Chapter 11

Back from an absolutely fabulous vacation in California wine country (Sonoma Valley region) – superb food, friendly people, beautiful scenery, and of course, incredible wine. While a tad chilly, I highly recommend going off-season as we did. The absence of crowds is a definite plus.

Without further adieu, let's dive into C11.

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"These feelings haunt me, Sukja."

Emperor Ztar and his imperial aide sat on a bench at the far end of the reflecting pool. Even the liquid image of the palace undulating on gently moving water failed to evoke serenity in the Turzent's troubled mind. It was nearing time for the mid-day meal. Morning meetings and tasks were complete. The empress-to-be was off-planet answering diplomacy's call.

"Perhaps they are rooted in separation from Jharda," Sukja offered as a possibility. The Turzent looked tense…no, more than that – he looked apprehensive. "Fear that she or the baby may come to harm?"

Ztar's brow furrowed. "No, I don't think so – nothing quite so…personal." An exasperated sigh escaped. "This ability, if that what I'm experiencing, frustrates me. The feelings aren't connected to anything I can identify – like a cruel game of Seeker."

Sukja nodded. He knew of the ancient childhood game many Turzent youngsters still played. Everyone hides except one, who is the Seeker. The last child found by the Seeker is the winner. "Premonitions can be vague I'm told."

"If that's what this is, yes. I don't even know that with certainty. Could be a combination of pending fatherhood, the wedding, erratic behavior within the Commonwealth and uncertainty as to what that bodes, and Gtar-Cro's findings on the unidentified presence in our realm, along with the realization that I don't control our Empire as I did before the new government."

As Ztar's aide, Sukja understood the last point all too well. Enough time had passed since those put into key positions by the transition had come into their own and were managing the empire without much day-to-day guidance. It was both a point of pride for the ruler and a difficult letting go…classic double-edged sword.

"What can I do, my Emperor?"

Ztar turned to fully face Sukja, and smiled. "As you've always done – listen and provide wise counsel."

He returned the smile. "As any good aide would do."

"No, Sukja – as the good friend that you are always does. You are so much more than an aide, don't you understand that yet?"

The warmth spread through Sukja's chest. That hadn't always been the case, but over the course of two decades, an impersonal working relationship had evolved into deep friendship.

"I do and the sentiment flows both ways."

The Turzent's smile broadened. "Good! Now, let's see if you and I can decipher anything of this premonition."

###

The trio settled at the table, while Phai's holo-image remained perched on the edge of a desk on an undisclosed planet. Tension continued to run high. Warren made certain his comm was open to Gatebi and Volu so they could hear what Phai had to say and to monitor the situation.

"Bae told you general information. I won't repeat in detail, but will reemphasize the key points. Before that, though, I will go back in time – to the very beginning of our universe…information told to the U'larr by our goddess herself." The lighting suddenly dimmed dramatically. "Don't be alarmed," came Phai's clear voice through the soft darkness. "An indulgence for effect – it is not often I am able to share the origins of all we know and the story of my people."

Phai's softly glowing form stood. "The eternal being called Norzra'tir is darkness and his presence filled all dimensions of physical existence for a very long time. Norzra'tir eventually grew lonely and desired a companion. He begot Ozshi'wanae, but things did not go as planned. His creation had a will of her own. Much to his displeasure, she chose opposite – light. He demanded she be as him, but she refused. Angered at her rebellious nature, he exiled Ozshi'wanae to one of the endless dimensions of existence. To contain her, Norzra'tir erected a barrier around that dimension that Ozshi'wanae cannot not cross unless she turns away from the light and embraces dark. She has refused."

"Isolated, the young goddess had to learn on her own. Alone within her dimensional prison, she tested and practiced her innate powers of creation. Without a guiding hand, she met with many failures, until finally, in one glorious explosion of matter…" a brilliant flash of light filled the room, causing the trio to jump and shield their eyes. "…she succeeded. Our universe was born."

Blinking against the after-images, Warren and company watched the hologram of an expanding universe fill the room. The image slowed and then halted.

"Some 13 billion years later, this is her creation today." Then the image zoomed in to focus on a single spiral of stars. "This is our home – the Awn'Va Galaxy. Roughly 200 billion stars. The U'larr were Ozshi'wanae's first sentient creation within our galaxy and were cherished by her. She called them the Chosen Ones. She proclaimed Awn'Va as their domain, and at the height of their civilization, the species had traversed and settled its span."

