Chapter 3:
The Mirror of Echoes
Saturnalia, Venom
February 4, 2668
Calan was wide awake as he walked down the hallways to the science lab with Abraham Grissom. Truth be told, he actually enjoyed Abe's company more than Korrigan's now. Korrigan was too busy watching TV and commenting on the Outside World. He wanted to be shut up in his room, complaining of his situation. It was selfish, but then again, Korrigan had spent five months doing absolutely nothing. He did deserve it, no doubt about that. Korrigan didn't want to know anything about Saturnalia. Just about how to succeed in a little revenge. But Calan wanted to get to know the people and their city better—escaping would be so much easier if he studied it first.
"Wolf and Leon told me they'd wait for us in one of the science labs. I hope we find the right one." Abraham quickened his pace.
"Why so fast?"
"Anxious."
"Why?"
Abe said, "Can't you see? If I can get some funding or whatever, maybe get tight with someone at his dump, I can get my ass off of this planet and out of this system."
Calan laughed shortly. "How you gonna do that, Grissom? Put together scraps from the local dumpster?"
"I'm Abraham Joseph Grissom. You know me." He flashed his star smile and slowed a little.
"I should just call you A.J."
"Can't do that. That's what my mom used to call me."
"A.J. honey—"
"Oh shut up, Porter."
The men turned another corner and came up to two large, sliding doors. They opened and the two found themselves in a room with beakers and vials, paintings on various places of the walls, cabinets with some doors hanging wide open, and a young woman standing by herself in a white scientist's jacket. She had goggles on and was pouring a strange neon orange liquid from one vial to the other by a square-shaped device. No sign of Wolf or Leon. The door on the opposite side of the room had a poster that read, "What problem will you solve today?"
"Excuse me...." Calan started.
The woman jumped and almost spilled the orange liquid on the counter. She looked in their direction and sighed in relief. She poured the rest of it into the vial and set the two aside. Slipping off her goggles, she walked toward them. The woman was a German shepard, by the looks of it.
"What can I do for you boys?" she asked in a silky but tough voice.
Calan and Abe exchanged glances.
"We're sorry to disturb you—"
"We're looking for a wolf and a chameleon, you seen them?"
The woman laughed. "Does it look like it? I've been stuck in this lab for hours. Name's India Harris. Dr. Harris." She held out a hand. "You are—?"
"Calan Porter."
"Abraham Grissom."
"Nice to meet you both. What do you do here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your occupations."
"Oh." Calan paused. "We're...um...we're not from Saturnalia."
Dr. Harris smiled. "I see. Convicts? Well, you're fellow citizens now. When did you arrive?"
"The other day."
"Okay, what did you do before you ended up on Venom?"
Calan looked at Abe. "I actually didn't have much of a job at the time. I still had to save money to go to college, you know? My parents died, so I went to Javian City to get some cash. Then I got framed for the murder of six people. And that's why I'm here."
Abe said, "I'm innocent too. An innocent pilot."
"I'm sure you two are innocent. Just let me know before you pull a knife on me, that way I'll have time to scream," she said sarcastically. Abe and Calan exchanged looks. She did not take them seriously.
"But I can say," the doctor went on, "that if you don't get out of my lab, I'll have the authorities come after you." She smiled and made a finger motion to the door.
They slowly started to walk out. Dr. Harris suddenly called out, "Wait! Leopard-boy!"
Calan stopped and turned around. Abe ignored him and went out into the hallway and back to his room.
"Sorry if we got off on a bad start," she apologized. "It's just that I'm not used to having guys walk in my lab when I'm working."
"You don't have to apologize, Doctor."
"Please, call me India."
"All right...India." Calan liked saying the name.
India gave a little laugh. "Well, I'll talk to you sometime. Okay?"
"Sure."
Calan left feeling a little better than he did five minutes ago. There was something about her that made him smile. He wished he could give her the smile that Abe could. But she had called after Calan, not him.
