A Dead Galaxy (Page 141)

~~~(POV: Aurora)~~~

~~~(Location: Immortalitas, Making Hyperspace Jumps)~~~

Scott didn't tell me when he'd be back, and I hope it's sooner than later. All the information I'm getting from the Inter-Galactic Network tells me that The Primeval Inherent and the Parasite it commands is already testing the quarantine zones defenses. "When the hell is Scott coming back!? I know it hasn't been long, but we got important shit to do!!" The source of my headache speaks.

Being left with Durado is the worst thing that could've happened to me, and I wish I could have gone with Scott to the world he comes from. "Shut up, Durado. He'll get back when he gets back." All I hear is cussing in response, but I turn off my audio input and hear nothing. The Parasite has completely consumed the Impyra Galaxy...

There is no life left, but there is good news. The emergency warning sent out by Emile Hamlton saved billions of lives. Around 48 percent of all life in the Impyra Galaxy has been consumed. The other 52 percent either escaped with contamination or were stopped at the quarantine zone and exterminated before a breach could happen.

From the numbers I'm getting, of that 52 percent, 41 made it out alive. Still, The Primeval Inherent has consumed almost half a galaxies life, and all that knowledge and thought power is now his. It's only a matter of time until the Parasite escapes and continues spreading. There is chatter about fighting back the Parasite, but every attempt leads to death and defeat.

Strikes teams and armies sent in will only make The Primeval Inherent and Parasite consume more. There was a reason why The Primordium had to do what it did. The Coda Arrey... The Keynote... Everything option to fight the Parasite was made, but it was too late. Learning from Borealis, my creator and mother, taught me a lot.

Her knowledge will help Scott and me to defeat the Parasite. Durado... I don't know... If Scott wants to take him along with us, then I guess I have no choice. Dealing with him has brought new shades of anger and frustration from me. My focus is broken as Durado's upset face enters my sight. I restore my audio input to hear what he's saying.

Knowing him, it's about finding his daughter and getting to her. Finding out if she's alive or dead, but she's dead. There is no way she couldn't be. She was on the station of the initial outbreak, where The Primeval Inherent formed. "I'm asking nicely. Can you please take us to Impyra? I need to see if my daughter is still alive with my own eyes." A father will go to great lengths...

In Durado's case, far beyond great lengths... There are many terrible qualities about Durado, but his love for his daughter and his dedication is some of the things that I can admire about him. "Durado... Finding your daughter is the most important thing to you... Well... Mine is keeping Scott safe and helping him beat The Primeval Inherent. There is no compromise to be made." He's mad.

His face contorts in rage and fury, and he unlatches his blaster. I retreat into the ship's systems, and my physical form is gone. He starts shooting the consoles and the technology all over the command deck. They'll self-repair in no time, but his temper needs some work. "WHY CAN'T I JUST FIND MY DAUGHTER!!!" This anger isn't directed at me.

It's towards the life he has now... He's a Legendary Bounty Hunter, and despite that, he can't find the one person he loves more than anything in the universe. "Calm down, Durado. Acting out like this won't do you any good. You need to realize that she's gone. Dead on that station." He takes a few more shots but soon runs out of ammo.

The blaster falls to his side, and he drops to his knees. His body folds forward, and I see him bury his face into his hand through the monitor. He's trying hard to suppress his cries, but I can see the tears falling from his hands. He's lost the only family he has and the only child he's ever had. That's a pain that I couldn't ever understand...