“Trinity, Jerad,” said Sergeant Ron. “Front and center.”
The couple rose and walked over to stand in front of the Defiant’s captain while holding each other’s hand.
In complete contrast to the prior tenseness, Sergeant Ron suddenly gave a big grin. “Being the captain of a starship has its downsides, but it also has its privileges. One of those privileges is to perform ceremonies.”
Looking at the two wizard scouts, Sergeant Ron winked and said, “You’ll need a best man and a maid of honor.”
“Yes!” shouted Tam. “It’s about time.”
Everyone at the table began talking at once. Richard saw big smiles on Tam, Telsa, and Angela. Even Stella had a Sterilian’s version of a smile on her face. Of course, the double row of razor-sharp teeth ruined the effect a little.
Turning around, Jerad caught Richard’s attention. “Rick, would you do me the honor?”
Richard nodded. He was at a loss for words. He’d never even attended a wedding, much less been a part of one. He stood and took his place next to Jerad, and noticed Tam standing next to Trinity.
When everyone was in place, Sergeant Ron began. “Dearly beloved…”
For probably the first time since they’d known each other, Richard watched Sergeant Ron perform his assigned task with total seriousness. The ceremony went quickly and without a hitch. Before long, Sergeant Ron looked at Richard.
“The rings, please.”
“Uh, rings?” Richard muttered. “Uh…”
Nickelo laughed. “You’re the best man. You mean you didn’t think about the rings?”
Trinity came to Richard’s rescue. “Don’t sweat it, Rick. We couldn’t wear rings with our battle suits anyway. Even the thinnest gold or platinum ring would be too thick.”
Richard thought for a moment. Jerad was his friend, and he was fond of Trinity as well. He didn’t want to let either of them down. He sent a set of images into his shared space.
“Give me the specs for these, Nick.”
“I don’t think it’ll work,” Nickelo replied. “We’re in the current time. It’s not like the techs on Storage would have time to make these rings for you. It’s different when you’re back in time. To summon these rings now, they’d already have to be made.”
“Just give me the specs,” Richard said. “We’ll see how good ‘the One’ really is at anticipating our needs.”
A set of specs appeared in Richard’s shared space. He forwarded the information to his dimensional pack. A significant amount of Power left his reserve.
“Ouch,” said Nickelo. “That hurts. Your reserve’s down to twenty-one percent. I hope it’s worth it to you.”
Richard stole a glance at Trinity and Jerad. He’d never seen them look happier. Any doubt about the worth of his Power loss disappeared. He summoned his dimensional pack to him. Reaching out, Richard grabbed the pack before it fell to the floor. He opened the flap. Inside were two dull-gray rings. They were paper thin with an equally thin blue chip embedded flush on the outside of each band. Richard pulled the rings out and held them in the palm of his hand for all to see.
“They’re made out of the Holy Metal,” said Comstar.
“They both have a piece of the Mountain’s Heart on them,” added Magnus. “Where’d you get those?”
Richard wasn’t sure what the gnome meant. He’d never heard of the Mountain’s Heart before.
Comstar reached out with his right hand. “They’re too thin. Even the Holy Metal will bend. Let me have them for a moment. I’ll give them a spell of strengthening.”
Richard handed the rings to the elf. Comstar said words everyone heard but quickly forgot. Once he was done, Magnus took the rings from the elf and added a spell of his own. When he finished, the blue gems glowed with a dim light. The gnome handed the rings back to Richard who passed them over to Jerad and Trinity.
“You’ve turned the rings into creallium,” said Trinity. “What are these blue gems? I don’t recognize them?”
Richard explained. “They’re chips from some gems ‘the One’ had me gather a couple of years ago. They’re from some place in the spiritual dimension.” Richard grinned. “If anyone ever asks, you can honestly say your rings are one of a kind.”
Not to be outdone, Magnus said, “Comstar’s spell strengthened the bands. They’ll never bend. My spell activated the link between the gem and the Holy Metal. As long as the gems are activated, your rings will be composed of creallium. They may come in handy someday.”
