Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero
Page 20
* * *
As her eyes glowed, Mira worked quickly to seal Brian’s wounds. With an injection of simulated blood he started looking better. His wounds shown but now were closed. She knelt over him and fought back tears. Myden stood in the shadows and watched. He gave her the power to awaken! Truly, she’s a masterpiece of holographic technology. Only the Original Five and my people would be able to craft such a maiden. He closed his eyes and concentrated on Brian. His life force isn’t fading anymore. I can leave them. I have a feeling Seles is going to need my help. Myden silent passed Mira and headed towards the roof.
“These wounds are terrible,” Mira said to herself. “I’m glad I came, no one on this planet knows anything about your genetics.” She smiled as she watched him sleep. Mira took out a cloth and began to cleaning his wounds. “You look much better when you’re not bloody.”
She brushed his face with her hands before whispering into his ear. “I know you care for Seles, but I want to tell you something Brian. I feel the same as she. I want to stay by your side, forever.” She kissed him with tears falling. Her eyes opened with surprise when she noticed he was rubbing her rear. She pulled away, blushing.
He coughed before sitting up. “You’re the second girl to say that to me today. At least I got a chance to see how real you are with my own hands,” he said, laughing weakly.
“How long have you been awake?” Mira asked.
“Shortly after you gave me that shot of blood.” He flexed his joints and winced. “Did you come alone?”
“No, I came with Seles and Myden,” she said. “Seles is chasing Delne. I’m sure Myden went to help her.”
“Myden?” he asked. “Who’s that?” Mira helped him stand.
“I‘m not sure,” she answered. “He has a connection with Seles and is telepathic.”
Brian tried to turn to the hall Seles went down before Mira stopped him. “I need to warn her of Delne’s telepathic ability.”
“Don’t worry, Myden’s with her. I’m not sure who he is, but I know he’ll protect her with his life.”
“Alright,” Brian said as they headed for the Mjolnir.
* * *
Delne ran onto the roof as rain fell. In the background thunder and lightning raged. Seles came shortly after, eyes glowing, blade in hand. Delne scanned the rooftop and grinned when she saw a few puddles. She cracked her whip at Seles; she deflected it with her sword. Seles moved forward and was met with a barrage of attacks.
How is she able to read my moves so easily? Seles thought to herself. It’s like she can read my mind. Seles slowly advanced, still fending off the aggressive whip attacks. As she edged forward she didn’t notice the pool of water in front of her. Delne smiled wickedly and struck the water instead. A surge of electricity went through Seles as she fell backwards onto the ground. Grimacing in pain, she jumped to her feet just in time to defend herself.
Laughing, Delne spoke with confidence. “I don’t even have to hit you to hurt you.”
Seles took a defensive stance.
“What’s wrong? If you don’t think of something soon, my allies will show up,” Delne said as she renewed her attacks.
Seles defended herself. “What allies might those be? Your guards have abandoned you.”
“The ones who’ll bring proper order to this world,” Delne explained. “If you wish to join me I’ll spare your life. They can grant you power beyond anything you can imagine, the power of control.”
Seles laughed. “Control isn’t what they need. What they need is hope and freedom.” She started advancing again.
“Where did you hear that foolishness? From the incompetent Valis Kein?” she asked, stepping back.
“No, I learned it from Brian,” she answered. “I’ve felt the same for many years now. He’s a man that brings hope, something old nobles like you wouldn’t know about,” Seles said, still edging forward.
“So you follow the ideals of a foolish Terran? He’s just a child, barely able to think for himself.” Delne smiled. “His lust proved to be his downfall.” She cracked her whip and caught Seles’s right leg. The barbed device wrapped around and shocked Seles mightily. Delne ripped her whip away and tore Seles’s leg badly. She stood with a limp while blood trickled from her leg in dozen places. She stood her ground and ignored the pain.
“His lust has made him stronger than you think Delne. He’s willing to fight and die for those he loves, something you couldn’t understand,” Seles said, still moving closer.
“You’re a fool just like him. If only you knew the truth, then you’d understand,” Delne said, driving Seles back a few steps.
“Truth?” she asked.
“He’s Terran. If his kind isn’t controlled, they will control us. Terrans like him are excellent warriors, but my allies don’t think they’d be good at ruling. It doesn’t suit their temperament. The solution is to control them, so they don’t bring war and misery to us.”
Delne cracked her whip and wrapped Seles tightly. She started shocking the princess, laughing the entire time. Seles fell to her knees, still holding the rakna blade. Delne smugly moved in, confident in her victory. At that moment she felt something enter her mind.
“I won’t let you hurt anyone else Delne. The path you’ve chosen is the path of madness. What Seles speaks is the truth. I will fight to save that dream, but first I’ll cut off your telepathic powers,” Myden said to Delne telepathically.
She panicked as her powers disappeared. She looked up and saw a lone figure standing far away in the rain. “You’re the one they warned me about!”
“Yes, my name’s Myden,” he said before slowly walking back down stairs.
