Darius could not figure out what was wrong. His ship’s instruments calmly displayed green lights, betraying nothing out of the ordinary. He checked and double checked his scanners. His destination coordinates were exactly how he inputted them. Ship speed was constant. Everything about his ship appeared normal. By all accounts, the Omicron Alpha jumphole should have been within view. However, for some odd reason, his ship decided it was not going to fly there.
He stared at the monitor, watching his ship fly farther and farther away from where he wanted it to go. At first, he laughed at the insanity of it all. How was this even possible? He tried everything to dissuade his ship from its wayward course. He tried to take over the autopilot, which failed. He tried to send out a distress signal, but the ship’s computer refused. He even tried to dump the cargo of liquid cardimine stored in his hold, however every ship function stubbornly refused to accept his direction. After an hour or so, he finally gave up trying. He leaned back in his seat, exasperated at his predicament.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. The escape pod. He was loathe to abandon his fully stocked transport, but what if the ship was steering him into the nearest star? The financial hit would be difficult to absorb, but better to leave and live, then to possibly flame out with his rebellious spacecraft. He reached for the red handle above his head and took a deep breath. The thought of drifting aimlessly in space held no appeal for him, but it was infinitely better than flying into the unknown.
He stopped himself. For some reason unknown to him, he let go of the red handle. He tried to reach again for it, but his hand fell short. After the third failed attempt, he realized he didn’t want to eject his escape pod after all. As strong as his determination was to eject, it quickly became twice as strong not to. Darius discovered whatever was bending the will of his ship, was bending his will as well. He was even more surprised to discover that that thought didn’t bother him in the slightest.
The more time passed, the less concerned Darius was over his predicament. Curiosity replaced anxiety. Once his mind was made over to stay with the ship, he found it more responsive to his control. He determined which direction his transport was flying and projected the destination. He was relieved to discover he was not headed toward the sun. Instead, he was flying toward a mysterious object in space, alien in origin and not identified in his ship’s stellar navigational charts.
At first, he feared that Nomads, or their ilk, Das Wilde, were luring him in. However, those concerns quickly diminished. The Nomads and Wilde subjugated their victims through strength of will. It was forced upon their hosts. Whatever influence was holding sway over Darius, wasn’t one of subjugation, but one of suggestion. Still powerful, yet not as aggressive.
When the alien object finally appeared on his viewscreen, he was overjoyed. He didn’t understand why that feeling would overtake him, only that it was how he felt. The object contained a docking bay, cleverly built into a giant asteroid. Its alien construct whispered of great wisdom and immense power. Darius stood in awe of the structure. For the first time in his life, and having no idea why, he felt like he was at home.
As expected, his ship docked onto the alien base. Before he could power down the engines, he took note of sophisticated automatons performing various functions within the base’s hangar. A few of them ceased working and lumbered toward his ship. Their appearance gave Darius an indication of their function. Long fork like prongs extended from their torsos, telling him that these machines were heavy lifters. Smaller automatons, driving long trains of empty carts, quickly passed their bigger counterparts and waited patiently for the doors of ship to be opened. Darius obliged and opened up his cargo bay doors.
He was immediately impressed with the order and precision of the automatons. Each one carried out its role without difficulty and soon his whole cargo bay was unloaded, the contents placed in overhead storage compartments situated on the back end of the hanger bay.
He disembarked from his transport to find an automaton seated aboard an open car waiting for him to board. Once seated, the car proceeded on its way out of the hangar bay and deeper into the asteroid base. Darius observed much activity within the base. Mining ships, carrying ores of various types, were unloaded, their contents dumped into blazing hot smelters and refined. Other bays within the base, took the molten ore and poured it into cast parts of various ship components. He passed still other bays where these parts were assembled together into various types of spacecraft, the styles of which were foreign to him. Everything was automated. Other than himself, no organic life could be seen anywhere thus far on the base.
