CHAPTER 15

It had been three days since Kyran had entered the CRRA, and concern marked the faces of his brothers at the thought of his exit from the dome. They longed, more than anything, for his suffering to have at least significantly diminished.

—Do you think he'll be better when he comes out? — Claudius asked, taking a sip of his lemonade.

—That's what we're all waiting for, — Dennis replied, savoring a piece of meat.

—Kyran will recover, — Elara stated confidently, —he just needs our support and to keep himself busy so he doesn't think about her, — she said, meticulously cutting her steak.

—Keeping him busy won't be a problem; there's enough work to keep him busy for a decade—Dennis interrupted—we just need to make sure he's distracted enough not to drown in the frustration of his heart.

At that moment, Safiro entered with the intention of eating something before returning to work.

—How are things in Zenith? — Elara asked.

—Chaos reigns, they should finish eating to go help. The rebels are spreading like a plague; there are already three planets in crisis and our forces are at their limit trying to contain the situation. And in the middle of this, our brother Kyran decides to take a —vacation—— Safiro recounted in a tone of disbelief.

—¡I'm sorry! — Claudius exclaimed, visibly upset. —Don't you understand what it means to be heartbroken, Sapphire?

—Love is nothing more than a cerebral concept, the heart is simply a muscle in charge of pumping blood— argued Safiro with her characteristic coldness and logic. —What we call —falling in love— originates in the brain, and that is something that can be solved.

—The day you truly fall in love, Sapphire, you will understand what we are saying, — Elara replied, looking at him with a mixture of reproach and compassion.

—Being a scientist, sister, I'm surprised to see you so given over to emotions, — Safiro countered, while spreading butter on her bread with unconcern.

—Dennis, looking at him with a mixture of annoyance and mockery, intervened —Someday, brother, you will experience that phenomenon we all refer to as love. I am eager to see how you react.

—I suggest you find a really comfortable chair, as it looks like you'll be in for a long wait. I, for one, am in no hurry to explore that terrain, and frankly, I'm not the least bit interested, — Safiro replied, flashing a confident smile.

—Indeed, Sapphire, — Claudius whispered with a mixture of irritation and resignation, —you are truly unbearable. The woman who decides to share her life with you will deserve not only a trophy for self-denial, but canonization for sainthood, because only a saint could endure a life at your side.

—Or maybe I should be deaf to tolerate you forever, — Dennis joked, causing Elara and Claudius to laugh with his comment.

—Yes, yes, very funny, — Safiro replied sarcastically, to the laughter of her brothers.

At that moment, Terry, Marcus, Ashtar, Lyra, Caelum and Elio entered the dining room, visibly exhausted both physically and mentally and clearly hungry. As they sat down, their respective dishes began to be served.

—¿How did the negotiations go? — Elara asked her father with concern.

—We haven't made much progress, — Terry replied, his tiredness evident.

—The real problem is that there is no real interest in solving things— said Elio, adding his perspective to the conversation.

—It's clear that they don't want to give up the power they have— added Dennis—they don't care about us people; we're just pawns in this complex game of strategy.

—Perhaps it is time to radically change our strategy— Lyra proposed with determination. —If we really want to solve this problem and win, we have to consider all options. The rebels continue to attack innocent populations, leaving a trail of death and destruction—

— The problem is that we have not yet managed to identify the leaders of these groups — explained Marcus — If we could neutralize the ringleaders, perhaps we would be able to partially dismantle these organizations.

—They're using very effective evasion tactics, — Dennis added. —Every time we think we have them, they're already gone.

The conversation turned to Kyran's well-being. —¿How is Kyran doing at the CRRA, Uncle Ashtar? — Elara asked with concern.

—That's right. His levels are stable and we haven't seen any problems. His vital signs are normal, so he'll likely return in better condition, — Ashtar reported, offering a ray of hope.

—Let's wait, — Elara intervened, although with some reservation. —Recovering emotions is always more complicated.

Before Sapphire could add her opinion, Claudius interrupted with a warning, —Don't even think about it, Sapphire. Better refrain from speaking about what you don't understand.

— Dennis joined in. —You better keep quiet this time.

The family discussion caught Terry's attention. —What's going on here? This is no time for table squabbles, — he said, urging unity and understanding among those present.

