Amalthean Quests One

by Jeri Dion

  The noose of pure energy tightened around Norgans chunky neck and entered into his mouth and up his nose his eyes bulged and his face turned red, as he gasped for air, as the full power of the crystal joined with Tayce and taught him a lesson he’d never recover from again. Tayce found she was one with the crystal signifying the end of Norgans vary existence, finally. Tom became alarmed and wanted to try and stop Tayce, but Marc grabbed him back, informing him that any sudden break in Tayce joining with the crystal could probably kill her. Norgan cried out in shear terror, as the power took hold of his brain and made him live his nightmares in the worse form he could ever imagine. Tom couldn’t let Tayce feel awful when it was all over that she had killed Norgan what was he to do? It was the power force that was making her do what she was doing, he knew that she would never live with herself when she realised that she had killed a man in cold blood, using her powers. He raised his Slazer and set it to disintegrate taking aim, he open fired on Norgan. Norgan disintegrated in the blaze of power, crying out as he did. The Power Crystal dispersed it’s power but not before magically travelling through the air and into Tayces held out hands. It rested and died to a sparkling blue calmness once more like any other crystal. Tayces eyes returned to their normal look and she almost fainted from the unexpected onslaught. Marc caught her steadying her. Dawn soon broke over the surface of the destroyed city of Tristarcus. The outline of the palace could be half seen. The orange sunrise began to light up the smoke filled sky.

  “You okay Tayce?” asked Tom in a true caring tone.

  “Now that I have what we came for, let’s just get out of here,” she replied plain and simple.

  “What about Norgans men?” asked Marc noticing they’d gone from the surface.

  Without warning explosions began going off around Tristarcus. The three Amaltheans realised that Norgan and his men must have set self timer bombs to go off to cover their tracks, to eventually destroy the planet. Tayce, Tom and Marc quickly ran at full pelt, for their Quest Shuttle/fighter. Upon reaching it they quickly hurried aboard. Marc immediately took control and in the moments that followed, the Quest and themselves were airborne heading for the stars. Below them Tristarcus erupted in explosions going off in quick rapid succession, which shook the Quest several times in after shocks. Once back in the stars Tayce contacted Lance via Aircom. Lance upon hearing that they were safe informed her that Norgan’s battle cruiser had left orbit at a hell of a speed and disappeared in a blink of an eye, to another sector. Tayce smiled to herself, she guessed that Norgans men had seen enough, but would they return with a new leader? Time would tell and if she knew, she’d be waiting for them.

  “Lance tell Tricara we have what is rightfully hers,” said Tayce over the Aircom, holding the crystal in her hand, now calm and softly glowing.

  “Of course,” replied Lance happy to pass on the good news.

  Tayce ceased communications and looked at Tom. He winked at her affectionately. She sank back in the seat still feeling a little exhausted from the joining with Tristarcan Power Crystal. She glanced out the sight port as the Quest left behind what was left of Tristarcus, in it’s final moments, before total oblivion occurred.

  On approach to Amalthea the cruiser opened it’s Hanger Bay doors ready for boarding. As the Quest came into land on the bay floor, Marc raised his Wristlink and ordered Midge to hit Hyper Thrust Turbo speed and get them away from the shock wave, that would happen in the matter of minons. Empress Tricara could be seen waiting. Tayce was the first one off the Quest, she walked over to Tricara holding the Power Crystal. Tricara could see as Tayce neared that she had witnessed the power force of the crystal. She didn’t say anything but could see that she had handled it well.

  “This is for you, back where it belongs,” said Tayce handing it gently to the Empress.

  “Thank you, what of Norgan?” asked Tricara softly.

  “Let’s just say, he’s gone where he belongs and won’t be coming back,” replied Tayce.

