Disclaimer: The characters of Stargate belong to MGM. The characters of the Four Orders are entirely my own.


Chapter 7

Day Seven: Part I – the day before Saturday

"Witnessing a nexus where everything is possible doesn't happen every day but Saturday…"

It was the year one million five hundred thousand and seventy BC. The great city of Atlantis has returned to the Milky Way Galaxy and to planet Earth where new life had grown. The Alterrans had travelled for a long time into the depths of space but there was no place like home.

Their ways had changed, and the view and understanding of the universe too. They were more experienced now and wiser. And of course, like any other race they had their failures and their successes. They have learnt from their mistakes and were looking forward to rebuilding the might of their civilization so abruptly taken away from their old nemesis the ORI.

There was now something else in there too – legends. The most remembered one was of the four that came from the unknown. Their contribution to the Alterran civilization was written in golden words upon the crest of Atlantis – Sotra, Donos, Jonus and Tealus. They made first contact with the Herald and this alliance changed the Alterran civilization and opened their eyes to new horizons and possibilities.

An old prophecy made just a few hundred years after the alliance day with the Herald proclaimed their return. 'In time of great need where the answers to the ultimate puzzle arise once more the heralded four shall return to breathe life into Destiny. They shall not have aged even a day since last they were seen and among them you shall find the bright light of the night sky – Lucifer. Return they shall on the day of nexus the day of ultimate possibilities.'


Orbital Docks, planet Laroush

Callus left the orbital docks, boarded the jumper and headed down to the surface of Laroush where he was to meet with Ayne. They were to discuss the new computer matrix prepared for the seed ships. There were still some problems with its implementation.

"Ayne," – Callus called as he got out of the rear of the jumper. "The AI is unstable. All simulations failed."

"Again?" – Ayne asked frustrated.

"We knew it is a long shot at best."

"Callus, how are we going to launch them into the universe knowing that at every turn they risk falling apart? We have to do better."

"I know," – Callus sighed deeply and shrugged. "But it is not working."

"I'll recheck the algorithms and try to isolate the fault." – Ayne said. "Alright, take me to Atlantis. The rest of the council would like to hear of our progress, anyway."

"Get in."

The jumper took off and headed up as the star gate was placed in orbit. In nowadays, most gates were placed in orbit to avoid the fiasco with the ORI though that took place a very long time ago but they were taking chances no more.

The jumper exited the star gate in orbit of Earth and headed for the Southern continent where Atlantis floated near the land. Callus landed elegantly on the East pier. Ayne and he headed straight for the council's chambers. All were assembled.

"Ayne, Callus, well," – Milu greeted. "Have a seat!"

Ayne and Callus took their places on the council.

"I regret to…report…" – Callus began though it was not easy to say they had failed again. They were definitely missing something important. "I regret to report the project failed again."

"Ayne?"

Ayne sighed. It was obvious for everyone she was not happy too. They had invested a lot of efforts to continue their ancestors' work in this most noble project and were once more coming short.

"I don't know what went wrong." – She replied. "I've rechecked the algorithms. Everything checks fine but the simulations fail every single time."

"We need more time with the AI. It is unstable." – Callus came to her aid.

"Now, how about the truth…"

Callus lowered his gaze and mumbled the fear everyone here had. "It is not going to be in our lifetime. The AI technology is vastly untested and highly unstable. The moment we launch those ships will be lost who knows where."

"So we are back at the beginning?" – Milu said in defeat.

"Pretty much," – Callus acknowledged.

"We have made progress. It is just not enough at this point." – Ayne said. "The first step would be to make a few test launches. It is the only way we could isolate the problems our children will be working on."

"I agree." – Milu nodded. "Callus, Ayne, Derris, I'm afraid you will be working overtime."

"No problem." – Callus smiled weakly.

Ayne, Derris and he left the council chambers.

"Now, Jehs, we can talk about the other problems. How did they get here? How did they find us, again, after two million years?"

"I believe they never left." – Jehs replied.

"Our ancestors destroyed all life in this galaxy using the gate network."

"I know this." – Jehs sighed. "But I think they have stayed on a world that was off the wave's path or they could have stayed outside the galaxy. They do have ships too."

"And they have started all over again?"

"I'm afraid so."

"We cannot deal with another galactic plague."

