Penticore Prime

by Mark Chevalier

  Eos rose over the horizon, and a mist covered the forest floor. Massive carnivores searched for prey, while smaller and more dangerous predators prowled beneath the canopy below. Yet all of them yielded, as the Penticorian forces shook the ground with their boots, their numbers staggering. Cresting a hill, the forest gave way to a clearing. The army came to a halt, stunned to witness the scar on the face of the forest. It was an organic wound that was not inflicted by the Goddess, but by the cutting and burning machines of the humans. With a mighty shout of rage, they advanced, and the liberation of Penticore Prime began.

  In another scene, the shining rails of the TSS, or Tulacoss Transport System, appeared. Hundreds of long silver shapes accelerated at breakneck speed. The scene followed one of the objects as it emerged through the docking ring. The front retracted, and a large flowerlike metal object emerged. While in a control room deep underground, a monitoring station kept vigil. A group of Penticorians in communication with the Interlinks of the fifteen cities watched, and the tension built as the shield components moved into position.

  As the last one drifted into orbit, thousands of dots all turned from red to green. The crowd of scientist and technicians waited, their eyes riveted to the screens as the scene shifted into space. Each satellite ignited a red plasma stream that connected it to the next, forming a giant web that quickly encircled the globe. While between the lines of each web, a brilliant orange energy stream covered the spaces between the plasma streams.

  On the ground, the scenes flashed from one army to the next, as all over the continent of Ruxoss, everyone looked up as the sky changed color from a brilliant blue, to a deep red. The loyalist armies cheered in one thunderous voice. Confident that they were now shielded from orbital attack, and fueled with righteous indignation to reclaim their planet.

  Astraea and Ajax, accompanied by a battalion of soldiers, prepared to attack the prison camp. The structure was comprised of a white dome, and buttressed by large machines that pumped in enough carbon dioxide to keep the Penticorian inhabitants alive. Astraea found it oppressive, and signaled Ajax to begin the assault. Yet even though she worried about Notuss, she was more concerned about the threat that General Whitfield posed. The Senedos Seiss were confronted while preparations were still ongoing. They assured Astraea and Ajax that they, just like many others, had been duped. The Senedos pledged to aid the loyalists by whatever means at their disposal, although they admitted that their influence was minimal. However, they swore to have no knowledge of the colonies being constructed by the humans. And furthermore, they claimed that they were isolated from the decision-making process, not aware of the formation of the loyalist movement, until Notuss was captured.

  Astraea advised the Senedos Seiss not to interfere. Then she ordered them to invite General Whitfield to the Great Hall, prior to the start of the attack. Her plan was to lure him into their midst, and then cut him off from giving orders. If it worked, then they just might have a chance to sever the head of the beast without killing it. Plus, leaving the humans without a leader would give them the element of surprise. The general would also be a valuable bargaining chip when they demanded that the humans disarm their armada, and leave Penticore Prime forever.

  She knew that the humans possessed a keen intellect, and would not be lured into the trap easily. The Senedos Seiss informed her that General Whitfield never travelled with less than a full battalion under his direct command. So, to nullify his advantage, Astraea and Ajax deployed more than three times their number. As the soldiers closed on the prison camp, she prayed to the Goddess that it was enough. If all went according to plan, the capture of General Whitfield would already be complete. And as she looked up at the red sky, she smiled.

  Liberating the prison camp was not as difficult as Astraea imagined. The humans left a meager force of some two hundred prison guards that were easily overpowered. Across the smoking ruins and dead soldiers, both human and Penticorian alike, Astraea caught sight of Notuss. She called to him, and they ran toward each other, kissing as they embraced. Her words were harsh at first, even as the tears rolled down her dust covered cheeks. She called him a fool for not trusting her, and an even greater fool for thinking that by not telling her about the loyalist movement that he was protecting her. Yet Notuss endured all her wrath with a smile, and taking her face gently into his hands he admitted his folly, and vowed never to be parted from her again.

