《Vanum》Intermission II-I
Advertisement
II-I
On the Empress‘ Flagship, the Leviathan…
One of the things Marconite Avarion likes the most is the steady hum of the filters and machinery keeping the water in the Empress‘ tank clean and oxygen rich, and the fresh smell of the water itself. It reminds him of the birthing waters of Cetus. A Place he hasn’t seen in more than two millennia. But he can’t say he misses them much. After all, all he needs to be happy is here, within the giant water tank on the Leviathan.
Most days Marconite sits next to the water tank, listening and talking to the Empress and doing is work on a laptop. While he has an office close by, it isn’t close enough to satisfy him. He can only find true calmness and happiness close to the ruler of all Menkarkind.
Humming a happy tune Marconite writes one verdict after the other with a few reports and suggestions sprinkled in between. Once in a while, he looks up at the tank. Inside the tempered water, hidden by a mesmerising interplay of dim lights and twilight shadows, he can make out the giant shape of Empress Aldebaraun. She’s about 18 feet and 3 inches long without it 11 feet long tail according to the latest health check, which makes her the biggest Menkar-queen ever recorded. Still, the mass of her hair makes her appear bulkier and slower than she truly is.
By the looks of it she seems to be sleeping.
„I do wonder what you‘re dreaming, my Precious,“ Marconite wonders aloud while watching her with a tender expression. „Judging by the emotions I pick up, it must be something pleasant.“
A moment later he looks back on the dim screen of his laptop and continues to check the current data pertaining to the Starblazer-Incident. What a mess, he thinks while he looks over the summary page. I would’ve sent Deep Space in the first place to secure the weapon. Sadly, I’m unable to deny my Precious any of her wishes. I should change but… No. As long as her wishes won’t cause her any harm, I‘ll indulge her. Still, we could’ve saved money sending out Deep Space earlier.
Advertisement
Marconite looks up from his computer. He can feel someone rushing towards him. Following his usual routine he closes the laptop and stands up, facing the door. A few moments pass and someone knocks.
„Come in!“, he says and pushes the button on the small remote in the pocket of his uniform-jacket.
The door opens without any sound and reveals a young aquatic Drone, who has been recruited about a Circle ago. Marconite still remembers her face and name, as he does with all of his subordinates.
„Welcome Talaris, how my I help you?“, he asks her with a polite nod.
„G-good evening, Sir,“ she says, trying to force the nervous tone out of her voice with mixed results. „I’ve got news from the Steward of Deep Space.“
„Has he found the weapon?“, asks Marconite interested but without any real hope for success.
„Negative, Sir,“ Talaris continues. „But he was able to locate the traitor named Slicer. He wants to know how he shall proceed. He also sent a suggestion with this request. Shall I read it to you, Sir?“
„Yes.“
„I, Restimil Vadias, loyal servant of Her Imperial Highness, Empress Aldebaraun, hereby suggest to Marconite Avarion, First Steward of the Leviathan, to postpone the immediate execution of Aranian Velten, better known as Slicer. He possesses the necessary adaptability and willpower to create a Pact. To execute him without further investigation into the possibilities of this rare occurrence would bereft Her Imperial Highness of a valuable asset in the protection and expansion of the Empire. As for his status as traitor, I, Restimil Vadias, will take care of his re-education and take full responsibility should Slicer, after the re-education process, still show any signs of disloyalty to Her Imperial Highness or harbour any intentions of insurrection.“
Advertisement
Marconite remembers Slicer just as well as Talaris. An accomplished Menkar by all means, just held back by his own malignant and self-destructive nature, he thinks about Slicer. He has always great ambitions as well as the ability to plant intentions into other peoples heads. What a dangerous mix. But functional Pactkeepers are a rarity themselves. Let’s see what a less experienced Menkar will decide.
„Tell me, Talaris, what do you think about this suggestion?“, Marconite asks the young agent to test her.
