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Evanangel (Part Two)
Posted By: Jinkaiden-XI<Nolimits4csk@aol.com>
Date: 16 October 2003, 12:40 AM
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The continuing drama of Evanangel...
"Sir, we've received a communication signal. We were informed that the Hidden Eve has fallen. Angel Mesa is lost." The Captain grips the armrest of his chair with increasing strength. Spread out before him is the eternal enigma that is the universe. He ponders through this window as if he has known this place for a long time.
"Thank you," he responds. For a moment he considers returning to Earth. However, he comes to his senses and realizes the uselessness of the idea. "Can we increase vector speed anytime soon?"
The operator is silent. After the silence spreads across the room she answers, "Perhaps. However, I would not recommend it, Captain. I cannot confirm how much the vessel can take."
The Captain drums his fingers on the armrest of the seat. With his other hand he props his head up on the other armrest.
"Captain?" the operator calls.
The Captain sighs. He has lost his immediate will to push harder and further than the ship was designed to handle. Defeated, he slumps in his chair and answers, "Maintain current speed."
"Yes, sir."
"Let me know if we come across the Spartan. I have a few words I'd like to share with him."
The secondary thrusters power down. The vessel glides smoothly past numerous red planets. As it passes through one of the planet's orbits, the vibrant light of its sun casts a brilliant glow on the ship. The word 'Evanangel' can be seen on the side, just before it passes into the shadow of a moon.
Phaethon Defense Satellite Somnus
Aboard the massive defense station Somnus, one of several satellites in Phaethon's orbit, John the Spartan strides down one of the hundreds of thousands of corridors. Before him walks Commander Glyvaennan, a representative in the Phaethon armed government.
At last they approach a door among several hundred. Perhaps even thousands. On the door is inscribed, T.N.04 - Travel the distance, do not fear the mountains on the horizon - T.N.04 door inscription.
John studies the words. He seems confused by their meaning. Commander Glyvaennan notices his expression and says, "We believe that inspiration is best before a journey."
Although without words, John agrees. He has always considered preparation to be the very best. Now he wonders about his beliefs, now that he has been confronted with a new perspective.
Without further delay, Glyvaennan enters a code into a small hologram keypad that has flashed on near the door. The numbers, or letters, are in a strange language and John is completely thrown off by their design. Many are a deep orange in color, while others are blue and gold. From here he can see that they constantly change their appearance, seeming to alternate positions.
"You must be quick to decipher this code, Spartan. The symbols are always changing, and in order to keep up you must understand their meaning," Glyvaennan speaks to the befuddled John.
The door hisses open, revealing a long, narrow chamber identical to human lifeboats. Sixteen seats, all horizontal, line the walls. At the opposite end is a control panel, which appears dormant.
Glyvaennan enters the chamber. "Come, Spartan."
John cautiously enters the chamber. Behind him the door slams shut and locks. A series of lights flicker on overhead, reflecting off his visor. An intercom system comes on, and a soothing voice pours into the chamber.
"Welcome aboard, Commander."
Glyvaennan responds cheerfully, "Thank you, Mylira. I have the Spartan with me, please make the launch phases quick."
"Yes, Commander."
John is busying himself trying to climb into one of the many horizontal seats of the chamber. He turns, with one leg placed into the chair, and calls over to Glyvaennan. "Commander, would you mind explaining how I should go about this?"
Glyvaennan chuckles. "Be patient, Spartan. You'll find out soon enough."
And indeed he does. Almost instantly, something changes and John's legs slowly lift from the floor. Glyvaennan also begins to float above the control panel. "Commander...?"
"I assume you have experienced zero gravity before."
Not to be taken for a fool, John answers confidently, "Of course. I was just surprised by the sudden change."
Glyvaennan faces John. With a questioning tone he asks, "Surprised?"
"They usually tell us when they're going to shift over," John explains sheepishly.
Glyvaennan nods and returns his focus on the control panel. The sound of a mechanical shift can be heard from somewhere outside the cramped chamber, and the whole room rocks gently. Through the front window, the very edge of Phaethon and three of its moons can be seen. Beyond that is the everlasting beauty of endless stars.
All at once, the room begins to tilt forward, as if slipping away from the satellite. The moons and stars rise above the chamber and Phaethon takes full control of the window. The intercom activates again, and the voice identified as Mylira returns. "Commander, we're initiating the final launch phases. I'm going to need the target coordinates."
