The Oblivion of Enlightenment

Chapter 3 The Seeker After Truth

Chapter 3

The Seeker After Truth

It was another dream. She saw them again. They were ancient, timeless; eternal lifespans of sadness and wisdom radiated from them. She must find them. She knew her answers lay with them. She could feel their thoughts, their empathy for her and their mutual sorrow. Something had triggered their awakening, and it was time for all to be revealed. Satya trembled in her sleep at the promise of resolution to her endless wanderings, her endless unanswered questions about her mother Cydona and the future of humanity. Somewhere far away, these creatures awaited her, these 'Mediators'. She sent her mind further and further out into space, seeking the source of her dreams...it was a great strain to her not inconsiderable powers but she could not fail... reaching...and reaching...

She awoke. Again she had been unsuccessful. A tear rolled down her cheek, she was overwhelmed with emotion. The minds of the Mediators had touched hers...she was getting closer, ever closer to learning where they were...entombed? They seemed to have locked themselves away somewhere many aeons past, and only now were they revealing themselves...they had something urgent to impart. Something dangerous had returned...but what was it?

The clarity of the dream fled before the waking world. She was back in her private chambers again, alone. The Empress of the Void. Her Empire and her star fleets meant nothing to her now, not since the dreams had started. She finally knew she was not alone, she finally would get the answers she sought, and then: the path would become clear.

Suddenly a comm-link blinked to life, illuminating the chamber. Edralm, Speaker of the High Council's gaunt face appeared, but he seemed uncharacteristically excited by something.

"Our deep probes have detected movement of Templar fleets, your highness!" He seemed to anxiously await the response.

"Send in the 5th Psi-Fleet at once with orders to terminate them on site. These are the last remnants of the Empire of Symmetry and they will be crushed."

"Yes, your Highness at once! But, your Highness, will you not lead the expedition in the Void Stalker?"

Without a pause, Satya said, "No. Ready my flagship for departure immediately. You are in command of this campaign, Edralm. You will lead the High Seer Council in this act of war in my absence, I have a most important mission to attend to." With that she willed the comm-link closed, the still shocked face of Edralm staring incredulously back as she leapt from her bed.

Why now? She thought, rushing to don her battle attire and get to the bridge of the Void Stalker. She thought of the sparring creature and its strange lesson...perhaps drawn from her subconscious insecurities...perhaps the dreams of the Mediators and their secret vault and the movements of the Symmetry forces were related. She had resolved to find them herself and meet them in person. She trusted Edralm and Council could defeat whatever was left to oppose them, unless there was something leading the Symmetry forces that she had not anticipated, but the odds of that were low. After all of these years there had been no sign of the Old Masters. Until now.

***

In short order the flagship of the 2nd Foundation of Psilon was prepared for interstellar travel. Its crew was assembled and locked into the limited Psi-Web that would keep them from independent existence but fuel the vessel's telekinetic engines. The whole ship's insect-like form of psi-crystals resonated powerfully. All was in readiness. But what was the destination?