Disclaimer: Yeah yeah yeah, Andromeda does not belong to me. If it did, some things would have been answered that weren't and I would own all the Rhades. But as you can see, I don't…
The only ones that belong to me would be Pearlana and my own ideas…
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Title My one and Only Pearl
Author Ivory Core
Chapter 12: It's no cake walk…
After the ceremony for the launching of the Omega Orion, all crew members entered the ship and towards their posts.
The people outside were taken to a secured location away from the launching pad.
Inside the ship, on a deck nearest to Engineering and medic bay, two people walked side by side as they walked up the ramp.
Both of them were the same size, one having blond spiky hair while the other having flaming red hair looped to become two buns on either side of her head.
A brother and a sister walking together on a ship that was destined to reach the outer bounders of time and space.
They didn't hold hands, but just enjoyed each others company. Each one had the same feeling though; that feeling of butterflies in your stomach. Neither of them knew if they were feeling scared or excited. Maybe they were feeling both.
All too soon they reached engineering, the sister's post.
Shamus turned to his sister, but didn't say anything. He just smiled and took a deep breath.
"This is it." Shamus suddenly said.
Pearlana nodded her head and turned towards the door towards engineering.
"Yep, this is it." Pearlana repeated.
A few seconds ticked by, the two not doing anything but stare at their toes.
Suddenly Pearlana spoke out.
"Oh the hell with it!" With that she looped her arms around Shamus' neck and gave him a hard loving squeeze.
Shamus returned the squeeze right back. Since they were on a ship, and they had their duties on it. They had thought that no affection should be shown when they were on the ship. You know, to look professional and all.
But like they cared as the hugged each other.
When the let go, Shamus looked at his sister and playfully ruffled her hair. "Good luck sis." He said as he turned away from Pearlana and walked down the hall.
Pearlana watched him leave, but before he turned the corner he turned to face her.
"Oh, and don't break the ship." He said with that smart-ass smile of his.
"Shut up." Pearlana replied with her hands on her hips. But she too was smiling like a mischievous fox.
When Shamus disappeared from sight, Pearlana turned towards the sliding doors that would take her to engineering.
With a deep breath, she walked towards the doors. When the slid open, she confidently walked in.
She was immediately greeted by the sound of her pride and joy. The Tesseract 210, a device she had invented that could like it stated, bend time to their will. The only difference with Pearlanas device was that it harmoniously worked together with the Ivory Core.
All the other inventions had…backed fire. But her invention had not, and now it was humming; like it was waiting for her.
Engineering was not very big actually. Due to Shamus, their engineering was over fifty times smaller than a Commonwealth star ship; yet still holding the same power, and even more, than a commonwealth ship.
The room was cylinder shaped, with spiral slanted pathways leading up to the four floors. Actually, there were five floors. But the fifth floor was actually below the main floor.
This floor held the main power source of the Omega Orion, The Ivory Core. The Ivory Core was probably the most alien technology that was ever discovered.
No one knew what it was exactly. They knew that it held enough power to destroy an entire universe, and that it could actually bend time to its will.
But that wasn't the amazing thing about. The unbelievable thing was that this power source, this energy that could destroy all of the universe, fold time, and weighs three galaxies…is alive.
It has a mind of its own, a will to do as it pleases. But, it has no intention of causing any evil to befall upon them. On the contrary, it had stated very clearly that it wanted to protect them and possibly in the future to help them.
Now the Ivory Core is an energy being, looking like a ghostly alien light. It can live by itself, but it prefers to have a hostess.
So when not powering their cities, or for that matter powering the Orion's engines, it would reside inside a humans body. Usually the human would volunteer, but there were times that the Ivory Core would reject them and choose someone who did not volunteer at all.
Pearlana had wondered what it would feel like to have the Ivory Core inside you. Those who had been the hostess of the Ivory Core said that it didn't hurt. They said that you constantly felt it, not to mention that OZ would occasionally leak out of your pours, but no damage would be done.
The only thing that was a real pain too many hostess', was the fact that the Ivory Core would take control of your body with or without your permission.
But other then that, they said that it was a real honor to be a hostess for the Ivory Core. As much as Pearlana wondered what it would feel like to be a hostess to the Ivory Core, she had no desire to be one.
She shuddered to herself as she walked towards the middle of engineering. Just thinking about having another life form inside you, living with you, and sharing your thoughts was all just plain creepy.
Right smack in the middle of engineering was a circular opening with a steel railing surrounding it. Around that steel railing, a small control box was leaning against it. Below that box held the proper wires and technology that would allow one to control the power supplied by the Ivory Core.
