Gold and Shadows on Klandato - Chapter 46

Klandato was a small planet, but with a crushing density. Its surface, more metal than earth, condemned any attempt at cultivation. Life there was a challenge, but that wasn't what drew people in. The real reason so many risked their lives on that barren world was gold.

Durable, malleable, resistant to corrosion—gold made its exhausting extraction worthwhile. For decades, Klandato thrived on mining, thanks to the luck of Thalyzara's father, who had discovered the planet rich in this precious metal. But time is unforgiving, and new metallic alloys emerged. Zenthral, lighter and stronger, replaced gold at the heart of the empire. Now, Klandato teetered between profit and ruin, sustained only by peripheral planets that still needed the old metal for their re-entry ships.

Everyone knew this. Even Orion.

But Orion knew something more. Something no one else did.

—What happened in Drokavas was no coincidence. We knew it was going to happen.

The dark room pulsed with the glow of the projector. Three planets hovered in the holographic projection—planets like the one that had devastated Kallandar. The long, narrow table in the center seated the command council. At the back, standing, Gertrudes and Tyrin watched intently.

—Sir, if the attack was carried out by three planets, why did only one reach its destination? — someone asked, their voice firm but laced with uncertainty.

Orion, impassive, replied:

—Excellent question. Four Ultras were patrolling the edge of the system when they noticed something strange. One of the planets was… erratic. It wasn't moving as it should. They decided to board it and made a disturbing discovery.

He paused before continuing:

—That "planet" wasn't a planet. It was a ship.

Silence weighed heavy in the air.

—You mean… the thing that attacked Varkaan was a ship? But… it would have to be bigger than the Emperor's own!

Incredulity took over the room. The suspicion had always been there, but now it had become reality: something beyond humans and Tyranos was challenging them. Something intelligent. Something monstrous.

—Our investigation suggests they were orphaned planets, converted into ships through unknown technology. The Ultras managed to destroy two of them… but the third escaped.

The only sound in the room was the restrained breathing of those present. If two had been destroyed, where was the third heading? And that attack… had it really been a coincidence?

As the others tried to process the news, Tyrin found himself thinking about something else. How had four Ultras managed to destroy two entire planets? It didn't make sense.

—Gertrudes… just how strong is an Ultra? — he murmured.

Before Gertrudes could answer, Orion did.

—I see you're surprised. Know this, boy —Ultras are born like us, mere grains of sand on an endless shore… yet they hold the power of the entire beach itself.

The weight of the statement was suffocating.

Orion continued, activating another image on the projector.

—Our problem is that these planetary ships were only scouts. We've managed to locate the main fleet.

The new image stole the breath from the room.

Forty planetary ships. And at their center… something even bigger.

Eyes widened. Some shed tears. They were counting.

—How much time do we have? — The voice came from Solaria, cold and calculated as never before.

Tyrin fixed his gaze on the image. The gas giant at the center of the fleet was colossal, ten times larger than the others.

—Three years. — Orion answered, devoid of emotion. — Gaia has authorized the mobilization of all Ultras, but we'll be racing against time. And they know it.

The projector shone again.

Klandato appeared on the screen. Its golden and blue glow contrasted with rust-colored hues. To many, a worthless planet. To Orion, the center of a greater mystery.

—The ship that attacked Drokavas passed through Klandato a few weeks before the attack. We lost contact with all bases in the planet's southern region. Two weeks ago, we received this image.

The image appeared, and the air in the room seemed to freeze.

A pyramidal structure. Towering. Nearly a kilometer high.

Orion didn't need to say another word.

—They built an outpost.

The words hung in the air like an omen. The dark room seemed to shrink under the weight of the revelation. The projector shone again, revealing more details: it wasn't just a single structure. There was something beneath it. Something just as massive.

—That same week—Orion continued, his voice heavy—we received confirmation that an underground facility has been completed. We believe they know about the Ultras… and they're preparing.

The atmosphere thickened. It was a clear warning: whoever was behind this knew the Ultras were a real threat.

—For that reason, we've been mobilized urgently. We need to invade and destroy whatever is being built on this planet.

One of the commanders hesitated before asking:

—Sir, how are we supposed to get inside? If it's anything like the ship that attacked Drokavas, we won't even get past the doorman.

—Don't worry—Orion replied, crossing his arms—I can handle the doorman. What concerns me is what it's guarding. But if we can lure the creature outside… we can destroy it.

The plan was risky but simple: draw the most powerful being in that fortress outside and obliterate it with the Kuma Laser.

—Our ship's mounted laser has already proven effective against creatures strong enough to challenge an Ultra. But we'll need a precise shot.

The room fell into absolute silence as everyone absorbed the strategy.

—Tomorrow, we arrive at Klandato—Orion continued—we will establish bases around the site. Our contact on the ground reported that enemy forces are heavily guarding the structure from within. But we have time. And that's what we're going to use to our advantage.

Determination rumbled through the room like thunder.

—Even if we have to build an entire city around that damn place and attack it day and night… we will destroy it!

A roar of approval swept through the room. Morale was high. But when Orion's ship reached the planet, reality struck like a cold, hard blow.

—What do you mean, too many enemies?

The command room screen split into four live transmissions. The man speaking had a long beard and sharp eyes, his voice carrying both experience and unease.

—Exactly what I said—the veteran responded—we believe they have some kind of portal. The enemies aren't particularly strong… but their numbers are insane.

Another member of the team joined the discussion. A young man with a fragile appearance, though everyone there knew he was among the most powerful among them.

—I suggest constructing a fortress city. We need to call warriors from all across the system for this attack. Even if we don't reach the core… we can weaken them as much as possible.

—Ryvek is right—agreed a blonde woman, her expression unreadable—we need to change our approach. If we can't crush them immediately, we'll wear them down until they have no strength left to resist.

