ISSUE 19: TRIAL RUN
I learned quite a few things from Louis. Even observations about Typherians that J’ino wouldn’t think of. It's far too ingrained within her. I will use that information to make things even more interesting for Eliza when we get to that hurdle. –Lorain Lanis.
Observation: Eliza is ecstatic. She hasn’t been this happy since she got the Jupiter Rising. Along with a certain Doctor. Also, Taleer will be joining the crew as well. Sul’sandra was quite thrilled to see him in 3rd cycle Markav battle armor. The captain surprised her with a set as well. From the schematics I found. Di’axi added some extra powerups as well. Comet follows me around. I do not mind. I will help him.—Horus
Out we went. Into Weave space but not as invaders. The pirates would regret targeting Earth. But we had to scout out the pathways. For even there, old secrets awaited. What the pirates called bases were the very first Arc Ways. So Light Shamans could travel to other distant locations. That would come in handy.—Sleeping In Starlight
The Jupiter Rising
Weave Space
February 14th, 2104
I cackled. Putting Jupiter through her paces. Arthon turned. His spot was the weapon console. Unlike that time on the Keeper Null ship, the space around us was golden in color. With flecks of black. He said, “Having fun are we?” I sent the ship into a spiral.
“Indeed!” The song outside the ship was hypnotic. A long-lost friend.
My father tapped me on the shoulder. “Alright. I’m on the hot seat. Switch!”
I put the ship into another spin. Artificial gravity keeping everyone stable.
The viewscreens giving me a full 360 angle panoramic view. I brought Jupiter to a slow crawl. “Alright! Done for now. Mom all settled in?” He grinned. His hands already covering the console. “Yep,” the delight in his voice mirrored mine. I whistled a jaunty tune as the grav lift took me to the deck containing Emris. Comet’s smaller sphere circling Horus.
Comet posed, <
Horus replied, << Captain Lanis says it's essential to add coffee to it.>>
Emris’ connected to the coms hub, <
Within the depths of the old Markav vessel, I gawked with amazement. Before the corruption of Unity, Light Shamans from all across the universe could use these places to travel. Without the need for ships. White said, <
We would have to bring Anna with us. It required Light Shaman and Weave Speaker to access the wards. Her father would be able to add his abilities. Poppi floated next to me. Emris had no issues with it.
His voice was warm, I will tell my son. As for Anna. She will require one very important passenger. Teddy.
Made sense. I exited the ship and posted an alert to Moonlighter, “Can you bring Anna and Teddy to the Airlock. We are going to go on a bit of a walkabout.”
The excitement was contagious, “Are we now? Is Poppi with you?”
I replied, “Indeed. This place will need Light and Speaker.”
Arc Way Eden
Weave Space
Anna gripped Teddy’s gloved hand. Determined to keep him close. As she stared at Murphy those infant cries echoed back at her. She screwed her eyes shut. She was not ready. The birth of her children was one of the few genuinely happy memories she had of her marriage to Thomas. Not that she’d admit that to any living soul. Her current husband winked at her from behind his helmet plate. The gold of this place giving everything a dreamy quality. It was almost soothing. Teddy leaned in, “This place reminds me of that business trip. The Alps. That was nice!”
She blushed.
Moonlighter reached out. The Weave hummed between his fingers.
Speak the words and enter.
The Arc Way was singing. A multilevel structure. Whirling around a central spindle.
Each level housing secrets he was itching to see. Anna crossed her arms. Every movement was cautious. “Dad.” He turned. Holding out a hand. She took it. Her eyes locked onto the raised words along the wall.
Her voice was muted but it carried nonetheless.
“By the Break of Day, we ask for Entry to this Realm of Creation.”
The walls moved. Eliza trailed behind everyone. The temptation to use Throne Sight was bearing down on her. What else moved here? The very words of this place pulsated with the comfort of a parent’s love.
