(RM) Ch 18 Eliminate Charles
Ch 18
Alegar was extremely agitated to say it mildly. He was not too mad at the woman who left her behind tied up and exposed to the sleep inducer of his bed. While it was more than inconvenient, it was the bed that alerted emergency services, after he lost bowel control while under the Sleep inducer turned on without timer.
No, it wasn’t that. He could not blame her for not trusting anyone and now he stood in the chamber of the Great Grey Cat. It was perhaps the most sacred of all for Saresii.
It was a sight to see indeed. Here deep in the heart of the Sharirteke mountains, and at the very center of the Gray Cat Monastery, surrounded by cauldrons glowing with the fire of mountains the truly ancient statue of Shari-Iee the Gray Cat. Alegar believed the mystical powers of the Gray Car to be real, and so did the priests in their gray robes. A shaft of light exposed a beautiful Saresii sitting there before the statue in a cross-legged fashion. Everyone in the cavernous hall believed the age of this Saresii to be as old as the Saresii themselves. The Saresii had one name sacred to all Saresii, Alameda, the living daughter of the Cat.
Over the ages, Saresii reliance and observance of religion were no longer the only centers of society, but once again science and the knowledge of man had taken hold.
Alegar was a Gray Cat, he was the unspoken, yet accepted leader of the Saresii as a society and it was not a well-kept secret, Alegar was proud of the Union, was fond of the unruly barbarians from Earth and he was a Union citizen by conviction.
Alegar had been called before the Ancient teacher after he demanded to be heard.
The Ancient Teacher removed his right from underneath the long sleeve and with a flat handed gesture motioned Alegar to speak.
Alegar brushed back the gray hood of his cloak and said. “I traveled with someone trusted under my protection to this holy place to seek sanctuary. I was attacked by Gray Cats who did not know their place and our ways.”
“Injustice might have been done, Alegar. It will be considered and judged by those who are Saresii.”
“Am I not Saresii?”
“You are by birth, office, and statue but not by heart. Your allegiance is not with Carhesii, it is well known where it lies.”
Alegar’s anger increased as he clenched his fist. ”What is implied by this?”
The Ancient Teacher waved his hand again. ”Curb your emotions, Alegar. You are gifted with much of the talent and here at the heart of this, our Psion node is strongest, but know this we are all blessed with the Gift, like the one you knew as Geha was. Her gift is neither trained nor well-controlled. What do you think a Pyrokinet could do here so close to the Node?”
“You accuse me of being loyal to others than Sares. It is true Old One, I am loyal to the Union and its true principles. As a Saresii of the Old seed, I will see that the Union grows, stays true to those principles and do everything in my power to show that Sares is indeed a trustworthy member. We are, are we?”
“Are you not Saresii first?”
“I have been on many worlds beyond Sares orbit. I have made friends among the most unusual beings. There is an Immortal, they call the Eternal Warrior. He is honor and truth embodied, his word alone is trusted more than any contract or treaty by friend and foe alike. By his word alone the Klack Queen, Mothermachine, the Tri of Science, the Glou will act without hesitation and with every one of their societies. I am privileged to call him a friend. There are a few others of Non-Sares origin I regard very highly.
I am blessed with the friendship of rulers and leaders of societies as old as ours, much more powerful than ours. Friendship, Ancient Teacher is that not a concept we Saresii know?”
“Yes, Alegar. The Eternal Warrior is beyond approach indeed and we know the Tri has been here on Sares One. Bringing Leedei Psi-tech that is equal to that of ours of the First Age. We will discuss Geha, the Black Cats, and related things later. Now sit and open your mind. As we must speak of a conflict that is old, older than anything you know.”
Alegar did sit down, the abbot of the Cloister who had brought him here and who had been among those who denied Geha sanctuary made an impatient gesture while he removed his vat mask. Like most Saresii he was of course visually indistinguishable from a Saresii biological female and revealed an arrogant but very beautiful face. The beauty of this kind was so common on Sares, it was expected and nothing more. “Ancient Teacher, you speak of the Saresii conflict with the Kermac of course! You will teach this confused mind that wandered off from Sares and Carhesii a lesson.”
“That conflict is remotely associated indeed, but neither side knows its origin, but since you mention this quarrel I insist you speak of it and educate me as you know of what I am about to speak.”