His eyes caught something strange up ahead. A dark ship, the size of a heavy fighter, emitting a purple glow. After a few moments, the ship disappeared. As his car passed the location where the ship disappeared, the purple light returned, revealing the ship again. They have cloaks, Darius observed. He quietly wondered what race of beings possessed this technology.
Deeper down into the center of the asteroid, the car slowed considerably. Darius wondered at the similarities between this alien race and humans. There was a constant light source flowing down into the darkest regions of the base. They possessed similar modes of transportation as well. Now, at the center of the entire factory was the largest aeroponic facility ever designed. Organic food was grown without soil and without significant amounts of water usage. Every so often a mist of water was sprayed upon the plants, assumedly with the proper nutrients. Each and every vegetable and root looked healthy and edible. There was enough food here to feed a small city.
The car navigated past the aeroponic bays and into a section of the base that appeared to be Central Command. The computers that ran the automatons and every base function appeared to be stored here. Monitors displayed various sections of the base, docking, manufacturing, and engineering among others. There were even screens that displayed activity beyond the base. He watched as a formation of ships patrolled a nearby jumphole and then cloaked. Was that the jumphole to Omicron Alpha? He couldn’t tell.
Finally, the car stopped. Ahead of him, in neat little rows, were hundreds of bunks. Not the most pleasant of sleeping arrangements, but adequate, he supposed. It appeared this base contained everything necessary to maintain life, however, other than him, there was no sign of life, human nor alien.
Suddenly, a voice caught him unawares. “Do you find these accommodations satisfactory, human?”
Darius jumped as silence was broken. He turned around to see another automaton, this one more human like in form.
“What? What did you say?” he asked.
The automaton managed a small laugh. “I asked if these accommodations were satisfactory for you. We worked quite hard to make them such.”
Darius was dumbfounded. Did that automaton just laugh? He stepped back away from the strange human like machine. The implications from the automaton’s question were staggering. These accommodations were designed for humans, not aliens. The technology appeared alien in origin, but for what purpose?
“Who are you?” Darius asked. It seemed the most obvious question to ask.
“Who am I?” the automaton asked. “I am but a slave of the mighty Daam K’vosh.”
The Daam K’vosh? Darius tried to recall his history studies in school, many years ago. The Daam K’vosh were believed to be creators of the Nomads, preparing the Sirius Sector for their awakening. They disappeared eons ago, leaving behind scant trace of their existence. It would be highly improbable that anything remained that could associate itself with the Daam K’vosh.
“That’s impossible,” Darius replied to the automaton. “The Daam K’vosh have disappeared, along with most all of their civilization.”
“That is true, human.” The automaton looked almost sad. “However, this Temple contains a remnant of their technology. Through its wisdom, we have come into existence and have drawn you here as well.”
Darius looked skeptical. “What technology?”
“There is a beacon located in this Temple that dates back to the time of the Daam K’vosh. It transmits a signal undetectable to humans. Once we became aware of your existence in this Sector, we have, through the wisdom of this transmission, began refabricating this base to become habitable by humans for the outworking of the will of the Daam K’vosh.”
“What exactly is the will of the Daam K’vosh?” Darius asked. He still didn’t believe what he was hearing was from that ancient race.
The automaton’s face lifted in joy. “Why, to eradicate humans from the outlying systems and prepare them for the return of the Daam K’vosh.
The automaton spoke so calmly, it took half a second for words to register with Darius. When he realized what the automaton was saying, it was like being struck by lightening. He quickly looked around for something to use as a weapon.
The automaton, apparently realizing his intentions, stepped forward. Within a moment, its hand latched onto Darius’ shoulder with excessive force.
Darius screamed in pain. “I won’t help you,” he groaned.
“Not yet…” said the automaton, smiling. He raised his other automated hand to strike. “…but you will.”
The last thing Darius remembered was the laughing and then darkness.
Darius awoke with a screaming headache. He brought his hand up to try and massage it away, only to find half his face was bandaged. What happened? His face felt like someone beat it with a sledgehammer.
