The Justiceers - Part Three: Chapter Three
the next chapter in my forthcoming novel
The Justiceers
by Daphne Garrido
Part Three: The Will to Choose
3.3
Echoes of whispered truths slicked the very floors of this place.
The Hammer was the first of its fleet to reach those outermost borders of Yemi; the solar system Grammaton called home.
This ship was one of retributive challenge — it’s force of power, the capabilities within it to bring such reckoning — incredible change would come to Yemi in the wake of its presence.
Carlin Jerscion was still very young, his route to Yemi of both trials and glories, to find himself now wielding such authority was a responsibility he’d not quite have the inner fortitude to respect. There was an arrogance about him, despite his stature and station upon The Hammer, and a perpetual chip on his shoulder.
He’d something to prove.
Such horrors had befallen Grammaton before his arrival. The doings of one he would have wished to have end himself. Carrigan Marks had been his life’s nemesis, and though that man may not have known of Carlin’s continued existence, it had been his life’s great purpose to reveal himself and end them.
He’d been planning it so long, exploiting resources upon Grammaton to steer and combat Carrigan in ways which might allow him to one day use their plots against them. It had all been set.
Arriving in wake of that work being completed by these most famous Justiceers, who’d arrived so long before himself, there was bitterness born inside.
Carlin had wanted his retribution.
He’d no personal vendetta against the two Justiceers of such renown, yet there was a churning in his gut which would say with him nowadays, a sour taste pervading each ration he’d consume. Carlin had lost his chance, they had taken it from him, and the goals he’d set for himself were no more.
There was an overbearing element of confusion to his purpose now.
Still, the journey had been long, and there was much still happening which could be seen to. This planet was evolving, its celestial body changing in ways never before seen throughout The Periphery, there were so many people here without a place to build upon; stranded, hopeless.
Carlin would see himself find glory in Yemi, somehow.
A quarter-cycle had passed since The Hammer’s arrival in system.
Travel time to Grammaton would become a more extended proposition for the detour Carlin had decided upon. There’d been much deliberation internally, such time spent in his captain’s quarters, in conference with Admanium.
There were days spent on float, this great ship’s thrusters disengaged to have the time he’d need, most pressing calls to make for the future of his soon to be arriving fleet.
Carlin had finally decided they’d make the extended trip.
Malta would be a most beneficial boon to this newfound operation Carlin was beginning to see develop in his mind. Its waters of highest importance, the need for them upon Grammaton, and for all the people of Yemi so crucial, he’d found the planet calling him.
Now in orbit of this planetary body of oceanic enormity — its waters cruel and unforgiving, the operations to procure them most dangerous, still undrinkable until processed due to its nearly corrosive sulfuric contents.
It was beautiful to Carlin.
The danger reminded him of this strangest life he’d lived, becoming a part of something greater in which he’d such hand in building himself, from his youngest ages so apt to take it all on.
There was a hope inside that his feelings of gut weren’t speaking truth. He’d not wanted to do what these notions within him were asking.
Yet Carlin Jerscion would not back down from a challenge — this system would know why he’d found himself at such a station, they’d feel his strength — his name would go down in the histories of The Periphery.
Markeus; The Justiceer Conclave’s flagship, was now entering the system.
Carlin found himself elevated, an anxiety born into his chest by their presence, this choice he’d made was coming to bear and it worried him more and more. He’d not trusted the call which came from within, but he’d no other ideas, his purpose had been so lost until this seed of spark had come his way.
There’d not be a reason he could hold tightly.
Yet it was such a knowing inside, there was this path he could see, and it led to that feeling of glory he’d so sought. It felt how he always imagined taking Carrigan Marks to his grave would feel, and that was enough. Though the way towards it was not how he’d imagined, or what he would have thought he’d become, he was seeing now that it was always meant to be this way.
He been made for it; there was no simpler truth.
Carrigan Mark’s death was beginning to seem freeing to Carlin.
Some chains had been cut loose, finding now that his spirit was more complete than ever, and he’d the ability to choose his own legacy. Carlin needn’t waste it on tearing down that monstrous man who’d made him into what he was.
He’d do better.
Markeus was a gorgeous ship, one built for far more than functionality, it outclassed The Hammer in its grandeur with most opulent style. There were so many people aboard it, this knowing leaving a rock within Carlin’s gut, not understanding with his mind the true weight.
Still, these Justiceers were meddlesome.
This new era he saw evolving before his eyes need not be steered by such people of unhinged faith. While Carrigan had been an evil man, he’d gotten things done. The hatred Carlin always felt for them was for more than what had been done to him personally; he was jealous.
Not a thing would burn brighter for the entire lifetime of Carlin Jerscion, than this uncovered need to outdo Carrigan Marks.
Carlin would own The Periphery by the time he was through, to live forever amongst the stars, and become the most singular icon of power and achievement this galaxy had ever seen.
He fired the shot.
Having returned to his captain’s chamber, a most visceral sense of excitement flowing through the blood in his veins, knowing he’d just started something that would never end.
Carlin found himself happy.
This was it, what he’d been searching for, purpose to call his own. He’d gone through the data there at his desk. Looking it over and over again.
The way that ship had burned was glorious. His telescoping imager could only see the faintest flash within the blackness of space, yet he’d watched it a hundred times.
Nothing had ever made him feel like such a victor, the power of gods flowing inside, to end life was a passion discovered this day which Carlin would never find himself rid of.
Every human being would pay. There would be no souls left.
Finally absolving into a peace with his decision long made, witnessing such streaming sights of the future now available within his mind, Carlin decided he ought call it a night.
Moving from his desk, he’d approached the charging hub.
No cozier feeling would be known for Carlin than being within the embrace of this giver of his life force, a mechanical fountain of youth, and his fueling station to continue moving about the galaxy.
Beyond the machine this humanoid-replicant was inside, there was the consciousness of a man. He’d been placed here against his will, contained within this weapon of war he’d call his body, and it had been a cruelest birthing into form.
That evil man had left his imprint upon him; within him.
With all the ways he’d been tortured and manipulated by them, evermore to feel their presence working through his actions, had forged him into the cruelest result of suffering. It’s what made Carlin Jeriscion who he was.
That, and the consciousness of Carrigan Marks inside.
