Guardian Awakening (27 page)

Aesia knelt down and opened her arms to catch the running child. With subtle differences to her ears, she was almost a small version of her mother. Aesia hugged the child, “Were you good for your grandmother while I was gone, my darling?”
 

The child pulled away slightly and nodded. “Oh Yes.” She paused. “Did you bring me a present, Mummy?”
 

Aesia shook her head. “I’m afraid I didn’t have time, Tristain.”

A frown momentarily passed across the child’s face before the smile returned. “Oh well, it doesn’t matter. At least you’re home safe.” When Tristain stood back he saw her eyes. They were comparatively smaller than her mother’s eyes, with round pupils. They were human eyes.

The older woman had stood up and was walking towards them. The child turned and started jumping up and down, “Grandmother! My Mummy is home!”

The woman nodded. “Yes dear, I can see.” Tristan turned his attention to the older woman. There were lines on her face and around her eyes with streaks of grey in her fair hair that she wore pulled back in a clip. She was still, nonetheless, a very attractive woman.

Aesia kissed her mother on the cheek. “Hello Mother.”

“Well, what has happened, Aesia? No one has heard anything since you left.” She glanced at Tristan, a slight frown on her face “Where is your father?”
 

Aesia stepped back. “We can’t talk here, Mother. I will tell you later.” The older woman nodded. She turned to Tristan.

“And what is that?” she asked. Tristan noted she had a hard edge to her voice now. The child noticed Tristan for the first time and clung to her mother’s leg, hiding in the folds of her dress.

“Mother, it is a slave I found on my way back. It is apparently very rare, and I could not resist getting it.”

The older woman’s frown deepened. “Have you not learned anything since you returned to us? You know what your father thinks about slavery. He would not want your returning to the old ways you learned in school.”

“No, Mother,” Aesia said. “But I have my reasons. Can we leave it until we are alone, please?”

Her mother’s eyes narrowed, staring at her. “Hum, yes, it seems that you do have a lot to tell me, Aesia. Would you like something to eat or drink?”

Aesia nodded. “Yes please.” The two women walked back to the house, holding the child’s hands between them. Tristain dragged her feet so they would swing her between them.

Tristan followed behind, as he was required to do. In the house, the child ran off to play. Aesia and her mother sat down together in one of the reception rooms.

Aesia’s mother spoke with a maid as they entered. “Shariah, can you get the cook to prepare some lunch for us please?” The maid nodded and ran off to organise some food. Tristan stood in the shadows at the back of the room.

Aesia turned to him. “You, get me a stool.” Tristan looked round, saw a stool, and carried it over to her. As he bent down to place the stool under her feet, he shot her a furtive glance.
Don’t get too comfortable with this mistress and slave thing.
A faint smile played on the edge of her mouth.
 

“Aesia, I don’t like this,” her mother said.

Aesia spoke again to Tristan. “Shut the door and the windows and then return to your place.” Tristan bowed his head and dutifully did as he was told.
She’s enjoying this.

There was a knock on the door, and the maid brought in a tray of food. She placed it on a small table between the two women. She cast a glance at Tristan in the corner before leaving the room and shutting the door. Aesia waited for a few moments then rose and checked the door making sure no one was eaves dropping.
 

Her mother watched her with a curious expression on her face. “Aesia, what is going on?”
 

“Mother, what you are about to hear must not leave this room. If anyone finds out, it would put Tristain’s life in danger.”

Her mother looked concerned. “Should you tell me then?” Aesia nodded. “Yes, as we may need your help.”
 

“Who do you mean,
we?”
her mother asked.

Aesia turned to Tristan and said, “Mother, I would like you to meet Tristain’s father, Tristan. Tristan, my mother Ewain.”

Tristan stepped forward. “I am very pleased to meet you, Madam.”
 

Ewain’s eyes went wide; her hands flew to her mouth. “But Aesia, you told us he was dead!”

“I thought he had been killed on the ship that rescued us ,but after they shipped me back home he escaped.”

