The Houses of Parliament. The Statue of Liberty. The Eiffel Tower. The Sydney Opera House. The Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Golden Gate Bridge. They had all been obliterated.
‘Six major world monuments have been destroyed by what appeared to be asteroids—’
The screen dissolved into static. The door of the flat banged open suddenly. A tall, wiry man stepped into the flat and walked across the room.
It was Martin’s dad, but he looked different. His brown eyes were alert and serious. He lowered himself into the tattered armchair, and looked his son straight in the eye. The intensity of his gaze was so strong that Martin had to look away.
‘Hello, Martin,’ he said, switching off the TV. ‘I see you’ve been watching the news.’
‘But you’re…’
‘Sober?’ His dad smiled faintly. ‘Yes I am. And I’m paying for it. I feel terrible. Look.’ He held up one of his hands, which was shaking. ‘I must look a terrible state.’
‘You… look great,’ said Martin.
‘I’m… I’m… I’m sorry.’
‘You don’t have to—’
‘No, I am sorry. I’ve been so… selfish.’
Martin didn’t know what to say.
‘I won’t drink from now on, I promise. If this is Armageddon, as everyone seems to think it is, I want to die as myself.’
‘You don’t need to—’
His dad shook his head. ‘No. I promise. If we’ve only got a few hours left anyway it’s not much to promise.’
Martin didn’t reply.
‘You look so much like your mother.’
Martin still did not answer. Even if his dad did stop drinking, it would be a long time before they could have anything like a normal relationship.
The television suddenly crackled back into life. A person wearing a featureless golden mask sat in front of the camera. When it began to speak, it was undoubtedly the low, pulsing voice he had heard twice in Slater’s office—the disguised voice of Moonstone.
‘People of Earth—look around you. Ask yourselves what hope you could possibly have of defiance. In six short strokes, your civilisation has been brought to the point of collapse.
‘This destruction is the work of my master, a force called XO5. And nobody can save you. Not even your primitive gods.
‘In three hours XO5 plans to wipe out the city of London. But there is a way out for you. I am looking for a particular human in your city. His name is Martin King. Bring Martin King to Westminster Bridge at exactly 11:00PM and London will be spared.’
The TV faded to static. Martin’s phone began to ring; his hand shook a little as he held it to his ear. It was Moonstone, her voice no longer disguised.
‘I hope you saw my little broadcast,’ she said.
Martin tried to control his voice. ‘So you’re working for XO5? It makes sense, I suppose.’
‘Yes,’ said Moonstone. ‘I am working for XO5. It is XO5 that wants to gain possession of the Isis Crystal. I simply serve.’
‘Then why call me? What do you want with me?’
‘XO5 has commanded me to contact you.’
‘Why?’
Moonstone paused. ‘XO5 speaks of you.’
‘What did you say?’
‘XO5 speaks constantly of Martin King. XO5 has great admiration for you. XO5 proposes an alliance in return for your life.’
Martin grimaced. ‘No thanks.’
‘Ah, I see,’ said Moonstone. ‘You are too good—too virtuous—to make such a bargain. And I suppose you also have some ingenious plan to stop me.’
‘Actually, yes, I do,’ lied Martin.
‘Of course.’
A crack of vicious lightning illuminated the dark sky beyond the window.
‘Look out at the storm,’ said Moonstone. ‘This planet will burn. Join us.’
‘Never.’
‘Then I will simply have to wait for the inevitable mob of humans to capture you and bring you to me by force. Goodbye.’
The phone went dead. Martin turned to his dad, ready to explain everything that had just happened, but suddenly, with a pop, a young man appeared in the living room. He was wearing a velvet jacket and pinstriped trousers.
‘How’s it going?’ said Levanté. ‘I saw the broadcast just now, and I knew I had to come to help. In a few minutes half of London is going to be on your doorstep demanding your blood.’
‘How did you know where I live?’ said Martin.
‘I’m an Axis Lord. I know pretty much everything.’ Levanté grinned. ‘We need to gather your friends. And then we need to pay a visit to my old Uncle Slater.’
