Interlude: Dark Matter Cluster
Drink of the Water. It will pass. On to the next. To breath
into life renewed.—Hatheon Blessing
I stand as a witness. Until the stars
go out. One final time.—Dexter Murphy
Every
time I awaken I remember that cry. The combined might of Earth, The Milky Way
Galaxy, Our Universe. The mirrors that joined us during the Long Dark. We would
not lose that day.—Sleeping In Starlight
The Dark Matter Cluster
Heart of the Multiverse
Lighthouse of Reflections
Dexter Murphy moved past the middle
tier. Crystals floated in a semi-circle around him. Hatheon guards saluted as
he floated past. The chimes echoed as events demanded his attention….
“…I will break you Golden Dart!”
“On this day? We ride to victory!”
“Huston? We have landed. One small
step for….”
“…The Eternal Empire shall never die….”
“…cripple…”
“…on this day we award the medal of….”
The
shard of the Highest within rang louder as he approached the earliest portal
allowable along his sister’s lifeline. Eliza’s features were fresh. At four
years old she was attempting to stand. The angry red line of her spinal injuries
evident under the upper portion of her white shirt. The Captain Cosmos emblem,
in its red and gold, complete with fishbowl helmet foremost. Dexter stepped
through the portal.
His
form changed.
To
that of a small black kitten.
The
first step among many.
Earth
New Ashbury (Texas)
November 9th, 2078
I turned as the kitten pawed at my
shorts. It was hard to move. But I hid my tears.
I didn’t want to upset my parents.
The cream gran gran put on my back helped. My grandfather exclaimed, “Found
you!” His smile faded as he crouched. “Back troubling you again? It’s alright
to admit it.”
I gave a tiny nod. “Am I broken? I
heard the doctor say…..”
Grandpa picked me up. “You got hurt
coming into this world. I trust what your father said. It was no fault of
yours.” He didn’t notice the kitten floating over his head. The cat in question
shook its head. I could sense the caution coming off of him. I knew him. From
my dreams.
>>We
gotta be careful! Your back will change. This is hiding us both!<<
I thought back hard: To hide us from the Shadow Man?!
I
still saw fragments. A blonde man with cold blue eyes. His face was not right.
Dad
was right. I had been hurt. But not by the Shadow Man. Her face had been burned.
Red
needle over harsh white lights….
I
screwed my eyes shut and leaned into my grandfather’s chest. His heartbeat was
slow and steady. Like a metronome on the old vids. Grandpa placed me in the
Rocket. It was my favorite. A nice red color. It floated next to him as he hit
the buttons. He winked at me, “Ready for scout mission?”
I
saluted, “To the Horizon! Planetary Defenders go!”
My
brother sat in my lap.
Why
can’t I tell them you're ok? Momma cries. She’d…
He patted me on the cheek, >>Can’t let the one who controls the Shadow Man find us. We aren’t strong enough yet.<<
I nodded.
My hands rested on the
steering nobs. I circled Grandpa.
“Maybe
when I get older Jacob can show me all the models he works on. He’s smart!”
Brother
purred. The sound soothed the ache in my chest.
His
voice quickened, >>Remember. When
Captain Cosmos shows you the boy in the mirror? That will be me as
well.<<
I
leaned over and told Grandpa, “I promise to be on my best behavior!”
A
dark blue aura surrounded him for a moment.
He
was upset but it didn’t show on his face, “I know kiddo. I know.”
That
was how I knew my brother was real. He gave off auras as well.
His
tiny paws tapped my shoulders.
>>I
promise. We will fly. You will anchor me when the time comes.<<
We
crested the hill and the base came into sight. Nice houses in neat little rows.
A new shuttle runway was being constructed. I winced as the pain lanced up my
spine. Tomorrow was another day.
One
filled with adventure. I put on my Cosmos Helmet. “TO THE MOON!”
That
brightened my Grandfather’s aura.
He
pointed skyward, “…and beyond!”
Together
we shouted, “For the United Collective of Planets!”
It
was the best show.
Issue 33: Here
Book 10 Prologue: Here
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