The Fog Has Lifted and the Sky is Blue
As systems came back on line KO realized what was going on in the area surrounding Illusion. Once main power was established she brought the maneuvering thrusters online and energized the deflector grid. Aboard Samson Eliana took note of KO deflector activation and told Shawn to stand by. It took communications a few moments to be re established and finally KO appeared.
"Eli, this is a surprise… I thought you were on patrol… ah you didn't come to my rescue, did you, because Shawn had everything under…"
"KO, when I arrived, Shawn was struggling to keep the deflector shield around you, and to add to the task once all your systems come on line you'll find you were venting to space, just enough that Shawn was trying to shield you and keep you centered… when I got here I stabilized your movement and supplemented the deflector grid. It would have worked out … maybe… "
"The main propulsion unit is back… I see the half closed vent… my AI still hasn't responded… Give me a hand getting into our berth. I think being moored securely is appropriate even thou these tech guys are still scratching their heads. The idea of doing the upgrade in free space…"
The link suddenly broke; Illusion raised shields and brought main weaponry on line. Targeting beams scanned Eli and Shawn in response they went defensive and notified Command.
"I don't know Cassie, I was talking to KO and the link quit. Illusion went to battle stations. Shawn and I are fully defensive while backing away slowly from KO… A note we were scanned but not targeted, not yet… communications are still down and…"
"We've got you on the planetary sensor array… continue moving away from Illusion, you should know we are receiving no data stream from them so…"
The shields dropped as rapidly as they had risen, deflectors were still on line, and Illusion slowly drifts away from Eliana. Maneuvering thruster's fire and the ship stabilizes… An audio message is received…
"Now I know why the reboot had to be done in the void and away from everything, when the ship's AI finally came on line they activated and cycled every system on the ship. Lucky for you that you guys went defensive and not offensive, had the ship sensed you as hostile… Orion is functional, Leo is close and Lyra… I don't know. We're able to control the ship I'd like one of you to stick around but maintain your distance and, be calm."
Shawn had started this adventure and requested if he could see it to its conclusion. Permission was granted although Eli still kept watch from a far.
*********
Approaching the Residence Jasmine spied Mia and Scholar, calling to Saio the four of them met in front of the Residence before they proceeded inside. Lafiel was sleeping soundly and Scholar got a current update on her condition with Jasmine saying."There are moments where she seems normal and in the next breath, she's off on some strange tangent that boggles my mind. I have to say this, NONE of us have tried to look inside her thoughts, with what we sensed initially, she's beyond all of us, and as you taught us never get in over your head, Scholar I'm glad you're back, however, I hope you're up to what you're going to find behind that door."
Inside the Residence and sitting outside the room where Lafiel was sleeping, Scholar looked for a pathway to Lafiel, finding what she believed to be a suitable one she attempted contact, it was immediately rejected, moments later though…
"Scholar is that really you? You're so close but I know you're on the other side of the galaxy, or are you?"
Scholar opened her eyes and glanced about the room, making sure Lafiel could see what she saw. A moment later Scholar replied.
"I am here, in the other room, when you are ready I'll come and be with you, but you have to be ready, I know you understand what I mean."
Scholar's eyes closed and she addressed Mia.
"Daughter, stay with me, the rest of you, return to your duties and make sure we're not disturbed. I'll contact you when I've made progress."
Mia places a chair in close proximity to Scholar, and then she follows Jasmine and Saio as they leave. Once out of the Residence Saio says.
"I'll make certain you're not bothered but, I'll have a medical detail close by just…"
"Saio do as you see fit, it will bring me some comfort knowing that help will be close at hand, as for the Command structure. I'm sure you're going to get bombarded with questions. Inform them, politely, they are going to have to wait."
Saio and Jasmine leave, once out of sight Jasmine says.
"You're going to tell Cassandra to be patient and wait? You want me to whip up a tranquilizer or something?"
"That won't be necessary, at least not for Cassie, Plakia on the other hand…"
"I completely forgot about her, do you think?"
