Episode 27: Rise of a New Age
If one strains one's ear closely, the opening sound of the trumpets of war can be heard. Two forces begin to put their feelers out, gauging the potential power of the enemy. It is a time of trepidation, as the fates of two civilizations teeter perilously on the outcome of crucial upcoming events.
It is the actions of a certain few that could avert, or accelerate, a bloody conflict unseen in this galaxy for over 300,000 years…
Edenite Flagship, "Serenity"…
As Aelan walked through the halls of the warship, the first thing he noticed was that it really wasn't Edenite in design. It had the outer hull and markings of something from Eden, but its interior betrayed the fact that it had to be from somewhere else.
"But where from?" Aelan asked softly, then quickly rejected his escort's queries to repeat what he had said. That was a question that he was sure the new leader of Eden would be able to answer.
A leader who also happened to be his father. This fact wouldn't have concerned Aelan about twenty years ago, but that was before. Aelan really had no idea how two decades in the abyss called Hell would have changed Talor. Judging from the actions that Eden has taken, most likely it changed him for the worse.
The escorts stopped at the door leading to the captain's quarters of the large warship, and merely motioned for Aelan to enter. As the North Am advisor did so, he was immediately greeted by Talor Marcus.
Talor was a vision of health, as if he never suffered the depravity of Hell, however, the bright orange eyes that Talor had always seemed to have were tainted somewhat, as if a dark presence had forced itself upon Aelan's father.
"I'm glad to see you, son." Talor commented softly.
Aelan wasn't disarmed at all, replying, "I wish I could say the same."
"I can anticipate your questions, and I will answer them in due time. Why don't you have a seat, and I'll get you something to drink. Evensberry Wine, right?"
"How about a small green tea? I haven't had any native Edenite beverage in more than twenty years, and I doubt I could handle it now." Aelan replied, sitting in one of the several plush chairs in the rather large habitat. It had the feel of the soft seating back home, bringing Aelan back to a more innocent age.
Talor reappeared with two cups, steam rising up from them. As Talor handed the glass to Aelan, he took a small sniff of the vapor, quickly breathing it out, and setting the glass down on the table in front of him.
"Is something wrong with your drink?" Talor asked.
"I'm not here for some little chat, or to drink tea." Aelan replied sternly, "I have some serious questions, and I expect to have them answered."
Talor chuckled, and answered, "My, have you changed. The sweet young boy that I knew has just got up and left, leaving this bitter shell of a man."
"A lot has happened, but I'm not bitter. What I am is concerned about the current state of affairs."
Talor's smile faded, and he sat down in a chair across from Aelan. "All right, let's begin. I'm sure your first question is what happened to Ventrali. Let me answer that right off. I sent him there to eliminate Kiron."
"He seemed to have quite the desire to terminate me as well."
"That ties in with all I am about to tell you, so please, don't interrupt until I finish. The attacks on the relay system on Earth, Ventrali's desire to kill both of you, the New Age of Eden, it is all the work of one party."
Aelan pondered how the third event could have any relevance to the first two, but decided that Talor would explain.
And explain Talor did, "It is probably best to begin about 300,000 years ago, when the Xerobim first arrived in this galaxy." He seemed to expect Aelan to interject, but when his son remained silent, Talor continued, "The Xerobim have not had a home for millions of years, not even they remember how their home was destroyed. They wandered the deep space for eons, eventually arriving in this galaxy via their massive worldships."
"The first thing they saw was a galaxy in turmoil, bloody interplanetary wars erupted day after day, leaving destruction, famine, and death in abundance. Eventually, they discovered the source of all the fighting, a race of unbelievable humanoids called Zenalans."
Aelan recognized the name that his race had been called before the rise of the New Age, but once again remained silent as Talor continued to talk, "The Xerobim recognized the incredible intelligence that the Zenalans had bestowed upon them. They knew that given time, no race or galaxy would be safe from the Zenala menace."
"The Xerobim sent in their operatives into the Zenalan people, hoping to alter the path that the people had chosen, and if that failed, find a way to terminate the entire civilization."
"Sending in operatives to destroy a threat. Why does that seem to be a recurring theme…?" Aelan mused.
Talor smirked, and replied, "Fortunately, the Xerobim were successful, and turned the Zenalan desire into a peaceful one. From there, the operatives established a society very similar to the Xerobim, with the obvious lacking of any sort of weaponry. Your 'recurring theme' if you will."
"Ever since, the Xerobim have watched closely from the shadows, making sure that the Edenites, as they were hence called, did not become a threat to the galaxy once again, once again sending operatives, but this time only to observe Eden."
