ROTU: Chapter Four

The Vorclán made its way smoothly toward Earth's outer atmosphere and slowed as the ship approached the moon. Lunara stood before the window of the main control center. Her eyes lit up as she extended a glowing hand and spoke the words of an unfamiliar language.

A large merkaba-shaped space station appeared before the crew's eyes in the distance.

"Welcome to the Anethian or as some call it—the Wandering Star," Lunara said.

Sade guided the ship inside the station's lower compartments and docked.

"She is old, but one of the most well-maintained and sturdiest space stations you will ever come across," Lunara said as she turned to the crew. "Come, I will give you the tour and then you can unload."

While Lunara led them through the station, she explained what ships to be on alert for and who were the other civilizations that came in and out of the atmosphere—their appearance, strengths, and weaknesses.

"Of course, any Avehkal associated with Ralian will be patrolling the outer atmospheres at random times," she said, "but there are others, so be wary of all that come near. Although Federation allies are are a part of the few who hold accurate knowledge of the Anethian, there have been rumors of her existence and value for centuries. She is considered a myth to many, but not to explorers and renegades in search of legendary tales. Therefore, she is a hidden gem coveted by many treasure hunters. If they detect any trace of her, they will roam the area more often as they attempt to discover her frequency.

"The station is designed to remain hidden, so she is never in the same place twice. Remember this if you ever decide to roam the atmosphere outside of the station. If Ralian discovers that a ship from the Order has arrived in the atmosphere, make no mistake, he will attempt to find you. This will trigger the Anethian to alter her location even more frequently. Therefore, your ship must be always synced with the station, because if her detection is ever threatened, the station will automatically formulate a new frequency. If you lose connection, you may have difficulty finding it again."

"No one has lived here to care for the station in all this time?" asked Sade.

"There is no need. Being independent was built into her design. When the station detects the presence of life forms, like now, she will automatically begin to grow food in the farming areas. The Federation has kept her well-stocked just in case we ever needed her. There is enough food and supplies stocked here now to last years."

The group looked around in awe at the elements of nature that spread across the length of the station. Trees and flowers grew freely alongside a stream that ran through the station's compartments and chambers.

"Where are the members of the Federation now?" asked Shamira. "Will we meet them?"

"They will only interfere if the circumstances tilt to probable failure and the goals of evolution for the planet are thwarted, for it is not only the Hidden Realms that are under their keep. And, yes, eventually you will meet members when the time is right."

Lunara guided the team through the rest of the station and ended her tour in a large lounge area.

"There is already a facility on Earth hidden in the mountains of the United States, specifically designed as headquarters for your mission," she explained to Jalena and Shamira.

She placed a thin, black box that she was carrying on the table before her. At the touch of her palm, the edges of the box emitted a blue glow and unlocked. Inside were three silver necklaces with a silver spiral swirled around a diamond-shaped, blue stone.

"These are your suppression amulets. You have automatized your ability to suppress your warrior energy, but these pendants will take it further and change your appearance to look more human. For example, your eye color and face shape will shift when you wear them so you can walk freely within the population."

"What are they made of?" asked Jalena.

"Alneil. The stone is fragmented within the jewel—the same as in Sir Malik's Stone of Echoes. The spell that works within them is a combination of Glisayan and Mysteis magic."

"They're beautiful," Shamira stated.

"And very powerful," Lunara said. "You will likely feel drained the first several times you wear them until you get used to the shift in your energy. Your bodies will also feel heavier than normal with them on."

Lunara removed one of the necklaces and handed it to Nyhra, then re-sealed the box and handed the box to Jalena. "Spend time with your crew tonight, for it may feel like a long time before you see each other again. We will go over any remaining information and reminders tomorrow morning."

The warriors bowed to Lunara as her form faded into misty white light.

Sade smiled and opened several bottles of Earth alcohol as the crew relaxed.

A crewmember brought Jalena and Shamira each a glass of wine and the team engaged in speculative conversation about the new planet now within their view. They listened to music and tuned into media currently popular around the globe.

"Seeing and hearing this makes me a little nervous," Shamira admitted to Jalena as she stared at the screens before them. "They—"

"—are conditioned differently than us," Jalena interrupted with a smile.

"That's a mild way of putting it," said Shamira.

The two burst out laughing as Sade joined them.

"So, are you ready to tell us about you and Master Valora, Sir Sade?" asked Shamira.

