Chapter 11

The Angani Sector, B.T. 750

Kaim followed Vidnu through the halls of the Angani base into a chamber at the very heart of the station. He glanced distractedly at the military personnel and equipment operators as they rushed past, giving hurried words of formal greeting to the Vazahan general. "This Council that you mentioned…what is it, exactly?" he asked Vidnu.

"It is a convention of the Elders of each race united against the UrQa and those of high enough military rank to coordinate the attack plans against them."

Kaim absorbed this information for a moment. "Why was I invited to the Council, then?" he said at last. "I'm a foreigner, an alien…not one of your 'Elders,' nor am I affiliated with any military. For all you know, I could be a spy of the enemy."

Vidnu chuckled. "Their disciplinary system is harsh, to say the least, but I doubt the UrQa would so brazenly fire upon one of their own like the Qokuji'qi back then did…at least, not on someone who was so vital to their conquests."

He paused for a moment. "To put things plainly, I believe the Elders are interested in you for your knowledge of the future…I am sure they would like to know whether or not their respective peoples are still extant in your time."

"Ah." Kaim stiffened. "That…"

Vidnu held up a hand. "Save it for the Council," he said, "for they await now."

Arriving at a large bulkhead, Vidnu pulled out a small crystalline key from a case in his pocket and inserted it into an indention. Kaim watched, mystified, as the partition glowed, illuminated by a stream of light racing up its central axis.

"Solar prismatic crystals, imprinted with DNA," Vidnu explained, in response to Kaim's puzzled glance at the key.

"Wouldn't it be rather easy to, you know, steal?" asked Kaim, looking at it rather skeptically this time.

"I suppose so," chuckled Vidnu, "but it's quite sensitive to foreign DNA, even traces of it—anything which does not resemble the keeper's chemical imprint is rejected by the key, and forces it to deform so that it would no longer fit. Ah, here we are—…"

The bulkhead glided apart with a pneumatic hiss and Vidnu entered the Council Sanctum with Kaim at his heels.

As he stepped into the assembly room, Kaim slowed, staring in awe at the architecture before him.

A low archway led to a vast chamber, fashioned out of something akin to pure white marble. The rotund walls were seamless, as if the entire room was carved out from a single massive block of stone. A warm glow seemed to emanate from them, lighting the interior with a soft golden radiance. Kaim inspected the stone closely for the source of the phenomenon, and his eyes widened in astonishment. "Bioluminescent fungi," he breathed, and then started as his voice echoed quietly within the chamber. The acoustics in this room are perfect…

His thoughts were interrupted by the quiet hiss of the bulkhead, and the low murmur of voices from the people that passed through it.

The Matriarch was the first to enter. Vibrant in pale green, satiny robes, it seemed to Kaim as if she floated into the room. Her facial features and body were young and frail, but her eyes held a sort of wisdom that went far beyond her apparent years.

Akama was the next to appear, quietly speaking to another Paxian who walked beside him. He looked up, catching sight of Kaim, and waved his hand in greeting.

Behind him, another high-rank Vazahan official and a convoy of Mzungan guards trailed in. With their arrival, the bulkhead slid to a close.

Each of the representatives selected their seats, talking amongst themselves—then quieted as the Matriarch sat down and cleared her throat. "The Council shall commence," she said softly. Again, Kaim noticed the heavy undertones of age in her lilting voice. "Jarla Vidnu, what of the latest news on the front?"

Vidnu paused for a moment. "It is a stalemate, Lady, and a stagnating one. Aside from the occasional raids, the UrQa have not launched any major assaults—but their defenses are formidable, even if they are currently not mobilizing."

"That is a good thing, is it not?" said the Paxian dignitary who had accompanied Akama.

"Perhaps," Vidnu sighed, "But their lack of hostility is uncanny…even, one might say, unnerving. It is unlike the UrQa to be so…peaceful."

"How strange, especially now that we are here," mused Akama to himself. For a brief moment, Kaim caught a glimpse of something that almost resembled pain in his eyes.

"What troubles you, Scholar?" asked the Matriarch.

Akama shook himself out of his reverie. "No—it is nothing, Lady."

"Surely it is something if it bothers you so, Paxian," said the Vazahan officer who had been the last to enter. His contempt for Akama was barely masked.

"Lieutenant—" Vidnu began sharply.

"Kaza Igan," interrupted the Matriarch before Vidnu could finish, "while your dislike for the Paxians is clear to all of us, take note that you are attending the Council. I will ask you to mind your manners, or else leave."

Igan opened his mouth as if to protest, then thought better of it and said, "I understand, Lady."

The Matriarch nodded, then turned to Akama. "How are diplomatic relations with the Bule? It seems as if they have not sent a representative to this meeting."

