by J. A. James
The shuttle looked like a beauteous black bird, sylph-like with its shiny obsidian scales.
A row of gleaming lights stopped him in his tracks. He stepped in for a closer look at the lit up cases and his eyes widened. He knew exactly what they were… the black iridescent balls filled with gold strands. His eyes widened. There was only one other place he knew of that housed this many gold strands - and that was with Ana.
In these cabinets... he could make out that the gold strands, even wrapped up tightly within the two-inch balls which were floating in the glass cases, that there were many. So many.
Wow.
Beside the cabinets, the next longtable was filled with gadgetry.
He grabbed an empty satchel nearby and began pocketing a few of them. Half of which he recognized; the other half of them which he had no idea how to operate. I'll figure it out, he thought grimly. He thought of the irony of having visited Zeehra only days ago and the friendly banter he’d had with Oates. And the warning Oates had given him.
And then he came across them - a table of Orbs. They were in neat rows, glowing faintly in the light. Pristine, untouched, ready to belong with the next graduates. Perfect.
He lifted his hand over them, scanning them quickly for any traces of heat. And there it was - yes. He slipped into his pocket the one that had still had the warmest heat signature.
Suddenly, he heard a door open. He froze momentarily, and then ducked behind the glass cabinets, heart pounding. A shiver of trepidation ran through him.
"Griesen!" Ithes roared. His voice echoed through the room. "You're here...! Show yourself!"
Griesen held his breath. No way. He would not be partaking in any kind of self-annihilation plan that Ithes had concocted. He heard his slow footsteps come into the room.
"You're somewhere here..." Ithes said, his voice lowering. "Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."
Ithes’ voice made his hairs stand up on end. Griesen caught a faint movement of Ithes in the cabinet glass just across from him. He thought quickly. Did he have the gadget? Yes - in his pocket. He fumbled quickly for it in his right hand. It was a cloaking device. He pulled it out of his pocket, and pushed the button on the left. There was a momentary flash of light, and Griesen remembered that it was one of the oxymorons of the device - that upon its use, a beam of light emanated from it.
He heard a roar from Ithes as footsteps ran towards him.
"Don't you think about doing anything foolish in here, understand me.”
And then Ithes was facing him, only he didn’t see him.
Griesen froze. Ithes was six feet away. Griesen glanced towards the shuttle. It was waiting. He prayed that Ithes wouldn't look that way. The door was open.
Ithes was walking towards him, taking massive swipes in front of him. No harm… yet.
“Cooperate with me,” he said. “Don’t think hiding will get you far. The First Guard is after you, and you think that cloak will protect you forever? You’ll be safe here. I promise.”
Griesen let out a breath, and took a run towards the shuttle door, ducking under Ithes' right side. As much as the cloaking device gave him complete invisibility, it did not allow for complete silence.
Ithes hissed as he heard Griesen's running steps, whirling around towards the sound. Griesen leapt inside the shuttle, rolling in through the door. "Start engines, now!" he shouted as soon as the doors silently slid shut behind him.
As the shuttle began accelerating, he heard pounding fists on the side he had just entered from.
"You - I'll find you, mark my words, boy!" Ithes' voice rose into a high-pitched shriek. “Do not make this difficult for me! You don’t understand everything that’s happening!”
Griesen winced at his words, concentrating on the deck space above him which had opened up the archway into escape - away from Ithes' suffocating domain.
"Computer," he said quickly. "Get me down to Gaia - make sure we're not being followed."
"Yes sir," the computer responded. "Stealth mode enabled - in three.”
Stealth mode. It was a black ops shuttle. Good. He threw himself into the pilot seat as the lights dimmed to a pitch black. The dials in front of him turned a dark, barely glowing green.
The ship shot through the archway, and sped past Ithes’ mile-long entrance.
