“The High Table? Whatever for? They never deal with the likes of us. What possible reason could be there that they would want to meet you?” Kellan asked, looking dumbfounded as we stood in a near-empty station waiting for our shuttle. But I couldn’t fault him for it, I was equally surprised to hear from them.
“Well, isn’t obvious?”
“What do you mean obvious Kerin?”
“He’s the acting commander. They want to talk to him regarding Commander Norii.”
“They wouldn’t call him for that in-person Kerin. Hundreds have died before like this; do you think they gave a damn about them? They just brushed it off and moved on, no I don’t like the sound of this; something is off about this whole thing. “Let us discuss a golden opportunity”. Who says something like that?”
“Kellan, we don’t even-”
“Alright, alright guys we’ll discuss further about this when we get to our place. Not like this, in the middle of a station where anyone can hear about our business. Are we clear?”
“Yea, alright.” They both mumbled and got on into the train shooting curious looks at me the whole while but I had no answers, none that would please them anyways. The brief message explained nothing save giving rise to more questions.
I flipped open my pager and went over the message once more:
Greetings Mr. Amontis
The High Table requests your presence after morrow sharp at 6:00 pm to congratulate you on your
most fortunate climb up the ladder of command. We are impressed by your courageous command in a very
unique circumstance. We would like to invite you for a more in-depth meeting regarding your current position.
Let us discuss a golden opportunity.
Regards,
Primonir – High Table
Yea, I had no clue.
…
“You cannot go.”
“He must.”
“He’ll get killed.”
“We don’t know that!”
“But that’s the point! We don’t know anything!”
“You’re being pessimistic.”
“Better that than being dead.”
They had been like this throughout the entire ride, I loved them but at this point, they were driving me insane.
“Guys, guys stop.” I shut the apartment door behind me, “This is getting ridiculous. Kellan, I know you’re worried, but we can’t come to any conclusions without me at least meeting them and finding out what all this is about. Right?”
He sighed as he looked over at me, his blue eyes bright with concern.
I could understand his fear. For the longest time, we were the only one for each of us, both of us had lost our fathers to digging accidents and my mother had died giving birth to me while his mother had abandoned him.
The orphanage had been our only home.
“Brother, I don’t want to lose you too.”
…
20 years ago
Kilmorne Orphanage
“Who are you?”
I looked up at the boy from where I was crouched, “I am Revan.”
“What are you doing?”
“Shhhh. They’ll hear you.” The boy continued to look at me curiously and I knew he wasn’t going to go away either, “I am hiding.”
“From whom?”
I suddenly heard footsteps approaching us and I just managed to grab the boy and drag him under the table before someone slammed the door open. A group of boys entered inside, taller and larger than both of us.
“Amontis! I know you’re in here!”
“Yea! You think you can hide?”
“We’ll get you! Filthy snitch!”
They looked around for a bit before one of them complained about being bored and tired, they left soon after that. We crawled out from our hiding space and I started brushing off the dust from my pants, the matron was going to kill me for this mess.
“So that’s who you are hiding from?”
I jumped slightly at the voice behind me. Oh, that’s right, the boy was still there. I figured he’d leave after seeing that. I looked over at him; I could see him better now that I wasn’t crouching under the table. He was pale and had thick blonde hair with the bluest eyes I had ever seen. Why was he talking to me?
“Are you new here?”
“Yea. I came in today; I was just trying to find my way around when I saw you come in here. I am Kellan.” He stuck his hand out for me to shake.
I looked at him dumbfounded.
“What?” he asked defensively.
“Uh… you want to be friends with me?”
“Yea. Why not?”
“Because…” I looked at him nervously, “I am always sick.”
“What’s wrong with that? Is it something dangerous?” His face all scrunched up as he tried to understand what was wrong with me.
“No, it’s not. I had gotten the space sweats when I was born and ever since then, I can’t breathe without the filters. I am getting better though.” I said defensively, “It just takes time s’all.”
“Oh.” He said quietly.
