Chapter Five: The Grey Council
Tyria, Thelion System
Hermitage of the Grey Seers
Myriana sat at her desk, settled in the calm of her chambers with her eyes closed, her mind absorbing information from the hovering data crystal – when she was suddenly roused by a mental chime from her teacher.
Kheldoran had taken longer to summon her than she thought he would. She had been able to calm herself after the trauma of her vision – her people often felt emotions strongly due to their psychic nature. Like all Vorentines, she was trained to master her emotions and mind – so her recovery had been swift.
Yet still her teacher had taken his time. It was getting into the evening now – the young seer had wished to join the elder seer in interpreting her vision as soon as possible.
Even so, Myriana had made best use of the time. The crystal she was studying was one of a collection that contained the history and lore of the known galaxy. While she had revised key moments in the history of her own people, she had also sifted through the thick mental pages of the crystal and its brethren, to try to find the planet she had seen in her vision.
Myriana was certain that planet and its inhabitants were recorded, somewhere – but she could not place it. There were billions of stars and billions of planets in the galaxy. Yet her people, with their galaxy-spanning empire, surely knew about all of them; even a world that seemed so obscure. There were many references to search through – but she felt compelled to find the planet she had seen.
Of course, her teacher would most likely reveal it to her later, when they reviewed her vision. But Myriana had always been curious and eager for new knowledge, even from an early age. Above all, she had felt the pain of those people, as the Swarm ravaged their world. Her strong sense of empathy demanded she know who they were; even if they were primitive and thus not to be interacted or interfered with.
For now though, her search would have to wait. Her master would not appreciate his summons being ignored – not that she would ever think of doing such a thing. Yet she was surprised by the content of the telepathic message Kheldoran had sent to her: You will join me at the entrance to the senate house. I have called the council to order.
This was clearly an event of importance – Myriana could sense the urgency in her master's summons. A council meeting was always a big event; one that required punctuality, proper decorum and a good impression. She had to get herself ready, and quickly.
Myriana allowed the data crystal to descend from where it had been floating in mid-air, in front of her forehead. She used her telekinesis to place it back into the fine-carved box that held the rest of its treasured collection.
The apprentice then stood up from her cushioned chair, retrieved her seer robes from the cupboard where they were hung, and slipped them on over her under-dress. She then took up her small necklace of charms and runes – more humble than Kheldoran's, due to her inexperience – and fastened it securely around her neck.
Myriana then projected a thought at the luminous globe in the ceiling, from which a mirror of pure hard light materialized into existence before her. She checked herself and her robes in the reflection of pure energy, ensuring that she was presentable. She ran a hand through her hair and across her face, before telekinetically summoning a comb, brush and a small brass canister from the desk. Something was not quite right.
She drew the comb and brush into her hands, while the canister floated dutifully beside her head. On a command from her mind it sprayed a cloud of cleansing, settling mist. The mist enclosed itself around her face as though it were sentient, ensuring her pores were clean and leaving behind a hair-thin layer of scented, beautifying powder-residue. She used the gilded, feathered brush to neaten the perfumed make-up, before turning her attention to her long hair.
As she began to brush, comb and neaten her hair, Myriana then summoned a jeweled silver clip from a small treasured draw in her desk, which opened at her command. The clip floated toward her head, bearing an inscribed blessing of Kalyia; the goddess of wisdom, knowledge and foresight, the sister of Thelia, Voren and Verix, patron and namesake of the homeworld's second moon.
With another command from her mind, the hair clip fastened itself onto the back of her head. It secured her long, hazel-brown hair into place behind her sloping skull, but also allowed her mane to flow in an ordered fashion down her back.
Once she was finally satisfied that her appearance was in order, she banished the hard light mirror, which dissolved with a wave of her hand. With another brisk command from her mind, the comb, brush and brass spray-canister floated obediently back to their wooden and velvet holders on the desk.
She hurriedly checked the hermitage's timekeeping system through her mind. Not wanting to keep her teacher waiting a moment longer, she commanded the globe ceiling light to darken, thought open her door and hurried out as fast as she could.
The young Vorentine seer exited the hermitage, trying to keep her robes in order even as she hurried. It would shame Kheldoran if his apprentice arrived late before his own council meeting; that would be a disgrace on both their reputations. Myriana knew all too well that taking time on her personal appearance would not be an acceptable excuse.
The last thing she ever wanted was for her teacher to be disappointed in her.
Fortunately, the Plaza of Thelia's Tears was not overly crowded – the sun was setting low in the sky, and most of Verulon's people were either in their homes or heading back to them, their duties of the day complete. The marketplace was gradually losing its bustle, as patrons and stallholders came closer to the final hour of trading. The Odeon had also gone quiet – it would be a couple of hours before the nighttime performance began. The hovering Port of Soothing Rains glinted in the evening sunset, like a metallic red-tinged cloud.
Even so, there still a few ordinary citizens strolling in the plaza, where Thelia's fountain still flowed with her tears. Myriana's seer robes naturally elicited nods and transmitted thoughts of respect and acknowledgement from these bystanders – as a seer she was a messenger of their ancestors and the Gods, a spiritual leader and guardian of her people.
Myriana ensured she kept her common courtesy even in her haste, returning their telepathy with thanks and good grace. Her people were determined to live their lives even as the galaxy was light afire from beyond. It was her duty to safeguard their lives in such times.
As she neared the senate house – she was eternally grateful it was right next to the hermitage – she was then greeted by a small, sandy-haired girl in the plaza.
The child wore a small red dress decorated with gilded flowers. She had been playing near the great fountain of Thelia with a jeweled golden beetle; a toy automaton animated by the young girl's telepathy, which was a common affectation for Vorentine children. Such mechanical creatures served as mental companions, assisting younglings in mastering their powerful minds from an early age.
