An Incubus Life - 179 - Goobyes

Chapter 179 Goodbyes

The shuttle zipped to a high altitude above Planesia and selected a transit. The shuttle approached and pressed into the transit and bypassed immersion to appear directly in orbit above Mercanious. It used a lot of aether but was the best way to go, and it was similar to my own ability, which allowed me to bypass entering a transit in favor of going to a higher layer.

I was allowed to tie into the sensors and watched as the sensors started to feed data to pilots. It was a tidal wave of data to sort through, and I couldn’t believe this small shuttle could pull so much data quickly.

I filtered through it, and I got a good idea of the technology level of Mercanious. Radio signals bounced across the planet but on only a few bands for select transmissions. The primary power was steam, and they had not had an industrial revolution yet. Having only been in one city on the lower populated continent, I hadn’t gotten a clear picture. Population estimates started feeding the HUD, which stopped at around 200 million before slowly ticking up.

The large green moon, a good distance away, had its own population estimate of 30 million, but it fluctuated up and down as the sensors had trouble scanning it. Only a few minor yellow threats disappeared after a more detailed scan. As we had assumed, there was nothing here to threaten the shuttle. There was a chance that the angelics had a spaceship in orbit, but the fear was not realized.

The pilot asked over suit comms, “Captain, engage stealth?”

“Don’t waste the aether,” Captain Aida said as she interpreted the data. “No starships in range that I can see, and only light radar is coming from the planet. Deploy two observation satellites and take us down to the Pyramid on the northern continent near the mountains.”

I had decided to return to the same city where the Whispering Rock Clan was headquartered. Gundella should still be there, and my plan was to make a dirty insertion into the Pyramid and then send everyone back to Earth. “Primitive.” The pilot said distastefully as he focused scans on the target city.

“It may be primitive, but those Pyramids are going to collapse three transits simultaneously,” I said heatedly. I had reviewed the data with Rincewind, and he agreed that it was possible. He also told me the whole reason for collapsing all the transits across the universe was an attempt to create another Great Descent and create a 24th layer. I couldn’t even begin to fathom that scale of planning over tens of thousands of years. Just dealing with my life on one planet was more than enough for me. Trying to save a universe or twenty-three dimensions was above my pay grade.

It was nighttime, and I looked at the Whispering Rock compound. Should we land at the Pyramid or get a quick lay of the land first? I assumed things had changed for the five weeks I had been gone but figured it couldn’t be too drastic. Deciding, I ordered, “Keep the shuttle out of sight. I am going to talk to Gundella. Be prepared to secure the Pyramid for our use.” Captain Aida was already programming combat scenarios based on scans of the Pyramid. Her team would go in with shoot-to-kill directives.

I jumped out of the shuttle a few miles up and expanded my incubus wings through the power armor. I fell for a while, aiming toward the city, then broke my descent with a glide. I couldn’t resist wasting some time flying around high above the city at night. Although they didn’t have the technology, Captain Aida warned me over my suit comm, “Some mages have detected you with aetheric probes. You should land soon, or they will start targeting you with spells when they find your exact location.”

With my fun interrupted, I landed at the Whispering Rock compound and sent my armor to my space. I transformed into the orc body and dressed in common clothes. I should have had power suits made for my orc, elf, and succubus forms as well, but it hadn’t occurred to me. I walked into the central building toward the apartments. The fat gray-skinned butler was the first to spot me and stuttered, “Champion Maestro! You have returned!  I will alert the Matriarch!” He rushed off before I could stop him.

Well, I guess it would expedite things. I moved to the familiar library to wait. I was a little surprised when Tevega entered the library, smartly dressed in light armor a short while later. “Champion Apollyon. You have returned.” Her toothy orc smile told me she was hungry to resume where we left off.

“Where is Gundella?” I asked, confused.

“I am the Clan Matriarch now. I sent her to negotiate the iron prices in Shocklick Province. They have been paying an unreasonably low price for our goods. Now that you are back, do you wish to spar? I have been practicing and think you will be impressed. I have also raised a house guard of nearly three hundred warriors for you to command my Maestro.” Tevega’s eyes were eager and requesting praise. I hesitated to praise her.

“I thought the Whispering Rock only needed one hundred warriors to guard their shipments?” I recalled.

“The Whispering Rock no longer just deals with just commerce and trade. I have announced to the rest of Mercanious that we are now mercenaries as well. I have already defeated nine Champions of other clans, and they are afraid to challenge me now.” Her massive grin told me I had created a monster. Tevega’s power had pushed her beyond the other Champion orcs on this planet.

It didn’t seem like this was going to complicate anything if I moved fast. “Who controls the Pyramid?” I asked the confident orc.

She looked contemplative, “Fiery Snow still commands the one in this city. Did you return from the transit? Did you bring the Supreme Spiritist back with you?”

There seemed to be more going on here than on the surface. “Why is she needed for something?”

“There is a revolt within the Haunted Waters Clan for control of the larger cities. The southern continent is in upheaval, and no one can decide whether the Pyramids should be shut down. The undesirables are being funneled into the transit without the World Gates functioning.” She explained this calmly, but it was not very simple.

