Chapter 32
Welcome back to the battle! Without further ado, I present C32.
###
The Ekkamm entourage slowed as they entered the outermost fringes of the Atmos System, but did not leave phased and cloaked status. As soon as they did, the enemy would detect them, if they hadn't already.
Everyone was on Volu's bridge and tension stifled the air. A projected image of the battle raging around Atmos Prime filled the room. Commonwealth ships fought against the ominous black vessels of the Eilu. It was not going well for the good guys.
Flint huffed. "So the bag-ass library's in that planet?"
"Not strictly speaking, Flint," Volu replied as she zoomed in until only a holo image of Atmos Prime hung in the air.
"What do ya mean?"
"Atmos Prime – the Sentinel – only occupies the same absolute coordinates as the Nexus, which resides within inter-dimensional space. The Sentinel is both gatekeeper and gateway."
Flint's red-haired brows knitted together. "I'm confused – is the big-ass library in the Sentinel or the Nexus?"
"The library banks reside within the Nexus, but the Sentinel can access those banks and has vast knowledge stores itself," T'Qilla answered before Volu could.
"So what everybody's been looking for has been right here all this time? In plain sight? That's rich!" Flint laughed tensely.
"But look at the scans," Warren chimed in with a nod to Volu's readouts. "That doesn't look like anything other than what it appears visually. A dirtball planet with a few ancient ruins, waterless, no ore of commercial value...very ordinary, and very uninteresting."
"A plain guise for the key to the survival of our galaxy," Gatebi injected. "Is your amulet reacting in any way?"
Ettwanae blinked in surprise. She'd nearly forgotten about the device. She ceased wearing it when they arrived on Ekkamm, feeling it would be safer on Volu than draped around her neck with Etagllot scientists surrounding them. And so it remained tucked away safely in its docking station. She plucked it out and dropped the chain around her head. The amulet felt oddly foreign against her chest.
Placing a hand around it, she focused. "I think it may be vibrating slightly, or it could be my imagination."
T'Qilla placed a hand on Ettwanae's shoulder. "You do not imagine. Your amulet senses our proximity to Etxan'Ir."
She smiled and let the amulet rest on her skin. "Then we have finally found what we've been searching for all this time, Volu. I pray to Ozshi'wanae that Etxan'Ir can save us and give us answers."
"As do I, my Poda."
"Meanwhile, people, we've got a blockade to bust through." Warren wasn't feeling at all confident about their chances. The Eilu were making quick work of Commonwealth. Volu zoomed out and the visuals of the battle once again filled the bridge.
"How do we get through that?!" Ettwanae asked, fear causing her voice to tremble slightly. An exploding Commonwealth vessel punctuated the question. She cringed and pulled wings in tight.
"Where's the Turzent fleet?" In response to Warren's query, the floating image switched from the battle to a wide view of the star system with a marker denoting their position and an inset display showing familiar Turzent vessels.
"Looks to me that they are either being held in reserve or waiting for some other reason."
"They are waiting for us. Uulophar just sent word that at her signal, we are to join the Turzents and they will escort us to the planet."
Warren nodded slowly. "They will be our battering ram to punch through the Eilu blockade."
"In a manner of speaking, yes. Their sole purpose is to ensure we make landfall at the designated coordinates. Once there, we join another Shozen vessel."
"Who?" Gatebi asked what everyone instantly wanted to know.
"The Shozen who will operate Etxan'Ir."
Puzzlement crossed the Alcab's face, along with everyone else's. "But I assumed Phai would do that."
"That is what everyone was allowed to believe until moments ago. Phai will be with us, but a Shozen named Taer will integrate with the Nexus device. Taer's group is already in-system."
"Why someone else? Why not Phai? Thought she was their top dog," Flint questioned.
"Uulophar explained Taer is as closer genetically to the U'larr."
Warren's unease grew by the moment. Would they get through safely? What was waiting for them on the surface? What if the Sentinel and Etxan'Ir rejected any of the keys? Were the Shozen's thousands of years of preparation enough?
He watched the pitched battle with a critical eye. The Commonwealth fleet was losing – that was abundantly clear. If the Turzent fleet fared no better, their odds of getting past the Eilu were dismal.
"What exactly is the plan for getting through, Volu?"
