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The Key to Vyrn

Domel Arcturus

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** ** I guess a little away time from everything seemed to work well for me and for Zarya. We got ourselves a good time to be alone and not be burdened by anything, including dad and even the burden of our adventures. I know it was temporary, but I really needed it.

Zarya took me to the healing facility on Arkari to help repair my damaged tendons, which at this point had healed, albeit not perfectly. She told me that, unless I wanted to be a limp the rest of my life, I needed to fix the tendons. The fact that my tendons could be healed without any of the associated pain intrigued me. I mean, it made sense, given that we lived in two different eras. I lived in a world where my planet was still a place called home, while she lived without ever knowing what it looked like.

Even so, the real reason for this was simply out a selfish need called love. It had been a month since I met her, so there was no reason why I shouldn’t be smitten with her. It wasn’t love at first sight, mind you. It was a gradual acknowledgement of love accelerated by the dangers we encountered, which helped us respect each other. I respected her for her tact as a healer despite of never being a field healer before, while she told me she respected me because I was willing to accept that this was my present.

Then, the confession. Aurelis Three was the place where we finally found that we deserved each other. That dangerous trek through the forest that almost cost me my life seemed to give her something to think. She did not want me to die, while I owed her my life.

I know it sounded rather cliché, but you got to admit that romances started that way most of the time. At least it’s not the ‘crash into someone handsome/beautiful and fell in love’ kind of thing. That kind of love’s not going to last long. Maybe in some cases.

But it wasn’t long before we were pulled into the whole story again. We knew our little private time was not going to be a long one. Even before we received the call, we were already sure that someone would call us wondering where we were. We planned for a proper date later, and we always assumed that we would survive until then. We were not that pessimistic.

However, they were more things that could kill you out there, and I did not mean mortal wounds.

As I was saying, we got a call to go back to Lekan from George, saying that dad found something and wanted my presence. It was early in the morning on Lekan and we were both fast asleep. Groggily, I gave assurance that we would come as soon as we’re ready. After we properly woke up, we did not bother to clean ourselves. We walked straight to Vyrkaya, still half-asleep, and started the take-off checklist by autopilot as we properly wake up. Zarya was still not prepared for taking over the pilot’s seat. Given that the space route from Arkari to Lekan was not as dangerous, we let the onboard computer take us to Lekan. The autopilot would prevent the ship from warning us of danger due to the heavy use of the onboard computer’s processing unit. Vyrkaya was not the most sophisticated spaceship around and the defense system was not built into the ship. It was a simple Vyrnian cruiser.

The autopilot was never designed to be used throughout the journey due to the risk of pirates. While it was possible, it was not the good time. Zarya once said that some pirates, desperate for loot, would risk it. They hoped the pilots they were targeting were careless enough to leave autopilot on and expose their ships for an easy raid. It was not a very high chance.

Once Zarya had properly awake, the ship was already in warp. I sat beside her as she sat on the pilot’s seat, looking at her as she returned navigational control to manual.

“Anywhere you fancy?” she said.

“Hmm?” I said.

“The date. For our little getaway.”

“Oh, yeah…I don’t really know anywhere beside Arkari.”

She chuckled. “I can give some suggestions if you want. Pelekaios sounds great if you need a nation-sized national park. Maybe Alkayin if you want to watch a grav bike race?”

“I might consider it,” I said with a smile. “With some pointers, of course.”

“Well, what do you have in mind for a private getaway?”

“Nothing to fancy. A little place of peace and quiet is enough. Oh, and some fresh air, too. I worked my time in an enclosed building, so I need something different for a change.”

“There’s a lot of planets that offer that,” said Zarya. “There’s a handful of those that I could recommend.”

“Like I said. I need some pointers.”