The abbot of the Cloister of the Grey Cats of Sar also sat down in a well-practiced fluid move.”It is a conflict that began with our first contact. Our first meeting with the white obsessed Kermac. It was the 48th Arcrumus in the 2nd Megaannum after the Minds bound by Carhesii put order into the sky.”
The abbot’s true name and face were known to the leading members of the society. Alegar knew he carried the name, Candear Barhees and had spent most if not all his long life right here on the mountain top cloister. In terms of worldly powers, Alegar was far above him as the unofficial but very real leader of the Council, and thus all that was Sares to the outer worlds. Alegar was also among the eldest and very influential voice among the Grey Cats of Sar and their extension as secret service for the Saresii. However in terms of spiritual powers and influence over the Saresii society, abbot Candear was second to none, except for the Ancient Teacher, but his existence was known to maybe a handful living Saresii, to everyone else Alameda was nothing more than a myth of distant past.
The Ancient Teacher did neither change tone nor his position but the gesture was underlined with the strong feelable emotion of impatience. “Do not stop there, Candear. Let us hear more of the things you do know.”
“What much else is there? The Kermac claimed to be superior to us, demanded our submission. We refused and the Kermac are nothing more than the upstarts they have been from the beginning. They will soon disappear into oblivion.”
“Will they disappear because of Saresii doings?”
“Of course not, this brute Stahl and those violent apes will do that for us.”
The Ancient Teacher neither moved nor seemed to do anything, yet Candear groaned in anguish holding the sides of his head. “Ancient Teacher, why punish me?”
“It is not I who is doing that, but Carhesii herself. But I will educate you before I will add punishment.” The Ancient Teacher kept looking at Alegar. “You too must listen.”
The Ancient Teacher once more buried his hands inside the sleeves of his robe. “Will it come to a surprise to you when I say that we all, Saresii, Humans, and even the Kermac have common roots?”
Candear wiped blood that dripped from his nostrils and glared at the Old Teacher. “But how? We are of Sares, the Kermac I know have begun their civilization on a planet named Koken. That world has been lost but is remembered by the Kermac, and the human apes, these naked primates discovered fire when we ended out First Megaannum, an age we call the First Age of Knowledge.”
“Your ignorance is almost as unpalatable as your condescension. You should consider a position as Kermac perhaps. You do bring the necessary prerequisites.”
The Ancient Teacher kept talking and still looked at Alegar. “This is important for you, as I will take you down to the Vault of Knowledge and will give you access to the Depository of the Forbidden.”
Candear, had recovered from the piercing headache. He still believed to be caused by the Alameda. The Cat Carhesii was a statue and a religion nothing more after all. “The Vault is for the enlightened and no one may descent to the Depository. It is forbidden for a reason.”
“Do you know the reason?”
“No one alive does.”
Alameda smiled for the first time. “I am alive and I do know. It was I who sealed it.”
“How can you have been alive when it was sealed? That happened even before Deepa, the daughter of Marak Lydaa killed all members of the old Council of the Seven Cat Orders, and before Arneea Ladeea begins her dictatorship.”
“It was the Voice of the Rule who chosen me as a Cosmic Elder. It was then when I learned about the true nature of Carhesii, and learned the origin of the Saresii.
The planet you know as Earth has seen four eons. At the end of the second eon, seeded by the agents of Corflic the first Humanity rose and with it civilization. The Vaalbaraians, the Chrom, the First Terrans, the Ur-Vrill, and the White. All fought for supremacy over this prehistoric Earth. The Vaalbaraians gave rise to the
Vaalbarian, who begun their Seeding efforts and doing so created the Drak, the Ult, and the Pree. The First Terrans became the Atlanteans and out of their seed developed the Erogen and the Sarans. The Ur-Vrill became the Vrill, the Blondes, and also the ilk that became the evil of the Falkenhorst empire. As you may guess the Whites developed into the Segments of Color that in turn gave rise to the Universal Collect or more commonly referred to as the Uni.
A colony of Pre-Uni Whites became the Ker tribes of Koken. Revisited by the last survivors of the Uni millions of years later, driven out of the M-0 galaxy by the Erogen. The Ker exiled two of their races and united the rest under a new name, the Kermac.”
Alegar had listened and known he was told secrets and knowledge not shared for many millennia. He had a dry throat as he asked. “What about the Chrom?”