The gate, Griesen realized. The main gate back out of the city – were they still under lockdown? He couldn’t possibly have kept it shut down for days on end. And mercifully, they passed through. The shuttle piloted itself into a dark corner between two main road arteries. He instructed the computer to stop at the juncture. These were high-traffic zones with a significant amount of energy distortion; it would be too much noise for Ithes to sort through to trace him accurately. At least, so he hoped.
"Okay," he said to nobody in particular. He was shaking. He had to get his bearings again. His head was throbbing; he felt like he still hadn’t completely recovered from the initial attack.
"Computer," he said. "How much time to Gaia?”
"At length, to dodge their detection, two hours, sir. Six trackers have been detected that have been released from the Home Base… They are looking for us."
Of course. "How well is the stealth mode working then?" Griesen asked tersely. Six trackers. Ithes must be desperate to find him.
"The stealth mode will keep us completely shielded from their sensors. The best course of action will be to wait here until the trackers stop searching. We should continue course after the bulk of their search reveals a fruitless effort."
Griesen considered it. It was likely the best thought-out plan. "Alright," he said. "Let's stay put for now."
So between now and then, he had some time. He felt weariness seep into his bones. He needed more rest. He got up from the pilot's seat, his legs feeling sore from all the effort. He felt something hard against the lapel in his right pocket. It was the cloaking device. He thumbed it, turning the switch off, and saw himself materialize again.
He got up, and walked slowly towards the back end of the shuttle. He slid open a series of cupboards built into the walls, looking for provisions. There they were - packs of dry-sealed energy modules, both in liquid and solid form. He was surprised at the amount there was stocked inside. He counted the packages. There was enough in the cupboard to last a single Acruvae perhaps six to eight weeks. Long enough for a stay on Gaia.
He fumbled for a silver package, as it slipped out of his hands and onto the floor. He knelt down to pick it up again, feeling his body complain with the effort. Ripping the package in half, he held the water in its partially solid state as his hands quickly absorbed it. Moments later, he felt slightly more buoyant. Good, he thought. At least his body was responding to the nourishment.
He felt his body shutting down, and his eyelids drooping. The shuttlecraft was small, but well-equipped. He spotted across from him a pull-down cot folded up next to the shuttle door. He pushed a button located on the top center, and the cot unfolded, descending automatically in front of him.
"Computer," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"Wake me up when the trackers have gone.”
"Yes, sir."
With those words, he clambered onto the cot, and promptly fell asleep.
CHAPTER 10
Griesen awoke with a start, his body drenched in sweat. He looked around the pitch black shuttle and took a moment to recollect where he was. Where was he? Ah, yes. Hiding from the devil of a man he had once revered. Who was out to kill him, or at least make it look like he had been Extinguished.
He winced, closing his eyes at the thought of everything that had happened. Betrayal. Deception. More questions than answers. Answers were coming, he told himself. He had to get to the bottom of this.
"Computer," he said.
It took a few seconds for the computer to respond. When it did, Griesen felt an immediate relief. For a second, he imagined that he had been found by Ithes and put into the Compound. The jail that completely cut off someone f
rom everything. Left there, in a self-functioning prison for the rest of his life.
"Yes, sir."
"Update me on the search. How long has it been?"
"It has been two days and 4.6 hours."
Griesen started with those words. "That’s impossible,” he said. How could I have slept for this long?" He moved his hands gingerly, and then realized that his body no longer ached. He had needed the rest. Badly.
The computer's calm voice followed his. "Yes, sir. We have maintained our position as the search has yet to lessen in intensity. I would caution though that if we do not move soon, we will begin to draw on our auxiliary power sources."
"How much longer before then?" he asked.
"Twenty-three hours."
His gut feeling was right - Ithes was indeed searching high and low for him. "He won’t give up, will he,” he murmured.
He needed options, fast. Griesen drummed his fingers on the console. Getting caught by Ithes was not an option. He knew, with growing certainty, that the answers were on Gaia. Even though he was not any closer to finding answers about his parents, he felt with an odd certainty that the mystery of their disappearance was somehow linked to the First Guard.
