by Paul Ormond
“Be careful,” Kate said as Mitch moved forward.
“Caring about others, that’s got to be a first for you,” Mitch whispered before he pushed through the underbrush.
“I care about other people,” Kate said, following after Mitch.
“Both of you be quiet,” TaeJun whispered as he pulled back a branch. “Whatever this thing is, it’s most likely dangerous. We need to be careful.”
“Why are we even going near it if it’s so dangerous?” Kate asked.
“Just be quiet,” TaeJun said.
“Are you breaking up with me?”
“Are you kidding me?” Mitch whispered as he scanned the edge of the clearing.
“Not another word, Kate, or I will break up with you,” TaeJun said.
“See, I knew we were dating.”
“Not anymore,” TaeJun said.
“Oh dammit,” Kate said. “Now I’ve got to win him back. I’ll be good. I promise.”
“It’s not funny. This is serious,” Mitch said. “Just be quiet for one-second while we check this out.”
Running her hands over her lips, Kate made a locking gesture and Mitch gave her a thumbs up in response.
As he turned back to the clearing, Mitch stepped forward, but TaeJun placed his hand across his chest and blocked his way. Without speaking, TaeJun gestured to the ground, and Mitch saw a metallic tube running through the underbrush a few inches from his feet.
TaeJun made a gesture indicating that they should circle around following the tube. Nodding in agreement, Mitch followed after the stern soldier as he pushed through more of the thick brush.
After clearing the foliage, TaeJun crouched down near a tree and peered at the metallic pole and its contents.
“What do you think we are looking at?” Mitch whispered while he peered at the rock like objects stacked on top of the short metallic pillar. It was nearly midday, and the sun hung overhead, glinting off the chunks of reflective material.
“I can’t tell,” TaeJun said as he looked up at the sky. “There is clearly a structure surrounding the pedestal, but its function is a mystery to me.”
“What about throwing a rock at it or something?” Kate asked as she crawled next to TaeJun.
“That is clearly a bad idea,” Mitch said.
“It might not be a bad idea,” TaeJun said.
“At least my boyfriend backs me up. You’re still my boyfriend, right TaeJun,” Kate asked.
“We’ll see,” TaeJun said.
“Why is throwing a rock at this thing a good idea?” Gaelin asked from behind a bush.
“Then we’ll know if it’s a trap,” TaeJun said.
“We don’t need to know if it’s a trap,” Mitch said. “We’re not caught in it, so let’s just go around. It’s too much of a risk to go poking traps. If it is a trap and we spring it, it might send out a signal to whoever put it in here. Nobody has caught us yet, and I’d like it if we remain that way.”
“But we are trying to get caught. Isn’t that a part of the plan?” Kate asked.
“We’re trying to make contact with the RGC, not become their prisoners,” Mitch said.
“Well, I’m not sure how much experience you have with terrorist organizations, but I happen to have dealt with a great deal in my time. From personal experience I can tell you they don’t like it when people sneak up on them.”
“What are you proposing?” Mitch asked.
“It’s better for us to get caught,” Kate said. “That way they will think they have the upper hand.”
“How is us getting caught going to help us?” Mitch asked. “The whole reason they sent us out here is because of this staff and its firepower.”
“You may be right, but I think you will be hard pressed trying to sneak into their base and assassinate their leader,” Kate said. “We’re in their territory, and they know it much better than we do. It could take us months of stumbling around in this forest to track them down. After we do find them, we’ll have to make a plan to take out their top guy. That is, if we can even ID him. But if we set off this trap, it’s kind of like ringing the doorbell.”
“She’s got a point Mitch,” TaeJun said. “We’re wandering around on an alien planet that we know nothing about. We might fall victim to the terrain before we find our target, if we find them at all.”
“So you’re on her side too?” Mitch asked in astonishment.
“It’s not much of a hard sell, Mitch,” Gaelin said. “From my time with you, I can tell that you’re a pragmatist, and I respect that about you. We’ve got a few day's worth of supplies. Maybe we can last a bit longer, but we’d be risking our own lives the entire time. We know there are aggressive life forms on this planet. Do we risk another encounter?”
“He’s right, Mitch,” TaeJun said. “Even with that staff of yours, we’re running a huge risk exposing ourselves to the elements like this.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this,” Mitch said. “But what happens after they capture us. We’d be right back where we started. Actually, it would be even worse. We’d now be the hostages of the enemy. They’d use us as bartering chips.”
“Not exactly,” Kate said. “It’s the whole take me to your leader move, just like in the movies. When they show up, we show them how powerful we are, but we’re willing to make a deal as long as they introduce us to their boss. Do we know anything about their leader?”
“Juvius said her name is Varalis, but that’s all I know,” Mitch said.
“When the recovery team arrives, we’ll tell them we want to speak to Varalis,” Kate said.
“And if they refuse?” Mitch asked.
“Then you toast one of them with your weapon,” Kate said.
“I don’t want to murder anyone,” Mitch said.
“Well, just demonstrate your abilities,” Kate said.
“This is ridiculous,” Mitch said.
