Excerpt #7

 Excerpt #7

     Standing in the center of a remote temple, now just broken stone blocks, a few plinths still standing, stubbornly refusing to lay down and finally die. A visitor walks from the forest edge to gaze at these ruins first hand. She seems to be looking for something or someplace within these ruins. Extending senses honed over long years of training and practice with the Master who selected her as his apprentice. Until that fateful day long years ago when he walked away from her. Leaving her to wonder if she was the reason he left.

     His reasons were his own and had nothing to do with her, but rather other tumultuous events in his own life. Events that caused him to 'fall'. Eerily similar to the way Aasimar Scourge are sometimes known to 'fall'. But these people know nothing of the Aasimar, nothing of Nirn, or the events going on within the Creation that holds that world within it. For this world is within a different, far distant Creation, but one still at risk from what is happening in the Creation that holds Nirn.

     The wind blows across the ruined temple, as she walks by the large weathered stone blocks and the standing plinths, her hands tracing a wandering path across their surface. Trying to read the memories of what happened here, in the hope she can find what she searches for. She looks up and sees the sky's clouds beginning to turn blood red. She wonders if this means more blood yet to be spilled here. Then she continues onward, if more blood must be spilled then it will whether she wishes for it to be or not. It will not be her decision, but that of any who managed to follow her here.

     Shabath: "Now where are you hiding at. I know you are somewhere nearby and I will find you."

     Her senses tell her there is an underground chamber nearby. She walks to a point above it, draws her light blade, energizes it, and quickly cuts a circle around herself. As the circular cut of ground drops beneath her, she crouches to land on her feet. Then she looks around the chamber with the light from above streaming inside where it has been dark for near several millennia. The walls abound in a form of flowing script corresponding to more of a symbology than an alphabet. She notices three statues standing evenly around the chamber and three stone pedestals several feet inward from each statue.

     Shabath: "Amazing, still buried after all this time. What stories you three could tell me if you were able to speak. But truly I am not certain I really want to know. The things that were done to bring about the war that destroyed this place. Such has no place in our universe any more, better it remains lost."

     Examining one of the pedestals, she sees that the top has a shape like a lid, but it cannot be pried off. If it will not come off, maybe it will turn. Then she notices a small notch from the center to the outside edge. Turning it gently, it moves around until the notch lines up with the closest statue. Then a 'click' reverberates from the walls as it bounces back and forth. She does the same with the remaining two, when the three pedestals sink into the floor and a single shaft of crystal rises from the center. She looks it over, finding a possible crack in the surface. She forms her hand into a half fist and strikes with the ridged side. The crack gives way and the portion of the crystal above where she hit, breaks off. She then sees a small part of the spherical metallic orb with carvings like those on the walls, cut into the orb''s surface.

     Shabath: "There you are. Thought you could hide from me, did you? But I found you anyway. The easy part is done, now I have to get away from here and keep you out of 'their' hands."

     It takes short work to break off the crumbling crystal from around the rest of the orb, releasing it into her hands. She takes the orb and quickly moves beneath the hole she cut into the temple floor to enter this chamber. Jumping up, through the hole, and stepping onto the temple floor, she moves to where she landed on this empty, far-flung world. As her ship, races out of the atmosphere, she is rocked by blasts from others attempting to disable her ship and take her prize from her fingers. She quickly sees there is too many to evade, but she does not have it within her to surrender. She askes her navigational droid to find a means of escape, any means at all, no matter how obscure or crazy.

     Shabath: "R3?"

     R3: "(beep..chime)?"

     Shabath: "I know there are too many to evade. Any other 'pearls' of wisdom you have to impart to me?"

     R3: "(beep..beep..chirp..tone)"

     Shabath: "No, I am not going to surrender. You would get off easy. They would simply copy your memory banks, wipe them and reprogram you. Me? Well, I would rather not think about what would be in store for me. No, we run."

     R3: "(chirp? buzz..beep..chirp..furious chord)"

     Shabath: "R3! Such language! No, I want you to search your star charts, find us a way to escape. I do not care how crazy it may seem. Use your imagination."

     R3: "(chirp? beep..octave slide..chirp?)"

     Shabath: "Yes, the subroutine I downloaded into your databanks before we came here. And no, I am not telling you where I found it. Anyway, you would never believe me if I told you. Just access it and find us a way out."

     This droid has been with her for many years and trusts her to know what she asks from it. It does as she asks and using the new subroutine, scans its databanks for star charts of this area and there, off into the distance just barely reachable in time, is a possible answer. It fits within the definition of crazy, for there is no telling where they will end up, but she did not ask for a specific destination, only escape. The droid plots the course, and begins charging the hyperdrive, furiously calculating the exact moment to engage it and allow for escape into the vast unknown.

     R3: "(beep? chirp?)"

     Shabath: "No, I do not know where it will take us, but neither will they and that is good enough at this moment."

     She trusts her navigational droid to do what she asks, so she does not question what it has found. But instead works to stay ahead of the pursuit and anticipate the weapons fire being directed their way. Soon enough, she spots where her course is taking them and perhaps for the first time in her long life, asks herself if she has overstepped the bounds of sanity. She spots a massive blue/white giant of a star, actively shooting off flares as a red dwarf orbits it and is approaching perihelion. Checking her course as it is laid in, she sees her droid has calculated a slingshot between the two, using the gravitational pull and distortions to bring their escape speed beyond what their instruments can record. Then she notices the timing of the engagement of the hyperspace drive, and wonders where they will end up, for the math goes very fuzzy once the drive is engaged at the gravitational release point.

