Episode XXV
The Darkness came on the First Day
 

The man in the dark coat, and his aid, sat in a room, the room was illuminated by a single hanging light, while two large bay windows displayed the slowly moving void of space. Stars passed slowly by the window. The two men sat at a small, round table. On the table sat a small chessboard, its pieces moved about, as if they were halfway through the game.
The man in the black coat reached out and moved his queen up a few spaces.
The Aid watched the move intently. “Are you sure you want to move your queen there, Sir? It’s directly opposed to your rook.”
The man in the Black Coat shrugged. “My plan will become apparent soon enough.” He said simply. “Your move.” He smiled.
The aid shook his head. “I make no move.”
“Ah.” The man in the black coat said as he studied the board. He stopped a moment, to gaze out into space. HE then picked up his queen and slammed its base into the rook. The rook flew across the board, and fell off the table. The piece fell to the floor with a loud clang; it slid across the floor, and crashed into the wall.
The Aid almost laughed, but he kept a solemn face. “Are you allowed to take your own piece, Sir?” HE asked.
The man in the black coat shrugged. “I don’t know, but it is of no matter, the move has been made, all the better for you.” He said laughing slowly. The Aid nodded solemnly, he reached out and grasped a pawn, he moved it slowly forward, placing it down in front of his enemy’s pawns. The man in the black coat nodded slowly.
“My strategy will become apparent soon enough.” He said simply. The man in the black coat laughed.

* * *

Somewhere in Shivan space...
The large doors to the Shivan Emperor’s quarters were closed tightly. Cirassa’s two guards stood at the entrance, guarding, making sure none entered.

* * *

“...You entered GTVA controlled territory without permission-” The Shivan emperor said slowly.
Cirassa cut him off. “Permission!” He yelled anger filing him. “You forget yourself emperor.”
The emperor turned, and walked around the large room, the dark room was deafly quiet while the Emperor thought out his next move. “And it has been like this for too long.” The Emperor said, turning to face Cirassa. “For too long have I allowed you to run free, no longer!” He threatened. Cirassa began to laugh. “What is it? Why do you laugh Terran?!” Anger grew in the Shivan.
Cirassa continued to laugh. “Allowed me? You?” Cirassa continued to laugh. “It is I who have allowed you.” Cirassa pulled his long dark blade from its scabbard. The Shivan emperor stepped back quickly. “You fear this, yes.” Cirassa stroked the blade, almost cutting his hand. “It is your end.”
The Shivan stepped back. “Even if you kill me, you’ll never rule the Shivan Empire.”
Cirassa laughed. “Fool, I don’t want your Empire. You are a tool, and I no longer need you.” Cirassa lunged at the Shivan.
The Emperor dodged. “I am the Emperor!” He screamed, in pure fear for his life. “Guards!” He tried in vain to call someone from outside, but no one came.
“No one can hear you Emperor.” Cirassa laughed. “I am prophesied, and even you can’t stop prophecy.” Cirassa lunged at the Shivan emperor again.
Outside, Cirassa’s two guards listened to their emperor die. But they didn’t care, they knew greater things would come to them through Cirassa then ever serving this foolish emperor. But they worried, because they knew that the Shivan Empire would not take kindly to a Terran Emperor, even if he were prophesied. The Screams of pain came from the room continued as Cirassa murdered the Shivan emperor. And then, all was quiet.