*****
I brushed my tears away. White tugged at my mind. Making float up to a massive stone statue. Anna watched silently but there was a curiosity there as well. She had been giving me long glances lately. I didn’t want to intrude. Our relationship was rocky at best. It was a representation of the Weave. One half in the form of a Man. The other was a Woman. I imagine anyone who came here saw their race instead.
White said, “Indeed.” Her voice was rich with longing.
The statue slowly re-formed into Dexter and me. My eyes Typherian.
Words appeared below. Anna spoke for all of us.
“Convergence approaches. Use these Arcs to carry the light to Other Trees. Find my Ouroborous Chains. Link them to the Thrones stretched across the Infinite.”
Her eyes widened as the Weave added for her alone, “You must listen to your heart but others as well. They never meant harm. Provide them guidance when I cannot.”
This ancient presence was trusting her? When she barely trusted herself?
My heart dropped when I felt the emotions whirling through Anna. Then I kicked myself mentally, “Thank you for coming Mrs. McQuire. I know I haven’t thanked you properly in the past but I know I acted in error. Not knowing why you were in pain.” I floated down next to her. Her eyes locked on the message written around us on the floor. More words appeared. Anna added, “Beware the Path of the Ancients.”
White unfurled from my waist. Reaching out to Anna. Saying, “The Path of the Ancients is the rest of the Arc Network. What has happened to it? I cannot hear its song. We will have to bring Black and Dexter here as well. They can read more into the other side of this realm.”
Anna reached up to touch my face, “We must clean out the darkness around the next colony. Trinity. There you will find what corrupts the path.” Her gloves were ice cold.
Anna poked me in the chest, “This doesn’t mean we are friends though.”
I nodded, “I am not expecting that. Just expecting your input.”
She smiled, “Good because if you screw up I will tell you about it.”
I stuck my tongue out at her, “Believe me. I know!”
She surprised everyone when she giggled. “Excellent. Stupid Flying Brick.”
This time it didn’t sound insulting but rather what you would say to a child when they did something wrong. I made an elaborate bow. It was a start! Anna snorted. “Based on the way my father is floating about this place. I suppose we should explore a bit more before heading out.” Moonlighter was zipping about the foyer as a man possessed. White said, “I must bring you to the central hub. We must activate the initial sequence. That way we can bestow it upon the other Arcs.”
Just another day in paradise.
Anna rolled her eyes, “Fine. Lead the way White Belt of Elder Button Pushes.”
Planet Trinity (Alpha Centauri )
New Horizons, Old Sector
This place brought back memories of Striker Nix and his Darkmatter bomb. But now we had to breach the Weave Space around the planet and cleanse the corruption. Half the planet, formerly designated Proxima B, was a cityscape. Not quite a city-wide planet. Other parts were used for agriculture and expanding the Terran Alliance’s industry base. New shipyards circled above the planet. Alongside mighty habitat rings reminiscent of Earth’s. What a difference a few years made. Nearly a decade. Lorain hung on my left arm. Reaching out with her demi senses to pinpoint what shouldn’t be here. Mainly the Nix’s of the Universe. I tried to recall what his race named themselves.
Doc murmured, “Artocks. 4 arms. Very grouchy.” She mussed my hair. My usual NASA cap on the desk within my quarters. Cooper and Auggie trotted alongside. Just out for a stroll. I could almost pretend that was all there was.
*****
Lorain pulled Eliza along. Knowing that she was using her skill set to detect heartbeats outside the norm of human anatomy. With various sectors to cover the crew had broken up into scouting teams. Making sure no one was alone. Anna took Teddy, her father, and Samantha. Horus was with Comet. With additional Blue Defender backup. Thomas and J’ino, along with Taleer took the more sensitive places. Since General Murphy had clearances most did not. Doc pulled out her bio radar of demi fun. Examining people from a nervous system point. That was harder to hide. Even with cloaking and tech. She sent signals along with the crowds. Most came back with the usual readouts: Augmented spinal enhancements, accelerated muscle reaction. Most of it was basic defense even on terraformed colonies.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Then her eyes snapped to the old industrial area. An individual’s synapses and signals came back positive: Artock. Hidden within the abandoned Terreforming complex. It was used as an offsite storage area for extra supplies, prefabs, and other odds and ends. She got Eliza’s attention by hugging her, bringing her in close, and pretending to just be a normal couple on holiday. It was Valentine's Day after all. They didn’t know if anyone was listening. So she added very quietly, “Found it.”
