Chapter 25

Thank you, readers, for your continued support – especially my wonderful reviewers! Together, you all make the hard work of creating a novel worth it.

A short chapter today, but with loaded with significant happenings.

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T'Qilla faced the woman who was everything she had been taught to fear since birth – the Shozen. She wanted away from her and all she represented. The strength of the visceral feelings had surprised her when Phai arrived at Ekkamm the previous afternoon, despite knowing the gut reaction was misplaced.

She still had difficulty believing that the enemy her people feared and loathed for so long was instead beings from another dimension – the Eilu. It was they, guising themselves as Shozen, who had nearly exterminated her race in an attempt to eliminate one of the three keys required to activate the powerful Nexus machines that were both knowledge repository and weapon.

So much to take in – the Shozen were really U'larr descendants; the Dark Coming; Ozshi'wanae's begetter, Norzra'tir, and his minions were behind all the horrors and calamity of her people the past 15, 000 years; the Shozen desperately using whatever means necessary to attempt to stop him…the fate of the entire galaxy resting on their success. Nearly too much to fully grasp and so in contrast to what T'Qilla always believed.

Paradigms shifted dramatically with acceptance of that new reality, and it left her feeling without foundation. She gathered herself for what she knew would be an argument.

"I want to leave – with Ettwanae, Volu, and Bae. We can ride out the Dark Coming elsewhere and then go later to Etxan'Ir on our own."

Phai raised a single white eyebrow. "Why?" she questioned from her seat in the lounge area. They were alone.

"There is no reason for us to travel with you to Atmos. I wish to leave here. You have what you need. We've stayed long enough. If you fail in stopping the Dark Coming, I would rather spend my final days with my daughter and our Eshaar'ne within the freedom of space."

Phai rose gracefully. "That would be unwise."

T'Qilla huffed, and wings snapped. "We are no safer here than in the vastness of space. Less safe, in fact. Aboard our Eshaar'ne, we can phase to safety if threatened by the Eilu. If the end is as close as you say, we needn't hide for long."

Phai stiffened. T'Qilla made a valid, if not naïve point. Eilu may find them despite all precautions. However, Phai required the young Esha'Aru couple to remain with her. Without them, the chances of success were lessened. Problem was she hadn't told that to the pair. She'd allowed them to believe the clones were the go-to pair for accessing the Nexus.

Perhaps it was time for revelations…to reveal to the young woman's mother what Ozshi'wanae's guiding hand intended for her only child.

Softening her face, Phai reached out a hand to gently touch T'Qilla's arm. "Mother of Ettwanae, I understand and respect what you believe you should do. Please, walk with me to the garden. We have much to discuss."

After a moment's hesitation, T'Qilla followed Phai. Under the warmth of the Ekkamm's sun, they spoke mother to mother of destinies and burdens and of allowing children to fulfill their roles and to make a positive difference by their existence. Ettwanae and Den-neer were meant for greatness – destined to help ensure many more children were born and lived to seek their own life paths.

In the end, despite fear for her child, T'Qilla agreed with Phai. They would stay on Ekkamm and follow Phai to Etxan'Ir when the time came.

"Keeping this from them is deception, Phai, but I understand your reasoning. Ettwanae would only make herself sick with stress and worry. Warren, though, he seems to be strong enough to know."

Phai understood why T'Qilla would believe that. Her stealth probe of the young man revealed impressive inner strength and determination.

"Yet to ask him to carry the burden of knowing while shielding Ettwanae is why I have not shared everything with him. He has enough internal turmoil."

"From the inability to soulbind," T'Qilla speculated.

"Yes."

It was more than that, however. There was a small chance that stress could retrigger the bionites inhabiting Archangel. That Phai would not risk. No, best to refrain from adding additional stressors.

T'Qilla nodded. "Ettwanae told me about the nannites, Warren's episodes, and the reason they cannot consummate their relationship…that is a lot of stress."

"When departing for Atmos Prime, we will continue that we travel together for safety. I wish to keep their stress level down until we've no choice but reveal their true role."

Wings extended partially, fluttered, and then resettled. "I don't like deceiving my daughter, but for the greater good and her mental state, I will do as you ask."

"You must also be careful not to reveal too much to your Eshaar'ne. Bae has a mind of her own," Phai warned, but with a smile. Den-neer's stories of the proud and determined Bae had long ago created admiration for the indentured Eshaar'ne.

A scowl overtook T'Qilla's beautifully perfect face. "What you did to her I'm not certain I can forgive even knowing what I now understand."

Phai nodded once. "What we put her through was unforgivable, but sadly necessary. We needed an Eshaar'ne for Den-neer – our cloaking technology wasn't effective enough at the time. I am deeply sorry for what we did to ensure her cooperation and make Bae even more formidable."

"You've told her that?"

Phai sighed. She had not. An oversight she would correct. "I will."

