The EternalA low, melodic beep followed in time with the blinking red light upon the massive control panel, periodically highlighting the small room whose walls were bedecked with more tall computer consoles, com station, and other monitors. Also facing the large, rectangular window made of transparasteel sat a row of high backed, padded chairs. One of them occupied by the Reverend Mother herself as she quietly contemplated the subject who slept within the deep, circular room below. In her early sixties, the aged student of the arcane arts mused, her blue eyes reflecting wisdom and the darkness around her. As her right hand supported her chin, she glanced to the readings of the project they had been experimenting on for the past ten years. Would they pay for their shortsightedness and greed as some within the Order of Insight’s intelligentsia believed? Or, would this marvel of science be that one pinnacle achievement to catapult them into the forefront of the galaxy’s elite once and for all? They would never find out while she slept. Lady Gwen had been arguing with herself over these points for the past three days. Alicia and Justine had both tried their best to objectively confront all eventualities but, was that even possible with an idea this outlandish? No one person had been able to master all aspects of the Force at once. If they unplugged the girl from the life support, would she survive? Gwen still wasn’t convinced this eventual member of their society here on Sindabur wouldn’t become a monster they couldn’t control. Or a vegetable they would have to eventually allow to die and start over again. Too many variables to consider. She yawned and glanced to the chronometer on the holographic display hovering over the leftmost monitor, then rose from the comfortable chair, stretched her tired muscles a bit before continuing on to the main door at the back of the darkly carpeted room. In the morning, she would consult with the whole of her council and they would decide collectively to either wake the new ‘daughter’, or remove the catheters and start over again. Sighing, she pushed the blue button glowing faintly within the small panel which prompted the door to slide to the right, allowing brighter light from the overhead lamps to narrow her brow. Gwen had been in the darkness for too long, she smiled to herself as the grey haired mage continued on to the turbolift and eventually her room. ______________________________ Quietly, the heart monitor and main control panel digitally declared information to no one in particular as the heartbeat continued to slowly beep, then moderately accelerate. Suddenly, the main computer sprang to life, it’s green letters glowed faintly in the darkness as the files the desktop contained became subject to a myriad of surfing, opening and downloading. Magic of various degrees and schools not yet prepared for the subject whose other details continued to be displayed from the database sped through titles and subjects. Alchemy, Electronic Engineering, Xenobiology, Weapon Mechanics and details of various types, sizes and calibres, as well as a host of historic locations dedicated to the Sith, Jedi and various other religions were also hungrily devoured. Fighting styles, Armor Manufacturing, Metallurgy, Geology and Galactic History became the next victims until the files had all been sifted through and the screen finally went blank..... ______________________________ Robe wafting behind her, the middle-aged Sister hurriedly walked down the marble floored hallway whose rich furnishings had graced the living quarters and wing for thirteen generations. Ornate fixtures uniformly located between holographic images of past Sisters and Acolytes who had since long gone, beamed a soft blue as she finally reached the beautifully carved, dark wooden door and knocked. “My lady,” Alicia called, her serious voice echoed down the quiet corridor. It took a moment to get an answer. “Yes, what is it,” the muffled reply as the Order’s chief head of magic rose from slumber. “There’s been an incident at the lab,” a revelation that quickly gained the desired response as the Reverend Mother opened the door, still holding her deep purple nightgown close to her portly frame, long grey hair cascaded down her front. “What do you mean, ‘incident’?” Alicia nervously shifted her weight, dark grey robes closely guarded the wearer’s true form. “She’s gone.” ______________________________ She cleared her throat and turned to face the command staff of thirty females each geared in dark grey armor with purple striping along the shoulder pieces. “Sisters, this morning we had a breach in our security. Someone stealthfully entered the lab and have stolen information on a recent project that has to be returned.” Blue eyes scanned the crowd and noticed the immediate alarm and anger which could be useful when the time came. “I was able to gain a vision of this intruder just a moment ago during my meditation. She is auburn haired, about five-nine and a hundred and twenty-one pounds with green eyes. Consider her dangerous but, I want her alive. Inform your teams of this,” she stressed. They all nodded, turned and began filing out into the hallway to begin their search as Alicia, her assistant and deputy in the Order of Insight, approached and glanced to ensure they would be alone. Once the thin, grey door slid shut hazel-brown eyes turned to the Reverend Mother. “You know, I’ve never doubted your wisdom but, how many of them will be lost while trying to capture the project alive?” “It’s not important,” Gwen coldly eyed the magus. “She has to be found and brought back, no matter the cost. