OK, so, in knowing I wanted to try to write a crossover that didn't
completely suck monkey butt, I also wanted a good plot. Something all mixy.
And look.. mixyness. Well.. down there anyway. I also had pretty much no
idea what the plot would be.. but I'm getting some ideas. Thanks for
putting up with the serious time between chappy's, and as always, tell me
if I'm doing alright. Or if this sux so bad you think you will stay away
from any and all crossovers from now on.
Okies?
Thanks again to you who review. I don't think I'd be this far if you didn't drop me a line once in awhile.
This is dedicated to bjred who is my real life bestest friend and prolly my most avid reader. Thanks girl for all your advice and help.
Mandos 3
"Hail them again Mr. Tammel." Picard ordered as he stood now, studying the green and blue orb spin on the large view-screen . "All Languages, all frequencies." He turned and took the short walk back to the center seat in the row set aside for the command unit present. Riker to his right, Counselor Troi to his left.
The lovely brunette was called to duty just minutes ago, waiting to assess the condition of the colonists. Unfortunately her empathic ability, usually a strength she used daily, was erratic. The people below were confused, scared, depressed, euphoric, and hundreds of other mixed emotions. This was of course no different then any mixture among a populace. But in this case something was wrong. For one, the strength at which she would sense them was intense to say the least. Then for no reason she could discern, they would be gone. Completely blank in all ways. Then all she sensed were the people on the ship with her, now in orbit of the planet.
"I'm detecting seismic activity on all 5 of the continents, Captain. Electromagnetic shifts in the atmosphere, and another 17.4% increase in unusual weather patterns." The android's hands moved quickly over the panel in front of him as he relayed the information.
The Vulcan beside him, the aforementioned Mr. Tammel, made similar movements, though not as quickly they were nearly as precise. He also watched the changes in the planet's atmosphere, looking for a pattern that would allow a signal to penetrate the unusual natural field that seemed to be acting quit unnaturally.
"Counselor?" The Captain asked the young woman sitting beside him in a blue uniform much like the Doctor's.
Deanna's brow furrowed as she tried to concentrate on what her mind was seeing. "Something is, magnifying the people's feelings, Captain. It's a little difficult to say what is happening down there. It's.." Her hand went to her head and she slumped back into her seat a moment as all the voices left. "It's gone again." She said looking very drained but trying to sit back up. She closed her eyes for a second waiting for her mind to clear, then opened them and turned to Jean-Luc. "I'm not sure how. it's as though they are screaming. Everything is so much," she searched for a word to describe it. "more. I do sense extreme distress on the most southern continent. If we could-"
"Hello. Anyone." The voice cackled through finally.
The entire bridge became silent but for Ensign Tammel. "Sir, we have broken through, but I do not know how long the signal can be maintained."
Picard nodded and once again stood. 'This is Jean-Luc Picard, of the Starship Enterprise. We received your distress signal. Please, what is happening, and how may we assist?"
There was another round of crackling static, and the bridge crew all waited for the next words of whoever had responded to them. When the transmission continued, their contact was new, a female. "Captain, Please stand by. The next calm will soon arrive."
And the signal was cut off.
Picard looked over his shoulder to his first officer, both with a slightly confused face staring back.
"Sir," They both heard Data call and their attention turned to the pale man now scrolling through the readings as they came in. An intrigued look overtook the officer's face. "It's stopped."
Picard walked over to Data's post and read over the new information.
"The Electromagnetic disturbances have stopped," The android's fingers pressed another glowing rectangular outline on the black surface. "And tectonic activities have returned to normal. Along with wind patterns and all unusual weather." He announced with subtle surprise at each new display.
"Enterprise." A crisp clear female voice came through. "Are you still with us?" She asked a bit demanding.
The captain looked up out of habit and took on the attitude of 'the man in charge'. "Yes. Mandos Colony, this is Captain Picard. To whom am I speaking?"
All at once the view-screen changed to show an elder gray haired and slightly wrinkled woman dressed in robes of several shade of violet. What looked like silk scarves also in an array of purples, were draped over her shoulders. She stood slightly bent, leaning on a wood desk with her hands propping her up. Behind her was what seemed to be personal living quarters . Framed pictures of groups of smiling people, potted greenery and shelves of books, tiny statues and other obviously personal belongings lined the wall directly behind her. There was also a row of baskets with fruits and vegetables in wait for use hanging from the ceiling in a row to the right from the Captain's view. The walls seemed to be constructed from the trees in the area, as an earthly log cabin would be.
Standing to the left was a blonde skinny young man who seemed to be in his early 20's, most probably the owner of the voice who had answered earlier.
The woman straightened up and sighed heavily. "Well that is much better. I'm Ellaina, high priestess of this province. You say you received our distress signal?"
Clearing his throat, Picard nodded. "Yes. How may we be of service? Do you know what is causing the anomalies on the planet?"
"As for your first question, you could prepare for a possible rescue of this colony." She shook her hand directing it to her left and turned before speaking to the boy behind her. "Go fetch Jacob. Tell him to meet me in the square."
The boy nodded quickly and walked past her to the unseen exit.
"And the second?" Riker asked before stepping to the side of his Captain.
"As for the second, I'm afraid I can only show you. It will be safe for a party to transport for another 4 hours. Then I'm afraid the next window will not be for at least another 20 hours after." She explained.
Picard pursed his lips for a moment before making the decision. "Very well." He turned to Riker. "Gather an away team. Include the doctor for any injured they may have."
Riker turned immediately to Data. "Mr. Data, you're with me." And headed towards the turbo lift located in the back right corner of The Bridge. The Android stood and followed without question as another officer took his post.
"Captain?" Troi requested.
The man in question came back to his seat and gave the woman his attention with a curious look. "I feel a presence. One separate from the colony. It's almost as if-" She seemed to search out something in her mind. "The planet. The planet itself is giving off a presence."
