Leah had only just managed to drift off when she was jolted awake by the most shrieking, earsplitting noise. She scooted to her private entrance muttering to herself.
“Wake the effing dead!” One of the guards stationed at the main entrance, raced up to her and promptly, but politely ordered her to stay inside as they were running a drill for training purposes, but it would be over soon. She thought it strange, but left it at that.
Now the adrenaline had her awake, the cogs of her mind began to shift into gear.
At last, she had met Cemel in the flesh. Wisps of memories formed as they talked. He seemed to like her, but his mannerisms were quirky, he seemed almost impatient, even brusque toward her, and his visit was short. Bit different compared to his lengthy pep talk during the vision. But he was right about Kalvich. She had a lot of support and love there.
She smiled. Apart from the old man losing his balance a couple of times, he did not act his age, almost as if he were a young man in an old man’s body. Maybe he was truly overwhelmed to see her after six thousand years! She even sensed he was looking her over, maybe even flirting. Nah, he just cannot believe his queen is here‑in the flesh!
But hang on, is it my imagination or—
Do I have something that attracts men, no matter how old?
She laughed not realizing how seriously correct she was.
Wasn’t quite like this back on good old Mother Earth. Perhaps men like the idea of being associated with my status as a queen.
Ahh that goddamn alarm has stopped.
She lay back on her bed remembering Cemel’s parting words. “You will dream peacefully tonight, my lady,” and she did just that until that awful noise woke her.
She closed her eyes and her thoughts began to languidly dissipate.
“What the—”
Was that the sound of Gloctols firing? Part of their training eh. At this time of night?
“Shit, I hope this doesn’t happen often.”
Geez, tonight is the night and I have had no sleep.
At last, she began falling into a welcome sleep. Only to be woken by pounding on her main entrance. How she had heard it from her bedroom was amazing due to the size, but the sound carried well.
“FUCK OFF!” she yelled. Instantly, she regretted that and felt her cheeks redden. Apart from being unladylike, that was unlike her. Then again, her stress levels and tiredness were getting to her.
Guiltily, she ran to her main entrance. She heard the pounding again.
“ENTER.”
Nothing happened.
She went to it, opened it a fraction, and saw an orange face peering at her.
“Doctor Ventrowe, what are you—”
She stopped when Tremaine and Mason barged in with Pete between them.
Tremaine brushed past her, “Sorry my lady, we had to wait for you to open up. Your guards locked you up pretty well.”
“My God, I thought I wouldn’t see you guys until—hey,” she saw Pete, “what’s happened to him? Quick, put him on the sofa.”
“Lights!” she yelled and the room was illuminated.
Leah stared at the wound on his shoulder. Pete was pale, semi conscious and running a temperature.
“Can you help him?” Mason queried.
“I’m not a doctor, he is,” she said pointing to Ventrowe.
“I need my laboratory equipment. Otherwise, no, I can’t help him.
Leah glared at him.
“I—I can try to stem the bleeding. He could fall into a coma. Perhaps . . .”
“Oh enough talk. Move away everyone,” she commanded.
She knelt and placed her hands lightly over the wound and closed her eyes. She cleared her mind and focused only on Pete. She thought of the love she had for him in her heart and released her mind of all doubt, self defeat, and selfishness. She imagined her stones, which were now in Cemel’s possession in preparation for the ceremony. A light beamed from her hands. She felt that same feeling as if she were floating above the room looking down at everyone. She saw herself over Pete with the others looking on.
Next thing her eyes were open, and Pete’s wound had disappeared. She stood up slowly, but the shock and exertion made her collapse on the floor. Tremaine and Mason silently helped her up and sat her on a chair.
She closed her eyes, feeling drained.
“Thanks Leah.”
Opening her eyes, Pete was sitting up as if nothing had happened.
“Are you okay?”
“As good as new, thanks to you.”
Doctor Ventrowe had opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. He was awestruck. “She is the Chosen One. She is! She is!”
Tremaine gently patted Pete on the back, “Good to see ya back. Not so much a pacifist now. That was a damn good shot.”
“Yeah, but almost did not live long enough to realize it.”
Pete turned to Leah grinning, “Your powers are developing.”
She smiled diffidently. “Cemel has told me I have always had them. I just had to let go and believe in myself.”
“Look, I hate to break up this little congratulations party,” Tremaine butted in, “but we have got to get out of this place pronto.”
“But you are meant to be dining with me tomorrow night, er, tonight,” she said glancing at the time.
“Get real, girl!” Tremaine yelled. “Your Trimadian buddies want to cook our brains so that we behave ourselves at your dinner. Kalvich himself told us he only wants sweet memories in our heads to keep you happy. All the time we have been here, we have been in the depths of stinkin’ hell in his mines, seeing slaves get beaten and killed. One of the Cantals that was with us got his head blown off at point blank. You have had a shit load of wool pulled over your eyes woman.”
Leah stood up, her eyes flashing with anger. “How dare you speak that way! Why would you lie like that?”
Pete walked over and took her hand, his voice low and soothing.
