Jhahnahkan would have to land his shuttle outside the entrance to the city. It was too cold to land any closer as the underground city may not be able to withstand the pressure of the landing. He would have to make his way to the small city entrance from a quarter of a mile in a life suit.
Jhahnahkan hovered over the selected landing area and extend his landing skids. He surveyed the site making sure the snow would hold up the shuttle. The blizzard that raged outside was making it difficult to control the ship in this sixty mile an hour wind that accompanied the storm.
After he was confident that the shuttle wouldn’t sink into the ice pack, he lowered the ship as gently as possible finally resting the landing skids onto the snow pack with a couple of soft bounces.
“There!” he said with a sigh of relief. “Computer, open a channel.”
The computer chimed in as it complied with its instructions, “Channel open Captain.”
“Lanatek, come in.”
“Lanatek here, sir.”
He spoke into the com channel. “I have made it to the surface…” Conditions down here are barely able to sustain life… I will be approaching the village entrance in about an hour… I will be in a life suit… I am afraid I wouldn’t make it out there too long in this blizzard.”
“Remember, you only have six hours,” Lanatek answered. “Maybe you should take a couple extra life packs just in case.”
“Negative,” he began, “I don’t want to take any more weight than I have too… besides, once I go below to the underground complex, I won’t need the suit.”
Kate stepped up to the com to ensure she was heard, “You be careful down there mister.”
“Aye aye, ma’am,” Jhahnahkan mused.
He donned a life suit and checked out its systems with the computer. He strapped an emergency shovel to his left leg knowing he would need that to dig down through the snow to find the entrance port to the small community.
When he opened up the rear exit to the shuttle, he was pushed back by the force of the wind. He leaned forward into the tempest and made his way into the brutal environment.
Jhahnahkan pressed a button on his arm console and brought up the HUD inside his helmet showing him the direction and distance to the coordinates he programmed.
The computer closed the shuttle exit and sealed the ship from the elements.
“Computer… keep the power up and the engines warm… I don’t want to come back to an iced over ship.”
“Affirmative,” the computer responded, “I will alert you if I run into any complications.”
“Alert Lanatek if you have trouble, I will be cut off from communications, he will provide you with instructions.”
“Acknowledged, Captain.”
Jhahnahkan slowly made his way through the storm fighting the beating wind and snow. If it hadn’t been for the computer display keeping him on track, he would have easily been lost.
With the special digitized lens the helmet was able to display the terrain in his path. The helmet was also capable of scanning for differences in temperature so he could digitally see soft spots in his pathway and avoid them.
Jhahnahkan continued to fight his way forward holding one arm out trying to divert some of the wind and then alternated arms when one would tire. He was knocked down to his right knee when the wind suddenly shifted direction and battered him from his left side. Now he had to fight against a side wind as he struggled to keep on course.
He tired quickly and was forced to take short brakes along the way. The gravity difference of this planet made his body ten percent heavier, putting a greater strain on his muscles. The atmosphere of Delta Scorpii Twelve was like being ninety feet underwater. He would have to take care when he left to calculate an assent rate that would prevent him experiencing nitrogen narcosis, a deadly condition that fills nitrogen into the blood stream.
A little over an hour had passed when he reached his target location. Now he would have to expend more energy to dig down to expose the opening.
He unstrapped the emergency shovel, extended the handle and began the labor-intensive task to shoveling the ice and snow to reveal the opening.
Nearly twenty minutes went by and he finally saw a small hole covered by an iron grate. He tugged at the grill to no avail; the lid had been frozen solid.
He reached into his side pouch and removed a small welding torch. He began melting the thick ice surrounding the grate trying to gain access to the underground complex before the hole he dug filled with snow, which was quickly beginning to happen.
The grate seal was broke after another five minutes of working at moving the heavy grate. It moved fairly easy and with the grate set aside he was greeted by two Scorpii standing below.
They offered their hand to Jhahnahkan and helped him climb below. He turned and reached up and pulled the cover back over the hole sealing the entrance from the bitter elements.
The underground complex was fully lit with torches throughout the passages.
He removed his helmet and shut off the life suit systems as they guided him down into the main complex.
The Scorpii were a blue-skinned race with a protruding black colored spine. Their eyes were situated on extendable stalks that could be raised or lowered by their mood and expression.
Their limbs were elongated but they were fairly short in comparison to humans.
They once were rich with culture, but now had long abandoned most all technology. They were also a race of linguists that could interpret and speak almost any language they encountered. They had mastered space travel long ago, but gave up their pursuits to live a more pure spiritual life. They are tough enough to survive in the vacuum of space, which is a fact only known by few. Due to their home they adopted on Delta Scorpii Twelve, many hundreds of years ago, by necessity, turned them a race of inventors.
“We’ve been expecting you Jhahnahkan,” one of Roth’stavous’ aids by the name of Drakes said.
“How is it you know about my arrival?”
“Roth’stavous told us you would be coming today,” Drakes’ assistant, Diyra, answered.
