Oracle's Hope
Oracle's Hope: Chapter 1
by Loki_Darksong
Look Liam, it has begun. All around them the meter high flowers began to release dandelion like seeds into the air. He looked up at his master's face confused at the look of contentment he saw there.
"You always seem to enjoy this, Master." The young child spoke respectfully.
"You do not understand why, eh my young apprentice?" The child shook his head. His master smiled. "The seeds flying off on the breeze are chances, my apprentice. Chances that these flowers will live on somewhere, long after the parent flower is gone. Did you know that if a fire occurred these flowers would jettison whatever seeds it had to insure the survival of its own? Even in tragedy life finds a way to continue. A wise lesson to be learned, my young apprentice."
Liam Darkstorm gazed out of the window once again. Outside it looked liked you were traveling inside a tunnel that was light and dark as well as endless. That was the effect of hyperspace travel. He so loved it when he was traveling solo in his fighter. He gave a slight grin remembering his glee on his first jump when he was only a kit. It was so wondrous that right then and there he knew he had to do it again and again. He wiped away the tear that had fallen from his eye. Stop it Liam, he scolded himself for his brooding. This mood will get you nowhere!
After a quick check of the ships' systems, Liam went to a nearby restroom to wash his face. He paused to regard himself in the mirror. He was from a race of Anthro-foxes. He was young, his twenty sixth birthday only just two months ago. He stood an average height for his people, about five foot ten or so. He was lean in build, something that had lulled many of his opponents into a false sense of confidence. Liam was stronger than he looked as well as faster than the average vulpine.
His fur coloring was a bit unusual for your average fox, though normal for his people. It was a dark red, while the coloring on his ears, his 'foxgloves' as well as his 'fox socks' was a deep, dark black. What was unusual was his under fur that started at from his muzzle and ended around inside his mid-thigh. Where in other foxes it would have been white, here too it was black. A trait that would have surely singled his people out from other foxes had there been other foxes for comparison. His head also had something else unusual. His head fur had grown long, reaching to the top of his back, also black and long enough for Liam to wear in a ponytail.
The look on his face bothered him. Normally cheerful, even in the darkest of moments, it was starting to show signs of his growing sadness. The twinkle in those deep purple eyes was starting to fade.
His uniform was neatly folded on one of the chairs. Not wanting to go totally nude for once, he kept on his undergarments, a black tank top and matching stretch boxers. He was very proud of his strong, yet wiry frame. He had decided to make use of the ship's training areas early in his command to keep up his shape as well as improve his other skills. He had kept to his regiment after the escape feeling it necessary for both his physical and mental health.
The ship itself was massive. A veritable mountain of armor and weapons, well over one thousand meters in length. It was shaped much like a wide bladed dagger. It sported twin bridges; side by side atop a pyramid type structure at the ship's aft. Below them were the massive exhausts of the ships four engines. With the exception of the command bridge, as well as the engineering section, all of the other decks were powered down. Not knowing just how long the journey would be, Liam felt it best to conserve as much power as was possible just in case. Journey though might not have been the best choice in words. A shot in the dark would have been far more accurate!
He had made the command bridge his quarters. It was a practical decision with only minimum discomfort. Any problem with navigation, ship operations, etc, and he would not have far to go. The only thing that he found very troubling was the lack of noise. The ship was too quiet. He missed the noise that over nine thousand people made, though it tended to make his ears ring. They were all gone now. His meditations had failed to bring any kind of comfort. The only things that kept running through his mind were how it had all come to this. The betrayal. The loss. It was so overwhelming. If he were not careful he would become engulfed within it and never find his way out.
Liam sighed heading across the bridge walkway, lowering himself to the floor in front of the forward window. He would try his meditations once again. He didn't seek to escape his pain, but perhaps he could direct it into a more productive purpose; to aim his perceptions forward ahead of his ship. Perhaps he could see how long he had left on this jump. How long he had until he found a new home and peace.
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The Twenty-ninth century. Earth year 2890. The Alpha Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy.