Zarya smiled before she returned to the screen just as the computer told us that we arrived. I turned to see the colony on the bare gray surface of Lekan. It looked just like the condition it was when I saw it the first time I returned. However, it looked noticeably cleaner and the landing lights were on. We landed on an empty pad near the reception area and walked in. Now that the colony was occupied, there was a pressurized corridor that connected with our ship’s door, much like a proper spaceport. I heard they installed it recently.

As we walked through the corridor, I saw the one who I had known since my awakening: George Atmell. We did not start well. He regarded me as someone who would help him move forward by using my non-existent knowledge of his planet’s culture, and I was a confused Vyrnian who was looked like the animal they used as mounts. Still, the danger we’ve been through may have strengthen that bond. It wasn’t a strong bond yet, but I knew it was just the beginning.

He stood there like a security guard waiting to scan us. Of course, that would be the case if it wasn’t for the smile on his face. He looked happy seeing us, but I knew that happiness was for something else, judging from what I knew of a human’s subtle expression.

“So,” he said. “How’s your leg?”

“Healed up well,” I said. “Thanks to her.”

“Make sure you give her the thanks she deserves. It’s the least you can do, you know.”

“Hey!” I said, knowing that he was teasing me for being a freeloader. “You’re in the same ship, too!”

He simply replied with a smile. I couldn’t be sure whether I should be mad or amused. This smug bastard.

Anyway, it was only for a short while before he turned serious as we walked towards the main area of the archival station.

“Your father’s team finished analyzing the piece of information we got from Aurelis Three,” said George. “He said it contains an information vital for Vyrn.”

“How crucial?” I said.

“You can ask him yourself.” He then opened the door leading to what looked like a command center. However, judging by the size and the facility, it was closer to a central computer system with access to all the data in the colony. The big computer on the other side of the room displayed the contents of a file they got from the towers.

However, I was called into that room for a reason, and the reason was Vyrn.

“Dad,” I called. My dad turned towards me. I must admit that I sometimes felt rather intimidated around him. Maybe it’s because of his role as my commanding officer. He had said that the chain of command wasn’t important, given that the system died as Vyrn was sealed.

“Ah. You’re just in time,” he said. “Arc, there’s something you need to see. Tim?”

Calath Timetis was one of the Vyrnians that went to cryosleep with dad. Before the uprising, he was a librarian, or more specifically, a member of the restoration team responsible for restoring older files and present it with contemporary formats. That skill was vital in giving us what we needed so desperately.

As Timetis manipulated the holo-interface to show the galaxy map, he said, “Arcturus, the data you got from Aurelis Three contained information on how to unseal Vyrn.”

Just by hearing the word ‘unseal’ made me said, “What?” The others had similar reactions, but for someone who had not seen his planet in its present state and really wanted to know about it, I had the most visible reaction as my eyes widen and, as George later said, my pupils narrowed like an agitated dragon.

“That’s great news!” I said, barely able to contain my excitement. “When can we start? How can I help?”

“Whoa, slow down,” said Timetis. “I know you’re excited. In fact, all of us are. However, we still need to get through the force field to deactivate it.”

“Oh, yeah…I forgot about that,” I said, slightly disappointed.

“However, the worldwide seal is never intended to be permanent, nor it is fail-proof. The data from Aurelis Three said that should anything happened to the operators within the sealed planet, those outside it will still be able to gain access and get in with the help of a re-modulated field generator. It will open a hole through the force field by neutralizing the force with an opposing frequency.”

“So, why don’t you use one?”

“The force field surrounding the planet is a special key-and-lock type that can only be opened by specialized generators,” said Timetis. “It is designed so Vyrnians cannot gain access by simply rearranging the energy for them to get through. If that’s the case, those people from the Exodus Era would still be able to access the planet, or even any Vyrnian looters. However, the planet remains inaccessible for 500 years, until now.”

“And no one even bothered to look?” asked George.

“The Vyrnians have no central government, and a war is currently happening out there, so yeah, no one bothered to look,” said Timetis. “No one except us.”

“Or more specifically, us,” said Zarya. “And that’s where we come in.”

