My fleet, the Khedaran Khan, is traveling through Kryok. Never have I thought there would be a day we would be free to breathe on this planet. Lord Kantala had once tried to order a full-scale invasion on this planet, the very heart of the Arkulans. However, we faced extreme resistance from them. We couldn't even get past the planets they occupy before Kryok. Their security is just boundless and their defenses impenetrable. Perhaps because we didn't use ancient powers against them? I believe, even with the ancient powers, they would overpower us.
Mind you, they were partnered with Krygstek on technology research right after their war. If we showed them our powers, I bet you that they will eventually discover a technology to counter the powers and probably even find a way to make artificial powers. It's disturbing how technologically advanced the Krygstek are, and how intelligent their annoying Creators are.
As I was talking to myself, I reached the door to my office. I quickly got in to meet with Lurza'Far who was awake. "I thought you were sleeping?" She laughed at my words. "Really? After you ordered them to warp to the planet?" I forgot a warp will definitely disturb her sleep. "My apologies. I was in a heated moment" Lonara Hamarya raising the prohibitions definitely got me all fired up. It was the most exciting thing to happen for me.
"I heard that the Arkulan leader lifted the prohibition from our agreement with them? How surprising, Karuga" She looks slightly surprised. "You're not even the first Loyalist nor the Lord, yet they agreed on you to fly to their planet" Now that you think about it, when the agreement was made, it was the Arkulan leader and the Lord talking. However, I remember her saying 'temporarily'.
"It was temporary, Lurza'Far. My guess is she doesn't have to let the Lord know if it's only for a limited time. They agreed to help me secure my warriors on the sands and she just decided that a bit more reinforcement from my side is needed" She nods at me without any response. "Well, what are you going to do now?" She asked. "Right now, we are traveling from outpost Kor to Rid. That's where Kirin Solana and her warriors are" Lurza'Far sighed slightly.
"I don't want my presence to be known" She strictly said. "Don't worry, they have no idea you're on this ship" I said. "Also, aren't you a bit obsessed with that Arkulan?" Obsessive? "How do you mean?" I was worried, but I was certain I'm not 'obsessed' with Kirin Solana. Right now, she's just a target, nothing else. "I have a feeling that this won't be the last time you're going to chase her tail, Karuga" Again, I didn't understand what she was trying to imply. "I don't know what you're saying" I gave her a questioning look but she just smiled and didn't give any response.
I was left hanging with mystery. "Anyway, I'm nearing the end of this whole thing. Once I'm done, we're... well, I'm going to stay away from the planet for a while and lay low. I caused enough chaos that will bring questions to the empire. If I stay there longer, there will be a chance the Lord will have to ask me questions" That will be troublesome. If I get out of the planet before they notice the Zakana attack, they won't have to think I was affected and ask me questions. The Lord's questioning can be lengthy, if she were able to, I will eventually spit out the truth to her. I have to avoid that.
Not a long while now, the fleet announced our arrival at outpost Rid. "It's time for me to go" I said goodbye to Lurza'Far and got out of the office. I quickly made my way to the bridge of the ship. The room was spacious with a lot of pilots and staff on their seats maintaining watch over everything to make sure the ship can travel at any time. In front of them is a big window, showing half of the flight deck and the direction we are facing.
We are at a safe distance from Rid. I can see the Arkulans and our warriors fighting alongside in defense of the outpost. This is a sight we never thought would happen someday. It is very surreal. I bet the pilots think the same too, they were glued to the sight of the outpost. As I look closely, I can see that they're trying to neutralize a large creature. There are no other Zakana that huge, it is a Shielder. They are facing a single Shielder and it looks like it's taking them a bit much time to take it down.
"Khedaran Khan, onwards! To the outpost! Launch every starfighters we have and follow Ladrak's orders! Set up some small teams and proceed to the Attractors we have set into the sands and take them back! That will stop the Zakana from surfacing!" I ordered my whole fleet to secure the outpost while some will take care of the Attractors I have tasked them to bury down the sands. This will be over.
The Bastion quickly went busy. The warriors running about on the flight decks, the shouts of commands, the Demon Eagles firing up their engines and launching off, the sounds of Qaxozina blasting off from their pods toward the outposts, and pilots near me exchanging words. In a short time, we will pretty much secure the safety of this outpost, and soon the rest of the outposts.
As I said, my whole fleet will make the process much quicker. That's why I had to ignore Lonara Hamarya's stupid limitations. There was no time for idle thoughts, my warriors are securing the sands with haste. Just as I was about to think about what to do next, Kirin Solana's voice came through. "Hey, Loyalist. Your Bastion is here. Show yourself" So she demands my appearance. I hate that kind of attitude coming from her, but I have no reason to defy that wish.
