The Prophesy II
The Empire

By: Mack MacKinnon
(© 2010 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

The year was 3582 GS (Galactic Standard); the Empire was established in the year 2950 GS. It now comprised more than 1,000 inhabited solar systems with twenty-five different species of sentient life. They ranged from monopeds, bipeds, tripeds, and quadrupeds to forms that were literally out of this world. Of the first three types, humanoids were the predominant species. We were at war with five of the other species due to our expansionism and their aggressive retaliation.

Bryce Anderson, a humanoid, from Nova 159, was sitting in the command chair of his ship, Starlord’s Revenge, as it sat in orbit over Acadia. He was a strikingly handsome human of the original stock. Black/blue hair and almond shaped blue eyes, he was twenty-eight years old and had a build that would make most women weak at the knees and turn a lot of men’s heads.

Bryce was perplexed over the readings he had received through the scan of the planet; a major power burst that looked like fireworks over the Academy, was followed by a massive energy wave. The screens had gone blank on his ship when it happened and Bryce wanted to know what could have caused the freakish surge from such a localized area

“Computer, analyze, what just happened? Is there any residual effect to the area or this ship?”

The computer responded, “Captain, what we experienced was an overload of data but our information screens are reset and back in working condition. It was a psychic wave that seems to have had an unusual effect of reaching into phase and pulling a very large object from the phased area. The object has replaced the original Academy building, but appears to be of much more ancient design. There is nothing left of the original building, except for those built within the last two hundred years, which were not part of the main foundation. Where we were reading only nine life signatures, we are now reading five hundred ninety seven humans and a lot of livestock.”

Starlord’s Revenge was a Class 8 frigate, and was automatically battle-ready with all turrets aimed at the Academy.  The planet was rated a Class ‘IV’ on development scale so was unaware of exactly how large the empire was. Humans were the only species that exhibited any measurable magical levels, so the inhabitants of this planet were all human, and the humans for the most part were kept unawares of the vastness and complexity of the Empire. A Class 8 frigate was usually proscribed from landing on such a world, but with that energy burst that wiped his screens, Bryce was required by law to determine if a threat existed.

Bryce said to his crew, “All right guys and gals, we are going in to land at the star port.  We must leave the uniforms behind, don Acadian Standard costume and find out how this energy was released, and why it jeopardized this ship.” 

He contacted ground control (which had not even been aware of their presence in orbit) that he would be landing under orders of Empire Investigative Services. Before they could lock onto the ship’s signature, the camouflage cloak was enabled and they represented a Class 2 frigate on the screens at ground side.  

“Okay, Mr Emery, prepare for Atmospheric Insertion and land this baby on the star port.”

“Aye, aye Captain, preparing for Atmospheric Insertion. All hands, strap in. Atmospheric Insertion on my mark. Mark. Atmospheric Insertion has been completed; we should be landing at the coordinates in fifteen minutes.”

Then the ship’s computer took over the functions as there were too many variables involved for a human to actually land the ship. Even when they landed, they still looked like a Class 2, more than half the size they actually were.

Bryce then asked “Okay, who wants to investigate this energy burst from the Academy?” Nobody came forward.

“All right, that means you get nominated by me! Mr Spider, Mr Hatchet, Mr Rose and Mr Garland, meet me at the exit ramp. I want your side arms camouflaged.”

Bryce made his way to his quarters, where he was greeted by his mate, Les. Les was a handsome blonde, blue-eyed male human of twenty-two years who had been with Bryce less than two years.

Les excitedly asked, “Can I come with you?”

Bryce thought about it and where he was going, and decided, “Yes, get out of ship’s uniform and have the replicators make two outfits for us in the Acadian style.”

Les got right to it and less than five minutes later, there were two outfits, including underwear and boots that matched with Acadian standard.

“Underwear? What’s with this?” Bryce asked.

Les just looked lost and said “It was included in the ‘standard’ package.”

Bryce stated he was not wearing it, and Les’ smile lit up the room.

“Good, that means, I don’t have to wear it either!” he exclaimed.

Bryce thought for a moment about how endowed his lover was and said, “It might be better if you wore it as we don’t want to bring too much attention to ourselves and you are mightily hung, my love!”

Les giggled as he was apt to do and slipped on the briefs that came with the package. Once they were both dressed, Bryce surveyed them in the mirror and was glad he had asked Les to wear the underwear as the pants he had were skin-tight and Les would have looked like a dock-working hustler. As it was, Bryce was showing more than he expected and he, too, decided to slip on his briefs as well.

“So much for bodily freedom, we want to blend in, not draw attention to ourselves.”

