Dark Universe & Forbidden Love

by Hao Yang

“Good luck with that.” Gloria said ironically.

  “I see. So you think he can beat me.” Klaycon said unhappily.

  “Not just you.”

  “Is that right?” Klaycon said in a provocative tone.

  Gloria rolled her eyes at Klaycon and kept sweeping the floor.

  “Give me that blood.” Klaycon crashed each word as he said it.

  “You think I will give the very thing that could save Jason’s life to you.” Gloria said ironically.

  “How about we do it like this. I will fight him in front of you and I will beat him down on his knees. Then I will let you inject the blood. What do you think?” Klaycon said confidently.

  Gloria thought for several seconds and then gazed at Klaycon.

  “I thought you had confidence in your boyfriend.” Klaycon mimicked Gloria’s tone.

  “Fine. You ask for this.” Gloria said in a hard tone.

  They decided to do it in the second class species movie theater, where Jason and Gloria planned to watch a movie, the one they didn’t have the chance to watch last time.

  Chapter 94

  Bored and tired, Jason was lying on his bed. Lucis and Erikon were talking to their friends. Zoetian, a tall boy with freckles, was one year senior than Jason. Patisazon and Ilion were the other two Human trainees in the class of 84. Jason knew Patisazon and Ilion since they were in the Human preselection institution. But they never got any closer other than talking about weather. Jason knew he just couldn’t fit in. Patisazon’s family was running Human’s largest weapon manufacturer. Ilion was the son of the entertainment business mogul. Zoetian was the son of Treton London, the chairman of Human defense department. Among all of them, Jason was the only one that didn’t have any family background. Sometimes, he actually felt he was unique.

  Jason had a date with Gloria tonight and he hated to be late. He checked his watch again and got up from the bed, heading to the restroom. Before others in the room noticed, he crept out.

  Five minutes later, Jason entered the movie theater. He kind of regretted that he didn’t get out of the dorm earlier. It was quiet and peaceful here, even though the battered chairs and faded wall paper couldn’t be more aged.

  “I guess you two change the date location.” Klaycon said as he emerged from a dark corner.

  “I thought I smelled something rotten.” Jason said easily.

  “Very funny.” Klaycon snarled.

  “Thank you. You know, I always want to do this again. To return the last favor in Glycan library.” Jason said carelessly as he walked to Klaycon.

  “Speaking of that, you should thank me for making you famous.” Klaycon said ironically.

  “Oh, thank you!” Jason shouted and dashed to Klaycon. He hauled out one knife on each hand and leaped in the air, swinging the left knife at Klaycon’s head. Klaycon’s uniform transformed into an armor suit in a blink. He blocked the attack with his dagger. They both kicked each other on the belly and backed off several steps. Klaycon quickly regained balance and darted forward, pointing the dagger at Jason’s neck. Jason locked the dagger with two knives, pushing it against Klaycon. Klaycon didn’t back off, using all his strength to hold his position.

  “You don’t know how lucky you are.” Klaycon said seriously.

  “When I stick this blade in your mouth, I will listen to your explanation.” Jason said confidently.

  Klaycon flashed an evil grin. His dagger started to glow in red. Jason could feel the heat coming out of the dagger. He kicked on the ground and backed off.

  Klaycon smiled silently, his armor suit transforming back to the uniform. He took off his uniform and said, “Let’s play it fair.”

  “Why not?” Jason said angrily as he threw the knives away.

  They punched and kicked each other on anywhere they could find a chance. It was boxing, wrestling or whatever. Even though Jason had more strength, it didn’t really give him the upper hand this time. He didn’t have the chance to corner Klaycon like last time. Soon they faces were bruised and their noses were bleeding. But none of them gave up. They were both seeking the very moment to deliver the final blow.

  “That is enough!” Gloria’s voice struck them.

  Distracted by her voice, Klaycon looked around for Gloria. Just at this moment, Jason darted forward and kicked Klaycon on the chest. Klaycon fell over and Jason got behind him. He locked Klaycon in a choke hold. Klaycon was trying to break free, but Jason held him tight.

