Book 10-Chapter 15: Ice Demons-edited

Ch 15 Ice Demons

Rex Schwartz, now fully aware of his ancient dual personality, known as Invictus Rex had, of course, witnessed the approach and the initial attack of the Tomradi.

He was confident, that the latest TransDim shields would hold against anything these aliens could throw at them from surface weapons. The appearance of these huge disc-shaped battleships however caused great concern.

He brought along a sizeable army of Seenian Sentmacs. Cloned humans that had been altered to be the perfect soldiers and a thousand Omni-analogs. But nothing in terms of space born assets that could deal with such an enormous opponent. It would take a sizeable portion of his own security fleet to deal with them.

Omni-Analogs were the latest product of his highly illegal bio-genetic warrior project, the Leviathan-Column. Merging and combining the genetic and biodata of a thousand Union species, resulting in a nightmarish eight meters tall troll-like creature, programmed to obey him alone. Based on the highly successful Saturnian clone project, from before the gene clone war and the prohibitive Gene cloning laws of the Union. Combining Y’All, Petharian and Botnaar aspects with the fighting abilities of the Dai and Terran Human aggressiveness; his Bio-Engineers created perhaps the most perfect fighter creature. The latest cybernetic SII tech added made these brutes, a most potent army.

Even the awakened consciousness of Invictus was impressed by that, before Rex Schwartz and Invictus Rex merged and became one, only a few weeks ago. Once the Dark One had resurrected and united with him, Rex planned to increase the numbers of the Omni-Analogs by many billions, as a foundation force for a New Empire. The Union and the Tomradi were manageable hurdles towards his goal of ultimate dominance of all that existed in the Omni Verse.

The highly intelligent mind of Rex warned him about the risks to accept this unattainable goal. But the knowledge he gained from translating the Prophecy and from collecting all the legends and myths regarding that so-called Dark One, pointed to a higher level of existence and consciousness. A level that moved the abstract concept of gods and godlike beings into the realm of plausibility. That caused him to dismiss the intellectual objections of his mind.

While his conviction regarding entities of higher existence was confirmed to him, as the apparently weak and human-looking individual calling himself the Yellow Wizard, swept the sky clean of the very powerful Tomradi Battleships. His, still human based, consciousness was frightened for the first time in his life. Such a demonstration of power was beyond anything he could even imagine.

He summoned Proth.

Proth was the leader of a group calling itself the Black Hoods. Proth, ahead of a numerous contingent had arrived at the former Estrella compound, only a few hours after Rex made the transition. According to the information he had collected regarding Avondur, before he came here, the Black Hoods were part of the Circle of Seven. An association of seven groups that somehow governed this unique place.

Proth had introduced himself as the leader of the Black Hoods and vowed unwavering support. The Black Hoods held true to this promise when the Tomradi attacked.

The leader of the Black Hoods appeared before the hastily reconstructed Throne of the First Emperor and bowed deeply before Rex. “Lord Master of all that is, you summoned me. Here I am to do thy bidding.”

Rex looked at the completely shrouded being. It appeared human and from the sound of the voice, it was male. The shroud or robe worn by the being reminded Rex of a monk’s robe. A loose-fitting garment girded by a robe-like tie. The head covered by a cowl pulled deep before the actual face. Rex had noticed, that the Black Hoods wore an opaque mask over their faces and thus creating the illusion of shapeless darkness beneath those hoods. The leader of the Black Hoods differed only by a silvery belt instead of a black one.

“Tell me, Proth would you kill yourself if I asked you to do so?”

The masked man before him drew a sharp-looking dagger from beneath his left arm’s sleeve and put the point against his throat. “Give the command. Lord of Lords.”

“Put that knife away and tell me about that Circle of Seven, about that Yellow Wizard and the Tomradi. Do you wield powers like the leader of the Yellow Robes?”

“No, I do not, and no one does, Lord of Lords. The Yellow Wizard is not more powerful than I am. But his aspect is connected to the Voice and as it appears, he acts as a conduit for ‘the One Behind It All’. The display of cosmic might and control was of such source. The Yellow Wizard acted as an Avatar of these forces if you will.”

“The One Behind it All is an entity of great power?”

