14: Cry Little Sister
The fleet took a few hours to hook the mana-less universe' half of the subspace relay to the Helion3. Then we began the five week journey to return to the Iconian planet. A normal and boring journey … with one exception: By the time we arrived in-system our trio of star ships had become a convoy of seven, as four freighters looking for a route to Ravnica joined us after it became apparent that we weren't heading to New Psyconia. \
Another surprise awaited us in-system. A modified Daedalus class cruiser was in orbit around the planet, her transponder identifying her as The Inquisitor's Omen. There already was a squad of goblins on the ground, furiously trying to get into the building.
"Like the brute force method is going to work," Razia mentioned.
"Well … they are goblins," Pense quipped.
"Hey!" Zurd exclaimed. "I resemble that remark!"
"Yes you do," I replied, to the rest of the bridge crew's snickers. "I think it's time that we went down there before Srukat's crew destroys the place."
We only took a few hours to find the rifts. None of them seemed to lead to Ravnica…
We were headed to one of the four rifts found. A rather long journey of 10 weeks at warp 9.92. The sorting of which rift each ship would investigate was easy: Distance. The fastest ship got the farthest rift. That was us. It did not take long in determining that we weren't in Ravnica. A quick bit of stellar cartography told us that. But the nearest system was inhabitable, so while we were here, why not stop and take a look around.
"What happened the last time you checked out a new universe?" I asked Razia.
"I got most of my daughters killed, and nearly died." Razia frowned, then went on, "that is until you came back for me." Razia's grip on my arm was almost painful.
"Actually that was a few universes ago. I was thinking about Alara, actually."
"Oh." Razia relaxed her grip. "You mean another universe like Ravnica's. In that case ... there would be a primary world near the mana center, which should have a thriving civilization, and then a few other planetary systems with life on them. Since the nearest system is inhabitable we should start there first. And if the rift to Ravnica is indeed closed, we need to figure out how to jump there from here."
"So that's our strategy. John..."
"Course laid in," John replied.
The planet reminded me more of Eptel III than Ravnica. A thin overcast seemed to pervade the place, and the rather remote F-class star cast an otherwise sharp hue to the place. It seemed to be the perfect place to film a horror movie. One main landmass was surrounded by a vast ocean. There was a variety of life, including humanity. Our scanners indicated a medieval or renaissance level of technology, but with the presence of mana, we knew better. Horse drawn carriages and energy weapons can make a rather odd mix.
"OK, strategies," I stated. We were back in the rarely used briefing room.
Maya spoke up. "This land mass seems to be the only inhabited area on the planet. The islands and smaller landmasses appear to be unoccupied. There seem to be 4 regions of this main continent, and the eastern region is particularly cloud shrouded. This volcanic ridge emits various compounds that also colour the clouds in this region. It is not nearly as densely populated as the northern plains here, but the constant cloud cover means that we can use atmospheric craft above the cloud layer without being spotted. There is also a fair sized village located there, near a rather unusual power source."
"Power Source?" Razia inquired.
"Yes. A rather large mana-based power source is located there. It appears to give off a pulsating and shifting mana spectrum." Maya put the pattern up on a screen. It had a rather pretty shifting shifting fractal pattern, like the kind that would accompany early 21st century trance music.
"So about this town?" John asked, after a pregnant pause.
"I can always find out what's under it," Nergat offered.
Maya switched the view back to the town's layout. All the angels in the room appeared to snap out of some sort of trance. I seemed to be the only one who noticed, however. Was it just me? "I'll bet it would be just rock, unless you hit a mine."
"Then I'll try not to dissolve any miners," Nergat quipped. That got a chuckle from the few that knew Nergat's origin, and puzzled looks from everybody else.
The conversation then devolved into whether we should concentrate on the one town or send a few teams to different locations. It was decided that we should only be sending humans down. "Sorry Nergat. Until we find out the local intelligent fauna down there we will have to stick to those who can blend in," I concluded.
I awoke in Sara's arms. Razia had already risen. I was unusually tired. You would think that after all this time I'd be used to a standard Ravnica day. Our fleet used it as our time base. "Computer, what is the location of Razia?"
"Commander Razia is currently on the planet's surface," the computer replied.
I sat bolt upright. "She probably is looking for that power source," Sara mentioned.
