The Spatial Shard

Purgh was confused and more than just a little anxious. He had returned to Zweit Pointe and reported what he and the others had found on the Earth-side of the Nexus. But the speed with which the others debated had him concerned.

“We have cogitated the issue you have brought before this body, Researcher Purgh,” the Mediator announced. “You may resume your studies. Your diligence is appreciated.”

“We expect an entity that may be hostile,” Purgh said, reminding those who listened of his report.

“And if this is the time of the Deliverer, it will come,” the Mediator replied. “And if not, then the Earth-side humans must contend with yet another disastrous event. I have had the experience of monitoring them and I can testify that is when they are at their very best. You recall the World Wars of the current Earth, yes?”

“But-”

“That will be all, Purgh,” the Mediator said, making it clear what the actions of the Elders were going to be yet again: they were going to watch. But Purgh could not go back to the Earth-side of the Nexus without anyone or anything to speak of to assist his friends. It was clear he was not going to receive any assistance from his own kind… but that was not the limits of Purgh’s ability or influence.

The door chimes sounded as if they belonged in a concert hall built for deities. Sixteen bells sounded in a rhapsody which had the desired effect upon one of the two people who stood at the front door of the Pel’Tierre Estate. It was not their official home, simply where the Earl and Countess resided when the CoN was in session. Gordon looked up and around in wonder, his mouth wide open.

“Maintain your focus,” Rannis said softly and Gordon was quick to settle himself. He faced forward just as the right side of the double door slid into the floor.

“May I be of service?” the Service Drone asked.

Rannis spoke clearly and in a stronger voice than Gordon was used to hearing. “I will need to speak with the Earl himself on a matter regarding the safe and discrete return of his son who has violated my property and sense of prosperity. If you tell me he is not available, I will simply sell his son to the highest bidder and let the good Earl sort things out from there!”

“Please be so kind as to come in while I fetch his lordship,” the Service Drone said, ushering both of the callers into the huge foyer. As soon as they were inside, the door closed and the robot asked them to wait. It turned quickly and floated away.

“You’re something to see in action,” Gordon said softly and Rannis chuckled as he looked at the young man.

“Funny, that is exactly how I feel about you, Gordon,” Rannis replied.

“Rannis, why did you bring me here?” Gordon asked. “This feels like something right up Sharon’s alley.”

“You know, I’ve been made aware of what happened on the beach before you came to Undertown,” Rannis answered. “The only thing limiting you, Gordon Schultz, is you. I do not say this so you will go out and do something completely stupid, but you are quite the capable entity. All you need is some fine tuning... and a little time.”

“And Sharon was busy, right?”

“Thank you for proving my point,” Rannis said, mussing Gordon’s hair. The Service Drone returned a lot sooner than Rannis expected. Either Zanison was famous for harebrained schemes which often back-fired, or the loving father, the Earl, had been looking for his son and had come up empty in his search. Rannis was not a gambler, but his impression was that the former had a better chance of being the truth.

“Maintain your focus,” Gordon whispered to himself as they walked down the large corridor; the young man was struck by all the trappings of nearly absolute wealth and high-ranking power. Rannis smiled and silently thanked the Ancient Authors that Sharon was indeed engaged in other affairs. Fate, once again, had made a better choice for Rannis than the one he would have made for himself.

“Must play the long and the short game, old man,” he thought.

Power Swords crackled as energy blade met with energy blade. He did not give ground, nor did he lunge to gain more. The spin was the best option and one with which he was quite comfortable. The attacker’s blade was ushered over his head as he spun, his second weapon caught the small of the back of his closest opponent. But the spin was not enough. Munzan also dropped to his knee and tucked his head down, barely avoiding the thrust of his second opponent. The same man fell, stunned, as Munzan quickly withdrew his extended blade from the man’s stomach. That left only one who was pressing the Earl as he was kneeling. Unlike the others, she was armed with a Power Lance and decided to use the extended reach to her advantage. She committed her weapon to the thrust, but not her body. The Earl lifted both of his weapons to deflect her thrust over his head and he rolled toward her. The female Vanguard took one step toward her lord and jumped high in the air, flipping over the cutting blades of the Earl and landing with her back to her opponent. She converted the Power Lance to a Power Sword and swung the weapon behind her back. She deflected a Power Sword that had been thrown.

“Foul!” she cried as she spun around, catching the second Power Sword in the chest. She was quickly overwhelmed with the energy pulse and fell to the ground. Earl Munzan stood up and received the towel his hand servant quickly ran out to him.

