S3, 07 The Namori (FB) (June 14, 2016)

Corresponding text underneath each picture.

**2nd June 2096: Present Day**

The mottled green sphere loomed large through of the cockpit canopy of the Viper as we flew ever closer towards it. Fuyoria was one of Tirunei’s two inhabited moons, the other being Rerador, however, in contrast with the rocky, volcanic world of Rerador, Fuyoria was covered in lush, dense rainforests and jungles.

The last time I had visited Fuyoria I had been on the hunt for Jax, the living Ossillium weapon. That mission hadn’t turned out quite how I had expected it to, although the outcome was in fact better than the one I’d originally intended, but I hoped that my current mission would have a more successful outcome.

I was following up a possible lead on Zeth Stripe. Since my conversation with Mr. West on Qoter a few weeks back, I’d been looking into the list of names that he’d given me; the names of some of the people in the ripped photograph of my parents. I had managed to find a fair amount of information on them now that I knew their names, however, I couldn’t find any addresses or contact details for any of them and so hadn’t been able to pursue them further. My searches had also failed to yield the name of the mystery man in the centre of the picture – the one that neither Mr. West nor Uncle Barnaby had remembered the name of.

However, despite my lack of progress on the picture people front, I had come across another possible lead. Or rather, Riley had.

She had told me about a race of people called the Namori, who originated here on Fuyoria. Since ancient times, the Namori have been the judges of the galaxy. Not officially, but apparently at some point millennia ago, they had viewed themselves as being better than all the other life forms and took it upon themselves to travel their world and actively seek out any wrong-doers. These criminals would then be brought to the High Priestess’ temple and have judgement passed over them. After space travel was established, they began to spread out into the galaxy and continued this tradition, albeit on a smaller, quieter scale. To this day, secretive clans of Namori still travel the system, tracking down criminals in order to pass judgement over them.

That got me thinking. If the Namori passed judgement over criminals, there was a chance, albeit a slight one, that they may have tracked down Zeth. The Namori were small in number and sightings were incredibly rare, and their lack of numbers compared to the innumerable criminals in the star system could only mean that they didn’t actually pass judgement over all that many people at all. However, it was still a possibility that they’d found Zeth and I didn’t have any other leads to go on at the moment, so it was worth pursuing.

Thinking of Riley brought an involuntary smile to my face as I manoeuvred the Viper through the towering treetops and carefully brought us down in a small clearing on the jungle floor. Riley was… amazing! We’d been on several dates in the past few weeks and had met up whenever we could at the coffee shop. Since sharing our first kiss there, it had kind of become ‘our place’. With Riley, I was the happiest I’d ever been. I couldn’t believe that I was dating the girl I’d always loved, always dreamed of, even as a child! When I’d gotten home that first day, I’d told Tracks and he’d given me a tight, robotic hug. We had decided not to tell Judas though, as we feared that with us being good friends and Riley working for him, it just might have gotten complicated, so we agreed to keep it from him.

It wasn’t really a secret, but we just hadn’t told him. Although secrets were the one thing that worried me about our relationship. She still didn’t know that I was really Frank Foster, her childhood friend and I had no intentions of telling her, but lying to her so much did play on my mind.

I’d never had many female friends. The only other one being Eris of course, but I’d recently learnt from Jay that she had gone missing – kidnapped they were assuming. I had offered my services but he’d said that there was not much that I could do. He said they’d get in touch if I could help in any way. But for now, I just had to sit back and wait for news. I’d also, sadly, been informed of the deaths of both Preshant and Kiara. I’d only met Presh’ a few times, but he had seemed like a good kid. Kiara’s death had shocked me. She and her sister were both fearsome fighters and it was a surprise to hear that somebody had bested her. I had asked about funeral arrangements but they hadn’t sorted anything out yet – they were too busy trying to locate Eris.

