After a week, it was time to head off. Carter said goodbye to Cupa, and left for the Spider Kingdom. Cupa was only five, but she could definitely take care of herself. When he reached Arachnoss City Airport, he took a taxi to the centre of the city. The spider species was the most advanced and intelligent of all mobkind. Carter couldn't imagine a world without this knowledge. ''Probably like the Dark Ages.'' he had once said. He looked up. There, in all its glory, was the Royal Offices and Administration Building, the tallest structure in the city, second only in Minecraftia to the Ender Kingdom's tallest. He went inside. ''Do you have an appointment?'' came the voice of the secretary behind an enormous desk. ''Sort of, I need to see the king. He's a friend of mine.'' said Carter. The secretary jumped down from the desk and Carter could see him now. He, like all spiders, had bright purple hair, blood red eyes, and grey and black clothes.
''Follow me.'' he said, leading Carter into a huge, empty foyer. Carter's head spun. This room alone must have taken up at least half the space in the building. ''You wouldn't like to fall from that height.'' he thought. Just then a booming voice called out.''Cartie! How have you been?'' Carter turned. There was only one person that had ever called him Cartie. ''Simon Spyderr. What a pleasant surprise!'' he called back.
Simon Webster Spyderr was the ruler of the Spider Kingdom, and was always jolly and always joking. A large, heavy set man, with a purple walrus mustache and a great, strong voice, he and his family were much beloved by his people. It was quite surprising, but despite the insult of having to live under the shadow of a single sovereign, no mob species had ever started a revolution. Mob rulers were always kind, and some had even given away their power to democracy. Most, including the spiders, had a reigning figurehead and a democracy together. Both had power over their states, and each were kept in a peaceful balance. Also, cave spiders were a main part of the species having been united with the spiders 190 updates ago.
''Listen Simon. I don't mind the jovial side or anything, it's just... we need to talk business. Business about The Circle.
''Oh. Well in that case, fire away.''
''The Circle told me we had lost communications contact with you, and they told me to check if everything was alright.''
''I didn't think anyoneone would hear about that.''
''Well, they did. Is there something wrong, Simon? You look tense.''
''It's fine, but...''
''But what?''
''Our communication transmitter dishes were badly damaged, I sent people to check it out, and then...''
Carter was very worried now. ''What happened?'' he asked.
''It was a setup. The dishes were sabotaged. These wierd things just came out of nowhere, and then, we lost contact.''
''Wierd things?" Did you see them?''
''We caught them on camera. I still don't know what they are, though. They don't even look moblike.''
''Do you have the footage? I'd like to see it.''
''Yes, here it is. I warn you though, it won't be pretty.''
A large television swiched on, and the horror of what had happened in the communications tower became known to Carter. The scene was that of strange, bone white humanoids, feral, green skinned people and tall, dark monsters, all attacking anything or anyone in sight.
''You see those things?, Carter?''
''Yes, Simon?'' This must be serious. Simon never called him Carter unless it was serious.
''Computer, freeze and magnify image at quadrant 2.''
The television image froze, then zoomed in on one point, ''What on Minecraftia is that?'' asked Carter.
''It appears to be a skeleton.'' Simon replied.
''The Skeleton Kingdom wouldn't dare attack! You have a treaty!''
''It's a very old treaty, almost three hundred years. And this is no ordinary skeleton. It has no flesh, just bones.''
''Oh, my Notch, there's so many of them! This is trouble!''
Simon sighed. ''If there was anyone who could tell us anything we don't already know, it would have been Silk.''
''Oh yes, your late wife. Sorry if I forgot.''
''It's okay.''
''You know, Silk never left you completely. What about Stephanie?''
''She's so young! I don't think she can help us here.''
''It wouldn't hurt to try.''
Simon was reluctant, but complied. ''Steph! Could you come here for a minute? Daddy needs your help!''
A young, loud voice shouted back. ''Okay, Daddy, but can you please move Vanessa out of my room? She keeps crying!''
''Well, she is one year old! And she's your sister, so be nice to her!''
There was silence, then all of a sudden, the voice came again. ''Well, Vanessa is still a spider! Wouldn't she have learned to talk by now?''
''Touche, darling. Now can you come here?''
''Okay!''
A few seconds later, a little girl, about the same age as Cupa, cartwheeled down the stairs. ''Oh, hi there, Mr. Carter! Are you helping Daddy too? If you are, then you won't need to be soon!'' A big smile flashed up on her face. Carter smiled back. She seemed like a very special spider. She had her fathers sense of humour and intelligence, but she mostly got her looks from her mother. She had very long purple hair, blazing red eyes, and not only had the intelligence of the spiders before her, but also seemed to be very agile and acrobatic, having seen her cartwheeling down a flight of stairs, which Carter thought was impossible.
''Stephanie, darling, is there anything we've missed in this picture? We don't think we've got the whole story.''
The little girl thought for a while, then spoke. ''Have you seen the teenage girl in the background?''
''Teenage girl? Where is she?''
Stephanie pointed to the top right corner. Spider cameras were very high definition, and Simon and Carter could easily tell now that there was in fact a girl, around eighteen, in the picture. She had purple hair, like the spiders, but she looked very Enderlike. She was wearing a long black coat, and appeared to be typing into a keypad on the side wall.
''Good work darling! I'll get you something special tomorrow!''
''Thanks Daddy, for letting me help! I gotta go find a way to shut Vanessa up!''
''Okay dear, but don't do anything stupid!'' Stephanie ran up the stairs, while Carter examined the screen.
''She's hacking into the system...'' said Carter.
''Our satellite defense systems are on that computer! They're the kingdoms only defense!''
''But, why?.. Why is a young girl doing this?''
''Maybe she's been decieved, and she believes what she is doing is right?''
Carter stood up. ''I think I need to go now.''
''Okay, but before you go, I have an idea of how to solve this mystery.''
''Whats that?''
''Maybe you should go and meet the other mob leaders. Not just the Kingdoms, but the others. Like the Silverfish Stronghold or the City of the Slimes. Maybe the Nether mobs know something about our mysterious teenage hacker.
''Good idea. I'll set off as soon as I can. Of course,after I spend some quality time with Cupa. You know, I wonder if Cupa and Stephanie should get to know each other. They'd make great friends.''
''Perhaps. Just watch out. As you know, Steph has a rather short temper...''
''Cupa knows how to take care of herself, and she can make friends easily.''
''Alright then.''
''Thanks for everything, Simon!''
''No problem, Cartie!'' He was back to normal.
As Carter left the building, no thought crossed his mind of the events that were yet to come...
Wow, what's this all about? Who is this mysterious hacker? What are the strange beings that accompanied her? Are the spiders safe, or at risk? Find out next week or so! Goldie, out!