Stepping into the Sky - Chapter 24

Londinium

Londinium

After being escorted down a long, brightly-lit metallic corridor, Harry was pushed into a holding cell. The only source of light came from a single circular cut in the ceiling, which offered a view of the starless night sky. The room housed a single person bed with a pillow and crisp white sheets, a small steel table and chair randomly placed in the centre, an attached bathroom without a door. Though the lighting was dim yellow, Harry found the room surprisingly comfortable. He dragged the chair to the window and sat down to gaze out into the vast emptiness a little glad they weren't treating him like a common prisoner.

He let his thoughts run free as he stared into the vacuum, no stars, no light visible, just the smooth pale metal towers of the Tohoku class cruiser, blitzing its way through space.

Everything was coming to a head. So Voldemort had turned himself into an Emperor. Snape had reproduced and his descendants apparently had a stake in the Alliance.

Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud. He was barely into his twenties, but he felt centuries old suddenly. The clock of planet Earth that had stilled within him began to tick again. Memories that seemed so far back in the past, forgotten to the sands of time, still remained fresh in his memories. Hogwarts, Dumbledore. The war, the fall. And now he was flying back to the source, back to a part of his past life that he had tried to cut off, that he was trying to find traces of. And instead he was going back to it all. Looks like the war had never ended and it was only just about to begin. The only question was how was he going to maneuver all this? He would probably have to be cooperative until a moment of chance came to escape.

Clearly they were treating him as a guest, not as such a prisoner. Except for Elena, who seemed to have some kind of grudge, unwarranted hate towards him. He'd have to watch out for her. He wondered if Natalie had got off the cruiser and back to the planet Valentine, or was she still on the ship looking for a ride off Londinium? But nah, he was pretty sure she had jumped ship. He chuckled, thinking of the encounter with her. It seemed surreal, but it was great fun. In spite of it all, he was keen to meet her again. And thinking of Natalie and their night of passion inevitably drew his mind back to little Miss River Tam, that crazy girl who was beginning to consume his senses.

He couldn't help but think back to the feeling of holding her in his arms as she rocked against him, undulating, her skin soft, warm, her big brown eyes boring into his. Harry gulped and shook his head. It wasn't River. It was Natalie. What the fuck had happened? How had River hijacked Natalie's mind? Or rather his mind? Were they in a different realm? He knew it was her. He had felt her. He recognized her. Her gasps, her moans. It was her voice. But it was all in his mind. Or was he in her mind? Her power was truly mysterious. And he was sure her power was definitely a manifestation of magic. Elena was proof of it. She could control metal or perhaps inanimate objects with a touch. He hadn't seen her use her mind. She always had to touch. Interesting.

Harry sighed and decided to take a nap. He lay on the surprisingly comfortable mattress, gazing up at the ceiling and then let his eyes close, falling into a meditative trance. He was going to need every bit of survival skills and power and witness and intelligence that he had in every atom of his existence. If he was going to survive this.

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Harry was jerked out of his sleep when he felt the ship rapidly begin to slow down and he felt the forces and woke up. They were definitely slowing down, meaning they were almost at their destination. He jumped out of bed and went to the window to look out to see if he could see the planet and he gasped when he saw a pale blue dot growing bigger and bigger, reminding him so much of the pictures that he had seen of Earth as a kid in textbooks. He watched with wide eyed fascination as the cruiser rapidly began to descend through the atmosphere, the hull glowing red hot white clouds whizzed past his eyes, the sky becoming brighter and until suddenly they burst through the clouds in a puff and the most vast metropolitan he had ever seen in his life burst before his eyes.

Gleaming metal skyscrapers dotted the skies and they whizzed past his eyes as the cruiser headed straight for open land. A military base, a massive airfield with hundreds of cruisers and little sharp angled space ships dotting the entire expanse of land. And far into the distance he could see greenery, massive trees spreading into the distance, and even further still the faint outlines of mountains. He felt like he was descending into Wonderland, but instead this was the heart of the Alliance's power.

Harry watched in awe as the cruiser touched down on the massive military airfield. He could feel the vibration of the landing through the floor beneath his feet. As soon as the ship came to a stop, he heard the engine’s purring as the thrusters powered down and a soft hum remained.

He heard footsteps outside the sturdy metal door and when it swung open two burly Alliance foot soldiers entered the room, their weapons drawn and at the ready.

"Alright, time to go. The Councillor is waiting," one of the soldiers barked gruffly.

