Chapter 22

WINN’S HEART clenched as everything she had just witnessed—Jo’Nay’s defiance, the Council’s rage, and the audience’s divided reactions—pressed down on her. She gripped her mate’s hand for support, her knuckles white.

Then, like a thunderclap, avoice broke through the tension. “Wait!”

Winn’s head snapped toward the sound. Atall figure rose from the audience, his voice carrying with an authority that demanded attention. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, awave of curiosity and confusion rippling through the chamber.

The Head Councilor paused mid-stride, his irritation palpable even from a distance. “Who dares interrupt these proceedings?”

The figure stepped forward into the light, revealing himself to be a Vettian male, his robe shimmering with an intricate weave of gold and silver threads. His presence was commanding, and Winn could feel the shift in the room, the collective intake of breath as everyone waited to see what would happennext.

“I am Val’Ander, emissary of the Vettian Historical Archives,” the man announced, his tone calm yet forceful. “And I have evidence that this Council has suppressed for centuries. Maybe a millennium.”

Winn’s heart raced. Evidence? Suppressed for a thousand years? She looked toward the Councilors, whose composed facades had begun to crack. Their eyes darted between Val’Ander and each other, unspoken panic written in the tension of their shoulders.

The Head Councilor’s voice cut through the growing murmurs. “This is highly irregular. You cannot simply disrupt these proceedings with baseless claims.”

Val’Ander’s expression remained serene, but his voice carried an edge. “These claims are not baseless. They are rooted in documents this Council has deliberately hidden from the people of Vetta. Documents that reveal the true purpose of the Primes.”

The room erupted into chaos. Winn flinched at the noise, the cacophony of shouts and gasps rising to a fever pitch. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Val’Ander, whose calm demeanor remained unshaken. Jo’Nay, still flanked by enforcers, fixed his gaze on the emissary with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

The Head Councilor slammed his weighted black stone against the bench, the sharp sound demanding silence. “Order!”

The noise subsided, though the tension remained electric. The Head Councilor turned his glare on Val’Ander. “What nonsense is this? The Primes are warriors, nothing more. To suggest otherwise is an insult to our history and our laws.”

Val’Ander’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Is it nonsense? Or is it an inconvenient truth? The Primes were never meant to be mere warriors. They were meant to be rulers. Counselors. Guides for our people. The genetic modifications you imposed on them were not to enhance their ability to protect but to ensure their subjugation and to prevent them from reaching their full potential.”

Winn’s breath caught. The words hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and dangerous. The audience erupted again, louder this time, the chaos barely contained by the Councilor’s repeated strikes of his stone. Winn’s grip tightened on Jo’Nay as she tried to process what she’d just heard.

“Lies!” one of the Councilors hissed, rising to her feet. “You sully the legacy of the Primes with these baseless accusations.”

“Then release the archives,” Val’Ander countered, his voice unwavering. “If my claims are false, you have nothing to fear. But if they are true, the people deserve to know.”

The Head Councilor’s expression darkened, his composure slipping. “This Council does not answer to the whims of rogue archivists.”

“No,” Val’Ander replied, his gaze piercing. “You answer to the people. And they are watching.”

The hovering broadcast drones zoomed in, their lenses trained on the Councilors. Winn felt her pulse quicken. The Council’s reactions were being transmitted to billions across the Nine Galaxies. They couldn’t hide fromthis.

“Accused, step forward,” the Head Councilor barked at Jo’Nay, his tone laced with barely restrained fury. “This matter will be addressed here and now.”

The enforcers hesitated before obeying, guiding Jo’Nay back to the center of the chamber. He stood tall, his manacles glinting under the chamber’s lights as Val’Ander joined him on thedais.

“Present your evidence,” the Head Councilor demanded. “But be warned: any attempt to deceive this Council will have consequences.”

Val’Ander inclined his head, his confidence unshaken. “The only deception here is the one you have perpetuated for centuries. The truth will speak for itself.”

The emissary produced a slim data crystal, holding it aloft for all to see. Winn’s heart pounded as she watched one of the enforcers retrieve the crystal and insert it into a port on the dais. The chamber lights dimmed, and a holographic projection filled the space abovethem.

