Chapter 4 : The Day Icarus Fell

Diane raced down the steps, almost barging into one of the clones on patrol. Running down the corridor that led to the archaeological dig, the closer she got to the entrance, the more exhilarated she felt. When Diane got the job as chief assistant to David, she took to her new posting with zealous enthusiasm. At first, it was all about the job, discovery and the possibility of gaining greater knowledge. Then it became the chance to discover, as David put it, the real cradle of life.

Dr Summers keyed in her code to the entrance of the dig. The door opened and she went inside. The area was dark, and done so purposefully, as some items when dug out from the soil, when exposed to light, somehow became brittle and almost immediately turns to dust. Diane knelt next to a pile of items she was busy cataloguing before being called to the meeting with David and Bracus. She took out her safety torch and lit her little pile of goods. Took a brush and dusted some of them. Taking out her magnifier, strapped it to her head, and inspected a curious-looking bowl. She took it to her worktable and under her safety lamp, inspected it more in detail. Diane turned on her computer and left it to boot up, stood up and went to the coffee machine.

She poured herself a cup and stared at her screen, waiting for the booting process to finish while taking a sip of the warm dark liquid, sighing with satisfaction. Diane returned to her worktable. She sat down and started to log her little bowl into the system. In the corner of her screen, a little white dot appeared. She leaned forward in looked at it more closely. It was a light reflecting on her screen. Diane turned her head trying to pinpoint the source of her irritation, thinking it is one of the technicians playing around with their flashlights. She noticed that the little pinprick of light was deeper into the dig, in an area where the safety globes could not reach. As soon as it appeared, it also disappeared in an instant. She stared into the darkness, trying to see if it would reappear again, but to no avail. Confused, Diane went over to one of the technicians, taking her torch from her desk.

“Did we map out the far end of the dig yet?” She asked one of the clones.

“No ma’am. We are still logging and salvaging the southern part closest to the entrance. Why do you ask?”

“I thought I saw something shiny at the far end of the dig.”

“Maybe one of the lights caught something metallic. The light reflecting off it perhaps?” It offered.

She turned her head towards the dig again. It could be something metallic.

“We are on our way to lunch ma’am. Do you need us for anything?”

“That will be all thank you.” She said absentmindedly staring in the direction of the dig.

Dr Summers stood there and waited for the workers to leave. She stared hard into the darkness, hoping the light would reappear. After ten minutes of standing there, her patience ran out. She walked to the door and entered her code to unlock the door.

Diane!

She jumped at the sound of her name, her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes darted to every dark corner she could find but no one was there. Diane’s hands clamped around the shaft of her torch like a vice.

“Who is there?” she voiced her demand to the darkness.

Almost immediately, the light in the darkness returned, but now brighter than before. Diane bit her lip. She switched on her torch and swung the beam of light in an arc, from corner to corner of the dig. No one was there. She slowly made her way over to the unknown light source, trying not to step on anything in the dark. Diane felt something crunch beneath her feet and she stopped.

Shit! What did I step on?

Don’t stop! Keep moving!

She stifled a scream and held her mouth in shock. The voice sounded like it was whispered close to her ear. The voice was male, and Diane felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. However, she forced herself to keep walking towards the light. As soon as she reached it, the light abruptly disappeared. A gasp caught the back of her throat and, for what seemed like an eternity, stood there like a stone statue, frozen in time.

“Come closer.” It spoke.

This time the voice had form and substance. It wasn’t in her mind now. She could hear him. Close to her. All around her. Every time Diane tried to look at him, he would shift from her field of vision, like a shadow. There was a moment when she could even feel his warm breath on the exposed skin at the nape of her neck. She was trembling hard now.

What the hell was I thinking? Coming out here in the dark.

For a moment she wondered if it wasn’t a clone messing with her.

“Come closer where I can see you.” It commanded.

