//------------------------------// // Moving Day // Story: To Call the Moon My Own // by That_Random_Pony //------------------------------// The League of Thirteen were all busy directing the preparations for the interstellar travel. Figanti, Quarek, and Portok were able to dig the Drigont out from underneath the Palace of Kings, which the League tore down. Portok, being a technological genius, was eager to get to work on the drive core and systems. While he and countless other mechanics worked on repairing the enormous ship, Renkan, and Yonok were gathering the people of smaller tribes and their animals. Quarek, fastest of the League, sent the message and searched for any remaining Signa of small groups. The people hadn't completely embraced the old Loki'irian beliefs, but they were willing to listen to the powerful beings. All of this, ordered by Doshu'um Malshuom. Malshuom stood at the tallest building remaining in the Empire, Lokor meditating nearby. "Hruuk irinuket jrot arak, Doshu'um Malshuom? (What plagues your mind, Doshu'um Malshuom?)" Lokor questioned, sensing the stress in his mind. The newest Doshu'um sighed softly as he looked at the enormous ship. "Jra… hriik ert jra verku trenok vivush? Jra eluk gesko brorsh ely ot jrik… grak jra eluk gesko bur oskir ankz i wekoq ot derqet(I… how can I lead these people? I have never known any of them… and I have never led more than a group of hunters)" Lokor chuckled and stood up, walking slowly over to the warrior. "Feraknaket jre birnt jrit jre'uk gesko ult, grak feraknaket jre birnt jrit hrök jre ök bror (Sometimes we lead those we've never met, and sometimes we lead those who we do know)" He placed his hand on his shoulder, nodding softly. "Detenk jro, Lokor (Thank you, Lokor)" Malshuom smiled. "Dot dit hruuk jra'ol verc tur (It is what I'm here for)" Lokor laughed softly. "Jra udor gewt ut nopek Signa gess. Jra'ek ulsh jro frek, Doshu'um (I must help the other Signa soon. I'll see you then, Doshu'um)" Lokor leaped off the building, landing on his Nera'ak partner's back and flying off towards the southern part of the city. Malshuom watched him go, wondering how much training it took for a Signa and a Nera'ak to know each other's thoughts without listening, just feeling. The League were each in tune with their partners, their actions always working to help one another. The question of his own Nera'ak came into question. Would he receive his own egg? Or would he never get one? Figanti always said that they were destined to meet their partners. It would probably happen on Earth. Malshuom sighed again and leaped off the building, going from rooftop to rooftop to get to his temporary home. He passed over Binagish and Hinaktol, who were melting down the weapons of the Empire so that they could make newer and better ones on their journey. For the past month, the people joined the workers to reach forsaken mines of old, which held minerals that were close to unbreakable. Within a few hours, they would be off to Earth. The task at hand was becoming more and more easy as time went on. The ship just needed one last maintenance check, the people were gathering with their families, the Signa were being confronted by the other League members, and the last of the planet's inhabitants were being brought. Portok fixed up some fighters and recon crafts in the hangar of the Drigont, which made gathering the population all the more easy. Unfortunately… the Drigont would be the only ship to carry them. The fleet on Ikotur, Loki'ir's moon, was destroyed. Figanti had hoped the Arthanians forgot about the satellite, as it was on the other side of the planet when the Arthanians attacked. He was wrong. The images the recon ships took were heart wrenching. On their lunar outposts, the men had their suits destroyed by blasters and explosive weaponry, leaving their bodies to float over it like a wall of debris. Their frozen faces held looks of death, their final battle cries, and some that were missing them completely. The Drigont could carry all 718, 592 of them, as it was meant to carry 1,000,000,000 pilots. But the massive ship didn't have as many heavy weapon systems like dreadnoughts or supercarriers. A capital ship had more Tyrrek Cannons than the Drigont. Minira's visions had told of massive hordes, thousands of ships… and they had a ship's worth of cannons, but enough shells and blast cores for an army. Malshuom feared it worse than the League, because the fact that they were fearful made him understand there were forces of great magnitudes coming for them. But he had to be strong. They would have the Makti, an experienced and true Signa, waiting for them. The only thing now was to speak with his love. They would be leaving everything behind, the planet and their star system. She was frantic and uneasy, and he barely managed to comfort her. He wasn't so certain himself, but he had to try and keep her hopeful. Well… she had hope, that much was clear. It was he who needed to keep faith. Faith in his abilities. Faith in the Signa. The League… …and in the Makti. 