Merillian: 2 (Locus Origin)

by Christian Matari

  “Silence!” Kai Käraian barked.

  The clamor dissipated instantly. Though politically he was little more than a mouthpiece for the Shitoru, there were few who would cross the Hiodan councilor, who acted as chair of the assembly, in his presence.

  “The Gaian councilor has the floor. Respect the proper course of order,” he growled before retaking his seat.

  “Thank you, Councilor,” Ambassador Janosh bowed in his direction. “In previous sessions, the Gaian people have moved that there be a clear division between the newly-arrived Terrans and the Children of Gaia, citing irreconcilable differences in morals and ideals.”

  “We have heard this tirade before. Get to the point,” the Nerokan councilor interjected, his gaping reptilian maw snarling with impatience.

  Ambassador Janosh paused briefly for dramatic effect, ensuring he had the chamber’s full attention before finally continuing.

  “As you wish,” he replied. “The following sequence was intercepted by a remote sensor outpost on the Hrūll-Sheshen border. What you are about to see will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Terrans have evolved along a separate path from the Gaian people. While the Children of Gaia strive for enlightenment and follow strict codes of ethics, the Terrans are no better than the Sheshen or the Banthalo.”

  He grabbed the data chip from his armrest and inserted it into a socket at the base of a small console by the railing. A second later, the holographic display hovering over the assembly hall faded to a recording from the security feed aboard the Hrūll refinery.

  The footage showed the Terran squad emerging from the docked Tengri, followed by a series of carefully edited sequences of brutal combat, in all of which the Terrans were the obvious aggressors. The display then showed the image of the refinery breaking up in a series of catastrophic explosions, before ending with a shot of Captain Mitchell standing defiantly on top of a crumbling slab of concrete, his primitive sidearm raised and aimed towards the camera. As soon as he pulled the trigger, the feed was disconnected, leaving only a haze of static hovering over the tiled floor of the chamber.

  Ambassador Janosh did not resume his speech once the footage ran to an end, instead allowing whispered debates between the councilors and their aides to grow in intensity for a few moments before shouting out across the Council.

  “Councilors!” he called. “What you have just witnessed was an unprovoked attack at the hands of the Terrans. There can be no question that our claims are true. We ask that the Council vote immediately on the matter, and, furthermore, we demand that if and when the Terran race should apply for membership in the Etherium alliance, such application be met with the strictest of reservations and the harshest scrutiny.”

  The Ambassador’s words drew no snide remarks from Councilor Noga Zhad, nor Yusol Sulomo. Even Rasha Ke Nahn remained silent, observing the reactions of his colleagues. The image overhead faded to the broad-shouldered form of Kai Käraian, who rose slowly from his seat.

  “This is indeed a grave matter. Despite their small numbers, they are the first representatives of their people. Having requested asylum, the Etherium would have expected them to behave with nothing less than utmost civility. Although I am loath to judge an entire people by the actions of a few of its members, the vast divide between the Children of Gaia and the Terrans cannot be ignored: not only have the Terran emissaries absconded from Semeh’yone having sought asylum with the Etherium, they appear to have assaulted one of our member races as well. Rest assured, Councilors, that this evidence will be presented at their scheduled asylum hearing in a few weeks’ time, should they return for it. The Shitoru acknowledges the wise words of the Gaian councilor, and recommends that the notion be passed.”

  The hall erupted into a heated debate. Ambassador Janosh was certain that he had delivered his argument with perfection. Still, the next few minutes were filled with anxiety as the councilors were allowed to discuss the matter prior to the vote. Finally, Kai Käraian called for the ballot.

  A holographic interface embedded at the base of each booth displayed the options available to each councilor. Ambassador Janosh placed his hand over the glowing blue symbol, and waited in nervous silence while the other representatives made their opinions known.

  A moment later, the Hiodan councilor rose from his seat once more.

  “Esteemed Councilors,” he said as the display overhead swirled into a representation of the vote’s result. “The motion for classification of the Children of Gaia and the Terrans as separate peoples has been passed.”