T'Qilla gave Phai a crooked smile. "Then I will say a prayer for your safety!"

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Emperor Ztar was quickly becoming impatient with the holographic avatar standing in front of his desk in the palace on Sat'rey. Sukja had rousted him in the middle of the night saying there was an urgent comm. His heart had instantly drummed in dread at the name and position of his midnight caller, but instead of hearing dire news, he was listening to a babble of scientific argot and calculations had him quickly frustrated.

"Director Ieo, I am neither an astrophysicist nor an expert on supermassive singularities. Please, in non-scientific terms, what are you saying?"

A downward flick of the expressive tail indicated the man was instantly embarrassed. "Apologies, my Emperor – I forgot myself."

Ieo was head of the Cuquerel Astronomical Institute, the empire's premiere facility in the field. When they spoke, people listened. If the Director was swept up with emotions, something either very exciting or very dire had occurred.

With a nod, Ztar indicated to continue.

"Your majesty, in simple terms, the black hole at the center of our galaxy has belched."

"I've seen the reports of anti-matter expulsions coming from the accretion disc and increased radiation releases. This is not new," he pointed out with an edge to his tone.

The scientist shook his fur-covered head. "It is not. However, the event a short while ago is more massive than we've ever witnessed. As you know, nothing escapes a black hole, except certain antimatter particles. What baffled scientists for a long time, we now understand as antimatter actually escaping a black hole via subspace and then some of those particles penetrating the subspacial barrier into normal space. Hence, whenever we detect an eruption of antimatter from a black hole, accepted theory states it is but a fraction of what is spewing from the singularity via subspace."

Ztar's chest tightened. Had it truly begun? "So you are saying that antimatter from the S0001 is flooding subspace?"

"If the theory is correct, yes."

Cold sunk to his bones. "What happens to the antimatter in subspace?"

"We are uncertain. Hypotheses range from infiltration and dispersion into multiple dimensions to eventual migration back to its source – the singularity – with little effect on normal space. Subspace isn't like ours. The same environment that allows us instantaneous communication across vast interstellar distances likely will allow the antimatter to spread just as quickly throughout the subspacial dimension encompassing our galaxy. However, there is no doubt what happens when antimatter penetrates the barrier into our space – the particles are harmless until they encounter particles of normal matter."

"Then they annihilate each other." Ztar finished. The scientist dipped his chin in agreement. "How much antimatter was released in the latest event?"

Ieo's expression grew grave. "We have no solid calculation with which to estimate the level of expulsion into subspace."

"Your best guess."

"Too much, my Emperor."

Ztar's soul shuddered as his stomach lurched. If he held any doubts the Shozen named Phai spoke truth, Ieo banished them. 'It has begun.' What that meant slammed home with stunning impact. He looked around his office and what it represented – all he had built, and the foundation of previous emperors upon which his realm rested. His heart reached out to his people, their hopes and dreams of a bright future. Their empire was impressive as it stood, but he truly believed they were on the cusp of greatness. But now? Thoughts extended to all the other realms of the Mi-Tzanti Galaxy and their peoples…everything that intelligent life had created.

Nausea washed over him. Everything could vanish without a trace and no one would survive to even remember.

"Then our fate rests with others," he whispered, but loud enough that Director Ieo frowned in puzzlement.

"Emperor?"

Ztar rubbed his face. "What is the current status?"

"The expulsion has ceased. However, the frequency of eruptions the last several months could indicate we're on the verge of a major event. At a minimum, we should anticipate loss of subspace communication."

"What is the latest on our research to overcome that?" Ieo's expression was all Ztar needed to know the answer, so he spoke before the scientist could. "As I feared."

"Emperor, you do understand if the eruptions continue what it could mean…I speak of beyond loss of communications. Should enough antimatter be expelled and breach the subspacial barrier…"

"I do, Director. I wish with all my being that I did not." Then he stood and gave the scientist a firm stare. "No one is to speak of what is happening – the matter is classified. You will report to me and no one else, not even our top government officials, and especially not comnet outlets or the media. Panic serves no one. I will address our people when the time is right. It is critical I know when you expect loss of subspace communication – that is vital. I must have as much warning as you can give me. Do you understand my orders?" A nod confirmed understanding. "May our gods be with us."

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/ They await, / Uulophar announced gently into Phai's mind as to not startle the Shozen as she concentrated on the three-dimensional strategy board, the woman's visual aid of choice. With a thought, the suspended display vaporized.

/ Then let's begin. /

With that command to her sentient ship, two holographic avatars winked into existence.

"Welcome, Elder of Elders," she greeted with a slight bow of the head. The Shozen's other two top leaders returned the show of respect.

Phai had worn her favorite formal dress – another subtle tribute to stature of her guests. It was ethereal blue-white, clung to her lithe frame, brushed her ankles, and accentuated her tall, lean form in all the right ways. In turn, she saw that Ovir and Eal had dressed equally reverently. After all, if the grand, thousands-year-old plan were for naught, it would be last time they saw one another.

