The lions roar, p.5
The Lion's Roar, page 5
"So, it's like a soul?" Terran felt the anger give way to excitement as the itch of his scholarly mind was finally getting the scratch it had been waiting for. It had been eight years since he had had any sort of scintillating conversation and he had forgotten how much he craved it.
"That is a basic way of looking at it, but, yes."
"So, what's up with the ships?"
"The main purpose of the ships is to spread the word of the Emperor before it is too late. Space won't be around forever, Promioth thinks he has grown strong, but forgets it is the Emperor who created space to begin with. Soon, I will be sent to collect the faithful. And the rest will be left to fend for themselves. The Emperor will remove his protection from them and without the sustaining power of New-Space, space will collapse."
Terran stopped smiling. "Well that's not fair. I had barely heard about any of this. Why would I get punished? Don't we get some sort of chance?"
Ekundayo smiled weakly at Terran. "Terran, I visited every single planet that sustains life. I told everyone who the Emperor is and how to live right with him. I gave teachings that would help to lead the way and ships to help them travel to the Capital. And yet, on every single planet, I was refused. If a drowning man refuses help, whose fault is it?"
Terran sat quietly and let the sea breeze wash over him. He looked over at Ekundayo and saw that there where streaks on his cheeks where tears had fallen. He closed his eyes and took deep breath of the salty air.
"If the ships can travel between space and New-Space can they travel in time?" he asked.
"Yes and no. They have the capability to, but I inhibit them. If we allowed that, it could cause...complications."
"Like what?" Terran asked.
"Like trying to go back in time to hurt someone or save someone, perhaps a father."
Terran stared at Ekundayo through gritted teeth. "Well, think of all the good we could do. How many travesties we could stop. There have been hundreds if not thousands of tyrants who have slaughtered billions. Shouldn't they be stopped?"
Ekundayo's smile finally began to fade. "Terran, your people have been given every chance to do good, and they choose not to embrace it. But, we are getting distracted with meaningless discussion. There is something I need you to know."
"And what is that?" Terran was surprised to feel a bitterness begin to well up in his chest. Why am I getting so offended? He tried to subdue the feelings, ashamed he had felt them at all.
"Terran, I called you here to encourage you, not to push you away. Times will be tough on you in the future. It doesn't have to be, but I have been watching human nature for a long time now and know it will be so. Don't presume to understand my ways or my father's. We are not so simple as to be defined by the likes of you. The created cannot understand the creator."
"Is that it? Some vague warning that my life will be tough? Hasn't it been tough enough already? Why not just collapse space and be done with us? Do you and your all-powerful father care so little for us you can just push us around until you get tired?"
Ekundayo seemed to change as Terran spoke. His posture stiffened, and he seemed to exude an authority that replaced the casual air he had carried before.
"Terran, you shall be careful when you talk about the Emperor. He is not some simple man who gives in to whims. He is the creator of everything you have ever known. He has given you everything and has asked for nothing but a return of the love he gives you freely. You find this hard to believe because you are but a grain of sand. Understand, Terran, the Emperor does not need your love. He does not need anyone or anything, but he chooses to want your love. You will not understand this until the Capital is reached, but you will be given a glimpse of what is to come. You do not know of pain, Terran. You don't know anything for all that you think you do. Even when something as great as the gift I wish to bestow upon you is presented, you give in to selfish desires."
Terran shrank down as Ekundayo spoke over him. He found that he could not look at the man.
"Terran," Ekundayo's voice seemed more faint this time. "Our time is almost up, but there is one last thing I want you to know."
Terran's eyes snapped open and he saw the world around him growing dimmer except for a bright light coming from Ekundayo's body. "Wait," he said, "I have more questions."
Even through the growing darkness, he could see Ekundayo's smile.
"Then keep looking. Pursue the passions I have given you. Read all that you can about all you can. You need to know how the ships work and how to trust in the unknown. I am calling you to something great. And do not fear, I will only be gone for a little while. If you listen, you will hear my voice."
As Ekundayo finished the sentence, Terran felt a light jerk and found himself back in his room. Glenn was packing up the V-Sphere, which was now dull.
"You need some rest," he said, "It always takes a toll using the V-sphere. We can discuss what you saw and heard later."
As Glenn finished packing the V-sphere, Terran went to the window and hit the small button to open the shade. He had a lot to think about, and he was still wanting to look at the New-Space. Somewhere out there the Capital was waiting.
Chapter 10
N aomi sat quietly on the couch in her room staring at the table in front of her. Her tablet's screen was dark, the self-deleting message already gone. She hadn't expected to be contacted again so soon. Dagor seemed to be contacting her more and more frequently as of late. At least this time all he wanted her to do was pick up some small electrical wire and place it in a drop location. How in the world am I going to get any wire when I am stuck in my room? She gently massaged her temples as she went through protocol in her head.
