Day 34
Roxy Boss sat behind a desk, scanning her galaxypad as a serv-tek applied her makeup. The studio is abuzz with activity as several cam-bots floated about her to cover every angle. Lights are adjusted and last second commands issued as the serv-tek hovers away. Roxy clears her throat and smooths her sparkling blue feathers around her neck and shoulders as a voice orates her intro.
Announcer
Coming to you live from Galaxy Station, with news that concerns you, it's Roxy Boss.
The lights over her brighten and she smiles at the cam-bot floating in front of her.
Roxy
Good morning, Papuru Galaxy. I'm Roxy Boss. It's early morning Universal Time, but no matter what time of day it is on your world, we have the news to start, end, or keep your day going.
Above her head, holographic displays of dozens of space worthy vessels either being loaded with cargo or taking off into Dycord's atmosphere, play out.
Roxy
The Coalition Carnage Competition finished up its tour of this year's host planet, Dycord, and will be moving on to Pia. The sixteenth planet of our galaxy will also play host to the upcoming battleball championship game, where Unity United face off against either the Yuni Fireballs or the Cyclones of Cy.
Watching the broadcast from a comfortable couch within an opulent office was Jerry Lake, President of the sky country, Utopia.
Lake
I'm going to be there, you know.
Behind him, a small man took a plastic disk from a rack of similar objects and throws it over lush green grass, between trees, out of sight. The holographic environment blurs as it zeroes in on where the disk landed, meters from a flock of geese, next to a small lake.
Man
Yes, you told me last time I summoned you.
Lake was grateful the man couldn't see his face just then, for it didn't match his happy demeanor.
Lake
And, like before, I have nothing extra to report.
Man
I know.
Lake
Then why fly me all the way here?
Man
Were you in league with Gilbert and McDonald?
Lake
No, but that doesn't mean I don't agree with their reasoning.
The man was tossing the disk again, this time, it lands closer to an electronic net. Lake waited until the disk fell before speaking.
Lake
Mr. Haim, I don't see the harm in attempting a backdoor deal with one of the lower Finan families.
Haim
We need to manufacturer heligium ourselves.
Lake
That means learning how they produce it exactly. The Finan excell at corporate espionage; the right bribe-
Haim
Quil's inflated prices have little to do with profit. It's to keep us dependent on them. We will learn how to make it, I guarantee. And who knows? Maybe Kane Urasa will win. With Blessing, our attempts at heligium creation is foolproof.
Lake
That's a big if, sir.
Haim
I brought you here to answer my question. You may go.
The President stood and was about to leave, when he turned back and saw the man toss the disk in the device, which signaled he made a birdie.
Lake
By the way, some tabloid has you mentioned in a top ten of 'who might be in the Illuminati' and it was them that were behind the president assassinations.
Haim
I started that rumor to distract the people. Focusing on this will help them forget that any day now, they could fall out the sky.
Day 35
Roxy
The Commerce and Free Trade Commission conducted a raid on Cy yesterday in an attempt to crackdown on shipments of illegal Tek weaponry making its way into the hands of criminal syndicates around the galaxy.
A holoview image shows armed soldiers enter a building just as several small shuttles try to take flight. Three yellow ships enter the scene, stopping the fleeing ships with tractor beams.
Roxy
The CFTC and multiple ships of the 108 fleet, working in tandem, succeed in confiscating nearly a dozen dangerous Tek, as well as the capture of nearly fifty individuals; some of which, allegedly, are members of the terrorist organization, the Trust. This comes after the escape of Trust member and former Superstar, Fiaster, of planet Ksush, from Dycordian custody. If you recall, the Soul Master of Sound was arrested earlier this year for threatening to blow up the Dycordian judicial building, the Tower of Laws.
The man in question sat watching Roxy talk about him, munching on snacks provided by his benefactors. One of which, he heard coming minutes before the man entered the room, simply by the clacking of his golden armor.
Gilmesh
Your mission briefing is available.
Fiaster
The rest of those mercs you had me hire just got busted. You sure my escape won't lead back to you?
Gilmesh
My safety is not your concern, the next mission is.
Fiaster
Won't let an old man rest?
Gilmesh
If you feel that way, I can give this mission to J-
The elderly Ksush had quickened to the Dycordian's side, taking the pad with his third hand.
Fiaster
An old man needs his exercise, after all.
He looks over the info.
Fiaster
It's been a while since I've been home. You retiring me for real?
Gilmesh
If not careful, you may retire permanently. I'm sending you after Nemesis.
Fiaster
This will be fun, indeed. So, he's on Ksush?
Gilmesh
According to my reports, but they are unconfirmed. That is where you come in.
Fiaster
Extraction or elimination?
Gilmesh
Assess the situation and make the best choice that fit our goals.
Fiaster
That video of stars in space didn't do much to advance it. All that trouble, pretending to blow up the Tower of Laws, just to steal a recording out of Lord Jarrik's private vault?
Gilmesh
It planted seeds from which questions will grow. Questions lead to dissention, which is another distraction for the Coalition.
