########################################################################
Enemy My Friend
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com
Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
########################################################################
----------------
Chapter 5
----------------
-----Arus-----
Allura laid the old book down on the table before her, as Neive then slowly opened it carefully. His eyes widened at the old writing that was penned inside.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
"It was found on Vallis, and Queen Anala was kind enough to send it back with Keith for us," she stated. "Probably acquired by one of the raids that Zarkon had on Arus, and that ship was intercepted by Kelar's forces."
"It's an amazing find, your highness," Neive stated. He looked over the binding as well as the spine and cover. "This was definitely made by the great historians who once worked in the city of Modena; the binding on this book is definitely their signature work. Even the intricate designs in the leather."
"What else can you get from this book?"
"Well, knowing who made the book can help us determine when it was made," Neive stated. He closed the cover and looked at the beautiful scripted writing on the front, significant of the old style of writing, common at the time. "It's probably as old as your own kingdom, Princess."
"2400 years?"
"Whomever had it before it was stolen took very special care of this book," he stated. "Something special must have been written in it."
"That's what I want to know," Allura stated. "And maybe a reason why."
"Well, the inscription here says, 'The Book of Argos'," he said as he then opened the cover and turned to the first handwritten page. "Wow."
"What is it?"
"Would it be alright if we could get Pidge to come up and see this?" Neive asked as he looked to her.
"I'm sure he is not busy, what is it?"
"The writing within this book is written in very old Arusian, but I can translate it, though there are some instances that will probably cause me some trouble. Though, the reason I ask for Pidge's help is this is a book of starcharts."
"Starcharts?"
Neive nodded. "Actually, the way its written in this book, whomever wrote it, sounds as if they are telling the story of someone who visited Arus, 2400 years ago."
"Visited?" Allura asked. "You mean, aliens?"
Neive nodded. "The book starts off with the author explaining where the individual came from; a planet far from here." He turned the page and then followed the handwritten writing with his fingers. "Wow, this is really old useage of Arusian."
"What does it say?"
"The author, seems to have been very interested in the individual, so much as referring it in a 'familiar' terms; like a brother or sister. I'll read straight from the passage here--"
Neive cleared his throat as his hands followed the intricate writing.
" ' From what I can understand of this strange visitor is that he was sent out by his peers to explore the vast galaxy, in a time on his own home world, war was at the heart of his leaders' minds. Dignitaries were sent in search of civilizations advanced enough to understand the intricacies of something called space travel. But this visitor's mission was cut short when his own ship crashed landed here on Arus. ' "
"Crash landed?"
"It goes on," Neive stated. "He did not go into detail of where he came from, but promised, that his words, shall help our own civilization, not make the same mistakes his own people had done."
"Did he name the planet?"
"Argos," Neive stated. "The planet was named Argos."
Allura slowly nodded. "So this must be his telling of what happened on his planet," she stated. "And what he has discovered while on his mission of peace."
"Which he had the fortunate accident of landing here on Arus," Neive stated.
"Neive, could you continue to translate what you can of the book?" Allura asked. "I'll have Pidge work with you on the starcharts."
"It'll be my pleasure, Princess," he stated. "But may I ask why such an interest?"
Allura smiled. "It seems that if the leaders of this planet Argos did send out several dignitaries in search of those that could communicate a message of peace, they could have sent them to other planets within our system."
"That would be logical," Neive stated.
"Queen Anala, also has in possession a similar book," Allura stated. "Written probably, as well, just as long ago."
"You think that one of the dignitaries also left their calling on Vallis?"
"It seems so," she said. "The book that Anala showed me, showed the same starmap to an unknown planet, but charted from her own."
"If Pidge and I can figure out between the two maps...."
Allura met his gaze. "We can find out where this Argos is."
Neive slowly nodded. "And what happened to it."
-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/------/------/-----/-----/-------/------/------/------/------/------/-----/------/------/------/------/------/
-----Doom-----
"Are you sure?"
Zeya slowly nodded as she looked among the dusty shelves of the quiet study they were in.
"You told me that you found it odd that he would be making a visit to Vallis every other week, and I know that the Galaxy Alliance, doesn't normally send someone that often to check up on one of its new acquisitions," she stated as she eyed a book. She then pulled it off the shelf and slowy flipped through it. "Then all of sudden he disappears for months while his team members train a back-up team."
"So, this Queen Anala of Vallis is his sister?" Lotor asked as he poured himself a glass of cognac.
"Seems so," she stated. "I couldn't get much more than that."