“Oh, you are so beautiful, I have wanted to tell you for so long. You have something about you. I have missed you so much. But honey, your head has been filled with lies. You have changed and are in total denial of your situation. We are your friends. Kalvich is using you. We have no idea of just how powerful you are, but he does and is manipulating you so he gets the whole pie, not just a slice. You don’t even know your full potential, and Kalvich wants to harness that for his own evil reasons. We don’t want you hurt and, we certainly don’t want to hurt you. I don’t know about this Cemel, whether he is the real one or an impostor. What I am saying is you have friends you can trust. Kalvich kept us away to make sure you do not find out the truth. Please come with us, back to Earth. I love you so much Leah; you and I can start our lives together. I don’t care where, but not here. Since I have known you, you have made me a better person from the love we have for each other. I know that because real love is reciprocated. I felt it when you healed me. That is the healing power of the Chosen One. Kalvich wants your precious gift of love, to pervert for his own gain.”
She looked into his eyes and tears streamed, unashamed. “Such accusations! I am so confused, so lonely, but he has given me so much, what I need, but now, I don’t know what to believe. You love me? But, I can’t have both of you.”
“Don’t think of that right now. What is important at this moment is all of us getting back to Earth. Dr. Ventrowe can help us. He is a Septen spy and is aligned with the Cantal rebels.”
“Speaking of Cantals, where is Stunt?” Ventrowe exclaimed.
“Who?” enquired Leah.
“He’s Ventrowe’s assistant,” Pete told her. “A little guy, bit eccentric, doesn’t say much. We must have lost him in the corridor back there. Hope he is okay out there.”
“There’s something you must know, guys. Kalvich told me he would not hurt Earth. As it is my home world that is the last thing he wants to do.”
A normally placid Mason was exasperated, “He’s working one on you, girl. He is
one sick megalomaniacal fucker and a danger to you, to everyone. Get it through your thick head!”
Leah stared at him not sure how to react. “Look, we can resolve this in a much better way. I will talk to Kalvich on your behalf and grant you safe passage back to Earth. I still have a lot to learn about myself here with the Trimadians.”
“Haven’t you been listening to what Pete has just said? Are your ears painted on!” Tremaine yelled angrily. He turned to Pete. “You tried, mate, it is now my call. We all high tail it out NOW!”
Leah began to back away, but Tremaine and Mason grabbed her. “We dealt with your guards so others will be on our asses anytime, we have to move now! If you don’t come willingly with us, you give us no choice. One way or other you are our ticket out of here,” Tremaine fumed.
“Leah, it is for your own good. You are not yourself,” Pete said apologetically.
“Shall we tie her hands?” Mason asked.
“No! Please, he will not be happy if you do this. He will hurt you,” Leah begged. She struggled, to no avail.
Tremaine stated, “We are going to have to quieten her.”
“Wait,” said Ventrowe. “I have some sedatives in my pocket.”
“Why the hell would someone carry around sedatives?”
“Well, I am a doctor, and not only am I responsible for the Supreme Ruler, but Queen Leah, too. She has been under a bit of stress lately. I carry quite a few simple medicines on my person.”
“Don’t you dare let that quack give me anything! I’ve never liked him since I first met him.”
The men held her arm out. “No, no, easier than that,” Ventrowe said. “Just hold her still for a moment.” He removed a tube like device from his pocket and a small bottle of liquid. He added a drop into the tube, shook it, and placed it against Leah’s neck.
Leah went wild and struggled furiously. “I’ll stuff that tube right up your goddamn ass, you fucking bastard!” she screamed. Mason covered her mouth.
Pete was distraught. “It won’t give her any side effects, will it?”
“No, well, yes, perhaps… no, it shouldn’t. According to my medical report, she was given a small dosage on the Sotoid ship she arrived on. I will give her a more concentrated dose. It will make her a little dizzy, like being drunk, but will slowly wear off over a few hours. As long as she doesn’t have alcohol, as that enhances and extends the life of the drug. She will probably get sleepy as the act of healing has clearly drained her energy.”
Ventrowe was right. Within seconds, she started to act just like she was drunk, slurring her words and losing her balance.
“Ya bastards, dun do thess. Kal itch will hurt oooh, ohhh.”
Leah collapsed against Tremaine who scooped her up.
“Shit, she is out to lunch. That is some powerful stuff you have there, doc.”
“Got no time to lose, let’s get out of here,” Mason urged.
“I think we should play it safe and travel through the maintenance shafts, not via any lifts,” Ventrowe stated.
With Leah hoisted over Tremaine’s shoulder, they followed Ventrowe out.
Pete declared, “Is it my imagination, but have these corridors changed from a few minutes ago?”
Ventrowe replied while jogging, “Even though this fortress is considered to be impenetrable, Kalvich takes no chances. This is classic Trimadian tactics. Kalvich confuses any enemy by making changes in his fortress. He has a device to alter the perception of things, like the Trimadian Light Field, but on a larger scale. Unless you have a ring and know how to use it to navigate your way around, you are basically lost. The ring is a scanner, communicator, and sensor; lots of things. Do not be surprised if he is tracking us now. But don’t concern yourself too much at this stage.”
“And why not,” puffed Tremaine coping with carrying Leah’s relaxed bodyweight.
