Dark Vision

Dark Vision

Prologue

Mother and daughter fled across the galaxies in the old Alpha One Cargo ship. Beads of sweat glisten
over the woman’s skin soaking her shirt. A painful expression twisted her lovely brown face. The
Child sat next to her crying and screaming for her father.

“Be silent child,” the woman snapped sternly. Her daughter, obeying the stern command fell into
An uneasy silence. The woman groan as her face twisted once again in excruciating pain.

“Momma,” the girl said frightened.

“I’m all right,” she said breathing in heavy, gasping breaths and wiped sweat
From her forehead. “Your father is gone as I will soon be.”

“No momma, please don’t say that.” Tears streamed down the girl’s small face.

Oletha of the House of Toran looked with sad, tear soaked eyes at her weeping
Daughter. Her heart broke with grief. She reached a hand out and gently
Cradled the girl’s small dark brown face in her hand. “Oh my precious baby.”
Tears trickled down her face. “We can do a lot of things with the powers we
Possess, but death is one thing no sorcerer or sorceress can stop. Your
Father and I tried to use our powers to ex-spell the poison. Unfortunately, we
Realized too late that it was Yellow Mandrake extract. The poison had spread
Throughout our body.”

“But who would do a think like that?”

“That mad man Zahn and his followers.” She clutched the U-shaped control
Stick as a sharp pain like a hot knife twisting in her gut struck. It was fire coursing
Through every vessel in her body.

“But why? Poppa is the leader of the Coven of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood,
His leader.” The girl became hysterical as more tears fell from her red swollen eyes.

“Greed and envy because your father was leader of the Coven. Hatred and fear of
You,” she said groaning. Oletha placed one hand against her stomach and waited
For the pain to pass. “Now. . .” She exhaled a gust of breath. “Listen, every since
Zahn first came to the Coven twenty years ago. He has been very ambitious. I warned
Tigh about Zahn, but he never took the threat of that man seriously.”

“Threat, what threat, and why would he hate me?”

“Zahn threatened your father and us. He told him that before the end of the winter
Solar Cycle, we would be dead, and that Zahn would take control of the Coven.”

“But why?”

“We stood in his way of gaining control. He does not wish to follow the old ways of
The Coven. He seeks to enslave the universe.” Another gut burning pain struck.
Reflexively her hand snapped out and latched on tight to the girl’s small wrist. The
Child grunted and gritted her teeth against the pain. This was nothing new for her as tears
Stung her eyes. The child went through several rigorous training which left even the
Strongest man or woman sobbing on the ground. The child winced as her mother’s
Fingernails dug into her small delicate wrist drawing blood.

“Momma,” the girl said whimpering.

“I’m sorry, my angel,” Oletha raised the girl’s hand up to her lips and kissed it. Taking a
Deep breath, she continued. “But in order for him to take complete control, you must
Die, my ebony princess.”

“Me? But why? What did I do?”

“You were born the Coven’s most powerful sorceress. A twentieth rank sorceress. After
Your birth Zahn began telling the entire Coven and the Universal Council that you were
Born under a destructive star and that you would destroy us all. Of course no one
Believed him, but he knew that in order for him to truly rule you must die. He fears that
You may threaten his grand plan for universal domination.” Another spasm struck
But this one was so intense; she doubled over pressing her fist into her stomach. She
Almost fell out of her seat. She still clutched one side of the control stick trying not
To loose control.

“Momma,” the girl gasped frightened. She leaped from her chair and caught her mother
Before she fell to the floor. Seating her upright in the chair, the girl placed a small hand
Over her mother’s hot, sweaty forehead. “Momma!” she gasped looking at her mother’s
Stomach.

A harsh white glow began to emit from the woman’s stomach.

“What’s happing to you?”

“It is the poison. I’m afraid my time grows short.”

“No, you can’t die,” the girl said crying. “I don’t want to be alone. Please don’t leave
Me.” The girl fell to her knees and rested her head in her mother’s lap.