—Dennis, frustrated, explained—It's just that our brother doesn't know when to stop. He claimed that Kyran's problem isn't real, that it's all in his head—

—I hope you're not serious, Sapphire, — Ashtar told her with a mix of hope and reprimand. —Although I know you're young and haven't yet experienced what many call love, minimizing the feelings of others is not constructive.

—I think my brother might be more machine than human. He's made of cells, yes, but he seems to only have wires and circuits where feelings and emotions should be— Elara joked, to which Dennis added —That would explain why he's so irritating.

—Let's be patient with him— Lyra intervened, her smile softening the atmosphere—He's still in the process of learning. Some... robots, I mean,

Younger people take longer to develop — which caused laughter among those present and lightened the atmosphere.

—¿Do you really think our brother lacks experience, honorable Lyra? — Claudius asked, intrigued.

Caelum took the opportunity to share an observation. —Scientists, especially men, have a problem. Women tend to be quicker to recognize and accept their emotions. We focus so much on knowledge that we often ignore other emotions because they simply don't interest us at the time. Sapphire, you might need another twenty years before you start paying attention to anything other than test tubes and chemical elements.

—¿Twenty more years? — Dennis couldn't hide his alarm. —We've waited sixty years for it to change.

—And ¿why are you surprised? — Claudius pointed out pragmatically. —Most of the time you are away from Zenith. It is we, the ones here, who actually have to deal with him.

— Actually, it's not us who put up with him— Elara corrected, —it's our uncle Ashtar who spends more time with him, since Sapphire is more in his laboratory than anywhere else.

When Ashtar finally looked up, aware of everyone watching him, he tried to humorously dismiss it. —Don't drag me into your mess. I don't actually mind my nephew spending time in my lab; in fact, I suppose he finds something to his liking there.

—Actually, you're the only one who can really tolerate it—Marcus intervened—although you'd probably appreciate some solitude from time to time, too.

In response to Marcus's reckless comment, Ashtar didn't miss the opportunity to remind him of a previous conversation, albeit in a joking manner. —Marcus, I really admire your hair, its color and how silky it is. It would be a shame if something were to suddenly happen to it, — he said with a look that combined anger and warning, revealing that Marcus had shared something in confidence that he shouldn't have mentioned.

—Don't even think about it! — Marcus quickly removed his hand from his hair, amid laughter from the others.

—It's never a good idea to anger a scientist—Elio advised, joining in the fun.

—You could have warned me before, — Marcus replied, smiling despite the incident.

—With two scientists as brothers, I can tell you from experience— added Elio, laughing along with the others, lightening the atmosphere with this mix of humor and family camaraderie.

The conversation took a slightly mischievous turn with Caelum responding with a knowing smile, —And we are still able to pull it off.

—We're older now, — Lyra pointed out, suggesting a maturity that gave them even more capacity for mischief.

—Exactly, — Caelum agreed, —and now that we have more knowledge, we could wreak even greater havoc.

—¿Is that a threat? — Elio couldn't help but ask, half joking, half serious.

Lyra replied with an ambiguous smile. —Interpret it as you wish. We are merely pointing out that certain actions can have significant consequences. — The atmosphere was filled with intelligent humor and a mutual understanding that despite the years and accumulated wisdom, the playful spirit and camaraderie between them remained intact.

After eating, they returned to their daily chores.

—¿How's that machine working? — Elio asked his brothers.

—It's not complete yet, — Caelum replied. —We're waiting for the part that makes it work to be fused. But we're trying to complete the missing element. Ashtar and Sapphire are trying to locate that missing element.

—Try to hurry up —Elio said— Hell itself is down below. I'm trying to minimize the damage as much as I can, but I won't be able to do it forever and Terry can't always be using his power to eliminate the disasters of those rebels.

—We understand, — Lyra said, —and we're trying to speed up the process. But we're stuck with that component that we haven't found yet so that everything can be fused with the gem.

—I'm going downstairs to help Terry in any way I can, — Elio said, annoyed and tired, opening a portal and disappearing after entering through it.

—We need to locate that component quickly, — Caelum said. —Let's see what we have.

—Here are some samples, — Lyra said, handing him the test tube.

While Dennis was with his father, they both spent their time helping the injured and using their powers to remove debris. This joint effort facilitated the passage of vehicles loaded with food and medicine.

It was then that Marcus approached Dennis to offer his assistance.

—¿How are you feeling? — Marcus asked with concern.

—A little tired, — Dennis confessed, swaying slightly.

—It's been three hours —Marcus held him firmly— You should take a break and eat something.