"Oh, it seems they have altered their tactics. Military intelligence suggests there are four prayers. Each is taking a quarter of the inhabited galaxy. They have already formed small armies. Confronting them directly and disabling like our ancestors did will not be possible. We cannot get anywhere near them."

"We have to find a way."

"I don't think you understand. They are using children as living shields. Even if we get somewhere near them, they are going to harm the children or set against them us and neither I nor my men will raise an arm against them."

"Then…" – Milu sighed bitterly. "We have already lost."

"Yeah, we have." – Jehs nodded then shoo head and added. "There is nothing we can do short of a miracle."

"You're right we do need a miracle."


Planet Loch, 20 000 LY from Earth

Twenty thousand light years away from Earth on a small green world, a group of sixty people moved through the forest. In the middle of this group surrounded by six and seven years old children marched the priest of the ORI – Lien. He had found the perfect way to ensure the submission of this galaxy to the will of the ORI and he totally agreed with it.

In deference to the other priests, he was the only one that was not converted. He needed no conversion other the power of his Gods. He was the architect of this new strategy. It was flawless. The wicked Alterrans will never dare oppose them while the youngest converted marched on his side.

Village after village fell under the protection of the benevolent Gods the ORI. There were of course those they refused but they spoke dissension no more for the planes of utter blackness took them in their embrace.

The conversion of this galaxy would be ready for the end of the year and then the almighty ORI will come to their new home and rule for all eternity. But first many other had to fall under their guidance.

The village ahead was made of believers and some nonbelievers. But the power of the ORI will be witnessed by all. They arrived in it by sun down.

The village elder was different this time around as Lien noticed. It was not he whom Lien had talked to the other day.

"Greetings," – The Elder spoke. "Welcome to our village, strangers."

Lien frowned at once. Something was off here. He was being addressed as though he was coming here for the first time. Was it possible he made a mistake? No, Lien shook head. He was not mistaken but the one before him spoke the truth too. How was this possible? Lien quickly located the village's landmark – an ugly statue of a woman in Alterran clothing and engraved in golden words – 'The patron of the Stars – Sotra.'

"Is Orak around?" – Lien's aide, a woman twenty years old, asked.

"Orak?" – The Elder looked at her bemused. "I'm not familiar with this man or woman."

Lien was getting irritated though the man before him was indeed telling the truth as he was not picking up any deceit.

"We bring the light of the ORI." – Lien said and stepped forward. He was not happy of doing this twice but he was going to do it anyway. He spoke of the benevolent gods, of their love and devotion, and the offer of eternal life. And the villagers listened. The stories were interesting and powerful.

Lien though irritated by the sudden change performed superbly and the villagers were enchanted by the power of his voice, and the strong influence of the stories and offers presented.

By the end of the day, Lien concluded with the words:"The ORI ask for nothing but belief in the enlightenment they bring. Also as a small token they ask of you to build their shrine." And Lien showed the schematics for purging the unbelievers.

The Elder took a look at the schematics with reverence. Lien smiled victorious. Despite the delay this village was his now.

"We shall abide by the wishes of the ORI." – The Elder said. "But this will take many days and most of our workforce."

"And this is a problem because…" – Lien asked.

"The harvest is beginning and we can't spare anyone for the building of the shrine at this point but the end of it we shall build it."

"And the end is?" – Lien's voice started to rise.

"In six by ten rotations," – The Elder replied.

Lien was not happy but the truthfulness of this man was starting to go on his nerves. The period was too long for him. He had hoped to wrap this quickly and move on to the next planet. It seemed his victory was short lived but he was not going to give up this easily.

Instead of answer, he used a story with a dreadful end. He hoped the villagers will see the wisdom of building the shrine now rather than later and he made his first mistake and last. The effect was quite opposite of what he had hoped. The villagers clearly saw the threat.

"The benevolence of a God is only is strong as the fear of his shadow." – A melodic voice took Lien off his thoughts and he turned around.

Before him, a man in lime clothes and a silver mantle stood. On his belt made of leather, Lien noticed a small, unknown device no longer than a span and next to it a silver stripe. The boots covering the man's feet were of the same leather as the belt. The man himself was tall, stalwart, well not much, but enough. He had short brown hair and eyes, vivid and they seemed to penetrate even the shadows around. His face was friendly, soft, the nose, normal size, and the lips of the mouth curled in a jesting fashion.

