Ninlil

“The sin was not yours alone,” Syrax grunted. “We’d our own hand to play in it.”

Slight in frame, with tan skin, the girl quietly slipped into the room. In a thick black braid her hair reached down to her waist. Dressed in rich saffron clothing that barely covered her curves, a sent of almond and cinnamon emanated from her brown skin. In one hand she held a platter, on which rested flat bread, cheese and fruit for her master. “My Lord,” she spoke reverently, and then bowed, a hint of rapture, or more accurately, fear in the presence of her god could be seen in the servant girl’s large blue, though they veered to near purple, almond eyes.

“Ninlil” Amelnakru smiled.

Syrax Mor did not miss the look that Amelnakru had given the nubile human girl, clearly lust and if Syrax were to judge by the girl’s expression of fear, the Annunaki took from her what he desired. In a blatantly lustful manner the Annunaki touched the girl’s cheek, proudly stated: “Is not Ninlil a picture of beauty Syrax?”

“Not enough hair for my taste.” Snorted Syrax. He found her, as well as most humans, rather plain.

Amelnakru laughed, his voice boomed off the walls.

From “Among Bright Stars…” Neo-human #2.

CAW

[Zarhur Station, Orbiting Planet Yendor II. January 3, 2110. Central Point Of The Commonwealth Of Allied Worlds]

The green O’Neill double cylinders of Zarhur Station spun in their endless counter rotation, hidden away, enshrouded by an orange nebula lit by a small white sun. A special star system, thought to be generated by a mysterious monolith left behind by the “Ancient Ones”, those who were precursors to all material life in the cosmos located on the small planet of Yendor II.

Ships came and went here at the central point of the newly formed capital of the Commonwealth of Allied Worlds, known as CAW by its still sparse membership. Overseen by the stations Administrator for whom Zarhur Station had been named in honor of, spaceships of all types and sizes docked and departed in an ordered fashion. This place had become a hub of galactic civilization, indeed during the unrest over the past few months it had functioned as a launching point for armies.

In the wake of Armageddon, Zarhur Station had become a steadfast watchtower in the night.

“We should hunt them down,” Imogen hissed. “execute each and every Annunaki on the spot.”

“Now aunt Imogen, I don’t think genocide is the answer to our Annunaki problem. The Terran Triumvirate asked CAW to process, and bring to trial any guilty Annunaki. They’re a dying species, on the way out. No need to hasten a sure end.”

Imogen put her hands on her hips, tilted her chin upward. “With all due respect Madame President, would you be so forgiving if it were Skatha we were speaking about? I know how they vex you.”

Sitara Drakonis-LaSalle, recently elected President of the Commonwealth of Allied Worlds let her true violet eyes glance about her office, they came at last to rest on the newly agreed upon royal blue, and silver flag of CAW, surmounted by a golden rosette solar symbol which reminded her of a blooming tarhanis flower. Thoughtful she placed a hand over her quickened womb, where only a hint of an egg bump could be made out. “The Skatha are another matter entirely.”

“Doubtful…” Imogen licked her lips. “The incident at Nibiru would never have happened, and Earth would still live had there been no Annunaki in the cosmos.”

“And then there would have been no modern humans either. The galaxy would’ve been quite a quiet place without them. Not a defense for Annunaki crimes, just a fact. Humanity and all its varied forms, including Falcanians, Morningstars, as well as many others across the universe owe their existence to Annunaki meddling. They’re our celestial progenitors. ”

To that Imogen Drake just huffed.

CAW’s Chief Executive let out a girlish giggle. “Its odd to think you’re my father’s twin sister, yet there are times I see him in you. A gesture, a moment of reserved fury. Like a coiled dragon as Maa always used to call it. Even though you two had but a fleeting second to know each other. Its clear you’re part of one another on some deep level.”

“You have no idea!” Imogen remarked.

“That reminds me,” Sitara pulled an envelope out of her desk, a Falcanian Narshin insignia sealed the parchment with wax and handed it over to her aunt. “More corespondents from my Maa. You two seem to be getting on famously.”

“Does all my mail go through your office?”

