"Theron, Ashara you are relieved. Atondra wait in operations we will send for you shortly," said Alarai.
"Of course, Alarai." Atondra gave a slight bow before turning and heading back to the exit, Ashara and Theron both gave a nod and quickly followed. As the door shut behind them Bilan stepped down from his podium. For his age Bilan seemed to get around quite fine but Kershala could tell there was a definite amount of technology in his body making him much spryer than he should be. As he watched the older man descend the stage, he was reminded of his Gaban and couldn't help but smile. Bilan made his way to be standing only a few feet from Kershala when he stopped and made eye contact with him. Kershala dropped to one knee in proper greeting of such an accomplished elder. Kale quickly did the same.
"The son of Yailar has returned to us, I am glad to see that your Karu raised you well," Bilan spoke in a gruff thick voice with a strong accent similar to his own, "Come stand before me." Kershala raised slowly and walked to within arms reach of him. The old man looked up at him and reached out resting a hand on his chest. "I can see that your upbringing has been so much harder than it had to be." Bilan spoke slowly as if trying to catch a breath between words. "We had been told that your family was destroyed in the Akia system. It pleases me that your bloodline is not gone. Tell me, did Yailar show you to fight?"
"Yes, Bilan," said Kershala.
"Atondra's report says you bested the Arktora known as Jinnar," said Alarai. Bilan looked back at Alarai and then to Kershala with a surprised look on his face.
"Will you let me see these memories?" asked Bilan. Kershala knew the only way for him to show them would be the Jadak'tora, Bilan's implant was much older and would require the link for him to see the memories. The AI wouldn't be able to show him as he did Atondra.
"I will allow you to see them as I did."
"Are you familiar with our ways, the Jadak'tora?" asked Bilan.
"Yes, I have performed it several times only recently, Bilan," Kershala felt confident in his ability. Bilan reached up to Kershala's face and closed his eyes.
"I doubt you have experienced it as I have, relax young one." The old mans markings began to glow faintly as the connection was made. Kershala recalled the memories of the Arktora and felt them easily being passed along to Bilan, the link was much simpler with another Daoran and when he was not the one guiding as he had with Kale. The memories were much more vivid than he was ready for however, he felt an impact in his chest and resisted the urge to fall forward, followed by an overwhelming pain in his side and arm. An impact to the face, a tearing pain in his leg then suddenly a crushing pain in his neck, slamming pain in his back and he suddenly felt weak. A heavy fear of loss come over him and the sound of gun shots echoed in his ears before his skin started to buzz and he could taste blood in his mouth. A familiar happiness followed and the memory of a kiss, the experience stopped and Bilan pulled his hand away looking at Kershala before looking to Kale with a scoff. "It is a shame that you have chosen to mate with a non-daoran," the old man spoke with a renewed vigor, "I guess that is to be expected when you weren't raised around your own people." Lareela let out a sigh and rolled her eyes at the comment.
"Enough Bilan," Lareela spoke from her podium her voice high pitched almost to the point of shrill. Bilan gave Kershala a convicting look and returned slowly to his podium. "Kershala I too am pleased to see that you are alive. Kale I am also pleased to see that the humans have finally joined the galactic community." Lareela smiled at Kale.
"Well we really haven't, just one so far," Kale spoke shyly clearly shaken from his interaction with Bilan.
"Now Kershala, there is something we must discuss." The tone change in Lareela's voice was evident as she became almost hostile. "Is it your intention to take control of us? What makes you think you are qualified to rule us?" she said leaning in. Anubis floated to be in front of Kershala as he took a breath to speak.
"Kershala has all the required information in my database. He has been training his whole life to lead the Daoran people, his people," it said. Lareela seemed to become more agitated at Anubis answering her. Kershala took a step forward before she could speak.
"It is my destiny to lead the Daoran people, but I am no fool. I am not old enough, nor have I the required experience yet to lead," he said, "I do not wish to lead the people until I can lead them right to Yaria."
"Is that so," laughed Alarai, "and just what do you think is left of the home world now that the Shironians have been living there."
"I remind you it has only been twenty years since they took our planet. They can not have done so much that it is irreparable."
"We are a long way from those days Kershala," said Bilan.
"I will kill their leader and force them to return our home world. You will see." Kershala squeezed his hands into a fist trying to contain his rage at the thought of fighting Baraketh.
