The Elf Directive - Book Seven of the Magi Charter

By Jordan David and Rob Bockholdt

It is the year 2761. Our galaxy's starways are claimed by numerous empires all positioning themselves for dominance. On the surface, the politics seem stable, yet war could be touched off at any moment. Despite the vast territories claimed by these powers, countless millions of primitive worlds are left to fend for themselves. It is these remote and discounted worlds that the Santas seek out in accordance with the Mission. A Mission that in nearly three millennia has not once failed. Santa Tiberius, having long overstayed his term, endures threats on multiple fronts; he is determined to resist the internal strife within his own organization that has created conflicting competition for carrying out the Mission. But even these centuries' old issues pale in the face of the disaster that unfolds when rogue elves, long thought dead, emerge to exact vengeance. Nothing will be the same. Not for Santa, not for the Elves, not for the galaxy. The Mission will soon come to a conclusion.

About the series: The Magi Charter

For over two thousand years the legend of Santa Claus has endured. His is a Mission of peace as outlined in the Magi Charter, given to the first Santa by the Child. From humble beginnings, following that First Christmas, the Santa lineage has been passed down through the ages. This epic adventure tells the story of those Santas from the founding of the North Pole and the origin of the ancient elves, to our modern times where the world's problems affect even those in the secluded complex of the North, and concluding in the distant future which finds Santa and the elves committed to their mission on a galactic scale where Christmas traditions are barely recognizable. In every era, those committed to the Mission must find a way to deliver that which is needed most to those most deserving.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Dec 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781456629861

Book preview

The Elf Directive

Jordan David

Copyright 2020 Jordan David,

All rights reserved.

Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com

http://www.eBookIt.com

ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-2986-1

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

The Magi Charter

by Jordan David

The Elf Brief

The Elf Archive

The Elf Coup

The Elf Accord

The Elf Legacy

The Elf Resistance

The Elf Directive

The Elf Sojourn

-Contents-

Chapter 1

Asteroids

Chapter 2

Chronometer

Chapter 3

Aka

Chapter 4

Khyber

Chapter 5

Inesite

Chapter 6

Pyrite

Chapter 7

Discourse

Chapter 8

Illusion

Chapter 9

Keibetsu

Chapter 10

The Shanlone

Chapter 11

Uuenia

Chapter 12

The Expo

Chapter 13

Illumination

Chapter 14

Waiting for Geode

Chapter 15

Plan 13

Chapter 16

Vega Flight

Chapter 17

Retezat

Chapter 18

Arrival

Chapter 19

Saturnalias

Chapter 20

Second Savannah

Chapter 21

Ambivalence

Chapter 22

Delta Order

Chapter 23

Apparitions

Chapter 24

Prisym

Chapter 25

Adauchi

Chapter 26

Eureka Mine

Chapter 27

Uragiri

Chapter 28

This Island Asteroid

Chapter 29

The Cabochon Cube

Chapter 30

Translucense

Chapter 31

Jade

Chapter 32

Zircon

Chapter 33

Turquoise

Chapter 34

Jasusi

Chapter 35

Requiem

Chapter 36

Voyager Vega

Chapter 37

Celestial Calling

– Glossary –





Chapter 1

*

Asteroids

Asteroids. The asteroids of the solar system’s main belt floated about like lazy potatoes as the small ship zipped around and between them. Massive chunks of grayish rocky lumps so large they might as well be their own planet. Indeed, many of the largest ones tended to keep their own system of smaller asteroids that mimicked satellite moons. In truth, the rocks of the inner belt were placed many hundreds of kilometers from each other and posed little threat to a vessel traversing the Sol System, one had to go out of their way to place a ship in danger of a collision.

As to that, one Kyanite Astro was doing precisely this. Flying the Cephei as close to the clusters of space rocks as he could as often as the groupings allowed. It was a test, a matter of flight skill, one last time to prove he had what it took to pilot a vessel and earn his wings. The wings… a set of blue epaulets that every cadet coveted, the official uniform of Star Con, the uniform of a commissioned officer, not the silly light gray jumper with the blue shoulders, no the smart looking dark gray and blue epaulets of a proven officer. Kyan had been working on that dream for over thirty years. More than ten he’d spent as a junior Elf, assigned to Star Con but not even a cadet while his entry education was completed, a requisite for any young Elf. Then it was onto the basic training of a cadet which meant another ten years of engineering and naval sciences. And then finally, finally, they allowed Kyan to graduate into the pilot training program which meant another decade of simulators mastering astrogation theory before they even let him co-pilot a cargo ship around the Sol System.

Careful Kyan, said Commander Vivian. "I have no doubt of your skill, it’s not necessary to kiss each asteroid. Poor old Cephei doesn’t need any more scratches."

Kyan laughed, altered the thrusters and spun the ship around in a wild spin to chase after another asteroid that caught his eye. This one was rotating, adding to the challenge of it all, but it was the gaping hole going straight through it that the Cephei was steering towards.

Watch it! Watch it! shouted Linarite, the lad manning the co-pilot station next to Kyan.

The Cephei effortlessly matched her z-axis spin to that of the asteroid, flew straight through the hole and out the other side in the blink of an eye. Kyan throttled up to full power, the extra bit of thrust giving the three a good push into their seats as the ship chased after the next cluster of asteroids some distance beyond sight according to the scanners. These maneuvers had been going on all morning and would continue until the commander said otherwise. This last training mission was really more of a formality. Kyan had done this very thing in the simulator hundreds of times, and when it came to the real thing, there was very little difference. He thought perhaps there was a bit of delay in the controls of simulated ships versus real life, but then that could be the Cephei’s personality. The old girl had been regulated as a training vessel for over a hundred years, even Vivian had taken her last cadet tests in this very ship.

