Her hands flew over the controls flicking switches trying to bring back on vital systems that had been knocked out when her ship had been hit by some sort of cosmic ray. So far none of the systems were responding causing her to continue on a blind course as the ship sat dead. Marlena Glenn, astronaut for NASA, sat in the command chair consumed by dread. She had lost systems about half an hour ago, she should have enough air remaining in the ship for another hour before she would need to get into a suit. She had done a count and all three canisters were full giving her another 24 hours, after that she would suffocate. Her mission was to look for a new star path and was expected to last three days, she was barley into the first day. A rescue party would find her too late.

She tried the levers and switches again in a different combination seeing if that would work. Still nothing seemed to be responding. Just then her ship was hit again by an unseen force. This time however it seemed to be pulling her down where the one before had knocked her upwards. With the nose pushed up she couldn't see below her which left her with no idea what was below.

Marlena had never been much of a religious woman being a woman of science and logic, but in times of possible death prayer couldn't hurt. She had grown up in a catholic home, she remembered the basics and thought it was at least worth a shot. Folding her arms she began to pray. The ship was hit again breaking her concentration. The nose had angled downward enough to see, a large black hole gaped in front of her.

"Well I'll be damned."

It hadn't been there before, whatever had caused her ship to be hit by these rays must have also opened it. Franticly prayer was forgotten, her only thought that she wasn't too late to get the controls up and running. Sweat was beading on her brow as she switched from trying the conceal and went to the wires themselves. Sparks flew as she tried to crosswire which was a good sign.

The pull on the ship was getting worse. She knew if she didn't get control soon it would be to late. Lights flashed back on and she grabbed the wheel. Trying to pull up the ship budged slightly. She began to try and accelerate but the ship held firm where it was. It was to late she knew but she would be damned if she gave up.

As her ship entered the hole stars began to blink out until there was nothing but blackness. Her ship didn't cave in like she expected instead the only lights from controls. She seemed to exist in this state for what seemed like days but was merely hours, then stars began to appear in her view again. Stars she did not recognize. In the bottom right corner of the cockpits view was a planet, the system giving a quick read out that it would be hospitable.

Better to regroup somewhere solid then to keep going somewhere she was uncertain of. Engaging power she headed down looking for somewhere to land.

Xxx

Randor sat in his room in the tower of the castle looking out at the landscape just contemplating what had happened days before with Hordak. It seemed that he had been half expecting them, it also seemed that Keldor knew that Lyn would be there. Things were not adding up in his mind about the events. He knew bringing his concerns up to his Father would be meet with a dismissal out of hand, if he said anything to Keldor a fight would erupt which would then engulf the whole castle puting the human half against the Gar half. Keldor always seemed to know how to rile up and push the uneasy peace that their Father's marriage to his mother brought.

He would talk to Duncan the next time he saw him. Duncan was one of the few people Randor really felt like he could trust lately with everything that was going on. Keldor's impending marriage to Lyn was all everyone was talking about. Lyn was a daughter of some eastern kingdom that Randor had never heard of nor cared about. Supposedly it was going to bring some valuable trade routes with the union, and Keldor would be able to inherit and rule once the current King passed. Politically it made sense, but the whole thing was driving Randor mad.

As he gazed out the window he thought he saw a glint in the sky, a reflection of light as if off something metal headed towards the Moor of Doom. Grabbing his telescope he tried to focus on the object. It was a ship of some sort, a sort he had never seen before. Throwing aside his telescope he grabbed his sword belt strapping it on, then grabbing his blaster attaching it to his leg. Leaving his room he began to call for Duncan.

Xxx

"You do know when Decker finds us both gone, and he will, he's going to have a fit," Duncan said to Randor as they flew above the tops of the forest on the Jet Sleds.

"He'll be fine, besides we should be back in plenty of time. Our training isn't tell this evening. Lighten up my friend." Randor flipped his sled showing off his flying skills laughing as he did so.

Putting on a burst of speed Randor shot off in front of Duncan putting some distance between them. Duncan had wanted to bring more men with them and leave a note for Decker where they were headed, Randor and grabbed the keys to the sleds and headed out. It worried Duncan how brash Randor could be at times. He was to be King when his Father either stepped down or died; Duncan wasn't sure Randor would prove ready for the task. He knew Decker was trying his best to break Randor of these habits and that he was to try and discourage them as his friend but Randor seemed to do what he wanted when he wanted. At times he could understand Keldor's resentment for being passed over, but he was part Gar and that would never happen in the kingdom.

Duncan sighed pushing his sled to the maximum trying to catch up with his friend. The flight was rather uneventful. As the destination grew closer so did the object that Randor had spied from his room. It was indeed a ship of some sort, there were markings on it that he could make out as they got closer but he could not decipher them.

