Soon after the end of the ceremony, all of the visitors had left, and the Espers had gathered for their own debate over the events of the last week. For the last three hours, the Esper adults had been arguing about the battle and it's effects on their mission. The children had been put to sleep, and they had gathered in the secure room Laya used as her office. It had not been a fun three hours.
"But it's true, Laya!" Cilor shouted, out of patience. "I felt dark energy being used! I saw Orakio's friend kill with a word! Then, I saw him slash at the air and kill at least 10 Amazons! Dark Force is here, and in control! Orakio didn't even bat an eyelash when he saw what Hawat did!"
Laya's temper flared then. "And what can we do about it? Orakio is in control! He commands more might than we do! We can't just declare war on him! Our soldiers and robots would be crushed!"
Jilain intervened before the newly-weds could rip into each other...again "Enough! We might be looking at the problem from the wrong angle. Hawat may just be a pawn in Dark Force's game. What we need to do is set up contingency plans. Any ideas?"
Lune spoke up. "Orakio would notice a build-up of robots and soldiers, but not monsters. We can always use our magic to create them, the way Medusa did. That way, we can fight a war with the element of surprise."
Liradi was shaking his head before Lune had finished. "I know of no spells to create life the way you are suggesting. The only Espers we are aware of who could do that were Medusa and Stileco. The Reverent Lutz could probably do it, but has suppressed the knowledge if he does know."
"Lune has the right idea, but the wrong way to implement it." Purple-haired Vel didn't speak much, but when he did, it was usually to convey something important.
"Oh? Then how would you implement it?" Mia's voice carried disdainful challenge. She affected a strong disapproval of Vel that made their relationship tense.
Vel ignored the antagonism. "Laya, is it true that Orakio is considering building a Bio-Plant?"
"Yes. He wants to create a natural ecosystem on the ship, so that the strain on the maintenance systems isn't as great as it is now. It's being based on the plans of the Bio-Plant that used to be on Motavia. Right now, they're looking for a secure location to build it. What are you thinking, Vel?" Laya asked curiously.
"Only this. Propose that the plant be built on Dahlia at the next Political Assembly. That way, we can industrialize the moon, and create the monsters we need. And it gives us a solid base to work with to fight the legions Dark Force will create."
"I have an idea. If it does come down to war, we will be heavily outnumbered. We can create a gene agent that would give our people the gifts we have. That would knock down the odds a bit more." Mia proposed.
Jilain protested. "It would take years to do that! The Espers aren't sure of how the gifts are passed on! Cilor is a half-Esper, but has more talent and power than I do, and I'm fully Esper! And that's just part of the problem! How would we be sure that the gene would be passed on successfully passed on to the next generation?"
Cilor cut him off. "The Bio-Plant on Motavia was able to create the clone cylinders. Not only that, those clones had the memories and talents of the deceased. I'm sure the one being built could map an appropriate way to pass on that sort of power. Also, we could use it to improve the Espers into metamorphs."
Confused silence met this last remark. "Try again, with the help files open his time, Cilor," Jin said with a mournful little shake of his head.
Cilor gestured impatiently. "You know the stories. Stileco created vampires, genuine vampires that could change into bats and humans. He made werewolves as well. There's also the story about the Dark Esper that could transform into a Gold Dragon. Light, Stileco even mutated his own body into a crude Dark Force! That would help us a great deal, we could figure out how to do it."
"And who's going to volunteer? You?" Laya challenged, concern hidden behind fierce anger.
Cilor met her glare for glare. "Yes, I am volunteering. Lutz gave us a mission, and I intend to carry it out, by whatever means necessary!"
Laya's sapphire eyes flashed, and she prepared to do battle. Once again, Jilain intervened to prevent another fight. "We're doing a great deal of talking, and getting nothing done with it! Let's relax, and allow a solution to present itself." He paused before finishing. "And work to create one as well. Agreed?"
Heads nodded in agreement. Maia noticed the glares Laya and Cilor were giving each other, and quietly murmured, "I think it's time for you two to be on your honeymoon. Frigidia isn't much of a place, so I arranged for a vacation to Aqautica for you. Will that be enough to make you two relax?"