"Jasmine, she doesn't know, and is on patrol several days away from here even at maximum… hopefully by then Scholar will have made a break through and this conversation will become mute."
*********
There was silence as they returned to the Medical Center; Saio assigned a team to stand by just outside the Residence with these instructions."You may experience, mental confusion, if you do dawn the protective gear. I'm not sure what methods Scholar might employ but it could get quite interesting to say the least. Should something occur, protect yourselves first, contact us after that. Are there any questions? Okay, you are dismissed pick up your gear and get going."
The team leaves and Jasmine says.
"I'll assume your heading to Command, do you want me to go with you?"
Saio looked out the window and said.
"Stay here, this is something I have to do, while I'm gone, I want you to prepare an isolation chamber… I hope we don't need it but… there's this feeling I can't shake… not impeding doom, more like a wildly uncontrolled mental outburst... so get a chamber ready…"
Saio heads to Command on her way she has another conversation that ends this way.
"Can do, we'll use the old training center, that's only minutes from the Residence, I'll let you know when we're in place."
The link closes as Saio enters Command. She doesn't make it three meters inside the room when…
"Why aren't you attending to my mother, why are you here?"
Saio points to a nearby chair and tells Cassandra to sit. She initially refuses but does so when she's informed, no sit, no information. As Cassandra sits arms folded across her chest and rebellion in her eyes, Saio says.
"Scholar is with your mother…"
Cassandra tries to stand and is firmly planted back in the chair as Saio continues.
"Mia is with her a med team is close by and…"
Saio's comm. link becomes active with Seelnay's voice saying.
"Perimeter is set at one thousand meters. We took the liberty of moving your med team to the old administration building it will offer more protection… Greta has instructed the girls, as you requested, and as you said earlier, no one gets close without your say so."
Saio acknowledges the transmission and closes the link, turning back to Cassandra she says.
"In my opinion your mother is receiving the best care we can give her. You already know this but I'll state it for the record. As her attending physician and with the Councils approval I'm taking the best course possible. Cassie we've know each other for a very long time, your mother and mine they… look, I'm doing the best I can knowing very little about Abh mental states… except for that notorious gene they carry. I'll not let any harm come to her. You're going have to believe me… I must go now and be closer than I am… we will keep you apprised of her progress."
Saio leaves, from the back of the room Noel approached Cassie places her hand on her shoulder and says.
"She's right, although a bit more diplomatic… never mind… you and I know how complex a person your mother is. Quietly we knew that Scholar was going to be the only person who could navigate the complicated maze that's your mothers mind. I'll be around if you need someone to talk to."
Noel leaves… no longer defiant Cassandra rises from the chair and exits the Center. Once outside she heads to her mother's favorite gardens, takes in the view and tries to find solace… twice she consider contacting Shawn and Plakia but knew deep down inside that would cause more harm than good… Plakia still didn't fully trust Scholar and Shawn held grandmothers beliefs as well. She was alone, making a difficult decision that she would have to explain later and it would be easier to explain after a successful outcome.
*********
"My apologies Captain for my earlier actions I'm not sure what…"Lyra's attempt for the most part fell on deaf ears, well at least KO's, Sarah was about to comment when…
"Orion ships status."
"Captain we show fully operational your orders?"
"Head to the docking station and place us in our berth, and Lyra, accepted, and I hope it doesn't occur again."
"Captain Dock master signals ready docking in fifteen minutes…"
"Very well proceed, Sarah secure the ship, I'll be at the Center if you need me…"
"KO, be careful about giving Scholar a piece of your mind…"
"You worry about the ship, I'll worry about me… but I'll try to be diplomatic, as best I can."
KO leaves the bridge and Lyra comments.
"The Captain, diplomatic, is this a hidden trait we've never seen before?"
Sarah glares at the holographic image that is Lyra's interface and says.
"If I were you I'd mind my own business and concentrate on your duties. The Captain is capable of taking care of herself quite nicely… remember, although you are an AI with superior skills, a little humbleness might need to be programmed into you as well."