The child paced up to the apprentice seer as Myriana neared the senate house, her young mind and expression filled with awe. Her beetle buzzed on gossamer wings of bright blue energy, as it followed her obediently. Myriana had no wish to stop and make herself late – but she felt the child's untempered telepathy brushing against her own mind like a mischievous fly.
Her mind had not yet been fully disciplined – she still had much to learn. That much was evident; she sent a sudden message to Myriana, without a proper greeting or mental chime of connection. Her sudden, blaring question hit her mind like a badly thrown child's ball.
"Are you really a seer?"
Myriana decided to maintain her good grace and knelt before the child, projecting thoughts of kindness. Her people's culture valued children greatly, given how Vorentine children were often so painfully few. In spite of their long lifespans, her people produced fresh lives very slowly.
"I am. I am also a seer who has somewhere to be. Don't you also have such a place?"
The girl looked at the sky and the ever-setting sun. Myriana could sense the child tuning into Verulon's timekeeping system, which operated from the hermitage and could be psychically tuned into by any of the city's citizens.
After a moment, she nodded nervously. Myriana smiled.
"Your parents will be waiting. They might not appreciate your mind reaching out to that of a stranger; especially so suddenly and with such lax manners."
The girl shrank back, even more nervous. Her metallic beetle reacted to her mind; it buzzed around her like an over-protective escort, its red jeweled eyes flaring. Myriana immediately sent out thoughts of comfort to the child.
"But, you will learn in time. I made the same mistakes at your age. If you wish for practice in training your mind, know that you can come to me if you wish."
At this, the child and her beetle calmed. Myriana held out a crystal to the girl. It contained her name, as well as a mental link that would allow the child to contact her at any time. The child telekinetically received it, grasping it like a snapping cage-flower. Myriana smiled in amusement, and then waved her hand forward.
"Now run along!"
The girl did as she was told, running home with the crystal in hand. Her metal beetle followed and buzzed ecstatically in her wake, as her mind filled with happiness at making friends with a seer.
As she left, Myriana felt a touch of sadness. This was not only because such younglings were living their childhoods in these dark times, or that she wondered whether they would grow to adulthood in an uncertain future. Not so long ago, she had been that child. She still had that same brash curiosity, as her teacher often reminded her; a naivety she had to temper for good use.
The young seer turned back to the entrance of the Senate House. Her teacher was outside, greeting other elder, high-ranked seers of Tyria who were required to attend this council. Like her teacher, they all carried ornate staffs. An envious thought briefly crossed Myriana's mind – as an apprentice seer, she was not eligible for her own staff yet.
Leading warriors of the Ambul'tiyen, clad in ornate armour, could also be seen making their way to the gathering – which indicated immediately that this was no common conclave of civil governance. This meeting had to be on matters of war – specifically, the eternal war against the Swarm.
Myriana knew this had to be so; she immediately saw that this would not be an entirely Vorentine meeting. Other species were also in attendance; delegates from the Coalition of the Ancient Sphere, who maintained an embassy on Tyria. Their leading ambassador – a Khai-Rah named Vagnar – had just finished a cordial conversation with High Seer Kheldoran, when Myriana hurried up to her teacher.
"Master," she breathed out, her words hasty, "I apologize for my tardiness."
Kheldoran turned to her, his thoughts and face warm upon seeing his pupil. The Khai-Rah ambassador politely excused himself, leading his multi-species delegation into the Senate House.
"Not at all child – in fact you are just in time. Furthermore, I am impressed you used that time to dispense good advice."
He gestured to the young girl, who by now was at the other end of the plaza, well on her way home. Myriana relaxed at this – and then found the nerve to ask the main question on her mind.
"Teacher, with the greatest respect I must ask this; when this meeting is over, will there still be time to interpret my vision? You made clear that it could be of extreme importance."
The High Seer looked down at her with what seemed to be amusement.
"Fear not – we will still be interpreting your vision, my child. Indeed, it is the reason why this conclave has been called this evening. There will be time afterward for us to interpret it ourselves even further."
Myriana's mind was now filled with confusion. How could her vision be the reason for this council? True, a seer's vision would sometimes merit enough importance for such a meeting. But this would not be the case for a vision that was so garbled and vague; not one seen by an inexperienced apprentice such as herself.
"Forgive me, teacher – I do not understand."
Kheldoran put an arm on her shoulder, transmitting re-assurance into her mind.
"Others saw your vision for themselves, child. I am now certain you witnessed a major sequence of events – a thread of fate that could change the future of this entire galaxy. As the first seer to behold it, I foresee that you are now tied to these events, as am I. The fate of our entire people may be tied to what you saw. The strands of the skein are in flux around the planet and people in question."
"Others saw it? We are tied…to that planet…forgive me Lord Kheldoran, but I do not…"
Her teacher then led her up the steps at the Senate House entrance, where the great bronze double doors stood open. He calmed her mind as he did so – yet every time Myriana tried to reach into the elder seer's mind for answers, he would casually block her.
"Come, my child. All will be explained inside – let us not waste any more time."
The interior of the Senate House was austere compared to that of the Hermitage – though it sill bore the fine marble and tiled floor of most of Verulon's important buildings. The walls were lined with pillars and statues of great leaders, seers, warriors and heroes. Within the dome – which was clad in silver on the outside – were paintings depicting the goddesses Thelia and Tyria watching over the world and system for which they had been named after, with its prosperous golden fields and bustling cities.
Due to Kheldoran's importance as the most senior seer and leading speaker, he and Myriana were able to gain the most important seats in the tiers at the rear of the building; in the front tier, situated directly behind the speaker's dais. Beside and behind them, the other seers of the Grey Council of Tyria took their seats in the same part of the senate chamber.