Bryce said over the intercom to Spider, Hatchet, Rose and Garland “Use the underwear that came with the outfit.”

Rose flashed back, “I don’t know how to work this contraption for my breasts.”

Bryce replied, “Les will be there in a second to assist you.”

Dead air, oh great, tension again about his mate. He thought to himself, ‘Fuck, when can I get the crew I want?’

Bryce, himself, went to Rose’s quarters and when she opened the door, she saw the look on his face. Rose meekly backed down and allowed Bryce to figure out that the breasts went into the cups, the arms went through the hooped straps and the whole was secured on her back by the thick strap that went under the cups.

He huffed when he had it figured out and said, “You are a Class ‘A’ strategist and can’t figure out a bra? What help are you going to be on the surface?” Rose blushed and mumbled something about never having had to wear such a contraption before.

“What, I was told you were rated for Class IV planets? And you are homophobic as well. You were informed when you signed up, what the requirements were for your position and that homophobia would not be tolerated on this cruise. You are confined to quarters for the duration and will be let off at the next Class V planet we encounter.

“Computer, this is Captain Bruce Ryerson. I hereby remove all privileges and rank from Rose McFarlane. Computer, please do a scan of Rose McFarlane to determine if she is humanoid.”

Whirls and clicks could be heard from outside Rose’s quarters and Bryce automatically had his stunner in his hand set to kill. The noise he had heard he recognized as Qujannis, the language of a race of insectoid intelligence that was at war with the Empire.  Rose started morphing and enlarging until she stooped at her ten foot insectoid height. The height within the quarters was only eight feet. Bryce shot her four times in the abdomen, the softest part of her exoskeleton. Four shots against a humanoid would cause disintegration; against an insectoid, it caused paralysis. 

Bryce quickly turned as he heard the door slid open and fired again, another insectoid entered, unphased by the shot and started to advance upon Bryce. He quickly let off three more shots and this one was paralysed as well. Bryce screamed at the computer to seal the hatch to Rose’s quarters, which spliced another insectoid in half length-wise.

He then commanded “Computer to go to OPT 1! Authorization: Alpha1Beta2Epislon0.” This commanded the computer to scan and neutralize every non-human on board.

Bryce instructed “Computer, contact Defence Headquarters and inform them of the situation on this ship.”

It turned out that more than fifty percent of the crew were insectoid, and thirty percent were non-humanoid, in another of the war factions. 

Bryce asked the computer, “Why were they not scanned when they first boarded at Sigmus VI?” The computer stated, “There was an Override in place from Defence HQ that such scans were unethical.”

Bryce stormed out of Rose’s quarters, and stepping over the newly revealed enemy within his ship, he made his way to the landing exit. No one was standing there. Bryce asked the computer, “Where is Les’ location?”

The computer said, “To your left about three feet.”

There was a gross yellow blob settling onto the surface.

Bryce started to cry, but quickly regained control of himself. ‘Time for mourning will come later,’ he thought to himself. He couldn’t believe how much he had been fooled by Les; he thought he had been loved like never before. He thought that Les was his soul mate, as only humans have that capacity for love.

And there was a Juanquit on the deck instead of his mate.

The brig on his frigate was not large enough to hold the enemy. He decided that the recreation hall would have to be transfigured into a brig.

Bryce asked the computer, “Who the heck is left of my crew?” The computer replied by spouting out names Bryce hardly recognized, as they were in such low profile positions. He sent a ship wide announcement that they had been boarded by the enemy in their last port and that the situation had been contained. Everyone was to start on the Command Deck and continue to the lower decks in a methodical manner and remove any body that was lying on the deck(s) to the recreation centre.

Before they began to move the bodies, Bryce requested that the computer scan the life forms again to see which ones were alive. Only the Qujanns were alive. He had the computer disintegrate the Juanquits once they had determined which crew had been impersonated, and place a force field around the recreation area, and identify who the Qujanns had impersonated. 

As the computer compiled the data, it also contacted Sigmus VI to verify if that person was present on the planet or reported dead. Planetary Defence signalled back that all said persons were not present on the planet and reported to be aboard Starlord’s Revenge.

The computer, in the captain’s name, forwarded the information that they had been infiltrated by the enemy and those people it had queried were impersonated on the ship by the Qujanns and Janquits.  Planetary Defence forwarded this information to Command Defence HQ. They also initiated a thorough planetary search for the missing crew members. Their remains along with many others were found in a deserted brothel that had catered to space crews, both men and women. The other remains were found to be crew members of fourteen other frigates, battle cruisers and destroyers. Word was sent to the Captains on those ships to separate those crews from the rest and isolate in their recreation areas with force fields.

