Serenity nodded her head slightly . . . agreeing with the sentiment as well as with the girl who said it. “It might help if we did less giggling and more chortling.”
Chapter 3 – How About This
“Here you go,” and Spirit handed a cape and hood to their guest. She had the replicator create one to the girl’s specifications.
Po slipped it on. “Oh, thank you. I feel naked without this.”
“You would look a whole lot cuter with some new clothes,” quipped Egg as she rejoined her team.
“Is that important on your world . . . looking cute?”
“Sadly, yes. Too many times on Earth you can be the smartest or the funniest or the nicest person to ever roam the planet, but if the package isn’t tied up in a pretty bow, some people won’t bother opening it. It’s true for both sexes, but women have it the worst.”
“You have an interesting way of talking.”
“What do you mean?”
“You never just answer yes or no. Instead you tell a fascinating story. It gives the listener a chance to know you better.”
“Ask her a question about herself,” teased Spirit.
“Don’t listen to her, Po. She’s just being a troublemaker.”
“Go on, ask her,” insisted Spirit.
“When I was researching the Sisterhood, I heard that you were called the Heroine of Aerianna. They even created a museum about you.”
Egg waited for a question. “And . . . ?” she asked.
“Well, they said you were nine years old at the time. How is that possible? How could someone that young do such amazing things?”
“Like I told Jax’x – great Sisters, good friends and more than my share of luck.”
“But . . .”
“No. No buts. No more questions about me.”
The girl grinned and turned to Spirit. “Now I understand.”
Egg turned serious. “So how do we find out what happened to Tee’ka?”
“This is what I’m thinking. First we assume that she didn’t vanish in the Vanishing Veil. Therefore, Jagged Peak teleported her away. Next, we can assume he’s on our side . . . since that’s the easiest solution for us. If he’s on our side, we need to give him a chance to tell us.”
Egg looked at Spirit who nodded her approval. “Good thinking. So how do we contact him? I won’t send you or any of the sisters into harm’s way.”
“What about another avatar?” suggested the alien girl.
“No. I think we need to hold them in reserve. If the bad guys find out we have that capability, we lose the element of surprise.”
“Ziz,” suggested the Divine One.
“Gesundheit”.
“I’m sorry?”
“That’s German for . . . not important. Anyway, won’t we need Jax’x to fly that thing? I don’t want to pull her off the other team.”
“I think she said the dragonetta could work independently . . . but she’ll have to confirm that. Um, Egg . . . does a person need special powers to become a Sister?”
“An infinite capacity to laugh, giggle and hug. Did I forget something, Spirit?”
“Someone witty to make up for Egg’s complete lack of ‘funny’ would be nice.”
Po then stunned the other two when she stated categorically, “I want to become a Sister.”
The girls once again exchanged glances. “What about Jax’x and Jay’gar and your revolution?”
“I’m so embarrassed about Jay’gar. He and Jax’x have been wonderful to me and I repay them by falling in love. I’ve given it a lot of thought . . . and I need to get away. I need to find my own life and not interfere with theirs. As far as the revolution – well that’s why you’re here. We’ll see it though and then . . .” but she didn’t finish.
“Don’t you want to stay and help your people afterwards? They’re going to need all the support they can get.”
“I won’t have my powers anymore. I’ll be just like them.”
“You’re still a Hex. According to Jax’x, you would still have some of your powers. Besides, we don’t meet alot of nice guys, if that’s what you’re hoping for. You’re way more likely to find someone right here. Someone like Jagged Peak, for instance.”
“Why Jagged Peak?”
“I hear he’s really nice . . . well, assuming he isn’t really bad.”
“I’m sorry. I should never have said anything. Please, let’s just forget I asked.”
“Don’t be silly. We don’t really know each other yet. Let’s see how this little adventure goes. When it’s over, we’ll talk again. And, by the way, we normally have seven sisters on our missions. This time, we have only six. We could use someone else. Right, Spirit?”