*********
Although it was a long trip getting there Scholar, for a reason unknown to her, did not feel tired. As a matter of fact she felt quite rested; on the other hand Mia had a couple of long days and was napping. Scholar reached out to Lafiel once again and was resisted but not outright rejected as before. Seeing Mia was napping she considered the following.'I wonder why… never mind… those in the Village, Lafiel would have overwhelmed them… and indirectly they would have done more harm than good… Sigh… I do despise being who I am at times.'
*********
Donald found Cassandra sitting motionless in the garden; she never heard his approach but, with the touch of his hand she lurched away turned to him and…"Don't sneak up on me… I'm sorry I guess I was… Scholar's with mother, Saio setup a perimeter and… you know I'm bad at waiting… but I'm glad you're here… we don't tell Grandmother nor Shawn any of this until Scholar is.. I hope successful…"
Donald sat next to her and held her as she continued to stare off into the garden. He felt at the moment it was the only constructive thing he could do, Cassie had said her piece, and arguing with her in this state was futile, support was what he was offering and it was not being refused.
*********
Once docked, KO took a transport to the surface and headed to Command. Aboard Illusion Sarah was finishing securing the ship when Leo inquired."I have a request from Pegasus for you to 'come by' before you go planet side. How should I respond to this request?"
"Tell them in a half of an hour I'll be by."
"Message transmitted, received and acknowledged."
It had been quite sometime since Sarah visited Pegasus, placing her hand on the scanner plate the ship identified her and she was directed to the bridge. Scholar's first officer was waiting for her and started the conversation by saying.
"I'm not quite sure what happened aboard your ship, but for this ship and its crew I wish to apologize…
"That's not necessary however since I'm here I do have one question… Pegasus did Scholar…
"Scholar was intrigued with the electronic rebellion you experienced how ever she did not cause it… I'll add this, never reboot an entire AI system again…. never know what software revision it'll revert to."
Sarah had her answer she thank everyone and was escorted off the ship. Once on the station she thought.
'I think I'll keep this to myself till a much later date, but Lyra, she could have very well held her own against KO."
*********
Shawn watched as Illusion berthed, once secure Eli contacted him and instructed him to retrace her inbound path from a point where she increased speed to the planetary defense grid by saying."We skim scanned the area and it seems like there was nothing out of the ordinary, but, seeing you've been planet bound for awhile a little 'change of scenery' so to speak might be in order."
Shawn accepted and left at once. Eli opened a secure link to Command and said.
"He's off should be back in a couple of days… I'm coming planet side shortly."
Noel acknowledged the transmission and signaled Cassie that Shawn was carrying out the mission and she'd have two days before he returned and in another three Plakia would be back."
A green light flashed on Noel's console. Cassandra had received and understood the message.
*********
Seelnay reached out to Scholar and a brief interface was made. Seelnay explained the perimeter that was set up and Scholar relayed that Lafiel was not quite up to being interfaced with. The crux of the discussion with Scholar was relayed to Saio who said."We can't push it but hopefully in the next few hours, Lafiel's ready, because in two plus days Shawn will be back and will want to come planet side… we impressed upon Miranda, the importance of what Scholar is about to do and she'll not contact him nor Plakia… Keep us updated and thanks. I'm surprised Scholar didn't… you know what I mean."
"Saio let's say my initial contact wasn't received as nicely as I would have liked and go at that… this regeneration, she's a little more 'touchy' than before if you get my line of thought here."
Saio agreed and closed the link; Jasmine was in the room, heard everything and commented.
"Just what we needed, a touchy Scholar and a wired tight Lafiel… does it ever get any easier?"
Saio heard her, turned to the door and slowly walked away, shaking her head from side to side and saying one word… "No."