Was this man mocking him? If he was it would be his last. Lien did not like of being so abruptly interrupted. But this man that stood before him was different from the rest of the villagers. He was a stranger here much like him. But it was more than that. He was sensing strength streaming from him.

"The wisdom of the ORI…"

"…has not been heard for over two million years, Lien of the ORI." – The man interrupted.

"…is eternal for all lost children shielded from the truth." – Lien continued as though nothing had happened.

The man smiled and let a small but contain laugh of pity. "The truth…" – He shook head. "Oh, my poor, Lien, you know nothing of the truth you profess to others."

"In the light of the ORI, I have seen it."

"I seriously doubt that." – The man countered with polite tone but his eyes flashed mysteriously. "Lien, son of Medila, born in a misty day in the village of Hiet, near the luminous city of Gods – Celeste, you are the only they never converted and the irony is you never wondered why. Though your mother brought to the world you are not her son. You are the son of the ORI who impregnated the woman that gave birth to you. You are truly the son of Gods, the ORI themselves. You possess their power and some of their knowledge. When the time would have come for you to die you might even have known how to join them but this does not apply to their followers. The ORI do not share power with the lower planes. They use the power of belief as fuel much like these people use wood for their fire."

Lien stood mesmerized by the inexplicable knowledge this man possessed. And again truth came with every word. This much Lien was sensible to but he will not bow down to this dissension.

"The…" – Lien was again interrupted.

"The morals of the stories are sound. They come from daily and life experiences and they are true which is why they work. A story that is not true can never take a hold of anyone."

"The ORI are benevolent…"

"Not towards dissension," – He countered. "It is pointless, Lien. I can see right through you and your intentions, and your thoughts. I can see inside your soul. On one side, I see the light but everyone sees everyone knows that within the light of the fire there is darkness. And it is this darkness that speaks through you.

I'm not here to oppose you. If these people chose to follow ORI then it is their choice and I will not interfere. You see Lien this is the mistake your Gods made."

"Mistake?"

"A long time ago, I heard a man say this: 'A bee is more attracted to honey than dung.' In simpler words, the only way to gain trust is to give one. If they go your way it is ok but if they do not then you should let them. In time, they may even come to see it your way. But every time you use the glove and the sword, and the fire, the bees will run away and never come back. The freedom of choice belongs to every being in the universe. They can choose to belief or not. It is their mistake to make not yours. Choice is what makes all the difference in the world."

"And if they are not able to see on their own…"

"Lien, you do have village competitions where you grew up?"

"Yes," – Lien replied startled by the sudden change of subject.

"How do you know the winners?"

"Ah…"

"It is not the one that is the best that always wins it is the one that chooses the right moment. You separated them by a very simple thread. They get back on their ride that has just kicked them in the teeth.

It is the same with everything else. Yes, they will fall many times on their faces but they will learn to pick themselves up too. And it is not the ORI or any other god that will teach them that. Some lessons can be taught others can only be learnt."

"An interesting point of view but inconsistent…"

"Really," – The man smiled wider. "When you first fell Lien, your mother picked you up but when you are old enough and you fell on the ground did the ORI come to your rescue or did you stood up on your own?"

"It is not the same…"

"Yes, it is, yes, it is."

There was perfect logic in his words but he was wrong. "Maybe, sometimes we can but not for everything."

"No, indeed not," – The man nodded in agreement. "But if you show them all the time, they will never learn which ironically the point of the ORI's teachings is."

Yes, Lien nodded. This man understood the purpose of his masters' intent better than anyone alive. If he had spoken to all the villages he had already converted in the same manner Lien knew they were lost to the ORI.

Lien, he was the ORI and the ORI suffered no dissension of any kind. A part of Lien wished to do as the man before him suggested. It was far more logical and practical but the ORI part in him wanted that man silenced forever.

Lien raised his stuff and the crystal atop illuminated. It was time for that man to go in oblivion. Witnessing the power of the ORI will convince this village to follow.

The crystal light shone brightly but the man remained where he was. The smile had faded away from his lips. The stare of the eyes became not furious but colder.

