Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:42:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Gay Writer <gaywriter72@yahoo.com>
Subject: Earth Reborn: Chapter 18
The following is a complete work of fiction.
Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is
completely coincidental. Please do not copy or distribute the story
without the author's permission.
Disclaimer:
The following story contains erotic homosexual situations. If it is
illegal for you to read this please leave now.
Chapter 18 Earth Reborn
I woke in Bransen's warm embrace. We had our world before us. I
was nervous and unsure how to proceed. We had every opportunity for
our future, and I was worried I might make a mistake. Luckily, there
had been no other attempts to escape through the night. For a change,
I slept well. I had a thousand things running through my mind. What
do you do when you create a new world? I only new for certain that I
needed to create a world our children could live in.
Bransen walked through the door of the bathroom looking at me as
I sat up in bed, pondering our future. His long blond hair was still
damn from his shower.
"Worried?" he thought to me.
"Yes," I answered aloud.
"There are thirty eight Sphere Major remaining. Among them, I
know there are those that would see us fail. The Thoren are not used
to being without their pleasures and subordinates," I answered.
"We've restored their immortality. They have no more use for me
or this place," I continued. "I'm not sure where this will end."
Bransen carried two cups of coffee as he made his way across the
room. He sat on the bed handing me the dark liquid that would bring me
to my senses.
I took a quick sip of the hot coffee. "I have no desire to rule
these people Bransen," I said aloud.
"I don't want some monarchy of hate to ever exist again. We are
better than that. I can hear their thoughts. Every person aboard
every sphere is in my mind. It's deafening," I continued.
I wanted him to hold me. I wanted Bransen to push the thoughts
away. It was too much. It was never Kelay's plan to make this new
world. I had come into being for a single purpose. Unite the Thoren
and Human people. Now we were so few. We had failed on so many
levels.
I had a banquet to plan. The sorting would commence and we would
begin a new life. I worried about those that might separate from us.
I could feel their thoughts against my mind like needles in a pin
cushion.
Blue white fire erupted against my skin. I hadn't caused it. It
was my unborn son. He sensed my despair and had reacted by instinct.
"Khore?" Bransen asked with concern.
"They know Bransen. Our children know. We cannot fix this... but
maybe they can," I answered.
"Fix what?" Bransen asked.
"My mistakes... Kelay's mistakes. A multitude of bad choices will
be their legacy," I paused. "There are so very many." I said fighting
to forget past horrors.
"I don't understand," Bransen said.
Bransen looked at me confused. I couldn't give him the bulk of
our misguided pursuit at longevity. Kelay's memories were mine. The
Thoren failures were my own. How do you explain a millennia of bad
decisions and atrocity? I didn't want this world to suffer for our
errors, but I knew they would. It wasn't my fault, but Kelay's
memories made it my problem.
"Nevermind, hon," I said with a smile. "I'm just being silly,"
The blue white fire dwindled against my skin until it was gone.
There wasn't time for this right now and we had much to do. For
once, I didn't know where to start. Up to this point, everything had
come so fast, there wasn't really time to think. I could only react.
It was unsettling.
"What has you so distracted?" Bransen asked.
"Well, hon, to be honest... This is the first time I've actually
been able to take a breath you know? Everything came so fast, now that
we have a moment, I'm lost," I chuckled.
Bransen smiled at me and gave an understanding nod.
"Kelay, release the people we took aboard ship last night. Let
them have the run of the ship, but do not allow them entry to ops or
like systems. I don't want them thinking they are captives aboard this
ship. Let them know they are free to move about as they wake. If any
are already awake, tell them now," I commanded.
"Whatever..." Came TK's reply. "Incidentally, there have been 118
conceptions not including your own in the past twelve hours. Damn
breeders."
Bransen and I stared at each other.
"I guess the boys will have lots of company," Bransen said with a
smirk.
"I guess so," I answered. "Didn't I warn them? Didn't I say
that they were more fertile and to be careful? What the hell are we
going to do with 120 squalling babies aboard ship!" I felt a panic
rising in me.
"Sounds like a lot of shitty diapers and sleepless nights to me!"
TK interrupted. "Sucks to be you!"
"No, TK, But it is going to suck to be you. We only have to
listen to two babies cry, you will hear them all!" Bransen commented.