"Yeah, about that. You angels seemed to be in a trance looking at its mana pattern yesterday."
"Maybe we were," was Sara's reply. "I felt unusually attracted to it, as if it were calling to me."
Oh, great, I thought. If Razia had succumbed to some type of angel trap…
I had walked down the town's main street. The fog was still thick, producing a twilight effect similar to the weather conditions of Eptell-III. Razia had disappeared somewhere in this town … but where? My trusty tricorder told me it was only mid-afternoon, even though it looked like twilight. The only other activity was a carriage being loaded, and the only way I knew that was the sounds of wooden crates being stacked and the creak of the carriages' suspension. I headed in that direction as it appeared to be the only activity around.
That might not have been the best idea. "Oh great. It's Count Dracula," I muttered. Well he does look like Dracula, at least out of the old Hammer films, I thought.
"Who did you call me, human?" the tall pale male asked.
"Count Dracula … or Christopher Lee. Take your pick," I replied. I scanned him with my tricorder. "Definitely not human, and not white ape either."
"My, a feisty one you are." A female voice from behind me. I heard no sounds of approach, which was eerie in this thick fog. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Olivia Voldaren." She appeared to be floating across the ground. The gothic dress she was wearing appeared to be one of the finest examples of craftsmanship I had seen on this planet so far.
If she was expecting a certain reaction I must have been a disappointment. I scanned her with the tricorder. "Also not human, at least not anymore," I commented. In total there were only four of these aliens here.
"Your little box is perceptive. You definitely are not from around here, are you?" she asked.
"Oh, so you noticed." Did I mention that sarcasm was my second language? "Look, I've come a long way to find something, and I'd rather not be in your way. But then again, you definitely don't want to be in my way either," I threatened. Whatever theses beings were, my tricorder already told me they were easier to take out than most angels. Against the only phaser kata expert in the region I was confident that they didn't stand a chance. The big question is why are they here, where is their ship, and why are they masquerading as rich locals?
"Interesting, no fear whatsoever," the tall one stated. I don't think that they know I overheard them.
"Well then, whoever you are, I wish you success in your search, but we are in a little rush. Perhaps our next meeting may be a little more amicable?" Olivia, if that's her real name, was definitely a good diplomat. Why not return the favour?
"Then I will take my leave of you. May your travels be pleasant," I replied. No point in being an asshole about it.
We parted company. The thick fog lifted enough that I could make out buildings, including the town's pub. I headed there. What better place to get some local intel?
There was definitely many things wrong here. As I approached, I could see the trepidation on the faces of those inside. Apparently they saw, or at least heard, the entire encounter, their faces plastered to the windows. I simply walked into the pub and up to the bar. "What have you got?" I asked.
"What do you want?" the bartender asked. He was either in awe of me, or in fear of me.
"Something strong," I replied. "Especially after those wierdos," I mentioned.
"You don't know who they were?" the bartender asked incredulously. "That was the local vampire lords!"
"Bullshit," I replied. "They aren't undead. This confirms that," I stated, holding up my tricorder. "They can't be vampires, whatever they are."
"Oh, yes they are!" was the chorus from the crowd. "They are the master vampires of this region!"
"But … they aren't undead," I replied. "All the vampires I've met are undead. And I've met enough undead to tell the difference,"
"You aren't from around here," The leader of this group stated.
"That much is certain," I replied.
Then you should know that vampires around here are common, and their condition is a condition of the blood…"
'Who's blood?" I asked.
"The blood of an angel, sacrificed during the silver moon," the gentleman replied.
"Oh, great," I answered. "Then I suspect you also have a lycanthropy problem too."
"A what problem?" he asked.
"A werewolf problem."
He looked at the floor. "Yes actually. Us humans are a rather endangered species here…" he trailed off.
"Let me show you something." Then to the bartender I asked, "do you really need that broken down chair over there?" I pointed to the chair.
"Aside from firewood, no!" the bartender stated.
I pulled one of my phasers. "Watch this," I told him. A quick blast and the chair disappeared in a puff of photons. "Vampires, werewolves, … doesn't matter to this gun. They all get blasted into subspace. You seem to be this town's protector," I asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"Then here. These settings…" I explained the phaser's settings and capabilities to the gentleman, giving him a phaser and an extra power pack. I also found out that the warehouse may contain an "angel trap". Apparently since the return of the angel Avacin the vampires have been looking into getting rid of the local angels. He also mentioned that a strange angel (strange to him, having 4 wings!) may have entered the trap. I definitely needed into the warehouse, despite his warnings that no human ever has left it.