“Oh my sweetness . . .” She started to say but at that moment red lights flashed on the
Control panel and an ear aching alarm blared throughout the ship. “Dammit, now what?”
She said irritated.

“Momma, look! We’re dropping out of hyperspace,” said the girl pointing to the front
Window. The flashing colors of red, orange, green and gold slowly faded as the stars
Came back into view.

“Damn, check the navi and find out where we are.”

The small girl sat in the co pilot chair and placed her hands over the glowing red orbs
Embedded in the armrest of the chair. Then a glass helmet with several long red, blue,
Yellow and green rods protruding from it hung suspended overhead. The girl lowered
The helmet onto her head. The colored rods flashed in random sequence and two blue
Rods connected themselves to her temples. Then a wide visor slide across her eyes
And an image of a star chart appeared before her eyes.


“According to the computer, we are in the Praxius Solar System.”

“Hell, that’s still not far away,” said the older woman disgusted. “Go see what
Happened back there.”

The girl jumped to her feet and ran from the control room. Climbing down the access
Ladder to the first deck, the girl stood before a large door that spiraled opened revealing
Another ladder. The girl climbed down into the belly of the ship and stood before a
Door that had written on it ‘ENGINEER PERSONNEL ONLY.’ The girl entered and looked
At the huge humming engines but found nothing wrong. She ran out and went to the
Aft section of the ship. She stood before a black door that had ‘QUANTUM DRIVE’
Written on it. The doors slide open and she was assaulted by the extreme heat that
Came from the room. She quickly stepped to the side. The heat was extraordinary
As beads of sweat popped out on her forehead. She took a deep breath and rushed
Into the room. She stared in shock at the glowing red rods peeking slightly out of
Their steel casings.

“Oh God!” the girl gasped. She ran out and sealed the door behind her. Then she
Raced back to the control room.

“What did you find out baby?” Oletha asked as soon as her daughter stepped into the
Room.

“It’s bad momma.” The girl sat down and covered her face with her hands.

“What is it?”

“It’s the quantum drive. The Berium Power Coils have deteriorated and eaten
Through their casings.”

“Have the engine gone critical?”

“Not yet, the berium coils are still hot, but it won’t be long until they go cold and
Explode.”

“Can we make a jump?”

“Not with the drive in that condition,” said the girl pursing her lips. She leaned towards
The computer and tapped the keys with fast efficiency. “But there is another unstable
Route.”

“What is it?”

“According to the computer, if we can locate a Solar Storm we maybe able to trigger a
Solar Gate.”

“A Solar Gate, is that possible?” Oletha asked.

“The raw energy of the storm once mixed with the neutron energy of our weapons should
Open one,” said the girl, “in theory.”

“A Solar Gate.” The woman was silent for a long time. “The gate will be very unstable and
Dangerous.” She said more to herself than to the girl. “We could die while still inside. But
I have no choice. God Tigh, I wish you were here.” She sighed and turned to her daughter.
“Began search for Solar Storm Front.”

“Are you sure about this momma,” the girl looked at her mother skeptically.

“No, but what choice have I. But first, seal off the section to the Quantum Drive.
I’ll jettison that section when it goes critical. Until you find a storm front, we will
Have to use light speed.”

The girl leaned forward. She flipped first a series of six red levers and then
Pressed two yellow buttons at the same time. The doors to the aft section was
Sealed. “Aft section is sealed,” said the girl. “I’m beginning scan for Solar Storm
Front.”

“Damn that dealer who sold us this junk heap,” Oletha spat in disgust. “I won’t be
Able to get you to our original destination.”

“You never said where that would be.”

“Your father had friends. I was to take you to them and they would take care of you
Until you was old enough and strong enough to take on Zahn and his followers.” She
Sighed. “Now it’s all gone.”

Suddenly the ship was struck and the girl went tumbling out of her seat. She scrambled
To her feet, sat down and strapped herself in. “What was that?”

“Oh God, no. He’s found us,” her mother said terrified.

