Issue 2: The Light of Emris
Interlinking with At’lan
Mainframe. Discovery Imminent. Please advise?—Emris Actual.
“I want the Jupiter Rising to
check this out immediately. Whatever else they had planned must be put on hold.
This discovery is our top priority. After discovery, delete all databases and
hard copies. In this I want us to go very mundane. Not even the human advisory
board of A51 knows what’s happening. I rather keep it that way.—From the Desk
of the US President.
When I first stepped aboard the Emris I
knew the wool couldn’t be kept up much longer. The Lady herself intervened and
I formed a compact that day. One that didn’t require my brain to be scrambled.
Fancy that. For once, I was allowed to know what Arthon was truly made of. And
he saw what I could bring to the table. The language on that ship was
hauntingly familiar to my soul.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd
century.
The
Jupiter Rising
Oort Cloud
October 12th, 2103
My
voice rang out, “Approaching target! Stand by for maneuvers. Jupiter!”
The
ship came online with lightning-fast responses, <<Yes captain?>>
I
was grinning ear to ear. “Let’s bring this lovely into the main docking bay.
From the looks of the scanners, we could hold 5 more like her. Run all standard
Hazard scans. Don’t want anyone getting space flu.” It had taken a few days to
get out here. Mainly because the President insisted we do this as quietly as
possible. So no mini jumps on official channels. Unlike everyone else at their
normal stations, Mr. Apple took up residence on the foyer above the captain’s
chair. It doubled as a sensor suite and logistics meeting area. No one else
batted an eye of course. He rarely went out of his way to project himself to
the wider universe.
*****
Arthon pressed the chair release.
The layout of the Jupiter was pretty straightforward.
Sleek and built like a World-class Racing vessel, with the electronics and
weapon suite of a warship. A colossal bird among her contemporaries. He brought
up the mapping.
Six decks.
Command,
Crew Deck, Medical, Research, Engineering, and finally Cargo/Docking.
The grav
lift took him to his destination promptly.
Cosmic
fire twinkled in the dark. Broken by the inert ship currently being pulled in
by magnetic tethers and grav hooks. His mouth was agape. Those markers, etched
on the tan hull were Markav in origin. An even more ancient dialect then he was
familiar with. A figure shimmered into existence next to him. Her green within
green eyes holding him in place. “We must talk.” Lady Sul’sandra was resolute.
His eyes locked onto hers. He had never seen her real form before. He nodded.
His fingers were numb. Ritark chittered with amazement. <<The Last Admiral!>> Her gaze turned to the Litari,
half-formed above Arthon’s head, his golden eyes as wide as saucers. He keened
with joyous welcome. Her face was alien yet familiar to those of Earth.
Easter
Island.
The muthra
shook his head once more. No wonder she stayed cloaked. His head snapped around
as Eliza somersaulted over the railing, landing right in front of the Lady. Her
face was a mix of amazement and excitement. After a moment, rapid-fire words,
“Please don’t scramble my eggs some more. I’m swiss enough as it is.”
*****
I couldn’t keep my eyes off of everything. The ship. The
woman. Who was certainly familiar and alien all in one package. “So are you
Arthon’s head boss?” She grinned.
“I have a
proposition for you, Captain.”
I floated
around everyone. Doc also didn’t look taken aback. The only other person that
seemed as quizzical as I was: General Whitehouse. I filed that away for later. “What
can I do for you?” Her brown arms indicated the docked starship. She was
clothed in a simple white cloak and silver garments underneath. “For starters,
can you read what is on the side? Right near the very nose of the vessel?” I zipped
around. Taking in the semi crescent shape. I ran my palms along the pitted
surface. It must have been in low power mode for a very long time. The small
oval at the heart of the crescent indicated the cockpit or piloting area.
Alongside was the information she had requested. I spoke audibly, “The Light of
Emris. Commissioned by the High Orator of the Hegemony. AFC: 89. May the Grace
of the High Wall Endure.”
Even
Arthon looked pleased.
I prodded
further, “So if my brain isn’t gonna get spaced this time, why now? Why you?