“As soon as the alarm went off, I set a shield cover over us using my ring. I did the same with Leah when we walked out her door. It should hide us from their tracking devices while inside the fortress. It is a strategy used mainly for covert means. But I don’t know how long it will last. He may disengage my ring once he knows I am involved. Hopefully we will have enough time to get out of here.”
“Well, it ain’t working, doc—Leah’s guards tracked us.” Mason stated curtly.
“Not necessarily. They may have simply been scouting the area.” Ventrowe retorted.
“Is there anything else you can think of that could give us an advantage?” Pete said uneasily. He was beginning to realize the futility of their situation.
Ventrowe replied quietly “Not at the moment.”
The doctor realized, with sickened heart, they could be inside one of Kalvich’s games. One detail stuck out: The queen’s guards were not Verone Elite. Plus, the fact they were all still alive unnerved him. He kept this to himself, no use further upsetting the humans.
He would need his wits about him.
They jogged silently for a few more seconds then Ventrowe stopped. He pressed the ring against the wall between two torch pedestals and slowly lowered it to the floor.
A manhole appeared on the floor against the wall. Ventrowe consulted the ring and pressed it against the manhole. A small panel rose up with symbols on it. He pressed three of the symbols and the manhole slid open.
Like a tour guide he announced, “Okay, folks, this is where we are going. It will be a little tedious but our main problem is simply evading the Trimadians for now. That will be when her Highness will help us, whether she wants to or not.”
They each slipped down the opening, gripping the rungs as they descended into darkness. Mason and Tremaine carefully carried Leah down. Ventrowe’s ring started shining, like a torch. From what they could make out, there were ducted air shafts, piping, and very little else. “For a huge fortress, there is not much down here,” Tremaine commented.
“You may come to realize that the fortress, is not just made out of stone, I will tell you more later.”
Tremaine rolled his eyes up again but stayed silent; they needed to focus on getting out.
“Handy thing, this ring. You will have to show me how to use it,” Pete exclaimed.
“Be glad to if we get out alive, but it will only work for me. Besides I would not trust it, for all I know they may blow it up.”
“Huh, that’s a nice incentive to force fuckin’ loyalty,” Tremaine sneered to himself.
They arrived on a ledge and Leah was carried between the men. Half a meter away the ledge gave way to an abyss, so they were careful to avoid areas where their feet could not touch anything solid. It was a very arduous task, but the men were determined. After about ten minutes of twists and turns and steps downward, Ventrowe stopped at a wall and began fiddling with his ring again.
“Here is where Kalvich’s personal force field is.”
“What the hell is that?” Mason asked, sitting down exhausted.
“Just under the top floor a force field is always on, automatically deactivating when the lifts or delivery chutes are being used around this area. It is purely used as extra security as all the top floor area belongs to Kalvich, and of course, Queen Leah’s quarters. I can deactivate the field to let us get through, but it will alert them to us.”
“Perhaps we should have chanced the lifts,” Pete surmised.
Ventrowe shook his head. “‘Then we definitely would be caught. By cutting the field using the ring it will still take time for them to pinpoint the disconnection point. By that time, we should be long gone. After this the next step is to ride the slide.”
Without elaborating, he bent down and pressed the ring on the floor allowing another manhole to appear, and he went through the same ritual as before.
When the hole opened, there were no tell tale signs of any force field.
Ventrowe instructed them to turn away, block their ears and close their eyes.
Hear no evil. See no evil, Pete thought to himself. r />
They obeyed, and he pressed the sides of the ring together and pointed it into the hole. A thin light shone from the ring highlighting a blue field just half a meter below the hole and extending far beyond what the eye could see. The ray of light intensified and resembled the laser light that activated the BSP. But the light kept growing in power and went as bright as breaking radiation.
It was an intense, dangerous, bright blue/white for an eternal five seconds followed by a loud CRACK noise that reverberated.
“You can look now!” Ventrowe shouted. “Luckily I can handle that type of intensity,” he giggled. “Wow, I am something,” he said to himself. Despite their imminent danger, he was enjoying the moment.
They carried on down through the manhole and onto another ledge.
Pete decided to pick up a conversation with Ventrowe as they moved on.
“You know, doc, surely there is a control center to this place, you know, where the hub of activity is centered.”
“Of course there is,” stated Ventrowe matter-of-factly. “However, all the main power sources they use are crystal based and mainly underground. You aren’t thinking of going to these places for any reason, are you?”
“Oh no, what I am trying to say is that all your knowledge of the workings of this place could help us back on Earth. Plus, you know your way around.”
“Oh yes, I have been here several years, but without my ring, I would still be lost,” he laughed. “Oh no!”
“What is it?”
“It’s the Supreme Ruler, he has activated my ring.”
“Shit, is it gonna blow?” yelled Mason.
“No, no he is simply communicating with me. Remember, this is a communication device, too.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I have to answer it.”
“Play it cool,” advised Tremaine.
“I’m sorry, I am unfamiliar with that term.”
“I mean, don’t panic and give us away for God’s sake!”
“But if he does suspect something and we get caught, remember to just tell him we took you as hostage,” Pete added. “At least your cover won’t be blown. You can carry on your spy work.”