  “Do you have any last word?” Jason wheezed into Klaycon’s ear.

  Just at this moment, Jason felt something stuck into his neck. It was something sharp. Suddenly, Jason lost his steam and collapsed.

  Gloria held Jason’s head and put him on the ground slowly. She smiled at Klaycon and said, “Thank you.”

  Klaycon slowly stood on his feet, holding his neck and coughing like an old man. He sighed and said, “Thank you.”

  “The blood will knock you out like this?” Gloria asked in a worried tone, fondling Jason’s face.

  Klaycon didn’t say anything. He turned his head away and stumbled to the exit, leaving Gloria with Jason.

  The next day morning Jason learned from Erikon and Lucis that Gloria took him back to the dorm last night. He remembered everything until he was stabbed on the neck. He didn’t understand why Klaycon didn’t take that chance to kill him. He asked Gloria about that night and Gloria told him that he was lying on the floor when she got into the theater. Jason left it be. Since he didn’t feel any uncomfortable, he soon forgot this thing.

  Chapter 95

  General Klizan was a little surprised when he learned that Liutein entered the building of Glycan selection committee.

  Liutein was the leader of Glycan, the head of royal family, but he didn’t really have the actual power. It wasn’t always like this for the leaders of Glycan. His predecessors all shared the reign with the 17 families. However, things changed after his father Lewak, the previous leader of Glycan, passed away 33 years ago. General Klizan cultivated other families and gradually consolidated powers under his roof. Klizan never took a big bite but eroded Liutein’s influence little by little. By the time Liutein realized it, he couldn’t even find a general he trust. As a result, he turned to his people and started campaigns and protests. Such things had been going on for several years. However, it didn’t really shake Klizan’s position. He always dissolved those protests by offering some seemingly important positions to the members of the royal family.

  Klizan didn’t like Liutein at all and he knew for sure that Liutein hated him. They had been fighting, if not physically, since the beginning of UWII. Klizan believed that Liutein set him up several times in UWII. He didn’t really do anything when Lewak was alive, because Lewak was so smart and had the influence over all 17 families. Klizan waited and waited. After the death of Lewak, Klizan carried out his plan just as he wanted.

  The sudden visit from Liutein made Klizan a little nervous. Because they tried to avoid each other as much as possible and everyone knew that. General Klizan was wondering the nature of his visit. Just at this moment, his secretary told him that Liutein was here.

  “Let him in.” Klizan said coldly.

  Liutein walked into the room leisurely. He was only half the age of Klizan and had a large built, a heart-shaped face with bright almond eyes, thin lips and a straight nose.

  Whenever Klizan saw Liutein, he always wondered why the hell Lewak picked this flower boy as his successor.

  They briefly acknowledged each other. Then Liutein said, “I heard something regarding one of our fleets. You are interested?”

  “I am not sure.” Klizan said calmly.

  “Well, it seems that our armed forces were doing something on a remote planet.”

  “As you know, there are so many remote planets in the universe, I can’t really tell which one you was referring to.” Klizan said in an official tone. Now he knew that Iteiten did tip off Liutein.

  “There was one protected by an entire Glycan fl
eet.” Liutein said firmly.

  “Really? You have more details such as the location of the planet.”

  “I don’t know. But the Fourth fleet was far away from home. Some soldiers’ families are concerned. Since I don’t have other things to do, I spent a lot of time talking with them.” Liutein said ironically.

  “I see. I will look into this matter. Right now, I have no idea where the Fourth fleet is.” Klizan said with a stiff smile.

  “I understand.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Oh, I like to invite you and your family to the ceremony next week. I know we will send out the official invitation this week. I feel this just make this trip worthy.” Liutein said.

  The ceremony Liutein talked about was held every year to honor the fallen soldiers in UWI and UWII. As the military leader, he always attended that ceremony but not with his family.

  Klaycon thought for a second and said, “I am not aware we are going to bring our families.”

