Ancient Nemisis.
William der Stout and his brother, Regis von Mane were sitting behind the console and glancing around at the many monitors. This was the chancellor's surveillance equipment that their family had been operating since they gained control of the council. Greta and a few of her high priests were standing nearby. It had been a painful choice but the mammals least likely to betray the two brothers were these priests. These also wanted the Syndicate kept under close surveillance; but the high priestess claimed their abilities were far more effective. It was a surprise when she showed up with a few priests wanting to see how the equipment worked.
Now as the brothers watched the monitor a shiver ran down their manes. Whatever non-verbal method of communication they used it was effective in guiding their fellow priests. A couple priests sat down and immediately operated the equipment as if they worked behind them all their lives. Onscreen a Syndicate member swiftly moved behind a bulky piece of equipment and crouched down, obviously hiding from the group of priests moving towards it. What happened next shocked and impressed the brothers. The priests stopped, spread out a few yards from each other, and raised their paws towards the hiding spot. Immediately the Syndicate member howled in pain and writhed around violently. Moments later it stopped and lay motionless.
"Satisfied?"
Neither brother turned around; it was obvious who spoke.
"High priestess... your help is greatly appreciated."
"Think nothing of it; this is what allies are for." She leaned close so only the three of them could hear what she said next.
"After all, the murder of your brothers has greatly limited your ruse. While I care not for joining your council, this alliance ties nicely with my current plans."
William's ears folded back. "As long as your priests keep to the agreement and help us conquer the Zootopians, we care less what you do with the general public. As long as there remain most of them to rule over."
Greta smiled sweetly at both brothers. "As long as the Dark Council assists us in eliminating the two priest factions once and for all time, we will leave you to do as you see fit. Both get what they want, no?"
The brothers shook her paw and left the room. They had a ruse to maintain and now that the Syndicate was effectively controlled once again they could return to their usual activity. They also had to deal with troubling news that recently developed.
Several trackers and scavengers had gone missing... and Grand Tracker Magnus Strongpaw teams soon verified these had defected and now joined the Zootopians. Currently these were at a farm not too far from Bunny Burrow. The brothers smiled; it would be cub's play to send a mechano-droid to dig underneath it and surprise them. Once their business was done with these priests they would begin their elimination of these traitors.
The place was a mess. Whoever was in the room last must have struggled against an intruder: chairs and various things were strewn around haphazardly. Team Lima and Echo spread out to ensure the building was as empty as the thick layer of dust suggested it was. It didn't take long to determine it was indeed void of any life, not counting insects.
The reconnaissance droid brought back video showing the room had windows in an adjoining room and the landscape outside was lush and green. On the first trip the droid verified the equipment was sound and the charging pack connected properly and it could dial back to the library's transporter. On the second trip through the transporter it was instructed to open the window and take atmospheric readings; these indicated normal levels of gasses expected on a high mountain. Moments later the away team arrived and after checking to ensure the air had been refreshed they removed their helmets; keeping the filtering unit strapped to their muzzles.
The exit door of the transporter building had been locked shut from the inside; the reason why lay at their feet. Skeleton of a priest lay against the door... its robes not what everyone wanted to see. It was a dark priest; and if it were here it didn't bode well for those who were supposed to be living here in relative safety. The interior of the room was found various items strewn about as if a mammal threw a fit; thankfully the equipment and most of the furniture seemed undamaged. Technicians were inspecting the transporter and the nearby electronics, everyone else looked around the room noting the mural painted on the walls seemed remarkably well preserved. A medic took pics and samples from the skeleton; rare was a dark priest's body rotted thus the interest.
"What's the verdict? Any ideas what caused the death?" the Team Echo leader asked.
Everyone watched the medic as he moved the fabric away from the bones long enough to get a good look underneath. The snow leopard grinned and laid the robe completely on the floor. An arrow protruded through the chest from the back to the front; obviously it pierced the right side and cleanly missed the heart.
"Bled to death, possibly drowned as blood filled the lungs. Maybe oxygen deprivation leading to unconsciousness leading to a slow death. I suspect something more, considering this fellow was able to make it here. Poisoned arrow most likely. Won't be able to confirm this is a genuine dark priest or someone dressed in their robe until get these back for proper analysis."
"I don't care how he... it is a he, correct? How he got here, I want to know if it travelled through the transporter."
A technician stood up and looked directly at the team leader. "Records indicate no dark priest travelled through the transporter. My scan of the skeleton's microscopic structure indicates this body never was transported. I suspect it got here the old fashion way; it climbed."
One of the security members entered the room. "Leader, you're gonna want to see this."
Almost everyone followed the leader into the other room. A window was now open as a cool breeze gently blew in. Outside as far as the landscape could be seen lay sun bleached bones covered in fabric; it didn't take a rocket scientist to know what faction these once were, and it wasn't the home team.
"Non-security members stay here. We're going to reconnoiter the area and determine if the Guardians remain operational."
Neither he nor the team waited for a response; they climbed out the window and made their way across the landscape until disappearing through a broken part of a wall. One of the technicians watched a laptop screen as several dots moved; he pressed a few buttons and the screen moved with the dots remaining close to center-screen. The dots moved around something huge, paused for a few moments, and then continued. This continued for quite some time until the dots returned to this building; by now everyone not working on the transporter was standing outside, obviously moving the skeleton someplace else.
"Found one of the Guardians; looks like it killed these bodies before becoming disabled. Another must have detonated its core... there's a crater nearby. The Headmaster's Study is nowhere near here, thus it must be a good distance away."
"On the other side of this mountain to be exact... if the historical records I'm looking at is to be believed" a technician said not looking up from the screen.
A high pitch hum came from the building. Moments later Hilda and the other two priestesses walked out towards them. Both groups greeted the other in the ancient manner.
"Oracles... we weren't expecting you this soon."