As Phai eased toward the center of the room; three pairs of mesmerized eyes followed. Warren wasn't sure how the story jived with his personal beliefs of creation, but the version fascinated nonetheless. The holographic galaxy zoomed further in toward the center of the galaxy Warren knew as the Milky Way. Within that center was nothing – no light, no stars. But something dark lurked…

"Within our sphere of existence, light is life. You extinguish light and life ceases." Phai gestured to the dark center. "A supermassive black hole exists at the galactic core of most galaxies, ours included."

"Why?" Flint's outburst startled everyone at the table. The soft illumination of starlight revealed an instant look of embarrassment. "Sorry," he apologized in a near whisper.

Holo stars interplayed with Phai's own image and seemed to become part of her. The result was a disconcerting image that part of the galaxy resided within the woman.

"Do not apologize. You are here to learn. Black holes are not only a result of physics, but that Ozshi'wanae was created by Norzra'tir. She is of him. Some things even gods cannot overcome. All Ozshi'wanae creates in light connects back to light's opposite – back to Norzra'tir and darkness."

"Like yin yang," Warren offered, not sure if Phai would understand the reference.

"Or Byt and Tyb," Ettwanae piped in.

"If used to describe two forces that are interconnected and interdependent yet opposites, then the references are valid. While only Ozshi'wanae's choice to abandon light and followed her creator will drop the dimensional barrier fully between them, Norzra'tir can gain access to our sphere through supermassive black holes – his only connection to her. That is where The Dark Coming begins. By spewing anti-matter in massive amounts into one of Ozshi'wanae's favored creations, we believe he hopes to punish her and prove that darkness is more powerful than light. He has tried many times, but Ozshi'wanae and the U'larr together were able to block the attempts."

Warren was confused. "But I thought Ozshi'wanae lives in a different dimension than we do." He looked to Ettwanae. "Isn't that what you told me – The Source, what comes from Ozshi'wanae is elsewhere?" The Eshaaru nodded. He turned back to Phai. "You're saying she's in this dimension?"

"Ettwanae spoke correctly. My apologies for the confusion. In a vain attempt to shield her creations from Norzra'tir, Ozshi'wanae created new planes of existence within her own. Obviously, the safeguard does not fully protect."

Warren frowned. Things were getting complicated. "So within dimensions, there are various planes of existence?"

Phai tilted her head. "More like a single dimension with many subdimensions, including subspace. Ozshi'wanae created those subdimensions hoping to hide away what she cherished. That is our understanding, but we don't have the depth of knowledge our ancestors had, nor the open connection with Ozshi'wanae they were blessed with." Phai's voice carried regret.

Flint leaned back and crossed his arms. "So we've got the dark dude tryin' to snuff out what his rebel daughter lit up?"

The Shozen actually chuckled. "Except for the daughter point, you summed it up succinctly."

Arms uncrossed. "But you said he begodded her or somethin'. Isn't that an old word for making a kid? Like 'only begodden son' and all that Bible stuff?"

"Gods do things a little differently…she was not a daughter in the sense that you mean, but she was not his equal either. That is the extent of my knowledge on the subject. Much of the personal details about the gods were lost when our civilization collapsed and our link greatly diminished."

"Volu mentioned the U'larr and Ozshi'wanae created Nexus machines to seal the barrier between dimensions." Warren wanted them back on track.

"Yes, the three great machines reside between subdimensions. They erected and maintain a barrier that keeps him out of our dimension, but it's not permanent. To sustain it at full strength would be too great an effort. The rate of barrier decay is directly proportional to both the amount of stress it takes from the other side's onslaught and the simple passage of time. Over thousands of years, it deteriorates enough that Norzra'tir's attempts to break through begin to make impacts on this side."

"So the U'larr and Ozshi'wanae would work together to strengthen the barrier when it got to that point."

"Yes, Ettwanae. However, roughly 25, 000 years ago, my ancestors made a disastrous miscalculation. Norzra'tir disguised his attacks as weak and my people believed the barrier stronger than it truly was. They were lulled into false security. When he attacked with swift ferocity, the U'larr were unprepared and millions across the galaxy died from giving all their lifeforce to reseal the barrier that he nearly succeeded in breaching."

