Lens of the Void by JJ Wolficus (read full novel txt) 📗

nodded. "It was not easy, but when one

has looked upon the Void itself,

many things that are usual y hidden become clear.

Stil , if you had been patient and had a

stronger hold on the Void energies, you might have

eluded even me."

The ancient teacher's head tilted as he inspected his

student closely. "You remind

me of one I studied with long ago. She had a similar

impatience, but it came with a

passionate bril iance. If you can match her skil s, you

wil find yourself puissantindeed.

However, you should beware this path. The more

quickly you embrace the power, the

greater the danger. Your path must be slow and wel

thought-out to attain the summit of

your abilities."

Theromos stood and motioned her to fol ow his

stance.

"We wil begin with simple exercises designed to

open you to the Void energies and

focus your will on them."

Sharas copied his stance, and they began.

* * *

"Continue to the main zerg base. Fire on al

available targets. Give priority to any

units nearing our ground forces," ordered

Commander Feranon.

The Purity of Form's beam rained death upon the

zerg below. The tone of the ship's

weapon remained steady as ittore apart a group of

zerglings and then was redirected to a 9

cluster of banelings. From his screens, Feranon

could see the protoss line advancing, easily

overcoming the few zerg forces that managed to

avoid the void ray's attacks.

"Commander, three spore crawlers are forming

beneath us."

Feranon brought up the relevant data and

responded,"Notify Command

immediately. If those structures become functional

before we are out of range, we wil be in

danger."

Battlefield communications among the protoss were

efficient, and soon a platoon of

zealots arrived. It made short work of the growing

spore crawlers. The Purity of Form's

beam cauterized the site and the surrounding creep,

ensuring that there would be no more

attempts to attack from this area.

Feranon turned to his navigation officer. "Bring us within range of the main hive and

lock onto it as our primary target."

The tone of the void ray's beam faded as it was

brought offline and the engines

engaged. Satisfied with the status of his ship, the

commander swiveled his chair to observe

how the new student was doing.

Sharas was lying on the focusing couch. Feranon

thought he detected some tension

in her body, but as she was not a part of the Khala,

he couldn't ful y judge her mood.

Theromos bent over her, discussing her

performance and giving her guidance. So far,

Feranon was impressed with the new recruit. She

seemed to grasp the techniques of this

position much more quickly than previous students,

even ones who had gone on to master

the void ray's energies at their highest settings.

Trusting that the old dark templar had

thingswel in hand, the commander turned his

attention back to the battle.

The protoss ground troops were focusing on the

outlying structures while the Purity

of Formflew straight to the heart of the invading

forces. If the void ray could destroy the

hive, the rest of the zerg would be simple to

exterminate.

"Commander, we are within range of the central

hive."

"Bring the first flux field projector online. Focus on the center mass of the hive."

The bridge vibrated with the beam's distinctive

timbre. Feranon studied his screens

carefully. At first, the weapon tore into the great hive, incinerating its organic structure

easily. Then, like skin reacting to a sting, the surface of the hive began to change. Bony 10

plates with spiky protrusions emerged across its hul .

The beam failed to damage this new

armor, spattering harmlessly.

"Commander, our sensors are identifying those

humps in the creep nearby to be

growing hydralisks."

Feranon reviewed the data flooding across his

screens. It supported the technician's

analysis. With so many hydralisks evolving before

his eyes, the Purity of Formwould

quickly come under attack if it couldn't find a way to

destroy the hive.

The commander turned to the dark templar behind

him.

"Void lens Sharas, we need to bring up the second

flux field projector, or we must

flee. Can you handle the added power?"

Before the student could answer, the teacher

intervened. "You cannot keep doing

this, Commander. You put my pupils in danger by

rushing them to use this much Void

energy so soon. Look at what happened toAlthai."

Feranon tried to contain his annoyance. "I would not ask her to take such risks if

others were not being threatened. When the zerg

larvae below us hatch, they wil attack

not only this ship, but also our advancing warriors."

"Or it could be that the second projector will not be enough, and you will put

Sharas's life in peril for naught,"Theromos snapped back.

This was too much. Feranon shouted,

"ElderTheromos, I am the commander, and I

wil judge the hazards and answer for the

consequences!"

Before the ancient dark templar could reply, Sharas

spoke, her telepathic voice

sharp with anger. "Enough! Teacher, I appreciate

your concern, but I believe I am ready.

Commander, deploy the second projector. I will do

what is needed."

Theromos shook his head but didn't contradict her.

Feranon turned and gave the command.

Immediately the tone that rang throughout

the ship changed to a higher note, and the bridge

shuddered in response. The stream of

energy began to melt the armor plating on the hive,

and with an explosion that was felt

even on the ship, the Purity of Form's target burst in

a gout of flaming organic matter.

As soon as Feranon confirmed that the hive had

been destroyed and the larvae

consumed, he ordered the beam shut down. Turning

to the two Nerazim behind him, he 11

noted with relief that Sharas was alive, if shaken.

Her skin was pale and mottled with the

strain, but she was able to stand under her own

power.

The gamble had paid off.

Feranon swiveled his chair forward. "Navigation,

return to base."

* * *

Feranon found the old Nerazim meditating in his

quarters. The commander

wondered whether Theromos did anything but teach

and meditate. Feranonwaited a

moment to see if Theromos would speak, but the

ancient protoss seemed content to ignore

him.

"I came to apologize for my outburst on the bridge."

Theromos spoke, not shifting in his meditation. "It does not matter. You gambled

with Sharas's life, and it concluded in your favor."

"It does matter, Theromos. I understand what I am

asking, especial y in light of

Althai's death. I must put my crew at risk, but I do

not do so recklessly."

Stil Theromos didn't stir from his seat. "We are at war. There is danger for

everyone, my students included. Sometimes we die.

That is the way of the universe. I

merely dislike waste."

Feranon strode farther into the room, moving into

Theromos's line of sight. "For