“Come… hurry…” Drakes said with urgency. “Roth’stavous has taken ill and is dying…”
“Yes… dying… we must hurry,” Diyra said as they continued to guide him.
The two led the way to the inner court of the underground complex. They were able to survive the extreme conditions by the use of underground lava conduits that heated the complex. During the hot periods, they used blocks of ice that they harvest this time of year, and store for later use when they need cooling. The Scorpii grew all of their food supply during the periods they could live on the surface. The soil on this planet was especially fertile and thus is able to sustain a sizable food supply that lasts throughout their planet’s cycles.
The melting ice forms lakes of fresh water that they access most of the year and they built aqueducts that provide underground beds of water. They keep this water from freezing during the winter months when it is stored below ground.
Jhahnahkan was reminded of the wonderful artwork the Scorpii had carved into the passageways of the underground complex. The Scorpii were master storytellers and as it was displayed through their craft on the walls.
They passed through the main gathering hall. They passed other Scorpii busy with their daily tasks for survival. It seemed as if this particular winter was especially torrid.
Some stepped aside, remembering who their guest was while others insisted on saying hello or some other pleasantry. One thing was for sure about the Scorpii, they were very generous hosts and they would bend over backward to help someone out.
Jhahnahkan was glad his grandfather had run into these people and made allies with them. The other thing the Scorpii was well known for was their ability to take care of themselves. They may have abandoned technology, but they know how to use it if it ever became necessary.
The three reached a domed shaped dwelling. Diyra pulled back a purple colored curtain
exposing an archway.
Jhahnahkan stooped down, as he remembered having done so on his last trip, and entered the small hut. She dropped the curtain, closing the entrance and stood outside and waited with Drakes.
Jhahnahkan looked over toward one of the sides of the circular dwelling and peered in the dim light only to see his grandfather resting on a cot.
He walked over and knelt by his side and rested his hand on his grandfather’s shoulder, “Roth’stavous…” he whispered. “I have returned my grandfather…”
* * *
Leif Erikson
Year: 2983
“Now I understand why Jhahnahkan wanted us to stay behind,” Kate said.
“Yes, he needed us to subdue his brother,” Luanren answered.
“He spoke the plan to me and Luanren…” Helen said chiming in. “…telepathically and I to the doctor… he specifically instructed us to keep you out of it… he thought if you knew of the plan, Jhovahkan would have sensed it in you.”
“Why didn’t he sense the plan in you and Luanren?” Kate asked.
Qiaoshan stepped over to Kate, “Jhahnahkan did not know if he would… that is why he did not even tell me of this plan.”
“Rex,” Lanatek began, “what is our current position to the Captain?”
“I have adjusted our orbit into a high geocentric orbit to remain at the same position relative to Jhahnahkan at an altitude of twenty two thousand two hundred and forty miles above the surface,” Rex said in his best scientific sounding tone as he manipulated the helm’s consoles.
The entire bridge crew looked over at Rex in amazement as Lanatek paused for a few moments to absorb the wonderful report from the Leif’s helm.
“Uh… good,” Lanatek muttered. “Carry on then.”
“We just lost Jhahnahkan’s signal, sir,” Glenda reported.
“Good…” Lanatek replied, glancing over. “That means he has found the entrance to the village and is closer to finding his answers.”
Kate returned to her post satisfied that the ship was once again safe and began scanning the landing site.
“Lanatek,” she began, “I have tracked the storm’s path and intensity… the storm front has changed direction several times now, but the main surge is now on a direct course and will come in contact with the shuttle in twenty minutes.”
“If we leave the shuttle in place what are the chances it will survive?” Lanatek responded.
“I can’t be certain,” Kate answered, “There are already drifts beginning to cover the skids… once the main part of the storm hits, it will likely completely bury it.”
“Glenda, patch me to the shuttle’s computer.”
“Channel open sir.”
“Computer, fire engines and lift off to a safe area,” Lanatek ordered.
The computer fired its main thrusters and struggled to free itself from the icy surface. The ship had some difficulty in lifting off, but prevailed by the sheer power of its engines. The ice broke free and crumpled below as the shuttle took off from its frozen landing pad. The shuttle flew through the storm against the powerful winds and past the edge. Once the computer was sure it was out of the storm it again set down and parked itself and awaited further instructions.
“The shuttle is out of the storm,” Kate said, “At least for the time being.”
“Keep an eye on the storm track,” Lanatek ordered. “If it moves again, we will reassess the situation.”
Helen seemed distant for a few moments in deep thought. After several more passing moments, she stepped over to Kate and Rex and gave them a big hug, walked over to Glenda and gave her a hug before making her way to the bridge exit.
“Where do you think you are going?” Lanatek asked as she walked briskly by.
“Simple questions get simple answers,” she said half smiling, “It is my time now… you will all understand soon… I am going to speak with my grandson.” Helen said tapping her cane as she walked across the deck.
