World Nation Headquarters
Former United Nations Building
New York City, United Stated Earth
Zero Hour
"Isn't it about time you people realized the ones posing the most threat to this planet are none other than yourselves?" President Alexander finally had the chance to make his case in favor of launching the rebuilt alien starship, and it was not going well. While he had many supporters, his side was outnumbered nearly two-to-one with a sizeable group undecided.
Talks of making peace with the Evil Horde inflamed Alexander's anger. These idiots were truly blind to the danger posed by the Horde. They honestly believed what happened on Eternia, Etheria, and countless other worlds would not happen on Earth. Europe didn't think Adolph Hitler would start a World War, or Saddam Hussein didn't think the coalition army would throw his forces out of Kuwait in the early 90's, or Saddam thought the United States and Britain would not invade and topple his régime in the 2003; people seemed to learn only after it was too late.
President Roshenko was beside himself with anger over Alexander's tone and bold statements. That alone had him convinced he should recall the Eternia mission. He rose from his seat prepared to end this now when the duty officer in the communications room announced an incoming subspace message. A gigantic panel behind Roshenko's podium rolled upward to reveal a blank monitor screen. Lights high overhead dimmed leaving the lights along the walls and on the tables as the only illumination.
The screen came to life with a blurry image that slowly resolved into the face of Captain Majourny. President Alexander brightened at the sight, though noted to worry lines and fatigue reflected in the woman's eyes. "It's good to see you, captain. We were getting worried."
Captain Majourny got straight to the point. She acknowledged Alexander with a nod, and switched her gaze to President Roshenko. "Mister President, Starship Eternia reporting in at Zero Hour, 8 May 2017, as requested. Our situation report is as follows. Armor of the Guardians located on uncharted habitable moon after nearly eight hours of searching. Armor was found intact and surprisingly serviceable despite the years of inactivity. A Horde force consisting of four destroyers and two heavy corvettes entered the star system after we landed the troops and hid the Eternia deeper in the system. Horde forces immediately stationed one destroyer and corvette in orbit to prevent escape while the remaining warships descended to ground their forces and seize our landing force.
"Through surprise and sheer audacity, we destroyed the warships in orbit. The situation we found on the moon was worse than we feared. Two full platoons had been destroyed by the Horde, many by combat units not previously seen. With the use of the armor, human determination, and pure luck, we prevailed. All warships, fighters, and ground forces have been destroyed. We have salvaged weapons, material, a few specimens for the scientists, and are ready for lift-off."
Stunned silence settled over the council chamber. The Eternia and her crew had won the day, but at a terrible cost. No one had any doubts this was simply the opening round. One starship and crew could not survive long against the entire might of the Horde Empire, even with the mystic armor.
"What we need to know, Mister President, is do we continue with or without your support," Captain Majourny inquired. Her image was replaced by a shifting litany of images from the battlefield showing what it was they had been up against, and the fury of the battle that had taken place.
Roshenko cleared his throat. "I take it you plan to continue regardless of our decision?"
"Correct. We have opened a proverbial Pandora's box. We can't turn back even if we want to."
Roshenko turned his attention to Alexander, who was trying his best to tone down his pride in his crew. Damn you for forcing me into this position, he thought. I dare not recall the mission now. The tide has shifted a little bit in his favor. And Captain Majourny has made it clear they intend to continue regardless of what I say. Very well, Alexander, we'll play it your way. For now. Turning back to the screen still scrolling stark images from the battlefield, World President Roshenko straightened his jacket, and responded, "Very well, captain. In spite of your losses, job well done. Return home to repair your ship, replenish your supplies, and replace your crewmembers."
"Not good enough, Mister President. We want to hear it."
We want to hear it? Roshenko thought, the realization slowing dawning on him. Even though he could not see them, they where watching him. Alexander was grinning openly, now. Swallowing his pride, the World President proclaimed loud enough for all to hear, "Very well, captain. Return home to heal your wounds and continue your mission." He paused to swallow the bile rising in his throat, choked out, "With our blessings."
The last image displayed as Captain Majourny informed President Alexander Eternia would be returning in two days, was a shot in a corner of the drop bay were six enormous suits of power armor stood lined up against the wall. This was what many of them sacrificed their lives to acquire. Many of them never saw these amazing suits. The image disappeared and the screen went blank indicating the communication link was severed.
The tide had shifted, but whether this was good or bad remained to be seen.
Snake Mountain
Dark Side of Eternia
0100 HOURS, 9 May 2017
A storm blew across the lands this night, a near constant occurrence in this part of the world. Lightning flashes lit the night as thunder rumbled across the landscape punctuating one another in an endless symphony. Driving rain lashed at the stark, rocky terrain weathering it in endless cycles of seasonal upheavals.
In the heart of the storm, stands a small mountain thrusting defiantly up against the elements determined to weather it away to nothingness. What began as a natural spiked mountain had since been added to. A raging river and waterfall running next to the mountain provided fresh water and a perpetual cacophony. A serpent coiling around the larger of the twin peaks now marred what might have once been a beautiful range. The head, with mouth wide open and fangs bared, jutted out over the raging waterfall hundreds of feet below. The eyes glistened and sparkled in the light of a full moon, and light streamed from several open hangers along the serpent's coiled body.