  Of course, the reunion of Astraea and Notuss drew more vocal cheers from the crowd in the theater. Candor thought he heard jeers as well. “Filthy humans, wipe them all out! Take no prisoners!”

  “Well, it appears that the warrior spirit is very much alive and well,” Candor whispered to Zyphon. “I think I’ve got the crowd all riled up.”

  “Indeed,” he replied.

  Suddenly the theater patrons grew silent, as the scene unfolded in the Great Hall. Astraea and Notuss arrived to find the bodies of hundreds of Penticorian soldiers littering the floor. While General Whitfield stood in the middle of the carnage, a cold grin creasing the lines of his face. With his head high, and his arms crossed over his broad chest, he caught sight of them. He immediately commanded his men to take them into custody.

  Astraea and Notuss discovered their greatest betrayal, because as they turned to flee, it was Ajax that stopped them at gunpoint. He told them that he was a loyal supporter of General Whitfield, and that with the assistance of the humans, there would be no need for the citizens of Penticore Prime to leave their home, or travel into the future. Astraea cursed him, as Notuss stood in silent rage, wishing that he could tear the traitorous tongue from his mouth.

  General Whitfield, gloating and self-assured, didn’t bother to bind them as his troops forced the group to their knees. He told them that he knew all about their pathetic stratagem. He glowered at them, telling them how he arrived in the Great Hall to spring a trap of his own. And that all throughout Penticore Prime, their rabble of troops was being met by a force that outnumbered them five to one. As for their shield, well he would deal with that soon enough. He activated a communications bracelet, and ordered his armada to destroy the shield. The scene shifted into space, as a battery of guns blazed with blue fire. The human weapons struck the shield emplacements. While on the photonic screen in the Great Hall, the view from the lead ship revealed the web as it began to falter. It flickered as the beams of plasma weakened their defenses, and Astraea cried out with a torturous mix of pain and anger.

  A hush fell over the crowd as they watched the situation go from bad to worse. Slowly, pieces of the shield fell away, and holes began to open. Candor could sense the tension rise as the patrons gasped. The guns rained down destruction on the planet that they called home, scorching the ground as fire erupted in massive plumes that evaporated entire forests.

  Then, oddly enough, Astraea began to laugh. Her image flickered, as General Whitfield moved closer. With a devious smile, she told him that she too could be conniving, and that she was only a photonic image. A moment later the screen above the humans played out the depths of her cunning. The remaining satellites began to glow, feeding on the power that came from the fifteen cities. That pure energy transferred to gun emplacements at the center of each satellite, and suddenly a blaze of emerald light pierced the vacuum.

  The lead ship was annihilated, and began listing dangerously as the lights flickered, and then went dark. While behind that, hundreds of ships were breaking orbit as they tried to move out of range. Astraea laughed again, telling General Whitfield that she suspected Ajax was a traitor, and deliberately misled him. Only a handful of technicians and scientist who designed this final defensive measure knew what the satellites were truly capable of. And now General Whitfield would have to yield, and leave Penticore Prime forever, or be destroyed.

  Yet the general was not so easily broken. Disheartened, yes, but not defeated. With his warriors reflexes he reached out and seized Notuss, drawing his blade and holding it deeply to his throat. He demanded that Astraea surr
ender, as her husband’s neck felt real enough. He vowed to kill him if she and the terrorists did not lay down their arms immediately. Ever the brave hearted, Notuss implored Astraea not to concede, no matter the sacrifice. Imploring her that one Penticorian life was of no consequence, when weighed against millions of their race. The photonic image disappeared, and Astraea cried out for the general to release her husband. She stood at the entrance of the Great Hall, and General Whitfield smiled malevolently. A moment later he sliced Notuss’s throat for spite. Astraea cried out as she ran to him, leaving her guards behind. While the general held onto Notuss until he went limp, only then letting his body crumple to the floor.

  There were shouts of grief and outrage from the audience. Candor was worried that he might have gone too far. Hundreds of patrons leaned forward in their seats in deep concentration, not wanting to miss a horrifying second.

