FIVE
Starship Eternia Area 51 1 June 2017 LAUNCH MINUS 30 MINUTES
As before, the six Guardians stood in the shadow of the starship that would shortly take them on another mission. All six wore the black and gray jumpsuits. The difference was the patches on the right shoulder now reflected stunning embroidered reproductions of the power armor where there had been silhouettes before in the inner circle. The words 'Guardian Force' in golden color filled the void in the upper half between the gold inner and outer circles. The lower half was taken up with the names of each suit. Only Adrian's remained blank, as he still had not decided upon a proper name.
Doctor Susan Blanchard arrived to see the Sorceress off. While not what one would call beautiful, Susan did have pleasant features. Those features, especially her green eyes, conveyed her concern for the Guardian. Susan toyed with a lock of straight brown shoulder-length hair, a nervous sign. "Guess I don't have to tell you what you already know," she replied after she and Sorceress walked a short distance away.
Blue eyes trying to project warm comfort, Sorceress smiled sadly, "I know. There really isn't a lot to say at this point. Either I find that for which I search, or I don't."
Susan couldn't hide her concern. "If you don't, then you'll – "
"I know," Sorceress cut in before the doctor could voice what most everyone in the Guardian Force already knew.
"I just don't know what else to do," Susan replied helplessly.
Sorceress stepped forward and gathered the woman in a loving embrace. "Why don't you wish me luck?"
"Good luck, Sorceress," Susan said softly, choking back tears.
When they parted, a basso voice replied, "Stop it. I'm getting all misty- eyed." Nick Jackson wore a broad grin, which effectively hid his concern all but his closest friends. Susan smiled, wiped away a tear and left as quickly as she could. Sorceress took a page from Adrian's playbook. "How long have you been watching me, you old swine?"
"Long enough. I just stopped by to wish you all good luck," Nick said to all the Guardians, who had wandered over as Susan departed. "While some don't hold too high a hope that you'll find what you are looking for on Eternia," Nick said candidly. "I am not worried. I know you'll come back."
"Why are you so confident amid all this polite, if strained, optimism?" Brad asked, scratching an itch in his mass of wavy brown blond hair.
"Because it's true. I have no ill feelings about this mission. I know I'll see all of you again. Just watch your backs." With that, Nick took his leave of them.
"Well, that was..." Sonya paused to find the right word.
"Odd," Jake supplied, unusually sober even for his normally carefree attitude.
General Hammond arrived just as an ensign was trotting down the forward boarding ramp to hurry them on board. The ensign saw the general and his party, and thought better of delivering Captain Majourny's request to get their butts in gear. Hammond was not alone, either. Colonel Markson and Major Simmons trailed him. Both groups came together in view of the people manning the Eternia's bridge.
"All right, Simmons," the balding Air Force officer said with strained civility. "You wanted this meeting. Talk."
Showing mild amusement, Simmons stepped forward. "First off, I wanted to wish you all good luck on your mission." Jake, Brad, and Sonya snorted derisively. Sorceress was an emotional void, and Adrian's eyes bored into the man. "Look, I know you don't think very much of me, but I know I can be a real asset."
"You're only off by two letters," Adrian said evenly.
"Get on with it," Hammond ordered, at Simmons' annoyed frown. Colonel Markson had to hide a grin. Adrian certainly was bold for an enlisted man. It never ceased to amaze the colonel sometimes.
"The Snake Men rule Eternia. Their control is absolute. Your best chance is to get down to the surface and hole up somewhere where you can run scouting missions from." Simmons laid out the situation as if he was issuing s briefing, which he was.
"And that place would be?" Brad prompted evenly.
"Castle Grayskull," Simmons replied.
Adrian's nightmare from over two months ago came rushing back.
He stood at the edge of a bridge with twin arches staring across a bottomless expanse to wide for a mortal human to jump even with a running start; not that there was anything like a ledge on the far side to leap to. The entire structure looked like some kind of alien arachnid with towers at the front corners framing a skull face. The closed bridge he somehow knew as the jawbridge slowly began is rickety decent. Thunder roared and lightning flashed throwing unearthly shadows against the gray/green stone structure. The bridge came to rest with a crash. It looked ever inch like its name. Stone teeth lining the edges and rippled down the center like the bridge and archways leading up to it. A glowing blue nimbus pulsed just within the open mouth. As Adrian watched, a deep-throated laughter filled the air as a mechanical three-fingers hand reached through the nimbus straight for him...
