Beginning of the end Chapter 15
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Traveling through the waters of Rolshar we finally reached our destination twinkling in the distance. The tall glass tower of the Starlight came into view climbing out of the depths of the dark blue water. Spread around the tower where a range of domes, some contained landing craft indicating landing areas and two large domes with the whole city inside.
The whole place looks like a giant crystal squid or jellyfish floating aimlessly.
Very majestic. We closed in on one of the landing areas and as we approached a large unbroken bubble, I could see no entrance, closing my eyes in anticipation, I braced myself for the evitable bone-crunching collision with the outer shell. Instead of death, I heard retro jets being used, allowing us to land perfectly on the pad. Having popped through the bubble with very little resistance and no damage. I looked back it must be some kind of shield like the ones used in starship docking bays, looking around my theory was confirmed by a light which ringed the pad this looked like the emitters holding the water at bay.
The vessel settled down and the hatch opened on our craft releasing the visitors, some of them rushed out, I notice some troopers from the Warfire they winked at me in response then vanished from sight through the crowd of tourists. The crowd outside gathered at the gates for clearance and were being guided by Skujin to where they will stay in the Starlight as we reach the gates we were instructed to place an arm over the stand and instantaneously a metal blue band wrapped around the wrist as the gate opened.
‘Cool’ I said, Varak looking equally impressed. Inside the starlight, the place moved like a living vortex of wonder, everything was alive with movement, people giggle at the entertainment shows, the floating elevators transporting people from one level to another, many species from all walks of the empire enjoying Skujin hospitality.
Varak eyes caught the screens again showing the latest updates on Rolshars gravball game. The Skujin team beating another unfamiliar aquatic species at the game ten nothing. The score highlighted as a replay showed one scorer smashing the ball at insane speeds into the goal.
‘Come on keep up, we need to get our bags into the room, then we can see all the sights’ father stepped on one of many floating platforms pushing the floor numbers. We began to move first, and I thought we would all fall out there was no barrier or handrail I could see, reaching out to the edge I felt a shield clever this would stop any falls from happening.
Making our way up to the hotel room we reached the blue suites inside a lavish room spacious enough to accommodate our family, two rooms placed either side with private ensuite and a seating area in the center and beyond the chairs a grand view of the ocean through a giant oval window.
*****
Still turning slowly around the black hole, I eyed the vessel moving closer to the planet, I shall not stay in my tomb forever. This ship must be on autopilot I had a renewed sense of desperation I preferred things to hurry, I want to strike at the heart of those I loathe most. Time for patiently dying is over. Gathering in what dengen I could, pulling my physical power to my joints and muscles readying myself for the leap to freedom, the craft inched ever nearer this shall be my new beginning. I smiled many thoughts rushed through my mind giving me ideas on how I will punish traitors. I leaped to the ship landing near perfect at the airlo was a simple task for one so great. The airlock opened, this is encouraging, I stepped through with the airlock closed behind me, I could feel the room re-pressurized inside, in moments it felt good to have metal under the sole of my boots. I had no time to waste, moving quickly to the cockpit, looking back briefly at the small engine compartment set inside a peculiar device attached along the main drive it glowed strangely.
Whoever sent this ship must be funded well, or they stole it that I did not care about this would be my ticket out of here. On the ship’s control, there was a holo message the light flashed its importance ‘might as well find out what my savior’s looks like’ tapping the switch and a full-size image of a man somewhat taller than me started to speak.
‘Master Drake time is of the essence, my name is Karvar back there is a specialized engine, allowing you to escape the pull and time dilation of the black hole, also on here are the latest details of the empire and why am helping you, the vessel is set up you just need to power the drives and you will be free,’ pushing the button again closing the message down. I wasted no time going through the startup sequence for the engine. The ship vibrated oddly I guess adjusting to the gravitational pull of the black hole.
Chuckling to myself with the amount of bad luck I’ve had in trusting people and the possibility of being ripped apart into the cosmos by a vessel given to you by a stranger it made me think did I make the appropriate choice, either way, I could die slowly or instantly it wouldn’t make a difference.
The engine power indicator had reached its maximum the computer told me calculations were complete, holding onto the armrest waiting for the jump into real space my knuckles had turned white bracing for the worst, instead of being vaporized my luck held out this time and the specialized engine launched the small ship into space.
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About the author.
Albert is an ex-royal air force photographer. He is passionate about novel writing and creative arts, his work can be seen on Amazon and Opensea. Albert enjoys gaming with his son and records them to replay on YouTube.
