Chapter 3
Great interest pulled awareness from the delicate and intricate task at hand. Very carefully Oliver ceased working alone at the table covered with pieces as if a puzzle was clearly unfinished and slid his mind deeper through the link of the distant Pride all looking up as the bright sun suddenly was blotted out by something massive. Casting a shadow across the land. Nova let the master see and Oliver realized four days had passed because he knew what had just taken up orbit around Zerika. The Gaia. “Come back to me.” His thoughts were clear and Nova roared. All felines charged back underground, ending the constant training for the cubs.
Posted guards still were shocked by the speed of the great cats and gave plenty of room. Workers gave exceptionally more room and were unsettled by military precision.
“What’s going on?” Renee’s mind expanded to telepathic thought over constant emotional sharing between herself and her lover.
“Seems the honored guests have arrived.”
“Damn.” Renee cursed audibly upon the saddle of Sparky who flew slowly around the underground city. His head snaking to a stop when noticing the black and white striped Ligers entering from the eastern tunnel. “Still haven’t decided on what I’ll wear.” Still being a girl she couldn’t make up her mind on that subject.
“Decide quickly.” Sparky told her and hissed in pleasure over her distress.
“Not helping, Dumbass.” She swatted his warm, scaly emerald neck. “Better set me down and get ready.”
Blurring wings evened out and glided them over the city of stone towards the buildings they had occupied for the past few days. Below, scientists and archeologists looked up from the streets as the reptilian shadow crossed between them and the thousands of flying light orbs illuminating the sprawling city. The gentle glide ended with the barest of jarring as four clawed limbs made contact with the ground.
Checking Isabella remained secured in the wrap, Renee threw a leg over and dismounted to hurry inside to find Oliver sitting in the main room at a large table still covered in tiny pieces a mix of metal, wires and crystal shards the size of shaving slivers. She immediately turned her bracelet into a hairbrush and began unknotting the wild crimson mane whipped around from flying. She found a mirror by the front door and washed it days ago. She got the curls to be somewhat manageable and began changing clothes every couple seconds. Isabella floated suspended midair by her mother.
Anxiety had Oliver sigh, get up and lay a hand on her shoulder. “Relax, Red. You’re going to make me nervous if you don’t calm down.”
“You’re not a woman so you wouldn’t understand. First impressions are everything to us and you never grew up being raised by the Empire. We’re going to meet the most influential person in all of humanity. I don’t want to dress of Wind and be seen as a slut nor so conservative that I’m an uptight prude. If you don’t have any advice then leave me the fuck alone.”
She noted his reflection’s reaction turn speculative before seeing what he imagined. “Why not the sexy white dress you wore for our first date?”
“The one from The Pits?”
“Yes. You were radiant and so beautiful I still dream of our first night together and seeing you in that dress. White favors your coloring and complexion. So does green.”
“I really miss that dress. It was classy and gorgeous rolled up in one package. For you, Olly, I’ll do it, but alter it some. Less plunging cleavage, but backless and white stiletto high heels.” Nakedness showed for a moment as the malleable material change colors, softened and thickened so if her nipples puckered they wouldn’t be seen. She played with her hair as the great head of Nova came in through the door to bring the rest inside. The cubs went upstairs with two of the nine females to be watched over. Nova had to rumble so his daughter, leader of the new Pride, would follow orders. She was obstinate and was quite normal. The young leader huffed and Renee hid a giggle, expecting Oliver to do the exact same when their daughter one day started challenging his authority. Oliver saw it too and shook his head and went back to sitting and working at the table.
Jessica arrived not long after wearing a borrowed ruby dress that caressed her hourglass figure. A scientist offered it after she fixed a communication issue for long range transmissions. Auburn hair hung loosely and Renee was jealous of the naturally straight hair of the aunt when hers curls. Matching heels and painted fingernails that were nanite infused to retain the color for months completed the outfit. She said “Did you hear? The Emperor and Empress have arrived and are being shuttled and escorted to the planet as we speak.”
