by SJ McGarry
"Yes, Princess, it's one you should know backward and forward. It is your nemesis, and only you hold our galaxies' futures in your hands to complete the task and stop this mutant. Please try to memorize."
"I'm listening, Tessie. Suggestion noted," as Nella began reading the historical account.
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“Hundreds of thousands of rings past, in the early formation of the planet Centaurius, lived a wizard by the name of Jardis. His magic and knowledge far surpassed any other.
Jardis created what he thought would be a compassionate, loving creation to travel through the universe on a noble and historical mission. He named his invention the Red Brume.
The purpose of its creation is to act as an inner-planetary ambassador of goodwill traveling to neighboring galaxies. Its sole designed was to educate intelligent life forms of the catastrophic results of greed, hatred, and war.
The model became law with severe consequences if broken. Jarvis foresaw the self-destruction from future discoveries and evil minds if left unchecked. He hoped the galaxies and their planets abstained from embracing any thoughts or acts of violence into their culture and lives.
To defy the universal laws set in place by the Empire was treason. Jardis thought his program gave positive direction for the good of the universe.
Something went wrong.”
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Nella researched this entry and struggled to understand why, as brilliant in wizardry as Jarvis was in his day, how did he err in his calculations for creating his Red Brume entity? There was no logical reasoning. His powers equal to, if not far superior to Grizel, her great grandmother, the legendary warrior and seer of old in Centaurius.
Grizel too possessed powerful magic, Jardis having been her mentor and advisor in her youth. Something did not add up! Zennibar was a mere child at that time, so his knowledge wasn't developed enough to turn on his great grandfather, Jarvis, let alone control him to gain power. It did not make any sense. So where did Jarvis fail?
CHAPTER 6
Konan
Konan stood at the entrance to the ship's command center watching Nella as she kept busy researching old historical records and working on the BC downloads on the VIV for the mission’s documentation. He could not help but notice the brilliant look of fortitude captured in Nella’s moment of concentration. The word impressed, did not describe how he felt with her progress. His feelings were similar to a proud parent as he watched the display of her continued dedication to tackle the mission’s challenge on behalf of their country and planet.
“Princess, please excuse the interruption."
Nella waved her hand towards the hologram, ending the connection and BC download on the VIV. The image shimmered and disappeared from the screen.
Konan, her loyal protector, and mentor, who also happened to be the High Warrior of Centaurius entered the room. Every time she looked at him, her heart flipped like a slinky going down a steep set of stairs—thwamp, thwamp, thwamp, pounding a wild rhythm against her chest.
Nella sighed. She wondered how Konan's abilities appeared so natural yet spiced with magic. He was the best as a mentor. She visualized herself as a sponge in the vast ocean, absorbing every action and word flowing from his mouth. How could anyone fault her for her responsiveness to the thwamp, thwamp, thwamp he elicited from her heart?
"Not a problem, Konan. I was recording the historical chronicles and researching the prophecies." Not realizing her nervous habit, Nella reached for a strand of hair hanging down across her right eye and blocking her vision and wound it around her index finger into a coiled ringlet. "Do I need to worry?"
"On the contrary. I found the perfect state-of-the-art Galaxy Information System, but it might be a little large in table form," Konan remarked. He turned towards her, and she noted the humongous grin spreading from one ear to other. Even his goofy expression seemed sexy. The smile claimed his face.
"I wanted to check the measurements one more time to make sure the GIS will fit in this command center."
Konan's multicolored Centaurian crystal beads intertwined with his braided tresses, clicking in rhythm as he moved around the room. He pointed his finger and sent spiral pulses of intelligence recording the exact dimensions that posted the results back to his personal BCC. His hair flowed in a braided plait interlaced with the beadlike stones, stopping just below his muscular shoulders. Legend rumored each bead represented a battle he commanded through the history of the galaxy. Impressive, Nella noted—too many to count.
"I also wanted to review details about the ship's advanced technology to make sure you understand its operational capabilities," Konan said, his voice interrupting Nella's daydreams.
She covered her lips to stifle a fake yawn and replied, "No time like the present!"
Konan's eyebrows twitched and inched up a notch or two in disbelief. A skeptic of her poor acting skills of boredom, he nodded. Uncomfortable with her attempt at flirting, he cleared his throat saying, "Hmm, yes, well, I’ll go pick up the unit and return in a couple of mini rings of time.
"I'll be here waiting," Nella, countered as her eyelashes batted without her consent. Damywamy! She cursed at the betrayal of her feelings from her uncontrollable actions.
Konan's sense of humor brought laughter to all who knew him. He always attempted to lift Nella's spirits, and when the occasion presented itself, he would create a glamour shift much like you find in the Fey world and appear as famous heroes from other planets. Aware of the romantic crush Nella had for most Earth's fictional champions, he used her favorite comic book and movie heroes. Konan couldn't count how many times he viewed them with her over the years.
Konan disappeared into the adjoining storage room and shut the door. Within a mini-ring, he entered, ready to save the day. Nella's heartthrob Namrepus—or ‘Superman’ in Earth's language—appeared. He was not one to miss the smallest of details, which were noticeable with his cape and the big ‘S’ pulsating across his chest. Konan flew out the door and down the ship's halls faster than a speeding bullet, leaving a blur of motion in his wake.