Isn't this against the whole Uplift procedure?” The Lady bowed her head with
shame and rage. “That council’s work is sullied now. We must gain more allies.
While appearing oblivious. I have asked certain individuals to start spreading
rumors about your Demi heritage.”
My breath
hitched. She walked over and clasped my hands in hers.
“Uplifted
Area 51 knows your civilian identity as a Murphy alongside your Banner activities
but beyond that, they have no idea who your mother actually is. They believe
her to be just human. Maybe with something interesting attached.”
My heart
settled in my chest at that.
I knew mom
had quite the job but that would explain why she hardly talked about her side
of the family. They were protecting me.
Earth.
Everyone
from harm.
If the
corruption was that deep, I’d want to do something about it. Sul’sandra gave my
arm a tender squeeze. Like the universe’s most grandiose grandma in existence.
She gave me a moment to collect myself then continued.
“With how
many times you escape the boundaries of Terran Space, this part had to come
out. To give voice to the idea that you have Atlantian heritage through your
maternal line. It will be the perfect cover of why I have Arthon assigned to
a…how do you say….K2 Civilization Ship?”
I cleared
my throat, “Yea, right now Earth is K2. If it wasn’t for all the cloak and
dagger against Unity, we’d probably be Bardaxian level by now.”
Her eyes
dimmed at the mention of the Keeper idol. But she rallied, “Bardax is only 100
or so years ahead of humanity. They are in the Uplifted community because of
the number of Defender belts that materialize within their population.”
Cooper
nudged me with his cold wet nose. <<YES!
We are very helpful. Will assist Earth, so we can import more bacon
too!>>
Mother cut
in via my ivory ring.
>>Go with this space cadet. I'll be
able to share quite a bit more with you if we can fool them into thinking you
are a lost line of At’lan. Besides according to a certain dapper friend, he’s
already taught you many “dead” languages.<<
So many things clicked into place. Along with my younger
brother’s resentments about not being able to share what was probably
commonplace among mom’s people. Another thought shot through me. I peered down
at the woman before me. “You don’t know what’s inside here either do you?”
Arthon made a noise between a cough and a rather flamboyant curse. Sul’sandra
pressed her hands to my face, making sure to cup my left cheek and chin firmly.
“No young
one. I never got to set foot upon that ship. It was old even in my great
grandsire’s time.”
Her face
was hard as stone. Each word clipped.
“We
Markav, by the time of the Burning, could live to see 1000 cycles.”
I winced internally. Even though she spoke of
that event as something that happened long ago, the fire in her eyes belied the
pain simmering right under the fingers gripping my face. The sheer level of
loneliness and sorrow hit me with the force of a sledgehammer. I didn’t care if
she was the equivalent of a king or queen of the Markavs. Her feet left the
deck as I picked her up in a rather vigorous bear hug. Making sure not to
squeeze too much. A name surfaced. Resounding within my skull from the place
that the Ur Stone dwelled. My lips moved of their own accord, “Thanks to
Highmaker, you are not alone Sister. I walk with you now. Even as a ghost.” Her
green within green eyes filled with tears. “How?” Taleer used my head for a
moment to smile, “Highmaker needed a military mind to help safeguard the Home
and Hearth. As it is.”
Whitehouse
took this all in, producing a flask from somewhere, drinking a round or two. He
kept staring at me, “So how is it a ghost of a Markav is using a Human as a
holo com of sorts?” I found I could speak on my own once more, “Well General.
Do you know that Ur Stone? It downloaded a whole ton of things into my brain
that I have yet to understand.” Taleer responded, using Jupiter’s internal
systems, “Forgive me, Captain. I just wanted to be able to hug my family once
more. The moment got the better of me.”
“In a way,
I can understand that. Hug away Mr. Taleer.”
That line
came unbidden from a deep part of my mind. It was my thoughts, right?
