In the dark top dome of Ulem Station.
That maroon cloaked apparition of a man.
Somehow glared at Admiral Revanna
through his hood.
And through space and time itself.
A festering anger burning within that dark figure.
In hissed silence, it began.
"Minor Mazanter Revanna..."
it began slowly, menacingly.
"I require to inform you, that The All Destroyer demands you increase the rate of your operations execution.
The guardians have been awakened by your blundering hand."
Revanna was seated in her Admiralian Armchair, a little book on the arm rest. Her form resting, one leg over the other.
"My apologies Kneeling Operator." She said, her jaw firm and displeased, her insulting tone just masked by her prowess as an actor. "However, I was never told where the cache was. Thusly the activation of the Guardians is in no way-"
Somehow the eyes beneath the maroon hood bulged with fury. Its mouth dropped open and released a penetrating scream, it's form leaning forward.
"NO EXCUSES MINOR MEZENTOR!", was the ear splitting cry, that rang out across the dome. Before slowly dying down to a smoldering whisper "Comply and amend your flaws." he stated bluntly. His words red hot from the forge of his rage.
Revanna glared at the image, unshaken. Her eyes cutting into the hologram. She rose from her seat, and stated with a casual flair.
"I would give my life for the All Destroyer, don't think I'm null-minded. Regardless, where is my reward?"
The hooded figure began to twitch perceivably.
"Beneath the cache. You will find your reward."
"Beneath... I understand the metaphor but..." She cast the figure a confused look, her eyebrows furrowing, before simply giving up and affirming.
"Good..."
Revanna was cut short again as the hologram flickered, and vanished.
At the opposite end of the dome, the entrance blast door began to swiftly slide apart.
The Head Steward, in a light blue shirt and white pair of trousers, hurriedly ran into the room. His eyes fixed on a data-pad he was carrying.
With a low stare, her intensity almost matching the light of the distant stars behind her, she asked,
"What is it?"
"Sorry ma'am."
he said quickly, giving a slight bow, panting from the run,
"But we're getting reports from the scout fleet, they've located Gemini outside the SpacePort city of Yarnada."
In an instant she shifted her face. Eyes widening, and mouth dropping open. Silent understanding being fabricated by her abilities of deception.
"No!"
She cried,
"Ready comm-lines with the High Admiral!"
She began waving her arms for emphasis,
"Now! Quickly! And relay the report for his own eyes to see!"
"Emel Superior Admiral!"
The steward, turned on his heel, and began a sprint out of the Dome, slapping the door's keypad as he left. The blast door slid shut behind him, with a soft tenk.
Revanna stood herself by her seat, a look of annoyance slowly running down her face.
The time was short now.
Slowly, with an internal exhaustion that slowed her limbs, she walked to the projector, and pulled up it's console. Tapped a few buttons and deactivated the automatic program that she had installed in order to shut off the projector when any, uninvited guests, announced themselves.
The hologram fluttered back to life. The hooded monk stood with eternal patience, arms crossed, hands in it's sleeves.
Revanna took a few steps back, and let herself fall into the arms of the chair. Sighing, and placing a hand to her forehead, she spoke though drooping eyes,
"Interruption dealt with."
"Good." he said, shadowed face blank, and emotionless.
"Excellent." she mirrored. Fidgeting in that grey and red Admirallian chair, as she felt for comfort.
A moment of strange silence hung in the air. Revanna once again feeling that strange liquid silence condense on her skin and face. The cold, yet warm moisture of the silent void.
"You have 17 hours to acquire the cache. Pray the Ulvesie do not breach its casing and destroy our ripened objective before we can acquire it... After that. Your prize will be consumed as well."
Revanna's eyes bulged. "What stupid man designed a guardian that destroys what it should be protecting?"
The figure simply turned his head left, and stated bluntly.
"To my knowledge, it was to ensure the contents could never be retrieved by our hands. Regardless, the person that designed it was not of our vision. It was Cretin in origin."
"Then why have you left it so unattended instead of simply replacing the system earlier?" she prodded with angered eyes.
"We saw it's promise. And by then the Blue and Orange Cretins were upon us. We decided to leave it as to make best use of the guardians abilities. Once the time was right."
"...Maximum collateral..."
"Yes. You understand Minor Mezentor."
She took the light compliment badly, glaring back at the image.
"I am not simple minded Kneeling Operator. In Fact, my interruption has told me that my plan is unfolding."
"Then stop blithering and go."
"Wait." She said, "Will you send assistance to retrieve me and our prize?"
The form eyed her. Seemed to contemplate some strange though. And replied.
"If you locate our prize, we may retrieve you."
The hologram shimmered, and evaporated into the warm dome air. The plants of the garden in the centre swaying to unseen ventilation.
Revanna closed her eyes, breathed deep with refined rage, and began to lift herself from her regal throne. The armchair giving an oddly satisfying squeak.
She stood, straightening her back, and began to make her way towards the blastdoor, and the elevator beyond it, in the direction of the Station's command center.
She had a fleet to rally.
And an artifact to retrieve.
As she passed the frame of the now open blast door, she turned and stared at the hologram projector. Tired gaze cutting deep into the metal device. Her knuckles clenching white, and then releasing.
"Damnable Zealot wretch... I've given so much to further your cause... perhaps my reward can be used for greater purposes than you forsee..."
She didn't finish her statement, simply choosing to sigh softly, hanging her head low.
Then turn, and descend down into the depths of the station.
YOU ARE READING
World In Turmoil
Science FictionAmongst the empires of the galaxy. Between the factions and the territories. On a rustic world left to itself. A young man had heros once... They were a force sworn to protect. They were a navy of saviours. In a time of need. ...