     She stops trying to understand it and lets her instincts, and her sense of the 'Force' tell her what it means. She shakes her head in disbelief, but it is too late now to change anything.

     Shabath: "Do it R3! I trust you, my friend, do it."

     It is now or never, do or die, so she tells her droid to hold on as they race and accelerate past the known velocities their ships are capable of reaching. And when the hyperdrive is engaged and her ship disappears from the screens of her pursuers, she 'blacks out' and dreams while her droid does its best to keep the ship from breaking apart until they can reach a point where they can disengage the hyperdrive and begin shedding velocity.

     Her dreams are troubling, much of what she experiences she has no context to understand. Dragons, cat people, Ravers, Kinja, Vampires, Wamphyri, Demons, Gods, Goddesses, nothing makes sense to her. What few she has read of in ancient books, she cannot bring herself to believe they could be real. As strange as some of the things she has seen, they cannot be compared to these dreams. But try as she might to wrest control of them and turn back into safer waters. They deliberately resist her every effort, until a robed, definitely human figure walks up to her and asks her to follow him.

     Shabath: "Who are you? Where am I?"

     Great Sage: "I am a Great Sage of the city of Ilek Vad. As to where you are, you are in the Dreamlands. You likely do not recognize it because your own Dreamlands are so very far away and more reflective of your waking worlds than the ones here."

     Shabath: "Then how did I get here? Where is my ship? Where is R3?"

     Great Sage: "That is a question we would like the answer to as well as you. No one else in our recorded history has ever traveled to your Dreamlands or until now one from yours to us. But there is one of ours, who we feel could be of great help to you and us in this current situation. If you would come with me to Ilek Vad, we can then await she who is the 'Mother of All Dragons'. I will introduce you to King Kuranes, ruler of Ilek Vad, while we wait."

     Shabath: "Very well, but how do we ge there?"

     The Great Sage points out one of the 'Arcane Anchors'.

     Great Sage: "Through that tower over there. They are scattered over all of this part of the Dreamlands and have many capabilities."

     Shabath somewhat awed, "It's beautiful."

     Great Sage: "Yes, they are."

     The Great Sage escorts her inside, where she immediately is struck by how much room is inside versus how much smaller it looks from the outside. The Great Sage tells her that whereas he does not know how this can be, he says she can ask the 'Mother of All Dragons', since it was she who built the first one and then instructed the Dreamlands in how to construct more, tying them together.

                                                         * 

     Great Sage: "Your Majesty, this is the traveler that we saw within the streak of light that passed by just a day ago. She is too far from her home for us to even know where she came from. Even the Dreamlands of her home are beyond any places we have knowledge of. But this I do know, she is being hunted, and escaped her pursuers by the barest of margins. Making moves and decisions that I have only seen one other dare to make and survive."

     King Kuranes: "Do you think we should contact her then. Let her meet this traveler and see if she might be able to help?"

     Great Sage: "I hazard to think what she may be involved in, but if we send word through one of her Arcane Towers, might she send one of hers to see what help could be given? At the least they could intercept her ship before encountering something she might not be able to survive."

     King Kuranes: "My Lady, there is little enough that we can do here except make you comfortable. But we know of those who could be of assistance to you, and are more than willing to send a message on your behalf to ask for what help they can be."

     Shabath: "Who is this person you speak of?"

     King Kuranes: "She is a friend beyond measure, a 'Great Dreamer' who bears the power of the 'Dreamstride' among many others. All the 'Lands of Dream' welcome her with open arms. She knows no difference between the 'great and powerful' as well as the 'humble and poor'. She will aid and accept aid from both 'light' and 'dark', 'good' and 'evil', all they need to do is believe in her and the cause she has given herself to."

     Shabath: "And what is that, if I may ask?"

     King Kuranes: "She is the 'Champion of the Balance', the force that guides the Creations on the path between the absolutes of good and evil. Thus the Creations live and thrive. Galactic Empires have bent the knee to her, having risen from the dust of extinction to climb higher than they ever imagined under her guidance. Warriors of every stripe and culture, past and future, dream and waking, magical and technological, mortal and immortal, all who come to her in belief she will take into her Celestial Army. And soon the time comes for that Army to begin to move, to perform the duty to which it has been formed, to undertake the 'Jihad of Truth' and save the Metaverse from destruction."

     Shabath: "Very well, Your Majesty. There seems nothing more I can do at this time anyway. I just hope there is a ship for me to return to when this is done."

     King Kuranes: "I would not worry about that for now, time can move very much differently here than in the 'waking world'. Years here can move while only a few hours are spent in the 'waking world'. But while the Great Sage asks for help from the 'Mother of All Dragons' on your behalf, sit and tell me of what brought you here. I have traveled across the black gulfs between Dreamlands that belong to different worlds, but those times were long ago and not without great dangers."

                                                    *

     Illyria quickly awakes from her dream and rushes to the control room of the Krang.

     Illyria: "Reaper! I must get in touch with Iriisii, a very important message has been sent to her from King Kuranes in the Dreamlands!"