"As you say" I replied and I phased myself out there. During my phase, Kirin shouted an order. "Averthos, Marve, weapons on that red thing!" She recklessly commanded her warriors to aim at my phasing figure! What is she thinking...?! I was agitated, but I was able to calm myself. "Lower your weapons" I said to them. There was no reason for this aggression coming from her. "We are outnumbered, let us at least feel safe by guarding ourselves" "And I am vulnerable as I phase myself in front of you. None of my soldiers can do anything if you or that sniper of yours shoot my head" I said as I appeared before them.
This is a ridiculous, pointless, and reckless decision. They have their big armor and a sharpshooter pointed their cannon and guns at me. I almost slammed a palm to my face. "Lower your weapons or I will have my army point their barrels on your soldiers as well" My disappointment quickly grew into impatience. I don't like the barrels of the Arkulans pointed at me when I have no intention of harm around them. I have given them enough proof that I'm not a threat and yet she still treats me this way!
"Alright, weapons off..." She ordered them and lowered their weapons. However, the same annoying sharpshooter still had his rifle on me. Kirin Solana noticed my stare and looked. "Marve, what did I just say?" She asked him. "Hey, it's not like I can hit you and make you bleed to death, right? It's only fair" Hah... I'm seeing disobedience right before my eyes. How embarrassing. This is the result of her stupid antics of letting these youths go out here without their stupid military training. They are not Arkulan warriors yet, I have yet to see Arkulan warriors disobey orders right before me. How amusing.
"That was an order, goddamn it. Put away your rifle!" She lowly and angrily ordered him to lower his weapon again. Such an embarrassment for her, really. The sharpshooter eventually followed her and I was able to focus on her. "Your soldiers lack discipline" I smirked at her. I believe I hit a nerve. "Yeah, what about it?" She asked. "You either teach them now or they will be a liability later. Especially that none of these people you have under your squad looks capable of warfare" I looked up to the disobedient sharpshooter.
He still looked young. He looks like he can be in a 'rebellious phase' the Arkulans and Krygstek would call it. He looks like he was just starting to think for himself and became independent recently... In other words, I don't see or even feel any life experience in that boy. I looked back to Kirin Solana. As usual, her artificial eyes fill my vision with blue. "I'm certain that you are aware that they will not make it out there. With the Narukh'za... and the Zakana"
I was surprised she didn't give any response, although she looks like she would explode at any time now. "I have yet to understand why you have brought them with you out here, without knowing about anything about bloodshed" That was a true curiosity coming out from me. It doesn't matter to me if she brings children to the battles, but I wanted an answer about why would she do that. Is there a deeper reason?
"No matter how technologically advanced your artificial eyes are, you won't be able to keep them in your sights at all times" Although I have no exact knowledge about the full capability of those eyes, I still refuse to believe that she will be able to keep safe these children from harm with just those eyes. They're convenient, yes, but they don't possess abilities to alter fate. They're just technology, if fate has it that it's time for one to rest, those eyes won't be able to do anything.
"Right now as we converse, your squad is standing side by side with my soldiers holding the lines together. Just telling them to keep their heads down does not prevent the risk of their death. They will die just like my soldiers in these sands. Fortunately for you, none of them is hurt, for now. You may believe that they will survive longer every time you return to your safe space, but know that they are just like many other soldiers out there. You won't know when but they will be killed and drop dead in the field someday and sooner than you expect, you won't ever feel the same relief and pride you feel when you return to the others. You are no hero. I can assure you, you will regret bringing these children on to war once that happened"
I gave her quite a cold preach. I can see that she's totally shaken. Did she fall for what I believe too? That she can't save all lives with those eyes? Perhaps I was true when lives slipped from the safety of those eyes and perished? When you witness and acknowledge the existence of ancient powers, you will no longer have your expectations up with technology.
"Are you done? That's some discernment coming from a Narukh'za" She formed fists in anger. She's angry. "I've seen plenty of horrors that wars bring upon humans. I know what it's like to lose someone in a blink of an eye because of your misjudgment. It happens often" I don't know why but I felt like I had to say that. Why am I being protective of their youth right now...?
"That's not a surprise, being a Narukh'za" "It's more than that!" She used my empire's nature as an excuse to blow away my words...! "I know that you are not just some cretin in the Arkula, Kirin Solana. You refuse to acknowledge my words because our societies are in conflict for eons! Such wars cannot be allowed to cloud your reasonings. Every thought and decision you make will shape the future of these children, whether their horrible end or a squad of strong warriors. But know that it's easier to send them to their death than whatever you have thought about them" There are deaths everywhere. You won't know when yours will happen, it just does. I was trying to tell them about it.
I looked past her, to my warriors and some Arkulan soldiers. They too would die at any moment now. I sighed at the thought and looked back at her. "You have called me. What do you need?" Kirin Solana rubbed her head in annoyance and sighed deeply. She calmed herself first before talking to me. There was just no time for arguing like this...