As it touched down on the soft earth of the moor Duncan could see the ship sink a bit before settling. Randor had stopped hoovering a distance away awaiting his friend. As Duncan came up beside him he said, "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Nonsense," Randor said, "We have the chance to welcome someone or something to Eternia that has never been here. Think of it as a diplomatic mission." As he finished speaking Randor went about setting his sled down by what appeared to be a hatch.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Duncan muttered under his breath before following.

Xxx

Decker gazed at the floor as he kneeled in front of the King awaiting for acknowledgement to speak. He had spent most of the morning trying to piece together what had happened. The medical unit had not wanted to allow him to leave with his face so badly scarred and his eye missing. They said if he left now there was a chance that the cyber inplant wouldn't take, he didn't care. He had to speak to the King and tell him of Hordak's movements.

King Miro sat on his throne breathing heavily with his eyes looking as if they were closed. He was getting older everyday with each day bringing more sag in his posture, less time he took audience even with his advisors. It was no wonder Decker thought that he wished to see his children wed. With what seemed like much effort Miro raised his hand speaking softly, "Rise Decker, what is it that you have to report?"

Rising the Man at Arms began speaking to his King, "King Miro Hordak was not defeated as we had thought. We encountered him during the storm with your nephew Marzo. They seemed to casting some type of spell and using Lyn as a component of it, though I am not sure that is in fact the case. Prince Keldor assures me it is but it doesn't sit right."

King Miro nodded slowly taking what was being said in. From behind the throne stepped out Keldor, "Trust me Father," he sneered a little, "It is exactly what was happening."

Decker made a mental note in his mind, it wasn't the first time the prince had surprised him but he was certain it would be the last. Each time Keldor or someone close to him had raised suspicion he had been one step in front of Decker.

"Regardless my King, we were able to rescue Lyn. In the scuffle a couple of guards were grievously wounded. Duncan took them to the hospital and offered some of his prosthetics to save them. I have word they will make a full recovery. Hordak I do believe was vanquished this time, he fell into the pit they were using to cast the spell, he seemed to vanish as he fell in. Marzo has not been seen sense."

"Decker thank you for your service. Hopefully we have seen the last of Hordak," Miro's soft voice spoke, "If you find any other information regarding what you've told me please let me know. If that is all please leave us, Keldor and I have much to discuss about his upcoming wedding."

With that he had been dismissed. The King seemed less and less interested in the running of the kingdom. Decker suspected Keldor of doing something, somehow causing the King's failing condition but couldn't prove it yet. He would be glad when he left with Lyn for her lands. Standing he began to leave the hall.

As he reached the doors to the great hall a voice spoke to him in his mind, a feminine voice both soft and firm, "I have need of you Decker. Come to Castle Grayskull."

Without missing a beat he changed directions from heading towards the training grounds towards the hangers. He would need a Jet Sled for his journey to Grayskull. As soon as he entered the chamber he noticed two of the sleds were already missing. Motioning to the guard on duty he waited for him to come over.

"Who took those two sleds?" he already thought he knew the answer but hoped he wasn't right.

"Prince Randor and Duncan sir," the soldier responded.

"Inform me when they return. Meanwhile I'm taking one on a patrol."

Xxx

Decker set the sled down in front of the drawbridge to the looming castle that stood before him. It's green stone chipped and worn from weather, no one had called the old castle home for longer than he could remember. The last of the monarchy who had called it home was King Grayskull but it had been abandoned sense he fell in his fight with the Snake Men. To be here a second time so soon did not sit well with him.

It also didn't sit well with him that he did not know the voice that spoke in his mind, he just knew it was not to be ignored. Standing before the gate he wasn't sure how to get in. As he looked for a smaller door to enter, some guard door or something the bridge made a creeking sound before lowering. The same voice came into his mind, "Enter, we have much to speak of."

His hand went to the gun he had on his hip as he began to walk across the bridge. It was as if that someone was directing him where to go. He walked through empty corridors with tapestries that seemed to never have aged or become dirty, torches lit as he walked. Then he found himself in front of the great chambers doors. Reaching out he went to push them open they wund open of their own accord.

Sitting on the raised throne was a woman of magnificent beauty. Her skin as green as the castle around her. Her hair a fiery red pulled into a tight ponytail. She skin seemed to shimmer where it was exposed from the white battle dress she wore. This time she spoke not in his mind but aloud, "Welcome Man at Arms. We are in great danger. Hordak has sought to bring the prophecy of the children of two worlds to fruition, and he has succeeded in setting it in motion."