2199 Extinction
Bad News

My, Study of the Chronos System, is in a small classroom, like all of the Advanced Studies classes. Not many students are permitted to continue their education. I heard the largest class size was fifteen students, back when my mother was in it. I look around me, the small room has eight student desks and the teacher’s desk. Year two of Advanced Studies, the year above me, has exactly eight students. Our class only has five students, so three desks sit unused in the back of the class. The front of the classroom has a wall that is a floor-to-ceiling touch screen computer. All a teacher has to do is double-tap a spot on the screen and the room will be filled with 3D images.

“Astra? Hello?” Professor Kalmin asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.” I mumble.

“I asked, what kind of star system Chronos is?”

“Um.” Think Astra, think! You and Amlican just studied this, last night! “Chronos is a... Binary Star System.”

“Very good. And what kind of life forms live in this system?”

“Uh.” Good grief, why is he asking me all of the questions? “I don’t know.”

While I may have excelled in my Advanced Fighting Class, trivia and science are not my things. Facts, facts, and more facts bore me to tears. This is why Amlican and I are such great friends. He gets this stuff, but he is a terrible fighter. My mother wants me to learn all of these facts and his father wants him to learn how to fight.

“Come on, Talfarians, this is a General Studies question.” He says, as his eyes sweep over the small class. “Amlican, tell everyone what kind of life forms exist in the Chronos system.”

“Aridus life forms such as the Telkan people. They can survive six months without water.” Amlican answers.

“Very good. And why do we even need to learn this in the first place?” Professor Kalmin asks.

“Because the Telkan homeworld is the only known planet to produce the Kapien Jewel, the most powerful energy source in existence.”

“And?” Kalmin asks. “And due to the rarity of water on the planet, if one doesn’t bring plenty of water, one can’t possibly hope to survive, there, longer than a day,” Amlican explains.

“Exactly,” Kalmin says looking at me. He turns around and double taps a planet on the middle of the screen. “Telkan is a major trading partner of Talfar. We do a ton of business with them, but they hardly leave their home world.”

The room fills with a 3D image of a desert wasteland. Rolling sand dunes surround us and small orange reptilian creatures, the same color as the sand, can be seen scurrying about. Above us, on what used to be the ceiling, you can see two equal-sized suns, high in the pale green sky. Compared to home, where you can hear the Lovtil sing in the afternoon sun; here, is silence, broken up only by the occasional croak of the small reptiles.

“Can anyone tell me why they hardly leave their home world?”

I know this one. “One reason is that they are cold-blooded, that could be easily accommodated. The main reason they barely leave their planet is because of their suns.” I answer.

“Explain.” the professor states. “What I mean is, due to the make-up of their Binary suns, they are almost entirely blind outside of their star system. They are used to substantial amounts of light, so in the absence of that light, they can’t see.”

“Very good.” Professor Kalmin says. “Can I ask how you came across this information?”

“There was one Telkan, who visited with my mother, last year. She was testing an innovative technology that would filter in extra light to help a Telkan see off-world. They wore a special kind of glass, worn on the face, that covered the eyes.

I think they were called Sun filters?” I explain, happy to know more than the other students, for once.

“A Telkan ambassador, that makes sense. But back to the hologram. If only technology existed to allow you to feel a small sense of the climate of these two worlds. But sadly, it does not. So, until that day arrives, you will have to take my word for it. It is an extremely hot and dry place. Do not go to this place without several gallons of water. And make sure to take a thermal jacket. These jackets didn’t exist when I went there, one hundred years ago. Would have been nice to have a jacket to regulate my body temperature. During the day, the temperature skyrockets to a high of 50 Centine, which is hot enough to fry a Droggle egg. But at night the temperature drops down to –5 Centine. Trust me when I say, I almost died on Telkan Prime.”

A loud rapping, at the door, interrupts his lecture. Kalmin walks over to the door and opens it. He briefly whispers to someone at the door, then stands back. A man walks in, it is the head of the school, Ravdra.

“I see you are studying Telkan Prime,” Ravdra says. “Are you telling them about the time you almost died there?”

“Well, yes, actually, I was,” Kalmin says, giving a small laugh. Ravdra laughs as well before saying, “I hate to interrupt but, Princess Astra. I need to speak with you, immediately.”

“What did you do this time?” Amlican whispers to me.

