Ark - Box Set #6, Part 1 of Ever After [an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel]

by Robert Iannone

  “Of course, Ma’am. Just give us a moment to move him.”

  “Ezra, dear. I’ll be with you the whole way.”

  “Ma’am, he slipped into unconsciousness. He can’t hear you.”

  Grammy, the ever strong woman who had been instrumental in shaping Egg into the legend she had become, broke down and cried.

  *****

  Another hour ticked by and still no sign of Egg. The girls were past worrying . . . they were now in a state of denial. Occasionally, a muffled sob could be heard - quickly replaced with silence. To cry was to acknowledge the worst.

  I’za wanted to say something – to snap these women back to reality. However, she knew that wasn’t her place. So, she kept doing what little she could to keep the search going.

  It was Serenity who finally spoke the unspeakable. “That’s it. There’s nothing more we can do.” If she was expecting the others to argue, she was wrong. They were in shock and, after five hours of nerve wracking effort, were mentally and emotionally exhausted. Her statement was greeted with deathly quiet.

  But that shock was about to be transformed into awe. Into the silence, came the voice of a ghost. Not I’za. Not one of her kind. It was the voice of an actual spirit.

  “Sisters.”

  Six heads snapped up.

  “Great Caesar’s Ghost,” yelped Serenity. (This time she was quoting from an Earth comic book. The girl really did like to read). “On the viewer,” and she needlessly pointed.

  “What is that?” asked an incredulous Jax’x. Her knowledge of dragons was limited.

  “It’s Storm,” came the whispered answer from the only one who had ever met him. Bl’azzz stood up and walked in front of the viewer (causing the others to crane their necks so they, too, could see). “Hi, Storm . . . it’s me, Bl’azzz.”

  “Sister, it is good to see you again.”

  I’za had no idea what she was looking at. “Who is this individual?” she asked no one in particular.

  “That’s the dragon Storm – at least, that’s his spirit. He died about ten years ago” answered Bree. “He was the best friend to the woman who was indirectly instrumental in creating the sisterhood”.

  “I do not understand.”

  “Me, neither.”

  “He’s here about Egg,” stated Serenity with no uncertainty. To the image on the screen she almost yelled, “She’s not dead. Tell me she’s not dead”.

  “Your sister is dying. If you are to save her, you must make haste.”

  “WE CAN’T FIND HER”. This time Serenity did scream in frustration.

  “I will take you to her. You must hurry,” and the image started to fly off.

  Serenity rudely pulled I’za out of the control seat. “Get out of my way.”

  “I apologize”. I’za was ever so impressed with the emotion and loyalty of these people. And also intrigued. They could communicate with the spirits of the dead. That was impressive.

  *****

  Back on Earth

  As Grammy paced in the waiting room, Egg’s parents came in. Mrs. Graystone went up to her mother and gave her a big hug. “How is he?”

  “They haven’t told me anything.”

  “How are you holding up?”

  “I feel like I’ve been zapped by a Mo’beye.” That, of course, happened to her ten years earlier on Aerianna.

  “Come over here and sit down.” To her husband she said, “Can you get us some coffee, please?”

  “I’ll be right back.” He turned to leave then stopped and turned back. “Ellie, I’m so sorry,” he said softly to his mother-in-law.

  “Thank you dear.”

  The doctor chose that moment to make an appearance. “Mrs. Hightower?”

  Grammy stood up – holding on to her daughter for support. “Yes. How is my husband?”

  “I’m sorry. The news is not good.”

  *****

  The chunk of the planet that held Egg had flown right by the Gracie. Ironically, it was in that initial debris field that they had hid from. The girls, of course, had no way to know that their friend lay unconscious on its surface.

  The ghostly image of Storm flew right into that lump of rock and disappeared. He had done his part . . . now it was up to Egg’s sisters.

  “Beam me down,” command Serenity to the room at large.

  “I think you’ll need a space suit,” suggested Bl’azzz.

  “What? Oh, rats. Someone go get my suit. Hurry.”