He spoke to the computer again. "Tell me - what do you know of the Acruvae itinerary over the next day or so?"
"Ithes will be attending the annual Great Forum in eight hours' time, at the Centurium House.”
Griesen nodded thoughtfully. The Forum. He had well nearly forgotten about it. "Very good. He will be doing his speech, as per usual, yes?"
"One presumes so."
Every year, the annual Acruvae congregation was held in Ocylides. It was the one time everybody came together from all the Houses to celebrate successes and receive updates from the Institute.
Never had they spoken about the failures, Griesen thought darkly. The students who had disappeared. So the Institute had managed to keep this a secret for - how long? Knowing what he knew now, would Ithes stop him from working on his case altogether? Quite possibly, he would face two more obstacles now - Ithes and the First Guard.
He closed his eyes. He had to keep going, no matter what. He saw Halva as a vital link to uncovering the answers to what had happened to his parents. He now suspected that someone was trying to stop him from bridging her. Otherwise, they could have tried to kill her much earlier on Gaia. Or possibly – he briefly entertained the idea that Halva could turn into a Thomas Eldridge that had killed Anastasia. He shuddered at the thought. In any case - he would be prepared for anything.
"Alright,” he said. “We'll route down to Gaia when the festivities begin. Ithes may be able to track us but his concentration will be diverted." He was betting that Ithes wouldn’t want to publicize this manhunt in front of the entire Institute.
He wouldn't have much time - but this was his best shot. There were energy fueling hotspots down on Gaia, and he would have to get to one quickly.
"Plan out the route for us. We’ll leave soon.”
The computer beeped twice. "Yes, sir."
CHAPTER 11
OCYLIDES – GRAND FORUM
Griesen had been monitoring the activities on his central monitor for about an hour. It was going as expected - the Acruvae were filing into the stadium, the air filled with excitement.
He felt a moment of anxiety and dread run through him. Had it occurred to Ithes that he would escape during this time? What if they were waiting for him? He quickly pushed his negative thoughts aside. There wasn't going to be a better chance for him to escape. Come hell or high water, he thought. He stared at the computer dials in front of him. This was going to take some stealth. If Ithes didn't think he stood a chance … he was wrong.
The twelve bells signalling the beginning of the days-long ceremony had begun their chiming. Griesen counted the sounds as they slowly built to a roaring crescendo. To Humans, the sound would be unheard - it often traversed as a blinding light, captured in rhythms and light waves and changed in rainbow effect. The sight, captured a handful of times by a powerful telescope down on Earth - were deemed as miracles.
What was a miracle to Earthlings was simply that they were scientific phenomena that were misunderstood, or unheard of.
The sound procession finally stopped, and Griesen waited for the speeches to begin, his knuckles turning white, gripping the edge of the console in front of him as it projected the stage of the Grand Forum.
Ana stepped up to the central podium, a circular beam of light surrounding her entirely. Her red hair shimmered in the bright light, casting a reddish orange hue around her.
"My dearest esteemed colleagues, and students," she said. Her voice echoed slightly through the room, and Griesen shivered slightly at the sound of her voice. She seemed pale, and more subdued than the usual steely, forceful nature he was accustomed to. "Welcome to the annual festivities. I would like to begin the ceremonies by acknowledging the work of those who laboured to make this event happen."
"Computer," Griesen said. "Zoom in on her." His ears dropped slightly as he saw her, and up close, even more so. Her voice faded as he thought of her. She had become his surrogate mother through all the years. She hadn’t exactly protected him against anyone, and last of all, Ithes, he thought bitterly. Even worse - to what extent was she in alignment with Ithes’ plans? He shuddered at the thought. As much as he didn’t want to acknowledge it, he was unsure of the extent of Ana's participation with Ithes, and it was wiser to leave it at that. His trust could not extend farther than it was wise to. Even for Ana.
