※※※

◇◆◇

- - -

【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 1: Ascendance

- - -

◇◆◇

〚『~』〛

【VAF】Chapter║: 13 ─ Colony

〚『~』〛

◇◆◇

The incident in the Ra Solar System led to the development of a 5 meter long unmanned Drone Fighter that would be carried by the Vanguard Class BattleCruiser, Nubia Class Destroyer and the Valiant Class Corvette. The primary purpose of the unmanned Drone Fighter would be to identify other ships, and the hope was that the African Federation would avoid disastrous situations such as what happened in the Ra Solar System.

The African Federation of City States had to pay significant reparations to the Elmachi Empire to avoid a possible war with an enemy with significantly more ships than the 5 Human Governments. The African Federal Government decided that since the Ra Solar System had cost them so much money the African Federation must colonize the Ra Solar System to avoid a public political fallout.

The Ra Solar System is significantly far from Earth, and the African Federation of City States had not built a new Colony in some 46 years. While the other 4 Human Governments built new colonies on Solar systems close to Earth the African Federation of City States decided not to pursue an expansionist policy, electing instead to focus their resources on construction projects on the 8 African Federation colonies.

◇◆◇

By 2219 there had been established Human colonies on 68 nearby Solar Systems. The United Atlantic Federation had 20 colonies, United Indian Federation had 13 colonies, Islamic Alliance established 10 colonies, Asian Consortium had 16 colonies and the African Federation of City States still had 8 colonies. The Silenia 5 Colony is a joint project belonging to all 5 Human Governments, and the African Federation's Ra Solar System Colony was still being developed and as such had not been recognized as a Colony.

The other 4 Human Governments felt that the African Federal Government was foolish to build a colony so far from Earth, and their main concern was that the Ra System Colony would be isolated and difficult to defend. The consensus was that whatever value the significant rare mineral deposits brought would not mitigate the cost it would take to provide adequate security to the Colony.

The African Federal Government knew that the project to build the Ra System Colony was at best misguided, but this was a political decision taken to pacify the African public, and successive African Federal Governments tried to find a way to cancel the project with little success. The Ra Solar System had become the sight of a significant military victory for the African Federal Security Force, and the fact that they won a fight against 4 ships without suffering any casualty had become a source of pride.

The main problem with the Ra System Colony was that the African Federal Government could not convince people to live there, and that was because it was clear that the Ra System Colony is exposed. The Federal Executive Council decided to turn to Crystalorb for assistance in making the system more secure. Until this point the African Federal Government had not wanted to drag Crystalans into their political project, and wanted the Crystalans to focus on mining which generated the majority of the African Federation's revenue through royalties and trade.

The African Federal Government knew that every Crystalorb StarShip that was not mining meant less revenue for the Government, and this had become the primary role of Crystalorb. The Federal Executive Council knew that the prolonged presence of Crystalorb StarShips in the Ra System Colony would generate security confidence in the Ra System Colony, and that would eventually result in more people deciding to make their home in the Ra System Colony.

Crystalorb would not simply agree to send their ships to a relatively unprotected Area, and the Federal Executive Council knew that Crystalorb Leadership would need some convincing. So they arranged a meeting with the Crystalorb Council of Elders, but because the meeting was to be held at the African Federation's Capital City Jo'Burg the Crystalorb Council of Elders decided to only send their Oldest Elder.

Speaking for the Federal Executive Council would be their senior member Council Ntabo.

Ntabo : " Thank you for coming Lady Casara."

Casara : " Thank you for having us your Excellency. Crystalorb is happy to offer any assistance possible."

Ntabo : " We had hoped to avoid dragging Crystalorb into this mess. But now we have little choice! We need Crystalorb to send a BattleGroup to the Ra Solar System in order to protect the Ra System Colony.”

Casara : " To send a BattleGroup to the Ra Solar System would put and incredible strain on our resources. With current deployments to the Silenia 5 Colony we simply don't have the ships to spare."