“Like it or not Imogen, you’re a member of the Falcanian Imperial family, be you human or not. Security reasons demand letters from Falcania-Vor go via presidential channels. Luckily you’ve the backing of both the Khanate and Terran Triumvirate in your ventures, which lets you act with impunity. Otherwise your life might be a great deal more complicated.”

“Nadia,” Imogen cleared her throat, a gesture which reminded Sitara of her father. “Has been providing me family history, telling me about Roderik…” she corrected herself. “err I mean Sharr. What I’ve gathered, he and Uric Kreis were more alike than either might have cared to admit.” she smiled a knowledgeable grin. “Though I think perhaps Sharr was light whereas Uric, he was motivated by a dark cunning. Considering his plans for me, for Earth, and for the galaxy itself – ”

“Again,” Sitara always ended up being the one standing up for Uric. Mostly with Arshira, who loathed even the shadow of the man. “Grandfather’s schemes, devious though they were, likely resulted in more light brought to the cosmos then darkness.”

Few ever barged into Sitara’s office, fewer still would now ever dare do so upon her gaining the title president. Titles and secular ranks of office however meant very little to the person who had thought to interrupt a family meeting between niece and aunt by ordering the doors of the Chief Executive’s office to slide open by his own accord.

“You are early.” Sitara said.

“A wizard is neither early, nor late. Where he goes he is always on time. For the tides move when he walks and time halts as he commands it.”

“Aha,” said Sitara amused as she got up from her chair. “Aunt Imogen, let me present Oriele Amirjeen. My sister Karaseer asked if one of her Arclayht Warlocks might observe and be in residence for CAW’s legislative sessions.” The President added. “Though I can’t imagine what for, politics seems rather a world apart from Arclayht technomancy.”

The technomancer, like Sitara was a Falcanian, all Arclayht were, for the Holy Order did not go beyond the species. Burnished platinum wings, trimmed in rich yellow plumage and a plated pincer-tail were mounted on his back. Folded away, the mighty garuda’s pinions seemed more a cloak than a means of flight. Bald head, its most pronounced feature a pair of oval-pointed ears could not stay hidden below a leather, roughly stitched top hat, that stood on a rightward tilt. Deep black eyes reflected light. The only hair on his body, thinly arched brows and a tined goatee. The warlock clothed himself in an elaborately tooled bell sleeved jacket, with a high ermine fur collar meant to obscure the technology embedded in his body which provided him his power and allowed for the technomancer to perform seeming deeds of authentic magic.

“Orin if you please Madam President.” Orin greeted. “The Tay al-Ard, our exalted being, Karaseer Drakonis, High Thaumaturge of our ordersends her best wishes and thanks you for welcoming the Arclayht to Zarhur Station, a most… significant place indeed.”

“‘She who traverses without moving’.” CAW’s Chief Executive translated Karaseer’s omniscient appellation. “Are you all capable of teleporting?” Sitara pressed, she knew Shinras Rukh had the ability, though he had not often made use of it.

“Imogen Drake.” Orin stated ignoring Sitara’s inquiry concerning his powers. “Ripped from her mother’s womb as a mere embryo, and enhanced genetically by her father. Later speculated to have been returned to that very same uterus., only to later be stolen away at birth, and then years later placed in hibernation. Revived in a new century by the founder of my order, her very own twin brother, Shinras Rukh.” He smiled at her sincerely. “We’ve got a keen interest in you.”

Imogen looked at the improbable wizard with unrestrained doubt. “Big surprise! Half the civilized galaxy wants to get a piece of the 200 year-old woman from the 20^th Century trapped in an 18 year-old’s body.” Its why she tried to blend into the bustle and clutter here at this galactic crossroads. “Others would have me rule over them. I just wish to mourn the loss of my planet, the only real home I’ve ever known.” With that she excused herself. “Talk to you later Sitara.”  

================================================================

I really should complete this story so I can at least have the tripod of the overlapping universe out there. Soon!