Phai paused, and seemed to draw a shaky breath. "You must understand, to lose so many… Our race was not a populace one. Being nearly immortal carries the price of low fertility. The First Extinction, as archeologists call it today, was devastating, but our people survived and the seal strengthened. However, it not as strong as it should have been. With so few U'larr left, they needed time to recover and repopulate, but that was not to be."

"A mere 10,000 years later, Norzra'tir struck again. While the barrier held, nearly all the remaining U'larr, and many Esha'Aru, died in the effort reinforce it. The few surviving U'larr were scattered widely across Awn'Va. Many found themselves the sole survivor on their planet. Our grand civilization collapsed. Survivors discovered that so much of their lifeforce had been drained, the unthinkable had happened – the semi-corporeal U'larr had become permanently corporeal. As a result, they began to age."

Warren leaned onto the table. "So they became fully mortal?"

"Yes, although we are still a long-lived people compared to the young races. Much of their technology no longer recognized them – they were stranded where they were."

"You said many of my people died, too. What happened to those who didn't? Why is there a gap in our people's history after the Dark Coming? Or is the problem only with my amulet's memory nodes?"

"And why is Etxan'Ir also a library?" Gatebi's voice echoed through the room via comm. "What about the legends of other ancient races? Did they exist? And why not just tap into Source to strengthen the barrier?"

Phai smirked at the rapid-fire questions. "Very astute questions, Gatebi Eudara. Much history has been lost, but from what we've pieced together, the libraries were created as a storehouse of not only U'larr knowledge, but from the evolving races. We believe the U'larr understood some races would not survive for various reasons, and U'larr law prohibited direct intervention of self-destructive behaviors in the young species. As such, they decided to gather and protect what they could of evolving cultures and store it safely within inter-dimensional space. Utilizing the Nexus machines for a second purpose was logical and efficient."

The white-skinned Shozen slowly paced. "Other ancient races…there we can only assume that the legends are either in error or mistakenly refer to the early great races in other galaxies, such as the Shi'ar. And Source? Excellent question. Source and lifeforce – Aru – are nearly the same with one major exception. Source is energy with the potential for life. Aru is Source that has begotten life. While simple Source is powerful, it is missing the realization of life. It cannot shield us from the Dark Coming. Only Aru can."

"I'd love to hear the scientific explanation for that."

Warren could hear the wheels turning in Gatebi's very bright mind all the way into the mountain fortress.

"Perhaps you and I could spend time together discussing the topic," the Elder offered.

"What of my questions?" Ettwanae jumped in with impatience, and then looked slightly embarrassed.

Phai stopped thoughtful wandering of the star-filled room, and cocked her head. "Your race's name has suffered from thousands of years of separation from the Creators. Your true name is Esha'Aru. A subtle difference, but still a difference. Instead of pronouncing it Esh-aar-u, it is Esh-a Aa-ru. Do you know what it means?" The white woman asked with sudden tenderness.

Ettwanae looked uncertain. "I- I was told Caretaker of Lifeforce."

The smile that followed was genuinely warm. "You were told correctly. At least that survived. Notice my eyes? They are as almost certainly yours. I chose Zchezuan form for many reasons, one of them being the likelihood that they were a donor race in the making of your people. Strength in a delicate body, endurance, remarkable eyesight – all hallmarks of your race. "

Warren narrowed eyes. "You chose Zchezuan form…?" A slow shake of head and slight frown – had the woman revealed something she hadn't meant to?

"A topic for another day." Phai's sigh was deep and brimming with melancholy as she refocused on Ettwanae. "Our ancestors placed such hope in your people. You would be our knowledge gathers and great unifiers. You would be the beings the rising races would learn to regard as guiding forces and heralds. Before the next Dark Coming, the Esha'Aru were to instruct and unite all the infant races to offer up their lifeforce. But time ran out. Norzra'tir struck too soon – just 10,000 years later. The young races weren't yet capable of fully understanding what was required. Lifeforce must be given willingly – intertwined with Lifewill. But they were as yet children and would panic at the worst possible moment. And so, the U'larr yet again defended the galaxy alone…one last tim-"

Emotion cut short the last word. Phai turned away, clearly struggling to keep feelings in check. When she faced them again, the expression was stoic.

"Many of your people and their Eshaar'ne died on the terrible day, Ettwanae. Creator and Creation perished as one. The surviving Esha'Aru and Eshaar'ne were scattered and injured…so much was lost," the white-haired hair shook slowly.