  Ambassador Janosh slumped back into his seat, a sly smile playing across his lips. It had worked. Gaia’s legacy would be preserved.

  Chapter 54

  Hanan Aru kept a watchful eye on the Nerokan guards, biding his time as he waited for an opportunity to make his escape. They stood on either side of the broad passage he wanted to take, painfully close to one another. Though his suit shielded him from sight, such proximity could prove perilous. The camouflage systems were not without fault, causing a rippling effect in the surrounding air which could be detected by a watchful eye when viewed up close.

  The sudden sound of tearing metal claimed his attention. He snapped his head up sharply to see that one of the Terrans had torn clean through his shackles. Odd, he thought. Having studied them this long, he would not have guessed that any of them possessed such strength. Still, this was just the diversion he’d been hoping for. This was his chance.

  * * * * *

  The long flowing banners hanging behind the central dais began to shift, as if shaken by invisible winds. Marcus stumbled down from the metal rack, turning and stretching limbs as the black-armored Sheshen guards rushed to throw themselves at him, clearly planning to bear him down by sheer numbers.

  “Ssshao stugomi ssshong haybu!” Kesha Kun screamed from his throne.

  Marcus snapped forward, pummeling the nearest guard with his bare hands. He barely felt the impact, but there was a loud crack as his fist smashed through the Sheshen’s armor, sending the spindly body hurling a good twenty meters through the air to slam into a wall, where it slid, lifeless, to the stone floor.

  The hall erupted as dozens of guards began firing beams of energy in his direction, but Marcus was oblivious to it all. All he saw was his next target. His movements began gaining momentum like nothing he’d ever experienced before. He was a raging whirlwind of death and mayhem as he flung himself between blasts, his fists flying in every direction. Before the others could blink, three guards lay strewn across the floor, limbs broken and chestplates caved in, and Marcus hadn’t even slowed down.

  “Xio ssshong bansssho changoti!” Kesha Kun shouted.

  “Marcus,” Captain Mitchell shouted after him. “Cut us loose!”

  Dismayed, Kesha Kun’s robed son punched the captain square on the jaw and then ran for his life. Captain Mitchell barely flinched.

  If he were still Marcus, he would have done anything to free them, but he was Marcus no more. All he could think of was what these animals had done to Serena, and how he would make them all pay with their lives.

  The two powerful beasts by the throne paced about anxiously, letting out deep growls as they eyed Marcus. It was as if they were awaiting permission from their master to pounce.

  A Sheshen marksman on the top balcony took careful aim, watching as Marcus grabbed another guard by the throat and threw him head on into a third as if he weighed nothing more than an empty suit of armor. The marksman squeezed the trigger, sending a diffused beam of bright blue energy shooting through the air, striking Marcus square in the chest.

  Marcus didn’t even seem to notice, let alone care. He seized another onrushing guard by the head and lifted him off the ground with one hand, squeezing until he heard a distinct popping sound as the Sheshen’s skull collapsed. He felt as if he had the strength of a hundred men and the fury of thousands.

  Kesha Kun gripped his armrest firmly, pressing the hidden button on its underside. A shimmering semi-spherical forc
e field flickered into life over the central dais, cutting it off from the rest of the throne room, a split second after his son managed to jump onto its steps.

  Captain Mitchell was practically snarling in frustration as he watched the hall explode in chaos, leaving the still-bound members of the squad completely ignored, when he heard his restraints snap, as if they’d suddenly been cut in half by an unseen force. He looked down, and gasped in astonishment. He was free.

  Not one to question his luck, he immediately tumbled down from the rack and ran to release the others.

  Having dispatched all of the guards who’d been foolish to get close to him, Marcus turned suddenly towards the cowering torturer, who was attempting to hide behind the racks, hoping to go unnoticed amidst the firefight, staring at it with eyes burning with hatred. The cloaked figure gave a wordless shriek of fear and ran towards the hall’s main entrance.

