While Black and White didn’t realize that Hilary Brookes had Set’s blood within her, I asked Isis to watch over Eliza. To give her more magical aid. There is much technology in this world but it was the prayers of Poppi and the Howling that saved her life. She’s immune to so much that we forget that her true potential is still locked away.—Thomas Murphy
To say my mother was upset would be the understatement of the century.—Dexter Murphy
I spent the next 2 days under the intensive care of medlab and one very concerned Lorain. White ‘s endless apologies rumbling around in my head. How could she have known until I punched Hilary? Silver lining? We got something of his that sent Project Osiris and Barracuda on the warpath. Set was a mysterious element. Even Ta’mathon only knew the basics. Often battling against agents sent to invade the Golden City. If Dexter and I were the hosts for our Defender Belts, Set, as I understand it now was the equivalent for Unity. Actively searching for Edenverse.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century.
Alpha Century
Outer Sector (Trinity City)
February 12th, 2104
Bright Eyes sniffed the air.
The mutated raptor skin gleamed with the early morning dew.
His enormous form cloaked to everyone but Karvax.
This world was nearly completed. Karvax followed Striker Nix’s representative deeper into the old terraforming complex. Most of it had been removed with its original mission done. Like his pirate boss, the smaller figure was a four-armed mottled brown alien with eyestalks. The former Cabal member didn’t care to know the thing’s name. It was irrelevant.
He opened his arms wide, “Arkesh, you slimy bastard!”
Snake Charmer waved the towering brute of a demi inside. “I have a new job offer for you. Worry not, should you decline we have a procured Terran Alliance shuttle on standby.”
Bright Eyes croaked deep within its throat. The alien’s stalks swiveled nervously. Karvax smiled, “Want to hear about your sister or Bel first? Both are quite excitable these days.” The former muthra shrugged, “If I had to guess, both will probably die here within the heart of the Alliance. They all left me to rot within that prison. My sister and Thoth most of all. No, my friend, I have a job offer. One that is far more lucrative.”
*****
The Hanged Man muttered and rocked feverishly. They were orbiting a distant star. This pirate fleet had ideas. Such disastrous ideas. They wanted to pillage Earth. The mind will wander yes. On paths, many didn’t realize existed. But he could feel it. It was still searching. That which was him. That which was hidden. That which was cursed. Only a little longer. Flashes of an old life tormented him. Where was she?
Where was the woman who cried in his dreams?
One pirate waved to the huddled form, “Why does the Captain keep that thing with us? It’s a dried-up husk of a pitiable human.” The other replied, “Something to do with this Weave Space we travel through. I dare not ask. You know how he gets with questions.”
Project Osiris Hanger Bay
Outer Pluto Launch Ring (Sol)
Moonlighter shook my hand. “I wish we had been able to do more.” He was nervous about Anna. I watched my parents load some more supplies on the ship. We were prepping for something big. I could feel it. The rest of my grandfather’s demi team was staying behind on Earth to monitor things. The Arcane Order was making headway with the Living Stone. Dexter would remain with Golden Bulleteer. If Thoth’s armies showed up they wanted one of us on the scene to be able to respond. With or without our belts. I knew Dexter would be better for that. If people thought the Banner was strong, I had nothing on my brother. Plus he could do Typherian matter manipulation on top of that.
Dexter poked me mentally, >>Sis, stop selling yourself short! You can act out in the open. If push comes to shove I will as well.<<<
Lorain aimed a kick at my rear that sent me floating upwards in response.
Her green eyes blazing, “You’ve done more than most. Stop that.”
Moonlighter grinned, “She’s got you there Murphy. Your whole family has done things for Earth. Noted or otherwise.” Di’axi carried the recovered Markav Drone from the Unity Universe over. It was dented in places but it was online. Its yellow iris expanding, <
I took it from Di’axi. It was half the size of Horus. Olive to boot. Yet it had recorded so much terror. I ran my hand across its casing.”Yep. We will get them out. I promise you.” As Di’axi was preparing to leave I zipped in front of him. Holding out my hand, “I have to tell you. Your father’s mind is inside the sailing ship.” He paused. The words spilling from his lips slowly.
Di’axi said, “I can feel his body but it’s not anywhere near where I can go. The influence of Earth’s Weave only goes so far. Do you know where….”
“I asked dad for the file on the Hanged Man. Matarn wants me to retrieve his body so we can go save your mother. She’s with the All-Father’s ancestral burial site.” I placed a crate near him as he sat heavily. Di’axi cradled his face in his hands.
He stood. Shaking off his doubts.
“You didn’t even hesitate to give me this information. That is the kind of world I wish this place to be. Thank you, Eliza. I will talk to my father when you come back. I have much to take care of.” With a pulse of energy, he was gone. Returned to the Void Line.
I tended to wander off when emotion was strong. So I sympathized.
Moonlighter let out a pent up breath. “This day is just filled with revelations.”
Lorain wrapped an arm around my waist.
Adding the new Markav unit to the roster.
She asked, “What kind of name should we give him?”
*****
Anna waltzed down the platform. Each step lighter than it had been in weeks. Teddy was safely aboard. A sliver of cold air caught her attention. Poppi’s hand rested on her head. Like she was 10 again. It wasn’t a bad feeling. Made her feel safe. His rich voice reached out.
Remember to forgive.
She eyed him wearily, “Poppi, you usually say that before I get angry.”
He nodded. She squared her shoulders. Seeing the Brick with her nurse. No, that wasn’t fair. Lanis was competent as a doctor. Poppi hid a smile. “Fine! Lanis is an extraordinary healer.”
Even the Banner had some merits.
She helped save Teddy.