After Trinity and Jerad finished thanking everyone, Sergeant Ron continued with the ceremony. Finally, the Defiant’s captain said the words everyone had been waiting to hear.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
As soon as the words were spoken, Richard felt every cell in his body begin to tingle. The world around him flashed in and out of focus. Words came into Richard’s mind.
“Help the dwarf. Save the innocents. Keep your promise. I am, ‘the One.’”
Then everything went black.
* * *
Nickelo allowed the battle helmet’s electronics and visual sensors to scan the galley. He filtered out the sounds of shock and confusion from the room’s remaining occupants as they realized what had happened. Of the eight wizard scouts, only Stella and Terrie remained. Nickelo ran a count of the other life forms on the Defiant. Everyone was accounted for except for Matt and Tia.
Nickelo ran his visuals across the benches where the six wizard scouts had been sitting. Piles of black, leather-like material lay in heaps on the benches. Mixed in with the crumpled battle suits were their former wearers’ utility belts and weapons. Each of the missing wizard scouts’ battle helmets were still on the table. The wizard scouts were gone, but all of their equipment had been left behind.
“Well,” Nickelo said over his battle helmet’s external speakers. “This is a fine kettle of fish.”
Chapter 15 – The Oracle
_____________________________________
When Jeena passed through the doors to the chambers of the Oracle, she was surprised to see a human girl not much older than Brachia sitting on a cushion at the far end of the chamber.
“Where’s the Oracle?” Jeena whispered to Dren and Brachia.
Brachia pointed at the girl. “Right there, silly.”
Jeena bit her tongue. The last time she’d been in the room, the Oracle had been in the form of an ancient human male. She thought back to what the children had said about the Oracle being a computer and using an illusion spell to appear as a human.
The children led the way to the Oracle and sat down cross-legged near the cushion. Jeena sat down in a similar fashion near Dren, then placed the Staff of the Lady of the Tree at her side where she could easily reach it if the need arose.
“It’s good to see you again,” said the Oracle. “My old form had reached the limits of his age, so I acquired the new form you see before you now in order to avoid suspicion from petitioners.”
Jeena was unsure how to interact with the Oracle. If the Oracle was a computer, and if the girl before them was an illusion, Jeena was unable to detect any flaw in the spell. The person before her seemed as real as anyone she’d ever seen. Reaching out with her mind, Jeena sensed flows of energy shooting out from the walls of the chamber. Several of the flows intersected where the girl-child sat.
“Ah…,” said the Oracle. “The children told you, didn’t they? I’m glad. I have to interact with you in some form, and the hologram of this young child is as good an avatar as another. If assuming another form would make you feel more comfortable, I can do so.”
Jeena shook her head. “No. This illusion is perfectly fine. I have many questions, but I’ve a feeling the more I ask, the more questions I’ll have. I think I’ll just say I’m confused why you’ve asked me here. If you’re indeed the Oracle, then you must know I’m far from fully trained as a high priestess.”
The Oracle said nothing. Her silence told Jeena the Oracle was indeed a
ware that she was a high priestess in name only. Two years ago, she’d been just an acolyte before being thrust into assuming her new role. While her priests and priestesses had tried their best during the last two years to bring her training up to speed, she still had a long way to go.
When the Oracle remained silent, Jeena asked more forcibly, “Why am I here?”
The young girl smiled. It was a friendly smile. “Did the children not tell you? You are going to the future. You are the variable that is required for the task. The algorithm cannot produce the desired results unless you go.”
“Variables and algorithms are meaningless words to me,” Jeena said. “I require clearer information before I decide whether I’ll assist you or not.”
The girl’s smile didn’t waver. If anything, it became even wider. “Yes, the free will of variables. It can be so confounding at times, but it’s so necessary. Of course, you’ll go. The only question is how much persuading it will take.”
“It may take a lot,” Jeena said not liking the fact that the Oracle apparently took her participation for granted.