Hilda waved his concern aside. "I simply got impatient. Looks like quite the battle raged here. Do we know the status of the Headmaster's Study?"
"Guardians did their programming as you can clearly see. Unfortunately just like back at the library one of them detonated... leaving behind a crater. I wouldn't be surprised to find many other craters; certainly other Guardians disabled like that one down this path. You can walk around and get a feel of the place, but don't get too close to the slope leading down. Scans indicate the beasts and wildlife remained alive after the battle ended all those eons ago. As you can see... the droids responsible for maintaining the grounds have continued their tasking ever since."
At that moment a small droid slowly climbed over a hill and made its way towards them; obviously following a pre-programed path as it mowed. It stopped, scanned the group, and moved around them as it continued its ancient task. When the group stepped onto a walkway the droid backtracked and mowed where they once stood, then continued where it left off.
Hilda softly whistled. "Impressive after all these years. I think I'll take my priestesses and we'll go investigate where that unit came from. Maybe we'll discover how these... intruders... got here."
A group of security and a few technicians went with the priestesses, obviously walking before them as well as nearby. This might have already been scouted but one never truly knew if the whole area was free of danger. The skeletons lying about were testament to this, and if they decided to radiocarbon date them it was certain these were ancient... but not necessarily so. If the ancient pathway was as well-maintained as what they were walking upon, then it stood to reason someone made regular trip here... these bones would have been removed long ago. Why these remained was a question to be answered at a later time.
Paulina stopped and looked towards a creature she couldn't identify. A technician came over and after she pointed towards it he consulted his computer pad. After finding it in the ancient database he showed her the information on screen.
"It's a Wormusal... deceptively docile until conditions favor a surprise attack, hence why it was chosen to be among many non-sentient species to live here. We'll keep an eye on them until well out of their claimed territory. Oh by the way... it's an herbivore, but why it is unusually aggressive for such a small mammal is unknown."
This wasn't the only creature that at first glance was charming and pleasant on the eyes; birds size or smaller than your paw turned quite aggressive once the party reached a certain distance. Thankfully the technicians had studied the ancient records and knew which deterrent measures worked on each specie. Paulina was surprised a small blood-soaked sponge drew a hummingbird away from their group. An eagle quickly attacked the hummingbird and after devouring it whole then ate the sponge. The eagle quickly found itself in the jaws of something resembling a crocodile with a tortoise-like shell; security urged everyone to move quickly down the path after witnessing the speed this thing made from underneath a nearby bush.
Finally they found the building where the lawn care machine obviously came from; a freshly mowed path led from a doorway along the path they were traveling on. On one side a couple machines was repairing something that was part of this building. One of the machines stopped its actions and turned towards the group. An arm raised and held in a horizontal position for a few moments. To the priestesses this was familiar; the Gatekeeper had done this very thing. Clare and Paulina casually glanced around... and noticed several glowing things that now protruded from trees and bushes.
"Greetings Oracles from the Council. It has been far too long since one of your kind has visited this place. Your visit has not been authorized... to what shall I attribute such now?"
Hilda signaled the others to remain quiet.
"Apologies for the unresponsiveness. We seek the Headmaster."
"The Headmaster has not communicated since the attack. They did not succeed in breeching his Study, as evidence by the many bones lying about."
"These have been noticed, but getting to the crux of our visit..."
"You are not using a title, yet your control crystal designates you as senior. Who controls the council?"
Hilda paused before speaking further. She could claim control, but the computer had yet to give her a designated title. It wanted the fate of the Headmaster known before it turned over total control of all Oracle property, facilities, equipment to her.
"We were sent to discover the fate of the Headmaster. What you ask we were not authorize to be made known by outsiders."
"Surely the High Priestess of the Oracle would grant leeway to one that serves the Headmaster?"
Hilda suppressed any reaction. A growing knot in her stomach suggested this droid was not telling them the whole truth, just as she was being deceptive in her replies. If the droids responsible for maintaining the grounds were as efficient as those cleaning the sanctum, she surmised the bodies would have been removed long ago and proper burial given. No... she suspected these were merely props set out soon as the transporter first activated earlier today. Also it was a curiosity why the droid made its way to where they stood instead of manicuring the grounds in sections; as far as she could tell it had been mowed recently. Final straw that caused her to be defensive was the manner in which this droid spoke. Instead of being subservient, it was interrogative... as if someone was controlling its movements and speaking through it. The defensive armament was genuine; the Gatekeeper had similar and those were deadly, as the Zootopians assured her.
She surmised the Headmaster must have had a main computer that controlled the droids, but it operated differently than that which controlled the Gatekeeper. Still something was off about how the droids interacted with them. If it could identify them as members of the Oracle Council, why was it so defensive?
Hilda whispered into Paulina's ear. "I've a theory; try sensing for other mammals. I suspect the Headmaster had other methods to assure his tranquility."
While Hilda kept talking to the droid the other two priestesses joined paws while standing with the technicians screening their movements from the droid's observation. A few moments later Paulina whispered something into Hilda's ear. The vixen nodded her thanks and cleared her throat.
"Could you show us the lower path? The one leading down towards the base of this mountain."
"That would prove useless. It is unusable to all except those with wings."
"Humor me... please. Otherwise we'll go to see for ourselves. If it is unpassable as you say then we'll return and acknowledge your wisdom."
"Follow me. The beasts are powerful and your weapons aren't enough to protect you. I on the other paw have been able to travel the path any time I wish; probably because I'm not tasty and know their weaknesses."
They followed the droid down the landscape; the grounds on either side of the path were well manicured for a good distance. It was surprising how far down they travelled; the path meandered as it zig-zagged through fields and small timbers. Finally they came to the edge of a chasm. The droid stayed a good distance from the edge; several security mammals motioned for everyone to stay back as they looked off the edge. A couple technicians went with them obviously disregarding their safety. After a few moments these returned. One of the technicians spoke first.
