Talokta sat in his study thinking about the last sequence of events and his next few moves. After an in depth talk with Kate, he had relayed his full, detailed report and briefly discussed the events at hand with his leader.
When Kate had done her disappearing act on Marone’s ship, Kalvich had noted that his stone had followed suit, by turning invisible. He knew the same had happened to the other stones that were secured in Talokta’s temporary quarters. Remarkably, it seemed a physical connection was not needed. However, she could not repeat her disappearing act for Talokta. She had warned Talokta that she knew this was only a temporary measure.
“She is telling the truth, that was part of the process,” Kalvich remarked. But that was all he said, and did not go into detail as to how his parents had stepped in to help her. To Talokta, there was no denying that something amazing had happened on Marone’s ship.
Ironically, the only part Kate left out of her report was the elderly couple’s visit and how she had tuned into them. She felt, for their kindness, she did not want to involve them, to keep it her little secret. But the old couple could not hide what they had done from their son. Kalvich was quietly grateful for their intrusion, which had given Kate a small insight into what she was capable of, and he added fuel to her lagging confidence. He smugly knew none of the other Elders, including Zakaroid would know of their actions. They would not like the idea that Kalvich’s own parents had told the Chosen One that it was imperative she fight against evil. They would be severally punished for interfering, no matter how they justified it.
On the down side, it was plainly obvious to Kalvich that Kate still did not trust his Commander enough to confide everything she had experienced to him. That would have to be dealt with. It was imperative she received preparation for what was before her.
When Talokta questioned Kate about the destruction of her beautiful gown she told him Marone got angry over her desire to go back to his ship for her team mates’ sake and shot her. Talokta went berserk, almost giving the order to destroy Marone’s ship. But Kate quickly convinced him to wait. Besides, she had managed to utilize her gift to heal herself. So, in effect, she had been given some form of temporary immortality, which she described as change of form.
Talokta looked thoughtful as he read over the transcript of her report.
“He wants to over throw your Supreme Ruler, I read his mind.” The sooner he got her to Heliostronus the better. He knew his master would have gone over every inch of his report and would have plans lined up.
Talokta could see the vital traits of loyalty she had deep down with the fact that she would go to any lengths to save her friends. That part of her humanity could be useful towards the Trimadians’ benefit.
Nevertheless, Talokta still had orders to get rid of Marone and Manutaai. He was going to get a lot of satisfaction from this, especially now. It was important to destroy his enemy discreetly. His plan was to activate the poison in Manutaai’s blood stream in approximately five hours, when the ships were well clear of each other. Wait a few light years away, blow up Manutaai and at least badly cripple Marone’s ship. Naturally, being the closest in the vicinity he would return to investigate the “disturbance” and rescue any survivors.
He would claim the remainder of the fleet to join his own. He wanted Marone all for himself, but if he was killed, so be it. There was no guarantee of loyalty to any new, incoming Leader if defeat had taken place on a battleground. This way was better, as it would not look like he was responsible.
Kalvich encouraged Talokta to keep Kate as relaxed as possible and let her have a basic free rein on the ship, including visiting her team.
“You watch, she will start trusting in you. Take off the restrictions and give her little bits of information about our home world, the Trimadian culture. Do it subtly. Now things have settled down, I’m sure her natural curiosity will shine forth. If she wants her stones back, give them to her, but she has to ask for them.”
As an added precaution, Talokta made sure she was escorted wherever she went. That kidnapping incident had thrown him and left him more than uncomfortable.
Kate had indeed requested to Talokta if she could have her stones back.
“The real ones?” he had enquired, with a slight rise of his eyebrows.
“Yes, please.” She smiled back, blushing at the insinuation.
When she was allowed to visit her colleagues again, within their new quarters they all shared, she was pleased to see it was a damn sight nicer than the prisoner cells. They definitely were being treated better and given tastier food (with no bugs, to Tremaine’s relief), fresh water, and allowed to bathe.
Kate, relaxed dressed in jeans and t shirt, had her feet up chatting away to them. For the moment, she did not want them to know she was on reasonable terms with Talokta, they may not understand. In her mind, she was keeping her enemy close to learn more about this incredible race and perhaps draw out some answers about where she fitted in. She made it a rule to keep her mind clear around him, to guard against her true intentions of escape.
She noted how Pete seemed withdrawn from the others, and hardly spoke.