Lien stood rooted. He could not explain this. The might given to him was not able to remove this threat. And no matter how hard he tried the man remained still staring at him. The light of the crystal faded. It was the first time anyone opposed the power and it had the most unfortunate outcome. The villagers had witnessed the failure of the power promised by the almighty gods. Lien was uncertain of what to do. He had never had this problem before or anyone else before him.

"The light of the ORI is just one among many that illuminate the universe." – The man proclaimed so everyone can hear him. "So it is true for their power."

Lien blinked.

"It is not your fault, Lien, son of the ORI." – The man gave him the smile of understanding. "Ironically, and as much as I hate saying this, the Light of Gallean, Lord of Life, does not know opposition from beings of energy. The power of your creators is great but it is no match for the power of all life."

Lien was thunder stricken.

"I'm not Gallean, Lien," – The man answered the unasked question in his eyes. "I'm only his herald. Neither you nor the ORI could stand in his presence for they will burn and die." The man's smile changed. "It is not your fault. But I guess today, Lien, you learnt a lesson that no one could have possibly prepared you for. You see that is my point some lessons can only be learnt they can never be taught they can only be experienced.

And this is the lesson you should carry to your Gods and to anyone willing to follow you. Trust is built not made. I think it is time for you and the other three to leave this galaxy and return when you are enlightened and wiser. With experience firsthand comes understanding and from understating comes wisdom. Go now, child of the ORI."

If Lien had thought his speeches were enchanting than he had never met the power that streamed from the Knights of Gallean and more to the point from the Herald of Gallean. Lien knew now that anywhere he goes within the premises of the galaxy of the Alterran the Herald will be the one standing in his path not with weapons but with purity of thought and reason, and warmth from within that no God can fight and no man can resist.

The ORI had lost this round and defeated he must return home and try another time. Lien though knew in the core of his being that he will never return from Celeste as the ORI suffer no dissension or failure.

Lien left the village alone this time and his eyes absorbed the beauty of nature they have never truly seen before. He was never seen again and neither were the other three priests.

There is an old legend saying that the three met on a desolate world. The other three did not take the wisdom Lien's carried and attacked him as a traitor to the cause. In their midst, the man with the silvery mantle appeared and his eyes they saw cold fury that knew no equal. The three fell and Lien remained.

"Why?" – Lien asked turning to the man in silver. "Why me?"

"Every now and then, even the ORI make a mistake. The woman that gave you birth was pure in heart and she passed that on you. You can see the truth in anyone's eyes and hearts. And this truth helped you on your path.

The ORI have long abandoned you Lien ever since they found it in you. You cannot be converted. Even your makeup cannot be altered because of this pureness. You came to them with open heart and despite that you share the same DNA with them they could not exercise control over you.

The only thing they did was to give you their power and hope you will carry on the mission but they knew deep down their twisted souls that you will never belong to them should you experience wisdom, true wisdom. They knew eventually you will turn on them.

You are the first and believe me they will make sure you will also be the last. They will never make the same mistake twice. The pureness of heart changed who and what you are. You know Lien, the universe is big and vast, and extremely ridiculous, and sometimes there are these moments when one is able to defy his own nature. People call these moments' miracles and you are one of them now.

Now when the influence of the ORI is no longer with you, you can choose your own path. Every time you proposed the way of the ORI you knew the price these people have to pay but you continued though part of you wanted to stop. In a way, you are a machine that malfunctioned and got in return self awareness.

They will never accept you in their ranks ever again and if you go they will kill you. You are not one of them anymore. It is time you made your decisions on your own. You will make mistakes like anyone else. You stumble and you will fall but you learn to get up and do better like everyone else. Life, Lien, is an adventure full of obstacles to overcome. Being all mighty and powerful is only for those who wish to avoid that path.

Look at me, I'm powerful and I can become even more powerful but I don't want to. I love the life I have with all the obstacles, and the failures and the successes, and the sweat. I do not want to know everything, to know the answer to all mysteries, to all questions, to all problems otherwise my life will be pointless and utterly useless because the fun of it will be gone.

We are human, Lien, and if we choose to become Gods, we will leave everything we have ever known and loved behind in an endless road where we know every bump, every turn, every hole, and everyone that comes around the corner. This is not life, Lien. I'm not saying you should not pursue it but not in their way. Find your own. I have and I thought it is time you do too. Goodbye, Lien, you will not see me again. May the light of Gallean stand between you and all the dark places you will ever venture into."