First Elder of Elders Ovir, then Eal offered greeting. Ovir oversaw Trient'El and Eal, Trient'Ut. Unlike Phai, they were sheathed in forms representing the dominate species in their Trient.

"Elders, I believe it is time to move into final positions. Do you agree?" she began, knowing the meeting needed to be efficient and to the point.

"Trient'Ut agrees."

"As does Trient'El," Ovir added with a firm nod. "We stand ready. Our key resources are in tact and prepared for what is to come."

Eal's face showed concerned. "We have encountered increasing hostilities by the Eilu. Their attempts to disrupt our plans have diverted resources to correct the resulting deficiencies."

"Do not let them lead you from the endgame, Elder. That strategy could be our undoing."

A wave of one of his four hands indicated the Elder was well aware of the tactic. "They will not. Resources spent have been carefully considered – there should be no shortfalls."

Phai breathed relief. "We recently lost one of my Council to their assassins. I nearly succumb to attack, as well. Beware."

The announcement caused Ovir and Eal to exchange troubled glazes.

Ovir leaned forward, sadness dulling his bright green eyes. "Who did you lose?"

"Sequi."

"May he find peace within Ozshi'wanae's light," the two Elders said in simultaneous blessing.

Phai wanted to move on quickly. While she and Sequi had often been of differing opinions, she had been fond of the man and respected his wisdom and strength. Thinking of his death caused emotions to well up. It was not the time for emotions.

"Our Etxan'Ir contingent will depart for the Sentinel in one Unified day."

Ovir gestured alignment. "Our triad will be at Etxan'El on schedule."

Phai and Ovir turned to Elder Eal.

"Our triad is underway. If I had not begun moving them into position weeks ago, it would now be too late."

The explanation reminded Phai that the other Trients were populated differently. The vast majority of her Trient'Ir did not host intelligent life. Trient'El was the birthplace of the U'larr and the most widely inhabited, while Trient'Ut was the direction their ancestors had first expanded beyond their home sector and second most peopled. Phai's Trient was the last region lifeseeded. What they may never know was why the last seeded was chosen to be gifted with genetic structure most closely matching the U'larr themselves, or the reason only a relatively small region was peppered with genetic material.

"I suggest we maintain our target date for Nexus activation." With agreement from Eal and Ovir, Phai continued. "If anyone is delayed, that must be communicated immediately."

Ovir leaned back in his ornate chair. "In the event our subspace comm network is disrupted, we must each assume the timeframe holds. Once inside interdimensional space, telepathic communication should be possible according to the old writings."

"It is logical. The U'larr were a psionic race – they would have found a way to communicate in that manner, particularly during the final moments of battle."

"Agreed. If for some reason our Triad leaders are inadequate in that respect, we must rely on the Nexus themselves to coordinate," Phai added, while praying they were right. Any errors or misunderstandings during the last, critical hours would throw a galaxy of some 200 billion stars into eternal darkness.

Phai decided she must share the bad news that she hadn't revealed. "We anticipate trouble when reaching the Sentinel. The Eilu have a presence there."

The other Elders were stunned. "Still?! Have you been able to determine why Sentinel Ta'uii tolerates their presence?" Eal wanted to know.

"Unfortunately, no. Without access, we can only surmise it does not see them as a viable threat. The other Sentinels remain undiscovered by the Eilu?"

"As best as can be ascertained, but we cannot preclude they have not gained the knowledge," Ovir pointed out.

"We are prepared for the possibility."

"That is wise, Elder Eal. An armada would not be overly cautious." Phai's hands clenched unconsciously. Having to fight their way through a blockade was a grave concern. Eilu ships were not to be underestimated.

"We will take all necessary precautions. My primary concern now lies with your Trient, Elder Phai. If they prevent your Triad from reaching the Sentinel, all could be lost. The writings are unclear whether or not only two functioning Nexus are enough."

Ovir's deep frown conveyed apprehension. "I also fear that without your Trient's powerful lifeforce joining the rest, that the outcome is questionable even if two Nexus are adequate."

Reading the apprehension on her fellow Shozen's faces drove home how precarious the final hours would be, not just for her and her entourage, but also for the key players in the other two Trients.

"We must each use the next days to gather our forces. That we're in the end time is not a secret. The enemy will no longer hold back…will give us no quarter. We must act with decisiveness and without mercy from this point forward."

Ovir stiffened. "Now, more than ever, our dictum must be honored."

"No matter the cost," Eal repeated the guiding words by which Elder of Elders had operated for thousands of years.

"Lest all be lost," Phai completed. She smiled unexpectedly at a recalled phrase snatched from Archangel's mind during a stealth probe to assess his moral character. "My fellow Elder of Elders, in the apropos words of one of our keys, it's go time!"

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Coming up in C26 – all hell breaks loose. See you there!