Chapter 23 #2
“We uplifted them. The proto-Aurelians were an aquatic species on the edge of sentience. We accelerated their evolution, enhanced their neural architecture, gave them the gift of technological resonance.” A pause.
“In return, they agreed to serve as Keykeepers—guardians of the pathways between the stars. It was a partnership, not a servitude.”
Doren had moved to the holographic display, studying the cycling images. “The records said the Aurelians went extinct. The Grorn have been searching for any surviving members for centuries.”
“The Grorn.” The word came out heavy with distaste.
“The Order of Eternal Night. We knew of them, even in our time. Fanatics who sought to claim our technology for their own twisted purposes.” The display shifted, showing images of massive reptilian figures in dark uniforms. “When it became clear that the Grorn would stop at nothing to obtain the Keys, the Aurelians chose to vanish.”
“Vanish?” Emma looked down at Ari, who was gnawing on her own fist with apparent contentment. “What do you mean, vanish?”
“They abandoned their homeworld. Scattered across the galaxy in small groups, hiding among other species, concealing their true nature.” The display showed a star map with dozens of points lighting up, then fading.
“They changed their appearance, suppressed their gifts, became invisible. It was the only way to survive.”
“So there are more of them.” Doren’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Other Aurelians, hiding somewhere in the galaxy.”
“Many more. The exact numbers are unknown even to this system, but estimates suggest several million individuals scattered across thousands of worlds.” A beat.
“The child you carry is special, however. She bears the marks of the old bloodlines, the unaltered strain. She would have been a princess among her people, before the vanishing.”
Emma looked at Ari with new eyes. A princess. A living key to technology that could change the galaxy. No wonder the Grorn were so desperate to find her.
“Why didn’t they fight?” she asked. “If there are millions of them, why hide? Why not stand against the Grorn?”
“Because the Aurelians are not warriors. They are artists, scholars, philosophers. Their gift lies in creation, not destruction.” The voice softened.
“And because the Grorn are relentless. Every Aurelian who stood against them was captured, experimented upon, killed. After the third massacre, the elders made the decision to disappear. It was survival, not cowardice.”
Doren had gone very still. “The Grorn experimented on them?”
“They sought to extract the activation sequences from Aurelian tissue. To create artificial keys that would give them access to Precursor technology without the need for living cooperation.” The display showed images that made Emma’s stomach turn—laboratories, restraints, silver skin stretched over surgical tables.
“They failed. The gift cannot be replicated. But they never stopped trying.”
Emma pulled Ari closer, a fierce protectiveness surging through her. “They won’t touch her. I won’t let them.”
“Your devotion is noted and appreciated, human.” Was that warmth in the ancient voice? “The child is fortunate to have found you.”
“What happens now?” Doren asked. “This waystation—what is it for? What was it meant to do?”
The holographic display shifted again, showing a complex schematic that Emma couldn’t begin to interpret. “This facility served as a research outpost and communication hub. It contains records of our civilization, maps of other waystations, and—most importantly—information about the Vault itself.”
Doren’s breath caught. “The Vault. Where is it?”
“The Vault’s location is protected by seven locks, each requiring a different Key.
The Aurelians are one such Key. The others...
” The display showed six more species, their images rotating slowly.
“...are scattered across the galaxy, some hidden, some forgotten, some believing themselves to be the last of their kind.”
“Seven Keys,” Emma murmured. “Seven species.”
“Correct. When all seven are united and brought to the Vault’s threshold, the doors will open. Until then, the technology within remains sealed.”
“What technology?” Doren asked. “What’s inside?”
A long pause. When the voice spoke again, it seemed... sad.
“Everything. The sum total of our civilization’s achievements. Medical technology that could cure any disease. Energy systems that could power entire worlds. Transportation methods that could cross the galaxy in moments.” Another pause. “And weapons. Terrible weapons, capable of destroying stars.”
“Oh god,” Emma breathed.
“We sealed the Vault because we knew what would happen if such power fell into the wrong hands. The Grorn would use it to conquer the galaxy. Others would use it to wage wars of unprecedented destruction.” The display dimmed slightly.
“We hoped that by the time someone found all seven Keys and united them, the galaxy would have matured. That the species who claimed our legacy would be wise enough to use it responsibly.”
Emma thought about humanity—her humanity, still confined to a single planet, still fighting wars over resources and ideologies. Were they ready for technology like that? Was anyone?
“The records,” Doren said, his voice hoarse. “The information about the other Keys, the other waystations—can I access it?”