by James Somers
“What are you guys doing back here?”
“We needed to tell Father about a meeting he has to attend with the resistance leaders—it’s in two hours.”
She sighed and said, “They always schedule something when I’m trying to treat my patient.”
“What’s that—a meeting with the resistance leaders?” asked Tiet from inside the chamber.
He appeared at the doorway behind Mirah, stripped to the waist and bearing a number of monitoring electrode pads.
“You three, go tell Alec that I’ll be along shortly, okay?”
They nodded and headed back out of the complex obediently.
“Now, how do we get back to the place where Alec is supposed to be?” asked Kale.
“Over here,” said Juli. “These signs will lead us back.”
“We need to get to the war room, I think.”
“Follow me,” said Juli as she headed off ahead of the boys.
Kale spotted another sign of interest on the marker and said, “After we relay the message to Alec, we need to go to the library mentioned on this sign. I want to look up some of the details of the prophecy of the empty hand that Aija was talking about.”
☼
LUCIN’S troops were already beginning to take the necessary steps to move the encampment out of the plains area they had initially landed in. They worked like insects with a singular task in mind; a singular thought to guide them. They still had personality of their own to a small extent, but they were all completely bent to the will of the Mithrial-man.
Lucin walked back to his temporary command quarters. He passed the other expandable metal shelters that made up his communications and coordination center as soldiers moved about the camp disassembling the other portable structures of the camp before boarding the Vorn cruisers hovering overhead.
His control over the multitude was growing stronger and stronger—a noticeable difference from the desperate situation that threatened his total loss of control when they were back on Castai. Lucin could only assume that it was the result of being so near to his fellow Mithri that resided on Draconis as the Agonotti.
After the reception he’d given his brethren earlier and the impressive show of his power over the human thousands he had ferried to the planet, he wondered how long it would take before a proper delegation from among the Agonotti was sent to welcome their glorious leader back into their ranks. So far, there was no word, but it wouldn’t be long. His body was unrecognized by his brethren, but they would soon realize that he was indeed the same glorious spirit that had led them in open rebellion against The Eternal One.
Lucin made his way to the portable building setup for his own personal use. He passed his hand over the bio-signature reader to the right side of the door and it allowed him to enter. As the door slid back and he entered the twenty foot by twenty foot structure, he sensed something not entirely foreign to him. Lucin walked cautiously on, into the room as the door slid back into place. He was trying to perceive any movement as the lights came on automatically; but there was nothing.
Then Lucin noticed something he had not before. The air was heavy with a mist. Suddenly the air became clear and someone was behind him. A coalesced figure, from the fog, sprang into action against him, wielding a large blade in his right hand.
Lucin retaliated, spinning back to catch the weapon hand with his left and following through with a right palm up under the jaw. With great strength, far more than his host body would normally have possessed, he hoisted the dazed attacker over his head. Lucin had quickly seized the advantage and thrust the dazed assassin through the front wall of the temporary building. The dark clad figure landed among the debris outside as the rest of the structure collapsed on top of Lucin.
Lucin burst upward, sending the debris into the air and then he shot toward the mysterious attacker. The man became mist again, allowing Lucin to pass through. He materialized again at Lucin’s back with the Mithrial-man in a headlock from behind. Lucin buried several rapid elbow jabs deep into the assassin’s ribcage and his grip loosened enough for him to get free.
Lucin took the opportunity and sent a right back-hand followed by a quick left jab into the attacker’s face. He stumbled backward and tried to dematerialize again, but he was prevented. Lucin, using his growing Mithrial power, seized the man with his thoughts and stopped his evasive maneuver. “Not so fast, my friend.”
The Agonotti attacker was clearly dumbfounded that he could be held in his physical state this way. “How did—?”
Lucin thrust a quick hand to the man’s chest and caught him as he tried to pull away from further attack. “Leaving so soon?” he asked sarcastically with a devilish grin on his face. “Haven’t you time for your master anymore, Vock?”
The Agonotti assassin was more puzzled now. “How did you know me?”
“It’s me Vock,” he said drawing nearer to his attacker. “I know I look terrible in this flesh puppet’s body; nevertheless, it is Lucin which stands before you.”
Vock looked him over; unsure of how to proceed. He had intended to kill this boastful human, but it was proving more difficult than he would have imagined.
Perhaps my thoughts would convince you?
I’ve met humans with telepathy.
A lack of faith, Vock? How unsettling.
Suddenly, the human army, which had obediently remained still, began to take aim on Vock. Firing bolts locked into position in waves all around them as Lucin called out to his minions with his thoughts.
“Did those humans with telepathy control thousands of soldiers with their thoughts as well?” Lucin asked confidently.
Vock was convinced. “My master,” he confessed as he knelt before his former Mithrial leader.
“Rise, my brother. We have much to discuss.”
“But I don’t understand. How did you come to control these humans and to be confined to this body?”
