Elysium Fading

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. The perpetual silence was interrupted when a fleeing trespasser was being pursued.

“Mayday mayday! This is Free Bird. I have an important message that needs to get back to the Captain. Can anyone at the base hear me?”

The young pilot swerved his ship into the vastness of empty darkness avoiding the severe blasts that were relentlessly firing at his small ship and the random meteorites that lay scattered everywhere.

Flipping through the different channels with one hand he steered with the other, finding himself at the end of his rope.

Staticky feedback was all that was heard. He slammed his hands on the control panel, momentarily forgetting where he was. His head and entire body sprung forward when a warning shot hit the back of his ship. Red blaring lights came on signaling to the man the ship was compromised and on the verge of a total system failure.

He silently cursed to himself, prepping his suit to make a last-minute escape. He needed to get closer to Norvak to make an emergency crash landing. It was risky but how else was he supposed to get back to base and tell them about the discovery he made?

The Imperial Royal Guards, the damn IRGs were hot on his trail after he fled from what they now called the Old World. He tried to use the ship’s guns but they were damaged from the warning shot.

Two small blue and white Imperial ships with the insignia of a black serpent carved on its side flanked him from opposite sides, halting the ship from going further.

Norvak was right there. He needed to be careful.

The intercom near the touch screen panel illuminated an ominous black color which highlighted over red bold letters urging him to evacuate.

“This is the Imperial Royal Guard. You did not have the authorization to enter the inhabitable planet and therefore will be charged with trespassing.”

The young man scoffed slowly gathering his belongings and his mini robot, IV-4 that levitated beside him. It flashed its lights on and off at him and pulled him with its rusty metal-like claw arm into the direction of the escape pod.

IV’s lights continued, telling him to abandon ship in morse code. A dead language for most of the civilization now.

“Yeah yeah I know.”

He zipped up his suit and placed his glass mask over his face checking the oxygen levels. It was very low, but he concluded it would be enough to get him to Norvak.

“After registering this space aircraft, this is a stolen ship. If you try to run we will fire upon you, under any means necessary.”

The IRGs gun were locked and loaded, ready to kill him on the spot. He activated the white E-pod that was cramped but offered enough room for him and IV.

“Escape is futile. You will be shot and executed if you land on Norvak.”

The young pilot took in a sharp breath and gritted his teeth. Coming to terms with his death was the easy part even if it would devastate his friends and family. The hard part was making sure the Captain received his message and the crucial information he held.

“You have ten seconds to hand over control of your ship. “

Before he jumped into the E-pod he looked back at his ship. He had amazing adventures with his friends, causing trouble, helping other tribes in need, and making sure to provide for his people and aid the Superior and Captain.

“10…9…8-“

“Free Bird! We-your distress signal-” The young pilot’s eyes shot open, sprinting back to his control panel upon hearing a response. “-Ou hear us?”

Although it was cutting in and out, he didn’t care. “Yes! I’m making an emergency landing. Activate Bloodhound tracking system 2687-Z.”

“8…7-“

“That’s 2687-Z! I’m abandoning ship, heading back to Norvak. No time. See you on the other side.”

“6…5…4-“

With that, he ran back to the escape pod strapping himself in and holding IV in his arms.

“3…2…1. We will now begin to-“

He slammed the blue button in the pod that securely locked him in place. The sounds of loud whirring breaking down and starting up again signaled him that it was time to clear the area so he didn’t feel the aftermath of what was to come. Not a moment later he was launched out of the ship, into the black abyss of space, feeling the rough shuddering of the E-pod.

“Maurader on the run. Fire on my comma-“

BOOM.

The impact of his ship exploding destroyed an IRG ship and damaged the other one in the process. He watched in horror while fiery waves swallowed his ship, causing debris to fly out at high speeds. His eyes widened when he saw parts flying straight for the E-pod.

He ducked down into a ball bracing for impact realizing the E- pod couldn’t get out of the way in time. Sharp shrapnel from the explosion hit the window. It wasn’t as hard as he expected which calmed his nerves for a moment but then a crack started to form. He forgot the older E-Pods weren’t created to within stand damage in space.

If it couldn’t get worse, in the distance, more IRGs coming.

“No no no no.” He hovered over on the E-Pod’s override system panel that would take it off of emergency landing cruise mode to instant drop mode. It was his last resort to get away. IV nervously chattered in his arms with robotic ‘beeps’ and ‘boops’. Its light flashed over and over trying to warn him that it wasn’t safe. “I know IV.” He swiped the activate button, inputting his special code. “Hang on tight.”

