Hypnos

[hypnos-ttd]

Be Prepared

Hypnos:

I feel that Tiberius is being optimistic (a rarity for him) in regard to our captured brothers. Who’s to say that Michael won’t just punish them out of rage since he can’t get to us? I don’t voice this thought, however, since it would probably just start another argument amongst my brothers.

Tiberius asks me and my team to investigate the food. I’m relieved not to be given a more controversial task. I don’t know if some of my brothers will ever forgive me… or if I’ll ever forgive myself…

Gaius asks about the possibility of scavenging, but Tiberius shakes his head.

(Tiberius): “Between the Abomination’s chemicals and the diseases sweeping this galaxy, we can hardly trust any food we find growing ‘naturally’. We can always fast if need be.”

I hope it doesn’t come to that, we’ve all faced more than our share of starvation these past years…

(Tiberius): “Now, if that is all, I expect you to work swiftly but competently at your assigned duties. If all goes well, we may be able to launch our first attack tomorrow.”

I’m relieved we will get a chance to rest before attack, I think everyone needs it after such a day!

[hypnos-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Hypnos:

As I am called out, I am surprised that I am not overcome with fear. Instead, the panic melts away, and I am left with the numbness that I’ve felt ever since…

I simply listen as Brazen Torch lays out all of the facts of the case. I cast a quick glance towards Tiberius, wondering if he will attempt to defend me- and wondering whether that is something I would want, his mind is so far gone... However, he remains silent. Claudius, of course, comes to my aid, although I wish he wouldn’t. He is innocent of the crimes committed by myself and Tiberius, and yet associates himself with us more and more each passing moment. It is hardly earning him graces in the eyes of the others, who resent us so.

(Claudius): “Give the man a chance to speak, to defend himself!”

He turns to me with a pleading expression.

(Claudius): “Hypnos, I always knew you to be a good man, an honourable scientist, and someone who cared for our sister. So how… how did this come to pass..?”

There is silence as the others wait to hear my testimony. I force myself to overcome the numbness, if only for a few moments. They deserve to hear it, after all. I speak in a slow, quiet voice.

“I… It was when we had just gotten Nala back from Michael, when she was still unstable, that Tiberius came to me with the idea of the memory drug. But he said that he did not want to be Michael, to release something into the galaxy that we could not undo if needs be. He ordered me to create… two cures. One, in the event that we truly wished to cure the memory drug. And the other… a secret between the two of us… to be used only if Michael ever found the hive. He told me that it would be a mercy…”

I tear up, as I remember how much I truly believed that at the time. But now, after all I have seen, I am less sure… I wonder if Tiberius is angry at me, for my grief and remorse on the matter. Sometimes I envy him his certainty in life, I don’t believe him to have any regrets. As if to make his disgust known, he turns his back on me, quite literally.

“That if we were ever caught, Michael would, in all likelihood, kill us all and turn Alana into a monster, into another him… I did not want that for our sister, so I did as Tiberius asked. Then, as the years passed, it just became a distant memory, a theoretical failsafe that we would never have to use… Until it came to the battle. At first I believed as we all did, that we had won. We had Michael on his knees in our throne room. But when the tide changed, it caught us all so off-guard, I found myself fighting for my life. Amidst the chaos, I did not realise that Tiberius and Alana were gone, nor what that meant. It was only after she awakened me, and informed me that she had regained her memories with knowledge from Tiberius, that I realised what had happened…”

I glance back again at Tiberius, who seems to have shifted from disgust to apathy. He tugs on his sleeves, as if bored by this whole affair, and I sense he is paying little mind to what I say. Claudius, on the other hand, is staring at me wide eyed. For his sake, and the sake of the men, I continue.

“By that time, the drug was in its final stages. The toxins had already built up to significant levels, enough to form insoluble plaques throughout the blood vessels of the brain, as evidenced by the headaches. Any attempt to remove the plaques would have resulted in the haemorrhaging occurring sooner. Perhaps it was a mistake, but… I decided to let our sister live her last few days in peace… Though I’ll admit, that was not the only factor I considered, since I also came face to face with… him… Michael… His mind is so powerful now, it took all of my conscious effort to block the truth from him. I feared our brothers were not up to such a task, not even Tiberius in his weakened state, so I hid the truth even from them. I could not let Michael find out what we had done…”

I take a breath as I remember those few days of living in his ‘kingdom’, and even worse, those moments when I was in his presence.

