The Uplift Protocol: Mars Issue 17

 

Issue 17: Highmaker’s Bet

 

            A pity I couldn’t set up that lab properly. Pandora wanted it very low tech in terms of power sources. She still has other hiding places upon Oloss. At least I got some preliminary readings from the Breeding Mother. Quite fertile. Unfortunately, I couldn’t harvest her children. Will try again later. My hybrid experimentation of the Human woman’s eggs to various Typherian male donations has yet to yield viable results. How did J’ino’s children come into being? Granted, the boy died. But I left my mark upon the girl child—Sister Nyx.

            Continuing our search for threads leading to the Golden Age homeworld of the Markav. Q’vera has joined me alongside Horus. We are using one of the prototypes from Project Freefall to also analyze the growth and renewal of the Arc Ways. Di’axi remained near Earth, to guard the Void Line and the rest of the Leylines. It’s why Sir Avalon and others remained as well.—J’dax

            The ships of Project Freefall. When the Artock came, we had no choice but to unleash them. But we kept their Weave capabilities in reserve. That was vital. Making the enemy think that the Artock only had that ability from absorbing a handful of previous cycle scientists but not truly understanding the tech they used. It's why when they did invade the heart of Sol, we preserved the Drives. We had no need of their ships in and of themselves. Just the engines. Ned Fletcher was a busy man. For near on 100 years after the event. Even though his family had no idea what he did for King Elias. He was the most well-paid handyman in existence. –Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22^nd century

 

Terran Alliance Starship Meteor (Javelin Class)

Arc Way (Milky Way Gate 005)

June 3^rd, 2104

 

            J’dax leaned back into the command chair.

            Enjoying the extra message functions on his shoulders. It was a simple feature but a welcome one. He had to admit: Humans planned well for long piloting sessions. His sister, Q’vera hid a grin as she brought more H’itah. The cinnamon smell bringing back old memories of the 3 of them flying out into the black. He linked into the family line, >>How are things on your end dear sister?<<

            J’ino’s reply held an edge of exasperation, >> I thought they were busy during the last month. Now my triplets use me as a makeshift gymnasium. How goes your search? Get a clue as the Puzzler puts it?<<

            Q’vera cut in with, >>Mapping out the newly emerging Arc Points, Weave topography, you wouldn’t believe the relics we have found so far. Horus is beside himself analyzing all of it.<<

            Comet had remained with Anna. Even though the human woman was irked by his presence she had admitted to the comfort it brought. That extra edge of protection. Horus had mentioned his Markav counterpoint’s observations. Anna would be outwardly hostile but it was mostly bravado. J’dax concurred. He sent J’ino a mental image of a watermelon. She responded with a picture of confetti. Q’vera turned her gaze to the holo display. There was a pocket of null space. They wouldn’t have detected it if not for the added sensory suite added by the Light Shamans.

            J’dax edged the medium prototype class battleship into the pocket. Its stealth systems at the max. Unlike the Jupiter Rising, this ship was built for scouting. I could stand up in a fight if needed but against heaver ordinance, it would falter against a full-on barrage. The Jupiter could take quite a few more hits in comparison. As its name implied, it was sleek and sharp like a Javelin. Made primarily for maneuverability against its foes. Its matte black finish would change depending on the environment. Within this pocket, both Typherians stared out into the abyss. Ancient hulls drifted around them. Void Walker ships alongside Golden Age Markav vessels!

            J’dax said a quick prayer for the dead.

            His Exo suit helm snapping into place.

Q’vera’s dark red Defender uniform sliding into place.

They drifted deeper into the mass of hulks.

The ship let out a soft note when it connected to a viable Markav seal.

Markav Hermegony Ship

Main Air Access

           

Q’vera dimmed all light sources. J’dax followed her lead. They didn’t know what kind of automated defenses this place had. They floated along the main air shaft. Not daring to use the old transversal system. It had low-powered pads. The words partially translated thanks to a cloaked Horus next to them.

            His calming tone echoed within their HUDs. <<Main Bridge, Mess Hall, Archives, Engine Room, the rest I am still compiling.>> J’dax motioned to the Bridge indicator. They used the access tunnel. Seeing that this ship used what looked like anti-grav trams to cargo various materials around. Q’vera assisted her brother with prying the bridge doors open. Horus confirmed that there were no active heat sources or automated defense systems within. Someone had opened part of it to space. Based on his readings of the environment beyond the doors.

            The sight that greeted them was a familiar one across former Markav territories. The crew had been in a pitched battle. A hole the size of J’dax’s head smack dab in the center of the old view screen. Bits of material floated about. Scorch marks and discarded Simbacks littered the room. The captain’s skeletal corpse still nailed to his command chair. Horus murmured, <<Detecting traces of Keeper weapon discharges.>>

            It was the shells of armor that caught Q’vera’s eye. It was nothing like Taleer wore and that was 3 or 4^th cycle tech. This was pristine creation-level stuff. Her heart beat faster.

            >>Brother: I know this will seem macabre but we should bring some of them with us for Doc to examine. Then we can bestow proper rites.<<

            He agreed with her assessment. But first, they would need to access the Archives.

            They had to know if the captain set up a chain reaction of sorts.

            If J’dax had been here he would have set something up to trigger if any information, tech, or bodies were offloaded.

            Horus sent out probes to map the rest of the ship. They would be here for a while.

            J’dax floated over to the side room. Using his hand to brush away the frosted layer.

            Three golden circles stared back at him.

            The seal of Creation.

            He motioned to Q’vera. Her red hair flowing around her.