“It’s quite a story and one I may share at a later time, suffice to say, The Eternal One cursed me to a low form and I have triumphed over the condition he left me in to seize the minds of his beloved humans. Since coming to this planet, I have only seen my powers grow exponentially, until now I feel almost invincible.”
“My fellow Agonotti have been experiencing the same thing recently,” said Vock. “Perhaps it was your coming again to us which has caused the return of the power we once knew?”
“Perhaps. Whatever the reason, we must seize this opportunity to gain full control of the humans.”
“Of course, we are at your disposal my lord,” said Vock. “Our brethren are waiting nearby and we shall assemble the other groups spread across the continent as soon as possible.” It was easy to relinquish his new authority over the Agonotti to his former lord, Lucin. Just being in his presence again was an intoxicatingly evil thrill. Events were changing so rapidly in their favor, that it just seemed right that he had returned to them. “I should inform you that there are rebels working against us on this planet, my lord. We have been working diligently to root them out, but they have proven very resourceful.”
“I’ve encountered them as well. Don’t worry, Vock, I’ve recently sent some new allies to flush out the prey for us. We should see them appearing very soon and we’ll be prepared to greet them properly this time.”
SEVENTEEN
KALE, Emil and Juli walked into the Sector city base library. There were not all that many people in the place. Half of the lighting was shut down and of the few people occupying chairs and couches; Kale thought most appeared to be sleeping. As the trio passed the attendant desk they saw that no one was even working behind the counter.
“Doesn’t look like this part of the base gets much use,” said Emil.
Kale made his way over to a group of computer displays stationed on long rows of tables. Juli sat down next to him.
“I’m going to look around a little,” said Emil as he walked past them.
Kale tapped the display and it responded by blinking on. A symb
ol for the base library appeared in color, but there was no keyboard to utilize.
“It’s probably voice activated,” posed Juli and she spoke a command to the display. “Show library database, please.”
The computer responded by changing screens to a catalog of possible selections and said, “Please, state or touch category.”
“Religious texts,” said Kale.
The screen changed again to another menu of categories. Many religious documents were listed that Kale did not recognize, except for the one he was interested in. “The Logostus,” said Kale and the computer responded again.
“What are you looking for specifically?” asked Juli.
“I’m not quite sure,” said Kale, “I would like to see something about this prophecy of the empty hand that Aija spoke of.”
The computer captured phrases from his statement again and the separate sixty six documents that comprised The Logostus were replaced by specific scriptural references to “prophecy”, “empty hand” and “Aija.”
This thing is a bit sensitive, thought Kale. He noticed that many of the references were from subheading books of The Logostus that he recognized and quite a few were simply the names of those prophets which had authored them. Under the reference for “empty hand” was the subheading title “Book of the Kingdom Two” and a verse reference with it. Kale tapped the screen to access it and the scripture appeared on the screen. He and Juli studied it carefully. Evidently it was the only reference to the prophecy in the entire Holy Book.
“It says, the fallen shall be taken and reserved in chains unto the great day of Elithias’ judgment, and also—“
The computer threatened to take phrases and shift the displayed information again. “Computer, touch interface only,” said Juli and then she continued reading the passage as Kale read along with her.
“—on Draconis the Mithrial sons shall fall in Sayir to the one with no weapon in his hand. The fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.”
“What is Sayir?” asked Kale.
“It’s a mountain, to the west of Sector City,” said Juli.
“If the Agonotti are these Mithrial sons, being referred to in the Logostus, then it looks like they are going to be destroyed at that mountain,” deduced Kale.
“The reference sounds a bit like prayer does them in, doesn’t it?” asked Juli.”
Kale tapped the scripture reference for “Aija” that appeared on the screen. The computer brought up several scriptures where the man’s name appeared along with a commentary reference that gave general information on the subject. Kale could quickly see from the commentary reference that the prophet they had come to know recently had this person as his namesake.
“This commentary says that Aija was a prophet during the time of Elithias, when he appeared on Castai,” said Kale. “Apparently this Aija was a forerunner to Elithias’ appearance in human form when he came to provide a pardon to mankind.”
“And our Aija is the last prophet; a forerunner of Elithias’ return in order to establish his kingdom!” said Juli with sudden insight. “It’s beginning to make sense to me.”
The pair continued searching other references together. The puzzle pieces of Aija’s words were beginning to take on the form of a clearer picture, at least in part.
☼
EMIL had wondered to another portion of the library, away from Kale and Juli. He actually did want to find some information, but not with them present. Emil sat at one of the computer displays running through his own set of references. On the screen, were subheadings for the Vorn clan and for the Horva clones. All of the references were old. Apparently nothing beyond the time of the war was to be found in the system.
Emil was stunned to see all of the information referring to his people having been created as clone mutations of the Vorn for the purpose of fighting their battles for them. His father had never explained their origin and it had never been a subject he had been taught about while in school on Castai with Kale.
