Welcome to C2. I see we have readers from widely diverse points on the globe – UK,
Brazil, Australia, and the USA. Thank you for your support. Special gratitude to Louisestarfly and OutsideLookin for the wonderful reviews! Your encouragement keeps me fired up about writing. Would love to also hear from anyone/everyone else – make me a very happy author by posting a comment or two.
We've a lot of ground to cover, so let's get going.
###
Chapter 2
When Warren entered the galley, all eyes were on him. Even Volu's presence felt like a piercing stare. He read each face as he retook his seat at the head of the table. Gatebi's Alcab features reflected the mood of the room – tense. Flint's knotted forehead indicated worry or perhaps confliction. Looking last to Ettwanae, the delicate features seemed weary with trepidation mixed in. Try as he might, Warren couldn't tell by their expressions if he was staying or being booted off.
Not surprisingly, Volu spoke first. "Warren, we have come to a decision."
He glanced around the room again, hoping to pick up on any new silent revelations – what he saw was not encouraging. Gatebi and Flint were studying their hands. Ettwanae was the only one looking at him. Her face said, 'I'm sorry.'
Perhaps he should lighten the mood. "Drum roll, please…" he commented softly with a half-smirk. Flint shot him a weak grin. Ettwanae and Gatebi exchanged odd looks.
"We have decided you can remain with us." Warren let out a breath, but before he could speak, Volu continued. "However, the decision is conditional. I will be scanning you constantly for any signs of either transformation or indicators that you are 'going feral' as you term it. Additionally, at the next supply house, we will acquire a bio-monitoring device that you will wear at all times. I will tune the device to watch specifically for bionite activity or any other indications that you are transforming. Your brainwave patterns will also be monitored for signs of a pending feral episode. The output signal will be boosted so whether you are within my immediate sensor range or not, I will know your condition. If this arrangement is not acceptable, I will return to you Earth immediately."
Volu's speech and tone were cold. His gut told him the only reason he staying was Ettwanae, and Volu was going along with it against her better judgment.
"There are situations when you will not be able to monitor me," he pointed out, knowing Volu had already considered it.
"I am aware that if you enter a heavily shielded area, the monitor's signal will be blocked. Our hope is that those situations are limited."
Ettwanae leaned forward. "It's just a monitoring device, Warren. It will help you, too – if something starts happening, you'll know immediately. We'll have a better chance of stopping it before things go too far." The Eshaaru's expression was almost pleading.
Warren realized with her words that even the privacy granted in the bathroom was no more. Specimen under a microscope; watched constantly. Bad enough being inside a living ship that knew your every move. Now even his deepest biological functions would be observed 24/7.
Was he desperate enough to tolerate that? For perhaps only the second time in Warren Worthington's life, he was truly desperate for something for himself. Lack of privacy would be a small price to pay for a chance, as remote as it was, to be free of the nannites.
Flint gave him a sympathetic face. "Hey, man, could be worse. Vo already knows when we all take a piss, so this is just a little more than that."
Warren didn't bother to object that passive monitoring was entirely different from active monitoring. No one on board was dimwitted…they all knew how invasive the situation would be.
"I accept the terms," he announced. Relief flooded Ettwanae's face. Had she truly been afraid he wouldn't stay?
At quick look at the Alcab and Warren guessed she'd been on the side of dumping him. The protective elder of the trio likely pointed out how dangerous the situation could become. Feelings coming off Flint were opposite – for a number of reasons, the teen had likely sided with Ettwanae… perhaps topping the list was that Flint would return to being the sole male aboard if Warren was exiled.
All of it was assumptions, but Warren felt he knew the group well enough to get it right. How much energy would he need to exert to reinforce Ettwanae and Flint's faith in him and regain Volu and Gatebi's? Should he bother trying? Regardless of which side of the argument each had been on, they were now all leery of him. Keeping himself calm and on even keel would be his best tactic to offset fears.
Then he forced a lighter expression on his face. "So the Fighting Five are back in business?" he asked, referencing back to Flint's nickname in the beginning of their mission.