There were very few places on the planet Aspatria that one would call an oasis. For Oracle ni Navarre this was her personal one. It was a cave that was near the mountains at the end of the Amathane Valley. She had found it some years ago while exploring the area. The lake that was inside the cavern was a bonus. Surprisingly the water not only was fresh but was also warm. Very strange for an underground lake nowhere near any hot spring or such.
She was floating on her back in the center of the lake. Oracle found it a fun way to meditate. To just lie there, suspended, no sounds, just peace. It was just what she needed. It was almost tempting to reach down and give a certain little spot a small, pleasurable workout. She spread her legs a little, letting the waters caress her instead.
At thirty, Oracle was quite the looker. Oracle, much like her mother, was attractive for her race. Her fur coloring, like many other Aspatrians, was orange, though Oracle's was more red than orange. What would be considered her foxgloves and socks, the fur there was colored black. Her head fur was slightly longer than most females. Also black, though the edge for about an inch was red, reached far enough to cover Oracle's neck. She was vain enough to keep it trimmed in a type of mod style. The fur from under her muzzle to the mid-range of her thighs was colored white.
Oracle's figure was the envy of many females. She had grown to her mother's height, somewhere around five foot eight. A firm physique well balanced with nice sized breasts as well has her bottom. She had caught the eye of many a male. Too many if you were to ask her. It was an asset that she had used much to her advantage and to her disgust. Sex was a wonderful thing, sacred to Ilakos, an all but forgotten god of love. She hated to cheapen it as a means of barter. She was fortunate for her mother's knowledge of herbal birth control, and then to the friends she had made from the Federation. There were already too many children at risk on Aspatria. She would hate to add to those numbers.
The idea of going to the cave on this day was not Oracle's. She had been acting very moody of late. Enough so that Oracle's mother was concerned. "Go and get lost for awhile or I'll be forced to take something to that ornery backside of yours!" Even at age thirty, Oracle was not one to take any of her mother's threats lightly. As usual she was right. Oracle did need to get away.
As she floated, Oracle looked up to the cavern's ceiling, letting the worries of the day melt away. Clusters of crystals could be seen sparkling in the darkness. The way the night skies should look outside. She pushed the thought from her mind. It had no place here, her holy place. A kick of her legs pushed her forward. As she drifted, Oracle closed her eyes. It was here. She could feel it. Hear it almost, though not with her ears. Her motion had stopped and once again she just floated. Yes. This is the spot. Oracle spread out her arms, legs, and tail, breathing deeply. Several breaths she took and, quick a shot, Oracle rolled over and dove beneath the water.
She moved swiftly, with such grace that you would think that she was born of water. Oracle often felt, at moments like these, that Aspatrians should have been evolved otters instead of foxes. Maybe we would have appreciated this world better! She would say. The water grew darker as she dove deeper. She didn't take any kind of light with her. And her fox hearing was useless underwater. Despite all that, Oracle continued to dive.
In moments Oracle was in total darkness. Her lungs were starting to ache, demanding air. It's here. Just a little longer. I can feel it. She changed her angle. Instead of down, Oracle now headed straight for the side of the lake. She sped up. A risky thing to do since it would make her use up her air faster and worse. If she hit the side of the cave she would be too stunned to make it back to the surface and drown. She kept going, trusting something both within and without.
Instead of the lake wall, Oracle plunged in to some kind of passage way. Praying that it wasn't long, Oracle swam as fast as possible without panicking. She needed air, now! For her luck, the passage was not long. Just as she thought her lungs would burst, the tunnel angled up and she burst through the surface into another chamber.
Oracle treaded water, taking in gulps of air. There was a bank nearby. Oracle rolled over onto her back, slowly backstroking her way towards it. The incline was gently sloped so Oracle wasn't forced to climb out of the water. Lying on her back, letting the strength return to her body, Oracle glanced around.
