Chapter 12

I was amazed that she still recognized me—we only spent a few hours together on Bethany all those years ago. “You remember me?” I asked in surprise.

“Of course! You made a big impression there," she chuckled back at me. "I recall seeing you on Bethany and staying with you for a while after some light combat. I was pretty hungry. I remember tending to some of your shrapnel wounds too, right?"

I small snort escaped me. "I still have the scars to remind me."

She pushed a button on the side of the wall and a door swung open. Together we stepped into yet another hallway, and then she continued: “Yeah, that was an interesting day. That region really needed help—you must have plenty of questions for me." She paused and added, "Questions I usually prefer not to answer... but things are a bit different now, huh?" Her tone was so firm, yet had a hint of playfulness in it, like trying to be formal with an old friend. This was Sun Jin Kaisara, talking to me so casually?

“Namely questions about how you defeat all those soldiers so easily. The swords you used, the armor, that energy weapon system. I've been dying to know since the last time I asked... You were rather evasive when I asked you about it after that fight,” I said.

“Don't forget that I only handled the second half of them. It was you who took care of the first group. In the end, you did more damage than me.”

A strange thought occurred to me; had I been really good with firearms? My mind drifted back to my hiding spot, crouching behind a pile of debris and covered in dust. I could hear my heavy breathing as I clutched two pistols tightly in my hands. With each shot, I could drop someone from just a quick peek around the side of the barricade. Over the next few years, my skill with firearms earned me a reputation within the battalion - it seemed I was the best marksman of our time. Was Kaisara needing me for an assassination or something? A funny thought, but hopefully not.

"I suppose I destroyed a tank, though?" She furrowed her brow as she tried to remember.

"Yeah, that's right," I said playfully, careful not to disturb the others working around us as we walked.

"You still had a lot of growing up to do back then, but I could see your potential. I spent quite an amount of time watching you. Keeping tabs just in case the day came where I needed to call upon you. You’re different from everyone else. You’ve got the proficiencies and achievements that make me believe you're just the one I need."

"A job offer?" The voice in my head let out a sigh - it seemed unlikely that she would reveal anything about her close-quarters combat technology that I was trying to learn more about. She was being so slippery. And besides, a job... just what I was afraid of.

"A very special job.”

I turned my head slightly and exhaled. "I retired a while ago. I appreciate this gesture, really, but I’m just trying to live a peaceful life now."

"Rio, this mission is incredibly important. That's why I'm asking you personally for help."

I hesitated for a moment before responding. What could Kaisara possibly want with me? My curiosity got the better of me. "Can you tell me what it is first? Then I can decide if I'm interested."

She chuckled with a small shake of her head. I didn’t like this answer already. “Let’s just say it’s so top secret that you aren’t even here right now.” As she spoke she lifted her hands playfully almost making fun of her own words. That sounded pretty cliché. I think she knew that, thought, and that’s why she was mocking herself. Then she proved it. “I suppose that sounded really special-agent fancy talk, huh?”

Since she was seemingly being more playful then formal I played along, “A little bit, yeah.”

“Well,” she continued, “it actually is sort of special agent stuff actually. Though I can’t really tell you the details until I know you’re committed."

I inhaled, “Then...”

She lifted a finger interrupting, “What I can tell you is that you’ll have your own ship and you’ll be traveling into an uncharted area of outer rim space. I need you to track someone. Strictly recon work, Rio. No having to kill anyone or ... nothing dirty. And you'll be reporting to me personally, and I mean directly to me.”

I sighed a bit. Sure, it wasn't wet work but... I wanted out. I admired her so much, but unless this mission was going to better the people of the Sun Jin Empire... “I mean no disrespect, but it sounds like anybody could do that, right? If it’s strictly reconnaissance, why did you seek me out for my gunslinging efficiency?”

“Not because of your combat efficiency, but because of your 'people efficiency'." She took a long steady breath before continuing, turning her head to look at me a bit sympathetically. "I know how you feel Rio. How you actually feel. It doesn't bother me that you're disillusioned with the counterattack plans. It's reasonable."

How did she know this? I hardly talked about it to anyone. I had a reputation to hold. Just how close had she been watching me over all these years? It's not like a system of keeping tabs was very well established back then. It took quite a while after Bethany was even liberated to actually united our rebellion into a proper military.