The teen chuckled with a grin breaking out and green eyes twinkling. "Oh, yeah! The bad guys will be shakin' in their boots!"
A smile moved across the Eshaaru's face in almost magical transformation. Warren loved seeing her happy – more than he'd realize before that moment. However, Gatebi looked far less enthusiastic, but did smile politely.
"Volu, can I assume we will return to our prior course to Ayni for supplies?"
"That is the logical action."
'I can almost see my breath in here,' he lamented in regard to the ship's icy tone. How much had Ettwanae pushed the Eshaar'ne in an effort to keep Warren aboard? Push come to shove, had Ettwanae simply pulled rank and ordered he stay? Something to probe gently for on another day. There was one more point to clarify before they restarted the hunt.
"Is it presumptuous of me to assume I retain leadership of our mission?" Blunt, yes, but the answer needed to be clear.
"Yes, Warren," Ettwanae jumped in immediately, almost too quickly.
"You will remain responsible for general mission tactics and strategies, Warren." Volu's stern voice filled the room just as quickly. "I will be responsible for making certain you are of sound mind and body to carry out those duties responsibility. Understand that if I determine you are endangering us needlessly, I will do what is necessary to protect everyone else."
Warren swallowed hard, but the situation was as he would expect. "Understood. Then as leader of our little quest…Volu, set a course for Ayni. And thank you, everyone, for giving me a chance to stay aboard. If anything I do gets you worrying about my mental state – feral or transformation wise – don't hesitate to bring it up with me. We have little room for misunderstandings in this new arrangement." Everyone nodded or gestured acknowledgement. "How long before we reach Ayni?"
"23.4 ISD at my best speed."
"And Atmos Prime from there?"
"Assuming no stops, 57.8 days."
Everyone groaned.
"Then I think we can assume some stops along the way," Warren decided. He, for one, would not subject himself to being cooped up that long without breaks. His shipmates' expressions communicated their agreement.
Even with stops, it was going to be a long trip to Atmos Prime – all without knowing if it was a wild goose chase or the motherlode.
###
"We have a decision then?" All gestured affirmative.
Four key individuals gathered in Ztar's office, both in person and via holo-comm: Head of Palace Security Cronit Lar, Imperial Aide Sukja, General Gtar-Cro of Military Intelligence and the individual ultimately responsible for Royal Court safety, and last but definitely far from least, Jharda Myrundra…Head of Planetary Affairs, Voice of the Court, and bride-to-be.
Seated next to him at the meeting table, Jharda patted his hand. "Don't worry – the date is 15 days before my delivery date."
He wasn't reassured. "It is so close. First births can come early."
"True, but rarely that early."
"And if the doctors have the date wrong? Even a few days could make all the difference. Our child must be born within wedlock."
Jharda gave him the 'you worry too much about nothing' smile she'd acquired somewhere along the way since announcing they would be parents. It made him feel like a fussing child – unbecoming for an emperor. "Chenro assures me the gestational age is accurate. If I go into labor before the wedding, we will simply wed during birthing and have the public ceremony afterward."
Chenro Vozeipar'de was Ztar's personal physician and had become Jharda's once she'd moved into the palace. He had complete confidence in Chenro, but nature often threw curveballs and babies are born when they choose, not when highly sophisticated medical scanners say they should. Perhaps a different tactic.
"But won't it be too tiring? You will be uncomfortable by then. The stress of such an important event so close to the birth-"
She cut him off with a tight squeeze of his hand; then pulled away while imparting a patient gaze. It signaled that he had already lost the fight, and she was waiting for him to realize it. "My beloved, we Turzent women are tough, if you haven't noticed. Pregnancy does not weaken or hinder us. I will be perfectly fine."
Ztar was suddenly aware of the amusement building in the other men at the table – the empathic vibrations were clear, and it did not settle right. Sukja in particular was enjoying the scene a little too much. The telepath bristled.
"Very well," he acquiesced, passing his eyes to Sukja and Lar at the table, then to Gtar-Cro's holographic presence. "You heard her. The date is set. Any problems logistically?" He looked to his aide. "The guest list is first priority."
"Already done."