Haunted Waters was the most powerful clan on the planet, having representatives in every city and the most Orc Champions of any clan. They were also the military strength on the planet. If they were fighting amongst themselves, they were weakening the planet. The undesirables, as she called them, were the culled orc youth. They generally had a choice to be exiled to the transit or World Gate. Opening the World Gate was an obfuscation for the angelic efforts to destroy the transit. By abducting Sofiel, I had disrupted the angelic’s plans. The question was, where were the angelics? Why had no one replaced Sofiel?

Seeing my confusion, Tevega asked, “Tell me what you need of me, and it will be done, Maestro.”

I gathered my thoughts, “I don’t need anything from you, Tevega. I am going to seize the Pyramid and make use of the World Gate.” I taped my HUD and sent a message to Captain Aida, “You can take the Pyramid and prepare for the transfer.”

Explosions sounded a short while later in the city, causing alarm to appear on Tevega’s face. “Don’t worry Tevega, they are with me. I am heading to the Pyramid.”

“I will go with you. Wherever you go, I will follow Maestro.” Tevega moved to follow.

“No, Tevega. I will need to return to Mercanious in the future. I need it to be safe when I return. Do what you can to make sure the orcs of Mercanious are compliant.” I decided to keep my request vague as I was hoping to never have to return to the planet.

Tevega seemed to nod seriously. Maybe I should have asked what she was thinking, but the truth was that I didn’t care what happened on this planet. I was concerned about Earth; the more disruptive things were on Mercanious, the less problems they could cause Earth.

I stepped out into the street. Orcs were running to and from the blasts coming from the Pyramid. My HUD was updating with the progress of the Eladrin Marines. They had already killed ninety-seven orcs, and the body count rose rapidly as they secured the Pyramid’s exterior and moved into it.

Two Eladrin Marines were at the entrance, and the shuttle was overhead. I walked past the orc bodies and headed deeper into the Pyramid. Bodies littered the hallway, and I felt some guilt for allowing this to happen. I was putting the safety of my companions and the Cartwrights first. The central chamber with the large black keystone had Captain Aida and my charges.

The Cartwirghts had handheld sensors and were scanning the black keystone with intense wonder on their faces. I ignored them and walked to Captain Aida, “Any problems?”

“One of my Marines was injured by a shaman. We blocked all aetheric and radio signals from getting out of the city. No help should be coming. You have at least three hours.” She reported.

“Very efficient. Is the keystone and the Pyramid charged?” I asked hopefully. Since they had not been using the World Gate, I hoped everything was ready for us.

The technician came over to my suit speakers, “Apollyon, the keystone is charged. The Pyramid’s limestone is not saturated, but we are directly bleeding aether off the shuttle. Should be ready to go in less than an hour.”

“Will losing that aether affect our return to the Shadow Fall?” I asked.

He came back, “It will be close, but we will make it. As long as we do not need to fight any aerial combat, that is.”

I found the bound Sofiel. “Is there anything special I need to know?”

Her eyes were cloudy with drugs. “You killed the orc shamans. They attuned the World Gate.”

The technician’s voice came over my suit, “Don’t listen to her. We have the aether frequency and can probably cycle the connection much quicker and more efficiently.” I pointed to my suit comm and smiled. Maybe my smile was a little too malicious for the angelic and unnecessary. With all the dead orcs, I definitely felt like the villain here.

I looked at my own orcs. Besides Glasha, they all looked smug, being on the winning side. The half a dozen dead shamans in this central chamber did not faze them. I walked up to Glasha, and my demonic sense told me this could not continue. “Glasha,” I got her to focus on my eyes. I pushed my charm and control onto her.

Surprisingly, I felt some pushback, not from Glasha or another charm, but from her blood. Her angelic blood markers were trying to resist. It was not strong enough to resist, but knowing it was there was a bit disconcerting. The male gray-skinned shaman I had taken into my service had demonic blood markers. He was currently walking around the black keystone with the Cartwrights. It had once been his job to charge the stone.

“Glasha,” I repeated when I felt the charm take a foothold. “I need you to cooperate and help make sure all my companions stay safe.” I looked over to Aurora and gave her a short nod, telling her to keep an eye on this orc. She only had undertones of being unhappy, but since we returned to Mercanious, I sensed her growing discontentment. I would leave her here if it is was not for her mother, Sharn.

I felt better having some control over Glasha. I was just too close to getting the Cartwrights home. I moved to talk with Sharn. I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Sharn, when you get to Earth, there will be a catkin woman named Artica. You will be working for her directly until I return. She will settle the Molten Fist. I have many people and assets that I need to be protected. Do a good job for me, and you and your clan will never be wanting for anything.”

Sharn nodded, realizing I was not coming with them. I had made my decision. I was going to return to the Shadow Fall. I moved to Bedelia next, who already had a sour look. “Bedelia, I need you back on Earth to guide everyone in magic. You need to help Abigail realize her goal of becoming a Medicus Magicae. You need to help Paige navigate her new power. You need…”

“Shut up, Caleb. What about me? You are not finished raising my core? Who is going to make sure everything around you is safe? Do I not do a good job for you? What more can I do to prove my value?” Bedelia was tearing up, and I was surprised I was not.

