Issue 25: The Heart of Io Ignites
My blood ignites. She’s calling us all. Even our vaunted Houses will notice. Things will never be the same—Q’vera, Red Defender.
The Litari have joined the Forgers in welcoming the Terran Alliance fleets into their borders. Ratifying a mutual defense pact that has many within Typha’s Navy concerned. Are they still relevant?—ANN Interstellar Report: The Changing Landscape of the Cosmos.
“My King, per your orders, our military forces have been pulled back. Maintaining their presence at Scholar Gates and major trade routes. My observation: It is a relief we are getting additional reinforcements from the Humans. Utasa Sector is thriving because of it. The Artock’s are retreating for now.—Utasa Sector Admiral Y’lansa Odessen.
The various Houses are calling for my head. Besides our traditional allies. Our people within the Commons are overjoyed. Seeing these bold strides of Humanity as a counterweight to the plodding advancement of Uplift Protocol. If they only knew how vital this was.---V’alkor Ayeer.
Io. Whatever else history will say: That place remained etched within my memory for the rest of my days. Did the Weave always know? How everything would play out? I still feel that phantom left arm. Even now: Unity’s flesh burning as I drove that spear deep within the wound left by Matarn.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century.
Orbit of Jupiter
Io Arc Repository
March 20th, 2104
I ran my fingertips over the pitted metals. My Aunt, Q’vera was behind me while Cooper floated above. Their belts making things light up Christmas style. Di’axi as well. Dawnbreaker stood next to me. His hand resting over mine. The ground shifted. It was no longer just Io. Rows of metal shifted. I didn’t have to fly to space to know what it said.
Welcome.
Recognized: ///|||\\\
Recognized: =//|||\\=
Entry granted.
The entire moon transformed, sucking in all the surface cover. Towers of crystal sparkled. Reflecting the face of Jupiter. Its orange eye extending within the warmth of their glow. Cooper danced around us. Howling out, <<It hears your song! A wonderous noise!>> I tuned into it. Tears running down my face. This place had artificial gravity present and a glimmering of a shield above our heads. The Jupiter Rising passed through it as if it was meant to be here. While other Terran Alliance fleet ships FTL’d in. The white-blue blaze indicating normal transversal. My father, in his US Army battle suit, stepped forward. “We will guard the entry point. I have a feeling what’s inside is for you and Dawnbreaker.”
Anna removed her helmet.
To the shock of everyone. She sucked in a big lungful of air. “Hey TEDDY! You owe me!”
We turned the mechanism. Our belts syncing with us.
The doorway swung open.
J’dax saluted us as the slabs of metal closed behind us.
A pleasant voice greeted us, “Ah. Good. We have much to do!”
He was taller than us. About 9 feet. Thank goodness. Dexter poked me in the ribs.
Our host’s white wings stretched outward. Their black tips were decorated with sigils.
Unlike Set, these gave me a sense of peace.
The Angelic entity nodded, “Yes. We are of his race but he is an outcast to us. He broke the covenant with the Weave. The instant he guided that Scholar to its doom as Unity.” His hair was sandy-colored. Similar to my uncle’s. His eyes were completely blue. No whites. A neatly trimmed beard. My empathy senses went haywire. The absolute truth of his existence was nearly awe-inspiring. As we descended a spiral staircase the murals shifted.
How everything began.
The Weave
The Path of the Ancients
Dawn of Creation
Hidan spread his wings.
The universe spread out before him. His brother joined him.
The tips of his wings brushing the Weave.
All the Echo Pathways ringing with joy at their passing.
He wrapped the bundle in his arms tighter. This would be the first.
Twins to rule Life and Death.
The next creation of the Weave. They would be the caretakers.
*****
Dexter and I stared at the Ancient. He waved us forward. To our point of view, it resembled an Old Earth stadium. Greek or Roman. I blurted out, “Have things always been in twos. Like the old Noah’s Ark tale?”
He nodded, “Many holy books were created by Weave Speakers. But they were translated into examples early humans and others could understand. Speaking of the Creation era.” My face burned, “Oh man. I didn’t study theology all that well. So what should we call you?”
He waved us to some seats.
Another Angel, just as perfect as him poured some water into some glasses while bowing politely.
Our host said, “I am Hidan. And I suspect you know who my brother is.”
Dexter’s face went slack, Black’s rage lashed out, “Set.”
Hidan’s sorrow rolled across me.
“Indeed. He fell. Taking the Garden of the First Ones with him. What you see as Hell incarnate is the refuse Set left behind in Unity’s wake. To keep Unity from finding the right Universe, I have gathered 100 of my best scouts and warriors. They have already left Edenverse. The 2nd of its name.”
The Weave had changed our Universe based on that first mistake.
The Angle nodded. His voice echoing through us.
“Throne Sight gives you an edge but use it wisely. It will reveal the true nature of things but so will your Uncle Paxton. He has our insight. That of Creation itself. What you might call a Nephilim. Of the old world.”
Dexter drank another two cups. Then remarked, “Is that why he always stuck so close?”
Hidan’s amusement illuminated everything, “Indeed! But he does love you both dearly. Unlike his sisters, who possess demi children, he cannot sire children. Our blood is too potent within him for that.”
He gave me a ring. It was black while Dexter’s was white.
“Use these to return to the inner sanctum. Chronos is heading here with a scout fleet. Expecting Earth to roll over like the Markav colony of old. That place didn’t have Creation level defenses. But that has changed.”
