Child of Time (62 page)

The drakken are no more.
Kiyan shuddered at
the thought. The foe that they had been fighting had been replaced
as a race with machines. Their warped consciousnesses were now
contained within metal bodies instead of organic clones. There was
no longer any limits to the numbers the dark one could muster into
his armadas.

The prospect had been discussed after the mechanical
drakken had struck at earth. The protectorate had assembled every
Assurian battleship at the portal in case the unthinkable happened.
Kiyan now knew that the worst scenario discussed had come to pass.
The only thing limiting the dark one’s conquest of our universe was
the portal and the Protectorate.

The battleships were currently distributed around the
portal in a spherical formation. The radius was calculated to
coincide with the time it took to detect a warp frame and to apply
a countermeasure. The countermeasure being sending a warp capable
fighter into subspace with a forced point singularity. The
resulting subspace collapse atomized every fleet that passed
through the portal. The trick was to accurately predict the warp
frame entrance trajectory and have the battleship closest to that
line launch the subspace implosion. Fortunately this was effective
because the portal to ship distance was not great enough for the
drakken ships to alter their trajectory sufficiently to avoid the
implosion. Sadly this could only continue until they ran out of
warp capable fighters.

Alec theorized that it was possible to open a
floating warp frame that wasn’t tied to a warp drive. This would
eliminate the need for sacrificial fighters. Sure the fighters
being poured out of the automated construction bays were little
more than a warp drive attached to batteries and maneuvering
thrusters with a remote navigation computer. Even if a floating
warp frame could be generated Kiyan still didn’t like the idea.
Without the pocket universe being tethered to mass of some sort
there was no guarantee that it could be controlled. There was even
the possibility that subspace could begin leaking into normal space
disrupting the balance of matter and energy.

The tactics being used by the drakken fleets were
becoming more and more difficult to intercept. They seemed to be
experimenting with opening multiple warp frames or only sending a
couple ships at a time through. There was always the possibility
that the drakken might manage to slip by the blockade. If that
happened then the support ships would be sent out hunting after the
errant drakken. If enough escaped then a battleship would have to
leave the blockade to deal with them but that would leave a hole in
the already strained formation. The balance was a tenuous one at
best.

It was lost in this train of thought that Kiyan found
himself when Terra rang the intercom at his door. Kiyan tossed back
the blankets and stood. His uniform flickered into existence before
he had managed a step. The door slid open with a thought and Terra
walked through.

“I hope I didn't wake you.” Terra apologized before
dropping into the couch that was along one wall. Kiyan smiled
knowing that Terra could have known whether anyone was asleep or
not from across the ship.

“I was awake already. How did you find me?” Kiyan
could only recall fragments from the shadow walk but they were
enough to tell the story. He knew Terra had been responsible for
calling him back somehow.

“For one, you were in your room. It is a logical
place to look. Another reason is that I felt your mind organize
itself when you woke up.” Terra hugged her knees and looked up at
Kiyan with a straight face. It took Kiyan a moment to realize that
she was being sarcastic.

“No, I mean, never mind. Do you frequently watch over
me while I sleep?” Kiyan laughed when a hint of color crept over
Terra's countenance. He sobered after a second. He wasn't sure
whether or not to believe that Terra had no knowledge of the shadow
walk.

“I couldn't sleep. I felt like something bad was
going to happen.” Terra rested her chin on her knees and seemed to
stare into nothing. I kept expecting the sirens would go off
announcing a break out. Kiyan was combing his hair but turned back
to look at Terra. He wondered how much of his worries she had
picked up subconsciously. Then again his whole crew knew the fine
line that was being walked. Only Kiyan knew that the line was
nearly nonexistent.

“I felt the same way. We need to figure out some
other way of securing the portal. I wish we could just close it.”
Kiyan stretched and yawned.

“That would only let the dark one open a full
portal.” Terra shook herself out of her revelry and perked up. “You
want to get some breakfast?”