They were not alone; Myriana saw holograms of other Vorentine seers – also of the Ambul'tiyen, but evidently from other refuge worlds. The High Seers of each refuge world formed the greater Grey Council of the Ambul'tiyen, of which her teacher was a member. The Grey Council regularly met to discuss matters of governance and policy. Yet Kheldoran had obviously requested their presence for this greater, emergency council – even if it could only be holographic. The chamber was increasingly lit up a luminescent blue as more holograms appeared.
This was true of other delegates present at the council. Besides Ambassador Vagnar and the other representatives of the Resistance who were physically present, there were also holograms of off-world Resistance leaders who had been invited to attend the council. The Sphere herself was not present – Myriana knew that the Ancient was often reluctant to leave her fortified refuge world, or even to transmit from it, for fear of discovery or capture by the Swarm.
Vagnar and the other Resistance members were gathered on Kheldoran and Myriana's left, occupying the seats on that side of the chamber. This ensured that there was a balance of representation. On the other side of the chamber were other Vorentine representatives – mostly leading warriors and rangers of the Ambul'tiyen, as well as lower-ranking seers and administrators.
However, Myriana's attention was drawn to a very special holographic delegation among them; a single man in the ostentatious garb of a patrician senator, accompanied by several other proudly clothed and decorated patricians and seers.
This was a delegation from the Verixari – the Vorentines of the Empire. No doubt their holograms were being broadcast from the homeworld of Holy Vorentium itself. This delegation would pass on what occurred today to the Emperor and his court. No doubt Kheldoran had requested their presence also.
Myriana knew of her teacher's history among her people; that he had been born on the homeworld and was once a respected member of the Emperor's court. She knew that he still held the Emperor's respect and favour to a degree, that he still had friends in the imperial court and senate. Indeed, the Emperor had approved his request to join the Ambul'tiyen, after Ravennia Minioris.
But she also knew that Kheldoran often had disagreements with them over various issues, especially strategy in the war against the Swarm. She sometimes witnessed tense clashes over holo-communications between her teacher and the politicians on the homeworld. Though Myriana did not know the full specifics or context of those disagreements, she did know that there was a reason why he was a High Seer of Ambul'tiyen – and no longer a High Seer of the Verixari.
She hoped there would be no public clashes here; not because she was afraid of political debate, but because she worried about her teacher's reputation, and his relations with the government on the homeworld.
He had done this for a long time, she re-assured herself. He knows how to carry himself. She hoped.
Once the Senate House was full, the High Seer Kheldoran stood from his seat. At the raise of his hand, the great double doors closed with a deep, solemn impact that echoed through the council chamber.
The attendants fell silent. They knew Kheldoran had called this council to order – they also knew when to be quiet and listen.
Myriana's mentor strode to the raised dais. He then placed his hand on the large green crystal fixed to a lectern, which projected upward from the dais. This bonded his mind with the systems inside the council chamber – which enabled all species present to understand his telepathy and the Vorentine language, even through holo-communication.
Then Kheldoran addressed them all, as befitting one of his people's greatest statesmen.
"Fellow kin of this world and those beyond, Ambul'tiyen and Verixari," he continued, acknowledging the imperial delegation. "Revered allies of all peoples; strangers from distant worlds, friends of old," he then nodded in the direction of Vagnar and his delegation. "My brothers and sisters; I bid you welcome to this council. I offer my thanks for your attendance. It warms my heart to see us all make an effort to maintain our trust, unity and dialogue – as we all should in these times."
He paused. Myriana knew that her teacher did not like to get bogged down in platitudes – at least, not too much.
"This meeting tonight was meant to be a simple, regular conclave among my fellow seers of Tyria. It is now something greater, as you can all see. You know I would not have called you all here if it did not concern a matter of utmost urgency. Our rangers bring us news that could change all of our fates, in our great struggle against the darkness of the Swarm."
At this, the chamber descended into muttered, whispered discussion among the attendees. Myriana could see the Khai-Rah Vagnar speaking with his fellow Resistance leaders in hushed tones. In theory, she could extend her mind to hear what was being said – the Khai-Rah were not a telepathic species, and were thus vulnerable to mental eavesdropping.
She knew, however, that to invade another's mental privacy so casually was something her teacher strongly disapproved of – especially the privacy of a non-telepath who could not protect their thoughts. Myriana thus kept her mind to herself – Kheldoran would know if she disobeyed his golden rule.
The High Seer then gestured to the Vorentine side of the senate chambers – where the leading warriors of the Ambul'tiyen were gathered.
"Bring forth your findings, Warden Morlaniath."
From the tiers of physically and holographically seated warriors, a single ranger stood and made his way to the dais. Like all rangers, he was clad in a dark grey cloak and armour, which Myriana knew to be equipped with stealth systems and active camouflage. With the enhanced vision gifted to her people, the young Vorentine could see the rune on the collar of his dull armour which denoted his rank.
The dour, pale-skinned Warden bore eyes which glowed a healthy blue and gold – just like those of her teacher, though this ranger was much younger. At the same time, he was older than her; his mind carried the weight of one who had already seen too much of the war, the galaxy and all its horrors.
The Ranger Warden joined Kheldoran on the dais, producing a data crystal. The High Seer captured it with his mind, before inserting it into a socket on the lectern.
A giant holographic projection appeared in the centre of the senate chamber, displaying the images and recordings on the crystal. The recordings were currently still, not set to play.
"This data concerns the outcome of a mission assigned to Warden Morlaniath and his crew," Kheldoran announced, as the projection shone into existence. "Their mission was to track a splinter Hive Fleet which most of you will be familiar with. The splinter centered on Hiveship Gargoyle."
