Sinners of Tyre: Act 1 Chapter 4

Ba’Bel Anchor Station was a metropolis in of itself. On the outside it looked like one of the ancient Terra's Pharaoh tombs, but the interior was filled with an array of commercial buildings and stores, connected by a network of train tubes, roads and elevators. Below the megaplex of commerce, the residential sector had its place, housing well over five million citizens, mainly clerks and servicemen contracted to ensure the orbital winch station ran without issues. Connection between surface and the orbital ring was like an artery for many imperial worlds, especially the serpentkind's planet of origin. Bas’Ileans constructed such multi-purpose structures on every world developed enough to require and justify an anchor station for orbital winches. Although only this, original and first pyramid was this large, construction of a four kilometer tall behemoth was only possible due to weaker than average gravity on the serpent capital world.

- You look a bit pale there, Na’Rov. – Sch’Lvya pointed out the fact to her compatriot.

- Seems like Aquiles has issues with motion sickness. – Aq’Sal shook his head and hissed in a teasing manner.

- Shut it... both of you. – Target of remarks gulped and took a deep breath. – I’m fine.

- Sure you are, come on, let’s not keep the Tribunal waiting. – Cape wearing serpent got up from his seat.

- How will we get to the Imperial Complex? – Sch’Lvya got up and helped Na’Rov get his footing straight. – No hypertrain leads there.

- Glad you asked, I’ve organised a vehicle, with a driver you probably recognize.

Three serpents headed outside the carriage and onto one of the platforms of the train hub. Pyramid had five tube stations like this, one for each side and one leading upwards to the orbital ring. To get from here to any other sector of the pyramid megaplex, commuters used a network of roads and highways. Aq’Sal led the two down the platform and onto a large parking lot, where numerous popular Bas’Ilean universal transports were parked. About ten metres long and sleek like most other serpentine designs, standing on airless tyre wheels and powered by a fuel cell gas turbine running along the bottom of the car. Unlike larger vehicles, a small personal transport didn't justify a fusion power plant, which is heavy and expensive, unlike a more conventional gas turbine burning highly potent methanol derived fuel. None other than Ta’Sha, the white scaled Agent of Bas'Ilean Silvestris subspecies, clad in a black uniform Sch’Lvya met on Bas’Toroq stood beside one of the black vehicles. Her white scales shone in the neon lights of all present bilboards and advertisements.

- Arrived on time. - She was leaning against the vehicle, smoking a cigarette and blowing a soft cloud of fragrant rose smoke.

- Right on time, agent. – Aq'Sal said, while approaching the vehicle.

- Well, well, well. – Ta’Sha said, while noticing Sch’Lvya following behind Archivarion's footsteps. - You don't look like skinned alive anymore.

- And you look like I won’t need to carry you again. – Sch’Lvya chuckled while shaking her head. – How's your leg, agent?

- Been worse, left a scar, but I walk fine. - She threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it. - I guess I owe you for that one.

- Ladies, you’ll talk later, we have places to be. – Aq’Sal rushed the two.

- Come on bookworm, give the gals some slack. – Na’Rov laughed while opening the slide doors to the back.

After everyone boarded, doors locked once Ta’Sha pressed a button on a holographic display running along the central console. Windows were actually screens, opaque from the outside, perfectly see through from the inside. Vehicle was large enough to provide comfortable travelling conditions to four adult Bas’Ileans, along with their baggage in the boot. The only thing limiting interior room was a shaft running along the center of the cabin, covered with alcantara, and with various holographic infotainment devices, sealing the interior from the gas turbine underneath. Thanks to this placement of the drivetrain, seats could be placed at each corner of the vehicle, providing lots of space for the passengers and their long tails. Wheels were connected to the drivetrain magnetically and not mechanically, so there was no need for axles to power the thirty inch wheels forwards or backwards.

Ta’Sha drove the vehicle along the road leading from the train station towards the airport. Along the drive, the group passed enormous skyscrapers and shopping galleries, apartment buildings and administrative centers, all built inside the walls of the pyramid. Colourful neon lights and advertisements brought normally dark, concrete and steel buildings to life, while also representing the commercial, hedonistic focus of the entire serpentkind. Ba’Bel from the outside looked quite opaque, but just like in the vehicle's case, outside buildings surrounding the megaplex were visible from inside, also allowing sunlight through during the day and moonlight in the night.

