Ghosts of Lyarra

by Damian Shishkin

  “And now?” Lyxia asked him in response. “Do you have it all back now? Do you get why I am so mad; so hurt?”

  “I am whole.” Aen whispered; yet the acoustics of the room echoed the words softly. “Yet broken at the sight of your pain.” Aen looked over to Sara. “To sit back and not hold my daughter again tore at my heart; to tell her once more how sorry I am that I couldn’t be there for her as she went through hell and back. And to not rush into your arms at last Lyxia; that was the hardest. To not act on every wish and desire of my heart and soul from the first time I laid eyes on you was almost impossible.”

  Iana watched the two close the distance to each other and embrace in a deep kiss. Her heart both soared and sank at the same time. She was happy that they were able to fulfill their love, but saddened that it was not her in his arms. So she put on a happy face and masked her sadness, and even chuckled when Sara broke the long silence.

  “Ummm, hey I am pretty sure you are still married there.”

  —

  Over the next few hours there was a lot of catching up to be done. Iana did much of the talking as the two newcomers listened intently. For the parts she couldn’t remember right or at all, Caretaker was more than happy to interject on her behalf. As for Aen, the emotional strain of the last few weeks had taken its toll on him and he sat quietly off to the side and just observed.

  For a time, he would simply watch Sara and admire how grown up she was now. When she asked questions, they were with purpose and to further understanding. Her intellect startled him, but she had been Iana’s star pupil when the Empress had stayed after the Husk attack. Every now and then, Sara would look up and notice him staring and just wink or smile back at him. This time however, she got off the floor where she had been seated quietly for so long, stretched, then ambled over to sit beside him on a crate,

  “So.” She began nervously. “Have you seen mom yet?”

  “No.” Aen replied quickly. “Wouldn’t know where to begin with her now; to be honest I’m not really sure where it ended. Caretaker says she’s in a new relationship and in the photos she looks happy.”

  “She is.” Sara added sadly. “Dave is good for her. She met him about a year ago after she got a job as a fitness instructor for the military.”

  Aen looked mildly surprised at that news.

  “I know,” Sara chuckled. “But Earth needs us all to pitch in now more than ever and it is something she loves. Besides, her gym was buried under tons of rubble back home. Anyway, after a ton of him courting her, she finally agreed to go out with him and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Hell she even moved with him out to the middle of nowhere when he got posted to….ummm….I guess that part is classified.”

  “Posted to the Olympus project.” Aen finished. “Humanity’s secret warship development program hidden behind the solar farm in between Venus and Mercury.”

  Sara’s look returned back to nervousness as she realized he knew much more than she thought. Worse yet, both Iana and Lyxia heard that part of the conversation and now listened intently for it to continue.

  “How do you know that?” she asked. “How could you know that? There’s less than a dozen people planet side with access to that information and none of them would ever talk.”

  “Have you just met Caretaker?” Aen asked sarcastically. “Or did you think the lag in comm lines and the blackout were naturally caused? When I said I controlled the airways, I meant it.”

  “Speaking of comm lines, I need to send word to my men at the embassy and my ship that we are fine.” Lyxia interrupted. “But while I do, you wait on this conversation and continue it when I’m done; seems my dear friend here has been holding out on me.” She laughed.

  Aen contemplated the request, then nodded in agreement. “Caretaker, let her make her calls. But bounce the source around a bit so they can’t get a fix and make sure she doesn’t say anything that endangers Iana’s anonymity.”

  This got him a look of annoyance from Lyxia to which he just replied in a shrug of his shoulders. Even though they were on the same side, they now sat at a critical juncture and couldn’t risk any type of failure at this point.

  “I shall delay her transmissions a second so I can filter them if needed for any unwanted hints or words misspoken. And if the spunky Council missteps her bounds, may I threaten to wipe her clean as she once did to me?” Caretaker whined.

  “A bit over the top for what I asked for there.” Aen said with a hint of annoyance. “I hardly think Lyxia will betray us, I just want caution in case of a slip of the tongue.”

  “Your comm line is live, Council.” The AI droned. “You may make your calls.”

  Lyxia walked to the far end of the room and out the door before making her first call; not for privacy but to ensure no background voices were picked up on her call. AS she left, all eyes fell on Aen once more.

  “You have to see her.” Sara urged. “At least give her the knowledge that you are still alive before she finds out from someone else. And before you continue with whatever the hell it is you have with Lyxia.”

  “And what would you have me do; ruin her chance at happiness a second time?” Aen asked as he stood up in frustration. “My life with her ended the second I was made into this; when I died, so did any chance of us having a life together. It haunted me for a long time afterwards, and I only came to terms with it before the ships exploded.” He turned and looked down at his daughter and her sorrow was apparent. “I am immortal, or that’s what all Caretaker’s tests tell me, and to spend a life with Krista and watch her grow old and die would only torment me more than I could ever imagine. Let her have her new life; she deserves happiness and much more.”

  Sara was crying and so was Iana; if Aen had tears to cry he would probably join them. Instead he reached out with his right arm and invited his daughter to be comforted which she did after a brief hesitation. The two hugged as she cried for some time, and were only separated by the return of Lyxia to the fold.