Sataal was totally devastated over Manutaai. He was depressed and had lost the spark that was in his eyes. He shook his head slowly. “All this time. I have been betrayed by my second in command, and worse, my closest friend. He is the reason for all this and the devastation of my people. I only suspected something was going on when we talked to him last. He mentioned he knew some contacts on board. Only I have first hand knowledge of all contacts on the enemy ships, and there is not many, none on Talokta’s own ship. That is when I knew something was wrong. I apologize profusely my friends.”
Kate felt sorry for Sataal and his men. Their rebellion was basically finished. “I’m sorry too. I don’t know what happened to Manutaai. I couldn’t care less what happens to him. He’ll get his come uppance. The Trimadian’s want to deal with him for his actions, if he is not already dead.”
Kate briefly informed them of her encounter with Marone, but kept her shooting incident out of it. Her team members had decided now that Kate was definitely on a quest and that planning any form of escape at this stage was out of the question.
“I won’t give up on finding a way home though,” she firmly emphasized.
“I believe the Trimadians were setting up our capture all along, and were targeting you. Earth’s surrender was a bluff.” Mason observed. “They have plans for you, Kate.”
“Yes, I think we are here for the long haul, best not to antagonize these guys and see what happens,” Tremaine quietly said. He looked at Pete who seemed distracted, drifting away from them. Probably missing Mother Earth. These quests were definitely not for the faint hearted, which he considered him to be.
“All I know at this point is we are heading to their home planet, Heliostronus,” Kate added.
Sataal groaned. “As I suspected, we are going to be slaves in the mines. Why else would they keep us alive? I’m sure they will have something extra special for me.”
Kate cast her mind back and was piecing together little bits of information she had gathered. “Talokta states his master back home is anxious to meet with me. It is all very intriguing.”
“But he never told you specifically why?” asked Mason.
“Maybe swap intergalactic fuckin’ recipes or new and improved torture techniques?” Tremaine stated contemptuously.
Kate ignored him. “I need to find out all I can about this master, and where I figure in. I know Marone didn’t like him and wanted to get one over on him. He factors in my visions too, well, I think it is him but all I see is a face in shadows. Oh well, at least I have my two stones back.”
Sataal stared at the stones around her neck and swallowed hard as the truth unveiled itself. Why had he not seen it earlier? Too wrapped up in his affairs more like? He should have seen the bigger picture. Kalvich, the history of the Trimadians on Earth, Queen Leah and the alchemist’s prophecy, the
legendary stones and their powers–it all fitted. But if he recalled the story, that all happened six thousand years ago. Was this human woman? He felt a shiver down his spine.
He knew very little about Kalvich, who preferred to keep out of the limelight. Talokta was his front man. Maybe he never saw it, as he was a man of science and refused to believe in Trimadian fed tales they had instilled in him as a boy. Kalvich was the epitome of evil, well known for subtle trickery. Oh, God, he had to warn her.
“Kate listen to me. Kalvich is the self appointed, enigmatic Trimadian leader, believed to be immortal,” Sataal stated, deliberately keeping his voice even. “Oh, Kate, the connection. It never occurred to me what is happening, what is culminating as I speak. If you are, I mean…wow!”
“Well, for God’s sake, man, tell me!”
“A while ago, before you visited Ahmadeus, Pete casually asked me if there was any connection between a queen with powers and the Trimadian invasion of your planet thousands of years ago. Of course that is an ancient legendary story told to all Cantals by our oppressors.” He paused, thinking about what he should say next, and glanced over at Pete for him to chime in, but he was in his own world and appeared to take no notice.
“When I first met you, it never really occurred that you were, err, connected by a stone. Pete could not elaborate because he was under an oath of secrecy. I don’t know how to break this to you Kate, though I think you have seen or felt enough signs to know what I am about to tell you is the truth. Kalvich wants you–well, wants Queen Leah. To rule with him. He wants your stones, your power and you.”
Kate sat back and digested his words. She thought it strange that Pete never delved into details about Kalvich. He must have had a theory or two, but perhaps he was protecting her or her sanity. To hear this out loud, and from an alien, made her stomach go queasy.
Rule what exactly, she thought.
Sataal was rubbing his temples. Deep in thought, he continued, “It all fits. Being a scientist, I never really believed in the Trimadian legend that was force fed propaganda. The stones are, according to Trimadian legend, called the Trinity Peak, a total of three blessed bloodstones, created by Cemel the alchemist for his queen.