“That is a question I cannot answer, Lord Rex. The One Behind it all might be an entity. It certainly is beyond anything and everything that can be grasped or defined. Once you become one with the Dark One, we believe you will be able to grasp and understand what no one else can.”

Rex had to think about this answer for a moment and it caused shivers of inhuman pleasure.

Power of such godlike levels revealed to him controlled by him alone, a power so far beyond what even the original Invictus could imagine. Power beyond that of the Voice, Invictus was certain, as he had appeared before the Voice of the Rule so very long ago.

“Proth, tell me about this circle and why have you come to pledge their allegiance to me?”

“There are Seven Circles indeed, and each circle once and long ago summoned by the Voice became an aspect of the forces that guard and protect this most unusual place in all the Universe. It is here where this Universe came to be. It is here where that divine spark of existence has been ignited. Fueled perhaps by energies and conditions set in motion by pre-cursor realms of existence.”

“Go on.”

The hooded man nodded. ”This universe, this realm is like no other that came before or exists in parallel. Not the Netherworlds, nor the Upper Realms. This is the Prime Universe and after the Dark One has resurrected and made the Decision, the meta-verse will be cleansed of all those aspects and entities that linger on. No one knows what will happen when you become the Dark One. Oh, mightiest of Lords, but it is speculated that many or perhaps all rifts will be closed forever. The Cosmic Veil that is torn and full of holes, will be restored and whatever other realms might survive can no longer be accessed from this plane or vice versa.”

Rex soaked up this information. It verified and clarified what he had found in the translation of ‘Prophecy of Before and Yet to come’. He motioned to the leader of the Black Hoods that he was still listening. “Find a seat Proth, and tell me more.”

The Black-robed man found a seat on a chair that had appeared inside a circle of light in the otherwise dark throne chamber. “Lord of Darkness. We, the Black Hoods awaited your return ever since you disappeared and the First Empire fell. We have not lost faith that you will return and take your rightful place as the Ultimate Deity. I know beyond doubt that you are indeed Rex Invictus and I am blessed beyond compare to be the one to serve you and witness your rise, oh mighty Lord. The Yellow Robes worship the Voice and the one behind it. We do not place importance to anyone and anything but you, the Anti-Force of Life and Darkness Incarnate.”

“The Seven Circles worship and follow different deities then?”

“Oh yes, Mightiest of them all. There are indeed seven aspects of this Circle and each is signified by a shade or color. Black, Blue, Red, Yellow, White, Green, and Grey. Some say the Yellow Robes are the most powerful, while the White Shrouds are the weakest. But it is not so, all are equal in the Circle. This world has been ordained to be the place where the Decision is made by you. Therefore the most potent forces have agreed to protect and preserve this place. We, the Black Robes have always represented you, the Dark One.”

--“”—

Alice stepped before the man wearing Union uniform and Captain rank. The name-patch on his right chest identified him as Captain Olafson. She and many others of the crew had never met this man, even though there always had been that scuttlebutt that Erica had begun her career as a male.

To her, the person was a stranger, there was no aspect other than the eyes and some outlines in the face that reminded her of Erica Olafson.

She had talked to her mother for over three hours, and despite all the explanations her mother has given her. Alice did not understand it all and the woman claiming to be her mother remained to be a stranger to her. Oh, she didn’t doubt the fact that Angela was indeed her birth mother, but she was an adult now and never had been raised by anyone else but Nestor. To her, that old Terran was more real and a closer parent than anyone. The crew of the Tigershark, especially Narth and Har-Hi had filled those holes that were occupied by uncles, brothers, and grandparents. Ever since she had come aboard the Tigershark she ceased to feel like an orphan. That terrifying Y’All they called TheOther was like a big brother to her. Krabbel, Mao and Shaka were like loving uncles.

Shea, Brana, and Elfi like sisters and aunts and Erica Olafson, had always been that mother she never had. Stern, always correct and proper, but everyone aboard knew she would never ever abandon anyone regardless of the circumstances.

Narth told her that Eric and Erica were aspects of the same person.

“Captain, Sir. General Lichfangh suggested that I talk to you. The woman, Angela Curse, revealed herself to be my mother.”