Again Diane jumped at the sound of his voice. Her body betraying her, she moved forward towards this shadow. In a far-off corner of her terrified mind, she wondered at his accent. It was unusual but enticing. She felt compelled to obey.

“Do you fear me?” he asked.

She didn’t answer him, her eyes were transfixed on his shadowy form.

He moved closer to her. In a reflexive panic, Diane lit her torch and shone it directly at him. She could see him clearly now but almost dropped her torch. The beam of light went right through him. He was as transparent as the expression on her face. He touched her shoulder and gently squeezed it.

“You have nothing to fear from me. I assure you this is not an illusion.” It said, smiling at her warmly.

She stepped closer towards him, her curiosity overpowering her fear.

“Then what are you?” She asked her trembling subsiding somewhat.

“I am a memory of a time long forgotten.” He said mournfully.

She looked into his translucent eyes and saw only grief and pain.

“How long have you been down here?”

“Long enough. I have waited here for eons for someone like you. Someone seeking answers.”

What happened here?” Diane asked.

He smiled. At least tried to.

“Although it is the first question that comes to mind, it is not the right question you should be asking.” The shadow replied.

Is he testing me? She asked herself.

“Why did you kill your world?” She asked, hoping that the condition of Mars was the key to the riddle.

He smiled, but it was not a smile of mirth, but sorrow. He gestured to a pile of rubble at his feet. She aimed the shaft of light at his feet and stepped closer to it, trying to see where he was gesturing.

She gently removed all the debris and broken earthenware. Something white and bleached caught her eye. She took her brush and dusted the area around the object until it was totally exposed. It was a human skull. She looked up at him, a look of astonishment on her face. He seemed pleased.

“All the answers you seek lies in that book of bone. Our history, and your fate lies intertwined Diane. Learn all you can from our mistakes and there might be hope for mankind. If you should fail, the light of our species will be forever be extinguished by the blood of our people.”

And like the mist retreats before the sun, his form dissolved into nothingness, the echo of his voice, falling silent. She stood there confused. Diane stared at the skull, or as the apparition referred to it, the book of bone.

What did he mean by that?

The fact that the skull was human presented her with a new set of questions. All of which she wasn’t prepared to answer. But something overrode her logic. Diane’s need for answers was replaced by a desperate need to hold the skull.

Diane picked it up gently with both hands and held it up towards the light of her torch. It seemed unremarkable. Some cracks and burn mark streaked across it in some parts. In a far-off corner of her mind, she wondered at the burns and what could have caused them. Diane held it closer to her face the eye sockets facing hers. She felt herself being drawn into those abyssal pits of blackness, seemingly offering a kind of comfort. Diane felt an intense heat course from the skull, into her hands and seep into her arms. She did not resist. In a distant part of her mind, she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Diane looked around the room. She no longer saw the room as it is. She saw it as it was. The veil of time itself was torn. It was beautiful. The doorway across time was made of all the colours of the universe and held her hand out to touch it, as it seemed so tangible to her senses. As Diane stepped into the past she looked back and saw herself floating in midair surrounded by light. Strangely she felt nothing. All emotion was absent. She is no longer bound by the senses of her mortal coil. Diane knew this is what she was meant to do. For herself. For humanity. It is as it should be.

I want this.

And without hesitation, she stepped into the light.

---

“Good morning my lord. I trust you slept well?”

Remus groaned and pulled the satin covers over his face.

“Go away Lucius. I was having a pleasant dream.” His voice still thick from sleep.

“I imagined you would have my lord, after a night in the servant quarter I would sleep as soundly as you have.”

Propping himself up on a seemingly oversized pillow, he gave Lucius a wicked grin. Lucius just shook his head and opened the shutters of the room. Again, a groan was audible as he held his hand in front of his eyes to shield it from the sun’s harsh glare.

“Get dressed sire, your brother has requested your presence at the breakfast table. And you know how he gets when you are late.” Lucius said laying a toga on the dresser next to the bed. Grumbling the young man got out of bed and walked over to the adjoining chamber.

