This is part four of my adventures Dream Boy series, set in the threeboot. As that version of the Legion is slipping into history this will be the final part of this story, hope you enjoy it!
What has gone before.
Rol Purtha, Dream Boy, had left the Legion on Earth and traveled to Xanthu. There he met the Tamarean warrior known as the Quantum Queen, joined up with the Amazers, battled the League of Assassins, watched the Insect Queen be killed by mistake by Atmos, began a relationship with James Cullen, stopped a plot by Tariq the Mute to replace influential people with telepathically controlled android doppelgangers,rescued a princess, been hailed as a prophet sent to re-unite the disparate peoples on the planet, become a mentor to trainees enrolled in the Amazer Program, had his memories altered by a traitor on the Amazer team, battled a small loose knit army of meta villains alongside the Amazers and Legion, encountered an ancient mystical crone who appeared to know of his past, and, most recently he has been kidnapped by his errant father.
Rol loves his life and wouldn’t have it any other way!
[ December 09, 2012, 06:55 AM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol stood on the edge of oblivion, one step and he would be lost.
Here, in this strange reality where the basic laws of physics seemed to be on holiday Rol realised that if he chose to believe everything his father had told him then he would be lost.
Rol’s father had vanished almost fifteen Naltor years ago. Rol had been told that the High Seer had issued an ultimatum to the Techomancer Party that gave them a standard day to denounce their practices or they would be deemed criminals in the eyes of the law. Rol’s father, along with almost sixty others vanished that night.
Rol’s mother had moved them from their home in the Southern Peninsula to Neuex’Erox where her brother and family lived in the hope that their new neighbours wouldn’t judge her and her small son. Rol’s paternal grandmother had refused to join them when they moved and she died a little under five years later at the surprisingly young age of sixty. She never spoke about her son, Rol’s Technomancer father, in that time. The old lady had a fierce positivity about her that had been described as pathological yet even her inner resilience had been challenged. Rol’s mother had said that she died of a broken heart.
Rol had watched the holos from his parents courtship. His father’s mannerisms were, he had always thought, rather sweet. The way he would run his fingers through his hair before trying to kiss his sweetheart. Her laughter and gentle teasing. His father had appeared to be a little clueless about how to woo a young woman. Rol’s mother never let him stand a chance. If it hadn’t have been for a fluke malfunction in his fathers holo-avatar at a symposium at Neuex’Erox University that meant he had to attend in person they may never have met. The socially awkward scientist from the affluent hillside suburbs and the young student anthropologist from the rugged High Valleys. Rol’s parents were an odd couple, that was true, but their devotion to each other was clear to see by all. And once they had married and started on their careers Rol had come along and they were complete. A postcard example of a loving family unit.
Or so Rol had always believed. That devotion, those undeniable bonds of that love had been a cornerstone in his childhood forgiveness of his father when he had vanished.
And fifteen years later here Rol stood listening to the man he had exonerated of any responsibility for the upset his disappearance had caused say it was all lies.
[ October 31, 2012, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol’s father sat on a high backed wooden chair, it’s carved arms had a patina that hinted of it’s age.
He wore a wide brimmed beige hat and a navy blue waistcoat and six of the so-called Handyhands – an invention that had made the family a fair bit of money before Rol had been born – waved around making random gestures.
Handyhands were strong synthetic ribbons with a fully dexterous hand on the end that one attached to the middle of the spine and with a little bit of concentration and practice could use as a third limb. They had been all the rage for about three years. Currently his father wore six of them, all green and all reacting to the emotional subtext of this meeting. Rol remembered reading a Naltorian medical report that suggested only one be worn at a time as the concentration needed to focus on any more than that could cause long term mental and physiological damage. There had been a report about a fungus farmer who had used four over a three week period and as a result had ended in a comatose state and took three months of intense therapy to recover fully.
Rol's father seemed casually unaware of them, as one would be of one's own biological limbs.
Rol found it difficult to look at the man and impossible to take his eyes off him. A large part of Naltorian education was designed to instill a strong belief in self discipline, something that was essential when ones mind could literally fall through time. He had been raised in an academic household where it was seen as ungainly to express emotions in their raw form. One must always carry oneself with dignity and say only what one would want to hear.
Right now Rol was fighting the urge to jump onto the wooden high backed chair and punch the man in front of him in the face.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol’s father had said:
Rol’s parents were set up by their grandparents to have children. They would be bringing both the Arcane and High tech elements of Naltor into their relationship. Rol’s mother never knew though his father did and was given no choice but to go along with it. Before they had Rol, their genes were examined and it was decided what the best traits to give to their offspring would be. Rol would have the best opportunities to fullfil his role in the centuries old prophecy - he would be the seer that would release Naltor from their bondage as part of the UP.
They had argued at this point, Rol's natural curiosity and politeness gave way to anger.
"Centuries old prophecy? Why haven't I heard of this before?" Rols head was spinning. Was this a fever dream where Anagastru's proclamation that he would one day lead the peoples of Xanthu to freedom mixed up with the Hag's announcement concerning his Technomancer roots? Rol dug his finger nails into the heel oh is hand in the hope the sudden pain would help bring some clarity.
"The High Seers were bound to stop it. Don't you remember when the original sci-police presented us to Filyp the Wise for crimes against the future?"
"What? Filyp died three hundred and fifty years ago! We've seen holos of him but that's it."
"Not so Rol, we've met him in a couple of lifetimes past. In this one you know him as..."
"You are mad Father, you are truly scarily mad. If you think I am going to listen to any more of your...."
"You have your mother's stubbornness, you always did."
[ October 31, 2012, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol couldn't gauge the time here. He reasoned that this was Ttrxl, the fifth dimension where the power for the Transmatter was generated, refined and focused. He had read the Legions report after a team had come here during their encounter with Praetor Lemnos. The report had mentioned that the local equivalent to law enforcers had not taken their presence here well and almost caused the team to fail in their mission. Rol knew that if that option came up then not to expect an offer of assistance.
The laws of physics that Rol knew so well from his own reality simply weren’t applicable in this peculiar ever shifting dimension. This was definitely not where Rol planned to go. He should be on Naltor consulting the Planetary Gene Library and Pre-Commandos DNA Locks to find some clue of the mysterious woman he had met on Xanthu's South Continent. The Technomancers were supposedly able to control technology with a skill that defied logic so he hoped his father would be able to send him home after they had completed whatever it was his father wanted to do here.
It also struck Rol that if his father had spent the last fifteen years here then that could explain his insanity. No-ones mind could survive intact here for long. Rol knew that his best plan was to let his apparently insane father say what he had to say then hopefully... well hopefully they could part on good terms at least. Maybe Rol could persuade the old Technomancer to go home and get some help.
Rol estimated he'd stepped through the Transmatter gate about three hours ago though he had not felt the need for sustenance or the urge to relieve himself since arriving here. And if it had really been three hours then James would be worried sick! Surely James would have expected a quick call by now and wondered what had happened. Perhaps if Rol kept the old man talking long enough the Amazer’s would realise something was wrong and send some help.
Despite his misgivings Rol knew that unless he wanted to resort to violence, his only way to get back home would be to let his father say whatever it was that he felt he needed to kidnap Rol to say.
[ October 31, 2012, 04:15 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
He had sat back in his throne-like chair when Rol approached and said he would listen and laughed. Rol was a bit upset by this reaction, it certainly wasn't what he expected especially as he'd even remembered to call the insane technomancer 'Pa', exactly as he had all those years ago.
And he kept on laughing.
He clapped his hands and while he laughed a sooty grey paint splattered hulk drifted lazily across the sky and landed not ten mets away from them. If Rol had known his Terran vehicular history better he would have recognised it as a New York subway carriage from circa 1971. The graffiti tags were colourful and still showed signs of the flower Power era that had begun to fade from the collective consciousness. As the train landed Rol’s father stood up, his face suddenly serious.
“We must travel in style, you have too much to learn to be sat here amongst this irreverent waste and disease.”
Rol tried to use his flight ring to catch up with his father as the older man strode towards the sliding open doors but it only made a faint ‘fzzzt’ noise. Rol ran and leapt onto the floor of the ancient carriage, afraid that the doors might slam shut and he would be left behind as his father left. Inside the wooden slatted floor was thick with dust and dirt while the seats looked uncomfortable and unsupportive.
“Wow! This is amazing Pa, but what exactly is it?” The light tone in his voice and smile on his face did not disguise Rol's concerns.
“This is where you murdered me for drug money.”
[ October 31, 2012, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
That's it for tonight, hope you enjoy!
Please feel free to leave feedback as it's always greatly appreciated.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol takes a deep breath.
"Carry on Pa, tell me everything."
"You don't believe me but you will."
There is a silence between them as their eyes meet and both try to gauge the others intent. Rol's father has a small grin, as if he knows something extraordinary and is decided whether or not to share it. Rol's features are tight. He isn't sure how to take this forward. His pre-commando training says he should allow the kidnapper to feel relaxed and unthreatened and to look out for the moment when they let their guard down. His heart tells him his father is a lost soul who needs his assistance and getting him angry might only compound the situation. He knows that both scenarios are not mutually exclusive.
"Pa, why did you leave? Where have you been?" Rol hopes he has pitched his questions with the right level of angst to hook his fathers attention. Maybe some information will give Rol the clues he need to figure out what is really happening.
"Which time Rol? Our history is littered with this story. On Naltor I left because the damned High Seer was away to throw me in jail for asking questions. On Mars you drove me away with your scorn. On Altare 6 the G'rrtyuj Nagi would have destroyed the S'shar Nga memorial to dishonour our commitments. In Rome I needed to draw the mad emperor Nero's attention away from you." He smiles as he finishes, a smile filled with accomplishment.
Rol: "Let's focus on Naltor for now Pa, it's the most.... relevant surely?" He hope his father can't see the doubts on his face as he tries to guide the conversation.
"You were only just beginning to speak in sentences Rol, running around asking questions, laughing at everything. Your mother had started her placement at the University, she was working every hour she could. You have her drive and focus don't you?" Rol nods agreement, his family had always said how much he had inherited his mother's personality. "I was working on a gene-variant data locking system that could be airborne and block out the DNA tags the UP said everyone should carry. It was highly illegal of course but the High Seers had been blocking our full potential for generations . You know those old farts can stop our visions don't you? Naltor, the special planet with magic and science and a population enslaved just like the rest of the galaxy. How I hated that place and the hypocrites in power."
"Tell me why you left Pa, what happened that night?"
"Do you know what precognition is Rol? Really, do you know?" There was a rage in his voice, and old hurt resurfacing.
"Our minds subconsciously scan probabilities and filter it through to our dreams. At the academy we...."
"And tell me Rol, what exactly are your capabilities?"His voice suddenly hard.