"Yes young lady. You are quite right." The colonist confirmed, drawing the attention back to herself. "Unfortunately that's part of the problem. She's an unhappy girl right now, and if we can't appease her. well, Captain we'd appreciate any help you can provide to get my people a safe distance from here if worst comes to worst." Something caught her attention out of the area of the view-screen's vantage, then she turned back. "I'm sending coordinates of the main square for your officer's transport. I'm afraid I must go now. And Thank you Captain Picard." She shared a small smile before the screen went back to the view of the spinning planet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"But I don't really think I can break it Buff." Willow tried to explain. "For one, I don't know if I can get the ingredients I'd need-"
"But you can come up with something eventually, right?" Buffy asked quickly.
Willow just shook her head. "We're not even sure where to begin, much less the destination."
"Summers' sitting room will suit me just fine, Red. Not even gonna get that picky. Anyplace in our dimension and time would do me." Spike declared.
"You can drop me off at the mall." Dawn supplied, not to be left out.
Willow ran her fingers through her trimmed hair and stared at the replicator in the wall near the table. "Even if I can just order up what I need," She looked back at her best friend with an apologetic face. "I have absolutely no idea what that is."
Buffy sighed. Willow would have been their easiest way to an exit. She had been hoping her Wiccan friend would have some clue as how to get back home, but they'd been over it from at least 10 different angles. Her only possible chance of working a reversal spell would be with Tara's help... and most likely one from inside this new and still forming dimension would fail.
She just plain didn't have the power to control that kind of energy again without her lover's help. How she'd managed with the aid of Dawn was still baffling. The only thing that made sense was that The Key was purely a dimensional entity. Unfortunately the red head wasn't sure how she could use that to her advantage. She was pretty sure trying to use the energy that created this place to destroy it would very possibly kill Dawn. Definitely not an option.
"But your bird still 'as the spell. Could be working out a counter as we speak. Probably got Rupes in on it by now even." Spike looked for other answers. What he knew of the spell was not so much the magic, but the actual effect. He knew there was no way for them to get out on this end. Had to rely on the ones still in SunnyD.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Xander looked back up at the microwave's clock. Shook his head at it, then his eyes went back down to the book he was currently trying to understand. Gathered it up a little tighter as it lay on the table, and read the next few passages, checked out the diagram drawn out on the page, then looked back at the clock.
Tara and Giles had left only a half hour ago to retrieve pillar candles from the magic shop and a crystal that Tara had at her dorm. Anya however, had been gone almost 3 hours. For snacks. With more then $150.00's in her purse. Anything could have gone wrong.
He was now trying to decide exactly what kind of worried he was.
When Tara came across the spell, Giles had seemed excited, at first. The spell wasn't supposed to be complicated, but at the same time, it hadn't really been designed to yank people out of a 'not exactly natural' dimension. In fact, it was one of the few times that Xander really wasn't sure how the spell would help. But if the G-man said it might, that was good enough for him.
So he sat, and waited, and read on just in case this spell didn't work. Although, as he read, he knew he had no idea what he was looking for. Obviously, since Tara had found the incantation they were planning on using in the pages he had read only 20 minutes before she had.
He leaned over the book further after turning yet another useless page when, he heard something moving on the back porch. Just a shuffling of feet but then, glass crashing onto the wooden steps leading to it, then a loud thud as something was dropped.
Quietly he shut the book and slid one of the knives out of the butcher block that sat on the island as he stood from the stool and made his way slowly to the door, trying to stay out of line of sight so the person or demon waiting there couldn't see him. He squatted a little, just able to peek through the small glass window built into the door when-
"Oomph!" He was smacked by the door as it swung open by Anya with two armfuls of groceries weighing her down.
"Xander!" She cried when she saw him flat on his back with his hands both covering his forehead. She ran over him and set the groceries on the island before carefully leaning over to judge the damage done to her boyfriend. "What happened?"
He shuffled to shut the door as quickly as he could. nearly shoving his girlfriend onto her bottom as he tried to get to the door in record speed before slamming it closed.
Anya caught her balance quickly and right when the door slammed, she went off on him. "Xander Harris, what kind of way is that to treat me?!?" Her brow furrowed in anger and hurt.
Xander never lost a beat and grabbed her shoulders trying to shove her down making it very possible once again that she would land on her behind. "That's it. We are never playing demon hunter again. Macho manly is one thing, this is becoming abusive. and you're not even in costume."
For a brief moment, there was a sly grin on his face, before he remembered there was a possible bad guy outside. "Ahn, there's something out there. A clumsy something... with glass."
Now her curiosity was piqued enough that she lowered herself into a squatting position next to him and they shimmied behind the counter hoping no one could see inside. "I heard it... loud, clumpy feet." Xander continued. "I think it was leaving. You must have just missed him. Did you see any glass? I heard him throwing something in glass."
He watched her slowly rise back into a standing position. "I do not have loud clumpy feet!"
Xander was now lost. "What?"
"And the pickles were on sale. They are very useful for meals, sandwiches, even a quick snack." Anya continued to the door and swung it open before walking out to retrieve the other shopping bags she'd dropped outside before bringing the bags with other breakables in first. "I swear, I don't know why they would put them in glass containers these days." She said placing the bags on the counter next to the others. Then she headed to the broom closet and grabbed a broom and dust pan along with the spray attachment for the hose outside to spray off the brine.
Xander had managed to stand and was now looking out the open door taking small steps forward until he reached the stairs. There, shining in the moonlight, were several shards of glass along with a good 20 of those monster sized pickles you could sometimes get for two dollars a piece when the Sunnydale Carnival opened in the summer.
Anya brushed by him and began gathering as many of the large pieces of glass by hand as she could before attempting to sweep up the smaller bits floating in the pickle juice. She glanced up at him. "Well? Are you going to help? This is supposed to be one of those times you help. I'm sure I read it in Elle, or maybe it was one of Dawn's 17 Magazines." She thought about it for a minute. "I know it was one of those."
Xander smiled a little at her, and held the dustpan in place while she accidentally splattered pickle juice on his shirt while sweeping. "So, what's with all the bags?"
"Oh, that." Anya said dismissively and shrugged between sweeps. "I just figured, since they didn't seem to have much food around that Buffy and Dawn might, you know, get hungry someday. They'd need food. Seemed like the most reasonable way to spend Giles's money."
He couldn't help it. He stood up and gave her a kiss right there. A lot of people didn't get it. Why he loved her. She was just so. exotic. At least that was when he thought. To his friends she was weird. This in a group that included demons and witches was something else.
