by Jeri Dion
“I don’t know about you, I never expected this to happen, are you all right, I wonder what they have in store for us all?” asked Tom waiting for her thoughts on the sudden unwanted situation
“I’m fine, I want to see how this plays out first and when they least expect it and I feel the moments right, I will take the situation in hand and believe me this Arkaran Leader and his accomplices will wish they hadn’t strayed into this sector,” said Tayce angrily.
“You know what your doing, only this time think it over before you do,” suggested Tom gently.
“I second that, especially as they have Lance under their hold,” backed up Treketa.
“I suggest that everyone except Lance, meet up in the Leisure Centre in twenty minons, out of earshot of those body snatchers,” suggested Tayce.
Tom and Treketa agreed, Tom suggested they head on back to Organisation to get Duncan. Tayce shook her head halting him explaining that the Arkarans would suspect that something untoward was going on behind their backs this would cause trouble for Lance, something she did not want to do, at any cost. It would be better to summon the others, except Lance via Wristlink. Tom agreed, he immediately began contacting Marc first, then the others in turn. Marc informed him he would find a way to ask Duncan to help him with something on the lower levels, this would not raise suspicion. As Tom sorted the gathering together of the team Tayce thought about her next move. She figured that it would be a good idea to find out something on their unwanted guests, so at least she would have some idea of what and who they were handling and it would give her something to work on, when the time was right to take back her cruiser. Treketa called Donaldo telling him to meet her in the Leisure Centre, in twenty minons. Tayce wanted to gather everyone there. Donaldo could be heard agreeing.
The Leisure Centre Twenty Minons Later:
Marc, Tom, Tayce, Treketa and Duncan all stood around waiting for Donaldo, who rushed in apologizing for keeping everyone waiting. Tayce for a few minons, gathered her thoughts on what she was going to say.
“Right we’re faced with a sudden and unexpected situation, which I am very much against, it involves Lance and our sudden on board guests, the situation as much as it goes against what I would normally put up with in time we have to find a way to oust these beings in to space, but at present its unavoidable to tamper with their plans, the Arkarans have taken over Lance in a means to make us do what they wish in order to secure passage home, if we don’t cooperate with the Arkarans, as they have a hold over Lance, they will kill him, however if you are asked to cooperate, do it to a certain degree, but if they ask for anything that you feel would jeopardize yourself or any of us, or effect this cruiser in anyway, check with me first understand?” said Tayce in the true tone of team leader.
“What happens if they don’t give us time to contact you and start to harm us?” asked Treketa.
“It’s not going to be easy I know, I suggest that if you feel you have no choice, knowing that if you don’t do what is asked, then you won’t be the only one that suffers, it will be the end of Lance also, I do understand that you have to do what you feel is right at that particular moment, but remember you’ll have to answer to Jonathan should the outcome be Lances death,” said Tayce seriously.
“I’m worried about Lances well being over this,” said Donaldo giving a thoughtful look.
“There’s nothing we can do, but I suggest you stand by in case needed when they leave,” replied Tayce.
“Let’s hope they don’t stay longer than they have to,” said Duncan.
“I agree, let’s get back to duty and hope this ends soon, or if I can find a quick solution I will contact you all,” assured Tayce.
She noticed as the others went back to duty, how uneasy the air was and it was understandable. Marc advised Duncan to act normal when they entered Organisation Deck so as not to raise suspicion. Duncan nodded in total understanding and agreement. Tayce crossed to the nearest sight port in thought, it was at times like this she wished her Father was alive and she could confide in him, what to do she thought. Tom, who was still present could see she was finding it hard and understood that she was caught in a total dilemma she wanted to get rid of the Arkarans but she was tied by the fact that any sudden move to do so would put Lance in danger, it wasn’t easy. He walked over to her. Upon coming to a pause, he reached out and pulled her into a reassuring hug.
“I wish there was something I could do, I could try using my own powers but upon thinking about it I realise I’m tied whatever I do against them, Lance would be history,” she confided resting her head on his chest.