"You know I'm a Beta One, like my mother. Short range visions are strong, long range not so much."
"You have been lied to and stifled Rol, you are no more a Beta One than I am an ostrich. In this life anyway." He starts to giggle and his six green Handyhands flap around him.
[ November 01, 2012, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
"Your genes were manipulated before you were even born. There were eighteen expectant mothers who the Technomancers treated. None were told of course. Each of the children had their potential increased. All eighteen of you, our next generation Naltor nu-born babes are far, far more than you think. In fact other than Mysa and I guess Nura the lot of you have not even begun to touch the sides of what you can really do."
Rol feels as if his head has been placed in a vice. He is sure that the veins on his temples must be showing, they are beating so loudly. Saturn Girl had removed the artificial barriers in his mind earlier. In the hours since he had been led to believe by a magic user that there was more than met the eye with his past. Was this the secret that she had spoken about?
"Tell me more Pa, what are we?"
"the so-called Seers Seed Spell that created the Naltorian precognitive gifts is a complex piece of magic." At this he started to play with the hanging hair of his mustache, twirling it between thumb and index finger, his gaze left Rol and stared resolutely above his son's left shoulder. "The magic had become stagnant so we were trying to push it using the technology we had created, Push the chaotic magic encoded in our DNA using science we only had because of the magic itself." Rol's father started to giggle again.
"What did you do to us Pa?" Rol is surprised at how small his voice sounded.
[ November 01, 2012, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
"We gave you options."
Out of the windows of the floating carriage Rol can see a darkness spreading unevenly over the sky. within the darker areas there were signs of movement and Rol had a sense that they should not get too close.
"In the 24th century we were both born on Mars, you were a policeman's daughter then. We married but you never loved me despite everything I tried to do for us. For you." There is a barb, a need to hurt that which caused the pain in the last two words.
Once again Rol is silent. His father meets his eye, his father's expression is one of a man desperately wanting to know 'why?'.
"How do you know all this Father? You keep telling me about our previous incarnations but I don't understand."
"We had to leave Naltor, we knew we would be imprisoned if we stayed. Each of us chose a planet not yet aligned with the United Planets. I went to Avatanda, a world cut off from the main spaceways, as the monks there were said to be able to contact the past. Time travel was beyond even our capabilities. The monks lived in abject poverty, denying themselves the most basic of luxuries. I studied there for almost twelve years before the chance came to learn their secret. I dove into their Chamber of Lives where the wheeling mists allowed me to see so much that had been hidden. They'd never inducted someone with our gift before. They said I almost drowned in the Ocean of Years. They said it was an abomination what they had unleashed in me. They said it was evil! After I had taught them the error of their ways I went looking for the souls that had wronged me so often during my lives through the millennium to pay them back in kind." At this the laughter once again erupted. A laughter that echoed through the silent carriage. Rol felt a chill spread across his neck and shoulders as he realised how dangerous the man stood before him really was.
[ November 01, 2012, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
“What did you do?” There’s no tone in Rol’s voice, flat and emotionless as he stood his ground against the madman before him.
His father starts to laugh,
“I saw what I was like in my previous lives son, I was weak and meek and unworthy of respect. I had spent so many lives not learning the universal truth that people who lie down like doormats are there to tread upon. The monks I silence with a nanovirus. Who were they to judge me? I saw so much more than any of those blind fools ever had.”
“Did you kill them Pa?” Rol is scared of the answer and knows he is at a turning point. His father may be crazy and misguided but if he is a mass murderer as well then that’s an entirely different matter.
“No, of course not, though who are you to judge me if I did? You murdered me on this train once. You were a runaway with a rusty switch blade and a desperate habit. I was a cleaner in a house on the East side trying to get my daughter through school. I followed a cult called Christianity that believed in forgiveness and fire and brimstone.” His father turns away and weeps. ”My poor daughter, I’ve never met her soul again through the ages, I hope she knew I didn’t want to leave her and was happy in her life.” For far too long the old man curls on a seat and sobs and weeps and bemoans his daughter from a previous life’s fate.
Rol stands his ground, aware of how quickly his father’s moods can turn. Eventually the old technomancer stands up, wet streaks from his tears still clearly visible on his cheeks and brightly announces, “We were best friends on the first Lunar colony. You saved my life during a dome breach. I think that was your soul apologising. I do forgive you.”
“Pa, I’m sorry...”
“You don’t need to be sorry...”
“No, I do. You have me at a disadvantage. Can you explain it to me please?” Rol hoped that by taking advantage of the sudden forgiving temperament there may be a way to persuade him to take them back home.
“Don’t you listen? I have seen my many lives journeys through the ages. In this latest one I was part of the cult of Technomancers who were building beings to challenge their sterile existence. We created you Rol. You are destined for greatness and now is the time to learn how.” Once again his father’s emotional state had changed. This time he straightened his back and jutted out his chin; a man with a determined air.
“What is my destiny Pa?”
Posted by Harbinger on :
“You are an agent of chance. A chaotic element that can spark the necessary life back into the corrupt and soulddead hegemony of your home galaxy. You and your fellow Nu-borns are the key. Are you listening now? It’s time to grow some chuffies and stand up to be counted.”
“ What did you do to me?”
“All precognition does is allow you to see the probabilities. You are more, you generate them Rol. You create your own chances. Don't you listen? Are you stupid as well as whiney?"
Rol breathed hard, the conversations made less sense as they went on. Even as he contemplated this his father started to stride down the carriage towards him.
[ November 07, 2012, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol knew he had to do something quick to stand a chance. Within the confines of the flying carriage controlled by his father he was vulnerable.
"Tell me about the other Technomancers Pa, where did they go?"
"Who cares? I don't believe you do. You just don't want to face how you betrayed me and left me destitute and broken, do you?"
"I... I can't comment on that Pa, without your insights and wisdom about these matters how do you expect me to be answer?" Rol held both hands out, palms up in a sign of supplication.
His father turned away and started playing with his mustache again as he thought about Rol's reply. Outside the carriage he sky was fast become dark, with the terrible forms within stretching out closer towards them.
"There is some truth in what you say son, still be warned that I won't allow you to break my heart again."
"Pa, I need to know, what is that?" Rol turned and pointed out the window towards the approaching darkness.
"Ha! I'm glad you asked. That, my boy, is your first test. Let's see if you can do what we built you to do. "
"What? What do you ..."
"As one of the Naltor Nu-borns you have skills beyond the norm. I think it's time you found out what they are."
"Pa, listen please, this isn't the time. Surely there is a more scientific way we can do this."
"Oh don't try to pander to my old science blind geek side you mewling brat. You always were a sissy. Now get out there and show yourself that you don't just foresee the probabilities happen, you make them happen!"
The doors beside where Rol had been standing slid open with a hiss and his father charged into him, knocking them both out of carriage and into the darkening air of this most alien sky. As they tumbled Rol tried desperately to get some lift from both his Legion Flight Ring and his Amazer anti-grav buckle, but neither helped slow them down.
With his father wrapped around him they spun and twisted and Rol instinctively tensed as the ground below rushed up to swat them.
"James, I'm sorry I...."
And they were floating. "Silly boy, do you think I wanted to kill us?" Their velocity and speed were gone and instead they gently drifted down towards a yellow arching piece of ground below.
One of Rol's father's Handy hands took off his ten gallon hat with a flourish. From his pocket he had drawn what looked like a blue twisted stick with small orange pyramids that twinkled as if be-jewelled on one end. "Skelter and his cut throats use these to navigate their way around, as you would use that damned Legion Ring. But that didn't work did it? That Brainiac of theirs isn't as smart as he thinks you know."
Regaining his breath Rol replied, "You could be right. But now what Pa? You expect me to fight the night sky? What is going on?"
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol stood for a second staring at the approaching swirling darkness. The sinister swirling mass seemed to have spread over half the sky above and second by second it was extending itself further.
His mind was trying to process the information his father had just given him but it kept coming up with more questions.
An agent of chance? That sounded like a bad holo-spy drama to Rol. An agent of chance.... what did his father mean?
"You can save us Rol but you must focus. Think about what you want to happen...."
"I want to go home to James...."
"Be realistic boy! You have to stop this from engulfing us before you can go home. I don't have time for your mewling right now. We need a light. You need a light Rol, now make it happen!"
Rol closed his eyes and thought about the Amazer buckle on his belt. It had a search light function. The problem being the technology that powered it didn't work in this dimension. Rol's father seemed to think Rol could change that if he concentrated hard enough, and with the very sky around them stretching its cold dark tendrils towards them Rol was willing to try.
In his mind Rol pictured the light from the buckle blazing out towards the approaching night. A beam of furious white ripping through the dark. He had both hands on the edges of the buckle as he focused his mind on the task. He could feel the cold as the approaching night reached out its gloomy fingers and teased the edges of the space they were in.
"Hurry up Rol, I can't save us from this. We need some light!" His father sounded anxious, a genuine fear was beginning to rise in his voice as the temperature plummeted and the air around them turned into a gloomy cell.
The sweat on Rol's brow started to crystallize as the ambient temperature fell far below freezing. His breath became ragged and painful as the steam he breathed out became ice before he could breath it back in. His muscles started to shake in agony as they tried to generate warmth to keep the blood flowing and his vital organs from shutting down.
Through eyes clenched shut Rol could sense the darkness engulf him and in the very last moment before unconsciousness claimed him he was aware of his father start to laugh.
Posted by Harbinger on :
"You did it son, you did it!"
Rol awakes with his father's tear stained face peering over him. The six Handyhands are holding Rol aloft as his father walks back to the dusty carriage that had taken them to this spot.
"I knew we wouldn't fail. You did it my boy." The crackling pride in his father's voice makes him sound as if he is away to cry again. Rol drifts back to sleep in the comforting warm blanket of his childhood memories of a loving father.
Rol finally awoke sometime later. He had no way of guessing how long they had been here.
"Pa, what happened?" Rol's voice is quiet but the old man turns around and walks over to where his son is lying on the dirty wooded decking.
As he approaches he reaches into one of his waistcoats pockets and retrieves a small flat disc. "You should see for yourself my boy."
A small holo appears in the air above the disc and in it Rol can see himself gripping onto the Amazer buckle and concentrating with all his might. As the darkness encroached Rol's back arches and a great blast of white erupted from his Amazer buckle shattering the attacking gloom.
"You have survived the first test. Rest now as we have more challenges ahead." One of his father's Handyhands gently closes Rol's eyelids and with no further thought Rol is asleep.
Posted by Harbinger on :
In the timeless period that followed Rol's father had a wide range of tests lined up and Rol passed, and in some cases excelled in them all. None were as dangerous as the first though all made Rol stretch his nascent talent. In all of them Rol found that by picturing the probability he wanted in his mind he could influence his surroundings. Limits were established quite quickly as Rol learned he had to be able to physically interact with whatever it was he wanted to influence and there was at most a 70% chance of probability exactly following his command.
