Darklight: Precipice

Part 5: Fatal Collision

Soran was sat at one of the coffee shops within the Civic Centre of Precipice. He was surrounded by men in suits talking about the city's planning, power generation, distribution, bah blah blah. It was all horrendously boring. Soran's attire was a stark juxtaposition against the black suits and white shirts of the city officials and business men. Even Skry were now wearing suits rather than their usual robes the merge in societies was clearly going well. Soran's trenchcoat, on the other hand, was sandy and bright in the cold morning sun. He was wearing aviator sunglasses to keep the sun's glare out of his eyes and took a drag on his cigarette. He never smoked before, but the way he saw it - why try to prolong his life? His condition, Onustus Totalis, would kill him long before cigarettes would.

As he took a long sip of his sweet sugary Utopian Tea he turned and noticed an image on the TV screen through the open patio doors of the coffee shop. Television these days was about entertaining and informing rather than the political propaganda and fake news that was shown during Rammachandra and Vittoria's reign. He saw a black object careering through the sky at massive speed, wobbling in its own slipstream as it neared Utopia City. It was clearly on a collision course.

"The Roc" Soran muttered to himself. It was a ship that he aided the design and construction of.

And then it struck him.

"Ana".... he whispered to himself. He instinctively reached for the Darklight Sword that should have been resting on the side of his chair. But it wasn't there. He'd left it at home. This reflex of his was created years ago.

So he got up and turned on the spot to transport himself to his apartment, but the searing pain in his temple reminded him that he was inhibited now.

"Shit" He said out loud. He wanted, needed to help. But could he manage it? The ship was fast and large. But he had to try, he had to somehow get from Precipice to Utopia.

Draz.

Draz could get him there. He knew that Draz had experimental teleportation technology and Soran had stolen a Beacon that was used in the process months ago. So Soran ran as fast as he could to collect the Darklight Sword and make contact with the High Patriarch.

***

Draz didn't know how long he'd been sat there, face in his palms with his back leaning against the monument. The sky was higher in the sky now and he could hear the occasional sound of footsteps nearby. More people would be turning up soon, it was probably best if they didn't see their leader in this sorry state - it was best that he moved on.

He picked up the tiny comms device up off the floor, noticing it was flashing a bright red - someone had tried contacting him. He placed the device back into his right ear canal, reconnecting it to his central nervous system. With a clear thought he commanded the device to play the recordings. There were a couple of automated reports about the night activity within Utopia and Precipice, then a message from Ana. Then another from Soran.

His stomach fell as he rushed out of the monument and towards the nearest Information Station - these were devices that connected to the CCN to aid tourists with the attractions in the area and giving useful information about Utopia City.

Draz held his hand out towards the screen and he heard a faint 'beep' in his ear as the comms device interacted with the screen, causing it to flicker and for Draz's private server to appear. Tapping a few buttons Draz activated a subroutine, stood back and readied himself, commanding the comms device to contact Soran.

"Activate that beacon you stole and ready yourself" he said aloud through the communication channel.

***

Within the vast complex of buildings that had sprung up around the Corporation HQ Building now that it had become the centre of the Utopian Government was a large chamber on the first basement level of one of the two towers that made up the central HQ in which Natasha Renton had once ruled over Utopia from whilst being possessed by Vittoria Leon. This four meter high chamber had remained still and sealed for almost three years, the floor and ceiling of the circular room where covered in a layer of dust where the static electricity that was constantly generated from the meter high obelisk in the centre of the room deflected these particles away from it.

But now the obelisk began to spark purple sparks out of its tip. The small round spotlights set in the ceiling and floor began to flicker and go out. The Obelisk quickly raised into the air from its current position, almost reaching the top of the chamber and with to great cracks and flashes of purple light, Soran Lex and High Patriarch Alexander Draz appeared in the room. Immediately they both doubled over, retching.

"I thought you'd had time to fix this thing" Soran spat.

"Spatial distortion is somewhat of a complex process, Soran" Draz bit back, breathing heavily and not trying to throw up.

"Now's not the time" Draz said as he managed to stand up straight. "We need to get to the surface, The Roc's flight plan will bring it within a few meters of this building". He stated, walking towards the curved wall which sunk backwards and moved behind the rest of the wall revealing an elevator door.

"Whatever you say" Soran replied gruffly as he followed Draz into the waiting elevator.

They moved upwards towards the ground floor.

"This thing's in no hurry, is it?" Soran muttered through the awkward silence between them. Draz was careful not to bite.

"The displacement device is experimental, it has just used up six months worth of generation capacity for our entire grid" Draz sighed. "So we're a little low on the power front right now. Soran remained silent for a while longer. As the doors slid open and the two hurry out he said simply:

"Thanks for that". Draz stopped and looked behind him at Soran. Deciding to take it as a compliment he replied with a nod.

"Come on, this way. The ship will be within visual range in a few minutes".