Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Bits o' Legionnaire Business LMB Novella: The Lord of the Oval

Epilogue 5

Gear stood silently as the pod slid into the cell he had helped construct.

"So, you're sure this will hold him?"

"Yes Warden, this will hold him. Even if the brain signs are real and not just some fluke. Even if he were to get out of the pod, the cell is near impossible for even a full powered Daxamite to break out of and the red sun neck and wrist guards insure that he will never break free of that."

The Warden nodded. "thank you for all your help. I'm not sure if we could have held such a dangerous criminal. From all accounts, he's even stronger than the Daxamites in our universe."

"By a small margin, but yes. Don't worry though, I'll be back to check on him on a regualr basis."

"Thanks again."

Gear turned and worked his way towards the ship that the Legion had loaned him.

Upon reaching the hanger he smiled a little as he boarded the ship and set course for Daroon. "Time to go home and help them rebuild..."

Epilogue 6

Timberwolf sat alone in a darkened room. He had returned his brothers body to his family.

The Queen, his sister-in-Law had reacted in the exact opposite way that he had expected. She had cried, which was to be expected, but she also had hugged him and told him that she did not blame him.

They had held a private funeral for family and a ceremony for the populace that wanted to celebrate the man that had saved them from total destruction. Loser Lad had joined them for the ceremonies as he was also part of the group that had so staunchly defended Daroon.

That was all said and done now. He and Kalla were leaving in the morning for her, and his new, home.
His mind kept drifting back to a conversation that he had had with Hrun before they had left Weber's World. Hrun had said "I tell you lad, your brother saved thousands of us that day. When he delivered the mindless beast that killed so many of my men, he did something. Some sort of sonic whistle or sound that attracted those ghouls from all over the ship. If he hadn't done that, he may have indeed lived...but most, if not all, of us wouldn't have. Your brother saved us all...and it cost him everything."

Grife brother, even in certain death, you were the hero. I run into situations that others don't want to all the time...but you did it for totally different reasons. I think that it might be time to rethink my life, and a new setting for it is a great pplace to start.

He shut his eyes and stood. Breathed deeply and walked to the door. Opening it, he found that it was mid-day and there was light pouring through the windows. A smile formed on his face as he saw Kalla, standing, looking outside at the landscape that was slowly starting to be redesigned after all of the carnage that had happened what seemed like a lifetime ago.

"Hey beautiful," he said softly.

She turned and the light shone all around her. "Hey yourself Fuzzy. Finally decided to rejoin the land of the living?"

He lifted an eyebrow at that.

"You've been in there for two days Lon. Everyone is worried about you, even your father. I told them that you were fine, and just needed some time."

"I know what I need," he said walking towards her. "I need to start building a new life."

She grinned and threw her arms around his neck. "I know just the place."

Epilogue 7

"They sure seem like a lot of fun," Blaze told IB as they hung up. The "they" were Red Arrow and Question Lad, who had gone on ahead to Raltvee.

"They are, and Raltvee is," IB smiled as he stuffed his shirts into his backpack. "You know, I have half a mind to go naked the whole time and just project an illusion of clothes... I'm kinda lazy to lug all these clothes around."

"I wouldn't mind so much..." Blaze winked. "We could also bring Kinetix along, so she can fix our clothes every day for us."

"I know you don't really mean that," IB teased. "You'd get too jealous. Besides, she's having too much fun learning the LMB basics - which you crammed into the past week. You're just wonderful."

"Not as much as you," Blaze gushed. "Kairos, Angdar and Marvin are enjoying themselves just as much, I think?"

"And Spelling Bee too, despite her "remedial" training. But we don't call it that. She's just lucky her experience was deemed enough to earn her a spot as a probationary LMBer." IB mused.

"Our exes will be hanging around too, huh? Nurse Tina's set up shop in the clinic, and Danger Damsel's the newest Officer of Security."

"Yeah good for them. But let's focus on the future now, okay?" IB said as he slid up close to Blaze. "Now come on, we made a big show of announcing our engagement - we'd better scoot now. You ready?"

At Blaze's nod, IB turned the both of them into light and zipped away. In seconds they had cleared the atmosphere of Legion World.

" Raltvee , here we come!"

