Episode V:
To control the blade of the dawn

 Space was gutted by the incandescent lights of the Shivan Battle group, ever moving, never stopping. Looking for one man and one man alone. With Ma’Krandoc at the helm, his fiery sense of duty, ever pushing him, faster, better, stronger, he would avenge his father, Cron’is, who died on that solemn day on that far away planet. He would win, no matter what the cost.  Half a world away was the GTI Dunwitch Hill, and the GTD Requiem, also ever moving, never stopping. With Samuel Morrison at the helm, his fiery sense of purpose, ever pushing him, faster, better, stronger, he would protect his people, against the Shivans, Cron’is who died on that solemn day on that planet so close to his home. He would win no matter what the cost.
 The two men stood like sentinels on patrol of their own hearts. Both knew the other was coming, both were prepared, but there was one thing that the Shivan did not know about. That the Blade of the dawn would switch hands and the trial of Sacrifice would soon be complete.
 A passage best suited to the beginning of a section of the two men’s lives, something to be written down on paper, there was nothing left to do but wait, wait, and wait again. But for Samuel Morrison, the waiting had ended on that solemn day, when the Ancients fell into that desolate world, so close to his home.
 “What are you thinking about now?” Vo’tion asked quietly as the gas’ spun all around them. The Shivan suddenly realized he had spoken half those words out loud. “Nothing that hasn’t been already said.” He muttered. Vo’tion nodded solemnly. “So tell me,” The Shivan said changing the subject. “Was that you in that man’s dreams?” Vo’tion shook his head.
 “I was about to, but he did it himself.” The Shivan nodded.
 “Perhaps if we left the leader for the Shivans alone she also would guide herself.” Vo’tion nodded slowly. “But that is not wise.” Vo’tion agreed without saying a word. The gases changed, they sparkled. Vo’tion looked up. “She is ready.” Vo’tion turned to leave. “Vo’tion.” The Vasudan turned. “Try not to interfere.” Vo’tion gave a half smile, and left.

“Again.” Vo’rant said, Kate slashed at the tall Vasudan. Kate suddenly spun around, She banged her blade into Vo’rant’s. She smiled, and rubbed the blade up and down Vo’rant’s. It made a long metallic screeching sound. Vo’rant twitched. Kate made her move, She tried to kick out Vo’rant’s feet, Vo’rant jumped high into the air, Kate slid under, and when Vo’rant came down she was behind him. She held her sword to the back of his neck. “Excellent, but watch out.” Kate looked slowly up, Vo’rant’s sword was poised above her head. “You are dead.” Kate backed off and Vo’rant relaxed. “Are you ready?” Kate stepped into her ‘on guard’.
 “Anytime you are Teacher.” Vo’rant smiled, he prepared himself. Kate yelled as she ran towards Vo’rant, she came up short and clanged her sword against Vo’rant’s. The Vasudan smiled and backed off a few centimeters. Vo’rant came in from the side, his practice blade clanging against Kate’s parry. David stepped away from the wall; Ridow looked back at the Admiral.
“You’re getting strong Terran.” Kate smiled, and spun his sword in a curcil. She threw it up, but the Vasudan kept his grip. She stuck forward, Vo’rant brought his tip down and pushed Kate’s sword over to the side. Vo’rant stepped to the side to deflect the bow. Gripping her sword with both hands she brought the blade up over her head and down unto Vo‘rant. The Vasudan countered; Kate repeated the fluid motion, deflection, and swing, deflection swing. Vo’rant jumped back, and missed the next one completely.  “You’re getting faster Vasudan.” Vo’rant smiled.
“Perhaps you are just getting slower.” Kate glowered at Vo’rant. The Vasudan laughed for a short time. Vo’rant spun at her, his sword flying. He brought it down hard on top of Kate. Kate went low, and brought her sword up, she guarded against the blade. She gave a little, but not enough for Vo’rant to use. The Vasudan tried again, this time; Kate crouched and rolled out of the way. Vo’rant’s blade crashed into the deck. The Vasudan turned his head quickly. Kate was back on her feet. Vo’rant pulled his sword up.  “You missed.” Kate said mockingly. “Perhaps it is you who is getting slower.” Vo’rant charged. Kate jumped as Vo’rant’s sword passed through the air where she had been. Vo’rant spun around to face her. Kate smiled. “Definitely you.” Vo’rant gave a half smile and ran at her again. This time Kate stood her ground, she deflected the mighty Vasudan blows, each one as they came, slicing at her, she deflected each one. At the last one, Kate suddenly flattened her sword, Vo’rant’s blade slid down it, Kate Pushed her sword in, She slammed her guard against Vo’rant’s blade and shoved her blade under his. With a mighty swing she pulled the sword up. Vo’rant cringed and released the weapon. Kate sent it flying into the rafters. She aimed her sword at his throat.
“Good job Terran.” Vo’rant pushed the tip of the sword away. “Next time, I get a Vasudan weapon.” Vo’rant started. “And then we shall see.” Kate gave the Vasudan a half smile, and then they both began to laugh. Ridow began to clap as he walked over.  “That was pretty good.” He started. The door to the gym opened and Samuel Morrison walked in. Everyone turned. Sam looked around the room slowly, and then walked in. Vo’rant walked up. Sam stopped. Vo’rant whispered something to Sam. Sam’s gaze suddenly moved to Kate, she stood, awkwardly looking at the man. Sam nodded a few times, and then walked over to Kate. Vo’rant backed off, Sam whispered something to Kate, she nodded.