And with that the Herald of Gallean vanished leaving Lien, son of the ORI, alone. Lien never returned to the galaxy of the ORI. He lived his life alone till the day he founded his own family and thought his children to make their own choices.

The Alterrans were rejoiced in the news of the miracle. The ugly influence of the ORI was purged with cool heads and reason. They could now focus on their most important project – Destiny.

A decade passed since the last of the ORI, the Alterrans were working hard to build unmanned vessels to explore every galaxy, select the most viable worlds, gather materials, build and plant stargates. These vessels were called seed ships and they will travel ahead of the main vessel they named Destiny. Destiny will be launched long after they depart to give them enough time to at least seed four hundred galaxies.

But the Milky Way galaxy was in turmoil. A new race has arrived and forced the Alterrans to fight, for every sector, every solar system. The problem was the new arrivals were a warrior race and the Alterrans weren't. They were losing ground with each passing year. The worst came when Atlantis, their greatest pride was destroyed in a battle. The Alterrans had retreated from Earth to planet Destiny, the hope of their future.


Planet Destiny, 120 000 LY from Earth

Ayne left the observatory. She had again pulled two night shifts. A sudden light that appeared in the adjacent corridor spooked her.

"Oh, so sorry," – It was Daryl, son of Vash and direct descendant of Donos. The boy was bright and following in the footsteps of the family – old trinkets and their history.

"Daryl, what are you doing up so late?" – Ayne asked.

"Ah, I was just finishing my project for…"

"You should be in bed." – Ayne smiled. "Come."

Ayne took a grip of his hand and led the way. Children these days were so restless and full of energy.

"Are we expecting an attack?"

"What makes you say that?" – Ayne asked.

"Well, everyone is being working so hard. Ships are making flybys all the time. Battle ships are orbiting, coming and going. It makes everyone wonder. Are they coming for us next?"

Ayne's smile was feeble. Yes, the children were not blind or deaf. There was always this possibility.

"No, sweetie, they are doing what they are supposed to be doing – patrolling. Yes, these days have been busier than others but it is normal. We are at critical stages and a little extra caution is required. There is nothing to be afraid of."

"Oh, good," – Daryl visibly relaxed.

They reached Vash's quarters.

"Now, go inside quietly and go to bed." – Ayne bid him goodnight.

"Thank you,"

"And no more wonderings, right?"

"Yes, councilor."

She left him and headed to her quarters. Strange, the lights were out even when she attempted to switch them on. It must be a faulty panel. This was definitely not Atlantis. And speaking of which, her memories drifted back to that horrid day.

The enemy ambushed them the moment they exited hyperspace. They fought valiantly but the enemy forces were overwhelming. Atlantis' shields were failing. The council evacuated first and the crew that stood behind fought to the last moment. Then the shields failed and they were exposed to hard vacuum but the enemy kept shooting until they had shredded the city into dust.

Ever since then they had been working hard and were fighting back but without Atlantis it has been difficult. The project Destiny was not advancing as they had hoped either. Callus was right it was not going to be in their life time.

Ayne went to bed. She lay down and closed her eyes. But sleep did not come. Her mind was processing a lot of the past day's information.

"…approaches, Destiny shall rise…"

Ayne jumped off her bed and frantically looked around but there was no one but her in the room. And just as she was getting back to the bed the loud indistinctive whisper returned.

"…approaches, Destiny shall rise…"

"Who's there?" – Her voice feebly turned to the perpetual darkness in the room and still nothing. She was completely alone.

"The night star approaches, Destiny shall rise…"

And all of a sudden the lights in her room shone brightly blinding her as the loud whisper faded away.

Ayne stood rooted. Sweat had covered her body, cold of sweat of fear. She moved feebly to the panel and switched off the lights and then turned them on again. The panel was working perfectly. But she had no explanation for this phenomenon.

What did the voice say – her mind pondered. The night star approaches. What is the night star? And then: - Destiny shall rise. What did this mean? She did not know for her senses were overwhelmed.

She left the lights on and curled back into her bed. Her eyes stayed open until heavily they closed on their own and she surrendered to sleep.


The next morning she woke up to a bleak sunny day. The air was cooler than usual or so she thought given she had slept on open window the entire night. Open windows it was not something she would ever get used to. On Atlantis they did not have this kind of open policy. It was never necessary.

