Episode IV
The Broken wings of a Dove,
 

 I was Samuel Morrison, or perhaps I still am, I can never tell. Thirty-two years ago I was the Leader for the Shivans, a mythic warrior, an agent of prophecy. And then one year later I was killed, or perhaps never was. I saw the ship crash into the ground, I left the message, and then I was in a far distant place.
 My mission has ended, or perhaps it has just begun. I was told, by some superior power to seek out Catherine Norrow and give her the power she needed to re-unite the Terrans and the Vasudans, because this is a time of great ease, yet great difficulty; a time of great joy, and of great sorrow. Even now, as we float out here in the eerie stars of this forgotten system, back home a storm is brewing. Those who upheld Admiral Bosch and his regime are reforming. The Leader for the Shivans must stop them; she must show them the light.
 And so my journey ends, or perhaps it just begins. The Shivans are coming, they have come, and they will again.  The Leader for the Shivans must stand against the Deluge that comes from both inside and outside… but I won’t be there to witness it, or perhaps I will. Only time will tell.

 Stars glowed through the beautiful nebula. The Shivan stood watching the gasses flow over the bright sun, he watched ship, after Shivan ship pass through colorful gas and then disappear, shrouded by a cloak of beauty and fire. A Vasudan walked up to the Shivan.
 “How goes the training?” The Shivan asked, not moving from its stance.
 “It is going well, she’s pushing herself to the limit.” Vo’tion said.
 “Good.” Was the Shivan’s only reply, “She will need it in the coming time.” The Shivan said, it walked out towards the gas. “Have you ever truly looked at it Vo’tion.” Vo’tion gave a half smile.
“I believe you’ve asked me this question before.” The Shivan nodded.
“Perhaps I have.” He said. “Who is this?” The Shivan asked. A man suddenly
stood before them. He paced back and forth in what looked like a prison. The door of the brig opened to reveal two guards. The man inside the prison pulled back, but the guards rushed in. One slammed a knight stick into the man’s stomach. He doubled over, the second guard grabbed the man’s arm and shoved him out of the room.
 “He is a Dove.” Vo’tion replied. “A Dove trapped in a devil’s body.” Vo’tion continued. “His wings have been broken.” Vo’tion said slowly. The Shivan nodded. Vo’tion turned to leave, The Shivan spoke again.
 “Vo’tion, look into the colors.” Vo’tion nodded, and walked away.

 Samuel Morrison walked down a hallway on the GTI Dunwitch Hill. Two guards turned sharply down a hallway, they half dragged, half guided, a broken bleeding man down the hallway. Sam turned, he gave the guards a quick look, and then continued down the hallway. “Look.” One of the guards began. “It’s that Samuel Morrison guy.” The other guard nodded.
 “What was he… the Leader for the Shivans or something.” The man they were hauling looked up, he carried an NTF insignia.
 “Leader for the…” He whispered, the knight stick of  one of the guards rammed down into the man. He gave a few inches, and gasped in pain.
 “If we want your opinion, we’ll ask for it Neo-Terran scum!” The guard went to hit the man again. The NTF officer reached up and grabbed the knight-stick. He flung the guard back, over his head. The first guard gasped, The NTF Officer slammed the stick into the guard’s head, making him fall away.
 “I will kill the Leader for the Shivans.” The man gave a loud yell as he ran towards Sam. Sam caught the sound, he drew his sword; still he didn’t turn around. The NTF agent continued, blood and sweat mixed together as he ran. His heart pounded, his mind was gone, just one thing remained in him, one drive, one feeling, one sense. His mind was blank, it had been destroyed, nothing at all, only himself in the black, only himself, one person, one drive, one man, to kill the Leader for the Shivans. He pushed harder, stronger, there was nothing in him, nothing at all, only fire, pain the hurt filled him like a waterfall of blood flowing down him, across his face, into his mouth, into his veins, into himself, he was power, he was death, it was him, or nothing else, and there wasn’t a thing in the darkness except himself, Nothing, nothing at all, he was along in his head, alone in the ----

                A Vasudan stood in the darkness, he opened his hands and the doves flew forth like a waterfall. They flew over him, he watched them pass, he watched them fly over his head and into the night, they covered his mind, they covered his soul, and he was one of them. A dove, his wings had been broken, he had died, and now, now it was time to re-emerge again.

