He watched intently, finding his eyes wandering back to Thalia. She was strikingly beautiful, with her golden eyes, and soft radiant skin. A thin sweet smell of musk floated on the air, finding his nostrils and igniting his senses. Her gentle breathing enthralled him, his vantage point allowing him to look down on her. The low cut of her dress was snug against her chest, and he felt himself flush as he realized that he was gawking.
Is this lust, or love? He questioned himself as he watched her lean back, crossing one long sensually muscled leg atop the other. His heart beat faster, and he found himself blocking out everything else, until all that remained was Thalia. He jumped at the sound of Zyphon’s voice whispering in his ear.
“You are in love, old friend.” He said like a conspirator in a grand scheme.
Candor smiled, embarrassed that he’d been caught staring. “She haunts me,” was all he said.
“If you don’t talk to her after this, you’ll compel me to approach her on your behalf.”
Candor looked at Zyphon, startled that his friend was so adamant that Candor pursue her. He knew, even as Zyphon smiled unapologetically, that he would make good on his claim, pushing him over the precipice, and forcing him to confront his feelings for her.
“Okay, I promise,” replied Candor. “I’ll talk to her. No need to play hardball.”
Zyphon tilted his head, and Candor knew the reference to baseball was completely lost on him. Still, he seemed to understand the gist of Candor’s concession and he smiled, shrugging his shoulders as his attention returned to the movie. As Candor caught up with the crowd, the scene on the stage was that of the Great Hall. General Whitfield and a group of twenty humans were addressing the council. Each human wore a thin clear mask. A tube connected the masks to oxygen canisters attached to harnesses on their backs, and the General was once again proclaiming their “good intentions.”
He told the full gathering of Penticorians that they had been in space for over one-hundred years, and they would be grateful if they would be allowed to resupply. Concerns over environmental impact were raised, yet immediately, General Whitfield put them at ease. Another human, a female named Keera, outlined the function of what the humans referred to as, “drop-ships.” Mobile landing craft designed to extract water, oxygen, and seed-plants in a self-contained environment.
Astraea and Notuss sat in the audience, conversing while the council listened to the humans. She was concerned about the size of the processing ships, and that the humans wanted to land nearly five hundred of them on the continent of Ruxoss. However, as the meeting ended, the humans convinced the council that there would be no remnants of their operations. They also expressed an interest in Penticorian technology, offering an exchange of information between their races. The council then called on Astraea, bestowing her with the honor of acting as the technical liaison between the humans and Penticorians. She accepted the position, but not for the reasons the Senedos Seiss outlined. In truth, she didn’t trust the humans. She felt that the best way to keep an eye on them was to bring them into her confidence. That way, should anything untoward be discovered, she would be the first to learn of it.
The scene moved forward in time, some twelve months. Candor could feel the tension building in the crowd, as Astraea toured one of the drop-ships. They were massive processing and living facilities which dotted the landscape. Only this time, it was she who was wearing breathing apparatus, as oxygen was the human’s natural environment. Then it happened, a turn of events that cast a shadow over the landscape, as several explosions shook the facility. People scattered, desperate to find the source. Astraea watched as humans with fire suppression equipment ran through the corridors, and alarm claxons rang, while others who were bloodied and injured were carried to medical facilities. As she was being escorted to a safe location inside the ship, Astraea witnessed a man who had his arm severed in the explosion, a sight that sickened her.
In a statement that followed, General Whitfield announced that the attack was carried out by an extremist group of Penticorians. The attack placed a strain on relations, compelling the Senedos Seiss to act against their own citizens. A chain of events followed, culminating with another attack, and following that attack, General Whitfield exerted political pressure on the council, gaining approval to land military troops to safeguard the resupply ships.
For their part, the Senedos Seiss were both outraged, and perplexed. They could find no evidence of the organization that the humans insisted was present. An expansive investigation ensued in the months that followed, yet not one member of their race, or one speck of evidence could be found. And even though she lived through the initial attack, and witnessed its aftermath, Astraea began to doubt the validity of the claims the humans were making.
Every time the humans expanded their influence on Penticore Prime, the Senedos Seiss would protest. General Whitfield continued to assure them that in twelve months they would have all the resources they needed, and then leave them in peace. Some in the audience began to voice their displeasure. Yet it had nothing to do with the movie, but at the threat of a human invasion. Candor smiled, as for the most part the crowd was going right down the path he had chosen. Here and there, Candor caught snippets of conversations, or exclamations.
“Don’t trust the humans,” said one.
While another responded, “But we attacked them! Don’t they have the right to defend themselves?”
And still others debated. “The humans came in peace. They have an armada at their disposal that could have wiped us out once they reached orbit. No, they have to be peaceful.”
With every hushed word spoken, Candor’s grin just got wider and wider. Mission accomplished, he thought triumphantly.
