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Chapter 2: Darkening Days
“Anomaly detected. Movement detected in Sector 35. Track movement.”
“Tracking. Unknown encryption source detected. Anomaly cannot be identified. Continue track.”
“Object is headed for external Junction 3C. Viral code detected. Anomaly is hostile.”
“Impurity detected. Pursue at once. Reboot Anti.EXE. Intercept at Sector 14 north.”
“Anti Program initiated. All processes launched. Measuring run speed. Cannot be measured. Anomaly is inbound. Maximize defense at external Junction 3C.”
“Alert level at maximum. Do not let it escape.”
“Dispatching Scorpitara units now. Interception at external Junction 3C. Annihilate the impurity.”
Paet climbed the lookout post and made his way along the wall towards the western tower. What the hell was he doing?
“Maybe I was just a little rushed… Gash knows what he’s doing, doesn’t he…? Goddamn… What the fuck is wrong with me?”
He stared at his feet for a while. Then he wondered why the heck he was staring at his feet.
“Well, no turning back now. I don’t care whether this city survives. That’s not what’s important in war. It’s death that matters… No… these people aren’t going to die, not if I can help it!”
Paet knew he was going to have to move fast if he hoped to divert the Empire’s attention from the city. First of all, he’d need to get his shit packed, and maybe even-
“Hey, what are you doing over there?!” he yelled out.
The cloaked figure which had been kneeling alongside the dragon whirled around and-
Paet gasped out loud.
“It’s… you…”
“That’s right.”
The mysterious girl stood up and threw off her cloak. Her smooth, jet-black hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her clear, azure eyes shined clearer than ever.
“Azel…” Paet gaped in wonder. For a moment, the direness of the situation faded away.
“Haircut?” he asked.
Azel smiled.
“Looks better, don’tcha think? Looks human…”
Paet nodded.
“Azel… what are you doing here?”
“I’m here for the dragon. I’m borrowing him… take him on a joyride.”
“What?! Why do you need that old buffoon?!” asked Paet incredulously.
The dragon let out a low growl.
“Hey! Watch it. That buffoon of a dragon could also blow your head off in two seconds.
“All right… so why are you taking him, again?”
Azel let out a slow sigh.
“I’ll tell you the truth…”
With a deep breath, she began.
“I’ve seen what’s coming, Paet. War - The Empire, Sestren - Everything. This world is about to come crashing down on us.”
“And? What are you trying to tell me?”
“I’m trying to tell you that none of us will be alive if we don’t do something soon. And I…”
“Yes?”
“I believe I can bring Edge back.”
Paet closed his eyes and took a moment to think.
“Are you saying that Edge is alive?”
“I know it’s hard to believe, but you’ll have to trust me! I don’t know how, but I can tell. He’s still out there somewhere. And I believe he’s about to return to this world, and he’s going to need my help.”
Paet nodded. It wasn’t that ridiculous if you thought about it. Trying to save a guy who had been in hell for fifteen years.
“So Edge needs your help because you have the dragon. And where is Edge?”
“I’ve been monitoring a set of ruins in the southern regions for a while. Activity there’s dramatically increased in the past few weeks. When security’s up like that in a ruin, it only means one thing–.”
“That the living dead is gonna pop right out of it with Sestren hot on his tail, right?”
Azel seemed to be thinking for a moment.
“Yeah, something to that effect.”
“And you’re going to take the dragon, kick shit out of Sestren baddies, grab Edge, and get the hell outta dodge?”
A nod.
Paet was silent for a moment.
“Shit, Azel. What do you want me to do?”
“Do what you’re supposed to, that’s all. Same thing I’m doing. Just watch yourself out there. This is more than you think it is, Paet.”
Paet gazed down at his feet again. Goddamn, she sure had a way of making people feel puny and insignificant.
Azel made ready to mount the dragon. Paet stared at the dragon with a worn, helpless look. The dragon, though, seemed more vivid than he had ever seen it in a long time.
“Pritus! Azel!”
Paet’s eyes locked with hers once more.
“Why go? It’s more than suicide if you ask me. Why do this?”