“Ah yes, the Chrom. Glad you ask because they are the most important to us the Saresii. You see a large colony ship of Chrom leaving Earth found a new home on a beautiful garden world, in a yellow star system with seven planets.
The Chrom encountered the native Balam a non-human but somewhat humanoid species sentient but at a very primitive stone tool development. At first Chrom and Balam got along, but the Balam had strange, supernatural powers that defied all the Chrom knew. The Chrom feared the Balam and committed the unspeakable crime of Genocide, killing all Balam. Before even the last Balam died, the first Chrom children with the same magical powers were born.”
“By magical powers, you speak of Psionics right?” Alegar asked.
“Yes, and as you both know psionics come in many different forms and levels of control. And not all are harmless to the wielder, especially the destructive ones. Parents feared their children, Some called them gifted, others called then cursed. Some legends claim it was a drug the Balam freely shared with the Chrom, but of course, it was not a drug but the exposure of being so close to a Psi-Node responsible for it.
Two groups emerge and as it always seems to be the case in such tales a Civil War breaks out between the last Technology keepers and a new group believing the new Psionic powers are a gift of the Gods. The Chrom without Psi Powers fear the ones that are born with the new unexplainable “magical” talents. A priest cast rises to power calling themselves Sar Ess-ii , a Balam word for Psi Powers.”
Candear whispered.”Sar Ess-ii, Saresii.”
“Yes, Candear. Out of this cast of priests came the Saresii. The Temple Sar becomes the first Monastery of Sar.”
Alegar almost felt like a blasphemist as he asked. “So the priest of Sar came before the cat?”
“No, Alegar. The priests of Sar Ess-ii could not explain the magic, and while seeking to find a place for Sar, they encountered a second almost sentient species, cat creatures with tremendous psionic talent and the ability to use them with the great skill of naturally acquired abilities.
The Sar Ess-ii had forgotten that these cats came with them from Earth, a species distantly related to the Nimravidae of prehistoric Earth that is, exposure to the Node increased their already existing intelligence and unlike the Balam, these cat creatures were not peaceful, but vicious predators. These Cat beings despite their psionic abilities never leave these always mist, cloud, and fog covered Mountains of the Kahil Continent. One of the Cat creatures gained sentience and was raised by the Voice of the Rule to be a Sentinel of this World and I was made a Cosmic Elder by the same entity.”
Alegar wiped his mouth. “This is knowledge not shared with living beings even before the First Age of Knowledge begun, is it not so?”
“To the short-lived, to the mortal even to you modern Saresii who extend life spans beyond three hundred cycles it is a long time indeed, but this Universe holds many living beings and entities that do not suffer the decay of time. That Eternal Warrior you mentioned, he is one. You, Candear mentioned Deepa Lydaa. Would it surprise you if I tell you she has returned many centuries ago and is a Union Citizen like Alegar?”
Alegar dropped his chin. “Yes, indeed it does surprise me. Would it not make her a million years old? Is she hiding among the Cats?”
“No, she is not. She became the associate of another god if you will, a goddess perhaps. Labels that mean nothing, yet are helpful to mortals like you both.”
The Old Teacher laughed. “She was my first pupil when I still was Baltro, the Teacher and she gained true immortality without any association to the Cat. Deepa is an admiral and she is the commanding officer of NAVINT. As much as you are proud of your Gray Cats and the intelligence work done by them, I must agree in your assessment of the Union and much of what is associated with it, there is not much that is equal to NAVINT. “
“I always speculated the other Immortal Admiral, the one they call Highlander was the secret commandant of NAVINT.”
The ancient teacher laughed again. “Oh, this McElligott is as closely involved with NAVINT as can be.”
The Ancient Teacher got up on his feet in an agile fluid move, at the same time a downward leading stairwell was uncovered by a receding stone plate behind the now standing Ancient Teacher. Alegar knew about the many levels the Vault of Knowledge, and like every Saresii he knew of the fairy tales told of the Depository of the Forbidden. He never believed these archives existed, but now he too rose to his feet, stiff from sitting with crossed legs for so long.
The Abbot stepped forward. “You will not lead him to the Depository?”