Ewain turned to Tristan “I’m sorry, I forget my manners.” She held out her hand. “Hello Tristan, I have heard a lot about you.” She paused. “I can see where Tristain gets her eyes from.” Tristan took her hand for a moment and remained silent.

Aesia shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Mother, as you know, Father and I went as part of a peace delegation to open negotiations with the leader of the League.”

Ewain frowned. “Yes, I know that.”

Aesia’s voice cracked as she rose and went to kneel by her mother, taking her hands. Tears formed in her eyes. “Mother, none of us knew about a plot to kill the League leader. One of the aides had been a hurried replacement for Teresian who suddenly took ill. Unfortunately, he had a bomb surgically implanted. We believe he planned to detonate it once the negotiations had started. League security discovered the bomb so he tried to kill the members of our peace delegation.” She took a deep breath and tightened her grip on her mother’s hands. “All three senior delegates, including Father, were killed in the blast. I’m sorry.” Ewain gasped. Aesia leaned forward, put her arms round her mother’s shoulders, and held her.

After a short while Ewain asked, “What about the League leader? Did you still meet him, Aesia, and explain, or will this war go on forever?” She shook her head. “I had hoped this meeting was the beginning of the end and that your father would bring home the chance of peace.”
 

Aesia dropped her arms and rocked back on her heels. “Yes Mother, I met the League’s leader, Admiral Clayandrian. He is extraordinary. He has telepathic abilities as we do, only far more powerful than any of our species has ever been.” She threw Tristan a quick glance.
 

“So where is he now? Is he going to continue with the war because of this and destroy us?” Ewain shuddered.

“No, Mother, he’s here. You have just met him. It’s Tristan.”

Ewain’s jaw dropped. “You’re not serious! Tristain’s father is Admiral Clayandrian?”

“Yes, I am serious.”

Ewain shook her head. “I don’t believe it, I can’t believe it - Aesia what have you done? You have taken probably the most powerful being in the known galaxy for a mate!”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that, but yes, Mother.” She turned and smiled at Tristan. “Yes.”

With eyebrows raised, Ewain took Aeisa’s face in her hands and stared intently at her. “I can see the bond is strong and fruitful.”
 

Aesia flushed, a shy smile on her lips. “Mother!”
 

“Your Father will be…” A shudder shook Ewain’s body; she fumbled with her hair for a moment. “Would have been fascinated and proud.”
 

“Oh Mother.”
 

“I’m all right, Aesia. I will mourn later.”

With a sigh, Aesia rose and returned to her chair.
 

Shifting in her chair, Ewain turned to Tristan. “So what are you doing here, and what is someone like you doing with my daughter?”

“Madam,” Tristan replied. “I have come to try and end this war and stop the needless killing and destruction.”
 

Ewain shook her head. “How can Aesia be involved?”

Aesia interrupted, “Mother, it is a long story, and we do not have time now. Tristan has blocked all news of the bombing from getting out. So far, the plotters know nothing. They will be reluctant make a move until they are sure the League leader is dead. As far as they are concerned, the only person who knows anything is me. The plan is I will lead them to Tristan, who will take the necessary action.”

“What, on his own?”

“Yes, Mother, on his own.”

“Then why is he posing as a slave?”

“So he can move freely about with me, and no one will take any notice of him as a slave.”

Ewain shook her head again and run her fingers through her hair. “So how do I come into all of this?”
 

“The first and most important thing is Tristain; you have to protect her at all costs. If anyone were to get the slightest suspicion that she has anything to do with Admiral Clayandrian, she will be in grave danger. No one is to take her. Whoever comes and whatever they say, they will not be from Tristan or me. Next, Mother, I need as many names as you can think of. I know some, but there are many I don’t. Father must have mentioned those who were against him. Also, did he mention anyone he could rely on?”
 

“You can rely on me, Aesia. You know I will guard Tristain with my life.”

At that moment they heard a soft knock on the door. Tristan pulled back his hood and returned to the corner.

The two women composed themselves and turned to the door. “Come in.”

It was Tristain. The little girl walked into the room a serious expression on her face. “I’m sorry, but I was bored, and I want to see my Mummy.”

“Of course dear,” said Ewain.
 

