“Once a person is connected to MAGEK, their power is multiplied tenfold. That connection can only last for seconds . . . a minute at most. After that, the machine will short circuit your brain. It happened a few times according to my mother. Nasty stuff.”
“So before we turn it off, we can bring Jay’gar back first. Right?”
“Not quite.”
“Meaning?”
“Only the person that imprisoned him can release him. Do you know who it was?”
“An Absolute. Her name is Forest Green,” answered Po.
“Then how can you bring him back?” demanded Egg. “This green person has no reason to help us.”
“Yes and no,” was the ambiguous reply. “You know about the treachery of Peak and his girlfriend. I think an Absolute would reward you for such knowledge.”
“But we can’t turn them in. We need those two to shut down MAGEK.”
“A bit of a conundrum, I’d say.”
Egg stared at Xara. “You have another way. What is it?”
Xara smiled in appreciation. “You’re very good at reading people, aren’t you? We should team up.”
Egg rolled her eyes. “You’re not asking to become a Sister, are you?”
Xara’s eyes lit up with feigned horror. “Good grief. I’d rather swallow my own vomit.”
Every other girl in the room involuntarily squealed and squeaked in revulsion and utter disgust at that image. Bl’azzz squawked, “That’s just gross.”
Xara looked at the dragon and grinned. “I change my mind. She’d make a great pet. Come over here, you big, ugly thingy and I’ll rub your belly. Come on, don’t be afraid.”
Bl’azzz took a step forward – not for a belly rub but to see what a Xara tasted like. BreeZee stopped her.
“I’m guessing dragons are grumpy things.”
“Actually yes, but that’s beside the point. Now, tell us what other way there is to get Jay’gar back.”
Xara playfully blew a kiss at Bl’azzz then turned to face Egg. “We can connect the Librarian to MAGEK. With her enhanced power, she can command the Absolute to do whatever she wants . . . including returning her boyfriend.”
“But?”
“Wow, you are good. But, as I said before, connecting to MAGEK is draining. After she rescues her friend, she won’t be able to reconnect to the machine for at least a week.” Xara, seemingly inexplicably, grinned at Egg.
“But you’re also an Amber Heart – so you could connect to MAGEK in her place.”
“Yeah.”
“But you would need to be wearing an Amber Heart necklace.”
“Yeah.”
“And we would have to trust you.”
“Yeah.”
In the next few seconds of silence, BreeZee asked, “But what does it matter? Hearts no longer receive their gift from MAGEK. She would have no power.”
“Not true. That was the ‘back door’ I left open for me. Once in the control room, an Amber Heart can connect to MAGEK. We become all powerful again.” And she smiled maniacally.
Chapter 5 – So What’s Next?
About two hundred years ago;
One hundred after the war ended
Once Xara made the programming change to MAGEK, the war ended rather quickly. From one standpoint – it ended none too soon. Every city except Amber Heart had been totally and utterly destroyed. All of their connections to MAGEK – the Obelisks and Relay Towers - were also destroyed. Outside the city limits there was nothing but a sea of devastation.
Not only were the towns obliterated, but so was the whole fabric of society. Technology was gone, schools and businesses were gone, organized religion was no more, virtually all records of the planets history and accomplishments destroyed, all infrastructure gone. The war had sent the world of Spell ‘Bound hundreds and hundreds of years into its past.
The few thousand people that survived made their way slowly to the one remaining, semi-functional population center. They didn’t care who had won the war – only that it was over. With so little left, they turned to the Gifted Ones for help. Their resentment over the conflict was quickly replaced with appreciation for the food, water and other essentials that the hooded Hexes provided. Since there were no Amber Hearts to be seen [they had been rounded up and teleported to the mines below the city], it was pretty obvious who had defeated whom.
It wasn’t long before they realized that for some reason the rains had stopped. No one knew why . . . it was just one more unfortunate event that befell them. Shockingly, the drought continued beyond all expectations. In less than ten years, all surface water evaporated . . . turning the entire planet brown as all vegetation died.
With the population so small, there was no need to rebuild any of the other wrecked cities. Besides, that would just have made feeding and caring for the people that much more difficult. Over time, this practicality was replaced with a rumor – then an accepted fact – that the lands beyond the city limits were poisoned with radiation. To venture there would mean certain death. No one chose to challenge that idea.
By the end of the first hundred years after the war ended, other changes evolved.
The most important were the beliefs about MAGEK and the Gifted. What began as a scientific organization whose sole goal was the benefit of society evolved into a cult of religious proportion.
MAGEK, the great machine, became a myth. Since no one could find it, the great sphere probably never existed.
If there was no MAGEK, then the powers of the Hex Weavers must be divine in nature. And what was that power? Well, with no evidence to the contrary, it must be Magic.
And Hex Weavers became the Divine Ones.
Their black robes and hoods would not do. Such a mundane color belonged to the ungifted – along with grays and whites and all things drab. No, black would not serve their station in life at all. It must be a bold color – one that only they could wear. The color of blood – the giver of life – was more appropriate. And the first red robes and hoods appeared.