*****
Mom nudged me, “Remember this place?”
I replied, “Yep. I had quite the appetite that day.” Mt. Venus Bar hadn’t changed much. Holo pictures of the original settlers adorned its walls. It had a new set of paint though. The owner said it brought old-school rustic charm to the old girl. Doc brought over some beers and we pondered what to do next.
Dad brought up a honeymoon flyer, “The old rooms are still available aren’t they Space Cadet?”
“Yup!” The tunnels were intact.
We were acting like a big family on holiday. Even Anna was getting into it. Already on her 3rd cup of New Terra Reserve. She was much nicer while buzzed. Teddy spun her around while Arthon was congratulating them on their “wedding.” Horus, Comet, and Taleer were cloaked with our Bardaxian friends on standby. I leaned in. Whispering to Doc, “How many presents?” Even planted a light kiss on her neck. We had no idea if these guys had any outside scouts. Dad always said to assume yes.
She plastered a fake drunk look on her face. “Oh, about 12 or 14. I lost count after Aunt Alice forgot the other 4.” So we had at least 14 pirates on standby up there. Along with 4 thought to be the key agents. Possibly pilots for the other sets. I took Lorain to the dance floor. Hovering just above the ground so she could swing me about easier. I stretched my senses outward while Doc put on a show. That performance, according to Arthon, got us some additional casino chips to spend. Line Dancing was all the rage at the moment. Texans, if anything else, knew how to party.
*****
The Artoc scout raised his eyes to the sky. Missing his usual ability to look behind him because of this cover. How those sapient apes managed to survive was beyond him. Like everything else within this human cesspool, it was too bright, too noisy, and smelled atrocious. He was on patrol tonight. But it was the same old routine. Drunk humans celebrating a holiday dedicated to mating. The only thing his people found pleasure in was pillaging from things like the Typherians and their stupid councils. But humanity had the potential to turn a profit. Still begging for scraps from the Uplifted community. The pirate took a drag of the cigar. Another perk they would steal from the humans later. It gave his people a thrill.
He saw two inebriated females near the edge of the camp.
Their faces pressed together.
This place was savage.
He turned on his heel and walked away.
Two cloaked spheres following him.
*****
J’ino watched through the scope. Thomas insisted she’d be placed on overwatch, out of the thick of the action, which she initially balked at. But the faint heartbeats reminded her why. Cooper was a warm weight next to her. The Bardaxian didn’t want her to be alone. So he was on guard duty as well. Taleer’s coded messages indicating he was at the main entry point. Following in after the pirate. With Horus and Comet on his heels. Eliza and Doc were carrying on. Her daughter pretending to be drunk. While Lorain was legitimately surfing on five long island ice teas. Her demi ability could purge her system in an instant. But they wanted to distract them.
Taleer’s earlier cycle armor proved a boon. Even with her Typherian tech, J’ino was only able to get an echo of his movements and that’s because she was temporarily within his com band. Her husband was planning shock and awe.
She re-positioned the lance rifle closer to her shoulder.
The thing could kick. Even with dampeners.
*****
Thomas released his credentials into the system. This particular omni-directional platform was mostly used to put fires out. In near orbit or on the ground. He had a feeling those pirates wouldn’t appreciate having to move through that sort of muck but it would legitimately make Taleer’s job easier. When stuff hits the fan, the ones with the keys usually bolted to their escape vectors.
Just what he was counting on.