All of this passed through my mind as Tracks and I picked our way through the dense jungle floor in the direction of the biggest Namori settlement on the planet – Měilswán; the location of the High Priestess’ temple. Set at the foot of a small mountain, the small city looked peaceful in its green surroundings. Ancient architecture, white or cream coloured walls with red roves; it looked so serene!

Tank: “It’s beautiful.” I commented aloud as we approached the huge front gates and Tracks grunted in agreement.

As we reached the giant, red, wooden gates, we were stopped by two native guards. Neither were Namori, all Namori had brilliant white skin and neither of these did so, but they were obviously from one of the other native species. In fact, I recognised them as being Chetinueks.

Guard #1: “This place is off-limits to outsiders.”

Tank: “I come as an ambassador from the Governor of Qoter.” I told the guard with as much authority as I could muster. I pulled out an old fashioned letter, bearing the seal of the governor’s office and handed it over. I wasn’t really being an ambassador, but I *had* gotten Judas to write up a letter for me that would hopefully get me access to the city and an audience with whomever it was who dealt with keeping records of those thy had dished ‘justice’ out to. The Namori on Fuyoria weren’t big on technology and it was almost as rare in the city as they were in the galaxy; hence the old fashioned letter.

The guard finished reading it and nodded to his companion.

Guard #1: “Roloi here will escort you to your destination. Welcome to Měilswán, Ambassador.” He said, handing the letter back to me and then stepping away to open up the gates. He didn’t look very happy about letting in an outsider, but never-the-less, the gate swung open and I walked through, followed by Tracks and the second guard, Roloi.

Roloi guided us through the city, barely speaking a word, and as he did so, I couldn’t help but gape in wonder at our surroundings. The ancient architecture was astoundingly beautiful and the entire city seemed so peaceful. In comparison to the rush and bustle of cities on other planets, like Earth and Qoter, this one seemed so… I couldn’t think how to put it. ‘At peace’.

Our guard / guide gave no indication of where we were heading, but I assumed he was taking us to see whomever kept the records of those they had passed judgement over, as per the letter’s request. We kept walking further into the heart of the city, heading ever upwards, as the buildings and streets start to edge up the mountainside. A monolithic building, which I could only assume was the High Priestess’ temple, loomed constantly overhead. It was, just like the rest of the city, beautifully crafted, but it also held an aura of fear about it. Looking at it made me feel ever so slightly uneasy.

As we walked further on, my impatience got the better of me.

Tank: “Where exactly are we going?” I asked Roloi.

Roloi: “To the temple.” He replied simply and my eyes widened as I looked back up at the towering structure.

About ten minutes later, Roloi had guided us right up to the entrance of the temple and there had shown my letter to another guard who had proceeded to open up the doors and let us inside.

Roloi led the way along a huge corridor towards our unknown destination and Tracks and I just followed along behind. I couldn’t help but gawp at our beautiful surroundings. Paintings and tapestries adorned both walls of the corridor, statues stood on plinths and above us, the corridor ceiling was arched and intricately carved.

There were numerous doors leading off of this main corridor, but we took none of them, instead continuing straight on towards a giant set of double doors, protected by a pair of guards, clad in golden armour, complete with ornamental wings.

As we approached, the guards crossed their spears in front of the door, barring our way. I threw I nervous look at Tracks but our guide pulled out the letter again.

Roloi: “Ambassador Rockwell is here to see her grace.” He spoke to the golden guardians.

Tank: “Whoa! Wait, what?” I asked confused.
Roloi turned and frowned at me.

Roloi: “You wished to speak to the keeper of the records of justice?”

Tank: “Well, yes…” I confirmed, confused. Was I about to meet the High Priestess herself? Surely she had a minion or somebody lowly to keep records of the people they had served justice to, didn’t she?

Golden Guard #1: “Very well. Please, follow us.”

The two guards uncrossed their spears and turned in unison. Together, they pushed on the huge wooden doors and they swung away from us, revealing a cavernous room beyond.