Alameda turned already down the steps to his shoulders. “You, Candear must be thankful for being left alive. You will return to the top tier, purge all that is Black Cat from these sacred grounds and toss all who denied sanctuary to Alegar and his companion of the Bridge of Winds. I will return to the Upper tiers as well, should I find one you missed, I will reconsider the mercy you received now.”
Candear knew better than to argue or speak. He bowed, replaced mask and hood, and turned to mount the long staircase winding up the wall in the back of the cavernous Hall of the Cat.
Alegar also knew better, and followed the Ancient Teacher down the steps, hewn out of the mountains rock itself so it appeared.
The air was dry but had a musky smell, a flickering light over Alameda’s head in color and appearance just like the light of a brightly burning torch, but the Ancient did not hold such a thing. Alegar wondered if this was done by Pyrokinetics.
The Ancient Teacher shook his head while descending further. “Not just pyrokinetics, Alegar but a combination of several psionic abilities. I am tapping the source directly, but my old mind can’t simply think of anything else than the light of a torch. Once we are down at the first tier there are Lumi plates anyhow.”
True to his word there were Lumi plates attached to a ceiling and giving light to a room full of shelves. The shelves apparently cut out of stone, holding stonewalled boxes with metal corners looking very heavy.
The Ancient paid no attention and mounted the second flight of stairs leading down. He did explain the boxes, however. “Time is no friend of paper and vellum. These boxes are vacuum sealed and hold the books and scripts created by many centuries of Saresii minds.”
“Would crystal lattice storage not be a safer more convenient way of storing data?”
“You are a child of the Union, my dear.”
“I can’t deny it.”
“A Terran has been down here, many times.”
“A Terran Human?”
“Yes, another true Immortal. The first-ever married to a Saresii and still grieving for her passing, her name was Alegra Soneri”
“I think I heard that name somewhere, but I can not recall where.”
“She was among the first Gray Cats of Saresii Intelligence.”
“I think she might have been mentioned in a class.”
“She was sent to Earth to monitor Freon activity, fell in love with a human policeman named Phil Decker. Who was Immortal already and long before there even was a United Earth.”
“Now that is a name I have heard as well I must say, but never gave much thought about it.”
As they descended the forth stairwell, the air smelled even staler than before. The Ancient Teacher was as agile and nimble as a young Seenian.
Alegar, who had revealed that he was Balthro and thus carried the title of Ancient Teacher with every right, said as he started the fifth flight. “Deepa was not the last pupil, there was another and what you learn down here might involve this second pupil of mine.”
He sighed as he approached yet another stairwell. ”There are signs and voices that speak of another, a third pupil.”
“Me?”
“Nonsense, you are way too old to be open to instructions, this third pupil if I understand the Prophecy correctly has not even been born yet, but it is the most important one.”
“You mentioned a second one?”
“Ah yes, he was another very talented Saresii, perhaps the most powerful one, this one refused to become female, appear to be female and reject all that the new Saresii society stands for.”
Alegar nodded, while he carefully followed the nimble feet of the Ancient Teacher. “I know the kind, they do occur now and then. Empowered by the new freedoms, Union society offer. These Mascu-Saresii however never stay on any of the Seven Sares worlds.”
“This was so strong, even above Deepa or my level. He was so talented that I arranged for this pupil to be instructed by the Narth.”
“The Narth?” Alegar whispered. “I know there are rumors one of them took Stahl to Narth Prime.”
“This pupil of mine went to Narth Prime before Stahl was born. He was removed from Narth society, after bringing great shame to the Saresii society. So great this shame that his name is not to be spoken and has long been forgotten by all but a few. He now calls himself Larthop, the first Son of Darkness, and is the central figure in an obscure religion known as the Church of Darkness.”
--“”—
“You’re right,” Ken said. “I didn’t feel a thing and according to the Luitenant, we arrive at Sol Hub in five minutes.”
Faragon used one of his needle-sharp claws to pick something from between his equally sharp and dangerous-looking teeth. “Yep, not a thing. Well, it looks like neither you nor Dirmon are the only ones with previous Space Train experience.”
Roy grinned. “Dirmon came all the way across the Bridge. Compared to him we are all Space Train Noobs.”
Ken hit Faragon, where humans had their stomachs. Of course, Ken didn’t hit the Drach for real. It was more a friendly tap, especially since Huǒlóng’s didn’t have the stomach there and a thick layer of rock hard scales to boot. “You better do not let the Luitenant catch you doing that dental hygiene with your claw routine.”