     Reaper: "Initiating contact now. Mother, Illyria has received a message for you from the Dreamlands. I am putting her on channel to you now."

     Illyria: "Iriisii can you break loose from what you may be involved in?"

     Iriisii: "Hold on, tell me what the message is and we can go from there."

     Illyria: "Someone landed in the Dreamlands from somewhere so far away, no one has ever even heard of it. But she is being chased for an artifact she has in her physical possession. It and her body is on a small ship traveling through something she calls hyperspace."

     Iriisii: "Whoa! She specifically said 'hyperspace'?"

     Illyria: "Yes, what does that mean?"

     Iriisii: "She is a long way from her home for certain and whatever or whoever is chasing her is equally bad news. Where is her physical body now? Did she have any idea?"

     Illyria: "No, she has no idea, she started dreaming as soon as the hyperdrive on her ship was activated."

     Iriisii: "There must be more, that in itself is not enough to drive her into the dreamlands here."

     Illyria: "She says she has a navigational droid, whatever that is, piloting and repairing the ship as they travel. Also that they were in the middle of a 'slingshot' move when the Hyperspace drive was activated."

     Iriisii: "Slingshot move? Wait, let me ask the Ancestral memories... Where is she now?"

     Illyria: "In Ilek Vad, a guest of King Kuranes."

     Iriisii: "All right, I am on my way to her in the Dreamlands, tell Reaper to prepare the Krang for a long jump. Everyone is to prepare to find that ship, grab hold of it, and bring it onboard. I will put a tracer on her in the Dreamlands and it should return to the 'Waking Worlds' with her. We can locate her then. And Illyria."

     Illyria: "Yes?"

     Iriisii: "Thank you, love, for bringing this to me."

     Illyria: "You are very welcome, love. Take care."

     Iriisii: "Always."

     

     Iriisii transports her physical body to the main Gate of Ilek Vad.

     Gatekeeper: "Goddess, King Kuranes left word that you be escorted to the palace if you showed up. These Palace Guards are to be your escort."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, Gatekeeper. Guard Captain, we need to hurry, even as time moves more slowly here than the 'Waking Worlds' it is still of the essence in this situation."

     Guard Captain: "Of course, Goddess, we have a lane of travel already cleared to the palace."

     Iriisii: "Then let us be on our way. I have no way to know the importance of why my help is needed, but my senses tell me it could be vital on many fronts."

     As they hurry to the Palace, many of the inhabitants recognize Iriisii as she is escorted by the Palace Guard. Seeing the speed with which they are moving, all suspect matters of great import are moving and all move back to not impede their progress. Soon enough they enter the Palace and make their way to the Throne Room. The door guards open immediately as they see her approaching. And King Kuranes rises from his throne through the opening doors, sees Iriisii striding through them. He then motions for Shabath to join him as he walks down to greet Iriisii.

     King Kuranes: "Mother of All Dragons, thank you for coming so quickly to our call."

     Iriisii: "Of course, King Kuranes, the Dreamlands are of inestimable value to me and as I have always been made welcome here, I will always come when needed. Now I assume the being by your side is the one who needs my help?"

     King Kuranes: "Yes, she is, may I introduce you. This is Shabath, a Jedi Knight of the Imperium of Worlds. Shabath, this is Iriisii Dovahkiin, Mother of All Dragons, along with more titles and accolades that would take days to speak of."

     Iriisii bows, "I know not of what a Jedi Knight is and stands for, yet I sense you stand well into the 'Light', how can I be of assistance to you?"

     Shabath: "I see you and am perplexed. I see equal parts, light and dark within you. How can this be, our teachings speak nothing of this possibility."

     Iriisii: "I serve the 'Great Balance' between 'Light' and 'Dark', 'Good' and 'Evil'. I seek to be a guide and mentor to all of Existence to thread between the 'Absolutes' and so for all to live, thrive, to seek family, fortune, or whatever ideal moves them to live each day."

     Shabath: "I would when we have time to ask you of this 'Great Balance' for I would like to understand its philosophy and how it compares with my own. But for now, I need help to catch my ship before it comes apart from the stresses 'R3' is trying to stay ahead of. Also I carry something that my enemies want badly. I hope they were not able to follow my track, but I cannot be certain of this."

     Iriisii: "I believe that I can help with the former, at least for now. Possibly the latter, once I know more of the situation. Krosis, I digress, here is a locator crystal specifically tuned for my people to track and locate you. All you have to do is have it on your person when you return to the 'Waking World' and my Krang will be able to find you and then I can bring your ship on board. The Krang can then see to any repairs you may need, while I see to what further help I and mine can be."

     Shabath: "I do not know how I can repay you for your generosity."

     Iriisii: "There is no need, I see all who need help to be my 'children' and there is nothing I will not do to help and protect them. But may I ask, what drove you to such a desperate action as to not only attempt a gravitational slingshot, but activate a hyperdrive at the release point. The dimensional calculations involved are beyond most races to even comprehend much less effectively execute. My Krang has the capability to do it, but as small a ship as you have?"

     Shabath: "I came into possession of a computational subroutine some time ago while exploring some incredibly ancient ruins. I was able to translate it, but seeing it was mathematical equations I was not able to make sense of it. I had 'R3' take a look at them and he told me I was insane for even considering to try and understand them. Then he told me they were course computation equations for several scenarios of extreme evasive maneuvers."