"Readings indicate a massive detonation sheared off this part of the mountain, thus forming this chasm. This probably was a small niche that over time would have eroded to this effect over a few millennia. Archival data says the droids of the Headmaster had the ability to fabricate a proper bridge; why these had not is speculative. Perhaps the Headmaster assumed once his personal transporter could not connect to the Library, he assumed the oracles were decimated."
Hilda was quiet for a moment. "Perhaps. All this is purely speculation. Let's see about getting to the Headmaster's Study."
She turned to the droid. "Your point is proven. However we still can leave this at any time of our choosing. However we still wish to see the Headmaster. By now the other droids surely have had enough time to clean and make the place presentable, just as those that greeted us when we first entered the Sanctum."
She ignored the slight rustling of fur her minions made; but she also noticed the slight movement made by the droid. So... it was being remote controlled, question was by who.
"Follow me. As you surmised, I was doing this to buy time for the other droids to perform cleaning operations. The facility is many buildings as you most likely were aware. Getting the basic areas cleared and cleaned will take some time; when we arrive it should be presentable."
The remainder of the trek back up the mountain and over where the Headmaster's Study was located went quietly, broken only by small talk made by groups talking among themselves.
The honey badger once known as Chester Marquis was progressing nicely in his practice using the arcane. Greta cackled manically as several priests struggled to force him to abandon his spot, something that would determine his uppermost ability and just how many enemies he could handle by himself. His training started with one-on-one, the standard all new recruits were tasked with fighting. It was readily apparent he was no newly-minted priest; the first trainer was reduced to unconsciousness in fractions of a second. Therefore Greta sent four against him... and these quickly reduced to unconsciousness. He was handling eight... and this time slowly reducing their numbers.
"Enough... I declare this bout over. Proceed to the next training topic."
"High Priestess" her senior advisor whispered, "This is the last. He is ready for your plans; when shall we send him?"
"He deserves a special robe... one denoting his superior ability. I think this one will do nicely."
Her advisor's eyebrows raised but he kept his trap shut as her demeanor made it clear it was a deviation from historical colors and pattern. If he wasn't privy to her plans, he would have thought mimicking the Nature Priest's robes was madness.
"Remember... we have undercover agents inside their stronghold. High Priest Billie and Bishop Gandoff are whittling-down their numbers from within. Soon those remaining will be committed to our cause without realizing the brainwashing they have been undergoing. When their high priest returns, we'll encourage them to revolt... err... to hold a hearing on his suitability. Then they will do what we could not... forcibly remove him. That's when they'll gladly elect bishop Gandoff as the new high priest; then we'll have access to the secrets they once used to keep our numbers down."
"High Priestess, why don't we use our new battle priest against the nature priest stronghold? Surely our combined numbers will easily trample those that remain; afterwards those that respond to the distress call can be easily defeated. How can they compete against our battle priest who is backed-up by a high priest and all those brainwashed?"
Greta facepawed. She rolled her forehead on her paw and after awhile raised it and took a deep breath.
"Because at this moment Bishop Gandoff has yet to tell us their numbers have been reduced to only those loyal to our cause. Any attack before that will only tip our cards and thus the game will be out in the open. It will also inform the other faction we are once again a deadly threat... not that they didn't already know."
She clapped her paws and the honey badger was escorted to the shower. She wondered why his fur didn't turn semi-transparent; perhaps this was the old manner that mammals in the ancient days were converted. She once had gorgeous fur covering her long ears and long legs; but gone were the days this once concerned her.
Once she resembled her species, a hare... with all the curves a doe could have that once upon a time drove bucks wild. But when she discovered her above-average abilities using the dark energies, she eagerly dropped interest in bucks and concentrated her efforts to become the best priest possible. When she was finally converted physically, she realized the terrible trade-off she had made.
Now she wondered if the conversion this badger went through would allow him to procreate. If so would his offspring be normal or dark priests as he now was? She wanted to capture the female badger, the one that obviously thought itself his life-mate. Now she had a plan... one that needed him to cooperate into pretending he was still as he once was. It was the only way the female badger could be captured, thus converted if the two couldn't procreate. Having two badgers under her control would make the dark priesthood nearly unstoppable.
The old burrow at the Hopps Farm was a madhouse of activity. With the addition of the mammals from the caverns below there were many more mouths to feed. Opal had her older grandkits working in the summer kitchen which is used to cook lunch for the workers in the fields during the long days of summer, hence the name. Today it was needed to provide meals for the new mammals until the old kitchens in the old burrow could be reconditioned. The equipment was nearly a century old and Opal wanted them replaced when Ralph became engaged. Since there was no rush to do it back then it was going to be done in a year or two. Now there was a need and Albert and Stu was in town arranging the purchase of new equipment. Opal, Bonnie, Bridget, and Mindy had been in town earlier to select cookware and also the color of the equipment.
Amanda Grays and Charlene Snowshoe, the nurses that came with the new mammals, were busy being assessed by Dr. Greenwood and his nurse from Plainsburrow Hospital. Both nurses would be given their own equipment, since the doctor had already verified the medical practice down in the caverns were within acceptable parameters. Dr. Bearinton stopped by to make sure everyone was adjusting reasonably well, all things considering. The trackers and scavengers that defected with this group were busy setting up the equipment they brought along; theirs were a complete field kit since they knew they were intentionally leaving their homes. Now the operations center was configured properly and the members arranging themselves into teams, waiting for the grand tracker to return so assignments could be given out. Some were annoyed that they would be working beside a Topsider team... something called GSD.