"SHIT!" TK replied.
"TK, the spheres are designed to restructure themselves. Is the
Cystos compatible with the Major Spheres?" I asked. Bransen's brow was
furrowed again with confusion. Those cute lines wrinkled his forehead
whenever he was worried or at a loss.
"Yes Khore," Came TK's reply.
"Well at least there is that," I said again grinning at Bransen.
"We can join the spheres and the Cystos to make a floating city.
They will open up and our children will see a real sky instead of the
ones in the habitats," I marveled at the thought.
"So long as the others choose to stay," Bransen added.
"Yes... I suppose that is a possibility, too. I can hope though,"
I took another sip of my coffee.
"I suppose I should ask. Do you want to stay?" I searched his
eyes.
"What?! Well, I never really thought about it," he paused, "Do
you?" Bransen returned my question.
"I have Kelay's memories, so I've already traveled the stars.
I'd like to raise our children here, but I'll stand by your decision,"
I answered.
Bransen sat and sipped his coffee for a moment before answering.
"After our children are grown, I think I might like to have a
look around, but not for another five or six hundred years I think," he
grinned.
We finished our coffee. Bransen dressed while I showered. After
my shower, I dressed and went to the food dispenser and requested two
more coffees. I took them to the love seat. Bransen joined me as we
sat in silence. I was feeling a bit better now. My shower and the
coffee were quickly pushing the sleep from my mind.
"How do you think it will go later?" I asked.
"Huh?" Bransen snapped back from his daze. "Oh, I really don't
know. We certainly can't allow any weapons aboard," he paused, "We
need to make sure that every individual, including those on this ship,
have the opportunity to choose their own path."
Bransen was picking at his fingernails. It was something he did
when he was nervous. That small movement comforted me. It told me he
was unsure about our future as well.
"We will continue on whether or not they choose to stay. I'm
sure at the very worst, a few thousand will remain here. In time we
would be come hundreds of thousands, and then millions. Space is a big
place. There's plenty of room for our grandchildren." I answered. The
thought made me smile.
"We should probably prepare for this afternoon," Bransen replied.
"Well, which do you want, city planning, or government?" I asked.
"I think with that last display of power, they are going to fear
you more than me. I bet that white hair of yours will turn some heads
too," he chuckled.
"I'm not interesting in having them fear me Bransen. I only want
them to give everyone a chance," I pondered a moment and heaved a sigh.
"You are probably right. They will be more compliant after
yesterday's display." I continued.
"Okay, you work with TK on city planning and the sphere merger.
I'll deal with the sorting of people and a system of representation.
You want the desk or the couch?" I asked.
Bransen leered at me with a smirk. "I want the bed," he answered
seductively setting his coffee cup on the table before us.
I sat my cup next to his. We never did make it to the bed, but
the couch is a little worse for wear. I'd have TK fix that later.
With a parting kiss, he went to the desk in the corner of the room, and
we began our work. We paused for lunch, discussed our progress, and
exchanged ideas. A lot depended on the choices made later this
afternoon.
I found myself glancing back at the clock every few minutes as
14:00 hours approached. This last hour had been completely useless. I
hadn't accomplished a thing. My work was finished almost two hours
ago. I had stalled as long as I could to pass the time.
"TK, Prepare Bransen and me," I paused looking over to Bransen.
"Black?" I asked.
Bransen answered with a nod.
"Prepare Bransen and me matching clothing. Make them black dura-
silk with an opalescent shine. I want it comfortable and functional.
I want a single blue ring one centimeter thick on the upper right
sleeve. Make the shirts cross from left to right tapering at the
waist. Make matching clothing for all Alpha Team members. Give them
two blue rings one centimeter apart. Instruct them to wear this to the
sorting at 16:00 hours."
I thought for a moment and continued.
"Please advise all personnel that levels 50 through 100 will be
restructured at 15:00 hours. All persons on those levels at that time,
will be transported to their quarters."
"At 15:01 hours, restructure for the sorting." I finished.
We had an hour to shower away the smell of sex from our bodies
and dress. That would leave us an hour for the restructuring and
adding the final touches to our work.
"TK, bathtub, room for four please," Bransen ordered with a smile
as he turned his eyes toward me.
