Late the next morning saw the pavillion beside the Color Castle put to use once more. Inside a breakfast buffet had been set up, and everyone had their fill before settling down around a couple of tables pulled together.
At the table were Rainbow Brite and the Color Kids, Twink, Brian, Shelly, Krys, Orin, Sorrell, Wajah, and Doris. Nearby were Starlite and On-X. Brian Jr. and Tina were off exploring.
"I want to thank all of you who came here for the ceremonies. At times like this, it's good to have friends share both the sorrow and the joy," said Rainbow by way of beginning.
"I also want to thank Orin for the suggestion to have this council before we go our separate ways," she continued, gesturing at the old Sprite. He nodded in acknowledgement.
"It's rare we have to do something like this, but we all feel it necessary.
Violet, you first, please."
The smartest Color Kid stood up, red-faced and nervous, but wanting to do her part.
"I--ahem--I'm happy to report that the two men who murdered Plock have been caught. They were still in the same city, and hadn't even tried to conceal themselves. But they won't talk about why, and the authorities have been unable to learn who they work for. They will keep us apparaised of any new developements.
The ghost of Plock continues to appear on the asteroid. It is a complete anomaly. Nothing seems to affect it, and it won't communicate. My research has turned up nothing."
"The last time it appeared was this morning," said Doris.
Everyone looked at her. Violet was grateful for the interruption, and sat down, still red-faced.
"That was included in my last routine data exchage," she added, "Along with the message she misses all of you Color Kids."
"We'll come and visit soon," said Rainbow, "Anything else?"
"No, mistress, all systems remain nominal," she answered.
"Orin?" she said, turning to the old Sprite mage.
"Everything is normal on Spectra," he said, "Moonglo, you'll be pleased to hear that the sky is still beautiful, the way you made it."
"Thanks, Orin," Moonglo replied, "I'm glad to see my prediction was right. If it ever does fade, let me know and I'll renew it."
"Thank you," he replied.
"I do have one strange thing to report. Recently it was discovered that the remains of the Glitterbots from the last two battles were gone."
This caused some starts at the table.
"We're sure they were taken away, because there are still many small parts left. If they had been dissolved somehow, there would be nothing left.
Nobody heard or saw anything, but that's not surprising since we piled all the parts together in an unused valley few Sprites ever go to."
"I imagine they were taken by the Princess' forces, to be repaired and added to the rest," said Violet.
"That was my thought as well," said Orin.
"I guess someday we'll learn if that's what happened," said Rainbow, "Thank you, Orin. Anything else?"
The old Sprite shook his head.
"Krys?" she asked, turning to him. He was dressed in his battle armor, but had taken off the helmet.
"On-X and I have made several recon flights by her planet," he reported, "And have seen activity on the surface. It looks like she is building up her forces. I guess we need to be on alert from now on."
"We have lots of volunteers on Spectra," said Orin, "And we've gotten enough ships to get us here if necessary. You can call on us any time, Rainbow, and our army will be here as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Orin," said Rainbow, "And you know you can count on us."
"Mutual defense pact," murmured Brian to Shelly. She nodded.
"Something, Brian?" Rainbow asked, looking at him.
"I was just thinking, what a shame that Rainbowland and Spectra have to have defensive forces," he replied.
She looked sad. "That's true, but we are the protectors of the light and color, and no matter how much we dislike the necessity, we have to be prepared. The forces of dark and gloom are strong, and getting stronger."
"I know, I know," said Brian, laughing, "You don't have to recruit me! I've been listening carefully, and while I'm no military expert, you've done about as much as possible with the resources you have. I just hope it's enough."
"This is all very interesting, I'm sure, but what does it have to do with me?" asked Sorrell.
"When we left your castle, you asked to be kept informed, for when we found Plock's killers. Count Blogg was behind it, and I'm sure you want a chance for some payback."
Sorrell was silent for a moment, thinking. Then he looked into Rainbow's eyes. "Yes, I still do. When, and if, they attack, let me know. I'll come help."
"Thank you," said Rainbow.
"I am sorry, Rainbow Brite," said Wajah, standing up in his chair, "I do not know what I can do. My people cannot help, because mine is the only working space vehicle we have, and it has no weapons."
"It's okay, Wajah, we'll think of something if you really want to help," said Rainbow.
"I really do," replied the alien.
Rainbow looked around the table, where everyone was looking back at her.
"Anybody have anything else?" she asked.
There was only silence, and the chirping of birds, until Violet hesitantly held up her hand.
"I found these," she said, tossing two small silver objects on the table "One was on the generator for the Monstromurk's magnetic field. I found the other attached to Doris."
"What are they?" asked Brian.
"Bombs," said Violet, then added, "Remote activated. They must have been left when whoever stole that multicolor crystal was in the lab. I'll dispose of them when we're finished here."