One blonde head and one blue head nodded. An impertinent smirk crossed Cilor's face. "It will let Laya and I get so much better acquainted."
The red that streamed into Laya's face made them all laugh with a much needed release of tension.
*** *** *** ***
Orakio glared balefully at the sunny day Climate Control had seen fit to provide. His office had been modeled to resemble the one on Palm: with massive windows, hidden compartments, and a utilitarian service toward beauty. To be forced to deal with paperwork while there was such beauty outside was guaranteed to make him lose his sanity. He got up to get circulation back into his legs.
Before Orakio could even consider an escape plan, three small blurs burst into the inner room, forgetting to close the outer room's door. They swarmed all over him, yelling for indulgences at the top of their lungs. He smiled as he playfully exclaimed, "Help! I'm being attacked by midgets!"
Canaras had somehow climbed to the top of his head and bent over to say, "Papa! Mama and Auntie Lira say we can't go into the gardens cuz we gotta look nice for the visitors! We wanna go and play! We promise not to get dirty!"
Lashute had just been completed, and the beautiful gardens had been built in to provide relief for the gigantic floating city-fortress' inhabitants were also done. That they wanted to play there was no surprise. Little Lirita seconded this as she hugged his legs. "Pwease Uncle Owakio! We're bowed! We keep being told to go pway by the adults, but they won't let us pway!"
"Alright! A little time in the sunshine won't kill us. So get off so I can walk!" Orakio agreed.
They managed to swarm off in record time, and he took Kirath's and Lirita's hands as they walked out. Canaras smugly rode on his father's shoulders as they walked to the gardens. Kirath tugged impatiently at his hand. "Huwwy, Uncle! Befowe Mama finds us!" he insisted.
Once they arrived at the gardens, Canaras executed a beautiful flip off his father's shoulders and onto the ground. Impressive. Orakio thought. I couldn't do that when I was his age. Guess it must be Sumire's genes showing up…or showing off. The Old Master and Dad would have been very proud of their grandson.
The children laughed and chased each other around the gardens, being careful not to step on the flowers. Their shouts and giggles made Orakio feel better and little envious. Damned lucky kids. They don't have to worry about feeding 10 million people, managing a fleet, keeping the peace, and finding a new world for them to live on. All they have to worry about is getting away with their shenanigans and having fun.
He was so caught up in his musings, Orakio neglected to notice the stealthy approach of his bodyguard until Galen was right behind him "Lord Orakio?"
Startled, Orakio whirled around, only to have to sigh away his adrenaline rush. "Oh, it's you, Galen. What's the matter? And don't be bringing my wife's scolding please."
Galen managed a strained smile that made Orakio worry all the more. "I don't bring such tidings, my Lord. May we please speak in private? There's something you need to know."
Orakio nodded, then turned toward the children. "Alright, kids! Playtime is over for now. We have to go wait for those annoying Politicians to show up now. Timothy, would you mind taking them up to the Sunrise Balcony?"
"Not a problem, my Lord," the brown-haired Guard replied. He quickly enticed the children to go upstairs with a bribe of cookies and milk, plus a story.
Quickly, Orakio led the way back up to his office. Once there, he locked the doors and sat down at his desk. "I take it this is very bad news that I shouldn't be standing to hear."
Galen nodded grimly. "I have good news, bad news, worse news, and worst news. The good news is that Azura will be completed on schedule."
"Softening the blow? This must be worst than I thought."
"The bad news is that Mayor Teradoc's aerojet crashed near the Lensol region teleporter." Galen continued listlessly.
"Damn it to all Hells! Teradoc was one of our strongest supporters!" Orakio fumed.
"And the worse news is that civil war has broken out on the Odin's Axe." Galen said.
Orakio was stunned into total silence. After an interminable pause, he softly said, "You have got to be kidding me, Galen. How did that happen?"
"That's were we get to the worst news. The Noah and the Abion's Dreams both entered an interstellar gas cloud. A charged one, no less. Once the cloud passed, it left behind the remains of two domes. There were no survivors." Galen finished and looked at his mentor.
