Roll Call: Faraway Lad; Quislet, Esq.; Spellbinder; Stealth
Weber’s World The Capital Planet of the United Planets, Weber’s World is an artificial planet designed to function as the diplomatic hub of all of the United Planet’s membership, as well as other sectors of space that have relationships or problems with the United Planets.
“Good morning citizens of Weber’s World! Today special guests Spellbinder, Quislet, Esq. and Faraway Lad of the Legion are arriving to help the continuing peace process taking place here on Weber’s World in regards to the Long Three Way War. As reported for the last ten months, serious negotiations are in place to finally end the war, after 87 years of non-stop aggression by all three sides. Neighboring planets Ggrrgg, Kerissia and Wynathia have pitted their own small-scale empires against one another without abandon, culminating two years ago when Ggrrgg extended its aggression towards Psyonia—and the United Planets effectively had all three planets kicked out of its membership unless they complied with the peace agenda set forth.”
“Two of the galaxies most famous Ggrrggians have been engaged in the peace process these last few months, as the famous holo-actor Bevruck Jespers has lended his name and credibility to the cause, calling for his home planet to pursue peace. His tireless crusade is only outmatched by heroine and ally of the infamous Legion, Antiquated Forms of Communication Lass, who has promised she would not leave Weber’s World until her sector of space finally knows peace. The third most famous Ggrrggian, Cobalt Kid, has remained silent throughout negotiations and has not commented on the matter publicly.”
The omni-remote clicked, and the news feed was suddenly cut-off. A lovely hand with red-colored finger nails discarded the remote to the side, sighing at the holo-screen. Twenty feet away, Faraway Lad chuckled quietly, as he poured himself a glass of port. “They love to bring his name into, don’t they?” he asked, smiling.
“Yes,” said Spellbinder, shaking her head, “and he wants nothing to do with Ggrrgg…and I don’t blame him.” Princess Crujectra of Psyonia knew first-hand what sort of temperament was common on Ggrrgg, as memories of the war-masters that controlled Ggrrgg's populace had pursued war with Psyonia with absolutely no cause were still fresh in her mind--for their cruelty and their arrogant sense of superiority over the rest of the universe. “I cannot say I think this will be the easiest, or the most likely diplomatic mission Darden,” she said, “but all we can do is try…”
“Yes Princess, I agree,” he replied, sitting next to her, “but perhaps our friend here can at least confuse them enough into thinking they're right when they sign on for peace.”
Quislet, Esq., smiled back at them, replying “they’re long three way war has been in violation of intergalactic law for decades, and I’m sure there’s a clause somewhere that lays out exactly how arbitration involving an exchange of currency can settle what bloody war obviously can’t…”
“Well, this sounds like a boring mission if I’ve ever heard one…” said a fourth LMBer, unnamed on the news, as Stealth joined them. “I don’t know why I bothered to sign up for this one…”
“Unfortunately Stealth,” said Princess Crujectra, “With this group…we’ll most likely need you…”
“Perhaps sooner than you think,” said a Science Police officer walking in. “LMBers, if you’ll forgive the intrusion, I think we’re going to need your help. The public is currently unaware, and Ambassador Relnic though it might ruin public sentiment and disturb the peace negotiations—“
“Spit it out officer,” said Spellbinder, “What’s happened?”
“There’s been a murder,” said the Officer. “One of our own—a fellow Science Police Officer. He died saving one of the Kerissian ambassadors...”
“Then we may already be too late…” said Faraway Lad.
[ February 27, 2007, 03:09 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Weber’s World
Princess Tarina of Kerissia
“This is unacceptable, Legionnaires,” came the voice from the Omni-screen, “Though I fail to see how the LMB is going to take this matter seriously. You’ve already proven time and time again that you care little for our culture—I find it hard to believe you would care now.” This was Princess Tarina, the reigning authority on Kerissia. Tarina was beautiful and had an intricate and smart political mind. But she was also highly emotional and subject to being enraged, and she hated the LMB, specifically Cobalt Kid, whose hate was an extension of her natural hate to all things Ggrrggian. She had total control over the powers of light, which made her an effective nemesis in battle as well.
“We take murder very seriously Princess,” said Quislet, before Stealth, Crujectra or Faraway Lad could respond to her with more biting words, “and we understand your anger. One citizen of the United Planets has already given his life to defend one your own…how many more do you think it will take before you see that we’d rather there be no further deaths at all. Trust us when we say this, we will do everything in our power to bring the assassin to justice and ensure these negociations continue unabated.”
Princess Tarina was silent on the other end, likely shocked that she had not encouraged the shourting match that she expected to happen. “See that you do,” she said finally, “or perhaps I should come there myself!” she added, as she suddenly cut-off the omni-cast.
“Ooh, threatening", said Stealth, “how cliché.”
“What do we know Officer?” said Faraway Lad to Weber’s World Science Police Chief.
“We know a lot, actually,” said the Chief, “which is some relief. Security cameras caught this assailant at the scene of the crime, and notice that her blaster is still smoking…” The LMBers looked on at the viewscreen and watched as the female assailant, dressed in blues and white fired her gun into the Science Police Officer as the Kerissian ambassador cowered in fear. The murder was cold and quick and she ran off. “We’ve identified her as a wanted criminal known only as Déjà Vu, who we know little to nothing about, especially why she would be connected to these negotiations in any way. There is no doubt that she still must be on Weber’s World. You have our full support and can use whatever you need.”
“Thank you Chief,” said Spellbinder. “Stealth, this looks like it will be right up your ally,” she began, “and we need to continue to keep this quiet. It will be better if Quis and Far get down to the peace talks before our absence begins to become a topic of conversation. I’ll join you all shortly. Time is not on our side here…”
As the LMBers began to go their own separate ways, Crujectra noticed that in the room there was not only Science Police Officers, but members of the UP military, some that she recognized. As she walked over, she noticed that some members were dressed differently, and actually wore the colors of the Armies of the Legion World Triumvirate, which in recent months had ceased to exist. She turned to the soldiers, who greeted her with a salute. “Ma’am,” they said.
“Are you soldiers of Legion World?” she asked, knowing that almost 95% of the former soldiers were now a part of Eryk Davis Ester and Cobalt Kid’s Space Knights.
“We were,” said one, “though not anymore. Forgive my disrespect your majesty, but your lover Cobalt Kid, and the noble Faraway Lad who was just here betrayed us—FAILED us.” Crujectra was caught off guard suddenly and immediately was annoyed. “The Khanate of Sol Invictus murdered a large contingent of our soldiers and instead of claiming vengeance, we threw down our arms. For that, we could be soldiers no more.”
“Enough Marcus,” said a UP military officer, coming over. “You are speaking completely out of turn, and I’m going to have your ass for this. My apologies Princess.”
“It’s…alright, Colonial,” she replied.
“Marcus here thinks it would be wise to invade the Khanate of Sol Invictus and assassinate all their leadership. Perhaps some day, when this young man is older, he’ll realize that human life is not to be so easily discarded so he can have his personnel vengeance.”
She turned to Marcus, who was no older than nineteen years old, obviously human. “I hope he does…” she said, and walked out.
[ February 27, 2007, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Weber’s World
Discussions lasted all day among the diplomats and it was not long before Quislet, Faraway Lad and Spellbinder realized how difficult this would be. It was no longer a matter of political maneuvering between these neighboring empires, it was now a matter of complete and utter hate among the three races. Knowing that such bitter hate still existed in the universe was like a blow to the chest of the heroes, and it was disheartening in the worst.
“How…?” was all Faraway Lad could think of as he returned to his quarters that night, and he opened up his omni-com to tap into the LMB’s enormous catalogue of historical information. It was settled in his mind right then and there, that he would learn all he needed to about these three cultures and why they hated each other so much.
It surprised him little, of course, to find that the three neighboring planets had been not only on friendly terms, but incredible allies one hundred and fifty years in the past. The three planets had an alliance with one another, and in the decades before the United Planets was formed, they often banded together in times of need, both in defense and in economics.
Ggrrgg was always renowned for its warlike prowess, being a civilization that prided itself on outward expansion, military glory and mastery of war. It expanded in the opposite direction of its neighbors, however, taking other planets under its rule and subjugating them, arrogant in their belief that Ggrrggian culture was supreme. Ggrrgg was ruled by an oligarchy of ancient families that dominated the culture politically and religiously. The patrician and equestrian classes, though a sliver of the population, actually controlled almost all of the wealth and land.
Kerissia was a planet completely enamored with technology and the advancement of technology to the point that it was incorporated into even the most mundane or routine function. They were immensely intelligent, and willingly spread this technology to their two allies, in return for Ggrrgg’s military protection. Kerissa was ruled by an Ancient Royal Family.
Wythania was a harsher planet in terms of climate, and was populated by the Mind-Flayers, a race of tentacled beings that had complete mastery of psionic powers, such as telekinesis and telepathy. They were an off-shoot of a much larger empire far away, most likely the descendents of a colony from long ago. Their psionic abilities were extremely useful and they willingly offered to use them for their two allies in exchange for Kerissia’s technology and Ggrrgg’s military protection.
And this was setting that would one day lead to one of history’s longest and most brutal wars. For first there was peace…and then there was the Three ‘Spears of Power’. History was not kind in recording what they were, though the obvious assumption that there was one for each planet is generally made. It is known that there were two lesser spears for day and night, but their lord was the third and greatest spear, the Psionic Spear. This was the greatest of them all, and led to the downfall of the three power’s alliance.
It is said that the Kerissian’s, with their technology, found a way to harness the power of the Mind-Flayers in the form of one single spear, so that they could use the Mind-Flayer’s abilities without needing the Mind-Flayer’s themselves. However, it became apparent that in order to do so, the spear would drain the Mind-Flayers of their abilities, effectively crippling them and stealing away their greatest functions. As strife came between the two planets, it was the entrance of Ggrrgg into the fray that altered history.
Ggrrgg was able to steal the spear and use it in war, as their outward expansion continued. As tension began to mount, Ggrrgg soon became enamored with the idea of expanding to the west now, to their longtime allies and neighbors. As one planet mobilized, the others did in kind, as the animosity between all three was now so pure that neither cared who struck first.
Those first few skirmishes are lost to history, and who began them matters little. For all three planets became embroiled in war 87 years ago, and not one of them has ever stopped their aggression. The spears have long ago been lost, thought to be destroyed in battle. But the reasons for the war are hardly ever recalled anymore, for too much blood has been shed and too much vengeance is called forth.
Faraway Lad closed the omni-com and rubbed the bridge of his nose near his eyes. He had read many stories like this in his days…and unfortunately, he knew he would read many more…
[ February 27, 2007, 03:17 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
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Roll Call: Cobalt Kid, Eryk Davis Ester
Deep Space, border of the United Planets and Khanate of Sol Invictus
“Jeepers!” said Eryk Davis Ester, and immediately his pet luck-lord appeared. “We’re going to need to figure out someway to cloak ourselves, or there’s going to be a pretty large battle!” His luck-lord gave him the usual ‘one eyebrow tilted’ look and suddenly the ship Eryk was flying in became invisible to all who might see it.
“Interesting,” said Cobalt Kid in reply, as they looked out the window. “Mind-Flayers, very far out of their territory, almost on the edges of UP space. That’s beyond odd—you’d think they were preparing to rout one of their enemies.”
Cobalt Kid and Eryk Davis Ester looked out across space, as their cruiser flew through a small asteroid belt, hoping to maintain stealth and silence. They were traveling along the UP borders, near where the Dark Oval, the Khanate of Sol Invictus and the United Planets met, deciding to take the ‘long way’ home, to further investigate the political and military state of the universe. They were surprised to see a cadre of Mind-Flayer cruisers, seemingly hovering still in space, as if waiting for something.
“This is not good Eryk,” said Cobalt, “especially because peace-talks are supposed to be going on.” Earlier this week, Eryk Davis Ester and Cobalt Kid, the last two Triumvirs and now the founders of the Order of the Space Knights Templar, had taken a long detour to the now-infamous “Contested Territories”. These were the territories won by Cobalt and his combined Triumvir and UP armies’ months earlier from the Dark Oval, who now had their own section of space as they finalized their induction into the United Planets. The Contested Territories were now personally protected by the Order of the Space Knights Templar, as they were one of the most dangerous areas of known space, complete with Dark Oval forces and other subversive elements continually attempting to undermine UP relations and force the Contested Territories back into the Dark Oval. Of course, rumors persisted of another, secret agenda of the two LMBers, but those remained strictly rumors.
“So many ongoing wars and conflicts in this universe,” said Eryk, “…we seem to leave one only to find ourselves surprisingly knee-deep in the next. At least our latest visit to the Contested Territories was quiet.”
“Yes, but quiet is something that the Triangle of Death has never seen,” replied Cobalt, referring to the sector of space housing Ggrrgg, Kerissia and Wynthia (Mind-Flayer World) by its slang name, which usually inspired anger and offense. “They’ll always be at war, and I doubt hostility will ever cease. Still…Crujeckie and the others try so hard to bring peace to the universe…I wish there was a greater chance for their success.”
“You haven’t seen her in awhile Cobie,” said Eryk to his friend. “Why don’t we take a detour to Weber’s World. This Mind-Flayer armada is reason enough.” Eryk turned to his Luck-lord. “You’re sure that they cannot read our minds, right? The last thing we need is a hostile race learning about the Order of the Space-Knights Templar.”
“I’m sure,” said his luck-lord.
Cobalt turned to his friend. “Yes, let’s go to Weber’s World. I don’t like this at all. Mind-Flayers never venture this far out of their territory. I hardly see the a way we can stop them from fighting each other, but just like I fought my own people of Ggrrgg with the Psyonians, I’ll fight them all if they dare expand into the UP.”
“Cobie, Cobie” said Eryk laughing, “hopefully there won’t be any fighting at all! You’ll be able to see your lady, and besides, Weber’s World has some of the best noodle places in the galaxy!”
The two laughed, as the armada sat there quietly.
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Weber’s World
“I’ve missed you,” said Cruejctra telepathically to Cobalt, as he walked over and put his arms around her.
“The feeling is mutual,” he replied, kissing her softly.
“Jeepers!” said Eryk in a whisper to himself, “I better make myself scarce!” as he walked on, joining Faraway Lad and Quislet, Esq. up ahead. “How’s it going guys?”
“Its been better,” said Quis, adding “the attempted assassination is causing a stir, and now accusations are being implied across the board. You can say things have been *bumpy* since.”
“Eryk, meet Bevruck Jespers,” said Faraway Lad, as the three walked towards a smaller group of people. Eryk extended his hand to a very handsome, slim but well-built man, who shook it back.
“A pleasure,” said Bevruck Jespers, “it seems you LMBers are in the headlines more than us holo-stars these days…” he added with an almost smarmy but likeable air, “…with a fair balance of heroic acts…and scandal.” He grinned and Eryk could see why he was so popular. He was very…”Ggrrggian”. Eryk wasn’t sure he liked him.
“And this, my friend, is the lovely Antiquated Forms of Communication Lass, whom I believe you are already acquainted with,” he added, as she extended her hand out. She was absolutely stunning, with curly blond hair and a simple but exquisite white and powder blue costume.
She smiled at him, adding “good to see you again, Mr. Ester, you’ve grown into quite the LMBer since our last meeting,” referring to when she helped Eryk and the LMB battle Pornis and the One Called the One.
EDE blushed slighty and took her hand, obviously meant to be kissed, and shook it. “Er, good to see you again too,” he said, as Faraway grinned at Quis. “So, I, uh, guess I better meet the delegates and stuff…”
Thirty or so feet back, Spellbinder and Cobalt walked hand in hand through the halls, the Ambassadors and officers looking on as one of the universe’s most famous couples walked among them. They spoke through their telepathic link, so to all that beheld them they appeared regal, silent and driven. Many admired that, and many more were unnerved by it. Their telepathic link, however, allowed them to joke secretly with each other as they traded stories on what they’d been up to and how their closest friends were doing.
“Mykel is good,” said Cobalt, “I just saw him a week ago. We’ll all be on Legion World at the same time soon enough. I thought Stealth was with you?”
“She is,” replied Crujectra, “and I’ll tell you more in an instant. You were right about this never being a bloodless affair. But that can wait a few moments,” she smiled at him, “how was your trip?” she asked, teasing him about going into his Space Knights.
He wouldn’t take the bait. “Well, Eryk needs a girlfriend,” he joked, “so put in a good word with AFC Lass, but other than that, he remains one of the most learned and interesting of all of us. But its generally just been the two of us and some additional knights…”
“Triumvir,” said a voice suddenly, breaking the apparent silence caused by their telepathic dialogue. “A pleasure to see you,” added the soldier, who Spellbinder immediately saw as Marcus, one of Cobalt’s former soldiers, who was obviously being sarcastic and rude, though he spoke calmly and very cold.
Cobalt stopped and turned to him, and immediately all of the UP Military personnel and Science Police present were enraged at this affront, worrying that it would make them all look bad. “Marcus, correct?” he asked, continuing before the young man could reply, “one of Scipio’s men. We could have used you among our knights. You were always one of the superior spear-men of our Triumvirate armies.”
“Yes, sir, but I felt I had a duty here in the UP, battling the Barbarians,” replied the young man, showing an utmost disregard for cordiality. “Of course, I was never as good as the Triumvir himself,” he added, his implications explicit: that Cobalt was a fierce enough warrior to have headed into the Khanate of Sol Invictus himself if he wished, but choose not to.
Cobalt’s face remained stoic, though his insides grew hot with anger. He let it pass, smiled plainly and added, “not many are,” and then continued walking as his joke, when founded in such tension, gave cause for all of the soldiers and science police officers to laugh heartily. Marcus fumed, and Cobalt walked on with Crujectra.
“You make so many great friends for us,” said Crujectra telepathically with a laugh.”
Cobalt said nothing, but replied telepathically with a sigh. “And enemies apparently…”
[ February 28, 2007, 08:28 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Weber’s World
“We’ve got to move fast,” said Spellbinder to Cobalt, who still lied in bed, getting ready to dose off. She had just gotten out of bed to answer her omni-com, when suddenly the information came pouring in. “Its Stealth. She’s in hot pursuit of the assassin, and still here on Weber’s World. The others are across the city, and we’re closest,” she added, telekinetically dressing herself in her costume.
“One hot pursuit following another, eh?” Cobalt smiled, throwing on his own costume and boots, as he moved across the room to follow Spellbinder, who was already moving out the door. He magnetically pulled his trench coat on him and ran after her.
Many embassy’s away, Stealth closed in her pray. She had been tracking the criminal Déjà Vu for three days and had now closed in on her before she could slip away. Now the female assassin stood twenty meters away and Stealth dampened all the sound around her so she could approach from the shadows. Déjà vu was younger than Stealth had thought, a pale green-skinned female dressed in blues and whites with a mysterious look to her. In her hands was a Qwardian anti-matter gun, which was no small feat in smuggling into the United Planets. She now moved quickly across the open ally between two embassies, as Stealth came upon her.
Suddenly, Déjà vu moved wildly as if she sensed the danger to her approaching, and turned towards Stealth’s direction, pulling out her blaster. Stealth reacted in kind and an exchange of lasers ensued, as the two females moved about one another looking for the upper hand. “She’s good,” thought Stealth, “but I’m better…”
Déjà vu smiled at Stealth and turned away, running, seemingly knowing that something was about to occur. “There!” said a voice from the side, far enough away so that Stealth’s powers didn’t dampen the sound.
“I guess I know what her power is now…” said Stealth, turning towards a small group of armed assassins moving at them. They had spears in their hands, made of some type of adamantium metal complete with electric pulses moving up and down their length. Stealth leapt into the middle of them, kicking one in the face, and then grabbing another and hurling him into yet a third. About a half-dozen remained, as they closed in.
“Foolish female!” said one, “six Ggrrggians can take down any one opponent any day!” as they prepared to fire their spears at her.
“That’s where you’re wrong, dear,” said Spellbinder entering the fray, and yanking two towards her telekinetically, then smashing them together. “Not any one LMBer,” she added.
“Especially when she’s not just one,” said Cobalt Kid, flying above them and pulling two up magnetically. “Hello Ggrrggians,” said Cobalt, letting them drop back down to the ground, as one yelled, “race traitor”.
Stealth turned to the other two, kicking out ones legs, and then grabbing the other’s head and smashing his nose with her knee. She turned now, annoyed. “She got away…” she said angrily. “…because of this little distraction…” she added, kicking one that was trying to get back up.
“Ggrrggians…” said Cobalt. “…so they’re probably in on this too in some capacity. Great.”
“Nothing you could do Stealth,” said Spellbinder, telekinetically wrapping them in the metal of their spears. “You did get to take out five.”
“That’s not all,” she added with a smile. “I placed a tracker on Déjà vu. We should be able to follow.”
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Weber’s World
“We’re going to follow,” said Spellbinder to the rest of the LMB (now assembled) and the Science Police Chief of Weber’s World. “On the surface it’s obvious that this is the traditional politics of the Long Three Way War, but we have to be sure there’s not more going on. Especially in light of what Eryk and Cobie told us about the Mind-Flayer armada.”
“What about the peace talks?” said Antiquated Forms of Communication Lass.
“Faraway and I will stay,” said Quis to her, reassuring her.
“Right, and that should be more than enough diplomatic might that the LMB can add to the mix,” Spellbinder added. “Cobie and I will follow with Stealth,” she said, turning to Eryk, “would you like to accompany us, Eryk?”
“Sure!” he said, feeling the adrenaline of the night’s events, as AFC Lass looked disappointed. “We should move out soon then, as its always much easier to navigate in and out of Weber’s World at night.”
“And we can’t lose much time,” said Cobalt, joining them. “We’ve got a lock on where she’s headed, and at first look its not too different from what we expected…”
“Right,” said Stealth, holding the tracking device, “the Triangle of Death. But look at the specifics,” she said to Cobalt.
“Kerissia. Very odd,” he added. It was obvious Déjà vu had Ggrrggian help, so it appeared extremely odd that she would be going to Kerissia, Ggrrgg’s great enemy. The Mind-Flayer armada made it a further confusing conundrum.
“We’ll move now then people,” said Spellbinder, as the officers scrambled to prepare the LMB’s ship for them.
“Er, nice seeing you again!” said Eryk to AFC Lass, who although disappointed, responded in kind.
“Looks like that glass of port will have to wait,” said Faraway Lad to Cobalt.
“I have no doubt we’ll fit it in soon,” he said back laughing, then turning to Crujectra, “a little adventure for us Princess?” Cobalt asked Spellbinder with a smile, and she smiled back.
As the four prepared to board the cruiser, one other figure quietly moved closer, slipping in past security, as he was part of the security detail. Marcus, the former Triumvirate soldier and current UP soldier stationed on Weber’s World deserted his post, still enraged by Cobalt’s comment to him earlier, and stowed away on the small LMB cruiser.