The Cephei was a sortie class vessel. An all-purpose ship designed for carrying out a wide variety of missions around the galaxy. Everything from delivering Elfin Sages and Specialists to remote worlds to the long-term observation of a populous or even assisting other spacecraft in need. By modern standards of the sortie class the Cephei had fallen behind, she was able to carry only ten people comfortably whereas the newer sorties could accommodate twice that and even had docking for shuttles. One such vessel, the Vega was newly commissioned having just completed her space trials; the list of officers hoping for permanent assignment to her was long. Kyan had put many an hour into the programming and testing of her systems, a privilege he thought might indicate he was being seriously considered for that assignment.

Nicely done cadet, but let’s not do that again, the commander complimented him. Vivianite Astro tapped through the controls at her station getting a look at the exterior of the Cephei. The aged ship had numerous scratches and dents, and one newly added chip off a wing thanks to Kyan’s astrobatics today. Still, it would not be good if he caused an impact that rendered the Cephei disabled and they had to call for a rescue. Nor would it be good for a commander who was up for a promotion and hoping to get the captain’s seat on the Vega or any other sortie ship for that matter.

For a moment, there was time to cruise. Kyan checked his power reserves, which were in plenty for a few more stunts. The cluster ahead was composed of smaller asteroid chunks the largest about the size of the Cephei. Most asteroid belts were not a problem to fly through for small ships like the Elfin ship, but a prudent pilot did avoid them. It was very convenient the Sol System had not one but two such asteroid belts. This one between Mars and Jupiter and the second outer Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. In the early days of colonial expansion, the asteroid belt had promised a boon to the mining industry back in the early 22nd century. That fad did not last long. Asteroid mining was tricky; the yields of precious metals and gases were too small to justify the cost of the technology of that era. A hundred years later mining tech had improved but so had interstellar travel along with the number of attractive planets for resource cultivation. Now here in the 28th century, all that remained of the ancient miners were the shells of their space platforms and docking towers long since knocked to pieces by the asteroids.

Kyan lost himself in the maneuvers that went on throughout the afternoon. Demonstrating how he could plot a course through and around the asteroids. Pretending docking maneuvers, even a few wrangling tricks using the Cephei’s gravitational fields to coax the asteroids into one another like some absurd game of giant marbles. Flying a ship was his life’s dream. Even if he’d not been given the opportunity to become an Elf, joining this elite organization, he’d have found a way to get into space. There were a number of science, exploratory, and military academies he might have joined or tried to. They were picky about who they let in, especially the Earth ones, and someone with his background would have found acceptance difficult. Orphans lacking the necessary family backing and finances. But there were other options. Interstellar freight companies were always in need of pilots. It wasn’t a glamorous job, but it would get him into space. But that was a long time ago. Kyan had achieved his dream. Nothing would change that now.

A notification alarm sounded on the commander’s station. Well gentlemen, it looks like our time is up. Kyan plot a course back to the Base. An efficient course mind.

Aye sir, said Kyan. He looked out over the stars as his hands moved across the controls of their own accord. In the distance was a bright star, the sun at the center of the Sol System. Not much bigger than the moon was when viewed from Earth. We could swing by Earth… I’d really like to fly through all that traffic.

You’ll get your chance eventually. I have no interest in going to Earth today. Vivian said.

The Cephei altered course and began making its way back to their home. A massive asteroid deep inside the belt with a hidden secret. If he pushed the engines, they could be back in less than an hour. Kyan though was in no hurry to return, that would mean giving up the pilot seat for who knew how long. A new assignment would likely be a few weeks off what with the epilates coming to him, the commission ceremony… his friends were planning to take him to Moxie or one of the other popular recreation planets. They’d been trying to keep it a secret, but Kyan knew.

Kyan, there is a convoy of ships…making for the HyperTransit entrance. Slack off on your speed, come to heading 340 mark 60. Linarite instructed.

Checking his astrogation screen, Kyan noted the fleet of a dozen cargo ships and several private transports in the vicinity. They would not detect the Cephei, the Elfin phasing technology rendered the ship invisible to scanners and even the naked eye. There were considerations though, the technology was not absolute, an older ship like the Cephei might throw an engine generation or a bad flux in the power net could cause the phase field to fail. It was a wise standard precaution to give non-Elfin vessels a wide berth.

Kyan could just make out the gleam of the convoys’ engines as they made good time through the asteroid belt. How he longed to go wherever they were going. To leave the Sol System for worlds unknown, for planets he’d only ever seen in holoform or read about in books. The lure of navigating the starways of the HyperTransit system was his next big dream. Flying through the cosmos at speeds thousands of times faster than light, hundreds of times greater than a standard A-drive… it’s what made interstellar travel practical. And mysterious.

I want to go into HyperTransit, Kyan said with conviction. As though he were about to alter course that second and tag along with the convoy.

And go where? Linarite scoffed. You don’t even know where they’re going!

I don’t care. I’ve never been outside the Sol System… never seen HyperTransit.

You’ve seen HyperTransit plenty of times in the simulator, cadet. Vivianite reminded him. There is no difference, I promise you.

Never been outside? Linarite said though Kyan wasn’t listening.

Those ships and the gateway that lay out beyond Saturn were calling to him. What adventures there must be waiting out there…

"Not the reaction," Kyan said stubbornly. He’d always been curious about that.

Whatever your HyperTransit reaction is it can’t be major, the commander replied. Otherwise it would have been detected in your medical physicals.

Yes well… I still wonder,

Linarite laughed. For me, it’s a weird one, I can’t walk backwards for a few hours afterward. Strange eh? I can sit, do everything, just can’t move in reverse.

HyperTransit as marvelous as it was, came with a certain drawback. The radiation that people were exposed to caused what was known as the reaction, a kind of allergic response that was specific to every species. For humans that meant a wide variety of psychotropic manifestations that were different for everyone. The majority of these were very minor, a temporary nuisance that only lasted a few hours after emerging from HyperTransit. A more severe reaction lasted for a day or so and could mean anything from a loss of consciousness to paralysis, but those were extremely rare. Such people were cautioned against unnecessary HyperTransit travel, and space pilots of any kind had to be certified against such a reaction.