He remembered that he was suppost to meet Wolf and Leon in another room. Calan slapped his head. How could he forget? He was late now. He scooted into another lab room and found that it really wasn't a lab at all. It was another conference room. And luckily Wolf and Leon were in it, sitting by Abe and two people in uniforms Calan didn't know. He slowly walked to the middle of the room.
Wolf stood up. "Calan!" he exclaimed. "Captain and Corporal, this is Calan Porter. I met him near the campsite with Grissom here. Calan, this is Captain Chaya Merrick, and that's Corporal Quincy Lafayette. Both are enlisted in the Saturnalian Army, and soon-to-be Air Force."
Air Force?
"Nice to meet you," Calan greeted politely. The two did the same. The captain was a female of average height. She was thin but looked quite strong. She was a dingo, by the looks of it. Her golden fur gave off a mysterious shine. Calan found he was entranced by it. The corporal, on the other hand, was a scrawny coyote male of average height. He was thin also, but had an unhealthy look about him. Perhaps he didn't get enough to eat, like the fugitives.
"So...you two are joining the Air Force?" Calan began, hoping to spark some good conversation. "How does that work?"
"Easy. We go above the surface," said Captain Merrick brightly.
"Quit being a smartass, Captain," muttered the corporal.
"Shh, Corporal. What planet do you come from, Mr. Porter?"
"Call me Calan. I'm from Katina."
"Katina? Amazing...." Merrick breathed. "I've only been above ground a couple of times in my life...tell me—is the sky blue there?"
Calan thought for a moment. "At times. It's mostly a pinkish color due to the clouds. The ground is reddish-brown, but it's very fertile."
"Have you been to Corneria? What's it like there?" The captain was fishing for all the information she could get, and Calan knew he wouldn't hear the end of it for as long as he stood there.
"I've never been to Corneria, no. But Abe has."
Captain Merrick looked at Abraham with wide eyes.
"The skies are blue, the grass is green, the clouds are white," confirmed Abe in one breath.
"Wow! I'm sorry if I sound odd—it's just that the notion of being outside fascinates me. We don't get to go above surface too much. Too risky. Anyway, I guess—"
The door swung open. It was Jeremy, looking more freckled than before, came in huffing. He bent over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath.
"Sorry Commander O'Donnell, sir," he managed, looking at Wolf, "but Mr. Garnett and Mayor Tucker have asked that you and the others in here join him in the mayor's office. They've got someone they want you to see."
"Did he say the name?" asked Wolf.
"Oikonny, sir. Andross Oikonny."
He was an aging man, with a grayish-white beard growing on his face, a face filled with a gaunt look and something devilish in his eyes. A primate, judging by his features. He had dark brown eyes that looked hollow. He dressed as if he'd once been someone important, maybe in the medical field. Calan didn't know what to think when they went to the mayor's office. They had filed in the room and sat down without a word. No one wanted to speak. They'd leave that for Tucker and Old Garnett to do. Calan couldn't figure out what was so important, and what this man had to do with anything. What had Jeremy called him? Oikon? Okon? Okonee?
Mayor Tucker sat down behind his desk and shooed the guards away. "So, Mister—?"
"Dr. Oikonny. Andross Oikonny." The man revealed a deep, penetrating voice. It almost made Calan melt from his chair.
"Yes, yes...Garnett says things about you, Doctor. Would you care to hear them?"
"I would."
"He says you are a crazy scientist gone mad. True?"
"No. I was merely changing plans for my projects."
"Ah. He also says you are a murderer. You killed nearly a hundred citizens from one of your projects. Is that true?"
"I was only demonstrating them, my dear mayor."
"Oh, demonstrating them. I guess that's the same answer, isn't it?"
"If you wish to view it that way."
Mayor Tucker looked at his desk for a moment. "Hmm. I see. Well, Dr. Oikonny, I'd like know a bit on your history. That's something Garnett hasn't told us." He gave a wry look at Old Garnett.
Dr. Oikonny breathed deeply. "I was born and raised on Corneria. My parents named me for a much-loved uncle my mother had on her father's side of the family, a man named Andross Sheridan. I went to public schools and then to a university, recieving a Master's Degree in science and technology. I spent most of the last two decades developing weapons for the government, but they refused to accept my projects, since we were in a time of peace and have been for many years."