"We and the Imperial Fleet are going to come out of FTL directly above Atmos Prime."
Wings snapped, echoing his surprise. "That's very tricky, especially with multiple ships. We could end up killing ourselves." Warren kept his tone neutral, but immediately felt the others tense even more.
Flint's eyes widened. "Vo, you ain't gonna get us killed, are ya?" The teen flashed worried eyes to Gatebi, whose face didn't offer the reassuring look he had hoped for.
"Volu?" Ettwanae's face reflected her uncertainty.
"The risk is primarily with the Imperial ships. Bae and I will have little difficulty with the maneuver as we accomplish FTL differently. Uulophar says her superior technology will minimize the danger. We three will emerge at the outer fringes of atmosphere, whereas the fleet will leave FTL farther back."
Warren breathed a bit easier with the Eshaar'ne's reassurances, but the Imperial ships still needed to perform flawlessly to avoid mishaps that could result in a deadly tangle of vessels. "I have my concerns, but I don't see any other way that guarantees we get to the planet." He waved a hand at the holo image that continued to flash and flicker with replicated with weapons fire. "I think we can see that fighting our way through is not the best option."
All heads bobbed in agreement.
"The Imperial ships are to keep the Eilu ships away from the landing site," Volu added.
"Or we could be sitting ducks," Warren expanded. At the non-Human puzzled faces, he translated the phrase. "We'll be extremely vulnerable on the surface."
"They gotta cover our asses, or we'll be dead ducks!" Flint exclaimed as green eyes darted between his female shipmates.
###
Commander Jryzkenri wasn't at all happy with the dispatch, but had to agree – it was the only way. Vio's fleet was near collapse, but would continue to occupy the enemy a bit longer. The landing party had arrived and needed to make it planetside.
"Send orders to our ships. Prepare for FTL. Destination – Atmos Prime. Wait for the go signal. Stagger our arrival points just beyond atmosphere. Laser guns at the ready, full power. We can count on those bastards knowing we're here and have obviously figured out the Commonwealth's ruse. Expect a greeting delegation. The contingent will be in unclassified ships and to be protected at all cost."
Her senior officers exchanged varied looks, but any questions went unasked. The Comm officer transmitted the orders to the other nine Turzent vessels.
Jryzkenri wasn't a religious woman. If she were, she would have sent a prayer to her people's gods. Instead, the Commander ran through a myriad of battle scenarios. They were outgunned and outclassed, but she and her fleet would defend the mystery party unto death. Unless a miracle transpired, she could not envision a good outcome. The Battle of Atmos Prime may well be her last.
###
Volu received the signal, gave her occupants a quick warning, then she, Bae, and Uulophar leapt into FTL in unison. The trip would be quick even at their slowest light speed velocity, but it gave them enough time to tweak precise FTL dropout times and coordinates amongst them.
Emerging from FTL, Volu raised up a 360-degree holo image of their exterior surroundings. Turzent vessels popped out of FTL behind them. As everyone had expected, but no one had the heart to verbalize, more Eilu ships decloaked, obviously anticipating the maneuver. The Turzent's opened fire immediately. Black, ominous Eilu ships reciprocated, and a new frontline formed.
Intensely bright laser blasts went head-to-head against blackish-purple, sweeping energy bolts. A difference was immediately apparent.
"The Turzent's have more powerful lasers than the Commonwealth. They are making an impact!" Volu's excitement was equally reassuring and unsettling; carrying both tentative relief and confirmation of how uncertain she had been.
"Kick those black asses into the next dimension! Go, Turzents!" Flint shouted, fist raised.
As seconds unfolded, it became clear the Eilu still had the upper hand. It was only moments, as well, before their three-ship entourage was squarely in enemy sights. Two enemy vessels streaked up through atmosphere to intercept Bae, Volu, and Uulophar as they descended.
Warren grabbed the back of the bridge chair as Volu maneuvered violently to avoid weapons fire. "Any sign of Taer's ship?"
"Uulophar says we're meeting at the ground coordinates."
Another abrupt dart to Volu's left and Warren decided that the Eshaar'ne needed to focus solely on getting them past the Eilu. Ettwanae's hand was suddenly on his, gripping tightly. He looked down into her crystalline-blue eyes. She was frightened.
"I'm scared, too, but we'll make it."