This chamber was very similar to the main one. Crystals rose from the walls, ceilings and from spots on the ground. There were a couple of tunnels branching off here and there. Oracle focused on one in particular. She rose to her feet, looking at it. It's there, she thought. Almost in a trance, Oracle walked through the passage. Green. Yellow. Blue. Orange. Purple. White. Even pink. Still no red though. Despite the abundance, these crystals were not the one she sought out. She continued on.
Soon Oracle entered another chamber. There was a cluster of crystals ahead of her. Their light from each seemed to blend together, making it difficult to separate the individual colors. You're in there, aren't you? She closed her eyes and let herself be guided once more. She turned to her right, her hand rising up a little. Slowly she scanned the crystals until finally her hand came to rest above one. With a smile she pulled on it. It came away in her hand easily. "Hello," she said to the crystal. It was shaped like a little pyramid, but its color was different from all the others. It was colored gold.
Her swim back was uneventful and swift since now she knew the way. Oracle felt very good has she dried herself with a towel. One mystery solved. Now of course a new mystery had been born. Of all the crystals within the cave, why had this one seem to call to her? The crystal, like the others in the cave, radiated a kind of aura that she could feel. But in all the time she had visited the cave, this was a first. "Now that I have you, what do I do with you?" she asked the crystal. Oracle didn't expect a response. She yawned. Since she had no messages on her communicator, a short nap was in order before heading back home. As she lie down and shut her eyes, Oracle did not see as the crystals in the cave, hers too, began to glow brighter.
Where have all the good men gone?
And where are all the gods?
She had been forced to her knees. Ropes binding her wrists and her ankles made certain that she stayed there. She had been stripped of her clothing. Her body was a mass of pain. The blood from numerous welts stained her red fur. She had been severely beaten, tortured. She was panting with the agony of it.
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
A figure stood in front of her. A fox like herself, male and far more menacing. He held a red globe in his right paw. His left held a jagged sword. Oracle growled defiantly at the image. It was one she came to despise early in her life. "Submit!" demanded the male.
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Despite the pain it caused her, Oracle stretched herself as straight as her position allowed. "Never, you monster," she spat out. "Poisoner of souls! Thief! I'll never submit to you! "She glared at the male, keeping her tears in check. She would not surrender.
Late at night I toss and turn and dream of what I need!
The male's face twisted into an angry snarl. The globe in his right paw transformed it self. Collapsing and twisting until it took the form a single tailed whip. Oracle barely managed to brace herself as she was struck across her belly. Pain flared. She groaned, flinching forward slightly. A hail of lashes followed. Oracle bucked and weaved with every blow. It was a strike to her breasts that forced her to collapse to the floor. She didn't fault herself for that. Through it all she had managed to not scream.
I need a hero!
"Submit now, female!" demanded the male once again. The whip had rearranged itself back into a globe. "You cannot defeat me."
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night!
"Fuck you, Thief!" She always did like those Earth swear words. They are so guttural and straight to the point. You'll never have me! You insult to everything Aspatrian!"
He's gotta be strong!
And he's gotta be fast!
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight!
The male stepped in front of the fallen vixen. "Fool! I am Aspatria!" He glared down at his captive. "I am your creator! I have given you life and I can take it from you!"
I need a hero!
"The keyword there being 'take'," she snarled. "A word that you seem to know so well! And you are no creator of mine!" If she was going to die there was no need to hold back.
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light!
The male grew angrier. "This is your last chance, whore!" To his irritation her defiance held. She didn't say a word. She struggled to her knees, glaring contempt at her captor. She had nothing more to say. There was a wind blowing at her back. It had been blowing the entire time but she had not paid it much mind. Now it seemed to be picking up. The male was having difficulty standing against it. "Then die!" He raised his sword. She refused to close her eyes.
He's gotta be sure!
And it's gotta be soon!
And he's gotta be larger than life!
Larger than life.
There was a flash and the sword was destroyed. And there was something else. Another male stood between her and her attacker, holding a glowing sword the like of which she had never seen before.. Oracle looked up, stunned. Her rescuer turned his head to look at her over his shoulder. His face was covered by shadow. "Who are you?" asked Oracle, trying to see who had just saved her....
