by Reiter
“Satithe, adjust the brace-com so that it fits the boy.”
“Acknowledged.” Pharaoh gasped as the device on his arm changed its size to fit snuggly against his skin. Amosse smiled seeing a well-placed segue.
“Z sent us,” Amosse said, stepping forward. “This place might have worked before today, but it’s about to get crowded around here and soon! We can talk more once we’re aboard.” With that, he turned and started for the large shuttle.
“Can you read their minds?” Misharee projected to K’Jolun who quickly shook his head ‘no’.
“It is just like what I sensed with Winpruhl, only slightly reflective of the thought waves I have sent.
“Do as he says,” K’Jolun ordered, waving everyone toward the shuttle.
“Are you certain you want to do this, son?” Landion strained to speak.
“You should meditate, Instructor,” K’Jolun replied, dropping the confiscated En-Blade. “I will send an emergency beacon on the Temple channel before we leave the mo-sphere.” Running his fastest, K’Jolun was amazed at the way the shuttle moved perfectly with his speed, and he jumped to the gangplank.
“We’re all aboard, Ainille,” Amosse notified, “… let’s clear out.” The engines of the shuttle fired up and rocketed away with the Kulri-Kraythe following close behind it. The promised emergency beacon was transmitted seconds before the ships left the atmosphere.
It did not take long for everyone to get settled in aboard the armoured shuttle. Amosse looked around the compartment where they had gathered and still marveled at how the ship had come into the ownership of the Team Lead.
“I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that not even Z would’ve seen this one coming,” he thought. “Or was Satithe something else I was too wrapped up in myself to see?”
“You know Z?” Patra asked before Misharee pulled the young girl closer to her.
“You’re young so I won’t burden you with the full truth.”
“Give her a try,” Phay quickly countered. “She might surprise you… again.” Amosse looked at the young man and reminded himself that while these young people did not have a personal relationship with the Captain or the First Mate of the Xara-Mansura, they were certainly the sort of people that were drawn to the two.
“This little girl is too young to know to know fear,” Amosse thought. “And if she keeps going the way it appears she’s started, she won’t!
“Very well,” Amosse nodded. “I know of Z. He’s shared some things with me and it has made me a better InvokeR; a better person. In truth, I think there’s only one person who even comes close to knowing Z. That would be his commanding officer: Captain Starblazer.”
“Z has a captain?!” K’Jolun asked, quite surprised to hear the man had a superior.
“That he does. Z is the Captain’s right-hand man, and he sent us to find you guys and see if we could be of any help while he’s busy with a few matters in the Prism Baronies.” Eyes lit up and conversations started at the mention of the pocket dimension near Black Gate.
“You just had to go and conjure him up, Amosse,” Rahneece sent over the speakers, the alert for an incoming transmission sounding behind her words. “Mind if we use your brace-com?”
“Not at all,” Amosse said as he started to lift his arm. He was prevented by Eleda who stepped forward and lifted her brace-com.
“Proceed, Star,” Eleda said and her device activated, projecting the face of Dungias.
“Z!” Cleopatra said, slipping from Misharee’s grasp. “Is it really you?!”
“Yes, Cleopatra, and it is good to finally meet you. I have heard good thi–”
“Prove that it’s really you!” Pharaoh demanded. Misharee started to speak, but K’Jolun put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head, signaling her to allow the boy to have his way this time.
“A very fitting request, Pharaoh,” Dungias replied, shifting his eyes over to the young boy. “I know that it was you who unlocked the second tier of files, and I also know that only you and K’Jolun are nearly at the point of unlocking the third and last tier.”
“How does he know that?” Braxton whispered.
“The files are interactive,” K’Jolun realized, smiling at the genius of it. “You have a Jockey monitoring the brace-com!”
“A fine conclusion to make, given what you know, but incorrect nonetheless,” Dungias said. “Getting back to your request, Pharaoh…” Dungias closed his eyes.