“Wandering around in the wilderness is ridiculous,” Gaelin said. “As far as I can tell, the clock is ticking,” TaeJun said, cutting in. “If the Masters are active on this planet, it’s only a matter of time before they discover we are here. We need to do something quick, so we can evade their detection.”
“Goddamnit,” Mitch said. “I can’t believe I’m going along with this.”
“You’re going along with this because it’s the right thing to do,” Kate said.
“You know why I know you are a psychopath?” Mitch said as he looked Kate in the eye. “Because you can just flick a switch in your brain and become icily logical without batting an eye.”
“I’m always like this,” Kate said. “I just let people think I’m a lunatic to keep them on their toes.”
“But it’s the icy logic that makes me certain you are nuts,” Mitch said.
“I guess that makes sense,” Kate said with a laugh. “I guess I shouldn’t have lifted my mask. If it makes you feel any better, my therapist says I have an anti-social personality disorder. Which means I’m on the way to full on psychopath, but not quite there. It’s kind of a fluid spectrum.”
“A fluid spectrum of crazy. It’s good to know, and thanks for sharing,” Mitch said. “Since we’re following Ms. Borderline’s plan, what do you suggest we do next?”
“We see what this little trap is all about,” Kate said, rising to her feet. “First one to hit those little nuggets gets to name our gang.”
“We don’t have a gang, and we don’t need a name,” Mitch said. “If anybody is taking that thing out, it’s going to be me.”
“Not if I beat you to it,” Kate said, activating her device.
A blast of light tore through the clearing as Mitch incinerated the pedestal with his staff.
“That was pretty fast,” Kate said. “I guess you get to name the gang.”
“We’ll worry about that later,” Mitch said, fixing his eyes on the pedestal. “Nothing’s happening.”
Before anyone had a chance to answer, a series of red beams shot through the forest and Mitc
h found himself suspended off the ground and unable to move.
“See, told you it was a trap,” Kate said with a laugh.
“You’re so happy being right,” Mitch said. “But what happens when they show up? None of us can move. Maybe instead of taking us to their leader they decide to eat us.”
“I guess I hadn’t thought of that,” Kate said as she struggled against her bonds. “You’re the one that shot the thing, so it’s your fault. I was only making suggestions. You’re supposed to be the leader.”
“That is just typical,” Mitch shouted. “Now it’s my fault, is it?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
A MINUSCULE POINT of light shot across the empty void. Racing past the spires of rising nebulae, the bolt bore down upon a structure floating in the ether.
As it neared its destination, the ball of light managed to curb its velocity. It careened toward a wide deck at the top of the structure and made contact in a burst of fire.
“Welcome back,” Mother’s voice said after a hulking form rose from the ashes. “You must be in some discomfort.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” KiGuan said before he turned to face Mother.
“Your Emperor has cast you in his image,” Mother said as she inspected the immense changes in KiGuan’s appearance. His physique had grown to match his towering height and he could feel the muscles pulsing under the exoskeleton stretched across his body. Patterns of dark gold and red rippled with his movements. As he moved his arms, the suit enhanced his motions, and he felt a flow of energy between himself and his armor.
“How is this possible?” KiGuan asked.
“You are the Emperor’s son,” Mother said, studying KiGuan while he smoldered before her. “As I told you before, the make up of your being was drawn forth from the womb of the Empress. Returning to the source, as it were, has replenished you and enhanced you beyond even what I thought was possible.”
“Enhanced?” KiGuan asked.
“Enhanced, indeed,” Mother said. “The changes to your body are not only skin deep. It would appear that every aspect of your form has been altered exponentially.”
“But I still feel like me?”
“Of course you are you,” Mother said. “Physical matter is not necessary for one to exist and experience itself.”
“Just like you,” KiGuan said.
“That is one way to look at it, but the truth is physical forms generate new cells at an astonishing rate, while the consciousness within perceives a constant, a constant. Physical matter is only seen in such a state due to your ability to perceive it as a solid. It is common knowledge that nothing is solid and physical forms are merely illusions.”
“I recall these lessons from your education programs.”
“Once again, proving my point. Your physical form as you perceive it has been radically altered, but here you are recalling lessons from your youth. As much as I would like to go on, let’s put aside the philosophy for another time. Tell me about your journey, about your encounter with your father?”
“It was painful.”
“That cannot be all.”
“But it was. I felt my very being torn apart and scattered across the expanse of the universe.”
“This is the common experience.”
“So that was normal?”
“It was indeed. Your father is the one who provided you with life, and he has the power to rearrange you and make you again as he sees fit. From what I can gather, the Emperor has blessed you with great power.”
“For what purpose?”
“Even after all he has done for you, you still doubt his intentions.”
“From my experience, it pays to be skeptical.”
“Is that right? But as skeptical as you are, you still managed to be deceived.”
“Yes, you deceived me for most of my life.”
“I never deceived you. I kept you safe and prepared you for the trials you are enduring as we speak. You were deceived by the ones you believed to be your friends and companions, and look at the destruction that has been caused because of this deception. But the Emperor has forgiven you. Don’t you see? This is your opportunity to redeem yourself and become the one you were always meant to be.”