The computer demanded Bryce’s presence on the bridge as there was an incoming communication from Command Defence HQ, known locally as Empire Investigative Services. Bryce was in his command chair within two minutes and told the computer to connect with the transmission from HQ.

Commodore General Harquarts’ stern expression came onto the screen as he screamed, “What the hell is going on, on that ship, Captain Anderson?”

“Well sir, it appears that eighty percent of my crew was impersonated before they boarded the ship and a standing order required the computer not to scan them as they boarded. That command came from HQ!”

Commodore General Harquarts turned to his staff and demanded to know what Captain Anderson was talking about. Bryce stood up in shock as he saw most of the command staff morph into Qujann and Juanquit enemies armed to the teeth. He saw Commodore General Harquarts gunned down and then the transmission was cut.

“Computer, try to raise Imperial Command HQ” Bryce cried out. All that appeared on the screen was static, as if a connection were present, but there was nothing to receive.

Bryce quickly had the computer put him in contact with the Commander of Sigmus VI station and relayed the disturbing news of HQ. Commander Ashton responded, “Bryce, fourteen other ships have been infiltrated, but they have been able to contain the enemy.”

Commander Ashton took control of the situation and requested that all the captains disintegrate the enemies they had on their ships. There was no way of extracting information from their enemies as no known pain receptors existed in their genetic makeup. Bryce requested that the computer comply with the order and send maintenance bots in to clear up the ash remains.

Bryce called the remaining crew to the bridge. Once they were all assembled, he asked them to identify themselves and give a brief description of what duties they had ever preformed on another vessel, and what their current duties were. He quickly was able to crew the command stations and other strategic posts. The remaining crew had been well educated in the operations of a frigate, but as the higher positions were not available when they signed on, they took what they could get as they wanted to ship with the renowned Captain Anderson.

Bryce informed the crew about the orders to eliminate the enemy on their ship, which was met with a heartfelt sigh from the assembled crew.  The force field had been lifted from the recreation area and the maintenance bots were able to do their jobs. Bryce put it out to the crew that he needed volunteers to explore the Academy and determine what had happened. Every one of them stepped forward, which had Bryce laughing.

“Good old human curiosity wins again; okay, not everyone can go; we need people to remain on board to man the stations and insure that the ship has not been compromised in any other capacity. The computer will run a level 10 system diagnostic, and I need people to examine all the crawl spaces on this ship for any foreign objects. “

“So, here is the new roster; Navigation Officer – Crewman Jope Cantrell, Communications Officer – Crewman Margaret Goddard, Tactical Officer – Crewman Juan Ramerez, Chief Engineer – Crewman Filas Lowell, Landing Party 1 – Crewman Ramero Alverez – male 24 – Weapons specialist – Sigmus VI, Crewman Anthony Hopkins – male 24 – Weapons specialist – Sigmus VI, Crewman Donald Anderson – male 30 – Mage level 4 Telepath – Sigmus VI, Crewman Melvin Burtt – male 37 – Reconnaissance  Specialist – Sigmus VI.  All other crewman will start the investigation of the crawl spaces; once we are back from the Academy, we will assign you to your new posts,” Bryce stated. 

“Now, Landing Party 1, go to your quarters and don the Acadian ‘standard’ costume, including underwear (many laughs were heard from the rest of the crew) and meet at Exit 3 in the bow, ship level 9. I expect you there in fifteen minutes; now hustle your buns!”

With cheers, wolf-calls and applause, the four members of the landing team ran out of the command centre and to their quarters, which, luckily for them, was on level 8. The transport tube had them deposited to their level in a matter of seconds. Once attired in their outfits and with their side-arms in camo-mode, they hustled to the appropriate Exit. Captain Bryce had beaten them to it as he was already dressed for the landing.

“Good time, gentlemen; now let’s see what the hell happened here.”

After exiting the ship, Bryce led the four-man team to the Ground Control Centre and requested transport to the Academy. A large Land Rover was brought from the transport pool and the driver remained stationed behind the wheel. Bryce got into the front seat with him, while the four others took up the remaining seats in the back, all facing forwards.

Bryce asked the driver his name. “Corpsman Tony Alexander, Sir!” was the reply.

“Well, Mr Alexander, how long will it take us to get to the Academy from here?”

“Approximately 30 minutes, Sir!”