The image that appeared was of a document, its text ancient yet perfectly preserved. The words glowed faintly, written in a script that seemed to pulse with its own life. Val’Ander’s voice carried over the silence as he began toread.

“This is the Covenant of the Primes,” he said. “A founding document, drafted long before the rise of this Council. It outlines the original purpose of the Primes, not as warriors but as leaders. Their enhanced abilities were not meant for battle alone but for governance, for guiding our people toward unity and prosperity. Their longevity, far beyond the 400 years they are currently limited to, ensured it.”

Winn’s head spun. She glanced at Jo’Nay, whose expression was unreadable, though his hands had clenched into fists. The audience remained deathly silent, every eye trained on the projection.

Val’Ander continued. “The Council has hidden this document, rewriting history to serve its own ends. They took the Primes birthright and twisted it, turning them into tools of war rather than the leaders they were meant to be.”

One of the Councilors stood, his voice shaking with anger. “These are fabrications! Ancient writings misinterpreted!”

“If they are misinterpreted,” Val’Ander said calmly, “then why were they hidden? Why were they buried in archives no citizen is permitted to access?”

The Councilor faltered, his rebuttal dying in his throat. The Head Councilor slammed his governing stone again. “Enough of this! This proceeding is to address Jo’Nay’s crimes, not to entertain the ravings of a deluded archivist.”

Jo’Nay’s voice rang out, clear and powerful. “If these documents are delusions, then prove it. Release the archives. Let the people see the truth for themselves.”

The Head Councilor’s glare could have melted steel, but Jo’Nay did not flinch. The audience began to stir, murmurs growing louder. Winn felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. This had turned into more than a trial. It had become a reckoning.

Val’Ander stepped closer to Jo’Nay, his voice lowering but losing none of its conviction. “You are not alone in this fight. There are others who know the truth, who have waited for this moment. Together, we can expose the lies and reclaim what was stolen.”

Jo’Nay’s gaze softened, and he nodded. “Then let us begin.”

The chamber erupted once more, the noise deafening. Winn’s heart raced as the Councilors scrambled to regain control, their authority slipping further with each passing moment. She knew, deep in her bones, that nothing would ever be the same again.

Suddenly, ashadow moved in the chaos. One of the enforcers darted forward, his hand reaching for the crystal embedded in the dais. Before anyone could react, he yanked it free, the holographic projection vanishing instantly. The enforcer smashed the crystal against the floor, the sound of shattering data ringing out like a death knell. Acollective gasp swept through the chamber.

“The evidence is gone!” the Head Councilor declared, his voice triumphant. “This farce is over.”

Winn’s heart plummeted. All was lost. The proof, the hope, it lay shattered at their feet. Her grip on Jo’Nay faltered as despair creptin.

But then, anew light shimmered in the center of the dais. Aholographic figure began to materialize, its form flickering for a moment before solidifying. Winn’s breath caught as she recognized the face: Rory . But not as she had last seen her. This Rory was far different, her form a seamless blend of human and Vettian features. Her presence appeared ethereal, yet commanding.

“You think destroying the crystal will erase the truth?” Rory’s voice rang out, strong and clear. “You underestimate the resilience of those who seek justice.”

The chamber fell silent, every eye fixed on the holographic figure. Rory raised a hand, and the same holographic projection that had been displayed earlier appeared once more. Gasps echoed through theroom.

“How?” the Head Councilor demanded, his voice trembling with rage and confusion. “The crystal was destroyed!”

“That crystal was but a copy,” Rory replied, her tone sharp and unyielding. “Val’Ander ensured the original remains well-hidden. This recording was taken from that copy, and it is more than enough to reveal your lies.”

Val’Ander stepped forward, his expression unreadable but his voice steady. “The original Covenant of the Primes is safe. You cannot destroy what has already been spread. The truth will reach the people, no matter how much you try to suppress it.”

The Councilors erupted in protests, their voices clashing in an unintelligible din. The audience, emboldened by Rory’s defiance, began to shout as well, their voices rising in a unified demand for answers.