Ventrowe sighed and once again did not bother to tell them that Kalvich probably knew exactly what was happening. The naivety of humans.
Why did he ask to come with them? Because he was sick to death of being what Tremaine termed a “happy slave.” In his heart, he wanted freedom and had to try. During one of Scaba’s exchanges when he had told him about the thriving Septen moon settlement that was the turning point. Contacting Denver Calham provided the opportunity. He had to try or die trying. He signaled to everyone to be quiet and moved away.
“Supreme Ruler, is there anything I can do for you?”
“Why are you not in your laboratory, Ventrowe?”
“I just had a few items to order from Zhesta for Her Royal Highness before the ceremony.”
“Where are you now?”
“I was just looking after my assistant, the little Cantal, he is not feeling well, and I am just heading back now.”
“Very well.”
Ventrowe looked at his companions. “He’s gone now, and he knows I’m lying.”
“How do you know that? Stunt could be ill as he doesn’t have a Cathexistome,” Pete said.
“The only time he contacts me using the ring is to get an update on my scientific experimentation and more recently, you men. Remember, I am meant to be performing operations on you three. I couldn’t think of anything else to say. He must know I have cloaked us, and I could not read his mind.”
“He has not threatened you. You could well be busy you are a doctor.”
“The Trimadians do not need me as a medical practitioner in the sense you are familiar with. Their Cathexistomes heal any generic illnesses. Only unless they need a limb sewn back on or replaced due to a battle or a specific virus has been introduced would I be of service to them. My primary tasks are chemical, computer, and warfare experiments for the Supreme Ruler. It is just popular knowledge that I am known as his personal physician.” For once, Ventrowe appeared rather sheepish.
“Well, if he catches us, remember, you are our hostage, we have forced you to come with us due to your knowledge you could share with our world—okay,” said Pete.
“Forever the fucking optimist.” Mason winked at Tremaine.
Ventrowe hurried on, a few minutes later he stated, “Well, my friends, we have arrived at the slides, well, that’s just a term I use for them.”
He did not need to use his ring for this. Straight ahead of them were three huge open chutes that dipped down into the darkness, went up a little further ahead, and seemed to disappear back into the darkness. It looked like a giant’s massive intestines.
“What are they for?” Tremaine asked, as he and Mason laid Leah on the ground. She was still out cold.
“The chutes carry rubbish, laundry, food, and supplies. Anything that needs to be transported quickly. I even have my own chutes that are on a more sophisticated level that allow me to transfer my experimental materials, or results or anything I want anywhere in the Fortress. If you are going to ask, water and waste materials are in separate pipes and they are built away from all these. The fortress has a myriad of these chutes so it can function smoothly, and servants and their everyday chores do not interact with the Trimadians or guests.”
“Well if his Lordship keeps changing his house, how the hell do his servants get on?” Pete ventured.
“Changes are sometimes very specific to his prey, and the reversal of any changes can take place as fast as we can inhale.”
Pete shuddered.
“But how do you know what chutes carry what loads and go where?” Mason asked.
“Servants are well trained and each floor has several specific maintenance facilitation areas.”
“But the chutes go up over there.” Pete pointed. “As well as down. How does that work?”
“That is something only our engineers could tell you. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with pressure or by mechanical means. I am a physician not a physicist. We do not have the time to go into details. We only need the laundry chute, it is the safest and only goes upward a couple of times, and then it is all down, straight to the ground floor. It is closest to the passage that leads to the underground shipping docks. Well, I hope it still is.”
Leah was stirring and Pete came to her aid and helped her sit up.
“Hey, honey,” he said softly. “We are going for a little ride, and before you know it, we will be out of here.”
Leah was quietly moaning, “My stones, I must have my stones.”
“Negative, Leah,” Mason told her. “Our priority is to get out of here in one piece. We need to get back to Earth with Ventrowe. He has valuable information they could use to mount an attack when the time comes, and we will have one of their ships.”
Leah’s mind became momentarily lucid. She thought about fighting back but just did not have the energy and stayed quiet. That bastard quack drugged her against her will!
Ventrowe adjusted his ring again and shone it on the chutes, each of which radiated a different color. “That’s the one, the green one.”
The men pulled themselves up into the green chute. As Mason held out his hand to help Leah in, he looked into her eyes. They were so beautiful. He felt drawn to her and felt an urge to spend some quality time alone with her. Those eyes glowed red and he jumped. Was that his imagination? He shook his head and wondered why he felt so damned attracted to her. “You okay, mate?” Tremaine asked Mason.
“Y-Yeah, boss, fine.”
There was just enough room to put three people beside each other. So Pete and Tremaine put Leah between them; Ventrowe and Mason brought up the rear.
“This is just like those water parks kids love, except there is no water,” Tremaine exclaimed. “So Doc, what happens now? We aren’t moving you know.” br />
“We have to wait until someone activates the chute then our fun will begin. It happens all the time so we won’t have long too wait.”
“Have you done this before?” Pete asked.
“No, but, WHOA!”