Rol also learned more of the technomancers plans and, in a surprising lucid moment even manages to get his father to tell him about the other Naltor Nu-borns. From what his father told him Rol was able to discern that the eighteen children all had aspects of the racial heritage enhanced. Nura and her sister were given the opposite extremes. Nura had her precognition and aptitude for science increased while her sister had her mystical potential enhanced. When Rol asked why he couldn't remember the sister of Nura whom he was supposed to have played with as a child his father darkly muttered a one word answer and would elaborate no further.
"Mordru."
All eighteen were what the UP would consider extreme citizens for one reason or another. All had gifts, whether or not they knew about or used them. All were trailblazers in their fields, scientific or otherwise. All were off Naltor following an urge that they couldn't fight.
Rol's father remembered several names and Rol memorised them. When he returned to his home reality he would search for these people and find out answers to the many questions he had.
After what to Rol felt like a month of being in this strange place he asked if he could return home as James and the Amazers would be looking for him, his father broke into a laugh that verged on the hysterical, "Oh yes, they will be looking for you soon, but not how you imagined. You are nearly done my boy, nearly ready to return I promise."
Posted by Harbinger on :
As Rol spent time with his father his thoughts about his life on Xanthu and how to return started to fade. The passing of time in this strange reality seemed unrelated to either rhyme or reason. The passing of Day and Night seemed to be randomly allocated. His father's mood swings and reminiscence about lives lived ensured that Rol kept his guard up, well aware that the so-called Stockholm Syndrome, whereby a person kidnapped or held against their will could start to sympathize or even agree with the person who held them, could easily lead Rol to forget his own morals and needs.
Rol learned that his father believed they had been sharing lives amongst their many incarnations for over four thousand years. In that time, his father admitted, more often than not Rol was the wronged party. This would often bring up the conversation where Rol's father would warn Rol about the damage that become one of life's doormats could create. His father said that because of the injustices he had placed before Rol's previous live paths he was karmically bound to assist him in this existence. To that end his father had arranged for the probability manipulating potential that his Technomancer altered DNA created be brought to light.
When Rol asked him about the prophecy that had said that Rol may be a catalyst for change within the otherwise sterile UP his father had clammed up. He would reply with "You are not supposed to know what is coming Rol, it would not be fair" or "You will find out when you need to", or "Try not to think about it son, enjoy your time while you can!" then change the subject. Rol had the mental strength to not get too upset by this hinted at dark fate that it seemed was mapped out for him. Whatever will be, will be. The ancient saying was particularly relevant to a Naltorian pre-cognitive.
Rol shared stories from his own life though quickly realised that any tale that involved his mother pained the old Technomancer. Despite what Rol's father had told him about how the marriage being forced upon him, the old man clearly still had feelings for the wife he had not seen for fifteen years.
After one particularly difficult day where Rol's father seemed to criticize every choice or action his son took and they had retired to their separate areas of the grey carriage that had become their home Rol decided that enough was enough. He would be going home the next day regardless of his father's wishes.
When he awoke the next day his father seemed to be particularly lucid.
"I know you need to go home today Rol but before you do I need to tell you something."
Posted by Harbinger on :
"The time has come for the many planetary prophecies to be realized. I know on Xanthu there was a witch who saw your potential. She is not mad." With this comment he gave Rol a look that clearly said he knew that Rol suspected his father of the same. "In the days to come she will support you more than you will know."
"What else Pa? What is going on?"
"You will go back to Xanthu but leave quite soon afterwards with a small group of allies. You must find the Nu-borns who have achieved their potential. Be very wary of the Naltor High Seer and her flunkies though, they also know what is coming and like all dictators they guard their status jealously. The friends you made may turn against you and the ones you once reviled may become the allies you need. My Seers armband can help you. It will keep you off grid. No surveillance device yet created can capture your image. If you use the transmatter system say this name and it will ensure that no trace is recorded of you and anybody to travels with you's transit." Rol's father said a name from history, the surname of the engineer who designed and created the first planetary teleport system. A man who Rol's father had said he had once been.
"Mayavale."
After that his father had become silent. Rol watched as the old man fumbled around with a variety of gadgets from his pockets, never quite making eye contact with Rol as he busily engrossing himself in anything other than saying 'goodbye'.
After a period of time Rol's father stood up and walked out of the carriage. Laying a few apparently random objects in a circle he started to sing in a surprisingly strong tenor voice, and as he did the ground within the objects started to buzz and shimmer. Rol followed his father to the edge of the shimmering ring, he could see it was a field of energy much like those created by an active transmatter gate. Rol could feel his heart start to race at the prospect of going home and seeing James again.
"It's time to face your destiny my boy. May the Great Spinning Wheel grant you luck."
And with that four of his Handyhands grabbed Rol roughly and threw him into the portal that had opened up before them on the ground of this most strange dimension.
[ November 07, 2012, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rols flew through the trans-matter gate and crashed to the ground. He was back at the Amazer's spire. This was the gate they had used only.... well not so long ago, when he had planned to visit Naltor. Although he had no real idea of how long he had been away Rol knew it was more than a two weeks. Maybe even as much as a month.
He had to see James!
"Spire, patch me through to James Cullen please." He raised his head as he spoke aloud to the AI that controlled the Amazer Spire's internal systems.
"James, can you hear me?"
"Sir," the warm voice of the AI interrupted Rol, "I'm sorry to inform you but Mr Cullen is off world at present attending a diplomatic function on Weber's world. Would you like me to issue a communication alert to him there?"
For a second Rol considered asking the AI to open the trans-matter direct to Weber's world and surprising James there.
"Ah, not right now thanks. Are there any Amazer's in the Spire right now?"
"Sir, currently Captain Marvel, the Separator, Atom'x and the Monstress are present. Would you like me to open a communication channel with any of them?"
"Actually, no, thank you. I'd rather surprise them."
As he turned to leave the Trans-matter room Rol heard several people approaching. He recognized N'Gok, the Laser Ape, as her rich voice echoed gently through the corridors. Rol felt warm tears start to fill his eyes as the realization struck him just how much he had missed the team.
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For the first time since he had been taken by his father to Rrtxl Rol had a precognitive flash, and the unexpectedness of it surprised him so much he almost collapsed. Gently, shakily, he sat himself down and let the vision wash across his senses.
He saw a group of the Amazers before a large screen and a shocked expression on each of their faces. Whatever the news was it involved him. It was not good news. He saw a manic flight, three of his comrades with him. The rest ... the rest were chasing him. He would be a fugitive.
As he stood up he heard his squad member N'Gok say: "It's probably another florggin' glitch, ever since that Brainiac infected our system with his monitoring virus you know how bad things have been..."
Another voice, a young woman said: "We have to investigate it sister, through you are probably right..."
Rol was shocked. Monitoring Virus? Had Brainiac 5 really sabotaged the Amazers? But before he could consider what he had just heard N’Gok the Laser Ape along with the two trainees known as Nemesis Girl and Ambassador Contact turned the corner. There was an awkward moment as Rol looked at the group and they stared back before N’Gok bounded across and lifted him into the air.
“Rol! My stars! It is you, we were so worried. Where have you been?”
Nemesis Girl was smiling openly while the xenomorph Ambassador Contact telepathically asked Rol if he was okay.
“Laser Ape, what is the status?” The Monstresses voice, as rich as Rol remembered it, spoke though the spire Comm system.
“Ma’am, we do have a guest, Dream Boy is here.” Nemesis Girl replied.
“Dream... ROL? Oh Sweetheart how are you? Where have you been for the last nine months? We have really missed you. James is... Wait, Rol come up to Deck 31 now please. N’Gok, Contact, Aneaelle please join us.”
Rol’s senses were overcome. Between returning back to Xanthu, his sudden vision and meeting up with N’Gok again he wanted to cheer. But nine months? He had been gone for nine months?
Oh Cassandra!
[ December 09, 2012, 04:29 AM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
The Spire.
Construction was started in 2990 by the eccentric astronomical genius Egor Mansfield xxi, the Spire was originally to be both his home and the base for his rapidly expanding business but after the Small Depression gripped Xanthui economy in 2991 the plans were put on hold. Mansfield died suddenly that year in what was reported as a freak gardening accident on his estate in the Venga sector and his heir, Egor Mansfield xxii had no passion to continue his fathers work. The Xanthu Tribune quickly bought the half built building from the Mansfield estate and refurbished it building so it would support their nascent Amazer program. At that point it was not expected that the program would have such visible results, in fact it was the rogue actions eight years later of Marak Russen, later to be known as Atmos, who fought off a Space Dragon infestation in East Continent that finally alerted the public to their existence.
The Spire has many functions, as well as the visible base of operations for the Xanthu Planetary meta being program, it has eight floors just of living accommodation, eight separate laboratories, three separate areas set up to accommodate visiting beings from different environments, two floor entirely devoted to hydroponics, two vehicle hangar decks, nine gymnasiums and training areas, a public area full of mementos from the program, a library, two full state of the art Command Decks.....
It was said that the Spire was the most advanced structure anywhere in the Outer Edge Worlds.
Level 31 was the lower of the Command Levels and was often a congregation point for team members who were either away to be briefed for a mission or needed a debrief after a training exercise or incident.
At least it had been before Rol had left.
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As they approached he Grav-Lift Rol was certain that his vision was away to become true. Something was away to happen that would influence his future. Something that would make him run from this place taking these three Amazers with him.
N'Gok had been telling Rol about the danger and excitement she had faced battling with Sklarian Raiders two months ago. Rol was trying to listen, part of the distraction was how obvious it was that none of the Amazers had mentioned James Cullen, though Rol’s mind was still flickering its warning about what was about to happen.
"Sir," Ambassador Contact's silky telepathy,"Are you unwell?"
"Please, Contact, link our minds. Let me show you what I've been through so you can understand what’s away to happen." Without considering privacy Rol opened his mind and allowed the telepathic xenomorph to transmit the memories from the time Rol spent with his father up until the worrying precognitive vision he had experienced when he had arrived back in the Spire.
"Now, please understand, we’re away to witness something that you can either choose to believe or.... well, you can join me or not but whatever you choose it has to be your choice."
"I don't understand..." N'Gok's lips smacked together in her frustration.
"Dream Boy, sir," Ambassador Contact's smooth voice, "from your vision we will be fugitives. My race have no concept of this arrangement as all are bred as part of the greater whole, our society...."
"Contact, please sister, let's just see what happens." Nemesis Girl nodded towards Rol. "If you are correct and Naltor will brand you a criminal falsely we will do everything we can to support you. I'm certain the majority of the Amazer's will feel the same."
"I'm not so sure Nemesis Girl..."