Ztar was stunned. "Done? When? Why wasn't I involved?"
Before Sukja could answer, Jharda jumped in. "Sukja and I worked through the list several days ago. With the date set, we can issue invitations immediately."
"Our guests will have ample time to plan their trip," the Ozjaerian assistant assured; not sounding guilty enough in the Emperor's opinion.
Jharda nodded. "The list is not lengthy. As we agreed, it will be a small ceremony – only about 200 guests. A comnet broadcast will suffice for most."
Ztar felt out of the loop and irritation threatened. "May I see this list? I want to be sure everyone is there."
Jharda locked dark chocolate brown eyes to his. "They are, Ztar…everyone important to you, to me, and to us."
Sukja's PI appeared in front of him instantly, a list of names on the screen. He gave his efficient aide a cocked eyebrow. The man had obviously anticipated the request. "Niat and Splythe?"
"Of course," Sukja replied smoothly.
"Atichi?"
"Naturally."
"Archangel?"
"How could he not? And guests."
"Not any of my family."
"Wouldn't think of it."
Then he felt he caught his empress-to-be and aide on an oversight. "I want the heads of palace staff to be guests, not working that day."
"On the list."
He huffed. Ztar was a man who expected to be in control. With the wedding, he was being left on the sidelines. That did not sit well. "Tell me again why such a small number of invitees to the ceremony. The palace can handle hundreds – just as we did with the Grand Reception when I announced the new government. And this is just as important!" He caught Lar in a squirm.
"Because it is so important, Ztar. The Grand Reception was political – the dividing line between those who would be invited and those not was readily identifiable on that basis. A wedding is far more complex and the lines not so clearly drawn. This is not only a celebration of marriage, but a political and societal event. How do we choose who is and isn't asked to join us in person?"
A frown came. She was making sense, but still…
"Jharda is wise, my Emperor," Sukja stepped in. "Choosing to invite anyone beyond a certain circle would be a minefield of potential social slights and offenses. If we invited all possible candidates, the palace could never hold them."
"And it would be a security nightmare," the General chimed in. "Having all the Court, your closest friends, Jharda's relatives, and key staff all in one locale will be more than enough risk." Lar gestured enthusiastic agreement.
Ztar realized he was out of his element. Wedding planning was for others. He looked at each in turn – Lar, Sukja, Gtar-Co, and finally Jharda. All waited patiently for him to acknowledge the logic of their argument. Ztar had to admit, it was sound.
Then he reminded himself, this was their wedding…an event meant to be joyful and filled with love, not disagreement and irritations. He smiled at Jharda and put up his hands in surrender.
"I concede! I trust your judgment. Just tell me where to be and when; that's all I ask."
Sukja and Lar laughed heartily, Jharda took Ztar's hand and kissed it, and Gtar-Cro smirked.
"Wise choice, my husband to be. You have grasped the role of groom."
###
Taer gave Phai a stern look before breaking eye contact and positioning herself to address her audience.
"Elders of Trient'Ir, I have been requested to deliver this message from the other Trient Councils. The Dark Coming has begun. Prepare."
Phai jerked away from her perch, but Sequi beat her to the punch in demanding an explanation; a breach of Council etiquette that Phai understood under the circumstances.
"What?!" the deep Turzent voice boomed. "Are you telling us that you sat through this session, allowed us to debate, when all the time you knew the other Councils had already decided to move forward?!" The Turzent looked like he would explode. He, too, often had had his fill of Taer's superior and aloof air.
Taer took the outburst in stride. "I felt it was important that you debate, and had hoped you would arrive at the correct conclusion quickly. But now I am informing you, the final decision has already been made. Two of the three Councils have voted. The timeframe is accelerated. We have six Unified months to reach the goals." Various utterances of dismay filled Phai's office at the shortness of time. Then Taer turned to face Phai. "You move too slowly, Elder of Elders. The others reached their decision hours ago."
Phai held Taer's eyes – deep crystalline-blue to Taer's jet black. Neither woman was willing to back down. If what Taer said was true, the other Councils had convened sooner than hers. As she contemplated and evaluated data, they were already debating its ramifications. "I will be confirming your interpretation of the news."