Ntabo : " You mean without significantly disrupting the Economy's mineral supplies?"

Casara : " It was at the request of the African Federal Parliament that we became so entangled in the economy, and we find ourselves unable to meet your request without causing significant harm to the economy. In any case we developed the Enhanced Weapons Array so that you wouldn't need us to provide adequate security."

Ntabo : " Yes! But we don't have enough ships. As it stands we have 12 BattleGroups that operate the Enhanced Weapons Array. With a BattleGroup stationed at each of the 8 Colonies, one in Silenia 5, one in the Earth system, one in the Ra Solar System and one in a reinforcing role we don't have enough! We appreciate the help that Crystalorb has provided to us so far, and hope to be able to relieve the Crystalorb Ships within 3 years. We know that we are asking too much from you, and you've already given more than is requested of most African Communities, but this project is draining too much of our resources, and our people simply refuse to abandon the project."

Casara : " It has taken on a life of its own?"

Ntabo : " Yes!"

Casara : " The question you have to ask yourselves is how much damage to the economy are you willing to absorb?"

Ntabo : " We understand the Economic implications. Without your help the situation will grow worse."

Casara : " We can't simply send a single BattleGroup so far away with only one African Federal Security Force BattleGroup. This would leave our BattleGroup vulnerable to an assault from a larger group."

Ntabo : " How many ships do you need?"

Casara : " At least 3 BattleGroups."

Ntabo : " That would create a significant economic shortfall! However our analysts have come up with a model that could work."

Casara : " Let’s hear it?"

Ntabo : " Would it meet your specifications if we sent 20 Apollo Class Destroyers to the Ra Solar System?"

Casara : " No! The Apollo Class Destroyer isn't at the same level as the Nubia Class Destroyer. But if you could provide about 35 Apollo Class Destroyers Crystalorb would be willing to reconsider."

Ntabo : " That's too much!"

Casara : " There is another way to bring Crystalorb into the Ra Solar System."

Ntabo : " How?"

Casara : " Crystalorb analysts believe that your approach to the whole thing is wrong."

Ntabo : " In what way?"

Casara : " Our research indicates that the 2 gas Giants in the system are surrounded by mineral rich asteroid belts and moons."

Ntabo : " Yes?"

Casara : " Some of the moons are larger than Earth?"

Ntabo : " Yes! The Colony is being built on the moon our predecessors named Africa. It orbits the first gas giant called Tsui. The other Gas Giant is called Nubia."

Casara : " This should be your selling point. There are multiple planet size moons in orbit around Tsui, and because of its proximity to the local Star the temperature on the 16 planet size moons is on average 10 degrees Celsius! Perfect for Colonization."

Ntabo : " Only 3 of the 16 moons are deemed habitable. The other moons have almost no water, and of the 3 moons Africa is the only one with sufficient water for full scale planetary development."

Casara : " Crystalorb likes to have an exit Strategy. At the moment our exit strategy calls for us to retreat to O'con Federation Space in the event of a direct Migon assault on Earth. However the Crystalorb Leadership can be convinced to prepare a secondary location as prelude to O'con Federation Space! As long as the African Federal Parliament can give them certain guarantees."

Ntabo : " What are you looking for?"

Casara : " What would it take?" after brief pause "If one of the 3 planet size moons were to be given the same classification as Crystalorb, given the name Crystalorb."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Ntabo : " A restricted military zone!"

Casara : " Yes! The Crystalorb Leadership can be convinced to set up a mining base of operations in the Ra system provided we could receive some economic incentives."

Ntabo : " You want to make an Economic case. How much relief are we talking about?"

Casara : " 30% reduction in royalty on mining in the Ra System for 50 years, and 25% tax credit for Cargo freighter expenses to Earth should be enough to convince the Crystalorb Leadership to start operations. This will mean that we would have to relocate most operations, the system would become the primary mining site for Crystalorb StarShips, and that means some 30% of our ships would be permanently stationed there."

Ntabo : " They could continue their mining role while providing a measure of security to the system."

