Awakening
Chapter 12
"Archon, the Pathfinder manage to escape our forces. I'm sending my vessel to catch up to you." Primus hesitated. Archon knew she was trying to gain his rendezvous coordinates. "Your location, it-it's…where are you heading?" Her voice filled with alarm. It hissed with suspicion, no matter how hard she tried to fight it. She had fought him ever since the Remnant technology were first discovered by his scouts on Eos.
"It is none of your concern, Primus." He gave a glance over to his captives who seemed to be listening in quite an observative manner. Just the mention of the Pathfinder's safety sparked resolve with them. He would have to quench their means to defeat him. He was already aware of Celeste's escape. "I will alert you once I obtain Meridian." His voice filled with absolution as he disconnected the comm. He wouldn't let Celeste's resurrection unsteady him.
The dark planet became closer as the arc drew near. Its faint glow was so appealing. "It's beautiful isn't it?" He exhaled as he quieted the maelstrom that brew within. "This weapon. It created life, and yet only I see its full potential." He turned to look at Scott and Dunn who stared at him incredulously. The planet's image doomed over them. "And I even have the means to achieve it." The climax was over and the end act was approaching. The grand finale to the masterpiece he had been conducting for decades. Even without Celeste's consent, he achieved this ending with aid of her implant. He had her sibling who had the same artificial intelligence plugged into his brain. With his connection, he would seize Meridian and control the Remnant by more than interfacing with consoles. Celeste was so weak. She did not have the power like he did. Dreamingly, he could feel the power in his hands and he clenched them tightly. Wanting to hold every ounce of energy and not let a drop escape. He could almost see it in his eyes. All life in the cluster, every human, asari, turian, salarian and angaran would become Kett. "Helius will surrender or burn…" He grinned, savoring the latter. The vision of those who resisted, screaming out in an inferno popped in his mind. The dark imagery was quite delightful to him and palatable.
"I'll never help you, Archon," Scott spat angrily as he glared hard up from where he sat. "My sister will stop you."
A chime came from the console nearby. "Incoming vessel. Same signature as the one before with the Pathfinder," The Kett reported nearby.
The announcement was not a threat or impressive to him. He turned to bring up the viewport. "We'll know soon enough. Because your Pathfinder…." The words lingered on his tongue like a sweet beverage. Celeste. "…is already here." With his back turned to hide his wide smile, the Tempest came into full view. The sight of her appearing was exhilarating to him. His heart pounded by the thrill. They were right…she was still alive. Brought back from death. Once again; untouched by his hand. A tingle went up his body. How defiant she was! Determined to beat him. What a rival! An awakening to his soul! Lust consumed him. She would soon see the influence he would wield and then she would be his.
Moments later, several other ships entered the sector out of hyperspace. Their design was unknown but they were from the same jump point as her….the false Meridian. There were so many….large and small craft! Where was this new fleet hidden? "Scan them." He remained calm as he lifted an eye ridge observing the sight ahead.
"Remnant." The Kett officer replied seconds later.
He gripped the rail beneath him that overlooked the viewport. First, she was able to activate the monoliths that he could not. Then it was the vaults to change the atmosphere of the planets and now she raised an entire Remnant fleet! Of all the Empire, he wanted her. She proved his proof wrong. He pondered the hypothesis that once he severed her connection with the artificial intelligence, that she could no longer activate any of the Remnant. Sam was the variable. Not only did she defy his logic by activating a console to escape the false Meridian, but she did the unthinkable by controlling the entire Remnant fleet! He knew behind him that Dunn and Scott were probably doing a silent celebratory dance, but their cheers were in vein. This proved nothing. The entire Kett fleet was between him and her plus the scourge. "Put her on the screen," he said coolly as he took a breath. He wouldn't be smug yet. Let her think she had the upper hand. Seconds later, there she was. Her blue eyes staring hard back at him. Her body was tense and rigid from the gravity of the situation. He loved it. She knew he was closing in on Meridian and that he held her brother and the entire human arc hostage. The complete advantage was on his side. Yet, she did not plead or beg. He didn't expect anything less. What a challenge! Pure euphoria! "You continue to defy your limitation. Impressive." He would let the praise sink in. There was no need for alarm despite his captives' nonverbal cheers.
This seemed to almost set her back. Did she really think that he would grimace at her return? Or coward away like some angaran? Pathetic. To think he gave her some credit. Not a Kett. The silence lingered in the air between the two. Her lips remained tightly closed as her face stared back at him. Was she hesitating? Then her blue eyes looked past him. "Scott, you okay?"
This disappointed Archon. He was hoping for some petty comeback or threat. Instead she ignored him to focus in on her brother. Was this intentional? A blow to him? He stepped around to let the brother speak up. "Go ahead, human."
"I'm fine, sis. Celeste, he's going to use Sam to access Meridian and exalt everyone or kill them! That's why he took me because you turned him down."
