Nemesis

Boxed Set #5

Another Adventure for

Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood

©Copyright 2016 by Robert Iannone

All rights reserved

(Book & Cover Illustration)

Table of Contents

Book 1 – The Librarian

Book 2 – Po

Book 3 – M.A.G.E.K.

Book 4 - Xara

Book 1 of Nemesis – The Librarian

©Copyright 2016, by Robert Iannone

All rights reserved (Book & Cover Illustration)

`

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 – The Blue-Footed Booby

Chapter 2 – The First Day of Tomorrow

Chapter 3 – Bound for Spell ’Bound

Chapter 4 – Amber Heart, the City

Chapter 5 – Once Upon a Time

Chapter 6 – The Order of the Obelisk

Chapter 7 – The Archive of Lost Knowledge

Chapter 8 – On Being a Friend

Chapter 9 – Amber Heart, the Necklace

Chapter 10 – Jax’x of Heart

Chapter 11 - What a Kr’eep

Prologue

Egg liked the sound of what she had just heard. Her instincts told her this person was someone they could trust. “Fair enough. Now, who are you and how can we help?”

“I am . . . I am the Librarian.”

“That’s your name?”

“No, it is what I do. I am in charge of all the printed words of this world. Sadly, much of what was once written has been destroyed. It is my job to catalogue and preserve that which is left.”

Serenity spoke up. “You found something . . . something in those documents, those books. What is it?”

The possessed Meggy smiled in appreciation of Serenity’s deduction. “I found that it is not magic. It is M.A.G.E.K.”

The girls looked at each other not understanding. Egg asked, “What exactly does that mean?”

“It means that there is a way to rid this world of the evil ones. They are not witches, warlocks, or magicians. Their power comes from a machine built centuries ago . . .  knowledge, of which, was lost over time. We all think that these people can conjure up anything with their minds alone. That’s not true. They need the machine called M.A.G.E.K.”

“Okay. I think I understand. So, how can we help?”

The answer was totally unexpected. “I need the Hameggattic Sisters to find this machine . . . and turn it off. If you can do that, it will save my world . . . and my people. Please.”

“That doesn’t sound like much of a challenge . . . flip a switch?”

“You could not be more wrong.”

Chapter 1 – The Blue-Footed Booby

[From the Epilogue of Heart and Soul]

“If I may?”

“Ben’Edikk, this is neither the time nor place,” hissed Meggy.

“Of course it is.” He turned to Egg and said, “I am sure you have not heard . . . Molly has decided to return to Earth.”

“Really? Why?”

“She feels that the life she now leads does not reflect who she really is. She wants to live on Earth to see if she can make a go of it on her own . . .” but his sister cut him off.

“Benny, you fool. That’s not why she is leaving.”

“But . . . she told me that when she broke our engagement.”

“Men,” she sighed. “I thought their insensitivity and inability to understand us women was unique to Aerianna. Apparently, it is a universal weakness.”

“Meggy, what are you talking about? For that matter, what is he (pointing at her brother) talking about?”

“I am sorry to say that Molly overheard a conversation between my brother and me.”

“Which conversation?” asked the blue-skinned young man.

“You fool . . . the one where you told me that you were unsure about marrying the poor girl. You said . . .”

“Oh, good grief, no.”

“Oh, good grief, yes. She heard you say that you were in love . . . with Egg.”

“Oh my gosh.”

*****

Egg blushed but was too stunned to say anything else. The room went deathly silent . . . all eyes turned towards her or the Prince waiting for one or the other to speak. The uncomfortable silence ticked on until his Lordship spoke out. “My son, if you have something to say to Eloise, I suggest you take her somewhere private and do so. I think now would be an excellent time.”

“NO,” yelped Soo. Everyone turned to look at the serpent. “Oops, sorry,” she mumbled. “This is none of my business.”

“Nonsense,” replied Rose. “Speak your mind, Soo’nami.”

“I . . . um . . . well, I kind of wanted to hear what the Prince had to say. After all, Egg is my sister. In fact, she’s actually my kid sister seeing that I’m older. Kinda have to watch out for her.”

“Ha, you lying lump of lizardry. You’re just a nosey rosy,” teased Bl’azzz. Realizing she might just have insulted Rose’Alynnia, she quickly added, “No offense, Dazzle.”

“None taken. However, as much as we (and she emphasized the word) are all curious, I reluctantly must agree with my husband. This is a very private matter between my son and Egg.” Everyone groaned in disappointment. “Ben’edikk, you two have our permission to retire to someplace private,” said the Queen Mother.

“I . . . um . . . well, I mean that is . . . um,” stuttered the young man.

“Wow, he sure knows how to sweet talk a girl,” Soo whispered to Bl’azzz.

“I always thought it was just male dragons that got tongue tied. Apparently, it happens to all men. How sad.”

“Must be a genetic defect. But you’ve got to admit, they’re so cute when they mumble, stumble and crumble.”

“Yeah. You can’t really trust a guy who can smooth talk his way out of a jam. And I think Benny’s about knee deep in it.”

“Would you two keep quiet,” shushed Sylvia. “This is an epic moment.”

“Epic? Not you, too?”

“This really is epic. If she marries Benny, she becomes a princess. That’s every girl’s dream. Well, at least on Earth.”

The Prince finally found his voice. To his parents he said, “Should I not ask Mr. and Mrs. Graystone for their daughter’s hand before I talk to her?” The Graystone’s exchanged eyebrow-raised looks. Grammy put her hand over her mouth to hide her grin.

Before anyone else could speak, Egg jumped up. “No. No. No. No,” she blurted. “No parents. No hands. No thank you.”

“But dearest Egg . . . um, Eloise . . . will you not hear my words before deciding?”

“Benny, you don’t even know what to call me. For the record, only your dad can call me Eloise.” She turned to Serenity and added with a smile, “And no one can call me Gracie . . . ever.” The other girl had done just that through her Mysteria avatar.

“Egg,” called her grandmother.

“I know. I know. Be polite and let him say his peace.”

“Yes, dear one.”

She grabbed the flustered Prince and began to pull him out the door. “Okay . . . but I have no intention of giving these busy-bodies the satisfaction of hearing what you have to say. Let’s go.”

“Not fair,” yelled Tee’ka as her friend left the room. “How am I supposed to learn about this stuff if you people do it in secret?”

“If you have any questions, sweetheart, you can always ask me.”

“Thank you, Grammy . . . but I think I’d rather hear it from a handsome man. Would you loan me your husband sometime?”

“Oh no dear. That will never happen,” and everyone laughed. Ezra had the good grace to blush.

*****

They found a private room and closed the door. Egg released Ben’edikk’s hand then turned to face him. “Are you crazy?” she demanded.

Sometimes when a young man grows up in the presence of strong women (like Rose’Alynnia and her daughter), they seek the same traits in a wife. The Prince had never met a young woman like Egg . . . someone who was an equal to his mother and sister. Quite frankly, he found it irresistible.

“Dearest Elo . . . Egg, my heart has been yours from the moment I first laid eyes on you. I know you feel the same way. Remember our little sojourn to Sighing Whorl?”

“Of course I remember. And no, I wasn’t in love with you. Not then, not now.”

“I may not be the most experienced man in the ways of women, but I clearly recall your enthusiasm when we kissed.”

“Oh, please. I was kissing a Prince . . . a handsome Prince at that. Of course, I was a teensy-weensy bit thrilled. But it wasn’t love.”

“You consider me handsome”? The young man’s chest expanded with pride.

Time to take him down a notch. “Not nearly as handsome as your dad . . . but I guess not too bad all things considered.”

Unfortunately, the young man was in love and heard what he wanted to hear. “Coming from the Heroine of Aerianna, I take that as very high praise. I am deeply honored that you feel as you do.”

“Oh my gosh, you blue-footed booby – you need to get out more.”

“I am uncertain as to the reference.”

Egg shook her head in frustration . . . but she softened her attitude. “Listen Benny. First off, I’m not ready to get married. I’ve waited five years to get the Sisterhood back and I intend to do as much good in this galaxy as possible.”

