Secret of the Crystal - Omnibus Edition Books 1-3 (Time Travel Adventure)

by Larson, Brian K.

  “If they want a fight,” Panru said, entering into the conversation, “we shall give them a fight!”

  “Nothing will be settled by this civil war!” Jhahnahkan said with exasperation. “The only thing civil wars have ever been good for is destroying each other and repeating the past mistakes our ancestors made.”

  The rest of the delegation gave their input on each side of the argument and after several hours of talking and listening to each point of view, it was clear that no progress had been made.

  Katie stood up in frustration and demanded the floor. “I Kate, the new High Priestess of Ackturra will speak!”

  She looked about the room making eye contact with everyone as she began to proclaim, “I am an outsider… I was chosen by Jhahnahkan to help in his quest back on my home planet, Earth…”

  She continued to speak, while maintaining eye contact to help make her point.

  “When I came here, I looked upon the people of Ackturra as a more advanced and civilized culture… I was proud to be included in the family of Sö’… But I stand before you today in shame!”

  There was a stillness that came over the room, the radio returned static as Kate continued to voice her opinion.

  “You are no more advanced than my race from the time I come from.”

  The members of the assembly all looked at one another and then back to Kate who had captivated her audience.

  “You may be technologically more advanced than I… Those who bravely volunteered to join us on our quest… those that came with me, are more civilized and more advanced as a culture than the most prestigious citizen on Ackturra.”

  The silence continued as she paused, causing her point to hit home.

  “Listen to your new Leader… he will take you into a new era of peace and support for all fellow men spanning across this entire galaxy… believe in him… know that what he is doing here today will begin to forge a new working relationship among both factions as well as restoring our interstellar relations with our neighbors, the Karillians.”

  Kate continued to speak as an aid stepped into the room and whispered into Jhahnahkan’s ear. His left eyebrow rose as he heard the latest information his aid shared.

  Jhahnahkan stood to show Kate he needed to speak. She finished her speech and promptly turned the floor over to their leader.

  “I just received word that the north has launched offensive maneuvers toward the high council palace,” Jhahnahkan quizzed R’ihia.

  R’ihia’s cold and deep female voice squelched the silence, “You are correct, Jhahnahkan…” she said. “Ground offensives as well as air strikes have been dispatched to your current location.”

  “We will not give up the palace or control of the council…”

  “Consider this your warning then…” R’ihia answered. “We will not surrender or follow you. We will find Jhovahkan and appoint him as our true leader… he will usher in our galactic order and obtain peace through force.”

  Kate looked over at Jhahnahkan with fear in her eyes. He looked back at her and set her at ease with his sense of compassion on his face. His eyes smiled at her which gave Kate a warm feeling.

  Thank you, my love, Kate said with her mind to Jhahnahkan.

  He leaned back in surprise at her ability to speak with her mind.

  “You have one hour to evacuate the base!” R’ihia exclaimed. “None of your ships will be targeted as they leave during this period… this concludes our meeting.” she finished as the channel went dead.

  The other members were all excused to attend their duties and to prepare for the impending attack.

  Jhahnahkan gave the command to assemble the entire southern fleet to Ackturra. Then instructed the council members to gather in the palace war room where they could plan for their defenses and to hold the northern faction’s attempt at the Coup d'état.

  Jhahnahkan addressed Acoth and ordered him to gather the fleet and to wait his orders. They are to maintain a defensive posture only.

  He tapped a few buttons and brought up a topographical map of the palace complex that was surrounded by its mountainous terrain.

  The palace was nestled high in the rocks of the tallest cliffs, but the plateau where the palace was constructed encompassed several acres. There was only one way in to the palace, Rampart’s Pass. The northern ground assault would have to navigate this treacherous path and with the palace fortifications, they would need a sizable force.

  “It is likely they will begin at the Country of the Horns and follow that region into the Valley of the Trenches and then ascend through Rampart’s pass,” Jhahnahkan’s aid offered. He pointed at the holographic map being displayed above the table.

  “I want three waves of fighters to hold up in the high ground of the pass… on top of the hills and protected by shielding are several outcroppings with turrets. I know they are automated, but I feel we need troops at each location so they are not able to overtake any of our defenses and turn them on us,” Jhahnahkan ordered.

  “We should also switch out power to the two auxiliary reactors,” Qiaoshan added, “We have our own palace shielding that will hold them off for a while.”

  “Yes,” Jhahnahkan commented, “for a while… once we are pinned down, all they have to do is keep pounding on the shields… they will collapse over time and then then are free to storm the palace grounds.”

  “Air strikes are another concern,” Luanren said. “I recommend aerial fighters to help divert any attacks above ground.”

  “Yes,” Jhahnahkan acknowledged. “We should launch as many fighters as you can… get them in the air now.”

  The team made the rest of their preparations for the impending attack. The next hour went by very fast and before they knew it, time was about to expire.

  “We are going to give up on this location…” Jhahnahkan began.

  “You’re not serious are you?” Rex said.

  “Yes… keep them hammering this complex while we regroup on the Leif Erikson… how long will the shields for this complex remain charged?”