I just get really thirsty. Have to gulp down liters of water. Vivian volunteered.

I had an uncle who would forget his name for a couple days, Linarite said.

Oh, that’s nothing. My mother would go to sleep for twelve hours, when she woke up, she had no memory of the ship’s passage regardless of how long it might have been. She always swore she’d never traveled through HyperTransit. The commander countered.

Kyan remained quiet. He had no such family stories to share. He wondered if reactions of family members might be a clue for what his own might be. As a boy growing up, he often imagined having superpowers after going through HyperTransit. X-ray vision, or being able to fly, that was his favorite. A silly notion, the stuff of fantasy novellas… still, it was something he thought on. There was always the chance it could be a major reaction the kind that would rob him of pilot candidacy. Why Star Con did not put all new cadets through an immediate HyperTransit flight was baffling. Instead, they chose to rely on the medical tests, a minuscule dosage of radiation that mimicked the real thing and observe if any reaction resulted. If nothing happened, which was almost always the case, it was deemed one’s reaction would be minor, although what exactly that was would remain a mystery until HyperTransit was experienced.

The fleet of ships cruised along their route oblivious to Cephei in their midst, continuing their journey to the HyperTransit gateway somewhere the other side of Saturn orbit. Kyan put them out of his mind. There was serious flying to do. As the Cephei flew along towards home, they started picking up traffic of their own fleet. Elfin cargo vessels, many times larger than the Cephei lumbered to and from the Base following along strict flight paths that the Cephei too fell into.

As luck would have it, as the Cephei began the final approach of the Base the traffic ahead cleared away. Kyan liked this part of a flight almost as much as the departure… almost. No matter how many times he made the entrance into the Base, he could not help but be awestruck.

The Base. A large lump of an asteroid resembling an elliptical potato held itself upright with a certain elegance, an asteroid with a diameter of ten kilometers at its widest part, an asteroid whose singular axil rotation provided a twenty-four-hour spin like that of its inhabitants’ homeworld. Aside from the asteroid, several smaller ones clustered around the main, serene sentinels that kept their places never daring to start trouble or abandon their posts. The Cephei stayed on a path that left the satellites well clear, lining up with the entrance Channel.

"Base Ops to Cephei. Welcome home."

"Copy Base. We’re ready for docking. Just taking the Cephei back to her berth." The commander replied.

"Understood. Nice to see Cadet Kyanite brought the old girl back in one piece."

Okay… they’ve given us clearance. Take us in Kyan. Linarite said after a minute’s pause.

Kyan deftly maneuvered the vessel on track with the looming asteroid, the Base now taking up the full view of the cockpit as it drew ever near. To the unaided eye, it would seem the Cephei was on a collision course with the asteroid for there were no discernable features on the surface, certainly not a landing pad or shipyard, only barren solid rock. However, on the control consoles, the hidden entrance doors and tunnel beyond were obvious. The Cephei passed through the holo-concealment screen and into the subterranean Channel. The Channel dwarfed the Cephei being many kilometers deep and wide enough for several ships to pass abreast of one another. Generally, only two ships were ever allowed into the Channel at a time keeping to departure and arrival lanes. For now, the Cephei had the Channel to herself, and Kyan could take in the splendor of the Base without distraction.

The moment the Cephei entered the channel, the second her bridge crossed through the false screen, the vessel was greeted by the bright light of the Enfant Star, a brilliant starburst of majestic light that eternally bathed the hollow interior of the Base. As the ship emerged into the open of the chasm the true splendor of the Christmas Star, as the ancient Elves first called the Base’s energy source, could be fully appreciated. Ever-changing rays of color emitted from the center, the result of the energetic power fluctuations of the Crystals, massive red and white twin clusters that occupied the floor and ceiling of the Base’s spherical interior. Around the walls wove the spiral promenade that connected the thirty-levels of accessible living and workspace for the Elves. At the mid Q-level, three platform walkways extended out from the spiral promenade joining at a central platform where the portal operations were conducted. It was there that Elves could be transported instantly anywhere in the galaxy they needed to go.

Kyan took his time maneuvering the ship towards the docks, the Elfin shipyard was located near the bottom of the Base on levels D through G. One had to be mindful of the constant activity around the docks, ships were always on the move. In theory, the Cephei was more of a mid-size vessel, and the smaller shuttles were supposed to yield to her. However one could not be too careful with those being so plentiful and piloted by cadets and junior officers. Kyan himself had had many a close call while maneuvering within the Base in one of those. What he really needed to look out for was the newer sortie ships which were bigger and not about to yield to the Cephei as fond as a pilot might be of the old training ship. As the Cephei held up for the Procyon, one of her younger sisters taking off, Kyan could look down on the private dock of the most esteemed ship in the port. The Monoceros, Santa’s own vessel. It was the largest ship by far in the Elfin fleet, and there was no mistaking it. The Monoceros sat alone attended by an ever-vigilant team of crew that kept the ship clean and ready for departure at a moment’s notice. The Elfin vessels tended to either be of dull colors like the cargo ships or of bright, colorful designs like the sortie ships. Santa’s flagship was the most striking with its silvery reflective skin and sinuous candy red striping that twisted around the vessel like a ribbon. How Kyan wished he could be assigned to that crew. There was no higher achievement for a Star Con Elf. Well, maybe becoming an admiral, but that was for old Elves who were ready for retirement. The Monoceros went to the furthest unexplored reaches of the galaxy. Santa was expected to seek out everyone after all, and that meant going to some truly off the map places. One day. One day he’d be on that ship.

As the Cephei touched down light as a feather, blue shouldered deck officers rushed in to connect the power and remote umbilicals to the vessel. Kyan and Linarite went through the lengthy shutdown sequence, running diagnostics, and preparing the old girl for her next crew. Commander Vivianite vacated the cockpit the moment the ship landed without a word.