"Memories?" Ettwanae ventured.

"We believe so. What's been pieced together from the few Eshaar'ne and Esha'Aru we've encountered is a knowledge gap in both species. As Bae told you, with the collapse of the U'larr civilization, the galaxy fell into a dark era. Some of us interbred with the younger races to keep a piece of our great society alive. The rest…" emotional pain swept across the white-skinned features, "we assume went the way of extinction. Five thousand years had passed before a small group was able to come together. We call that meeting The Gathering."

Warren glanced over at Ettwanae. She looked despondent.

"My people – I had hoped they simply had left or were hidden away…"

Phai approached with clear tenderness. "I am sorry, Ettwanae. I know of no stronghold of your people. That does not mean it there isn't one. It is entirely possible a colony exists somewhere."

She blinked back tears, determination to be strong radiating from her. "Maybe Etxan'Ir knows more. There's still hope." Warren gave her wrist a comforting squeeze. "Please, go on. I want to hear more."

The Elder walked back toward her desk. "With most advanced knowledge gone forever, my predecessors had to start from scratch on many fronts. Fortunately, they discovered a trove of historical information that had miraculously survived, but unfortunately, it did not contain technical data we needed. As safeguards, the U'larr designed the Nexus machines to respond only to an U'larr, but our DNA had become diluted with that of other species – we are no longer pure enough to be recognized by the Nexus or their guardian sentinels. We would be eliminated as intruders by our own machines. With scientific data locked away with the Nexus, we had only the general knowledge of what the Sentinels seek as validation for the right to enter. We've worked hard for thousands of years to create acceptable replicants so we can enter and avert the Dark Coming."

Flint snorted. "If you guys were so brilliant as to create the machines in the first place, what was the problem? Big brains should equal easy solutions!"

Long, white hair swayed gently as Phai circled the desk gracefully. "Remember, Flint, we lost nearly everything in the collapse. Our people interbred. Knowledge and intelligence eroded away in 5000 years. We had little more than the young races in the way of technology and understanding. We had historical information, so who and what survived, but not the how." Her eyes closed briefly in sadness.

Then Warren thought he found a flaw in Phai's story. "A civilization that spanned the galaxy…what happened to all your ships? Those had to have huge onboard databases. Why didn't the survivors use those?"

Phai upturned both hands in a gesture Warren wasn't sure how to read. "You think corporeally. Before the last battle, the ancients weren't truly corporeal. They had outgrown the need for space vessels long ago."

Flint's face frowned in puzzlement. "So how'd the big meetin' happen?"

"The Shozen that gathered 10,000 years ago traveled and communicated by Eshaar'ne." At Ettwanae's surprised look, Phai smiled. "Yes, Ettwanae, the records state a few stray Eshaar'ne worked with my predecessors. While I don't know specifics, I do understand if not for those Eshaar'ne, The Gathering may never have happened."

"And the galaxy would be doomed," Ettwanae concluded.

"Yes. We own a great debt to those rogues. The challenge was massive – recreate what the U'larr had perfected over millions of years. We knew what must be done, but not nearly enough how. The young races could contribute nothing as they were still primitive. Ours was a monumental undertaking."

Ettwanae looked puzzled. "What about Eshaar'ne knowledge?"

Phai moved back to the desk and resumed her original perch. "From what we understand, that was limited. Again, we know what, but not how. The biggest technological boost my predecessors gained from the Eshaar'ne was in shipbuilding. Together, they reverse engineered the Eshaar'ne, converting pure bio-tech to bio-mechanical. It was our first major accomplishment."

"Why not just bred more Eshaar'ne?" Warren couldn't understand the need to reinvent the wheel.

"Because Eshaar'ne were nearly extinct, and the breed is not clonable by design, just like the Esha'Aru. We could not rely on breeding and needed ships and technology that could be built at will. Prior to The Gathering, we were unaware of the enemy lurking within our dimension – some of Norza'tir's followers had slipped through the partial breach during the last Dark Coming. Not until after The Gathering did we realize a campaign of genocide was underway."

"The Dark Ones."

"Yes, Ettwanae. They call themselves Eilu and are intent on stopping us and nearly have on several occasions. Each time, we suffered losses and had to regroup. Meanwhile, the younger races began growing technologically…some because of our subtle aid, the rest of their own ingenuity."

"The Dark Ones were really the ones who hunted my people? Not the Shozen?"

