by Mark Iles
“Nothing.” The Sken’s words fluttered through her mind. “The Manta, as you call them, have gone their own way. For the time being, there’s just you Humans and the Lenars.”
Selena stared thoughtfully and found she was chewing her lips. “In those final battles with the ForeRunners, some of your ships were blasted back through time. Is that how you were able to watch us all these years, through the crews of those ships?”
“We never made contact with those vessels, and they remain lost to us. We do understand the concept of time travel, however, and other ships have visited briefly. But the past cannot be altered. If we tried, we would not be here to do so in the future, and so what has happened—and will happen—remains. Time is a complicated thing.”
“I’m sure,” Selena said, with a snort.
“As for the future, that depends on many variables. All we can see is what may be, and that chops and changes with unfolding events.”
Selena eyed the Sken. “So, you have been into the future. Will we war with the Manta again? If so, it’s likely one of us will be completely destroyed. I’m surprised you didn’t kill humanity off, to be honest.”
The Sken did a lap around the porch, before alighting once again on the armrest.
“We considered it. What saved humanity was your compassion, and I mean yours personally. You, Selena Dillon, reached out to the Lenars and cared for them, and they in turn for you.
“For you to show mercy to the Manta at the end, when you could so have easily destroyed them, unthinkable! You, who had more reason than most to hate them. The one you call Skar has taught them well since they left, but they fear humanity and what you may become. They recollect the wars so, like I said, the future depends on a great many things.”
Selena found herself chewing her lip again. “What of my friends’ daughter, Hope? It was you who repaired her, wasn’t it, not the Cetra. I don’t understand why you would do that.”
“It was our race who created the Caretakers, not the Cetra. They were built to serve all intelligent species, but eventually our enemy corrupted them. In turn, we used their methods to turn their own robotic fleet against themselves in the final battles, and we helped the girl because she is one like you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Selena asked, frustrated. “Will you let her return? Her parents are worried, and I’d like to be able to give them some good news.” Selena felt something from the Sken, but was unsure what it was. Humour, respect, warmth, sympathy?
“The girl was broken, we fixed her. She is not like other humans now. By mending her, she became ours, and she knew it. As for the answer to your question … maybe.”
“At least that will give her parents a chance. I can tell them she’s alive and all right, that you didn’t kill her as a ForeRunner agent. In the meantime, guess I should warn humanity that the Manta will come again.”
A flutter in her mind said, “Again, maybe.”
“That your favourite word, is it?”
“Many of your former colleagues were dismayed that you let the last of the Manta go,” the Sken said, in her mind. “And yet you still dream of war.”
“Those are called nightmares.”
“Ghosts and monsters haunt the corridors of your mind, Selena Dillon. We know, we’ve seen them. Other humans will say this meeting is just one of those dreams. They no longer trust you, for you also gave up your crown and left them when they needed you.”
“They didn’t need me, they just thought they did.” Selena blew through her lips, making a loud rasping sound. “I never wanted to be queen. But it was a job that needed doing and so I did it, and then I left Capulet in good hands. Someone once said ‘Those who seek power don’t have it.’ I, for one, never wanted it.”
“Ah the crux of the matter.” The Jelly glowed brighter. “That’s because you’re a cornerstone. Few such beings are born with such power. What you do affects many, even without you realising it. The other such rests with us, the girl. There is only space for one at a time. Have you any idea what you’ve done?”
Selena’s eyes drifted back to the trees, ignoring the small creature by her right hand. “No, do tell.”
“Your path led to the destruction of one race, the demise of two, and the survival of your own. We spared humanity because of your compassion. To many, you’re a saviour and to others a monster. Yet you also killed someone you held dear in an attempt to save your entire race. We Sken commend you.”
“His name was Singh.” Selena’s lip hurt and she realised she’d now badly bitten it. “He did what he thought was right, although that doesn’t mean I agreed with him. Aren’t you a little bit afraid that given the chance to destroy your race, I will?”
“Maybe. That’s a part of why we love you. For you do what must be done, no matter what. By your own standards, you’re a dark angel. What you do determines the future.”
“I hope and pray that’s not the case, but I guess if we do badly, then you’ll destroy us?”
“We could try. But by then it may be too late, even for us; and, given the circumstances, we may no longer be here. Our people still sicken… Meanwhile we will continue to watch. Maybe in time we will return, but until then what happens is down to you. Now, it is time for me to go.”
A black globe rolled down a tree trunk and across the grass towards them. Small black beads raced across the lawn and merged with it. Swelling, the craft rose into the air and absorbed the Sken as it flew towards it, before the small vessel turned away and disappeared amidst the trees.
War with the Manta, maybe even the Sken. Both were possible futures, Selena realised. Did the Sken speak the truth, that what she did shaped the future? She shivered. It was getting cold out here on the porch.
In the wardrobe of her room lay her immaculate black uniform. Maybe she should go and put it on.
Just to keep warm.
End
About Mark Iles
Mark’s short stories have been published in Back Brain Recluse, Dream, New Moon, Haunts, Kalkion, Screaming Dreams, and the anthologies Write to Fight, Escape Velocity, Auguries and Monk Punk. With over forty years’ experience in the martial arts and a 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, he’s written features for the magazines Combat, Taekwondo & Korean Martial Arts, Fighters, Junk, Martial Arts Illustrated, profwritingacademy.com and calmzone.net. He also runs a writer’s group for the British Science Fiction Association, along with The Scribe for Veterans with the help of The Royal British Legion.