  “Serenity, I found Egg. I just teleported her to sickbay.”

  The girl in the chair cursed. “Stupid me. What was I thinking? Thanks Bree. Come on,” and she lead everyone out of the control room.

  As they made their way, Serenity was able to tap out a command to the automated physician to start a resuscitation protocol. The AI-directed apparatus could take and analyze vital signs, administer oxygen, apply an electric shock to restart a stopped heart and a few other basic procedures. It would, as a matter of safety, restrain the patient so that he or she wouldn’t attempt to fight off any of the lifesaving activities being performed.

  By the time the girls got there, the automated doctor was announcing in a feminine, but robotic voice, “Please stay clear.” Two paddles descended from the unit and came to rest on Egg’s chest. “CLEAR,” called the unit once again.

  A surge of electricity flowed from the paddles into Egg . . . and her stopped heart. The girl’s body convulsed horribly.

  “CLEAR”.

  And the process was repeated.

  “Stop that device,” commanded I’za.

  “What? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s trying to save her.”

  “Please. I am better equipped.”

  “CLEAR.”

  Chapter 2 – E.G.; Phone Home

  “Auto Doc OFF”. Serenity turned to I’za. “You better be right. Go.”

  The alien girl went briskly to the surgical bed holding Egg. She placed her hands . . . not over the girl’s heart . . . but on either side of her head. With her eyes closed, her face was a study of total concentration.

  The other girls squirmed impatiently. The heart monitor was flat-lined and flashing red. Egg’s breathing was somewhere between faint and non-existent. She had less than a minute before her situation would become irreversible.

  Serenity couldn’t take it any longer. “Auto Doc ON,” she yelled.

  As the machine came to life, I’za momentarily lost concentration. She looked up to see the automated system moving toward its patient. She gave an irritated look at Serenity then reached out and touched the unit. A flash of energy from her fingertips rendered the thing dead as the proverbial door-nail. She turned back to Egg, closed her eyes once again . . . and another flash of energy burst from her fingertips.

  Egg was momentarily bathed in a cloud of high-energy mist. Her sisters involuntarily yelped in surprise at the sight. A moment later she gasped loudly – sucking in an hour’s worth of air into her oxygen-starved lungs. Then she started to cough. She tried to cover her mouth but her hands had been secured by the Doc. The restraints caused the befuddled girl to panic and she began to struggle against them.

  “EGG, EGG,” yelled Bree as she ran up to her friend. She put her hands on the girl’s shoulders and tried to calm her down. “Egg, you’re okay. You’re on board the Gracie. Egg, it’s okay.”

  It took her a couple of seconds to make sense of what she was hearing. Bree used the time to release her straps and help her to sit up. Jax’x fetched a glass of water and held it as her sister took a sip.

  “Thank you. What happened?”

  “The planetoid exploded.”

  Egg gave that information some thought. “I remember. Right after I took off, it blew up. I tried to hide behind a large piece of rock but . . . well, everything went black.”

  “You were knocked out.”

  “Yeah, that wasn’t Flying Girl at her best. How long was I there?”

  “More than five hours.”

  “Really? I’m impress
ed that you were able to find me in that chaotic mess.”

  Bree looked at her sisters then back to Egg. “We had a little help from a friend of yours,” she said with a dragon-sized grin.

  *****

  As she was being helped off the table, Bree gave Egg a quick summary of what had transpired . . . the hours of nerve-racking failure followed by the unexpected visit from Storm.

  “Nice to have a guardian angel,” quipped Serenity.

  “Yeah. You can never have too many of those. I hope that means he’ll visit me when I sleep. It’s been too long and, besides, I think I owe him a thank you.”

  “Egg, you owe I’za one too,” said Bree.

  “Sorry?”

  “The Auto Doc wasn’t able to revive you so I’za came to your rescue. She zapped you with something.”

  Flying Girl walked up to the girl and gave her a hug. “Not sure if you’re familiar with those. It’s called a hug and it means, among other things, thank you.”

  I’za surprised herself by giggling. “I am familiar.”

