Matakeo: Echoes of the Future

by Daniel L. Newcomb

  Darius discerned the younger one to be under ten years old. The red ball cap made him look like a little leaguer. Having been through the training, he knew a Matakeo had to be at least ten years of age before they were allowed to carry their own echo blade. This youngster had a holster fastened to the belt around his waist. Tucked away in the alien leather was a standard issue LTT 220 Repeater. He was positively sure the young pup knew how to use it effectively.

  Darius stepped up to their post. His thoughts focused upon the beauty and courage of youthfulness. Seeing these boys made him think about himself at that age.

  “Greetings, I am….” He was abruptly cut off.

  “I know who you are,” the oldest spoke. “You are Darius Talek.”

  “You are proficient in your duties, young Matakeo.”

  “Is it true what they say about you?” The red-capped boy raised an eyebrow.

  “What is it they say about me?” Darius inquired.

  “The brethren say you are a heretic. Is this true?”

  “Let me ask you a question. You do not have to answer out loud. Just think about it. Okay?”

  The boy acknowledged him by nodding his head up and down.

  “Was Adrian Smithton a heretic in the eyes of the Global Church back on Earth?”

  The youngster started to open his mouth. Darius quickly placed a finger over his own lips in a gesture to the lad telling him to be quiet.

  “Just think about it.”

  Then Darius looked at the older cadet and asked him a question. “Why was he considered a heretic? Please answer aloud for your partner to hear.”

  The boy answered half heartily. “Because he spoke the truth when it was not convenient.”

  Darius smiled. “Can I be let in now? I need to see the High Priest.”

  The older boy nodded to his junior. In return, the cadet pushed a button on a console.

  “Darius Talek is here to see Abdominous.” They waited for a reply.

  “You know they will not let you in, right?” The older boy said with a smug grin. Not another word was spoken between the three of them. They stared at each other for two minutes.

  “The High Priest will see him.” The response sounded like an automated reply.

  The senior guard nodded his head toward his junior, who in turn deactivated the force field protecting the entrance. An opening appeared in the wall. Darius stepped past the boys.

  Darius passed through the archway of the cathedral. He felt small and insignificant as he stood inside the sanctuary. A year and a half away from the church allowed him to forget how massive in size and splendor it truly was. A few more steps and he could see the fine veins in the marble pillar that was before him. Black fishers separated the polished, white stone. All of these beautiful pillars were fourteen feet in diameter. They towered up to the ceiling at an amazing fifty feet in height.

  Ten uniform rows of forty-two pews stretched the depths of the cathedral on its main level. Six rows of ten pews were situated within the upper terrace. They were made from Flocculent wood, a native tree from Trestle. On the east wall hung many tapestries. They varied in their content. Some were paintings of famous locations back on Earth. Others portrayed biblical events. Shadows were cast upon the floor as sunlight streamed through the windows on the west wall. Tall statues were positioned on the floor by the west wall. They varied in height, ranging from fourteen to sixteen feet in stature. As for their features, they were close replicas of whom they were crafted after. They represented important heroes who helped establish the Giefan Cluster. Some were colonists and scientists. Some were militants. Others were religious icons. The countenance displayed by each was as if they were keeping a watchful eye over the congregation. There was one thing they all had in common. All but one of them was made from the finest silver and bronze.

  Standing by itself was one specially crafted from the purest gold. This statue represented the one whose name always came up when Giefans talked history. He was considered one of the greatest prophets to mankind. It was none other than Adrian Smithton.

  The accurate likeness is uncanny. In the icon’s left hand was a copy of the Holy Bible. The angle in which he held the book gave the appearance of him yielding a sword for battle. His right arm extended into the air in dramatic fashion, as if reaching straight into Heaven itself.

  Back in the day, Smithton had been exalted by millions of Christians as a great man of God. Without question, most of the original settlers believed he was called by their god to be a prophet.

  Many idolized him and tried to duplicate his success, only to fail. Darius believed many people thought more about the man than the god who called the man. From what he learned about Smithton, he believed Adrian would have rejected man's attempt to elevate him above anything higher than a servant and would have been opposed to the erecting of his statue.

  Meanwhile, as Darius was admiring the overall beauty of the sanctuary, the High Priest had made his way to where he was standing.

  “Such a marvelous jewel, is it not?”

  “Not as precious as the man’s soul.” Darius replied.

  “Come now, Mister Talek. Have you never taken the time to really absorb the majesty of this cathedral we have constructed?”

  Darius knew the priest had addressed him in such a manner to belittle him. He was quick to reply.

  “Let’s see if I can quote this right?” he said. “'Why did they build these colossals, the cathedrals? It was to deposit, in safety, they believed, the imperceptible egg, that seed which requires so much care; taste, the atom of pure blood which the centuries have transmitted to us, and which, in our turn, we should transmit.'”

  “Nice. You did well to quote Auguste Rodin.” Abdominous extended his right hand out from underneath his robe in a gesture to shake hands.

  Darius looked at the hand but refused to offer his own. He stared coldly into the priest’s eyes and snarled his lip.

