DreamStar: In Delphi - Duty Meets Destiny (The Delphi Countdown Trilogy Book 2)

by JB Penrose

  It was Donnally who first identified the Spokesmon when she toured the Aurora just before Christmas. His intuition was right, again; Rachel Bolton was the Spokesmon. He had an uncanny knack for identifying what was not like something else – the one broken component in a machine, or, as with the Spokesmon, “Someone like I’ve never met before” he described her. And he was right, Iscar thought to himself, but she didn’t know anything!

  Delphi spent centuries preparing for the Awakening and yet, the Spokesmon didn’t have a plan. She didn’t know when it was going to be or how it was going to happen. She didn’t even know what she was supposed to do!

  Iscar could not share the excitement everyone felt in preparation for tomorrow night’s celebration, there were too many variables; too many plans that needed to be made. He needed answers to the many questions circling in his thoughts.

  Lighting dimmed on the back route to the Septorian’s quarters. The panels which generated light and energy for Delphi were never installed in his rooms. Having lived inside the mountain for centuries Iscar knew darkness could be an advantage. The cave group was so well etched in his mind there was nothing more familiar. The smells, the sounds, the dangers as well as the treasures; Iscar’s senses were perfectly attuned.

  Iscar created a small ball of light with a flick of his wrist and sent it hovering over a dark ledge. He was most comfortable in dim light. It was true that extended periods of total darkness would drive a man insane, but an immortal that was already insane would ultimately see the light, as they say.

  The gift of creating light started in a dream, taught to him by an angel. Upon waking Iscar discovered he still had the talent. Creating light was the first of many talents he discovered in his dreams and in many respects, Delphi was a dream-come-true.

  His spacious quarters were Spartan of fixtures. A hammock for sleeping, a few benches for seating, a modest kitchen and bath; that was all he needed. He had never been in the habit of acquiring things, learning early on how much a person could accumulate over an immortal lifetime.

  He stepped around a large stone in the corridor that seemingly blocked nothing, into the darkness of a small foyer lit by flashing lights of a computer console. The command station was secretly linked to every major intelligence center in the world. Civilization had come a long way in 2000 years, and even more quickly with the technology, Reider had introduced through PROBE-Tech. But, to Iscar’s mind the world was not ready to comprehend the full extent of the alien technology they brought with them from Bi’atra-4.

  Iscar programmed an RFC, Request for Contact, that would flash a notice to Donnally in the States. He sat down to wait for a response from the Flight Director at PROBE-Tech. The comfort of the Oracle’s hum was the only thing that quieted his anticipation.

  After a few minutes, he sent the RFC again. Iscar wouldn’t normally repeat the request but knowing the Aurora had launched should have meant the flight director was immediately available and he presumed, anticipating his contact. He adjusted the cyto on his arm and tapped his foot impatiently. The silence from Gabriel was as unnerving as the lack of response from Donnally. This day was unfolding with new twists and Iscar didn’t like the changes to his itinerary.

  After interminable waiting Iscar slipped into the Stream of Consciousness, searching for one or the other of his comrades. It took some focus to shut out the day’s activities, but finally the Stream ran though his mind like a golden river of Light.

  The Stream of Consciousness was a place of floating freedom where the Light revealed varying degrees of knowledge hidden within the flow of Life. Hopefully, he could find some answers about Gabriel or Donnally, and maybe even Kerroon. Traveling the Stream was one of the talents he’d developed after long periods of loneliness inside the mountain before others arrived in Delphi, and he certainly needed some answers now.

  Rachel couldn’t get Mother Star out of her mind. “Don’t you remember? Didn’t Reider give you the Words of Thunder?”

  Rachel was sure there was another connection with the old woman. She seemed to know more about herself than Iscar thought he knew. She didn’t understand how helping the Spokesmon could be considered interference? Wasn’t the purpose of Delphi to assist the Spokesmon?

