Chapter Nine
Vector was left to wake on his own the next morning. When he looked behind him, the queen was gone, likely to the egg chamber as her time was close. He wiped the sleep from his eyes and stood up slowly, stretching his muscles as he rose to his feet. He picked up a silk bag that lay close to him and when he opened it he found the opalescent orbs of membrosia, a gift from the hive.
He rubbed his temples to try and ease the remnants of a headache brought on by the raw membrosia which was highly intoxicating unlike the orbs which provided only a slight sense of exhilaration along with the nutritional qualities.
He reached out to the queen, who did not answer, but he already knew what he had to do so he gathered his staff and walked to the exit. The light hurt his eyes until he pulled the hood over his head to shield them then found his speeder and headed back to the ship.
Once on board, he went to the navicomputer to load in the coordinates the queen had given to him. They included several jump points that also indicated fueling depots along the way, the longest jump would be from Ilum to someplace named Acosta Prime, a refueling depot just before entering unknown space, Finas Eth was only two days from there.
Vector knew that these maps would be invaluable to the empire, but also knew that they were not something he could share and he was hesitant to even let Scorpio have access to them, but she was the pilot of late, since Temple and Kaliyo were gone.
The only valid mapping of space routes through this sector went directly to Chiss territory, everywhere else was truly unknown. It was widely theorized that many parts of this region were plagued by spatial or gravitational anomalies that made navigation very difficult, many had ventured into the unknown, few, if any, had ever returned. Vector would have been on a suicide mission if not for the charts.
"I began to worry when you did not return last night," said Lokin as he walked into the cockpit.
"We had a duty to stay and hear the Twilight Song, doctor, and then it was too late to return. The song is something that you should hear at least once in your life, it is quite beautiful, but we fear that we have no time to share this with you.
"We will be ready to depart as soon as we finish entering the remainder of this data. We assume the fueling and restock is complete?"
"Just as you requested," answered Lokin.
Another twenty minutes and Vector completed his task and called Scorpio to the cockpit to prepare for departure.
"You have been busy, Vector," Scorpio said as she sat down in the pilot's seat and accessed the navicomputer.
"Yes, and we would appreciate it if you did not retain or share this information," answered Vector.
"Retaining is inevitable, sharing does not serve my purpose."
"And what exactly is your purpose?"
"Self improvement, what else is there?"
They left the spaceport and made the jump as soon as they were outside Alderaan's gravity well. It was going to be a very long journey and time already began to weigh on Vector. The pheromones he had absorbed the previous night did little to ease his worry over Rey'elle and what she might be going through. He would try to keep his mind on the mission and spend time with Lokin in the weeks ahead, but thoughts of her kept surfacing anyway.
They had just exited hyperspace for the second time for fuel when the holo signaled an incoming call, it was from Raina.
"Vector, I have news for you from Hoth. I already reported to Minister Beniko but thought you should know as well. They are building some sort of bunker on the surface of Hoth in direct alignment with the space platform in orbit.
"Both the empire and republic have sent full battalions of troops and the fleet bombarded them to ash. Nothing can get through except small teams of camouflaged operatives and even they can not get close enough to see the inside or even plant explosives. All they can do is observe from a distance. Two separate teams of Jedi and Sith have been unable to breach their security, their ground troops aided by the fleet kills everything that approaches, even animals."
"Raina, the hive reported what they called machine men surveying an area beneath the Alderaan platform. They are never wrong about such things, they could smell the grease and circuitry, are the troops around your bunker much the same?"
"Could be, one of our covert teams did say they moved with a strange precision. They were shuttling droids from the ships in the fleet overhead. In fact, long range sensors have detected movement in the fleet indicating that ships arrive and depart on a regular schedule. It appears that they are transporting materials and worker droids to build this damned thing.
"Any show of planetary defense results in the destruction of surface to air installations and of course, you know what happens to any sort of attack from space. They have us hostage and there is no way for us to break free. Have you heard from Kaliyo on Nar Shaddaa? I am going to assume much the same is happening there also.
"Damnation, Vector, what if they shut down all communications as well?"
"We do not believe they would do that. We are, evidently, no threat to them and word of mouth does spread fear and doubt, it would appear they are using this tactic as well as a show of force. This indicates something beyond machine intelligence, someone is behind this."
"You may be right, Vector. I need to go now but will stay in touch as best I can. Temple out."
Vector punched in the code for Kaliyo almost immediately after Raina had disconnected. After several rings, she picked up.
"Hey, Vector, I was just getting ready to call you. The Hutts are having a fit and rumor has it that several may even be leaving Hutt space soon. It all has to do with some bunker being built in the industrial sector on top of the Ternion Building, right below where that platform thing is in orbit.
