Blade Of Reckoning: Chapter 2: Dark Deception

Chapter 2: Dark Deception

Tahkshi

The Watchman touched down in the landing bay of the Musun. The landing bay on this hemisphere of the museum protected by nought but a force-field and a generated atmosphere, was almost empty, due to the fact that it was officially closed for business, being that it was night there. The Enforcers, however, were allowed inside due to their government levels of access. A security guard approached the ship as the ramp descended. Tahkshi approached the Guard.

“What's wrong?” Tahkshi asked.

“I've been informed to tell you that the Pyrkagias and the robot can't enter the museum.” the guard said in gruff tones. Tahkshi looked at him: he was a Wervian, meaning that he was twice as large as Tahkshi was and covered in thick hair. Whilst being twice the size of Tahkshi, the Wervian's muscle density was a lot higher than the average human's, meaning that they are a lot stronger and hence a good choice for a security guard.

“Why not?” Tahkshi asked angrily.

The guard shuffled uncomfortably. “It's the policy, I'm afraid. The Pyrkagias are fine with it, 'cus they could accidentally damage the exhibits.”

This much was true. In all of the Pyrkagias' colonies, very few historical records remained, due to the plasmatic nature of their bodies. Pyrkagias have reflexes and twitches like humans, and their bodies can go awry. And when this happens, things are destroyed. Tahkshi had forgotten the agreement that no Pyrkagias can set foot in the Musun; an agreement set up by the Pyrkagias government itself.

“What about the machine?” Tahkshi asked.

“Standard policy, I'm afraid.” The guard said, “No outside AIs are permitted, as they could corrupt our own AIs.”

“Fine.” Tahkshi conceded. “Viretta, with me. Incarnate, get some rest.”

“Ok.” Incarnate grunted, still clutching his side: the ships that The Other had thrown at him had almost shattered his rib cage, and no amount of time in the medical bay with VEX-TE will get rid of the pain quickly, even if the injury itself is healed.

“Good man.” Tahkshi said. He turned to Foton. “Go find another suit of armour.”

“You sure?” Foton asked, “You could probably use some backup.”

“We'll be fine,” Viretta reassured him.

“Fine.” Foton turned and went back inside the ship.

“So, why'd you want to visit at this time?” The guard asked as they began to walk towards the elevator.

“That's classified.” Tahkshi said quickly.

“Where do you want to go?” The guard asked, feeling a bit awkward.

“The Lost Legend exhibit.” Viretta answered, before Tahkshi could say “that's classified” again.

“Ah, the Olympian display.” The guard explained, “Most of what we found there, we got from Earth.”

“Why?” Tahkshi asked irritably.

“Because otherwise, we'd only have burnt Adjeti ruins.” The guard said uncomfortably. “Anyway, in the elevator, the co-ordinates are 374, 587, 12.”

Tahkshi walked off over to the elevator. Viretta sighed, and said, “Thanks.” to the guard, before following.

“What are you doing?” she hissed at Tahkshi. “He was only trying to help.”

They stepped inside the elevator and Tahkshi entered the co-ordinates onto a small keypad on the wall. “He was asking too many questions.” Tahkshi said.

“That's no reason to be rude, is it?” Viretta said, annoyed.

The elevator began to move now. It was what is known as a “3D-elevator”, as in it moves in X, Y and Z co-ordinates, to access any point in the Musun's eastern hemisphere.

“I wasn't being rude.” Tahkshi said defensively. “I can't just tell him why we're really here, can I?”

“No,” Viretta conceded, “But you could've at least apologised. We are kinda wasting his time.”

“I guess.” Tahkshi agreed. “I'll apologise to him later.”

“Good.” Viretta smiled.

Tahkshi smiled as he saw her smile. “You really are beautiful, you know that?”

“Yup.” She replied cheekily, but the blush gave her true feelings away.

The elevator doors opened with a hiss, and they stepped out of the elevator. Tahkshi led the way and walked over to the Olympian Exhibit, signposted by a large sign that said “Olympians!” in more than twenty different languages. Tahkshi entered the exhibit and strolled past the statues of Zeus and other gods before reaching the Lost Legend display. The legend itself was encased in an alarmed glass cabinet. Tahkshi squinted to read it aloud.