The chamber stirred again at the mention of the hiveship's official reporting name. Myriana vaguely remembered hearing the name of that small Swarm fleet during her studies. Though it was one of the smaller Hive Fleets currently at large, Gargoyle was said to have been responsible for the destruction of the Ambul'tiyen refuge world of Carthalion, just over a century ago.
Myriana had been a small child then. Even so, she could remember how much fear, anger and sorrow that event had caused among her people. Many leading warriors had pledged oaths of vengeance for that loss, swearing that they would be the ones to destroy the Gargoyle.
"The Swarm arrived at a world far beyond our space. The planet is remote and primitive; the native sentients fall within our people's laws of non-interference. But the inhabitants call their world 'Earth'. They call themselves 'humans'."
Those names meant nothing to Myriana, nor to many in the senate house – though she was certain they were in the library of records somewhere. These 'human' creatures were obviously an obscure species; but the laws of non-interference in the affairs of lesser races were binding, for every Vorentine citizen. It made sense that the histories kept the humans obscure, even if this 'Earth' had been visited and observed from time to time.
"The Swarm was no doubt hoping for easy prey. Yet they received more than they bargained for. All of what you are about to see is what the Warden and his crew witnessed for themselves. There is no doubt of its accuracy."
The High Seer nodded to the ranger, and then swept his hand before the hologram. The recordings began at his mental command, while Morlaniath explained their content as the hologram played before the council chambers.
Myriana was immediately shocked; the world that featured in this recording was almost completely blue, covered with vast oceans. A patchwork of continents, displaying the green of vegetation, browns and yellows of deserts and the whites of ice-caps and high mountain ranges contested with the vast bodies of water. Viewed from afar, the planet was a shining blue and green, cloaked in white clouds.
It was the same world from her vision. Earth.
As the recordings played, with Morlaniath's commentary, Myriana felt both vindicated and awestruck. The Swarm had indeed visited this world, just as she had seen. They had caused much destruction and suffering to the natives, as would be expected; but the humans had fought back.
No…they had done more than that. As Kheldoran moved the recordings forward to their conclusion (thus to get to the point), Myriana saw the unthinkable take place. The strength of the Swarm's protective shields was infamous across the galaxy. Yet somehow they had been jammed, along with many of the Hive Fleet's systems. Sensor readings displayed in the recordings indicated that splinter fleet Gargoyle had suffered a major systems failure.
"There is no doubt that this was the work of the humans," Morlaniath explained, referring to the lowering of the Hive Fleet's shields. "We did not send out any jamming signal. We did not think such a feat to even be possible. Furthermore, the human counterattack occurred far too soon afterward for the jamming to be a coincidence."
Indeed, Myriana thought. The human forces, recorded on what were no doubt stealth-fielded observer probes, were taking the fight to the unshielded Swarm vessels. The human weaponry was primitive, inelegant – crude projectiles and rockets packed with chemical explosives. Earlier in the recordings, these weapons had produced great fiery explosions and noise to no effect, impacting harmlessly against the Hive Fleet's shields. The Swarm had massacred the humans in response to these first attacks.
Myriana truly felt sorry for these primitives and their pitifully ineffectual weaponry. She knew her people's advanced weapons would have penetrated the Swarm's shields, with elegant and destructive precision. A Verixari battlefleet would have been able to destroy a small splinter like Gargoyle with relative ease – if the Empire bothered to send such a fleet, of course.
Yet after the apparent human jamming, their weapons brought a destruction which must have seemed incomprehensible to the Swarm. The unshielded Harbinger vessels and their Attacker swarms crashed to Earth's surface in flames, brought down by the determined humans.
The best, however, was saved for last.
Hiveship Gargoyle hovered before them all in the last of the rangers' recordings; dark and menacing as a Swarm hiveship should be. Within a second, it disintegrated into a blinding atomic flash, leaving behind only a vast cloud of irradiated debris.
Morlaniath made it clear that could only be the work of a nuclear device – a barbaric weapon of mass destruction, often used by primitive races such as the humans. It had somehow been detonated from inside the hiveship – this implied an infiltration by the human forces. Morlaniath confessed he had no idea how this had been achieved.
Yet the result was well-received in the senate chambers. Applause, cheers and roars of triumph and approval echoed through those in attendance, especially from the Resistance members. Others looked awestruck. Even the leader of the Verixari delegation looked momentarily impressed. This news was cause for celebration for all species, even if the triumph was not theirs.
Myriana felt the sense of elation also – yet vindication also occupied her mind. Her vision had been proved true. The Swarm had been defeated by a 'lesser' race, which should have been easily wiped out. The young seer felt greater confidence in her abilities – then she remembered something else.
She had seen two possible futures after the human victory. One had showed them in the wake of their triumph; wounded yet proud, damaged yet filled with potential. The other had showed their world being destroyed in their moment of victory; their potential for the future brutally snuffed out.
This would be no open and shut case – otherwise Kheldoran would not have called this meeting at all. There had to be more going on here. Myriana's teacher held up his hand, broadcasting a calming telepathy over the attendees.
Only when all was quiet did the High Seer speak again.
"Yes – this is indeed news to be welcomed. Yet the circumstances demand that these events be worthy of further investigation. To that end, I formally propose that an expedition to Earth should be mounted as quickly as possible."
The chambers fell silent again. Immediately, the leading Verixari patrician stood up. His hologram shone like a haunting, haughty phantom – his grand robes, shining brooch of office and telepathic voice even made him sound like one.
"High Seer Kheldoran," the patrician began in a suitably imperious tone. "I do not doubt that this news is…interesting. But what makes you think this turn of events merits an expedition of investigation?"
"Why do you think it does not merit an investigation, Second Consul Thessalion?"