*****
Taleer edged around the shuttles. Most were stolen but 3 of them had the markers he was looking for. The suit’s HUD zeroing in on the camo hiding the Artock markings. This thing had an extensive nano warfare suite that would have made any member of his special forces envious. How much had they lost between cycles? Sweet Creator. A thin Artock snarled at his subordinates, “We don’t have much time. Load up those stupid cigars the boss likes. We will take them back to base.”
Horus recorded the voices. It might prove useful. Comet placed tracers within all the shuttles. One should know what they were doing with the Terran property. Taleer waited. The fun would hit any moment now.
*****
Doc snored. The glint of the platform clear to my eyes.
I placed a palm over her heart. This was going to get loud.
Using my other hand to pull her in tighter.
Her eyes snapped open as the shockwave hit. I used my body to shield her from the rain of duracrete. This area had materials that weren’t secured. Which is why I was here with her rather than up in the air with dad. His calculations were spot on though. Nothing else was disturbed but for this site. The military coms array shut down all outside sources. They knew we were hitting the pirates. But didn’t want to panic the civilians. The spark of the city sector outer shielding snapped into place. Protecting them.
Lorain’s befuddled movements cleared up razor quick as her enhanced metabolism kicked into overdrive. I dashed for the service tunnels. Pretending to look for cover. Once out of sight we changed into our real uniforms. Mom sent an all-clear signal on our end. No pirates in this corner of the facility. Based on what Taleer was saying they had changed some of the tunnels into flight tubes. Doc placed some scramblers by the access panels. Time to infiltrate.
*****
Artock fighters scrambled around. The sudden influx of white foamy material hindered their movement. Not Wark though. That coward made a mad dash to his flight console. Leaving the rest to fend for themselves. He had to warn the base. Not realizing that 3 other passengers entered the shuttle with him. As the atmo of the planet disappeared he warped into the Outer Layer. Most of these pirates didn’t realize this was the Weave. Only their leaders had a faint idea. They only knew it was a special kind of space that allowed them to get around Typherian checkpoints. Taleer eyes remained steady. The Arc Way was surrounded by ships. With one or two which could be categorized as capital vessels. On each level, hugging the outer walls, were ramshackle houses and factories. So they hadn’t been able to get real access. They just used it as a hub. He relayed this to the rest.
*****
Thomas followed Ra through the western access tunnels. Passing through walls alongside Moonlighter. He had a solid grip on the elder Preston. They raced towards the remaining two ships that were Weave capable.
Moonlighter said, “Those ships only have the barest connection to the Weave. We could convert them with Freefall.”
He linked in with Star, <
He saw her nod. Her eyes shimmering with power.
Across from Star, Doctor Impossible was immobilizing another Artock pilot. Shoving him into a storage container on the ship. Mimicking his biosignature. He asked, <
She saluted, <
*****
White growled, <
I piloted the ship closer. My father behind me. While Taleer watched from my 10 o'clock. Still letting the lead pilot request docking. Not yet. Just a little more. Emerald K-9 sent the all-clear. My mother was secure. I scanned the Arc. The power within was dormant. I turned to Doc, “There are no children at that place.” She nodded somberly, “Those guys don’t have children as we do, they usually bioengineer from compatible races. It's why their species is outlawed.”
“So Captain Cosmos and the Replicators?” Taking from the dead or the unwilling.
Doc’s hand brushed the side of my head, “I know you. Give them the option.”
I would do it. Even if some thought I’d be crazy for it. I would give them the choice of peaceful surrender.
*****
The leader of this miserable colony stared with disbelief. A caped figure floated before his flagship. Reminding him of a flamboyant bird. Whatever was the biggest delicacy of Typha. Umma something or other. He shrieked, “OPEN FIRE! ALL BATTERIES!” They complied.
For all the good it did.
*****
The mutations bounced harmlessly off my chest.
They didn’t want or desire surrender.