"You say that as though I should feel guilty," Archon shook his head. The statement was an insult to him. "Exaltation is a gift." Becoming Kett and inheriting genetic code was an extreme honor. Why couldn't they see that? "Those who cannot see that, deserve to die."
"You're crazy!" Dunn spoke up. "We do not want to become Kett!"
Turning around, Archon ignored their protests and looked back at Celeste who redirected her concentration on him. "I see that you still are able to control the Remnant," he pointed out the obvious. There was no sense in ignoring it. The size of the fleet was on a large scale but he would not show distress.
"Impressed, Archon?" She smirked at him teasingly. "Guess, I'm not as weak as you took me to be without Sam." Smugged, Celeste crossed her arms.
Honestly, he was impressed and this turned him on. At every turn, she had defied him and fought to the bitter end. At the end of the vicious cycle, she would try to outdo him. He loved it. "The implant started the ability. Now I will have both."
"We Ryders stick together. I will not help you." She was cocky. If only she knew what he had planned…
"I no longer need you, Celeste." Finally using her name to address her. "But since you insist on interfering. I will give you my full attention." A smirk. He wanted her to make the next move. He wanted to squash whatever feign attempt she would make and then have her on her knees, submitting to him. He wanted to personally defeat her. That would be the icing on the cake with obtaining Meridian. The decision on which he wanted first was difficult! Celeste didn't flinch and narrowed her eyes at him with her teeth clenched. Another hesitation? Or was she waiting on him? Fine, he would rise to the bait. It would make the victory even sweeter. Archon turned his head to the Kett officer nearby. "Direct all fighters to attack. I want them to crush her. Pinpoint all attacks on that ship." He smiled as he glanced over at her sibling. The man's hazel eyes became wide with alarm.
"Sis, be ready! He's coming for you!" Scott yelled over at the screen to gather her attention. The connection ended as the Pathfinder moved her ship to evade the fighters with several Remnant ships being her wingmen.
As much as he wanted to sit back and watch, he switched the view back to Meridian. There would be time before Celeste could reach him. The scourge was back there and would make any evasion tough. Scott strained his head to try to find some terminal that would show the fight they left behind. Archon noticed this. "Do not bother." Inwardly, he desired for her to prevail. The fire within her that burned was such a sexual attraction.
"Scott, we can't risk these people's lives on board. We have to do something." Dunn took charge of the situation as she turned to address the Ryder sibling.
"I know," Scott sighed as he looked around. There was no way they could make an escape. Unarmed, they would probably get five feet before being shot to death by the multiple Kett guards. "Archon, how about a trade?"
How amusing. He decided to humor their brave proposition. "A trade?"
"Yeah. I mean you sound like a smart business guy," Scott sat up straighter with a casual smile on his face. "I know you are not happy here and just want to get away from all us Milky Way species. You just need me to access Meridian you said. My implant. Let my people go and I'll go with you."
Dunn snapped her head over to him. "Scott, what the hell are you doing?!"
"It's cool. I know what I'm doing," Scott smoothly replied as he kept his eyes on Archon. "This is between me and Archon. Man to man. A man right?"
Archon huffed by the question, but before he could try to entertain himself with a response, the console chimed again. "Status report?"
"Kett fighters…are….down? Impact with the scourge." The officer at his post made a face as dread filled him.
"And the Pathfinder?"
"It got past them and it's closing in!"
"Sorry, Archon. I take back what I said!" Scott cheered happily.
"Shut up!" Archon barked as he turned back to the view screen to see the image of Celeste coming in.
Her blue eyes shined brightly as her red lips pulled back to reveal her white toothy smile. "Archon, don't blame your people. This cluster fuck is on you. I'm not playing your games anymore."
"That so?" Archon stared back at her. The ball was back in his court.
Surprisingly, Celeste up the ante with a bigger grin. "You considered me an attraction and rival," She pointed out, referring back to the previous conversations, particularly on the flagship. "Let's face it. The Kett have a weird way of showing that." Archon felt himself grow hot in the face as she brought up his feelings publicly. He tried not to tense and become tight lip, but it was hard to stop a natural reaction. "But you're wrong." The red haired woman continued. "You and I are not rivals. I have shown that over and over. I control the Remnant without Sam. Something that you can never do. You are not even at my level anymore. I have surpassed you."
Archon's face became dark as the verbal rejection slammed into his face. How dare she! Less than her? Popestrous! "You wish to force my hand?" He sneered as he spun on his heel to head down to her brother. "So be it." His body quaked with intense rage. She was right, the games were over. His sights were now on Scott. He would inflict pain upon him. The drone activated near his side and scanned for direct intervention to manually access the implant. The process was excruciating to Scott as he writhed in his seat. He clenched his teeth tightly to suppress the scream. Archon's face twisted in a sadistic grin as he looked on, enjoying the pure sight of it. "Unlike you, and the Pathfinder, I do not require an implant. I have yours." Scott was not able to withstand the torture any longer and howled in pain. Archon casted Celeste a look. She watched on in horror. Her face becoming pale seeing her brother under a brute attack. "You made this much more difficult, Pathfinder. But not for me." He continued to watch. The activation had the planet ahead create a portal large enough for them to access. The way in! He stopped the implant and looked back at Celeste. She turned her attention back to Archon with a look of disbelief and pain. "Remember that, human." He intentionally withstood from using her name. "You will never be greater than the Kett. Exaltation is too good for you. I rescind the offer!"