"That's made you a person who puts the people first," she continued, "At a souls level, and that's what I need. Someone who I know who will make the right choices when presented to them."

We arrived at a door that slid open with the touch of a button. I stepped into an exquisite living area, presumably her personal dormitory. Right in front was a desk with a computer screen; shelves on the walls contained odd objects made from stone or metal. They looked like archaeological relics or cultural artifacts. Just visible beyond the office area was the foot of a bed, probably hers, with hallways leading further into the dwelling - much smaller than I expected. Maybe it was just meant to be an office for her to live in?

The area to the left of the doorway after I just entered had a long couch that lined the wall. Sitting in it was another woman, though I didn't recognize her breed. Her fur was an ash gray color with white highlights, resembling a Caistealian like me, canine, but much more... violent. Her hair followed suit with its primary ash color and a shocking streak of bright red that matched her fiery red eyes. Her arm rested comfortably on the backrest of the couch, clawing its surface softly as she eyed me with cold language. Those eyes were familiar: ones I’d seen before and felt disturbed by. Her heavily scarred arms were unburdened by clothing from her tactical zip up vest, making them stand out even more. Who was this person? I could feel something menacing emanating from her glare, and we locked our eyes together for a few moments before I forced myself to look away. Sun Jin Kaisara's presence brought about little comfort in this tense situation.

I watched Kaisara walk around the dimly lit room and sit at the desk. I still stood near the doorway in front her. “It’s sort of funny. I was promoted to colonel and the last few job offers I’ve had, even though I’m retired, were to lead battalions or air groups. Just one ship though, huh?”

Kaisara slid a pair of glasses over her short-furred muzzle and examined a data pad. “Yeah. It’s the fastest ship we could retrofit to have all the stealth and business you’ll need. It’s not some battleship or something. Just a 100 meter cutter.”

I folded my hands behind my back. “Manhunt, huh? Bringing someone in?”

It was a bit disturbed Kaisara's chuckle as she shook her head. The woman sitting down snorted a bit as well.

“What?”

Kaisara's eyes slowly rose to meet mine, her glasses perched on the edge of her nose. Her previously cheerful expression took on a more serious tone. "You can't just bring him in," she said, her words hesitant and calculated.

I waited for her to continue, but I didn't like the pause that followed. "I'm assuming you're interested in this job if you're still standing here," she began again. "You've turned down offers that would have given you more authority than this covert operations work that won't earn you any recognition. But trust me, this is unlike anything you've been offered before. You'll encounter things you've never seen." She gave me a smile as she tossed a data pad my way. "If you're so intrigued by my armor and swords, then you'll love this assignment. At the very least, you'll find out where they come from."

I caught the data pad and looked at the cover page, which showed a mission plan, but only the cover was readable. The rest was restricted, locked. My gaze shifted over to wolf like woman sitting on the couch, and back at Kaisara.

She seemed to anticipate my next question before I could even ask it. "Her name is Akima from the Ciberling Family. She's from a remote planet called Danje. She came to us with information that... well, let's just say it was valuable. With her information, we initiated an attack on Quall using the Esther. Sure enough, we saw him - the one I want you to find - engaged in combat before he managed to escape after realizing who we were."

"So, you weren't originally looking for him on Quall?" I asked curiously.

"The beasts name is Flarion, and I had a feeling he might show up on the planet Quall. The history of him and Quall is intertwined with a," she paused and let her finger dance in thought, "Interesting history with Flarion. I suspected an attack would draw him out. Akima's knowledge of the planet's location and history proved invaluable. But even with our combined skills, we'd be no match for Flarion. His size and strength were unmatched, and I knew it would take more than just brute force to bring him in.

"Did you say he was a beast?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

Kaisara nodded slowly, her expression serious. "A magnificent creature indeed, standing tall and powerful with talons as long as your arm."

"I can see why it would be impossible for me to capture him alone. Reconnaissance only." I paused for a moment before asking what I knew Kaisara wanted to tell me all along. "Where should we start our search?"

Kaisara was wasted no time giving me more information than she initially let on. Perhaps because she knew I would accept the task without hesitation. As I took a deep breath, I couldn't help but question my decision to accept this mission. Why was I even considering it? But there was something about this mission that intrigued me more than any other. It wasn't your typical military deployment; it felt like a personal favor for Kaisara. Perhaps it was my loyalty to her over the years that made me want to fulfill this request. Or maybe it was the chance to uncover the secrets behind our advanced technology, the very technology that transformed our ragtag rebellion into a powerful empire - the Sun Jin Empire's deepest secrets.