“Three stones?” Kate’s face went pale.
“Kalvich must have a stone in his possession and is somehow using it to communicate to you through your visions. Also, by the look of things, your reincarnated memory is getting tangled up with your present day memory. By Zakaroid! He’s been waiting a long time.”
Mason rubbed his skull in thought. “Meeting us…Divisions…can’t be all a coincidence? I feel you, have been manipulated.”
She nodded slowly. “So he has one stone and as of late I had mine and the one that OBF had. The Trinity Peak.”
So the Trimadians have all three. What are the implications of that?
An icy cold fear gripped at Kate. “Okay, I’m a big girl. Can you give me the big picture? Call me a bit of a skeptic, but am I meant to turn into some sort of religious icon, a god and rule the universe or something?” She let out a nervous laugh.
Sataal’s dark eyes looked serious. “Yes or something.”
Kate’s voice was hoarse when she said “Please, tell me I’m dreaming, or at least you’re kidding me.”
Sataal’s silence and pain filled eyes told her enough. She calmed herself down as much as she could, given the circumstances.
In a whisper, she said, “I get the impression Kalvich is not a very nice person.”
Sataal continued, as the memories came flooding back from his Trimadian boyhood. He could oust the Cathexistome from his body, but never the memories and the education he had received.
“Few have ever laid eyes on him, for many years he has become somewhat of a recluse. I only saw him a couple of times when I spent some time on Heliostronus. Most of my time was on the Empyream ship. I only really know him by reputation. He is a much feared individual.” He looked unwaveringly at her. “Legend has it, well according to the Trimadian’s propaganda version of the invasion of Graffa is that Kalvich fell in love with Leah and was attacked by Leah’s husband Sidonio in a fit of jealousy. During the struggle, he killed Sidonio right in front of Leah. Though it was unintentional, Leah did not see it that way and she became bitter enemies with him and the Trimadians. Sadly, she and her people became the Trimadian’s slaves. He wanted you–sorry, her–as his own queen, like a trophy. But it was more than that. I don’t know many details. But it was all part of an enigmatic prophecy that began before she was born. Legend stated Leah was destined to have her own great powers, to be a leader in the mortal world. She was known as the Chosen One, tied in with the gods. I believe Cemel her alchemist was appointed her guardian and was honing her for some form of evolution or link for the human race. Little is known about Cemel, but he had plans for the queen. However, Kalvich came along, and interfered with those plans. At the time of the Trimadian invasion, she was ill prepared, innocent. He looked sadly at Kate. “Perhaps like you are now, Kate.”
“Now gods, being almighty beings, exist in a different plane from ours. Able to observe, they do not directly interact with their subjects, unless they need to and usually very discretely. Leah naturally showed traits of special powers using her mind, and Cemel had fashioned three bloodstones for her. She was very popular with her subjects, they worshipped her, and not just because of her inherent powers. She was tangible. She could walk among her loyal people, and they could reach out and touch her. She was kind and very special, though I am not sure if she was immortal as she was ultimately killed. Killed before her quest could be fully realized! That is all I really know, apart from the fact that it was instilled in all Trimadians she would rise again and empower the Trimadian race.”
Kate’s heart pounded in her chest. His description was just like her vision. The blast almost killing her, being implanted by Kalvich, and then her life ended.
She felt annoyed.
“It is so damn amazing that the Cantals, the Trimadians‑friggin’ aliens‑have this knowledge and all we humans have is a book with a brief blurb and a picture of Leah and a page or two dedicated to this. Yet, nothing has ever been taught in history at schools. It’s like it was all meant to be hidden away!” Kate bit her lip to stop any possibility of tears.
She looked at Pete, angry he had not even acknowledged her. “Looks like that book you showed me was no fairy tale, but so sadly lacking the details. This is real Pete. That drawing of it is all real.”
He just looked blankly at her.
Upset, she gazed at Sataal. “I guess I believe you to a point, my visions confirm some of what you have said. Perhaps this reincarnated mind is struggling to compete with mine. I don’t think I wanted an answer to my question as I already know the answer.” With that, Kate quietly excused herself from everyone. She felt their eyes burning into her.
Sataal looked confused. Mason patted him on the back “You just confirmed what she is getting herself into, and you have no reason to lie. She’s upset and did not like hearing the truth.”