Martin turned to his dad. ‘I’m sorry, dad… I have to go.’
His dad placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. ‘Go.’
Martin and Levanté ran.’
*
So here’s the plan,’ said Levanté.
Martin, Darcy, Tommy and Levanté were sitting in the lounge of Valiant Star. Mr Slater stood beside them, his hands clasped behind his back.
‘Michael has told me everything,’ the magician went on. ‘He has told me all about the Isis Crystal, and where it is located. I’ll come with you, and once we’ve found the crystal I can try to teleport us all out of the city.’
‘That is the element of the plan that worries me the most,’ said Slater, lighting a cigarette. ‘There is no way of knowing if your abilities will be sufficient to allow you to escape the city. In fact, it seems highly likely that they will not be sufficient. Then you will all be trapped.’
‘We don’t have a choice now,’ said Levanté. He pointed through one of the portholes. ‘Look at the sky. This planet is getting nearer to destruction every second. We must act!’
Martin stood up. ‘I agree with Levanté.’
Tommy nodded. ‘He’s right. We have to go the city right away.’
Slater sighed. He glanced out at the golden sky.
‘Very well,’ he muttered. ‘I shall set a course for the City of Serenity.’
The teacher left the room and there was a moment of silence. Martin shook Levanté’s hand.
‘Thanks so much for coming back to help,’ said Martin.
‘You were right. I do owe it to Falcon.’
Mr Slater activated the engines; the whole ship roared into life and they began to soar through the golden storm as rain lashed against the hull.
Levanté sat down and sipped his coffee. The ghost of Slater’s cigarette still lingered in the room.
Suddenly, there was a crash, and Darcy was flung from her seat to the floor. Martin rushed to her.
‘Darcy—are you OK?’
‘Yes,’ she muttered, climbing to her feet, ‘just about.’
‘We are being pursued,’ shouted Slater, over the intercom. ‘I am going to take evasive action. Please come to the control room straight away.’
Valiant Star increased speed. They rushed into the control room; Slater was frantically adjusting several controls.
‘We are under attack,’ he said, ‘and the shields have been damaged.’
‘Can’t you fire back?’ said Tommy.
Slater shook his head. ‘The other ship has Blazing Diamond cannons and excellent shielding. It will be a matter of minutes before we are torn to pieces.’
‘Then what are we going to do?’ said Darcy.
Slater sighed. ‘I am going to route the remainder of my power to the ship’s teleport. I can use the teleport to send all of you into the City of Serenity.’
‘But… if you’re using the rest of your power… won’t that mean you’ll be stranded?’ said Darcy.
‘Yes, Darcy,’ said Mr Slater. ‘My ship will drop, powerless, into the ocean and I will be trapped beneath the waves.’
Before any of them could protest, he held up a hand.
‘There is no other way. I will be able to survive underwater in Valiant Star for a while. It is far more important that you find the Isis Crystal and save your world.’
‘Wait a minute,’ s
aid Levanté. ‘We don’t need to use your teleport. I’ll use my power to get us into the city.’
Slater shook his head. ‘No. You need to save your strength. Please—no more arguments. Stand over there, all of you.’
Mr Slater gestured to several silver circles arranged in a ring on the floor.
‘Those are the teleportals. They will take you right into the city.’
With some apprehension, they each stepped into a circle.
‘OK,’ said Mr Slater, ‘are you—’
He was interrupted as another missile battered the ship’s hull.
‘After three, then,’ said Mr Slater. ‘One, two, three.’
Mr Slater pulled a brass lever, calmly, and the control room of Valiant Star dissolved.
Chapter 10: The City of Serenity
It was suddenly daytime. The sea swirled around Martin’s head; he kicked and splashed in the deep water. Darcy’s head emerged from the waves.
‘Where’s Tommy?’ she gulped.
‘Over here,’ shouted Tommy. ‘I can see land! Follow me!’