Jalena chuckled and dropped her gaze.

"Just letting him know it's not a secret," Shamira said.

Sade's cheeks flushed. "Uh…" he cleared his throat, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Master Shamira."

"Right," Shamira replied with a wink.

"I think you've had too much wine," Sade said as he took her empty glass.

Shamira laughed.

"There is no such thing as too much wine," she and Jalena said at the same time.

Jalena smiled as Sade gave them an amused look and refilled Shamira's glass.

The three joined the rest of the crew in arguing, well into the night, about which genre of Earthly music was best and which culture had the strangest customs.

"I'm going to miss those guys," Shamira said as she and Jalena dressed the next morning.

"Yes, but those times will serve as our motivation for finishing this mission quickly."

"It was good to see you laughing."

"I welcome the distraction," Jalena said flatly.

Shamira glanced as the blue glow brightened beneath Jalena's Lumsigne on her neck and gave her a knowing look.

Jalena knew Shamira meant that it was good to see her laughing because it was the first time she had since Gyan died. She was sure the wine had helped. However, she also ran the risk of being sent further down memory lane the more her mind relaxed, which would have been counter-productive, so she was thankful for the company of the crew last night.

As the two finished packing and joined the others for their morning meal, Jalena tried her best to ignore the tightness in her chest that grew as they got ready to depart the station. When she had left Elsaria, she knew she would miss the planet and her people, but she felt more relief than anything else. At the time, the longing for an escape from recent events surpassed the longing to be around the familiar. Now that she was about to fulfill the latter part of her mission, she felt hesitant. It was like jumping into a sea of the unknown without anything solid to grasp, rather than just fulfilling a mission in another kingdom.

On Elsaria, there was more certainty of what to expect, meaning they had experience with allies, customs, and the landscape, whereas now there was none of that to guide them. She and Shamira had already discussed the oddity of having to suppress their natural state in a foreign atmosphere especially when danger was a concern but entering a strange galaxy as a minority to a foreign species added a limitation they had not encountered before. She intuitively felt that they were this would be one of the most challenging missions they would ever endure, especially without the immediate support of the rest of her team.

The crew gathered to say their goodbyes as Lunara approached the two. Her skin pulsed with a bright white light. The sigils along Jalena's skin lit up in red beneath Lunara's glow.

"My energy is heightened because I am about to return to my full power," Lunara explained to the crew. "After I grant the warriors what they need, I will depart as well." She faced Jalena and lifted her palm. "The light of the moon is always within you. Although subtle, it is as powerful as the force of the stars. It will rise automatically within you at the right time." Her eyes brightened as light seeped from her hand.

The crewmembers' eyes widened as they observed Jalena's red sigils brighten even more. Lunara's light swirled gently around Jalena and disappeared into her skin. Her eyes briefly flashed with Lunara's light as she inhaled sharply.

"You said that I carry a dormant fire within me that is equivalent to the light of the stars?" Jalena questioned.

"Yes," Lunara confirmed. "All I can reveal at this time is that it will activate from a power that will surface automatically from your core. You will know when the time is right. As you have been taught from a very early age and I have reminded you already, everything you need to guide you will come from within."

Jalena nodded even though she did not feel very comforted by the Goddess's answer.

Lunara turned to Nyhra. "Elder Master, to get to the Pass of Andune, you are to take a Xita-8 and follow the map programmed within it. Once you reach the pass, the map will lead you right, but veer left at the crosspoint instead and you will enter a portal, which will automatically pull the ship inward. Rest assured that the portal is there, we just cannot risk its discovery if the ship is ever found by the wrong species.

"The portal will take you directly to underground tunnels in a place called Cambodia. It is there you may leave the ship. It will remain cloaked in the tunnels as you search for the entrance to the Inner Realms. The entrances change location randomly, but there will be someone to assist you as you near your destiny, for your arrival is expected. You will only need your suppression amulet when you travel the surface. The Lumaña will be able to link telepathically to you so make certain that you follow the signs that appear within your mind."

Nyhra gave Lunara a nod and bowed in farewell to the group. She held Shamira and Jalena within her gaze. If ever you need me, it is my promise that I will find my way to you no matter the risk. We may be working with the species of another planet, but you both remain my priority.

The two expressed their thanks before Nyhra teleported out of sight.