*********
Scholar was in a light sleep; although she rarely dreamed, this time… she was in a place she didn't… wait she had seen this place before, but where… she didn't have to search her thoughts because she realized she was seeing this through… the image changed a reflective wall and the reflection of a much younger Lafiel. That uniform, a Star Forces trainee… but this was the Capital, Lakfakalle, just outside the main military base…Lafiel checked her appearance, boarded a shuttle and docked with a warship. Entering the vessel Scholar was observing Lafiel reporting to her Captain… that Captain… she knew well, Plakia Lexshu, although a much younger version. Soon after the ship departed the Captain ordered the trainee to make a diplomatic pick up and return that person to the ship for transport to his domain. This seemed a normal request however Lafiel was a bit uncertain…
The memory moves forward to a crowded platform with Lafiel searching for her passenger, that passenger came into view and at that moment Scholar knew, for Lafiel, it was 'love at first sight'. A very awkward Jinto boarded the shuttle and after an eventful first travel they arrived, being awkward and a little unaware of who his pilot was he causally asked her name. A surprised Lafiel responded…"You can call me Lafiel, may I address you as Jinto?" he answered in the affirmative. Unbeknownst to either of them this would be the start of a decade's long love affair… the dream moves along with several incidents of one or both of them being in danger and cheating death.
A time skip, Scholar knew this scene well when she met Lafiel on Sol Eros…their return to Shahrazad… Establishment of the Alliance and... With every scene Jinto was there he was truly a part of and partner with Lafiel… Scholar then experienced Lafiel's view of Jinto's affliction, she watched as Lafiel experienced his mental and finally physical decline until… shortly after his passing she was trying to put her new life in order and seemed to be doing well until…
The Empire sealed itself off from the rest of the Galaxy… although there were rumors of this before Jinto's death she was focused on him… She thought she was dealing with it until the, seeming innocent, questioning about the Empire trigger her deep set resentment of not paying more attention to the world around her… she felt she could have stopped the Empire but Jinto needed her more and…"
Scholar opened her eyes… the room was very dark… Mia was sleeping peacefully in the chair… rising up and moving to the door that Lafiel was behind she sensed this from Lafiel…
'Scholar, keep your distance for now… I've given you an idea but… you need to reflect carefully… my subconscious is trying to isolate me and I'm not strong enough to shake it off… however if you intercede incorrectly I feel you'll drive me insane.'
Scholar stepped away and exited the Residence. Moving to where Seelnay was Scholar said.
"I never realized how important you are to her, you're almost as important as he…"
"Careful Scholar, do not lump Jinto and I together. Although I have some importance in Her Highnesses life... He WAS her life. End of discussion."
*********
Scholar left Seelnay, made the short trek to Noel and Risch's place… Risch answered the door and Scholar started her questioning only to be interrupted by Risch."You're asking the wrong person, my knowledge of Lafiel and Jinto comes from being with Noel… there are three unrelated people on this world that can help you much better than I, that would be Noel, Sobbash and Atosuryua if you can find her. Noel and Sobbash served with her and Atosuryua was her commander at one time. Any one else would have second hand information… although I'm not telepathic… I can sense the worry in everyone I've come across recently… Lafiel's in a bad way and as much as I would like to help… what you seek I only know second and third hand... You need to talk to those I mentioned."
Scholar left she contacted Saio and requested she gather those mentioned somewhere comfortable and she also told Saio what the conversation would be about. Hearing this Saio suggested another person be added to the conversation.
"Scholar you're going to be dealing with Abh politics I do believe, Kenesh should be here as well, although she doesn't know Lafiel that well she is an expert on how the Empire operates… I never figured it would be questions about The Empire that would set her off but as I said before she is a very complex and fragile personality. I believe it was Jinto that protected the fragile side unbeknownst to even her."
A meeting was setup in the Village, at a secure location, Dawn was also in attendance. Scholar laid out the problem and was surprised when Kenesh was the first to answer.
"Being a member of the 'royal family' puts undue stress on any individual. Growing up it was assumed that Lafiel would one day sit on the 'Jade Throne' although that didn't happen she was groomed to take the responsibility … my experience says that's very hard training to ignore… the Empire slipping into chaos, I can see her feeling responsible even though it's been decades since she was involved with the Empire… however her brother was sitting on the 'Jade Throne' when this occurred so…."