“It’s a no win situation it could have happened to anyone, you can’t feel bad about this, Marc was wrong earlier having a go at you for going out in the Universe to take a look you couldn’t see they would abduct Lance and put all of us through this, you were just acting as you saw right to do without thought of the repercussions, we all do it now and then,” he assured calmly.
“We’re changing course,” said Tayce becoming alarmed and alert.
“Looks like they’re setting their course for home, let’s hope it’s a quick journey,” said Tom letting her go.
“I want to be up in Organisation in case they try anything else, come on,” said Tayce heading over to the entrance of the Leisure Centre.
Tom followed on, wondering what she was going to do. She walked from the Leisure Centre on up the corridor to Level 1. The Leisure Centre was a room with several tables and chairs, a large wall screen and meal and refreshments computers. It was also a place to relax out of the quarters and off duty.
Marc had gone to the Computer Study Centre, leaving Duncan feeling uneasy at his navigations position, as the Arkarans were almost breathing down his neck, stood in the middle of Organisation. Marc was keying in the information to report that the locked in course to Arkanoss was under way, and also to log a record on the cruisers computer Journal of the unexpected journey. He discretely locked out all knowledge of what was happening, so that the Arkarans wouldn’t probe the computer systems and discover he was also trying to link with the Arkanoss Home world and find out more on their unwanted travelling companions.
“Midge secure a translink with the Arkanoss home world, I want to find out more on our travellers,” ordered Marc discretely over his Wristlink to Midge.
Midge did what was required, on screen the word ‘Arkanoss’ flashed in bold lettering followed by the words underneath, which stated Marc was entering a restricted database, that would need a security clearance number, after any initial enquiry. Marc probed further, entering the universal code that would hopefully gain him access to where he wanted to go, then sat back. A few minons lapsed and the words ‘PLANETARY INFORMATION’ flashed up on screen before him. Marc hit the chair in silent cheer, as the screen began to scroll and all the information he wanted was scrolling down before him. The information stated how many beings were on the planet, 26000. Marc decided to enter into the category that in so many words explained what made an Arkaran tick. Just as he did so, the word WARNING flashed up in bright red letters and the following information was displayed that Arkarans had incredible powers and would stop at nothing to achieve what they so wished, at any cost of life. He stared at the information in an alarmed way. He had to warn Tayce, just in case she was thinking of using her powers against them. He quickly disengaged his link with the Arkanoss home world and ordered Midge to terminate link up. Midge did and the screen went blank. Marc stood to his feet in urgency and walked from the Computer Study Centre, the doors opening and closing behind him as he went.
Tayce glanced about as she entered Organisation Deck, she had the distinct impression she was the invading person on her own cruiser, not the Arkarans. One of the Arkarans glanced at her and studied her with a suspicious eye for a moment, as if she was under scrutiny. Sensing him looking at her, Tayce looked back, she refused to be intimidated
on her own cruiser. Marc walked back into Organisation requesting a brief word with her. The scrutinizing Arkaran that had been watching Tayce, looked to Marc, upon his words. Tayce ignored him and followed Marc into the Meeting Centre. The doors closed and inside Tayce breathed a sigh of relief, then sat at the meeting table to hear what he had to say He began to explain what he’d found out about the Arkarans.
Tayce wasn’t the only one under scrutiny, down in the L.A.C. Donaldo and Treketa were about to get an unexpected visitor and it was not one for medical treatment. Donaldo was busy reading up notes on the computer when one of the Arkarans walked in. Treketa looked up, wondering what he was going to do. It was the Arkaran Leader, that had taken over Lance. He stood motionless for a moment. Donaldo and Treketa exchanged uneasy questioning looks.
“Can I help you, this is a medical facility, your in the wrong place if your looking for the Organisation Deck, is there something your particularly looking for?” asked Donaldo seeing that the Arkaran/Lance was looking about, as if he was searching for something.
