“What’s going on?” Satellite asked before the other three in the room could.
“Oh, just that he somehow invented a space manipulated isolated area where Renee has stored all her genetics supplies from her lab for when she and Oliver leave us to go get knocked up.” Jessica said dryly.
“I thought that manipulating space was against the laws of physics.” Stone spoke up, his brow furrowed.
“So did the rest of us, but inside this little box Renee has put all her gear from her laboratory inside it. All of it aside for lab rats. She’s even carrying a portable clean room tube as well as a Repurposer, incubator, cryogenic systems. You name it, she is holding it strapped over a shoulder like a purse.”
“Brother, how…” Stone began.
“Sorry, but I cannot tell you. I’ve gotten to the point that the mathematics humanity has as of right now, is not yet ready for what I’ve just begun to see. And the storage vessel can’t be reverse engineered. Crystal technology cannot break down or hold all the information my Valek put into making that. The downside is living matter cannot survive inside the altered space. What I can say is a box of that size can store up to four tons before the gravity manipulator exceeds its limits. I’m sorry, but none of you would understand and I cannot tell you. It can do much harm.”
“Harm? It just stores things right?”
“Yes. It only stores. The downside is that I can make a box small enough as to hold a ring and inside it could hold chemical weapons or explosive and basically anything bad you can imagine so long as it fits in the opening and has adequate energy within. If an explosion happens within… let’s just say not even I would want to be in the blast radius. Yet that too is an issue. The more it holds, the greater the expenditure. Though it is gradual. If it loses its containment field within the box itself, all the contents will explode outward. And when I mean explode I mean all the stored energy within matter will be released instantaneously as pure energy.”
“So it makes a big boom. Whoopee.” Steven said dryly but there was no denying the gleam in his muddy brown eyes. “But I want to know what brought it up to make you create this.”
“Me actually. My idiot can’t think of anything important unless I tell him to.” Renee smiled and acted smugly superior though internally she was excited. “We were in bed two nights ago and I told him I wished I could bring my lab to continue my work so I’m not bored for three whole months with a bun in the oven. I’ll need the distraction if it’s just going to be me, him, Sparky, Rose and the Pride. Told my idiot how nice it would be to bring it all and late last night he gives me this container and I spent the remainder of my time in the lab putting everything inside it. Kind of tricky to use, but is great. And it’s kind of strange. Anything inside gets so cold it’s like a natural cryogenic freezer… and the samples are in as perfect condition as first put in.”
“I’m satisfied. But now I want to see it in action.”
Renee was too happy to pull things out, linking her chip to the storage box to pop out an object far too large to have been contained naturally. Jessica meanwhile kept trying to ferret out the mathematics and ideas on how it was made, but he kindly told her no. He foresaw many problems should it become common. He didn’t lie about the complexity. His way of thinking exceeded humans now and in it he was enlightened as to why the Creelin didn’t trade technologies. It was too dangerous till they learned on their own.
He had made a personal promise to help, but not introduce technologies far beyond their current level of advancement. It had bugged Renee when he openly told her, but as he began explaining she saw it too and grimly agreed.
At the open docking door the swirling rainbow of color outside suddenly went dark and they dropped into normal space. Seeing the vastness again struck Oliver and was calming. Distant starlight was welcoming.
Up on the bridge the jaguar spliced first mate sent a message. His whiskers twitched as his fur rippled in a stream of air from ventilation above. “Zerika tower two. This is the Dorgenox. Do you read me?”
A holo-screen popped up in front of the helm. “Loud and clear, Dorgenox.” Came a rugged and grizzled man wearing standard Hunter armor. Like all Hunters they were large and stocky. Like Stone, the man was shaven bald and had skin the color of onyx. “Landing permission approved by Elder Scythe. He got the message from Stone Callicko and High Elder Void.”