END CHAPTER ONE
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Chapter Two: The Lightbringer
Deep Space, ’The Triangle of Death’ ’Triangle of Death’ – an offensive description of the Yyngig Sector of Space, which houses Ggrrgg, Kerissia, and Wynthia, and all of their colonies, usually referred to as such because of the growing resentment by the rest of the United Planets toward the never-ending state of warfare in that sector. – Encyclopedia of Slang Terms, 3006 edition
“So her moniker is fairly descriptive of her powers,” said Eryk Davis Ester, “…Déjà vu has some sort of ability to see moments into future, which effectively eliminates all hope of surprising her. That would explain her ‘danger sense’ during her fight with Stealth.”
“All the same, we better not announce we’re coming,” said Spellbinder. “Since all three of these planets have been thrown out of the UP, we won’t be welcomed. And Kerissia in particular has no love of the LMB, ever since a small group of LMBers ended up there and almost tricked their leader into marrying one of them…” she said with a raised eyebrow to Cobalt.
He laughed. “Well, it was to get another out of marrying her…ah, it sounds a lot worse than it was. Reboot, Actor, Vu, Miner, me and…Space Ranger…” he said, trailing off for a second and remembering his friend, “…it was one of our more fun missions. But it wouldn’t matter if that never happened. Kerissians have an outright hate for all Ggrrggians, including me, despite my distance from my homeworld. So even knowing I was approaching means they would attempt to blast us out of the sky. They hate me that much.”
“Pity for them,” said Spellbinder, putting her hand on his.
“Say, where is Stealth?” said Eryk suddenly, as if just realizing she had been gone for awhile. He got up and moved to the back of the ship. “Stealth?” he asked again.
He heard a voice. “In here, Eryk,” she replied from a compartment below. “And I have my eyes on our own stowaway. It appears that while we rushed out of Weber’s World in a hurry, someone decided to join us.” As Eryk opened the compartment, he saw Marcus down below, under a pile of things.
Moments later…
“Enough is enough,” said Cobalt in a loud, piercing, but unemotional voice. “You may hate me, and that’s alright, I don’t care. But you’ve abandoned your UP post and now have stowed away illegally on a Legion ship, which carries a very serious crime here in the UP. What were you thinking, Marcus? Have you let your emotions taken such a strangle hold on you, that you abandon the code by which you’ve sworn to live by?!” he said, raising his voice even higher. “I expect better of a former soldier of the Triumvirate,” he said, standing next to Eryk now. “Much better.”
“Do you now?” said Marcus, growing angry, though his face was twisted with emotion and he looked to be on the verge of a breakdown. “Well I expected better from the Triumvirs themselves!” he yelled back. “Instead of abandoning our battle with our enemies after some of our most loyal and greatest soldiers were laid to waste by the Khanate of Sol Invictus! Scipio was your friend! Why haven’t you taken vengeance on them?! All of my friends were slaughtered, and you let them get away with it! I may be too emotional, but you have no emotions at all!”
Spellbinder immediately came between them and put her hand on Cobalt’s chest, although he made no move at all after hearing the words. Both he and Eryk Davis Ester were silent, and now Marcus was too. She spoke firmly, but softer. “Listen Marcus,” she began, “the world has done you a great wrong, and the Khanate of Sol Invictus has done you a great wrong. But things move on a larger scale than you are aware, and your personnel vengeance is not above the chance for peace between entire galaxies and empires. What you suggest means outright war between the Khanate of Sol Invictus and the United Planets, when we are still recovering from a war with the Dark Oval—which is still the largest concern of the former Triumvirs. They do not expect you to understand, but it is what it is.” She walked over to him, and she truly did feel for his pain. “I’m sorry for all you’ve been through,” she said softly, putting her hand on his arm and letting her telepathy ease his mind slightly. “But you cannot carry this rage in you forever, unless it destroys you.”
Eryk nodded at her words, though Stealth wondered about their implications towards herself. Even more, Cobalt did the same as Stealth and wondered exactly who Crujectra was speaking to. She turned to Cobalt now, and walked over to him.
“Its too late now, Marcus,” he said, “you’re coming with us, whether we like it or not, or whether you do either. But you’re treading thin ice, and could very well end up hurting a lot of people if our mission goes awry. I hope you keep that in mind,” he said, turning back towards the monitor. Stealth was already doing the same.
Spellbinder walked over to Cobalt, as Eryk continued to look at Marcus, who stood there, looking confused and hurt, unsure of what he truly felt or what he had hoped would happen. Eryk handed him some food. “Here, eat this, you must be starving.” Marcus took the food, as he was indeed starving. “We never know when we suddenly won’t be able to have a decent meal again, so we have to do our best to eat well,” finished Eryk, and Marcus took note of the true meaning of Eryk’s words.
[ March 05, 2007, 09:22 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Kerissia Recently thrown out of the United Planets, Kerissia is known for its technological advancements, as well as its continued war with neighboring planets Ggrrgg and Wynthania. The royal family of Kerissia continually has a genetic power passed down from heir to heir (with no natural explanation for which heir is chosen or when the power moves down the line) that gives that heir complete mastery over light.
The LMBP cruiser quietly moved forward into the capital city of Kerissia, as Stealth focused her power to hide any noise from its engines, and the LMB used its image-inducer tech to hide its presence. They would not be welcome here, and they had little time for explanations.
“We’ll have to move fast,” said Eryk Davis Ester, “and luckily Stealth placed the tracker on Déjà Vu so we can locate her, or at least get a general idea of the vicinity she’s in. We’ll go in pairs…Cobie and Crujeckie naturally can be together and Stealth and I will go.” Eryk looked at Marcus, their stowaway, unsure of how to proceed. At last he said “Marcus will come with Stealth and me,” putting up his hand to stop Marcus’ obvious objection, “…you shouldn’t be here Marcus, but you are, so get used to taking orders from us again.” As they waited for Marcus to loudly object again, they were surprised when he did not. Eryk knew full well that keeping him away from Cobie was essential.
“Be careful,” said Crujectra, “I can’t help but feel there is so much more going on here. Anything suspicious should carefully be noted.” With that, the LMBers split into two, moving in on where Déjà Vu was located. She and Cobalt walked on now, both with image inducers on, holding hands. Her telepathy picked up stray thoughts all around her, although she attempted to filter them out, not liking when she read other’s thoughts without meaning to. But the thoughts were clear, and even without the presence of their enemies, the intense hate the Kerissians felt for Ggrrggians and Wynthians was all around her. She looked at Cobalt and knew they hated him for being a Ggrrggian, and once more it discouraged her to know such a hate existed.
As Stealth, Eryk Davis Ester and Marcus walked in the other direction, Stealth kept a careful eye on the young man called Marcus. Any false moves by him would be met with a firm response. Eryk turned a corner, and immediately saw hundreds, if not thousands, of Kerissians walking around their market place, and suddenly realized how difficult this might be. “Jeepers!” he said, “how are we going to find suspicious activity on Kerissia with all these people?”
Suddenly, a bemused Luck Lord appeared before them, and yawned. “I believe if you follow this ultra-violet path created so only that your eyes can see it, you should find something…” it said.
And so the three ventured off into the market place, until finally coming towards what looked to be a local thrift-shop, if such a thing could be found on Kerissia. Inside was old technology that was still light-years ahead of what most of the universe was used to, obviously on display to be taken apart and used for their spare parts. The three entered the shop and saw a room full of people browsing, although one small contingent seemed to definitely be a group together to the trained eye looking to find these things. Oddly enough, they were not at all similar, some appearing to be different races, ages, etc.
“Image inducers,” said Stealth to Eryk, as they began to get closer and keep an eye on them. “They’re moving out back in a few minutes, lets follow,” she added, using her powers to dampen the sound around them as they moved closer.
“Hardly a warrior people,” said Marcus looking around naively.
“One doesn’t have to look like Khundians to make war,” said Eryk to him. “C’mon Marcus, follow us,” he added.
They moved out back to see them loading some supplies on a cruiser, as more came and joined them. It was a scouting mission of some sort, to see the various markets in the cities main sectors. As they moved the greats, Eryk focused in on any symbols he could discern, or anything familiar. At last his eyes settled on something.
“Willikers,” he whispered, “these are all Ggrrggians. Ggrrggians here on Kerissia, doing some sort of recon. And during the peace talks too…” he added, still watching. “Something tells me this is going to be important,” he said to Stealth. “I think we should follow them.”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Kerissia
Cobalt Kid and Spellbinder walked through the crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mystery assassin known as Déjà Vu. “Any luck Crujeckie?” said Cobalt to her via their telepathic link.
She was concentrating on the crowds, hoping to find some odd thoughts, something strange and different from the rest. Finally, she focused in, believing she had found something. “Yes…up ahead. Its definitely a female, and an off-worlder. She’s in a rush, and must know she’s being tracked. Let’s follow…”
They moved faster up ahead, annoyed that they couldn’t glide above the crowds with their powers of magnetism and telekinesis. They saw a figure ducking into an ally up ahead, with a white shawl over her head and face that could only be Déjà Vu. They followed suit, turning the corner, to see nothing. “Its her power,” said Cobalt, “she knows we’re here,” he said, his voice speeding up, then adding, “DUCK!”, as he pulled Crujeckie to the side, so he landed on top of her, as a blast of energy nailed the wall behind them. As he lay on top of her, Cobalt smiled quickly adding, “as much as I hate having to leave this position,” and then got up, to hear Crujeckie’s smiling sigh, then looking ahead to see Déjà Vu moving up the alley. He ran after her.
Spellbinder followed, picking up stray thoughts from their assailant. “Psionic Spear? She’s interested in the Psionic Spear...? The one we learned from the legends of this war…?” Suddenly she noticed something: Cobalt Kid now appeared as Cobalt Kid, the image inducer no longer working. It must have been destroyed in the blast. She looked down to see she too was clearly shown as Princess Crujectra. She hurried after him, although he was now gliding magnetically to try to grab the female assassin.
“Not so fast,” came a voice, as suddenly Cobalt was blasted backwards by an extremely powerful blast of pure light energy. “You’re trespassing on Kerissian soil Cobalt Kid, and you are now under arrest…Ggrrggian scum.” Before Cobalt stood Princess Tarina, Lightbringer of Kerissia.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Kerissia
Cobalt was nailed backwards by the light energy, slamming against the wall, as Princess Tarina hovered above him, with a squardron of super-tech Kerissian police officers. “You’re trespassing Cobaltus,” she said angrily, “and that is not allowed on Kerissia.”
Cobalt cleared his head, as Spellbinder rushed up to meet them. She was still a bit behind. “Tarina,” said Cobalt, “you’ve got to let me go! I’m chasing an assassin, here on your planet! She has to be stopped—she’s the one from Weber’s World! She’s right up ahead—c’mon, you can help!” He yelled, flying into the air, and getting ready to move down the ally. “We’re losing time.”
“NO!” yelled Tarina back at him, blocking his way. “Not today! We’ll get the assassin, but you won’t go any further.”
“Tarina,” said Cobalt more calmly now, which Spellbinder knew was not a good sign, “she’ll know their coming…its her power…you’re officers don’t stand a chance.” He looked at her, regal and beautiful, but brash and arrogant. “So I’m sorry,” he added, suddenly whipping his arms against her side, using the full force of his magnetism to brush her into the side of the ally, as well as knock back all of her officers, so their weapons flew into the air. “But there is no way I’m allowing you to take me into your custody,” he added, flying after Déjà Vu.
“Not so fast!” she yelled, rolling with the magnetic blast and rushing after him at light speed. She was on him immediately, blasting light into his back so that it seared his skin. “I owe you for our last meeting,” she said, “when you embarrassed me in front of my army!”
“Yeah?” said Cobalt, turning around in mid-flight to face her, “well I owe you for that Ggrrggian scum comment,” he added, ripping her cape off her back and covering her face with it, so he could push her into the side of the wall. She was a fierce warrior and tremendously powerful, but Cobalt had the experience in fighting another flyer, where she did not. “Oh, and sorry about that whole hoax marriage thing,” he said, knowing he would have to keep her extremely angry and un-focused, “but know that Actor Lad and Reboot were just as mad as you…”
She suddenly let loose a cascade of power that ripped him against the wall, tearing up his costume and disintegrating his trench coat. “Enough!” she yelled, as he fell back.
“Not quite sweetie,” said Spellbinder sarcastically, as she was suddenly upon Tarina, laying a right hook across the fellow princess’s face. “But asserting your power on your home planet is one thing, trying to murder someone because of their race is completely different,” she said, telekinetically knocking Tarina backwards. “And now our trail is completely cold, and we’ll have no luck finding the assassin who went after your ambassadors. I hope you’re happy,” she adding, flying over and grabbing Cobalt, who was now fully functional again.
“Guess that means its farewell to our welcoming reception,” said Cobalt, as the two suddenly flew off, both using their powers to knock back a fresh cadre of police officers. “Dammit…” said Cobalt. “…that was a bust,” he added, then looking at his love, “…but thanks for the save,” he smiled.
She smiled back. “You’re welcome…but we’re not out of here yet…”
Further into the back allies and side streets of Kerissia, Déjà Vu made her way to her destination…
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Kerissia
Déjà Vu entered a side building through a very non-descript door, knowing full well via her powers of foresight that no one had seen her enter, and no would be coming any time soon. She moved forward, throwing her cloak to the side, so that her pale green skin and blues and white costume showed clearly again. She moved forward with confidence and determination, clearly a master at what she did best.
She entered yet another hallway, this one with a secret entrance, and followed it to a secret room. There, the door opened, and she could see a wide spaced laboratory, with various tools and tables around, as well as a stealth-cruiser. She saw her allies ahead of her.
“You failed to kill the ambassadors, and were caught in the act,” said a voice. “Perfect. Precisely as planned—your reputation precedes you. Did you accomplish what you needed?”
“Of course,” she replied with a half-smile. “I’ve gotten more information on the Psionic Spear, and I was close enough to the mark to keep our ally thinking it was a genuine assassination attempt.”
“Good.” The man stepped forward, and it was clear who he was: The Trumpeter, the most brilliant evil mind of Universe-4, who had come to Universe-1. He was widely recognized as one of the greatest villains of the SMB and of Unvierse-4 itself. Now he had a cold, calculating look on his face, that showed he likely had a definitive plan for this universe he was now in, and it was proceeding accordingly. “Then our allies will think our role in encouraging this war continues, while we secure information for ourselves on the Spear. Where do we go next?”
“Ggrrgg. There is storage of historical documents there, absent mindlessly tossed aside as nothing more than useless intellectualism, which the Ggrrggians have little use for. That is where we’ll find what we need,” she finished, pulling off her gloves and pulling her hair into a ponytail.
The Trumpeter looked at a third ally, who joined them. “Excellent. We already have a meeting on Ggrrgg anyway.” This was Salad-Tosser Lord, one of the leading scientific minds of Universe-1, whose new alliance with the Trumpeter was a dangerous secret unknown to the LMB as of yet. Their partnership would likely be something that would cause great pain for all parties involved. “A shame,” he added, “I would very much like to dissect this Princess Tarina and learn how her powers work. Perhaps we can revisit Kerissia one day to do so.”
“Indeed,” smiled the Trumpeter, “light powers prove to be a mighty weapon,” he added, reminded of how he showed the Thora of his Earth how to use Invisible Brainiac as a weapon—which ultimately killed the young hero.
And at last the fourth member of their quartet of villains joined them, though she was a mystery to them all: Middlefinger VIII, the latest in a line of villains to hold that moniker, though she was the first to be female. None knew her identity other than the three villains before her, as there were hardly any at all who yet knew of her existence. But they would—soon. “Let us leave this pitiful planet then,” she said, moving towards the cruiser. Covered in high-tech armor, with power emanating from both hands, she moved forward, as did the others.
“To Ggrrgg,” said the Trumpeter, “and one step closer to our gaining an immense weapon that can shatter this universe…”
[ March 05, 2007, 09:30 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Kerissia
“We can’t wait much longer,” said Spellbinder, looking at the omni-clock. “Where could Eryk and the rest be?” She said.
“Hold on, I’m getting a signal,” replied Cobalt, as the two waited in the LMB cruiser. “Its Eryk…its in code…” Immediately, Cobalt ran it through the LMB’s space-decoder and it transmitted clearly: Eryk, Stealth and Marcus were following a group of Ggrrggians back to their home planet, via stowing away on their ship. “Looks like we’re out of here…” said Cobalt, firing up the cruiser. “And not a moment too soon…” he adding, their energy detectors showing Princess Tarina in hot pursuit.
“And back to your home planet…” said Crujectra. Cobalt had not been to his home planet in almost eight years, since he was officially banned there in the LMB’s first year. This would not be easy for him.
He held her hand. This would not be easy for her either. Ggrrgg had attacked Psyonia without any cause two years earlier, and did a great deal of damage. It was only through the power of the House of Jectra, along with Cobalt’s own army taking the side of Psyonia that stopped the invasion. “As long as we’re together…” he said to her, as they gripped each other’s hands tight.
Deep Space
“So,” said Stealth slightly annoyed, “now we’re pulling a Marcus?” She, Eryk and Marcus were stowed away in the storage compartment of the Ggrrggian’s ship, which was a bit tightly packed.
“I’m never going to live that down, am I?” said the young soldier.
“No,” Stealth replied.
“At least we’ll be there quickly…” said Eryk, not knowing if that was a good thing.
Legion World
Matlock, Super Detective of the LMBP!
Jailbait Lass
Jailbait Lass entered Matlock’s office at the Office of Security, interrupting him. “Cobie sent me a latest update, and I think you’ll be interested. There’s a lot going on at Weber’s World, and now with the Triangle of Death,” she said. There was a quiet concern on her face.
Matlock looked it over. “You’re right. Better get me Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad, Lolita. Most likely we’ll need a squadron of LMBers out there…”
END CHAPTER TWO
[ March 05, 2007, 09:32 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Chapter Three: Sons of Ggrrgg
Ggrrgg Ggrrgg is widely known among the galaxies as a conquering empire that truly believes that the destiny of Ggrrgg is to conquer all of known space. In that respect, the Ggrrggians war-masters have honed their military and war skills to a point where they are widely considered the most proficient at waging war and conquering an empire. The expansion of the Ggrrggian Empire was ceased 87 years ago when it became embroiled in the Long Three Way War with Kerissia and the Mind-Flayers. – Encyclopedia Galatica, 3007 edition.
Ggrrgg proclaims itself to be a democracy, with elected counsels as the acting executives and a Senate of 300 controlling policy. However, in truth it is an oligarchy, as the same twelve to fifteen families have controlled the political and military fate of Ggrrgg for the last three hundred and fifty years. – On Politics and Government, Alton Relnic.
Although heavily armed with great technology and modern weaponry, the Ggrrggians take great pride in the use of the spear, an ancient weapon from Earth’s ancient past. This is a further reflection of Ggrrgg’s basis for their empire on that of Ancient Rome, of Earth lore. All Ggrrggian soldiers are proficient in the spear to the point where Ggrrggians are sought out across the universe to teach other armies; for example, Khundia has no less than twenty Ggrrggian teachers at all times in regards to the use of the spear. – Galactic Weaponry, 3006
”Although Ggrrgg has many excellent spearmen, and many heroic figures in their lore, there can be no doubt that the greatest Ggrrggian spearman of this era is known other than the one that Ggrrgg hates the most, Cobalt Kid. After his amazing display of the use of the spear against the Naturals and the Barbarian Hordes, there is no doubt this cannot be so. Of course, this is because his magnetism allows him to guide his spear with the utmost precision and use it to inflict the deadliest amount of force. Though the Ggrrggians no doubt call this ‘cheating’, it matters not in war if one cheats or not.” - Admiral Cornwallis of the United Planets fleets to the general assembly (famous insult to the Ggrrggians), 3004.
”It has now become clear that there is a new emerging force on Ggrrgg, a new warrior that has not only the love of the people, but the respect and loyalty of the Patrician class that rules the Senate. This is the young Ggrrggian known as Pillum, also a Patrician, but not because of that reason, but because of his mastery of the Ggrrggian spear. They say he is undoubtedly the greatest spearman that the galaxy has ever seen, and Ggrrgg already takes a tremendous amount of pride in him. He apparently has one of the greatest tactical minds in military history as well, and is renowned for his nationalism, his pugnacity, and his intellect. Truly, this will be a political figure to watch.” – Modern Politics & Government, February, 3007 edition
[ March 08, 2007, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Ggrrgg
“So, this is where Cobalt was raised,” said Marcus, as he looked around. The architecture all looked very grand, and there were military personnel and symbolism everywhere one looked. There was a certain amount of efficiency and arrogance among the Ggrrggians.
“Yes,” said Eryk, “and if you ever heard his story, you knew it was a sad one,” he finished. “Whatever we do, we can’t be mistaken as non-Ggrrggians, or else they’ll think we’re slaves. Slavery is part of what keeps the Ggrrggian Empire so well provided for.”
Indeed, the difference between the slaves and the free Ggrrggians was plain for all to see. Ggrrggian females were carried in magnificent silk carriages, while their slaves tirelessly and dirtily walked along carrying it. Ggrrggian free men were well-armed and well-armored and move through the crowds with an authority about them. Harder to differentiate was the difference between the plebian free-Ggrrggians and the Patrician free-Ggrrggians, the latter of whom truly lived in lavishness and opulence.
“Up ahead then,” said Stealth, “there’s our contingent. We were right, they’re Ggrrggians alright, and high-ranking military officers at that.” They followed the small contingent, obviously a secret regiment sent out to scout ahead on Kerissia. Already she was ready to leave this place, the arrogance of the Ggrrggians leaving a bad taste in her mouth. She had seen this type of arrogance before, as the universe had no shortness in those who believed they were superior to all others.
As Eryk walked forward, it became more and more clear exactly how he felt about such military societies—in that he hated them. That was why he was more pleased than ever about the Order of the Knights Templar and its focus on being both monk and warrior, as well as the encouragement of intellectual thought among the Order. To live strictly by military culture alone was not productive to the spread of life and thought, which Eryk believed in more than anything.
Marcus walked through the streets with a sense of wonder in being in so grand a place, although he too felt a sense of sadness and sickness at how little life was measured on Ggrrgg. He could see why Cobalt Kid had grown so weary of it and turned his back on his own culture, which made it all the more odd that Cobalt would then one day form his own army and become a general, when that is what he did not want to do that made him leave Ggrrgg. It was the sense of guilt and the sense of vengeance, no doubt, that drove him to those decisions, and it was those to things that drove Marcus now. He had no idea what he hoped to accomplish, but only knew that one day he’d have his revenge on the Khanate of Sol Invictus.
Up ahead, they saw more Ggrrggian troops gathering, and then stopping suddenly. They quickly moved into formation, as if to put on a showing for whomever they were going to meet. These shows of force were common among Ggrrggian troopers to give a sense of the commonality of warfare on Ggrrgg. The three followed up ahead and saw that they were marching to a specific open area that was filled with soldiers and high-ranking Ggrrggian Senators and Counsels. They quickly climbed into a secluded position high up in the coliseum.