Mentor or not, Orakio was dumbfounded. A charged gas cloud easily unleashed 1-megaton lightning bolts. That the two ships had strayed into it, that over 20 million people were now dead was a hard blow. He raised himself out of his stupor and asked, "Why did a war start?"
Galen grunted. "Seems Governor Rem had had enough of the disasters. He simply attacked, without warning might I add, the Capital City on the Axe and turned it into a hot zone. Hot as in radiation, mind you. Colonel Captison retaliated, and they're dueling for control of Domes 1, 4, and 7 as we speak. Captison is in command of the ship because-"
"Let me guess. General Remora was at the Capital, and so was Commodore Yon when Rem nuked it into happy glowland." Orakio muttered sarcastically.
"That's it exactly, sir. Captison is requesting reinforcements. He wants to put down the revolt ASAP. He is also requesting permission to conscript the ship denizens. Seems they're so heavily outnumbered by Rem's forces that not even their technology edge puts a dent in the enemy."
"Tell Captison that he has my permission to engage in this war as aggressively as possible. He is to be promoted to General, and is forbidden to use ABC weapons. Tell him to work with what he has. We don't have anything to spare him except 1000 Dogbots and Robomen that won't be available until after the Assembly."
"Yes, sir." Galen paused. "What do we tell the Politicians?"
"We tell them-" Orakio hesitated, then continued firmly, "We tell them that I am declaring martial law throughout the fleet."
*** *** *** ***
"Wonder what's up…" Lune muttered to Cilor.
"Could be something as simple as a glitch in Climate Control, and we have a sudden rainstorm coming up," Cilor replied easily. The experiments had already begun, albeit secretly, to produce a metamorph. That he was so calm actually meant he was most anxious. Maybe I should have listened to Laya. He silently admitted. Thinking of his wife, he turned to give her a quick kiss that surprised her.
"I thought you weren't a person who enjoyed public displays of affection," she reminded him.
"I am when I remember it. Your lovely face has a way of making me forget about everything else," he responded good-naturedly.
They were standing near Lashute's airport, taking stock of all the soldiers milling about with some sort of purpose. A young girl dressed in fiery pink and red appeared right behind them. "Hello, Your Excellencies. I am to escort you to your quarters. Please, follow me."
As they followed their exuberant guide, they listened to her chatter about the city. "Welcome to Lashute. This is Lord Orakio's greatest achievement to date. The city covers an area of over 2 square kilometers. To save space onboard, Lord Orakio chose to implement the same hover engines used in Skyhaven's construction. Since Lashute is not protected by the same treaties that apply to Skyhaven, a massive barrier system similar to the ones installed on Wren-type androids is in place for passive defense. Our active defenses are a variety of energy and projectile cannons that could easily shoot down Skyhaven. The Hanging Gardens-" at this she gestured to her right "-were built to enhance the beauty of the city and increase the recreational ease of the inhabitants. We also have a large garrison of Punishers and the new Fatima. The Fatima are-"
"A group of female fighters who can use Techniques," Lune interrupted with a great deal of contempt. "They are, supposedly, elite, tough, and quite beautiful. More like Orakio's bootlickers."
The girl nodded tolerantly. "That's correct, Your Excellency. Though I doubt any of the Punishers or Fatima could take you on, one-on-one," she continued, her sarcasm evident.
Lune scowled at this, while his fellow Espers shared a smirk. "Unless you'd like to change my opinion," he growled, adopting an unarmed combat stance. Lune had been a tall, skinny youth, but now that he had reached adulthood, he had become an imposing giant of a man. Anyone facing him like this would be so intimidated that they would have, to quote some of the street language, 'pissed in their pants.' The girl, barely reaching up to his chest, was lithe and petite were Lune was muscular and bulky. Nonetheless, the girl had him down on the floor in seconds. Lune blinked, while Laya and Cilor laughed at their friend.
"I believe I neglected to introduce myself, Your Excellency. I am Kara Sa Trey, a Fatima of Lord Orakio. And I am not even one of our best. So please, try to be more careful with your opinions," she stated serenely.
Lune finally allowed himself a laugh. Quite calmly, he got up and faced Kara. "My dear, I find myself desirous of your company. The Assembly is not until tomorrow morning. Will you be joining us for dinner tonight? Say around eight?" he asked, eyeing her all the while.