But not everyone was convinced.

—Iskira, what if they're just stalling for time?—a man with glasses interjected, his voice sharp—For all we know, they're preparing something right now that could wipe us out. We need to concentrate all our forces and strike in one decisive blow.

Tension thickened. The conflict was on the verge of erupting… until another voice cut through them all.

—You're all idiots.

Silence fell over the room. The silver-haired woman stared at the screen with disdain. Her presence was as cold as ice, and no one dared to interrupt her.

—Kael, they're weeks ahead of us. If they had something that could kill us outright… we'd already be dead.

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes as sharp as blades.

—Ryvek and Iskira are right. We need a contingency plan and a way to weaken them. But we can't shout to the universe that we have a new enemy.

Her idea was simple… and dangerous.

— Spread the word that we've discovered a conflict zone and put a bounty on the heads of these creatures. Let's make the rest of the galaxy think this is just another routine purge. When I arrive in a year, I'll personally take care of the problem.

She paused before finishing:

— Until then, don't make any stupid decisions.

The video cut off. The silence that followed was heavy.

The woman who had spoken wasn't just anyone. She was Jasmine, the Ultra.

Even if some wanted to argue, no one dared.

— She's right — Orion finally said. — We'll raise the dome. We'll attack slowly. One floor at a time, until we have a real opening.

He turned to the crew.

— Gather the men. We're heading to the surface.

The transmission ended. Orion took a deep breath. The weight of the situation still pressed on his shoulders. Things were changing too fast. He hated that. Hated not being in control.

— And now, sir? — Azrael asked carefully.

Orion let out a long sigh.

— Honestly, Azrael… I have no idea. But something tells me we're going to be here a lot longer than we expected.

Then he stood, his voice now steadier.

— Get ready. We're going down.

The descent warning echoed through the ship, snapping Tyrin out of his daze. He blinked a few times, refocusing on reality. Through the window, Klandato gleamed with its metallic gold and rust-colored streaks. A planet as beautiful as it was hostile.

— This is it — he murmured. — We're going down.

Beside him, Gertrudes adjusted her gear, preparing to accompany him.

— Follow your teacher. We're heading to the main ship with Orion.

Tyrin glanced at the ship's panel and frowned.

— Professor… this isn't the right side.

Gertrudes huffed. Tyrin had memorized the ship's layout better than she had, so without arguing, she simply followed him.

When they arrived at the command room, Orion was waiting. His expression was more serious than usual.

— Gertrudes, Tyrin. We've had a change of plans. We'll be staying on Klandato longer than expected.

Gertrudes didn't like the sound of that.

— That means…?

— It means you should take Tyrin back to Vanaheim.

Tyrin clenched his fists but said nothing. Orion continued:

— I've already requested a reinforcement ship to pick you up, but it could take up to a week to arrive. They're bringing soldiers and Astras, so the logistics are complicated. Until then, you can stay aboard with Solaria… or you can come down to the planet with us. But I believe you'll be safer here on the ship.

— We're going down. I want to help.

Gertrudes' eyes widened.

Tyrin, who had seemed apathetic the entire journey, was suddenly eager? The abrupt shift triggered an alarm in her mind.

— I need to train — he explained, noticing his teacher's questioning look. — I'm still weak, and this is a chance to learn from the best.

Orion smirked slightly. Tyrin didn't want to be alone with that mime, but he also didn't know how to tell someone that the person they trusted so much wasn't who they claimed to be.

— I like that. Let's go.

The descent was smooth. The planet had a breathable atmosphere, but that didn't mean it was hospitable. Winds reaching hundreds of kilometers per hour were a constant danger. A storm could slice a person in half with razor-sharp metallic dust.

But as they neared the surface, something caught Tyrin's attention.

At the center of the conflict zone, a colossal structure gleamed under the sunlight.

— Glass? — Tyrin asked, surprised.

What he saw was a massive transparent dome partially covering the pyramid.

— We're finishing this dome to make sure the environment doesn't work against us — Orion explained. — But it's not glass. It's an ultra-resistant transparent metal. We're not going to let the planet itself help our enemies.

The ship finally passed through the protective barrier, and the view inside the dome became clearer.

The battlefield was nothing like Tyrin had imagined. There was no chaos, no screams, no constant explosions. Just an oppressive silence.

Rows of ships were organized as if forming streets. Soldiers and engineers moved briskly between them, each carrying out a defined task. And at the center…

The pyramid.

Imposing. Motionless.

And surrounding it, heavy turrets stood guard, vigilant, ready for any movement from within. But so far, nothing had emerged. No attack. No sound. Just a monolith of stone and metal, concealing an indecipherable secret.

— It's still small, but we'll need to expand this place soon — Orion commented as the ship landed. — We might end up staying here longer than we'd like.

He turned to Tyrin.

— For you, this place could be an opportunity. Many soldiers here haven't leveled up in years. But you still have potential. Fighting the Aracnophones could strengthen your abilities.

A chill ran down Tyrin's spine at the mention of that name.

Aracnophones.

Grotesque creatures, hybrids of insect and machine, with metallic legs sharp as blades and multifaceted eyes that glowed in the darkness.

He felt a slight tremor—a mix of anxiety and excitement.

After everything he had been through, after finally getting rid of the Mimic, he couldn't back down now.

— I'm ready, professor.

His eyes gleamed with determination.

— When we arrive, I'd like to enter the pyramid and see what I can find.

Gertrudes let out a short laugh, crossing her arms.

— I admire your courage, kid.

She then cracked her shoulders with a slight shrug.

— But first, let me change. After that… let's give these monster bastards a special welcome.

Tyrin smiled.

The war hadn't begun yet.

But he knew the silence around the pyramid wouldn't last forever.