“Not the last part. Olly told me the Gaia arrived and that it cast a huge shadow even from orbit.”
“It is the largest spacecraft humanity has ever created, being twenty five hundred kilometers from bow to stern.”
“Near as large as one of our Motherships.” Netul voiced with the power of the mind as he came up from behind before the door managed to shut in his face. “The pattern resembles the Dorgenox, but not.”
“It’s a living ship too. Made of dense wood with giant solar sails that encircle three parts of the ship all the way around. Papa’s is more accurate considering the original shape and look of Earth’s sailboats. The imperial ship doesn’t even have riggings or anchors. It’s so big it can’t even land. I doubt they’d even try on Mereddia. It’s just too massive.” Renee said, using the Valek to turn her fingernails a shade of peach. The fingernails themselves, not paint over them. “Auntie, opinion.”
“Lovely!” Stephanie held her niece’s hand and grumbled. “I hate you being able to do things like this.” It made Renee beam.
Sparky and Rose arrived a few minutes later, their scales bright and clean. Clearly washing and drying quickly.
Thank goodness that the dwellings were exceptionally spacious. Plenty of room for the Ligers positioning themselves strategically for any threats. To calm Oliver, Renee also decided to put Isabella in her crib upstairs with the cubs, put a bottle in her lips and let her rest.
Eventually there came a distant beat of heavy boots on the stone roads. After millennia’s of being submerged, the streets were dry and cleaned… well most of them were. Heightened hearing picked up more than human. The dragging of a tail came from Drake and metal spoke of robotic hydraulics. The new group took time to gawk at the city, Oliver knew because his microscopic drones recorded everywhere.
There were sixty eight total into the city. Forty one being human. Four Drakes richly colored. Twenty three remaining were rifle wielding humanoid robots encircling the rest. Inside that first ring was another comprised by black suited men and women of power who’s eyes glowed and their short hair stayed down. It was clear they were the Emperor’s personal guard and were all known to be Class Twelve users. Twenty three special guards. Inside them were seven Elder Hunters lazily taking a stroll. Chief among them was Vanishing Claw and his mate Talon beside a couple in the very center. The long necks of the four Drakes arched high so they had the best vantage. As soon as they left the stairs to the city four of the guards mounted into saddles and took flight. Granting a little more space. The remaining was a woman speaking to a floating orb, several people in lab coats, a medic in a skintight white flight suit who had an injector pistol strapped to a thigh and synthesizer located at the lower back.
The Emperor was a sharply featured black man in fine clothes, wore the imperial insignia. A pendant displaying the Earth over crossed swords. Flowing from the right shoulder was a half-cape made of spun gold. His body type was barely above average. Sheathed on his left hip was a glinting Star-saber, an olive green katana type. A single edged, curved blade. He rested a hand over it and judging by the way he moved, Oliver knew the man knew how to use it with experience.
Beside him, Empress Coleson, wore a regal lavender dress, but was of oriental stock and was currently the fifth oldest living human. Five decades older than her husband. She was lovely, but didn’t overly express wealth. She had a poise that made her youthful features make up
for the lack of being ostentatious. An arm wove through her man’s and large brown eyes took in the sights.
Davan Took quietly stood among them because Elder Scythe was part the council, but one of the Emperor’s guards kept him close and clearly didn’t hide the fact he held a kinetic blast sphere between large fingers at the ready if Davan so much as sneezed. It was too clear they knew who he was.
Vanishing Claw still looked as completely unassuming as ever. He wasn’t tall or had any distinguishing features. Brown hair, blue eyes and average looks. His armor was completely black and carried a shortsword at a hip.
Talon on the other hand was tall, strong, beautiful, had high cheek bones, clear blue eyes and was blonde tied in a long braided rope. She wore twin swords peeking over either shoulder and her armor was also blackened from countless battles.
The displayed visual had Jessica gasp. Oliver asked “What is it?”
Jessica pointed at the holographic screen he made through the oval crystal tablet no larger than his palm. “That’s… that’s…”
“What are you stuttering over?” Renee felt a trickle of worry even as she asked.