Epilogue 8

At Lard Lad's home (a.k.a. "Lardy's Lair"), Lardy and Val "Karate Kid" Armorr sprawled out a couple of large sheets of paper over his dining room table.

"There!" Lardy pointed at the sheet on the left toward a green mass surrounded by blue on all sides. "Leelee Island! The Legion World founders have given me permission to build there. What do ya think, Val?"

Val pondered the map aloud. "Let's see...plenty of space for training exercises...isolated to give students fewer distractions...allowance for power malfunctions to cause less damage." He winked at Lardy. "Yes, Anthony...that should do nicely!"

"Glad you agree, Val!" Lardy beamed and then pointed to the other paper. "I love this design one of the contractors came up with! But look it over and see what modifications we'll need. This is more like a rough draft."

Val regarded the blueprints closely. "Yes, I can see some things. My dojo, in particular..." His gaze lingered on it for a long moment, then he turned back to Lardy. "How can you be so excited about this, Anthony? You may never be free to participate in it...to be its headmaster, as you plan."

Lardy shrugged and smiled. "Regardless of what happens with me and my case, Val, this project is my passion! If I'm not around to see it, just knowing it exists will be enough for me. Besides, I have faith in Quis. I'll be free....someday. If it turns out I can't be headmaster..." He put a hand on Val's shoulder. "...the guy who was supposed to be its hand-to-hand combat trainer is up to the task!"

"Hopefully, it won't come to that," Val assured his friend.

"Awright," Lardy clapped Val on the back, "I'm leaving this in your hands. Everything you need to know about zoning, contractors, etc. is in this Omnicom. LMB leadership is onboard and will provide any help you need." Lardy picked up a duffle bag. "Meanwhile time's a'wastin'! I've got a transport to catch and two beautiful children waiting to see their dad and meet their 'Uncle' Cobalt!"

"Good luck to you, my friend," Val offered, and the two embraced. Then, Lardy 'ported away.

Left alone, Val worried for his friend but couldn't help but feel uplifted by their mutual passion for the pending rebirth of...the LMB Academy!

Epilogue 9

Lolita enjoyed the warmth and smells in Café Cramer, finding comfort in being back home. The steady hustle and bustle of customers coming and going showed that already things were beginning to return to normal on Legion World. She took a look at the various omni-coms and files on her table, and once more considered her next move.

Shark Lad had gone to work that morning back to the Security Office, and she sent him off with a long kiss. She would not be returning to work at the Security Office, she had decided; rather, she would work directly for the LMB Leader…among other jobs.

She also said goodbye to Cobie as he departed Legion World for a two week furlough, though she knew she’d see him again. She could see the stress in his eyes and it broke her heart. She wanted him to be happy so bad. But every step towards happiness was a leap for Cobie. He had made his mind up to be a different person than he had been—to change his lifestyle. Yet the Prime Minister Maya adi Lva fired the first shot at the Legion in what Lolita knew would become a cold war between them; now Cobie felt obligated to respond, for Lardy.

She was thankful she did not feel so torn. When the thoughts of Belisarius bleeding corpse came back to her, she pushed them away by focusing on her work. It was the only way to keep the demons at bay.

Her omni-com rang, and she answered, lowering her voice so no one would here her. “I’m here Ambassador,” she said.

Quietly, she listened as Ambassador Mirenna Helene laid out a problem before her, with instructions of what needed to be done.

“Consider it taken care of,” she said into the omni-com.

Epilogue 10

Angdar held his Omnicom and laughed a little to himself. He had flown through the LMB basics class, and was now officially asking to join the Office of Security. It seemed to be a no brainer for him, given his background. As an organization, the LMB was a little less organized than he would have thought, but that was alright with him. There was a message from the Office of Security in his inbox, and he was a little hesitant to open it. He knew a lot of his friends were applying to the Office of Security themselves, so he wasn't sure how many spots there actually were to be filled, or if that was even a problem.

He had come to love the Legionnaires he had gotten to know. Invisible Brainiac, Blaze, and a few others. Most of his friends were the newer recruits. Then there was Zoe...he wasn't sure exactly what they had. It was fun and intense, but he wondered how things would go now that they were out of the war. It had seemed at first to be an escape for both of them. Then there was the other aspect of himself that he wasn't sure how she'd react to. Time would tell on that one though.