Casara : " Yes! This would result in minimal disruption to the African Federation Economy. As an added benefit Crystalorb would base some 80000 Crystalans in the system making the Ra Solar System officially a colony of the African Federation of City States."

Ntabo : " How quickly can you get your people there?"

Casara : " We could be fully deployed in 60 days. Assuming we have a Deal?"

Ntabo : " We have a Deal Casara. We have a Deal!"

Casara : " At my age time is of the essence. The rest of the Crystalorb Council of Elders have been listening and they approve. We will begin preparations immediately!"

As the Baby ship Indara arrives to collect Lady Casara the Federal Executive Council get the impression from the way she says her goodbyes that they will in all likelihood never see her again. Casara is now 228 years old, and now at an advanced age, she was not expected to live much longer. The Crystalorb General Council was very concerned about the passing of Casara, and so they sent Lord Ralen to O'con Federation Space with instructions to return with Naole.

◇◆◇

As the Crimson reached the O'con Federation capital planet O'con Lord Ralen took a baby ship and landed at the Chambers of the High Council of the O'con Federation. Lord Ralen would meet with the High Council of the O'con Federation before he met his father Naole. From appearances it was difficult to understand how Naole could be a parent to the aged Lord Ralen. Lord Ralen had brought his son Maole, and even he seemed older than Naole, but Naole is an Immortal, the first of his kind.

At the meeting with the dignitaries to welcome Lord Ralen to O'con.

Bital : " Welcome Lord Ralen! It has been a long time since we've been visited by a Crystalorb Elder."

Ralen : " Too long your Excellency! Our people demand so much of our time. We try to guide them as you do us."

Bital : " That is all we can ask."

Ralen : " The Crystalorb Council of Elders have sent one of their own to bring back our envoy to the O'con Federation on an urgent matter!"

Bital : " What is so urgent?"

Ralen : " Lady Casara is approaching her final days, and the Council of Elders would prefer that the other Nexus Power be there at the End."

Bital : " Nexus Power?"

Ralen : " Casara and Naole are Unique amongst Crystalans. Unparalleled in abilities! Born form 2 Nexus Powers. Direct descendents of Olen; also Nexus Power. The last direct descendents. Those of us who inherit from Casara and Naole are called Apex Powers. With the passing of Lady Casara my father will be the only Nexus Power."

Bital : " What sort of abilities?"

Ralen : " At some point in our history the fate of our people rested with them. Esara was the first to engage the Hand of Destiny, the first to battle the absolute power of the Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny, rescued our forces from eminent defeat, and then led our forces to countless victories. Nalen was our chief scientist, master weapons builder, creator of the ships, and a powerful warrior in his own right. Casara and Naole defeated the Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny and protected Crystalans from imminent destruction, they hold incredible power. Casara commanded the Crystalorb fleet during the first Hakum attack on Earth! Naole was instrumental in the rebuilding of Earth, gave us Nuclear Fusion, and he developed one of the most advanced Armour in the Galaxy."

Bital : " I'm beginning to understand what you mean. The power to change the world?"

Ralen : " Yes; A Nexus Power. An expression of the will of the Divine Source."

Bital : " Who will take Naole's place on O'con?"

Ralen : " Konen Lesedi will stay until My son Kaole can Take Over the role as envoy to the O'con Federation.”

After Lord Ralen's consultations with the High Council of the O'con Federation Council Bital accompanied Lord Ralen as he went to meet with Naole.

Ralen : " Hello Father."

Naole : " Good to see you my Lord."

Naole embraces his son Ralen.

Ralen : " And how are you Father?"

Naole : " Happy to see you My Lord.” Naole turns to look at Bital “As always, it's good to see you your Excellency."

Bital : " Likewise Naole. I hear that you are leaving us?"

Naole : " Duty calls your Excellency."

Ralen : " Yes!" brief pause "We must all be there at the End."

Naole : " My Lord; How is Lady Casara?"

Ralen : " Casara is ready to leave; She awaits the opportunity to say her goodbyes to her entire line."