The shower area morphed back into the black and white marbled tub
that had been there when we first arrived. Water flowed into vast tub
as the steam curled across its surface.
Bransen crossed the room and leaned over the back of the couch.
"Let's get ready hon." He whispered to me. "Tk, Lights, dim."
I nodded as he led me to the over sized tub. We removed our
clothes and stepped into the steaming water. I leaned against the wall
of the bathtub resting my mind. It was so peaceful. The warmth of the
steaming water seemed to wash away the tension.
"TK, Music, Classical, Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata." Bransen
ordered.
"A human wrote this thousands of years ago." Bransen said softly.
I sat up with a quick slosh of water. I listened as the sounds
swayed through the room. Kelay's memories told me what music was, but
I had never heard it before. In my 1600 years I had never heard music.
It was beautiful. The sounds were so sad and resolute. How could a
human have ever created this? There were so many sounds at once, but
they seemed belonged together in a way I can't explain. There was a
complex math to it, but I couldn't imagine an equation that would
create this. The music seemed to have a soul. It brought tears to my
eyes. I had never heard anything so beautiful. I had memories of many
forms of music and art, but never anything like this. I laid my head
against Bransen's shoulder and let the sounds move through the room.
"It's amazing," I felt warm tears traveling down my cheek. "Thank
you. I've never heard music before."
"What?!" he nearly yelled. I could see the flush rise in his
cheeks as he remembered my past.
"Surely Kelay had heard music before," he tried to recover from
his embarrassment.
"Yes, but it's not the same. I know a lemon is sour. An unripe
apple is sour as well. I have eaten apples in the past. I hadn't had
lemon until just a few days ago. Kelay's memories told me it was sour.
I could even recognize the smell and color, but I found that they are
two very different things. It is like the night I brought you to the
beach during sunset. Do you understand?" I asked.
He grinned at me. "I do."
We lay against each other listening to the sonata. What a
fabulous people we were. Pride and awe filled me. I also felt a sharp
twinge of bitterness. I wondered what we might have become, had the
Thoren's not interrupted our world. The Thoren had also given me
Bransen, so I let go of my new found resentment.
Bransen asked for names that only Kelay's memories recognized.
He requested Vivaldi, Handel, Chopin and more. We listened as music
drifted through the air. I hated for it to end, but I knew we were
close to the time of restructuring.
We climbed out of the bath tub, rubbed ourselves dry, and pulled
on our newly made clothes. The black of the new cloth made my hair
seem even whiter.
"Restructuring will be complete in fifteen minutes." TK
announced.
"Fifteen minutes?" Bransen asked.
"Hey! If you think you can do it faster blondie, let me know."
TK snapped.
I giggled seeing Bransen's jaw clench. It was like listening to
two children bicker over a toy. I pulled Bransen into my arms. I
gazed into his eyes and we kissed. I let nestled my head in the curve
of his neck still pulling him against me.
"Our future begins now," I whispered. I relished the feeling of
comfort and safety his arms provided me.
"Reconstruction Complete, you impatient f..." TK's announcement
faded into a mumble.
I felt Bransen tense a bit. We separated. I played with his
hair, guiding a few wild curls into place before a smile crept across
his face.
"TK, When I fold the occupants of the surrounding spheres into
the ship, do not incinerate them. They are not fully Human or Thoren
any longer." I commanded.
"Awwww MAN!" TK wined.
"You are such a child sometimes TK." I chuckled.
"BITE ME!" TK snapped.
"We better get going." Bransen interrupted.
I gave a quick nod. "TK, Transport us to the center of the
amphitheatre."
A flash of white brought us to the center of a massive space. I
gazed at the rows and rows that circled us. Fifty levels of seating
rose from the base and extended outward along the curve of the ship.
It most resembled the coliseum of ancient Rome. I had found the
diagram in TK's systems and had expanded on the layout. There were
thirty eight sections, one for each Sphere Major. The only discernable
separation was a waist high partition that split each section. The
small wall ran vertically from the lowest to highest row of seating on
each side. In the center of each section, another eight foot wall
split each sphere area into upper and lower seating. The wall was
level with where Bransen and I stood now. There was a floating
platform large enough for the captain and their second in command to
sit.