Currently, Penticorian entertainment revolved around history, or mainstream fiction. With nearly all of them being stories about love, or devotion to the Goddess. Candor could understand the electricity that hung in the air, as the crowd became emotionally charged. Simply put, Candor and Jinx’s creation was unlike anything ever attempted. Candor looked down, and this time when his eyes found Thalia, he felt another form of electricity, because she was looking back at him. He swallowed hard, and a nervous perspiration formed on his skin, forcing him to wipe his forehead with his sleeve. Her gaze was so penetrating that he couldn’t take his eyes away. Brilliant gold rings set against white backgrounds mesmerized him, and he could feel his strength waning. He managed a smile, a halfhearted attempt to appear confident, which elicited a knowing smile from Thalia. Candor felt his heart thumping in his chest like a jackhammer. Turning his attention, he saw Ghedron staring at him. He smiled broadly, winking at Candor as he inclined his head toward his sister.
Man, thought Candor, do I broadcast my feelings so that everyone knows? Obviously, he did. And to his surprise no one seemed to mind, not even his parents. She smiled at me! She even looked at me! And what was that, was it curiosity?
Hope sprang anew, and his heart leapt with the possibilities, along with a noticeable thickening of the member between his legs. Candor was extremely grateful that he was wearing a robe, and could hide his embarrassing physiological reaction to Thalia’s thoughtful gaze. He turned his attention back to the stage, attempting to quiet his mind, along with other parts of himself.
The movie progressed to the Great Hall, following the back-story of an increasingly tense political and militant turn for Penticorian life, and culture. With additional attacks on human facilities, General Whitfield forced the Senedos Seiss to commission a police organization. At the same time, resources for simple things like Healers grew thin for routine procedures, like rejuvenation. Astraea was summoned by the Senedos Seiss, and she arrived to face General Whitfield, along with a contingent of soldiers. As she approached, Astraea was overcome with shock and worry as she saw her husband. His hands were bound, and he was shackled to thick steel cables, his feet and hands tethered to one another, allowing him to walk at a shuffle.
Astraea demanded to know why her husband w
as being held. The General informed her that Notuss was the leader of the terrorist organization, and would soon be brought to justice for crimes against humanity, which included the murder of twelve humans. The Senedos confirmed the accusation, stating that Notuss, and his conspirators, were captured by the humans at a secret meeting. Astraea gazed at her husband. Pain and torment were coupled to a terrifying fear that left her speechless as Notuss met her gaze. He admitted that he had indeed been organizing a resistance, should the humans become hostile. Yet he steadfastly denied any attacks against the aliens, claiming the right of all free Penticorians to organize in defense of their home.
General Whitfield scoffed at his remarks, and praised the wisdom of the council for sanctioning the use of force to put an end to the terrorists. Then he moved further, expressing his gratitude to the council for assembling a security force comprised of Penticorians that were trained by humans. And due to the unprecedented circumstances, including current political instability, he concluded that they must agree it only prudent to deploy this force.
He argued that only a Penticorian should be charged with preserving the general welfare, and if necessary, the capture and confinement of their fellow citizens. That this “terrorist movement” would persist, gaining momentum unless the council was brave enough to take decisive action, and put an end to the violence. Astraea demanded that her husband be released at once, vouching for both his honor, and his dedication to the citizens of Penticore Prime. Yet it quickly became apparent to her that General Whitfield was in control of the Senedos Seiss, and they would deny him nothing.
Her husband was removed, to be held in a prison camp with others that the humans captured. Later, both the General, and the Senedos Seiss, would decide their fate. In turn, Astraea was to be placed under something called “house arrest.” It was an unfamiliar term that meant she was only allowed to leave her residence under guard. With little more than a defeated nod, the Senedos Seiss agreed, and Astraea was taken away.
Someone in the audience shouted over the movie. “We have the right to defend ourselves!”
A moment later a chorus of voices rose up in agreement. Others sat in stunned silence, disturbed by the dark turn of events, as they wondered how a first encounter that began with so much joy and promise, could turn so quickly into despair. Candor watched the crowd with a keen eye. He didn’t see anyone leaving, which afforded him a measure of pride in his work. He achieved his goal by evoking the emotions of the audience, forcing them to be more than mere spectators. Candor knew that it was imperative that the audience became invested in both the story, and the characters themselves.
The conversations continued, and Candor noticed others asking for quiet, so they could follow the story and see the outcome. Candor held himself back, because he felt like laughing. He was almost giddy with joy, although he knew that the jenjiss might have had something to do with his current mood. Not to mention the look from his beloved Thalia.
“You really can put on a show, my friend,” whispered Zyphon. “This is simply amazing.”
Candor looked at Zyphon, and then at his parents. Both Sador and Janesska were riveted to the movie. His mother glanced at him briefly as she sensed his gaze. She smiled, patting him gently on the hand before turning her attention back to the stage.
“I hope I don’t have an angry mob on my hands once it’s over,” replied Candor.
Zyphon shrugged, because causing a stir in their society was becoming more commonplace. “What I did with my incarnation process, you’re doing with this moritainyoss. You’re giving us a reason to debate again, a reason to feel alive and passionate. For too long we’ve been complacent, content with our lives and our system of government. This is pure unadulterated chaos.”
“Change isn’t always a good thing,” replied Candor.
