Zoalords
Chapter 22
Warning
It came streaking from the sky like a meteor, trailing flame and smoke as it plummeted into the Mediterranean Sea. But this was no stone, judging from the strong psychic signals it was sending. As Lord Ali Bin Jamar reached the site, it bobbed upon the waves, half-hidden by steam. It resembled a Chinese Lantern, a Chinese Lantern set ablaze, and it stank of burnt flesh. There was a faint stirring within the craft, and the Zoalord rushed to help the occupant. The creature within vaguely resembled a serpent, but its sinuous body was covered in a thick layer of brilliantly colored feathers. Its magnificent plumage was burnt and stained with both the life fluid of its ship and its own. As the Zoalord lifted it from the vessel he could see that it was doomed. Yellow eyes glazed with onrushing death strained to focus upon the Zoalord. They. . . Are coming. Ouranos. Apollon. Harbinger of Destruction. bewa-. . . The creature's life fled and its body went limp in Lord Bin Jamar's arms.
Dead Sea Plant
Lords Barcus, Bin Jamar and de Galenos stood in a secure room, examining the corpse of the strange visitor. The recovered vessel was in another room, soaking in a nutrient-rich fluid in hopes of saving it for study. Lord Archanfel was on his way along with Lord Mirabilis.
"Could it be an Ouranos?" Lord Barcus asked as he examined the broken body of the alien.
"I don't think so. It seemed to be trying to warn us about them." Bin Jamar scowled, "Judging from the damage to its ship, I'd say it was shot down."
"We have no idea what this creature is or who shot down its ship, if it was shot down." Barcus replied tensely, "Say nothing of this to Czyvek. He already believes the Ouranos evil, he would seize upon this as 'proof'."
"Perhaps he is right." Bin Jamar replied.
"We cannot say that on the ambiguous words of a dying creature, probably deluded by pain. It may have been a criminal, or a traitor." Barcus reasoned.
"With all due respect, you did not look into its eyes, my lord."
"Eyes can be deceiving." Lord de Galenos observed. "But I cannot rightly judge this creature's motivations, especially now that it is dead."
"I think it would be best for us to keep this to ourselves for now. Only the three of us, Mirabilis and Lord Archanfel will know, until we can gather further information."
"Quetzalcoatl." Lord de Galenos said, "The Feathered Serpent god of Mayan mythology. This creature's resemblance to the deity cannot be a coincidence."
Later
"No, I do not believe this to be an Ouranos. None of those I saw resembled this creature." Archanfel looked over the corpse carefully. He could hear the ship in his mind, see it as it was struck down. No. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong here. "This is not what I wanted." He turned to Barcus, a look of surprise on his face, "This is not Ouranos. This is one of the beings with whom they are at war."
"You mean that we have contacted the wrong faction!" Barcus was stunned at the revelation. How could they still be at war after millions of years?
"So it was shot down." Lord Bin Jamar said softly, "We should inform The Council."
"Not immediately." Archanfel answered, "First I want to try to communicate more closely with its ship. Once I have more information I will decide whether or not to inform The Council."
"Yes, Lord Archanfel." Lord Ali Bin Jamar did not like keeping secrets from his fellow Zoalords, but Archanfel's word was absolute. His own opinion didn't matter. A thought occured to him, "Are any Zoalords aboard The Ark? If it should be attacked . . ."
"The Ark has a capable crew and self-defense mechanisms. But you are correct. Lord Mirabilis, please contact Lords Caerleon and Waferdanos, have them travel to The Ark to defend it. I shall be joining them shortly."
"At once, Lord Archanfel."
"Lord Archanfel, all of the Zoalords will have sensed the vessel's pain. They will want answers. How do we explain this?"
Archanfel considered Imakarum's question. He had a point. All had felt the vessel's telepathic signals, "We tell them that we will explain the situation when appropriate. They will accept that."
Mirabilis was not so sure.
The ship itself was just as Bin Jamar had described. It looked like nothing so much as a decorative Chinese lantern with ridges. About a quarter of the vessel had been destroyed, but it seemed to be healing quickly. Archanfel removed his clothing, levitated over the healing tank and lowered himself into the fluid. He pressed his hand against an undamaged section of hull and closed his eyes. The cat's eyes flickered open, and Mirabilis could have sworn he saw fear in the Supreme Zoalord's beautiful features.
"How long until the Guyver Unit is ours?"
"The Unit Remover Zoanoids are ready, my Lord." Mirabilis replied.
To be continued . . .