Opening File: The Reach

Reach was a human colony world in the Epsilon Eridani system, located 10.5 light years from the Sol system on Earth's metaphorical doorstep. Reach is the fourth largest planet in the Epsilon Eridani system, and second closest to the star Epsilon Eridani. Reach is a young planet with an age of no more than one billion years. Compared to the 4.6 billion years of Earth, Reach is remarkably geologically stable.

Reach is larger than Earth, having a diameter of 15,273 kilometers, compared to the 12,756 kilometers diameter of Earth. Reach was however only the fourth largest planet in the Epsilon Eridani system. Reach was originally inhospitable for human life, requiring some degree of terraforming before it could be colonized. Mostly a rugged and harsh wilderness filled with towering mountains, deserts and weather-beaten forests.

The surface is pockmarked with meteor impact craters, with some of them forming large seas. Reach has a thriving eco-system with various different species. The Highland Mountains contain a diverse range of flora and fauna. There were hundreds of different kinds of trees, plants, and animals including Douglas Firs, Cedars, Wild Blueberry Bushes, Moa, gray wolves (Imported from Earth), Owls (Imported from Earth),and Koi.

Szurdok Ridge also has the alien Gúta. New Alexandria, the newly built capital city has rats (Imported from Earth) that lived in the maintenance areas in the city. There were also Koi in the Sinoviet Center. All over the planet, various avian species, including natives of Earth can be seen. Reach is located near a small nebula, which has a visible effect on the planet and its moons, casting an 'aura' similar to the Aurora Borealis. This could also be caused by Reach having a stronger magnetic field.

It has two moons, the much larger ringed Csodaszarvas and the smaller, cratered Turul.

Close File

Xxx

"Colonization is inevitable. Species are driven to span out, find new places to live and to see the wonders of the world. And yes, also exploit the natural resources but not everyone lives with that kind of mentality. It can be something to aspire to." TOM watched the file close. "One day we might be able to colonize Mars, make it and the other planets and moons in our system habitable. Clean up greenhouse gases, clean the oceans, save endangered species and maybe so much more with the hard work and effort of the smartest minds with the strongest bodies working to make things better. First we need to come together and stop thinking about things like money and our own personal interests, start working to keep the world we live on habitable otherwise…Well, there is only one habitable planet in our system, we can't afford to lose it now can we?"

Xxx

"So is it the genuine Gem of Destruction or not?"

Sammael was silent as he observed the pure black gem in his hand. "It has the same wavelength and properties as a Spiral Gem."

"But…?"

"It is less powerful than the real one." Sammael finished. "It should have at least attempted to bond with me, to test me if I was meant to be its wielder."

"So it is a fake." Moloch grumbled.

"I would have seen through a fake. This is an attempt to make a copy. An inferior copy but a copy nonetheless." Sammael replied. "Obviously an attempt by the old order to keep us of the trail of the real one."

"If this not the true Gem of Destruction then where is it?" Moloch asked in frustration. "Our plans are dependent on finding the location of all twelve."

"We know Sebben is the wielder of Sight and the Form is hidden in Yamanouchi Academy in Japan. Youth is in the hands of Her Majesty in Britain, Nature remains split into the four elements of nature and unless we know the location of the main gem and the three guardians we cannot attain the full Spiral Gem. Strength is hidden in Outer Haven and Ability is hidden in Lucha Academy. That leaves Heart, Creation, Destruction, Soul, Bond and Mind up for grabs depending on who finds them first." Sammael noted.

"What should be done with the copy? Destroy it?"

"No." Sammael held up the copy. "As I said, this copy contains the same wavelength and properties as a real Spiral Gem."

"So?"

"It means this copy has potential as both a weapon…and a map." Sammael grinned. "I know of a great many who will want to get their hands on this. The question is through which can lead us to the true Gem of Destruction?"

"There is no shortage of potential wielders for Destruction. Who could be used to find the real one?" Moloch questioned.