The commentary was telling him that the origins of his people were as slaves; highly adept warriors, but nonetheless, made to be slaves. There was also listed under the Horva subheading a commentary on General Grod. Emil tapped the screen and a record of his father’s wartime exploits were laid out before him. There was an obvious bias against his father in the wartime commentary. Emil supposed that was to be expected from someone who was on the opposite side of the conflict. He knew from Kale’s father that he and his father had been sworn enemies at one time, but that through events taking place during the conflict with a clan called the Baruk, the king and his father had become allies and eventually the greatest of friends.
Emil was glad that so much had changed between the two men. The thought that he and Kale might have been mortal enemies otherwise was very unpleasant. The commentary showed the Vorn clan native to the planet Demigoth. This was evidently where his father and the other Horva clones of the first generation had been created. Someday I must visit this planet Demigoth, he thought. Emil commanded the computer to turn off and he sank back into his chair. He closed his eyes and let the information soak into his mind. All of that is in the past, he reminded himself.
☼
“GENTLEMEN, having explained all of these things regarding the nature of this conflict, I do hope we can count on your support,” said Tiet as he stood addressing the other rebel leaders by video conference.
“I think I could speak for my fellows in this—we are worried about the numbers we are going to have to face in comparison with the number of capable soldiers we have,” said Commander Jarac. “It’s certainly not that we disbelieve the prophet you mentioned or the prophecies—I am personally a devoted follower of Elithias, but how do we know that this is the proper time to face this enemy?”
“Men, I can give you no assurances. I can only speak from what I know and believe, and I firmly believe that Elithias has commissioned me to lead the people of Draconis against this gathering army. If you do not face them now, openly, you will only prolong the inevitable, and end up running for your lives as they grow even stronger. And besides all this, how can we hope to obtain the blessings of The Eternal One when we are not willing to trust him?”
This was a cutting blow—it was immediately apparent on their faces. It was not anger, but guilt that Tiet saw in their expressions. But he had told them the truth and he felt good about it. If it was indeed Elithias’ purpose to have him lead these rebels in battle, then he would certainly be leading them.
Alec stepped in before the silence became awkward. “My brothers, may we take a vote to confirm?” he asked as he stepped before the viewer next to Tiet. “All those willing to follow the will of Elithias in this matter and lend us your assistance in this struggle, please signify by the uplifting of your right hand.
Excellent move, thought Tiet. Now, they were cornered somewhat by their convictions.
Slowly but surely, all hands went up.
“Excellent, gentlemen. With the enemy forces already massing nearby, we will need you to bring your troops to our location as soon as possible and—”
Suddenly the transmission was cut and the lighting flickered and went out along with all power. Emergency lighting quickly came on, but it was pale in comparison and no other power appeared to be operating.
“Power is out,” said Grod.
“Something is wrong,” said Alec. “It would have to have been done deliberately—our systems are completely separate from the city and hidden.”
“We may need those reinforcements sooner than we thought,” said Wynn.
Tiet’s communicator pin beeped to life. “Tiet, what’s happening?” asked Mirah.
“We’re not sure. Standby; we may need to evacuate the complex.”
“I’ll get prepared just in case. I may need the boys to help me get my patient Ramah to the ship.”
“Affirmative.”
☼
KALE and Juli were holding hands at the computer console. They were s
till looking through information; at least they were pretending to look through the data. Juli had placed her hand on top of Kale’s as it lay on the tabletop. Kale hadn’t taken his eyes off of the screen, but he had turned his hand over to take hers and hold it.
The power flickered several times and then the computer and all of the lights went dark. A lone emergency light pod switched itself on in the far corner of the room. Juli squeezed Kale’s hand tightly, “What’s happening?!”
“I’m not sure, but it can’t be good,” said Kale.
The pair got up from their seats and crossed the room, trying not to bump into the furniture. “Emil?!” shouted Kale as they searched for their friend.
“I’m here,” said Emil as he made his way across the room toward them, “I guess you two didn’t turn out the lights to kiss, huh”
Kale would have blushed, had it not been a dangerous situation they were in. “Let’s just get out of here and see if this power outage is everywhere,” said Kale.
The group made their way through the dark maze of tables and printed books on shelves and out into the corridor in from of the library. “Looks like the power is off everywhere,” said Emil.
“We need to get to your father,” said Juli.
“Let’s make our way back to the war room,” said Kale. He and Emil pulled their weapons and kept them at the ready. “Keep your senses sharp, Emil,” said Kale. “There’s no telling what kind of surprises we might find in the dark.”
☼
POWER conduit control boxes, sparked out their anger over the attack by the aerogores. The cables were severed that supplied power to the base and the junction boxes were destroyed. All the lights in the corridor were out except for a few lone emergency lights here and there.