  “At least we have that in common. So, are you also a doctor?”

  “No. But as part of my training, I have been taught how to administer aid to those injured. Your condition was not that difficult. You had suffered a blow to the head and the resulting trauma was disrupting autonomous brain signals to your heart.”

  “If you say so. Well, whatever it was that you did, thank you. Apparently you saved my life.”

  “As you did mine,” was the gracious reply.

  “I am curious about one thing,” and Egg turned to Serenity. “Since when do you trust a person over technology?” She couldn’t keep from smiling.

  “It was just idle curiosity. Figured we didn’t have much to lose,” came the sardonic reply. Everyone laughed. Her “I’m not joking” brought on more of the same.

  I’za showed her sense of humor when she added, “She did turn the machine back on before I was finished. I believe she was worried about you and was second guessing her decision.”

  “Did she now? Care to explain, Serenity?”

  “No.”

  *****

  They were back in the common room – everyone seated and comfortable. Each person had a plate of food and something to drink. Egg had changed out of her flying suit, took a shower and was back with the rest – feeling ever so much better.

  “Okay, we’ve got lots to do. We need to track down Xara and get I’za’s ship back. We need to destroy the PhoG that’s probably following her. We need to track down whoever is creating them. We need to find the Ark and the survivors. We need to do something about the bad guys that I’za thinks are a threat. Did I leave out anything?”

  “Yes. We need to take some time to find out about our guest,” said Bree.

  Egg nodded. “You’re right. Sorry, I’za we’ve been kind of rude.”

  “As much as I look forward to that exchange, I believe we all have more pressing issues to attend to. But thank you for being so considerate.”

  “We’ll compromise. Once we decide on a plan, we’re going to have time on our hands before we get to wherever it is we decide to go.”

  “Speaking of which, don’t you think we need to bring in reinforcements?” asked Bl’azzz. “I think this whole mess is bigger than we can handle.”

  “Agreed. At the very least, we have to inform everyone in this part of the galaxy of what’s happening. After we eat, let’s go to the control room. Serenity, can you hook us up with Meggy and Benny?”

  “Can do.”

  “Oh, and get Dazzle also.” That raised some eyebrows since Rose had been retired for almost five years. However, no one chose to question their leader.

  *****

  After a much-too-quick intake of food (they kind of inhaled it), they went to the control room as planned.

  “Did you want Benny first?” asked the girl in the chair.

  “No. In fact, bring him on last.” The girls all turned toward Egg. “Don’t want him to think I have to call for help whenever things get tough. He needs to know he’s no more than an after-thought.”

  That brought on a round-robin of droll comments.

  “Yeah, after you go to sleep”.

  “And after she wakes up.”

  “And after she showers.”

  “Hah, while she showers.”

  “Alright . . . enough. For the record, only one . . . maybe two . . . of you were right. And don’t even ask who.”

  “May I ask what this conversation is about?”

  “Sorry, I’za. Benny is Prince Ben’Edikk. His sister is the Queen M’egg-Alynnia who is also a Hameggattic Sister.”

  “You have a personal interest in him, I take it.”

  “It happened very recently. I promise I’ll answer any question – on almost any subject – when we get the chance to relax and talk.”

  “I did not mean to pry.”

  “We’re probably going to be spending a lot of time together until this whole mess is cleaned up. You have a right to know as much about us as you care.”

  “Your openness and good nature – and I speak of all of you – is unexpected and greatly appreciated. I already feel like an honored guest.”

  “That’s because you are. Okay, Serenity, make the calls. No wait, hang on a second.” Again, everyone turned toward Egg. “You need a nickname. It’s been bothering me for a long time and I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

  “You are just so weird. We are about to fight the forces of evil yet again, and that’s what’s on your wee little mind?”

  “Don’t you want my head clear as we go into battle?”

  “All in favor of making Tee our new leader, raise your hand,” countered the girl in the chair.

