Genesis - the Battle Within (Pillars of Creation Book 1) (23 page)

“So Justice, have you heard anything more of the portal’s appearance other than simply, ‘it’s been opened?’”

Justice gave Osiris little of his attention as he continued typing into the console, “I know as much as you know,
Sovereign
.”

Osiris noted his pupil’s usual disdain in using the title for the higher-ranked Immortal. Osiris continued unhindered, “Tell me then, what do you think of this news and what do you make of the portal’s reopening?”

With surprise Osiris sensed that Justice was feeling uncomfortable with the probing, and he felt anger flash through the younger Immortal. He dismissed it quickly, passing it off merely as his sulking for making him wait in the lecture theatre earlier.

Osiris suppressed a smirk, he just hadn’t been able to help it, his pupil’s skulking and glowering had been priceless from across the hall and he still thought it was a lesson he’d needed.

Justice broke his tangent thoughts, speaking crisply, impatient with the topic, and unwittingly giving Osiris even more suspicion that he knew more on the matter than he was letting on.

“I don’t know my Sovereign, and I’m not sure it has anything to do with the portal in the Cen’Shur’a sector as you mentioned before … but what I do know is that Genesis has been on assignment over that way for over three months now and I’m sure
he
will fill you in when, or if, we see him again.”

Osiris ignored his pupil’s anger, not allowing it to sap their conversation as it was intended to do.

“Oh … ha, but there you go Justice,” Osiris chuckled jovially, “you do know more than you think; you have just deduced two connecting factors. One, that you feel Genesis’s assignment has to do with these latest events, and two, that the portal could very well be the second in the prophecy, the one linked to our own in the Cen’Shur’a sector.”

Justice shot him the look he always gave when Osiris saw through him. He spoke again reluctantly, but quickly gained momentum as his frustration mounted.

“Well, I guess, Master Osiris, but I only have this so-called feeling, because Genesis is always at the beginning of trouble and unforeseen events – that we often have to clean up. And yet this portal, which
could
be the one linked to our own, I guess, may also have nothing at all to do with ours on Mars Prime and the bridge into the Cen’Shur’a … and thus far, from what I can deduce,” Justice’s face almost twisted with a mocked expression, “with my,
inferior intellect
, may not help us at all to find your lost brethren in that forsaken sector. For all we know it may even lead to yet another galaxy-wide recession, if we have to set up yet another colony in a foreign part of space.”

Justice now turned to face Osiris for the first time since entering the cockpit as he continued.

“Sovereign, wherever this portal leads it could spiral downwards fast and your beloved former pupil will be too weak to stop it if he is out there now … I should have been the one on that mission, not this inferior copy of our kind!” Before Osiris could interject Justice cut him off abruptly.

“And I link these matters, Sovereign, to your
former
pupil Genesis only because all contact ceased with him over a month ago and his disappearance was only one parsec over from the portal’s appearance.” Justice smiled as if he’d just won a battle, “And therefore I can only assume the events are interconnected … my Sovereign, his weaknesses will fall on our shoulders.”

Without any sense of malice or offence taken, Osiris calmly replied, trying hard to set the right example for his hot-tempered understudy. “Well said Justice, and as usual well deduced. Your observation to detail serves you very well I see. Observation, however, needs to be backed up with evidence and our Rieft meditation so as to be proven true, don’t always rely too heavily on untested hypothesis my pupil, or in this case accusation. Time will reveal what truths are really hidden from us and if indeed events that were more suited for more experienced Wielders are afoot – well then I’m sure the Elders will soon let us know.”

Justice shot another glare and shrugged as he replied with a strained, frustrated sigh, “As you wish my Sovereign.”

Again Osiris noted the vague sense of disdain. With a sigh of his own he tried to clear his meaning with his student.

“Justice, your head works well, true, but always evaluate a situation and sum it up with only quantifiable data and balanced equations, well you need balance in your thoughts and much meditation. To do otherwise will only bring you to an absolutist answer, which is not in our ways. Many, many things are not quantifiable. True, before jumping into a situation, be it in mind or flesh, your moves are always well calculated and executed precisely, usually with methodical and exact timing, which, don’t get me wrong, serves you as a fantastic protection. But your mind is not as attuned as our Historians’, your thoughts betray far too much emotion and inner self Justice.”

“Know that without insight and wisdom you have little scaffolding for decisions and directions that need to be taken. Without that, well, you will become a self-reliant system that serves only your own selfishness and not the sacrifices of our Order. Our whole religion is based on risks, based on deep insights and wisdom Justice, risks that if not taken would never have eventuated in us being created to start with. Nearly all significant growth comes from trial and
from that trial
risk is involved, but only after we have envisioned it is necessary and for the greater good.”

Justice grinned, which had none of the intentions this expression was usually used for, as he replied, “Yes my Sovereign, but as
you
know
I
have been reputed for my methods and been praised often by the Elders for this
weakness
of mine that you feel I have. What I think—”

Osiris couldn’t help but keep going, he wasn’t finished yet, “I never said you had a weakness Justice, and yes, yes I know, the council have great assurance in your abilities, but take my word on this, not all things can be balanced with quick snap decisions and self-assured knowledge. Only through wisdom, meditation and faith can you jump in and see, and understand, the chaos tumbling around you, it’s from this chaos that true trial and leadership is forged, even if at times, at the time, it doesn’t make sense.”

Justice went back to giving him only half his attention, obviously not enjoying where the conversation was going. Osiris almost felt like turning his pupil’s chair towards him but thought better of it as he spoke, staring out at the view and offering his opinion, whether he liked it or not.