Bital : " I must say that while Ralen behaves like a son to you Naole You don't treat him like you’re his parent; instead you treat Ralen with reverence. The respect given someone that’s superior to you."

Naole : " Your Excellency?" Naole looks at Bital and then turns to look at Ralen "While it's true that Ralen is my son, I must never forget who he is. What he is! For as long as he is a member of the Council of Elders he is an Echo of generations past, the Voice of our people, and they act in the interest of generations to come."

Ralen : " All of my family members behave in the same way; Except for the young ones of Course. To them I'm simply Grandpa!"

Bital : " One other thing?"

Naole : " Yes your Excellency?"

Bital : " If you are this great power? If indeed you wield the power to change the world? Then why haven't I seen this power?"

Ralen : " Father does not like to be defined by his power; He prefers that he be defined by his mind. You haven't seen his power because you haven't had to see it."

Naole : " To tell you the truth I haven't transformed to my Indigo Form in decades."

Bital : " Can I see this transformation?"

Naole : " With respect your Excellency; It's not our policy to use our power for display purposes."

Ralen : " You could do this to allow an Ally to assess your Capabilities."

Naole : " But my Lord ..."

Ralen : " Do it Naole!"

Naole : " On your Command." Naole moves away from the officials “Please stand Back."

As Lord Ralen, Council Bital and their respective escorts move some distance from Naole electrical discharge begins to appear around Naole. The energy discharge begins to affect the weather around the Crystalorb Consulate.

Bital : " How is he doing this?"

Ralen : " You haven't seen anything yet!"

Naole : " Heart of our People, I hear you!" His face expressing deep pain "Aaaaaah!" and then "Huh!"

Thunder clouds begin to form around the Crystalorb Consulate as Naole makes the final transformation to his Indigo Form.

Maole : " He's done it!" smiling "He's Ascended!"

Ralen : " This is the legendary power of the Crystalorb. The true power of our people!" with a loud yell " Naole; Do something about these clouds!"

Naole : " As you command!"

Naole's Chest Crystal pluses blue light, and Indigo releases Naole's Guardian Armour sphere from orbit and the Sphere rapidly moves towards Naole and hovers in front of him. A large crowd of O'ltana and Crystalans had come to see what was going on, and many O'ltana were more than surprised by the extent of Naole's capabilities.

Ralen : " With Guardian Armour, his power will converge. We usually do this kind of things in secret, but we've made an exception for the O'ltana."

The storm was growing in intensity, and Naole was at the centre of things. Naole activates his Chest Crystal in order to unlock the Guardian Armour sphere.

Naole : " I am the light on the hill!" The Guardian Armour sphere begins to open "The line in the sand!" Light energy increases, making it hard to see Naole "Here and no further!"

Naole emerges clad in his deep Blue Guardian Armour and holding his Crystal Lance.

Ralen : " The combination of Guardian Armour and the Indigo Form or Crimson Form in an Ascended Crystalan is what we call Convergence Power."

Naole : " Lightning Wave!"

Naole somehow drains the energy of the gathering storm and uses the energy to disperse the clouds. The crowd is completely amazed by Naole's abilities. Even the Crystalans had not seen Apex power on display for some 50 years. Guardians are usually the only once to witness this power during their secluded training rituals. Amongst the gathered crowd is Ambassador Cuvil, representative of the Andronian Federation to the O'con Federation.

Cuvil : " It's one thing to Hear about it, but it’s quite another to see it with your own eyes. So the rumours are true; You do have Phaylon Power!"

Naole disengages his Crystal Armour and returns to his normal form.

Bital : " This is Ambassador Cuvil, representative of the Andronian Federation to the O'con Federation."

Ralen : " Ambassador."

Naole : " Your Excellency."

Cuvil : " Are all of you this powerful?"

Naole : " Yes."

Ralen : " Not exactly. Comparable; But father is unique."

Bital : " Yes; They call him a Nexus Power."