  “As the leader of Glycan, I can’t even make a decision like this?”Liutein said unhappily.

  Klizan paused for several seconds and said, “If you say so.”

  “Thank you for your compliance. And your time, of course. I will see you then.” Liutein said happily and headed out of Klizan’s office.

  Klizan didn’t care about the ceremony. He decided to slow down the project on Agirue just to be on the safe side.

  Chapter 96

  As for his new assignment, Mark knew there was no way he could go to planet Agirue. According to Aron’s intel, an entire Glycan fleet was guarding the surrounding area of the planet. Besides, Glycans might move the eyeball to other places. Mark was more interested in the Cruiser General Klizan. He went to planet Eirhti, the mother planet of Diilre. Even though Diilre was one of the nine species, they couldn’t care less about those regulations segregating first and second class species. In their minds, as long as buyers had the things they were interested in, they were all the same. Mark traded the black stone he got from the cave for some information about Cruiser General Klizan.

  It turned out that cruiser was the last super vessel constructed by Diilre. When the cruiser was almost done, Glycan made a special request which would gave the cruiser the possibility to accommodate Hylocan’s ultimate weapon, the Oracle. Diilre had to cut the cruiser in half to put in a special section. Mark also learned that Diilre constructed an accessory for the 24 super vessels on planet Yuwtoow. When he was on the way to Yuwtoow, Salmon called him and asked him to join them for a side job given by Lreque.

  Right now Mark, Salmon and Aron was on a cargo vessel on the way to planet Satulous. It used to be Glycan’s livestock farm, but centuries ago an epidemic hit the planet and swept out millions of livestocks. Glycan tried to contain the epidemic, but later they abandoned the planet because of the fear that the epidemic could transfer from animal to Glycans.

  The cargo vessel landed near one of the slaughterhouses on Satulous. It was dead quiet. The endless green field, white clouds and blue sky painted a serene picture.

  Just when Mark and Salmon carefully stepped out of the vessel, Aron called them from the bridge, saying that a Glycan vessel is closing to them fast. After several seconds, Mark and Salmon watched the Glycan vessel landing nearby. A Glycan walked out of the vessel and waved at them. Both Mark and Salmon recognized the Glycan. He was Lreque, the one they met at the Human colony.

  They acknowledged Lreque and followed him into a slaughterhouse. Instead of dead animals, they saw rows of Glycan combat robots covered in dust. They were 10 meters high, armed to teeth.

  “This is why you are here.” Lreque said happily.

  “Why are they here?” Mark asked as he looked around at those robots.

  “Long time ago, there was an epidemic. It made animals violent and attack anything they saw. Those robots were sent here so that workers could protect themselves.”

  “Are they still working?” Salmon said as he touched a robot.

  “They should be.”

  “So we need those robots for what?” Mark asked.

  “You will know soon.” Lreque said coldly.

  “There are more than 400 here.” Mark said

  “And this is only part of the stock. There is another building. Together, there are about 1000.”

  “So you just want to keep us in the dark until the last minute.” Mark said in a hard tone.

  “We are all sent here to do a job. You keep that in mind. Now get your asses moving!” Lreque said unhappily.

  Salmon and Mark both smiled coldly. Lreque gave them the crystals to activate the suits. Even though those suits were antiques, they worked like a charm. When Mark was piloting one suit, he could program others robots to follow him. He and Salmon were able to move 50 robots at one time, so it didn’t take them very long time to load all 1000 units on the cargo ship.

  Lreque left as soon as they finished loading. Aron also received the coordinate of the next destination from Treton London. They were all surprised to learn that it was a planet very close to Eva-1.

  Chapter 97

  General Kalan was preparing for tonight’s ceremony, the memorial for fallen heroes in UWI and UWII. All high rank military and government officers would be there and the royal family even asked them to bring their families this year, so it wouldn’t be as boring as the ones in previous years.

  Kalan had nine wives and they were all young and beautiful. Looking at his family, Kalan felt everything was perfect. They headed to the convoy floating right outside of their house.

