“He has come to me several times. He is busy right now, so he doesn’t respond to me. I think he is watching through my eyes to see how Earth is doing. I don’t show him much though. I don’t want to scare him, but he has to come now. I hear his thoughts and his thoughts say to himself that Earth is protected because people like me are here, but we’re newcomers, we’re of the new energy coming into Earth. We are learning. He is the one to teach us. But he stays there. Why does he stay there?”
“Where?” asked Drew.
“Callisto,” replied Mya. “It’s a moon.”
Drew touched Megan’s face. It was warming up. “He’s not on Callisto. That’s the Jupiter moon.” And Drew knew too much about it, having broken the story just before his father, Slade-asshole-Roberson, took to the stars.
Mya spun in a circle again. “He is there with your papa.”
Drew huffed, his chin falling to his chest. “He’s with Slade?” Of all things, he would never have pegged Jaxx as a traitor. And how could his uncle teach anything besides archaeology? He wouldn’t know the first thing about energy and what Mya was doing with hers, healing people, and killing Agadons. Jaxx was a nice guy, but energy manipulating? Hell no.
Mya stopped in mid-spin, setting her foot down hard on the floor. She sucked in a quick breath. “No, no. He didn’t hear me and he is going to get Slade. I don’t want him to. Don’t do it, Jaxx. Another will do it for you. Just trust your friends.” She looked glossy eyed at Drew. “He is on his way to kill your papa.”
Drew didn’t know if he should believe her or chalk it up to a child’s imagination. “Is there a way we can get to Callisto, Segarra?”
“Yes, but you wouldn’t be allowed.”
Mya touched Drew’s forearm. “The Agadon will try one more time to take over this city. No one can leave. We need you to rule with Megan, then we can go to another city, and you can rule together.”
“What do you mean by this rule thing?” The marijuana shop was down the street. Maybe he could run in there and take a few drags of ganja. The buzzing sound outside turned off and Drew shifted in his position. “What just happened?”
Segarra gasped and turned, running into the street. Mya chased after him, and Drew followed, jumping several burnt two by four wood studs lying on the ground between the bar and the sidewalk. He rushed out into the street and glanced up. His shoulders drooped.
They were shit out of luck.
The shield was gone. Someone had switched it off, and the Agadon knew. A handful of crafts were heading their way.
30
J-Quadrant, Solar System - Namuh Farms, Callisto
Jaxx lightly slapped Rivkah’s cheeks. “Wake up.” He pressed his hand on her neck, feeling for a pulse. It was faint. He pressed his lips together in a straight line, his shoulder’s tensing, holding in a yell. “Is she going to die?” Jaxx didn’t want her to die.
Zara got on her knees, sitting next to Rivkah, and nodded. “Probably.”
Jaxx’s heart dropped. He took a shaky breath. “What can I do?” He bit his lip. Rage burned in his gut, rising to the surface. He wanted to throw every damn Kelhoon who had done this to her over a cliff. But most of all, he wanted to make sure the one who was responsible paid for this – Slade.
“Let her pass.” Zara put both hands over Rivkah’s heart. “Go get Slade and let me work on her. I’ll make sure green-scales over there will remain in line.”
Jaxx gazed in Okbak’s direction, his question pointed at Zara, his eyes narrowed on the green-faced bastard who was at the tip of a lot of his problems. “Rivkah talked about children. What did she mean?” Maybe he could do something right for Rivkah, maybe something that Rivkah would be proud of.
Zara shook her head. “I don’t know what she meant by the children.”
The prime chieftain stared back, his lips turning up in a smile. What was he grinning about? The children?
The craft descended just outside one of the tallest skyscrapers and Kiyo-zan readied it for a landing. Jaxx kept his eyes on Okbak. “What do you know about the children, Kajka Okbak?”
“My lips are sealed.”
Jaxx took his eyes off of Okbak. He didn’t have time at the moment to deal with the asshole. Slade was on his mind. He needed to get to him. He stood, pointing at Fox, who lay unconscious in an aisle between two rows of seats. “What happened to him?”
“He made too much noise. Do all you humans complain as much as Fox? Regardless, I had to knock him out,” replied Zara. “When he wakes up, I’ll tell him you’re looking for Slade. He’ll be happy…for once.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Jaxx,” said Zara, her eyes fierce. “Trust me. Trust your team. We won’t let you down.”