“Eons ago, the Greek god of the underworld, Hades hatched a daring plan to steal the powers of all of the other Olympian Gods in revenge for him ruling only the dead. This plan was so sudden and brilliant, that it almost worked.

Almost.

Wishing to gain the powers of the gods, he forged an item called the Cornopticus. Then, he gathered a DNA sample from all of the gods. Hades got the DNA necessary from the skin flakes on the beds of the other Olympians. He then transferred the DNA into the Cornopticus.

But, there was a fatal flaw in his plan. Helios, god of the sun, witnessed Hades telling his most faithful servant and son, Blue Cloud, about the Cornopticus. He hurried to tell Zeus. After gathering an army of demi-gods, he set them on Hades under Helios’ command. Hades, with no extra power, slaughtered the demi-gods in an outburst of rage. Hades turned on Helios, and cast him out into deep space. Hades then stole a hair brush of each of the female gods, leaving him only without Helios' powers.

This was too much for Zeus. In order to stop Hades, he held a communion with the other gods. However, Hades, believing that the Cornopticus had granted him the powers of the gods, interrupted the ritual and turned on the gods. Firstly, he faced his own brothers, Zeus and Poseidon. When they started using their god powers, Hades realized that something was wrong. Eventually, Zeus and the other gods defeated Hades and sealed him inside the Hades Gate. However, in a last ditch attempt to escape, Hades shattered the lock on the Gate: the Blade Of Olympus into Four Swords. As he shattered it, the Four Swords were scattered throughout time and space. The Hades Gate sealed, but slowly began to unlock. Without the Four Swords being gathered and forged back into the Blade Of Olympus, Hades will one day be free. His last command was to Blue Cloud, ordering him to stop the gathering of the swords.”

“Sounds... different.” Viretta noted.

“Yeah...” Tahkshi said thoughtfully, “But it covers all of what The Other said. The Four Swords, the Demigod. It all fits.”

“You don't think it's true, do you?” Viretta asked sceptically.

“I don't think it's true,” said Tahkshi slowly and carefully, “But I think that The Other thinks it is.” Tahkshi pointed at the display marked “Cornopticus”. “There's some proof already. Intricate detailing was likely not a strong point of humans back then.”

“Looks like an overly large shell.” Viretta commented, “Like a fossil or something.”

“Could be.” Tahkshi conceded. “We should probably get back to the ship.”

They walked together back to the elevator. “Where are we going?” Viretta asked, “After the ship, I mean.”

“To Buena.” Tahkshi said, “Check on the war situation.”

The elevator doors opened before they reached it.

And then the lights went out.

*

Cinradahs

With the Musun's eastern hemisphere officially closed, Cinradahs crept out of the secluded corner. He smiled. Controlling shadows is great,

he thought. The control of shadows was Cinradahs' main power, enabling him to create soldiers from the darkness, and to shroud himself in darkness. He walked from his corner over to the elevator double doors, pressing the “call elevator” button.

“Hey, you!” came a call from behind him.

Cinradahs turned, hand outstretched. The shadows on the ground leapt up in spikes and skewered the Wervian that had previously been running at him. Cinradahs slowly stalked over to him, long steps closing the distance quickly. A chuckling erupted from Cinradahs' lips as blood spurted from the Wervian's. As Cinradahs stopped in front of the Wervian, it drew its head away in fear. “Are you afraid?” hissed Cinradahs.

The Wervian opened its mouth to speak, but Cinradahs pushed its jaw back upwards. “Hush now.” Cinradahs hissed, “Don't speak. Are you afraid?”

The Wervian shook its head slowly, wincing in pain.

Cinradahs moved away from the Wervian, turning around and walking back to the elevator which had now arrived. “You should be.” he called as he entered the elevator. As the doors closed, he heard the screams of the Wervian as the shadows tore him apart. Cinradahs sighed, before typing in the co-ordinates for an exhibit. “ 374, 587, 12.” he whispered to himself.

