Sunlord

by Ronan Frost

  It was obviously someone sent by the Councillors, designed to upset Shata's meeting and disturb the villagers with doubt that would send them sulking home. Shata would have none of it.

  "Shall you burn!" he cried, casting an accusing forefinger at the offender. "Unbelievers have no place in this gathering of salvation." Shata's rough voice rose to a bawl. "Cast him out!"

  The crowd shrank away from the unfortunate individual like water falling away from an island. He spun about wildly, feeling suddenly very exposed.

  Shata's words were powerful, driving the crowd until it had a mind of its own. "Cast the unbeliever out!"

  Someone in the unruly ranks threw a stone at the isolated man, and it hit him lightly in the leg.

  A hushed silence followed, hundreds of people frozen in mid-stride, unsure of what they were about to do. Shata's voice bawled louder than ever.

  "Kill the unbeliever who would stop us from protecting our home!"

  In a sudden roar the crowd moved and surged forward. An unholy hail of rocks flew towards the condemned man, hitting from all angles. He fell to his knees as heavy shards tossed him about. The crowd closed in upon the man, stones passed from hand to hand until they reached the front, where they were cast at the huddled man.

  Blood flowed from a tearing wound as rock struck squarely against the man's head. He fell lifelessly to the ground, the pelting rocks producing steady twacks as they connected with flesh.

  Nobody in the crowd paused to consider, or even think. Months of tension of being abused, overworked and mistreated by the Sunlords came to the fore. There was suddenly a release valve, something away from the authority of the Council and the Church, somebody they could rally against.

  The rag-doll form of the man was enclosed by the jostling crowd, to suddenly reappear as the Currach farmers lifted the body above their heads. The blood caked body was passed overhead, through the crowd, until it reached the base of the cliff Shata spoke from. The man's broken body hit the rocks in a position only the dead can assume.

  Shata grinned, the burnt rippled flesh pulling back to reveal white teeth. His voice rang with the echo of lunacy.

  "We shall fight!"

  * * *

  Shadows danced upon the flagstone floor and walls, etching thick shadows between the stones. Built of priceless slabs of marble, the walls towered over five metres high, topped by a wooden roof. Moonlight shone in from the high window and down upon the long table at the centre of the room.

  Councillor Orlin nodded in the direction of the Grand Councillor who sat the head of the table. The later returned an absent waving gesture indicating he should speak.

  Orlin pushed back his heavy oak chair to address the twelve other Councillors.

  "We have been deliberating all night, and still have not come to a decision. It seems to me that the choice is obvious...We've got to put a stop to this heartless devilry before ruin takes us all."

  The Grand Councillor nodded sagely, his wide face wrinkled and parched and his eyes deep and full of knowledge. People of the race of the Currach have no facial hair apart from the light crop atop their heads, yet the age-old wisdom of this Currach would be perfectly enhanced if he wore a large grey bushy beard.

  "This terrible uprising is nothing short of disastrous," continued Orlin. "Never since the days of the Second Josaci has our country seen pure men revert to primitiveness."

  Councillor Norlon spoke. "I was against the rumour mongering from the start. It wasn't my idea to let that creature Shata-Bera roam our streets..." He trailed off meaningfully, casting an icy gaze at Orlin.

  "I had no idea it would come to this," breathed Orlin, exasperated.

  The Grand Councillor nodded. "Nobody expected it. More that a sixth of our population has deserted our city. No, not only our city, but they have deserted the Faith of Abas. Many shops are closed, the streets are becoming dirtier, and families are left fatherless."

  "It is the Sunlords," breathed other Councillor wearily, rubbing his eyes to clear them of sleep. "We should have listened to the farmers' protests."

  "But we can still do nothing to retaliate. If it is Abas' will, we shall endure until He sees fit to remove us of our burden."

  A small rousing murmur of agreement arose from those of the table. The Grand Councillor continued.

  "The only course of action I can see open is to try and break apart this army of evil...this army they call the League of Steel. If we are unsuccessful, many of the children of Abas will be lost."