With a loud gasp, Oracle woke. She glanced wildly about for a few moments trying to get her bearings. She was in the cave. Not tied up. She was not naked nor bound with ropes or beaten. At her side was a loudly playing music pod. Oracle recognized the song has the one from her dream. When did I turn that on? Her head dropped into her paws. That had been one very intense dream! Her heart was still racing from it. A slight frown crossed her face. If it was a dream! Checking the time, Oracle saw that it was late in the afternoon, almost evening. She had to get up and head back home. As she dressed a nagging feeling tugged at her tail. Something was wrong.
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The Temple of the Twelve had been in the Amathane Valley for at least a few hundred years. Some pieces of ancient lore placed it at maybe a thousand. The fact that the Temple was still standing was a miracle in itself. Perhaps it was the remoteness of the region, though many would say it was due to the many of the local legends. Tales of something dark happening long ago in the valley.
Whatever the reason, the Temple and its accompanying buildings had been left more or less intact. It had been Oracle's mother's idea some years ago to camouflage them. The plan was simple. Keep the buildings looking like a wreck on the outside, while inside there were well protected from the elements. With that, as well as the regions' rather unusual reputation, the Temple had become the ideal spot to combat at least one of Aspatria's problems. The one involving the many homeless children left to fend for themselves. So The Temple became the first, and has far as Oracle knew, only orphanage on Aspatria. Kept secret of course!
Oracle found her mother in the main shrine, dedicated to the goddess Inarys, alone at prayer. Before her mother stood the statue of Inarys; a female Aspatrian sculpted from white marble. The statue wore a black colored cloak, the hood drawn over its head. The cloak of Domadrua; the dark goddess and sister of Inarys.
Oracle shook her head at the sight. There was no dress code for the Temple. Oracle's taste in clothing spanned from her usual peasant/bar wench type dresses to her more outrageous Goth inspired look. In contrast to Oracle, Sage tended to dress in such a way as to appear almost like a nun. Hooded cloak instead of a habit though. Oracle swore she did it just to annoy her. Giving a bow of respect to the image, Oracle knelt beside her mother.
"Something bothering you, my daughter?" Sage asked without looking up. Oracle was not surprised by the question. Her looks were not the only thing that she inherited from her mother. There really was not point in trying to hide what happened from her.
"Something happened to me while I was at my 'den'." Sage made a low chuckle at Oracle's description of her hideaway, but listened intently. "Nothing bad or the like. I picked up a crystal that was different from the others." She thought it best not to tell her mother just how she got the crystal. "Then there was this dream I had there." Oracle let a slow breath. "One of those dreams."
Sage nodded, making herself more comfortable by sitting on the floor. "Would you like to tell me about it?" she asked.
Oracle took a seat on the floor as well. She trembled slightly remembering what happened. "In the dream, Hakra had me prisoner. He was torturing me, trying to get me to submit to his will. And when I refused, he tried to kill me." She sighed. "I think we're in danger."
"Or just being noticed a little more." Sage said. "Many officials, both in the military and in the government are adamant Hakra worshipers. Being attacked by him in your vision could be a warning of what is on their minds if we have been targeted." Or you, daughter, Sage thought without saying it aloud. She sighed. "I've been having the same feelings for some weeks now. Perhaps there have been rumors about our little operation here and the wrong some ones might be getting curious."
"I don't see how we could have been found out," said Oracle. "No one in Amathane or any of the towns would have said anything."
"I agree. No one would intentionally say something." Sage sighed. "Then again accidents have been known to happen. A word might have been spoken without it being realized."
Oracle frowned. "So what are we supposed to do?"
"Not panic for one thing," Sage replied noting the anger creeping into Oracle's voice. "Or jump the gun by doing something rash. We don't have enough to go on. I can make a few veiled inquiries through some of our friends, but that's the best we can and should do for now. We wouldn't want to cause the very danger that we're trying to prevent."
Oracle felt all of the tension she had escaped from jump right back into her body. She got to her feet, wishing she could hit something. She knew her mother was right, but it was so frustrating! There was so much at stake if the government had decided to target them. So much to lose! She felt her mother's paws on her shoulders. "I know, baby, I know."
