Phoenix Rising Broken Vow, page 21
She felt and heard a scream of agony as the pieces dissolved. Then she saw a blade flying through the air. She threw water at it and it rusted to powder and there was another scream.
In the visualisation Kyla reached down into the nothingness and earth created itself around the roots of a tree that started to grow. She became a part of the tree and used it for support. When she felt secure she drew energy up from its roots and threw that energy in a beam at whatever was out there. She focused good intent and everything that she was, all her training, all her love for those she cared about which gave her strength and the stronger that made her the brighter the light became. The scream intensified and went silent and she was thrown back into the room by a vast explosion. Her spirit hit her body at a great velocity. It jolted the body and she came back into it screaming and disorientated.
Joniel grabbed her and put his arms around her. She looked up at him. “I don’t know what I’ve done but it seemed to have quite an effect. I don’t think whoever it was expected that. We are on the right track and we have to keep going and not get distracted.”
10
All around the ship people were picking themselves up and looking around without the images and confusing information that had been implanted. Rennon had bumped his head slightly when he fell, he was rubbing it and then climbed to his feet and took a look at the project he had been working on. Suddenly it made sense. He had deliberated for hours over it and just couldn’t understand it before.
Hours later Rennon grabbed his laptop and headed for Anathorn’s office. He knocked loudly on the door and Anathorn opened it as Rennon rushed in and set his laptop down on the Prince’s desk. He was out of breath and excited. “I think I’ve worked it out.”
Anathorn went to look at the figures on screen. “Rennon, slow down, what have you worked out?”
Rennon took a breath. “There is more going on than we originally thought. We know that the original infestation came from the pods on the island. I’ve been analysing that fluid and by what I can see it is a conduit which allows parts of the brain to be activated which we don’t usually use. That is how this “entity” is managing to control and confuse us. Those who would normally have been unable to be influenced as they have not trained to access that part of their brain have no defence so they are the easiest for this person to attack. Kel by what I can work out was patient zero. He came into contact with the fluid when he was at their facility. They programmed him and it is likely that he would have been the one who introduced it here. It was cunning as we recycle our water. All they needed was to infect him and then wherever he went the fluid would get into the system. Anyone he infected would do likewise.
I have run tests and it attaches itself to water so it is not filtered out. I have been working on a way of breaking this bond and I think I’ve found it.
I’ve been running tests but it has been slow as my mind has been confused. But, hopefully now I’ll find a way of getting that stuff out of our water system. Anyone infected is a carrier so wherever they go they spread it.
Anyway, the fluid also interferes with the part of the brain which allows rational decisions. So what I assume happens is that all those base fears, wants and needs come to the forefront of your mind. They then cloud out what you would normally consider important. Literally you will feel every fear and emotion and every want and need without being able to filter them out.
As you and Kyla are less affected I would assume that there is something in your DNA that protects you. Kyla is trained so she hardly had any effect at all. Maran didn’t have the DNA so despite her training she was a victim. The DNA doesn’t totally protect you, it just lessens the effect. Your shared dream with Joniel is obviously connected to a strong emotion you have towards Kyla which is a bond you share. I’m not saying that you actually physically want her in an inappropriate way but somewhere in your psyche you have thought about it at some point. Or you are worried that you might. Also I’d be careful around Aliniel. Add in teenage hormones and her being trained by Joniel as an assassin and you’ll have quite a threat there if she turned on you.”
Anathorn looked down. “Aliniel already tried to kill me.”
Rennon looked shocked. “You didn’t say anything.”
Anathorn smiled. “I’ve had her locked in a cell and I’ll deal with that myself. It wasn’t her in that room, it was something else and now I know what. I survived without injury. Once you sort out something to counteract the effect we can use it ourselves and we can start introducing it into the water system. I must report this to Osiris. You’ve done well Rennon, you may well be on your way to saving us again.”
Rennon smiled. “Big goddam hero me, ok I’ll get back to it.”
Anathorn watched him go and smiled. His thoughts were about Aliniel and how she hadn’t been responsible for her actions but something else was troubling him, his dream about Kyla. He smiled and accepted it, he had thought about her when they had first met. Now he knew she was Joniel’s there was no issue. He sent a communiqué to Osiris and shortly afterwards Osiris’ face appeared on screen. Isis was with him.
Anathorn bowed his head. “My Lord, I have much to report.”
Osiris smiled kindly. “I have read the report you submitted and I send my condolences for your losses and to the families and friends of those who died. You need make no further comment or explanation if you do not wish to.”
Anathorn smiled. “I thank you. I have just had a report from Rennon that the fluid is bonded in our water system and is being passed from infected person to person that way. As we recycle water that was an easy way for us to be effected. As it is likely that Kel was patient zero the infection came through him and was introduced to the base and then as it infected more people they spread it across the fleets when they were transferred. Rennon is working on something that will break the bond so that we can remove the fluid from our system. That is the reason for irrational behaviour, paranoia and many of the attacks we have experienced.”
Osiris listened intently. “I will send Rennon any assistance that he requires and I would like to transfer him to our flagship where he will have better facilities. I am moving a fleet in to escort you to a safe haven where you can repair your ships. This is indeed good news.”