Kaisara interlaced her fingers and rested her hands on her desk. She hesitated for a moment, studying her hands before looking up at me with a sense of ease. "It's a small patch of disputed territory less than a light year in size that has been torn apart by two tribal factions for centuries," she explained. "Despite both being technologically advanced, they live very differently and have recently agreed to leave each other alone after generations of slow drawn-out war."

Questions began to form in my mind. How did she know about this uncharted area? And why did she have such specific knowledge about local cultures? I continued to listen intently, eager to learn more.

Kaisara took a long breath, closing her beautiful green Amber Krowen eyes a moment. All of this was flowing freely from her lips. She knew exactly what she was talking about, but this was personal to her. "These two cultures are made up of multiple species from the region, and they call themselves the Templar."

I went along, "Kaisara, you're certain Flarion is out there?"

"Maybe. It's his home turf. There are two main tribes there, the Nightfall Templar who reside on a planet called Magnum, Flarion's home, and the other called the Neverborn Templar, who live on a lush green planet called Eveny. Eveny is where I'd like to send you two."

"But if Flarion is from Magnum, why wouldn't we just sta..."

"Because they would kill you," she interrupted sternly. "The moment you set foot on Magnamese soil, you will be bound, dragged, and ritualistically have your heart torn out in sacrifice under the heat of the Red Sun." A small scowl on her face. She was serious.

"Oh..." I said, tapping my nails on the data pad in my hand. It had unlocked now and there was a lot of information on it. Clearly, this investigation had been going on for some time now. I've never heard of something like this before.

"However," Kaisara continued, "you must be cautious. These Templar tribes do not welcome always outsiders easily. The Neverborn on Eveny less violent, but they have their own ways. They tend to find their own talented individuals and train them on their respective planets as they mature. Your presence may disrupt their ways and you'll need to be prepared for their abilities."

As she spoke, I skimmed through the data on the pad, but her last statement piqued my interest. I lowered the pad slightly and looked at her. "Abilities?"

She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk, a small smile playing on her lips. "The Templar are highly specialized hunters with unique skills. They can perform incredible feats, and as you may remember, you have seen one in action before. Almost ten years ago..." My mind suddenly snapped back to memories, questions swirling in my head. Was that why she chose me for this mission? Memories flooded through my mind - the woman from ten years ago, flying through the sky, using unexplained energy explosions, effortlessly wielding a blade and controlling pure energy with ease. And that armor I had never seen before. Was Kaisara one of them?

"Yeah, I'm one of them, Rio," she confirmed with a nod. "Maybe that explains some things."

I let out a deep breath and shook my head in disbelief. "You mean there are more people who can fight like you do? Why have I never heard of this?"

Her answer was a simple shrug. "The Templar keep to themselves and have no interest in getting involved in territorial disputes or the affairs of others. Their powers make them powerful but also comes with their own set of problems. My current political affiliations would make me stand out far too obvious to them. I've been to Magnum before - I've lived there. I've visited Eveny before for diplomatic reasons but that was before all of this," she said, gesturing around her. "Before the Sun Jin Empire, before the war. They'll know why I'm there, and I won't be welcome on Eveny. With your information, I can locate Flarion myself or send my contacts to meet him."

It was difficult to believe, but I had to accept the truth. I had witnessed her prowess in battle before; her speed and grace were unmatched. It all made sense now - the legendary war stories surrounding her. And I wasn't the only one who had seen it; others spoke of her as well. "You're sending us to Eveny because your sources are on Magnum, right?"

She nodded, confirming my suspicion. "I already know Flarion isn't on Magnum. It's his home, but something is not right with him. I don't understand his actions or motives lately."

A rush of warmth flooded through me as everything clicked into place. The Templar, Flarion, Kaisara's incredible abilities - it all made sense now. I raised my arm to rub my forehead, taking a deep breath to process everything. Turning to Akima, I looked at her pointedly. "And you saw him on Quall?"

She watched me closely, her arm draped over the back of the couch while her leg was crossed elegantly. "He's a magnificent creature," she said. "It looks like we'll be hunting him together."