I had entered the warehouse as quietly as I could. Whoever was in here had the capacity to incapacitate an angel, so as soon as I was sure of my target, I was prepared to blast away. It took a few minutes to wind my way to almost the center of the warehouse, where the rows of shelves of goods abruptly ended. Lit by some magical light were two large amber cylinders … both holding a single winged being. The warehouse was devoid of other life.
I instantly recognized Razia, walking right up to her. The cylinder appeared, and felt like a large single amber crystal, as if Razia was encased in a large quartz, perfectly preserved for eternity. Yet something wasn't right. I already felt Razia's presence through the life link, but I was unsure if she was aware of my presence here. A persistent press on the surface led me to believe that it wasn't really solid. I had run into enough force fields to know the difference by now …
… CRUNCH …
… CRUNCH … You know, you really ought to be better at this …
… CRUNCH …
… I was in pain. Whoever knocked me out was a real amateur at it. I could barely sit up. Interesting furnishings, I thought. Then I felt hands on my temples, and the pain went away. "Whoever did that should be shot for ineptitude," I casually mentioned.
"Consider it done." I recognized the voice, and a chill ran down my spine. Olivia Voldaren, Vampire. "Do you know where you are?"
"Well, I appear to be your guest. Your place, I presume?"
"Of course, my summer castle ... your highness."
"Your what-ness?" That was unexpected!
"Your highness. For the next three days, you are the king of vampires. Honorary, of course," Olivia explained. "Follow me." We left the ... bedroom, it was. Vampires around here don't seem to take to sleeping in coffins...
"You seem to know this angel..", Olivia insinuated.
In another chamber were the two stasis chambers, one with Razia, and one with the unknown angel. Pure Luck. I reached down and picked up Razia's communicator pin. "Of course I do. She is a member of my crew," I stated.
"Your crew? What crew?"
"My starship crew, the Helion3," I replied. No point in lying about my status.
"You have angels in your ship's crew. I will tell you flatly that I don't believe a word you are saying." Olivia went on, "No matter, you are the king of vampires for three days only, before you reach your end. Do you know what that means?"
"Only for you. Unfortunately for you I'm a special case, so like the Spanish Inquisition, expect the unexpected!" That was my final reply. I set the communicator pin on auto-transmit so my ship would hear everything said by me and by those around me. Olivia didn't stand a chance.
The last two days were ... interesting, to say the least. These vampires can put on a good show, when they want to. The party was nominally in 'my honour' but it was definitely for the vampires of this planet. Unbeknownst to these folk, I was in contact with my ship, and there were machinations afoot.
Apparently I wasn't alone in making machinations either. From my "throne", the big comfy chair set up at the end of the ballroom, where I was wined and dined and entertained. At least the food and beverages were top drawer here. But a commotion was brewing at the other end of the room. It appeared that there was an uninvited guest to this party...
"Sorin ..." I overheard. Some bodies name?
"You shouldn't have come back..."
"Your excesses are unbecoming of our species..."
"ENOUGH," I roared, while walking across the ballroom floor. "While I still have time, I expect my orders to be followed," I stated. "I would like to meet this new guest. Introduce him," I commanded.
"You are unusual, for a human," he replied. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sorin Markov, lord of Innistrad, and planeswalker."
"Oh great. That's just what I need, yet another planeswalker. Just like bullet wounds."
"You know of us planeswalkers?" Sorin asked.
"Just Jace and Elspeh, and now you. You folks have a habit of getting in my way," I stated.
"Actually some of us only want balance." His eyes narrowed. "If you are who I think you are, then my 'friend' Olivia is for a great surprise," Sorin stated. "Release Bruna for me."
"The other angel, sure," I replied. "You seem to be OK. Perhaps I misjudged you."
"I will definitely say you did. I also have other information for you. There was an event you missed, called the planar collapse. Things are afoot, with the multiverse. Ravnica isn't where you expect it to be," Sorin mentioned. Tell me something I don't know, I thought.
The following day was unusual, as it was quite sunny. This made the vampires sleepy, but unlike most vampires, the sunlight wasn't lethal to them. I was left to my own devices for the final day.