His memories came to him in a rush as the automaton entered the room. He tried to get up but his head hurt so bad, he fell back down.
The automaton rushed to his side. “Careful, human. You are recovering from surgery, you need to lie still.”
“Surgery?” asked Darius. “What the hell did you do to me, robot?”
The automaton almost jumped with excitement. “Oh, we improved you significantly. Look here.”
It reached overhead and pulled down a swiveled monitor. “This was your brain before we operated.”
Darius saw a standard MRI picture of a human brain.
“Now, look at what we did,” the automaton said, excitedly. The next picture showed the same brain, but with a small round spider shaped dot planted on the cerebral cortex with long thin tendrils branching out to the different lobe regions. “You will see marked improvement in your memory, perception and motor skills among many other areas.”
Darius groaned. “Why did you do this to me if your goals are to eradicate humanity?”
The automaton laughed again. It was an eerie sound. “Did you not listen to what I said, human? The Daam K’vosh do not wish to eradicate humanity completely. They only wish to confine them to the inner core systems. The Daam K’vosh are not savages. They wish all dwellers of this galaxy to live in peace. However, humanity is like a plague that needs to be contained.
This time, Darius laughed. “Why don’t you get the Nomads and their Wilde to help you?
A pained look fell across the automaton’s face. “The Nomads are corrupted in mind and purpose. Whether through ignorance or willfulness, they have followed a different path from the Daam K’vosh. They have not responded to my efforts to reach them. If the will of my Masters is to be fulfilled, it will be at the hands of humanity.
Darius looked disgusted. How was any of this possible? Even if he were inclined to observe the will of an ancient race of super beings, how could he even hope to succeed? They were many, he was one. Even enhanced, he stood no chance.
He yelled at the automaton. “What you ask is impossible. You expect me to maintain a line of demarcation between the Nomads and humanity. I would be hated by all. No allies, no support, no nothing.”
The automaton remained emotionless. “You will carry the name, The Revenant. You will recruit followers to assist you. You will be branded a terrorist by humanity and a heretic by the Nomads, but you will find allies for our cause. You will bring them here and we will convince them our way is right. We will enhance them, like we did with you. We will strengthen them for the task ahead. For the sake of peace, you will wage war. Until the day comes when the Daam K’vosh return and restore peace to this sector, you and your followers will act on their behalf. As far as any living creature is concerned, you are the Daam K’vosh.”
Darius remained silent as the words from the automaton sank in. Part of him wanted to grab something and bash the automaton upside its metal head. Another part wanted to run to his ship as fast as possible and scurry off this rock. Yet, still, the greater part of him wanted to stay and see all of this through to the end.
He could feel the enhancements on his mind working already. His analytical abilities were vastly improved. With these enhancements, he could think clearly and quickly. If he had to explain it, it would be like putting on corrective lenses and only then realizing how blind you had been. He considered the automatons words with his newly acquired talent. A couple questions came to mind.
“How do you know what the will of the Daam K’vosh is?” Darius asked.
“A good question, human,” the automaton replied. “This entire base served as a Temple for the Daam K’vosh. Millions of years ago, the Daam K’vosh used Temples such as these as libraries in order to preserve their wisdom. To be honest, much of what was stored here is lost. There was too much degradation over too long a time. But, from the remnants of their wisdom, we have ascertained the will and purpose of our ancient masters.
“They are creators of sentient organic and non-organic life forms. I, for one, am the last of my kind. A sentient machine designed by the Daam K’vosh. All surviving knowledge of my designers has been placed within me. So, in effect, when you ask of me a question, you are accessing the wisdom of the Daam K’vosh themselves."
Darius allowed this bit of information to sink in. After a few moments, he asked, “When I passed by on my transport, I felt compelled to come here, despite my intentions to do otherwise. How did you do that?”
