buildings as if by magic! Expanding and growing and overlaying the surrounding ruins. Everything pulsated, as if wanting to disappear into an elusive dark space.
Then mammoth towering buildings surrounded us. The landscape sank as we were lifted above a massive city. Towering pyramids dotted the metropolis that stretched to the surrounding hillsides.
The scene changed again to a particularly austere pyramid. Here mobs of people pressed frantically towards its many gates and swept us into an already crowded place. The air was filled with sweet scented aromas, lilting strains of soft music and voices chanting in harmony. Apparently this was some sort of Holy Temple, and we were now facing an arena filled with hundreds of cloaked Mutis.
I nearly tripped down a sloping walkway pushed by the others surging around me. We were herded like wild animals down a narrow corridor to the central arena. The stench in the room was now gagging. The music gave way to moans, then cries, then screams and shouts and wails of unquenchable agony. I saw humans stretched out naked on platforms, their flesh being rendered, torn, shredded, burned and beaten in angry rhythm with painful human cries. And above the carnage, the walls were lined with balconies from which hundreds of Mutis cackled and mocked with hideous laughter, amused by the indescribable slaughter of men, women and children. I felt the throbbing pulse of the place; it was a vile choking constriction around my whole being.
Then blackness and deadly silence fell upon the room.
A strong Muti voice boldly chanted into the inky darkness: “Come and partake and surrender to the new God of Order. Make your pilgrimage and worship for this is your destiny. Come to the city, in the midst of Kamina. Enter in unto the Pyramid of the Prophet. For the power of Kalinis is the First Voice to Speak the New Truth. The Prophet is inspired by our True Creator.”
The strange woman now floated before us.
She whispered: “And now see the past!”
We were bathed in bright light and a fresh sea breeze washed over us. A beach stretched out below a tall cliff, surrounded by low jungle growth. A pathway was cut along the cliff, moving up to a looming castle at its top. The scene quickly panned up the path, down dark corridors and high into the castle.
We were propelled through an archway into a cavernous chamber. At the far end were two men. One strong warrior standing over a very small, old man, crumpled on the floor at his feet.
The room blazed fiery lights and crackling explosions filled the air so powerfully that all of us at once covered our ears and dove for the ground. The air was filled with heavy fog, causing me to gasp for air. When it cleared, the old fellow lay there alone, gasping. His arm wrapped tightly across his side where a terrible wound had ripped into his flesh.
“I must speak.” The man’s eyes shifted back and forth as he weakly gasped: “I must…tell…before it is too late. I am called Talni, sent by the elders…spread the message…prevails…we must overthrow the Muti overlords of Kamina.”
A misty fog gathered around the scene.
And I was back, grounded in the Royal Audience Chambers.
The woman standing by the Proctor smiled as her eyes examined one person after another. I felt her presence worm itself into me.
Torlo, you have witnessed the moment of contact with the Messenger. Adt’s strength proved capable of acquiring his message despite the Muti’s interference. Kamina will learn and increase their powers. You must take heed. Learn from the Helandi.
Then her thoughts slipped away leaving only a broken sensation of emptiness when she raised her arms and flashed out of the room.
Stark realization paralyzed all of us. Then everybody was speaking at once.
The Proctor stood.
“Silence!”
As the room grew quiet, Sarleni spoke up.
“That was Ju-bilee.
“Accept her warnings and her advice.”
Kigor Dorta’s, face rigid white, utterly shaken, glared towards Adt, then Sarleni. The man spoke guardedly.
“I know this woman, and I, too, say we must listen.”
The Proctor added.
“She is a formidable ally from Helandi.”
Those words had a startling effect on all of us. He clearly endorsed her, thus advising that we all do the same.
The Proctor took charge giving orders, doling out instructions, leaving no room for debate.
“You will assemble your units. Andon will schedule briefings with each of your sectors in the next days. Go and prepare.”
II. Dangers Declared
They will command you to bow in obedience.
Tormentors of the night haunt dreams.
They imbed their ideals into your minds.
Learn to master the demons and be wise.
Set your goals to Proctor and nation and find peace.
—HanJahn Missives
The young warriors stood silently at attention in the cool assembly room. Their faces expressed the raw intensity of volunteers motivated for dangerous missions. My advisors had selected this exceptional group, over two hundred recruits, willing to die for their nations; determined; dedicated as only youth can be.
I greeted them with the standard, salute and customary briefing; then broke them up into units and turned them over to their group leaders.
One face in the front row, a little to the left had drawn my attention. I recognized the cocky lad who’d made trouble down at the garrison. It had taken a hefty bribe, from Adt and me, to get this cadet released from the holding cell. And besides, I’d promised Sarleni to include her brother in the missions. But instigating an open bar brawl certainly did not look good on his record.
Shortly after their routine drills, I ordered him to report to headquarters.
The young Helandian officer arrived promptly, a lean and eager warrior who stood awkwardly at attention; presumably worried about his tarnished record. His voice was crisp as he saluted.
“Officer Mahzit reporting as ordered, sir!”
These formalities were always uncomfortable, for as a galactic warrior I, too, had begun as an underling. Later, my responsibilities increased, even if I still viewed myself as a warrior.
“Sit!”
Mahzit shuffled a few steps before he took a seat. He did not entirely relax, keeping his shoulders squared.
I briefly studied the open document lying on my desk. His résumé was a detailed log of military duties, the most recent post with the special search and rescue team that had retrieved Adt and Sarleni from Kamina. Prior experience included assignments with the Helandi support teams during the relief projects.
However, his untimely arrest had to be reconciled. I began my interrogation.
“Explain this little incident!”
Mahzit stammered, awkwardly embarrassed about his predicament.
“Sir, I…it was a matter of honor, involving my sister and my country. I tried to avoid it.”
He gave me his version of the fight while I glanced over the report, skimming over interviews with witnesses which matched his story fairly well.
“I see here that you are gifted with the sword, and rapid to confront a person who insults your comrades. Tempered, these values are useful. Without constraint, they can prove dangerous.”
He lifted his chin squarely.
“I had no intention of harming the man, sir.”
I curbed my amusement. “Report claims you had him under control. In fact even he was amazed, once he’d