In many cases ricocheting to the enemy, causing enough damage to punch gaping holes in the vessels. Already the tiny figures raced all about the Arc Way. Lanching even more projectiles, odds, and ends, grav lances, whatever had any propulsion. They didn’t even care if their people got caught in the crossfire. Why would they since they saw life as a contemptible carrousel? I dived directly through the plating of their capital ships. Ripping through the main engine drives. My gut told me the pirates weren’t the corruption to look out for.
White hissed, <
Horrific shapes exploded from the top of the Arc Way.
Their savage cries hungering for blood.
My eyes burned with Darkmatter.
Not in my home.
The screams reached my ears.
It wasn’t the Artock. It was me.
*****
Moonlighter eased the other two ships through the firefight. His brow furrowed in concentration. This was the largest phase-field he had ever done. Taleer guided him to the landing pad of the ramshackle pirate colony. The handful of pulsar darts pinged the outer hulls as he released the phase field. He nodded to Judgement. Thomas’s face went blank as he gave in to the battle song. These deaths would be on him. Not his daughter. Taleer joined him. Knowing that soldiers often bore the burden of battle. There would be no prisoners here.
The Markav had read the dossier on these Artocks.
If the Void Walkers were heralds of death, these pirates were the crows that picked at the corpses. He charged, his simback baring down on the horde. Their bodies turning to dust where his crystal laser beams bisected them. Judgment was a golden and purple buzzsaw. Cutting through the enemy. The various jewels on his gauntlets shimmering with power. Isis and the others of Ta’mathon’s inner circle fought with them.
No, these miserable things were the opening salvo. The real threat rained down from above. Sucking the Artock’s in. Spitting out black ichor corpses in its wake. The song of the spear screamed above them. Eliza’s assault on the true threat began.
*****
My dark matter energy blazed through the throng of shadows.
Bright sparks burning away its corrupted flesh. Pale gray with milky green eyes. The great serpent reared its head. What was with Unity and snakes anyway? Its scales were coiled. Rearing to strike. I focused on the beats within my left arm. The black spear curled around my fingers. I dodged its massive fangs. Using the spearhead to rip through the roof of its mouth. I dragged it downward. Diving into its belly. Exploding outward. Its spine collapsed. Bits of green smoke curled around it as it died. Each half dissipating as the Weave Space cleared. Going from that Orange Red to a bright Golden color splashed with black.
That was not the end.
Beams of light engulfed me.
“I know the taste of your tears.”
A figure with bright yellow eyes stared back at me.
His gray cloak was covered with the dust of trillions.
“I see you.”
He had been a protector of his Earth. But no longer.
A Defender of Unity.
I held the spear before me and the figure shied away. “EVEN HIS SPEAR WILL NOT SAVE YOU!” I was flung from the wave of corrupted Weave. Blinking as the cleansed Arc Way unfurled. Blue light shot off. Connecting Alpha Centauri to the main Eden hub.
My heart thudded wildly in my chest. Doc’s voice breaking into my coms, << It's ok. The Arc cleared out the rest of the converted spawn.>>
Pain exploded outward.
“I KNOW THE TASTE OF YOUR TEARS! WHITE LIVE ECHOES OF ALL!”
*****
I floated.
Feeling a gentle touch.
In Jupiter’s MedLab once more.
Doc’s hands were phased through my chest. Messaging my heart.
Her look of concentration absolute. Those green eyes of hers widened. A vivid white light engulfed me. Healing everything. White appeared before us. Offering me a Shield. It was the same shade as the void of space, with gold symbols. “Awaken.”
*****
Lorain removed her hands.
Whatever Unity corruption remained vanished as White’s aura blazed throughout the whole ship. Singing in harmony with the Arc Way. With the Leylines. With Earth. Even Star’s uniform reformed. Unblemished.
A renewed vigor burned deep within the grey eyes.
No. Her eyes were no longer human.
Typherian black replacing the white sclera.