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They had reached the top of their gravity well, the sleek lift depositing them on the lip of a large circular room that was surprisingly bare. The walls were full of holos and display units, there were irregularly placed seats, but immediately obvious was how singularly functional this room truly was. All the Comms were linked to the AI system, the Tribune's office, all major police and military sites within the Xanthi system as well as a direct link to the ruling houses and governments of a dozen close by systems and the United Planets authorities.
As they stepped off the lift the Monstress stepped forward and picked Rol up and hugged him with a surprising tenderness. There were tears in her eyes and a catch in her voice as she said "We missed you so much Rol, where have you been sweetheart?" Around her a group of Amazers and trainees, most of whom he recognised, applauded and cheered.
At the main holo screen Atom'x, never a close friend of Rol's, stood facing the screen. “Hey listen to this!” Atom’x shouted from the Holo. The internal Comm system came to life with the voice of Raymond Luxury-Yacht.
“....Naltor High Seer has just released the names of the ten citizens she believes will be responsible for an atrocious act of terrorism that could potentially plunge the whole United Planets into darkness. Amongst those named are the eminent Ambassador and self titled Voice Of the Dispossessed Yarem Duvoi and the former Legionnaire and missing Amazer Rol Purtha, also known as Dream Boy. A large reward has been offered to anyone who can offer information that leads to their arrest. I repeat in an incredible act of preemptive policing the Naltorian High Seer has just released the names of the ten citizens she believes will be responsible for an atrocious act of terrorism that could potentially plunge the whole United Planets into darkness. Amongst those named are the eminent Ambassador and self titled Voice Of the Dispossessed Yarem Duvoi and the former Legionnaire and missing Amazer Rol Purtha, also known as Dream Boy.”
Even before his name was said Rol had scooped up the telepathic alien known as Ambassador Contact and had started to run.
Posted by Harbinger on :
They ran!
Behind them Rol could hear the Monstress asking him to stop but he didn't hear her footsteps, his good friend Cindi was buying him some time by playing at being baffled and reasonable. Rol knew her well enough to know she was a lot smarter than most people initially realised. He would find a way to thank her later.
An Amazer Rol had not met before phased through the floor in front of them. A young man with white hair and pale blue skin, and an obvious love for pumping weights Rol thought, and put up his hand in the universal sign for 'stop'! Rol focused on the young man, willing that the intangible man would phase back through the floor out of their way. His thought became reality as the surprised Amazer disappeared back the way he came.
N'Gok looked surprised and Ambassador Contact telepathically queried what had happened. "No time, we'll speak later." Rol said as they ran through the corridor to the grav-lift, N'gok blasting the edges of a closing door behind them, fusing it shut.
Rol flew down the main grav-lift shaft but behind him he hear Nemesis Girl shout. Their Amazer Buckles anti-grav function had been switched off. Rol rushed back up to her and the Laser Ape, and with the telepathic Ambassador Contact already curled around his torso, he used his Legion flight ring to fly the group back down to the Transmatter room.
They could hear the crash above them as the Amazers broke through the fused door.
[ November 09, 2012, 12:04 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
N'gok looked up, her eyes flashing in pulses of energy.
"Don't hurt them!" Rol's concern came out in a sharp tone.
"Only dazzling them a little." she replied as her eyes flashed again.
Rol could hear the shouts from above but didn't look. His focus was purely on escape.
"Dream Boy, I have enhanced their confusion. There are a few up there who really don't like you, it's most odd." The genuine surprise in the Ambassadors telepathic message made Rol give a quick barking laugh. The poor alien still had a lot to learn about humanity. Hopefully she would survive long enough to put those lessons to good use.
"Hey guys," a new voice, a young woman speeding down the grav-lift shaft at blurring speed had reached them,"do you like want to tell me what is going on here? It's like so-o-o mental up there! Atom'x is screaming at Monstress saying she's a traitor too for not stopping you. "
"Dream Boy is being set up, help us get away to prove his innocence sister." Nemesis Girl reached her hand out as she spoke.
The speedster gave a curt reply, "If you are wrong Aneaelle I'll not forgive you." And she was away, streaming down the grav-lift shaft and out of sight and just as fast they saw her race back up to be beside them.
"I've cleared the way for you. Now get going slowbo's and I'll be up there telling 'em you are away to get some evidence and'll be back like real soon. Be safe."
Rol felt the air blast behind them as the young woman flew back up the shaft at a frightful velocity. They rushed around the corner. Twenty mets to the Transmatter.
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Standing before the command console stood the Monstrees, Gates, the pale blue skinned team member who Rol has sent back through the floor and a small girl with blonde pig tails and a wide grin that looked far too wise for her young years.
"Rol, enough. We know you can't be guilty so don't give them anything else to pin on you."
"I'm really sorry, I had a vision Candi, a really strong vision." Rol could see how upset his friend was and while he didn't want to get her into any more trouble he knew they had to flee. How could he explain what his father had explained and how he knew the future would involve his running out on the Amazers?
"Rol, we want to help..."
"This doesn't help." thought the alien Ambassador, and with that the Amazers who stood in their way collapsed, fast asleep. "They were stalling before Atmos and Psyche returned. The Tribune has given them direct orders that they must stop you from leaving at any cost. Your friend the Monstress was particularly upset so I've given her pleasant dreams."
While the Ambassador explained her actions Rol had approached the Transmatter control console, gingerly stepping over his fallen friends. The Laser Ape and Nemesis Girl closed the blast doors into the room, both looking very nervous about the situation.
"Okay, this is my fault you are in this mess. I'm not promising that you will come out of this with your careers intact but I do promise you that I am innocent and only want to prove that to the Galaxy. My father said that if I ever needed to escape I could travel through the Transmatters without being monitored. Guess it's time to see if he knew what he was talking about. Do you want to join me?"
His three companions all nodded.
"Right, let's go."
Rol once again picked up the alien known as Ambassador Contact, allowing the curious creature to wrap it's prehensile tail around his torso, and offered his hands out to N'Gok the Laser Ape and Aneaelle, who had taken the name of Nemesis Girl. They took hold of the hands he offered and stepped towards the buzzing event horizon of the transmatter gate, all ready to face whatever their fugitive status threw at them.
"Oh Cassandra I hope this works. MAYAVALE!"
And Rol and his three companions were gone.
The four unconscious Amazers started to rouse on the floor beside the control console and could hear their comrades approaching in the distance. They all knew, though no-one said it, that the next time they faced any of the escaped group they would not allow them the luxury of trying to talk first. Next time Rol and his gang would be brought down hard and made to pay for their actions.
[ November 09, 2012, 12:02 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
That's the end of part one of Tempus Fugitive. Thank you for taking the time to read my work, hope you have enjoyed the story so far.
Posted by Harbinger on :
In total they had transmatted to 51 different locations on 40 different worlds before they stopped moving. They had abandoned everything they carried and wore along the way with the exceptions of a dagger Nemesis Girl had kept hidden in a boot and Rol’s fathers seers armband and the Legion flight ring.
They had arrived through a transmatter gate in the small city of Strmmor on Talok viii in their newly stolen clothes expecting to turn around and jump through to another random destination, as they had been doing since they left the Spire. Instead they arrived auspiciously in the middle of a local festival where everyone was dressed in costumes and hiding under holo disguises while enjoying the crowded bazaar. The small city was awash with many brightly coloured and extravagant characters all taking part in a traditional two day party. Amongst the garish crowds they could blend in and effectively vanish.
The group felt reasonably sure that anyone chasing them would have lost them before that point so decided to stay and take stock.
That had been three local days ago. In that time they had managed to persuade a local merchant, with a slightly judicious use of Ambassador Contact’s telepathy, who lived on a farmstead a little under five klicks from Strmmor's ancient fortified walls to access the UP wide streaming data news net and find out what was happening off Talok viii. Starting off the merchants data search by looking up the exploits of Tasmia Mallor, the Talokean planetary champion, and from there following seemingly random data leads until it showed the group what they had been searching for, they hoped that any AI hunter algorithm wouldn’t be alerted to the merchant’s sudden interest in Xanthuan affairs and the Naltorian High Seers proclamation.
[ November 21, 2012, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
The situation they had fled from had spread much further than Xanthu. All the news feeds from official sources, and most of the few independents that also held licenses to broadcast, were awash with the story. The High Seer of Naltor had issued a decree that the people she named were wanted for crimes that would destroy the very foundations of the United Planets.
The reward for information leading to he successful capture of Rol and the three who had followed him was enough to buy a small planetoid.
“My mother always said I was worth over a million credits of anyone’s money.” Yet despite his attempts at levity both Aneaelle and Ambassador Contact expressed their anxiety. N'Gok tutted to herself but said nothing. Rol assured them that they would be able to prove their innocence soon and that the next day they would begin the process.
As he tried to sleep that night Rol knew that despite his resourcefulness they were way out of their depth. It appeared that the entire United Planets were searching for them now. It was that night that Nura appeared to him in his dreams.
[ November 21, 2012, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
“Rol sweetheart,” in his dreams she looked like she has when she had walked out of the Pre-commandoes. That was a day that stunned Rol along with everyone else as everyone knew that Nura Nal. She was a year older than Rol and he had secretly worshiped her since they had played together as small children. It had always been assumed that the then High Seers Grade 1 Alpha pre-cog daughter was destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps yet there she was announcing to all that her future would be on Earth working alongside the anarchistic Legion. Rol thought she had never looked so beautiful. “It’s up to you to get to the heart of this. Querl and I have our own mission now. “
Rol started to speak but she held out her hand, motioning him to stop. “I don’t have long my friend. I need to tell you that when the morning comes you must go to the great Forest of the Green Brotherhood. Querl says that the rings will always lift you and please remember that right is not might and left turns will take you backwards.” She started to fade “Be gentle with Mysa as she has been through enough already. I will see you both soon.” And with a melancholic smile she faded fully out of view.
[ November 21, 2012, 01:09 PM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
The three days they had spend here had not been wasted.
While Rol and Ambassador Contact researched the whereabouts of the Nu-born that Rol's father had mentioned and planned what their next step would be, N'Gok and Aneaelle needed to act.
N'Gok, despite her big smile and outwardly positive attitude found it particularly ironic that she had ran away from her homeworld two years to learn more about the galaxy spanning United Planets and here she was, just as she had found a purpose in that hugely confusing and socially complex system now running away from it. She did what she had always done when faced with a problem that her conscious mind baulked at:
She found something to dismantle.
In this case it was the merchants elegant looking but woefully fuel inefficient skycart. Her love for mechanical engineering had been a constant in her life and she reveled in the challenge of working on this alien technology. It also meant she could spend a lot of time on the merchants roof garage looking out at the turquoise sky and alien landscape acting as the groups look out.