Kheldoran's tone was direct, yet also polite – he addressed the patrician by his name and rank, as a mark of respect. Clearly, Myriana surmised, her teacher knew this politician personally. He knew most of the Emperor's court, after all.
At the same time, Myriana was surprised by the official's high rank – the First and Second Consuls of Vorentium headed the Emperor's government and senate. This patrician was second-in-command, but still very important. She worried again about her teacher being too direct with people in higher authority.
If Thessalion was offended, he did not show it.
"With respect, High Seer – such small splinters are not uncommon. There are many still at large in the galaxy today. Furthermore, they have been destroyed by our forces in the past. If this Hive Fleet had been larger and lead by a mature Queen, this would have been a much greater event."
Stating the obvious – that which we all know. Myriana suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Still, the consul had a somewhat valid point; Gargoyle had been merely one among many, in spite of its reputation.
"Our battlefleets have destroyed such small splinters whenever they have entered Imperial territory in the past," Thessalion continued. "Even after Ravennia Minioris. They are not as great a challenge as a Royal Hive Fleet. This event hardly changes history."
"A pity your battlefleets cannot seem to destroy the Swarm fleets outside of your territory, Second Consul." The barbed remark came from Ambassador Vagnar. Myriana could see the Khai-Rah was seething at her kinsman's condescension beneath his diplomatic veil. "This Gargoyle ravaged several of our coalition's worlds. That is why we celebrate its destruction. Were your glorious fleets present to destroy it before?"
Thessalion visibly bristled. Had he been physically present and not talking through a hologram, Myriana was certain the consul would have issued a challenge there and then. His colleagues also stiffened in anger, the imperial seers gripping their staffs in offence.
"You are aware of our position, Ambassador," he replied testily, maintaining a superior tone. His telepathy sounded like grating rock. "Our current strategies are defensive. Our Emperor has taken the advice of his commanders. It is not realistic to launch large, far-reaching expeditionary forces at pres…"
"Yes, we all know why," another Khai-Rah snarled through his own hologram.
This was Guthrun, one of the Resistance's leading commanders. Like most Khai-Rah, he possessed a fiery temper. Unlike Vagnar, however, he could not keep his anger in check.
"Your empire, Vorentine territory and Vorentine lives all come first! That was why your fleets were not present when our planet was invaded! When our cities burned! When the Swarm melted and drained our sacred ice! When our people, our women and children were butchered! When what is now left of my people fled from our world, even as the Hive Fleets stripped it bare! I watched them do it, consul! So did the honourable ambassador Vagnar! Don't pretend you know more about the Swarm than any of us!"
Vagnar and some of his colleagues tried to calm the ill-tempered Guthrun down – but it was too late. Almost immediately, a shouting match erupted between the Vorentine wing of the senate and the wing occupied by the Resistance species. Insults, displays of rage and even threats were exchanged.
Myriana was shocked, angered and saddened by the scene before her. Yet while the harsh words against her people had hurt her, she could not blame the Khai-Rah for their frustration at people like Thessalion.
The destruction of even one splinter fleet brought hope to many who had suffered at the hands of the Swarm. Myriana knew that there were few other species in the galaxy who had suffered as much as the Khai-Rah. They had once been a proud space-faring people, with a small empire of their own in the northern regions of the galaxy. They had colonized numerous worlds and resisted many invaders in their history – including the Vorentine Empire itself, at one point.
Then the Swarm had come to their homeworld of glistening ice and crystal cities. Lead by their then living Queen, they had overcome the heroic resistance of the Khai-Rah, stripping their once beautiful and sacred homeworld down to a bare, formless rock. The Swarm had gone on to consume all of their remaining colony worlds after this.
The Khai-Rah were today a refugee population, some travelling the galaxy in vast refugee ships, others scattered among the secret refuge worlds of the Sphere's Resistance and the Ambul'tiyen. Some, somewhat ironically, even found sanctuary with the borders of the Vorentine Empire.
For Vagnar and Guthrun to hear Thessalion speaking so dismissively of what they had seen, so condescendingly and unsympathetically in response to their words…it must have been infuriating. It infuriated Myriana, too. She knew the reasons for their anger. The Ambul'tiyen and the species of the Resistance had long been frustrated that the more powerful forces of the Verixari were not being employed against the Swarm, outside of the empire's borders.
At the same time, she felt an impulse to defend her people; they had fought and suffered against the Swarm too. The Emperor and the Verixari did have valid reasons for wanting to heal, conserve and build up their forces behind their borders; they were needed for the inevitable future Royal Hive Fleets, which were almost certainly on their way to the galaxy.
There were two sides to the argument before her. Could those two sides not be reconciled, in the face of approaching annihilation?
Fortunately, neither Myriana nor the other seers needed to say anything. Her teacher, ever calm and compassionate, calmed the council with but a few gentle and firm words.
"Be still my friends, my brothers and sisters. Shall we fight each other after witnessing an event of such triumph? Of such hope?"
At these words, combined with the calming mental energy Kheldoran projected across the chamber, the senate house fell into tranquil silence. The High Seer was a Vorentine who everybody in attendance respected.
"It is true that splinter fleets of that size have been destroyed in the past. By my honoured kinsmen and by our equally honoured allies. All of us here have fought, triumphed and lost against those who would devour every world of this galaxy. Admiral Guthrun and Second Consul Thessalion have both fought many engagements against the Swarm first hand. The consul was at Ravennia Minioris, as was I. None of us need prove each other worthy or unworthy here."
He gestured to both sides of the chamber, giving equal credit in his words and posture. He paused to let this placating gesture sink in. Myriana never ceased to admire the statesmanship of her teacher.