Above us, when the assembly began, would be a massive hologram
that would display the current speaker. Once activated, the hologram
would be nearly three hundred feet tall. It would display in four
directions for the benefit of those in the upper rows that were nearly
a half mile away.
Below us was a platform with seating for about three hundred for
the members of the original base.
"Woah." Bransen said staring.
"Yeah, fifteen minutes, remember?" TK grumbled.
"TK, from this point forward, all communication will be to
Bransen or myself and only in thought. I do NOT want to hear a single
audible comment from you during this assembly, effective immediately."
I commanded.
"Care to call the troops hon?" I asked giving Bransen a nudge
with my elbow.
I saw his chest rise and fall with a deep breath. "TK, COM,
Shipwide. All Alpha Team Members please prepare to be transported.
You have ten minutes." Bransen announced.
Some time later, we watched as they appeared on the platform
behind us. I know it was silly to feel safer for their presence, but I
did. None of them could block a Thoren attack, except for maybe
Bransen. Still it was nice to have them here.
TK, being transmission. "Thoren commanders, you have all been
designated a number. You will approach the Cystos, in order, and be
transported aboard. Those that do not comply will be destroyed." I
sent.
I pulled the fire from myself and mingled it with the thoughts of
work yet to be done. The blue white fire rode across my body. Finally
the first sphere moved to dock with us. I didn't have to concentrate
on them anymore. They were lodged in my mind like small beacons. I
folded them into the amphitheatre, separating them by Thoren and Human
majority. We repeated this until all thirty-seven ships had docked and
boarded. Finally, I pulled our guests from the sphere we destroyed and
placed them in the 38th section.
It had been almost no effort at all to move these two million
people. It was a bit frightening considering my limits only weeks days
ago. We were all in attendance. I stretched my mind to search each
sphere. Everyone was aboard.
"Let's not waste time." I announced. "I know who you are and who
would wish me harm. Do it now so that we can continue." I announced as
the hologram above me erupted in light and sound.
Silence filled too much space. A current of whispers traveled
through the room like a breeze. I let the fire ride along my skin.
"Well, we can wait if you wish." I announced.
"TK, present the feast." I thought.
A flat surface grew along the rows of Human and Thoren majority.
Baked meats and dishes of every style imaginable appeared. We ate. An
hour passed as we gorged ourselves. So far no one had died, but we had
only just begun.
"if everyone is finished, we'll continue." I announced rising
from my chair.
The food merged into the dark shiny liquid metal. I watched the
gaping distance as everyone prepared themselves, before everyone, now
stood an interactive console of choice.
"Before you is a console that offer's you a choice. This is the
sorting. It will be done every year from this point forward." I
paused.
"Those of you that may fear reprimand for your decision, are
welcome here. Now is your time. We will guard your choice. That goes
for Thoren and Human born alike. Now is your chance." I announced.
"No one can touch you."
Thousands of humans left the room almost instantaneously.
Surprisingly many Thoren were transported away as well.
"Ok then. Captains, you are still the commanders of your
Spheres. You are free to stay and flourish with us, or leave," I
asked.
"This is ridiculous!!! How can we even consider this! The
Humans are a lesser species bent on their own destruction! We did you
a favor!" Laton announced as his platform moved into view.
I knew General Laton. He was strong and powerful. He was also a
narrow minded ass.
"You will have more options than the Humans ever had. You have a
choice. You all may retain your sphere if you wish to leave. That has
never been in question. Leave now, but you will not leave with a
single human that wishes to stay," I announced.
A wave of blue energy burst out from General Laton in my
direction. It was a weak blast, even by Thoren standards. He was
trying to gage my strength. I formed a barrier around us. The blast
rippled toward us and dissipated as it hit the barrier.
"You are nothing Khore, but a freak. You may have some
technology we do not, but you are not more than we are." Laton laughed.
"You, are an fool. I would rather not kill you," I replied.
The hall had become deathly quiet. "Please, You can go. You may
have your sphere. It doesn't have to be this way," I answered.
"No, I think you will release the Cystos to my command," Laton
said with a devious smile.
"Laton, you are mistaken," I announced as I folded his body
before me. He hung in the air like a limp rag. He pushed as much as
his mind was able, but there was no way he could break my control.
"Please, Laton, don't do this," I begged.