“Can you hear me, little one?” Dungias projected and Pharaoh jumped up from his chair.
“He’s in my head!” he announced and Patra ran over to the brother, grabbing his arm.
“It’s okay, Phay. It really is Z. He isn’t going to hurt you.”
“Stars guide my trek and make me worthy of this trust,” Dungias thought, projecting his words to the four that comprised the Star Chaser. Cleopatra’s blind faith stirred him, and he knew the young girl needed something to believe in other than Pharaoh. The Traveler simply wished she had chosen something more worthy.
“It was the Stars that brought you here, Master,” Alpha replied. “Provided you recall that you are the First Star.” Dungias focused his thoughts through Alpha and into Satithe.
“Your sister speaks the truth,” he projected. “I have no aims in bringing you any harm. But I will try to help you.” The images of Rahneece, Teela, Ephaliun and Ulios, now called the Energies Four, were sent to Pharaoh’s mind. “The people I sent to you are members of my captain’s crew. You can trust them.”
“And the others?” Pharaoh quickly returned.
“Follow the lead of Rahneece, whatever it may be.
“Star, I can think of one place where they will be safe,” Dungias opened his eyes as he spoke.
“I was thinking the same thing, sir,” Rahneece replied. “Since our little encounter a the Fazerian Traveler – of all things – Amosse’s been working up a crystal that will scour our trail when we depart for that place.”
“Satithe has advised me of the hypothesized incantation. I have forwarded suggestions to Amosse. He should be ready to cast in two days’ time.” Amosse’s eyebrows shot up as he looked at his brace-com.
“Maybe one day we’ll get into how he’s able to edit Spell-Weaving!” he thought as he looked at the suggestions. The resource files supporting the suggestions looked familiar and he was reminded of the virtual library. “Unless of course he’s already read that library!”
“That’s about half a day more fuel than this shuttle has in the tanks,” Ainille reported.
“We’ll pull ahead of you,” Rahneece stated. “Cut your engines and we’ll pull you along.”
“That I can do,” Ainille said with relief in her voice.
“You have your orders, Star,” Dungias stated as he sent another transmission to her brace-com. “Follow them to the letter!”
“Well, we all know what that means,” Rahneece stated. “Star out!” Taking in a deep breath to steady herself, Rahneece cut the channel to the armoured shuttle. “Does anyone else get the feeling we just got disinvited to the big dance?”
“You mean that big dance,” Ephaliun replied. “Because we were so bored the last time we were in the Astral Realm!
“And sometimes, you have to set up your own dances,” he thought, sending commands to Satithe. They were receved, acknowledged, initiated, and then they were congratulated. “There’s the playlist… let’s see if we can get dancers on the floor.”
“I suppose you do have a point,”Rahneece conceded the point with a smile and entered their new course.
It seems to me that everything that happens to us is a disconcerting mix of choice and contingency.
Penelope Lively
(XIII)
(Rims Time: XII-4204.02)
Light shot across the sky at a near-blinding illumination until it reached the fortifications that had been erected around the intended target. ThoughtWill, EnerJa, and ElemahntiA had been applied to provide three layers of protection.
The light shot from the massive cannon pierced through each wall before eviscerating the majikul talisman that had been located at the center of the impromptu fortress. The explosion was nearly as bright as the beam that delivered the blast, and flared high into the sky before separating into thousands of dazzling lights that slowly made their way back down to the ground.
Murmurs were traded among the dignitaries as several pairs of eyes locked themselves on the small-framed creature who grinned with overwhelming pride.
“Not bad… for a prototype,” he thought before receiving a nudge in the small of his back followed by a series of taps.
“I thought we made it clear that we would keep our minds to ourselves,” Braldee said, turning to look at one of the Tonnogard guards who closed his eyes before he collapsed to the floor. Several other attendants winced in pain, putting their hands to their heads before the energy pulse that felt like bone claws scraping against a sheet of steel subsided. “At some point we simply must take people at their word.”