“Make sure she is the first revived,” he ordered. “Then send her to my office.”

“Is that where you will explain that a Power Sword is not conventionally considered to be a missile weapon, so hurling them is not a foul?” Rannis asked as he and Gordon walked out onto the domed balcony.

“Master, allow me to present Rannis Etim and friend,” the Service Drone reported before floating back inside the house.

“Where is my son?” Earl Munzan said as he toweled himself.

Gordon was noticing the man’s physique and was quite surprised. Usually men in charge were the portly sort; out of shape and old. This man appeared to be in top form and looked to be the sort of man who could hand Alan Thaxton his head, or at least make a very good effort. Gordon jumped and he looked to his left. He could not explain the reason for his moving. He suddenly felt an unnerving chill and took a fighting stance. Seated at a small glass table, in the shade of a very large awning, was a slender woman dressed in smoky gray and white lace gown that almost melded with the color of her pale skin. The wide-brimmed and flowered hat was of the same design. A sample of the same lace design had been applied to create a veil that hung just over her eyes.

Even her hair was a pale blonde, though it was thick and wavy and had been draped over her left shoulder. The only color she possessed was in her black eyes with red pupils. She sat with her legs crossed and sipped from a very fine cup and saucer set that had been arranged for two. Her lace gloves completed the effect of the ensemble, but a line of pearls around the wrist had been used to hold them in place. When Gordon jumped and looked at her, her eyebrows lifted and her head tilted slightly. Her smile was gentle and seemed genuine, but Gordon could not dismiss the chill he felt coming from her and his fists remained clenched, although they did lower to his sides.

“And good morning to you, Earl Pel’Tierre,” Rannis replied, giving a slight bow. “I am well, thank you so much for asking. My name is Rannis Etim.”

“For one who was so direct with my Service Drone-”

“You should be well aware of who controls what,” Rannis interrupted. “And you were simply the object of an experiment I felt like conducting.”

“Felt like?!” Munzan snapped as he reached out. A Power Rod flew to his hand.

“Your lordship!” the mysterious woman snapped in a loud voice but still held a level of respect and grace. “I am most curious, and I am so seldom intrigued these days. Will you humor me, please?”

Munzan looked over to the woman; his anger was clearly worn on his face. But even his coldest glare would not have shaken the woman who simply returned his scowl with another soft smile as she sipped from her tea cup. Munzan sighed as he nodded.

“I am in your debt, Munzan,” she said as she turned to Rannis. “Rannis, is it? Please tell us of this experiment.”

“I simply wanted to know if his lordship’s reaction to rude, uninvited guests would be the same as mine,” Rannis explained. “It would seem that my property has recently become a popular point of visitation for the House Pel’Tierre!”

“Oh my,” the woman replied as a small fan unfolded in front of her face as she put her cup to saucer and leaned back in her chair. “And your property?”

“I own a salvage yard at the reaches of Undertown,” Rannis said, closely watching the Earl for his reaction. The man had been well trained for his position. Rannis doubted a laser cannon blast could have broken his stone face.

“You see?” the woman said, fanning at Rannis. “There you have it! Obviously you have come into the possession of discarded property the House Pel’Tierre would like to reclaim. It seems to be some sort of misunderstanding. I lean toward dismissing administrative assistants at this point.”

“Thank you for your very gracious viewpoint,” Rannis said, bowing to the woman. “But a living Shard is not simple property, though one has come to into my care. Earl, I sent your wife away with her tail tucked between her legs along with her stripped Et-Techs, Vanguards and personal troops.” Rannis tossed down several dress belts with the Pel’Tierre insignia: the downward facing gold triangle. Black squares were added to signify a Pel’Tierre contribution to the Inforcer Corps. “Your son tried to succeed where your wife failed,” Rannis added, throwing out more dress belts.

“Now, on both occasions,” Rannis explained as he walked further out on the balcony. “… your wife and son came in force; the latter was uninvited.”

“You invited my wife to your property?” Munzan asked.

“It was an open invitation I gave to earlier dismissed Inforcers bearing your House Contribution insignia,” Rannis answered. “When I was done with them, I gave them a message to take to their master. Apparently that was your wife, but I was unaware of her position within the CoN.”

“Perhaps I should take my leave,” the woman said, folding her fan.

“No, Lady Feldira, please remain,” Munzan said quickly yet softly. “This matter will be handled easily enough.”

