Special Notes: The last several weeks have been difficult for me to write each chapter. I've been saddened because I lost a reader to failing eyesight. I just can't accept that, not when the simple tools were under my fingertips the whole time to help them. I will be including an audio file to each chapter from now on. If anyone needs an audio file to any of my previous chapters, let me know and I will upload it. ******AUDIO FILE LINK***** "Chapter 25 - Primordial - Audio File" [The White Raven, Chapter 25, Primordial] [Northern Eagle Province, Planet Darai] Ring walked along the edge of the infected zone, it had grown to ten acres and was continuing to grow at an alarming rate. Primordial vines crept across the ground, maturing every four hours and bursting open to spread it's seeds even further. The vines didn't have the more evolved cell pattern of modern vines that grew in abundance on Darai today, but they did an alarming growth rate. Ring calculated that within five years, if allowed to continue, the entire Struthian Continent would be covered in a primordial jungle. Ring knelt and inspected saplings that were pushing up from the ground, most of which he recognized as common trees found anywhere on Darai. A few of the saplings were a species of tree that he knew from petrified remains, had existed on Darai millions of years ago. And that was the mystery. None of these plants should be Daraian, the source seed was from Demonia, but none of these plants were Demonian. Ring continued his walk around the perimeter, making a wide path around a large red plant that was very likely the primordial ancestor of the modern and deadly Raven's Eye flower. Ring had got too close to the primordial flower and it shot needle-like thorns at him. The flex armor woven into his long leather coat saved him, but he wasn't going to give the flower another chance - a chemical analysis of the thorns revealed a poison many times more toxic than it's descendant. The sound of the Dart ship returning from the shore alerted Ring and he turned to watch. Vel had the idea that if the chemical explosion had simulated the conditions on Demonia during the Hadeon Eon, perhaps introducing elements that were not present on Demonia may have the reverse effect. Ring had his doubts, he was starting to form a theory about the seed. The Dart ship flew over the canyon and Vel released a spray of ocean water over the vegetation. Demonia had oceans, but was not laden with chloride and sodium as the Daraian oceans were. The Demonian oceans were a mixture of methane, sulfur, and iron - it made for an interesting eco-system that produced a fish only edible to the Demonians. The salt water hit the plants and the reaction was instant and violent. The vines almost immediately began to adapt and a new explosion of growth spread out from the center of the canyon. "That wasn't the result I intended," whispers Vel on the Com-link device embedded in Rings ear. "Experiment number one is a failure." "No, not the results we wanted," replies Ring. "But not a failure, come pick me up, we need to move back. There's going to be another growth now, and I don't want to be standing in the middle of it." “This is getting serious,” says Vel. “How are we going to stop this?” Vel swung the Dart ship around to pick up Ring, but it was too late. The growth exploded faster than Ring expected and the vines flowed around him. Ring had inspected some of the plants he recognized, but until now he had avoided touching the vines until further testing could be done. There was no choice now, the vines were wrapping around his legs and were pushing against him, threatening to pull him down into the swirling mass. Ring grabbed the vines and tried pushing them away, and the effect was startling. The vines stopped moving, all of them, the entire wiggling, moving, mass of alien vines stopped. Ring let go of the vine he was holding, two black marks were on the vine where he had been touching it. The black spread rapidly along the vine and then to the other vines. The mass of alien vines gave a final shutter and disintegrated into ash. Vel landed the Dart ship and shut down the engines while Ring walked deeper into the canyon. Vel caught up with him and they inspected the blackened trails of ash where the vines had been. “What happened?” asks Vel. “I touched a vine,” says Ring. “A safety mechanism?” says Vel. “I think so,” says Ring. “Makes sense too, the Aedi built a self-destruct mechanism into the source seed just for this kind of accident.” “Maybe this happened before?” says Vel. “Possible, if their machines had encountered modern Demonia on a cold day, the planet would look abandoned,” says Ring. “The Demonians would have been underground where it was warmer, so the Aedi built a kill-switch to stop the process if the vines encountered a biological creature. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a microscopic warning label on the seed that says ‘Do not use on inhabited planets’” “You’re theory has a hole in it,” says Vel. “Oh?” “You said we are the re-creation of the Aedi, we look like them, same DNA, same path of technological advancements. We don’t know if the vine stopped because it encountered a biological, or because it encountered an Aedi. You might have given it the command to stop.” “I would like to think they designed it to protect existing life, instead of something so selfish,” says Ring. “But, this has given me a better idea what we are dealing with.” "Well, what are you thinking?" asks Vel. "The Goddess showed me the Aedi bio-terraforming seed ship that created Demonia," says Rip. "The seed ship was the size of a moon. I thought perhaps it needed to be that large in order to carry enough seed to terraform thousands of worlds." "I see the problem with that theory," says Vel. "Exactly, the Goddess said that the Aedi wanted to bring life to the entire universe," says Ring. "There isn't any ship they could have built large enough to carry that much seed. I think the seed ship was a manufacturing facility." "That's a reasonable theory," says Vel. "Producing all the varieties of plants needed would take a very large facility." "No, not all the varieties of seeds needed," says Rip. "Just one, the master seed. Not even a species as advanced as the Aedi could predict the infinite possibilities of the infinite number of planets in the universe." "A master seed, that could reproduce itself?" says Vel. "Not quite," says Ring. "That fire we saw spreading out from the master seed had no heat. I think we were seeing the master seed's programming code, or something like that. The master seed was determining this planets particular capabilities and needs, and that's why all those plants out there are Daraian and not Demonian." "Of course, if the accident happened on Demonia, we would see Demonian plants," says Vel. "Yes, first we saw algae grow and produce a seed, the algae died and the moss grew. The moss developed seeds and then it died, and then we had the vines producing a variety of seeds and growing plants specific for this planet." "So we only need one seed for Demonia," says Vel kneeling and inspecting an unusual plant on the bank of the little creek. "No, we need ninety-million," says Ring. "That one seed is being more productive then it should. We activated it on a planet that already has fertile soil from five billion years of planet growth, and an atmosphere rich with oxygen and water." "Ring, this grass is Carinian beach grass," says Vel. Ring knelt and inspected the grass, then pulled one of the plants up and carefully checked the roots. “No, this is an earlier primordial version of common Daraian beach grass… interesting…” says Ring jotting some notes in his field book. “During our planets early development, water on Darai was frozen at the poles, but on Carina the oceans were already formed. When we introduced sea water we confused the vines, and they began developing the necessary base plant-life for a world with an ocean.” “Oh Ring, we’ve just proved the Baskionian Theory that all planets begin with the same finite base plant-life, and then later mutates to specific exotic plant species,” says Vel. “We’ll be the most famous scientists on Darai.” “If the Goddess allows us to speak of our discoveries,” says Ring. "So the master seed contains the code for all base plants, and the vines perform the mutations,” says Vel. "But how are we going to produce ninety-million master seeds?" "We're not," says Ring. "That master seed is the culmination of a million years of research by the most advanced species in the universe. But, I have a plan." "I can't wait to hear your plan," says Vel giving Ring a wry grin. "This is going to be good." "We're going to Demonia and activate the second seed," says Ring. "The Dragon is a machine built to monitor these master seeds. My guess is that the moment the seed is activated, a warning bell is going to go off inside the Dragon." "The Goddess could have done that," says Vel. "I don't think she could," says Ring. That's why she gave the seeds to me, she knew this was the only solution. She couldn't just go wake up the Dragon and say ‘hey there, I've been meddling for the last three billion years and kind of screwed things up, could you fix it, please?’" "Do you remember when we were Chirps and the Fourth Years would make us go knock on the High Priestess' door because they needed to talk to her, but knew what Gar does to anyone that knocks on the door?" says Vel. "Yea, Gar would beat me senseless," says Ring laughing. "Apparently you’ve never learned your lesson, because that's what's happening right now," says Vel. ***** [House Eagle, Hatchery, Planet Darai] “Gini, you in here?” asks Moeth pulling the tent flap back and peering inside. “Over here,” says Gini from a corner of the tent where she is sitting in chair rocking an egg. Moeth enters the tent and two young Demonians in the dress of Tarlock Apprentices follows behind her. Gini immediately notices that both the Tarlocks have their tails wrapped around them in the fashion of a Demonian that has worked in a hatchery before. “This is Audax,” says Moeth introducing the first Tarlock apprentice. “And this is Torvus,” Moeth gestures to the second Demonian. “They are the first of the Tarlock apprentices arriving to take employment with us.” “Hello, welcome,” says Gini starting to stand. “Sit down,” orders Audax. “One does not attempt to stand without assistance while holding an egg.” Gini aborts her attempt to stand and sits back in the chair somewhat shocked. “Audax means bold in the old tongue,” says Gini. “You certainly live up to your name.” “And you’re name is Lady Ginikanwae, meaning glorious child,” replies the Demonian. Moeth looks at Gini confused. “Your name is Ginikanwae?” “If you tell anyone I’ll never talk to you again,” says