Origin: Eternity's End
Page 41
“North?” He asked.
The robed man pointed to Polaris with a sly grin on his face.
“Oh.” The captain realized, still not convinced of the phrase.
A movie perhaps?
As he deposited the last container of cells on the command table the robed man took his leave. The captain’s mind was estranged throughout the whole ordeal. Overcome by curiosity the captain took a great stride and grabbed the man by the shoulder. The robed man’s quick reflexes grabbed his hand then immediately loosened his grip as he determined no threat.
“Wait,” the captain asked in the old tongue, “I must know what did you want of those two?”
The robed figure was hesitant at first to answer but obliged his faithful pirate captain one last time. “They were looking for someone. I merely wanted to point them in the right direction. Until then I’ll continue to leave them clues, I think I know where they will look next.” The man said on his way out.
The captain felt strangely uneasy, the man commanded either dread or awe. With great hesitation the captain ordered his men in the foreign dialect to detain him, his identity was paramount to the captain. The guards instantly detained the man and made him face the captain.
“When I saw you come into my ship I had a feeling I knew you from somewhere. And as I discussed your plans for the attack I sensed I knew what you were looking for. Those people were the two mortal prodigies of Sheppard Artanis whom he himself charged with chronicling his final history, are they not?” The pirate captain asked, “I met them long ago personally, but what business did you have with them?” The nomad asked in the robed man’s language.
The robed man looked up with brilliant silver-blue eyes at the captain.
“I used to traverse these parts many an Aion ago,” the robed man spoke in the ancient immortal dialect much to the surprise of the nomads, “your language is not foreign to me.”
The captain was a little surprised.
“As per my relation to the man and woman,” a smile grew on the robed man’s face, “we are old acquaintances as one might say.”
The pirate grew vexed at the man’s insolence and punched the robed man in the stomach as his guards held him. They grabbed the hood of his robe and turned the man’s head as he whispered in his ear.
“I had personally fought at the side of mankind’s greatest commander hundreds of years ago. I had the greatest respect for that man. Of all the immortals, his character was undeniable. I would have given my life for no other man than him…”
The robed figure said nothing.
“If you think I’m going to let you go just like that and kill the progenies of the greatest human being I have ever met, you are mistaken.” He punched the man swiftly on his left cheek forcing him to recoil to the right, his hood fell back revealing his face. His hair was short and uneven, as if he tried to cut it himself. But his face was instantly recognizable.
The pirate captain reveled in shock and ordered his men to let the man go. As if his muscle memory kicked in, the pirate captain immediately stood in attention and saluted the robed man in the ancient Legion conduct. His eyes began to glow a brilliant royal blue in the dim light of the ship.
As the robed man hit the ground in dizziness he tried to rub off the pain from his cheek bone. The pirate captain immediately rushed to the man and helped him up. As the light shone across his face each of them realized who he really was.
Apologies were exchanged by both parties as the robed man got to his knees. He was not angry or bitter at the pirate captain, he had wished to remain anonymous longer but this was bound to happen.
“I am extremely sorry sir. But I will take the reprimand for my actions,” He was nearly choking on his words, “My men are at your command now sir, I would have it no other way.”
The robed man was Sheppard Artanis in the flesh. Though his face had changed somewhat he still emanated the aura of the most wizened soldier the universe had ever known.
“It is quite alright young man…” Sheppard had not given orders to anyone for some time. “But our work here is far from done...”
A woman appeared behind Sheppard, her black hair and short statue resembled Monica. She did not say a word, instead she waited for Sheppard.
“It’s time for a new age…”