Universe in Flames 3: Destination Oblivion

by Christian Kallias

  But there was no boom, no crash, and no pain. She dared open her eyes and she was standing on the surface of this world. This planet that seemed not to exist just a minute ago. Strong winds sent dark, red sand into her face. It was so coarse, and the wind so wild, it produced hundreds of small cuts on the surface of her skin.

  Two shadows argued in the distance, but she couldn’t hear what they were saying over the unpleasant and overbearing sound of the terrible winds. It sounded as if the entire planet was wailing in pain, the sound hurting Aphroditis’ ears and making her soul crawl into a deep, dark hole within herself, too afraid to face the agony, pain and fear the sound’s vibrations were emitting all around.

  She tried blocking the sound by putting her hands on her ears, but it had no effect. It came from within and all around her at the same time. Her entire sensory system was overloaded.

  Trying to figure out what the two shadows were saying, she took a few steps forward, but it required a tremendous amount of effort. The gravity was so intense—at least three times stronger than on her home planet of Olympus.

  When she was about fifteen feet from the two arguing shadows she started to discern their vocal exchange. However, the wailing wind did not allow her to understand the words that were being said. Only the tone of the argument. It was very heated. One of the shadows had a familiar shape and when it glanced at her his eyes flashed red. Then it all went to hell. The shadows started fighting each other and everything around them was destroyed. The ground cracked, stones and sand flew everywhere and each blow they struck, whether successful or blocked, resulted in increasingly powerful shockwaves that pushed Aphroditis farther from the scene. She heard her voice being called in the distance, but barely.

  “Aphroditis! Aphroditis!”

  But then one of the shadows approached her at tremendous speed. He crashed next to where she was standing. At this point she couldn’t move. She felt as if she had been turned into a statue. Only her sight, sense of smell, touch and hearing remained. Her pain receptors didn’t work anymore; or her sensory input had been overloaded and numbed by the harsh conditions and cutting winds. The shadow struggled to his feet painfully, but not before spitting dark blood onto the sand-ridden ground.

  He turned and looked straight into her eyes. His eyes flashed at her, emitting a crimson light that colored her entire vision and frightened her to the core.

  “I’m coming for you next. You will pay for what you’ve done!”

  He made a fist and prepared to launch a terrible blow at her. A crimson red aura danced around him, with crackling, bright-red lightning bolts. The instant the shadow’s fist hit her face, everything changed.

  Her view shattered, as if the images before her eyes were made of glass, and revealed an image of Chase, shaking her body. It took a little while to regain her bearings.

  “Are you alright? What happened?”

  “I’m not sure. A vision perhaps, but this one felt so different; so real and terrifying at the same time. I thought I was there.”

  “Where? Where have you been?”

  “I think on the same planet I saw in my previous vision. A horrible, barren and hostile world.”

  “Do you know what planet this is?”

  “No, I’ve never seen a world like this. It was like a pure nightmare.”

  “Calm down, Aphroditis, it wasn’t real.”

  “It felt real. Whatever we’re doing at the moment, I’m afraid it will bring us there.”

  “Are you changing your mind?”

  “No, I told you I would help you save Sarah and I keep my promises.”

  “And I will keep mine.”

  “I know, Chase. I just hope you’ll find the strength to fight what’s coming next. I feel . . . I have that deep, dark, black hole sensation in my stomach, as if all we’ve done until now was nothing. That the real trial, the real darkness, is yet to manifest itself.”

  Chase pondered these words. If that was true, if Obsidian, Zarlacks and Argos were just the beginning and something even worse was on its way . . . The reality of this was simply too much to bear. Chase’s mind couldn’t comprehend it.

  “I sure hope you’re exaggerating a little,” was all he could say in response.

  She shook her head solemnly from side to side as an answer.

  CHAPTER

  XVI

  Fillio entered the bridge of the Destiny and went to see the commodore.

  “Commander Steriopoulou, where’s the rest of the group?”

  “They went to take a quick shower and dress for dinner. We’re still on, right?”

  “Yeah. In fact, after the day I’ve had, I think we’ll go straight to it. We’ll debrief tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I heard Chase put an entire security force out of commission.”

  “Yeah, in less than a second; but I don’t think he hurt them so much.”

  “That’s not what the admiral said, but I’m sure they’ll live.”

  “I don’t think it was wise to send them. It would have been better to try and talk to him.”

  “I agree. That wasn’t my order. Anyway, Admiral Thassos is really losing patience with Chase’s antics. I can’t say I blame her.”

  “I understand, sir, but under the circumstances, can we really blame him? Do you know about Sarah?”

  “I heard, yes. Between you and me, I really hope he manages to save her. Ever since he left us things haven’t gone so well. It looked like it did for a while. In fact, we dropped our guard a little too soon. We were winning most of our engagements with the Zarlack forces and . . .”

  “I know, sir. There was nothing we could have done. They killed hundreds if not thousands of their own, sacrificing their ships to take out three of our cities.”