"I would expect no less."
It was Taer who abandoned the stare down, but in a dismissive manner. That burned Phai. The room went deathly quiet. Kel finally spoke.
"And so my little speech was a moot point, Elders," she vocalized several rapid clicks – the species version of a chuckle. "Phai, you and we have much to reevaluate in light of our seemingly impossible timeline. I and the rest of the Council, if I may be presumptuous, stand ready to put into motion whatever must be done." Gestures of agreement backed up Kel's announcement. Taer was the only one who remained stock-still.
"I have additional information." Taer announced stiffly. All eyes snapped to blue-skinned Elder. "The other Trients have their Eshaaru pairs. Unification within Trient'Ut and Trient'El is as complete as it will be. They have their chosen ones to command the Nexus. We must select ours."
Most of what Taer said they already knew. The final piece of information was new, likely something decided in the other Councils' urgent sessions. From Taer's tone of delivery, Phai knew exactly where the declaration was leading, and it left her boiling mad.
"I presume you offered yourself as the most suitable," Phai hissed sharply to leave no doubt she saw through the real reason for Taer's unauthorized contact with the other Council leaders.
The blue woman dipped her head in affirmation. "I am closest genetically to our ancestors. The augmentation will not need to be as aggressive. Since our timeframe is shortened dramatically, we need that advantage."
Phai was seething over Taer's political maneuverings. She had intended to be the one at the Nexus controls. But just as quickly, she saw the logic in selecting Taer. They needed to create a being that first the Sentinel and then the Nexus would recognize. Without an operator bearing enough U'larr characteristics, nothing else was possible…that much they knew with certainty from the old texts and from the deadly attempt years earlier with P'Tiaera, the female Esha'Aru, and several Shozen.
As angry as Phai was, she would not allow emotion to cloud judgment. Taer was their best choice under the new circumstances. Returning to the center of the circle, she symbolically took the reins back from Taer.
"Indeed – a distinct advantage with Taer," Olar bobbed his head that always seemed too big for the body. The frail-looking reptilian-like sheath housed the intellect Phai listened to most, even above Kel. Elder Olar was methodical and pragmatic, but not to a fault – it was tempered with wisdom and compassion.
As much as it irritated, they had run out of time for more extensive genetic manipulation of the kind that would have permitted Phai to act as the interface. "Opposing viewpoints?" she asked continuing to mask personal disappointment. Despite the fact the Taer was not well liked and begrudgingly respected, she was their best chance for success in a battle where there would be but one opportunity to succeed. Hearing no objections, she met Taer's somewhat smug expression. "Your offer is accepted, Elder. You will join the Etagllot team responsible for Project One when the bionites are ready."
Taer surprised Phai with a simple head bow of respect. "I will depart at your command."
That would be the only decision Phai made before conferring with the Elders of Elders from the other Trients. If Taer was misrepresenting in any way, intentionally or otherwise, Phai needed to know immediately. Kel said it perfectly – there was much to evaluate and adjust with very little time to do so. Full realization of just how short the new deadline had sunk in. Was it even possible to meet the deadline? And what if the time remaining was even shorter than that? Phai grew tense, but she would not let it show.
"Elders, allow me time to reflect, as I ask you to do as well. We will reconvene in two days to agree on adjusted strategies and schedule."
The Council's images winked out one by one. First, she would contact her counterparts to confirm Taer's report. Then she would begin developing a new strategy to achieve what felt impossible – have all the players in place and ready to defend the galaxy in six month's time.
###
Volu had granted permission for a comm to Earth, which she was always leery of doing with their 'hunted' status, but the man hadn't picked up. Now, though, the tone sounded announcing an incoming signal from Xavier's Turzent comlink.
"Charles! Thanks for calling back," Warren greeted as he juggled the device to set it on a crate that served as nightstand. Touching the screen, a holo-image of his old mentor materialized.
"As if I would not, my friend! Is this a routine call?" With the question, Warren could see the telltale signs of concern around the edges of Charles' face.