Martin and Darcy swam after Tommy and Levanté. The land was at least a quarter of a mile away, and Martin’s limbs soon began to tire. But he pushed on against the stinging water.
The land became closer, and Martin could see trees. Martin turned his head; Darcy was struggling in the water.
‘Help,’ she shouted, ‘I’m drowning!’
‘I’m coming!’
Martin wasn’t a very good swimmer either, but he swam back to Darcy. He took hold of her, but didn’t have the strength to swim while supporting her. Tommy and Levanté were barely visible in the distance; they were the strongest swimmers and had not noticed their friends getting into any difficulty.
Martin took firm hold of Darcy and summoned all of his strength. He flew up out of the water, carrying Darcy with him, leaving a trail of water droplets. They flew towards the beach and collapsed onto the warm sand.
‘Are you OK?’ said Martin.
‘Yep,’ said Darcy. She sat up and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you. I would have been dead without you.’
Martin felt his face reddening. Tommy and Levanté reached the shore and ran up to them.
‘Look at the sky!’ said Tommy. ‘It’s not stormy!’
‘Indeed not,’ said a warm voice.
A man was approaching. There was something strange about him. As he got nearer, Martin realised that he was an Axis Lord. But he had red eyes.
‘My name is Laser Wolf,’ he said. ‘I have been expecting you.’ He smiled. ‘Martin, Darcy, Tommy.’
‘You know who we are?’ said Darcy.
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I will explain everything, in time. But first, let’s get you dry.’
The alien called Laser Wolf waved a hand; their clothes and skin instantly dried.
‘It is unfortunate that you ended up in the water,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘It is a common mistake made by new arrivals to the city. The original coordinates are now out-dated—it has been many thousands of years, after all. The island has shifted position over time.’
Martin stood up. He had regained his breath and his head had cleared.
‘We’re here for the Isis Crystal,’ said Martin. ‘Do you know where it is?’
‘Of course,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘I’ll take you right away. But first, I sense you are carrying Deceiving Necklaces. Put them on—it will be better if you blend in.’
They pulled their Deceiving Necklaces from their pockets and put them around their necks; suddenly they were aged by around thirty years. Laser Wolf waved a hand and their disguises changed.
Martin glanced at Darcy’s face; her blonde hair had turned white and her eyes had become a vivid purple. Martin realised that they were now disguised as Axis Lords.
‘So you’re just going to take us to the crystal?’ said Tommy. ‘How do you know you can trust us?’
Laser Wolf smiled. ‘Because I have been waiting for the three of you for a long time. And there is also another reason.’
Laser Wolf stepped closer to Tommy and pointed at his eyes.
‘You notice that my eyes are red? This is very unusual for a member of my species. I was born with an ability called Soul Sight. My red eyes allow me to see the condition of a person’s heart.’ He looked at the three teenagers. ‘You all have good hearts. And you—’ He looked at Levanté. ‘—you are old and bitter and angry, but you are still a good man.’
Levanté laughed. ‘Very good. Well, shall we get on?’
They began to walk across the flawless beach. The coloured shells strewn across the sand glittered like gemstones. It wasn’t long before they could see the city.
‘It’s beautiful here,’ said Darcy, gazing from the sandy dunes to the faraway city.
‘It certainly is,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘You mentioned earlier, Tommy, that it is not stormy here. It’s an illusion, I’m afraid, but a nice one. The blue sky is simply a disguise; if someone switched off the Sky Projector you would see that the storm rages even over the City of Serenity.’
Martin noticed other people on the beach as they approached the city. A couple of Axis Lords were sitting at a small table, wearing linen suits and playing a game that looked a little like chess.
About five small children with white hair and purple eyes were building a spectacularly good sandcastle. As Martin watched, one of the children tapped it with a silver rod and the sand instantly turned to glass—the glass castle gleamed in the sunshine.
‘Many Axis Lords move into the city to live here by choice,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘The Axis society is corrupt, bureaucratic and callous. Of course, if an Axis Lord decides to move to the city, he can never leave.’