Sorceress was the only one who understood Adrian's shiver.
"Running scouting missions out of Grayskull?" Markson considered thoughtfully. Ha hated to admit it, but Simmons had a good idea. It was the one safe haven they were likely to find on an otherwise hostile planet. "Okay, Simmons. Point taken."
"There's just one more thing," the man said quickly when Colonel Markson and the Guardians turned to board the starship. "The rumor in the stolen Horde records indicates Grayskull is sealed so tightly even some dragon called Grana-something-or-other couldn't get in."
That comment startled Sorceress. She had forgotten all about the ancient dragon. She had assumed he would have taken his dragon hordes to a realm where the Evil Horde couldn't threaten them. Looks like that assumption may have been in error. As she boarded the starship, Sorceress hoped she'd live to find out.
Massive overhead hangar doors parted to admit the faint glimmers of dawn. Stars studded the sky like sparkling diamonds in the eternal blackness of space. Eternia's bridge crew paused in their pre-launch checks to just stare at the peaceful scene. Knowing there was danger and death lurking somewhere beyond wasn't enough for them to not appreciate the beauty sparkling above. Soon they would be cruising among those stars; only this time, they knew the location of their destination, and how long it would take to get there.
Uploaded along with the navigational data was an intelligence report of possible Horde warships in the Eternian solar system. There was nothing there they couldn't handle, a couple of destroyers and a heavy cruiser, but they could make infiltrating the system hairy when the time came to drop off two platoons to scout out to planetary situation. The data was over three months old, so the firepower cruising the system could be greater then anticipated. Jo-jo would start worrying about that again once the ship was safely away in hyperspace. For the moment, getting into space was top priority.
All ladders and ramps retracted, and Etherium panels sealed the ports. Atmospheric thrusters warmed up as the main engines lit off. What started as a mechanical whine grew into a rumbling roar the vibrated the very air within the confines of the underground hangar.
When all stations reported secure for launch, Captain Majourny touched a control on the board at her left hand. ""Launch Control, this is Starship Eternia requesting permission to depart."
A slight pause was followed by a young female voice replying, "Launch Control to Eternia. Permission granted. Launch when ready. Good Luck."
Jo-jo smiled slightly. Launch Control followed up with current atmospheric conditions. Ace and Ensign Comorov took the data and adjusted their flight path and power settings to compensate.
Jo-jo recognized the signs when they were ready, and gave the order to lift.
Recessed nozzles spewed vapor jets, increasing the cacophony in the hangar tenfold. At first nothing happened. Then, lift thrusters overcame gravity, and the silver inner tubes of the landing gear struts began to extend. At full extension, rubber wheels parted with concrete as the great ship continued to ascend with ease. Traces of sunlight backlit scant clouds on the eastern horizon as the starship rose out of the underground berth.
Ace continued the ascent to over two hundred feet before engaging the main engines on Captain Majourny's command. Three bright novas blazed as the ship shot for the airless void as if it had been launched from a massive cannon. The earth closed up behind it as Eternia clawed effortlessly for the stars.
"Honestly, I don't know what you see in them," Simmons remarked on the heels of General Hammond's whispered well wishes. "Especially Cobretti. Oh, I know all about the attack on Edwards Air Force Base, and the events following it. I just don't understand this affinity you seem to have for him."
"That is something you will never understand, Simmons," Hammond replied evenly. "You'll never understand it because you spend too much of your time running good people into the ground. Excuse me. I need some fresh air. It's a little too stuffy in here."
"No need to be insulting," Simmons said to the general's retreating back. Everyone else in Launch Control flat out ignored him.
Realm of the Elders Unknown Location 2 June 2017
While certain parties discounted the humans and their abilities, or awaited their arrival to see if there was anything to the rumors, another group watched their every move with interest. A tall, brown-haired woman appearing to be in her late thirties, wearing a silver dress that accentuated her beautiful figure watched a magical mirror. A young, black- haired man dressed in stylish silver robes, and looked no older than twenty though his real age was considerably higher accompanied her.