He finally hit the screen and waited fo rthe message to open up. He read through the message as quickly as he could and a smile formed over his face. He was in, and he felt a wave of relief flow through him. After everything that had happened on Thanagar, he was worried that something similar would happen here.

He was finally part of something bigger than himself, and he was in a position to help people...even his own people on Thanagar...if they would only let him.

Epilogue 11

"Nope, don't know when they left or where they went either," Kinetix said truthfully, with an accent on the "know". She did have an idea, but if IB and Blaze wanted to go off alone, who was she to spoil their fun?

The reporter opened his mouth. Kinetix put up a finger. "Ahh-ah, when I say I don't know, I really don't know. Now focus, and listen. The LMB has a new initiative, spearheaded by myself, that will focus on relief and development efforts of planets ravaged by the war..."

As she talked, she could see interest sparkle in the reporters eyes. She smiled. She'd cooked this idea up with IB, Blaze, Angdar, Kairos and the others. It was good to really be a force for change in the galaxy.

EPILOGUE 12

Dedman sat huddled on his bed in his private quarters at the Powersphere in the dark. His knees were up and his arms were wrapped around his legs as he rocked back and forth.

Since he returned to Legionworld everything was falling apart on him. Hexubus, Succubus and Autobus were gone, all they left behind was an omnicom with a message saying "Sorry boss, we couldn't stay here any more."
He was seeing phantom images in his peripherial vision and occasionally a faint whispering. He couldn't quite make out what it was saying but it was getting louder.
The Poltergiest Area was closed to him. He didn't know why, but he couldn't tap into it anymore. Nothing had changed really, but it wasn't there for him.
And worst of all was the package, that damned package. Two days ago while perusing a street market, a wizened old man clearly from the old Earth country of China came up to him.
"Mr. dedman sir? Special delivery for you"
"What, who is it from...what is it?"
"From a fan kind sir, they say it is everything you ever wanted"

And so it sat on a table mysterious and ominious still unopened. Dedman didn't want to open it but yet couldn't get it out of his mind.

With a sigh he heaved himself off the bed, grabbed the small box and headed out for the city.
Maybe he'd stop by Cramer's Cafe, a coffee might make him feel better or at least clear his head.

Epilogue 13

The war may have been over, but Rockhopper Lad was busy as ever in the Office of the LMB Leader. Looking over charts and screens of all the trouble spots, he was trying to determine who needed the most assistance. The LMB had to send resources of all kinds to help out in areas ravaged by fighting. Pirates, outlaws and various other unpleasant types were taking advantage of the power vacuum in some places.

On one of the screens was a team led by Power Boy dealing with a raid on a small UP post by the Star Burst Bandits. Peebs, with his vast powers, was repelling the Bandits with finesse and style.

Time-Teller Lad and Hyvvie the Wonder Beagle entered Rocky's office. Tim was carrying a tea tray. “Rocky, you really need to take a break,” he smiled.

“Oh, Tim!” Rocky shook his head. “I wish I could. It is good to see you up and around, though. You proved yourself a true hero. That, of course, is why the Pyngwyn Colonies bestowed the title. The first human given a peerage, I might add.”

Tim blushed. “Timothy, The First Baron Temp. I still love the sound of that.”

“You earned it, my friend. I just wish our work were truly finished.” Rocky sighed. “I guess I should take some comfort in the fact that my term as LMB Leader will be over soon.”

“You'll be a Leader who is hard to replace. You led us through what was probably our darkest hour.”

Rocky looked at Power Boy on the screen and thought about the leadership and strength of character Peebs had shown throughout their whole ordeal. He smiled. “Tim, something tells me that the LMB will be just fine.”

Epilogue14

SharkLad sat at his desk in the Security Office. Boredom had set in hours before. He tapped a few keys on his Omnicom and pulled up a holo of Lolita. She was smiling. SharkLad couldn’t help but smile in return.

SharkLad put his Omnicom away and got up from his chair.

“I’m going out,” he called to no one in particular.

Out on the street, SharkLad found himself surrounded by reporters.