Azel looked up at the sun for a few moments. Finally, she spoke.
“Why don’t you ask yourself that question? Find the answer to it, and you may live to tell me.”
With a single flap of its wings, the dragon launched itself from the wall top, sweeping Paet up in a gust of wind and dust. It sped over the city and past the southern walls. And with that, it was gone.
Paet stared at its fading silhouette in the bright noon sky in awe.
“Admiral!”
Slowly, he turned to face the breathless messenger. His face was old and worn by war. He had been with the Empire years before the Great Fall, and now had been commissioned with a task that would go down in the history books.
“Yes?”
The messenger’s face was painted white with fear and anxiety.
“Sir, I need you to come with me down to the map room at once. There could be a problem.”
“What problem is that?”
The messenger leaned over and whispered a few words into his ear.
“Holy… is it confirmed?”
“Yes, sir. We have holographic evidence.”
“But how did we overlook something the size of…”
“I dunno, sir.”
The admiral sank back into his chair with his face in his hands.
“I want a scout ship dispatched back to the Capital. It would be prudent for the Emperor to hear of this news before we proceed with the operations. In the meantime, I need to see this for myself.”
“Yes sir!”
Paet slowly made his way down the long flight of steps leading into the docks of New Zoah. After carrying his bags here from the west wall halfway across town, Paet’s shoulder felt sore, though he wasn’t only physically sore. The dock was unusually busy. Everywhere, technicians were repairing ships and reloading guns. As he approached his ship, he nearly dropped his bags. A congregation of people awaited him.
“Captain Paet.”
“Captain Damad… what are you doing here?”
“What is every captain doing here in the dock, Paet?”
“What… what do you mean?”
Damad took a step towards him, his eyes keenly scanning Paet’s face.
“You said you were going to take the entire fleet with you, no?”
Paet nodded silently.
“I assume you won’t be commanding every single ship by yourself.” “No.”
Damad smiled.
“Well, what are we waiting for?”
He extended his hand.
“Paet… if you’re a lunatic… then I say we’re madmen as well. The crew of the Macran is at your service… as are the rest of us.”
Paet grinned broadly and gave his hand a firm shake.
“I appreciate it, Captain.”
“Just give us the time. We’ll be there.”
Paet turned slowly to face the crowd.
“Any captain is welcome to follow me, be it to heaven or hell. Either way, I want all ships ready to move out by daybreak tomorrow. You know the drill, soldiers. Let’s kick some Imperial ass!”
A cheer erupted from the people, rocking the city walls around them. Shit, thought Paet to himself. After this, Zoah may not need a dock…
Paet felt considerably lighter as he climbed the steps out of the dock. Again, there was someone awaiting him.
“Paet, hold on.”
Paet looked up to find himself staring into Gash’s sharp, cutting eyes.
“Commander.”
“So you’re all set?”
“Yes, sir. The fleet will be mobilized by dawn.”
Gash sighed tiredly. Somehow, Paet’s eyes seemed much sharper than his at the moment.
“I know I can’t stop you Paet… I just wanted to ask you… why?”
“It is the question that we all ask, is it not, Gash?”
Gash smiled fondly. Even in this moment, Paet did not hold him against his actions as a military commander.
“The answer is simple, Gash. An old friend made me realize that.”
Paet stared at the sun setting in the west. He pointed his finger toward the ground.
“Tell me, friend. Where are we standing?”
“In this city.”
“And who lives in this city, Gash?”
“Many people, Captain.”
“What sorts of people?”
“Survivors of creature attacks. People from the small villages. Rebels against the Empire.”
“Exactly.”
Paet turned back to Gash.
“Do you understand now, my old friend? Look around you. Look at these people. Your people. They have seen war and hardship and toil all their lives. We too have fought a war that spans thousands of years. But now… we live in this paradise. I am simply fighting for what I believe in, Gash: freedom. Liberty. Not just for these people, but for all mankind. Let us keep this place a land of freedom and peace for as long as it is possible, Gash.”
Gash nodded. “Amen.”
Paet left, and neither of them knew whether they would see each other again.