Lotor nodded as he downed his drink and eyed his sister. "I've been wondering, why it seems, that this Vallis is so special," he stated. "Like, I've been there before."
"You did have a couple of run-ins with their last leader, did you not?" Zeya asked as she put the book she held back into its place.
"Yes, Kelar," Lotor stated. "But I've never set foot on Vallis while he was in power."
Zeya looked at him. "Maybe you have."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you not state that there was period of time, not so long ago, that you couldn't account for what you did, or where you were?"
"Yes, but how did..."
Zeya then bit her lower lip as she walked away from the shelves. "There is a strange immortal man who keeps watch over the Queen, whenever she goes out into public," she said. "I remember reading up on creatures who once flourished on Vallis that possessed great power, that could rival even the sect of witchcraft that Hagar comes from. The only problem was they could only use their power while under the employ of the masters."
"What kind of power?"
"Anything," she stated. "He does keep guard over her, and I've only seen her once without him in escort."
"Do you think that he is responsible for that time I seem to have lost?"
"It's possible," she said. "That you were and witnessed something that they did not want you to remember?"
"Like this Queen being the sister of our Voltron Captain?"
"Among others," she stated. "I don't know exactly what kind of spell they used on you to make you forget, but Im sure its something that can be reversed."
"Zeya, find out as much as you can on this Vallis, other than what you have observed so far," Lotor stated. "I want to know what happened the 9 months ago, and what kind of weaknesses their forces have."
"And what of that creature?"
"Im sure there are ways to get around him," he stated. "If we can't exploit what we know of Vallis, we can still use their Queen as a bait against the Voltron Force."
"I will consult with Hagar on what she can get from her dark arts," Zeya stated.
"Good," he said. "I want to find out what in Doom is going on."
-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/------/------/-----/-----/-------/------/------/------/------/------/-----/------/------/------/------/------/
-----Vallis-----
Anala looked over the book she was reading, trying to make do with the old language that she had not seen since she herself was a young child. She then gave up on the task as she stood up from her seat and placed the book down on the table before her. She straightened out the jumpsuit she wore, as a light knock came at her study's door.
"Come in," she called out.
She smiled as she watched Xue enter her study and he smiled.
"Mayor Fuarte of Ikon is here with a dignitary who has asked for your audience, Anala," he stated. "He seemed very urgent in his request."
"Oh?" Anala asked as she turned to him. "Where is this dignitary from?"
"Fuarte didn't mention, but he stated that the young man was found roaming around Ikon," he said.
"I hope that it's nothing serious," Anala stated. "But if he is here to see me, I cannot refuse a request."
"I'll escort you down to the foyer," he stated.
She nodded as she linked her arm with Xue's as they walked out of her study. The walk to the foyer was a short one, and Anala smiled as she saw Fuarte standing there, making some conversation with the man who stood near him.
"Mayor Fuarte," Xue said as they approached.
Anala smiled at the mayor as he bowed slightly to her.
"It's been a while, Fuarte," she stated. "How is your wife these days?"
"She's expecting twins coming this harvest season," the man stated. "First ever set in both our families."
"Well, send her my dearest congratulations," Anala stated.
"I will, your highness," he stated. "However, I wish you to meet Sendrre. He was asking around our town to have an audience with you."
Anala nodded as she turned to the young man who stood at Fuarte's side. Though, as she met the man's gaze as he stepped foward, a sudden feeling of fear filled her senses. Her smile disappeared as he neared.
"And what brings you to our humble planet?" she heard Xue ask.
"I've come on behalf of my elder, to give a message," the man stated, a strange accent in his speech.
"Elder?" Xue asked.
Anala could only stare at the young man; she wanted so much to suddenly scream at that moment, but could not find her voice to do so. The man stepped forward again as he pulled out a silver tube from under the cloak he wore.
"This was to be presented to the Magistrate," the man stated. "I take it that must be you."
"Yes," Xue stated as the man then handed him the tube. "What is this concerning?"
"All is explained in the message," he said.
"Xue..." Anala stated.
"And all will be revealed when you come to Argos."
"Argos?" Xue asked.
But before any of them could react, the young man raised his hand toward Xue, as an invisible force sent the immortal flying back, hitting the stone pillar behind him. Anala stood, frozen as she watched him fall to his knees after the blow. She turned around as he did the same to Fuarte.
"I do not wish to hurt you, your higness," the man stated. "If you come without fighting."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Who we are is not important," he said as he walked up to her. "What we do is."
He then grabbed her by her arms, pulling her against him and as he raised his cloak to cover them both, they both disappeared.
"ANALA!!!"