“The years really have not made him any saner, nor any more merciful. I heard of an incident- two men insulted our sister and attacked a human worshipper of hers- and dozens, if not more, of the men’s family members were mutilated and burnt alive. Had I told Michael of what we had done to Nala, and a cure could not be found in time… I truly believe he would have taken the punishment out on all of us. I can only imagine what he would have done to us… what he is doing to… Marcellus and Caelus…”

I break down, consumed by guilt at what horrors my actions have inflicted upon my family!

“I am sorry, I am so sorry! Nala, Marcellus, Caelus, forgive me!” I howl, tears streaming down my face. I wish only for Brazen Torch or Aellius to release me from this burden, to send me to wherever our fallen siblings now reside. But before I can hear their response, I see something out of the corner of my eye…

Tiberius spins around, and in his hands I see the two halves of a stun rod. No sooner have I noticed this than he connects the halves. A bright blue light pulses out, and all fades to nothing as I fall to the ground.

[hypnos-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Hypnos:

I pity my brothers, learning about this hellscape that we have woken up in would be hard even for the toughest of warriors. Even Claudius seems shaken by the news, although he loyally steps in front of Tiberius as fighting breaks out amongst the soldiers [to stop anyone trying to go for the head ;)]. As guilty as I still feel over the whole ordeal, I am grateful that Tiberius kept my name out of his explanation. In return, I try to assist him.

“Please brothers, settle down. Fighting amongst ourselves will get us nowhere.”

It is not very effective.

Sadly, Tiberius is not in such an understanding mood. I sense his RAGE as Aellius implies him to be a coward, and his disgust over the scuffle. His mind is not in a good place right now, I worry for both him and my other brothers, truly I do. He orders them all to be silent and remain still. His mind is not as powerful as Michael’s, but with no Queen around, his is the brightest among us and most brothers immediately obey.

(Tiberius): “Ingrates! I have saved you all, many times, from the abomination, and this is the thanks I receive?! Do you truly comprehend the lives I have spent to get all of you to this place, alive and as untainted as I could manage in Michael’s ‘kingdom’? My own Queen is DEAD! I could not protect her in her time of greatest need, because I was here, pulling you all back from the brink after our parents’ deaths! And I saw what happens when you believe that you can save a prisoner from Michael’s grasp! Any who wish to attempt a rescue for Marcellus and Caelus, you had best be prepared to watch Michael peel them like grapes before your very eyes, before they die screaming!”

I sense horror in the Commander’s mind, before he blocks it and takes a moment to calm himself after his outburst. He glares at Aellius, but it is his usual look of disapproval rather than anger.

(Tiberius): “It is quite the opposite from what you think, Aellius. I managed to procure one of Michael’s ships before I awoke you all. I know from my experience as his prisoner that he is unable to track this kind of modern hive, so long as its beacon is deactivated and any portable hand-held devices are ejected into space. I have already performed such measures. Should you choose to send me into exile, I would advise that you take the new ship and bequeath me this one. That would allow for Michael’s focus to be on myself, and myself alone, whilst the rest of you slip away. However, I will stay with you, if that is what you wish. I shall do whatever is best for the Hive.”

He then turns to Gaius to address his point.

(Tiberius): “Our chances are better than you may first assume. Michael has grown arrogant in his conquests, and therefore has made some poor tactical decisions as of late. I was able to take advantage of one such weakness not long ago. There was a single planet where Michael kept the entire population of females he allowed to exist. I destroyed it with the new ship I acquired. I have plans for future attacks too, that I will share with you once you are all in a fit state.”

I have to block the thought that, for a Commander, Tiberius really has killed many Queens and females. Of course, I do not believe him truly insane as Michael is, but I doubt such actions sit well deep within his psyche.

(Tiberius): “In any case, what else is there but to fight? There is nowhere left to hide in hibernation, Michael now controls three galaxies. And believe me when I tell you that you do not want to be found by him again... The wraith may be gone, but their cause is not yet lost. We may still avenge our murdered Queens and brothers, and purge Michael’s blight from the galaxy once and for all!”

Once he’s finished talking, he lifts his previous orders so that the others may respond.