„M-my opinion?“, she asks shocked but manages to calm herself down a bit — much to his contentment. „Yes, Sir. My opinion… the Steward of Deep Space is the most loyal of all Stewards — except for you, Sir. Therefore, I would grant his suggestion, Sir.“
„Loyalty is a rare good these days, Talaris,“ he says, probing her further. „With the Second Steward of the Leviathan, Laapis Azura, also known as Shark, betraying Her Imperial Highness, how can we be certain that Restimil Vadias will not follow?“
Marconite feels her emotions flatter. There is fear, eagerness, and distaste for Azura within her. Yet, Talaris remains steadfast.
„As an Empire we can’t allow our resolve to be poisoned by distrust, Sir,“ she says, while her voice gets stronger and more confident. „It is true, we lost valuable assets due to major betrayals, but we can’t flatter in our missions. We need to remain on course and push all doubts aside, Sir. As such, I‘m ready to trust the Steward of Deep Space, while keeping my weapon pointed at him until the situation is resolved. And, no matter the outcome, judgment shall be delivered fast and without hesitation.“
„If every member of the Imperial Fleet would have your resolve, we would’ve conquered the whole universe by now,“ he tells her and feels her mix of embarrassment and delight in hearing those words. „I‘m content with your answer. Now you have to prove to me that those weren’t just empty words to please Her Imperial Highness and me.“
„Just give me my orders, Sir!“, she says proudly and salutes him.
„Contact Restimil Vadias and tell him I grant his suggestion. Once this is done, you will prepare and install a direct line of communication to him. After all this, you will report immediately back to me.“
„Sir! I won’t disappoint you, Sir!“, she replies eager and salutes him again before leaving him.
Marconite looks after her with a gentle smile.
Advertisement
My Blind Familiar
Familiar, a magical creature of any kind that a mage channels mana through to perform magic or tasks. Familiars are all different and each mage can have only 1 and it can only be summoned in Magic Academy due to the preparation for this being in these locations.The age that these students obtain this is when they start their second year in the magic academy. The first year was purely to teach the students how to gather mana and improve their capacity as well as to weed out those without talent for gathering mana. The entire year teaches the students breathing techniques, meditation and teaches the basis of how magic works. Our story starts with a young man that summons the most uncommon Demon, the imp or so called the Ash Golem. Hi ppl, new and very advanced story as well as one i will publish. I won't release many chapters of this one so it is more a teaser.
8 158Isekai Speedrun
I accidentally glitched into a parallel world when I tried to break my speedrunning world record. I need to find the main characters, put the band back to together and kill the final boss before he triggers the bad ending. My name is Qwerty Uozewe and this is Mu-Ur Quincunx Any% Deathless Untied World Record on Nightmare Difficulty [Live Commentary]. Note: Someone has already tried to plagiarize this story and sell it as an ebook on Amazon with a different name. If you see other plagiarized versions, please report them. If I make an official ebook version, I'll put a link here and on Scribblehub so you'll know it's genuine.
8 104The Journey of a God: Book 1
When a young man suddenly becomes one of the strongest beings in existence, his life takes a drastic turn. He must learn the true essence of right and wrong in this epic tale of adventure, heartbreak, and action across dimensions. Will he find his place in the world or will it be chosen for him?
8 181The Knight's New Day
Succumbing to his final battle, a knight thinks that his death is the end of his story.... until he is given a chance to live again, to earn a place in paradise.
8 199Legend of Legendary Summons!
A strange beast—a wolf-pup—born in ruins. Lacking common sense.Will it survive in the world of summons among the cunning and treacherous humans?Or will it become a pet for another summoner?Or, It will take its own fate and do something never done before?You don't have to follow its journey, just read it... ————————— A Long Live Summons! Fanfiction. Release Schedule: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. Cover by LimeBlock(Note: I do not own the cover)
8 139Random steamy oneshots with a dominant older man and submissive young woman. All the chapters will contain a storyline. //Mature Content//Re-written and re-published.Readers discretion is advised. Only for those readers who are comfortable with sexual themes and mature language. 18+ and above.Please read the disclaimer before proceeding. started writing: 8/11/22finished writing:
8 158