The Promised Land
A UEC Story
For the men of space, Old Earth has always been the Promised Land. The Vidivicians, seeking to reclaim the Lost Paradise, invaded Earth Space. Countless Earthborn colonies were glassed, their inhabitants put to the sword. In response, the nations of Old Earth formed the United Earth Coalition. Yet that would not have been enough without the enigmatic Ry’lethians, and the “Buggy Swarm” they brought with them. United Earth emerged victorious, but only by the skin of their teeth - the full story of that war I shall recount in a later chapter.
-A.S. Icardi, The Annals of United Earth
Old Earth, the Promised Land, the Land of Milk and Honey; these were the names in which Arlena Spektre of Planet Lakamodis knew the cradle of humanity as. Now that she was here, there wasn’t a word, no sentence, which could begin to describe what she was feeling. Excitement... happiness? More than that. But also, a bit mixed.
Many of her comrades - including her brother Alexios - had perished to reclaim Old Earth, to liberate the Promised Land from the tyrants of the Pyramid. From Icardi, her beloved husband-to-be, she had deduced what the Pyramid could possibly be. In a city known as Singapore, a great trading port at the intersection of sea-routes, lied the UEC Cabinet, which Arlena understood as Old Earth’s equivalent to the Lakamodian Ephors. The Earthborn Ephors were based in a pyramid, and they were led by this so-called President; Arlena understood him to be the King of Old Earth, though there was only one such President, unlike the King in Lakamodis, in which there were two.
Arlena frowned as her thoughts went to the Pyramid, whom she understood to be her fiancé’s master. What would her late father Lysandros or her cousin Xenophon think of her decision to marry the man who killed her brother? To wed him, to bear his children? She could think of a few choice words.
Back in the Waterloo, after the end of the Lambda War, she could have returned to Lakamodis. Yet what would that mean for her? Victory of death, that was the way of Lakamodis. Return with your armor, or not at all.
A timely interruption put an end to Arlena’s ruminations.
A loud voice blared within the starship Arlena was on: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have landed on the Quadricentennario Starport in Montevideo, Uruguay. We welcome you to Earth - the Heart of Humanity. Please remember to grab your belongings on your way out. Thank you for using Galactico Star.”
Just like that, all the passengers in the starship got out of their seats and began gathering their belongings. The cacophony born from the Earthborns’ intense desire to leave their transportation was unnerving, to say the least. Arlena took Icardi’s hand and held it tight, so tightly that he grimaced, not expecting the strength behind her grip.
“What’s wrong, Lena?” Marco asked.
Yet Arlena said nothing. She leaned her head on Marco’s shoulder. After all, he was her only link to Old Earth.
Arlena felt Marco’s lips on her head - a kiss. And she was calmed. There was an unspoken promise, that he would protect her and keep her safe in this strange new world.
She would need that assurance.
***
Upon leaving their starship, Arlena’s sense of wonder took over as she gazed at the starfields of the Quadricentennario. She could see rows of starships lining up, ready for takeoff at a moment’s notice. Not even the Starport of Spektre, the largest on Lakamodis and all of Alliance Space, could compare. She began to calculate how many Earthborns could possibly be there. If each starship can hold a thousand men, then...
Yet Arlena’s thoughts were interrupted as Marco pulled her away from the window. Marco wrapped his arm protectively around his bride-to-be, almost too protectively.
Arlena’s instinct was to protest, but she caught sight of the Earthborns around her. They rudely pushed and shoved past each other. She could hardly believe that these people were related to Marco - her gentle Marco.
“They’re really in a hurry,” Arlena said.
Marco nodded. “Many of them have a flight to catch. We do too, actually.”
“Really?”
But Marco didn’t answer Arlena’s query. Just as the were stepping onto the starport gates, they were unexpectedly welcomed by three people...
The one on the right was a tall but heavy-set man with knife-shaped ears dressed in a robe of red and white. Later on, Arlena would know this man as a ry’lethian, a race of men with great influence over Earthborn politics, despite their interstellar origins. Arlena could feel an air of mystery to this strange breed of man; she shivered.
