Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero (5 page)

He smiled. “I can read enough of your language to
figure out the emergency beacon. Hopefully your ship comes and picks us up.”

Brian walked outside and pulled the thermal cloak
tight. On his belt was the
rakna
blade, in his hand the scanner they
brought with them when they crashed. It was day outside, with the sun shining
dimly. Filling the crimson red sky was a gas giant covered with blue and grey
bands. The land was covered in snow and ice, with only a few mountains showing
through. He turned on the scanner and found the signal for the shuttle. He
walked at a hurried pace for twenty minutes to find the shuttle lodged in ice,
partially covered with fresh snow. After a few minutes of scraping, he found
his way back into the shuttle. Not much had changed from the day before, save
for the icy interior and a small amount of snow. Brian went to the front and
looked over the main control panel. Reading the letters as best he could, he
pressed a few buttons. A second later the panels flashed on. Looking around, he
found a button under the front seat and pressed it. On the front panel an empty
screen appeared, then flashed
Ready
in Kalaidian. He touched the screen.

“This is Brian of the independent Kalaidian vessel
Avoni. I’m stranded with Ensign Seles. Artic conditions, breathable atmosphere
and limited supplies. No medical emergencies. Immediate rescue requested.” He
pressed the screen again and sent the message.

* * *

I hope everything went well.
Seles thought to herself, still sitting close to the
glowing rock. She stood up, pulled the thermal cloak tight, and headed for the
entrance. It was clouding over rapidly outside as the darkness of night came
closer. She gazed at the horizon, seeing nothing but snow and ice. From behind,
a hissing noise started. She turned around and drew the rifle from her back.
The hiss came from the second corridor, far down the unexplored tunnel. It was
close. Steam started filling the air. She felt heat coming from down the
tunnel. Curiosity and warmth drew her towards the source. After walking for a
few minutes, she came into a large chamber filled with steam. The hissing
originated from an opening in the side of the cavern. Steaming water was
pouring all over the floor. She moved closer and sniffed the air. The hot water
was forming a large pool. She pulled back her sleeve and used the wrist scanner
to check the liquid. Seles touched it with her finger. She stood up and paced
the room. The center was bowl shaped, collecting the hot water.  Seles gazed at
the steaming water.
It looks safe.
 
It’s been only two days since I
last took a bath, but it feels like forever.
She thought as she undressed
and stepped into the pool. She sat in the hot water, feeling relaxed.
This
feels great. I’m sure Brian would really enjoy this.

* * *

Night was falling, and with it came the cold and a
blizzard. Brian checked the scanner, seeing the cave was a few hundred feet
from his position.
I want to get back inside and warm up. I hope Seles is
doing okay.
He thought as he approached the entrance. He headed into the
cave and felt the temperature shift.
Where did all this heat and humidity
come from?
Brian went to the room he and Seles stayed in the night prior.
It was empty, save for the dim rock in the center of the room.

“Are you in here, Seles?” he asked. He waited for a
moment, only hearing silence.

Brian turned and headed back to the split. He felt hot
air coming from down the hallway. He walked down the corridor. After a few
minutes he came into a large chamber filled with steam. He blinked a few times
before his vision cleared. After a moment, he saw a large pool in the center of
the room with someone in the water.

“Is that you Seles?” Brian asked.

“Yes, it’s me. The water is perfect, why don’t you
join me?” she said, standing up.

He blushed and turned away. “I think…I’ll go in later
by myself.”

She sat down. “I’m going to enjoy this for a bit
longer. By the way, did you send the signal?”

He turned around and stared at the wall. “I did
everything you told me to. Also, it looks like we can fix the shuttle. At least
we can get off this frozen rock.”

Seles stared at the ceiling. “What if the Avoni was
destroyed?”

“Believe in your captain. If she’s as brilliant as you
say, then Valis will find a way to survive,” he said as he sat down with his
back to her.

“Captain, we’re receiving a message from one of our
emergency beacons,” Daes said, looking up from her console on the bridge.

Valis stood up and looked back at Daes. “Where’s the
message coming from?”

“It’s originating from one of the moons of this gas
giant.” Daes highlighted the planet and moon on the main monitor. “There’s an
audio message as well.”

“Play it for us,” Valis said.

“Sure,” Daes answered, playing the message.

“This is Brian of the independent Kalaidian vessel
Avoni. I’m stranded with Ensign Seles. Artic conditions, breathable atmosphere
and limited supplies. No medical emergencies. Immediate rescue requested.”

There was a moment of silence. “Who is this Brian?”
Valis asked. Celi laughed quietly in the corner. Valis turned to her. “Am I
missing something Celi?”

“No, it’s just I know who Brian is and why he’s
stranded with Seles,” Celi answered.

“Who is it?” Kivi asked.

Celi walked to the front of the bridge. “Brian is the
alien we recovered from the Grey ship before it was destroyed. I don’t know
what species he belongs to, but it’s very similar to ours, physically and
genetically. I have all the data from when I scanned him earlier. I’ll put it
up on the monitor if you want captain.”

Valis turned back to Daes. “Make a note of the
emergency beacon and give this message in return: Avoni has suffered severe
damage, can’t rescue for eleven days. Please respond as soon as possible on
situation.”

Daes recorded the message and sent it out. Celi walked
over to Daes and handed a small crystal to her. “This data crystal has all the
information on the alien.”

Daes placed the crystal in a slot on the console.
Brian’s image appeared on the monitor. “As you can see, the alien looks very
much like one of us. But, there are fundamental differences between us,” Celi
explained.