"Routine update. All is well here." It was a bit of a white lie. He would not further worry his friend about feral or blue-hands episodes. "Want to bring you up to speed on our plans."
Warren went on to explain the planned stopover on Ayni, followed by the long trip to Atmos Prime and its significance.
Worry crept into Charles' features once again. "Will you be out of touch after crossing into Commonwealth territory?"
"Shouldn't be. Volu is quite adept at tapping into alien communication systems. However, you won't be able to contact me since your comlink is tuned to the Turzent 'net."
"So Ztar won't be able to reach you either? Does he know yet?"
'Ah, yes…the Emperor. He's not going to be any happier than Charles on the point,' Warren sighed internally. That was not a call he looked forward to making. "I'm not sure, to be honest, but best to assume he won't unless Gtar-Cro has some tricks up his spy sleeve. And no, he doesn't know. I will inform him just before we leave Turzent space." Charles worried, but Ztar fretted – he'd not have the Emperor doing so any longer than absolutely necessary.
"I don't doubt your ability to take care of yourself, and the Commonwealth in theory is not a threat, but I'm feeling uneasy about this."
Warren nodded. "We will be vigilant, Charles."
The balance of the conversation revolved around Warren's business affairs over which Charles was acting Power of Attorney. He worried the role was taking too much of his old friend's time, but Charles assured that was not the case. Still, it concerned Warren. Yet there was no one else he'd trust. The man's intellect and unequalled telepathic skills made him uniquely suited to watchdog the Worthington corporate empire and personal fortune. Warren took solace in that by safeguarding both, Charles was ensuring the long-term finances of the X-men…Warren's deep pockets helped keep the school and X-Men operations afloat.
His old friend seemed to force himself to relax and ease back in the chair. Then the man actually smirked. "Warren, from the first day you came to my school, you've been high-energy – barely tolerating sitting still through a science class. What do you do with all your downtime aboard ship?"
Warren laughed. There was more than one way to interpret the inquiry. "Charles, you'd be amazed at what a little ingenuity can conjure up!"
###
Trient'Ir's Council of Elders had reconvened at the appointed time. Phai stood in center circle of holo-images.
"Your plan is sound," Elder Kel offered.
"Sound, if one trusts that your dubious pair can soulbind, and that he passes as Esha'Aru under Sentinel and Etxan'Ir scrutiny." Ary snapped a pincher. It was immediately apparent the overseer of the Parma-Sentois sector was in a less than genial mood.
"What option do we have but trust Archangel is as all the data indicates?" Phai countered. Today, she had little patience for Ary's increasingly contrary attitude. Time was too short. "Do you have another Esha'Aru pair that I am unaware of?"
"Isn't that what Project 1165 is to accomplish? If successful, we'd not have to rest the fate of a galaxy on the uncertain origins of a Human."
'Ary is being difficult more quickly than usual today. Stress?' Phai chose to give him the benefit of that excuse. They were all anxious – too much yet to accomplish in far too little time.
"Talk of uncertain…" Elder Sequi grumbled Ary's way. "We've no guarantee our clones will be accepted any more than Archangel, let alone that our channeling technology will be adequate. We are attempting to replicate what the U'larr purposefully made irreproducible. Perhaps our ancestors' arrogance has not been lost."
Pinchers clicked as Ary glared with unblinking eyes at the Turzent-clad Shozen.
Phai clasped her hands to quell rising irritation. Tension was running high. She and her kind weren't above the trappings of emotion, but they held to the illusion of having firm control. While understandable that control could waiver under intense stress, unchecked fervor was unproductive.
"Elder Ary, Etagllot scientists are close to fruition on Project 1165, or Failsafe as I consider it. With success, we can create Source channeling in whomever we impregnate with the bionites. As we all know, our ancestors built degradation of that ability into the genetics of the Esha'Aru should anyone attempt to produce even a single generation of replicas. Despite Etagllot belief they discovered a way to overcome that obstacle, no clone has yet channeled sufficiently."
"And the channeling bionites will be used to enhance those who will command the Nexus – another failsafe," Kel inserted.