  “Four against two, you lose. Sorry Tee. Anyway, BreeZee is Bree, Bl’azzz is Hot Lips, Tee’ka is Tee, heck, even Jax’x is Cat Woman. So, unless you have one that you haven’t told us about, the rest of us are going to choose for you.”

  “I thought her nickname was grumpy,” said Tee’ka.

  “Good point. All in favor?”

  “Wait. Wait. I’m not going to be happy if you pin that on me.”

  “What a surprise. Grumpy is going to be grumpy,” teased Jax’x.

  “Be nice. I know where you sleep.”

  “Silly – I sleep like a cat. One eye open and ready to pounce.”

  “Stop stalling, Serenity. Last chance.”

  “I hate you people. Anyway, my mom used to call me . . . oh, this just galls me. She used to call me Sparkle.”

  Laughter, catcalls, high-pitched whistling . . . and a half dozen additional all around irritating responses from the un-lady-like ladies.

  “I knew I was going to regret this.”

  “Okay, everyone quiet down.” That took a full minute. “From now on, when appropriate, we will refer to Serenity as . . . (dramatic pause) . . . Sparky.”

  “NOOOO, I said Sparkle,” cried . . . um . . . Sparky.

  “Sparkle reminds me of Dazzle, so nope. All in favor of Sparky?” Egg pretended to count. “It’s unanimous. Okay, Sparky, make the calls.”

  “I will get even,” the girl in the chair muttered to herself – but loudly enough to be heard by everyone. “Here’s the Queen.”

  Meggy’s face appeared on the viewer. “Sisters. Is there a problem?” This particular line of communication was reserved for the sisterhood to be used primarily in emergencies.

  “Hey, Meggy. Before I explain, I’m going to patch in your mom and brother if that’s okay?” She may be a sister, but she was still their Queen and deserved respect.

  “Permission granted”. It was un-seemingly for a queen to show surprise or question such a request from someone who she trusted with her life.

  A moment later, the Queen Mother appeared. “Sisters, what an unexpected pleasure.”

  “Hi, Dazzle. Sorry to bother you but we’re going to need your help.”

  “Are you asking me to join you on a mission?” she teas
ed.

  “Actually, yes.”

  That was unexpected. “I see. Please, tell me what I can do.”

  “First, I’m going to bring Benny in on this conversation. We’ll need his help also.” Egg nodded to Serenity who made the connection.

  The handsome blue face appeared on a third of the screen. Forgetting himself for the moment, the Prince said. “Dearest Gracie, miss me already? I can be there in a day or two if you would like.”

  “Benny, your mom and sister are also on this call.”

  The poor guy looked left then right and noticed the other two women for the first time. “Oh.” Those two ladies smiled at his discomfiture . . . but discretely. “Mother. Sister.”

  “Brother.”

  “Son.”

  “Since we’re re-introducing each other, let me present our guest. This is I’za – a crew member from the Ark of Forever.”

  “I am honored,” said the newcomer.

  For their part, the three royals stared.

  Egg smiled. “I believe this is the point where one or all three of you say, ‘Welcome to our galaxy, I’za’.” No one else in the universe would dare tease like that.

  “Forgive me, I’za. My sister’s introduction took us by surprise. It is not often we meet someone from a mythical spaceship. On behalf of Aerianna, I welcome you.”

  “Thank you, your Highness,” and I’za curtsied – obviously with some experience.

  “Egg, I believe you have my family’s undivided attention.”

  “Best make yourselves comfortable. This is going to get complicated. Oh, before we start, Meggy you should know that Serenity’s new nickname is Sparky.”

  “Kill me now,” moaned Serenity.

  “Sister, sometimes – and I say this with the utmost love and affection – but sometimes I think you are crazy.”

  “My mother had me tested. They said I was just quirky.” She turned to the others in the room. “Right. Didn’t I say that?” If rolling one’s eyes is a sign of agreement, then they all agreed.

  Meggy covered her mouth with a hand to hide her smile. Rose and Benny didn’t.

  *****

  “So let me start with the call we received from Soar’elle. He asked if we could go to a planetoid where he had sent a team of archeologists to look for evidence of the Ark.”