by Trevor Gregg
38
Shared Memories
Benjam was disturbed by the bruises that Kyren and Alis began to show up with every morning after training. Kyren frequently had a bloody nose and Alis’ lip seemed permanently split. Their moods were equally as foul, Alis cursing Dralok’s name often and vigorously. This morning was no different.
“I can’t believe it, that is insane. Why would he give you one and not me?” Alis lamented as they walked into the vid-itorium.
“Here, you want the damn thing?” Kyren retorted angrily. “It’s not my fault he only gave it to me. I’m not the sexist bastard, okay.”
Kyren backed away, looking as if he feared being hit. What was going on with this Dralok fellow, anyway?
“Perhaps I should come to the next training session,” Benjam suggested. “I’ve not observed it yet.”
“No, that is a bad idea,” Kyren said shaking his head.
“That is a bad idea, I agree Kyren. Dralok is a creep. Besides, I’m done with this bullshit. Dralok can screw himself. If I’m not warrior enough to him for my own wrist blade, then I’m out,” Alis growled harshly.
“That’s probably a good idea, I’d hate to spar with you with deadly weapons. I’d be too afraid of angering you and winding up skewered,” Kyren admonished.
Benjam squiggled over to examine the object Kyren was holding. It was a metallic bracer, with circuitry and strange unknown components scattered across its face. There was a ridge running down the top along the forearm. A large blue crystal was embedded in the end of the ridge.
“Watch this,” Kyren said, stepping backward to make space.
He clamped the bracer down on his forearm and tapped a component on the side. A brilliant blue blade composed of shimmering energy sprang to life, extending a foot and a half from the blue crystal.
“Hmmm, does not look like plasma,” Benjam squeaked curiously.
“Yeah, Dralok didn’t elaborate, just called it his people’s most treasured ceremonial weapon, carried by those of great honor,” Kyren related the story of Dralok’s granting of the weapon.
Alis’ ears were flat, Benjam realized. He knew that meant she was angry. He just couldn’t understand why. Why wouldn’t you give the weapon to the best warrior. Not that Alis wasn’t a warrior, it’s just she had such a useful mind, Benjam would rather work with her on technical problems than let her run around risking her life with Kyren.
Either way, she was upset and he desperately wanted to help, but could think of nothing to say. So he spoke about his latest discovery instead.
“Well, um, yes, you see…” he began, hoping to change the subject without having to address the previous topic.
“What is it, Benjam?” Kyren asked curiously.
“I’ve discovered blueprints for a cryostasis pod. With access to an advanced engineering lab, I should be able to build them.”
“Then we ask Leicara,” Kyren suggested.
“You ask Leicara,” Alis said angrily. “I’m going to the beach, these Azorians are really ticking me off.”
“Okay, we’ll see if she’ll give us access to a lab and you go blow off steam,” Kyren agreed. “C’mon Benjam, let’s go see if we can find Leicara.”
Benjam squiggled after Kyren as all three left the vid-itorium. Alis stalked away without another word, as Kyren turned toward some passing Azorians, the ones referred to as Dras. Benjam just didn’t understand class-based societies. How could you limit a massive portion of your entire populace? Intelligence and potential were not determined by birth.
Kyren finished chatting with the Dras and turned to Benjam, “It seems Leicara was last seen in the northern pavilion.”
As they set off, Benjam asked Kyren pointedly, “How do you feel about all of this? Dralok snubbing Alis? The division in castes? Leicara?”
“I suppose I should be outraged, but I’m not. I sort of expected it, I guess. They may have superior tech. They may be an advanced civilization. But they are definitely backwards when it comes to some things,” he responded ruefully. “Besides, I knew Dralok was an ass the first time we met him.”
Benjam let out a little squeaky chuckle. They reached the pavilion a short time later. He looked around and spotted Leicara, attended by several Dras, strolling along the edge of the pavilion, Serkins fluttering around her head.