“No doubt,” said the Oracle. “Would you care to hear your mission before you make a decision?”
Jeena nodded. Surely there’s no danger in just hearing the girl out.
The Oracle smiled knowingly as if aware of Jeena’s thoughts.
“Your mission,” said the girl who was the Oracle, “and the mission of the children is to go into the future and acquire twenty-nine bottles of refined DNA gas. You will then take them to where they are required.”
“Bottles of DNA gas?” said Brachia. “Are they the bottles you told us were stolen from the DNA center when the Crosioians attacked Velos?”
“Yes,” said the Oracle. “Thirty were stolen. The Crosioians have twenty-nine of them. They are needed for the algorithm to succeed.”
“I’m assuming it’ll be dangerous,” Jeena said. She didn’t know who the Crosioians were, but she figured if it was an easy task, the Oracle wouldn’t need her. The small girl would just send the children.”
“Yes, it is,” said the Oracle.
“Then why would I risk my life going on your mission?”
The young girl smiled. Jeena thought the Oracle looked like she’d sprung a neatly woven trap.
“Because,” said the Oracle, “I calculate you regret not being able to save the three spheres on your last mission. I calculate you would like to make amends.”
During her last mission for the Oracle, Jeena had thought she was saving the lives of three living spheres. Instead, she had unwittingly contributed to their destruction. She’d told them she was there to save them but had failed.
“How does that involve going to the future?” Jeena asked hoping her voice didn’t betray her interest. From the look on the young girl’s face, Jeena had a feeling she wasn’t succeeding in keeping her interest a secret.
“The three spheres were a special type of dragon egg,” said the Oracle. “Despite what you may think, you didn’t cause the dragon harm. You released it from a life of servitude and torture. There are others of its kind who are facing similar threats. Hundreds of millions of innocent unborn-dragons have been sacrificed over the years. It’s time for their sacrifice to end. The bottles of DNA gas are needed by the algorithm to do that. You are needed by the algorithm to get the bottles. The lives of every living creature in three galaxies depend on you bringing those bottles of DNA gas to the ‘helper.’”
The mention of the word ‘helper’ drew Jeena’s attention. She’d made contact with another life form during her last mission who’d been called a ‘helper.’ For a brief time, they’d worked together trying to save the three spheres.
Dren touched Jeena’s arm. “Our uncle told us the forces of light and dark are in battle over three dimensions; magical, physical, and spiritual. He’s a variable just like you. Brachia and I believe the algorithm is the only hope the three dimensions have of remaining free of the dark. We need your help, Jeehana.”
“The Oracle says we’ll be going with you,” said Brachia. “You won’t be alone. Omar and I’ll protect you.”
Jeena was tempted to smile, but she did her best to keep a serious look on her face so as to avoid hurting the boy’s feelings. “I’m sure you will.”
Turning to the Oracle, Jeena asked, “If I do go with the children, how will we know where to go? If these bottles of gas are as important as you say, surely they’ll be guarded. As much as I respect Brachia and Dren, we’ll need more help.”
The Oracle smiled as if sensing victory. “You’ll have it. Even now, steps are being taken to ensure your allies will receive their orders.”
Brachia laughed. “See, Dren? I told you she’d do it.” Looking at Jeena, the boy said, “You won’t regret this, Jeehana.”
Jeena shrugged her shoulders. “Actually, I think I already do.”
Chapter 16 – Portalis
____________________
The blackness ended. Cold rain hit Richard’s face partially blinding him. It was dark. He was naked. He sensed life forms around him. He recognized their frequencies as Tam, Telsa, Jerad, Trinity, Tia, and Matt. Richard raised a hand to wipe the water from his eyes. A flash of lightning revealed the outline of a seventh person. He had no trouble recognizing the outline of the squat form. It was his brother, Gaston Myers.
Good stealth shield, Richard grudgingly admitted. I can’t even detect him at this range.
A few voices rose above the sound of the storm.