[hypnos-ttd]

Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold

Hypnos

I have been waiting in orbit around Domus for Tiberius’ return for many hours now. I try not to ponder too much on what he must be doing. Something that he believes will hurt Michael, I do not doubt, but I have no wish to know the specifics. The knowledge I already have will be enough to haunt me for a long time…

My mind keeps going back to the party, hearing the message that Tiberius implanted into her head all those years ago, feeling her mind slip away... The only thing that stops me from drowning in guilt, is knowing that my sleeping brothers are relying on me for safety, until such time as Tiberius returns.

Alone, stuck keeping watch on the bridge, and with little else I can or want to do, I try to distract myself with other thoughts of the past…

**

I stare down the microscope at a culture of wraith cells. They’ve been mixed with both the Hoffan drug, and a new chemical that showed some promise in initial tests. The cells have lasted much longer than any previous trial, and I’m cautiously hopeful we could be making progress against Michael’s poison.

I hear the door slide open, and look up surprised. I sent the other scientists to get some rest only an hour ago, I was not expecting anyone back so soon. But it’s not a scientist I see standing hesitantly in the door frame.

((Are you in need of something, my Queen?))

Alana- as it is safer to think of her, now- looks at me startled as I mind speak to her. It seems she did not come here to see me.

(Alana): ((Oh, Hypnos! I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here! I didn’t mean to disturb you! I should go…))

I sense her mind is troubled, and a little lost… I look down, and have to tell myself once again that it was for the best, what had to be done. She was so… damaged, before. Whether that was from the Lanteans, or living with Michael for so many years, is anyone’s guess. I dread to think what has become of his mind since Tiberius did what he did… But he is, in all likelihood, beyond help. Alana is not.

((That’s ok, sweetie, you can stay. Why don’t you pull up a stool and keep me company for a little while?))

I risk the informality, since no one else is around, and give her a gentle smile. She smiles back.

(Alana): ((If you’re sure it’s ok… Thanks Hypnos!))

She comes over and sits on one of the stools opposite me. I have another quick glance at the wraith cell culture- still no signs of degradation!- before turning my attention back to her.

((What brings you here so late? Could you not sleep?))

I ask, concerned about possible side effects to the memory drug. She shakes her head, and twiddles with her hair as she tries to put her answer into words.

(Alana): ((I got sleepy… but then… I had a feeling like, something was missing… No, not something, someone..? A brother, maybe, but not any of you..? I couldn’t… stay still, I had to try and find them… But I didn’t know where they were, or who they were… So I just started walking around, and ended up here… It’s happened a few times before now, always here…))

I block my mind to her for a moment, so she doesn’t sense my sadness. This was the lab that Lastlight favoured the most…

(Alana): ((Does this mean that I’m still ‘not of sound mind’? Will you and Tiberius have to do more stuff to fix my head?))

I wince internally. Tiberius certainly would not be happy to hear this tale, and may indeed ask me to make the drug stronger and try again. But I am so… tired, of all of this. I do not want to put my sister through any more procedures, not unless I have to. The drug is strong enough as it is. She will not be able to remember more than flashes and feelings. Even if she were to see Michael (though I truly hope that day never comes), she would not be able to recognise him. I am certain of it. I unblock my mind to her, and try to be reassuring.

((That’s not the case at all. You’ve been doing so well these past few weeks, sweetie!))

She really has been. No more screaming fits, or mind-battles with Tiberius over control of the drones (that he’d come dangerously close to losing on a couple of occasions). She hasn’t even broken a single object, it’s remarkable! Sometimes, I like to think that she’s now much closer to who she would have become, had all of the tragedies not taken place. Though perhaps that’s just wishful thinking to assuage my own guilt…

((These feelings… I’m sure they will pass, so do not let them trouble you.))

(Alana): ((If that’s what you think is best, then I hope so… It’s just, when I come in here, I feel… closer, to what I was looking for, and a little less sad. I don’t know if that makes any sense…))

I block my mind once more, as my thoughts return to Lastlight. Michael is… terrifying, to say the least… However, Lastlight was a highly respected soldier, as well as a good son and brother. It seems cruel to both of them to take away Alana’s last remnants of him. Hmm…

((You know, Alana, you sitting with me here has given me an idea. Why don’t I teach you a little of my speciality? A good Queen should be well-rounded in her knowledge. I’m sure Tiberius has you learning all about battle strategy and fighting techniques, but-))

I trail off as Alana shakes her head.