She quickly dressed for the council's meeting was starting in less than twenty minutes. Ready, she though lingered before the mirror. Thirty years old, she was of average height, slender body, sweet cheeks, small but adorable nose, just a few freckles on each cheek, dark brown hair in a tight bun, and lovely, big hazel eyes.

She exited her room but then quickly returned. The lights, she had not switched off ever since last night's creepiness. The creepiness was gone and now so was the lights. She left her room and moved quickly to the closest elevator leading to the council chambers.

Everyone had gathered. The mood did not seem to be very cheerful. The display activated and showed another four sectors in the vicinity of Destiny.

"Fallen?" – She turned to Callus sitting next to her. "How many did we lose?"

"More than we should have." – He replied bitterly, shaking in slow motion his head.

"Alright," – Milu said getting up so everyone could see and hear her. Of all Alterrans, she was probably the tallest woman. Unnaturally tall with prominent cheek bones, wide mouth spread (as for the biggest smile), strong chin (inspiring confidence), well rounded (well you know what), long, black hair, and enchanting blue, piercing eyes. "Now, you have all seen it. It doesn't seem like they have found our base but they are getting awfully close."

"And this is the problem we are facing." – Jehs, the stalwart commander of the late Atlantis, said. "If we pull more ships to protect our base, they will know where we are."

"We cannot hide all the time." – Callus noted. "Sooner or later, we will have to strike back."

"We are aware of that, councilor Callus." – Milu sighed. "But Project Destiny is our lifeline and we cannot risk it."

"Then we have to move to another world."

"We can't." – Jehs shook head. "If we move now they will see us and follow us. We need a diversion and lately our plans for that haven't worked."

"There must be something." – Callus exclaimed standing up to Jehs. In comparison, he looked smaller and tinier but just as determined. The small, almost beady, green eyes gazed at Jehs' black ones with pleading for some miracle. For Callus, Project Destiny was his life and more.

"There might be something." – Ayne said with a feeble voice. Everyone's heads turned in her direction.

"Ayne?" – Milu came to her. "What is it?"

"Last night, before I came to bed…"

"What?"

And she told them of the loud at first indistinctive whisper that later took the form of: 'The night star approaches, Destiny shall rise…'

Among the craziness of the late years in Alterran history, this was probably the most mysterious. The Alterrans are not used to mysterious events for they like to know and to solve all through reason and logic. Those were also the words of the prophet of a hundred years after the Alliance with the Herald.

"This is…" – Even Milu was at loss of words much like anyone else. It was rare to have a true mystery. But in these forsaken days of pain and loss, it was actually a blessing. But was it a blessing or portent for disaster to come?

Everyone was silent for a very long time. Each council member left for his post engulfed in their own thoughts.

Ayne had not hoped for this development. She half expected to be laughed at or at least suspicion to grow roots. But no one did. The words of the prophet were a powerful tool. At the time she did not recognize them she was too scared and freaked out.

Actually, her whole day she could not focus or think of anything else than those words. Were they going to happen in their lifetime? The old prophecy said that in time of great need when the questions of Destiny arise, the Heralded four shall return to help. Was this time now? And how were the four to return and where? The historical records indicated they were last seen on Daiquiris (Dakara) before they completely dropped off the map. Would they reappear there again?

Ayne left her post and headed for the gate. There was only one way to know for sure. She took a jumper and crossed the gate. The problem was that the historical data did not indicate what the four were doing on Daiquiris. It was a big planet but logic suggested they would have been near the gate or its proximity.

Many searches had been conducted over the years trying to find them but with nil results however Ayne was determined. She made a flyby on the vicinity of the gate. There weren't many places one could hide or even hibernate. Of course, they could be using a cloaking field. She calibrated the sensors for Alterran cloaking fields but found nothing.

She examined the nearby forests but over the millions of years they had changed and finding anything in this much thickness would be close to impossible. She was ready to give up when she noticed a small hollow. The irony was that it was the exact size of a jumper. She landed there as best she could.

After all these years, the size of the hollow had not changed or altered. She picked up traces of exotic particles and tachyons. The tachyons, they were only hypothetical but it seems these days everything is possible. But it still did not explain why the hollow had not changed over the course of several million years.