—I'm going to get some rest, — Dennis agreed. —I'll be at the field station. I need to lie down for a moment.

—I'll go with you, — Marcus offered promptly.

—And my father? —Dennis looked around, worried.

—He's on the east side, next to Darius. They're clearing that road and tending to the wounded, — Marcus explained as he led Dennis toward the field station, where he settled him on a cot. —I'll be nearby, overseeing operations. Rest now. If anything, urgent happens, I'll let you know.

—It's okay, — Dennis leaned back, feeling an intense pressure in his head from the continued use of his power. It was crucial to relieve that tension.

The team spent the entire day and night in a constant effort to assist and repair the damage in the village. By six o'clock the next morning, Terry had managed to take stock of the extensive damage caused by the revolutionaries.

—¿Is that all? — he asked a soldier waiting for instructions, while Terry reviewed a report on his portable monitor.

—Yes, Your Excellency. The civilian population has suffered heavy casualties. In addition, houses, buildings, and businesses have been robbed and destroyed. The attackers appear to have advanced weapons and fast transport portals. We are still determining which areas have been spared, but it seems that there is no part of the city that has not been affected. The higher-ups are also trying to identify the leaders behind all this, but so far, they have found no traces, neither digital nor physical. They have been very good at hiding their tracks in every way.

—Whoever did it knows how to cover their tracks, — Terry said determinedly. The gravity of the situation was palpable in his voice. —We'll have to outsmart them. I want you to call my brother Rodrick and tell him to come over with his computer equipment. It's about time that equipment was put to use; he's had it in those boxes for too long. Tell him to bring it over immediately and start looking for those traces.

Terry's decision reflected the urgency to act quickly and effectively. The addition of Rodrick and his advanced computer equipment was a strategic move to get ahead of adversaries who, until now, had managed to evade any attempt at detection. With his experience and resources, Rodrick would be key in unraveling the mystery behind the attacks and locating those responsible.

—Yes, Your Excellency, I will call him immediately, — said the soldier, beginning his formal farewell gesture towards the imperial high priest. He positioned himself firmly, with his feet together and his body erect, his gaze fixed on the imposing figure of the high priest. He brought his right hand to his heart, forming a closed fist except for the raised thumb, as a sign of respect and loyalty. Slowly, he raised his hand towards his right shoulder, keeping his thumb up, symbolizing the honor and respect he held for him. In one fluid motion, he extended his arm forward, palm down and thumb still raised, offering his service and loyalty. Finally, he brought his hand back to his heart in a smooth motion, closing the gesture solemnly, holding it briefly on his chest in a sign of fidelity and devotion, before returning to the initial position at his side. This act not only confirmed his promise of immediate action, but also reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Imperial Supreme.

Terry nodded to continue on his way while trying not to fall with the rubble, there was a lot of rubble in the road and injured people in the streets being treated by the emergency services, Terry thought while walking that all this could have been avoided if both circles of power such as the Galactic Confederation and the Concillium Imperium Stellaris had accepted the request of the Cosmic Architects and this is just the tip of the iceberg he thought, because the rebel groups are just forming and they are already creating a carnage to be heard although it is not the ideal way to start the conversations, but, there was no other way both councils were closed in entering into conversations to access peace. The councils were corrupt and had to be cleaned.

He was able to make it to the field station without any problems, where he met up with Dennis and Marcus. Outside, Darius was busy giving orders to coordinate the transfer of emergency equipment to the victims.

—¿How is everything outside? — Marcus asked, concern showing on his face.

—It's more stable, — Terry replied, breathing a sigh of relief. —People are being treated and the roads have cleared enough for rescue vehicles to get through. It will be a slow process, but little by little everything will be sorted out. In the end, we will succeed.

Dennis intervened in a more sombre tone. 'Those responsible have not yet been found. I have received reports that they have been attacking other towns, leaving devastation and misery in their wake.'

Terry nodded, the gravity of the situation weighing on his shoulders. —I know, — he said. —That's why I called your uncle Rodrick. He has the equipment needed to track down the computer footprints. We're going to need his help to locate them.

Dennis seemed more confident about this possibility. —He can do it. I'm sure of it. Nothing gets past him on the computer network.

Terry, his gaze fixed on the horizon, added with determination: —In the meantime, we must investigate which other planets are facing problems. We cannot let our guard down.

