T Southwell - Prophecy

"So what's so special about me?" she asked, almost dreading the answer.

"I do not know," Endrix replied.

"Well, that's a first. All right, tell me about your masters. Do I get to meet them?"

"No. That is a long and even more complicated tale. If you wish to hear it, I recommend we travel to my masters' world. I do not believe you should attempt that now, in this ship, however. I will return you to the Cerebilus Moons, then you can return to Atlan. But I must urge you to do something to arm yourself for your coming conflict with the Envoy."

"What?"

"Seek out the Shrike and befriend him. Only he can provide you with a ship that will be able to take you where you need to go and help you in your battle with the Envoy."

Rayne sat bolt upright, her fatigue banished. "Are you nuts? He's a damned slaver! A murderer! An outlaw! He'll never help me, and he's…"

"He has already helped you, and he will again, if you are pleasant to him."

"Pleasant…" She scowled. "I never want to see him again."

"That is not true. He did not murder his people. He saved them from untold suffering. He has killed many men, it is true, but they deserved to die. As for the rest, I recommend you ask him about it. His answers, if he is truthful, may surprise you."

"Why would he help me, anyway?"

"Look at the planet on your screen," Endrix replied, and she gazed at the dull grey world. "That is his world, destroyed by an Envoy. If for no other reason, he will do it for vengeance."

"Couldn't you help me? Talk to him?"

"No. In this instance you do not require my aid, nor would he welcome my interference."

She sighed, slumping. "Okay, answer this question, if you can. Why the hell are these sadistic, cannibalistic monsters called Envoys?"

"Since we have never communicated with them, we have no idea what they call themselves. My masters named them Envoys because, even in their own universe, they come from deep space, where few ever venture. They fall upon a planet broadcasting peace and love, just as an emissary would, and only when they have gained access do they show their true natures."

"More like a Trojan Horse," she said.

"The Trojan Horse of your history was a gift from a warring king, which turned out to be a trick. This is not an accurate description of their actions. They come as envoys, but they consume their hosts."

"Parasites."

"In a sense."

A short silence fell as she pondered this last bit of information, and, after a few minutes, Endrix said, "I think it is time to return you to the Cerebilus Moons, and for you to return to Atlan. Your next priority should be to seek out the Shrike. The time of the Envoy's coming draws near."

She stifled a yawn, clamping a hand over her mouth. "I have to sleep, I'm pooped."

"Pooped?"

"Tired."

"Would it help if I returned you to Atlan? My appearance may cause some consternation."

She waved a hand. "Don't worry about that. I'd be most grateful. I have absolutely no wish to be hooked up to that damned neural net ever again."

"Very well."

The crawling golden fire engulfed the screen in a solid curtain, and when it faded, Atlan's pearly orb hung there.

"Are you nuts?"

Rawn placed his hands on his hips and scowled at his sister, who sat on one of the comfy sofas in her lounge. The shade shields on the vast windows that overlooked the wild garden were withdrawn, allowing the warm rays of a glorious sunset to stream into the airy room with its pale decor and crimson carpets. Tallyn sat on a plush white faux leather chair on the other side of a low crystal-topped coffee table, frowning at her. She shrugged, and Tallyn leant forward.

"The council will never allow you to seek out the Shrike, Rayne."

"Look, I'm not keen on the idea either, but I'm following my guide's instructions, and he seems to know a lot more about this story than you do. After all, he knew the Shrike didn't murder his people."

"How were we supposed to know that?"

"Go down to the planet," she said. "See the remains of the Crystal Ship for yourself."

"We can't. The radiation is too intense; the result of several hundred high-yield nuclear bombs. It will be hundreds of years before anyone can safely go there again. You shouldn't have gone; you took a hell of a risk."

"I'm fine."

"You should see a doctor, just in case."

"Endrix said it was safe, and I believe him."

Tallyn rose and went over to the window to gaze at the sunlit garden. "Anyway, now that we know what we face, we can arm ourselves against it. That ship won't be allowed anywhere near Atlan, and certainly not into our atmosphere."

"You can't stop it. It's immune to your weapons, just like Endrix."

"Then we'll find other weapons. Our scientists will start work immediately."

"It won't work. Don't you see? That's why Endrix's masters gave you the prophecy. I'm the only one who can stop it, and I don't even know how, but I need the Shrike's help, so I must find him."

"What can he do that we can't?"

"He has more advanced ships. Endrix says I'll need one."

Tallyn swung around, scowling. "Why would he give you one, or even lend you one? He'll sell you at the nearest market."

"He'll do it for revenge."

"He won't, because it's not his planet that's threatened this time. Atlan's demise would please him."

"No." She shook her head. "He told me he doesn't want Atlan to fall. That's why he let me go."

"He let you go to throw us off his trail. He made his escape while we stopped to pick you up. If he had killed you, we'd have hunted him down, and he knew it."

Rayne jumped up. "Fine, think what you want. I have to find him, whether you like it or not."

"But if we don't help you, how will you find him?"

She glared at him. "It's up to the council to decide, not you."

"They won't allow you to risk your life."

"Then they'll stop me from saving Atlan. If you prevent me from doing this, you could be the ones to pay the price. If I have to, I'll buy passage on a commercial ship and find him that way."

Tallyn smiled. "Impossible. Commercial ships don't go into his territory, and he rarely ventures out of it. No, we'll provide you with a good ship when you need it."

Rayne opened her mouth to scorn this suggestion, but Rawn took her arm and tugged her aside. "Leave it, Ray. He's never going to agree, nor will the council, I'm sure. They're too proud to admit that they need anyone's help, least of all an outlaw's."

"Whose side are you on?" she demanded.

"Yours. Look, I don't like this either, but it kind of makes sense. After all, if your guide's story is true, and I see no reason for him to lie, then this man is the only living person to have ever encountered one of these Envoys. Am I right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"He knows what we're up against, the Atlanteans don't."

She met his tawny eyes. "So you agree that we need his help?"

"Yeah. I don't like it, but I think your guide's right. But arguing with Tallyn is just a waste of time and air."

"What do you suggest?"

"Quit arguing with him. We'll find a way. I have an idea."

Rayne nodded and turned to Tallyn. "Why don't you ask the council if they'll help me find the Shrike? You have to report to them anyway. Let's see what they say."

"Fine," he headed for the door.

Rawn went to use the net line screen, and while he was busy Rayne ate another meal, resolving to get some sleep afterwards, and a bath. Fatigue still plagued her. She had not slept since her brief, nightmarish doze on the scout ship. Rawn was still busy when she finished her meal, so she bathed and went to bed.

Rayne woke refreshed, and washed before she wandered through to the kitchen to make a cup of a hot beverage that took the place of coffee on Atlan. Pale morning light streamed in through the windows to dapple the grey carpet, and the silence told her that she was alone. The peace did not last long, however. Before she finished her coffee, Tallyn called to inform her of the council's decision, which denied her request, as Rawn had predicted. She accepted it without argument, and he broke the connection looking puzzled and annoyed. An hour later, Rawn returned, brimming with news. She made him a cup of Atlantean coffee, and he told her what he had achieved.