Phai moved gracefully within the circle of her Council. "Thank you for the reminder, Elder…yes. Channeling ability will be used in judgment for us, as well. Even where mixed genetics has eroded natural ability less, augmentation is still necessary." She made no attempt to hide a pointed dart of eyes to Taer.
Sequi shifted in his seat as a frown crossed the rugged features. "I saw in the last report that success within Project One continues to elude us."
"Within our Trient, yes. The failure on Ymoz has not been overcome, but in the end…" Phai shook her head, still in wonder at the unexpected turn of events precipitated from that affair. "However, Trient'Ut reports are encouraging. If they are successful, we will regain a talent lost generations ago – transformative ability."
"And thus the second marker the Nexus require will be ours – to shift between corporeal and semi-corporeal." There was uncertainty in Olar's tone, and a small twitch of his prehensile tail confirmed. Everyone waited for him to continue. "With our dramatically reduced timetable, I fear there is insufficient time to perfect what we are attempting to replicate. Much of our hope rests on technology when the Sentinel and Nexus may seek innate ability."
The Shozen leader signed internally. Olar's concern predated their current Council, but what choice remained when biological solutions were long ago lost? "We all share your concerns, Olar. The old texts state only that the abilities need be present…no mention of judgment on how."
Ary let out his form's version of an exasperated sigh. "Which is exactly my point – if no judgment on how, we should perfect the clones. They can be tested, trained, and controlled. Can you say the same of Archangel and Ettwanae? Do we even know where he and the female are?" A hardened glare shot to Phai. "I remain unconvinced they are our best hope. Complete 1165 and impregnate clones with channeling biotech as soon as available. Or, if you insist on including naturally occurring Esha'Aru, then select a male clone of the right frequency and soulbind to Ettwanae."
Phai shook her head as crystalline-blue eyes danced in rising exasperation, but she held her tongue. Why Ary was so stubbornly opposed to Archangel remained puzzling. Ettwanae was already an apparent soul match to Archangel and all indications were he would suffice once his bond to Ztar was broken. Yet as much as Phai hated to admit, there were some doubts about whether the Sentinel would accept him as Esha'Aru…just as there were doubts the Sentinel and Nexus would accept cloned Esha'Aru and augmented Shozen.
Olar's tail flicked twice, a sign he was losing patience. "Archangel has proven himself a powerful channeler and all indications support that he's able to bond with the female. If we succeed in creating the channeling clones, I have reservations about the Sentinel accepting them. We simply don't have enough knowledge of all the Sentinel will seek as identifiers of worthiness."
Ary puffed and snapped a pincher. "The old writings say there are two requirements – soulbinding and channeling. The clones will have those qualities if the Etagllot perform as required."
Olar upturned a delicate, scaled hand with long fingers and sharp claws. "True. What it does not say is whether those are the only markers denoting a worthy pair…setting aside a fully-activated amulet, of course." The head that seemed oversized for the body swiveled to catch several pairs of eyes around the circle. "Remember, my fellow Elders, we hold basic knowledge from our ancestors – the details are lost to oblivion. The foundation of our grand plan may be flawed from what we do not know, yet we have little choice but to proceed with what we do know. Data supports that we have our viable pair – Ettwanae and Archangel. We know he channels. We know her Aru recognizes him as compatible. We can only assume Ura will accept him once the false bond to the Turzent is broken."
"An easily removed obstacle."
Phai didn't like how enthusiastic Sequi sounded on that point. She worried precisely how he was going to carry out his assignment to eliminate the false bond when the time came. She hoped it would be quick. Her feelings toward Ztar were inappropriate – detachment was required, but Phai found herself feeling responsible for, maybe even protective of, the Unifier she'd championed.
As she ruminated, Sequi and Ary fell into a bandy of points and counterpoints. Taer sought out and caught Phai's gaze. The blue-faced expression was undeniable – squabbling was tedium. Phai wondered why the aloof Elder bothered with eye contact at all; it was unlike her to seek Phai's attention.
Phai had always believed in deliberation, but these were old arguments and gained them nothing. Then Taer's comments about their Trient – Phai's Council – moving too slowly hit home. Phai was Elder of Elders for a reason. Her voice, her decisions were what moved the Council forward. Phai raised her hands and several seconds later, the room fell silent.