“That doesn’t preclude our marriage or at the very least, our engagement.”

“Yeah it does. I’m not in love with you. I hardly even know you. And you don’t know me.” She raised her hand to stop him from answering. “Forget the history books or the stories from your family . . . they don’t count. For instance, what’s my favorite flavor ice cream?”

“What is ice cream?”

“Oh. My. Gosh. It’s chocolate but never mind. All I’m trying to say is that we would have to spend a lot of time together before we . . . or at least I . . . could fall in love. But, like I said, I’m taking the Sisterhood to look for wrongs that need to be righted. I won’t be around very much.”

“What little time you did have, we could spend together. Could we not?”

“Maybe. But I need to visit Earth to see Syl and my family. I have sisters here on Aerianna that I want to spend time with. I just couldn’t commit to anything.”

“I believe you overstate the obstacles. I am sure we could find the time to get to know each other. For instance, I could go to Earth with you. I would love to see where you grew up.”

Egg shook her head. “Not going to happen. Now with your blue skin.”

“Why would the color of my skin be a problem?”

“Stupid, right? But that’s just how it is. Anyway, there is still one other thing. You hurt Molly. I can’t forgive that. She may not be a sister, but she and her mom are very special to me. She doesn’t belong on Earth; she belongs here on Aerianna.”

“What if f I could convince her to stay? Perhaps introduce her to one of my friends? She is a beautiful young woman and I know for a fact that more than one of them has a great interest in my former fiancée. Obviously, that interest could never be overtly expressed before. But now . . .”

“I’ll tell you what. If you could somehow pull off a miracle and patch things up with Molly and convince her to stay . . . and introduce her to someone she could fall in love with . . . then maybe I’ll spend a little time with you.”

“Oh, Egg . . . you have made me the happiest man in the world.”

“Not so fast, big guy.  I’ll say it again . . . I don’t love you. I’m not ready for marriage. And I’ll be away from Aerianna a lot. The odds of you and me being . . . you and me . . . are slim to none.”

“But not impossible.”

“Oh my gosh. Men!”

*****

As they were walking back to the others, the Prince tried to take Egg’s hand. “Hey, no hand holding.”

“Why not?”

“Because we are not a couple. I don’t want to give the others the wrong idea. For that matter, I don’t want to give you the wrong idea.”

Ben’Edikk smiled. “I predict that one day, and soon, you and I will be walking arm in arm. And, if I may be so bold, perhaps a little more.”

Egg turned red. “Benny, I’m already beginning to regret this.”

Realizing he was pushing harder than he should, the Prince backed off. “I am sorry Egg. I did not mean to imply anything improper. We shall proceed at whatever pace you find comfortable.”

Egg stopped and looked at her companion. “That’s the most considerate thing I have ever heard you say. Thank you.” So impressed with his show of maturity, she almost gave him a kiss on the cheek. Luckily, her mind screamed “NO” just in time.

They reached the other room and the Prince opened the door for his companion. Everyone immediately went silent as all eyes turned to stare.

“What?” snarled Egg.

“Soooo (she stretched out the word) – how’s everything?” asked Sylvia in a sickeningly sweet voice dripping with pretend innocence.

“Spill it,” yelled the not-so-subtle Soo.

“I need all the details,” pleaded Tee’ka. “All of them.”

“You people need to get a life.”

“Egg, if I may,” offered Ben’Edikk.

The girl rolled her eyes as if to say, “If you have to.”

“I am pleased to announce that Egg of Earth has agreed to be my wife.” Egg’s head snapped around just in time to catch a quick wink from the Prince. Not surprisingly the crowd went crazy . . . at least a hundred conversations started at once. No small feat since there were only a couple of dozen people in the room.

Egg let her friends and family babble excitedly for nearly a minute. She finally raised her hand and everyone quieted down to hear her speak. Letting the silence drag on for a few more seconds than was necessary, she said, “Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I’ve changed my mind. Sorry, Benny.” She was impressed with the Prince’s sense of humor – it was a side of him that she had never seen.  Her interest was piqued and she wanted to see how far he could take this little charade. “No hard feelings?”

“But my dearest . . . why? I thought you said you loved me?” He put his hand to his forehead for dramatic effect.

“You’re really not my type,” came her response – while shrugging her shoulders.

“How so?” he begged, apparent hurt evident in his voice.

Before this little act could play out any further, Sylvia stood up. “Enough, you two.”

“Syl?” questioned Serenity.

Sylvia knew her best friend better than Egg knew herself. “They’re just pulling our collective legs.” Turning to her best friend, she said “have you no shame, girl?”

“Me? How about all of you?”

“Egg,” asked her mother who was thrilled with the idea that her daughter would be a princess, “he’s so cute . . . are you sure you don’t want to marry him?”

“MOTHER.”

“Well . . . you could do a lot worse.” Nevertheless, she looked away in embarrassment.

“Listen up – all of you. We’re not engaged, we’re not a couple, and we’re not. .”

“A couple of what?” interrupted BreeZee.

“What?”

“A couple of what?”

Sylvia spoke up to explain. “It’s an earth expression meaning that two people are dating.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

Egg took a deep breath and continued. “Benny and I are friends. If he can fix things with Molly, then maybe I’ll see him if and when I get the chance. That’s it. Nothing more. Nada. Zippo. So don’t ask.”

“Egg and I have reached a mutually satisfactory understanding,” added the Prince. “We would both appreciate your respect for our privacy.”

“Thanks, Benny.”

“You are most welcome . . . Gracie.” He emphasized the name and everyone laughed. Even Gracie.

*****

The next morning, Mr. and Mrs. Graystone met up with their daughter. Both were ready, though not eager, to return to Earth. They had said their goodbyes to one and all. However, they had spent an unusually long time with the Queen Mother and her husband.

“Alright you two, what’s going on?” asked Egg suspiciously.

“I have no idea what you’re referring to,” replied her mother.

“Yeah, right. It didn’t have anything to do with me and Benny, did it?”

“Sweetheart, please don’t force me to lie.”

“Then don’t.”

“Egg,” interrupted her father, “we are overwhelmed by all of this. We couldn’t be prouder by what you’ve already accomplished. And we have no doubt that the story of Flying Girl and the Hameggattic Sisterhood is just beginning. But, we are your parents and no matter what anyone says, we’re going to worry about you. God only knows what trouble you’re going to encounter out there,” and he pointed skyward. “We have every confidence that you and your friends will succeed . . . but until you give up roaming amongst the stars and battling evil, we’re not going to sleep all that well. However, the one thing we have to look forward to, we hope, is you eventually settling down and getting married and having kids of your own. You can call us old fashioned or old school, but well . . . we are. Having said that, marriage will never be your goal . . . and with your abilities, it should never be. There are probably a billion people out there that need your help. But maybe marriage – along with all the good you’re going to do – will be your reward.” He shook his head. “Sorry . . . did that make any sense?”

Egg didn’t say anything. She just hugged her dad . . . then her mother. She let her emotions calm down before she said, “First, thank you for accepting who I am and what I need to do. I know that takes a lot of courage. Second, I’ll share something with you. It’s what the Myst Tree told me when I visited with him.”

Mrs. Graystone shook her head. “A talking tree . . . I would have loved to have seen it.”

“Maybe the next time you come to visit, I’ll take you.”

“Oh, would you? That would be so cool.”

Egg smiled at her mom’s phrasing. “Yeah, cool.”

“So what did he say?” asked her father a bit impatiently.

“Oh, yeah. I asked him “What would happen to the Sisterhood if I retired? Would it just come to an end?”

“Will it?” That thought made Mr. Graystone a little sad.

“He said, and I quote, “No. Syl’kie will take your place.”

“Silky. Who’s that? A new sister?” asked her father.

Egg laughed. “That’s exactly what I said. But he told me “No . . . Syl’kie is your youngest daughter named in honor of your best friend.”

“Your daughter!” cried Mrs. Graystone. “I’m going to be a grandmother.”