They missed this though. Sure she was spending someone else's money, but Giles would have done the same thing eventually. Buffy was still in mourning mode, and unfortunately anything past 'get up, take care of Dawn, hurt a lot, go to bed'. well she just hadn't thought much past those elements of life lately. Unless she was working on a big bad that she had to stop. But that had only happened once so far since Joyce's passing.
Anya had a bright grin on her face when he sat back down on the step waiting for her to continue. She did and remembered something else. "I even bought those nachos, and the salsa. Extra hot so you can do that heavy breathing thing you enjoy so much after every bite."
"That's my girl." He shook his head and smirked before walking the dustpan to the garbage can inside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The transport completed, and Commander Riker found himself standing on concrete. A fairly large expanse of concrete that formed a rough circle with 5 pillars scattered along its edges and one at the center and surrounded by tiny pebbles of several earthy tones that also made up paths leading out to the community.
Beyond the space was a village. Log cabins of varying design and size had been constructed over the years. If he didn't know better he'd nearly guess he was in the frontier days of The United State's Ancient West. Past the small village was a great expanse of forest, and rolling hills full of life. It was a virtual paradise untouched but for the necessities.
There was no horse and buggies, or any type of vehicular transportation that he could see. Just people, walking around with baggage, or with small children in hand. Some meandered from door to door. Others were, it seemed, waiting for them.
The woman who'd spoken to them on the screen was nowhere in sight. Instead a man in his 40's with jet black hair and very simple cotton trousers and a light blue button up shirt stepped forward with a broad grin and a welcoming look in his eyes. "May the heart of Mandos protect you, and may the embrace of life forever surround you." He said as he walked towards the away party.
William Riker faltered for just a moment before replying. "Thank you." He said trying not to question his words.
The man merely nodded, before letting out a small chuckle. "I don't particularly like the formalities myself." He said and held out his hand for a more familiar greeting. "Name's Jacob."
Riker happily took it and began introductions. "I'm commander Riker," He said then turned to the others who'd been requested for this mission. "This is Mr. Data, Doctor Crusher," the two nodded in order of introduction. "And Ensign Tau."
The last to be introduced, a younger Asian male officer adorned in blue, was a last minute addition to the away team. He was there to get as many readings to try to explain the unusual activity of the planet as a whole. As soon as introductions were finished on their side he pulled out the tri- corder at his hip and waved it slightly before requesting permission. "May I?"
"Of course Mr. Tau." Jacob easily acquiesced. "Although I doubt it will do you much good." The man said plainly. "I'll be guessing you scanned the planet hoping to find out why the old girl is on a rampage."
Riker took note that once again, the planet was referred to as a living being. "All the information we have gathered showed no reason for any of the disturbances that we've observed."
Jacob chuckled to himself, causing his shoulders to shake a bit. "Well, sometimes the science of life, doesn't really apply. And just like unusual miracles can take place, so can a little magic." He back peddled. "But I'm getting ahead of myself and Ellaina will have my head if I don't get you to her right quick."
"Have your head, Sir?" Data asked simply.
"And on a platter at that." The man agreed, not understanding the android's confusion.
"I'll explain later." The doctor whispered in the golden eyed man's direction then addressed the colonist. "If you have any injured..." She let the sentence remain unfinished.
At this the man seemed to be sizing her up. As though a doctor was the craziest idea he'd ever taken the time to consider. But he was never one to turn away the offer of help. "Over there." He pointed behind the group to a cabin that was longer then many of the others. It had decidedly more windows as well and instead of the usual one or 2 chimneys, it held five. "Constance is who you should ask for."
Beverly thanked him, and headed in the direction of what must be the hospital for these people.
Ensign Tau was still busy walking in circles as he followed the paths of several different oddities pointed out to him by the blipping instrument in his hand. Nothing substantial, but because he was still unsure of exactly what he would find, every avenue was to be explored.
William and Data left the young officer to his duty as Jacob began leading them away past the dozen or so people who had gathered to see the visitors. "Ellaina is already with the others. They've been trying to read the problem, but it seems last evening's festivities caused a bit of a problem on many levels. We've been waiting nearly 30 years for the right time," He walked them past two cabins and turned off the path they'd been following now heading towards the expanse of trees that helped to shelter the village during terrible wind storms that could come from nowhere, but were weathered because of the sanctity of this area. "It seems that we may have been a bit rash about the whole thing."
He led the two further, past several more homes and gardens, livestock and small crops. It was a self sufficient town. Although there were easily 70 residents in this area alone they seemed to satisfy their own needs fairly well. The people they passed looked healthy and quite content. A man could be seen sharpening an ax in front of his home, another woman sat with several children and explained the names of an assortment of plants, whilst another woman with her hair pulled back hung laundry on a line, saw the troupe pass and stopped to wave before gathering up another piece of clothing to be hung out.
Soon the three were entering the forest on the outskirts and another path took form below their feet. "Best hush up from here on." Jacob said in a low voice. "Meditation you know."
Riker glanced over at Data a moment. The android seemed quite enthused with what was going on, taking it all in as they continued. The trees grow high above, and the leaves shielded them from the bright sun causing a chill to run through the commander as they passed through the shadows provided.
Although the colonists that had originally settled here were allowed to bring some of their own familiar animals and plants for food and normal life needs, the planet still had its own indigenous life, and although the trees growing around were quite similar to oaks and pine, some of the creatures were much different. The squirrel like animals scurrying about had no fur, and the skin they proudly bore was almost reptilian. While the four legged creatures were solid, heavy and also lacked fur. Riker found himself trying to decide if the quiet animals were more like bears, or moose, but with the complete absence of antlers he just couldn't decide.
So enraptured with his observations was he, that he nearly missed Jacob's warning to stop. Among the foliage he saw a circle of 5 people holding hands while they sat and chanting quietly. All dressed in similar attire as the woman he's seen on the view-screen, but here several shades were represented; green, orange, red, blue, and purple. The woman in purple he recognized immediately as Ellaina.
The three men kept back as the five people continued speaking in such a quiet voice that no one could understand them. No one but the android who had amazingly inhuman hearing. After all, he wasn't human. "Commander," He began in a hushed tone. "I believe they are speaking in a derivative of Latin, but no dialect I am familiar with."