Universal transport zoomed past the traffic, using the fast lane of the highway, passing similar vehicles along the way, as well as larger and longer cargo vehicles delivering goods to local businesses from the train platforms. Following the road signs upwards to higher condignation, the group soon found themselves on a wide and open concrete field with a large opening to the outside, it was one of the air terminals for personal transports. Automatically, one of the lanes illuminated in front of them, providing the vehicle with a vector towards an open exit. Here the “universal” part of universal transport comes into play. With a burst of hydrogen thrusters located underneath the chassis, vehicle raised itself a meter into the air. With a flick of a switch, magnetic wheels turned outwards, into a horizontal position and the beams of large alloy wheels changed their angle, starting to turn and providing upwards thrust. Now airborne, car flew outside the pyramid, back into direct sunlight.

This type of vehicles, often very expensive, made up majority of Bas’Ilean personal transport as well as non-train cargo and passenger carriers. In most cases hypertrains in vacuum tubes were used to travel long distances and up to the orbital ring, however, in case of short range trips, inside the shell of the ecumenopolis and between tall buildings personal transport proved more reliable and cheaper. Ever since a relatively cheap and portable power from hydrogen derived fuel cells has been achieved, these vehicles could run on deuterium rich water, which was very common on Bas’Ilea. Group flew away from the pyramid station, along one of the busy air highways, leading between the walls of tall ecumenopolis buildings. Crevices between the walls of the shell around the planet were actually air tunnels, which supported the vehicles flying in them, easing their propulsion and lowering fuel usage, as well as providing buildings with air conditioning and artificial wind, keeping the temperatures in the shell on comfortable levels. These artificial canyons formed a labyrinth of one way roads, which also lowered chances for mid-air collisions, however to take part in the air traffic, each vehicle is fitted with an auto pilot, used in highly congested areas. With time, density of traffic and buildings dissipated, as the vehicle approached the sea shoreline. Lowering its altitude, flying car found itself by the surface again, underneath the celestial districts, at one of the bottom sectors where the shell of the ecumenopolis met with the sea. Enormous shipyards and port facilities were scattered along the entire shoreline of the planet, however beside them, luxurious marinas filled with large yachts were located, these yachts, seemingly eclectic to the rest of vehicles were simply high-end universal transports of the richest nobles and aristocracy, powered by fusion, with limited space faring capabilities.

Vehicle slowly lowered itself down onto a landing pad in one of the seashore sectors. This somewhat infamous area was filled with bars and clubs where various interstellar criminals found their home, but was also a place where production and logistic facilities working on maintaining vast maritime industries of the ecumenopolis were located. Before touching the ground again, rotors turned back into a vertical position, returning into their previous function. The surface of the sea was close by, the endless blue expanse showed itself behind seascrapers and countless wave breaking stations. Using one of the grand concrete ramps vehicle headed down into the waves and after a splash, wheels turned again, assuming function of ship propellers for the amphibious transporter. Now on the sea, the vehicle automatically collected water, which through simple electrolysis it used to refill its fuel tanks. Using this was less efficient than refuelling using pre refined fuel cells and could cause salt damage if not serviced properly afterwards, but this process was free, which a lot of less fortunate owners of universal transports used. Black, sleek UT made its way through the waves, passing large, tall seascrapers – towers made of glass and steel, which were the bases for Bas’Ilean fisheries, as well as maritime infrastructure. A large portion of the population lived away from the ecumenopolis, in those towers, taking part in harvesting the boons of the ocean and maintaining the electrical grid, since tidal generators and fusion power plants were decentralised and located in the seascrapers.

Moving further and further away from the regular routes used by other sea vessels and further away from the densely populated continental shelf, group found itself alone in the vessel, away from any other ship. Sch’Lvya started to feel a headache, which increased with each nautical mile passed on the way to the Imperial Complex.

- Schee, you okay? – Na'Rov asked.

- It’s... just a migraine. – She held her temples. - I feel like someone is trying to get inside my head.

- Again? Please don’t strain yourself like on the train.

- Yeah... I know...

Around an hour later, vehicle was far away from any buildings or other ships. Soon however, in this calmness Sch’Lvya felt a voice beckoning to her, like a mermaid song, angelically tempting age-old sailors.