  “These shields will hold for as long as the reactor core is not damaged. If they shake up the mountains enough… that could knock out power,” Qiaoshan said. “But I would say at least twelve to sixteen hours unless they get a lucky shot.”

  “Good,” Jhahnahkan said. “We will need as much time as we can… I had the Russell brothers, Sam, and the rest prepare the council’s emergency shuttle. We will let them pound away at this base while we make our escape through the crystal cavern exit. Once on the ship we will return fire on the northern flagship. We disable R’ihia’s ship and the rest of the north faction will withdraw and re-strategize.”

  “Qiaoshan,” Kate urged, “we might not get another chance to marry… will you perform the ceremony now… like I explained to you?”

  “Very well,” Qiaoshan answered with hesitation, “I’ll recite the words on our way to the shuttle…” he sighed.

  Luanren tugged on Kate and Jhahnahkan’s arms pulling them in the direction of the shuttle, “Come on… we must hurry.”

  “I Qiaoshan… by the power investing in me… I now pronounce you husband and wif…”

  Kate interrupted Qiaoshan before he could speak the rest of his line, “No, no, no… start before that… you know… ‘do you, Jhahnahkan, take Kate… Kate, do you take Jhahnahkan’s words.”

  The base began to rock beneath their feet at they made their way to the shuttle. The shields held without any sign of weakening. Then another wave hit causing dust to kick up in the tunnel as they now ran toward the shuttle.

  “Jhahnahkan… do you take Kate to be your wife?” Qiaoshan said.

  “Yes” he replied between breaths.

  “Kate, do you take…”

  Kate once again interrupted Qiaoshan and finished his sentence for him, “Yes… yes I do!” she exclaimed.

  The group met up with Rex who was sitting at the controls of the shuttle and the rest. The door to the shuttle began to close and deb
ris began to fall from the ceiling above from new assaults impacting the base.

  Qiaoshan could barely get the next line out, that they had been pronounced man and wife, when Kate jumped into Jhahnahkan’s arms and kissed him on the lips and ceremonially sealing their love forever.

  Kate continued to kiss him while Rex very handily took off and began to navigate through the crystal cavern.

  “Glenda sat in the co-pilot seat and faced Rex, “You sure learn fast…”

  “I’ve always wanted to be a pilot… I started learning this ship as soon as we got here.”

  “Can you get us out of the cavern?” Qiaoshan asked.

  “Don know… never done this before,” Rex answered matter-of-factly.

  “Time will tell,” he said with a wide grin on his face.

  * * *

  Chapter 6

  The Decision

  The Rune

  Year: 1984

  Jhovahkan tugged on his restraints as he looked over at his dubious sister. “Why have you brought me here if not to free me?” he coldly demanded.

  Tamika only looked slightly toward her brother as she rocked back and forth with her whimsical laughter. She was seated only mere inches from the surface of the pulsating Rune and mainly fixated on it.

  “It really does not matter where I brought you my brother,” she finally replied, “What matters, is when I brought you.”

  “You speak in riddles my sister… what is going on? Where are we?” he said giving a hard yank on his restraints.

  “You do not listen very well my brother…” she began as she now turned and faced him.

  She stood up and walked closer and leaned over to whisper something in his ear.

  “It is quite clear where you are my brother.” She whispered, “Does not this place remind you of the Crystal Cavern in the least bit?”

  “Yes, of course…” he said trying to maintain his composure, “I guess the question is why…”

  “You will find out why, when you understand the when.” She giggled stepping back slightly.

  She reached her arms out before Jhovahkan and touched her two first fingers on either side of this temple, “Now this will not hurt a bit my brother.”

  He resisted slightly at first until Tamika took a firm grip on his mind and caused him to relax. “You need to see what I have seen…” she said continuing with the memory transference. “You must experience the pain you caused me before I release you.”

  Jhovahkan’s face turned as cold as a stone and he gazed out into space as he absorbed the memories from his sister. His eyes grew larger with every passing moment. He again began to resist the flood of images he was trying to process all at once. He shouted out in pain as the flooding images overwhelmed him.

  “Stop… I cannot take this anymore…”

  Tamika became even more locked in on transferring her memories and feelings to make him understand why she was doing what she was doing. Her eyes gazed into his as she continued to torcher Jhovahkan with her images.

  The Rune became very bright and glowed and pulsated with her every thought as she drew on its corrupt power to complete her task.

  Something clicked deep down inside Tamika. All at once and without any warning, she terminated the memory transference. She had tears in her eyes as she looked at her brother collapse from the experience.

  Jhovahkan dripped with sweat. He had his eyes clinched tight as he fought off the pain from the lasting effect of the memory transference. He then looked up as the pain subsided and gazed at his sister who had stepped away from the Rune and sat on the ground. He could see her weep slightly and then begin to laugh with that a carefree whimsical tune she whispered to herself over and over again.

  “Why did you stop when you did?” he asked. “There was more you wanted to transfer and you stopped…”

  Tamika looked up slightly from having her head tucked down in her arms. “I do not know why I stopped,” she said, half laughing.

