The Forsaken Empire (The Endervar War Book 2) (52 page)

She knelt down in front of him. Her fingers clutched his cheeks, desperate, and she cried. The hollowed-out shell that he was did nothing but stare. Red simply shifted in his seat, more confused than aware. He had endured too much to do anything more. The mental shock had traumatized his psyche, leaving him numb and bereft.

The white-haired woman cringed, blaming herself.

The victims the people I’ve hurt and killed Red

It’s my fault. I did this to him.

Farcia shuddered as she came face-to-face with the regret. To see him like this The man had sacrificed everything to try to save her. That was painfully clear.

But even as Farcia felt the heartache, not all was lost. She heard the voice. It was soft and timid. Bits of the words even came into her mind.

Maybe you can help him. Maybe there’s a way.

Farcia felt the telepathy and glanced at her other visitor, the figure who stood next to Red, pushing his chair. For a moment, she was tempted to say the name Alysdeon. This human was tall, her face nearly identical to the gold-haired woman.

But Farcia was quick to realize her error. There was a difference. Many of them, in fact. The most salient, perhaps was her hair. She stared closer and noticed that the woman barely had any. The strands had been cut short, almost at the scalp. The telepathy told her why. It was the product of some kind of operation. A life-saving procedure.

I’d like you to meet Ensign Justice, Arendi said. This is Alysdeon’s daughter.

The officer saluted. She pulled off her naval cap and raised a stiff hand to her brow. Arendi, however, did away with the formalities. She came and hugged the woman.

I’m fine, Justice said. Feeling a little better every day.

The young woman smiled as Arendi patted her back. The ensign then turned her attention to Red. Since her procedure, she had been watching over the man, trying to help. She delicately touched Red’s cheek. He barely moved again, too dazed and lost even to react fully.

I’m afraid he still doesn’t seem to remember anything, the ensign said. It’s a total mental lock.

Despite repeated, daily attempts, the ensign had failed to reach the man. His face remained indifferent to her touch. And his mind appeared capable of little or no cognition. Red didn’t recognize her or much else.

The ensign turned to Farcia, more hopeful.

But I thought maybe, if he was here with you he might feel something.

Farcia stared at the ensign and then at Red, still in doubt. She looked at the both of them, guilt-ridden.

I think he would much rather hate me, she said. If only he could.

Farcia sighed. Even as she was here, by his side, Red still sat in his chair, a complete blank. It made her worry and then despair.

Perhaps I’m better left forgotten, she wondered aloud.

It seemed almost evident. The notion that Farcia had no place. The man himself practically embodied it. But Arendi didn’t believe that. Although she had only known the man briefly, it had been enough to understand the truth.

Red was a good person, she said. Someone who cared.

Arendi knelt down and saw the reminder. The gold locket, the man’s prized possession, sat around his neck. The necklace drooped down to his chest, still holding that piece of affection. It shone under the lights.

Maybe it will take time, Arendi said. But you knew him best.

Indeed, Farcia knew much about the man. At one point, their lives had been so intertwined. From before the Supremacy and even after, he had loved her. No matter the obstacle. Perhaps he was at times blind and foolish. But it was something that she the new Farcia would never forget.

Yes, she said. I still know him.

Farcia gazed at Red again, observing his empty stare. She sensed the loss and all the tragedy that had ensued. But even as she saw a broken man, her memories were there to complete the rest. It was then that her mind began to cycle back. She crossed through the years and the eras. To the time before the fall, before the war, and all the destruction.

The white-haired woman saw the peace.

The original Farcia the Ehvine Supremacy

With a simple thought, it all came alive. The power of her mind focused. The young girl and the man she had once loved were there. She felt them at the edge of her memories and brought them to the fore.

Maybe I can help, she whispered. It’s the least I can do.

Farcia knew it wouldn’t be the same. For better or worse, things had changed. But maybe she could also salvage something and do what was right. Her mind, and her telepathy, was ready to try.

I will help him remember, Farcia said. He will know the truth.

Believing this, Farcia took the man’s hand and placed it over her belly. The life inside was sleeping, but soon it would crawl and stretch. In time, Red would learn to feel it, too.