The girl did not drop her guard. She did, however, allow a mischievous smile to appear that accented her dimples. "Governor, I do believe that dinner tonight will make up for your lack of manners today. Now, allow me to continue my escort of you to your quarters."
Without further incident, they arrived at their quarters. Once Lune had wandered into his spacious suite, Laya shared a sly smile with Cilor. "200 meseta say that he marries the girl," Laya declared emphatically.
Cilor raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "Love, don't you think we should wait until dinner before we decide whether or not anything else happens? He could be genuinely trying to make up for his rudeness."
Laya chuckled. "You don't believe that for a minute! You saw the way they looked at each other! I grew up with Lune. I know when he's smitten, and that's what just occurred! The girl felt the same way."
"My usual refusal to believe anything til I see it, love. Besides, she could only be trying to seduce him to raise herself up through the ranks faster. Lune is governor of Dahlia," Cilor reminded.
"You always look for the worst in people, don't you?" Laya demanded.
"Of course. That's why I married you. I couldn't find anything wrong with you at all. You laughed at my jokes, smiled prettily, and stole my heart, all to perfection." Cilor replied easily.
"I'm honored," Laya murmured wryly.
"Very good. Seeing as we have a few hours, I can think of one or two ways to pass them by. Can you?"
Laya giggled. "Oh, yes. Why don't we enjoy ourselves as most couples do?"
*** *** *** ***
Orakio paced outside the Assembly Hall. Designed to resemble the old Imperial Hall of Palm, it easily sent its message of royalty and command. He had attired himself in the same armor he had used at the Battle on the Tundra, as the clash against the Amazons had been named, because he now had to give the same message of strength and command the Hall conveyed. I seem to have coups following me around, he thought ruefully. On Palma, I overthrew the government to keep the peace. Now, I have to order them to instate a police state until the crisis on the Axe is resolved. Hell, am I going to be popular today.
Ares appeared, saluting smartly in his gold armor. Deikon followed him in, wearing Security's black riot gear. Hawat, wearing the gray ceramic plate mail that his Dalvel'im used, was the last to arrive. Making eye contact, Orakio received their tacit support, and then proceeded to make his entrance into the Hall.
"Oh, no…" Laya said as soon as she saw Orakio enter wearing combat armor.
Lune turned to her and quietly asked, "Is he going to do what I think he's going to do?"
"I don't know. I-"
"Look, he's going to say something," Seth told them.
Orakio was, in fact, preparing to speak, but the clamor the Assembly was making was taking longer to die down than he expected. Instead of ordering them to be silent, he waited for them to finish, as if he had all the time in the world. Never issue a command. Let the command issue itself.
When at last they became silent, Orakio began to speak. "Undoubtedly, you all have had thoughts that your careers might be forcibly shortened. At present that is not the case. At 1300 hours yesterday, we received word that two more worldships have been lost, the Noah and the Abion's Dreams. We also received word that Governor Rem of the Odin's Axe engaged in a sneak attack on the established government of that ship. Using forbidden nuclear weapons, he killed close to 120,000 people who lived in the Capital. A full-blown civil war is occurring on that ship as we speak. As of now, I am declaring martial law throughout the fleet. This meeting is suspended until the present crisis is resolved."
And with that, Orakio left. Deikon and his Security Corps ushered the Politicians out of the Hall. Ares and Hawat had left with Orakio to issue the appropriate orders to the Punishers and the Fatima. Laya and Lune shared a worried look before they chose to follow Deikon out. Seth tagged along with them. Laya called out to Deikon before he got too far ahead of them. Once Deikon had seen who called him, he stopped long enough for them to catch up, then resumed walking.
"What is it, Laya?" he said bluntly.
"I want to talk to Orakio, Deikon. There has to be a diplomatic solution to this crisis."
"I don't think you were paying attention. Rem used nuclear weapons on a defenseless city full of innocent people. Casualties are mounting on that ship as we speak. Close to 500,000 have already died, and you want to get a diplomatic solution?!"