Ralen : " My father refuses to see himself as different from any other Crystalan or for that matter any other Human. He’s an Ascended Crystalan. He is the Envoy of the Forbidden!"

Cuvil : " Ascended Crystalan?"

Ralen : " When a Crystalan is old enough and has trained hard enough he or she can with enough focus go trough a Permanent Physical Transformation into what we call a Permanent Powered State also known as the Ascended Crystalan Form. The Ascended Crystalan is an Energy Elemental and your Energy becomes your Life Force. When you Ascend you become a Beacon of the Spirit Stone; thus multiplying your Power Level a Hundred Fold."

Cuvil : " It is unusual to find beings so young and so powerful. Few amongst the older races can boast such power."

Bital : " We have Armour with significant abilities, but nothing quite like this. This is a whole new level of power. The control displayed is just astounding."

Naole : " I've had over 200 years of practice."

Ralen : " The Crystal Armour is a part of Us. An extension of ourselves. It’s how we operate the Systems on our ships; We connect with them."

Cuvil : " I get the feeling that there is a deeper level to your abilities."

Naole : " We know that there is some deeper purpose to our abilities, but we haven't been able to discover its full meaning."

Ralen : " However we continue to try, but since the advent of Interstellar Travel we've focused less on personal growth, and more on our need to protect Humanity from the forces of Chaos. Even our former Hodian opposites have joined us in our efforts to protect Humans from the Hakum and the Migon."

Bital : " In Time the answers will reveal themselves."

Cuvil : " We are yet to see what kind of force you evolve into. In any case this must be kept secret; If the Migon find out the about the extent your capabilities it could be disastrous for the Human race."

Ralen : " We have always kept our abilities secret to an extent. Only the United Atlantic Federation and African Federation of City States understand our true capabilities, and they understand the need to keep our secrets. The rest of Humanity believes us to be Hybrids."

Naole : " They don’t know about the Chest Crystal?"

Cuvil : " What about the Hand of Destiny?"

Naole : " How do you know about the Hodian?"

Cuvil : " We are more alike than you know."

Ralen : " You are reading our thoughts?"

Cuvil : " I'm not reading your thoughts; you're sending them to me."

Bital : " Huh!"

Naole uses his Chest Crystal to scan Cuvil.

Naole : " It’s some sort of Crystal implant."

Cuvil : " Indeed! Aah! Now that you know, I can’t detect your thoughts; you've stopped Broadcasting. Interesting; Such control! Can the Hodians be trusted to keep your secrets?"

Ralen : " Our secrets are their Secrets, and they dislike the Migon even more than we do."

Cuvil : " Yes! The Migon threaten their ability to control their Destiny, and that they can not continence. Is it true that they are negative Psionics?"

Ralen : " Not exactly. Their energy is the opposite of ours, but our energy isn't exactly Psionic. Consequently they can't be classified as negative Psionics."

Cuvil : " But they could be negative Psionics? Their allies the Circle could be classified as negative Psionics."

Ralen : " The Circle have in the past gone even further than the Hodians!" sadness in Naole's face "The Grey Crystal is an extremely potent source of Negative Psionic Energy." Naole sighs "We hope to some day be able to redeem them."

Cuvil : " You think it’s possible?"

Ralen : " However evil they've become they are still Crystalans."

Cuvil : " Could the Hodians be redeemed?"

Ralen : " We've done it before, but they have to choose redemption. However as long as the negative influence of the Circle persists I don't know if it can work? These days there are two factions of the original Hodians; Those who seek to be more like Crystalans and those who stick to their original principles. When we left Earth it caused a split in the Hodians, and the two factions are as different as we are to them, but we are all fundamentally the same. The Faction that seeks to be more like us call themselves the Light of Destiny 〘LOD〙 or Lodians, and they incorporate most of the Hybrids. Consequently they are the largest of the humans with special abilities; we have very close relations with them. The Hodians are the second largest group, but the reach of their influence is unparalleled, their influence touches every facet of human Civilisation. Then there is Crystalorb, with a population of just over 1.6 million we are the smallest of the three, but we have been given legal Authority within the African Federation of City States; custodians of the people."

