The Universe Parallel

  ‘Kila? What system is that in?’

  ‘Our system is known as Esh-mah,’ Rhiannon informed, realising the information was of no comfort. ‘Please, do not panic, we are human just like you and have your situation well in hand.’

  ‘Goodness!’ said Cadfan as he manifested in their presence and saw their aged patient. ‘This is a surprise.’

  Unlike most of the Chosen on Kila, Cadfan chose to appear in his fifties, as he thought his patients felt more comforted being tended by someone they perceived to be older than themselves. He looked like a friar in his healing robes of deep blue, and his slightly balding head and round jolly face added to that illusion.

  Rhiannon nodded in accord, agreeing that their aged subject was a bit of a mystery. ‘Our patient is temporarily blind from being in stasis for a long period of time.’ Rhiannon used their patient’s language to communicate with Cadfan, so that the aged fellow might know what was being said about him. ‘Apart from some smoke inhalation, he appears to be fine.’

  ‘And what is the name and age of our patient?’ Cadfan picked up the lingo quickly.

  ‘My name is Professor Eleazar Kestler, and I am six hundred and seventy-six years of age,’ he proudly advised, to the shock of all present.

  The Homo sapiens of Earth didn’t live this long — not for tens of thousands of years — so where had this fellow come from?

  ‘Well, Professor, my name is Walter Cadfan, and I shall be your physician while you recover. I’m just going to move you to more suitable quarters in my healing establishment.’ The healer took hold of the patient’s hands and vanished with him.

  Rhiannon looked back to Floyd, who was now seated inside the alien pod, and wandered over to see what he was up to. The technologist was fiddling with the controls and managed to get the pod to reboot.

  ‘There’s a homing beacon built into the system,’ Floyd advised, ‘let’s see if anyone is looking for this pod.’

  ‘I’d best tell my brother of our find,’ Rhiannon decided and Floyd nodded to concur.

  ‘The governor should probably know that we have just discovered another long-lost branch of the human family tree,’ Floyd said.

  ‘I’ll be highly surprised if he does not know already.’ Nonetheless Rhiannon waved as she vanished to go through the formality.

  4

  ONE PLANET TOO MANY

  Rhun had only recently stepped into the position of Governor of Kila and as such he was the supreme head of all the human and semi-human tribes that inhabited Kila, Nugia, Numan, Lura, Tarazean and Kaleashian. Even Earth was ruled by his word, indirectly, for the Chosen had immortal relatives still operating on the planet of their birth in very high positions of influence. Rhun had been living with the possibility of taking up this position for hundreds of years while vice-governor to Brian Alexander, and had stepped into his departed uncle’s shoes just a few months ago. He was still adjusting to the role of supreme head of the known universe, but his council, many of whom were close kin, had been very supportive and cooperative. Therefore Rhun was finding that ruling Kila and the inter-planetary alliance was not as daunting as ruling as High King in Britain had been, thousands of Earth years before setting foot on Kila.

  Kila’s previous governor was, of course, not departed in the sense that he’d died; he’d been immortal just as all of the Chosen residents of Kila were. Rather, Brian and his Chosen partner, Candace, having served humanity long and faithfully, had felt the call to higher spiritual service and had ascended into union with their higher being, who belonged to a celestial race known as the Grigori. The legendary Tory Alexander, Brian’s sister, and their first beloved governor, Maelgwn Gwynedd, her husband, had ascended and joined the Grigori before them, and one day in the distant future, Rhun knew that he would join the Grigori too. Brian Alexander had never fully recovered from his sister and brother-in-law’s departure from physical world service; in fact all of the Chosen missed them terribly — Rhun most of all, for he had been Tory and Maelgwn’s first-born son.

  A kiss on his cheek brought Rhun back to the present, and he turned from admiring the view of Chailida from the governor’s balcony to find his personal secretary smiling as she offered him a cup of tea.

  Sybil was still the most exquisite female Rhun had ever known, and she had served as secretary of state to both of Kila’s previous governors.

  It was impossible not to notice how the sunlight was dancing on the long strawberry waves of her hair, setting her radiant, milky-white complexion aglow. In the past it had been said that she had a body and mouth designed for pleasure, and Rhun had to agree wholeheartedly.