“I wonder if Sentmac’s eat. They probably don’t even have teeth or a digestive system. I was hungry so I ate one of those horrid RICE bars.”
Roy looked baffled. “There isn’t anything in a RICE bar that could get stuck.
Mike, the Tyrannous chuckled in his particular way and said to Faragon. Those humanoids are omnivores. They have molars and fangs. The Huǒlóng are Drach and I am a Sauronis, the carnivore type. Neither of us has molars, my human friend. What they call Ration Individual Combat Emergency bars might have all the nutrition but it's in a highly processed form requiring the particular teeth you got to the left and right of your canines. So anything not made of raw meat keeps sticking between our teeth.”
Roy scratched his chin. “Never occurred to me actually, but you are right, they should make RICE bars with some kind of stringy fibers.”
Ken raised his finger in a schoolmasterly fashion. “Which defeats the purpose of RICE bars. They are the last emergency resort and made in such a way they can be digested by all Carbon based lifeforms, less logistic nightmares that way. Besides don’t feel sorry for Farag, there are perfectly stocked Vent-Matics. That cheap wad would make McElligott proud pinching his credits.”
“If you’re short on credits, I got plenty.”Roy offered. “I am not one for wasting money either, but I think I could spare a few credits for a friend for sure.”
Faragon hissed in his brand of laughter.”Listen to Mr. Masters here, flush with credits he must be.”
Roy kept thinking. “Isn’t McElligott the name of the Old Highlander. The other immortal Admiral?”
“Why yes, of course, he is,” Ken confirmed.
“What would he have to do with saving a credit?”
“You said it, he is called the Old Highlander and wears a kilt wherever he goes.”
“And?”
Ken smacked Roy over the head. “He is a scot, genuine Stirling lad he is.”
Faragon took off his eyes from the approaching station message flashing over several displays. “I’m with Roy. I have no idea what that means. I thought he is basically human, just a very old immortal one. What kind of species are the Scot? Some kind of Gene-Clones like the Tripe Strong?”
Ken tossed his hands in the air. “Guys, he is human and he is from Earth. From a region called Scotland, the lads of that region are a very peculiar kind. Stubborn to a fault, rugged as can be and they say no one is as tight with money as they are.”
“Well, he hasn’t been to the Faragon family nest then, no one loves hoarding money more than Drach's and mother is the species champion for sure.”
Dirmon stomped over to join them. “Well looks like we are on our own for at least six hours. That’s what the Luitenant said.”
Roy blinked. “Will he did not accompany us to the surface of Earth, planet?”
Dirmon raised all four arms. “He’ll make an announcement I think.”
Sure enough, as the Government coach doors opened the Sentmac of Factory in Marine Green and Luitenant bars on his collar used the Coach comm to amplify his voice. “Listen up, Applicants. The escort that will take you down to Quantico is delayed. I have to return with this coach to Ugam Station or I have to wait a full day for the next connection.”
He pointed at the open door. “This is Sol Hub, just stay close and out of trouble until your guide arrives. Technically it is a simple TMT jump to Earth Torus and then to Virginia but none of you are Earthers and technically still undisciplined recruits so it was decided to have you wait here.”
Ten minutes later, all 22 of them stood at a Space Train platform. The Train with the Sentmac Officer and the Marine corps coach attached to a new train heading back to the Ugam system.
“Well could be worse,” Mike said. “We could hop mud puddles and built bunks at Camp Diamond with the rest of what’s left of the 71st.”
“You love Mud puddles.” Ken laughed.
“Not really, I am a very civilized Sauronis mind you. Dream Master bed, fully automated. A fresh kill within easy reach. No Drill Instructors and no damn racks to square.”
Dirmon with his granite crunching voice said. “You know they do not call the Drill Instructors at OCS, but Sergeant Instructors.”
Ken shrugged. “Doesn’t sound much different.”
“But it is.” Dirmon insisted. “Sergeant Instructors will call us Gentlemen and will not use nicknames. They will expect much more from us than in Basic. Because they not only make us Marines but Marine Officers. “
--“”—
Not all that far from the Marine Officer candidates spilling onto the concourse just below the Train Platform, and underneath a healthy-looking Elm Tree, was a sorry looking bunch of twenty humans and a few non-human-humanoids. Two were Abagil. One was a Bechamrore, and a green-skinned, red-eyed, bright yellow-haired Ailess, once known as Andro Servs, or in less flattering terms Lemon Heads and Yellow Tops.