Richard ignored them for the moment. This wasn’t the first time he’d been sent on a mission for ‘the One’ without his equipment. From experience, Richard knew his most important task was locating any immediate threats. He let his passive scan reach out in all directions and sensed lines of Power from the other wizard scouts as they too scanned the surrounding area. Except for his companions, he sensed nothing more dangerous than a few snakes. None of the slithering creatures were near enough to pose a threat.
Nick, are you there?
Richard didn’t expect any response, but it was worth a try. When no reply was forthcoming, he tried to summon his dimensional pack. Again he failed. Once again, he wasn’t surprised.
The rain slackened somewhat. Enough moonlight escaped from behind a cloud to give a hint of the surrounding landscape. They were on the side of a hill. It was steep, but not too steep to climb. The hill was covered by low brush and vines.
“I can’t see you, Rick, but I know you’re there,” yelled Tam. “How about telling us what’s going on?”
“I’m not sure,” Richard said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “I sense a flat area about fifty meters up the hill. Why don’t we all move there and take stock of the situation.”
No one said anything further, but the sound of seven bodies beginning to make their way through the brush was enough of an answer for Richard. He began moving uphill as well.
For the next five minutes, the noise of the storm was intermingled with the sound of cracking branches and muttered curses. The hillside was covered with thorn bushes and sticker vines. Richard bulled his way uphill while ignoring the pain as best he could. His self-heal quickly took care of the scratches, but they still hurt. When a particularly long thorn lodged in Richard’s heel, he involuntarily cursed.
“This sucks.”
Jerad laughed. “Tell me about it. This is my wedding night. Remind me not to let you plan my honeymoon next time.”
Several of the others laughed at Jerad’s joke.
Richard joined in despite the situation. Jerad’s ever the leader, he thought. He’s already trying to improve morale even if it’s at his own expense.
By the time Richard got to the flat spot, everyone was there except for Myers, Matthew, and Tia. The noise of their movement could be heard about twenty meters below the crest of the hill.
“Ow!” said Matthew. “I’m caught.”
Before Richard could start back down the hill to help Matthew, he heard Myers movin
g in the teenager’s direction.
“Stay where you’re at, Matt,” said Myers. “I’m coming back to you.” After a few seconds, Myers said, “There. You’re free. Now try to stay right behind me. You too, Tia. I’ll bust a trail for you.”
The sound of cracking limbs drew closer. After another minute, Myers broke through to the flat spot with the teenagers right behind him.
“Shepard,” said Myers. “Matt’s cut up pretty bad. You’ll need to heal him.”
“They’re just scratches,” protested Matthew. “I’ll be fine.”
“Nonsense,” said Myers. “Those cuts are deeper than you think. Some of those thorns have a mild toxin. I can sense the poison spreading in your body already.”
Richard reached out with his Power and did a scan on the young man. It didn’t surprise him that Myers’s analysis was correct. The man was a diviner after all. What did surprise him was the sound of concern he heard in his brother’s voice.
He almost sounds worried, Richard thought. Will wonders never cease?
“Shepard,” growled Myers.
“I’m on it,” Richard said unable to keep the irritation out of his voice. Any interaction with Myers was always an ordeal.
Richard’s primary Power reserve was low due to his spur of the moment decision to summon the rings for Jerad and Trinity. Fortunately, the Power reserve he used to heal others was still full. Using that Power, he pulled Matthew’s injuries onto his own body. As wounds went, they weren’t bad. Of course, the acquired injuries still hurt enough to cause him to wince. He also found out Myers had been right. Some of the wounds were contaminated with a mild poison. Thankfully, the poison wasn’t a match for Richard’s healing Power.
“There,” Richard told Matthew. “You’re good as new. Try not to play hide and seek in thorn bushes next time.” Turning to Tia, Richard said, “Your turn.”
Before the teenager could even get started arguing, Richard finished healing her wounds.
“Oh,” said Tia when she realized it was already done. “Thanks.”
Wizard Rebellion (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 5) Page 16