Grand Tracker Marquis and his staff was meeting with Director Dench and Colonel Kohle; this was mostly to brainstorm how best to take the fight into the caverns. Since the Canter Family had already been interrogated and found genuine in their desire to fight against the Dark Council, these mammals debriefing were done in record time. Still the team of GSD agents standing against the far wall made it clear only when the director was satisfied of their genuine intent would they removed. Soon the director brought in her staff and the group began serious planning. The mouse on a Segway was currently ignoring the zphone, its dial indicating an incoming call from the pentagon. She knew the Desert Fox would find out about these mammals sooner than she wanted, thus would want to verify for himself its intentions. Before she would allow such a meeting she wanted to build rapport first so the rough words the fox surly would say would not convince the elder wolf that not all Topsiders were so immediately distrusting of them.
Kimberly was brought in to assist, since she was known and trusted by both sides and wanted to have a more active part in these planning. The Scottish terrier was impressed how the elder wolf immediately accepted the young doe's suggestions, even quizzed her on the particulars of her choices. To the dog it seemed as if the old wolf was either evaluating or possibly feigning interest in a bid to assassinate the traitor. It didn't make sense that such a high-ranking member of the dark council would readily defect, but anything was possible; he instructed the GSD team to be prepared accordingly. In a nearby room a medical team was ready just in case.
"You don't trust my motives" the elder wolf said as he glared at the colonel.
Colonel Kohle glared back. "We do trust you... but we value your minion as she has grown on us. We suspect since she is a declared traitor with a hefty price on her hide it would not be out of the norm for an assignation attempt to be made. It is from this abundance of caution that we are acting as cautious as we are. I trust our continuing cooperation with your team with smooth over ruffled feathers... no?"
The elder wolf leaned back in his overstuffed chair. It was annoying him; such comfortable furniture was unheard of down in the caverns, and hence he suspected it was a form of torture. He got up and pushed the chair over to a corner of the room, trading it for a wooden rocking chair. After sitting down he felt much better. It was not lost on him that this chair must have belonged to the dog; the slight frown confirmed it.
"Ah... this is more like it. I suppose your logic is sound, perhaps one of those among the group traveled with us could be acting under false pretense. The price for the reward is quite generous... if one could survive to reenter and claim the reward. Perhaps I have a solution beneficial for both of us; I'll have my team keep an eye on everyone that came with me. This is our specialty and we would be better at finding the mole. In the meantime perhaps you should assign a bodyguard, perhaps the rabbit married to the fox? Perhaps both? Yes... both would do nicely. Do this and you'll earn my trust... and if the mole exists then we'll earn yours."
His paw was outstretched, this obviously a Topsider tradition. Kohle reached out grasped it and both firmly shook paws while looking sternly at the other. The wolf sat down and leaned back, grinning as he did so.
"Don't get too comfortable... I'll be requiring that chair this afternoon for my relaxation time."
The wolf grinned back at him. "I don't think it'll be available. I'm finding it quite comfortable; therefore it'll be building trust between us as long as I'm using it. It's important that we learn to trust each other, no?"
Director Dench had the GSD team forcibly remove the dog as she assured the wolf the chair would be his to use for the foreseeable duration. Once the door was closed she looked on the monitor screen built-in her Segway. Onscreen it showed the wolf getting up to switch chairs; she grinned. The dog wanted to barge back in but she said there were other methods of getting his chair back. Old bones could withstand hard surfaces only so long, especially if a meeting each day lasted hours longer than necessary.
The droid brought the priestesses to the edge of the crater which separated them from the front gate. With a wave of its mechanical arm a bridge suddenly appeared. The visitors were obviously surprised as well as taken aback. A couple technicians scanned the area with their scanners, quite impressed by the results. Hilda paused and seemed to be holding her eyes closed for an unknown reason. The security team was busy sweeping the area with their own equipment, the results confusing them as what was displayed should have been different.
"Apologies... but it was a necessary ruse. When the attack first started the Guardian mechano-droids performed as expected; the results were also as expected. A second attack was made with mechano-droids their own design; this resulted in activating the secret defense measures known only to the Headmaster and his assistant. The second attack was thwarted but not before many of the Guardian droids were destroyed. Thus when the third wave was almost upon us, a command was sent to a Guardian that was disabled near the spot you visited earlier. The detonation of its power core created the rift across the path, thus preventing them from reaching further up the mountainside. This bridge was previously equipped with a prototype cloaking unit; unfortunately it operates for a limited amount of time before the power storage runs out."
Paulina waved a paw. "If this is true and they no longer had ability to reach here... why create this ruse?"
The droid turned its electronic eye to the lioness "Because a few of the technicians working for the Headmaster suspected the Dark Priesthood had the ability to stealth themselves for very short amount of time. They took the precaution to activate the cloaking unit when the attack began. Unfortunately it was not done soon enough. Strange things started occurring, one of which was the workers and guards started dying for no apparent reason. Their deaths were in the same manner as how we knew the dark priesthood treated certain citizens. So... new protocols were developed to search for them, and we did. We had limited success, but ultimately we failed."
Hilda now had a slight tone in her voice; one that the other two priestesses knew meant trouble.
"Droid... what has become of the citizens that served the Headmaster? Do their descendants still exist... or have they succumbed to these Dark Priests? Speaking of them, when was the last time such events occurred? Or is it possible your master has since stopped communicating and you are following his last command?"
There was a long pause before the droid responded. "Yesterday. A worker was killed near the transporter building. The master ordered all droids to actively search the perimeter. This has been ongoing and recently ended the search when your transport signal announced arrival from the Oracle Library was imminent."
Hilda thanked the droid and walked a good distance away. Paulina and Clare followed, subtly signaling a small group to come along as well. Team Lima and Echo leaders followed along as well. When those designated arrived where the vixen now stood she looked at them with concern in her eyes.
"Could it be possible for a robot to be deranged? Scans indicate no recent activity in quite some time." Team Echo leader asked as he looked back at the droid that was engaged conversing with those left behind.
"Don't show your face to it! Lip reading is one of their abilities." This was from a technician that tried putting itself between the mammal and a clear view that the robot had of the group.
