Flight of the Maita Supercollection 3: Solving Galactic Problems Collector's Edition

by Moulton, CD

  Kurk saw Maybe signal time for everyone to get into character. Maita would have reported to Thing's floater that Extrx and Fale were now approaching the far side of the ship. A few minutes ago Kurk felt the temblor from the explosives that closed down the radioactives mine.

  Kurk felt deep affection for the strange brave little being. There was no doubt whatever they were all in mortal danger here. It was a personal danger, but Thing hadn't paused the smallest part of a second when it learned its friend was in trouble. Perhaps Kurk didn't understand the reasons for certain of the strange actions going on around him, but he DID understand loyalty and love. He understood courage. There was no shortage of any of that among these people. It even extended to the Frome and to himself. The proof of his logic process about that was that he responded in kind to them. He hadn't hesitated to put his own life on the list in support of Z or to put his complete trust in Thing.

  The Jornian ship was ahead just past that line of thick shrubbery. Thing had them wait with a signal until it received the report from Maita that Extrx and Fale were in position and Z knew what was about to happen. Kurk went carefully to the edge of the shrubbery where he could see the ship through the leaves. There were two Jornians watching the clamshell floater from the entrance ramp of their ship, but no one else was about that he could see. The Jornians seemed a bit nervous, watching in all directions outside while keeping a very close eye on the entrance to the ship – as though they expected someone to come from behind them. It would seem Z had made them extremely cautious.

  Thing moved to where it could watch the ship from the cover of a small tree. They waited, then the golems suddenly moved from the shrubbery into the sunlight, arguing loudly.

  –How in all the nine hells can you say that, Leadhead? Those stupid otherworlders will shoot at us and ruin our finish! I just know it! They're almost as idiotic as you are!–

  +Now, No. You always take the negative view! They won't shoot at us! They have no reason to do something like that!+

  Both Jornians fired lasers at the floater.

  –Ah-HAH! See? See, Asshole? What did I tell you!? Damned gnatbrained moronic idiots are shooting energy weapons at bronze! Idiots!–

  +Now, No, we merely startled them is all! I'm sure when they see....+

  [ You two shut up! ] Thing ordered, moving out behind the golems and signaling for Kurk to follow. [ They can't hurt us! I'll remove all the energy from their ship again if they shoot at ME! Next time I won't allow them to make anymore! Enough is too much! ]

  Confusion

  Maita watched the proceedings carefully and even felt some excitement. This was fun, but it was deadly serious, too. Communications were quite good. Z was ready, Thing and its entourage were coming into the clearing with the arguing golems already starting things. The watching Jornians fired at the floater, as planned.

  Maita warned Z to be ready to move, then told Ehrak to get ready. It would start coming fast and furious now, orchestrating three scenarios at once while running the golems.

  Maita took over from the secondaries when the golems left Teeme to be ready for anything. Nothing could be said directly by Z because of that damned video/audio box over the door – and now he was going to sleep!

  Oh, that was it. Maita used Z's voice on the hidden com floater in the tree by Ehrak and Fale to tell Fale to fly above where it would be seen, but would be out of range of the hand weapons the Jornians were carrying. That would cause the Prlnth to keep at least one of the Jornians outside.

  That was a mistake! Z would want everyone to be inside! It must stop being logical where the Terran was concerned. Maita told Ehrak it made a mistake there and to try to do something to neutralize it if possible. Ehrak said he would be able to get them inside soon enough so nothing was lost. It might be a good thing Fale was seen because it would explain how he knew Thing was there trying to take over Z's power base. It would add continuity to the growing confusion.

  Thing went inside with the golems keeping up their act very well. Kurk was acting glum. Z was doing pretty much what Maita figured since he laid back to feign sleep. It was going well. There was now a certain time while the golems, Thing and Kurk set up the stage for the big act. All the Jornians except for the two on guard outside came to ask what the demons wanted. Thing demanded an audience with whoever was in charge – or it would take the energy from the ship and not allow it to return. The Jornians weren't too sure it couldn't do it so they led the group to the chamber where Nrkll was housed. Maita waited and watched. Soon.