- I sense you. – Sch’Lvya heard a familiar voice in her head. – You’re near. Soon we shall meet again.

- W-what? – She said out loud.

- What was that, Schee? – Na'Rov asked.

- I... I’m not sure, I thought I heard someone. – Unsure of what just happened, she-serpent looked out the window, at waves breaking against the hull of the UT. - Aq’Sal? Are we there yet? – Sch’Lvya turned her seat around and asked.

- Hmm, we should be near, I’m still thinking why... – Suddenly, the vehicle shook and stopped, with an alert ringing and interior lights flashing red. – Why we haven’t been tractor beamed yet.

Suddenly, an enormous warship surfaced in front of them, with water dripping down its sleek, metal hull. In matter of seconds it began aiming its artillery at their vehicle.

- You’re in a restricted zone, submit a transponder report. – A hologram appeared on the central console, an officer clad in similar armour to Aq’Sal’s. – Escape attempt will be responded to with deadly force.

- Talk about comedic timing. – Ta’Sha chuckled, letting go of the controls.

- This is Archivarion Aq’Sal, we’re carrying a V.I.P. expected by the Tribunal. – He put his scaled hand to a holographic scanner along the center of the vehicle.

Ship engaged its large, deep scanner, which ran a red line across the UT.

- You’re free to go on, cause no trouble. – Officer said, before his hologram flickered and disappeared.

- Why are these guys always so cranky. – Ta’Sha shook her head, as she regained controls.

- If I had to wear all that plate armour all day, I’d be cranky too. – Na’Rov let out a belly laugh.

- You two are comedic geniuses, really. – Aq’Sal shook his head and crossed his arms.

Enormous cruiser moved its artillery into position 0, and submerged back into the depths, disappearing from view. Continuing on its way, the group soon spotted an array of seascrapers on the horizon, surrounding an island clad in marble, shining in the sun. Unlike the rest of the planet, where buildings resembled a brutalist dystopia - a sea of concrete, steel and glass, the Imperial Complex was something entirely different. Resembling Graeco-Roman temples and parthenons, white marble buildings clad this small paradise of an island. The seat of Imperial government was kept in the same style as it was constructed back in the ancient times, millennia ago. Built long before Bas’Ilean year zero which marked the ascencion of the current Empress, has been a seat of various nations, institutions and governments before consolidation of the serpent nations and founding of the Imperium. On the outside, kept exactly as it was when built, being a symbol of Bas’Ilean pride and stalwartness, only furnished differently on the inside, along with changing ages and technologies. Now an unpenetrable fortress, with countless defence systems and a dreadnought grade shield projector covering the entire island, was the brain of the Imperium, just like the sea was its heart.

Universal transport carrying the group made its way past patrolling ships and helicopters, constantly on reticles of islands defense guns, past a yacht marina towards a similar ramp, like in the ecumenopolis. Said boarding spot then led to an underground complex, which held a parking lot for UT’s at its entrance. The complex on the surface looked like an ancient parthenon, but looks can be deceiving. Seat of the Imperium reached way down, at least a mile deep underground, holding the planetary quantum communication array which was the center of the Bas’Ilean Ultranet network and an enormous fusion power plant completely separate from planets electrical grid. Among these, other facilities had their place in the imperial complex, the Archivarium Maximum, the greatest center of knowledge and administration in the Imperium, and Serpentarium Maximum, the theological center of the imperial religion.

Ta’Sha parked the UT on an empty spot, and turned off the engine. Doors opened as the echo of whistling gas turbine still filled the underground facility. Serpents left the vehicle with their claws meeting asphalt again. Parking lot was relatively empty, thanks to the modern approach of work from home initiatives, Archivarii, Serpentarii or other employees of the imperial complex could connect to their workplace from their homes or remote bases on other planets via the quantum relay network. Across the parking lot, walkways led towards an array of elevators, leading up to the surface, that’s where the group headed once the UT was locked.

- Nervous, Schee? – Na’Rov nudged her shoulder while the group awaited the surface access elevator.

- Not at all. – Sch’Lvya raised her eyebrow and looked down to him. – Why would I be nervous before meeting with the Empress and the Tribunal of the most important people in this sector of the galaxy?

- I see the sarcasm module is operational at full capacity. – He joked.

