The Infinity Chronicles Volume 1

Act-10: Ichubirn, and a true power revealed...

Star System Ichubirn, 'Barnard's Star' 19-Jan-2329

Act 10: "Ichubirn, and a true power revealed.."

The delivery of the fleet of 30 ships went off without a hitch, mainly because of the pirate and slave crews Kinsman had arranged for. It couldn't be helped. Though only the 'Barnard's Star' had the nav-coordinates for making the skip to Marrok, these crews would get to see the big secret. Of course, once on Marrok, having been paid, and having turned the ships over to the fledgling Navy, they couldn't leave either so....

Alex looked out the viewscreen as Bael and Lake began their strange ritual. Both were holding the other loosely by the shoulders, their foreheads touching. Bael's soft amber fur clashed with that of Lake's near onyx appearance. Both were humming a strange melody, just before they shimmered and vanished. Cygna sat up suddenly as a reading appeared on her scanners.

"There it is Master!" She said, pointing at her display. Alex re-checked his display, and saw the ripple-effect in the starfield just a few hundred kilometers ahead of them.

"Well, let's go find some mages and convince them they're serving the wrong Masters, shall we?" Alex said, as he powered up the 'B-Star's new thrusters, and the small freighter leapt forward, passing through the ripple. There was only a moment of discomfort as they passed into the pocket universe, and what lay ahead of Alex astounded him. Not only had the Dark Eternals created Earth, they had created the entire solar system! The ripple emerged in Mars' orbit, though the red planet was on the other side of the solar system at this particular moment. Earth was a mere 20 AU away. Setting a direct course for it, He turned to Cygna.

"So, will we see them again?"

"Master Lake and Mistress Bael? Yes Master, they've merely gone home, their task complete."

"Must be nice. To be in the Pantheon and all."

"I wouldn't know, though Mistress Ashia could probably give you an earful of having to deal with all of them at Council meetings."

"Yeah, I'll bet she...." Alex began, but never finished, due to the sudden arrival of an unexpected visitor: Loci!

"So, looking for the errant assassins sent by Ozum to kill you, Chosen One?"

"Greetings Mistress Loci. Welcome to the Barnard's Star." Alex said, turning in his seat. Cygna merely bowed her head, since it would have been bad for the lead sensorman to leave her seat.

"So, what brings you here?"

"A proposition." Loci replied, moving around from in front of the display consoles that Alex and Cygna sat at, and stood between them.

"Oh? Such as?" He said, noticing for the first time that she wasn't wearing her usual 'Chain Mail Bikini'. What she was wearing was a small leather thong and a silk version of a tube top. She looked more like a coin girl then Marrok's Goddess of Rage and Conflict.

"I wish to mate with you, for the purposes of bearing your child." She said, very straightforward. Alex gagged and Cygna almost fell out of her chair, as she was consumed by a giggling fit. Loci turned and glared at her, which silenced the giggling.

"I share Cygna's amusement, your grace. She and I have been going at it for months, and still she has yet to become pregnant. What makes you think you'll have anymore success?" Alex asked, cocking an eyebrow at Loci.

"Because I know what needs to transpire before a conception can occur."

<Don't believe her Alex> He heard in his mind. It was Ashia. It was also the first time she had called him 'Alex'. He immediately tensed.