In a central position under that tree sat a skinny man with a garnish, dirty T-Shirt, and Spacer Cargos, as the airtight pants with lots of pockets were called.
He had been in a spirited conversation with the Ailess when another filthy looking but a well-proportioned female of about the same age crawled over the well-trimmed grass of this Leisure Island.”Hey Kluck, look what the Train spit out, a whole lot of Union Square cuts. Some sort of sports team judging by the numbers. Want to come and fleece them for a few credits?”
The man she called Kluck raised his unwashed head and gazed down the concourse. “Some kind of government squares maybe?” He squinted his eyes and recognized one of them quite vividly. Cold rage started to rise in him. Between clenched teeth, he hissed. “I recognize some of them, the human with the buzz cut standing by the Petharian and the two Lizard things…” His voice trailed off until he saw the bald muscle man. “Yes, they are all here. Among those soldier boys are five individuals that deserve special attention. “They killed Gronie and injured us. I want them bad.”
The Lemonhead glanced at the recruits as well. “There is a Petharian and I see two Botnaars, a Drach, and if I am not mistaken a Sauronis of the Tyrannous variety among other heavy bruisers. How could we even consider skinning them?”
“Oh, there are ways, my friend. Even Petharians can’t move when the Gravitation exceeds 30 gee. All we need is to lure them into Corridor Rim 443.”
“443? Isn’t it closed for maintenance?”
“Oh it is, Gravs taking off main control and Virr over there, with the big blue tattoo heart over his left eye, is really good at hacking into the Grav Grid when it’s not with main control. Sol Hub is an old and tired lady, my friend and she needs lots of maintenance.”
“Alright, I bite, but how will you get them there?”
“Fake orders, my green friend. There is nothing they like more than orders and I have just the way to get them to them.”
--“”—
Sam, Phil, and Charles, the Robot had reached their apparent destination at the shores of James Bay.
Phil got out first and stretched his arms and yawned.” Eneyaauhkaat Lodge. I think we start there.”
Sam also got out and felt a stiff breeze coming from the enormous bay. Charles was last and while his sensors scanned the surrounding, He connected to GalNet and said. ”This is Eastmain. It is a Cree community and according to GalNet, nothing has changed much. I detect 554 humans and 1043 non-humans, There are 433 active GalNet connections.”
Sam turned to look back. “Who are the Cree?”
Phil pushed his Fedora back.”First Nation Native Americans. About 600,000 have left during the Second Exodus and colonized Néhinaw Heaven. A very idyllic and well-colonized world by the way and very protected by the way.”
Sam still looking back. “Are we still being followed?”
Charles said. “I have disabled the two cloaked drones while we have been on our way here, however, there are two flyers who appear to travel the same course. I can not conclude they follow us for certain.”
“Where are they now?”
“They have remained outside my threat scanner range, they are within my extended scanner range however continued their journey north towards La Grande.”
Phil said. “I called ahead. We have rooms at the Eneyaauhkaat Lodge. I think we will find an answer regarding Martha there and I think whoever is after us, will find us here.”
They walked up to the lodge. Sam looked it over and said. “Looks nice and clean.”
--“”—
The Saresii woman had a mobile Kermac scanner unit on her lap, “The flyer has landed in Eastmain and I think they are approaching the only lodge. I also detect another flyer that kept pace with us on the same course, but they kept flying north.”
The disguised Saran woman behind the controls did turn her head and looked on the scanner's screen. “Out here we can do what must be done, there are not that many witnesses. I want the Experiment.”
Lulea suppressed her defeated sigh. She did not know the real name of the disguised Kermac, only the Saran name she went by Panya Keket. The Saresii spy felt trapped in a situation and a place, she did not want to be. Being a spy for the Kermac on Sares was bad enough, but she knew her environment. Sending reports to the White Skins about closed Saresii meetings was one thing, being a spy in the field and now on Earth was beyond the things she wanted to do.
