Gaul curiously asks, "What about Carla?"
Val says, "I will keep her safe here with me."
Gaul exhales a breath of relief, saying, "Ok then. Let’s get moving, it’s going to take us at least a month and half to get to our system, and you can be sure the natives will be waiting to meet with you."
Jackson confused asks, "Only took Val a few days, why so long?"
Val smiles and says, "I can’t figure out what I did to Cavalier to increase its power, and whatever I did, it’s gone, and it’s not traceable."
Jackson smiles and says, "Val, it’s good to see that you’re human again."
A few hours later, Jackson is about to board a medical transport pod with Qui Shi in her stasis pod when Val comes over with Carla, saying, "Jacks, I’m sorry. I just can't remember too much, about what happened, but whatever they have down there on that moon of the First Ones, but whatever it is it healed me, it made me whole again. Just be very careful, the Paladonian’s are very secular people each is very independent, and each seeks to have some sort of advantage over the other. You my friend are a major prize to any, second only to Carla. Be very careful Jacks, they have other weapons, other than X’ena technology."
Jackson looks down at Carla, saying, "Don’t worry Val, I promise we’ll be back."
Carla innocently asks, "Papa Jacks. I want my mama back. Can you bring her back too?"
Jackson swallows, saying, "I’ll do the best I can, Carla."
Jackson walks up the ramp, looking out at the hangar crew as the hatch closes.
Moments later, the support fighter lands on Gaul’s Flagship. Gaul’s crew immediately boards, and secure Qui Shi's stasis pod. Jackson exits the transport pod, as he is greeted by Gaul, who reports, "Ok Jacks, I’ve set up quarters for you right next to med bay, so you can stay with Qui Shi."
Jackson, gratefully responds, "Thank you Gaul."
Gaul smiles and says, "Jacks knock it off. It’s the least I can do after the beating you gave Kalen.” He laughs.
Gaul leaves with only his Flagship only as he chooses to leave his ships to protect the Earth fleet, until they are safe enough to travel.
Six weeks pass without incident, when Gaul calls down to Jackson, "Jacks, I need you on the bridge, now."
Jackson arrives several minutes later, asking, "Yes Gaul, what’s wrong?"
Gaul shows Jackson his tactical holoscreen. This displays several ships approaching. He adds, "Seems we have a security leak. They’re demanding that I allow them access to you."
Jackson annoyed asks, "I don’t have time for this. What can you do?"
Gaul looks over tactical, and says, "Well, we have several Tof ships, and Valens ships. As well as a few Uari ships and of course they are all carrying T-Challa missiles."
Jackson innocently, asks, "Any idea’s how to get us through them."
Gaul smiles saying. "Not really, for a thousand years we usually just push our way through blockades, but you’re supposed to be able to shutdown X’ena technology. Why not just power down their ships."
Jackson smiles back and says, "Yeah, I know. Except one problem with that, I don’t know how to do it."
Gaul grins and says, "They don’t know that you don’t know how to shut them down."
Jackson groans and says, "Bluff them."
Gaul activates the com, saying, "This is Gaul. You will clear the way or Jackson will shutdown your planets X’ena technology."
Few moments pass, when the blockade breaks and allows Gaul to pass freely.
Jackson smiles and says, "Well, that was easy."
Gaul, preoccupied says, "Maybe, but I didn’t see any Rookes, and they don’t bluff to easy." As if on cue, several T-Challa torpedoes fire from several fighters.
Gaul maneuvers the ship hard to starboard and fires countermeasures destroying the majority of the salvo, but four hit Gaul’s ship.
His first officer reports, "We have shields down to twenty-five percent, and the other sect ships, are now turning in pursuit."
Gaul says, "Ok, so much for bluffing. Prepare for flank speed, let’s head out to the moon of the First Ones now."
Jackson asks, "Anything I can do?"
Gaul says, "Yeah, figure out how you can shutdown their ships."
Jackson curiously says, "Let me look at the command function screens." Gaul steps away from his console, and says, "Have at it Jacks."
Jackson hastily looks over the controls and thinks. What would I have to do to get control of this situation? What would Cale have done for a dumb ass like me, to take control of this headache?