  “I will tell you why.” Jhovahkan offered. “The Tamika I knew was kind and gentle with a sensible heart… that part of you still exists deep down beneath that Rune corruption.”

  “Do not be ridiculous!” she exclaimed still sitting on the ground. “I am now fully dedicated to the Rune… we have communed… I do its bidding… my old self is gone now.”

  “I do not believe you.”

  “You do not have a choice,” she snapped back.

  “I know why you have brought me to this time… it all came across in the memory transference.”

  Tamika stood and walked over to her brother again. “You now know that I have brought you a thousand years in the past… one year after the Rune impacted…” she said, pausing as she gazed at the Rune. “This seemed like a good place to hide… and with my master crystal, I can go anywhere at any time in any time.” She again laughed.

  “You will never get away with what you are planning Tamika.”

  “What makes you so sure I haven’t already accomplished my task? That is one of the wonderful things about time traveling… I can do something in the past… go to the future to see if I obtained the results, and if not… simple… go back and try again,” she said with a wide smile.

  “You cannot do this,” he pleaded, “Changing time has had bad consequences.”

  “Why not?” she asked in a carefree tone. “You enjoyed your crystal when you had it… what if you had one that was infused by the Rune? Your power could become…limitless.”

  “I no longer have a power crystal… and now that I have not had one for a time, I am thinking a bit clearer now.”

  “Nothing changes the fact that you must pay for your evil deeds my brother.”

  “Ok then,” he said. “So I know the when we are… I think I have a slight idea to why now.”

  “Do go on my brother.”

  “I will bet that this is the second time you have attempted this.”

  “Why only the second? Why not three or four… or how about a hundred?” she said with a crooked smile.

  “I will tell you why…” Jhovahkan said. “Because you failed the first time and you do not want to waste anymore of your precious time… so you ‘enlist’ my help.”

  “You are paying attention my brother.”

  “I will not help you,” he replied with resolve.

  “Oh yes, my dear brother… you will indeed help.” Tamika laughed as she walked over to the Rune.

  She focused on her suspended master crystal and then caused it to fly over to her and then snatched it out of the air.

  The crystal had already been a bright glow of yellow and red. With every step closer to the Rune, her crystal became even more brilliant which illuminated the entire cave area they occupied.

  She touched the tip of her crystal to the surface of the Rune. Electrical sparks erupted from the joining of the Rune and Tamika’s master crystal. She forced the tip even further, almost completely imbedding her hand within the Rune.

  She withdrew the crystal after a few moments, sparks shot out in all directions accompanied by swirling darker colored vortices which moved around her entire body. Once her crystal had been completely removed and was no longer in contact with the Rune, the sparks and dark colored wind vanished.

  She stepped back over to Jhovahkan and held out her Crystal to his forehead and pricked the sharp tip of her crystal making a slight cut, which dripped blood.

  “Oh yes, my dear brother…Oh yes… you will help me infuse the power crystals with the Rune.”

  She dripped a small yellowish liquid substance off of the tip of her master crystal. It dropped on his forehead where she had drawn a small amount of blood from the cut. The yellow substance flowed like a magnet to the cut and then was absorbed. The cut disappeared as the substance vanished as if it had crawled into his body.

  Jhovahkan’s continence changed as soon after the Rune substance entered him. His eyes again sunk in his head and turned the same eerie yellowish-red color as his sister. His skin turned
ashen grey and wrinkled and his goatee and hair had turned the familiar silver white as Tamika’s.

  He turned and grinned like a Cheshire cat and displayed all his teeth at his sister, “You will have to set me free now…” he giggled, “…if you expect me to help you my sister.”

  She grinned back and allowed his restraints to be released by just the thought of her mind.

  “I can release you now that you are part of the Rune my brother,” she said walking up to him and wrapping her arms around her brother.

  He returned the affection from his sister and then gently pushed her away with his hands. “Let us get started then… shall we?” Jhovahkan asked with a sheepish grin.

  “You were right about how many times I have tried this,” she said. “The first time, there were simply too many crystals for me to infuse.”

  “There are millions of Crystals… there would be no way to infuse each one…” Jhovahkan said.

  “… and that is why I need your help you see…” she interrupted. “I now understand that we only need to infuse a few select groups that we know will be handpicked by Ackturrians. Together, with our mind power and our infused crystals, we can identify which ones those are.”

  “Then we teleport back to our time and watch the fun begin.” He offered with a laugh.

  She looked over at her brother for only a second and then looked away, “Yes… yes of course… We shall all watch the fun begin,” she again, laughing whimsically.

  Jhovahkan began to select a new power crystal that would be infused by the Rune.

  * * *

  Palace Shuttle – Crystal Cavern

  Year: 2983

  Rex piloted the palace escape shuttle like a master. He darted in and around the cavern missing every obstacle. It seemed as if Rex had found his niche.

  “You’ll have to give me directions Qiaoshan,” he said as he maneuvered through the cavern.

  “This passage is three layers above the main crystal cavern,” Qiaoshan began. “Keep on this heading and I will inform you when to deviate.”

  “Rodger that!” Rex acknowledged.

  “These caverns go on for miles with no possible exit,” Luanren added.