"You are naïve, no one has even been close to Baraketh the Hunter since my peace talks, and we all know that those were only for show," said Lareela. "And if we are to trust you why do you block our scans of you?"
"Anubis," Kershala paused, "has determined that in order to keep myself protected that we must protect certain information. I apologize but we must be certain of where we stand."
"Given my background I respect your choice to protect yourself from unknown and potential enemies," said Alarai. Alarai paused and looked briefly to both of his counterparts before stepping out from behind his podium. "I… respect your goal to destroy Baraketh. But based on the reports from Atondra's mission, to even make your goal attainable we must find the source of these weapons and destroy them, before the entire Shironian Empire has been equipped with them."
"Will you let me help you then?" asked Kershala taking a step forward.
"His combat skills are unmatched anywhere else in the resistance," said Bilan looking at Alarai and Lareela. "This boy has accomplished more in combat in his short years then most of our so-called soldiers have their entire career." Kershala did find it odd that most of the crew of the Sironia seemed to be incredibly inexperienced considering they were an active battle starship.
"Why are your people so inexperienced?" he asked. "When the Sironia was boarded those Shironians should not have been a match for Atondra and her crew."
"It is because most of the soldiers in our resistance are civilians who have stepped up to fill our ranks. Most of the fleet's warriors were killed during major operations in the beginning of our Resistance movement. Those that are left have taken on command roles, such as commander Atondra." Lareela's disgust was present in her voice Kershala could tell that she was not please with sending civilians into combat.
"We have had to greatly dial back our offensive operations in favor of merely existing and keeping the populace safe," said Alarai. "I welcome the chance to finally run combat ops again."
"We must focus on the task at hand," said Bilan, "How do we find out where these weapons are being manufactured, and how do we know that they are not all through the Shironian fleet." Kershala thought back to his encounters on the ship, the nanites would have information regarding the energy weapons he was hit with.
"Anubis display the information collected from the nanites regarding the energy weapons used on the Shironian ship," he said looking back to the AI core. The core floated to a position between the podiums and Kershala and displayed a holographic chart of the weapons energy signature that he had been hit with. "Now display the energy signature of the weapons fire taken on the planet in the Akia system." A second chart appeared next to the first just as Atondra came back into the room. Both energy signatures shown were identical. "I was in the main corridors of the ship and in their engine room, if the weapons were widespread already, they would be used there without question."
"Anubis, can you display the energy signature of the weapons that were fired on the Sironia?" asked Atondra as she stepped up beside Kershala and gave him a welcoming glance. The AI created the projection of the energy signatures as directed. It had been connected to the ship as it once had to his family's vessel while the attack was going on, so it had collected a vast amount of sensor data.
"The energy dispersal pattern would suggest that the weapons are still experimental, therefore are likely in limited production," Anubis suggested.
"Can you determine by the make up of the components where they are being produced?" Alarai looked intently at the energy read outs as he walked toward them stopping on the other side of them across from Kershala.
"A metallurgical analysis has revealed it is made of refined letracite. The ore itself is quite common, but to refine it in mass quantities takes a vast amount of energy. Based on the most recent intelligence reports the Shiran only have one refinery that would be capable of the required energy output. It draws energy from the gas giant in the Lorendar system."
"That's at least three days from our current destination. Are you absolutely sure, Anubis?" said Atondra.
"The calculations are correct." Anubis projected a star chart showing the system they talked about. "Tell me, Alarai, I have been unable to determine if there are any Laurentian class ships left in your fleet. They are a good deal faster then the Neori class ship Atondra currently commands."
"We only have two left, and both are assigned to long term intelligence operations to keep an eye on the Shironian fleets." This explained why the city ship had been able to stay away from the Shironians for so long. The Laurentian class ships were unmatched in speed and stealth as well as long range communications but had limited combat usage.
"The Sironia can get us there," Atondra crossed her arms and adjusted her posture.
"Of course," said Anubis.
"Then it is settled, the Sironia will set a course once we have reached our current destination. Kershala, we are counting on you," said Bilan. Anubis cancelled the projection and positioned itself beside Kershala again.
"Anubis you may allow you the Typhonus to communicate with my implant. It may not access my personal memories, only relevant tactical information." As Kershala spoke the words he could feel the Typhonus interfacing with him, it quickly took the information Kershala had opened to it but also it accessed his genetic information and it wasn't long before a projection of the AI stood in front of him it was a Daoran male wearing a ceremonial hooded robe. This seemed to catch everyone in the room off their guard.