Jackson looks over and sees a command feature that says, Plan A. Jackson smiles, asking, "What is this command feature?"
Gaul looks over at the panel, saying, "It doesn’t work Jacks, it’s hard wired in all Paladonian ships, and we can’t get it to work."
Jackson laughing asks, "How is it supposed to activate?"
Gaul replies, "Its voice activated."
Jackson says aloud, "Activate plan A."
Then all Paladonian ships, including Gaul’s flagship, powers down as an image of Caleb appears on the bridge. It speaks, "Hey Jacks, if you found this command feature, you have activated the shutdown command of the Paladonian fleet, which means that my primary rules are being ignored. You can now allow certain ships to power up, or remain deactivated."
Jackson says, "Allow power to the Bentonian and Whitefeather fleets only."
Just then, Gaul’s ship powers back up. The holoimage of Caleb says, "All other fleets will remain powered down unless threatened by outside forces, or until you order else wise."
Gaul smiles and says, "Let em stew for a few hours Jacks."
Jackson smiles and says, "No, it’s not a toy for me to use.” Jackson announces, "Activate the com to all Paladonian worlds."
A few minutes pass when the image of Caleb replies, "All com lines are now open."
Jackson says, "I’m going to restore all of your fleets power, and I hope to never have to use this device again. Let’s try to remember why we are here. We are brothers and allies. Let’s allow the trust begin here today." Jackson pauses and says, "All ships restore power."
Gaul concerned says, "Bad idea Jacks. We ain’t out of their firing range."
The Paladonian fleets start to power up, as Gaul passes by them, moving out toward the moon of the First Ones.
Gaul starts to hear the voice in his head, "Gaul, send both to us. Alone."
Gaul sighs and says, "Jacks, you and your wife need to go to the surface yourself. I can’t come with you."
Jackson concerned asks, "How do I do that?"
Gaul lets out a deep breath and says, "You will need to carry Qui Shi down to the surface, through null space using a shifter."
Jackson a little surprised says, "Gaul, I don’t know how to use a shifter."
Gaul apologetic says, "Sorry Jacks, I don’t make the rules, the First Ones do. All you have to do is follow the lights that appear, and focus on it. You will feel resistance as you pass through the field, but the First Ones will guide you to it."
Jackson curious asks, "It? What is It, Gaul?"
Gaul says, "The Flower Stone."
After fifteen minutes, Jackson is fitted with a phase shifter cloak, and Qui Shi is brought from stasis, and given to Jackson to carry.
Gaul says, "Jacks, when you enter the null field, you’ll see a blue light. Run and push as fast as you can, but whatever you do, don’t black out, or lose sight of the blue light."
Jackson impatient says, "Let’s just get this over with."
Jackson holds Qui Shi in one arm, as he activates the shifter on his belt, entering null space. The sound is deafening, as he looks all around, and finally sees the blue light. He immediately pushes forward carrying Qui Shi toward the light. Jackson feels the resistance, but still pushes himself. He tries to focus, as the noise becomes almost too much. He feels the energy being sucked out from him. Finally, just when he feels like he is about to lose all his strength, h
e feels something pulling him through. He emerges into the very same chamber that Val told him about, a few weeks ago.
Jackson disoriented, and exhausted yells, "Please help! She is dying!"
A voice speaks in Jackson head peaceful and pleasant, saying, "Enter the mist Andrew, and we will help you, but you must hurry."
Jackson very weak and confused carries Qui Shi down the corridor, and into a vast room of incredible size, filled with a strange glowing mist. He is pushing his body on pure adrenaline. Within the mist, he sees movement, but can’t make out who or what is there.
Jackson cautiously asks, "Who is in here?"
Then from the mist, several humans wearing hooded cloaks appear. Along with many aliens, and finally the T-Challa appear. Jackson’s eyes go wide as he sees them. He starts to walk back when he hears, "You are safe Andrew. We are all victims, just as you are. We are not the enemy."
Jackson yells out, asking, "You’re the butchers of this galaxy! What else should I think of you?"