There was some heated discussion between Olivia and her servants. Why I was let out of the castle was the question at hand. The servants had no reason not to.
"Now where-" Olivia blurted.
Olivia had walked out of the castle, expecting me to have run down the mountain. But to her surprise, I was sitting on the castle's railing, watching the sun go down. I was in my ship's uniform, with a pair of phasers at my hip. But what stopped her in mid sentence was my companion, Sara. We were cuddling and watching the sunset. An angel was definitely an unwanted companion.
"Where did SHE come from?" Olivia asked.
"My ship, of course," I replied. "If you think you are alone with me you are sadly mistaken. You should have believed me about my ship and crew. Let me show you something you haven't seen before," I interrupted.
"Make it quick, your reign is about to end soon," Olivia stated.
I led the troupe of vampires into the room with Razia and Bruna, both still encased in their stasis fields. "It goes like this…"
"What is it called?" Yister asked.
"It's called phaser kata. Now pay attention." It was a very short demonstration. The only targets were the mana-spheres powering the stasis fields, which readily collapsed, freeing Razia and Bruna from their amber prisons.
Xavier burst into the room, initially not noticing the two freed angels among the vampires. "Olivia, the vault is empty!"
The shock on Olivia's face was either to the animation of the angels or the loss of her fortune, I couldn't tell which. But she eventually composed herself and turned to me. "You did this…" she stated.
"You bet," I responded. "In case you are wondering, I'm still not alone. The Ravnican angels and the rest of my crew were always in reach. You really should see what you are up against!"
The Helion3 decloaked on cue, making a prominent sight out the main castle gallery. The other angel, and every vampire and servant froze at the image. Razia simply walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me from behind.. "I did feel you ever since the warehouse," she whispered in my ear. Then she looked around. "They didn't stand a chance, did they?"
"Nope," I stated aloud, bringing the vampires out of their state of shock. "OK." I clapped my hands, getting everyone's attention. "Time to let all the secrets out," I stated. "You vampires, … well wannabe vampires at that, think you are top of the heap here. The only thing stopping you is this Avacin character, at least on your own planet. This angel," I held my hand out pointing to the other freed angel.
"Bruna, light of alabaster!" the angel exclaimed. "Avacin's right hand!" Bruna sure looked like she was ready to slaughter all of the vampires here, especially after being trapped in a stasis field.
I walked up to Bruna. "Listen, things are afoot right now. Meet Razia, the Boros archangel and my companion." Bruna regarded Razia, then quickly embraced her. Razia and Bruna spoke quickly, in a language that I didn't understand. My best guess was white mana.
There was a sense of defeat amongst the vampires. As if they finally detected that they had been had by a higher power, one that actually held all the cards. "You were never in any danger, were you," Olivia asked.
"No, I wasn't. The entire time I was under my own guns of my ship, which had you squarely in my sights. The slightest wrong twitch would have brought instant destruction to your group."
"But how?..."
"That's a rather long story," I replied. "But one that started before we arrived in this micro-verse. Watch and you will see" I gave my ship the fist symbol, and the Helion3 spat out a torpedo out of her aft tube, and the mountain range behind the ship briefly glowed before the 50 megaton blast consumed it. It was a few moments before the rolling thunder of the blast reached us.
Sara walked up to me. "I should take this time to mention our guest..."
"What guest?" That came from both me and Olivia.
"This certain angel, born of a planeswalker vampire, believe it or not," Sara replied. "Allow me to present Avacyn, herself." On cue there was a metallic flash and scream and a new angel appeared in our midst.
Definitely a newcomer, and it brought out a planeswalker as well. Sorin wasn't that far away, apparently. So here I was surrounded by a new angel and a planeswalker, and I wasn't expecting the royal smooch, but that was what I got from Avacyn. She and Razia exchanged winks as Razia cut in, so I was safe.
"We should sneak out the back and leave these folk to their fate," Razia whispered.
"That bad huh..."
The star field of my old universe was a comforting sight as we passed down the eons between stars while travelling at FTL speeds. I'm still reminded of the saying "I don't look at them anymore" from the Men in Black. It was still 4 weeks before we were back to the Iconian planet when we received the transmission from the Aleya. They were the lucky ones to find the new rift to Ravnica, but the info came as a warning...