“At ease, Corpsman Alexander; we tend to be a lot more casual than your squad.” Bryce tried to place the corpsman at ease as he was wired up like a rocket expecting to launch at any moment. Bryce placed his left hand gently on the corpsman’s right shoulder and had him almost jump out of his seat,

“Calm down, Corpsman! Take a long deep breath and let it out slow and easy. Now another, and continue this until your adrenaline has reduced to normal level,” Bryce said in a relaxed manner.

The corpsman, slowly starting to relax, put the Land Rover in gear and slowly started to accelerate towards the main gate. They were stopped at the main gate while the guards confirmed identities with Ground Control and let them proceed. The highway beyond the gate was made of a concrete type material and was in extremely good condition. Bryce made a comment about this and the corpsman replied,

“With the assistance of the Earth Magi at the Academy, all roads are made of the same material and it will never age. It was expensive, but the Academy has to do many things to make the money to feed them and pay for electricity. They are responsible for the infrastructure on the entire planet and there has never been loss of electricity or any other commodity since they supplied the materials. They are amazing with what they can work with.”

Thirty minutes later, they passed the ornate gate and entered the grounds of the Academy. It was immediately apparent that the main building was of an older style than the accompanying buildings, a style that none had seen except in old archaeology vids about architecture styles on old Earth. The main building was done in an overblown “Romanesque” style, while the remaining buildings were of a “Renaissance” style. As the Land Rover approached the entrance, the great doors opened and ten people emerged. The Council of Magi, Phoenix, Alexis and Headmaster Undawa stood at the top of the steps and watched the vehicle come to a stop. They saw five people get out in regular dress, though the vehicle clearly showed that it was from Ground Control.

Magus Ronnenburg addressed the group on the ground, “Good evening gentlemen; to what do we owe the honour of your presence this evening? If I am not mistaken, I notice that a graduate of the Academy is one of your members. Hello Mage Anderson; can you explain why you are here?”

Crewman Donald Anderson, who was required by Empire regulations to drop his title of Mage, stepped forward and briefly glanced at Bryce. Bryce gave him the “go ahead” shake of his head and Anderson turned to face the President of the Council of Magi.

“Magus Ronnenburg, may I present Captain Bryce Anderson of the frigate Starlord’s Revenge. Captain Anderson, may I present Magus Ronnenburg, the President of the Circle of Magi.”

“Without sounding impetuous, may I suggest, Sir, we adjourn to the Library as there is much to discuss that should not be spoken of in public?”

Ronnenburg showed his agreement. The remaining people at the top of the stairs turned and proceeded to enter the doorway, and Bryce’s team quickly made it up the steps and joined Ronnenburg. They entered the great doors and stood gasping at the monumental Great Hall.

“This way, please, gentlemen,” Ronnenburg suggested by indicating the direction with his right arm.

Once seated around an ancient wood table, and having cleared the Library of all others, Bryce got right to the topic at hand.

“Magus Ronnenburg, and gentlemen, we are here to investigate a phenomenal amount of power that came from this Academy just over four hours ago. We were parked in an orbit about the planet and it wiped our sensory displays. When everything came back on board, we found that the original nine people had increased to five hundred ninety-seven, when there should actually be over ten thousand people present on these grounds.”

Magus Ronnenburg said, “Let me first introduce to you the two men who are responsible for what you experienced and then we can give you the background on The Prophesy. Phoenix Guinette and Prince Alexis Chochu, please stand.”  Phoenix stood, waved his hand and introduced himself, followed by Alexis doing the same, then both men sat down again. 

Magus Ronnenburg then went on to explain to Bryce and the rest of his crew the meaning behind The Prophesy and the resulting conclusion of The Prophesy. Bryce was stunned that that amount of power had been generated by two seventeen-year-olds. Ronnenburg went on to explain that the remaining ten thousand apprentices and teachers were at the Hidden Academy on the other side of the planet for safety reasons as they did not know how The Prophesy would end and that the two gentlemen are Class 6 Magus and had just finished their testing before the incident. 

Bryce asked when the ten thousand had been evacuated from the buildings and Ronnenburg explained that it was about six months earlier.  

“I was wondering why our instruments would not pick up on the transportation of that many people,” Bryce mentioned. “We did not take up station keeping orbit until two months ago, but no mention was made by the previous ship of such an event occurring.”  

Ronnenburg informed Bryce that this was because their transportation system was shielded from all outside sources and could only have been recorded by instruments within the Academy itself.  

“You will not be able to notice when the ten thousand return until the life signs show up on your scanners,” he concluded. 

Bryce then explained that The Empire was at war and had been severely infiltrated by the enemy. Shocked expressions showed on all faces as they had been kept in the dark about most of The Empire. Bryce explained about the type of aliens they were dealing with and requested the aid of any magi who were graduating.  