“Nothing,” I whisper back. Behind me, I can hear the other three students whispering as well.

“Now, please!” Ravdra demands. He has dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. His position alone, demands respect. His large stature and deep booming voice insure that all of the students under his command, obey him.

I stand up and walk past Amlican and Professor Kalmin.

“Get your things. You will not be back, today.”

I turn back and collect my books, and pens, then return to Ravdra. I follow him out the door, through the narrow hallways of the Advanced Studies section of the school, through the much wider hallways of the General Studies section, and into his private office, in the front of the school.

It’s a large, spacious office with a large, green, wooden desk in the center. To my left is floor to ceiling bookshelves crammed full of a variety of books. To the right is an open area, with a rug and nothing more. Behind the desk is two large windows, which open onto the school grounds. I can see a large red bird called a Legov picking at the ground, looking for food.

“Sit down, please,” he says, pulling out a chair for me.

Uh-oh. This can’t be good. I have been in this office many times, due to my and Amlican’s many adventures, but this is the first time he has ever pulled out the chair for me. Usually, I’m told to sit, and he glares at me, from his chair, across the desk. What have I done? Wait, I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, lately.

“I bet you are wondering why you are here,” Ravdra says, sitting in the chair next to me. “Don’t worry, you haven’t done anything wrong, that I am currently aware of.”

I sigh in relief. “Then why am I here? Sir.”

“The news just reached me from Talfar. I’m sorry but the Queen is dead.”

The words ‘the Queen is dead’ roll around in my head and my vision starts to blur. I’m not even aware Ravdra is talking to me until he lays his massive hand on my shoulder. “Wha?”

“I’m sorry for your loss. You need to go to your room and collect your things. Will you need help packing? Of course, you will be excused from all classes for the rest of the year. Six months is standard grieving time, if you need longer, have your father call us.”

“Father?” I say, still in a daze. I start to stand up, but the room is spinning, and I can’t keep my balance. I drop back into my seat. “No.”

“No, what?” He asks, gently.

“No. I don’t need help packing. I. I. Yes, I think I do need help. I can hardly see straight. I need Amlican.”

Ravdra gets up and pushes a button behind his desk. A few minutes later, a 3D image of my Chronos professor appears to my right.

“Yes?” the professor Kalmin asks.

“Please send Amlican to my office. I need him as well.”

“Very well.” the professor looks away and then says, “Amlican. Head to Ravdra’s office.”

“Have him bring all of his things. He will not be returning, today, either.” Ravdra says. He pushes the button, again, and the 3D image of my professor disappears.

“Make sure to get all of your belongings, and try not to delay, your father has sent a ship for you, to take you back to Talfar. The ship should be here within the hour.”

Amlican arrives, and I guess the situation is explained to him. I don’t remember much of what is said. I know we must collect our things and head to my room because the next thing I know we are standing in my room. The rooms at Royal Andromeda Preparatory are big, not as large as my room back home but big enough that they could hold four beds and still have plenty of room to walk around. The door is on the left side of the room, along the right wall is my small bed. The beds are purposefully only big enough for one, as to discourage intermingling amongst the students.

The closet sits on the far back wall and is big enough that it could hold a bed as well. Next to the closest is my dresser, which holds a wide variety of outfits, fit for royalty. And, hanging on the opposite wall, there is a small round disk. It displays many different 3D images in the room. So, I could sleep in a jungle or beside the beach of the Nulpek Providence. Whatever images I could ever want to upload it will project.

I realize that Amlican is talking to me. “What? I didn’t hear you.”

“I said, ‘I’m going home, with you.’ I’m not going to let you go through this alone.” Amlican says.

“Thanks, but you don’t need to skip classes because of me.”

“Want kind of best friend would I be if I let you go, alone? Besides, I can get the same excuse as you, my mom and your mom were best friends.”

I look under my bed and grab the large suitcase stored under there. I set the suitcase on the bed, open it, and just stare. It’s large and open, just as my life was at the beginning of the year.

“I can’t do this. I can’t pack. Packing means going home. Going home means accepting my mother’s death. I’m not ready for that.”

“Here, I’ll do it,” Amlican says gently moving me out of the way. He goes through my drawers, dumping the clothes into the suitcase. Once it’s full, he reaches under the bed for another. He then goes to my closet and does the same thing.

“I’m not going home.”

