Chapter Eleven
Mabraant, Mabra System, Fazaal Sector, Gaashox Quadrant
The shuttle boarding ramp extended slowly, the locks had engaged and the hydraulics hissed as the pressure was released. A group of people dressed in fine clothing appeared at the doorway, paused to look round before walking down the ramp. Prince Petron, who was dressed in plain black flight clothes, disembarked from the second shuttle and stood beside his father.
The Droleesan Governor greeted them with a courteous bow. “Welcome to Drolees, Your Highnesses. I am Governor Posser and am at your service,” he said in his most polite manner.
“Thank you Governor Posser,” said the prince. “I am Prince Petron Grolak, and my father King Herodas, Queen Aprodias, Prince Karlin and Prince Ladarn,” he said indicating each in turn.
The Governor gave another bow. “Your Highnesses, it is a great pleasure to receive you on our planet. I do hope you will enjoy your stay here.” It had been a long time since he had welcomed such important people to Drolees.
“I am sure we will,” replied the Prince. “Now, I would like to meet the pilots of Kopaz Squadron before we do anything else. Then, once we have settled in, we will meet again and discuss other more pressing matters.”
“Certainly, Your Highness.” The Governor turned to one of his aides and gave a single nod.
The aide rushed off to locate the pilots, finding them already approaching Alpha complex accompanied by Captain Larantian. He led them straight to the docking bay where the Royal Family would be waiting for them. Pushing his way through the crowd that had gathered to see the royal visitors, the aide presented Grogaan and his friends to the Royal Family.
“Ah, Commander. I am so pleased to meet you at last,” said Prince Grolak.
“The pleasure is mine Your Highness. Squadron Leader Grogaan Learman at your service,” he replied bowing courteously. “My friends, Zaack Frerant, Kopaz Two, Doraant Gerax, Kopaz Three, and Eldaan Klarmass, Kopaz Four,” he said indicating each in turn.
“You and your friends are outstanding pilots, Commander Learman.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. It is nice to be appreciated, but we do it because we love the exhilaration more than anything else.”
“Does the thought of death not affect you?”
“It inspires me to fly harder and better than my enemy, to protect my friends, and defend those who require it.”
The Prince was surprised. He had only ever met a few pilots who regarded flying as more than a vocation. “You are a rare breed Squadron Leader Learman, one who will achieve much. May I ask which model starfighter you are flying?”
“They’re second generation Manta Class Interceptors, upgraded and modified above standard specifications. I’d be pleased to show you the modifications we’ve made if you wish, Your Highness.”
“I may take you up on that offer, after we have dealt with our primary business of course.” The Prince turned to face his parents. “Father, mother, may I present Squadron Leader Grogaan Learman, Commander of Kopaz Squadron from Mabraant and his colleagues.”
Grogaan and the others bowed in acknowledgement, and Petron’s parents greeted and thanked him for their efforts.
When the formalities were over, the pilots of Kopaz Squadron returned to their ships while the Royal Family was shown to the Royal Suite at the Dresant Hotel, the finest and most luxurious hotel on the planet.
Three young pilots were standing next to Grogaan’s ship, waiting for the squadron to return to the docking bay. When Doraant saw them, he dropped his hand to cover the hilt of his blaster and released the holster flap.
Grogaan sensed Doraant’s apprehension, and then noticed the young men standing by his ship. He detected no negative intent or raised emotions in the area, and for reasons beyond his comprehension, knew they could be trusted. “Ease up Doraant. They won’t cause any trouble, not here anyway.”
“How can you be so sure?” he demanded.
“Trust me.”
The three men approached cautiously, and the tallest of them stopped in front of Grogaan. “An outstanding performance, Commander. I congratulate you.”
Zaack frowned. “And why would you do such a thing? You don’t know who we are, nor did you see us in action.”
Jedrool smiled. “It’s not only bad news that travels fast here on Drolees, and we heard the commotion at the docking bay. We’ve been waiting many years for someone with the required skills to survive a Krelathan attack when outnumbered, which you did without losing a single ship.”
Grogaan was bemused by his statement. “To what purpose would you be waiting?”
“If you would permit us to buy you a drink, I’ll explain,” said Jedrool.