Ridow eyed Kate as she ate her food slowly. She glanced up a few times, but eventually went back to eating. Ridow slammed a fist down on the table. “Are you going  to tell me what he said or not?” Kate shrugged and gave a sigh. “You’re going to fight him aren’t you?” Kate nodded. Ridow smiled.
“I can’t believe it’s really going to happen.” Ridow bent forward.
“Believe it.” Kate smiled. “You’re ready. Don’t worry, Sam’s got nothing on you.” They both started to laugh. Half the room turned for a few seconds, and then went back to their own individual conversations.
“What if I lose?” Kate asked, moving something gray around on her plate. Ridow shook his head.
 “You won’t.”
 “Oh come on” Vo’tion said. “You can beat Sam, he’s nothing.” Vo’tion was serious. “You will have to face enemies ten times better than him.” Kate looked into the eyes of the Tall Vasudan. Vo’tion sat next to Ridow. “Take this one.” He pointed at Ridow. Vo’tion put his arm around the unmoving Ridow. “He’s a good friend. But beware what lurks in his shadow.”
 Time started again. “And plus, if you do fail, Sam won’t start looking for a new fighter. You’ll just get another week of sword training.” Ridow picked something up on his fork. “I’ve never seen anyone learn how to use a sword that good in such a short time.” He clamped down on whatever he had, winced, and looked back up at Kate. He smiled.
 Kate smiled back, she looked down into her food, she thought about the battle. Standing there, in her uniform, She would probably let her hair fly out for the battle. The piece of metal, now sitting at the base if her neck, gave her an overwhelming feeling, perhaps it would help her, it brought her luck. Vo’tion’s dream-sent.
 