"Mylira, set target for Mount Perihelion. The Spartan is a guest of the High Priest."
Mylira is silent for a moment, and Glyvaennan waits for her return. After a few seconds, the launch pod jolts to a stop. Phaeton consumes the entire window. "Commander, the coordinates have been set. Good luck on your journey."
"Thank you, Mylira."
John, now lying sideways against the wall and held to the seat, waits impatiently for the launch. Glyvaennan takes his seat and activates the pod's thrusters. John whispers, "You ready for this, Cortana?"
"Absolutely," Cortana replies with a defiant tone. A mere second passes and then John is forced into his seat. The pod breaks free of Somnus and rockets violently towards Phaethon. John says to himself as the cockpit heats up, "I wish I was."
Evanangel
Aboard the mysterious warship Evanangel, the vessel's crew debates their next move.
"I cannot determine which side to fight on, Jydlin," the Captain mutters in an annoyed tone. "The humans are defending their lives and the Covenant have their religious beliefs. Tell me; which side is pure?"
The one called Jydlin ponders this. In a matter of purity, both sides can be considered equally true in their execution. In a matter of determination, which side can be considered destined to claim victory?
Perhaps this is where Evanangel comes in to the picture. The true power of Evanangel is what can change the balance between humanity and Covenant ideals. But the question is, what side will Evanangel control?
"I refuse to allow this to drag on," the Captain says loudly. "We must make this happen. At this rate, both races will totally destroy each other."
Jydlin interjects, "You don't consider the events on Earth to be a sign?"
"I feel that those incidents are irrelevant to the outcome of this conflict," the Captain replies. "In the end, I believe that both sides will perish. I can and will not allow that to happen."
"And you desire to choose the side of true purity and honest determination."
"Yes."
"Then I must leave that choice to you. I'm afraid I cannot determine the better decision."
Evanangel drifts peacefully among the stars. The peeking sun illuminates the vessel for a split second, and in a flash the ship is gone.
Planet Phaethon, Clair de Lune System
With a series of metallic sounds, the pod identified as T.N.04 screams out of reentry and approaches Mount Perihelion. Upon nearing the ground, the vehicle roars to a halt. Several vertical thrusters are exposed from the underside and all at once the burst into life. A ring of dust billows from the ground as the pod gently approaches the dense forest below.
Beyond the pod is Mount Perihelion, whose peak is hidden among the clouds that shelter the heavens above. A single ray of sunlight filters through and casts its warmth on the vehicle. The mountain fades into shadow.
John exits the pod stiffly. He is slightly dazed from the violent ride to the planet and must stand in order to regain his balance.
Glyvaennan follows him out of the pod. John, having been able to see clearly once more, gazes out into the distance, where the mysterious mountain of Perihelion reaches for the eternal heavens above. Without facing him, John asks Glyvaennan, "Commander, how is it you manage to reach a grace such as that?"
Glyvaennan removes a key from around his thin neck. It is a translucent key from the years of the Ancient times, one that is forged of rare materials. It bears a golden orange color, a color that grows more vibrant in the sunlight.
Upon catching the sun's direct rays, the key begins to shimmer magnificently. Pure light has been created.
A stone column rises from the soil. Halfway up the column is a keyhole, one that matches the crafting of the key itself. With the sound of a click, Glyvaennan inserts the key into the column and twists it once. Accordingly, The trees that bar the path to the mountain begin the shift. "Blessed is the land of purity."
All at once, the leaves that cover the ground in brilliant color vanish. Beneath them lies a stone path that weaves in and out of the trees. The trees themselves withdraw their roots from the disturbed soil and retreat into the forest. The sun peers round the mountain and the path is illuminated softly.
John is fascinated by the sight. He turns to Glyvaennan, who is focused on the walkway that has been formed before them. He removes the key and returns it to its place around his neck. "Shall we continue, Spartan?"
John is speechless for another minute or so, as he takes in the wonder. He places a boot on the path, then the other. With confidence he faces the mountain and nods, "Yes, Commander. Continue we shall."
Planet Earth
What remains of this planet is not important at this point. What matters is what will remain when the end comes. For the inhabitants of the planet, this may never come. Their desired savior has yet to arrive. How long will they wait?
The Covenant have abandoned this land. They will march in their columns and they will fight in their own name, but what is this land to them? This rounded rock is filth to their hands, and stained as they be with blood, nothing can cleanse them of this wretched soil.