While he
spent the next 20 or so minutes in deep conversation with his sister. I asked
Jupiter to put a sound barrier up so I couldn’t figure out what they were
saying. While this was slightly uncomfortable because he was still using my
arms to gesture and pick up his sister’s spirits, I re-focused on the ship
sitting in our docking bay. Doc came over and patted me on the shoulder. “Well,
at least now I can divulge some more information. I don’t even care if we have
to fake it to 11 with the lost Markav/Atlantian bloodline card. The Uplift
Protocol is fucked. Especially with the Keeper influenced drones that don’t
have a clue they are busted.”
I replied,
“At least they aren’t all like Agent Brookes.” Doc’s green eyes narrowed to
slits.
“You are
far too polite Cornfed.”
She said
this but I got the oddest sensation she was considering something else to say. Mom’s
mental voice barreled in, >>Finally.
Well now that I can treat you like a newly found K4 society member, you may
want to be sitting on something solid, Taleer! I need her for a moment!<<
Images and
memories flashed in quick succession.
Starting
from my first official visit to A51, meeting Ritark, everything, and all
oddities. All the memories flowed into one nicely packed picture. I found
myself spinning, in slow circles, my legs crossed. Mr. Apple had the most remorse-ridden
face known to all the multiverse. I just kept spinning. Drinking all the
information in. Everyone was staring. At one point Mother decloaked fully. In
her Space Lady armor of old.
His tone
was anxious.
It was the only way we could hide you.
The only way. Please don’t say anything. Chronos must still believe you
crippled. Must believe the power of the White Defender will never manifest in
this universe. Yours is the Prime Universe. The Cradle of all that is. All that
will be. All that was. A rebirth.
The Ur
Stone’s memories flowed outward as well.
That was
the reason why mental intrusions couldn’t happen to me. That darn stone was a
part of the multiverse. Existing here and in the Weave at the same time. Across
everything and even I couldn’t understand it all yet. I had the absolute
feeling it was still cloaking memories and events from me.
Maybe I
never would.
Cooper sat
in my lap at one point. Whitehouse even handed me his flask. I grinned weakly,
“Still here sir. Just processing all the holes. Hey, chocolate cake.” Ritark emerged
from Arthon for a moment, trilling with joy, <<Hello Captain! Heart’s Friend!>>
The
thoughts that were my own yet not. In my mindscape, I could see most of the
events that happened beyond the barrier of “Terran Space.” I must have looked peaked because Mom took a
few cautious steps forward. Her helmet still firmly in place. A spike of anger
and sympathy ran off Lorain as well. She snarled, “Oh wait! Shit, since your
mom is one of the races within the Council of Five, she still can’t show
herself without sending a flare to the fuckups.” I saw mom flinch at that. I
straightened. Grabbed Doc and Mom in a half hug. “That’s ok. Cause we really
don’t want them to know.”
I pictured
Y’lansa’s stern visage.
“Tea Lady
would have my head.”
Mom’s
mental walls shot up. She directed a question at me, “What could you do to get
on her bad side?”
I gulped,
“Well not so much her bad side. More like, YOU DID WHAT! HOW!?”
I blinked
as my eyes felt like they would fall out of my head.
Doc ran
her hands over my face. The whole place was blurry for a moment then she gasped
softly. Mom cupped my chin. While the Lady eyed me with some shock. I held up a
compact to my face. My eyes were no longer standard
demi powers activate. Instead of a steady glow of cosmic fire, they were
green within green. Mr. Apple nodded with satisfaction.
This will sell the idea even more. Even
the Keepers were wondering what the Markav were prepping Earth for in those
ancient times.
Mom sent
an inquiry about it.
“The
Dapper One is wholeheartedly on board with the Atlantis idea.”
Sul’sandra
let out a bellow of laughter. Which edged on hysteria.
I
shrugged. “Well now that my fake K4 ID is set. Let’s get to work exploring!”
My back
twitched. Mom’s eyes were laser-focused. >>You
didn’t really answer my inquiry young lady.<<
I turned,
put a hand on each of her shoulders, “I promised her I wouldn’t say for now.
Not only her but others as well. Please mom, just let that question remain
unanswered for a while.”