“I could not agree more,” Rannis replied. “Simply purchase a portalway hub in my name and I will be on my way, without making public the ineptitude of the family name.”

Munzan gritted his teeth as his hand reminded him of the weapon he still held. How quickly he could remove the safety protocols. But as he looked more closely at the owner of the salvage yard, the odd man seemed to be anything but a lowly sort of individual.

“Trust your instincts, Earl,” Munzan received the strange man’s projected thoughts. “Take it from one who knew you when you were a man who would have never been in the position to receive such a guest or demand. But we were both different creatures back then, weren’t we?”

Munzan gasped as he tried to look into the eyes of a man who had managed to project his thoughts in a house that was situated to scramble uninvited mental projections of any sort. But the man who called himself Rannis Etim was not looking at him. His gaze scanned over the back yard of the small estate.

“A hub you say,” Munzan said, letting his eyes drop to the floor.

“And the first five clearances,” Rannis added. “After that, I will still own the hub, but I will manage my own expenses.”

“You can afford that, can you?”

“My dear Earl,” Rannis said as he turned to face the Earl div Pel’Tierre. “I could afford the purchase of the hub with the materials I’ve collected from my rather rude visitors. But I’ve got dependents that need my support and I must see to my assumed responsibilities.” Rannis slowly approached Munzan and held up his hand as if he was about to drop something. Munzan slowly placed his hand under Rannis’, ready to catch it. “And while I strike you as a total miscreant, there are rules that even one such as myself must follow.” Rannis opened his hand and deposited the signet rings of the Countess and the Earl’s son. “To those who have given more than their good will and effort for the peace and prosperity of us all, certain things cannot be ransomed!”

“The Old Code,” Munzan whispered as he looked at the rings.

It was something that was not even taught in the schools as general education anymore. One had to study history and Ancient Cultural Concepts to know of the Old Code which had led to the birth of Five Pointes. Munzan recalled so many years of war and strife, with no side ever gaining a permanent advantage, just needless death and destruction. But what else could war ever truly yield? The threat of revealing the actions of his family had been a bluff. Anyone who followed the Old Code would not engage in such duplicity. But then again, as one who received such a boon, the requested item was to be delivered by Munzan with graciousness. He had been a very much younger man when he had last heard of the Old Code holding any ground with men and women. But it was his father who had used it, and he had taught it to his sons and daughters just as Munzan had tried to teach it to Zanison. But that was when Belgalvee was still alive… when Munzan was a man who had not yet given more than his good will and effort.

“Some things should never be allowed to die,” Munzan said, looking directly into Rannis’ eyes. “Thank you for this.”

“You may thank me by returning to your former grace, your grace,” Rannis said, performing a formal bow normally seen only at Court or at the CoN. Of course, when Rannis allowed only his left hand to leave his side, he revealed his designation as a Warrior. That explained how the Earl’s new wife and son had failed to win the Shard away from him. Rannis kept his head low and Munzan reached forward and touched his right shoulder.

“You are indeed a man of interesting salvage,” Munzan said, looking over Rannis again. “You have managed to hold on to something I had discarded in error. Perhaps there is something to Lady Feldira’s claim after all; and perhaps I might try to reclaim what I have mistakenly thrown away.”

“No, this one was torn away from you, your grace,” Rannis returned. “But I sense your strength and I am sure you will reclaim it.”

“Then we are settled,” Munzan said, tossing the Power Rod to where it landed perfectly in the weapons bin.

“Shway!” Gordon exclaimed. Lady Feldira did not open and raise her fan in time to completely block her laugh.

“We are,” Rannis said, looking over at Gordon who quickly composed himself and waited for Rannis’ next move. “Good morning, your grace, my lady,” Rannis said, bowing to Lady Feldira who was too happy to return a smile and nod.

“Take care, young one,” she said to Gordon who bowed low while walking. He followed close behind Rannis as he took his leave.

“Your hub will be ready within the hour at the Inforcer Complex,” Munzan said in a raised voice. Rannis made no reaction to his words, but his young ward turned and bowed.

“And you will find your son on the front lawn,” Rannis said.

“This is quite the fabulous morning for visitation,” Munzan remarked as he donned his cooling robe. “I received the company of an old and trusted friend,” he remarked, nodding toward Feldira who returned the gesture as she giggled. “… and it would seem that I have made an acquaintance with yesteryear.” Munzan sighed as he took his seat. “The Old Code,” he whispered.