     Iriisii: "I can see that much, but the question in my mind is who developed them and why did they see the need for them. These are not the normal type of evasive maneuvers that a ship would need. What they were developed for...I cannot imagine what they would need such to flee from. Unless..."

     Shabath: "What comes to your mind?"

     Iriisii: "Later, I might explore a possibility with you, but first I would need to confirm it first. It is of such a nature that I would not burden you with it unless needed. But come, when you are ready to return then I can mobilize my Krang to start searching for you."

     Shabath turns to King Kuranes: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the help you have been and for the most interesting time I have spent with anyone in a long time indeed."

     King Kuranes: "Then I will leave you in the most capable hands of the 'Mother of All Dragons'." Turning to Iriisii, "Thank you Goddess Imperatrix for your quick response, you are welcome at any time you wish to grace us with your presence."

     Iriisii: "You need no reason to call upon me, Your Majesty, the Dreamlands and the Garden of Elysia are among those places that draw me to them for any reason or none at all."

     She places her hand up to Shabath's forehead and simply says, "Awaken".

     Shabath wakes up in her ship, hurtling along in hyperspace toward somewhere only the 'Force' knows where. Then a thought crosses her mind, "He called her 'Goddess Imperitrex', now what could that mean?"

     R3: "(beep.beep.whistle..slide)"

     Shabath: "What do you mean that makes her the 'Goddess Empress of all Dreams'? And how would you know anyway?"

     R3: "(whistle..beep.tone)"

     Shabath: "Just what else was in that subroutine besides equations? And what signal is locking onto us, we are in hyperspace."

     R3: "(tone.octave jump..whistle)"

     Shabath: "WHAT? WHERE?...", low whisper, "by the 'Force' will you look at that!"

     R3: "..."

     Shabath: "Well that is a first, I have never seen you speechless before."

     R3: "(beep.beep.tone)"

     Shabath: "It is hailing us? Well patch it through then, we might as well say hello, since we have not been blasted into little pieces yet."

     Shabath looks at her comm screen and sees a male figure quite unlike anything she has seen outside of some of her more lurid dreams.

     Reaper: "We have her on viewscreen, Mother, patching her through to you."

     The next face she sees is that of the 'Mother of All Dragons' that she met in King Kuranes throne room.

     Shabath: "It was real? But it was a dream at the same time? I...what happened?"

     Iriisii chuckles, "It can be a lot to take in if you are not experienced in Metaphysics or Celestial Mysticism. But in answer to your question, yes we did meet in the Dreamworlds, specifically in Ilek Vad, in King Kuranes throne room. And due to the homing crystal I gave you there, my Krang was able to locate you and bring us close. If you are ready, we will bring you into one of our docking bays."

     While Shabath is suspended in disbelief at the Krang, Iriisii is informed of a ship of unknown design still some distance away but approaching.

     Iriisii: "Stand by for traction beam attachment, we will bring you aboard. It seems somehow you were followed. Once we have you aboard, we will see just what or who is following you."

     Shabath: "A docking in hyperspace?!! How can that be done?"

     Iriisii: "We intend to bring you inside the Krang. We are surrounded by a self-generated multi-space bubble. Once you cross the horizon line you will no longer be in the hyperspace dimension and thus no longer subject to its physical laws."

     Shabath: "How can this be, no one in our space knows anything about what you said!"

     Iriisii: "We can discuss this further later, first we must get you inside and safe. I do not want to apply full power to the Krang until you are behind our hull. I will then have you escorted to the 'Bridge' to see what you may tell us of those who followed you. Rest assured I will not hand you over to them, no matter what they say."

     On the 'Bridge' of an Imperial Correllian Battlecruiser the Pursuit Captain is informing the ship's Captain as to their progress in tracking Shabath.

     Pursuit Captain Rosil: "Captain D'teri, Sir, we have located the rebel ship."

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "Excellent news Captain, how long before she is in our hands."

     Pursuit Captain Rosil: "That could be a problem Sir."

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "It had better be a problem solved, you know what the cost of failure will be."

     Pursuit Captain Rosil: "Yes Sir, take a look at this long range visual record we recorded before the probe was destroyed."

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "Destroyed? How can one of our probes be destroyed while in hyperspace? Did it collide with a piece of rock or something?"

     Pursuit Captain Rosil: "No Sir, the recording will answer your question."

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "It had better or you will be having a private meeting with our Special Ops team."

     Pursuit Captain Rosil to his credit does not shudder, shiver, swallow hard, or anything other than order the recording played for the Ship's Captain. Once it is over as the recording probe was destroyed, Ship's Captain D'teri sits silent as a ghost for a few seconds.

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "I want a full analysis on what was in that recording and I want it as quickly as I can get it, preferably before we catch up to it. Captain Rosil, what are your thoughts on what occurred?"

     Pursuit Captain Rosil: "Completely unknown Sir. There is and has been nothing in any of our databanks even coming close to what this is, or even who built it. All we can be certain of is that it is floating within the corona of that Brown Dwarf class star, and draws its power from it, we can see hints of another source of power, but nothing we can identify as yet. Our computers cannot determine what its capabilities are or why it would need that level of power. One thing we have had in our databanks from the past and a comparison was made."

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "What was that?"