  Rachel tried to quiet her thoughts and find answers to the many loose ends she was caught within, but the stillness she finally found in Delphi worked like a deafening silence; she just couldn’t concentrate. Suddenly she was lonely, and still angry that Iscar brought her to Delphi against her will - not of her timing and without Peter by her side. Although she could feel that Delphi was special, it felt like Peter belonged here, too.

  Rachel had been unprepared for the natural beauty of the city, even the small amount of it she had seen at her arrival. She recalled how the phosphorus sheen from underground minerals added colors and designs to the walls, and the display of stalactite and stalagmite columns rivaled any natural architecture she had seen. The blend of nature and technology made Delphi feel like Atlantis, but underground, not underwater.

  She looked around the quarters provided for the Spokesmon. Rachel was beginning to understand what was done for the Spokesmon in Delphi was not automatically extended to Rachel Bolton-Kerroon. Mother Star also pointed out that distinction. The Spokesmon was something she was supposed to do – it was not who she was.

  In the early years of Rachel’s immortality, a certain awareness had awakened within her psyche. Painfully, she began to sense the emotional roller coaster of friends and strangers; crowds were unbearable. But here, in Delphi Rachel sensed a peace she’d never experienced before.

  That’s it! She realized. My own thoughts! In Delphi, she’d found peace. Instantly let go of her anger about being here. It was as though her heart was smiling.

  In the maelstrom of changes going on around her, inside this mountain she felt a sense of coming home to a place she had never known before. She tried not to blame Iscar for the way he brought her here but she knew Peter did. Rachel sighed. The reality of getting Peter and Iscar together would blow the top off this mountain!

  Rachel had gone from living 1500 years without having any answers - to knowing everything in the last few days. Well, almost everything. It felt as though once she’d learned an answer to one item she found questions about another.

  She was kidnapped as a child and lived immortally alone without knowing why until she met Peter, and then her parents; all that in the past ten days!

  In the last 24 hours, she had married Peter and watched her friends and family launch in a spaceship to unknown galaxies. Now she’d been kidnapped again and brought to a civilization created and built for her over thousands of years. Rachel was back to having questions without answers.

  She didn’t know what to expect from Delphi; or what Delphi expected from her. A hidden city, a strange culture built in her name; she wondered how Iscar managed to keep this technologically advanced civilization hidden from the world.

  The world might not know of Delphi but Rachel felt compelled to explore it intimately, and she decided to start with her own quarters.

  The rooms were more like an apartment than any part of a cave. The salt-vein that ran through this range of mountains gave a beautiful amber shade to the interior. There was enough space to be comfortable and the furnishings were simple. Whenever possible they were naturally created. Nooks and crannies ranged in size from cabinets to cubbies, and the occasional wooden chest used for storage released a fresh outdoor scent.

  The door Iscar exited was the only actual door – wooden and hinged. A silver chevron nailed above the threshold. Different chevrons marked the other open doorways; single chevrons over the kitchen and library, and double chevrons marked the bath, bedroom, and a smaller private chamber. The entrance to the common room had a seven inside a triangle. She began to understand that seven totaled the rooms in her quarters but she couldn’t grasp the commonality of the other numbers.

  A bronze square hung over a small bath, a pool of steamy wate
r that looked inviting, encircled by a natural stone bench and polished stone floor. A single band of lighting on the dropped ceiling provided a dim but relaxing glow and revealed a small fountain on the wall with a waist-high basin for washing. The pleasant sound of the running fountain reverberated through the room. She breathed deep and began to remove her clothing. The climb to watch the Aurora’s launch left her feeling grimy under the clean clothes she’d chosen aboard Septor-I, and the bath would help her to relax.

  She unstrapped the cyto from Iscar and considered hiding it so he wouldn’t ask for its return; she wanted the time to explore her options. Then she removed the photo-watch from her father and wished for time to explore the memories. Finally, she took the cord from around her neck with her wedding ring, wishing for the time to be Peter’s wife.