And if needed to, over load it. But to that, you needed both the primary codes. Pearlana only had had the first primary basic code. This allowed her to monitor and use the energy that they needed to power the Orion.
Captain Gaheris Rhade, on the other hand, had the primary codes to (if needed) to overloud the ship and basically self-destruct it. Pearlana just hoped that it would never come to that.
Around her neck she had the pass code, which was the primary basic code card. Gaheris held one similar around his own neck, only his was blue while Pearlanas was red.
Pearlana checked the systems to make sure that everything was up and running perfectly. In front of Pearlanas station there was a wall that shimmered slightly from time to time.
The wall was actually a screen, so that whenever a command from the bridge came through, Pearlana would be able to see it. It so much easier to see the person instead of hearing them, facial expressions can give off what you truly want instead of words could ever do.
Pearlana casual leaned over the railing and peered down the circular hole in the floor. Below there was a swirling blue, gold mist that surrounded the area below. You couldn't really see anything past the mist.
Beyond all that mist, the Ivory Core was hovering around. To be honest, Pearlana never saw the Ivory Core. I mean, she heard stories about it and how it felt to have it inside of you, but no one described to you how it looked like.
As Pearlana peered down, she could shake the feeling that she was being watched. She looked up and around engineering, looking for anyone who had turned their head to quickly from her or was staring at her still.
But many of them had their backs turned or busing themselves in their work.
But the feeling that someone, or something, was keenly watching her was strong. Pearlana looked down at the swirling mist and could have sworn that she saw something swish away to the far corners of the room and out of Pearlanas sight.
The Ivory Core…
"Don't even think about it. I'm not going to be your next hostess." Pearlana stated towards the swirling mist.
"Talking to yourself again?" A voice mischievously asked behind her.
Pearlana quickly straightened her back at the sound of that voice. She knew that voice all to well.
"Very funny." Pearlana stated as she turned to face the one person who had the same inner fire as herself.
"But look who's talking. After all, weren't you the Ivory Core's last year hostess?" Pearlana pleasantly mockingly asked.
"If memory serves me, Brendan, you were talking to 'yourself' quite often." Pearlana said as she moved her fingers 'in quotations' when she said yourself.
Brendan Lahey; rebellious, sweet, pain-in-the-ass-at-times, and a born trouble maker, was actually Shamus' and Pearlanas cousin.
He and Shamus, when they were young, were the born trouble makers of Meladeen. Meladeen actually means Earth, if you speak in Pearlanas native language.
When Pearlana was born, she would tag along with the two trouble makers. Actually, they were less troublesome before Pearlana joined them. But afterwards, well you could say that they were the Three Musketeers of sorts.
Anyway, last year, Brendan was chosen as the Ivory Core's hostess. Actually, the Ivory Core chose him. No one knew why exactly, but when the year ended, the Ivory Core stated that it wanted to leave.
Since then, the Ivory Core hadn't had a hostess. But deep inside Pearlana, she wondered if the Ivory Core used Brendan to get close to her. Of course the idea was preposterous! Why would the Ivory Core be interested in her?
"Yeah yeah, rub it in. It wasn't my fault that I was being bombarded by questions from the Ivory Core." Brendan stated as he folded his arms in front of him with a pouting face.
Pearlana playfully punched Brendan's arm. She knew that was why Brendan was talking to himself, but it was still fun to play with him.
He had told the family that the Ivory Core had asked him a lot of questions about their family. He never told what kind of questions, but he would always turn to face her when he was talking about it.
It sometimes gave her the creeps.
"Yes, I understand Brendan." Pearlana stated. "So, what brings you to Engineering? Shouldn't you be guarding the bridge of something?" Pearlana asked.
You see, Brendan was honored the role of First Security Officer of the Omega Orion. It was his duty, other than to protect the ship with his security force, but to make sure that the bridge and everyone in the Captain's high group was safe.
To put it plainly, the High Group would the Captain, His Second in Command, the Chief Engineer, the Chief tactical officer, and so on.
"Yes, but if you don't remember I also have to keep an eye on you." Brendan said as he lightly poked Pearlana shoulder to make a point.
Brendan was quite tall, passing Pearlana so that she had to look up to meet his face. He had spiky blond hair with streaks of a lighter blond on it, a similar style like Shamus'.
"Awe, you care about me." Pearlana suddenly said her voice full of loving mocking emotion.
She then looped her arms around Brendan and gave him a tight squeeze.
