A/N: WHOO! Ok, I'm on a role, posting and updating, whoo! Here you go, a
new chapter right before I walk out the door to go away for the Fourth.
Literally, I'm being yelled at right now to "get off that damned computer!"
(My dad.) But in light of that, yay for me! Sorry about the delay on this
chapter, but now that my muse is done springing ideas on me (or so I hope)
I'll be more dedicated to this fic, I promise! Just a warning: Delbert
kind of flips out in this chapter, but fear not, for he is ok! Anyway,
read and review, yeah, you know the drill! Thanks! Enjoy chapter three,
"It Begins," and I'll be back on Sunday!! :D
P.S. Dedicated to my girl Nicole, AKA Mia LeighArk, because I can. YAY!! You rock hun, I'll talk to ya soon! Have a fun weekend, hahaha!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN IT!!!! NOTHING, YOU HEAR ME?!? I OWN NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!! The end.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jim was able to bring Delbert back to the conscious world a few moments later. Sitting him up gently, he leaned the Doctor against the wall and began surveying the damage.
"Well," Jim though to himself. "This sucks. Mom's gonna flip. This will set her back at least another three months. Speaking of, where is she?!"
While Jim was inspecting damages, Delbert waited for the room to stop spinning before jumping up in alarm.
"My God, what was that?! Amelia! Amelia, where are you? Jim, where did they go?"
"Easy Doc," Jim said. "Their... uhm... kidnappers obviously wanted us to find them, they left quite an apparent trail. Even a note. Doc, don't worry. With B.E.N.'s help, we're sure to get them back." Even as Jim said this, Delbert could see the fear in his eyes.
B.E.N, hearing his name, came out to investigate.
"Hey, what's all the hubbub? Hey, Doc, what's happenin'?"
"What's happening? WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" Delbert screeched. "I'll tell you what's happening, you damned android! My oldest friend and the love of my life have just been kidnapped and taken by God knows who and taken to God knows where in God knows what kind of vehicle! That's what's happening, so excuse me for being a bit PANICKED!" Delbert finished, breathless, and began to quickly pace the room, muttering to himself incoherently.
"Easy, Doc, they're safe. Don't strain yourself, now," someone said. The three men (well, two men and one machine) spun around quickly to see just who belonged to the deep voice. A shadowed figure stood in the doorway.
"They're safe," it said again.
"Come out here and fight like a man. Give me back my wife, damnit, or so help me, I'll-" Delbert fumed. Jim was impressed; he'd never seen Delbert act like this before.
"Listen," said the Shadowy Figure. "Because I'm only going to say this once, and then you're on your own. You have something I want, boy. Something that holds a thousand secrets, and double the worlds. You will see your women again, alive, but only seven days do you have before I begin to take matters into my own hands, and believe me, that means pain for all of you. I won't tell you where they are, but I'll give you a riddle. If you can't solve it, the ludicrously easy thing that it is, you won't see them alive again. For now they have been drugged and knocked out, but will wake up unharmed... for the most part. To discover where they are being held, pass the dimmest bright star closest to the farthest reaches of the Platonus nebula. Travel to the end, turn back around, and stop at the lush green planet with seemingly five moons, but only one is true. Find the Truth, and you will find them." And with that, he smirked, bowed, and disappeared before any of them could say a word.
"What? How am I supposed to work with that?! 'A thousand secrets and double the worlds'? What does that mean?! 'The dimmest bright star'? It doesn't make sense, it doesn't-"
"DOCTOR!" Jim bellowed. "That's enough. Now, write that puzzle down and we'll go through it one step at a time. Ok?"
"Yes, alright. Let's see, hmmm. Well, the only thing I can think of for the 'dimmest bright star' would be the star Rhiai, which is dying. 'Closest to the farthest reaches of the Platonus nebula.' Hmmm, don't know what that would be, I'm not too familiar with that particular area. We'll get back to that later. 'The lush green planet with seemingly five moons, but only one is true.' Why, that could only be the planet Bosczan! It is really a dry, lifeless planet, but its atmosphere reflects light to make it seem as if its surface is green and full of life. The atmosphere also reflects its moon just so, so it sometimes seems like there are five of them. Lanar! They're on the moon Lanar! Yes!" Delbert said triumphantly.
"So, all we need is to charter a ship to Bosczan, and we'll get them back." Jim said. "Well, we'd better leave now then, we have no time to waste. Bosczan is on the other side of the galaxy; they know it would take us a while to get there, and I bet they didn't anticipate us figuring out the riddle thing as quickly as we did, or to just skip over the middle, which they probably added to confuse us and throw us off, because the last time I checked, the Platonus nebula was on the opposite side of the galaxy as Bosczan was. Now, all we need to figure out is what I have that 'holds a thousand secrets,' and what this 'Truth' business is, and we're all set."