"And that's where you went mad and unleashed your fury on the citizens of Corneria," broke in Old Garnett.
"I did not. I felt it necessary to show the government the power of my weapons, since they refused me each time I asked for testing space."
"It's common for people to deny that they've gone insane," drawled on Garnett.
"Sir, you continue to insult me with your lies. Stop them at once." The doctor peered at Garnett.
"You knew Corneria was at a time of peace, but you just wouldn't accept it, and you went nutters for it. What a price over worthless machinery. Now you're here. All the time you wasted, down the drain. So sad." He shook his head.
Dr. Oikonny's piercing stare turned cold. "It has not gone down the drain, I assure you. You will see, in time."
Old Garnett slapped his knee. "'Time', he says! Time is something I don't have, Doctor! Remember that!"
"Then it is clear you will not see the end of my accomplishments. For at the end, I will not fail."
Calan noticed that the scientist never used contractions. Was that normal? He supposed not, even from a brilliant scientist. If what Old Garnett said was true, then it must be an effect from going insane.
"Mayor Tucker," continued Dr. Oikonny, "I have only been on this planet for two days, but I must say that I want to help Saturnalia develop. Elections are drawing near, are they not?"
"They are," answered Tucker uncomfortably. "Why?"
"If you want to maintain your office, then you must give promises to the people of Saturnalia in my name. I have had much time to think while traveling in the prison transporter. What I want to say to the people is that Venom shall no longer be their prison, their hiding place. It will be the capital of a Lylatian empire greater than the kingdom in Corneria. I wish to be at the head of that empire, and you, of course, shall be one of my most high officers, as King of Venom. How does that suit you?"
Mayor Tucker was flattered.
"K-king?" he sputtered in shock. "Why...I would love it! What would it take to do this? What are you proposing, Doctor?" The tone of exitement in his voice made even Calan feel better about his situation.
"It will take several years with your most loyal cooperation, Mayor. But I will get what I want, even if it takes a while. As for spies...I will need you, Captain O'Donnell. You and Commander Palowski."
"Of course, sir." Wolf was already addressing the scientist as "sir."
"We would be pleased, sir," said Leon. There was something about the way he said it that made Calan feel like something had crawled down his back.
"Good. I see I have your devotion already. This is a step. A step toward your great loyalty to a new order. And me, most of all."
"This will be exciting!" Captain Merrick exclaimed. "Quincy—I mean, Corporal—we'll get to go outside!" She sounded so happy.
"I know, Cha—Captain. I know." Corporal Lafayette smiled. He looked like a sickly soldier who was grinning at the thought of getting new rations.
The only one in the room that didn't seem fazed was Old Garnett.
"So you're all falling for this, just like that?" he said hotly. "Just like that? Pathetic, the lot of you! I expected some sort of struggle. This man is a lying liar, that's what. Fools! Idiots!"
"Silence," snapped Dr. Oikonny. "From now on I am known as Andross, nothing more and nothing less. At the election time, I will show my new title. I will give you yours in at the same time, if you wish, Mayor."
"Please, call me Forrest."
"In time." Andross turned his dark gaze on the captain and corporal. "And you two. You listen in on our conversation—surely you must realize you are to be important in the empire."
Merrick and Lafayette looked at each other.
"You will be under Commander Porter's guidance, of course," Andross went on. "It is—"
"Commander?" Calan interrupted, startled.
"Yes, commander. Do you like your new title?" Andross asked breezily.
"I—what have I done to deserve it?"
"You and your comrade are like me: exiled, betrayed, imprisoned. Perhaps, when I know you will give me unquestionable loyalty, I will grant you your own planet or name you as a successor." He caught Wolf's eye for a brief second. Calan noticed the flicker in his eyes as he said this. He said nothing.
Mayor Tucker jumped up from his desk. "Then it's settled! The Saturnalians will be so pleased to hear that they can finally emerge from the ground and live where they can see the stars!"
