Amaranth


Vindex Spei 01 - What came before
by
Stardraigh

Kusa, stood still as the portable maintenance stand ran its diagnostic suite on the armor module she wore. Around her, the command center she’d had set up in the Navamat City’s public administration office bustled with activity.

The building rumbled as if from an earthquake. Flakes of dust rained down upon all in the room.

“What and where did it hit?” Kusa demanded of her staff.

A tech at one of the consoles monitoring the battle raging in orbit and elsewhere on the planet spoke. “It was a kinetic kill rod just like on Kormault II. The impact site was twenty-eight miles on the other side of Mount Tarath.”

“Fuck.” Kusa mouthed under her breath. She was afraid of the rebels using this weapon here. She’d witnessed first-hand the kinetic kill weapons on Kormault II. Three years ago their use by the rebels had forced her to retreat off-planet, leaving numerous citizens behind at their mercy. It also had devastated the environment. If she let the rebels have their way, it might not only spell the end of her survival but the loss of the colony itself.

The diagnostic stand’s display showed everything was nominal with her armor module.

“Finally,” Kusa grumbled. She stepped down and moved to the center of her command room.

Tellek Sarnby, the governor of the Arsana star system spoke up, “Prime Architect Kusa, you should escape now while there’s time.”

“No governor. I will not run any longer. The honor of the Hegemon demands these rebels be crushed if they cannot be re-educated.”

Kalin Mav, the ranking member of the Hegemon police force in the system spoke next, “The rebel fleet has almost gained space superiority. The remains of our fleet have retreated to Arsana VII. Please escape now and return to the core worlds.”

Kusa knew both men’s words were rooted in their fear. “No. we will not retreat. We will crush these rebels here and now. What is the status of Highspire,” she asked of her staff.

One of her man at a console answered, ”It’s not ready. Techs and Engineers onsite say three hours at the maximum.”

Kusa looked over several displays showing the status of the planetary defense network she’d had setup. It was evident to anyone looking that her forces were being slowly and inexorably crushed by the rebels.

“Everyone, listen up,” Kusa bellowed out. “What I’m going to say now may come as a shock to all of you but we have to face reality. The truth of the matter is that the Hegemon has lost control of the edge-ward fringe.”

The personnel around Kusa who were able focused their attention on her. Many had expressions of fear and confusion, some appeared to panic. The few members of Kusa's protection detail watched over all for a threat to her.

“Right now we’re outnumbered and outgunned. But the war isn’t over.” Kusa kept on going. “We have a number of opportunities here. Above us right now the rebels have a prime architect among them, leading them just as I lead you. This prime architect is one I’m sure all of you are familiar with. It is Carios himself, the man who started this rebellion that split the Hegemon. The man who will die today if we have our way and I have a plan to do it. It will not be easy. For some of us we won’t make it through the day but we will succeed.”

“Prime architect, what do you need us to do?” Mav asked.

“Tell the techs at Highspire to put Highspire in Mode Beta-four when it is ready to fire and target as much of the enemy fleet they can. They’re to directly comm me when it is ready to fire. Once I order it used, the techs are to evacuate and join up with the fleet.”

The tech relayed the order.

Kusa continued on. “We will buy them the time. All forces outside of a hundred eighty-three kilometers are to stand down, and if the circumstances demand it, surrender. All citizens and personnel remaining in Navamat city are to evacuate and regroup in Kalver to the north and Farreia to the southeast. I am staying here.”

Another quake rocked the room.

A tech at one of the workstations called out, “Kill rod. The Western slope of Mount Tarath.”

Kusa thought it would probably be minutes for the rebels to adjust their targeting to hit them. She had to act fast.

“Prioritize the remaining air and space defense systems to deflect the kill rods off course. I need the three Type A2 Engineering Modules handed over to my protection unit. Give our remaining fleet orders to re-engage the rebels in orbit once Highspire has done its job. They are to then pick up as many evacuees as possible and regroup in the Lanton star system for rest and repair. Establish FTL comm with any other Hegemon force in the fringe and tell them to evacuate to Lanton as well.”

“I must protest this Prime Architect.” Sarnby interrupted. “I cannot condone your treasonous idea of giving up to the rebels.”

“You're a fool governor. A fool for wanting to stand up against a superior force. We do not have the resources to stop the rebels in the short term except for this course of action. What I do, I do so others such as yourself can live. Mav, remove the governor from here and evacuate. You're in charge of seeing everyone else survives. All of you go now.”

“Yes, Prime Architect.” Mav grabbed ahold of the shocked governor and pushed him out of the room. The personnel got up from their stations and left, letting her protection detail take their places to work the command control systems.

“I need an FTL comm open to Prime Architect Mahran and encrypt with my personal key. Feed it through my armors comm system.” Kusa triggered the armor to enclose her head. This would allow her some modicum of privacy.

“You're connected,” said one of Kusa's bodyguards.

An image appeared in one part of the HUD showing the connection active.

A voice came over, “It is good to hear from you, sister. how goes it out in the edge-ward fringe?”

“Not well brother. I admit that right now, it is lost to the rebels. The traitor Carios is here, and I’m going to destroy him.”

“I’m sorry that you have to do this Kusa. It’s a terrible thing that we fight among ourselves. It is my desire to see you and Carios return safely to the Hegemon, but I know that will not be. I will miss you both should either of you pass into oblivion.”

“Pass a message onto Renyx for me. She'll listen to you. Tell her she was right and I was wrong. Tell her to not give up hope. She will win against the rebels where I could not.”

“I’d prefer that you said this to her yourself, but I know you’re not on speaking terms with her. I have news myself. I am going to meet our brother Hostu within the year. We’ve decided to reactivate Project Starl. I will be out of contact for a while. I will miss you, sister.”

“As I you brother. Tell Hostu I wish him well. Good luck and I hope you succeed. I must bid you farewell for time is short.”

“I will give him your greetings. Good luck and good bye sister.”

The image in the HUD disappeared indicating the line had closed from the other end.

Kusa opened her helm again. “What is the nearest library node outside of rebel control?”

“The Vermarn Library,” One of her protectors answered.

“Make a connection to that node and begin an upload of our entire data set. At least the rest of the Hegemon can use the intelligence we gathered. Now get me a line open with the Rebel fleet. Tell them I am interested in surrendering my forces but will only speak with Carios.”

The ground shook again from another kill rod impact.

One of her bodyguards went to work on the comms. The holo-display which so far had been displaying a large 3D map of the Arsana star system and the battles within it changed to the ready state for the call. Kusa moved next to it. An image of a humanoid flickered into existence after a minute of waiting. It was her brother Carios.

“Sister Kusa, I hear you wish to surrender.”

“Carios, this would be so much easier if you stopped this nonsense and turned yourself into face justice.”

The man's expression went from one lacking emotion to anger.

“I did not murder Arla.”

“And what about all the men and women sent to their deaths in this rebellion of yours?”

“This is ridiculous Kusa. I didn't choose this. I did not want this. I did not ask for this. I did nothing to cause this because I did not kill Arla. I did not start your rebellion. Did you call me only so you can taunt me or were your words of surrender a lie? You and your rebels are outnumbered and outgunned. I will bring you in line with Hegemon Protocol.”

Kusa clenched her jaw at the suggestion she and her forces were the rebels but managed to keep a straight face. “It is true that your rebels are in the superior position. It galls me to say this but I am willing to surrender my forces with conditions on both our part. The colony infrastructure and environment are being destroyed needlessly with your kill rods. I ask that we limit ourselves to the conflict in and around Navamat city to a hundred eighty-three kilometers out. I’ve already ordered all defensive units elsewhere to stand down. If you look, you’ll see that all are evacuating their defensive positions or surrendering.”

Carios muted his end of the call and looked away appearing to talk with others offscreen. It was another minute before Carios came back on. “It appears you are telling the truth.”

“I am. I will turn off the space defense systems as a sign of faith. But only on two conditions. You stop with the kill rods. Arsana is a promising colony world. I don't want to see it turn into Kormault II all over again.”

“Point acknowledged, and what is the second condition?”

“The second is that my remaining forces within Navamat city will only surrender if you come down yourself to accept it. No one else will suffice. It's an honor I'm willing to give you as the victor in this battle, even if I do hate everything you stand for.”

“It sounds like you want to trap me somehow.”

“As much as I want to see you dead at my hands, I also want to see an end to this needless conflict. With you in the superior position, the only optimal outcome I see are my forces surrendering to you.”

“But why me? You don't need me to surrender. I can have elements of my forces down on the ground in an hour to accept your surrender.”

“My bodyguard unit’s quantum template is to alt-form into a copy of myself but with additional powers. They all look like me. No one can tell the difference without the use of a quantum template interpreter which as you know, is the size of a standard housing. There are none here in Navamat city. You’re the only one on your side who has the ability to tell. You won't know the truth that you have me until you see it with your own eyes. Regardless of your acceptance, as a sign of good faith, I am turning off the local defenses right now and turning the planetary protection system back to passive mode. I will be waiting at the Navamat city park in the center of the city. It has enough space to land a few shuttles. Don't forget to bring template suppressors for my bodyguards.” Kusa smiled and then signaled for the comms to be cut. The holo-display went dark.

Kusa smashed the holo-display in frustration. “Fuck him,” She screamed. “I’m going to kill him.” She took several deep breaths to compose herself. “Disable all defensive systems in the area, and revert the space defense system to passive mode.”

“Done.” One of her protectors said.

“Place the A2 engineering modules at each point of an equilateral triangle where the park is at the center in order to maximize the destruction of Navamat city. Have the engineering modules detonation set for five minutes after I order them detonated.”

“Architect, the rebels have stopped firing upon us,” a protector notified her.

“Excellent. Now once the charges are set. I'm ordering all except first company to evacuate and join up with other survivors. Make sure that they follow my orders and don't do anything stupid. First company is to go to the park and activate their alt-forms and wear their armor matching my own. I will join them shortly.”

Her protection detail left Kusa alone in the command room. Kusa patiently watched the display. After thirteen minutes, a number of shuttles showed up on the sensors heading away from the bulk of the rebel fleet towards the planet.

The people working on Highspire sent a message through. It was fully operational and running through its initial firing checks. It would be forty-two minutes before it could fire. Kusa estimated the shuttles would land just before that.

Despite all of the setbacks Kusa felt overjoyed at how things were coming together. Carios would either die in the fleet if he was a coward, or she would kill him after he landed. Kusa initiated a system purge of her forces data set, to prevent the rebels from gaining any intelligence. She then left the command center to reach the park in time.

The ride to the park was almost unnerving. The city was quiet, almost unnerving. She’d only experienced this a few times before when touring seed cities after their growth, but before the assigned citizens could move in. Even then she’d had a few administration personnel with her. Another seed city could be planted. The city would return, but her brother would be gone. It was one of the costs she was willing to pay.

Once at the park, she found the first company of her protection detail waiting. Seventeen men and women who had their template activated. All of them alt-formed to appear as a duplicate of herself. She’d even gone so far as to match the lines of power on the alt-form to those on herself. Kusa took up position among her lookalikes.

They waited patiently and watched as the rebel shuttles landed. Each dispersed their cargo of rebel troops. Carios was there in his power armor.

The rebel force moved in on Kusa's group, surrounding them. Carios entered the circle. He immediately came to Kusa.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other in person.”

“It has been long indeed.”

“Despite anything you might know, I did not kill Arla.

“That's not what the evidence shows. When you fled the system it sure didn’t help your case.”

“I didn't do it. I loved her.”

“We are forbidden to love brother. We cannot have loyalties to anything but the Hegemon and the citizens we serve.”

“It doesn't matter. Are you surrendering?”

“My forces are surrendering. Deactivate your armor modules and templates.” Kusa ordered.

With that statement by Kusa, her bodyguard units with her deactivated their armor and removed the modules from their back, letting them drop to the ground. They then deactivated their templates reverting to their normal forms revealing a mix of men and women of the Hegemon member races. They moved towards the waiting rebel soldiers with template suppression devices at the ready.

“This is a wise choice you've made sister. No further bloodshed is necessary.

“You must be mistaken. I am not surrendering. Just my remaining forces.”

Carios appeared skeptical. “You're outnumbered a few hundred to one at the moment.”

“Carios, I formally challenge you to a duel.”

“You're a fool if you think I'll do this.

“I have my reasons brother.”

“And what are they?”

Kusa yelled out so everyone could hear her. “As all of you are my witness, under Hegemon Citizen Code of Conduct 48 section 3, I challenge Prime Architect Carios to a duel for the death of Prime Architects Melca and Tenka Lyr, for disloyalty to the Hegemon as he has self-admitted by loving someone more than the hegemon, and for violation of the Environmental protocols by allowing the use of barbaric orbital bombardment weapons.”

“This is nonsense Kusa. I did not kill Arla and I certainly did not kill our siblings Melca and Tenka.” Carios did not dispute the use of the orbital bombardment.

“It is not nonsense brother. The starship Kardonis, the very same starship you operated from during the blockade of the Yelnor system was captured, allowing its black box and command control logs to be examined. It may have been our brother Gurz who wanted to do the black deed, but Admiral Lanxill wanted no part of it. It wasn't until you convinced the admiral, where Gurz had failed, to destroy the Fan Bilros. Tenka and Melca died there because of you. Gurz and Admiral Lanxil are both dead, but you're still alive.”

“No, I didn't want that. How was I to know Gurz would order the destruction of the Fan Bilros? This isn't my fault Kusa.”

“I don't care brother. When you say you didn't kill Arla, I believed you despite the evidence. I knew in my heart you didn't. Love may be forbidden to us, but I knew it when I saw it despite what the evidence said. But when you had Melca and Tenka killed and untold numbers of other citizens in this damnable rebellion of yours, my hope for you died. That is why I’m challenging you to a duel. Honor demands it. My honor, the honor of Melca and Tenka Lyr, and the honor of the Hegemon demand we duel.”

“I don't want this Kusa. I don't want to fight you like this. Retract your request for a duel. Go along peacefully and we can end this nonsense.”

Kusa drew her the sword and held it between her and Carios. It hummed to life as a harmonic hard light shield formed around it, leaving it with a razor sharp edge that should be able to cut through all but the densest of armor or another hard light shield.

“Are you admitting your guilt brother?”

“Now I know why you wanted to surrender your forces to me personally. Are you sure you want to do this sister?” Carios demanded of her.

“Yes.”

Carios raised his voice for his soldiers and recently acquired prisoners to hear. “Per Hegemon Citizen Code of Conduct 48 section five, No one is to interfere with this duel or they will face punishment under Code of Conduct 5 section 2.

“Now where will we duel?” Kusa smirked. “We might as well fight here in the park, but let us avoid fighting in and around the shuttles. How about the east half of the park?” She pointed away from the shuttles.

Carios appeared incensed. “I’m fine with that. I’ll beat you at your own game.”

The two of them move away from the landing craft and soldiers in silence.

“This is far enough,” Kusa said.

Carios drew his weapons. Two swords, both smaller than the one Kusa held. He assumed a stance typical of a duelist as he was trained. They hummed to life as well, the blades being sheathed in hard-light. His helmet closed, leaving him completely covered by his armor.

Kusa took up a stance, but one of her own design, one from experience with the war so far. Her armors helm closed as well.

They slowly moved close and touch tips of their weapons together as was the custom at the start of a duel.

“Ready,” Kusa asked

“Yes.”

Carios struck first and Kusa parried. The duel was on.

Neither knew how well the other one would duel. Before the civil war, only two types of people were allowed to wield a melee weapon. Law Enforcement and those with a dueling license. Being prime Architects, they had been neither.

Both had done what they could to learn how to survive. Both had taken up arms. They danced around probing each other's defenses. One would get a strike on the other but it wouldn’t be more than a small cut marring the surface of their armor.

The signal from Highpoint station came through. It was ready to fire. Kusa gave the order to do so.

Even through the atmosphere, the effects of the weapon was visible. Kusa described it in her mind as reality in the weapons target area distorted. Highspire used technology to create a temporary bubble where no time passed within, but on a large scale. The mode, beta four, she’d had it set in, it only went half-way through the process, distorting and tearing the matter within its target area apart at the quark level.

Carios jumped back away from Kusa to give him space, and screamed, “You were stalling. There were millions of citizens in stasis on those ships. How could you?”

Kusa snarled, “I’m going to destroy you, and those with you no matter what the cost. Better that a citizen dies, than become a rebel. I will end you.”

“No, no, how could you?”

Carios let his guard down. Kusa charged in, grazing his armor with a slash as he stumbled backward. Kusa pressed in on him.

“Why Kusa, why would you commit this heinous act?” Carios pleaded for an answer as he worked at parrying her strikes.

She remained silent, striking at Carios, forcing him further and further back. The signal Kusa was waiting for came over her armor’s radio. One of her bodyguards informed her the antimatter charges were ready.

“Prime them for three minutes instead of five and get out,” Kusa ordered. She ignored anything further her bodyguards might say.

“I don’t understand why you chose this, but I will see justice done,” Carios called out. He stopped moving back.

Kusa screamed in rage, “Justice, It’s too late for justice, this is vengeance.”

“So be it.” Carios lashed out with a kick catching Kusa in her right side, sending her stumbling to her left. In his mind, he concluded, the duel was only a trick and thus it wasn’t valid. This wasn’t a fight to bring justice. It was survival. He wouldn’t be held up by meaningless rules. It was okay to use a weapon other than a blade. It was okay to use oneself. It was a brawl now, and Carios would use anything and everything he could think of to get an advantage.

They went back and forth. Kusa hadn’t expected Carios to abandon the dueling rules and she started making mistakes. She over extended her reach with a thrust she thought she could get past her brother’s defense. Carios stepped aside and brought a blade down on her left wrist, slicing through the metal and flesh underneath. Kusa stumbled away, screaming in pain. She dropped her blade.

“It’s done, Kusa. I’m taking you in. I may hate what you’ve done, but I’ll see you’re brought to justice.” Carios said as he approached Kusa. She’d fallen on her behind and clutched the stump of her left arm. Her armor had already begun sealing the wound off.

“No, it isn’t.” Kusa leveled her right hand at Carios. A part of the armor extended out. A bright blue light flashed. Carios’ armor module lost all power. With no power, it couldn’t retract. With no power, it wouldn’t enhance his movement, rather it would weight on him, slowing him down. Dropping a sword to free a hand, he struggled to get his helmet open. Something hit him hard in the stomach sending him falling backward. Carios failed to maintain his balance and fell.

Damn it all Carios thought. He was going to die unless he got out of the armor. He managed to reach up and retract his helm partway, letting in light. Carios squinted, and found Kusa standing above him.

She’s retrieved her sword. He could do nothing as she drove it right through his chest missing his heart, pinning him to the ground. She released her hold on the sword. As a safety precaution, the sword turned its hard-light cover off, leaving it bare metal. Carios screamed as Kusa twisted the blade before she stepped back.

Kusa smiled, “I win. I’m going to destroy you much like you and others destroyed Melca and Tenka. You’re going to die.” She picked up the sword Carios had dropped.

“You’ll pay for your crimes.” Carios gasped out, struggling to form words. The sword had gone through one lung.

“I’m not leaving here. We’re dying together.”

Carios weakly reached up with his right arm to hold onto the blade. With his left hand, he pulled part of his armors left breastplate back to fish something out.

“You’re insane,” Carios gasped out through the pain. “I am not dying here today.” Carios pulled out a pendant, one in the shape of a black raven, clutching a clear bauble with a speck of golden brilliance at the center.

“Is that? Give that to me.” Kusa yelled.

Carios activated the pendant in his hand.

It was too late for Kusa. Carios, the sword impaling him, and a chunk of the ground disappeared in the blink of an eye.

“No. No. No.” She screamed. The SUN device had belonged to Melca. He’d taken it from her and he’d use it to escape. Her revenge was denied.

“Was it worth ignoring me and doing this?”

Kusa whipped around to see the source of the question. It was skull face as she had labeled it. It had never given its name to her and had jokingly accepted her label. It was a skeleton wearing an average basic set of clothes, typical of what any citizen of the Hegemon would casually wear. This was the eighth time it had come to her in person, and it only came when she was alone.

“You’re on the hook for your deeds today and there’s nothing I can do about that.”

“I messed up. My trap only caught myself.” She stated the obvious.

The three A2 engineering modules detonated, enveloping the city of Navamat in a maelstrom of energy as matter and antimatter collided and annihilated each other. Kusa’s world ripped apart, leaving her in a painless void with Skullface. Her hand was no longer cut off, although her armor had no glove to cover it

The skeleton walked up and punched Kusa square in the face. Other than the feeling of pressure on her face, it didn’t hurt nor did any damage.

“Dammit girl,” The skeleton had raised his voice, “Why do you choose the same choice every time. You’ll only get so many chances before it’s too late. I like you. I really do. I’ll see if I can push through a few changes whether the rest like it or not. I think it’s doable. We’ll just have to go farther back.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve never understood what you’re talking about.” Kusa’s ghost said as she faded out from in front of skull face, this part of her soul going to where Skull-face had long been denied.

“I know, but someday, somehow, I’ll get through to you.” The Skeleton said to the void.

The door to the private viewing room whisked open, then shut. Erlan looked over his shoulder. Binlor Lyr stood there with a frown. She held a tray with what appeared to be freshly made rations.

“I brought you food since you missed the evening meal. It’s also late. I know you like to work late but it’s after midnight.” Binlor set the tray with food down on a table.

“I don’t sleep all that much,” Erlan spoke as he turned fully around to face her, hoping to placate the woman he’d chosen for to supervise the task of reintegrating the library on Vermarn IV back into the Hegemon library network.

“Just because you’re a prime architect, doesn’t mean you don’t need sleep like everyone else.” Binlor reminded him.

Erlan had picked Binlor mainly because he was sure she wasn’t associated with the Shadow Hegemon. What Erlan hadn’t foreseen when he picked her, was her goal of caring for Erlan as more than a co-worker. She was almost like a creche mother to him. Even though he was tens of millennia older than her. It felt nice to him.

“I don’t want to find you sleeping at your desk again. We all worry about you.”

Erlan looked over his shoulder again at Binlor and smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I really appreciate what you do for me, but I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, but don’t push yourself.”

Erlan watched Binlor leave. As soon as the door shut he returned his attention to the data he had been processing.

The room, although being a private viewing room, had no lock on the door. It was only considered private in modern society because it had a door. It wasn’t lost on Erlan that he could have had a guard posted outside to prevent anyone from disturbing him. In contrast with the surviving Prime Architects, he’d long thought it a sign of vanity and a waste of resources to have a protection detail. Using a soldier or law enforcer in such a manner went against what Erlan believed. With his discovery of the Shadow Hegemon, Erlan knew that he wouldn’t be the one to vet anyone outside of his personally chosen staff.

The soldiers and law enforcers had accordingly been barracked elsewhere outside the library facility.

The feat of getting himself out in the spinward fringe working to recover a library on an abandoned colony world had not sat well with anyone in the Hegemon. He sold himself and his ability as necessary to save resources for the Hegemon while gaining new ones. If the project was successful, then he could go recover data from other libraries which had been long disconnected from the main network.

The abilities Erlan referred to was his mind. As a Prime Architect, his mind had been engineered to process the incredible amount of data for a quantum template and do it fast.

In comparison, It was easy to process the contents of a disconnected library node.

As for why Erlan had made this his goal, he hoped to find more about the Shadow Hegemon itself, or even better yet, something they didn’t know that he could use against them if he needed to.

Erlan had assumed even with his precautions, the Shadow Hegemon had placed spies amongst his people. Here in the library, Erlan ruled supreme. He ran the project. He was the project. There was no one else checking the data. Unless another Prime Architect joined him in his efforts, anyone who tried to process the data would get in his way.

It was another hour when Erlan reached something he never expected. A data set with his sister Kusa’s digital signature on them. The files were dated the suspected date of her death from what intel had been recovered from Carios side of the civil war. The date was only months after the Vermarn system had been abandoned and its library node disconnected.

Erlan parsed through what the library network had and compared it to what this node had. It had none of these files. He began reading through them.

A document caught his eye containing an idea to build a weapon to fight against the rebels. Fishing through, he discovered the documents for a project called Highspire. After decrypting it, he opened the file and read the details. An unorthodox weapon. Completely immobile. Enough range that it could cover anything in orbit around an average sized planetoid it was built on. A defensive weapon.

Erlan wondered if it’d been used.

Doing a quick search of references to the project, brought up several documents. The most recent one containing data on the weapon, Erlan opened, and his mouth went dry.

She’d used it, in one of the most deplorable ways possible.

Erlan had never been close to Kusa. What Carios had said was true. Any respect he’d had for his sister was gone. The device itself wasn’t illegal. The tech used in the weapon had long been used by the Hegemon in various ways. It’s what she’d done with it that was unacceptable. She’d murdered her own fellow citizens that the rebels had captured. It was unheard of for either side to destroy a citizen on purpose and it was everything was done to minimize accidents. It was the primary reason for the raids both sides did against each other between their attempts to capture whole star systems. Rescue and recover as many citizens as possible.

Thinking back to the start of the rebellion. Erlan knew It was chaotic, but no one anywhere had sunk so low as to murder citizens to get at the other side. Accidents happened, but this was no accident. To Erlan, this was unconscionable

Erlan quickly segregated any document related to Kusa that he could find and quarantined it, encrypting it so only he could access it. Not even his fellow Prime Architects would be able to access it unless they cracked the encryption.

Checking through the data, he confirmed that Kusa did die. She had faced Carios and he’d escaped somehow. With the rebel fleet destroyed, those ships that’d survived had been ordered to regroup in the Lanton star system.

Erlan didn’t remember hearing anything about that. He did a quick search of the library network and nothing came up for a group of starships returning from the edge-ward part of the fringe. The only news they’d had of what occurred on that day was from the account of their sibling Carious who said Kusa had gone mad.

Records here indicated that over a hundred ships of Kusa’s fleet survived the battle, at least eight carriers. She’d ordered them to get as many surviving citizens and retreat. Parsing through events of previous records showed that Kusa had set up a repair base on a barely habitable planet in the Lanton system and had sent almost four hundred starships there in her campaign. Checking the ships against records in the library network showed that not a single ship that could have returned from that group did.

A thought then occurred to Erlan. Even with the forty-three carriers and remaining capital ships that should have been available at Lanton, it wouldn’t have been enough to take the whole population of Arsan, let alone the entire area of the fringe. The math didn’t lie.

What about other star systems that’d been abandoned, wondered Erlan. She’d never had enough passenger space. Looking at what the reports said about the rebels said the same thing. Not enough people could be carried back to the core worlds. Looking up what intel they had about the rebel fleet in the area during the civil war showed no sign of the reported rebel ships in the edge-ward fringe having ever returned. They were most likely destroyed in the use of Highspire.

Dead or Alive, They’re still out there. A whole section of the fringe that was abandoned out of hand and no one has gone back out. Erlan brought up a list of infrastructure in the area.

Erlan couldn’t believe the next tidbit of info he stumbled upon. Why would anyone have been crazy to abandon the Arkonis system? Somewhere in his mind, Erlan knew that the Arkonis system was somewhere in the fringe and had been abandoned but he’d never payed attention where. Right there within the area Kusa had done her best and worst to defend against the rebels was the home of the third race uplifted into the Hegemon. Reports Erlan found indicated Kusa had stripped it of any usable infrastructure.