"Question is valid..." Hilda said as she kept herself facing away from the droid. She wrote a note and handed it to the lead technician. On it was the following words: *I suspect it has ability to hear us from this distance as well. Does the ancient database support this hypnosis?*
He wrote a note and handed it to her. On it was the following: *Yes... and it doesn't need *line of sight*; there's sensors spread around this area it can access. Thus no matter where we go it can hear us.*
He entered a series of commands onto his notebook screen... then spoke in low voice. "Unless I do this; activate a temporary silencing field. Speak quickly... its programing is working to overcome this field."
The medic spoke first. "The only sign of recent death anywhere I could detect was the bird eaten by the... bird then alligator-tortoise thing."
A technician quickly spoke up. "I doubt they had a working transporter for very long. Unless somehow they were able to get it to connect to a different transporter, like the one at the Gatekeeper, I doubt they were able to bring in fresh DNA. In-breeding would have caused sterilization in about a few hundred years. Since nobody heard from the Headmaster since the end of the Oracles, it is most likely they were killed by any Dark Priest that survived the battle... which means the Headmaster probably died at their paws. Unless he had a hidden stasis chamber and managed to get in and lock himself inside before they could break into his private chambers."
Another technician spoke up. "Database says this model of droid was able to be remote controlled, even spoken through by an operator. Most of the time these went about pre-programed routine, like the repairs we saw when first encountered it."
Hilda raised a paw. "As I thought. We'll go along with its ruse and ask polite questions. Technicians... scan everything, obviously same sort of damage caused this. Security... I suspect there's more than simple ghosts involved, possibly the Dark Priests found a way to live off a power source; I suspect the generator for the transporter. Paulina and Clare... there may be dark priests around. Keep yourselves prepared. Everyone... let's return before our host gets temperamental."
Agent Minksin piped up. "Team Echo and Lima will go into stealth at first sign of something suspicious. We'll use this frequency, Hilda."
The group returned and was not surprised the droid didn't inquire why they walked away. It merely went ahead across the bridge that obviously was very much intact. When it reached the gate another droid appeared on the other side, and after a short conversation which Hilda suspected was a robotic language, the new one opened the gate. The former droid turned around and promptly left without saying further words.
"Well, I suppose we offended him" Clare said as she watched the droid disappear around the far end of the path.
"Never mind the maintenance droid. It wasn't programmed for conversation. I on the other paw was. Welcome to the Headmaster's Study. But first each of you must undergo a scan to determine none of you are the enemy."
Hilda went first; allowing the droid to scan her but refusing to submit to a retinal scan. Her reasoning that brain damage could result from equipment that hadn't been calibrated in nearly two millennia. The droid begrudgingly accepted this and quickly cycled through the remaining mammals. After the last one was tested someone asked about these buildings.
"As you can see the Headmaster's Study is more than a simple building; it was constructed out of a previously abandoned monastery. After much study the previous occupants remain an enigma. All that is known is they were religious and took everything with them, including the trash that accumulated. Highly secretive and paranoid describes them best."
Clare was impatient. "Can you tell us... what is the status of the Headmaster's Library?"
"It remains as it was when last time your kind visited the master."
The group was led through the outer wall and across a large grassy field. The many buildings resembled those back at the library, including porticos richly decorated with columns, and colonnades between them. Off to the far right from their view was a large orb eerily similar to the one back in the library's courtyard, complete with a walkway around it and twelve pillars with small globes on top each. The globes were softly glowing and pulsating with a whitish hue; it was not missed by the priestesses that their necklaces instantly attuned themselves to this globe and they could somehow comprehend its readiness to obey their commands. Paulina and Clare recognized Hilda's subtle paw gesture to remain quiet; they didn't want to give away their newfound control of at least one technology here in the Headmaster's Study.
Hilda was surprised she could read everyone's thoughts and share an unspoken conversation with the other priestess. Thus as they walked they conversed what each noticed, being careful to be aware of their own bodies movements and making sure these were walking as normal. Hilda asked Clare order the small globes to make a subtle brightening one at a time clockwise; this to verify they had control. The small orbs did as commanded thus and she was satisfied.
Paulina said she felt another's mind among them, and requested they stop conversing. Hilda agreed but told them to be alert and not hesitate should situation warranted it.
Hilda now was troubled; something about how the droid said *the master* and Paulina's sensing a new mind among them now had her fur set on edge. A casual glance at her minions told her they were aware of it as well. She made a pretense of hugging both to hide her paws smoothing their fur, both of them returning the favor. Hilda chuckled under her breath; the technicians had copied her motion and slaps on the backs signaled they were ready to continue.
Hilda pulled Agent Minksin aside and pointed to the building this path was leading towards. Something felt odd about it and she wanted the teams to investigate. The mink nodded and both GSD teams prepared to split up; one taking the high route and the other staying with the technicians and priestesses.
The droid led them into a large building and down a long corridor, and finally into a darkened room where a spotlight shown onto the floor. Once the group was standing in the spotlight the entrance door closed and a locking sound could be heard. The room lighting activated and once their eyes adjusted the truth of the situation became obvious: this was a gladiator's pit. All along the top of the wall which was more of an oval than a rectangle were various mammals. These started cheering as they waved mugs of liquid and what appeared to be food of both vegetarian and meats above their heads. But it was the small group of mammals in robes that concerned Hilda. The leader stood up and waved a paw... the motley group soon became quiet and sat down. It glared down at the newcomers and its smile caused a shiver to run down their backs.
Grand Technician Beverton smiled as the large orb now glowed brightly. It was still going through diagnostics but results were looking promising. A few changes from the ancient records indicated someone knowledgeable enough had made changes to parts of hardware, subtle enough to allow radiation of a certain type to bypass the safeties. It was theorized this was what allowed it to change colors and do something akin to static discharge; which was probably what was desired by the Dark Priesthood for their nefarious purposes.