He and Kyren approached, and she broke into a wide grin, “Greetings my honored guests. What can I do for y…”
Leicara stopped mid-sentence and her eyes unfocused. She sank to her knees slowly and began to rock back and forth. The serkins flew frantically around her head. Suddenly, they began to stream toward Kyren, a great cloud of tiny insects swarmed him.
He too went rigid and dropped to his knees, eyes unfocusing. Then Benjam realized both Kyren and Leicara were whispering. He leaned closer and listened.
“And the Kirugi shall come, devouring whole worlds until no sentient life remains on any planet. They will infest our galaxy before moving on to the next.”
“Kyren, are you okay?” Benjam queried with concern, reaching out a tentacle and poking Kyren’s shoulder.
The serkins dispersed in a great flurry, returning to Leicara.
Startling Benjam, Leicara let out a shriek, “The Kirugi comes!”
“Kyren?” Benjam said, shaking Kyren’s shoulder.
“What?” he replied groggily, rising to his feet shakily.
“What happened?” Benjam squeaked.
“I think I saw memories. The serkins, they were talking to me. It was like they were telling me about some memories they had absorbed. They were telling me about Leicara’s memory,” he revealed.
He glanced at Leicara, who also was rising.
Benjam spoke in low tones, “So she does indeed know of the Kirugi. But how?”
“I think I know,” Kyren replied quietly. “She’s been to the Epsilon Computer.”
39
Sharing
“Kyren, Benjam,” Leicara said, nodding her head as they approached.
She looked like she had regained her composure, but Kyren could tell she was still shaken.
“Leicara, do you know what happened?” Kyren began.
She shook her head so he continued, “I saw your memory. Or rather, glimpses, snippets, not really enough to understand. Except one thing.”
Kyren had spent enough time in the liadi rho’kar to know when he had seen someone’s memory. This was quite a different experience, true, but he knew the feeling.
“What one thing?” she asked cautiously.
He didn’t miss the hesitation in her response. She was definitely hiding something.
“I saw your fear of the Kirugi. You know about it, you know it’s coming,” Kyren related.
“Yes, yes I do. There will be signs to herald its arrival, you know,” Leicara said hesitantly.
“Signs? What signs?” Kyren questioned.
“Some of my people will turn against me, and attempt to secure territory for the Kirugi’s offspring. Somehow, as it nears a world, it begins to influence people. Not all, but many. I’ve seen that, too.”
“These signs, have they come to pass?” Benjam piped, worry filling his voice.
“Not yet,” Leicara replied.
“Good, so we’ve got some time still,” Kyren concluded. “Let’s make the best of it. If you need my help, let me help. Introduce me to your giant robot.”
“In time, Kyren, I will. But you still require more training. The Gaidan requires great fortitude and skill to control,” was her inadequate response.
Kyren was getting frustrated, and it must’ve been obvious, because Benjam placed a tentacle on his shoulder. The sudden contact gave him pause, and he regained control.
“I will hazard a guess that you did not come here to ask about the Gaidan. You have another purpose, correct? It was not only you who saw memories, Kyren,” Leicara intoned.
Dammit, what did she know? What had she learned about them? It couldn’t be helped now, he admitted to
himself.
“Yes, we did have a request,” Benjam squeaked timidly.
“Yeah, we need an engineering lab. And stuff to go along with it, tech stuff,” Kyren explained.
“Yes, I need a generator capable of providing ten petavoles of energy, elenium alloys, phase reductors…” Benjam listed.
Kyren lost track of what Benjam was saying. Leicara seemed to have the same glazed over look.
She let Benjam finish before she said “I will assign Heston to see to your needs, Benjam. Please discuss your needs with him and he shall interface with our tech-sages to obtain what you require.”
“Great!” Benjam squeaked, waving his tentacles in excitement.
Leicara turned to one of her Dras attendants and spoke in low tones.
“Please, follow Delia, she will take you to Heston,” Leicara said, motioning after.
“Go, Benjam,” Kyren offered. “Do what you can.”