“Except this time, it’s something we ask you to do,” said dad. “Because the planet you’re going is not a place of conflict. You never know what’s waiting for you there.”

He then showed us the planet on the holo map.

“The planet is called Ijuri by the Vyrnians. It’s within the frontier areas of the galaxy where pre-space civilizations thrive. The planet has no atmosphere and is a barren wasteland, so it won’t be a problem landing there. Files about that planet also indicate that nearby pre-space civilizations will not develop space travel for a couple more centuries. However,…”

Timetis then focused on a rather familiar looking planet.

“This planet is the problem. While scans showed that it has not developed space travel technology, it is a sufficiently advanced planet. There is a very high chance they have developed simple telescopes enough to see celestial objects clearly. If they happen to turn their eyes towards Ijuri, it will become a problem.

“Fortunately, the Vyrnians who built the place predicted the advancement of this planet’s technology and science, so they camouflaged it. It will not be apparent by even high-powered telescopes, but the illusion will be gone the moment anyone land or scan the planet. However, the presence of a gray-colored Vyrnian ship landing near the structure is going to cause even more problem than the structure itself.”

“So, we are going to make your ship invisible,” said Timetis. “The technicians are currently fitting your ship with holo-projectors that will project the planet’s surface all over the ship, rendering it invisible. Anyone with a scanner will expose it, of course, which is also the only way you can locate your ship once you leave it. A locator might work, too.”

“We’re not exactly equipping it for stealth, so be careful not to attract to many attentions,” said dad. “I heard some pirates don’t even care whether it’s pre-space or not.”

Which was the case for me. Even so, if it wasn’t for them, I might not even be here and my father might still be in cryosleep, waiting for any Vyrnian to stumble upon him by accident as I did. In fact, I would spend the rest of my life living the life of a mount if it wasn’t for them. I could thank them, but they had it coming, especially since I do not tolerate slavers.

The plan was fairly straightforward, given that the data we retrieved contained a map we could use. After a short briefing, both Zarya and George walked out of the room to discuss this with Sel and Kilkaja. Just before I could, however, dad said, “Wait, Arcturus.”

I turned to see him.

“How’s your leg?” he asked.

“It’s healing well, thanks to Zarya,” I said. “She’s the best healer I’ve ever met in this era.”

“And you have a feeling for her,” he said with a smile.

I knew that by this point our affection was kind of obvious, so it was not that much of a surprise when dad figured it out. I mean, if a human, an alien, could figure it out, why not someone who’s a Vyrnian?

“Is it okay with you?” I asked.

“I might not approve if she happens to be a criminal. I know you will disagree with me, especially since you tolerate a former pirate like your Felinian friend. She will be a good guide for your future.”

“She will, dad.”

After yet another smile, he walked towards me and put his hand on my shoulder. I did not suspect anything from that gesture, or even doubt my father. I needed someone I know that I could trust out here, and my father was that someone.

However, I was still a naïve young Vyrnian. I came from the past, not living through the past. I trusted his judgement and I certainly did not suspect anything, or even think of anything other than a loving, caring dad who was unwilling to lose another son after only meeting him for a brief time.

I even misinterpreted his words. When he put his hand on my shoulder, he leaned closer and whispered, “Be careful, son, and remember these words. Trust your friends, but no one else. That’s all I have to say for you.”

Of course, I thought he was giving me an advice, while he was actually giving me a very subtle warning. Subtle enough not to warn our true enemies, while also warning me that things were not as it seemed. I never realized it until it was too late.

But back then, all I had in my mind was just Vyrn. The planet was the reason why I kept doing this. I loved my home too much to accept that it was gone forever. I also wanted to show Zarya the place her ancestors called home. In fact, no one suspected anything.

That’s why, not knowing the full picture, we started our travel to Ijuri. As we prepared to depart, we were stopped by Sethis. Well, at first glance, anyway. It was Astha who stopped us.