"Who indeed." Sammael summoned a Seer to him, watching as it sat down on the table before him. "Destruction is among the most dangerous of the twelve. For it to be bonded with a wielder, it must find a soul so…destructive that it knows its power would be used to bring forth the fires, the darkness and the storms that would swallow everything in its path."

"A blight upon the world." Moloch mused.

"There is no better kind for the power of Destruction." Sammael chuckled.

Xxx

"Great, we took a whole trip around the world and this chick's not even home."

Jamie really hated being in Russia. For one it was a lot colder than New Jersey and because when they arrived a whole of guns were pointed at them. Luckily Coop was a registered Hunter with Megas being his personal weapon(much to Kiva's hidden annoyance) so they backed off. Coop made it a point to activate a personal security system for Megas to make sure it didn't get stolen while they spoke with a Russian delegate.

Unfortunately he was very reluctant to tell them where Anastasia Bray had gone, even when Kiva tried playing the 'Important Hunter Business' card. All they got was that she was away on important business and unless they could explain their reasons they were ordered to immediately leave. They know how destructive Coop was with Megas back home in Jersey and threatened to have them arrested for technically trespassing, even if Coop's Hunter license allowed him to enter any countries registered in the Hunter system. Unfortunately the same could not be said for Jamie and Kiva as both were still technically civilians under the law and warned if they did not leave they would be arrested instead.

But Kiva had no intention of giving up.

"Anastasia Bray could not have gone far." Kiva said, hacking her way into Bray Corporation's security files.

"Are you kidding me, Kiva?" Jamie looked back and saw what she was doing. "We got barely got out of being arrested when those diplomats told us to get lost. You could get us thrown in jail for committing a federal crime."

"Considering I am trying to save the future of mankind I'm willing to take the risk." Kiva softly retorted. "Besides, I've got several centuries of advanced tech and improved software along with the skills to infiltrate Glorft cyber systems so I am sure I won't be detected and I won't leave a trace behind either. With the kind of mentality these countries have I find it so hard to believe that they managed to come together to form the United Earth Nations."

"We do band together on the important things." Coop said with a small smile. "Maybe if we shared a few awesome video games they'd have been more open."

Jamie rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure."

Kiva's eyes widened when she broke through and accessed the information on Ana Bray. "No way…"

"What's up?" Coop asked, hearing the surprise in Kiva's voice. "Something happen?"

"Something sure did happen. I didn't think it was possible but…Ana Bray is off world. She already has a cruiser capable of FTL flight…And they have already found and settled on a planet." Kiva read over the information.

"Wait, you saying humans can travel through space and live on other planets?" Jamie asked, looking back at Kiva's screen. "I thought that didn't happen in the twenty first century."

Kiva accessed the navigation logs. "The planet is in the Epsilon Eridani system…The Reach colony. The first colony planet settled by mankind when space exploration began. I read about it from history cubes my parents gave me. I know probes were launched to that planet as early as the twenty first century but history files say humanity didn't officially colonize it until a hundred years later."

"Maybe you guys just mixed up the dates." Coop suggested. "After all you mentioned you don't know much about what happened during the twenty first century."

"I should know a bit more about the colonies, Coop." Kiva sighed, leaning back in her seat. "I was born on the Reach colony."

"Really? You were born in space?" Jamie smirked.

"Technically a colony is still a planet, Jamie." Kiva pointed out. "But still…Change of plans, Coop. We're going to the Reach."

"All right! Space trip!" Coop was all for it. A chance to see another planet was not something he would pass up, especially if they had lots of food up there. "Maybe they already got all the best food like philly cheesesteaks, hot dogs, burgers and all the other essential foods."

Kiva rolled her eyes but kept focused on the main task. "All right. I'm downloading the navigational data for the fastest way to the Reach. We'll get there in under an hour."

"Right. Here we go!" Coop said, angling Megas so that it was flying up out of the atmosphere.

Good thing the car doors, windows and sun roof had been redesigned to be air locked when the trio took trips into outer space. In less than a minute Megas was out of the planet's atmosphere with Coop following Kiva's directions for finding the Reach colony.