“I certainly have a few moments, Ensign Enigma, before we leave the ship. I am glad you found your birth mother.”

“Captain, about that. General Lichfangh suggests that you are more than human and an entity known to some as the Dark One.”

“This is so. I am indeed but I have not been restored completely. I sense a deep reason for your line of questions.”

Alice was not sure how to say it, but tried anyway. ”My mother claims that you are my father, are you?”

“Ensign… Alice, I do not know. As far as I know, I was slain or injured when I was that entity. To my knowledge, I have been split into twelve aspects or parts. I do not know how I could have sired anyone, as I was in limbo for many precursor realities.”

The Captain sighed. “One such part is still missing, it is my memory of al that was. I will be able to answer your question then. Regardless if I am or not, Alice. I am very proud of you.”

“Why did you abandon your Erica personality?”

“Ensign, Erica and I are siblings. I am not her and she is not me. We share much and have shared the same mind. But so close to my resurrection, she has stepped back to let me fulfill my destiny.”

“I do not know why I know this, but I must come along because what will occur is also linked very closely to me.”

--“”—

That there was something significant about to occur, was not lost to the Admiral of the Fleet. The Eternal Warrior was gone. So was his wife. The commandant of NAVINT had overwritten his instructions regarding the Tigershark.

He was brooding in his office high above San Franciso Bay. While there was plenty of work, some of it literally piling up on his desk before him. He simply could not get his mind of the mysterious event that was looming in the near future. Officially he was human and he never felt to be  anything but a Scotsman from Aberdeen, one  that just happened to live longer than just about anyone born on Earth, but the truth of the matter was that he had become an immortal and his senses of things closed to the mind of mortals had been sharpened over the millennia of his existence.

Not in the least because he was picked by a higher force to become immortal. There had to be a reason for it.

While he had nothing in form of concrete information, he was convinced that the events he felt were about to occur, were connected to the reason he was chosen to become immortal.

McElligott hated to be kept in the dark about things in general,  but he was not exactly a helpless fool. He was the head of the entire Union  Spatial Navy. And as organizations went, this was not the smallest. He had access to incredible resources. One of the most potent ones was NELSON II,  a super computronic perhaps equal to Mothermachine.

NELSON II monitored every report and communication within the Union Fleet and was working in concert with MATA HARI, the NAVINT AI.

McElligott was cleared RED-RED-RED, the highest and rarest classification level. In technical terms, no Union secret was closed to him.

NELSON’s warm male voice interrupted his musings. Admiral, Sir. One has completed the situation assessment request.”

“Let me hear it.”

“Initial reports from planet N’Ger can be confirmed within 92 percent accuracy. Following individuals presence on that planet within the last two weeks have been confirmed:

Stahl, Richard -  Admiral 1st Fleet

Lichfang, Alycia -  General PSI Corps

Narth, Supreme

Deepa, Lydaa -  Admiral NAVINT

Decker, Phil - Inspector Union Police

Skallagrimmson, Egill – Representative of Nilfeheim to the Assembly

Moansti, Alegar - Representative of Sares to the Assembly

Narth - Representative of the Narth to the Assembly

Dark Cloud – AXIOM agent, declared MIA shortly after the Ascent of Earth

Listed individuals have been seen together at an N’Ger Hotel. The USS Tigershark and her crew are also reported to be on N’Ger, with a 99.9 percent probability to be involved in the most recent reports of Y’All activity on said planet.

Considering the accumulation of high profile individuals on this non Union planet suggests the occurrence of significant events by a probability factor of 98 percent.”

“Connect me to Cherubim and send her a copy of that report.”

“Report sent, Sir. Unable to complete the contact request. Cherubim notified the system of a leave of absence with an unspecified duration.”

McElligott cursed and said. ”Why haven’t you included her on your list ?”

“Director Cherubim has not been identified by any intelligence resource reporting to this system. Her MO includes the masterful assumption of other identities.”

“Who else might be there?”

There is a 74 percent chance Rex Schwartz might be among the prominent visitors, Sir.”