Phai's express grew motherly. "Correct, Ettwanae. My people did not hunt your people. We sought out those we could in an attempt to preserve your race, but we discovered the Eilu had poison your people with lies and deception about who the true enemy was. Sadly, the Eilu had a 5,000-year head start while my people wallowed in disarray. In this Trient especially, the Eilu excelled at so terrorizing your kind that they committed ru'zha automatically upon capture and would not listen to our pleas, thinking them tricks and lies. In fact, over the past thousand years, we've successfully convinced only one Esha'Aru to join us – P'Tiaera."

Ettwanae's eyebrows shot up. "Mother's sister? She was soulbound?"

Phai nodded. "P'Tiaera was definitely mated, and I do believe she was your mother's sister, though she shared little about herself. Sadly, in our attempt to awaken the Nexus sentinel, she died along with several of our people. We learned hard lessons about the rules of entry in that incident." The Elder locked eyes with Ettwanae. "On behalf of my people, I apologize that we were responsible for her death. I hope Ekkamm eases that guilt."

Warren looked at Ettwanae, but her attention was fixed to Phai. Instinct told Warren there was a hidden meaning in the last statement, but before he could question what, the woman continued.

"In the other Trients, my counterparts have been more successful in convincing Esha'Aru that we are not the enemy."

"How many of my people are alive?"

Phai moved to lean against her desk once again. "A few pairs and several singles. You are not alone in the galaxy, but you are few. The Dark Ones have been quite effective in their campaign."

Eagerness and deep sadness collided on Ettwanae's face. "I want to meet them."

"If we survive the coming battle, I will do all I can to make that happen."

In Warren's estimation, Phai had seemed oddly hesitant with her reply. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Flint lean back and crossed arms.

"I sit here thinkin' that you guys were figurin' out how to save everyone's ass, but I want to know 'bout those bastards who kidnapped people for experiments!" Flint snapped. "Seems to me, you ain't the saints your tryin' to pass yourself off as."

The mood switched from enthralled to accusatory in an instant. Obviously, the teen hadn't been so enamored with Phai's story that he forgot whom she represented.

Warren frowned. "The Shozen and the Etagllot are the same organization. Their atrocities are yours."

"The Etagllot are a scientific tool. They are not Shozen. They do not know for whom they truly work or why."

"What they do, they do in your name," he pressed.

"Yeah!" Flint barked.

Ettwanae joined in. "All those people, Phai. Taken from their homes and loved ones – how can that be okay?"

Flint's scowl said it all. "They do your dirty work so you can keep your hands clean!"

Phai's face went dark. "They did it in the name of survival of this galaxy."

"End justifies the means? How does someone justify kidnapping and what equates to torture and murder?"

The Elder righted herself and waved a hand toward the galaxy hologram. "Would you have us do anything less than whatever necessary to save all this? Trillions upon trillions of lives are at stake. Have I not made it clear the power of the enemy? What we needed to rebuild? We had to rediscover, relearn, and recreate a specific set of non-negotiable conditions in a few thousand years that took our forbearers tens of thousands to perfect!" Phai's compelling eyes drilled into Warren's. "Our civilization lay in ruin. Five thousand years of decay and near extinction left us with little of our former knowledge and technology. The few survivors lived amongst the young races, such as Humans and Alcabs. What were Human's doing then? Cultivating crops with stone and bone tools. How does one prepare to save a galaxy from that state of advancement?"

Phai paused to collect herself. "So very much critical data was gone forever. It was a miracle we held onto what we did through those first 5000 years…the Eshaar'ne that assisted us, much of our historical information, and the location and keys to the Nexus machines. Our vastly shorten lives hampered us, as did the degradation of intellect and racial memories from the interbreeding."

"I feel for ya, Phai. Mixin' genes with us low-life musta been hard!" Flint snarled.

Throwing up her hands, the Shozen was obviously frustrated. "By all that is Ozshi'wanae, I was not insulting you! It is a simple fact. Your species and all the other young races were on your way to greatness – and still are. Can't you see how precious that is? It must be saved, Flint. Humans and Alcabs, Turzent and Ozjaerian, and the thousands of others species deserve to exist! It is what we've been fighting for. We're doing the best we can within limited time."