Someone had activated the chute as they began moving, quickly gaining momentum and like a pinball shot upward, around, and down again. They must have been averaging between thirty to fifty kilometers per hour in some parts. For the next few minutes, they once more went uphill, twisting around several bends, and spiraled nauseatingly downward.
They hit a home run straight down into a huge laundry vat.
“Everybody out as fast as you can,” yelled Ventrowe.
All got out except Mason who did not move fast enough to avoid a deluge of material being dropped down the chute into the vat.
A vibration accompanied by rumbling like thunder shook the place. The alarm went off again.
“Quick, dig him out!” Ventrowe urged. They frantically threw the wads of material out to find the submerged man. The sheer weight on top of him could easily have suffocated him.
Leah sat down on the ground and sulkily watched them. She shook her head still feeling groggy from the ride.
They finally pulled out a stressed Mason. “God, thanks,” he gasped. “I just couldn’t make my legs move. I—I don’t know what came over me.”
“Just the shock of what you have just been through,” Tremaine reasoned.
“What the hell was that noise? It sounded like a far off explosion of some kind,” Pete exclaimed.
“My guess would be the ring that Stunt managed to stick down the pipes. Took a while but it is a good distraction.” Ventrowe beamed.
“Come on,” he commanded. “We need to move now.”
Tremaine grabbed Leah’s arm and pulled her up.
“No, leave me here. I don’t want to go,” she yelled. With her free hand she laid in one good punch before he blocked her from a second strike, and slapped her hard across her face.
“Right, no more of this nonsense.” Tremaine rubbed his cheek, bent down and scooped her over his shoulder.
“Put me down now!” she screamed, thumping him on the back. “How dare you hit me!”
“If you don’t shut up now, I will keep hitting you, woman.”
“Alright, you have made your point. Put me down and I will cooperate.”
Tremaine put her down. Leah had a red hand mark across her cheek. Tremaine glared at her, daring her to make a move. She was angry but kept her word.
They headed to a door with a key pad. Ventrowe shrugged resignedly. “Oh well, if they are monitoring us they will see my code in the control room.” He entered his personal code, and the door opened.
They peered around the door both ways. “Coast is clear,” said Pete.
“Which way now?” whispered Tremaine, sliding his gloctol from his belt.
Ventrowe rushed off to the right.
“Down another infernal corridor,” moaned Mason.
About two uneventful minutes later, they came to a large, solid lift.
“It is so weird that we haven’t met any guards,” Pete said. “Casus Belli is a huge complex but sooner or later we must run into someone.”
Ventrowe was concentrating on his ring. “This one will take us to the docks. They would have brought you in this way, along Kalvich’s private underground road. There should always be a Tremulus at the doorway, with at least one guard, so be prepared.”
He commanded the lift open. He did not need to command it anywhere as the lift was only destined for the dock area. In ten seconds, they had traveled several kilometers underground.
The lift opened and tightly holding on to the Gloctols, they cautiously moved out. There was a Tremulus waiting as predicted.
There was one guard positioned on the other side with his back to them.
Mason tapped him on the shoulder. “Excuse me.” The guard whirled around and Mason viciously karate chopped him in the neck. The guard went down like a sack of potatoes.
“Oooh, that’s gotta hurt,” Pete exclaimed.
Ventrowe pressed a keypad and a tiny camera like device appeared. It scanned him and the hatch door opened.
“Seems no one has cut you out of the system yet,” Mason observed.
Ventrowe did not say anything but he was worried. This could be a trap.
They boarded the ship. Ventrowe sat in the driver’s seat with Mason beside him.
“So, you know how to drive one of these.”
“Oh yes, one button or voice command and we are away. It is on automatic most of the time. The beauty about these vessels is they can extend to sit a hundred to just the driver. This model is used for showing guests, dignitaries, and the like around the complex and just as good if only one person needs it, very economical for storage.”
“Hmm, lack of space is one thing old Kal doesn’t have to worry about in this joint.” Tremaine muttered.
Ventrowe pressed a button, said something sharply in Trimadian and the Tremulus shot away.
“This place is so strange,” murmured Tremaine.
“Ya think!” exclaimed Mason.
Leah was feeling more and more angry. She didn’t know it, but her anger was feeding into Casus Belli and it was mirroring back its dark energy, feeding her body like a drug. She was inwardly panicking as these people, her so called ex-team mates, were taking her away against her will, away from her stones, her new home, and her future. She was like a desperate junkie. She waited for her chance.
Tremaine sat Leah in the back beside him, his arm around the top of her chair. Drugged or not, she was unpredictable. He sure as hell hated slapping her; he had never hit a woman before and the mark was still on her pale face, but it shut her up. “You won’t appreciate what we are doing now, but it is for your own good.”
She scowled but remained silent.
Mason was talking to Ventrowe. “So even if we get on board this escape vessel, will there be food and water available?”
“Yes, the trip to Earth will be calculated by the on board computer. It shouldn’t take more than four or five days at Zymergy speed, that is, if we don’t make any stops on the way, or get‑well, anyhow. We will be passing through Nextraprime, the outer edges of the Quelain and then your spiral one, what do you call it? The Milky Way. That is, if you wish to keep the ship. Or we can go to Zhesta and try to sneak through the BSP, as you term it, to Earth, though it will be guarded by the Trimadians.”