The one on the left was no man. She was a painfully beautiful woman with bright red hair, yet for some reason her features weren’t as striking as it should have been - and it wasn’t her nondescript clothes.
Finally was a man with blond hair in military uniform. He was an imposing figure, a mighty warrior. Despite that, he had a gentle smile. More importantly, Marco’s respectful gesture and tone to him indicated to Arlena that he could be trusted.
“Colonel Harrington, sir.”
The man, Colonel Scott Harrington Britannicus of the United Earth Coalition, waved his hand. “At ease, Sergeant Major. I still remember you from the Altair Prime Revolt, my brother Jack filled in the rest.”
“You mean Commander Green?”
Scott nodded. “Yes. Never mind that, though. You seem surprised to see us.”
Icardi’s tone remain respectful, “I was expecting us to get through immigration first.”
“Fair enough,” responded Scott. “Allow me to introduce my companions here.”
The fat ry’lethian stepped forward, extending his hand. “Greetings, I am Porcus Junius Scutari, the Director of the UEC’s Office of Military Intelligence.”
Icardi suppressed his disgust as best as he could as he shook Junius’ hand. “Sergeant Major Marco Icardi,” he said, for Marco could not bring himself to say that he was pleased to see the Director of OMI.
Then, Junius shook Arlena’s hand. As he did so, he spoke, “So this is the Lambda who chose to leave behind her people, huh? Purple eyes, so exquisite. I can see how you captivated our Sergeant Major.”
Arlena opened her mouth, but Junius continued his spiel:
“Welcome to Earth, my dear. Truly! But better not be up to some funny business now... or else.” Junius’ then chuckled heartily.
But Arlena was not laughing. She could tell that behind that joke was a real threat. Neither did Marco, who struggled to keep his anger in check.
“Let us move on,” Scott intervened, knowing where things were going. “This lovely lady over here is Special Agent Natalia Ilyasova.”
Marco responded, “So she’s a mind-reader.”
“That is true,” Harrington said.
But Junius was not happy at this turn of events. Frowning, he turned to Scott. “What is the meaning of this, Colonel! Why did you disclose that?”
“Come of it, Director,” responded Harrington. “You really think the Sergeant Major wouldn’t have figured that one out?”
“Yep,” Marco said. “A mind-reader was attached to my legion during the Lambda War, so I’m familiar with psi-op stench.”
Junius frowned, his eyes narrowed. “Your forget yourself, Sergeant Major.”
“Does it even matter?” Marco said. “What’s the point of being respectful when someone’s reading your mind?”
Scott interjected, “Let’s be calm now, Sergeant Major. I promise that we’re not here to harm you or Arlena...”
And thus, Scott began to explain the UEC High Command’s interest in Arlena and the Lakamodians as a whole. By this point, everyone had been sitting down at the starport gates; there were no passengers in sight, for Junius and Harrington made sure that the gates would be cleared for this.
Arlena, for her part, was lost. While she understood the Earthborn language, it was only at a conversational level. And when Junius was saying his piece, the explanation became more technical, especially as he took out a small metallic object, it was circular in structure. Yet again, she looked to Marco, who paid close attention to everything that was said, and was able to put it in layman’s terms...
“So you’re putting a tracker on Lena?” he asked.
“Indeed,” responded Junius. “You can attach it to her communicator, which I’m sure she’ll be getting now that she’s living on Earth. Or put it in some article of clothing of hers, I don’t really care. Just make sure she has it on at all times.”
Marco shook his head, and groaned in disgust. “Unbelievable.”
Scott put his arm on Marco’s shoulder, as if to console. “Sergeant Major, I understand why you’re pissed. But this is for Earth, for our safety.”
“She’s just a girl,” Marco pleaded.
“You’re right,” said Harrington, he looked down, his face apologetic. “But we can’t be too safe. Just as the Vidivicians a century ago wanted to reach Earth - the promised land, they called it - the Lakamodians have the same idea. Surely you understand.”