Cuvil : " Guardians."

Ralen : " Yes!"

Cuvil : " As it should be!"

The discussions continued as Naole's staff prepared for his return to Crystalorb, and Cuvil learned more about the Crystalans and the Humans in general. When Naole returned home to Crystalorb he was taken aback by the sight of the aged Casara, and for the first time Naole could acknowledge to himself that he was the most powerful Crystalan, the strongest of his kind, soon he would be the oldest.

Being the strongest or the most powerful were tittles Naole had never cared for, but being the oldest Crystalan, the oldest human brought with it a new set of responsibilities. His people would now look to him for guidance, he would be the steadfast rock for Crystalorb. Questions littered Naole's mind; Would he have the wisdom to be the Light of Hope? To be that which he was always meant to be? Could he truly be the Envoy of the Forbidden?

◇◆◇

On the morning of 16-07-2221 Casara died at the of 230, all of Crystalorb mourned the passing their Oldest Elder, and later on that very day Isara was elected to the Council of Elders to replace her grandmother Casara. As preparations of the Commitment Ceremony got underway Naole could not help feeling alone, even though he had his three children, his grandchildren, his great grandchildren and their children he could not help but acknowledge that he was ancient, and thought he did not look it he was the last of a generation, a living legend.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to separate myth from truth, and the way Crystalans treated him left him feeling increasingly alone. He could hardly walk a meter without people staring at him, he'd become a curiosity, and the fact that he was a Guardian was lost to most Children, to them he was the Immortal. 225 years later and the Crystalans still found him to be a curiosity.

The Commitment Ceremony was about to begin, and it seemed like all of Crystalorb had come to Salute their Elder on her final journey to join the others in the Spirit Stone. Also present was the 12 member Council of the Light of Destiny or the Council of Light which is the Lodian Leadership. All 11 members of the Council of Elders were there to lead the ceremony, and Ralen was now the oldest Elder

Ralen : " Heart of our people! Heart of the Planet! Heart of Crystalorb!"

Lehungo : " In the name of all Crystalans!"

Lumen : " We beseech you!"

Vamun : " Awaken mighty Spirits!"

Balen : " And receive our fallen daughter amongst your order!"

Casara's Guardian Armour sphere generated a massive Red aura, activating itself and then hovering 2 meters above Casara's body.

Isara : " We are born of the Light, we live in the light!"

Lumen : " And upon our death we return to the light!"

Ralen : " With this in mind, we will now return Casara to the light"

Speaking directly to Casara's body.

Vamun : " Casara; It's time for you to return to the Source."

All of Casara's family members activated their Chest Crystals, generating a beams of light that hit Casara's body, this caused Casara's Chest Crystals to activate, absorbing all of Casara's body thereby increasing in size. When Casara's Chest Crystals was finished absorbing Casara's body it hovered next to Casara's Red Guardian Armour sphere.

Ralen : " Casara's Guardian Armour is a part of Casara and thus cannot exist without her, It will now mourn her."

Casara's Guardian Armour sphere generated a massive aura of light that was very bright, then produced an electrical energy stream that linked it to Casara's Chest Crystal. Casara's Guardian Armour sphere began to move in circles around Guardian Chest Crystal moving incrementally spiralling closer to the Chest Crystal until eventually fusing with the Chest Crystal.

Isara : " Casara is no longer with us, from here onwards she will forever be a part of the Spirit Stone!"

Ralen : " Mighty Spirit Stone Accept your daughter into your home!"

With that, the combined Chest Crystals and Guardian Armour sphere flew up the pyramid and fused with the Spirit Stone in a massive flash of light. The ceremony was completed and the crowd began to disperse, Elder Casara was now a part of the Spirit Stone, and a portion of her spirit would always be in the Spirit Stone. The Crystalans had mourned her and celebrated her, and now they'd said their goodbye to the great Guardian.

※※※