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,” she shook her head, slightly irritated and headed towards the entrance herself. “All of our years of study are bound within that girl’s mind and body.” Alicia sighed as she moved to follow. “Of course, milady.” ______________________________ Verdant mountains surrounded her as she walked, feeling the cool air on her bare skin. Like a prisoner released, she experienced life around her as if for the first time. Green eyes scanned up into the thick boughs as birds sang lovely tunes to one another, echoing throughout the darkened canopy and she could even feel their curiosity about the newcomer as she strode through their home. Mentally, she had had to concentrate to keep out the bluish waves that washed over and through everything. The Force was an amazing energy and she had command of it, she smiled to herself as that same power filled her being like a battery overcharged. Soon, she noticed a man not far downslope from her approaching slowly with a rifle. Adostic eight-gauge shotgun which fired a three meter cone within thirty meter range, effectively. Six rounds and could fire fairly quickly for a pump action she surmised, and decided to watch and wait as she concentrated. Suddenly, her body melted into the surroundings as she watched the human male approach quietly. Sifting through his surface thoughts, she realized that Markus was hunting for small game and not her which made her relax a bit. With all that she knew, she still had no idea of which planet she was on. Upward he climbed, shotgun at the ready and soon neared the tree she stood beside, still invisible to the unwary. He would probably turn and fire on instinct if she scared him and decided not to wait much longer. “Hello,” she called out calmly, catching his attention immediately as Markus stopped. “Who’s there,” he asked. “I was curious, which planet are we on?” A question that caught him offguard as his brow furrowed. “Sindabur, where are you from,” he inquired as he neared a bit closer. “Not far from here, I just didn’t know. Thank you.” He nodded and continued his guarded climb around thick, brown-grey trunks and large, moss covered boulders to eventually stand not a few feet from her as he continued looking for this elusive woman. “Why are you hiding?” “I didn’t want to frighten you,” she began. “Do you live nearby?” “No,” he continued scanning his surroundings then focused on her voice. “Farm outside Hallas. My uncle lives not far from here and he allowed me to try out his new gun.” He stopped just a few feet from her, which prompted the prey to cast her voice beyond him, to his right. “Do you have any food on you,” she queried, able to make her own but, hoping to gain his trust before revealing herself. “Or water?” “Back in the speeder, yes,” he nodded. “It’s not far from here if you want,” he motioned back down the hill. “You don’t have to continue hiding, I’m not going to hurt you.” She had heard what she needed to and materialized behind him. In shock, he spun wide-eyed, nearly dropping the rifle. “W..W...Wow,” he stammered and stared at her for a long moment. “I...I’m Markus.” Nodding, she smiled. “Nice to meet you.” Tearing his eyes from her, he removed his leather jacket and approached as he held it out to her. “Here, you should probably put something on.” She received it and put it on, flicking her long, auburn hair behind it, then zipped the coat up to her heart. Still unable to stop staring, Markus’s heart began pounding as sweat beaded upon his brow. “Are you alright?” “Hmm? Yeah,” he nodded and began walking back downhill. ______________________________ Gwen stood nervously in the control room, watching and listening for any sign of their quarry from the teams now scouring the mountains around the compound on speeder bikes and overhead. “She’s only had a half-hour to run, she couldn’t have gotten far,” the Reverend Mother stated apprehensively. “Teams Four and Five are in Madison as we speak, madam,” the shift supervisor stated. “If our thief has gone there to hide or gain help, they’ll find her.” Sliding open, the entryway poured light into the darkened room as Alicia approached Gwen and leaned over to the seated veteran. “My lady, he’s arrived and wishes to speak with you. I’ve routed it to the com station in your office.” “Alright,” nervous adrenaline pumped as the elder mage rose and headed to the right, entering her private office and shut the door behind her. Privacy was paramount at this point as she rounded the large, polished, black desk and tapped a button which rested within a keyboard in the center of the leading edge near her chair. As she sat, the image sparkled to life of the long robed and hooded benefactor. His deep voice always gave her chills. “I’m come for my gift,” he hissed in low tones. “It’s nearly ready. Final testing has