“Osiris, there is a Hive in low-Earth orbit,” Khoth stated. Perhaps if it really had been created to attack the Khul, it would respond to this. “Our one remaining ship on this world is a Paladin-class. Its weapons are insufficient to destroy the Hive. Do you have any armaments that could destroy this Hive?”
There was a pregnant pause and then another holographic screen flickered to life along one of the curing walls of the Core. Khoth found himself holding his breath. A single blinking cursor appeared on the screen as if waiting for input.
Whose input? Not mine, evidently.
Khoth’s relief that Jace had been taken into the pool to be cared for though was replaced by unease. The liquids being pumped into Jace’s body were not identified. This very strange ship might have been created by a violent, splinter faction of Precursors. Who knew what it’s intentions were? Had he brought Jace to a place of healing or into one of danger?
Khoth’s eyes lifted to the closed doors to the Core chamber. There were no thumping sounds of the humans attempting to get inside. Not that there would be even if they had planted explosives on it. Calcanth resisted all such destruction though it would easily form structures to begin with.
“Osiris, can you show me what is happening in the corridor outside of this room?” Khoth asked, assuming it would ignore him again.
But there wasn’t even a hesitation before another holographic screen appeared on a flat wall by the doors and showed him the corridor beyond. The humans were indeed out there, attempting to cut through with various torches and thin lines of gummy explosives. Khoth shook his head. Humans were so predictable. The reports on them stated that they always had to be doing something, even if that something was not useful, but it, undoubtedly, soothed their Xis.
But Jace is their child.
He could see both Colonel Diane Parker and Captain Jack Parker among the soldiers outside the doors. Jace’s mother stood ramrod straight, hands on her hips, eyes staring at the closed doors as if she could get past them by sheer will alone. Jace’s father raked his hands through his short hair until it was sticking up. There were lines of strain around both of their eyes and mouths. Neither were yelling or running about. They appeared in control, but it was obvious that they were suffering with worry for their son.
“We should speak to them,” Khoth said.
We? If it is not Gehenna I am speaking to, but some kind of Virtual Intelligence on the Osiris, there is no “we”. Only “me”.
The screen changed and there was volume input. He saw that another screen had appeared in the hallway when Colonel Parker jerked back a step. But then she strode forward, gesturing for the soldiers to move out of her way.
“Commander Khoth,” Colonel Parker said calmly, though there was a harsh edge to her tone. “I order you to open these doors immediately.”
Khoth stood at attention. “Colonel Parker, I would comply with your order, but I fear you will take actions that will harm your son.”
“Harm my son?” Anger sparked in her eyes. “How dare you!”
He was certain that she would attempt to remove Jace from the tank violently. He could not allow that. Whatever the Osiris or Gehenna’s motivations, one thing he was sure of was that Jace needed to complete this process.
“I meant no disrespect. I understand your feelings on this matter, but I cannot risk him at this juncture,” Khoth responded. “I believe your actions, should I allow you in here, would endanger him.”
Colonel Parker brought up one of the e-pads and turned it towards the screen. His mother was on it. She had evidently gone well above his head to the one person who could order him to act differently. Or so they both thought. Khoth though had no intention of letting anyone in here.
“My son, what are you doing?” His mother asked.
“Saving Jace Parker’s life,” he answered simply.
“How--”
She did not get to finish whatever she was about to say as there was a whaaaaaaa sound that seemed to echo in his bones from the Osiris. The hair on the back of his neck stood up and the humans went rigid with alarm. Khoth turned to look back towards the pool.
The countdown was down to zero.
Jace Parker was about to wake up.
More Questions
Jace opened his eyes. He saw blue. Blue everywhere. And then the face of an angel. Blue skin, blue on blue eyes, flowing white hair and a concerned expression on that beautiful, blue face looking down upon him
Am I dead? I’m not in pain and that never happens. So I must be dead. And that is definitely an angel.
There was a giggle. I wonder how Khoth would respond to being called an angel! Knowing his Thaf’ell mind he would immediately think that you were unwell. But you just think him angelically beautiful!
Gehenna?!
Jace rocketed upwards. His mouth opened to say her name as he broke the surface of the liquid. Luckily, he had a mouth-piece over his lips or he would have been drinking that liquid.