Laya was shocked that Deikon had actually raised his voice; he had always been so quiet and calm that to see him agitated like this brought home how desperate the situation actually was. She and Lune quietly followed him to the communications center, where Orakio was organizing troop deployments. He stopped long enough to nod a hello, and then went back to work. Lune unobtrusively followed Deikon and Ares to the situation board, and listened to them plan out how and where to fight if war came to Alisa III; tactics and strategy had always fascinated him, and he was a champion cheops player. Laya watched the men and women in the room run around creating order out of chaos, then settled in to wait.
After about two hours, a Guard requested that she please go to Lord Orakio's wardroom. As she followed the brown-haired man, she wondered how she could convince Orakio to construct the Bio-plant on Dahlia. Well, I guess desperation will fuel inspiration.
As soon as they reached the reception chamber, she saw Lune and Seth had also been summoned. Before she could speak to them, the aide said, "Please enter. Lord Orakio will see you now."
The wardroom matched Orakio's utilitarian tastes. They were led to a small table and seated before Orakio walked in. His black hair was in disarray, and his countenance betrayed exhaustion. Poor Orakio, Laya thought. His responsibilities, almost as much as his conscience, weigh heavily on him.
Orakio slumped into his chair. He turned weary eyes first to Laya, then to Lune and Seth, and back to Laya. "You three have been here for at least several hours. What is so important that it can't wait?"
Laya gave him a sympathetic look before she began to speak. "Orakio, this situation will require every robot you have, correct?"
"Every robot and more. We would barely be able to contain a situation even if we continued mass-production of the new quad-circuit drones to the exclusion of all other industry," Orakio confirmed, somnolent.
"Then I have a suggestion to make. The Bio-plant proposal…"
"What about it? We both know it would probably never pass voting by the Politicians. It was doomed almost from the start." Orakio was getting annoyed. He didn't have the time to-
"Yes, but you declared martial law. All expenses can be explained as military necessity. If we build the Bio-plant on Dahlia in secrecy, the other Politicians will be none the wiser. If the plant is built fast enough, hundreds of robots will be freed up for other duties, and the new animals the plant will breed will take their place in everything from organic waste disposal to fertilization."
"Plus, you know I can be trusted, Commander. The plant will be built with a maximum of secrecy and efficiency. You have my word," Lune finished.
Orakio paused to think, and in so doing would-unwittingly- make one of the greatest mistakes in his life. They're right. This would certainly make life a lot easier. We can spare 3000 Arachne construction drones. Yes, this will work out fine. "You have my authorization to do this. The three of you are responsible for the construction and completion of the Dahlian Bio-plant. Get to work."
*** *** *** ***
Lune quickly packed for the long trip back to Dahlia, and swore when the tone rang in his quarters. He bellowed for them to come in, and resumed his hasty packing. A very familiar voice startled him. " Are we ready to go, Your Excellency?"
"Kara?! What in the name of the void between stars are you doing here?!"
She smiled at his shock. "Lord Orakio has decided to assign a small group of Fatima to Dahlia. He has a project in mind for the new Bio-plant that will require our presence. My company was the one chosen. I thought you would be much more pleased that I would be going along with you, Lune!"
Lune blushed. Ridiculous! At my age, I'm blushing. I feel like an idiot.
Before Lune could continue his self-condemnation, Seth walked in. "The aerojet is ready. Lune, get a move on, will you? We-oh! I see you have company." Seth bowed slightly. "I am Mayor Seth of Catha Island and Yaata. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss."
Kara curtsied. "The pleasure is all mine, Your Honor. Allow me to accompany you back to the jet. We have a long journey ahead of us."
With a gentlemanly gesture, Seth said, "After you, miss."
Kara easily walked out, and before Seth followed after, he whispered to Lune, "I'd keep an on eye on that girl, Lune. She is pretty much a walking dream, and I'd hate to steal her away from you."
Upon hearing this last, Lune swore that he would be the one to win Kara's heart, not any other man.