"Well then, come on, let's go," Delbert said, grabbing his jacket and heading for the still open door. Without another word, Jim followed him, leaving B.E.N. behind them, rather confused.
"So," he said to the empty room. "I guess I'll lock up, huh? Hey fellas, wait for me!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They arrived at the spaceport at one in the morning, looking utterly exhausted but determined all the same.
"Captain Hawkins," saluted a man. "Welcome back. Didn't think you'd be back so soon, sir. Forget something?"
"No, Mister Danish. I need my ship, ready to go tonight. Round up the crew now, and if some aren't available, find anyone who has sailing experience. Don't ask why just yet, just go!"
"Yes, sir," Mister Danish answered sharply, saluting again. Within an hour, a rather sleepy but still alert crew was assembled and ready to cast off. Jim knew that he could get into serious trouble for launching into space unscheduled and in the middle of the night, but at that precise moment, he really didn't give a damn. In less than two hours after arriving at the spaceport, they were beginning on their trip to the mysterious planet of Bosczan.
"Full power, Mr. Danish," Jim ordered.
"Aye, Captain." Danish said, turning to yell down to a one Mr. Tipper and yelled, "Take her away, Mr. Tipper. Full speed ahead!"
"What are our coordinates, Captain?"
"Take us to Bosczan, Mr. Netch. Don't ask any questions, it's a personal issue and I hate to involve such a fine crew like this. I really can't explain it right now, nor do I honestly feel like it. Now, men, get some sleep. You need to be awake for normal hours, just like any other journey.
Mutter of "Aye, Captain" were heard, and the crew dispersed below deck to get a few much-needed hours of sleep.
"Doc, you should get some sleep too, you know. It's my duty as Captain to watch over my ship, so I'll play lookout tonight." Jim said.
"Really, Jim," Delbert replied. "Do you actually expect me to get any sleep tonight?"
"Alright then," Jim sighed. He knew it would be useless to argue. "You take the starboard side, then."
"Aye Captain," Delbert answered. Jim looked at him warningly. He hated when his close friends called him 'Captain', especially when there wasn't any of his crew around to hear.
Delbert walked off and leaned against the rail, staring out into the dark Etherium.
"Amelia," he sighed. "Where are you?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sarah Hawkins awoke in a dark, damp room, apparently alone, until she heard muffled movement and a soft groan from the darkness.
"Whose there?" she whispered frantically.
"Sarah," a pained voice answered. "Sarah, is that you?"
"Amelia! Where are you?" Sarah asked sharply.
"To your left," she answered.
Sarah moved slowly to her left about five feet, and sure enough, there she was.
"My God," Amelia said angrily. "I don't believe this. Where the bloody hell are we?"
"A dungeon," Sarah replied.
"Yeah, thanks for that. I didn't notice." Amelia said tartly.
"Amelia," Sarah asked nervously. "Do you think Jim and Delbert are on their way?"
"I'm sure of it," Amelia replied, giving her friend a warm smile.
Suddenly, the door opened and in walked a tall, evil-looking man with a long scar on his left cheek. Little did the women know, it was the same man who had dropped by Sarah's house before.
"Are your accommodations... acceptable, Captain?" the man laughed.
"Who are you, what do you want with us, and why did you take us here?" she said.
"So many questions. All will be answered in good time, Captain. All in good time. Truthfully, the young Captain Hawkins has something I need, like a puzzle piece, if you will. To get it from him, I needed him here. To get him here, I needed bait. What better than his mother and his best friend's wife? Here's the catch: I left him a rather easy trail to follow, but he only has seven days to come and retrieve you unharmed. After sundown on the seventh day, but not an hour before, you will begin to be hurt."
"Who are you?" Amelia screamed. "Why do I know you? Whoever you are, I'll make sure that you're executed when we return home."
"Easy, Captain. I wouldn't be threatening your captors with the iron hand of justice. I'll bring you food later. Play nicely while I'm gone." He smiled, turned, and left the dark room, slamming the door behind him and causing dust to fall from the high rafters over their heads.
Amelia used this time to look around; her feline eyes being adjusted to the terrible light by now. The room was circular with stone walls and chains hanging out of the walls in various heights off the floor.
Glancing around a bit more, Sarah jumped next to her, letting out a loud gasp.