All eyes were glued to the holo display as a brilliant yellow streak shot past them from the side to nail the black ship that had focused on Volu. The Eilu ship was jolted, but did not cease its pursuit.
"That must be Uulophar!" Gatebi called out. "The yellow hue isn't Eshaar'ne, Eilu, or Turzent."
Then the air charged. Warren glanced around – Flint and Gatebi seemed unaware. Ettwanae and T'Qilla, though, gave him knowing looks. Volu was preparing to fire. The hologram replayed the simultaneous hit of Volu's energy beam and Uulophar's blast at one of the pursuing vessels. The double-whammy sent the oval ship into a sideslip and roll.
Flint whooped. "Yes!"
Suddenly, Volu pitched sharply, then shuddered.
"Volu!" Ettwanae shrieked.
"Shields held, Poda. Do not fear."
To Warren, the reassuring words rang hollow. Just how bad was their situation? He counted three Eilu on their tail. Was Volu showing them everything or was she editing the replays?
"I think we better sit down," he told Flint, Gatebi, and T'Qilla. As the bridge contained only one chair, the floor was it. No sooner than the foursome was seated and Volu rolled violently again. Warren could have sworn he heard a deep moan.
A glance up and he found Ettwanae's eyes wide and wild.
###
Phai stood on the bridge. Uulophar was a powerful ship – the best Shozen / Etagllot technology could construct. Eilu ships were better. Even the augmented Bae was having difficulty withstanding the bombardment. The two vessels worked in unison to protect the weaker Volu, but their defenses were flagging.
Behind them, Turzent vessels were locked in death battle to keep as many Eilu ships away from Atmos Prime as possible. While their laser weapons did affect the light-susceptible Eilu, the impact wasn't as potent as they'd believed. Why that was the case was moot – too late to do anything about the miscalculation.
Volu had to reach the ground. Warren and Ettwanae were vital. Taer as well. The rest of them? Phai and Bae would do what was necessary to ensure Volu's safe landing.
###
"Find a way to hurt those Dreian mudpuckers!" the Turzent fleet commander yelled in frustration. They were having their asses handed to them. Her fleet was down 40 percent in less time that she thought possible. Two ships had been fully destroyed and two others were space junk. If something didn't change quickly, the vaunted Turzent military would suffer its worst defeat in memory.
The only bright spot was the lasers. They worked. Problem was, they weren't potent enough. That was forcing her to use ships in pairs, coordinating their weapons fire upon a single Eilu attacker, in effect, cutting her remaining fleet in half.
Then two surviving Commonwealth ships limped in to join. One was Vio's command ship, a heavy cruiser, and the other standard battle fleet issue.
"About time you showed up!" Jryzkenri jabbed Vio when she answered C1's hail. Behind the man's image, she could see substantial damage to his bridge.
The Commonwealth commander smirked. "You should show more respect to the forces that softened up the enemy for you."
"You call this softened?!" she fired back, but then dropped the banter. Most of Vio's fleet was destroyed in a valiant, but lost fight. "This enemy is not easily defeated, Commander. Any ideas?"
"I do, though it may be too little too late. Turzent lasers appear more effective, but still lacking. More power, though, may not be the solution."
Remwarge rocked under a blast. Warning alarms filled the bridge. "If you have an idea, you best tell me quickly."
Vio smirked. "Try adjusting the visible spectrum of your lasers toward the yellow end. I'm having more success with that. Specs are on their way." His image winked out, but not before it was obvious C1 had taken a hard hit.
"Engineering, retune lasers to match incoming parameters, then keep adjusting until we find the sweet spot. Comm – relay those specs to the fleet and tell them to keep tweaking. Once we've got what hits those Dreian mudpuckers hardest, everyone tunes to that!"
###
Taer's ship, Hetruas, and her escorts came out of FTL just shy of atmosphere, sending shockwaves through Atmos Prime's mesosphere and stratosphere. It would be like ringing an arrival gong, but couldn't be avoided if they were to quickly reach the surface coordinates with limited enemy engagement.
/ Our counterparts are experiencing difficulty. /
Hetruas' mental voice eased into Taer's mind. / You have the gift of understatement, which makes me quite fearful for Phai's group. /
/ We will reach the landing site in three point two unified minutes, assuming no interference. /
Taer let out a sigh. / We can plan on interference. /
/ I presumed as much. To confirm our belief, two Eilu vessels approach. /
/ You know what to do. I'm going to contact Phai. / Taer stretched consciousness out to find Phai's unique signature. Within moments, she felt the woman's mind.