Noel interrupted.
"You're telling me it's something like 'sins of the father' but in this case its 'sins of the brother'? I never assumed they were that close, were they?"
Atosuryua interjected this.
"I was there when he took the crown, Lafiel was there, unofficially and Jinto was waiting off world for her return… she was visibly moved when the ceremony ended. Jinto told me later not only was she proud, but sad as well, she so wanted to be part of Duhiel's rein, but she had isolated herself from the Empire by then."
Sobbash continued and expanded of what Atosuryua had said.
"When they returned from the 'Hyde' system… I partially overheard a … conversation, that's too nice, but it wasn't an argument either, more like an information exchange. You remember Jinto deeded his domain to the people and they basically banished him from his home world for it. For the first part of the patrol they barely spoke to each other then one evening… she invited herself to his cabin and a spirited discussion occurred… not sure at that time what was said, but later Jinto told Samson and I that it was the seed that sprouted into the world we now sit upon. I guess the blessing came when Lafiel left the Star Forces and came here with Jinto. I know those first years were near impossible but… I really believe the bond became firm when they held the 'Wedding Ceremony'. I guess the last thing I'll address is the incident that took Samson and their son Charles… it took Lafiel and I a long time to get over it and there have been times in the past where, once again, that responsibility pounded into her when she was young took hold. It… it wasn't her fault, but try to convince her of that…"
Dawn cleared her throat and said.
"I… I ah never knew my father… Jinto knew him since school… before Jinto left us he explained to me how father and he had lived similar lives and how my father died. It was an accident which Lafiel and my mother ended up at odds over until they finally sat down and went through it step by step… mom accepted it as an unavoidable accident…I'm not sure Lafiel ever has. Scholar, I thought you should know about this incase you come across the incident. Just so you know Jinto was quite moved as he told me all of this and I was sworn not to tell Lafiel."
Scholar sat reflecting on what she had heard… as she sensed, Lafiel was feeling responsible for everything that had gone wrong and… trying to convince her she's not, is going to be a tall order. Noel pulled out a chair, faced Scholar and said.
"I have more to share if you're willing to listen… there are times when words work better than … I heard you… those two were more than inseparable, I took Jinto on a little 'joy ride' once and… I found out then how much, not only she cared for, but was hopelessly in love with Jinto, even though showing in public was never allowed… its that 'royal family code'. Overriding that code as deeply seeded as it is within her being… good luck with that, but if I were to surmise her weak link, it's her sense of duty overriding her common sense and emotions. Royal family members are notorious for being cold blooded and cold hearted. Lafiel is neither, yet her programming… I see you're following me… I have no idea, yet I hope you do, we need her back…"
Scholar rose from her chair, thanked everyone gathered, and headed for the door leading to the outside. As she exited, Noel and Sobbash observed this; a calming smile was crossing Scholar's face as if she had figured out her next move… once clear of the room Noel said.
"It wasn't an 'evil' look more like… contentment… what do you think?"
Sobbash had heard her and was compiling her own observation into words by saying…
"Contentment, more like confidence, however Lafiel is going to be a difficult and complex person to reason with… I'm glad it's going to be her and not me… Actually, I don't think I'm anywhere near qualified to handle what Scholar's going to confront. Hopefully, I hope Scholar knows what she doing because we've seen Lafiel lose it and you'll agree it won't be pretty."
Noel agrees they turn to leave to find Seelnay standing behind them; it would seem she'd heard the 'entire' conversation. Facing them she calmly said.
"Scholar and Lafiel…As much as I respect Scholar, with this regeneration she seems much more capable than her previous self… That said I'd keep an open mind, if Scholar succeeds, I remember how very independent Lafiel can be…could prove challenging… interesting opinions though and losing it… I've witnessed Scholar losing it, let say they are equal in the loss department and let it go at that."