begun for the project’s resilience and to ensure it’s learned all that it’s been trained to do for you.” “Something that should’ve been done already. I want it now.” She strengthened her resolve and sighed. “It’ll be delivered when it’s ready, milord. I would hate to sell a defective product.” “I’m sending my lieutenant to take possession as we speak,” he informed angrily. “That was not the agreement...,” she suddenly felt her throat constrict and immediately countered the invisible fingers with a mental defense of her own, giving her some respite. “Pray I don’t decide to come down there myself and put an end to your school. Ensure it’s ready when they arrive.” A command that preceded the image’s green aura to fade from view. They were in trouble. Immediately, she tapped another button, “Evacuate the compound and set the security system for lockdown once we’ve left.” Escape would only be temporary but, she would ensure the lieutenant and his men wouldn’t hinder their progress any further. A new fervor filled the elder mage who hurriedly ran to her room and gathered her important things: tomes, journal and staff would never fall into enemy hands while she lived. As she moved to the main door, leaving her plush bedroom behind, girls of various ages and all armed and armored raced passed their Reverend Mother to the garage to escape. She lingered for a long moment as the corridor’s chaos soon quieted, knowing this was the first time ever that the compound was evacuated for any reason and the thought hurt her deeply. Blue eyes scanned the room for possibly one last time and suddenly felt the power of someone behind her. Turning, staff upraised defensively, she came face-to-face with the tall, robed nemesis she was trying to evade. “I have tricks of my own,” he glowered from behind a small white mask giving the wraith a skeletal appearance whose black eye sockets reflected the darkened soul within. A blast from her staff sent him backwards, shocked at the sudden attack which was immediately followed up by another which the target dodged. As the dark lord jumped to his feet, a red blade of light thrummed to life which blocked the third ball of dark energy and deflected it back at the unprepared mage, pitching her back into the room. Hitting the marble floor hard, she slid for a few feet before stopping, robes smoldering around her midsection. Gwen pushed herself up in time to be lifted into the air by her throat as the robed form eclipsed the doorway, fingers mimicking the action. In a last ditch effort, she concentrated and the elder woman’s body exploded into a shower of light..... As they drove, she took in all the greenery around them as if for the first time. Animals went about their daily lives and gave the passing vehicle little notice as her mind touched each one within range. For a moment, she became a part of them. “Where do you live,” Markus interrupted. “I know you said it wasn’t far.” Nodding, she glanced to her dark haired friend. “To the southeast, not far from where we met.” His eyes returned to the road in deep thought. “Near Charlington? The women’s school,” he inquired and glanced at her again, eyes quickly carressing her tanned legs. “What were you doing out here? Sorority prank or something?” Mind processing the key words, she stared blankly for a long moment. “No. I decided to take my leave for a bit and just happened to forget my clothes.” He nodded skeptically and turned to their surroundings as the speeder cruised on the narrow road which seemed to hug the mountainside. Chuckling, she could hear the doubt in his mind as well as watch the visual images that flashed of her and some man together. Camped near a brook, his mind then showed her running into the woods and getting lost until Markus found her. “These forests aren’t to be taken lightly,” brown eyes turned back to her. “Some vicious animals out here that have claimed many lives over the years. Certainly no place for a young woman, especially one without any weapon.” Little did he know, she thought to herself. “I guess I was lucky to have found you then.” “Indeed,” he nodded. “I never did get your name.” Green eyes turned to the dappled shadows as they continued to an unknown destination. Her lips formed sounds quietly as she tried to recall her name. It was there, in the recesses of her mind and just had to be found. Her silence prompted concern in her host as she glanced sidelong to him, then stopped mumbling to herself. “Lana.” He nodded and smiled. “Beautiful name. Fitting,” he mentioned as he directed the vehicle around a tight bend in the road, one of many it seemed as her mind suddenly felt a distant blast of energy. Eyes pressed closed as she winced. “Are you okay,” Markus asked, right hand immediately touching her on the arm. Something terrible had just happened and she needed to find out what. Softly, she rubbed her temples and tried to relax the emerging headache. “I’ll be fine,” watered eyes then turned to Markus. “I need you to get me back to Charlington, please.” “Okay,” he sighed, then pressed on as the mountain road soon descended into the foothills. “I don’t have any medication for headaches or anything, sorry.” “That’s alright.” It wouldn’t have helped anyway, she surmised as she stared