Tristain clapped her chubby hands together, ran to Aesia and climbed into her lap.

Once she had settled, she looked at Tristan. “Who’s that man?” Tristan felt the power of the child’s mind against his shield. His mind block slipped for a second as his daughter looked straight at him.

Guardian?
A voice filled his head. The power of it was almost overwhelming. His shield collapsed.
I knew you would come;
the voice continued. Tristan gasped and fell to his knees.
 

Aesia, holding Tristain close to her rose from her chair. “Tristan, what’s wrong?”

At the same time, Tristain wriggled to get out of Aesia’s arms. “It’s my Daddy! The lady said he would come!”

“Tristain! Hush about your imaginary lady! Stay still,” Aesia hissed.

Tristan put his hand up and shook his head. “A… a… moment, Aesia,” was all he could say.

Who are you?
Tristan asked.

I am a servant of the Guardians,
was the reply.
 

Where are you?
Tristan asked.

Here, Guardian.

Where? Show yourself!
 

As you wish, Guardian.

The shimmering figure of a human female, around 30 years of age with dark hair pulled back in a clip, appeared in front of Tristan. She was wearing boots, trousers, and a long, close-fitting blouse, all in a light green colour. “Guardian, I have closed off the room, if that is acceptable to you?” she spoke out loud.

Tristan rose to his feet, trying to control the shaking that was racking his body. He heard Aesia gasp, and with his shield down he felt her fear mingling with his confusion. “I don’t know - yes, yes I suppose so.”

Tristain was jiggling up and down in Aesia’s arms. “Look Mummy, I told you there was a lady!” Aesia held her tighter. “Shush Tristain.”

The woman pointed at the seat next to Aesia. “I will tell you everything, Guardian, but would you prefer to sit first? It will take a while to explain.”
 

Tristan stumbled forward and sat down next to Aesia. Tristain wriggled out of her mother’s arms and threw her arms around Tristan’s neck.

“Hello Daddy, I’m Tristain!” She squeezed hard.
 

Tristan grunted and kissed her on the forehead. “Hello Tristain.”

Aesia moved closer and put her arm round Tristain. “Now sit quietly, Tristain, please, while we find out what is going on.”
 

Tristain nodded. “All right, Mummy.” She sat down on his lap.
 

The woman faced them and smiled. “My name is Dionysia, and I am the Guardian Artificial Intelligence for this planet and surrounding area. Many millennia ago there was only one technologically advanced race in the galaxy. They called themselves Lantians. The Lantians had explored most of the arms and the core of the Galaxy and found no other sentient species. They were alone. There were many inhabitable worlds with primitive life forms; however, none showed any immediate promise.

“They decided to use their own DNA to genetically alter the most promising species they had found on other planets. As they accelerated the development, the Lantians taught and shared their knowledge with the other species they had nurtured.

“Unfortunately, the Lantians had not taken into account they had millions of years of development and were peaceful. The new species were young and violent. There were several disastrous and bloody wars between some of the different species, which took the Lantians by surprise. To prevent any re-occurrence, they set up a system of genetically enhanced Lantians they called Guardians, who would police the peace, mediate disputes, and prevent war. The Lantians built powerful Artificial Intelligence computer systems such as myself.” She paused for a moment inclined her head then continued. “On strategic planets scattered about the galaxy to aid the Guardians in their task. Peace was restored, and despite territorial disputes and misunderstandings between species, the Guardians maintained the peace. Unfortunately, there were never very many of them. One day, over 20,000 years ago, most of them were gathered on their HQ planet, as they did on a regular basis, when they were caught by a natural disaster. Most of Guardians were killed, and the main central AI computer destroyed. There were too few Guardians left to police the galaxy, and there were not enough of them to maintain a viable population. The Lantians themselves had long since moved on, many had disagreed with the DNA manipulation. They left for a deserted region of the Galaxy to get away from the genetically modified species. As the Guardians died out, the galaxy slipped into a dark age. The different species warred with one another, setting themselves back sometimes to a stone-age existence. Without Guardians the artificial intelligences shut down.” She nodded towards Aesia.