"Ayne,"

Ayne turned around and came face to face with Callus.

"What are you doing here?"

"Ah, I, uh…"

"Yes, it is a very thorough answer." – Callus raised an eyebrow. The humor could easily be seen in his eyes alongside the interest. "I guess you wanted to find the four, right?"

"Ah, uh…" – She nodded still stunned by his presence.

"Well, you are not the only one. My family descends straight from Tealus."

"I, uh, never knew that."

"It is not something we yell all day." – Callus smiled.

"But why keep it a secret?"

"After the disappearance of the four, our people needed them but they were gone and no one knew where. The alliance with the Herald was at its first stages. It was fragile and our ancestors worried it might fall apart."

"But it didn't."

"No, everything worked out perfectly except Destiny. Many people blamed the four for that and anyone related to them…"

"I understand." – Ayne said. "And here we are trying to find them for we need them again."

"Yes, we do." – Milu interrupted.

"Are you all here?"

"No, Callus and I are here while Jehs and Derris are on Voctos."

"It was one of the other worlds that the four went together to." – Callus explained.

"So, we found the hollow a few years ago. As you have noticed it is a perfect hollow preserved over the course of almost three and half million years." – Milu started.

"Well, it was fully submerged into fauna but we unearthed it." – Callus continued.

"And it is surrounded with tachyons." – Ayne added.

"No, it is surrounded with something but not tachyons."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know."

"Is it possible they could return here?"

"We don't know. But everything is possible at one point or another." – Milu concluded.


Star Sector Astreus, 10 000 LY from Destiny

'Battles, every day battles', commander Ver of the Alterran fleet thought, and no end. The enemy kept pushing and he pushed back. It was a kind of a stalemate with ugly loses on both sides.

"Commander, the Hephaestus reports two damaged engines, four shield emitters, three…"

"Casualties?" – Ver interrupted his trusted lieutenant Serk.

"Four hundred wounded and…"

"That's half the crew!"

"Yes, sir,"

Ver took a deep breath. The Hephaestus is one of his best ships. It is a part of prototype battle ships designed specifically for their current enemies. He shivered at the thought of losing that ship but with half crew it was as good as lost. He ran his fingers through his beard then through the database.

"Have the crew of the Pont and Vinita cross over to the Hephaestus and start immediate repairs."

"Yes, sir,"

Serk walked away followed by Ver's gaze. He will have his private time with her later. Some things remain universal. His crew needed some recreation and so did he.

"Commander, Admiral Je'sho has arrived. He requests immediate conference with you."

"Put him on."

The screen activated and the admiral's face appeared.

"Commander,"

"Admiral,"

"Intelligence has intercepted a coded message from the enemy lines. They are preparing an assault team for Destiny."

Ver frowned at once. "Destiny, sir? How did they find it?"

"They found it while aboard the Daiquiris."

"We have to warn them."

"Yes, you are the closest ship to a gate. Inform them at once."

"Yes, Admiral." – Ver said and turned to navigation. "Prepare the ship for immediate departure."

"Yes, Commander,"

The Ney Lucas closed all bay doors, the hyper engines kicked in and the ship jumped to hyperspace.

The ship reemerged from hyperspace twelve hundred light years away at the edge of Astreus sector where the only planet with a gate was. Commander Ver and his trusted lieutenant boarded a jumper and proceeded to the surface.

There they dialed the gate to Destiny, their last fortress and hope. Commander Ver transmitted his clearance code and ventured through. Arriving on the other side, he saw Commander Jehs and Councilor Derris.

"Commander Ver?" – Jehs stepped to greet him though he looked puzzled by his presence. "Has something happened?"

"Yes, sir, unfortunately something has happened. Would you please assemble the council?"

"I'm afraid not everyone of the council is here. I guess you'd have to settle with us." – Derris said.

They went to the council chambers. Ver paced a bit before sitting opposite the councilors. He gave full report of the last engagements with the enemy.

"Commander," – Jehs said. "You could have easily transmitted your report instead of coming yourself."

"Yes, sir," – Ver sighed deeply. "We have intercepted a message from the enemy. They are coming."

"They?" – Derris exclaimed. "Who are they and where are they going?"

"The enemy has found Destiny. They are preparing as we speak a strike force."

"Found us!" – Jehs exclaimed while concern conquered his face.