First, there had been the trial, then it was reviewed by the senior members of the ship--which means she just had to wait for them to contact her and present her with their judgment. At the very least she would get probationary leave, which would place anything she requested under scrutiny. Worst case scenario, she would be dropped planetside and left there to fend for herself. Of course, waiting for the punishment was the worst part. She wished they would just let her know already. It had been a week and a half, and she was growing frustrated.
She got up from the couch and began stretching through her routine. She had been practicing various routines since she had been a little girl and had many of them memorized. They were intended as a sort of martial arts, but she had never used them as more than a calming mechanism. As she transitioned from one pose to another, she began to move around the room.
With each pass around the room, the distractions of the ship and Dagor began to fade away. She put everything out of her mind except for one last point of focus. How would she get some wire? The best answer she could come up with was to start a hobby that would need it. She would have to start a hobby--something that dealt with electronics. To make it less obvious what she was doing, she would have to pick something obtuse or antiquated to throw the Captain's and Rictor's scents off her. Maybe old fashioned radios would be vague enough to throw away suspicion, but prove useful later on if she was dropped planetside.
Naomi caught a sudden movement out of the corner of her eye, and reflex won over control. With a quick step and twist she slammed her palm forwards into the person who had entered her room. The Captain took the hit with a groan and fell to a knee with a gasp.
"Maybe I should shout the next time I enter your room. Even after I have both knocked and waited for three minutes while you twirl about your room," The Captain didn't seem upset, and he got up quickly after a few breaths. Strangely enough, he was smiling.
"I'm sorry, sir." Naomi said, embarrassed for both hitting the man and not seeing him come in. "May I ask why you are smiling?"
"It's just been a while since someone has taken a shot at me is all." The Captain chuckled and motioned toward the couch.
Naomi sat down and became aware of the sweat that covered her arms and face. How long had she been doing her steps? It had felt good to have some control in her life again though. She winced inwardly at the last thought. Some control she had, hitting the Captain just for standing there.
"Sir," Naomi said, leaning forwards. "Why are you here?"
The Captain laughed again. "You know Naomi, what I have always liked about you is that you are all about business. You like to know the reasons why people do things and what they want. It is an invaluable attribute in a Voice."
Naomi winced again at the praise. She had become a Voice because it gave her the most freedom aboard the ship. All it took was some memorizing of the Teachings and some good insight into how they apply to modern life. Plus, the practical skills would be invaluable when she left the ship. First aid, self-defense, and even brief mechanical work were all part of the training. Maybe I am prepared to leave the ship. The thought hit her hard and she leaned back onto the couch taking long breaths to slow her heartbeat.
"I am here to tell you the decision that was reached about what happened with the young man Terran." The Captain's eyes were focused on her, studying her. She hated it when he did that.
"What was the decision?" she asked.
"You will be placed on probationary leave until further notice. If you show yourself to be honest and repentant of your actions, then this period won't last very long, and we can get things back to how they should be. How does that sound?"
Naomi stared at the Captain for a long moment. He had to know that she had made up the story about Terran, and yet, here he was giving her another chance. How can he function as our Captain? Why hasn't he been broken yet? For a brief moment, she wanted to tell him everything. To tell him about her son, about Dagor, and why she had done what she had.
As she opened her mouth to speak however, the image of her son came flooding back to her. I must remain strong.
"I will do my best Captain," Naomi's words were soft and barely carried themselves across the sofa. She was surprised to find a tear falling down her cheek. Wiping it away, she smiled at the Captain. "Thank you for this opportunity."
The Captain said nothing for a long while.
"Naomi, I know something is wrong. I don't know what, but I can tell you are not okay. If you need anything, feel free to come talk with me."
Naomi's breath caught in her throat making her cough as a bolt of panic hit her. Naomi couldn't find any words to say, so she sat quietly instead, waiting for the Captain to leave.
Eventually, sensing he wasn't wanted, he got up from the sitting area and left the room. Almost immediately, her tablet lit up with a message from Dagor.
"If you tell him anything, you will regret it. We won't kill your son, but by the time we are through, he will be wishing we would."
Naomi stared at the message and a rage began to storm inside. How many times had they threatened Nathaniel? How many times had she had the chance to see him torn away from her? Is it even worth it anymore? Is he even alive? Before she could stop herself, she had grabbed the tablet and sent a message to Dagor demanding proof that he had her son. She sat on the couch and stared at the screen stunned at what she had just done. If Dagor had been bluffing she would be free. If he wasn't...a chill crawled up her back. She steeled herself and pushed the thoughts away. She wasn't moving until she saw something that gave her proof that Nathaniel was alive. She hadn't been waiting long when a new message appeared. It was empty except for an attached video.
With trembling fingers Naomi downloaded the attachment. It played by itself after it finished downloading. It showed a professional looking man in a suit sitting in an office behind an impressive looking desk. His dark red eyes stood out in stark contrast to both his pale skin and his dark hair.