  Okay! Z was up and was opening the door. Timing was important now. Get the Jornians off of that ramp!

  Maita told Ehrak to move now. It had to be right! Fale would have to be protected along with Ehrak when they moved toward the two Jornian guards. Keep them from shooting or shield the two if there was laser fire. Critical now.

  Good! They drew their weapons, but didn't fire. Now all Maita could do was to watch and to keep the communications open among the group. This would accomplish the immediate aim. Z would play his hand carefully, but the actual problem was still right there.

  *

  Thing rode the floater up the ramp behind the golems. Kurk was coming behind. The Jornian guards called out, but didn't fire again. Other Jornians came out to meet them at the top of the ramp and to ask what they wanted.

  [ I would speak to one in charge here. ]

  "I'm in charge here," Froh replied. "What do you want?"

  Thing stared hard at Froh, swung the robe hanging from the floater regally, then turned to Kurk to say he should be ready to keep the otherworlders from restarting the generators when it took the energy away.

  It then turned back to Froh. [ It is well-known that a demon is in charge here, not an otherworlder. I will not argue with you. If I am not taken immediately to the true leader here I will take the energy from your ship of space. I will not make the mistake Boss made in allowing any to return. Ever. Be warned! ]

  The Jornians discussed it in their own language, then one went inside to return shortly to report Nrkll said to send the demon in. It was curious as to what it wanted and had no fear whatever of it. It had the wizard Boss as hostage, didn't it?

  "I tried to tell Nrkll Boss demonstrated he could come and go as he pleased so wasn't much of a hostage, but he said I was being obtuse," Nax, who had been the one to report, said. "Serve it right if these wizards ground the energy in its own chamber!"

  "We can hope," Froh responded in Jornian, then turned toward Thing to add, "Nrkll will see you. Please come this way."

  –Hah! I told you simps these slimewads would back down as soon as they were faced with real power! No guts at all!–

  +Now, No! Be nice! We are guests here! What an interesting vessel! It is a large golem in itself! Let us go to the brain, Maybe! Perhaps it will explain the ways of these otherworlders to us!+

  –AHH, you copper plated rockslug! They aren't going to let us talk to the ship! It would throw in with us to throw out these halfbrained idiots!–

  [ You two shut up! If the ship has any sense it will melt you both down for dross metal! ]

  Thing was noting every small detail as they moved through the ship. It signed to Kurk when they passed the companionway to where Z and the Tlorgians were being held. Maita had placed a small spot over the arch with one of the spy floaters. It would be important to keep the area from there on to the door open and unobserved shortly. That would take a massive diversion, but there was one hell of a row planned!

  The group went into a chamber with a partial stasis box sitting in the center. The Prlnth was an irregular changing, iridescent shape inside.

  [ You are the demon, Nrkll? ]

  "Hardly a demon," Nrkll replied. "I am Nrkll."

  [ We are, none of us, truly demons. Well, except Extrx, but he's not here. I would speak with you about power. ]

  "In power interested I am," Nrkll answered. "Boss the wizard would stop from using it us. Dangerous it is, but control it we can. To gather power
it is not simple a thing. What needed we must have soon or perhaps sooner or later."

  [ I know the spells of Boss so I can gather any amount of power very easily. I am not interested in that kind of power. Anyone can use such things with a minimal skill and talent. You are holding Boss here which means he can't use his powers on Tlorg for that time. ]

  "Negotiate for Boss will not we!" Nrkll replied. "Stay here right will he if until power have we for portal. Negotiate no!"

  [ Negotiate for Boss? No way! We want to do exactly the opposite! We want to ensure that Boss is taken with you to wherever you came from! Then I will be the head wizard of Tlorg! THAT is true power! THAT is the power of Boss! ]

  "You can't hold or use Boss's power and we all know it!" Kurk snarled. "What are you doing? You said you wanted to get these otherworlders away from Tlorg!"