"With respect, Elders, the time for debate has passed. Our path is chosen. The other Council leaders gave it their blessing. Archangel and Ettwanae are our Esha'Aru pair. The clones, if viable, are backups. Taer is the Nexus interface. What remains is to complete unfinished tasks and ensure everyone is in place when the final battle is upon us."
Several faces around the room transmitted surprise. Sequi was the first to speak.
"So swiftly does democracy become dictatorship." Tension instantly stiffened the room.
Ary got to his feet. "Elder Phai – you surprise me! We have always been a Council of consensus and sincere debate. Now it is your view only that is valid? When the slightest miscalculation or wrong choice could doom us all?!"
Kel, who had quietly observed until then, rose from her haunches. "My brethren, our chosen leader speaks truth – time slips from us. Debate is a luxury no longer ours. We must act and act quickly. A long time ago, we selected Phai because of her insight, vision, strategic skills, and above all, her wisdom. We can either support our selected leader or doubt her and ourselves when we can ill afford either. Our path is sound. Odds favor the plan as presented. Support it or stand aside."
The words were harsh coming from the usually equanimous Kel. Harsh, but true. "My Elders, Taer spoke wisely when she said our Council moved too slowly last session. As your chosen Elder of Elders, that was my fault, and a mistake I will not repeat. If any of you have solid, indubitable reason to alter the plan, please speak. But if all you have to offer is conjecture or personal preference, then your time has passed."
Stunned silence followed. Exchanged glances and body language revealed much. Kel, Olar, and Taer were pleased. Vui appeared impressed. Sequi looked on the fence. Ary was miffed at best and enraged at worse.
"Elders, I apologize that I speak sharply, but as leader of our Trient, I must now act swiftly and with conviction as it is what's required. I request your full support regardless of personal feelings toward certain aspects of the plan. Without that, we will fail…the galaxy will fall into darkness…we shall pass into oblivion. All our ancestors created here will not even be remembered, except by our Goddess." She looked for many long moments to the holo-image representing Ary; then in turn to each of her fellows. "Upon the pledge we took so long ago to save Awn'Va Galaxy, will you support this plan? Will you do what must be done?"
Sequi studied her as he leaned back in his chair. "Elder, you have shown your true self this day." At first, the face was hard; then he released a handsome Turzent smile. "The fire still burns, does it not? Elder of Elders Phai, you have my support."
Vui slammed a powerful fist down on the arm of her large chair. "Let the battle begin!"
All heads turned to Ary. He was in a tenuous position now – possibly the lone dissenter. As stubborn as he could be, Phai accepted that he had a valid point. They could not rely solely on an Archangel/Ettwanae pairing…far too much was at risk.
"Elder Ary, Project 1165 will not be abandoned. On the contrary, I am funneling more resources toward those Etagllot teams. I agree with you that our fallback must be brought to fruition. As the informal name implies, Failsafe will be just that – the clones positioned to step in at the last moment should our chosen pair be rejected."
"Then you have my support and that of my realm, Elder Phai. The Etagllot did not operate under my guidance and protection without significant advances. I believe those will prove useful in our final push."
The Shozen would hold to his pride to the end, she thought with mixed feelings. Phai gave him a bow of the head to solidify the truce. "Thank you, Elder Ary. What was accomplished within your realm is indeed bringing us closer to our goals. Director Sident reports that his primary team is ready for the next step with the bionites – tuning them to the correct frequency. T'Qilla's ru'zha is actually a benefit…as she releases lifeforce, we will use that to calibrate the bionites."
Retaking center stage, Phai addressed the group as a whole. "You have your assignments." She turned to face Vui. "Do you foresee any problems with the Gnocque ruler?"
"No. I am well positioned as his most trusted advisor and considered AuqVuud's second voice. When the time comes, he or I will rally the people. Now is when the Gnocque's iron rule will aid us – the people of their realm will do as ordered – they will fear Gnocque retribution if they do not."
She turned a white-haired head to the Ji. "Elder Olar, everything is ready in the Trisadient Worlds realm?"
