Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero (10 page)

“Are you alright?” Seles asked.

He sat up and touched his shoulder. “My shoulder
hurts, but I feel fine otherwise.”

Celi walked over with the scanner again. “I didn’t get
a chance to introduce myself before. I’m Celi, the chief medical officer.”

“Call me Brian. It’s good to see you Celi,” he said.
He looked around the room inquisitively. “How long have I been unconscious?”

Celi put the scanner on the desk next to the bed.
“Three days. Your injuries should be healed within a few more.” She looked at
both Brian and Seles. “I need to see the captain now that you’re awake. She’s
interested in meeting you as soon as possible.”

She left the medical lab while Seles stayed with him.
“It’s good to see you awake for once.”

“I didn’t know if I’d come back alive,” he said,
scratching his head.

She hugged him. “Thank you.”

He closed his eyes and enjoyed her warm embrace. Shaking
his head, Brian gently pushed her gaze to his. “I only did what I had to.”

“I know,” she said. The two gazed into each other’s
eyes, searching for more to say. Both blushed. Seles pulled away a moment
later.

“She seemed quite interested in me,” he said in an
attempt to change the subject.

Seles shook the red away. “I think it’s because you’re
male with a genetic makeup similar to ours. Celi’s probably thinking she could
use you as a template for creating Kalaidian males.”

“Why?” he asked.

Seles stood up and started pacing around the room.
“Remember what you read earlier Brian. All samples of male Kalaidians were
confiscated a hundred and forty years ago and destroyed immediately.”

“It doesn’t make sense. Why would your people do such
a thing?” Brian asked.

“Because it was an order from Kali,” Valis said as she
entered the room. She looked at Seles and smiled. “I need to speak with him
alone Seles. Could you come back in a little while?”

“I’ll be back later,” Seles said. She smiled at Brian
before leaving the room.

Valis walked over to him. “Can you stand?”

“Sure.” He stood up. She circled around him slowly.

“You’re much more impressive in person.” She paused
and stared at his face. “What’s this?” She ran her hand over his beard.

“It’s called facial hair. Males among my people often
grow it,” he said.

Valis took her hand away. “We have no records of what
our men looked like. By order of the Queen one hundred and forty years ago, all
records and images were destroyed.”

“Why would the Queen go that far?”

“It’s a mystery, isn’t it? No one knows why, unless
you believe in the word of Kali,” she said.

He shook his head in disbelief. “There are some on
Earth with similar beliefs, unquestioning and uncompromising in their faith.”

“Sounds interesting,” she said, checking a console
nearby. “Tell me, what are you planning to do?

“Seles already explained why I won’t be allowed to go
back to Earth. I have nowhere to go, so I’d like to join your crew.”

Valis held her chin. “I think you’ll do well. Not many
can claim victory over a Grey vessel. That’s not even taking into account the
mercenaries you killed. Your potential is high, but right now, you’re rough
around the edges. Before we get into the details, I’d like to ask you some
questions.”

“Go ahead, what do want to know?”

Valis turned to the console next to her and displayed
the Book of Kali on the monitor. She moved to the pages including details of
the Teacher. “Brian, are you the Herald?”

He read the text:

On the seventh day of the third month, a stranger
appeared from the sky. He rode upon a ship of light and came to us with open
arms. The Teacher looked of our own, but taller with rounded ears. He spoke of
peace and unity and told us one day he would return.

“That’s interesting,” he said, skimming through a few
pages. “No, I know nothing about this. But the description matches my people
fairly close.”

“Then you don‘t admit to being the Herald, do you
Brian?” she asked.

Brian shrugged, “Not that I know of. I have no idea
who this Teacher is, let alone the Herald. How long ago did this occur?”

Valis turned away from the text. “The Sixth Book of
Kali was composed over several centuries about two thousand years ago. I wanted
to know if you had something to add.”

“I wish I could help you, but I don’t know anything.
Could I keep a copy to read over?”

Valis saved the text to the computer. “The Sixth Book
of Kali is saved for you. Now, onto business,” Valis paced around him again.
“Ten years.”

“Ten years?” Brian asked.

“I’m asking for ten years of servitude onboard this
ship. It’s Kalaidian tradition for an officer to serve a ten year term.
Afterwards, they’re free to do what they wish.”

“Ten years is a long time,” he couldn’t help but look
surprised. “What position would I have?”

“Whatever you wish Brian. All I ask is for you to
serve under me for ten years.” Valis smiled. “Also, the Malcovin drop ship we
recovered is your property, as you defeated them.”

“What am I supposed to do with it?”

“What you do with the ship is your decision, but I
suggest you keep it. It isn’t equipped for interstellar travel, but it has all
the weapons and shielding systems to be adjusted to such a craft. We’re storing
the ship in cargo bay three for now. Also, I’m going to have to restrict your
access on this ship for a time being.”

“That’s understandable.” He paused, lost in thought.
“By the way, how should I address you?

“You can call me Captain or Valis,” she said. “How
should I address you?”

“Brian.”

* * *

Daes waited in the captain’s chambers with a small
data crystal in hand. She paced in the study room, excited when Valis entered
the room.

“Daes, what is it you have to show me?” Valis asked.
She sat down at her desk.

“I have something very interesting to show you
captain.” She placed the data crystal into the slot below the monitor. The video
was a recording from the Malcovin drop ship. It showed Brian killing their
leader. She froze the video and focused on Brian’s face, revealing his glowing
eyes.

“His eyes…” Valis trailed off. “Is he able to berserk?