(Alana): ((Tiberius doesn’t teach me anything like that. He says I’m too young. He mostly makes me learn about wraith traditions. It’s, er… well… I’m sure it will be useful one day…))

That is surprising! I heard he began teaching his own daughter about the art of warfare, from almost as soon as she could mind speak… Ah… he must not trust Alana with that knowledge yet… I’m sure that will change, given enough time… I hope…

(Alana): ((Science does sound really useful for right now!)) Her happy expression changes into a frown. ((But are you sure you aren’t too busy? Tiberius is always telling me not to bother you unless I really need to, since you’re trying to come up with a cure for the King’s Hoffan drug…))

She tugs on her hair again, this time more nervously. I do worry that Tiberius can be a tad harsh on occasion, with everyone of course, but especially with her... A lot can be said about Michael, but from all accounts, he really did seem to care for our sister, at least to the best of his limited ability… and Lastlight certainly did… After everything that has happened, I feel… indebted, to watch over her, as much as I can.

((It is no bother at all, sweetie. Learning something new may well help your mind to recover, and it will be of benefit to the whole hive, I’m sure, for the Queen and Chief Biological Scientist to have a good rapport. So, what do you say? We can hold the lessons in this very room.))

Alana already seemed keen, but gets even more enthusiastic as I add that last sentence.

(Alana): ((That sounds amazing! It feels like… like what I’m supposed to be doing! Thank you Hypnos!))

She runs around to my side of the bench, and gives me a hug in gratitude. I enjoy the sweet moment, however, things turn sour after I send her off to bed and go to check the microscope one last time.

The cells in the culture are dying…

**

I wince as I snap out of the memory. That I thought I could watch over her, when I had already made the poison that would kill her… If I were not a man of science, perhaps I would believe that our family is cursed…

I stop my musings, as the hive sends me an alert. Another ship has dropped out of hyperspace over Domus. Oh dear! ANY ship is an enemy! I begin preparing to jump into hyperspace, until I hear Tiberius’ voice in my head commanding me to stop.

((How… how were you able to obtain an entire hive ship?))

I ask, still wary of a trap.

(Tiberius): ((I commend your cautiousness, Hypnos, but the task was not as hard as it may appear. I simply used my last allotted time of ‘royal influence’ to my advantage. I’m afraid acquiring any more ships in the future will be a much more difficult task, but two should serve us well enough for now. Check this ship for lifesigns if you so desire, but when you find that there is no one else on board but me, then open the dart bay so that I may return.))

I do as he asks, confirming his statement to be true, and allowing him access to the ship. I would normally go to meet him at the dart bay, since he is my superior, but the bridge must stay guarded. Even he does not seem rankled to have to come to me, instead I sense a feeling of pride and great victory from his mind. There are other emotions there too, but he is blocking them, even from himself.

((I take it your plan was successful..?)) I ask hesitantly.

(Tiberius): ((Very much so. Not only have I doubled our resources, but that was done in the process of landing a devastating blow to Michael. I shall reveal to you the details when I address all of our brothers-))

The only details I wish to know are the fates of the brothers we were forced to leave behind! I break rank and cut him off to ask of them, desperate for any information.

((Marcellus and Caelus? Is there any news on them? Were you able to use your ‘royal privilege’ to assist them at all?))

Tiberius looks only slightly irked at the interruption. There is a sorrow to his mind, but also a coldness.

(Tiberius): ((We must treat them as though they are dead. Perhaps we should hope that they are, considering who they are trapped with… Even if we were to find them, I could never let them back onto the hive, for fear of what Michael may have done to them.))

Given that we have already resorted to such biological warfare tactics… Yes, there is truth to that… But also horror, at the thought of them paying for our crimes. I… I cannot allow that to happen!

((You are right, Commander, that they should not be allowed back on the hive. But we have two ships now. Perhaps I might take the other one and attempt a rescue mission. I know nothing of your plans, so even if I was captured-))

(Tiberius): ((WHEN you are captured, Hypnos. Or would be, were I to allow such a foolish mission to take place. If Michael does not have those two heavily guarded by now, then he is as much a fool as he is an abomination. Sadly, I doubt that to be true. In any case, I will not risk losing half of our assets, nor worse handing your skills over to the enemy. You are NOT to attempt such a mission, unless I give you direct orders to the contrary.))