Related articles

• Who Were The Annunaki? (wolfslair88.wordpress.com)
• Mariara the Pleiadian: We Act in Accordance (nalonmit.wordpress.com)
• Falco Invictus: Morningstar Rising (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)

To Loose The Falcon’s Claw

 

Part IV: To Loose The Falcon’s Claw

Taking wing we ruled Earth’s skies und would have humanity bow at our tri-claw boots. Our lightening-blades before us, like vengeful deities we Falcanians meant to dominate our world, und shape it into a paradise of our own making.

We were the hunters, who became the hunted!

In my station as a Falcanian Rihav, a concubine, und then wife to the Shotar of the Khanate, as well as a military commander in the company of the great Imperial Strato-General Shuriken Kra. I witnessed many wondrous und terrible things —  I was there when all would be torn asunder!

— Arshira T’Lani Hol-Drakonis, War Journal: Valküri’s Tale

 

[March 9, 2033. South Of The Bay Of Bengal, Andaman Sea]

A few hundred feet above the surface of the sea an FS-9 Raptor coasted, and created a wake as its powerful engines thrust it over the moonlit ocean in search of its prey. Waves threatened to overtake the starship as it danced across the water’s brim, like a hunting bird it winged, in search of the right moment to strike out with its talons.

“Target acquired.” the Drakorian sensor officer reported.

“Show me.” Major Ikram Vaks commanded. His prey came to life for him on the holoscreen, a silhouette of a modern-day pirate’s ship. There she was, the Altın Orda, Golden Horde, a modified superyacht. Painted black, and three decks high, she had been mounted with a railgun turret manned by two crewmen. On its bow a harpoon gun pointed ahead with a silver stinger intended to grapple onto ships shined under the moonlight. Aft of the yacht, a Russian made MI-24 Krokodil waited on a helipad. Over head a stylized red skull waved on a black and red flag. The master of the Golden Horde, so confident in himself and his ability to avoid capture openly declared himself a Seahawk. Arrogance had always been an inborn fact of the Golden Horde’s master. “Switch to VTOL engines,” Major Vaks commanded. “Prepare to board that ship!”

Meters above the Golden Horde the FS-9 hovered on its VTOL engines and then the IFV Krath-Shinra opened fire, to easily demolish the deck guns, which sent crew into the moon-lit water in a splash, many dead. Caught by surprise everyone scrambled, after all they were a pirates, a marauder intended to tackle unarmed cargo and pleasure boats, not ward off an advanced military space vessel designed for sudden strikes.

Ikram Vaks personally led the boarding party. A rather ragtag crew: Asian, European, and African crewed the Golden Horde. This pirate had been something of a prince among his brethren. His empire however was about to be felled by the Falcanian claw. Crewman slashed at Vaks with a machete. The Major chopped the nearest attacker in half with his own vajra, The lightening-blade caused blood and guts to spill across the deck as the bisected torso crumbled onto the polished wood.

Drakorian swooped down from the IFV Krath-Shinra, blasted down the marauder’s crew. A flurry of charged slugs and metallic vajra blades left behind bloody pools to stick up the superyacht’s fine deck in a slick red gore. The Krokodil chopper at the aft had soon been secured. Drakorian flew the MI-24 off the deck so it could not be utilized as an escape by their target, this pirate prince. Such as they were, the defenses of the Golden Horde easily fell to the Drakorian Guard. Of course the Falcanian battle ethic had always been one of overwhelming force.

Vaks marched below, where he found the main stateroom. Broken, stained wood crunched under tri-claw boots as Drakorian swarmed in, where they quickly leveled the Pirate Prince’s entourage and then stood aside for their commander. Ikram glanced over the richly decorated room, and then nodded approvingly. Treasures taken from many a pleasure ship hung on the walls. Bottles of fine wine even now sat on a sideboard, where dinner had been laid out for the ship’s master and his cohorts.

“How dare you!” Shouted the master of the Golden Horde. All around him his crew fell. Slaughtered, to be whittled down to a manageable number for the Drakorian’s comfort.