“We understand that you know nothing about space science and would feel at a loss once on board our ships, but your help will be essential in re-establishing the lines of command and in evaluating any other situations where we are unable to scan with regular equipment on board ship,” Bryce pleaded his case.  

Sigmus VI was going to be in for a big shock if they decided to help. 

Headmaster Undawa of the Ancient Academy stated, “All my apprentices had long since graduated and will be available for the war effort. The one thing I must make clear is that magi cannot take life.  The only case that would override this rule would be if the magi were threatened, then he/she could use magic to get out of the situation.”  

Bryce informed him, “We are aware of this restriction because of Crewman Anderson.”  

Bryce also told him, “We can easily hold that many on my ship for transport to Sigmus VI and redistribution to the other ships of the fleet.”  

Headmaster Ajani also stated that… “I have over a hundred magi who are ready for graduation and then would be ready to join in the fleet.”   

Bryce asked, “How long will this would take?”  

Ajani stated, “About one week.”  

Bryce said, “We can wait that long and take them all at the same time.” 

Headmaster Ajani asked, “Just how much of your crew was impersonated?” 

Bryce replied, “Over eighty percent on my ship alone; it is about the same amount on the other fourteen ships that we are aware of.”

“Luckily, I was able to fill most positions with the remaining crew—as they had been through Space Academy—and are well aware of all aspects of running a frigate. I just have to replace my Executive Officer. This will be difficult as no one on board has held that position, so I’ll just have to wait and see who progresses fast enough to fill those shoes.”

“Will you and your ship be staying on the star field, or will you be returning to orbit?” Magus Ronnenburg asked.

“We will be grounded until your people are ready to join us. We will move the ship from the star field and place it on your commons with plenty of room and no damage to buildings, unless you have underground rooms that will not support the weight of the ship.”

“No problem there, the bedrock in this area is just inches below the grass, and there are no rooms below the commons that we are aware of,” replied Ajani.

“We’ll do a quick scan before setting down, just to make sure,” stated Bryce.

“So, gentlemen, we will return to the ship now, if there are no further matters to discuss at this time.”

All agreed that everything had been covered for the present and they would quickly make the arrangements for the graduation to occur and have those magi transported back to the Academy.

Once back on board, Bryce requested that the Communications Officer launch probes to orbit the planet as they would be staying ground side. Bryce retired to his quarters and allowed himself the leisure of grieving for Les. He gathered up a shirt that Les had been wearing earlier that day and took a deep whiff from the fabric. ‘How could a Juanquit duplicate the very pheromones?’ He threw away the shirt in disgust and slumped onto his bed with his head in his hands. There was just not enough known about the enemy.

Phoenix and Alexis had gone to their suite in the basement. They sat in the living room drinking a glass of the special wine that had helped them earlier to get over their inhibitions. They were facing each other, Phoenix was in a wing-backed chair and Alexis was on the couch.

“So, where do we go from here?” Phoenix timidly asked of his new lover.

“I guess we go with Captain Anderson, but I want us to stay together, now that we have found each other. I cannot imagine a day without you in my life,” stated Alexis, strongly.

“Really? So the rapport was not in my imagination? You really do feel those things for me as I do for you?” replied Phoenix who was looking up with a million-watt smile on his face and blazing from his beautiful eyes.

“I hid nothing from you when we went into rapport. I gave you everything I had, to show you how much I love you,” replied a blushing Alexis.

“It is just going to take a little time for me to get over the straight/gay issue as things between us moved so fast today,” commented Alexis, bashfully looking down at his sandals.

“Let’s take this back to the bedroom so I can show you how much I love you, Alexis,” stated Phoenix. Then, placing his wine glass on the coffee table, he got up from his chair and reached out for Alexis’ hand to lead him to the bedroom.

They emerged hours later, fully sated. 

“Let’s talk to Captain Anderson and see how soon he wants us aboard. I like him and would prefer that we remain on his ship; we might be able to give him an edge that the enemy cannot beat,” said Alexis.

They went to the school system and requested direct access to a communications channel to Starlord’s Revenge. Access was immediately granted and soon they were speaking with Bryce.

“Come on over now. I will have appropriate quarters made up for you,” stated Bryce.

“Computer, please ready quarters for Phoenix Guinette and Alexis Chochu. They will be together and give them a queen sized bed,” commanded Bryce.

“Already taken care of, Captain,” replied the computer. “Action was taken as soon as it was apparent that they were speaking with you.”

Posted: 09/17/10