Jacob turned back to them and gave Mr. Data reprimanding look, as if he were a child before bringing his finger to his own lips in a "shh" motion.
Data nodded curtly and they turned back to the scene a few meters away.
The figure in orange let one of the hands go and dropped what looked like powder into a small pot sitting in the center of the circle. With their back to the newly arrived and Jacob, the person continued the chant and within seconds a smoke rose above the pot into the air. As it rose it expanded and went from a dismal gray to an enchanting yellow with sparkling glints of light beaming erratically.
Then the person in orange stood and turned with his arms spread wide. His voice boomed over the others still mumbling the words they were supposed to. "To appease. To appease. To Quite. To still." The man said and spun back to those accompanying him in his journey, then crouched back down and scooped up another handful of the powder before depositing it into the pot.
Data exchanged glances of curiosity and confusion with his commanding officer who looked just as surprised by the effects the smoke was putting out.
All at once the shimmer grew and passed over the heads of the chanters in a swirl before heading straight up past the trees and out of sight too quickly to surmise its direction. All five of the figures looked up seemingly in wait. They stayed that way for exactly 10 minutes 27 seconds, according to Data's internal chronometer before any of them made a sound. "I'm afraid this does not bode well." The man in orange offered to the others in the circle.
"This can not be righted. Not by us it seems." The woman in blue added.
"We have been offered assistance." Ellaina stood and commented.
"But we can't leave her like this. It's never been our way to cause such a thing, and run." Orange said while the others all stood gathering up small bags and pouches.
The woman in green took up the pot and placed it gingerly in a plain green satchel obviously made for its care. "But if we are unable to reverse the effects, what are we to do then?"
Jacob decided to make their presence known at this time. "Not going so well then?" he said as he walked towards the small group.
Ellaina turned and took note of the strangers, realizing they had seen what she wanted them to, only the outcome was quite different then she was hoping for. "I'm afraid the spell provided no answers. Whatever is causing the imbalance is still unknown." She said shaking her head with some sadness.
"A spell? Is that what that was?" The bearded commander asked. He'd been hearing that word a bit today, and at this point was beginning to think his captain was quite right in assuming the strange visitors and this colony's problems may be in connection.
Ellaina nodded back to the other colorfully dressed people before heading in the direction of the curious onlookers. "Yes, it is why I wanted to show you. To explain it to those who do not believe. well... it can be quite trying."
"I do not know of any combination of elements that would cause that particular reaction." Data said, still looking from the area previously settled by the five, to the sky where the fog had gone. "Tell me, what combination was used?"
Ellaina, now standing with the three began walking up the path they had just arrived from. "What if I told you the elements, as you call them, are not purely physical?"
"To what end?" He asked.
She stopped a moment to ponder the best way to answer, but Jacob was happy to offer one up. "It's all of it. What you think, what you feel, who you are along with everything nature provides."
"That's quite well put Jacob." Ellaina praised him and they continued towards the town. "You see Mr.-"
"Data." He introduced himself and looked behind to Riker. "And he is Commander Riker."
She nodded politely back to the commander for recognition but kept walking. "Well Mr. Data., We here believe you can not just take the physical into account for anything. On any level, all things come together to cause the reaction you saw. It is our will and the ingredients that help to give us an inner sight to the answer." She glanced back to see if they understood. By the looks on the faces of the two Enterprise officers, she was fairly sure they did not understand.
With a small sigh, she stopped again and turned. "It's magic gentleman. Plain and simple." She looked back upwards, hoping to see the result of the spell come back and give her that answer. Instead she shook her head and looked back to the curious man in gold. "Unfortunately, it seems there isn't an answer."
Riker looked back towards the small clearing the spell had been done in. "And the others that were with you?"
She began walking again, and again they followed. "Priests and Priestesses of the villages that are scattered around the forest. That spot is the most spiritually cleansed in the area. Perfect for communing with the planet itself. But it seems even she doesn't know why she is so ill."
Quietly, Data began to put a few clues together, but he was unsure if his assumptions were correct. "And that spell, the one you just cast, it was to tell you what is wrong?"
"Not exactly my mechanical friend. It was to point out what is out of alignment. You see, last evening was the celebration of The Melding. We pay homage to that which we use on a daily basis and try to appreciate. From the water we drink to the air we breathe, even the very fabric of time and dimension. Unfortunately the rituals have upset something in the balance. Something that we can't see or feel or. possibly understand."
"Could it be atmospheric?" Riker asked. "It seemed to head right into the sky. It would seem to be the most logical conclusion."
"True." Jacob said as they ducked under a low hanging tree limb. "It's what I asked the first time they tried it, but seems that if that were the case, the casting would fill the sky with that yellow."
"Correct Jacob. But at least this time it didn't just dissipate. There was a point to it." She sighed again, "We just don't know what it was yet."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ensign Craigs held his post outside the quarters of their mysterious visitors. It had been quiet, with only the blonde girl coming out once, then going straight back inside. He wasn't sure what that had been about, but he wasn't there to ask questions. He was there to make sure they had what they needed and to escort them if need be.
It wasn't the most exciting job, but it would do better then cleaning a bulkhead. Besides, he had some things to think about with a possible promotion coming up. He'd have to find some great way to woo the head of security. A daunting task if ever there was one.
"'Ey mate." The voice came from behind him and the young man turned around to see the blond man standing by the open door. He seemed to be shining, or glittering. He wasn't sure how to describe the effects going on around the vampire. "Was just wondering," Spike continued as he tried to brush off the tiny bits of light clinging to his person. "Is this a normal thing around 'ere?"
The security officer took a step back and peered in through the doorway to see the three females also covered with an illumination of golden light. On auto pilot, the man did what his training told him to. "Ensign Craigs to Security." Craigs began after tapping the insignia on his chest.
"Security here." He heard Lt. Commander Worf's voice come over the communicator.
"Sir, something-" He cut his words off and tried to find a way to explain what he was seeing.
"This is mad strange." Buffy commented.
Willow watched the twinkling on her fingertips. "It looks like a modified locator spell."