I don’t, thought Marco. He wanted to say it, but out of respect for the Colonel he kept his mouth shut. Not that it mattered, he was sure that Ilyasova was reading his mind.
Marco took his tracker from Junius before handing it to Arlena. Then he stood up from his seat.
“Are we done?” he asked.
“Yes,” Scott said. “Give Jack my regards, Sergeant Major.”
Marco nodded. “I will. And the Commander gives you his regards, Colonel.”
And with that, Marco and Arlena made their way to leave. After all, they still had a flight to catch - to Rosario, Argentina. Thankfully, Scott had been kind enough to give them both First Class tickets, always appreciated even if the flight would be a short one.
Arlena could feel Marco’s hand dragging her, he wanted to get out of there as quick as he could. But before they could, a feminine voice cried out:
“Wait!”
Arlena turned back and was shocked - it was Ilyasova! “What is it?”
“Arlena... right?”
The Lakamodian girl nodded.
“You’re...” Ilyasova began, “you’re one of us. I can sense it.”
Arlena shook her head. “I’m sorry, but that’s impossible. I’m not a mind reader.”
Ilyasova responded, “The preternatural energy is present! Used differently, but is present. Be strong, Oracle.”
Junius’ call would soon draw Ilyasova away from the two. Yet Arlena was left dumbfounded. That word: Oracle, weighed heavily on Arlena.
***
From the tyrants of the pyramid, Old Earth will be liberated, such was the prophecy that came from the Oracle of the Most High. Said prophecy emboldened the Alliance of Planets to invade Earth Space, believing that the gods will deliver them victory. Yet the Lakamodians were defeated, and the warriors sent to liberate Old Earth were killed or scattered. None reached Old Earth - save for Arlena, who did so only as a war bride.
Had the Oracle lied to them? Arlena did not want to believe it.
To Arlena, the Oracle was not just a wise woman, she was also family. As the Oracle of the Most High was none other than her aunt, Olympia Spektre. The powers to prophesy had long run in the women of House Spektre. Though the gods saw fit to skip over Arlena, or so she had thought, until Ilyasova’s revelation.
When Arlena first learned that she was not to be an Oracle, she was devastated. She prayed, “let it be done, according to your will”. The same prayer known to be used by the oracles of Lakamodis through the centuries. Even so, it had stung. And looking back, she knew that that was the impetus behind her rash decision to join the ill-fated task force to liberate Old Earth.
Arlena opened her eyes, yet again she dreamed of memories. The flight accommodations had been lavish. Across from her was Marco, whom she thought was asleep until she saw his hands clasped, his mouth whispering, praying. She knew that sooner or later she would have to tell him about the Oracle; he did ask about it back in Montevideo, to which she deflected, unready she was to divulge that part of her life. But now she wanted nothing more than to open to up to him, if only he hadn’t been busy.
She would have to wait, especially as the plane was about to land on the Rosario International Airport.
***
Like Montevideo, Rosario had elicited a feeling of wonder and awe in Arlena. From the tall buildings, skyscrapers as the Earthborn knew them, to the great multitudes of men in which Arlena had tried to count, unsuccessfully for there were too many of them, Rosario struck Arlena as the capital of Old Earth. Or at least one of its major cities, given its absence of a pyramid.
Yet when Marco told her that Rosario was just one of many, many minor cities of Old Earth, Arlena’s eyes widened in disbelief. To think that a mere town had about as many souls, if not more, than the largest city on Lakamodis...
It was then that Arlena realized that the Alliance never stood a chance against the Earthborn. The Lambda War, as the Earthborn called it, had been decided before it even began.
Thankfully for Arlena, the impersonal aspects of Old Earth would soon give way to familial warmth as Marco soon introduced her to the Icardi family. The abode of the Icardis was simple, a far cry from the estates of House Spektre, but Arlena cared not. For so long, Arlena wondered how Marco’s family would receive her. A part of her was expecting disappointment, rejection.