“Change is change, and a natural part of the cycle of life,” said Zyphon. “And you know as well as I, that the change is coming, whether we like it or not. Penticorians are already divided over the solutions to our climate changes. At least with this,” he said pointing toward the stage. “They will be reminded that no matter what, we share the same origins. Perhaps now our race will acknowledge that continuity.”
Candor didn’t know if Zyphon was right or not. But he did know that he’d struck a nerve with the audience as someone shushed them, as if they were a couple of unruly children talking in a library. They both chuckled as they followed the story once more.
Astraea, parted from her husband and under guard, was escorted back to her manor in the tower. Outside her observation port, she looked with dread upon the human armada in orbit around Penticore Prime. As she watched the might of the humans, she realized that they had been invaded, and in a most insidious way. Not all at once in open war, but from the inside out, piece by terrifying piece. She realized that bloodshed and destruction was never the plan. The human’s true aim was to acquire their planet through deception. Infecting their race like a disease, and using the most common emotion that all sentient beings shared, fear.
She began to wonder if resistance was even possible. Since General Whitfield controlled the Senedos Seiss, she didn’t think that it was. And now with the formation of a security force, the humans had gained a critical piece of the puzzle. With little effort, the humans managed to turn Penticorian against Penticorian, while granting them the illusion of control. Yet behind the scenes, it was General Whitfield that was the one in power. As she wept bitter tears, Astraea noticed a blinking light on the console at Notuss’s desk. She went to it, afraid of what could potentially be her husband’s final words. Reaching out, she touched the glowing control rod. A photonic emitter came to life on the wall, and as expected, the image of her husband appeared.
His message begged her forgiveness, and understanding. Notuss admitted to forming an alliance to resist the human occupation. He told her that he activated the message before a very important meeting was to take place, just in case they were captured, and their secret revealed. Yet more than anything, he made it clear to Astraea that the drop-ships were an elaborate ruse. That in fact the humans were hard at work setting up a colony on Penticore Prime.
Notuss went on to tell her that the drop-ships were factories. Manufacturing facilities that produced weapons, processed raw materials, and allowed the humans to construct both defensive and offensive fortifications. The truth was only discovered recently, and he had not involved Astraea for her own safety. Notuss also knew that General Whitfield staged the attacks against the drop-ships, and that he used the ensuing political chaos to take control of the Senedos Seiss. Notuss understood that resistance would have to be a populist movement. Only viable if done in secret, and meticulously coordinated. He concluded by proclaiming his undying love for her, and that no matter the distance that separated them, he would always be with her. And then, before his image faded, he told her to duck.
The instant his photonic image disappeared, an explosion rocked the tower. Smoke and debris cascaded through the shattered doors, as an army of Penticorian’s arrived. Astraea blinked away the tears stinging her eyes, to find Notuss’s friend, Ajax, standing over her. He leaned down and offered her his hand, beseeching her to accompany him at once.
The crowd erupted with applause at Astraea’s rescue. Candor laughed, and even Zyphon whooped and shouted, while his mother kissed him on the cheek. His father nodded with approval and smiled, winking at him with all the enthusiasm that a scientist of his stature could manage. While Thalia turned to look at him, laughing as one delicate hand touched her lips. Candor felt his skin flush, ecstatic to know that the shield surrounding her was beginning to break.
As the moritainyoss continued, Astraea was taken to a vast underground precinct. Ajax revealed the scope of the resistance movement, with an impressive network of battle-ready soldiers. Although the art of war was many centuries behind them, skills were being forged anew, with both scientists and engineers utilizing Healers of all types to build transports and weaponry. While a
t the very heart of the movement, was a truly ambitious plan. Ajax took Astraea to a secret underground chamber, and there she met with a senior Penticorian scientist by the name of Kesstor. She learned of the existence of an electromagnetic shield, and the bold plan that harnessed the awesome power of the Interlink. Loyalist forces were ready to strike on the ground, but they knew that the humans controlled all traffic in orbit. It was also widely believed that the humans possessed weapons that could strike at them from the safety of space.
So, the moment the ground assault began, the Interlink would launch a series of geosynchronous shield generators. Webbed together over the entire globe, and powered by the cities, they would cover the planet with an impenetrable shield. That shield would also effectively block all human communications, and the humans would discover that their weapons were useless. In addition, the Interlink would become an enforcer, cutting off General Whitfield’s access to his security forces. The goal was to capture their fellow citizens without harm, recognizing that they were misled. Of course, they knew that casualties on both sides were inevitable. Although it pained them deeply, the survival of their race was at stake, and for that reason, loss of life would have to be accepted.
Astraea agreed to take up arms, and asked to command a strike team. Her request was granted, and she enlisted Ajax, and a contingent of soldiers, to accompany her to the prison camp where Notuss was being held captive. In addition, the team was to capture or kill General Whitfield. Astraea believed that without taking out General Whitfield, Penticorian’s risked human retaliation, and extinction.
It took them a month to prepare, and the scene opened with an army of loyalist forces marching over the landscape, in gleaming white and gold battle suits. With the photonic projectors in the walls of the theater, the army appeared to move right through the crowd. Candor heard cheers, while others were awed at the grand scale of the production.
Penticore Prime Page 18