“There is nothing here that your humanoid techniques could enlighten us to, our medical procedures are yearons ahead of yours,” replied the Arkaran through Lance.
Treketa like Tayce found the whole thing creepy, the Arkaran speaking through Lance. He turned as if he’d read what she was thinking, staring at her for a few minons in a creepy blank way, that sent a shiver through her, then walked back out the L.A.C. leaving Donaldo and Treketa looking on in stunned silence, at what had just taken place.
“That’s one weird being,” said Treketa almost shuddering at the way in which the Arkaran had made Lance look at her so motionless and cold.
“What’s Lance going to be like when we get him back, it must be hell for him locked inside his own form unable to say anything against what is going on before him, that the Arkarans have in mind,” said Donaldo.
“He’s my friend, but it’s just so weird”.said Treketa feeling sorry for Lance.
“Take it easy, it will be all right, you’ll see,” assured Donaldo putting his arm around her slim shoulders and squeezing her to him reassuringly.
Somehow it was just what she needed right at that moment and she and Donaldo were becoming firm friends as well as duty colleagues. It was hard for her to see her close friend in this Arkaran guise, it hurt to think that she couldn’t communicate with him like normal times. They had grown close friends since they had met, as they had both joined the team at the same time. They had the kind of relationship that each one was there for the other in times of trouble or needing someone to confide in. Right now, she’d love to make him understand that everyone was there for him when it was over, when he got free of the force he was under. She broke free of Donaldo’s gentle hold and went back to work, trying to push to the back of her mind what had happened.
It was night hourons soon enough aboard Amalthea. Tayce lay in her quarters bunk, not really sleeping, she couldn’t, knowing that these invading Arkarans were up above her in Organisation up to God knows what without her knowing. She had ordered Midge via Wristlink to keep an eye on them, which he willingly confirmed he would. She hadn’t even changed for sleep, she wasn’t going to, just in case she needed to act fast, should Midge alert her to something that would be classed as an emergency. She lay thinking about all the worse possible things that the Arkarans were doing up in Organisation, she also began to think about what they were hiding in that silver metallic vessel that was in the Flight Hanger Bay. Maybe she should take a look. She sat up and slid to the Repose Centre floor. Standing she quickly made her way out through the living area to the corridor. Upon approach the quarters entrance doors opened and she slipped out into the dimly lit corridor. She was surprised to find that Treketa was doing the same from her quarters also.
“Can’t you sleep either?” asked Tayce almost in a whisper.
“No and for all the wrong reasons, for the past houron it’s been bugging me just why they should use this cruiser, I’m off for a look inside their so called vessel, coming?” replied Treketa also in near whisper.
Tayce nodded in agreement. The two Amalthean women cautiously began along Level 4 heading towards the Hanger Bay. After a while Tayce got the feeling they were being followed. Arkarans she thought, she was fed up with this feeling, like she was an intruder on her own cruiser and Lances life under threat, if she did try to stop them from obtaining what they wanted, she spun with a split cencron motion and was about to lash out and knock the Arkaran from his feet, when Marc’s hand came out and blocked her avoiding the kick she was about to land on him.
“Take it easy, it’s me,” he said in alarmed whisper, dodging her kick with quick reacting block with his hand.
“Your lucky I was in the mood to put an Arkaran out of his misery for good, what are you doing out here this houron of night?” retorted Tayce questioningly.
“I could ask you two the same thing, where are you two heading, it’s 00.300 hourons?” he said glancing at his Wristlink time display.
“I want to know what’s in that silver metallic vessel, in our Hanger Bay and why should they want to take over Lance and this cruiser to get home to Arkanoss?” he asked in a whisper.