He closed his eyes, hearing the warnings coming from the E-Pod’s speakers.

“Warning. Initiating override protocol in 3, 2, 1.”

He let out a scream when his entire body was thrown back into the wall of the E-pod. The inside vigorously shook and he struggled to keep his hand on the handle and keep IV from being thrashed around. The crack got bigger branching off into various directions, and he hoped and prayed he was able to make it.

The overbearing racket of the E-Pod flooded his ears.

“Warning. We are now entering the atmosphere at dangerous speeds. Temperature has increased.”

He couldn’t pay attention to the heat or the possible burns that would come with it. He looked out the window to see the white clouds and the grand city of the Empress and the King. The terrible Capital that made living in this world hell for his people.

Please don’t land there, he begged in his mind. Into the marshlands at least. That would give me some cover.

Luck was on his side. His oxygen levels were rapidly depleting, the crack of the window on the verge of breaking and he held on tight when the E-Pod crashed into the marshes. Grass and murky water splashed onto the window with several mushy splats and violently shook trying to make an official landing on the unnatural surface- almost sliding as it went. It muddled his vision of the outside but surprisingly the grass and water helped stopped the full impact of the E-Pod from being completely wrecked.

When it finally came to a stop he nearly blacked out from exhaustion. Fumbling with the straps, he opened the E-Pod’s door and crawled out. The misty terrain of the marshland was the perfect cover for now. He knelt down and let IV fly on its own, opening his bag to receive a black and blue glowing chip with important downloaded information.

“IV keep this stuff.” He grabbed hold of its storage system and inserted the chip inside. He ignored IV’s flashing while going back in his bag to receive a picture he had of all of his friends posing for a picture in front of his ship, along with his little sister.

He let out an airy-sad chuckle.

He found an old-time camera on one of his adventures on an old run-down planet called Terra. It must have been an old civilization that allowed their planet and people to perish away with it.

He remembered how bizarre it was when the camera spat out a picture after a click of a button. You would think people would care about the environment more but it was an old civilization that went extinct on its own. He refused to let that happen to his people.

The sounds of ships overhead pulled him away from a fond memory and he quickly hid the picture within IV. He held his side in pain not realizing he must’ve gotten wounded on the way there. He refused to look down at the blood-forming in his hands.

“Get out of here IV.” He pushed it away observing IV’s lights dim down to a blue color. They always said robots, and AI were unable to feel real emotion but he found that to be far from the truth when he created IV. It took him 44 tries in his life until he was able to make a robot companion.

He never regretted it.

He never regretted much in life except confessing to the Captain and letting her know the truth. He was saddened by the idea of failing in the end.

IV pressed its body against his face. A sign of affection, the best way it could muster. Looking him in his tired eyes, IV was able to convey one thing. Using morse code, it was simple yet it tugged at his heart.

.. / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / -- .. ... ... / -.-- --- ..-

I will miss you.

“I’ll miss you too. Please, get to the Captain. No matter what.”

Unenthusiastic beeps resonated from IV before the young man pushed his companion away, watching it fly off into the mist, disappearing from view.

The young man watched the IRG coming. He knelt down defeated, with heavy breaths, waiting for them to get closer.

“Free Bird-“

He heard the noise from his HG watch. Letting out a gasp, he connected the channel to see a distorted and glitching holographic figure. There was some electrical interference he had been encountering all day but he was glad someone got through.

“Free Bird, this is the Captain. Send me your coordinates so we can retrieve you. You did-did-did-not get clearance to leave.” A sharp pain emanated from the wound and he hissed out in pain. “A-Are you hurt?”

Her voice was breaking up and he was glad he was able to talk to her before his untimely arrest.

“Z—-ane! Respond, are you hurt?”

“Captain, listen. I don’t have much time.”

His eyes flickered to the IRGs heading his way, trying to avoid the murky depths.

“You always told everyone that we couldn’t continue living the rest of our lives in hiding-pretending we’re okay with being nothing to everyone. Struggling to survive-”

He looked at his watch to see the Captain bewildered.

“Just like you said, Elysium is fading.”

“PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!”

Panic struck him and he jumped from the sudden voice. Soldiers raised their energy blasters in his direction.

“Zane, please-“

He chuckled with a genuine smile peering down at her face. Sweat rolled down his face while she remained silent on the other side in confusion, locking down his location. The Captain’s heart sank when she realized he was in the Capital territory.

“Let us help you, Zane. I have your coordinates, can you hide by the meantime? Buy us some time to retrieve you?”

He shook his head watching the IRGs run at him.