When the elevator travelled and eventually reached its destination, the doors flung open, Cinradahs saw two people and cast a shadow over them and the room, plunging it into total darkness.

*

Tahkshi

Footsteps penetrated the darkness, and as they grew louder, Tahkshi grabbed Viretta's hand and pulled her close. “Who's there?” he called.

A chuckle greeted him. “It doesn't matter to you, does it?” Cinradahs spat. “You can't see me, can you, murderer?”

“Murderer?” Viretta shot back.

“Imagine my surprise,” Cinradahs continued, ignoring Viretta's comment. “When I found out you lead your Enforcers in the field, as well as in the office, Tahkshi.”

How did he know? Tahkshi thought, No-one outside my main advisers know that, not even most of the senate. “I'll imagine your surprise when I catch you.” he quipped back.

Cinradahs laughed. “You'll have to for evermore. After all, I'll soon be off with what I came for.”

“What did you come for?” asked Viretta, as Tahkshi drew his blade.

“None of your concern.” Cinradahs spat back, “However, your antics at the Church Of Cloud earlier-”

“Church Of Cloud?” Tahkshi asked, glancing at Viretta. “That was the name of the church?”

“Of course,” Cinradahs hissed. “And the Authorities are going their right now.”

“And?” Tahkshi asked carelessly.

“There's evidence to suggest that you and your Enforcers killed all of the church-goer's.”

Tahkshi's jaw dropped and he felt Viretta's hand tighten. “What?”

“Foton's armour. Cinders left by the Pyrkagias. Incarnate's blood.” Cinradahs gloated. “And to top it off, you're stealing the Cornopticus artefact from the Musun.”

“You bastard!” Viretta yelled. “You can't do this.”

“Ah, but I can.” Cinradahs said, “No security cameras work at this hour in this hemisphere, to save on utility. And no-one knows I'm here, except you.”

“I know your voice.” Tahkshi said slowly.

“You do.” Cinradahs said.

“Cinradahs.” Tahkshi revealed. “Always thought you were a bit of a bastard.”

“You beat me in every poll, Tahkshi.” Cinradahs spat, “And this is my revenge. I will get your position, because there is no-one else willing to take over. You will be branded a wanted criminal, as all your little group shall.”

Tahkshi gulped, moving forwards, but the darkness seemed never ending, even though he was sure the exhibit itself was only a small room.

“I'm sorry, Viretta.” Cinradahs said, “But you threw in with the wrong crowd.”

“Fuck you.” Viretta spat, aiming a kick at nothing in particular. Her foot connected with something and, a fraction of a second later, a shattering sound came from the ground.

“And now,” Cinradahs said, “Your downwards spiral begins.”

Glass shattering.

Alarms blaring.

Hurried footsteps.

The darkness cleared to reveal the elevator doors slide shut and red, flashing lights illuminating the exhibit.

“They'll believe us, won't they?” Viretta asked, looking up at Tahkshi.

“I doubt it.” Tahkshi said. “Cinradahs expects us to fight our way out of this.”

“Why?” Viretta asked.

“Because we have no time to explain.” Tahkshi said, his eyes drifting and looking at a small box. “Look.” He pointed towards the box.

Viretta pulled her hand out of Tahkshi's grip and jogged towards the box. Atop the box were four digital numbers: 02:35. Counting down. “It's a bomb!” she yelled, eyes widening with fear.

“We need to go.” Tahkshi insisted. When Viretta did not move, Tahkshi pulled on her arm and assertively said, “Now!”

They ran to the elevator doors and looked at the call-elevator button. It was sparking and smoking. Won't be doing that then...

Tahkshi thought. Footsteps came from down the corridor and Tahkshi turned his head to see a team of Wervians running down the corridor, security batons at the ready.

“Stairs!” Viretta called frantically from down the corridor.

Tahkshi looked over to her and saw the stairs, marked with the label “Teleportation Booths” with an arrow pointing upwards. Please yes.