As Grogaan considered the offer, he felt a strange prompting in his mind telling him he should accept it. He nodded slowly. “Very well.”
Grogaan’s sensory ability was becoming more acute, and he sensed the stranger possessed a calm and confident demeanour, one who rarely became stressed and agitated, and was filled with a sense of purpose in his life. He was unable to shake the notion that destiny had intervened in this situation, but why and for what purpose eluded him.
When the group was finally seated in the quietest corner of the cantina with a round of drinks on the table, Jedrool finally spoke.
“I am Jedrool, and this is Hosrak and Wrenkle. We are from Jestung, the principle planet of the Jestant system in the Poserion Sector.”
“Squadron Leader Grogaan Learman, and my friends, Zaack Frerant, Doraant Gerax and Eldaan Klarmass of Mabraant.”
Jedrool smiled. “We know of Mabraant, and the troubles you’re having with Krelathan pirates. I understand why you’re suspicious of us, but there’s no need to be. We have no ulterior motive for meeting with you, but believe our appearance on this planet at the same time is no coincidence. We’re waiting for a sign that will indicate the arrival of the prophesied one.”
Grogaan crossed his arms and kept looking at Jedrool without making a comment.
“Jestungans are superstitious by nature, and believe the prophecies of our ancestors are an accurate foretelling of what is to come, most of which have come to pass. Many Guardians have hailed from our system, many of whom possessed a unique gift in prophecy.” He mentioned some of those prophecies and linked them to actual events. “There are, however, more prophecies that are yet unfulfilled.”
Grogaan gazed at Jedrool pensively, wondering why he was telling him about prophecies. “So what has this got to do with us?”
“There is an unfulfilled prophecy, one that certain religious elders believe is unfolding now. However, despite what they discern as a promise of peace, they fear this may not come to pass in our lifetime, maybe not for generations. One particularly wise and gifted elder, has linked certain events currently transpiring in the quadrant to this prophecy. Xarasss, the elder, commissioned us to undertake a journey to watch for a sign that would confirm his belief that the one is coming to fulfil his destiny.” Jedrool paused as he pondered the best way to continue, but Zaack interrupted his line of thought.
“What form is this sign supposed to take?” he asked.
“I don’t know for sure. Xarasss suspects the prophecy speaks of more than one person who possesses certain gifts, one of whom I now believe is you.”
As Grogaan listened, he had a vague recollection of something from his past, something that would have a bearing on his future, but he was unable to discern what it was. He focussed his thoughts on when he was a child, hoping it would evoke a relevant memory. While deep in thought, he sensed his friends remained suspicious and sceptical, dismissing all the Jestungan spoke of. He was pleased they kept their opinions to themselves, which proved their respect and trust in him was growing, and outweighed their tendency to speak out of turn.
When nothing was forthcoming, Grogaan broke the silence. “Please continue.”
Jedrool gazed at Grogaan while rubbing his chin. He was curious about this Mabraantan who listened carefully, and obviou
sly pondered everything he was told. “That particular prophecy was written two hundred and nine years ago. It reads:
From beyond the stars will come a warrior,
One from within yet from without.
He comes with few and with many,
He stands alone, yet stands with others:
The bringer of death and of life!
He is of the light and of the dark,
Against the dark he comes with dark and with light.
He is strong and yet he is weak,
With him comes victory and defeat.
The light will diminish and darkness shall prevail,
Then darkness will be consumed by light.
With revelation the Storm Conjurer awakes,
And comes with devastation in his wake,
To destroy the dark and awaken the light.
Peace once again will flow within and without,
And peace will be for all to know.”
While Jedrool spoke, Grogaan rubbed the thumb and forefinger of his left hand across his moustache, tucked his right hand under his left arm and pondered the words of the prophecy. A tingling sensation flowed through his body, images flashed in his mind and memories flooded back to haunt him. It became clear to him that destiny had indeed led them to Drolees. Unfortunately, his concentration was disturbed by Eldaan, who succumbed to the temptation to speak in haste without thinking, and prevented him from discerning anything else.
“That’s just meaningless old writing. It doesn’t even make sense.”
