ISSUE 1: AT’LAN
Classifying new security measures. Allowing full access for one individual only: The Star-Spangled Banner, Scion of House Ayeer, Typherian Name unlisted for now. Remaining within Jupiter until Sleeper situation is resolved.—At’lan to the Board of Ship Operation Directors.
There are many kinds of magic within this world. Light Shamans use incantations and relics or symbols to command the mysteries of the Weave. Dr. Zanzibar possesses both Light Shaman Training and a natural affinity for Magic residing within the Void and Iron Lines. As for what most know of Weave Speakers? They have a direct line to the Weave itself. Their ability to understand is another matter. Some may get a clear signal but others, even one as powerful as my daughter, may pick up echoes. Anna, like a certain Odessen of another universe, can also perceive echoes within objects of great import. The faith of the Light Shaman must be strong as well. My father had a deep reservoir of it.—Moonlighter, Introduction to the Weave
I still had so much to learn of the universe and things beyond it. The biggest hurdle we had was time. How to cleanse out the corruption so we could act without the hangman’s noose of unknowing spies? It began with At’lan. And the not so simple request. –Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century
At’lan
Main Operations Room
March 26th, 2104
I floated above the main floor plating. At’lans various triangular probes zipping about. Resetting systems, analyzing data, or compiling impressions from objects beyond local space. He formed before me. Taking on the image of a Markav male, about 5 ft 10. With a blue wizard’s hat and a flowing white beard. He even put white stars on the deep blue robe. The white sandals were a nice touch. It was still weird that Markav only had 4 toes.
His voice took on a conspiratorial tone, “AH! Yes! Welcome to my…what do you hybrids call it? THE LAIR!” He swished his arms about in a serious manner. I grinned, “What is the plan for today Mr. At’lan?” He gestured to the chair that appeared next to him.
“I have a request. It might take a while to complete but when you do happen to touch down on Typha. Hide some of these within its Weave. Of all planets, they are the strongest indicator where more Unity corruption will be.” He handed me some of his probes. In their dormant state, they weren’t any bigger than a quarter. I put them in my utility belt.
I asked him, “I imagine my meeting on Y’lansa’s ship was amusing enough for you.”
He placed a hand on my head. Playing up the wise wizard approach.
“Worry not. Your mother wants to change House politics more than the Commons. Did you remember to filter out their reactions? They aren’t as insulated as your Mother’s contemporaries.”
I reflected on that. The 3 Commons Reps had been reserved but the underlining exasperation had been present. Did her leaders have blinders on? At’lan shot me a probing look, “Indeed! The Houses don’t realize just how tired most are with their antics. This is your mother’s way of trying to save the ones she does care about.”
I replied, “So Grandpa wanted her away from homeworld then? To go native?”
“Yes. Of all the races out there, the Typherians have no Weave Speakers or Light Shamans. The Claryvoiants and Holy Wielders needed to keep corruption in check. We need you to clear more airspace for us within the Weave.” A screen floated before me. Showing Typha in all its glory. Dyson Spheres, spires reaching into space, multiple shipyards, just as I remembered from that long-ago memory block visit. He layered it, shifting the view to the Weave, the old footage was grainy because of the interference.
Living Stone nightmares circled the planet within that red and black storm.
It was in worse shape than Earth’s. The power of Avalon and the faith of those long-ago Light Shamans who had sided with the stranded Bardaxians had slowed the corruption. Earth used to have one Unity dragon roosting within its Weave. My mother’s world? 12 of them circled. With another forming in the distance.
I reached out to touch the screen. “Does anyone know how bad it….”
“V’alkor, Trouble, M’taris and Y’lansa.”
I added, “Because of their involvement with Project Freefall?”
At’lan paused. His features troubled, “Yes. Plus the Throne does warn him. But there are very few not under some direct sway of Set. So he relies on humanity, like I do, for protection. A way to cure his people.” He saw me bringing up J’dax’s file, “Your uncle is safe. Moonlighter made sure of that. Plus the Ayeer family has natural protection against corruption. The last King of Typha to have Weave Speaker abilities used up that power to protect his entire line. Enough of House M’tah, along with House Odessen intermingled enough over the years to give them some immunity as well.”
He leaned in close. Eye to eye with me, “That is why Thoth murdered the entire Ayeer clan within the UEF universe. They had that Weave Speaker potential as well. Even with the pollution Set added to their world across the multiverse.”
My mouth fell open, “How do you know all this?”
“Before my mirror fell within the UEF, he relayed the information, his entire record. I saw what that Urraden did. His assault on my counterpart was equally tragic. All that priceless data lost. He had the location to the Markav’s true homeworld. We must find it.”
White shimmered before us. As a Three-Eyed White Tiger. Black stripes along her face and back. Her golden eyes brimming with rage, “Thoth is lucky you hold the reigns, Eliza Murphy.” Her tail twitched as I highlighted the normal space comparison around Typha. A world of beauty under siege. I asked, “What about the other Uplifted Council races? Are their Weaves as compromised as Typha’s?”
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At’lan grunted, pulling more datastreams before me, leading it all with a wand that suddenly appeared in his hands. Bardax had never experienced a corrupted Weave. Set had never been able to gain a foothold. It was odd though. Bardaxians only existed within 3 other universes. What made them most immune to the pull of Unity?
At’lan tapped my head with his wand, “Off you go! Adventure awaits!”
*****
I was above Illarium. The Markav didn’t mind that we still dubbed the planet Mars.