“Careful, my friend,” Feldira said as her eyes focused hard on her friend. “… that gleam in your eye is positively infectious!”

“I used to think that of the Old Code,” Munzan reflected. “That young one with the salvage man was odd, was he not?” Munzan asked of his breakfast guest.

“I couldn’t say,” Feldira returned. “He is an old soul caught within a young frame.”

“Yes, I can remember when my son looked that way. But still, he acted as if he had never seen an Adumbralin before. It was as if you were sipping on his blood the way he looked at you.”

“Yes,” she thought, licking her fangs clean of the blood she had already imbibed. “A reaction normally enacted by those from the Earth-side of the Nexus. Except that while his reaction contained confusion, caution and concern… there was no fear!”

“My son does not fear much,” Eleanor said, knowing the Earl could neither hear nor see her. The vampire, however, could see her quite clearly.

“Indeed,” Feldira projected, pouring more warm blood into her cup. “And how is it your essence came to this side of the Nexus?”

“I was hoping you could tell me,” Eleanor answered.

“What a fabulous morning indeed!” Lady Feldira said aloud, smiling up at the Earl div Pel’Tierre before he excused himself to arrange matters. As he walked away, Feldira glanced up at Eleanor and smiled.

Samantha lay back on the bed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. The physicians were gone, and only the monitor projection of Princess Akondalatti remained in the room with her. Makeen had removed the link with Kotai and Kaufman, taking that conversation to his office. She was no longer restrained, at least not by the straps of the bed; Makeen’s word was stronger than stone, and Samantha was coming to the conclusion her personnel feared him more than they feared her. Even in the face of her darkest anger and frustration of the moment, she really could not blame them.

“So is that all of it?” Samantha asked as the playback went to static.

“That’s the last frame, boss.”

“Okay, Princess, I’m taking an even longer leap of faith with you. I hope you’re ready.”

“Let’s talk about readiness after I swallow this lump in my throat that normally holds my lunch,” Princess said as she typed furiously. “Not many walk against the grain on Mr. Shamir and come up smelling like roses. Unless that’s in the formaldehyde they pump you up with when they embalm you!”

“Trust me, he won’t kill you… without my permission,” Samantha said, suddenly realizing what little comfort that statement actually carried, since maiming often left the victim quite alive.

“Gee, thanks, boss,” Princess muttered as she finished her work. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“Are you sure we have complete privacy on this?” Samantha asked.

“Positive…” Princess assured as she looked around to see everyone in the lab looking at her. They quickly went back to their own work as she looked at them. “… that I need to get myself to another locale.”

“Stay right there!” Vey commanded as she directed the Network to link her to Michael Patel. Once the link was established, Vey had everyone in the lab relocated to the secondary facility. In seconds Princess was alone with Patel, whom Vey did not mind being present, as she always liked the idea of having a backup.

“Now I am in the clear,” Princess reported.

“Network, link Akondalatti to the F2PC,” Vey ordered.

“Five Pointes Projection Chamber link has been established,” the computer replied.

“This woman has more surprises than F.A.O. Schwarz!” Princess whispered as she received the link. “I’m in!”

“Cross reference the readings of the Kasavra projection against the Zanison projection. Compare those to the coordinates listed in a file on my Five Pointes Database called Negatron City.”

“Doin’ it,” Princess advised. “Okay, I’ve got a map coming up on my screen.”

“Share that map, Princess,” Samantha said, holding back the smile that was building up inside her face. A projection screen displayed a blurry three-dimensional map of Five Pointes.

“C’mon baby.” Samantha whispered as she watched the map come into focus. “All I needed was a confirmed third coordinate, right?” The blurry image worsened before it drew to a tight-lined, in-focus map of the eastern side of Undertown, including part of Negatron City. The Pel’Tierre estate had two flashing points denoted.

“It took so long because that third point was pretty close to the second,” Princess said, confused and amazed at what she was looking at. “Where is this place, anyway?”

“If this goes the way I think it should, Princess, it would be my honor to escort you there myself,” Samantha said. “Access the Five Pointes Database again and put Gimmicks and Gadgets on the map.”

“You got it,” Princess replied, typing quickly and carefully.

“Network, access the FPPC and link it to my location,” Samantha said as she sat up on the bed.

“Link established,” the computer notified.

“I got it,” Princess said as another spot on the map lit up.

“Network, initiate the projector to those coordinates. Hang on, Akondalatti, we are going to phone a new home!”

Again the projection window formed, but the picture was not established. It was black and very quiet.