I prepared myself mentally for the rejection and ridicule, people who couldn’t breathe the precious Oxinophilicate were considered the weakest links of the society since we were rejecting the very thing that kept us alive. They either ran away from us or looked down upon us, what if we infected them? We were cursed by the planets after all.
“Hi. I Kellan.” The boy repeated firmly as he stuck his hand out once more. I smiled as I took it.
“I am Revan.”
“We are going to be the best of friends.”
And we were, from that day onwards we were inseparable. There wasn’t a single place I’d go where he wouldn’t follow. The matron called us Callisto and Artemis, the twin Suns that moved in tandem. I was still pale and sickly, but I was no longer alone and defeated.
I accepted myself and grew. Kellan fought his own battles too, his mother abandoning him had left him with scars that haunted him. The children at the orphanage used this against him cruelly when they saw him play with me.
“Just leave me alone. They’ll stop bullying you.” I said.
“But that won’t change the fact that they said it in the first place.” He replied.
I couldn’t argue with that. He was always like that, Kellan; always spoke whatever was on his mind. Brash, outspoken, and a menace were the words that the matrons used for him. The girls just called him an Adonis, he hated that one. “Not manly enough,” he said.
Quick to anger and slow to forgive was what I thought of him, especially since that day.
…
15 years ago
Kilmorne Orphanage
“Hey! Leave her alone!” I heard Kellan yell from the ground. Looking out the window I saw a group of boys surrounding a girl as Kellan held them off, he was arguing loudly with Bradley, the worst of the lot, just as another boy hit him from the back.
A red haze settled over me as I saw Kellan fall, I don’t even remember how I made it to the ground so fast. All I remember are the screams and blood, so much blood. I remember the feeling of bone crunching under my fist, the stickiness of blood, and the metallic tang that surrounded us.
“… stop. Stop! Hey, look at me! Revan, it’s alright.”
“Oh, God! I don’t think he’s breathing.”
“Get the matron!”
Kellan’s face swam into my vision as I finally calmed down.
“What..? What happened?”
“What happened?” Kellan laughed, looking amazed, “You almost took out McKowen all by yourself.”
“I did?”
“Hell yea! Hey, don’t worry about it. He will be fine, his nose won’t, but who cares? It’s an improvement if you ask me.” He muttered.
I looked around and I saw people whispering as they looked at me. For the first time in their eyes, I saw something other than disgust and pity, I saw acknowledgment. I saw… fear, respect, and an opportunity. I didn’t just want to be known as the boy who was sick and needed Kellan to fight his battles.
Looking down at my bleeding and skinned knuckles I clenched my fist and grinned, I was going to fight my battles on my own.
“Mr. Amontis! Come here this instant! The matron wants to see you.”
“Damn.” Kellan chuckled weakly.
…
After spending an hour being yelled at, I made my way towards the ground, Kellan was sitting next to the girl he saved on the ground and talking to her animatedly.
“Hey look! Behold, our savior! Revan Amontis!” He yelled as the girl laughed.
“Cut it out asshole,” I grumbled.
“Ooh don’t say bad words in front of the kid.”
“I am not a kid!” She huffed, “I am 8 years old!”
“Ha! Only 8? You are a baby! I am 12 and he’s 13.” Kellan chortled.
“Shut up.” The girl muttered and pouted.
“Why are you here?” I asked her quietly.
The girl’s golden eyes pooled with unshed tears, “Because my parents died in an accident. They left me!” She started sobbing.
“Hey… hey it’s alright.” Kellan rubbed her back gently to calm her down.
Her dark skin glowed under the moonlight as stopped crying and looked at us, “Why are you here?”
“Because we don’t have anyone too,” Kellan replied. She nodded her head and played with her sleeves, looking small and alone. Was this how I looked when Kellan met me?
Lost and alone. I looked over at my reflection in the window. I was still pale and tired, but I didn’t look lost anymore. My dark hair wasn’t lanky and unwashed just because I was afraid to get out of bed due to bullying. My grey eyes glowed with determination.