Qiaoshan took that as a welcome opportunity to exit as well. “I shall accompany you mother.”
Helen stopped for a moment and turned toward Qiaoshan, “No, my son. Not this time… another time perhaps… you go check on the good doctor and see if he has made any progress.”
She muttered more but the others could not hear her speak as they left the bridge.
“I wonder what all that was about?” Glenda asked with her usual curiosity.
“Yeah,” Rex said while working his console, “What was that all about? ‘It is my time?’ … We will all understand soon?”
“I do not like the sound of that… something is up alright.” Lanatek said with his hand stroking his chin, “Tim…” he instructed.
“Follow her and report back to me.”
Tim obliged and took off quietly to see what Helen was up to.
* * *
Leif Erikson Brig
Year: 2983
Helen stood in the dimly lit cellblock and stared as Jhovahkan laid silent, half on and half dangling off the small bench behind the force shield.
“Why did you come back?” she asked quietly. “You were not supposed to come back… you should have stayed away…”
Jhovahkan was not listening to his grandmother in his current passed out state, but Helen continued the seemingly one-way conversation.
As Helen continued to mutter, out from the shadows of the cell stepped an all too familiar figure. Helen looked upon her granddaughter with a tear streaming down her eye.
“Dear Sister Tamika,” Helen said under her breath. “I know why you are here my dear… and I won’t fight you… I understand completely… I have seen it…”
“You are a very brave woman my grandmother,” Tamika said quietly.
She stood half in and half out of the shadows as she addressed Helen. Her eyes did not seem as sunken in as they had first appeared. Her skin was slightly healed, yet still had the appearance of the Rune infection.
“You said you would not bring him back…” Helen said. “You agreed this would be best… now you have fractured the timeline even more severe than before.”
“You gave me Jhovahkan’s location by your own free will… you came to me… remember?”
“Yes, but… I… I did not think the timeline fractures would be so horrific… I just wanted him out of the picture.”
Tamika stepped closer to the force field. Electricity arced over to her body and began to swirl in a circular pattern. She stepped even closer and then passed through the screen keeping the shield intact as she exited.
“Come with me now…” she said holding her hand out. “While I am still mostly in control over the Rune… I may not be able to resist much longer… hurry… take my hand.”
Helen reached out a brave hand and clasped Tamika’s tightly, “I know where you are taking me… I have seen it… it has to happen…”
“Just focus on one thousand years from now on Ackturra…” she said as she opened a vortex.
The power of the vortex startled the cellblock guards. Tim had just arrived and entered the holding area just in time to see Helen and Tamika vanish from the cell.
* * *
Scorpii Underground City
Year: 2983
Jhahnahkan’s grandfather woke up with the sound of his voice. His dim eyes could barely open wide enough to see his grandson kneeling at his deathbed. Jhahnahkan looked upon Roth’stavous in disbelief. He choked back his tears and wiped the ones that did fall with the back of his hand.
“Jhahnahkan…” Roth’stavous struggled to say as he tried to lift his head to get a closer look. “It is… my grandson… I knew you would arrive today… it was foretold.”
Jhahnahkan rested his hand behind Roth’stavous’s head and began to raise him in an upright position.
“What has happened my grandfather?” he asked with deep concern.
“The timeline fracture…” Roth’stavous said with a crackle in his voice. “Your sister has your master power crystal…”
“Yes, I know she took it from me just before I was about to unlock my mind to reveal the secret.”
“You never unlocked the knowledge you gave me to pass on to you?” Roth’stavous asked with sadness.
Jhahnahkan not sure he heard right begged to ask the next question, “Grandfather… you do not make since… who gave you the knowledge… who gave you the secret to give me?”
“Why you did my grandson,” he said, looking at Jhahnahkan with a smirk.
Jhahnahkan paused and took some thought of what his grandfather was trying to say with a puzzled look on his face. “I gave you the secret?” he whispered to himself.
“Yes… you did… but not yourself… you didn’t give it to me… your other self did… your other self that came to me from our future.”
“You are saying that my future self came and delivered a message to you for you to give to me?!?”
“And then you were to use my power crystal to unlock your mind. The power crystal that my wife planted in the caverns for you… you were to use that power crystal and unlock the knowledge of how to defeat the Rune…”
“Now Tamika has the power crystal and has infused it with the Rune,” Jhahnahkan said with disbelief.
“And that is why I am dying now… I became so close to my power crystal… so connected… the entity took on my personification… now that it is corrupted by the Rune… it is draining my life essence away from me and into the crystal…” Roth’stavous began to struggle as he weakened from his upright position.
Jhahnahkan helped him lie back down and his grandfather gathered all his strength he had left and continued. “…You swore me to secrecy until this time… this time… we meet face to face once again…”
He winced as he continued to speak while Jhahnahkan listened intently.
“… There is only one way now… one way left for you to beat the Rune…”
Secret of the Crystal - Omnibus Edition Books 1-3 (Time Travel Adventure) Page 38