 Kate sat, looking down into her golden hilted Practice sword. It was like a regular sword, only not the one she would normally use in battle. That one Sam still had. Ridow was watching from Afar, David walked into the room followed by Vo’rant. The two looked over, and found a spot on the wall. Kate walked out unto the floor, her sword ready. Sam emerged from the shadows, his blade glinted in the light.
 “Catherine Norrow.” He began. “You are ready to take your place as Leader for the Shivans. Are you prepared.” Sam nodded. “To win, you must defeat me, kill me, or knock my sword from my hand.” Kate nodded slowly. “The Battle begins.” Sam drew his sword up high, the blade down. Kate griped her sword with both hands, the blades met.
 Kate pulled the sword back, and swung it in waste high. Sam guarded, just moving the blade to meet. The swords clanged, Kate swung her sword quickly around the other way, Sam moved to guard, Kate stopped quickly and swung for his head. Sam ducked, but never gave an inch. He stood back up, Kate crouched and swung the blade at Sam’s legs. Sam jumped into the air.
 Sam brought the blade down onto Kate’s head. She blocked with her sword. Sam’s weapon bit into Kate’s steel. Sam pulled back, and swung for the side. Kate turned, she pushed the broad side of the sword into Sam’s blade’s path. She held her hand against the blade. Sam hit, the metal reverberated.
 Kate hurriedly brought her blade up, like a swan moving its head she moved. She brought the sword down, like fire ripping into hull. Sam brought his sword back, he tipped her weapon, and brought it to the floor. Kate spun, pulling her sword free, she kept the blade close to her as she spun in next to Sam. Sam guarded, Kate was right up against him. Sam jumped back, he brought his weapon up to bear. Kate smiled.
 Sam attacked, he brought his weapon in from the right, then in from the left, on and on. Kate kept moving back, forcing her blade to where Sam would be next. She jumped back, her chest heaved with her breath. She swallowed, and took back to fighting Sam.
 Kate struck in high, Sam crouched and took the brunt of the attack, Kate tried her move again. Sam didn’t move. She tried the side, but Sam rolled backwards. Kate jumped, and when Sam rose to his feet she was right there. She slammed her blade into Sam’s sword just above the hilt. Sam twirled his sword around, Kate’s blade was exposed, Sam’s hit would easily cut her blade in half. Kate brought her sword around just as Sam’s did. She brought it into an arc. Sam turned to the side. Kate’s blade past in front of him. She twisted around and struck for Sam. Sam turned sharply and Kate missed again.
 Sam pulled his sword up. He began to bring it down, Kate jumped back into a spin, and landed away. Sam’s blade crashed into the floor, creating a small hole as it hit the ground. Sam looked up, Kate was charging in at him. Sam defended back, he was being moved. Kate attacked from every direction at once. Sam had never seen anyone move so fast in his life.
 Kate yelled, she thrusted her sword into Sam’s She twirled it around in a circle. She suddenly stopped, pushing Sam’s wrist down, with amazing speed. Sam winced, and a half a second later Kate twisted the blade upwards. Sam’s hand was half sprained, his reflexes let the sword fly out of his hands. Kate pushed Sam out of the way and watched it fall into the floor, sticking up blade first.
 “Take it, Kate.” Vo’tion whispered.
 Kate looked at the hilt. She walked forward, she tossed her blade away, and grasped the hilt of the weapon. She felt new life, new everything inside of her. She pulled the weapon high into the air. A flash of light surrounded the tip, it moved slowly down the hilt and Into Kate. She could feel the new power, and the new presence inside of her. She brought the sword to her face. Sam lifted himself, draped the cloak around herself and moved out of the room.
 Kate followed after the man with her eyes, everyone else ran around her. Kate felt no pain in the man, only great sadness, but not about this, no, definitely not about this.
 

 Sam walked into his quarters, he walked up to a mirror and revealed his face. He fingered the scar with his hand. Suddenly there was a presence in the room. “I thought that I was dead.”
 “You were.” Said the voice.
 “Then is this the after life?” Sam asked.
 “No” said the presence.
 “Then why am I here?” Sam asked.
 “To die again.” The voice said. “To die that second time, because you must pass the flame. To defeat evil, with blood spilt from your own wounds. When death comes to see you, you will know, and you will understand. In that singular instant when death lets you know as you stand at those blackened gates what it all has meant. Being the Leader for the Shivans, knowing your own life, her life, your dead friends, and loved ones. It will all come clear when death takes your last breath.” Said the voice.
 “Who?” Asked Sam.
 “The son of evil.” The voice said.
 “Cron’is.” Sam said slowly.
 “His bloodline will defeat you, but you will never die.” The voice said, the presence disappeared, and all was quiet in the room.
 