  Marcus reached out with an empty hand and grabbed. Though his hand caught nothing but air, the torturer’s hood flew back, as if snagged on an invisible object, and held the writhing creature in place. With a twist of his arm, Marcus pulled the torturer around to face him. Its face looked like it had been made of melted plastic, with cuts and sores all over its mangled flesh, so deformed that its race and gender were unrecognizable. Two huge black reflective eyes stared at him, pleading for its life.

  The two Nerokan bodyguards guarding the main passageway to the hall lowered their serrated spears and apprehensively marched towards Marcus, reptilian faces grim. He could feel their fear as if it were a living force, fueling his rage to even greater heights. He yanked on his mental grip on the torturer’s hood and the disfigured being shot through the air, landing at his feet.

  Marcus bent down over it, completely ignoring the bursts of energy exploding around him, cocking his head as he stared at the hideous thing quivering on the ground before him, its head bowed low and hands outstretched, pleading for its life.

  Marcus’ indifferent visage turned into a hateful sneer. His lips trembled as he raised his foot and slammed it down hard onto the back of the torturer’s head, which exploded into a bloody pulp, sending a shockwave throughout the throne room.

  “Helassshi soghoti!” Kesha Kun screamed.

  The pair of spined alien predators roared as if suddenly released from an imaginary cage, bowing low as they crawled out into the open. One of them stalked down the side of the hall, angling to approach the escaping Terrans from behind, while the other padded directly towards Marcus.

  Marcus turned to face the beast head on as the bright beams of energy continued to pound on and around him. Though they appeared to do him no harm, each burst that struck him caused his skin to glow with a faintly blue sheen.

  The Eladon unhinged its jaw, baring enormous razor-sharp fangs, dripping with saliva, producing a sound so deep Marcus felt it as much as he heard it. Marcus let out a roar of his own as he prepared to charge the beast head on, regardless of its size. The nightmarish monster spread its huge front legs and braced itself as Marcus pounded forward, but just as he was about to ram head on into it, the beast let out a peculiar squeal of pain and threw itself away with blinding speed.

  Marcus skidded to a stop in confusion, his attention quickly shifted to the gaping wound in the huge creature’s side, near its hind legs. The Eladon yelped as it backed away slowly, limping, as it shielded its wound.

  * * * * *

  Meanwhile, Mitchell had finished releasing Taz and Reid and was starting on Taylor’s restraints. As soon as he was free, Taz went for the pile of equipment that had been confiscated from them, dumped carelessly beside the torturer’s racks as curios for the Sheshen to examine. He grabbed a carbine and opened fire at the guards. Reid followed his lead, seizing his rifle whilst diving into cover behind the metal racks and starting to take out the guards on the balconies above.

  * * * * *

  Marcus was suddenly distracted from the injured beast as the two Nerokan guards drew near, holding their spears at arm’s length, clearly hoping that the distance would give them an advantage. Marcus sneered, reaching back behind him with both hands, pausing briefly as he eyed each of the fearsome reptilian warriors in turn. Then he thrust his hands forward, gripping the air in his crushing grip.

  The Nerokans, some of the most highly trained mercenaries in Etheran space, simply erupted into a mist of blood and torn flesh, what was left of their grotesquely twisted bodies falling to the floor like slabs of meat. Marcus didn’t even wait to see them stop twitching. Instead he turned his attention to the throne.

  Marcus stepped closer towards the dais, studying the force field.

  “Taygionay ssshong!” Kesha Kun screamed.

  Shari stood defiantly behind the force field, knowing that there was nothing Marcus could do to breach it.

  * * * * *

  At the other end of the throne room, Mitchell managed to get Taylor free and immediately ordered him to see to Jago while the officer focused on helping Raven. Behind the racks, the unwounded Eladon had managed to go unnoticed as it crept along the back wall, studying Reid and Taz from behind as they spewed forth a steady stream of rounds at the hapless guards. It crouched low, creeping along the floor in silence, inching its way closer with each step.

  A shot hit the rack which Taz was using for cover, making him start back from the gap he’d been firing through. Throwing himself onto his back as he tumbled on the ground, he spotted the stalking beast just as it was about to lunge at the unsuspecting Reid.