Now if there was one thing that Brendan hated was to get all mushy. Especially being hugged, not even his own mother could hug him without him squirming.
He gently yet firmly moved Pearlanas arms away as he slowly backed away.
"Well; I came…I saw…you're safe…goodbye." With that Brendan took off running out of Engineering, leaving Pearlana to crack up in laughter.
She was laughing so hard that she had to double over as her sides began to ache. Almost everyone around her was watching like she was insane. But like hell did she care.
While Pearlana was laughing her head off, the screen behind her came on and the face of the Captain appeared.
Gaheris Rhade, who was about to give the order to power the engines, was beyond surprised to find the Chief Engineering laughing like a loon.
Gaheris had to smirk (We all know that smirk don't we girls?) at the view he was getting of Pearlanas backside.
But he cleared his throat loudly enough for Pearlana to nearly choke on her laughter.
She spun around to face the screen, clutching her throat as she tried to keep it all together while sucking in breaths of air.
When she had calmed herself, she straightened her back and saluted towards the Captain.
"Yes Sir." Pearlana clearly spoke out.
"We are ready to deport." Gaheris clearly stated. He then smiled before speaking again. "Fire away."
With that Gaheris winked out, leaving a flustered and may I say it, a little red in the face Pearlana.
But Pearlana shook her head and quickly turned towards everyone around her.
"Ok, you heard the man! Let's get this baby powered up!" Pearlana ordered as she walked towards her consol.
Even if Pearlana was the youngest Chief Engineering in their people's timeline, everyone respected her like an equal. Even if it sounded a little odd to be taken orders from a sixteen year old, at the sound of Pearlanas order everyone scuttled around toward their post and to do their job.
Now, as stated before, engineering was shaped as a cylinder. Machinery and other high tech gismos aligned all the walls surrounding engineering. But there were some walls that held tight buckled seats with locked chest strap that would secure you if say a hull breech erupted.
Once they entered the Gateway, everyone was ordered to buckle themselves unto those seats. Even with all of their technology, traveling through space and time was no cake walk. It was high energetic bumpy ride that could go terribly wrong if someone messed up.
Pearlana reached the control pad that was near to the Ivory Core's center below. Pearlana pulled out the fiber-optic cord from her shirt collar. At the very end of the cord was a small sized red card (Like the size of a credit card).
On the consol, there were two slots beside three blue buttons aligned perpendicular from each other. One slot, for convenient reasons, held a light red glow while the other held a blue glow.
Pearlana took a deep breath before plunging her red card into the red slot. There was a knob above the red slot and Pearlana quickly turned it all the way to the right the second she placed card into the slot.
A sound of a thousands horns could be heard all around them as the ship prepared to launch. The floor beneath them rumbled as the engines started to fire up.
The trip to break Meladeen's atmosphere was quite calm. Just the humming of the engines and the occasional rumble beneath them gave the only clue that they were leaving Meladeen for good.
No one needed to strap down on their seats as they launched off from the launching pad. Everyone just held on to their consol or leaned on the wall they all stood still and silent.
Pearlana tapped a series of buttons on her consol and the screen shimmered once before giving everyone a clear view of Meladeen as they slowly left it.
No one said a word as they all watched their planet slowly get smaller and smaller as they moved away from it.
Everyone had grown up on that planet. All had memories of camping under stars, taking walks along the beach, hiking up the mountain trails, some even going shopping at the towns and malls in the city.
As Pearlana stared at her home planet, in her heart she knew that she would never see it again.
One tear escaped from her eye as she rubbed the others way. Unknowingly to Pearlana, that one small tear fell down towards Ivory Core center below.
The tear fell into the mist, disappearing within. But the Ivory watched it fall, since it had been watching Pearlana, and had caught the tear. It seemed to consume it, and that one tear only sort of powered it.
Pearlana was thinking at the time that no planet was going to take away the memory of Meladeen. But it would be second home to love and cherish.
Suddenly the floor erupted like the engines had been burst with new energy. Everyone was thrown off their feet at the sudden surge of power.
Pearlana not so softly landed on her butt and watched as the circular opening leading to the Ivory Cores center erupted in a spectacle of gold and blue light that shot straight up.
Pearlana dropped her mouth in shock as she watched the spectacle before her. The gold/blue lights swirled around and around like a tornado as it went straight up to the last floor above.
Suddenly the voice of the computer could be heard, apart from the sound of howling winds and at the same time an unearthly silence.
"Entering the Gateway in twenty…nineteen…eighteen…" The computer counted down as they neared the Gateway.
