The other side of beyond, p.21
The Other Side of Beyond, page 21
part #2 of Mitch Mythic Series
“I hope so,” Mitch said as he began to walk in stride with Drak. Gaelin elbowed Kate in the ribs and they both fell in behind Mitch and Drak.
“Why do have to be such a lunatic?” Gaelin asked.
“My mother never hugged me,” Kate said with a laugh.
“Well, maybe this one will,” Gaelin said. “Or maybe she’ll suck out your brain.”
Mother stopped before the altar and she turned her bulky body towards her audience, spindly legs bearing an impossible load.
“Here now, come here,” she said as she lowered her head down again. “Before, long before, people, great people lived in this place. Built all of these things. Powerful, powerful people, with knowledge, ancient knowledge. This stone, this stone is their legacy. One part of a great work,” Mother said as she looked up at the immense stone towering over them, blue light radiating from the cracks.
“What is this thing?” Kate asked.
“You just can’t keep you mouth shut, can you?” Mitch said.
Mother didn’t seem bothered by the outburst. She only shot a look a Kate before she turned her attention to the altar. An opaque panel appeared above the stone. It looked remarkably similar to the inReal tech developed by MindHive. A puzzled look came over Mitch’s face as he tried to grasp what he was seeing. Mother’s head moved towards the panel and Mitch watched as she pumped commands into the panel using several bizarre facial expressions. After a few moments the panel expanded rapidly and a three dimensional image of a planet appeared above the altar.
“This planet, this planet is dying. Dying a long slow death, slow death.” Mother said as a cloud of noxious gases mixed with flashes of coarse energy immersed the planet on the screen. “long before the death began, life flourished on this planet. A people rose up from a savage existence and built a great kingdom. This Kingdom was called Jarkadu.” Images of humanoid people, with silver skin were shown walking and interacting among each other in bustling cities. “These people, my people, learned of powers deep within this planet.” Images of people mining into the earth flashed over the altar. A great burst of energy caused an explosion in the mine. The people could be seen removing survivors and dead bodies from the blast. “Over time we came to master these powers. We made machines and tools to contain and control the power, channel it into our systems.”Images of massive equipment similar to what could be seen in the cavern behind them appeared above the altar. They were connected to giant cylinders which fed into tunnels bored deep into ground. An energized liquid poured through the cylinders and Mitch felt a chill wash over him as the images sunk in. Everything was so strange yet so familiar. “The kingdom grew stronger, grew stronger and expanded across the land. The energy proved to be capable of producing whatever the people desired. We began to apply it to every aspect of our lives. Each new discovery begot more discoveries, more discoveries and more power.” Images of a thriving civilization flashed before Mitch and the others. A labyrinth of buildings spread out as far as he could see. The blue energy was everywhere, inundating each building and powering every vehicle flying through the air. “Our experiments grew in size and scope. Soon, we discovered this power could do more than just mundane tasks. We learned the energy affects everything around us, around us all. The entire universe rests upon its strength, holding the Universe together, together.”
Mitch watched as an image of several people huddled around a monitor in what looked like a laboratory of some kind. They were focused on a small container which housed a clear blue liquid. They connected it to a machine and a pulse of energy blasted out of the container and small dark ring formed above the container. The scientists jumped back in astonishment.
“We discovered we could manipulate and change the very nature of the universe, bend it to our will.” Mother said as the image changed. Mitch felt a pang of anxiety come over him as he watched more scientists building a large mechanism that looked remarkably similar to the stone like structure looming above them. He caught Drak’s eye and they exchanged baffled looks, but Mother carried on with her story and they were drawn back to the image above the altar.
“We discovered the energy could open pathways between worlds and across time. The universe, it would seem, was no longer a vast expanse, but rather an open book with pages to be turned. We sent explorers out into the vastness of space and they came back with fantastic discoveries, incredible things.” Images of people entering and emerging from portals flashed across the screen. They came forward with artifacts and resources they had discovered on their journeys through the portals.
“As our knowledge of the Universe increased so did our desire for power, desire for more. We built stronger and more powerful devices which allowed us to reach out further into the universe. Soon we had created a powerful network of well travelled portals. As our abilities grew our confidence soared and we grew bolder in our quests. Soon we encountered other life, other beings, new planets teeming with life, with energy. We established outposts on these planets and our civilization expanded across the stars, across the universe.”
More images of people on strange planets flashed before them. “Over time, the new colonies became teeming cities and, empires unto themselves. New leaders rose up from the colonies and demanded independence, demanded freedom. Soon the war cries could be heard all across the network, lines drawn in the sand.”
Images of soldiers preparing for battle appeared above the altar and they could be seen moving through open portals. Large machines and weaponry accompanied the soldiers. “Battles were fought all across the network, across space and time. Colonies loyal to Jarkadu supported our rule of law and allied themselves with our leaders, but others forged alliances against the empire. They believed they were the masters of their own destiny and they rallied others to their cause. Soon the entire network was thrown into a Great War.”
