Chapter 2. - Old Friends, New Problems


- an entry from Max Apogee's Journal.

I had not set foot on Planet Grelbin before - on a side note, those who imagine a planet of lush green paradise will be sorely disappointed - the planet was desolate; covered with snow and ice at least knee-deep.
The planet is crawling with YETI, large snow beasts that appear to live underground and large leviathan creatures. (Avoid the ice wastes if you can, stick to the main path!) For those even more adventurous than I - or foolish - moon stones can be found by trekking these wastes.
My main objective was to meet with my one time associate, a Lombax named Angela Cross. (You can only imagine the shock and excitement I felt when I ran into her about a year ago at the academy. She had not heard of me, but that was to be expected. For I knew more about her than she probably knew herself). When I left the academy a few weeks later, I realised she would be in danger. Emperor Tachyon's influence was spreading at an alarming rate and I knew he would come for her. As one of the two last Lombaxes in the universe (I have theorized that only two - Miss Cross and General Alister Azimuth - remain in this dimension) Tachyon would ensure she was killed. I could not let that happen.

3 Years Earlier

A large man in an overcoat gazed upon the blazing sun and sighed. It had been so long since he had ventured outside...it was far too dangerous, what with Emperor Tachyon forces now controlling most of the Polaris Galaxy.

The man gathered up various containers in various shapes and sizes and began to load them onto a ship, particularly taking great care with one which was probably the oddest shape of them all. He glanced momentarily up and down the narrow street, it was Important that he was not to be seen.

The Kerchu had been good to him and promised security, only if he allowed them guard what he now realised was an obsession. He was a scientist, yet he did not create this masterpiece. He wish he had. But no, this masterpiece of technology was created by the inventors with the most advanced technology that any other scientist of any race could only dream of.

But there had been a downfall.

It was not that long ago that a whole race was wiped out right in front of our eyes, by mere cragmites. But Tachyon did not destroy the Lombaxes. You see, Lombaxes are far more clever and stubborn in that way. If needed they will use a device that will cheat death itself.

And now, only a few remain behind.

Max Apogee clambered onto a snow-covered ledge, his boots covered by a thick layer of snow and his face numb from the icy wind. He prayed Angela was still here, and that she had not been taken.
There was a change in the wind, then all was quiet. He had the distinct feeling that he was not alone and that he was being watched.
Suddenly a pair of fiery red eyes blinked at him through the flurries of snow.
Max reached for his pistol, but within seconds he saw the creature to whom the fiery red eyes belonged to before him. A YETI, at least twice the size of himself.
Max gave a yelp of surprise and prepared to shield himself from the creatures attack.
But the creature did not advance. A flash of blue light and the beast fell forward - its form limp and lifeless.
"Max!"
A female voice rang clear from somewhere below.
"Miss Cross, I hope I find you well." He called to her.
"Max w-what-"
The pretty young Lombax gazed at him with surprise and utter bewilderment, more than once appearing as though she were going to say something but each time she seemed to think better of it.
"I trust you know who I am, if you do not, the whole situation I think will become far more complicated to explain." Max said, heaving himself off from the ledge to reach her level, although he was at least a foot taller than the young Lombax.
"I know who you are." She said quietly.
"Then you know Miss Cross, that you are in grave danger."
There was silence between them save for the soft whistling of the wind.
"As long as you stay here, you are in danger of being captured by Tachyon's forces." He continued, watching her intently.

But Angela was no longer looking at him, her gaze had fallen to the floor. "I've lived here for so long..." she whispered.
"Then what reason possesses you to stay here?" he pressed her.
Angela's eyes met his and a fleeting look passed through them he couldn't quite place.
"Where will we go?" She asked suddenly.
Max smiled. "First, we must visit an old friend of mine, goes by the name Alister Azimuth. I have several things to discuss." He motioned her to walk with him. "I am of course... a man of my word Miss Cross. That being said, I cannot promise you a way in which you will truly be happy. I can only find a way to send you home."

"This Alister , who is he?" Angela asked, putting the last of her gadgets into storage crates on the ship.
"He's a Lombax... a general who had suffered a great misfortune." He glanced over and noticed Angela starting to shiver slightly. He remembered reading that Lombaxes were not too fond of the cold weather.
"Come Miss Cross...before we both freeze to death. We shall have plenty of time to talk along the way."
Both Max and Angela boarded the ship, where inside the spacecraft were several compartments - including two bedrooms and an armory. Max placed himself at the front of the ship, where the main control panel was located and set the course for Torren IV.

Angela reappeared a short time later, shaking dust from her long furry ears.
"Max, why is it exactly that you find it necessary to store bags upon bags of sand?" Max turned to look at her and gave a short laugh.
"It's not sand. Oh don't worry." He added at the incredulous look on Angela's face."Just one of my failed experiments."
Angela allowed herself to sit in one of the passenger seats. She had been pondering quite a few questions ever since she had come into contact with the strange explorer.