“That’s Amanda Lockwell! She’s the most famous field reporter from Verard.”
“Thought I recognized her.” Oliver admitted, rubbing his recently shaved jaw. He was glad he implanted the laser cutter into his suit yesterday and made for quick work. Amber met green. “We saw her when the secretary Mary threw up the news when Davan hijacked the Galicom starship factory.”
“Don’t remind me of that blue haired airhead.” Renee shivered. “I still want to kick her teeth in. Maybe it’ll realign her brain so she isn’t such a total idiot.”
“Hopefully she’ll not be there next time we need to renew our travel visa.” He patted her arm though it didn’t soothe.”
Twenty minutes later there came a knock at the stone door. “Elder Void, this is Agent Roanok. Are you there?”
“Come on in.” boomed the baritone.
The door opened and first to enter were four androids. They were near identical to those Oliver destroyed in the same factory Davan took over. Yet these made facial expressions and were at the limit of artificial intelligence laws. They came in scanning the room and one turned to say “Danger, lethal biological agents detected. Extinction levels exceed safety parameters.”
“It’s just me.” Renee voiced when the agents were about to run the two leaders of all humanity. “Can’t help it, but you guys don’t need to worry. They detect the concentrated particles I carry in my boned, but I’m not contagious.”
A raspy male voice said “Johnny, make sure it’s the truth.”
A lanky Medic came in the room, clear helmet on, not taking any chances. He said “Ma’am, please stand up for me.”
The white dress clung to her curvy figure and she didn’t mind. She expected it and let the man use his injector to painlessly take a blood sample to run through his synthesizer and neural chip. Two long minutes passed before he said “Her blood is clean. I can’t find a single pathogen. It’s like she’s a newborn child.”
“My immune system is beyond your readings. My biology can’t get sick. The only way to kill me without taking my head is a massive burst of gamma rays.”
“Just like what killed the men aboard the Solarian ship found on Verard?” said the raspy voice as the Emperor came right in despite the protests of his guards. “Oh my! I didn’t expect your eyes to mist like your Creelin friend.”
Renee smiled and said “Yes, Emperor. I can’t get sick. Just like my Match can’t get drunk.”
“Lucky bastard.” Emperor Coleson smirked as he look in the room. “Are the lions tame?”
“I control them.” Oliver stood in his battle armor, adjusting the cape over the spikes. He came forward. Despite the unease of the guards, the Emperor didn’t shy when he extended a hand. “It is an honor to meet you.”
“Pleasure is all mine, Big Fella.” He shook the bare hand and watched as it was covered in a gauntlet. “Before we get started, is there anything I need to be aware of that is dangerous?”
“Yes, My daughter is upstairs as are my Pride’s cubs with two adults. No one is allowed up those steps. My instinct is to kill anyone who is near my child. If you or your men try, I will be unable to stop myself.”
Emperor Coleson turned to his men filing in. “No one goes near the steps.”
“Sir, we need to check for danger.”
“Do as I say.”
“Sir.” The man nodded and the agents moved to check the room, securing the entire main floor and stood uncertainly by the great cats. Only Nova sat proudly beside the head of the table Oliver sat at. The rest stood in lethal armor, blue eyes alert and ready to attack at the first sign of danger to their master. The androids positioned themselves outside and the Drakes and their riders flew circles, making a perimeter.
“Greetings. I am Beyleez Netul.” He introduced himself, as did everyone else as the room filled.
“A pleasure, I can assure your reputations precede you all. I’d like to introduce my wife Trinna.” The Empress came forward and her wondrous expression met only calculating amber and abrasive emerald trying to be polite. “You know all the Elder Hunters I’m sure.”
“We’ve met.” Vanishing Claw took a seat at the main table and leaned the stone chair back onto its back legs, propping his feet up on the tabletop. “I see you’ve mastered the fighting style I taught you, Brother. You did well utilizing it against this Ten K in the recordings you sent.”
“It was difficult, but it is enjoyable.”
“But you made it your own. Netul, in the vids he moved like you.”
“I too trained him, My Friend.”