Seated with the Patrician Ggrrggians were apparently a new set of allies, and Eryk Davis Ester recognized them immediately: the clergy of the Black Sun. At their center was their spiritual leader and the leader of his entire sector of space, the High Priest Caracalla. This was the leadership of the Khanate of Sol Invictus, here on Ggrrgg, here on the borders of the UP.
Caracalla
[ July 20, 2007, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Ggrrgg
Spellbinder and Cobalt Kid arrived in Ggrrgg outside of the Capital City, hiding their cruiser in the lush gardens around the city. Cobalt said nothing, taking in all at once the cadre of emotions he was feeling. He loved this planet at one time, as a boy, and it loved him back. His father was a Counsel, and his Patrician family was greatly loved by the people, as his ancestors had been some of Ggrrgg’s finest generals. He was expected to one day take that role. He had befriended his fellow males and had become a legend in bedding down the young female Ggrrggians, as this behavior was not only accepted on Ggrrgg, it was encouraged.
But it was the death of the slave who had befriended him and taught him about science and philosophy that changed his life, and set off a series of events that changed Cobalt. His mother’s own betrayal of him, stabbing him in the back, and the planet itself disowning him, after his refusal to fight on Ggrrgg’s behalf led to the death of his mother. flashbacks from the Ggrrgg/Psyonia War. Now he was hated here, seen as the greatest traitor in Ggrrgg’s history, for not using his magnetism (which other Ggrrggian’s did not share) for the Ggrrggian army.
quote:Originally seen in the Ggrrgg/Psyonia War: A group of boys, all about 8-9 years old in age run through the streets, beating each other with sticks, made of the latest Ggrrggian technology. Ggrrgg is a city that looks like it’s made of pure gold—decadent, built in the same fashion of Ancient Rome. The Roman guard does well to hide the advanced Ggrggian technology, which focuses on the ongoing war efforts and expansion into the neighboring galaxies.
In addition to the Long Three Way War*, Ggrrgg never wastes an opportunity to bring other planets under its glorious and enlightened rule.
An older woman moves out of the way! “Desmonius! Stop this behavior at once!”
“Let him be, Livia. You know it is the fashion for the young ones to learn how to fight. We need him strong and brave, ready to crush his opponents. Maybe one day he’ll be a consul like his father.”
The woman smiles at her husband and the two walk on.
The boy named Desmonius runs past his friends, although he stops short of an ally. He sees an old slave working tedious on a table outside, with various knickknacks and vials. “What are you doing, slave?” asks the boy.
“Ah, young master Desmonius. I am doing the work I once did in my home planet, where I was a free man. I was a thinker, and my profession was science!”
“Science? Surely a man of your stature would be wasting his time on science? Why weren’t you a warrior?”
“You are very bright, young one. But life on Ggrrgg has given you its own brand of wisdom. Come here and watch, as I work on this potion to heal my mistress. She is infected with cancerous cells throughout her intestines. The Ancient medicines of Earth have been perfected to create this simple potion, laced with the element ‘cobalt’, which directly destroys the cancerous cells and preserves life.”
“Cobalt?”
“Yes. War focuses on destroying life, young master. Science uses things such as cobalt to preserve it.”
quote:Originally seen in the Ggrrgg/Psyonia War: Years before:
“You have to say something to him! This is getting completely out of control!”
“Livia! For Ggrrgg’s sake, relax! He’s a young man, doing what young men do.”
“He’s sleeping with every single woman or girl that crosses his path!”
“That is the way of our culture and you know it. You’ve never had any problem doing so yourself, or my doing so. Why our son? From what I hear in the bathhouses, he’s becoming a legend,” grinned the proud father.
“You think its funny, but its starting to be a problem. The girls don’t move on their marry way anymore, like the normal standard of Ggrrgg. They become crazy in their heads and start following him constantly. He’s had actual death threats! His sleeping with them is coming back to bite him on the ass!”
“Bah! Nonsense.”
“I personally took care of one girl myself—a slave girl, no matter. He doesn’t know though, which is a good thing. Because you don’t realize that he actually cares for these women. All of them! There’s the different between yourself and him, Marius. He doesn’t use them and leave them, as is the standard of Ggrrgg’s orgy ridden society. He is passionate and caring, and has feelings for them, and then they do for him.”
“Father? Mother? What is all this about?” said the young teenage Desmonius, entering the room.
“Nothing, son. Strictly politics. The Hephaestians are revolting again. As a show of our strength over them, I’ve ordered that all the Hephaestian slaves living on Ggrrgg by thrown in the fire pits. That should teach them a thing or two about challenging the power of Ggrrgg.”
“Firepits…? Hepheastians…? Father, you can’t be serious! You—father, Alchemious is a Hephaestian!”
“I know your fond of him, son, but I’ve already ordered it, two days ago. I didn’t want you to have to bear saying farewell. He’s been a good teacher to you, although I never quite understood your fascination with the sciences he teaches. Between that and these ladies that seem to be causing so much trouble, you’re hardly spending enough time practicing your training. You’re sloppy and you don’t seem to have any motivation. Maybe this will get you back into proper Ggrrggian mode.”
Stunned, the teenager stood there in silence.
“A harsh lesson, I know, but one we all must go through,” continued his father.
The young man looked at the sword hanging from his belt. Fire built into his heart…
He leaped at his father, pulling his sword out and preparing to kill him. Grabbing his father by the throat, he cocked his arm back for one plunge…
*Skkrtt* The blade grazed across young Desmonius’ back, just deep enough to sting him into falling to his knees. His mother wiped the blood away from her own sword, before it could stain her beautiful carpet. “You have overstepped your bounds…son,” was all she said.
The father looked at him, rage and curiosity in his face. He brought his hand up to his face—and swiftly brought it down backhanding his son. The carpets would be stained after all. The beating lasted one full hour.
quote:Originally seen in the Ggrrgg/Psyonia War: LardLad approached Cobalt, slightly inebriated with his usual big grin, and immediately the young LMBers spirits lit up. Who knew what kind of craziness was about to be unleashed. Goon Boy and Loser Lad were on there way, and there was no voice of reason among this crowd.
“You have an urgent message. R. Engine Joe Brande would said its important,” said Lardy, adding “so hurry up, will’ya?”
Cobalt walked in, and standing next to the philanthropist was none other than his father, Marius Desmonius. “Son,” was all his father said.
“Father.”
Brande nodded, and walked out.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come for you,” said the former consul. Cobalt said nothing. “What you are doing here…it is…very noble. I’m proud of you son, and so is your mother.”
“But.”
“But I’m asking you to come home to Ggrrgg. We…we’re at war, and we need every hand we can get. Our enemies, the Mind-Flyers and the Okaarians have formed an alliance, and they’re threatening to invade Ggrrgg. Son, I want you to be with your people during this time of war.”
“War. Its always war with Ggrrgg, isn’t it. When will it ever end…” he trailed off.
“Son, think of what your power can do! These magnetic abilities—they could be so useful on the battlefield! All tech has metal components, if—“
“Stop. So this is what this is about? A son of Ggrrgg, returning to his loving planet, or a potential major war weapon? They even sent their primary diplomat, the former consul of Ggrrgg. That its his own son is a stroke of pure luck. Get out. I never want to see you again, or that pitiful planet. I’ll have no part in your ways any longer.
quote:Originally seen in the Ggrrgg/Psyonia War: Flashback
To: Cobalt Kid From: Marius Desmonius
Cobaltus, or whatever you call yourself,
Ggrrgg has been victorious in our war. Livia Drusilla, your mother, has been a casualty of this war. She did not die peacefully.
You have failed us.
quote:Originally seen in the Ggrrgg/Psyonia War: [i]Final Flashback
A young man makes a promise he thought would last forever, and returns to his home planet. The dead are being buried in a massive ceremony, and the wife of a former Consul of Ggrrgg dying a martyr’s death is something that is glorified on a planet such as Ggrrgg.
Without the usual pomp and outlandishness that had come to characterize Cobalt Kid, he moves among the crowd, taking in all the sorrow. Above, he sees the funeral pyre of Livia Drusilla, his mother. One of the first things he can ever remember is her holding him and kissing a cut on his knee. One of the last things he can remember is her slashing his back with a short sword.
Up ahead, he sees his father.
“Father…I…”
“Get out. You have no place here,” says the father, staring into the fire.
“I…” Cobalt struggled to find the words, suddenly feeling more like a young nineteen year old than he had in a long time.
“You failed us. And you failed her. She’s dead now, because you’ve chosen to abandon your home planet. You have no place here on Ggrrgg, and never will again. Get out before I alert the Consul you are here—you’re wanted on Ggrrgg now for high treason. You’re dead to me…Cobaltus.”
He was snapped back into action as Crujeckie squeezed his hand tighter. It was time to get back to action. And once more, Cobalt reentered the capital city of Ggrrgg.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Ggrrgg
Cobalt walked through Ggrrgg complete with a full Ggrrggian uniform, armor, helmet, laser-sword and spear, with his face completely covered. Minutes earlier, he had ‘acquired the uniform’ from a Ggrrggian guard, as Spellbinder acquired the silk clothing of a Ggrrggian female, which covered beautifully in yellows and pinks. She had a scarf covering her face slightly, which was common on Ggrrgg, although her flowing beautiful blonde hair could be seen. But her athletic and voluptuous figure—famous throughout the universe—would keep any suspicious eyes away from her face.
They walked through the streets of Ggrrgg’s capital city, and the overwhelming emotions Cobalt felt earlier did not abate in the slightest. Instead, he focused on his telepathic link to Crujeckie and she eased the tension he felt, as she always did. There was no doubt to any who saw them, whether it their friends in the LMB or strangers who beheld them when they were pretending to be someone else, that these two were completely in love.
They walked among Ggrrgg proudly and confidently, which helped others to believe they were genuine Ggrrggian patricians. Suddenly, Crujectra, stopped short and put her hand to her forehead. She looked at Cobalt and smiled. “Of all the luck…” she said. “…you’re not going to believe whose thoughts I’ve picked up telepathically. Déjà Vu.”
Cobalt turned quickly. “Could it be a trap?”
“Not likely,” she replied, “she probably isn’t sure she’s doing it. Normally I would never be able to sense this, but because of my recent power boost [inset link here], I’m able to focus in on her and find her. This way,” she added and the two made their way down another busy street. They made their way quickly, some Ggrrggians taking notice of them, some not.
“Up there,” said Cobalt, “I recognize that man,” he added, unsure of who it was. Up ahead, they saw a plain looking individual ducking into what looked like a spa. “He’s not Ggrrggian…” he said, trying to figure out where he knew him from. The two rushed forward, and moved through the spa, seeing a host of unclothed individuals enjoying the waters and baths. They saw the man move out the back, as this was an open spa with large half-circle doorways that took up large portions of the walls.
They made their way out the back, to another alleyway that intersected with a more desserted alleyway. They saw the individual far off to the right and followed, to see him turn. He only had one option to run, but he choose not. At last, Cobalt recognized him.
“The Trumpeter!” he yelled to Spellbinder. “But here? Why, this isn’t even his universe!” he finished, rushing forward.
“He’s not running,” said Spellbinder, getting in position for a fight.
“No, I’m not,” replied the Trumpeter now in hearing distance. “I’m pleased you remember me. The last time we met, you could say I was a little…outnumbered,” he added, referring to the combined force of the SMB and LMB taking him down. “This time its quite the opposite,” he laughed, as he pulled forth his golden trumpet, and suddenly blew down, playing a bouncing note that caused a thunderous sound. Immediately, three beings phased into existence, as if the Trumpeter had some way to teleport them to him on a cue, and the four surrounded Spellbinder and Cobalt Kid.
“Look out Crujeckie,” said Cobalt, suddenly pulling a series of metallic debris around her, as Middlefinger VIII unleashed a cascade of death-photons upon her, which were deflected by the debris, although destroying it. Middlefinger again unleashed a blast at the two, as Déjà Vu fired her own laser at them.
“I don’t think so,” said Spellbinder, pushing forward with her telekinesis and knocking Déjà Vu backwards. “Your outclassed now dear,” she added.
Salad-Tosser Lord and the Trumpeter moved backwards, letting the fighting be done by their partners. “Do it now,” said Salad-Tosser Lord, “and then we have to leave before the Ggrrggians come,” he added.
The Trumpeter let loose another note, this one louder than before, so that anyone in ear-shot heard it. What the LMBers did not know was that this was a musical note designed to incite bezerker rage, and immediately, its effects were felt all around. The Trumpeter smiled, as Middlefinger and Déjà Vu ran backwards towards them. Cobalt and Spellbinder used their magnetism and telekinesis to block the four of them in.
“You’re not going anywhere,” said Spellbinder.
“On the contrary, dear princess,” replied the Trumpeter playing that same first note, and suddenly the four disappeared again, teleporting away.
“Aaaargh!” yelled Cobalt, as he launched forward the Ggrrggian spear he’d attained, using his magnetism to guide it, so that it ripped forward at lightning speed, and then suddenly it pierced Middlefinger’s armor, nailing her hand. But instantly, they were gone.
CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.
“An excellent shot,” they heard, as well as the slow clapping. They turned to see a cohort of angry Ggrrggians all around them, on the roofs, clearly having the upper ground. “Only two beings could have thrown it, and I am one…Cobalt Kid.” The man before them was in Ggrrggian armor except that he had no helmet, and he had a quiver full of spears over his back, which was unusual.
Suddenly the Ggrrggians rained fire down upon them, not asking for a surrender or explaining themselves. Over the noise, they could barely hear the man utter “you are hereby under arrest for treason against the Ggrrggian Empire. I, Pillum, order you to stand down.” Spellbinder put up a telekinetic shield around them, as Cobalt pulled out his Ggrrggian laser-sword, but FLAAAAAASH---instantly, they were knocked backwards.
Pillum had hurled one of his own spears, landing inches form the shield and emitting a tremendous electric current into the ground, causing the entire ground to shake and conduct the current into the two LMBers. They fell back instantly, both shaken for a second, which was all the Ggrrggans needed. Omni-chains were instantly upon them, as Ggrrggians piled on them, kicking and punching, whipping and slashing, until both were shackled, the nuero-inhibitors rendering their powers useless. In one last desperate attempt, Cobalt kicked a Ggrrggian in the nose, breaking it. The soldier was furious.
Pillum walked forward, and held him back. “Let me be the first to welcome you home, Cobalt Kid,” he said, then punching Cobalt directly in the nose as hard as he could, breaking the nose, and knocking him to the ground.
“You’ll pay for that,” said Spellbinder, in defiance.
“I think not,” said Pillum. “Come on now, consort of our hated traitor,” he said, as the two were dragged forward with the soldiers, “its time for you to finally meet your new family.”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Ggrrgg
Eryk Davis Ester, Stealth and Marcus watched, on the ceremonial aspects of the meeting before them began to end, and the more serious matters began. Before them was the high-ranking Ggrrggian Senators, as well as the two Ggrrggian Counsels, their chief executives. Their guests were the head clergy of the Khanate of Sol Invictus, and the leading generals and warriors. Though they are impressive and fearsome, there is truly one leader of the Khanate of Sol Invictus, one man with any true power, and that is the High Priest Caracalla, whose rule of the Khanate is absolute. And now he stood before them all to see, taller and younger than one would think, and darker, and ferocious to behold.
Stealth hit Eryk’s arm, and pointed at Marcus, and at once, they could see that the young soldier was going into a blind rage. It was the Khanate of Sol Invictus that had destroyed the entire legion of Cobalt Kid’s armies that Marcus was a part of, and was responsible for the deaths of almost every friend he had ever known, including his own personal hero, Scipio Taltarus. It was the Khanate that Marcus wanted Cobalt, Eryk Davis Ester and the United Planets to invade, and for which he desired nothing but bloody, brutal revenge. And now upon seeing Caracalla, who scared both little children and adults before bedtime all across the UP, that he felt that rage coming forth.
“Steady Marcus,” said Eryk, “there’s nothing we can do yet. We’re outgunned immensely. Stay calm and watch on…we need to find out what’s happening here.”
Marcus grew red with rage, and now Stealth backed up a little, to watch the young soldier, not trusting him at all.
Ahead, the talks between Caracalla and the Ggrrggians began, and it was apparent that something awful had happened: Ggrrgg was now allied with the Khanate of Sol Invictus, which meant Ggrrgg could now literally decimate its enemies with the immeasurable power of the Khanate behind it, but even worse, Ggrrgg now provided an access point for the Khanate into all of the United Planets.
“Bloody Liberty,” said Stealth. “This is going to be awful…”
The Ggrrggians seemed overly arrogant and pompous, believing the Barbarians to be nothing more than a massive array of cannon-fodder, but it was Caracalla that was unnerving everyone. He seemed to be beyond precise in accomplishing this, and each word he spoke had a very definitive meaning, being perfectly chosen.
“No…” said Marcus, as his young mind began to unravel. Images of the Khanate marching on the UP via Ggrrgg and conquering entire planets were flooding through his mind. He wanted vengeance! He wanted DEATH! He reached for his spear, before Stealth and Eryk could react.
He hurled it forward, strait towards Caracalla. Caracalla smiled. “NO!” a scream was yelled, as a Khanate general leaped forward, and took the spear himself. Caracalla was a prophet to them, a divine presence in the universe. They would die for him.
“Marcus, you fool!” said Stealth, instantly smacking him across his head, and knocking him to the ground.
Immediately, the hosts of Ggrrgg and the Khanate of Sol Invictus turned towards the two LMBers and their trouble-making ally.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Ggrrgg
“Crujectra of Psyonia,” said the man in front of her. He was older, but in excellent physical condition, and extremely handsome. But he had a scowl about him, a vicious mean look that made his features look unappealing. “…of the House of Jectra. At last we meet. I am Marius Desmonius. Father to the traitor on your side.”
Spellbinder sat shackled before her host at a lavish table complete with wines and lush, exotic foods. To her right was Cobalt Kid, also shackled, but severely beaten and bruised. He was conscious though, his healing power kicking in, and he was silent, and intense fiery anger directed at his father.
“He too,” began Marius Desmonius again, “was once named Desmonius, but he has sworn to forego that name, and to abandon his people. So we will refer to him by Cobaltus, as is his wish. But that will be one of the few boons I grant him today.” Marius sat now in front of her, the rest of the very large table having empty seats. In the corner stood two silent guards, as well as the young soldier known as Pillum, who watched on. “Nothing to add, Cobaltus?”
Cobalt looked at him without changing his features. “Father…” he began, “…allow me to introduce you to Princess Crujectra, my true love in this world. I know you are aware of who she is, as it was both her and I that defeated Ggrrgg’s rather lame attempt at conquering Psyonia. I apologize that we did not see you that day, as I could not find you on the battlefield.” Cobalt’s words were icey and cold, and he did not smile.
Marius sat back now and stopped eating. He turned to Pillum in back of him. “You see Pillum, he has always been a thankless little bastard. A man of honeyed words when he knows little else can help him. He does not even try to help the so-called girl he loves.”
“This woman I love,” cut in Cobalt, “needs little help from me. Besides Crujeckie,” he said, now turning towards her, “my father has an odd habit of having my loved ones killed.” He turned back to his father. “Or did you think I’d ever forgive you for killing Naomi, the slave girl of my childhood? Of what of Alchemious? Of—“
“Or what of your mother, whom you choose not to defend before she was taken prisoner and then murdered?” replied his father. “But you have chosen not to defend your country and we both paid the ultimate price. It is for that reason, Cobaltus, that I have no intentions of trying to convince you to rejoin Ggrrgg, or to live her again, even with your precious royal Psyonian consort. Ggrrgg already has a new champion, and he stands behind me.”
Cobalt looked at Pillum. “This is where my friend Lucien Lad would probably say ‘yawn’.”
Pillum walked forward with his spear out, and reached across the table, smashing in Cobalt’s nose again, so blood splashed on him, and Crujectra. “I would love for the chance to show you, ‘Legionnaire’”.
“What is it you want?” said Spellbinder, her anger only slightly being kept calm.
“I want his magnetism,” said Marius, “and then I want him to die. I want him to die in front of you in fact, Psyonian scum,” he added, throwing down his food and standing up. “The pleasure was all mine Princess,” he said with a scowl, looking at Cobalt and saying “goodbye boy.” He began to walk out of the room.
“ENOUGH!” said Spellbinder suddenly, her voice growing loud and deep with anger. Suddely, one of the armed guards grabbed Pillum from behind, as the other walked to Spellbinder. The shackles were strong indeed, and her powers were inhibited, but this was no ordinary super-heroine. This was Princess Crujectra of Psyonia, and her power was as immense as her willpower. The two guards were under her control and one began to undue her shackles.
“Fools!” said Pillum, pulling a spear and running it through the guard attacking him. He turned towards the other and hurtled it towards his head, instantly decapitating him and knocking him onto the balcony behind, and then over it to the streets below. He pulled another spear out.
“Too late,” said Spellbinder, suddenly hurling the entire table telekinetically forward at Pillum, as the room began to swirl with debris. “I’ve got you Cobie…” she said, pulling the shackles off him telekinetically.
“Appreciated,” he said, lunging forward without hesitation, the blood still wet on his face, “and I’ll get him,” he added, tackling Pillum to the ground while he was too distracted to see him coming. Instantly, Cobalt cocked his fist back and punched Pillum hard in the face—as hard as he could. “Don’t like it do you?” he said, adding another punch, then another.
More guards ran in, and Spellbinder knocked them outside backwards with another telekinetic blast.
Pillum pulled Cobalt forward, flipping him away, with a yell. “A cheap way to fight…” he said, pulling out a spear.
“Please Pillum, if you’re not cheating in a fight, you’re not a Ggrrggian,” he said, getting to his feet and magnetically pulling Pillum’s spear right from his hands.
“Fool!” yelled Marious Desmonius suddenly, who leapt onto Cobalt’s back. “You will pay for your mother’s death!”
“NO FATHER!” said Cobalt, swinging around and grabbing his own father by the throat. “All of Ggrrgg should pay, for all of your horrific war-mongering ways! Would that you could live in peace, then my mother would never have died.”
“You’re weak…” said Marius through the choke hold. Suddenly, Pillum was on Cobalt, the pointed end of a spear about to pierce his back.
“Not today!” said Spellbinder, knocking them all backwards telekinetically. “This isn’t over,” she said to them all, “but we must go Cobie, more forces are on their way.”
Instantly he knew she was right. “No, its not over,” he said, looking at his father, as Pillum hurled another spear at them, which Cobalt swatted away magnetically. Spellbinder and Cobalt Kid flew out the window once more. “Not by a long shot.”
[ July 20, 2007, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Ggrrgg
The Ggrrggians troopers and hordes of the Khanate of Sol Invictus moved forward, and instantly, the situation was rendered helpless for Eryk Davis Ester, Stealth and Marcus, who now got back up to his feet, following Stealth’s knocking him down.
“Thanks Marcus,” she said dryly, “just how I pictured my final moments.”
“Jeepers!” said Eryk, “this is going to suck!” Suddenly, his pet Luck Lord appeared for him. Suddenly, Eryk stepped backwards over a loose rock, and tumbled backwards, unaware that they had been pushed to the very edges of the top of the coliseum, where they had been spying. Out of instinct, he grabbed hold of Stealth and Marcus and all three fell backwards, off into the air.
