And though communications were down, sensors were not and they told of strife and chaos on the surface of the third planet. Behind the rows of mighty cannons, Terra Sol was rocked by a couple of unusual explosions; the last one reminiscent of the sensor readings from the Lyarra’s Fire explosion. He had to look more than a few times to see the resemblance, and kept his findings to himself as something in the air aboard the Dark Light seemed off. Years of battle had fine-tuned his senses to notice even a subtle change in the environment around him; here, there were more than a few crew members acting out of sorts.
It started with a simple relay of orders in Ops Con as he had launched a small shuttle to see the depths of the comms failure; Kala not only hesitated in carrying out a simple task, she seemed to almost disregard his appointed authority for more than a brief moment. He logged the incident and chalked it up to simple dislike for an Ifierin giving Fleet staff orders but her demeanor showed it was something deeper.
Axyn also noticed a change in other crew in critical areas; more of a non-vocal snub than anything else, but still actions that were more than out of character from normal interactions with the same staff earlier. But the final tip off was a small grouping of his own men that until now, had rarely interacted. Axyn had taken a moment away from the command center to return to his barracks and gather a bit of his own work to complete during the down time when he noticed the soldiers huddled together through an open door as he passed. Knowing all his men by heart, it immediately raised a red flag in his mind as these were men that could barely stand marching in the same formation as the others, but here they were openly conversing with each other. Not wanting to show he may be on to something, he kept walking and retrieved his files. As he passed the room on his return, he took quick notice that it was empty; inside he hoped that it was nothing but random gambling, but deep down he knew it was something more sinister.
He was waist deep in something he didn’t understand; shadows moved about his peripherals but stayed out of sight. Axyn hoped he would hear from Lyxia soon; for right now he knew she was one he could trust in a time when nothing seemed right anymore.
—
Lyarran System, Throne World Planet Havyiin
It was raining on Havyiin; something that rarely happened at this time of year. Many said it was the planet itself shedding tears for the loss of Iana, but Myril saw it for what it was; a sign that everything was about to change. She was on the cusp of claiming what was hers at last; or at least taking the first steps to her coronation day. She had to be careful now; appearing too eager at a time of mourning would tip others off to her intentions.
Rain cascaded off the windscreen of the shuttle as it cruised a few hundred meters off the planet’s surface towards the Grand Council. She had called the meeting after waiting nine months in the wake of the tragic - yet fortunate - death of the Empress. Until now, she had been stationed in the guest chambers of the Imperial Palace under constant watch; the murderer was still at large and forced her to do all her work by holo-conference. So up until now, Myril had played the loving mother to an Empire that desperately needed one, and all the while planting the seeds to her ascension in all those she spoke with in the most subtle of manners.
That was how she had them call this emergency meeting, and though a handful of worlds and ships out on the outer fringes of the Empire hadn’t responded to the invitation, there would be more than enough Council members in attendance to nominate her as the next heir to the throne. After all, it was the most logical choice to make.
Fleet Com had control over the Empire and all its affairs until now, but the Lyarran Empire was never meant to be a militant state and its people were growing restless. Myril had used this in her recent conversations with high ranking officials to suggest that, despite the official mourning period had yet to start, the Empire needed an Empress sooner than later. She had expected more resistance than she encountered, but her timing was perfect and those with the power to enact change were ready to do so.
As the shuttle eased into the docks of the Grand Council, the meeting inside and its resulting decision were hardly a secret to her as she was dolled up a bit more than usual. Myril knew she was the incumbent leader, but tried her best to make it look like it would be an unexpected surprise. Her foot was in the door, and she had but to let the fools open it the rest of the way to let her take what she had so long coveted.
Her servants and security ushered her to her podium and went about making sure the rest of the facility was secure. The scoundrel that had thwarted her plans thus far had been oddly silent since the attack on the Lyarra’s Fire and could be anyone or anywhere. A quick look around told her that other Council representatives had similar thoughts as multitudes of security teams and drones swept the place relentlessly. Her gaze was met with quick smiles, nods and even bows; reassuring her that the events soon to come were all on track to go the way they were planned. In a little less than an hour, Myril would be named the crown incumbent of the Lyarran Empire and at the end of the six months of mourning to celebrate Iana’s life she would be crowned at a ceremony not seen in the history of the great Empire. Only then would she breathe a sigh of relief; only then would she be able to negotiate her people’s survival as her master’s new era began.
Lights flickered; the session was about to begin and time had sped by as she had been lost in her thoughts the whole time. Myril listened quietly as minor issues were tabled - as was the usual proceeding - and the absence of J’Karra, the Dark Light, and Terra Sol were chided and frowned upon. This marked the second consecutive meeting that the J’Karrins had not attended, but the first time she could remember that Council Lyxia had ever been absent for as well as the newly added human delegation. It was something to note and investigate later, but her ears perked up with the motion to elect a new head of the Empire began.
