NOTE: *Evil laugh* something a liiiitttle different.

Chapter 18 – News

A chime sounded to alert Adria that someone was at the door. Her eyes snapped open and flared. She hated being interrupted when she was meditating. Standing up she reached across the room with her mind and opened the door. "This had better be good Kalsen!" she snapped at the commander who stood at the door. "You know I am not to be interrupted."

Kalsen's words tripped over one another as they tried to get out. He hadn't known that she had been meditating. "Yes Orici," he managed to get out. "I've…I've just received an intelligence report from one of the converted planets."

"Could it not have waited?" Adria stared down Kalsen. "What was so important about it?"

"Well Orici," he stumbled, "there is unrest among a group that claim to be the descendents of those that served one of the false gods that previously ruled this galaxy."

"Is the word of Origin weakening in their hearts?" Adria couldn't afford unrest to spread and undermine their cause.

"No Orici." Kalsen said quickly, "It is as strong as ever. It was they who told us of what transpired."

"Continue." Adria said softly. Now she was curious.

"They go to a planet named Aberon occasionally to gather medicinal plants. This planet is rumoured to be the place where this false god was trapped in a deep sleep."

"What use are legends of false gods to the Ori?"

"Well Orici, they travelled there two days ago and found that there were foot prints of others that had been there. They followed them to a ruin that no one has entered for as long as they know, for fear of angering the demons that trapped their false god. A few younger ones had the courage to enter the main chamber where they found illumination devices that we know are used by the humans of earth."

Adria thought for a moment. "You are sure?"

"Yes Orici." Kalsen replied quickly.

Adria thought for a moment more. "Set a new course to this Aberon. I want to find out what interested the Earthlings about that place."

"Yes Orici." Kalsen put his fist over his heart and bowed.

"Kalsen," Adria added as he was about to leave, "there were many false gods in this galaxy before we brought their salvation. What was the name of this one?"

Kalsen turned back to face Adria, "The report gave the name of Giya, Orici."

Adria stepped up close to Kalsen, "Are you absolutely sure?" she said, her voice almost enraged. "Know that if you lie I will know."

"Yes…Yes Orici." Kalsen bumbled. "The report was quite clear."

Adria broke her stare and started to pace feverishly.

After a silence of about a minute Kalsen risked saying something. "Shall I instruct the Prior to head for Aberon?"

"No," Adria said, "forget Aberon. I will change the heading myself. The Ori are grateful for your work this day Kalsen. You are dismissed."

"Thankyou Orici." Kalsen bowed again, grinning. He turned and left Adria's quarters with the comforting weight of the Ori's blessing on his shoulders.

NOTE: So what do you think of Kalsen?