"I just hope the Glorft don't attack while we're gone." Kiva said once they were underway. "We haven't heard from them in a while."

"Relax. Those squids are probably running scared of us by now with all the whooping I've given them." Coop replied with a confident smile.

'If only that were true.' Kiva thought, knowing the Glorft would never give up as long as they had Megas.

Xxx

"Sir, we have detected the prototype leaving Earth's atmosphere."

Gorrath narrowed his eyes at the mention of the prototype. "Show me." The view screen then showed Megas leaving Earth's atmosphere. "What are those primitive apes up to now?"

"Perhaps we can use the time to launch an attack on Earth?" The Commander suggested.

"No. That dirtball is not worth it. I want to know what they are up. Run a course trajectory on the prototype's heading. I want to know where they are going." Gorrath ordered.

The Commander complied, running the information through the Glorft's navigation archives. "We have a trajectory, sir. It appears they are going to a planet that was originally one of the Earth colonies destroyed during the war. In the Epsilon Eridani system. Better known as the Reach."

"Hmph! Earthers and their theatrical names." Gorrath narrowed his eyes as he remembered that planet. "If I remember right, the Earthers had an AI system set up on that planet."

"Yes sir. The Glorft fleet lost three capital ships, fifty support ships and over fifty battalions taking the planet and it five total cycles before it was conquered." The Commander recalled.

"I remember!" Gorrath banged his fist on the armrest of his chair, making the Commander flinch. "I remember every planet ever conquered by the Glorft."

"Yes sir." The Commander nodded quickly. "What are your orders?"

"If they are going to that planet there must be something there they want." Gorrath narrowed his eyes. "The AI system they set up…Could they be trying to jump starts its creation?"

If the Earthers were attempting to manipulate time they could try to change the outcome of the invasion. Make themselves powerful enough to repel the entire Glorft invasion.

"Set course for the Epsilon Eridani system." Gorrath immediately ordered. "I want the mechs armed and ready. We'll find out what they want and then ambush them. We'll take the prototype and the time drive unit back."

"Yes sir." The Commander nodded in compliance.

The Karajor's ability to enter null space, a point in between dimensions allowed it to exit at any point in the universe. Thus they could easily beat Coop to the Reach planet before they got there which they planned on doing.

Gorrath grinned at the chance of finally defeating the Earth monkey piloting the prototype. "Finally, we have the upper hand."

The Glorft mothership emerged into real space on the far side of the Epsilon Eridani system, its exit point masked by the system's star.

"Inform me when the prototype enters the system." Gorrath said before leaving the bridge.

Xxx

"I can't believe we missed all that action. We were just there and all those bad guys show up as soon as we leave."

Let it be known for the record that Ben Tennyson did not pout.

Yes, he could get grumpy.

Yes, he could get cranky for various reasons.

And yes even he knew he complained when things did not go his way.

But he did not pout.

Unfortunately his cousin didn't see it that way. "Come on, Ben. Are you really going to pout because all the other heroes stopped the army of evil demons and not you?"

"No." Ben turned his face away so Gwen couldn't see his face. "And I'm not pouting."

Gwen rolled her eyes at her cousin's immaturity. "Look, maybe it was a good thing we left before this whole…Crom thing. There are other heroes and hunters out there, Ben. You don't need to be in every fight."

"Yeah, yeah." Ben drawled.

Gwen sighed, seeing she was not getting through to her cousin. She looked over to Julie who simple shrugged with a helpless smile.

There was just no getting through to Ben when he was like this.

"So where are we going now?" Julie asked, changing the subject.

"Don't really have much of a destination in mind, Julie." Max Tennyson answered from the driver's seat. "We'll just see where the road takes us."

Deciding that was a good enough answer Julie leaned back in her seat and stared out the window, wondering what their next destination would be.

Xxx

"Master, we seek your guidance once more."

The Seer before the twin Mobians projected Sammael's face as he answered their call. "I, Am, have you located the Fire Elemental?"