  “I have heard about Catharsis.”

  The priest tilted his head and smirked before he retracted his greeting.

  “Follow me. I have something to show you.”

  Abdominous led him forward into the church.

  Darius followed close behind. The priest was so pompous in his holy wardrobe, yet so vile. Just like a wild animal, Darius mused.

  They entered in where only the priests were allowed. The restricted area was where their holy relic was kept; the resting place for the Promise Orbicular. Only a chosen few get to peek into the Holy of Holies. This is the place where the priests offer up their prayers before God. Well, where they were supposed to. For many years now, it had been gossiped that the priests were corrupt and no longer beseeched their creator. This rumor was widespread throughout the entire galaxy.

  “You know I am not permitted to go into the holy area since I have been thrown out of the Order. Or have you forgotten?”

  “Nonsense. Today, you will be my special guest.”

  The priest placed his hand onto a security panel and a door opened. They stepped though the entryway.

  Darius always wondered what it looked like. To date, he never had the honor to be close to the orb after the floor had been redone. Was not the true temple to be man's heart anyway?

  They made a left turn and through another door. Abdominous stopped. Without looking back, he asked.

  “Have your eyes ever had the honor of seeing into the Holy of Holies?”

  “Well, that is a stupid question.”

  “Prepare to be amazed!”

  Abdominous opened the door to the altar room. A beam of bright light angled out into the hallway where they stood. Darius was astounded by the majesty and glory of the altar room as he stepped inside. The walls shimmered like trillions of little stars. Obviously, a talented and very patient craftsman put all the jewels into the texture. The walls alone appeared to be worth more credits than all of that in the collective solar system. The floor was layered in gold. A high polished finish was present upon its surface. A br
onze hue glowed upwards from the floor and upon the base of the walls. Even Darius’ boots shimmered in the warmth.

  Up ahead in the center of the room was the altar.

  “How amazingly awesome!” he quivered.

  The floor was the most beautiful site he had ever seen in his life. Holographic planets, stars and galaxies spiraled on an axis in the middle of it. The colors radiated. This anomaly was what caused the diamonds to sparkle the way they did.

  “Is it not, the most spectacular thing your eyes have ever seen?”

  “Unquestionably.” He was being honest.

  Out of his peripheral vision, Darius noticed a dead body. The body of his beloved mentor lay within the glow of the floor. The reality of the crime scene before him shattered the celestial dream.

  “My, god!”

  “That is what is left of dear Catharsis.”

  “Where are the civilian authorities?” Darius was saddened at what he beheld. “What is going on here?”

  “Sometime last night, someone gained access in here. That individual slew the priest as he was beseeching God,” Abdominous answered. He found it difficult to show sincerity. “Poor brother.”

  “How did they gain access?”

  “We believe the killer was an insider.” Abdominous answered. “If you take a closer look, you will notice he was slaughtered with a Matakeos weapon.”

  “Then that would mean-” Darius was cut off.

  “We have already tested DNA samples from the weapons of all Matakeo stationed here.”

  “What were the results?” Darius questioned. It was not until after he asked when he suddenly realized where all of this was leading. Before the priest could reply, he felt compelled to exonerate himself.

  “Feel free to take a sample from mine.”

  Darius pulled his weapon from its sheath. Abdominous flinched. Using his thumb, he slid open a panel located underneath the hilt. From this compartment he retrieved a disk. It would contain DNA samples from any victim of the weapon within the last thirty days. He handed it to Abdominous.

  “That is all well and good but the other priests and I have already concluded that-” Suddenly, a loud banging noise echoed in the room. The priest was cut off before he could finish his accusation. Once again, the banging resonated. It sounded as if a hammer were pounding sheet metal.

  Darius quickly discerned the noise coming from high above them in an air duct. As they looked up at it a third thud sounded. This was followed by a painful scream.

  “What on Puritania is going on up there?” Abdominous asked.

  “Apparently, we may have a witness.” Darius concluded.

  The priest gritted his teeth.

  “Maybe I should track this witness down.”

  Darius knew he was being played dirty. Finding the witness might shed some clues as to what is really going on? Maybe even this priest’s involvement in it?

  At first, the priest hesitated. Even when he did reply, he was deliberate with his words. “I think you should be the one to look into this.”

  “So am I being reinstated as a Matakeo?”

  “For now? Yes.”

  “Even without the council’s approval?”

  “Yes!” The priest raised his voice.

  “So, should I pack my belongings?”

  The High Priest used caution with his words.

  “That is where this arrangement will be different this time.”

  “You’re telling me I am being reinstated as a Matakeo, but I cannot move back into temple housing?” Darius knew the Temple quarters were not as nice as his posh apartment. No matter, it was more about the comradeship with his brethren. It was about being a part of what he believed to be the grandest number of ordained individuals in the galaxy. Words cannot accurately describe the elation experienced when in fellowship with the Matakeo. It was euphony at its purest.

  “I apologize, Darius.” The priest sneered. “Your persistence for righteousness has always been a tad-bit extreme for my taste. You can keep the penthouse.”