The situation was delicate, but with Rodrick's arrival and everyone's cooperation, they knew they would soon be one step closer to stopping the chaos.

The other two planets have already been taken over and are trying to help the victims – said Marcus – I have not yet received reports of other incidents on other planets, let's hope everything stays calm for now.

When Darius announced Rodrick's arrival, the atmosphere in the room changed noticeably. Everyone present turned towards the door through which, moments later, appeared the imposing figure of Rodrick, the undisputed leader of the special forces, and king of Abaddon Prime.

A presence that filled the room, Rodrick wore a uniform that, while sharing the basic color palette of his special forces attire, bore unique distinctions that underlined his rank and legendary status. His jacket, a darker charcoal gray than his subordinates', was meticulously trimmed with bright silver trim that almost seemed to emit a glow of its own under the light. Over his heart, he wore the special forces emblem—the soaring eagle—but his own was encircled by a ring of electric blue, indicating his supreme leadership. The fit of the jacket outlined a muscular torso, evidence of countless hours of physical training and combat, his broad shoulders and strong arms hinting at a formidable force, capable of commanding not just with strategy but with physical power.

Most notable was the cloak he wore over his shoulders, an addition only Rodrick sported. Flowing behind him with an almost regal elegance, this cloak combined charcoal grey with an electric blue inner lining, reflecting the fusion of strength and advanced technology that characterized his leadership. The collar of the cloak was adorned with insignia that told his story of bravery and strategy, each representing a key victory or tactical innovation he had introduced.

His trousers were equally distinctive, with silver bands running down the side, marking his status, and he was shod with boots that, while similar to those of his men, were inlaid with silver to indicate his rank. At his waist was a state-of-the-art multi-functional belt, from which hung an encrypted communication device, which he used to coordinate operations in real time.

On his head, instead of the special forces beret, Rodrick wore a distinctive commando cap adorned with an eagle feather, a symbol of his vision and leadership. Despite the computer equipment he carried in one hand, his bearing did not lose an ounce of authority. The combination of his commanding physical appearance with his undeniable ability to lead made it obvious why he was revered not only for his strategic cunning but also for his vigor.

His arrival not only assured Terry and the others that they were in good hands, it also reaffirmed Rodrick's unwavering commitment to his mission and his people, a leader whose strength was as palpable in his physical presence as in his character.

—Did you send for me, brother? Rodrick asked, his deep, resonant voice filling the room, each word imbued with natural authority and an unwavering calm. The firmness in his tone, tinged with a serenity that only years of

command and battles could bestow, reflected confidence and accumulated experience. Despite the urgency implicit in his question, his enunciation was direct but not imposing, revealing his leadership based on both respect and power.

The slight edge of roughness, the product of countless challenges faced, did not detract from the clarity of his voice; instead, it added a nuance of experience, almost as if every battle fought, every decision made, echoed in his words. Although he spoke of serious matters, there was an underlying inspiration in his voice, capable of motivating those who listened to him to follow him without hesitation.

And yet beneath that authority and experience, there was a thin veil of mystery. Something in his manner of speaking, a barely perceptible tone, suggested untold depths, secrets of leadership and strategy known only to him.

Rodrick was not just the supreme commander of the special forces; he was a leader whose voice, full of power, experience, and a touch of enigma, inspired absolute loyalty.

—Sure, — Terry replied. —I need you to track down the leaders behind these rebel attacks. They are hiding in computer networks, and you are an expert in that field.

—No need to flatter me, brother. I already know, that's why you called me— he said with a smile.

—My nephew, always so humble, — Darius said, crossing his arms and turning to Rodrick. Everyone burst out laughing.

—I have a task for you. I need you to bring your equipment here. I will provide you with a suitable space to work—Terry continued.

—Okay, I'll bring all my equipment. Also, I need you to include Max; he'll help me implement everything. If you really want me to find those responsible for this massacre, I'll need all the personnel available— Rodrick said.

— Understood — Terry nodded. — Marcus, see to it that we find a space for the whole team.

—Immediately, — Marcus replied, and headed out with a few men to find a suitable place to set up another workstation for the computer equipment.

—What information do we have to start with? Rodrick asked.

—I'll send you the reports that Zenith's IT team has compiled, — Dennis said.

—Don't worry about sending them, I can access them directly. Instead, locate your brother Kyran's friend, I think his name is Hiro. I need you to bring him here; he has a device that will help us find those responsible— Rodrick instructed Dennis.