Anathorn bowed his head. “I thank you.”
Isis smiled at him. “You have done well my Prince.”
The communiqué cut off and the screen went back to the usual screensaver of a tropical island with a golden sunset.
Within the day Rennon and his assistant Neris were transferred to Osiris’ flagship and a fleet moved to escort Anathorn’s damaged vessels deep into the Hailis Galaxy where they could be repaired.
Deep in the Rotatian Galaxy Set sat on his black throne. He looked about with dark piercing eyes. The silence of the great chamber echoed around him as he looked first at his hands then the wall again. He sighed and straightened his robes. He ran his fingers through his shoulder length black slightly wavy hair. He looked at his reflection in the black reflective surface of his console and ran his hand over his short goatee beard making sure that it looked just so. Then he waited.
The wall panels were painted as his palaces of old, the hieroglyphs telling the story of his rise to power and greatness. Flames burnt in bowls around the room giving it a shadowy orange ambience. The room smelt of incense, his favourite. He took a deep breath but his expression was troubled.
The door slid open and his Commander walked in. He strode forwards and knelt at his master’s feet. He bowed his head, his dark hair was neatly swept up with gel and he sported a day’s stubble. His brown eyes were fixed on the floor, his head bowed.
Set glared at him, his eyes glowing red. “You have failed me. I sense that the witch Kyla has managed to defeat you in psychic combat and your powers are now weak. I will not tolerate weakness in any form. If you do not deal with this matter I will deal with you appropriately. You may stand and face me.”
Ka stood up and bowed. “I have been beaten this time but I have to report that my control over Maran was complete. She has taken Kyla’s healing powers from her. I feel that….” He didn’t manage to finish his sentence as Set fixed him in a blood chilling stare.
Set spoke slowly. “I did not give you such an order. Kyla’s healing powers were her weakness. If they had not been taken from her she would undoubtedly have destroyed herself. You understand little of those things so you do not comprehend what you have just done. Much as I would not let you kill Joniel when you had the chance. He is her weakness and one day he will be her death because she would die for him.”
Ka looked down. “I am sorry Master, I did not realise.”
Set sighed. “You do not realise a lot of things but I think it is time that I do give you a little more information, so that we can avoid further mistakes.”
Ka looked up, his face looking hopeful. “I thank you Master.”
Set relaxed back into his throne. “My war with my brother and sister has gone on for millennia. We are looking beyond the Upper and Lower Kingdom now, we have the galaxies to fight over. I’m not going to lose now, not after all this time and all these sacrifices. So, hear me now and bide my words well. If I cannot torment my sister, I will exact my revenge on her Priestess. Bring her to me.
Their infernal tampering is causing much disruption to my plans. If we do not act they will bring destruction onto the worlds I control. The spread of the virus which is suppressed by the Eltatian Liquid is almost out of control and if they find an antidote to the liquid and immunise people we will have no way of controlling it. Many more of my subjects or prospective subjects will die and many more planets will be destroyed by overuse of resources. They must be stopped at all costs. You may leave now.”
Ka marched angrily down the corridor. He pushed guards and other people out of his way and stormed into his room as the doors opened and closed. The room was sparsely furnished and the walls were painted bronze with black swirls intricately laced in a continuous pattern. He sat in the large high backed chair behind his desk and looked at the wall, his eyes tracing the pattern, his mind racing. He then switched on the intercom and keyed in a code. “This is a message to all Legion Heads. Acquire the witch known as Kyla with extreme prejudice.” He turned the intercom off.
He smiled to himself. “I’ll have that bitch’s head on a spike.”
He sat down and tried to concentrate but as he reached inside there was nothing there. His visualisation brought back a black and charred wasteland. He could not connect to anything and he felt that there was nothing left out there, even though he knew otherwise. He slammed his gauntleted fist down onto his desk, splintering the wood and stood up. He toppled the desk, throwing it across the room so that it hit the wall and exploded in a shower of splinters and ornately painted timber.
He pulled a private communication device from his robes and flicked it on. “Goyay Yestow, report to my quarters.”
He sat back down and waited. There was a knock on the door and a thin man entered. He was dark haired and his eyes were deeply set and shadowy. Beneath his hood his spiky blonde hair could just about be seen. He wore black robes and his hands were incredibly long fingered. “You called for me My Master?”
Ka glared at him. “Indeed I did. You had your orders to eliminate Kyla. Why is she still a thorn in my side? Why are you here and not out there dealing with her? Your failure has cost us dearly. I do not want excuses, I want you to do something about this or your life will be forfeit.”
Yestow frowned. “My Master I have not been able to gain access to the Fleet. It has now been taken into a safe harbour and…”
Ka glared even harder. “I do not want excuses. I want that bitch’s head. Go and carry out your orders.”
Joniel knocked on Anathorn’s door and went in. Anathorn was sitting behind his desk and looked slightly nervous as Joniel strode over to him. Joniel smiled. “So you still have her locked up then?”
