James Somers - The rise of Lucin

"It's probably voice activated," posed Juli and she spoke a command to the display. "Show library database, please."

The computer responded by changing screens to a catalog of possible selections and said, "Please, state or touch category."

"Religious texts," said Kale.

The screen changed again to another menu of categories. Many religious documents were listed that Kale did not recognize, except for the one he was interested in. "The Logostus," said Kale and the computer responded again.

"What are you looking for specifically?" asked Juli.

"I'm not quite sure," said Kale, "I would like to see something about this prophecy of the empty hand that Aija spoke of."

The computer captured phrases from his statement again and the separate sixty six documents that comprised The Logostus were replaced by specific scriptural references to "prophecy", "empty hand" and "Aija."

This thing is a bit sensitive, thought Kale. He noticed that many of the references were from subheading books of The Logostus that he recognized and quite a few were simply the names of those prophets which had authored them. Under the reference for "empty hand" was the subheading title "Book of the Kingdom Two" and a verse reference with it. Kale tapped the screen to access it and the scripture appeared on the screen. He and Juli studied it carefully. Evidently it was the only reference to the prophecy in the entire Holy Book.

"It says, the fallen shall be taken and reserved in chains unto the great day of Elithias' judgment, and also-"

The computer threatened to take phrases and shift the displayed information again. "Computer, touch interface only," said Juli and then she continued reading the passage as Kale read along with her.

"-on Draconis the Mithrial sons shall fall in Sayir to the one with no weapon in his hand. The fervent prayer of the righteous avails much."

"What is Sayir?" asked Kale.

"It's a mountain, to the west of Sector City," said Juli.

"If the Agonotti are these Mithrial sons, being referred to in the Logostus, then it looks like they are going to be destroyed at that mountain," deduced Kale.

"The reference sounds a bit like prayer does them in, doesn't it?" asked Juli."

Kale tapped the scripture reference for "Aija" that appeared on the screen. The computer brought up several scriptures where the man's name appeared along with a commentary reference that gave general information on the subject. Kale could quickly see from the commentary reference that the prophet they had come to know recently had this person as his namesake.

"This commentary says that Aija was a prophet during the time of Elithias, when he appeared on Castai," said Kale. "Apparently this Aija was a forerunner to Elithias' appearance in human form when he came to provide a pardon to mankind."

"And our Aija is the last prophet; a forerunner of Elithias' return in order to establish his kingdom!" said Juli with sudden insight. "It's beginning to make sense to me."

The pair continued searching other references together. The puzzle pieces of Aija's words were beginning to take on the form of a clearer picture, at least in part.

EMIL had wondered to another portion of the library, away from Kale and Juli. He actually did want to find some information, but not with them present. Emil sat at one of the computer displays running through his own set of references. On the screen, were subheadings for the Vorn clan and for the Horva clones. All of the references were old. Apparently nothing beyond the time of the war was to be found in the system.

Emil was stunned to see all of the information referring to his people having been created as clone mutations of the Vorn for the purpose of fighting their battles for them. His father had never explained their origin and it had never been a subject he had been taught about while in school on Castai with Kale.

The commentary was telling him that the origins of his people were as slaves; highly adept warriors, but nonetheless, made to be slaves. There was also listed under the Horva subheading a commentary on General Grod. Emil tapped the screen and a record of his father's wartime exploits were laid out before him. There was an obvious bias against his father in the wartime commentary. Emil supposed that was to be expected from someone who was on the opposite side of the conflict. He knew from Kale's father that he and his father had been sworn enemies at one time, but that through events taking place during the conflict with a clan called the Baruk, the king and his father had become allies and eventually the greatest of friends.

Emil was glad that so much had changed between the two men. The thought that he and Kale might have been mortal enemies otherwise was very unpleasant. The commentary showed the Vorn clan native to the planet Demigoth. This was evidently where his father and the other Horva clones of the first generation had been created. Someday I must visit this planet Demigoth, he thought. Emil commanded the computer to turn off and he sank back into his chair. He closed his eyes and let the information soak into his mind. All of that is in the past, he reminded himself.

"GENTLEMEN, having explained all of these things regarding the nature of this conflict, I do hope we can count on your support," said Tiet as he stood addressing the other rebel leaders by video conference.

"I think I could speak for my fellows in this-we are worried about the numbers we are going to have to face in comparison with the number of capable soldiers we have," said Commander Jarac. "It's certainly not that we disbelieve the prophet you mentioned or the prophecies-I am personally a devoted follower of Elithias, but how do we know that this is the proper time to face this enemy?"

"Men, I can give you no assurances. I can only speak from what I know and believe, and I firmly believe that Elithias has commissioned me to lead the people of Draconis against this gathering army. If you do not face them now, openly, you will only prolong the inevitable, and end up running for your lives as they grow even stronger. And besides all this, how can we hope to obtain the blessings of The Eternal One when we are not willing to trust him?"

This was a cutting blow-it was immediately apparent on their faces. It was not anger, but guilt that Tiet saw in their expressions. But he had told them the truth and he felt good about it. If it was indeed Elithias' purpose to have him lead these rebels in battle, then he would certainly be leading them.

Alec stepped in before the silence became awkward. "My brothers, may we take a vote to confirm?" he asked as he stepped before the viewer next to Tiet. "All those willing to follow the will of Elithias in this matter and lend us your assistance in this struggle, please signify by the uplifting of your right hand.

Excellent move, thought Tiet. Now, they were cornered somewhat by their convictions.

Slowly but surely, all hands went up.

"Excellent, gentlemen. With the enemy forces already massing nearby, we will need you to bring your troops to our location as soon as possible and-"

Suddenly the transmission was cut and the lighting flickered and went out along with all power. Emergency lighting quickly came on, but it was pale in comparison and no other power appeared to be operating.

"Power is out," said Grod.

"Something is wrong," said Alec. "It would have to have been done deliberately-our systems are completely separate from the city and hidden."

"We may need those reinforcements sooner than we thought," said Wynn.

Tiet's communicator pin beeped to life. "Tiet, what's happening?" asked Mirah.

"We're not sure. Standby; we may need to evacuate the complex."

"I'll get prepared just in case. I may need the boys to help me get my patient Ramah to the ship."