The past, the present, and finally the future. Farcia faced it all, and she embraced it.

Final Chapter

Date: Sept. 25, 4923 (thirty-one years after Liberation)

Location: Terran colony of Haven. At the town of Remington.

Time Index: 17 hours, 49 minutes

 Arendi stood on the grass, checking the time. The hours and minutes were flying by. The sun was starting to set, and she found herself quietly saying good-bye.

Prior to that, the meeting had been complete with smiles, affection, and so much talk. Her comrades had decided to rendezvous at the planet and reminisce about old times. In doing so, they had walked the surrounding area and visited the nearby town, musing over the past. Through stories, random recollections, and even jokes, the nostalgia came, sweet and pleasant, like the meadow and flowers at her feet.

Arendi herself beamed and laughed. She felt the warm wind, and heard the birds in the air.

It was good to see everyone. Especially here, in this homely place she’d hadn’t visited in years. But now, following all the chatter, the small gathering was preparing to part. She looked out to the trees and then to the graveled trail. Near the horizon was Alysdeon, strolling closer toward the sun. She proudly walked with her daughter through the earthy green, arm over shoulder. The mother hugged the younger officer tight, as her other child emerged out from the sky.

The living ship heard the call and shot through the air. In a long stride, the Au-O’sanah flew down to the earth. It soared through the clouds, before finally slowing its eager descent.

Arendi watched from a distance and waved. They’re finally together again.

She took solace in that and smiled. Even with all the fighting and the bloodshed, peace and life were starting to return. She had every reason to believe in it. Arendi stood over the patch of grass with Julian next to her side. He waved as well, no longer lost. Of course, Julian saw things a bit differently. The man and his thoughts were rapidly skipping from past to present.

A lot has changed, he said, taking it in. Julian could see it here and there, and then now. He stared at the young ensign across the distance, still surprised.

The last time I saw Justice, she was still a baby.

He stretched his out hands, recalling the old memory of a tiny child swaying up and down in his arms when she could still barely speak, let alone walk.

But now she’s all grown up, he added. He glanced at the ensign’s naval cap and her officer’s uniform, almost in awe. It all went by so fast

Julian then thought to his own current state. Twenty-one years the number was still on his mind.

For over two decades, he had been missing. The Alliance and everyone else had believed him dead. Since then, the galaxy had moved on. From people to places, Julian could notice the differences. It all made him curious and somewhat cautious. At times, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

And what about you? he asked. What have you been up to all these years?

Julian looked at Arendi and assumed that he already knew. He could see it in her own uniform the combat jacket of a Sentinel. The cybernetic fabrics hung stiff around her collar and shoulders, prestigious and on guard.

But Arendi still wanted to surprise him. This time on a lark. She unfastened her jacket and let the silver cloth fall loosely over her body.

Well, a lot, she replied, unzipping the front, and pulling the rest off. I’ve been married and divorced twice, and now I’m engaged again.

She spoke matter-of-factly, as though it were old news. Third time’s a charm, I suppose Arendi said, pretending not to care. Julian, however, squinted hard. His face was suddenly strained and serious.

What? he asked.

The smirk appeared on her lips. Kidding, she said.

It was only a joke. An attempt to keep things light and forget the worry. The android looked at his gullible face, and they both laughed.

But no, Arendi hadn’t told him everything. Not the entire truth or her recent decision. She tossed the combat jacket onto the ground and stood in a simple shirt and pants.

Don’t worry, Arendi said. Some things are still the same.

Together, they stood on a piece of familiar ground. It was a park situated on a hill. Julian had come here many times in his youth. From where she stood, Arendi could see the playground. It was constructed over a pool wooden mulch; the jumble of metal and plastic sat bright under the declining sun.

Today, however, there was no one here. Arendi saw the empty swing sets. The rubbery pink and blue seats floated, still, over the bark, stagnant and still. For a moment, she was comforted by the sight. It may have been vacant, but she could easily imagine children playing here. Her machine vision already detected the prints of tiny feet and hands over the playground floor and structure. She was tempted to venture closer. Her own boots were at the edge of the grass, next to the wooden bark.