“I want you to know…you were right. You were right, Captain.”

He removed his watch and with one swift movement, he smashed it against some debris, throwing the remains into the water before IRGs could get to him. There was no signal to trace back to his people.

At least he would die, knowing he tried his hardest for them. Giving them a chance to thrive and live actual lives. The physical and mental anguish he was feeling was unbearable but at least she knew.

She would know what to do.

****

Rain fell like the heavens were crying out in vain for the execution that was soon to take place.

“My people,” The Empress started, addressing the hundreds of people who came to watch the public execution. Some were interested in the person who was deemed an enemy of the Capital, some watched with glee, some with disdain but there was one who watched with vengeance and anger in their heart. By her side, a large horned viper, her spiritus animalis, soul bound to one another, followed her every step.

Only a few were hand chosen by a greater power to have one-or those with wealth believed so.

A figure with a black hood and mask stared up at the Empress who was dressed in pristine clothing, garnished with gold jewelry that had a light blue glowing undertone. The large arches of her castle were stained from the rain drenching its usual white and blue colors with a gloomier appearance.

The neon lights that were embedded through the castle walls and ran through the ‘grand city’ were always blinding and awe-inspiring to those living on the outside. But today they were nothing more than a useless display. The energy that was being pumped through the city, was being severely misused.

Others needed it and the Elitists couldn’t see that. More or less they saw it but they chose to turn a blind eye.

Over some buildings, holographic signs purposely showed an image of a maurader being asked about having their IDs and papers to enter the city. The sign flashed to red and green letters that read,

‘No papers or ID. No entry. A safer home for everyone in the Capital.’

It was ridiculous.

“We have come a long way.” The balcony extended towards the crowd’s direction while a bot amplified the Empress’s voice. Her calm demeanor yet power-hungry behavior was something the hooded figure despised. With each step up the glass stairs, she made her way to another level where an electric black, silver, and blue guillotine waited.

With it, a thin plasma blade composed of energy, which resulted in a painful injury or a quick death was known to be feared.

“Most of you know it was difficult leaving our old home behind but we found solace in Norvak that made it possible to survive, thrive, and prosper.”

The Empress’s black hair dampened from the rain that fell but she was unbothered. Many of the people nodded in agreement, watching with hopeful eyes.

Like sheep flocking to a wolf parading as a Shepard.

“My duty is to keep my people safe. You know the Feng Clan is a friend to many and aided many lost souls when we lost our home. Make no mistake. I will continue to do so as long as I rule. While we have remained in the light, there was evil waiting in the darkness. Festering like an unkempt wound. After many years, we have found the last of our enemies responsible for the death of the Old World. For the death of many. We also cannot forget the death of our beloved…Old Queen and Princess.”

The hooded figure thought it was hilarious, she was publicly ‘honoring’ the Old Queen and Princess, but information about them was banned and restricted across the nation.

The Empress bowed her head, almost to give respect to those that had passed. “They will never be forgotten. We will enforce a just punishment onto those who have destroyed what we cherished most.”

A man was being carried in by two IRGs who had elastic shock cuffs attached to his wrists. The hooded figure's heart pounded in her chest watching with desperate eyes. Zane knew what was to come but he did it anyway. Why would he throw his life away like it meant nothing? Not understanding what he meant that she was right, it was gut-wrenching to watch someone she had grown up with in the ‘darkness’ be falsely accused of a catastrophic event he was too young to even fully remember.

The monitors highlighted the younger man, who appeared older in a matter of hours.

“To avenge our old home, and to keep the safety of our new home…our new Elysium. We will maintain order.”

The man was forced down to his knees in front of the guillotine. The hooded figure had no choice but to bear witness to the unjust execution. She loathed the Empress with every fiber in her being. Watching her raise her hand, the crowd rambunctiously roared in unison, shaking the very ground they stood on.

“He will be an example of what is to come to traitorous members of our world who have brought chaos and destruction to our safe haven.”

The Empress turned away walking closer to the guillotine. She was headstrong and took pride in everything she did. She looked to the young man whose head was laid down in between the restraining assembly locking his entire body in place and engulfing it in a skin-tight blue energy bubble.

The Empress leaned forward to his ear, “We could end this now. You give me the information that you stole and the location of your people. You bear the mark of their humorous insignia, the ‘free’ people, so there’s no need to deny it. You do this, alongside pledging your undying fealty in front of the world for your Empress. Only then will I reconsider your beheading.” Her dark eyes pierced his hardened blue ones that held a certain hatred she grew to ignore when she came across people like him. So many of his kind.