As the generations passed, Xara, in suspended animation, was forgotten.
And the last living link to the great machine faded from memory.
*****
Aboard the Gracie
“I’ve got a question.”
“And that would be what?” responded Egg patiently.
The dragon asked, “The only two Hearts in this plan are right here. But there are three Divine Ones - only one of which is on our side.” She looked at Po who smiled back. “We need the other two because they probably have Kr’eep and they do have the key and the little magic machine. So why would they let our little red riding-hood do the honors of reprogramming MAGEK and not insist it should be one of them? That’s what I would do.”
Everyone was impressed with the dragon, none more so than Xara. Still playing “nice” she said, “I humbly beg your forgiveness for calling you a pet. That was an excellent question. Well done.”
Bl’azzz and the others stared at the woman expecting a snide comment to ruin the compliment but none came. After a few seconds, the dragon mumbled “thank you.”
“I can see why you ladies are an effective team. I tip my cap to the Sisterhood.”
The moment was a bit ruined when a puzzled Bl’azzz blurted, “How can she tip her cap? She’s not even wearing one.”
Egg’s mouth dropped open . . . but only a small chortle escaped. “I call seconds,” she said.
“Second what?”
“I get to rub your belly second . . . after Xara is finished.” Everyone but poor Bl’azzz laughed.
“Nobody rubs my belly . . . it tickles and I don’t like it” she huffed indignantly.
“Too bad. Anyway, it was a great question. Can anyone suggest an answer?”
“Won’t be a problem,” responded Xara.
“You have all the answers, don’t you?”
“Sorry Princess. Must be disheartening to realize you’re only second best.”
Egg surprised her when
she laughed.
“Did I say something funny?”
“No. I had been waiting to see how long before your ‘I’m just a loveable one of you guys’ charade would crack. I’ll give you credit that it took longer than I had expected.”
Now Xara laughed. “You know, I look forward to the day that we lock wits with one another.”
“Nemesis.”
“What?”
“One of our sisters foresaw that if we succeed, the result would be the creation of a nemesis that would dog the Sisterhood for years to come. That would be you.”
“You have a seer? That’s handy. So, are we still friends?”
“We’ve never been friends. We are, however, stuck with one another for the duration.”
“Plan on double crossing me when it’s over?”
“We keep our word. We’ll give you a ride to wherever you want to go.”
“Good. Stupid beyond belief – but good. I actually believe you.”
“I don’t lie.”
“How sweet.” There was no longer any reason to pretend to be ‘one of the girls’.
“So answer Bl’azzz. Why would Peak allow Po to do the honors?”
“He won’t.”
Egg’s look of confusion spoke volumes. “What?”
“Why would he? He’s not a complete fool . . . close, but not completely foolish.”
“And this isn’t a problem why?”
Before Xara could respond, Serenity answered the question. “Because the program will be in the key device. It won’t matter who activates the link between it and the machine. They’re just pawns in this little chess game.”
“But won’t they see that the program isn’t what they want?”
This time Xara did the honors. “It’s a lost art – that type of programming. I’m the last person on this planet that understands it. They will have no idea what I’m doing.”
It was Tee’ka who raised the right objection. “But we won’t either.”
“Won’t what?” asked Egg.
“Won’t know if she’s doing what she promised. Maybe she’ll have MAGEK just talk to her so she’ll be the queen or something.”
Xara shook her head. “I have no idea how to disconnect all Hexes except Peak and his girl. Likewise, I can’t connect me and not the other Hearts like her” and she pointed with her chin at the Librarian.
Jax’x shook her head. “Don’t worry on that score. Once the programming is complete, and before we execute it, I’ll have the mini-MAGEK device read it and confirm it’s what we want. The communication between it and me won’t be noticeable to either Peak or Flash.”
“Like you would know what to look for?” ridiculed Xara.
“For your information, before I was the Librarian I was a scientist and inventor. Jay’gar and I created all sorts of devices.” The pride in her voice was evident.
Serenity rolled her eyes but said nothing.
“Perfect. Xara, how long do you need to complete the program?”
“Maybe an hour. Two at the most.”
“What command will you actually give the machine?” asked Serenity. “MAGEK must be designed to ignore any such requests that would leave it vulnerable – and the population too, for that matter.”
Xara was impressed yet again. These women were good. But, she felt no need to share that thought with them. “You’re correct. However, there is one command that supersedes all others. It’s an emergency shut down routine designed to protect the machine from some unknown alien attack, a natural disaster or a mechanical malfunction that might threaten to destroy the unit. Only one Heart and one Hex ever had access to that command at any given time. My mother was one of them.”
*****
Room of Doom
After Lightning Flash left to fetch Kr’eep, Jagged Peak went back to the Crypt to fulfill some pressing duties for his Absolute that could not wait. He certainly didn’t want the woman to wonder what was so important as to make her demands anything other than his first priority.
He returned about an hour later and found to his surprise that Flash was not alone. “Who are they?” he asked without preamble.
“According to Kr’eep, these two apparently know our space aliens.”