That did it, he was convinced beyond any doubt that his unexplainable notion of an upcoming event was more than a hunch, but a very real development. The climax of something that developed for a very long time. The reported entities gathering on N’Ger of all places was a virtual who's who of important individuals. He became angry and wondered why he was not informed, was he not also one of these very important beings?

True enough, Stahl wasn’t exactly a close friend of his, Cherubim never really revealed her true feelings or motivations to anyone. Alycia was Stahl’s wife of course, but McElligott knew that the PSI Corps Commandant was much more than just a talented Psionic user.

He punched the direct connection to Mothermachine. That sentient AI was one of the most intelligent entities known, and she was known to be a friend to Stahl. Maybe he confined in her.

Buy neither Mothrmachine nor the Klack Queen had any information to give, even though he felt that both of them didn’t tell him what they knew.

Of course, the KlackQueen would lie for Stahl, and most likely sacrifice her own life to that cursed former Marine. The whole Union knew about the deep friendship between Nt'gtar thk the 745th and Stahl. Ever since Nt'gtar thk the 741st declared Stahl to be an honorable Klackt and close friend to all Klackt, these insects including their queen went nuts for that Buffon.

Why Mothernachine, an AI of great intellect had similar notions was not entirely clear to the old Highlander. The lead system of al X101 told him, that she was not informed in detail as to what the Eternal Warrior was up to, or why he and others were gathered at N’Ger. She, however, urged him to let it be and trust Stahl. She suggested that his presence was not needed, otherwise, he would have been informed.

The Klackt queen was a little less blunt but her argument that the Narth Supreme was with Stahl was all she needed to know that the situation was well in hand. The Narth Supreme, leader of the most secretive, mysterious civilization, and technically nothing more than a Union citizen. He held, at least as far as the public knew no position, he did not even represent the Narth. Yet to the vast majority of all Union Citizens,  he was like a fatherly god. Deeply respected and beloved by almost everyone. While the Narth Surpeme often and firmly rejected these ideas. The Narth Supreme was, like the Queen and Mothermachine member of the Grey Ghosts. He, McElligott, and not Stahl was a part of that elusive group. Yet he did not count any of them as close friends. Admiral Stahl did, what was it with that simpleton anyway?

McElligott called one of his aides. Instead of Commander Wolfgang Schneider, the tall Terran with Teutonic roots  Commander Doug Robertson came in. ”Sir?”

The old Highlander was not displeased to see Robertson who was famous for his deep penetrating gaze and the black mustache, but he asked anyway. ”Where is Commander Schneider?”

“Sir, Wolfgang. I mean Commander Schneider is taking part in the annual Blaster marksman competition at Tell, planet. I was certain a memo and request were filed with you, Sir.”

McElligott actually remembered signing something with Schneider’s name on it. “Ah yes I think I recall. Never mind that anyway. Commander Robertson, have the USS SHANGRILA recalled to Armstrong Base, Luna and let me know when she is ready, I intend to visit a place called N’Ger. “

“Aye, Sir.”

“Commander, of all people, I suspected you to be at Tell, planet. You are the reigning Fleet champion.”

The usually so serious-looking Commander grinned. “I stay away so others have a chance.”

--“”—

Admiral Stahl looked over the group of twelve people that had gathered before the cave entrance, that according to Angela Curse contained a Nexus point aligned with Avondur.

Phil, the old detective stepped back and said. ”That is as far as I go, friends. I am, despite the long life I had so far just a simple detective and policeman. The events and the appearance of Dark Cloud are evidence of something that is far beyond me. The trail leads to Avondur, but I know catching a thief is no longer on the agenda.”

Stahl nodded. “Fair enough, I also think whatever we are about to do is beyond the comprehension of an old Marine. Unfortunately, my wife and the Narth Supreme feel that I need to go there.”

Phis smiled. “That protégé of yours, Captain Olafson has made the jump already.”

“Yeah, he decided to go alone and told us to wait for his return in a note. He expressed concerns about our safety. Fat chance, we came this far.”

Phil tipped his head and without a particular hurry walked down the steep and narrow mountain pass after he had watched Stahl, Luci Fera, Angela, the three Narth, Har-Hi, Shea, Egill, Alegar, and the beautiful girl Alice enter the naturally concealed cave entrance.