* * *

Ridow sat, stretched out on a large couch in Kate’s quarters. He sat sipping a glass of Scotch. He looked out of the small windows in Kate’s quarters. They weren’t really windows, large screens that displayed space. They were docked at a small orbiting space station getting repairs. Their engine had been totally destroyed during the battle. Ridow gazed out at the work-crews as they passed by. At the far end of the station Ridow could see the GTD Danton getting her repairs. She was much more badly damaged then the Requiem. They would be gone long before the Danton was ever repaired. HE took a sip of his drink. Kate appeared at the entrance to her bedroom.
“Something wrong?” She asked slowly.
Ridow shook his head. “Just thinking.”
Kate walked across the room and sat down next to him. “Vo’rant and Dove are getting back today.” She said. Ridow nodded. “They’ll be back soon.” She said.
Ridow smiled. “IS it over?” He asked, gazing out the window.
Kate shook her head. “I don’t think so. Sam said something about three tasks, three trials. Assuming I’ve accomplished two already, there will be one more to come.” She joined Ridow and gazing out at the Danton. A work crew passed slowly by the screen, and disappeared behind a scaffold.
“I couldn’t bare to lose you.” Ridow said, he turned slowly and looked into Kate’s eyes.
Kate smiled. “I couldn’t bare to lose me either.” They laughed. Slowly, they stopped. They sat there, a long moment gazing into each other. Then Kate suddenly stood. “I better get into uniform.” She said quickly, moving towards her room.
Ridow stood. “Me to.” He said slowly. But Kate was already out of the small living room. Slowly, Ridow headed for the door. HE paused a moment, but he shook off the feelings and left the room.

* * *

“... Transport, this is GTD Requiem, you are cleared to land. Don’t knock over the scaffold when you come in. Requiem out.” The Pilot of the small transport smiled at that. He looked over at the co-pilot who shrugged.
“Acknowledged Requiem, we’ll do our best. Over and out.” he said simply. The transport flew across space, the Requiem sat next to the station, the large scaffold that covered the ships engine glowed with sparks as work teams, and repair bots worked to repairing the engine that had been destroyed during the battle. The Transport eased itself under the belly of the mighty ship. It waited there for a moment. Waiting, and then, powering up its engines, the small ship entered into the Requiem. The docking bay flew with activity. Pilots ran about, crews prepared ships, and general work was being done on various fighters that lay around the deck. Sparks flew from their hulls as welders repaired their armour.
Slowly, the Transport eased its landing legs unto the glowing squares that represented the ships landing space. As the ship landed, the large door spun open and the plank extended down to the deck.. Vo’rant poked his head out. He could make out Kate and Ridow walking up towards him. Vo’rant smiled and pulled himself from the craft, he stepped out unto the gangplank, and turning, he picked up his small carry-on luggage. Slowly he began down the gangplank.
“Welcome back Vo’rant.” Ridow said smiling, he reached out and took Vo’rant’s bag from him.
Vo’rant nodded slowly. “It is good to see you again my friends.” HE said, turning to see if Dove was coming. After a short moment, Dove emerged from the ship and began down the gangplank. HE had a strange face, one of sorrow and joy. He looked down at the gangplank, but eventually looked up. As soon as he saw his assembled friends, he smiled.
“Welcome back.” Kate said when Dove had reached the end of the plank. Ridow stepped forward and, shifting Vo’rant bag unto his back, he took Dove’s pack from his hand.
Dove smiled. “Thank you.” He said looking at Ridow.
Ridow waved him off. “No problem.”
Dove turned to Vo’rant. “Again, Thank you for being there.” Dove said looking up at the tall Vasudan.
Vo’rant shook his head. “There was no problem.” The group turned slowly, beginning to leave, but before they could go they noticed a figure coming towards them across the floor. He was quickly recognised as wearing an Admiral’s uniform, it was David. “Sir.” Vo’rant said as David came into view.
“Welcome back Captain, Lieutenant.” David said to Vo’rant and then to Dove. “As you no doubtedly saw, we’re still in Dry-dock, so we won’t be running many patrols. Take a few days.” David continued.
Dove nodded. “Thank you, Sir.” Dove said slowly. HE began to laugh. “I guess I have to start getting used to protocol again.”
David smiled. “You’ll get used to it.” Turning, they all began to walk down the docking bay. Suddenly, David spun on his heels. “Almost forgot,” He began, “I had the boy’s do something special with your fighter.” Dove looked around the smiling faces.
“Go on.” Kate said. Dove smiled and started across the bay. He stepped into the small elevator, which brought him to the second floor, placing one hand on the railing he walked across the uperdeck until he reached the spot where their fighters were stored.
The worker jumped back with a quick start. “Ah, Lieutenant, the modifications to your vessel have been completed.” The woman had a rich Russian accent, she stepped out of the way, still polishing her hands with a small rag. Dove stepped over, and grasped the ladder. He climbed slowly until he reached the wing. He looked out over the silver wing of the Persues Class Fighter. There on the wing, was stencilled a single white dove. It had flaming red eyes, and seemed to be flying in an attack, its beak wide open and its wings stretched back. “She’s not your old bird, we got rid of that heap of junk, this baby’s full military issue, latest in tech. same design, better handling, you get the picture. Now that you’re a Lieutenant, you’ll get access to all the new Hardware.” Ridow, Kate, Vo’rant and David stepped up to the fighter.
“Well?” David asked slowly.
“It’s nice, Sir.” Dove said smiling.
David frowned. “You’re not saying that because I’m the Admiral, are you?” The engineer began to laugh. David turned sharply, sending her a commanding glare. She stopped sharply, and nearly fell over.
Dove laughed slowly. “It’s very nice.”
David smiled. “Good.” He said. Dove descended the ladder. “Rest up, and I’ll be expecting all of you to be ready by the time we leave port.” David turned and left.
Ridow smiled, shifting his weight to try and carry the bags. “Come on you two.” He began. “Let’s get you two to your quarters on the pilot’s deck.” They all turned, and started off down the deck.