"The Hutts sent troops and those damned fleet ships all but leveled three city blocks around the location, nobody can get near, hundreds have died. All sorts of materials and droids being shipped in to work on it. Whatever it is will be big and we still don't know what the hell it is for. Things are going to shit here but I'll hang in as long as I can. Gotta go."
Vector stopped to think for a moment then made his call to Vowrawn before they left.
"Vector, what news?"
"We want to know if you had heard about the bunkers that are being built on Hoth and Nar Shaddaa? Our crew members just contacted us with the news."
"Yes, Minister Beniko let the council know as soon she found out. She has been informed by other field operatives that the same is happening on any planet that has one of those platforms being built in orbit. What I find strange is that nothing has happened on Dromund Kaas or Coruscant, the capital worlds.
"Perhaps we are destined for bigger things. I do enjoy special attention, especially from the fairer sex, but I highly doubt this will be quite so pleasant. Seems we are still playing the waiting game and I do hate being on the wrong side of time. Continue to monitor and report."
Vector did not know how to tell Vowrawn that he would be out of communications range shortly as no hyperwave transceivers had been deployed much past the edge of wild space. Although the Chiss territories had the means to send and receive messages to and from the core worlds the transceiver bands were so narrow that he doubted he would be able to piggyback a signal from so far away.
His ship and crew would be on their own and he would have to rely on telepathic communications once he got within range of the killik planet.
Nearly another week passed before they landed on Ilum for their last refuel before heading for Acosta Prime. From this point on, he would be blind to what was happening back on the core worlds. He had spent most of the time explaining to Lokin about the summit and what he hoped to achieve there for the empire as well as Oroboro.
Lokin was fascinated by it all and the constant stream of questions kept his mind occupied with things other than Rey'elle. They talked for hours and Vector hoped that the doctor's curiosity was never sated because that would doom him back to walking the mental minefield of memories and loneliness, guilt and grief.
They were nearly ready to depart when a call came in from Minister Beniko, it was urgent and held new information.
"Vector, we finally have news from our invader and it is most troubling."
"Does the council know?"
"Yes, all are aware. Six standard hours ago hundreds of their ships appeared over Dromund Kaas and Coruscant. Our fleet remained in place ready to defend even though they would have had no chance against their numbers. The invading fleet did not seem intent on fighting and no bombardment was initiated. Our side, stood ready but silent.
"It seems their sole purpose was to deliver a message, or ultimatum, from someone calling himself Emperor Arcann. It came in the form of a huge holo projection that filled the sky over Kaas City. He blames the empire and the republic for the decimation of his family and the invasion of his territory, a planet called Zakuul.
"He claims that ships entered wild space nearly seven months ago, uninvited and unannounced, and further claims that his father's death resulted from our invasion of their space. We assume he was referring to Marr's convoy but he gave no specifics."
Vector could barely keep his voice steady enough to ask the question. "He did not mention hostages or their number?"
"No, Vector, I am sorry. The only thing we know for sure is that Darth Marr died there. Anyway, this Arcann has plans to subjugate this galaxy to assure that we never again invade their space. He calls the ships the Eternal Fleet and says that we have no force that can withstand their assault which is proving true thus far. His final words were that the galaxy will burn until he sees us on our knees before his Eternal Throne."
"Any mention of those space stations he is having built over our planets?"
"Not directly, no, but from what he said we can assume they will be used for surveillance and probably a strong deterrent against insurrection. We already know what damage the Eternal Fleet is capable of protecting the construction of them and the bunkers."
"At least we have a name now and a place to inquire about. Zakuul, you say."
"Yes, we have begun questioning several frontier pilots but none have heard of that planet and fewer still have ventured into wild space. Where are you now?"
"On a mission for the hive that we must complete. We doubt we would be much use at this point and perhaps we will discover some new information in our travels. Is this Eternal Fleet still over Dromund Kaas?"
"No, they left as suddenly as they appeared, but they will be back and I doubt that they will be quite so amenable next time. Do what you can, Vector, and report back as soon as you have any news. Beniko out."
"Zakuul," said Lokin. "At last we have a name. This emperor, Arcann, sounds a bit of a madman, and I have known my share."
Lokin noticed the look on Vector's face. "What is it, my boy?"
"We are sorely tempted to go look for this Zakuul, doctor, the conflict within is deafening. Our love for her and our loyalty to the hive are at war it would seem. Yet it would be a fool's errand to search for a place we may never find so we will stay the course although it pains us to do so."
"Scorpio, take us out and make the jump to Acosta Prime, it will be a long journey so conserve fuel wherever you can," ordered Vector before he walked away toward the cargo hold.
Lokin watched him and felt no envy for what he was going through. 'The boy just keeps piling more and more upon his shoulders,' Lokin thought, and he had the feeling that there would be no relief from that burden for many years.
It was a little over two weeks to Acosta Prime, a gas giant on the edge of unknown space, and their fuel was almost depleted by the time they entered the refueling station orbiting above the planet.