Applause shook him out of his reverie. Ana was smiling; a short smile that did not reach her eyes; and then she turned away, stepping down from the podium.
How long before he would see her again? Even his current distrust of her did little to assuage the loneliness that arose in him of the impending separation. He was walking away from her. This entire place.
Then, Ithes emerged, stepping onto the central podium. Griesen quickened his breath. It was almost time.
"My dear friends," Ithes said, his voice jovial and loud. He was dressed in a white tunic with emerald-green cuffs that signified his esteemed status amongst the Acruvae. Griesen watched him, appalled. There he was - smiling, gentlemanly, with no trace of the rabid anger and rage that was on display two days ago.
"I thought long and hard about what I wanted to share with you tonight," Ithes said. He placed his hands on the podium, his shoulders square. He paused in the silence that ensued. "And what I would like to share with you - is that there is a very special place in my heart for those who have served to the best of their abilities. There have been so many exceptional Acruvae over the last year, who have done so well…"
Griesen grimaced at his words. Interesting choice of topic, Ithes, he thought sarcastically. He was getting right into it. There was no more time to waste.
"Computer," he said. It was time. “Get ready, on my mark."
"Yes, sir," the reply came immediately.
Griesen waited a few more moments, until Ithes' gestures became more emphatic on stage. He was entrancing the audience with his words. Good.
"In my work, I see many of you students who try to understand the purpose of my blueprints," he said. "The direction of them sometimes leaves you in the dark, as to the why."
Indeed, Griesen thought darkly. To what degree were the blueprints delivered from the Source? Had Ithes ever tampered with them more than he was supposed to? The blueprints were the scripture that originated from Angol, providing the direction of the Institute for years to come.
They were disseminated through the Council only once a year, given that Angol had originally written the scripture in their Language of Origin - a language only spoken regularly by the Council.
"Go," he addressed the computer abruptly. "Now."
The engine pistons fired up. "Entering Gaia. Arrival in three minutes," the computer said.
In two minutes, his shuttle would be detected as his force field would have to be lowered in order to e
nter the atmosphere. The landing space he was going to go into was peppered with docked Acruvae ships; his hope was that it would buy him enough time to lose himself in Gaia, before he was detected.
He steeled himself as they flew silently through the darkness. He had his eye on the countdown clock. The stars whizzed by in a quick second, in a passing blur. Ten seconds to go.
He tightened his lips. How prepared would Ithes be for this? Did he fully expect it?
Eight seconds.
Seven.
Griesen pulled in a deep breath. He pushed aside the fear that rose in a lump in his throat. He was momentarily surprised. He was afraid. Fear. It wasn’t just for humans.
Six. Five.
Just breathe, he told himself.
Three. Two. One.
He then saw Gaia, the magical orb that emanated radiated a majestic green and blue. It never ceased to leave him speechless, everytime. Part of the magnificence of Gaia, for him, lay in the fact that it was a boundless organism in of itself that continued to live, and thrive, despite all the travesties it had been subjected to from mankind.
A sound outside, like a blowtorch, pulsated for three seconds.
"Shields are down," the computer said. The Acruvaic energy shields lowered in order to be accepted into planetary orbit. Once they entered the landing location, the shields could be raised again.
Griesen nodded. "Good. Continue to the designated location."
He glanced at the consoles. "Any detection yet?"
"No, sir." A moment of silence ensued.
A small wave of relief passed through him. The closer he could arrive to his location without being spotted meant a wider chance for escape.
Then, a radar went off. "Sir - there are three shuttles arriving your way," the computer said.
Damn. Griesen let out a breath. "Armed?" he asked.
"Yes."
He nodded. "Answer their call when they signal in."
Just a moment later, an incoming call chimed in.
The screen in front of Griesen materialized to show an Acruvae guard in the typical armored black suit.