Aelan's eyes narrowed, and asked, "If that was the case, why didn't the Xerobim catch wind of Kiron's plot, and intervene BEFORE he nearly rained destruction down on every sentient race?"
"Because they hadn't heard anything was amiss. Their operative had not reported in to say anything was wrong." Talor answered.
"And why…" Aelan began, but it quickly fell into place. "You are Xerobim."
"Intelligent to a fault. It didn't take you long to piece that together. I was sent as an operative to observe the Edenite race."
"And let me go further as to suggest that the orange eye color was not a genetic anomaly as it was so claimed."
"Correct once again. It is a clear mark of the Xerobim. One of the Xerobim's abilities is that of the doppelganger. We can almost perfectly mimic any other lifeform down to their genetic code, with the exception of the eyes. Fortunately, it did not raise suspicion."
"So, the Xerobim never interfered in the Kiron crisis because you were first trapped in Hell, and most likely under the influence of Kiron's drug control after that. However, once you were freed, you contacted the Xerobim, and they ordered you to hunt down Kiron and I at any cost. You decided the best way to do that without pointing anything in your direction was to send Ventrali to do the job."
"Who's telling this story… you or me?" Talor smirked again.
"Please continue." Aelan replied simply.
"Anyway, that's why I wish to talk to you. The Conclave of the Xerobim has decided enough is enough, and are planning for a war that will completely eradicate the Edenites and humankind. Humanity's sudden insurgence into the galactic scene has given the Xerobim pause, and we really don't like to be surprised."
"And you are telling me this… why?"
"Because all hell is going to break loose soon, and I don't want you in harm's way. What is about to occur could rival the bloodbath of ages past."
Aelan's eyes narrowed, and he said softly yet sternly, "Well… as much as I am glad for your concern, I really cannot simply back away from all that has happened. I have grown quite fond of many people who you have decided are too much of a risk for the sake of the Xerobim."
Aelan stood up, and replied, "The next time you wish to waste my time with this rubbish, just forget it. As much as I care for you, as much as you mean to me, I will not abandon those who have come to depend on me as a leader, as an advisor, and as a friend."
Talor nodded, "I figured as much. You must do what you feel is right. I'm not sure that I would act any differently if I was in your position. But you have to understand… I had to try."
Aelan dipped his head slightly, and answered, "I know… I'm not sure I would act any different if our roles were reversed, either." He started to walk away, then turned back with a query, "I do have one more question. What do the Xerobim know of a General Calnus?"
Talor nearly jumped out of his seat, and retorted, "When that… monster reappeared, it was a nightmare that we had hoped we had rid ourselves of forever. He was the only one who had figured out what was occurring behind the scenes of the New Age."
Talor seemed to think for a moment, before adding, "He had left Eden, and we were unable to follow him. As the years passed with no further incident from the general of the Carean Clan, we had thought that he was dead. To this day, I do not know why he had gone to Earth."
Aelan then asked, "Could he have been searching for something?"
Talor looked confused, the replied, "Like what?"
Aelan's answer said a lot less than what was obviously on his mind, "Just a thought…" After some silence, he said, "I have one last question."
"Go ahead."
"If you are a Xerobim… how was I born? Was my mother Xerobim as well?"
"No, but I suppose that since she died when you were so young, you probably don't remember too well. She was an Edenite designer, and the moment I laid eyes upon her, I was smitten. It was somewhat odd, since the Xerobim and the Edenites are not much alike, perhaps it was the genetic alterations I had undertaken… Anyway, I kept my relationship a secret as long as I could, but when you were born, it became impossible."
"While I doubt you possess the shape-shifting ability that most full-blooded Xerobim have, you still seem to possess most of the best qualities of both the Xerobim and the Edenites. Which is why the Conclave is so concerned with you despite all I have done to dissuade them. To them, you represent a loose cannon that must be contained at all cost."
Aelan nodded, "I shall take that in mind. Be careful, father."
"I should warn you that what I did to Ventrali was utilizing a rather minor weapon that the Xerobim possesses. If anyone should be careful, it is you, my son."
Finally, Aelan left the quarters, and quickly returned to Commadore Eternal, not even acknowledging the existance of the two escorts who had fallen in behind him. Entering his mobile suit, Aelan left the Serenity, and into the blackness of deep space.
When the Serenity entered a fold back to Eden, Aelan quickly called up the computer tap he had placed when he had entered the warship. Immediately, his display flared with text downloaded from the Serenity's computer systems.
"Now, let's see what you are up to, father…"
Next time…
Aelan uncovers the Xerobim plan to eliminate the Edenites and humanity. Returning to North Am, Aelan unveils his own plan to stop the oncoming tragedy, revealing some of his own secret talents in the process…
Coming in Episode 28: Barreling towards Disaster