“Look, I know you and Genesis are not … as they say, always on the best of terms. And I realise this is largely due to his background and approach to his assignments and missions. You feel as though he is weak, reckless, and not worthy of our kind, and that because of his flawed Rieft he jumps in only to prove he’s able to be one of us. To you his equation doesn’t add up, he is against the rules and not the same as his class dictates, leaving him as a margin of incalculable error and risk.

“I have seen your many complaints of Genesis even being accepted into the Order. But you must set these feelings aside, for even from our more inexperienced brothers we can learn new lessons and values. I know only too well of his weaknesses and his pitiful talent, but it is not for us to say whether he serves along with us, that is only for the SINAI, not for me, and certainly not for you.”

Justice’s eyes flared as he realised his master’s telepathic abilities were tuning into his own thoughts. With a wince, he shut off his own telepathic connection and snapped his head towards the older Immortal, infuriated. His voice was almost a bark and Osiris could see Justice’s temper had now taken over.

“
Sovereign,
I have
been assigned with Genesis many times before, I even had him assigned with me before he was a Weapon’s Wielder Immortal as myself; I can still remember his Earthly name, and even then as a mortal he was a threat to the Sacred with his weakness. I do understand that he has trained himself beyond measure of any other human, for that he can only be eternally grateful to his former master … but that does not mean he is capable, as the Elders say, of becoming one of us, and certainly not the Reborn.”

Now in full flight, Justice clenched his hands into enraged fists, his reaction surprising Osiris.

“I mean, it is just not possible, it’s absurd, no, its more than that, it’s embarrassing for us all. In a battle any Immortal could kill him,” he sneered, “his Rieft is so slathen weak. He comes from the gutters, he’s a
Roach
for Sacred sake.” Justice twisted the word to make it sound vile even to speak. “I mean look at his pathetic ability within manipulation, that alone should be a Wielder’s greatest—”

Osiris felt himself getting heated, and shot a quick deflating comment to Justice’s argument, feeling the need to defend Genesis and disliking Justice’s lofty vision.

“You mean
,
other
than his ability to dissect and rebuild weapons of a completely unfamiliar compound, Justice. He may not have the conventional Rieft abilities that you or I have, but that doesn’t mean he is useless. Unusual yes, and maybe in our eyes ineffectual, but that’s not to say it’s not for a purpose, it may be that it’s for another reason his broken Rieft is the way it is. Sometimes through great adversity, power can be forged and even controlled. His weakness may one day be useful … for what, we cannot begin to fathom, but for something beneficial we hope, for his and all our sake.”

Justice frowned at the interjection and passed over it quickly as he retorted indignantly, “There are no real validations to him being of the Creator’s race Osiris. As I was saying before you interrupted, just look at his sword Katana, our kind’s most important skill, and he has only the two forms he can construct, and those took him
twice
the amount of time than normal to master. His neural imprints may be in line with a Reborn, but I doubt he is really the one to …” Justice didn’t finish his sentence, just the thought of it disgusting him to the point of silence. Osiris finished for him.

“Yes, I know only too well Justice, I am of Historian class and I remember seeing the text with my own eyes when we found it, in the Temple of the Sacred, centuries ago.” His voice echoed its importance as he quoted the verse from memory, “
The one being, to be born of Earth, yet to be Reborn by the Gods; the Sacred and holy Prophet of …”
Osiris stopped as Justice turned away repulsed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Osiris became concerned with the level Justice was taking this to, and studied his pupil intently as he allowed him to interrupt again.

“Yes, yes Sovereign, I know, the one Immortal being that becomes of three, the trinity of the Creator’s race from its chosen and favoured species,” his voice now teeming with loathing and mockery.

Osiris tried hard to ignore the tone of voice as Justice circled towards what was clearly the root of what was tormenting him. He spoke, not taking his eyes off Justice’s features, “That’s right Justice, well remembered, and if our interpretations are correct, then you know as I, that this being, or trinity, will become more powerful than any of us, and this is exactly why we need to show all Immortals the same level of dignity … even if that one is a
Roach
.”

Osiris didn’t like calling Genesis this, but it had the desired effect as Justice now stared back at him. Osiris continued his defence, “This Immortal, whomever it be, will be powerful enough to stand by the Creator’s own race and will be elevated from mere mortal – as we are not truly Immortal Justice, we can be slain, we can be killed – to the sanction of a potent being;
the entity of three creations
…” Osiris smiled, trying to ease the mood a little, “depending on how you interpret the texts of course. Either way, Genesis or not, one of us is described to become this
one, the powerful creation to lead us to the salvation of our Creator’s sanctuary, which is why all must be viewed as brother … or sister.

Before Osiris could finish he felt more anger rocket through Justice as his pupil stood rigidly before him, almost tearing off his flight harness. Justice bent towards him, malice filling his every feature, shocking Osiris no end as he screwed up his face.

“WHAT! And you REALLY think that this reckless and thoughtless human, can be of the Reborn? I think not
Sovereign
, Genesis
is not
of divinity, and I know his wretched background well enough to know this to be true. He is very much just another weak human, with his becoming an Immortal the
closest
step he ever has to being of the Creator’s trinity, or cogent being –
depending on how you interpret my words of course … Sovereign
.”

Justice’s grip left dents in the metal of his chair as he seethed from his outburst. He’d also revealed his true frustration at his master’s insights towards another student. It had been a long time since Osiris had felt an emotion this strongly, it burned through his own thoughts in anger. Justice had well and truly overstepped his bounds, as a pupil or even an Immortal for that matter, and the Historian felt his face flush with anger.

Osiris slammed his pupil back into his chair using only a fraction of his Rieft. In a voice far more penetrating than his student’s, Osiris uncommonly lashed out with animosity.