Poppi’s favorite Earl Gray filled her nostrils. She glanced at the demi known as Moonlighter. He was holding a cup for her. Its patterns were strikingly familiar. It was her mother’s!
Oh no. She eyed him hard.
He threw back his white hood. Removing the dynamo mask made of white material.
Anna’s knees locked.
It was too hot in here.
*****
Lorain’s hand raised slowly.
Everything rushed in all at once. I was moving before I even realized it. Catching Anna as she fainted dead away. Moonlighter still holding that teacup. My mouth hung open. Our determined conspiracy theorist mirrored her father in many aspects. Her eyes must have been similar to her mother though. My father walked over. His slow and steady examination moving from Anna to Moonlighter. I could tell dad was talking to grandpa. White Lily’s voice crackled over the HeroNet communication net. <
The lack of surprise caught me off guard. I asked, “My grandparents knew?”
Moonlighter held out his free hand and I shook it, “Charles Micheal Preston, and I do want to apologize. I asked them both to keep it secret. Especially from Anna. With what’s happened lately there wasn’t a good time for this.”
There was a faint trace of magic within that tea. I could smell it.
Odd. I have never been able to do that.
Isis materialized and saluted. Fist over her heart. <
Lorain skidded to a halt. Placing a hand on Anna’s brow. “She’ll wake up sooner rather than later.” She planted a kiss on my cheek, “Nice catch.”
Teddy met me at the rear of the Jupiter. I transferred Anna to him. His arms tensed then relaxed when he noticed Moonlighter, “Finally told her huh? I was able to guess because of my demi ability. I didn’t want to say anything. Wasn’t my place.” As he walked to the grav lifts he called back, “I'll get her prepped. Where will we go?”
I replied, “Entertainment Hall, Crew Deck.”
Mom exited the lift as Teddy entered. Her face composed.
When she got to the rest of us, “Eliza Elizabeth Murphy.”
Oh boy. Full Name was never good.
“Yes, momma?”
“Good Job!”
Moonlighter bit the inside of his cheek. “Nice to meet you finally Mrs. Murphy.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Mom examined Moonlighter for a solid 10 seconds before saying, “Is her fire from you or your wife?”
Mr. Preston replied, “Her grandmother.”
Poppi nodded sagely.
I added, “If Anna’s that energetic, what did her grandma do for a living?”
Moonlighter responded, “Fighter Pilot.”
I accessed the INet. She was still alive and kicking. Initial prolong recipient.
Stress Tested new and improved atmo scout fighters. Moonlighter chuckled, “She doesn’t know. About my demi life. Thinks I’m an accountant for a subsidiary of NASA. Lets me get away with going off-world when I have to.”
The Markav-U drone landed on my head, <
“What kind of name do you want? Based on human culture? Yours?”
<
Jupiter Rising
Crew Deck(Entertainment Hall)
Anna stared out at the artificial sunset.
Teddy sat next to her. Saying nothing. Just listening to the waves lap upon the shore.
She threw a stone. It skipped along. The ripples reminded her of the turmoil rumbling within her. Her father was one of them. Working alongside the Golden Bulleteer. Of all the demis besides the Brick. Why did it have to be that one? She turned, “Am I stupid?” Teddy did the calculations. Chances indicated he shouldn’t say anything. He focused on her lips. The odds dropped. Ok, so seduction wouldn’t be the best approach. Hugs?
Nope.
He grinned as the chance meter shined the best possible light on the situation. He grabbed her. Bridal style. Made a mad leap into the ocean before them. Her anger melted away as her husband dragged her under the waves. Reminding her of their honeymoon in Hawaii. Theodore prided himself on knocking Anna out of her moods. He knew it came from that place that touched the Weave. Ever so often he could see its threads tangling around Anna’s hands or eyes. Hopefully, this would put her in the best frame of mind to forgive her old man. Teddy knew it came from a place of fear and loss.
*****
We all gathered in the adjoining chamber. My father loaded a program dubbed “Starlight.” It was a view of Sol and its system. Certain areas had marks listed as Weave Access Points. I used Throne Sight on the room. The magical leylines of Earth manifested as well. “Woah! The Lines overlap with those Weave points!” Dad walked over to the sun. I examined that as well and I could see the double layer of where Project Freefall’s Dyson Sphere circled it within the Weave.
Horus entered with Markav-U 1Z9. The F.R.A.M floated over to me and sat on my head. Shrinking to a comfortable size. U did the same. Ichabod’s whiskers tickled my neck,” It's almost like you have ears like mine!” Moonlighter gave me a flask, “Drink this. I promise it will help.” It was that same tea from before. I took a swig. It was faintly minty. Isis and the others connected to Dad manifested. The Weave integrated with them on a fundamental level.
“What is this? It's different from what Elias gave me. That just made me drunk.”
Preston replied, “It gives you a small bit of clarity. Even if you don’t have Weave Speaker ties. With Anna, it will untangle the many different threads she sees.”
“Like divergent multiverses that never came to be?”
His face was troubled. “Indeed. I do apologize for that. The Arcane Order had to hide her in much the same way White and your parents had to obfuscate your heritage.”
Anna entered with Teddy as he finished speaking.
Her stance rigid, “Were you ever going to tell me or wait until I was on a bigger platform to ruin my career.” Mom moved in behind dad. Burying her face into the point between the shoulder blades. On her best behavior.
Moonlighter motioned to me to remain quiet. So I decided to use Throne Sight on Anna.
The impressions left me breathless.
Not only could she see into various threads of the Multiverse, without the assistance of the Throne, if she touched items from other places, she could also see the line of ownership and pinpoint people. But since she was still just tapping into her abilities, they were tenuous at best, so I aimed an inquiry at White.
<