“Mom, mom, mom . . . not for a long time.”

“Of course. Of course.” She looked from her daughter to her husband then started to sob. “Oh my gosh . . . I’m going to be a grandmother.”

Chapter 2 – The First Day of Tomorrow

Later that same day, it was time for Sylvia to return to Earth. She would be taking Grammy and Ezra home with her. The two older folks had said their goodbyes and were waiting outside on the balcony . . . to give the best friends a little privacy and to enjoy the spectacular view.

“It won’t feel right without you by my side.” Egg was trying very hard not to cry.

Sylvia just stared at the one person in the universe she was closest to and said nothing . . . but her eyes were wet. She finally found her voice. “It was almost a decade ago that we started the Quest. The things we’ve done together since we first visited Aerianna really is the stuff of legends. I can never thank you enough for being my best friend and for taking me on this journey.” And that was too much for both of them . . . they hugged each other and let their tears flow freely.

The minutes passed by all too quickly and they finally broke their embrace.

“You better get all A’s in school or else.”

“And you better save at least a billion people.”

“Can’t count that high. That’s why I had you as my Feminion.”

Syl smiled sadly. After a moment, she asked, “Who’s going to go with you to help the Librarian?”

“Tee, Serenity, Spirit, Bl’azzz, Bree and myself. Oh, and Jynxie of course.”

“It’ll be the first time we had less than seven sisters. No offense to Jynx.”

“Yeah, I know. But the whole seven thing is just silly superstition.” No sooner had the words left her mouth, than her eyes suddenly went wide.

“What?”

“I just got goose bumps.”

“Oh, Egg . . . that’s not good.”

The girl rubbed her arms – trying to push the bumps back down. “It’s nothing. Really. I’m sure it only means that I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

They hugged once more. “Egg,” whispered Syl in her friend’s ear.

“Yeah?”

“Benny and you . . . I like it.”

“Shut up.”

*****

With her parents, grandparents and Sylvia now gone, Egg had a bunch of tasks to take care of before she and the others could start their journey.

Up next was a meeting with Meggy and the other five sisters that were going to accompany her. She walked to one of the Queen’s private chambers . . . the last one to join up with the others. As she entered, everyone once again went quiet and stared. “Oh, my gosh. Stop . . . would you please. Anyone . . . and I mean anyone . . . that mentions Benny, love or marriage will . . . will . . . um . . . feel my wrath.”

That was lame . . . and not exactly fear-inducing.

“I totally agree with . . .” and the Queen smiled evilly “. . . with my sister.” She fake coughed into her hand to cover the words “in-law.” But everyone heard and laughed. Well, almost everyone.

Egg hung her head in sad resignation and muttered, “Kill me now.”

“Cheer up, Egg. This teasing will get old in about four, five, six . . . twelve months tops,” added Serenity.

Egg suddenly brightened.  “I think it would be unforgivably rude to get married before Meggy. She’s soooooo much older than I am. I would feel just terrible if my older sister (she fake coughed the “in-law”) was a spinster. I guess I’ll have to set aside my feelings of love until that magical day when our beloved Queen says, “I do.”

“Do what?” asked BreeZee.

“What?”

“She’s going to say I do . . . I do what?”

Egg’s mouth flopped open in utter frustration. Instead of answering, she just said, “Can we please move on to more important things?”

“If we have to,” replied Tee’ka who just loved this kind of nonsensical banter. “But only for now. Once we get on the Seven, we’ll have plenty of time to finish this conversation.”

“We don’t have a Seven,” said Spirit. “In fact, we don’t even have seven.”

“You just said that twice.”

“No, you goofy avatar. We blew up the Seven over Earth. And not counting Jynx, there are only six of us sisters.”

“Grrrrrrr. Burp.”

“No offense, Jynxie dear.”

“Grrrrrrr.”

“Spirit, as to the loss of the Seven . . . I am giving you the first new spaceship just completed to Serenity’s specifications. It’s the least the people of Aerianna and Earth can do to repay you.”

“That is very generous, your Majesty. Thank you.”

“What are you going to name it?” asked Tee’ka.

“I’m open to suggestions.”

“How about The Sisterhood?” suggested Bl’azzz.

“Not bad. Anyone else?”

“I’ve got one. How about “The Gracie”.

Egg scrunched her face. “Tee, that’s just awful.”

“Awfully funny.”

“No. Not so much. Trust me.”

“I, for one, like it.”

“Meggy, don’t you dare pull rank. The rest of you, on this, she’s only a sister.”

Spirit looked at Egg then smiled. “All in favor of The Gracie raise your hand.”

Even the Shamie raised her paw. “How appropriate,” said Meggy. “I count seven yeas. The motion passes.”

“I hate all of you. I’m not kidding” . . . but that only made the others laugh harder.

After the laughter died down, Serenity asked, “What about the seven sister thing? Is everyone comfortable having only six? Jynxie, stop. I’m not trying to insult you.”

“Grrrrrrr.”

Everyone looked at everyone else and shrugged. Everyone except Egg who chose that moment to look down at her feet. Only Meggy noticed. “Egg, how say you?”

Not wanting to worry anyone about her goose bumps, the girl answered, “I, for one, count Jynx as number seven. So . . . no problem.”

To acknowledge her friend, the silly Shamie stood up, morphed into the shape of the Prince and bowed. The girls tried their best not to giggle . . . but it was so funny.

Instead of complaining, Egg just returned the bow.

Bringing the meeting back where it belonged, the Queen asked, “Is there any other assistance I can offer before you leave?”

“Except for provisioning the ship, I don’t think so Meggy. Thanks.”

“When will you leave?”

“I have a few things to take care of first. And, Spirit, I need you to do a Thought Weave before we go. Oh, and maybe Serenity can take the ship out and make sure it meets with your approval. You can also teach the others how it works.”

“That’s a great idea. Besides, I want to reprogram the escape pods. They didn’t work as well as I’d hoped last time.”

*****

After Egg left the meeting, she went straight to the living quarters for permanent non-royal residents (as well as honored guests) of Q’umulus. She found the apartment she was looking for . . . though she wasn’t looking forward to what was about to transpire. Taking a deep breath, she rang the bell.

A few seconds later, Jenny opened the door. She stared at the young lady but it took her a moment to realize who it was. “EGG,” she cried then hugged the girl. Egg returned the embrace with equal enthusiasm.

They finally separated and Jenny held the girl out at arm’s length. “Look at you . . . you’re all grown up. You look absolutely wonderful.”

Egg smiled. “It’s just the hairdo. Sylvia’s idea.”

“And where is your better half? I hope she’s going to drop by to say hello.”

“Sorry, Jen . . . she had to get back. She’s got to get ready for college. She’s been accepted at Harvard.”

“Really. Wow. Though I shouldn’t be surprised. That’s why you made her your Feminion.”

“Yeah. But . . . (it still hurt Egg to say this) . . . she’s now retired from the Sisterhood.”

Jenny stared at the young lady in front of her. “I’m so sorry, Egg. It must be hard. You two were so close.”

“We still are . . . but yes, it’s hard. Anyway, how are you and Molly?”

“I’m guessing you already know about Molly and the Prince. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”

“Jenny . . . please believe me. I had nothing to do with any of this. I didn’t even know he liked me. I never, ever encouraged it.”

“Come inside so we can talk.” She led her guest to a couch and invited her to sit down. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Jenny sat down across from her guest. “First off, I know you had nothing to do with it. Heck, you haven’t been around for years. On the other hand, the legend of the Heroine of Aerianna continues to grow with time . . . even when you’re not doing anything heroic. Quite frankly, you’re every man’s dream girl.”

Egg was getting very uncomfortable with this conversation. “Jenny, please. I hate talk like that.”

The woman laughed. “That’s the other thing. Your modesty just makes you even more . . . attractive. No man can resist falling in love with you.”

“Oh my gosh . . .  that’s just silly. They may fall in love with the girl in the history books. But that’s not me. Well, it’s only a small part of me. If they got to know the real Egg, they sure as heck wouldn’t be so impressed.”