I bow my head at his mental command, and begin to mourn my two young brothers along with my sister.

((… Yes, Commander.))

He actually softens as he senses my grief.

(Tiberius): ((I know that this has been a long day for you, Hypnos, and you have already handled more than should be expected from a wraith of your position. Nonetheless, I have one more task that I need you to do, before I can fully relieve you of the onus of leadership.))

He looks me in the eyes, and I sense his absolute trust.

(Tiberius): ((Restore me to my true self.))

[hypnos-ttd]

YEE OLE KING DAY MERRIMENT

Hypnos:

This party is like being inside of Michael’s mind itself; pure insanity! ‘King Day’ indeed!

I NEED my brothers to stay together, but of course Marcellus gets lost after five minutes! Caelus almost leaves too, but luckily has decided he’s my ‘big brother guide’ now, so drags me with him through the crowds of chaos as he apparently looks for someone.

(Caelus): “Cece?”

Tiberius is hardly any better, and wishes to leave the party completely.

((Find Marcellus!))

I tell him, too stressed to worry about the chain of command for a moment, but of course he gets furious! However, before he can say anything to me, we all spot Marcellus on stage as ‘Michael’. He appears to be receiving acts of sexual appreciation from a scantily-clad human-looking woman, and Tiberius becomes even more enraged. I sense this is not the first time this incident has happened… This was NOT a story that was brought up at dinner!

(Tiberius to Marcellus): ((Get down from there NOW!))

He would go up and pull him down, but does not wish to be arrested for ‘attacking’ ‘Michael’. I cannot figure out whether the people truly believe Marcellus to be Michael, or if this is a mockery of us for being wraith…

I JUST HOPE THAT WE MAKE IT THROUGH TODAY WITHOUT BEING BEHEADED OR WORSE, I REALLY DO!

[hypnos-ttd]

Bros on Bikes

Hypnos:

Michael admits to his illogicity in the wraith wars. That would almost make me put more faith in his sanity, were it not for the fact that I could see a multitude of queen head hot air balloons in the sky. Though I do understand his reasoning a little better, I think.

((Thank you, for sharing that with me, Michael. I can understand why you would think that way.))

He mentions getting personal revenge on a few wraith, and I feel nauseous at the thought of what he did to Tiberius. He… really doesn’t know what he started there… how deep Tiberius’ hatred runs…

I block my mind QUICKLY, but luckily Michael is already blocking me! When he unblocks it, he taunts me over mother. I suppose that’s better than… other reactions… but I can tell that I ‘touched a nerve’. He wants to know whether I hate him.

((No, I do not hate you, Michael. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t afraid of you…))

Tiberius side-eyes Michael as he gets close to him on his bike. He pulls back, making it clear that he’d rather lose the race than be so close to him. He is NOT over the ‘arm-link’ incident, whatever that is. Though in truth, I think he knows he has lost this race, and would rather not be seen to be beaten when he was trying his best.

The race ‘finishes’ with Michael in the lead, as Nala gets in touch with him to ask him to come to the main hive. She gives us ‘free time’ to do with as we please. I turn my bike around, and tell the others that we should find Caelus…

[hypnos-ttd]

Bros on Bikes

Hypnos:

I look over nervously at Marcellus being so close to water. I only hope that Tiberius is keeping an eye on him, so nothing happens.

Michael points out that I do not know what would have become of me, had I gone through the things he did. I nod, that was true enough, I’m sure any would have lost their sanity from being subjected to so much.

((You are right, of course. Know, Michael, that I was never angry at you for what you did, as so many of the others were. Pained, certainly, but not angry.))

Michael confirms that he was angry at all of us.

((Anger implies a perceived injustice at a person’s actions that they have chosen, do you not think? Yet what actions or choices could most have us taken? If I had shown up at your hive, all those years ago, and offered my support, would you have welcomed me as a friend?))

I very much doubt it, and would never have been fool enough to try. Nevertheless, I’m curious to hear his side.

He mentions our mother, and her death… I wince at the memory, but answer his question in return.

((Yes, I was there. Not in the throne room, but I felt it through her mind. Her last moments were painful, but it was quick, and even that moment, she got to share with our father. I try to take comfort in that. Feeling her mind fade to nothing, though… that was… terrible…))

I feel a deep pain and sorrow. Trying to distract myself from any errant thoughts, I tentatively tell Michael more of her.