She nodded begrudging. >>Ill let the matter
rest for now.<< Her whole mind whirled with amusement, >>In fact, I should be more
understanding given the circumstances.<<
The Light of Emris
Main Entry Way
October 12th, 2103
Sul’sandra sent a private message to J’ino:
//How long has a
Scholar been in her shadow?//
The Typherian didn’t reply for a good long minute. Considering
the Lady’s age, the younger woman was
quite surprised by how blunt she was being now. Guess all the cloak and dagger
actions were getting to the others as well. The drive to understand was also in
play.
//If I had to guess. Since she
learned to walk.//
The Admiral kept quiet for dozens of heartbeats.
//I believe your
daughter to be the Slumbering One in our prophecies. Closely tied to the Twin
Rulers.//
J’ino blanched. Eliza and Arthon were facing an antique
hatchway. Taking their time to examine the symbols written on the walls and
surrounding terminals. She thought about the Lady’s words. In the end, it must
be true. So much had happened. She just feared that her daughter’s future would
hold an endless mantle. Forever in service. Would people even appreciate that?
It's not like many gave her father the time of day. “Oh yes! Be a good Ayeer and
maintain that Scholar device for us!”
Eliza turned, “Ok! Looks like we are in business!”
She held
up a hand for a moment. “So how is this cover gonna work? Don’t some know who
dad is to you? How I fit into it overall?” J’ino nodded.
J’ino replied, “Yes. My parents. Y’lansa. Two within the
Council of Five. Certain extended family members. But its highly encrypted. Of
the Council races, only Ritark’s mother, the Forger Ambassador to Area 51, along with Arthon, Sul, Nuul, and our
Bardiaxian security team.” Eliza nodded after a moment. Consulting something
next to her. J’ino assumed it was Mr. Apple. Her daughter added, “So gran gran
and pop-pop? Are they on the know list?”
“Not as of yet space cadet. When things come out about
your Atlantian heritage we need them
to react with genuine shock. To sell the story further. It will let them build
a narrative around my unusual abilities.”
*****
I knew it was for the best but a part of me balked at the
idea. Those were my grandparents. Mr. Apple tapped me on the leg with his cane.
This will protect them. The enemy won't
be as concerned if your mother happens to be some lost strain of Markav experimentation.
My head was filled with far too many questions. I rounded
them up and put them in a trunk for now. We had a ship to explore. The access
way opened. The air was neutral. No hint of trace scents or otherwise.
Interesting. Even to my super-enhanced sense. “Looks like this place is very
well preserved. No decay or recycled air.” A loud angry trilling echoed from
the open spherical entryway.
*Nathar!*
My mind was nearly auto-translating the commands uttered
by the Emris.
I spoke to
everyone else, “Halt!” The Lady nudged me, “Tell it we come in peace. Like
those holovids you love so much.” Cooper wiggled up next to me. His head rested
on his paws. <<I promise not to eat
any foreign bacon. On my best manners I will be!>> I peered upwards.
Trying to find the voice of the ship. Three bronze spheres the size of golf
balls floated toward us. Then halted. Four feet or so beyond the doorway. A hum reverberated throughout:
*What is
your intention? The creators forsake trespass.*
“We seek
permission to enter this vessel. My crew and companions.” A filmy white light
encased all of us. It eventually proclaimed in standard English, “What are
these other races Builder?” Its vocal tones were harsh but otherwise not to dad’s
level of the military bellow.
Mr. Apple
hit me in the midsection with his cane. I was the builder?!
His blue
eyes twinkled with good humor.
No, I am.
I rattled off everyone’s name and official designations.
As I knew them. Mother’s amusement level peaked when I got to her. “That’s my
mom. She kinda built me. Along with dad, who’s Human.” The Emris processed all
this. “Level 1 access confirmed. State Scholar designation for specialized clearance
to other parts of the research preservation facility.”
Sul’sandra’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “Emris,
just how old are you?”
It trilled, the 3 bronze balls frozen in thought, “This
unit was designated by the Unification Board in Life Cycle Matrix, Cradle. Further
information for the White level only.”
Mr. Apple mouthed one word: Di’axi.