Jenny couldn’t help but laugh again. “You are so remarkable and you don’t even know it.”

“PLEASE, don’t. I’m not special. Never have been; probably never will be.”

“Oh Egg, you are so deserving of the love that the folks on Aerianna have for you. That, by the way, includes me and Molly.”

Wanting to change the subject from her to the other girl, Egg asked, “So, how is she? Where is she? She didn’t go back to Earth?”

“She’s actually taking it pretty well. They’ve been drifting apart for some time now. So, other than a little embarrassment since the engagement was so public, and maybe a little irritation that he beat her to it . . . she’s handling it well.”

“Is she going back to Earth?”

“She’s undecided. In fact, she’s talking to the Prince right now.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He asked to see her. There was some urgency . . . though I’m not sure why.”

Egg smiled.

“Oh. It was you. I should have known,” said Jenny.

Feigning innocence, Egg replied, “Me what?”

“Let me guess. You told Ben’Edikk you wouldn’t even talk to him unless he convinced my daughter to stay. Thank you, Egg. Once again, I’m in your debt.”

“Benny was a jerk for hurting Molly. It was the least I could do.”

Jenny laughed. “Only you could call him Benny and a jerk. Just goes to show you how special you are.”

“I’m just a brat that can’t be taught how to behave.”

“Oh Egg. I do love you. So where are you off to now? Who needs saving?”

“We’re heading out later today to a planet called Spell’Bound. There’s a librarian that needs our help. Turns out she’s a witch.”

“How fun.”

“It’s never fun . . . that I can promise you. However, it’s almost always interesting.” Egg hesitated for a second or two then added, “Tell Molly how sorry I am things didn’t work out for her. But I’m now living on Aerianna.”

“You are?”

“Yup. Well, when I’m not gallivanting around the stars or visiting my family and Sylvia on Earth. Dazzle gave the Sisterhood her castle – Se’rene. That’s where I’ll be living. Anyway, if Molly stays, we can finally get to know each other all over again.”

“I think she’ll like that.”

“Jenny, if she sees me and Benny together . . . will that upset her?”

“Maybe a little . . . but she’ll get over it quickly enough. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Can’t help but worry. In fact, if she says the word, I won’t see him.”

“Egg, that’s sweet. But my daughter would have to be a very petty person to want that.”

“I . . . I didn’t mean to insult her. Or you.”

“Of course you didn’t. Besides, with you off on your next adventure, it will give the two of them time to get comfortable with their new relationship. So, don’t worry. It’ll all work out for the best.”

“You sound like my grandmother.”

*****

Egg didn’t need to knock. The Imperial Sentinel guarding the door opened it for her. She thanked him (you aren’t supposed to do that. That’s their job and they don’t expect anyone to even notice what they do). The Sentinel tried not to smile . . . but the corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly. Then he gave her a quick wink. After all, she was Egg – the Heroine of Aerianna.

“Hi, your Lordship”.

“Eloise, thank you for dropping by.”

“Ha,” she teased, “and risk getting beheaded?”

Z’kkk smiled. “We no longer behead impertinent young women. We simply toss them off the city.”

“I believe the last person to leave that way was your dear wife.” When Rose was about ten, she accepted a dare to jump off of Q’umulus. She had one of the foremost scientists build her a pair of wings and she became the first human on Aerianna to fly of her own accord. Her father, King M’earth, was not happy. Not happy at all.

“I am familiar with the tale. She and I were not well acquainted at that time.”

“Would you have stopped her, if you were?”

“Good grief, no. Opposing the young Princess Rose’Alynnia would have been lunacy.”

“Did I hear my name?” The Queen Mother strode into the room.

“Your husband says he would have been too scared to stop you from flying off the city.”

Rose smiled. “I was not the sweet and timid creature that I am today.” This time both Egg and Z’kkk laughed. “Did I say something to amuse you?”

“And so asks the Queen of Hearts.”

Egg was surprised that his Lordship knew of Alice in Wonderland. “You read children stories from Earth?”

“My husband reads everything. Now that we belong to the new Federation of Planets, he spends more time with their literature then he does with his decrepit, old wife.”

“If you are fishing for a compliment, I must say that the attempt was heavy handed.” But he was grinning . . ., walked up to Rose, and gave her a hug and light kiss on the lips. That stunned Egg . . . the two had never shown any such behavior in her presence in all the years she had known them.

“I believe our guest is shocked by such comportment,” observed Rose.

But Egg was Egg for a reason. “Okay, you two. I get it.”

“Eloise?”

“You want to show me that you two would be just normal, run of the mill, in-laws if I were to marry your son.”

“It was worth the try,” replied Z’kkk with a shrug.

Rose addressed her young friend. “My dearest Egg . . . we love Molly and felt she would have been a worthy wife for our son. Not only did we not object to the union, but as you well know, made Molly and her mother royalty. We did nothing to discourage their romance.”

“Dazzle, I know. I’m not blaming you.”

“However, since it did not end the way we all had hoped, we must move on with the reality of what is.”

“I get that too.”

“Molly and Jenny are more than welcomed to stay on Aerianna. Their titles and positions will not be taken away. I have told them so myself.”

“I’m glad.”

Now, in what was obviously a well-rehearsed speech, Lord Z’kkk continued. “If you were to become Ben’Edikk’s wife, Rose and I would be ecstatic. You have been such an important part of our family, and our world, that such a union would be rejoiced by every individual on Aerianna. We do hope that you will give our son an opportunity to show his love.”

“Guys, it’s not his love that’s in question. It’s mine. I don’t know Benny well enough to be in love. Like I told him, I’m not ready to get married. I also won’t have much time to spend with him since I intend to take the Sisterhood out there (and she pointed skyward) to do whatever good we can. When I’m not doing that, I need to spend time on Earth with my family and Syl . . . and with my other sisters here. So . . . it could take a very long time for us to become “us.” If ever.”

“Egg, I would never ask you to change who you are or ask you not to do that which you feel you must. But, as time permits, we ask only that you give the Prince some of your time.”

“You have my word, Dazzle.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, by the way. Did I mention that the Myst Tree said that when I retire from the Sisterhood, my youngest daughter, Syl’kie, will take my place?”

Rose stared at Egg then at her husband then back to Egg. “Did he mention if the child had blue skin?”

Chapter 3 – Bound for Spell’Bound

Egg beamed aboard the Gracie and was greeted by four of her sisters. “Where’s Serenity?”

“She went to get her ship.”

“Why?”

“It’s small compared to the Gracie and we can use it as a shuttle instead of landing the bigger ship – possibly in harm’s way.”

“Good thinking. Will she be long? I’d like to get going.”

On cue, the communications system announced, “Ship approaching; requesting permission to dock.”

“Permission granted,” replied Spirit. Then she turned back to Egg. “We need to discuss my thought weave.”

“That doesn’t sound good. But let’s wait till Serenity gets here. So, is the ship ready to go?”

“Fully provisioned. It’s really a wonderful craft. I can’t wait to take it into deep space.”

“How long to get to Spell’Bound?”

“Four or five days.”

At the sound of a door hissing open, everyone turned. It was Serenity. “Hi, Egg.”

“Good idea about taking the Shadow,” complimented the girl.

“Um, I changed its name. After meeting those creatures over Earth (To destroy the Shadows, life-force sucking creatures they had accidently picked up on the way to get Egg, the girls were forced to blow up the Seven), I thought it best if we weren’t constantly reminded of how close we came to disaster.”

“So what’s the new name?”

“The Astral. It was my mother’s first name.”

“That’s sweet. I’m sure she would be happy.”

“Thanks.”

“Anyway, now that we’re all here, Spirit is going to tell us about her thought weave. Whenever you’re ready, girlfriend.”

“Well, to begin with, we’ll have no problem finding the Librarian. One hundred percent chance of success.”

“Okay, that’s good. What else?”

“Egg, this mission is going to be . . . um, what’s the earth expression . . . a lose-lose situation.”

