Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair (16 page)

On
the screen appeared Lumiar. She was alone in her home. She saw Brian and Baed
on the bridge and no one else. For a moment she stared in amazement seeing a
life form other than her own kind for the first time.

“I
apologize if I’m staring rudely, but you’ll have to forgive me Lieutenant
Commander Peterson,” she said. “My name is Lumiar Wavecrest, High Priestess of
this world. If you‘ve studied our culture as much as I assume you have, you
know how our system of government functions. I also wanted to thank you from my
heart for answering our call for help.”

“No
offense taken, I can kind of understand the position you’re in,” Brian said. “My
I call you Lumiar?”

“Of
course,” she answered.

“Please
call me Brian then.”

“Okay
Brian.” Lumiar seemed flustered. “Before anything else, can I ask where your
home worlds are located?”

“Sorry
about not sending that,” Brian said. He looked to Baed.

“I’ll
send the star map over immediately,” Baed said.

Lumiar
looked over image as it came. “You’re homes are far away from our location. In
your message you said something about gravity drives. Is that how you travel
between stars?”

“Yes,”
Brian said. “It uses massive particles to create small passageways in space.
This basically folds space to shorten the distance between locations. But because
space is curved and not flat the accuracy of where one appears isn’t perfect.”

“Quite
interesting,” Lumiar said. “Tell me, how many species are there in the
Confederation?”

“There
are twenty six distinct species, with the twenty seventh being a mixed world
named Dega Jul,” Brian explained. “Technically, I’m the twenty seventh species.
But given I’m the only human off world I don’t count for much.”

“How
is that possible?” Lumiar asked.                             

“Five
years ago I was taken by the Greys for experimentation, much like some of your
people,” he answered. “I was rescued by the Kalaidians on this vessel and
because of certain laws set by the Confederation am unable to return home.”

“Tell
me about the Strangers,” Lumiar said.

“The
ones you refer to as the Strangers we refer to as the Greys,” Brian answered. “This
section of the galaxy is under their control. No doubt your surveillance
satellites have had a good look at the planet they inhabit. What we can’t tell
you are their motives or plans for your species.”

“We’ve
attempted contact for a hundred and twenty years, since we first had the
capability to use radio waves for communication purposes,” Lumiar said. “Not
once have we received a response. We began suspecting the worst when the
sightings began fifty years ago. They’ve virtually ended within the last few
years though. By plans for our world are you speaking of domination?”

“No
Lumiar, the Greys don’t bother with that,” he said. “If they need your planet
for something they’ll euthanize the populace.”

“What?!”
she shouted.

“If
you wish for proof we’ll send you what we have,” Brian said. “Kalaidians like
Baed here have no males surviving from a plague sent to them a hundred and
sixty years ago. They can only reproduce artificially now. We also have data on
something we encountered early in our journey in this part of the galaxy that
shows how the Greys deal with species like yours. The Mardok were a race much
like yours, on the edge of living in space permanently. The Greys used some
method we haven’t discovered to burn the atmosphere off the planet.”

“You
can’t be telling the truth,” Lumiar said. “I can’t believe an intelligent race
would be capable of such a thing.”

“Sadly,
it’s true,” he said. “We have the evidence if you wish to see it yourself. But
to explain why the Greys would do such a thing I think it’s important to tell
you how they function as a society.”

“Go
on,” Lumiar said.

“As
you may or may not know the Greys are telepathic,” he explained. “Through this
method a machine god of their creation controls them. They created it to bring
peace to their people. It worked, too well in fact. All individuality has been
lost to them. Now they function as a hive mind controlled by their machine god.”

“So
if they’re controlled by this machine god as you put it, what are its motives?”
Lumiar asked.

“Order
and peace,” Brian answered. “The most effective way to peace is through
pacifying one’s enemies. The only choices are to enslave other races and
dominate them or destroy them.

“Terrible,”
Lumiar said. She sat silent for a moment deep in thought. “If what you say is
true then what chance do we have? Our military could do nothing to stop a foe
with such a technological edge.”

“We
can’t do much either,” Brian said. “Two ships alone can’t stand against their
military strength. But what we can do is help you protect your world. Even if
the odds aren’t good it’s better to try surviving the ordeal and live on. I’m
sorry to deliver this news to you. It must seem like we’ve dashed any hopes of
your people’s future by coming here.”

“No,”
she said. “We’ve suspected for a long time the Strangers may do something like
this. How should we proceed forth?”

