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This is part four of my adventures Dream Boy series, set in the Shooter version of 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 technomancer father.

Rol loves his life and wouldn’t have it any other way!

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.

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.

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 of 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."

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.

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 by the time this vehicle had rolled along it's tracks. 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.�

That's it for tonight, hope you enjoy!

Please feel free to leave feedback as it's always greatly appreciated.

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.

"Your genes were manipulated before you were even born. There were seventeen expectant mothers who the Technomancers treated. We even managed to get that bitch the High Seer. Yes, her two brats are ours too. 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.

"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.

“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?”

“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.

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?"

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.

"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.

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."

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."

"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.

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.

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!

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.

As they approached he Grav-Lift Rol was certain that his vision was away to become true. Something else else was away to happen that would influence his future. Something else else 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..."

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.

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.

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.