“Stop!” came a voice from below.

“Go!” Tahkshi yelled to Viretta as she turned to look to see behind. From his pocket, he took out a communicator device and spoke into it, “Foton, meet us on Buena.”

Foton's voice echoed through the small speaker on the device. “Why? What's going on?”

“We've been framed for killing those people at the church,” Tahkshi said, “And for stealing an artefact here and planting a bomb.”

“Damn...” Foton said, no other response coming to mind.

“The guards will probably come for you.” Tahkshi said, jogging up the steps, “So go. We'll be there soon.”

“Good luck.” Foton said, before signing off.

Tahkshi caught up to Viretta as she gestured to the Wervians chasing them up the spiral stairs, “Why don't they just shoot us?”

“No guns allowed,” Tahkshi said, racing up the stairs, “Might damage the exhibits.”

“They're headed for the teleportation booths!” yelled a Wervian.

“Cut the power!” came a yell from another guard.

“Shit...” muttered Tahkshi as the lights turned themselves off with a flash.

Viretta tugged on the booth door as she reached it. “It's locked!” she yelled.

Tahkshi kept running, increasing his speed. He lowered his shoulder and charged into the door, which shook on impact, before falling open. The room was dark, but he could just make out the cylindrical booths.

“Buena!” exclaimed Viretta.

“Where?” Tahkshi asked, looking around. But the darkness ate into his vision and clouded his senses.

“They're in there!” came a Wervian's call.

“We got them now!” another yelled.

“Over here.” Viretta said, grabbing Tahkshi's arm and pulling him over to the booth marked “Buena”.

“Can you power it?” Tahkshi asked.

“Of course.” Viretta said, slipping off one of her silver gloves. These gloves were made of a steel-fabric fibre, that acted like silk, but allowed the conduction of electricity, which flowed from a micro-generator which sat in the palm of the glove, and could be activated by just a touch to the palm. She touched the palm and placed it onto the booth. Electricity flowed out of the glove and into the booth's backup generator, usually used in case the power cuts whilst someone is being teleported.

“We'll have to leave it here when we go.” Viretta said, “The generator doesn't seem to be able to store enough energy.

“Shit...” Tahkshi said, “Cinradahs planned this. More evidence against us. Not only is the Watchman fleeing the scene, but your DNA will be left behind.”

“It can't be helped.” Viretta said, “The sooner we get to Buena, the sooner we can convince the Council that we're innocent before Cinradahs gets there.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Tahkshi conceded, “Is it charged yet? The guards are getting closer.”

“Probably.” Viretta said.

A Wervian appeared in the doorway, blocking most of it.

“Go!” ordered Tahkshi, pushing her into the booth.

“Get them!” the Wervian yelled, obviously the one in charge.

Viretta disappeared, and Tahkshi jumped into the booth afterwards, his vision clouding, before being whisked through infinity.

*

Foton

Foton put the communicator down and looked at Incarnate and Devilclash behind him. “Did you hear that?” he asked.

Incarnate nodded, “We should go.” Now”

“Of course.” Foton agreed.

“Wervians forming a perimeter around the Watchman.” came VEX-TE's drone.

“Damn!” Devilclash hissed.

“VEX-TE, get us out of here!” Foton yelled.

“Ship designated Watchman.” came a voice from outside the ship. Foton looked out of the viewport and saw Wervians being led by a human with a loud-speaker. “Please lower the boarding ramp and allow us to board.”

“Engines are ready.” VEX-TE stated. “Ready for take-off.”

Foton noticed the guards flinch back as the engines roar. “Stop!” yelled the human guard. “Stop or we will fire!” Some of the Wervians were carrying heavy weapons, Foton could make out.

“Go.” Foton ordered.

The Watchman rose into the air and hovered in the air, before propelling itself out of the docking bay and into open space.

“We did it!” Devilclash exclaimed.

“Not yet.” Incarnate pointed out the viewport.

Out of other docking bays along the Musun, small fighter craft emerged like bullets from their barrels. Although it was difficult to view colours in the darkness of space, the crafts were illuminated by the blue streaks they left behind them, a by-product of the antimatter drive-core that powered them.