Gini. “But you said you lost your titles when you joined the Raven Temple,” says Moeth. “That is nonsense,” says Audax. “It requires the order of three Princes from three non-aligned Major Houses, with the Commonwealth Senates endorsement, to strip a nobles title, and it is my habit to know my employer. I checked the registry of nobles before arriving.” Moeth knew Clap was the son of Lord Clapper, and Gini was the daughter of Lord Rook, but she had taken them on their word that their titles were taken from them. “Okay, I get it, you never wanted special treatment,” says Moeth. “Are we acceptable for employment?” asks Audax bluntly. “Yes, of course,” replies Gini. “Is it to be House Eagles policy to stand hatchlings on their heads?” asks Audax. “Umm… no?” says Gini. “Then why are you holding that egg upside down?” asks Audax. Gini looks at the egg she’s holding. The egg is perfectly symmetrical, how can he tell if the egg is upside down? The second Demonian, Torvus, steps around Audax and up to Gini, holding his hands out in a very deliberate gesture that indicates it isn’t a request. Gini spent time in the hatchery at the Raven Temple but had forgotten how demanding and exacting the Tarlock Hatchery Priests could be, and these were only apprentices. Though, the two apprentices may be near the end of their training, Gini didn’t know much about the Tarlock training program. She did know that whomever had trained these two did a very good job, the House Eagle Hatchery would be in good hands. Torvus places the egg back in a cradle and looks back at Gini. “You held her too long and upside down,” says Torvus. “She is exhausted and needs to sleep now.” “How do you know it’s a she,” asks Gini. Torvus shakes his head in disgust and ignores the question. How the Daraians had managed to survive before the Demonians were brought to Darai and discovered their cousins is a mystery to every Demonian. “This tent is completely unacceptable as a hatchery,” says Audax. “I will contact tunnel masons immediately to begin digging the new hatchery.” “Well then,” says Moeth backing towards the entrance. “Sounds like you two have everything under control, I’ll just be going.” “Not yet,” says Torvus moving among the cradles and laying his hand on each one. “Four of these eggs are very sick and require immediate attention from a Hatching Lounge.” Moeth walks over and looks down at the sick eggs, she can’t see any difference between the sick eggs and the healthy ones, but if a Tarlock says so, it’s true. “None of the Hatching Lounges agreed to come here,” says Moeth. “Contact First Tarlock Blaze and tell him I said we need a Hatching Lounge,” says Audax. “Offer to allow the Hatching Lounge to bring the Demonian eggs they are responsible for, and to provide one-hundred Hatching Medical Cradles in addition to building a facility large enough to house fifty-thousand eggs.” Moeth’s mouth drops open. “A facility that large would cost thirty or forty million,” says Moeth. “Are you using sick eggs to negotiate with?” “No, if you refuse I will take the four sick eggs to the Demonian camp and have them cared for and then return them when they are well,” says Audax. “I’ll contact First Tarlock Blaze,” says Moeth. “Give me an hour.” Moeth left the tent and headed towards the new airfield where Raen would be. Vas and Peli had returned and was with the rest of the Moeth Alliance bent over a table next to one of the Darts looking at a map. “What’s going on?” asks Moeth. “There you are, good,” says Raen. “Prince Hawk contacted us ten minutes ago, House Raven has launched a large attack fleet of Dart fighters, they’re on the way here.” “We have a plan,” says Vas. “The Struthians are preparing their Dart fleet now.” “I’m going to do something you won’t like,” says Moeth. Raen’s shoulders stiffen, and then he turns the table over in anger. The others jump back from Raen’s temper. Raen turns and faces Moeth. “I know that tone of voice,” says Raen. “All the talk of equality among us is hollow, you are going to give me an order.” “Raen, don’t be like that,” says Moeth. “I am but yours to command,” shouts Raen angrily. “You’re making the case right now for why males can’t be in command,” says Moeth. “You’re acting with your emotions instead of reason.” “Just do it,” says Raen. “General Vas, get me an open Com-link to Lady Raven,” orders Moeth. “And Raen, go get the Black Box.” Vas has the sense to remain silent and Moeth follows him into the back of his Dart Ship. Vas sits at the Com-Nav computer and spends the next twenty minutes trying to get Lady Raven on the Com-link. Finally the familiar face of Lady Raven appears on the Vid-screen. Vas vacates the seat and Moeth sits down. “Well hello, dear,” says Lady Raven. “Your first official communication with House Raven, this is a historic event.” Moeth has no time or inclination to play games with Lady Raven and ignores her opening insult. “You are sending a fleet to invade and destroy House Eagle,” says Moeth. “We are the deadliest alliance you have ever created, you will lose many Ravens and ships before it is over.” “Surely you must know I am willing to accept those losses,” says Lady Raven. “You have what is mine, and you should have returned it.” “We made a significant profit for House Raven on Pyra, and again on many missions for House Raven,” says Moeth. “And we killed two of the Gunslingers that killed the Sarin Alliance. We