  "Not only that," put in Norlon. "Their actions will stir up the hornet's nest and bring chaos to all the free cities of the country. Somehow I think the Sunlords will not be impressed with the League's actions."

  The Grand Councillor nodded firmly. "We cannot allow harm to befall the remaining children in our care."

  Councillor Orlin had been listening silently as a sense of deja-vu grew in his gut. He remembered the Grand Vizier speaking almost the same words three months ago at the odium, just days before he departed on his mission to seek out the Eloprin.

  The Grand Councillor was continuing.

  "...flush out the rebels and return them to Abas' cause. All in favour?"

  Councillor Orlin raised his voice to join the chorus of "Ayes" issuing from the Councillors.

  "Then it is decided." The Grand Councillor moved aside a large wad of papers and picked up a small silver bell. Upon ringing it, a servant entered the huge, cold room, bowing low.

  "Yes, sir."

  "Bring Locantar in."

  The servant disappeared, and a moment later a tall figure entered the room. His long flowing robes reached the floor, the fabric embroidered with symbols designating him to be one of the Church. In his left hand he carried a heavy staff, held for prestige rather than support. As he stepped forward he threw back the heavy hood of his robes, revealing a deeply lined face and deep shadows under white eyes.

  As he stepped closer some of the Councillors gasped as they realised the old man was blind, his eyes bleached of all colour, wide and unblinking.

  "Locantar, take a seat," said the Grand Councillor. Locantar responded quickly, to move silkily to an unoccupied chair. As if guided by a sixth sense, the old man sat confidently.

  Norlon's words escaped his mouth before he had time to consider them. "But you're blind...?"

  The Grand Councillor chuckled an old man's chuckle, deep and throaty. "Some say Locantar is guided by the hand of God. Ever since his sight was taken from him, Abas has cared for and shepherded Locantar."

  "I see through the eyes of Abas," returned Locantar, his white pupil-less eyes centred in space as if seeing something the others could not.

  "You can help us?" asked Orlin, forgetting all forms of protocol in his excitement.

  "I can seek out these unholy ones, yes. It is my ultimate goal to revert them back to the true path."

  "How do you intend to do this?" asked another Councillor.

  "A small group of devotees and I shall trek to where they lay, and we shall spread our word that Abas is willing to forgive them. Then, if all goes well, we shall lead them back to the cities and avert the catastrophe of battle."

  The Grand Councillor nodded in agreement, then realising Locantar could not see, voiced his sentiments.

  "I agree. All in favour that Locantar should embark upon this mission?"

  All twelve Councillors on the table agreed wholeheartedly.

  The decision was unanimous.

  Chapter Nine

  Behind Enemy Lines.

  For when his legs were smitten off,

  He fought upon his stumps.

  - Richard Sheale.

  The desolate wind picked up, sending blinding mites of dust into Capac's eyes. His mouth shielded with a piece of fur clothing, he crawled forward and out of the cover of the trees.

  Shaun Lowry appeared beside him. "This is it. This is the dropsite."

  "What has happened here?" Capac coughed as he looked out over the desert that lay before him.r />
  "It has been blasted," Shaun explained. "The Sunlords use explosives to clear it of foliage so that they can build upon it."

  Capac looked up at the sky. It was a fury of red dust clouds, sculptured into sharp, rapidly changing shapes as the wind blew overhead. A thick fog of dirty cloud boiled overhead high in the sky, blanketing the midday sun into a reddish gloom. The surrounds appeared faded and ghostly, the vegetation scarce. Their journey had taken them five days of intense travel, using Shaun instrument to guide them. They had travelled through many miles of thick jungle, passing through many clan's territories yet never at one time seeing another Eloprin. Capac feared that they shared the same fate as the rest of his own tribe had suffered.

  "What do they want to build?" Capac practically had to yell above the wind to make himself heard.

  "Mining facilities, relay posts...who knows. The Hartrias method of approach is very different and their purpose seems to be to strip the planet of resources rather than cooperate."