“Can't right now. Have to check on some stuff first.”
Kiyan rubbed the last bit of sleep from his eyes, gave Terra a hug
and headed for the door.

“See ya in a bit then.” Terra activated the
transporters and rematerialized in the mess hall. Kiyan couldn't
help smiling when he remembered the misunderstanding that Terra had
when she first found out about Sapphire. If she hadn't been so
powerful it might have been laughable. As it was, Terra had
confronted Sapphire concerning Sapphire’s relationship with Kiyan.
There had almost been a fight before Luke managed to explain the
circumstances.

“Alec, is it possible to close the portal from the
dark universe?” Kiyan queried the ship's AI while he walked to the
conference room.

“It is possible.” Alec appeared in holographic form
and fell into step with Kiyan. “It would take an insane amount of
energy. More even than my temporal generators are capable of.”

“What about getting to the drakken universe?” Kiyan
was almost talking to himself.

“That would take nearly as much energy to stabilize
the portal to permit organic matter.” Alec had some suspicions but
really didn’t know what to expect from Kiyan.

“A temporal fragment would have enough energy...”
Kiyan was lost in thought and almost didn’t hear Alec’s
response.

“That would probably do it but I can consult Theo or
Kendra for confirmation.” Alec was busy running calculations.

“No. I mean, can we keep this between ourselves for
now?” Kiyan was forming a plan and knew that his parents would
never allow him to implement it if they knew about it.

“Is that an order?” Alec’s hologram raised a virtual
eyebrow.

“No, well I guess it is in a way. We are in a
stalemate right now. If the wrong side breaks the stalemate
terrible things would happen.” Kiyan continued walking in a sullen
silence.

“During your sleep your life signs fluctuated
abnormally. Would your current course of action have anything to do
with a dream?” Alec maintained an expressionless face.

“Does everyone watch me sleep?” Kiyan tried to evade
the question but the look that Alec gave him told him the AI was
undeterred. “I think I shadow walked to the drakken universe. There
aren’t any living drakken left over there.”

“But that is good isn’t it? That means that they
won’t have any workforce to keep building their fleets unless...”
Alec trailed off as he examined possible interpretations of the
data.

“There aren’t any living drakken because they have
all been replaced with machines.” Kiyan let Alec assimilate the
information.

“Then we are doomed.” Alec was blunt in his
analysis.

“Then you understand that I would want to alter that
future and also that some actions I might deem necessary might not
be approved of.” Kiyan watched Alec for a sign that meant the AI
understood what he meant.

“Indeed. How might I assist you?” Alec waited for
Kiyan to reveal any more information or a plan.

“I want to close the portal into the drakken universe
from the dark universe before the dark one can affect them. I don’t
know how to do that without risking the Avenger or you.” Kiyan knew
what he was thinking was probably suicidal and had no intentions of
dragging anyone else with him.

“You are quite right about needing the Avenger to
implement such a plan. As for me, my source code is backed up on
Assuria constantly. Have you any plans for the rest of your crew?”
Kiyan was surprised that the AI would even entertain such an
illogical plan.

“Can we operate the ship without them?” Kiyan was
ready to abandon the plan if it endangered anyone else.

“The boost to my systems that they offer is
significant but not impossible to do without. We should be able to
move under cloak for the most part eliminating the majority of the
battle encounters. I could implement several pretenses for getting
your crew off the ship if you wish.” There was a certain eagerness
in Alec’s expression that didn’t quite look right on the AI.
Perhaps Luke had traded some code with Alec at some point.

“Hold off on that for the time being. I need to
acquire some more information.” Kiyan expected Alec to raise
concerns for his personal safety and was glad that Alec was silent
on the issue.

Arriving at the conference room Kiyan opened a
communication link with Kendra’s ship. It took a couple minutes
before Kendra appeared.