He struggled to lift his head but he made no mistake and didn’t hold back his final words.

“My allegiance is to the Old World. I serve the old Queen, and you will die knowing you have constantly failed in every aspect of your life.”

Taken back by the young man’s word, the Empress unnoticeably staggered back, gritting her teeth to suppress the anger seeping through her stoic exterior. With a silent breath she straightened her back turning to the large crowd of her people, the bright neon lights that surrounded her, and the glorious Kingdom she had helped create.

I will have order, she thought to herself.

“Death it is.”

She raised her hand and brought it down, not bothering to look at the young foolish man behind her.

The hooded figure shook from her spot, desperately wanting to intervene, and when she tried a claw-like hand held her by her wrist. The guillotine activated, and the young man didn’t shed a tear nor scream. He only wished IV was able to find the Captain and he wished he could’ve apologized to her and his sister face to face for everything.

The sky darkened, raining harder than he would’ve liked but he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The dismal grey clouds contributed to the melancholic voices that silently cried for the man in the distance.

Gloominess set in once again, and with a quiet whoosh sound of the blade plunging downward, it was over.

The Empress watched over the cheering crowd of individuals accompanied by their service bots with victorious smiles on their faces. Children and adults looked up at her with admiration that refueled her pride. The side of her mouth slightly curved upward until she saw a motionless masked figure in the crowd, accompanied by an unusual bot by their side. Although it wasn’t uncommon for her ‘normal’ people to wear clothing as such, she paid it no mind but it seemed like they were staring into her soul.

She looked away and when she looked back they were gone. Turning away, she walked passed the headless body and into her castle followed by her viper. White and blue insignias of her clan’s symbol were etched on the walls. Her mind now being filled with different plans to find the free people and the one they called their Captain.

****

Watching over a training ground, children ran around in IRG-suited gear in an enclosed jungle-like environment. This was one of the training grounds for young blood to get acquainted with the real world and have an understanding of discipline and strength. Thus far, the Empress was not impressed. With virtual equipment, holographic animals, and realistic effects to mimic scenarios one would encounter in the outside world, it deeply troubled her that the generations after her couldn’t successfully complete a single simulated mission. It was nothing like when she was young, and when her old friend, the Old Queen ruled.

She saw a child being chased by a black panther bear and instead of using their weapon they cowardly ran away. However, she noticed they were using a tactical strategy to lure it away into a pit in the distance. She smiled, eager to see but the child jumped over the root of a tree.

Tried.

The child fell and the holographic panther bear roared about to ‘attack’ the child, only to be stopped by her own Captain that taught different recruits within the Guard. He knelt down in his own suit, to help the child on their feet. He knew the Empress was watching, and judging every critical failure she witnessed.

The child was scared struggling to reach out to her Captain. “The Empress is watching. You need to get up.” The child looked to see the Empress with her hands folded behind her back peering down at all of them. The child got up, adjusting their suit before bowing down in respect.

Concluding today’s training, the Captain gathered his students, congratulated them on their work today, and pointed out several things that could be worked on for next time. He hurriedly dismissed them, and led them out of the training grounds with haste. He knew the Empress wanted to speak with him.

He gathered his belongings and made himself look presentable as he met her in her meeting room. She had a beautiful display of the city that overlooked almost everything. The beautiful rivers, greeneries, and energy source lights that lit up the city buildings and streets. Several hover cars and crafts went about their day. He knew the execution of a man took place a couple hours prior to and although the details were hidden from him, he couldn’t bring himself to watch the beheading.

He remembered when he had to escape from the Old World, and the time when the previous Queen ruled. The King was useless nowadays wallowing in grief, which he didn’t fault him for but he neglected the Prince, who abandoned the throne, and his people. The Empress stepped up and enforced harsh punishment and order. It was cruel ways but people were thriving and his parents were paid handsomely as former Council Members for the Old Queen.

He recalled a time when he was promised to the Princess when he was a child, and although it was a forgotten time, he remembered he loved her. That was his best friend, and now that she had died along with their old home, it left an empty feeling inside to grow. He dedicated himself to making his new home a better place and paved his own way to be Captain. The Empress even promised him to be next in line to rule, when it was her and the King’s time to step down. But he wasn’t sure if he wanted that anymore.

The Empress stood by the window, with a mischievous glint in her eyes. It was a suicide mission, she mused to herself, but so was life. She didn’t care. She wanted anything that threatened her rule to be terminated from existence. Her horned viper coiled by her feet as she turned to her Captain.

“I have a very important mission for you. Infiltrate and retrieve.”