The last sentence sounded almost defeated. Or perhaps exhausted. The room grew heavy as everyone considered what had been said. Warren watched the Shozen as she returned to leaned against her desk on some far distant world. She rubbed a temple as a frown marred the perfect features. She was quite beautiful – stunning, in fact. But she also had a coldness and that 'weight of the world on the shoulders' look about her.

Warren knew the feeling in a far smaller way. He'd felt that same weight when Ztar stole him from Earth and forced his submission to protect his home. It had nearly crushed him. The constant fear that one misstep, one act of selfishness, and all he knew would be destroyed and lives forfeited had taken a very heavy toll. Examining her closely, the alabaster-skinned woman carried the marks of such a toll…it was subtle, but there if you cared to see.

"Ten thousand years sounds like a hell of a long time to me!" The teen's sudden outburst startled everyone, but wasn't as fiery as earlier.

Phai's hand dropped to her side as she studied the Awn'Va Galaxy hologram still floating in the air. "Ten thousand, a hundred thousand, a million years – those are nothing to the immortal, Flint. Norzra'tir has no concept of time as he lives outside of it. Ten thousand years is but a moment to him. That aside, though, I agree with you…10,000 years is a long time. But as I said, the Eilu have nearly toppled us several times and those before me had to restart our efforts." Zchezuan blue eyes locked onto Human green. "I hate what we've had to do and had to become out of desperation. Abandoning your morals and hardened yourself to the suffering you must cause for the greater good is not an easy thing." Her voice sounded distance and remorseful. "The U'larr were always life seekers, not destroyers. My ancestors seeded many worlds long ago in hopes that sentient life would evolve all around them. Ozshi'wanae's light and desire to create burned brightly in our people, and we wished to emulate her. Most of the beings in this galaxy are children of the U'larr. What manner of parent would wish to harm their offspring? Perhaps that is why my predecessors created the Etagllot – to distance themselves from the pain of what had to be done."

"And what exactly had to be done?" Warren desired specifics now that generalities were dispensed.

"To recreate the U'larr and the Esha'Aru. To unite as many species as we could under single rulers."

"But you're U'larr, right?" Flint's expression reflected confusion.

Phai finally turned to face the group. "Remember what I said – we are not U'larr enough. The U'larr were partially corporeal – mostly energy housed in a barely physical body. The Nexus machines will not allow anyone else to operate them – only an U'larr. We need to recreate that – what we call transformative ability. It proved impossible through our knowledge of genetics and in retrospect, much time was wasted attempting to do so. Only after many failures did we realize it was not a DNA-based ability, but metaphysical. A new form of technology was required. Thankfully for all of us, I received word just recently that Trient'Ut perfected bionites that replicate the ability."

Warren jerked. "As in nannites?"

Phai nodded. "Yes. As in the type of nannite you carry. That is why we needed you on Ymoz. The nannites' ability to transform you physically back and forth between two forms was what we needed to understand. While the data collected did not help our teams here, Trient'Ut realized something the scientists here did not and it was one of the keys to their success." She offered him a smile. "I apologize for what you had to go through, but know without that, we may not have succeeded."

Warren remembered the nudges of instinct he'd felt back then. "And our miraculous escape?"

A warm smile moved across her face for a moment. "Miraculous, indeed. Almost seems as if there was divine intervention, does it not?"

Confirmation! "You allowed it."

"We put the tools in place and trusted Ztar and you would use them. The scientists had learned all they were going to. Reawakening of the nannites was not in anyone's best interest."

Warren let it settle that perhaps, just perhaps, Apocalypse's handiwork was a key to the survival of the entire galaxy. Assuming the whole story wasn't some convoluted sham. Instinct once again rose up and said Phai was being truthful. Then something else occurred to him.

"Why didn't you contact other advanced races for help, like the Shi'ar? They've been around for a very long time."

"True, they are an ancient and advanced species, but not until more recently was the permanent gateway between their realm and our galaxy established – after the collapse of U'larr civilization." Phai crossed her arms and sighed. "Truthfully, Warren, we do not trust the Shi'ar. They are not allies. We still claim this as U'larr space and do not wish to invite them in any farther than they had already intruded."

"Why not?"

"Strong philosophical differences. They evolved into a warrior race with a lust for conquest. The U'larr were peaceful and believed in freewill. As long as Awn'Va belonged to the U'larr, the Shi'ar stayed away."

"So your god is theirs, too?"

"Yes and no, Flint. They long ago turned their back to her and created their own gods."

