Wowzow Egos Aplenty

Chapter 2 of Children of Luzistor

The arrival of newcomers to the Archonage teleport at Lunari was the usual media frenzy. Green-skinned island reporters jostled to get close, holding their scry globes high, much like old style cell phone cameras. Crowds were agape at the android Platina and her blue serpent hair; they were a little apprehensive about the gray-fleshed Borg queen and her sinister smirk. Moast got the biggest welcome, having married their beloved sorceress Zena. Picard wasted no time in rushing them to the underground zip tube, and thence to the harbor district. Dan's villa atop the eastern hill was the chosen place to plan the mission. Once there, they were greeted by Dan and Zena. The island maid, Oki, hurried to bring refreshments, which the two mechanical-looking women disdained.

Picard stood in the center of the room, surveying the eight members currently present. They were the core group who brought highly specialized skills to the fore. Dan sat next to the Romulan Vixia, spreading out a map of Luzistor. Ardra kept close to Queenie; Moast and Zena were in their own world. Platina wisely kept her own counsel, blue tubules lifting to sense this or that about the others. Look at this, Picard thought irritably. Jili was atop a tall bookcase, elbows on knees, resting her chin in her hands.

"Jili, would you like to participate in this Luzistor briefing?"

"I'm from there, remember? I mostly remember the dragon lords' compound. If you want to know about that, wake me up."

Vixia looked askance at Moast, holding Zena in a loose embrace as they communed. "You would allow your pregnant mate on this mission?"

Zena looked aside at her. "Like, just try to stop me! I'm only two months, anyway."

"Ah," Vixia said to Moast. "Then you pretty much do as you're told."

Zena fumed. "Hey, you can't talk about my husband like that!" Moast wore an easy grin, quite the mercenary commander in his black leathers and bracers.

Just as Picard was about to convene the meeting, the Borg queen goaded Ardra. "The one called Sisra is but a teleport away. How inspiring it would be to meet her." And botify the stuffing out of her, Picard knew, preventing Ardra from ever evolving.

Ardra merely arched a brow ridge. "I'm sure it would. I'm watching you, Missy."

"Dan," Picard ventured, "as you're the resident expert on Luzistor, such that it is, I'd like for you to lay out our arrival and exit strategy." Couldn't these people get serious?

Suddenly, from out of Dan's magic bottle at his neck, a white mist flowed, taking the form of Cambris, one of the four Dracula brides. For this outing, she wore their traditional white gown. A long raven mane set off her pallor and red lips.

"Magnificent!" The Borg queen came close. "What an asset you would be for the Collective."

Cambris expressed regal distaste. "Who and what are you? Are you undead?"

It was necessary for Ardra to come to Picard's aid. "Ladies, let's not get our garters in a twist. Cambris, this is the queen of the Borg. They're not undead, just their brains."

Dan coughed loudly. "If I may?" He indicated an obscure spot on the chain of floating edifices that comprised Luzistor. "There's a teleport unknown to the dragon lords, the coordinates supplied to us by the Luzistor underground. I have to warn you—it's on an open ledge that doesn't leave much room to climb up into the chamber above. That's why I want Jili in the first six. If anyone falls, she can go after them with her magic cord. Platina can do the same for the second group. Or vice versa."

"There's an underground?" Vixia challenged. "Why do the overlords tolerate it?"

Dan shrugged. "It's probably beneath their notice. They're self sufficient, at any rate. They get supplies from a ghost ship operating out of the Blight."

"Then why don't they go back there?" Vixia pressed.

"Very simple. They escaped a vampire lord the only way they knew how. It's a matter of the least oppressive solution." He pointed to another spot on the map. "It docks here at night, when the dragon patrols aren't active. My team has actually used it. It's how we first came to Luzistor. I figure it's also the way back, if we can't reach the teleport." He cast a knowing look up at Jili. "Jili, I'm sure the underground knows about the other one like you. It's the first thing we'll ask them."