"Hello Naomi," Dagor said with a smirk. "In light of recent events I have decided it is time to show you a demonstration of the power I have. You seem to forget that I own you and your son. So, to help you get off that high horse you are on, I am recording this. Bring in Nathaniel." Dagor spoke the last words into an intercom, then stared into the camera. With a shudder, Naomi realized that Dagor wasn't blinking. The camera twisted just as a door was opening into the room to reveal two large men carrying a much smaller person between them. As they walked closer to the camera, a light fell on the small body they had in between them. One of the men turned the body's head up toward the camera. Nathaniel's face was revealed in the light, covered in bruises and blood. His nose had recently been broken and blood was still pouring out of it onto the floor. He was barely conscious. Naomi could not tear her eyes away from the screen as it slowly panned back to Dagor.
"Naomi, now you understand that I am not a good man. I will hurt children to get what I want. I will double cross, I will lie, and if my subordinates don't do what I say, I will hurt them in the worst way possible. Your son has ten fingers. You have ten days to do what I asked. Message me when you have finished the job."
The video closed, leaving Naomi to stare at the blank screen in her hands. She was too numb to cry. She was too numb to feel anything. She hadn't understood Dagor at all. He wasn't some imp, pitiful and full of himself. He was something far worse. She got up and went to the end of the room. Slow at first, but building speed as she went along, she began her steps again. Tomorrow she would get the wire.
Chapter 11
R ictor stared at Naomi from across his cluttered desk.
"You want what?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Copper wire. Exactly ten feet," she repeated. She hated that she had to ask him of all people, but he handled every requisition order.
"And, why exactly do you want ten feet of copper wire?"
"I am using it for an art project." The lie wasn't perfect, but it would do. She had done some art pieces before and needed to stay away from anything that might seem dangerous.
"Well, when do you need it?" he asked, making a few notes on the paper in front of him.
"Today if possible, I would like to get a head start on it while it's fresh on my mind." She didn't smile or flirt with Rictor, this wasn't the right time for feigning attraction. Plus, if she attempted to suddenly find him attractive, he would immediately know something was wrong. It would be better if she kept the same cold demeanor she always did with him.
"I can make that happen, but you will owe me a favor," he said with a wink, "If you ever need help with anything, let me know. It's what I am here for."
His words jarred something in Naomi's mind. The way he had said he would help with anything. It was just like how the Captain had offered to help.
"Thank you, Rictor, but the wire will be all." She flashed a quick smile and turned toward the door.
"Naomi," he called as she opened the door. "Don't forget your copy of the requisition order."
She hastened back to the desk and snatched the paper from his hand. "Is there anything else, Rictor, or can I finally leave?" She was too tired to put up with nonsense. Last night had been filled with nightmares of Nathaniel's bloody corpse, forcing her awake more than once.
"Just make sure you look over it carefully, and don't fold it." He was positively beaming as she left the room.
The wire would be sent to her room and would take some time to process. In the meantime, she intended to head to her room and rest. The walk was short from Rictor's office, and the darkened ambience of her room was welcome. Her room didn't have a window like some of the others, but a camera mounted on the ceiling could project the surroundings of the ship into her room.
She turned the camera on and lay in bed hoping the dancing lights would lull her to sleep. As she rolled over, a soft crinkle sounded from her pocket. Taking the small scrap of paper out, she studied it in the shifting light. How often was paper handed out? Paper wasn't altogether rare to see on the ship, but it wasn't exactly something to be wasted. And, it wasn't usually handed out for something as simple as a resource request. The rotating camera flicked a light across the paper and words appeared for the slightest moment. Curious, Naomi placed the paper on her bedside table. She had only glimpsed a single word 'help', but there was definitely more to it. What is Rictor trying to say? Is he working for Dagor as well?
Naomi seriously doubted that train of thought. Rictor could practically be the poster boy for the Capital. Always spouting off quotes from the Emperor or from the Teachings. He was consistently getting onto everyone about the right way to act both on the ship and planetside. Even if it was with a smile, it irritated a good number of people, herself included.
Naomi traced over the area of the paper she had seen the message on. The ripples in the paper from her laying on it gave her some frustration, but she could make out most of it. 'I no about son. Will help.' There were a few more words, but she wasn't able to make them out.
Naomi's heart raced faster as she lay on her back again. What should she do? As far as she knew, Dagor could hear everything she heard and received all the messages sent to her. She wasn't sure if Dagor could see into her rooms, but she didn't doubt it.
The flood of emotions stopped all at once as thoughts of Nathaniel slammed into her mind. What was she doing? Who cared if Rictor knew. He couldn't stop Dagor, he couldn't do anything. He was an irresponsible slob. A pain welled in her chest as she thought about what else might happen to Nathaniel if Dagor even suspected she was plotting against him.
Even still, the thought to be free almost triumphed over her pain. She was so tired of the pretending and the deceit. The paper was calling out to her, to reciprocate a message, to beg for help from him, but she knew she couldn't do it. She had to at least talk to Nathaniel again. Then she could make a decision.
A loud knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, and she hurried to open it. A small spool of wire sat on the floor in front of the doorway. Taking it into her room, she placed it onto the small table and watched the lights as they shifted colors on the wall.