His first full length work ‘Kwak’s Competition Taekwondo’, was published in Hong Kong, while he was based there with the Royal Navy for three years in 1985. His debut novel ‘A Pride of Lions’, Book I in The Darkening Stars, was published by Solstice in September 2013. Book II, ‘The Cull of Lions’, was published a year later. ‘Roar of Lions’ is the third book in the series.
Solstice have also published four novellas: ‘A Connoisseur of the Bizarre’, ‘Sally Jane’, ‘Nightshade’ and ‘Santa Claws is Coming’ – along with the short story compilation ‘Falling From Grace & Others’.
Social Media Links
Website: http://www.markiles.co.uk
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mark-Iles/e/B004YZBP3I
Solstice Publishing: http://solsticepublishing.com/search.php?search_query=mark+iles&x=0&y=0
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/welcometoearth
Acknowledgements
Magali Frechette: https://twitter.com/stormowl7
My special thanks to the following Beta Readers: Annette Sindall, Peter Wilhelmsen, and Jason Kurt Easter. Also to The British Science Fiction Association ‘Orbiter 7’ writing group members, who critiqued this book through its many stages: David Allan, Shellie Hurst, Dunstan Power, Alana Farrell, Rosie Oliver, Shellie Hurst.
Mark Rutley for portrait image:
http://www.markrutleyphotography.co.uk/
To Charlotte, a promise kept.
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other Solstic
e Publishing books by Mark Iles:
Novels
A Pride of Lions
When Selena Dillon is caught in an assassination attempt on her planets ruler, she finds herself sentenced to 25 years servitude in mankind’s most feared military force, the Penal Regiments. Much to her surprise she enjoys the harsh military life and is quickly selected for officer training.
But something’s wrong, worlds are falling silent. There’s no cry for help and no warning, just a sudden eerie silence. When a flotilla of ships is despatched to investigate, they exit hyperspace to find themselves facing a massive alien armada. Outnumbered and outgunned the flotilla fight a rearguard action, allowing one of their number to slip away and warn mankind.
As worlds fall in battle, and man’s fleets are decimated, Selena is selected to lead a team of the Penal Regiments most battle-hardened veterans, in a last ditch attempt to destroy the aliens’ home world. If she fails then mankind is doomed. But little does Selena know what fate has in store for her, that one of her crew is a psychopathic killer and a second the husband of one of his victims.
Can she hold her team together, get them to their target and succeed in the attack? Selena knows that if she fails then there will be nothing at all left to go home to.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pride-Lions-Darkening-Stars/dp/149425445X/
The Cull of Lions
Selena Dillon and her team return to Loreen after their attack on the Manta homeworld, only to find the myriad worlds of Mankind once again plunged into war. As the Penal Regiments are betrayed by the Federation of Man, and fighting spills throughout the galaxy, the dreaded Manta raise their heads once again.
Selena soon finds herself trying to track down her friends’ daughter, Hope, from the rabbit holes of Loreen, and then fights to free her home planet from alien invaders.
While a general amnesty means previous sins are forgiven, the Queen has not forgotten Selena’s attempt on her life. Selena soon finds herself torn between obeying orders to protect the monarch, and her ravening thirst for revenge. But strange forces are stirring amidst the stars and Mankind finds itself with surprising new allies, while a terrifying enemy that’s manipulated events from behind the scenes finally reveals itself for the very first time.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cull-Lions-Darkening-Stars/dp/162526089X/
Novellas
A Connoisseur of the Bizarre
A carful of police officers’ swerves in the rain to avoid a shadowy figure. Detective Chets Owen and his two companions immediately recognise the local lunatic, O’Neal, but they’re shocked to see a gun in his hand. Then O’Neal mentions that he knows where a missing child is. Does he, or doesn’t he - and is O’Neal really who he seems?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connoisseur-Bizarre-Mark-Iles-ebook/dp/B00HQOP54O/
Sally Jane
When Jim Anderson is asked to boat-sit the Sally Jane, an aged canal boat moored on the side of the river Thames, he thinks he’s found the idyllic writing retreat. New friends, the rush of water past the port holes, and manic duck chatter only adds to this perfect scene. But then perfection depends on exactly who, or what, you share that little piece of heaven with.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sally-Jane-Mark-Iles-ebook/dp/B00HQOOZ40/
Nightshade
Bob Roberts, second in command of the starship Argonaut becomes concerned when members of the crew are brutally murdered. Then the ship’s doctor points something out, that all the victims are drained of blood. When explosions force their space-born vessel to land for repairs on their destination, the planet Nightshade, their sighs of relief turn to screams of terror. For Nightshade is so very aptly named.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nightshade-Mark-Iles-ebook/dp/B00HQOP1BQ/
Santa Claws is Coming
Six-year-old Clare is beside herself with excitement. It’s Christmas Eve and she’s expecting Santa to bring her lots of presents. But she doesn’t take into account mankind’s war on the planet of Halloween, or its inhabitant’s evil intent.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Santa-Claws-Coming-Mark-Iles-ebook/dp/B00HQOP0D0/
Falling From Grace & Others
Here you’ll find tales of the supernatural, betrayal and murder; the mistakes that lead to the fall of empires and the constant tug of war that haunts mankind. There’s a blend of science fiction, fantasy and horror - from a modern-day detective facing a serial killer, to a future utopia filled with disloyalty. Lovers of romance will find a little something for them too, but within these bright sparks of hope shades of darkness lurk.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-Grace-Others-Mark-Iles-ebook/dp/B00OYV3CHE/