Dawn was waving her hands around, watching the lingering light make funny designs, allot like sparklers on the Fourth of July. "I think it's cool."
"Ensign Craigs. What is the problem?" The stern voice called out.
"Sir," He began again. "I think you better come down here and see this for yourself."
Okies?
Thanks again to you who review. I don't think I'd be this far if you didn't drop me a line once in awhile.
This is dedicated to bjred who is my real life bestest friend and prolly my most avid reader. Thanks girl for all your advice and help.
Mandos 3
"Hail them again Mr. Tammel." Picard ordered as he stood now, studying the green and blue orb spin on the large view-screen . "All Languages, all frequencies." He turned and took the short walk back to the center seat in the row set aside for the command unit present. Riker to his right, Counselor Troi to his left.
The lovely brunette was called to duty just minutes ago, waiting to assess the condition of the colonists. Unfortunately her empathic ability, usually a strength she used daily, was erratic. The people below were confused, scared, depressed, euphoric, and hundreds of other mixed emotions. This was of course no different then any mixture among a populace. But in this case something was wrong. For one, the strength at which she would sense them was intense to say the least. Then for no reason she could discern, they would be gone. Completely blank in all ways. Then all she sensed were the people on the ship with her, now in orbit of the planet.
"I'm detecting seismic activity on all 5 of the continents, Captain. Electromagnetic shifts in the atmosphere, and another 17.4% increase in unusual weather patterns." The android's hands moved quickly over the panel in front of him as he relayed the information.
The Vulcan beside him, the aforementioned Mr. Tammel, made similar movements, though not as quickly they were nearly as precise. He also watched the changes in the planet's atmosphere, looking for a pattern that would allow a signal to penetrate the unusual natural field that seemed to be acting quit unnaturally.
"Counselor?" The Captain asked the young woman sitting beside him in a blue uniform much like the Doctor's.
Deanna's brow furrowed as she tried to concentrate on what her mind was seeing. "Something is, magnifying the people's feelings, Captain. It's a little difficult to say what is happening down there. It's.." Her hand went to her head and she slumped back into her seat a moment as all the voices left. "It's gone again." She said looking very drained but trying to sit back up. She closed her eyes for a second waiting for her mind to clear, then opened them and turned to Jean-Luc. "I'm not sure how. it's as though they are screaming. Everything is so much," she searched for a word to describe it. "more. I do sense extreme distress on the most southern continent. If we could-"
"Hello. Anyone." The voice cackled through finally.
The entire bridge became silent but for Ensign Tammel. "Sir, we have broken through, but I do not know how long the signal can be maintained."
Picard nodded and once again stood. 'This is Jean-Luc Picard, of the Starship Enterprise. We received your distress signal. Please, what is happening, and how may we assist?"
There was another round of crackling static, and the bridge crew all waited for the next words of whoever had responded to them. When the transmission continued, their contact was new, a female. "Captain, Please stand by. The next calm will soon arrive."
And the signal was cut off.
Picard looked over his shoulder to his first officer, both with a slightly confused face staring back.
"Sir," They both heard Data call and their attention turned to the pale man now scrolling through the readings as they came in. An intrigued look overtook the officer's face. "It's stopped."
Picard walked over to Data's post and read over the new information.
"The Electromagnetic disturbances have stopped," The android's fingers pressed another glowing rectangular outline on the black surface. "And tectonic activities have returned to normal. Along with wind patterns and all unusual weather." He announced with subtle surprise at each new display.
"Enterprise." A crisp clear female voice came through. "Are you still with us?" She asked a bit demanding.
The captain looked up out of habit and took on the attitude of 'the man in charge'. "Yes. Mandos Colony, this is Captain Picard. To whom am I speaking?"
All at once the view-screen changed to show an elder gray haired and slightly wrinkled woman dressed in robes of several shade of violet. What looked like silk scarves also in an array of purples, were draped over her shoulders. She stood slightly bent, leaning on a wood desk with her hands propping her up. Behind her was what seemed to be personal living quarters . Framed pictures of groups of smiling people, potted greenery and shelves of books, tiny statues and other obviously personal belongings lined the wall directly behind her. There was also a row of baskets with fruits and vegetables in wait for use hanging from the ceiling in a row to the right from the Captain's view. The walls seemed to be constructed from the trees in the area, as an earthly log cabin would be.
Standing to the left was a blonde skinny young man who seemed to be in his early 20's, most probably the owner of the voice who had answered earlier.
The woman straightened up and sighed heavily. "Well that is much better. I'm Ellaina, high priestess of this province. You say you received our distress signal?"
Clearing his throat, Picard nodded. "Yes. How may we be of service? Do you know what is causing the anomalies on the planet?"
"As for your first question, you could prepare for a possible rescue of this colony." She shook her hand directing it to her left and turned before speaking to the boy behind her. "Go fetch Jacob. Tell him to meet me in the square."
The boy nodded quickly and walked past her to the unseen exit.
"And the second?" Riker asked before stepping to the side of his Captain.
"As for the second, I'm afraid I can only show you. It will be safe for a party to transport for another 4 hours. Then I'm afraid the next window will not be for at least another 20 hours after." She explained.
Picard pursed his lips for a moment before making the decision. "Very well." He turned to Riker. "Gather an away team. Include the doctor for any injured they may have."
Riker turned immediately to Data. "Mr. Data, you're with me." And headed towards the turbo lift located in the back right corner of The Bridge. The Android stood and followed without question as another officer took his post.
"Captain?" Troi requested.
The man in question came back to his seat and gave the woman his attention with a curious look. "I feel a presence. One separate from the colony. It's almost as if-" She seemed to search out something in her mind. "The planet. The planet itself is giving off a presence."
"Yes young lady. You are quite right." The colonist confirmed, drawing the attention back to herself. "Unfortunately that's part of the problem. She's an unhappy girl right now, and if we can't appease her. well, Captain we'd appreciate any help you can provide to get my people a safe distance from here if worst comes to worst." Something caught her attention out of the area of the view-screen's vantage, then she turned back. "I'm sending coordinates of the main square for your officer's transport. I'm afraid I must go now. And Thank you Captain Picard." She shared a small smile before the screen went back to the view of the spinning planet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"But I don't really think I can break it Buff." Willow tried to explain. "For one, I don't know if I can get the ingredients I'd need-"
"But you can come up with something eventually, right?" Buffy asked quickly.