What puzzled him more was this: the computer system controlling the orb didn't keep a record of maintenance activity weeks before the Great War started, thus he could only speculate how the sabotage occurred. A chill ran down his back as he pondered how a trusted mammal could willingly do such actions. He didn't notice as a mammal stepped up and stood beside him.
"Penny for your thoughts" Colonel Kohle muttered low enough to keep the conversation private.
"How... how can it be that trusted mammals could do such a thing? Especially knowing what those... those... things represent?"
The dog stood in silence; letting enough time pass so what he said would be heard in the manner it was intended.
"In our experience... every mammal has its own reason, rarely does it make sense. For some it is greed of various things such as money or other physical reward. For others it could be because of blackmail or promise of reward. Others do it for revenge; perceived slight due to possible promotion or choice duty. Whatever the reason the mammal feels justified in doing it."
The elder beaver thought about this for a moment, then scrolled through the ancient data on his laptop. The dog looked over his shoulder, clearly understanding some of the data but letting the beaver continue scrolling.
"Hmmm... nothing I can determine. But this is only a cursory glance through an impossible amount of data. Our computers will have to do the actual sifting."
"We can give you a few programs we use; it'll make the tasking a bit easier."
The beaver now looked at the dog eyes wide with astonishment. "Why would you do that?"
"Because it clearly can happen to us; has happened on many smaller scales. Besides... it'll give both of us an idea how the dark priesthood once operated and maybe how they infiltrate their foes."
Their conversation was interrupted when a young technician handed a tablet with the latest data. The beaver scrolled through it and grinned.
"Put it online... our task is complete. Now let us hope we have oracles left alive to use it."
"Welcome to the Headmaster's Sanctum."
Hilda signaled everyone to remain quiet, including the technicians and security. This mammal didn't feel like a dark priest, but that didn't mean its intention was any less dangerous. Locking them inside this pit was proof of that. She wasn't the only one that took a slow look around at the spectators. It was obvious that these no longer resembled any species known; they had mutated. Some looked like their heritage was of several prey species and others were of predators. It would be interesting to have them studied by modern medical science... if Hilda's group survived.
"We are looking for the Headmaster... we were told he was somewhere in these buildings."
The crowd roared with laughter, and quieted down when the robed mammal motioned with his paw. Some threw bits of food down into the arena and was quickly back-pawed by a nearby mammal. A short scuffle ended when one of the robed ones lifted a paw sending the initiator into a sudden spasm.
"You come here with weapons and other equipment and then claim to be something other than adventurers and thieves."
Hilda kept her face neutral; no one in her group had made that claim verbally, thus it was interesting why this mammal said those words. His words also hinted at something; in the past there must have been mammals that found a way to climb the mountain and make it past the guardian wildlife. Thus this must have been common theme in their claims, obviously neither believed nor accepted as genuine by these descendants of those once served the Headmaster. Speculation aside, these adventurers must have responsible for supplying just enough new DNA for these... descendants... to survive. If she survived this expedition a search of missing mammals would have to be made, if nothing more than to give their family's descendants closure.
"Would you go into unfamiliar territory without precautions?"
The robed mammal scratched his chin, obviously not believing her words. He leaned over as another robed mammals whispered into his ear. After a moment he returned his attention back to the group down in the pit below him.
"It matters not what we think to be reasonable or logical... only what is before our eyes. The question that must be addressed is this: where did you come from and why are you here? Better yet... now that the transporter is working you will hand over the control crystal."
Hilda signaled her group to remain quiet; it was obvious someone's fur bristled at the threat and she whispered they needed to hold their fire. She was glad security had cloaked themselves and was who knows where. The situation obviously favored their hosts and she had a few tricks up her fur.
"You misunderstand the transporter's controls. It simply sends you to one location, the library. A cub could operate it."
The robed mammal glared down at her. "You lie. Our ancestors once served the Headmaster. They had means to send themselves to other locations; all it took was the Caretaker's authorization and personal code."
Hilda smiled. Now she knew why these mammals wanted her crystal; only the Headmaster could promote a new Caretaker... and if he didn't the equipment hard-locked out of operation. The Caretaker here must have died during the battle; otherwise they would have departed soon afterwards. Since the library's transporter was destroyed eons ago, these mammals had been trapped here. They couldn't escape using the ancient path, since the detonation of a Guardian had blown off a good-size chuck of the mountainside leaving only a very long drop from a very steep cliff. Obviously they must have tried rappelling down, but the wild beasts must have killed all that tried. How adventurers made it up and past these could only be chalked up to Fate.
She smiled at another thought. This mammal must think she was the new Headmaster; too bad for him. The computer back in the Oracle Sanctum refused to grant her the title and control afforded him. Now she had a dilemma: how to pretend she had control when she didn't.
"I think not. This transporter could only connect to the Oracle Library; it was never designed to connect any other transporter. Why would you want to go anywhere else?"
Suddenly there was heaviness to the air; many of the technicians turned pale and fell down upon the floor. She also felt very weak but her necklace began to glow brightly, giving her renewed energy. With a muttering of a spell and motions of her paw an orb appeared beside her. She wasn't the only one to reach out to touch it; Paulina and Clare pushed their paws upon it. Within moments they felt their energy restored, and as the orb continued to float beside them they chanted different spells, new orbs appeared and these priestesses now stood up. They chanted a different spell and these orbs floated above the other bodies, most regaining their original color back and slowly sitting up.
Hilda now was looking up and instantly knew the answer to her question. Standing beside the robed mammal was the last thing she expected to be here in the stronghold of the Oracles. She recognized a dark priest and this one certainly was smiling with smugness upon its muzzle. It held the advantage... and now as the oracle looked around the rim of the pit, many more dark priests stepped to the edge and were grinning as they gazed down to the newcomers.
"I am High Priestess Ganieda; it has been eons since we had the opportunity to meet new visitors. Too bad these are oracles."