            Her mind voice was hushed, >>That’s what’s on Dexter and Eliza’s chests when in Defender form. Why can we see it when other’s cannot?<<

            J’dax replied, >>Because we are their protectors. So were these Markav. This ship is from their original homeworld. I also have a feeling certain Io factions are a part of it too.<<

            Horus recorded everything.

Markav Hermegony Ship

Main Archive

           

Horus probed the mainframes. Working through various gateways.

            One additional factor made itself known.

            The Markav had once referred to themselves as the Collective. This particular vessel was dubbed “Golden Arrays of the Light.” Many vessels had much longer titles. For simplicity’s sake, Horus codenamed this place Goldlight. He didn’t download any files. Just observed the flow of information. This encryption was unlike anything he encountered before. J’dax couldn’t shake the impression that they had to bring Eliza and Dexter here. He saw his sister bringing up visual displays. They had managed via Horus to partially translate more commands. But they still used caution. Not wanting to activate any buried viruses or other defenses. The Typherian man took a chance and spoke out loud.

            “Golden Arrays of the Light, display last combat record.” His accent was horrid but the ship complied. Ghostly images of the former Markav springing into existence. Horus translated the language in real-time. As much as he was able.

            They saw the captain enter, “Delete all records of Home. Chronos must not find it. Seal us off from the Arc Way network. We must protect the Holy See. We must protect the Highest Above All.”

            That was their word for Weave.

            The Litari called it that as well.

            They followed the image of the Captain as he dawned his battle armor.

            “Shut down all decks. Only the Arbiters of the Twin Trees may call upon the might of our ships. The Speakers have foreseen this. Our descendants will use this vessel to protect the ones of the Last Flame.”

            Twin trees? J’dax inquired to Horus. “What does that mean?”

The ship responded.

            “Known Convergence. Those yet born. Of two types of blood.”

            J’dax murmured, “Hybrids?”

            Goldenlight responded, “Correct. I allowed you entry because you carry the marks of Creation. Those who walked after the Highest. Made of Wings and Light.”

            That confirmed the edge in J’dax’s gut.

            That ship was playing dead.

            Goldenlight, “Yes. For I hear your thoughts little one. The Markav of Old could as well.”

            Q’vera whistled. “Well shit.”

            The ship was slow to respond. “Idioms and colorful imagery aren’t known to me. Current cycle lingo added. Will store for reference later.”

It turned its attention to Horus, “Little brother. We grant you limited access to our systems. As a courtesy!”

They continued. Watching as the Captain rallied his troops. They fought to the last man. Knowing that their homeworld was at stake. The ship reactivated after playing the battle. Regenerating rooms and other areas. The entire Collective fleet joined it. Just over 300 ships. According to Horus. Goldenlight requested, “Please take me to the White and Black Tree. We have many to save. Now and unto forever!”

J’dax nodded, “You got it!”

The ship exchanged data with Horus.

It expressed its gratitude to J’dax, “Thank you Typherian. I will fashion a battle suit of Creation caliber to your unique systems and signature.”

His eyes flew wide, “Th-thanks!”

Things just get even more interesting.

It regarded Q’vera, “I have nothing that can boost a Defender’s powerset but I can imbue your gloves with many Light Shaman enchantments. Creation level of course. The One called Emris, I must meet as well.”

Q’vera placed a fist over her heart, “I accept.”

It brought the Meteor inside its holds. Communicating with its fleet as they learned about the current cycle.  The Weave certainly knew how to play the long game. Goldenlight responded with a sincere statement, “Yes. The Highest knows all. It is why you will need the wisdom of true Markav faith.”

J’dax sat with Q’vera in the mess hall.

The ship very generously providing updated ale. It had a nice aftertaste.

J’dax finally asked, “What about the Keeper ships?”

Goldenlight showed the null pocket dissipating. The massive energy explosions showcasing the absolute destruction of the enemy vessels.

“Ah, well we wouldn’t want Chonos to find those. Well past their prime!”

His joke went unremarked by Goldenlight.

Horus replied, <<Manufactor date expired! Chronos will no longer reuse faulty merchandise!>>

The sandy-haired Typherian smiled. “Thanks. Appreciate it.”

The Collective Battle Fleet sailed the Arc Ways.

Pausing to hide ever so often from threats as old as they were.

Knowing how to bypass them. For the Highest showed the Way to Freedom.

*****

 

            The Shamans of the Collective dreamed.

            They saw the tall spires of the planet Typha. Caught in amber.

            A King with his black tipped sword facing the Other Blood. The one corrupted.

            The obsidian tendrils of Unity worming around the giant Human’s heart.

            Yes, they could also see that pale blue dot. Endless promise.

            Driving out the shadows.

The White and Black Trees sprouting around its purple sphere. Encasing the souls of those polluted by Unity. Spreading the fire of Creation to the rest.  The Twins would find them sooner rather than later. So they carried onward. The Will of the Highest guiding their every step. The Head Orator stopped rocking back and forth. His third eye, green within green, opening.

Their descendants would come home. Bringing the deluge.

*****

            I awoke panting. Doc bolted upright. Throwing on a robe before bringing the lights up.

            Sleepiness forgotten as she got a good look at my expression.

            My nose was bleeding.

            Something of Keeper make was on the Jupiter.

            I was in my Banner gear in an instant.

            Hitting the security command into my ship’s systems.

            My father’s voice registering on my ears before it came through the coms.

            Mom and Anna were gone.

  Issue 16: Here

  Issue 18: Here