They eventually reached a wide stone staircase that led off from the beach. Laser Wolf led the way as they stepped over the threshold into the City of Serenity.
Every building seemed to be made from brightly-coloured stone. A kind of orange marble was especially common. They passed through a square garden, which was decorated with hanging vines and a large stone fountain. Then they came to a built-up area.
‘That is the Mathematics Centre,’ said Laser Wolf, pointing at various buildings that they passed, ‘and that is the Grand Library. Over there you can just about pick out the Science Palace…’
Martin pointed to a structure that seemed oddly out-of-place amongst the lively, colourful structures. It was a huge charcoal grey building; it looked strangely Gothic, with tall spires reaching to the heavens.
‘What’s that?’ asked Martin.
‘That is the most important building in the whole city,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘It is the Wheelmaster’s Temple.’
He did not elaborate. They walked for a few more minutes until they reached a row of cube-shaped vehicles. Laser Wolf led them into one of the cubes. Inside were five rows of seats. They all sat down.
‘The Silver Castle,’ said Laser Wolf.
The door of the cube closed and they started to move. The vehicle made a low humming sound.
‘These Travel Pods are a very convenient way to get around,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘They generate their own power as they move, so they are virtually self-sustaining and create no pollution.
‘We are travelling towards the Silver Castle. That is where the Isis Crystal is kept. Although, I warn you, retrieving the crystal will not be as easy as you may think.’
‘Nothing is ever easy,’ muttered Tommy.
Levanté turned his head to look at Tommy.
‘What did you just say?’ he said.
‘Er… I just said that nothing is ever easy.’
The magician frowned. ‘Sorry. Ignore me. I just… I don’t know. I thought I just remembered something. Have I met you before, Tommy? Before this whole business, I mean. Suddenly you seem strangely familiar—all three of you.’
Tommy frowned. ‘The first time we met was at your magic show.’
Levanté shook his head.
‘Sorry. My mind is playing tricks on me, I t
hink.’
As they travelled, Laser Wolf explained that the place where they were heading—the Silver Castle—was originally created to house the government of the City of Serenity. However, the original exiles had all agreed that no man should set himself up over another.
‘In many ways,’ said Laser Wolf, ‘this city has been one big experiment for us. In the thousands of years since its creation, we have not had one leader, or King, or Prime Minister. And we have never needed one.’
‘But,’ began Darcy, ‘how do you keep order? How do you deal with criminals?’
Laser Wolf smiled. ‘The Axis mind is a little less… predisposed towards crime than the human mind. It is true, however, that there have been a few minor crimes over the years. We have dealt out punishment for those crimes as an intelligent, cohesive group.’
‘What about Moonstone?’ said Tommy.
Laser Wolf’s eyes darkened.
‘We do not speak about Moonstone,’ he said quietly.
Martin tried to change the subject.
‘Of all of the people here,’ he said, ‘how many are descendants of the original settlers?’
‘Most of us. In fact, there are actually a few of the original prisoners still alive today. My great-great-great-great grandfather was an artist of some note who passed away three hundred years ago.
‘But, enough about us! Tell me all about why you are here. I already know a little, of course.’
They told Laser Wolf all about their mission. Eventually, the Travel Pod stopped and the door opened again. Laser Wolf led them out into the sunlight.
‘Don’t we have to pay?’ said Tommy.
‘Oh, no,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘We don’t use money here.’
Martin noticed the Silver Castle as soon as he stepped out of the cube. It was a magnificent building; it must have been twice the size of Buckingham Palace—and ten times as grand.
‘The Isis Crystal is inside,’ said Laser Wolf. ‘Come on.’
They approached the Silver Castle along a cobbled path. When they reached the front of the castle Laser Wolf knocked three times on the golden door.
The door opened. Laser Wolf led Martin and the others into the castle and the door closed behind them. Martin had expected to see fine furniture, paintings, ornaments—but there was nothing. The castle was apparently empty. The walls and floors were bare, and the high silver ceiling was plain and unremarkable.
Martin King and the Space Angels (Martin King Series) Page 8