“My lord do you need help finding the soap?” Lucius quipped from the bedroom, making up his lordship’s bed.

He stuck his head out the doorway giving Lucius a baleful glare.

“You enjoy bullying me Lucius?” He growled.

“It is the highlight of my day Sire.” He said, grinning.

After the shower, he felt awake and refreshed. Remus whistled a merry tune while he dressed. After slipping on his sandals, he took a vial from his dresser and opened it. The sandalwood fragrance caressed his nostrils as he applied some to his neck and splashed some of the liquid under his armpits. Feeling the warm sun upon his freshly washed skin, he turned to the opened window. Remus walked over to it and stood there, leaning on the lower part of the ledge, staring out at the city. Argos was the centre of the Martian empire. Gleaming spires of white and gold accented by the sunrise, as cars and freighters zipped across the horizon. Remus smiled. We made this world. We tamed it and in turn, it became our father. Our teacher.

Satisfied, Remus left his room and made his way to the dining hall. When he entered the main corridor of the palace, he walked over to a large statue that stood next to the door and knelt before it. It was of a man, dressed in an ancient suit of armour. He was holding a thunderbolt aloft, aiming to throw at some distant target. The patron saint of Mars, Hellion. He held his fist over his heart.

“Give thanks to those who came before.

Give thanks to those who gave their lives.

Give thanks to those yet to come.”

He ended the prayer and kissed the patron’s feet. Getting up and walked towards the door, pressed his hand against a panel on the wall and the door opened. Remus stepped inside the hall, everyone already seated at the table. A ripple of laughter sounded from the people seated as he approached.

“It does me glad to see everyone in such a chipper mood this morning. I assume everyone slept well?” he asked whilst seating himself next to his brother.

“Apparently not as well as you Remus.” He said trying to hold back his laughter.

Remus was miffed.

“All right then, who told you? Was it Lucius?”

“My dear brother, the whole of Mars knows what you do in your free time. You are not as subtle as you’d like to believe.” Romulus said, his tone less juvenile now.

He looked at his mother in feigned innocence. She just shook her head in disapproval.

“My son, your nightly escapades and cavorting is hurting our family’s political standing in the senate. If we cannot maintain order in our own house, how can we rule?”

“Mother is right. Your vices make us look weak.” Romulus added.

“You in your younger days were no different.” Remus retorted.

Romulus took a sip from his goblet, his eyes never leaving his brother’s face.

“Back then we were not part of the ruling class. We have a position of responsibility now Remus. I am not saying you should stop. I am saying be more discreet.”

Remus broke off a chunk of bread and dipped in his broth, taking a huge bite.

“All right brother. I agree. We are the voice of the people and should conduct ourselves as such.” He concluded after swallowing his tasty morsel.

Romulus and his mother just looked at each other, with surprised looks on their faces. Romulus got up and went to the nearest window, looking up at the sky. Remus looked at him with an incredulous look on his face.

“In the name of Hellion, what the hell are you staring at Rom?”

“I am checking the weather. I sense a blizzard is on its way.” He said, looking over his shoulder at Remus, a juvenile look in his eyes. Remus's only response was a hunk of bread flung at Romulus, which he avoided effortlessly.

“Enough you two. We are due in the senate in an hour. We do not want to keep the council waiting. And where is your sister?” Cressida asked.

“I have not seen her since dinner last night mother. I suspect she is in the family garden.” Romulus informed her.

“We should be heading to the ground car. Send a legionnaire to find her.” She ordered the brothers.

Romulus motioned to the soldier standing guard at the door. He saluted and left the dining hall. The family finished their breakfast and proceeded to the ground car. A legionnaire opened the door for them and as they got in, another soldier came down the steps escorting Lucinda. She got into the car.