"We all know the power of the Swarm. We all also know that they can be beaten. Here, however, they have been defeated by a people who by all rights should have perished. How many of us could name another species at this level that could defeat the scourge we have so often faced?"
The room was left in silent contemplation. It was true – these humans were planet-bound, primitive. They should have perished at the hands of the Swarm. Yet they had emerged victorious. Kheldoran pressed his point.
"How many of us know of such a species; primitive, yet somehow able to disrupt the Swarm's shields and infiltrate their main hiveship? I strongly suspect that this is not the last we will hear of these humans. They are vigorous – who knows what they may achieve in the wake of their victory? They are worthy of our attention. Furthermore…"
Thessalion stood again, once more eager for his own points to be heard.
"With respect, High Seer; you are familiar with our people's laws? Especially those with respect to contact and interference with a species of this level?"
Unusually, Kheldoran was slightly irritated at the Second Consul's interruption.
"I am well aware of our most ancient and binding laws, noble consul," he replied flatly. "Having written more than a dozen of them myself."
There was some sniggering from the Ambul'tiyen seers, as well as some of the Resistance delegates. Myriana could not suppress her own giggles. It was true; Kheldoran was certainly old enough. Thessalion looked stung in humiliation.
"Then you are no doubt aware," the consul continued evenly as possible, "that to directly contact and consort with these humans is a direct violation of these laws?"
"Of course. That particular law of non-interference was written by Emperor Aurelion himself, may the Gods rest his soul. He wrote it when our empire's borders became fixed by his decree; to protect species such as the humans from our own arrogance. So that they would not suffer our meddling."
Myriana listened intently to her teacher as he spoke. Emperor Aurelion I was the grandfather of the currently reigning Emperor, Veodotius II. Though he had met his end when the Swarm first invaded the galaxy, his reign had seen many centuries of peace and stability. Vorentium's relations with the other powers of the galaxy had improved.
Kheldoran had been a member of Aurelion's court; and had also served both his son and grandson. Though Myriana's species were naturally long-lived, her teacher had lived in this universe for a very long time. Such experience demanded and earned respect.
"Aurelion was a wise man. I knew him well. Were he still alive, we would all benefit from his wisdom. I know for a fact that he would approve of my proposal for an expedition to Earth."
The Verixari delegation looked like they were about to raise their voices in fury. The High Seer waved a silencing hand.
"I do not propose direct contact with the humans – nor secret meddling in their affairs. What I propose is that a small force be sent to Earth to assess the current situation and act, if necessary. The humans have bested Gargoyle, but I doubt they have destroyed the entire Hive Fleet. We all know that if even a few hive vessels have survived and manage to escape their planet, the humans' efforts – and ours – will all be for nothing. Especially if even a single Navigator still lives on Earth."
He allowed for the council to take that in. Like everyone else in the chamber, Myriana knew that a Swarm Hive Fleet could easily spawn another dangerous splinter if just a few of its vessels lived. Above all, they all knew the power and cunning of the dreaded Navigator caste.
"We must ensure that the Gargoyle cannot be resurrected. It has caused too much damage to be allowed to live. I propose that a Shadowblade be sent to ensure this."
Myriana knew that warrior term – a Shadowblade was typically a small yet highly potent force, designed to operate in secret. Such a force was capable of direct action as well as reconnaissance. If Kheldoran's proposal was approved, such a force could cripple what was left of the Hive Fleet at Earth and kill any surviving Navigators undercover, without the humans ever knowing of a Vorentine presence. It could even assist the humans in secret – though she was not sure that would be approved of.
Knowing that his proposal increasingly had the approval of the council, Kheldoran pressed his advantage.
"I am willing to oversee this mission myself. However, I will also need warriors."
Almost immediately a tall, proudly armoured figure rose from her seat. Her strong, fearless voice echoed across the gathered minds of the chamber.
"You will need warriors, noble High Seer. You will also need one to lead them. Look no further than the warrior who stands before you now."
Myriana recognized the speaker instantly, as did almost all the Vorentines gathered. The warrior had long, fiery auburn hair and fierce purple eyes that burned around her elliptical golden pupils; physical features that made Khalysis Shadowstorm a legend among her people. In battle they would be complemented by her terrifying helmet – an elegantly fashioned and decorated death-mask that was currently clipped to her belt.
Shadowstorm wore the sleek silver and gunmetal armour of a Kataphrion; the highest order of Vorentine warrior. The chapter of Kataphrions she commanded as Legate, the Doomshades, was legendary among the Ambul'tiyen for their accomplishments in battle. Myriana knew that Khalysis had returned to Verulon only recently, following a successful operation against Legiun'tar raiders.
Now, it seemed, she was ready to return to combat; this time to take on the Swarm. She still had unfinished business with them.
"I know all too well what this Gargoyle wrought upon our people," Khalysis continued, her telepathy echoing like a war horn. "I was there at the fall of Carthalion. The Swarm struck when our attention was elsewhere. We saved all that we could; but I swore that I would avenge Carthalion and all our brothers and sisters who were lost on her surface. So did all of my fellow warriors who fought that day."
Khalysis paused, her conviction and passion building like a telepathic inferno.
"We prayed to the gods for another chance to face that abomination and end it. We may not be the ones who have bested Gargoyle, but we can still deliver the killing blow. If there is even a chance of this Hive Fleet rising again, I would strongly desire to ensure it is dead for all eternity. I humbly request, High Seer Kheldoran, that you allow me to accompany you. As commander of this expedition's warhost."
Myriana could tell that there was nothing humble in Shadowstorm's request to help lead Kheldoran's proposed expedition to Earth. She wondered if the Legate would join her teacher's expedition with or without his approval. Some of the other leading warriors gathered in the chambers looked irritated; evidently they wanted to be the ones to fight the Swarm at Earth.