Grogaan glared at his friend and shook his head in disappointment. “No Eldaan, it is not meaningless at all. Do not criticise what you don’t understand, and besides, prophecies only make sense to those who know how to interpret them.”
Everyone looked at Grogaan in complete bewilderment, even Jedrool.
“What! You don’t believe what this fool is saying do you?”
“Whether or not I believe it, Eldaan, or whether or not I will be part of it is inconsequential at this time. I would caution you to hold your tongue, and consider the fact that people have different beliefs. One should not belittle or criticise those beliefs unless one has sufficient grounds to do so.”
Eldaan lowered his head in shame. “I apologise, and won’t do it again.”
Grogaan sighed. “We’ll leave it at that then.” He turned to look at Jedrool. “My father told me this prophecy a long time ago when I was young and foolish: A time when I took little interest in such things.” He recalled a day that seemed to have been such a long time ago, in another lifetime.
“My father believed the prophecy would come to fruition sooner or later, and when the Krelathans began their campaign of terror, he was convinced it had begun. It was one of the primary reasons he agreed to lead many of the attacks against them, and one of the few skilled enough to survive, but even his time ran out in the end. He also persisted in trying to make me understand, but my mind was too caught up in things that were not important or relevant.”
Grogaan sensed and saw how surprised the Jestungans and his friends were at what he revealed. “You probably thought no one else outside your system had ever heard of that particular prophecy, right?”
Jedrool and the others nodded.
“The prophecy had been written down and passed from father to son for many generations, although I do not know how or when it came to be known by my family. I had forgotten about it until hearing you recite it.”
“Then you must be the one spoken of,” said Jedrool.
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying that, but I’ll accept that maybe, and only maybe, I may become involved in the unwinding of the prophecy.” As the words left his mouth, it felt as if someone spoke directly into his mind. He knew the prophecy was unfolding at this very moment, and he would be drawn into it. Grogaan shivered as a strange tingling sensation run from his head, through his shoulder and down to his fingertips, forcing him to hide his hands under the table quickly. He glanced down and saw the same blue sparks dancing at the end of his fingertips. He shuddered again.
“There’s no other explanation. This prophecy is linked to other writings that tell of such mysteries, of how the prophesied one will be foreknown by those who do not know that they know. It is the way of the prophecies of our people.”
Jedrool could see the pain in Grogaan’s eyes, pain caused by the loss of loved ones. How he was able to see this, he did not know, but he knew. “I apologise if our meeting has caused any discomfort, but I know our paths were meant to cross. It’s as if we were being led by destiny and by the power of the astral realm.”
“Apologies are un-necessary. Coincidence or not, our presence has already changed the future, but it must not end here.” Grogaan picked up his tankard and sipped his drink. His gaze was fixed firmly on the Jestungan, but he sensed his friends’ curiosity and wonderment at his revelations.
Jedrool returned Grogaan’s gaze, and after a few moments, nodded. “You will change much Grogaan Learman, of that I am confident.” He knew there was something special about this pilot from Mabraant from the moment he first saw him. Now he was convinced. He could see it in his eyes. He had already seen the pain. Now he saw the anger and the power waiting to assert itself, just as the wise man said it would:
“Watch for a young man, skilful in combat, but in his eyes there will be pain, sorrow, anger, and awesome power. He will be the one who will fulfil the prophecy of our forebears. Mark my words young friend and watch diligently, for in doing so, you too will have an impact on the future of the prophecy and the lives of many in this quadrant.”
“So what do you three expect out of all this?” asked Zaack.
“Nothing,” said Jedrool. “We are of the Brotherhood of the White Eagle and have fulfilled only a small part our destiny. We must return to our home planet to inform our wise elders of our discovery. When that is done, we will follow the path destiny has set out for us once more, regardless of where it takes us.”
“The Brotherhood of the White Eagle; is that some sort of religious cult?” asked Doraant.
“No, Doraant, it isn’t,” said Grogaan before Jedrool had chance to answer. “The Brotherhood of the White Eagle, otherwise known as the Brotherhood of the Teragon Knights, has not been spoken off or recognised for millennia. It was an ancient order of wizards and knights that existed long before the time of the Guardians, from the time of the ancient peoples many thousands of years ago, but from where they came or what happened to them, no one seems to know.”
