Project Prometheus Ch. 53 - Teaser (Patreon)

“What? You’re done already?” Arcann asked, looking down at himself. Indeed, Khulac had secured the final plate into place, making sure that his brother was fully armored before he picked up his helmet and warblade.

“If you would stop daydreaming, you might have noticed that I got it done in record time too,” Khulac snarked, taking a jab at his brother.

“That you did! Come on! We have work to do,” Arcann told him, taking his helmet and warblade before striding out.

The pair of them left his quarters and made their way to the hangar bay. It was a short trip, one which seemed longer than it should have, given the situation they were in. Khulac took a few deep breaths as they stepped out of the elevator and made their way to the ship that waited for them.

“What’s wrong?” Arcann asked, sensing his little brother’s apprehension.

“It’s just… I’m not looking forward to facing the Elders. You know how they can be,” Khulac warned.

“I’m well aware. Just know that they may be able to control others, but not me. Not anymore,” Arcann replied, setting his face in a grim smile.

“How?”

“Just know that there are methods where such control can be… sidestepped,” Arcann stated cryptically. “I’d tell you more, but we have work to do.”

Khulac nodded as the pair of them boarded the ship, which was little more than a shuttle, and got things going. It didn’t take long for them to power it up, and seal all the doors, before they got it flying. Arcann brought the ship to a hover for a moment, orienting himself before tapping the throttle. Not even a split second later, they zipped their way out of the hangar and headed down for the teal marble below that was their home world.

“How is it that you are able to… sidestep the control the Elders have on you?” Khulac questioned, still worried about his brother becoming an unwilling sap for the Elders, like many had before him.

“Out in the galaxy, there are groups, some of which are cults, that train themselves to repel any mental intrusions. There are even entire branches of various militaries that are devoted strictly to learning about the mind and resisting the influence of others on yours,” Arcann stated, giving his brother a knowing smirk.

“You… you were part of such groups?” Khulac asked, awed that such things were possible out in the galaxy he didn’t know of.

“I was, for a time. It was part of my training, so I could retain my will, no matter the situation I would find myself in,” Arcann told him, only giving his brother a half truth. While he loved and trusted his brother dearly, Arcann knew that the Elders might have some level of control over him. Once the Elders were handled, then he’d come clean to his brother about everything, but not before.

If there was one thing he’d rather not do, it was to be too free with his thoughts and mindset with anyone before the Elders were dealt with. With the group of older Takharian men who ruled over this planet with an iron fist, it was better to hold your tongue. Arcann remembered a particular rule that was taught to him by a human man. He referred to himself as a ‘Russian’, which the former commodore supposed was an ethnic subtype of human, but the lesson stood out in his mind.

‘The biggest mistakes come from too much talking. Be more silent.’

Such a lesson was a valuable one, as it was one that he’d had to adhere to if his mission was to succeed. He’d never seen this ‘Russian’ again, as he’d been transferred to another posting soon after meeting Arcann. But the words of wisdom he had for the then young Arcann Saubath had been invaluable. It had been many of these lessons that had helped propel him from a young enlisted soldier to the rank of commodore in the UCW.