Chapter 19

Over the next few days, there was a flurry of activity with people moving into the Sphere through portals we set up. Hakan was nowhere to be seen in that time, which probably had me more worried than if he did harry our people.

As the Sphere filled up with refugees and the bonds from the people of Elvia, Cethain and Malatia all flowed in to me thick and fast, I was now inundated with an incredible amount of Ethereal Neuma. My follower numbers had even swollen on Talitus, and a few new ones stretched from Galess even though we hadn’t targeted either place yet. That was something else I’d have to do in due time.

Life and Devotion didn’t need power from me to regain their strength. It happened naturally and far more swiftly than usual for them, and we guessed that was down to their cores being open.

I spent those days moving from group to group and taking those with no Internal Connection to the Admin hub in Toukal. I only gave them each five extra levels to get them up to fifty in the skill so they could get something out of the training.

I left my visit to Life until last as she acclimatized to her new existence. She had one Chosen here, but this was my first time in meeting them.

Alara Malina: Level 294. Protector of the South

Losalfera (Losalfar III)

She was the last former Chosen to be given the five levels to invest in Internal Connection. “May I come with you to the Admin Hub?” Life asked. “I have not been yet, and I would like to visit my people living there.”

“Sure. I need to log you into the system anyway.”

“Fantastic. As I have you , I wanted to broach the subject of my other Chosen. I wondered if I could bring Queen Caralan from Galess and Elder Rinwa from Talitus to train with me, I believe we could develop new skills faster.

“Er, sure. I need to speak to everyone on those planets anyway. Will Caralan even want to move here? I mean, We have some rivers, but not much in the way of sea’s inside the Sphere.”

“We will be expanding the Sphere, will we not? I heard estimates from Lord Joel that with Devotion and I involved, the Sphere will grow as far as Delosha in the West.

“Sure, but we’re not ready yet. I haven’t devised anything for the shortfall in power. I’ve already had to recharge the Void Battery. I should get more power from Talitus and Galess, but honestly, they’re going to be a battlefield between Hakan and us. He’ll try and grab them and take as many servant bonds for himself as he can.”

Life suddenly looked queasy. “Has he started? Is there nothing we can do?”

“I honestly don’t know if he’s started. He’s very good at hiding his demented ass. Aly can only spot him when he pops up to attack.

“As for what we can do? Not much. I just need to react as soon as he makes a noticeable move. If I could build a shield around the planet I would, but I’m no where near that powerful yet.”

“Is the Administration Headquarters?”

“No, that’s safe. We think. Even Aly’s a little uncertain that he hasn’t got a back door in. Let’s just say we’re prepared to be surprised.”

“That’s good to hear, Clive. But I meant is the Administration Headquarters powerful enough to create a shield around the planet. If it’s able to create one around the Nexus, and maintain the Great Barrier, then can it not provide a shield around Galess and Talitus.”

As her words hit home, I felt a surge of excitement. “Aly? Did you get that?”

I did Clive, and yes we can create a barrier around each planet, though they would not be configured to prevent Hakan from entering. A new kind of shield would have to be engineered for that. Or you could use a Distortion Barrier.”

“Clive?” Life asked, jostling my arm gently. “Are you alright?”

“Sorry Life, just speaking with Aly. It seems we could put a Distortion Barrier up around the planets. But if I do, then I won't have access to the followers.”

“But they’d be safe?”

“They would be. And I’m not sure I actually need the power they provide. Not at the risk of Hakan also having access to it.”

As I spoke, my resolve firmed on the matter. “We’re doing it. We can always take it down later if we need to.”

Life stood there looking bemused, as if she had no idea what she’d just begun, but I felt energized. “Aly, can you put those Distortion Barriers in place?”

“I cannot Clive. They will need to be activated from the Administration hub on the individual planets.”

“No problem. I’ll get right on it.”

Opening my Void Storage I gestured for Life to enter. “Let’s get going. We can get you a totem, so you don’t have to go in the Void anymore. Then we’ll go to Talitus and Galess, get your Chosen and erect the barriers.”