Winn’s chest swelled with a mixture of relief and awe as she watched Rory’s holographic form hold her ground. The tide was turning, and for the first time since this nightmare began, hope burned brightly in her heart.

Rory’s holographic image flickered slightly before becoming sharper, her voice resonating through the chamber. “To all who are watching this broadcast,” she said, her eyes locking onto one of the hovering drones. “Know that the truth is no longer in the hands of a few. It belongs to everyone now. The Council’s lies will not stand.”

As her image grew brighter, the Councilors’ desperation became palpable. One of them shouted, “Shut it down! Shut it down now!” Enforcers scrambled to disable the hologram, but Rory’s image remained unyielding, her presence a beacon of defiance.

The enforcers scrambled toward the control panels at the base of the dais, their movements frantic. Rory’s holographic form seemed to grow larger, more commanding, as if the very act of attempting to silence her fueled her resolve.

“You cannot silence me,” Rory said, her voice echoing with an almost divine cadence. “The truth has already spread across the Nine Galaxies. This Council’s grip is slipping, and no amount of suppression will undo what the people now know.”

Val’Ander stepped forward, his presence grounding the escalating chaos. “The original document is hidden,” he declared. “Its contents already shared with trusted allies across the galaxy. Every attempt to stop this revelation will only amplify its reach. The people will rise when they know the truth.”

Winn’s heart pounded as she watched the interplay between Rory and the Council. The Head Councilor’s face contorted with barely restrained fury. He slammed the governing stone repeatedly, shouting, “This is treason! Every one of you aiding this farce will face the consequences!”

The audience, emboldened by Rory’s defiance, erupted into chants. Voices began calling for justice, for accountability, for freedom from the Council’s oppressive reign. Winn could feel the energy shift—apalpable wave of rebellion surging through the chamber.

One of the Councilors turned sharply toward the enforcers. “Arrest them all!” she barked, pointing at Val’Ander, Rory’s projection, and Jo’Nay. “This sedition must be stamped out!”

The enforcers hesitated, their gazes flickering between the Councilors and the restless crowd. It was clear they were torn, caught between their loyalty to the Council and the rising tide of public dissent.

Jo’Nay, still shackled but standing tall, spoke at last. His deep, resonant voice cut through the cacophony. “The people are watching,” he said, his words directed at the enforcers. “Will you serve justice, or will you serve lies?”

The enforcers froze, uncertainty etched on their faces. The leader of the squad, atall Vettian with sharp features, stepped forward. “We serve the Nine Galaxies,” she said, her voice steady but conflicted. “And the Nine Galaxies demand truth.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the enforcer’s words settling over everyone. The Councilors’ protests grew more frantic, their authority crumbling before Winn’s eyes. She could hardly breathe, her chest tight with anticipation.

Suddenly, Rory’s projection shifted, her gaze locking directly onto the Head Councilor . “You’ve held power for too long, hiding behind lies and fear. It is over,” she said, her tone cold and final. “The Nine Galaxies will not suffer your tyranny any longer.”

The Head Councilor slammed the governing stone one last time, the sound ringing hollow. “Enough! This Council declares—”

But their words were drowned out as the chamber’s doors burst open. Aflood of figures poured in—representatives from across the Nine Galaxies, their attire marking them as emissaries, leaders, and warriors. Their presence made a statement, their expressions grim and determined.

One stepped forward, awoman with striking gray eyes and an aura of authority. “This Council no longer speaks for the Nine Galaxies,” she announced, her voice carrying over the chaos. “We demand a full accounting of your actions. The era of silence ends now.”

Winn’s breath caught. The Councilors looked cornered, their power slipping further from their grasp. Rory’s projection shimmered again, her smile faint but victorious. “The Nine Galaxies stand united,” she said softly, her words a promise.

Jo’Nay turned his head, meeting Winn’s gaze. In his eyes, she saw hope—aflicker of what they had fought so hard for. She reached for him, wrapping herself aroundhim.

And for the first time since the trial began, she allowed herself to believe.