Willow just shook her head. "We're not even sure where to begin, much less the destination."
"Summers' sitting room will suit me just fine, Red. Not even gonna get that picky. Anyplace in our dimension and time would do me." Spike declared.
"You can drop me off at the mall." Dawn supplied, not to be left out.
Willow ran her fingers through her trimmed hair and stared at the replicator in the wall near the table. "Even if I can just order up what I need," She looked back at her best friend with an apologetic face. "I have absolutely no idea what that is."
Buffy sighed. Willow would have been their easiest way to an exit. She had been hoping her Wiccan friend would have some clue as how to get back home, but they'd been over it from at least 10 different angles. Her only possible chance of working a reversal spell would be with Tara's help... and most likely one from inside this new and still forming dimension would fail.
She just plain didn't have the power to control that kind of energy again without her lover's help. How she'd managed with the aid of Dawn was still baffling. The only thing that made sense was that The Key was purely a dimensional entity. Unfortunately the red head wasn't sure how she could use that to her advantage. She was pretty sure trying to use the energy that created this place to destroy it would very possibly kill Dawn. Definitely not an option.
"But your bird still 'as the spell. Could be working out a counter as we speak. Probably got Rupes in on it by now even." Spike looked for other answers. What he knew of the spell was not so much the magic, but the actual effect. He knew there was no way for them to get out on this end. Had to rely on the ones still in SunnyD.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Xander looked back up at the microwave's clock. Shook his head at it, then his eyes went back down to the book he was currently trying to understand. Gathered it up a little tighter as it lay on the table, and read the next few passages, checked out the diagram drawn out on the page, then looked back at the clock.
Tara and Giles had left only a half hour ago to retrieve pillar candles from the magic shop and a crystal that Tara had at her dorm. Anya however, had been gone almost 3 hours. For snacks. With more then $150.00's in her purse. Anything could have gone wrong.
He was now trying to decide exactly what kind of worried he was.
When Tara came across the spell, Giles had seemed excited, at first. The spell wasn't supposed to be complicated, but at the same time, it hadn't really been designed to yank people out of a 'not exactly natural' dimension. In fact, it was one of the few times that Xander really wasn't sure how the spell would help. But if the G-man said it might, that was good enough for him.
So he sat, and waited, and read on just in case this spell didn't work. Although, as he read, he knew he had no idea what he was looking for. Obviously, since Tara had found the incantation they were planning on using in the pages he had read only 20 minutes before she had.
He leaned over the book further after turning yet another useless page when, he heard something moving on the back porch. Just a shuffling of feet but then, glass crashing onto the wooden steps leading to it, then a loud thud as something was dropped.
Quietly he shut the book and slid one of the knives out of the butcher block that sat on the island as he stood from the stool and made his way slowly to the door, trying to stay out of line of sight so the person or demon waiting there couldn't see him. He squatted a little, just able to peek through the small glass window built into the door when-
"Oomph!" He was smacked by the door as it swung open by Anya with two armfuls of groceries weighing her down.
"Xander!" She cried when she saw him flat on his back with his hands both covering his forehead. She ran over him and set the groceries on the island before carefully leaning over to judge the damage done to her boyfriend. "What happened?"
He shuffled to shut the door as quickly as he could. nearly shoving his girlfriend onto her bottom as he tried to get to the door in record speed before slamming it closed.
Anya caught her balance quickly and right when the door slammed, she went off on him. "Xander Harris, what kind of way is that to treat me?!?" Her brow furrowed in anger and hurt.
Xander never lost a beat and grabbed her shoulders trying to shove her down making it very possible once again that she would land on her behind. "That's it. We are never playing demon hunter again. Macho manly is one thing, this is becoming abusive. and you're not even in costume."
For a brief moment, there was a sly grin on his face, before he remembered there was a possible bad guy outside. "Ahn, there's something out there. A clumsy something... with glass."
Now her curiosity was piqued enough that she lowered herself into a squatting position next to him and they shimmied behind the counter hoping no one could see inside. "I heard it... loud, clumpy feet." Xander continued. "I think it was leaving. You must have just missed him. Did you see any glass? I heard him throwing something in glass."
He watched her slowly rise back into a standing position. "I do not have loud clumpy feet!"
Xander was now lost. "What?"
"And the pickles were on sale. They are very useful for meals, sandwiches, even a quick snack." Anya continued to the door and swung it open before walking out to retrieve the other shopping bags she'd dropped outside before bringing the bags with other breakables in first. "I swear, I don't know why they would put them in glass containers these days." She said placing the bags on the counter next to the others. Then she headed to the broom closet and grabbed a broom and dust pan along with the spray attachment for the hose outside to spray off the brine.
Xander had managed to stand and was now looking out the open door taking small steps forward until he reached the stairs. There, shining in the moonlight, were several shards of glass along with a good 20 of those monster sized pickles you could sometimes get for two dollars a piece when the Sunnydale Carnival opened in the summer.
Anya brushed by him and began gathering as many of the large pieces of glass by hand as she could before attempting to sweep up the smaller bits floating in the pickle juice. She glanced up at him. "Well? Are you going to help? This is supposed to be one of those times you help. I'm sure I read it in Elle, or maybe it was one of Dawn's 17 Magazines." She thought about it for a minute. "I know it was one of those."
Xander smiled a little at her, and held the dustpan in place while she accidentally splattered pickle juice on his shirt while sweeping. "So, what's with all the bags?"
"Oh, that." Anya said dismissively and shrugged between sweeps. "I just figured, since they didn't seem to have much food around that Buffy and Dawn might, you know, get hungry someday. They'd need food. Seemed like the most reasonable way to spend Giles's money."
He couldn't help it. He stood up and gave her a kiss right there. A lot of people didn't get it. Why he loved her. She was just so. exotic. At least that was when he thought. To his friends she was weird. This in a group that included demons and witches was something else.
