* * *
He saw his angel of hope approaching out of the darkness, from the bowels of another time and place. Suddenly, his world exploded in a kaleidoscope of dizzying wild colors and enchanting, mesmerizing music. Amid the tumult of all this craziness, the woman-child reappeared as though a beacon of light, shining through a restless storm. A breathtaking, blazing furnace of passion and beauty, the woman drew close, extending a hand, hauntingly calling, “My Euroaquilo...” The man reached out for her but, as he did, a dark gray gloominess swept the woman-child from his vision.
Instantly, his world erupted in an explosion of violent red flames. A hideous, roaring dragon, its head belching smoke and fire, rose from the gloom, hissing, “She is mine! Mine forever!” disgorging a torrent of vile oaths mixed with cackles of fiendish laughter.
A chill wind blew the evil vision away, only to deliver upon Euroaquilo both visions playing simultaneously in his mind. Little could the man do but ponder the moment, waiting upon both visions’ outcome. Either was distressful to behold, but both together were terrifying! For what they portended the future to be, it was one Euroaquilo dared not comprehend.
Suddenly, silence - dark, wonderful, silence! Euroaquilo’s heart pounded like distant drums of war while he waited for the herald’s call. His breathing crashed upon his brain like a raging tempest passing along, until it, too, faded from his memory. Like some shadowy beast, the darkness surrounded him, bringing with it an oppressive silence.
A hushed footfall drifted upon Euroaquilo’s ears, shattering that silence as a whispering voice, warm as a mother’s kiss but cold as the grave, distant as the stars but clear as the peal of a crystal bell, called out to him, “The hour is come. It rests in your hands.”
“Admiral….”
Euroaquilo’s eyes popped open. He turned to see who spoke. It was Captain Lukina, chief officer of the Oruomai. Recognizing him, Euroaquilo asked, “Yes, Captain?”
Captain Lukina was a quiet man who rarely revealed his personal emotions. He spoke matter-of-factly. “The entire fleet is gathering behind us, Sir. I have even recalled all scouts and outriders.”
Euroaquilo nodded his approval. He stood in the quiet of the main bridge, feet spread and hands clasped behind his back.
Captain Lukina asked, “Do you think it really wise to assemble the entire fleet, Sir? We are abandoning this region to the mercies of the unknown. Should the enemy decide upon mischief, the colonies will be helpless against them.”
The Admiral closed his eyes. “Captain, do you trust me?”
“Why yes, Sir.”
“Captain,” Euroaquilo’s eyes remained closed, “a thick shadow hides the future from me, but I can see clearly the road on which it leads me. Our enemy is down that road and I am going out to meet it.” He opened his eyes. “If I fail today, there will be no reason to fear any mischief. All our sacrifices will have been in vain, for there will be no tomorrow. The flitting hour is near and I must hurry to capture it.”
Captain Lukina took on a stance similar to Euroaquilo’s. He was a smaller man, but still impressive in stature. He stared forward, as if watching the busy bridge, finally replying, “As you say, Admiral.”
A moment later, Euroaquilo spoke up. “Captain, I want you to remove all non-emergency personnel to the staging areas, including the Marines, fire and damage control, medical and defensive personnel. Load them into the shuttles and scullers and send them off. Leave our fighters with them for protection. The fleet will be along shortly to pick them up.”
He began to slowly pace. “Have all the torpedoes activated. Load the forward tubes, and rig them for control from the bridge. When the gun crews are finished with their work, send them to the staging areas with the others. Leave only enough pilots on board to fly the sculler escape pods.”
Euroaquilo stopped and tipped his head up, hands still behind his back. “If anyone appears nervous or makes request, send them away with the others. What we do will be dangerous and I wish to risk as few as possible. I want none to follow this course against their will. Is that understood?”
The captain calmly replied, “Yes, Sir. May I remain with my ship, Sir?”
The admiral’s reply was long in coming. “Yes…if that is your wish.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“And one more thing, as soon as the shuttles are off, give us one hundred percent engines. Contact the Griffon and Mors and tell them to stick close. I will transmit further orders to them later. And keep our boilers hot, very hot.”
“It will be done, Admiral.” Captain Lukina dismissed himself to carry out his orders.
Euroaquilo closed his eyes and drew himself back into his visions. When he found himself confronting the dragon, he cried out in defiance, “You will not win this time, for the Storming Tempest shall bring your dreams to ruin!”