“Walk with me Kyren, I must shake off the effects of that shared experience. I’m afraid I don’t possess the resilience to such experiences as you seem to.”
“Um, yeah, I guess that sort of thing has happened to me before. Well, not exactly the same thing, but something close,” he responded, unsure of how much to reveal.
“So we both know what is coming. But without the Halifax, we cannot defeat this invader. Divided as a people, we will fall,” Leicara said sadly.
“So do you have a plan to unite your people? Can you make peace with the Halifax?” Kyren asked her pointedly.
“Alas, Tavador, the leader of the Halifax, bears an old grudge from before his time. He believes we Nevthifar have wronged him. He will accept nothing less than our complete subjugation.”
“And the Halifax have a Gaidan, and a Computer, like you, right?” Kyren asked, looking Leicara in the eyes.
“You are correct,” she responded softly.
“Then they must know that the future is in jeopardy, if they have a Computer.”
“Yes, they must. But perhaps they’ve seen another possibility. Perhaps it is our destiny to fall,” Leicara sighed.
“So I’m gonna come right out and say it. We need access to your Computer… the Epsilon Computer.”
“That will be… difficult. You see, the last time I visited, I hid it, masked its presence. I can locate it, but doing so will render it detectable to all. The Halifax will find it and we lack the forces to hold it.”
“Difficult position, I see. And how are we to help? I mean, aside from saving your bacon back at the capitol.”
“I wasn’t able to see all of what you and your companions will do,” she admitted. “My ability to use the Computer is limited. It normally takes much training and preparation in order to fully utilize the interface. I am… young for one of my people, especially one in such a prominent and critical position.”
“So you’re new to ruling?” Kyren asked, cocking his head.
“Yes. My mother was assassinated by Tavador, although I cannot prove it. I rose to power only through the support of Master Dralok. He is influential with the council.”
“Council? I thought you were the ruler.”
“No, I am only one of a handful of Yal who rule the Nevthifar. The others are less convinced of your usefulness. They feel you are beneath their notice, and as such have avoided all contact,” Leicara explained, her manner casual but her tone grave. “They have underestimated you, as proved by your “saving of my bacon.””
“Listen, Leicara, I’m going to be blunt. We don’t have time for ceremony or tradition. We don’t have time for training. We’re on a tight schedule, and we need to make some progress. Okay?”
“Fair enough, Kyren,” she responded, gently touching his arm, her skin warm and soft to the touch.
He drew back and looked around, “Um, I need to go. Uh, thanks for the talk. Yeah, good one.”
Kyren took several steps backward as Leicara smiled intently at him. He nodded and turned to go, feeling her eyes upon him as he left the pavilion.
40
Next Phase
Once Benjam had access to Leicara’s engineering lab, Kyren barely saw him. His brontian physiology allowed him to spend long periods without rest, without sleep. Kyren also barely saw Alis, as she was either out exploring the grounds or working with Benjam in the lab.
So Kyren trained. He spent hours every day, training with Dralok. Once Kyren had been given the wrist blade, or the sha’va, as it was called, Dralok had changed the tone of their training. Gone were the basics of unarmed combat. While he still worked on unarmed forms occasionally, his time was spent training with the sha’va.
Benjam and Alis had been working in the engineering lab for nearly a week, when Kyren discovered they had made some progress. He stopped by the lab on the way to his afternoon training session.
“How’s the progress, you two?” Kyren asked as he stepped into the lab.
Benjam and Alis looked up from a large cylindrical device, studded with components and wires.
“Hi Kyren, we’re making great strides,” Benjam squeaked.
“Yeah, check this out,” Alis said excitedly, extracting her wrench.
She punched in a sequence on the tiny holopanel and the wrench began to transform. It completed its transformation, and Alis stood holding what appeared to be a blade-less hatchet.
“Hmmm. What does it do?” he asked, confused as to this configuration’s purpose.
“Watch,” she replied and depressed a small button on the handle.