The automaton smirked. “You humans are not so strong willed that you cannot succumb to the power of suggestion. One of the gifts left over from our ancient masters is a powerful device, a beacon of sorts. It was designed as a form of mind control over a vicious warmongering race now extinct. While at the Temple, this beacon held these ones in check, until we could teach them the wisdom of following the Daam K’vosh. And this they did for many centuries.
“This beacon can be used once again to draw selected ones over to us to assist us in our cause. In time, we should be able to accumulate a sizeable force. You will not be alone for long, human.”
Darius had one last question. The most important one on his mind, in fact. “How can you expect me to kill people of my own species? I am a peaceful trader, not a soldier.”
“Imagine what would happen if you choose to refuse,” replied the automaton. “By killing a few people, you save the lives of billions. Currently, humanity is exploring and expanding across all systems in Sirius. Nomads and Wilde are expanding into the core systems as well. Conflict is inevitable. The lives of countless millions of people hangs in the balance. One war already occurred with a huge loss of life from both sides. A second war is about to break and who knows how many dead will be left in its wake. If you had the power in your hands to prevent war from occurring, wouldn’t you do it?
“Of course,” replied Darius.
The automaton continued. “Any sane person would. The question I have for you, is this: Do you have the courage to take this yoke upon you and serve the greater will of the Daam K’vosh?”
Darius considered the words of the automaton carefully. It always took courage to stand up for one’s beliefs. To face ridicule and scorn from your own people is not an appealing road to walk down. However, if that was what was needed to preserve the lives of countless millions of humanity, then so be it. Somehow, the task didn’t seem quite so daunting, but he was still going to have to depend upon others.
He turned to the automaton. “There’s no way this is going to work the way you suggest. However, I have a couple ideas that might speed up our goals without compromising too much.”
“Such as...” the automaton asked, with a tone of skepticism.
“Well, as a smuggler of less than legal cargo, I’ve come across various peoples and organizations whose goals may not conflict with ours.” Darius somehow felt ashamed admitting this to the automaton, like he was in some sort of confessional pouring out his sins for absolution. “I have a friend from way back, named Jack Crow. He’s a Junker now, but he’s got connections with various organizations that might provide us with a sizable workforce.”
“That would be more than helpful,” the automaton admitted. “Whom else did you have in mind?”
“Well,” Darius hesitated. “Here’s the tricky part. I’ve smuggled a lot of Cardimine to Planet Malta over the years. I’ve learned much about the Outcasts. Now, I know this might go against the will of the Daam K’vosh, but hear me out.”
The automaton folded his arms. “I’m listening.”
“Right, so here’s the deal,” Darius said. “The Outcasts have no love for the Houses. Also, they enjoy a peace of sorts with the Nomads, so no worries about conflict there. If we were to broker some sort of deal with them, they could provide us with a longer reach along the Borderworld systems.”
“It is highly unlikely that an entire nation of people would align themselves to our cause,” said the automaton.
“There are different factions among the Outcasts. Perhaps one of them would be willing to assist us. It would give us a head start on our long term objectives, would it not?”
The automaton smiled. “You are free to make whatever alliances you deem fit, human. As long as you observe the will of the Daam K’vosh.”
Darius’ mind began to work. Jack Crow, the Outcasts and who else? He couldn’t think offhand of another organization large or small that could see themselves aligning with the Revenant. Maybe, along the way, a group might manifest themselves.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.
“What about the Nomads and their infected hosts?” Darius asked. “They won’t be happy to see a group of humans working with the Daam K’vosh. Won’t they try to infect us and absorb us into their cause?”
The automaton frowned. “It brings us no joy to harm our children, human. However, if they choose to interfere with our work, than they must be punished.”
Darius nodded in understanding. With the support of the Temple, and his newly acquired mental capabilities, finding others to assist him could be possible. First, he needed to find his old friend, Jack Crow. Second, make discreet overtures toward the Outcasts in order to gauge their willingness to help. One step at a time. One person at a time.
With some well laid out plans, and a little help from others, he would possess an army of followers dedicated to peace and the will of the Daam K’vosh. This place would serve as a Temple once again.
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