Then finally, the Queen appears from the mist. Her massive size is frightening, as she speaks telepathically, "Andrew, the stone is just ahead enter it quickly, and all will be explained. I’m sorry, but you must hurry, Qui Shi is dying."
The stone glows blue, as the crowd makes a path to allow Jackson to the stone.
As Jackson approaches it he asks, "What do I do, when I get to the stone?"
The Queen says, "Touch the stone Andrew, and all will be revealed."
Jackson looks around at everyone. He presses himself and Qui Shi against the stone. They are immediately transported to an even larger chamber within the stone, which itself is completely desolate of anything. Jackson yells out, "I need help, please!"
A familiar voice answers from all around, saying, "Jacks, you always need help."
Caleb smiles, as he appears from out of nowhere. He looks at Jackson and Qui Shi and immediately senses her pain, saying, "Give her to me quickly my friend. She doesn’t have much time."
Jackson almost in tears says, "Cale…. Your, you’re alive?"
Caleb smiles, as he takes Qui Shi, and begins to glow blue. He replies, "Well, I may be, but I’m not exactly who you think I am my friend. Well not entirely."
Caleb glows bright blue, then the entire chamber also glows blue, and that blue glow surrounds Qui Shi as she is instantly healed. She quickly stirs, groaning.
Caleb smiles, as she opens her eyes, and sees Caleb looking down on her. Caleb says, "Hey Doc, what’s going on in the real world?"
Qui Shi’s eyes go wide, as she sees Caleb. She looks all around, seeing Jackson next to her. She is overwhelmed, asking, "What’s going on? Where are we Andrew?"
Jackson jubilant at Qui Shi miraculous recovery says, "You won’t believe it if I told you Qui Shi, but were in a giant room surrounded by T-Challa, inside this Flower Stone."
Qui Shi is very overwhelmed as she stands up, and regains her bearings, asking, "What?"
Caleb finally speaks, "Well, I’ll try and explain as best I can, but your time in the stone is very limited. I’m not exactly Caleb. I’m a copy of him. I have all his memories, all his emotions, and even all his powers. At least up to the point he came in contact with the stone two thousand years ago, and even though I’m telling you all this. It won’t really matter, because the T-Challa Queen will erase your memory."
Jackson confused ask, "Caleb, tell me what the hell is going on, and start off slow please?"
Caleb smiles and says, "First off my friend I’ll tell you what I know from when you last saw us for what it’s worth. We were thrown into the future, some three thousand years in the future to be more precise"
Jackson interrupts, "Yeah, we got that from the Paladonian’s. You found a horrific future in which Carla lost control of her power, a future that you traveled back in time from to prevent. I’m up to speed on that."
Caleb replies, "Well, that’s the condensed version, but Carla didn’t lose control Jacks, she was killed, killed by a creature that currently possesses the T-Challa Queen. This cosmic deity is called the Meli and it is actually what is responsible for everything that has happened to us and everyone else in the universe as well." Caleb pauses says, "Jacks, I tried to return to our time, to prevent the Meli from succeeding, but I failed to return to the right time. I was forced to alter course when I was traveling in time stream. It was in the stream where I found the Flower Stone, and it is because of the stone, that I return two thousand years too early."
Qui Shi asks, "Then you would have died Caleb, for the most you can live is a thousand years?"
Caleb grins and says, "Well, you won’t like this part, but contact with the Flower Stone extends human life, doubling it, sometimes, even tripling it."
Qui Shi aggravated asks. "You mean we’ve been altered?"
Jackson irritated says, "Cale, first our kid, then Val, and now us. You have to stop doing this."
Qui Shi remembers what she found out about her son, angrily she asks, "Caleb! What right have you to do that to our son, and without our permission?"
Caleb frowns regretfully and says, "Sorry, but I knew you wouldn’t allow it. So I was forced to decide what was best for the future." Caleb pauses and says, "We determined that he would more than likely end up marrying Carla. Therefore, I wanted to give him a gift. A gift that he would be able to use to help her, and the people of Earth."
Qui Shi now red faced enraged yells, "We! Who the hell is we?"