  –Hah! And you thought you knew Rubberpuss here! For such a small lump of glump it sure has some weird fantasies!–

  +Now, No. Maybe has some delusions, but we all do.+

  [ Shut up or I'll fry you where you ... float! I'M the one in charge here! You're nothing! Nothing at all! ]

  "So you're in charge of nothing!" Kurk snapped. "There's no way you're going to take charge of anything over Boss! You're playing at something that can never be! You're insane!"

  –Hey! That's pretty good, Stretchface! You're in charge of nothing! Maybe we can put you in charge of these silly otherworlders and this ugly excuse for unfocused light! Then you'd be in charge of ten times as much nothing!–

  +Now, No, you're going to....+

  [ I warned you! ]

  Thing waved a tentacle at the golems (While focusing a tight microwave beam on the No head) and No was suddenly glowing red hot.

  –Whooo! Wah! Hey! Whoooo!–

  +You just won't learn, will you? Now your polish will get all dull.+

  [ You shut up too – or you'll get the same! I didn't come here to listen to you two! ]

  "What doing now are you?" Nrkll asked. "Can agree not among us yourself. Power not to be is in your hands. Certainly disaster soon follow will!"

  It was time for the second part of the diversion Thing was sure so it told Maita to handle it. Z would be ready to move.

  [ We each think in rather different ways. It is not of concern to you. This is for us to work out among ourselves. What I offer is unlimited power for your portal if you will agree to take Boss from this plane. ]

  "That is the thing I offer also!" Ehrak said from the door. "The difference being I have the wand of Boss to back up my claim to power!"

  *

  Ehrak and Fale received the signal from Maita. Fale took to the air to precede Ehrak to the ship, announcing that they were there and they were coming aboard. Maita had warned them they might be shot at so they must stay close so they could both be shielded.

  The two Jornians on guard drew their lasers, but didn't fire at them. The female looked at the male and shrugged, then waved for them to enter the ship. There was a confused/amused little smile on her face.

  Fale lit on a solid railing above the door while Ehrak went inside with the two guards to be led to a room with a stasis chamber in the center. Thing and the golems were the center of attention with Kurk standing toward one side. Thing was making its speech about power, claiming it could give the Prlnth unlimited power if it would get rid of Boss.

  Ehrak stepped into the room with the two Jornians coming in behind him and stepping to the side.

  "That is the thing I offer also!" he announced loudly. "The difference being I have the wand of Boss to back up my claim to power!"

  He flourished the wand.

  [ Hah! Anyone can have a wand! ] Thing pulled a wand much like the one Ehrak was waving around from under the robe and pointed it at Ehrak. A bright purple beam shot from the end of the wand, Ehrak dropped and rolled close to the door and fired a bright green beam at Thing, who dodged to one side. The two stared at one another for a moment, then Ehrak shot a blue beam at Thing, who dipped under it and returned a yellow.

  "So! You have stolen some of Boss's secrets, I see!" Ehrak sneered. "Little good they'll do you! Take that!"

  He fired a bolt of blue then white in rapid succession. Thing went close to the ceiling then dropped again when the beam had passed below, returning a chartreuse beam that hit the door panel causing the door to close.

  Ehrak fired a red beam at Thing, who dodged and fired a blue beam at Ehrak, hitting the panel and causing the door to open again. Thing dodged behind the stasis chamber, causing a gasp among the Jornians.

  "Insane are you!" Nrkll yelled. "This is the instant that my demandings are to you stop this made!"

  –Ha! Stick it in your dimensional projections, Photon Head! This is great fun!–

  +Now, No! They are both acting in a truly irrational manner. I think we should act more as a moderating ... YEEEE!+

  Both Ehrak and Thing fired at the golems at the same time. The floater dodged, then dove behind the Jornians near the door. Just before Thing fired again they went up close to the ceiling. The Jornians all dropped to the floor.

  "It is to this stop!" Nrkll screamed. "Cease! Halt! Desist! Order it I!"

  The golems came to sit directly on the stasis chamber.

  –Hey, muckheads! Why not shoot at us up here? If you miss Boss will automatically be released! That should make for some interesting conversations!–

  +For once I have to agree! You two clowns will bring destruction on your own heads!+

  [ I refuse to continue this farce! I am in charge here! Stop this! ]

  "You?!" Ehrak replied angrily. "You? Who would make a sick deal to have Boss removed to another of the demon worlds? You, who hasn't considered that he travels the planes at will? You would be in charge?