No way was I going to allow this girl to go through what I did, so I stuck out my hand and said, “Hi. I am Revan.”
Kellan laughed as she threw one of her thick black braids over her shoulder and took my hand, “Hi. I am Kerin.”
…
Now
“You won’t lose me, Kellan.” I smiled, “And if anything happens, I’ve got you two, right?”
“We’ve got your back.” Kerin cheered and flopped onto the bed.
I went over to the chair and sat down just as Kellan leaned against the wall near the window and brooded silently.
“Alright then,” I cleared my throat and continued, “Let’s go over this. What do we know about the High Table? I want to have a clear picture about all the members so that we know what we are up against.”
“Deneidier Vulcan is the only one that matters,” Kellan spoke quietly, gazing out the window, his worry tangible on his face.
“He holds a monopoly over Bhaillemoriens Oxinophilicate right?” Kerin asked.
“Monopoly would be putting it lightly.” Kellan snorted, “His family discovered it and controls the mining sites.”
“We can’t disregard Lady Daniella Maern either, she controls the weapons district. The High Lords’ façade of power relies on their powerful guards and armies. House Maern owns every single weapon produced on Bhaillemorien.” Kerin finished, her face looking dark.
“I’d be more concerned with Lady DuVille, nothing gets past her. She plans for outcomes that we haven’t even thought about.” I frowned and I stretched my legs, mulling over the message.
“Sinclaire and Dubois aren’t worth worrying over, they deal with medicine and ships. That isn’t our priority right now. Gill might be a problem since he owns the bank but Vulcan’s the one running things, so don’t insult him.” Kellan said as he looked at me intently.
I looked over at them both, meeting their eyes as I said “Don’t worry about it. I’ll just go in and hear what they have to say and do what we do best; survive.”
They nodded back, their eyes brimming with determination.
…
I leaned back against the train seat as it sped silently towards Primonir, Kellan gazed out the window interestedly, “This is the first time we get a chance to gaze at the famed unit Primonir. Think he can take pictures in there Kerin?”
Kerin snorted loudly and leaned back, “I’ll be impressed if he can manage to see the outside of the building, let alone go sightseeing.”
“At this point, I believe you both are visualizing me as a glorified prisoner.” I laughed.
“Something along those lines commander.” Kellan teased.
“Kerin, did you get a chance to ask your father about Bhreamin Krosf?”
“Oh yes, I almost forgot. Father said you don’t need to worry about him, apparently, the Judge does not reside over the High Table due to fear of bias over rulings.”
I sighed in relief, there was one less person to worry about. Kerin had been adopted within two years of being in the orphanage, her father was the famed lawmaker Mikkel Dowman who was astonished by her incredible talent with direction and immediately placed her in the navigation unit.
“Has your father ever spoken to the Judge?” Kellan asked and I looked over at her curiously.
“Well yes, once or twice.”
“What kind of a person is he?” I asked.
“Someone we shouldn’t cross.”
Kellan was just about to inquire further when the train came to a squealing stop.
“Looks like we are here,” I muttered as a squad of officers came to the door and lined up outside, their leader stepped forward as the doors opened.
“Your access message and ID please.”
I showed it to them as he looked over at Kellan and Kerin, “What about yours?” he asked them.
“Uh, we don’t have any. We just came to drop him off.” Kellan said.
“Then you cannot enter here. The train will turn back shortly, you may take it to your destinations.”
“Can’t they just wait here till I return? We can leave together.”
The officer looked at me coldly, “No.”
Sighing I looked over at my friends and went over to them, “Alright guys, I’ll see you in a while.”
“Hey, watch out for yourself. We’ll be one stop away, page us if you need us.” Kellan said, grasping my shoulder.
“Yea. Guard or no guard, we’ll get to you in no time.” Kerin chimed in.
“I know. Look out for each other too.” I said, watching as the train doors closed and sped off.
“Mr. Amontis?” I heard a voice call out. I turned and saw it was the same scientist from the other day. The pompous leader.