"I suspected that you would want to seize the moment, Storm of Shadows," Kheldoran replied, smiling slightly. "Fear not – you were just the warrior I had in mind. However, I envision that you will be in command of quite a small warhost – as befits the mission."
Khalysis nodded briskly, before dutifully returning to her seat. But Myriana could sense that her mind was filled with pride; both at the High Seer's recognition of her abilities and the fact she would be meeting the Swarm in battle once more.
"You shall accompany me, Khalysis Shadowstorm. Now all I need is this council's approval."
The vast majority of the Vorentines in attendance all broadcast their thoughts of approval, like a glorious song of triumph. The Verixari delegation was far more reserved – Myriana could see Thessalion and his colleagues discussing the matter in hushed tones.
From the species of Resistance, there was also visible approval. Ambassador Vagnar rose from his seat to speak again.
"You have our support and approval, High Seer Kheldoran. Though I fear this will have to be an all-Vorentine expedition. Our forces are fully committed to containing other Swarm splinter fleets still at large. Furthermore, our furthest scouts have detected the possibility of several new Royal Hive Fleets arriving at the galactic rim; we have already shared this information with you all. The Ancient believes we could be facing a renewed invasion soon. We cannot spare you troops right now."
Myriana had not heard that grim news until now; she suspected her teacher had decided it was better she did not know. If there were more Harvester Queens out there, with fleets the size of the one seen at Ravennia Minoris…she decided not to think about it.
"I respect and understand the coalition's reasoning, Ambassador," Kheldoran replied. "What say you, Second Consul?"
Abruptly finishing the muted discussion with his colleagues, Thessalion took his time before answering through his hologram.
"You…have our approval also, High Seer. We expect…however…that this expedition will be entirely the…responsibility of the Ambul'tiyen and your council of Seers. Thus it does not need the Emperor's official sanction."
This was true – as the Ambul'tiyen were an independent entity, they were not subject to any imperial decree. Myriana could sense though, that the Second Consul was irritated by this fact even as he mentioned it.
"However…we also expect that you will comply with our laws during this expedition. No contact with the humans will be made. Nor will you endeavor to openly assist them in any way. Your priority must be the Swarm alone. If you find any Navigators alive on the surface, you are to destroy them quickly and depart undetected. If you arrive at the planet to find the Hive Fleet destroyed completely, neither you nor your warriors are to attempt a landing on this…"
He almost spat out the word.
"…Earth."
"Of course, Second Consul; I am more than aware of the parameters involved. As the name Shadowblade implies."
Thessalion kept a blank face.
"We will confer with the Emperor on what we have seen today. His majesty will wish to see your recordings, as will we all. I trust that you will send them to us in full?"
"Of course."
The consul seemed placated.
"Very well. Go with the Gods, High Seer. We will contact you again once you are on your way. We will also expect a full report on the expedition's outcome."
Kheldoran nodded formally, before turning to the council as a whole.
"We are adjourned, my friends. I shall go to Earth on behalf of you all. May the Gods watch over us all."
With that, the chamber quickly emptied – the holographic attendees disappeared from existence in brisk flashes. Those physically present filed out of the now open double doors. A chorus of conversation issued from them as they did so – many felt there was still much to discuss about the day's events.
Only when the senate house was virtually deserted, save for a few circles of her fellow seers, did Myriana rise from her seat and seek out her master.
She found him in discussion with two of the other senior seers from the hermitage. Upon sensing her presence, Kheldoran politely excused himself, quickly making his way over to his pupil.
Before she could speak, his thoughts silenced her.
"Come, child – back to the hermitage. We have much to do."
"You wish me to accompany you?"
Kheldoran had immediately lead Myriana back into the meditation room of the hermitage, where she had first perceived the vision of Earth. Her teacher had cut straight to the main point; she was to prepare herself to join the expedition to that planet.
Myriana had expected to face danger, to be involved in combat and warfare from the moment she became a seer. Her path involved military as well as civil duties. She had once been a warrior herself, for a brief time – as a humble auxiliary Refuge Guard of Verulon, the world she had been born on. She had been even younger then.
As a Refuge Guard, she had been part of the immediate planetary defense force. Yet she had only seen two puny, light engagements – both against simple pirates raiding Verulon's small merchant fleet. Then she had left the Guard, choosing to focus her mind on the Path of the Seer.
As an apprentice seer, she had only been on one truly dangerous mission with her master so far; against the fallen kin of the Legiun'tar. Kheldoran had led a strike force to destroy one of their many raiding bases, from where the dark Vorentines struck, plundered and enslaved at will. She had accompanied him as part of his entourage. That mission had given her a small, yet strong taste of the horrors lurking among the stars.
So far, however, she had never faced the Swarm. A part of her hoped she would never have to, even though she knew for sure she would.
Her thoughts soon betrayed her.
"I can understand your unease, child. But you must overcome it. You are a seer of the Ambul'tiyen of Verulon – the soul and spear of our people. Fear is but an illusion that blocks potential and possibility."
"I know, teacher…but I have never confronted the Swarm before. You saw me almost lost after seeing a mere vision of their despoiling of that world. How can you trust me to be reliable?"
"I saw you on our first expedition together, child. The fallen kin are not to be trifled with. Yet you faced them with the heart of a hero. Furthermore, you are intrinsically tied to these events; too much for you to be left behind."
Myriana's spirits lifted at her teacher's compliments. Yet his second point filled her with apprehension.
"I am tied to that world's fate, master?"
"Indeed. It is no accident that you sensed the events at Earth before Morlaniath informed me of them. It is the strands of fate in play; the strands that call you to join me. Furthermore, you sensed a disturbing possibility for these humans – one that I believe to be almost certain, but for our intervention."