“Diminutive, flesh-covered bug!” Ranmus said, getting up from his chair and reaching for his sword. Marjoram took hold of his folding knot to prevent the grasp.
“My King!” she said softly but with great urgency. “You gave your word!”
“Insolent moss!” Ranmus cried, striking Marjoram to the floor. He returned his gaze to Braldee who was tapping his index finger to the side of his chin.
“Oh, you’re one of those royals!”
“I will show you–” an orb of light appeared over the Meacruhn’s head. It was pure MannA and in a highly agitated form. The Tonnogard screamed in its presence, while those that stood within five meters of Braldee were pushed away. Braldee snapped his fingers and the orb disappeared. He sighed, looking at his nails.
“Whenever you’re ready to get back to talking, you will let me know, yes?”
“Argh!” Ranmus screamed, flailing his arms away from his body. “How did he get that weapon into my barony?!”
“Mostly because your guards don’t know how to search other dimensions,” Braldee answered. “Come now, Your Majesty, I know I am of the flesh, but I do not suffer from Terran idiocy. Do you think I would dare set foot onto Nemus without being able to see to myself? What seedling or sapling would dare enter into your mighty presence and not be able to control the soil at his feet? The Tonnogard are a living wood dedicated to the best of passion and principle. You will find that I am well-endowed in both categories.” Ranmus looked at Braldee and then back at the target area. Looking back at the rather gifted merchant who was selling the weapon, the newly appointed King started to chuckle, pointing at Braldee.
“Good thing for you then… that we’re not a living wood dedicated to the best of height!” The King laughed hard and his entourage soon joined him. Braldee managed a cautious smile before looking at Marjoram who had yet to rise from the floor. The Meacruhn, receiving a most scrutinizing eye from the female, nodded at Marjoram before looking back to the King.
“A twist of fate in my favor,” Braldee commented.
“Tell me, little one,” Ranmus said, looking back at the target area. “Is it true that among your kind you look at fate as one who takes a female’s form?”
“That is a well-known Terran trait, Your Majesty,” Braldee was quick to answer. “Among my people, however, fate is just another device you forge if you have the mind and skill to do so.”
“Know of the forge do you, little creature?” Marjoram asked, drawing her sword. “What can your little eyes tell me of this blade, as it will be the means by which you are relieved of your flesh?!”
“If I may,” Braldee said plainly as he reached to a small tool pouch on his hip. He produced a pair of scanning glasses powered by the small gem located between the eye-ports. Donning the goggles, Braldee advanced and touched his hand to the end of the blade.
“Well, where I come from, this would be considered a good effort… for a child.”
“Hold, Marjoram,” Ranmus commanded quickly, as it looked as if the veteran was about to engage the Meacruhn. “I am curious.”
“Yes, my King!” Marjoram said softly, quickly sheathing her sword and stepping back from Braldee.
“My teacher’s querying seed remains without water and fertile soil,” Ranmus pointed out. “Tell us about the blade.”
“It is an adequate attempt at mixed forging, Your Majesty,” Braldee started, removing the goggles. “There are obvious applications of EnerJa for the heating of the metal, but the grade of the ore was not taken into consideration, so the heating technique was uneven. Elemental manipulation made up for some of the lost ground, but it could only do so much with the insistence of the addition of the ThoughtWill during the forging process.”
“You are saying this was a mistake?!” Ranmus asked. “Do you know the only thing sharper than that steel is the level of skill that wields it?!”
“Forgive me, King Ranmus, I do not deal in matters of swordsmanship. But just as you do not plant seeds in Octoryn, with the exception of the root of Lavo, there is a best time… a season where all these Energies could have been applied to create an even better sword.”
“What does one so small know of the mettle of steel?” Ranmus posed.