Anneaelle, as a student from Myar, the Alchemists planet, used her skills to mix up a poultice that included local flowers sap that, once spread across her and Rol's skin gave them a pale blue hue of the locals. It didn't stand up under very close scrutiny but it was enough to allow her to leave the merchants compound with a little confidence when she wrapped up in local garb. In the local bazaar she discovered that the High Seers announcement and the subsequent flurry of Science Police activity were the hot topic of conversation. Everyone had an opinion to share, a rumour to spread or speculation to muse over. She found the honesty and blinkered trust that the Talokeans showed to her despite their reputation as fierce warriors to be very endearing. On her own homeworld it would not be acceptable to speak out so openly, especially in a public place!
When she returned to the compound and shared her news the group knew there would be no going back from their course. They talked it through until the wee hours of the morning and all agreed that they would continue until they found answers.
Ambassador Contact had needed to use her telepathy very little since she had persuaded the merchant to look after them and when she spoke with Rol she commented on how honorable a man the he was, "his soul is full of generosity and light."
The merchant, Andur Sijjeh Mkaw, specialized in transporting food and beverages throughout the Southern Continents. He was a divorcee with two children he rarely saw. He lived to work and in a typical local cycle would rarely socialize. Ambassador Contacts initial telepathic push requesting he acknowledge them as friends and offer to house them while they visited Strmmor was all it took to release the more gregarious and companionable side. Here was a man who had escaped his loneliness by diving into the cut and thrust of commerce.
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Amassador Contact had no need to sleep, telling the others that her species had two organs htat were a rough analogue of the Terran brain. Her species merely rested one while the other was awake. She had taken to sitting in the merchants kitchen area searching through the stores of dried meat and tubers for something rich enough in B vitamins for her system to absorb. The xenomorph had managed to sustain herself by licking some indigenous insects but she was beginning to reach her physical endurance limit. She hadn't wanted to alarm the group but her race had comparatively strict dietary requirements.
Rol had silently padded through the house to the kitchen and found her with her extended snout in what appeared to be a sack of Talokean potatoes.
"Ambassador, we need to wake up the others."
"Aneaelle is in the next room dozing. N'Gok is asleep in the nest she built on the roof terrace. She is dreaming of fishing for razor pike with her brother as they did when they were children. She was scared then and is scared now."
The directness of the Ambassadors telepathic assessment throws Rol of balance for a second. His excitement of having had a vision of Nura is pushed to the back of his mind as he realises that this group that followed him so bravely needed his attention, as well as leadership. The uncertainty of their mission must be confusing them, possibly even more than it confused Rol.
"I know where we are going Ambassador and I'm sure we will get more answers there. Can you wake the others please, we need to get going before the day starts. The less people who see us leave..."
Posted by Harbinger on :
Within ten minutes of Ambassador Contact's telepathic intrusion into the groups dreams they were all sat around the large table in the merchant's front parlor discussing what they should do. The merchant offered them the use of his now very efficient skycart. As the Forest was over 2,000 klicks away they had very little choice. Rol realised that the Talokean that they had ungraciously pushed into hiding them had developed a bond of genuine warmth with them. Whether it was that they had found a way through his loneliness to remind him about the simple joys of company or his natural generosity being able to show itself, Andur was willing to go well out of his way to help them one more time. N'Gok was keen to show him the adjustments she had made and both wanted to test drive the vehicle.
They left about two hours before the star Talok would rise above the horizon. N'Gok insisted Andur took the skycart up on it's first flight since she had made her changes. He was more insistent that N'Gok should be the pilot claiming that it was local custom for a woman to fly a vehicle as everyone knew they had better reflexes and sight. Despite his charm they all knew he was lying, he was just being kind. His sadness that they would leave him was visible in the small ways he would touch them as he spoke and the extravagant manners he suddenly acquired. Rol could see on his companions faces that they shared this feeling.
As most of the flight was over open seas and N'Gok estimated it could take up to two hours they started to talk. Andur was amazed that his "old 'cart" could make such a journey without needing to refuel and N'Gok kindly explained the system she had set up and minor engineering she had worked on. They could tell by the slightly distant look in his eyes that their merchant friend was considering how to he could benefit from these simple changes to existing technology that made such a difference. N'Gok seemed delighted that her 'tinkering;' was so well appreciated and they slipped below to examine the engine.
Rol, Aneaelle and Ambassador Contact were left in the control deck in silence.
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Rol knew a little about each of his companions but knew that in the days to come, when things got harder they would need to have complete trust in each other if they were to succeed.
“Aneaelle, what is Myar really like? On Naltor we were taught that the people there had turned their back on the Enlightenment that the United Planets brought,” he smiles at the irony of this statement,”and were interested only in the metallic elements they could create for their own wealth.”
“There is possibly some truth in that Rol.” Ameaelle looks reluctant to say much more.
“Naltorians are snobs so don’t feel it’s personal. We... they are a race who think they always know what’s best for everyone else.”
“My mother moved us to Myar when I was very young. We were Bana-Mighdall. You know of our people?” There is a challenge in her tone.
Rol’s eyes widen in genuine surprise. “I’m afraid all I know is the rumours about the Bana-Mighdall. Something about searching for the route back to the Paradise Island that was destroyed in a long ago battle, or something like that. I’m sorry, that’s probably not true is it?”
“We were once warriors, our history is thousands of years old Rol and it would be impossible to distil it in one conversation.” Again her reluctance threatens to shut down the conversation.
“I saw a picture once in the Naltor Institute of Art of your people. It was real old school oil on canvas, stunningly dramatic, The Venus in Arms by a 24th century genius...”
“Willemma Maraggio Patel. It shows the aftermath of devastation to the Rubens Colony on Ganymede after we were supposed to have attacked one of the so-called Brave Sisterhood’s hospitals. I know it very well Rol. It is untrustworthy propaganda.” There was anger in her eyes now.
Rol had never heard about this interpretation of this famous piece of art. As he started to apologize, trying to explain that all he knew was that the picture showed the Bana-Mighdall as brave warriors Nemesis Girl got up and announced she was going to see how N’Gok and Andur were doing.
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Rol bristled for the next hour of the flight.
Had it not been for his vision while they were at the Spire that showed the group together and Nura’s reassurance to keep going Rol was tempted to tell his companions to leave, return to the Spire and explain that he had tricked them to follow him. Hopefully they wouldn’t face too much flak. Actually, Rol knew that they would be imprisoned before the Amazers could say or do anything to help. The High Seer had engendered the full support from the upper echelons of the United Planets and every police force, governmental agency or brigade in the various planetary armed forces would been keen to say that they had captured these runaway suspected terrorists.
As the skycart approached a mountainous island Andur returned to the flight deck with N’Gok. They were both excited about how efficiently the engine had been running. Neither seemed in any way awkward around Rol so he guessed that Aneaelle hadn’t mentioned that he had unintentionally upset her. Rol made a mental note to thank her for her discretion later.
Andur was excitedly pointing at various readouts while N’Gok cackled with shared enthusiasm. None of them heard Aneaelle return to the flight deck. She stood silently behind Rol and Ambassador Contact, staring fixedly at the screen showing the approaching continental edge.
Andur turned to them and said, “We will be there within the next few minutes. The Brotherhood are not always welcoming of outsiders but I have had some small dealings with them before so please let me see if I can gain you the access you require to continue on your mission to free the United Planets.”
Once again, the merchant showed his generous side and Rol felt his heart sink as he realised that despite Ambassador Contact’s initial telepathic monitoring and their attempts at discretion they had dropped the ball. Andur knew exactly who they were and what they were running from all along.
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Andur set down the skycart in a clearing amidst the dark and tangled forest just as the Talokean sun rose brightly from behind the curve of the world. Rol was stunned by the riot of colours. The Great Forest of Talok was said to contain every kind of tree in the Galaxy and looking at the sight before him Rol could believe it.
The clearing they had landed in was easily the size of several football pitches but it appeared small and insignificant beside the majestic forest that surrounded them. In the distance there were majestic red oaks and banyan trees shading acres, strew with vines and climber tendrils of species Rol had never seen before.
The group were silent as they followed Andur through a rough path. Every member seemed stunned, cowed even, by the sheer size and variations of plant life around them. It was N’Gok who eventually broke the silence:
“We have forests on my world that I thought were amazing but this is... well it’s outrageous!”
Rol started to agree when Aneaelle spoke:
“Where are the birds and insects?”
Rol hadn’t noticed the preternatural silence but once he started to think abot it the more uncomfortable he felt. The presence of this much vegetation should of attracted a multitude of life. There should be dozens of bugs, the air should be full of the sounds of birds calling, the multitude of trunks should have armies of critters crawling over them.
“Ambassador, what do you sense? What are we walking into?”
Ambassador Contact, the telepathic xenomorph with eyes that Rol thought looked like delicate sunflowers and four legs that arched up and down like those of a jumping cricket, was keeping pace with Rol as he strode along the shaded path with small awkward looking jumps and hops.
“We are not alone. There are others here with minds more vast that you can imagine. They know we are here so I do not want to put us at risk by probing them directly.”
“Andur!” Aneaelle started to race ahead to catch up with their guide but as she approached branches shifted and when she had sidestepped them he was gone.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Aneaelle’s initial reaction was to start twisting off branches, fighting her way through the dense vegetation to reach where she thought their guide should be. N’Gok’s eyes started to glow as the Laser Ape agreed but Rol quickly stopped her. They had been taken here for a reason and he knew they had to let this play out.
“ Stop! Don’t do that N’Gok. Aneaelle, stand down! We cannot damage this place, we need to be here and I don’t believe it’s to chop down a few trees.”
From around them the trees seemed to shake and shudder, the rustling of the leaves and trembling of branches coalesced into a sound that echoed like a chorus. N’Gok and Aneaelle took up defensive positions as they tried to locate a singular source. Rol knew better. Nura had sent him here for a reason.
“So you are the savior the Green has been told to wait for little child of the Red. You are chosen to stop the unnatural Black rule at the centre of your species dominion. You must strike at the Blacks chosen one’s heart. “
The air seemed to vibrate and thrum with an energy that made their hair stand. N’Gok covered her ears and cried out, Aneaelle visibly flinched and Ambassador Contact collapsed. Even with his confidence in Nura’s prediction Rol fought the urge to bolt. Picking up Ambassador Contact he called out:
“No! Tell me who you are? Why should we help you?”
“We are the Green.” Images flashed across the group’s minds, images of growth and life, of vegetation and the struggle of growth, of man’s destruction of nature’s harmony on their home world and the exodus to off-worlds that spread this subtle and ancient consciousness. Images of Terran plants being planted in this ancient forest spreading their consciousness amongst the semi-sapient native vegetation. With the images came the knowledge that the Red, the animals of Earth, were locked in an eternal symbiosis with the Green. The knowledge came of other players in this eternal struggle of life and balance. The Rot, the Gray spread of mould and finally, of the Black. Death itself. Necessary for the balance but it too wanted more. Its own nature made it greedy and that hunger had infected and empowered a man who sat at the heart of the societal stagnation that ate at the core of the United Planets. It had slowly taken control, limiting the spread of ideas, denying the natural urge for expansion and adaption and with an insidious power was slowly leading the many worlds of the United Planets to a cultural and evolutionary collapse that would lead to the Black holding the power its hunger demanded.