Clothed in a supple brown leather coat, with an ivory fur collar, the Golden Horde’s master stood eight feet tall, he wore no shirt, and his highly developed muscles rippled under his leather coverage. He wore his long black hair tied in a braid, held fast by jeweled bands. A fu-manchu draped over thick lips, and he wore a ruby stud in his left earlobe. Beside him two scantily clad women, one Asian and the other Caucasian clung to the leather-clad man, not sure what to make from this sudden assault on the floating mansion.

The master of the Golden Horde nodded, a single guard lunged at Ikram.

Promptly The Falcanian shot down the pirate’s lackey, to leave blood splattered on the superyacht’s polished white walls. “Temujin Sardur,” Vaks recognized the Mongolian-Turk superman for who he was. “My Shotar would like to speak with you.” 

===============================================================================

The opening of book #2 Falco Invictus: Under A Raptor’s Wings.

 

Related articles

• Falco Ornis-Sapien Invictus (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Second Scene From Imogen Drake & The Eye Of Aldebaran (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Comes The Centaur (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• The Big Idea: Elizabeth Bear (whatever.scalzi.com)
• Let’s Learn Skora (The Falcanian Language) (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• The Dark Horde – They Number in the millions (fuonlyknew.wordpress.com)
• The Man Without a Face- The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin – Masha Gessen (bookblog76.com)

Falco Invictus: Morningstar Rising

The Morningstars, fashioned by genetic engineering to rule over the Earth, an elite few have become the vanguard of humanity itself after they have been driven out into a cold, harsh universe by mankind’s former overlords, the Annunaki. Captain Rene LaSalle of the cargo hauler Draco would rather be carousing in the local pub, and trying to bed a comely wench, all he wishes in mankind’s darkest hour is to live in the moment, and yet Captain LaSalle finds himself called reluctantly to duty by King Odin Battenberg to seek out the Falcanians, all in a slim hope that they shall stand beside humanity to free a desperate, enslaved Earth. 

=================================================================================

For now, you can get Mornistar Rising in Smashwords, Read An Ebook week promotion. Just use the coupon code found at the ebooks page. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/14050

Related articles

• Falco Invictus: Light & Fire (Free Ebook) (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Read an eBook Week (starrwest.wordpress.com)
• Read an Ebook Week Promotion (atoasttodragons.com)
• Smashwords’ Mark Coker on E-Publishing (ebyline.biz)
• Read all about it! Kobo eBooks App and New Social eReading App are coming (blogs.blackberry.com)
• Read an Ebook Week March 4-10, 2012 (ladyjatbay.wordpress.com)
• In Defense of “Free” (unsanityfiles.wordpress.com)

Indignant Desert Birds

 

Chapter One: A Shining City

 

You ignore my prayers, yet arrive when I do not ask.
It is my prerogative to go where and when I choose.
Tell me, shall I ever meet him again?
Time being cylindrical, at least in this Universe –
No riddles, yes or no?
If I answer NO than you’ll live out your days in despair,
But if I tell you YES, you shall go on blithe and blind until the last breath you take.
So I’ll answer as my father would. Trust your instincts, and remember:
Life is and always should be ecstasy!
— Nadia and Kheira.
Temple Conversations: Lament Of A Valküri Queen

 