  “Did I miss something?” she asked seeing the tears on the other two.

  “Nothing major.” Sara replied with a sniffle as she wiped away her tears. “All clear on your end?”

  “Something’s going on aboard the Dark Light; wouldn’t mind getting back there soon to give Axyn a hand.” Lyxia said. “Seems like there is something to your theory on this conspiracy; my Captain of Arms has noticed some rather odd behavior.”

  “And I confirmed the line was clear.” Added Caretaker. “I did have to cut off more than a few attempts to bug the conversation though.”

  “We will deal with the traitors soon enough.” Aen trumpeted. “But first we have to all get on the same page.”

  “Olympus?” Sara asked sheepishly.

  “Yes, Olympus.” Aen confirmed. “Caretaker stumbled upon it as we entered Earth space and ever since has been gathering data for me.”

  “Well, I guess you all deserve to know.” Sara sighed. “Let me start with the fact that what was done was done to ensure the long term survival of the human race; not to defy any orders of the Imperial Council. At the conclusion of the defense network project, our analysts found that the cannons weren’t enough to keep an enemy at bay for much longer than five to ten days, which meant any major invasion of the system would be an eventuality not just speculation. We needed more than defence, and if we wanted to expand with colonization beyond the Solar system we would need a fleet of battle able ships. We had the resources, and just happened to have the perfect place to hide such a project so after a bit of hesitation I gave it a go ahead.”

  “I found no record of such an order.” Caretaker piped up.

  “No you wouldn’t.” she answered promptly. “Nor will you find any official record or invoicing pertaining to the materials or labour being used to build the ships. Funds are from black market gold sales and materials are those in and about the Solar system itself.”

  “Go on.” Urged Iana. “I wish to know everything.”

  “What your
AI hasn’t been able to tell you is that of the true focus of the project. You know of the ships in general, but what you don’t know about is Zeus. Zeus is a beyond state-of-the-art vessel with both engine and weapons technology never before imagined. It is also the largest ship ever built; ten times the size of the Dark Light itself.”

  “By the Gods!” Lyxia cried out. “What would you ever need something that big for?”

  “Most of the foredecks are to house the Gama Cannon that is coupled with four Plasma Accelerator cannons; two on each side of the massive rectangular barrel that stretches half the length of the ship. It fires a gamma ray burst that is used in concert with the PA cannons; the gamma burst fries an enemy’s shields and weapons and the following PA rounds tear the ship to shreds.”

  “Such a weapon is an atrocity.” Iana mumbled. “The Council would never allow it to be completed. Just owning such a weapon is an act of war.”

  “So is threatening to take over our claim on our resources.” Sara fired back. “Yet every session carried out such greedy claims that we should not be able to hold such a wealth of riches. It wasn’t paranoia that drove us to make the Zeus as much as it was accepting the inevitability that the Council would fail in keeping us safe sooner rather than later.”

  “And the rest of the ship?” Lyxia chimed in to change the subject. “I believe you have only accounted for half of its size in your reasoning.”

  Sara turned to Aen, looked deep within his eyes and found comfort in the swirling blue rings of fire before continuing. “Amidships is for crew quarters, food growing ops and storage as well as the Command and Control tower on her upper right side.”

  “Much like the aircraft carriers.” Aen added.

  “Yes, in fact the top of the ship is where attack fighters are housed and launched in full sight of the C&C.” she continued. “In some ways you could say that part resembles the aircraft carriers of the old Navy. But despite the level of technology in the front and middle of the ship, the true power of the Zeus lies in the rear quarter of her size. There lies the massive reactors that drive her; four fusion reactors power the ship for sub-light travel and all her day to day needs. Then there comes the jump-space reactors.”

  “Reactors?” both Lyxia asked. “You mean there are two jump-space reactors?”

  “Three actually.” Sara replied.

  It was an answer that drew a gasp from both Iana and Lyxia, while intriguing Aen and Caretaker to learn more.

  “One to create the sub-space field to make the jump, the second to power the ship faster than ever recorded through jump-space itself, and the third and smaller reactor to supercharge the second reactor in the case of emergency. Theoretically, the Zeus could jump from Earth to Havyiin in five days; or less.”

  “Impossible.” Gasped Iana.

  “Quite the contrary.” Chimed in Caretaker. “The fact that the humans, who have had access to jump-space theories and technology for such a fraction of time versus the rest of the Imperial ship designers, have thought of this before the Guild has is most fascinating. What I wouldn’t give to see this creation of yours Sara Foster. Does it work?”

  “There is the part that’s embarrassing.” Sara grumbled. “It works in theory, but not in reality. We are close, but Zeus is still a year or so away from being ready to fly. The others are complete and ready; in fact, I believe the Aries was launched to keep an eye on the Dark Light and the incoming traffic too.”

  “I believe I can help them in getting the engine problems solved.” Caretaker spoke eagerly. “With my guidance I can cut the preparation time down to six months; or less.”

  “That won’t be happening!” Iana protested. “Such a machine of malice must be dismantled at once; it threatens the very peace we so enjoy now throughout the Empire. Too many have sacrificed themselves for such an abomination to ruin it all.”