I nodded, studying her carefully. It occurred to me that Akima must have been more involved in this mission than I had been led to believe. As we would be travelling out there together into uncharted territory, I made a mental note to learn more about her and her role in all of this. Despite my initial suspicions, it seemed that she may not be as threatening as I had thought. Her only purpose in this was apparently being favored by Kaisara for providing the tip-off that led their investigation to Quall, ultimately leading to my involvement. It was clear that this whole operation was meant to be kept under wraps.

In the span of an hour, I found myself in a locker room, looking through the gear that had been provided for me. I quickly changed into something more comfortable, my own style - loose-fitting camouflage cargo shorts and a Sun Jin combat compression tank top, black with light blue highlights. I couldn't help but smile at how badass I looked in the mirror. But amidst all the excitement, there were also doubts and questions swirling in my mind. This mission/investigation didn't have a clear purpose and it made me uneasy. As a colonel, I was used to taking on side jobs for recognition, but this felt different. It wasn't about my rank, it was something else entirely. And yet, I couldn't deny feeling honored that Kaisara personally chose me and trusted me enough to handle this undercover black-ops work as a special agent for Sun Jin. It was like being part of a cloak and dagger team - something I had always dreamed of. Before leaving the office, Kaisara assured me that whatever I needed would be taken care of and emphasized how important this mission was to her. The empire's resources were at my disposal, and I could even mention being a 'special agent working directly for Kaisara' if necessary. This was everything I had ever wanted.

I peered through the sights of my rifle, my finger resting lightly on the trigger. These weapons hadn't changed much over the years. Would I even need to use it? I hoped not. On one hand, I was tired of risking my life for someone else's war. But on the other hand, I lived for this kind of excitement. There was something alluring about this mission that drew me in. I would have the opportunity to witness a form of combat unlike anything I had experienced before - with Templars and their supernatural abilities. As I perused the armament rack, I spotted a lightweight precision rifle that piqued my interest. My mind was still racing with questions and anticipation for what was to come. Why did Kaisara want Flarion, this 'magnificent creature'? Was he an old friend or could he be a powerful weapon for Kaisara's army? She already had advanced warships in development...what more did she need?

Last but not least I retrieved my trusty semi-automatic .45 pistols from their resting place and settled them comfortably into their holsters on either side of my belt. The weight of the guns was like a comforting hug, reminding me that I was prepared for whatever came my way. These weapons had been my constant companions, never failing me in the heat of battle. And with my expert aim and steady hand, I knew I could take on an entire army with just these two... or three. Okay, yeah... I saw they had my model in the armory... I couldn't resist taking a third pistol as well; it felt wrong to leave one behind.

I caught up with Akima at the primary docking bay of the Esther, where I had first boarded. I could see her walking towards a shuttle with another in pilot garb, so I hurried to catch up to them. My arms were full, carrying a bag filled with equipment, my rifle slung over my shoulder, and pistols strapped to my belt. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice how tall she was standing next to me. She towered almost a foot over me and appeared to only be armed with a sword on her left hip.

Akima glanced down at me as we continued walking. She took a quick look at my gear and snorted to herself. "Really?"

“What?” I questioned.

She shook her head a bit and continued walking. Damn. Hard ass?

As we boarded the small shuttle, I saw Akima disappear into one of the spacious living quarters. This vessel was top-of-the-line, equipped with sleek business stations and two cozy sleeping quarters. I headed straight for the cockpit and settled into the co-pilot's chair. To be honest, I wasn't too concerned with what Akima was doing. I was starting to find myself irritated by her demeanor. I was more excited to catch a glimpse of my own ship.

The pilot smoothly slid into the seat, his gloved hand expertly gripping the controls. He grabbed a clipboard from the side console and strapped himself in with one fluid motion. I couldn't contain my excitement, although I tried my best to hide it. My smile grew wider as I heard the powerful engines starting up, their roar filling the cockpit. This was cutting-edge technology, and everything about it was sleek and futuristic. A perfect match for the Esther's design aesthetic. These came from the same place, this advanced technology.

As he made some final communications with launch control through his earpiece, we began our journey. We glided out into the open space beyond and as we cleared the airspace, the pilot smoothly turned to the left, following the length of the gigantic hull towards its tail. It was as if the Esther itself was a planet, and we were flying over its surface.