“No,” stated Pete. “We’ll head directly to Earth, less chances taken the better.”
Ventrowe knew travel through the door would be far more convenient. But more convenient spelt greater risk.
“If anything happens to me, keep my ring, get it to your planet, to Denver Calham. It can open and close the door anywhere, anytime. Your technicians will find a way of calibrating it for your own use. It must be horrible having to wait for your headquarters to open the portal before you can go home. How do you think the Supreme Ruler and the Trimadians move from planet to planet so quickly?”
“Yeah, we are pretty old fashioned I guess,” Mason surmised.
“Apart from exploration and ease of travel, Trimadians often use the door as an infiltration weapon on their enemies; you have probably guessed that. I do not think Kalvich created the portals, as I’m sure they were meant for peaceful travel and exploration, but the Trimadians have manipulated its powers for their benefit and to attack innocents. Surely your early Earth’s history would record how the Trimadians used it as a surprise tactic before their full force arrived, that is common knowledge?”
“Well, it seems to everyone, but us. Apparently the Trimadians didn’t record their history in detail in our temples, a lot of nasty things I imagine went on, but Kalvich did not get Leah and kept that quiet,” said Pete. “There is some scribe pertaining to the dominating gods, but all in all, we know very little about our nemesis.”
“Long ago,” Ventrowe explained, “before Kalvich developed his Z ring capabilities, the Trimadians had to use the traditional method of positioning certain hand size crystals and a stable energy laser to create a beam of light strong enough to open the door. As I said, I am not familiar with the ring technology. What I do know is that Kalvich’s scientists use concentrated Zymergillian crystal generators, with a tiny navigational computer chip. Used together provides the power to open the door and reach their destination.
Before the Trimadians began their systematic invasions, each Door of Endless Light contained its own set of crystals stored inside the pedestal the crystals sat on, so anyone had freedom of movement. The power source is sunlight that shines through a crystal called a Zyone, which magnifies and harnesses the energy. As soon as the energy hits it, it creates an intense light wave to open the door, and the other coordinated crystals must be in place to provide the destination. Kalvich sent out small groups to hundreds of planets simply to steal the crystals so no one had access through the doors, except the Trimadians. The Supreme Ruler makes it common knowledge to his people and his foes, that he, the almighty, created them, which as I said, I don’t believe—he certainly controls them though. Now, he has an efficient way to utilize the door to go anywhere. I gather he is aware of your Earth homebase having a usable door.”
“According to ancient history, yes! He kept quiet until his queen reincarnated. Nothing can stop him using it to come through,” commented Pete gloomily. “After they took us prisoner on Ahmadeus, Talokta sent her back to get the stones, along with his threat to our world. For all we know, Earth could be in imminent danger as we speak. Every planet we have visited does not have any crystals in the vicinity of the BSP. We thought of bringing our crystals with us and a generator for the power, but that would mean putting our Home base at risk, as we cannot successfully duplicate the crystals.”
“Another thing too,” ventured Tremaine. “Quite a few planets we investigated are inhabited, and the ones that we have communicated with have never mentioned or know of the Trimadians. We only knew about them since the Cantals were discovered on Ahmadeus and they shared their knowledge with us.”
“The universe is a big place and not all worlds would have heard of the threat of the Trimadians, or they simply do not want to mention their name.” Ventrowe paused in thought. “I—I am not confident about obtaining a ship. I think we should go back and try to get to Kalvich’s door. He won’t dream of us trying that.”
The men looked skeptical.
“I assure you, this,” he said holding up the ring. “Is your way home in a blink of an eye.”
“We must try to get a ship Doc, please,” begged Pete. “It will help Earth.”
“Doc, it is too late now, we have to grab a ship!” Tremaine reinstated and turned to his team. “Do you two agree, surely you don’t want to go back into Kalvich’s lair in a feeble attempt to open the door?”
Mason and Pete unhesitatingly agreed.
“Very well.” Ventrowe sighed resignedly. He looked at the three men and glanced at their silent, brooding female companion.
“I do have some information you may find useful. As luck would have it, I managed to overhear a conversation between Talokta and the Supreme Ruler a short time before Talokta went on his mission regarding the queen. The Supreme Ruler was talking about a dream that enabled him to utilize the stone he possessed. One of its uses was to make contact with the Chosen One on Graffa. He said the first time he had a similar dream took place forty years ago; it was of what would happen now. Some entity or force within the dream had ‘told’ him the Chosen One had been reincarnated. But pinpointing her was the trouble.
“Some intervention of sorts happened as Leah, reincarnated as Kate Willard, had coincidently come across a stone, which instantly connected the Ruler to her. Ironically, you men got involved because of another stone being in close proximity. The Supreme Ruler could make crude contact to her through the stones in the form of visions. I do believe the breakthrough with the creation of his ring to open the door and the reincarnation of the Chosen One of Graffa are related. Someone, or something was guiding him, preparing him. Is it also coincidence you humans had discovered the Door too. The alchemist Cemel would probably have all the answers as it was his prophecy and he supposedly created the stones for Queen Leah.”