Almost everywhere else in the fringe had an orderly withdrawal as resources were diverted to the war effort. Everywhere except in the edge-ward fringe where Carios and Kusa decided to throw down with each other in the ugliest of ways. Everyone made the assumption from what Carios had exaggerated the events. No one ever came back to give a different story.

The Arsana system was considered at the time of the civil war to be one of the most promising colony worlds still being settled. Arkonis contained the fourth race's homeworld and technically life was self-sufficient even though being slightly off the ecology standard. Going through the reports, Erlan counted a dozen worlds that in theory would have had citizens left on them and been, for the most part, self-sufficient to meet basic survival needs in the long term.

No, they wouldn’t be citizens. They’d be individuals. They wouldn’t have sides. They wouldn’t be part of this rebellion anymore. Would any of the protocols still be in effect out there, he wondered. The protocols were similar in nature to a quantum template. If they weren’t filtered out on a citizen pre-fertilization and re-applied post-birth, they would become corrupted with each generation. Average citizen genetic donor age is twenty-two. It’s been 9056 years from Kusa and Carios’ fight on Arsana IV. That’s just over 411 generations. No one has done protocol updates in that time.

How can I confirm if they’re still alive, Erlan asked himself. He could leave right now and go, but he’d draw attention to himself. He’d start a race between the factions to reclaim potential resources.

It came to Erlan. The automated system report collection routine may have something. Normally a Library only collected the automated reports from infrastructure in star systems that weren’t closer to other libraries. The nearest library to the area in the fringe was Caramor, but that’d been abandoned early in the war. It would still collect reports. But Kusa had used Vermarn because it was the nearest non-rebel active library that hadn’t been destroyed or abandoned. The next two nearest libraries after Caramor had both been destroyed during the civil war, and that put Vermarn as the closest. What luck. Erlan checked the log files. 2402 years ago the Caramor library went offline completely due to system failure.

There it was. Everything in that part of the fringe making reports had failed over to the Vermarn library node.

Which reports would have what I need, Erlan thought. Automated systems didn’t require human interaction. It was why they were automated. The only time someone would look at the reports was if a report aggregating system caught something that would trigger an alert. It had to be something with a log of some sort. Video preferably. Erlan found what he was looking for. A security alert from the terraforming system on Arsana dated 153 years ago.

Erlan hit play. It wasn’t an animal. It was an Albaz, and someone descended from an Arkonissian. The clothing appeared crude and archaic. One held what appeared to be a stick with a flame on the end. They were oblivious to the system that watched them as they walked through the corridor of the facility. A corridor filled with dust and some debris.

They’re still alive. At least 153 years ago, they were alive. Erlan went back through any other alerts he could find with video in any system that would have a video log. People inhabited these places and there was no indication of them being Hegemon in their appearance or behavior.

Maybe no Shadow Hegemon. The Shadow Hegemon wouldn’t let the fringe go wild. They’d control it like they’d tried to control the Hegemon. The thought that no one, not even the Shadow Hegemon knew what Erlan knew at the moment ran circles through his mind. This was it. This was exactly what he wanted. Erlan had a chance.

There were inhabited worlds out there. Worlds that could be raised up and be stronger than the Hegemon and its malevolent shadow. Worlds that could be free. Worlds that would be free.

Kregg opened his eyes and rubbed away the sleep crud. The air was particularly chilly this morning and his breath was visible. He turned his head, viewed the inside of his hut. His fire had died down overnight to only coals allowing the chill air in. Bright sunlight streamed in through the smoke hole in the roof.

On a normal day, Kregg was awake and working before dawn. Today was an exception thanks to Jasma. She’d visited him in his dreams again. They weren’t really dreams, but always felt like such, and lasted much longer. Kregg had lost count of the times she came to visit.

When he was younger, Kregg was wary of this strange woman who intruded in his mind at night. When he finally admitted to his mentor, Noth Kutalla, Noth had laughed and said he had asked Jasma to visit him. He then had admitted to Kregg that he has had the pleasure of meeting her in person. To his point of view, Jasma had always seemed personable, asking after him and his family's welfare, and talking to him about his life on Arsan.

This time, Jasma’s visit was different. This time, Jasma asked Kregg to leave home and go out in the world. She had done her best to calm his fears stating he would need experience in life to learn and grow.

Kregg could hear sounds of people working through the walls of his hut. It must be well into the morning or even later he realized.

Sitting up on the edge of the cot, he braced himself and stood up. Feeling his power reserve, Kregg realized it was lower than he’d like. He’d need to get something to eat. He found some jerky and ate a piece of it. Kregg placed another log on the fire and stoked it, sending embers and ash up in a flurry of smoke. The fire rekindled drove the chill air away.

On the youthful side of life for an Albaz, Kregg was 241 years old. He was on the tall side at six foot six. Had the typical pointed ears. His eyes, a pale sky blue, his hair was a fair golden brown that he kept short. Kregg kept fit and didn't laze about.

What would he take with him, Kregg asked himself. After dressing himself, he started a collection of gear on his cot. His pack, bedroll, sword, change of clothes and other items were organized. If Kregg wanted to, he could build a cart and take all his belongings, but that wasn't what he wanted. His new desire was to travel out into the world, not move somewhere and stay. Lightweight was the goal. There was no need to weigh himself down with any literal or metaphorical excess baggage.

The door to his hut opened. It was his mentor, Noth. He came in only far enough to shut the door.

“I saw the smoke and thought you finally awake for tending your fire. You did not come out this morning, I, “ Kutalla paused seeing Kregg packing his belongings. “Jasma told me she’d ask you about this. I see you’ve taken her up on the offer." his voice turned morose.

Kregg, didn't face his mentor. Taking care in his choice of what he would take, Kregg did not distract himself by looking away.

"There isn't a need to go. You could always refuse.”

"I know,” Kregg said. “Jasma came to me last night. Said it was time." He reached for an item off of a shelf he thought he might need. Some trinket, turning it over in his hand, once, twice, then set it back down, and moved onto the next item.

"Are you sure you want this?"

"Yes, No, it doesn't matter. What can I say? She was persuasive against my protests. Maybe I’ll get to meet her in person." Kregg moved through his belongings, considering the various factors of taking it versus any other. "I'm old enough, Master Kutalla. I have no outstanding debt, nor do I have any responsibilities such as a family to keep me here. The Creator willing, I'll be back."

Kutalla chuckled and Kregg kept on sorting through his belongings. "I'm sure you will. Just watch out in the shadows." With that, Noth left Kregg alone and exited the hut.

"I know.”

It did not take long to go through all his belongings. Everything ready to go, the last being the sword he placed in a scabbard and attached to his pack. Kregg exited his hut and stood outside to observe the other members of the Gaeta tribe nearby. Seeing the first person he wanted, he called out, "Obarth,"

Obarth stopped tending the small garden plot he’d been, and came over, "Hi Kregg, I see that today is the day you're leaving. I always knew you’d go. Spina is already out on a hunt, if you want her, you'd have to wait for her to come back to see you off."

Kregg held up a sack of items, “I’m going now. But here, this is for you and Spina to go through. It's a few things I figure may be of sentimental value between us. The three of us were close."

They had been close, but Kregg had grown distant over the last few summers since Spina and Obarth had taken up with each other rather than either of them with him. He did not fault them. He just no longer put forth any effort to pursue either one staying a friend.

Obarth took the proffered sack of items. He extended his arm out, "I'll miss you Kregg. You're a good man and the best of friends."

"Thank you," Kregg grasped his friend's forearm and Obarth did likewise. They released each other. "I'll miss you Obarth, both you and Spina. Tell her I'll miss her."

“I will. I look forward to your return and your exciting stories.”

“I hope they're boring for my own good,” Kregg laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”

Kregg left Obarth to his work and began walking through the village to find his mother. She was the last one he would talk to before he left on his way. He found her working in the communal kitchen, directing several children in how to prepare and cook food.

He watched for a few minutes as she directed the children's efforts. Finally, he spoke out, "Mother?"

She came over and stood before him. “Noth already told me you were leaving today. He explained everything. I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, mom.” Kregg, let his mother move in and hug him awkwardly with his gear on.

When she released her hug, she spoke up, “I have a sack of food for you. Should last you a week with your appetite.” Her attempt at humor didn’t hide her sadness. She retrieved a sack full of food. Kregg, knowing his mother, guessed it had well over a week's worth of food.

“I’m sad to see you go, but be off, and visit when you can." His mother kissed him on his cheek.

“I will,” Kregg retrieved the sack and turned away. A few of his tribe mates looked on him as he passed with a knowing look.

Kregg walked out of the encampment, not looking back once, and headed south to reach the escarpment and the lands below it. Jasma hadn’t said where to go, other than to leave home. Kregg felt that was the best way to go.

It had been seven years since Kregg left his village to wander through the world. He had returned home a few times to visit with his tribe and family.

Jasma still visited him from time to time in his sleep, conversing with him about his life, telling him of hers. She had even offered for him to come visit her, but he said he wasn’t ready. Rather, he took to mind her suggestions on places to go and things to see. She also gave suggestions for work.

The first two years Kregg guarded caravans out of Ganjomo. The next three years he hired on in Allorith as a city patrolman around the University. Jasma convinced him during that time to take a few courses offered there in the idea to better himself. He had spent the last two years in Fahrennia as a guardsman.

This year, it was time for a venue change, After speaking with Jasma, Kregg decided to go north along the coast to Argravm. The last year saw Argravm's ruling monarch murdered. There was no clear line of succession which caused no end of problems as local lords came into conflict with each other vying for power and resources. Kregg thought he could take up service with a town or lord clearing bandits that had become a nuisance because of that.

Kregg traveled by foot refusing the use of a cart or riding animal. For the most part, his journey was a solitary one. Most traffic was the opposite way out of the area by refugees. Those he passed, if they deigned to speak with the lone albaz they viewed as an uncivilized foreigner, gave warnings. The ones who said nothing stared at the crazy man traveling alone into what they considered dangerous territory and were fleeing from.

It was late in the afternoon of his fourth day past the border into Argravm, that Kregg approached a bend in the road as it curved left away from the coast to go around a small hill. His map showed him there should be a small village a few miles up the road, hopefully with a warm bed and a hot meal.

A scream rang out. To Kregg's ears, it sounded like a shrill woman, or maybe a girl-child. There was nothing he could see out of place along the road. He stepped off the road into the brush and picked up his pace trying to remain out of site of whatever had caused the scream. Within minutes he had reached the bend and could see what the commotion was about.

A group of men had stopped two carts on the road. The men didn't look professional. None wore a uniform. Some weren't even fully clothed, and they had a mishmash of armor and arms. These were most likely the bandits and the first ones Kregg had seen.

There was nobody on or in the two carts that Kregg could surmise other than the bandits. The riders or owners had been forced into a scared huddle to the side. Two of the ruffians looked to be fleecing them down. The rest of the bandits were going through the cart’s contents. There were eight bandits in total he could see. He thought that if the bandits were smart, they’d have at least two men providing watch. One with the group and one man hid in the brush. None of the bandits on the road seemed particularly aware of anything beyond their looting. Kregg moved as close as he could, which placed him on the side of the carts with the huddle of people.

He set his pack down quietly and drew his sword. He stepped out from the cover of the brush. None of the bandits paid him any attention. No hidden bandit in the brush called out in alarm.

Were they so blind or stupid, thought Kregg? He had a hard time understanding how bad these men were at what they were doing.

Kregg cleared his throat, and said, "Excuse me."

Everyone that had line of sight turned towards him. In their mind, they saw only a lone albaz, lightly armed with a one-handed sword that had been drawn and no armor to speak of.

The nearest bandit, yelled out, "We got a fighter over here boys." Him and the other bandit nearest to Kregg on this side of the carts moved closer. "Best ye' surrender albaz, you're a long way from yah' barbarian home by the looks of ye'. Yah' outnumbered."

Kregg smiled, "Not as I see it."

The same bandit spoke again, "You think yah' so tuff. We'll kill you and take ye' stuff." He and the other had their weapons out. The talker had a sword in his right hand and wore no armor, and the other a spear held with both and wore only a hard leather vest.

Assuming a defensive stance as they approached, Kregg made note the other men had come off from the carts and watched, waiting to see what would happen and if they needed to jump in. The two bandits spread out, placing them on both sides of Kregg in a pincer. The spearman held his spear too far forward.

Kregg kept his smile and maintained his calm. He stepped sideways towards and to the right side of the spearman striking the spear tip away with his sword faster than the man could reposition the spear or himself. His poor posturing with the spear put him off balance. Kregg was able to strike through an opening under the man's armor at his waist and kick him away. He went to the ground. Kregg turned bringing his sword up to meet the more talkative bandit, and their swords struck each other.

"Ye' pay for that, albaz," The man yelled,

Letting the bandit make the next strike, he parried, stepped aside, reached out with his left hand, grabbed the bandits wrist and pulled him forward bringing him off balance. Before the bandit could recover, Kregg tripped him, sending the bandit to his hands and knees. Kregg brought his sword down across the exposed back of the neck, killing the man.

Turning to the rest of the bandits and assuming another defensive stance, Kregg spoke out smiling, "Which of you is next?" The two bandits deaths had happened in less than a minute.

The other were taken aback at the demise of their two compatriots. They appeared to want to break and run. One of the bandits said the worst thing Kregg could think of for one of them to say in this situation.

"If we swarm the bastard, one of us will get him. He can't take all of us."

A chorus of agreement ran through the group. They had drawn their weapons and it was almost as if the same scene would repeat itself, although they would start at a farther distance from Kregg this time. Three had swords, one had a club, one a staff, and one a spear. None of these men were good at what they were attempting to do, and Kregg almost felt pity at what he was going to attempt to do with them.

He felt within himself, feeling out his reservoir of power. It was over half full. Enough that if he had to, he could fuel his power should he not be able to take the bandits by his sword arm alone.

The six men rushed past the people huddled together, and circled him much like the first two had, except they remained silent, nervously wary of the danger Kregg posed to them.

Kregg kept his smile up and said nothing. He watched them as best as he could.

The bandit behind him made the first move. Kregg picked up on it, moving away towards one of the bandits carrying the swords, slashing out and putting him off balance, the man with the staff swung it around to get him. Kregg avoided it and found himself outside of the circle. He stepped further away and turned to face the approaching men. They were an undisciplined mess, easily maneuvered around, and drawn along. Much like anything else Kregg thought they should be able to do, they couldn’t fight as a group.

Even with their ineptitude, Kregg discovered a problem. Despite how bad these men fought, they were crazy and desperate enough with their actions, he couldn't commit himself for a killing stroke and not leave himself open. If he’d had a set of armor like what a Fahrennian guardsman wore, he’d not worry, trusting in its protection, but he didn’t own one.

A few cuts were all he could make but nothing lethal he could follow through on.

The dance continued. Maybe a little more time and they would tire so he could finish the fight and cut their numbers. Maybe they would run, but the longer he delayed, the more emboldened they became. He didn't want to use his power if he didn't have to. Its use could draw the wrong attention and Kregg didn't want the hassle if he didn't have to have it. On the other hand, he didn't want to die and leave the travelers at the mercy of the bandits. If Kregg couldn't resolve the fight by the time he counted to fifteen, he would activate.

One

He parried a sword, dodged a spear thrust while sidestepping a slash from a bandit's sword.

Two

Kregg tripped one of them, stepped back to avoid the club, maneuvered away for more space.

Three

Kicked the spearman, causing him to stagger. Stepped back again and parried another sword.

Number by number, Kregg counted up to fifteen. At any time he could have run away, or he could have taken a wound, possibly a lethal wound, but win the fight. Fifteen was reached.

Kregg, jogged back out of their reach putting distance between them. He took a defensive stance. The reservoir of power was there, waiting. He tapped into it, filling him, changing him. Quantum energy visibly flared out bathing his body. Those who were watching were temporarily blinded. His base form converted to another, something different.

The six bandits took pause at the unexpected sight.

The place where Kregg had been, stood an unclothed five-foot tall woman carrying the same sword Kregg had carried before. Her skin and hair an absolute solid white with glowing power lines all over. She had no nose, mouth, or eyes, her face being featureless except for two black spots where her eyes should be that radiated small swirling and twisting tendrils. The sword she held glowed with a pale white light with light particles dropping off to the ground.

The bandits didn't know what to think about this strange woman before them and didn't press forward.

Kregg changed her stance from a defensive to the offense. She spoke, "I tire of this. Run now and live, or stay and die."

One bandit took off running, one with a sword. The rest again attempted to encircle Kregg, but this time, she wouldn't give them the chance.

"So be it," Kregg moved to the nearest bandit. The bandit attempted to hold his sword to deflect the blow, but he wasn’t fast enough. Kregg ignored it, stepping around it, thrusting her blade into his chest. She withdrew the blade from his body and moved onto the next one, who had barely registered the end of the first.

She moved to each bandit who had tried to face her, one by one. Each one died.

Kregg turned herself around to survey the carnage she had wrought. Seven men dead. The travelers who had been waylaid stared with awe and fear. She reached within herself to the reservoir of power. It had barely been reduced by this effort. She willed the access to her power off and felt a similar tingling. The same quantum energy flared and he was his normal Albaz self, fully clothed, and fully male again. None of the travelers he saved moved.

Kregg turned to face them. Breaking the ice he said, "I'm sorry that you were troubled this day. I hope that you are troubled no more on your journey." Kregg nodded before leaving them to retrieve his pack.

A few of the travelers, less afraid than the rest, thanked him from a distance. One even offered him a payment. He refused it saying they had more need of the money than he.

Passing the travelers, Kregg saw two men on horseback. With them, they had three more horses tied up behind them. Neither appeared to be riff-raff like the bandits. Both appeared well equipped and even wore somewhat archaic heavy armor kept in good repair. All of their equipment that Kregg could see was quality and well maintained. The one on the left had a rare rifle slung on his back. Kregg remained silent and went to walk around them.

The man on horseback nearest Kregg spoke, "My good man, We just arrived here and would have helped but we saw you had the situation well in hand. My name is Tihr," he bowed his head, "and this is my good friend Galim." He waved his hand to indicate the man with the rifle. "We are glad to see that you are okay. It looked close there for a moment, but you have proven your skill and thus we have a proposition for you."

Kregg, almost past the head of Tihr's horse, had stopped to face the two men. "What would that be?" Kregg could see the opportunity for a job.

Tihr answered, "We both are Knights of Aturn, and we are always looking for more good men," Galim coughed,"and women. We do not discriminate. We don't see many Albaz south of the escarpment and north of the blight, especially here in Argravm. You appear capable, and from what we witnessed, also one with a power. We could use you and your talents What say you, interested in joining?"

Kregg thought to himself. He had heard of the Knights of Aturn before, even seen them at distance once when they had traveled through the camp of his tribe when he was a child. They’d spoken with Noth and left, not even staying the night. They were mercenaries and very good ones. Their jobs were high paying jobs and seemed they were known to get results.

It occurred to Kregg. Perhaps this is what he was supposed to find when he decided on going to Argravm at Jasma’s behest. He’d ask her about it next time she visited him.

"Yes. Yes, I would like that very much. My name is Kregg." Kregg stated.

"Welcome Kregg," Tihr said. Galim nodded in response. Tihr got off his horse and went to one of the horses tied behind his. Here, this one is yours to use. He had detached the reins from his horse and handed them to Kregg. Then he reached into a belt pouch and pulled a small object out. He also handed it over.

It was a signet ring with the Knight's of Aturn sigil on it. There appeared nothing special about it. He checked and the ring fit on his left index finger. He then inspected the saddle. It was of decent quality. Securing his pack, Kregg climbed on. "Are you going anywhere in particular?" Tihr had already returned to his saddle.

Tirh answered. Kregg picked up that Galim was the silent type, who let Tihr speak for them, "We have just come from investigating the murder of Argravm's king. Now we ride for the blight where we'll meet with a man for more work."

They started their horses down the road back towards Fahrennia and their destination of the blight. Curious Kregg asked, "Is there anything special about being a Knight of Aturn" Any ceremony, tools, or quest to truly be a member?"

"No. Your acceptance is good enough. You're already a knight. Us knights don't put much into ceremony and pomp. We just recruit skilled people as we go. Nothing special about it. How does Sir Kregg sound?"

“Hmmm, no, Kregg will do just fine.” Kregg shook his head no at their suggestion.

“Kregg it is. Let’s be off.”

The three men and their horses headed south back the way Kregg had come from.

Out on the horizon, the sun crept lower and lower. Lark flew inches above the edge of rooftops, occasionally peeking over the edge to make sure she hadn’t lost her target. In the fading light of dusk, anyone’s looking in her direction would be hard pressed to notice her.

The autocart she followed was unremarkable in any way from any other autocart on the road with the exception she’d been able to tag it earlier with a paint that only showed up in the ultra-violet part of the spectrum. It was a new and valuable technique Erlan, and the Knights of Aturn had developed to tail someone. He’d provided the paint and sets of these high-tech visors which allowed them to see the otherwise invisible paint.

“They just turned onto 14th Market Street.” Lark subvocalized over her suits throat mike.

Lark had long familiarized herself with the layout and makeup of Vindrik city. This particular part of the Marless District consisted mostly of workshops, factories, and warehouses. Nothing but large two to four story buildings.

She adjusted the visor on her face. It was a bit too big and rubbed the bridge of her nose wrong. “This visor is great, but, can I get one that fits better,” she spoke through the mic.

Erlan responded, “We’ll work on it later. I’ll have a better set made for you.”

“Thanks. They cart looks to be wandering around. Already they’ve turned three corners, and almost double backed to the main thoroughfare. They’re trying to shake any tails.”

None of their efforts would do them any good. The operators of the cart couldn’t account for an eye in the sky. Several more turns, the cart ended up at the front gate to a warehouse. Two people came out of what must be a guard shack to open the gate.

“They’ve stopped. It’s a warehouse a third of the way up H9 Road. East side of the road.” The visor could not only see into the ultraviolet spectrum but had a telescopic function which Lark used to zoom in. “Both guards, no wait, I see three of them. One is still in the shack. They’re armed with rifles. Type 48s, but not sure what configuration.”

Lark knew the rifles were illegal for a private citizen to own. They were restricted to the military because they were the Empires next generation of semi-automatic rifles.

“Maybe a renegade part of the military was in on this,” Lark suggested. “There’s nothing special about what’s in the yard. I can see four other warehouses from here with the same type of equipment. There’s a corral on one side with oxen and horses. Livestock cages. Two animal-drawn carts are parked in the yard. Nothing appears out of the ordinary other than the rifles the men are carrying.”

The doors on the autocart opened. Two men got out, scanning the area. A third man left the cart after they did. All were dressed in typical fashion common among the upper class. The third man wore clothes, typical of someone of someone well off and looked to be well groomed.

“Two escorts and a VIP. All male.”

Erlan came over the comm, “Identification?”

“The VIP is not facing me. Flying around to get a better view. Wait, no, the warehouse door is opening. The three men are moving towards it. I can’t make out enough detail to make an identification. Men are exiting the warehouse. Hold on. Another VIP has exited the warehouse. It’s our friend Tathi Harnoss. Our favorite criminal kingpin in Vindrik.”

“The VIP meeting them?”

“Still no ID yet. They’ve entered the warehouse, and I wasn’t able to see his face.”

“We’ll have to wait till he comes out. The operation in Nerist is still ongoing. Estimate it’ll be an hour before I can divert overhead and run a scan. Keep me apprised of any changes.”

Checking her power reservoir, Lark saw it was over half empty. “I’m setting down on a nearby building with a view of the entrance. I need to eat. I’ve been flying for hours now.”

Erlan acknowledged, “Okay, keep watch.”

Lark set herself down on the building of her choice. She could easily see the warehouse door which had been shut. She pulled out of her small pack, three food bars. Ripping open the package on the first one, she began wolfing it down.

A half hour later, something changed. “Erlan, two heavy, four animal carts, are making their way towards the warehouse. Contents covered.” It was dark enough it should allow her to use thermal. Lark toggled a setting on her visor. “Switching to Thermal. Heavy Thermal count. Unable to tell if human or not. Same deal as before. They pulled up to the gate. Guards are letting them in. They’re backing the carts up to the door which is opening. So much for my view of the door. The carts are obstructing everything at ground level.” Lark did her best to narrate what she saw. Lark finished wolfing down her second energy bar.

“Make a verification if you can. We need to know for sure.” Erlan came back.

“Aye,” Lark tweaked the settings on her visors to get as clear a picture of the inside of the warehouse. The disparity in light sources and insulation on the walls of the warehouse against the ever present cold weather interfered greatly. “No can do from where I’m at. Taking flight again.”

Lark stuffed the third food bar back in her pack. She lifted off and arced up and over the target to get a better view from directly above of what the men were unloading from the carts.

“Shit, cargo is humans. Bodies are being carried inside from the carts.

“I can’t divert yet. At least we know one of the places the missing is ending up at. I’m calling in backup for you. Has the VIP come out?”

“No.”

Lark checked her power reservoir again. It read over 80% full.

“I see a roof entrance and windows high up on the sides of the building. I’m going to check them out. First windows then the roof entrance.”

Lark floated up above the warehouse, the guards below oblivious to her presence. She came down slowly to the roof's edge and peeked over. There was no one she could see. Lark floated upside down to get a view through the window.

“I can’t see much. There're racks of equipment blocking my view. There’s a catwalk along the roof. There’s a single guard I can see. He’s focused on looking down. The roof entrance is behind him. Guard has a rifle, matches the ones below. Now that I’m closer, it looks like it’s the basic model. Going to the roof entrance now to check it.”

Lark flew up to the hatch. There was no lock on it, she could see, only a latch. Using her visor she flipped through a range of the em spectrum to peek through the door. Nothing other than the latch and hinges showed up. There was no trap she could detect.

“It’s not locked, and I’m sure it’s not trapped. I’m going in to get a better view. The guard will be oblivious to me and I can get a better view.

“No, wait for reinforcements,” Erlan ordered

“ETA?”

“Two hours.”

“Still going in. We need to know what’s inside for sure.”

Lark carefully and slowly opened the door. A blast of hot humid air, bringing with it the faint smell of human waste and rotting meat.

“Something smells.”

Lark entered floating down through the open hatch. The catwalk blocked anyone from seeing her from below, and the single guard on it remained oblivious to her. She slowly closed the hatch but didn’t latch it. Lark floated up into the rafters to obstruct anyone's view of her before moved to a better vantage point.

Six men lounged by the door, all armed with the rifles. Several unarmed men were unloading what she thought were unconscious bodies and placing them into cages with others. Lark did a headcount from what she could see.

“They’re definitely our target. I count one hundred sixty-two prisoners. There’s a small cart with several dead bodies on it which explains the smell of rotting flesh. Count a total of eight laborers, and counting those I could see outside, fifteen armed men, not including the VIP and his men.

“Any sight of the VIP?”

“No, but there are offices they may be in. One of them has the two bodyguards standing outside, so I’m sure they’re in there.”

“Be careful. I’m still not able to divert overhead and backup is over an hour away.”

