The Cycles of Revelation Series
Artifact of the Dawn: Suspicions (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)
Episode 47: Everyone begins to be suspicious of Commander Denyra’s motives as she sends Takyra some unusual demands.
A couple of days later, Athla’naa began arriving, camping out around the perimeter of the forcefield, and Taeglyn arrived with them. Ardyn went out to greet him with Takyra while Jevan remained behind with Mathias, Tomas, and Aron.
“Elder Taeglyn, if your people insist on being here, please ask them to camp within the perimeter of the forcefield,” Takyra said. “We’ve recalibrated it to allow you to pass through.”
“Thank you,” Taeglyn said with a slight bow. “I was hoping you would welcome us, despite your misgivings.”
“I’m not pleased by the turn of events,” Takyra admitted. “However, since they clearly wish to be here, I would rather keep them safe within the forcefield. If necessary, we also have room within the Rahn’naa.”
“How have you been getting on with the visitors from Ateria?” Taeglyn asked Ardyn.
“It’s been fascinating to learn about how their people have developed,” Ardyn replied. “Please, join us for dinner. I can catch you up on everything we’ve discussed.”
“Ugh, no!” Takyra lamented next to Ardyn. “Not another dinner meeting.”
“What’s wrong?” Ardyn asked, looking at Takyra, who had her face buried in one of her hands.
Taking a deep breath, Takyra raised her head. “I’m sorry. There has been too much happening. Between the delegation coming from Ateria and Captain Denyra getting on my nerves. She has been contacting me several times each day, demanding to know how many of your people we’ve rounded up, as if you were all some livestock.”
“She makes me nervous,” Ardyn agreed before looking at Taeglyn. “I wish you had not been so willing to let our people gather before we could determine her motives.”
“You showed us how dangerous it is to hide the truth from our people,” Taeglyn reminded him. “What do the Aterians say on the matter, Takyra?”
“I wanted to inform them of the arrival of the ship from our homeworld, but Tomas advised against it,” she revealed. “He confided in me that there are xenophobic elements within his government that might cause a panic among his people.”
“They didn’t even know about the Athla’naa until recently,” Ardyn said, confused. “How could Tomas know his people might fear us? Was there something they said?”
“From what Tomas explained, there has been a faction among their people who have feared an alien invasion for some time now,” Takyra explained. “Tomas always believed it to be nothing but conspiracy theories until he met us.”
“Hopefully, we can assuage their fears,” Ardyn said as Takyra’s communicator beeped.
Rolling her eyes, Takyra responded. “Takyra here. What is it?”
“Captain Denyra requests to speak with you,” came a voice over the communicator.
With a sigh, Takyra replied. “Tell her I’m on my way,” she said before turning to Ardyn. “Would you like to accompany me? I could use the moral support.”
“Yes, of course,” Ardyn agreed.
“I will also accompany you,” Taeglyn declared. “I would like to hear what this Denyra has to say.”
They made their way down into the Rahn’naa. In the main control room, Takyra took a seat while Ardyn and Taeglyn stood behind her. Aerys was already there, and enabled communications once Takyra nodded.
“Chief Technician Takyra speaking.”
“It’s about time. I am sending you a schematic for a device I need you to replicate,” Denyra said. “It is imperative that you have as many of the descendants of the Aria’asharra wear one.”
As she spoke, Ardyn saw an image appear on Takyra’s console displaying the device. “It is to be worn upon the wrist. You can replicate them to fit everyone, from the smallest infant to the largest adult.”
Ardyn looked at Takyra with alarm, but she placed a finger to her lips and shook her head. “What is the purpose of these?” Takyra asked. “Why should only the descendants of the Aria’asharra wear them?”
“Do not concern yourself with that. This is a direct order from the Leadership Conclave,” Denyra replied. “It is imperative that you comply.”
“They are going to question why they have to wear them,” Takyra argued. “Please at least explain the purpose of them to me.”
“Just get it done!” Denyra insisted before the communication abruptly ended.
Takyra downloaded the schematic onto a tablet before standing. “Join me in my quarters. I think I need a drink.”
Ardyn’s heart raced as he followed Takyra back to her quarters. It troubled him that Denyra was singling out his people. For what reason, he couldn’t even fathom. They passed Jevan in the corridor and Takyra gestured for him to follow as well. Ardyn shrugged his shoulders when Jevan gave him a questioning look.
Once they were all sitting down in her quarters, Takyra explained the latest request from Denyra and handed Aerys the tablet with the schematic. He studied it for several long moments. “I’ll have an engineering tech confirm, but it looks like they designed these devices to emit a low-frequency signal, making them trackable.”
“They want to track our people?” Taeglyn asked. “Why?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Aerys replied. “However, even if we comply with her request, I worry we don’t have the resources to replicate so many devices. Denyra seems almost obsessed with your people, and it doesn’t sit right with me.”
“Agreed, but it’s a direct order from Aria’naa,” Takyra reminded him. “If we don’t comply, are we prepared to alienate ourselves from our homeworld? Not to mention the fact that their technology will be twelve hundred years more advanced than ours. If they have become more militant, we don’t stand a chance if they want to force us to comply.”
Looking at Takyra in shock, the worry in the pit of Ardyn’s stomach tightened. “Are you concerned they might attack us?”
Takyra nodded. “I don’t like it, but I don’t think we have a choice. Until we know what they are planning, it’s best we comply. Once their plans become clear, we can better decide our course of action.”
“In the meantime, I’ll work on reinforcing our defenses,” Aerys said. “The Rahn’naa is an ancient, buried colony ship, so we don’t have the weapons to fight back. However, I have been working on strengthening the forcefield and extending its range.”
“I will coordinate my people to move their encampment within the forcefield,” Taeglyn said. “I do not regret being honest with our people, but I can see now why you cautioned us.”
“We will prepare everything here so we can temporarily house your people within the Rahn’naa, if necessary,” Takyra said.
Looking at Aerys, Ardyn nodded. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Taking his hand, Jevan squeezed it. “So do I.”
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