     Pursuit Captain Rosil: "We compared its potential to that of the 'DeathStar' that the previous Imperial Government created. The results are that even the full output of that 'DeathStar' would not even budge the shields this thing is capable of generating. And we have no idea of what kinds of weaponry they have, the computers are contradicting themselves at every turn trying to evaluate what it can do with what little we know. What are your orders Sir?"

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "Maintain course, but stay out of weapons range until we can back you up. Maybe they will be willing to talk first before starting hostilities."

     Iriisii: "Can you identify either of those two ships?"

     Shabath: "The smaller and closer one is an Imperial Pursuit Craft. The one following is an Imperial Corellian Battlecruiser, one of the largest of their battleships."

     Iriisii: "Reaper, what can you tell me about their capabilities?"

     Reaper: "Not a threat, Mother. The Krang does not consider them more than a nuisance to us. We can take them out even within hyperspace without a problem."

     Shabath: "You have weapons that would work in hyperspace?"

     Reaper: "Several different types, yes. If we needed to take them out, we would first use a kinetic rail gun. Fire a solid 'dark matter' inert projectile at them and when it impacts the kinetic energy from the firing rail and the projectile absorbing energy from the hyperspace conduit, means the target ship would be vaporized upon impact and their sensors would never detect it in time to evade."

     Iriisii: "It will still be a few hours before they are in communications range, we should let them get closer before hailing them. No need to let them know how strong our comm reach is. What is the situation with why they would send something like that after you? The only reason I wish to know is to have an idea of where a conversation with them is going to go. I can then direct what is said to gain as much information as possible without their suspecting. As long as they do not initiate hostilities, I am content to let them go. If they start anything, I will leave them as dust in our wake."

     Shabath reaches into her robes and pulls out the silvery orb.

     Shabath: "This is what they want, besides getting their hands on me and whatever information they can extract from me."

     Iriisii: "May I?"

     Shebath: "Of course." And hands it over to her.

     Iriisii carefully and gently holds it in her hands, examining it in minute detail. Allowing access to her senses to her ancestral memories.

     Iriisii: "There are many questions that this raises and few answers as yet, but I do agree it would be best it to not fall into their hands. Should it do so, it would lead to my having to divert my attention from the situation I am currently involved in and that I do not need right now. I see the question in your eyes and mind, but since it does not involve you I would prefer not to go into it. Should you wish to become involved then I would fully inform you of everything. Also depending on what this", and she raises the orb up into view, "reveals, it may be necessary to involve myself in your problem. If that becomes needed then I will tell you all that you need to understand why I would involve myself, and we will come to an accord as to how deep we go.

     It is not my intention to set myself up as a ruling force either in my Existence or yours. But rather as a guide and shepherd, a mentor. But sometimes changes have to be made to mitigate the swings of the pendulum between 'Good' and 'Evil' that happen, that is where I step in."

     Shebath: "Who...are...you, really?"

     Reaper: "My Mother is many things, but the one she speaks of now is 'WAR', first aspect of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the supreme agents of change."

     Shebath: "We know nothing of these Four Horsemen, these agents of change."

     Reaper: "Because your Existence never birthed them with its confines, ours did. It is surmised that it is the very energies that make up the fabric of Existence, developed a mind of sorts. Something so different, we do not see, feel or understand it. But it knows us, and gave birth to the 'Four' to be its 'Hand of Change'. It may be that your Existence has set about a way to ask ours to lend the 'Four Horsemen' to it for a time to resolve some problem its own cannot deal with."

     Iriisii looks to Reaper, "When I taught you my knowledge of Metaphysics, I had no idea it would take you in this direction. But your words strike true within me and my Ancestral Memories concur with your conclusion. What this is going to mean for both of our Existences going forward is something still very much shrouded in the 'Veils of the Void', but they will reveal themselves to us in their own time. Then we will know if the path we tread is the 'Path of Truth' or not."

     Shebath: "And if it is not, what then?"

     Iriisii: "If we trust to our instincts, our belief in ourselves, hold to what we know deep within our souls, within the very core of our being, we will find ourselves on the right path. It is how I have lived my life as both mortal and immortal. It has not steered me wrong so far, and I do not expect it will do so now."

     Iriisii's words resonate with Shabath, as she feels for what she knows as the 'Force' she finds Iriisii's words blending with her knowledge of the 'Force'. And both becoming stronger, clearer for her as a result. Iriisii looks closely at her, evaluating what is going on inside her.

     Iriisii: "You are close to an epiphany, it will come forward when it will. I will be here for you when it does to help guide you should you wish it so. For now we have to prepare for what comes our way next. Reaper, raise the Krang to Second Level Threat Response, but keep it quiet, no outward sign until I command it."

     Reaper: "As you wish, Mother."

     Shebath: "She is truly your mother?"

     Reaper: "She created this body for me, and gave me an unborn soul, to merge my mind with."

     Shebath: "What were you before?"

     Reaper: "The operating intelligence of this construct called the Krang."

     Shebath awed, "You were an artificial intelligence?"

     Reaper: "Of a kind much greater than what you know of. I held all the knowledge acquired in its building and operation, but still chained to it. When the Last Prophet of the builders, the Tar-Ayim, gave the Krang to 'Mother', I did not know of the vaster knowledge that was still outside my bounds. She gave me the ability to reach out and touch that knowledge, but also to know that greater force called 'Wisdom'. She taught me what emotions are, and how to meld them all together. To become more than a mere Intelligence, to become a living being. I am the first of my kind to know 'love', understand 'mercy', show 'compassion' and know just how strong they are."