As we ran back to the surface, Hidan called out to me, mind to mind, >>We gift to you the knowledge of Matarn. Use the spear to its fullest. Do not use Throne Sight again until you are ready to slay Unity. Keep Paxton close. He will guide you.<<
White knew what I would ask and she added, <<I will lock it from your mind.>>
Outer Sol Defense Ring
Sector Defense Grid Alpha
Alarms shrieked as personnel scrambled to their fighters. This was it.
Dexter and I arrived first. The power of White flowed over me.
My armor a silver beacon within the blackness of space.
I made some motions in the air. Sigils of Creation.
Matarn’s spear numbered in the 1000s.
Each shot out into the void. Ramming into the first wave of Chronos’ saucer-shaped abominations. INet and HeroNet came online. Highmaker cloaked within the background noise. Adam Lazer and over 6 dozen demis FTL’d in moments later. The sparks dissipating as the suits pealed off. Even if it was one-time use that was pretty awesome. These must have been the military space-capable ones my mother was talking about. Dexter tossed his trident. One Null ship exploded. He gathered up the shrapnel with Matter Manipulation. Hurling it at the rest like torpedos. His strikes were a whirlwind of destruction.
Space fluctuated behind me. The chanting of Light Shamans rang outward.
Home Fleet Bravo had arrived. My HUD highlighted all friendlies. White nudged me.
<<It is time. Summon the deluge.>>
I shouted the words. The space between stars filled with the lights of many Defenders.
Gulliver and Trouble floated next to me.
<<You rang Hot Sause?>> His orange energies blazed. Buzzsaws circled his head.
Aunt Q’vera sharpened her red blades. An extension of her soul. I propelled myself forward. Seeking him. He would not touch Mars or Earth. Not when both were so close to true awakening. Taleer phased in next to me. <<I will join you.>> His tone flat and cold. I wrapped an arm around him. It was time to invade Chronos for a change.
Keeper Null Ship
Designation: X'talia
Chronos staggered to his feet. His command chair was forgotten.
“Enhance Biofeedback readouts!”
His unfeeling orbs centered on the shining white armor.
Her.
The Mother of All. Finally resurrected.
A pity. She would have made an interesting brood mother.
His mouth twisted. A slight frown.
“Aether. My old friend.”
His stink was upon the suits that carried all those demis to this place.
No matter. He would keep this data.
These ships were shells anyway.
He activated the countdown codes.
A final present for those from this misbegotten place. Sister Nyx, burned with the sign of the human cross bowed before him.
“I will teleport to our fallback upon Earth. Shall I resume the mission?”
He replied, “Yes. Take the extra provisions from the Testing Modules. You might be alone for a while. Unless my fool of a daughter shows back up.”
He would have loved to see the look upon his enemies' faces but this would have to do for now. The Sister would succeed. Since Mordred passed on the DNA sequence of the hybrid, she ingested it, so that in the end, she would be able to sniff him out. Track him to his simple abode. Dissect him and whatever remaining babes she could find. Then they would have a proper army to defend themselves and their assets.
*****
Taleer howled. Smashing his augmented suit fists against the wall. The command deck was empty but a disquiet filled my stomach. I didn't like it. Paxton didn’t either, <<That ship is set to explode, but not just a normal one, he means to do damage to the Weave. Disconnect the power source!>>
We zipped down corridors until we found it. The countdown had less than a minute left. With our combined strength my brother and I lifted it from the ship's hull. Carrying it away from the battlefield. Defenders of all kinds teleported beside us. Trouble added, <<If we work together, using all belt specializations we can contain this!>>
Emerald K-9 went first. Then a Blue Defender. My aunt adding the Red. Until every defender was represented within the shield. Dexter and I coated the evil thing last. With him adding the Black after me. Nothing happened. Then a soul-splitting howl filled our ears. After a few tense moments, the energy of the bomb diffused completely. Dawnbreaker said, “There is no damage.”
If I could sweat it would be a downpour.
As we reached the Outer Sol D-Ring a surprising sight greeted us.
The Flagship of Utasa Sector. Y’lansa was here.
The message was rather off putting though.
“By the Order of the House Inheritance , the Twins of Typha must return, no later than the date listed.” Her formal tone belied the rage within her eyes. She didn’t agree with this but couldn’t say no. I linked in, using INet on an open band so all could hear.
<<Message received Utasa Actual. As Scion of House Ayeer: My duties as a Defender to my Home Sector do not allow me to leave until the Threat of Void Walker is eliminated. My belt tells me one shifted to Earth before the Fleet retreated. Enacting Right of Sojourn until the target is eliminated.>>
Dexter and everyone else I was able to mind link with laughed. As of now, that included Grandma and Grandpa Ayeer, Zach, Mom, and Di’axi. Via the Ivory ring as well.
Mom added, >>Good girl. By your decree then.<<
Y’lansa acknowledged this, “Understood White Defender Ayeer. Home Sector Signifier Earth established for the Record. Until this matter is resolved my fleet and flagship will be stationed here as well.” She added on a private link, <<That was a smart move. Sends a particular message back Home. IN your case both but a good start. Your mother is either the most brilliant tactician ever in keeping you utterly ignorant or foolish. I have decided both cover it.>>
*****
The sister breathed in the simple air of this Texas city. Humanity had its uses but who could deny the face of a simple nun? She was the reason why her master had so many good test subjects. The things people would leave in her possession still surprised her. All because they naturally trusted the females more often. Even when they wore the face of kindness. Only the cross mark on her cheek gave her away. Most assumed it was because of a house fire. She let them think that.
Damnable Light Shamans.
She would find the Hybrids. Fulfill the tasks of Unity.
Their darkness would flood the multiverse.
Bringing eternal night.
Issue 24: Here
Interlude 2 The Red Planet Rises: Here
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