turned back to Ke'rekh. "I'm ready when you are."

  My vision went white as I entered the Core layer. As I drifted I could hear Ke'rekh's voice echo behind me.

  "From the universe, we learn."

  The landing was rough. The Core never did like spitting out an organic form back to ground level. The previous gens, they'd told me it could be a bumpy entrance. I only broke a few bones, my shattered lower legs mended with a few basic sigils. I'd been dropped in the middle of a Guideflame tower complex, by the looks of it. At least it got the location right.

  I stood up, dusting myself off and straightening my uniform. As of yet, I was the only organic occupant. Finally alone, the feeling of impending doom was a little overwhelming. Sticking my arms out in front of me, I examined my new body, making sure it was all intact and consistent. A quick mirror sigil brought up a reflection hologram.

  "Really? I'm bald! I'm not supposed to be bald, Ke'rekh!"

  Her reply took a few seconds to travel back to me. "Oops. Give me a second to fix it." I ran my hand over the smooth-skinned skull. I looked like a rock mole. As I stood glaring at the hologram, I saw the hair propagate through. I reached up and felt soft, curly hair.

  "Better," I replied, pausing to check the back as well. "Thank you."

  "My fault entirely, no need to thank me. Have fun!"

  Ke'rekh then closed the connection, leaving me alone in the tower. Independent. Left to my own devices. I looked around the empty room. I'd have to generate new rooms for usage. There should be a podium somewhere, but I couldn't find it. After pacing around the floor, I came to a stop on a circular tile in the centre. Raising a brow, I realized I'd been standing on it.

  "Er, host?"

  A white post rose out of the floor, followed by a female holo-host. "Good evening, Companion Alastair. I am Serena."

  "As in, Serena Emet?"

  "The one and only."

  I nodded and tilted my head to the side. "You're dead."

  "Organic death, yes."

  "Ah. You're all there?"

  "I'm as I was in life. Except for the body, that's a bit of an inconvenience. But I have good company, so it's not so bad."

  I grinned. "I take it you don't mean me. I can sense another personality in here too."

  "Yes, that'd be my husband, Alere."

  My eyes widened. "I don't have to ask who he is."

  Another holo popped up beside Serena, who turn and smiled at the newcomer. An older man, with a friendly but somewhat gruff face, lined with deep crow's feet. Silvered hair neatly combed back, a sharp suit and cane completed his business-like demeanour.

  "I should think they told you at least that much!" Alere said. "I think I've done enough to not be forgotten that easily, I hope."

  "I apologize, Guideflame Valerius."

  "Hmph." Valerius held his chin high, looking me up and down. "You're the new Companion, correct?"

  "That would be me, yes."

  "I expect much of you. My granddaughter needs a smart companion. She'll tear you to pieces, given the right excuse young man."

  I looked to Serena, who rolled her eyes at Alere, glaring at me with a grim expression.

  "Don't be such a crank, dear." She wrapped a dark arm around his waist, her silvered metal cuff a stark contrast to her skin.

  "Hmph." Alere gave me a sideways look from under heavy brows. "We'll see how he does."

  I bowed my head and saluted him, raising my palm to him. I see what Ke'rekh meant about needing some confidence. If my Guideflame was anything like Alere, I'd be in for some contentious conversations.
/>   Serena stroked Alere's back. "You should get back to work dear."

  The old man nodded and dissipated.

  Serena sighed and gave me a tired smile. "He's still a bit cranky about retiring."

  "I understand. I'd be cranky too."

  She paced around the bright room. "I think Alere thought that he could just outlive the next Guideflame."

  Crinkles appeared around my eyes as I started to laugh. "He does seem like the type that would, given the chance."

  "Ah well. We all die, you know. Even Akha, it's just a longer path for you. How old are you, Alastair?"

  "Nearly 300 of your Earth years."

  "And how long is a Companion lifespan?"

  "It depends. We have to outlive our Guideflame, after that, it's our choice if we return to the Core as pure information, or live on as an organic form. I've read about anything from a century to a millennium."

  Serena gazed at me in silence for a few moments. "Well, I hope you get along, in that case. I'll try to warm Alere up a bit. He really is a wonderful man, once you earn his respect."

  "I would expect nothing less from a renowned Guideflame."

  She smiled, and raised her hand in farewell. Serena soon disappeared, once again leaving me alone in the room. I pulled up a screen, scrolled through the default room setups I could use. Standard tower? Hmm. I tapped the preview button and a boring monochromatic study room ghosted in around me. Well, if I ever feel nostalgic about my school years, I'll be sure to try that one. For now, I wanted something warmer, and more stimulating. I browsed to a small list of Earth themed rooms. Minimalist, art deco, swinging sixties? I frowned at the cheesy example pictures. The sixties one was making me nauseous. As I scrolled through, they were further back in Earth history. Renaissance inspiration room? I hit preview. A large number of assorted artistic pieces appeared around me. This was definitely better than monochrome. I'd come back to this one. The last one was a 'Viking long-house.'

  "Hmm." I'd always been interested in that part of Earth's history. A unique civilization, far ranging and ethnically diverse, strange for the time.