Amalthean Quests One

by Jeri Dion

  “After you used your gift on me yesteron, I feel a little easier so I’m ready to take a look at Treketas ankle and the others, see how their doing,” he replied in a manner that showed he was pleased she done what she’d did.

  Donaldo picked up the Medic Emergency Kit and headed off leaving Tayce to talk with Lance, on his genius idea of releasing a beacon before they were about to crash land on their present surroundings. Tom wondered off also. He decided to do some exploring of the surrounding area. As he passed Duncan, he informed him that he was off for a walk and to let Tayce know, should she wonder where he’d gone. Duncan nodded, then turned back to discussing a plant with Marc that was in full bloom. Tom headed off into a group of trees. It was some time before Tayce realised he disappeared. She glanced all about, then over to Duncan, who caught sight of what she was doing informing her of what Tom had done. She was far from pleased, that he had just taken it into his head to just wonder off and turned on Duncan.

  “Why didn’t you stop him, I specifically told everyone here when we crashed landed, to try and stay within the area,” retorted Tayce with a hint of commanding anger in her voice.

  She took out her hand held Slazer and walked off in the direction Duncan had told her Tom had headed off in and went in search of him. She was displeased to say the least, she carried the gun ready to open fire at a moments notice, just in case the planet was hiding any nasty surprises, that were away from where they had crash landed. Marc made a note of her leaving them, he was concerned for her safety and wondered when Tom was going to stop acting like a total idiot, just disappearing. It was totally out of the blue what occurred in the next few cencrons, but it happened fast without warning. The sky over Maldigri rapidly filled with thunderous dark clouds. In minons the normally clear sky was blocked out by clouds and rumbles of thunder like nothing the team had never heard before erupted across the sky, accompanied with spectacular green coloured lightening. They all looked skyward, wondering what was going to happen next. As the clouds drew nearer the thunder shook the ground under their feet. Treketa screamed and grabbed her new furry friend and ran with the others into the shell of Amalthea. Within minons the team minus Tayce and Tom, were back aboard what was left of the cruiser, with the ground shaking beneath them, with the rumbles of thunder and a wind building up outside. Rain hit the outside hull and sounded like they were being pelted by rocks. It was discovered it was hailstones the size of a small hand ball.

  Tom out in amongst the sudden change in weather conditions grabbed Tayce, upon finding her and they ran on to what was a derelict stonex grey building, that looked like it once had been used for space colonization. All that remained of the building was the empty shell, though it looked like it was once an elaborate base, along the lines of Questa. Once inside Tayce shook her wet hair, that had been soaked and was resting on her uniform shoulders. Tom studied her, thinking how sexy she looked. But the way he was thinking about her, soon changed, as she through him a look that said she was far from pleased at the way he’d made a sudden departure from the group and wandered off. He looked away and walked away, to look around what was the wide expanse of what was probably the main square of the base. Tayce walked after him, to reprimand him and upon reaching him she reached out and grabbed him roughly by the sleeve of his jacket.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing, you could have been killed by one of those lightening strikes out there, just wondering off and got me killed in the bargain coming after you?” she stated angrily.

  “Well I didn’t and I’m here,” he retorted defensively giving her an unemotional look.

  “Your lucky then,” she said, not letting him off the hook, that she was furious, he had disobeyed orders to remain with the group earlier.

  Tom could see she was panicking in the thought of losing him, he quickly reached out grabbing her, bringing her hard up against him with sudden force. Tayce did not want to get romantic, this was not the time, nor the place. She struggled against his restraining hold on her.

  “No Tom stop it, it’s not the time nor place,” she angrily pushed against him looking up at him.

  “Why? We’re not going anywhere in this storm, I can’t think of a better place to get cosy, just the two of us,” he said looking down at her, with soft sexual intent on his mind.

  “As I said this is not the time, now let go of me,” said Tayce pushing hard against him.

  This time without realising it she used her powers and he let go of her in a hurry, stepping a couple of spaces back with force. Tayce turned away from him and walked to what would have been a sight pane, that was now a gaping hole. She stood watching the spectacular storm erupting all around their present surroundings. She did not want to look at Tom, he’d made her use her powers on him, something she didn’t want to do, but maybe it made him realise, that he had pushed her too far. After a few minons he walked to join her.