Lunara continued her instruction to Shamira and Jalena. "The facility where you will stay is stocked with everything you need. Your human contact is there now and will answer any questions after you arrive. His demeanor may surprise you, but rest assured he is quite capable and loyal in his work for the Federation.

"When you are outside the facility, use Relasu sparingly to look for the Conduits. The energy surges created when you use your abilities should go unnoticed by your enemy if they are occasional. However, if you release your suppression it will be like a flashing signal noting your location, and you can be certain that Ralian will be in charge of the investigation, if so. Keep your power under control until the time to act appears or you may have more trouble on your hands than you anticipate.

"We also want to minimize interference from the governmental forces on the planet. If their suspicions are ever heightened about anything to do with this mission, the Federation will see to it that the encountered information is only seen as a harmless conspiracy. However, Drasúl and Ralian both carry more ancient knowledge than the humans about energy and galactic beings, so you must not rely solely on your distant team to interfere."

Sade stepped forward and handed Shamira a small black box. "Here is the data you need to add to the training simulation in your new headquarters. I'm sure that your contact can make it compatible with the facility's system. All the scenarios that were available for training at our headquarters are included. Sir Fane also added the Tran Ceiabré and other places, so you have something to remind you of home."

Jalena and Shamira bowed in gratitude.

"Once I return to full light," Lunara said, "I will only be able to assist you through internal guidance. You will feel me mostly through emotion. Galinia is a larger planet than Elsaria, but synchronicity is still in effect here as it is on your planet. Guard yourself with patience even in light of resistance when you search for the Galinian warriors. As with all evolution, change must happen from within before it reflects externally. The same is true for the Conduits."

She nodded to Shamira and Jalena encouragingly as she grasped one arm in each hand."Okay, I believe we are ready then." Her smile spread to light her eyes. "There is an air of relief lingering in the cosmos now that you have arrived. The combined blessings of the Federation are with you."

If only we knew exactly who she was talking about, Shamira said to Jalena.

Jalena smiled without reply as Lunara's light brightened over them.

"Relax now within the light of the moon," Lunara spoke softly. "Its path will take you exactly where you need to be."

Jalena and Shamira lifted their hands in farewell to the crew as Lunara's light filled their sight and the crew disappeared from view.

It seemed like only minutes as the light faded, and they were standing before a large steel door embedded within the side of an enormous mountain.

The two turned sharply to their right as a car door slammed.

"There you are! Finally! I've been waiting all day!" A wiry teenage boy jumped out of a black Jeep and hurried over to them. He looked down at the electronic tablet in his hand. "Shield is up and effectively masked your arrival." He sighed. "I'm relieved…and a little impressed at my genius ability, if I do say so."

Jalena and Shamira exchanged a surprised look and then turned back to the freckled-faced young man before them. They took turns introducing themselves.

He's so young! Shamira said.

Both turned their gaze immediately to his hair. A spray of strawberry blonde, frizzy curls stood on end.

"My name is Mark Lyons—at your alien service. Welcome to Colorado," he held out his hand and eagerly shook Jalena's and then Shamira's. "Wow, cool eyes…By the way, everyone calls me Lyons."

Shamira let out a chuckle.

"Yeah, I know." He rolled his eyes. "It fits because I have a mane like a lion—blah blah. But, it's my trademark you see? I'm a unique one, here solely for you ladies!"

"Ladies?" Shamira's smile quickly faded as she crossed her arms and stared at Lyons. Lady?she said to Jalena.

Jalena shrugged and stifled a smile.

Lyons's hands flew up in surrender as raised his eyebrows. Like many who first met Shamira, his eyes lingered on the burn scars across her skin as he studied her face. He cleared his throat. "Eh…are you er, genderless? I thought your people were similar to ours…" he glanced to Jalena and then back to Shamira "…mostly anyway."

"No, we aren't genderless," Jalena explained. "Despite studying human behavior, Master Shamira forgets that humans do not use the same formalities Elsarians are accustomed to." She gave Shamira a pointed look. "She has forgotten that labels are irrelevant."

"Geez. Okay, sorry, er…warriors?"

Jalena shrugged again. "That works."

Shamira rolled her eyes as Lyons gave her a timid pat on the shoulder with the tips of his fingers. He moved quickly past her, shrinking past her as if she had a contagious disease.

He placed his hand on the steel door before them. A red light outlined his palm and switched to green as the door released. "Now, getting back on track and making a mental note not to call you—um, what you are—big deal," he added under his breath, "let me show you around your new home."