/ Taer! Your arrival gladdens me. What is your status? /
/ Two Eilu pursuit vessels. The escorts will keep them busy for a while. I expect more resistance on the ground than in atmosphere. We are heading down. /
She felt her fellow Shozen's mental groan.
/ Unfortunately, as do I. We will be far more vulnerable once landed. We must get inside as quickly as possible – it will be the only safe place. /
/ I remain puzzled as to why the Sentinel continues to tolerate Eilu presence. /
/ As do I, but perhaps they are not perceived as a significant threat. / A mental frown accompanied the speculation.
Taer was unconvinced, yet what could they do at this late stage but follow the plan? / Perhaps… Do you wish me to begin the mental call? /
She and Phai had agreed to would wait until they both felt the timing was right.
/ Yes. We will have even less time to gain access than we believed. /
/ Then I begin immediately. Hetruas will use the ancient hail, as well. /
/ Uulophar and Bae will hold off the Eilu as long as possible. You and those aboard Volu are the only ones that matter. If we do not meet again in this realm, my friendship to you, Taer. /
/ And mine to you, Phai. If Ozshi'wanae is merciful, I will see you at the Sentinel's portal. /
###
Screams of pain filled Volu's comm array, sending rage and panic through the younger Eshaar'ne. Bae was surrounded by Eilu and couldn't shake them. Her shields were near collapse. Volu was desperate to save her mother and turned back.
"NO! Volu, go! You must!"
"Mother, I will not leave you!"
Uulophar broke in sharply. "Volu, head to the coordinates! Listen to Bae."
Volu fired everything she had at the black ships. Suddenly, Uulophar was between her and her targets.
"Go! If you do not, all is lost!" Uulophar took a hard, Eilu hit to stern, causing her to stagger in atmosphere. "For all that is Ozshi'wanae's, please, Volu."
Her mother and the sentient AI were right. If their mission failed, they were all dead. With a sickened soul, Volu turned back toward Atmos Prime's surface and sank quickly through the thickening atmosphere. Bae and Uulophar cut off contact completely – to spare her, she knew. To honor their unspoken wishes, she ceased scanning them. Likely, she would not hear from them again, and she wished once more Eshaar'ne could weep.
Bae and Uulophar's sacrifice gained her precious seconds. She was ahead of their pursuers. No more ships had risen from the planet. Were the Eilu out of vessels or lying in wait?
###
With the shifting of laser frequency, the Eilu ships appeared to take on more damage, but without clear scan readings, it was difficult to be certain. Something had changed. The black vessels were moving slower – more cautiously.
Or was the focus of battle shifting?
Scanners detected one of the three contingent ships was close to landing. The other two remained in the stratosphere in the heat of battle. Then from around the far side of the planet, Remwarge detected another group moving rapidly through the lower levels of atmosphere.
"Commander, three ships on intercept course with our landing party, but they're not Eilu."
"We're being hailed by C1," Comm called out.
Vio's image popped up. A figure in non-military garb stood next to him. "We're told the approaching threesome is ours. Do not attack. I repeat, do NOT attack."
Jryzkenri jerked. "Who's telling you that? Why wasn't I informed of another group?!"
Vio gave a quick nod toward the unidentified male. "Tev. He's in telepathic contact with our landing party. You can lower your horns, Commander…this is the first I'm hearing about a second landing party."
Remwarge shook to her snyth-met gaskets with a broadside hit. Lighting flickered. Alarms pierced the air. Jryzkenri gripped the arms of her chair.
"Commander Vio, I'm focusing my remaining ships on keeping these black dospits off the backs of our initial landing party. I have no orders for the second."
Vio crossed his arms and put on a self-assured look. Jryzkenri believed it had to be show. Nothing about their current predicament instilled confidence. "Leave the second group to me. Tev says they are as crucial as the first."
"Commander!" one of her bridge crew cried out.
"May the gods be with you, Vio," she gave him a slight head bow out of respect. Likely, neither of them would see past that day.
"And may your sword never dull," he returned and was gone.
