Himoto always did say that the separation between magic and science became more and more indistinct as civilizations advanced their technology.
“Something like that,” Graydon said.
Kira’s companion joined them as Graydon lifted his hands, palms facing up as a look of concentration showed on his face. A hum rose all around them before the pattern beneath their feet took on a soft glow that grew.
Graydon’s hands dropped, and the world changed.
The stars disappeared to be replaced by the unrelenting gray of stone.
Kira took a moment to glance around in amazement at the surrealness of it all. Her senses doing a very good job of insisting she was actually standing in a prison cell despite her physical body existing trillions of miles away.
It was all so very real. The smell of mildew and rot all around her. An aura of bleak desperation clung to the walls.
She shivered as a damp chill invaded her bones.
If she concentrated very hard, she could make out the thrum of the ship’s engines under her feet. The feeling grew as black invaded the gray.
Graydon touched her elbow, the black of the room vanishing as her focus snapped. “Careful. If you think too hard, you’ll be pulled back.”
Kira nodded, a little relieved.
If breaking the connection was as simple as a thought, it meant the danger of getting permanently separated from her body was small.
“This is amazing.” Kira touched the wall next to her.
It was more than an illusion. She could actually feel the stone under her fingers. The rough imperfections of the rock.
The bio feedback loop was probably one of the most realistic she’d ever experienced. Leagues beyond what the Consortium created through their online holo experiences.
“I was expecting you a lot sooner than this,” a voice said from the corner of the cell. “Tell me, Phoenix, what brings you to my humble abode?”
Kira looked at the speaker, locating a young man sitting with his back against the wall on the cold, hard floor. His legs were extended in front of him, and there was a flat look in his eyes that reminded Kira of a caged tiger she’d once seen.
The animal was considered a rarity. Almost extinct even on Earth where it had originated.
And like the boy, it possessed an aggression that nothing could hide.
“Aeron. It’s good to see you. You’re looking better.”
It was true. He seemed healthy. Far from the boy barely able to breathe through the blood filling his lungs.
Aeron touched the spot where his injury had been. “Wounded prisoners aren’t as easy to interrogate. That whole threat of dying and all.”
“Yes, your death would be such a shame,” Graydon drawled.
Aeron’s gaze flicked toward the emperor’s Face.
As a general, Aeron was part of the ruling class of Tsavitee. Those Kira had considered her greatest enemy and the mastermind behind their species until recently.
It had become clear, however, that there was a group above them, pulling the strings.
That even the masters had their masters.
She found it interesting that he was in his Tuann form and not the general. It made Kira wonder if the choice was his own or part of some plan.
To Kira’s surprise, Aeron didn’t respond to Graydon’s taunt, instead focusing on the cloaked figured beside Kira. “Who’s your friend?”
“No one to worry about.” To distract him, Kira changed the subject. “I hear you’ve been less than cooperative.”