Corwin and Kodec Ungor watched the events unfolding on the starship as it cruised the hyperlanes. Captain Majourny ran her crew through battle drills while she, Colonel Markson, Ensign Comorov, and Lieutenant McCloud planned the infiltration drop. The crew performed fairly well, though there were a few crewmembers more interested in causing trouble for their fellow humans. Jo-jo became increasingly impressed with the one called Wardman. His photographic memory served him well in the battle drills. He introduced a few surprises in the starship's design even those who rebuilt the ship probably didn't know about. Jo-jo was so impressed; she immediately incorporated the young man's innovative thinking into damage control plans.
Colonel Markson reviewed plans of how they would proceed once they arrived on Eternia. Getting to Grayskull, much as he hated to acknowledge Simmons' suggestion, seemed to be the best option. Sorceress made solid assurances she could open the castle for them. She also felt reasonably sure there would be a suitable place close to the castle to hide the dropships and vehicles. The road leading up to Grayskull had twin stone arches, which she doubted the armored personnel carrier could pass under. Adrian's new toy might fit, but Sorceress was unsure how the castle would react to having it inside.
"She hides it fairly well," Corwin commented, not taking his eyes from the magic mirror.
Kodec nodded. "Something is wrong."
Corwin raised a surprised eyebrow. "I didn't notice anything."
"Think about it," Kodec replied mildly. "The armor healed her to a point, and should be sustaining her."
"Yes. It should."
"So why is Sorceress showing signs of the nerve degeneration again?"
Corwin had no answer. There was none. By all accounts of their observations Sorceress should been in pretty good health. Yet she was showing a marked decrease in strength and stamina with no discernable cause.
A new feminine voice said from behind the pair, "Because someone is interfering with the armor's ability to sustain her."
Arawan, one of the original members who inherited a portion of the power bestowed upon her and seven others by King Grayskull, approached the pair on soundless feet. Bald, wearing a similar dress to Kodec's, and walking with a warrior's grace, Arawan looked the unlikely pair over.
"You know this to be true, Kodec. Why do you not admit it to yourself?" Her voice was smooth a silk with a slight edge to it. "You know what is happening. Both of you have seen the signs."
Corwin nodded, "But what can we do about it?"
"Nothing," Kodec said tightly, brown eyes staring hard at their uninvited visitor. "If we let it be known what we suspect-"
"You must keep the secret for now," Arawan advised, blue eyes matching Kodec's stare. "If not for your own sakes," she nodded to the mirror behind them, "then for theirs. We must proceed carefully, Kodec. The others cannot know of my involvement. Your rebellious attitude had served you well, but it will prove to be a liability in the future. Choose your path carefully."
Corwin asked, "Can we still count on your support?"
Arawan hesitated a moment before answering. "I am walking a fine line, my friend." She held up a hand to stop Kodec's reply. "I will help as much as I am able without giving myself away to the others, at least until the time when secrecy is no longer required. Remember that while our inherited power makes us immortal, we can be killed."
"You don't really think the others would-"
"It's hard to be sure what they will do, Corwin. For now, we must proceed with caution." Arawan looked suddenly nervous. "I have been away too long. I must return. Think about what I have said, Kodec. You are your own worst enemy. Use it to your best advantage." Arawan disappeared back into the surrounding darkness like a wraith passing through the area.
Kodec thought hard about what to do. As she watched the mirror, Sorceress was retiring for the night wrapping her naked self in the plush fur blankets she had come to love so much. She thought of paying Sorceress a visit, but it was unnecessary. Kodec already knew what she needed.
"Corwin, I must make preparations," Kodec said with sudden earnest.
The young man responded immediately. "Where are we going?"
Kodec shook her head. "No. I must do this alone. Don't worry. I won't be gone long." With a wave of her hand, a shimmering oval of oscillating orange and yellow streaks took shape. When it was fully formed, Kodec Ungor boldly stepped through. The magical portal faded away seconds after she had passed through leaving Corwin alone to wait, and wonder.