earned those ships.” “You only killed one of the Gunslingers,” corrects Lady Raven. “The other was just a pleasant bonus, you’re running out of time, dear.” Moeth pulls her Talon dagger out and sets it in front of the Vid-screen. “Threats, dear?” asks Lady Raven. “If I meet your fleet, House Eagle will fall,” says Moeth. If I don’t meet your fleet, House Eagle will fall. So no, no threats, I’m just going to tell you what I am going to do.” Lady Raven smiles, amused that this young upstart is even daring to speak to her. “The first thing I’m going to do is take this Talon dagger and cut the White Raven’s throat from ear to ear,” says Moeth. “Every House on Darai would attack you,” says Lady Raven losing her smile. Moeth shrugs watching Lady Raven’s face. The threat to kill the White Raven was only the opening salvo and intended to soften her for the killing blow. “Same scenario,” says Moeth. "House Eagle will fall, I have nothing to lose.” Moeth turns and motions to Raen standing at the bottom of the ramp. He has the Black Box and brings it to Moeth. “Of course you know what this is,” says Moeth. “I’m the one that stole the nuclear device from House Clapper. Before I left House Raven I hid the device two blocks from the Raven Palace, and three blocks from the Raven Temple.” Moeth opens the box. “You would kill millions of innocent people?” asks Lady Raven. “I’m willing to accept those losses,” says Moeth. “What do you want, dear?” says Lady Raven, her face still calm, but something in her eyes - Yes, she’s shaken now. “Recall your invasion fleet, sign a non-aggression treaty with House Eagle, in front of the Commonwealth Senate, and I’ll sell the Darts back to you for half their worth.” Lady Raven tips her head to the side and smiles. “I will agree to those terms, with one modification,” says Lady Raven. “I will secretly pay you half the value of the Dart ships, but you will publicly admit in the Senate to non-criminal wrongful possession of Raven property and pay one-quarter the Dart’s worth in restitution.” Moeth would lose the Darts, and gain far less than she had hoped for, and be publicly embarrassed. “I agree,” says Moeth. “Very good, dear,” says Lady Raven. “I am proud of you, you have conducted yourself as the truest Raven today. And dear, I don’t believe that nuclear weapon is in Raven City, it is likely somewhere in Clapper Province. I suggest you return it to House Clapper, you are not ready for the political backlash if it is discovered by the other Houses you have a nuclear weapon.” “A threat?” asks Moeth. “No, dear,” says Lady Raven. “I’ll not be the one to tattle on you, I’m proud of you for having the foresight to take it in the first place. That was a brilliant and true Raven move, but don’t underestimate House Grackle, they will discover you have it eventually.” “I will return it,” says Moeth. “Good, dear,” says Lady Raven. “Will you come to dinner at the Raven Palace?” Moeth almost loses her composure, Lady Raven must be insane. “Very well,” says Lady Raven. “Then may I come visit you, I would like to see what you’ve done so far.” Moeth makes a mistake and glances at Raen. “Stop that, dear,” scolds Lady Raven. “You are in charge, not Raen.” Moeth nods. “Yes, you may visit.” “Good, remember, we are rivals, not enemies,” says Lady Raven. “I can not allow any House to possess the Raven stealth technology, but now that the unpleasantness is behind us, when I visit we can discuss fighter Darts without the stealth abilities.” Lady Raven breaks the connection and Moeth turns to face everyone staring at her. “What the hell just happened?” asks Raen. “General Vas, arrange to have the Darts returned,” says Moeth. “Two of the Darts are on the cattle drive, and Ring and Vel have another,” says Vas. “Call them back,” says Moeth. Vas glances at Raen. “What did you do?” demands Moeth. “I can call Ring's ship back, but I made a deal with Lord Cassoway and Lord Struthio,” says Vas. “And?” says Moeth getting annoyed. “Lord Cassoway has the two Darts, he took them to Lord Struthio,” says Vas. “Lord Struthio attended Sparrow Academy, he’s an engineer.” “Okay… and?” “Lord Struthio has the Darts in pieces right now, he’s reverse engineering them,” says Vas. “If we’re lucky, our three Houses will have stealth technology when he’s done.” “So that’s why House Raven got so bent out of shape,” says Moeth. “They knew Lord Struthio would use his connection with us to get the Raven’s stealth abilities. I knew Lord Struthio and that sneaky partner of his, Cass, had something up their sleeves giving us all this help. How long have you known this is what he wanted?” “We made the plan while we were with the Demonian evacuation fleet,” says Raen. “House Raven has had their eyes on the Struthio continent for a long time. Lord Struthio and Cass has been barely holding on.” Moeth shakes her head. “That’s why Lady Raven wanted to try and keep her fingers on House Eagle,” says Moeth. “She wanted the stealths back first, but once she got that she started playing the proud mother part to keep her fingers in the pie. Okay, contact Lord Struthio and get those ships reassembled and back here.” “I’m on it,” says Vas. “Raen, get in here, we need to talk,” says Moeth. “This isn’t the first time you’ve kept me out of the loop.” Raen crawled in the ship with Moeth and shut the ramp. Even through the armor plating Vas could hear the shouting inside the ship.