Inexorable Altercation [Round V - Saint Arthelais' Hospital]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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As Felix and his new companion walked down the hallways of the complex, they came to a small doorway.

"This laboratory will serve as a shortcut," said the Vorlonian noble. "I should note, however, that there is a device inside which may still be active. It is largely harmless; it simply calls submerged memories to the forefront of the mind. If that is a problem, we will take another route."

Felix sneered. "I can handle my memories."

They entered the room. Quostus lead the way through piles of mostly-abandoned machinery; there was a faint, but noticeable, hum filling the room. It grew louder and then quieter again at steady intervals.

"The noise suggests the device is still active. Our scientists were using it to test a new energy generation method; it seems it was effective, if it still works after all this time."

Felix said nothing; due to the effects of the machine, the Englishman had suddenly recalled Gias' words as the round had opened.

"Here a great battle was once waged against a queen who sought to disrupt the balance of this universe."

The Vorlonian turned to Felix. "Did you recall something? Your face went blank for a moment."

The self-styled villain nodded.

"Yes. I recalled the words of the being who brought us here. He said that a great battle was waged against the queen. And now I'm wondering something. Who fought against her? Was it a revolution by your people?"

The insectlike creature performed the same gesture as before.

"No. In fact, there is a reason why we - our memories, rather - were imprisoned, rather than annihilated. It has to do with the beings who defeated us."

They stopped an another door, which the Vorlonian opened before continuing his story.

"They called themselves the Balancers. They said we were too powerful, and could not be allowed to continue gaining power. They fought us, and destroyed our bodies. But they permitted our memories to remain. We were only to be released once the rest of the galaxy had caught up to us technologically."

Felix looked somewhat puzzled.

"But you weren't locked away - not very tightly, anyway."

"That is because access to this complex is supposed to be restricted to the Balancers. Only the queen and a few of her more dangerous subjects have additional security measures in place. I suppose the man who brought you here has his own way of overriding the security measures, if his power crosses worlds..."

Felix shrugged.

"I suppose. I know very little about this Gias."

The nobleman stopped suddenly. Felix nearly tripped over his small body.

"Did you say Gias?" Quostus asked.

"Yes, that was the name he gave. Why?"

"Because that is the name of our queen's executioner." He started to scurry faster through the hallway. "I wish you had told me sooner. She will wish to know of this."