“Twenty minutes out. We’re in deceleration.” Abdul said as they exited on the opposite side of Zerika. Dropping out there so Zerika’s own gravity will help speed up declaration since they were already moving at half the speed of light. A hard turn had them going in an elliptical pattern to slow down more and more.
But before that the man stationed at the tower said “And Dorgenox, please try not to crash land again.” Abdul as well as the captain laughed along with the others stationed at the fore of the bridge.
The comment was for after Oliver was discovered, they were attacked by large Stingray Beasts and in that fight there was some feedback that cracked the container of Booster Oil, but Jacob Wrench managed to save a single drop since raw and refined Booster Oil evaporates near instantly when in contact with air. The drop had kept them in proper FTL for a day, but when the fumes were gone the FTL drive disengaged too soon and rather than appear on Zerika’s other side, they met face to face and Zerika wasn’t going to surrender first. Only Abdul’s expert piloting skills limited the devastation to the great sailboat of the stars. Luckily no one died though there were injuries.
When speed had become slowed to ideal parameters, Abdul pushed on the helm forward to drop the nose of the Dorgenox and the sails were furled. Using a well tuned combination of manipulated gravity and ship thrusters the Dorgenox dove into the atmosphere of the great jungle planet nearly completely covered in greenery and clouds foretelling rain.
Slight friction heated the shields, but when the great ship spotted the large valley it lifted the nose and came in for a smooth hovering landing. Enormous anchors dropped kilometers down the valley and hit part of a stream. With lowered anchors, no wind would broadside the ship and make it leave the Hunter port.
Made completely out of colorful grown gemstone was the Hunter village. The port had a single shuttle for emergencies and was mainly the most technologically advanced piece of equipment aside from emergency drones, a full time medic and their Hunter armor. Anything else was forbidden on the wild world. Only special circumstances would be allowed to fly by shuttle. As a Hunter planet, any who are permitted to come must adhere by Hunter laws. One being that all travel must be done by foot or flight by wings if they had them.
Colorful homes were grown by crystals and encircling the whole village was a black, semitransparent wall ten meters tall. But as Oliver looked with new eyes, he saw the electrical dome covering the entire village. It was necessary because Zerika was a Beast planet as well as a place where Inferno trees grew well. These trees bare Inferno Fruit, the only ingredient in making Booster Oil to increase speed in FTL by a wide margin. Its lush soil perfect for producing the commodity.
Most building in the village were grown below a cliff where a waterfall fell and cut straight down the middle of the village to fall again down into the valley where there was plenty of space for starships to hover. Just one large dwelling stood atop the cliff, the Elder’s lodge. Oliver remembered it well and all that happened with all the Elders last time.
Sparky and Rose had already arrived. Renee mounting Sparky’s saddle. Jessica and Stephanie had left the room, going to ride in the captain’s shuttle. Nova gave the command once all had settled and the Dorgenox was moored. Twelve sets of Liger armor transformed into flight capability and they ran right after their master who jumped easily through the shielding of the dock. Oliver jumped and fell down, feeling the instant increase of gravity pull and was most welcome. He flew telekinetically and in precise formation behind was the Pride squad.
Stone and Steven levitated also, but their limitations had them hurrying across the
open space before they passed out.
Waiting for their arrival in the midmorning sun was the whole village standing behind a man taller than the others carrying a massive battleaxe. The villagers were by far from timid and rather than cower, they raised weapons in event the creatures proved to be unfriendly.
Oliver landed in front of the man and they stood nearly the same height, but the back man’s armor did not hide he was more stocky. “I see you’ve undergone many changes, Brother. Welcome back.”
“It is good to be back, Elder Scythe.” They shook hands.
Elder Scythe raised a casual eyebrow as the winged creature weren’t winged at all. “Big lions you have there. They as deadly as they look?”