"Shozen technology will override all their broadcast outlets and their High Speaker will perform his duty. If not, I am prepared to take appropriate measures."
A single nod acknowledged that Phai understood what those measures were – it would not be a good day for the Trisadient head of government if he baulked. She locked blue eyes with Kel's green. "Elder?"
"As with Olar, our technology is in place. Mine will be the only voice the people of the Unaligned Worlds hear that day."
She looked past Taer as she watched over the non-sentient worlds and would play no part in the summing of Ura-embued Aru from trillions of sentient beings in the galaxy. She would be busy at the Nexus. Phai faced Sequi. His was a two-fold assignment.
"Elder, trust me to do what is necessary on both counts. The Turzent Empire and its people will be a powerful force that day – their lifeforce is strong. And their Emperor will not stand between our chosen pair becoming soulbound."
Phai held a stance exuding a confidence that she didn't fully feel, despite all the positive reports. The enemy could still foil thousands of years of work.
"Our goal to dissolve The Systems Commonwealth and merge those worlds into the Turzent Empire cannot be realized. Instead, I will begin moving our own people into the positions of power to re-stabilize the realm. Transition may cause short-term upheaval, but we are prepared for that. The people are asking for stronger leadership, and we will provide it. A new Commonwealth Assembly Leader will address the people when the Call for Aru goes out. All will be ready."
Last, she addressed Taer. "You are certain you wish to go through with the augmentation?" Taer gave her a single nod. "Then your path is set, there is no retreat. When the time comes, you will proceed to the destination I give you. Trient'Ut has nearly perfected the transformative ability and their data will be sent to our scientists soon. That technology will be merged with the channeling bionites our Trient will likely succeed in developing first."
Phai still wished she would be at the controls of the Nexus, but that was not to be. Her new role would be indirect, but what it would entail specifically wasn't clear. Pushing aside selfish longings, she and her Council reviewed final details.
###
Phai allowed herself to exhale relief as the last holographic avatar winked out. Their path was firm. Thousand years of planning, manipulating, rediscovery, sacrifice, and quiet warfare by her Council and those before them were building to climax. Which side would stand triumphant in as little as few weeks?
With the road ahead set, all that remained was execution. Success was far from guaranteed, but failure was certain without solidarity. Ary seemed to grow more difficult as the end drew near, especially the past few meetings. His attitude, though, was quickly becoming a moot point as the final battle approached.
Phai moved from her office, through her sparsely furnished home, and outside to the tranquil garden. It was there she felt most at peace, or at least as close as one could when the continuation of an entire galaxy rested upon your shoulders. Settling into her favorite spot – a bench offering a picturesque view of her vertical reflecting pool – Phai let thoughts roam.
That day, wanderings took the Elder of Elders to what she most feared. She rarely allowed herself to contemplate failure. When she did, it was too painful to entertain long. Stars. Planets. Moons. Asteroids. Over 200 billion suns. Nothing would escape annihilation. Life, even the potential for it, would be extinguished. Despite the rarity of life, it flourished in amazingly diversity throughout the galaxy. Even rarer sentient life had accomplished much – the young races seeded by the U'larr so very long ago would have made Ozshi'wanae's Chosen proud.
'If only our ancestors were here…' Perhaps they could see all from the afterlife within Ozshi'wanae's embrace.
Goddess, the problems were many. The up and coming species were young and immature – war and self-interest motivated more often than not. But they held such promise and needed time to grow into greatness. It was that potential Phai and her kind were fighting desperately to save.
Sadly, time was on the verge of running out. Just as it had for Phai and her brethren's ancestors. So much lost – the art, technology, culture, and wisdom. Millions of years of existence snuffed out.
'If only they had not grown complacent…'
Closing eyes against the tightness squeezing her chest, she opened herself to their goddess. Reassurance at that moment would be most welcome. A whispered word on the wind or in the babbling of water would help ease her burdened soul. The Elder of Elders prayed.
###
Don't worry – we'll get back to Warren and company soon. In C3, our heroes will see some action, but not the kind they are hoping for!