Scott was still alive but he was bending over, shaking and sweating. Continue usage of the implant in that manner would surely kill him. Celeste's lips trembled as she looked on, "Scott…?"
"I-I'm fine, sis…." Scott panted as he tried to fight back the lingering pain.
"I'm coming for you, Scott. Just hang on." Celeste urged him.
"Farewell, Pathfinder," Archon cut the connection and moved quickly. Any moment, they would break the planet's atmosphere and they would need to move fast to get to heart of the vaults. He roughly grabbed the man's arm and yanked him out of the chair. Scott wailed in pain.
"Where are you going with him?" Dunn called out in concern as she watched several Kett officers move to escort the Archon and Scott off the bridge.
Archon ignored the woman and made his way down the arc towards where this private transport was awaiting them. Celeste would be coming for them and he had to be sure to create a distraction. So far his forces failed against her, but the large arc was just enough of a target to make her think twice before following him to the planet's surface. So far only her ship was coming.
Once on board the vessel, Archon motioned for the pilot to take off. There was an alert of an incoming call. Celeste already? Coming to beg for her brother's safety, he gathered. Seconds later, the image didn't reveal her, but it was Primus. The female Kett's face was conceited as she looked back at him. "Archon, I have seized control of your flagship. This waste of our resources cannot continue. You are intentionally deviating from our directive. I have promptly notified the Empire of this violation and have requested a replacement for campaign manager. I invoke my power to temporarily remove you until such a replacement is named. The Empire has requested immediate contact from you for a response to this charge."
"Trouble in paradise I see," Scott commented as he listened in.
Archon scoffed, "This changes nothing." He severed the connection without giving her a response. He could not turn back now. He pushed the Empire back as long as he could and they nor Primus could stop him when he was so close. With Meridian, not only would he deal with the cluster, but he would use it to crush the Empire. Several Kett onboard that overheard the conversation looked at each other as if they didn't know what to do. "You serve me," He reminded them firmly. "If you wish to serve the Empire, then leave this ship to your death. One way or another, you will die if you do not obey." The others quickly shook their heads and bowed to him.
"Incoming aircraft!" The pilot announced from his seat.
Archon knew it was Celeste. "Inform the fighters that I need an escort. All others are to attack the arc and bring it down."
"No!" Scott jumped at him, but was meant with a swift hit from the butt of a gun into the abdomen, knocking the air out of him.
Archon moved to the pilot's radio to make connection to the Tempest. "I have arranged a distraction."
The man below him on his knees coughed to get his breath. "You are doing the wrong thing, Archon. You're crazy. You won't be able to control Meridian."
"We are close to the control point, human. No one will reach you in time. I will be rid of all of you soon enough." He glanced down at the man who was still struggling to get his breath. As certain as he sounded, Archon was troubled. The outcome with Celeste was not meant to be. Deep down, he knew she was fake. The artificial intelligence aided her, but yet without it, she still eluded him.
Scott stood back up to face him. "I heard you, Archon. I watched you interact with her. I know you like my sister. You thought she was a rival and that is something you have been craving, but you have gone too far. Exaltation is not the way to advance a species and killing those who resist doesn't help matters either."
Archon squared off with him. "You are mistaken, human. The Kett do not like lesser species. You do not truly understand exaltation. If you did, then you would embrace it like so many others have." He motioned to the armed Kett beside him. "Your Pathfinder may have been worthy to challenge me, but even she could not surpass me."
The transport began its descent to land and its occupants steadied themselves. Frightened, Scott moved away from the door. "No, no no. Archon, listen to me! You will die if you go any further. My sister is coming for you."
"You are wrong," Archon plainly said. "You and your sister will both die."
The sky was erupting into hellfire from the onslaught of the attacking Kett forces and the opposing Remnant fighters that entered the atmosphere. The transport landed and Archon escorted the others to the vault's door. The man in tow strained to turn to see what was going on above. Archon wasted no time in utilizing the implant and opening the doors. Scott screamed in pain and held his head tightly from the process. The immense pain was starting to take the fight out of him. His body fell limp as two Kett guards ushered him inside. Just before the doors closed, Archon looked back to see if they were being followed. No sign of Celeste. However, there were sounds of gunfire and shouting in the distance on the ground. Had to be her. This made him quicken his steps in the hollow halls. He led the charge. His mind was made up. He would gain access to Meridian and burn them all.