Seelnay leaves, Noel and Sobbash look at each other and realize that Seelnay had a one up on them, she knew Lafiel before them and before she was 'attached' to Jinto… when they left, a quiet discussion, could be heard, but not understood.
*********
Scholar had not visited her quarters since her arrival. Opening the door she found it as she had left it over three years ago, with one notable exception, the kitchen window was over grown by the plant she had left, it had sent a root under the window and was now firmly bedded outside. An hour later the plant was trimmed to a manageable state and the root disconnected… observing the plant carefully she thought…'I was going to leave this with Lafiel, why didn't I?[/]'
An answer eluded her but since she had been away a brief review of what's happened while she was away might be in order… could help with Lafiel she thought.
A query to the information system brought a outline in time line fashion of the last three years…. she indicated to the system to flag important events… as those were listed the incident with the mystery ship flashed on the list… pausing the system and opening the narrative, Scholar read for less than a minute, paused the display and opened a link to Ariel…
The conversation lasted barely a minute with Scholar being transported aboard Independence. Once aboard she met with Chitose and Ariel, reviewed all the data concerning the incident and said.
"Where is this device? I would like to see it up close, if possible."
A bit of confusion was occurring between Ariel and Chitose it was Chitose that asked?
"Are you familiar with the technology Scholar?"
Not batting an eye Scholar said.
"It's possible; I'd like to see it to be sure though."
Ariel asked another pressing question.
"What about Lafiel, do you really need to see this at this moment?"
Visibly annoyed, Scholar responded.
"I can multi-task with the best of them, this is holding my interest at the moment, I'm still working on how to approach Lafiel, now can I see this device?"
The device had been removed from the ship it was housed in; the ship was examined, judged to be of no further use, and salvaged. The device resided in the main underground laboratory which Noel Ekuryua ran… Permission was granted and Ariel, Chitose, and Scholar made their way to the entrance to the lab on the surface of the planet. Once there they were lead to the lab and to the location of the device. Scholar did a visual examination and then withdrew a globe from her pocket then said.
"Pegasus; tie into my scanner and do a complete evaluation of the object before me, compare it to the ancient database and send the results to…"
As an orange light emanated from the globe, Scholar looked at the lab tech, he was confused, just then a voice was heard.
"Send it to my terminal, and Scholar don't you have somewhere else to be?"
Noel Ekuryua was entering the room; her displeasure was evident as she continued.
"I thought you were working with Mia and Jasmine on…"
"Noel, hold on one minute, if this is what I believe it to be, you've got a bigger a problem than a disturbed Lafiel."
"Pegasus, forward the results to Noel's station."
"As you requested Scholar, I have the data from the scan, it will be a few hours before I have completed the comparison but initial results seem to indicate your hunch might be correct."
The globe ceased glowing; the room grew silent, as Noel was about to speak Scholar said.
"Once you have the readout from Pegasus feel free to contact me, and as you so aptly put it I do have somewhere else to be."
Scholar left, Ariel and Chitose spent a moment with Noel and Chitose said.
"I normally don't scan people, however Scholar's reaction to this device was, cold dead fear, with a quick recovery, she knows something or she thinks this might be something she's run across in the past… I'd like to know what Pegasus sends you, if I'm allowed to see the results."
Noel agreed to share the data with Chitose, with that she and Ariel returned to the surface and then back to the ship. Noel contacted Cassandra informed her of Scholar sudden and almost unannounced visit by saying this.
"Chitose sensed fear from Scholar; I sensed disbelief, and Pegasus response that the initial results might be something. Cassie we've made little progress with this if Scholar's hunch is right and this is much more trouble than it seems then Lafiel's problem might actually pale in comparison."