  Tricara slipped a friendly arm around Tayces shoulders, suggesting that it was time to tell her a bit about the crystal and what she would one dayon inherit, also find it a temporary safe place on board to store it. Tayce agreed. As they sauntered away Tom who had heard what Tricara had just said as he and Marc were securing the Quest, shook his head and laughed. After what he’d witnessed on Tristarcus, it would appear that Tayce had already felt it’s immense force, what more was there to learn?

  Forced Trip to Arkanoss

  Empress Tricara was collected by Private Launch from Questa, she, had insisted she would rather return under security than hold Tayce up in her Quest filled voyage. Before leaving, she thanked everyone that had gathered for their kind hospitality and Tayce, Tom and Marc for recovering the blue crystal. Tayce in one way was sad to see her friend go, it had been too long time since they had got together and really talked. It had been good to know that her powers were going to serve her well, over the future yearons. Everyone returned to duty once the Empress had walked aboard the Private Launch and departed for Questa.

  It was one weekon later and nothing out of the ordinary was happening, the cruiser was running smoothly as usual. Tayce received her new rank via Jonathan over the Satlelink and everyone raised a toast to the new rank she had been awarded of Lieutenant Commander. She felt proud in a way, she wished her Father could see that she had gained a new footing on the road of leader. She knew that she shouldn’t, at the happy time that it was, but she wished she could tell him. After the celebration everyone returned to what they were doing around the cruiser, this left herself and Midge to be alone in Organisation for a change. Something that she didn’t mind, it reminded her of the old dayons, when they use to cruise the Universe alone. But now that she had a good team, she wouldn’t trade those past empty yearons, for anything, especially now, that she had Tom and a new life. Midge gave her a blow by blow account of what everyone was up to on board, for her interest. Tom and Marc were undertaking armed combat practice. Lance was along the corridor in the Computer Resources Centre studying. Duncan was also studying navigational sectors for future reference in the Centre. Donaldo and Treketa were down in the L.A.C. going through some new medical techniques. As Tayce listened she thought to herself, it was good to know that her team were busy in something that they enjoyed. She thanked Midge, then went back to watching the Universe, undertaking the first of the new duty rota stints. Each team member was going to eventually undertake time in charge so that if anything happened and they were the one left they could so easily take over the cruiser and head back to Questa. Tayce found her time in command was extremely calm, nothing out of the ordinary had surfaced and it seemed a little to unreal she thought, as she sat relaxed. Then just as she had thought how calm it was, something darted past the main sight port in a blink of an eye, so fast, it was almost to fast to pick up, but Midge did. Tayce gave a taken back look, wondering if she had seen what had happened in the first place. Midge informed her that on the not to far of distant horizon and closing was a silver metallic formation, of the same small object that had shot past the sight port.

  “Activating protection shields as a precaution Tayce,” said Midge.

  “Well done, get Lance back in here, I want to know what we’re up against!” ordered Tayce sitting up in her seat now paying attention to what was unfolding before her.

  “Requesting him now, though I can tell you that the largest of the round objects, is in fact a vessel,” informed Midge.

  “Scan for any life forms, compare them with any species that might be in this sector,” ordered Tayce.

  “Scanning now,” replied Midge, as Lance walked in and slid into his seat.

  Duncan hurried in behind and went straight to navigations. Lance glanced out the main sight port and saw the sight of the small objects darting here and there, raising his eyes in wonder of what they might be, then began keying in the request sequence to try an
d identify their sudden guests.

  “Main vessel is giving off too much energy and static, as if it’s blocking me trying to obtain information,” said Lance trying a number of sequences.

  “Okay. Midge take control, Lance and I are going out in Quests to see if we can get a closer look at just who we’re dealing with,” said Tayce standing to her feet.

  “I’m not opposed to this, but do you think it’s wise going out there, there might be a reason they don’t want us to find out who they are and are just studying us,” replied Lance wondering if it was a good idea.

  “It’s a chance we’re going to have to take and what better way for you to keep up to date on your research and informational knowledge, than close up, shall we go,” ordered Tayce heading for the entrance without further word.