What would be the blade of the axe formed in an arc of glowing, white-hot plasma. She then turned to a pile of what appeared to be cast off junk. She extracted a cube about a foot tall, setting on the workbench nearest her. She swung the axe and let out a keop as she struck, just as they had been taught by Master Dralok.
The plasma axe hit the cube and cleaved it in two, sending a shower of sparks around the lab. Benjam quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and scrambled around, hastily dousing the remaining burning bits.
“Wow,” was all Kyren could manage.
“Yeah, wow, huh?” she said with awe.
“Master Dralok wouldn’t approve,” he said sarcastically.
“Oh, I know,” Alis said with a wicked grin, eliciting a laugh from both Kyren and Benjam.
“So Benjam, what’re these great strides?” Kyren asked, his curiosity piqued.
“We’ve made great progress building components for Tharox’s brain scanner. I’ve still got a considerable amount of design left, but it is mostly going to depend on what components Leicara’s people can provide,” Benjam explained.
“Yeah, we’re pretty optimistic, too. They’ve got some fancy tech around here,” Alis interjected.
Kyren was intrigued, it was the first time she had mentioned something positive about the Azorians.
“So Heston is coming through, eh?” he remarked.
“Speaking of,” Alis said, motioning.
The Azorian stepped into the lab, bowing slightly as he approached, “Master Kyren, master Dralok requires your presence. The next phase of your training is to begin.”
“Uh, but we just finished training,” he replied, feeling a little annoyed.
“It is crucial that we meet him immediately,” Heston said, beckoning for the door.
Kyren looked over and noted Alis’ ears lying flat. Man she hated Dralok, he thought. Oh well, no point in poking the bear at the moment. It wouldn’t gain him anything. Besides, this was a new twist. Maybe he was in store for something different.
“Okay, I’ll go. I can find my way to the arena just fine, you can run along Heston,” Kyren said, making for the door.
“No Master Kyren, I must take you to a new place, one you have not been yet,” Heston said deferentially.
“Okay, lead on. Oh, and for the hundredth time, I’m no master. Just call me Kyren,” he insisted.
“Yes Master Kyren, I shall,” Heston replied.
Kyren was feeling Alis’ frustration over the poo
r Dras, held in virtual slavery by their own people, who claimed superiority merely based on birth. Madness, he thought. But what could he do? Change centuries of tradition, of oppression? He knew he couldn’t change an entire culture’s way of life.
They walked only a short distance, stopping before a stout stone building. It struck him as some sort of barracks or something. The austerity of the structure suggested military. Heston motioned for him to enter, then turned to go.
Heston suddenly turned around, seizing Kyren’s shoulders and looking him in the eye. His eyes were wild and unfocused, staring beyond Kyren.
“Will you join us in our worship? Are you among the chosen? Do you hear it?”
“Um, Heston? What are you talking about,” Kyren said while wiggling out of Heston’s grasp.
Heston shook his head slightly and his eyes refocused, slit pupils settling on Kyren, “Master Kyren, I’m… I’m terribly sorry. That was presumptuous of me. I must go.”
Heston scurried away, keeping his head bowed and shoulders bent. Kyren watched him go and considered the odd behavior. The Azorians were different, surely. But he had seemed agitated about something.
“Kyren, get in here now!” Dralok yelled from the doorway, startling Kyren.
He spun and faced Dralok, “Hey, relax D, I’m coming.”
He deliberately walked nonchalantly into the barracks. Dralok glared and motioned him to follow. He led Kyren down a short corridor, branching into several long corridors. Something wasn’t right, and it took Kyren a moment to determine the source of his unease.
The building, simply put, couldn’t have a corridor this long in it. It didn’t slope down, not enough to be perceptible anyway. Yet it ran well beyond the building’s apparent dimensions. What was going on here?
Dralok led him down a long corridor to a door at the end. According to Kyren’s heightened sense of direction, they were well beyond where the side wall of the building ended. Dralok reached out and touched a holopanel on the door. Several symbols flared to life in the air before him.