 The NTF Man came to his senses as he ran at Sam. He came up to Sam, Sam suddenly shot downward, with a mighty swing he cut the knight-stick in half and shoved the blade across the way where the NTF Officer was running. The man tripped, and fell. Sam brought his sword up around the man’s neck. Sam spoke to the NTF Officer. The man breathed loudly. Sam looked deep into the Man’s eyes.
 “I have seen Vasudan, and I have seen Terran, I’ve even seen Shivan, but you, you, I don’t know what you are.” Sam pushed off. The NTF Man fell down to the floor.

 The darkness was shattered, a million voices calling out to him, a million people singing one after the other, their hollow voices filling his head, filling his mind, making him believe, making him want, making him live again.
 “You,” One whispered, the hollow voice filled him. “What are you…” The a voice said.
 “What are you? What are you? What are you?” Voices leaped over him, they surrounded him, he was breaking up inside, he fell against his own mind, he quivered inside the eerie hollow of his mind. Then he saw the Vasudan again, Doves, flying, over him, around him, inside of him. His wings were no longer broken, he could fly, but the Vasudan just stood there, the doves kept coming. The voices returned.
 “What are you? What are you? What are you?” Again and again, one after the other. Then the Vasudan with the doves, he could fly, he was lifted up with the doves. The Vasudan smiled.
 
 “Leader for the Shivans.” The NTF Officer said slowly. He reached up and pulled off the NTF pin, it fell to the floor, he reached out a hand. Sam took it and pulled the man to his feet. The NTF Officer looked down at the pin, he slammed his boot down into pin. Sam passed his sword to the man. The NTF Officer took it, he cut the ribbons on his shoulders, they fluttered to the floor. The NTF Officer passed the sword back to Sam. “I understand now.” Sam nodded.
 “Come, there are a few people I would like you to meet.” Sam guided the newborn down the hallway, the two guards looked at each other and shrugged.
 Sam and the NTF Officer turned a corner into the Training room. Vo’rant stood hacking away at Kate.
 “Now slice.” He said. Kate swung her sword at Vo’rant, the Vasudan countered. “Good, again.” Kate repeated the motion on the left side. “Good, again.” Vo’rant suddenly noticed Sam and the NTF Officer coming across the room. “Hold.” Vo’rant said. The mighty Vasudan slid his sword back into its scabbard on his back. “ah, Morrison.” The tall Vasudan said. Kate smiled. “She is making good progress. She should be able to beat both of us by the end.” Sam smiled. Vo’rant’s gaze suddenly shifted to the newcomer. His hand flexed, he noticed the uniform. David leaned against the wall, as Ridow explained a status report.
 “Everyone, I would like you to meet -” The NTF Officer suddenly interrupted Sam.
 “Dove.” The man said slowly. “I am Dove.” Vo’rant’s hand flexed, he knew the man was NTF.