She can’t be expected to give you too much praise, Linarite said to Kyan as they made their way down the ramp and out onto the docks. But I think it’s safe to say you’ve earned your pads. I look forward to flying with you in the near future.

Thanks, Kyan said shaking hands with the lieutenant. Any idea how long it takes after the commission before they give me a ship assignment?

Oh, not long at all, Linarite reflected. It could be included in the official papers you receive with the commission. Chances are you were picked for a ship months ago.

The two departed. Kyan made his way through the docks, taking a folded-up hat from his pocket to put on. It was the standard issue blue flight cap of Star Con, a smart looking hat that all blues were expected to wear when off ship and in Star Con zones. For a cadet, the cap was plain, no ship name proudly embroidered along the sides. That would change soon enough. Kyan kept his eyes open for officers to see by their caps what ships were in port today, maybe someone would give him a knowing look indicating they were to be shipmates in the coming weeks. He knew of a number of ships that had open positions to fill, though none he’d heard were hurting for pilots. That was to be expected. Unheard of was the cadet who went directly into a pilot’s seat. As long as he got a co-pilot or operations position, he’d be set. What he feared most was getting assigned an engineer’s post, or worse, extremely worse: Base work, an officer that was assigned to flight control or galactic communications. Getting stuck in a job like that meant he may never see the cockpit again.

Making his way through the interior buildings of the dockyard, cadets were limited to what sections of the dock they could access. Kyan checked out of duty with the section commander and made his way outside to the spiral promenade. There he gazed out over the Base that wrapped around the inside of the asteroid. It was truly an otherworldly place. You would never know you were in the middle of a space rock if you’d not seen it coming in. The Base was more like a great city. It was home to some fifty thousand Elves at any given time and more than five times that were stationed around the galaxy on various missions. Outside the main entrance to the docks was the fleet museum where the decommissioned vessels from centuries ago were on display. Featured prominently at the opening of the museum quay was the first ship a Santa ever used, the Polaris. It was tiny by modern standards, not much bigger than a shuttle, and truth be told it was not a true starship. Its propulsion system was a crude crystalline forced-fusion thing that barely allowed the thing to get off the ground. How it ever managed to escape Earth’s gravity was a wonder, though the museum was quick to point out the Polaris was intended by the ancient Elves to be a test ship, a proof of concept that Santa could indeed use a flying machine to conduct his Mission. The feeble aerocraft was soon replaced by the Polaris II and Polaris III, neither of which had been selected to serve on in the museum. The Polaris III was perhaps the first true starship utilized by the Santa of that era when it became the norm to visit the peoples who were living in space, colonizing the moon, Mars, and building the space cities from Earth to Saturn in the early 22nd century. What was that man’s name? Santa Francisco… yes, that was him, the first Santa to take up residence in the Base.

Leaning against the railing of the spiral promenade, Kyan was reminded of an item in his pocket. Fishing it out, he tossed the glowbulb into the air. The little sphere glowed a friendly golden yellow and went through a series of beeps and whistles, happy to be out in the open and making itself useful once more as it synced up with the Base’s streams. Kyan walked along heading for home on the habitat level. Before he’d gone more than a dozen steps, his glowbulb zoomed around placing itself before him and projected a message image. It was an order to report to Admiral Spices’ office immediately upon return to Base.

With a curse, Kyan dashed off the way he’d just come. What kind of fool cadet exits out of Star Con without checking for last minute orders? It was basic training, and him waiting for ship orders that could come at any moment! His glowbulb raced along with him as he moved as quickly as possible through the corridors, not running, of course, that was strictly forbidden, but all the same, he dashed when no officer was in sight. Admiral Spices… Kyan had been to his office on two occasions, it was over on the admirals’ floor on the upper section of the docks. Generally, cadets did not like being summoned to the admiralty as it usually pertained to breaking the rules or being thrown out of Star Con or in some way having stepped on the toes of a superior. In other words, he was probably in trouble.

Arriving at the entry lobby, a spacious room with sofas and comforts for those waiting to see various admirals, the officer on duty noted Kyan’s arrival and sent him down to wait outside Spices’ office rather than milling about here. Kyan nervously made his way to the office trying to remember what wrong he might have done. One of the doors to the admiral’s office was standing open, and Kyan parked himself outside standing stiffly at attention until the admiral might call him. As it was, Admiral Spices was in the middle of dressing down a trio of cadets and from the sound of it the good admiral was not at all happy.

I’ve seen some dumb things in my time… very dumb. But this is classic dumb. How many times have you been told the dangers of skylarking? And doing it off the C-level is beyond stupid. You could easily have broken your necks or been smashed by a ship. What were you thinking?

Sir… began a shaking lad. We believed the danger to be minimal, what with the gravity differential in the basement…

Admiral Spices’ eyes went wild. Why would you ever think that? You’re educated Elves are you not? Did you fail basic physics? Falling from any height will still kill you, low gravity or not.

Sir, we took precautions… We’d practiced… Benitoite was going to catch us if… said the only lass referring to the big lad of fifteen who nodded his head with less certainty than was believable.

Spices rose from his chair. Practiced? Are you telling me you have pulled this stunt before?

Oh no! No sir! Never in the Base. Anhydrite means off world… where it’s not forbidden. We only wanted to see if we could reach the attic… it would be a first and…

It would not be a first! Your research methods leave a lot to be desired. Many has an Elf been injured or outright killed attempting to do just that. That is why it is forbidden. A broken neck is a sure way of ending your career and your life. If I ever so much as hear about you skylarking, or assisting someone else, I’ll have your careers. Now let me tell you something else...

Those poor cadets. Kyan could not help himself but to smile. He had been hauled into the admiral’s office for just that offense in his younger days. Skylarking was the forbidden activity that many an Elf, especially Star Cons loved to play at. It involved holding onto a glowbulb as it hovered up into the air. Glowbulbs had no trouble lifting an Elf and would rise as far into the sky as you wanted to go until the rise function was switched off or you fell. The object was to go as high as you could, then soar back down to the ground, switching on the hover function at just the right moment to avoid a splattering impact. It was thrilling and dangerous. That was skylarking!