"What? Sarah, what is it," Amelia asked anxiously.
"That," was all she could mutter, motioning over to a nook in the wall.
Amelia turned slowly, dreading what she would lay eyes on, but let out a sigh when she finally saw what had scared Sarah so badly. A mouse's nest was in the corner, complete with a mother and three babies.
P.S. Dedicated to my girl Nicole, AKA Mia LeighArk, because I can. YAY!! You rock hun, I'll talk to ya soon! Have a fun weekend, hahaha!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN IT!!!! NOTHING, YOU HEAR ME?!? I OWN NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!! The end.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jim was able to bring Delbert back to the conscious world a few moments later. Sitting him up gently, he leaned the Doctor against the wall and began surveying the damage.
"Well," Jim though to himself. "This sucks. Mom's gonna flip. This will set her back at least another three months. Speaking of, where is she?!"
While Jim was inspecting damages, Delbert waited for the room to stop spinning before jumping up in alarm.
"My God, what was that?! Amelia! Amelia, where are you? Jim, where did they go?"
"Easy Doc," Jim said. "Their... uhm... kidnappers obviously wanted us to find them, they left quite an apparent trail. Even a note. Doc, don't worry. With B.E.N.'s help, we're sure to get them back." Even as Jim said this, Delbert could see the fear in his eyes.
B.E.N, hearing his name, came out to investigate.
"Hey, what's all the hubbub? Hey, Doc, what's happenin'?"
"What's happening? WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" Delbert screeched. "I'll tell you what's happening, you damned android! My oldest friend and the love of my life have just been kidnapped and taken by God knows who and taken to God knows where in God knows what kind of vehicle! That's what's happening, so excuse me for being a bit PANICKED!" Delbert finished, breathless, and began to quickly pace the room, muttering to himself incoherently.
"Easy, Doc, they're safe. Don't strain yourself, now," someone said. The three men (well, two men and one machine) spun around quickly to see just who belonged to the deep voice. A shadowed figure stood in the doorway.
"They're safe," it said again.
"Come out here and fight like a man. Give me back my wife, damnit, or so help me, I'll-" Delbert fumed. Jim was impressed; he'd never seen Delbert act like this before.
"Listen," said the Shadowy Figure. "Because I'm only going to say this once, and then you're on your own. You have something I want, boy. Something that holds a thousand secrets, and double the worlds. You will see your women again, alive, but only seven days do you have before I begin to take matters into my own hands, and believe me, that means pain for all of you. I won't tell you where they are, but I'll give you a riddle. If you can't solve it, the ludicrously easy thing that it is, you won't see them alive again. For now they have been drugged and knocked out, but will wake up unharmed... for the most part. To discover where they are being held, pass the dimmest bright star closest to the farthest reaches of the Platonus nebula. Travel to the end, turn back around, and stop at the lush green planet with seemingly five moons, but only one is true. Find the Truth, and you will find them." And with that, he smirked, bowed, and disappeared before any of them could say a word.
"What? How am I supposed to work with that?! 'A thousand secrets and double the worlds'? What does that mean?! 'The dimmest bright star'? It doesn't make sense, it doesn't-"
"DOCTOR!" Jim bellowed. "That's enough. Now, write that puzzle down and we'll go through it one step at a time. Ok?"
"Yes, alright. Let's see, hmmm. Well, the only thing I can think of for the 'dimmest bright star' would be the star Rhiai, which is dying. 'Closest to the farthest reaches of the Platonus nebula.' Hmmm, don't know what that would be, I'm not too familiar with that particular area. We'll get back to that later. 'The lush green planet with seemingly five moons, but only one is true.' Why, that could only be the planet Bosczan! It is really a dry, lifeless planet, but its atmosphere reflects light to make it seem as if its surface is green and full of life. The atmosphere also reflects its moon just so, so it sometimes seems like there are five of them. Lanar! They're on the moon Lanar! Yes!" Delbert said triumphantly.
"So, all we need is to charter a ship to Bosczan, and we'll get them back." Jim said. "Well, we'd better leave now then, we have no time to waste. Bosczan is on the other side of the galaxy; they know it would take us a while to get there, and I bet they didn't anticipate us figuring out the riddle thing as quickly as we did, or to just skip over the middle, which they probably added to confuse us and throw us off, because the last time I checked, the Platonus nebula was on the opposite side of the galaxy as Bosczan was. Now, all we need to figure out is what I have that 'holds a thousand secrets,' and what this 'Truth' business is, and we're all set."