Images of immense battle fields strewn with death and destruction filled the opaque screen above the altar. “The Great War became an endless series of battles and skirmishes, endless death. After centuries of warfare, death was all we knew, all we saw. Scientists on both sides of the fight continued to develop weapons and machinery, devices of death fueling an endless cycle of destruction. The weapons became stronger and our knowledge of the power which flowed through our network continued to grow. The leaders of Jarkadu ordered our scientists to create a new and better people that could fight under all conditions and they demanded that we reclaim our network. A great work commenced and all of the colonies loyal to Jarkadu committed their resources to the project.”
An image of an immense circular structure being assembled in the vastness of space filled the screen. Enormous ships and equipment orbited the structure. Closer images showed ant like figures clambering over the structure against a backdrop of empty blackness. “Our scientists had developed a plan that would allow Jarkadu to reclaim control of the network, effectively shutting down the opposition. The structure you see here was designed to overpower all existing portals and reign them into one central network. It required an immense amount of energy that had to be harvested from deep within our planet’s core.” Images of gigantic mining machines boring into the planet flashed before Mitch’s eyes and he watched with his mouth agape as the energy began to be drawn out of the surface and into the structure which hung in orbit. “The energy present at the core of the planet was more than sufficient to power the structure and the project was hailed as a success. Our leader at the time was Korridin, a great man known for his immense wisdom. He told the people of a bold new age, a time when our people would be united as one. Our newly designed soldiers were ready to fight for our leader and the powerful new machine that he had developed.” Images of metallic soldiers marched across the screen. They were loaded into transport ships which took them to the gigantic circular structure hovering above the planet. “When the time was right, Korridin ordered for his machine to be activated, but he was unaware that he was being betrayed. Holrathu, his second in command and General of his army had made a deal with the enemies of Jarkadu. They offered him tremendous power if he were to bring them the head of Korridin. Holrathu, power hungry himself, took the offer. Korridin trusted Holrathu with his life and he did not suspect a thing. On the eve of the “Great Unification,” as Korridin was fond of calling it, Holrathu, who commanded the army came to Korridin’s quarters and decapitated the great leader. Holrathu quickly seized command of the Jarkadu and announced to all the realms that Korridin had betrayed them all. He declared that a new age was born. An age where the people of the network would become the Masters of their destiny. Masters of time and space.” Images of a great and hulking General standing before a throng of soldiers, holding up a decapitated head flashed before Mitch and the others. Mitch looked at Drak whose face had changed to rage at the site of the menacing General.
“The people of Jarkadu immediately rebelled against the tyrannical Holrathu. And in response the General ignited the great machine Korridin had built. The machine drew its power from the planet and Holrathu, in a rage, forced the engineers to suck the planet dry. They begged him not to be so rash, but the General was eager to make an impression on his new allies and to send a message to all that would disobey him. He was warned repeatedly it wasn’t safe, but he ignored their warnings and went about with his plan.”
A gigantic machine began to spin, above the planet and as it did a beam of energy rose up towards the rotating apparatus. Mitch’s jaw dropped as he watched the energy make contact. The entire ring became illuminated almost instantly and a wave of energy rocked the surface of the planet.
“Holrathu would not be swayed from his plan and he demanded that the machine be taken to full strength immediately. His officers obliged his command and the instrument began to drain away power from the planet at an alarming rate.”
Images of the vast cities crumbling under the release of energy from the planets core bled into Mitch’s eyeballs. He watched, transfixed, as the great civilization was quickly eradicated, swathes of people crushed in the blink of an eye. Enormous fissures appeared across the surface of the planet as the energy was drawn out, swallowing entire cities whole.
“The General’s rash decision quickly escalated and the situation spiraled out of control. The system was overloaded with energy and a meltdown was imminent. The General ordered his officers to steer the fleet away from the planet. At that point the machine had lost any sense of stability and it began to spin at a phenomenal rate. The energy load it had taken on imploded upon itself, creating a massive portal right on the doorstep of Jarkadu. The gravitational pull of the wormhole was so strong it began to suck in any nearby object.”
Images of the massive portal sucking in the transport ships appeared on the screen. Holrathu could be seen ordering his officers to take evasive actions. “Holrathu knew he had made a mistake, but it was too late to make any corrections. He and his newly commandeered fleet were sucked into the portal and lost forever, or so we thought.”
“I know these masters,” Drak said through clenched teeth. “They enslaved my people and took control of my planet.”
“Yes, they did,” Mother said as she looked Drak in the eye. “Chalthantar and a host of other planets, other places. For Holrathu was not destroyed when he passed through the portal. He discovered something even more powerful than he imagined. The portal opened a doorway to a much more powerful network and He and his army were drawn into the very center of this network.”
The host of ships could be seen emerging from an open portal and into the center of a swirling vortex. At the center of the vortex were two spheres that spun opposite each other forming a cylinder of energy and light at the center of their rotation.
“They had entered a place between worlds. The surge of energy, the surge of power that had caused the breakdown produced an anomaly of sorts. The forces of energy powering the machine, the dark and the light had been smashed together, locked into an endless dance. When Holrathu was confronted by this strange and otherworldly enigma, he wasted no time pondering its presence, instead he focused on how he could use it to achieve his goals, universal domination.”