The room fell silent as everyone contemplated. Warren's thoughts turned to Gatebi and Volu. How were they reacting to all that was being revealed? Flint broke the lull.

"What about me and Gabby? What did the Etagllot want with us?"

"I'm sorry, Flint, but without digging deeply into Etagllot records, I cannot tell you what they saw in you or your friend. My guess would be you both carry DNA anomalies that fit a particular research criterion. They were working on numerous projects that tackled the overall problems from many angles."

"This all seems so complex and confusing. I don't think I'm following exactly what needs to be done to stop the Dark Coming," Ettwanae admitted.

Phai's demeanor became almost excited as she stood and walked toward the center of the room. "Yes, I'm sorry. From your perspective, it must seem that way. Here, let me show you." She then paused and turned toward Ettwanae. "First, I want to thank you, Ettwanae."

The Esha'Aru gave Phai a perplexed look. "For what?"

"For allowing me to explain. You are only the second Esh'Aru to listen and give me the chance. Aside from P'Tiaera, all the others committed ru'zha without allowing us the opportunity."

"But if you told them about the Dark Ones…I don't understand why they wouldn't."

"You and I will speak privately later after-" Phai cut herself off abruptly. "I'll tell you everything you want to know, but first, let's finish what we started here." Suddenly, the galaxy dissolved, the lights brightened, and a large tracker board appeared. A reshuffling of the data points and four labels appeared near the top – Project One, Project Failsafe, and Unification. Above them a single large title appeared: Project Omnipotent.

Phai pointed to the top-most word. "Omnipotent is the ultimate goal – to be able to operate the Nexus devices and reseal the dimensional barrier. The projects listed under it are the three requirements that hopefully will allow us to do so. Project One is to recreate the U'larr to the extent that the Nexus and their sentinels will recognize. The required quality is corporeal to semi-corporeal transformative ability. This is the project we needed you for, Warren – or rather your bionites."

Her eyes locked to his. Warren almost expected a brief apology, but it did not materialize. With an internal huff, he crossed arms as Phai's attention left him.

"Project Failsafe is to recreate Esha'Aru that can channel Source from Ozshi'wanae's dimension. The Sentinels will look for that characteristic, along with soulbinding and a completed amulet. The U'larr built cloning prevention into Esha'Aru genetic code as a safeguard against enemies doing likewise to gain illicit access. The first characteristic lost in cloning is Source channeling ability. Bionites again to the rescue, so to speak. After many failures, we successfully cloned Esha'Aru and now wait for the Etagllot to complete development of bionites capable of both opening a dimensional portal and channeling large amounts of Source energy. We're almost there, and pray we succeed in time."

"But you said there are Esha'Aru alive in other Trients. Why clones?"

"With a galaxy at stake, we cannot risk that three soulbound pairs will survive until then. We've almost lost you and Warren twice to the Dark Ones, Ettwanae."

Warren wrinkled his forehead. "I'm Human," he protested, but it came out sounding trifling.

With a tilt of her head, Phai gave him a curious look. "Perhaps Ettwanae and I won't be the only ones in private discussion later."

Warren could feel Ettwanae and Flint's attention on him, but he remained fixed to Phai. "So what is Project Unification?" he redirected.

"To do as it says – unify. It is far easier to rally the masses if we can do so through as few voices as possible. Why speak to a thousand different worlds through thousands leaders if we can speak to those same thousand through one? Logistically, far simpler. So our political arms work toward that goal, with the underground assistance of select Etagllot operatives. In this Trient, we have reduced thousands of worlds down to seven realms, each overseen by a Shozen Elder. I oversee The Systems Commonwealth. The Turzent Empire is another Elder, and so on."

"And this rallying of people is for giving of lifeforce to reseal the barrier?" Ettwanae questioned.

"Yes. The various leaders will instruct their peoples at the appropriate time. Lifeforce has to be given freely and in a certain manner. The three Nexus machines will gather that offered energy and direct it at the apex of the barrier – the galactic core. The Esha'Aru will power the Nexus machines with Source. Shozen Elders will control the Nexus. It is a three-way interface – all three elements must be in place for the seal to be strengthened. When the U'larr were alive, it was their general populace that sent lifeforce to the machine. Though far fewer in number than the trillions of young race members today, their individual lifeforce was far more potent."

"So without the U'larr, you need as many people as possible sending lifeforce – Aru."