“Good morning mother. And to you my brothers. I trust you are all well?” She asked innocently. Remus and Romulus just stared at her and then at each other, both shaking their heads.

“Lucinda, how do you get dressed in the mornings? I swear you become more senile every day.” Remus quipped.

Her response was to stick out her tongue at Remus, as well as pulling her face.

“Mother while we are alone, I would like to broach a subject that only we as a family should address.” Romulus began.

She nodded in acknowledgement of Romulus’ request, motioning for him to continue.

“Since father’s untimely departure from life, we have not decided on what to do with all the undivided assets that he possessed. It has been a year now. I think we should discuss it.”

“Rom. I don’t think mother...” Remus started to protest, but she raised her hand to silence him.

“No, your brother is right. We should discuss it at dinner tonight.” She said, grief written all over her gaunt features.

They all fell into an uncomfortable silence until they reached the senate building. Heavily armed guards opened the door for them and they filed out of the ground car. Romulus got out and looked towards the senate building. The wonder of its magnificence never failed to leave him in awe. He always had great respect for the arts and architecture of his people and this structure represented more than just law and order. It represented the soul of the Martian people. Humanity’s testament to their will to survive and thrive.

“Good morning Cressida, and to you all.” An elderly man called out to the group as he walked down the polished steps, accompanied by two imperial guards.

The family knelt.

“Please Cressida let us let formality slide this once. We are already late as it is and the council is already in session. Please. Follow me.” The councilman urgently requested.

“What’s the rush this morning councilor?” Remus asked him as they walked towards the council chamber.

“As you know your mother delayed opening her testament to your father’s estate for a year now. Under Martian law, it is to be divided among the ruling families. Cero is petitioning for the division as we speak.

“That whore son dares?” He rasped.

“We’d better get there quickly. If Cero had his way we would be destitute.” Romulus growled, the fury in his voice making Lucinda and Remus look at him fearfully. Romulus was usually a soft-spoken man, but when his anger was aroused he was like a hurricane and just as terrible to behold.

They entered the chamber and the elder council member whispered to the herald to announce the family.

“With all the wealth that Castes left behind, unused, we could further improve infrastructure of Argos, even start a second city.” Cero argued.

“Your idea of a second city is a massive military station. We had enough of wars during the great migration. Fleeing from world to world. If we install planetary defenses, the Creators will find us again. You propose we bring ourselves to ruin!”

“So we remain the prey? Always the hunted, never the hunter?” Cero wailed in a dramatic fashion.

A loud gong sounded and the entire chamber fell into silence as they looked toward the entrance. The herald held his mouth to a small receiver.

“I present the ruling family, Romana.” He declared and respectfully moved aside.

Ceros’ gaze met with Romulus. Lucinda saw the battle of wills and swiftly intervened.

“Councilor Cero, are we to be cast out of court? Or would we be acknowledged?” She asked sweetly. She saw Ceros’ resolve soften. She always knew that he had lusted after her since they entered adulthood. It always exhilarated her, knowing she could bend him to her will. And she used that advantage mercilessly on more than one occasion.

“The Council acknowledges the family of Romana.” He said, albeit grudgingly and stepped down. A victory.

Romulus stepped up to the podium and fit the receiver to his toga. Romulus awaiting leave to speak from the judicator. He motioned to Romulus to speak. He looked around the hall. All these jackals, just waiting to tear their family apart. Especially Cero. He had no love for the man, but this proposal made his intentions clear.

“The wealth my father left behind is not to be touched. My mother has agreed to open the testament and honor to our laws, a penalty will be paid to the other ruling families.”

Cressida stood up to protest, but Romulus quickly whipped around and stared her down with a baleful glare. He had had enough of this parrying game she played. Still holding onto the memory of him. She just nodded in agreement, looking down at the marble floor.

“In addition, the Romana family will donate a significant portion of funds towards the improvement to the infrastructure of Argos. But the rest of our estate will remain untouched.”