Enemy My Friend
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com
Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
########################################################################
----------------
Chapter 5
----------------
-----Arus-----
Allura laid the old book down on the table before her, as Neive then slowly opened it carefully. His eyes widened at the old writing that was penned inside.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
"It was found on Vallis, and Queen Anala was kind enough to send it back with Keith for us," she stated. "Probably acquired by one of the raids that Zarkon had on Arus, and that ship was intercepted by Kelar's forces."
"It's an amazing find, your highness," Neive stated. He looked over the binding as well as the spine and cover. "This was definitely made by the great historians who once worked in the city of Modena; the binding on this book is definitely their signature work. Even the intricate designs in the leather."
"What else can you get from this book?"
"Well, knowing who made the book can help us determine when it was made," Neive stated. He closed the cover and looked at the beautiful scripted writing on the front, significant of the old style of writing, common at the time. "It's probably as old as your own kingdom, Princess."
"2400 years?"
"Whomever had it before it was stolen took very special care of this book," he stated. "Something special must have been written in it."
"That's what I want to know," Allura stated. "And maybe a reason why."
"Well, the inscription here says, 'The Book of Argos'," he said as he then opened the cover and turned to the first handwritten page. "Wow."
"What is it?"
"Would it be alright if we could get Pidge to come up and see this?" Neive asked as he looked to her.
"I'm sure he is not busy, what is it?"
"The writing within this book is written in very old Arusian, but I can translate it, though there are some instances that will probably cause me some trouble. Though, the reason I ask for Pidge's help is this is a book of starcharts."
"Starcharts?"
Neive nodded. "Actually, the way its written in this book, whomever wrote it, sounds as if they are telling the story of someone who visited Arus, 2400 years ago."
"Visited?" Allura asked. "You mean, aliens?"
Neive nodded. "The book starts off with the author explaining where the individual came from; a planet far from here." He turned the page and then followed the handwritten writing with his fingers. "Wow, this is really old useage of Arusian."
"What does it say?"
"The author, seems to have been very interested in the individual, so much as referring it in a 'familiar' terms; like a brother or sister. I'll read straight from the passage here--"
Neive cleared his throat as his hands followed the intricate writing.
" ' From what I can understand of this strange visitor is that he was sent out by his peers to explore the vast galaxy, in a time on his own home world, war was at the heart of his leaders' minds. Dignitaries were sent in search of civilizations advanced enough to understand the intricacies of something called space travel. But this visitor's mission was cut short when his own ship crashed landed here on Arus. ' "
"Crash landed?"
"It goes on," Neive stated. "He did not go into detail of where he came from, but promised, that his words, shall help our own civilization, not make the same mistakes his own people had done."
"Did he name the planet?"
"Argos," Neive stated. "The planet was named Argos."
Allura slowly nodded. "So this must be his telling of what happened on his planet," she stated. "And what he has discovered while on his mission of peace."
"Which he had the fortunate accident of landing here on Arus," Neive stated.
"Neive, could you continue to translate what you can of the book?" Allura asked. "I'll have Pidge work with you on the starcharts."
"It'll be my pleasure, Princess," he stated. "But may I ask why such an interest?"
Allura smiled. "It seems that if the leaders of this planet Argos did send out several dignitaries in search of those that could communicate a message of peace, they could have sent them to other planets within our system."
"That would be logical," Neive stated.
"Queen Anala, also has in possession a similar book," Allura stated. "Written probably, as well, just as long ago."
"You think that one of the dignitaries also left their calling on Vallis?"
"It seems so," she said. "The book that Anala showed me, showed the same starmap to an unknown planet, but charted from her own."
"If Pidge and I can figure out between the two maps...."
Allura met his gaze. "We can find out where this Argos is."
Neive slowly nodded. "And what happened to it."
-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/------/------/-----/-----/-------/------/------/------/------/------/-----/------/------/------/------/------/
-----Doom-----
"Are you sure?"
Zeya slowly nodded as she looked among the dusty shelves of the quiet study they were in.
"You told me that you found it odd that he would be making a visit to Vallis every other week, and I know that the Galaxy Alliance, doesn't normally send someone that often to check up on one of its new acquisitions," she stated as she eyed a book. She then pulled it off the shelf and slowy flipped through it. "Then all of sudden he disappears for months while his team members train a back-up team."
"So, this Queen Anala of Vallis is his sister?" Lotor asked as he poured himself a glass of cognac.
"Seems so," she stated. "I couldn't get much more than that."