—Dennis quickly headed to the corner where the communications equipment was and activated the desktop LumiCom to call Hiro, who would probably be at his business, the men's entertainment center —The Kingdom of Avalon.

The portable LumiCom on the coffee table lit up, revealing a half-asleep Hiro while Dennis appeared on the screen, dressed in military fatigues.

—¿What's wrong, Dennis? — Hiro asked, still sleepy.

—We need your help, Hiro. Your computer skills and electronic devices are crucial— Dennis replied.

—That sounds important, Dennis. But I haven't slept in two days and my brain isn't working at its best—Hiro admitted.

—I understand, — Dennis said seriously, —but it's urgent. We really need you. — At that moment, Rodrick approached the LumiCom to speak directly to Hiro.

—¿What's wrong, soldier?— Rodrick asked in a voice so powerful it nearly made Hiro jump off the couch.

—Sir, yes sir— Hiro responded instinctively, rising from his seat and performing a martial salute, a reflection of his brief time in the military, especially in the special forces.

—We need you now, soldier. So, gather your things and come here, unless you prefer me to go get you personally, — Rodrick ordered firmly.

—You won't need to come and get me, sir. I'll be there as soon as I've bathed and dressed properly, sir. Give me a few minutes and I'll be around there. —Hiro said, now fully awake. As he stood up, he muttered under his breath— Damn.

—¿Did I hear something, soldier? — Rodrick asked, in that tone that always made Hiro's blood run cold. Not even the smallest detail escaped him.

—Nothing, sir, — Hiro replied quickly, straightening up as he remembered that his former commander had exceptional hearing. —I'll be heading to base immediately, sir. Allow me to shower and get ready, and I'll head over there with my team.

—We'll be expecting you, soldier, — Rodrick said, cutting the LumiCom connection with a firm click.

Hiro let out a long sigh, feeling the tension momentarily dissipate. He knew he couldn't keep Rodrick waiting. He had to move quickly, and every second counted.

—The day you have a son, poor boy —Terry commented with a laugh.

—You need to be firm with young people these days, — Rodrick replied, without losing his composure. —Note that he didn't make any excuses this time.

Terry smiled, understanding the reasoning behind his brother's words. He patted Rodrick's shoulder, knowing that maintaining a strict stance with soldiers was part of leadership. Although Hiro was no longer on active duty, his immediate reaction showed that he still deeply respected Rodrick as his leader. This attitude spoke volumes about Rodrick as a commander and the kind of authority he projected.

At that moment, Marcus walked into the room with a determined stride.

—The place for the team is now ready,— he announced. —In fact, some of your soldiers, who arrived through a transporter portal, are already organizing and equipping the room.

Rodrick nodded in satisfaction; his mind already focused on the next step. He knew that everything had to be prepared precisely, and the speed of his men gave him confidence that the plan was progressing as planned.

—That's great, — Rodrick said, nodding his approval. —I'll go check it out, — he said, and headed out the door to make sure his team was set up and ready to get to work.

—I wonder ¿how he'll get his men up? — Dennis commented, curious about Rodrick's techniques.

—I'm sure he uses an alarm clock with his own voice; that would wake them up right away— Terry joked, making Dennis laugh. —Now, you better wait for Hiro. I'm sure he'll be here soon. He doesn't want my brother to go get him personally.

—¿Who would want that? — Dennis asked, still smiling. —I'll be waiting for him, don't worry, Father.

— I have to make sure everything is quiet and that there are no more rebels causing trouble out there. If anything happens, let me know on LumiCom— Terry told him.

—I will, don't worry, — Dennis assured, preparing for what would come next.

Hiro was just getting out of the shower, drying himself with a towel, when his assistant entered the room.

—I need you to gather all of my computer equipment, — Hiro instructed as he walked to his desk. —Includes the new device I designed and the latest thing we purchased. Have everything transported through the portal to these coordinates, — he instructed, feeding the coordinates through the computer.

—I have to go there and I'm not sure when I'll be back. My former commander has summoned me, so I'm leaving you in charge until I get back, Hyun-woo.

—That will be true, boss. Don't worry, — Hyun-woo replied solemnly, bowing his head in respect.

Hiro finished dressing and activated a portal to leave. He didn't know when he would return or if he would return safely. Either way, he had prepared his assistant for such an eventuality; he had left all the necessary information in an envelope, just in case something happened to him.