“SharkLad! SharkLad! Can you comment on the LMB’s latest mission?”

“Did a member of the LMB die?”

“Are the rumors true about you and Princess Crujectra?”

“No spockin’ comment!” growled SharkLad, as he pushed his way through the crowd.

SharkLad headed for Shakes. He hoped, but doubted, it would be empty. He wasn’t in the mood to talk. Just then, his Omnicom began to vibrate. He looked at the image of the caller on the screen.

“Well, ain’t that a kick in the arse.”

SharkLad paused for a second before tapping the receive key.

“Well, you’re the last sprockin' person I expected to hear from…”

Epilogue 15

Daxam

As they traveled together, a calm peace overtook them as each other’s presence brought a level of comfort difficult to put into words. Lard Lad and Cobalt Kid had been through hell together…and made it out only because each had each other’s back. They had always been best friends, and that had been tested severely in recent years. The quest did more to simply invigorate their friendship. It changed them—for the better. It brought peace and closure. It brought them full cycle to a point where they could finally move on. And for both Lardy and Cobie, they did it together.

They laughed and joked the whole journey. They made plans—some serious—and they prepared for their lives after the fall of the Lord of the Oval.

Soon they arrived on Daxam, where Helen and the Lardy’s children had been staying. Since ColMet-One was attacked by the Dark Oval, Helen had been reluctant to return. More importantly than that, her romance with Serj was blossoming into something even more, and they now considered their new life together. This might possibly be on Earth, now that it was restored to the UP, since both Helen and Serj were born there. Lard Lad had become aware of Serj and Helen’s romance, and Cobalt was thrilled to see Lardy was genuinely supportive. He was incredibly happy that two people he cared the world for could find happiness together. But Lard Lad and Cobalt Kid were not coming to Daxam to see Helen.

They had come to see Hugh and Helena, Lard Lad’s children. The two ran out to greet their father, who scoped them up in a tight loving embrace. They cheered as sheer happiness overwhelmed them to know their father was okay. Lardy allowed tears to fall down his cheeks, being able to see them again. Cobalt smiled a smile from ear to ear at the sight.

Lard Lad had what was left of his two week furlough, and he planned on spending every second with his children. The children planned on stretching every second out to the max.

For a long time, Cobalt simply loved to hear Lardy talk about the kids. It would light up his face, and Lardy was genuinely appreciative and warmed by this. Perhaps it was because of Cobalt Kid’s infamous trouble with illegitimate children through his super-heriocs and never raising them. Perhaps it was because of his own awful upbringing. Whatever it was, Cobalt delighted to hear Lardy talk about them. And when Lard Lad offered for Cobalt to come with him to see the children, Cobalt felt a tremendous joy inside him, and jumped at the chance.

On the journey over, Lard Lad also asked Cobalt something else important. He asked him to be the kid’s Godfather. And for the first time in his life, Cobalt Kid cried tears of joy when he said yes.

Lard Lad and Cobalt Kid played with the kids every day. They played all kinds of games, but of course their favorite was “Superhero”. Never allowing a good joke to run its course, Lard Lad and Cobalt Kid played superhero with the competitiveness of a champion mango-ball player. Hugh wanted more than anything to be on his Dad’s side—or more accurately, to be his Dad. Meanwhile, Helena proudly called herself “Lady Cobalt”, often defending the imperiled Cobie; secretly she was beaming inside. It was not only one of the happiest few days of Lard Lad’s life; it was one of the happiest few days of Cobalt Kid’s.

Lardy and Cobie had discussed at length what was to come. Lard Lad was going to prison--there was no way around it. Grimly, he was determined to bravely see it through, all the while hoping Quislet Esq. would get him out. Cobalt intended to use every bit of political capital he could muster to fix things. Though their fury still burned, they had come to accept what was happening.

Cobalt was the children's Godfather and Lardy's best friend. He would look after the kids while their father was away. It was a duty he took very seriously.

Their tasks ahead of them were many: business, personal and for Lardy, surviving. Foremost among these tasks would be a focus on being the best LMBers they could be once more. It was time to give back: the LMB, to Legion World and to the universe.

No matter what lied ahead, neither would let the other lose themselves again.

-FIN-