AAE-001-007

{ <center> [[<img src="../images/6.jpg" height="400" width="400">|waking]] "There is nothing permanent except change" - Heraclitus [[.....|waking]] <center> [[<img src="../images/gear7.jpg" height="100" width="100">|waking]] </center> }

**Waking** Zephyra woke slowly and sat up gradually. Propontis had set on the western horizon, but giant [[Arctonnesus]] was rising behind her. Already half visible, it cast a pale light across [[the land]]. The [[monkey]] still slumbered and snored peacefully. (either:"He rolled around a bit, but then settled back down.","He scratched his head, counted to three on his fingers, and mumbled something into Zephyra's head.","The little fellow chattered into Zephyra's awareness something about saffron.") Zephyra, against her wishes, decided it was [[time to leave]]. She grabbed up the monkey, stood up, and took a final inhale of the cool purity of the mountain air.

**Watching the Ship** She could make out some activity and the flicker of some of its lights. There was a quiet, yet distinct, rushing sound followed by the appearance of a second craft birthed from the larger. From out of Aether Apeiron, the craft descended down toward Kyzikos. Upon hitting the atmosphere, it flamed up like a shooting star and then braked to a reasonable speed as [[it approached|Anchorstone]]. The Theran Blue Monkey's familiar stripe, as was now customary, lit up with activity. Zephyra, as see turned to comfort him, noticed that he expression was focused and unyielding. He watched the incoming vessel and his eyes, powered by some strange internal force, flashed several times as the craft closed.

**Aboard the //Argo//** Monitoring the decent of the //Anchorstone//, Jason waiting impatiently. He paced back and forth across the wooden floor of the helm. His billowing cloak, ornate and of the finest fabrics, pulled this way and that as he confered with his primary advisor. The companion, bare-chested and capped with a lion's skin cloak which ran down his back, frowned gravely. "She will never fit on their meager platform. Put her down north of the City... perhaps in that clearing. Yes, just there...," he advised. The long golden mane shook as he expressed his profound dissatifaction. In the distance, a Proreus on the portside of the vessel, watched an electric discharge radiate throughout part of Aether Apeiron. Being so far away from the //Argo//, he paid it no mind. As Arctonnesus reach the height of its evening climb from horizon to horizon, the order was given and the [[//Anchorstone// set down|End]].

**Aboard the Anchorstone** The Aulete, at the command of the Keleustes, signaled for the oars to be retracted and the craft's engines fired to slow the approach. The Kybernetes, adjusting the control sticks, looked out from the helm of the vessel and turned slightly to starboard to pass alongside Mount Dindymous. The Anchorstone, metal joints still glowing from its entry, passed by Zephyra. Her hair was blown back and she could smell the exotic woods and crafted metals that composed the mysterious object. On board, one of the Argonauts relayed its status back up to the [[Argo]] where Jason, leader of the expedition, weighted his options.

The arrival of the //Argo//, a vessel of unmatched weaponry and skilled warriors, to the Propontis System changed life on Kyzikos forever. The tale that I have relayed to you represents some of the final days of peace experienced by the citizens of Kyzikos, the Gegenees, and, with utmost certainty, the young Zephyra. The dark deeds of Jason and his fearsome Argonauts on the little moon of Kyzikos was the first drop of an upstoppable ripple that impacted even the most distant lands. TBM 2010-GH End of file.

**Looking at Arctonnesus** The giant planet continued to rise higher above the horizon. Bands of clouds were plainly visible and occasionally flashes of lightning washed across its soft face. The lofty vantage of [[Mount Dindymos|waking]] allowed Zephyra to see almost into infinity. She could see the glitter of Lake Dindymos, the evening campfires of the Gegenees, and the windows within the City. Even a few farmers, illuminated by bronze lanterns, were making their way back to their homes near the fields. Objects within Aether Apeiron, typically blocked out by city lights and clouds, were in plain view at this unobstructed altitude. The little red-orange light, she guessed, was Proconessus Station. Farther off, a nebulous fuzz of oval light floated. She had been told that this object, deadly to all who entered it, was the Hellespont Wormhole. The blue light must be the home of the Pelasgian Macries, the enemies of Kyzikos. There had been an uneasy peace for many years, but now and then small skirmishes still broke within Aether Apeiron. The Kyzikosian fleet likely needed to test itself from time to time. The same must be true for the Macries.

**Sitting Peacefully** There was a quiet peacefulness about the land. A gentle brezze was blowing and the pines swayed gently back and forth. Like music, the delicate sound drove the monkey into an even deeper sleep. Zephyra knew she had to get back to her dwelling, but [[the night|waking]] was irresistible.

**Looking at the Beast** The little creature, who had earlier been a whirlwind of activity, was almost completely immobile. Zephyra saw [[glowing movements|binary code]] flowing up and down his black stripe.

**Looking at the Stream of Binary Code** The black stripe across his back and down his tail carried the familiar code, but the 1's and 0's were slow moving. Sometimes they almost stopped. The dim light of [[Arctonnesus|waking]] bathed the monkey in a eerie glow.

**Blinded Momentarily** A flash of light blinded Zephyra. From the bushes behind Zephyra, a flock of birds took flight. As she turned to investigate the disturbance, a deafening roar shook the [[skies above]]. (either:"The monkey woke with a start and hid under a nearby bush.","The little blue creature climbed up Zephyra and grabbed onto her head with all his might.","The monkey woke up and screamed wildly.")

**Regaining Composure** Zephyra, struggling to keep her footing, leaned up against a pine and held her head. After a few moments, she was able to see again and, aside from a distinct droning, hear again. She looked up into Aether Apeiron to see an [[enormous vessel|the ship]] high above. Nothing she had seen before compared to the size of this craft. Ten times the size of even the largest vessel in Fairhaven? Perhaps more... The behemoth, now in a firm orbit around the little moon of Kyzikos, was now silent.