Starship Eternia Area 51 1 June 2017 LAUNCH MINUS 30 MINUTES
As before, the six Guardians stood in the shadow of the starship that would shortly take them on another mission. All six wore the black and gray jumpsuits. The difference was the patches on the right shoulder now reflected stunning embroidered reproductions of the power armor where there had been silhouettes before in the inner circle. The words 'Guardian Force' in golden color filled the void in the upper half between the gold inner and outer circles. The lower half was taken up with the names of each suit. Only Adrian's remained blank, as he still had not decided upon a proper name.
Doctor Susan Blanchard arrived to see the Sorceress off. While not what one would call beautiful, Susan did have pleasant features. Those features, especially her green eyes, conveyed her concern for the Guardian. Susan toyed with a lock of straight brown shoulder-length hair, a nervous sign. "Guess I don't have to tell you what you already know," she replied after she and Sorceress walked a short distance away.
Blue eyes trying to project warm comfort, Sorceress smiled sadly, "I know. There really isn't a lot to say at this point. Either I find that for which I search, or I don't."
Susan couldn't hide her concern. "If you don't, then you'll – "
"I know," Sorceress cut in before the doctor could voice what most everyone in the Guardian Force already knew.
"I just don't know what else to do," Susan replied helplessly.
Sorceress stepped forward and gathered the woman in a loving embrace. "Why don't you wish me luck?"
"Good luck, Sorceress," Susan said softly, choking back tears.
When they parted, a basso voice replied, "Stop it. I'm getting all misty- eyed." Nick Jackson wore a broad grin, which effectively hid his concern all but his closest friends. Susan smiled, wiped away a tear and left as quickly as she could. Sorceress took a page from Adrian's playbook. "How long have you been watching me, you old swine?"
"Long enough. I just stopped by to wish you all good luck," Nick said to all the Guardians, who had wandered over as Susan departed. "While some don't hold too high a hope that you'll find what you are looking for on Eternia," Nick said candidly. "I am not worried. I know you'll come back."
"Why are you so confident amid all this polite, if strained, optimism?" Brad asked, scratching an itch in his mass of wavy brown blond hair.
"Because it's true. I have no ill feelings about this mission. I know I'll see all of you again. Just watch your backs." With that, Nick took his leave of them.
"Well, that was..." Sonya paused to find the right word.
"Odd," Jake supplied, unusually sober even for his normally carefree attitude.
General Hammond arrived just as an ensign was trotting down the forward boarding ramp to hurry them on board. The ensign saw the general and his party, and thought better of delivering Captain Majourny's request to get their butts in gear. Hammond was not alone, either. Colonel Markson and Major Simmons trailed him. Both groups came together in view of the people manning the Eternia's bridge.
"All right, Simmons," the balding Air Force officer said with strained civility. "You wanted this meeting. Talk."
Showing mild amusement, Simmons stepped forward. "First off, I wanted to wish you all good luck on your mission." Jake, Brad, and Sonya snorted derisively. Sorceress was an emotional void, and Adrian's eyes bored into the man. "Look, I know you don't think very much of me, but I know I can be a real asset."
"You're only off by two letters," Adrian said evenly.
"Get on with it," Hammond ordered, at Simmons' annoyed frown. Colonel Markson had to hide a grin. Adrian certainly was bold for an enlisted man. It never ceased to amaze the colonel sometimes.
"The Snake Men rule Eternia. Their control is absolute. Your best chance is to get down to the surface and hole up somewhere where you can run scouting missions from." Simmons laid out the situation as if he was issuing s briefing, which he was.
"And that place would be?" Brad prompted evenly.
"Castle Grayskull," Simmons replied.
Adrian's nightmare from over two months ago came rushing back.
He stood at the edge of a bridge with twin arches staring across a bottomless expanse to wide for a mortal human to jump even with a running start; not that there was anything like a ledge on the far side to leap to. The entire structure looked like some kind of alien arachnid with towers at the front corners framing a skull face. The closed bridge he somehow knew as the jawbridge slowly began is rickety decent. Thunder roared and lightning flashed throwing unearthly shadows against the gray/green stone structure. The bridge came to rest with a crash. It looked ever inch like its name. Stone teeth lining the edges and rippled down the center like the bridge and archways leading up to it. A glowing blue nimbus pulsed just within the open mouth. As Adrian watched, a deep-throated laughter filled the air as a mechanical three-fingers hand reached through the nimbus straight for him...