The other girl stared at her friend for a few seconds. “Yes. We could use more recruits.”
The way she said it made Egg take notice. “Something wrong?”
“Now is not the time.”
“I could step out if you’d like to talk in private,” offered Po.
Egg looked at Spirit for confirmation. “She may stay.”
“Then spill it. What’s the problem?”
“I must take Jynxie home.”
“What does that mean?”
“She will soon be entering her one and only reproductive cycle. She needs to go home and find a mate. Her kind is rare and it will not be easy for her.”
Always concerned for the well-being of others, Egg asked, “Do you have to leave now? I’m sure Serenity would let you borrow her ship.”
“No. There is time to finish the mission.”
“Okay, what’s the rest of it?”
Spirit smiled. “That is why you are such an amazing leader . . . the way you can sense the emotions of your Sisters. As to your question, I must remain with my dear companion throughout the cycle. We have bonded in ways I can’t explain. She will need me during this time.”
“And how long is ‘this time’?”
“A year, possibly two. It depends on how quickly it takes for her to find that mate.”
Egg swallowed hard before she asked, “And after? Will you come back?”
“I did a weave on just that.”
“And?” Egg rubbed her goosebumps.
“The probability is low.”
“Oh no, Spirit. I can’t lose you, too.”
“You will never lose me, Egg of Earth. My love for you, and to the others, is unbreakable and forever. I will always be your sister. Your friend.”
Tears began to fall . . . from all six eyes. Egg grabbed the girl and hugged her hard. “This is the shazboting worst part. I hate having to say goodbye. I hate it.”
“I believe that’s one of Serenity’s naughty words.”
“I wish I knew more.”
*****
“So, let’s start with the obvious,” began BreeZee. “How do we turn the machine off and how do we actually get to it. Remember, it’s about five miles below The Crypt.”
“We can make some basic assumptions,” added Serenity. “First, and this is not an assumption, the machine protects itself from anything or anyone trying to harm it. We can measure the strength of the force field it has in place. Second, we should assume that the Tree is telling us something that the builders of M.A.G.E.K. had planned for – namely the ability to shut it off.”
“How did you come to that conclusion?” asked Jax’x.
“The Tree probably isn’t giving us a trick he made up to turn it off. That’s not his style. He’s telling us that the builders intentionally created an off switch.”
“Why is that important?” asked Bree.
“Because if it’s true, they must have left a way to get to it.”
The other two nodded their approval of the logic.
Before they could continue, Bl’azzz stuck her head in the door. “Hey, sorry to bother you but I thought of something.”
Jax’x waited expectantly while Bree and Serenity smiled at the dragon-brained dragon. “I’m all ears,” encouraged Serenity.
“They are large, but not that big.”
“Bl’azzz, you babbling Booyah-base, speak or forever hold your peace.”
“You really are a grump. Anyway, the surface of the planet – I don’t think it was forever destroyed.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I think the magic doohickey is just keeping the rains from falling. If you get rain, you get crops and lakes and drinking water. Food and water, the two most important things for us living creatures. I think someone just forgot to tell the machine to turn it all back on.”
Three faces gawked at the dragon.
“What?”
“That’s beyond brilliant,” said the beyond brilliant chair-bound girl. “I thought dragons were . . . well, not the sharpest candles in the sock drawer”.
“If you’re trying to sound like Egg . . . congratulations.”
“Ahhh, thank you. What you just proposed; it really is a spectacular bit of insight. Well done.”
The dragon attempted a human curtsey. “You’re very kind. Tell Soo?”
“As soon as I see her.”
“Love to stay and chat, but I have a man to seduce,” and she left to the sound of one chortle and two groans.
*****
Jax’x could hardly contain her emotions. “Do you think she’s right?”
“I do. I really think she’s on to something.”