  Rhun accepted the tea and placed it aside, his eyes unwavering from his company. ‘Maybe after.’ He kissed her instead, and wondered at her resistance when she was usually so keen. ‘Are you ill?’ Rhun asked, assuming that was the only time his wife wasn’t in the mood.

  ‘No.’ She found his assumption amusing. ‘We are about to be interrupted by your brother,’ she explained, as she eased his hands off her behind; Sybil was a seer — the best in her field.

  ‘Which brother?’ Rhun had three.

  ‘My Lord of the Otherworld,’ she announced Avery’s arrival as he manifested in the office before Rhun in a blaze of etheric light with wings flapping in a panic. ‘I’ll make more tea.’ Sybil grinned at her husband and then bowed her head to Avery. ‘My Lord.’

  ‘Sybil,’ Avery acknowledged her, but moved directly to address Rhun, who was frowning for two reasons: Avery’s complete lack of decorum, and his apparent urgency — it felt like trouble was afoot.

  ‘You’ve come to tell me that horrendous boom we heard last night is something to worry —’ Rhun started, but Avery was too impatient to wait for him to finish his assumption.

  ‘There’s been a bit of a cosmological cock-up, I’m afraid,’ Avery began. ‘The short of it is … we have another planet sharing Kila’s orbit, but on the far side of our sun; they can’t see us and they don’t know we’re here yet. Actually, they probably don’t know that they are here in Esh-mah, yet.’

  Rhun didn’t know what he’d been expecting Avery to say, but this certainly wasn’t it. He attempted to remain calm and not become angry — he sensed Avery had a lot to do with the problem he was outlining. ‘How is that possible?’

  ‘It’s not my fault.’ Avery hastened to add. ‘The planet in question got dragged through into this universe when an arupa-deva shifted here from an alternative universe. The Grigori requested my help to move the displaced planet in our system until such time as arrangements can be made to move the planet back to its place of origin.’

  ‘Now I’ve heard everything,’ Rhun concluded. He’d been kicking around this time continuum for near a thousand years but this conversation beat all.

  ‘Look, I know this must sound ludicrous to you, but the threat is real.’

  ‘Threat?’ That word got Rhun’s attention. ‘Are these people hostile?’

  ‘Only to psychics,’ Avery replied and Rhun freaked.

  ‘But Kila’s entire populace is psychically adept,’ he appealed to Avery for reason. ‘Why did you agree to let such a planet reside in our system?’

  ‘The Grigori say that Maladaan needs our help,’ Avery advised surely.

  The second mention of the Grigori calmed Rhun and he had to know if their departed kindred were involved. ‘Our parents?’

  Avery nodded. ‘They are known as Azazèl now and are in charge of returning this rogue planet back to its universe of origin.’

  ‘You spoke to our parents?’ Rhun sounded envious and even a little hurt that he was not as privileged in the universal scheme of things as his semi-etheric brother.

  ‘I spoke with Azazèl and his associates,’ Avery clarified. ‘But don’t despair … the Grigori claim that they are sending our parents back to us to aid with this calamity.’

  Rhun’s mood soared from the depths of despair to the heights of elation. ‘Serious?’

  Avery was more than gla
d to quash Rhun’s panic with a nod. ‘After all, they are the undisputed masters of inter-planetary relations and negotiations.’

  Rhun was so happy he embraced his brother, who was also excited by the prospect and glad to have his brother on side.

  ‘I never thought I’d live to see you two embracing each other and jumping around for joy.’ Rhiannon drew the attention of her brothers to her presence. ‘What’s happened; did you find another long-lost Nefilim treasure?’

  ‘Better!’ Rhun exclaimed with glee. ‘The cosmos is sending our parents back to us.’

  ‘Says who?’ Rhiannon scoffed — both of these men were pranksters at times.

  ‘The Grigori,’ Avery informed, but Rhiannon was still not convinced.

  ‘Well I’ve found a human who is six hundred years old, and he’s not immortal.’ She stunned them both with the statement. ‘Did the Grigori mention anything about that?’

  Avery looked to Rhun. ‘He must be from Maladaan.’

  Rhun nodded, comprehending.

