ONE: Epilogue of Hermesh

36. The Last Dream

Sheel observed Commodore Reemon Erra seated before him with quiet resolution etched on his countenance. Night had descended over Dru, the capital city of Alamiin. But light from the city below and the colossal floating structures above was keeping darkness at bay. 

"What is wrong, Reemon Erra? Why are you starting to have doubts now when we are so close to the end?" Sheel asked.

"Because…" Erra heaved a sigh, collected his thoughts and said, "Well because, I am not sure of the end anymore. All this time I have accepted everything that you have said."

"I have never given you a reason to doubt me. Everything I have done, including helping you forge an alliance with the Manwatus, was to reach this final objective."

"I don't doubt that Sheel," Erra replied, gazing out at the lights, "But now I know that you could do a lot more. You're capable of it. All these people do not need to die."

Sheel looked at the Amarthian for a moment or two, trying to understand what he meant. Eventually, he broke the long spell of silence to answer the unspoken question, "I cannot fight the Kaya for you, Reemon Erra. I told you, there is a greater War at hand. You are all caught in the middle of it. As a soldier yourself, you must know that even within the chaos of war there are certain rules of engagement that both sides must follow."

"Yes. So you keep saying."

"Reemon Erra, do you not realise that if I can destroy the Kaya, my opponents can just as easily wipe out everyone in this galaxy? Our enemy created the Kaya because they too are bound by the same rule. We are prohibited to involve ourselves directly in the war. This rule exists to protect the rest of creation."

"Pardon me, but right now we are not feeling very protected. If anything, the intensity of the enemy attacks have increased many folds. Every time we fall back we are literally forced to abandon hundreds of millions of lives. And with every passing day, we're struggling to find the resources to continue the fight, while dealing with the crisis of all those dislocated souls. 

"There are mass riots, suicides. Law and order in most systems have all but collapsed. Do you know how difficult it is to cultivate and hold together an army of this size, while being bombarded with daily news of officers disobeying orders or deserting the force? Some are even going mad! At this rate we are more likely to self-destruct before the end." Erra spat out. His helplessness was etched on his brow.

"I cannot even begin to empathize with you, Reemon Erra. But warned you at the very beginning, this is how it would be. The final solution that you all have been-"

"Enlighten me. Can you guarantee that it will work?" Erra glared at Sheel, "Just because it should have worked 4000 years into the future does not necessarily mean it will work now."

"Why are you talking like this, Reemon Erra?" Sheel frowned. "What has changed? Please tell me."

Erra went quiet, trying to decide how much of his inner turmoil he should disclose to Sheel. Finally, taking a deep breath, the Amarthian spoke, "I had a dream. It was unlike anything I have ever had before."

Sheel pinched the bridge of the air ducts on his face brewing in his silence. He finally asked, "Tell me. What did you see in this dream?" 

"I saw a singularity opening as if it was tearing apart the very fabric of our universe. I saw our transport ships standing ready to go through."

"You saw the activation of the Manwatu device?" Sheel asked, turning to Erra with renewed questions in his eyes. 

"I believe so. I also saw our battleships. There were thousands of them standing guard. There were Kaya ships too. But suddenly, there was a blinding light and everything…just vanished." Erra answered in a trembling voice, almost reliving the dream. "Whatever we've planned, I have a feeling it will all go horribly wrong."