“That means when M.A.G.E.K. is turned off, the planet will begin to return to some semblance of normal. Therefore, removing the Divine Ones from power won’t starve the entire population of Spell’Bound.” That, of course, had been a big worry.
“It certainly fits with what Spirit told us . . . she didn’t see any threads of food or water deprivation in her weave. However, there will be a lag time for plants to grow and be harvested. And you’ll need some kind of irrigation system and aqueducts to move the water to where it’s needed.”
Jax’x was quiet as she considered the implications of what she had just heard.
Bree interrupted with her own observation. “Jax’x, the Divine Ones will still have their power – just not as strong. Surely they could fill the void until the citizens can get things under control?”
“They could – but why would they? Why would they want to help knowing that they’ve lost their special place in society?”
“Simple. Because in a relatively short period of time they won’t be needed at all. It will be their one and only chance to ‘mend fences’ with the people they oppressed. I think a good leader on both sides could help navigate this period of transition.”
“Is that what you plan to do?” asked Serenity. “Be one of the leaders?” She kept her voice neutral which wasn’t easy.
“Jay’gar would be a great leader. I don’t think I could convince anyone to follow me.”
Serenity responded a little too passionately with “I hope you’re not saying that men can rule better than women.”
Jax’x surprised the other two by laughing. “Believe me, the answer is no. Just ask Po what my thoughts are on the subject. It’s just that not anyone can be a leader. Take Egg – with all due respect, is there anyone else in the Sisterhood that could replace her?”
Without hesitation the other two chorused a “never” in response.
“Jay’gar is a born leader . . . and I miss him so much.” The last part came out in a whisper.
“Don’t give up hope,” consoled Bree. “If there’s a way to get him back, we’ll find it.”
“Thank you. Truly.”
This whole exchanged forced Serenity to soften her dislike for the girl.
“What about a leader for the Divine Ones?” asked Bree. “How about Po?”
“I love her dearly, but I doubt if she has the ability or the desire. Sadly, I thought Jagged Peak would have been a candidate . . . even if he isn’t a woman.”
“Well, we still need to find out his role in all this. In any event, we may be getting slightly ahead of ourselves,” teased butterfly girl.
“Ever so true. So let’s continue with our assumptions. The machine was programmed to allow it to be shut down. On the other hand, it’s programmed to defend itself. Case in point, it won’t allow anyone to teleport into or out of The Crypt. Logically, the entrance has to be through there.”
“Not necessarily,” countered Jax’x. “Isn’t it possible that the Hexes were . . . more adept at war than the Amber Hearts. By the way, whereas my kind is drawn from people with a high degree of empathy, the Divine Ones are more predisposed to be . . . um, how do I put it?” She paused searching for the words. “Are you familiar with the concept of alpha males or alpha females? They are driven to be leaders, to be aggressive.”
“It’s a pretty universal concept,” replied Bree. “But Po doesn’t seem to fit that mold.”
“It may be latent in some people . . . buried until a catalyst sets it free.”
“Then perhaps she could be a good leader?”
Jax’x smiled, “You may be right.”
“What’s your point?” asked Serenity a bit impatiently.
“My point is – maybe the Divine Ones created The Crypt over the sphere knowing that it would be an easily defensible base of operations. M.A.G.E.K. itself would protect them. Once it was built, they started the war against the Amber Hearts - right in the middle of their enemy’s city.”
Serenity gazed at the ceiling as she considered Jax’x’s ideas. “Okay. I like it as a working thesis. If true, then there may be another way in. Maybe more than one.”
“I’m not sure if you’ve actually seen The Crypt. It sits on the other side of a rift in the ground. You have to cross a bridge to get to the entrance.”
“How deep is this rift?”
“No one knows. There’s some kind of mist or haze that obscures the bottom. Legend has it that it’s virtually infinite. It’s also said that if you venture into the mist, you will die a horrible death.”
Bree looked at Serenity who nodded in silent agreement. To the Librarian she said, “I think we found our entrance.”