Pete’s mind was in overdrive. “I’m throwing myself out on a limb here, but how old is Leah?”
“Why, is it her birthday?” Tremaine snorted.
“It is all part of Cemel’s reincarnation prophecy. I believe that when Kate was born some form of connection took place with Kalvich. I wonder if her birth had been responsible for giving him the information of how to manipulate the BSP?”
“But how could she? She was only a baby,” Mason replied.
“Yes, a human born baby, but her birth must have triggered the stones to come into action. Remember Cemel had given Leah the stones with her blood in them, a gift to her, and by the sound of it they were an ancient tracking device —obviously so she could always contact Cemel when the time was right. However, he had not factored in Kalvich possessing one and his ability to interpret or use the stone, and he got to her first. And yes, he would have had to wait for her, as a human baby to age when the time was appropriate. Kate Willard approached us, round four months ago with an amazing knowledge of the BSP that was classified.” Pete reasoned. “Was it Kalvich that drew her to our base?”
Pete looked relieved. He reckoned he had solved a few of his unanswered questions that had been troubling him. Then it hit him.
“Shit! Sataal once said the Chosen One met Kalvich on her fortieth birthday in 4000 BC. Cemel may have used this date as a point of reference to wake the stones up upon her reincarnation. But he never completed his blessing when he tried to help her escape the Trimadian tyranny. This meant he would not know how far away in the future this would take place. In Leah’s vision, he got blasted by the Trimadian’s for his part in trying to escape; suddenly he became immortal.
“I would say these gods must have stepped in to protect their investment. Now in the twenty first century, we all got involved because each party possessed a stone and we just so happened to have the BSP up and running. We were all linked. The gods want Leah just as much as Kalvich does; they are battling each other by manipulating the poor woman. It is beyond coincidence. I have to be right.”
Mason and Tremaine looked at each other. Their colleague was insightful, but was he tugging at straws?
“That old Good versus Bad chestnut,” murmured Mason sardonically.
Pete was unperturbed. “Kalvich has been studying Kate Willard’s life to see what she would remember. He was scared she would retain her memories of six thousand years ago, and I am sure her alchemist intended her to remember everything, so she would be prepared. Therefore, Kalvich entrusted Talokta with an extremely intricate mission to fetch and observe her. What do you think Ventrowe?”
Ventrowe looked thoughtful, “Yes, if her memory came back completely, he would face her loathingness and total rejection, plus she may even try to kill herself. Kalvich would have to forgo free will and force her or face losing her and her powers forever. Then, the gods would—”
Pete interrupted, “Yeah, not good for his ego. You know, in a way, I guess having her technically as his sister in law in 4000 B.C., falling in love with her, murdering her husband, torturing, and enslaving her people would conjure up some seriously bad memories. He has sure gone to a lot of trouble to bring her round to his way of thinking and believing in his way. I hope we can undo whatever he has done,” he glanced worriedly at Leah. “So, is Cemel really still alive?”
Ventrowe rubbed his chin, “I believe so, but if all goes well for the Supreme Ruler, he would probably kill him.”
“Kill someone who is immortal. Does he have the power to do that?”
“I have heard there is one way to do so; I will delve into that later. Our Supreme Ruler orig
inally had him as a prisoner since Leah’s demise. I myself haven’t seen him for a very long time.”
“According to legend, Leah made Cemel curse her to die if she was made to betray her people. She would rather die than succumb to evil. Thanks to the stones, she only, well, slept,” Pete said ruefully.
Ventrowe nodded. “Over the years, the Supreme Ruler has deliberately made the old man suffer in varying degrees depending on his moods. Sometimes degrading him into performing magic tricks and belittling him at entertainment functions he would hold. Often he was tortured, flayed and forced to suffer the pain of other prisoners. His way of punishing the alchemist.”
“How do you know all these details though?”
And don’t tell us you are Kalvich’s personal physician, thought Tremaine.
“Well, being Kalvich’s personal physician for many years affords me fairly high ranking and certain privileges, even though I am a Septen, and my race is not generally well received by the Trimadians. I do get to attend dinners and functions that are put on in the fortress, so I was a first hand witness. Also, I have managed to contact my people, so I am reasonably well informed. Lately, I have had to be careful as Kalvich has literally been on the warpath, and his guards have increased random searches of all servants’ quarters. You probably know through Scaba that Septens have photographic memories and telepathic abilities, but unfortunately, since I have been present here, that ability has weakened. I need to practice it, but I have not regularly used the gift for a long time. The fortress is literally an evil place that saps one’s will.”
“So, once Kalvich hears you have blabbered about his secrets, he won’t be too happy with you would he?” Mason observed.
A look of utter despair painted the Septen’s face. “Yes,” he groaned. “Oh you wouldn’t say anything, would you? I am helping you men, we are all on the same side, aren’t we?”
“No, no, don’t get me wrong. You have been helpful,” Mason said, regretting his thoughtless comment. “Let’s grab a ship and get us all out of this place, now!”
Leah sprung up, dived on a startled Tremaine, and spitefully clawed at his face. He reacted quickly, clutched a wrist and returned fire with a sharp, vicious slap. She fell straight to the floor howling.