Harry raised his hands in a gesture of surrender and stepped forward. "Lead the way," he said evenly, his green eyes scanning the soldiers attire and weapon, channelling magic into his eyes, to see if they had any tricks up their sleeves and true enough, he could see the faint glow of magical energy weakly emitting from their uniform and gun shaped weapons, that might offer protection against magic, but not against his. Not by a long shot. He couldn’t help but smirk confidently as he looked at them patiently.

The soldiers exchanged a quick glance and without a word, they gestured for him to exit the cell and fall into step between them. Harry did so, his senses on high alert as they made their way through the bustling corridors. Soldiers and Offices, looking snappy in their uniforms hustling uniformly for whatever duties they had, as Harry was led out of the cruiser and towards a waiting sleek black transport ship

The soldiers ushered Harry onto the sleek black transport ship, the hatch sealing shut behind them with a soft hiss. The interior was just as meticulously designed as the exterior, all clean lines and polished surfaces. Harry was gestured towards a plush leather seat near the center of the cabin, and he settled into it, his eyes drawn immediately to the large viewing window that stretched across the front of the ship.

As the engines roared to life, the transport lifted off the ground with a smooth, powerful ascent. Harry watched in fascination as the massive military airfield rapidly shrank into the distance below and gave way to lush, verdant landscapes. Rolling hills blanketed in vibrant greenery gave way to rugged, snow-capped mountains in the distance. Winding rivers snaked through deep valleys, their waters shimmering like liquid silver.

Harry couldn't help but be in awe of the sheer scale and beauty of this world. It was a far cry from the war-torn, decaying Earth he had known. Here, humanity had thrived, expanding out into the stars and crafting a new home amongst the stars.

As the transport soared onwards, Harry caught glimpses of other settlements and outposts dotting the landscape below.In the distance, he spotted massive orbital stations in the high sky and shipyards on land, their skeletal frames stretching up towards the heavens until suddenly in the distance towering skyscrapers and gleaming spires of metal and glass filled the skyline, the city sprawling out as far as the eye could see. He caught glimpses of bustling traffic, both airborne and on the ground, as the ship soared through the sky.

The journey seemed to pass in a blur, and before long, the transport was descending towards a massive skyscraper, its sheer width and height dominating the skyline. Multiple levels of sky decks and observation platforms stretched out along the facade, gleaming in the bright sunlight. As they drew closer, Harry could make out intricate architectural details - sweeping arches, elegant spires, and geometric patterns that seemed to flow across the surface of the building.

The ship slowed its descent, maneuvering gracefully between the towering structures until it came to rest on a large landing pad situated near the top of the skyscraper. Harry peered out the window, his eyes drawn upwards towards the apex of the tower, where a magnificent dome of reinforced glass crowned the structure.

The hatch of the transport slid open and the two soldiers gestured for Harry to disembark. Stepping out onto the landing pad, Harry was immediately struck by the sheer scale of the place. The expanse of the sky deck was vast, easily the size of several city blocks, with numerous other landing pads and docking bays spaced out across the area.

Shuttles and atmospheric craft zipped to and fro, ferrying passengers and cargo between the tower and other destinations. Harry watched, transfixed, as a massive freight hauler descended gracefully, its thrusters flaring as it came to rest on a nearby pad.

The soldiers prodded him forward, and Harry reluctantly dragged his gaze away from the mesmerizing scene, following them towards a set of double doors that stood open, inviting them inside.

The interior of the tower was just as impressive as the exterior. Towering ceilings and wide, brightly lit corridors gave the space an airy, almost cathedral-like feel. Potted plants and water features dotted the walkways, adding splashes of vibrant color and the soothing sound of flowing water to the environment.

As they progressed deeper into the building, the corridor narrowed and the décor became more subdued and utilitarian. Harry could feel the weight of security measures all around him - discreet cameras, subtle energy fields, and the watchful eyes of guards stationed at regular intervals.

Finally, the soldiers stopped before a set of ornate double doors, their hands reaching for the handles.

"The Councillor is waiting for you," one of them stated simply, before pulling the doors open and ushering Harry inside.

The room beyond was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the rest of the tower. It was a modest, functional space - a large, rectangular table dominating the center, surrounded by cushioned, high back chairs. The walls were lined with screens and holographic displays, and there was a palpable hum of sophisticated electronics all around him.