  Shaun signalled that they should return to the shelter of the rocks. They were met in the hollow of the outcropping by Ashian and Myshia. The wind died to a wailing in the background, the refuge in the rocks cutting the brunt out of the force of the wind.

  "See anything?" asked Ashian as soon as the pair returned.

  Capac dropped to the ground, coughing and brushing the thick layer of dust from his clothing. "It is impossible to attack in these conditions."

  "How do the Sunlords stand it?" asked Ashian.

  "They don't build in the wind. They set off a nuclear blast that disrupts the weather conditions and creates a cyclone centred about the dropsite. In the eye all is calm and sheltered, yet overhead they are screened incase of an enemy attack."

  "It seems to be a lot of worry to go to, just for a small planet such as this one. From what you say, it's not as if they're expecting anybody...do they?"

  Shaun was silent, brooding. "I'm not sure." He snapped himself out of his reverie. "But one thing is for certain - the surveillance camera will pick us up if we hang around here for too long."

  Capac leant forward. "Then how do we get in there?"

  Shaun grinned mischievously and help up the communicator stolen from the electrified Sunlord android three days ago. "Easy. They will come to us."

  Before anyone could say any more, Shaun had twisted a few dials and the small device. He pressed a button and a high pitched beeping emanated from the black metal surface.

  "It's a Hartrias emergency signal," he explained. "We'll have robots here in no time flat."

  Capac's mouth moved in silent comprehension. Realisation struck and he scrambled for his rifle.

  "You stupid bastard! They are coming here?" He held his rifle as if expecting a Sunlord warrior to drop from the trees at any moment.

  Shaun laughed wildly. "That's right. Just sit tight, and let me handle it."

  Capac glowered as he retreated further back into the undergrowth. His Scavala 750 rifle held at the ready. Myshia shuffled backwards, confused.

  "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" asked Ashian.

  "Sure I'm sure. Now get back, I don't want them to see you."

  Ashian obliged and hastily made his way back to his companions. They scrambled amongst a small isolated clump of brush nestled between some large rocks. The bush was healthy as the rocks that had sheltered it enabled the plant to escape the blasting winds.

  Capac lay down upon his belly, and from his vantage point could see Shaun's shadowy outline moving away into the wind and disappear into the swirling dust.

  "I hope your friend knows what he is doing," he muttered.

  "Give him a chance." Ashian looked uneasily between two broad leaves, scanning for any trace of their human benefactor. Ashian caught sight of him as Shaun returned after depositing the communicator on a nearby rock.

  Myshia stirred into a semi-upright position, notching an arrow into her bow, ready.

  "What is he doing?"

  Capac shot his female companion a steel-eyed glance. "I don't know, and I don't like it. Just be ready for the worst."

  Ashian's cry silenced them both. "Look, over there! Something's coming."

  Sure enough, a looming hulk rumbled towards them. Even above the whistling wind its heavy diesel motor could be heard. Rocks crunched under its treads as its shadow grew larger and larger before their very eyes.

  Then Shaun's figure, surprisingly small by contrast, leapt in front of the vehicle.

  Machinery roared and the treads spun backwards, sending pebbles flying. The great tank skidded to a halt not a metre from where Shaun stood.

  Shaun stood stock still as the dust and wind whipped about him. A door hummed aboard the tank, and a silver figure stepped out. In its hand was a long barrelled gun. As it emerged it brought the weapon to bear.

  Shaun reacted quickly. He threw himself under the tank, between the pair of tracks. Without losing momentum he skidded along the ground, keeping his head low to avoid a nasty incident with one of the many struts. The Auras rifle was in his hands, and he was sighting along its surface. Shaun was directly underneath the tank now, shrouded in darkness and pelted with dust. He was uncomfortably aware that if the tank above started up he would be nothing but a mash of bones and flesh.

  The android that had stepped out of the tank was momentarily bewildered as its quarry suddenly disappeared. It was even more confused when its knee joints were blown into a thousand pieces.