Seles gathered her remaining strength and stood up. Delne tried to retract her whip, but Seles caught it with the blade. With a quick move, Seles drove the blade into the ground. Delne tried futilely to remove her weapon. Seles grinned and drew Brian’s rakna blade from her back. Still bleeding, she charged at Delne as she tried fleeing. Seles drove the blade through Delne’s back at the same time the noble woman screamed.
“Where are you allies now?” Seles asked. She pulled the sword out as Delne fell to the ground. Seles stood over the noblewoman and heard a sob.
“You were right Brian,” Delne uttered as she died. Looking down, Seles saw a smile on her face. Not the evil grin she saw before, but one of contentment.
Her eyes turned back to normal as the pain she felt multiplied by ten times. Using the Brian’s sword as a brace, she limped her way off the roof and headed for the Mjolnir. I hope he’s alright. Kali, I feel like hell right now.
* * *
“You’re a big fool,” Mira said as she dragged Brian to the back room in the Mjolnir. She put him on the bed while breathing heavily. “Why do Terrans have to be so heavy?” she asked. She caught her breath and looked him over one more time before leaving. Mira went into the cockpit and turned on the monitors to find a number of small vessels heading in their direction. Myden walked in silently.
She turned to him. “Where’s Seles?”
“She’ll be joining us any minute now. How’s he doing?” Myden asked.
“He woke up a few minutes ago and is resting in the back now. As long as he gets a day or two to rest, he should be fine,” Mira answered as she turned to the monitors. Ships of every shape and size were flying all over, fighting one another. “What’s going on?”
“A civil war,” Myden said. “Delne and her sympathizers started this war because of Brian. He’s a threat to their goal.”
“What goal?” she asked.
“Remember the teachings of your late father,” he said. “Gaelic sought freedom and change. There were many who didn’t agree with his beliefs, many who would kill to prevent him from realizing his dream. My people wrought this fear amongst your nobility. Above all else, order must be maintained. They pursue enforcing order to all that exists, even at the cost of a species.”
“That’s insane! Just who are your people?” she asked.
“Eye of the Butterfly?” she asked.
“I’ll explain everything once we’re out of here and he’s healed.”
Seles stumbled in while grimacing from the pain. “Mira, get us out of here. I saw a number of fighters heading our way. You can take care of my wounds once we’re safe.”
“Alright,” Mira said as she closed the front and activated the phase cloak. She flew for the deep jungle again.
Chapter 40 – Many Faces, Many Places
Valis awoke in her quarters and turned on the monitor next to her bed. Sitting up, she watched a Degan news broadcast being led by a Malcovin anchor man.
“The civil war on Kalaidia Prime hasn’t yet reached to its outer colonies, but word from the noble families is it will soon. We’re still investigating the appearance of an unknown species.” A picture of Brian walking the streets of Vaelis popped up, along with a number of other shots of him. “No one’s confirmed the identity of Brian Peterson, but word is he may be a Terran. A number of the member races of the Confederation have dispatched ships to the edge of the Terran boundary to confirm if their species has…” Valis turned the monitor off.
She laughed and shook her head before putting her uniform and circlet on. She left her quarters and headed to the tactical room. The crew saluted as normal, but Valis noticed the chatter about Brian, the newly brewing civil war back home, and the media coverage. When she reached the tactical room she saw Kivi, Zae, Daes and Celi. She motioned for them to relax.
“I figured it was about time we sit down and discuss the matters of concerning Brian, as well as the events taking place back home,” Valis said.
“From the information we’ve gathered, it appears he’s accelerated the actions of rebel forces on the home world,” Kivi reported.
“Do we know which families are revolting?” Valis asked.
Daes looked up from her wrist computer. “I have a few associates back home I keep in contact with. From what they’ve told me, the Kentus, Raekar, Abrus, and Bosar families are leading the revolt. I’ve also heard the rumor that the head of the Raekar family, Lady Delne, was killed by a rakna blade.” Daes checked her data again. “The other thing I heard about was a glowing giant seen flying away from the palace.”
Kivi shook her head, confused. “Why would he specifically go to the Raekar estate to kill Lady Delne? He has no enemies amongst our kind.”
“That’s true,” Valis said. “If it wasn’t Brian, than there are only two people on Kalaidia Prime capable of flying the Mjolnir, Seles and Mira. Neither of them have the profile to undertake such an attack.”
“What if there’s another reason?” Daes asked. “My sources told me Delne was a skilled Kaida. Maybe she saw this opportunity as the perfect time to try her skill on a Terran.”
“That’s plausible,” Valis said.
The com flashed on. “Captain, all senior staff, a call from Captain Esra of the Daevoni is coming in,” Baed said.
Valis went over to the monitor and pressed a button below the screen. “Put her through.”
Esra appeared on the screen, alone. “Well Valis, it looks like that second officer of yours if stirring things back home up quite a bit. Have you found anything on his whereabouts?”