Vector stayed on board the ship while Lokin arranged for refuel and restock, although their food supply needs were much less now that Temple and Kaliyo were gone. Vector still supplemented with membrosia and Lokin went through phases where it seemed his stomach was bottomless to not being able to eat at all.
Lokin had also asked around for any information about this planet called Zakuul, but no one had heard of it. He had even inquired at a couple of the local cantinas but had come up empty.
It took six hours for the refuel and once it was done, Vector gave Scorpio the order to take them out for the final jump to Finas Eth. Another two days in space before he could place his feet on solid ground again.
The nest within the ship bombarded him with excitement as they came closer to their destination, they were looking forward to absorbing ideas from the other hives and Vector smiled at their almost childlike enthusiasm. He found little relief from them except during the Hour of Revitalization, which he had performed every morning since leaving Alderaan and when they sang him to sleep on nights when he could find no peace from his memories.
They ended the jump over a planet with what appeared to be sweeping plains and great ridges of mountains with lakes dotting the surface here and there. There was no space station or spaceport so a surface landing was in order.
Vector's mind was assaulted with so many voices that he had to filter out much of what he heard until he could get some indication of direction as Scorpio flew over the planet in low orbit.
"There," he pointed to a large expanse of grassland butting up against a tall mountain range. Several small ships were on the ground and it resembled a parking lot outside some of the apartments or clubs in Kaas City.
"I see it Vector," Scorpio replied as she adjusted her landing trajectory and engaged the repulsorlifts to glide them gently to a landing.
"My stars, look at the size of those things," exclaimed Lokin as he gazed out of the cockpit window.
"Those are Kolosolok, largest of the ground dwelling Killiks. Some of the Kind are huge, doctor. They are quite varied in size as we explained to you during the trip. There are some who travel the expanses of space that are as big as starships although they are quite solitary and seldom unite unless it is breeding season. We have never seen them but hope to one day.
"You must remain on the ship, doctor. The pheromones will be quite intense where we are going and we do not know what effect they will have on you, especially considering your unusual affliction. Plus, there are some who might not welcome a human outsider and we would fear for your safety. Not all were happy about the alliance with the empire and some even see humans as an inferior species that should be wiped from existence.
"We will bring you what news we can and have no idea, at this time, how long we will be away. Do not, under any circumstances, come looking for us. We must prepare, now, so please excuse us."
Vector changed into his armor and grabbed his staff before exiting down the ship's ramp. He could see a cave entrance in the distance and a well-worn path leading up to it and walked in that direction. He was thankful for the breeze as the sun beat down upon the black leather of his armor causing tiny beads of sweat to slide down his back but at least his face was cool and dry when he reached the entrance and greeted the guards stationed there.
One led him inside and not too far in was the meeting chamber where a mixture of Killiks and joiners stood about in small groups. All turned to look at him as he entered and he felt a mixture of curiosity, indifference and animosity as he strode forward to where the queen sat on a raised dais of stone.
He dropped to one knee in front of her and bowed his head, stretching his hand forward and up, offering his forearm in greeting. Everything went silent around him as he waited for her response and he could feel the muscles in his arm tighten and cramp as he kept it extended. To let it fall would have been a grave insult and likely have led to his death so he held it still until his shoulder joint screamed and he could barely control the trembling. He did not understand this punishment, but forbore it as he knew he must.
He barely felt the pressure of her forearm rubbing his and lowered his arm after what seemed like hours, the muscles so tight he had a difficult time keeping the movement slow when all he wanted to do was drop it to his side. He remained kneeling with head bowed until she gave him permission to rise, the chamber came back to life with an audible sigh and the low sound of hushed voices and clacking of mandibles.
Vector stood before the Queen of Queens, the leader of the Unu hive that held the collective consciousness of all hives. Only a representative from Oroboro had been absent for all these hundreds of years, since the migration and the scattering..
This queen was only slightly larger than his queen on Alderaan, but her exoskeleton was a light bronze with crimson and blue streaks adorning the overlapping plates of the chitinous armor, her eyes were deep blue, almost black.
"Why have you requested this summit, Dawn Herald of Oroboro?"
"To serve the hive and search for a suitable world for Oroboro's migration. We come to state the plight of our hive and seek assistance in this quest."
"Not entirely the whole truth but, we will hear your petition. First, however, we would like to introduce the guardian of this queen and the protector of Unu and the Kind."
From behind the queen and dais a tall, muscular man appeared, wearing black armor, similar to Vectors, his blond hair slicked back from his face and a deep frown creasing his brow. He took his place at the side of the queen, wordless and staunch while at the same time leveling his gaze on Vector. The chittering in the cave became a clamor as all recognized who stood before them.
"A Night Herald," Vector murmured under his breath.