Several more steps, and she could easily have touched the swing seats or even have sat in one. But no. Arendi held back. She was too old for this. Not to mention too large and too heavy. She feared that the weight of her android body might break the whole surrounding frame. She stepped away, suddenly wistful. The nostalgia turned bittersweet, and then it expired. Indeed, the past was here, in full detail. But so was the present and then the uncertain future. No manner of jokes, reminiscences, or diversions could do much to avoid that.

It made her nervous, and she glanced at Julian. After all this time, the pilot was still alive. In a way, he had been practically preserved. Even at this very moment, he was dressed in that same black jacket the one he had worn decades ago. The one still in her memories. No, he hadn’t changed. Not at all. But Arendi had.

The android pursed her lips, thinking over what to say and what to do. Even though the day had been filled with talk, Arendi had more to tell Julian.

In the end, she was tired of the regrets.

I did miss you, Arendi confessed. Very much. Maybe more than you know.

She spoke seriously and in complete honesty. Her words cut past the friendly banter to the truth.

I never told you how I really felt, she added, thinking back to her more distant, younger self. At the time, I was too shy too afraid. I remember telling myself: I’m an android. A machine, she recalled. So I didn’t think my feelings really mattered. But I was wrong. I was very wrong.

Her gaze wavered, drifting off into the sunset, not sure where to settle. Arendi then brushed back her hair, sighing.

The regrets had left her painfully wondering what could have been. She placed a hand over her eyes, embarrassed. Julian was her friend, but she had always wanted more. Through all the time since she had seen him, she had tried to remember him. Almost desperately. The simulations had always been there to tempt and remind her. Each one was a vital memory of him preserved in time.

Now, all of sudden, Arendi was faced with a new one. It was decades later, and she still didn’t quite know what to do. Arendi simply spoke her mind, wondering

Although she couldn’t fully see it, Julian smiled from afar. I missed you, too, he said, coming closer.

The pilot also had things to say. Time had passed, and he was trying to catch up.

I thought about you a lot, he admitted. Part of me wished that I had never left.

He scratched his beard, holding in some of his own regrets. He had many. Julian was a modest man, but he was also a soldier one who happened to be out of luck. The wars, the losses, and then his continuing duties had all in some way disrupted and stalled his life. He groaned, reflecting on his own difficult past.

I’m sorry I was gone for so long.

But Arendi didn’t want him to worry. They still had time. Lots of it, in fact.

It’s not your fault, she said. We’re actually quite lucky.

The android felt as a human would. The fresh air entered her lips as she breathed. Arendi knew it was precious. Everything was. The park. The neighboring town. The planet. It was all safe and sound. The thought made her think back to Julian, who fortunately was here, but for reasons practically beyond this universe. Arendi had already briefed him on the matter.

Farcia, Julian said. The white-haired woman

He raised his eyebrows at the name; it was surrounded in infamy. From the woman’s tragic history, to the repeated massacres, and then to her final act, he had learned about it all. To some degree, the woman was his savior, even though she was a notorious figure, now cursed and despised across a quarter of the galaxy.

Since their return to the Alliance, the public news reports had only mentioned that Farcia had been neutralized and imprisoned. It left many asking why she was still alive.

Arendi was well aware of this. The calls were growing for more transparency and information. But in reality, the public didn’t want a trial. They demanded a swift execution and nothing less. Knowing this, she looked at her combat jacket on the grass. Although Farcia’s fate should have been sealed, Arendi was there to object.

The Alliance the Supreme Council, she said. They are not happy. They want Farcia now. And as a Sentinel, I’m supposed to follow orders. But this time, I can’t. I can’t turn her over. I know what they’ll do to her.

Most of the council took no pity on the white-haired woman. She was deemed too dangerous to exist. The various leaders sought to wipe the galaxy clean of the so-called genocidal threat and put it behind them. And maybe they were right. Arendi looked at her surroundings, torn. From here, she could only see the serene town and the neighboring fauna sitting quietly under the emerging night sky.