Lark flew down behind shelving units full of machinery. The place had a severe lack of internal security that Lark was ready and willing to exploit. Not a single man patrolled the inside, and the one guard who had a view of the warehouse was focused on the prisoners. There was a storage space above the office. Lark was able to take cover behind a few crates stacked there. She had to be careful. If the floor creaked from her pressure, it’d give her away. She precariously balanced, floating a centimeter above the surface, only a hand cupped around her ear to help focus the sound touching the floor. She could hear two men talking. It was distorted enough she couldn’t identify who the speaker was, but it was understandable.

One voice spoke, “Rumors are spreading.”

“Stop them.”

“We are, but we have to hear them find them, and usually we’re not the first to hear them. You know how it works. We’re playing catch up in that regards. It’s why your office does what it does. And before you accuse us of slacking, I’ve got my men, round the clock squashing the rumors.”

“I wasn’t complaining. You’ve done what you’re supposed to.”

“How long until our benefactor arrives.”

“I don’t know other than it is tonight.”

“I wish he’d be more forthcoming.”

“He has his secrets.”

“Erlan, One additional VIP, implied male, is supposed to arrive tonight. Both are calling him their benefactor.” Lark sub-vocalized into the throat mike.

“Backup is delayed, but I’ll be overhead shortly, wait and identify them. We need to know who we’re dealing with. Get cozy.

“Aye, Erlan.

The two of them talked further on a few other useless topics. Lark checked her power reserves. Already she was down below 60%. She gingerly got out another food bar, taking great care to make no noise while opening the wrapper. After eating, her power reserve was just over 70%. While she waited, the laborers below had unloaded the kidnapped people and put them in cages. The warehouse door was shut again.

A half hour later, Erlan came over the comm, “I’m overhead now. Eyes are on target. Yeah, that’s a lot of heat signatures. Switch your visor on so I can see and hear what you’re seeing.”

“Backup?” Lark asked as she toggled the visor to allow Erlan on his starship in orbit to link to it.

“Still delayed. There’s a problem with their carts, and they’re working on an alternative.”

“Sabotage?”

“I doubt it, but the possibility does exist.”

“Convenient.”

Lark kept listening, but the two men in the office just made small talk.

“I see activity on scanners. An animal drawn cart is proceeding down the road towards your location. They’re stopping at the gate and being let in.” Erlan informed Lark.

“More prisoners?”

“No. Not enough heat signatures. There’s only four.”

“This may be the second VIP they’re going to meet.”

“Keep watch. I think they’re offloading something. It’s not clear, but a pair of them are bringing something in. The other two are not helping.”

Lark realized the two men had stopped talking with the warehouse door opening. The two men exited the office. Lark floated to the edge of the storage area. She still couldn’t make out the first VIP.

Two men walked in carrying a crate between them. The third carried a rifle, while the fourth was not dressed like any of the other men here. His clothes were outlandish. They looked fake being made of a strange material, being too clean and new looking for anyone to wear.”

“Focus on the man in gray clothing. No, that’s impossible.”

“What? What is it? Who’s the man.”

“His name is Gurz, and he should be dead.” Erlan sounded shocked, which Lark knew to be unusual. The man had always seemed to her sure of himself.

“He looks very much alive.”

“Our starship was shot out from under us over Beleshorv VIII. His demise was the reason why Prime Architects have to travel separately. It’s the Shadow. I bet they had a hand in him surviving.”

“I take it he’s like you then. Could he be a clone?”

“Yeah, he’s a prime architect. No for cloning. We’ve been engineered so any cloning attempt would fail. During our creation, we had to be constructed cell by cell. By his position, I’m not seeing a heat signature for him.”

Lark wasn’t too sure what some of the words Erlan said meant but she didn’t ask for an explanation. It was more important to focus on the mission at hand. “A look alike?” She suggested.

“No, that scar on his eye would match up to the wound he had when he died, and he’s got one on his chin that goes almost next to the left side of his mouth. I cannot conceive of a reason, other than he survived. Now that I think of it, I did not see him die. He was what we thought, mortally wounded, but I did not see him actually die.”

Both watched as the two men went up to Gurz and began a conversation. The ambient noise and distance from them prevented Lark from hearing what they were saying.

The first VIP, Lark had tailed here, finally turned so she could make out his face.

“I know the first VIP. It’s Athad Ruodlo. He’s a staffer that works for Tarlan. I don’t know if you’ve met him.”

“No, but I’ve heard the name,” Erlan responded.

The three of them moved back to the office and within hearing distance of Lark.

Athad was speaking, “We still need more people. The project is ahead of schedule but will only stay that way with more people. Which is where the problem lies.”

“How much more?” Gurz inquired.

Athad explained, “We estimate we need just over fifteen hundred additional people within the time frame we’ve outlined for this stage of the project.”

“And you’re not able to get them?” Gurz asked as they entered the office.

Tathi explained, “There’s just not that many people available, unless we skimp on quality, or become more visible with increased risk. We pick up almost every transient and a homeless person we can get our hands on but it’s not enough. There’s just not enough people coming into the big cities anymore that will be missed.”

Athad spoke up for Tathi, “Don’t worry, this was expected. We knew it would come to this where the number of bodies we’d be able to pull in would dwindle, we’d just hoped it would be later than sooner.”

“We’re taking in everyone we can. That won’t stop, but like Athad says, it’s a trickle now.”

“I see. You’re right, we definitely do not want the attention. Don’t change your methods of acquisition. I have a solution. In the short term, we’ll have to make do with less, but we’ll reach out to our associates on Kusartha for the bodies we need. They’ll be brought in through the normal channels on the west coast like any other import.”

Tathi said, “I’ll notify my men in the ports to be ready.”

“Part of the shipment I brought is the money. But remember, we need the people to the same standards as before. You’ll receive the same amount per head and they will all be checked for health, and remember, no quantum templates.”

“We understand.” Both Athad, and Tathi spoke in unison.

“We’ll meet again next month. Erlan is overhead now watching down on us this location is compromised. Take all precautions and evade. This batch of bodies will have to be abandoned.”

“They know we’re looking, We have to stop this,” Lark sub-vocalized.

“I know, but don’t do anything. We need more intel. They don’t know you’re there.”

“Backup?”

“They’re leaving now,” Lark said as the three men left the office.

“By then it’ll be too late. They’ll be scattered. I can take them. I’ll bag your brother and my uncle’s aide. I can do it.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“I know. If we can stop them, we’ve got three of the ringleaders.”

“Don’t Lark. Wait for backup.”

Lark didn’t say anything. She flared her second power of increasing thermal energy by setting the wood crate next to her on fire. She floated up and around the shelves of equipment.

Someone notice and yelled a warning.

Lark came up behind the lone man on the catwalk who was looking around in a panic. She grabbed his rifle and pushed him over, letting him fall to the ground. The other men drew back from the body that fell down in their midst, their attention now focused on it. Lark took the rifle and fired a few shots. She wasn’t an expert marksman, but it was enough to scare them when she hit one of the men.

She jumped off the catwalk and came down yelling out, “Gurz, Athad, Tathi, you’re a plague on this Empire. I’m going to take you down.”

Tathi exclaimed, “Erlan’s bitch has found us. Get her.”

Athad pushed Gurz back towards the door, the men were only now scrambling to open.

Lark flared her power sending flames across the door while causing the ammunition in the rifles the thugs held to explode. The men trying to open it released their hold from the now incandescent metal.

One of the thugs opened fire with his rifle she’d failed to cook the ammunition off in. His aim off, Lark rolled to the side and rushed in, using a wall of flame as cover to split the men.

Erlan came over the comm, “Fire isn’t going to stop Gurz. If he’s not showing up on thermal, he has other protections in place.”

And it was true. Gurz grabbed the still incandescent door and slid it open with ease, then stepped outside before shutting it. Lark processed that he must be strong as it took several men to manually open the door and he did it by himself with ease.

A bullet whizzed past her head. Lark used the flame again to hide her as she moved to the next target. She could fly up and out, leaving the warehouse to go after Gurz, but there were the kidnapped people. By now the office area near them was a roaring inferno, filling the warehouse with smoke. The thugs were in chaos, not sure where she was in the flames. She couldn’t leave the innocent people behind. One by one she took the men out until she then found herself with the Athad and his two guards.

Lark came out of the fire. The reflexes of the nearest guard sent a bullet grazing her thigh. Lark twisted out of the way instinctively from the pain. She flared her powers focusing on the weapons.

The guard quickly dropped his gun before the exploding munitions within shattered its frame. He didn’t hesitate as he rushed over, to strike at Lark. She rolled to the side while flying away to avoid, and kicked with her good leg. The first guard was joined by the second, forcing her to fly back up but not before one of them managed to reach out and pull her mask and visor off. They were too good. One had a knife he threw which hit lark in her shoulder and bounced off, not penetrating her armor.

She scanned the area for Athad to see if he’d gotten out or not. There he stood with a pistol aimed at her. He rapidly pulled the trigger sending rounds her way. She felt two stings, one in her stomach and the other in her left shoulder.

Lark said as she flared her power to cook the ammunition of the gun, and whatever was in the crate. It exploded sending Athad sprawling. She came down to the ground. The two bodyguards rushed over to him. Lark stumbled over, and set their clothes on fire, engulfing them in flame. She didn’t mind shooting or throwing someone to their death, but burning them alive disgusted her. Still, it was better she survive than die. Standing over Athad, she found him alive. He turned his head and smiled up at her.

“My princess,” he whimpered in pain.

“Why have you betrayed your empire?”

Athad forced a chuckle through the pain, “Your father and uncle are the ones who ordered me here. I lived, I served, I die.”

He started foaming out of the mouth, and went limp, his face contorted halfway between smile and grimace.

The two bodyguards were dead by poison as well seeing Athad. Lark could see no other thug alive. She brought her right arm up. It was covered with her own blood. She checked her own power level. Eight percent. Lark picked up the visor and mask and put it back on.

Erlan was yelling through the comm, asking what happened.

“I’ll survive.”

“By now the fire was spreading to the racks of equipment.

“I’m seeing a large thermal bloom. What happened?

“I’ll survive,” Lark repeated. She stumbled to the first cage and grasped the lock in her hand, focusing on pumping heat into it. It melted off. She went cage by cage breaking the locks, supported by two of the former prisoners.

After the last one, Lark was practically carried out. She and the prisoners used the rear entrance of the warehouse to leave.

Once they were out, she checked her power again, 4%. She pushed the survivors away and took off flying up to a nearby rooftop where she lay down ignoring Erlan on the comm.

“I’m so tired Erlan.” Lark spoke. Her power reservoir hit 0% and her quantum template let shock set in.

Erlan watched as an aide to the Emperor showed his identification to the guards at the door. One of the guards opened the door allowing him entry. Erlan slipped in behind the aide before the door swung shut.

The aide moved up to the table the Emperor’s brother, Tarlan Conn stood at. It was a mess, covered in numerous documents, books, and maps. The Emperor himself sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair, reading a document.

“I have the reports about the geological surveys in the Pansoonan Isles. The aid pulled out several binders of documentation from his satchel and set them on the table.

“Thank you, you’re dismissed.” The aide bowed to Tarlan, then the Emperor, and departed the room.

Once the aide had left, Erlan deactivated the cloaking shroud, letting the occupants in the room have sight of him. The two guards in the room drew their weapons and interposed themselves between Erlan and the Emperor.

“Don’t fire, gentlemen,” The Emperor ordered. I’m sure Mr. Erlan has his reasons for intruding. Why have you come to us Erlan? We didn’t call for you.”

“I know about your projects in the Ondrass Desert and about the missing. Do you think I wouldn’t find out about it? This cost of human life is not unacceptable.”

The Emperor shrugged. “I’ve been remiss in keeping you around for so long. Your usefulness is long gone. We’ve found a better benefactor. One of their pre-requisites is that we hand you over to them. It’s convenient that you’ve come to us today.”

“This is a mistake. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.” Erlan warned. “They don’t care about your Empire. To them, you’re a bunch of wayward misguided children. They will grind the Empire beneath their feet when they have their way. You will be forced to bow down to their whims. I’ve dealt with them before, and seen the terrible things they’ve wrought upon society.”

We’ll deal with them when the time comes.”

“I must admit that I was mistaken about you. Your arrogance is unbecoming. I had hoped you wouldn’t be tempted so easily. I shouldn’t have come.”

The Emperor laughed, “But you did, and that makes it easier for us.”

The doors to the room opened up. Princess Larkosa walked through dressed formally in a dress, although her left arm was in a sling. This was a rare sight for even her father to see her dressed as such since she’d made it long clear to her family, she hated dressing the part of a princess.

“I need to speak with you father.” Lark did not attempt to explain the two guards slumped on the ground outside the door.

“Larkosa, you must go. If you don’t, you’ll pay the consequences daughter.”

“I told you to not come.” Erlan turned to her.

“As if I’d let you do this alone.” She turned back to her father. “Father, I’m here to ask if you and Uncle would be kind enough to join us for a meal. Maybe we can discuss our differences, and our reasons civilly over good food and drink, rather than crudely in a fight.”

“No daughter. With you here, It’s well beyond that point. Don’t you agree, Erlan?”

“I told you, Lark. You should have stayed away.”

Lark ignored Erlan. “I know what you and uncle are doing father. I still hold out hope.” She turned to Erlan, “Even if my father and uncle don’t have the time, Dinner tonight?”

“Leave, “The Emperor ordered. Don’t ever do this again Larkosa. I can only make so many excuses for your actions. My benefactor will eventually ask me for your head.”

Lark bowed to her father, “I understand.” She turned around and walked out past the still unconscious guards.

“Just go along peacefully Erlan. Let’s not make a mess.” Tarlan said.

One of the two guards in the room began circling around Erlan towards the door to cut Erlan off.

“I’m afraid I have to decline. I wish it could be another way.” Erlan said as he dropped a flash grenade. Both the Emperor and his brother activated their powers, each alt-forming into a hulking stone humanoid covered in lines of power. The flash grenade went off blinding the two guards. Out of his sleeve, a stun baton ejected which Erlan caught in his hand. He struck the guard attempting to move between him and the door, sending him reeling. The other guard blindly opened fire with his sidearm.

Erlan didn’t wait, and ran, much faster than either of the Conn brothers would be able to move in their alt-forms. He made his way through the palace in a seemingly random way towards the exit he wanted. The smell of smoke became prevalent the further he went. Lark joined him in moving through the palace. Where Erlan ran, she floated alongside him.

“You changed quick,” Erlan exclaimed.

“I was wearing most of it already under that insufferable dress that if I have my way, I’m never wearing again.”

“You always say that, but you still find a way to wear one.”

“I already burned it. If I want a dress, I’ll just have to find someone to wear one for me.”

“Got a plan?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it you setting everything on fire?”

“No.” Lark used her fire power on anything they passed that was flammable. “Okay, Yes. I’m gonna set everything on fire.”

“What about all this art?” Erlan commented on the many pieces hanging on the walls Lark torched as they went by.

“I hate it. It’s all horrid.” Lark said matter of factly.

The two reached the exit they wanted. Leaving the Palace, they found no guards waiting for them in the plaza they had exited into. Smoke already rose from various parts of the palace ground. The two moved past the fountain, and onto the stairway of the one hundred and eight.

“Do you want me to destroy it?”

“No.”

“Come on, I know how you hate your statue. You remind me every time we go this way.

“Yeah. I do hate it, but the answer is no.”

The two made it to the bottom of the stairs and past Erlan’s likeness minus his trademark mustache he’d long cultivated since coming to the fringe. Lark and Erlan made their way through the top terrace to the next one. Here there were guards but unlike any of the rest in the palace, they were forbidden from leaving their position. They stood around a large round stone of a different material than what was used to construct the rest of the old city. It was long worn with weathering, but still had markings of swirls and whirls carved into its surface. The locals called it the moonstone.

Lark and Erlan rushed past the guards to the center of the moonstone. He along with a few select people on Arsan knew what its true use was, and only within the last three years had it been turned back. Erlan grabbed Lark’s hand and held on tight. The guards looked on in confusion, not having encountered anyone doing this before.

Erlan mouthed one word. “Kallis.”

To the guard's point of view, Erlan and Lark blinked out of existence. For Erlan and Lark, their perception of reality broke down to spinning rainbow before coming back.

The two found themselves in a different place under the same sky, but at night. They’d traveled nearly halfway around the world in the blink of an eye to another stone similar to the one those in the empire had labeled the moonstone. Several torches had been placed around the stone in the ruins to illuminate this bridge node. Their light flickered over the several uniformed men who had their weapons out, aiming at the two new arrivals.

“Lieutenant Simond,” Erlan called out to one, recognizing him. Erlan hadn’t known the man from Earth long, but he’d made it a point to get to know those from there he worked with. Erlan had decided that rather than have locals on Arsan guard this bridge node, he’d have men from another world guard it. Men who wouldn’t give the sites secret location away.

“It’s a friendly, men. Stand down. Sir, What are you doing here?” The men did as Simond ordered.

“Lieutenant Simond, The Vindrik Empire has openly turned against us. Send a dispatch to all other nodes and alert them.”

“Yes Sir,” Simond said. “You’re not hurt are you?”

“We’re both fine,” Lark volunteered.

“Good, I’ll get those men sent.” Lieutenant Simond started directing his men on what to say and dispatch them.

Erlan and Lark moved off the bridge node. “You’re definitely not in good graces with your father.”

“Ah, he can shove off,” Lark said. “He’s made his choice. We’ll deal with him.”

Amaranth


Quantum Implicitum 01 - What Came Before
by
Stardraigh

Herald first class Maco Wealdu didn’t want to wait, but he did nonetheless

Maco had been ordered to attend the meeting he waited outside of in person rather than remotely by an FTL comm. This forced him to leave on short notice from his unit and spend the last two months on a courier starship that arrived less than an hour before the meeting would start. Two months, in his experienced opinion, that could’ve been better spent training with his command for an upcoming raid into rebel held territory.

He’d made it down to the surface and the system governor's staff had rushed him to the meeting site only to find out he was barred from entering. That was two hours ago. Few things would require a Herald to wait.

Still, he waited patiently for access to the meeting and finally he got in. The door opened and a steward motioned him to enter.

The lights were dimmed since the hologram display was on. Holograms, representing those not able to attend in person illuminated the room in a pale blue light.

Maco scanned the faces of those in attendance. Recognizing them, he stopped and saluted. All nine of them ranked higher than him.

Six of them were star system governors, none he’d ever worked directly with.

Two were Operations Directors. He was familiar with Bres Endonym, a human male who was a sub-director of Starship Logistics. His unit had always had close dealings with his office. The other director was Rashyk Elden, an albaz female, who was an Intelligence Services sub-director.

Maco had never met Rashyk before nor had he any direct dealings with her. He knew she was responsible for intelligence out in the edge-ward fringe of explored space. Maco knew the constant state of war with the rebels prevented her office from ever having the budget they wanted in order to really do something out there.

The last individual was Carios, one of the few remaining Prime Architects the Hegemon had in its service. Maco had long been familiar with him as well. Carios was the one who had designed and implemented Maco’s quantum template and mentored him through his career as a Herald.

Maco now had an idea now of what was going on. The six governors meant whatever this meeting was about, it was important enough that it had the minimum amount of system governors required to authorize a special action. With Rashyk in attendance, this meeting was most likely about an operation in the fringe.

Upon his entry and salute, all focused their attention on Maco. Carios spoke first.

“At ease Maco. Have a seat.”

One station remained open. Maco moved towards it.

Rashyk didn’t wait for Maco to sit before asking a question. “What do you know of the fringe Herald Wealdu?”

“That’s a broad subject, one not easily summed up,” Maco responded.

“Try me. Herald.”

“The fringe is an area of explored and currently uninhabited space around the edge of the Hegemon Core worlds. It wasn’t always uninhabited. The colonies there were closed down as more resources were needed to fight the rebels. The rebels did the same as well for the worlds they initially controlled.”

“A textbook answer.” Rashyk seemed neither pleased nor displeased. “What do you know of Prime Architect Erlan?”

“He’s one of the few architects still alive. Intelligence last reported him exploring the abandoned colony in the Sorbanon system in the core-ward fringe nineteen years ago.”

“You seem to keep up with intelligence.”

“It pays to be informed.”

Rashyk grinned, “That it does. What if I told you that Erlan was no longer in Rebel controlled space, and in fact, he hasn’t been for several centuries?”

“If that is true, I would be inclined to say he’s dead and the rebels are trying to keep up appearances, or we have him in our possession already. Given you’re the one giving the brief, I think he’s in the edge-ward part of the fringe.”

“Perceptive of you.”

The holo display in the table center brought up a map of explored space. It focused in on the edge-ward fringe.

“Two decades ago we discovered the rebels had obtained information on a colony world that had been abandoned during the civil war. It was not abandoned like we thought. It is In fact thriving.”

Maco noticed Carios reach up and rub his chest. He’d often seen Carios do it when he was sad, but when asked, he’d never explain.

The holo display zoomed in on an area roughly 4000 light years from the nearest inhabited Hegemon world. Maco knew from his study of history that official history said all of the colonies had their citizens pulled back before being left to die. He also knew that official history was much different than history as it actually happened.

“This is the Arsana Star System, and this is Arsana IV.”

The holo display switched to a map of the solar system in question with a secondary map of the planet rotating.

“Arsana IV was one of the most promising colony worlds before the rebellion. It was promising enough that even before the terraforming was completed, a full colonization effort was initiated. Five bridge nodes were installed in the system. The colony was thought to be destroyed when the rebel Architect Kusa made her last stand there. The intel we gathered showed that the population was well beyond the maximum Eco-Function protocols allowed. The intel also showed that Erlan was working with the population to improve their technology base and standard of living.”

Maco knew that the highest population planet was Tarvallos VI with 800 million people living on it. To have 1.2 billion people on a planet only thought capable of supporting thirty million was unheard of.

“We estimate the society in existence on Arsana IV is on par with the Industrial age during the Age of Discovery before the Hegemon as we know it even existed. It appears that when they were abandoned, they survived by reducing their need for advanced technology to industrial age levels.”

“You said it’s been twenty years since this data was discovered. Have the rebels taken action to recover control of the planet,” Maco asked

“We do not believe so. Analysis of other intel sources shows this information was so new to the rebels, it never had the chance to be disseminated when we acquired it. The rebels know nothing of this. It has been calculated out and the chance they do know and are playing a long-term strategy is non-existent. Another piece of information we verified is Prime Architect Erlan left rebel-controlled space through subterfuge after working to recover the Vermarn system’s library node. What he discovered that prompted this action, we have not been able to discover. The rebels have established a cover for him, but do not know where he is. The rebels have even gone so far as to establish a special intelligence unit dedicated solely to finding and recovering him.”

“I take it there’s a reason why we haven’t gone in and made an attempt to regain control of this colony world?” Maco asked.

“There are two reasons. We have yet to unlock the bridge node network. We simply do not have the logistics in place yet to support a system recovery operation to such a distant system.”

Maco knew the official history said the bridge node network was disabled to prevent the rebels from sending infiltrators past the front-lines. In reality, the system locked down after the bridge node engineers home, the Fan Bilros was destroyed. After nearly ten millennia the best and brightest of the Hegemon had yet to figure out how to unlock the network.

“If you want, I’ll go and take the system back?” Maco suggested, more in jest, but if they were serious, he would do his duty to see it done. If they were on par with the pre-hegemon industrial age, then even a show of force by a single starship could bring them back in line.

“No. We want you to go and find Erlan and see what he is doing. If possible capture him. I’ll repeat that at this time we do not have the resources to mount an expedition to reclaim the colony world in full. On the other hand, we do have the resources to do a reconnaissance in force. Intel says that Erlan only took one starship but we know from records that there are many starships unaccounted for, and others that were abandoned after sustaining damage with the hope they would be salvaged at a later time.”

“What about my command? Am I to take at least part of them with me?”

“No. You’re being reassigned to my office for this. You’re going to command a single starship provided by sub-director Endonym and head to the Arsana star system.”

The star system and planetary map displayed in the holo-display flickered away to be replaced by a model of a starship.

“The ship being assigned to you is the Allaskin. It’s a Grivvon class armed transport. An obsolete design phased out two centuries ago and placed in mothball but it should be newer than the class of starship we believe Erlan has by almost a century. In secret, we’ve upgraded the offense, defense, and drive systems to modern standards. The power system remains the same.”

Statistics of the starship’s loadout appeared around the model shown on the holo-display for Maco to read. This class of armed transport was at the upper edge of cruiser classification. With its upgrades, it should prove capable of dealing with an equivalent size ship.

“We’ve heavily automated the subsystems and the crew needed is less than one-fifth of the standard compliment. We’ve kept the modifications as secret as possible, going so far as to pull retired service personnel from long-term stasis in secrecy. All are volunteers that have passed current loyalty protocol checks. The captain of the starship and second in command of the mission is one Abri Redan. She's an experienced captain having participated in over six raids and three system recoveries. The crew is just as experienced.”

“Will any of the crew have a template, and am I the only Herald?”

Rashyk answered, “No to your first question. Yes to the second. This brings us to the next part. You will work with Prime Architect Carios to change your template. I know you’re familiar with his work so I trust that wouldn’t be a problem.”

“I don’t think it would be. But would the delay take too long?”

Carios interrupted, “Don't worry, I’m just updating it. Tweaking a few things here and there, and making it more efficient. It won’t be more than twenty-three days before you’re done and if things go right, half that.”

Maco nodded in acceptance to Carios. “Is there anything else I should know?”

“I remind you again that your primary goal is to find out what Erlan is doing. The secondary goal is to recover him. Only under extreme circumstances are you to destroy him. Return immediately when you are done. I bid you safe travels in your mission.”

The lights in the room raised in brightness, while the holo-display and holograms of those attending flickered out, leaving Maco, Carios, and the Melloxa star system governor in the room. The governor left also wishing a safe journey to Maco.

“Walk and talk with me Maco,” Carios ordered.

“Yes, Prime Architect.”

“You know better than to call me that Maco.”

Maco smiled. Carios was never one for formalities and this was something Maco appreciated in him. To Carios, those who served with him were more than just a uniform. Maco had seen Carios keep in touch with everyone he ever gave a template too, sending regular messages not just to see how things were with the template, but also to keep in touch with how their life was going on a personal level. As far as Maco knew, none of the remaining Prime Architects did this.

Maco watched as Carios instinctively rubbed the spot on his left breast again. “A few words before you go into the modification chamber. This planet is important to me. It's where I faced my sister, Prime Architect Kusa, and attempted to bring her part of the rebellion to an end. Sadly the only way I survived was to use a SUN device I’d acquired before that. My action in cowardliness was seen as the correct course of action. So many of my brothers and sisters had already died or sided with the rebels. My survival was seen as a boon to the Hegemon. I’ve been told many times over the course of my life, that we’re worth more than our weight in antimatter.”

This dour mood Carios was in, unlike his normal upbeat self, concerned Maco.

“I believed the reports that filtered in from the fringe. There were no survivors from Arsana. Kusa built a terrible weapon and used it to take revenge on me sacrificing the lives of many citizens on both sides of the fight. Such was her insanity.” Carios looked to Maco. “But it seems I was mistaken. I feel an immense amount of guilt for escaping and leaving the citizens behind that I served. I'm guilty of a lot of things Maco. Things I don't want to remember. When you travel out there, be wary. Arsana wasn't the only star system abandoned in the fringe. There may be other colony worlds thriving on their own. If I have my way, I'm going to try and lead an expedition out there to follow your mission. Once the rebels get wind of our efforts, they’ll try the same.”