They missed this though. Sure she was spending someone else's money, but Giles would have done the same thing eventually. Buffy was still in mourning mode, and unfortunately anything past 'get up, take care of Dawn, hurt a lot, go to bed'. well she just hadn't thought much past those elements of life lately. Unless she was working on a big bad that she had to stop. But that had only happened once so far since Joyce's passing.
Anya had a bright grin on her face when he sat back down on the step waiting for her to continue. She did and remembered something else. "I even bought those nachos, and the salsa. Extra hot so you can do that heavy breathing thing you enjoy so much after every bite."
"That's my girl." He shook his head and smirked before walking the dustpan to the garbage can inside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The transport completed, and Commander Riker found himself standing on concrete. A fairly large expanse of concrete that formed a rough circle with 5 pillars scattered along its edges and one at the center and surrounded by tiny pebbles of several earthy tones that also made up paths leading out to the community.
Beyond the space was a village. Log cabins of varying design and size had been constructed over the years. If he didn't know better he'd nearly guess he was in the frontier days of The United State's Ancient West. Past the small village was a great expanse of forest, and rolling hills full of life. It was a virtual paradise untouched but for the necessities.
There was no horse and buggies, or any type of vehicular transportation that he could see. Just people, walking around with baggage, or with small children in hand. Some meandered from door to door. Others were, it seemed, waiting for them.
The woman who'd spoken to them on the screen was nowhere in sight. Instead a man in his 40's with jet black hair and very simple cotton trousers and a light blue button up shirt stepped forward with a broad grin and a welcoming look in his eyes. "May the heart of Mandos protect you, and may the embrace of life forever surround you." He said as he walked towards the away party.
William Riker faltered for just a moment before replying. "Thank you." He said trying not to question his words.
The man merely nodded, before letting out a small chuckle. "I don't particularly like the formalities myself." He said and held out his hand for a more familiar greeting. "Name's Jacob."
Riker happily took it and began introductions. "I'm commander Riker," He said then turned to the others who'd been requested for this mission. "This is Mr. Data, Doctor Crusher," the two nodded in order of introduction. "And Ensign Tau."
The last to be introduced, a younger Asian male officer adorned in blue, was a last minute addition to the away team. He was there to get as many readings to try to explain the unusual activity of the planet as a whole. As soon as introductions were finished on their side he pulled out the tri- corder at his hip and waved it slightly before requesting permission. "May I?"
"Of course Mr. Tau." Jacob easily acquiesced. "Although I doubt it will do you much good." The man said plainly. "I'll be guessing you scanned the planet hoping to find out why the old girl is on a rampage."
Riker took note that once again, the planet was referred to as a living being. "All the information we have gathered showed no reason for any of the disturbances that we've observed."
Jacob chuckled to himself, causing his shoulders to shake a bit. "Well, sometimes the science of life, doesn't really apply. And just like unusual miracles can take place, so can a little magic." He back peddled. "But I'm getting ahead of myself and Ellaina will have my head if I don't get you to her right quick."
"Have your head, Sir?" Data asked simply.
"And on a platter at that." The man agreed, not understanding the android's confusion.
"I'll explain later." The doctor whispered in the golden eyed man's direction then addressed the colonist. "If you have any injured..." She let the sentence remain unfinished.
At this the man seemed to be sizing her up. As though a doctor was the craziest idea he'd ever taken the time to consider. But he was never one to turn away the offer of help. "Over there." He pointed behind the group to a cabin that was longer then many of the others. It had decidedly more windows as well and instead of the usual one or 2 chimneys, it held five. "Constance is who you should ask for."
Beverly thanked him, and headed in the direction of what must be the hospital for these people.
Ensign Tau was still busy walking in circles as he followed the paths of several different oddities pointed out to him by the blipping instrument in his hand. Nothing substantial, but because he was still unsure of exactly what he would find, every avenue was to be explored.
William and Data left the young officer to his duty as Jacob began leading them away past the dozen or so people who had gathered to see the visitors. "Ellaina is already with the others. They've been trying to read the problem, but it seems last evening's festivities caused a bit of a problem on many levels. We've been waiting nearly 30 years for the right time," He walked them past two cabins and turned off the path they'd been following now heading towards the expanse of trees that helped to shelter the village during terrible wind storms that could come from nowhere, but were weathered because of the sanctity of this area. "It seems that we may have been a bit rash about the whole thing."
He led the two further, past several more homes and gardens, livestock and small crops. It was a self sufficient town. Although there were easily 70 residents in this area alone they seemed to satisfy their own needs fairly well. The people they passed looked healthy and quite content. A man could be seen sharpening an ax in front of his home, another woman sat with several children and explained the names of an assortment of plants, whilst another woman with her hair pulled back hung laundry on a line, saw the troupe pass and stopped to wave before gathering up another piece of clothing to be hung out.
Soon the three were entering the forest on the outskirts and another path took form below their feet. "Best hush up from here on." Jacob said in a low voice. "Meditation you know."
Riker glanced over at Data a moment. The android seemed quite enthused with what was going on, taking it all in as they continued. The trees grow high above, and the leaves shielded them from the bright sun causing a chill to run through the commander as they passed through the shadows provided.
Although the colonists that had originally settled here were allowed to bring some of their own familiar animals and plants for food and normal life needs, the planet still had its own indigenous life, and although the trees growing around were quite similar to oaks and pine, some of the creatures were much different. The squirrel like animals scurrying about had no fur, and the skin they proudly bore was almost reptilian. While the four legged creatures were solid, heavy and also lacked fur. Riker found himself trying to decide if the quiet animals were more like bears, or moose, but with the complete absence of antlers he just couldn't decide.
So enraptured with his observations was he, that he nearly missed Jacob's warning to stop. Among the foliage he saw a circle of 5 people holding hands while they sat and chanting quietly. All dressed in similar attire as the woman he's seen on the view-screen, but here several shades were represented; green, orange, red, blue, and purple. The woman in purple he recognized immediately as Ellaina.
The three men kept back as the five people continued speaking in such a quiet voice that no one could understand them. No one but the android who had amazingly inhuman hearing. After all, he wasn't human. "Commander," He began in a hushed tone. "I believe they are speaking in a derivative of Latin, but no dialect I am familiar with."
Jacob turned back to them and gave Mr. Data reprimanding look, as if he were a child before bringing his finger to his own lips in a "shh" motion.