  “Funny, that’s what many of the Council have said about me.” Aen snapped back. “And this is one demand I will not let be carried out, your highness. Your precious time of peace is just a fallacy; a shroud your enemy has used to hide behind as they wage an unseen war on everything you hold dear. When this Myril takes power, it won’t be to maintain the status quo; she has placed her pawns carefully and strategically throughout the Empire and will use them to usher in a new age upon us all. This is what the Prophets showed me; the age of darkness and destruction is at our very doorstep. Will you greet it with subservience or fight back for all you hold dear?”

  Aen looked at each one of them, staring deep into their eyes before moving on to the next. He had to know if they were all on board for what was coming; he told them all the truth may be more than they can handle. Sara was the first to nod in agreement and support, then Lyxia, and lastly Iana with much hesitation.

  “The Zeus must be completed; and stay as secret as it is now.” He added. “Our enemy doesn’t know about me yet, but as this chapter plays out they will. They cannot learn of the Zeus until its shadow is cast over them and catches them off guard. Caretaker will get his wish, and then they will wait until we call for them before launching.”

  “I’m not sure the old man will go for that.” Sara quipped.

  “Then you and I have to pay him a visit to convince him otherwise.” Aen smiled.

  —

  Inner System Solar Power Relay Station; Project Olympus

  Patterson finally got in touch with Council Foster after a few days of unanticipated radio silence, and much to his surprise he learned that she was on her way to personally discuss what she had learned with him; aboard Zeus. She had only visited once before, and that visit had been the most uncomfortable he had ever been in the company of an official. Sara Foster despised him because of his involvement with Starchild; so if she was coming to see him in person, he knew it was something urgent.

  He watched as the ship neared the docks of the solar power plant that hid the entire Olympus project behind its mighty arrays of solar cells. To this day it had amazed him that no one was questioning why the station only produced half its expectant power collection; Zeus cast one hell of a shadow in the light of the sun. This was one of the few times he had left the mighty vessel, but her assurances that everything that had been happening planet-side was settled, relaxed his over anxious demeanor. Patterson felt the thud of the shuttle securing to the dock and the hiss of pressurization; his guest had officially arrived and it was time to greet her.

  “General.” Sara acknowledged him as she cleared the airlock.

  “Council.” He returned the cold greeting. “To what do I owe this face to face meeting that you wouldn’t discuss over the comms?”

  “Not until we reach your office on the ship.” She said cautiously; eyeing up the many guards around the facility. “What I have to say is definitely on a need to know basis.”

  Patterson noted the look in her eyes, but couldn’t match it with either fear or anger; either way, the Council was definitely out of sorts. The two walked towards a waiting golf cart-like vehicle and climbed aboard in silence as the driver sped off towards their destination. Through the station windows, Zeus loomed large and seemed to be just another part of the massive installation, yet everyone here knew different. He felt more uneasy than usual at her silence, and his feeble attempts at conversation during the journey were met with glares that could freeze a polar bear,

  They reached the Zeus’ airlock and cycled through its multiple chambers before driving through the other end a few minutes later. The ship’s size meant that traversing her length was achieved by these electric vehicles which meant the ride from hell wouldn’t be over for a bit longer. Even the driver cleared his throat a few times in an attempt to break the unnerving silence, but the frost queen kept her cool.

  At last, they arrived at the officer’s wing and the two entered the elevator that led up to Patterson’s office. As the doors began to shut, the General noticed the look of relief on the driver’s face that his part was over so Patterson flashed him the finger before the doors s
hut completely. At least he could tell a private to fuck off to alleviate some tension.

  “Are there cameras and microphones in your office?” she asked him out of nowhere; catching him off guard as he had been humming in his head along with the horrible elevator tunes.

  “Not that I’ve ever ordered.” He answered, a bit confused. “Do we have a problem with spies? What did that bastard Jyn spill before he died?”

  “There is a bit of a spy problem I’ve uncovered, but not out here.” She reassured him. “I am more concerned about our conversation staying off the record and let’s just say you don’t have the best track record with me personally.”

  Mercifully, the elevator reached their floor and the doors opened with a chime. Patterson nearly darted out to escape the crushing tension inside and led the way to his office at the end of the hall. As he opened the door for her, he turned back to address her last words to him.

  “No bugs, no cameras, just you and me.” He smiled at her.

  “Not quite.” A voice from inside called out, as she smiled a devilish grin in passing him to enter. “But let’s hope for your sake you are right about the first part.”

  —

  It was the second time he had cornered the old General and caught him off guard; a fact that made Aen feel a bit more pleasure than it should. He had shifted himself from the shuttle as it docked and waited in the office for them to arrive, having found the proper place to wait from the plans stolen by Caretaker. Aen waited impatiently, but had perked up as he heard the elevator arrive and even resisted the temptation to light one of Patterson’s precious cigars to add to the already shocking scene that awaited the old man.

  Sara pulled the stunned senior into the room and shut the door quickly; locking it behind them to ensure they wouldn’t be disturbed. Patterson looked terrified and confused all at the same time, and Aen revelled in it.