“I don’t like the sound of that. Tell us why.”

Spirit took a deep breath. “If we do nothing or if we try and fail to turn off the MAGEK machine, the chances are that the Librarian could lose her life and the planet will continue to be enslaved.”

“Okay, that makes sense; after all that’s why we’re here. So, what’s the chance that we fail?”

“A high probability.”

“Well, we do love a challenge. And if we’re successful, I’m guessing it still doesn’t turn out good.”

“This is the other ‘lose’ part. There’s an even higher probability that she will suffer grievously . . . but probably won’t die.”

Egg sensed there was more. “Tell us the rest, Spirit.”

“If we lose – or just walk away – the Sisterhood will suffer no ill effects. If we win, there’s an extremely high probability that we’ll never be the same.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that future missions of the Hameggattic Sisterhood will fail as often as we’ll succeed.”

There was only dead silence as everyone digested the information.

Tee’ka finally spoke up. “Is it just me, or does this mission now sound like a really bad idea?”

“Can someone explain all this to me so I can understand?” asked Bl’azzz.

Serenity volunteered. “If we go home now, or if we fail, the Librarian is almost certainly going to die. However, if we succeed, then she’ll only be injured not killed. In the first case, the sisterhood is good. In the second case, we’re going to be a lot less successful on future missions.”

“Yeah, I got that.  I was just hoping I was too dumb to really understand.”

“Hey, Butterfly Girl, you’ve been awfully quiet. What do you think?”

“Sorry, but it seems obvious to me. We already committed to helping the girl. We’re the Hameggattic Sisterhood . . . how can we possibly turn our backs on her?”

“Bree’s right. We have to risk it.”

“Risk what?” demanded Serenity. “If we save this girl, we are going to hurt untold numbers of people in the future. That’s a bad decision. Worse, it’s illogical.”

No sister had ever challenged Egg in this way – and nobody knew what to say or do. Without realizing it, the sisters were holding their collective breaths.

Again, it was Tee’ka who spoke first. “Serenity, we chose Egg as our leader. Whatever she decides, I’ll support her.” The other girl just glared.

“Thanks Tee . . . but Serenity makes a valid point. Let me tell you why I think we should continue – besides what Bree said. Then, if there are still objections, we can talk it out. Okay with you, Serenity?”

The girl bowed her head in embarrassment. “Sorry, Egg. I didn’t mean to sound . . . well, to sound mean. Please, tell us your reasoning.”

“It’s simple, actually. What we do is pretty dangerous stuff. There’s no guarantee that there will even be another mission. We have a whole planet that’s suffering right now . . . who knows how many people. I think the Sisterhood should try to help them. As for any future mission, well Spirit said a high probability things will go against us. She didn’t say it was a one hundred percent certainty. If anyone can beat the odds, I think our crew of wacky, wonky women can.”

Serenity shook her head . . . in admiration. “You see things so much more clearly than I ever could. Sometimes I’m too smart for my own good. Oops, not to say that you’re not smart (Egg smiled). Well, enough jibber-jabber. Time’s a ’wasting; these people need the Hameggattic Sisterhood.”

*****

It was a few days later – half the trip was behind them while half lay ahead. They were all gathered in the common room eating dinner.  Tonight, only dishes from Paradox could be ordered. The brainchild of Tee’ka who shamed everyone into trying something new, the order of planets (and therefore the menu) was Earth, Aerianna, Paradox, Zynn-Zaz’zia, and Laff’Alott.

In truth, there wasn’t a great deal of difference in fare between planets. A hamburger from Earth was very similar to the Rubik’s Qube from Spirit’s home world. Granted the meat of the Rubik (kind of like a rabbit – but about the size of a small horse) was served, as the name implies, in the shape of a cube not a patty. And instead of salt and ketchup, you used Piz - a condiment that was closer in taste to vinegar. The most difficult difference to adjust to was the consistency. Hamburgers are, of course, ground up beef with a uniform texture. The Qube contained bits and pieces of the Rubik, preferably left unidentified.

Bl’azzz, as a certified vegetarian, was allowed to eat a bowl of fruits and nuts that were indigenous to Paradox.

“What do you think?” asked Spirit.

“What are those crunchy things I taste?” replied Egg.

“Um, best if you didn’t know.”

Egg looked from Spirit to her plate. She touched the meat with her fork – a look of horror on her face.

“Don’t be such a girl. It won’t kill you,” teased her friend.

“Yeah. Maybe I’ll just have what she’s having,” pointing to Bl’azzz’s bowl. “Need to watch my weight.”

“Fearless leader my . . .” but Tee’ka couldn’t remember how the Earth expression went.

“Butt,” whispered Serenity.

“Oh, right. My butt.” She turned back to the girl in the wheelchair and asked, “What is that again?” Serenity pointed at her Gluteus Maximus. “Really?”

After the prerequisite giggling and a deep breath from Egg as she reluctantly took another bite of her Qube, BreeZee asked, “Egg, tell us again what the Myst Tree told you.”

The other girl grimaced as she swallowed a mouthful of the mystery meat. “It was an awful rhyme . . . give me a second. Got it, he said, “That which lights – the darkest nights – will point the way – but only in the grey – of the following day.”

“Not his best,” observed Serenity.

“That’s what he said. So, believe it or not, he came to me last night in a dream and apologized.”

“The Tree apologized? Why?”

“Tee’ka, he said he was embarrassed . . . can you believe it? Anyway, he told me to forget the rhyme because it had something to do with solar eclipses or whatever. I couldn’t really follow what he was talking about. Sometimes he kind of babbles.”

“So we have nothing to go on?” asked Bree.

“Actually, we do. He came up with another rhyme . . . this time it was up to his usual standards.”

“Well, what was it?” demanded Serenity impatiently.

“Okay, here it goes,” and she closed her eyes as if she could see the words on the back of her eyelids . . .

Underneath the celestial lair

Lies a chamber that holds the sphere

Suspended by a train of thought

Perpetual motion stopped by naught

Heart and Hex must combine as one

Directed thru he, born with none

“Wow,” exclaimed Bl’azzz. “That’s a mouthful.”

“Yeah, but I wish he just come out and say what he means in plain English just once. Okay, anyone want to venture a guess on any of it?”

“Obviously this sphere is the MAGEK machine,” suggested Serenity. “And I think the last two lines is how we turn it off . . . . though, obviously, we don’t know what he’s referencing.”

“Seems reasonable. Anything else?” asked Egg.

“Perpetual motion defies the laws of physics. Therefore, this sphere is drawing energy from somewhere . . . that’s where the ‘train of thought’ reference comes in. I think these magicians, or whatever they are, feed the sphere energy. Since no one knows this machine even exists, they almost certainly don’t know they’re doing it. If we can interrupt that ‘train’, the machine stops.”

“Ohhhhh. Clever. Ridiculously, over-the-skies clever.”

“Don’t act so surprised,” teased the other girl.

“I wasn’t acting,” retorted Egg who stuck out her tongue.

After a few seconds of silence, Bree asked Spirit, “So how do we find the Librarian?”

“Since it’s a certainty that we will, I’m guessing that she’s very well known. I suggest we just ask the first person we meet.”

“So we just choose a random place to land?”

“No,” interrupted Serenity. “I’ve checked the Federation’s data banks and found out a few things. First, there’s only one major city called Amber Heart . . . though everyone refers to it as just Heart.”

“How can there be only one city?” asked Egg.

“The rest were destroyed, however, the reference material didn’t say why or how. Before it happened, the planet was technologically very advanced. Now, there’s almost nothing left of that civilization. Again, I have no details as to the why.”

“Well, it kind of makes sense.”

“What does, Bree?”

“The Librarian said that the powers-that-be think of themselves as masters of magic. If all other technology was destroyed in that long-ago war, the most powerful people would be these magicians. She also said it wasn’t magic but some machine. It must be the only advanced technology that survived . . . but no one remembers it.”

Spirit reminded her friends,“And when you’re all-powerful, you can be as mean as you want . . . remember our friend Mobius.”