Jryzkenri watched the icons representing C1 and its sole remaining fleet vessel head off to help shield the second landing party. The task would be difficult…the downfall of cruisers was their lumbering performance in atmosphere.
The Turzent turned toward her TO who'd called out. "Officer Dehtag?"
"Our landing party is in trouble. Two of their ships are surrounded by Eilu. The third is dropping through atmosphere faster than any ship I've seen, but they have pursuers who are nearly as quick."
She gave a nod. The Eilu were doing exactly as she'd do. Strip away the enemy's protection methodically, layer by layer until the vital component is exposed. Once done, the objective becomes easy pickings.
The battle in space was over – not in fact, but in purpose. The reason for their mission was heading toward the surface. Jryzkenri made a decision.
"de'Essus, follow that lead ship," she commanded her helm officer. "Comm, order what's left of our fleet to follow. And on our way, blaze a path through those dospits surrounding the other two ships. Coordinate efforts – let's see if we can gain our mysterious allies some breathing room."
###
Ta'uii stirred as awareness sensed pulses of energy above its surface. Analyze. Conclusion. Inconsequential…not worth the expense of awakening spatial scanning nodes. Such meager power bursts were no threat.
But then, something else…
###
/ My Other, what is happening?! / Ettwanae reached out with her mind. Volu had gone silent mentally and audibly. Something was very wrong. No response. / Please, Volu. /
Everyone waited nervously for any word from the living ship. The holo display showed their heart-stopping plunge through atmosphere. The dry surface of Atmos Prime was coming at them fast. More and more details of the arid world became distinguishable by the second.
The ride down was not smooth. Volu kept dodging and rocking. They had pursuers.
"She won't answer. I don't know what to do!"
Warren slid over and rose to his knees to face Ettwanae. As she quickly took his hands, he squeezed reassuringly.
"She is in control – we're not freefalling. Eilu are likely chasing us – let her focus. She'll get us down safely."
"But what's waiting for us on the ground? More Eilu?"
Warren had no answers. Without input from Volu, her occupants were blind. Scan data had ceased with Volu's abrupt silence.
###
Phai mentally reached out to the Eshaar'ne, and it sent her reeling. Bae's pain was so great Phai was amazed the living ship could still fight. Primal determination interlaced with agony filled mental senses…along with all-consuming instinct to protect her only offspring.
/ Bae, phase now – it will offer some protection. Let Uulophar take over from here. /
/ Too many ships even for your Uulophar. You…need me. I cannot…fight them while phased. /
/ That's an order! /
The Eshaar'ne suddenly rocked violently from a double-strike to her port side. A blood-curdling scream filled Phai's mind. Unmistakable signs of explosive decompression trailed Bae's image on the holo display. The next telepathic sensation was hard to place at first – a brief sense of floating…
Freefall!
Then everything went to hell.
/ Bae! /
###
Flint was cowering against a wall, tucking his head in an instinctual attempt to shield himself. Gatebi's eyes were closed, arms hugging knees close to body, and she was whispering quietly. T'Qilla had braced herself as best she could, and tension filled her paled features. Warren and Ettwanae clung to each other, and he prayed he'd been right about them not freefalling as the speed at which the ground was coming at them said otherwise.
At what seemed the last possible moment, the holo image showed Volu leveling out feet above the dry terrain causing an instant sandstorm. Sighs and groans of relief filled the bridge.
Skimming the sandy terrain, the Eshaar'ne once again picked up speed.
"Volu?" Warren asked tentatively. "Will you speak to us?"
Silence. A flicker caught his attention. Volu was reactivating her external scanner and other displays. Detangling himself from Ettwanae's arms, he stood to get a better view.
"Volu's picking up no Eilu ships in front of us. Looks like we're seconds from the coordinates."
Volu decelerated abruptly. They'd reached the rendezvous point. Suddenly, sensors detected two ships heading in at startling speed.
"Taer comes." The Eshaar'ne's emotionless proclamation startled everyone.
"My precious Volu…" Ettwanae cooed as she caught Warren's glance. She'd seen what Warren was watching on a scanner display. Tears filled her eyes.
Warren felt the abrupt mental intrusion before the words came.