Right into the arms of Cobalt Kid and Spellbinder. “Wow, what luck!” said Eryk with a laugh, at being saved. Spellbinder shook her head with a laugh.
“I take it you’ve kicked off a war, then?” said Cobalt to Stealth with a grin, as he held her and Marcus each with his arms.
“Soldier boy here did,” she said. “We’ve got to go now—things are about to get very rough in this sector of the universe.”
The five of them flew as fast as they could to the LMB cruiser Spellbinder and Cobalt had landed outside the city.
Marcus said nothing at all, his embarrassment and guilt now fully encompassing his every thought for his stupid actions back at the coliseum.
“Look!” said Stealth, “already, an armada is leaving Ggrrgg. Its begun.”
“What’s begun?” said Cobalt.
“Come inside Cobie,” said Eryk, “we’ve got a lot to talk about. And we’ll need Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad on the line.”
In the Capital City As the troops of Ggrrgg and the Khanate of Sol Invictus filed out towards their space-cruisers, Caracalla looked on briefly, and then moved to the quarters the Ggrrggians had prepared him.
A priest took his ceremonial robe off for him. Caracalla turned to the priest, speaking “contact Elagabolus. This will be his greatest moment, where he is unleashed on the world. He will lead this battle. Now leave me.”
As the priest left, Caracalla turned to an empty spot. “Well?” he said.
The image of the Trumpeter faded in. “We believe we know where it is now,” said the Trumpeter, “and we’ll have it soon. The Ggrrggians and the Kerissians are unaware of us at this time.”
“Good, they will remains so,” said Caracalla. “The Psionic Spear will prove quite useful, but only to the Khanate of Sol Invictus.”
END CHAPTER THREE
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Chapter Four: Statistics
Roll Call: Kid Marvel (LMB Leader), Rockhopper Lad (LMB Deputy Leader), Nightcrawler (Legion World Founder)
Legion World
Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad sat down at the LMB Meeting Room, although they were the only two present for the time being. On the monitor screen before them was a split of two images:
Weber’s World Ambassador Relnic, famed politician, Admiral Cornwallis of the United Planets Space Fleets, as well as Faraway Lad, Quislet Esq. and mediators Bevruck Jespers and Antiquated Forms of Communications Lass.
Deep Space Cobalt Kid, Eryk Davis Ester, Spellbinder and Stealth.
“Go ahead Eryk,” said Rockhopper Lad. As he spoke, Nightcrawler suddenly *bamfed* into the room, and Kid Marvel waved him over to join them.
“Its not only bad, its horrible,” began Eryk. “I’ll give you the strait facts: The Khanate of Sol Invictus has struck an alliance with Ggrrgg, and has began landing their military forces on Ggrrgg’s borders. Both planets intend to invade Kerissia, rendering the diplomatic talks useless. Ggrrgg’s intentions are obvious, while one can only assume the Khanate wants to use Ggrrgg as an entry point into the United Planets. As you know, the ‘Triangle’ is a very convenient military position in tactical terms, as it acts as a triangular spearhead into a rich part of the UP. Ggrgg’s borders are very close to the Khanate’s.”
“My God,” said Ambassador Relnic. “Then all of this was for nothing.”
“Well, we know about it now. Rally your soldiers Triumvirs and we’ll join you,” said Cornwallis. “We have to intervene.”
“I’m sorry Admiral,” said Eryk, “but Cobalt and I no longer have soldiers. We have our Knights, and they are in the Contested Territories—it would be impossible to bring them now this far away. The UP Military would have to intervene without us…”
“…and even then that may not be legal or welcome,” said Quislet, who was standing next to the Admiral. “Kerissia has been kicked out of the United Planets. They may not welcome us.”
“But, something must be done,” said Kid Marvel back on Legion World. “All that death…”
“We can blockade the Khanate forces,” said Relnic, “but apparently a great many are already in the Triangle.”
“There is one thing, though,” said Cobalt Kid. “If the LMB were to enter the triangle, they could make some difference…”
“…especially if the UP had no idea that they were doing so. Acting without authorization and all that,” said Faraway Lad now. “It might be enough, and could get the ball rolling diplomatically.
The Admiral looked at Relnic. Relnic was nodding. “…yes, that could work…”
“I’ll send a squadron ASAP,” said Kid Marvel, “we should be involved in this. I’ll let you know our plans shortly. Legion World, OUT.” Kid Marvel turned off the monitor screen and looked at the Nightcrawler and Rockhopper Lad. Matlock and Lash Lad had joined the meeting at one point, both authorized to do so.
“I’ll lead a team,” said Rockhopper Lad. “We’ll need to get there fast, its going to be all about timing. The Khanate can’t be allowed to dictate policy in that sector.”
“I’m going with you,” said Kid Marvel, suprising them all. “My power will be needed, and I’m more of a hands on, rush in without clearance leader anyway. We can both go.”
The other three looked at him, the obvious question being ‘what of Legion World?’, though all knew the answer.
Kid Marvel smiled. “You’ll be here Nighty, and can take over duties of the LMB on Legion World. And there are a lot of past leaders present on Legion World right now that can help out. I think we should be alright.”
“I’m going to come with you too,” said Matlock.
“You are Matt?” said Rockhopper, surprised. “This seems more like an ‘intergalactic war mission’ than anything.”
“I’m not so sure,” replied the Galaxy’s Greatest Detective. “There’s something fishy about this whole situation, something odd going on at Weber’s World, especially in terms of that assassination attempt. I’m going to join Faraway and Quis and check it out. Abin’s out in space too right now, but between Arachne and Invisible Brainiac, the Security Office is in good hands.”
“You’ll have no complaints from me,” said Kid Marvel, looking at Nightcrawler.
“Or me,” said Nighty, “you’re usually right in these matters anyway,” he smiled.
“Its settled,” said Rockhopper. “Let’s figure out who to take and make our move…”
[ March 09, 2007, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Kerissia
Before a genuine reaction could come from the United Planets, the surrounding sectors of space, or even Kerissia itself, the combined armies of Ggrrgg and the Khanate of Sol Invictus was on the move. Ggrrgg’s chief generals lead their large armada’s, their mastery of weaponry and war evident in ever efficient move they made.
At the head of the Khanate of Sol Invictus’s armies was the Emperor himself, Elagabolus. Though Caracalla served as regent, the young Emperor had finally reached an age that both he and Caracalla deemed battle worthy, now that he was fifteen. He was taller than most men already, and had a lean, muscular look to him, from endless training for the last four years. Indeed, these last four years had been leading to this moment. His bald, tattooed appearance seemed odd and foreign to all, and there was something utterly magnificent and terrifying to him. A constant, pulsating red glow emitted from both hands, and none near him completely understood how awful and how powerful that glow could be. Elagabolus was a nexus of magic in the universe, a random magical act of nature that only occurred every few centuries. And he could unleash the pure power of true destruction.
Kerissia’s satellites were among some of the best in the world, their power of technology extremely proficient in the satellite’s construction. However, though they could detect the oncoming march, they could do little to rally their troops in time. Instead, the armies banded together and mobilized as best they could, with Princess Tarina at the forefront. Arming their war-buildings as one massive anti-siege engine, and then loading their armada with soldiers to man them, they too prepared for war.
And so it began, in an age where interstellar travel was near-instantaneous and weapons were decisive to the point of being ludicrous, that the Siege of Kerissia began.
Immediately, Kerissia casualties were heavy.
Immediately, the Ggrrggians were complete in the conquering and the violation of Kerissia.
Immediately, Elagabolus unleashed his power upon Kerissia, in a way that hand not been seen in living memory.
[ March 09, 2007, 10:31 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Deep Space, The Triangle of Death An LMB Cruiser flew at top speed, making the pilgrimage from Ggrrgg to Psyonia with as much haste as could be given for interstellar travel. The journey was relatively quick in comparison to other space travel, but it would not be quick enough.
Cobalt Kid and Spellbinder held hands, while Stealth and Eryk Davis Ester piloted the cruiser. They knew full well at this point that Ggrrgg and the Khanate of Sol Invictus had begun their invasion of Kerissia, and had caught the Kerissians completely unaware, under the assumption of a temporary halt of hostilities for the peace talks. Marcus, the UP soldier, felt only the venom of hate in his veins towards the Khanate of Sol Invictus, as well as the terror of knowing he would soon be immersed in the horror of war.
Kerissia Ggrrggians troops unleashed the full weight of their military might on the capital city, firing with their star vessels at the most important centers of Kerissian culture. Pillum, whose reputation as a Ggrrggian that was reminiscent of the war-masters of old, led the attack, and he unleashed his lances and spears upon all Kerissians—soldiers and civilians alike. It was the scientists though, who held the highest esteem in Kerissian culture, that Pillum took the greatest pleasure it mercilessly killing.
In the suburban areas of Kerissia, the people were not spared either, as the Khanate of Sol Invictus, which had been held back for so long now, at last unleashed its full might on the people of Kerissia. Their numbers were endless and their ferocity a force unseen in many an era. They truly lived up to the hysteria that had been rampant in the UP since the creation of the larger entity known as the Khanate, and the ‘barbarian’ title that had been harshly given to them was now embraced as a way to repay the United Planets for that insult. No one was spared: civilians, workers, men, women, children, the old, the infirm.
At the front of the Khanate of Sol Invictus’ armies was Elagabolus, who unleashed wave after wave of deadly power that caused panic and fear, pain and despair, but ultimately death.
Princess Tarina immediately rallied her soldiers and prepared for the arrival of her enemies, and at once began to battle back, as the invasion began, continued, and then grew ever more grim for Kerissia. Though she had seen many battles before, she reached a point where she realized the full extent of this new alliance and what it meant for her people and her planet, as great fires began to burn away important parts of her culture, and some of the greatest technology the universe had ever seen was instantly lost to the madness of war.
Tarina fought on in a way that the Ggrrggians found to be glorious for an enemy, and they instantly envied and loved her, and knew that they must destroy her to win their own glory. With the full power over light, she vanquished cadre after cadre of Ggrrggians troops, but their numbers were overwhelming. They were a war-machine, after all, and they had prepared for this for many a year. Eventually, Pillum’s elite battalions were able to overcome her, and she was brought down, her light energy neutralized after so much of it had been spent. Pillum knew a great nemesis when he saw one and ordered his troops to leave her be, and to have her captured and imprisoned—not to be executed in battle. Her fate should be dealt with after the battle. The rest of her royal family, however diluted the bloodline had become in various directions, were to be executed in battle during the invasion—no exceptions.
Tarina’s fall marked the last turning point in the invasion, though its conclusion was inevitable from the beginning. Kerissia began to fall.
[ March 09, 2007, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Kerissia
With the Kerissians falling back and their defeat becoming more and more apparent, it was then that Pillum ordered the Ggrrggians to fall back into the atmosphere of space, complete with a large number of P.O.W.s, including important scientists, diplomats and wealthy individuals (with assets outside of Kerissia). These, of course, included the prize captive, Princess Tarina.
It was now that the Khanate of Sol Invictus became the complete conquering force on Kerissia and unleashed a fervor and madness upon the people of that planet that brought the realization of every great fear that the UP ever had concerning this new entity comprised of so many great enemies. The Khanate’s forces fought as one with their horrifying butchery and ever battle each soldier had lost in the past decade was paid in full here on this day.
It was then that Elagabolus, their Emperor and their Deity, stepped forth once more, and unleashed his power and presence upon all those left standing.
Red power glowed all around him, and sparked from his hands visibly, so that all those that saw him fled in terror. Wave after wave of power he unleashed, and brought destruction and death with each cascade. The magical power burnt flesh from bone and steel from earth, leaving nothing but slag and debris in its wake. The soldiers cheered him on, believing this to be a moment of great Holy importance, as their deliverer finally had made his presence known to the world. Truly, they believed, they were cementing their spot in heaven, by fighting by the side of the divine son of Sol Invictus. Truly they were reaching a point of divinity on their own.
At last, Elagabolus unleashed one final torrent of energy along the entire planet side, reaching out hundreds, if not thousands, of kilometers all around him, creating a frenzy of destruction too horrifying to comprehend. Instantly, hundreds of thousands were dead and debris was left in the wake of a great culture. This boy was a boy no more, for any vestige of youthful innocence was long since lost. Whatever morality there was once in this boy had been destroyed by Caracalla and he could no longer be seen as an innocent being used by the evil priest. For now he was truly guilty, complicit in the mass murder of a people and a culture, and he reveled in it with great enthusiasm and glory. Elagabolus was a man now, and terrible was he to behold.
[ March 09, 2007, 10:27 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The ruined planet-side of Kerissia The horror felt when such tragedies occur is unexplainable, but the ability to deal with it is not. One goes numb, one dulls the pain, and one turns to analysis and facts to push back emotions and sheer pain. Hundreds of thousands dead—no, millions. How can one comprehend such atrocity? You must turn to analysis; you must get a sense of what it is. Those lives that were lost—the outrage for each and everyone would be too great. So they become numbers and statistics, too terrible to truly behold, though one knows that justice must follow, vengeance must be swift. For the horror does not go away, it is just filtered.
One lone LMB cruiser rushed through the armada, firing away, hoping to breach the atmosphere even as the war reached its conclusion. A stalemate lasting for 87 years had fallen ended, and ended with the complete destruction of a planet and a people. The four LMBers, Cobalt Kid, Spellbinder, Eryk Davis Ester and Stealth watched with cold, calculating eyes, surveying the damage and trying to see what good could be done to help but an end to it. Each one wanted to scream and yell, to cry and curse, to use whatever power they could to have bloody, equally horrific justice and vengeance. But they did none of those things and looked on in horror.
Marcus, their companion continued to grow queasy, sickened by the events, unable to turn his eyes towards the monitors. He vomited and he quivered visibly, though none said anything. He felt ashamed of his terror, disgusted by his inability to watch-on. Spellbinder tried to calm him telepathically, but his thoughts let her know that should one of them speak to him directly, the shame he’d feel might break him.
Deep Space, The Triangle of Death The United Planets Military moved into the Triangle of Death, whether invited or not, and prepared to mobilize against Ggrrgg and the Khanate of Sol Invictus. Admiral Cornwallis was there himself, leading the forces, as the UP numbers had come out in force. This was not a direct act of war towards the United Planets, but there would be little need for one of those now. Cornwallis wanted to fire back immediately, hoping dearly that the ‘political game’ would not take hold now and some genuine fighting could begin between the two great entities.
A squadron of LMBers were silent and grim: Kid Marvel (leader), Rockhopper Lad (deputy leader), Varalent, Caliente, Fat Cramer and Outdoor Miner.
“Rocky, you’re in charge,” said Kid Marvel, “I’m going out there.” His fury was obvious to all. He wanted to give the enemy a show of force.
“Wait Joey,” said Rockhopper Lad. “What does the wisdom of Solomon tell you?”
Kid Marvel waited, and then hesitated. At last he spoke. “I…I know. The war is over. We have to see what happens next.” He slammed hand on a table, smashing it. “But there will be a reckoning.”
No LMBer disputed that point.
Wynthia As the horror of the genocide was made known throughout the United Planets, the attention of anyone involved was turned towards what was once Kerissia, and those seen as their principal attackers, Ggrrgg. But it was the third member of this long three way war that had a special guest arrive at this time. The Mind-Flayers of Wynthia welcomed Caracalla, the High Priest of the Black Sun and true ruling force of the Khanate of Sol Invictus to their planet, as well as this entourage of clerics.
Deep Space, Xandria Asteroid Belt “An entire people, wiped out?” asked Salad-Tosser Lord. “Then Caracalla was mad, as we guessed,” he finished. “What use is there for such mass death? All that technology, that science gone…” He turned to his allies, the Trumpeter, Déjà Vu and Middlefinger VIII. They were all gathered aboard a cruiser, leaving the infamous sector of space known as the Triangle of Death on their rear border, into the Xandria Asteroid Belt.
“It means little to us,” said the Trumpeter coldly, “we have what we came for. Information and accurate history, which the UP in this universe seemed to be lacking. We were able to get it before we left.”
“We have a location,” said Déjà Vu as if to clarify the Trumpeter. “You have information and an accurate history which you have not shared with us yet,” she added. “All we know is we are looking for the Psionic Spear and I can only assume that is where we are heading.” She was obviously a woman who did not like being played for a fool or used as a pawn.
“You are quite right,” said the Trumpeter. “Soon, it will be in our grasp.”
[ March 14, 2007, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The ruined planet-side of Kerissia “Up ahead,” said Stealth, “that cruiser there. Its obviously an important Ggrrgg by the standards displayed on its side. Damn arrogance of these people…” she said, forgetting that Cobalt was right next to her. He said nothing, because he agreed. “Its one of the last ones still down here planet-side, and I think we should pay it a little visit…”
“I think you’re right,” said Cobalt Kid, as the cruiser flew up towards the larger star-ship.
“You don’t have to come for this Marcus,” said Eryk Davis Ester. “You should probably stay here in the cruiser.”
“No way,” said Marcus coldly, with little trace of his earlier emotions intact. “You’ll need all the help you can get,” he added.
“Fine,” said Eryk, knowing there was little time for debate. Immediately, Spellbinder was opening the back hatch, and using her telekinesis, pulled the LMB cruiser right next to the star-ship, letting Cobalt rip it open magnetically, as the LMBers went inside.
“Okay, lets move,” said Eryk and the five moved forward. “We need to find out what’s happening now and what the rest of the plans are for Ggrrggians and the Khanate.”
“Split up again?” said Cobalt to Eryk, and Erky mulled it over for a second.
“Probably a good idea,” he said finally. “You go with Crujeckie again Cobie, I’ll go with Stealth,” he said, then looking at their fifth companion, “and Marcus. Come on.”
Eryk, Stealth and Marcus moved along the edges of the corridors looking to find the main command center, and began to pick up that trail. “Up ahead,” Stealth whispered and saw a plethora of large monitors in front of them.
“Sir, we have a ship leaving our armadas now, trying to pierce through our Ggrrggian borders. They have refused to respond to radio transmissions, but they are sending us their codename, ‘Starship Cacophony’.”
“That’s the ship that the Khanate has asked us to allow leave. Go ahead and let it, I remember Caracalla being very specific about this. It serves some special purpose in our war.”
“That’s the Trumpeter’s ship,” said Stealth, referring to their earlier pursuit of him. “Should we follow it?”
“Follow it?” said Marcus, “we need to be here, for the war,” he said, catching himself before he raised his voice. “We need to fight back against these Ggrrggians and Barbarians. We can’t leave now.”
“The war is over,” said Stealth, “and there will be fighting back, trust me. The LMB and the UP are probably engaging as we speak.” She turned to Eryk. “But the Trumpeter is playing some important role here, you even heard the commander say it. We followed him a bit already, and we know something is up. Perhaps we should continue?”
Eryk thought about it quickly, knowing this was no easy decision. “Jeepers…” he whispered, and in an instant, all three disappeared.
The Luck Lord had known which path would provide them with the best means of proceeding and had teleported them aboard a Ggrrggian stealth cruiser in the docking bay of the larger starship. Immediately, the engine began to roar without assistance as the luck lord ‘helped’ it along in starting up. “Looks like we follow…” said Eryk.
Elsewhere aboard the ship Spellbinder and Cobalt Kid moved along the corridors in opposite directions and recognized that they were descending deeper into the starship, obviously not going towards the command center. “That’s good,” said Cobalt to Spellbinder, “we should check for P.O.W.s. The Ggrrggians have a penchant for taking back slave prizes, and we can free them now.”
“I think you’re right Cobie,” said Crujectra, “up ahead there…I can feel a wave of agony. There are definitely some non-soldiers,” she said, feeling an intense pain in her head at the silent screams and pain being felt by those captured up ahead.
They rounded the corner to see a number of prison cells, over packed with Kerissians. This was not the ship holding Princess Tarina however, who had long since begun her journey as a prisoner to Ggrrgg.
Anger flared up in both Spellbinder and Cobalt Kid, who immediately used their magnetism and telekinesis to rip apart the cells, freeing the prisoners. Spellbinder calmed them telepathically, as they moaned and yelled.
“Its no use,” said a voice, as the Ggrrggian soldier known as Pillum stepped forward. “You can’t free them all. Not with two against an entire Legion.”
Cobalt’s anger caused him to grow beat red. “You obviously have no idea which two you are talking to!” he said, immediately hurling a jolt of magnetic force at Pillum, who ducked only slightly and was still knocked off to the side. “You bastard!” said Cobalt moving forward.
Pillum hurled an explosive spear at Cobalt, who moved to the side, but not realizing it would explode, was knocked back by the blast.
“To the back people!” said Spellbinder. “To the back! Find an exit, even if its miles above the Earth! I will guide you down to the planetside!” she yelled, trying to find a way to both save the people and help Cobalt in battle.
Cobalt got back up immediately, some minor burns on his costume. “I owed you for before,” he said, “but that was before THIS! Look at the destruction you’ve helped cause!” he yelled. Pulling a piece of metal to him, to use as his own spear.
“Please,” said Pillum, slashing down with a razorsharp spear of his own that had a spiked tip that could be used for slashing as well. Cobalt blocked it with his own spear. “These were Kerissian scum. They deserved it.”
“Aaargh!” said Cobalt, yanking Pillum’s spear from him magnetically, and then forcing him backwards. “You’re everything I hate about Ggrrgg. But here’s something you don’t get. I have magnetism as my power, you pompous jerk. You may be a better spearman than me, but I don’t care! I don’t need it!” he said, hurling Pillum’s own explosive spear above his head at the ceiling. “My accuracy is unmatched by all of Ggrrgg’s Sons, even you,” he said calmly, as the spear hit the above ceilings water mane, causing it explode downwards, falling over Pillum, and knocking him back down. “And I don’t care about fair fights, and I don’t care about glory in battle. I care about stopping people like you,” he finished, using his magnetism to rip open the floor below Pillum, so that the electric wires came loose, and once ripped apart, sent a painful current through the water, instantly electrifying Pillum terribly, and rendering him inert and unconscious.
As the Ggrrggian soldier lingered near death, Cobalt walked over slowly, knelt by his side and used his healing power on him. “I’m no killer either,” he said quietly, “though you deserve it. But I don’t feel sorry for the pain you just felt…consider it a taste of the retribution I hope finds you some day,” he adding, picking Pillum up and carrying him forward.
“HALT!” he heard, as Ggrrggian troopers stormed towards him.
“Not today!” yelled Spellbinder, reentering the fray, and knocking them all backwards telekinetically. “I’ve freed them all Cobie, and they’re safe. Let’s get out of here while we can,” she said, realizing that with their cover blow, they had little chance. “Eryk sent us a message, he’s off the ship. We can go!”
The two ran town the corridor to a hole blown through the bottom of the ship by Spellbinder earlier. “You’re taking him?” she said to Cobalt, who still carried Pillum.