“What?” he asks, pausing what he is doing. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I’m going anywhere but home. I can’t deal with Talfar and no mother. I will just go ahead and go to Saltu, now. At least I will fit in, there.”

“Listen.” He says, gently grabbing my shoulders. “You are going home. You are going to the funeral. If you, don’t you will regret it for the rest of your life. I know you. You were close with your mother. Besides, I will be right beside you the entire time. Your shoulder to cry on.”

I nod my head in ascent and he goes back to packing. The rest of the details are fuzzy. I know once we get all of my things packed; we go to Amlican’s room and pack all of his things as well. This is only clear because as we are boarding the ship to take us back to Talfar, I notice that Amlican is still with me and that he has his things.

“Lay down and get some rest,” Amlican says, gently. “It will take four hours to get home, and you are going to need your energy. We have a long couple of days ahead of us.”

I look around and notice that we have stopped in one of the common sleeping rooms on the small ship. “Where will you be? I can’t be alone, right now.” I whisper.

“I have to make a quick call to my father to let him know that I’ve come home for the next few months, as well. He’ll understand that I have to be here, with you.”

I lay down in one of the bottom bunks and Amlican comes over and sits beside me.

“Go to sleep. I’m right here. I won’t leave until you fall asleep.” He says, gently stroking my cheek.

*********************************

The cave is located about a day’s walk from the school. Last night, I scaled the left side of the cave and hid amongst the rocks. Getting eaten alive, while I slept, was not the way I wanted to die. When my death comes, it will be in battle, at least that’s what I hope. Now I stand facing the cryptic abyss. I know it is inside, but that’s all I know. How deep is it? Exactly where, inside, is it? Will it attack me straight away? Or will it lure me into a false sense of security and then attack? Should I cross the threshold, or should I abscond?

I have come this far; I might as well go ahead with it. Besides, if I flee now, I will be called a coward. And that’s a fate worse than death. Besides, I want to see this creature for myself. I want to see if it does exist or if it’s just a legend.

I push my fear down deep inside of me. I will not allow fear to rule my life. I reach into the bag that I laid at my feet and pull out the large glass jar. It is filled with a glowing orange powder, called Pulsis. It reminds me a lot of the sands of Telkan that I saw, once, in a book. I unscrew the lid and toss it back into the bag.

There should be enough in here, to get me in and back out again. I close the bag, with my free hand, pick it up, and sling it over my shoulder. I take a deep breath and cross into the inky blackness. Every few steps I reach into the jar and grab a small handful of Pulsis and toss it onto the ground. The effects are instantaneous, I know have a small lighted path, showing me where I have been; the cave floor looks like it has been littered with sand.

I strain my ears, as I walk, trying to hear the creature so that it can’t surprise me. From somewhere in the darkness, I can hear the steady dripping of water. I also hear a faint scurrying sound, more than likely from some kind of small, furry, pest. Makes sense that this cavern is full of furry pests, the creature probably snacks on them. When it isn’t eating the occasional, unlucky, Talfarian.

Suddenly, ahead of me, I see two glowing purple eyes, coming my way, and fast! There it is! The creature! I set the glass jar down, in the middle of the orange powder; then I quickly pull out my Raptor and hold it steady until it’s nearly on top of me. I swing my blade at a downward angle. I can feel it connecting and slicing through something.

A loud thump echoes around me and the purple eyes disappear. I hold my Raptor in one hand, and with the other reach down and grab a handful of Pulsis. I toss it out in front of me and it lands on a dead body. I re-sheath my blade and toss more powder around, only to discover that it wasn’t the creature I was after. It was just a Blavata. A large, bald, winged creature, that makes its home in the caves of Lila Luna. Ugh! I thought I had it! Oh, well. It’s a good thing I killed it; those things are known to be poisonous. I pick up the glass jar and continue my way. I’m not sure how long I have been walking when I get a strange feeling. Like I am being followed. Like, someone or something is watching me! It’s got to be the creature!

Carefully, I draw my blade, again, and walk slowly forward. This time I am going to be sure, before attacking. I listen carefully as I move forward, and sure enough, I hear the most important sign, the sound of a large something scrapping the ground and heavy breathing from behind me. This is it! The moment of truth! They are masters of camouflage, so I need to act quickly. I carefully set the jar down, grab a handful of Pulsis, and in one quick motion, I spin around and sling the powder where I judge the eyes to be. I am rewarded with a loud roar and am just rolling out of the way when a hot stream of fire is hurled in my direction.