/ Warren and Ettwanae, I am Elder Taer of the Shozen Council of Elders. You must follow my orders exactly and without hesitation. I am nearly at your location. Leave Volu now and join me on the surface. Time grows short. The Dark Coming is upon us. /
Ettwanae's expression revealed she'd gotten the message as her eyes were wide with wonder and surprise. Shozen could break through Esha'Aru mental shields…something Phai hadn't shared. He took her trembling hand.
###
A call? Too weak.
Then another sensation redirected limited awareness. Ta'uii detected the ripples despite nearly all its sensory array being offline. Dimensional instability was a threat, unlike the pinpricks of energy twinkling above its exterior. Something more dire was amiss, yet without power, it could not determine what.
Analyze. Conclude.
The Sentinel must recharge.
###
Phai prided herself in detachment from emotion. Part of the role...necessary for what she'd had to do over the last thousand-plus years. But dispassion stood not a chance while she watched one the few remaining Eshaar'ne tumble from the heavens. She extended tender psionic contact.
Bae's mental presence gently brushed hers in return. The touch was shockingly peaceful. Then she heard a mother's final, simultaneous message to her daughter and to her Other.
" / I love you both. / "
###
Alarms went off at single monitoring station within Cuquerel Astronomical Institute's most distance outpost. A subspace transmission from one of the remaining galactic core monitoring buoys contained readings outside established nominal parameters.
The on-duty technician walked to the receiving station, silenced the chime, and scanned the data. What he saw had to wrong. Buoy malfunction. He issued a self-diagnostic command. Minutes later, the return signal stated no faults or abnormalities were detected.
Checking protocol, astrophysicist-in-training Drantyr blinked. The orders were clear. Under such circumstances, he was to send a communication on secure comm directly to the head of CAI and Emperor Ztar himself. He double-checked. Someone had upgraded the orders only recently. Why was the Emperor concerned with anomalous readings of the supermassive black hole at the center of their galaxy?
Drantyr shook his head as he looked again at the readings. He still had a hard time believing the data. If accurate, it could be a precursor to a massive expulsion. Such a phenomenon in theory could – emphasis on could – disrupt subspace and thus subspace communications. That had to be the concern, he guessed.
And so following protocol precisely, the young scientist sent the message and data packet as prescribed knowing he'd likely never be privy to the reason for the orders.
###
"What's going on?" Flint demanded as Ettwanae and Warren headed toward the door.
"You three stay with Volu," Warren ordered.
"My Poda?"
The Eshaar'ne's voice was tight. T'Qilla moved quietly to her feet, looking extremely distressed. Biting her lip, the woman slipped from the bridge. Ettwanae didn't see as her back was to her mother.
"I must leave now, Volu. We're meeting the Shozen called Taer. She's on her way. Keep Mother, Gatebi, and Flint safe."
/ Warren, Volu is required in battle immediately. We need her firepower. Leave now! /
Phai's abrupt intrusion made him flinch. Ettwanae would not want to order Volu into danger, but the fate of the galaxy hung in the balance.
"Volu, you must rejoin the fight – keep the Eilu off our backs until we're inside."
Ettwanae grabbed his arm. "Warren, no! It's too dangerous!"
"Poda, Warren is right. You will be exposed outside – I must protect you."
"But-"
Volu cut her off. "No buts. Go. Do what you must to save us all. Whatever it takes. Do you understand?"
T'Qilla reappeared stony-faced in the doorway of the bridge. "They are right. You are our only hope."
Blinking back tears, Ettwanae nodded. "I love you, my Other." Then she turned toward Flint and Gatebi. "Love you both, as well…my dear friends." She approached her mother, throwing arms around T'Qilla tightly. "I love you," she whispered as emotion nearly stole her voice.
"May Ozshi'wanae watch over you and protect you, my child," her mother blessed into an ear, before pushing away gently.
First Gatebi, then Flint stepped up to give Ettwanae powerful hugs, murmuring what could be final good-byes.
"You must go now, Poda. I will not leave you until Shozen Taer emerges."
Warren didn't bother arguing that Volu was needed elsewhere – it was a fight neither he nor Phai would win.
As soon as the pair stepped out, a blast of Atmos Prime's cold and slightly acrid air hit them. They stepped away from Volu's underbelly, and the Eshaar'ne rose up to hover protectively overhead. Ettwanae squeezed Warren's hand tightly as she looked up at the Eshaar'ne. Several ugly burn wounds were evident on Volu's exterior.