Elevator arrived and opened its doors allowing the serpents in. The four took spots at each corner of the relatively spacious room, it was courteous in Bas’Ilean culture, to go out of your way to make sure you don’t step on a compatriots tail. Shortly after, doors slid closed and elevator started to move upwards.

- Welcome to the Imperial News Channel, I’m Boh'Tzek and these are the latest news. – Voice rang in the lifts speakers. – The plebiscite for the treaty signature host planet still ongoing, Imperium and Hierarchate envoys continuously debate on which planet in unaligned space could serve the purpose.

- You think what will they agree on? – Ta’Sha rubbed her chin.

- Do we make bets on it? – Na’Rov chuckled before putting his bet on the table. – Vulpesia? Or maybe Ichi-Mizu?

- Doubtful, Ferrilata system is under our control, while Ichi-Mizu is a part of the Hierarchate. – Aq’Sal crossed his arms. – And I also am crossing out any and all Helix worlds, they don’t seem to want to get involved in our war.

- Maybe Ter’Ra? – Sch’Lvya said sarcastically, chuckling afterwards. – Just to rub it in.

- Hell yeah, make them sign the treaty aboard their destroyed flagship. – Na’Rov clapped his hands.

- As great as it would be, let’s try to not reignite the conflict. – Archivarion said, shaking his head. – Time will tell.

- On other news, Bas'Terra Initiative, political party representing the human minority in the Imperium, having recieved official permission from the Tribunal, has come to an agreement with the Galactic Guild of Archeology to open excavations on the human homeworld of Ter'Ra. The Initiative's public statement calls for "exploring possible, ancient interactions between mankind and Bas'Ilean Imperium", based on somewhat vague similarities in architecture of Bas'Ilea and ancient Ter'Ra.

- What a bunch of nutters. - Ta'Sha crossed her arms.

- I'm sure there was a holovid with a similair story. - Na'Rov tried to recollect his thoughts. - Like, about some sunken city on their planet.

- I think I watched it myself. - Sch'Lvya lowered her eyebrows. - Although not a holovid, Leisure Center on Bas'Aqash was very... simple.

- Humans and their imagination. - Aq'Sal sighed.

With a quiet electronic sound, the near noiseless elevator arrived at the ground level and opened its doors. View that appeared in front of the serpents was breathtaking, unlike anything in the Imperium. Elevator building was something of a gatehouse, a relatively small, cylindrical construction, built out of white marble, surrounded with columns holding a domed roof above it. It stood atop a small hill, with steps leading down, to the main plaza, where enormous temples were located. Each wide and long, with columns at their walls, holding pediments above, bearing colourful imagery representing various events in the Bas'Ilean history. Each of the large temple buildings hosted different offices of the Archivarium, the byzantine administrative institution maintaining the Imperium in close cooperation with the political organ, the Tribunal under the Empress. Plaza was wide and spacious, with tall monoliths and statues of venerated individuals, Emperors and Empresses of the past, great conquerors and erudite statesmen and women, people every Bas'Ilean aspired to be, scattered around, in rows along the paths. Fountains and canals formed a symmetrical pattern along the forum, with clean water flowing, creating a gentle mist. Along all paths, Bas'Ilean flags of tyrian purple hanged off of poles, flowing in the sea breeze. However, all the temples, statues and monoliths paled in comparison to the enormous pyramid in the middle of the island. Smooth and white, kilometer tall construction was the seat of the Tribunal, and the Empress herself, it was crowned with a large pyramidion of solid gold, which shined in the sun. The most sacred building in the Imperium served various functions, with the celestial gardens and Empress' Palace at the top condignation, the Serpentarium Maximum in the ground level of the pyramid, along with the resting places of past rulers in the necropolis in it, and the Praetorium Maximum - the Imperial military high command in the underground depths of the complex.

Sch'Lvya was enamoured, she has never seen a place this fascinating and beautiful. Her claws touched the same ground all the venerated ancestors of her kind - the architects of the Imperium walked upon. An angelic choir echoed in the forum, almost as if playing in her head, beckoning her towards the Sacred Pyramid, sounding clearer and clearer with each step. Sun shone upon her through clear sky, as she walked on the stone path, with sea breeze putting a spring in her steps. The central building towered above her as she approached the main gate, enormous in its own right. It opened slowly, inviting her in, as the voice in her head whispered: "Welcome home".