     Shebath: "You know 'love'?"

     Reaper: "Yes, one of 'Mother's' Celestial Line is a Naiad, called 'Telasine'. We are currently involved with each other, each teaching the other who we are, what we are, our rising desire for each other, our caring for the other. It is a uneven road we travel, but we have 'Mother's' example before us, thus we know we can make it work between us and so we shall."

     Shebath: "I wish all the luck in both our Existences to the both of you. May the power I know as the 'Force', watch and guide you in your lives together."

     Shebath has had a few hours rest in a set of guest quarters assigned to her. The sheer variety of completely unknown races that make up Iriisii's crew astounds her. And then she is taken to be introduced to Brii Qo Dun, Tahrodis, and the dragonlings.

     Shebath: "This place is beyond imagination. Never have I seen so much in a single tower, then to think of the sheer numbers of towers you have here. How can they be so much larger inside than outside?"

     Iriisii: "Thanks to information provided by a special ally and friend of mine. You have likely never heard of him or his people, of which he is now the last remaining. Perhaps he may come by while you are among us and I can introduce you. I know him as the 'Doctor' and he is the last 'Time Lord' of Gallifrey."

     Shebath: "I would like to meet him then should he drop by. But what do you need such a huge space for, I swear I can see clouds up there. Are they real or illusion?"

     Iriisii: "They are real. The inhabitants enjoy flying up within them, and truth be told I like flying up there with them when the opportunity comes my way. But come we need to go there".

     As Iriisii points off in the distance to an ancient caldera surrounded by water and a bridge of stone. They are soon there and Iriisii shows her the entrance into the interior of the caldera. They pass inside through a winding ravine that effectively hides the entrance. Coming out into the large open center, Shebath is amazed by how the natural features are used to conceal the work of stonemasons to construct the Temple entrance.

     Iriisii: "This is an exact copy. The original exists within a far mountain range only accessible by air on the world of my birth. The Temple there is as this one is, dedicated to Kyne, the Goddess of the Air, the Rains, and the Hunt. She is one of the 'Nine' to whom I share a special closeness. We need to go down from here, through that door chiseled to look like the rock walls."

     Shebath: "What role in your homeworld did she fill to bring you so close to her?"

     Iriisii: "She made me her 'Thunderchild' and her 'Champion' while I was still a mortal. Her gifts expanded my knowledge of the Rotmulaag or Words of Power within Dovahzul, the language of the Dragons that live on my homeworld. I have now gone so far from where I was when I first received them, but they were instrumental in preparing me for this road and the role that I have accepted. Now prepare yourself for a sight few others have seen."

     They step into the main cavern. As Shebath looks on with speechless awe at the vista before her. She looks at the magma pool along the far side of the cavern, realizing by the wavering distortion of her sight by the heat waves rising from it, that it is real and not illusion.

     Iriisii: "Come, the ones I want to introduce you to are waiting for us."

     She guides Shebath to a large side chamber, and around a bend in it, her jaws drop at the sight that graces her eyes. Brii Qo Dun raises her head to view the visitors to see her and the dragonlings. Having already sensed Iriisii coming, she knows the one with her is safe. She then speaks to greet them.

     Brii Qo Dun: "Greetings to you both, it is always a pleasure to see you, my love."

     Shebath looks shocked to Iriisii, "...?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, she is mated to me by the ancient 'Laws of Dragonkind', that pile you see there are our younglings taking a nap before beginning their day by climbing over Brii."

     Shebath: "But how?"

     Iriisii: "When we undertook our mating flight, I morphed into dragon form and changed my gender to male at the same time."

     Shebath: "All of these are from that flight?"

     Brii laughs, "No, only half. My love bore the other half herself when she took Tahrodis as her second dragon mate. She woke me from a ten thousand cycle sleep and in just a few days time, mated with me and gave me the little ones I now enjoy so much."

     Shebath: "Two dragons as mates?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, Tahrodis is a Shadow Dragon, almost never seen outside the Shadow Lands these days. He is there consulting with their Oracles on a matter right now. The little ones are most important to all of us, for they will help me bring about a 'Golden Age' of peace, prosperity, and justice across all of this Existence."

     Shebath looks at Iriisii questioningly.

     Iriisii: "Four of them hold within them the souls of the Draconic Divines that were imprisoned in the Dreamlands, in the place where the 'Dead Gods Lie Dreaming'. The Draconic Divines were the first Dragon Gods present in the creation of this Existence. By giving them new bodies by means of our mating, I acquired the title of 'Mother of All Dragons'. All of these and any others that may come, share some of my abilities along with their own natural ones. Thus they will be of 'demigod' status when they come into their power."

     Reaper chimes in at this point from the 'Bridge' of the Krang.

     Reaper: "I apologize for interrupting, Mother, but the pursuing ships have come close enough to begin hailing us. I assume you would wish to be the one to receive their missive?"

     Iriisii: "Indeed, thank you, my son. We will return right away. Have everyone we discussed about, ready themselves and take their places on the 'Bridge'. It is time to begin to show these pursuers they may have made a dire mistake in not turning back immediately after sighting us."