 All was quiet on the Shivan vessel. Ma’Krandoc floated slowly down the hallway of a Shivan ship. He felt the presence of a being, one he had never known before. “Who is there?” The mighty Shivan asked.
 “Ma’Krandoc.” The voice said. “Of the bloodline of Cron’is, master of the right, and destroyer of good.” The voice said, reverberating around in the mind of the mighty Shivan.
 “Who are you?” Ma’Krandoc asked, he looked around in all directions trying to see where the voice was coming from.
 “I am you, and yet I am not. I can see you, yet I cannot bee seen.” The voice said. “I know your future, but I can also see your past.” Ma’Krandoc looked around.
 “What form of trickery is this?” the Shivan asked.
 “No trick brethren. Only your own destiny.” The voice said.
 “Then tell me oracle.” Ma’Krandoc said quickly. “What is my future?” The voice suddenly shot around him, Ma’Krandoc’s face lit up like a thousand suns.
 “To live, to die, to win, to fail, to fight on that withered day, the one you seek so much, but that which you strive to take, you must lose. To stand against the dawn, and to die by its breaking rays.” Something hit Ma’Krandoc, it sent him flying across the room, and crashing into the wall. He looked up into the face of a Shivan, the face of one he had not known before, but it seemed familiar. “Fire and blood will clean your soul.” Ma’Krandoc suddenly felt the presence leave. He noticed that he had never moved, what had happened? Who was that? And what did it mean? One thing Ma’Krandoc understood that this was a sign, a sign that the leader for the Shivans would die. The Shivan smiled with glee, and walked up to the bridge.
 Ma’Krandoc walked onto the bridge. A Shivan turned. “Sir, the Highlord is calling for you.” Ma’Krandoc nodded.
 “Patch it through.” A Shivan came on the screen, it had ornate gold bars around its body. “Highlord, you grace us with you presence.” In the distance a single Human figure sharpened a sword.
 “Cut it Lord.” Ma’Krandoc stopped talking. “What are you doing?” Ma’Krandoc stepped up.
 “Highlord, we are hunting the criminal of our people, Samuel Morrison.” The figure in the background stopped sharpening the sword. Ma’Krandoc eyed him dryly. The Highlord suddenly grew stern.
 “Lord, we need the ships you are taking with you, return them at once!” Ma’Krandoc was about to say something in his defense, when the Terran in the background suddenly yelled something at the Highlord. The Highlord walked over to where the Terran stood. The Highlord nodded as the Terran spoke to him. Finally, the Highlord walked over to the screen again. “Change of plans Ma’Krandoc. You will destroy this Terran.” Ma’Krandoc nodded.
“Yes Highlord. I shall do your bidding. May I ask Highlord, who is the Terran?” The Highlord looked back, and then forward again.
 “No you may not.” The screen went dark. Cron’is turned to his first in command. “Push the engines harder, you heard the Highlord.” The officer saluted and floated away.
 

 The chime to Sam’s quarters sounded. Sam looked up from a chair. “Enter.” The door unlocked and Kate walked in. “Captain.” Sam began. “Please.” Sam motioned towards a seat. Ridow was outside the door. “Are you coming in Commander?” Ridow shook his head. He turned and left. Sam gave a half smile. Kate looked betrayed. “You are here to ask me something, and he knows that it is for you and me alone.” Kate fell back into the chair and nodded slowly.
 “What does this all mean?” Kate asked slowly. Sam gave a slight laugh.
 “Death for me, and stopping…” Sam paused for a moment. “Him.” Kate stood, she shoved the sword, its scabbard on, into Sam’s face.
 “If it will save you, then take it back.” Sam looked at her for a moment. He pushed the sword towards Kate.
 “No, Captain.” Sam motioned towards the seat. Kate sat. “I died thirty two years ago. I died the minute I defeated Cron’is. My destiny was set, and it is now my time to pass this legacy unto you, I am dead, and will always be so. If I took that piece of steal now, I would be condemning both of us, and all the Human race.” Sam stood, he walked over to the large screen displaying space. “You are not the only legend, the Shivans have their own. It tells of a Terran turn coat, who would eventually defeat the Leader for the Shivans.” Sam said slowly. “He wields the Blade of the Twilight, and the legend says that when the Blade of the Dawn meets the Blade of the Twilight then destiny will be shattered, and the one who wins will set the course for the future, forever.”
 Kate swallowed. Out in space a smiling face laughed…
 

    To be continued…

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

Episode VI
Meeting of the Blades.