Oracle leaned her face to the side, stroking her mother's paw with her muzzle. It was a small comfort for her. "I'd better go help with the kits," she said in a low voice. She nodded letting Oracle go after a little squeeze on her the back of her neck. She did not need her 'skills' to see the turmoil that had just built up in her daughter. Anger and sadness made for a very dangerous combination. In Oracle, that was triply so. It made her reckless. But in this case, Sage could not slight her daughter. As Oracle reached the door, something occurred to Sage. She would have to wait until later when her daughter was hopefully in better spirits.
"Hi, Lady Oracle!" The cheerful greeting from many little voices caused Oracle to hide the worried look on her face. They were group of kits, both male and females ranging from five to around twelve, being escorted by two of the Temple's volunteers, Deirdre and Moira. The kits were without clothing as per the tenets of Hakra. A rule that would have been gleefully ignored if Oracle had her way. She gave them a broad smile. With all the problems they had to deal with, there was no need to trouble them with her concerns.
"Hi kits!" Oracle said returning their happy greeting. "I guess you all must be ready for dinner?"
"Yes Ma'am!" was the enthusiastic response.
Oracle smiled, reaching out with her ability and letting the kits emotions wash over her. For the most part the kits were not troubled. If anything they were all happy, glad to be where they were. For Oracle it was almost has refreshing as being in a shower or her den's lake. Despite that though she could not help but feel a nagging worry at the back of her mind. "Come on then," she said gathering them around her. "Let's get washed up, have dinner, and maybe I'll tell you a couple of stories before bed."
"Will you sing for us too?" asked one little girl.
Oracle nodded. "I'll see if I up for it later, Dana. If I'm not too stuffed you know." She tickled the little one making her laugh. As they walked toward the dining area, no one saw Oracle glance at one of the shine buildings. Nor did they catch the angry scowl that briefly crossed her face.
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Of the many shames on the planet Aspatria there was one that stood out. The treatment many of the adult citizens endured was horrendous enough. What was done to the children... There were no words harsh enough to condemn the litany of horrors that befell the planet's children.
Rape, torture, slavery, exploitation, and things far too horrible to believe befell many a young kit. The orphaned ones bore the brunt of it, having no parents to offer at least token protection. For them life was bitter, brutal and sadly short. Usually to die alone and forgotten in some filthy alleyway after being used up. It was something that was more or less acknowledged and accepted even by those off world. Oracle, however, refused to accept it! She had been glad that there were others who held that view and were willing to try to do something about.
She was standing in the entrance of the one shrine she refused to enter. It was long after dinner, and well into the night. Most everyone was asleep, but Oracle was restless, angry. She stood there glaring at the statue of the god that this shrine was dedicated to. If it were up to her the building would have been burned to the ground and then the rubble pulverized. She fondly remembered the shellacking her mother gave her when she was just fourteen for trying to make that wish a reality. "It's not his fault that some of his followers are insane!" Sage had said to her while dancing a hairbrush across Oracle's backside. Oracle then and Oracle now did not care. As far has she was concerned it was his fault.
"You will not have them!" Oracle growled to the statue of Hakra. "Not you, not your followers, not even that eternally damned bastard, Renacross!" Her voice grew to a shout. "I'll stop you! Do you hear me? I will stop you!"
"Challenging a god is not a very bright thing to do, Oracle." Sage said from behind her daughter. Oracle was not surprised that her she had found her here. "They tend to take it rather personally and then they do their best to make you eat those words." Sage folded her arms looking a little disappointed. "I thought I had taught you better than that, my dear."
"You also taught me to stand up for what was right and defend those who could not." Oracle replied bitterly. "Or has that changed now."
"That, my dear, will never change, "said Sage, "But that is no excuse to be reckless. Or to plan something in that direction." Oracle glanced over her shoulder for a second then turned back around. Sage shook her head. "Has I thought." She reached around her daughter's waist, hugging her tightly. "What am I going to do with you, my very foolish and very brave child?"