“It can’t be. The perimeter alarm didn’t sound when they exited hyperspace.” The
Girl flipped a switch and gasped in horror at the screen. “That’s a Colonial
Dreadnought Warrior Class.” She stared at the enormous ship on the screen.
The huge arrow shaped behemoth with an eagle painted on its bottom dwarfed the
Screen. Never before in her short life head she ever seen a ship like the Colonial
Dreadnought. It had spirals and columns protruded from its top. But at the top towering
Over the spirals and columns like a cobra with its hood open was the command tower.

“They’re not from the council. That is Zahn.” The woman wiped sweat form her ashen
Face. “We received word that the dreadnought, Constellation, had vanished. So this is
what happened to it. Prepare for evasive maneuvers.” She leaned back in her chair
And released a piercing scream as another gut burning pain struck. “Oh God, not now!”
She screamed as she clutched her stomach.

As the pain subsided, Oletha leaned her head down and droplets of blood fell from her
Nose staining her dark slacks. “Oh no, not now!” She wiped the blood from her nose
With a trembling hand, but the blood flow became heavy.

“Momma,” the girl said frightened. Blood began to trickle down the corners of Oletha’s eyes
And mouth.

“Quiet, and prepare to fire rear cannons.”
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On board the Constellation, the crew of sorcerers and sorceresses were in a flurry of
Activity as the command tower rumbled from the constant onslaught of the
Small ship.
“Damage report!” ordered the man sitting in the high back commander’s
Chair. He was a tall, lean man with hawk like features. His dark red hair was
Combed back and tied with a silk ribbon into a ponytail. His cold, emotionless
Green eyes were set deep into his face above a long, narrow nose. His mouth
Twisted in a cruel sneer. “Even dying as she is that bitch still defies me.” His
Nostrils flared in rage. “Dammit!” He slammed his fist against the armrest of the
Chair. “Damage report!” he roared. The tower rocked as volley after volley struck
The ship.

“Starboard side was ruptured but it has been sealed off,” said a young woman with
Long, lavender colored hair. She turned her hauntingly, soul reaching cat like
Silver eyes upon her leader. His cold, sharp glare turned the strongest sorcerer
Into a weeping mass. She was no different from any of the rest. She shivered as he turned
His icy stare upon her.

But Zahn could do nothing to Tigh or his daughter. Although he was able to strike
Fear into Oletha. Zahn had no power over the head of the Coven or his accursed
Offspring. Zahn stared at the ship on the screen. So great was his rage until
Everyone felt it like a physical slap to the face. Zahn slammed his fist against the
Armrest. “How is it a third rate Alpha one ship has first rate weapons!” he said in an
Icy voice that cut through every man and woman in the tower.

“Tigh must have upgraded its weapons before you took control,” said another
Woman. “Alpha one ships was equipped with only minor quadro lasers but that
Ship is using neutron‘d’ cannons.”

“I don’t give a shit what kind of weapons they are using!” Zahn pounce to his
Feet. His dark green eyes turned black with rage. “No one from the House of Toran
Must survive. I want that ship obliterated!”
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The small girl watched her mother with tears falling from her eyes. The elder woman
Sat with her eyes closed and gritted her teeth as another searing pain ripped through
Her stomach. Blood continued to flow from her eyes, mouth and nose. Her eyes
Snapped open when she heard her daughter gasp.

“Look out!” screamed the girl.

Oletha gasped in horror. They had flown into a Votarian Mine Web. “Help me,
Daughter.”

The girl grabbed hold of the control stick and helped her mother to navigate through the
Spider web mines.

“How is the Sentinel Shield holding up?”

“Shield is down 85 percent,” said the girl. “If one of those mines hit us. It will destroy the
Shields leaving us unprotected.”

Working together, mother and daughter skillfully maneuvered their way through the mines.
The dreadnought however charged into the mines causing explosions all around it.

“Momma, sensors has picked up a Solar Storm Front just outside of the mine field.”