“Oh, they are definitely much more dangerous. And they’re resemblance is to ligers so keep it simple. They’re Ligers. You remember how fast I was? They quite literally run circles around me. Watch.” Oliver turned and unhooked his shield. “You guys ready?” the Pride chanced a glace to Nova who gave a little grunt to Read his master had no fear of these people and why. They were beyond reproach and the large leader would kill to keep guests safe. Nova then jabbed every human’s mind with the others. Some sensitive felt it, but they were quiet when Elder Scythe held up a patient hand. Through Nova, Oliver realized nearly all Hunters believed Oliver belonged to their village and the remaining held deep respect for him.
Nova decided his master was safe and changed to playful, lowering his head and the other happily followed his example.
“Don’t blink.” He glanced over his shoulder.
He threw it clear over the village and the Pride seemed to disappear to the majority. Only the most skilled were able to barely keep track.
“Stars, Brother! Just how fast are they?” Elder Scythe asked when he lost sight when all twelve leapt over the cliff like pouncing fleas.
“Nova, the really big one, is the fastest and I measured his peak speed at five hundred and forty two kilometers per hour at ten times Standard gravity. Average of them all is five fifteen.”
“And they are bound to you?”
“As deeply as them.” He gestured to the landing Drakes. “They’re what is called a Warrior’s Pride. Highly trained Solarian companions like the birds and wolves you use, but they are not made by man, they are born. And they are the last of their kind. As the last Solarian, I must protect them.”
The village gasped when it settled in. All except one.
“You don’t seemed surprised I’m Solarian, Scythe.”
“Because I’m not. I figured it out before GNN broke the story about the derelict ship and before Grandest Vanishing Claw told us.”
“Oh?”
Before Scythe could continue there was a white and black striped blur as the Pride returned, the smallest getting the shield this time. Oliver threw it over the cliff behind him and far out into the valley, showing off how far he could throw and the Pride was gone again.
“After looking over files again, it was easy to see you for what you are, but you are still a brother. Just a much older brother. But I never expected your eyes to glow like Creelin. That is a surprise. Oh, and thank you.”
“For what?”
“For the ligament enhancements. Many of the young ones are finding it difficult, but for me it saved my life three times already. The first was finding a Tortoise nest and was able to get away without injury. I outran a Praying Mantis and was able to grab the last handhold in a cliff I was climbing before I fell into a jagged bed of Vipers. Without you, I’d have died. With new speed I can conserve my energies much more efficiently and get up close to my liking to let my axe have a nice drink.”
“Well you are welcome then.” Oliver patted Scythe’s shoulder.
“So do any of us smell stronger to be your mate?” one of the women asked.
“Back off, Bitch, he mine.” Renee snapped as she dismounted.
“We can share can’t we?” she asked. “There is certainly plenty of him to go around.”
“I don’t share him. He is mine and even if I did, his semen would kill you. He can’t mate with humans.”
“And you can?” Another woman asked sarcastically
“Damn right. I’m his one and only mate because my Ma screwed with her ovaries and made me into a human born Solarian before she died. And believe me, Sweetheart, I’ve ran tests on over a hundred woman ovum and his semen will induce a fever because your hypothalamus will be increased above tolerable levels as the potent chemicals in his semen will be beyond what your body can safely store. Furthermore, even if you do manage to get pregnant and stay cool throughout, your body will crave nothing but Beast and especially their brains. And as soon as you give birth, the fetus will no longer be able to negate the poison in your body and you’d still die. Just as my Ma did.”
“Well that sucks.” The first grumbled.
“Don’t feel too bad, I’ll let you in on a secret. After business is complete I’ll continue my research into a way by rewriting human DNA into the decouple helix of Solarians like myself. You guys still won’t be strong enough for Oliver, but genetically you all won’t be so different from us.”
“You can do that?”
“Preliminary results look promising. Genetically we have a similar baseline. DNA. I’m missing a few things in my research, but I can tell you it is possible. After all, I’m alive aren’t I?” Renee came up and took Oliver’s hand in her own. “Elder, it is good to see you again.”
“The pleasure is mine, Ms. Dorgen.”