"SHIT!" Pearlana yelled out as she jumped up and hurried towards the consol.
Or at least she tried to get to the consol, but the swirling light was blinding and strong. It actually was pushing Pearlana away from the consol.
Pearlana on the way found the ship wide speakers. She held the small pad up to her lips and tried to speak as clearly as she could as the swirling light just got louder in its roaring.
"This is Chief Engineer Pearlana…" Pearlana yelled into the speakers.
"Thirteen…twelve…" The voice of the computer counted down.
"Oh the hell with it!" Pearlana exasperatingly stated. Now was not the time to speak clearly and professionally.
"IF NO ONE WANT'S TO BECOME A HUMAN CANON BALL! I SUGGEST YOU GET YOUR BUTTS TO YOUR SECURED SEATS!"
Pearlana screamed into the speaker as blue/green light sent a blast of electric blue light all around them.
The speaker went dead in Pearlanas hand, but it didn't matter now. Everyone got the message, and if anyone who knew Pearlana long enough. They all knew that she would never play around when something was serious.
Everyone around Pearlana stared to rush towards their seats. No doubt the rest of the crew was doing the same.
Pearlana was just about to reach her secured seat, when the computers count down went silent.
Instant darkness settled all around them. The only light came from the swirling mist that brightened engineering in a blue/gold light.
Pearlana turned towards the screen and noticed that it was blank.
"What's going on? Is the countdown over?" Pearlana asked herself as she slowly walked towards the consol.
The swirling light didn't push her away this time, actually to Pearlana it felt like time had stopped.
Pearlana checked the consol and the soon after ship wide, but the weird thing was that everyone was operational. The only thing that was missing was the people.
At the moment between time and space, Pearlana was the only one on board the ship.
Instant fear crept up into Pearlanas soul. Did everyone get sucked out into space? No that was impossible, everyone had been strapped in.
And that's when it hit Pearlana like a ton of bricks. Everyone had been strapped in…except for her.
She wasn't able to get herself strapped before they entered the gateway. While everyone else was traveling through a rough ride through the Gateway between dimensions, Pearlana was in this…other plain of existence. Traveling no doubt as well, but in a calmer and must I say it…rock and roll free cruising.
Pearlana had been somehow separated from them. She checked the exteriors of the ship and with amazement watched as two Orion's traveled the tunnels of time and space side by side.
But there was something a little different about the other Orion, the one she was on. This Orion was in a pocket like shield that glowed in…
Pearlana tuned towards the swirling light that had erupted from the Ivory Core center.
"It was you. You're the one who is doing this." Pearlana said towards the swirling light.
"Yes." A voice suddenly spoke out, it vibrated all around her. Like a collective of speech all intone with each other.
"Why?" Pearlana questioned as she backed away from the consol.
"To protect you." It plainly stated. "Look…"
Pearlana turned her attention towards the screen that had suddenly turned on. Pearlana watched the Orion, without the pocket, glide through the tunnels of time and space.
As Pearlana was watching, she noticed that something was crawling on the hull of the ship.
"Computer, magnify." Pearlana orders as she stepped up to the screen.
The Computer complied and Pearlana got a clear image of the thing that was not crawling…but walking on the hull.
"What is that?" Pearlana said as she hurried to the consol and tried to read it. But no information could be given. The only thing that happened was the consol blowing up in Pearlanas face.
Luckily she wasn't severely burned, but she would be raw for a while.
"THAT would be the Lord of Darkness." The voice unemotionally stated.
"The Lord of Darkness? That can't be the…ABYSS!" Pearlana stated in horror.
The Abyss is on the Orion! I have to warn them…
But what could she do? She was in a moving, pocketed Orion, which was beside the reality Orion. There was nothing to be done.
Pearlana watched with horror as the Abyss entered the Orion with ease. OZ had shifted itself away as the Abyss drew closer towards the hatch on one side of the Orion.
OZ could only be removed by an order from the High Group. Someone is in league with the Abyss.
Pearlana thought to herself as the Abyss disappeared within.
Suddenly the swirling light erupted and shot forth from all angles. Pearlana looked up as the light spread itself all over the room. It completely covered the consoles, machinery, and Pearlana.
Soon Pearlana found herself smack in the middle of the room. Actually, she found herself flouting above the Ivory Core's center ring.
Instantly, she stretched her hands out while trying to balance herself, which was incredibly dumb to do since she was floating on air and the light, was surrounding her.
"What are you doing!" Pearlana yelled out as the wind began to pick up.
"Protecting you as the ships unite." The voice stated.