"I'm surprised that I'm not across that lap of yours while you serenade me tush with your furbrush."
Sage chuckled. "The thought had crossed my mind, dear. So don't tempt me." Sage looked over to the Hakra statue. "While he is not the most understandable of our gods, I can't blame him for the madness of those who follow him. Or misuse he teachings. He is part of the Twelve and part of the balance, you know."
Now it was Oracle's turn to chuckle. "Ma, you see good in everything. You would even help that bastard Renacross even though he would come up and stab you in the chest." Oracle then yelped as a quick swat struck her across her rear.
"Best to mind that mouth of yours, child. You know what could happen if other less friendly ears heard you." Grudgingly Oracle nodded. While it was true, she really hated to admit it. Sage gave her another swat. "And don't you be using such words around the kits either!" Oracle gave her mother a 'Yes Ma'am. Sage gave her a nuzzle on the back of her neck. "Good! I would hate for something to happen to you, my precious little fire."
Oracle's eyes watered at the mention of that nickname. "I'll be careful, Ma." She looked down to the floor, no longer interested in glaring at Hakra. "Ma, there was something else in that dream I told you."
Sage cocked her head slightly. "What, Dear?"
Oracle, for some reason, felt her ear tips grow warm. A small smile crossed her face. "You're not going to believe this, but in that dream, that vision, as Hakra was about to kill me, someone got in his way. Another male. He stood toe to toe with him. He broke Hakra's sword in one swipe and was ready to take him on!" Oracle turned around. "I don't know why or how, Ma, but I felt that he could win. No. I knew he could win." That blushing feeling came across her again, making her giggle. "Is that silly or what?"
Sage put a finger under Oracle's chin, raising her daughter's eyes to hers. "Not at all, little fire."
Oracle shrugged. "I guess that part was just wishful thinking. Not that any of our males would even look Hakra, or whatever he supposed to mean, in the eye, let alone fight." She then gave a sad sigh. "Not anymore at least." Sage did not have to ask what Oracle meant by that. She merely gave her daughter another hug and held her close. For a time mother and daughter stood together in the doorway. "Ma?" said Oracle breaking the quiet.
"Yes, Dear?"
"Don't think I'm strange or something, but do you still have that fur brush handy?"
"Yes. Why?" Sage did not have to ask the question. She knew where Oracle was taking this, but thought it best to let her say it.
Oracle hesitated for a moment. Then to a slight deep breath and said "I think I need... Well... I..." This always seemed hard for her. "I kinda need to feel it right now. Both sides."
"You sure about this, Dear?" asked Sage. Oracle nodded. "Alright. Go to your room. I'll be there in a little bit." Sage watched as Oracle walked off to her room. Before going to her own room to fetch her furbrush, Sage thought about what Oracle had said about this mysterious male. Unlike her daughter, her feelings told her something else. She opened her heart, letting them guide her. She slowly turned in place. No. Not from any direction on the compass. But then she looked towards the eastern horizon. Then she started to look upward, almost like she was following a trail in the sky. The night sky was clear. Stars were visible, an uncommon treat. She stopped when her eyes focused on a point in the sky. There were no stars at that spot, but Sage felt that something was there. "Whoever you are," she said to the spot in the sky, "please hurry. We need you. My daughter needs you." She then turned and went to tend to her daughter.
If Sage were able to see far into interstellar space, at the very point in the sky she had looked, she would have witnessed a rather astonishing sight. One second space was vacant. One second later a rather large vessel streaked in from nowhere and came to a halt.
To be continued...
END CREDITS:
First off a big "Thank You!!" to Professor Bob for the planet Aspatria. Oracle, Liam, Sage are my characters, but they're his race.
Thanks also to Bonnie Tyler for the song 'Holding out for the Hero'. It gave Oracle's vision the right punch it needed! I have one more major "Thank", but that won't be until the next chapter. And if you have guessed as to what kind of vessel Liam is in command of, you'll know why it's a big Thank You!