A preacher of the Elder Gospel caresses the burning ruins of the once mighty cities. His hand is wrapped in sacred beads, and no mortal flame can burn them. He clasps a handful of dirt into his palm and overturns his hand so to allow it to pour through his bony fingers.
In his other hand he carries a loose copper pot. Through the cracks in the aging metal erupts a white smoke. The preacher kneels and removes the beads from his hand slowly and with great care. When in a straight line the beads measure up to two feet in length. Gently he lowers them onto the soil and forms a crude ring out of them. In the center he places a wooden cross. Then he lifts the copper pot and places it nearby to allow the smoke of the holy flame to rise beside the sign of the cross.
He stands and performs the sign of the cross. Then, gazing down upon the markings he has made, he chants:
Behold thy grace,
Where art thou, sire?
Will I lay me?
Will I stay me?
Bless this land with fire.
The preacher watches the smoke rise from the copper pot for a few moments, then turns and walks away. As the night darkens he can be seen walking through the endless abyss of flame.
Evanangel
The starship Evanangel breaks out of its trajectory and returns to a stable speed.
"Captain," calls Jydlin, "we have returned to the orbit of planet Phaethon. I can see no hostiles, sir."
The Captain nods. Again he drums his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "Phaethon...this is where the Spartan is?"
"Yes, Captain. The Spartan is with the one called Glyvaennan down on Mount Perihelion. What shall we do about it?"
The Captain ponders his choices carefully. After a minute of silence, he speaks, "The Phaethon armed government has chosen to side with the humans in this stage of the conflict. Can this be considered a problem?"
"I can't be sure on that, sir. Whether or not the armed forces of Phaethon choose to fight alongside the humans is irrelevant to me."
"And why is that?"
Jydlin turns to gaze out the main bay window. To this he replies, "We don't take sides, sir. If we are going to indeed alter the course of this conflict, then I suggest we do it intelligently."
The Captain studied Jydlin's face. Jydlin stared right back, directly into the Captain's eyes. "Then what, Jydlin, do you propose we do?"
"I cannot make that decision."
"It will most likely work out like this: Both sides will fight relentlessly until the other falls. I believe that both sides will lose in the end, if the war is to continue the way it has."
Jydlin continues to watch the little movement outside the ship. As they wait in silence, the satellite Somnus comes into range. The planet's sun shines onto its metal sides as it drifts peacefully around the edge of the planet. "Can it be decided in a matter of certainty or purity?"
"I suppose. It can work that way, if the purest side triumphs."
Jydlin nods. He folds his hands in front of his chest and mutters loudly enough for only the Captain to hear, "Do you consider religious beliefs to be purest?"
The Captain responds immediately but not on the same tone. "That depends. If it involves a revelation then I have no objection with it. If it involves the destruction of an innocent race, then I may raise my hand and make a comment."
Jydlin smiles. "We're all equal here."
"Then let's start acting like it."
Jydlin nods with the same grin on his face. "Do you think the humans are getting in over their heads?"
"In a way. They're making offensive moves that they can't handle, and they know they can't."
Jydlin rises from his seat. Turning to the pilots, he said, "Be ready to enter vector 180." The pilots nodded and entered the coordinates. Jydlin turned to the Captain and studied his expression for a moment. The Captain stared at Jydlin, unsure. "We'll give them a wake up call. Then we'll see what they do."
The Captain agreed, and approached his control panel. With his right hand he graced the control panel carefully. "It is done."
Outside Evanangel, the defense satellite Somnus swings gently around the brighter side of the planet Phaethon. Inside the satellite, the lead operator, Mylira, studies the hologram panel before her. A small object, seemingly foreign, hangs motionless five kilometers away. Before she can speak, a bright light pours into the room.
The mysterious warship Evanangel glows with an intense light. In that second, the vessel fires as one continuous weapon. Inside the ship, the Captain mutters to himself, "My message to the Spartan."
The beam of energy blasts through the hull of Somnus cleanly. Clouds of debris break away from the satellite as the weapon burns through the steel structure. The beam fades away and the sound dies with the light. For a moment, Somnus hangs still, shocked and thunderstruck. Almost immediately, a brilliant mixture of orange and yellow engulfs the satellite completely as Somnus violently implodes. Evanangel is nowhere to be seen.
My message to the Spartan...
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