My jaw dropped as the winged warriors led the way into what must have been the temple’s throne room. It was the biggest single room I’d ever seen. The ceiling was barely visible high above us, but I could still see that it was intricately carved and ridiculously detailed. Equally, the walls and the carved pillars that lined them were just as ornate and visually stunning.

I couldn’t help but briefly think that this must be what it is like to be royalty.

Tank: “I feel like Eris…” I muttered to Tracks as we continued towards the far side of the room, where a stone dais awaited before giant stained glass windows.

As we grew closer, I could see that two women were seated on the platform. The first, sat on a golden throne at the top of the dais, was clearly the High Priestess herself. Dressed in an ornate flowing gown, she was the very picture of authority. Then, sat on the floor a step below the High Priestess was…. Whoa!

My eyes widened as they took in the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen!

Instantly, I felt guilty as Riley’s face came into my mind, but… wow! This woman looked fierce! In contrast to the High Priestess in her flowing gown, this other woman was dressed in tight-fitting armour of sorts and had long brown hair, tied up into a high ponytail from the very top of her head. Her skin, as with all Namori, was porcelain white, giving her a delicate look, but her vivid green eyes and dark makeup completely took away any possibility of her seeming fragile.

As the guards brought us to a stop just in front of the dais, the mysterious second woman’s eyes met mine and I don’t know what it was but I felt like my brain turned to mush. A smirk played across her lips, contrasting her ferocious appearance, and I found it incredibly hard to tear my eyes away. Namori were known for being attractive but… wow!

Golden Guard #1: “Presenting Ambassador Rockwell of Qoter.” One of the guards announced to the High Priestess and I finally managed to look away from the beauty and turned my attention to the High Priestess.

The two guards stepped aside, but didn’t go very far, leaving myself and Tracks before the two ladies on the stone platform. Not knowing the protocol and having no clue what-so-ever about procedure, I quickly removed my hat and awkwardly bowed. As I stood, I realised that Tracks had copied me and for some reason that made me chuckle silently.

High Priestess: “Ambassador.” She greeted with a polite smile. It was only at this point that I realised the High Priestess’s face was covered almost entirely by red paint. Only two up-right ovals around her eyes showed her natural, white skin.

High Priestess: “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting before.”

Tank: “No, your… uh… grace.” I replied, quickly trying to think of how to address her and remembering what the guard had said in the corridor. “I’m fairly new in the position.”

Well… I wasn’t lying!

High Priestess: “And how are you finding the role?”

Tank: “Most fulfilling thus far.” I answered with a smile.

High Priestess: “Very good. So, ambassador, what brings you to our tiny community?”

Tank: “I am here to ask for your aid.” I began. “It is a known fact that your people take pride in upholding the law and passing judgement over those who do not. It is also known that you actively seek out wrong-doers in order to pass said judgement. We are currently searching for an escaped convict and have run out of leads. Everything we have found so far has led to a dead end. Is it possible that you have come across our missing criminal and have passed your judgement upon him?”

High Priestess: “We pass judgement over many beings. You would have to be very specific in your description.”

Tank: “His name is Zeth Stripe and he originates on Earth.”

High Priestess: “I see. So it would have to be within the past couple of years then.”

Tank: “Yes, your grace. Would it be possible to go through your records and see if his name appears?”

The High Priestess looked down at me silently and my stomach did repeated backflips. She had to say yes! If she didn’t this whole journey had been for nothing and I would have lost yet another possible lead on my parent’s killer.

The High Priestess looked to the other woman and the two exchanged silent words. After several moments she looked back to me.

High Priestess: “It is highly unusual that we return to our records, however, in this instance, I shall grant your request.”
A smile spread across my face.

Tank: “Thank you, your grace!”

High Priestess: “It will take time, however. There would be many records to check.”

Tank: “Of course.” I acknowledged.