  Lance said no more, after all, she was his superior, even though they had known each other for yearons, duty was duty. But over this latest mysterious occurrence, he was still having doubts about what they were attempting. For some strange reason he was having a feeling of uneasiness. He soon caught up with her as she headed on down the corridor to head down to the Flight Hanger Bay.

  Roughly 45 minons later in the Flight Hanger Bay two Quest Shuttle/fighters flew from Amalthea out into the immediate Universe. Tayce soon came along side Lance. Once away from the cruiser flying towards the now clearly visible mysterious main vessel. Over the Aircom Tayce began communications.

  “It looks like it’s been the victim of an attack, judging by it’s scorched appearance, but were they innocent or the instigator?” asked Tayce, studying the vessel and it’s many attack points.

  “I’ll try and do another scan from here,” replied Lance, wondering if it would work.

  But Just as Lance reached out to key in the sequence on the panel in front of him, for another scan, the main Vessel of the group emitted a blinding multi coloured flash, that blinded the pair of them. Tayce found that she lost all focus for a matter of cencrons. When she did eventually regain full focus, she looked to Lances Quest, only to discover much to her horror, he was not in the pilot seat. He’d vanished.

  “Oh my God…” said Tayce in shear speechless horror, whatever the flash, it had taken Lance in the process.

  Lances Quest went into uncontrollable flight spin, not having Lance at the controls. Tayce knew that in order not to lose the Shuttle/fighter she had to act fast. She began to use her mind ability and try and put the Quest under auto computer pilot, keying in, that it should return to the cruiser. It was difficult at first, but she accomplished what she desired, the Quest soon regained flight control and headed back to the cruisers Flight Hanger Bay minus Lance. She followed back not far behind, thinking that in a way Lance had tried to warn her what they were attempting was not wise, she’d been a total idiot, maybe she should have listened she thought.

  Tom upon hearing from Midge that one of the Quests was returning without it’s pilot, dropped what he was doing and began running until he ran into the Flight Hanger Bay. He waited with extreme concern that it was Tayces Quest that was the one returning empty. Marc as he too had heard from Midge, walked into join Tom in a furious mood. He couldn’t believe that Tayce had acted so irresponsible in taking matters that she was unsure about into her own hands to head out and investigate without consulting himself or Tom first. What the hell was she thinking, he thought. He found it near impossible to keep his temper in check, as he stood beside Tom. First Quest into the Flight Hanger Bay, was Lances, returning empty. Midge placed it down on the Flight Hanger Bay floor, from where it had lifted off earlier. Tayces Quest came in behind. It was flying erratically. Tom hurried to a safe area and ordered her to straighten up, or she wouldn’t land properly. He briskly with Marc not far behind headed towards it, when it safely set down and all engines had ceased. The entrance opened. Tayce came out shaking with what had just happened out in the Universe.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing going out there without finding out about that vessel first, have you taken leave of your senses Tayce?” demanded Marc angrily, she’d acted irresponsibly in his eyes.

  “What happened out there?” asked Tom more calmly, throwing Marc an angry look.

  “Firstly Marc, we tried to find out about our visitors and they wouldn’t let us scan them, so I said to Lance that it might be better to head out and get a closer look, I couldn’t foretell what was going to happen could I otherwise I wouldn’t of gone,” snapped Tayce back at Marc trying to stop shaking.

  “Calm down the both of you, this is not going to help the fact whoever they are out there, have obviously snatched Lance, we’ve just got to play this along, maybe they don’t want to harm him, maybe they just want to find out who we are, let’s not look on the dark side here,” said Tom trying to calm the anger in both Tayce and Marc, as both were now almost in a face off situation.

  “That main vessel I want it stopped from leaving this sector at any cost,” said Tayce with meaning in her voice.