Without being told Rol knew the name of the man who had taken this up this devil’s bargain.
“Mordru.”
[ December 09, 2012, 04:31 AM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
The forest seemed to recoil as he said the name. Rol knew that this Mordru, whoever, whatever, he was would be his ultimate adversary. Ever since Rol’s father hadn’t wanted to speak about him Rol had known with a certainty that went beyond his Naltorian gifts that their destiny was linked in a struggle that could have galactic ramifications. Even as this thought coalesced in his mind the voice of the Forest spoke again.
“The Scion of the Black is on Zerox and the planet itself feeds his lust and screams in torment as he consumes the very soul within its stones.” With the words came pictures to their minds. The mysterious world that was once the galactic refuge for sorcery and spirituality slowly being drained of the essence that made it such a magnet for the magical. At the heart of this planetary vampirism sat a man in robes of purple with a white beard and eyes that were black with insanity and power.
“Zerox? The Sorcerer's World? How are we supposed to get there? No-one knows where it is anymore, do they?”
Even as Nemesis Girl asked the question Rol asked his, “Zerox cut itself off from galactic society over three centuries ago so how’s it linked to the scientific stagnation you say is killing us all?”
“It is not just your scientific stagnation, it is the evolutionary potential within all living souls that has been denied. You hot creatures of the Red, the decaying spores of the Grey as well as the roots and branches that make the Green have all been stunted. You creatures of the Red are blinded by your lights and metals, you cannot feel past your own short spans. We will join you on your quest. We will be the Green Guide you need to see what has been taken from all living souls.”
As the voice faded Andur came back into the clearing, though not Andur as they knew him. Whatever it was wore his form but the movements were awkward and unnatural, his eyes seemed wild and excited and his skin seemed tinged with a green glow.
With a feeling of revulsion Rol watched as the once charming Talokean merchant stumbled over words as he said “This creature's great great spore giver made a bargain that we could claim his legacy if we spared it's life as we knew as sure as our sap rises in summer that one day the child of the Red destined to break the Black's bond would come to us here and we would need to guide you. We take that claim now. This Creature of the Red now belongs to the Green.”
Posted by Harbinger on :
Ever since Saturn Girl had freed Rol from the influence of Esper Lass and Lady Memory he had known that his mind had been tampered with long before the two Amazer traitors had messed with him. His father had mentioned several times how the Naltor High Seer had the ability to influence the Naltorian populace. The Witch Anagastru he had met on East continent had known of him and now the Green also seemed to have some fore knowledge that would impact on his life. Rol felt it was time that he learned what it was tat it seemed everyone else knew of him. He was not the most proficient precognitive on Naltor, he was not the strongest or most powerful of this generation of galactic heroes, in fact he was beginning to feel like a rat in a maze.
Well, he thought, it was time to do something about that and take back the control.
[ December 09, 2012, 04:01 AM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
Laser Ape and Nemesis Girl were fussing around Andur, both were alarmed and obviously ready to confront the Green about its taking control of their former companion. Rol knew there was nothing they could do about it. He also assumed that Andur had known what he was getting into by joining the group here to this wild place.
There were bigger battles that needed to be fought.
“Green, tell me, what do you know about me? Tell me what it is we are supposed to do that will bring an end to this reign by the dark one on Zerox? “
Ambassador, the strange little xenomorph with eyes like sunflowers, hopped over to Rol’s side and wrapped her prehensile tail around Rol’s leg in an apparent show of support.
“And you can keep out of my mind too. I know now that you are not an innocent party here either.” Rol snapped and pulled his leg away.
Both Laser Ape and Nemesis Girl turned and expressed their surprise and shock.
“Well, come on! This telepath let two traitors alter the teams memories, was conveniently approaching the transmatter in Amazers Spire when I arrived and coincidentally pushed Andur to help us when we arrived here. Naltorians know there is no such thing as coincidence.”
“You are correct my friend, we are not totally innocent but we have not done anything that would be other than helpful.”
“Are you the Gray? Are you the voice of the other side in this battle?”
Rol stood his ground though could see Nemesis Girl recoil as the being known as Ambassador Contact split into several blobs of protoplasmic matter.
“Proteans? But you are extinct!”
“Yes Rol Purtha, we are the Gray. We have our own versions of what will come to pass. You creature of the Red burn so fiercely, so quickly. The gray has an unbroken line of knowledge that goes back before even the Green. We are in the final days of great darkness that will decide how the balance finally tips.” The telepathic voices were separate and distinct now. The blobs oozed back together into the singular form they had occupied, the four legged creature the group had known as Ambassador Contact. “We are here to help you in the coming battle.”
“What battle? I’ve had enough of these stories and games. Enough! Tell me what you know or I’m... I’ll return to Naltor and deal with the consequences there.” Rol knew his bluff would not fool them but he honestly didn’t know what else to say. His head spun with the events of the last few days.
[ December 09, 2012, 04:23 AM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
The Green spoke through Andur: It is the time of the regeneration and regrowth. New seeds must be planted before all is lost. This is the time to turn away from the dark and let life reunite with it’s proper pattern. There will be a battle on a hidden world that will decide this galaxy’s destiny. You have been chosen to represent the Red.
Rol replied quietly: It would have been polite to maybe tell me this was what was happening.
Ambassador Contact’s silky telepathic voice: The slow decay that brings life to the next generation has been disrupted. We must stop the Black from ascending any further for while it feeds the Grey it will kill us as surely as it will stop your heart from pumping.
The Green: We all feel the pull of tides and planets. The stars themselves light this path.
Ambassador Contact: We must get to the centre of the Blacks power without the Black’s agents knowledge. We must...
Rol: Hang on! We have to find Zerox, a magically hidden planet, and sneak onto it before we can even find this bloody Mordru who I have to defeat somehow?
Green and Gray: Yes.
Rol: Well we will need help and I can only think of one person who may be able to do that but I’m afraid she may not want to help. Princess Projectra’s a little unstable these days.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Both Nemesis Girl and Laser Ape were particularly vocal with their objections. Princess Projectra and her consort Brin Londo had led a revolution on Earth and, it had been reported, escaped from the Legion almost a year ago. They had fled with the survivors of Orando and taking control of a small world out by the Galactic Edge. Rol had heard from the Legionnaires, when he had taken Pol Krinn to Earth, how she had support from the future and it was only through the intervention of the Kryptonians from Kandor that the Legion had finally curtailed her ambition and plans for revenge. Still, Rol knew with a certainty that would not be swayed that she was the key to their successfully finding Zerox. Her illusions could hide them from any prying eyes. They needed to get Princess Projectra on side.
He was not sure how that could help them find and maybe rescue the other Nu-Borns that his father and the Techomancers had created on naltor, but he knew that if they were really following a prophecy they would have the opportunity when it arose.
“So how do we get to her?” Nemesis Girl asking in exasperation. “She’s a florggin’ nutjob Rol but if you think it’s the only way we can get to this Mordru on Zerox and you can talk her into maybe not executing us...” she left the statement hanging.
Rol had not been close to either the Orandian princess or Brin Londo and he hoped that would stand in his favour now as the Legion were definitely not on her side. Both Nemesis Girl and Laser ape knew they couldn’t change his mind so they eventually agreed, under some duress. The Green, in the form of Andur and the representative of the Rot, the Gray, the Proteans in the form of Ambassador Contact were wholeheartedly behind Rol’s idea. They both seemed oblivious to the dangers that contacting Projectra could bring.
“Ah, one problem Rol, sorry to be the party pooper but we don’t have a space ship so how do we get to see Mad Queen Projetra?” Laser Ape gave a viciously toothy smile as she asked her question.
“We need to borrow one N’Gok, I’m sure the starport here will be most accommodating. And if not we can always just steal the fastest one we can find and get going. “
“Well, that’s a plan. Maybe not the best one but a plan anyway so that’s a start.” Aneaelle’s dry humour brought a smile to Rol, his companions were behind him.
[ December 09, 2012, 06:58 AM: Message edited by: Harbinger ]
Posted by Harbinger on :
They reached the spaceport on the southern archipelago three hours later. Andur’s skycart was known by the AI’s who controlled the air space around it so they had no problem getting permission to land. The vast flat area had several towers with landing pads jutting out. On the highest of these pads sat several obviously Galactic class ships. The group planned on somehow getting access to a tower and one of these impressive ships.
Aneaelle had slathered the poultice she had created across her and Rol’s faces and hands, their skin turning the soft blue tones of the Talokeans from these southern lands. Both dressed in the voluminous clothes that the locals wore, their turban’s and high collars covering most of the faces. They hoped it would be enough to keep them from being discovered.
As they were about to leave Ambassador Contact hopped to their side and, with a fluid ease that startled them, assumed the form of Andur before the Green possession. Rol noticed the possessed merchant smiled as his double left the skycart with the two Amazers. Maybe there was something of the original man inside.
They walked towards the nearest tower and were a little under 100 mets from its base when Rol had a precognitive flash.
“We need to hurry up and we can get what we need. There’s no time for subtlety now.” Neither of his companions asked any questions.
They quickened their pace, jogging to the high security door before them. A large pad with two dozen keys showing the local script glowed to its side. Rol took a deep breath and reached out. His precognition was good for this type of problem. Without conscious control he tapped in a sequence and stood back. The doors slid open revealing a corridor. They strode in showing every confidence that they had the right to be there. They had only taken ten steps when a group of Talokeans turned into the corridor and started walking towards them.
“Hey, merchant, what are you doing here?” The man who challenged Andur drew a small weapon from his belt, “You have no business here, you’re not a technician.”
“My friends here were showing me the amazing...” Ambassador Contacts attempt to placate the Talokeans before them stopped as Nemesis Girl leapt forward and with three precise blows floored the men.
“No time for subtlety he said.” She quickly searched the fallen men, picking up two hand blasters and all three of the Talokean’s ID bracelets , then caught up with Rol and the Ambassador as they hurried down the corridor. Ambassador contact, the Proteans who served the Gray, assumed the form of one of the fallen men as they stepped into an anti-grav shaft. The ID was scanned and they flew up towards the higher levels.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Both Nemesis Girl and Laser Ape were particularly vocal with their objections. Princess Projectra and her consort Brin Londo had led a revolution on Earth and, it had been reported, escaped from the Legion almost a year ago. They had fled with the survivors of Orando and taking control of a small world out by the Galactic Edge. Rol had heard from the Legionnaires, when he had taken Pol Krinn to Earth, how she had support from the future and it was only through the intervention of the Kryptonians from Kandor that the Legion had finally curtailed her ambition and plans for revenge. Still, Rol knew with a certainty that would not be swayed that she was the key to their successfully finding Zerox. Her illusions could hide them from any prying eyes. They needed to get Princess Projectra on side.