The streaming fire hits the powder that I knocked everywhere when rolling out of the way. The powder blazes hot and bright, temporarily blinding me and hopefully the creature as well. After a few moments, the light dims down but it’s still bright enough that this entire area of the cave is lit up. I look for the creature and see that it’s gigantic. Bigger than I thought it would be its massive head scrapes the ceiling of the cave. It’s covered in solid black scales, its body is long and slender, it has four clawed feet, and two huge wings folded on its back. Its horrible eyes are a deep shade of violet. Looks like the stories are true, it is a dragon. The stuff of nightmares. Its face, feet, and the underside of its tail glow orange from the Pulsis. Even if it steps into the shadows, I will be able to see it.

I run towards my blade, which I dropped while rolling out of harm’s way and snatch it up. It’s hot to the touch but I hold onto it anyway. The beast lashes its tail out and I jump over it. The glowing dust is swept up and towards the left side of the cave wall. And that’s when I spot her. My mother, bound and gagged. “Mother!” I shout.

I am rewarded with a muffled shout. The dragon turns its massive head in her direction, almost like it just remembered she was there and gives a loud roar that echoes off the stone walls. It darts in her direction, but being large has its disadvantages, being that it can’t move fast. I get there first and swing my Raptor at the dragon. There is the sound of metal on metal, those scales are hard, and slicing will not do the trick. The beast pulls its front leg up and swings it down on me, causing me to fly through the air and hit the ground, hard, on my back.

“Oof,” I say involuntarily. Pain floods my body, but the adrenaline blocks it out as I think about my mother. I jump back to my feet and run back towards them both. The dragon lets out one more ground-shaking roar and then it eats my mother. In two bites, she is gone.

“Nooooo!” I shout, running full speed. My blade is straight out in front of me. The dragon turns and I catch it, right where I estimate its heart to be. The blade sinks in, all the way to the hilt. It might have killed my mother, but it will not live to see another day.

The dragon uses one of its legs to pull my blade out of its chest and throws it down. But suddenly, the dragon is no longer a dragon, it’s Malum. Blood pours from the wound my Raptor had made. “You will not get away with this. I will make your people extinct,” he says, before falling over dead.

********************************

“Aaaaahhhhh!” I wake up screaming.

“What is it?” Amlican asks from the bunk next to me.

“I just had the weirdest dream. Do you remember the time we faced that dragon?” I ask, sitting up.

“Yes, I do. Did you dream about that?” He asks, also sitting up.

“Yes and no. I did dream about going to hunt the dragon, but I was alone. And then it deviates further from the truth. Because once I got there, I saw my mother was bound and gagged in the corner. It was really strange. The dragon ate her, and when I stabbed the dragon through the heart, it changed.” I explain.

“What do you mean, it changed? How did it change?” he asks.

“It turned into Malum, as it was dying. And then Malum threatened to eliminate the entire Copaie race.” I shudder at the thought of the threat.

“Unfortunately, your mother really is dead, but not because of a dragon. Not at the hands of Malum.”

“How do you know he didn’t kill her? He is a violent man. Just ask any of the Talfarians or others that have angered him.” I say.

“That would be a challenging thing to prove. Besides, if he did kill her, he would lose the support of the people. Your mother was very loved.”

“I’m going to confront him. I replace it very suspicious that she died only two years after giving him a male heir.”

“I think that’s a very bad idea,” Amlican says.

“Bad idea or not, I’m doing it. I have to look him in the eyes and see for myself.” I say defensively.

“Why are you so sure that he did it? How do you know someone else didn’t?” He asks.

“When was the last time you heard of a Talfarian taking the life of another Talfarian? And if my mother is as loved by the people as you say, why would they kill her? Besides, I have seen the private side of Malum. I have seen how he treated her when no one else was around. I wasn’t meant to see it, but I saw, nevertheless.”

“This is crazy. Suppose you are right? Suppose he actually killed her? What are you going to do about it? And if he is as violent as you make him out to be, what’s to stop him from killing you as well?”

“You make an incredibly good point. But I’m afraid I don’t have enough time to figure it all out. Do you hear that? I think the engines have been cut off. We are home.” I say, getting out of the bed.