  ‘That is where he thought he’d landed.’ Rhiannon recalled Kestler asking about it. ‘So you do know something strange is going on?’

  Rhun gave half a laugh at his sister’s query and raised his eyebrows. ‘You have no idea how strange.’

  Jahan had not long returned to base at the Shutura Crevice when KEPA’s monitor picked up another unidentified craft landing in the clearing next to the crash site.

  ‘What the hell is going on today?’ Jenny commented, pulling the bulk of her hair back into a ponytail and out of her face, as Jahan headed straight to the launch bay to go and investigate.

  ‘You cannot leave before Rhiannon returns.’ Jenny pulled rank on Jahan.

  ‘I’ll go with him.’ Jenny’s other half, Robin, was taking a break from his marine research and volunteered in Rhiannon’s absence.

  Jahan hadn’t had much to do with Robin to date, but he hoped to impress the man who headed up the marine division of KEPA, as Jahan had majored in oceanography and it held more interest for him than any of KEPA’s other divisions.

  Jahan was too young to ever have met the late, great Maelgwn Gwynedd, but everyone claimed Robin was closer in looks to their first governor than the Dragon’s own son, Rhun. Tall, dark and fit from his adventures, Robin’s eyes were more hazel than the usual ebony eyes of the Dragon’s clan.

  ‘We might need a little backup on this one,’ Robin commented to his wife and blew her a kiss.

  ‘I’m onto the defence department now,’ Jenny assured, turning back to her soft-light screen.

  As their craft approached the clearing, they spotted three people staggering from the vehicle: a man, a woman and a young boy.

  ‘I have some highly confidential news to share with you, gentlemen,’ Jenny advised through the cockpit intercom. ‘It seems these humans may not be from any branch of humanity we have encountered before. Asher advises you approach with caution, and he and his lads will be there ASAP.’

  ‘Whoa.’ Jahan raised both brows, quietly amused. My beautiful alien, perhaps? He thought not; from all appearances the group were a family unit.

  As Robin landed their craft in the clearing, the group waited patiently, seeming eager to speak with them.

  ‘Grab a headset,’ Robin referred to a translation device hanging on the cabin wall. ‘Chances are they don’t speak our language.’

  As one of the Chosen, Robin had the ability to understand any language, but Jahan would only inherit this talent after he died, and so needed a translator to converse in other dialects.

  Jahan’s eyes began to water as he beheld the beauty of the female among them: she was the most divine creature he had ever laid eyes on. She was taller than him, with impossibly long legs, a slender form and a face that a goddess would envy. Her hair was long, fine and dark, and her eyes were lilac and completely mesmerising.

  ‘Peace to you,’ said the large, burly male. ‘We seek asylum and are unarmed.’

  ‘Peace to you.’ Robin reached out to shake his hand.

  Jahan did likewise, holding out his hand to the raving beauty, who smiled and moved to respond, before the large man prevented Jahan making contact.

  ‘Don’t touch her,’ he warned with great intensity, and the woman gave the man a spiteful glare. ‘She could do you great harm, as she is a thief beyond measure,’ he explained his swift intervention.

  ‘That’s not a very nice thing to say about your lady,’ Jahan defended her honour, whereby their guests were most amused.

  ‘His lady!’ she scoffed, obviously disgusted by the idea. ‘He wishes.’

  ‘I don’t, actually,’ the man rebutted. ‘She’s a Phemorian, a born man-hater, I wouldn’t wish her on any human male.’

  Jahan was intrigued by the claim that she hated men; it was almost a direct challenge. ‘There is nothing such a goddess could steal from me that I would miss so very much.’

  The scowl left the woman’s face, but she did not smile.

  ‘Really?’ the man challenged. ‘Try losing your identity.’

  ‘What?’ Jahan looked to her. ‘You are a shape-shifter?’

  ‘Why did you tell them?’ The woman was furious.

  ‘Because I am hoping to make friends here, not enemies,’ the man retorted.

  ‘He can summon the elements!’ The lad pointed in accusation at the man — the kid was obviously on the woman’s side.

  ‘Awesome!’ was Jahan’s joyful response, which defused the situation immediately, as the visitors smiled, confused.