“Good work baby. Now, if only we can make it out before Zahn catches up to us.”
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Zahn stood before the screen with his arms folded across his chest and feet planted firmly to the
Floor. Explosions from the mines rocked the ship sending some of them tumbling to the floor. “We have them,” he said digging his nails into his arms. “Destroy them!”
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The mines around the ship exploded damaging the escaping ship. “Our shields are gone,” said the
Girl staring at her mother in horror.

Suddenly a mine exploded on the aft side of the ship. Alarms blared throughout the ship.

“What’s happening?” asked her mother as the entire ship shook.

“Hull breach on the aft side near the quantum drive. Oh no, it has gone critical. We have to
Jettison it.”

“Okay, calm yourself my daughter. When I jettison the drive prepare to open the Solar Gate.”

“While we’re still inside the mine field,” the girl said shocked.

“I know what I’m doing. The explosion from the drive should give us enough time to get out of
Here and escape from Zahn,” said Oletha.

The girl sat next to her mother ready to put the plan into motion. “Ejecting engine in ten seconds . . .
Nine . . . Eight . . . Seven . . . Six . . . Five . . . Four . . . Three . . . Two . . . One . . . Now!” She slammed
Her fist against a large gray button. There was a sharp lurch and the critical engine went spiraling
Up towards the dreadnought. It exploded before the battleship and triggered the remaining
Mines to explode all at once.

Suddenly a huge swirling mass of red, purple and yellow lights appeared before the two
Ships. It began to draw both ships into its center.

“Is that the Solar Gate?” Oletha asked the girl.

“No, the readings are all wrong,” yelled the girl over the blaring alarms. She tried hard not to
Panic.

“Well, whatever it is it is sucking us into it. Engines in full reverse.”

The girl grabbed two black levers and slowly pulled them all the way back. “Engines are in
Reverse.” She turned to her mother. “Nothing is happening.”

Oletha could hear the raw fear in her daughter’s voice. “Hold on baby, I’ll get you through.”

Suddenly Oletha screamed as another horrible pain struck. She collapsed forward onto the
Control stick and the ship went tumbling out of control into the portal.
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“What the hell is that?” demanded Zahn as he got up off the floor. He watched in wonder as the
Small ship tumbled into the maelstrom disappearing. “Put all engines in full reverse!”

“It’s some sort of portal,” yelled a young man. “It must have opened when the quantum drive
And those mines exploded.”

“Look, the portal is starting to shrink,” said the young woman with the lavender color
Hair.

They watched in horror as the swirling mass of red, purple and yellow light grew smaller
And smaller.

“Keep the engines in reverse. It has almost closed,” yelled Zahn.

“Engines are in full reverse,” said a young sorcerer, “but we are still being pulled into it.”

“My Lord,” said another young man. “At this rate, we will be drawn into that thing before
It closes.”

“What do you suggest?” He turned his icy glare upon the young man.

“A blast from our plasma cannon should close it,” he said drying a lump in his throat.

“Prepare to fire cannons on my command,” said Zahn turning to face the screen. The
Tower was basked in the colors of the portal.

“Cannons are armed and ready to fire,” said a young sorceress.

“Fire!”

A blue beam came from the nose of the ship and hit the center of the portal. The
Ensuing explosion sent the behemoth tumbling through space. It took the pilots a
While but they regained control of the monster ship.

“Where are we?” asked Zahn getting up off the floor.

“My Lord,” said one of the young men. “We are two hundred billion light years away form
Our point of origin.” He turned to face his leader with shocked eyes. “We have been sent
Clear across three galaxies.”

“What about that portal?”

“Long range scan shows the portal is closed,” said another man.

“Well, that takes care of Oletha and her daughter,” said Zahn smiling sinisterly. “Let’s go home.”
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Suddenly there was a bright white flash of light and a rippling effect. Then the small cargo
Ship appeared with a large gaping hole in its starboard side. The ship tumbled dizzily towards
The Peaceful blue and brown planet.