I sent that out through a frequency he gave me. A flood
of diagrams and other coding hit my brain. A ship of dreams indeed. We entered
the main hub. Chairs and other seating arrangements emerged from the walls. After
being seated the Emris sent out another sphere, this one showcasing a rather
curious event. Even the Lady sat up straighter.
“The scholars were not the first. They were a sister race
to those known now as Markav and Litari. Their society encompassed all of
creation. Until the First Betrayal by the Entity known as Calamity. It
recruited the Keepers.”
The
scenery around us changed. Everything was plunged into darkness. A blanket of
stars exploded outward. Universes and Galaxies even older than this one
twinkled in the expanse.
Eddie gave
a low whistle, “Anyone else going to require a drink after this?”
Doc clung
to my left arm like it was a liferaft.
Mom
gripped my right arm even harder.
Cooper and
Horus were stock still, trying to record everything through sight and smell in
the Bardaxian’s case.
Arthon and
Sul’sandra were awestruck.
Whitehouse
was taking another swig of his favorite beverage. “Well shit. Isn't this one
hell of a vid. Or would that be record or simulation?”
Before us
was a temple.
A Litari
Dreamweaver spoke.
Temple Seed Matrix
Planet Olarum
Date Redacted
“Scholar-Builder. We require a vessel.
Our dreams lead us to dark places. The Calamity will take everything if we do
not act.”
The other two, a Scholar of Olam and
a Markav, slightly shorter than myself shook their heads with worry. The
scholar replied gravely, “It will be done. Load as many of our datalinks and
general population into the Nulls ships as can be provided. The future will
need our scientists, warriors, and builders alike.”
His white and black trimmed robes
fluttered in the breeze. Two ghostly white eyes shimmered within the hood. The
Markav had ancient power armor on. Black and gold. His green within green eyes
blazed with fury.
As
they spoke the Emris interjected, “The Litari wielding our military might
across the stars. The Scholars were our researchers and scientists while the
Markav were the lifeblood and builders.”
Mom
muttered, “There’s always a bigger fish. But it looks like this Calamity destroyed
the multiverse once before. The scars are there if you know where to look.” Doc
was glued to my side now, nearly sitting in my lap. Her eyes were wide and
blank. I patted her cheek for a moment. Lorain twitched in response then buried
her head in my chest. “I think I’m gonna be sick.” Mom pulled out some sort of
tab and stuck it to Lorain’s temple. Her voice, even via the helmet, sounded
concerned. “Space Cadet, I think something is tapping into her healing factor.”
Emris responded, “Indeed, that one
has a very curious set of abilities. I am adding nanites to her system to
facilitate added protective measures.” I picked Lorain up and tried to make her
more comfortable. “Emris, a bit of a warning would be appreciated in the
future.” The AI thought about this. I could feel it communicating with others.
More AIs contained within its hidden core.
“Apologies, I have not had guests
for a very long time. She is special to you. Crew. Important to protect the
White.”
The scene resumed:
Dreamweaver continued, “We must create a barrier between
galaxies. The universes. The Ouro is not enough.”
Scholar raised his arms with a benediction, “My brothers
and I have found a way to provide more protection. A weave between worlds. But
it will come with a price. Many of us must abandon our physical bodies to make
this so.”
Markav grunted, “This will not be a pretty task. Secure
as many of our temples as possible. We must protect the next Seed Cradle. Make
it harder for the Calamity and the Void Walkers to breach it. So others may inherit
the future.”
Everything shifted. Various workers and machines buzzing
over the outer shell of the half-completed Emris. Another Scholar walked up to
it. He muttered, “This is the best we can hope for. Our dreams go with the next
cycle.” He pulled his hood back. His hair was dark as space. Eyes with a keen
blue shimmer. Various traces of tattoos adorned his arms and half-exposed
chest.
