Read Online The Island on the Edge of Forever (The Epic of Aravinda Book 2) by Andrew M. Crusoe - Free Book Online
Authors: Andrew M. Crusoe
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silence for her to relay her message.
Darshana and Vivek held hands, and Asha held her father’s hand. She hadn’t told anyone what had happened to Zahn yet, but once she told Mira the story of that day, she had reassured Asha that it would be best if all of the information was presented at once.
Mira straightened her back, her violet uniform glinting in the cold light. Her chair scraped across the floor as she stood up, and a silence filled the room. She considered the room carefully, observing the polished kitchen surfaces, the rainy view of the ocean beyond the crystal window, and the four individuals who looked up to her with expectant eyes.
“I am Mira of the Confederation of Unity, and as you have no doubt already guessed, I have come many thousands of light-years to relay critical information.” Her expression was cold. “I must emphasize that everything I am about to tell you is confidential. Normally, Spacefarer Code would prohibit me from sharing any of this with you, but the Confederation has taken notice of your recent actions, and we feel it appropriate to share certain information, provided that each of you pledge to never tell anyone else on this world what is happening. The time for Avani’s initiation grows near, but it has not yet come. Do you each understand and take this pledge?”
“I do,” Asha said.
Everyone else did the same.
“Your verbal contract has been noted, and it is vitally important that you honor it, lest this situation become even more complex.” Mira took a deep breath. “Now, from what we have learned from Navika, some of you here were directly responsible for Autarch Razakh’s defeat on the outer rim of this system, and the Confederation has noted this. Indeed, we are quite impressed that those from a hatchling world have succeeded in such a task. Yet we also know you did not accomplish this alone, but through wielding one of the legendary Chintamani to expunge the growing wormhole, destroying the fleet around it in the process. Does anyone here admit to using such an object?”
They looked at each other for a few moments, until Yantrik nodded to Asha.
“Do you mean the Tulari?” Asha said. “It was our plan to use it to stop the Vakragha, and it worked. Zahn doubted he would survive when he used it, but he did it anyway. We are all indebted to him…” Asha’s words trailed off at the thought.
“Tulari? Meaning ‘balancer of space’?” Her eyes held steady on Asha. “That name is adequate. And where is the object now? Navika has been out of contact for some time.”
“It’s still on Navika,” Asha said, “but why are you telling us all of this? Have you come for it?”
Mira closed her eyes briefly before flashing them open once more, still focusing on Asha. “There is more to the Vakragha than you know. While they may have appeared unified in their attack efforts, the reality could not be further from the truth. The Vakragha are separated into a series of factions controlled by autarchs, each ruling a separate dominion. According to our latest reconnaissance operations, one of these autarchs has stopped his expansion and has instead focused his energy on finding the Kiss of Life.”
Yantrik’s expression fell, and the word, “No,” escaped his lips.
“Oh, yes.” Mira nodded.
“What is it, Dad?” Asha looked into her father’s downcast eyes. “What is the Kiss of Life?” Her gaze darted back up to Mira. “Tell us what the Kiss of Life is. It’s the least you can do if we’re going to help you.”
“Of course,” she said. “But you will need some context. You see, long ago the Confederation waged wars with the Vakragha that spanned entire galactic arms. Some say you can still observe trace radiation left by the battles.” Mira’s voice drifted off, but rapidly returned to sharp focus. “The Darkest was a Vakragha mastermind, and in those days we were close to losing all of the core worlds. But because of the selfless acts of
Darshana and Vivek held hands, and Asha held her father’s hand. She hadn’t told anyone what had happened to Zahn yet, but once she told Mira the story of that day, she had reassured Asha that it would be best if all of the information was presented at once.
Mira straightened her back, her violet uniform glinting in the cold light. Her chair scraped across the floor as she stood up, and a silence filled the room. She considered the room carefully, observing the polished kitchen surfaces, the rainy view of the ocean beyond the crystal window, and the four individuals who looked up to her with expectant eyes.
“I am Mira of the Confederation of Unity, and as you have no doubt already guessed, I have come many thousands of light-years to relay critical information.” Her expression was cold. “I must emphasize that everything I am about to tell you is confidential. Normally, Spacefarer Code would prohibit me from sharing any of this with you, but the Confederation has taken notice of your recent actions, and we feel it appropriate to share certain information, provided that each of you pledge to never tell anyone else on this world what is happening. The time for Avani’s initiation grows near, but it has not yet come. Do you each understand and take this pledge?”
“I do,” Asha said.
Everyone else did the same.
“Your verbal contract has been noted, and it is vitally important that you honor it, lest this situation become even more complex.” Mira took a deep breath. “Now, from what we have learned from Navika, some of you here were directly responsible for Autarch Razakh’s defeat on the outer rim of this system, and the Confederation has noted this. Indeed, we are quite impressed that those from a hatchling world have succeeded in such a task. Yet we also know you did not accomplish this alone, but through wielding one of the legendary Chintamani to expunge the growing wormhole, destroying the fleet around it in the process. Does anyone here admit to using such an object?”
They looked at each other for a few moments, until Yantrik nodded to Asha.
“Do you mean the Tulari?” Asha said. “It was our plan to use it to stop the Vakragha, and it worked. Zahn doubted he would survive when he used it, but he did it anyway. We are all indebted to him…” Asha’s words trailed off at the thought.
“Tulari? Meaning ‘balancer of space’?” Her eyes held steady on Asha. “That name is adequate. And where is the object now? Navika has been out of contact for some time.”
“It’s still on Navika,” Asha said, “but why are you telling us all of this? Have you come for it?”
Mira closed her eyes briefly before flashing them open once more, still focusing on Asha. “There is more to the Vakragha than you know. While they may have appeared unified in their attack efforts, the reality could not be further from the truth. The Vakragha are separated into a series of factions controlled by autarchs, each ruling a separate dominion. According to our latest reconnaissance operations, one of these autarchs has stopped his expansion and has instead focused his energy on finding the Kiss of Life.”
Yantrik’s expression fell, and the word, “No,” escaped his lips.
“Oh, yes.” Mira nodded.
“What is it, Dad?” Asha looked into her father’s downcast eyes. “What is the Kiss of Life?” Her gaze darted back up to Mira. “Tell us what the Kiss of Life is. It’s the least you can do if we’re going to help you.”
“Of course,” she said. “But you will need some context. You see, long ago the Confederation waged wars with the Vakragha that spanned entire galactic arms. Some say you can still observe trace radiation left by the battles.” Mira’s voice drifted off, but rapidly returned to sharp focus. “The Darkest was a Vakragha mastermind, and in those days we were close to losing all of the core worlds. But because of the selfless acts of
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