The doors behind him shut as the soldiers left the room and at the head of the table sat a lone figure, a man, withered by age but still portraying a regal aura. His back straight, hair grey, although long, tied back into a pony. Lines of age criss crossed his face and his lips were thin, almost invisible.

Harry wondered why the room was unguarded with a prisoner as dangerous as him but he figured this wasn’t the time to test any invisible counter measures hidden in the room.

Harry met the man’s gaze and Harry felt a chill run down his spine as he gazed upon the face of Ebenezer Snape. He saw no resemblance to his former professor save the hooked nose and the same piercing black eyes that seemed to bore into his soul.

As Harry met that unwavering stare, he felt a stirring of emotions he had long thought buried - resentment, anger, a deep-seated hurt that had never quite healed. The memories came flooding back - Snape's cruel taunts, his relentless bullying, the way he had always sided with the Slytherins against Harry and his friends. And yet, beneath it all, there had always been a hint of something else - a glimmer of regret, perhaps, or a desperate need for redemption.

But this man before him was not the Severus Snape he had known. This was one of the faces at the top of the ladder of the Alliance. The Alliance that had been responsible for torturing River.

"Harry Potter," Snape said, his voice a low, rumbling baritone that sent a shiver down Harry's spine. "I must admit, I never thought I'd live to see the day when you would grace us with your presence once more."

He rose from his chair, the movement fluid and graceful despite his advanced age. Harry was struck by the man's appearance - he was not at all what Harry had expected. This Snape cut an imposing figure, dressed in a crisp white shirt and grey unassuming pants. The cloth seemed to be cut from the finest fabric, each fold and crease falling with perfect precision.

"It has been a long time," Snape continued, walking towards him like a predator sizing up its prey. "More than five hundred years, but for one such as yourself, merely a blink of an eye, I suppose."

He paused, maintaining respectable distance between them, his gaze never leaving Harry's face. "You look just like the pictures from Earth that was. The gift of immortality has treated you well, it seems."

Harry felt a flicker of anger at the thinly veiled condescension in Snape's tone, but he forced himself to remain calm, to maintain his composure. He pursed his lips and looked at Snape with a deadpan expression.

"Well congratulations,” he said sarcastically. You must be thrilled to be in the presence of a legend like me."

Snape's lips curled into a sardonic smile as he listened to Harry's sarcastic retort. "Legend, you say?" he mused, his tone laced with a hint of amusement. "Oh, I assure you, Harry, your legend is very much alive and well - though perhaps not in the way you might have imagined."

He turned, gesturing grandly towards the banks of screens and displays that lined the walls of the chamber. "This empire, this Alliance that you see before you - it was built upon the foundation of your failures. Your inability to stop the rise of Lord Voldemort, your unwillingness to do what was necessary to prevent the destruction of Earth - these are the events that set in motion the chain of circumstances that led to the birth of this new order."

Harry was finding it difficult to control the rage that was building inside him but he forced himself to keep his mind on track. Now was not the time to fight. He had to gather as much information as possible before deciding his next move.

Snape's eyes narrowed as he fixed Harry with a penetrating stare. "You see, Harry, while you were content to hide away, to let the world burn around you, there were those who refused to accept defeat. Those took up the mantle of your unfinished work and forged a new destiny for humanity - one built not on the fanciful notions of heroism and sacrifice, but on the cold, hard realities of power and control."

He gestured towards the viewports, where the sprawling metropolis of Londinium stretched out as far as the eye could see. "This city, this Alliance - they are the culmination of centuries of effort, of struggle and sacrifice. We have built an empire that spans the stars, a civilization that has risen from the ashes of a dying world to reclaim its rightful place amongst the cosmos."

Snape's expression darkened, a shadow passing over his features. "And yet, for all our triumphs, there remains one final obstacle - one final loose end that must be tied up before our work can be truly complete."

He fixed Harry with a piercing stare, the intensity of his gaze almost palpable. "You, Harry Potter. The Disappointment, as my daughter so eloquently put it. The one who failed to stop Voldemort, who let Earth slip through your fingers. You, the last vestige of a bygone era, the final remnant of a world that should have been consigned to the dustbin of history."

Snape's fingers drummed against the polished surface of the table, the soft tapping echoing through the chamber like the relentless march of time. "And now, after all these years, you have returned to us. A living, breathing reminder of the mistakes of the past - mistakes that we have dedicated our lives to erasing, once and for all."