Akama shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "The Bule are divided," he said at length. "They are still reeling from the loss of their assets, and now, several political leaders have risen to power with different opinions on how to handle the onslaught of the UrQa. The entire Bule race is teetering precariously on the edge of civil war."

The Council erupted into pandemonium.

"What! Now, of all times?" sputtered Igan.

"How childish of them," murmured the Matriarch. "Tell me, Akama—surely one of these 'leaders' does not have the notion of negotiating with the UrQa rooted into his head?"

Akama grimaced. "It would seem that is the case, unfortunately."

"Gods' wounds," Vidnu muttered. "Have they gone mad? Such an idea is more than suicidal—it is a death wish."

"It may be comforting to know that some of the Bule still wish to fight, rather than to surrender themselves to the UrQa," Akama interjected hurriedly.

"Nevertheless, even considering such an absurd idea…"

"They've lost hold on a great deal of their colonies and resources—"

"As have we," interrupted Igan, "and are we yielding to those demons for it? I think not!"

"Still—"

"There is absolutely no excuse—!"

"Enough," said the Matriarch. "We are not here to bicker. If the Bule wish to undertake negotiations, then so be it."

"We cannot abandon them to their fate, Lady!" Akama exclaimed.

"Don't be so self-righteous, Scholar," snapped Igan. "We can hardly afford to send out another convoy to accompany you on your diplomatic missions, what with our forces spread out so thin."

"I'll go," said Kaim.

Silence descended within the chamber as all eyes turned to him.

"That is," Kaim continued, tugging nervously at his suit collar, "I'll escort Akama."

"Do you even realize the severity of such a task?" said Igan, his disbelieving voice breaking the lapse in conversation.

"Calm yourself, Lieutenant," said Vidnu, smiling. "This youngling is quite a fighter—I know that as truth."

"Still, this boy cannot hope to replace an entire convoy—…"

"If it upsets you so, Igan, then I will personally accompany Kaim and Akama, should they leave the Angani Sector in order to contact the Bule."

"Have you lost your mind, Vidnu? You are needed here!"

"Perhaps that is true," answered Vidnu. "Nevertheless, this chance should be taken while it lasts, as the UrQa are still inactive at this time. In addition, my presence during such a meeting would ensure that it holds more weight. And in any case, I am sure that you are adept enough to take my place for the few days that proper mediation will require."

"Vidnu—"

"That will be all, Kaza Igan," said the Matriarch. "While I personally do not approve of the idea of a makeshift convoy, it will not be long until the UrQa move on the offensive again. When that time comes, we will need all the help we can acquire. Now, we are nearly out of the time allotted, and I am sure that the rest of you have equally important matters to attend to. This Council is dismissed."

Igan threw a dark glance at the Matriarch, but he stood up from his seat and followed the other representatives—and Kaim—out the Council Sanctum. Vidnu turned to follow them, but the Matriarch called him back.

"What is it, Lady?"

The Matriarch paused for a moment. "Vidnu," she said at length, "what do you intend to do with that man? Why are you so interested in him?"

Vidnu smiled. "I believe he has a crucial role to play in this twisted game of war and domination. The only question is…what is that role?"

The sudden screeching of the alarm interrupted his words. "What in the name of the gods?" he muttered.

The bulkhead slid open and a Mzungan guard rushed in, gasping for breath. "Jarla Vidnu…my Lady…there is a rogue asteroid on a collision course toward our homeworld…!"

"What!" cried the Matriarch, bolting upright from her seat. "How long before…"

"Ten minutes!"

"Not enough time," murmured the Matriarch hollowly, collapsing back into her chair. "There is not enough time…"

"Lady," suggested Vidnu quickly, "Perhaps we can muster an expedition force to take apart the asteroid with mining lasers?"

"There isn't…enough time…"

"We must try!"

Kaim gazed at the distraught Matriarch and Vidnu in the distance. Akama stood behind him, a concerned frown on his face.

"Akama," Kaim said suddenly. "Can you open the gates for me?"

"What? Yes, I can, but why—"

"Good. I need you to do that, now."

"You aren't possibly—…"

Kaim turned to him and smiled, and Akama noticed with a start the hardened resolve in his eyes. "Do you know what happens next, Akama?"

"Pardon?"

"The rogue asteroid…the Mzungan homeworld. All of this. The destruction of a people, and the faltering resistance that follows it soon after. I have a chance to change history itself, rewrite the annals of the past, even if I must give up my life in the process. I have to try, when no one else will."

Twenty seconds later, a lone spearhead rocketed out from the starport, charging forward to confront the impending cataclysm.