In the snake's head lay a throne room only Wes Craven or Clive Barker could love. A stone table dominated the chamber. A large dome with what could have passed for legs adorned the surface. The legs ended in blunt claws draping over the edge. The crystal dome glowed with magical light. That light illuminated only a small portion of the chamber. Ribs lined the walls and small stalagmites littered the corners. Behind the table, directly opposite the passage leading to the open serpent's mouth, stood a throne made entirely of bones. Though fragile-looking, it would support the weight of someone three times the size of its current occupant.
Both he and the other person in the throne room were wrapped in shadow. The other stood at the table looking into the crystal. The events light years away in an uncharted solar system unfolded there. The figure leaned a little closer to the light. In that pale glow one could see age lined around brown eyes, and full beard streaked with gray.
Seven long years, we have waited. He-man returned two years ago, broke the oppressive rule of King Hiss, and was beaten back by reinforcements, he thought, remember that time like it was only yesterday. Now, new warriors prophesied by Granamyr have finally come. I scoffed at the thought of a new generation with the freedom to do what He-man and She-Ra are sworn not to do. Then again, I scoffed at the Sorceress' prophecy of the coming of He-man back when I was Captain of the Guard.
"Looks like the battle is over, Old Friend, the bearded man replied, watching the starship lift off on its journey home.
The figure on the throne of bone stirred. "Really?" a gravelly voice replied. The man rose from his throne and approached the table. "Indeed it is, Old Friend." The cowl hiding his face resembled a black well. Two strips of black leather adorned with carved silver devises caught the pale light and cast eerie reflections against the stone table. He turned away, picking up a staff capped with an elaborate head reminiscent of a ram. The clang of metal striking stone had a hollow echo to it as he left the throne room. "But the war has just begun." His cackling laughter still reverberated in the room long after he had gone, unnerving the bearded man.
Images of the human starship leaving the habitable moon ended when the ship entered hyperspace where the enchanted devise could not follow. The glow faded in short order plunged the room into darkness.
Horde Prime's Throne room
Horde World
0100 HOURS, 9 May 2017
A creature many times larger than Granamyr, partly cybernetic, and all evil watched the Eternia even after it jumped to hyperspace. Its power was unlike any in the known galaxy. There wasn't a place that human starship could go that Horde Prime could not follow it. General Rongar and his fleet was already en route, but even before Horde Prime dispatched his most favored servant, it was clear they would arrive too late. All Rongar could do once he got there was try to salvage something with which he could evaluate this new threat.
The magic globe tracking the starship penetrated the Etherium hull. Horde Prime saw the skeleton crew on duty repairing what they could while guiding the ship to their home planet. The view shifted to the Sorceress sound asleep for the first time in months. Though the ruler of the Horde Empire was way above pleasures of the flesh, a small part of its mind thought the human looked so lovely wrapped up soft, warm fur blankets. The moment passed with a shudder, and he continued searching the starship. All the sleeping Guardians appeared one by one in the globe. All slept soundly after their desperate battle, totally exhausted.
After a few more minutes of scanning, the view finally settled upon the darkened drop bay lit only by emergency lights. In the portside aft portion lay neat rows of body bags. The remains of those who died in battle save the two on board the dropship shot down during the fighting. Horde Prime had observed the placement of the plaque at the pyramid on honor of those two pilots whose bodies have been vaporized with their ship. The view panned from the rows of bags to the forward section, starboard side. There stood the six abominations, which could end his reign of terror on the galaxy. Six powerful battle suits capable of things even their original owners had not been allowed the time to discover. If it meant the annihilation of all of his robot armies to do it, those suits that absolutely had to be destroyed.
Something happened just then. The image fizzled, fractured ending with the magical globe exploding. A power unlike anything Horde Prime had ever experienced sensed his prying eyes, sought out the globe, and destroyed it.
Horde Prime's rage exploded in a thundering roar because the backlash answered the suspicions he had held about those abominations for a thousand years.
Starship Eternia
Heading Home
0100 HOURS, 9 May 2017
In the darkened drop bay stood six silent sentinels awaiting the next battle in their long war to retake the galaxy. A gentle breeze from the environmental control system wafted through the immense bay. Papers rustled on collapsible tables. Chains from overhead hoists clanked as they bumped one another.
As Horde Primes magic globe panned around the room and finally came to rest on the six suits, something inside them stirred. Had Kodec Ugnor been present she would have recognized it immediately. Six pairs of green lenses for eyes flared to life shining brightly in the dimly lit chamber. Though the suit themselves did not glow this time, their individual power combined into one and lashed out at the vile creature's globe, shattering in on impact.
Those eyes remained glowing long after the incident as if silently keeping watch for any more incursions, now that their slumber had been interrupted.
END BOOK ONE