“I wouldn’t think they’d let a prime architect go so easily.” Maco tried to bring levity to the conversation.

Carios smiled, “I have my ways. As for when I don't know. So far I haven't been able to garner much support. I am a Prime Architect after all. There's few of us left and the Hegemon doesn't want me out of reach in the fringe. Erlan was always finding ways to do what he thought was best even if others didn’t see it. If he could get away and go, so can I. Bring Erlan back alive if possible? I would like to see my brother again as I have few left. But if you have to, kill him. Survive first. Now if you'll excuse an old fool for a moment, I’ve got to finish a few things here. Head over to the Lamis Building. It’s where the quantum lab, we’ll be using, is located. Any auto-cart will know the way, and my people are expecting you. I’ll follow you within the hour. It’s good to see you Maco.”

“I’m glad to see you as well. It seems it could be better circumstances.”

“Indeed.”

In the fading light of dusk, Craig Tamerlane drove his compact car through the Barnum neighborhood in Denver. In the passenger seat rode his girlfriend Samara Poulsen.

Since Craig returned from his vacation in Honduras last year to go to school for yet another degree, he managed to strike out with every relationship because of his powers. He kept his power of alt-forming into the world famous hero known as Seraph, a secret, but as soon as he showed a prospective partner the glowing piece of malason, most refused to have anything to do with him.

That was until he met Samara six months ago in a class they’d both taken. Like him, she had powers, but they were of a different type. Where Craig could change his form, Samara could manipulate gravity. Not only had they hit it off, they liked each other. A joke others reminded them of was they were literally the power couple of the university.

Tonight they were both out, going to a party hosted by one of the fellow classmates. Already the street was full of cars. They’d driven past the address trying to find a parking spot.

“Ooh, there’s a spot.” Samara pointed out as they almost reached the end of the block.

“Got it.” Craig drove just past it then smoothly reverse parallel parked his car into the spot.

“You’re good at driving.” Samara beamed at him.

“And you’re not, which is why you take the bus when I’m not around.” Craig grinned as he looked over at her. With one hand she fumbled with something on her leg.

“I’m not going to pay for a chauffeur when I have you.” Sam playfully punched him in his shoulder with her other hand.

“Got your power suppression band on?”

“Yeah, I just turned it on. Yours?”

Although the government of the United States found they couldn’t require those with powers to wear a suppression band all the time, they could put limits on one with powers. If a person were found to have used their powers willfully under the influence of something such as alcohol, then they’d land in a world of hurt with the law. Both knew it was better to not take chances at a party like this.

Craig held up his left arm so Sam could see the blinking LED. “Mine is on.”

“Good,” Sam got out of the car, not waiting for Craig to open her door. She’d never placed an expectation of chivalry on Craig and never waited long enough for him to try. Craig got out as well. He retrieved two six-packs of beer from the back seat to contribute to the party.

Craig saw Sam had already started walking down the street. Craig did his best not to shake the beer as he caught up. Approaching the front yard, the two could see a few other people out front. A few were familiar to Craig, having taken a course with him. He nodded hello. Entering he found the party in full swing. Numerous people were grouped, drinks in hand, talking. Music from somewhere else in the house thumped.

“I brought drinks, where should I put them.” Craig hefted the two six packs after getting the attention of a passerby. They directed him to the kitchen where Craig proceeded.

“Get me a cold one,” Sam asked and then walked away.

Depositing the six-packs in an ice chest, Craig got two cold ones and returned to the front room. She wasn’t there.

A stranger attempted to grab his arm. Craig pulled back and found a girl wearing her sorority colors holding a red solo cup of who knows what.

“Hi there, sunshine,” she smiled, welcome to the party.”

“Do you know where Sam went?”

“Who?”

“My girlfriend,” Craig said hoping the honest truth would disabuse her of giving him attention without him being rude.

“Oh, well excuse me,” the girl seemed miffed and walked away. There was little Craig could do, or even cared to.

Going downstairs, he didn’t find her. Next, he moved to the back yard. Sam sat with several people she apparently knew around a bonfire talking. Sam took the drink Craig handed her then took a seat next to her.

Craig didn’t recognize any of them. Sam made introductions. Almost the whole group were in the same program as her. They talked about many things related to that while Craig remained silent. He only left his spot when Sam asked him to get another drink for her.

As the night wound down, Craig had stopped after his third beer and was already on his way to being sober.

Samara was on her fifth and she’d already become sloshed, slurring her words. If he wasn’t there, holding her up she’d have probably fallen over. This had gone on long enough, thought Craig.

“That’s enough, Sam.” Craig grabbed the beer she held in her hand and took it away, setting it on a table.”

“Hey, thash mine,” Sam tried to grab for it but she stumbled.

“Thank god you’re wearing a power inhibitor.”

“Youth knoy I’d nevers git dunk wishout one.” Sam smiled up at Craig as she clutched onto him so she didn’t fall.

“I think it’s time I take you home.”

“Okies.”

Craig guided Sam to the front of the house and out, mentioning to two of Sam’s friends he was taking her home.

“Can you walk to my car?”

“We’s gonna find outh.”

“Oh no, you don’t,” Craig said as Sam tripped over her own feet. He prevented her fall by sweeping her up in his arms as if she was his newlywed and carried her to his car. Sam giggled and held on. Once there, he managed to get her in the passenger seat with minimal fuss. Just in case she got carsick, he grabbed a plastic shopping bag that was on the back seat and gave it to her. “In case you puke dear,” was all he said.

“Yous so nysh.”

Craig got in and started driving over to her place. Sam attempted to lean over across the center console and hug Craig.

“No girl, stay in your seat.” Craig deftly used one hand to push her back into her seat.

“Aww, come on, I want to snug up to yoush.”

“Stay in your seat while we’re driving Sam.”

“I’m jush gonna unbuttle my seathbell.” Sam struggled with her seatbelt. Craig leaned over slightly and put his hand over the button, blocking her attempts.

“No Sam. You’re drunk. Stop it.”

“Yous no fun.” Sam harrumphed.

“And you’re drunk.”

“I am, aren’t I.” Sam giggled. “Okies, I’ll behathe.”

Sam leaned back in her seat and quieted.

“We’re almost to your place.”

Sam didn’t acknowledge him, merely staring out the window. Craig drove in silence. She might be upset, she might be tired. He’d find out when they got to her place. Every party that Craig had gone to her with, she’d gotten drunk. All she’d ever say for why was that she liked to have fun. Craig didn’t mind taking care of her in a moment like this since he liked her but he’d have a talk with her when they were sober.

Lucky for them, there was a spot open right in front of her apartment and he parked there. “We’re here Sam.”

“Ugh, okies.”

Craig managed to get her out of the car, and again carried her like a newlywed to the front door. He only set her down to fish his copy of the key to the front door and unlock it.

He again carried her in and set her down on the couch.

“Oooh, my hero,” She giggled. She began fumbling with the band around her left ankle.

“You’re drunk Sam, keep your suppression band on.” Craig tried to order her.

It didn’t do any good. Sam had the band off. Numerous lines of power all over her skin flared to life and Sam started floating up into the air.

“Not anymore.” Craig knew she’d burned through any of the alcohol in her system by flaring her power and consuming the otherwise useless calories.

“Why don’t you go to bed, Sam. It’s a late night.”

Sam oriented herself to face Craig. A grin came on her face. “Come here.”

Craig felt a weight pull him towards Sam. He braced himself trying to resist her power, but then he floated up in the air before floating over. She’d used her gravity power on him. When he was close enough, she grabbed his head and planted her lips. He broke the kiss by trying to push her away. “Sam. It’s late. I’m kind of not in the mood. I stink and smell like a bonfire.”

“So what. It’s a manly smell and I want you.”

“I get that, but not tonight. Tomorrow?”

Sam ignored his protests, pulling her shirt and bra off in one go, flinging them to the side. Her breasts floated under the effects of her powers, marked only by the few lines of power that ran across her skin. She worked on unbuttoning Craig’s shirt.

Craig tried to push her away, but the attraction of gravity was too strong between them. She wouldn’t let him grab her arms to stop using gravity to pull them away if he got too close. His shirt tore apart into pieces, all flying in separate directions, and his pants and underwear slid down off his legs leaving him naked. Her pants and underwear came off as well. Craig knew he could alt-form. Sam wasn’t interested in girls, but she wasn’t adverse, and if it really put her off, she’d only be upset later. Rather he decided to placate her.

“Do you have any condoms?”

Sam put a finger to Craig’s mouth, to silence him, “Uh, no, I don’t have any, and I can’t get pregnant anyway. It’s not the right time of my cycle.”

“I have a condom, but it’s in my wallet.” Which was in his pants pocket, laying on the ground out of his reach beneath him.

Sam ignored him, pulling him along behind her as they floated into the bedroom.

“I’m kind of uncomfortable with this. I’d prefer to use a condom.”

“I don’t care Craig. I want this, I know you want this. I can see you want this. We’re both here, so stop fussing. Have you ever had sex in zero-g before?

“Uh, no, you’ve never,”

“Surprise,” Sam interrupted Craig.

Craig decided he'd definitely have a talk with her after she had her way.

For the last two hours since the birth of the latest royal prince, his uncle Mangmo had sat next to the isolette the boy had been placed in. Mangmo kept out of the way as best he could as the neonatal staff took care of him. He simply watched the tiny child.

The boy’s birth had been a hard one. His mother, the Empress had been sick for the past few days and only last night her health had worsened. She had a sudden high fever and became delirious. Hours later her water broke to the surprise her attendant medical staff sending them into a panic. The child’s due date was not for another month. It was decided by the chief medical officer in the palace to birth the child by c-section and risk taking care of a premature baby.

Mangmo looked away from the prince when he felt a light touch on his shoulder. It was his wife, Mellina there, dressed in medical scrubs just like he was.

“How’s my precious nephew doing?”

Mangmo turned back to look upon the child. “He’s weak. The birth was a bad one.”

“But he survived. He’s a survivor.” Mellina whispered to Mangmo.

“Yes, he is.”

Against all odds, the boy's health had stabilized. The prognosis by the medical staff was a good one. The two of them waited and watched over the prince for over another hour before being interrupted. Arkoh Garbin, one familiar to Mangmo as a staff officer in the Emperor’s royal guards interrupted the two of them. Like them, he was dressed in scrubs.

“Excuse me my prince and princess.”

“Yes, Captain. What is it? Shouldn’t you be at our Emperor’s side?”

“Colonel Gravith sent me. It is with great regret, I inform you that the Empress has passed away.”

Mellina gasped,“No.” Mangmo hugged her in close. The other medical staff in the area who’d been supporting the new child had come to a stop. One nurse started crying.

“Sir, I don’t mean any disrespect but it's the Emperor. He’s distraught. Colonel Gravith would like your help,” Garbin added.

Mangmo without hesitating spoke, “Put a suppression band on him. I do not want to take a chance the Emperor misusing his powers while compromised. If anyone doubts the actions of you and your fellow guards, my wife and the nurses here are my witnesses. As the next highest ranking member of his household, I am giving you the authority to do this. He may hate me, but he’ll understand later.”

“Yes sir,” Garbin acknowledged. He turned and left immediately to return to the Emperor.

Mangmo stood up, making sure Mellina was situated next to the isolette to continue watch over the prince. “Watch over the boy. I’ve got work to do.” Mangmo did not leave immediately for the man he called brother. Instead, he went to the nearest phone in the room. Picking it up, the operator responded, asking him what number he wanted to dial.

“This is Prince Mangmo Conn. Put me through the office of Grell Minorn in the Emperor’s palace. The operator didn’t question Mangmo, putting the phone call through. It rang twice.

“Hello, who am I speaking to?” Grell’s voice came over line clearly.

“It’s Mangmo, Gold Haste Gold Berry,” Mangmo rattled off his identifier. “I’ve got bad news.”

“Is the child okay?”

“Yes, The prince has survived.”

“And the Empress?”

“She’s passed. I have ordered the Emperor to rest, not with any government authority, but only as a concerned brother. This may anger him. You know how he can be.”

With a voice full of sorry, Grell responded, “I understand, My condolences. Empress Telshan will be missed. I’ll begin contacting those who need to know.”

“Thank you. I’m going to go take care of my brother now.”

“I wish you the best of luck, Mangmo.”

Mangmo hung up the phone and left the room to find his brother.

Halloran Rendale the fifth rode his horse up the road to his father’s castle. It was of simple design, the moat, a single wall, and the keep Hal, his father, and their staff lived in.

He reached the bridge over the empty moat that had a long time in the past replaced the drawbridge. He glanced back at the convoy. The two trucks and several wagons drawn by yaks and horses were still plodding their way after him.

He faced again his father’s castle and continued underneath the raised portcullis. Hal couldn’t remember if he’d ever seen the portcullis lowered in his lifetime. He brought his horse to the side of the yard out of the way of the approaching vehicles. Two yard-workers were already moving to guide the trucks and wagons into the courtyard and up to the two warehouses built for holding the trade goods before they were distributed.

The yard foreman, Henvelt greeted him, “It’s good to have you back Hal.”

“It’s good to be home. There were some last minute changes to what we picked up. There are four fewer crates of vegetables, but four more crates of sormberries. I had them marked. Send two each to Gores, and Malloyn . They don’t know it yet, but they’re going to need extra casks.”

“Your father know of this?”

“No. I didn’t send a courier ahead of us. I’ll inform him when I see him.”

“Anything else?”

“Everything went well. Nothing we could complain about. The wagons and trucks held up.”

“Good good. I’ll arrange everything with the casks for the brewers.

Henvelt walked over to his men now working with the caravaneers to unload the cargoes and began barking orders. Not getting off his horse, Hal watched the two trucks drive around then back up to the warehouse doors to unload the wares they carried.

After two years, it still amazed Hal, that such engineering marvels of these trucks were being produced. Hal believed the two trucks had been one of the best investments his father had made while modernizing their lands. Comparing the trucks to their largest wagon, they’d have had to use four wagons with a team of four yaks each to haul the same load.

Several of the workers kept glancing up at the keep. Hal looked up and could see his father watching the ongoings down below. Hal didn’t need to supervise the yard workers, his job of leading the caravan home done. He knew if his father was watching, that meant he was waiting. He dismounted from his horse and walked her over to the stable.

“I hope you had a safe trip, Hal.” Hirmil the stable boy called out. He wasn’t any more of a boy than Hal was, the two of them being the same age and being raised together. They’d been friends since toddlers. Hal removed his saddle and gear and worked on stowing it while Hirmil took care of the horse.

“I did. It’s good to be home.”

Hirmil held up half an apple to the horse, who gobbled it up. The other half was handed to Hal who gave it to the horse.

“You and your father have done well getting the animals used to the trucks. None were scared, or stampeded at the noises this time.”

“Good. I’ll let my pa know.”

“Who do all these other animals belong too?”

Several of the other stalls had other horses, and one even had a riding yak.

“I don’t know. The owners all arrived over the last day. They’ve all met with your father and have been in the keep since. I asked my father and he just said to take care of the animals and not ask questions.”

“Strange.”

“Excuse me, sir.” Hal felt a tap on his back. Turning around he found, Tella, one of the daughters of his father’s steward standing there.

“Don’t you sir me. I’m too young to be sirred.” Hal laughed.

The nine-year-old girl giggled. “Your father wants you right away. He’s in his office. Can I give the horses apples?” Tella asked Hirmil.

Hirmil shrugged and said, “Sure thing. Looks like you’re going to be busy Hal. Hope it’s all good.”

It was uncommon for his father to send someone after him so soon after returning home.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine. See ya around Hirmil.” Hal left Hirmil to supervise Tela feeding the animals a number of treats. Hal walked through the keep, greeting the staff who worked there as he passed. It was another wonder of technology, the electricity that powered the lighting inside. Like the trucks, his father had the keep modernized with the electrical system to provide the lighting and power to other devices. The smell of smoke was no longer pervasive. They’d even worked hard at polishing the stone, removing the buildup of soot that had built up over the ages on the walls.

Hal didn’t knock as he entered his father’s office.

The Baron Halloran Rendale the fourth looked up from the paperwork on his desk. “How was the trip?”

“Everything went well. The trucks are worth their weight in silver as always.” Hal took a seat opposite his father.

“Did anyone give you trouble? I know how Baron Jorn can be.”

“No, Jorn was pleasant. The only thing unexpected was Baron Ellarm’s estate wasn’t able to provide the order of cold roots, potatoes, and cabbage.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“But he had extra sormberries and I took an equivalent measure.”

“They’re not the same, and won’t last as long. Is there a reason?”

His father seemed neither pleased nor displeased.

“I saw a chance. This way Baron Ellarm doesn’t feel indebted to us and we have enough to lay up several more casks of drink. It’ll be worth it for morale when the snows get heavier during winter. The vegetables we did get will be distributed in proportion to what we decided. We can make up the difference out of our own stocks which I know we have an excess of.

“Good call.” Hal tried to keep a straight face at his father’s praise. Inside he was beaming at his approval of his decision. “We have to go do something.”

“Can I go change? I spent all morning on the road to get home.”

“You’re okay as you are. The others we’re meeting with for the most part are in the same position.”

The two left, Hal’s father leading him down to the keep’s cellar, then to the old dungeon where the electricity and the lights it powered did not reach. They stopped only long enough for his father to grab a candle and light it to provide illumination. Like the portcullis, Hal couldn’t remember a time when anyone had been put in it. His father and his grandfather before him used the stockade in town when needed. It was only used as storage now. Still, there were old rusted chains hanging from spots, evidence of the dungeon’s old purpose.

Hal was surprised when his father brought him to a door he didn’t know was there, not that he went down here often. He realized it had probably been a year or more since he’d even stepped foot in this part of the keep.

“Regardless of what you see here tonight. Regardless of what you choose, you must never speak of it to anyone. Promise me that. I trust you son.”

“I promise.” Hal wasted no time answering.

“Hold the candle.” Hal took the candle and watched as his father pulled a necklace from under his shirt. Taking it from around his neck, he held it out to Hal and took the candle back. “This is your copy of the key. Go ahead and open the door.”

Hal examined the key. It was made of a bright red metal, shaped almost like any other skeleton key, only the end differed from a standard one. Rather than rows of teeth, grooved to match the lock, It ended in a block of the metal that seemed to a few spots of a silver metal inlaid.

“It doesn’t matter how you put the key in. It’ll still unlock the door. Hurry up.” His father suggested.

Hal put the key in the door and it did indeed open, sliding forward, releasing pressurized air with a hiss. The door swung outwards, causing Hal to step back out of the way. Revealed inside was not more dungeon or another abandoned section of the keeps lower levels. Rather it was a smooth-walled tunnel that sloped down further into the ground. There wasn’t a light Hal could see, yet the tunnel was illuminated as if there was light emitted from the ceiling.

“Go on. I know you have questions, but hold on to them till we’re done here.”

Hal retrieved his key and entered the tunnel at his father’s bidding. The tunnel turned twice as if spiraling down. It ended in another door that took the same key. Hal unlocked the door.

The room hall found himself in was of the simple arrangement. In the center was a large table with a number of people sitting around it. A fireplace was going on one side. It appeared out of place with the structure of the rest of the room, and Hal could smell no smoke. An illusion of some sort maybe to give the sense of comfort. Another table had refreshments.

Other than his father behind him, Hal only recognized one other man seated at the table. It was his grandfather, who was always on travel. His grandfather smiled at seeing Hal.

“Grandfather, you’re here.”

“Yes, my son. Everyone, this is my grandchild, Halloran number five. Everyone else in the room said hi or at least acknowledged his presence. Hal's father pulled him along to take two seats next to his grandfather.

“So what’s going on?” Hal asked, even if his father asked him to not ask questions.

A peculiar man, with an uncommon style of mustache where it curled up on each side, spoke, “Welcome Hal. We’re all members of the Knights of Aturn. Are you familiar with them?”

“They’re old history. Disbanded about a hundred years ago after attacking the Vindrik Empire.”

“Close. We are in fact, still active, and we think you’re of age to join us.”

Hal looked to his father, who nodded a yes, affirming to Hal, this was not a joke.

“Tell me more about what the Knights of Aturn do. I’m curious.”

“We’re glad you’re interested. Take a seat, and we’ll explain,” The man with the mustache said.

Hal sat right between his father and grandfather as the group explained their purpose.

The shuttlecraft locked onto its perch in the docking bay of the starship Valberyl with a clang. The craft’s hatch opened, and seven men hustled out. All seven of them wore a set of advanced combat armor, a model not used in combat in over two hundred years, and not anywhere within a thousand light years.

The seven moved with a surety through the starship to the bridge. Once there, each took up a station. The one who sat in the command chair brought the ship out of standby.

The ship's systems came out of standby, running internal diagnostics to make sure it was functional. All systems came up green and ready to go.

The man in the captain’s chair spoke, “Andrei and Mak, head to the armory on deck eight and retrieve personal weapons for all of us. Githoc and Rendale. Head to engineering and stand by. Brim and Jihao, you’re with me. Brim, you’re on tactical, and Jihao, you’re everything else.

“Aye, Erlan.” Rendale, the father of the current Baron Halloran, spoke. The men quickly went to their assigned duties.

Erlan activated the tactical computer display. The holographic display sprang forth to life, showing a map of the Arsan star system. A gray blip was moving from high above the system’s ecliptic plane towards Arsan IV. The tactical computer calculated that it was a 99.7% chance that the ship was heading to Arsan IV.

It certainly wasn’t a League ship scheduled to be there.

Erlan brought up the comm array and signaled a number of satellites and derelict facilities in the star system to activate and bring their sensors online to get a better read on the unknown starship.

Communication from the sensors was limited to the speed of light in this case. None of the satellites and sites had an ansible. Erlan patiently waited for the sensor readings to filter back to the tactical computer.

After a half hour, the tactical computer changed the threat assessment from unknown to unfriendly. The computer calculated with a 99.99% probability the ship was a Grivvon class starship, although it’s drive signature seemed off. Visual ID was how the identification of the cruiser sized starship was made. Definitely not a starship class local to the fringe nor a design from before the Hegemon civil war that could have been left derelict and recovered by the League.

It was a Hegemon starship, one used only by the Carios faction, and possibly the Shadow Hegemon.

Erlan brought up information on the ship class. It was an outdated design. One that should have been retired well over a hundred years ago.

It broadcasted no IFF signal.

The tactical computer declared another piece of information. It was a 94.2% probability that it was a match for the ghost ship that sensors picked up on in two other star systems in this area of the fringe over the last two decades.

Erlan spoke up, “They’ve finally sent a starship here. Send a notification by ansible to all League outposts that the Hegemon has finally decided to move in the open. It’s either the Carios faction or Shadow Hegemon. The ship is outdated by modern standards but so is most of League our fleet. Also, ask League Fleet command how soon they can have any of the fleet here.”

“Aye, sir.” Jihao worked the comm system and sent the message off.

Brim spoke, “If we can see them, then they most likely know we’re waiting for them.”

Erlan calculated a navigation course and sent it to the nav computer. “Go on that course.”

“Aye,” Brim said as he verified the data and began piloting the starship. The ship began its course change, moving from orbit over Arsan, towards its moon.

Erlan brought up the comm again, this time broadcasting a message to the Hegemon ship.

“Unidentified Hegemon starship, identify yourself. This is Captain Erlan of the Kormault League Starship Valberyl. You are in violation of Kormault League sovereign territory. Bring your ship to an orbit at the following coordinates specified and stand by for an inspection.” Erlan sent off the coordinates to match their destination of orbit over the moon.

Erlan waited for the return com. The clock ticked past the minimum time for a return message.

Finally, a message did come in, one with video, using an encoding known to the comm system. The display came to life.

The man was unfamiliar to Erlan but wore the uniform of a Hegemon Herald, of the Carios faction.

“This is Herald Wealdu of the Hegemon on the Starship Allaskin. We are unfamiliar with the Kormault League. Your ship is clearly of the Melvorn class starship which is of rebel manufacture. Prime Architect Erlan, if it’s truly you, I have been ordered to detain you. Stand down and turn yourself in.”

Erlan recorded and sent another message, “This is not Hegemon space. I repeat, this is not Hegemon space. The Hegemon has no claim on any resource in this star system. Any violation of Kormault League territory may be seen as an act of war and will be dealt with accordingly.”

The message returned from the Hegemon ship. “This is Hegemon space. Sensor readings indicate an active population and infrastructure of Hegemon manufacture. The Arsana star system was colonized by the Hegemon. At no time has the Hegemon released its control over this colony or the resources contained within this system. Hegemon still applies. I repeat, you must stand down and turn yourself in.”

Erlan replied, “The Hegemon abandoned this world long ago and is no longer recognized as having lawful authority here.”

The Herald didn’t budge on his stance, “If you don’t stand down prime architect, we will use force to induce compliance, though we’d rather not. Be a good citizen, and submit yourself.”

Erlan hadn’t given up. “I am no prime architect. The Hegemon doesn’t exist here. It is you who are trespassing. It is my duty as a citizen of the Kormault League to stand against any predation by outside forces. If you do not stand down we will use force to make you comply.”

The Herald came back with one sentence. “If you surrender now there is still the chance of proper re-education.”

To Erlan, the idea of re-education was deplorable. It was a technique long instituted to enforce loyalty. It stamped out any who refused to be a proper citizen. It was brainwashing. Although he could never confirm, it, he believed it had been used by the Shadow Hegemon to ensure the Hegemon as a whole stayed on a course it determined. That was until the civil war exploited an unrecognized flaw in the system and broke it apart.

Erlan retorted, “Any technique outlined in Hegemon protocol 184 are illegal here in the Kormault League. If you attempt any unlawful interference in the citizens of the Kormault League, you will suffer the consequences prescribed by section 45 of the League Charter. You have sixteen standard minutes to change course and surrender. If you do not comply I say again, that your trespass will be considered an act of war.” Erlan sent along a copy of the League charter for good measure.

“This is going nowhere,” Erlan said to the two men with him. “Ignore any further communications.” The three watched the sensors waiting for the ship to change its course.

Jihao, spoke up, “I’ve looking through our entire database. We have no record of this Herald Wealdu. He’s post-departure.” Jihao referred to the fact, Erlan only had a copy of everything the Renyx side of the Hegemon had as far as data, plus what he had scavenged from the Vermarn library.

Sixteen standard minutes passed with the Hegemon starship not making a course change.

“I didn’t want to have to do this. Jihao, spin up the Ansible and make a connection to Prime Architect Renyx using the connection address I’m forwarding you.” Erlan passed the data to Jihao who did as ordered.

On Erlan’s station, the connection opened up displaying in real time the face of Prime Architect Renyx, the face of Erlan’s sister.

“I’m surprised Erlan. What do I owe this rarest of occasions to? Where have you been?”

“It’s a secret sister. I need a favor.”

“A favor? I could ask for many things brother. I could ask where you’re at. I could ask you to come home.”

“Let me ask first and let me know your price.”

“Ask away then.”

“I need all information about a Herald Maco Wealdu of the Carios side of the Hegemon, and if it helps, the Starship Allaskin.”

“Oh, this is interesting. Herald Wealdu hasn’t been seen in decades. He’s shown up wherever you’re at, or you’ve found him. I’ll give you all the information on him I can."