“Alec already distributed the reports so I’m guessing
you called for a different reason.” Kendra took a seat and waited
for Kiyan to explain.

“What do you know about the dark one? When we were on
the planet he called you a betrayer. What did he mean?” Kendra
laughed at Kiyan’s rapidly fired questions.

“I suppose you could say that we are old enemies. We
have been through two wars together.” Kendra got a distant look in
her eye.

“Why wasn’t he defeated the first two times? It would
have saved a lot of trouble.” Kiyan regretted asking the question
when he saw the pained expression that came over Kendra’s
countenance.

“It is complicated. He was once similar to us. A
human even.” The memories were not among Kendra’s favorites.

“A human? How is that even possible?” Kiyan was
startled to know that the powerful being from another universe that
he had crossed minds with was human. It did begin to make sense
though. It would explain why the dark one wanted to destroy
earth.

“Reigns was a human life bender. He used his powers
to feed off the life energy of other humans becoming a dark
bender.” Kendra paused before explaining further. “He tried to gain
immortality through feeding off of us a long time ago. During the
battle he ascended and Theo banished him from earth. We ascended at
the same time and were only just learning our powers. Unlike us he
ascended because of other people’s energy. We were able to maintain
our powers but he had to feed. He returned with allies and we
fought the shadow war. The Assurians revealed themselves and with
their help Reigns was banished to the dark universe.”

“But why didn’t you kill him instead of banishing
him?” Kiyan was bewildered by the flood of information.

“He can’t be killed even if we wanted to. When
existing as energy for too long it is possible to lose one’s self.
He has no physical body to kill. To destroy his energy would be
like trying to crush a single water molecule in an ocean.” Kendra
closed her eyes like the memories she was expounding caused a
headache. “There is a prophecy. It states that there will be three
wars. This is the third war. Whatever happens will vanquish Reigns
for the last time.”

“Unless we do something this last war will go on
forever. We can’t interfere with our past actions and the future is
uncertain.” Kiyan released some of his frustration but realized
that Kendra was studying him intently. Not wishing to reveal any of
his plan while she had a chance to stop him, Kiyan held his
tongue

“Kiyan, It has been foreseen.” Kendra tried to
reassure Kiyan.

“So are we supposed to simply wait for us to
accidently win the war? There is a universe with endless resources
on the other side of the portal. Their sole purpose is to conquer
this universe.” Kiyan caught himself and collected his composure
before he continued. “Why did you send him to the dark
universe?”

“He was supposed to starve and become too weak to
pose a threat let alone escape. I was frankly surprised that there
was even enough energy to open a portal out of the dark universe.
He must have fed on the dark energy to survive. It should have
neutralized him but instead it made him stronger.” There was an
element of guilt in Kendra’s voice.

“Why didn’t he open the portal to our universe?” To
Kiyan it almost seemed counterproductive to have to open two
portals.

“We would have been able to close it from this side
and I doubt that there was enough light energy in the dark universe
to open another portal. I suspect he chose the drakken universe
because of our absence although the drakken have proven to be some
of his most effective agents.”

“Can’t Reigns come through the portals? Why send his
minions if he could have done it himself.” Kiyan had wondered why
such a powerful being only worked through the drakken.

“Our universe and the drakken universe are both
primary universes. The dark universe is a sub universe meaning that
it has only a fragment of the energy that flows through the time
streams in primary universes. Reigns shifted to dark energy to
avoid being consumed. He can’t shift back again without consuming
enormous amounts of life energy. Existing as dark energy our
universe is like poison to him.” Kendra refocused her eyes and
looked at Kiyan. “Is there anything else you would like to
know?”

“Not right now at least. Thanks for telling me.”
Kiyan was making alterations to his plan. This information required
several adjustments.

“Then we will speak later?” Kendra waited for Kiyan’s
agreement before closing the connection.

“Alec, can you open a long range encrypted com
channel with the vault?” Kiyan still needed to acquire the temporal
fragment.