My hand slipped and another chapter happened. Basically Makenna, whenever we have a coach trip you can expect an update the next day if not sooner.
"Darn. Old fashioned way then. Compile available data into book." A book appeared in his lap and he settled down to read.
Installment 1: The Clock Strikes at Midnight
Chapter 2: Putting up with Parents
Merlin had determined that he had to get to this crystal planet. The contest had passed but he realised his key to getting there could still be found in the contest. The winners were a middle aged couple with no kids. It might be complicated, but with a bit of work he could convince them that he was their teenage son.
Which is why, three months later, he is now standing in line to board the craft that would take them from Earth to the Star Sphere Spaceport. From there they would travel on a warp drive ship. Which was good. Already Merlin, or Jethro as he was now going by, was getting fed up with his "parents" and their constant bad jokes. He had been a part of many families in the past but he was sure none were as obnoxious as Val and Biff. Thank the goddess for warp drive and headphones.
A in the early hours of the next day they left warp drive and came into orbit above the planet. Eagerly Merlin rushed to the observatory deck and gazed down at the planet below. It was gorgeous.
The lack of a typical atmosphere left a cloudless sky and an uninstructed view down to the surface below. And boy oh boy did it shine.
The sunlight glistened and danced from diamond to diamond, refracting and reflected, brilliant lights cascading in waterfalls across the surface. The whole surface was sparkling with a light that only got brighter as they descended.
Yet as they descended, Merlin noticed something much more important. He could feel a tugging in his gut; similar to when he approaches the crystal cave. It was the feeling of his magic being sucked away from him. His eyes grew wide and he threw up a hasty barrier to protect himself. He retreated hastily to his quarters and constructed a more permanent reflector barrier before bottling up his magic like he did long ago in Camelot.
His magic protested and he knew that all these centuries later it would be even harder to keep it contained; his power had never stopped growing. It was painful now to keep it all in. It was going to be even easier than he thought to act like a teenager again; he really did want to avoid all human contact and lose himself in his music. Which is precisely what he did
Jamming his headphones in he hit shuffle and laid back on his bed. I've got the magic, in me!
"Seriously?" He rolled his eyes and stabbed the skip button. The next song was a newer rock song about flying across the universe. "Much better."
The expedition didn't leave until tomorrow so Merlin had some time to explore. Not that there was much to explore. Because of the Xtonic rays unique to the planet that supposedly was great for tanning. Which naturally meant that the planet was primarily a spa resort. But he was sure he could find something else to help his investigations.
In the hallway leading to the antigravity restaurant he found what he was looking for. Presumably intended to provide some entertainment while waiting in line before the dinner opened in the evening, prints were hung on the wall explaining the history of the resort. It began only twenty years ago when a Professor Simeon of Tessalii University had trained his telescope to this system and decided to study this little system. Him and his team send out spacecraft and determined that there was no sign of any life. This planet on particular had fascinated him because of the strange gasses he had detected. He called it Midnight because he couldn't even see the planet until his spacecraft entered the system. Of course it was upon this closer inspection that he discovered the composition of the surface and the fact that it had no air. He published his findings in the Exoplanet Nature journal and then this company found it.
Seven years ago they had lowered the main building down, set a small space port into orbit, equipped both with teleporter pads and business started up.
From then on the posters only described the success of the company and the many additions to the Midnight base. Evidently next year they would be adding a good old fashioned laser tag arena decorated with harvested crystals for an extra challenge.
His pocket vibrated and he pulled out his phone. Val's face popped up with a message.
"Where are you? Our dinner reservation at the Crystal Palace is in five minutes."
"I'll be right there." He hit send and regretfully put his fact finding mission on hold.