"They'll be okay. The Turzent fleet is out there. Between all of them…"
She swallowed down the sobs of fear and dread. "I pray you are right."
Simultaneously, they spotted a white swath cutting across the sky. It took a moment, but extraordinary vision revealed the shape of the falling object.
"Bae!" Ettwanae cried out.
###
Tentative satisfaction filled Fleet Commander Jryzkenri as their retuned lasers seemed to stagger the Eilu. Finally, they were making progress. Her regret was they arrived too late to save everyone in the landing party. She hoped those aboard the lost craft weren't crucial.
Once the odd, triangular ship had begun its death plunge, Eilu swarmed their landing party's largest vessel, a more traditional-looking ship, but with smaller, wing-like fins sweeping back along its sleek sides. Still in mid-level atmosphere, it was fighting gallantly, but hopelessly outnumbered.
The Turzent fleet performed as ordered and burned a brilliant light path through the enemy clustered around their prey.
"Hail that ship!" she ordered Comm.
The response was immediate, but audio only.
"I am Uulophar, Elder Phai's personal vessel. Thank you for the assistance."
"I am Commander Jryzkenri of the Turzent Military Interstellar Fleet. You are welcome. My orders are to ensure you make it to the surface. We failed with one of your group. We will not fail again. Consider us your escorts. Stay inside our formation."
Suddenly, the unique feeling of telepathic incursion hit her – something she'd experienced only with Emperor Ztar in the one time they'd met face-to-face. The sensation was something she'd never forget. 'Who?'
/ Commander, my name is Phai. I am responsible for this mission. We must protect our people already planetside. Escort my ship to the surface, and then hold off the Eilu ships. If we fail here, our future is lost. Do you understand? /
/ Not entirely, but Emperor Ztar commanded that I use whatever methods necessary to ensure your landing party was protected, and that is exactly what will be done. /
The mental presence departed. The military woman ordered her ships to form a spherical shield around Phai's ship, and they began their descent to Atmos Prime's surface – battling all the way down.
###
/ Taer, Uulophar is unable to detect the portal. What is happening? /
The blue-skinned Elder strode quickly toward her ship's bay door. / I continue sending mental hails to the Sentinel. Between that and our presence, we should get a response. /
/ The delay is troubling. /
Indeed it was, and Taer was deeply worried. If the Sentinel failed to even acknowledge them, all was lost. Hetruas landed softly only paces from where Volu hung. Having mentally followed the plummeting Bae, she wondered if Phai would make it. Foreign feelings of uncertainty filled her. In that moment, the cool, detached Shozen Elder realized she had not considered the possibility of facing their ultimate trial alone. Phai's physical presence was to be her anchor and a reassurance. Additionally, they needed the clones aboard Uulophar as backup. If the Sentinel rejected the natural pair, the clones may be their only hope. Assuming, the Sentinel allowed any of them worthy…
/ How far are you? /
###
Warren held Ettwanae close as they watched Bae crash in the distance, throwing a plume of dirt high into the air. The sound of impact came many seconds later. Tears welled up; his throat tightened. He could only imagine how Volu and T'Qilla were feeling as the living ship bobbled in the air above them. Ettwanae's soft sobs reverberated against his chest.
Three ships dropped down yards from them, but only the largest vessel settled to the ground. Immediately, a hatch opened and its gangway extended. A lone figure wearing a dark, ankle-length dress began a hasty descent. Warren studied the quickly approaching blue-skinned alien. She was impressively tall – approaching eight feet, if Warren had to guess – and thin with a triangular face and oversized, coal-black eyes. Straight, blue-black hair fell to the knees. The nose was quite small and delicate, as was the chin, making the full lips appear oversized for the narrow jaw. The alien looked nothing like the humanesque Phai.
"Taer?" Warren called out over the loud hum of the escort ships hanging overhead.
"Yes."
"Is Phai coming?" Ettwanae questioned as Taer reached them.
A frown formed on the blue face. Warren noted the woman's eyebrows were only a darker skin tone, not hair.
"She is attempting. The fleet has reached her – hopefully, they can get her through the Eilu blockade." Taer did not sound confident.
"How do we get inside?" Warren asked, looking around. If an entrance was there, he couldn't see it.