He stopped drumming his finger and then closed his eyes and sighed. “At least that’s the narrative we choose to spin.”

Suddenly all the hostility seemed to drain out of the man and he levelled Harry with a sympathetic look.

“You were never to blame for any of it. Severus Snape ensured this message stayed within our bloodline through generations. Towards the end of his life, he was filled with regret about the obstacles you were forced to face as a child and then to end it all in defeat.”

There was a strange buzzing sound in Harry’s head as Ebenezer’s words sunk in and suddenly the rage morphed into something unknown and he couldn’t make sense of it.

“You are welcome to join our ranks and free to choose whatever it is you desire once we conclude our conversation.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Harry burst out. “What are you talking about? Is this supposed to be a joke?!”

Everything was making sense until this old man started spouting nonsense about Snape actually singing praises about him!

Ebenezer laughed in amusement. “I know. From what I’ve read in Severus’s diary, the two of you had quite the toxic relationship.”

Harry scoffed. "Toxic is to state it mildly.”

“Severus never hated you, Harry,” Ebenezer said softly, a hint of sorrow in his voice. “And towards the end of his life, he did everything in his power to ensure the truth never faded away against the tide of time. He ensured that if you were ever found, then there would always be a Snape in the Alliance to ensure your safety. We don’t want you as our enemy, Harry. We need you as an ally.”

Harry didn’t know what to think. This was certainly not what he had expected. His mind flickered to Ebenezer’s daughter. Elena Snape and his lips curled into a wry smile. “I don’t think your daughter would like that. She was quite vocal in her hate for me. Quite the opposite of you in-fact.”

Ebenezer laughed. “Well, she hasn’t been made privy to all the family secrets just yet. And her headstrong nature doesn’t allow her to view failure as an option.”

“What if I want to leave?” Harry asked. “You’re willing to let me go free? Stop pursuing me?”

Ebenezer smiled and behind those beady eyes Harry saw the cold calculating man he knew a Snape to be. He tried to scan the man’s thoughts but he found nothing, he schooled his expression into neutrality to hide his surprise. It seemed that there was magical technology at play. He couldn’t sense a thing out of the ordinary about the man in front of him.

“You’ll be wanting us on your side, Harry,” Snape said mildly. “Don’t you want to know what happened to the wizarding society? And what secrets still remain? Or would you rather find out the hard way, out there in the black, blind to the dangers that lay lurking in the outer rim?”

“Well,” Harry said softly. “I’m open to hearing you out first.”

“Wise decision,” Ebenezer said and then he stood up. “Come on, let’s talk in the gardens.”

Ebenezer led Harry out of the room, the double doors automatically opening for him and through the winding corridors of the tower, the two soldiers silently trailing behind them maintaining enough distance not to hear a conversation but to protect.

As they walked, Harry couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale and lavishness of the building.

Eventually, they emerged into a magnificent atrium, its soaring ceilings dotted with intricate skylights that bathed the space in a warm, golden glow. Lush greenery spilled forth from towering planters, filling the air with the earthy scent of soil and blooming flowers. A meandering stream snaked through the center of the room, its waters sparkling like liquid crystal.

"Welcome to the heart of the Alliance," Ebenezer said, gesturing grandly. "This is where the true power of our civilization resides - not in the gleaming spires of Londinium, nor the austere military complexes that dot our worlds, but in the quiet contemplation of nature and the pursuit of knowledge."

He led Harry across a delicate, arched bridge that spanned the stream, their footsteps muffled by the soft, springy moss that carpeted the floor. "This is where I come to think, to reflect on the past and ponder the future. It is a place of solace, away from the demands of rulership and the machinations of politics."

Uh-huh,” Harry replied, his eyes taking in the grandeur of the architecture and engineering while in his mind he felt a twist of anger at the wealth the Alliance was hoarding with their planets.

Ebenezer looked at Harry’s blank expression and smiled. Headstrong, is how Severus had described him and it showed. He stopped on the bridge and leaned his arms on the railings, looked down at the manicured landscape of fountains, trees and pathways he spoke.

“Severus Snape was an integral part of the exodus from Earth. "He held humanity together and ensured a strong and firm government was implemented on the ark ships to keep order and ensure survival. It was a long and hard journey and humanity had to ensure their species survived resulting in the dawn of the children of the space generation. They grew up on the arks. Reproduced on the arks, all to ensure the continuity of the human race. Until they finally reached this solar system and through a consortium of leaders of magical and non magical nature, a vast political machine was created which eventually became the Alliance and the dawn of a new age of humanity.

