by David Tucker
But he knew, if ever one was to look at him truly, the old Historian always had an untroubled complexion, which shone with a wizened and deep well of patience, and which permeated love for his fellow kind. He often seemed like a mystic to Justice, a silly old mystic who had lost touch with reality.
He grimaced as these thoughts angered him even more. Even with his plain mug, Osiris seemed to exude an air of humility, an inner quality unparalleled in their Order. All this great knowledge and strength plastered to him like a permanent façade, wasted on someone so unambitious, Justice thought.
As Justice really took Osiris in, his eyes moved to the weapon by his side, which gave further testament to his weakness. His elegant Sacred weapon was barely used anymore; this Historian erred on the side of study rather than battle. Justice cracked a brief smile, knowing that despite this waste the old man was still required by religious law to carry it. The long blade, despite his protests at having to wear it on such occasions, even now jutting above his right shoulder gathering dust as Osiris gave his stale old sermon.
Justice knew that as a word Immortal, or Historian, Osiris was unable to dissect his weapons as he was, and would find it a nuisance, having to carry it in the more unconventional fashion – strapped to his body, like his human counterparts – unlike his own kind, who held their weapons inside them. This helped lighten his mood as he looked around the room and was forced to wait.
The old Historian’s sermon was one of his basic calling routines, which all new to the Order needed to be familiar with. It was something along the lines of present and past history, the Sacred Portal, the lure of becoming an Immortal and the danger of the Seekers of Truth. And unfortunately, due to the gusto and volume of his lecture, Justice had entered unnoticed and was now forced, although cursing loudly, to wait, listening in on the ramblings.
He continued standing as he shifted from foot to foot, waiting impatiently and trying hard not to listen to his Sovereign’s speech. After a while he leant back against the door grumbling to himself.
µ
“With the Hel’zarta vanquished, the Stygian quelled, it seems all we need do now is follow the path mapped out for us. We only need to replicate our ancestor’s travels across the stars and heed our Creator’s words to skirt the dangers at the place of Armageddon, and we too will be able to travel there, to our Creators’. And brothers, disciples, as I’ve already stated, this search has begun.” Osiris looked out to his audience, expertly avoiding his pupil’s glower as he continued.
“My children, we are strong from the divine insights entrusted to us and once again we are ready to move on. Yes, we have truly flourished as the Creators intended; we are designed to outrun hardship and that we have, in leaps and bounds over the past trials, more and more fluently.
“Earth has colonised eight key planets in our outlying systems, showing amazing progress over the past years. Our newly founded sector has widely come to be known as the Terithian sector, and further known under the more collaborative name of the SED – or Sacred Earth Directives. A nation with an ideal that will not be crushed as it strives forth in technological wonderment and Sacred might, all in the endeavour to find its path home and a gift we shan’t squander.”
Osiris ignored the small voice in the back of his head telling him he was heading off topic again. But the facts, numbers, the smallest of goings on of an entire galaxy, as usual took precedent. His eye twitched again in anticipation as his sharp Historian intellect, never wanting to skip over his knowledge of things, took over.
“These planets are made possible by the SINAI’s ingenuity and intervention. Through its colonisation process alone, it can be seen that our SINAI is a worthy leader. From our Sacred birthplace – Earth – we have reached out far into the many varying factions, with its colonists all deriving from our home world and owing homage to our original belief.
“Earth and its sister colonies are united through this bond, and we now inhabit a total of eighteen planets, twelve of which are classed as fully developed, three at forty-five per cent developed, and with three more at ninety-two per cent of their initial tera-formation. Indeed, our empire has grown mighty and vast from this progress, beyond boundaries any once thought possible.
“Yes it is true, within this galaxy that has come to revere, love and hate us, we now protect not just Earth. Our Earth is no longer simply a single sole state. She has developed into these chains of planets, covering the vast eight factions of her jurisdiction. These factions are spread wide, my disciples, and are the direct colonies of the UPF treaties, and which bring to us a total of twelve fully tera-formed planets under our banner. With a further two minor developed planets belonging to each faction’s territories, this obviously makes for a large area to protect for the SED military, and the Immortal government.
“In truth however, we are already spread thin to cover the faction’s seemingly endless problems, which is why our primary focus must always be directed upon Earth’s larger three factions and their endeavours. These factions have proved themselves as the most devout of our supporters, and offer many disciples and resources to back our cause and therefore receive our greatest favour.
“To clarify, these main three colonies and factions of the Terithian sector are Earth itself, Seara and Fiscion. The other five remaining colonies are as you know, Mars Prime, Halution, Stigratia, Plutonia and Harst, which all have varying faction religions, interpreting the Sacred Text to similar but different degrees of integrity. But still, in all, these factions are peaceful enough to be allowed to function alongside Earth’s own endeavours, as long as they do not interfere or hinder the SED’s goals, and assist where needed.
“The treaties between these planets are called the UPF – United Planetary Factions – and for the past few hundred years have been functioning well, as pro-united, societal based peoples. All planets within this treaty, overruling even their local government, are supremely governed by the SINAI, and all are to obey the Elders of our religion, who have great influence over all military and official commands. Their judgement must be upheld, transgressors, as I said, are delivered to the Outer Rim colonies, encountering dangers beyond measure.”