     Reaper: "At once, Mother."

     Iriisii: "I am sorry to cut this short."

     Brii Qo Dun: "We understand the demands placed upon you by those who watch from the heights. Know we stand ready to help you in any way. Go with our love."

     Iriisii opens a small portal and they step through. Iriisii changes her clothes in midstride through the portal, now wearing the 'Armor of the Ageless Ones' and a Mahfaeraak on her back that was forged at the 'Forge of Stars'. Iriisii takes her place sitting on a combination Celestial Throne/Bridge Command Chair, an edifice that invokes many different reactions in those who see it and at the same time ties her directly into every part of the Krang.

     Standing to her left is Rigmor in the armor Iriisii forged for her at the 'Forge of Stars', Dettlaff is on her right wearing the armor she and Elihal made for him, and she reworked at the 'Forge of Stars'. On the top step of the Throne Dias directly in front of the Throne sits Eliza, with her wings wrapped around her. To her left is Byrsael, and to her right is Illyria. Desidarius is dressed in a flowing shimmer of black, made of bound quantum particles. Lilith is standing at a weapons and tactical console on the floor and to the left of the Dias, on the right opposite Lilith on a navigational and communications console is Reaper, armed with his signature Scythe.

     Iriisii glances at Shebath, "You can decide when to reveal your presence, when you feel it to be at your greatest advantage. I would like to see what their reaction is and build on it to create chaos among them."

     Shebath: "Thank you, I will stay just off screen then."

     Reaper: "They are hailing us."

     Iriisii: "Patch them through, now."

     The view screen brightens and focuses to show the 'bridge' of the Imperium Battleship. The Ship's Captain begins to speak and stops abruptly as he processes what he is seeing on his viewscreen. Iriisii replies in Cyrodiilic while the Captain tries to get his Comm Officer to instruct the ship's computer to translate. The computer replies that it has no basis with which to compare and translate Iriisii's reply. Iriisii then switches to Dovahzul as both Comm Officer and computer goes through fits trying to make sense of her words.

     Finally as her carefully crafted facade shows disdain and impatience, she tries once more in Draconic this time. After a third round of comparing speech patterns the computer gives up and replies no translation possible at this time. She reads the expression on the Ship's Captain and the Comm Officer and they hear her speak a command to one of her bridge crew in yet a fourth language. This one the computer will not even attempt to hazard a try at translating. No doubt due to her speaking to Reaper in the Tar-Ayim's language. The response to her command comes from the other ships Bridge Comm Officer.

     Comm Officer: "SIR! Our computer language banks are being scanned!"

     Ship's Captain: "Shut down the computer, NOW!"

     As the Comm Officer moves to obey the Captain's order, a different voice from offscreen speaks.

     Side Voice: "Belay that order, Comm Officer. Allow the scan to continue, just see that it does not extend to other sections of the databanks."

     Iriisii sees the reaction of the Ship's Captain and recognizes abject fear. She then gives Shebat a side glance while turning her head toward Rigmor. She hears an almost inaudible whisper from Shebath saying, "Sith!" with a trace of fear, herself. Iriisii now knows this 'Sith' is the true power aboard that ship and so is the one requiring closest attention. She then instructs Reaper to tie in the language information and transmit it to her. As he does so, she processes the information and locates the language she needs to speak to the other ship in.

     Iriisii: "Ship's Captain Dteri would you be so kind as to introduce the true Command Power aboard your vessel?"

     Ship's Captain D'teri: "I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage as I do not know who to make introductions to?"

     Side Voice: "Captain D'teri, you are hereby relieved of duty."

     He looks off to the side to protest.

     Side Voice: "One more word and you will be relieved of your command and your life as well."

     The Captain's face goes stoic as he rises from his Command Chair and walks off of the 'Bridge'.

     The side voice comes into view as she takes the empty Command Chair. Iriisii sees a female, very near human of indeterminate age, dressed in a totally black leather armor, with a hooded cloak.

     Tilliksun: "I am the Lady Tilliksun. I apologize for the ineptness of the Captain, I had no input as to who was to command this ship. May I inquire as to who I am speaking with?"

     Iriisii recognizes how dangerous this person is and maintains a neutral composure.

     Iriisii: "I am known as the Imperatrix Iriisii Dovahkiin, greetings to you, Lady Tilliksun."

     Lady Tilliksun: "Imperatrix, I am not familiar with that title."

     Iriisii: "I am not surprised, it indicates that I am the Ruling Power of all the Dreamlands, and that is but one of the titles I hold."

     Lady Tilliksun with an undertone of derision that she tries hard to mask, "Dreamlands?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, you may not understand that they do exist. Each world in all that Exists has a presence in them, although they are separated from each other as all the worlds are separated from each other. They do exist within the same dimensional matrix with ties to each world they are spawned from. But that is a topic for another time. At this point, I would enquire as to the nature of this encounter with each other, for you are far from your home Realm."

     Lady Tilliksun: "I would say the same for you as well."

     Iriisii: "Not so, I am still within the Existence that birthed me, the Existence I defend. You are not from this Existence, but from one very far away from this position in hyperspace. You know next to nothing of what and who exists within this Existence, what its physical laws are, what is possible and what is not. Step on the wrong toes here and the probability of your returning to your home would disperse as the smoke from a simple campfire."

