The Acolytes of Crane (Theodore Crane, #1)(62)



‘It isn’t that. I don’t really feel like talking about it right now. What is wrong with you? You have not said much of anything since we got here,’ Lincoln said.


‘I know, it is just, I miss mi familia and well, there is more. I don’t feel like talking about it either. Do you need a hug?’ she asked.

Lincoln leaned toward Mariah and gave her a hug. I caught just a glimpse of the embrace as I was entering my room. I badly wanted to halt in mid-step and drink in all of the spectacle, but was too embarrassed to stick around.

I will admit, it bothered me, but I had so much more to think about than women. Tez said I needed to distinguish my leadership from friendship. I really took that to heart. Resting on my bed, I decided to use the time from that moment until dinner to read my grandfather’s research and to learn about my rolesk.

Looking through the pile of research papers was going nowhere. I flipped to the last page and I discovered the one truth that could destroy everything Zane had desired to protect. The night of the storm, when our tree was ravaged, my grandfather found hundreds of glowing Dietons, or Metalons as he called them, scattered amongst the yard. The remains of the Dietons were left dismantled on blades of grass and other surfaces.

Reading on, I learned about Marvin's final postulation. After microscopic investigation, he believed the Dietons were destroyed by the lightning bolt's extreme surge of electricity.

He journaled further of an experiment that would test his theory, but I reached the end of his research and there were no results to follow. He wouldn't live to test the Dietons. If the Dacturons got their hands on that information, Sephera could potentially see destruction.

I switched my focus from the research toward the rolesk. I was hankering to settle my curiosity of it.

‘Rolesk,’ I said. Since I was now aboard the Uriel, I didn’t have to hide my inquiries anymore, so I just said it aloud.

Nezatron said, ‘The invention of the rolesk was initially to help Zane amplify his powers of telekinesis. It was necessary to control so many Dietons. Later, when he enlisted individuals to help him, he knew that he needed these rolesks for them as well. Therefore, he developed rolesks with varying degrees of security levels and limitations. Theodore, since I have your ear, I must inform you there are two other teams aboard the Uriel. As you know, there are you five, who comprise the Humans. Then the other two teams are the Bromels and the Karshiz.’

I attempted to set the record straight. ‘The Bromels—these giant angels, like Migalt?’

‘Yes, Theodore.’

‘And who are the Karshiz? Oh, you mean those under King Trazuline—ruler of the planet Karshiz?’

‘Correct. The race is named Karshiz, after the planet. This makes it easy to remember.’

I nodded.

Nezatron’s voice took on an urgent tone. ‘You now know one important thing. Zane and I believe there is an evil presence aboard the Uriel. A traitor. Someone is here on the orders of Odion. Stay sharp, and see if you can sniff out this evil.’

My blood ran cold. ‘How do you know?’

The robotic Sepheran hesitated. ‘Last week, before your team arrived, we found an unauthorized forced attempt to access the nerve center of the ship.’

‘Did you find out who did it?’

‘No, Theodore. What is puzzling is that our Ophanims were recording all visuals within the command room. There is no recording of anyone at the exact time and location this authorized entry was attempted. Nonetheless, we are dealing with a very cunning adversary.’

‘Is it possible there was a probe of the Uriel by another ship, like one of the Dacturons?’

‘No. There was no record of transmission by any outside source into our ship. We record all incoming and outgoing transmissions, even that of subterfuge,’ Nezatron said. ‘Therefore, it must be someone on this ship.’

‘Nezatron,’ I said, thinking of something that could help ease his mind.

‘Yes.’

‘I have some of my grandfather's research. There is something I think you should read in here.’

‘Your grandfather was under our Dieton surveillance. We are aware of his revelations and are working hard to ensure we can protect ourselves from the horrifying predictions he had formulated. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I will notify Zane of your loyalty. You will make a wonderful Messiah, Theodore. We are certain of it. I will see you at the gathering.’

A traitor maybe, as if I didn’t have enough on my plate to think about that day! Getting up from my bed, I went to my closet to inventory my equipment. When I walked over to the closet door, I touched the sensor, and it slid over mechanically.

I laid my bracers next to my flying kicks, and I noticed a few other things that were peculiar, but there was one special item lying in my closet: a gun blade, similar to the one that Migalt had on my first trip to the Uriel. Whoa! I stood there, transfixed by its terrible firepower.

It wasn’t as big as Migalt’s of course, but it was majestic. I remembered how he activated the blade, and I had to test it out for myself. Picking it up gingerly, I caressed the emblem on the titanium handle of the sword in order to activate it. I remembered the technique from watching Migalt back then. Upon my command, the tritium phosphoritite and magnesium substance rapidly jutted out.

My blade was a fiery teal, and I could see Dietons around me spark as they hit the edge of the blade. The edges were burning hot. Excited, I parried the gun blade, pretending to fight an unseen foe. Oops! I burnt my sheets on my bed as I wasn't properly trained. Thank goodness I did not sear my leg with the red-hot object. I smelled the smoke arising from the rips in my bed sheets, trimmed with blackened burn marks.

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