Fiaster
I hope Nemesis is as dangerous as rumors make him out to be.
Gilmesh
If what I think I understand about him is true, so do I.
Day 36
Roxy
Good morning, Papuru Galaxy, as always, I'm Roxy Boss. The Coalition Carnage Competition arrived on Pia's moon, Urland, yesterday to set up its headquarters. The Superstars themselves should arrive sometime today. The competition has officially left Dycord in its wake, along with a rather disturbing mystery.
A group of Humans and Dycordians stood talking around a waiting shuttle before the Humans board the ship and take off.
Roxy
Earth law enforcement depart Dycord yesterday after collaborating with the Dycordian Defense Force in the investigation of Earth Presidents, Julius Gilbert and Jesse McDonald assassination early this year. The thirty day examination produced no suspects and the political climate between the two planets remain on peaceful terms. In what both worlds investigators believe to be separate incidents, numerous bodies have been discovered murdered in and around the World Hub of Topaz City. The victims range in cultures and genders but were found to have similarities in manner of death. Suspects are lacking in this case as well, leaving Dycordians fearful of the wrath of a serial killer.
King Mauve Zareil sat in his private chambers, watching Roxy speak out of a giant ball made of pearl white crystal. A knock at the door and a quiet voice intrude on his thoughts.
Zella
Father?
Mauve
Come in, daughter.
Zella Zareil walks in to stand by her father's chair. The crystal ball now viewed the streamjets used by some Superstars, each of a distinct design, coming in for a landing on the moon.
Zella
Avia's dragonfly just arrived.
Mauve
So, she's staying at the castle?
Zella
Of course. This is her home.
Mauve
It hasn't been for almost twenty years.
Zella
I understand the need to get away for a while. It did her good. She defeated Koshinataa, when I couldn't.
Mauve
He trusted too much in his future sight.
Zella
We were wrong about her. She can win.
Mauve
She can not.
Zella turned and started walking out, speaking over her shoulder.
Zella
I have a welcome home feast being prepared for her arrival. If you are feeling cordial, you are welcome, as well.
He remained quiet as she closed the door.
***
Kane Urasa sat at the games table, across from his Sync, playing holostar. Claude occupied the booth parallel to the table, watching their game. The second Sync in the cabin sat by the viewport, gazing out at the vast gray expanse surrounding the streamjet, shaking his head in wonderment.
Zane
A two week travel cut down to one day. Negative Space is so cool. What's out there?
At his question, Claude came over to sit across from him.
Claude
Empty space, mostly. Plus, the electronic markers so ships do not get lost. Look, there is one over there.
Some distance out, a cylindrical object ringed with holographic numbers and symbols, drifted into view.
Claude
It says we are nearing where we should exit to reach Pia.
Zane
I can read, pal.
Claude
The World Voice faith believe the Architect built the universe over what was originally here, the Negative Space.
Zane
What? Oh, you mean God.
Claude
The Architect goes by many names.
Zane
I got no use for religion, holy man.
Claude
Call me Claude.
Zane
No. Hey, look out there. Those flashes of light.
Claude
I believe those are pirates. Negative Space is a fav ambush spot.
Dane
Pirates!
The clone jumped from the table, followed by protests from Kane. He pushes past Claude to join his twin. Kane went to the next port, waving Claude over. They peer into the greyness and witness a big ship harassed by lancer fire from five smaller ships. The red lines of destruction were halted by the bigger ship's energy shielding which, even from a distance, looked to be flickering and would soon fail altogether.
Kane
Wish there was something we could do for them, but my streamjet has no weapons.
Claude
Our help would be too late. Look over there, the 108.
A yellow ship, the same size of the attackers, streaks into the fray, blasting its own set of lancer lasers in defense of the put upon vessel. The pirates scatter and lacking shields, lose two ships to the newcomer's volley. The surviving ships are then surrounded by blue light, before vanishing like they were never there.
Claude
They got away.
Dane
I wish I could get my hands on one of those 108 ships.
Kane
I wish you could, too, then you wouldn't be here.
Claude
Syncs cannot own property, unfortunately.
Zane
Why are you here, dude? Don't you have your own streamjet?
Claude
It is more fun to travel with friends.
The pilot informs them they were about to exit Negative Space. The same blue light that engulfed the pirate ships, covers the streamjet and then, there was darkness. The distant star could be seen far off to port, while starboard held a small moon of a gray darker then the space they just vacated. The arrow shaped shuttle vectors towards it, allowing the planet Pia to become visible. The four had to go to port side to see it in all its impossibility.
Kane
I've never seen this place up close. Amazing.
Claude
Truly.
Like a bite taken out of an apple, a huge section of the planet was gone. Some cataclysmic event left chunks of the world to orbit about itself like a halo of multi sized boulders. Crystal blue water and lush green forests were interrupted by the brownish tan, bowl of a mantle. The section was large enough to fit the moon they were preparing to land on, with plenty room for a sprawling metropolis.
Kane
What a galaxy.
End chapter