  Astraea approached, and General Whitfield held out a hand to stop his men. Then he pulled another blade from his belt, and as Astraea reached Notuss, the general stabbed her in the heart. Astraea screamed in agony as the general held her close, gloating over his victory. Yet Astraea had one more attack to execute, one slice of vengeance yet to serve, as she slapped his neck with her hand, delivering a dose of concentrated poison that caused General Whitfield’s eyes to go wide with shock. Astraea smiled, revealing the thin gray patch attached to her palm, and he let go of her. As her life slipped away, she told him that there was no cure, and that he was going to die, just as surely as she and her husband.

  General Whitfield began to turn blue, ripping the mask from his face as he choked. His eyes bulged and he tried to say something to his men, only to fall heavily onto the bodies of the dead soldiers around him. With the general gone and her task complete, Astraea crawled in agony towards the lifeless form of her husband. Drawing her last few breaths she told him that she loved him. She told him that he was right; they would never be apart again. She was going to join him in the arms of Eos, where they would live forever.

  The movie ended, and all over the globe, contrails of plasma erupted from the scarred surface, as the human ships fled into space. The war was won, yet it begged the question; at what cost? The citizens of Penticore Prime had triumphed, but the loss of life, coupled to the havoc inflicted on the environment, was incalculable. Not to mention that both Astraea and Notuss were killed, heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their race. All of this despite the glaring danger posed by the humans, and the continuous warnings which were ignored time and again.

  The music faded, and the stage came back into view as the houselights engaged. Candor fought the sudden urge to bolt from the theater, as throughout the crowd not a sound could be heard. It was an eerie feeling, like the calm before a storm. Candor feared that before the night was over he would be burned at the stake and labeled a heretic. Looking at the patrons around him, he noticed that several had tears running down their faces. It was then that he realized that they were in shock, that somewhere deep inside them, he had touched something powerful, and emotional. A citizen stood up and began to clap. Soon after that, others followed, until the entire stadium thundered with shouts and applause.

  Janesska leaned over and kissed him, and his father embraced him. Meanwhile, Zyphon was smiling as he clapped him vigorously on the back.

  “How brilliant, little one,” said Janesska.

  “Thank you, Mother,” replied Candor.

  “That,” said Sador, “is the greatest moritainyoss that I have ever seen. Henceforth, I shall use your name for it, for only my son could create such a ‘movie’ as this. Well done, my son, well done!”

  Candor grinned, while turning a crimson-green. He waived at the crowd in thanks, and the applause erupted anew.

  “Go on,” said Zyphon, indicating that Candor should take the stage. “This is your moment. You deserve it! That was wonderful, simply stunning!”

  Candor could barely feel his legs, but somehow, he managed to walk down the steps past the hands that reached out in congratulations. As he ascended the stage he felt like he was in a dream. In his wildest imagination, he never thought that his work would elicit such a response. Yet here it was…he had done it! Braving the potential risks of creating something controversial, he followed his instincts, and the citizens of Penticore Prime loved him for it.

  He bowed respectfully, and the shouts of joy from the audience intensified. After a long moment, Candor wasn’t sure exactly how long, the sound subsided.

  “I’m speechless,” said Candor. His voice echoed, amplified by his trusty avatar, Amron. “I want to thank all of you for this wonderful honor. I am truly humbled to serve the citizens of Penticore Prime.”

  More applause followed, and once again, Candor bowed, feeling a chill of excitement tingle over every part of him. As the noise subsided, he folded his hands in front of him, flexing his knees slightly so he wouldn’t cut off his circulation and fall over. “I now invite all of you to stay. There will be music and refreshments for your enjoyment. And there will also be dancing, and a multitude of games and activities. My home is yours this evening, and I invite all to have a wonderful time. Once again, I would like to express my most humble and sincere thanks to all of you for attending.”

  “See-vatt!” cried someone in the audience. It was the Penticorian word meaning, “again!”