Kyan did not recall his admonishment being as severe as what Admiral Spices was putting these cadets through. Skylarking inside the Base was a tempting location, the views alone, and the thrill of soaring by everyone and everything was a longing he still had. But any attempt was dangerous, and with so many witnesses there was no way to not get caught. You’d have to get it right the first time, there’d be no second chances.

I will personally be placing a reprimand in each of your files. You will report to your commanding officer for further disciplinary action. I sincerely hope I never see you in this office again. Dismissed.

Kyan stiffened up anew as the three cadets shuffled out of the office. Each was markedly pale and stunned but no doubt happy to still have a career, blemished as it was.

Who’s that out there? Called the admiral.

Cadet Kyanite Astro, reporting to Admiral Spices as ordered sir, Kyan said placing himself just inside the office.

Oh yes. Come in Kyan. Close the door if you please. Spices said still on the harsh side of being the angry admiral.

Kyan did so making his way to the desk and taking a seat as the admiral indicated. Spices’ office like that of the other admirals offered a wonderful view of the dockyard below. A large picture window dominated an entire side of the office. At the moment the lights were dimmed, Spices enjoyed watching the ships arriving and departing, and the gleam of the Enfant Star provided plenty enough light to see by. Kyan could not help to watch the activity outside until slowly he became aware the admiral was regarding him and from the general sort of frown it was evident Spices was not pleased.

I have been going through your file cadet. Impressive set of stats you possess. I am also informed that Commander Vivianite has approved your final flight test with accolades.

Thank you, sir, Kyan said with a smile. This did not sound bad.

Yes. It so happens that I have a new assignment for you,

Ah… I was expecting… I mean, yes sir. Kyan said unable to contain his relief and pleasure. It must be a very good assignment to be delivered by an admiral on the very day he passed his final exam. Perhaps it was a pilot’s seat… no, it might be the Monoceros!

Spices frowned and continued in all seriousness.

I know you’re expecting a pilot position but the assignment I have for you is something different altogether. In fact, it will largely remove you from the flight program.

Kyan froze. It was his worst fears. An engineering assignment… no a Base post! It couldn’t be. Why?

Sir… my file, you can see I’m cut out to be a pilot. Please don’t assign me to the Base.

Spices shook his head. I’m sorry lad. You’re a damned fine pilot, one of our best. But this assignment is outside of Star Con. I want you to understand this was not my doing nor was it through any fault of your own.

Outside of Star Con? Sir, am I being transferred to another Discipline?

The admiral hesitated with a glance towards the doors. No… not a transfer. No, this is a special assignment. That is all I can say.

A special assignment? Does that mean I will be able to resume my career, sir?

Spices frowned thinking that over. We will see. For now, your only concern is this.

He placed on the desk a small blue crystalline rod. A program cord by the looks of it.

All of your instructions are contained in this program. Go run it. And remember it is for your eyes only cadet.

Kyan took up the program cord with a mix of curiosity and disdain. This was not the way promotions were done in Star Con. This was not the way anything was done in Star Con. It sounded like Specialist or Sage work. The whites and purples were always dealing with secret information and clandestine missions. As he left the office considering the crystalline rod, Kyan envisioned having to meet some Elfin Sages on a barren world where they had need of a great pilot to fly some ransacked ship they’d acquired into pirate territory on some godforsaken mission. If that was the case, it might actually be good for his career. If he survived. Perhaps their requesting a cadet was just a means to cover things up if the mission went sour. Maybe his career was already ruined.

Spices continued to glare at the closed doors Kyan left out of. Or rather the empty space in the shadows. After a few moments to be sure the cadet would not return, there came an audible humph, and a shimmering of light revealed the lass who’d been hiding there listening. A short Elfin lass of no more than five made her way over to Spices’ desk under that accusing stare.

That went better than I expected. Dr. Song said.

Spices tore his eyes away directing his frustration out the window. I still don’t like it. This is not right.

It is necessary. We all have had unexpected diversions in our careers.

Yes, but this is hardly a diversion, a setback, or a detour. This is something else. Something I barely understand and what little I do, I don’t like.

Hilda sighed. It was not the Council’s doing Spices.

Spices wasn’t listening. There are tens of thousands of Elves to pick from. Let the Council choose someone else. The Sotos would be ideal, isn’t that the whole point of their Discipline? Anyone else. Don’t take my most promising cadet.

This does not come from the Council. Hilda tried again. It was from Mother Elf.

I don’t care.

Hilda raised a disbelieving eyebrow at that. Admirals were renowned for their stubbornness after all. Spices did not hold back with his further opinion.

That lad isn’t just a talented pilot. He’s brilliant with all forms of astromech technology. If he wasn’t going to fly our ships, he’d be designing them. And I’m supposed to just let him go on the word of Mother Elf, who wouldn’t know Kyan from Kyanite, and the last will of some five-hundred-year-old dead Elf? Well, I won’t do so without protest.

Hilda stared out the window, but not at the shipyard below, her eyes were searching the radiant Enfant Star, the heart of the Base, the heart of the Elfin world. I know he was a great friend of yours, Spices. Perhaps it was not right for the Council to have kept this from you all this time. But that was part of his instructions. The time has come, and Mother Elf informed us of the one to whom the Will should pass. Even I do not know what it contains. I hope it will not be bad tidings. Things are fragile as it is.

It is not right.

It is what we must do. Have faith that things will work out for the best. Hilda said. And with that, she prepared to depart.

You know it was odd seeing Mother Elf, said Hilda pausing at the door. She seems particularly busy of late.

When is she not? Spices grumbled.

It was Hilda’s turn to frown. No… something is different this time. Change is coming.