High Priestess: “While you are waiting, please make yourself at home in our city. I will have guest chambers prepared for you and you will be notified once we have concluded our search.”

Tank: “Thank you, your grace!”

High Priestess: “Aurora.” She addressed the other woman. “Please keep our guests entertained during their stay here.”

Aurora: “Yes, mother.”

Whoa! Mother? She was the High Priestess’ daughter?!

So… what did that make her? Low Priestess? Simply, Priestess?

Pre-occupied in my ponderings over how I should address her, I hadn’t noticed that she’d stood and stepped off of the dais. While she’d been sitting, I hadn’t appreciated how tall she was, but now as she walked toward me I realised that she was a good few inches taller than myself!

Aurora: “Please, allow me to take you on a guided tour of our beloved city.”

Tank: “I… would love to.” I smiled graciously.

She nodded with a returned smile and then turned back to her mother.

Aurora: “Your grace.” She acknowledged with a small bow and the High Priestess waved her off. Again, unsure of protocol, I copied Aurora.

Tank: “Your grace.”

**Later That Day…**

The High Priestess’ daughter spent the next several hours showing Tracks and I around their city, indicating to important locations, and pointing out other places of interest. It truly was a beautiful city. I envied the Namori greatly.

It was now mid-afternoon and Aurora had led us into the temple’s ornate, rear gardens, which were to be our last stop. The gardens were tiered, as they started to work their way up the side of the mountain.

As we walked towards a small, arched, wooden bridge over a gently babbling stream, I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

Aurora: “The gardens please you?” she asked, noticing my grin.

Tank: “Well, yes.” I replied, not really knowing what to say. I’d been rather short of words all day! “I was just thinking how peaceful it is here. How beautiful. Serene.” I explained as we paused and I look back over the lower tiers of the garden that we had already passed through.

Aurora: “It is.” She agreed, smiling herself.

I moved onto the little bridge and leant on the railings, looking out over the gardens and to the temple and city beyond. The High Priestess’ daughter followed and stood beside me.
It was so quiet. I wished my ordinary life was this relaxed. If I ever got old enough, this would be exactly the sort of place I’d love to retire to!

Aurora: “You are no ambassador, are you?”

Her question caught me completely off guard and yanked me out of my daydream.

Tank: “Excuse me?”

Tracks whirred and grumbled from where he stood a few meters off and I threw him a glance that I hope said ‘Not helping!’

Aurora: “My mother and I have a great deal of experience with ambassadors and dignitaries – we know when we’re being lied to.”

I looked away, not knowing what to say. If she’d busted me, how would I get the information I came for?

Aurora: “So if you are not an ambassador, who are you?”

Still not knowing how to respond, I remained silent.

Aurora: “Do not fear. My mother already knows. She knew from the moment you stepped through the grand chamber doors.”
That confused me even more.

Tank: “Tank. My name is Tank. But… if she knows I’m not an ambassador…. She said she would help? Is this a trap?” I asked, suddenly paranoid.

Aurora: “No! Relax.” She laughed and the melodic sound instantly helped to calm my nerves. “My mother agreed to help because I asked her to. She will do as she has promised and will look into the records for your missing criminal.”

Tank: “Wait, you asked her to? When? Why?” I babbled, a million questions forming in my mind.

Aurora: “My mother and I can communicate without words. She is the High Priestess after all. As for ‘why’, I was curious.” She explained, leaning on the railings beside me.

Tank: “Curious of what?”

Aurora: “Curious of why somebody would lie about being an ambassador and come before us asking about a missing man. So, would you care to tell me?”

I considered it. I had calmed down again now, but was still a little confused.

Tank: “Not… not right now. It’s personal. I’m sorry.” I explained, staring into the water bubbling along beneath us.

Aurora: “I assumed as much.” She confirmed.

We were all silent for a minute or so, both Aurora and I simply watching the water flowing along.

I was the one to break the silence. I needed to change the topic.