  Others joined in, and soon it was a chant. “Again, again, again, again…”

  Candor could hardly believe his ears, they wanted to see the movie a second time. And they had no trouble at all voicing their combined intentions. Jinx approached Candor. His smile was so bright that if it were the rays of Eos, it would have blinded him. “Candor,” he said with an exuberance that lifted his spirits even further. “There are those who still wait in the corridor, and by the entrance to the manor. I simply could not admit them, as there were too many for us to adequately accommodate.”

  Candor frowned, he didn’t like the idea of turning citizens away. Until Jinx told him, he thought that the full theater was all that there was. “Jinx,” he said in a whisper. Fortunately, Amron picked up on his desire not to broadcast his voice, and cut the transmission. “From the look of the crowd, how many will watch it again, and how many do you think will move into the dining hall?”

  Jinx scanned the assembled citizens. His highly-ordered brain taking a reading on those that were shouting, verses those that were just clapping.

  “It is only a ‘guess,’ but I estimate that forty-two percent will vacate to the dining hall.”

  “Really?” replied Candor. “Fifty-eight percent want to see it again?”

  “As you are fond of saying, ‘I’m only taking a whack at it.’”

  “Again, again, again,” the crowd continued to chant.

  Candor knew that he’d better get a handle on the situation, and fast. He raised his hand for silence, and slowly the crowd complied. “There will be another showing in one-half hour,” he said. Instantly they were on their feet cheering. Candor smiled, and then urged them to let him continue. “Those of you who do not wish to see the movie again, please make your way to the dining hall during the intermission. I was not aware of this until now, but there are many still outside. I would like to admit them so that they can view it as well. For the next four weeks, I will open this theater each evening for all who wish to attend, including other venues throughout the city. I thank you again, and may the Goddess guard and protect all of you.”

  Jinx, ever the consummate professional, signaled to an assistant. A moment later an army of staff emerged onto the stadium floor, carrying trays of food and drink. Candor gave one last long stare into the crowd. Everyone was smiling and happy, and he nodded with satisfaction.

  “You’re good, Jinx. I have to hand it to you.”

  “Of course, I’m a simulacrum,” he replied as if the point was moot.

  “Just so we’re on the same page. For everyone that enters the dining hall, please admit that number to the theater. We may hav
e to hold a third showing tonight, so you may want to put someone outside to stop the line once the third show is full. But don’t turn anyone away without giving a special invitation, or something along those lines. No one is to leave with a poor impression of our hospitality.”

  Jinx nodded in agreement. “You certainly have grown both wise and patient since your rejuvenation, Candor. I must say that I am delighted to see you taking such care of the patrons.”

  “If it weren’t for them, I couldn’t do what I do, Jinx.”

  Jinx bowed as he assured him. “Not to worry. I shall see to everything with the utmost care.”

  “I know you will, Jinx. Now, I have a promise to keep. Otherwise Zyphon will never let me hear the end of it.”

  “You mean the daughter of Seiss Theniass? Thalia, isn’t that her name?”

  “Man!” exclaimed Candor, “Is there anyone that doesn’t know around here?”

  Jinx’s smile was punctuated by a soft laugh. “I suppose not. I must say that since your rejuvenation you have been acting like a proper Penticorian. I think that she is a most suitable mate. For a female, that is.”

  Candor shook his head. He was confused by the statement as he asked him. “Did you just give me your blessing?”

  Jinx considered it and then replied. “You need no blessing from me. However, if you are asking for my opinion, then I would have to agree that your union with her could only serve to enrich your life in a most positive fashion.”

  He likes her, and he’s pushing me, just like Zyphon, thought Candor.

  “Well, all right then,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t know who’s worse, you or Zyphon.”

  Candor exited the stage as the crowd began to disperse and reorganize. It took him some time to make his way into the dining hall. At every turn, he was stopped by citizens expressing their thoughts and feelings about the movie. He remained congenial as he talked and mingled. He even stopped for photonic impressions, a form of three-dimensional picture that Penticorians favored. Yet his mind was far away, thinking only of her.