“Really?” Turning to Hay’gar he asked, “And how did that come to pass, I wonder?”
“Divine One, I have no idea what that means,” pleaded Hay’gar. Taysen gripped his arm while he put his body in front to protect her. It was a noble but meaningless gesture against a Divine One.
Peak looked at him then turned to his cohort. “Explain.”
“You said they were trying to seduce Kr’eep to help. Well, he told me that these two introduced him to an exotic woman, one whose appearance was foreign to him. In a matter of hours or days, they fell in love.”
“Why does that make her an alien?”
“Because Kr’eep is such a loathsome being that no one on this world could conceivably have feelings for him. Certainly, if someone did, it would take much longer for them to develop than a convenient day or two.”
Peak nodded in appreciation of Flash’s reasoning. “What are their names?” he asked the girl. A non-gifted person would have asked his guests the question . . . but a Divine One would never consider such a common courtesy. “Hay’gar and his wife Taysen.”
“So, Hay’gar, please answer my question.” Sometimes the use of a word like ‘please’ can actually be intimidating. Like now. “How do you know the aliens? What is your involvement in all this?” Left unsaid was “at your age.”
The old man didn’t know what to do . . . or say. He had promised the ‘aliens’ that he would keep their secrets safe. Jay’gar’s life depended on it. “I . . . I . . . don’t know any aliens. Please, my wife and I are of no danger to anyone.”
“Interesting. Why would you assume that I think you are a danger?”
“Um . . . um . . .” but he didn’t know how to finish. If a person could look guilty . . . poor Hay’gar would be the poster child.
Peak turned back to Flash. “Do they have family?” Just like on Earth, threats against your loved ones can be very effective to loosen tongues.
“Only a grandson. According to Kr’eep, he was in love with the Librarian.”
“Ohhh. He’s the one my mistress put in the Cell.”
Even Lightning Flash was horrified. “No. Not a Cell of Transitional Non-Being?”
“Indeed.”
The young woman turned towards her two ‘guests’. “I am truly sorry for your loss.” She actually meant it.
On a more practical note, it was now obvious why these two were involved - either for revenge or the misplaced hoped of having their grandson returned. Peak decided to prey on the second. “I, too, offer my condolences. Such a thing should never be. The Cell is an unspeakably cruel punishment.” He paused to let that sink in. “However, if you cooperate, perhaps there is a way for us to bring him back safely.”
Lightning Flash was about to object to the absurdity of that statement but a quick look from Peak kept her quiet.
Hay’gar looked at his wife – his eyes pleading. If these two could rescue Jay’gar, surely they had to cooperate. Taysen stared back. After so many years of marriage, no words were needed to communicate. She finally took a deep breath then nodded.
To his credit Jagged Peak had allowed his two ‘guests’ time to decide. An Absolute would have yelled and threatened. Seeing the woman’s nod of assent, he asked in a gentle voice “for your grandson’s sake, please tell me what you know.”
The use of the word ‘please’ coming from a gifted did the trick. “We know very little, Divine One. However, we have a means to communicate with them.”
Peak didn’t believe the first part of that statement but let it pass. “How is that accomplished?”
“They gave us a device. It is back at our house.”
“Then, if you would be so kind, please take us to it.”
And they did.
*****
/>
“Soo. Hello, Soo.”
Bl’azzz looked at Egg who nodded. “Hi, Hay’gar. What’s going on?”
But the old man didn’t answer. It was Jagged Peak. “You are one of the aliens?”
Again the dragon looked at Egg. “Give it to me,” and she took the communicator. “This is Egg.”
“You know I have the key device and now I have the ungifted. I believe working together is your only choice.”
“I agree. What do you want us to do?” She didn’t think they had a plan . . . or even a clue as to what to do next.
But Peak wasn’t totally without skills. “Time is running short. Chaos ’mas is tomorrow. Whatever we (and he emphasized the word) need to do must be done in short order.” Smooth since he didn’t actually answer Egg’s question.
“Can we use the Library as a base of operations?”
“No. Too risky.”
“Hay’gar, can we use your house?”
No answer.
“Where are they?” demanded Egg. “I have zero tolerance for any more of your tricks.”
“Calm down, they are in the other room. Flash is bringing them.”
“They better not be harmed. Understand?”
“Perhaps you need to stop threatening me?”
“Don’t push your luck, little man. You have no idea what we can do.” Actually that was pretty much a bluff. But it worked.
“I apologize. We are all a bit on edge. Ah, here is Hay’gar.”
“Hello?”
“Hay’gar, can we use your house for our . . . work. It might prove dangerous but this is all about to end one way or another.”
“And my grandson?”
“Trust me. Please.”
“As I told Soo, anything my wife and I can do, everything that we have, is at your disposal.”
“Thank you. Let me talk to Peak.”
“Yes,” spoke the Divine One.
“I need one of you to go back to the Library and stand next to the MAGEK unit.”
“Why?”
“We’re going to transfer it to Hay’gar’s house.”
“I thought that might prove destructive to the unit?”
“We’ll risk it. Be there in exactly three hours.”
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 33