“I hear you’re traveling again,” said the Saukaur. “Mind if I join?”

“Join us?” asked Zarya. “How about your brother?”

“He’s planning to find a home in Arkari. It turns out this place is far too small for us and Saukaurs generally don’t like pressurized colonies. A clean air from a planet’s atmosphere is what we need.”

“But not you?” I said.

“Well, to be honest, given how Sethis is too reliable for his own good, everyone’s going for him instead. So, now that I don’t having anything to do, I think I’ll go on my own. With you guys.”

“What if he needs you?”

“We can contact each other with personal comms. It’s not like I’m doing this without saying anything. Seth’s fine with this, but he expects me to come back and check from time to time.”

“That’s easy enough,” said Zarya. “Arkari’s my home planet.”

“So…I’m in?”

“Just don’t intentionally cause us trouble and you’ll be fine,” I said. “But just so you know, since everyone’s on board, the ship’s gonna be full, so you might have to sleep on the couch.”

“I can sleep on the floor if I have to. I’m a hunter, remember?”

“You could, but please don’t do that,” said George.

Well, given Astha’s personality, I’d say he’s yet another interesting addition to the team. We already got a pre-space human, pre-Exodus Vyrnian, post-Exodus Vyrnian, a Felinian with eight more lives to spare, and a Nuoevan empath. Now, we got one half of a Saukaur twin.

Of course, I do not mean it sarcastically. Compared to many other explorers, we were quite small. However, the variation of our backgrounds made things more interesting, including our way of thinking along with the skill set we used to complement each other.

Of course, my background of ‘pre-Exodus Vyrnian’ also had some merits, especially later during our travels.

Then as we prepared the route, I noticed something familiar about the planet near Ijuri. It felt like I’ve seen it somewhere before, but I did not know when. It was like I took a little glance at it somewhere on a screen. Of course, I would find out later when I decided to look into it, but for now, it stayed in my mind.

Ijuri was quite a distance away from Lekan and Vyrn. Even at full warp speed, it took at least 12 hours for us to reach the planet. There were several reasons why it took so long. First, Vyrkaya’s warp drive did not permit long continuous use and needed to cool down every now and then. Second, the charge of the drive was not much, requiring us to wait as it cooled down and recharge. Third, once we got to the frontier area proper and towards the destination star system, we found out that most of the area outside of the star system were uncharted, forcing us to fly manual through several asteroid belts. Using warp through the belts were risky and dangerous, especially in an uncharted frontier space.

Nevertheless, we arrived on Ijuri safely, all thanks to Zarya’s piloting skill (and, to an extent, the onboard computer’s navigation). The first thing we did was to scan the planet to determine if the planet was safe and to find the structure itself as my dad and Timetis claimed. While the planet itself was small compared to Vyrn, Vyrkaya was a small cruiser ship with limited planetary scanner if compared to bigger ships intended for the military. This situation happened in Aurelis Three, too. In fact, due to the limited scanning capability, we were unsure whether the planet was uninhabited or not. We could not even determine anything peculiar on Aurelis Three before we landed.

As the ship scanned the planet, I checked the planet from the window. The planet had a rusty brown or red color for the most part, though the polar caps had snowy ice color, much like Vyrn. In fact, this planet looked a lot like Vyrn, except it had no visible surface water and it’s red instead of golden. It was as if a structure made of pure iron covered the entire planet, which rusted with age, like a less technologically advanced ‘sealed planet’.

As I contemplated the planet’s appearance, the computer had finished the scan. It took only 15 minutes to assess the planet’s atmospheric content, it’s density, surface temperature, geological content, and weather pattern. The planet’s surface was covered with iron oxide, which explained its rusty color. Surface temperature varied greatly. The polar ice caps were very cold, akin to an ice planet, while the equatorial area was warm. Atmosphere was not very dense with only traces of oxygen, enough to form rust from the iron oxide. The computer predicted that the planet would be covered in a worldwide dust storm when its orbit brought it close to the star in the system.