“I’m sorry Esra,” Valis said. “We haven’t been able to locate him. My crew has a lot of resources, so we’ll find something sooner or later. What about on your end? I can tell by the media there’s a mad panic, but how bad is it?”
Esra smiled. “My sources from Confederation’s Headquarters have told me the first and second Mylor fleets have deployed to the Terran border. They seem quite worried about his appearance.”
“Not surprising, most races believe it’ll be centuries before they walk the stars,” Valis said. “What I’m worried about is our fate.”
“What do you mean?” Esra asked.
“It won’t take the Confederation long to figure out it was one our ships that sheltered him. Their paranoia may drive them to search every Kalaidian vessel. If they’re willing to deploy two Mylor fleets to guard the border, they’re not messing around,” Valis said.
“So what should we do?” Esra asked. “If we try leaving now we’d be stopped by the harbor guard on Dega Jul.”
Valis stopped for a moment to think. “I think it’s best if we hold on action right now. The time will come; we just have to wait for the opportunity.”
* * *
Celestia sat at her throne surrounded by monitors and guards. She watched the carnage happening all over the planet. Rumors of the strife spreading outside the main solar system were constant, but unconfirmed. Everyone was on edge. After a few minutes the door opened. In full battle dress Jabril entered with a glimmer in her purple eyes as she knelt before the queen.
“I am happy to report we’ve driven the rebels out of Vaelis my Queen,” she said. “With the aid of the Obril and Hopart families we’ve established a defense perimeter around the capital.”
Celestia sighed with relief. “We can breathe for the moment.” She stood up and went to one of the monitors. “Has there been any word on my daughter or Brian?”
Jabril joined her. “No. The only thing we found was the body of Lady Delne. We also found a blood stained Kai chamber. DNA checks have found the species doesn’t match our own, so we suspect Brian may have been the one to suffer Kai.”
“I hope he can forgive us,” said Celestia.
An attendant came into the room. “My lady, a number of the ambassadors would like a word with you. Strangely enough, they seem more concerned with Brian than our present political situation. They want to know more about him from you personally.”
Celestia sighed. “I’ll go meet with Lord Jita. I think it’s best if I meet with him first.”
“I’ll inform him immediately,” the attendant said before walking out of the room.
“Lord Jita?” Jabril asked. “His kind is as mysterious as Brian.”
“The Mylor are the oldest member of the Confederation. After the Greys, they were the second species to reach space. Lord Jita can reveal what he knows about Brian and his kind.”
“Is he really Terran?” Jabril asked.
“He told me he came from the heart of the Great Dragon. That constellation on our planet matches to Terra Prime. I’m hoping we can resolve the civil issue quickly, even if it means change,” Celestia said.
* * *
Lena Obril stood on the bridge of the Heimus. On the monitor appeared the image of Dega Jul.
Her helmswoman turned to her. “We’re in position captain. All channels are open.”
“Thank you lieutenant,” Lena said. She sighed before sending her message over all communication channels within the Degan system.
“This is Captain Lena Obril of the Heimus, calling all Kalaidian vessels residing within the Degan system. As you know, our home world is in turmoil due to political disputes between the noble families. Queen Celestia is in need of all able bodied warships to defend the home world at this time and is willing to grant a pardon to any former ship of the royal fleet. She also has a message to the Kein noble family.” Lena read the text on the monitor. “Six years have passed since our dispute on the teachings of Gaelic Kein. Having time to reflect on that mistake, I believe it’s in the best interest of people of Kali we join together and form a new future. Let us meet and forge a freer, stronger Kalaidia than the present.” She stopped reading. “If you wish to aid the Queen, please contact my ship as soon as possible. I should also mention your ships will be considered an independent fleet. As such, you may assign your own commander. Thank you.”
* * *
Valis sat in her room and listened to Captain Obril’s message. “It looks like things have gotten really bad,” she said to herself. Kivi called her over the com.
“What are
your orders?” Kivi asked.
“Prepare the ship immediately,” Valis said as she slipped on her uniform and headed for the bridge. When she got there she noticed everyone ready to go.
“I figured we might have to leave on a moment’s notice,” Kivi said. “I had the crew prepare everything ahead of time.”
Valis slipped into her seat. “That’s just like you, always one step ahead of the game. I hope we’re not the only ship to show up for the party.”
“I’m betting the port authorities are hoping for just that. If every Kalaidian vessel launches they’d have to deal with a couple hundred ships at once,” Kivi said.
* * *
Lord Jita hovered above the ground, his small meter sized body levitating by his will alone. He looked like a mix of a human child and short haired cat, with large round catlike eyes and ears. His size defied his power because he was a Mylor. Other races quivered in fear when the Mylor attack, for there was no mercy amongst them. He heard the sounds of war around him, sensing the vibrations from his compound. He hovered into a larger metallic suit of similar size and shape to a human‘s body. The suit was jet black and full of computer equipment more advanced than anything the younger races had ever seen. Closing the suit, the red cat eyes lit up as he readied himself for the visitor.