Tank: “You know, I still don’t know how I should address you.” I pointed out.

Aurora: “Well, technically, you should call me your grace, just like my mother. Good guess on that one, by the way!” she smirked and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Tank: “I wish I could take the credit. But I heard the guards say it in the corridor, just before we met you.”

Aurora: “Ah! That explains it!”

We both laughed and I couldn’t help just looking at her for several seconds. She really was a stunning being.

Aurora: “Now, is there anywhere else you would like to go before we return to the temple for dinner?”

Tank: “What’s further up the mountain?” I asked, noticing that the path continued out the other side of the gardens where it turned steeper and into more of a track.

Aurora: “There is a small monastery at the top. Not much, but there are some stunning views over the surrounding area.” She admitted.

Tank: “I’d like a look.”

Tracks whirred and grumbled behind us.

Tank: “Well stay here then!” I retorted. “Nobody’s forcing you to come!”

Aurora: “Feel free to return to your chambers in the temple.” She told him and he nodded in acceptance. He grunted a question to me before leaving.

Tank: “Go on. I’ll be fine. I’ll be along later.”

He nodded again and then turned and trudged off back through the gardens.

Aurora: “Quite a machine.” She commented as we watched him leave.

Tank: “Thanks.”

Aurora: “You made him?”

Tank: “Yeah. From scratch.”

Aurora: “Wow! You must be quite the inventor!” she complimented and I grinned bashfully.

Tank: “Well…” I replied, not knowing how to respond. “Anyway, shall we?” I asked, indicating to the path up the mountain.

Aurora: “Let’s.” she agreed.

Tank: “After you, your grace.” I smiled.

Aurora: “Just call me Aurora.” she told me as we headed off.

Tank: “But you said…”

Aurora: “I said you *should* call me ‘your grace’. But please, just call me by my name. It’s refreshing to have an ordinary person to talk to.” She explained. “No offense!” she added quickly.

Tank: “None taken!” I laughed.

**A Couple of Hours Later…**

The climb was longer than it looked. Every time I thought we’d reached the top… **NOPE**! It was just another plateau and there was another section ahead. I was starting to think that Tracks had made the right choice by going back to the temple to relax!

I wish I’d known how far it was, otherwise I wouldn’t have suggested the trek! It was dinner time now! With all of this fresh air and climbing, I was absolutely starving!

Eventually however, we finally reached the summit. There, as promised was a tiny little chapel, just a single room and other than that…. Not very much. The end of the mountain path was marked by a free-standing pair of golden gates set in a crumbling archway and I could see a couple of little vegetable plots off to one side and a clothes line hung from one of the chapel walls, stretching out to a wooden post. Other than that, it was just rocks and greenery.

I stood there taking it all in, worn out from the climb and trying to catch my breath in the thin air. Aurora headed towards the chapel where a little old Namori woman was sweeping the entrance steps.

The two began talking and it was clear that the elder woman was pleased to see the High Priestess’ daughter.

I didn’t want to intrude on the conversation so I went for a wander to take in the views. I headed round behind the chapel and clambered over some rocks, heading up to the very highest point of the mountain.

I reached the edge and shook my head in disbelief at the astonishing views. You could see for miles and miles around in pretty much every direction. Here, we were above most of the trees and so treetops stretched as far as the eye could see. From here, the temple was on the other side of the mountain so I couldn’t see it, but I would make sure to take a good look when I made my way around there.

As I stood there in the silence, the wind whipping my hair around my face and my jacket flapping about my chest I felt so at peace.

Voice: “What you seek…”

I nearly jumped off the side of mountain in fright as a woman’s voice came from behind me. I spun round and frowned, not able to see the speaker.

Voice: “… you will not find it.”

Now I spotted her. Seated alone on a flat rock nearby, the Namorian woman looked ancient. Goodness knows how old she was! She was sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, in some sort of state of meditation.
I frowned.