“No wonder.” Talon sat beside her man and drew a sword to begin cleaning it.
“We’ll speak later on Mr. Took, but these are my topmost scientists.” The Emperor gave their names and the men and women in lab coats all shook Oliver’s large gauntleted hand. The Medic Johnny was properly introduced after, now with his helmet off. “And last but certainly not least is…”
The brunette came forward. “Amanda Lockwell of GNN. Is it true you are an eighty three million year old Solarian?”
“Did you give her full access?” Oliver’s anger spiked and his hair unintentionally shot up bright yellow and his eyes burned.
“I did, but she will not expose this monumental story till you get the last puzzle piece. She has signed a confidentially contract with me present to keep your privacy safe for a little while longer. It will come out eventually, especially after the risen city on Mereddia was released publically eight hours ago.”
Excess power flowed into his arm and he calmed down. As did his hair and eyes. “What? Who did it?”
“Someone uploaded it to the net and GNN had no choice except to run with it and how it’s under the Preservation Act and Pirate King Jake Dorgen is currently responsible. GNN traced it to a Marine’s account and he has been fined for the breach and demoted back to private.” Amanda Lockwell said, now that his danger lowered and the Hunters relaxed and moved to sit at the table too.
“Damn, the captain did say it would happen, but I’m surprised, Claw said you’d be a bit more…”
The emperor laughed “Of a pain in the ass? I’m sure he did, but with Ms. Lockwell recording everything I need to be the Empire’s leader, not my true self. I’ve got to act the part in this official capacity. Later I’ll be my obnoxious self over a drink.”
“He’s not lying. My husband is quite forward.”
“Not as forward as my woman, I can assure you.”
Renee’s white dress changed to battle form in front of everyone and she punched him in the arm. “Asshole.” Then changed it back to the dress and strutted happily away to sit between Rose and Sparky.
“See.” Oliver chuckled, but the Emperor gave a raspy deep laugh.
“How did her clothes change like that?” Empress Coleson wanted to know.
His own armor altered in
to a white shirt and blue jeans. “It’s a function of our Valek when we apply armor coded to our DNA.” Oliver reached and touched the hidden device beneath the Emperor’s left sleeve.
“My Multi-tool can do it too?”
“No, you are human. Your mind would be destroyed if you tried making our armor. Your species is close to mine, but the differences are too great even through splicing. Come, sit. I’m actually desigining something more suitable for you humans.”
Oliver sat at the head of the table, the guests taking the other end. The Hunters and scientists sat on either side. Netul and Vanishing Claw sat across from each other, clearly conversing privately. Only Amanda Lockwell stood with the floating recording orb. Nova sat on Oliver’s right side, staring at everyone intelligently. Oliver though manipulated the Valek to carefully grab the delicate parts still on the table.
First to break the silence was the reporter. “Mr. Void, is it true?”
“My age again?” he didn’t look up as he tinkered.
“Yes, I need it on record.”
“Between the Archivers of the Creelin who knew me as General Mantiv and the derelict battle cruiser Solarian ship’s records, yes. My body is that old. Who I am now in E.S. is over a year old after I was rescued by Stephanie Menann’s keen observation.” Jessica’s painted lips smiled as her wife was given credit because it was true. “I was entombed for over twenty five thousand years after having my DNA scrubbed along with every memory and every bit of knowledge I had. It’s why I’m searching for answers. If you have access, you would have seen my condition when Renee Dorgen, Stephanie Menann, Stone Calliko,” Who wasn’t here by Hunter council decision. “Deegen Castor and Steven Metts discovered me in a stasis chamber of a sort. I was less than an animal mentally.” Still he didn’t look up as he continued working at his own careful pace. Though he did look through his Pride’s eyes to find the reporter’s mouth agape. “But when my Valek allowed me to take Deegen Castor’s memories of words and association, I began to learn at an exponential rate. By calculating how fast humans gather memory and retain it, mentally I’m already roughly about four thousand years old, but my mind surpasses both Creelin and Human mathematics and technology creation.”
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