“Yes,” he said calmly, “Ggrrgg’s favorite son will at least pay for some of Ggrrgg’s crimes, even if it means Ggrrgg’s least favorite had to bring him in.”
Spellbinder grabbed her arm around Cobalt and both used their powers to fly down to the planet-side of Kerissia, to see its ravaged form once more. It was virtually inhabitable now. All of this horror and destruction, and only one enemy actually caught to be held accountable.
Deep Space, The Triangle of Death “They’re pulling out,” said Admiral Cornwallis to Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad. “Just when I was ready to send in you LMBers, we’re getting word that they’re pulling out. Unbelievable!” he added with a yell. “The cowards.”
“But why?” said Rockhopper Lad. “Where are they pulling to?” The Admiral was assembled with the LMBers and some officers and news had just been received. Cobalt Kid and Spellbinder were also with them, a day having passed after Pillum had been officially arrested.
“We aren’t sure…” said one officer. “…but close to their own border with Kerissia. The destruction Elagabolus caused was so complete that the planet can virtually no longer sustain life, and will soon be a lifeless husk. There is no need for the Ggrrggians to claim it now.”
“Sickening…” said Caliente to Outdoor Miner.
“There’s some more to the intel,” said one officer reading the report. “The armies are splitting. There appears to be some sort of religious ceremony to celebrate the victory. The Khanate of Sol Invictus has asked for a brief interlude to their plans to celebrate it, and so the armies are splitting up. They appear to be relatively close.”
“The Ggrrggians must hate that,” said Cobalt to Spellbinder.
“But they know they need the Khanate to be victorious,” she replied back. Neither had spoken about the horror they saw, but simply relied on each other’s strength via their telepathic link. What had started out as a simple little stop-off to say hello had turned into a series of days worth of horrible trauma.
Rockhopper Lad put his hands on both their shoulders, and turned to Kid Marvel. “So the hostilities are temporarily ceased,” he said, letting Kid Marvel finish.
“Meaning we have the perfect opportunity to do some good,” he said. “Should we infiltrate the armies? They’re large enough were even we would not be able to finish them off.”
“Perhaps we could turn towards Ggrrgg?” said Fat Cramer suddenly, “and use the head to our advantage in disposing of the body?”
“Yes,” said Cobalt, suddenly enthused, “I’ve been concerned about the Kerissian P.O.W.s since we left. There are sure to be a great deal of them arriving at Ggrrgg soon. There could be a way to find intel and free some of them, combining the two missions…” he said, turning to the leader and deputy leader.
They knew what was being asked, and how dangerous and how risky it was. Not only was it tactically incredibly difficult, it was an international act of war between the LMB an Ggrrgg, and could only serve to complicate things. But in the end, it was something that would be the right thing to do, and it could boost the morale of the entire UP, which both Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad knew. “I’ll lead the team,” said Kid Marvel, “with all of us, including Cobie and Crujeckie,” finished. Cobalt was grateful for JoeBoy’s style of leadership, as many other leaders might feel that he (and Crujeckie) were already too personally involved. But Joey was giving them the chance to see this through. “Rockhopper, you stay here and act as a hub between us, Weber’s World, the UP military and Legion World. Be ready to join us en route at any time.”
“I’ve already contacted Abin Quank,” said Rockhopper Lad. “He’s not exactly in the area, but he can make it soon if we need him. He and I can join you later on.”
“Great,” said Kid Marvel. “Everyone get your stuff together. We’ll leave soon.”
Weber’s World There was no ceremony this time, as Faraway Lad and Quislet, Esq. waited for the arrival of their latest LMB guest on Weber’s World. In fact, there was hardly anyone around at all, besides the two LMBers and one lone science police officer who said little. And so very few were aware or the arrival of Matlock, famed super-detective, to Weber’s World.
“Matt,” said Faraway Lad, “well met. Welcome to Weber’s World.”
“Hungry Matt?” said Quis, “or thirsty?”
“I could use a cup of coffee Quis,” replied Matlock. “How’s it going?”
“Well, the peace talks are pretty much over now, I’m afraid,” he said. “And all the ambassadors want to leave, but fear for their safety if they leave their quarters, so are not.”
“At the end of the day, old friend, it appears this is a bust,” said Faraway solemnly.
“Well,” said Matlock, “that’s too bad. But the ambassadors will be useful at least,” he added, “when we try to crack who exactly the mole is on Weber’s World that allowed all this atrocity to happen…”
[ March 14, 2007, 01:23 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Deep Space, Xandria Asteroid Belt
A tiny Ggrrggian crusader fled through the asteroid belt, maneuvering swiftly, as once more, the trio of Eryk Davis Ester, Stealth and Marcus followed the elusive Trumpeter and his companions. “Keep your eyes out,” reminded Stealth again, “we really have no idea where they could be going.”
“Or what they could be doing,” said Eryk now. “Its still a bit of a mystery, after all, what the Trumpeter is doing here, or how he fits in.”
Marcus turned to him. “Or why we’re wasting out time chasing him. The Khanate of Sol Invictus is the real enemy here.”
“Marcus, are you that blind?” said Stealth, “have you been paying attention at all? Obviously, all of this is connected in some way, and we need to find out how.”
“Yes,” said Eryk, “and who knows what. Because I don’t believe Ggrrgg is aware that the Khanate of Sol Invictus has struck an alliance with the Trumpeter to complete some task. So the destruction of Kerissia, though terrible, is not the main goal of our enemies. We need to find out what that is.”
“For Ggrrgg, its simple,” said Marcus. “The elimination of their two enemies and then the chance to expand their empire again,” he continued, trying to show Stealth and Eryk that he was thinking logically. “For the Khanate, and really, Caracalla,” he added, knowing they would be glad to hear he was paying attention, “it’s the chance to dominate the Triangle, as it makes the perfect entry point into the UP. Its military strategy through and through. The Trumpeter is probably helping them get a weapon to achieve that.”
“Yes,” said Eryk, “I’m glad you have been paying attention,” he added. “Now we just have to find out what this Psionic Spear is…”
Elsewhere, in the deep space of the Xandria Asteroid Belt “It should be ahead, if the intel you collect is correct,” said the Trumpeter to Déjà Vu.
“It is, Trumpeter,” she said. “I’m sure of it. I know the difference between forgery and real information. The Kerissians and the Ggrrggians had whole storages full of old documents and the like, but never bothered to check them, too consumed with their own follies.”
“And the Library at Xandia Asteroid Belt has remained hidden for all of these years,” said Salad-Tosser Lord. “Amazing. With a wealth of information to be found there.”
“Much more than information,” said the Trumpeter. “Real power. When Caracalla approached us with his spies,” he said to Salad-Tosser Lord, “his plan sounded simple enough. Learn about the Psionic Spear and how it can be used to our advantage and retrieve it for me, and you will be rewarded with whatever means and tools you need to carry out your plans in the United Planets.”
Salad-Tosser Lord nodded. “How he found us remains a mystery,” he said, “though it is impressive.” Salad-Tosser Lord was convinced that the Trumpeter was the one to initiate such an alliance.
“But the Spear is so much more than a simple artifact to be used in war! It has vast power and can be very useful. And it’s the secret history of it that one might harness to good use,” he said.
“Yes, such a history remains hidden from us,” said Déjà Vu, slightly annoyed, though pretending to be much more so. “We know it is the reason the three planets were at war for so long, that it divided them. But we know little else, or how this ‘secret history’ can be useful to us.”
“We have all already assumed you mean to steal the Spear for yourself, Trumpeter,” said Middlefinger VIII speaking for the first time in this conversation. She was usually very quiet and careful of her words. “There has to be much more to it than that,” she added.
He smiled at the three of them. “It will be in my grasp soon enough,” he said, “…and then you will see.”
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Wynthia
The Mind-Flayers
“It appears then, my friends,” said the High Priest Caracalla, “that all of our planning was worthwhile and our alliance has born fruit.” Some of the Mind-Flayers silently laughed with a telepathic gurgle that seemed sickening and terrible. “Phase one is complete and phase two begins now.” The High Priest eyes grew black with anticipation. Though he was outnumbered twenty to one in this room, they were far more scared of him, than he was of them.
Telepathically, the Mind-Flayers agreed, and the alliance between the Mind-Flayers of Wynthia and the Khanate of Sol Invictus remained intact.
Ggrrgg “Let’s move fast,” said Outdoor Miner, as he suddenly ported Varalent, Fat Cramer, Cobalt Kid and Caliente into a dark corner of a long, dark corridor in the dungeons below the capital city of Ggrrgg. All four were covered in cloaks, although Vee and Fat Cramer quickly did not need them. Vee shrunk immediately so he was hidden from plain view, and Fat Cramer turned into her feline form, shrinking down to cat-size so Vee could get on her back.
“Stay here, you two,” said Vee to Cali and Cobalt, as Outdoor Miner teleported away, “and we’ll let you know when its safe.” Immediately, Vee and Fat Cramer moved forward into the dungeons to see the surviving Kerissian P.O.W.s and assess how they would free them.
Up above, Outdoor Miner rejoined Spellbinder and Kid Marvel, who overlooked the city. The city seemed much emptier than the days before when Spellbinder had been there, but there was still a large array of returning troops, as well as the sentry force that never left Ggrrgg.
“Its taking every inch of patience I have not to unleash my power on them,” said Kid Marvel to Spellbinder. Every move each Ggrrggian made highlighted the military arrogance they were so well known for.
“I know,” she said, holding him back, but remembering the Ggrrgg/Psyonia War at the same time.
Down below in the dungeons, Fat Cramer finished knocking out the last Ggrrggian soldiers, as Vee shrunk the lock on all the cells, so that they burst, making it easy for the cell doors to open. Spellbinder telepathically relayed the message to Caliente and Cobalt Kid to join them, and they did, helping the Kerissian to their feet and quieting them down, so the jail break could continue. Cobalt Kid ran up next to Fat Cramer who was looking ahead, and he saw she was looking at the bruised and beaten form of Princess Tarina—bruises on her cheeks, her magnificent cape long gone, and her costume torn. Her tiara lie in the corner, unbroken. She looked up in pure defiance, obviously in pain.
“Come on Princess, let me help you up,” said Cobalt quietly, knowing that her pride was being dealt a severe blow by not being able to stand on her own, let alone being helped up by him.
Fat Cramer helped her other side. In a quick gesture, she suddenly grabbed her tiara, and put it on the Princess’ head, and nodded to her. “We have to move fast Princess,” said Fat Cramer, as the two helped her along. She could barely stand up, let alone walk. Finally, she put one foot in front of her.
“I can make it,” she said firmly. Then she turned. “Thank you both,” she nodded, and moved forward. Both held back a minute to make sure she was alright, as Caliente and Varalent led the other prisoners of war out of the dungeons.
Up ahead, Kid Marvel concentrated hard, as he hid himself in the shadows. Using his super-hearing, he continued to monitor any talking between officers and troopers, trying to get a sense of what was going on. Spellbinder did the same telepathically, trying to pick up stray thoughts and ‘static’ to gather intel on possible future attacks. It became clear that all was not as it seemed.
“The Ggrrggians had no idea the Khanate would be so total in their decimation,” said Spellbinder at last telepathically to Kid Marvel. “They’re outraged in fact—they wanted to keep Kerissia alive and well, working for them. Apparently, this alliance between the Khanate and Ggrrggians is shakier than we thought.”
“Yeah, I can hear them complaining about the religious proceedings and how that has halted plans. They evidently don’t trust each other. Even more—this entire plan was Caracalla’s, not the Ggrrggians. He evidently is the one making the moves…”
Outdoor Miner suddenly appeared in front of them. “The cruiser is ready, although how we’ll get the P.O.W.’s there concerns me. This is going to be about as close a call as we’ve ever had.”
“Much closer than that, bug creature,” said a voice, and Spellbinder knew it instantly. “You LMBers have a bad habit of entering Ggrrgg without permission lately, and even worse—thinking that we wouldn’t be aware of it.” The three turned to see Marius Desmonius, the father of Cobalt Kid, before them in his Senatorial robes. Next to him was a cadre of armed soldiers, with electronic spears and laser-swords drawn, ready for battle. There were dozens of them, at least six dozen in total in plain sight. “You’re under arrest.”
“Forgive me, Senator,” said Kid Marvel, Spellbinder and Outdoor Miner letting the leader have his chance to speak, “but you forget who you’re dealing with.” Instantly, Outdoor Miner ported out, as Kid Marvel deflecting a plethora of blasts back at the Ggrrggians troopers, and dozens attempted to bring down the mighty leader of the LMBP.
“Cobie, tell everyone to scatter! They’re aware of us! They know you’re attempting a break-out! Its going to be too late!” Spellbinder’s telepathic message instantly went to her companion, who turned to the others in horror.
“We’re screwed,” he said, “somehow they found out about this mission before hand. We’ve got to find a way to save everyone, get off this planet…”
Vee ran towards them all. “Everyone gather over here!” he said. “I’ve got a plan, and its going to be a little far out.”
Fat Cramer smiled. “Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?”
“Yup,” said Vee, turning towards the Kerissian P.O.W’s. “I’m going to shrink everyone down, and we’re going on one of you, FC. Then its up to that person to get off planet. This is going to seriously drain me, but it’s the only thing I can think of.”
“I can help,” said Outdoor Miner teleporting to them suddenly. “I’ll get us out of here as fast as possible, to a nearby escape cruiser. Its doable.”
“I’m not going,” said Princess Tarina suddenly, standing proud and tall, her voice cold and calculating. “I’m going to have revenge to the horrors done to my people.”
“Tarina, no,” said Caliente, “you have to go. What’s left of your people need you!”
“NO!” said Tarina, suddenly glowing yellow and white. Her anger was pulsating and her adrenaline kicked into high-gear. Her light powers were returning. “I will have vengeance!” she screamed, and suddenly burst into a beam of light, smashing upwards through the roof and into the streets above.
“I’m going to help Crujeckie,” said Cobalt, getting ready to follow.
“Guys, go for it,” said Fat Cramer to Miner and Vee. “It’s the only way. Cali we’re going with Cobie. LMB, stay safe…sweet as sweet! Long live the LMB!” she yelled, as the LMBers scattered.
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Wynthia The High Priest Caracalla sat alone, listening to the prayers being spoken to Sol Invictus and his son, Elagabolus. He smiled, feeling each and every prayer flowing not to heaven, but directly to him, empowering him with a feeling of complete bliss and elation, giving him mastery over those praying and mastery over the forces he controlled.
Not far off in space, he communicated with his disciple, and Elagabolus answered in prayer, offering up his thanksgiving and his intentions. Caracalla replied to the man who he had trained as his own child, and told him what would need to be done now. And Elagabolus answered that it would be done.
Deep Space, the border between Ggrrgg and the ruins of Kerissia The Ggrrggian Army waited and continued to grow angry at the stagnant position they had been in for two days now. Throughout all of the armada, there was hardly one that did not look forward to a longer, more intense war that could allow them to conquer those whose blood they shed.
Not far off, the army of the Khanate of Sol Invictus was not so bored and anxious, for they felt the fulfillment of prayer and now rushed to their next goal. For the will of Caracalla pushed them whether they wished it or not, and the leadership of Elagabolus eased their own doubts and told them that what they were feeling was their own. And so the barbarian army of the Khanate of Sol Invictus followed their young Emperor, as he turned his attention away from the United Planets and rather, at those he had days earlier called allies. And the ultimate betrayal was set into motion.
Without a moments notice, the armadas of the Khanate of Sol Invictus crashed into the Ggrrggian fleets with the intention of the complete annihilation of their once-allies. After all, were these not the infidel scum, non-believers in Sol Invictus, and fated to die anyway, and not ascend into era of the new sun?
The Ggrrggian war machine responded in kind, far more proficient at adapting at a moment’s notice, or believing the worst in any ally. But they did not have Elagabolus, and the Khanate of Sol Invictus did. Elagabolus unleashed his tremendous power across the soundless depths of space, and the red magical energy of pure destruction did was not nullified by space’s emptiness, but was further empowered by it. Elagabolus’ destructive power instantly destroyed all it touched, and the legendary Ggrrggian fleet was vanquished instantly when it came in contact, its warriors seared and burnt to death in soundless, gravity-less space.
The betrayal was soon complete and the annihilation horrific in its completeness. No Ggrrggians were left alive in this battle, and the dead among the Khanate of Sol Invictus were honored.
Ggrrgg There would be no chance for a reaction on Ggrrgg at the utter decimation of the large majority of its armed forces. They would never know truly what had happened, as their focus was completely placed elsewhere. For at this very instant, the Mind-Flayers of Wynthia unleashed their first offensive assault on Ggrrgg in the Long Three Way War’s history, and the Ggrrggians felt the painful psionic attacks of telepathy and telekinesis.
Instantly, the invasion of Ggrrgg began.
But conquering Ggrrgg and subjecting it to their rule was never the intentions of the Mind-Flayers, for they were not like Ggrrgg. They simply wanted the Ggrrggians and Kerissians eliminated completely and forever, so they could be free to pursue their own agendas in space and have their own empire. Whatever it took was convenient for them, and Caracalla had hoped for such cooperation.
And so the Mind-Flayers, under the guise of a genuine frontal attack, followed Caracalla’s plan, and released the biological nega bomb on Ggrrgg, instantly wiping it away forever.
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Ggrrgg
Kid Marvel and Spellbinder battled back against the Ggrrggians who were blasting away at them, knocking them backwards by the dozens. In an instant, the ground erupted as Princess Tarina unleashed her power from below, destroying the street and knocking debris everywhere.
As Kid Marvel fell backwards, he looked up at the sky, and it was then that he saw with his super-vision the Mind-Flayer armada descending down upon Ggrrgg. “Big trouble Crujectra!” he screamed telepathically. “Ggrrgg looks like its being invaded! We really picked the wrong time…”
“Invaded? But…by who…?” she said, and instantly hooked them all up ‘online’ so their thoughts could be heard by all. Caliente let loose her fire as she joined the fray, and Fat Cramer, in half-cat/half-human form, kicked a soldiers across the face. Cobalt Kid flew up to the sky, joining Spellbinder, ripping away a cadre of soldiers. Far off, he could see Tarina blasting away at buildings, apparently attempting to destroy Ggrrgg by herself.
Far off, Outdoor Miner emerged from the other side of his port, with Vee and the P.O.W’s shrunken down on his shoulder blade, and immediately found an escape cruiser. He ported himself over to it, and using his LMB-lockpit space-kit, he was able to quickly rig it so the cruiser was set to go. As it went on, the cruiser’s locking system immediately told him what to expect in orbit. “The Ggrrggian controls,” he thought, “they’re rigged to detect Mind-Flayers ships apparently…I guess this is a Mind-Flayer invasion of Ggrrgg…”
Ten minutes became thirty as chaos ensued, and the LMBers continued to battle the Ggrrggians, but now also the invading Mind-Flayers, who were attacking. “We need to get the hell off planet,” said Caliente. “Its no use being caught in a war were each side is the bad guy,” she added.
“I think you’re right,” said Kid Marvel. “We might have to—“ instantly his eyes caught a glimpse of what was coming, as it entered Ggrrgg’s atmosphere. Instantly, he knew it was something terrible, and knew what it probably meant.
This was the 31st Century after all…and the use of bombs only meant one thing by this time.
BOOOOOOOM!
In a matter of seconds, the bomb ravaged all of Ggrrgg, and sparks could be seen across the sky. But this was not an explosive bomb—it was something far more terrible. The biological agent created by the Dominators was released into the atmosphere and immediately spread as if it were expanding outwards with no way to slow it down or stop it. Plants began to wither and die, and animals fell to the ground sick, and choking, their skin burning.
Men, women, children. All of Ggrrgg. All of Ggrrgg’s slaves. All of them fell to the ground, their skin burning, their eyes failing, their insides coming undone. All of Ggrrgg felt a death worse than any should ever have to bear.
[ March 14, 2007, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
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Ggrrgg
Kid Marvel’s reaction was perfectly timed so that before anyone knew what was happening, he had at least Caliente and Fat Cramer in his hands, and was up in the sky. When the ‘BOOM’ went off, it was deafeningly loud, and their eardrums kept ringing even after they were in empty, soundless space, looking down below at the red, misty covering on the atmosphere.
Outdoor Miner was able to make it out well before, and was on his omni-com with Rockhopper Lad when both began to get word of what happened. Both were shocked, both were horrified.
Down below, the BOOM could be heard all around, and Spellbinder felt a wave of panic and fear so great, so intense, that she knew something was coming. It was those at the epi-center of the explosion, and their despair reached her before the biological agent did. She immediately put up a telekinetic barrier around herself, as strong as she’d ever done, to keep any particles from hitting her skin. And without thinking, on pure instinct, she found Cobalt Kid, and did the same. He had been burnt briefly by the agent, and his forearms were bleeding awfully, melting down to the bone. He began to cough and to choke, but he focused on his healing power, and pushed it outwards, and began to heal himself, in tremendous pain. She picked him up and they looked around. And all around them, Ggrrgg was dying, and in that bunch of seconds, they were already too late.
They walked through the destruction and the dead and dying, and tried to heal them, and to telekinetically include them in their bubble, but it was too late. All were dead already—some just hadn’t finished yet. The horror was too much and neither said a word.
Finally, they came to a familiar figure. Princess Tarina sobbed loudly, as loud as could be, the death too much for her to handle, the pain still too raw from her own planet. Finally Spellbinder sat next to her and held her.
“Shhh, Tarina…its over. Its over…all of it,” she whispered in despair. “Cobie?” she said finally, looking up.
But he had already seen one more familiar figure.
“Father?” asked Cobalt Kid, walking forward to see his dying father before him, his skin burnt away and the last remnants of life in his eyes. Cobalt fell to his knees and a panic overtook him. An overwhelming wave of nausea and pain. He put his arms around his dying father, who he hated, and who hated him, and didn’t know why he was acting this way.
His father looked up at him. “Ggrrgg…Ggrrgg…” he spoke, his words soft and low. “Its gone…all of it gone…it was so glorious…” He whispered looking around.
Cobalt held him tight and remembered the whole of their relationship. He loved his father and hated him. He had lost the ability to cry long ago, after cracking at the torture inflicted on him. One might think it wasn’t Dr. Hoffman to blame, but his father. But now Cobalt felt the hot wave of emotion hitting his face, and knew a large portion of his life was over before he could ever do anything to fix it. It would always be too late now. But even now he held back his tears, and looked down. “Father…” he said. “…I’m sorry…”
His father looked at him, his face horrifying to behold. “Goodbye son,” he whispered. “I will see your mother now.” And with that he died.
And Cobalt clutched him for a long time, and for the first time in his life, he prayed.
END CHAPTER FIVE
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Chapter Six: Those who are Villainous
The Triangle of Death, United Planets Admiral’s Fleet
“The United Planets is in a state of shock,” said Admiral Cornwallis to all those present. “We all are. Two entire planets completely destroyed…mass death on a scale we hoped we’d never see again. I swear…I don’t know what to think…” The Admiral put his thumb and index finger to the bridge of his nose and then curled his long moustache. “How are your fellow LMBers?” he asked Rockhopper Lad.
