Origins of an Icer

Chapter 27

Court of the Gods

Next morning, 1000am

Akifa was terrified, refusing to dress up for the courts as he donned his fighter suit and carried his helmet, feeling a mild sense of comfort as he followed the group into the massive courtroom. Wren was reminded almost of an opera house, tiers of seats spiraling up, the main bench wrapping around the stage where Akifa had to stand with six guards around him. Relieving his pistols and helmet, Akifa pulled Wren with him over to the bench where Wren, Ravyn, and the Doc sat, the other holding the surgeon and an automaton acting as the previous Captain.

"Are you sure you can do this...? I hate seeing you so scared, hayati," Wren whispered, kissing Akifa's cheek as the pilot sighed, resting his forehead against Wren's shoulder.

"I have to! I cannot be accused of something I have no memory of. Besides... I'm pretty sure I was going to be put to death sooner or later, just kind of saw it as more of a lone hanging noose than a full Alliance court," Akifa chuckled softly, sitting up straight as everyone stood, the Alliance representatives coming in to file into the seats. Wren narrowed his eyes, watching each one coming in as he could almost place their ancestry and origins among the Primals, even a couple almost looking like his with pale skin and snow white hair. One came in, dressed in a similar fashion to Akifa's religious clothes, though white and gold instead of simple black and minor jewelry. This one stood regal, sitting close to the center of the table with his tattoos almost liquid against his skin, molten gold on sun kissed skin, and pale white eyes that looked down at them.

"Son of a... that's the Alpha Horakhty rep, I know him!" Akifa hissed softly, Wren glancing up towards the tan figure in white as his thoughts opened slightly.

(Who is he?)

(I thought he died! His name was... ugghhh.... Name, name... Maahes...? Mehen? One of the two, they were twins, but I guess one died. They took him away early on when we were supposed to be pilots, and I remember him being really scared. He used to have gold eyes, usually a sure sign he was an Avatar, but I remember he didn't want to be one. His twin was supposed to be Sekhmet-at's Avatar, a war god and battle mage, and he was destined to be Bastet-at's Avatar, more peaceful and diplomatic. I guess he got promoted to represent our whole fracking system...) Akifa sighed softly, his eyes dulling almost immediately as he bowed his head, Wren gently nuzzling his cheek.

(It'll be okay, have a little faith.) He kissed Akifa's cheek, watching the rest of the bench fill up as the center chair was taken by what appeared to be a small child, old enough to stand and talk, know when to sit down and follow commands, but still...a child? Wren's head started spinning lightly, wondering how in the cosmos this was a good leader, but he dropped his jaw when the seat on the right to the leader was filled with a true Primal descendant, albeit ancient.

(My gods... that's one of the Earthen-shakers, pure-blooded too! I... I thought I was the last one...) Akifa glanced up towards the old man, chuckling softly.

(They call him Methuselah, no one knows how old he really is, but he's more there for Master of Programs, he announces what's going on, and just kind of sits back and enjoys the proceedings. He's a figurehead of power.) Akifa gulped hard as the leader stood up, her long black hair done in a fancy fan with beads hanging from multiple hair pins with a crown of gold and fire red jewels glistened in the light.

"The trial stands as thus: former Captain of the Iron Maiden, Arella, is no longer with us, but her subordinates Dr. Walter Absolum and Akifa Dbakarem of the mercenary pilots stay alive to stand trial. Both are pleading not guilty, that they were mind-wiped and seduced with power to obey her commands. Representatives, it is our job to determine if this is true or false, and what their sentences should be. Common pirate law demands the heads of both of you for going against your crew, however Captain Ravyn has asked for a formal court. Stand Dbakarem and Absolum, and tell us your story." For a tiny figure, the voice was deep and spoke clearly throughout the room as Akifa nibbled his lip, glancing over to the doctor who shot out of his chair. It almost seemed too good: a story of the captain discovering him in a far out colony, the only physician scarred by the wars of other planets and ships, and saved by Arella.