All three continued along Level 4 cautiously stepping onto the Level Steps. They began cautiously close to the wall in case they were spotted and had to turn back in a hurry. All that could be heard from above and all around them was the sound of Amaltheas fission engines, humming away. They were still moving thought Tayce, as she followed Marc up to Level 3. They all listened. There was a chanting sound and it seemed to be coming from the Flight Hanger Bay. They, at the top of the Level Steps, ran discretely along towards the entrance, but staying alert in case they needed to turn tail and run at the moment they were discovered. They reached the entrance. Marc cautiously put his head round the open entrance, just so he could see what was going on. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. In the bay stood around a hexagonal shaped pillar which was three foot high, stood the Arkarans. What was going on here he thought? He discretely pulled Tayce round so that she could get a look at what he was seeing. She came in just below his head and couldn’t believe what she was seeing either, she gave a look of disbelief. Now the Pillar was giving off some kind of multi coloured light display, as the Arkarans chanted around it. Treketa looked and was about to gasp in awe at what she was seeing, when Marc put his hand gently over her mouth and muffled it. The Arkarans stopped suddenly chanting. Had they heard Treketa thought Tayce? Marc quickly grabbed them both and in urgent whisper suggesting they make a run for it. All three ran back to the Level Steps, as fast as their feet would take them Marc nearing an alcove before the steps, grabbed them both back in out of sight. The Arkarans exited the Flight Hanger Bay walking towards the Amalthean hidden three and the Level Steps. Tayce, Marc and Treketa watched on in silence, in the darkness of the alcove, wondering where they were going back to. Once out of sight Tayce stepped out into the corridor, followed by Marc and Treketa.
“Let’s take a look at what’s going on in that Flight Hanger Bay, I know for one, I’m not going to sleep not knowing what they’re up to,” said Marc.
“Your right, let’s go, this is my cruiser and I have a right to know what their up to,” said Tayce following on in determination with Treketa.
They headed back to the Flight Hanger Bay. Entering in, they walked a short way from the pillar and paused studying the now grey silver metallic looking object, that was now in an inoperable mode. Tayce raised her Wristlink and ordered Midge to scan it. A few cencrons later Midge who was surprised to hear from his mistress in the middle of the night hourons returned informing her, he couldn’t scan it.
“What do you think it is?” said Treketa, walking around it in a studying kind of way.
“Maybe it’s some kind of communication device, with their planet,” replied Marc.
“It might even be watching
us right now,” said Treketa thinking about it.
“What happens if it’s a bomb of some sorts?” said Marc serious.
“Would you both stop it, your giving me the creeps, thinking that maybe it’s watching us, but you do have a point Marc, maybe it is a bomb primed to go off, when we reach their home world, but if I find out that it is somehow, believe me they won’t be going home,” said Tayce damned if she was going to lose this cruiser to the likes of a bunch of bald headed aliens.
Treketa walked around the pillar, it didn’t matter which angle you looked at it, the sight was still the same, silver metallic grey and uninteresting with a point to it’s top. She stopped suddenly, she’d found a name, it was engraved finely and indented for some strange reason. She said it in a normal tone not whispering.
“Natican, What does it mean?” she asked, looking at both Marc and Tayce questioningly.
“Treketa what did you do, it’s opening up, let’s get behind those containers, run, come on!” suggested Marc in alarm grabbing her to do so.
They all sprinted over to the right side of the Hanger Bay and ran behind some storage containers. Staying low for a minon, they waited for the weaponry to start firing in their direction. Nothing. Silence was all that was heard. Cautiously all three stuck their heads round the corner of the containers to take a look. A multi coloured light display was operational, it illuminated the whole Hanger Bay. Tayce decided that whatever it did to her she could equally match in powers, even though Marc had told her earlier to tread careful the Arkarans were extremely powerful and didn’t mess around when it came to taking out something or someone that messed around with their race, if they didn’t want you prying. She walked out. Marc felt she was being irresponsible again, in her actions. But what was new, he followed on behind, then Treketa behind him. She looked at the device as they progressed to the area where the pillar sat. As they all stood wondering what the object was going to do next, the Arkarans took them by surprise, by entering the Hanger Bay. The Arkaran/Lance grabbed Treketa from behind, pulling her back in a restraining grip. She lashed out to no avail. Tayce and Marc turned.