“Not good,” replied Rockhopper Lad. “They’re all having a very hard time dealing with it. As well they should…” he added, himself horrified.
“The Mind-Flayers will have to be dealt with,” said Abin Quank, who was also present in the room. He had joined Rockhopper Lad there. “That is a guarantee.”
“Yes, definitely,” said the Admiral and the officers agreed. “But what about the Khanate of Sol Invictus? Should we invade? Do we have the authority? They never actually attacked us. By damn, you can believe I want to head in there!” he said yelling.
“I don’t think we can,” said Rockhopper. “That’s up to the UP General Council to decide, not us. This may be an act of war, it may not be. But something has to be done…”
“Sir, we’re receiving word,” said a lower-ranking officer. “Its Elagabolus’ army. Its moving out of United Planet’s space. Its returning the Khanate of Sol Invictus.”
“Those bastards,” said Cornwallis, though Rockhopper Lad and Abin Quank felt the same.
All along the ship, the LMB felt the dread and depression that follows what they just witnessed. But far more than that, they felt the anger and the rage. The thirst for vengeance.
All except one. Cobalt Kid sat alone now, looking into deep space at generally nothing. He said little since returning and showed virtually no emotion at all. He seemed melancholy but those who knew him knew that could not be. Finally Spellbinder approached him and sat next to him. He looked at her in the eyes, but said nothing, not even telepathically.
She put her arms around her neck and put her head on his shoulder and hugged him. At once, he hugged her back too, feeling guilty for not checking to see if she was okay, given what she witnessed too. And the two hugged in silence and tried to quietly make it right.
“I’ll tell you what I want to do,” said Caliente to Kid Marvel, as Vee raised his eyebrow and Outdoor Miner turned around. “I want us to invade the Khanate of Sol Invictus. Us. The LMB. We have the firepower. Something has to be done, and I think we should do it!”
“Hold on my fiery friend,” said Vee, trying to calm her. “And accomplish what though?”
“Something. Anything…” she said. “If we had Reboot, LardLad, a few of the other real powerful LMBers…”
“But we don’t,” said Vee. “It would take weeks for a lot of them to get here. And even if we did, what then? I think Caracalla and the Khanate should get their comeuppance too. But how? What could we accomplish…?”
Kid Marvel turned away now, looking back to where he was looking before. He seemed drawn to that spot. Outdoor Miner walked over. “What is it?” he asked. “What are you looking at?”
With his telescopic vision, Kid Marvel stared strait ahead, but then two floors down. There, in a private quarters, Princess Tarina of Kerissia was sitting alone in her room, staring at the walls, in complete shock. She had barely moved since she was brought in. “A catalyst,” replied Kid Marvel.
[ April 07, 2009, 02:36 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
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Deep Space, Xiandra Asteroid Belt
The small Ggrrggian cruiser flew at top speed through the Asteroid Belt, as it became harder and harder to navigate in the tight confines.
“That’s some good flying Stealth,” said Eryk. “I didn’t realize you were one our premier pilots.”
“Well, I’m pretty aware of your record for crashing these things, so lets just say that whenever the two of us team-up, I’ll be the one doing the flying.” All three laughed at that, including Marcus.
Marcus seemed less tense in the last two days as they tracked the Trumpeter, as if he was ready to make up for his earlier mistakes and try and fit in and do something right. “Up ahead,” he said. “I thought I caught a glimpse of metal behind that conclave.”
“Jeepers!” said Eryk, “I think you might be right!”. Suddenly an asteroid moved out the way, and a figure stood before them: covered in metal armor from head to toe, with large red gloves, stood a lone female figure, who had been described to them before. Middlefinger VIII. “Move!” he yelled, as Middlefinger unleashed a blast of power from her middle fingers that ripped across the bottom of the small cruiser despite Stealth’s evasive maneuvers. The ship rocked sideways, crashing into another asteroid. Middlefinger again attacked, this time unleashing dark matter photons at her.
“Its time to see what this girl’s got,” said Stealth, hopping out of the destroyed cruiser. “Or is she just some floozy that the Trumpeter stuck in some hopped up armor that wanted to use the Middlefinger name?” she added, blasting back.
“Why in space would anyone want to use the Middlefinger name?” said Marcus, leaping out, and unleashing a spear at Middlefinger’s torso, which knocked her backwards and to one knee.
“I thought of the same thing, dear boy,” said a voice, adding, “but then again, I should ask myself something of the same.” Salad-Tosser Lord was instantly upon him, putting a cloth of space-chloroform on the young soldier’s mouth, hoping to subdue him. “But you’re little group is starting to be a nuisance.”
“Jeepers STL,” said Eryk, purposely abbreviating the villains name, “but you really *should* change your name! We’re in like a new modern era and stuff!” Eryk’s luck lord instantly caused the mad scientist to trip forward, as Eryk turned to join Stealth against Middlefinger.
Middlefinger unleashed another burst of power, this one a form of star energy that was more blinding than anything. “Joke all you want, LMB,” she said finally, “but you’ll all be taken down a peg or two soon enough.” Suddenly, she took both gloves and pointed them at the asteroid they were standing on and blasted it, shattering it immediately, and causing them to fall into space as it fell apart. Grabbing Salad-Tosser Lord, she gave a laugh. “Until the next time!”
“Hey, I think Middlefinger VIII is finally getting into this!” said Eryk.
“Hey, you think maybe you could help me out?” said an annoyed Stealth, who was floating into space.
Farther up… Unknown to them, the Trumpeter stood at the entrance to where the coordinates had led him. “At last,” he said with a smile. And with a burst, he blew his trumpet, and shattered the secret entrance to the Secret Library at the Xiandria Asteroid Belt.
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Weber’s World
“We’re devastated,” said Ambassador Relnic. “All of us. The magnitude of it…its just so awful.” The master politician had the entire media hanging on his every word, and had been talking for some time. But he meant what he said now, and truly was devastated at the death and destruction caused by the horrors on Ggrrgg and Kerissia. “It’s a terrible tragedy that such genocide and death can still occur in what many refer to as this ‘modern age’. Though we have made many breakthroughs in sciences and humanities, we still revert back to our most barbaric selves. I hope that out of this horrible tragedy, a stronger awareness of the political and cultural conflicts in this universe arises.”
Bevruck Jespers, famed Ggrrggian actor, now spoke. He looked horrible, as if the wind had been knocked out of him, but oddly enough, he still looked staggeringly handsome. His movie star tendencies must have gained that strong a foothold, though Faraway Lad, that he would look as he did. “I…I’m at a loss for words, I’m afraid,” he said, clutching the podium. “I look at my colleague,” he continued, looking at Antequated Forms of Communication Lass, who sobbed in Quislet, Esq’s arms, “and I think that we are two of the surviving members of our entire race. How can we continue? I don’t know…I just don’t know…”
“Faraway Lad,” asked a reporter, “what is the status of the ambassadors?” referring to the Ggrrggian, Wynthian and Kerissian ambassadors still on Weber’s World.
“Obviously,” said Faraway Lad in a soothing voice, “they fear for their lives with good reason. They are under the protection of the LMB, and will stay that way. No harm shall come to them in these trying times, as the universe once more is forced to reckon with the horrible events that have occurred.” Faraway Lad now answered questions, giving Ambassador Relnic a breather, and showed a particular proficiency for directing the horror away from the last Ggrrggians, who had tried so hard for peace.
Matlock watched on from the shadows. “No…this won’t do at all,” he thought. Given recent events, the mole in Weber’s World would likely slip away now and was probably no longer needed. He would have to work fast. He turned to a guard, talking aloud. “Who stands to gain from this?” he said.
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The Secret Library at the Xiandra Asteroid Belt
“Imagine,” said the Trumpeter with a grin, “that this incredible vessel of knowledge was so close to all three of the planets, but they were so locked up in their wars, that they never bothered to come here and look for it.” He walked through the enormous library made of meteor stones, functioning with some sort of oxygen filter that allowed sentients to breath in space when inside the library—Kerissian technology no doubt. “But as any student of history will tell you, such is always the way. All you have to do is search and apply your mind, and you can find things long forgotten that can be very advantageous to you,” he continued, picking up an old manuscript.
Déjà Vu walked close to him, looking at all of the various books and indexes. They were quite numerous, the majority of them relating to Ggrrgg, Kerissia and Wynthia, and one fourth topic: the Psionic Spear. “Then you’ve come here for the spear?” she said finally. “Its here?”
“Oh yes,” said the Trumpeter. “Its here.” He played a soft rhythm on his trumpet, as if some secret note was being played, and he could here some movement further down, many shelves and turns away. “Ah…” he said.
Déjà Vu remembered now when Salad-Tosser Lord and the Trumpeter recruited here, weeks before all of this began. They had already ‘created’ the new Middlefinger, and needed her expertise. Her reputation as an intergalactic terrorist preceded her. She was to gather intel on the ‘Psionic Spear’, the legendary weapon that had put three neighboring planets at an endless war and which had the power to cause great devastation to the universe. So she gathered it, first at various scholastic places, then at Weber’s World, Kerissia and Ggrrgg, all under the guise of terrorism. But she knew there was far more to the Trumpeter’s plan than that.
“It appears that once Caracalla and I were aware of each other, we both made inquiries about meeting up. To trade information at the least. We both have the same enemies after all…” he continued, obviously pleased with what was happening. “He approached me about finding the Psionic Spear, and retrieving it for him for his future war against the United Planets that will undoubtedly occur, especially because his immediate interests lay in the region where it originated. Immediately, I planned on taking it for myself, until I became aware of something far stronger than that.”
Déjà Vu’s interest was peaked. She followed him more closely now, listening to his every word.
“You know its history: the Psionic Spear was created by the Kerissians and drew upon the Psionic power of the Mind-Flayers. It was given to the Ggrrggians to defend all three against outside forces. Except…it became apparent that using the spear would drain the power out of the Mind-Flayers to the point where they would lose their psionic senses, and then after that, almost certainly, their lives. It transferred the sentient Psionic energy, most especially telepathy and telekinesis to the spear, which could harness with massive results. The Mind-Flayers retrieved the weapon—and then the Ggrrggians stole it back, kicking off the long war.”
Now the Trumpeter walked around a corner, and saw the bookshelf that had moved. There was a small staircase that led deeper into the large asteroid, and he went down it. Déjà Vu followed. “At some point, in those early years, about eight decades ago, the spear was lost…in other words, some brave soul decided it was the cause of all this war—back when people actually regretted the blood shed—and hid it here on this asteroid’s secret library. Most knowledge of the spear was destroyed, except for what could be passed down orally.” He came to an open room, with no furniture or books. It had marble walls, ceilings and floors, and there were a series of jars to the side.
Déjà Vu looked through the jars. “Nothing but scrolls…” she said.
“Undoubtedly secrets of the highest esteem. Most likely many relating to the spears, but I would not doubt some other important secrets. I would take as many as I could carry if I were you,” he added, and she knew full well that was an order.
“Spears?” she asked, however, caught up in his wording. “As in plural?”
“Yes,” he said, “as I’m sure you’ve seen in the information you’ve retrieved for us,” he added, knowing full well she knew there was more than one spear. “The secret history is that there were three spears of power, though there are available descriptions of the other two—simply that they are called the Spear of Day, given to the Kerissians, who made daily life brighter and easier, and the Spear of Night, given to the Ggrrggians, who defended them all at night. It is said that only one spear could destroy another, which indeed is why the Psionic Spear was hid and not destroyed. What they are, what they do, what they look like and what happened to them have been lost. I highly doubt the other two are actual spears…” he continued.
“And I highly doubt you intend to stop at the Psionic Spear,” she said.
He was quiet now, looking at the floor. “There,” he said, pointing towards the upper middle of the room. “Look at the floor,” he continued. The floor looked normal, although a closer inspection showed that the marble had been laid out in panels, in an odd sort of arrangement. “You can see the lines on the marble, which is odd indeed.”
“Is there the shape of a spear? Up the middle?”
“No…,” he said, “…because the Ggrrggians did not always fight in the style they do now. At first, they used a spear and a shield. Since then, their technology has changed so that their clothing is shielded by other means, so they can discard the use of their ancient protection. However, should this layout be in the shape of a spear and and shield…” he paused, then pulled out his trumpet. With a fury, he let out a blast louder than any other Déjà Vu had heard so far, and ripped back the marble were the Trumpeter thought the spear was.
The Trumpeter was right. Below him, in the marble, was a tomb, and in it, was the Psionic Spear.
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The Secret Library at the Xiandra Asteroid Belt “At last…” he smiled, leaping down, and picking it up. It was a wooden spear, painted red, with an ancient bronze tip. Truly, this was a spear of old. It was heavier than it looked, and longer, but the touch of it caused a wave of lightheadedness and nausea. As it subsided, the Trumpeter stood up, and understood that even by just holding it, one could feel a change in the senses. An awareness telepathically, and a closer feeling to the object around him telekinetically. He climbed back up.
Déjà Vu turned to him. “The others are coming back.” The Trumpeter and Déjà Vu reentered the upper library floor to see Middlefinger and Salad-Tosser Lord returning.
“So you’ve found it,” said STL.
“Indeed,” said the Trumpeter. “And now its time for our own agenda to begin,” he said with a grin.
“Our own agenda?” asked Déjà Vu, confident in the fact that her questions would be answered now more than any other time while the Trumpeter basked in his own glory.
“Yes,” he replied. “The Psionic Spear is immensely powerful. But it is too well known and the price paid for using it will create too many enemies we don’t need aware of our plans. But with it…I can find the spear that we are truly after—the Spear of Night.”
Salad-Tosser Lord put his hand on Déjà Vu’s arm. “Between the two of us, my dear, we’ve cracked the code of exactly what the Spear of Night is, and what it can do, and that is the spear we will need.”
“And now to begin…” he said, clutching the Psionic Spear with both hands.”
The Trumpeter closed his eyes and concentrated, and focused his will upon the spear. At once, he became aware of his heightened senses, as the full psionic awakening occurred within him. He pushed the spear with his will, pulling the psionic energy into him. The spear responded by offering what it had—but it did not have enough.
And so it reached across space to the nearest psionic well of energy, and pulled psionic out of Wynthia, home of the Mind-Flayers. There on Wynthia, the Mind-Flayers had returned from their destruction of Ggrrgg, content to be at peace finally after all these years. But the effect of the Trumpeter’s will was felt immediately. The spear began to train their psionic power without hesitation, and they could offer no defense against the weapon created to do just that. Their senses flickered and faded, like a lightbulb about to go out, and they felt at once their telepathic senses fading away, and were blinded and deaf, unable to communicate or see. Next their telekinetic abilities could be felt slipping, and the gravity of their planet began to crush them—for it was those abilities that allowed them to live on such a barren planetoid.
The Trumpeter pulled with great energy, and laughed out loud with a cackle—feasting on the psionic power as if it were a chalice of the sweetest nector in the galaxy! The psionic energy ripped forth across space, so that a sparkling orange glow could be seen reaching into the asteroids, and the force of it knocked back the other villains, who watched on in amazement. At last, it began to pour in so greatly, that the secret library exploded, and ripped further into the asteroid so that it blew apart completely, scatting debris everywhere!
The Trumpeter telekinetically held his three allies by his side, now in full control of the spear, and continued to drain the Mind-Flayers across space. He grinned now, knowing what must come next.
TELEPATHY—pure, raw, harsh and vicious. Across the entire universe, the Trumpeter read the minds of every sentient he could penetrate, downloading as much information as humanly possible. Any normal sentient, or even abnormal, would be driven mad by the process, but the Trumpeter was not normal or even slightly abnormal—he was one of the greatest minds in all of the multiverse. And with this information he analyzed, he calculated and he discovered, and he knew, in his heart, exactly where in all of the universe the Spear of Night would be.
The power he used to achieve such an end was devastating, and at once, the Mind-Flayers began to drop and to die, the drain simply too much for the weaker ones to handle.
But still, the Trumpeter was not done. He pulled forth all of the asteroids in the asteroid belt and held them together like some gigantic hand clutching an cluster of missiles and ripped them across space, sending them out in a direct line towards a small moon across this sector. Asteroid debris ravaged all in its path, and was dumped to the sides, falling at unbelievable speed, heading across space where it would inevitably cause a great more destruction.
The Trumpeter followed across space at great telekinetic speed, with his allies in toe, following the rain of asteroids as they gained moment with each and every push, as the Trumpeter pulled the rest of the energy out of the Mind-Flayers. At last it began to land on a moon, hitting its orbit and finding that it had its own small atmosphere, causing the asteroids to overheat and explode upon impact, falling down as if from the heavens onto a mountain on the moon.
The explosion was massive at first, and Déjà Vu was sure the entire moon would explode, but her powers told her no, it would not. It would hold, but the mountain would fall, and the rubble would clear a way, so that only one small fortress embedded in the mountain would be revealed. And so they arrived, and the fortress was there, and the Trumpeter flew in, and ripped it apart. And at once he found what he was looking for, though a spear it was not. In his hands was a large, black horn, and the Trumpeter, drunk on power, laughed hysterically at the irony before him.
The Spear of Night—a large black horn, that could unleash torrents of anti-matter energy through time, space and reality. It could unleash darkness and disaster, and it could decay and revert. It could undo.
And on Wynthia, the last of the Mind-Flayers called out in pain, knowing full well he was the last of his people, their power now all but gone. He closed his eyes, his senses cut off from the rest of the world, and died. The Trumpeter, in a matter of minutes, finished off the Mind-Flayers, and they were dead.
Caracalla, on the journey back to the Khanate of Sol Invictus smiled. Of course the Trumpeter would betray him. Of course he would use the Psionic Spear. That is what he wanted. After all, what use if the Psionic Spear when he already had Elagabolus? No…it was the Trumpeter he wanted to use it, to eliminate and kill the Mind-Flayers. In one week, Ggrrgg, Kerissia and Wynthia were all gone, and a large piercing sector of the universe was vacant, the perfect ‘spear’ into the United Planets side, should an invasion from the Khanate of Sol Invictus occur.
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Moon orbiting Ggrrgg—unnamed
Middlefinger looked at Déjà Vu, and both were relieved to see that they were not the only one feeling uncomfortable by this sudden display of madness. They remained quiet.
The Trumpeter held the Psionic Spear, and the Spear of Night, which all could see was far more than that—an Anti-Matter Horn, a Spear of Undoing. His laughter had subsided and he had a wicked grin on his face, his eyes glowing red and his eyebrows creased in both elation…and rage.
Salad-Tosser Lord had a sudden look of concern. “The Mind-Flayers? Did you use their power, then? Are they still alive?” he asked, attempting to hide the fact that he did not wish to be an accomplice to genocide.
“No,” replied the Trumpeter, “and forget any feelings of guilt you have, friend. We have accomplished our goal for this phase of our plans, and now have two spears. The Mind-Flayers can burn in whatever hell they believed in.”
“It’ll be you that burns in hell, you monster!” said a voice, as suddenly, Stealth leapt into the fray, kicking the Trumpeter across the chin, her power hiding their presence!
It had been sheer luck—as it usually was with Eryk. Eryk Davis Ester, Stealth and Marcus had followed them to the Ancient Library, only to get there just in time for the Trumpeter to begin using the spear, and then hurling the entire asteroid belt into the moon. They would have died no doubt, even if any of the mightiest LMBers were among them…but they had Eryk’s Luck Lord, and with the utterance of ‘jeepers’, they were able to be teleported out of the asteroid belt turned weapon right before it entered the moon’s orbit, and thus had managed to survive. Quickly, they followed the villains, unsure of what had occurred, but with some idea of it—only to learn moments earlier, what the Trumpeter had truly done.
“How can you all stand by this monster?” said Eryk, leaping on the back of Middlefinger and taking her to the ground. “He’s a mass murderer—you just saw what he did!”
Marcus ran at them and hurled his own standard UP spear at Salad-Tosser Lord, its electronic blast knocking him backwards.
“Fools!” laughed the Trumpeter, “you had little chance before of beating all four of us, but now you have precisely none!” he added, ripping forth a telekinetic blast with the power still left in the spear from the Mind-Flayers. It ripped across the moon and knocked down all in front of the Trumpeter: Stealth, Eryk, Middlefinger, Salad-Tosser Lord and Déjà Vu! Now he put the Spear of Night towards his lips. “And now you’ll pay the ultimate price—as I rip you apart and undo your very existence, reverting you to the molecules holding you together!” He put his lips towards the horn and began to hum softly, and at once a blackness began to grow misty around the horn.
Panic overtook Eryk and Stealth. They had no idea what to expect. And they would not get the chance to find out…
SLASH!!
The sharp blade finished slashing across the Trumpeter’s back and he fell forward, to the surprise of both the villains and the two LMBers. The Trumpeter clutched the Spear of Night, which was his true prize, though the Psionic Spear came loose. Behind him stood Marcus, the soldier that had become a close ally and friend of the LMB during these last few weeks. He looked calm and confident, pushing the Trumpeter forward coldly, and then, to the surprise of everyone again, reaching out and grabbing the Psionic Spear.
The reaction around him was immediate, and all rose to their feet, and scattered a little, prepared to resume battle—but none took their eyes off Marcus. He looked different however. Cold, calculating. Angry, furious. His eyes immediately went back to how he looked when he first saw Caracalla on Ggrrgg.
“Marcus,” said Eryk now carefully, “you’ve got the spear. Back away from the Trumpeter! We just need to get the horn, and we’ll be okay…”
“He’s going to use it!” screamed Déjà Vu suddenly, ducking off to the side. “He’s going to unleash the Spear again!” she said, and all knew it was her power kicking in, not some hysterical accusation.
Salad-Tosser Lord immediately followed her, as Stealth turned to what she thought was a new friend. “Marcus, don’t!” she said. “Don’t use it! Remember what it does—it could kill psionics. Remember the Mind-Flayers, Marcus,” she said softer.
Eryk turned to see Middlefinger picking up the Trumpeter, who wasn’t as badly hurt as it first seemed, but was now clutching the Spear of Night. He looked furious, but that began to fade and Eryk could tell he was calculating in his head. “Stop right there, Trumpeter!” he said, moving towards him.
“Let him keep the spear…” said the Trumpeter, “…its effect is maddening anyway…too out of control. We have what we came for. Middlefinger, keep him away…”
Middlefinger fired at Eryk with her blasts, and he dodged them.
“Marcus?” said Stealth, now seeing the cold eyes of Marcus focus on her as if he noticed her for the first time.
The power of the Spear was immediate, and it still maintained a great deal of power from the Mind-Flayers, which the Trumpeter had sucked into the spear. It was invigorating, exhilarating. He felt the ease of the telekinesis giving his blood extra fire, and the telepathy allowed him to see the universe in a different light. “Stealth,” he said, “I have it. I have the Psionic Spear.”
“I know Marcus, you did good. But we need to stop the bad guys here before they get away.”
“Let them,” said Marcus calmly. “We’ve been wasting our time with them for too long now, when the real villain is getting away. Caracalla. The Khanate of Sol Invictus.”