"But how, master? You saw the destruction of their Hiveship. Nearly all their Navigators must be dead. What could that Hive Fleet possibly do to that planet in their current state? Surely the humans can finish them off for themselves?"
"You underestimate the Swarm, child," Kheldoran replied sharply. "You have not faced them yet. You have not seen what they are capable of. Your own vision may give some clue as to how they could still achieve victory. If any of their Navigators live, the Hive Mind will still be active. Apart from forming a new splinter fleet, they can still bring death to Earth. Even now, one of their ships may be in a position to drill the planet's core, for all we know. If they succeed in that, the dark part of your vision has potential to become reality."
Myriana was slowly beginning to understand. She knew the Hive Fleets harvested all the resources of a living planet – but they especially prized planetary cores. With the core sucked out, any planet would be left lifeless.
Had that been the dark possibility she witnessed? When she had seen the people of Earth dying in the moment of their victory?
She tried to put it out of her thoughts for now. She had another question on her mind.
"Then why not mention this at the senate house, High Seer? You said that my vision was a major factor – why not inform them of what I saw, of the possibility I sensed? That I envisioned the Swarm could still defeat the humans even now? Surely that is a strong indicator that the Hive Fleet still lives on Earth? Why not inform the council of what I saw?"
Kheldoran looked down at her quizzically. He expected the answer to come from her. Slowly, Myriana came to a realization.
"Thessalion – the Emperor's court – they would not approve. If what I saw is true – that the Swarm may still return from the brink of defeat and wipe the humans out – then our mission of investigation becomes a mission of mercy. We may end up having to make contact with some of the humans, in defeating the Swarm and saving their planet. We will then be breaking the law."
"Not only that, child. Your vision was far from complete – it is too clouded to cite as a reason for dispatching an expedition. Had I brought it up, Thessalion might have used that as an excuse to veto. Furthermore, not all of our allies value or believe in our visions and abilities. It is also not simply our laws of non-intervention that worry me."
He let out a sigh.
"If these humans have been able to defeat the Swarm, there are those in the Imperial Court who would see them as a potential threat in the future. Even if they believed your vision – if they knew that the humans may still be in danger of extinction – they would see that as an excuse to let the humans perish. Then they would dispatch a force to finish off the Hive Fleet."
Myriana was shocked.
"Thessalion's insistence on non-intervention is not out of concern for the humans. He fears how much the humans will advance if they discover us – if they learn more about this universe. If, Gods forbid, any of our technology falls into their hands. The Swarm has already deposited a treasure trove of their own for the humans to study."
He paused, letting his apprentice take that all in. Myriana had always naively believed that the laws of non-interference with species as primitive as humanity had been entirely for the primtives' protection, so that they and their planets would be safe from domination. She had not considered that this law could also be an additional tool of imperial control, of manipulation.
Her teacher continued, sensing his pupil's growing perspective.
"The powers-that-be must believe our primary mission is undercover reconnaissance, as Moralniath's mission was. You and I know it to be different."
It was Myriana's turn to sigh. This was exactly what she had worried about. Her master was going to have to lie, and she would have to lie on his behalf.
"Please don't tell me you intend to upset the Verixari court again, master. You will offend the rest of the Grey Council, too."
"I intend to upset no one, pupil." Myriana could see a cunning smile in her teacher's thoughts. "The Second Consul's directive was to kill any Navigators that still live. He still wants to see this Hive Fleet destroyed. Amusingly, it does not occur to him that this will also save the humans, should the Swarm be in danger of penetrating Earth's core. That is because he has not seen what you have seen."
"But what if he realizes that this is the case? That we are saving the humans?"
"He will believe we are simply finishing the Swarm off swiftly, where such a primitive race would take too long. Who knows? The other Swarm fleets might learn of Gargoyle's destruction and be drawn to a still-living Earth, away from the Empire's borders. That will satisfy Thessalion and the rest of the court also. Following directives and wishes from above is one thing, Myriana. How one goes about following them – that is something entirely different. They can be interpreted as freely as our visions."
Myriana allowed her master's humour to comfort her. But she still knew the risks.
"The humans will still be fighting the Swarm in force even now, teacher; especially if the Hive Fleet has crashed to the surface. What if Thessalion finds out if we encounter them? What if we end up making contact with them?"
"If is the key word, child. We do not have to contact or encounter the humans at all. We can still slay the Navigators and disable any attempts on the core; without them ever knowing of our presence. That is, if our luck holds and we are careful. I trust Khalysis and her warriors in that matter."
Myriana felt confidence soothe her somewhat. She had one last question.
"What of my vision, teacher? You say that it is still clouded; we need to interpret it in full."
"We shall, my child; but not here. Your vision must be kept between us for now. I have seen fit to obtain a cruiser for our mission. It will have a meditation chamber. We shall have time to reach into the skein once more, as we traverse the gateway."
Myriana nodded in understanding. She sensed this could be a pivotal moment in her path as a seer – no, more than that – a pivotal moment in galactic history. She had sensed a vision that could affect the fate of an entire species, and the fate of her own people. Now, she would have the chance to save that species; and potentially her own.
A guilty thrill energized her mind – she would be at the centre of great events about to unfold. She would determine the strands of fate, and come closer to becoming a true seer.
"When do we depart, master?"
"Tomorrow, my child – in the early hours of the morning. That time is not far away – we must set out as soon as possible. I will expect you and your blade to be ready for this mission."
He turned toward the door, beckoning Myriana to follow.
"I must meet with Khalysis, to assemble and prepare the Shadowblade within time. Morlaniath and his rangers will also accompany us. As for you; return to your chambers, prepare for departure tomorrow…then rest. Make the arrangements you need and have yourself ready for what we will face, as will I. Much will depend on us."