[Falcania-Vor: June 9, 2109]
Plumes of yellow fire curled in hot tendrils outward, they had followed a fierce flare-up and bulge of a bran-new, recently born star. Ashkaltai, the newly blossomed Sun watched as a spacefarer moved on, away from her solidifying planetary system, choosing instead to avoid the risky tidal forces of her birth which threatened to crush his ship. She whispered her farewell, and yet the explorer, who, despite all his advanced instrumentation could not detect her innate sapience.
Countless years went by and no other travelers entered Ashkaltai’s star system, that is, until one day a lone sleek red starship whooshed out from foldspace almost ontop of the powerful Sun, and in doing so woke her from an effortless and agelong uninterrupted slumber. Ever lonely Ashkaltai felt thrilled, over excited at that, she unleashed a storm of delight which rocked the single occupant of the vessel backward and forward in her gravity. Ashkaltai had no idea that her joy in fact caused the ship’s single pilot extraordinary worry. The red starship contained vibrant life, like nothing Ashkaltai had ever before beheld in her relatively young life-age. Whoever piloted the vessel radiated an unequalled pulse of power. Curious by such a remarkable reading the Sun decided that she must look upon it from an altogether different perspective.
As the red vessel, still caught up in the gravity storm rocked about, and its pilot wrestled with his frozen instruments in a useless move, an attempt to fire his reaction control thrusters Ashkaltai came down from on high. The Sun resolved herself on the command deck into a humanoid form and beheld the Falcanian pilot’s profound astonishment, that of a young woman whose heart-shaped face framed by honey-blonde, richly festooned ringlets… Ashkaltai spoke: “Do not be afraid,” she reached out to the Falcanian male. “I can feel that inside you burns fire, much like my own. Tell me, who und what are you?”
The pilot blinked, his protective green lenses filtered out the brightness which had before arrived in the body of a gorgeous young woman, yet he at last managed to speak and stammered out his response. “I’m… Jorchak Thal…”
“I have never heard of creatures called Jorchak Thal -”
“No, no.” Jorchak easily recognized her misunderstanding. “My species are Falcanians. My name, Jorchak Thal is my name.” he continued to look on stunned at the extraordinary glistening woman, and yet found sense enough to ask of her. “What do I call you?”
“You can call me Aral Charen.” Ashkaltai said. “I want to understand what it’s like Jorchak Thal to live as one of you mortals, your fire burns ever so bright, und yet it goes out all too soon.”
Oh, deep philosophical profound questions, and from a Sun no less. Jorchak Thal attempted to rise to the occasion. “My people, we Falcanians believe life to be understood, it must be experienced, every moment, both good and bad relished, and attacked with passion.”
“I don’t understand.” Aral answered.
“Of course…. how could you?” Jorchak realized he had spoken in abstractions, notions that existed beyond this Sun’s ken, surely her point of view on creation had its own singular scope and did not lend itself to the blinking span of a mortals life. There really could only be but one solution as to how might let her understand. “Come with me Aral, let us go forth together. I’ll show you the universe!” he thought he might have gone too far. “That is, if you like?”
Aral Charen gazed out of the ships windows, sadly she looked upon her children, the tiny planets which she warmed and nourished in her intense light. “I cannot leave this place, my planets they would grow cold und lonely. This form, it will not last, even now I can feel it slipping away all around me.” she sighed. “Is that what life is? Do mortals from the second of their first breath feel the end close in upon them?”
“That my Lady is why we reach out and grab it!”
Considering his response, her already illuminated features soon became even brighter. “For a short while I might venture forth,” she took hold of Jorchak’s hand. “Show me this wide und wonderous universe!” Freed at last from the oppressive gravity, the little red starship sped away, crewed now, not only by a daring Falcanian, but also by the avatar of a young star…
As the illumination and holographic arrangement changed on the stage into a more subdued normal light, Arshira hit her forward mark nearest the platform’s edge. She glanced around, and broadly smiled in the direction of the audience, a packed house, which as the first act of Ardoth Pol’s illustrious play came to its close began a thunderous applause. With admiration they cheered the skills of its lead actress, who thus far had carried opening night as one reviewer would later put it: “With a tremendous poetic delivery, and unmatched, magnetic stage presence”. She noticed Sharr and Nadia from their place in an Imperial viewing box lean close, clap and whisper to one another.
And then a glimmer fell across the stage, Arshira Hol blinked, not expecting the special effect as it had not been put in the queue or script. FX guys, ad-libbing just perfect,  she thought. A veil of fiber optic strands netted her vision, she could just make out the audience beyond the white light. All where touched by gleams, pulses of every color in the spectrum.
Something glorious lay just beyond the curtain of shimmering light. Time felt as if it had come to a halt. Arshira gazed into the fiber optics, and for the first time she thought she beheld a magnificent, too awesome form which she could hardly comprehend. To her alone it spoke: “Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh,” it said. “Know me!”
The house lights came up, Arshira blinked, looked over at her costar who did not seem as if he had witnessed what she had just seen. It did not seem as if the unplanned special effect had disrupted his taking in the acclaim. Out in the audience Nadia gazed at Arshira. Clearly the Queen Mother had picked up on her moment of discombobulation.

