The planet Krama. Several hours later.
Krama at this time of year was overwhelmingly hot. Only a little more and it would seem like the hollow pyramid, that was the main dome of the city, was to crack from the dryness and crumble down onto the millions of townspeople below, but no - the rock was used to such high temperatures and could withstand for many seasons more.
An old Kramean woman sat in the middle of a temple, her eyes never leaving the reflective orb in front of her. With a blue hood over her head, hunched over and perfectly still, she looked exceptionally focused. The bright red sky was refracted by the pyramid, and its light was cast onto the woman. She squinted, but continued to look. Even the black lizards crawling at the top, their paws tapping along the glass, were unable to break her concentration. Marcius was already close to the solution, and this caused her to rejoice. She watched him with great pleasure.
She ran a withered old hand down the smooth surface, fishing out any news regarding the talented Tulonian. The description of his latest visions entranced her. The faraway world presented itself to him even more beautifully, so fully and clearly that she trembled with emotion.
"Tatida!" She heard her pupil calling her.
"Quiet," she whispered, still glued to the scene in front of her. "Just look at him! What do you think?"
She beckoned Atla to come over, giving her a clear view of their hero's face, his eyes and his smile.
Her headpiece swaying side to side, the girl looked into the crystal and froze. Marcius had indeed grown up. He had the same white locks and snowy skin, but the cheekbones, the brows, the lines of his face had transformed and strengthened. He reminded of a sculpture, seemed hard like ice, was tall, but well-proportioned. The long fingers, strong wrists, raised veins protruding through the skin, shoulders and musculature - everything was now perfect.
Tatida watched with enjoyment as her pupil grew more and more captivated by the Tulonian warrior. She nodded her head approvingly, quietly thinking something over. She read the delighted thoughts of the girl, and with a smile caught every glance she cast in his direction.
"How is it possible to possess such strength and beauty and to be so unhappy and unsure of yourself?" Atla would say with exasperation, coming closer to the image of his eyes. There wasn't anyone quite as beautiful in their city, or quite as talented. Had he been born in their city with such extraordinary abilities, he would have lived like a king.
Marcius' blue eyes did indeed radiate a sort of sadness. He was lost and unhappy, which made the Kramean priestess all the more eager to help him open up and rise above himself.
"He'll be with us very soon, the time has come!" the old woman said with confidence, hugging her pupil by the shoulders.
Chapter 2. The Fateful Meeting
Tulona, the next morning.
Marcius's capsule was ready for takeoff and stood at the start line. He was walking towards it along the spacious white field of the aerodrome, Karii by his side, waiting for the arrival of the instructor. This is how it was every time. They were always debriefed about the mission last minute, just before takeoff. A member of the secret service was already walking up to meet them. They all looked the same - stern, in silver uniform and completely expressionless. The agent briefly activated the dome around them. The pilots were transported out of the vast field of the aerodrome into a white spherical room fit for three. The dome cut them off from the already isolated world.
The instructor spoke quietly, calmly and clearly:
"You are flying to Girius. The space fair was the last place where old man Iza was seen. Remember - Iza is a criminal, a spy of the highest degree. According to our sources, he is armed. You will need four crates of diamond dust for negotiation, which are located under the control panel."
Diamond dust was a universal currency in the Seven Worlds. It could buy you any product. Usually it was compressed into small tablets or weights. The amount at hand was immeasurably high. Marcius and Karii exchanged a worried glance. It was dangerous to even transport it.
"The old man doesn't know that we are collaborating with Iona and will think that you're merely looking for information about the magnetic attack. Most likely, he will contact you first and ask for compensation for his work, which we have provided you with, but only so that he doesn't doubt your ability to pay. Having received the necessary information, you must immobilize him and hand him over to the Ionians. The diamond dust must return to headquarters. If he resists, you can shoot to kill. The Ionians will accept him dead or alive."
"In your bags you will find weapons and explosives. Marcius will be the one in charge. Try to complete the mission without uncalled for witnesses and casualties" said the instructor and pointed to two flat backpacks.
"Here's a copy of him," added the instructor and handed them a small statuette.
Marcius took the figure and squeezed it between his fingers, transforming it into a life-size model of the old man.
"So that's what he looks like," he thought.
And indeed, in front of them stood an old man. The nickname wasn't just for show. He was hutched over, skinny, short, wrinkly, in a long hooded robe. His features were distinctly Ionian. Stealth and cunning came through even in the 3D model.
Marcius and Karii put on their lenses, using them to record the image.
"Don't forget to get a testimony about who specifically attacked us yesterday!" repeated the instructor.
Marcius nodded, so did Karii. The instructor took down the dome and left them.
Gently touching off the ground, the capsule broke free of Tulona's gravity and flew out into open space.
According to the coordinates, Girius soared round the orbit of Yurei, the fifth planet from Onyx, just past the asteroid belt left by the explosion of Oeela. From Tulona's current location, it would take only two Tulonian days to get to Girius, which was a relief.
Marcius and Karii worked well together. During the flight they let each other take breaks, and at times engaged in lengthy conversations.
Karii was brushing up on his Ionian, muttering phrases to himself, repeating words over and over, trying to develop the forgotten pronunciation.
"Trying to make up for lost time?" Asked Marius with a smile.
"Damn it all to hell! Ionian was always the hardest one for me!" Karii exclaimed, exasperated.
"Yes, I remember," Marcius laughed.
"It's not that funny, you could at least help! From now on, speak only Ionian to me for the rest of the flight!" he ordered.
"Alright," Marcius agreed, switching over to the enemy tongue. He deemed any language other than his own to be an enemy tongue.
"Did you get your visions yesterday as well?" asked Karii in Ionian, formulating the question as best as he could.
"Yes," the other replied bluntly.
"Anything new?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
Karii loved listening to Marcius' stories, even in a language he could barely understand. He carefully recorded them into a magnetic notebook that he never let out of his sight.
"Again with the notebook - are you not tired of it?" asked Marcius with a note of frustration in his voice.
"It's like the two of you are out to get me! Gayla has already thrown it out twice, but I can't stop. I've had it ever since childhood," Karii justified himself.
"Exactly! No one uses those things anymore!" Marcius smiled.
"It's something bigger than me. I want to write about you, about me and about everything that happens to us, even if in Ionian!"
Marcius was silent for a long time. Describing his visions was like baring his soul. And to bare his soul, which had already been thoroughly trampled upon, was not easy for him to do. But he trusted Karii more than anyone else. Only in his eyes he saw a reciprocal interest and a spark that inspired hope. Having calculated their route ahead of time so as not to get distracted, he started his story, caught up in a wave of emotion.