"Max, Why did you leave the academy?"She noticed he was caught a little off guard at her question. He cleared his throat. "I needed the time off to research. Now I believe I have all I need to retrieve my artifact."Max secretly hoped he had satisfied her curiosity and was saved from explaining further when it was announced they had just crossed the barrier heading into the Polaris Galaxy.
Attention! time abnormalities detected on Torren IV. Proceed with caution. Max's brow furrowed for a moment, but he began to make the necessary preparations to land nonetheless.
Angela got dressed in one of the bedroom compartments, choosing her favourite piece of apparel, she began to think back to what Max had told her. She played it over and over in her mind. Azimuth was a Lombax who had suffered...he was a Lombax...just like her...like herself and Ratchet.
"Miss Cross are you ready? We've landed." Max called.
"Coming!" She replied, her voice noticeably shaky.

The air was warm and the ground so dry that thick clouds of dust brushed against the surface and swirled around their feet. Max not being so used to these temperatures began to perspire profusely. He stood for a moment, holding up the hand drawn map he had devised."Miss Cross..." he swayed slightly as he tried very hard to concentrate on which direction they should be taking.
Angela was at his side immediately. The heat seemingly not effecting her. She surveyed the map, tracing her hand over the names of places and the lines of the buildings.
"Vulgrims Pass..." Angela took in their surroundings, the high jagged rocks were all but familiar and she supposed Vulgrims Pass could even be a crack in these walls of rock.
She began to make her way over to examine one when she froze. Someone was there watching them.
Max noticed her sudden change of demeanor and looked wildly around. But Angela was quick to spot him.
A figure jumped from above them, his weapon was raised and he drew aim directly at Angela.
"Hold on a second Alister! Do you not recognize me?" Apogee shouted.
"I do, Max" Alister Azimuth replied, though his eyes never left Angela - whose weapon was also raised.
"This is Miss Angela Cross, Alister."
The elder Lombax smirked.
"Hmm...well perhaps abit more quicker on drawing your weapon next time, Miss Angela Cross."
Angela raised an eyebrow.
"C'mon, I'm sure you have lots to talk about." Azimuth said, looking over and acknowledging Max for the first time.
They followed the rest of the path until they came to a clearing. Built up amongst the rocks was where Azimuth lived and further down, a narrow pathway between the walls of rock was what was known as Vulgrims Pass.
Azimuth lead them inside, where various maps and plans, books and old photographs lay scattered across nearly every surface. Angela caught sight of one particular photograph, placed just above a large desk, covered with drawings and symbols she did not understand.
"That is Kaden."
Angela jumped, sending objects flying everywhere.
"Did Kaden manage to escape?" Apogee asked, also looking at the image of the two Lombaxes.
Angela noticed a flicker of pain cross the elder Lombax's face.
"Kaden was a member of the Praetorian guard. He was also my best friend." Azimuth's voice was strained, it was obvious he had not spoken to anyone about what had happened.
"We were like brothers...Kaden and I...infact we decided to train together, so we could become Praetorian guards, which were the most highly ranked of Lombax warriors."
The room had fallen silent, intent on hearing what more the General had to say.
"Kaden had a wife, named Aaida. Who was very beautiful...gracious...kind...actually, you remind me of her abit." He added, looking at Angela and smiling faintly.
"And they...what happened to them?" She asked.
There was a long pause.
"The day it happened...I-I never saw them again...I remember him going back for some reason...to the court...I think his wife may have been there...trapped inside."
Azimuth cleared his throat, fingering the pieces of thin paper held in his gloved hands.
"Could it be possible he sensed she was in danger, in more of a way that he could actually feel her emotions?" Max asked.
Azimuth considered it for a moment.
"Perhaps."
Max suddenly became very interested.
"I've read up on the subject, it's very fascinating. Usually the bond between Lombaxes happens over time and is built upon the feelings shared between one another."
"Most of us never get that close" Azimuth laughed bitterly.
Max grew desperately sorry for the elder Lombax. Perhaps this technology could help erase everything and put everything right again, he thought.

Later when Angela had been shown the spare room in which she would sleeping, Azimuth approached Max - who was scanning through his notes.
"Where did she come from?"
Max peered at him from over the pieces of paper he was holding.
"Who?"
"The girl, Max."
He sensed the bitterness in the Lombaxes voice.
"I met her at an academy for science. I do not see how-"
"Don't you realize? A Lombax who does not look upon me with shame, who does not know what happened on that godforsaken day - a Lombax who does not even know of the Lombax secret no doubt!" The old General sighed, sitting with his head in his hands.
"You cannot think she is a spy?" Max said incredulously.
"Why not" he murmured, examining a gloved hand.
"Maybe you should talk to her and explain what happened that day...you two are perhaps the last Lombaxes in this universe."
"Yes...yes we most probably are the last Lombaxes in this universe...but not for long." Azimuth replied, slowly turning to look upon the diagram which showed the concept of the dimensionator.

A/N : Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed this story so far, you have no idea how happy it makes me to know some people actually like my writing! I felt compelled to write this story because for one, we need Angela back! she was a great character. From the next chapter onwards things will really start to get going so please bear with me! xx