“So how do we get to her?” Nemesis Girl asking in exasperation. “She’s a florggin’ nutjob Rol but if you think it’s the only way we can get to this Mordru on Zerox and you can talk her into maybe not executing us...” she left the statement hanging.
Rol had not been close to either the Orandian princess or Brin Londo and he hoped that would stand in his favour now as the Legion were definitely not on her side. Both Nemesis Girl and Laser ape knew they couldn’t change his mind so they eventually agreed, under some duress. The Green, in the form of Andur and the representative of the Rot, the Gray, the Proteans in the form of Ambassador Contact were wholeheartedly behind Rol’s idea. They both seemed oblivious to the dangers that contacting Projectra could bring.
“Ah, one problem Rol, sorry to be the party pooper but we don’t have a space ship so how do we get to see Mad Queen Projetra?” Laser Ape gave a viciously toothy smile as she asked her question.
“We need to borrow one N’Gok, I’m sure the starport here will be most accommodating. And if not we can always just steal the fastest one we can find and get going. “
“Well, that’s a plan. Maybe not the best one but a plan anyway so that’s a start.” Aneaelle’s dry humour brought a smile to Rol, his companions were behind him.
Posted by Harbinger on :
They reached the spaceport on the southern archipelago three hours later. Andur’s skycart was known by the AI’s who controlled the air space around it so they had no problem getting permission to land. The vast flat area had several towers with landing pads jutting out. On the highest of these pads sat several obviously Galactic class ships. The group planned on somehow getting access to a tower and one of these impressive ships.
Aneaelle had slathered the poultice she had created across her and Rol’s faces and hands, their skin turning the soft blue tones of the Talokeans from these southern lands. Both dressed in the volumous clothes that the locals wore, their turban’s and high collars covering most of the faces. They hoped it would be enough to keep them from being discovered.
As they were about to leave Ambassador Contact hopped to their side and, with a fluid ease that startled them, assumed the form of Andur before the Green possession. Rol noticed the possessed merchant smiled as his double left the skycart with the two Amazers. Maybe there was something of the original man inside.
They walked towards the nearest tower and were a little under 100 mets from its base when Rol had a precognitive flash.
“We need to hurry up and we can get what we need. There’s no time for subtlety now.” Neither of his companions asked any questions.
They quickened their pace, jogging to the high security door before them. A large pad with two dozen keys showing the local script glowed to its side. Rol took a deep breath and reached out. His precognition was good for this type of problem. Without conscious control he tapped in a sequence and stood back. The doors slid open revealing a corridor. They strode in showing every confidence that they had the right to be there. They had only taken ten steps when a group of Talokeans turned into the corridor and started walking towards them.
“Hey, merchant, what are you doing here?” The man who challenged Andur drew a small weapon from his belt, “You have no business here, you’re not a technician.”
“My friends here were showing me the amazing...” Ambassador Contacts attempt to placate the Talokeans before them stopped as Nemesis Girl leapt forward and with three precise blows floored the men.
“No time for subtlety he said.” She quickly searched the fallen men, picking up two hand blasters and all three of the Talokean’s ID bracelets , then caught up with Rol and the Ambassador as they hurried down the corridor. Ambassador contact, the Proteans who served the Gray, assumed the form of one of the fallen men as they stepped into an anti-grav shaft. The ID was scanned and they flew up towards the higher levels.
Posted by Harbinger on :
As they stepped out of the anti-grav lift into a surprising large room full of what looked like a graveyard for parts of engineering miracles an alarm started to ring out from the lower levels. The many technicians and engineers who had been focused on their own tasks started to look around, trying to see if the alarms that rang out concerned them.
“Right,” Rol quickly said, ”We need to get out to that port.” He pointed beyond a large construction of metallic pipes, “and we need to be fast!”
The three of them broke into a run, Nemesis Girl taking the lead with graceful loping strides. Ahead of them four engineers approached. All looked serious, holding their tools up as make shift weapons.
“Stop there!”
Nemesis Girl once again dove into the approaching Talokeans and with incredible accuracy she struck at them. Yet as the last one fell a blast of energy scorched a path through the air, barely missing her shoulder. Rol turned towards the direction it had come from and concentrated on the weapon. The probability was minute that such a weapon could misfire but with a bang it burst into flames and the man who had fired the shot yelped in pain. They could hear shouts as more of the workers, and possibly security approached.
Ambassador Contact and Rol rushed towards the platform and the ship they would steal while Nemesis Girl lived up to her name and fought off the Talokeans who were trying to stop them. Rol marveled at her fighting prowess. Each blow was precise and efficient. Each move seem scripted by a cosmic law of deadly elegance. The only other person he had seen with such grace was the Legion’s Karate Kid.
After twenty seconds it seemed there was no-one left to fight and she raced to join them.
“I’m confusing the senses of the remaining few. We have at most a minute to get out of here though as they are waiting for the automated security to arrive.” Ambassador Contact had resumed her form of the slinky xenomorph with sunflowers for eyes and hopped onto the ramp that led up to the underbelly of the ship. Rol looked around and spotted the magnoclamps that held it securely in place. With a little concentration they clicked open, releasing the ship so they could leave. Nemesis Girl raced onto the platform and struck at the door control that led into the room they had just left causing it to iris shut.
They raced up through the craft to reach the control pod. Rol jumped into the Commanders chair and cleared his mind. His Naltorian ability to perceive probabilities allowed him to correctly punch in the control sequence that would allow them to leave.
With a great blast they were airborne and circling down to the skycart they had arrived in and their companions. The screens before Rol allowed him to see Andur and Laser Ape were racing out towards a clear space to join them. Rol had the ship hover above them and punched in the commands for an anti-grav pulse that threw the two up towards the opening airlock door. They had barely crashed inside the stark airlock chamber when Rol punched in the control to leave the planetary gravity well.
And they were off to find a potentially insane former Legionnaire to help them in their fight.
Posted by Harbinger on :
That's all for today folks. If you've read this please let me know what you think so far.
Posted by razsolo on :
Loving it!! I am really excited to see what happens with Projectra, and tying the social stagnation of the threeboot UP into the Green/Red mythos is brilliant, gives the story a really epic feel! Posted by Harbinger on :
On Xanthu it had been four local days since Rol and the three trainees had escaped.
After the announcement had been made by the United Planets Council that they would be implementing the Naltorian High Seers recommendation to arrest and detain those suspected of future acts of terrorism the nascent religion focused on Rol as the Silver Seer had been immediately outlawed. The witch and royal advisor to the House of Afar known as Anagstru, her son Tre and eighteen of their closest friends and family members were arrested in a very public show of strength by the Tribune’s office within two hours of the Naltorian High Seers announcement.
Queen Sheyneyna of the House of Afar and her daughter the Princess Rabecka, alongside nearly all the staff at the Afar palace immediately, and also very publically converted to the Church of the Silver Seer. By pulling a few strings and calling in family favours this brought in news steeps from outside the Xanthi system and the story ran up the ratings until the rise of this obscure cult from a planet on the galactic rim became the second top news story in the United Planets. The top story being the Naltorian High Seers prediction about the fall of the United Planets at the hands of a dozen of her planets people in acts of serious terrorism and how these dozen people had all vanished.
In a matter of 12 hours the membership of the new religious sect had trebled as news of the Xanthu Twenty spread.
In the Amazer’s Spire disention and distrust were rife amongst the ranks. Those who had been close to Rol while he was an active member of the group were placed on ‘gardening’ leave. The Monstress, Lamprey, Dragonmage, Captain Marvel and Jasmin Cullen all quit with immediate effect.
James Cullen, on Weber’s World at the time of the announcement, refused to return home until this “obvious and stupid mistake” was cleared up. He remained on Weber’s World but found that despite his celebrity status he couldn’t get through many doors to see ambassadors or powerful politicians. Instead he appeared on ever talk show, spoke vigorously in every news interview and appeared at every rally he could physically manage in his waking day.
On Earth, the Legion, long a force for social change, took up the cause and publicly refused to aid the United Planets any further until it released those arrested on Xanthu and rescinded the order of arrest for the suspected Naltorian terrorists. The Legion Flight ring, something that after the initial interest had petered out, became a must have accessory for those against the sudden draconian measures introduced by the United Planets. After Raymond Luxury Yacht was seen at the the much anticipated red carpet opening for the action Holo ‘Bad Day on Alderbaran’ sporting replica Legion flight rings on each of his fingers their sale and spread outstripped supply.
It was announced, then within an hour denied, that within the United Planets there was talk of outlawing the Legion and the wearing of their stylized rings.
If ever there was an event that could be described as “pouring fuel onto a fire” it was this story. Even those citizens who had not been paying attention to the news story, perhaps thinking it was another publicity stunt by the Legion, stopped and considered the appalling treatment by the UP towards its own citizens.
On a further twelve planets, including Mars, Trom and Titan, the armed forces were called in to quell the public shows of support for those arrested in the initial raids and the twelve suspected terrorists.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol knew nothing about any of this.
Currently he was in a small dark room that had a stale metallic smell, being hung by thick metal chains ten feet above a pit full of venomous snakes. It wasn’t how he hoped his first meeting with Projectra in over a year would start. He only hoped his companions weren’t being treated in such a barbaric way. He hated to think of the damage N’Gok or Aneaelle could cause if they were held like this.
Their attempt to approach the citadel Projectra now ruled on the Rim World known as Ingrid 6 had been stopped by a force of armoured guards on the backs of great flying reptiles. Aneaelle was sure they could get past the guards but Rol knew that they needed Projectra on their side and fighting the escort she had presumably sent out to meet them would not endear her to their cause. They were escorted politely but firmly out of the ship they had stolen on Talok viii and taken into the citadel through a huge golden gate in the monumental wall on its east face. Once inside they were separated as they were asked to freshen up before they would be presented to the young queen. Even as they were led into different rooms Rol realised they were not going to get the sonic showers they hoped for, but he went along with it knowing if he fought now their cause would be lost.
“Purtha, you were always a pain in the ass. Why did you bring your freakshow here? Jeckie’s been through too much shit this past year without you bringing the florggin’ UP goons here too.” Brin Londo’s throaty growl brought a slight smile to Rol’s face. He had sparred once with Brin back in the days they were both Legionnaires. Rol actually liked the feral man, he had found him to be honest and upfront with a loyal streak a click wide.
“I missed kicking your hairy backside Londo, now be a good doggie and bring that gracious queen of yours here will you? I want an intelligent conversation.”