Tank: “Why? Why not?” I questioned, confused.

Woman: “Because…” she started and then paused for a frustratingly long time. “…the questions you ask, are not the correct ones.”

Tank: “How do you know?” I asked, confused. “How do you know who I am and what I’m looking for?”

Woman: “I see all and know all. You; the boy falsely imprisoned. Seeking vengeance.”

Tank: “How…?!”

Woman: “You do not listen. I see all and know all.” She repeated.

Tank: “So… do you know where the man I seek is?”

The ancient woman stayed silent for a good minute before slowly shaking her head.

Woman: “That, I cannot answer.”

Tank: “Can’t or won’t?”

Silence.

I rolled my eyes, frustrated and began to walk away.

Woman: “One…” she began and I turned back to face her and was surprised to see her eyes wide open, as though in a trance and were glowing white.

Tank: “What?”

Woman: “One as a brother, blamed and chained. One as an enemy, enslaved once again. One to know truth with their final breath. By the other’s own hand, they bring their death.”

I was silent as the ancient woman spoke and for a good amount of time after, trying to process what she’d told me.

Tank: “Wait… what?”

But the woman had fallen silent again and her eyes had closed.

Tank: “What does that mean?!” I asked angrily, but there was no response. I flapped my arms in annoyance.

Aurora: “Tank. I wondered where you’d gone.” The daughter of the High Priestess announced as she walked over to us. “What’s going on?” she asked, seeing me looking annoyed and the old woman sitting on the stone.

Tank: “I don’t know.” I muttered. “She said something about me not finding what I’m looking for and then spouted… I don’t know. A prophecy or something.”

Aurora: “Wait! A prophecy?” she asked, sounding shocked as she suddenly gripped my arm.

Tank: “Whoa, I don’t know!” I exclaimed, shocked. “That’s what it sounded like! But… she didn’t say what it was or anything…”

Aurora: “Tank, the ancient ones here and at our other monasteries across the planet have dedicated their lives to preserving the Namorian way. One of their talents is the art of prophecies, but it’s incredibly rare! To have been told a prophecy is a great privilege! Once spoken, they are never told again! They are only ever told to the intended recipient – the person whom the prophecy is about.” she explained.

Tank: “Well, that’s helpful.” I mumbled.

Aurora: “Tank, you must remember what she said! If you do not, that prophecy will be lost forever.”

**Elsewhere…**

The wailing claxon and flashing red lights indicated that something was wrong and the bustle and rushing around of people in the usually calm command centre confirmed the fact.

Colonel Ramson strode through the door and into the room from where Beta Squad were controlled. All of their orders, all of their vitals and their implants were all monitored and given out from here.

Col. Ramson: “What’s going on?!” he demanded.

Officer: “He’s gone, sir!”

Col. Ramson: “Who?”

Officer: “Darkblade, sir.”

Col. Ramson: “WHAT?!”

Officer: “The duty officer found his nerve implant laying in his bed. Darkblade himself is missing, sir.”

Ramson roared in anger and kicked at the wall. Putting his hands behind his head, not knowing what to do, he was shocked to hear laughter. He spun around and found Wolfhide casually leaning against the doorframe.

Col. Ramson: “Did you know about this?” he shouted but Wolfhide, smirking, shook his head.

Wolfhide: “Rockwell better watch out…”

And with that and another chuckle to himself, he turned and left the room.

**BONUS PICTURES**

The landing site in the forest.

The doors to the city.

The doors to the throne room.

I wanted to make the throne room bigger and better but this is the best I could do at the time.

The gardens with the bridge. I really liked making these sets with the cherry blossom trees. They were quite different to anything I've had to make before.

The mountaintop set with the tiny chapel.

Lastly, the set for the cliff edge, where Tank hears the prophecy.

As my series is going to be jumping around though time, I will include a date on each episode and add it to the timeline at the end of each episode so that you can follow it.

TIMELINE