Jaxx nudged Fox, seeing if he’d wake. He didn’t. And why, out of anyone, should Jaxx trust Fox? The guy wanted to leave Rivkah to the Kelhoon, to leave her to her death in order to have a fight with Slade, and that was no less than ten minutes ago.
“Fox has done more for you on this moon than you can imagine,” continued Zara. “He has his internal wounds, his anger issues, but he happens to care for you, even if he doesn’t know it. He has your back, and I say this knowing he tends to bring drama all the time. Again, trust me.”
The craft jostled as it touched down. The ramp vibrated and opened.
Jaxx touched his phaser and walked toward the ramp. “Kiyo-zan, care to join me?”
“Hai, Kuru.” Kiyo-zan jumped up, his cape whipping when he spun to face Jaxx. Zara tossed her bamboo rifle at Kiyo-zan and in one quick motion, he caught it and strapped it over his shoulder. He bowed. “Arigato Gozaimasu.”
Okbak grunted, his foot still caught between the two seats, the restraining belt wrapped around his lower leg. “You have caused a war between the Kelhoon and Agadon.”
That’s what Jaxx wanted. He wanted to tell Okbak that he was glad a war between the two races was underway. The Kelhoon were pricks and so were the Agadon. It was that simple. They both deserved to blow the shit out of each other. But he needed the Kelhoon on his side to fulfill a prophecy. Without the Kelhoon, it would be impossible to close the pyramid network, and open it back up. “I’m sorry, Okbak.” He wasn’t, but Okbak didn’t know any better.
“I’ve sent all troops en-route to the battle. None will bother you in this city. I can’t afford that. After you do what you need to do here, you will leave this city and this moon and go home. You have no claim on Callisto. It is ours.”
Jaxx didn’t argue. Although he wouldn’t give this world to anyone the likes of Okbak, there was no point arguing about it. After all was said and done, he would fight alongside the Atlanteans for their right to this moon.
Jaxx nodded and rushed down the ramp. Kiyo-zan followed him.
The warmth of the outside terraforming lamps touched his skin when his feet hit the concrete outside his ship. Up ahead was the skyscraper and they ran up the stairs to the entrance and threw open the glass doors. Their boots clanked on the lobby floor – a lobby filled with exotic potted plants, a reception desk, and fancy couches and fancier chairs.
Jaxx closed his eyes and scanned the area. It carried him deep under the building until he came to an enormous cave-like facility. Slade was down there, moving around. Another energy signature accompanied Slade and both energy signatures were in a hurry. They had to know Jaxx was coming, and soon.
“Over there.” Jaxx motioned toward a few elevators. “But what am I going to do when I get down there?” He had to get to Slade. The guy had done his best to eradicate Rivkah. It was time for his own eradication.
Jaxx halted for a moment. Maybe Slade knew what Rivkah was talking about. The children? Maybe that’s why she was in the city in the first place?
“Kare o tsukamae, kare o tsuki kara hanareru,” said Kiyo-zan, reaching the elevator.
Jaxx pressed the down arrow. “You think we should capture him and get him off the moon?” Then what? Interrogate him about the children? Next, throw hi
m out in space so he won’t hurt anyone anymore? All of this was easier said than done. This was Slade. If he had to kill the guy, then so be it. If he could capture him to glean some information, then so be it as well.
The elevator door dinged and opened. They stepped in and the elevator quickly descended, making its long journey into the depths of the moon’s upper crust. The elevator dinged a second time.
Cool air swept across them as the elevator opened up. They took their first footsteps out of the elevator, and a pale light highlighted the cavern. The cavern wasn’t a cavern though, like Jaxx thought it would have been. It was a dome with smooth ceilings, smooth walls, and a smooth floor.
He put his hand on Kiyo-zans chest when he saw it, stopping the Taiyonian in his tracks. “What in the world?”
A big pyramid, mirror black, sat smack dab in the middle of the facility.
Kiyo-zan lifted his arm out in front of him and his gold bracelet around his wrist made a snapping sound, simultaneously materializing a shield.
A clank came from inside the pyramid and echoed across the dome. Kiyo-zan went into a defensive stance, gesturing for Jaxx to stand behind him.