"Exactly, Warren. Without most of the species joining forces simultaneously, the effort won't be enough and Norzra'tir will break through the dissolving barrier."

"Why build a machine that depends on lifeforce? That doesn't seem to make a lot of sense."

The holo display disappeared and Phai walked to the table. "Lifeforce at the individual level is a small thing. But you magnify that by trillions and it is the most powerful force known. It is…life, Warren. Even the gods are made of it. All that lives is made of it. And it is the only thing that shields us from Norzra'tir and the darkness."

"Pretty fucked up that he wants to wipe us out just ta get back at Oshi-whatever. I don't get it – unless he's nuts!" Flint's tone was sharp.

A sigh and nod spoke of similar sentiments. "Ozshi'wanae chose a different form from that of her creator – perhaps he views all she has created as blasphemous. I do not have an answer. What we do know is that he has attempted to destroy this dimension for at least a million years."

"A million years?" Ettwanae gasped in shock.

"That's a helluva long time. Why doesn't he give up?"

Phai pursed her lips. Warren still could not believe how real she looked, even right next to them. "A million years to an immortal is nothing. Time is irrelevant. The real question is, why only a million years? Our galaxy is billions old."

Warren snorted. "Maybe he's bored. Eternity is a long time."

The Shozen produced a strained chuckled. "That is as valid an explanation as any." She scanned the faces at the table. "Do you have other questions?"

Ettwanae sat straight up, her eyes narrowing. "I do. Why haven't your people done anything to protect my people from the Dark Ones?"

"We were not in a position to do so until it was nearly too late. Our efforts to reconnect with your people were met with terror and deep hatred. Committing ru'zha in lieu of being taken alive was already ingrained in your ancestors' psyche by the time we were in a position to help. Until recently, once ru'zha started, there was nothing we could do to slow the process, and we are still unable to abort it. The Eilu succeeded in driving a wedge between our peoples, Ettwanae – likely as a way to ensure we could not reunite."

"But in the other Trients your people and mine aren't such enemies?"

"We were until recently, but we finally broke through the barrier of mistrust and hate the Eilu created. Part of that was our own fault. We were desperate to rebuild Esha'Aru numbers and in the past obtained potential candidates through whatever means necessary. Sadly, our efforts to repopulate your people were met with limited success, mostly because of the built-in birth control system of soulbinding. To find and successfully relocate two potential soulbounds was a difficult task, given your propensity to take your own life rather than be captured."

Warren didn't like the implications behind the words. "Phai, what you're alluding to sounds very much like a captive breeding program," he hissed.

Phai acknowledge with a wave of her hand. "Regrettably, by whatever means… Lack of willing candidates translated to the taking of the unwilling. It only aided the Eilu's efforts to create an unbridgeable rift between us. Thankfully, that practice was abandoned before I joined the Council."

"I- I guess I can understand, but it's hard to believe my people would be so fearful as to not even listen to what your people had to say."

"Ettwanae, you grew up on Sat'rey, apart from your kind. You did not live their fear, learn to loath our name, and grow up filled with rage against the genocide. Yours is a separated perspective. That is likely the only reason you are sitting here right now. Had you been raised by your parents, you would never have come. I am more thankful than ever the T'Qilla decided to leave you with Bhenra."

Ettwanae jerked at her adoptive father's name. "Then why did you kill him?! He said it was Shozen." Then her eyes grew wide. "Dark Ones!"

Phai gestured yes. "No doubt his attackers told him they were Shozen. Our operatives only got there after you had already fled. We were too late to protect you or Bhenra. I am deeply sorry, Ettwanae. If we'd had learned sooner where your mother had hidden you…" Phai truly looked saddened.

Then the Shozen leader wandered the room, seemingly lost in thought. The trio exchanged questioning glances, wondering if they should speak. Suddenly, Phai turned to them again. "Volu and Gatebi, you heard everything clearly?" Warren's comm broadcast their affirmatives. "Does anyone have more questions?"

Warren did, but they were of a personal nature, so he held his tongue. Glancing at the other two, they shook their heads in unison.

"Then Volu, are you agreeable to me sharing that one last piece of important information?"

The silence that followed counted off many heartbeats. "You have my permission."

Phai's face revealed relief, quickly followed by anticipation. "Then, Ettwanae, I have a question for you. Would you like to see your mother?"

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That's our installment for today. I plan to post another chapter in a couple days. Until then, thanks for reading!