"The bloodline of Eshalaron Yailar has been detected, please let me take you to your vault." The hologram spoke and nodded to Kershala. Eshalaron was in fact Yailar's Gaban, Kershala had been given part of his name from him but he hadn't heard his name in a very long time. As everyone would likely recognize him for Yailar's bloodline. The Typhonus AI was indeed very old but the city ship itself was old as well and had been in service since before Eshalaron's time.
"Typhonus explain what this vault is," said Alarai surprise still lingering in his voice. "Why have we not been made aware of its existence before this." The hologram turned its head to face him.
"During the time briefly after first contact when Eshalaron's rule was coming to an end he foresaw the great threat that stood before the Daoran people and ordered the future Patriarchs of his family to train their children heavily in combat. He also ordered that a cache of powerful weaponry be placed in a secret location of each of the city ships in operation at the time. The Ataria, Typhonus, and the Antona were all in operation at that time." There was a strange hiss from somewhere to the left and a door began opening, the hologram began walking toward the opening, a strong light shone from just beyond it. Kershala willfully followed, he hadn't heard of this information before and already had Anubis checking for the information in his patriarch's logs.
"There is only a brief mention of this in Yailar's personal entries." Anubis spoke over their private channel. Alarai walked with them as did Kale and Atondra but the other councillors stayed where they were. Kershala entered the room directly behind the hologram and an energy barrier suddenly blocked the door preventing the others from entering.
"What is this?" said Alarai irritated.
"Kershala is everything okay?" asked Kale. Atondra stayed quiet.
"Only Eshalaron's family may enter the vault," said the Typhonus AI.
"I command this vessel, take down this barrier at once," said Alarai but his request went unheard. The room they were in was very small only ten feet wide by fifteen feet long.
"Here you will find some of the most powerful weapons the Daoran people have ever created." The hologram walked very slowly before stopping with Kershala a foot away. It waved its hand to the right side and a weapon case appeared on the wall. "Radeeko." Several of the weapon Kershala was so familiar with appeared to be teleported to the table. The hologram waved its left hand and another casing appeared. "Medical nanites. Premixed with Eshalaron's blood." The vials Kershala had used during the crash and watched the last one he knew to be in existence break appeared in the casing. They would only work for him, but they would be incredibly useful in the coming mission. Several of the injector tools formed in the top of the casing as well. The hologram continued to walk and extended its arms outward several weapons appeared out of nowhere. Several bladed weapons including blades similar to those that Kershala had trained with many years ago. Also, several different types of energy weapons from handheld to head mounted took up another section, Kershala had training with several of these types of weapons but preferred close combat given the choice. "You should find a weapon for every type of foreseeable scenario in this vault," the hologram turned to face him as it spoke. "If you wish to allow others to access them, you must simply give the signal through your implant. Once the data print has been confirmed they may enter." The hologram vanished and Kershala turned to look at Kale and the others waiting in the doorway. Anubis entered the room and began taking stock in the weapons that were presented. There was a replication unit on the wall and Kershala walked over to it. His interface told him the unit could be used for simple weapon storage but nothing more. It replicated a casing for the medical nanites Kershala took it in his hand.
"Kale come here," he said. Kale stood in the doorway and looked at the barrier warily. "It will let you pass."
"Okay." Kale put his hand to the barrier which separated to allow it through as he could tell it was okay, he walked through the doorway and over to Kershala. "What do you need?"
"Take this case and fill it with those vials. They are the same as the ones you saw me use the first day we met. They are very important. Something I can only entrust to you." Kale smiled as Kershala passed him the case and turned to do as he was asked. Kershala turned to the Radeeko and other weapons deploying the suit except for his helmet. The Radeeko were constructed in a fashion that allowed the nanites to deconstruct and store them for when they were ready to be used. He reached down and touched the weapons letting the nanites swarm them, in only seconds there was no trace that they were ever there and the nanites returned to the suit fully equipped.
"Kershala will you allow us to enter?" asked Atondra.
"I regret Atondra, but I cannot. Not yet. These weapons are incredibly dangerous without the proper training. Training that I have passed on to Kale through Jadak'tora." Alarai let out a frustrated grunt and walked out of view.
"I understand." Atondra nodded before following her brother. Kershala looked at Kale who had finished putting the last vial into the case and turned to face him.