"I've been sending telepathic calls to the Sentinel as prescribed in the old texts, but no response as yet."
Warren jerked. "But I thought you and Phai knew how to get in?! You mean we came here and have no way in?"
"We know how, but it is up to the Sentinel whether or not to respond. I am puzzled it has not. Shozen have been here before and granted entry."
A sinking sensation hit Warren. "Is it possible the Sentinel is no longer functional?"
Piecing black eyes locked to his. "The gateway on our side of the portal remains cloaked. That indicates the Sentinel is active. I fear an element is lacking on our part – a key the Sentinel requires."
"If only we were soulbound!" Ettwanae decried, pulling at the chain around her neck to reveal her most precious possession. "My amulet is whole and Etxan'Ir would let us in if we were."
"It is possible that is the reason. We need the soulbound clones." Black eyes searched the sky for a moment. "However, Etxan'Ir isn't involved at this point. It's a two-step process," Taer explained almost absentmindedly, her eyes lowering to scan the horizon, and then fixing on a single, distant point. "The Sentinel first grants access within itself to those who pass the tests of worthiness; only then will the door to Etxan'Ir open."
"They come." The Eshaar'ne's voice was so strained, Warren hardly recognized it. "Find a way in, my Poda. I will protect you."
"Volu!" Ettwanae watched her precious Other dart up and away. She turned back to Warren and gripped his arm; eyes widening with trepidation. "She will protect me to the death. I can't loose her!"
Taer's attention returned fully to Warren and Ettwanae. "She is doing what must be done. Volu understands we are already dead if we fail."
Suddenly, a low, growing roar rumbled across the landscape. Looking up, dots could be seen, streaks of gold and black slicing the teal-green sky between them.
"The battle descends."
Taer closed her eyes in concentration. Warren assumed she was attempting to contact the Sentinel again. What was wrong? Why did it not answer a descendent of its builders?
###
Ta'uii heard the ancient call, but caution ruled its bio-crystalline brain. Two prior times, pleas for entrance by the unworthy had come. Enticed by need to replenish reserves, Ta'uii had allowed the petitioners inside. The resulting necessity to destroy the intruders required energy it could not spare. Ta'uii would not be deceived again even in the face of desperate need. Protection of Etxan'Ir was to be at all costs – even the Sentinel's own survival.
Yet the petitioners held promise of supplying what the massive machine required, but would they? Recent history was not encouraging. No matter how dire its situation, Ta'uii was helpless to force cooperation or to simply take what it needed. The Law of the Creators forbade such actions. Self-will was sacred.
But verbal coercion was not wholly prohibited. Perhaps new methodology was required to ensure full cooperation.
Dimensional ripples continued. Without energy to power its massive scanners, cause eluded. Deception could not be ruled out. Could Ta'uii risk ignoring the petitioner claiming another Dark Coming loomed? If Ta'uii made the wrong decision, it may be fully depleted when truly needed, and the galaxy would fall to eternal darkness.
The planet-sized guardian faced a difficult choice.
###
As Uulophar's bulk streaked downward at a dizzying rate, Warren momentarily feared the ship would crash on top of them. Kicking up dirt in anti-grav backlash, the Shozen ship slowed its plunge mere yards above them and sunk silently to the ground. A hatchway hadn't even fully opened before Phai was exiting hurriedly with the clones at her heels, their hands clasped together as usual. No sooner had the three pairs of feet touched ground than Uulophar was airborne and returning to the fight.
"Still no answer?" the Shozen leader called out to Taer as she joined the trio.
"No. Something is wrong." Taer's flowing, pitch-black hair flared around her in a gust of chilling wind.
"Perhaps if we send the call together." Phai scanned the horizon. "We haven't much time."
Warren glanced to N'Adiaera and N'Ollein, whose wide-eyed faces revealed both fear and wonder as they scanned the alien surroundings. How much did they truly comprehend? Would they prove an asset or liability?
Darting his own eyes around, Warren assessed their vulnerable position. Out in the open, little protection, and no weapons. Sitting ducks. Returning focus to the Elders, he did not like their expressions…they spoke of desperation.
'The Eilu are waiting for something,' instinct whispered.
Then it hit him. 'Of course!'
###
Next chapter, let's see if you discover the underlying theme developing. It won't be hard, promise! :-)
See you for C33.