Life still looked uncertain as she entered the Void Storage, but not as uncertain as Alara who followed her in like a kicked dog. I really needed to work on my relationship with these two.

It didn’t take us long to get Life and her Chosen, Alara, set up as Administrator’s and to make sure each of them had Transport Totems. I felt some measure of guilt that I’d given the roles to over half of the team, but not Sania and Danivra on account of them both having a high starting point in Internal Connection. That was something I’d have to sort out as soon as I finished my little tour of Galess and Talitus.

As we arrived in the transport hub on Talitus first. It struck me that I hadn’t been back since my first visit. I doubt they’d be happy that my second visit was to tell them they’d be indefinitely cut off from the powers I provided.

I shook those thoughts from my head to focus on setting up the barrier that would keep them all alive.

Aly brought up the access screen I needed before I even reached the interface. The words glowing in place:

Welcome Universal Administrator.

Accessing Distortion field control Panel.

Which Barrier would you like to access.

Administration Headquarters.

Hub 1. (Onnekus) Primary Plane

Hub 2. (Falritas) Secondary Plane

Hub 3. (Talitus) Secondary Plane

Hub 4. (Galess) Secondary Plane

Hub 5. (Earth) Tertiary Plane

Hub 6. (Attira) Tertiary Plane

“Alright,” I huffed. “Hold the fucking phone. Hubs five and six? And one of the bastards is on Earth? How come you never told me about these, Aly? Did it not seem important?”

I did not know about them, Clive. They are locked behind the system’s security. We have only had access to them since you were installed as the Universal Administrator.

“But you can go to all the other hubs. Why not them?”

Those in the Tertiary Plane were inaccessible with the Great Barrier active. In all of my research during your case, there was no mention of them.

“So it’s another thing Hakan has clearly hidden.”

It would seem so. Perhaps they were cut off earlier. I cannot say.

I didn’t particularly like the fact that they’d been there all the time, and we didn’t know. But they also gave me further options on Earth. I would make sure Lucas and Sophie were made up as Administrators and could access the place. I got the sense Sophie would be highly useful being involved. “Fair enough, Aly. I Suppose it doesn’t really matter. You do have access now, right?”

Only if you grant it directly.

I shook my head. “Of course I grant it. And make sure that shithead can’t get either of them.”

It is done. The criminal Hakanilaris cannot gain access to either of the Tertiary Plane hubs without being detained.

“Great,” I mumbled, accessing the Distortion Barrier for Galess. That prompted a  great number of options to spring up. It took me a little while to scroll through them all, but I quickly found the one I needed. Create quarantine zone around planet.”

“Seems like the Alo-im liked to have this option handy with how accessible it is.” I said to no one in particular. I’d have loved to know why that would be for such a supposedly peaceful race. Again, it was something that could wait. I chose the option, and the Interface flashed a couple of times to signify that the barrier was active.

Then an alarm went off around the room:

Alert.

Alert:

The Criminal Hakanilaris is inside the Distortion Barrier.

Automatic Detainment Protocol has been activated.

“Holy Shit!” I half yelped. “We’ve got him! Aly, what happens? How will he be held?”

He will not be able to leave the planet. Beyond that, nothing, Clive. The security systems need to be reactivated by you and given access to the rest of the planet. I have taken the liberty of bringing up the necessary screen for you.

I dove back into the interface, quickly mashing the options as they flashed up to activate various aspects of security. Once done, I pulled back, feeling exhausted. “Okay, Aly. Drones will be sent out to catch him. Are they're capable of detaining an Alo-im as powerful as he is?”

Of course, Clive. They were designed for Alo-im

"Sweet! Where the fuck is he?"

As I asked the question, I used Spirit Sight and found him quickly enough myself. Aly confirmed a moment later. Hakan was a few East of my land here. Up to no good in what used to be Death's land.

I spun on Life. “You and Alara stay here. With any luck this won’t take long."