“Egg, do you really think the Librarian is a witch?” asked Bl’azzz.

The girl gave the question some serious thought. “No.”

“Really? Why?” Tee’ka assumed that everyone told the truth.

“Tee, I don’t think she’s lying to us. I’m sure she actually believes it.”

“Then why don’t you think she’s a witch?”

“I just don’t believe that such a thing exists. I always thought my flying suit and the jewelry were magic, but it was only technology. It was the easy explanation because I had no experience with such amazing science. Think about it . . . her civilization used to be very advanced. Maybe her powers also come from a machine . . . another one that survived their war but whose existence has been forgotten.”

“Does that change anything for us”?

“I can’t be sure, Serenity. But . . . it gives me goose bumps when I think about it.”

“Ha,” barked Bl’azzz.

“Ha, what?”

“Your stupid goose bumps . . . tell me that’s not magic.”

Egg opened her mouth to dispute the notion but couldn’t think of a good argument.

“Got’cha.”

“I don’t understand. Why would it give you goose bumps?”

“I’m not sure. If I had to guess, it’s because she’s not a witch and that will be why we can’t find a way to help her. I think it’s going to be the reason she turns on us.”

“Well, that’s depressing.”

“Cheer up, Serenity. I’ve been wrong before.”

“But your goose bumps haven’t.”

Egg shrugged resignedly.

*****

Using the ship’s intercom, Serenity requested, “Everyone to the bridge, please.”

A few moments later, all the sisters had arrived. Serenity flipped a switch and the main view screen came on. “There’s Spell’Bound.”

“Pretty,” said Bl’azzz.

“Pretty weird,” corrected Serenity.

“Why?”

“No blue for water. No green for vegetation. It looks like nothing but desert.”

“How could anyone live there?”

“Got me, Tee’ka. I guess will find out soon enough.”

“How long till we arrive?” asked Egg.

“About twenty-four hours. As we get closer, we should have no problem in finding that city.”

“Well, I think it’s time we decide on a plan. I guess the first question is what do the inhabitants look like. The image I got from the Myst Tree was just the Librarians eyes . . . and they seemed human. Serenity, any information on the people and animal life?”

“Definitely humanoid. As to animal life, I can find nothing totally out of the norm. But, until we get there, we won’t know for sure.”

“What do you think they’ll do when they see our motley crew?”

“They’re pretty xenophobic. Before someone asks, it means they don’t like outsiders.”

“Can I suggest something?”

Egg rolled her eyes. “Spirit, you don’t have to ask. Just say what’s on your mind.”

“I was just going to suggest we send down one or two of Serenity’s avatars. Just to be on the safe side.” She glanced at Tee’ka then added, “I didn’t want to sound insensitive.”

“I don’t consider myself an avatar . . . but I appreciate your concern,” replied the former avatar.

“Anyone object to Spirit’s suggestion?” No one did. “Serenity, can you whip up a couple of make believe people for us to use?”

“I can do that. Who wants to volunteer their good looks?”

Egg spoke first. “How about using your Sera’Fina and Mysteria patterns?”

“Why not duplicate two of us?”

“Just a feeling,” she replied with a shrug.

“Well, Sera’Fina and Mysteria it will be. I’ll start growing them now”

*****

The Next Day

“Ladies, I believe you know these two,” said Serenity.

Using a hand held controller, the avatars followed closely behind her.

“They don’t have brains, right?”

“Actually, it’s called artificial intelligence, Bl’azzz. And the answer is no. Two of us will have to operate them.”

“Egg, I’m guessing you’ll be one. Can I volunteer to be the other?” Everyone looked at the F’yre Dragon, surprised by the request. “Hey, I never get to do the good stuff.”

Egg asked Serenity, “Will that be a problem – a dragon operating a human avatar?”

“Not really.”

“Then, hot lips, you’re in.”

“Hot lips?”

“Don’t you love it?”

“No, not really.”

“Well, I can’t call you big bird. And if you’re going to be my wing man, you have to have a nickname.”

“What’s a wing man? Is that like a human with wings?”

Egg laughed good-naturedly. “No, it’s an earth term for someone who’s there to back you up. A very important position.”

Bl’azzz proudly raised herself to her full height. “Hot lips. I love it.” Then after a moment, she asked, “That isn’t like one of those looney big birds, right?”

“Promise.”

“Then let’s do this thing.”

“Serenity,” asked BreeZee, “will we be able to see and hear what they do?”

“Absolutely. I’ll relay the video and audio to the main viewer.”

“Then we’re all set. Did you find the city?”

“I did, Egg. But I also found something else. It must be leftovers from before their wars. Let me show you,” and she fiddled with some controls and the screen came on.

“What the heck is it?”

“No idea, but I found hundreds. I’ll try to analyze them while you two go down there. Might be helpful if you ask the Librarian.”

“Will do. Okay, Spirit you fly the ‘other us’ down in Serenity’s ship. Take Bree with you. Tee, you stay here and help us. Any questions?”

“Can you feed the coordinates to the ships navigation computer?”

“On it,” replied Serenity.

“Okay, Tee, help us into those helmets.” They were the device used to control the avatars.

And so began their mission . . . and the start of some serious trouble.

Chapter 4 – Amber Heart, the City

As The Astral descended from high orbit, it had to pass through a dense cloud layer that obscured the surface. When they finally broke through, Bree exclaimed, “It’s ruined. Everything is ruined. How horrible.”

The surface was covered with the skeletal remains of broken buildings, the mangled wreckage of unidentifiable transportation vehicles, roads that were pitted and cracked – overgrown with vegetation and littered with debris strewn everywhere. Apparently, in the hundreds of years since their Great War, no one thought to clear the rubble and rebuild. It was very sad and more than a little frightening.

“I’ll set us down over there,” and Spirit found an isolated area – away from prying eyes – to land and discharge her two non-human passengers. As they were about to depart she wished them good luck.

It was Egg’s voice coming from the Sera’Fina avatar that answered. “Thanks. But you two get out of here right now. If they find you, no telling what they’ll do.”

“Who’s they?” asked Bree.

“The bad guys.”

*****

The avatars walked side by side down the remains of what once was a road – carefully avoiding potholes, rusting rubble, broken glass and the worse of the thorny vegetation that was trying to reclaim everything man-made. Needless to say, the going was painfully slow.

The landscape was so desolate, you could almost feel and taste the disaster that had befell it. Feeling like they were walking through a graveyard, neither girl was inclined to speak. They just studied the devastation, eyes wide. Such destruction was something they had not expected . . . nor had ever experienced. It was frightening.

Finally, Bl’azzz’s avatar said, “Egg, there’s another one,” as she pointed at what remained of one of those mysterious towers that Serenity had found.

“That’s like the tenth one we passed . . . all of them destroyed.”

“Any idea what they were?”

“No, but Serenity will figure it out.” Back on the ship, the girl in the wheelchair smiled.

Eventually they crested a hill and stopped to gape. On the other side was another city . . . but this one was obviously alive. They could see lots of buildings, a fairly large number of people either walking or riding in open-air vehicles and, swarming above it all, the sky was filled with something akin to blimps in a variety of shapes and sizes.

There was also a veritable forest of those towers – these, however, were all standing tall. Very tall. The girls really couldn’t judge their size when they passed the ones that were lying down broken and mangled. But here, standing like silent sentinels, they were probably the height of the Empire State Building.

“Well, I’m guessing this is Amber Heart.”

“Looks a lot better than what we just passed through.”

“True dat. Well, let’s go find us a librarian.”

“How do we do that exactly?”

“Bl’azzz, I’m guessing if we ask someone, they’ll be able to direct us.”

“And if they look at us like we we're two aliens?”

“We are two aliens.”

“Are you planning on telling them that?”

“Maybe. Let’s just play it by ear.”

“Which one?”

“Which one what?”

“Which ear?”

“You’re pulling my leg, right?”

“Your right leg?”

“What?”

“Why would I pull your right leg?”

“Stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Hey, whoever is listening up there . . . slap the dragon.” High above the planet, four girls were rolling on the floor laughing.

“Egg.”

“Yeah?”

“I was just teasing. Sorry.”

“Really?”

“Kind of taking over Soo’s role.”

“Well done, Hot Lips.”

The avatar curtsied. “Did I do it right?”

“Very human.”

“It’s really weird . . . being human.”

That was something Egg hadn’t considered. “Weird good?”

“Um . . . I feel kind of puny. And a couple of times I had to stop myself from flapping my arms to fly. On the other hand, I feel more like a girl.”

“In what way?”

“My skin is so soft and I have pretty hair. My feet are dainty and I feel as light as a feather.”

Her friend smiled. “That’s not feeling like a girl. That’s just feeling human.”

“You don’t understand.”

“What do you mean?”

“Being a female dragon is nothing like being like a female human. Well, that’s not completely true. From being around you and Syl and my other human sisters, it’s pretty obvious that we girls think, feel, and look at things in ways that are way different from boys. We love our friends and family, we care for the people that need our help, we hate violence and would rather find any alternative than to fight. We feel the emotions of our sisters, empathize with their sorrows, share in their happiness and would, and have, readily sacrificed ourselves to save any one of us.”

“Oh my gosh, I have never heard you talk like that before.”

“Maybe I’m just growing up. We dragons don’t change much physically, but mentally we do become . . . um . . . less silly, more thoughtful.”

“That’s depressing.”

“Why?”

“Because I love the Bl’azzz that I’ve known for all these years. It’s going take some getting used to an older, more mature, version.”

“Don’t sweat it. It’ll be a few hundred years before I’m totally boring.”

Egg felt compelled to say something on behalf of men. “Some guys feel like we do. Not all of them are jerks.”

“Sure. I know a few of them. Anyway, the reason I said that I feel more like a girl is that for a dragon, the way you look is just the way you look. It’s the way nature made us. We don’t worry about hairstyle, mainly because we have no hair. We don’t shop for clothes . . . since we don’t wear any. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we female dragons don’t identify with our physical selves the way humans do. Your appearance means a lot to you. Truthfully, that’s something I never did understand. Till now, anyway.”

“And?”

“And I think it’s . . . um, what’s the word?”

“Epic?”

“Yeah, epic. You can pretty much change into whatever you want . . . or feel . . . on any given day. On the other hand . . .”

“Go on, say it.”

“On the other hand, it seems a little silly. The dragon in me says it’s not how you look, it’s how you feel inside. And how you feel should dictate the way you behave with others. But what’s really sad is that human males judge you by the way you look. That’s so . . . so shallow.”

“Hot lips, now you’re scaring me. You’re beginning to sound like Grammy.”

“Really. Oh, thank you Egg. That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Since it wasn’t actually meant as a compliment, Egg’s avatar looked away to avoid making eye contact. Over her shoulder, she muttered, “You’re welcome.”

“Excuse me, you two,” came a voice in their heads.

“What’s up, Butterfly Girl?”

“I think you guys need to be focusing a little harder on the task at hand. This isn’t just a stroll in the park,” she chastised.

“Ha. What you really mean is that you want to be part of this conversation and you prefer if we wait till we get back . . . so to speak.”

There was the briefest of hesitation before the girl replied. “Shut up.”

The two avatars turned to look at each other and smiled. “Now that’s what it means to be a girl.”

But they heeded the advice and walked toward the city in companionable silence. Eventually they spotted an old woman carrying a basketful of foodstuff. She was walking away from them so all they could see was her back.

“Excuse me, could you direct us to the Librarian?” Egg called out. This was the sixth or seventh person they had asked. The others seemed to pretend not to hear and scurried off and out of sight.

The elderly Spell’ Bounder turned toward the sound of the voices then dropped her basket. The foodstuff that it held spilled out. Falling to her knees, her eyes wide with fright and her face now ashen, she kowtowed with her head touching the dirty ground. With her face inches above the dirt, she muttered, “Please forgive an old woman, Divine Ones. I meant no disrespect.”

Egg looked at Bl’azzz who shrugged. Kneeling down, she gently tapped the woman on the shoulder. “Um, sorry. We didn’t mean to scare you.” She then began to gather the items that had fallen out of the basket.

The woman raised her eyes . . . but not her head. “Divine One?” she said as if she wasn’t sure that she had heard Egg correctly.

“No, no. We’re not Divine. I think you have us confused with someone else. We’re just from out of town.” Bl’azzz rolled her eyes at the comment since there was no other town to be from.

“But . . . but you wear red.”

Egg looked at Bl’azzz who in turn looked back at her. Sure enough, they both had red outfits . . . something neither had noticed. In the dragon’s defense, she was . . . well, she was a dragon. On the other hand, Egg was so focused on the mission that silly things like the color of her clothes didn’t register.

“Hey, you’re right,” exclaimed Hot Lips.

Before Egg could ask her why that was significant, she heard Serenity’s voice. “I did a quick scan and apparently almost no one is wearing red. The few that do have red capes and hoods. My guess is they are the magicians or whatever the Librarian was talking about.”

Spirit suggested, “Use that to your advantage to learn what you can about what’s going on.” However, she didn’t explain how that might be accomplished.

Egg needed a little time to figure out her next move. “My companion and I need a moment. Please get up and wait here.”

“As you command,” said the old woman as she rose slowly and unsteadily to her feet. Bl’azzz reached out to steady her. Shocked by the touch of a Divine One, the woman had to force herself not to pull away. Bobbing her head in a cautious thank you, she accepted the basket now restocked with the items that had fallen out.

Egg looked at Bl’azzz and nodded at her to follow a few paces away.

“What are we doing?”

“If she mistook us for one of those in power, others will, too. It might become a real problem. Let’s have her take us to her house and we’ll try to get as much information as we can. Then after dark, we’ll go find the Librarian.”

“Why would these Divine Ones go to her house?”

“Hey, that’s a good question.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“Do you have a good answer?”

“Not yet,” but she turned and walked back anyway.

While the girls were talking, the old woman took the opportunity to study the two – and for the first time noticed something she had missed in her previous glances. Though they wore Holy Red, neither had the traditional cape and hood of their Order. That was more than odd, it was wrong. Moreover, one of them touched her – offering a helping hand. The thought of such action was inconceivable! And the other one, the one that seemed to be in charge, helped her with the fallen food . . . and used the word ‘please’. Most telling of all was that they asked for directions to the Librarian . . . how utterly absurd. She may be old but she wasn’t stupid. These two were not Divine Ones. Somehow, she needed to get them together with her husband. He would be able to make sense of this. He had warned her to keep an eye out for ‘strangers’ but wouldn’t explain what that meant. “You’ll know when you see them,” was his cryptic response to her questions.

The girls rejoined the woman. “Thank you for waiting.” Egg just couldn’t be anything other than polite. “May I ask your name?”

This time the woman faced the other two and a small smile played at her lips. ‘May I ask your name’ – indeed.  Such politeness was proof beyond doubt. These two were not Divine Ones. They might not even be Spell’ Bounders. Pretending deference but still with a modicum of caution she answered, “Taysen, Divine One.”

“Taysen, do you live nearby?”

“Just over there,” and she pointed in the direction she had been walking. “Would you Divinities care to see where this unworthy citizen lives? Perhaps I could offer you food . . . a chance to experience a culinary taste that may prove new to you?”

Egg stole a quick glance at Bl’azzz. “That would be great. Thanks.”

“Why don’t you let me carry that basket?” offered Hot Lips.

Taysen couldn’t help it and barked out a laugh. A Divine One making such an offer – absolutely ridiculous. She put her hand to her mouth and pretended it was just a cough. “Apologies. As to the basket, thank you but I can manage. Please, this way.”

*****

They reached Taysen’s modest dwelling . . . a cottage that would be right at home in eighteenth century rural England. All that was missing was the traditional English garden. Not only was there none, but there was no green vegetation of any kind.