“I think we rolled snake eyes, boss,” Princess concluded.

“Gimi and Gadji,” Samantha called out. “You cannot refuse the call of a Sister of the Guild. This is Valkyrie. Verify and respond.”

“Vey, is that you?” a voice called out from the blackness and the projection was locked down.

“No, it’s the Seaver Stealer,” Samantha answered. The blackness gave way to a view of an office. Two men, twins, looked back at Samantha and they both looked amazed to see her alive. They were both fair-looking men, not overly attractive, but by no means repulsive. Their lime-green hair took a little getting used to, and their fiery-orange eyes did little to give anyone from the Earth-side of the Nexus extra comfort. Otherwise, they appeared to be quite human in height and weight. They were slender and not excessively tall. What also did not help was the fact that both men had pets. They appeared to be yellow, two-tailed Spider-Monkeys with three eyes. The animals seemed to be of a very calm demeanor and they waved at the screen when they saw Samantha. The color of their pets matched the clothing these two wore.

“You cannot know how good it is to see you, Lady Vey,” Gimi said in great delight. Samantha looked at them before she answered. She smiled and nodded.

“Good to see you too, Gimi,” Samantha replied, pleasing both men that she could still tell them apart. She waved back at Mischief and Mayhem and wished she could send pecans through the projection window. “How are things?”

“Well, after Seth ran through here, not much was left standing,” Gimi explained.

“Right, like you’re not insured!” Samantha was quick to remind them.

“That’s not the point!” Gadji exclaimed. “Some things simply can’t be replaced!”

“Which is why you put those things in another location,” Samantha fired back and the two men laughed heartily.

“For an Earth-sider, you’re sharp, Vey. Always have been! Must be why you were allowed to enter the Guild when Hiram was refused.”

“Nope. Had a blaster to Kayjhora’s head,” Samantha advised. “Hard to give a ‘no’ vote under those circumstances.

“But I’m not here to chit-chat, boys!” Samantha said as she stood up and hopped to keep her balance. Both men looked at her leg with genuine concern as Gimi shook his head.

“Earth-side medicines!” he snapped. “How many leeches did they use?”

“Wrong era, old man!” Samantha said as she found her balance. “But I could use a localized Re-Gen Field. And I swear, if either of you even tries to mention fees and processes-”

“Not a line we pull on the Guild,” Gadji interrupted. “We have your bio-form on file, but it looks like you added a bit of muscle since our last scan.”

“Hold on a second,” Samantha said. “Princess, send my personal bio file through the projection unit.”

“Oh, we have others on this line,” Gimi giggled.

“Yoo-hoo, Princess,” Gadji added.

Princess Rhonda Akondalatti stammered with her mouth, but Samantha said nothing. She could tell the girl’s fingers were still functioning properly, and she did as she was told even as the sight of the two men shocked her to her very core. In seconds the information was sent. Princess gasped when the very file was projected out of a ring on Gimi’s hand. Samantha’s leg and arm flashed red and showed where the damage was located.

“You know what to do, Mischief,” Gimi said, touching his ring to the third eye of the creature. “You will need to get back on that bed, Vey.”

“No problems there,” Samantha said as she hopped up on the bed with surprising speed.

“You realize a projected field will not allow for full anesthetics,” Gadji warned.

“I needed to be fully mobile five hours ago, guys. Just hit me with it!”

“Your projection field and video link have been accounted for, Vey,” Gimi advised. “Initiating capture beam.”

A wide-arc blue beam of light came out of the screen and covered both of Samantha’s legs. A second beam covered her arms. A blue laser fired inside that field and scanned all four limbs before two green beams took hold of Samantha’s broken leg and injured arm.

To her credit, Samantha Margaret Vey did not scream, nor did she need to bite down on anything. She had experienced greater pain, but this sensation was worthy of note and high respect. Most of the time was dedicated to her tendons and they were repaired. Then there was a ten second delay and Samantha’s nostrils flared as she started breathing deeply. Another green beam fired, much brighter than the first. It penetrated her skin and took hold of her bone. The beam across her arms faded and Samantha could hear her leg seal back together as she breathed out slowly before she released a soft moan. When the field was removed from her legs, Samantha closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

“Two minutes, thirteen seconds,” Gimi noted. “Not that bad of a break… either one of them.”

“Trust me, fellas,” Samantha said, wiping sweat from her forehead. “… it’s all relative. I owe you.”