"Come we must get back to the council." Kershala closed the case and pushed it into Kale chest as he recalled the nanites, they walked through the barrier and the vault sealed behind them. They were standing before the council once again and Alarai and Atondra were notably absent.
"Kershala, the mission has been laid before you, you have the capability and the tools to carry it out," said Bilan. "The Sironia will be ready to leave tomorrow morning from the Aresh space dock."
"In the meantime, I have ordered a living quarters be prepared for you and Kale on deck four. The AI will guide you to it," said Lareela. "I suggest you rest in the meantime; you will need it." Lareela and Bilan looked at each other and took a step back from their podiums the teleporter activated and pulled them from the room. The three of them were left in the room alone the entry way behind them opened and the lighting returned to normal levels.
As the lights returned to normal Kale was sure that he just had the strangest and most important thing he had ever been part of take place. He had no idea what to expect in meeting the council. The hostility seemed so oddly placed but it seemed that everything went okay. He wasn't sure that they were in a good spot with the council considering Bilan's reaction to him but at least they were working together. Kershala seemed to handle himself well, no doubt with Anubis feeding him information the whole time. The whole time Kale was getting a sort of confidence from him that he hadn't expected to be there. Kershala seemed awkward and inexperienced in most social situations but put him in front of diplomats and dignitary's and he seemed to know exactly what he needed to do.
"You should let Lenari know that we're done, he said he wanted to meet up with us afterward," said Kale as the three of them started moving again. Anubis took the lead no doubt having taken the information from the Typhonus' AI on where they were supposed to go.
"I have signalled him," said Anubis, "he will meet us outside of the building." They left the council chambers and were out into the busy room, Kale got the sense it was likely the central hub of operations with the city ship that was undoubtedly the size of a space station. He could tell they were likely moving but it didn't feel the same as being on the Sironia and there was no way that he could tell to see outside the ship yet. Ashara and Theron waited on the other side of the room and as they got closer proceeded to act as their escort walking ahead of them as they headed up the long stairwell.
"Do you think that went well? Alarai and Lareela don't seem to like you very much," said Kale as they trudged the stairs.
"That they are willing to listen and work with me to accomplish our goals means a lot," said Kershala. "I do not particularly care if Lareela or Alarai like me." Kershala smirked at him as they walked.
"Still can't hurt to make friends in high places."
"They are not as high as they want to think they are Kale. They know that if Kershala were to reveal himself to the populace that the majority of them would follow him. They cooperate because they do not want to agitate the situation. They know that as long as Kershala is preoccupied with his current objective, they will remain in their positions," explained Anubis. Anubis spoke candidly and didn't attempt to hide what it was saying, Kale noticed Theron glare back at them. Anubis was likely right but not everyone seemed to feel like it thought they did. It wasn't long before they were at the top of the stairway as they doors opened into the street sure enough Lenari was standing outside next to a tree. He smiled and ran to them as he saw them emerge.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"In the morning the Sironia will leave on a mission to the Lorendar system, I expect Atondra will brief you in the morning," said Kershala.
"Good they are cooperating with you then. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. Alarai can sometimes be quite stubborn." Theron and Ashara walked back inside the building and the doorway shut. "Did they assign you a living space?"
"Yeah on deck four apparently. I'm assuming Anubis has a unit number or something for us though. They never said what one."
"Deck four? That is to be expected I suppose. Before you go there will you accompany me to the Medical Sector? I would like to see how Elara is making out with Sashir with the Typhonus medical teams." Kale had been waiting anxiously to see what the rest of the city ship looked like but was also quite tired. He could tell that Kershala was tired as well, they both needed a solid good night's sleep on a decent bed for once.
"I'm good to go if you are, Kershala." The expression on Lenari's face told Kale that he really wanted them to go with him, he seemed to be nervous to go alone.
"We will accompany you but, we must rest soon," said Kershala.
"Thank you," Lenari had a grateful expression on his face as he walked over to a terminal that was hoisted out of the ground on a podium. "I will call the transit system." Kale was intrigued as to what a public transit system would look like on a massive starship. It wasn't long before a small pod zipped seemingly from the sky somewhere and hovered in front of them. It wasn't entirely unlike what Kershala had crash landed on Earth in. A door opened and two people got off ahead of them and they filed into the small vehicle. The inside was bigger than he thought it would be as he stepped down into the pod. There were six seats along either side of the wall and currently no one else was in the vehicle. Kale took a seat and Kershala sat next to him with Lenari across from Kershala. There were no windows in the vehicle and as it lifted off Kale couldn't even feel that they were moving.