Anathorn tried to think of what to do and say but settled for the truth. “For now yes, I can’t be sure she isn’t going to try and stick a knife in me again. Can you guarantee she won’t?”
Joniel frowned. “I couldn’t guarantee it. All I can say in her favour is that she failed. I am pleased that you are still alive but I would also be very surprised if she truly wanted to kill you.”
Anathorn looked shocked. Then he looked at Joniel and saw something cold about him. There was something very different about his friend. “Joniel, what is the matter? You seem different.”
Joniel sat down and put his head in his hands. “If we can’t count on our skills and abilities what can we count on. I didn’t mean it to come out like that. I’ve always had complete confidence that Aliniel was going to be as good a killer as I ever was. I’m truly glad she isn’t but I’m also disappointed. My hope is that her love for you won through and it wasn’t a serious attempt. I also don’t know what is getting to me. I can’t sleep, I can’t relax. It can’t be any sort of control as that’s been wiped now even if it’s only a temporary respite.”
Anathorn choked slightly. “Well I’m glad she wasn’t too. I have information that you need to know as it affects you too. Are you feeling confused?”
Joniel looked up, his eyes looked tired and his face was slightly drawn. “I don’t know what I’m thinking these days. Kyla is kicking my butt when we spar to the point that we can’t risk that anymore. I can’t think straight. I nearly killed her last night.”
Anathorn looked shocked. “What happened?”
Joniel looked sheepish. “We had a way that we found to be close and I could give her pleasure without the physical act of making love. It is an assassination technique I learnt in Mystonia where you use nerve centres to cause extreme pain until they cause heart attack and shut down of various organs in the body. Over the years I developed it to give pleasure instead of pain. It is extremely dangerous as if I get it even slightly wrong I can kill her. The last time we tried to make love we nearly killed each other. Neither of us could control our need to feed or kill. I really screwed up last night and nearly killed her, she had a heart attack and I only managed to revive her using drugs.”
Anathorn looked horrified. “Joniel, you risked her life. I sometimes cannot believe you. You say you love her so much then you’d put her in a situation like that?”
Joniel looked down. “I know. I’m not in control at the moment and that terrifies me.”
Anathorn smiled kindly. “I assume she is alright. I don’t have to tell you not to do that again do I? I have some good news for you though. Rennon does have the reason for all this. All he needs to do now is find out what we can do about it. You’ll have to be more careful until we can sort something out. I’m keeping Aliniel locked up. Our stronger emotions and passions are what are making us vulnerable. I just hope that Rennon can come up with something fast.”
Joniel looked down. “So do I as I don’t trust myself anymore.”
Anathorn looked up. “I’m suspending all off base missions until we sort this out.”
Joniel looked up at him. “Probably a good idea as I passed at least three fights going on in the corridors.”
Anathorn frowned. “Rennon said that it was in the water system and it is being spread because the water is recycled and it links to water molecules.” Joniel thought about it. “So the more we recycle the water the stronger it is going to get. As a temporary measure why don’t we flush our water system and replace it?”
Anathorn smiled. “I’ll give the order and we’ll give that a try.”
The fleet hovered over the planet of Ansliaris, a water based planet on the edge of the Sinnian Galaxy. After ejecting the ship’s water into space where it would be harmless the ships restored their water. They tried it out on the Flagship to start with and within three days they noticed a distinct difference. All waste water was discarded and replaced from the planet’s surface. The arguments stopped and a general feeling of calm came over the place. Rennon ran tests constantly and finally he was able to present a report to Prince Anathorn that the system was clear of the drug. Anathorn then made his report to Osiris and the information spread through the rest of the fleets.
Prince Anathorn sat in his quarters. There was a knock at the door and two guards brought Aliniel in. They stepped back and left her standing in the middle of the room. The Prince looked up from the papers he was looking at. “You may leave us, wait outside.” The guards left. He then turned to Aliniel. “I need to hear it from you. Why did you attack me?”
Aliniel looked down. “At that moment you were everything I hated. Rather than hating myself for being so stupid as to distract you when you were in such a serious situation I reflected it on to you. I couldn’t handle it so I struck out in the only way I knew.”
Anathorn looked down. “And how do you feel about me now?”
Aliniel tried to smile. “I feel so sorry about what I did. How can you even face seeing me?”
Anathorn smiled. “I have been thinking about that. You were under the influence of the drug and I seriously doubt that Joniel trained you so poorly. If you had wanted to have really killed me I doubt I would have been able to have stopped you. That you didn’t is testament to that we still have something between us. Do you still want to be with me?”
Aliniel smiled. “Of course I do. I can only offer the drug as an excuse for what I did. Please don’t send me away. I want to be with you.”
Anathorn raised an eyebrow. “Then you shall be but hear this if you ever try to kill me again you had better succeed as I will retaliate and I won’t fail.” His stare was cold and she visibly took a step back. “I am Prince and that is not a title I undertook lightly or acquired easily. I had to fight my way to get to where I am. Remember that. Yes I am your lover but I am Prince first. I have respect for your father but he earned that. You have my love but you have yet to earn that same respect. Go now and I will speak with you tonight.”