“I’d
like to meet you in person Lumiar,” Brian said. “Speaking like this is
dangerous, as the signal may be picked up by the Greys. In return for the small
amount of aid we can give we’d like some fresh food and water. We still have a
lot of emergency rations but fresh food will help with morale.”

“I
think I can do that,” she said. “My minister of intelligence is already working
on a secluded island location in the southern hemisphere. Is there anything
else you need?”

“If
possible we’d like if a small number of the crew could go down to the secluded
island,” Brian said. “We’ve been on ship for almost six months. After that long
on a ship claustrophobia begins taking its toll.”

“I
see,” she said. “The second request may be difficult but I’ll insist on it. I’ll
contact you shortly on what we’re planning. On the behalf of all those who live
on this world, I thank you Brian. All we asked for were answers to our
questions and now the time has come to move forward. I look forward to meeting
you in person soon.”

“As
do I Lumiar,” he said.

The
conversation ended with the two making prayer. After her image vanished from
the screen Brian sat down and looked exhausted.

“That
was pretty good for a first contact situation,” Baed said. “But we’re violating
the Edict of Geluke Don doing this.”

“I
know Baed,” he said. “But I think the circumstances in this situation are very
different from that incident. I’m sure the Mylors would understand.”

“You’re
probably right,” Baed said.

* * *

In
a special sealed dome at the center of the capital city of the Braiden gathered
all the ministers of various titles and ways. Lumiar took the center of the
circle before nodding to Fran as he took his place on the inner ring of
importance. After the inner nine and the second ring of the circle of twenty
seven arrived the doors were closed. The larger outer two rings stayed empty.

“Tell
me Lady Lumiar, why have you asked only the inner two circles to come?” asked
Kaleb Stonegrate, the Minister of Public Relations. “To the outside such a
thing will draw attention.”

“I
understand your concern Minister Stonegrate,” Lumiar said after turning to
speak with him. “But what I have to reveal today is of the most secretive in
manner. I had a hard time allowing the second circle to hear this.”

“This
must be something you don’t want the general public to know about,” remarked
Silvia Waterway, the Minister of Defense.

“Yes,
this qualifies as that kind of thing,” Lumiar said. “The Minister of Intelligence,
Fran, received an answer to our call early this morning. I’ve confirmed the
message did come from another species. They’re currently in orbit of our
planet. Fran, please play the message and my meeting with Brian afterwards.”

“Yes
my lady,” Fran said. He activated the video system above the governing
ministers. The thirty six men and women watched in amazement to the message
Brian had sent earlier. Once it was finished playing, Fran played a recording
of Lumiar’s conversation with Brian and Baed. When the videos were finished
playing shock took over the ministers.

“If
this is true, and I trust it is, how can we survive the wrath of the
Strangers?” Doria Highstock, the Minister of Agriculture asked. A number of
ministers echoed her feelings.

“Militarily
we’re at a major disadvantage,” Silvia Waterway said. “Not only do we lack a
means of defending the planet, our weapons would be of little use to us.”

“If
they can destroy a planet’s atmosphere then everything we’ve worked for up to this
point in history would be gone in a flash,” said Crane Riverman, the Minister
of Industries.

“What
options do we have?” asked Ray Mountaintop, the Minster of the Arts.

“We
have few paths before us,” Lumiar said. “I’ve decided to meet with Brian and
his crew. Then I can gauge a better assessment of what to do next.” She turned
to Mayla Plentyboon, the Minster of Technology. “One of the options before us
is to save as many of our people as possible. We have two choices, to flee
somehow, or dig in. Given we have a population of seven billion fleeing is next
to impossible. As of now I want Minister Mayla to set out on that possibility.”

“If
Brian and his fellows agree to share their technology with us, I’m sure we can
come up with something,” Mayla said. She turned to the others. “I’m going to
need all of your agencies to help me in this endeavor.”

The
other ministers nodded in agreement. “All of those who can work will do so at
your command,” said Soren Silentwind, the Minister of Labor.

“For
now I say we dig in and hope,” Lumiar said. “Brian’s promised to aid us in any
way he can. As of now we may have only a few months until the Strangers act.
Assume the worst and if we’re lucky we’ll get more time. Right now our world
faces a danger greater than any in its history. It’s time we unite as one world
of one mind.” Lumiar made a religious sign. Each of the ministers stood and did
likewise. “This is top secret. Tell only those who need to know what is going
on. I don’t want our people to panic.”

“I’ll
do my best my lady,” Kaleb Stonegrate said.