“Marcus, you’ve moved past that. You know what’s at stake here.”
“Stealth,” he said quietly, suddenly using the spear to pin her back against a large rock. “I was faking.” She looked shocked. “I’m going after them…all of them. The Barbarian Hordes will pay for what they’ve done. Caracalla and the rest of the Khanate will pay!” Suddenly, power erupted around him in a fury, as a telekinetic backlash knocked the entire moon off by a fraction of a decimal point, knocking them all to their feet.
Marcus, solider of the United Planets, telekinetically flew across the blackness of space, leaving his friends and enemies behind, traveling at a speed unquantifiable, using the psionic energy of the spear. His destination: the Khanate of Sol Invictus.
“Time to make our exit,” said Salad-Tosser Lord, grabbing a device and grabbing hold of Déjà Vu. The two were joined by Middlefinger and the Trumpeter, who was holding the spear of night. “Good bye LMB,” he finished, and he pushed the device, which began to teleport them back to their ship.
“Dammit!” said Stealth, running towards Eryk. “I think we better get going too…” she said, when suddenly the full telekinetic backlash of Marcus’ trajectory came crashing down on the moon’s gravity, and rocked it one more time. This third, horrible telekinetic crash was too much this time. The moon began to collapse.
Far off now, Marcus flew with the Psionic Spear, his rage more full than ever before. To the Khanate of Sol Invictus and Caracalla he flew to, and to revenge.
[ March 14, 2007, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Deep Space – Former Moon orbiting Ggrrgg and Asteroid Debris “Aaargh!” said Abin Quank loudly, as he used all his willpower to deflect yet another cadre of debris from shattered asteroids and one very large shattered moon. “Aaargh…!” he continued, as his ring created a giant series of walls, acting as a grid to filter out all of the debris to a more static area. “…got it!” he finished.
All around him, gravity was in a flux, as an entire mass such as a moon had been destroyed by an ever larger mass, what was once an asteroid belt. Now Abin attempted to meld the two into a larger asteroid belt to restore some semblance of gravity, so the Science Police could enter the area and use their own gravitational regulators.
“Yet another catastrophe,” said Rockhopper Lad, who was with him, “luckily this one did not cost any lives that we know of,” he said, using his new found super-breath to freeze small chunks of debris into a solid, frozen asteroid form, then adding, “…yet”, knowing full well the consequences of such actions were too astronomic to figure still.
Hours earlier, Rockhopper Lad answered the call of the Science Police to investigate this area, given how close he was on the Admiral’s Fleet, and he took Abin with him, hoping to give all the LMBers who had seen the horrors on Ggrrgg some additional time to rest. Kid Marvel appeared to be fine, but Rockhopper Lad knew that he had seen some very real horror. Besides, he and Abin needed to get out and do something, instead of being cooped up on that ship. Reports were coming in regarding the Mind-Flayers, but all seemed to vague to make any sense.
“Up ahead,” said Abin, flying by Rockhopper Lad, so that he joined him. “That cluster there seems oddly shaped.”
“Yes, I see it,” said Rockhopper Lad, as he joined his ally. “Like a ringlet. Odd that such a shape could be made naturally.”
“I don’t think there’s anything natural about it…” said Abin, then talking into his ring “Ring. Analyze for life-forms.”
Analyzing… Analyzing… 85% complete… Finished…two life-forms within, both alive, both unharmed. Known to this unit. LMBer CODENAME: Eryk Davis Ester. LMBer CODENAME: Stealth.
“Well I’ll be,” said Rockhopper Lad, flying into the middle of the larger ringlet asteroid, to see the two LMBers huddled together, both too exhausted to move. “We’ve been worried sick!” he said, smiling, but very concerned still. He quickly picked them both up, as Abin flew over, making two green beds with his Green Latnern’s ring.
“Get in, guys,” he said. “How do you feel? What happened?”
“Long story…” said Stealth, “…but thank the luck of this guy right here…” she smiled. She’d been with Eryk for a few weeks now on this mission, and that kind of camaraderie can’t be put into words. But it was evident that Eryk’s Luck Lord must have saved them.
“No time for rest,” said Eryk, drinking from Rockhopper Lad’s energy drink (which all LMBers carry). “Stealth and I will explain fast but we have no time. Marcus…going to Khanate of Sol Invictus….Psionic Spear…wants to kill Caracalla…”
The Borders of The United Planets and the Khanate of Sol Invictus The soldier known as Marcus flew faster than could be recorded, soaking up the power of the Psionic Spear and using its reserves to fly across space towards the Khanate of Sol Invictus. At last, he entered it, though he did not realize that a border had been crossed in empty space. As he moved forward, the reserves in the Spear began to be met, and at once, though he hardly realized he was doing it, he began to drain forth once more additional Psionic energy.
However, the Mind-Flayers of Wynthia were all deceased by this point. The Spear would have to search further away, further into UP space to find additional Psionics. And it did: it found Princess Crujectra of Psyonia…and then Psyonia itself.
END CHAPTER SIX
[ March 14, 2007, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Chapter Seven: What Price Vengeance?
Deep Space – Admiral Cornwallis’ Space Fleet
“Go on,” said Kid Marvel, speaking to the large omni-com screen in front of him. “Eryk can confirm that he’s heading there?”
“He says its definite,” said Rockhopper Lad on the screen, speaking through a make-shift omni-com made from Abin’s ring. Rockhopper Lad was floating in space, with Abin, Eryk and Stealth behind him.
“It looks like we have a problem,” said Kid Marvel, turning to Admiral Cornwallis. Kid Marvel’s eyes, however, never seemed to move from the a point in the floor, diagonal from the room. He was looking at something.
“Agreed,” said the Admiral, who was flanked by the rest of the LMB present: Caliente, Outdoor Miner, Varalent, Fat Cramer, Cobalt Kid and Spellbinder. “As you know, the politics of it all is still being worked out, because the Triangle were no longer members of the UP. To enter the Khanate now would be an act of war on our side. Though I want to enter,” he said, “and I know you Triumvirs would march right on in with clearance Rao bless you,” he added quickly to Cobalt, “I cannot. As the highest ranking Admiral in the UP military, I have a responsibility not to.”
“We, however,” replied Varalent, “well, that might be another story.”
“Uuuuh,” said Spellbinder, sudden feeling tremendous pain. She bent forward, and reached her hands to her mind. “Aargh…what is…causes this…?” she said out loud.
“Crujeckie!” said Cobalt running towards her. Their telepathic link meant he too felt the pain, but she was obviously blocking it from him, so he would not feel it. It was overwhelming. He had his arms around her, and she stood again, though the pain had obviously not subsided.
“Something in my mind…body too…feel like I’m being stretched,” she said.
“I was deathly afraid of this,” said Eryk, joining Rockhopper Lad. “It’s the Psionic Spear, which Marcus is using. It drains the Psionic power of the races that have those powers. Drains them and kills them. This is what the Trumpeter did to the Mind-Flayers. I know its horribly blunt and in light of the recent horror, but the Mind-Flayers are assuredly all deceased. The Trumpeter killed them all using the Spear. The Spear must have used up all their power…and is now pulling the Psionic power away from other races—including the Psyonians.”
“B-but ERYK!” said Cobalt, “do we only have a matter of minutes?” he said, uncharacteristically losing his cool.
“No Cobie,” replied Eryk, “Marcus is not doing the extraordinary feats the Trumpeter was, he’s simply flying through space. But you can bet he’ll try that stuff later. Especially when he fights Caracalla—and Elagabolus,” he added, and they all knew full well how powerful Elagabolus was. “We don’t have a of time. All of Psyonia is in danger…” he said, knowing it pained him to say it. “Including Crujeckie and Crusader.”
Spellbinder stood strong and held Cobalt’s hand. “I won’t allow that to happen,” she said.
“Me either,” said Cobalt.
“None of us will,” said Kid Marvel to them. “Okay listen—“ suddenly he stopped.
“What is it Joey?” said Caliente.
“…she made her move…” he replied softly to himself.
Suddenly another omni-com went off, this time Admiral Wellesley’s. “Sir!” said a voice over it. “Its Princess Tarina sir! She’s left the ship! She’s taken off!”
All of the LMB rushed to the windows to see a streak of light heading out across space.
“I’d say it’s a safe bet where she’s going,” said Fat Cramer. “Marcus is not the only one invading the Khanate of Sol Invictus…”
[ July 20, 2007, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Weber’s World
“Mr. Jespers, sir!” said a diplomat loudly so he could be heard. “An honor!” he said even louder.
“The honor is all mine, Ambassador,” replied the actor, and the woman on the ambassador’s arm could be heard telling her friend ‘he’s so classy…”
Bevruck Jespers moved down the hallways, glad to be leaving the party he was just attending. Weber’s World was hosting yet another diplomatic function, and could not cancel it on such short notice due to the events. He wasn’t sure what was worse—the diplomats too disgusted at there being a party in light of the recent tragedies, or the ones who tried to overcompensate for the melancholy by putting on more of a show than usual.
“Excuse me, sir, if you don’t mind…?” said a Science Police Officer approaching. “This is embarrassing…but can I have your holo-graph?” he finished.
“Of course Officer,” said the handsome leading man, “anything for you fine chaps,” he added, knowing it was an over the top response which was just the thing he was known for. Although sooner or later, he’d have to stop signing every holo-graph he was requested to—it was becoming a non-stop occupation! Ever since the destruction of Ggrrgg, and the sad speeches made by he and Antiquated Forms of Communication Lass, he was more famous than ever before. More importantly, he was more in demand than ever before. The tragedy seemed to lend an air that he had a tremendous amount of emotion bottled up inside him. There was something appealing and attractive about that, and now movie deals were coming in left and right. He had signed three in the last two days, and had five more pending. He was essentially becoming the biggest star in the universe.
He saw some more fans coming, and turned and ducked the other way. He couldn’t help but give a wry smile. “You old dog…” he said to himself, “…you’d never have done that in your early days, you gloryhound.” He laughed and ducked into a restroom.
He walked over to the sink and splashed some water on his face. He’d been on Weber’s World for quite awhile. It was time to leave, since the peace talks were irrelevant now. He bent down again to splash water on his face one last time, getting some in his eyes by accident. As he felt for a towel, he found one and dried his face. He suddenly got a chill up his spine and almost didn’t want to open his eyes. He remembered his early days as a B grade actor in horror movies and laughed at himself, half expecting someone to be there behind him as he opened his eyes.
There was not. Now he did laugh a little. Actually, now that he looked, he saw something in the corner. Something on the wall. Wait, he thought, was that something written on the wall? In black marker? What was this, the 23rd Century? He walked over to clean it and saw what it said:
”Who Benefits?”
He stopped cold for an instant. He looked long and hard and wondered what it meant. He almost thought…but no, there’d be no way.
“It’s the first question you’re supposed to ask,” said a voice, “and the one most easily overlooked.”
Bevruck Jespers turned, looking for a fight. He looked around the large bathroom, and saw a figure walking out of one of the stalls. He recognized him instantly: Matlock, Super Detective of the LMBP.
“You’re a star now Jespers,” said Matlock. “The universe not only loves you…now they sympathize you. That’s pretty good for a movie star.”
“You can’t be serious,” said Bevruck Jespers, growing angry. “How dare you accuse me! And you think I want their sympathy?” he said, moving forward.
Matlock smiled. “I know you want it,” he said, adding, “you’ve wanted it all your life. How can there be a leak, here at Weber’s World, when it’s the hardest place to leak information out of? One guess: its not a diplomat, soldier or staff member here. It’s a guest.”
Bevruck Jespers grew grim and his eyes narrowed.
“How did Kerissia, Ggrrgg and the Khanate of Sol Invictus—all three mind you—know about the LMB’s every move? Simple. The Khanate knew and leaked it to the others. The Khanate was ready for the LMB every step of the way. They were the ones with the inside man.”
“Now you’re ridiculous,” said Jespers. “My entire planet, my entire people, were laid to waste. They’re all dead! All of them! I have no home now!”
Matlock’s smile faded. “It was never your home, son. Ggrrgg is a warrior state, focused on conquering, honor and glory in battle. You’re an actor. Ggrrgg was not kind to you in your youth, I’d wager.”
Bevruck Jespers grew silent, though a look of pain came across his face.
“You wouldn’t be the first, I’m afraid. Many of Ggrrgg’s sons were not treated kindly. Though the one I know quite well was lucky enough to have parents in the upper classes. I’ve checked your records. You did not have such luck. I have no wish to make you relive it, Bevruck…but I know it must have been awful for you.”
Images of Bevruck’s Jesper’s childhood flashed before his mind. It was torture. Horrible beatings, embarrassments, humiliations, violations…such was life on Ggrrgg for those unlucky enough to be born in a lower class. His face suddenly looked contorted. His movie star looks faded and he looked hideous—his black hair fell crooked, and his eyes narrowed further. “Do not speak of it again!” he yelled. “Those bastards deserved what they got! They were horrible, horrible people who deserved to burn in Hades for all they did! And now they will! All three of those hideous races and their non-stop wars! Well, now they’re gone and now there is no more war! Problem solved,” he said at last, softer.
“Bevruck,” said Matlock, “what about all the other plebs? And the slaves…what about all the innocent slaves?” Matlock’s voice became soft and fatherly, and it had the desired effect.
Tears began to run down the movie star’s face. “I gave them mercy…” he said, “…I ended it for them. I ended all the horror for them…” He began to weep softly.
“You gave away state secrets to the Khanate of Sol Invictus, who has every intention of wiping us all out. You were indirectly responsible for the deaths of three entire people—mass genocide on a level too large to comprehend. No matter what happened to you, no matter what horror you faced…you have to own up to your crimes and pay the penalty for them. You have to face justice, son.” Matlock was calm, and spoke firmly, but not loudly.
Bevruck Jespers wept. And then suddenly—he was leaping towards Matlock, looking to kill the hero! After all, only he knew, right? Wrong.
CRACK!
Out of a second stall was Antiquated Forms of Communication Lass, prepared for this. In these last few moments she felt sympathy and sadness for the fellow Ggrrggian, but minutes before she felt nothing but anger. Her punch was direct and in true Ggrrggian style—it broke Bevruck Jesper’s nose upon impact, and his eyes began to water, and he fell to the ground. Her entire people, gone. Her entire planet, uninhabitable. Everyone she ever knew at home dead, except two. She was not the biggest fan of Ggrrgg, but she would never condone what had been done. The message on the bathroom wall was her idea—an antiquated way of communicating, of course.
“I’ve been waiting for that,” she said.
“I know,” said Matlock, “but we had to wait. He already had alerted Caracalla about Marcus, but the false information we fed him about the LMB standing down and not going to the Khanate went through. At least now Caracalla won’t know we’re coming.”
“You do good work,” said AFC Lass with a smile. As Matlock turned, however, another noise startled him.
BLAM!
Bevruck Jespers had concealed a small weapon in his suit pocket this entire time, just in case. And now he knew, his life was over. He would never be the star anymore and would only be hated. That was something he couldn’t live with.
“Oh Bevruck…” said AFC Lass.
Matlock sighed. “I hope the others have a more fulfilling end…”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The Khanate of Sol Invictus Caracalla sat upon the bench that all of the Holy Clerics sat, although none were allowed to sit level with him. Elagabolus’s thrown was in front of them, empty, as Caracalla had planned. Citizens of the Khanate of Carthac, mainly warriors and their families sat out across the rows and rows of benches within the cathedral, praying before Caracalla’s divine presence.
All had worked out as he had wished. A lifeless husk, shaped like a triangular tipped spear, now existed in the United Planets, on the border of the Khanate of Sol Invictus. When the time was right, it would be the entry way for Elagabolus and his armies. But the time was not right now and all that he hoped to accomplish was finished. He had little wish for the Psionic Spear, content in the notion that the Trumpeter would use it on the United Planets. But that an insignificant little brat would bring it to him—that was an opportunity he must capitalize on.
Caracalla sat upon the bench, praying. All had worked as he had wished.
Psyonia and Saturn All across the planet-side, those with Psionic powers felt the pull, and felt the pain. Something was draining them and causing them great pain, and would need to be stopped soon.
The Khanate of Sol Invictus At last, Marcus saw the planet that he intended to approach. There would be no way he should know what he was looking for, but he used the Psionic Spear to guide him. The feeling that the Spear gave him was unlike anything he’d ever felt in the world. In his flight here, he had time to think, and he made sure that he did not lose sight of his anger and did not calm down. He remembered what he felt when all of his fellow soldiers were killed—they were like his brothers. Scipio Taltarus was his hero, and he too was destroyed along with his lover. Marcus wanted revenge, he wanted justice. It wasn’t just anger that he felt. It was the guilt. It was the embarrassment…that all of his comrades had perished, and he was forced to live. There was nothing he could do to save them, nothing to save at least one other. He didn’t even get to die with them.
Now he finally had the means to do something about it. Now he wouldn’t have to feel guilty anymore, because he would correct that mistake. He would wreak vengeance on the Khanate, but he knew he could not kill them all. But he would kill Caracalla. That much he was sure.
Up ahead he came closer to the planet and used the Psionic Spear to force his mind into all those down below planet-side. With the telepathy, he would find out precisely where Caracalla was. But immediately, he felt the presence of another. Someone closer. And the thoughts he felt were maddening…they echoed his somewhat, and were an even more horrible, more unending form of rage.
Elagabolus floated in space ahead of him, waiting for him. He wore pants and the golden chains about him as usual, and his tattooed body shimmered in the starlight. He was beautiful and horrible to behold. He stood with his arms outstretched in a cross, and waited for Marcus.
Marcus felt the fear hit him at once like a bucket of cold water. He wanted to turn and run—but no! “Not today,” he said out loud, and he focused the spear on him. He began to pull forth Psionic energy, not caring that he was draining Psionics across the United Planets. He began to unleash a telekinetic blast.
“Not fast enough!” said Elagabolus suddenly, speaking finally! A wave of red energy came over him, the same destructive energy that Elagabolus was the sole master of—instantly consuming space-debris, asteroids and anything in its path. Marcus’ skin burnt hot, but he used the telekinetic power of the spear to put a shield above him and was locked in a duel of wills.
He waited and waited, scared and unsure, and then unleashed a wave of telekinetic energy back at the young Emperor, knocking him backwards in space, and then rushing after him.
Elagabolus moved easily in space, and turned back, catching Marcus off-guard. Again, he unleashed his energy, its horrible putrid smell somehow discernable in space, through awful magic means. Elagabolus’ eyes grew red with hate, and he prepared to burn this sentient to his bare soul.
At once he was upon Marcus, and put one hand on the spear. He would pull it from his grasp and burn the young soldier alive, and return it to Caracalla.
Suddenly, Princess Tarina crashed down upon him with blast of light energy, tackling him downwards closer to the planet, lending Marcus a hand. He would not be alone in his assault.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The Khanate of Sol Invictus
Princess Tarina moved at the slowest pace possible before light speed, erupting energy at a level unquantifiable and sending it through Elagabolus’ body, knowing full well the immense power the teenager had. She said nothing, the pure, bitter anger still like bile in her throat. She let loose more blasts, and more, and finally Elagabolus began to fall back…
“Aaargh!” he yelled, obviously attempting to lure her into a false sense of safety by falling back, and now unleashing his own brand of fury on Princess Tarina, as she fell backwards at the intensity of his power. She began to clutch herself, feeling the painful sear of his burning energy. Suddenly, Marcus burst back into the battle, ripping at Elagabolus with the Psionic Spear once more.
Not far off, the LMB flew through space at top speed, having left their cruiser a ways back and preparing to join the fray. Suddenly, Spellbinder felt the burning sensation again, as tremendous pain came over her.
“Crujeckie!” said Cobalt, holding her arm close as they flew.
“I’m okay, Cobie…” she said, “…but my people…it must be a tremendous strain…” It was the concern of her people’s welfare that weighed down on her mind now, and he could see that despite her ability to keep it together, each moment was terrifying her.
“I promise,” he said to her softly, “I won’t let what happened to mine happen to yours…” The two held hands. “No matter what”, thought Cobalt, “I will do whatever it takes to save her. She means too much to this world, and too much to me…”
“I can hear your thoughts love,” she smiled through the pain, “and we will do this together,” she said firmly, but with her beautiful smile.
He forced a smile back. “Together,” he said, and they flew on.
Further up, Marcus and Tarina battled Elagabolus, unleashing tremendous blast after tremendous blast, but both were having little effect on him other than knocking the wind out of him. However, his blasts were blistering hot and growing hotter, meaning they were somehow finding a way to magically break through the built-in defenses that each had. At last, he ripped forth a blast at both of them, knocking them back.
A large smile came across his face. “Get up!” he yelled. “You two alone cannot beat me!”
“How about three?” said Kid Marvel, suddenly slamming into Elagabolus and knocking him backwards. The LMBP had entered the fray.
Kid Marvel landed punch after punch on Elagabolus, using the full might of his super-strength. Each blow was devastating to the young Emperor, but he was able to get his bearings, and once more unleashed his energy upon his enemies. This time, Kid Marvel was knocked back, but not before Abin Quank could land a tremendous giant green fist upon him.
“Jeepers!” yelled Eryk. “Do something Lucky!”
Fat Cramer put her hand on Princess Tarina’s shoulder. “Are you alright, Princess?” The Princess turned with a vengeance, about to unleash a blast on Fat Cramer, the rage inside her still. “I’m a friend!” said Fat Cramer, “I’m here to fight with you. We all are,” she said softer.
Princess Tarina halted and then nodded, and suddenly turned, and jumped back into the fight.
“Alright!” yelled Caliente, following suit and unleashing her fire at Elagabolus.
“Marcus!” yelled Stealth, coming close to the boy, “you must stop! You’re better than this! You’re a better man than this…you must stop using the Spear!” she said, as Cobalt, Spellbinder and Rockhopper Lad joined her.
“She’s right Marcus,” said Cobalt, “you’re killing innocent sentients all across the United Planets. The Psyonians, the telepaths of Titans…so many others. You’re truly hurting them Marcus. You cannot use the Spear!” he said firmly.
“You…” said Marcus, “…you did not have the courage to do this…so I will!” he yelled.
“Foolish boy!” said Spellbinder, “put down that Spear,” she said, attempting to pull it to her telekinetically, but it was no use. Marcus had it in a telekinetic grasp that could not break.
“Please, soldier,” said Rockhopper Lad now, “what I have heard of you tells me that you are an ally. Would you abandon your friends now, after so much? Would you abandon the United Planets?”
Marcus hesitated, holding the spear closer. “I-I…” he began, but stopped. “I’m sorry,” he said finally, and then with a tremendous burst, he blasted himself telekinetically, and flew down to the capital planet of the Khanate of Sol Invictus.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The Khanate of Sol Invictus
Marcus was gone instantaneously, the force he used tremendous. Spellbinder felt a pain unlike no other, as being the closest Psionic to the Spear meant she felt the full brunt of this drain, and she felt herself being stretched thin like never before. It was a maddening pain, and she closed her eyes and thought of her brother, Mikaal, the Crusader, attempting to block the pain.