* * *
 
Somewhere in Shivan space... A day later
A Shivan destroyer floated through space, her crew loyal only to one Shivan. This ship was loyal only to her Captain. The ship was quiet now, her fighters had been drawn back into her, and throughout the intire ship, nothing moved. Every living thing was centred on one action. Watching the news cast.
The Shivan Captain stood on the bridge of his ship, watching the viewer. There, a Shivan stood on the main viewer, reporting from the Shivan Emperor’s FlagShip. The Gi’asian, a Sathanas class Juggernaught. The Captain wasn’t happy, he watched the screen with a strange disgust, but he wasn’t about to turn it off.
“... The Emperor was Murdered last night here in his chamber.” Cirassa emerged from the room. The reporter turned and spoke to Cirassa. “Any comments, Lord Cirassa.” The screen changed, and the bar at the bottom displayed ‘Lord Cirassa, Emperor’s trusted advisor and personal guard.’
Cirassa suddenly stopped, he turned and looked directly out at all the peoples. “It greatly saddens me to witness the death of our most gracious lord. But be assured, that I will do everything in my power to destroy whoever has committed this dead.” HE paused, the image zoomed in towards his face. “For the moment, the Emperor’s last orders, were that I become next Emperor of the Shivan Empire.” A wave of shock flew across the bridge, the Captain only grunted. “I assure you, I will bring these agents to justice, and once I have, I will relinquish the Empire to its rightful Shivan Successor.” Cirassa turned to leave. “That is all.” He began to walk away.
The Captain raised a hand. “Shut it off.” The screen was shut off, it displayed Space in the place of the news cast. “That Bastered, he’ll never give up the power. IT was he who killed our Lord. And we will need Terrans, to fight Terrans.” The Captain walked up to the screen. “Call the Rebels, tell them we’re heading Ross 1-2-8, and that they can join us if they want.” The Captain said slowly he turned to his navigational officer. “Set course, for GTVA controlled space.”