“However there was a cancer that still plagued them. In the form of a half man, half creature.”

With dread pooling in his stomach, Harry knew who it was without even needing to second guess himself.

“Tom Marvolo Riddle. Also known as Lord Voldemort, the most powerful being in existence, desired to rule. To create his own empire. But through science, experimentation and technology, we prevailed, and as a result the entirety of magical society collapsed. Left only in traces in humans across the verse and in the vaults of the Blue Sun Corporation.”

“Miranda,” Harry murmured, thinking back to that ill fated planet.

Ebenezer’s expression remained unchanged. “A necessary sacrifice,” he said plainly.

Harry’s face snapped towards him, eyes narrowed, as anger bubbled within him. But he held it back. This was not the time. “What happened to Voldemort?” he asked instead.

The look Ebenezer gave Harry told him more than he needed to know and a pit opened up in his stomach.

“We had him contained until a few months ago, when he escaped. We don’t know where.”

And that is why they needed him. That is why he was being welcomed with open arms. They needed him to be a weapon. A sharp edge to bring the fight to Voldemort.

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had to get out of here… and fast!

Ebenezer turned to face him. “We need your help, Harry. We need you to finish what you started. We need to take away his immortality and destroy him once and for all. That is what is the purpose of Blue Sun. That is what is behind all the experimentation. We need a way to defend ourselves from a being we stand no chance against.”

‘Fuck, fuck, fuck,’ Harry thought in panic. ‘Why the fuck is Voldemort still alive! I don’t want to get drawn into another fucking war to be sacrificed!’

“I know this is hard to hear, Harry,” Ebenezer said gently. “Take your time to absorb what I have told you. You are free to take a speeder and explore the city. I even have accommodation ready for you in one of the best hotels in the city.”

Harry snapped his eyes towards Ebenezer, his neck cracking in the process. “That’d be great,” he croaked. “Can I leave right now?”

Ebenezer nodded. “The guards will guide you to the launch pad and give you the coordinates."

“Thanks,” Harry said and immediately turned to leave.

“Wait,” Ebenezer called out. “Here, take this. It’s a communicator. You can use it to send me a wave when you’re ready to talk.”

Harry took the sleek transparent rectangle without a word.

Ebenezer looked at the guards and nodded at them.

One of the guards stepped forward. “Follow me,” he said gruffly.

Not even sparing the man a second glance, Harry followed the guard. He needed to get out. He needed to think. If he got a chance to escape, he’d take it with open arms. There was only one priority. And that was to get back to Serenity.

Ebenezer watched Harry walk away with a thoughtful expression and the guard who stayed behind walked towards the Councillor. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Sir?”

“He can’t escape,” Ebenezer murmured. “Spade is keeping an eye on him. He’ll be back soon enough. He’s going to need us on his side.”

He paused, his thoughts swirling, plotting.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go to the Blue Sun headquarters. It’s time to activate our troops.”

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Serenity

Zoe's gaze darted between the distant stars outside the ship and Mal, her captain. The silence was thick with uncertainty until she finally broke it. "Mal," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "what's our next move?"

Mal didn't respond immediately. His eyes were focused on the dark expanse of space before them, his mind calculating their options. After a moment, he turned to face Zoe, his expression hardened by determination.

"We met up with the Browncoats on New Kashmir and keep our heads down for sometime," he said firmly.

Zoe blinked in surprise. "Are you suggesting we abandon Harry?"

"No," Mal replied quickly, shaking his head. His gaze softened as he added, "We're not leaving him behind."

"But how can we possibly rescue him?" Zoe asked incredulously. She knew they were outgunned and outnumbered.

A sigh escaped from Mal's lips as he leaned back in his chair. "We gather intel first," he explained patiently. "Keep doing our jobs and keep an ear out for any information about Harry and this Blue Sun business. New Kashmir is our best bet. There has been news of a growing presence of Browncoats there."

Zoe studied him for a moment longer before her features relaxed into a small smile. She felt a surge of reassurance wash over her; they had faced worse odds before and come out on top.

"Harry is part of this crew, isn't he?" Mal added quietly after a beat, confirming Zoe's thoughts.

"For better or for worse," she agreed with a nod.

With that settled, they returned their attention to the vast emptiness of space ahead – each lost in their thoughts but united in their resolve to bring Harry home safely.

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