Lotor nodded as he downed his drink and eyed his sister. "I've been wondering, why it seems, that this Vallis is so special," he stated. "Like, I've been there before."
"You did have a couple of run-ins with their last leader, did you not?" Zeya asked as she put the book she held back into its place.
"Yes, Kelar," Lotor stated. "But I've never set foot on Vallis while he was in power."
Zeya looked at him. "Maybe you have."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you not state that there was period of time, not so long ago, that you couldn't account for what you did, or where you were?"
"Yes, but how did..."
Zeya then bit her lower lip as she walked away from the shelves. "There is a strange immortal man who keeps watch over the Queen, whenever she goes out into public," she said. "I remember reading up on creatures who once flourished on Vallis that possessed great power, that could rival even the sect of witchcraft that Hagar comes from. The only problem was they could only use their power while under the employ of the masters."
"What kind of power?"
"Anything," she stated. "He does keep guard over her, and I've only seen her once without him in escort."
"Do you think that he is responsible for that time I seem to have lost?"
"It's possible," she said. "That you were and witnessed something that they did not want you to remember?"
"Like this Queen being the sister of our Voltron Captain?"
"Among others," she stated. "I don't know exactly what kind of spell they used on you to make you forget, but Im sure its something that can be reversed."
"Zeya, find out as much as you can on this Vallis, other than what you have observed so far," Lotor stated. "I want to know what happened the 9 months ago, and what kind of weaknesses their forces have."
"And what of that creature?"
"Im sure there are ways to get around him," he stated. "If we can't exploit what we know of Vallis, we can still use their Queen as a bait against the Voltron Force."
"I will consult with Hagar on what she can get from her dark arts," Zeya stated.
"Good," he said. "I want to find out what in Doom is going on."
-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/------/------/-----/-----/-------/------/------/------/------/------/-----/------/------/------/------/------/
-----Vallis-----
Anala looked over the book she was reading, trying to make do with the old language that she had not seen since she herself was a young child. She then gave up on the task as she stood up from her seat and placed the book down on the table before her. She straightened out the jumpsuit she wore, as a light knock came at her study's door.
"Come in," she called out.
She smiled as she watched Xue enter her study and he smiled.
"Mayor Fuarte of Ikon is here with a dignitary who has asked for your audience, Anala," he stated. "He seemed very urgent in his request."
"Oh?" Anala asked as she turned to him. "Where is this dignitary from?"
"Fuarte didn't mention, but he stated that the young man was found roaming around Ikon," he said.
"I hope that it's nothing serious," Anala stated. "But if he is here to see me, I cannot refuse a request."
"I'll escort you down to the foyer," he stated.
She nodded as she linked her arm with Xue's as they walked out of her study. The walk to the foyer was a short one, and Anala smiled as she saw Fuarte standing there, making some conversation with the man who stood near him.
"Mayor Fuarte," Xue said as they approached.
Anala smiled at the mayor as he bowed slightly to her.
"It's been a while, Fuarte," she stated. "How is your wife these days?"
"She's expecting twins coming this harvest season," the man stated. "First ever set in both our families."
"Well, send her my dearest congratulations," Anala stated.
"I will, your highness," he stated. "However, I wish you to meet Sendrre. He was asking around our town to have an audience with you."
Anala nodded as she turned to the young man who stood at Fuarte's side. Though, as she met the man's gaze as he stepped foward, a sudden feeling of fear filled her senses. Her smile disappeared as he neared.
"And what brings you to our humble planet?" she heard Xue ask.
"I've come on behalf of my elder, to give a message," the man stated, a strange accent in his speech.
"Elder?" Xue asked.
Anala could only stare at the young man; she wanted so much to suddenly scream at that moment, but could not find her voice to do so. The man stepped forward again as he pulled out a silver tube from under the cloak he wore.
"This was to be presented to the Magistrate," the man stated. "I take it that must be you."
"Yes," Xue stated as the man then handed him the tube. "What is this concerning?"
"All is explained in the message," he said.
"Xue..." Anala stated.
"And all will be revealed when you come to Argos."
"Argos?" Xue asked.
But before any of them could react, the young man raised his hand toward Xue, as an invisible force sent the immortal flying back, hitting the stone pillar behind him. Anala stood, frozen as she watched him fall to his knees after the blow. She turned around as he did the same to Fuarte.
"I do not wish to hurt you, your higness," the man stated. "If you come without fighting."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Who we are is not important," he said as he walked up to her. "What we do is."
He then grabbed her by her arms, pulling her against him and as he raised his cloak to cover them both, they both disappeared.
"ANALA!!!"