  "I'm in charge here and you'd better not forget it!"

  Just then, Kurk flew from the door to make a flying tackle on Ehrak.

  *

  Z received the message from Maita, laid on the big pillows and pretended to sleep, meanwhile moving a bit of insulation from the power cord to the video camera above the door. There was a puff of smoke as the camera burned out. Z quickly opened the door, slipped out and reclosed it and moved up to see Ehrak moving into the chamber room followed by two Jornians. He quickly went to the door of the room where the farmer and his family were being held, opened the door, made the sign of a hand across the lips for silence and waved the people inside to come out. Zaft was with them, as he had hoped.

  He herded them quickly along the hall where he was joined by Kurk, who Bet, Men and Klee ran to hug. Kurk made the silence sign and headed for the outer door. When they were outside Fale flew down from its perch to help.

  They went to the clamshell floater where the Tlorgians were herded aboard.

  Bet could hold it in no more. "Oh, Kurk! I said over and over that you'd come to get us out! I knew it! Didn't I say so? Didn't I?"

  "We knew Boss would never allow us to be harmed," the father agreed. "You had great faith in your friend and he has done as you said. You children have been very brave. I'm proud to be your father!"

  "There's still great danger," Z cautioned. "Fale, please take the chariot with these people to their home, then return here with it when they are safe. We will come to visit as soon as we have taken care of the otherworlders and their demon.

  "Chariot! Please take direction from Fale, this Frome. It is a true friend! This I request as a friend.

  "The chariot will go where you say, Fale. It has been before to the farm of these people so simply ask it to take you there, then ask it to return here when they are safe. It will do as you ask.

  "Come, Kurk. We have much work to do. Good fortunes!"

  The clamshell closed as soon as Fale said, "Djariod! Dake uz do zhe home of zhese fine beebles, bleeze!"

  Z went back into the ship after a conference with Kurk and back to his room. Kurk said he wanted to have a little fun in the stasis room because the people in there wouldn't know he'd been away. Z
checked the things in his room, then went out again after closing the door. There would be no record on this ship saying either that door or the one to the farmers' quarters was ever opened. He then went up to the pilot's room where he attached the recorder from the floater Maita had waiting there to the main computers. As soon as it was finished he went quickly down to the stasis chamber room, stood in the doorway watching for a few seconds, then went in to say, "Thank you, my friends!"

  He then turned to the stasis chamber where Nrkll was clearly agitated, glanced over the Jornians and said, "I hope you have enjoyed the little show. My friends can be rather entertaining, can't they?"

  *

  Kurk entered the ramp port with Thing and the golems, went through the process as planned, moved close to the door to wait for Ehrak's big entrance and slipped quietly out when everyone was paying attention only to the fighting demons. He met Z and the hostages in the hall, went with them to the chariot, saw they were safely away, then returned to the stasis room. Attention was about to be allowed to be lost in part at the time Z might be detected in the workings of the ship.

  Oh, well! Kurk made a flying tackle of Ehrak from his position beside the door. The two went down in a heap, the wand flying across the floor. Thing swooped down to grab it up and to make gleeful statements about having the real power all in its own tentacles. Kurk and Ehrak made a good tumbling show, rolling around and overturning the furniture. They drew it out until Z came to the door to announce it had all been a show, then lay in a heap on the floor, laughing like fools. This had been the most fun yet. Ehrak was a greatly skilled hand-to-hand combatant so they had an expert match. Ehrak's skill balanced well the superior physical strength of Kurk. They both enjoyed the bout.

  The farmer and his family were safe and that was the first priority after the safety of Maita's crew. Kurk knew he would have lost control if anything happened to those people, but what was this silliness about? They weren't any closer to solving the main problem than they were before so far as he could see. The same danger was there. The Prlnth was still the same threat it had been – but Maita seemed to think they could solve this one short of destroying Prlnth itself.