Lintorth’s right hand shot out to his side, palm open. A split-second later, his hand closed about the shaft of a Korin Shai energy lance, tossed to him by one near the Red Throne. Rearing back his arm, Lintorth hurled the lance towards the offender high above. Red energy tendrils dragged behind the lance as it flew into the left leg of the offending detractor with a meaty thunk and a shriek as the wounded Kryth Mahr crumpled to the floor, writhing as the energy coursed through him.
Most of the Kryth Mahr nodded at Lintorth’s back as he strode towards the Red Throne with Sontar walking to catch up with his brother. The slight on Lintorth’s honor had been dealt with, blood had been spilled, but the younger Kryth Mahr spared. His wound was serious, but not a threat to his life. He would bleed, as his companions would try to staunch the flow of blood and wait to seek medical care when the Chamber Lore was over and the doors opened once again.
Sontar Jal seethed with anger as he caught up to Lintorth in front of the throne. Unbidden, they both knelt in front of Xoma Si, hands hanging at their sides, palms flat on the cold stone floor.
“Lintorth Sar and Sontar Jal,” she said, her voice amplified to be heard across the chamber, “I have listened to council from both of you, publicly and privately. I must do what is most beneficial for the Domain this day,” she said, her voice tempered with steel, “I tasked both of you, one ronn ago, to find proof to support your cause of action against these Humans.” She looked at both Kryth Mahr generals kneeling before her. “I will support Lintorth Sar in his request for caution and additional intelligence gathering before striking against the Humans. His course is the wiser at this time.”
The anger radiating off Sontar was almost palpable. He glared with dangerous hatred at Xoma Si, oblivious to the Tactis Guard watching him. The guard’s eyes dared Sontar to rise without permission from the Red Throne. The Korin Shai standing behind him stood on the edge of explosive action. If Sontar’s palms rose a centimeter off the stone, he would die by a fatal energy lance wound first and a Tactis pike second.
“I will grant the Fleet General Sontar authority to mobilize a portion of the Domain fleets to stand ready to strike,” the Si Lord’s words clipped between almost grinding teeth, “but not the authority to launch an expedition to Kentabak Four or elsewhere without my direct consent,” her voice conveyed a veiled warning. “A second fleet will be placed under the command of Lintorth Sar,” she said with a harsh tone, “to assist him in his search for relevant information, which will lead to a decisive engagement with the Human fleets.
“I fully expect both of you to heed my commands. I want the Human threat nullified soon, my warriors. I don’t mean for them to undermine our power and influence and expose the Domain to empires that adjoin our own. Our retaliation must be unerringly merciless and absolute,” Xoma Si concluded.
“Until our enemies are but flames and ash, My Si,” Lintorth offered. “I will endeavor to eradicate any threat to the Red Throne of the Domain.” He bowed his head in acquiescence to Xoma Si.
Sontar shook with rage, furious that his proposal for battle had been discounted in favor of a strategy that revealed the impotence of the Red Throne. He and his warriors would languish, waiting for another inevitable attack from the Humans, thus exposing the Kryth Mahr as weak and incapable of maintaining their authority of rule. Many subject races already chaffed under the Kryth Mahr oppression.
“Is this wise, Xoma Si?” Sontar pressed, the snarl evident in his words, “We must attack, now! Waiting any longer for your favored Lintorth to search for information that I already possess is madness.”
Fire flared in the Si Lord’s eyes. All of her Tactis Guards gripped their weapons tighter, awaiting the command to strike Sontar down for his insolent rebuke. She had parted her lips to respond, but another voice prevented her retort.
“The Red Throne has spoken, cur,” Bruntok Gar rose from his seat. “I will lay down to death any who oppose its dictates unlawfully while this Chamber Lore is in meet.” He looked at no one, staring at a point beyond the Red Throne, but his red eyes bespoke a warrior who had slain countless foes and would slay countless more without remorse or regret before his time was done.
“Well, brother,” said Lintorth, “it sounds like you have a serious choice to make.”
Facing ruin and certain death, Sontar growled, “I will obey the command of the Red Throne.” The underlying message many others in the chamber heard was, for now.
Data Cell 13
The morning air met two men walking along a cobbled foot path. The natural landscape of flora and tall grass made for a tranquil setting amongst the early, fading fog. The carokin trees dotted the countryside with their radiant orange blossoms, littering the branches and ground in abundance.
The men came to a small walkway over a clear, running stream. Several others darted the landscape, fed by two majestic waterfalls in the distance behind the building they now walked towards.
Shenta Parejas was in his black officer’s uniform, and the Keeper who walked beside him was in traditional long robes.
Parejas was thinking about his meeting with Alon Renske onboard the Orion’s Rage when the Keeper had told him about the Gashnee secret. He wished Alon were here now to explain and show what data cells they had on this long-held mystery.
It was just a few hours after the ceremony of Alon’s life and death that the commander decided to visit the Keeper Adytum. He was greeted by the High Keeper Brentice.
Keeper Brentice was to show him to the archive hall; there, he hoped to find out the secrets on this long-dead race.
“You mentioned this Gashnee race was friendly, almost helpful, when they gave us this drive technology?” Parejas asked.
