Star Keep - The Ark

Chapter 1

Peace with Draoi

In the bustling command center of the United Sovereignty, a group of officials gathered around a large holographic display, their expressions tense. They were monitoring the ongoing civil war between the Solma and Olcs, the ancient virus-based telepathic aliens who had built the interstellar network of transit devices known as "The Ark." These Light and Dark sects of the ancient Draoi were far more advanced than humanity but lived in peace with humans for millennia.

Despite their formidable powers, the Draois had never come into conflict with humanity, thanks to a fragile peace treaty known as "The Covenant." Under this treaty, the United Sovereignty agreed to refrain from interfering in the Draois' affairs, while the Draois, in turn, agreed not to harm humans.

But as the civil war raged on, tensions between the two sides began to rise. The Solmas, who had allied themselves with the United Sovereignty, were growing increasingly desperate for aid in their fight against the Olcs, who sought to destabilize the Ark network and bring about chaos and destruction.

The officials watched as the holographic display flickered to life, showing a group of Solmas engaging in a fierce battle with their Dark counterparts on the surface of Nyx, the planet between Mars and Jupiter.

"We can't just sit back and watch," one of the officials muttered. "The Covenant is breaking down. We need to do something."

But another official shook his head. "We can't risk open conflict with the Draoi. Our relationship with them is delicate at best. If we break the peace treaty, we risk losing everything."

As the officials argued back and forth, a lone figure stood at the back of the room, watching silently. It was Kela, a telepathic Solma who had long ago renounced the violent ways of the Olcs and chosen to live among humans.

Sensing the frustration and fear in the room, Kela stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "I understand your concerns," he said. "But we cannot allow the Ark to fall into darkness. The Solmas need our help."

The officials looked at Kela in surprise, unsure of what to make of the sudden appearance of a Draoi in their midst. But Kela held their gaze steadily, his telepathic abilities allowing him to convey his sincerity and conviction.

Kela's words swayed the officials. They agreed to send a covert team to aid the Solmas, while doing everything in their power to avoid provoking the Olcs. As the officials dispersed, Kela remained behind, watching as the holographic display flickered out.

Chapter 2

Aku

Kira, Taro, and Zo Aku stood on the deck of the Ark Stream, domed with a type of protective shield that circumvented the need for the Ark to scan everyone inside, watching as the planet below them slowly came into focus. Verdantis was a lush green world, filled with towering trees and clear blue rivers. It was a world that the Olcs would love to destroy, but the Aku family was determined to protect it.

Ambassador Kira turned to her son, Zo, and said, "Remember, the Ark Stream is more than just a means of transportation. It's our responsibility to protect the planets we visit and stabilize their atmospheres. Without us, these worlds would be destroyed by the Olcs."

Admiral Taro nodded his head in agreement. "That’s right, honey. We have to keep the Ark Stream functioning, no matter what."

Zo chimed in, "But how are we supposed to do that if the Olcs attack us?"

Kira placed a comforting hand on her only child's shoulder. "We'll find a way, Zo. We always do."

As they approached the planet's atmosphere, the Ark Stream's sensors detected something amiss. Taro's brow furrowed as he studied the readouts. "The Olcs have already attacked this planet. The atmosphere is unstable, and the ecosystem is collapsing."

Kira's heart sank. They had arrived too late. She knew they had to act fast to stabilize the planet's atmosphere, or it would be lost forever. "Zo, go to the Ark's engine room and make sure everything is working properly.

Taro, get the stabilizing equipment ready. I'll go down to the planet's surface and start the stabilization process."

The Aku family worked together seamlessly, they had to especially since both Taro and Kira together served on the United Sovereignty Security Council, each one carrying out their assigned tasks with precision and skill. As Kira worked to stabilize the planet's atmosphere, she could hear the sounds of battle raging above her. She knew that the Olcs were trying to destroy the Ark Stream, but the Aku family was determined to protect it at all costs.

Suddenly, Kira felt a sharp pain in her chest. She stumbled back, gasping for air. Zo’s voice crackled over the communicator, "Mom, are you okay? We're picking up strange energy readings."

Kira gritted her teeth, fighting through the pain. "I'm fine, Zo. Just keep working on the stabilizers."

But as Kira looked up at the darkening sky, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. Zo appeared at her side, concern etched on his face. "Mom, what's going on?"

Kira's eyes widened as she stared at her youngest child. She could sense something different about him, something that made her doubt if this was really Zo at all. "Zo, I...I don't know. There's something not right here."

Zo's eyes glowed with a strange energy as he reached out to touch his mother's forehead. "Don't worry, Mom. Everything will be fine."

But as his fingers reached her skin, Kira felt a shock run through her body. In that moment, she felt that Zo was not who he appeared to be. The real Zo was somewhere else, trapped in a soul shard or a hidden dimension. This was an imposter, a pawn of the Olcs, she thought.

Kira's heart sank as she realized the true scope of the Olcs' power. If they could mimic the appearance and abilities of her own son, then what

other deceptions were they capable of? The Aku family had thought they could prevent the war against the Olcs, but now Kira knew that their victory was far from certain. She also knew that she had to be extra diligent to protect her own memory and not betray her suspicions to any Draoi that her son may not actually be him. He can’t be a Draoi, he just can’t be....

Above them Draoi strike crafts that looked like darts popping in and out of the sky, firing crackling bolts of energy and dark energy at each other. The bolts would wrap around shielding and even appear to go through the crafts themselves, doing no damage. Draoi crafts have notoriously strong shields enhanced by the mental capacities of their pilots.

Kira could see the devastating effects of the weapons used by the Olcs. The energy bolts disintegrated everything they touched, leaving nothing but scorched earth in their wake. Even the air seemed to ripple and distort as the bolts flew past, and the ground shook with the force of each effect.

Suddenly, Olc crafts started to materialize from the ground. Robed Olcs started to make their way toward the Ark Temple’s platform. They started firing indiscriminately at all citizens and military in their way as they made their way toward the Temple.

Kira felt her heart pounding in her chest as she watched the chaos unfold before her eyes.

The energy and dark matter disintegrated anything in the Olcs’ path, leaving nothing but a faint glow of energy where objects once stood. She stood terrified as she knew the Aku family didn't stand a chance against the barrage of attacks. She heard Zo shout “Mom!” and Kira's son and husband were disintegrated right before her eyes. As she opened her mouth to scream in despair, a blinding light engulfed her vision, and she felt herself being pulled away from the carnage...then she felt a sudden jolt and everything went from pure white to pure black.

The next thing she knew, Kira was lying in her bed next to Taro on Earth, her breathing ragged and her body slick with sweat. She sat up and looked around, feeling disoriented and confused. It had all felt so real, but now she was back in her own room, safe and sound.

The memory of what had happened lingered in her mind, haunting her with its brutality. She couldn't shake the feeling of loss and helplessness that had consumed her when she had watched her family disappear before her eyes.

As she lay back down on her bed, trying to calm her racing thoughts, Kira wondered what had happened. Had it all been a terrible nightmare? Or was there more to it than that? She knew she needed to find out the truth, no matter how terrifying it might be.