“Nonsense,” Gadji was quick to say. “You are a Sister of the Guild. The first Earth-side member in a few years.”

“Yeah,” Samantha sighed. “The first since Edison, I know. But I won’t squander my few good relations on the Pointe-side of the Nexus, either. Your reward is forthcoming.”

“Your word is more than acceptable,” Gimi proclaimed. “There are no black marks on your record. We can’t speak for Kayjhora.”

“She and I have already made our peace,” Samantha replied as she stood up without any difficulty. She removed her cast and hopped on what had been her broken leg. She could hear Princess gasp. “Good as new,” Samantha graded.

“Better!” Gimi and Gadji replied together and Vey laughed. “How long before we see you without using screens?”

“Well that depends,” Samantha replied. “On how long it takes me to reclaim my Shard.

“Princess,” Samantha said as she walked out of the room. “Fire up the Valkyrie and make sure you give me the full weapons assembly. Also, advise Makeen of my status and have him ready the Gray Sable. I have to get to San Diego quickly!”

When it was not raining, West Coast skies were remarkable. This morning was no exception. It was a pretty blue and, aside from the thick black clouds forming from the fires, the sky was clear. The early morning commute had been interrupted by a crash landing of a jet liner on the beach and the delivery of massive amounts of damage to the structures of several buildings. There were sirens and screams mixed in with the screeching of tires and the crunching of metal, explosions and the crumbling of construction. But these were an after-effect to the primary problem with San Diego: it had been chosen by fate to serve as the geographical witness to the coming of the Rotai!

Z’Gal’For landed on the middle of the paved surface covered with lines painted white and yellow. He received cross looks as he walked down the middle of the path. After he applied his energies and physical strength to the irritating ground vehicle that would not cease its wailing cry, the cross looks became more fearful ones. That pleased him. Given the verbiage of the man contained within the vehicle, Z’Gal’For recognized that he served in a capacity akin to the Custodian’s. But the Rotai did not recognize the laws of the Recovered, therefore the Custodian was free to resume his search for the Rho–Sampi Iota Eta.

“I heard your inquiry, Offender,” he called out, augmenting the sound waves coming out of his mouth. The miscreant had chosen a good place to hide; without engaging in an energy or action, Z’Gal’For could not distinguish one human from another with his scans, and there were too many humans running about to hope to spot him with the naked eye. “I know what it is you seek. ’Ne’Qua est Partis?” is what you said. Indeed, where is this Shard you seek? If I cannot find you, I will find it and destroy it and with it, your foolish hopes that you will ever find Atlantis!”

“Find Atlantis?!” Telishe gasped as the three of them rounded the corner. “Did that thing just say you’re trying to find Atlantis?”

“He did, fair Telishe,” Staydenn huffed as they came to a stop. If nothing else, his newfound friends were in shape; nearly two hours of running and walking fast capped off with thirty-five flights of stairs and three blocks at a dead sprint and they were not even breathing hard.

“So, you have an Atlantean name, but you don’t know where it is either?!” Neekrum asked, the small spark of hope in his eyes fading.

“Alas, though I am Atlantean by blood, I was born into captivity in Fysstealm, the dimension of the Rotai. But the Shard that my people made will lead me to Atlantis where I will recover-”

“The Great Oculus?!” Neekrum asked, his hopes rebounding.

“You know of it?!” Staydenn said. After Audrey’s reaction to the Shard, he had doubts anyone knew about anything else of Atlantean genius.

“Our Adquemlore speaks of it in great detail!” Telishe quickly explained, checking their flanks. “Neekrum and I are students of its many passages. It predicted the coming of the Deliverer that will lead our people back to Atlantis!”

“My word!” Staydenn exclaimed, truly taken aback. His shock was not enduring, as military aircraft flew low overhead. “What are those?”

“Suicidal fools!” Neekrum grunted. “Obviously that which passes for the militia on this side of the Nexus has been alerted to the presence of your pursuer.”

“If they are militia, why do you call them suicidal?”

“Because either Telishe or I could handle them easily,” Neekrum revealed and Staydenn’s aspirations fell even further. Still, he had to see for himself.

The fighter jets made one pass, and even the Custodian looked up at them. When they came around again, they fired their guns and Staydenn shuddered at their choice to wield simple projectile weapons. While the ‘bullets’ rendered considerable damage to the street and buildings, the Custodian’s defense field was unchallenged and actually gained in strength from the attack. As the fighters flew away from the Custodian, his eyes fired a succession of energy bolts; one for each of the fighters. The damage to the city increased exponentially as the damaged planes crashed into buildings.