Cobalt, through their telepathic link, only caught a glimpse of it, and it was horrific. He knew it was too much for anyone to handle, and could not bear to see the one he loved in so much pain. Immediately, with the full force of his magnetism, he pushed forth and flew through space faster than ever before—riding the magnetic current down below.
Not far off, Princess Tarina, Abin Quank, Eryk Davis Ester and his Luck Lord, Kid Marvel, Caliente and Fat Cramer battled the might of Elagabolus, who held them to a standstill. Again and again, each hammered away, each time growing no less victorious, but all the more tired.
“We have to get planetside,” said Vee to Outdoor Miner, shrinking onto his shoulder. “No need for a blind port. Crujectra, I know its hard, but use your telepathic link to see what Cobie sees and send it to Miner. Miner, take us down there. It may take sneakiness to get that damn spear…”
Rockhopper Lad put his hand on Spellbinder’s shoulder. “We’ll be there shortly,” he said, turning towards the others. “Now good luck! Go for it!” and with that, the two LMBers ported planet-side.
Down below The Holy Ceremony of Prayer was in full session, when Marcus broke through the atmosphere and arrived on the capital planet of the Khanate of Sol Invictus. The masses, in mid-prayer, were alerted by the High Priest Caracalla, who told them simply to be “wary my children, death looms from the West.” The masses scattered, while the warriors reached for their weapons and awaited the arrival of the now-extremely powerful soldier, the wielder of the Psionic Spear. The clergy scattered, but the High Priest Caracalla stood upon the altar and waited.
Marcus arrived with a BOOM!, knocking back all the Khanate warriors with a vengeance, and creating a small hole in the ground. The open church area was instantly wrecked, a terrible religious affront, though Marcus hardly cared. “Caracalla!” he screamed in a fury. “Caracalla! Today you answer for your crimes! Against the soldiers of Legion World and the United Planets! Against Kerissia! Ggrrgg! Wynthia! Against the universe—because you are an evil unlike any other!” His fury was blinding at this point, and he was unaware that he was using the spear to hold down all of the Khanate soldiers and put piercing headaches in their minds.
Caracalla stepped forward, slowly, without the slightest bit of fair or hesitation in his dark, black eyes. “You are the monster my son,” he said with his brisk voice, “you are the killer. You have come here for absolution…and I will give it to you,” he said, the last part showing his voice grow slightly shrill and cruel.
Marcus was beside himself with rage and confusion. He came all this way, yet he strangely felt compelled to let this holy man live…NO! He picked up the spear and prepared to end his existence with one blast, so total, so complete it would destroy everyone on this planet…
“Enough!” screamed Cobalt Kid, landing upon Marcus with a vengeance, and crushing him to the ground. The impact was astounding; with the magnetic force Cobalt projected against the telekinetic shield Marcus had created. The impact shattered Marcus’ collar bone instantly, and Cobalt felt his ribs crack. Both stood up. “No more Marcus!” he yelled, and before the boy could respond, Cobalt cracked him across the face with a punch.
Outdoor Miner ported into view, with a miniature Varalent, who leapt into the fray on Marcus. He leaped towards his chin, and flew at it with top speed, knocking the young soldier backwards. Outdoor Miner immediately ported to Marcus’ side and tried to pull the Spear free, but it was to no avail, Marcus had it too tight.
Again, Cobalt grabbed Marcus, as Varalent tried a different tactic and grew very tall, about 25’ in height, and put his giant hand down upon Marcus, to hold him. “Please Marcus,” he said, “we don’t want to do this but you’ve left us no choice…”
Caracalla laughed a wicked horrible laugh at the sight before him, as the Khanate of Sol Invictus’ warriors gathered around them in a giant circle. “You see, my sons,” he said, “even the enemy knows it is wrong for them to come here. They know they are at fault!”
Finally, Marcus unleashed a tremendous blast of telekinetic energy blasting all three LMBers back, and pulling himself back up to his feet. His uniform was ragged now and his mouth bleeding. He was beat up, but stood up alone.
“Marcus! You know in your heart this is wrong!” said Rockhopper Lad, as he and Spellbinder arrived to the battle. “You know you cannot do this…”
“I must…” said an exhausted Marcus, worn out from the long travel, worn out from Elagabolus and worn out from the LMB. Most of all, the strain of the Spear gnawed at him, as the Trumpeter had learned. “I must…” he repeated, “I must…GUKKK.” A blood curdled moan came from Marcus, as he felt hot metal pierce through his back and come out of his chest, and blood squirted up his throat. His hold on the Spear had been waning from the strain, from the exhaustion, and he could hold the telekinetic shield no more.
A metal piece of debris slid back through his body and out the way it came, Marcus’ blood covering it. Caracalla pushed the boy forth and dropped the blade to the ground—he had stabbed the young man in the back, and killed him where he stood. He looked at them all now, who looked on in horror, while the warriors of the Khanate of Sol Invictus cheered loudly for him.
“Such is the fate of all our enemies,” he said at a normal tone. Before him now, Marcus’ body began to shake, and he realized in the end, that the madness had overtook him too greatly, and that he should have been able to let go. And so Marcus passed away, as Caracalla picked up the Psionic Spear.
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The Khanate of Sol Invictus
Caracalla stood before Rockhopper Lad, Spellbinder, Cobalt Kid, Varalent and Outdoor Miner, who were battered, bruised and suddenly—afraid of what would happen next. In his hand was the Psionic Spear, which now continued to draw forth telekinetic energy. “You have trespassed, Legionnaires,” he said, and the crowd cheered their High Priest loudly. “You are at fault here, and there must be retribution!” They cheered again, as Caracalla stepped over the dead body of Marcus, who had been not only an ally to Stealth and Eryk Davis Ester, but was becoming a friend.
“No retribution today!” said Stealth, leaping out of the shadows! She had joined Rockhopper Lad and Spellbinder on their way down and remained hidden. She suddenly kicked at the spear, hoping to knock it away. She looked down at Marcus in the middle of the act and felt remorse for the path the young man had taken…she had grown fond of him as an ally. Her kick landed on the spear and the rest of the LMB regrouped, when suddenly, a burst of light blinded them all, and with speed unmatched, a new figure emerged with the Psionic Spear.
Princess Tarina now held it, and held it high above her head. In her hands, she felt its power continue to grow, and upon looking at Spellbinder, and the tremendous pain she was in, understood what the cost for using it was. She looked at Caracalla and felt the rage and the madness, as her entire people been laid to waste—a mass genocide engineered by this man before her, through his various agents. Death would be too good for him…but she must have her vengeance. There must be justice.
She pulled it back as if to cock it at the man before her, and all looked on, knowing there was little they could do to stop it. And then at once, she decided.
quote:Originally read by Faraway Lad: For first there was peace…and then there was the Three ‘Spears of Power’. History was not kind in recording what they were, though the obvious assumption that there was one for each planet is generally made. It is known that there were two lesser spears for day and night...
quote:Originally spoken by the Trumpeter: “Yes,” he said, “as I’m sure you’ve seen in the information you’ve retrieved for us,” he added, knowing full well she knew there was more than one spear. “The secret history is that there were three spears of power, though there are no available descriptions of the other two—simply that they are called the Spear of Day, given to the Kerissians...
quote:Originally posted by Cobalt Kid: Kerissia Recently thrown out of the United Planets, Kerissia is known for its technological advancements, as well as its continued war with neighboring planets Ggrrgg and Wynthania. The royal family of Kerissia continually has a genetic power passed down from heir to heir (with no natural explanation for which heir is chosen or when the power moves down the line) that gives that heir complete mastery over light.
quote:Originally spoken by the Trumpeter: It is said that only one spear could destroy another, which indeed is why the Psionic Spear was hid and not destroyed.
She held the Psionic Spear up for all to see, and gripped it with her other hand—and then smashed it completely in half. So it was that the lineage of the Spear of Day destroyed the Psionic Spear.
A psionic backlash unleashed backwards across the universe as all of the Psionic energy was restored. It was too late for the Mind-Flayers, but all of the other telepathic races were able to reclaim their birthright, and Spellbinder once more felt whole, as the pain began to slip away.
Tarina looked to the heavens to where she believed her people would be and at once apologized for her decision, but thanked them for the strength to make it. She looked down, tears streaming down her face, and beheld Caracalla. “You have much to answer for High Priest,” she said, the first time talking since the destruction of her people. “And you will answer for it now.”
But a wave of red destruction energy was suddenly upon her, pouring in from the sky, in a horrific, unending display of magic destructive power. In the final instant, Elagabolus rained down upon Princess Tarina with a vengeance, scattering her into hot, smoldering molecules.
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The Khanate of Sol Invictus
“No!” said Cobalt Kid, as now he finally had reached his breaking point. He flew up at the sky, towards Elagabolus and prepared to destroy him. He used his magnetism to knock him back, but it did not work, when suddenly, he realized what might. Cobalt focused all his power on his healing abilities—given to him by Elagabolus himself when he was just an innocent boy, and fired them at the teenage Emperor full blast.
The effect was immediate. Elagabolus’ skin began to burn and then boil, and the blue energy seared the flesh horribly, as Elagabolus had done to others. “Aaaaargh!” screamed the boy, burning Cobalt back.
“Why, Elag?!! Why?!! You could have done so much good for the world!! How could you do this?! How could you be such a monster?!” screamed Cobalt, his anger a fiery rage, as he placed both hands on Elagabolus’ face and seared the flesh on his cheeks, hoping to give him as much pain as anyone could endure, and then some more. “You’re a monster! How could you do it?!” screamed Cobalt.
Elagabolus fell from the sky at a rapid pace, and Cobalt attempted to make him crash, so that at least he’d be taken out, but Elagabolus was a power unlike any other, and he suddenly found new reserves to tap, and unleashed them back at Cobalt, almost consuming him with fire. Their embrace fell, and they were separated, and Cobalt felt the familiar feel of Abin’s power ring made constructs picking him up, as Kid Marvel flew past them to hammer on Elagabolus some more.
Kid Marvel, pounding on a severely weakened Elagabolus, flew with him out of the city and across the sky of the planet, at last landing towards what looked to be a small sea, and then hurling the badly burned Elagabolus—who could not heal—into the waters below. The young Emperor sank with the force, falling quickly to the bottom of the ocean, although his rage endured, and he planned to regroup. Kid Marvel turned back to the city. “Any other time and I would tussle with him forever. But dammit…I’m leader now…I have to check on the others…”
Down below, Caracalla now turned to the remaining LMBers present, as the warriors of the Khanate closed in. He looked at them with grave eyes, but he had no chance to talk. “Foolish little man!” yelled Crujectra, the full might of her Psionic power returning, as she rose into the air. “You and your ‘emperor’ have gone too far!” she said, and suddenly, she unleashed a blast of telekinetic energy across the capital city, which knocked everyone in the vicinity backwards. Her thoughts turned to what she thought Marcus should have done with the Spear if it had no ill effects on the universe, and she knew there must have been something. She read the minds of those around her, and knew where the armadas and weapon storages were on the Khanate of Sol Invictus. She knew where their bombs and their arsenals were. She reached out to here fellow LMBers, and at once, she, Eryk Davis Ester and Caliente decided to do what they could to put a damper on the military plans of the Khanate of Sol Invictus.
Spellbinder, Caliente and Eryk Davis Ester (with his Luck Lord) began to dismantle the arsenal as fast as they could, one storage facility at a time, as Abin Quank joined them with Cobalt, who was healing the horrible burns on his body. He saw Spellbinder working and instantly flew up beside her, and took on hand in his own. He kissed her cheek while she concentrated and then joined in and did the same.
Caracalla, for the first time, appeared to be growing angry. “Stop her!” he yelled. He went to make a move forward, when Varalent appeared before him with a punch knocking him backwards.
“Listen to me Priest,” said Varalent. “We know you can get to us in the United Planets—you’ve proven that. Well today, we will show you that we can get to you. You’ll remember that the LMB came onto your planet, and did this to your armies…” The warriors closed in on them, Outdoor Miner ported Vee, Stealth, and Rockhopper Lad back up into orbit. “My friends, I know you want vengeance,” he said, “but we are the LMB.”
“Our weapons my lord!” yelled a Khanate General, in a fury, as they were being dismantled.
“It is…a setback,” said Caracalla calmly but this time with anger, as he wiped the blood from his mouth, “I would hardly call them victorious.”
At last, a great deal of the arsenal was destroyed. They were still in shock at all of the events taking place, but something, they knew was being accomplished, legal or not.
“Come on guys,” said Abin, to some of their shocked faces. “Its not safe here. There’s little we can do. Can we even arrest Caracalla? Or Elagabolus?”
“We have to do something more…” said Cobalt Kid
“But what Cobie?” said Eryk. “What can be done here? How can you defeat an enemy whose people support him? If he insists on destroying the UP, it can only be through war.”
“We have to end this with Caracalla now,” said Cobalt, “no matter what…” he finished, and instantly, he turned away from them all, and flew at the High Priest again, who stood with a gathering of warriors, watching him come. Scipio. Danger Damsel. His father. Marcus. Tarina. It was never-ending the evil of this man.
“Do you plan to execute me, Cobalt Kid?” said Caracalla coldly. “Or perhaps drag me back to the United Planets and incite the war to end all wars? Your only other option is to leave now, while you still can.”
Suddenly Spellbinder was by his side. “Its over Cobie,” she said telepathically. “The Spear has been destroyed; the warring is over outside the Khanate. We’ve put a minor dent in their arsenal, but more, we’ve instilled a fear of us in the Khanate’s soldiers. You saw Marcus and you saw Tarina. We can never cross that line.”
He took her hand in his and looked down at Caracalla and the Khanate warriors. And he smiled at the High Priest. “You’ll overplay your hand one day, Caracalla, and I’ll be there. We’ll all be there, and the LMB will finish you for good.”
With that, Cobalt and Spellbinder flew into orbit to rejoin their friends, though the taste left after this battle was bitter indeed.
END CHAPTER SEVEN
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Chapter Eight: In Between Rounds
Weber’s World
“The debates are in full force again,” said Quislet, walking out of the main hall, and joining Faraway Lad, Matlock and Antiquated Forms of Communication Lass. “They’re continuing to debate on whether to go to war with the Khanate of Sol Invictus.”
“It is out our hands at least,” said Faraway Lad. “That is a decision that we should not be making ourselves, as Legionnaires,” he added, overlooking the rest of Weber’s World through a large window, and the orange sunset that was constantly on the horizon. “Still, it is a shame that the Ambassadors of the three fallen planets must find a new home to return to. We came here with such high hopes of peace, and now its all for nothing. Not only is the chance for peace gone, its now irrelevant. Three entire races wiped out completely.”
“They’d been trying for so long,” said AFC Lass, “but all it took was one’s inclusion of a more evil power to finally give them what they wanted.” There was a bitter sadness in her words, as she dealt with the finality of the situation.
“If you ever need a home,” said Faraway Lad, “you know where we are.”
“Thanks,” she said with a half-smiled, “but I’ll be okay. I haven’t lived on Ggrrgg in a long-time, and I thought that although I could help, I had moved past it. Unlike Bevruck…”
“It’s a shame,” said Matlock, “but in the end, I think he began to realize the enormity of his betrayal.”
“It was great work Matt, as usual,” said Quis. “At least we know that Weber’s World is free from leaks, despite its continual disagreements and political maneuvering. Politics may be a dirty business, but there needs to be at least a semblance of honesty in it.”
“Let’s hope so…” said Matlock.
They all turned to see Ambassador Relnic leaving the Great Hall where the debates and speeches continued on inside. He looked both relieved but now newly determined. “Well,” he said, “I thank you Legionnaires for everything. Although there will be some more debates and more speeches, its obvious what is going to happen next.” He had their attention immediately. “The United Planets is going to declare war on the Khanate of Sol Invictus.”
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Deep Space – aboard an LMBP Cruiser
“So, war has been declared,” said Kid Marvel, “and we were just there days ago. We could have accomplished so much more and never had to leave. Timing…it truly means everything,” he finished, looking somewhat annoyed and disgusted.
“We were right to leave Joey,” said Rockhopper Lad. “We have to do this by the book. I wanted to stay and show the Khanate what they had reaped, but we couldn’t. We have to stand for something more than that, than invading a planet half-cocked, even if days later we end up at war with them. Besides, what we did is more than enough. We destroyed a fair amount of the home planet’s arsenal. Now armadas from all around the Empire will be brought in to guard the home planet, taking them away from the borders. Its not much, but its decisive.”
“Rocky’s right,” said Abin. “And I’m sure we’ll have another shot. Where’s everyone else?” he said, turning to Outdoor Miner. “Where’s Eryk?”
Outdoor Miner smiled. “Sleeping. He and Stealth are getting some rest,” he nodded to the side, where Eryk and Stealth were both sleeping on two upraised cots, finally getting some sleep after the recent weeks of interstellar travel. “The boy Marcus had become a friend to them during the course of the mission. You know how it goes. It’s a shame what happened to him, really.”
“And Tarina too,” said Fat Cramer joining them. “She truly proved her mettle in the end. She showed she was more than the stereotypical depection of those that lived in that sector of space. She did the right thing. I’m going to mourn her.”
Farther up front in the cruiser, where Varalent and Caliente were piloting, sat Cobalt Kid, overlooking the stars, an air of melancholy about him, as he considered all the events of the past few weeks in his head. He did not miss the irony on how days after he was forced to leave the Khanate before he did something illegal, the UP made it legal to go there. But now it seemed to matter little, with so many more dead when all was said and done.
Spellbinder walked over to him, and put her arms around him. She spoke to him telepathically, so none could hear. “You’ll have to sleep sometime Cobie,” she said softly.
“You too,” he smiled. “But I know you can’t either. Its funny how little closure there is in the world, especially when people die. Things just end, and you’re forced to continue on, and deal with the fact that how things were when the person died…well, that’s just how things were. And every battle can’t end with a knock-down drag out fight, where the villain is brought to justice or someone is sacrificed.”
“I think you’re forgetting something,” she replied, “that the story is hardly over. So long as there is an LMB, the Khanate will have an enemy. You can be sure of that now. Caracalla will be gunning for us.”
“Good,” said Cobalt. “Hopefully us instead of the UP. That strategy never failed us before,” he finished, this time with a half-smile.
They sat quietly for a moment, enjoying each other’s company. At last she spoke. “Its okay to miss him Cobie. No matter how cruel he was to you in the end. I know he wasn’t always like that. Ggrrgg might not have been your home for the second half of your life, but I want you to know that Psyonia can always be a home to you, especially because you helped save it, twice now.”
“I know Crujeckie,” he said, now turning around, holding her closer, “especially because you keep saving me. I think I’ll return to Ggrrgg from time to time, to try and do something about the horrors there. But in the meantime, instead of what’s left of Ggrrgg, or even Psyonia, I’m content to be with you at our real home,” he finished, kissing her.
“Legion World, up ahead,” said Varalent out loud over the omni-com.
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The Khanate of Sol Invictus
The masses prayed at the sacred chapel, though now it was partially destroyed and would be under construction for some time. Before them sat Caracalla on his bench, with all the rest of the clergy on lower benches. To their side sat the throne, with Elagabolus sitting on it, overlooking his subjects.
Caracalla walked forward and lit more candles, and then blessed Elagabolus as he passed him. “My son,” he whispered, “they will come for us now. Those Legionnaires have caused us to overplay our hand…so we will have our vengeance on them. On all of them…” he continued, as the silent Elagabolus raged in fury. “But be patient,” said the High Priest. “All will occur in due course. “They will all be at your feet and worship you, but it will be too late for them. They and their suns will all die, and a shining new era will begin,” he finished, “with you as its sun.”
Elagabolus nodded, but his fury could not be contained. Caracalla could remain patient and remain calm, and allow things to proceed as he always planned they would. But Elagabolus contained the raw fury of youth. He would have his vengeance, and it would be soon.
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Deep Space, the United Planets, in Transit to Takron-Galtos
The Ggrrggian spearman known as Pillum sat in his cell, his senses keen as he worked out to his daily routine, though the ongoing feeling of melancholy remained, as he reflected on the fact that he was one of the few remaining Ggrrggians in this universe, an all he ever cared about or believed in had been wiped away. Again, he revisited the notion of honorable suicide, but felt, in the end, that such a waste of his tremendous talents would be an insult to the memory of Ggrrgg. No, he thought, he must have vengeance upon something or someone. Upon all the enemies of Ggrrgg. He was their greatest warrior and their last hope at achieving the glory of the Ggrrggians fathers of ancient times—and now Ggrrgg would never see that achievement.
Suddenly, the ship shifted considerably, as if blasted from the outside by an attacking force. He could hear the guards running and hear shouting. He approached the end of his cell to try and see, but it was no use, they were all running around the corridor. Moments later, he heard blasters, and thought pirates had attacked the ship. Truly, his luck would not change, and he would be sold into slavery by pirates, he thought.
And then he saw a figure approaching—mysterious, beautiful, a pale green-skinned woman dressed in blue and white. By her side was a man carrying an odd, long, black horn. “Pillum of Ggrrgg,” said the man, “the universe does not deserve to see you locked away just yet,” he grinned. “You and your people have been wronged, but they can no longer receive justice. You, on the other hand, can get it for yourself and for them. I am the Trumpeter, and this is my colleague, Déjà Vu. I’m offering you a chance for justice.”
Déjà Vu blasted the cell locking mechanism, and the laser entrance faded. Pillum stepped forward. “You’ll be needing these,” she said, throwing him his Ggrrggian Spears designed specifically for him.
He looked at them both with mixed emotions, his jaw grinding itself at the sudden burst of adrenaline and anger. He would have his chance to restore honor to Ggrrgg after all. “Yes, yes I will.”
The three exited, and boarded the Trumpeter’s ship, and moved on to the next phase of their plan.
END
More on the Trumpeter and his band of villains, in a new Onevision coming soon in a thread near you!!
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Epilogue
Energy, as it always does, flows across the cosmos, changing and moving in its many forms, a lynchpin for the building of the universe.
One specific set of energy moved faster than the rest, a sentience about it that showed it was more than loose energy, but a coherent set of particles with a precise purpose.
quote:Originally spoken by the Trumpeter: It is said that only one spear could destroy another, which indeed is why the Psionic Spear was hid and not destroyed.
Light particles began to pull at one another and a shape began to form once more, the sheer willpower of the being able to re-craft itself as a being of pure light, and return to the universe in her true form once more.
Princess Tarina lived, and at this time, she believed she had little to live for. She would be wrong.
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Endnotes
Please note, that none of these are necessary to read ‘The Psionic Spear’, but may enhance your knowledge of some of the characters involved!…
For the recent creation of the Khanate of Sol Invictus out of the Black Sun and the Barbarian Hordes, the creation of the Space Knights Templar and the decimation of Scipio Taltarus and Marcus’ unit, please check out Omnia Mutantur nos et Mutamur in illis
For Cobalt’s early history on Ggrrgg and the war between Ggrrgg and Psyonia, please check out The Ggrrgg/Psyonia War