“It’s now Mrs. Void. Olly and I are married. Papa is coming to talk to you soon enough, but my man here told you we’re going to the ruins and we’re not going to waste time. I’ve got plans of my own and can’t wait any longer. So I hope this isn’t rude, but we’re leaving. Oh, and please don’t open this. I’ve got sensitive supplies I need for researching DNA alterations and you could fuck up nearly a year’s worth of work if it is opened improperly. All I ask is you to put this in a safe spot and bring it with you when you hear Papa’s story.”
“Very well, Mrs. Void. I don’t know where these ruins are, but good luck finding them.” Elder Scythe took care of a metallic box the size of a cooler.
Renee though changed clothes before their eye from sexy dancer into battle bitch. Taking on armor like her larger man. “Thanks. Sparky, catch up later. I need to stretch my legs.” The emerald Drake nodded.
At that time the Ligers returned. Oliver took and put the shield back, anticipating something else they saw and loved. He glanced at the wryly smirking Renee dominatingly staring down the other women who wanted to slip into her territory. They let go of each other’s hands, leaned forward and ran.
“WHOA! She’s faster than all of us!” the fastest man of the village confirmed as they saw the near blurring caped forms of a tall woman and even taller man. Around them were the great cats. No one even tried to keep up as they were already gone.
Hot and humid air was a constant on Zerika and they couldn’t run flat out as the forests were nearly all untouched by man. Oliver already downloaded the geography and every trail to calculate the fastest route to the destination. Still, it was well over a week away. He remembered that well when tracking the Fire Wyrm. Renee was the slowest, but she didn’t slow them down much. The Pride loved how they all ran together. Between their smell and their master’s, no creature that tried to eat them got a chance of a meal. Renee got the choicest parts since Oliver was no longer consumed by the need to grow stronger. She still was, but she too was growing gradually in strength.
Jake Dorgen did indeed sit in the village and told them precisely their intentions and the villagers looked to Stone, a native brother who grew up here and he confirmed it. Curiosity had Elder Scythe granting the pirate king all he desired in exchange for tagging along.
By first light the next day a rather large party of Hunters gathered to follow after the advanced scouting party that had left clear signs of their passing. A sword cut here. A Liger print there. A middle fing
er pointing the direction etched in stone was clearly done by her.
In eight days, right at dusk it was Oliver who said “We’re here.”
“Huh? Where are the ruins?” Renee asked as she looked around. Trees, undergrowth and weathered rocks scattered all over. “I don’t see it.”
“What do you mean. The ruins are right there.” He pointed. “Look at the way these rocks had fallen in a line. This was once a pillar.” He then moved over. “And here, this was part of… oh here, you can see the proof.”
Oliver had his journey companions back up and created a bit of a tempest. Hot, muggy air went cool as the wind kicked up violently. The worst part happened far ahead. Entire trees were uprooted as easily as plucking blades of grass and thrown away. A telekinetic windstorm blew loose dust and debris. Only the heaviest stones didn’t move in the battering gale.
Slowly there came clear signs of civilization. The pillar he tried showing ran much deeper than she had guessed. Yet deeper the storm dug and cleansed. Yet in the pillar were animal carvings like totem poles that survived only by burial beneath the sands of time. Another was revealed and another, each pillar nearly three meters thick. Ten in all. Yet in the center was another pyramid, this one completely buried near twenty meters below the surface of Zerika. It was solid and large, but only had one barred nano-wall.
“He was correct.” Rose commented beside her mate.
“It’s getting to be a bad habit.” Remarked the redhead. By the shaking in his shoulders she knew he had heard the comment over the still raging storm.
“I better stop.” The storm died and debris sat over in a large mound the size of a hill.
“Why?”
“Because I just sensed a warning ripple of energy hit me in the chest that came from deep beneath the ground.” He rubbed his chest with an uncomfortable grimace. “Defenses are up still.”
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