"Yes, Master." Both Mobians answered before I took over. "We have come with a perfect plan."

"But in order for it to work we ask for aid from your clan." Am finished. "Luring the Fire Elemental to a place we seek."

"But we must separate her from the weak." I finished, pointing forward.

The Seer turned, allowing Sammael to see the Rust Bucket as it drove under the cliff they were on. "You seek aid from nearby Grimm to as a distraction."

"Yes, Master." Both Mobians said as they bowed.

"Then you shall have it."

From the Seer came a completely silent signal that was heard by every nearby Grimm in the surrounding area. These Grimm hid away in either the nearby forests or caves but by Sammael's will they were compelled to leave, to track, to hunt with express orders not to harm or kill the assigned targets or the twins that would be leading them.

"The Grimm will provide the distraction. Now go and find her." Sammael said before his face vanished from the Seer.

"As you command, master."

Xxx

"Have you found her?"

"Yes, Headmistress. It took sometime but our informant supplied the information on the dimension and address our wayward princess is located at." The man answered, placing the information on the lady's desk. "We are ready to send our men to pick her up."

The Headmistress of the reform school for wayward princesses, Miss Heinous had pale white skin and short, curly white hair with gray sides. She wore a purple Victorian era-style dress with black sleeves, light gray gloves, black earrings, and black high-heeled boots underneath her dress. She had a mole on her right cheek, and a long, pointed nose.

"Excellent." The elder woman grinned as she looked at the pictures of the princess in question and flinched. "Ugh, look at her. Running around, playing in the mood. Absolutely no princess dignity at all. What would her parents think?"

"Indeed, Miss Heinous." Her right hand man, Gemini nodded in agreement.

Gemini was a short troll-like robotic man with wrinkly purple skin, a hunched back, and a large underbite. His head was covered in thin hairs, liver spots, and stitches. He wore an all-black uniform and a strange eyepiece with an orange or yellow gemstone that functions as his one eye. Finally his left leg was a metal prosthetic.

"We must hurry. Send the boys to pick this girl up and bring her in."

Xxx

Tambry rubbed the tears off of the face of her younger sister Nyx before hugging her. "It doesn't matter if mom is here or not, because I swear as long we have each other everything will okay, and I promise you I always be here for you and I won't let anything happen to you."

Nyx's cries subsided as she hugged her sister back as if she was her life line.

Xxx

"My dear Nyx you've grown to not only become a great partner but one of the few I truly could call my friend. Since the moment we met I saw potential for greatness in you. I saw cunning, a brilliant mind, ambition, and a drive to prove yourself. I also saw desire deep inside you to make those that caused you to suffer one day pay. Well that day for vengeance and to show the world what you're truly capable of has come at last, and I know you won't disappoint my dear Kind."

Pericles knew the time of change was growing closer. Still he was going to savor the time him and Nyx had left, especially with doing Nyx this small favor. He flew out of the home he shared with Nyx and her sister, knowing who was about to enter Gravity Falls and decided to be the first to extend to them a warm welcome.

Xxx

"This is it." The woman looked at the home she had left her daughters in, passing by a grey feathered parrot with a rather large head that sat on a nearby tree as she headed for the house. "All right, wait outside. I'll find them."

"Make it fast." Her escort said with crossed arms.

"My parents to see their grandchildren. So I bring them back home and maybe father won't disinherit me."

She opened the door and peeked inside, expecting someone to greet her. "Hello? Is anyone here?"

Where was everyone?

They were supposed to be here.

She wandered around the house, checking all the rooms but found nobody.

"Where is everyone?" She wondered, heading for the door but was stopped by a voice.

"So the prodigal mother returns and with some notable company no less. Welcome back to Gravity Falls Miss Kane, or…" Pericles revealed himself to the shocked Lana seeing the parrot talking as he landed above the door.

"What in the-"

"Would her highness prefer to be addressed by her proper title?" He said, taking a sarcastic tone of voice. "Prinzessin Lanaluakalani."