  Grateful for the peace and silence Rachel stepped into the warm water, surprised at how much she looked forward to a long soak. The pool graduated in depth and she floated on her back, watching the ripples reflect on the polished ceiling.

  The last few days had been a frenzy. The bombing at the OneWorld Conference brought her to Peter and unveiled her identity as the daughter of Mary Mag’Dalyn and the Apostle James. She concentrated on their images and sent waves of love to both of them across the unknown distance of their separation. And she thought again, of Peter.

  Dearest Peter, I know you will find me soon. Wait until you see Delphi! I don’t know what I’m supposed to do but I know I’m supposed to be here. I also know it would be easier with you by my side.

  Iscar regenerated to the opening of a small cavern tucked away in Delphi’s peri-strata. The Seven met at a location remote enough to ensure they would never be interrupted.

  Before he joined them inside, Iscar took a moment to survey the activity below him. The city was filled with purpose. Finally, the dream had come alive. It was the right thing – bringing the Spokesmon home; Delphi was ready.

  Delphi was more than a city; it was a civilization, the ultimate definition of Utopia. Teachers, Healers, Guard. Within the choice of those three castes were smaller groups of craftsmen and shopkeepers, engineers and explorers, and more.

  Every group acted as part of a larger one and operated as a tight-knit city. There was no monetary concept; friendly competition amongst the citizens was incentive enough to produce the most innovative products.

  Each citizen strived to become apprenticed to a skilled craftsman or creative. They were schooled in as many different regions and cultures as were represented in Delphi and beyond, but they were unified in their dedication to the Spokesmon.

  Everyone in Delphi was advanced in a type of para-normal, although sometimes they didn’t know it until they arrived. From telepathy to telekinesis, Extra-Sensory-Perception (ESP) to astral projection, psi-talents of all types helped build the city from the beginning. The Oracle spoke to each of them through their dreams, and brought them to Delphi with a purpose to accomplish. It happened without Iscar’s orchestration.

  In dreams, powers of another nature could be developed. Interaction inside a dream had never happened before or since the night Gabriel stepped into Iscar’s dream. As they walked together through Delphi in Iscar’s dream, five others greeted the two of them. That night Iscar’s Seven was formed.

  Each of them had a unique talent that complimented the performance of the group. The balance of three men and three women was purely coincidental, or rather, unintentional on Iscar’s part. The group came together with the Septorian because of their talents not because of their gender.

  The twins were the strongest telepaths in Delphi. If not for their advanced training and general respect, there would be virtually no secrets in Delphi. Despite their training Iscar always took precautions to guard his private thoughts.

  Where Ariesh used astral projection to travel anywhere in the world, Tuk Doui could link together a group and create a shared bond of talents to each person. Combined talents were a boon when emergencies arrived or a situation needed additional experience.

  Dorcus had enough kinetic energy to move boulders, and coupled with a pyrotechnic ability to start a fire he made a formidable addition to the Seven.

  Shae’s empathic ability worked as a force-multiplier for the group’s talents. Coupled with her foresight to see future events or tragedies usually gave them an option to change the outcome.

  Iscar needed options tonight. He followed the crook of the stone through a remote passage and entered the small chamber that formed around them like a chimney. The open ceiling disappeared into the darkness overhead, felt by the breeze but not seen by the light.

  As soon as Iscar entered the chamber, he felt the individual presence of the group members waiting in the darkness. Iscar precipitated a blue flame of light that danced in the center of their circle and dimly outlined each of their faces. The cove was another location in Delphi not infused with technology. Standing in the light you see only within the light, but from the darkness you see everything around you. Iscar endeavored to teach them the advantage of operating in both worlds.

  A drawing etched in the smooth stone floor overlaid two opposing triangles that formed a star stretching the breadth of the cove they sat within. Someone sat at each point of the star, and that formed the circle that bound them together in their focus. Iscar normally sat in the center to direct their meditations, but today he chose Gabriel’s spot in the outer ring.