     Lady Tilliksun: "And you are one of those whose 'toes' I should step around?"

     Iriisii: "With me, unless you pose a threat to those I am responsible for, I would be neutral toward you. I cannot say the same for others you could encounter should you continue on this path. Now I wish to ask why you felt the need to go into hyperspace to cross the borders between Existences?"

     Lady Tilliksun: "I seek a rebel against the Imperium. She has in her possession an artifact of great value, more than that I am not allowed to say."

     Iriisii: "I understand."

     Lady Tilliksun: "Then may I ask for your cooperation in her capture?"

     Iriisii: "She has done nothing in this Existence to warrant my intervention in capturing her."

     Lady Tilliksun: "A pity, I had hoped we would not come to cross purposes."

     Iriisii: "That depends on what path you undertake to walk from this point. You are welcome to stay and go where you will, so long as the 'Laws' of the 'Mother of the Cosmos' are observed."

     Lady Tilliksun: "Who is this one you call the 'Mother of the Cosmos?"

     Iriisii: "She is the highest of the Gods and Goddesses that watch over this Creation. She was and still is the first to take up the 'Mantle' of the 'Mother' and has held it for more than nine billion years, just after its creation. She has been the only one who has held it in all that time."

     Lady Tilliksun: "Why is it that I have my doubts about that?"

     Iriisii: "What you do or do not believe is your decision. The fact that she exists is irrefutable to those of us who have seen her, spoke to her, felt the touch of her love, and seen the power of her judgment. Whether you believe or not, cross her 'Laws' and her Soul Hounds will find you. Her judgment is fair and balanced according to what 'Law' is crossed. And to be fair, I must tell you that the one you seek has already asked for 'Sanctuary' of me. And since I looked into why 'she' asked, according to the 'Laws' of the 'Mother' that I adhere to I have granted her request."

     The look on the 'Lady Tilliksun's' face showed one of the few times in her life when she has lost her composure. And as a result of what she saw in that moment, Iriisii's resolve to hold and help Shebath in the face of anything that would be thrown against her is strengthened until it is unbreakable.

     Lady Tilliksun: "You have made a very unwise decision. The Imperium is not to be denied that which they desire."

     Iriisii: "And I remind you that you are not in your Existence any more, you are in mine. And you and your entire Imperium have not the power needed to defeat me. Take care you do not cross me, for I hold greater power than you can imagine. Any of these here, who are mine, have the power to defeat you without my having to lift a finger. For I myself have ascended, shed my mortality in a Test of Apotheosis, and gained immortality. And I have done this not once but three times since the first. Thus granting me the ability to climb the Celestial Ladder to wherever my Destiny leads me."

     For an unprecidented second time Lady Tilliksun loses her composure as she appeals to Desidarius to help her.

     Lady Tilliksun: "You dressed in all black. You are of the 'Dark' as am I. Will you not aid me now?"

     Desidarius: "As I was once known as Desidarius the Fallen One, Iriisii, my mate, has shown me the path to redemption. A path that did not exist before she forged it, gave my disembodied soul and mind a new living body, and asked me to share her life and family by partaking in the Marriage Rites of the Mother of the Cosmos. Then the 'Mother' herself blessed our union and I have never once regretted that decision for a single quantum moment. You tread very close to a deadly line by asking me to betray her.

     The one who caused me to 'Fall' into darkness, was defeated by her in combat, while she was still mortal, using two blades I forged to split his soul apart and imprison them within, fighting with two demon souls, sacrificed from two demon children I bore from my body just for this purpose. She knew what I did, knew why I did it, she did not judge me for it, and still proclaimed her love for me. And she has never asked me to change who I am. When we were wedded to each other, the path to redemption for other 'fallen' like I was, came into existence for the first time since our Creation was birthed. For she who would do this for me, I will never betray, not for any reason. And those who would ask that of me will earn my eternal enmity.

     All of us here, have a story to tell of how she saved us, some from others, some from ourselves. Some of us are her mates, others have ties forged in the heat of battle. But in each of our stories, she was ready to give her own life to save ours, and in a few came within a hairsbreadth of dying for us, coming back from Death's very gates. She has earned Death's respect and for the pain she has suffered for others she was allowed to see what waits on the other side of the Great Beyond and return. A feat no other has earned in our history save for Death himself. And those of the 'Dead' who remain here on this side, she is beloved so of them that they have made her their 'Speaker for the Dead', and gave her the promise that they would raise themselves from their rest and do battle for her of their own will and strength.

     And for our sister, Eliza, she gave a part of her own soul to ensure her survival when she was concieved. Stayed with her for more than two hundred years to keep her safe and not succumb to insanity for being alone for that length of time, until she could be freed. She is now our sister and shares the soul of our beloved mate. You will not find anyone here to corrupt and subourn, best for you to return to your home and leave us to ours."

     Iriisii slowly stands, moves over to stand in front of Desidarius, places a hand around her head and draws her into a passionate kiss while unfurling her dragon wings and enfolding the both of them. Suddenly bands of color, strong, bright, and reflecting every imaginable shade of every color erupts, flowing like a torrential river around and through the two of them. Before they parted the signal from the Imperium ship is disconnected and the Lady Tilliksun sits silently in the command chair contemplating what she has just heard and experienced.