 Incense burned, and the dim light in Dove’s quarters A single painting was laid in the corner, a picture of a Vasudan, with doves flying from his hands. The picture looked like a mess, or at least that’s what it half looked like. Half the features were half melded into another, and that was fine art. The candles burnt, Dove sat, his eyes closed.
He was up on his cot, cross-legged, his hands resting on his knees. He breathed the fumes in deeply, their sweet aroma filled him. The door chimed.
 “Come in.” Dove said without moving. The door slid open to reveal a tall Vasudan. The alien walked in, watching his feet as he walked between the incense candles. Dove slowly opened his eyes. “Have you come to kill me?” Dove asked slowly. Vo’rant shook his head, and sat down in front of Dove.
 “I don’t want to kill you, I never did, I hate the uniform, not you.” It suddenly occurred to Vo’rant that Dove wasn’t wearing the uniform. He was dressed in a thick black robe, a beige GTA uniform lay beneath it. Dove had a mellow to his voice.
 “I can’t atone for all the wrongs that I have caused against your people.” Vo’rant nodded. “And A thousand apologies would not be enough to soften the sadness that lies within your heart.” Vo’rant suddenly looked into the eyes of Dove.
 “Who are you? Who are you that talks as if they are dead, yet still siting here, before me?” Dove gave a half smile.
 “I wish I knew.” Dove said simply. “I am dead, the old me died the day I met Samuel Morrison.” Vo’rant cocked his head.
 “Who were you?” Dove shook his head.
 “It doesn’t matter anymore, I was a member of the Neo-Terran Front, but now I am gone, and here I wait for my destiny. The Leader for the Shivans says I am to go with you, Vasudan, you and that woman who will some day take over as the second Leader for the Shivans.” Dove reached down and picked up one of the incense burners he cupped his hand over it, with his other hand he pushed his thumb down into the black mixture. There was a soft sizzle, Dove pulled slowly back and set the incense burner down. “I am Dove, and that is all there is.” Vo’rant nodded slowly.
 “Sh’kan Sti’llar,” Vo’rant began, “Was a great warrior, he fought for as one of us, along side us, he was my friend. But when the Hammer of Light showed up, he joined them, he tried to convince me to join.” Vo’rant picked up one of the burners, and rocked it back and forth in his hand. “he was not happy when I refused, and all the things inside of me told me to listen, but I could not. We fought, and I won, I saw his ship explode out into the night, and he was gone.” Vo’rant let the burner fall onto the floor, it clanged, but landed right side up. He stood. “By saving yourself you have restored his honor, Hatred cross’ many generations.” Vo’rant said solemnly. Dove looked up.
 “You aren’t that old, when was this?” Vo’rant shook his head.
 “After, after the Hammer of the Light had been destroyed, five years ago.” Vo’rant turned to leave, the door slid open, and the mighty Vasudan left.
 “And the hatred was broken, and the dove took flight.” Dove closed his eyes, and let the incense surround him.

 Samuel Morrison walked into the gym on the GTI Dunwtich Hill, it was a strange little arena with a large ceiling and other fine assortments. Jack Ridow was talking to Kate as she rested on a small bench, her practice sword between her knees, she rested her hands on the hilt. Vo’rant was displaying his crescent blade to David, though it wasn’t really a crescent. The way it was used looked like the Vasudan was using the moon to his advantage. An officer ran in, carrying a small container. “Captain, the weapons you requested.” Sam smiled, he took the case.
 “Thank you.” The man saluted, turned, and walked out of the room. Sam lay the case on the floor. “Jack Ridow.” Sam yelled. Ridow turned suddenly, as if he had been called to duty.
 “Sir, yes Sir.” He said back. Sam waved his hand.
 “Come here, and don’t use that.” Ridow smiled, just realizing what he had done. He started across the bay, Vo’rant had stopped talking, and Kate followed after the man with her eyes. “Commander, how good are you with a pistol.” Ridow thought for a moment, and then looked up.
 “Excellent in a sim, the regular guns are too light, with too much of a kickback. I can hit a target sir, but not very well.” Sam nodded.
 “Open the box.” Ridow looked down, he cocked an eyebrow, and crouching, he opened the box. He looked inside and smiled.
 “Dual modified VL-45  Vasudan Plasma Casters.” Sam nodded. He looked up. Sam nodded, David opened his eyes wide, and then smiled. He hit a button on the wall. Four dummies meant for martial arts flew up from the floor. Ridow pulled the two weapons out of the case. Ridow whipped the weapons up, he opened fire. One at a time the dummies exploded in an array of light and an amazingly high pitched sound. Ridow smiled. “VL-45 Plasma Casters, of Vasudan Design, as large as a Terran pistol, but more stable and as strong as an ML-16.” Sam nodded.
 “And they’re yours.” Ridow smiled, he handled the weapons with care. Kate and Vo’rant were on their way over. Ridow suddenly frowned.
 “She’s the Leader for the Shivans, he’s a Vasudan legend, I’m a gunslinger…” The door slid open as Dove walked into the room. “What’s he?” Ridow pointed at Dove as he walked towards their party.
 “A pilot.” Sam said slowly.
 “What exactly are we? And what are you preparing us for?” Sam suddenly grew very serious.
 “You are a Special ops team, a team built for one purpose, to seek out, and intercept the most deadliest, the most terrible of Shivan weapons, and destroy them.” The nodded. “You must face three trials; one of Sacrifice, one of Destiny, and finally, when you have completed these first two trials, and only then, will you be able to face the trial of the third. A trial so powerfully evil, that it will take your four combined strengths to defeat him.” They were suddenly stunned, they had no idea their lives would be taking this kind of a turn. But they would have to face it together.
 “So what are we? The Leader for the Shivans’ Force?” Ridow said half jokingly. Sam shook his head. Kate spoke up.
 “The Black Sparrows.” Sam nodded. “Slaughtered by the first few Neo-Terran Traitors ambushed their convoy, taking out the only thing that could ever hope to stop them.” Vo’rant smiled.
 “I guess they were wrong.” The rest of them smiled, except for Dove.
 