*** *** *** ***
"My Lord, construction is proceeding ahead of schedule. We are sure to complete this facility well before the beginning of the New Year. We have already begun to complete the experiments for Project Reploid. We have found a subject willing to donate some genetic material so that we may grow her skin in the clone vats, allowing it to grow over the android skeleton. Artificial organs of the type usually used to replace grievous injuries are being fashioned from bio-fibers. To all but the most advanced scans, this android will appear to be completely human. As per your instructions, we have inserted an advanced cognitive matrix equipped with empathetic programming and advanced autonomous decision making skills. Tests with the prototypes show hyper-conditioned reflexes and superhuman strength even higher than projected. Using data projected by the facility computer, we have improved the strength of the organic material to the resistance level of steel. Would you like to see the prototypes, Lord Orakio?" Levenbrech Kara Sa Trey said in one breathless rush.
Orakio managed to smile weakly and nodded his approval. In the eighteen months since he had suspended the Assembly, Lune and Seth had been hard at work building the new Bio-plant and producing useful creatures. They had previously introduced waste-eating Slimes, and had been releasing new Chirpers and Moos. Already, the Alisa III maintenance systems showed a marked decrease in strain. The robots released from those mundane duties were given a modicum of combat programming, and assigned to military duty. And he had a personal reason to hope the new androids succeeded. Orakio's smile became a frown. "What are these new droids called?"
Kara gave Orakio a disapproving look. "These new cyborgs are called MIEU-types. That stands for Mia Emulation Units, after the original donor. Droids really isn't the correct name for them, since they blur the line between living and robotic."
Orakio adopted a sheepish look. It was clear that this young Fatima was very proud of these new creations, and it would not do to anger one of the designers. They continued onward, with Kara providing a running commentary on everything, until they reached a sealed room with a glass pane inhabited by two individuals. They were both young women, flame-haired and blue-eyed, with lithe, petite bodies skimpily clad in matching red leotards. An amazing amount of beauty marked their faces and an unmistakable similarity declared them both to be closely related. Orakio was about to ask where the prototypes were when he realized that neither of the two had blinked since they had arrived.
They're the androids?! Orakio blinked in surprise. He had not expected this level of perfection!
Kara had already activated the intercom and was speaking to the two. "Mieu, Miun, rise and shine! We have a very important guest who wants to meet you!"
They both blinked, and smiled jointly at Orakio. He was totally disconcerted. He finally gave a slight formal bow and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you two ladies. I am Orakio Sa Riik. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
The one on the left spoke first, her voice cheery and totally human. "If you had been paying attention, you'd have heard Kara say our names! Silly Commander!"
Her twin abetted with, "Really, Lord Orakio! I thought you were a married man! Our pretty faces shouldn't have thrown you that much off balance that you'd forget everything else!"
Orakio began to laugh. They were very charming, and had the same fiery quality as Lira did. The two continued to smile, and Kara also had a smug smirk in place. After he finished laughing, he turned to the two once again. "Very well. I take it that Mieu is the smart-aleck on the left and her twin Miun is the comedy relief on the right?"
The one on the left gasped. "Amazing! He has common sense, Miun! However are we supposed to fool such a man?" The mock despair in her voice was truly comedic.
Her twin smiled and winked at Orakio. "Oh, we'll figure something out, Mieu."
Orakio laughed even harder at this last than he had at their original wisecracks. When he finished he regarded Mieu. "Tell me, Mieu. Do you think you can handle an inventive five-year-old who is as sneaky and cunning as a learned politician?"
She smiled with the slightest hint of superiority. "I can handle any child."
Orakio gave her a smile that was pure malevolent glee. "You get to handle Canaras, Mieu. You will be eating those words at the end of the first week."
*** *** *** ***
Elsewhere on the moon of Dahlia, in the very same facility that Orakio was challenging Mieu to a verbal fencing match, one blue-haired man and one lime-haired man were staring at each other. Finally, Lune relented. "Alright, Cilor. What is it?"
"The results. I want to know what was on them Lune. I have a right to know whether we failed." Cilor's imperious nature was hard to resist, but resist it Lune did.
"I have orders from Laya to report the results exclusively to her," he began, clutching the hard copy report he had been about to send to her.
"Lune, you know me. I can get what I want either by persuasion, or I beat it out of your thick skull. The choice is yours. I would prefer the former option." Cilor's tone of voice was ominous.