“Stinger-class.” Foton muttered, before calling to VEX-TE. “Switch to manual drive!”

“Switching to manual.” VEX-TE's monotone confirmed. As it said that, the control panel in front of Foton came to life, splitting in two, revealing the ascending panel containing the controls for piloting the Watchman. Foton took control of the roller ball guidance-control and pushed his hand forwards, the ball and ship both mimicking the movement.

An explosion rocked the ship. Incarnate lurched forwards, descent halted only by the ship lurching to the right. “I thought the ship was undetectable.” Incarnate protested.

“Only to scanners.” Devilclash replied as the Watchman lurched from side to side to avoid getting hit by the Stingers' lasers. “If they can see us, we're screwed.”

“VEX-TE, calculate light-speed jump to Buena!” Foton ordered. “Now!”

“Calculating.” VEX-TE confirmed.

The Watchman darted forth, the Stingers following closely. The Watchman started curving to the right, gradually increasing its speed. Laser burns pockmarked the Watchman's hull, although it avoided the brunt of the fire-power.

“Calculated.” VEX-TE stated.

The Watchman swerved, gradually avoiding yet another barrage by performing a barrel-roll, before disappearing through space as VEX-TE initiated the light-speed jump to Buena.

*

Tahkshi

Tahkshi fell from the teleportation booth in the Council lobby as his knees gave way. The lobby was empty, due to the early time. Golden pillars were placed around the lobby to structurally support the ceiling, and also act as elaborate decoration.

“Viretta...” Tahkshi groaned.

She turned around and helped Tahkshi up. “What's wrong?”

“I think my injuries The Other gave me are kicking in again.” Tahkshi groaned. “Let's get to my office.”

They walked through the corridors until they reached Tahkshi's office. Viretta went to grab the door handle, when Tahkshi grabbed her hand and hissed, “No.”

“What?” Viretta asked.

“Keep it down.” Tahkshi hissed, “The light's on in there.”

The light in all of the offices in the council building automatically come on when a living organism is in the room.

“You don't think it's Cinradahs, do you?” Viretta asked hurriedly.

“I don't know.” Tahkshi murmured, drawing his sword. The weight of the sword caused his leg to buckle beneath him and he fell to the ground with a cry of pain.

The door opened, and a tall, wizened man stood in the doorway. He looked at Viretta, before looking down at Tahkshi, and proffering a hand.

“Naarl?” winced Tahkshi, allowing Naarl to help him up, putting the sword back in it's sheath.

“Looks like you're in a spot of bother with the Authorities, Tahkshi.” Naarl said sternly. “Viretta.” he nodded.

“Naarl.” Viretta responded. Naarl was the head of the Council that advised Tahkshi on any proposals.

“Cinradahs got to them already?” Tahkshi asked.

“I knew it wasn't really you, and he always seemed...shady.” Naarl said, “So, it sure looks that way. We need to get you out of here. Now. Where are the others?”

“They'll be along soon.” Viretta explained, “They just got off the Musun.”

“You were out the Musun?” Naarl snapped.

“Yeah.” Tahkshi groaned. “Why?”

“That's the reason I was waiting for you so early.” Naarl explained. “I arrived early and went to the canteen to watch the news and -by gods Tahkshi- the Musun's gone.”

“Gone?” Viretta asked.

“Destroyed.” Naarl reiterated.

“The...bomb.” Tahkshi winced. “Must've been more powerful than we thought.”

“No bomb that I know of can destroy a planet.” Naarl said.

“Cinradahs managed it.” Viretta said, “The proof is there.”

“Actually,” Naarl said, “The evidence points to you and your Enforcers, Tahkshi. For the destruction of the Musun and the murder of a religious cult.”

“How do you know about that?” Tahkshi asked.

“As the Head Of The Council,” Naarl explained, “The Authorities contacted me about all this. So, I went to your office to wait. You arrived less than a minute later.”

“What else did they say?” Viretta said cautiously.