Osiris saw a few strange looks and decided to drop his factoid session a notch. He quickly moved back to something he thought would be of interest to the younger disciples.
“But let’s not focus on the actual factions and politics, let’s just delve into our world order, leading into my conclusion. Be sure to make notes, my disciples, for this is important, and you are all to know this when you are assigned to your various worlds.” He glanced around the room as the audience took interest again.
“Right, where was I … oh yes.
“But alas, just as we think we were ready, a final trial has arisen to challenge our integrity and give us what most think to be our final atonement for expiation.
“Before I explain, I’ll set the scene for you. Close your eyes if you will … see what I see … remember as I remember.”
Osiris paused to allow his disciples time to close their eyes, and pushed the silhouette of images through his Rieft talent into each disciple’s mind. He also felt his pupil’s anger – it felt greatly heightened and—
Before he could sense any more, Justice shut him out with an abrupt cutting block. Osiris moved his focus back to his audience as he drew complete attention from all, and didn’t have time to pursue the unusual feeling as he continued.
“Know that after the time our ancestors rebuilt, we had no idea what became of our brethren and how they had opened the portal to journey from our realm – neither the Temple, SINAI, nor the Tel’nagara could rightly say where or how they did this. All traces of their path eventually disappeared, wiped out by the decay of time, and the scent growing colder and colder as the Mars Prime Portal closed down.” He transmitted an impression of this, and heard the entire audience gasp as they watched from deep space the imposing portal vanish.
“So my brothers, as I rightly
say, our search is now afoot. We do have clues, but no direct heading. We know we need to find the four Sacred Facilities that our forefathers once aligned, and just as importantly be led through this hunt to find the battle place of Armageddon – the last place our forefathers were heard from, staving off the evil that may be awaiting us there, if it truly does remain.” Osiris sighed as he continued.
“But for us today to find this place of battle and absolution, we must first find each facility, a task not so easy it seems. For over a thousand years we have searched for these places, which will help light the way to our path. But, frustratingly, we have found none, not other than our original Temple shown to us on Mars Prime.”
He transmitted this picture to the receiving crowd. Many wondered and commented at the high spires and unusual stone it was carved from. Osiris looked back up as if washing away his last thoughts, and moved them on.
“At one point we thought we were close, and indeed we actually did find our way onto the next step and leg of our journey. Again it was the Tel’nagara who were able to direct us to this place, even if done unintentionally.
“You may open your eyes disciples, for I dare not show you these next places.” Again Osiris gave pause as he mustered himself to delve into the memory.
“Initially, for this act, we owed a great debt to our Tel’nagara friends; I guess, at the time, you could go so far as to say the Tel’nagara earned their place as they were the ones who made all this possible to begin with. In a way, some believed they were the saviours of humanity at the time.” His face grew dark and his eyes wrinkled into a tired and sad expression. “Until, that is … those apostates turned on us.
“It was only through the Tel’nagara’s own creation that we were able to maintain control and wipe them clean of their immoral and heretical sins. Without the SINAI, human history, again, could have been very different. Very different indeed, my disciples, if we hadn’t stopped them. Yes, these wonderful developments and construction of the SINAI, were all won at yet another cost, a cost that brings us into our own time.
“The Tel’nagara turned on us and the true Holy Wars began, which haunt many of us even now in our darkest nightmares. As you know, the deep space colonies sided with the alien creatures, joining the religious sect known to us as ‘The Seekers of Truth’, and our missions and SED duties became plentiful right up to today.
“Now, there is only one true enemy to our cause, and which unfortunately I need to bring up in this sermon, as from the very outset you must be clear about the demons you will fight, and these bastard vermin that see our progress stemmed wherever they slip in. They are the only other completely opposed, registered religion outside our own branches of belief, and were at one time even a part of our own cause. These heretics are the thorn in our collective sides – the heretics that we must destroy.
“Once we thought they could be trusted, but oh how we were wrong, my disciples. How we were wrong.”
His tumbling memories and crystallising facts resonated clearly within his brain as whole portions of his cognition and emotions focussed on this time, when he was once young.
“Yes, as you’ve probably heard, their beliefs were once in line with our own, yet as time progressed their teachings and motives became distorted and began to vary greatly from ours. And as all modern society remembers, they became the catalyst for the Galactic Holy Wars of 3453 to 3582.
“As a result of this war, all other beliefs, agnostics and religions were separated from our own, and if they cause conflict or terrorism towards the SED, they are promptly pacified, or if unsuccessful in the pacification program, relocated to the Outer Rim planets; once a well-mined, series of moons and planets on the outskirts of our known space. But even this is no blessing for them. Understand this, this place, which is a land of burden and is only marginally inhabitable, is only a fitting locale for such beings of detestability.
“Unfortunately the flipside to throwing them out there – through many years of hardship – is the Seekers of Truth have emerged to be a strong, some say evil and hardened, race indeed. Harder than I dare say many of the SED’s own inhabitants. Even today – although we be vastly superior in technology and sheer volume – there are conflicts between the SED and the Seekers of Truth militants, even within our own borders.