"Good work, Violet," said Rainbow, "I think you've spoiled somebody's plans. Anything else?"
She looked around the tent.
"Then I declare this meeting over. Thank you all for coming. Twink, go tell the Sprites they can serve lunch now."
The Princess stepped through a hatch opened by one of the Palace Guard and into the Conference Room on the flagship. Inside, Blogg, General Zombo, and a couple of other officers waited for her.
"Good morning, Highness," said Blogg, "I trust you slept well?"
The Princess glared at him, "No, the vibrations kept me awake all night. I look a mess, and I want to be perfect when I tell that little brat what's going to happen to her and her precious planet."
"Er, ah, have some breakfast, Highness," said Blogg, gesturing at a table laden with food and drink.
"Oh, very well, get me something to eat, and tell me what your plans are."
Blogg turned to a servant. "Well, what are you waiting for?" he shouted, "Get the Princess some breakfast!"
The servant scurried over to the table, and in a minute handed her a plate. She took it and turned to the Situation Table. This was showing a computer-generated hologram of the area around the Color Castle.
"As you can see, Highness, Count, this is the target," began General Zombo, gesturing at the model. "We've had it under survellience for months, taking sensor readings of the landforms,
vegetation, placement of buildings, and so on in order to create the best possible plan of attack."
"Did your sensor readings include the size and placement of the Color Crystal veins?" asked Blogg.
"Yes, sir," replied Zombo. He tapped a few keys on the keyboard, and the picture suddenly shifted, rising up to show a mineralogical map. The full extent of Crystal available there became clear.
There were exclamations of surprise.
"According to estimates, there is enough there to power the present fleet for thousands of years."
"Which makes taking Rainbowland an even higher priority," said Blogg, "Are there any other deposits on the planet?"
"No, sir. Sensors clearly indicate this is the only place, unless it is deeper than our sensors can read."
"Then when we've mined what we can we'll blow up the planet and get the rest!" said the Princess, and laughed.
"The Color Crystal prevents our sensors from mapping the inside of the mines, so all we know about the layout is what you were able to report," said Zombo, returning the map to its original view.
"As far as we can determine, they have no conventional weaponry. The area is open, and vunerable to any type of attack."
"Color-based instrumentation is surprisingly effective as weapons, General," said Blogg, "You know that from personal experience. Don't think otherwise just because they aren't used that way very often..."
"That Rainbow Brat's Belt drained my Jewel, disarmed my Guards, blinded the Slurthies, and tore open the doors to the Throne Room," interrupted the Princess, "And when we went to Rainbowland, she shocked me with it. I want that Belt, General. Added to the power of the Jewel,
I'll be invincible!"
Both Blogg and Zombo found that thought frightening, but wisely neither said anything.
"We've run probability simulations, and based on them and the gloom weapons found in the Pits, plus the help of the King of Shadows,predict a 95 percentprobability of success," said Zombo.
"Explain your plan of attack, General," said Blogg.
"Since your Highness expressed a desire to speak to Rainbow Brite first, the flagship will land here, behind this hill near the Color Castle.
When you two are finished, ships will fly overhead, releasing Gloom Cloud. We have been unable to identify any factories, warehouses, communications centers from photos, nor have our spies found any. So either such things don't exist and they import everything, or their technology is so different we just don't recognize them. Considering the high technology of the Belt and Castle, our analysts are inclined to think the latter. We do have the position of Shy Violet's laboratory, and the library, and they are on the 'do not destroy' list."
"Show me," said Blogg, looking at the model.
Again Zombo tapped some keys, and lables appeared by two Sprite houses next to each other. Blogg studied the map, and said,
"Yes, those are the correct ones. Good work, General."
"Our laser flyers will target the Color Castle and random Sprite houses," continued Zombo.
"Be careful," said the Princess, "We'll need all the Sprites to work the mines."
"The soldiers have been cautioned, Highness," said Zombo, "Has your Majesty any orders concerning your brother?"
"What? Is Krys there?" said the Princess, sharply.
"Yes, Highness. They are holding parties at the Color Castle."
"Then be VERY sure your men understand my brother is NOT to be killed!" she said, pointing at Zombo and bringing a pink glow to her fingertips. "Capture him early, and keep him safe!"
"Of--of course, your Highness.
The Slurthies will be sent in to control the captured Sprites, and the Glitterbots to capture Rainbow Brite and her Color Kids. And your brother.
We expect to have Rainbowland under control within eight hours of landing. Containing the fires and other hazards will take some time, and we plan to have the Builderbots assemble the machines and begin the strip-mining within a few days."
"And I can have my revenge on her," said the Princess, and laughed.
"This is a good plan, General," said Blogg, "You are to be commended."
"Thank you, Count," answered Zombo, bowing slightly.
The Princess' fleet drove on through space towards Rainbowland.