Moast was holding Zena's hand. "I doubt we'll need to do any detail planning at this stage. We'll need to get the status quo from the underground. They can help us plan the first move toward getting at the captured shamans."

"Wait a minute," Vixia complained. "Where did the vampire come from? Does she live in the bottle?"

"Not so, elf queen," Cambris replied. "The lower hatch opens above Rotbone Island, just across the river. I find it an easy way to get here when the hated sun is gone."

Vixia frowned, unsure if she'd been insulted. "What's an elf?"

Picard briefly put head in hands. "People, please." He looked up. "I suggest a tour of the bottle for those who haven't been inside. It can hold a hundred or more. Dan has it well stocked with provisions. It's also a last-ditch escape for us from Luzistor. We'll simply need the Dracula brides to fly us down one at a time, in their gargoyle forms, over Rotbone Island."

"Amusing," said the Borg queen. "From beauties to monsters goeth the pale ones."

"You call us monsters?" Cambris retorted.

Ardra got between and gently moved them apart, looking heavenward.

Dan chuckled. "We've got us a hell of a crew, Captain. I sort of hesitate to turn them loose on Luzistor. It's not natural."

"At least our two teams are balanced," Picard reminded. "You have Bonnie for shielding and healing. We have Ardra for the same."

Jili was finally motivated to come down, landing gracefully in the midst of the ladies. "Sorry to break up this meeting of the girls' club, but what happens when you find out where the shamans are?"

Dan and Picard traded looks, as neither had an answer.

"According to the Sybils," Picard said, "Jili and her alter ego are the key. That means it's up to us to get them in position to do . . . whatever it is they're prophesied to do."

All eyes were on Jili. "I have no idea. Maybe my other half knows something I don't. After all, he or she has been on Luzistor for some time."

With nothing more to speculate on, the group broke up, predictably with the ladies inside, the men outside on the patio that overlooked the beach below. Jili perched cross-legged on the railing, in the relative dark where the overhead strings of tea lights didn't reach. A half moon rode the waves farther out, presiding over an ocean-scented breeze and the razored clicking of night bugs.

Picard brought his drink to stand next to Dan. "I can only hope this motley crew gels as a team. I can warn you about Vixia, though. Treachery is in the Romulan DNA."

"Marvelous," said the jovial, bespectacled Dan. "Zena has always wanted a piece of Luzistor. She said as much one day while sunbathing down at the dock. I told her it was big talk coming from a girl in a pink bikini."

Picard had to laugh. "That's the reason I wanted to keep your team intact. You have the easy familiarity that comes from years of togetherness." He raised a toast, noting that Dan kept to the non-alcohol drinks. "You haven't seen what Platina can do. If these dark realms androids are half as capable, then we're badly outclassed."

"I wouldn't say that," Dan countered. "Just outnumbered. But that's standard operating procedure for us."

A commotion broke out behind them as the ladies came out. "Stand away," Cambris warned, and the men found it prudent to do so. Cambris transformed into a towering winged gargoyle who jumped up on the rail. The voice was a bass rumble. "The undead woman has doubted my ability." Cambris cast glowing eyes down at the Borg queen. "Shall I now demonstrate my fire breath?"

An energy screen flared about Queenie. "Not necessary, blood drinker."

"Right," Picard said in private to Dan. "Watch the Borg queen, too. She's always evaluating, calculating, looking for the opportunity."

Dan downed his drink. "Well, at least she comes with her own shield." He noted the phaser at Picard's hip. "I hope you guys don't let those out of your control. The ancient Teknikers altered this world so it's not possible to make gun powder. I've got a strict no-no for my people to bring firearms here from modern Earth."

"Like the six-guns of the old west," Picard replied, "they're an equalizer for us who don't wield magic. I'm sure our foes on Luzistor will consider them some type magic."

"Okay," Dan said reluctantly. "Just be careful not to get us caught in the cross fire."