Spices sat his desk for some time after the doctor departed. He got up to stare out the window. The optimistic ever-shifting colors of the Enfant Star were unchanged. The glow of the red and white Crystals above and below was as normal as they were on Day One. His reports dealing with the Avens and the Crimson Light, and most recent Pirate activity in the Badlands were nothing new, nothing to indicate galactic politics were any different than what they were a hundred years prior. Business as usual. Elves went about their training, their assignments, their missions, their recruiting and retirement as they had for centuries. The Mission, their whole purpose for being was conducted without incident year-round. Absolutely nothing was out of the ordinary.

And yet having heard Hilda say what she had. Spices had a bad feeling…



Chapter 2

**

Chronometer

Kyan did not remember going through the admiral’s building, nor passing through the docks. It was not until he was some ways along the spiral promenade when his glowbulb fluttered around before him beeping with a new message that he was jolted back to reality. The Elf paused with a sigh just long enough to see that his roommates were asking if he’d returned from the training evaluation. Not feeling in the mood to reply nor to get back to his quarters where they were waiting, Kyan continued the long walk up the promenade.

In his fist was the crystalline rod. It might as well be his discharge documents. He kept a sharp eye on the docks below growing smaller as he ascended, ignoring the stares of the other Elves he practically stumbled into as he shuffled up the spiral. This assignment had better not keep him out of Star Con for long. If it did, he would… what? There was not much recourse available to him. An official protest with the Base’s jag officer was a possibility. But that was tricky as he was not technically being discharged merely being sent on assignment, a special detail, a borrowed Elf. There was nothing against that, though he might have some grounds being a non-commissioned officer. Cadets were not supposed to act in an official capacity outside of Star Con, especially outside the Base. It might be different if he was being sent along with an officer… or a whole team. Yes… he’d not considered that. Perhaps this was a secret mission that had been given to a specially selected team of Astros. Kyan liked that idea. It smacked of adventure. It could be very good for his career if successful.

Or it could be very bad.

There was the chance he might never return to Star Con.

There was a chance he may never return to the Base.

Part of him was torn between not returning to his career, the thing he’d been dedicated to since coming here, and deciding what would be worse, not being an Elf or being forced into some other Discipline. If it was the latter case, he might be able to take up the matter with the Elf Council. That was not the Star Con way though. They handled disputes internally. Anyone who went around tradition, rebuked the command system, was not going to enjoy any victory they were awarded from outside channels. Whether that be the Elf Council or Santa himself.

Kyan came to a rest on the Q-level. There connected one of the walkways that stretched out into the chasm of the Base, off into the blinding light of the Enfant Star. It was a glass type walkway, completely transparent save for the guide bars along the sides, it was not for the faint of heart or acrophobic. At the heart of it all was the primary Portal, the principal means the Elves used to move around the galaxy. It could create a portal on just about any world, any moon, satellite, or structure in space. Almost anywhere. Portals accounted for around 75% of all Elfin travel on a daily basis. But there were still plenty of reasons Star Con was needed. A portal could not be used for spacecraft, the things were simply not designed for it, not to mention what a waste of energy it would mean. Additionally, there were many places amongst the stars that were beyond the reach of portals. Many worlds were in gravity wells, areas of space affected by black holes or stellar phenomena that made the creation of a portal highly dangerous if not outright impossible. Other planets might be in nebulas or experiencing weather types that made portals impractical. And too, specialty supplies the Base used, especially those of the Fabricators could only be brought in by ship.

Kyan had been down that walkway many a time. He was no stranger to using the portals, exploring the entertainment worlds that were available to the Elves. Saying he’d never been outside the Sol System was not technically correct, he’d simply never done so by way of starship, never by the HyperTransit system that connected the stars, the means by which all spacefaring peoples were able to get around. Portals were a highly guarded secret of the Elves. One they enjoyed exclusively. Idly he wondered which of those entertainment worlds his friends were planning to take him to. His favorite was the water-wood, a planet with a continent composed of a kind of shallow lake whose turquoise waters contained a forest of oaken trees. There was no land to speak of, structures and roads were built high up in the trees. People enjoyed exploring the waterways on paddleboats while swimming and fishing. It had been a year or so since they’d been there.

Sometime later, Kyan arrived at the door to his quarters. He sighed not relishing the explanation he was going to have to give to his roommates. Swiping at the sensor, the opaque white membranes rolled into the walls, one to either side not unlike an airlock. Kyan stepped inside and was immediately greeted by his friends.

POP!

There he is, our Elf of the hour! Shouted Plagioclase, a lad of nine having popped a bottle of champagne open and making no effort to keep the suds from spilling everywhere.

Kyan you did it! You’re a pilot! What ship are you getting? exclaimed Covellite, a lass of fourteen and taller than the two lads by a good head.

Yeah, I could use that, Kyan said grimly catching up a fluted glass and gulping down the mild alcoholic beverage. It was still more bubbles than liquid, and for several minutes he coughed and tried to convey some semblance of a reply to his friends’ myriad of questions. Their little quarters were decked out in mini-glowbulbs dancing about the place like sentient bubbles doing their own little celebratory dances, even forming up congratulatory words in the air at random. Those had been left on for over a week ever since their other roommate, Topaz had graduated into the officer program and left for bigger and better things. Once you became an officer, you left the cramped cadet’s quarters for better accommodations. Topaz would now only have to have one roommate instead of the standard four. Eventually, when she became a senior officer, she’d have her very own quarters at the Base.

Their quarters were a sparse and simple affair. It was designed that way so cadets would become accustomed to living in close quarters just as they would aboard a ship for long periods of time. Two rooms, a sitting room used for study and a tiny bedroom just big enough for a couple of bunks. An even smaller washroom not large enough to even deem a room was all they had. Cadets used their quarters for sleeping and studying. That was it. There were no windows here either. A bright-spot on the wall was configured to show a live feed of the dockyards, today it was showing the Monoceros still at rest in her berth. No doubt it was in optimistic jubilance that his friends expected the admirals to promote Kyan directly into a captain’s seat and give him the finest ship in the fleet. Kyan switched the bright-spot off and flopped down in a chair.