*****
J’ino
examined the face. Seeing the familiar lines. She turned to Mr. Apple. He was
projecting himself to all in the room now. Whitehouse grunted, “So how many ancient
builders am I gonna meet today huh?” For the first time in a very long while,
he spoke. His voice filled with pride mixed with sadness or longing for those
long gone. “We sailed across the wide expanse of the Multiverse. Finding worlds
holding life. Each step leading us closer to understanding everything. Or so we
thought. Then came the Void Walkers. Dreaded Keepers of Unity. The hands of
Calamity itself.” Eliza found herself comparing the record to the one before
her now. The lines of weariness around his eyes were in stark contrast to the more
youthful display in the recording. Softly she asked, “What are the tattoos for?”
To command the Infinite.
Eddie’s
head whipped around. “HOLY SHIT!” He didn’t care if he had to place another 1000
bucks into that Jar of General Murphy’s. This day was just getting more wild by
the minute. He counted it off:
1. Super
Secrete Advanced Races
2.His
Captain was a Key to Many Doors.
3.Half American
Half Whatever the Hell Mrs. Murphy was. With a dash of Scholar stuff.
Then he
grinned like a man who had found his new favorite hobby. He would get to help
her unlock it all. Fantastic! For his
part, General Whitehouse glanced at his Chrono display. Mondays, he thought dryly. He didn’t mean to but the eerie white
light on display drew his eyes to Murphy. Everyone gawked at her back. Lorain
raised her head groggily. “I do good work. Leave her back alo-“ A faint
vibration caught her attention. It was coming from Eliza. Within a sector she
was very familiar with. She gripped Eliza’s shoulders and peered over, her eyes
locked on the glowing white light bleeding through her captain’s favorite
flight jacket. “Ok, who messed with my patient?!” Every sigil was etched along
each column along her spine. Lorain’s nano HUD flared. Making her nauseous.
She gulped rapidly then realized that Captain Murphy was floating. With her as
a passenger. Her face went an interesting mix of red.
*****
I glanced
down at Doc. She was a regular kaleidoscope of colors on my empathy radar. It had
taken a while but I finally parsed out what orange meant. A deep repressed
feeling buried long inside me bubbled to the surface. One thing at a time it seemed to say. Thousands of thoughts and scenarios
went through my mind in an instant. I settled on something that would distract
us both, “The Emris hit you with a soup of highly advanced nanites. But its
playing havoc with your equilibrium. This very advanced vessel is very
impressed by your healing abilities.”
She
blinked. Her face going back to its normal shade.
A child
appeared alongside the opposing doorway. Wearing a simple white tunic and trousers. His
very lean Markav face filled with curiosity. His voice was light and laced with
caution, “Em-Seed Cradle, am I to join the White now?” Sul’sandra faced the juvenile
boy. Her face lit up with immense elation. His thin fingers gripped the small
grow rod at his hip. He was putting on a very brave face but it was obvious to
me that he was terrified to leave this ship. I called out, “Hey there little
one. What’s your name?” He took one step forward. Hand still on the rod. “Pod
12-A, Creche 1021.”
Arthon
caught the Lady as she suddenly got weak in the knees. “There are more of you?”
The pleading in her voice shocked the boy. He glanced at the bronze orbs
whirling around the room. “Em says you don’t have clearance. I am to go with
you.” I got a bit more though. The Emris gave me access to one of its orbs. <<Take this one. The boy gestated
during one of my brief power outages. He was not meant for this moment. But I
cannot keep him here. Give him a home.>>
Accidental
birth?
I went
through the records.
This was
how they preserved most of their civilian population.
There were
adults in stasis here but it was far easier to house billions of embryos.
Babies.
Names and
faces flashed across my vision. A near endless list of planets too. Races long
thought dead. A lifeboat to carry them to the future. One free of Calamity.
More hidden places. Mr. Apple placed a hand on my temple. The information faded.
Not yet. One small step.
I glanced
at Sul’Sandra. “Looks like he needs a family.”
General
Whitehouse was quiet for a long while. A wet glint in his eye as well.
I purposefully
ignored it. A sudden thought came unbidden.
“How about
we call him Emry.”
Mom patted
me on the shoulder. “That sounds lovely.” Her fingers were trembling. I squeezed
them.