Data nodded curtly and they turned back to the scene a few meters away.
The figure in orange let one of the hands go and dropped what looked like powder into a small pot sitting in the center of the circle. With their back to the newly arrived and Jacob, the person continued the chant and within seconds a smoke rose above the pot into the air. As it rose it expanded and went from a dismal gray to an enchanting yellow with sparkling glints of light beaming erratically.
Then the person in orange stood and turned with his arms spread wide. His voice boomed over the others still mumbling the words they were supposed to. "To appease. To appease. To Quite. To still." The man said and spun back to those accompanying him in his journey, then crouched back down and scooped up another handful of the powder before depositing it into the pot.
Data exchanged glances of curiosity and confusion with his commanding officer who looked just as surprised by the effects the smoke was putting out.
All at once the shimmer grew and passed over the heads of the chanters in a swirl before heading straight up past the trees and out of sight too quickly to surmise its direction. All five of the figures looked up seemingly in wait. They stayed that way for exactly 10 minutes 27 seconds, according to Data's internal chronometer before any of them made a sound. "I'm afraid this does not bode well." The man in orange offered to the others in the circle.
"This can not be righted. Not by us it seems." The woman in blue added.
"We have been offered assistance." Ellaina stood and commented.
"But we can't leave her like this. It's never been our way to cause such a thing, and run." Orange said while the others all stood gathering up small bags and pouches.
The woman in green took up the pot and placed it gingerly in a plain green satchel obviously made for its care. "But if we are unable to reverse the effects, what are we to do then?"
Jacob decided to make their presence known at this time. "Not going so well then?" he said as he walked towards the small group.
Ellaina turned and took note of the strangers, realizing they had seen what she wanted them to, only the outcome was quite different then she was hoping for. "I'm afraid the spell provided no answers. Whatever is causing the imbalance is still unknown." She said shaking her head with some sadness.
"A spell? Is that what that was?" The bearded commander asked. He'd been hearing that word a bit today, and at this point was beginning to think his captain was quite right in assuming the strange visitors and this colony's problems may be in connection.
Ellaina nodded back to the other colorfully dressed people before heading in the direction of the curious onlookers. "Yes, it is why I wanted to show you. To explain it to those who do not believe. well... it can be quite trying."
"I do not know of any combination of elements that would cause that particular reaction." Data said, still looking from the area previously settled by the five, to the sky where the fog had gone. "Tell me, what combination was used?"
Ellaina, now standing with the three began walking up the path they had just arrived from. "What if I told you the elements, as you call them, are not purely physical?"
"To what end?" He asked.
She stopped a moment to ponder the best way to answer, but Jacob was happy to offer one up. "It's all of it. What you think, what you feel, who you are along with everything nature provides."
"That's quite well put Jacob." Ellaina praised him and they continued towards the town. "You see Mr.-"
"Data." He introduced himself and looked behind to Riker. "And he is Commander Riker."
She nodded politely back to the commander for recognition but kept walking. "Well Mr. Data., We here believe you can not just take the physical into account for anything. On any level, all things come together to cause the reaction you saw. It is our will and the ingredients that help to give us an inner sight to the answer." She glanced back to see if they understood. By the looks on the faces of the two Enterprise officers, she was fairly sure they did not understand.
With a small sigh, she stopped again and turned. "It's magic gentleman. Plain and simple." She looked back upwards, hoping to see the result of the spell come back and give her that answer. Instead she shook her head and looked back to the curious man in gold. "Unfortunately, it seems there isn't an answer."
Riker looked back towards the small clearing the spell had been done in. "And the others that were with you?"
She began walking again, and again they followed. "Priests and Priestesses of the villages that are scattered around the forest. That spot is the most spiritually cleansed in the area. Perfect for communing with the planet itself. But it seems even she doesn't know why she is so ill."
Quietly, Data began to put a few clues together, but he was unsure if his assumptions were correct. "And that spell, the one you just cast, it was to tell you what is wrong?"
"Not exactly my mechanical friend. It was to point out what is out of alignment. You see, last evening was the celebration of The Melding. We pay homage to that which we use on a daily basis and try to appreciate. From the water we drink to the air we breathe, even the very fabric of time and dimension. Unfortunately the rituals have upset something in the balance. Something that we can't see or feel or. possibly understand."
"Could it be atmospheric?" Riker asked. "It seemed to head right into the sky. It would seem to be the most logical conclusion."
"True." Jacob said as they ducked under a low hanging tree limb. "It's what I asked the first time they tried it, but seems that if that were the case, the casting would fill the sky with that yellow."
"Correct Jacob. But at least this time it didn't just dissipate. There was a point to it." She sighed again, "We just don't know what it was yet."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ensign Craigs held his post outside the quarters of their mysterious visitors. It had been quiet, with only the blonde girl coming out once, then going straight back inside. He wasn't sure what that had been about, but he wasn't there to ask questions. He was there to make sure they had what they needed and to escort them if need be.
It wasn't the most exciting job, but it would do better then cleaning a bulkhead. Besides, he had some things to think about with a possible promotion coming up. He'd have to find some great way to woo the head of security. A daunting task if ever there was one.
"'Ey mate." The voice came from behind him and the young man turned around to see the blond man standing by the open door. He seemed to be shining, or glittering. He wasn't sure how to describe the effects going on around the vampire. "Was just wondering," Spike continued as he tried to brush off the tiny bits of light clinging to his person. "Is this a normal thing around 'ere?"
The security officer took a step back and peered in through the doorway to see the three females also covered with an illumination of golden light. On auto pilot, the man did what his training told him to. "Ensign Craigs to Security." Craigs began after tapping the insignia on his chest.
"Security here." He heard Lt. Commander Worf's voice come over the communicator.
"Sir, something-" He cut his words off and tried to find a way to explain what he was seeing.
"This is mad strange." Buffy commented.
Willow watched the twinkling on her fingertips. "It looks like a modified locator spell."
Dawn was waving her hands around, watching the lingering light make funny designs, allot like sparklers on the Fourth of July. "I think it's cool."
"Ensign Craigs. What is the problem?" The stern voice called out.
"Sir," He began again. "I think you better come down here and see this for yourself."