Plagio and Covellite caught onto his mood and settled themselves in other chairs waiting to hear what was going on. Only the silly glowbulbs dancing around the ceiling kept up the effort of cheer. Kyan related how the evaluation went and the later meeting with Spices. The blue rod, the program cord he set out on the table as the proof of it all. The object of his demise. All three regarded the cord with disdain. None was any stranger to the things. Bad news did indeed come in small packages. Often was a cadet given a program cord with a surprise test, a special instruction, or work order, a set of failing grades, an order to relocate to new quarters, or worse report to a commanding officer. Or official notice they were being discharged. Of course, that last was always delivered by a red cord. A blue one could be anything…

So… a secret mission. Covellite breathed trying to make it sound exciting.

Kyan and Plagio frowned. What minuscule excitement this mission might have was far more likely to have days or weeks of boredom.

Have you heard of anyone getting one of these? Kyan asked them. It couldn’t hurt to ask. Surely if other cadets had been getting orders like this recently, rumors were sure to be floating around.

Nothing like this, Plagio said. Covellite shook her head.

I think… I think it’s just a side mission, Covellite said. You know, a sort of last-minute test. Maybe they want to see if you have what it takes for a pilot seat, or maybe even a captain. This is just the kind of thing a ship’s crew might do if they found out some cadet was going to be placed over them.

Kyan shook his head. I don’t know. Doesn’t make sense… If a crew was going to do that they’d wait till after I came aboard.

Plagio agreed. Yes. It must be something else. We know you’re the best Astro cadet in the program. The Specialists might need someone with your skills to help salvage a ship or build them a custom craft for one of their missions.

Whatever it is the sooner you get it done with, the sooner you can get your epaulets, Covellite told him with firm certainty.

Kyan didn’t reply. The sooner he started this little detour, the sooner he might get discharged from Star Con.

Want us to stay while you see what it is? Plagio asked.

Kyan did. I would, but the admiral said it was for my eyes only.

Plagio and Covellite exchanged looks. The mystery was getting deeper. Cadets never received such strictly confidential orders. Sure, some things were intended to be private, but precious little was kept from your roommates.

We’ll give you the room, Plagio said getting up and switching off the excited glowbulbs. The quarters became much darker matching Kyan’s mood. Covellite wished him luck, and the two made a quick exit. For some minutes Kyan stared at the blue program cord. With great reluctance, he took it up and going to the computer desk, placed the cord in the device. On the screen came up the details of the files contained in the rod. He could tell most were coded and restricted. The only one he had access to was a holographic recording. Apparently, he was to receive his orders virtually. An effective way of keeping a secret, it relied on the recipient’s resources to follow through. The only drawback being if someone happened to walk in while the program was running, though Kyan was reasonably sure if that happened the program had a safety feature to cut off. It was for his eyes only. And it knew him.

Taking a deep breath, Kyan ran the program. The computer’s holographic imaging system easily filling the quarters with light and sound…

He was in a forest. No, a jungle. A tropical jungle with the sounds of birds and other wild animals calling out, and sunlight streaming down from the thick canopy above. This is not what he expected. Holographic orders usually meant a bare office or such room, a plain desk and a set of papers to read through. Maybe an instructor in a classroom setting. Simple. Boring. This was quite the elaborate fabrication. A neat little path snaked its way along the ground off into the distance where Kyan could make out a lake. Somewhere a waterfall could be heard too.

This was a little irksome. Kyan wanted to get his bad news and be done with it. Now it looked like he was going to have to hunt down his orders. A treasure hunt given by an admiral? Maybe he’d find his commission in a buried chest. How intriguing. And yet Spices’ words and demeanor stamped out that little hope. It did not fit.

Kyan had to be mindful of the small space and furniture of his quarters. None of this was real after all. He could only move a couple of meters in any direction before stumbling into a real-world object. Of course, he was no stranger to holo-imaging. And he had no intentions of playing the bumbling fool in the jungle. Using his aegis bracer, it gave him full command of the program at the touch of a button. Scanning through the virtual image, he could see there was no one else, not even an animal in this recording. It was just him and the trees. With a touch, he leapt ahead ten meters along the path. Again, and again he did this progressing through the jungle in the blink of an eye and not moving a step in the real world.

Here and there Kyan paused to get a good look at a flower. There were many exotic varieties contained in obvious islands of raised mounds, well-manicured, that lent the jungle more a feeling of a private garden than some authentic natural inspiration. Rather it was a collection of all the most colorful and eye-pleasing flora one might find in the tropics. Although whoever assembled this interesting garden took some liberties. The trees had perfectly spaced branches, the flower buds were much larger than would be found in real life. The breeze was a tad cool as though a jungle was not truly a humid place.

Eventually, Kyan came across a large grassy area. It opened out onto a sandy beach upon the idyllic lake where a clear blue sky and yellow sun beat down on the only such opening in the canopy. Nearby stood two massive ficus trees, the roots of which formed wall-like structures perfect for hiding a person or some hidden treasure. Kyan diligently went around the trees inspecting every possible hollow for anything of interest. He was disappointed to find nothing and getting a little fed up with wasting his time. He rendered himself on the sandy beach and stood there considering his next option. Perhaps the admiral had given him the wrong program cord. This was the kind of place an old admiral might like to come and relax after all.

You have been waiting for me?

Kyan practically jumped into the water. He whirled around to see an Elf standing there on the grass. The lad was about the same age as Kyan, say around twelve or so but with ears that were noticeably longer, the mark of an elder. The lad was wearing the kind of robes that reminded him a bit of the style the Sotos wore though his were well worn and old-fashioned by far. As if to complete the strangeness the lad had a scar around one ear, very faint which indicated it too was old. Strange he’d not had it fully restored, there was no reason for anyone to have a scar, and particularly odd for an Elf.

I… I was given this program by Admiral Spices. I am here to get my orders. Kyan said with all the annoyance he could muster for a holographic image that liked to play games.