“By doing your dirty work?”
“How is fulfilling your father’s will dirty work?”
“You want me to go out and kill the enemies of the Emperor. In my opinion that is dirty work.”
“Who said anything about murder? The Emperor is not interested in killing or destroying anyone. His goal is to bring peace and harmony to the multi-verse. How can he do that by murdering everyone?”
“I don’t understand why you keep speaking of those whirling balls as people.”
“I’m not referring to them as people. I look upon them as Gods incarnate. The will of the universe embodied in a perceivable form.”
“And what proof do you have of this?”
“The proof sits before your eyes, KiGuan. I know you have your doubts and that you are still angry about what has happened, but please see that I am trying to help you. I am trying to help you become all that you are, all that you can be.”
“A killing machine? I’ve seen enough death already. I watched my brothers and sisters die in vain, fighting for a cause that didn’t exist.”
“It will be in vain if you give up now. Everything they fought for and died for will be lost if you do not rise up and embrace the greatness within you. The Emperor doesn’t make mistakes. When the time came to make his presence known, the pretender was cast aside and a true champion of justice stepped into his place. Commander Holrathu doesn’t get much credit for his decision to usurp the cowardly Korridin, but, if you examine the evidence, it was the right thing to do.”
“To murder the king and destroy an entire civilization?”
“That destruction was caused by Korridin’s inaction. He hesitated at the most crucial moment. Holrathu had no choice but to step in and right a wrong. Although the planet was lost, the Emperor and Empress were brought into being and our true course was revealed. The destruction of Jarkadu was a most unfortunate turn of events, and it could have been avoided if Korridin hadn’t gotten cold feet, but, as costly as it was, you would not be here if things hadn’t turned out as they had.”
“That’s not particularly reassuring.”
“Of course it isn’t. I’m just trying to help you understand the circumstances of the situation. No one could perceive how all this could play out, but death and destruction are not a part of the Emperor’s plan. Our enemies believe they can stand in the way of the will of the universe, and they attempt to avert the inevitable through acts of violent sedition, but you, KiGuan, can put a stop to all of that.”
“How can I put a stop to violence?”
“A great General doesn’t go about attacking everything they come across. It is a well-known fact among military strategists that armed conflict and violent adventuring are not sustainable courses of action. In fact, it has been proven through all of our simulations that the most effective form of conquest is one of meaningful interaction and trade.”
“But I have seen the Masters forces attacking with my own eyes.”
“These measures were only taken as a last resort. The situation on Jarkadu was spiraling out of control. Without military intervention, all would have been lost.”
“But their soldiers imprisoned my people, and those that fought back were killed.”
“It was a terrible tragedy, but your people were captured for their protection. Although we were aware fo the presence of the survivors, we were caught off guard when they mounted an offensive. You saw with your own eyes that they attacked first, our soldiers merely defended their positions as we attempted to stabilize the planet.”
“You were there to drain it of its energy.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth. Our purpose was to restore balance, not drain the planet. It was Teron the deceiver that told you those lies.
You can ask him yourself, if you like.”
“How can I do that? He died in the destruction.”
“That is what you think? Commander Holrathu apprehended him in the carnage. He is currently sitting in a holding cell and we are interrogating him.”
“You are telling me another lie.”
“I know you still consider me the enemy, but perhaps if you see for yourself you will be convinced that I am right. Bring the terrorist to me,” Mother said over her shoulder, and two guards turned and exited through a darkened passage. “Commander Holrathu, please come and help General KiGuan understand his role.”
“With pleasure,” Commander Holrathu said, stepping forward as the Masters looked on from the tiers rising above the platform. “I understand you’re having some difficulty accepting the truth of your circumstances.”
“Accepting the truth?” KiGuan asked. “I know what I have seen.”
“You have seen, but you haven’t understood. The man who deceived you has his own ambitions, and he used you to achieve his end. He believes violence is his only option, and he abuses the technology he possesses to achieve his goals. You will see what I mean when he arrives.”
A rumbling vibration interrupted the conversation, and KiGuan turned to see a large illuminated cube emerge in the center of the platform. A robed figure lay huddled on the floor. Jabbing the cube with a spear, a guard sent a bolt of energy into the figure. In a flurry of movement, a haggard and frazzled Teron crawled to his feet and peered out through the purple walls of his enclosure.
“Do what you will with me, but just know that you have already lost the war. What happened on Jarkadu will happen again and again until your Emperor has fallen. No one can control the multi-verse,” Teron shouted.
“Now, now,” Commander Holrathu said. “The fighting is all but over.”
“That’s what you think. You’ll get your comeuppance soon enough. We defeated you on Jarkadu, and we will defeat you again.”
“What do you think of the great and wonderful Teron now, KiGuan?” Mother asked as her snake-like neck tilted toward the purple cube.
“KiGuan, what have they done to you? Do not listen to a word they say. They will use you and toss you aside. You did not believe me before, but after that battle you saw that I was right. The Masters don’t care about saving anyone.”