Nella could only laugh at his flying retreat as his form disappeared within the belly of the ship. Her attempt to slow the beat of her betraying heart seemed hopeless. She thought back to the days spent in warrior tactics. Standing by Konan's side, his full stature of a giant status challenged her smaller frame. The other warriors watching them spar together had to find it comical.
King Montrobius commissioned Konan to travel with Nella and the crew on the upcoming mission to Earth. He proved his bravery and faithfulness to the Royal Family many past rings. He was not only her teacher, mentor, warrior, and loyal protector; he was also her best friend for as long as she remembered. She fantasized he might have a crush on her.
If only pigbots could fly! Disappointment tossed her off her cloud of daydreams. She realized a serious relationship with him was impracticable - at least at that moment. She was too young, and he was ancient in Centaurian rings of time, according to her calculations, but calculations were not her strong point, so one can always hope.
She sensed his approach. His powerful muscles rippled as they pulsated to ancient rhythms unknown to mortal man. Vibrations shook Nella to her core, sending a flushing source of heat through her system, curling her toes in discomfort.
Konan passed through the portal bringing what looked similar to a table. He made it appear like he was carrying nothing more cumbersome than a feather. The table adjusted its size by decreasing or increasing to fit its passage. He sent it floating against the longest wall of the cabin.
Konan's power was equal to a dozen combined Centaurian warriors. Her eyes grew wide as she observed his dazzling mastery of setting up the new equipment. With a motion and flicker of his wrist, the object unfolded into a long, beautiful table made of an unknown substance, but resembled a multifaceted diamond. It radiated and sparkled with other-worldly brilliance, reminding her of the most significant stone in the universe—the mother of
all diamonds—known as Lucy or the official, BPM 37093. She could relate to this as she remembered the tribute to one of the Beatles songs from Earth ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ as she listened to it non-stop during her previous rings.
"Well, what do you think?" Konan waved his hands in a few different directions, showing a universal view of galaxies. Maps appeared, and holograms swiveled around, waiting to capture the unsuspecting messenger in its illusionary presence.
She stared while struggling to keep her thoughts on the matters at hand. Swift as a bullet, her shield went up blocking Konan ’s mind-probe as she shifted her view to the unit. Nella noticed every detail of the GIS, their ship's principal instrument to orchestrate and chart their course of action and mapping their flight pattern.
"Impressive," she stated in a monotone voice devoid of emotion.
Konan's jaw almost dropped to the ground. Nella attempted to probe his thoughts and realized he misinterpreted her reaction as feeling ungrateful or desensitized to one of the most advanced technological creations of their time. She knew he called in a few favors to buy it, going above the approved budget and paid the difference in costs out of his pocket. Nella understood Konan wanted everything perfect for her to help ease the insurmountable challenges she faced.
With his arms crossed, Konan stood there studying her body language, still trying to delve into her mind's BCs to understand her strange reaction but sensing her resistance.
Nella felt disconnected and overloaded with all the information needed for this enormous undertaking. She turned her back on Konan, continuing to block him from reading her thoughts. A rogue tear escaped its bondage, tracking a scalding path down to the tip of her chin. It all seemed like too much. With her mixed-up feelings and her wish to complete all expectations of her, it appeared to be a difficult mission with high risks of failure.
Besides mastering her warrior skills, learning to contain her power and magic, and keep all the historical data of Centaurius and the Andromeda Galaxy, it was information overload.
The tear elongated as if knowing its fate. The battle lost, it separated from her chin into a free fall, splattering to the floor, evaporating into particles unseen. Its visual message of fear and doubt forever went unnoticed to anyone who might view this scene, except for one.
CHAPTER 7
Doomsday News
Nella dabbing at her eyes with her fingertips took a deep breath, searching through her BCs again. She reminded herself of the oath she agreed to in completing her instructions from the Council at all costs, even if it meant the loss of her life. She knew this assignment would not be a casual holiday getaway among a pathway of stars. The dangers, risks, and expectations expected of her, and the crew was humongous. Her body trembled with fear, and she never felt more afraid for her life. A truth she would never admit to anyone, not even Konan.
‘Okay Nella, time to get serious,’ she reprimanded herself.
Sensing her distress, Konan breached the silence in the room with his gentle voice. "Don’t fret; everything will turn out good. You are the chosen one. Only you can fulfill and complete this mission. To have feelings of fear is normal. It is natural, and we all experience the same feelings. Remember, you've got the support of the crew, the Council, your family, the people of Centaurius—and you have me!" Konan searched Nella's face for a reaction. He noticed a small quiver at the corner of her mouth. It reminded him of a warrior's wrestling match as she kept her beautiful smile pinned in place. He understood her fears, and with a gentle touch, he reached out and gave her shoulder a soft squeeze.
Without thinking, she placed her hand over his. A jolt of energy and power surged between them and surprised her. Heat once again flooded her head down to her toes. Konan pulled her to him and took her into his arms, giving her a huge, brotherly hug.