A grudging laugh and Rol found himself stood on tiptoes on a marble floor, his arms stretched above his head, looking at the former Legionnaire known as Queen Projectra sat on an incredibly ornate throne. The hall they were in was draped with pendants and a dizzying array of flowers while the walls set with gilded weapons and trophies. Around the edges stood perhaps fifty men and women with their heads bowed. Rol had never experienced Projectra's sensory manipulation before and he was momentarily stunned at how convincing her illusion had been.
“Well little Amazer here I am, now pray shares this intelligent conversation you flew across the galaxy for.”
Posted by Harbinger on :
Rol stands before the young queen of the Orandese and tells his story. From the start he is sure to include everything he thinks could be of interest. From his father's anarchic political aspirations and time spent in exile before accessing the memories of his previous lives and how that led to being kidnapped and shown the ability to alter the probabilities, to the Amazers battling the forces of the Dark Man. He tells her of the prophecies of the Green and how Imra freed his mind from enforced mental blocks - this is the only time she shows any real emotion, a strange mix of melancholy and anger at the Legionnaires name. He finishes with the desperate flight off Talok viii avoiding the local law enforcement agencies and setting a course to this mauve skied planet on the outside edge of the United Planets reach.
He ends with an impassioned plea for aid. They need to get to Xerox, the hidden world of magic. He needs some way of confronting the dark mage Mordru when he gets there. He needs to know if there are any known ways to survive a confrontation with the man who has sat at the Black heart of the UP for over 300 years and survive. He is desperate for her aid and calls upon her mercy to help them free the peoples of the United Planets from the slow death of their soul.
All the while he is speaking he is addressing his speech solely to Projectra. He doesn't try to involve the dozens of people stood so quietly around the great hall. He doesn't look for Londo in a hope of somehow persuading the former feral legionnaire to his side. Rol doesn't even make eye contact with the three advisors so stand close by Projetra's throne.
When Rol has finished he kneels before his former team mate with his head bowed, silently waiting her decree.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Queen Projectra leans back in her throne and sighs.
Rol takes the chance to have a surreptitious glance around the hall. The large group of people were speaking quietly amongst themselves conspiratorially, a few glancing towards Rol as they whispered. Their voices were lost in the space of the hall.
"We have come to a decision," their was sudden silence from the rest of the hall as Projectra spoke, "this one is known to us and despite their history with the treacherous Legion has always been honest and trustworthy. The cause of the Green and the Red is also known to the great peoples of Orando. In fact, our own kind father had often expressed his dismay at the lack of potential being cultivated and reaped within the greater United Planets before he was taken from us so cruelly, and our own sages and scholars have spoken about the necessity of change within the current galactic status quo that dries their own people's veins of all passions and starves their mind of expansion."
She paused as she stood up and raised her face to the vaulted ceiling above.
The crowd around Rol had all lowered their heads when the young queen had risen but Rol continued to watch her. The sense of privilege and right of command were evident in the casualness of her effortless charisma. Rol understood, for the first time, that here was a woman who's whole life had been molding her to be in command, to listen to advice and make decisions. Here was a woman who had quite literally been born to lead.
"We must consult with the Orikalls and our own seers to decide how best to proceed."
Posted by Harbinger on :
quote:Originally posted by razsolo: Loving it!! I am really excited to see what happens with Projectra, and tying the social stagnation of the threeboot UP into the Green/Red mythos is brilliant, gives the story a really epic feel!
Thank you for your kind words again Raz. I had to re-write the meeting with Jeckie so I hope this is okay. When I was originally drafting the Dream Boy stories I knew where I wanted them to take him (Dr Mayavale as his father, becoming a prophet type figure and having a cult grow around him, fighting Mordru to stop social stagnation) and knew I needed some sort of mysticism and was stumped until I read a post here on LW that mentioned the Parliament of Trees - I wish I could remember who posted that so I could thank them as it was the perfect fit for what I had planned. Glad you like the Red and the Green appearing too Raz, hopefully my plans for them will do them justice.
More soon.
Posted by Harbinger on :
A guard escorted Rol behind the young queen as she swept out of the hall and down a corridor to a stairwell.
“Brave Erward, this one will cause us no more grief, you can return to the hall.” She spoke to the guard with a genuine warmth in her voice.
“Majesty, please, Lord Owan will....”
“He will do nothing Erward, I am the ruler here.” With the Queen Projectra turned to Rol, “Give your word that you will in no way manhandle or take advantage if we allow you to continue down the stairwell towards the Royal Orakills.”
“Your Majesty! You know I could never do that!” Rol is shocked at the situation. He knows that it is a performance for the guard’s sake but still, manhandled? Really!
“Well, we are relieved to hear your assurances. Now Erward, leave us and return to the great hall.” There is none of the warmth in her tone as she issues this decree and the tall guard turns stiffly and walks back down the corridor.
“Those damned lords say they are thinking of my protection but I can discern their true plans.”
Without another word she swept down the stirs towards a bolted wooded door. At the door she produced a set of metal keys from her cloak and unlocked each lock on the bolts. The metal on metal creaking and clanking echoed ominously.
As the door swung open Rol gasped.
They stepped over the threshold into .... space. Or at least an absence of definition of substance. Rol had been inside inter-dimensional storage tesseracts before but this was unlike anything he had encountered before. There were no walls or floor, only the door that they had come through. In this place there seemed to be no signs of distance or dimension. There was a lack of true colour, not black nor white nor gray, but a shifting reversal as if one was looking out from behind closed eyelids. Rol felt slightly nauseated as the space around him pulsated to it’s own internal rhythm.
Suspended upside down in the space before them was an old lady in purple robes. Her eyes were closed and her parchment like skin looked drained of blood as if she had been left here to bleed out like game from a hunt. Around this woman were images, like imprints left behind by the sun on a retina, forms that roughly sketched human forms. Rol felt the hair the back of his neck twitch as the magicks in the atmosphere reached him. There was a concentration of mystical forces here unlike anything he had ever encountered before.
“My grandmothers magicks are a match for any Master from Zerox. She once tried to take our divine rule through force but she cannot lie or deceive us anymore.” The young Queen’s eyes were hard and calculating as she spoke. “Orakills, it is time to wake up Hagga, we need her knowledge.” Projectra’s voice was calm, uninvolved.
Posted by Harbinger on :
The imprints of shapes around the suspended old woman began to assume a more cohesive form, their physicality becoming coherent: here a shadow, a furl of robe, a toss of the head revealing long hair. It took several seconds for the Orakills to become clear to Rol’s senses. Twelve people in robes with their heads hung low before their queen stood in a circle, their arms held out so they almost touched each others hands.
It was an older man, stooped and bald who spoke though the voice was that of a crone, “What do you want? I should never have blessed you, my own Pharrox would have protected our world...”
“Enough Hagga, you are bound in this space and place by the magicks of our Laws. You will bend your will to search for the truth from amongst the many futures. This man from our far sighted cousins on Naltor has asked for our support. Tell us witch, what is the step to take that will benefit our beleaguered people?”
Posted by Harbinger on :
The form of the suspended woman started to shake, images of her superimposed over her hanging form. Rol had never seen such strong magicks before and he felt as if he were intruder in this deeply strange place.
The twelve robed Orakills all turned their heads upwards and spoke in unison:
“My Queen, the start of a New Age is upon us and the man before you has a choice to make before the sun sets today as the Red will not stay in him much longer. His very blood and bones are polluted by the silvered sciences of his father. Choose what you will man from Naltor but know that the future of more than this one people depend upon you now. The future has already spoken to you, it has given you the knowledge you need, the turns to take are already known.“
“And what of New Orando?”
“Your role is to assist this man, even when it breaks your heart to do so.”
“Enough! Hagga you will rest again until we have need of your council again. Sleep Grandmother.” Queen Projectra turned to Rol, her eyes looked wide and her face pale.
Posted by Harbinger on :
Queen Projectra asked Rol to leave the vault.
Rol walked out through the door and was met by a young girl with braided hair and a frilled blue and white uniform. She led him back up the stairwell and along a stone walled corridor to a large wooded door, slighty ajar with daylight streaming through in a line of unexpected brightness. Rol could smell the vegetation beyond as he had a sudden vision. The vision was gone in under three seconds but it told Rol what he needed to do next.
The young servant opened the door and pointed for him to continue into the huge garden courtyard beyond. A riot of flowers and trees appeared at first glance to be planted wildly and a jumble of sizes, shapes, colours and smells mixed and blurred before him as he stepped across the threshold. Rol turned to thank his guide but she had already closed the door behind him. Rol spotted a trail through the meadow flowers at the edge of a copse of tall spear shaped ash trees. Through the bushy plants before him Rol could see a fountain, circular and ornate. A man in a long ermine robe stood looking into splashing waters. Rol knew what was away to happen and felt sorry that another was about to be dragged into this battle.
“Londo, I thought you would be here.”
Brin Londo turned and sat on the edge of the pool. The gentle gurgle of the water behind him was punctuated by occasional sprays of water shooting up ten mets above before dying back down.
“What do you want really Purtha? First Ranzz then you, what do you think she can do? She isn’t a florggin’ hero anymore... heh heh, but nowadays none of us are heroes I guess, eh?”
“I told you already Brin, and if it’s any consolation I’m really sorry to intrude but there was no-one else I could think to ask. We need to get to Zerox soon.”
“You are the one who needs Purtha, not me and not Jeckie. We don’t need to get anywhere. You understand what I’m saying?” The feral formal legionnaire took a threatening step towards Rol as he said it but Rol held his ground. Something had to happen here and the Timber Wolf wouldn’t stop it, no matter how intimidating his anger could be. “If mad Mekt couldn’t get what he wanted what makes you think that a former Legionnaire like you can?”
“Mekt was looking for his magic user wasn’t he? I met her recently, she’s been cursed by someone called Mordru....”
“I heard your stories inside the great hall Purtha....”
“... just as I’ve been cursed to carry the Red within me, though I was never going to be their final host Brin. I’m sorry but I’m not the one who will fight their fight. I’m the one who chooses.”
“What are you.... no....”
Rol could see and hear it happen as if it were a holo drama being projected and played out around him. The beating of hearts, the rush of blood pulsing through veins, the heat and rush of life as it struggled, as it hid, as it hunted and as it fed. The air around him swarmed with the everyday miraculous sensations of life, of warm blood and birth, of the semi-symbiotic relations all life shared with each other. Brin Londo started to cry out but fell to the ground with a grasp as if all the breath had been punched out of him. His eyes streamed and he whimpered as the Soul of the Red rushed into his muscles and sinew, overtook his skin and bone, pushed its way through his veins and took up residence behind the feral Legionnaire’s eye.
“You are right, you are the one who chooses. I am now the vessel of the Red.”
![[Smile]](smile.gif)