Vote after vote rained in, in a unanimous decision to elect the High Priestess of the Guild as the next Empress and Myril could hardly contain her excitement. Her usual calm demeanor became bashful and giddy, but she quickly reigned in her emotions to put the proper face forward. It was deemed that the following week would mark the first day of the mourning period and at the end she would be crowned the new Empress of Light. All eyes turned to her as the spotlights lit her podium above the others, to which she bowed in appreciation. The room applauded the decision and urged her to a speech, but as she opened her mouth the room went suddenly dark.
At the center of the Grand Council; and where the Empress would usually be standing mediating the affairs; stood the holo-image of an Ifierin in battered armor that had greyed over time. A ragged and hooded cloak covered his helmet and flowed over his back and left side. After months of silence, the very being who had terrorized the whole galaxy had returned and every soul in attendance was gripped in fear as to what would happen next.
—
“In a room full of politicians,” the familiar voice growled. “There is not an intelligent mind in sight. If you all are the greatest hope of the Empire, it is no wonder your enemy stands among you in plain sight. Instead of seeing the big picture, all you worry about is putting a body into a throne in a decision that is not yours to make. This meeting is a farce, as is your tribute to your Goddess.”
“It is I who holds the key to the Throne of Light; I who holds the responsibility of passing the crown to the one able to bear its weight. Yet you all think it is your right to name the heir, but you do it with all the wrong intentions. Gone is the honor that left with Iana’s departure, and none in this room can say with honesty, that they can hold up to the example which she set. Anguish and heartache has clouded the judgement and ability to see of the entire populace, but I ask all in this room this; what is your excuse?”
“And as for the one I have sought for, know that the darkness no longer shrouds you from my eyes. I see you now; and while you are not the threat I once thought you to be, examples must be made in times of war. I am coming for you and there is nothing that
will stop me. Wrongs will be made right and upon the throne will sit the rightful heir. Enjoy each day you have left, for tomorrow may bring you face to face with death.”
In an instant, the message ended and the room brightened once again. There was a sense of insult and fear for what had been just said, but also a sense of curiosity of who the one was, within the Council walls, that had drawn this creature’s ire. Eyes searched around, some stopped on the incumbent but soon moved off as she too shared in the confusion and searched with her eyes as well. Someone in the building was a target and despite his intentions to out that being, they remained unknown; for now.
TEN
Geneva, Switzerland
Sara awoke and found herself in a familiar place; she was home in Switzerland yet she had no clue how she had got there. She was in her bed and dressed only in a loose tank top and her underwear, not the military issue jumpsuit she had been wearing last time she was awake. Somehow, she had travelled half a world away and been undressed before being placed in her quarters. To the say the least, Sara was very confused.
“It had that effect on me too.” It was Lyxia who had been sitting by the head of the bed in a recliner unseen that surprised her. “Took me more than a few minutes to try and put it together before it all began to makes sense.”
“What happened?” Sara asked as she rubbed her still sore head through her mess of matted hair.
“We survived; barely.” Lyxia quietly replied. “The shuttle crashed and we were all knocked unconscious by the impact. From what I am told, the ship was almost entirely covered in snow and we might still be there had the beacon not been activated. Your friend Patterson, had sent out a rescue party that reached us rather quickly and we were brought back here to recover.”
“And who undressed me?” Sara asked sheepishly; tugging at her tank top.
“That would have been the medics. They were very concerned about you; you have been out for a few days you know.”
“Really?” Sara was shocked; her head really hurt.
“And it seems our friend sent another message.” Lyxia added. “This time in the midst of the Council session that was called to name the new Empress.”
“I missed a Council session?” Sara asked, more trying to make sense of the news than to repeat what Lyxia was saying. “Did he point out the person he was after? And did they get to the decision before he interrupted?”
“He did not, and they did.” The answers to her questions came, but not in the detail she wanted. Lyxia began to guide her back into bed and covered her. “All that can wait until tomorrow. You humans are fragile yet stubborn creatures; your body cries out for rest yet your mind wants answers. All of it will keep until morning my friend. When you wake up, I will give you all you wish for answers and then we can resume our hunt if you are able.”
Sara felt her eyes closing as the rush of adrenaline wore off like a snap of the fingers. Lyxia was right, she wasn’t ready to be up and about. Sleep embraced her and she managed a smile to her friend before she drifted off. Somewhere in the distance, Sara heard the door close as Lyxia left her to her dreams, then she faded off to dreamland.
There, Sara was young again and sitting on the patio swing with her dad as they watched a thunderstorm roll in. It was one of their things that they both enjoyed - her mother would have none of it as she hid inside from the first crack of thunder - so this had become father-daughter time that usually went undisturbed until the rain began to fall. “It’s a bad one.” Her dad commented as the thunder rolled and the lightning lit up the horizon.
“Maybe.” She said as she snuggled in to his arm. “Good thing we are safe here.”
“Not this one.” Her dad replied.
His words seemed so different that she sat up to look at him as she realized it was not her dad anymore; well, not really. What had once been Aaron Foster was now Aen; and although they were the same person, their personalities couldn’t have been more different. Sara was shocked and speechless. Then she noticed that everything around them was gone; the house she called home was little more than shards of timber and rubble. The patio was covered in thick grey ash and the swing was broken and rusted. Only the storm in the distance remained the same as it was a few seconds ago.