“Yes,” I replied.
He did not acknowledge me, just turned around and started walking off.
“Follow me.” He said over his shoulder.
Breathing in deeply I went through the doorway.
…
Abundance. That’s the word that came to mind when I entered the doorway to Primonir. They had an abundance of everything, these people seemed almost untouched by anything, hunger, disease, battles. They were only a few hours away from us, yet their distance seemed unreachable. Dressed in my dust-covered DSU uniform and jacket I stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the rich-born residents of Primonir.
The High Table Committees building loomed large before me as we approached it, created on an elevated ground, the cylindrical glass tower shone with all the colors of a rainbow as the twin Suns rays lit it with their setting rays. The guards raised their brows as they saw me approaching and stepped forward to stop me when the scientist cleared his throat and showed them some papers as he spoke, “Requested by the High Table officers.”
“Really? Him?”
“Yes, as you can see, we have to be there in 15 minutes and surely none of us would want to leave the High Table waiting?”
The guard quickly returned the papers before hastily replying, “Yes. Yes. Of course, you may take him and pass scientist.”
The scientist simply smiled and started walking briskly towards the elevators. The building was spacious and well lit with a large transparent dome overhead through which you could see the sky. Tiny plants and moss decorated the walls artistically lending to the feel of it being a whole world rather than just a building.
“Stop gawking and follow me!” The scientist barked from inside the elevator. I snapped out of being overwhelmed and followed him quickly. The elevator doors had just managed to close upon us before he whirled towards me and started snapping at me, “This isn’t some dirty ditch you are dropping into to scrape away at walls boy! This is the High Table, so conduct yourself with the highest of discipline! I will not be looked down upon because of you.”
Somehow, I felt that he underestimated me and my skills, but I was used to that, and I wasn’t about to let his ignorance cloud my judgment. Getting angry now would only serve to prove him right, so I just said, “Ok.”
I had to save my energy for the High Table.
…
“Ah, Mr. Amontis, we were expecting you. Welcome.”
“I am honored my Lord,” I said quietly as I observed the famed High Table. Seven thick high-backed chairs surrounded a long ornate rectangular table with three on each side and a singular chair at the head seating the Lord Vulcan who had welcomed me.
“Hardly.” I hear a voice snort from one of the chairs.
“Now, now, Lord Gill…it is most impolite to be rude to our guest.” Lord Vulcan murmured as he looked at him, he quietened instantly. Standing up he made his way towards me, his smartly cut robes flowing around him grandly. The posters didn’t do the man justice, he towered over everyone. Tall and built powerfully, his dark skin gleamed under the lights as the tiny bells in his thick dark braids jingled softly with every step that he took but the most unsettling thing about him were his eyes, pale, almost white. People said it was due to the amount of exposure his family had to the unrefined Oxinophilicate, some even said it was because of the Others, they had gifted the Vulcans with a special sight.
He clasped my shoulders and guided me towards the table, “Welcome. I hear it’s your first time here.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Good, good. If all goes well, we will be seeing you here more often.”
“Good God man! Is this some joke?!” Lord Dubois burst out, unable to hold his anger any longer. Lord Vulcan turned towards him and raised a brow, “Something the matter Dubois?”
“Yes! Why is he here?! It is beneath us! You have been keeping things from the High Table for too long. Secret talks with the scientists, dealings with the engineers, and now this! The DSU? This is too far for even you Vulcan!” He growled, his thick chest heaving in anger.
“I feel you have misunderstood me Skern. If I were to hide anything, then whyever would I summon him here? In front of you all?”
Lord Dubois’s face flushed red in anger as he opened his mouth to argue again but Lady Maern cut him off, “Enough Skern, you are making a fool of yourself. Vulcan, speak plainly. I do not want to dawdle any further.” She leaned back against her chair with a bored look in her golden eyes, looking regal in her armored robes, the darkness of her beauty cut a stunning contrast against her silver armor.
Vulcan dipped his head in acknowledgment and smiled, “Of course my lady.”