  Shaun grinned as he saw his shots had taken their mark. The android's heat detector could not discover him because above Shaun's head was a steaming engine that effectively shrouded everything.

  The android fell to the ground and into Shaun's sights. He moved the Auras slightly so that the android's head was between the crosshairs.

  In that split second the android saw Shaun, and it moved like a striking snake.

  Shaun pulled the trigger and the butt rammed into his shoulder. The head of the android was instantly vaporised and the stump of its neck turned into shrapnel. It's metallic finger was frozen, poised on the

  trigger that would have delivered a rain of deadly bullets. Shaun breathed out and rested his head upon the dry earth.

  He raised one eyelid to peer at the ammunition display on the Auras. Twelve shots remained. After a second of relaxing he wearily clawed his way out from under the tank.

  Capac had emerged from the forest.

  "Stay back," ushered Shaun, moving his hands to illustrate. At this distance and with this wind it was futile to try and communicate verbally.

  Seeing Capac had obeyed, Shaun straightened. He stepped over the pieces of the android, and clambered up the ramp and entered the tank.

  A bright light shone inside and the air was free of dust. There was little space to move for a lot of space was taken up by machinery. Shaun made his way past an array of medical beds that lined the wall like bunks. Attached to each bunk was a complex life support system and an array of medic robots. Fortunately for Shaun these robots were welded to the floor, capable of nothing more than attending to the wounded.

  Shaun was in the control room now. The walls were lined with lights and displays, a single seat crammed as an afterthought between the banks of computer equipment. The tank was entirely computer controlled and did not need any guidance. A luminous display read:

  Current objective:> INVESTIGATING DISTRESS SIGNAL.

  Shaun tapped a few buttons on the console until the message on the screen blinked out. He didn't want any more medic crews to come looking for him.

  With this Shaun backed out of the cabin and made for the door. He stood in the doorway and made a sweeping motion with one arm, gesturing for the others that it was safe to emerge.

  Capac was the first to appear from the blinding dust.

  "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

  "Take a seat," consoled Shaun. "I'll tell you when we are safely moving."

  Ashian was the last to enter the still insides of the
tank. Machines hummed all around them, as if watching. Capac's knuckles grew white as he clutched the butt of his rifle.

  Once all were aboard Shaun hit a button on a panel, and the door hissed closed. The air suddenly became very still as the roaring from outside was silenced.

  "I expect you want to know what I'm doing?" asked Shaun as he made his way to the control cabin again.

  Ashian uneasily seated himself upon the corner of a medic couch. He watched an arm-like robot out of the corner of his eye, just incase it should make a movement.

  "We are curious," was the understatement.

  Shaun did not answer. He seemed intent upon the controls. Just when Ashian was about to repeat himself the whole tank jerked violently into motion. The three natives were flung to the floor as the vehicle roared and jolted.

  Shaun was at their side in a flash.

  "Hold on guys. I've programmed the computer to take us back to the main campsite hospital. It thinks it has picked up a wounded Sunlord."

  Capac struggled to maintain his balance as he regained his feet. The floor beneath him bumped and vibrated, an experience totally alien to the forest hunter.

  "What did you do back there?" he asked.

  "The beacon I told you about was in the pod I crashed in. It is intended for a Sunlord to use when he is wounded in battle. This tank we are in now was sent to retrieve the wounded soldier."

  "But why did it let us in?" asked Ashian.

  "This tank is not designed for warfare," explained Shaun. "It has no external guns or cannons, designed to move faster in picking up the wounded. It had to open the door to let the android out, and that's were we got him. It couldn't simply turn away from the beacon and ignore the distress call."

  "So it sent out the android to kill you and get the soldier," finished Ashian. "But wouldn't others be after us now that it knows where we are?"

  "Exactly. That is why we have to make our way as quickly as possible to the command post. This tank's navigation computer doesn't know anything is wrong...yet. It's only a matter of time before Avatar figures it out and calls some heavy artillery upon us."