"What do you mea…?" But Pearlanas voice died in her throat as she watched everything outside the swirling light shift away like a mirage.
Pearlanas eyes looked like saucers as space surrounded her. It was then that Pearlana noticed that she wasn't breathing. Or at least, she wasn't breathing the normal way.
She felt oxygen in her lungs, but she wasn't breathing through her nose. She was breathing…inside. If such as thing was possible.
My gills. I can store oxygen and then filter it. COOL!
As Pearlana entered the ship, the light around her began to slowly disappear. She could see everyone tightly holding on to their chest locks as the ship rocketed around like a boiling ball.
She was exactly were she was before; the only difference was that she wasn't there.
"Exiting the tunnel in five…four..." The voice of computer could be heard.
"You must warn your friend Pearlana, before it's too late." The voice whispered all around Pearlana.
Then it was like something was pushing into her mind. Pearlana knew what it was, and instantly tried to push back. But the Ivory Core was persistence. It pushed inside Pearlana mind all the way.
Feeling incredibly weakened, Pearlana lost all will to push back. So she allowed the Ivory Core to enter her mind, she felt it literally snuggle around her heart.
She felt the mind of the Ivory Core merge with hers. But the Ivory Core didn't fully merge minds. Some secrets it kept, and Pearlana kept some of hers.
"This will be our little secret. Ok Pearlana?" The hesitant voice echoed inside Pearlanas mind.
But Pearlana was out cold. The Merging of the Ivory Core into its chosen host always took much energy out of them.
So the Ivory Core took over for a while. It sent the swirling light back into the Ivory Core center, and made sure that the crew within the Orion safely entered the other dimension.
When all was done, Ivory withdrew from controlling Pearlanas body and let gravity run its course.
This meaning that once everything had returned to normal on the Orion, everyone would watch in horror as Pearlana falls to the ground from being suspended in space a little above them.
Which was just plain wrong for the Ivory Core to do. But what no one seemed to understand was the fact that the Ivory Core was almost like a kid at times. Actually, you could say that the Ivory Core is as old as the universe.
But everyone knows that the universe is young…Right?
Ok, real bad ending. But I think I like the chapter better then the last time I tried to write it. But as you can see, I really really really wanted to get rid of this chapter.
Now that it's done, I will be easier for me to continue with this story.
Now I would like to thank the following Reviewers:
ZELINIA – First off. I'm NOT GOING TO KILL GAHERIS! I'm not that evil! (Disembodies voice: Oh yes you are) (Me: SHUT UP!) But I promise you, I'm not going to kill Gaheris. It may seem for a moment that he will die, but trust me he won't be. There, I just gave away a secret that I wanted to keep. But since I can't bear to make you unhappy, there you go. I hope you liked this new improved chapter. The next will be much better. Shamus meets Seamus!
LittleRedhead – Thank you. This is when all my fav ideas come out full force. But I'm still saving some for future Pearl stories (hinting). And don't worry about the others; they will be rescued soon enough. That's going to be a very adventures chapter. And I too like that I chose the abyss to arrive in this fic. I wasn't planning on it before, but now I'm glad that I did introduce him to the fic. Thanks again!
Warlord Harrsk – lol, yeah I got that part from The Fifth Element. Great movie! I just so loved that part in the film that I could not resist on putting that in my fic. I'm glad that you are enjoying the fic. I try to put humor in the most serious of times. Kinda like the andromeda series itself. Jokes during the times that we need them the most. Thanks again for reviewing. Keep up the Fantastic work in you own fic!
Lostlondi – Thanks for reviewing. I'm so happy that you like the story. As for Pearlana, yes she is sixteen. But you know, I think all sixteen year olds go trough a lot in that age. Probably not as severe as Pearls' life, but similar. Responsibility, bravery when there is none, sadness, anger, and loss. At least that's what I went through at that age. So I guess I put a little bit of myself in Pearlana. (Smiles). Well I'm babbling, thanks for reviewing! At stay tune for the next chapter…this is to come real soon.
Prin69 - LOL! Yeah, I think we all would not mind if Rhade liked us in ANY age. Lol. Thank you for reviewing, it means a lot. I liked it too that Core took the form of Tyr. It added some spice to the story. Hehe. The next chapter will come real soon. Hold on tight!
Jade Rhade – You're welcome. Sorry that there is not a lot of Rhade in this chapter. But in chapter 14 there will be. And if it continues, then I'll to chapter 16. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Thank you so much for the idea! I will definitely use that. Thanks again for reviewing! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!