  “I’m sorry, I had no idea that I had disobeyed your orders, I thought you meant the others considering I’m a senior member of the team, it’s just this building caught my eye and I wanted to take a closer look I guess my interest got the better of me”.he said coming to a pause behind her.

  “What for?” she asked looking up at him.

  “In case Amalthea didn’t hold together and we’d needed somewhere solid, like this to shelter until help got here,” he said calmly studying her.

  “Good idea, but you could have told me or Marc, before wondering off, telling Duncan wasn’t good enough he’s a junior member of the team, but I accept your apology,” she said calming down.

  They both stood watching the storm reverberating all around them. Tayce realised that Tom had made a good point about finding somewhere else to shelter if Amalthea became unsafe to remain in, until help arrived. Tom didn’t give up the notion that he was finding her present appearance somewhat strongly sexy. He slowly slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him enjoying her warmth and softness. This time Tayce gave in to him wanting her and relaxed back against his warm body. As he held her, kissing her neck, so the rain gave way to the sound of approaching vessels, that broke their sudden interest in each other. Tom abruptly stopped making Tayce feel softly relaxed in his arms and looked skyward. She came back to the present as the rain stopped. They both broke apart crossing to the hole in the wall, where they had entered their surroundings. Both stepped out to confirm that they had heard right, that vessels were arriving. Both stood waiting for the first glimpse. To their delight Jonathan Largon’s fleet came into full view. In one way Tayce was glad, she wondered if it was a band of freebooters who had found Amalthea on their scanner and had come to salvage her. The storm clouds that had gathered so frighteningly fast, were now ebbing away back to what the paradise weather conditions had been before. A Quest 2 came out of the storm clouds, it flew overhead, turning to come into land in a suitable clearing. Setting down on the sandy type soil about a milon from where they were, Tom grabbed Tayce and they ran to meet the rescue party.

  “Not so fast Tom!” said Tayce as she slipped a couple of times.

  They made it to the landing site, just as the Rescue Quest, Medical Cruiser and General Jonathan Largon’s cruiser touched down. The Amalthean members, back at the clearing slowly began forth on their way to the arriving rescue fleet. The service tow vessels all hovered in the sky above, waiting until everyone was sorted on the surface and Jonathan Largon gave the word to commence their duty, to move in and take care of what was left of Amalthea One and place the tractor support beams around the cruiser, for departure.

  On board the Generals cruiser Adam Carford entered the chambers with the much eagerly awaited news from the surface Quest, that the whole of the Amalthean Quests team were present, but some had sustained injuries. Upon this news Jonathan turned announcing it was time to go, he wanted to personally see that both Tayce and his son were all right. Adam nodded, stepping back allowing
Jonathan to go first from the private chambers. Adam followed on behind. Jonathan immediately ordered Adam to fetch Lydia Traun as she would want to see her daughter. Adam nodded like an obedient servant and walked away to fetch Lydia from her on board chambers.

  “General sir, there is another chance that another storm will be coming in, in the next houron according to weather reports, we have to work fast before that happens,” informed Jonathan’s chief of on board operations walking to meet him.

  “Right then, inform everyone involved on the ground and in the air, that we have to move quickly,” ordered Jonathan in his usual voice of command.

  “Very well sir, I’ll get on to it,” said the chief heading away.

  Outside in the presently calm sky, the tow Service Fleet soon swung into position, upon getting their orders from the operations chief. A group of men were placed on the outside hull of Amalthea, to properly prepare her for transportation back to Questa. They placed small round devices in various points on the cruiser enabling the support beams to pick up the Amalthea in a supporting almost cradle like way, of pure energy. Once the men had completed their task they were picked up ready to commence the final task of removing the cruiser from the planet surface. The high energy beams of the tow vessels soon locked on to the devices attached to Amalthea once activated. The damaged Amalthea soon began to rise slowly up off the planet surface. The tow vessels working in total unison with each other. Bits and pieces fell from the cruiser through the specially constructed cradle. Tayce stood and watched from afar, shaking her head, she and Amalthea had come through some real dicey action in the last yearons, it was hard to imagine that it had taken a phenomenon to knock her out of the Universe. Suddenly she recognised a voice behind her, it was her Mother coming towards her. She turned to see her, dressed in a navy Questa Uniform and boots. She came to a pause with a gentle sigh.