“I need you safe. I couldn’t live with myself if you were killed. The demons and angelics we will be facing are going to be ruthless. I promise not to cause myself unnecessary harm. Please don’t make me charm you. I would rather have you hate me than have to charm you.” She slapped me as hard as she could before kissing me hard. “I will take that as a yes, and you are going without being influenced.”

I moved to Aurora next, who just waved me away. She was helping Brin with all her crates of equipment. She would return to Earth or not. She was an independent and would do whatever she wanted. I would just throw her through the gate if needed. I walked over to the Cartwirghts last, who were infatuated with the keystone.

Eloise looked up, “Do you know this keystone contains the maps to two different planets! Every layer! You could travel all the way to the Source if you had enough aether to power the gate!”

“I know. It can connect to Earth and Everhome, the planet of elves and dwarves.” She frowned at me, not being as excited as she was. “You have thirty minutes before we will activate the World Gate and send you home to Iris. I just wanted to ask you not to tell the Magus Arcanum about me.”

Mr Cartwirght paused in his readings, “Thank you, Caleb. We will not. If Estrade asks, we will just tell him the Eladrin sent us home after freeing us.”

I winced and realized I would have to confront this Estrade when I returned. I certainly felt that I could handle the Magus Arcanum with my recent upgrades. Being on Mercanious at this very moment, I also felt inadequate for the aether density. It was like I was breathing thin air at the top of a mountain. Andromeda had warned me about this. She told me that as I grew in power, I would need to climb the layers to continue my growth.

I watched my HUD as the countdown continued. The pilot came over to the suit, “We have a contact approaching. Satellites are tracking now. Seven minutes to planetfall.”

The Eladrin Marines suddenly began to rush out of the Pyramid to get back on the shuttle. Captain Aida was giving orders. I looked at my companions and yelled, “Sharn and Aurora, make sure everyone, including yourselves, gets through the gate when it opens!” I rushed to join the Marines.

“It is a small cruiser—angelic design. A low-tier model but still enough firepower to take care of our little ship.” The pilot did not sound worried at all.

The engineer came over comms, “I am cycling the gate now. I got the efficiency up by thirty-two percent. The gate to Earth will be open for nineteen minutes.” I was right behind Captain Aida as we exited the Pyramid, and the shuttle hovered for us. We were the last two on board.

The shuttle spun hard, and I heard the engineer announce, “The gate is open.”

The pilot immediately said, “Cruiser is opening fire on the planet. It is targeting the Pyramid. Seventy seconds until impact.”

“Bedelia!” I said over my comms.

The connection was terrible, but she just yelled back, “We heard! Don’t distract me. We are getting everything into the gate.”

I watched anxiously as dense laser beams struck the Pyramid, throwing massive chucks into the city. Fortunately, they were just blowing the outer layer of the Pyramid away. “Missile launch,” the pilot said calmly. I couldn’t connect with any battle suits in the Pyramid and hoped they had all gotten away safely. The missile struck, and the Pyramid exploded in a shower of stone, taking a third of the city with it.

The Whispering Rock compound was not harmed as it was so far from the impact site. The angelics were obviously not happy we were here. I asked over the comms, “Where did the ship come from?”

“A transit on the green moon. It must have been sitting inside the transit. I am going to be busy with fighters in a moment. If you don’t mind, I would like to focus on not getting shot down.” His casual tone worried me more than the cruiser. He sounded completely unconcerned.

One of the Marines helped me reconfigure my HUD so I could watch the space battle as it unfolded. We were at the mercy of the pilot and the cruiser as they dueled in low orbit.

Captain Aida explained what was happening, “We need to charge the aether capacitors to open a transit portal. The capacitors were focused on charging the Pyramid. We have enough aether, we just need nine minutes and a transit to leave.”

The co-pilot came over comms, “We also have to hope they don’t have any disruptors on board.”

The pilot added as he took a hard turn as the fighters approached, “We can’t fight back or we won’t have enough aether to transition. This is going to get messy.” The shuttle corkscrewed as three fighters opened fire on us. Only one in twenty shots hit our shields. But each hit was draining vital aether.

“Can I charge the aether battery directly? Like how my suit draws my aether?” The Marine tech looked at me with a puzzled expression.

He finally said, “No, but we can drain our suits to help charge the ship, but it will just be a drop.”

“I have a thousand aether,” I said seriously.

“Well, that is more than a drop,” he got into action, linking my suit to the shuttle as I forced aether into my suit’s batteries, and the shuttle drained my suit. Our defensive guns suddenly opened up, destroying two fighters before going silent. I was too focused on my effort to listen to the comms. It was not easy pushing so much aether so fast, and I felt my suit overheating. Soon, the smell of burning flesh assaulted my nose, but I kept going. I went all the way until my aether bottomed out, and I passed out.