“Those of you joining our military will soon come to know well of these enemies lurking to threaten our ways, don’t be fooled otherwise. For those transferring into SED duties you will come to understand the battle has not been extinguished. The Skinks lost the war long ago but the more devout believers fight on. They’ve managed to reform their own military factions, which they believe will bring about the SED’s destruction and lead humanity to a true destiny, free from our apparent false transformation.”
Osiris was now way off his normal sermon, but for some reason he just couldn’t bear telling the disciples that everything would be fine and they would all be coming home heroes after their campaigns. For he knew better, and today, uncertain why, he would tell the truth. For even those destined for simple chantry duty would be in danger from these dwindling, desperate vermin. The further they went from Earth, the more their risk. He understood the struggles well, and knew the Skinks now grabbed any opportunity, which meant even chantries weren’t off limits anymore.
He lowered his voice as he looked honestly into the hundreds of young faces before him, and he spoke with conviction, his mind humming once more with what he’d lived through.
“They believe that through a different interpretation of our own texts, taken from our Temple of the Sacred – which we found together as a united front remember – we are not on the true path. They declared their separatist intentions on the 7th of June 3453, whereby they initiated the first battle in the Holy Wars. They utilise many strategies’ and teachings of old, developed by the Stygian.” His voice wavered as he remembered some of those horrific scenes. He cleared his throat before becoming more animated.
“So don’t be fooled disciples, this life is not an easy one. True, you will hear that after the events of the Portal Battle at the end of the Holy Wars, the Skink numbers were, as reported, greatly decreased. But they are still out there, and they are still a credible threat to our remotest, lesser equipped factions and colonies – along with the threat from the plethora of filth in our society. You must not be lulled into a false sense of security by our superior ways, you hear me. Always be on guard and hold strongly to your faith, for you will be tested and you will need it then, more than ever, once you leave the safety of our major factions.”
His eyes glinted as he struggled to keep his tone even. He’d let himself get a bit worked up, and couldn’t stop elaborating on his deeply rooted prejudice.
“I know it has no longer been considered a war for over twenty years, just pockets of resistance and skirmishes the media calls it, apparently diminishing,” he said sarcastically, “but believe me, they are still strong enough to be alive, and that should tell you enough of the threat they pose. In the face of a mighty nation and military dominance they still remain. They are crafty indeed and the masters of resistance and underground warfare. We have bombed them, betrayed them, starved them and purged their scourge from the inner galaxy – and yet they are still out there.”
Osiris looked up and saw fear on the faces of the young disciples. Some of the monitors were switched off as well. Blast, he berated himself again, I’ve gone too far haven’t I?
He calmed himself; he wanted to prepare them, not scare the Sacred out of them. He tried to scale back his intensity, knowing the damage was likely done but trying anyhow.
“But don’t be overly worried my disciples,” damn that sounded patronising didn’t it, “we usually only have trouble with the Seekers of Truth’s military arm because, after the lessons from countless billions of lives lost in the Holy Wars,” really? I just can’t help myself today can I, I’m doing it again, “and the Skinks – sorry – I mean Seekers of Truth’s heavy losses, a peace was l
ong ago made with the Outer Rim’s main colonies to ensure another galaxy-wide war would be avoided at all costs.
“So take comfort in the knowledge that even if the Outer Rims were to rise up again, the SED is more than prepared to withstand even the most vicious of armadas they could conjure up.” Yes, that sounded much better, he told himself.
“This leads me into my very last point for today, I promise; the purpose and reason for the Holy Wars, and the Sacred Temple of Mars Prime and its connection to the Cen’Shur’a sector. Hopefully we won’t run out of time.”
Osiris noticed he had in fact almost done just that as the timer on his podium ticked down. His voice raced as he glossed over details he desperately loved to fixate on.
“As I said, for over a hundred years the Holy Wars raged on, with countless billions falling for the sacrifice of this cause and that, but in the end, through the hands of our Immortals and the SED military, we somehow, if you could call it a victory, won. Our path was stayed and we were on course, as I mentioned, once again.
“After we vanquished the Tel’nagara, nearing the end of the Holy Wars, with it looking likely the Skinks would be eliminated entirely,” in his haste forgetting to correct his slang yet again for the Seekers of Truth, “the Skink government declared a cease fire, agreeing to flee along with the major portion of peaceful society, through the portal of the Sacred Facility.”
Osiris cleared his throat as he readied for his concluding statements and brought forward a mental image for the class to see.
“The Temple facility had given us much already; the religion of the Sacred, the mighty SINAI, the Mouziz stones, even the Immortals … but there was still one last secret the Temple had to give us – its most vital and Sacred yet.” He paused for effect.
“Through what the Tel’nagara divulged to the Seekers of Truth, when they sided together in the Holy Wars, our Order learned that the Temple contained the ability to open a portal in deep space, directly above its planetary location. This was the very element to which our path had been guided; destiny it seemed had found a way to tap us on the shoulder and show us our way through, again. We’d finally found the means for the first step in our galactic ascension, of where, and most importantly how, our brethren had fled thousands of years ago to our Sacred Creators.