“As I said,” Neekrum said bitterly.

“Fear not, my friends,” Staydenn assured, looking better and better to Telishe as she monitored his energy reserves. “We obviously share a common past. Let us hope we share the same bright future!”

“What are you planning to do?” Neekrum asked harshly.

“We must face it,” Staydenn replied. “These humans are not up to the task. We cannot abandon them.”

“They are not our responsibility!” Neekrum argued.

“They are humans!” Staydenn said loudly, pushing Neekrum away. “Tend to what you consider to be ‘your kind’ Neekrum, but I will not let another perish for what I have brought to the world of my forefathers.” Staydenn strode out from their cover and down the street. There was so much smoke and debris; he could not see the Custodian.

“I’m coming with you!” Telishe barked as she walked with Staydenn. Neekrum did not follow them and when Telishe looked back, his eyes were focused on the ground in front of him.

“Well, so much for the weekend fly-boys,” Samantha said as the plane banked hard to the left. “Let’s see what we can do with this thing.”

“Mistress,” Makeen said as he piloted the super-sonic aircraft. “If I may ask?”

“Of course you may,” Samantha said, disconnecting the power feed of the Valkyrie from the Gray Sable. Her suit was reading one hundred twenty-five percent power reserves. “But if you’re going to say something along the lines of ‘this is isn’t our fight’, you can keep that to yourself. I have an agenda, Makeen, there’s no denying that. But what good would it serve me to succeed in my aims only to come back to a home run down by the likes of this Rotai?”

“And the reason why you call it a Rotai?” Makeen asked.

“Because that’s what it is, Makeen,” Vey said as she located the creature on her screen. “It’s a freakin’ Rotai. How do I know? Take it up with the temporary link I had with someone named Staydenn and all of the other Shard holders. And yes, I mean all of them. Yccch!”

“I will be sure to arrange a session with your therapist,” Makeen said as he took the Gray Sable into a dive. “Target located.”

Z’Gal’For looked up at another aircraft as it came to a stop and hovered, but he did not attack it. It did not bear the same markings, nor was it made in the same manner. It was completely seamless, as if it was covered with a thick, smooth skin. His scans told him it was considerably loaded with weapons, but the housings had not yet been opened. Perhaps it was not an enemy.

“With your permission, Mistress?” Makeen asked and Samantha was overwhelmed with curiosity.

“Sure, do your worst,” she replied and grabbed tight to the seat as the Sable, still hovering, spun around to face away from the creature.

“You are looking for the Shard?” Makeen said over the loudspeaker. The Custodian nodded. “It sends its regards!” Makeen activated the full thrust of the Gray Sable and the Custodian went flying back.

“Nice move!” Samantha smiled, tapping Makeen on his shoulder. She grabbed on to her seat again when the aircraft jerked to the right and the Rotai blurred by their port side, just missing the wing. Makeen struggled to maintain control of the aircraft. “Except now he’s not in a good mood!”

“And we are closer to the edges of the city,” Makeen added.

“Good thinking, Makeen,” Vey said as she was once again snatched around. She could barely see the red blur and the wake of its passing almost put them into a flat spin. “I’m going to see if I can open a dialog with it!”

Samantha activated her rear seat ejection and she was away from the Gray Sable in the next moment. The Rotai was persistent, but he had no concept of what he going up against. Even as he flew by, firing energy blasts at the Gray Sable, he missed due to Makeen’s excellent piloting skill.

“Let’s see how he likes a Binder,” Samantha thought as she reached to the ejection port for the device. Her helmet computer calculated the Rotai’s speed and Samantha’s throw was dead on.

Z’Gal’For collided with the beach a second time and he slid to a stop, entangled within a device that sought to neutralize his nervous system. The shock did not even register a level of pain on him. He looked up and saw the creature who had thrown the device. It was a human woman in a power suit which scrambled his initial scans.

“Hello there,” Samantha said as she readied herself for combat. “You’re new in town, so you probably don’t know how things work. You completely bypassed the INS. Believe me, in this state, they have enough of that.”

“You do not possess the Shard,” Z’Gal’For said, standing up and flexing his muscles. The tentacles of the Binder shattered like fine crystal. “But you have sampled its power. Tell me where it is, and I will not destroy you.”

“I have a counter offer,” Vey answered as she turned her shoulder to the creature. “You come along with me, and we can not only find the Shard together, but we can make the most of it.”