A data stream opened up which Erlan promptly accepted, putting the data into a stand-alone data storage, not connected to any other ship system in case of a trap by Renyx.

“I am not giving this freely. My price which you can ignore, is your location?”

“I’m not going to tell you, but you’ll figure it out, soon enough. How about this. I have a piece of intel that should open your eyes. Our brother, Prime Architect Gurz is still alive and he’s not with yours or the other faction of the Hegemon. I’ve not been able to run him to ground but he’s here somewhere. He works for the Shadow.”

Renyx, more serious replied, “So you believe the rumors? You found something on Vermarn. I wasn’t sure, but I had my suspicions. Probability said you did.”

“I don’t have to rely on rumors. I’ve been fighting the Shadow off for the last few hundred years.”

“It also sounds like you and our brother Gurz are at odds. I know the two of you were close growing up. You were devastated when he died, but if what you’re saying is true, then he’s not dead.”

“Oh, he’s become a downright mean bastard doing horrible things Renyx. Despicable things. He’s joined with the Shadow and proudly works for them. This may be something you want to look into. If Gurz is alive, then maybe some of our other brothers and sisters we thought gone are as well. You really should check into it.”

“I can do that. Are you ever going to come and visit me at least?”

“In all honesty, it will be a very long time before I can. I hold the Hegemon no ill will, sister. Yet I believe it’s doomed to failure on the course it is going. I know you see yourself as loyal, but I deny the claim the Hegemon has on me. I ask you to stay away from me and mine.”

“We’ll see. If I find you’ve sided with the rebels, I’d hate to have you killed.”

“You’d only have me re-educated.”

“Which you think is the same thing.”

“It’s still identity death. The Shadow is real. I don’t believe they’d ever be able to truly subvert you which is why I made this call. Be careful. I love you.” Erlan cut the connection before his sister could say anything further. “Ignore any attempt at a callback. Has League fleet command said how long more ships can get here?”

“It’ll be two weeks sir even with removing the engine limiters. They trust the Vanberyl can withstand the enemy ship and hold out till then. Task Force Gold Three is being readied and will depart as soon as they are able to. They’re the only ships command can send in time.”

“Three escort destroyers and one courier will not be enough to secure the system if we fail, but we’ll make sure we won’t.” Erlan started reading through the intelligence provided by Renyx.

Herald Wealdu was a force to be reckoned with. Before he’d been a Herald with a quantum template, he’d been a legal duelist, then a naval law enforcement officer, and finally a naval raider. Top marks in all tests at all ages. He’d survived in situations that few others could have. His last action before being made a Herald was successfully leading the system defense of the Relloth system when it came under attack from a system recovery attempt by Renyx’s forces. He had been left the ranking commanding officer by luck after a surprise attack. Three of Renyx’s Heralds died because of his quick thinking over the course of the system recovery effort. He’d even gone so far as to turn the city infrastructure itself against the occupiers, something that had never been done before. Herald Wealdu was seen by some as a monster. This would be tough.

The use of Highspire was a definite must.

“Change our course to take us into a geosynchronous orbit on the moon at these coordinates.” Erlan sent the coordinates to Brem who changed the Vanberyl’s course. “Jihao, there is a facility on the moon directly below those coordinates. It won’t be on any maps in the database. Use this channel to open an encrypted data connection by tight-beam laser. Send the list of commands and slave the control of the facilities system to my command station when you’re done.”

Jihao went to work. It was a few minutes before a display on Erlan’s command station changed to show the status of Highspire. Erlan input a command to have the system come out of standby and ready itself for use in mode alpha two. This would make the system non-lethal. It would only generate a single stasis bubble large enough to contain a starship. Erlan refused to use Highspire as a weapon of mass destruction.

Highspire’s systems showed it would be almost half a day as it ran its initial automated startup diagnostic. It would be cutting it close. They might be forced to play a game of cat and mouse if Herald Wealdu started jumping his ship around the system to get them. Erlan calculated the possibility of that. It was low, but it was there. He seemed more apt to watch and wait as he closed the distance.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

Ahtki didn’t face her mother. She focused on folding her clothes she’d finished laundering this morning.

“Do you have any idea what I had to say to Merem’s parents, what I promised them to have their remaining son even give you a chance?”

“I don’t care, he’s a twit, and he doesn’t care about me.

“Love is not important. You will be sadly mistaken if you hold to that notion.”

“Ugh, That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Then what are you saying?”

Ahtki turned and pointed menacingly at her mother. “He’s a womanizer. He’s already had several flings with servant girls, some rumored to have given him a bastard or two. The man is lazy, and he’s a fool who thinks too much of himself.”

“But he’s in an important position.”

“I don’t care. I’m not subjecting myself to that kind of life. I’ll find someone, anyone other than him.”

“No. This is unacceptable You’ll give him a chance.”

“No, I won’t.

“Ugh, you’re so stubborn

“Where do you think I got it from?”

“Why couldn’t you have been born a boy? I wouldn’t have to deal with this mess.”

“If you hadn’t driven father to his death, then maybe you wouldn’t be.”

Ahtki’s mother slapped her. “How dare you. I loved your father.”

“You speak to me of love not being important, and you say you loved my father. You forget. I have eyes. I saw how it was. You didn’t care. You just married into the house for the same reasons you’re trying to get me to get with Merem. I don’t care. It’s not important.”

“It is.” her mother yelled.

No, it isn’t. You’re so blind.” Ahtki screamed to her mother’s face

“That’s it. I don’t care that you don’t care. As head of this household, I’m forbidding you to leave.”

“Go ahead and try. I’m old enough to leave.” Ahtki pushed past her mother and exited her room.

Her mother behind her yelled, “I can disown you!”

Ahtki responded in kind, “And the house would die with you. No one wants a shriveled up hag.” She exited the house into the garden area. She then went to the small shed and retrieved the pitchfork. This wasn’t to do her mother in. There had been times Ahtki felt like she could, she did love her mother, even if she didn’t get along with her all that well.

She went for the pitchfork because she didn’t have a spear since her first her dad had given her had disappeared. She’d acquired a second one but that was gone as well. She took to using garden tools as unwieldy as they were. Her mother tried to have the garden shed locked to stop Ahtki and her hobbies that she’d decided weren’t womanly. Ahtki broke the door so it wouldn’t shut completely and couldn’t be locked. She’d had it fixed and Ahtki broke it again. Her mother had at least given up on that.

She put herself in the first stance of the basic spear dance kata her father had taught her, closed her eyes and tried evening her breath out.

Once she felt ready, she began her dance, flowing around the garden, her stand-in spear blurred around her. At least that’s what she’d like to have happened. Ahtki made it only a third of the way through the basic kata before slamming the pitchfork, fork end down into the ground. She closed her eyes again, trying to center herself, to push the distractions of the world away.

“Ahtki,” a low scratchy voice called out from nearby. “Ahtki,” the voice repeated.

“What?” Ahtki yelled, turning around the interruption to her finding her inner peace.

“You’ve got quite a temper girl. I like that.”

It was a frail old woman, hunched over, wrinkled with age. She was as far as Ahtki knew, the eldest member of her family still alive. Ahtki apologized, “I’m sorry great mother. I’m just.”

The woman cut her off. “Bah, don’t apologize to me for that harpy of a woman. She means well, but she has never been more wrong.”

“I’m still sorry for ruining your time in the garden I will leave and come back later,” Ahtki bowed while making the apology.

The woman rasped out what Ahtki thought was a laugh. “I did not come to see the garden. I came to see you.”

“Am I in trouble?” Ahtki couldn’t fathom why she would have drawn the attention of the oldest family member of hers.

“No girl. Do you know who taught your father how to use a spear?”

“I don’t really know. I think he learned it while with the city guard.”

“They don’t teach the spear there. He learned it at a training hall in the Seven City Alliance.”

“What, really?” Ahtki didn’t know whether this woman was telling the truth or not but if she was, it was something she didn’t know about her father.

“Of course he did. He learned his spear fighting from Master Porvis who last time I checked was the best. And he was the best because I trained him.” The old woman grinned with pride.

“I had no idea my father ever left the city. And you really knew how to use the spear? That’s cool.”

“He did, and he did it because I told him to when he was old enough to do so. He left the city, like his mother before him, and her father who was my son did. Like me. Why it’s almost like a family tradition.”

This was the most Ahtki had ever talked to with the great mother of the household. She’d never heard this before.

“Your mother doesn’t like it that we’ve always been a bit free willed. We’ve always left, and we’ve always come back.”

“You don’t say.”

“I do.” She rasped out another laugh. “You don't want to marry do you?”

“Not really, or maybe it’s that I don’t want to right now. I definitely don’t want to marry anyone my mother tries to set me up with. She has horrible taste in men.”

“Don't be worried. You'll find who you'll like, or you won't. You know, I was like you once. Headstrong, stubborn, a bit of foolishness, pride, and arrogance of youth, but also the exuberance, the zeal mixed together. Come, sit with me a while. I’ve got some stories to tell you while I still can. Your mother won’t like it, but you need to know your family history.”

The two moved over to a bench in the garden. The old woman fished something out of her pocket and handed it to Ahtki. It was a ring with an unfamiliar crest on it.

“You can keep that. You may find it useful. I’ll tell you about it, but let me think. Okay, when I was seventeen, I ran away from home to see the world. It was much the same as you, my parents and grandparents were already trying to find someone to marry me.”

Ahtki’s great mother continued with her story, regaling her with the adventures she’d been on. Ahtki listened patiently learning way more about her heritage than her mother would ever want her to.

Delin shifted his chair a few more inches out from the wall and leaned back in it. He remained silent while his two younger siblings, Cavin and Isaura, played on the floor in front of him.

The children’s normal caretaker was there as well, watching, waiting for anything she needed to do. Delin thought back to Mangmo’s request that he spend at least a little bit of time with his siblings even if the three of them had different mothers. If he wasn’t so busy, Dellin knew he would.

His youngest sister Isaura, the baby of the family, didn’t seem to care that he was there. Cavin, the next youngest child and Delin’s only brother younger than him, had tried to interact with Delin, but Isaura wouldn’t let him. She wanted Cavin’s full attention.

To his point of view, Isaura was being ruthless. She continued to take toys away from him, and boss him around. The two were only doing what she wanted and if Cavin showed any sign of not going along, she resorted to an occasional slap or push to get her way. It didn’t help that even though Isaura was younger, she was already taller and bigger than him.

Delin noted that Cavin came close to crying several times, but each time he’d sniffle back the tears and keep on going with little complaint. Every time he fell down he got right back up.

Finally, Isaura gave up. She yelled at Cavin for not being fun and stormed off out of the room. Delin knew a maid would chase after her so he didn’t worry much about her.

Cavin sat there watching Isaura’s retreating backside. When she was out of site, Cavin looked up at Delin, then turned his attention back to the toys but seemed less enthused. He pushed and prodded them and sat there quietly.

Delin noticed the caretaker going for Cavin, he motioned for her to stay back. Quietly he moved out of his chair and came up next to his brother and sat down beside him.

Up close, Delin could see Cavin was doing his best to fight back the tears.

“Brother, what’s wrong?” Delin asked. He put his arm around Cavin’s shoulders.

“I’m small and slow. Isaura is mean.”

Delin turned the boy so they could look each other in the face. “Hey there, don’t worry too much brother, Things will get better. You’ll get bigger in no time. Don’t be in a rush.”

“Ok Del. I just wish Jari, Arg, and Andro would talk to me like you do. At least Isaura plays with me as mean as she is.”

“Well, I'm here. What do you want to talk about?” Delin worked to gather in the toys closer to them.

The small boy perked up, “Can we talk about dragons and knights?”

“And why do you want to talk about dragons and knights?”

“When I get bigger, I want to be a dragon slayer.” Cavin grinned, then coughed once

“Well, do you know the best way to scare a dragon?”

“Yeah. With thumps.” Cavin used his hands to signify an explosion and made the sound to match.

“That’s right.”

Delin let his younger brother ask away while he worked on gathering up the toys to put them away. He answered Cavin’s questions as best he could. The boy was curious about everything, from how big a dragon heart was to if you could make a suit of armor from their skin. Cavin would cough every so often. Such was his health. Since birth, Delin knew Cavin had been a sickly child. His body hadn’t grown like other children his age. He was eight years old and he looked like he was five. His sister had quickly outgrown him.

Delin reached a point where he was telling a story about a hunt he’d gone on with their brother Andro and sister Argma when he noticed that Cavin had fallen asleep, his head in Dellin’s lap.

A voice startled Dellin. “That’s adorable.”

“Hi, Uncle Mangmo.”

I haven’t seen Cavin sleep this soundly in a long time.

“Really? Is his health really that bad.”

“It’s nothing to worry about. He’s always been a sickly child.”

“Yes. He was coughing earlier.”

“Oh, I’ll make sure he’s taken care of. Here, let’s get Cavin to bed. I wish to talk with you about work.” Mangmo motioned for the caretaker to come over. Cavin had latched onto Delin’s leg while sleeping.

Delin waved the caretaker off and whispered, “Sorry. I’ll take him to his bed if you don’t mind.”

Mangmo nodded a yes.

Delin made every effort to not wake the boy while detaching him from his leg and picking him up. The four of them left the play room and headed for Cavin’s bedroom. There, Delin placed Cavin in bed and covered him with a blanket.

The two men watched Cavin peacefully sleep for a while yet. It was Delin that broke the silence.

“He’s so weak and fragile.”

“That he is.”

“But he doesn’t give up, uncle. He never gives up, even if his body betrays him.”

“No, he never does.”

“I admire that most of all in him, Uncle. If the Empire had a thousand men, each of them with the will to persevere as strong as this boy, the world would tremble at the great things they would do. It’s a shame.”

“That it is. This reminds me of something the ambassador from Earth said to me.”

“Oh,” Delin was curious about what his uncle had to say about the visitors from the other worlds.

“His daughter has been disabled since birth, and much like Cavin here, a healing coffin was unable to fix her blindness. He told me that the hardest thing hasn’t been that his daughter was disabled. That’s easy to deal with. The hardest part was watching her be excluded by others.”

“I can understand that.”

“It’s good that you spend time with him when you can. He’s too young to appreciate it, but I know I do and I know he will when he’s older. I wish your brothers and sisters would do the same, but it’s their own choice. Now come, we need to go.”

“Sleep well Cavin,” Delin whispered as he left with Mangmo.

“And I’m telling you that we’re in an incredible amount of danger,” Jasma stated.

Harrick, The League liaison to the Knights stationed on Arsan responded, “Everything is on schedule. What proof do you have of this trouble? What is this trouble?”

“I don’t know. But we’re in danger if we don’t adjust our plans somehow.”

Knight Bennel spoke, “Without any facts, we can’t change our course. It’d be foolish to. How can we take vague guesses seriously?”

“It’s probability forecasting, and I’m serious. The risk of failure for us here on Arsan has increased substantially.”

“You’ve always been able to provide us with more concrete information. Yet there’s nothing you can give us now. Explain,” Bennel demanded of Jasma.

“How many times do I need to tell you. I don’t know why. Since I have added the results of the forensic report of Erlan’s starship and the wreckage of the Hegemon starship, the odds of success have tilted against us. I’ve gone over all the data. There is no defining bit of information that makes a difference except the forensic report which doesn’t make sense. It’s a report showing that we found nothing conclusive other than what was evident. Erlan disappeared and so did the Hegemon crew.”

“I’m sorry, but I think I speak for us all when I say the report is useless. It only confirms what we already knew, and that’s not enough. We didn’t have to break from the plan three years ago and why should we break from the plan now?” Bennel said.

Jasma counted to four. “Look, this is a special condition that rarely occurs. There is something obscured from us at play. It’s implied by all the data but not seen. We still don’t know what happened. We do know that the efforts of the Shadow changed since then. If our enemy has changed their behavior, they know something we don’t. All I can calculate is that, here on Arsan, we’ve got something big looming over us and you’re all ignoring it. Why are you all so stubborn?” Jasma was practically yelling at them.

Knight Halloran Rendale the fifth, butted in, “Jasma. We’re listening. We hear what you say, but Bennel is right. This isn’t enough to do anything.”

“Hey, I am calm, But I’m serious about this. You need to listen. We need to,”

“That’s enough Jasma.” Knight Rendale slapped the table, cutting Jasma off again. “You need to go outside and cool off. Everyone, we’re taking a break.” He was one of the younger knights there, definitely not the oldest or one with seniority. The other knights and attendees murmured in agreement and began getting up from their seats.

Jasma glared at Knight Rendale, and he motioned her to go outside with him. Jasma found him outside the building they’d had their meeting in. Before he could say anything, Jasma started in on him. “How dare you treat me like that Hal. I thought you were my friend. I thought you said you believed me, I thought I could trust you. How could you do this to me?”

“Shut up Jasma. Just shut up and listen.” Hal cut Jasma off yet again. “You need to cool it. I know what you’re saying is true, but you’re not going to win anyone over with your behavior. Yes, most of them are a bunch of stubborn fools. You lost control out there. You were yelling at them for no reason and treating them like wayward children. I know you’re older than most of them. You’re older than the League itself, but you know that adults don’t like people treating them like children.”

“I, well, they weren’t listening, and,”

“And nothing. You weren’t listening either. Most of them feel like you’re still in mourning for your father. They think you’re compromised. Desperate for answers. I know you’re serious about this. With Erlan gone, they’re scared. The only reason why the League even exists is because of him. The only reason why the Knights exist is because of him. The only reason we’ve survived fighting the Hegemon and its shadow so long is because of him. He was the man with the plan, and he’s gone. Maybe not forever, but he’s not here right now. They’re scared, I’m scared, and so are you. We’re barely keeping ahead of the dragon chasing us.”

Jasma had lost her bluster. “Okay, you’re right. I was treating them like a child and that was wrong. But no matter what I say, it’s falling on deaf ears. I’ve calculated out everything I can. The most probable paths for the welfare of Arsan are terrifying. It’s not just us and our fight against the Shadow of the Hegemon. It’s not the League. It’s Arsan. I’ve factored in the progress of the meeting so far and the most probable paths haven’t gotten better. They’ve worsened, Hal. They’re terrible. Arsan will be devastated if we don’t fix it, and the others refuse to listen.”

I believe you. I truly do. Understand that. And I know there are others who do as well, but we’re outnumbered. You already know they’re going to stay the course. They’re too scared to change.”

“Then what should we do?”

“I don’t know, but I want you to keep on researching solutions. Don’t bother going back into the meeting. We both know you’re wasting your time there.” Hal looked around to make sure no one was watching. He leaned in and whispered, “Even without the approval of the League, and the rest of the Knights, if you have to, don’t be afraid to instigate a course of action, especially if few will like it, and even less understand it. I know your powers. I know Erlan trusted you. I trust you. Remember, that you’re always welcome in my home. Find a solution and implement it. Now be off with you and good luck with figuring out what to do. I’ll cover for your absence.”

“Okay. I’ll go. I’ll send word when I’ve figured it out. I was afraid there for a good minute you’d turned on me, but I see you’ve got my back. Thank you.”

“Travel safe and be careful.”

“I will.”

Jasma left to call an auto-cart, already using her probability forecasting to pick a destination that’d help. The Seven City Alliance came to mind as the highest chance of success for coming up with a plan.

Craig Tamerlane, currently alt-formed into his superhero persona as Seraph, drove her car through the neighborhood to her destination. Once parked, she retrieved a heavy baton, her reinforced duffle bag holding her armor, and a present for the birthday boy of the party she was about to crash.

She wore no makeup and had dressed casually in jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers. Nothing truly remarkable other than her skin color and the faint lines of power running along her skin.

Before even getting to the back yard, she could hear the party goers. She let herself in through the gate and dropped the gift off at the table there with presents.

She then moved further into the back yard to get a view. Several young teenagers were swimming in the pool or lounging around. A group of parents were talking with each other.

The side door to the house opened up behind her and an angry voice came forth. “What are you doing here?” it demanded.

Seraph turned around. Before her stood Samara Trell.

“Hi, Sam.”

“Tell me, why are you here?” Samara appeared livid

Seraph didn’t flinch. “You know why?”

Thomas came out of the house and moved to Samara’s side. “Hi, Sara. Honey, I invited her.” Sara was the name Seraph went by in public to her close friends and acquaintances.

“What, Why would you do that?” Samara exasperated in shock at her husband’s announcement.

“I’m sorry, but it was my idea. And Sara agreed to entertain the children. It’s common knowledge that the two of you have worked together before.”

Samara’s jaw muscles clenched, her expression filled with anger, “Only because we had to. Fine, We’ll talk about this later Thomas Gregory Trell.” She glared menacingly at Sara as she passed by on the way to the backyard.

“She used your full name. She didn’t know I was coming did she?” Seraph asked.

Thomas smiled. “Yeah, I didn’t tell her. Better to ask for forgiveness than beg for permission. So, I’ll have to sleep on the couch. A small price. How’re you holding up?”

“It’s gotten worse. Stage III. In my lungs and my liver.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah. Doctors say that they’re trying to do what they can but I’m not exactly from around here.”

“How bad?”

“I had another surgery two months ago to cut it out of me, but it popped up elsewhere. Unless they figure something out they’re thinking stage IV soon.”

“How soon?”

“One year. Two at the most. The treatments postpone but don’t stop cancer. When I’m alt-formed, it’s a temporary respite.”

“Why don’t you tell Samara about it?”

“I really don’t want her to worry. She hates me over Andrew. I don’t want to compromise her any more than she’s been. She doesn’t need any guilt. I have enough of it as it is.”

“If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll manage Samara.”

“Thank you. You’re a good man and husband, and Samara knows it.”

“I told everyone that I’d have a surprise for them. How soon do you want to do your thing?”

“Do you have enough bricks for me to break?”

“I made sure.”

Tell me where I can change and we can do it right away if that’s alright?”

“Just go inside and use the bathroom in the hallway. I’ll get everyone ready.”

“Sure thing.” Seraph left Thomas outside and entered their home. In the bathroom, she opened her duffle bag and took out her armor and a few other items. Changing into her costume, she donned the armor which was a breastplate, armored skirt, and armored boots. She then worked on her makeup to give the illusion of slightly different facial features. Taking her baton, she moved back outside and Thomas was waiting there for her. It was much more quiet.

“They’re all ready for you,” Thomas said.

Seraph walked out in view of everyone. The party goers went silent.

She could see Andrew there in the center with a few friends. How tall he’d already grown. Her hearing picked up on a girl whispering, asking her friend if that really was Seraph.

Sara smiled. “Good afternoon everyone. I am Seraph.” She curtseyed in front of them.

I’m glad I could be here today. It was a surprise to me when the Trell’s asked me to come for their oldest son’s birthday party. I’ve know Samara for a long time, and we’ve worked together many times. I couldn’t refuse, so here I am. Happy Birthday Andrew.”

She waved to Andrew.

Now do any of you have any questions?

One girl seemed hesitant to raise her hand while the rest seemed exuberant in their vying for attention. Seraph called on her.

“You, young lady, in the red t-shirt.”

The girl was surprised, “Uh, uh, um, are you really Seraph?”

“Of course I am.” Seraph held up her baton and twirled it around just as well as any gymnast or drum major. Sparks of light trailed from it as Seraph used her power to reinforce it. Seraph then twirled it around, threw the baton up and caught it. The sparks stopped falling off as soon as she lost touch with it, but started immediately when she caught it. “Thomas, could you please bring out a few of the bricks.”

Thomas carried over a few bricks of varying sizes from where he had been waiting.

“Young miss, if you would kindly come up here, I could use your help.”

The girl was surprised the world famous hero would call on her.

“Now don’t be shy.”

With the prodding of several of her friends, the reticent girl, got up and came to the forefront. She was just as tall as Seraph, at around five feet, six inches.

“Here’s the baton. I want you to check it out. It’s a bit heavier than a normal one, so be careful.” Seraph waited till the girl had a good hold on it, before releasing her grip. The end opposite the girl immediately sunk to the ground.

“Oh, my gosh this is heavy," The girl exclaimed.

“It is. It’s about thirty pounds and made out of a durable steel alloy.”

Seraph took a brick and set it in front of the girl. I want you to hit this brick as hard as you can with the baton.

“Uh, okay.” The girl struggled with the baton, and with Seraph's help, raised it above her head like a sledgehammer. Brining it down, the girl managed to land a hit. The brick cracked in half. The other children and some parents clapped and cheered for her.

“You broke the brick, but this was heavy wasn’t it. This is basically like a sledgehammer.”

“It was,” the girl agreed.

Seraph took the baton out of the girl's hands. She then picked up another brick. “Take this brick and tell me if you can break it with your hands. Be careful.”

The girl did and struggled in vain. “It’s a real brick.” The girl handed it back to Seraph.

“As my lovely young assistant has discovered, it is indeed a brick.” Seraph held up the brick and squeezed, cracking it into pieces. Seraph then held the baton horizontal in front of the girl. “Now miss, I want you to hold onto the baton as I lift. I’d ask the birthday boy to do this, but he’s too tall. He could probably lift me up.”

Seraph could see Andrew and the other kids were enthralled by her performance. The girl held on and Seraph lifted Seraph then proceeded to curl the baton with the girl hanging off like it was practically weightless. Once done, she bid the girl to return to her friends and thanked her. Quite a number of demonstrations later, using innocuous objects like a paper plate and a hamburger bun, she demonstrated her powers.

The whole time Samara was pissed, but that didn’t matter. Every time Seraph looked down at Andrew, she could see he was happy and that was the most important thing to Seraph at the moment.

Javier sat next to the bed Craig Tamerlane lay on. Asleep, his head resting in his arms, slightly pushing up against Craig’s side. The only noise was the beeps of machines monitoring Craig’s health, and Javier’s occasional snore.

The door into the room opened. In walked, Ingrid Dahlgren, an Albaz like Craig, but from the planet Ormault. She was known to the citizens of Earth as the hero Valkyrie, but here she was a friend to both men. She did her best to make as little noise as possible. In a bag, she had Chinese takeout she’d grabbed on the way here for Javier. She guessed he probably hadn’t even eaten in the last day.

She sat the takeout on a table in the room, and picked a blanket up off a couch and put it over Javier’s shoulders. She moved to a chair by the window to sit and watch. She was quiet enough that neither Javier or Craig stirred.

Ingrid had been a friend of Craig since he first visited Earth, back when he went by Kregg. She’d been there to greet him when he first arrived and she had worked closely with him to create the identity of the original Craig Tamerlane he assumed shortly after his arrival. But Craig got cancer, and even with the help of Erlan and his advance technology, they couldn’t get rid of it. It kept on coming back. There was a limit to how much flesh one could cut out of their body and maintain a functioning quantum template let alone stay alive.

When Craig’s health turned drastically worse three days ago, Ingrid, along with Javier were the only ones who could make it and stay by his side.

Ingrid sat patiently watching over the two for nearly three hours before Kregg roused from his sleep. Drugged against the pain of cancer he managed to move enough to wake Javier who lifted his head.

“How’re you doing,” Javier asked. He held put Craig’s hand in his.

Ingrid moved up to Javier’s side and had a hand on his shoulder. Craig managed to turn his head enough to look at both of them.

“I’m sorry, but I think it’s time,” Craig whispered and struggled to smile.

“Ah, don’t say that. It’s not funny,” Javier pleaded.