“Lady Marjoram, if you would do me the honor,” Braldee asked and Ranmus quickly added his approving nod. Marjoram Blackwood drew her sword again, and Braldee reached for the top of his left bracer. Removing a small rod, a line of energized monofilament energy lashed out from the base and cut through the blade. A soft scream escaped from the steel, and many of the Tonnogard backed away from the incredible feat. Braldee replaced the control rod of his weapon and addressed the shocked soldier. “I can either mend the blade to the station you knew it to hold, or I can furnish you with a better weapon. The choice is yours!”
“She will take the better weapon,” Ranmus declared.
“My King, this is the sword of my family!”
“A family that knew how to follow the will of their King, yes?!” Ranmus barked.
“No one can question the loyalty of the Blackwood seed,” Marjoram replied, dropping the pommel to the floor.
“Robot, please collect the pieces,” Braldee directed. “And with now two demonstrations of my ability, I hope that I have at least earned an audience with the King.”
“We are already in audience, little one,” Ranmus noted. “Are you sure you do not suffer from the same addled mind as the Terrans?”
“This gathering concerns weapons, Your Majesty,” Braldee pointed out. “I was hoping to approach the throne concerning a great wrong that has been visited upon your people. I have already demonstrated my skill to create weapons too powerful for the Energies your people wield. Do not forget that it was a construct of MajiK that was ultimately destroyed.”
“Meaning?”
“It is time to deal with the Dragons, Your Majesty!” Braldee said, bowing. “And I possess the means to contend with even their MajiK. But might I ask why the Tonnogard haven’t moved to address this matter?”
“Because of our customs, little bug,” Ranmus explained. “When one of ours has withered, we return them to the soil. From that time until the first seedling blooms, we honor our dead. The bud has pushed through the soil, but it has yet to open; two, perhaps three, baronial days.” Ranmus turned and departed from the seating area.
“You have earned your audience, little one,” Ranmus declared. “The moment you have provided my teacher with another blade; one she approves of! Marjoram, see him to the forges. As I recall, you do not mind the fire as so many of us do.”
“By your will, my King!” Marjoram bowed. The two waited for all of the attendants to follow behind Ranmus, and only after Braldee checked his wrist-com did he feel comfortable to talk.
“Thank you, Lady Blackwood,” he said, bowing deeply to the soldier.
“Why are you thanking me?”
“Why, for manipulating the King, of course!” Braldee explained. “It is clear that he was onl
y interested in talking to me because you expressed a distaste for my presence. So, I thank you.”
“Can you truly restore my family blade?”
“What you believed to be a departing sentience was actually a highly developed form of ThoughtWill. Not one generated erg of power has been allowed to leave this area. I will not even need the forges to restore your blade.”
“Now that would be considered a measure of gratitude,” Marjoram smiled.
“Understood.”
It only took Braldee six hours to restore Marjoram’s sword. He presented it along with another sword he had just fashioned. Marjoram looked at the second sword with confusion.
“It was the order of the King to provide his teacher with another blade,” Braldee reminded her. “Now is not the time to fall into Terran loopholes of truth.”
“No, not while you are dancing around a loophole already,” Marjoram remarked. “Just tell me why, and you know of what I speak.” Braldee looked at the Tonnogard woman and took a moment.
“I follow one I love… this is her bidding,” Braldee stated.
“The one you follow, does she wish harm on my people?” Marjoram asked.
Braldee quickly shook his head ‘no’. “No, she targets one who will be found in the company of a Star-Wing Cadet. If it calls for the destruction of the Dragons in order to reach these two, so be it!”
“You have given me your trust, Meacruhn,” Marjoram stated. “I will give you mine, along with the steel you have crafted. You have done my family a great service. I will therefore refrain from killing you. There is sincerity in your words, Braldee of the Meacruhn, but the one you love is not one that I know nor can I trust.”
“Poor thing,” Braldee thought. “Some of these Energies mongers can be so incredibly dense. I can put the sword together, including the sentient ThoughtWill source she has mistaken for one of her ancestors, but I’m not of the mind to insert something that will allow me to lie in its presence? No, why would I do something like that?!