  Early in the night, flows of transporters were converging at the Hall of Heroes, forming an enormous shining net. Hall of Heroes was a fortified military assembly point during UWI. After it was decommissioned, it served as the venue holding all kinds of celebrations. Unlike other buildings floating in the sky, the hall was on the ground and it was 20 floor high with the size of 30 football fields. Surrounded by infinite forests, it illuminated the night like a huge lighthouse. It also had a square where thousands of transporters landed and unloaded passengers.

  General Kalan and his family soon joined flows of Glycans entering the hall. There were five entrances and numerous soldiers and robots were guarding each entrance. While Kalan was chatting with Fieope, the commander of Fifth fleet, and walking close to the entrance, he noticed none of the guards were wearing family badges. He raised this problem to Fieope, but Fieope only laughed at him for being paranoid.

  The view in the hall was magnificent and sumptuous. A miniature galaxy with thousands of stars was floating in the dome, illuminating the entire hall as if it stood under daylight.

  General Klizan was sitting near a table at the front of the hall, accompanied by the generals from Joint Commanders of Stuff. He looked around and thought that there must be around 10,000 Glycans here. As the chairman of the offensive department, he was supposed to give a speech today. While he was going through the speech in the brain, his son Kalan came to him and whispered, “General Klizan, I think there is something wrong.”

  “I am listening.” Klizan said quietly as he noticed other generals around the table looked at him.

  “I have some bad feeling.” Kalan said nervously.

  “What do you mean?”

  “There is something wrong with guards. None of them is wearing family badges. We always wear family badges.” Kalan said in a worried tone.

  Klizan let out a sigh, but hid his disappointment. He looked around at other generals and said, “It is just family stuff.”

  Other generals smiled politely.

  “I…” Kalan stopped as he noticed the sharp stare from Klizan. He smiled at other generals and backed off.

  Twenty minutes later, the memorial started with Glycan leader Liutein’s speech. All girls and women screamed on top of their lungs to welcome him. Unlike previous years, Liutein’s speech was rather brief and simple this time. He addressed the importance of a balanced society which implied the share of power.

  Now it
was Klizan’s turn and everyone was focusing their attention on him. While he was giving the speech, he noticed that guards were shutting all the entrances. This alerted Klizan, because they always kept entrance open in case of emergency. Klizan was worried, but he didn’t show anything on his face. He recalled what Kalan said about those guards. Now when he looked at them, they looked way too young. Klizan didn’t lose his post and continued with his speech. Suddenly, all lights went out and girls screamed in panic. Klizan couldn’t see anything, but he heard hissing besides screams and then he smelled an aroma, the scent of lavender. While he was thinking where the scent came from, he felt his head was getting heavy. Now he knew what it was. His uniform quickly transformed into an armor suit. But it was too late. He slumped on the floor like a stone and so did others.

  Kalan was hiding in the restroom since the beginning of Liutein’s speech. He was hesitated about whether to leave or not. When he heard the screams, he squeezed in a corner, his uniform transforming into an armor suit. After a long while, he finally crept out of the restroom. When he saw soldiers carrying unconscious Glycans out of the hall, he quickly shrunk back to the restroom. It was exactly what he worried. He took a deep breath, but only found himself trembling like a leaf in the wind.

  After several minutes, he heard some Glycans talking outside. He swiftly removed a vent cover and climbed into the vent shaft. He couldn’t go any further into it, because the sensors were right in front of him. He curled up to fit in and put the cover back.

  Six Glycan soldiers entered the restroom and scoured every corner. Kalan recognized one of them. It was Lreque, an aide to Liutein.

  “They finally made the move.” Kalan murmured to himself.

  After they left, Kalan suddenly realized that the royal family wouldn’t stopped until they got everyone of the family K. He called Klaycon using his badge.

  “Hi Dad.”

  “Klaycon, listen to me carefully. We have a grave situation here. The royal family attacked us in the hall and they captured everyone. I barely escaped. Now, they will come after you. You understand what I am saying.”