"You don't have the power. This is a trick. I will not be part
of this travesty, and you will not take away our human slaves," He
yelled.
"I'm sorry Laton" I answered.
I filled the center of him with a fire no one could survive.
Laton's scream stretched across the expanse of the amphitheatre before
I finished him. I pushed the fires and lit him from the inside. It
would be quick. His body became engulfed in a flare of blue fire.
Only ashes remained. The gray flakes fell through the air drifting
like autumn leaves.
"I will not give on this issue! I already see many humans that
remain loyal to your service. If that is their choice, then I have no
objections. Those that remain may continue as they please. There will
be only one rule in our society. 'Do No Harm'. We will retain some
spheres in their current form. Others including the Cystos will become
part of a grand floating city." I paused.
"There will be four factions. They will be Military, Science,
and Art and Education. Each will have equal representation. No one
group will ever have majority rule, and there will be no dictator." I
announced.
Captain Liam moved his platform. He rose above the remainder of
the crowd and was projected in the hologram above me. "What will
happen to those Captains who have given up their ship for the city?"
asked Captain Liam.
"You can either govern over the portion of the city made by your
sphere as a representative, or move to a remaining sphere. The choice
is yours. You could sit and paint for the next five thousand years.
It is entirely up to you," I answered.
Liam nodded. "And if all Thorens choose to leave? What if we
all choose to leave with our Sphere and only the Cystos remains?" he
asked.
"I would hope, being there are so few of you, that you would
condense yourselves and leave us at least half of your Spheres.
Considering you made slaves of an entire world, I would think it a very
small price to pay. If you chose not to do this, even after I've
restored your immortality, then you would leave with all of your
Spheres. We will not stop you. It has never been that you cannot
leave. You are free to go. You will not, however, leave with even a
single human aboard your ship that wishes to stay," I answered.
Liam nodded again and returned to his original position.
"We will perform this sorting every year. Please understand.
This is not a choice on what you will do for the rest of eternity. You
only have to decide whether or not you wish to stay. Even that
decision is not forever. If at some time in the future you wish to
venture out into space, no one will stop you," I stopped and watched
sporadic white flashes of light remove people from the crowd. "Once
you have committed your ship to the city, it will not be returned.
Should you change your mind in the future, arrangements will be made to
see that you may go as you wish," I continued.
"Those that do leave today will not be allowed to return for five
thousand years. If you return before then, we will not acknowledge
communications. You will be destroyed without hesitation. If you
leave today, you will vacate this solar system at top speed. Once this
is done, you may do as you please," I announced.
"Are there any more questions?" I asked.
Silence filled the make-shift auditorium like something thick and
tangible. The white teleporting flashes of light slowed and finally
stopped as the minutes passed. Eleven of the original thirty seven
captains remained. There were 327,096 Human and Thoren remaining
scattered among the thirty eight original sections.
"Your time is up. Very well then. I will ask this one final
time. If you wish to stay, please indicate so now." I announced.
There were no additional flashes of light.
"Captains, I will return you to your ships momentarily. I will
be transporting the remainder of Thoren and Human people throughout
your ships equally. You can decide on their disbursement after you
have left this solar system. Is this acceptable?" I asked.
I listened as they answered 'yes' almost in unison.
"You're really going to let us leave?" Captain Tapal asked
skeptically.
"Of course! We've had enough death. What purpose would be
served in keeping you here against your will? I have no desire to be a
replacement to Keelon. I would like to see you when five thousand
years have passed though. It could be a reunion of our kind. Until
then, I think we need time to flourish and become what our future
allows," I answered.
"If you are ready," I announced with a smile.
The blue light of my eyes flared. I concentrated and moved them
to their original Spheres. I split the remaining Human and Thoren
among the soon to be departing ships.
"TK, Transmit the following message." I thought.
"I wish the best for you, yours, and your future. I hope you
find what you are looking for." I sent the thought.
Eleven Sphere Major powered up and left our world with in a
silver blur. TK would monitor their progress and ensure their
departure from our solar system.
- - -
I am sorry it has taken so long to get this chapter out. I've been
busy with another story, and this chapter was slow coming to me. This
feels like a good place to pause. Please send your comments and
criticisms to gaywriter72@yahoo.com
Thank you!