“They said,” came a voice from behind them, “that they're on their way.”

Tahkshi turned to face the figure behind them. “Cinradahs.” he said.

Dressed head-to-toe in flowing, black robes, Cinradahs was no ordinary human. From a distance, he merely looked pale, but look closer, and the ivory exoskeleton is truly visible. Beneath hair like a veil of darkness, bright blue eyes shone from within ivory caverns and a thin, lipless mouth twisted into a mocking smile. “Tahkshi.”

“You won't get away with this, Cinradahs.” Viretta warned.

“With what?” Cinradahs asked, an air of mock innocence about him. “Alerting the Authorities to your crimes?” His grin grew wider. “They'll be here soon.”

“When?” asked Naarl.

“Ah, Naarl.” Cinradahs said, turning to face him, “Do you side yourself with these outlaws, or with the Galaxy?”

“I serve the Overlord.” Naarl said.

Cinradahs chuckled. “But I am the Overlord now. Tahkshi's crimes are punishable by death. The Authorities shoot on sight.”

“When will they be here?” yelled Tahkshi.

“Soon.” Cinradahs said, “And be warned: you run like outlaws, or you die like criminals.”

Tahkshi looked at Naarl. “Naarl. Side with him. Please-”

“No.” Naarl interrupted stubbornly.

“Naarl.” Tahkshi grabbed him by the shoulders. “I don't want you to die with us and-”

“Three.” muttered Cinradahs.

“-What?” Tahkshi turned to face Cinradahs, drawing his pistol and holding it to Cinradahs' face.

“Shoot me.” Cinradahs said, “See how much good that'll do you. Two.”

Tahkshi's eyes widened. “It's a countdown! Run!” he roared, pulling the trigger. The bullet dented Cinradahs' exoskeleton, but no lasting effect remained. He then turned and ran behind Naarl and Viretta. “Naarl, no!” Tahkshi yelled.

“One!” called Cinradahs

“It's not your choice, Tahkshi!” Naarl yelled back.

Glass shattered as Officers of the Authorities rappelled down the building and entered through the windows. “They shot me!” yelled Cinradahs indignantly.

The wall beside Tahkshi exploded as a francium-enhanced bullet smashed into it, the Francium exploding as it came into contact with the vial of water inside the bullet as the bullet's impact caused the vial to shatter. More mini-explosions littered the historical corridors, shattering priceless architecture.

Tahkshi thought of the route to the boarding platform, where he assumed that the Watchman would wait. Up the stairs two floors, left, then right twice.

Ignoring the pains in his leg and chest, Tahkshi sped up and caught up with Viretta and said, over the explosions, “We need to get to the boarding platform.”

Viretta nodded as Naarl came running back towards them. “They've blocked the stairs!”

“Shit.” Tahkshi swore, looking around for an alternative route, quickly picturing the ventilation system within the building. Access panels lead to the access ladders within and run into every room in the building. He ran over to the nearest vent and shot the four bolts off, before removing the panel. “Get in! Now!”

Naarl and Viretta quickly obliged, Tahkshi following after letting off a warning shot from his pistol.

The ventilation shaft was barely two feet high at it's lowest point. As the shortest of the trio, Viretta had the least trouble moving in the cramped space. Darkness restricted any vision, and Tahkshi had to rely on touch and sound alone to navigate. His hand touched a cylindrical object on the wall. Reaching up, he felt the lack of constraint or ceiling. “The ladder's here!” he hissed to the others, his voice echoing through the shaft. “Come on!”

Naarl and Viretta made their way to the sound, before feeling the walls to try and get a grip on the ladder's rungs, before slowly ascending into the darkness above.

*

Cinradahs

“They've gone into the ventilation system, Lord Cinradahs,” the Authorities' Commander informed him, “Any idea where they might be going?”

“They'll be going to the boarding platform.” Cinradahs said, an air of superiority wafting from his tone. “Get a team up there.”

“We already do,” The Commander said, “We'll bring them in, one way or another.”

Impressum

Texte: Chris Harris
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 15.08.2012

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