“That’s what it looks like captain. Only the
Rakna
Maigars
amongst our people were capable of it.” Daes stared at the frozen
image of Brian. “This shows how close to being one of us he really is.”

Valis stood up and looked at the image closely,
turning to Daes. “Tell no one about this.”

“Even Brian?” she asked.

“Especially him,” Valis said, turning back to the
picture.

“There’s one more thing captain.”

“What?” Valis asked, still staring at the monitor.

Daes produced a different shaped data crystal and
handed it to Valis. “This was stuffed inside one of Brian’s pockets. It’s a
Malcovin data crystal. There’s something on this I have to show you.”

“What is it?” Valis asked.

“The future of warfare,” she answered.

The Avoni’s mess hall was a large open room lined with
tables, benches, and a buffet area serving every kind of fruit, vegetable, and
nut native to Kalaidia Prime. About fifty crew members filled the place. They
ate and talked about the main topic of the ship, Brian. The conversation was
led by the lovely Mira, a Kalaidian with long pink hair and deep blue eyes. As
she and her companions spoke, Seles walked into the room.

“Is it true Seles was stranded with the Terran for
twelve days?” asked Jesela, a Kalaidian with shoulder length lime green hair
and golden eyes.

Mira smiled, happy to sound the facts. “That’s the
truth. Lady Seles spent twelve days with him. He fought off a squadron of
Malcovin mercenaries to save her.”

“Why would he do that?” Jesela asked.

Mira smiled and looked at Seles while she filled her
food tray. “Why don’t we ask the Lady herself why?”

Seles looked around and noticed the other crew members
were avoiding her.
Nothing ever changes.
She thought as she sighed and
shook her head. She found an empty table in the corner. Sitting down to enjoy
her meal, Mira and Jesela came over to join her, while a few others shadowed a
table nearby.

“Do you mind if we join you Lady Seles?” Mira asked.

Seles looked up and sighed again. “Sure, but I have
one condition. Please drop the Lady when talking to me. Onboard this ship, I’m
an ensign like most of you, not a noble.”

Mira and Jesela looked at each other and nodded in
agreement.

Mira sat down and edged close to Seles. “Okay Seles.
The crew’s interested in the alien in the medical lab. I’ve seen Brian through
the window, but Celi won’t let me get a closer look.”

Seles waved her hand. “Well, you know Celi. She finds
something interesting and she doesn’t like sharing. In due time he’ll be about
the ship, you can see him then.”

Jesela sat down opposite of Mira to pin Seles down.

“By the use of the word “him” I take it Brian’s male?”
Mira asked.

“Yes,” Seles answered.

“Is he dangerous?” Jesela asked.

Seles smiled while looking for a way out. “He’s really
a good person. He only acts violent when he’s forced to.”

“Is it true he’s Terran?” Mira asked.

“Yes, but unlike what we’ve been told, he’s not a
warmongering brute,” Seles said.

“What’s he like?” Mira asked.

Seles forced a smile on her face, knowing there was no
way out of this. “He’s really warm.”

* * *

Brian sat in the medical lab reading intently.

“You seem really interested in that book,” Celi said
as she entered the room.

He pushed away the monitor and stretched. “I’ve read
through most of the books of Kali.  It’s an interesting system.”

She walked over to him with a scanner in hand. “What
do you mean?”

“It’s a complex system designed to keep the rule of
the nobles above all else. The dogma emphasizes the nobility’s divine right of
rulership,” he answered, yawning afterwards.

Celi smiled. “I’ll leave the writings of Kali to the
nobles and priestesses. I prefer real things, not prayer and spirits.”

Brian laughed. “I feel the same. Back on Earth, I
cared little for religious subjects. To me, religion was a way to make excuses
and control others. I’d rather live in the real world; one where when I mess up
it’s my choice, not some god.”

“We have that in common Brian. Five years ago, when
the Avoni left the Kalaidian Space Forces, I joined Valis because she spoke of
destiny in a different way. Back home, we’re taught from a very young age our
lives are determined by stars we’re born under, our constellation at birth.
Kali directs everything.”

“It sounds like superstitious nonsense to me,” he
said.

“That’s not all there is to it. Other than nobles,
none of us are given a last name. We have our given name and that of the
constellation we are born under. For example, I’m Celi of the Water Serpent,”
she explained.

“My constellation on Earth is Aquarius, the Water
bearer. Is that how it works?” he asked.

“Yes, but using our naming system you should use the
constellation from Kalaidia Prime.” Celi paused. “Terra Prime is located in the
heart of the Great Dragon. Your name should be Brian of the Great Dragon.”

“I kind of like that name,” he said.

Celi shook her head. “I wouldn’t suggest you using it
in public. The Great Dragon is a special constellation, one signifying power
and fear.”

“From what you and Seles have told me I feel like my
people are getting a bad reputation without anyone really knowing us,” he said.

She switched her flat scanner for one resembling a
small baton. “It’s against interstellar law to visit an undeveloped planet. We
can’t even come within a hundred light years of Terra Prime, or we’d suffer
severe punishment.”

“Why a hundred light years?” he asked.

She moved the scanner around him. “Your people
attained the use of radio technology about a century ago, right?”

He thought for a moment. “Why isn’t the Confederation
letting anyone hear radio signals from Earth?”

Celi moved behind Brian, still scanning. “I’m not
sure. Usually it’s prudent to hear the cultural development and advancement of
technology from less developed worlds, but Terra Prime is a special case.”

“Why is that?” He looked behind. “By the way, what are
you doing?”