"Sol Invictus"

[BagaturKhan]

Stage 8.

The time allotted for visiting Nyura has passed. Ishken must return to the ship, to the Amphora system.
And it is quite far. But he has learned everything he needed. Owen will not like this information, but there are no other options. He will have to tell him everything in detail.

Ishken says goodbye to Nyura Kolobchikhen. He is standing on the porch. The old woman is on the threshold of the house. She looks worried. She had no idea that the legends from the old book would ever become reality. But it happened. And there is no escape from this.

Nyura blesses Ishken on the road. They hug tightly.

Nyura (to Ishken):
- May the Light-faced One protect you. He is always with you.

Ishken:
- Thank you. And you too. Don't get sick here... And if I find time, I will stop by again.

Nyura (nods):
- Yeah... But first, business. Tell Owen everything. Tell him everything you saw and heard. It's serious.

Ishken understands that the captain must know everything. However, he decides to ask one more question. It was about a certain Terrible Horde. The book told how a once cruel race of aliens invaded the galaxy and crushed entire kingdoms. Only a few managed to survive and defeat the threat. The Shatsk Empire, together with its allies, stopped the evil.

But Ishken never found a real name anywhere in the book. Moreover, everywhere and always the chroniclers mentioned only the Horde and the "aliens". The drawings depicted them as terrible multi-eyed creatures armed with unknown weapons. But what... if they have another name. What if Nyura knows much more about them.

Ishken (towards Nyura):
- One more question remains.

Nyura (with interest):
- Why Nargon tea? You wanted to ask that, right? Well, I'll answer that right away.... Because there was no other in the store. And this one is the best....

Ishken (shakes his head):
- No, not about the tea.

For a moment, Nyura's eyes lit up with a bright glow. This meant that she had read Derkh's thoughts. During her service in the psionic troops, she knew the orders of the command even before they were officially announced.

But with age, using psi energy became increasingly difficult. And Nyura almost never resorted to it.

Ishken:
- What were their names? In reality?

Nyura's face became as gloomy as the night itself. But she understood that she could trust her old friend. And that perhaps this word would be useful for Owen and his team, even if it was forbidden.

Nyura (almost in a whisper):
- Voids..... That's what my father called them. A terrifying Horde, burning everything in its path.

Ishken (nods):
- Thank you.... Whoever they are, we'll tear them to pieces.

Nyura (with a slight smile):
- Grandfather would be proud of you.

[BagaturKhan]

Stage 9.

Ishken had already left Shatsk Prime. He had entered orbit and was heading towards Chernevis, the third planet in the system, to then jump to Amphora and hand everything over to Owen.

The ship was refueled and cleaned, so there was no need to bother with it. Just in case, Ishken asked to check the plasma "incinerators", which was arranged. He explained this as a precautionary measure in case his ship suddenly encountered pirates. But given the safe zones around Shatsk, this was not necessary. Ishken did this not because of the pirates. After talking with Nyura, he clearly understood that in the current reality you need to be prepared for literally anything, including meeting the Void.

While Derkh was flying to Chernevis, he decided to turn on the galactic news and listen to what they were saying in Artandir. The question of Rovoam was of greatest concern to him. How's the leprosy going, what about the sick? He picked up the Artandir channel too quickly, as if the space heard his thoughts.

The holo-screen showed the red-haired presenter Sam Valarti, broadcasting from Artandir Prime. She looked very depressed. There were small dents on her work suit.

Sam (with concern in his voice):
- So far, the situation on Rovoam remains the same. Over the past 24 hours, an increase of 30,000 cases has been recorded. The Minister of Health claims that the disease is curable, and that work is underway. At the moment, President Cedric is deciding on the supply of vaccines from the Elfurr Empire. It is obvious that the vaccine will soon arrive on Rovoam. The system governor maintains quarantine zones. The curfew on the planet has been extended for another two months.

A huge metropolis appears on the screen, literally filled with skyscrapers and towers. Ishken immediately recognizes the footage from Rovoam City, the planetary capital. There are many helicopters and medical shuttles flying in the sky. The commandants' menacing voices are heard from the loudspeakers. It is already clear from this picture that there will be no improvements in sight.

Sam (continuing to broadcast):
- The governor promises to send up to 20,000 medics to the quarantine zone. The Nicomedia Commonwealth has agreed to help Rovoam. Ten medical teams will be sent there soon. Containment of the infection is in full swing. There is nothing to worry about. According to the governor, there will be no trace of the disease left in a month. The Minister of Health calls for optimism. The disease is curable.

Ishken (confused):
- There is nothing to worry about... Except the coming alien invasion and the planetary epidemic. I bet this leprosy is somehow connected to the Void.

Sam (from the holo-screen):
- Meanwhile, the social networks are already starting to discuss the situation on Rovoam. The authorities are asking commentators to stop whipping up panic. Let's not forget that Leprosy is curable. And despite the emergence of such an aggressive form of the disease, it can be stopped. Our doctors are doing everything to prevent its spread beyond Rovoam.

Ishken:
- And not a word about 10,000 dead. Okay... As they say, our job is to save the galaxy. That's what we'll do. We've been in worse troubles.

Derkh's shuttle flies to the required flight point, after which it quickly disappears in a blinding flash. In just a few hours, Ishken will find himself on Amphora, where he will have a very serious conversation with the captain.

-----

The end