They found a simple elegance with our origins for the word. Highmaker’s scout probes danced around me, <
President Marshall had assisted of course. I found him near the main temple. It was a high-rise building, made of bluestone. With 3 golden bells ringing in the various Markav patrons. The murals outside depicted the Markav coming to Mars via Generational ships. 6 in total. Sul exited the main doorway. Various acolytes keeping the way open for others as they poured in. This broadcast would be on display planet-wide. With various INet and news stations on Earth and within the Terran Alliance boosting the feed.
Sul’sandra bowed. Since most were locked out of At’lan’s inner workings for now she had decided to integrate the Markav within Humanity’s sphere. Giving us access to their old routes and former colonies. Most had been obliterated by Set or Chronos but with the Alliance’s help, she wanted to make these worlds a co-venture. While there were many still within the Ur-Stone, they would have to wait a while longer while we rehabilitated these places. To make them breathe once more. Some within the Uplift Community were grumbling about “This is not how we do things!” but they were the lone voices within the wilderness.
Earth and her people were expanding outwards.
Bringing all who would come with us.
Sul pulled me into the temple. White’s armor flowed over me in response.
Life would not be denied.
Taleer put a fist to his heart, “Here now, among the eyes of all, we grant The Star-Spangle Banner and her team honorary rank of Explorer among our forces. May you uphold the values of Earth and the Hermegony as you travel to these distant shores!”
Y’lansas Flagship: T.A.S I’tah
In Orbit around Lunar Point Alpha
J’ino eyed E’ratha of House Cyphuskara with obvious distaste.
The only saving grace was the fact that her husband was here. Even if only as Judgement. Made some interactions even more hilarious. J’dax moved in. Making sure to guard his sister and their allies.
E’ratha’s mindvoice was like cat claws on a chalkboard. >>The Markav are just handing things to these humans?! What a waste!<< She cursed at Judgement. Thinking he wouldn’t understand.
Not knowing he had a wedding ring that let him key in when J’ino wanted him to. She had warned him. So at least this narrow-minded “female-dominated social circling” wouldn’t come as a complete shock.
J’ino had forgotten just how caustic House arguments could be.
How she wished she could just have a cup of coffee within Jupiter Rising’s galley right now. Her husband chuckled, sending an image of pancakes to go with it via those same marriage rings. That man would get a workout later. Judgment pretended to look at the various news updates. Even the Typherian ones. Using his connection to listen to their reports as well. Their homeworld used special telepathic waves to broadcast. Thomas pondered, >>Do they know how compromised they are?<<
J’ino replied, on that same ring frequency, >>No. My father says it goes very deep. This is why he still keeps somethings close to his chest. Now I understand why. I hope humanity will be able to help us. Set has done so much damage already.<<
He moved over to the serving trays and grabbed her some h’itah, it's cinnamon aroma already perking her up while nodding politely to his brother-in-law. E’ratha’s audible voice rang out, “Human, I demand to know what your people plan on doing about the Artock!”
Thomas set the trey down. His hand rubbing his chin. The ship's lights reflecting off his golden helm. He cleared his throat and replied, “Well considering that we are in a mutual defense pact with the Litari, The Bardaixians, The Forgers, The Markav, Atlantis, and even what you call the Diaspora, it seems everyone wants us simple monkeys to help.”
E’ratha froze. “What demi tricks are these?!”
Each word an octave higher than the next.
Judgment replied, “My other identity is quite well versed. You see the costume and the powers but never forget: The man beneath is just as important.”
J’ino didn’t quite bestow upon Thomas epic level bedroom eyes but it was a near thing.
Y’lansas mouth twitched.
It was glorious seeing Earthmen not give one iota of a shit about House sensibilities.
Those aligned with V’alkor’s position watched this exchange with interest.
They would need humanity’s help to free Typha from the false promise of the Uplift Protocol. All it did, in Y’lansas’s estimation, was to leave developing worlds open to abuse. O’thu of House M’tah raised his glass to Judgement, “And we of the Survey Corps thank Earth for it.”
The Jupiter Rising
Orbit of Mercury
Jupiter greeted me as I entered the Library.
I added the expanded star charts. Mom was curled up in dad’s lap as they drank some coffee. A blanket wrapped around both of them. I asked them, “So did Dad get to ruffle more feathers?”
Mom’s overjoyed kiss on his cheek answered that question.
I laughed as he sent me an image of an angry shrew with House robes.
I added, “Think they are ready for Anna level yet?”
Anna poked her head in, “Fuck no they aren’t.
Teddy added, “If it's possible, make Anna here a House head!”
Mom nearly choked on her coffee. Dad patted her back as she continued to sputter.
I hoped Doc and the others were having a stroke of better luck with that Sleeper.
Mercury
Sleeper Rehab Unit
Doc muttered, “I see it. Looks like these nanites are Void Walker based.”
She was examining a blood sample from the recently captured demi. Proper sources had notified his family and they gave them status updates every week. Luckily Zap Demi’s father was part of Thomas’s deep dive crowd so was able to stress the importance of keeping this on the down-low. Different department but with a similar work function. But how to remove the corrupted bits of Unity?
Dr. Zanzibar cursed again. “Light Shaman sigils and protection alone won't be enough. We need to work with some Weave Speakers to overcome this. We have to purge everything all at once or the nanites or corruption will kill the host.”
Doc hoped Eliza was having an easier time with the Typherian situation.
The Howling phased in next to them. His nub of a tail as active as ever.
“Why don’t we find people that have a bit of both?! Like Mr. Moonlighter! They don’t even have to be corporeal. Spirits remain in the Weave for a while!” His black corgi face looking back and forth between them.
Zanzibar slapped the tabletop, “Of course!”
He slipped Howling some bacon. “Good boy!”
The Howling took it like a king who was owed everything.
“Yes! Best reward!”
Even masters needed a nudge ever so often.