((I don’t think she ever regretted her decision, regarding the banishment, but I know it always saddened her. You held a special place to her, and I believe she… missed you…))

I slow my bike down, wanting to put a little more distance between myself and Michael, in case I’ve sent him over the edge…

[hypnos-ttd]

Bros on Bikes

Hypnos:

Michael shows us some of the scenes from outside, the head shaped balloons… it’s about as disturbing as I would have expected. Walking around his hive these past few days, and conversing with the others, I really am starting to believe that the rumours were true, that he is insane. I wonder what will happen when- no, I CANNOT afford to think about that, so close to him!

I decide I should at least test the theory further by speaking to Michael himself. I have always been… curious, as to his rational for his actions. Did he see it as revenge? Survival? Did he simply long for power and control, after those things had been taken away from him so cruelly?

Whilst we are out on our race, I distract myself from the HORRIFIC scenes going on around us, and reach out to Michael.

((I always did wonder… why you were so angry with all of us. I’m sure it must be a distant memory, now that the galaxy is yours, but there was a time when you knew what it was to be bound by orders. What would you have had us do differently? What would you have done, had your fate befallen another of our brothers?))

I notice Tiberius close by, but it seems that Caelus has taken Michael’s order to heart, and is driving EXTREMELY slowly, so he quickly fell behind.

[hypnos-ttd]

Hypnos’ King Day Present: a set of six racing hoverbikes, presumably to be used with the siblings. They’re small enough to fly through the hive’s corridors, and can reach pretty high speeds. Hypnos has barely seen Michael since waking up, and didn’t ask any of the siblings for advice, so who knows why he picked this gift...

[hypnos-ttd]

Hello Hypnos

Hypnos:

I cringe internally at Michael’s intense amusement at my ‘joke’. I do not take it as a good sign…

He at least seems reasonable about how I conduct research for him. Although I am… a little hesitant to see what his scientists are working on. I thoroughly enjoy my profession, I always have, but I’ve also always respected that there should be limits, certain lines that should not be crossed. Not that I’m as wary as the likes of Tiberius, but I see the logic in the argument. We are all taught from a very early age about the banished scientist who gave humans wraith DNA, as well as the ramifications it could have had for our kind… Or not anymore, I ponder sadly, and glance down again at my empty right hand. Even Lastlight had struggled sometimes to fully grasp why we could not simply do as we pleased in our work, and now as Michael… I have to wonder what monstrosities I might be forced to assist with in his lab. I suppose I’ll have to press on, as I always have. In fact, it is hypocritical of me to scold Lastlight, when I myself… I look sadly to my sister for a second.

“I will put my best efforts into anything you ask of me.”

I try to supress it, but cannot help tensing up as Michael touches me. The fear mixed with the instinctual disgust at his taintedness, which appears even worse than ours from his pallor. He talks about surviving my first day, as if this will be an impressive feat. Before I can ruminate too much on the possibilities of what that entails, Nala interrupts my train of thought.

(Nala): “Michael’s just joking, Hypnos, don’t worry! He has other matters he has to attend to, so you can spend the day with me and our other brothers!”

I relax a little bit.

“That would be lovely, Nala.”

She grins at my positive reaction.

[hypnos-ttd]

Hello Hypnos

Hypnos:

Michael shows his true colours a little more. I knew the anger he held towards us could not have simply faded into nothing.

I am careful, both with my thoughts and words, as I reply. “The war… was not something I would have chosen, personally speaking. Such is the life of a scientist, that he must do as his Queen and Commander wish, even when he holds his own… misgivings… I imagine it must be… quite something… to be free of such restrictions.”

I hold my breath as Michael asks Nala about punishments, but thankfully she rejects his offer.

(Nala): ((No, I don’t want to see anything bad happen to him.))

I smile at her, grateful.

((Thank you, Nala. I will do my upmost to make up for all of my past wrongs towards you.))

I mean that, I really do.

Not wanting to dwell there, I ask more information from Michael.

“Brothers again… I never would have thought that possible at one time… but that is happy news. What exactly does that entail now? Would you have me back in the lab? At least, until I inevitably disappoint you and you cut off my head…”

I phrase it as a joke, and awkwardly rub the back of my neck, but really that is the outcome that seems most likely to me at the present time.