  Iscar knew Gideon already hoped to assume his brother’s position; from childhood, they were always in competition, but as adults, Iscar preferred Gabriel’s assistance. Gabriel anticipated his moves; Gideon questioned them. Given Gabriel’s desertion, Iscar thought it prudent to keep Gideon close. He had to assume Gabriel was helping Kerroon somehow; there was no other explanation for his absence in the group or his silence with his brother.

  Iscar felt their mental questions as soon as he sat down. “The Spokesmon is resting in her quarters,” he said aloud, “but we do have a problem - another Arrival. This is one we need to prevent."

  Under different circumstances, Iscar would have laughed Kerroon’s attempt to find Delphi, but with Gabriel’s help, Iscar had to wonder what could stop them.

  “Not everyone in the Aurora’s crew launched with the ship. Kerroon remains on Earth and he’s trying to find the Spokesmon.” He felt their attention heighten.

  “The mountain has protected Delphi for hundreds of centuries. What could happen now that the Spokesmon has arrived home?” Ariesh asked.

  “The mountain’s force-field might not be enough against someone like Kerroon,” Iscar explained. “We need to be fully prepared. For anything.”

  “Should I alert the guard?” Dorcus asked.

  His personal aggressiveness enhanced his telekinetic abilities. There was no other Iscar trusted more to protect Delphi.

  “This is different,” Iscar told them. “An entire army wouldn’t be effective against Kerroon; he’d find a way in somehow. At the moment, we need to know what he’s up to.”

  Immediately the Seven sensed his intent and their thoughts focused on the Stream, ready for his direction after years of practice and application. Iscar took a deep breath and mentally drew them together.

  As a group, he hoped they would find the answers that had eluded his own search. He waited until their abilities reached maximum focus before linking with the Stream. The Seven needed union and accuracy if their action was going to be effective; they had to act as One.

  When they were all poised for action, he recalled Kerroon’s image in his mind. They mentally followed it into the Stream and again, the stillness flashed to light.

  There was an eternity of blindness before it focused into shapes, but in reality, the change happened in an instant.

  A bright light surrounded Peter, golden-white and growing larger. It was different FROM the blue-flame projected by Iscar.

  Kerroon was poised to climb into the hoverjet on the tarmack.

  Iscar saw his old crewmate stop mid-step and
look over his shoulder. The expression on his face was of immediate recognition.

  “Iscar!” Kerroon moved toward him with incredible speed.

  “No! It’s the Stream!” Immediately, Gabriel was in the scene. “Gideon! Stop!”

  Then an image of Kerroon holding the oracle in his hands was all they could see.

  Iscar quickly severed the cosmic connection. It felt like jumping naked into freezing water and the Seven were left gasping for breath. Iscar took an extra moment to compose himself. He’d been stupid; of course Kerroon would sense Iscar’s presence through the roleau.

  “Well, that was Kerroon,” he said dryly.

  “But Septorian, how did he see you?”

  Gideon asked the one question Iscar hoped to avoid and he lied to protect his secret. “His connection was from Gabriel to you,” Iscar said. “I should have thought of that.”

  “But we weren’t connected,” Gideon sulked. “I mean, not like – brothers.”

  Their shared talents brought them closer; now, it lay in question between them. Iscar shook his head. “We have to assume Gabriel has developed the ability to shield against your reach. He certainly recognized you. Ariesh, did you get a reading on where they were at?”

  “Somewhere in the States. East coast.” Ariesh’s location-talent enhanced her detailed study of every conceivable map and her photographic memory. “It felt like PROBE-Tech’s coordinates.”

  For a fleeting moment, Iscar wondered if Gabriel had exposed the connection to Donnally. Kerroon’s interference might be the reason the flight director hadn’t returned his communication. Iscar tried not to imagine the worst-case scenario.

  “Why would Gabriel want us to stop?” There was a hint of fear in Gideon’s voice. “What was he doing with Kerroon?”