Lana's eyes widened when she heard the parrot say her name. "How did-"

"Did it not cross even your short sighted foolish mind as to wonder just how Billiam learned that you had children with a human, which allowed him to pass that info onto Satyra? Or just why my dear Nyx and her ever dependable sister were not taken like all the others Billiam kidnapped, and used as further incentive." Pericles chuckled.

"You…" Lana whispered before pointing at the parrot. "You were the one who ratted me out to Billiam?!"

"Indeed I did. Billiam and I were what you could call…colleagues. He spent a long time trying to perfect the machine he used to steal all the gold and the wealth in the world. He corresponded with all the available minds he could find, granted they were in the criminal underworld but thankfully he was smart enough not to be caught and find those who do not like to be tracked." Pericles chuckled. "He was most impressed with my comments on his machine but when I learned he needed a power source I knew the perfect place where he would get one."

Lana immediately knew what he was talking about. "The idol from my island."

"A rare fine and one that was left undisturbed for so long. I counted on Billiam enlisting your aid once he had the proper information and I counted on you not being smart enough to ignore the bait. I am sure the look you have now is the same one you had when Billiam turned the tables on you when you wanted to back out of the deal. " Pericles continued with a sinister grin. "Of course I never counted on him releasing a rampaging destroyer god on the world once his machine was activated but it still served to hold the world's attention for quite some time. I understand Mitimotu was well out of the way of Crom's rampage but I am not surprised. After all, even the dear princess herself does not care for that backwater island."

"Where are my daughters?" Lana pulled out a gun and pointed it at Pericles. "What have you done with them?"

"Done with them? You insult me, Your Highness." Pericles said, practically spitting the last two words. "They have been better under my care than they ever where under yours. Well, what little care there was. Tambry was forced to step up and take care of little Nyx all by herself with the poor little girl wondering why her dear mother refused to come see her, even during the most important days like her birthday."

BANG!

Pericles remained still, even as the bullet passed through him as if he were a ghost.

"What?"

Pericles chuckled. "I see brains must skip a generation. I shouldn't be surprised though. Your parents wanted you to see the outside world as a way to help Mitimotu progress like the rest of the world and you thought opening a gallery that was a front for a Satyra gathering would work. It's no surprise they want their grandchildren home, other than wanting to actually meet them for the first time."

BANG!

Lana fired again but the bullet passed through Pericles like before. "Why won't you die?!"

"You're Highness, save your strength. This display of violence is just embarrassing for us both." Pericles shook his head. "My Semblance makes it impossible for you to actually harm me."

"Your Semblance?"

"My Semblance: Complete Hypnosis. I can manipulate the senses of anyone I make eye contact with and they would fall completely under my spell, forcing them to see, hear, feel and even taste whatever I direct them to." Pericles explained with pride in his voice. "In fact it is what has allowed me to lure you to the perfect location."

"What are you talking about?" Lana growled.

"Do you think it is odd that no one has heard the gunshots yet?" Pericles asked, tilting his head.

Suddenly the house around them began to change, becoming a…

"What is going on?!" Lana shouted, seeing she was now in some kind of cave.

"You are not in the home you abandoned your daughters in." Pericles explained, hovering in the air above them. "You are in an abandoned mine under an abandoned church. I controlled your entire journey the moment you entered the church you thought was the house and led you down here."

Lana spun around, hearing growling and roaring noises from inside the mines.

"That would be the mine's residents. Some are plant eaters and others…Well you know the pecking order." Pericles chuckled. "Auf Wiedersehen, Prinzessin Lana."

With that, Professor Pericles left Princess Lana in the abandoned minds with the dinosaurs that will either kill her or she will kill them in a desperate bit for survival. Either way, Pericles had help enact Nyx's vengeance on her behalf but he hoped the princess would survive so Nyx could have her turn.

This has been a long time coming for the woman who abandoned her daughters.

"Now we await the transformation." Pericles said, leaving the caves through a small secret tunnel and flying back out into the sunny skies. "We're finally together again, Nyx."

And they would do great things together.