Someone was inside the pyramid, doing God knows what. With one sweep of the room’s energy field, Jaxx could see that Slade and the other guy occupied it, but it didn’t take a genius to figure that out.
Jaxx and Kiyo-zan quietly walked forward. Jaxx put his hand on Kiyo-zan’s back, “Back up.”
Two giants, no less than twenty-feet tall, stood at the pyramid’s doorway, spears in hand. Their eyes were closed and they breathed as if they were in meditation.
Jaxx tugged Kiyo-zan’s upper cape, and took a few more steps back. The giants disappeared as if they had never been there. They took a step forward. And, just like before, the giants stood next to the pyramid entrance.
“You’re going in and out of a higher octave, Jaxx,” said Slade, walking out of the pyramid. He had a strange-looking sword in his hand – a gold, shining hilt, a straight, long blade extending up through the middle, with two blades intertwining around the straight blade. Slade winked, running his finger up the broad portion of a blade. “In other words, once you pass that point you just passed, you’re in a higher octave within the third dimension.” He smirked. “This pyramid here lifts the energy waves by the harmonic sounds coming from every stone it’s built from. Pretty clever, huh?”
Maybe that was also why Jaxx hadn’t seen the pyramid the moment he stepped out of the elevator. And harmonic resonance? That’s exactly how the pyramids around Earth operated. Hit one stone with a hammer, and it would resonate like a chime. This pyramid obviously chimed even more.
Jaxx took a step forward. “Hey, how about you come on our side and we close this pyramid network and get on with our lives?” It was worth a shot.
Slade shook his head. “I’m a business man now, Jaxx. Any messing with the pyramid network is bad for my bottom line.”
“What’s your business?” asked Jaxx. Of course, this prick would have a side hustle that wouldn’t benefit any Being in the galaxy besides himself.
“None of your business.” He winked again.
“And where are the rest of the politicians?”
“The politicians?” Slade lifted his shoulders. “Let’s just say we had quite the disagreement. You won’t see them coming to Callisto any time soon.” He lifted the sword in the air and twirled, swinging it around, practicing with it. A hum came off of it and a wave of rainbow colored energy flew several feet in front of the blades and behind them. The energy sparked when it touched the ground. “Some pretty bad-ass weapons are inside that pyramid behind me. You care to dance, Jaxx? You’ve been that clichéd thorn in my side since the moment I met you.”
Dance? Jaxx would love to dance; dance this shit-hole’s head off. Jaxx had been a thorn in Slade’s side? Fuck that. Slade was an elephant tusk in Jaxx’s side. “We can dance after you answer my question.” He began running the Chi up his legs and to his solar plexus. “What business are you trying to run here?” He clenched his fists, knowing he wasn’t going to like the answer.
“The Kelhoon and I have an agreement. We’re running a farm and my product involves importing and exporting product quickly through the pyramid network. Catch my drift? So, you ain’t touching that pyramid network with a ten-foot pole.”
Jaxx tilted his head, knowing he wasn’t getting the entire answer. “Does your business involve children?”
Slade laughed. “Very perceptive, Jaxx. You must understand that humanity is about to come to an end. The human race will be extinct soon, so what I’m doing is stepping in evolution’s way, and keeping our race alive. Which is why I started this farm.”
Jaxx lowered his eyes, baring his teeth, his Chi beginning to rise into his hands. “Tell me exactly what you’re going to be farming, Slade. Stop sidestepping my questions.”
“Children. Lots of children. Some will live as slaves, which is a bummer for them, but they will be keeping the human race alive and well in the Universe. The rest will be food for the Kelhoon and other sick-ass ET’s across the galaxy that tend to like our children for food. Can’t be helped. It was part of the deal. We have to sacrifice some if we’re going to survive at all as a species. The Kelhoon and their buddies have been eating our youth for a long time, Jaxx. It’s about time that a human took a piece of that pie and made it work for us, don’t you think?” Slade took a flying leap toward Jaxx, spinning in the air, the sword humming with his motion. Slade let go of the sword.
Kiyo-zan pushed Jaxx back, and held up his shield.