  “Look out!” he shouted, raising his carbine to spray the monster.

  Reid turned to see the horrific creature rearing its head, its maw poised to attack, and froze. Fortunately, Taz’s covering fire distracted the huge creature, delaying its attack momentarily. Still, the beast was less than three meters away, and he knew that no matter which way he tried to run, it would get to him first.

  Taz snapped off another burst of rounds. Some of them appeared to bounce off harmlessly, but others dug into the creature’s thick fur. Nonetheless, it was not enough to deter it from making Reid its meal.

  For a moment, Reid thought he saw a flicker behind the beast. He knew for certain that he had seen… something, but a split second later it was gone. Suddenly, an arc of streaming black blood flew into the air from one of the beast’s hind legs. The Eladon wailed, swinging its head sharply around to face the invisible foe, lashing out and slamming its jaw shut as it tried to bite something it couldn’t see.

  Reid saw the spiny thorns on its back rise as its head moved, revealing the soft skin between them. Instinctively, he jumped forward, ramming his sniper rifle into the creature’s side, and pulled the trigger.

  The beast yelped in pain just as another flicker on the far side of its body tore through its neck, sending a spray of blood gushing from the mortal wound. The creature reeled, quivering as it slumped to the floor, twitching as it slowly bled to death.

  * * * * *

  Meanwhile, Marcus was standing in the center of a storm of weapon fire, examining the force field, when he felt his rage beginning to diminish. Not now, he thought. I’m so close! Another flashing bolt slammed into his shoulder, searing his armor. He felt it. It didn’t hurt, but the tingling sensation it left behind remained.

  “No placcce you can run,” Kesha Kun sneered, while his son continued to stare intently at Marcus.

  Marcus could feel their mocking gazes, despite their masks.

  “You have lossst,” Kesha Kun continued, pouring salt in his wounds.

  Marcus hated him. He wanted to make him feel his pain, share his loss, deprive him of what he held dearest.

  “I have nothing left to lose,” Marcus growled, reaching out with his hand.

  The sound of tearing metal rung through the air as the massive spiked wings on Kesha Kun’s throne began to bend and twist. Marcus focused all of his remaining rage, pushing and pulling with his mind.

  “Ssshoot him!” Kesha Kun shouted in a state of panic.

  Another bla
st hit Marcus square in the chest, rupturing his armor and intensifying the tingling sensation that coursed through his veins. Yet another blast barely missed his shoulder. He felt his mental grip on the metal beyond the force field beginning to slip as his body weakened. No, not now!, he shouted in his mind.

  A guard on a balcony hit him in the hip, weakening him even further. The faint glowing sheen of blue that had permeated his skin with each blow was fading rapidly. He trembled with rage as he collapsed to one knee, fighting to keep his arm extended as he desperately clung to his mental hold.

  He looked over his shoulder at Serena’s lifeless body, still strapped to the rack. A puddle of crimson blood had formed beneath her, and the bare skin of her torso was as pale as driven snow. He drew his gaze back to Kesha Kun and made one last effort, pulling with every last fiber of his being.

  He had only seconds left. He could see the veins on his quivering arm popping out, his outstretched fingers seeming ready to break. Finally, he heard the snap as the spiked metal wing broke free and flew forward, slamming into Shari’s back, impaling him through his stomach, chest and shoulder. The twisted black spikes exploded through his armor as if it wasn’t even there.

  “Shariii!” Kesha Kun screamed as his son’s body remained still standing for a brief second, one last moment of defiance before it slumped to the ground.

  Marcus could only imagine the astonished look he must have worn beneath his mask.

  Another bolt slammed into Marcus’ chest. With nothing left to resist the blow, he slumped to the floor, smoke rising from his smoldering wounds.

  * * * * *

  Reid stared at the twitching Eladon lying just beyond arm’s reach, assuring himself that it was truly dead.

  “Run!” a strange voice whispered into his ear, causing him to leap up and swing his rifle to bear on… empty air.