To his surprise, he saw a group of individuals come up the path. He was not entirely surprised to recognize members of the Tigershark crew. Led by a magnificent Togar, he remembered their names as they had been introduced to him just the day before.

The Saran princess Elfirata, a big Archa spider, Mao Vouza, Shaka the Helmsman, the towering security chief Hans Neugruber. The chrome skinned X101 gleamed so brightly, Phil’s eyes watered. There were others as well. Two Attikans, the containment suit of a Non-Corp. A gray Nul and a terrifying Y’All.

Phil said to the Togar. “They have traversed to Avondur by now, I am sure. Didn’t Admiral Stahl ask you to wait for their return?”

The Togar Commander growled. “He put me in charge and was not specific as to where we supposed to wait. The captain never left anyone of us behind, now it is our turn.”

Elfi said. ”Oh, Mr. Decker, have you seen Ensign Meeze by any chance? It is a worm-like creature about a meter long. With small arms and a ring mouth. We can’t find him and SHIP  tells us, Meeze left shortly after Captain Olafson.”

The old detective shook his head. ”I remember the annelid, but I have not seen him to be part of the group that just left.”

Phil grinned deeply as he kept descending. He had never heard of Captain Olafson before, and spend only a short time aboard the Tigershark, but he felt the tight relationship between all members of that diverse crew.

--“”—

I gained consciousness in complete and utter darkness and without feeling anything at all,  I tried to reach for my face but It appeared I had no hands, no feet. Nobody at all. I did remember the rooftop terrace and the tall shrouded thing my brother identified as his body. Was I dead? Did that cursed entity that shared my mind for so long kill me? He was a Dark and evil entity after all. Someone calling itself the Antiforce of Life.

I felt betrayed and angry. My anger grew fast and suddenly these raw disembodied emotions gave me a faint tingling sensation. I could feel something physical.

“Sister, don’t interfere! I am in my own body now. I must complete my journey.”

“Screw you and your damn journey! You never asked me if I wanted you in my mind and now you killed me just like that. I don’t know who or what I am, but if my anger enables me to interfere. You can bet your ass that I will do so. I never give up or surrender, you should know that.”

“Sister, your body is human and easily hurt. It is in a safe space and I relinquish it to you as soon as I know-how. The last token with all my knowledge and my memories is yet to be found. I did not kill you or end your existence. I do not desire to do so.”

“So why is it I shared my body, my eyes and everything with you, and now you are in control and I see and feel nothing at all?”

“I do not know why that is, or what made you stir and wake in this body that is mine. I know that your body still exists.”

I was on the verge of believing him, but I didn’t trust him. I wanted to live and control my own body. What right did he have to simply take over?

My anger grew despite his warnings, the more my anger took over the more I could feel something.

Then it happened. The darkness subsided and instantly felt my body. My arms and my legs. I knew I was lying on a harsh and cold ground.

I opened my eyes and blinked into the twilight of a setting sun. It took me a moment to gather my senses and sit up. I was completely naked, sitting on an ice-cold rock near a cave entrance. There was a meandering river about a mile distant, a mostly snow-covered forest of strange alien trees.

I first heard the flapping of large wings and then saw a monstrous thing. It was a human proportioned, the size of a very tall Dai. It had bat-like wings that did not appear to be big enough to keep that thing flying. It also carried a weird weapon like a stick that reminded me of a mop rather than a weapon, but the mop head emitted a cool bluish glow.

The face of the thing, I could only describe as demonic, the Nogoll like horns sprouting from its skull underlined that.

I jumped to my feet. I had no weapons at all, and for the first time In my adult memory, I was certain to be alone. My dark brother had left me and apparently spit me out where ever I was.

I cursed him. “You no-good piece of Nubhir dung. May you choke on Regurgiated rotten fish vomit. Oh, I am so sick of being the plaything of others".

There was no response at all, but the flying thing came closer and screeched unnaturally, emitting a stream of bluish steam, hitting the ground I had been standing on seconds ago, covering it with bluish ice.

I grabbed a dry tree branch and hefted it like a sword. ”If you think you can impress a Neo Viking with ice, you ugly son of a bitch, you got a surprise coming…”