These Dark Stars...
Concept art from Deviant Art
A peace exists here, on this quiet artificial moon somewhere in the Imperial Star System of Kaeda. It was not a cheap peace, many generations of fortunes were spent to cultivate the gardens, raise the platforms and build the meandering stone paths, raised over the lush forest vegetation. The man-made wilderness is a labyrinthine trail of ziggurats and temples, known only to a few men in a galaxy of billions and billions.
Most of the pyramids looming on the horizon are merely holograms, light painted on the water-heavy molecules of the artificial atmosphere. The straight outlines of the dark tombs and temples quiver in the slowly churning mists as photons are bent and distorted by the continuously churning mists. The holograms are part of the Architects plan, an outline of the vision seen by a long forgotten artist. It will be many generations yet until it is complete.
Most of the pyramids looming on the horizon are merely holograms, light painted on the water-heavy molecules of the artificial atmosphere. The straight outlines of the dark tombs and temples quiver in the slowly churning mists as photons are bent and distorted by the continuously churning mists. The holograms are part of the Architects plan, an outline of the vision seen by a long forgotten artist. It will be many generations yet until it is complete.
Patience
A spherical ship descends through the mist. Pale running lights are refracted through the moisture rich atmosphere, sending ghosts of white and yellow light across the forest. The trees are jagged green spears, a thick wall of carefully cultivated flora. The ship knows the path, and darts between the trunks of elms, pines and oaks.
The ship slows and hovers for a moment over a dimly lit landing pad. It touches lightly to the surface. The curved outer shell of the single man ship disappears and a man emerges, clad in a black, loose fitting tunic, high silver boots. A black robe drapes heavily on his shoulder, and he pulls the cowl over his face. As he steps away from the ship he checks his belt, noting the hilt of his shiver-blade. A small oval disc he takes and attaches to his wrist. On command a small personal energy shield will envelop his body for a brief moment. Satisfied, the man follows the trail for a hundred paces, and then leaves the path, stepping into the deep forest.
The ship slows and hovers for a moment over a dimly lit landing pad. It touches lightly to the surface. The curved outer shell of the single man ship disappears and a man emerges, clad in a black, loose fitting tunic, high silver boots. A black robe drapes heavily on his shoulder, and he pulls the cowl over his face. As he steps away from the ship he checks his belt, noting the hilt of his shiver-blade. A small oval disc he takes and attaches to his wrist. On command a small personal energy shield will envelop his body for a brief moment. Satisfied, the man follows the trail for a hundred paces, and then leaves the path, stepping into the deep forest.
The effects of four centuries of cryogenic hibernation were wearing heavy on Dontalion as he stepped carefully among the foliage and brambles of the forest. His joints ached and swelled and his legs felt heavy as he walked the forest path. Soon the trees began to thin, and the brambles receded and a small shrine came into view.
Reva Xem was seated, cross legged beside a reflecting pool. His garments were plain, pale yellows and reds, not the courtly attire Dontalion was used to seeing his master wear. The knight approached quietly, not wishing to disturb the Emperors' meditation. He planned to wait until Reva was finished, but as he approached the emperor turned his head slightly and raised his hand with open palm.
"Dontalion," said Reva with certainty. "Why have you come?"
"Apologies my Lord," he replied softly. "I've brought a message from the Imperial Court. They have been trying to contact you for three days...I.."
"I understand Dontalion. Strange that you would come. Such...an honored member of my court. Tell me, what is the Cold Sleep like?"
Dontalion faltered. Since his Awakening by Imperial scientists nearly a year ago, Dontalion had not tried to remember anything about his sleep. There were the dreams of course, black and terrible and endless. But not a real thing, a trick of the slumber.
"It is...like any other rest, my Lord. But...You feel even more tired when you wake," he said finally. Reva nodded and approached Dontalion. The emperors cloak fell to the side and revealed a wicked looking laser-pistol.
Dontalion smiled. He recognized the Xem family relic instantly.
"Patience," said the old knight softly. Reva nodded.
"A relic, Dontalion. Like you. A weapon of the old days, when the empire was ever-expanding. I have seen the holo-vids of my ancestor carrying this very pistol at the battle of Zepix-5. How did he die?"
Dontalion's smile withered. He had been there that day, nearly four centuries past on Zepix-5. A backwater world of the empire, full of muckish jungles, acrid air and the savage race of alien for which it was named.
"I saw a Zepix put a blade through your ancestors skull. Clean in two my lord. He would have been your great-great-great-"
"She is yours, Dontalion," said Reva Xem, holding up the weapon. Dontalion marveled at the design of the pistol. Elegant, not like the mass-produced boom-sticks he had seen the imperial guards carrying around the palace. Patience was the weapon of an aristocrat.
"It is too great a gift!" said Dontalion as Reva shoved it into his hands. Dontalion could not remember if courtly protocol demanded two refusals of a gift or three...
Reva Xem was seated, cross legged beside a reflecting pool. His garments were plain, pale yellows and reds, not the courtly attire Dontalion was used to seeing his master wear. The knight approached quietly, not wishing to disturb the Emperors' meditation. He planned to wait until Reva was finished, but as he approached the emperor turned his head slightly and raised his hand with open palm.
"Dontalion," said Reva with certainty. "Why have you come?"
"Apologies my Lord," he replied softly. "I've brought a message from the Imperial Court. They have been trying to contact you for three days...I.."
"I understand Dontalion. Strange that you would come. Such...an honored member of my court. Tell me, what is the Cold Sleep like?"
Dontalion faltered. Since his Awakening by Imperial scientists nearly a year ago, Dontalion had not tried to remember anything about his sleep. There were the dreams of course, black and terrible and endless. But not a real thing, a trick of the slumber.
"It is...like any other rest, my Lord. But...You feel even more tired when you wake," he said finally. Reva nodded and approached Dontalion. The emperors cloak fell to the side and revealed a wicked looking laser-pistol.
Dontalion smiled. He recognized the Xem family relic instantly.
"Patience," said the old knight softly. Reva nodded.
"A relic, Dontalion. Like you. A weapon of the old days, when the empire was ever-expanding. I have seen the holo-vids of my ancestor carrying this very pistol at the battle of Zepix-5. How did he die?"
Dontalion's smile withered. He had been there that day, nearly four centuries past on Zepix-5. A backwater world of the empire, full of muckish jungles, acrid air and the savage race of alien for which it was named.
"I saw a Zepix put a blade through your ancestors skull. Clean in two my lord. He would have been your great-great-great-"
"She is yours, Dontalion," said Reva Xem, holding up the weapon. Dontalion marveled at the design of the pistol. Elegant, not like the mass-produced boom-sticks he had seen the imperial guards carrying around the palace. Patience was the weapon of an aristocrat.
"It is too great a gift!" said Dontalion as Reva shoved it into his hands. Dontalion could not remember if courtly protocol demanded two refusals of a gift or three...
1x Like