  Tom raised his Wristlink and ordered Midge to somehow find a way to knock out all the main power on the egg shaped main vessel. Midge could be heard suggesting he leave it with him he would see what he could do. Without warning a few cencrons later, a small vessel of egg shape and the same colour of the group of vessels out in the Universe materialised in the Flight Hanger Bay. Tayce drew out her Slazer, furious beyond words, firstly that whoever they were had kidnapped Lance, now they were on board. She wanted answers and as far as she was concerned there was no time like the present. Marc walked from the Hanger Bay to head on back to Organisation, leaving Tom to assist Tayce. The small egg shaped Vessel large enough to normally withhold six people, opened it’s circular entrance hatch. There was a long pause, then much to Tayces gasped surprise, first to walk out was Lance. She was about to rush to him, thinking that he’d come back, then Tom saw it was not what it appeared and reached out grabbing Tayce back swiftly by the upper arm. Five bald headed beings of slim build all dressed in silvery and white robes followed Lance out. Their eyes were an illuminated shade of white, with pin sized pupils. They slowly came to a stop in a line just a way away from Tayce and Tom. Tayce looked to Lance and found that Tom had been right to pull her back, for he’d been taken over by this intruding group behind Lance. His eyes were illuminated like the beings that stood behind him and he looked unemotional. His eyes were fixed and empty looking, the same illuminated shade of white. Tayce fought back her feeling of irresponsible guilt, seeing Lance locked in this taken over state. Maybe Marc had been right, she had been a total idiot, but nobody could have foreseen what was going to happen.

  “We are the Arkarans of Arkanoss we come in peace,” they all said together.

  “I am Lieutenant Commander Traun, your on the Amalthea One, what do you want from us and my officer what are your reasons for crossing our journey?” demanded Tayce playing it cool, she did not want them killing Lance, even though they had said they had come in peace, she’d had dealings with beings like this before where they said they came in peace.

  Much to Tom and Tayces surprise they suddenly began speaking through Lance and announced they had taken over his form so that they could communicate openly. If she and her team cooperated and followed their requested orders then the form they the were communicating through would be returned unharmed. If however, she and the team did not comply with what they wished, then she would be minus one of her crew who would die in an agonizing death, through their force of power, which would be her fault.

  “You may request what you wish, as long as it does not interfere with the operations of this cruiser, or harm my officer in any way, because as we’ve scanned your main vessel, it’s you who are at the mercy of us and don’t think for one minon, that your the only one who has powers to stop you, in your wrong doings, should you try,” warned Tayce feeling the least bit scared at the Arkarans threat.

  “You have our word that we will
request your permission and make clear our intentions before attempting anything necessary to achieve, what we wish for our purpose,” said the Arkaran leader through Lance in broken speech, the best way he could.

  “What is your purpose?” asked Tom.

  “Merely to gain means to get us home to our world of Arkanoss and study more about your race on the way,” explained the head Arkaran through Lance.

  Treketa ran into the Flight Hanger Bay to find out if anyone was hurt, carrying the Medic Emergency Kit. She abruptly stopped in her tracks seeing the strange beings in the bay and gave a wide eyed look at the sight before her and especially Lance having eyes like the strange looking beings, that stood behind him. She continued cautiously towards Tom and came to a pause.

  “What’s happening?” she asked him in near whisper.

  “These are the Arkarans and they are taking over Amalthea, we have no choice, they say that if we don’t do what they want, they’ll kill Lance,” he replied straight to the point.

  The Arkarans walked away behind Lance, who was heading to where they wanted him to head off to first. Tayce inside felt helpless she hated this situation, Marc had been right she had been so irresponsible and now it had put Lance where he was. She wanted to stop what was happening, but she knew at the present time she had to play along with what the Arkarans wanted, until she could see a moment when she could turn it to her advantage, taking the matter into her hands, ridding Lance of the Arkarans hold on him and getting them off Amalthea. At the moment she knew that she couldn’t put Lances life at risk, if anything happened to him Jonathan would never forgive her and it would not look good on her personal record, that she let her judgement get the better of her and killed the General’s son.