"Eventually the capital will be moved to Corneria, when we have control of each and every planet in the Lylat System," replied Andross. "I know that it will be some time, but rest assured that your people can see the stars from other skies, besides this one."
"Thank y—"
"I need not be thanked, Forrest. Now...what have you to offer in terms of food? I am famished."
At last, a breach in Andross' shell. Calan smiled to himself. It was like he was being liberated, and Andross was the liberator. Old Garnett didn't like it, but Calan couldn't help but think of his new title. He'd nothing to deserve it or get it, but there it was. Maybe he'd even rule a planet, who knows?
They all left to join the mayor for dinner at his residence—really more of a palace. And while they walked there, Calan couldn't help but get an eerie feeling in his stomach.
Captain Merrick walked with Calan down a dark hallway.
"Could you at least tell me where we're going?" asked Calan.
Merrick shook her head. "Naw, that would spoil it all!"
"Captain...."
"Stop with the formality, Calan. You're acting like the mayor. He can't stop calling our fine doctor Potentate Andross."
"So now he's got a title already? I thought he'd hold that off until the elections!"
"Those are three weeks from now! It's just temporary, he says. Tucker can't stop drooling over the man's shoes. Anyway, no one recieves anything until the elections happen. You're a lucky guy, bud. Andross likes you."
"Maybe."
"Maybe? Boy, you got yourself a surefire way to power!"
"Who said I wanted that?"
"I can see it in your eyes, Porter. And your friend Grissom—he's got that look, too. Apparently if you do well enough when we 'take over', you'll get your own planet."
"Probably Aquas, or something useless."
"Why the attitude, bud? I thought you were enthusiastic about all this! At least, everyone else is. Quincy and I sort of let loose to some of our pals all the information at the little meeting. Everyone in Saturnalia's talking about it. I think Andross will win, no matter who runs against him. The popularity is amazing, Calan. Imagine us going to Corneria, or wherever we wanted—we could have both the power and the people to do it."
"Yeah."
"It took one day and you're already ranked higher than me, Commander."
"I guess I'm what you call blessed."
"And lucky," added the captain.
"Cap—Chaya, tell me, where are we going?"
"You'll love it, but you have to be suprised to enjoy it thoroughly. Otherwise you might turn around."
"Tell me."
"Calan!"
"Chaya."
"Fine. It's a mirror."
Calan laughed out loud. "A mirror? Why in the galaxy are we going to see a mirror?"
"I told you! Anyway, it's more than a mirror."
"How so?"
"You'll see. It even has it's own name. Suffice it to say that it's one of a kind—and people have been searching for it for nearly five hundred years."
Chaya lead Calan to a door that looked like it was made of pure gold. It opened slowly, and they entered a misty room. Steam—or what looked like it—floated around a mirror ten feet tall and five feet wide. Chaya pointed at the mirror.
"Touch it," she said, smiling.
Calan approached it slowly. It appeared to have a liquid surface. He leaned closer. There were voices whispering in the room...were they in the mirror? How was that possible? He scanned it carefully. Cautiously, he put a finger up to the surface and poked it, pulling back quickly. The surface rippled. He felt a watery substance on the mirror, yet his finger was dry. As he did it, foreign letters scribbled across the silvery, cloudy face in gold. They disappeared a few seconds later.
Calan suddenly remembered Chaya was in the room with him. "What is it?"
"The Mirror of Echoes," answered the captain. "The mirror was first created by some of the earliest Haissan sorcerers to help remember the people of the past. The mirror was filled with an everlasting magic power that could not be drained from it. Go ahead and try to stick your whole arm in it."
"My whole arm?"
"Yes. Go on."
Calan hesitated. It was obvious that there was more to this mirror than its looks. Nevertheless, he trusted Chaya, though he barely knew her. He closed his eyes and thrust his hand into the mirror, willing himself to push harder. He felt a cold, tingling sensation as he did so. His hand felt different, almost as if it had left the mirror. He pulled it back out quickly.
Chaya stood next to him. "Do you hear those voices?"