“I
thank all of you for your support,” Lumiar said. “May the gods watch over all
of us and deliver us from this terrible fate.”

Seles
opened her eyes. She found she was floating in space, removed from all physical
limitations. Turning around she saw a gas giant below her. Turning back she saw
a heated battle. Near the planet were the Avoni and a pair of ships. Seles saw
a number of mobile suits surrounding the Avoni and the other attack vessel. The
third ship was much further away from the battle and retreated to a cluster of
asteroids and moons on the opposite side of the planet.
What is this place?
Where am I?
She thought. She glanced at the Avoni once more before seeing
the Mjolnir emerge. It glowed with a strange reddish hue.
Brian, is that
you? Why is the Mjolnir glowing like that?
She reached out with her
incorporeal hands and found she couldn’t move. She tried calling out only to
find her voice had no sound behind it. As the battle progressed she noticed a
number of massive saucer shaped vessels, along with what looked like hundreds
of smaller ships. They were attacking the Avoni and the other ship in waves. A
moment passed as the Mjolnir charged into the fray. Seles watched as the
strangely glowing mobile suit flashed out of sight. It reappeared and struck
the Grey ships like their shields weren’t there. She watched as the Mjolnir
slashed through the enemy ships with impunity. As the minutes passed and the
Mjolnir made its way towards the larger ships, Seles heard a heartbeat coming
from the mobile suit. Each passing second the beat became fainter until
finally, the beating stopped. She reached out with her hands and cried out with
all her might. The Mjolnir stopped flying and floated lifelessly as a mass of
the remaining Grey ships closed in and fired.

* * *

Seles
woke up covered in sweat. She was in her bed in the palace on Kalaidia Prime.
Feeling uncomfortable she stood up and went to the balcony. She stared out into
the dark courtyard. In the distance she noticed the downtown of the capital was
still fully at work.

“It’s
like they never turn the lights off anymore,” Seles said before sighing.
What
in Kali’s name did I see?

“You
seem quite disturbed Lady Seles,”
Myden said telepathically.
“But if
those flashes I saw a few minutes ago were correct, I can see why.”
He
stepped out of the darkness and stood next to her on the balcony.

“Someday
you’re going to have to tell me how you do that,” Seles said. “Also, when are
you going to stop referring to me as Lady?”

“Sorry
about that Seles, but its habit,” he answered in his raspy voice. “I’ve lived
on Kalaidia for over a century and always call the Queen and her family by
title. It’ll take me a century to shake the habit out of my speech patterns.”

“I’ve
never asked you why, but what is it about Kalaidia that drew you here?” she
asked. “You could have sought refuge amongst any race, so why ours?”

Myden
pointed to the sky. “On my homeworld we have no sky. Not only that, but we
destroyed all but a few surviving plants on my world. Our atmosphere is
maintained by artificial methods rather than natural now. Kalaidia has trees
and open streams. It feels alive.”

“Why
not one of the older races, like the Mylor then?” she asked. “I’m sure they’d
love to have your input on any number of subjects.”

“The
Mylor and my people have had long and difficult relationship Seles,” Myden
said. “It would be more complicated than you suspect.”

“The
other question I have is you are really alone?” Seles asked while gazing at the
stars above. “There had to have been others who escaped when you did.”

“There
are a few of us left,” he said. “I suspect the machine god has kept a number of
them around for specific situations. Without their experience and individuality
the Naerendi could never hope to win any serious battles.”

“So
your people are called Naerendi?” Seles asked. “Is there any relation to the
Rendi?”

“All
in a name means nothing if the species aren’t even close,” he answered with a
laugh “I forget you’ve never seen an Original Five race without an exoskeleton.
When they have them on its difficult to tell what they are. The Rendi evolved
on a world devoid of carbon.”

“Then
they must be silicate based,” Seles said.

“Yes.
Underneath that suit they look like small glass trees. Though they aren’t
telepathic, the Rendi can connect wholly with another creature by simply
touching them. They’re homeworld is a beautiful place of rock crystals and
formations.”

“The
older races don’t let others see their worlds very often though.”

“No,
that’s on purpose,” Myden said. “The technology they have is advanced beyond
anything you can imagine.”

“So
Myden, can you explain the vision I had?” she asked. “Is it linked to the berserk
state?”

“The
berserk is a state of consciousness beyond what you now know,” he explained. “Think
of it as the next stage of evolution. Brian was the first to awaken a few years
ago. Around him the Maidens have awakened one by one, as well as Dreka. Long
ago the Teacher predicted such an event would take place. Your desire to see
him led to the vision. You can sense he’s still alive. I believe Mira’s done
the same.”