A rainbow energy came off the sword as it spun toward Kiyo-zan and Jaxx. It shattered Kiyo-zan’s shield and a loud gong-like sound reverberated off the walls. Pieces of the shield shot into Kiyo-zan’s chest and face like a hundred darts hitting their target.
Kiyo-zan sucked in a quick breath when the sword came next and sliced through his chest. His mouth flew open and he gave an incredulous gaze down at the sword. He jerked back, his hands around the blade, blood spattered all over his chest.
Horror flooded Jaxx, his face contorted in disbelief. He rushed over to Kiyo-zan and reached for his friend, catching him in his fall. “No, no. Kiyo-zan.” Jaxx lowered him to the ground, looking over his bloodied friend. Kiyo-zan gasped for air. Jaxx touched the sword, ready to pull it out, then thought better. “I’ll get you help. Zara can fix you.” His voice shook, his own body knowing that what he was saying couldn’t happen, especially with Slade in the same room with them.
Slade!
Jaxx quickly turned and faced Slade.
Slade stood with his arms crossed, a smirk on his face.
Kiyo-zan wrapped his hand around Jaxx’s, and coughed, wincing in pain, shivering. “Aishiteimasu.”
Jaxx touched his forehead to Kiyo-zan’s. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. All of this.”
Kiyo-zan shook his head, then lifted his hand and touched Jaxx’s face. He gently slapped Jaxx’s cheek, smiling. He turned his head and opened his eyes wide, reaching for the ceiling. A larger grin grew, and Kiyo-zan let out a last breath. He dropped his arms and his eyes went lifeless, though his smile remained.
Jaxx slowly lowered Kiyo-zan’s head to the floor, a lump the size of a boulder in his throat. He stood, energy balling up in his hands. He lunged forward, sending every piece of hatred and sadness he could muster, sending it like an ion blast at Slade.
Slade turned to run, to get out of the way and dodge, but was picked up off his feet and lifted into the air, hovering. Jaxx raised his hand toward the domed ceiling and Slade rose higher. Jaxx rushed forward and Slade dropped out of the air, his arms thrashing about, his legs kicking left and right. Slade was nearly to the ground when Jaxx jumped, spun, and swung his leg around in a kick to Slade’s torso.
Slade yelped and tumbled backward, sliding across the floor and into the pyramid’s base.
Jaxx was more powerful down here and near this pyramid. He was like a giant himself. He glanced at his ar
m. It was glowing. In fact, his entire body was. He glanced at the pyramid. A haze of energy joined him and the pyramid together.
Slade pushed himself off the floor, his hands in a ball, his body shaking in rage. He stomped and threw energy at Jaxx.
Jaxx moved out of the way and everything changed to slow motion, everything but himself.
A sensation came over him like a waterfall of energy draping over him. Inside, Jaxx traced his energy through his own DNA strands. His DNA was designed to open and close the pyramid network. He was the key. This he already understood; however, something was reminding him, whispering through every cell in his body, screaming that he was connected to each and every pyramid in the galaxy.
Slade rushed at him in slow motion, running with all his might, but Jaxx was an octave speed higher than Slade due to this pyramid giving off a wave of energy to Jaxx, and to Jaxx only.
And, as the DNA and key holder, he knew he was partnered with this pyramid.
“Pyramid,” he said. “Wake the giants. They’ll know what to do.”
Slade pulled out a knife, this one like none any Jaxx had ever seen. It was arrow tipped, jagged at the edges, and the hilt was made from ivory. Slade’s face screwed up in fury, his eyes like demons ready to burn some witches at the stake.
Slade lifted his knife above his head, ready to strike down and end Jaxx’s life.
Jaxx turned, his forearm coming up to block Slade’s action.
Slade lurched back, his eyes like saucers, and blood squirted out of his mouth. He was lifted into the air, a spear pierced through his abdomen. He dropped his knife and looked behind him, his face more stunned than Jaxx’s.
A giant was wide awake, his eyes determined, his body tensed with every muscle flexed. He held Slade up at the end of his spear, and the giant brought him closer to his eyes, looking the small man up and down.
The giant faced Jaxx.
“Let him down,” ordered Jaxx. “And take your spear out of him.”
Slade shook his head, his face twisted in pain. “I’ll die.” His voice was raspy, and blood dripped from his lips and down his chin.
Atlantis Quadrilogy - Box Set Page 85
