Rebellion and New Life

Chapter 2

The Skeksis all later went to the Crystal chamber, where they got their daily dose of energy from one of the suns that reflected off the Crystal. Then, they all headed for the dining hall to have a plentiful breakfast.

The Skeksis were always a hungry bunch. They were never satisfied for long. The Slave Master always gave the others scraps since they came to him when they got hungry in between meals. Where he got them from was a mystery that none dare ask about.

After breakfast, Sil went to check on the Scientist's work that morning, to see if anything useful was being done. Tek usually liked to keep to himself when his works were so often misunderstood. However, he knew that what technology they did have was only understood by him. The Emperor did know they needed him for better things.

Chamberlain went and saw what Tek had done and remained with him for a short time. He tried to help out when he could. SkekTek had amazing machines. Sil could only imagine all the things that Tek was able to create. And none of the others could even think on his level or way of thinking to make things work beyond just how basically bodies naturally worked.

Tek had been friends with Aughra once, and she had resented breaking up as friends with him, but there was just something going on in Thra that was affecting many things, even the Skeksis themselves. A Darkening. Creatures that were once tame or friendly would suddenly turn on their friends or masters.

The Scientist was wanting to keep an eye on things, to make sure they weren't going to go south, but still try to find a way to improve life for the Skeksis and make them immortal. He wanted to make sure he could at least extend their lives. None of them had died since the two at the beginning of their split from the urRu during the last Great Conjunction.

Then, it seemed just by chance that Tek had discovered something, and it was taking his life force, as the Crystal was being corrupted. Sil had saved Tek from being drained entirely, and the two of them began to come up with a plan on what this discovery could mean for the Skeksis. An experiment needed to be done, but on what?

They both knew that the Crystal was part of Thra, and it gave life. But there had to be creatures close to Thra to give them what they wanted: life-force, essence. Two passing Gelfling guards gave them the idea. It was agreed, and they would soon enough tell the others.

The Emperor's health was not exactly in the best state these days. He was having too many health issues, but still struggled to remain composed, in a power-hungry way. As long as he lived, he would never give up his throne to any of the others. Not without a fight. He would keep on fighting death, too, at any price.

.................

Later, a Gelfling soldier was randomly chosen and tried, a female. She had been caught by surprise by the Scientist. She had just been passing through the halls, doing her rounds, and Tek requested her an audience with the excuse of needing her help with an experiment.

Sil led the Emperor and some of the other Skeksis into the lab to witness this first experiment dealing with the Gelfling. The soldier was drained of her essence, and the Emperor was told he could already taste the first drink of the results.

The essence looked just like water, though it gleamed with a pale blue radiance. The Emperor was pleased at its taste, and he felt changes going through his body; he again felt like he had when he was much younger and stronger.

That was when the other Skeksis wanted to try it too. They scrambled and stole their own sips of it. They felt the changes too, and were so excited about it that Tek just barely managed to get some scarce essence away from them before it was all gone. He locked it away, but it was just enough for the other Skeksis to feel its effects.