“Have you found someone,” Craig asked Javier.

“You know how hard it is.”

“Don’t be like me. Find someone to love and love them. Don’t let anything get in the way of it. Tell me, how’re they doing?”

“The three of them are doing fine,” said Javier.

Ingrid added, “You’d still be proud of them.”

“Look after them.” Kregg turned his head to face the other side of the bed. “Are you the one who will take me?”

An apparition only visible to Craig at the moment answered, “Yes and no.” The apparition reached out a skeletal hand to take hold of the bed-ridden man's other hand.

Javier thought Craig had become delirious, “Take you where? We’re not going anywhere until you get better.”

“Did I do the right thing,” Craig asked the skeleton.

“Don’t worry about it. You’ve done as well as you could. Now come on.” The skeleton pulled Craig towards him.

Javier, unaware of the apparition’s answer, answered Craig’s question. “Of course you did right.”

Craig sat up out of his bed. Javier couldn’t see this. The life support system monitoring Craig Tamerlane showed he’d died. He lay there peacefully.

For Craig, reality washed away, leaving him in a void with the skeleton. He found his body whole again no longer weak and ravaged by cancer and drugs.

Craig asked the Skeleton, “So what now?”

“Well, I’m not sure. I can’t go where I think you're going. My knowledge of the place is sketchy. I think it’s a home of sorts, supposedly peaceful. Before you leave, I want to give you my thanks. You really came through for me, and I can’t even begin to tell you how many lives you’ve had an impact on for the better. I wish you could have been around longer in this branch.”

“Uh, thanks, I guess. Are you finally going to tell me what you are now?”

“Sure, why not,” The skeleton said, but it disappeared from Craig’s point of view before it could explain anything. Reality skipped from the empty void to a well-maintained grass field that appeared freshly mowed. The smell of cut grass filled the air although he couldn’t see or hear anything cutting it. The sun was high overhead, and Craig estimated it was probably noon. There were a few trees scattered about and a tree line further away. In one direction, the spire of a building reached up from behind the trees. A flock of birds flew overhead chirping away.

“What, where am I?” Craig asked. No one responded. He thought that he’d finally have a chance to figure out what the skeleton actually was. With the spire, the only structure he could see, Craig resolved himself to go and hopefully find out where he was.

He walked to the edge of the field, then into the trees, and then out to another field, across it through more trees, and then into another field. Only this time, there were others engaged in what Craig thought to be a picnic. There were nine people he counted, all sitting together, eating food, talking, laughing, apparently having a good time.

Maybe they’d know what was going on. Craig approached. He was a third of the way there when they noticed him. One of them, a young man stood up.

“Kregg? Kregg? It’s you. It really is,” the man yelled.

It was a voice Craig hadn’t heard in a very long time. The young man ran towards him and he recognized who it was. “Hal? Is that you,” he asked. As far as he knew, the man who he’d become best friends with, and in a certain way, even closer, had died almost a hundred years ago. Maybe this was the afterlife.

“Oh man it’s good to see you,” Hal yelled with excitement. Hal didn’t stop running and tackled Craig to the ground with a hug. Rolling twice, he ended up on top, and knelt over Craig, pinning him in place. “You’re the first you to arrive. The others and I have been waiting for you.”

“First me to arrive? And we’re dead right?”

“Oh yes, we’re dead, and it’s definitely the first one of you unless you’ve been hiding. You’ll know when your other selves arrive.”

“Hey, if we’re dead and we’re here, then that means,”

Hal didn’t let Craig finish. “The whole crew is here. Lark, Josto, Galim, Tihr, and even Katima are already here.”

“Really?”

“They are going to be so excited to see you. Come on, I've got to introduce you to my friends over there, and then we can go surprise the rest.” Hal stood up, pulling Craig with him.

Craig wasn’t sure what was going on, but if this was Hal, and the others were here, then maybe this death thing wouldn’t be so bad.

Amaranth


Quantum Implicitum 02 - Inheritance
by
Stardraigh

I took a deep breath of the cool air flowing into the test chamber when its door opened. For the last hour, I’d been stuck in there, and there was almost no air circulation. I say test chamber but I think it was actually a janitor's closet. Too big to be a coffin. Too small to be a real room. Doc Matherton most likely used a storage room for his quantum power manipulation unit.

It's better than one of the tests last year. That consisted of a cylinder I crawled into which was then filled with nasty smelling goo. To get the smell off I had to shave all my hair and take a few baths in nothing but vinegar. I smelled for over a week like a mix of formaldehyde and hot motor oil. That didn't go over well with anyone.

My name is Andrew Trell. I have super powers. You’d think having them would be really cool, but they don’t work, so it’s not cool at all.

This is where my problem lies. Everyone who shows signs of having a quantum power template and makes it through puberty gets to use them. Not me.

My sister Deanna manifested when she hit puberty at ten years old. She's thirteen now and she can manipulate gravity same as my mom. In theory, it was my mother who we got our powers from. I say in theory because science is still out on how powers are inherited. No gene expression has been found yet as a cause. It is known that they operate on a quantum level which has a whole number of implications still being explored by scientists all over the world.

I went through puberty. No doubt about that. To put it crudely my balls dropped. I could produce sperm and ejaculate. The doctors had it counted. I’m a healthy sixteen-year-old. Powers but no powers.

Doc Matherton hadn't been the only specialist my mother brought me to. But he was thought to be the world’s leading expert for powers. So far, none of the specialists had been able to give me a clue or hint at why my powers failed to manifest. Lots of speculation. I was the anomaly. No one in recorded history with powers has had this happen to them. I'm famous in the scientific community.

Last time I checked, thirty-eight papers had been written on me so far. I had a copy of each one, even if most of it went over my head. I've been put through the ringer when it came to figuring out why my powers don't work. You might think it possible that whatever power I have is so weak, so insignificant that it’s there. That was one of the first hypothesis disproved.

All of this had led me today, to Doc Matherton's research lab in downtown Denver. The last of the four tests I’d done today was over. So far all four had failed.

My hospital gown hung on a hook by the door. I put the gown on after I exited the test chamber. Neither Doc or his assistant Beth was there waiting for me. I went straight away to the patient room and began changing into my clothes.

I got enough time to at least get my underwear on and my pants part way when someone knocked at the door. I didn't look up as the door opened. Doc Matherton didn't wait for me or even ask if I was decent. No, he walked right in after his knock, and in followed his assistant, Beth Preston. His bedside manner left a lot to be desired for.

"Andrew, do you feel any different?" Was the only thing Doc asked. The only thing he ever asked after the tests at this point in our relationship.

At least I had my pants on. I may have only been sixteen years old, and half the age of Beth, but she was still quite a looker. It's the principle of the matter. I didn't want to be any more embarrassed than I had to be. Not that it was important. My mother had taken me to see Doc Matherton since I hit puberty six years ago. Six years of seeing Beth. I wasn't attracted to her beyond a simple base attraction that I was male, and she female and she was pretty. Nothing complicated there. She had seen me naked many times as a patient. But still, I didn't need to be embarrassed more than was required.

"No Doc. Nothing. I don't feel any different and I’ve tried all the mental exercises I was taught for this."

Doc Matherton exhaled in disappointment, giving me the same look of defeat he has given me for the last six years. "I don't know what to say, Andrew. I'll keep on working at it from my end. If I can think up of anything, I'll tell your mother. Let me know if anything changes." And with that, Doc Matherton left the room.

I finished getting dressed.

Beth started in. "Maybe better luck next time Andrew. Your mother had to leave on official business."

No surprise there. Mom had been called away to do her superhero thing, leaving me here. This wasn't the first time something like that happened. My mother was good at her job, good enough she managed her own team. I checked the time on my phone. Dad would still be at work and wouldn't be off for another few hours if he wasn't working late.

"I'll be fine Beth. My mom is a busy woman." I didn’t fault her for that at all. I just hope she was safe doing whatever it was she was doing right now.

I tied my shoes and stood up. My winter coat came on next. Beth handed me a number of papers in a folder.

"These are for your records. Sorry, we didn't succeed, but the Doc is trying. He really is."

"I know. I’m thankful that he’s trying. I’m going now so bye" I said as I exited the room, and then the building. I wasn’t going to stick around for nothing to do.

Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to wait too long for the bus. At least it had stopped snowing.

Here I was taking the final in Psychology, my last college course needed to get my general studies degree. Some of you may be thinking that at the age of sixteen, I must be a genius to be completing what most didn’t until their mid-twenties. I'll admit, I was intelligent, clever even to overcome what I could, and not get in trouble. The general studies degree was easy, and I scraped by. With the degree, it's not like I was going to do anything that people's lives would depend on me. I just had to show everyone I could do it.

And there I was, sweating profusely, not because this was the hardest class, but because someone had turned the heat up in this wing of the building.

My name is Cavin Conn. I'm sixteen years old and not even five feet tall at four feet eight and a half inches. It's on the short side, even for a human. I know a few Albaz who seem almost twice as tall as I am. People mistake me for a little girl all the time. It doesn’t help that I keep my hair long and I have a fair complexion by human standards.

This often provided bullies with ammunition.

I’m a half breed. My father is human. My mother, an Albaz. She died in childbirth with me, so I never knew her. My ears have a slight point to them but not as defined as an Albaz. I certainly didn’t get any height from my mother. She’s where I got my blonde hair along with my slim build and light skin tones. My green eyes and height came from my father.

Being of mixed race is not a common occurrence on Arsan. We have three distinct species of humanity on our planet. Humans, Albaz and Thorcin. Marriage between species is an unsaid taboo, mainly for health reasons. The children of such unions tended to have more health problems and I was no exception.

One thing I did get from both of my parents was being one of the touched with supposedly incredible powers. Both my parents are touched. Having two parents who are touched dramatically increases the chance that a child such as myself would be touched as well.

But I am unique in this.

Unlike any other person who is known to be power-touched on Arsan, I am the only one who shows signs of it and yet has no use of it. Malason glows when I hold it but I have no power at all to use.

My father is of House Conn. Yes, that House Conn. The House currently running the Vindrika Empire. That makes me a prince I guess not that I really care. My family is known for having powers related to earth. My father, my brothers Ajari, Delin and Andro and my younger sister Isaura can change their form into living rock and are near indestructible. My older sister Argma and my Uncle Mangmo can transmute one type of silicate to another.

Unlike my father’s side of the family with their affinity for earth, those touched on my mother’s side of the family, House Lalwren, had air powers. My mother could fly. Sadly my mother was the last of her house or else I’d have more relatives.

Then there's me. I can’t do anything with my power. Beyond the lack of power, I had the health problems that went along with being a mixed-breed. I had issues with control of my body. Everything always seemed off with my body. Doctors said I had something called body integrity identity disorder, that my body didn’t fit my brain's idea of what it should be, someone more likely to trip over my own two feet than do anything useful.. I’m the runt of my family,.

I felt everyone but my Uncle and my brother Delin looked down at me with disgust or apathy. None but my younger sister would admit it. I get treated like a child, coddled in my inexperience and physical deficiencies, shuffled off from caretaker to caretaker.

I still had something to prove. In their eyes, I may be young, dumb and inexperienced, but I wasn't going to give up. I hated the status quo, and as soon as I could, I was going to get out and experienced life. Anything to get me out of the palace.

Thankfully I have my Uncle Mangmo. Technically he's not my uncle. As far as I know none of my father’s brothers or sisters survived the civil war when he took over power from his father. Mangmo is actually my father’s cousin. He’s not in line to inherit the throne, but he is one of my father’s most trusted advisers and closest friends. He has a way with words, and my father uses that by having him work as an ambassador where he needs him.

Somehow I caught my uncle’s eye. He saw something in me. I don't know what, but he got me straightened out, which is how I found myself where I was, taking the final exam of my second level education. It may only in general studies, and be practically useless, but it got me out of the palace and temporarily away from the caretakers.

I didn’t care for psychology, but this course was the one where they teach you about logic and fallacies and I have to admit that I found it a good one. I plodded through the problems. There were sixty of them, I had to answer. Only sixty. The first forty were easy. I could pick up the logic easily. The next nineteen were harder. It wasn't obvious, and I had to stretch my brain through some vague implications to come up with what I hoped was the optimal answer. The last one seemed unusual in that it used a scenario example.

In war, a soldier has been given the following order. Guard a supply tent with your life from; Destruction by the Enemy, Pilferage by the local population, Misappropriation by army personnel. Currently, the supply tent and soldier guarding it are surrounded by the enemy. Several members of the local population and fellow soldiers are asking for supplies out of the tent. Loss of these supplies will hurt war efforts in the area. What should the soldier do?

Not even a goal, just a question about what should someone do.

If I was the soldier, I’d have just burned the tent down. Nothing in the orders against that, and it fulfills the orders, but it’s not asking what I would do.

The question is what should the soldier do. I answered the soldier should follow his orders. The soldier should guard the tent, even unto death, from enemy destruction, pilferage by the local populace, and misappropriation.

It's simple. Even if it gets destroyed anyway. Even if its use could turn the tide of battle, even if it would allow some of the local populace to survive. He should guard the tent. It’s his orders. As for the contents of the tent, who cares. The order was the tent.

But then again, if it was me, I would have done something different. I’d have burned down the tent and all of the supplies within.

I gathered my papers, reviewed them, then put them in order, and brought them to the proctor.

Leaving, I went outside, where I felt more relaxed in the cold evening air. It was not long before the proctor came out, and handed me a slip of paper with my results before heading off.

I had passed with the bare minimum needed to get credit for the class. Another thing marked off the list to reach my freedom.

I walked back to my dorm, taking care to not trip or stumble on any ice or objects hidden in the snow. I found mail in my mailbox. What I wanted was contained therein. It was a letter from my uncle. Before I did anything else I opened it and read the contents.

Cavin, I hope life finds you well. I am in town for a short while before departing on a goodwill tour of the Empire. I hope you remember what we talked about last summer. If you are ready for this, I would be more than happy to have you start. You still must ask your father for permission. Regardless of your choice or what your father says, I would like to visit with you if you are able at your earliest convenience.

Perfect timing. My Uncle had a way with that. He probably had this written out and sent weeks ago but with instructions to deliver it today.

Tomorrow I should be able to see him while I went and asked my father permission to proceed. My next step to gaining independence would be to become a Knight of the Empire.

Me a sickly half-breed who everyone thinks is a little girl.

I hoped this works out.

While waiting for the bus, I texted my mom that I loved her and to be safe. She might not get it till she was done with whatever she was doing, but I hope she saw it. I also texted my dad I was on my way home. He messaged back he'd be working late and said he wanted to talk later. He made an apology for being stuck at work and gave his love. I texted back that I didn't have a problem that I loved him and would see him later.

The trip home by bus would be almost an hour and then another hour of walking. This was plenty of time to ponder life, the universe, and everything else.

The bus arrived and I got on. The heat was on, necessitating the unzipping of my coat. There were a few other riders and enough space, that I could sit away from them.

I pulled out my piece of malason. This was the original piece given to me by my mom as a child. It's a synthetic material almost as tough as jade and as hard as a diamond, It’s dark gray, almost black in color with no luster. If you held it up to the light, you would find it slightly translucent if the piece were cut thin enough. My piece was about the size of a credit card, only thicker. Dad had it polished and I carried it with me, sort of like a good luck charm.

Malason has a unique property to emit a low luminescence when held by one who had a power. Right now it did, just as it had always done.

So far, I’ve had one hundred and twenty-eight tests by Doc Matherton to find if my powers could be turned on and made to work. I felt that Doc Matherton was grasping at straws by now. Only four tests this time, and still nothing to show for them. I felt like I always felt. How was I supposed to feel any different?

And what if I got my powers tomorrow? What would I do? How would my life change? In theory, my power should be the same or very similar to my mom’s. Would I be a hero like my mom? Could I be one? My sister Dee is always going on about being a hero like mom. Would I want the same?

I don’t think Mom wants that for Dee. She hasn’t come out and outright told Dee no. She always says that being a hero isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. She describes it as lots of paperwork, lots of waiting, interspersed with crazy chaos. My mother’s job is law enforcement and emergency services, pure and simple. Long hours, and lots of crazy.

Outside of being a hero with law enforcement, there aren’t that many jobs for some power types. Mom and Dee could affect the gravity of what they touched and the effect lasted for a short time. Their power isn’t all that useful as a career. Space agencies will sometimes use gravity manipulators to lighten the load of ultra-heavy equipment boosted to space. If a construction company could afford one, a gravity manipulator could work there. A career in entertainment as an acrobat might work. There might be a few more jobs to make use of gravity manipulation, but there wasn’t much.

If I had to pick a career, I’d most likely follow after my dad as an electrician and electrical engineer. He’s already shown me a lot of what goes into the fields, and I’d picked it up fairly easy.

That’s what I’d be. Andrew Trell, Electrician and Electrical Engineer. Probably have a wife, two children, some pet, and powers that don’t work.

Someday. Maybe someday. But not today. I’m only sixteen, almost seventeen. Too young to be depressed about this crap. Get it together man. This means nothing.

I pocketed the malason, and watched out the window at the passing city, still blanketed in snow that probably wasn’t going to melt for a while yet.

The ride was uneventful and I got off my stop. My coat was thick enough to keep me warm while I walked from the bus stop to my neighborhood.

I made it home. Lights were on, meaning some of my siblings were already there. I opened the front door and stepped inside.

Deanna screamed, falling from the ceiling onto me, knocking me to the ground.

I didn't act surprised. Nor did I try to withstand her assault. I went to the ground as safely as possible, ending up stomach down with her sitting on my back. She was kind enough to reduce her weight instead of increasing it.

Every chance she got, she greeted me this way since my father showed us kids the Pink Panther movie. In it, the inspector had his manservant attack him when he arrived home to keep him on his toes. Her excuse to my parents was always that she was helping me train.

I didn’t see it as rubbing it in that I didn’t have powers. In fact, I encouraged it.

Although waking up at 3am to your sister whispering creepy nothings to you while crawling on the ceiling was unnerving the first few times. But you get used to it. She likes to use her powers on me reducing my weight to almost nothing and carrying me. She never does anything malicious.

"Did it work Andy? Did it, did it, did it?" She asked excitedly.

"Sorry Dee. No luck. No powers yet."

"Awwww, that's lame Andy." She got off my back and allowed me up. "Dad called and said he'd be late." She walked to the kitchen. "Said he wanted you to get dinner ready. Mom's not back yet. Probably pulling an all-niter. Kevin and Karen are at a birthday party. Everyone else is here."

"No problem. Do you know if you want anything?" Something latched onto my side. It was Franky.

"Any luck Andy?"

"No Franky, No luck." Even though he was getting big, I picked him up and set him on the counter. "Any idea on what you want for dinner?"

"Waffles, Andy. I want waffles." That was Franky's thing now. He loves waffles and wanted them for every meal.

"Sure why not. Dee, can you get the waffle iron out. I'll make waffles for everyone."

"Yayyyyyyyyy, Waffle time." I winced. Franky didn’t have the best volume control yet. He jumped down from the counter and took off to some other part of the house.

Together, Dee and I made waffles for everyone. By the time we were done, both Karen and Kevin had gotten home, and both were also disappointed I didn't have any powers.

I supervised clean up, then got the younger kids to watch some cartoons on TV. I took myself to the den. Normally my father’s personal sanctum, I knew he wouldn't mind me being there. The second TV was in the den. I turned it on and found the news.

Nothing in it about what mom could be doing. Probably wouldn't find out about it until after she returned. It could be days later.

A large part of the news seemed dedicated to speculation on the fallout from the death of billionaire, some thought trillionaire, Craig Tamerlain. Everyone wondered how his massive estate would be divvied up. The big event was tomorrow. Quite a lot of money was riding on this. The guy was thought to be a non-powered villain who used his money to do very questionable things, but never enough to get caught except by death.

The other interesting bit of news came up that the famed British super-hero Seraph had announced her retirement. I'd met her two years ago at my birthday party. My mother had worked with her several times and somehow got her to come visit. She seemed like a really nice woman.

The announcement came as a shock to the world or so the news would have you believe. Unlike in the past, this time around there was no daughter to take her place. There had been a line of heroes, mothers, and daughters stretching over the last century back to the late 1800’s. All went by the name Angel or Seraph, and one went by the name Minerva.

The news turned to other boring topics, none of them I had any interest in. I put the station on one of those music stations, one with soft classical music curled up and fell asleep.

It was a quiet morning, at least in the Locheler District where I had spent the night. Not having any school gave me a chance to sleep in. Little good that did. I've long adapted to an early schedule and was up before the morning bells.

Snow flurries had fallen all night, leaving a light dusting of snow over everything. The weather report said it was going to be windy later with a heavier snowfall tonight, but it’d be sunny over the next two days. Before leaving I made sure to grab my coat and wear my boots. You’d think with being a native here, I’d have grown used to the cold, but I hadn’t. I didn’t like the cold at all.

The weather seemed nice so far for what it was. With my coordination issues, Ice was an enemy I couldn’t afford to lose a battle with. I admit that I'm more scared of ice than having a conversation with my father.

Few were out this early, so I walked in peace. I only managed to trip over my feet twice but not fall which was somewhat better than I normally did.

The last part of the city on my walk was through Unity Park. There wasn't much besides the few species of tree which could be made to grow in the year round cold weather, but what could grow had been planted here in the park and carefully maintained.

My stomach grumbled. I had yet to eat breakfast before I left. The path I chose to walk, had a small cafe. One I had eaten at several times at before. Breakfast should be ready for us early birds.

The smell of a real fire in their fireplace and cooked food wafted out as I opened the door. The waiter took my hat, coat, and scarf. Other than the waiter, the cook, and I, no one else was here yet.

I didn’t even look at the menu. “Is there a house special today, or do your recommend anything sir?” I asked.

“Today’s special is hot sausage soup and a heavy biscuit.”

“That sounds delicious. I’ll have that, and what juice do you have?”

“We have a hot mixed berry tea, hot sormin, chilled apple juice, and chilled stone berry nectar.”

“I’ll have the tea.” Sormin was too bitter for my taste and with it always cold, I didn’t need a cold drink.

The waiter left me a copy of the day's local news pamphlet to read while my meal was prepared.

There was an article that a new manufacturing center was opening on the outskirts of Vindra in one of the many industrial sectors. Another article was on the recent military show being a hit and drawing citizens in. My sister Argma and her engineering corps were supposed to have had a big part of it. I had missed out on it last week having school. It was Twelve more days till the Day of Ancestors. Almost every advertisement in the pamphlet was geared towards buying flowers or other items for the holiday.

The article most interesting to me, though, was the one for Ambassador Mangmo to begin the Vindrika Empire's ambassador trip across the world within the month.

I hoped to be on that trip with my uncle after today.

Breakfast came. The soup was delicious, especially when soaking the biscuit in it. A few more people had come out on their daily tasks with a few stopping in for their morning meal.

It was times like this I relished. No one recognized me. Even though a member of the royal family, I rarely made the news, not that I wanted to. No one seemed to know I was the emperor’s son since I really didn’t look the part. I've eaten here before, and I've even been served by the same young man. If he knew I was a prince he didn’t act on it. It was great to just be myself with nobody caring.

Once done I paid for my meal. I bundled up against the cold weather and continued on my way.

Unity Park shared the largest edge of the palace grounds. The change from the park to palace grounds was plainly evident. A wide public road ran between them. There were no trees on the palace grounds in this part, a stark contrast to the trees in the park, some of them growing right on the very edge

Making sure no auto-carts were coming, I crossed. Now on the other side, I was in the plaza. It had had four levels, with steps and ramps between them.

In the center on the third level was the moon circle. It was a large stone of a different material than what was used to construct the rest of Old Vindra city, including the palace. Worn in several spots with age, most of it was still marked with a pattern of whirls and swirls.

Legend says that when the planets aligned, an ancient one would appear. Another said that if you kiss your loved one under the twin moons when both are full, you'll have a long life of prosperity. That only happens every three years and when it did everyone in a relationship came out to kiss. It’s a bunch of crap if you ask me.

Several palace guards walked about on patrol around the moon circle, but they paid me no head beyond a cursory glance.

I don’t know why the only guards here in the plaza stood their watch around the moon circle. It’s said Old Vindra is ancient, from as far back as when the ancients brought the first people here to Arsan. The moon circle is said to have been there almost as long. The only thing I’ve been able to discover on the subject was that it's been this way for thousands of years, even before the Vindrika empire formed. Several of the long-lived Albaz I’ve spoken to said that their grandparents talked of the circle being guarded in their own grandparents time thousands of years ago.

Passing on, I only tripped once on the last step up to the fourth and final terrace going to my knee. My speed was slow and cautious and my grip on the railing helped keep me from injury. Glancing around I could see no one had noticed my stumble.

Here on the fourth terrace are the public offices for several of the Empire’s government services here in Vindra city. I ignored all of them and started up the steps to the palace itself.

From this terrace, another set of steps led up to an arched entrance way through the first wall around the palace. It was a long but low sloping set of steps. I could do it. I’d done it before without falling, but I’d definitely hug the railing given the weather.

Lining the steps just on each side of the path were numerous statutes running the whole length of the steps.

These were much the same as the moon circle in that I didn’t know why they were here or what its meaning was. For all, I know they could have long forgotten heroes of a sort. I’d ask my brother Andro about them. He’d had his people look into it and couldn’t find an answer other than they’d been there longer than the Vindrika Empire had been around.

There were one hundred eight of them. fifty-four on each side facing each other. One thing evident about them was each statue varied in appearance. Each one separate and distinct, and all were either a Human, an Albaz, or Thorcin. They also weren’t limited to one gender. The statues were split evenly between male and female.

Each one had the look like standing at attention, surveying everything in front of them, which really was only other statues and the grass covered hill the stairs ran up.

I slowly made it up, step by step. No guards or anyone else but me were along the stairs. The general population was not forbidden from going up here. During the summer tour season, this was a popular a place to visit. But it was early in the day, and not tourist season, and I found myself alone under the statues gaze.

Luckily I reached the top without an accident. This part of the grounds was clear except a fountain in the center that one could sit around. I crossed over to the fountain and sat down to catch my breath.

Once I felt rested, I continued on towards the palace. It was more of one large interconnected complex than a single large building. There were other entrances I could have chosen. Other entrances without so many steps, or as long a walk and with less exposure to the outside. These other entrances wouldn’t allow me to show my strength, what little of it I had. My father would probably call me a fool for risking myself this much if he even cared.

There were several large grand looking entrances to the complex. All of which had a set of guards and all of them remained closed. I didn’t want one of those. I wanted the small entrance to the left of them.

This entrance was a small unremarkable door, one that maybe maintenance would use to perform its duties. I’d used it before, knowing that on the other side lay a relatively easy path to the part of the palace I desired.

I reached it. The door had a simple cipher lock of eight buttons. Each one had to be pressed in a certain order. I started to input the code.

A hand grasped my shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Whoever this man was, he spun me around and I lost my balance going to the ground on my side. My shoulder was most likely going to be sore and I was probably going to walk with a limp for a day. Although painful this wasn’t even close to the worst pain I’d ever felt and I could bear it. I didn’t resist or try to break free. That would be impossible. From behind me the man rolled onto my stomach and a heavy weight pressed into my back but not too hard to prevent me from breathing. My hands were quickly cuffed. This wasn’t the first time this had happened to me, but I didn’t expect it here of all places.