I went
over to what looked like a crafting station. Another image formed in my head. I
set the parameters. Walked over to the child, “Here. This way a piece of the
Emris goes with you.” I had fashioned it in the shape of a Hawk. Bronzed and
crisscrossed with the same tan color of the ship’s hull. His childish face
broke out in a bright grin. “Can I name him?”
I nodded.
Murphy Household
Camp Osiris
October 20th, 2103
I finished off the steak.
Grandpa
was always eating.
We
both were like furnaces in a constant state of flux. Bottomless pits.
So
that made it vital that he knew how to cook with the best of them. Zach raced
over to me, moving lighting quick, almost to Golden Bulleteer levels. “Look
sis! Bet you can’t catch me!” We zoomed around the whole house. Once he got
older he’d be quite the speedster. We had taken some extra time to come back to
civilization. Sul’sandra had fashioned a cover for Emry. Asian features. Made
to resemble the Lady’s human cover. While curious he mostly hung around the
bronze orb patrolling the Jupiter. The Light of Emris was cloaked in the
docking bay. Made to look like a common scout vessel of Earth manufacture. The
maintenance orb would serve as its eyes and ears. Which suited me just fine.
Jupiter herself was quick to pick up on our new guest.
Cooper
managed to coax some giggles from Emry by chasing his tail. A trick he picked
up from his Earthbound cousins. While most of my memories of “shielded” events
were mostly normal, I still couldn’t picture some faces, probably due to
protecting identities. From what Mr. Apple said, it was the Ur Stone transplant
that did this. If I couldn’t see clearly, the enemy wouldn’t be able to either.
At least I knew more than ever now. Dad’s cover with J’dax was pretty simple
yet elegant. Earth's military counterpart.
Uplift
was supposed to work like this: Contact prespective race or planet. See if they
valued life and general goodwill of sentience, have a testing phase then let
them into the greater cosmic community. Earth, on the other hand, was at an
impasse because of Keeper Interference and the rot at the heart of Uplift.
Mom’s
faction, along with a few others were trying to ferret out the problem. Now I
could properly help. I grinned as Zachary and I made a pitstop by mom and dad.
Everyone was in the back yard with the grillmaster. Dad had two burgers in each
hand. Daring his father to an eating contest. My whole crew was here. Along
with 5 Blue Defender Bardaxians. They wanted to try bacon with the burgers.
After a while, a sharp shrill alert went out across my Legion of Tomorrow coms.
///ALL HANDS ALERT!: THE
CABAL IS ATTACKING TOKYO!///
*****
J’ino
smiled as the whole yard emptied. Even her husband donned his Judgement gear.
Zach kicked the dirt, “I wanna go!” He counted his fingers. “I’m 8 already! And
fast!” He zipped around. Coming to a stop with a small burst of air. J’ino
cupped his chin. “Soon enough. I feel better if you are with me. An ambassador
needs her protectors.” She said this with an air of seriousness. In truth, she
wanted her son near at hand because, at her core, she feared losing another
child. So it was more for her comfort. He had elements of both grandparents.
Speed and plant control. Mixed with matter manipulation that could make him
very formidable. His eyes widened as he picked up on his mother’s emotional
aura. His chest puffed up a bit.
He would
be as brave, noble, and true as his father.
It was
important to protect the women in his family.
From the
corner of his sight, his uncle’s armored outline phased in. He fired off a
quick salute, his mind voice was clipped and had a military bite to it, >>Stay with your mother. You are also
a line of defense. Never forget that.<<
Zachary
Murphy glanced up at his mother. Her human façade masking the power within. One
day he would show the world his mettle. To walk in the sun as Human and
Typherian. On equal footing with his sister. House Cyphuskara was wrong about
her. And humanity. They would add to the genetic tapestry of the cosmos.
A bolt
from the blue.
He
grinned. Picturing the delight on his grandparents' faces.
He would
eventually pick a name.
One that
would make the universe see he was a child of two worlds.
J’ino
picked up her son. “You.” She poked his nose.
“Are
plotting something.”
He
replied, “Just investing in the future.”
