Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [139]
Eighty-seven
Hyrillka Designate Ridek'h
Full circle. Tal O'nh and the escort warliners had finally completed their grand circuit around the Horizon Cluster. They had stopped at rebellion-scarred Shonor, Alturas, Garoa, and all the other worlds Rusa'h had ensnared with his corrupted .
Ridek'h now realized that the Mage-Imperator had intended this pilgrimage to be far more than a ceremonial tour or political show. During the journey, the young man had learned much by seeing other shocked Designates who had faced equally difficult challenges. Though he was just a boy, Ridek'h felt a greater confidence now, a willingness to face what had terrified him before, and a strong sense that he could actually do what was required of him. He had the assistance of the veteran tal, as well as the work and dedication of the Ildiran people. His people. The boy was not alone after all, and he was not weak. He would not give up.
Now Tal O'nh brought the ships back to Hyrillka, the world that young Ridek'h would lead, if the scientific team ever deemed it safe for Ildirans to return. With his own eyes, the boy had seen the faeros and hydrogues battling in Hyrillka's primary sun, and he had watched the planet's climate shift as the star nearly died. He himself had given the order for all of the brave inhabitants to pack up and evacuate. Now Ridek'h hoped that the scientist kithmen would pronounce Hyrillka fit for renewed habitation.
When the warliners reached the planet, however, they found the scientific camp utterly annihilated. The partially rebuilt main city had been consumed by an inferno. The Solar Navy ships cautiously flew above the seared ground, all systems on alert. Buildings stood as no more than charred frameworks. The scientific encampment had been incinerated by such an intense flash that the new shelters were no more than patterns of ash.
'What happened here?' Ridek'h cried.
With a replacement jewel set firmly in his empty eye socket, the old tal stared at the images. 'It is obvious what happened. The faeros. Prime Designate Daro'h warned us of the danger.'
Ridek'h took his place beside the old commander. 'Show me the citadel palace. That was Rusa'h's home. Could he have done such a thing?' The answer appeared in the next set of images. The citadel palace was blackened and glassy, slumped in upon itself, the very stones melted.
Ridek'h could not comprehend why the fiery elementals would have burned away so many buildings, landmarks, and a handful of non-threatening researchers. What could be the reason? 'They cannot all be dead. They cannot!' He turned smartly to the communications station, then looked over at his mentor, who nodded in approval. Transmit on a broad band.' His voice sounded high and thin even to his own ears, but he reminded himself that he was the Designate. 'This is Hyrillka Designate Ridek'h calling anyone who can receive this message. Please respond.'
An oddly familiar - and deafening - voice boomed across the speakers in the command nucleus. Ridek'h clamped his hands over his ears. 'So the name of my would-be usurper is Ridek'h. A child.' The observation screen seemed to burst into flames. The images turned to rippling fire, and a face appeared - Rusa'h! 'You are not the true Hyrillka Designate. I returned here to pull my subjects back into my web, but they had all gone away. The handful of researchers I consumed was barely enough to help the faeros at all.'
'Pinpoint the source of that transmission,' O'nh shouted. 'Where is it coming from?'
'Faeros fireballs directly ahead, Tall'
'Activate all defensive measures.' Five flaming ellipsoids roared toward them. 'Immediate escape vector. Full acceleration.'
Ridek'h had gone pale. He turned to the military commander. 'Should I respond to him? What do I say?'
There is nothing you can say, Designate. We must leave here.'
Ridek'h straightened, clutching at straws of bravery. 'But this is Hyrillka. This is my planet. He has attacked my people!'
'And he is the mad Designate, in league with the faeros. We can do nothing except get you to