A guard came up in front where I could see him. He reached down and pulled my winter hat off my head revealing my shoulder length blonde hair.

“What do we have here? Does the whelp of a girl have any identification on her.”

A hand fished through my pockets, pulling out my ID when it was found.

This wasn’t the first time this happened with me being called a girl. My sister Isaura often taunted me with this. I’d learned to not react to it. If people wanted to make incorrect assumptions, let them. They could feel embarrassment when they learned otherwise.

“Identification papers say male, age sixteen. The name on it is Cavin Conn.”

“I hardly doubt that. Doesn’t look like the prince to me, more like a princess. She looks nothing like the royal family. Miss, what did you think you were doing trying to enter the palace without going through the proper entrance for citizens and why do you have a set of fake identification papers?”

Always keep it simple when dealing with any sort of law enforcement. “I’m going to visit my father and the papers aren’t fake. They’re real and my own.”

“Let’s take her to the guard room and hold her until we can establish her identity.”

The guard on top of me got off and pulled me up. I could see two other guards were there as well.

“You know Miss that it’s a crime to lie to an officer of the law. You’ll be punished for it.”

I merely nodded a yes keeping my expression as deadpan as possible. This wouldn’t be the last time this would happen. The guards walked me to their post. My handcuffs were removed and my jacket stripped from me. They took my fingerprints and fed them into one of the new computer systems.

Fifteen minutes later, the same Sergeant who brought me in, Sergeant Trimall, was apologizing for his mistake. I didn’t really hold it against him. He was surprised that I congratulated him on doing his job, telling him that one can never be too careful. I also advised him that they probably shouldn’t keep a record or let anyone else know about this. Others in my family would see him transferred to the most inhospitable locales for work for letting this happen. The sergeant was a good man for doing his job and I wasn’t going to fault him for it even if I didn’t like the reasons why it happened.

Sergeant Trimall was nice enough to escort me to the door I needed. We said our goodbyes. Seems like a nice guy.

I made my way through the palace to an office I rarely visited. The office of Grell Minorn. He was the man in charge of keeping my father’s schedule in order. The truth was he had a staff for it. He was currently out of the office at the moment, but his staff was there. They didn’t seem too pleased to see me and hear my request to see my father.

One of the staffers escorted me to a waiting room, one I was familiar with having waited many times for audiences with my father. The place was ugly. I think on purpose to intimidate the visitors. The lighting wasn’t that great, and the pictures didn’t really fit. The furniture, well maintained and regularly repaired, consisted of the same out of date pieces that had been there since I was a child.

There were others waiting in the room. Not so many that I couldn’t get the couch all to myself. The staffers didn’t say how long it’d be but if it was anything like before it’d be a few hours. I lay down on the couch, curled up and fell asleep. Who cares what the others in the room thought. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for me.

My sleep was pleasant. Someone had put a blanket over me in the night and I woke up with it around me.

There was a sticky note on the TV screen. It said I was too big to carry to bed, with a smiley face.

I laughed.

It was early enough my siblings had not woken up yet. I double checked and neither of my parents were home. My father should already be off to work and my mother most likely hadn’t come back yet.

I showered, dressed, and got the milk and cereal out for breakfast. Then I began making my rounds. Getting everyone up. I got them fed, dressed, and out the door and onto their bus. I cleaned up then left for my own school. I think most other teens my age would have had a fit for responsibilities they didn’t want. For me, I didn’t see a problem with it.

My high school was close enough to be a short walking distance. Less than a mile away from our home. I made it there with plenty of time to spare.

I'll be honest. I have no real friends. I'm on good terms with many people. No one picks on me. I get good grades. B's mostly, and a few A's and C's mixed in. I try not to draw attention to myself or stand out. And there is the whole powered, but no power thing. Everyone just kept their distance while we’re all polite to each other.

Thank god I wasn't bullied. I think it's a combo of being tall, and being the child of a nationally recognized superhero. The few fights I had been unable to avoid, had turned out in my favor, or we’d been stopped by others before we could really do anything. I tried to be nice to everyone and everyone seemed nice to me.

The first half of the school day was boring, until the end of fourth class, the class before lunch. One of the front office aides came into class and hand delivered a note to my teacher, and upon reading the note, he called out my name to go with the aide. I had to go to the principal's office and off I went.

I arrived, only stopping to drop my bag off at my locker. I was quickly ushered by the secretary into the principal's office. Inside was a school counselor, principal, vice principal, and three strangers, two men and a woman all dressed up in suits.

The room hushed as I entered, and the principal smiled. “Mr. Trell,” She said, “This is quite unexpected, but a court order was put out to have you at an estate hearing later today. I normally wouldn't approve of this, but I've already been in contact with both your parents, and the district administration lawyer, and verified that it is a legitimate court order. This is Mr. Margoles, "She indicated the older man, "Mrs. Chaffe” the woman, and “Mr. Steinbech, the last of the suits. “They will escort you to the courthouse.”

Margoles was an older gentleman, probably in his forties. He was on the tall side but looked Hispanic. He was bald but kept a trimmed mustache and beard.

Mrs. Chafe was a black woman about average height, brunette and looked to be in her thirties. She wore a skirt suit. Looking at her exposed legs and hands I could see they were muscled. She had several power lines running down her legs and her right hand had a visible line on the back. One line one even ran up her left cheek then across her forehead. This woman had a quantum template. Most definitely in physical strength enhancement.

Mr. Steinbech was a caucasian man with dirty blond hair, probably in his thirties as well, small of stature and had no power lines visible.

I glanced at them. Mr. Margoles smiled. "It's good to finally meet you in person Mr. Trell. I've been waiting for this day quite some time." He held out his hand, and I politely accepted the shake. "I apologize for the rush but we must hurry, or we won't make it in time to the hearing.”

"What if I don't want to go?"

"Court order says you got to. I wish that you didn't have to deal with what you're going to deal with today, but," He glanced at the other two. "None of us wanted to have today be what it is.”

I looked upon their faces, and something was writ across all three of theirs. Something sad, but I didn't know what. I turned to face the principal, and she spoke, "Everything has been taken care of on our end Mr. Trell. You've been given an excuse from school for the rest of the day. Goodbye, and be safe, now don't delay, you have somewhere to be." And she indicated the door.

I left first being the closest to the door. Mr. Margoles was quick to catch up at my side. "Mr. Trell, I have a limo waiting out front, and also some fast food for you.”

"Can you tell me where I'm going?"

"Yes. You're going downtown to the city municipal office. There, you're going to find out your part of the estate that you will get."

I had no idea what estate he was talking about but since the principal had mentioned she was in contact with both my parents, then it wasn't them.

All four of us walked out front of the school where the buses normally dropped off students. A limo was waiting there. Steinbech went ahead and opened the door and indicated for the rest to get in. Several dozen students were staring as I entered the vehicle. Once in, Steinbech got in the driver's seat and started the car.

I asked, "Whose inheritance? My grandparents are already dead. Other than my parents and siblings, no one I know of has died to leave me anything. Is this some sort of joke, or mistake?"

The limo started moving, Margoles handed me an unmarked bag from some restaurant. It had chicken strips and fries. He then handed me a large drink. I took a sip. Dr. Pepper. My favorite.

"No Mr. Trell. Your parents may not have told you this, but your father, Thomas Trell, isn't actually your birth father."

"I already know that.” I blurted, “It's kind of obvious when you’re taller than the rest of your family and look nothing like your father. I confronted him about it when I was ten and had figured it out on my own. I love my dad."

I realized I had gotten defensive and had raised my voice, but I did love my father. Even if he didn't have a hand in my initial creation. He raised me as his own. I was his son, and he was my father. He’s a good man. End of story.

"Tell me who this is about." I probably looked like I would kill someone or something.

Margoles continued, "The man who had relations with your mother was Craig Tamerlane. DNA testing after your birth confirmed that he is your sperm donor? As I'm sure you've seen in the news, the final part of his will is being read today in downtown Denver, and you're the last one to be notified. A little communication mix up occurred and we should have picked you up this morning."

"Bullshit. You're telling me I'm the child of Craig Tamerlane." It was all I could say. No way was I the son of some billionaire. My life was already unique. I had powers but no powers which no one else could claim and now I was supposedly the son of the world famous Craig Tamerlane.

"No Mr. Trell. I'm only saying that he donated sperm. He was in no way a father to you, but he was concerned for you, and your families well being. He did not take an active part in your life as much as he was allowed to, but he did contribute as indirectly as possible so as to not draw attention. He has watched you as you've grown up. Kept tabs on you. You are an heir to him, or so he considered. He even went so far as to move his primary residence here to the Denver Metropolitan area to be as close to you as he could."

"I find this hard to believe. I'm the supposed child of one of the richest men in the world. A golden ticket to a chocolate factory would be more believable." I said between bites of fries.

"Believe what you will Mr. Trell. This is the way it's turned out. Perhaps you should call your mother. Margoles held out a phone. I grabbed it and dialed my mother’s number. It rang and she picked up on the third ring.

"Margoles, what’s up, I’m busy at work.” It sounded like my mother.

"Mom, It’s me. Are you okay?"

"Hi, Andrew. I take it that you’re with Margoles?"

She definitely knew. Her saying Margoles name confirmed it.

"Yes."

"Good. He's telling you the truth. The man who got me pregnant was Craig Tamerlain. I'm sorry it had to be like this. I wish I could be there with you, but duty calls. Be safe. I've got to go now.”

The phone clicked off from her end. I could only stare at it for a moment, before handing it back to Margoles.

“I guess I’m along for the ride then.”

I dug back into the bag for more fries. Not like I could do much else. Maybe I’d figure out why I didn’t have use of my power yet.

I managed about two hours of sleep. Between the stairs and the incident with the guards, I was more tired than I thought. After I woke up, the wait was almost another hour before a staffer came and got me. All I really needed was a minute of his time to ask one question and get a yes or a no.

My father was not alone. With him were four others. My eldest brother Ajari was there. Toril Elkon, the head of the Empire’s Intelligence service was there. Vand Holshur was there as well. He was the chief representative to the Emperor from the council of governors. Last was my Uncle Mangmo. Thank the ancients my uncle was there.

The staffer who had escorted me left me there. No seats were available so I had to stand. My brother stood as well in a place behind my father so I didn’t feel so neglected.

“You have five minutes.” My father said. He looked bothered. Glad I could make him feel something.

I didn’t waste time. “Give me permission to become a Knight of the Realm.” It wasn’t a question, it was an order.

“Huh. Is that it? You’re sixteen now, It’s a little late to begin training. Isaura started when she was nine and is already on her way to becoming a knight within the next year.”

I had expected this and ignored the comparison to Isaura. She’s her own woman and I’m my own man or I liked to think. Really it was as far as my father lets me be one which was why I was here. Waiting till one is sixteen is on the late side for being trained to become a knight of the empire. Usually one would begin training at ages nine to ten. It was uncommon to start this late, but I had history on my side.

“That is true that I’m starting late, but I don’t expect to achieve Knighthood immediately. There is a historical precedent set for a knight to have started their training late. A hundred fifty-nine years ago the famous Knight Orald started his training at the age of seventeen. He attained his knighthood three...”

I didn’t finish as my father interrupted me. “Your body is weak. Are you capable of wearing the ceremonial armor? Can you do the work required of a Knight?”

Vand spoke up as soon as my father finished his question, “Perhaps he should try a different service like under his brother Andro in the Science & Research Administration.”

“I don’t think he’s smart enough for that. He’s not suited for that type of work.” My father stated.

Way to go me that my father has such great confidence in me. I managed to keep a straight face and not react to the jibe.

Vand said, “I don’t think he’s really suited for any other branch of the government as well.”

Uncle Mangmo interjected, “He did have an acceptable grade average to graduate. Other than Andro he’s completed his higher education earlier than the rest of his siblings. Cavin may not be the shining star you wish him to be, but he did complete what he set out to do successfully which is all that’s required.”

“I have no use for him in my area,” Toril stated.

Vand said, “I don’t think he’s suited for politics. From what I’ve seen, he just wouldn’t fit.”

“If I might suggest something then, a solution.” All of us focused on Mangmo. “Perhaps I can do something. Although my duties don't lie within the military, I am a knight, and as well as an Ambassador. We do have a military detachment that serves as honor guard. I am willing to take Cavin under my wing and train him as a Knight of the Empire.”

My father smiled, not out of happiness. It was his fake smile. “Perhaps the Empire will get some use out of him after all. You can be a Knight if you can prove yourself capable of one. Mangmo, don’t let him mess anything up or it will be on your head.”

“I understand brother.”

“Now gentlemen, I’m off to see the Empress, so you’re all dismissed.”

Being closest to the door, I left first and waited in the hallway.

Toril and Vand left in a hurry onto their work, paying no attention to me. My father and Ajari didn’t even look at me as they walked out of the room. Mangmo was the last one to leave.

“So how do you feel?”

“I don’t think my father likes me. Other than I feel great for standing up to him. I’m looking forward to getting out of here.”

“I’ve got an appointment with the Trade Minister. Join me later tonight in my quarters for dinner.”

Sure thing Uncle.” He slapped me on the back, gently so I wouldn’t lose my balance.

“Keep your spirits up. Your father means well, even if he refuses to show it.”

“I know, but it’s just, well never mind. I’ll see you later Uncle. Thanks.”

No point in complaining about my father. Uncle Mangmo knew how I felt. Now to kill time till dinner.

Overall the drive took a half an hour. True to Margoles’ word, we were at the municipal buildings in downtown Denver. During the ride, both Mrs. Chaffe and Mr. Steinbech wanted me to address them by their first names, Beverly, and Ryan. While Margoles preferred me to use his last name, but no prefix of Mr. He didn’t tell me what his first name was. I was taken out by Margoles and Beverly while Ryan drove off in the Limo.

No one was there to meet us. I'd never actually been here before. But I could see that we had come in a service entrance. Margoles ushered us into the building. At some point between the limo and entering the chambers where the will was being read, Margoles had separated from us, leaving me with Beverly.

We arrived at the courtroom. I could see at the other end of the hallway numerous reporters and journalists held back by the police. The two of us were allowed entry and we found the room packed. The only seats we could find were at the back near the door. Looking at everyone, I may have been the youngest person in the room. I was most certainly the most underdressed in sneakers, jeans, and a T-shirt. Everyone looked and dressed like they had money or were going to a funeral.

Margoles was already up with the judge. I noted there were several armed police officers in the room, and what looked to be quite a few armed security in plains clothes mixed in. It wasn't that hard to tell. I'd been around my mother and her team enough to notice these things and have it explained to me. Margoles whispered something into the judge's ear for a bit. They both looked up at me and then they looked back down at something before

Margoles left the judge and sat off to the side in what I think was the jury box. With him were two others. There was a person who probably the oldest human I’d ever laid my eyes on. I’m guessing she was a she from the choice of dress, but I could be wrong. Next to her was a gentlemen dressed somewhat old fashioned with a belt and suspenders. He had a thick beard that was well groomed. In his lap, he had a cowboy hat.

The Judge tapped his gavel, and called for order and everyone to be seated. He gave everyone a few warnings about behavior and then went right into reading the will.

After the first few dozen names and what they would inherit, I found it hard to listen. The names just came off and I didn't recognize any of them. It was somewhat interesting as to what was being divvied up. Corporations, Items, properties, money amounts. Some people grumbled some didn't. It went on like this for two hours. I think there were over four hundred names read off, and mine had yet to appear. The judge didn't waste time. Then he broke from his monotonous reading.

"Finally, we’re at the end. Jonas Trevor Tallows of Dallas, Texas, Rita Magdalena Tescala of Tela, Honduras, and Andrew William Trell of Denver, Colorado, you will meet with Mrs. Ingrid Dahlgren once we are done here."

He then read off what we were to get which was unlike anything else the others were given.

“You will receive a one-time amount of 100,000 dollars. If you are not 18 years or older, you will receive a stipend of 100,000 dollars a year to live on at your own discretion till you are an adult of 18 years. This is post tax money. You will each be given one box and contents therein, not to be opened until you are 18 years old. Once you are 18 years old you are to open the box as soon as possible and examine the contents. For the three of you, I do not have the contents listed here. It does specify that one Javier Margoles, who is here in this courtroom with us, is in charge of keeping them for you until the time you can receive them. Also, each of you if under the age of 18, will be assigned two bodyguards each until you are 18 years of age. Upon attainment of your majority, you will be contacted by a representative of the estate for further instructions on how to gain access to your box. All three of you if you are here, and I know that you are, please exit the room through the side door, where you will be given further instruction by Mrs. Dahlgren" The judge pointed to a door that so far I had seen no one leave or enter through.

I was a bit astounded, and if it wasn't for the nudge by Beverly, I'd have continued to sit there. One-hundred-thousand dollars. I did the math. I turned 18 in just under two years, but it’s over a year. Did that mean two-hundred thousand or three-hundred thousand? Did I hear that right? I stood up and noted that six others in the room stood up out of the crowd. A young man and a young woman, and four people who could only be bodyguards. I realized I already had my bodyguards, Bev and Ryan. Many of the people just stared at us as we left through the door the judge specified. None of us said anything. Seeing the other two, I had no doubt I was related to them. Although the girl looked Spanish, there was no mistake about how much we resembled each other. We all would easily pass for siblings if not cousins.

A woman awaited us within the room.

She was a middle-aged woman. Looking to be in her fifties. Nordic descent. Fit, long blond hair, blue eyes. She looked to be appraising us, her eyes taking in each of us to measure us for something. She smiled warmly. "My name is Ingrid Dahlgren. Please, I beg forgiveness from you for this disruption in your lives, but it must be done. Sit," She indicated three chairs, "If you didn't already put it together, the three of you are blood heirs to Craig Tamerlane who have exhibited having a quantum template power."

I looked at both of my step-siblings. I could see no power lines on them.

I took my seat. Might as well be comfortable for the news we were about to be given. "I'm sure each of you heard the details given in the reading of the will, but it basically sums up only a part of your inheritance. This is for your ears alone, but Craig Tamerlane had a quantum template. He was the hero known as Seraph.”

Jonas blurted out, “But Seraph is female and Craig Tamerlane is...”

Ingrid did not let him finish. “Male. Yes, I know. It’s rare, but a quantum template such as the one Craig Tamerlane had could change his body to such an extent when using it. This is one of the quirks of his power template. Like I said it is a rare template.” Ingrid continued while I let that sink in. “He sought out in his failing health a way to pass on his heritage, one that would bear the fruit of his power. I understand that you may see this strangely, but I ask that you hear me out."

The three of us glanced at each other and we all nodded a yes.

"The idea that you were merely bread for power has a kernel of truth in it. I cannot speak more of what Craig Tamerlane intended as I don’t know. Talking with other close friends of his, none of them knew why either. I can tell you what he hopes from each of you. He desired that there would be protectors of Earth to take up the job after him. I know that popular opinion of Mr. Tamerlane is what it is. But it's subjective and completely out of touch with what he has done. Like I said, I cannot tell you fully of what he has done for the earth, but know that he did his best to protect the Earth no matter how the news portrayed him and his holdings."

If it wasn't for the setting and her posture, I'd almost feel like I was being sold something, but I didn't interrupt the woman. She laid out the plan for us, and I say plan because I'm pretty sure that we were still children in their eyes.

She repeated what the judge said about the money. Although in Rita's case it would be whatever Honduras used for money. She also explained that upon reaching eighteen years old, so long as we kept in good standing with the law and further review by her organization, we would be offered work with her organization.

Ingrid pointed out, “Jonas, you’re already of age. Rita has four more months to go till she is eighteen. This means that you must return home to Honduras for a while yet. Andrew, you've almost a year and a few months till you are of age, so I look forward to meeting with you again. Rita, and Andrew, both of you will have bodyguards to assist you.”

I'm pretty sure I had already met mine.

“We’ve made all preparations for your bodyguards to operate in your home country. But be careful and be patient. Discretion is the better part of valor Much like Jonas here, you can make a difference given the chance.”

Ingrid then turned to me. “You are the youngest, and the one we are most concerned about. You do not have any powers but are powered. Doc Matherton has so far had no success with figuring out why, and my group is expending much effort along with his to solve this problem.

The two half-siblings stared at me. I shrugged. Not like I needed secrets here although it was kind of unnerving that they were in contact with Doc’s office. That might have been a violation of some sort, but then again, my mother probably gave the estate permission to do this to get more help. She was the one who knew everything all along. No telling what else might be waiting out there to surprise me.

“I have to go now. If you have any questions, you can ask your bodyguards. I'll be seeing you later Jonas. Please enjoy some refreshments, and talk among yourselves and get to know each other.”

She left us alone with each other. There were refreshments. A table with some pastries and drinks.

I might as well break the ice and spoke first. “So, it's nice to meet both of you. Circumstances a bit unusual, but it can't be helped.” I shrugged my shoulders.

Rita laughed. “So, you two, are mi hermanos. This is how you say, interesting.” Her English sounded rough, but it seemed she knew enough.

“Yeah. Interesting doesn’t even begin to describe it.” Jonas said.

“Jonas is it.” I asked, “Ingrid mentioned you’re already a hero. Is it true?”

“Yeah. For the state of Texas. I go by the name Heron. I don’t know if you’ve heard of me.”

“Si Jonas. You are, uh… take different shape and fly like bird? Rescue people on liner in gulf two year ago? Big in news.”

“Yep, that was me. Let me show you but don’t stare while I change.”

Jonas stood up. We both looked away. A flash of quantum light illuminated the room for a split second. I turned back and found my step brother’s body changed appearance. His body shrank and his clothing hung loosely on him. He appeared androgynous in looks except he was well muscled and all coloring in his skin disappeared leaving him stark white except for the glowing lines of power running through his body near the surface. He levitated up off the ground before returning to his seat and changing back.

“You’ve got powers as well Rita, what are they?”

Rita’s body did almost the same transformation to roughly the same size that Jonas’ body had. Although she remained female in appearance. She extended her hand and between her fingers electricity started to arc. Lines of power ran down her arm. She then changed back. Both of their powers were an alt-form power. It’s an uncommon type of power. Most of those with quantum templates like my mother and sister didn’t have to change shapes to take a different form. It’s not that anyone knows why this happens. Quantum template powers have been around as long as humans on earth have recorded history and only with modern science have we started gaining an understanding of what they are.

Of those who changed forms, there were really only six types transformations known. Those that could change into one of the four classical elements such as Earth fire, water, and Air, those that could change into a plant-human hybrid, and then those like my two step-siblings and of course Seraph which was, in reality, Craig Tamerlane. They turned into another human.

“So what’s your power,” Jonas asked.

I smiled and scratched my head. “Well, you see.” I dug out the piece of malason I always carried and held it up for both to see. It glowed in my hand. “I have a template. It just doesn’t work.”

Jonas laughed, “I remember reading about you. You’re the wild card everyone always brings up in training. Who would have thought you’re my brother. Just wait till my team hears about this.”

I groaned at that. My mother had told me about this. She’d said it was standard operating procedure for anyone with a quantum template to have their information shared between law enforcement agencies and even between countries. Law Enforcement trained to handle those with powers from the information that's been documented. I’m famous in certain circles. I was the wild card. No one really knew what power I’d have for sure. My template didn’t work right and no one knew what that would mean. Now that I know about Craig Tamerlane and his night job as Seraph and seeing my two step-siblings, I had an idea that my power would work like his. They all transformed. But considering my mother’s power of gravity manipulation, I’d probably have something related to that as well. But my template didn’t work right, and thus they labeled me the wild card. The exception to the rule.

“Yeah, that’s me. I guess I’m famous.” We all laughed. It was funny even to me.

“The judge mentioned you lived here in Colorado,” Jonas said.

“Yeah. I live about a half hours drive away.”

“That’s cool. We both had to fly here. Well, I flew myself. I hope your flight her wasn’t too bad Rita.”

“It was, how say uh... okay. What is hero life be like?” Rita asked of Jonas.

“Lots of paperwork, waiting around, and small moments of chaos mixed in.” We laughed again.

“That’s what my mother says.”

“Your mother?” Jonas appeared curious

“Uh yeah. My mother is Samara Trell, the hero Deadweight.”

“No way.” Jonas was excited. “Deadweight is your mother. Definitely, no one is going to believe me when I get back. Not only is my brother the wild card but his mom is Deadweight. You know she’s famous. Everyone in the business knows of her. She practically wrote the book on how gravity manipulation can and should be used. That must be awesome. My mother can levitate but she’s a stay at home mom. Must be exciting having a hero like Deadweight as your mother.”

“Not really. She’s a good mom. She doesn’t really tell me much. Right now she’s away at work. She kind of keeps quiet about it.”

“Yeah, I can understand it. Some of the stuff we do, I wish we didn’t. It’s something anyone in emergency services will tell you. Sometimes you see the dark side of humanity, but I wouldn’t give up this job for anything.”

That kind of killed that part of the conversation. Time to deflect, “So Rita, does your mother have a power as well?”

“Si. Mi madre can create relámpago, uh what English word for bright light in the sky in storm?”

“Lightning?” both Jonas and I said at the same time.

“Si, she create lightning like me. Madre only hero, uh, to mi hermanas and I. She stay at home and raise me and my hermanas.”

“Do they have powers, your sisters?”

“Si, not strong like me or madre. Weak.”

“That’s cool.”

“What’s it like in Honduras,” Jonas asked.

“It home. Crime is bad. Could be better, worse. I live on the coast. The beach is fun.”

“As it should be,” Jonas said, “Texas is boring. You only have three places. The coast, the cities and everywhere else. Very conservative. Crazy conservative. Lots of headstrong people. I don’t mind. Everyone can have their own opinion. Climate could be better but I’m glad it doesn’t snow like it does here. I don’t know how you can stand being so cold.”

“Si, Andrew. It cold.”

I laughed at that. “You get used to it. If it was summer, I’d say we should go out and enjoy Colorado. I’ve got a question for you Rita. What do you think about being a hero like Jonas here?”

“Uh,” She shrugged, “I do not know. Mi madre no approve. I think I can. Dangerous.”

Jonas spoke, “It can be very dangerous, but you get training. It’s not for everyone. Don’t feel pressured to do it.”

“How about you Andrew. Do you want to be a hero?”

“No powers.”

“I mean if you had them. Do you think you’d be a hero?”

“I’ve thought long and hard on this. Maybe. My sister wants to be one. She’s got powers just like my mom, although my mother doesn’t want her to be one. If I had powers maybe. I know if I got gravity manipulation I could probably find a job at NASA or the ESA as a payload specialist. I think I’d like that. Going up to space.”

They both nodded in acceptance.

We continued to talk for several more hours getting to know each other. Finally, Ingrid came back in and pulled Jonas out saying we’ve had long enough. There would be plenty of time to visit later.

We all agreed we’d meet up again and stay in touch. Even though we’d never met before now, we seemed to have hit it off. We decided we wanted to meet each other's families. Mine would be the first while everyone was still here, then Rita’s and finally Jonas’ family. We found we had a few days before Rita flew back with her two guards and Jonas said he could get a few more days off from work. I invited all of them and my bodyguards over for dinner tonight if they had time and all of them did.

We went our separate ways to meet up later tonight.

Before I could leave with Beverly and Ryan, they pulled me into a meeting with Margoles.

“So tell me how do you feel?” was the first thing Margoles asked.