Clifford and Margret Rorschach were visiting and marveled at the ancient ruins that were a stone's throw from their estate: the Valley of the Gatekeeper. Margret was having another of her unexplainable feelings. She hated when these occurred and her husband learned long ago not to mock her. This meant some mammal of importance needed their help or some calamity was about to happen.
"We should go to the Headmaster's Study... I can't explain it but I think trouble is brewing."
Grand Technician Beverton and Colonel Kohle listened to her reasoning patiently, asking pointed questions and after a few moments went to another room for a conference. Moments later they returned.
"We'll send a reconnaissance droid first while your team makes preparations. It will bring along another power pack just in case the previous one's connector couldn't properly connect or the first team could use additional power. If a Guardian is nearby and inoperable, this should bring it to minimum power. At least enough to download the data from the last moments it was last active."
"Could you have another droid go along? Have it bring back a data chip with a recording from the equipment near the transporter? It might give us a better idea what the situation was shortly before the Headmaster's Study lost connection here."
The elder beaver thought for a moment, then nodded his approval. A messenger was sent to get the necessary preparations made and the dog sent his team to pack additional gear. He also had teams Charlie and Mike prepare to go with them. If the three oracles were in trouble they needed help to get out. He only wished he knew exactly where they were physically located on the planet. Senior Technician Pangolin along with Dr. Bevyton and Dr. Dexter had verified these transporters could send mammals nearly halfway around the planet. They now knew where the Valley of the Oracles was and this data was classified *Top Secret: Need to Know*. He suspected the Headmaster's Study was a pretty good distance from the library, and he ordered satellites resumed their search.
An hour later everyone was standing outside the new transporter tower. A number of Guardian droids were outside and spaced near the treeline pointed down the path; many more were scattered throughout the library grounds. Teams Charlie and Mike were making last-check status of their equipment as they waited for the return of the reconnaissance droid. The humming of the transporter announced its arrival and a technician retrieved the data chip from its side connector. This was brought over to Technician Minkowski who inserted it into a slot. Data moved vertically on the screen and several mammals watched as it did. Several whistled as they watched... which caught Grand Technician Beverton's attention.
The elder beaver walked over and the mink explained what was displayed.
"Seems the Headmaster's Caretaker was a traitor."
"Explain, please" replied the elder beaver.
"Here... here... and here... among other dates. He authorized the transporter to connect to a location not previously programed into the system. Our records show these were not oracle pads nor were these of any known pads."
Colonel Kohle stepped forwards and looked at the scrolling data. "When was the last time these unknown pads were accessed? Surely it must have been a long time ago, considering how time favored our development without interruption from the dark priesthood."
Technician Minkowski studied the data on another screen, ordering his console to repeat data as he directed.
"Best guess... shortly after the attack on the tower at the library. Records indicate several transports were made from an unknown pad and immediately redirected to the library tower without materializing. This would explain why the oracles didn't or couldn't attempt to escape via the tower or the beach. They were effectively surrounded and corralled. The Guardians fire was effectively split thus made ineffective; it was never considered they would have to fight anywhere but from one direction. Our upgraded Guardians will now be reprogrammed for this."
Director Dench now arrived and looked at the screen. "Any ideas where these unknown pads are?"
Senior Technician Pangolin stepped beside the mink and put a data chip into an empty slot; then asked to have a copy of the data. Technician Minkowski typed a few commands and after a moment removed it, giving it to the panda. She inserted it into her notepad computer and typed in a series of commands, then waited for the reply. A beep a few moments later signaled it was ready and she hit a key. Onscreen a pictorial of the planet was displayed and as it turned blinking dots appeared, each marking what the computer thought was a location.
"Best guess... these were once transporter pads from an unknown civilization, one that possibly went extinct. This one..." she pointed to a blinking spot, "...we already knew about. It has been under study since we discovered it last year. Now that it has been marked as having once been used by the Headmaster's Caretaker, we can assume these just might be reactivated."
"I'll have them placed under surveillance with and armed guard ready to contain them should they transport in."
"Director... who would?" Agent Ricardo was puzzled and obviously not quite following what was unsaid.
The mouse looked at him and made a certain paw gesture. "Whoever it is that comes from the Headmasters transporter. It stands to reason that whoever it is that's been contained there for these eons now have access to the outside world. By recharging the transporter we may have accidentally given them keys to freedom."
At that moment alarm klaxon sounded; Technician Minkowski's paws flew over the console pad. "Unauthorized transport incoming. I've placed it in stasis but it'll only hold a few minutes. Grand Technician... what do you want done?"
The elder beaver looked at him in disbelief. "Keep it there for as long as possible... setup a containment pod and all non-essential mammals get out of this room. Preferably on the other side of the grassy knoll, and someone get the Guardians activated. Director... you have a few of your members with those fancy stealth things?"
Team Alpha and the director's personal guard grinned as they checked their stealth units. The elder beaver waited unit all mammals designated as non-essential departed the room; several technicians placed strange metal-glass enclosures around all the transporter pads, ensuring each one was firmly secured to the floor. The remaining mammals put on strange clothing that was very thick and difficult to move around in. Director Dench had to be among those evacuated because no protective clothing was her size and the Segway was obviously not going to be in a similar metal-glass enclosure. Teams Alpha, Charlie, and Mike didn't like the stiff clothing, but it was preferable to whatever dangerous mammal waiting to materialize.
At the waving of the elder beaver's paw the transporter hummed. Moments later before the group was the one thing none of them wanted to see. Now many wished they kept one of the oracle priest behind... before them stood several creatures whose eyes were replaced by glowing orbs and whose robes were unique as was the pale skin and fur. These were genuine dark priest, and judging by its temperament they were not happy at all.
Technician Minkowski's paw slapped down on a large red button; he only hoped he reacted quickly enough to activate the containment field thus entrap these upon the pad. He tried reversing the process but a beep and message on his screen told him the Headmaster's transporter had a blocking program activated; sending these back was going to be a problem. He hoped the Zootopians had a solution up their fur.