[hypnos-ttd]

Hello Hypnos

Hypnos:

Michael seems… cheerful, and it unnerves me more than if the greeting had been cold or angry. While unpleasant, that at least would have made rational sense. The last I remembered, he had wanted the wraith dead, and from all accounts this hive in particular. Had time really healed those wounds? Did he truly feel no anger towards me for what my drug had done to our sister? It’s hard to believe…

“I… appreciate being given such a warm welcome…”

He shows me that he is not seeking revenge against me or my brothers, that I am ‘pardoned’, but that is all I see of his mind. His powers certainly seem enhanced, for me to not be able to detect anything. I wonder whether the reverse is the opposite. Whether he can sense all of my thoughts, no matter whether or not I try to shield him? Such a power is both fascinating and terrifying at the same time, and I wonder how he achieved such a feat, especially as a male… The answer to that is not important for the time being, however, instead it is vital that I learn how he truly feels towards me.

“You say that I am pardoned, what exactly was my crime?” I probe.

[hypnos-ttd]

Hello Hypnos

Hypnos:

I breathe a sigh of relief as Nala leaves, and I’m allowed some time to compose myself before meeting… him.

I try to collect my thoughts and analyse what I currently know. I go back to when it all started. When Lastlight was taken, and Michael returned. We all sensed the difference in his mind. Whether it was a result of the physical effects of the retrovirus, or the trauma undoubtedly suffered during his captivity, I could not say. But something about him was no longer Lastlight, he was… broken. He was Michael. Not only that, but in his escape from the Lanteans, he had assisted them in murdering a Queen. Our mother deemed it regicide, and the decision was made to banish both him and our sister; for which wraith would follow a tainted Queen, and which male would risk producing offspring that may also be tainted?

That decision was… hard, to say the least. For Michael and Nala undoubtedly, but also, to a lesser extent, for many of us. The soldiers felt like they had failed in letting the capture happen in the first place. Tiberius in particular took it badly, as the eldest brother- he could barely stand to be on the hive anymore, so surrounded by reminders, that he sped up the arrangements to join Vipsania (which was a whole other tragedy in and of itself…). I too was deeply saddened by the ruling. It is not my place to make such important decisions for the hive, so I do not doubt that my Queen was right to do what she did. However, Lastlight had been a good friend of mine as well as my blood brother. He was a blade of high honours who did not look down on scientists as so many others did. He shared my love of learning of the biological sciences, my penchant for making new discoveries, and my frustration that those of the old ways, such as Tiberius, limited our opportunities for advancement. And Nala was the baby sister we knew our Queen had longed for, for so many years, and we all adored her. To lose them both, so suddenly and in so terrible a way… I don’t believe I ever recovered from the loss.

Things went from bad to worse when Michael rose to power and sought retribution, from both wraith and humans. We could no longer afford to ignore our tainted brother, we had to go to war with him. Rumours spread of his growing insanity. Normally I am not one to put much faith in hearsay, but his methods alone spoke of a corrupted nature. Poisoning both wraith and humans, leaving space only for his hybrid creations. And then, there was what happened with Queen Vipsania… As head of biological sciences, I was one of the few who was trusted with the whole story. It was… a disturbing event, to say the least. Tiberius became broken in his own way after that, but we reasoned that he was the only one capable of leading our outcast, weakened hive. Or perhaps our grief was so great, after the loss of both of our parents too, that we did not have it left in us to exile yet another sibling.

Perhaps that was also why we followed his lead, when one day he returned to the hive with our sister, and proclaimed her Queen, in title if not in power. Years in exile with Michael had hardly left her in a fit state to rule, so Tiberius turned to me to come up with a solution. The things he asked of me… no, it is best not to dwell on them now, for I sense Michael’s presence on the ship. If the worst is indeed true, then there is nothing that can be done. I must turn my attention to surviving this encounter with him, first and foremost.

I have no idea what state of mind he is in now, all these years later. If he was insane before, then I dread to think what the loss of our sister and a hundred years of unbridled power have done to him. Nala may have faith in him, but he does not hold a vendetta against her, and Caelus’ story does not exactly fill me with confidence. I must exercise caution, both with my words and my mind.

Nala enters the room, along with Caelus and another of my younger brothers, Marcellus. And of course, him. I wonder how to address him, and remember the name Nala used. That was the name his enemies had used to degrade him, and the name he’d used to destroy them all.

“Hello, Michael.”