“There will be no place to hide from this storm; no shelter for anyone anywhere. The Empire and all it encompasses will be overwhelmed within its fury, yet all dismiss it in the distance as you just did.” He continued.
“We beat the Husk.” She stammered back. “And if we can do that then we can…”
“Humanity survived the Husk, not defeated them.” Aen warned. “They were but a gust of wind at the far edge of the coming storm. What comes next will test everyone on their will to survive.”
Sara felt the storm close in as the wind picked up and the rain began to fall in a mild drizzle. It was then she felt a chill and realized she was dressed as she had been in her bed before her dreams, and in the presence of her father she felt rather exposed.
“What would you have me do?” she asked as she covered herself with her hands the best she could.
“Wake up.”
“I don’t understand.” She cried out to him.
“Open your eyes and wake up Sara.” His eyes blazed in blue fires at her. “Wake up!”
Sara’s eyes shot open as she sat upright in her bed; her body covered in a cold sweat and her breath rapid and ragged. Tears rained down her cheeks as she had felt the warmth of her father for a brief moment; his death still weighed hard on her after all these years. Her fingers raked through the damp stands of hair on her head as she contemplated the dream and what it meant. It had been so vivid; so real! It had to have meant something! Sara wondered if her father was calling out from the great beyond to warn her of something she hadn’t been seeing.
It was then Sara began to realize she wasn’t alone in the dark room; and at first she dismissed her visitor as being only Lyxia. But a second glance at the shadow in the corner told her different and a chill of fear crept down her spine. The always bright moonlight of the mountains streamed into the room and reflected off the polished chrome of armor reminiscent of that worn by the knights of the Dark Ages. She could also make out similarities of Ifierin cues in the highlights; and along with the dark cape draped over the right shoulder, Sara knew her companion was the one they had been hunting. She was trapped in her room with the very creature that had killed the Empress in cold blood!
“And now that you are awake,” the voice that had haunted the airways across space growled at her, “I can let you know how real that danger is you’ve been ignoring for so long, truly is.”
—
Aen had reached out to her in the gentlest way possible to try and show her the depths of what was happening as Iana helped him enter his daughter’s dreams. But nothing he could have done would have prepared him once he was there and quickly he became wrapped up in the warmth and comfort of her visions. It took him longer than he would have liked to snap out of it, then he reached out to her and woke her up.
At the very instant she awoke, Aen too was thrown back into reality as the cool night breeze of the Swiss mountains permeated his armor and kissed his flesh. It reminded him of those times they had watched the storms roll in; the cool air that always preceded the rain, told him why she had settled her new life here. The very scent of the air took him back to those very times with her and beneath his helmet he smiled.
She took notice of him, and the look of terror actually tore at his heart. Aen reminded himself of the armor and the persona it carried; the fear she was projecting was to that portrayal, not him. He saw her try to scream for help and pushed out to adjust the gravitational field around her. Sara’s body was pinned back to the bed and a pillow pushed at her mouth to stifle her screams lest she alert others.
“Save your voice child.” His voice had never sounded more alien to him than now. “If I wanted to harm you, your sleep would never have ended. Relax, for when I leave here tonight you w
ill still be alive.”
She fought against the unseen restraint and spat in defiance before she accepted that she was a prisoner for now. Sara nodded her head slightly to notify her agreement to stay calm; and after a few moments the pillow simply fell away.
“What do you want?” she scowled.
“The same thing you and your friend search for; the truth.”
“And what truth does a monster such as you search for?”
He could feel the hatred radiate from her as if she was the one fueled by a star and not him.
“The hard truths; to the questions that most are afraid to ask.” He answered calmly.
“And how many more have to die like the Empress did before you get your truths?” The question was filled with so much spite and anger that Aen nearly broke down and told her everything. But this wasn’t the place or the time; there were too many ears that could listen if he wasn’t careful.
“Why did you do it?” She asked before he could answer the last query. “What did she do to deserve such a death from a coward like yourself?”
“A good question.” He began to pace the floor. “One that not only yourself would like to have answered. And yet, an answer I cannot give you; not here.”
“Why?”
“Because you aren’t ready for the answer; not yet. Your body needs time to heal, and there is another party that needs to be a part of that conversation. Until then, you must look past the act of the distraction and see the picture as a whole. And when you can do that, bring your friend the Council to where you last heard your father’s voice and I will give you all your answers and more. Leave your soldiers and your spies behind when you come; we will need all the soldiers we can get in the coming days.”
“And why should I trust you?” Sara asked in a vicious tone.
“You can’t, but I am the only key to the truth and your only protection from the coming storm.” Aen replied.
He heard the sounds of footsteps approaching the door. His time with her was far too short for his liking. His heart called to him to confess all his sins and comfort her, yet his mind remained sharp and in control. With a thought, he released gravities dull grip on her body and freed her. As expected, he watched as she leapt for the foot of her bed for the bidden pistol, but he had disappeared by the time she had pointed it to the place he had just been.
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