“Correct. Our historical data cells show that they not only made contact, but gave us this tech without any exchanges or attachments of our own,” the Keeper responded.
Parejas was deep in thought as they approached a training platform between two streams near the facility.
The platform had a dozen Adytum students sitting on a raised, grass area. They were in meditation posture as a teacher walked around them speaking soft, murmured words.
“I would like to see for myself the data cells in the Annals, Keeper Brentice,” Parejas said.
“Absolutely, Commander.”
The two men walked past the students on the grass, approaching the main facility.
Parejas was curious about the murmuring from the teacher to the students, “What’s he doing there?” he asked.
“Memory training. He speaks different words in different tones for the students to pick up. Later, he will ask them to recall what was spoken,” Brentice explained.
“The same for the martial arts training I saw on my way in?”
“Yes, Commander. We train in seven different styles of the ancient arts of Earth. We are the guardians of mankind’s history. We hold the Annals in the highest regard and will do anything to protect them.”
“A couple Reaver regiments could do that for you.”
“The mind is not only trained in memory, but inner strength and balance. The arts focus our skills that favor our duties, besides the offensive and defensive movements of the stances.”
“Swordplay as well?”
The Keeper chuckled, “Do your Reavers work with swords, Commander?”
Shenta nodded, “Indeed.”
They came to some stone steps which led up to the impressive façade of the Keeper Adytum.
Shenta understood why the Adytum structure was different in architecture then the rest of Janus’ cities. The historians wanted the importance of the structure to resemble the ancient institutions of Earth’s past.
The architecture was a cross between ancient Greek, Roman, and Shinto designs. There were large, stone columns with arched, wood railings and open-vaulted areas amongst natural landscapes.
As they came to the top of the steps, Shenta noticed Kason approach from a nearby landing pad. At the same time, a female Keeper approached
from an outdoor hallway.
The two men met Kason first.
The Reaver approached in his black officer’s uniform. His bald head shined with the morning sun.
Shenta greeted the Reaver, “Lieutenant Bender, it’s good to see you’ve recovered. I would like for you to meet High Keeper Brentice.”
“High Keeper, it’s a pleasure.”
“In return, Lieutenant. Welcome to the Adytum.”
“Thank you, High Keeper.”
“I tracked the reports from Veriton. Is everyone okay?” Shenta asked.
“Everyone is fine, Commander. It was just an equipment malfunction. Everyone is safe.”
“Good to hear.”
“Indeed,” the Keeper added, “Doctor Solome should be commended on her work there. The technology they’ve created to improve Human health is marvelous. Just look at you, you are a walking example. It’s amazing. How long did it take for them to mend the damage caused by the fire?”
“The process takes about a week. There are three levels to repair the tissue damage. I will let the doctor know of your greetings and well wishes, High Keeper,” Kason said.
“Marvelous,” Brentice declared.
Parejas spotted the other Keeper approaching the men. “Lieutenant, let me introduce you to Alon’s daughter, Keeper Laurenell Renske.”
Kason spotted the beautiful Keeper before she had approached the group. Her brown hair matched her golden-brown skin. He smiled as he caught her steel-colored eyes and warm complexion.
“We have not met before,” she said, “Lieutenant Bender, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, Keeper. My condolences to you and your family. Alon was a good friend and mentor. He will be greatly missed.”
“Thank you for your words, Lieutenant. They mean a lot, coming from you. I know you were close to my father, and I appreciate the friendship and closeness you had with him.”
Commander Parejas stepped forward, “Keeper Renske, would you mind giving Kason a tour of the grounds here?
“Not at all, Commander. It would be my absolute pleasure,” She smiled.
Kason caught her beautiful eyes, but did not return the smile, glancing away.
“Good. I have some further business with the High Keeper and the Annals.” Parejas turned to Kason, “Lieutenant, I will meet up with you on the Keres One Station for the mission briefing.”
“Understood, Commander.”
The parties nodded and parted from their gathering.
Kason walked away with Laurenell down a winding path leading towards a magnificent floral garden.
The commander and High Keeper walked up steps towards the main entrance of the Adytum.
Shenta was interested in what the Annals showed on the history of the Gashnee. What he was more concerned with was who had access to this information.
Shenta walked through the main entrance with the High Keeper by his side. He could only imagine what awaited him in the archives. So much had been kept from him for so long.
Data Cell 14
“Come in,” Tallis called from behind his office desk.
The door slid open and in stepped Assemblyman Qurinden.
Tallis got up from his seat to greet his fellow, robed member of the Mount.
Qurinden approached Tallis in the formal office.
The office had an open and organic feel to it as the sunlight rolled in through the glass ceiling. The walls and floor were carved from the layered rock formation the Assembly Mount was built upon. The Assemblyman passed several sitting chairs and a table as she entered the threshold. There was a long couch near one wall with artwork and sculptures on the other. A large rock-and-glass desk sat opposite the door entrance that Tallis approached from now.
“Thanks for meeting with me, Kayleon,” Tallis said as he gestured for her to have a seat on the coach.
She replied to her host, “I am curious regarding the need for my visit, since Captain Bossarios will be joining us as well.”