 On the Shivan destroyer Ma’Krandoc stood waiting. A Shivan came over the comm. system. “Sir, Lord Ma’tritan to speak with you sir.” Ma’Krandoc nodded slowly.
 “Send him in.” Lord Ma’tritan walked in, his transport had just docked a few hours ago. This was slowing him down. Ma’tritan was a large Shivan, and strong too.
 “What are you doing Ma’Krandoc?” The Shivan asked.
 “Taking care of the Terran Incursion.” Ma’Krandoc replied.
 “Why was I not informed?” the Shivan lord asked. Ma’Krandoc was about to explode with anger, but he kept it down.
 “I owe you nothing Ma’tritan, I am a lord, I can think for myself.” Ma’tritan pushed forward.
 “You owe me everything.” The Shivan lashed back. Ma’Krandoc didn’t even budge. “You aren’t even of Noble blood, what would ever make you think you could make decisions for yourself?” Ma’tritan grew stern. “ Your father died in his foolish pursuit of the Leader for the Shivans, will you die the same way.” Ma’Krandoc was furious.
 “My father died in the war against the Terrans, where were you, when we needed more ships? Why didn’t you send your T’vachi?” Ma’tritan stepped back. “Now, Ma’tritan, I think you should leave.” Two heavy Shivan lasers fell down from the walls, they locked themselves unto Ma’tritan’s body signature.
 “This is not over Ma’Krandoc.” Ma’Krandoc smiled.
 “I think it is.” Ma’tritan spun around, and pushing himself off he glided out of the room. Ma’Krandoc walked up to a panel. He hit a button and the face of his captain looked out. The Shivan saluted.
 “Inform the Highlord that there has been an accident aboard Ma’tritan’s transport. Then take us into subspace.” The Captain nodded and the image disappeared. Out in space, as Ma’tritan’s transport was about to leave, a mighty blast shot from the rear cannon of the Destroyer. It shredded the transport just as it went into warp. The Destroyer floated for another few minutes, and then left. They would reach the station soon, the Terrans would pay for his pain. He would finally have his vengeance on the Terrans who killed his father. And somewhere in deep, deep space, in an unknown time, in between the destinies of a thousand worlds, a single Shivan shed a tear for Ma’Krandoc, and for his race, because he knew the universe would never be the same. But of course Shivans really couldn’t cry, but this one did anyway.
 

   To be Continued…
 
 
 

Leader for the Shivans 3: Journey from Dunwitch Hill
Will continue with:

Episode V:
To control the blade of the dawn.