*********
Deciding to walk although she could have taken surface transportation… Scholar walked the path that many had walked before, from the underground labs towards the complex where the Residence, the old training center and the path leading to Command were. That path although not used as often as before was still well maintained. At the halfway point was a rest area, a garden planted by Jinto, and several benches to take in the view. Seating herself within view of the garden and in the shade of a sturdy tree Scholar sorted through her thoughts, finalizing her plan to gently but firmly convince Lafiel to see the world as it should be not the distorted view she presently held that had her captive. It wasn't going to be easy, and if she executes it incorrectly she could cause irreparable damage…
An hour passed the sun had changed positions and where she was seated was starting to heat up. Standing and returning to the path she continued to the Residence where she found Jasmine and Saio. Consulting with them and notifying Seelnay she was going inside, Scholar took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and said.
"It might take awhile; it will probably get intense, enter only if I summon you, no matter what you might see, hear, or feel. I trust you'll follow my advice with no exceptions."
There was agreement; Scholar took note it was about an hour before sunset, open the main door to the Residence and entered. The globe within Scholar's pocket gently glowed. Seeing it's reflection she knew Pegasus was with her, monitoring her, observing the area and if necessary providing Scholar with physical data from Lafiel. At the door Scholar opened it and entered, she found Lafiel in bed on her back eyes open and staring at the ceiling. As she approached Lafiel said.
"You're really here, it's not a dream, actually, lately, nothings been dreamy, but a nightmare from the henge's of hell. You're here to remove me from this hell? Good luck with that… I've not been able to do it I seriously doubt…"
Scholar leaned forward took Lafiel by the shoulders and lifted her upper half off the bed then fused with her mind. In this position Lafiel was unable to struggle, she readily conceded and Scholar enters her thoughts. The maze of events intertwined within Lafiel was formidable however, after twenty minutes she found the passage to the source…
Scholar witnessed a small child being overly teased by her peers, and the adults in the room refraining from interfering with the words "she needs to handle this on her own, she needs to become stronger" instead of trying to communicate Lafiel lashed out and caused serious injury to another child… the other children, stunned, gathered their classmate and withdrew… an adult unfamiliar to Scholar takes Lafiel by the hand leads her away and tells her she did well…
Stunned, Scholar observes as Lafiel is led to what looks like a bedroom, Lafiel enters the door is closed behind her, she approaches the mirror in the room sees her reflection and… silently tears stream down her cheeks, inside she knows what she did was wrong, but it was expected of her to be that way… moving to the bed she falls in and falls into a sleep state, the dream she has, has her being punished for her actions.
Scholar realized that every time something went wrong, no matter whether Lafiel had control over, or was responsible for it, she felt it was her punishment for the original sin of lashing out and injuring a classmate all those years earlier. Even the one time she had to kill or be killed she still felt at fault for it occurring. After this Lafiel passed out and Scholar lost her link… exiting the Residence, communicating with Saio and Jasmine she said
"Her guilt is deep and spans both her conscious and sub conscious, I planted a suggestion, a solution, before she lost conscious. Let's see how she is when she awakes. I'll be in the living room; I remember a very comfy chair located there. If you need me wake me"
*********
Pegasus was compiling, comparing data. The ancient records weren't very clear on some things and seemed overly speculative about others but the basics seem to hold true, that this device was almost an exact copy of a device from an ancient war, a war which Tay's people nearly won…
Although almost sentient Pegasus lack the comprehension to figure out how something that was supposedly destroyed centuries ago has suddenly appeared in this time and space. Forwarding the information to Noel's console Pegasus tried to contact Scholar and found her in a induced trance, a technique she used to self-heal, Pegasus assumed her encounter with Lafiel had left her damaged although he never sensed that from the data… a self diagnostic on the globe was run and adjustments made for future reference. Moving to stand by mode Pegasus awaited Scholar reaching out to him.
Relaxing at home Noel was informed of the information being downloaded to her terminal, accessing it from home she reviewed the initial data, called to Marjee for help and headed to the underground complex. They arrived within moments of each other. Marjee inquired to the 'come at once call' by saying.
"Why me why not Robert or one of the other…"
"Because you'll look at this objectively instead of trying to deconstruct it in your head, I've got data and object. We need to see if the data describes the object and go from there. Do you understand why I brought you here?"