out of the passenger side window and wondered who had just died. It was definitely someone of great power and hopefully not the one that knew the answers to all of her questions. ______________________________ The dark silhouette slowly moved into the observation room as his men scoured the school for any information as to the whereabouts of his prize. As the moments lingered, Lord Kavan realized she had eluded him again. These incompetent women had allowed their experiment to escape or had stolen her away to be used against him later. Either way, he would find this project. He stopped at the bank of computers and analyzing equipment to stare down into the lab, now quietly devoid of any organic, just useless tools. Anger welled within him, still smelling the singed robe that wrapped around his strong body like a protective cocoon. The witch’s last ditch effort to destroy him met with failure, as had many other attempts on the Sith Lord over the years and now the foolish animist would join those others in eternity. A long, frustrated sigh bellowed from the white mask as he felt the approach of his apprentice who stepped into the darkened room and stopped. “My lord, we’ve found no sign of any of her council, but I’ve sent teams to find them.” “You know what I see when I look over this lab,” the deep voice echoed within the small room. “Another attempt to keep me from my goals.” He turned to look at the armored lieutenant whose bald head sported maroon tattoos which proudly displayed his ascension within the ranks of the Sith. “I don’t care about the council, I want the girl,” he proclaimed, each word becoming darker as Kavan felt energy build in his fingertips. “It will be done, milord,” Jocon bowed, spun on his heel and raced from the veteran’s presence. Once he gained his composure, he strode from the lab’s command center, firing lightning bolts into the computers. Intense blue light showered from sparks into the air and illuminated the confines as he walked out. She would have to come to him personally for answers and that would work to his advantage this time. ______________________________ As the speeder continued down the covered road which cut through the verdant hills, her easing mind soon alerted her to danger. “Stop,” she yelled in time to see the blast of light from the treeline. She ducked as Markus did his best to avoid the missile but, the vehicle shuddered violently and knocked them both into the passenger door as his truck lurched right and nearly tipped over before slamming into a tree. Remaining on it’s side, she did her best to wriggle out from underneath him as her mind cleared. “Are you airight,” he asked, then cried out as his hand bent back from it’s awkward position. Knowing the quartet of approaching gunmen was a bigger concern, she kicked out the windshield and crawled out, her body vanishing as she did so. “Stay here,” she whispered and moved quietly into the nearby bushes and around the smoking hood to notice their attackers stop, weapons at the ready. Concentrating, she aimed both hands and fired a volley of lightning which arced angrily through the air between them, sending each into violent convulsions. Angrily, she let their smoldering bodies drop to the hard packed dirt as her attention then moved to another presence in the woods on the opposite side of the road. “Come on out,” she yelled. As the moments lingered, a robed figure emerged. Her dark grey clothes blended with the large trunks around the older woman and she could tell their commander had some skill in the Force as well. “She was right about you,” the mage finally stated as she glanced to the four bodies on the ground between them. “Who?” “The Reverend Mother stated you would command power beyond us,” her hazel eyes sparkled in delight. Tanned brow furrowed in confusion. “You sent these four to their deaths to test me? That’s idiotic.” “Actually, we thought you may have been his lieutenant heading back to our home. Your home.” She neared as she spoke. “You have to come away with me for your own safety. We have a ship in Madison that’s awaiting us as we speak,” she pleaded with an outstretched hand. Green eyes studied the elder and scrutinized her surface thoughts and noticed the apprehension. “I’ll be fine, thanks.” “No you won’t,” Alicia shook her head. “He’s hunting you even now and won’t stop until he’s scoured this world, unless we can lead him away from the innocent. There’s no reason for the citizens of your homeworld to die for nothing.” Something about this story felt wrong but, she couldn’t figure out what or why. “Stop lying. I’m not from here, am I?” Alicia’s smile faded as she stopped, her arm dropping to her side. A long moment lingered between them, consumed by birdsong and a gentle breeze through the upper boughs. “You go.” “I can’t leave here without you, Alvalana. We’ve poured too much energy and time into bringing you to life again. You don’t remember anything, do you?” The name sounded familiar but, she couldn’t recall anything else. “No,” green eyes fell away to the ground in thought. “I’ll answer all your questions, but we have to leave.” Lana sighed as she was reminded of Markus’s injury which sparked her to move to him. She crouched and noticed him laying