“Strange. Excited, nervous, weirded out.”

“But you can deal with it right?”

“Yeah. My life isn’t exactly normal so it’s not really bad. Just more not normal.”

Margoles chuckled.

“You’ve got Beverly and Ryan here to help you with anything you need. They’re more than just bodyguards. This may seem unexpected but both will be moving in next door to you. We’ve made an offer to your neighbors even though they weren’t selling and they accepted. You’re also going to be withdrawn from school. The same will happen to Rita. In your case, Beverly and Ryan will home teach you and help you with anything you need. They are very skilled individuals.”

I didn’t object to any of that. I wasn’t really going to complain. It almost seemed too real but it wasn’t.

“Remember that Beverly and Ryan are here for you. Use them. Want to learn a skill and they’ll help. Now do you have any questions?”

“Yeah, do either of you speak Spanish?” I turned to look at Beverley and Ryan. I wanted to learn Spanish for Rita.

Ryan nodded, “Hablo español, y te enseñaré.”

“I have no idea what you said Ryan, but I’m taking that as a yes.”

We all laughed.

“It’s good that you can keep your humor under stress like this. It speaks much about your character Andrew. We’ll continue looking into figuring out your powers. It’s time you get going.” He stood up and held out his hand. “It was good to finally meet you Andrew. I look forward to seeing what your future holds.”

I accepted his shake like before. “Me too.”

With that, we went our separate ways. This time instead of a limo, Ryan brought around a four-door sedan. Very low-key. We all piled in and began the drive back home.

A delightfully pleasant aroma of food cooking, wafted about the hallway, leading to my uncle’s quarters.

Finally at the door, I raised my hand to knock but hesitated. I could hear muffled speech from inside the room. Someone was with him. My uncle had said nothing about having guests for dinner. I’d hoped to spend some time alone with him.

I listened for a few minutes, unable to make out anything. I finally knocked.

The voices inside quieted. The door opened. The smell of food was even stronger now. Uncle Mangmo was there.

“Come in Cavin.”

A young human woman and a middle-aged Thorcin male were the ones with my uncle.

“Cavin, let me introduce you. These are my two most important staff on our trip. This is Garso Farrud my chief of staff.”

The Thorcin gentlemen nodded, “My prince.” The scales that I could see on his neck were a tan with a slight reddish tint. He was most likely from the Oringo Desert at the south end of the continent.

“And this is Abru Reda. You’ll be working with her quite a bit on our trip."

“Prince Cavin, I’ve heard quite a bit about you. I look forward to us working together,” Abru said.

"Ah, please don't call me prince. Squire Conn or even my first name Cavin will do." I refused to use that title. I managed almost my whole time in college without being called it. Being anonymous is great, and distancing myself from my father even better.

"Cavin it is then." she smiled.

"Now I must bid the two of you a good evening, I promised an evening meal with my nephew,” my uncle said.

Farrud nodded, “We’ll talk more in the morning.” He made his way to the door.

"I'm glad we could go over what we did Mangmo, and it was nice meeting you, Cavin. I look forward to our travels." With that Abru left, following Farrud out the door. She seemed nice, or at least pleasant. Pleasant is good.

Once the door shut, uncle spoke. “Glad you made it. Have a seat at the table. The food isn’t quite done yet. If you need anything, just yell. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

This was one thing I loved about my uncle. He had learned to cook and was quite good at it. He refused whenever possible to have anyone cook his food for him when he could do it himself. He had even gone so far as to have a full kitchen installed in his quarters here that was to be fully stocked when he visited. Quite a bit extravagant, but no one faulted him for it.

He was known sometimes to share his culinary creations with anyone nearby so he wouldn’t eat alone. At first, this was surprising to the cleaning staff, government workers, and soldiers. They’d get a surprise meal while he’d talk and ask them how they were doing.

Everyone loved it when he came to visit and although it was frowned upon, people tried to be in a place where he’d come across them and invite them. To be invited was seen by some of the staff as one of the perks to working at the palace. He’d long made good friends with the staff in the kitchen and surprised them with helping prepare meals. He always made friends with the head chef and did what he could to learn more about cooking. If anything outside of smooth talking people could be said to be a passion for my uncle, cooking was it.

The table already was set for two and I picked my seat. There were a few smells I salivated over. Fresh Hot bread was one. Meat that's been roasted, and I think there was a sweet fruit that's been baked.

“I’m almost done,” my uncle called out. Shortly thereafter, Mangmo came out carrying a tray of biscuits.

“Is there anything I can help you with Uncle, I called out.”

“Don’t worry Cavin. I’ve got everything in hand. I want you to sit and relax,” he said as he went back to the kitchen.

He quickly returned with a tray of my favorite food, a simple dish of pan fried frost-bird, sweet potato, and onion. My Uncle is awesome.

“You made my favorite,” I grinned at him.

“I know. It’s been awhile since we were last able to visit. Of course, I’d make you your favorite dish. I also have sormberry tarts for dessert.

Mangmo placed the food down then served a portion to me before serving himself. I waited for him to seat himself.

“Now let’s eat.”

I took a bite. The savory meat and sweet potato melted in my mouth. Oh, it was good. Ginger, green-stick root, and pepper seasoned it. Most of the fat was left on which was my favorite part. I savored the taste. I’ve missed his cooking.

“It’s good isn’t it.”

“It’s the best,” I said after I swallowed the first bite.

“I just want you to know that I won’t go easy on you Cavin while training you.”

“I know. I wasn’t going to ask you to.”

“Good. There are many people who think you’re just as mentally weak as you are physical. What they don’t know, that I do, is you’re strong because of your weakness. You could use some polish, but I know you’re more than capable. Once a weakness is discovered...”

“You can turn it into a strength,” I finished and grinned. “How many times have you told me that?”

“Never enough my boy.” He smiled and took another bite

“I’m really looking forward to finally leaving this place behind and getting to see the world,” I said.

“Don’t be in a rush. Vindra City isn’t so bad a place. Yes, it’s cold, but it’s nice.”

“It is nice but that’s not.”

Uncle didn’t let me finish. “Not what you’re talking about. I know. I was the first to change your diapers, Cavin. Believe me, I know.” He smiled. “Remember that being patient is of the greatest importance in everything you do and nothing is ever as it seems.”

He stopped to eat some more and I did too.

“Any luck with Andro and your powers?”

“None. I haven’t even heard from him in a few months about it. Maybe he forgot.”

But I knew that Andro would never forget. Once Andro set his mind to solve a puzzle he did, even if it would take years.

“He’s still working on it, I’m sure, Any improvements with your body?”

“None. I still can’t bulk up and keep weight on no matter how much I exercise.” I flexed my arm for the fun of it. I wasn’t skin and bones. There were muscle and fat but little of it. I still looked like a scrawny girl.

“I just want you to know that no matter what, I love you, Cavin. Out of all of your father's children, you’re my favorite but don’t tell Delin. I’m kind of partial to him."

Delin had to be my favorite sibling as well, but his work in the military kept him away from me so we hadn't done much together lately. Unlike my other siblings, he sought to include me even if he knew I'd say no.

"I want you to know that I look at you as if you were my own. Everything will be alright. Keep your faith and your will to succeed. The solutions to your problems will present themselves sooner or later."

It was sage advice I'd heard many times before from my uncle. "I know."

"It looks like we're both done eating, let me get your plate to the kitchen and I’ll bring back the tarts.” He picked up our plates and left for the kitchen, then brought back a small plate with several tarts stacked upon it.

I think there was enough room for a tart or two. It would be foolish of me to pass one up.

“Have I told you the story of how I met your Aunt Mellia?”

“Yes, uncle. This is like what, the thousandth time you’re going to tell me.” I grinned.

Uncle harrumphed, “Such disrespect from young people these days,” He smiled.

“You know Aunt Mellia is my favorite aunt. I miss her, and I know you miss her the most.”

“I know. We all do.”

"I'll start out then. The emperor required you marry. Yet out of all the nobility and bureaucrats, no one caught your eye. Then the emperor picked Aunt Mellia for you.”

“Yes. We barely knew each other at first. we’d never talked before and we only ever saw each other at a distance twice before that. She was pretty, mind you. Your father wanted to cement our relationship with her house, but the first three daughters and all her brothers were already married off. She was the fourth daughter and her parents were getting desperate. Your father had the same attitude towards me. I needed to be tied down so to speak.”

Even though I'd heard this story a hundred times, I'd let my uncle tell it a thousand times more. I loved Aunt Mellia. She was like a mother to me having practically raised me. Don't get me wrong. Isaura's mother, Empress Zorla did her best to raise my siblings and I. But she was the Empress and had other duties that took up time. I may have loved her as well as any step-child could, but Aunt Melia would always be number one as far as my family is concerned. Uncle Mango is a close second.

"So your father ordered me to court her and her parents ordered her to do the same to me. I’ll be honest. I had no interest in settling down and she didn’t think highly of me, seeing me as the fool brother of the powerful Emperor. We found our common ground in that we were being pushed together and we had fun. We used the time and money your father provided me to do what we wanted. Together of course. She dragged me to what she wanted and I dragged her to what I wanted and sometimes we did the same thing. And after three years we found ourselves in love."

I'd been fortunate to spend my summers in Aunt Melia's care, and even two whole years from age eight to ten. I'd been witness to their love and been lucky enough they'd included me in their family.

"Let me remind you that even in the most inhospitable terrain you can make a garden bloom. Don’t give up on yourself my boy. You’ll find a way even if it’s not what you expect."

I’m grateful for my uncle. I truly wish he was my father rather than the Emperor. I was never able to know my mother so I can’t say the same for her. Both my aunt and the Empress Zorla spoke highly of her, saying she was well loved by all. Maybe if my aunt and uncle they were my parents, my mother wouldn’t have died giving birth to me, and I'd have fewer problems. But that wasn't the case.

“Enough of this reminiscing," my uncle spoke. In three days we begin the final preparations to leave. You'll report to the Greenstone Traders Warehouse in the Haerngyr district first thing in the morning. It's where we're staging all of our equipment and supplies for the trip ahead. "

"Sure thing uncle."

I couldn’t wait to get away from here and most of all my father. Stuffed or not, I grabbed another Tart and devoured it.

The drive home was quiet. I’d been staring out at the passing city. Beverly sat next to me in the back, and Ryan drove. I didn’t want it to be quiet, curiosity about my two bodyguards won out so I asked away breaking the silence.

“Is it okay if I ask both of you some personal questions?”

“Go ahead Andrew. There might be things we can’t tell you but we’ll let you know,” answered Beverly.

“So tell me, how did the two of you get your jobs?”

Beverly spoke first, “Craig, who was Seraph at the time, Heath, and The Knight, rescued me.”

“So you’ve met the Knight,” I blurted out.

Up until the last few decades, Craig Tamerlain as Seraph, and before as Angel, had been the primary hero of the United Kingdom. It was only recently that Craig Tamerlain expanded the role of costumed hero internationally under the United Nations. The Knight, by comparison, was the hero of America. The Knight is said to have been around longer for almost three decades. He had started out in the US Civil War on the side of the Union. No one knew who the Knight was, at least publicly. People nowadays weren’t even sure if it had been the same person or even a person at all with rumors of steampunk, clockwork, or robotics powering the hero. What people did know is that he had long worked with the US military and, like Seraph, had started with the UN recently. For me I’ve always been amused that America has it’s own Knight as a hero rather than the United Kingdom.

“Ha ha, Yes. I’ve met the Knight, and so has Ryan.”

“Can you...”

Beverly cut me off, “I can’t tell you who the Knight is. It’s classified.”

“Oh well. That’s cool, though.” Oh man, to be in the same room as Seraph and The Knight. I’m not a die-hard fan or anything, but it would make my day.

“I’ll give you some background about me to know why I was rescued.”

“Please do,” I said.

“I was born and raised in Georgia. I didn’t know my father for long as he disappeared one night when I was four, and no one knew where to, god rest his soul. My mother, god rest her soul, suspected the klanners got to him but we didn’t know. The police wouldn’t do anything. My mother did her best for me. Then I went through puberty and life was hell. Being black in the south after world war two was bad enough. At least most people were honest when they hated you for your skin color. Finding you have a working quantum template and you were colored, and people were terrified of you. Even other minorities at the time didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”

“That sounds terrible.”

“It’s all relative. It kind of worked to my advantage, though. Most people were afraid of me and stayed away. Then King came around, may god rest his soul. He worked for the civil rights of not only those of color, but those with powers. He eloquently made it plain for all to understand if only they listened. I remember being at home and hearing his I have a dream speech over the radio. It gave me such hope to know that there were people out in the world who didn’t see me as the monster they treated me.”

“Wait a sec Beverly. You said you listened to Martin Luther King Jr's I have a dream speech. That was in what, sixty-five?”

“Close, it was Sixty-three,” Bev corrected me.

“Sixty-three, and you also mentioned being born post world war two. You can’t be that old.” She looked to be in her forties at the latest, probably in her late thirties, is what I’d guess. The end of World War Two was fifty-seven years ago.

She grinned, “How old do you think I am?”

“Uh, maybe forty tops. I’d say in your late thirties.”

Beverly chuckled, “No. I was born 1946 after my father returned from the war. I’ve been told that it’s my quantum template, makes me look pretty. Those of us with powers tend to live longer on average. Did you know that?”

“No, I didn’t.” That’s something that has never come up. I knew a lot of stuff about powers but didn’t know that.

“Back to my story. It was back in seventy, in Alabama. Gregory Westgate, a man of mental powers, an evil man, rose up in the area and began converting those not able to resist his powers to follow him.”

“I remember this from history. It’s the Westgate Rebellion.” A cult that started up. Their charismatic leader had a quantum template, one with mental powers, he used to control his followers. It was so bad, that the National Guard and several heroes had to be called in to contain and stop them.

“Yes. The Westgate cult was worse than the Klan in how they began terrorizing small towns all over the area. No one was immune to their violence. Black, White, rich, or poor. The police seemed powerless to stop them either being outgunned or having traitors inside who had been turned. Finally, a number of us banded together in Childersburg to stand up to them. We didn’t know how to fight, but we were sick of them. We made our stand and were crushed. They outgunned us and outnumbered us. We were rounded up for slaughter. That was when the National Guard arrived with Seraph and The Knight. Those of us who’d survived were rescued.”

I couldn’t even begin to understand half of what Beverly went through with all this. The pain, the loss.

“I was found to be powered, and they learned of my part in the battle and were impressed. They invited my mother and me to move out west and join them. We did. They helped train me to better control my powers and I gladly took up work with them.”

“And here you are.”

“Here I am. Ryan, how about you? Want to tell Andrew about yourself?”

“Erm, okay. I’ll tell. I was born in sixty in East Germany. My parents were never able to escape to the west before Soviet occupation. They were stuck. Both my father and mother had powers, but they were psychic ones. Thankfully that type of power was poorly understood at the time. Both used their powers on the authorities to remain free from capture. While keeping on the run, they both met. Finding they had so much in common due to circumstance and abilities, it wasn’t long before they fell in love. Then I was born. Life was okay. I say okay loosely. My parents did what they could for us to survive. We moved quite a bit. At least two to three times a year.”

“That’s horrible.”

“It is what it was up until I hit puberty. It was the winter of seventy-two, the height of the cold war. I was new to having powers. My parents did what they could to teach me, but this was new territory for them. I was a child who thought he knew best and didn’t listen. I carelessly used my powers in public and the KGB found out about me. Days later before we could move, the KGB swooped in and grabbed me right off the street. I was taken to someplace I had no idea where it was at. There were other prisoners like me. All had powers or abilities of some sort. They attempted to break and mold us. For some that was easy. For others like me, it wasn’t so.”

This I knew of. It’d come out after the USSR had dissolved what they had done to those with powers. More people went in than those who survived to come out.

“Then in seventy-four, it ended. We were rescued. Craig Tamerlain, going by Angel at the time, led a team, including Beverly, to rescue us. Those of us who had not broken and been brainwashed into mindless loyalty in that time were freed and we left the USSR. I was in for a surprise when I made it to the US. Both of my parents were waiting for me. Both had managed to escape the USSR’s control and get help in the US from Craig Tamerlane.

“Were the programs really as bad as the history books say? I’ve read that the KGB did terrible things.”

“It was bad. Things were done to us and to survive I did things, things I won’t talk about Andrew.”

“Sorry for asking, I didn’t mean to stir up any memories.”

“No, it is good you ask. Even if the details are lost, the events should be remembered to not be repeated.”

That I could agree with.

Beverly spoke, “Just so you know Andrew, we were asked personally by Craig to look after you in a situation like this. Although Ryan almost lost out to Flores for being with you rather than your sister Rita.”

“She has a mean left hook.” Ryan chuckled. “Craig said that since both of us experienced what the worst of humanity had both been allowed a second chance with life, he wanted all of us to watch over his children if he could not. We owe Craig so much.”

Should I feel special because a man who had stayed out of my life had gone so far as to make sure I had a bodyguard? The proper answer would be yes. But I already had enough on my plate with the powers but no powers. If Craig hadn’t been rich, would he have garnered the same respect? Maybe. He was a hero after all. I’m not sure how to feel about this. I’m going to change the topic. It’s safer that way.

“So where did you and Craig work out of?”

Beverly answered, “That’s classified, but there is truth to the matter that the United States southwest has the highest percentage of quantum templates in its population in the world.”

I didn’t know that either.

“Other than babysitting me, what kind of work did you do, if you don’t mind me asking. I guess it might be classified.

“Sometimes it’s bodyguard work for high-value targets. Sometimes it’s search and rescue missions. Sometimes we fight those few villains out there like Mystica and Robo-Brain. We’ve fought to stop terrorism, overthrown the occasional dictator, done search and rescue in the most extreme and inhospitable places in the world and everywhere else when convenient, and done a number of things under the table to help keep the peace and better society.

“And you’re fine with babysitting me?”

“Oh, it’s not just babysitting. We’re going to be your teachers. Margoles should have told you about that.”

“Well, he did say you could help me with a number of things. I take it more than the Spanish I want to learn.”

Beverly cracked her knuckles. “You’re going to learn how to defend yourself. We’re also going to help you with any skill or training you want. You’re being withdrawn from school to be home taught by us. Your sister Deana is joining us as well when not at school. We believe that her powers may be useful in your training.”

“I guess I’m okay with that.”

Even if I get my powers I’ll be okay with that. I still want a job as an electronics engineer like dad. Ryan, Bev, mom and Dee can be heroes.

By now we’d arrived at the street I lived on.

I could see my father’s car in the carport, but not my mothers.

Ryan parked the car in the driveway of the house next to ours.

“Why are you parking here? This is my neighbor's place, the Victorsons.”

“Don’t worry about that. This is where we’ll be staying. Margoles bought the house from Mrs. Victorson. We’re going to help her move out over the next week.”

Ryan pointed at me when he said we. They were nice neighbors.

I got out of the car before one of them could get out and open the door. I can still open my own doors, no matter how privileged I am. After I walked over to the front door of my house, I found it unlocked when I tried to enter.

Stepping over the threshold, Dee screamed as she tried to fall on me. I say tried because Beverly who was right behind me, caught her.

“Oh come on Bev, I was only trying to train him.”

It seems even Dee knew about this before I did. I’d have to find out why they kept me in the dark for so long.

“Put me down.”

Beverly didn’t. She just threw Dee onto her shoulder and carried her. I took off my jacket and hung it up.

“Please put me down,” Dee asked.

“Only if you behave.”

“I promise,” Dee said.

“Okay.” Beverly set Dee down. I could see Ryan was inside and had closed the door behind him.

I entered the front room. All of my other siblings were there waiting.

“Hey guys,” I waved at them, did dad make you all wait for me?”

“I did,” Dad spoke up from the kitchen.

“Can I get up,” Franky yelled out making Karen, who sat next to him, wince.

“You’re all free to get up, but don’t swarm the two with your brother.”

Franky didn’t wait for Dad to finish. He got up and ran to me, hugging me. “Get your power yet?”

“No Franky, not yet.”

“Awwwwww.”

Ryan and Beverly moved past me into the front room. Karen and Kevin had moved to the floor to make room for Ryan and Beverly to sit.

Dee had disappeared somewhere.

“Andrew, come here, I need your help.”

“Sure thing Dad. Franky, go and listen to Beverly and Ryan. They’re interesting people.”

“Sure thing Andy,” Franky yelled. He definitely needed work on the volume control.

I walked into the kitchen to find my dad standing by the stove, taking an oven mitt off his hand. Dee was sitting at the kitchen table. She spoke out, “How’s it feel to find out you’re related to a super villain?”

“That was rude, if I hear you speaking like that again, you’re grounded.”.Dad frowned at her.

Dee sulked, and quickly apologized, “Uh, I’m sorry dad.”

“I’m going to talk to Andrew in the den. Dee, I want you to load the dishwasher and watch the stove. If the timer goes off, turn the oven off and open the oven a little bit.

“Okay.” Dee moved to the dishwasher and began her task not wanting to upset her father a second time.

“Come on son.”

Dad left the kitchen for the Den, and I followed along. He sat on the futon, while I pulled out the desk chair for me.

“I want to make a few things clear. I met Craig in College much like your mother did. I even met him before she did. There are few men better than him. I’m sorry that we didn’t tell you this, but Craig asked us not too.

“Don’t worry dad. I knew something was up but never asked. You're my dad, dad. Nothing will ever change that.”

“The three of us went to college together. When your mother was pregnant with you, Craig made sure to arrange for your care so she could continue her education. She was pissed off at him, that he wouldn’t stay, but he explained how it was. He then pushed the two of us together. We hit it off. He even got me my job with Melconex Industries.”

“I get that he’s a nice guy dad. From what you, Ryan, and Beverly said, you all look up to him.”

I hope you don’t feel any ill will towards him. I don’t know who your role model is son

I interrupted, “It’s you.”

My dad looked perplexed, “Really, that’s cool, I’m cool I guess,” he smiled, “but Craig is my role model. Like I said, few men are better than him. If you have any questions, ask away.”

“Are you okay with the bodyguards, and me being taken out of school?”

“I’ve known both of them a while. They both had to pass an interview with your mother and I. I’m okay with it because I know who they are and what’s in store. They aren’t going to go easy on you.”

I did my best to keep a straight face. “Is there a reason why no one told me about this. It seems even Dee knew Bev before I did.

“The observer effect." Dad didn't waste time saying that.

“The observer what?”

“It’s the principle in science and engineering that the observer, by observing changes that which is being observed.”

I was confused, “What does that mean for me?”

“We didn’t want you to act differently if you knew you were the child of Craig Tamerlane. A child that although he wanted him, and supported him, wasn’t allowed to be loved by him. The less direct influence he had, the less chance you had of going bad. We all decided this, that it was best for you if you weren’t spoiled or under the assumption you could be.”

Going bad. Would I have gone bad? Would I have grown arrogant or lazy with the knowledge of my paternity? Could I have? I’d watched my parents raise Dee who had powers. They kept her in line even if she was the daughter of a famous hero. I didn’t have powers, but they didn’t know that before I was born. Existential crap indeed. I didn’t turn out any different because I am me. I’m not going to worry about it.

“Andrew, I think you’re a wonderful child who has turned out well. Please don’t be angry with us. We were trying to protect you.” Dad was waiting for me to say something.

“I’m not upset. It’s kind of weird, but I’m definitely not upset.

A look of relief came over my father. As if I could hate him. We had our moments when we didn’t see eye to eye, but any other set of people could have the same. He raised me. No offense to my mother, but she was gone quite a bit when not pregnant with my siblings.

“You’re my dad. You did what you had to do to raise me.”

“Okay then. So, tell me how it feels to have two step-siblings? Ryan and Bev told us to expect Jonas, Rita, and her two bodyguards for dinner tonight.”

“Oh, I’m sorry I forgot to call ahead and ask. I shouldn’t have volunteered our house.”

Dad smiled, “Don’t worry, Ryan said that he thought you’d come up with this. We ordered pizza, and I have a cake in the oven.”

“Well, I'm still sorry, but back to your question dad, I feel weird. I mean we don’t have a whole lot in common but what we do have is pretty random. We’ve agreed to keep in contact and given the chance visit with each other. Oh, and I’ve apparently got 100k a year. It will help a lot with alleviating costs. You can spend more time at home dad instead of working as much to make ends meet for us.

“It’s your money son. I don’t feel right having the family take it from you.

“If I have to, I’ll buy your time.”

“Oh god, don’t guilt trip me. You know what, you’re right. But you’re going to have to budget it. It’s got to cover any special activities you and your bodyguards go in on. Don’t spend it all in one place.”

“I won’t.”

The stove's timer dinged.

“I need to get back to the kitchen,” Dad said as he stood up.

I stood up as well, moved to him and gave him a hug. I never let our size difference make it awkward.

“I love you, dad.”

“I love you too son.”

I released the hug. Dad left the den for the kitchen. I made sure the desk chair was put back. Then I left the den. I stopped in the hallway where I had a view of everything. Franky was sitting next to Ryan, showing off his toys. Ryan kept on asking Franky questions about each one. If Franky opened up to him, then that was a plus. Franky didn’t do well with strangers and it was nice to see him relaxed. The rest of my siblings except Dee were listening to Bev talk about being super-powered. All were in awe of her describe some of the things she had done. Dad was in the kitchen getting everything ready for when the pizza came, but Dee wasn’t in the kitchen.

I looked up.

“Wrong way bro,” Dee said as she came up from behind and latched on my back, having reduced her weight to almost nothing. “So I’m going to help you train. I’m not going to go easy on you.”

I didn't say anything or move. I just watched everyone do their thing.

“What you looking at,” Dee whispered.

“I’m looking forward to it.” I actually was.

Full List of Characters

Andrew Trell
Kregg

Here's some of the characters so far.

Name: Franklin Andery
AKA: Captain Andery
Race: Human(Earth)
DOB: TBD
DOD: NA
Physical Description: TBD
Skills: USMC, Spec Ops Warfare
Power: Base Human
First Appearance: Fracta Sole – Cause 04
Notes: TBD

Name: Jason Andery
AKA: The Knight
Race: Human(Earth)
DOB: TBD
DOD: TBD
Physical Description: TBD
Skills: USMC, Spec Ops Warfare
Power: Suit of Ancient Combat Armor, Gadgeteer
First Appearance: Fracta Sole – Cause 04
Notes: TBD

Name: Pharell Andery
AKA: The Knight
Race: Human(Earth)
DOB: TBD
DOD: TBD
Physical Description: TBD
Skills: 19th century medical doctor, Union Army Surgeon, Frontier Marksman & Trapper
Power: Suit of Ancient Combat Armor, Gadgeteer
First Appearance: Fracta Sole – Cause 01
Notes: TBD

Name: Thomas Andery
AKA: Baby Thomas
Race: Human(Earth)
DOB: TBD
DOD: TBD
Physical Description: TBD
Skills: Being a cute baby... TBD
Power: TBD
First Appearance: Fracta Sole – Cause 04
Notes: TBD

Name: Trathos Arnheim
AKA: Justicar
Race: Albaz(Meltonna)
DOB: TBD
DOD: TBD
Physical Description: TBD
Skills: Meltonna Royal Guard, Equivalent training to SWAT, Law Enforcement
Power: Base Albaz, Gadgeteer
First Appearance: Fracta Sole – Cause 01
Notes: TBD