  “How can Argos have them do this? I mean, who in their right mind obeys such orders?”

  “Perhaps it wasn’t an order; more like a command.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We know Argos used mind control on Sarah; at least on her clone. And she’s one tough nugget. So perhaps the Zarlacks’ brains are more prone to being controlled by their masters.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that; that would indeed explain their actions.”

  “Yes it would.”

  “Alright. I guess I should also go and dress. Walk with me?”

  “Mind if I stay on the bridge a while?”

  “Sure, but won’t you need to change as well? Or do you intend to come to dinner in your flight suit?”

  “Nah, I’ll change too, Commodore. Just want to rest a little. Like you said before: long day.”

  “Here.” The commodore, offered his captain’s chair as he got up. “The bridge is yours, Commander.”

  “Thanks, Commodore, see you shortly.”

  Saroudis left the bridge and Fillio lost no time accessing the doors of the reserve quadrinium chambers.

  Daniel, you’re up.

  * * *

  Daniel and Tar’Lock were waiting by engineering.

  “How do we deal with the people inside?”

  “Non-lethal only.”

  “Yeah, thanks. Like I was going to start shooting. And about that: I don’t like guns in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  “Right. Will you be fast enough to immobilize five or six crewmen before any of them can raise an alarm? I’d really prefer that the commodore didn’t realize we took quadrinium from his ship until we’re long gone.”

  “Shouldn’t be a problem. What are we waiting for exactly?”

  “Fillio will send me a signal when she’s managed to unlock the reserve quadrinium chambers inside engineering. This can only be done from the bridge. That will be our cue.”

  “Am I reading it wrong or are you attracted to her?”

  “Who? Fillio?”

  “Yes, and it’s none of my business. Just thought I felt a vibe.”

  “She’s a good pilot, true.”

  “Not what I asked.”

  “
Alright, she’s very cute and perhaps I like her. What is it to you?”

  “Nothing, just making conversation.”

  “Right. What about you and Ryonna?”

  “What about it?”

  “You also seem close.”

  “Not that kind of close.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Look, I’m an insectoid about half her size. How would that work exactly?”

  “Love knows no borders, man. All I’m saying.”

  Tar’Lock clicked something in frustration.

  “Whatever you say,” said Daniel with a smirk.

  “About Fillio,” added Tar’Lock.

  “Yeah?”

  “I think she likes you too.”

  “You think?”

  But then the conversation was interrupted by a quick, tri-tone alarm coming from Daniel’s wrist.

  “Show time. Follow my lead.”

  Daniel entered engineering with his hands behind his back. He counted three engineers on the left side of the room and one on the right. He indicated the number of people on each side with his fingers. They looked at him puzzled, and one of them approached him.

  “What can we do for you, Commander?”

  “Nothing. I was just stretching my legs. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at a—” Before he could finish his sentence the man felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck.

  Daniel barely saw a brief series of flashes in front of his eyes, and every crew member in engineering fell to the ground unconscious.

  “Wow, you’re even faster than I remembered.”

  “Thanks, but I suggest we move fast.”

  “Right.”

  Daniel went directly for the reserve quadrinium chambers behind the engine room, grabbed some protective gloves nearby, took a few pounds of the dark, blue-purple crystal and filled a bag he took out of his jacket.

  “Will that be enough?” asked Tar’Lock.

  “Yes, quadrinium is incredibly dense. This is plenty already. Quick, take this back to the ship.” Daniel handed the bag to Tar’Lock.

  “Sure thing.” Tar’Lock disappeared, the sheer rate of his acceleration blasting Daniel’s hair about for an instant.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.”

  Daniel looked around, making sure the crewmen were still unconscious, and then left engineering in a hurry.

  * * *

  When Daniel boarded the Valken, he called Fillio. “Are you in position?”

  “Yes, I’m aboard a StarFury, ready to launch.”

  “Good. We’re good to go. See you outside. Land on the Valken upon launching, and let’s get out of here.”

  “Roger that. Did everything go smoothly?”

  Daniel heard the familiar sound of a wailing alert just as Keera was lifting the ship off the ground.”

  “Yeah, just in the nick of time. Launch now!”

  “Launching. See you soon.”

  The Valken exited the cargo bay, and soon Fillio’s StarFury landed on board. The ship was hailed.

  Keera looked at Daniel. “Wanna answer that call?”

  “How soon until we can jump?”

  “We can jump any time, but does the Destiny have a tractor beam?”

  “It does, and a powerful one at that. Punch the engines to the maximum and tell me when we’re out of range.”

  “In 3 . . . 2 . . . 1.”

  “Let me hear it.”

  Keera keyed a command and a furious Saroudis appeared on the holo-display.

  “Commander! What is this? Why did one of my StarFuries leave my ship without my permission, and what happened in engineering?”

  “Sorry, Commodore, looks like we’ll be late for dinner.”

  “This ain’t funny! Come back aboard Destiny at once. This is a direct order!”

  “I can’t obey that order. We’re going after Chase.”