And there it was - the fleet. A vast sea of ships accompanying the Esther. Shuttles and smaller cargo vessels buzzed around in their neat little lines, maintaining a safe organized traffic flow. Some were heading to or from the Esther, while others were making trips to or from Bethany's surface. They were preparing. Soon, the fleet would depart Bethany and its grand pilgrimage across the galaxy. The fleet would start its laser focused conquest. Amber Krowe. The thousands of other vessels out there across the front line holding back the Systems Alliance, no, they would remain. The fleet was the new tip of the spear, ready to piece at the heart of the Alliance. This was Sun Jin Kaisara's fleet.

“That’s the one, Colonel, there." The pilot pointed a gloved finger over a bit ahead of us. "It’s the Silver Slayer.”

A small smile crossed my face as I looked at the ship. It may not have been the biggest or most impressive vessel, but it had a certain charm to it. Its khaki armor gave it a unique look, and its streamlined shape with a wedge design and an elevated command area at the back made it stand out. The fact that Kaisara was providing us with such a valuable resource for our mission was satisfying.

"You and your partner will be the only ones on board. The controls are simple, and it's designed to operate with only a small crew of five or six. However, an advanced AI will compensate for any missing crew members. They've spent months retrofitting it with top-of-the-line slipstream engines and other stealth capabilities, sacrificing the weapons systems in the process. This modified Silver Slayer may be one of the fastest ships in the fleet, despite its size. I'm pretty jealous," continued the pilot. "Wish I could fly it for you Colonel. I don't know where you're headed, but I wish you safe travels."

His words were kind. ‘Safe travels’. I knew though that this was the first step in a new chapter of my life. I knew there were going to be risks involved. Many of which I didn’t even fully understand. All of this was for Kaisara and her army though, right? This young pilot wishing me luck made me realize that even this secret mission would benefit him one day. Maybe with the technology or things Akima and I would discover we would be able to bring a swift end to this war and maybe this empire I helped build will be able to calm down and start providing for the citizens better instead of focusing so much on its war. I realized the irony in that I was becoming what I had come to hate. I was putting back on a combat uniform and taking a rifle to further aid the Sun Jin war effort. I knew that’s what all of this was about, the preparation for the counterattack against the Systems Alliance. These weapons I brought with me, though. I would soon realize how useless they really were, and how useless my skill with them was. These Templar people had secrets. The power Kaisara spoke of intrigued me and I wanted to learn more.

As I sat in the cockpit of the Silver Slayer, a sense of familiarity washed over me. This technology was what I was used to; it brought back memories of my days as part of the fledgling rebellion that would eventually become the powerful Sun Jin Empire. Though I typically operated on the ground, I had also commanded ground operations from the bridge of a ship like this many times before.

The cockpit itself was sleek and streamlined, with two forward seats next to each other and another seat further back facing a row of inactive computer systems. It reminded me of a fighter craft, but much larger and more advanced. I quickly familiarized myself with the controls, gripping the flight yoke confidently. The advanced slipstream engines gave me a sense that this ship could take me anywhere at record speeds.

I heard Akima's gear clanging as she walked up beside me, her sword sheathed at her side. She crossed her arms and peered out at the view through the front window. She had tied her gray and red hair back and removed her jacket. Might as well. This would be our home for the foreseeable future.

The Silver Slayer's systems were ready, and we received clearance to depart from the fleet. The vessel began to move forward, separating from the other ships in our flight group and picking up an incredible amount of speed.

"Eveny," I mumbled as I entered the provided coordinates into the ship's computer as directed by the mission. The destination felt incredibly foreign, a specific spot in the vast emptiness of space. But I didn't question it. With the activation of the slipspace drive, a haunting gray aura formed ahead of the vessel and expanded as it traveled with us with us, its particles dancing over our hull. The aura grew thicker and more intense until it burst open, enveloping the ship in a brilliant flash of light. In an instant, we had pierced through to a different plane of existence we call slipspace. It created a shockwave on this other plane that would propel us forward for days without losing momentum. It was all very complicated science involving subspace, space compression, sub realities, and all this other stuff that, while I loved watching videos about, I could never fully wrap my head around. I wasn't an engineer. This is how we traversed the cosmos. With this technology, you could travel from Bethany to Amber Krowe in a few months -- with this ships speed, from what I could quickly gather, maybe only a week? Who knows.

I leaned back and watched the dancing of lights, energies flowing over the nose of the ship, taking a deep sigh. This was it.

This was it...