38th hour of Loki'ir, Gingrich Empire, Drigont Figanti glanced to Malshuom, who stood at the forefront of the bridge, in front of the microphone. Hundreds of thousands of Loki'irians would hear his voice. His first impression as Doshu'um, the future ruler of their race. He couldn't force them to obey, and he couldn't act like he would make them. With a nod, Figanti started up the engines, a low hum reverberating through the shuttle. Portok laughed maniacally as the drive core came to life. "Hushao ot alsh vroot! (Listen to her purr!)" Portok laughed. "WHOOOO!" Remek turned the gravity bracers on, to keep them on the floor when the ship left the atmosphere. Quarek ran through the maintenance room and switched on the life support systems, comms array, weapon systems, and navigation sensors. The ship's landing gear lifted off of the ground, and they were soon pulled into the ship. The panels of the sleek, white ship shifted to pull the metal claws in, and soon it was lifting into the air. This was it. No turning back. Figanti gave Malshuom a knowing nod, and Nitera nodded for him as well. He pressed down on the holographic panel, the speakers throughout the enormous ship coming to life. He took a deep breath and steeled himself. "Today… we leave the planet of our births… our home we have come to thrive on. For many it has been harsh… others have had their own leisure. But today we unite for the harder times ahead." Malshuom felt calmer already, knowing that they were listening to him. "I must be completely honest with you all. The journey before us will require sacrifice. We will lay down our lives just as our forefathers of old. But today, we stand as one. Not nations… not tribes… not divisions. Together we stand as a race. We are Minira's first born children, the assurer of light in the darkest of nights." "Our fathers watch us from Eden, proud to know that every one of us are following in their footsteps. But to walk as they did, giants and warriors with a purpose purer than the clearest rivers, we must forsake any wrong between each other. We must forget the old ways, and forge a new, stronger bond that we will allow none to destroy! We will stand together! As Loki'irians! And should death stare us in the face… we will laugh at the drek trarg together!" Malshuom waited a moment before moving the panel over and activating the microphones throughout the ship. He smiled as he heard the cries and chants of his people… …united at last. "Very nice," Figanti chuckled. "Let us hope my nephew can top that." Malshuom laughed softly, Fineshta walking over and hugging him. "I'm counting on it," he said. He looked out of the transparent panels at the forefront of the bridge, at the torn down city and vast wastelands. "Set a course for Earth." Figanti, Nagashu, Renkan, Yonok, Lokor, Hinaktol, Gengot, and Ingat laughed in the room. "With pleasure," Figanti smiled. The holographic user interface appeared from Figanti's wrist display, activating his link with Portok. "Dura alsh yu! (Fire her up!)" "Jra hurtakost jro'en gesko catok! (I thought you'd never ask!)" Portok responded. The ship lurched up, gaining speed as it broke through the atmosphere and hovered in the void of space. With another lever pushed forward, they felt the Space Time Displace Systems propel them forward, calming down soon enough. Figanti stood up and turned to Malshuom. "We will reach Earth in ten months," he informed him. "And starting tomorrow, your training… and every other Signa's begins. So I want you to be ready. Your Illness and thousands of others will soon come, and your true power will reveal itself. Now go… rest, rejoice… and prepare yourself." Malshuom nodded, kissing Fineshta and walking with her to their chambers. "When this is all over, my love, I promise we'll have a home… just the two of us." Fineshta smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I hope there's room for one more." Malshuom gasped softly, glancing to Renkan, who was chuckling softly. He turned back to Fineshta, who placed his hand over her belly. He could sense… an energy… a faint… tiny bit of energy. Words could not describe how grateful… how happy he was. Fineshta giggled softly, hugging him gently. "I've waited so long to say… I love you," Fineshta sniffled, her tears falling freely. Malshuom had a few on his cheeks, and he kissed her passionately. "And I love you," he chuckled, hugging her again. Her voice was gentle and smooth. A soothing voice meant for a child. And now he would have one. A family of his very own. Figanti watched as the couple exited the bridge, and he took Malshuom's spot on the captain's arch. "We're coming, Reku'un." "We'll be there soon… my nephew."