“So
what is the awakened state supposed to be?” she asked.

“As
you know, the older races like mine have special, almost magical powers. These
didn’t develop without the aid of technology. In a sense we’ve already
awakened, though not fully. My people have advanced telepathy and mental
energy; the Mylors have telekinesis, etc. The question I’ve often wonder is what
each of the younger races awakened powers will be.”

“Then
you don’t know for sure?” Seles asked.

“No,
neither you nor Brian has reached the saturation point. You’ve partially
awakened so you’re able to tap into things faster than normal, but not to the
point of being able to do what we do. I suspect your race’s power is linked to
energy is some way or another. That’s why I think those new mobile suits you
and your kind are flying about in will one day bring about the answer to this
question.”

“So
if Brian’s Terran, his power would be different?” Seles asked.

“Yes,”
he said. “As with your kind Seles, I can’t say for certain what his power may
be.”

Seles
looked down with a look of sadness in her eyes. “When I was dreaming, I noticed
Brian was in pain. I felt like he was fading away.”

“He’s
contracted the Grey plague,” Myden said. “If Celi can’t find a cure soon I
don’t think we’ll ever see him again.”

“It
can’t be true!” Seles shouted. “Not like this, that’s no way to die. If he’s
the Warrior the Teacher spoke of than how could this happen?”

“The
Warrior is a title, nothing more,” Myden said. “The plan set forth by the
Teacher allowed for changes like this. If he dies the title and responsibility
will fall to one of you.”

“Are
you saying I’ll have to lead them?” she asked with doubt in her voice.

“If
you cannot lead, then one of the others will have to,” he explained. “Either
Valis or Kivi would do perfectly in fulfilling his wishes. But I believe you’re
selling yourself short. I sensed it within Brian when he came here to save you.
He desires to protect you out of love most of all, but there’s another reason
to why he wishes for you to live so badly.”

“And
why is that?”

“Because
one day you’ll surpass him in all areas,” Myden said. “Brian can climb to reach
the heavens but knows you can fly higher still. In his mind your name and
visage will far surpass him. So when we go to find him remember he needs you to
protect him.”

“I
don’t know what to say,” Seles said. “Wait, did you say we?”

“Yes,”
he said with a nod. “I’ll be joining you and the others. The second Wiseman is
with them, the one who’s the master of the present. Should Brian and the others
survive they’ll be changed forever from what they’ve witnessed.”

“I
couldn’t see much but I felt something dreadful in that dream,” Seles said.

“What
they saw were the crimes my people have committed against the galaxy,” he
explained. “It’s enough to drive one mad.” Myden paused. “Earlier you asked me
if I was alone. I live to see my people free once more. Although I know there
won’t be many left, as long as a few of us live on it’s enough. The Naerendi
were once a race of powerful warriors. But now we live in chains. The future
the machine god desires is bleak and void of culture. To it, my people are
little more than machines carrying out their duty. But people are not machines
to simply use, nor are machines who become people.”

“That’s
the way we did things here on Kalaidia for a long time,” Seles said. “To the
nobles a commoner was but a machine to aid them in maintaining their wealth and
power. It was one of the many reasons I had to leave this place.”

“But
now you understand what’s important to value. Neither money nor power for its
own sake, but relationships with others.”

“Exactly,”
she said. Seles looked at the heart of the Great Dragon constellation. “I
wonder what his world looks like.”

“Not
very different from Kalaidia truthfully,” Myden said.

“I
wonder what his people are like,” Seles said. “Are they as diverse as he’s
said, or not?”

“Quite
so,” Myden answered. “Unlike your people, Terrans aren’t unified by religion or
ideology. That’s the reason why so many fear them. In a few centuries Terrans
may be the greatest threat to peace in this galaxy. Their potential far
outstrips the Naerendi, and the Mylor can only stretch their military might so
much before it breaks. That’s why Brian has been viewed as a bit of an
experiment to the older races. They hope he’ll show everyone what Terrans could
be rather than what they fear.”

“I
knew the fear early on, until I got to actually talking with him,” Seles said. “After
a while I guess I got used to him.”

“Fear
lessens once doubt has been changed to certainty,” he said. “Understanding is
the key to changing relations between peoples. That’s the solution the Teacher
proposed. No military might in the universe is able to stand between two beings
who understand one another.”