  “She was quite a cruiser and she will be again, I’m sure,” said Lydia putting a motherly arm around Tayce.

  “I want Midge saved, If there is to be another cruiser after this one, or this one can be repaired, but I still want him as Guidance and Operations Computer no matter what,” said Tayce determined.

  “If she can’t be saved, I’m quite sure Jonathan will be in total agreement to place Midge aboard a new Amalthea, or restoring him on this one, he will do his utmost and he has a lot of clout as you know,” replied Lydia assuringly.

  “Tayce, she’ll be as good as new, if not I will make sure you get another,” said Jonathan coming up behind.

  “Tayce was just saying that she wants Midge saved no matter what,” said Lydia turning to Jonathan.

  “Of course Amalthea would not be the cruiser she is without Midge,” said Jonathan in a way trying to cheer Tayce up as she looked sad by what had happened to Amalthea One.

  “Thank you Jonathan,” replied Tayce continuing to watch Amalthea rise into the sky and beyond.

  “From now on young woman, you leave everything to me,” said Jonathan.

  Amalthea as the three of them watched soon, made it into the sky over Maldigri. Tayce, Lydia and Jonathan stood as she was taken away into the sky and on into orbit, on the slow journey to Questa Construction Port. Jonathan explained that the rescue and the lifting of the cruiser had to be brought forward a lot more quicker than it would have been, because there was another storm front moving in. In the distance it confirmed his words, as the sound of thunder rumbled overhead and the ground slightly shook under foot. He continued that the cruiser would be taken back to the construction port at Questa. There it would be decided what could be done with her, either way, the Amalthean Quests would continue, of that she could be sure of. Tayce nodded in understanding feeling a lot more at ease knowing that she and the team would not be disbanded and it wouldn’t be the end of the Amalthean Quest. As another more powerful rumble of thunder shook the ground under foot, Jonathan suggested they get out of their surroundings, time was something that they didn’t have, considering the sound of the nearing storm. With this, both Lydia and Tayce followed Jonathan off back across to the clearing that was busy with preparations for the Amaltheans to be taken off the surface. Lydia walked with Jonathan towards the his cruiser and upon noticing Tayce was not with them paused and turned.

  “I want to check on my team first, before we leave,” she began determined.

  “Very well, we’ll see you later,” said Jonathan continuing on.

  “Either way, just get off this planet Tayce, before it’s too late, we don’t want to return for you again,” said Lydia in stern concerned tone.

  As Tayce approached the Medical Cruisers entrance, the doctor turned. He was a tall man, but it could be seen he was a man that knew his job well in his field. His features surprisingly enough were not what you would consider the look of a doctor, he was rugged, rough looking even. She could see that this was a man that didn’t have a lot of patience. But she guessed he had to be like it, considering he probably was what they called a field doctor, any space emergency and he was there, she guessed, he had probably come up against quite a few gruesome scenes in his career to date. Tayce figured he was in his late 40’s, as he looked at her. His brown eyes showed no warmth. As he spoke, he spoke directly to her, no nonsense.

  “Colonel Traun your members of team that were injured, will be flown back to Questa Health Complex,” he said to the point without even a slight smile.

  Tayce nodded in acknowledgement, leaving him to continue on with his duty. Tayce before Jonathan entered the cruiser called out was she ready to go? He paused waiting for her. Then looked skyward as the clouds began to gather. Tayce ran across to him beginning to say what was on her mind as she neared.

  “I would appreciate it if you let Marc be in charge of dismantling Midge and help rebuild him, should we need a new cruiser as he was head of the design on Traun, when Midge was designed and constructed,” she said hoping that he would agree.

  “I think that can be done, I’ll talk to whoever will be in charge of the job, when it comes to it,” he assured.

  “Sir the storm is less than half an houron from here, we have to leave,” said the young Questa Rescue Officer concerned coming up to Jonathan.

