Genesis - the Battle Within (Pillars of Creation Book 1) (37 page)

“That’s correct, at the moment we’re heading towards the liaison planet, Gomorrah. A diplomatic council is being held in several hours between all faction heirs of the SED and world leaders. Officials from the Way of the Sacred and religious and delegates will also be present. You have orders to attend, first thing upon touchdown.

“A council session via holo-net between the SINAI and any Sacred delegates present on Gomorrah will be in session and a secure level of the SINAI Affiliate Building has been vacated. Official attire is to be worn, with your ranks being fully restored for the occasion.

“I am unaware of any traps, but I would certainly have your guard up, I doubt Interfere Division will be satisfied with the religion’s account of the matter and there is a long way between here and the safety of Gomorrah.
”

This prompted his next question. “And what is to become of
Aspire
? Is she going to be salvaged by the SED?”

“No after we exit, which will be when I’ve finished bringing you out of stasis, we are to exit in our own ship, awaiting pickup by
Pegasus
. Immediately upon departure
Aspire
is to be set on automated pilot into the nearest sun of Gomorrah, no trace of her is to be left, just like the Ple’stone. Officially she will have been vaporised as stated in her report—”

Genesis felt, with surprise, his fingers becoming distantly aware. Me’lina answered his internal question.

“That’s right Genesis you’ll be out of Cryo within the next few hours. Congratulations, although you didn’t see it, you just survived one of the greatest threats on your life.”

With the words trailing in his mind and with great physical effort, Genesis slightly cracked open his eyes. Through the mist, and after almost a full minute, he adjusted to seeing light for the first time in three weeks. He squinted as his breathing kicked in to the sound of automated oxygen processors – clicking on and off repeatedly. He
had
survived stasis, something an Immortal was never supposed to do, not like this anyhow.

After a few more seconds, he blinked away the blurriness as mist wavered in front of his Cryo-tube, and for a brief second he glimpsed a clear view of the room outside. He immediately noticed the blood splattered over the top portion of the flexi glass – his training forcing him to see this first – and slumped with her back against his tube, was a young female; a small bullet hole through her head giving her condition away. An old style pistol lay at her side with her hands still clutched around its grip — his eyes shot open as he noticed what was in her other hand.

The dead body’s free hand, gripped into an iron fist, held Katana across her lap, gleaming dully! Genesis stared fixated and befuddled. He dragged his eyes from his beloved weapon to glance at the body, attired in internal security uniform, her soft skin pressed up against the glass. Apart from the dried bloodstain, she looked undamaged, yet her still form was as frozen as his had been.

Even though Me’lina was struggling to remain, and their time being short, he asked, desperate for information, “Me’lina who is that? And why has she got Katana? Why does she look familiar?”

Me’lina replied softly, as if she knew the woman.

“That is Captain Tessa Scarlett. She was the last human survivor aboard
Aspire
. She lasted three full days while I tried to keep her safe, being hunted all the while.

“She led the team trying to make their way to your stasis. Unfortunately they were cut off and over several hours hunted down and systematically slaughtered before they could activate your cool-down cycle. In desperation, Tessa – being stalked by many Fallen – made it to you, sealing herself in. But she was too late, the Fallen were already tearing down the door.

“Realising her fate, and not wanting to risk your life, with her remaining bullet she self-terminated. In this final mission she’d managed to secure Katana and was adamant on returning it to you so you could protect them. But in the end she knew she had to make this sacrifice.”

The mist gathered and swallowed up the view of the security officer’s final moment. Genesis was left in saddened meditation as he continued dwelling on the loss of
Aspire
and waited for his body to finish re-animating. Me’lina’s voice chirped one last time, leaving him not even time to respond as she faded from him.

“I’m sorry Genesis I must leave now. Goodbye, I can no longer sustain myself within this form … I will—”

And just like that his companion for decades was gone. He felt the strange sensation as his mind emptied. No Me’lina, no second personality. He was truly alone, and it felt deafeningly silent again, threatening his sanity.

Genesis burnt attachment from his mind and, as his upbringing afforded, made the emotion dissipate, as though they were merely deceased companions. This was the only way he knew he could deal with such monumental loss.

He shut his eyes, becoming tranquil in faraway meditation, as he awaited the completion of the cool-down cycle. He had much to dwell upon, and no time for such
feelings
, not in
his
life, not if he was to remain sane or in control of his
situation
.

The events of the past few weeks told him something was coming, something tidal and something that would make his individual struggles petty. It was all for a reason, it was all far too sequential not to be, and he
had
to be in control, at least of himself, if he was to be prepared.

Written

by David Tucker