"Why's there no windows?" asked Kale. "Structural weakness?"
"We usually don't need them, we do not have to look to see where to get off since it programs as we board through the AI or our implants," explained Lenari, "The pod has virtual windows." Kale didn't even know what that meant when the walls of the pod suddenly turned into windows, it was startling at first as he watched the buildings flying almost right into the pods. "It uses sensors that are position outside of the pod to aid in navigation, mostly collision detection. But some of the newer pods have this option." Kale watched as they flew through the beautiful futuristic city. There were massive skyscrapers that reached into the sky and connected at the top of another structure. Vehicles that seemed to fly in what otherwise looked like traffic lines. There were streets and structures positioned far below them where entire neighborhoods were visible.
"Kershala how many people live here?" he asked.
"The Typhonus was the biggest city ship in the fleet. At one time one hundred and twenty thousand people lived here," he said looking around at the projections.
"Now there are forty-nine thousand Daorans registered with the Typhonus AI," said Anubis filling in the blanks. The group fell silent and Kale didn't have to ask what happened to everyone else that lived here and didn't want to ask if this was the last of their population. He figured from the silence he didn't want to hear the answer. The projections shut off and the door slid open, they had reached their destination. Kale was the first one out of the pod and was met with strange stares from a few of the Daoran's that were around them. Kershala and Lenari exited the pod behind him with the AI in tow. Kale smiled and nodded to the people that stared at him and Kershala stepped up beside him. Kale would have to get used to being the alien in their current situation; he began to wonder if he would get this reaction everywhere he went.
"I hope they aren't scared of me."
"They are not, they have just not seen a human before," said Kershala. He sounded like he was trying to offer Kale reassurance, but it wasn't needed. He didn't feel left out or isolated knowing that Kershala was always right behind him. Lenari began leading them to the entrance of the large structure ahead of them. Kale could tell it was likely the main medical hall as they entered, they went through a set of doors and were contained in a room with glass walls. Kale could see a functional lobby beyond where they were and wondered why Lenari stopped.
"Decontamination in progress please remain still," an automated voice played over an intercom. A light began to move back and forth passed them as they remained still, Kale didn't feel anything but understood what was happening. After a couple of passes there was a sound as the doors ahead of them slid open. They proceeded through the lobby.
"Sashir is in the emergency ward." Lenari started leading them and as they walked, they were in a hallway that slowly turned into an open room. Kale looked to his left to see several small pods in the room just beyond a glass window. Kershala stopped moving and looked beyond the glass, Kale could feel a sudden burst of emotion from him, but he wasn't sure what to make of it at first as a tear fell from his face. He wiped it away and looked at Kershala, Lenari was a few feet ahead of them when he realized they had stopped. Kershala seemed to be shaking as he raised his hands to the glass and looked in at the pods. It only took a few seconds for Kale to realize that they were looking at a Daoran nursery. The pods seemed to just be small beds containing Daoran children. Several wards walked amongst the children most likely giving them their daily care and food. One of the wards noticed Kershala looking and stopped and waved at him. Kershala smiled through tears of joy and Kale walked over and took his hand.
"Are those Daoran… children?" asked Kale looking up at Kershala.
"Yes," Kershala looked around, Kale could tell he was looking for the entrance. "I wish to see them. Anubis!" Kershala became overcome with emotion at the site of the babies and spoke very loudly.
"I have gained permission Kershala," said Anubis. "The entry way." Anubis floated down the hall to another glass door. Kershala quickly followed with Kale in tow. Lenari fell behind only slightly. They walked in and were greeted by one of the wards.
"The AI says you have permission to be here but I'm unsure why you wish to be here," she said.
"Please I have been away from our people for so long, I have not seen a youngling since my younger siblings were born," said Kershala. "I know it may sound silly; I just need to see one of them… please." The ward looked at Kale strangely before looking back to Kershala who had tears streaking his face. Kale wasn't sure of the Daoran custom around child access, but he knew it would be strange in human society for a stranger to want to hold one of the babies with out their parents around. He was expecting refusal.
"I have a special case that requires my attention, you may accompany me." The ward picked up a tool from a cart that was nearby and beckoned them along. Kale looked back at Lenari who was behind them knowing that he might have been growing impatient, but he seemed to remain pleasant.