“Mr. Amontis, I’ll cut to the chase, commander Norii’s sudden death seems to have left us all with a conundrum. He was under contract you see, a valuable one and now we need someone to take his place.”
“How do I factor into all this? I am merely an interim commander.”
“We seek to make it permanent, Mr. Amontis.” A purr sounded from the back. I turned to look and there she was, Lady DuVille. The famed beauty of Primonir, she was as breathtaking as they all say. Thick red hair, coupled with the greenest of eyes, she lures you in like a siren before she drowns you. I had to be very careful here.
“I am honored my Lady, but I hardly have the skills or experience to replace him completely. Surely there are others?” I argued.
“You are being far too humble Mr. Amontis,” She cooed with a Cheshire cat-like smile, “You hold the highest rank in the university. Straight to a specialist rank from the classroom. I do not forget a smart student, considering it is my university that you studied in.”
I opened my mouth to argue once more before Lord Vulcan stepped in, “And as far as experience goes Mr. Amontis, I think skills are best learned practically.”
“But why choose me? How can I be of any help?”
“Something we’d all like to know.” Lord Gill mumbled under his breath.
“The reason is the site.” Lord Vulcan said, his face looking grave.
“The site?”
“Yes, we’d like you to return to the same site commander Norii died in.”
I stared at them, waiting for them to laugh it off or something but Lord Vulcan stared back at me in all seriousness, even Lord Gill and the scientist looked at him in surprise.
“Impossible,” I whispered.
“My Lord Vulcan, it is difficult, the temperatures alone, the explosion was immense.” The scientist argued as he ran his hand through his balding hair nervously.
“Vulcan, this is madness.” Lord Gill growled, “We will just be wasting more money and resources.”
“Lukas, you say it is difficult, yes?” Lord Vulcan asked as everyone started whispering, Lady Maern watched silently.
“Yes, my Lord.”
“But not impossible.”
The room became silent as the scientist sweated underneath the attention of everyone.
“No, my Lord, not impossible.”
Lord Vulcan smiled as he looked at me, “There you have it Mr. Amontis. It can be done.”
“My Lord, the site and the explosion, it is no longer stable. Not to mention the heat… a single mistake, the smallest of miscalculations can trigger the gas pockets and cause a further explosion. The crew might not even have the time to escape.”
“You are absolutely right Mr. Amontis, which is why we have chosen you to command this expedition. Since you have been there before and know what to expect, you have the highest possible chance of survival.”
“Deneidier. Interesting as all this is, I am most curious as to why is this broken planet of such great interest to you?” Lady Maern asked as she leaned forward.
“I too would like to know the same.” Lord Sinclaire whispered.
Lord Vulcan smiled and turned towards them, “My friends, you must know by now that no two ores of Oxinophilicate are the same, each undergoes a different level of cleansing based on their needs. A while back when this planet started crumbling, I had Lukas send in a crew, James Norii’s, to bring back some samples of the ores found there for testing. When we discovered the purity of the ore, I confess I found myself taken aback. House Vulcan has handled the Oxinophilicate since its discovery and never once have we seen one with such high levels of potency.”
“How will this help us?” Lord Gill demanded.
“Killian, let me put it this way. A single crate of this grade of Oxinophilicate will sell five times more than the regular one. You will get your money back. You all need the ore in one way or the other, with the level of purity we do not have to even pay our refinement costs, and the results it provides when put to use… are sublime. From our weapons to ships, nothing can stop us.”
“Can we even consume something…so potent, as you say?” Lady Maern asked.
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that… I have tested it most rigorously. The results are astounding.” Lady DuVille interjected.
“Though I trust you Lady, I’d like to know why were we kept in the dark about this. And are you going to just give it to everyone Vulcan… or are there strings attached?” Lord Dubois challenged.
“Ever the outspoken one.” Lord Vulcan chuckled, “We didn’t mention it because weren’t too sure about the results-”
“Enough, Deneidier. I know about your games. You require us to raise the equipment and ships for the expedition.” Lady Maern smoothly cut him off, her face cold as she continued, “Do what you will but remember, House Maern claims an equal cut. I’ll supply the equipment as usual.”