Sorceress was the only one who understood Adrian's shiver.
"Running scouting missions out of Grayskull?" Markson considered thoughtfully. Ha hated to admit it, but Simmons had a good idea. It was the one safe haven they were likely to find on an otherwise hostile planet. "Okay, Simmons. Point taken."
"There's just one more thing," the man said quickly when Colonel Markson and the Guardians turned to board the starship. "The rumor in the stolen Horde records indicates Grayskull is sealed so tightly even some dragon called Grana-something-or-other couldn't get in."
That comment startled Sorceress. She had forgotten all about the ancient dragon. She had assumed he would have taken his dragon hordes to a realm where the Evil Horde couldn't threaten them. Looks like that assumption may have been in error. As she boarded the starship, Sorceress hoped she'd live to find out.
Massive overhead hangar doors parted to admit the faint glimmers of dawn. Stars studded the sky like sparkling diamonds in the eternal blackness of space. Eternia's bridge crew paused in their pre-launch checks to just stare at the peaceful scene. Knowing there was danger and death lurking somewhere beyond wasn't enough for them to not appreciate the beauty sparkling above. Soon they would be cruising among those stars; only this time, they knew the location of their destination, and how long it would take to get there.
Uploaded along with the navigational data was an intelligence report of possible Horde warships in the Eternian solar system. There was nothing there they couldn't handle, a couple of destroyers and a heavy cruiser, but they could make infiltrating the system hairy when the time came to drop off two platoons to scout out to planetary situation. The data was over three months old, so the firepower cruising the system could be greater then anticipated. Jo-jo would start worrying about that again once the ship was safely away in hyperspace. For the moment, getting into space was top priority.
All ladders and ramps retracted, and Etherium panels sealed the ports. Atmospheric thrusters warmed up as the main engines lit off. What started as a mechanical whine grew into a rumbling roar the vibrated the very air within the confines of the underground hangar.
When all stations reported secure for launch, Captain Majourny touched a control on the board at her left hand. ""Launch Control, this is Starship Eternia requesting permission to depart."
A slight pause was followed by a young female voice replying, "Launch Control to Eternia. Permission granted. Launch when ready. Good Luck."
Jo-jo smiled slightly. Launch Control followed up with current atmospheric conditions. Ace and Ensign Comorov took the data and adjusted their flight path and power settings to compensate.
Jo-jo recognized the signs when they were ready, and gave the order to lift.
Recessed nozzles spewed vapor jets, increasing the cacophony in the hangar tenfold. At first nothing happened. Then, lift thrusters overcame gravity, and the silver inner tubes of the landing gear struts began to extend. At full extension, rubber wheels parted with concrete as the great ship continued to ascend with ease. Traces of sunlight backlit scant clouds on the eastern horizon as the starship rose out of the underground berth.
Ace continued the ascent to over two hundred feet before engaging the main engines on Captain Majourny's command. Three bright novas blazed as the ship shot for the airless void as if it had been launched from a massive cannon. The earth closed up behind it as Eternia clawed effortlessly for the stars.
"Honestly, I don't know what you see in them," Simmons remarked on the heels of General Hammond's whispered well wishes. "Especially Cobretti. Oh, I know all about the attack on Edwards Air Force Base, and the events following it. I just don't understand this affinity you seem to have for him."
"That is something you will never understand, Simmons," Hammond replied evenly. "You'll never understand it because you spend too much of your time running good people into the ground. Excuse me. I need some fresh air. It's a little too stuffy in here."
"No need to be insulting," Simmons said to the general's retreating back. Everyone else in Launch Control flat out ignored him.
Realm of the Elders Unknown Location 2 June 2017
While certain parties discounted the humans and their abilities, or awaited their arrival to see if there was anything to the rumors, another group watched their every move with interest. A tall, brown-haired woman appearing to be in her late thirties, wearing a silver dress that accentuated her beautiful figure watched a magical mirror. A young, black- haired man dressed in stylish silver robes, and looked no older than twenty though his real age was considerably higher accompanied her.