Lune sighed. Yes, he knew Cilor. And he didn't doubt that Cilor could-and would-carry out his threat. So he simply stated, "Project Medusa is a success."
Cilor was about to smile, when one of the Fatima assigned to the satellite approached Lune. "Governor, I have a report that needs to be forwarded to Lord Orakio."
"What is it? I'll deliver it myself when I see him in a minute," Lune commented.
The girl noted Cilor's presence, then gestured for Lune to bend down. Once he did, she whispered a report than made Lune's face turn a pasty white. He turned and ran toward the elevator that led to the Prototype Testing Lab. Cilor grabbed the girl's shoulder before she could leave. "What is it?" he asked.
She shook him off, and said, "That is classified military data and I cannot-"
Cilor cut her off by grabbing her by both shoulders and whirling her around to face him. With a vicious voice of command, he said, "Tell me what has happened."
Against her will, she said, "Rem has managed to reverse-feed the Odin's Axe's reactors! The ship's going to explode in 27 hours!"
*** *** *** ***
The subspace transceiver on Dahlia could barely receive Captison's communication to Orakio. "Com…der, I …orry to report th… but there is lit…hance of remo…ng Rem from the …Tower. I've alr…y led thr…saults, and be…beaten back. We…aban…ing ship, but…doubt that we…get every… off. Children first. They…ing to Alisa…Believe…one dome….survive…please…recover…survivors.Do...6. Colonel Captison out!"
Orakio's tanned face had become paler than impure laconia. He quickly barked, "Get every shuttle ready! All the children will be heading here, and we will need to provide homes. Get an order to Aerone to change course to a retrieval point to recover the survivors on Dome 6 when that thing explodes! I want all the military units and reserves put on full alert! And prepare my shuttle! Get a move on!"
Orakio's commands were quickly followed, and he watched as Lune approached him. "Commander, I doubt there is more you can do. Please, let us handle it. We-"
"Lune, when you're a father, you'll understand what those parents on the Axe are feeling right now. But right now, don't even think of getting in my way!!"
Orakio turned to the two cyborgs. "Mieu, Miun, you're coming with me. Let's go."
*** *** *** ***
Captison turned around to regard the Control Tower one last time. A tall, lean man coming on his thirtieth year, he was gripped by an ancient sadness. The war had been so close to being won, here on the barren desert wastes of Dome 7, but Rem had done the unthinkable. He had decided to end the lives of millions in order to escape justice. There was a 72% chance that Dome 6 would survive the explosion, and two hours before the boom, he had begun the abandonment of the siege. They would make it into the safe zones of Dome 6 fifteen minutes before the end, where already 6 million people would have gathered. Less probably; they had put an estimated 1 million children on shuttles to Alisa III. Again, Captison scowled. Six million. Four out of every ten persons had been murdered by Rem's egomania, and more might soon join them.
*** *** *** ***
Rem paced nervously in the chamber that had become his headquarters in Control. That Captison had left almost two hours ago was good. That his army now had a chance to rebuild for the next conflict was a heavily fondled joy. He turned to regard the masked associate who had advised him so well. "I must thank you again, Malefic. I would never have thought to reverse the generator's flow and then adjust it at the last minute. We may yet throw off Orakio's bad governance and save our people."
The gray-robed sorcerer laughed. His was not the laughter of normal humans, but the unamused choking of a slave of the Darkness. "Fool! There is no way to stop what you have set in motion! Soon, thousands will be dead, and my master will rejoice!"
"What?!" Rem was shocked. That meant that he was-
"Yesss! You are doomed, fool!" the cloaked creature hissed.
"Then you will die with me!" Rem shrieked. He quickly pulled out his sonic gun, but before he could fire, the Malefic raised his skeletal hand and said, "Bindwa."
Paralyzed, Rem could only watch as the Malefic continued his evil chortling. "I will live. But you will die!"
With this last, the Malefic began to chant, and Rem watched in terror as symbols circled around the evil warlock's head. At last, he said "Grantz."
The evil Malefic was enveloped in a blue sphere that quickly vanished in a flash of light.
And that was the last thing Rem saw before nuclear fire consumed all.