Calan became aware of her. "Yes...."
"Do you know who they are?"
Calan stifled a laugh. "Lurkers? Spies? Stalkers?"
"Ha, ha. No. Did you see the writing when you touched the surface?"
"I did. What are you getting at, Chaya?"
She gazed at the mirror and didn't answer for a few seconds. "This mirror, the Mirror of Echoes, was a jewel of Jadoram for some time. It is over 1,500 years old. It was originally created around the year 1168, but the exact date is unknown. For a thousand years, the Mirror of Echoes stayed at Jadoram. Then it was secretly moved by some Haissans to Venom—where they met a new kind of people—the Lylatians. There were explorers from Corneria on Venom, scouting the area, when they found the Haissans. Well, they both decided a truce so they wouldn' t have to fight. It served them well. The Haissans explained that they were experiencing a time of peril on the Haissan homeworlds of Jadoram and Oova, and that they were moving the mirror for safety reasons. They feared the mirror would be used as a weapon in the wrong hands. So they kindly gave it to the Lylatians, trusting them to bury the mirror beneath the surface of this very planet—because after all, no one would bother coming here.
"Apparently the Haissans thought the explorers were trustworthy when they gave them the mirror. And their assumptions were correct; the explorers buried this mirror deep beneath the ground. Not only did they do that, but they decided to build a city along with it, a city to protect the ancient mirror. So our grand city of Saturnalia was born, all in secret. We have maintained the mirror for 500 years. Over the course of these years, our city has grown and flourished. More and more convicts were delivered to Venom, especially during the 2400's when the Cornerian civil war broke out. Fortunately for us, the rebels lost, and most of them were dumped off here, thus widening our gene pool even more than before."
Calan had listened to every word. He drank in the information like cold water on a hot day. "This is fascinating. Does Andross know of this mirror?"
"Not yet," Chaya said, "but I can see that he will sort out the uses. Tucker will beg the man to see it. I know him well enough."
Calan nodded. "And how does this mirror work?"
The captain smiled again. "That is the mystery, my friend. Few people know exactly how to work it. You have to be fluent in Kragglan to activate it. Perhaps that's why the Haissans felt no reluctance to hand it over. They knew we couldn't work it, anyway."
Calan nodded. Curiosity buzzed around his head.
"Do you see those markings at the base, right there on the pedestal? It's a chant written in the Kragglan letters. If you could read the letters and know Kragglan, you could work the mirror. It is rumored," she said, stepping foward and touching the surface lightly, "that the Mirror of Echoes will let a person see into other's thoughts. Over those thousand years, people have touched it. When they touched it, their thoughts were transfered to the mirror."
"So...those voices I heard—"
"—were the thoughts of the ancient Haissan people, or whoever had touched it before. Since you extended your arm into it, the mirror has probably taken more than enough from you." She turned around and headed back to the door.
"Where you goin'?" Calan asked quizzically.
"Back to duty," the captain replied. "Mayor Tucker wants me to meet him in his office for some business. The doctor's business, probably. I've never seen Tucker so excited before...."
"Aren't you going to stay?"
"No. Listen, you shouldn't exert yourself over figuring out the chant. It's not worth it. You don't know Kragglan, and unless you know a way off of Venom without the alert systems of Area 6 and Bolse going off, you never will. Give it a rest. That mirror has stood there for hundreds of years, Calan. It hasn't been disturbed yet. Hopefully it never will."
"But...Chaya, this is a powerful mirror! We could sell it back to the Haissans and tell them—"
"Maybe it was a mistake to show you this, bud. I'm telling you, don't go near this mirror again, unless you have to. You'll go insane if you keep hanging around it. People keep trying to figure out that stupid chant. Besides, those Haissans could have been lying when they gave the mirror over to the Lylatians. It might have been some piece of junk bewitched to look powerful. Leave it, Calan. You'll go insane otherwise." Chaya turned and left.
Like Andross did? Calan thought. He looked back at the mirror. Maybe she was right. He went to the door and gave one last look at the mysterious mirror. Then he left for lunch.