Remus chuckled. Ceros’ expression grew from white to crimson in an instant as Romulus tore Ceros’ proposal apart piece by piece.

“Does this please the council?” Romulus asked pointedly directing the question to Cero.

Cero stood up, the rage clear as daylight on his face. He knew his arguments have no merit now.

“The request for acquisition of the Romana estate is withdrawn.” He said grudgingly.

“If there is anything else?” Romulus left the question hanging in the hall, daring anyone to oppose him. No one did.

“I now concede to the judicator.” He said, ending his turn. He sat down next to his mother and sister.

“How dare you!” Cressida whispered between grit teeth.

“Mother be silent. You almost cost our family our wealth and our right to rule.” Romulus hissed.

“Rom, please. Mother doesn’t need to hear this right now.” Remus pleaded.

A guard came bursting into the hall, running full tilt at the judicator. Between the hushed whispers regarding the defence of Romulus and the wild claims of Cero, Romulus was not sure what was happening. The guard leaned towards the judicator’s ear and appear to be relaying some sort of message. The judicator physically winced as if struck. He lifted his hands and the whole hall fell silent.

“My lords and ladies. I have received terrible tidings. The day we have feared for generations have come to pass. Creator dreadnoughts have been sighted at our solar borders.” He announced.

The whole hall immediately erupted in a cacophony of women screaming in panic and men shouting at the judicator.

“The war council has been convened and all ruling families’ presence is requested.” The judicator finished morosely.

Remus and Romulus looked at each other, both wide-eyed. Romulus swallowed hard.

“How did they find us? We don’t have any devices putting out enough power for them to trace us.”

“I do not know brother, but it seems they have found a way.”

---

A gavel slammed against its wooden block, the wielder trying to restore order.

“How did they find us?” Cero barked.

“It seems they have found a way to trace us via some other means. Our technology apparently does not serve as a beacon anymore.” Romulus said stone-faced.

“Could it be our fleet? They do carry heavy armaments that require a substantial amount of energy” Remus offered.

“It does not matter how. We have to act quickly if we are to survive. Do we have communion with the other colonies?” One of the generals asked.

“No, as soon as the dreadnoughts entered our solar system all our communication arrays went silent. And besides the fact that it is forbidden, they are jamming all the communication buoys. We are alone.”

Romulus stood up. For generations, humanity ran from these spectres of doom. Throughout history, every military engagement ended in defeat for humans. Their opponents were just too powerful to contend with. All we have done is run. They destroy us time and again and all we can do is run. Not anymore. If we run now it will be the last time.

“I have an idea , but it will take enormous amounts of courage and sacrifice.”

Cero mockingly coughed, trying to take the focus off Romulus. Romulus took one stride and was upon Cero, grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the nearest wall, holding him there. Cero grabbed at his assailant’s arm trying to heave the pressure off his throat, but Romulus’ grip was like a steel vice. He slowly brought his face close to Cero’s and looked him straight in the eye.

“Before you piss all over your overpriced toga, hear this. I’ll tolerate any attacks directed at me and my family, but will not let a spineless guttersnipe decide the fate of our people. If you understand, just nod.” Romulus growled at him.

Cero’s lips were starting to turn blue, and his eyes bulged from his sockets. He nodded. Romulus released his grip and Cero sank to the floor gasping for breath.

“Do I have everybody’s attention now?” He barked.

“What do you suggest Romulus?” A council member asked.

“General let the army and the fleet delay the Creators as long as possible. We are retreating to Earth.”

“To Earth? It’s a backwater world, a failed experiment.”

“Failed? I say it succeeded. When we tried the same experiment of the Creators we failed yes, but we have a chance to start over. We have superior knowledge. We could tame it.”

Lucinda spoke for the first time.

“Yes we could, but they would just follow us again.”

“And herein lays the part of sacrifice. We destroy all trace of technology. We integrate ourselves into Earth culture. And, in time, we will rebuild. Find another way.”