“Are you sure he isn’t a deformed Kalaidian?” Valis
asked.

Celi shook her head. “No, the genetics don’t match.
He’s similar, but definitely originates from a different planet.”

“If he’s not Kalaidian, then where’s he from?” Valis
asked.

Celi pointed at the monitor. “From what I can deduce,
his species evolved in marginally heavier gravity than ours and displays high
warm blooded features. From the skin pigmentation and body hair, I suspect his
home world has a cooler climate than Kalaidia.”

“How dangerous is this alien?” Kivi asked.

Celi turned to the image on the screen. “Even before I
injected him with nanomachines, he was dangerous. He killed the entire crew of
a Grey ship. But, from what I saw earlier, and the message he sent, I don’t
believe we anything to worry about.”

“What do you base this belief on?” Valis asked.

“If he comes from a species new to interstellar travel,
he’d find it easier to relate to a species similar to his own.” Celi looked at
the picture again. “Also, I got the feeling I could trust him by the look in
his eyes. His reaction wasn’t violent. He seemed genuinely thankful to see us,
not afraid or angry.” Celi giggled. “Actually, he seemed quite clueless as to
his situation, and the look on his face when we tried to speak to him the first
time was hilarious. The only thing I suspect Seles will have to worry about is
answering a thousand questions.”

“Let’s hope so.” Valis looked at Kivi. “I have some
business to attend to. Kivi, please take over for me.” She left on the
elevator.

Kivi took her place at the captains’ chair. She looked
at the screen with Brian on it. “Is it just me Celi, or do the rest of you find
this alien…attractive?”

The others on the bridge blushed and turned away. Celi
turned to Kivi. “That’s one way to put it Kivi. Given we have no males amongst
us, it’s only natural we’d see this alien as attractive. Even a hundred and
fifty years can’t deny our natural instinct in finding males attractive.” Celi
went to Daes. “I’d like your help studying this alien in the lab.”

“I’d love to,” Daes said. “Is that alright?”

“It’s prudent we have as much information on this
alien as possible. So go ahead,” Kivi said.

* * *

Valis entered her quarters and immediately headed for
a side room. Inside, an extensive library of large books lined the walls.
It
must be here somewhere.
She thought to herself. She scanned the shelves,
taking an old, large tome from the shelf.
I’m sure it’s in the Sixth Book of
Kali, Chapter 16.
She opened the book on the metal desk. She paged through
the tome until she found the passage she sought:

On the seventh day of the third month, a stranger
appeared from the sky. He rode upon a ship of light and came to us with open
arms. The stranger looked of our own but taller with round ears. He spoke of
peace and unity and told us one day he would return.

She looked at the monitor on the wall. “Please display
all information on the alien.”

The computer displayed numerous measurements alongside
his picture. Valis read further along in the text:

The stranger stood a head taller than us with long
black hair. He had hair on his face and eyes of a foreign brown color. He was a
giant to behold with a kind heart to match his size.

She looked up at the image.
This one has long brown
hair, blue green eyes, and pale skin. I don’t see hair on his face, though the
size is similar.
Valis turned the page a few times, reading more:

On the twenty first day of the eighth month, the stranger
stood upon his ship of light. He told us one day he would return for our help.
The stranger told us of a great evil walking above the clouds, an evil he alone
could not defeat. And so, he spoke these words before leaving us: “One day many
years from now, your race will ride upon the sky as I do. A great battle will
fill the skies, and evil shall rain down to your world. On that day, I shall
return to help you as I have done, and in return you shall help me…” And so,
the stranger left on his ship of light, never to be seen again.

She walked up to the monitor.
He may not look the
same as the description of the stranger, but there’s something about this
Brian.

“Are you the Herald?” Valis asked. “Is the great evil
written in the book of Kali near?”

* * *

Daes and Celi entered the infirmary, a large, long
room filled with raised beds. On the far side a number of surgical rooms and
labs were positioned. A few of the beds had Kalaidians in them, the injured
from the recent battle. Daes and Celi headed into the largest lab. It was
filled with computers and chemicals. Celi turned on the monitors to display the
data on Brian.

“I know I asked for your help, but biology isn’t a
topic you usually look this excited for?” Celi asked.

“True, but this alien is to ours genetically, and
male. I’m sure you want him for more than just another specimen to observe,”
Daes answered.

Celi nodded. “His species is remarkably close to ours
genetically.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I need more detailed genetic information before
making a decision on what to do next,” Celi said. “But, at least we can check
and see if his chromosomes are different like our males once were.”

“Then let’s get started,” Daes said.

* * *

Valis closed a different tome after reading it.
That
may explain it.
She thought, looking at the underside of her left wrist.
She stood and turned the monitor back on, remembering what she had just read:
When
darkness comes, the Warrior will appear. With the Five Maidens and the Three
Wisemen, the Warrior will vanquish the darkness, bringing light to Alden.
Valis brushed the image of Brian’s face and then looked at the mark on her
wrist.
I carry the mark of the Maiden of the Wisdom. I didn’t think I would
be the one to play the role.

This feels great.
Brian thought to himself as he washed away the stench and filth he’d
gathered since the abduction. Sitting in the hot spring, he glanced at Seles,
who was sleeping quietly. He enjoyed the heat and water for a while longer
before getting out and moving behind a few large rocks to see if his clothes
had dried yet. Before putting them back on he smelled them. He grabbed the hand
scanner and pressed in a few commands.