“I will destroy the Shard, after I have dealt with you,” Z’Gal’For said as he lunged at Samantha.

“Typical man!” Samantha muttered, ducking the punch meant for her head.

Samantha punched for the man’s stretched and vulnerable stomach. Her fist met with his body, and Samantha felt like she was out of her suit and hitting a four hundred pound Sumo wrestler! She knew better than to linger though, and ducked again before diving into a forward roll. She could hear missing attacks on all sides of her. She came out of her roll and decided to take her attack upstairs. Her spinning kick was caught and the Rotai quickly threw Samantha for the parking lot just off the beach.

She tumbled for a few meters before she regained control of her body. She tucked her head and rolled so that her feet hit the side of the city bus. The vehicle went up on two wheels from the impact, and Samantha jumped away from the side, flipped and was tackled before she could land. The Rotai was too fast, and being able to fly did not help matters. He drove her armored body through the bus and into the street where he pinned Vey to the ground.

“You are not a combatant that can match my measure!” Z’Gal’For proclaimed as he started to squeeze the suit’s shoulder mounts. Samantha was getting warning alarms in her helmet from the increase in pressure.

“Measure this!” Samantha yelled, poking the creature’s eyes. He grabbed his face in response and then she slapped his ears. When he staggered back, Samantha secured her shoulder and back to the street and kicked with both feet. The Rotai went up and over the bus, landing on his back.

Samantha knew better than to press the moment. The Rotai was stronger, faster and better trained than she was; the Valkyrie suit was no match for him. “Give me the improved stealth screen, Princess,” Vey commanded and by the time the Rotai jumped up to the top of the bus, he could not perceive the woman.

“I heard your command, woman,” he growled, looking in all directions. “I could feel the fear in your voice. You were expecting to fare better, weren’t you? But you did not!” He jumped down to the streets to continue his search. “I have to wonder, in your haste to bend light around your form …” the Rotai lowered his chin to his chest and let out a high-pitch wail that was accompanied by white rings of light. As the rings traveled out from his body, they struck the Valkyrie suit and bounced back to the Rotai who quickly turned to face Vey. “… did you bother to bend sound as well?”

“Ewww, Grandma, what neat tricks you have,” Samantha shouted, diving at the Rotai. As he lifted his hands to catch her, Samantha fired flares from her forearm mounts. Again the Rotai was blinded and Samantha grabbed his face and pushed it back hard. He fell to the street, Samantha driving the back of his head into the asphalt.

“You like to throw things, do you?” Samantha said, back-flipping and grabbing his feet. Her suit registered the Rotai at one hundred ninety point five kilos. “Oh, baby, you have got to lay off the bravado!” she said, slinging him up and over only to slam him, face-first, into the street. “We like our invading aliens slim and trim around here! Preferably the kind that eat chocolate candies and barely speak English!” she taunted, slamming him back near his first falling place. She slammed him in that fashion three times. “And never forget, around here, the engine for the bus is in the back!” Samantha slung the head of the Rotai into the back of the bus where it met with the engine.

A force beam came out of his hand and Samantha lifted her arm; a small force shield formed and blocked the attack. “Is that the best you have?”

“Not at all,” Z’Gal’For replied, continuing the beam. The energy that Vey’s shield had pushed wide had already wrapped around her. She realized what he was doing too late to escape and was forced to kneel and activate her second forearm shield. It added some resistance to the sphere that had formed around her, but not much. She strained as the Rotai slowly squeezed. “And neither is this!” Maintaining the beam, the Rotai pulled itself from the bus and started a very slow approach.

As Z’Gal’For stood over the insolent human, a thin green beam shot in from Samantha’s right, struck the force bubble, and caused it to burst. The Custodian was blown back toward the beach, but Vey was untouched. Her self-repair circuits had nearly cleared the damage to the shoulder units. Samantha turned in the direction of the beam’s source to see two people walking toward her. One she could feel, but the other was alien to her and her helmet scans came back negative.

“Are you alright?” the mysterious woman asked.

“I appreciate the save,” Samantha said, looking at the Rotai who was already getting up. “But none of us are going to be alright if we stay here.”

“Perhaps you should go,” Staydenn suggested. “We will do what we can with the Custodian.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Samantha said as she turned and started to run.

She surprised both Telishe and Staydenn with her action, but as soon as she was out of earshot and eyeshot, Samantha reactivated her link with Princess. It was time to call in a bigger gun!