=================

This is the very first scene which begins the next block of novellas.

 

Related articles

• The Arrival (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• From Book 2# Unification (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Second Scene From Imogen Drake & The Eye Of Aldebaran (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Comes The Centaur (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• The Imogen Drake Series! (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Falco Invictus: On the Forge of War (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Falco Invictus: Light & Fire (Free Ebook) (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Kitana [PG-13] (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Experimental optical fibers utilize built-in electronics instead of separate chips (gizmag.com)
• Falco Invictus: The Last Centurion (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)

Second Scene From Imogen Drake & The Eye Of Aldebaran

This is the very second scene from Imogen Drake & The Eye Of Aldebaran, a spin off of my Falcanian Legacy Series.

[Zarhur Station, Orbiting Planet Yendor II. January 3, 2110. Central Point Of The Commonwealth Of Allied Worlds]

The green O’Neill double cylinders of Zarhur Station spun in their endless counter rotation, hidden away, enshrouded by an orange nebula lit by a small white sun. A special star system, thought to be generated by a mysterious monolith left behind by the “Ancient Ones”, those who were precursors to all material life in the cosmos located on the small planet of Yendor II.

Ships came and went here at the central point of the newly formed capital of the Commonwealth of Allied Worlds, known as CAW by its still sparse membership. Overseen by the stations Administrator for whom Zarhur Station had been named in honor of, spaceships of all types and sizes docked and departed in an ordered fashion. This place had become a hub of galactic civilization, indeed during the unrest over the past few months it had functioned as a launching point for armies.

In the wake of Armageddon, Zarhur Station had become a steadfast watchtower in the night.

“We should hunt them down,” Imogen hissed. “execute each and every Annunaki on the spot.”

“Now aunt Imogen, I don’t think genocide is the answer to our Annunaki problem. The Terran Triumvirate asked CAW to process, and bring to trial any guilty Annunaki. They’re a dying species, on the way out. No need to hasten a sure end.”

Imogen put her hands on her hips, tilted her chin upward. “With all due respect Madame President, would you be so forgiving if it were Skatha we were speaking about? I know how they vex you.”

Sitara Drakonis-LaSalle, recently elected President of the Commonwealth of Allied Worlds let her true violet eyes glance about her office, they came at last to rest on the newly agreed upon royal blue, and silver flag of CAW, surmounted by a golden rosette solar symbol which reminded her of a blooming tarhanis flower. Thoughtful she placed a hand over her quickened womb, where only a hint of an egg bump could be made out. “The Skatha are another matter entirely.”

“Doubtful…” Imogen licked her lips. “The incident at Nibiru would never have happened, and Earth would still live had there been no Annunaki in the cosmos.”

“And then there would have been no modern humans either. The galaxy would’ve been quite a quiet place without them. Not a defense for Annunaki crimes, just a fact. Humanity and all its varied forms, including Falcanians, Morningstars as well as many others across the universe owe their existence to Annunaki meddling. They’re our celestial progenitors. ”

To that Imogen Drake just huffed.

CAW’s Chief Executive let out a girlish giggle. “Its odd to think you’re my father’s twin sister, yet there are times I see him in you. A gesture, a moment of reserved fury. Like a coiled dragon as Maa always used to call it. Even though you two had but a fleeting second to know each other. Its clear you’re part of one another on some deep level.”

“You have no idea!” Imogen remarked.

“That reminds me,” Sitara pulled an envelope out of her desk, a Falcanian Narshin insignia sealed the parchment with wax and handed it over to her aunt. “More corespondents from my Maa. You two seem to be getting on famously.”

“Does all my mail go through your office?”

“Like it or not Imogen, you’re a member of the Falcanian Imperial family, be you human or not. Security reasons demand letters from Falcania-Vor go via presidential channels. Luckily you’ve the backing of both the Khanate and Terran Triumvirate in your ventures, which lets you act with impunity. Otherwise your life might be a great deal more complicated.”