Lulea slipped into this driven by her youthful hate towards the Saresii establishment. The mighty Gray Cats, the Council of the exalted leaders. After growing up in the subsurface city Unehera, she like every other Saresii and future Union Citizen went to Union school where her HPI was tested and found to be at 544. She was a decent telepath but had no other talents like telekinesis. All students in Union classes on Sares went through psionic training and at basic graduation, she was asked if she wanted to become a citizen or remain a resident. There were some differences, of course, chief among them the right to vote. This and other citizen rights had to be earned. She decided like almost everyone to become a citizen. Even radical Kilun had made this choice and like him, she chose to serve as a government clerk for the 22 months of service.
Kilun was identified as a member of the Black Avengers, a very radical group within the Black Cat society who did not shy away from crimes as bad as murder and abduction to advance their cause. The Black Avengers were a prohibited group, identified as a terrorist group by both Saresii authorities and Union Police. Compared to other groups, the Black Avengers were pitifully small, with maybe 20,000 members in a society counted by 160 billion. However, they were surprisingly well funded and organized. Anyway, Kilun was caught doing something he should not have done, was arrested, prosecuted, and sent away to a Union Prison Camp. That event made Lulea even more committed to the cause, but she kept a low profile and after her 22 months of public service, she decided on a career within the Saresii government. She became the Chief Secretary of the document and filing department. It was a cushy job and actually quite interesting despite its boring sounding title. As a CS she had access to the most secret files and communications. One of her Black Cat friends asked her to make copies, at first of unimportant stuff, then detailed personnel files of leading Saresii.
It seemed harmless enough and she got paid for it too, quite handsomely. Enough to afford a Surface villa right at Light-Ray Lake of Sares III. She had a modern flyer and all the fashion she desired. Part of her always knew she was doing something very wrong. All this became certain when she was asked to provide the file reports on a very important experiment the Saresii did in conjunction with the Leedei and involved a Leedei device as powerful as something of the First Age of Knowledge.
Her friend revealed his true nature and the source of the funding and told her that she would hang if it came to light what she did. She was also told that her handler could always disappear and leaving her alone with the guilt and the subsequent punishment.
She knew of course of the rivalry between the Kermac and the Saresii. A conflict that was over 400,000 years old. Both societies psionically gifted, and both wanting to gain influence over the galaxy. The Kermac superiority complex was in the open. They made no secret about their goal to suppress all others under their will or eradicate them if not worthy of their rule.
The Saresii were much more subtle, by providing psionic protective devices to entire civilizations, such as the Ult and the Sarans. While agents of the Kermac secretly raised the Xunx to a spacefaring society, the Saresii laid the seeds for the Union by secretly suggesting this to the rulers of Saran and Pan Saran. That the Terrans got involved was perhaps a secret thing of the Saresii too.
The Union under the unofficial leader of the Terrans defeated the Xunx so soundly that even the most elusive Narth asked for membership. Their initial desire for total isolation was not as severe as officially believed. The Saresii knew the Narth Supreme often interfered, very subtly but interfere he did and always to the benefit of the Union.
Some Saresii even believed that Admiral Stahl in exile at that time received a psionic message to return. Stahl was the only human ever to set foot on Narth Prime and was welcomed by the Narth Supreme.
Lulea gazed at her disguised companion. “Out here it is also very difficult to stay concealed.”
--“”—
The other flyer was an armed Army flyer with some serious weapons and very advanced Union sensor equipment. It had been delivered to General Warwick and his Luitenant companion. The flyer also came with twenty of the most elite Combined Applications Group. The best of the Army and stationed on Earth. Their long history of operations and excellence was a testament to their excellence.
All twenty men were armed with the latest and best weapons the Union could provide. With the twenty men came two KHUTULUN-type Battle robots in Special operations configuration. In Warwick's opinion more than a match for that outdated Cerberus that was with the equally outdated marine.
Out here these men were in their element. They had jumped from the flyer in full camo and cloak, while he had the flyer continue North, his special forces group approached the East Main settlement. The men had orders to permanently disable the old bot, contain the “renegade criminal Marine’, a little lie that made the men of CAG comply. Especially since he ordered Signal silence. Those idiots of CAG were the best of what Earth could provide in war and special warfare, but like all soldier boys, the orders of a General were the law.
They were to neutralize any witnesses and secure the Experiment. Martha was unimportant and a witness too.
--“”--