Admiral Spices? the lad smirked with amusement. I knew him when he was just a captain. Well, what do you know about that?

Kyan frowned at him. Just give me my orders.

The Elfin lad made an amused sound and drifted off towards the shady trees not caring in the least if he was wasting anyone’s time. Kyan watched him until he’d settled himself on a choice root of the ficus tree and stared back as if they were to have a conversation over the open space. Kyan groaned and rendered himself before the lad if only to be out of the hot sun. The Elf gave him a funny look for jumping out like that.

Can’t you walk like a normal person?

No. I’m still in my quarters, there’s no space to move about. Are you going to give me my orders or not?

The Elf humped at that. You mean you didn’t go to a… what do you call them now, a holo-chamber, holoportal?

A viewing room, Kyan said exasperatedly.

Of course, the Elf replied. One of those. We have a lot to talk about, and this place is nice to wander the trails. I remember…

I’m not here to wander around. I just need my orders so I can get on with it!

Are you in a hurry lad?

Kyan didn’t reply. He was not going to get drawn into a conversation with a hologram. Instead, he crossed his arms and glared at the lad. If he didn’t interact with the program, eventually it would have to follow its defaults and get to the point.

The lad seemed to be in no hurry. He took in the surroundings of the jungle as though he’d never seen them before. Quite pleased to be here. At long last, he took in Kyan, studying the cadet up and down.

Well, what’s your name lad?

Kyanite Astro. Cadet. Kyan fired off quickly.

Kyanite Astro… that’s an odd name. What’s your Elf Name?

That is my Elf Name.

Oh.

The lad made a face at that, but it was impossible to say if he thought it a good name or bad.

Do you wish to know my name?

Is it required? Kyan asked for he really did not care to know the name of some silly holo-program character.

It would make things easier for us.

Fine. What’s your name?

Noel Night.

Swell.

Or you can call me Master Ver Novum.

Kyan returned him a blank stare.

Or sometimes I go by Mikhail Kutuzov.

Kyan blinked at that.

It’s my given human name.

Okay.

Do you remember your human name? Noel asked pointedly.

Of course. Everyone has a former name. Kyan replied. And seeing the hologram was not going to go further until he knew it said: Conrad Teknon.

Noel cocked his head to the side as though that were the most interesting thing in the world to know. And where might you be from Kyanite Astro formerly Conrad Teknon?

Earth, Kyan replied blandly noting the time on his aegis.

Noel made an exasperated sound. I could have guessed that. You’re not a colonist, and eyes like that don’t come from Mars. You don’t seem at all interested in the trees, so you’re probably from a Core planet. I’d also say the first time you ever left Earth was to come here to the Base. Is that about right?

Kyan gave him an irritated look. Close enough. He wasn’t going to give the program the satisfaction of playing into it. The program could easily have tapped into the streams and accessed all his basic information. Any Elf on the Base could have done so.

Can we get on with it?

Noel nodded. If I were you, I’d not be in such a hurry. Personally, I would have been happy to wait another century or two for this.

Kyan rolled his eyes at the lad and waited expectantly. Finally, progress.

What exactly is the nature of the problem the Elves are facing?

Excuse me? Kyan asked truly puzzled.

Noel sighed. I created this program to be used only in a time of great peril to the Elves. When the Mission was on the verge of being lost.

Oh. Well, nothing is going on that I know of. Everything is normal. But I am just a cadet. You might need to talk with an admiral. Or the Elf Council maybe…

Noel did not seem to believe this. No, there must be something wrong. A galactic war about to erupt? Humanity about to be annihilated? The Elves under threat? Planets colliding?

Kyan shook his head. No nothing like that. The last galactic war was over two centuries ago. The only thing considered a threat to the Elves was the Great Exodus, but that was around two hundred and fifty years ago. Everything has been fine. Santa Tiberius has stayed long past his due retirement, but it’s not a problem, he continues to uphold the Mission. We all do.

Noel was shaking his head as though he disagreed. What year is it?

Kyan sighed. The program should have access to the streams and thus the time index. It was stringing him along again. 2761.

Goodness,

When did you create this program? Kyan asked tapping at his aegis, even such a basic detail of the program was restricted.

Around 2250, about the time I left, Noel replied lost in his own thoughts.

Oh. I’m surprised this program is still working. They didn’t have cords back then. Someone must have been copying the program to upgraded tech over the years. It’s entirely possible a glitch developed.

No that’s not it, Noel said. Mother Elf selected you, correct? She gave you this program, right?

Mother Elf? Kyan asked with a little amusement. Of course not. I got it from Admiral Spices. Mother Elf… I’ve only ever spoken with her twice. Years and years ago.

Hmm… yes, you mentioned Spices.

I think I should report back to the admiral, there must be an error in me getting this. Someone will need to run a diagnostic and…

No, forget all that, Noel said waving it aside. Just because nothing of import isn’t occurring now does not mean there won’t be the near future. She selected you and so now we must begin.

Kyan sighed. Just when he thought he’d found a way out of this mess.

Fine. Tell me what I have to do.

Noel was studying him again. As if the program was waiting for some other input.

You are to be a Rune Master.

Kyan goggled at him. What? He outright laughed. It was a joke. It had to be. And it was very funny. His commanding officers and the admiralty must have thought it would be good sport to have some fun at the expense of a cadet stepping into the pilot’s seat. Nothing could be more absurd. And here he was worried for nothing. The Noel hologram smiled and went along with his amusement. Something was unsettling about that…

No. I can’t, Kyan managed trying to regain composure. You don’t know. I have no talent for the Runes. I was barely able to pass the basics. I’m only a skill Level 20, the minimum an Elf needs to be allowed outside the Base. If you only knew how much I struggled with Rune training. The Sotos were ready to give up on me. Ask any of them.

The Sotos? Noel laughed. I mean for you to be a Rune Master.

It’s the same thing!

Noel