Chief Bogo, Chief Razorback, and their assembled team sat in the briefing room that was their primary operation center. Displayed on the various monitors' screens before them was the video sent by Director Dench. Nobody said a word as the scene unfolded; the droid scanned the room and then a close-up of the skeletal corps. The view changed as the droid moved about the room to complete its tasking, afterwards it returned to the transporter pad. Before the droid de-materialized the video showed the room being broken in. The next video was of the Oracle Library's transporter room. The droid materialized and it was moved off the pad and information retrieved, a few moments later all hell broke out. Mammals raced out of the room while others took up defensive positions or erected barriers. Mammals in priest robes materialized on the pad and instantly started chanting something; seconds later the priests de-materialized. The video ended and room lights slowly returned. The monitors now displayed a half-screen, one side showing the mouse and other side an elder fox in military garb.
"That's all we know what happened. We tried sending another droid but our transporter could not connect. Obviously they now know how to block incoming transport and probably have knowledge how to connect to the other unknown pads; we're not certain where they went but we strongly suspect it wasn't back to the Headmaster's Study. We have these newly discovered pads under surveillance and Senior Technician Pangolin along with Dr. Bevyton and Dr. Dexter are going to as many of these as possible to deactivate them or at least remove the power packs. Anything to ensure the remaining monstrosities stay trapped over there. Those which escaped we are attempting to track down; who knows what will happen if they connect with the Dark Priesthood we know."
General Rommel now shifted in his seat. "So the only effective counter to these beasts is already among them, correct?"
"Not necessarily so."
Everyone in the room turned towards the voice that spoke from the doorway. High Priestess Ishanah and High Priest Aaron strode into the room, followed by several of their ranking priests. Bogo noticed these were wearing something different, something new.
"Recently we were granted access to the Oracle Sanctum and after undergoing interrogation received training in basic oracle spells. While each of us individually is no match against a singular dark priest, several together can defeat one. But that is not our proposal."
The mouse muzzle broke out in a wide grin. "So that's why your minions were allowed to enter while I and my team could not!"
The lioness looked at the screen. "After a short negotiation the colonel and Team Bravo were allowed access. Sorry, but since you're so small in comparison to the Segway it was feared the ancient equipment couldn't differentiate nor detect your life sign. Maximillian and Nathan have assured me their technicians are close to completing programing transporters to recognize your life sign and the material of your Segway, they say you will need to be available shortly so a test can be run... preferably without you on the motorized scooter."
The elder razorback swine noticed the mouse's fur being a bit ruffled, he grinned to himself. "Warning director... if I were you I'd be happy they are thinking ahead. I wonder what kind of creature would become of a mouse and Segway?"
Someone off-screen could be heard mentioning a movie once made when a fly was caught while a tiger was being transported in a laboratory. Over several cycles of the experimental unit transporting the scientist, the genes and atoms of both were combined and soon spread throughout the mammal's body. The final result was a gross merging of both with the creature unable to communicate. The movie ended with the creature committing suicide via an industrial hydraulic press that crushed its grossly enlarged head. It was obvious the director didn't think too highly of this suggestion.
"Thank you colonel... I'll keep that suggestion in mind" the mouse squeaked as she gave the off-screen mammal a stern glare.
"Let's move along. We understand the GSD has an idea where the Headmaster's Study is located" Aaron said, obviously wanting to get to the crux why they were here.
Colonel Kohle now turned the camera so he could address the group, leaving the director off-screen. "Senior Technician Pangolin was able determine its location a short while ago. Satellite shows activity outside a small building we assume must be the transporter; it also shows via infrared activity inside what appears to be an enclosed amphitheater. We think the oracle priestesses must be in trouble because the activity inside the amphitheater suggests chaos."
The general scratched his chin. "What does that mean for me? My forces are still embroiled in a pretty evenly-matched battle."
The hare priest cleared his throat. "Can the pentagon send a team to isolate the transporter? GSD teams are spread thin covering the transporters in this new network and technicians from the oracle sanctum have deactivated their transporters and we've asked them to assist the GSD in deactivating those they are watching. This leaves the one remaining at the Headmaster's study."
The fox studied the situation for a moment. "I'll send the request to my superiors. I'll let you know what they come up with."
He signed off and the screen expanded to show the mouse and dog.
"We should come up with some method of tracking them. Meanwhile perhaps the technicians can come up with a way to neutralize the Headmaster's transporter. I'm certain the military has a way... and we probably won't like it." The mouse sat with her demeanor neutral as she could make it.
Chief Bogo clapped his hooves.
"Priestess... you did not finish your suggestion."
Ishanah smiled and nodded her thanks.
"Aaron and my senior priests, the ones trained in basic oracle spells... will mix evenly our numbers so both sets will have priests with nature skills and moon skills. My mixed group will remain in Zootopia and keep watch on the activities of the Dark Underground and the dark priests we know are aligned with them. Aaron's mixed group will go on a hunt; his will go to the location the GSD and oracle technicians identify where the escaped dark priest may have gone. With any luck they will be cornered and eliminated."
Colonel Kohle cleared his throat and interjected.
"We'll have a couple GSD teams travel with both groups. I'm certain Grand Technician Beverton will spare a few technicians to assist us with locating them as well as deactivating any of the newly identified transporters. Obviously my agents will use standard weaponry as it has been proven dark priests are vulnerable to these. Senior Technician Pangolin along with Dr. Bevyton and Dr. Dexter will provide support as only they can."
General Rommel slapped his paw on the table.
"Good enough for me. I'll notify the pentagon and recommend they keep a team on standby. With any luck my operation assisting the Svalbears will wrap up shortly. Ladies and gentlemammals... I must depart."
This ended the meeting and everyone went about their tasking.
M.