Mason went to Tremaine. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, but this is becoming a habit. We need to restrain her NOW!”
Leah was moaning on the ground clutching her face. “You fucking bastards, I’ll cut your—” Mason covered her mouth again.
Ventrowe stood up, fiddled in his pocket, and produced a tiny thin tube. “Here, this will do the trick; it is more of the same sedative I gave her before.” He saw Pete’s look of concern.
“There will be no side effects. I can assure you.” He flipped open the tube and pressed it against Leah’s throat. She struggled, but Mason held her down. Ventrowe released its contents. She jerked and within a few seconds calmed down. Her body relaxed.
“What is happening to her?” Pete looked imploringly to the doctor.
“If she was willing to come with us, there would be no problem, but she is in the Casus Belli domain. As I have told you, this fortress is evil and permeates like a virus. We need to get her out of here as she seems to be very susceptible. The Supreme Ruler has, blinded her to reality and the longer she is here, the more she will change. I also sense she has developed certain, er, feelings towards him, especially for her to change so quickly. Could be loyalty or infatuation, in her mind it may even be love. I think the fortress affects most races, but apparently not Septens as I said. Any beings governed by emotions are more susceptible to the power of Casus Belli. Cathexistomes keep the Trimadians in check by withholding any softer emotions. Humans seem to let their emotions rule and, well, the evil seeps in. Oh yes, it is a very tangible force. You men are alright at the moment as you have not been here long, and your will to survive and escape is strong. Leah has made her intentions clear. For her, she is home and now we are taking her away. She is open to the power of Casus Belli. I have made some study…”
“Okay, doc, thanks, we get the picture, let’s give it a break, eh.” Tremaine interrupted.
Ventrowe looked out the window. “We are almost there. I will park way back so no one will notice us.”
He managed to slide the Tremulus into a position behind half a dozen unoccupied vehicles.
“Wow, if this taxi stand was on Earth, you would never have to fight for a cab, but the company would probably be out of business!” Tremaine commented.
“Sssh! Please follow me and do what I tell you to do.”
They filed out, with a more docile Leah. However, just before she attacked Tremaine, she had managed to channel her thoughts to Kalvich in a despairing plea for help.
It was strange as when she concentrated on Kalvich, she got a flash vision of Cemel, which confused her a little. Perhaps she got her thoughts mixed up, or the drug played tricks on her mind. Nevertheless, in a lucid moment she sent a quick message:
Kalvich, I hope you can hear me. I am being held hostage by my team and your pathetic physician Ventrowe who keeps subduing me with his drugs. He is taking us to the shipping docks where they will steal a ship in a bid for their freedom. I fear your quack has badly influenced my friends, and he could lead them to their deaths.
The reply was instant. I have been tracking your movements. Do not fear. There is no escape. I will be with you soon, my love.
Earlier, Kalvich had deliberately contacted Ventrowe on the com device to gauge his reaction, to subliminally stress him out, taunt him. At this stage, he did not deactivate Ventrowe’s ring security access, as he wanted to see how far the traitor could get. He wanted to handle things his own way.
Cemel furiously strode into the throne room where Kalvich and some of his advisors were in the middle of a meeting.
The old man instantly checked himself and bowed low in front of the Leader who sensed his mood.
“Forgive my interruption. I seek an audience with my lord. It is a matter of great importance.”
Kalvich signaled for the others to leave, and when they had gone, he stated, “I am in control of the situation. Soma and his men are in position waiting for their arrival in the docks. I am about to head down there.”
Cemel snapped, “How this situation arose in the first place is through underestimating the humans. Have you forgotten how close the ceremony is?”
“If Leah wants to, we could always postpone it.”
“OUT OF THE QUESTION!” Cemel took a deep breath to calm down. He walked over to the meeting table and sat down taking deep breaths. “Leah’s progress is better than I thought. She just sent me a telepathic message giving me details of what the humans and Ventrowe are up to. What I would like to know is why you failed to keep me apprised.”
“I received the message too. Remember, for all intents and purposes, I am the Supreme Ruler, and I have everything under control. I knew they would head underground for a ship, that would be the first place I would have chosen, plus I have been tracking Ventrowe’s ring signal, confirming this. He is going to get a little shock, just about now. The whole situation will be contained. You must have more faith in me. Have I ever let you down?”
Cemel sighed. “I have every faith in you, and your plan is excellent. However, time is not on our side.” He paused in thought. “Avoid killing the humans if you must, but Leah must be ready for tonight. In her mind, she knows she sent a message to Kalvich, but she got a vision of me, as Cemel. She could have stopped the message sensing something was wrong. She may have questions, and I need to know what the humans have told her. I am no longer prepared to take any risk of her finding out my methods. She must have an open mind and open heart to accept her destiny. No more trickery or I could lose her forever. Tonight, the alchemist will be destroyed. Immediately after the celebrations, you and I will transmute back. Do you understand?”
“Of course, my lord.”
Cemel sp
un on his heel and strode out.
Kalvich’s ring activated. “Wait!” he called after him. “It is time.”