"Well then, come on, let's go," Delbert said, grabbing his jacket and heading for the still open door. Without another word, Jim followed him, leaving B.E.N. behind them, rather confused.
"So," he said to the empty room. "I guess I'll lock up, huh? Hey fellas, wait for me!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They arrived at the spaceport at one in the morning, looking utterly exhausted but determined all the same.
"Captain Hawkins," saluted a man. "Welcome back. Didn't think you'd be back so soon, sir. Forget something?"
"No, Mister Danish. I need my ship, ready to go tonight. Round up the crew now, and if some aren't available, find anyone who has sailing experience. Don't ask why just yet, just go!"
"Yes, sir," Mister Danish answered sharply, saluting again. Within an hour, a rather sleepy but still alert crew was assembled and ready to cast off. Jim knew that he could get into serious trouble for launching into space unscheduled and in the middle of the night, but at that precise moment, he really didn't give a damn. In less than two hours after arriving at the spaceport, they were beginning on their trip to the mysterious planet of Bosczan.
"Full power, Mr. Danish," Jim ordered.
"Aye, Captain." Danish said, turning to yell down to a one Mr. Tipper and yelled, "Take her away, Mr. Tipper. Full speed ahead!"
"What are our coordinates, Captain?"
"Take us to Bosczan, Mr. Netch. Don't ask any questions, it's a personal issue and I hate to involve such a fine crew like this. I really can't explain it right now, nor do I honestly feel like it. Now, men, get some sleep. You need to be awake for normal hours, just like any other journey.
Mutter of "Aye, Captain" were heard, and the crew dispersed below deck to get a few much-needed hours of sleep.
"Doc, you should get some sleep too, you know. It's my duty as Captain to watch over my ship, so I'll play lookout tonight." Jim said.
"Really, Jim," Delbert replied. "Do you actually expect me to get any sleep tonight?"
"Alright then," Jim sighed. He knew it would be useless to argue. "You take the starboard side, then."
"Aye Captain," Delbert answered. Jim looked at him warningly. He hated when his close friends called him 'Captain', especially when there wasn't any of his crew around to hear.
Delbert walked off and leaned against the rail, staring out into the dark Etherium.
"Amelia," he sighed. "Where are you?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sarah Hawkins awoke in a dark, damp room, apparently alone, until she heard muffled movement and a soft groan from the darkness.
"Whose there?" she whispered frantically.
"Sarah," a pained voice answered. "Sarah, is that you?"
"Amelia! Where are you?" Sarah asked sharply.
"To your left," she answered.
Sarah moved slowly to her left about five feet, and sure enough, there she was.
"My God," Amelia said angrily. "I don't believe this. Where the bloody hell are we?"
"A dungeon," Sarah replied.
"Yeah, thanks for that. I didn't notice." Amelia said tartly.
"Amelia," Sarah asked nervously. "Do you think Jim and Delbert are on their way?"
"I'm sure of it," Amelia replied, giving her friend a warm smile.
Suddenly, the door opened and in walked a tall, evil-looking man with a long scar on his left cheek. Little did the women know, it was the same man who had dropped by Sarah's house before.
"Are your accommodations... acceptable, Captain?" the man laughed.
"Who are you, what do you want with us, and why did you take us here?" she said.
"So many questions. All will be answered in good time, Captain. All in good time. Truthfully, the young Captain Hawkins has something I need, like a puzzle piece, if you will. To get it from him, I needed him here. To get him here, I needed bait. What better than his mother and his best friend's wife? Here's the catch: I left him a rather easy trail to follow, but he only has seven days to come and retrieve you unharmed. After sundown on the seventh day, but not an hour before, you will begin to be hurt."
"Who are you?" Amelia screamed. "Why do I know you? Whoever you are, I'll make sure that you're executed when we return home."
"Easy, Captain. I wouldn't be threatening your captors with the iron hand of justice. I'll bring you food later. Play nicely while I'm gone." He smiled, turned, and left the dark room, slamming the door behind him and causing dust to fall from the high rafters over their heads.
Amelia used this time to look around; her feline eyes being adjusted to the terrible light by now. The room was circular with stone walls and chains hanging out of the walls in various heights off the floor.
Glancing around a bit more, Sarah jumped next to her, letting out a loud gasp.
"What? Sarah, what is it," Amelia asked anxiously.
"That," was all she could mutter, motioning over to a nook in the wall.
Amelia turned slowly, dreading what she would lay eyes on, but let out a sigh when she finally saw what had scared Sarah so badly. A mouse's nest was in the corner, complete with a mother and three babies.