Marjee understood and accepted Noel's request, after several hours a pair of exhausted minds returned to the surface to find the sun was about to rise. Thanking Marjee for her efforts Noel then said.
"I'll put this narrative into an understandable report send you a copy to proof, and when we're happy drop it in Cassie and the Council's lap… I've seen a lot in my time, you've seen some pretty strange stuff too, but why intelligent beings spend this kind of effort to kill each other is beyond me, and this time, the device not only will kill but it could very well destroy everything… period… One wonders what there is after space itself is gone?"
*********
Lafiel had returned to a sleep state, she knew Scholar had been in her dream but this dream she currently had, had herself questioning her actions on a level she had never experienced before. She saw fault in her previous actions, felt anger at taking the blame for everything. Rising from bed she moved to the mirror in her room. Raising the light enough to see her face in detail she studied herself at length…
Scholar recovered, noticed the message from the ship, opened it read it and knew that something had escaped this world… figuring out how and who would come at a later date… right now she sensed Lafiel was awake but decided to wait for her to come, and not go to her. An hour passed, Scholar had drifted off to sleep, and Lafiel was almost able to approach unannounced when…
"So you're awake… let me have a look at you."
Lafiel was behind Scholar, walked to the front of the room turned and faced her then said.
"I HATE you, but I also must thank you. For now can you please LEAVE so I may find some peace?"
Scholar rose from the chair and exited the Residence, on her way out she informed Saio that Lafiel still needed to be watched but she could not be the one to do that.
"She politely threw me out and… that means I struck a nerve or two but… I'll leave her in good hands if you want me I'm going home."
Scholar left Saio notified Jasmine and Mia of what had transpired… on the porch in the swing an hour later Lafiel exited the Residence saw Saio sitting there, looked around her then sky ward she said…
"I do believe the fog has lifted and the sky is a brilliant blue… can we talk about me?"
It was midday when their conversation ended, a myriad of subjects were covered, and Saio asked how Lafiel was doing to which this was her response
"I'm good, probably for the first time in my adult life… My only regret is Jinto can't see me now, although I feel he always knew this side of me existed. It's going to take me some time to… I was pretty hateful to Scholar, I'll need sometime to finish sorting things out… I think I want to spend some time with your mother in the fields, I think a little honest labor will do me good and although you mother and I don’t actually see eye to eye I do respect her observations. Could you inform Cassie, Shawn and my mother where I am and ask they give me a little space before I see them again?"
Saio said she would, she then contacted Sobbash who welcomed the chance for some 'help' in the fields. Lafiel packed up a few things and headed towards the fields. Saio passed on the message Lafiel had requested and added this.
"Cassie I've never seen this side of your mother before, it's refreshing and a bit scary… I'll have someone watch her at a discrete distance but in my opinion I think she's going to be just fine."
*********
A conference link was established between Ariel, Chitose, Noel and Marjee at her insistence. The subject was the results of the comparison of the ancient data to the device in storage. Marjee had forwarded the information to Chitose, she had shown it to Ariel and the messages between Marjee and those two came fast and furious, it was then Marjee started a link to have a round robin discussion of the facts and the expression of opinions. Several hours a narrative was complied and agreed to by all… Noel was tasked with delivering it to Command, once delivered and reviewed by Cassandra she said.
"This indicates that what you have in storage is a variation of an experiential weapon that Tay's people tried to develop almost two centuries ago… if this proves true does this mean…
"Cassie it means that somewhere someone or ones have found data from a war fought and lost long ago with out knowing the history or results… if we find we have the only example and the Empire truly destroyed the data, then we have to wonder what other examples of that technologies might exist. It boggles my mind to think intelligent beings spend this much effort trying to off one and another…I guess you better forward this to the Council I'd like to know what they have to say about all of this. And then there's Scholar… methinks she knows much more than she's willing to share." Noel said.
To be continued in: The War Ends the Weapons Still Remain