*****
“Break time. Everyone to the lounge,” came Egg’s voice over the intercom. Five minutes later they were sitting or otherwise making themselves comfortable. “Let’s catch up with each other. Po, tell them what we decided. Just . . . please, just keep it brief.”
“Am I too talkative?”
“No. The rest of this motley crew is. I want you to set a good example.” To the rest of her sisters who were beginning to complain, she said, “Shush. Go ahead, Po.”
“We assume that Tee’ka is alive . . . teleported away before the Vanishing Veil collapsed. We are also assuming that Jagged Peak is on our side. To find out, we will send Ziz to have a little talk with him . . . hopefully, giving us the opportunity to discover whose side he’s on.”
“Nice job, Po. Jax’x, can Ziz be programmed to work without you being involved? I don’t want to take you away from what you’re doing.”
“Yes.”
“See,” exclaimed Flying Girl. “Short, pithy answer. The rest of you can learn from these ladies.”
Bl’azzz mumbled something unintelligible.
“What?” demand Egg.
“I just said ‘bite me’. It’s a dragon’s way of expressing . . .” but her sister cut her off.
“I know what it means. Funny thing, on earth it doesn’t sound so bad. But coming from a dragon with a gazillion teeth, it seems a little more ominous.” Smiles and giggles. “Okay, your turn Hot Lips. Have you come up with a plan?”
“Yup. I’m going to his house dressed in something sexy . . .”
“Sexy? For a dragon or for a human?”
“Since dragons are always naked, we can’t get any more sexy.” That drew the usual assortment of gasps, giggles and groans. “Oh, grow up,” replied Bl’azzz with a smirk. “Anyway, I need one of you to pick out an outfit that will wow him.” She looked from girl to girl. “Serenity, nope. Bree, nope. Spirit, maybe. Po, nope.
Jax’x . . . yup.”
“Hey, what about me?” asked Egg pretending to be hurt.
“Not on a bet.”
“Why not? I’m a stylish dresser.”
“Right. Flying suit or what do you call those things?”
“Jeans.”
“And you wonder why you’re still single.”
“Ha. There’s a very handsome Prince who wants to marry me.”
“Which proves he’s not the sharpest candle in the sock drawer.” She glanced at Serenity who nodded her approval.
“Good one”. Turning serious she asked, “What then?”
“It’s going to be a whirlwind romance . . . without you-know-what. However, if he’ll do me this one little favor, I might consent to be his wife.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it? No offense, but you haven’t dated many humans.”
“You know what? I’ve decided that men are men no matter what form they come in. Leave it to me. I’ll have him eating out of my hands in a few days. But the more time you can give me, the better chance I’ll have of succeeding.”
“Understood. Okay, let’s hear from the last team.”
Serenity was about to start when Bree chimed in first. “Jax’x, would you do the honors?”
Reflexively, the girl looked to Serenity for approval. She took the girl’s shrug as an okay. “First, Bl’azzz came up with an insightful thought,” and she told the others what the dragon had suggested.
“Hot Lips, epic. Truly epic,” said Egg approvingly.
“See . . . me getting more smarter,” she teased in reply.
“Breathtaking to watch. Go on, Jax’x.”
“We believe that there is a way into the machine from the rift that surrounds The Crypt. Now we need to decide the best way to test that theory.”
“What about the Hex and Heart and the Neither thing we need to actually turn it off?”
“I have some ideas, but I need to work with Po on it when we get the chance.”
Chapter 4 – T’was the Day Before
Forest Green
Jagged Peak made his way through a mind-numbing labyrinth of passages hewn from the solid rock. There was no one else in sight at this hour of the morning. Since this area led to six catacombs – one for each Absolute – only a few specially appointed acolytes ever ventured this way. The deathly quiet was only interrupted by Peak’s footfalls and the incessant dripping of water as the walls and ceiling wept their tears.
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 22