Grogaan’s friends stared at him in utter shock, wondering how he knew so much. Jedrool was equally surprised. The existence of the Brotherhood of the Teragon Knights was a secret that had been kept since the creation of the ‘Guardian Order’, and was almost completely wiped from history. The people of Jestung have been attempting to uncover the reason why for a long, long time. “How do you know of the Brotherhood of the Teragon Knights, Grogaan?”
“That is of no consequence at this time,” he replied.
“I think you are being too optimistic in your assumptions regarding our friend,” said Doraant. “The one you look for would have to be a fully trained Guardian. No one less could fulfil such a role as you describe, and Grogaan is not even sensitive to the power of the realm.”
Jedrool looked at Doraant and smiled. “You may be right, you may be wrong, but our religious leaders will be able to discern whether or not our news is of value, and whether or not Grogaan is the one prophesied about.”
Grogaan leant back in his chair. Lacing his fingers together, he rested the first fingers against his chin, thinking about the prophecy. Its words rang alarm bells in his mind, a warning of danger, of pain and suffering that was to descend upon the galaxy, upon him and all those he knew. It was un-nerving to think that so much could rest on the shoulders of one single being.
“What do you have to say about it Grogaan?” asked Zaack.
Zaack’s question shook Grogaan from his thoughts. “What they do about the prop
hecy is up to them. As for me, I’ll continue to pursue my desires and aspirations regardless of what we’ve learnt here. If our lives are directed by destiny and our path ahead ultimately becomes entwined with the prophecy, so be it. Nothing can stop destiny from winding its way along and affecting the lives of individuals.” Grogaan faced Jedrool. “Now, if you will excuse us, we have some important matters to attend to.”
Grogaan was grateful and pleased at how his friends had behaved around the Jestungans, and for not questioning him over what had been said or for what he revealed. Doraant and Eldaan were maturing rapidly, and learning to accept things that were beyond their understanding without resorting to their usual cynicism.
While lying on his bunk that evening, Grogaan thought about the prophecy, what it would mean for him, his friends, and his home. Images flashed in his mind, and thoughts about events that had transpired along with possible meanings behind the prophecy came to mind. They all seemed to confirm his life and the prophecy were intertwined in a way he was unable to fathom. It was all too much to take in, so he turned his thoughts away from what might be, to the task in hand.
Grogaan had another restless night because of the meeting with the Jestungans, but was determined not to let it affect his performance. There was still so much to accomplish, and he could ill afford to let anything hinder him from performing at his best.
It was around mid morning on the second day, after having dealt with some important business, when Grogaan decided to head for his ship. His friends were sitting in the office nearby waiting for him to join them.
“Sorry I’m late guys, but I had a few important matters to deal with. Remember the barman I suspect of being a Krelathan agent?”
His friends nodded affirmatively.
“Well, after informing the chief security officer about my suspicions, I let him know we’d be leaving tomorrow in an attempt to deceive his contacts. Security will be keeping a watch on him to try and discover who the other contacts are.”
“That should help in the fight against the attacks,” suggested Zaack.
“I hope so. Then I checked with Captain Maneron, and the good news is they’re finally ready to leave. The transport is repaired and prepped for flight a day earlier than expected, so let’s go home.”
“That’s great news. I know waiting is part of being a fighter pilot, but it’s so depressing here,” declared Eldaan.
Grogaan laughed. “Yes, it is. Alright then, we’ve got work to do.”
Shortly afterwards, the four pilots took off hoping to avoid any entanglements with Krelathan raiders. They rendezvoused with the transport just outside the planet’s atmosphere, and began the long journey to the edge of the system. After flying for about forty minutes and having passed the last of the asteroids, they set course for Mabraant. The five ships accelerated to lightspeed without a single confrontation, pleasing the transport Captain more than it did Grogaan.
Reverting to sub-lightspeed at the edge of Mabra System, Grogaan gave the order to set sensors to maximum and charge lasers, expecting a confrontation. The current orbital position of Mabraant placed it on the far side of the sun, so they had to circumnavigate it. This added another fifteen minutes to their journey, and increased their chances of being intercepted.