Instead, she was welcomed with a hug by Marco’s abuelita, which she understood to be the mother of her fiancé’s mother. Speaking of... Marco’s mother was similarly welcoming, mobbing her with kisses on her cheek.
“After that witch left him,” she told Arlena. “I thought my little Leo would never move on. Yet here you are, and you are even more beautiful than her. This can only be the work of Dios!”
“Thank you,” was all Arlena could say, as she couldn’t fully understand the accent of her future mother-in-law.
Yet she was able to catch that last word, Dios. And she wondered if Dyaus, the god of victory, had been on the side of the Earthborns all this time.
***
It had been a few days since Arlena lived in Rosario with Marco’s family. Mama Icardi, as Marco’s mother was known, was adamant that Marco and Arlena didn’t live under the same roof until they were married. Yet she was also insistent that the two of them were to be married in the Church.
Thanks to this familial complication, Marco had to live in a cousin’s home, a few blocks away from Arlena’s newfound home. This was a blessing in disguise, for this forced Arlena to make acquaintances with the Icardis other than Marco. Even so, she still saw Marco every day, though many times he would be out of the house taking care of family business.
Stuck at home, Arlena studied the ways of Earth; its geography, culture, and most importantly: its history.
She learned much of Old Earth. Of the uniqueness of Earth, unique amongst all the inhabitable worlds, the only one not located in the Electrosphere. She learned of geography, the seven continents of Old Earth, the origins of the ry’lethians, the founding of the United Earth Coalition, and so on. Marco through his communicator had sent over so much reading material, and Arlena simply couldn’t go through them fast enough. Yet that didn’t stop her from trying.
And today, Arlena was holed up in her room for hours on end, leading Marco to take a look at the behest of Mama Icardi.
Marco entered the room politely. Yet to Arlena, so focused she was in her studies, he might as well barged into her private realm. Shocked to see her fiancé, Arlena stood up hurriedly, her communicator in hand.
“Leo! I didn’t expect to see you.”
Marco smiled. “At ease, Lena. Just checking up on you.”
Despite the assurance, Arlena bowed. “My apologies. I know I have been too absorbed in my studies.”
Marco didn’t say anything in response. Instead, he looked around. “Very tidy. I like it.”
Arlena’s face turned red. “O-of course it’s tidy. I am a daughter of House Spektre! Do you take me for a pauper?”
“No,” Marco responded, grinning. “But I’m taking you out of the house.” Marco took Arlena by hand. “Let’s go!”
“Wait!” was all Arlena could say as she was dragged by her fiancé.
Yet right before the two left, Marco caught sight of a book on a study table. At first, he thought it was one of those paper books of his, but he didn’t recognize the title. “What’s this... The Annals of United Earth? I don’t recall having this.” Taking it in his hands, he then opened it and found empty pages.
“That’s mine,” said Arlena. “Your mother got it for me. She saw me reading all those texts you sent me and thought I should write things down.”
Marco narrowed his eyes. “You’re writing a book?”
“Yes, I want to write down the history of Old Earth. Not just for me, but for my people back in Lakamodis. Um, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t,” responded Marco. “The UEC... that’s a different story. But there’s nothing we can do about that. If Porky has a problem with your little project, he is free to put an end to it himself.” Marco said this knowing that someone in OMI Headquarters was most likely listening in on their conversation.
Arlena nodded.
“Anything you’ve written yet?” Marco asked. As he said this, he cracked open the opening pages of the book, and was surprised to see a drawing of a beautiful woman covered in a blue tunic robe; her head was covered. The drawing was amateurish, but it showed talent. Below the woman was a text:
Let it be done, according to your will.
“La Virgen?!” cried Icardi. “You drew this?”
“I admit I could have done a better job at it,” Arlena said defensively. “I tried sketching one of the images of her in this house.”
“No, no,” Marco said, waving a hand. “She’s fine. I just... didn’t expect this. I can tell you’ve done a lot of reading. That’s all well and good, but it’s time for you to get some fresh air.”
“Where are we going?”
“In Rosario? In light of your artwork, there’s only one place to go.”
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