  “No you’re not!”

  Daniel cut the communication short and signaled Keera.

  The Valken jumped into hyperspace.

  * * *

  After making sure Aphroditis was feeling better, Chase went to the mess hall and ate until full, which took him a few hours. Pizza, Chinese food—he spared none of his favorite dishes. He really had been famished and had no doubt that this was because of the previous fight. He had spent a lot of his power.

  Finally, when he couldn’t take another bite for fear of throwing up, he left the mess hall and returned to the bridge.

  “What’s with your friend?” asked Argos.

  “None of your business.”

  “Right. The sooner we get this over with the better. You’re not fun to be around.”

  “Did you really expect me to be?”

  “Guess not, but it is weirder for me than for you. I’ve known you since birth.”

  “I really wonder what compelled you to wipe my memory, and what gave you the right.”

  “I’m not gonna go there, as I said before, but believe me, it was either that or kill you.”

  “You would have tried, perhaps.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself, just because you seem to manage your power better and to become stronger than me under a specific set of circumstances now. You were never half the fighter I was. Back then you couldn’t use your energy very well.”

  “Or so you say. Since I have no memories, I can’t really trust anything you tell me.”

  “Whatever. This family reunion is only temporary.”

  “That’s right. After we part ways, you’d better pray we don’t ever meet again for your sake.”

  “It won’t matter then.”

  Chase didn’t like that one bit. It was clear that whatever Argos was after was important enough that he didn’t care if Chase came back for him afterwards. He really wished he knew what that was all about.

  “Can you reverse what you’ve done to me?”

  “What? You mean give you your memories back?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hmmm. I’ve never tried that before. Perhaps, but I’m not sure.”

  “Would you?”

  “I don’t think that would make any sense to you now. Your life is different. Plus I don’t owe you this. I only owe you your precious Sarah.”

  “Don’t you forget that!”

  “Has no one ever told you how annoyingly repetitive you can be sometimes?”

  Chase didn’t answer.

  Argos passed his finger across his scar.

  “It’s not the first time I’ve seen you do that,” said Chase. “What’s with that scar? We can heal any wound. Why do you still have it?”

  “It’s a reminder, a parting gift from you, in fact. I decided not to heal it as a reminder of the day our paths diverged forever.”

  “I see. I’d say sorry for the scar, but somehow I get the feeling it was deserved.”

  “From your point of view at the time, I have no doubt you thought so. You were trying to kill me after all.”

  “Wish I had succeeded.”

  Argos eyes glowed red, his temper clearly being tested.

  “Now is not the time, Argos. We’ll have plenty of time to settle this one day. Soon.”

  “Looking forward to it.”

  “Somehow I doubt that, but I certainly am.”

  “You should get some rest, Laiyos. We are still quite far from our destination and I need you in top form for what’s coming next. I can sense you haven’t recovered fully from our last battle. You need to recharge.”

  “The ship doesn’t need you. It’s flying itself. You haven’t recovered fully either, so I suggest you do the same.”

  Argos exhaled deeply and had to refrain from smiling.

  “I will. For once we can agree on something.”

  CHAPTER

  XVII

  Chase stood somewhere on Earth. The breathtaking view of the tall mountains all around and the fresh air made him feel at peace. Birds chirped nearby; wild animals ran all around him. This was incredibly relaxing.
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  Ares sat next to him.

  “Earth sure is a beautiful planet,” Chase observed,

  “Yes. That it sure is.”

  “What can I do for you, Ares?”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt this moment, but you should look up.” Ares pointed towards the sky.

  Chase looked up and saw four points of light approaching from the distance. A feeling of dread built in him. “They look like meteors.”

  “Except they’re not. They come for you. They come to claim this world.”

  “Who are they?”

  “We’ll know soon enough, won’t we?”

  As they approached, Chase could see the sunlight reflecting on their chrome alloy. They weren’t large; they were barely bigger than escape pods. But their impact created large craters.

  Chase jumped into the air and hovered for a second before flying towards the nearest impact zone. He landed inside one of the gigantic craters.

  Upon close inspection, the metal box looked like a pod. It made a noise and its door opened. Thin smoke escaped and quickly dissipated into the air.

  “Who’s there?” inquired Chase.

  A hand grabbed the side of the opening and a tall man emerged from the pod. He looked human, but was wearing a shiny, purple armor that covered his trunk, arms and legs, but not his shoulders. It gleamed in the sunlight.

  Chase didn’t know if it was the reflection of the sun on the armor or something else, but he could barely make out the details of the man’s face—only two bright, red eyes that reminded him of Argos.

  Before he could say anything, three other shadows, wearing the same attire, landed next to the man who had just exited the pod. The ground shook.

  They all looked the same, but Chase simply couldn’t make out their faces.

  “Who are you? What do you want?”

  There was no answer, only red, glowing eyes staring back at him.

  Then more and more of these shadows appeared. At first twenty surrounded him, but soon there were hundreds, all staring at him.