We had not found the structure yet, given that we only assessed a small area of the planet. As we waited for the scan to finish, I looked towards a nearby planet. I couldn’t shake off a feeling that the planet was familiar somehow. It looked a lot like Aurelis Three, but it had a healthy mix of color (I used a magnifier on one of the windows to look at the planet more clearly) instead of simply blue and green. Did I check on this planet before?

I wasn’t the only who felt a familiarity to the planet. George, when he saw the planet on the magnified window, commented, “I don’t know why, but I sense a faint connection to the planet. It’s like…well, how do I say it? It felt like Earth.”

“It does look like Aurelis Three,” said Astha.

“No, it’s not just that. I couldn’t sense anything on Aurelis Three, but that planet…I don’t know what it is, but I feel like it’s beckoning me there.”

Of course, you might have figured it out by now. That planet George felt a connection to…was Earth. He would find out later on and would indeed be frustrated by the fact that he was only one hop distance away from where we were to home and he did not even know it. It was the closest we would ever return to Earth before…things. If we had known about it then, George might want to return home to tell everyone he knew that he was safe. He was declared missing and was so close to be declared dead before we returned to the planet one year after we were abducted.

Things have changed a lot since we left the planet. However, that is a story for another time.

As we contemplated on the neighboring planet, the computer had found the structure. It notified us with a pinging sound. It was on the dark side of the planet, so we promptly flew there. Given the planet’s uninhabited status, the dark side was very dark. We needed landing lights to even properly find a good spot to land due to the rocky surface. Even Zarya admitted that this was the first time she had ever attempted a dark side landing without a landing pad, though knowing her, it wasn’t that hard. She was a licensed pilot, after all.

We landed softly with a slight thud. As advised by one of the Vyrnians in Lekan, we decided to take enviro-suits in addition to the personal shield generator we already had. Despite the technological setback ever since the Exodus, the enviro-suits given to us was rather advanced in one aspect: it was not bulky and conform well with Vyrnian anatomy. The rest of us were also given jumpsuits bought from Arkari. Given how George’s body was closer to that of an Orian, it wasn’t hard to find one for him. Sel bought her own suit while Kilkaja salvaged a Nuoevan stealth suit from Lekan, which also functioned as an environmental suit complete with a helmet. As for Astha, he fitted himself with an armored hunter outfit that covered his whole body, leaving none of his greenish scale visible. It felt weird seeing a Saukaur not wearing something that’s tribal looking, but of course that’s common sense. Even with thick, plated scales, a Saukaur would die due to exposure.

After everyone was ready, I walked to the door and said, “Okay, everyone. We have no idea what’s inside, so stay vigilant. Timetis has given us a keycode to this place, provided it still functions after so many years. So…any concerns?”

“This feels far too convenient,” said George. “Did Andrates warn you of any traps?”

“Or maybe the creature that attacked us in Orlonel?” said Sel. “The structure looks more like a prison than a storage.”

“I know what you think,” I said. “Personally, I feel it’s too easy. The Trikelians might’ve known this place and the Vyrnians back then sealed this place. So, whatever’s inside, we gotta be ready. Stay close with each other and don’t wander off. Make a call if you find something interesting.”

Everyone nodded, but I could see that they were unsure if it was a good idea to just walk into a sealed place. We had seen that a Trikelian was able to stay alive in a sealed place for a very long time, so there was no guarantee that this place would not be unoccupied.

I must confess that everyone was not ready for this, including me. We did not know the full extent of what the Trikelians were capable of. All we knew was that they were the cause of my exile, my father’s continuous fight against them, and ultimately, the loss of our home planet. But of course, like everything in life, there’s more to it than what was apparent.

And Ijuri was the start of it all. The things we found in there and the painful revelations would be the taste of things to come as our adventure took a different turn.