  “Fine, lets leave, we don’t want to be here when it arrives, otherwise someone will be rescuing us,” said Jonathan ushering Tayce aboard his cruiser, letting the entrance close.

  Tom was waiting inside as Tayce entered. He’d been talking with Marc. They had both decided that Tom should go with her, whilst Marc would accompany the injured team members to the Questa Health Complex. Tayce nodded totally in agreement. Marc quickly went about transferring to the other cruiser whilst the Generals cruiser took to the sky, under the expert guidance of his chief pilot.

  Once out of Maldigrian Orbit, the Generals cruiser headed off across the Universe, behind the tow vessels and the badly damaged Amalthea One, looking a real sorry state, not the sight she normally looked, graceful. Behind the Generals cruiser travelled the Medical Cruiser, with most of the Amalthean Quests team and Treketas caged new friend, the Fetig, that was in quarantine until it had passed tests, to make sure that it didn’t bring any deceases to Questa.

  Tayce a while later sat down in the temporary quarters, she and Tom had been assigned. She looked out of the sight pane back at Maldigri in thought, whilst Tom cleansed and changed into a clean uniform. She could see the spectacular lightening effect going off on the surface and was glad that at least they were not back down where they where, having to go through the storm yet again. She thought about how Jonathan had explained that the ruins she and Tom had taken shelter in, were in fact Questaline 6 Headquarters Base. Where the storms had unleashed tremendous terror yearons ago, killing thousands of people and destroying everything in it’s path, she and Tom had been lucky, considering the once inhabitants, had met a cruel ending in being burnt or buried alive. It reminded her again of her people, that the
same fate of being burnt alive on that fateful night on Traun, but it hadn’t been a freak of nature, it had been Vargon and she was still trying to destroy her and her Mother.

  Three hourons lapsed. The Generals cruiser glided into the High Ranked Private Area and slowly descended down onto the bay floor. The docking entrance opened. Jonathan was first off, followed by Adam and Lydia. Tayce followed on with Tom. A pair of escorts took Tayce and Tom away to be checked by the Planetary Health Check Team, just as a precaution, in case they had picked up anything off the Maldigrian surface, that couldn’t be detected by the Med staff on the cruiser. It was just a formality.

  Outside in the Universe and being manoeuvred into position by the tow vessels, was the sorry state of what was left of Amalthea One. Other suited individuals of the construction workforce, soon manoeuvred into position using special power manoeuvring packs, to secure the once graceful cruiser into locked position until it could be decided what was to become of her. Many of the Questa personnel watched from the base. Shaking their heads and talking amongst themselves, wondering what had happened to bring the cruiser home in it’s current state. The Amalthean members that had been injured, docked aboard the Medical Cruiser and were immediately transferred to the medical team awaiting on Questa. Marc caught sight of the cruiser in her dusty and dented state, from the Medical Cruisers sight port, he didn’t hold out much hope of getting the same cruiser back any time soon, it would take a miracle to restore her to her former glory he thought.

  Roughly an houron later on Questa the doors to the Medical Health Check Examinations Centre opened and Tayce emerged with a total look of utter disgust on her normally beautiful face, she felt as if she’d been totally purged as there hadn’t been a part of her, that hadn’t been probed, scanned and miroscanned for any spacial and planetary viruses. She had found the whole experience, one she wouldn’t care to endure again at any cost. Tom had been through the same and as he stood up at the outside seating area, he could see that she hadn’t bargained for feeling quite so undignified. He’d been through the process before and he had to admit, the first time was always the most intimidating, where they shoved the probes and scanning equipment. He gave her a reassuring smile much to say, it’s all over. Duncan walked to join them, he explained that Donaldo would have to remain in the overstay wing for a couple of dayons at least owing to the severity of his internal injuries despite Tayce helping to heal him. On this, Tayce knew what Duncan had meant, but she had only healed him enough to survive, until help arrived. It would have been to draining for her to completely heal him. Treketa and Lance soon came forth meeting with Tayce and the others in the Q’City. Everyone sat around discussing what had happened on Maldigri and what a narrow escape they had all had, considering the shape of Amalthea. After a while, all five of them walked to the chambers to meet up with Jonathan Largon, to find out what was going to happen with the Amalthean Quests future.