Images showed Holrathu ordering his underlings to send probes into the spinning cylinder of energy. The probes passed over the spheres and disappeared into the spinning maelstrom. Flashes of light emitted from cylinder and when the probes reappeared on the other side they had been radically transformed. After returning to the ship, they were examined by the scientists onboard who were astonished by what they discovered.
“The entire makeup of the probes had been transformed. The powerful energy had re-arranged the atomic structure of the instruments. Intrigued by the possibilities of the anomaly, Holrathu ordered more experiments done. They soon discovered that any object could be transformed or manipulated by the phenomenon. Using the technology developed on Jarkadu to harness and control the energy forces, Holrathu’s scientists were able to manipulate any object transformed by the phenomenon. They quickly discovered practical applications for these transformed objects and they were able to weaponize the energy present. Soon Holrathu began to experiment upon his own people. He first sent prisoners into the maw and when they came back possessing phenomenal powers, he ordered his own soldiers to under go the transformation.”
Images of soldiers being sent into the cylinder appeared before Mitch and he gulped as towering metallic entities emerged from the opposite end of the cylinder. Mitch could feel Drak seething with anger beside him. The images of the newly transformed soldiers must have stirred up painful memories for him.
“The soldiers were able to manipulate the energy present within them simply by focusing their thoughts on what they wanted to achieve. Holrathu was so enthralled with the results that he underwent the operation himself.”
An image of Holrathu passing the through the vortex appeared before them. When he emerged he grown in size and strength. In a rage he drew forth the power from within him and produced a heavy set of black and blue armor that covered him from head to toe. He manifested a tremendous axe in his hand and he brandished it with gusto.
“Holrathu quickly transformed his entire army with the energy. Every soldier and ship was sent through the vortex and when Holrathu was satisfied with the results he ordered his scientists to find a way to open a portal which would lead them to where their enemies lay. The scientists discovered the anomaly could also be used to create and maintain wormholes capable of transporting Holrathu’s vast army throughout the universe and beyond. Once they had established a portal of sufficient size, Holrathu set about conquering all that would oppose him. With his newfound powers he encountered little resistance and he was able to crush and enslave any that had the courage to stand up to his rule.”
Images of Holrathu’s massive soldiers passing through vortex’s and arriving in strange and incredible lands appeared before Mitch and the others. “Battles were fought and won. Soon all that would resist Holrathu were crushed and destroyed and he brought his allies into the fold. He created a council of masters he personally selected. Each of them was allowed to pass through the vortex, but only after swearing allegiance to Holrathu and his cause.”
Mitch watched as several men and woman bowed low before Holrathu before they were sent into the vortex. They emerged on the other side in resplendent and wonderful garb infused with the energy of the anomaly. “Holrathu and his cohorts began to worship the phenomenon as their god and leader and they set off on a vast expedition to conquer new worlds and expand their empire.”
Mitch watched as images of the metallic soldiers appearing before astounded people manifested above the altar. In some instances the people attempted to resist their conquerers and in other images the people bowed down and worshipped the new arrivals like deities ascended from the heavens. “Soon all of the known colonies had succumbed to the will of the masters. A reign of darkness had come to the network. Jarkadu, ruined and abandoned, gutted for its energy has lain in solitude ever since. The damage done by the device has brought incredible imbalance to the world. Each passing year results in more and more instability as the core of the planet breaks down due to the damage sustained at the hands of Holrathu. As we near our star on our annual voyage, the gravitational pull created by the phenomenon still present in this system tears at the energy in the planets core causing seismic activity across the surface. Soon this activity will cause the planet to disintegrate.”
Mitch stood dumfounded as Mother seemed to finish speaking. Her head turned towards her audience once more and she looked them over with the same curiosity a spider would give to a fly caught in its web.
“I was once a disciple of Korridin the great,” Mother said, changing her tune. As a scientist, I helped develop his intergalactic army in this very place. A secret base this is, and it was built to withstand all manners of destruction. Some of us survived here, scientists and others like us. Over time we set about rebuilding what was lost. We made a new people, capable of surviving the harsh conditions of our recently decimated planet. These ones here before you are all my children. They are the new race of Jarkadians. Over time the original survivors began to die off. Not wishing to let go of my work and let the planet die, I set about changing myself. And now much time has passed and look what has become of me. But I still persist. I will not let this planet die.”
“The masters destroyed this planet?” Mitch blurted out.
“Ha, Masters. Yes, those that call themselves the masters are responsible for this. But who is to blame, who is to blame. The greed that drove this destruction didn’t harbor itself in a single heart. Holrathu may have acted on his impulses, but any other fool in his shoes may have acted the same. Even Korridin wasn’t immune to corruption, immune to avarice.”
“So we’re doomed here unless we can find a way to escape?” Mitch asked.
“We must find way to stop the Masters. My people must be freed,” Drak shouted out.