Lord Vulcan smiled coldly at her, “Of course.”
I had a feeling there was something more between them.
“You didn’t answer my question Vulcan… are there strings attached?”
“Lord Dubois… we are of Primonir. We do not give things without the right price.” They all laughed.
I swallowed the resentment that flowed through me, of course, they wouldn’t help the remaining sectors, why would they? My mind flashed back to the days I struggled to breathe, the air in DSU much harsher than in Primonir. They could have helped us by regulating the purified air equally, but why do so without the right price?
“My Lord, I cannot do this. I do not support this. I can’t put my crew’s life at risk for something that will not even benefit them.” I said as the anger coursed through me.
“You’ll get paid well enough.” Lord Gill growled.
“The money isn’t the issue,” I growled back.
“Mr. Amontis, I sense you are about to deliver a righteous tirade,” Lady DuVille interjected, “ So let me cut you off by saying that we are not giving you a choice.” She smiled coldly.
“What do you mean?” I asked and my blood ran cold when a screen turned on at the end of the room, it was Kellan and Erin waiting for me at the station!
“I see you are comprehending your situation, Mr. Amontis.” Lord Vulcan drawled, “I suggest you say yes and go home with your friends and start preparing for your departure, otherwise you still get to go home but you’ll be short of two friends because our guards will execute them.”
I watched him stunned and disgusted.
“I don’t understand the argument here, you will get paid more than enough. Why the holdback?” Lord Dubois laughed.
Of course, he would, these people haven’t struggled a single day in their life, everything has been given to them on a golden platter, but I’ll be damned if I make things easier for them. They wanted to play games, right? Then I’d make sure to not make it easy for them.
“Alright, I’ll do it, but I have some conditions of my own,” I said, pulling myself together. The room exploded with noise as Lord Dubois and Gill voiced their objections, but Lord Vulcan silenced them immediately.
“Oh? Alright, let’s hear them then.”
“I get to pick my crew. I’ll not have inexperienced men milling about and endangering lives.”
“Accepted.”
“I’ll inspect the equipment personally, a standard D.I.G.G.E.R. will not cut it, it will require some refitting to survive the terrain before we leave.” I looked over at Lady Maern who considered me for a while before nodding in approval.
“If something goes amiss then the entire crew’s family will be cared for.”
Once again there were objections, but Lord Vulcan silenced them once more.
“Agreed.”
“One last thing, commander Norii…”
“What about him?”
“His family. They don’t have anyone else.”
“What are we to do about it? Bring him back to life?” Lord Dubois chuckled.
I gritted my jaw and said, “ I want you to provide for them until the children are capable of doing it themselves. Their education and money.”
Lord Vulcan stared at me, “That is impossible. There are others too, he wasn’t the only one.”
“There are others, but I can’t help them all, but commander Norii’s family I can.”
“You must be jesting.” Lord Vulcan laughed but I stared back evenly, and he stopped as he realized I was being serious.
“You-”
“Lord Vulcan, if I may?” Lady DuVille called out, he looked over at her and nodded for her to continue.
“Mr. Amontis, I’ll do this. If it is education and safety, you desire for them then I’ll be glad to assist. I gladly welcome all those who wish to learn.” She spoke.
I smiled gratefully at her, “That’s all then. If you agree, then I’ll go on this expedition.”
“We agree.”
“I want it in writing.”
Lord Vulcan laughed as he looked at me, “You are playing a dangerous game boy, be careful you don’t lose your way. It is easy to become greedy after all.”
I nodded.
“Come then, we’ll have it recorded. We have been here for a while; your friends must be getting anxious. Dismiss.” He called out and the Lords and Ladies disbanded immediately, leaving through the back doors to discuss all that had transpired.
I started following Lord Vulcan and the scientist towards the main door when I looked back at the High Table one last time and saw Lady Maern watching me quietly.