  “So I see. Are you insinuating that my residency in temple housing will cause you to feel convicted of sin?”

  “That is neither here nor there,” the priest replied.

  “Well…” he paused for effect. “…I’ll get on it right away.” He stared coldly into the priest’s eyes. If the glare could have been audible it would have said I know you are guilty.

  Darius knew he would be pressed for time and was in no position to waste a single minute of it. He believed Abdominous had acted way too calm for such a serious turn of events and showed no remorse for his fellow priest.

  Despite all of this, he remained calm. Turning toward the air shaft, he requested a portable gravlift be brought in.

  5

  Darius took a quick glance up toward the ceiling and eyed his objective before stepping onto the portable lift. The dimensions of the portable device totaled thirty-six square feet, half the size of his penthouse balcony. Grabbing the handrail, he climbed on.

  Tired of carrying his helmet, he placed it upon his head and fastened it. The hover device climbed slowly up toward the ceiling. Halfway between the floor and the shaft above, Darius peered down. The view down at gravities pull was nauseating. Do not look down again, he told himself.

  When he was close enough to the air vent to perform the task, he stopped the lift’s ascent. The platform went into hover mode. He retrieved a screw driver from his utility belt. Then he placed the star-shaped point of the tool into the head of the first fastener. With no effort at all, the power tool spun the screw, causing it to back out of the hole. One by one, he loosened the remaining screws. He dropped them into a corner of the lift. Darius placed his left hand under the cover as he prepared to take the last screw out. The fastener loosened. He grabbed it up with a thumb and forefinger. Then he eased back the cover, allowing it to swing open on its hinges. Years of being stationary caused the metal door to squeak. A thick layer of dust was now free and airborne. Like snowflakes, hundreds of dust particles fell without a care to the floor below. Some of the molecules made their way into his nose. He squint his eyes as the pressure under his cheeks increased. This caused him to rear back his head and sneeze. For a moment, the spray from his sinuses forced some of the floating particles into a swirling motion, like a vortex from a jet engine.

  Darius moved the lift over a couple of feet. This placed him centered with the opening, making it easier to get into the ventilation system. With the press of another control the platform moved slowly upward a foot. This was enough to allow his head clearance into the entry. He pulled a flashlight from off of the lift’s deck and clicked it on. One hundred thousand candle watts penetrated the dark shaft. Darius was amazed with what he found just inside the vent.

  A kaleidoscope?

  What the heck? He reached out and picked it up. The instrument was very, very old. He turned the eye toy around several times. Scrutinizing it, he became aware of a small protrusion on the object. He angled his light to get a better look at it. Upon further inspection, he determined it was a name plate. The left side appeared to have been rubbed smooth. To the right side of this blemish there were three letters. It read lly.

  “Hmm?”

  Suddenly, the central climate system kicked on forcing a steady flow of air from within the shaft to press against his face. It was a welcomed relief. He had not realized his brow was wet with perspiration. A bead of sweat fell from his cheek and splashed on his boot toe. As he watched its descent, he spied a dark spot on the kaleidoscope. Upon further review, the Matakeo concluded it was blood. This prompted him to shine his light into the air shaft once again.

  He focused the light upon a section of the shaft where it was coupled to another. There was a small piece of scalp and some hair stuck to its edge. Then he had a thought. If this is a young person, they may not have made it back to where they had entered the shaft? Maybe they are still in here somewhere?

  His com-link buzzed. He pulled it off his be
lt and answered.

  “Hello?”

  An anxious priest was on the other end. “I have been yelling at you. Are you ignoring me?”

  “I would like to make you go away,” he said. A vein throbbed in his forehead. “For some reason I just can’t get that lucky.”

  “I am not in the mood for your second grade humor.” The priest sounded angry now.

  “The air system kicked on. That is why I could not hear you. I can barely hear you now.”

  “Any clues as to who might have been up there?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “Looks like the person bumped their head up here. There is enough blood up here that they might have left a trail to follow. I think it may lead me to them. I’ll let you know something as soon as I get more details.” When he finished talking to the priest he turned his com off.

  “Well, make it quick, Darius.” There was a long pause. “Darius? Darius!” All at once it dawned on the priest he had been hung up on. In anger, he kicked his leg at nothing in particular. He fell backward onto his buttocks.

  After giving the shaft a really good shake, Darius determined it would support him. Setting his light into the air shaft, he hoisted himself inside. He intentionally said nothing to the priest about finding the scope.

  As he climbed into the shaft on his hands and knees, he thought about how long it had been since he had actually offered up a sincere prayer to his god. Silently, he petitioned his penitence towards his creator. Forgive me.

  Then he called Teron. He sat down and stretched his legs. The quake boots plowed a trail through the thin coating of dirt and grime on the shaft floor. Shortly after activating her number she answered the call.

  “Hello?”

  “Teron? This is Darius. Here me out. I believe Abdominous is dirty on this. Not just that, but I think he plans to frame me for it.”

  “No way! I want no involvement in this.”