I wish it could be different, Nella thought as she breathed in his scent of wood, pine and musk. After gaining her composure, she gazed into his eyes and gave a nod of understanding. She inhaled and took a deep breath, as she stepped away from his embrace more confused about her mixed-up feelings. The magical and electric moment passed.
Konan also nodded as he stepped back putting added space between them. He sent a hand signal to the VIV screen, and his BC began downloading a replay of the alert broadcasted on the mid-morning news. He smiled and took Nella’s hand in his as they sat down together to watch the Galaxy Channel. The excited vivcaster read the incoming breaking news alert.
His face defied the solemn storyline; he could not hide the excitement gnawing within him as if he broke the story of the century.
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‘A Council member sent us an update asking for anonymity since they had no authority to comment, but they confirmed our worst fears. An epic war is coming sooner than expected in the historical prophecy records, and fellow citizens, this isn’t fake news. We received this news alert from the top.
Andromeda's enemies from the Whirlpool and Fireworks galaxies unleashed a powerful energy blast. Our scientist believes this triggered a domino-like reaction, altering the paths and orbits of both the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies. This change is causing them to gravitate faster towards their death.
Added warnings tell of a massive shift in the first predicted timeline when this collision will occur. Something was amiss in the Universe to unleash this unexpected threat. The government suspects the wizard Zennibar and the commander of his fleets, Abigor, the Duke of Demons responsible for the attack.
The Empire's spokesperson has not released an official or formal update concerning the actual provenance of this drastic and catastrophic development. We received word the galaxies are in HyperZin mode, wiping out the Earth’s earlier four-billion-year time-span before everything goes amok. They are not explaining what this means to our planet, or how much of a chance we have, or even the survival statistics. But we understand it's not good news for our neighboring planets or anyone in the Andromeda or the Milky Way galaxies.’
Both Nella and Konan sat cemented in place as shock waves surged through their systems. Both of their minds went in a thousand different directions as the reporter continued,
‘The prophecy from the Book of Twenty confirms after the first pass of the Titans; a cataclysmic dance will trailblaze once Andromeda reaches the Milky Way. Shadowed passes shall continue until a new mega-elliptical galaxy emerges and Andromeda and the Milky Way are no more.
Earth will meet an even earlier demise because of the sun's scorching rays if intelligent beings do not solve their problematic issues and act at once.
An evil force driving the exploitation of Earth's natural resources is about to unleash with its full power, and they have identified it as the Red Brume."
The vivcaster's eyes raised from his notes. His face paled, "Just think of this as a fast forward HyperZin moment and then increase it to 1,000 times its predetermined speed." The video zoomed in on the vivcaster’s pasty, white face.
"What aren't they telling us? What are the plans of the governing powers to protect all Centaurians and the Empire? Do they have an escape plan to transport life forms to assigned Safelight Colonies? What do they expect of us to prepare? It is time for answers! We must demand the truth!’
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The screen went blank, and silence screamed around the room like a demon hell-bent on destruction.
With a ragged breath, Nella counted away the seconds she would never get back.
"Konan," she began, "Can we continue our meeting later? I have necessary preparation to complete before the scheduled departure time.”
"As you wish. I'll return to help you with pre-flight instructions."
Looking into Konan's eyes and probing his mind, she saw the answers she needed. She sighed as he left the room and disappeared within the belly of the ship with her heart following him.
She struggled to control her thoughts, the analytical part of her brain sent her body into motion.
"Tessie, please p
repare to aid in recording the historical development of the events leading up to the birth and launch of I-PERM."
"I'm standing by, Princess. I suggest you start at the beginning and go forward in chronological order."
"Sounds like a winning saga in the making. Maybe it will be eligible for the royal Nobel Prize and displayed in the Centaurian Hall of Fame! What do you think?"
"Perhaps," Tessie responded to Nella's try at humor.
"Let's do this," Nella declared as she settled herself into the comfortable chair, she used for research.
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“Once upon a time.”
Tessie's giggle erupted in the background. "Are you certain you want to narrate this like a fairy tale instead of a historical account of the catastrophic events headed your way?"
"Well, I wanted to prove the fact you were listening," Nella laughed. "I was hoping to create interest and excitement, so it wouldn't put future readers to sleep."
"Speak from your heart, Princess. Think of your final goal. What do you have to do to stop the premature death of our worlds and galaxies?"
Nella pondered her goals and options. She took a deep breath and answered, "Okay, Tessie, here is where the story begins."
CHAPTER 8
Utropia
Spiral Rings Past – Chronicles of Centaurius
Within the planet of Centaurius lies the country of Utropia. The countryside looked like an artist's masterpiece boasting a breathtaking splash of beauty everywhere the eyes settled. It sat one thousand miles south from the outer limits of the forbidden Magical Forest in the neighboring province of Wethersfield.
The villagers comprised of farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers. To the east rugged coastal ranges stood tall. To the west, beautiful farmlands and rolling hills shimmered with multiple shades of green and the vibrant colors of wildflowers. The Magical Forest occupied a more substantial part of the land to the North. The melting snow fed into the lower southern area, providing lakes, rivers, and streams making their way to the ocean.