Paladin echo’s from the chamber, saying, "Hello Qui Shi. I analyzed the possible future outcomes, and determined that the two had a seventy-six percent chance to become close. Therefore, as Carla carries a piece of me within her. We wanted to give your son a gift."
Jackson quickly holds Qui Shi and says, "Qui Shi, let’s hear the rest of what’s going on before we go into this ok, please."
Caleb says, "Well, I’m aware of everything that has happened up till you arrived Jackson. What do you want to know?"
Val appears behind Caleb and says, "Hi Jacks?"
Jackson now very confused asks, "Val? But you’re on the Yorktown."
Val replies, "Yeah, well when you leave the stone, a copy of you will remain behind too, and one other thing Jacks. You can never re-enter the stone again. Only your descendants can."
Caleb says, "Sorry Jacks, more surprises. I’m aware of the Paladonian’s and the internal conflict, but I need to do something to you, before you leave."
Jackson stands back and says, "Oh no, you’re not downloading all that crap in me, like you did Val."
Caleb smiles and says, "No my friend, I have to put some of the information in your mind about the Meli, so the Queen won’t erase it."
Jackson asks, "Why not just tell her not to erase our memory?"
Paladin replies, "We can’t communicate with her, and she can’t risk having the Meli finding out about her, or the other races we saved out there."
Qui Shi confused asks, "Other races, the Queen? What is all this about?"
Caleb reluctantly says, "Well, you were unconscious when you arrived and didn’t see them, but I decided to save all the races the Meli destroyed, including the T-Challa. So I cloned the Queen."
Qui Shi in shock asks, "That thing is pure evil."
Caleb replies, "No Qui Shi, The T-Challa are not evil. The Meli is. The Meli is an inter-dimensional deity, which escaped from a dimension that the X’ena where exploring. The X’ena soon discovered that the dimension was filled with such evil beings, and they quickly sealed it off, but they were unaware that one of the Meli had escaped.
This Meli feeds on negative psychic energy, which comes from pain and suffering. It found the T-Challa Queen, which was at the time, the most powerful psychic mind in our dimension. It killed, or imprisoned her mind and then took control of her body. Then it imbued its evil, on each of her young born from that point on, including all the new Queens, which, when they matured enough The Meli would enter that Queen's mind, and continue on its endless supply of death and destr
uction."
Jackson confused asks, "So that creature that Carla killed isn’t dead?"
Caleb gets serious, and asks, "Carla killed a Queen?"
Jackson sighs and says, "The Queen was trying to kill Qui Shi. Carla saved her."
Caleb lowers his head and says, "The Meli now knows of Carla and her power. It will be more prepared for her next time. This is very bad Jacks. She will never be able to defeat it without my help. Damn it Jacks; I specifically told them to make sure she never faced the Queen."
Jackson replies, "I’m sorry Cale, but there was nothing we could do. Carla took her on to save us all. Without her, we wouldn't be here now. Just tell me what to do Cale, and I’ll do it."
Caleb depressed replies, "There isn’t much you can do my friend. Just keep her safe, and teach her everything you can. I’ve already put a few other things in place to help her just in case."
Jackson asks, "Cale are you alive? Can we find you?"
Paladin answers, "We have not perished Jacks, of that much I know. Unfortunately, we can’t sense where we are now. We are more than likely in suspended animation somewhere, waiting for us to be found, or needed again."
Jackson asks, "Cale, why can’t we return to the Flower Stone?"
Paladin answers, "Because the Flower Stone will create an exact duplicate of you, and no two identical objects can exist in the same place, and at the same time. This is a one-time meeting."
Qui Shi concerned asks, "And our duplicates? Will they be happy here?"
Caleb smiles and says, "Life here is however we want it. We can stay dormant until needed, or live whatever adventures we want."
Jackson says, "You know they saved Emily Cale, but I guess some radical sect inside the Tof people has her, and they won’t negotiate with anyone."
Caleb lowers his head again and says, "Someday she will be found, and hopefully my adventures can happen with her here."
Paladin says, "You must leave now."
Caleb says as he hugs Qui Shi, saying, "I’m sorry that I have caused so much pain in your lives."
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 2 Lost Heroes Page 24