"How did they find us?" – Derris asked.

"They boarded the Daiquiris and managed to download part of the data stream. It contained the exact coordinates of the planet." – Ver replied.

"This is very bad news." – Jehs sighed.

"Commanders, Destiny is the most protected planet in our domain." – Derris noted.

"They are not going to make a frontal attack. They are not ready for that. They are sending a strike team. The problem is we do not know when or how many are coming." – Ver clarified. "I had to come and warn you personally. We could not risk that on open channel."

"You have done well, Commander." – Jehs said. "We will take it from here. Return to your fleet."

"Yes, sir," – Ver said standing up. "Commander, councilor…"


Late in the evening, the complex of Destiny was in slumber. A group of twenty four shadows descended the high peak above it and made their way in through the oval and spacey balconies.

The few guards of the Alterrans were taken down without any problem. The complex's control systems were now at their disposal. They sealed off all corridors and quarters' rooms isolating the sleeping. Closed down the bay doors and severed all communications. Next they proceeded to the power units of the complex and overtook the nothing suspecting guards. The entire complex was now at their mercy.

They cut off the power to most part of the complex and reactivated the sensor grid which they had to shut down temporarily.

Commander Jehs was making his rounds on the lower levels when the power failed. He frowned at once. Power outages were not common for the complex at this hour. He used his communication device to establish contact with the power generation's room but got no answer then he tried the control room and still nothing.

He moved out to better see the upper level and froze astonished. All levels expect the control level were dark. This was most unusual. He proceeded to the elevator but it was not operational. Power was done there too. He took then the stairs and found all the mid level connection doors sealed.

He soon bumped into Derris.

"Jehs, what the hell is going on?" – Derris asked. "All is sealed."

"I know." – Jehs exclaimed frustrated. "The warning came too late."

"Huh? What warning?"

"The strike team is here. This is the only logical answer. They have taken over the control room and possibly the power generators. The rest is sealed off."

"We are cut off?"

"I'm afraid so. We have no choice but to proceed to the secondary base and figure something out."

"Figure what out that they have caught us with our pants down?"

"Well that we don't need to figure out. We have to see what our next moves will be. Councilors Callus, Milu and Ayne are off world and we need to warm them. Come on!"

"Where are they?"

"On Daiquiris,"

The two ventured out of the premises of the complex and proceeded on foot to the secondary base several thousand feet beneath the complex. They reached by ten thirty. Jehs took on activating the subspace links but he was already too late.

The enemy forces knew of their secondary base and strike team three was waiting for them there. The two were captured promptly and returned to the complex.

When they arrived they noticed the presence of the other three councilors. They had just arrived through the gate and were captured too.

"The Grand Council of Atlantis!" – The enemy commander sneered and the rest of his people laughed. "The Grand Alterran Cockroaches are finally wriggling at our feet."

He walked the few feet distance separating him from Jehs and stood before him. Yellow gleaming eyes against Jehs' dark brown.

"The war is over, Alterran. You lost."

"This is where you are wrong, Venkrat." – Jehs replied barely holding his composure. "Even with the council down, my people will send you and the rest into the cold heart of darkness."

The Venkrat let out a sinister laugh. "We have infiltrated your precious fortress and taken it without a sweat."

"We knew you were coming."

"Of course you did. This was the whole point."

"What?" – Jehs mumbled.

"We let you intercept the message so you could change your stupid routine and you did and thus you created crevices inside your precious defenses and we passed right through them. At the time you received the message we were already here just waiting. You changed the routine and we came in."

Jehs slapped himself mentally. It was an elegant plan and he fell for it. He forgot everything he had been taught – knowing there is a trap is the first step of evading it. The news of their suggested arrival had spooked everyone and therefore they had to alter their security and the enemy had used just this moment of perfect vulnerability.

"The expression on your face is priceless, Commander Jehs." – The Venkrat gloated. "With your heads on display, the Alterran scum will run in terror. "

It was one minute pass midnight.

"Yeah, this may not be as easy as you think, Hodhar of the Venkrat," – A melodic voice interrupted.

All heads turned into the direction of the gate and froze. A tall, divinely beautiful, with white robes and a silvery mantle, the source of the voice stood, his eyes shining as bright as the night sky and behind him…


To be continued…

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Lordheaven