“Nadia,” Imogen cleared her throat, a gesture which reminded Sitara of her father. “Has been providing me family history, telling me about Roderik…” she corrected herself. “err I mean Sharr. What I’ve gathered, he and Uric Kreis were more alike than either might have cared to admit.” she smiled a knowledgeable grin. “Though I think perhaps Sharr was light whereas Uric, he was motivated by a dark cunning. Considering his plans for me, for Earth, and for the galaxy itself -”

“Again,” Sitara always ended up being the one standing up for Uric. Mostly with Arshira, who loathed even the shadow of the man. “Grandfather’s schemes, devious though they were, likely resulted in more light brought to the cosmos then darkness.”

Few ever barged into Sitara’s office, fewer still would now ever dare do so upon her gaining the title president. Titles and secular ranks of office however meant very little to the person who had thought to interrupt a family meeting between niece and aunt by ordering the doors of the Chief Executive’s office to slide open by his own accord.

“You are early.” Sitara said.

“A wizard is neither early, nor late. Where he goes he is always on time. For the tides move when he walks and time halts as he commands it.”

“Aha,” said Sitara amused as she got up from her chair. “Aunt Imogen, let me present Oriele Amirjeen. My sister Karaseer asked if one of her Arclayht Warlocks might observe and be in residence for CAW’s legislative sessions.” The President added. “Though I can’t imagine what for, politics seems rather a world apart from Arclayht technomancy.”

The technomancer, like Sitara was a Falcanian, all Arclayht were, for the Holy Order did not go beyond the species. Burnished platinum wings, trimmed in rich yellow plumage and a plated pincer-tail were mounted on his back. Folded away, the mighty garuda’s pinions seemed more a cloak than a means of flight. Bald head, its most pronounced feature a pair of oval-pointed ears could not stay hidden below a leather, roughly stitched top hat, that stood on a rightward tilt. Deep black eyes reflected light. The only hair on his body, thinly arched brows and a tined goatee. The warlock clothed himself in an elaborately tooled bell sleeved jacket, with a high ermine fur collar meant to obscure the technology embedded in his body which provided him his power and allowed for the technomancer to perform seeming deeds of authentic magic.

“Orin if you please Madam President.” Orin greeted. “The Tay al-Ard, our exalted being, Karaseer Drakonis, High Thaumaturge of our order sends her best wishes and thanks you for welcoming the Arclayht to Zarhur Station, a most… significant place indeed.”

“’She who traverses without moving’.” CAW’s Chief Executive translated Karaseer’s omniscient appellation. “Are you all capable of teleporting?” Sitara pressed, she knew Shinras Rukh had the ability, though he had not often made use of it.

“Imogen Drake.” Orin stated ignoring Sitara’s inquiry concerning his powers. “Ripped from her mother’s womb as a mere embryo, and enhanced genetically by her father. Later speculated to have been returned to that very same uterus., only to later be stolen away at birth, and then years later placed in hibernation. Revived in a new century by the founder of my order, her very own twin brother, Shinras Rukh.” he smiled at her sincerely. “We’ve got a keen interest in you.”

Imogen looked at the improbable wizard with unrestrained doubt. “Big surprise! Half the civilized galaxy wants to get a piece of the 200 year-old woman from the 20^th Century trapped in an 18 year-old’s body.” its why she tried to blend into the bustle and clutter here at this galactic crossroads. “Others would have me rule over them. I just wish to mourn the loss of my planet, the only real home I’ve ever known.” with that she excused herself. “Talk to you later Sitara.”

Related articles

• Comes The Centaur (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• From Book 2# Unification (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Falco Invictus: On the Forge of War (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• SaLuSa: The Dark Ones are Clearly in Retreat (stevebeckow.com)
• Trip to Earth – A Short Story by Wes Annac (2012indyinfo.com)
• Trip to Earth – A Short Story by Wes Annac (aquariuschannelings.com)
• The First Technomancer – PREVIEW (raptorsclaw.wordpress.com)
• Poetry: For Aldebaran (andrewbwatt.wordpress.com)