  ‘You do not fear psychics?’ the woman ventured to inquire.

  Jahan looked to Robin and they both burst out laughing.

  ‘Let me think about that.’ Robin vanished causing their guests to gasp in awe. Robin manifested once more to conclude, ‘No, we do not fear psychics, or the supernatural.’

  The smiles on their guests were growing ever larger. ‘I am Vadik Corentin … they call me the hurricane.’

  ‘I am Jazmay Cardea,’ the woman added, and then looked to the boy who was perched under one of her arms, ‘and this is Fari Doon.’

  Jahan quietly noted that the boy was not afraid to touch the shape-shifter as he stepped forward to shake the lad’s hand. ‘And what do you d … d … do?’ he wheezed as the boy crushed his fingers.

  ‘I’m very strong.’ He grinned, and let Jahan go before he did any damage.

  ‘Yes you are.’ Jahan grimaced as he shook the circulation back into his fingers.

  The sound of aircraft approaching set their guests on edge.

  ‘That will be your ride back to Chailida,’ Robin assured them, ‘our contact at base told us the defence boys were on the way.’

  Their guests did not appear set at ease by the news, and when the two craft did a fly-by a cold chill ran through Jahan’s being. ‘They’re not ours.’

  ‘The MSS have found us,’ Jazmay panicked and, grabbing hold of the boy, she ran for the sparse forest.

  Robin turned to face their recon vessel and held out the metal wristband he wore towards the craft; it dematerialised and Robin pursued Jahan in the sprint towards the forest.

  Vadik could hardly believe what he’d just witnessed and was slower off the mark to begin running. ‘The MSS are really going to hate you guys,’ he commented as he pursued Robin.

  As Jazmay and Fari headed into the forest, Jahan saw the two craft return, and something drop from beneath one of them as it passed over Vadik.

  The package unfurled into a large glowing red web as it came down to land upon Vadik, barely missing Robin. Vadik screamed as the mesh net hit his form, knocking him flat to the ground as it burned straight through him and left the man sliced into a hundred pieces.

  Jahan had never seen anything so violent in all his born days. He could only stare, speechless with horror.

  Robin finally reached him, looking back to see the carnage he’d barely escaped. ‘What the hell was that?’ He didn’t wait for answers, already on his communicator to Jenny. ‘Where is
Asher? We’ve got hostiles here.’ He observed one of the craft coming in to land in the clearing. ‘Time to disappear.’ Robin clicked his fingers before Jahan’s eyes to wake him up. ‘Where are Jazmay and Fari?’

  ‘Still running, I expect.’ Jahan could see why.

  ‘Smart move.’ Robin grabbed hold of Jahan’s arm, and after a flash of white light the next thing Jahan knew Jazmay was colliding into him; Robin caught the boy.

  ‘What are you doing? Get out of my way!’ Jazmay shoved him backwards; fortunately for Jahan, he was wearing a full body suit and she did not make skin contact with him.

  ‘We need to get you out of here!’ Jahan insisted.

  ‘Why should I trust you?’ she resisted, scared out of her mind.

  Jahan was affronted. ‘Honestly, even if you do hate men, you must realise that we are a much better option than those guys?’

  Fari nodded, knowing the MSS were close behind. ‘I think he has a point, Jaz.’

  ‘Form a circuit,’ Robin instructed, taking hold of Jahan’s shoulder and Fari’s. Jahan timidly placed a hand on Jazmay’s shoulder, again not making skin contact, and she still had Fari’s hand.

  Jazmay looked to Jahan, who smiled calmly in the face of her apprehension as they were engulfed by a surge of etheric light.

  Eleazar Kestler stood wide-eyed in wonder gazing across the city’s innermost canal from his balcony in Walter Cadfan’s healing sanctuary.

  It was quite some time since Rhun had seen a human being who was so old and frail, but considering Kestler claimed to be over six hundred years old, he was looking damn good by normal human standards.

  Cadfan had been doing some regression work with their mysterious guest, as there were many blockages in his auric light-body that did not stem from any emotional trauma that Kestler could consciously recall. Once they had discovered under hypnosis what had caused these blockages, Cadfan had contacted Rhun, knowing he would be very interested in what they had learnt about Kestler’s past.