Corwin and Kodec Ungor watched the events unfolding on the starship as it cruised the hyperlanes. Captain Majourny ran her crew through battle drills while she, Colonel Markson, Ensign Comorov, and Lieutenant McCloud planned the infiltration drop. The crew performed fairly well, though there were a few crewmembers more interested in causing trouble for their fellow humans. Jo-jo became increasingly impressed with the one called Wardman. His photographic memory served him well in the battle drills. He introduced a few surprises in the starship's design even those who rebuilt the ship probably didn't know about. Jo-jo was so impressed; she immediately incorporated the young man's innovative thinking into damage control plans.
Colonel Markson reviewed plans of how they would proceed once they arrived on Eternia. Getting to Grayskull, much as he hated to acknowledge Simmons' suggestion, seemed to be the best option. Sorceress made solid assurances she could open the castle for them. She also felt reasonably sure there would be a suitable place close to the castle to hide the dropships and vehicles. The road leading up to Grayskull had twin stone arches, which she doubted the armored personnel carrier could pass under. Adrian's new toy might fit, but Sorceress was unsure how the castle would react to having it inside.
"She hides it fairly well," Corwin commented, not taking his eyes from the magic mirror.
Kodec nodded. "Something is wrong."
Corwin raised a surprised eyebrow. "I didn't notice anything."
"Think about it," Kodec replied mildly. "The armor healed her to a point, and should be sustaining her."
"Yes. It should."
"So why is Sorceress showing signs of the nerve degeneration again?"
Corwin had no answer. There was none. By all accounts of their observations Sorceress should been in pretty good health. Yet she was showing a marked decrease in strength and stamina with no discernable cause.
A new feminine voice said from behind the pair, "Because someone is interfering with the armor's ability to sustain her."
Arawan, one of the original members who inherited a portion of the power bestowed upon her and seven others by King Grayskull, approached the pair on soundless feet. Bald, wearing a similar dress to Kodec's, and walking with a warrior's grace, Arawan looked the unlikely pair over.
"You know this to be true, Kodec. Why do you not admit it to yourself?" Her voice was smooth a silk with a slight edge to it. "You know what is happening. Both of you have seen the signs."
Corwin nodded, "But what can we do about it?"
"Nothing," Kodec said tightly, brown eyes staring hard at their uninvited visitor. "If we let it be known what we suspect-"
"You must keep the secret for now," Arawan advised, blue eyes matching Kodec's stare. "If not for your own sakes," she nodded to the mirror behind them, "then for theirs. We must proceed carefully, Kodec. The others cannot know of my involvement. Your rebellious attitude had served you well, but it will prove to be a liability in the future. Choose your path carefully."
Corwin asked, "Can we still count on your support?"
Arawan hesitated a moment before answering. "I am walking a fine line, my friend." She held up a hand to stop Kodec's reply. "I will help as much as I am able without giving myself away to the others, at least until the time when secrecy is no longer required. Remember that while our inherited power makes us immortal, we can be killed."
"You don't really think the others would-"
"It's hard to be sure what they will do, Corwin. For now, we must proceed with caution." Arawan looked suddenly nervous. "I have been away too long. I must return. Think about what I have said, Kodec. You are your own worst enemy. Use it to your best advantage." Arawan disappeared back into the surrounding darkness like a wraith passing through the area.
Kodec thought hard about what to do. As she watched the mirror, Sorceress was retiring for the night wrapping her naked self in the plush fur blankets she had come to love so much. She thought of paying Sorceress a visit, but it was unnecessary. Kodec already knew what she needed.
"Corwin, I must make preparations," Kodec said with sudden earnest.
The young man responded immediately. "Where are we going?"
Kodec shook her head. "No. I must do this alone. Don't worry. I won't be gone long." With a wave of her hand, a shimmering oval of oscillating orange and yellow streaks took shape. When it was fully formed, Kodec Ungor boldly stepped through. The magical portal faded away seconds after she had passed through leaving Corwin alone to wait, and wonder.