No one answered.

“Another thing. After we depart from here, we must deploy the Gladius.”

“How many?” Cressida asked.

“All of them.” Came the stern reply.

“It is pointless Romulus, never in history had our weaponry have any success in destroying a single creator vessel.” Cero wheezed.

He was not wrong. These enigmatic beings’ vessels were impervious to a full-on nuclear strike when shielded. Romulus turned towards Cero, still rubbing his bruised throat.

“The missiles are not intended for them.” Romulus said, softening his response.

Remus gasped. He knew just what his brother was suggesting. As did Lucinda.

“Then who is the target Romulus?” The head of the council demanded.

“We are. We must destroy our home. The creators must be convinced that we destroyed ourselves out of spite.” Romulus answered.

“What about the other enclaves? Surely they will perceive our lack of communication as a sign of distress? They will come to our aid!” Cero whined. Romulus promptly silenced him with a single glance.

“When we splintered from the tri-consulate, they made it clear they would not aid us. It was the price we paid to have Mars. We were declared a renegade state. We can expect no aid from them.” Remus replied.

“Even if we could, we should not. Our message would lead them right to their doorstep.” Romulus ended the argument.

An alarm sounded. One of the officers ran to a console and checked the readings.

“My lords, they have entered within weapons range of Mars.”

“Order the fleet to jump into an intercept path. Put our ships between us and them.” One of the generals ordered.

“My lords we need to decide now!” Romulus exclaimed.

“We are being hailed my lord.” The officer informed Romulus.

All present were stunned. Since when do they attempt communication with humans? In all of history, they always attacked. No warning. No parley. Nothing. This was a first. First contact was never a possibility. They clearly had the advantage of weapons and numbers. Why bother with parley?

“Put it through.” Romulus said.

The officer pressed a button on the console and as soon as he did, Romulus clutched at his head. As did the rest of the room. It was like the sound of static, yet at a pitch a thousand times higher, accompanied by a sound akin to someone scratching a chalkboard with nails. The sensation soon passed, however.

“It gets harder every time.” A voice sounded. Although it would be inaccurate to say a voice. It was more like a vibration of disembodied consonants and vowels floating inside their minds, trying to make themselves understood. Romulus was the first to react.

“Every time? He spoke to the voice inside his mind, hoping he wasn’t crazy, that the others have heard it too.

“Yes we have. It appears that over time you have evolved beyond our wildest dreams. This generation proves promising, although unnecessary. We have all the data we need. Your species must now submit to our will and return to dust.”

“We will never bow to you. It is not in our nature.” Romulus said calmly. He knew the longer he could speak to these beings, the more time he buys for the fleet to jump in.

“There is nothing you can hide from us my child. We know of your plans to intercept our fleet.” It said.

“It appears they can read our thoughts.” Romulus whispered to Lucinda and Cressida.

“Then you must also know that we will never surrender. We will fight you until the bitter end if need be. We will not retreat another step. It ends here today, one way or the other.” Remus concluded. He signalled the officer to cut the connection.

“Friends, we must move fast. The fleet will not save us. Our armies will not save us. At this moment they serve only to buy us time. Prepare our defense as best you can General. I will oversee the evacuation of our people.”

“Sir! The fleet has engaged the creator dreadnoughts!” Another officer exclaimed.

“I will stay to help organize the defense brother. I will join you as soon as we are ready to depart.” Remus told his brother. Romulus could see the fear in Remus’ eyes. He would not deny his brother. As fearful as he was he knew they were bred from the same stock. He knew his brother was as shrewd a tactician as he was.

“Alright. But I need you to launch the missiles if all else fails. Not before, understand? As soon as you are done, you must gather with us on the Icarus.

“Hellion be with you brother.”

“And with you.” Remus clasped his brother’s arm in farewell.

He embraced his mother and sister and swiftly departed, leaving Remus to the defence of Mars.