* * *

Somewhere, Hidden in Shivan Space...
“Sir, Transmission from the Shivan Destroyer Ak’alana.” The comm. Officer said as he registered the incoming signal. The bridge of the cruiser was smaller then that of a destroyer. Its officers were crowded around consoles, and screens. As with usual Shivan design, the keypad was suspended over the Shivans body, it’s long arms extended over the large keyboard. All Shivans stood, even the captain. There were no seats on a Shivan bridge, and the dim red lights gave the bridge an Erie reddish glow.
“Ak’alana?” The Captain asked in sheer surprise. “That ship is loyal to the Shivan Empire, how did they find us?” HE questioned, rage filling his voice. He wanted to know an answer, he would have to totally pull up the base and leave because of this incident.
The comm. Officer worked at finding an answer but found non. “Unknown sir. The signal seems to have come in on a general frequency.”
The captain nodded slowly. “Let’s see it.”
The screen flickered, and changed from space to the captain of the Ak’alana. “To the Sons of Ki’onus, the Shivan Rebels. A terrible deed has been committed, our has been Murdered, and replaced by a Terran.” The Rebel Captain smiled slowly, as if this brought him a strange joy. “If there is any Shivan left in you, you will meet us in the Ross-1-2-8 system of GTVA control. You will aid us in returning a rightful Shivan to the throne. Ak’alana out.” The screen flickered, and displayed space again.
“What do you think?” The first officer asked.
“What do you mean, What do I think?” The captain shot back, turning to face the First officer. “I think we should help him. We want to save our Empire, not destroy it. I will not stand ideally by while that, that, Cirassa destroys us.”
The First officer nodded slowly. “But why Ross 1-2-8, that is Terran controlled space.”
The Rebel captain turned and gazed out the screen. “Because, we will need Terrans, to fight Terrans. And Cirassa, will no doubt attack the Terrans, he would not have taken the Emperor’s life if he had not the Blade of Twilight.”
The First officer steeped back, aghast. “The Myth...”
The Captain nodded. “Yes. The Leader for the Shivans.” HE turned. “Set course, and move the fleet out.” Someone barked an aye sir, and the ships disappeared into subspace.

* * *

The man in the Black Coat and his aid walked down the hallowed halls of a Vasudan base. “What does the Hammer of Light want?” The man in the black coat asked to the air.
“They said they had something to show us all, the Shivan Nobles will be here as well.” The aid replied, fixing his white coat.
The man in the black coat grumbled slowly to himself. The continued down the hallway, the lights shone brightly here, their brown colour reflecting off the metallic floors. They turned a corner, and nearly stepped into two large Vasudan guards. The man in the black coat looked up slowly into the stone cold faces of the Vasudan guards.
“Cho’hedoc Chivoa sha’doh.” The Vasudan said. He turned slowly and pushed open the door. “Cho’hedoc. Gi’sno he’doc.” The man in the black coat walked past the large Vasudan guard, and he stepped into the room. The room was large and brightly lit. There was a signal table in the room, and sitting behind it were Two Vasudans, in front were two Shivans, they turned slowly as the man in the black coat entered. The Vasudans stood slowly.
“My friends.” The man in the black coat began.” Why, may I ask, have you summoned me here?” The Vasudans sat down as the man with the black coat approached.
“You ask for our support in your bid to become the next head of the Triplicate.” The Vasudan said.
 “But what will you assure us?” one of the Shivans interrupted.
The man in the black coat turned slowly. “For you, Ka’sino, I will assure you, as the next emperor of the Shivan Empire.” The Shivan liked that, he seemed to relax.
“You can assure that?” Ka’sino asked slowly.
“I can assure anything, given time.” The man in the black coat replied. The Shivan smiled, somehow.
“You already know you have my support.” The Vasudan said.
“Yes, Ta’vina, your friendship is extremely welcome. You will have a place on my council.” The man in the black coat said walking up towards the desk.
“Soon, I will be the head of the Triplicate, and I will be able to grant anything.” The man in the black coat said, laughing. Everything was falling into place, these fools had no idea what they were giving up. They could have the seat for themselves, the Shivan Emperor was pitiful, not even every battle cruiser in their fleet could stand up to him, and he knew it. Power would be his, he could smell it. And he laughed, his hollow laugh filled the room.
 

To be continue...

Leader for the Shivans 3: Journey from Dunwitch Hill
will continue.