quietly, staring at her in disbelief. “Come on, let’s get you out of here and take care of your wrist.” “Get away from me,” he whispered. Green eyes widened as she couldn’t believe her ears. “I’m not leaving you here alone,” she finally informed. “You helped me in my time of trouble, I want to return the favor.” She reached out both hands, “Come on”. Markus recoiled from her, still nursing his hand as he shook his head. “No way. I’ll be fine, just go.” “Alvalana, come on. If he wants to become food for the ceti, then let him alone. We can’t linger here.” Lana turned to the animist, “I’m not leaving him here to die. I already told you, go on without me. I still have some things to do at Charlington,” she stated emphatically, though still not understanding the reasons behind her drive. She just knew she had to get there soon. “You go there and it’s over,” Alicia leaned over, hand on the speeder’s crushed hood. “He’ll kill you.” “No he won’t. It’s time to end this once and for all,” the words flowing without thought as if from someone else. Alicia sighed and straightened. “Very well, then. But know this, we won’t be able to bring you back a second time so if you want to commit suicide, then it’s in your hands. Not mine.” Alvalana nodded, her visage became more serious, determined as she glanced back to Markus. “I’m sorry for your trouble.” She rose and pushed passed the mage and continued down the road on foot, leaving them both behind. “Wait,” Alicia called out and prompted Lana to half turn. “Recall your natural armor, it will come in handy when you face him,” she stated as the older, grey haired woman stepped back onto the road. “You can thank me later,” hazel eyes smiled. Lana nodded, turned and continued on. With each step, memories of other places and times flashed in her mind, making no sense to her. Hopefully, he could clear that up. ______________________________ Lord Kavan walked through the long, vaulted hallway passed paintings of women in various poses, some within their vaunted library or sitting within the central meditation plaza. All worthless and beneath the power now possessing their academy. As if crushed by an immense demon, the quiet in these classrooms bored him. Where was she? An answer that soon came as he turned to notice his lieutenant running towards him, stop and bow. “My lord, she’s at the front gate. Shall I recall our teams?” A smile arced on his face, unnoticed by anyone else but him. “No. Bring me the remaining council and students that they’ve trained. I’ll want a snack once this is over.” A command that prompted a dark grin from his trainee, who stood. “Return to the shuttle,” his grim voice echoed within the polished wood and marble. “I’ll be there shortly.” ______________________________ Bare feet quietly padded through the foyer as green eyes took in all around her. Her flight from here this morning missed so much, she thought to herself. But, the darkness now filling these halls and rooms commanded her thoughts as she continued into the lobby. She stopped as nervous adrenaline sent chills up her spine and she began to wonder if this was a good idea after all. Alicia did try to warn her, though. Suddenly, his presence intensified and she glanced to the far left doorway to notice the black robed figure step into view, highlighted by the distant windows as sunlight poured through from the central plaza. Confidently striding towards her, the blackened eye sockets grabbed her attention and she found herself unable to tear herself away, as if imprisoned already. “I have to say,” his deep voice echoed. “I appreciate that you’ve come back to me, but not with so little on,” he chuckled. “No weapons this time? I’m disappointed.” “Whoo, who are you,” she stammered. He laughed this time and stopped not ten feet from her. “Seriously? I have no time for games, my precious.” Kavan continued chuckling, each moment becoming deeper and touching her soul and his voice then pierced her mind. “I’m that darkness that you try to wake from in the night. Fear that drives you underneath your blanket for protection, gripping your pillow tighter until the sun rises, hoping for respite,” her eyes widened as his form enlarged and threatened to consume her, enveloping the room like a thick cloud. “I’m your end, and a new beginning. Give into me and become part of my soul,” his voice soon becoming a loving, tender flower that she longed to grasp and whose fragrance she wished to enjoy forever. “You will have want for nothing....” His arms wrapped around her shoulders as she stood frozen; her resolve and determination waning with each passing moment. Reaching out, she felt the cold darkness before her, wanting to reach him, but unable to touch anything tangible. Suddenly, a flash of light and burst of fire erupted from her body, coursing through the expanse around her, blasting it away as a star going supernova. Mouth agape, she screamed as her eyes went wide and sent a constant barrage of power into him which soon consumed the dark lord. His body crushed in mid-air and soon evanesced into the nether. Now complete, she collapsed onto the marble floor, body numb from the display. The room sank from her as green eyes narrowed and soon closed in eternal slumber. Mission complete. |