Tallis sat next to her, “This is why I called you here before the captain arrives,” he paused momentarily before continuing, “You have probably sensed an uneasy discord between the Ordinance and the Assembly Mount, have you not?”
“I have.”
“We would agree, then. We’ve been at odds with the Ordinance regarding information exchange. I believe this has caused a lack of trust between us.”
“Lack of trust you say?”
“Yes.”
“How so?”
Tallis sat back on the couch and folded his hands, “The Ordinance wants to control our people’s aspirations of personal expansion and freedom. The Assembly, on the other hand, wants to free the people from martial law so they may find their own prosperity in this new universe.”
She interrupted him, “But these are just differences in ideologies, are they not?”
“No. It’s much deeper than that. Let’s take the Gashnee, for an example. Commander Parejas thinks we were hiding this knowledge from him, but he would have been introduced to the information upon his return from the Sol System. He just happened to find out about it sooner from Alon. What about the Earth Rebuilding Project we just concluded with Director Bowlan? He thinks we’re going behind his back to wrestle away more power. What about the Sent-5 Initiative? You were affected by this, since your kind was eradicated from existence before they had a chance at life. Was this not Commander Parejas’ mistrust of a created, sentient being? Did he not have the trust in the science or the Precepts that binds such a creation such as yourself?” He looked over at her for a reaction.
The cyborg tilted her head towards him and paused.
Tallis felt that he had hit a nerve, or a circuit, with that last statement.
He knew Assemblyman Qurinden was the only one of her kind. The Sent-5 Initiative was created alongside the cloning Precepts and Reaver program for expanding the Human population rapidly. These sentient beings would have a conscience and would be used in the science and technology developments for the Ordinance.
Upon the last stage, one was brought to life. This Sent-5 had the full conscience of a Human without looking fully like one. The half-robot entity eclipsed the brain functions of even the most intelligent Humans. It was at that time, Parejas had ordered the program terminated. He even wanted to terminate Kayleon Qurinden, the name they gave the Sent-5 prototype.
Tallis knew the thought process he provoked from her now. He just hoped she would agree and understand with what he was trying to.
“I see your point,” She acknowledged.
Tallis smiled, “All I want to do is to rebuild our relationship with the Ordinance, but it seems I’ve exhausted all of my good-will advances with the commander.”
“So you want to start with me?” she inquired.
He laughed, “No, no, no. Not yet, it would be too soon. I thought something of a more recent event would help; such as, the Gashnee prophecies.”
Tallis stood up from his seat to move around as he continued, “We know Parejas is now investigating what has already been investigated by the Keeper Adytum regarding the Gashnee. We know he will come to the same conclusions about the dead race.”
“So, where do I come in?”
“Well, it just so happens, you are an expert historian on ancient races such as the Gashnee. I thought we could bridge the gap this way, by having you assist with any theories you may possess about them. We could rebuild the trust between the Ordinance and the Assembly,” he paused, “and yours,” he finished.
Her red eye shifted in hues. She only contemplated for a moment. “I am willing to give it a try. I do have a fascination with the Gashnee prophecies. This could help with my– with our trust, as you said.”
Tallis smiled.
A computer chimed, [Captain Bossarios is awaiting, Assemblyman.]
“Kayleon, what we have discussed here would be better held between us. I will explain to Captain Nevlen our gesture of good-will and trust towards the Ordinance. I will ask him for
our help and explain my plan.”
She nodded as Tallis commanded the computer to allow their guest’s entrance.
The door opened.
“Ah, Captain Bossarios, please come in and have a seat. We were just discussing you,” Tallis said.
Captain Nevlen approached and greeted the two Assemblymen. “Assemblymen, it’s good to see you both again.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Kayleon replied.
Nevlen found a seat on the couch next to her.
Tallis brought a chair from his desk over and sat in front of them.
“It seems my name has been thrown around of late,” Nevlen said.
With a comforting and welcoming laugh, Tallis replied to the captain, “Nothing like that, Captain. I was just telling Assemblyman Kayleon how much I appreciated your candor and professionalism with the charge of Lieutenant Bender’s arrest. I know I put you in an awkward position when I asked you to take him into custody onboard the Orion’s Rage. I am truly sorry.”
“Thank you,” Nevlen said. “but the meaning of my visit, pleasant as it always is with Assembly members, is a bit puzzling.”
“I can see why,” Tallis said, “but I– we have a special request to make of you.”
Nevlen leaned forward, “And what would that be, Assemblyman?”
Tallis smiled at Kayleon before turning back to Nevlen, “We want you to be our ambassador for the Ordinance.”
“Ambassador? What kind of ambassador?”
“I believe you to be the man to help us restore trust amongst the two governing bodies, the Assembly and the Ordinance.”
Tallis went on to explain the mistrust and stories he had told Kayleon earlier. He knew he could appease the captain’s appetite of wanting to regain the favor and the rank he had lost. He just needed the right touch to get Captain Nevlen on their side.
“So you see, Captain, we need someone on the inside to bridge the gap and bring us both around to better understandings of one another,” Tallis concluded.
Annals of the Keepers - Deception Page 9