Taysen opened the front door and invited her guests in. Like the exterior, the interior was quaint with no sign of modern conveniences. “Please, have a seat and I’ll get you some wine . . . it’s not much but it should quench your thirst.”

Neither girl had ever tasted wine, though Egg had the opportunity at Thanksgiving if she were so inclined. Noting their hesitation, Serenity said, “Don’t worry. You’ll feel no ill effects from the alcohol.”

Egg was relieved (though Bl’azzz was a bit disappointed. Dragons never consumed spirits of any kind and she was curious what effect it might have on her). “Thanks. That would be great,” she responded to her hostess.

Taysen fetched two glasses and poured an amber liquid into each. “To your good health.”

“Aren’t you going to join us”?

“Unless you insist, Divine One, I will decline. I have much work to do and wine muddles this old head.”

Before Egg could respond, she heard, “Tay, is that you?”

“That’s my husband. May I ask him to join us?”

“Sure.”

“Hay’gar, in here. We have guests.”

A moment later a heavyset, but distinguished looking man with a lion’s mane of white hair walked in. His craggy face hinted of manly good looks when he was younger. Upon seeing him, you would take an immediate liking . . . though you would be hard pressed to say why.

He entered the room sporting a warm grin . . . that instantly disappeared upon seeing the red-clad girls. “Oh, Divine Ones, what an unexpected honor”. Unlike his wife who had fallen to her knees, he only bowed his head as a show of respect.

“Hay’gar, what’s going on?” and in walked a young man. “Oh, please forgive this ignorant person, Divine Ones,” and he fell to his knees, forehead touching the floor.

Egg couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Please, just get up,” but he didn’t respond.

“What is he doing here?” growled Taysen with obvious displeasure.

Instead of answering his wife, Hay’gar introduced his groveling ‘guest’ to the two Divine Ones. “This is my . . . um . . . this is Kr’eep, our neighbor.”

“Great, just tell him to get up, please.”

Kr’eep stole a glance at the older man who gave him a slight nod. He staggered to his feet with as much grace as an inebriated clown. “As it pleases you, Divine One.”

Impulsively, Bl’azzz walked over to him and brushed a bit of the dirt off his forehead. The young man’s eyes went wide in . . . well, in fear. “Sorry, I guess I shouldn’t have done that,” she said in embarrassment.

Kr’eep got the courage to look at Bl’azzz’s avatar . . . and he liked what he saw. For a moment, he forgot who she was (or who he thought she was) and smiled. Hot Lips smiled back. As they leered at each other in silence, Taysen cleared her throat loudly.

Realizing his mistake, he forced his eyes to look away. Staring at his shoes, he mumbled “apologies.”

Into the awkward silence that followed, Taysen said to her husband, “Our guests are staying for dinner. Show Kr’eep out then come help me in the kitchen.” She was almost certain that her two guests weren’t Divine Ones, and equally as sure that they were the strangers her husband had warned her about. She needed to discuss her observations with him in private.

“Dinner?” Hay’gar thought he had misunderstood. “Did you say dinner?”

“Yes . . . and we are much honored. Now, please do as I ask.” To the girls she said, “Please make yourselves comfortable. If there is anything you want, you need but ask.”

“Thank you. You’re most kind.”

Taysen nodded, gave Hay’gar a stern look, then hurried into the kitchen and gently closed the door.

“If you will excuse us, Divine Ones, I must see my fr . . . Kr’eep to the door.”

“No problem.” Normally Egg would have said something like ‘nice meeting you, Kr’eep,’ but she said nothing. The kid gave her the creeps.

*****

While they had a few minutes alone, the dragon asked, “Is he cute?”

“What?”

“I can’t tell with humans. Is he cute?”

“Bl’azzz . . .  hello. We’re on a mission to save this world.”

“I know. But, I think he likes me.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you see the way he looked at me?”

Egg gave that a moment’s thought. “Oh, yeah. Maybe we can use that to our advantage. We’ll have to see what happens.”

“But is he cute?”

“Oh my gosh . . . shut up.”

“Just asking.”

The guy was definitely not cute in Egg’s opinion. In fact, he had a face like a weasel . . . and the most appropriate name to go with it. However, there was no use in being honest with her friend. Instead, she said “very cute.”

“Epic.”

Egg shook her head – a small part from frustration and a large part from amusement. “Behave yourself.”

“Can I kiss him?”

“Yuk. Don’t forget you’re still a dragon.”

“Oh, yeah,” but there was a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

*****

“What was Kr’eep doing here? I told you I don’t like him in my house.”

“Sorry. He came over unannounced and begged me to give him Jay’gar’s tools. He offered me a partnership in some mindless scheme he has. I used the opportunity to question him about his home . . . why the Divine Ones made those improvements.”

“And?”

“Like always, he refuse to talk about it.”

“As for his scheme, you told him no, I hope.”

“Of course. We both know he can’t be trusted.”

“He’s always been jealous of our son’s inventions and of his relationship with Jax’x.”

“Tay, I know that. Now, tell me what are those Divine Ones doing here? And why in the world would they stay for dinner?”

“I don’t think they are Divine Ones despite their red clothes.”

“Truly?”

“First, though they wear red . . . they’re not wearing the hood and cape of their kind. Second, they wanted directions to the Library, as if every Divine One doesn’t know that. Third, they act much too polite . . . saying please and offering to help an old woman. You need to find out who they really are.”

Hay’gar smiled in wonder. Had Po actually succeeded in bringing help?

Chapter 5 – Once Upon a Time

About Two Years Ago

Taysen waited in line for her turn . . . using the time to chat with the women on either side of her. Momentarily distracted by the goings-on at the Obelisk . . .

she didn’t hear the question. “Sorry, Kallie, what did you ask?”

“Your grandson . . . is he still seeing Jax’x?”

“Of course he is. Those two are as inseparable as always.”

“Has she proposed to him yet?”

Taysen sighed. “You know young women today. They prefer to be single . . . to keep their options open – whatever that means.”

“Well, she’s not getting any younger,” huffed her friend in sympathy.

The third woman, Ty’rade, added her two cents. “If there ever were two people who should be married to each other, it’s them two. They got more smarts than any hundred people I know.”

Taysen nodded in agreement. “You should see the bladder-ship they just built. It’s like something from a dream.”

“What are they going to do with it?”

“That boy wants to start a freight business . . . plans on flying that thing himself. Figures he’ll have a dozen or more in less than two years if things go right. Then he’ll sell it all and use the money for another project he and Jax’x are thinking about.”

The two other women nodded their approval. Ty’rade added, “His daddy would have been real proud.” She said it without thinking and as the words formed in the air, all three turned and looked around. Luckily, no red caped individuals were around to hear the comment.

“You need to watch what you say,” admonished Kallie.

“Sorry. I didn’t think.”

Taysen put her hand on her friends arm. “It’s okay. And thank you, my son would have been proud.”

The three went silent as each became lost in their individual thoughts. However, they were all thinking of the same thing (actually the same person) – Jay’gar’s father. Five years ago, Taysen’s son and daughter-in-law were hauled away by the Divine Ones never to return. What they had done to warrant their arrest . . . and what actually happened to them . . . remained a mystery.

As ominously, Jax’x also lost both her parents that same night. Whether there was a connection or if it was just a coincidence was not known.

After a year, it was assumed that Jay’gar’s parents would not be returning. Jax’x, on the other hand, held out false hope that she might yet be reunited with hers.

She and Jay’gar had been casual friends long before that tragic day. Afterward, they found solace in each other’s company. Eventually, they had found love.

By this time, the line had moved sufficiently that the three friends were next to be served. Though Kallie was in front, she let her friend go first. The thought of Taysen’s lost son brought an involuntary wave of sympathy . . . and more than enough reason to show her friendship.

“Next,” came a rough voice. “List . . . and be quick about it.”

Taysen handed him a sheet of paper with the items that she required. The owner of the voice, a little gremlin of a man, scanned the items. He came to one in particular and growled, “Not you, too?”

“Abettor?” (that was not his name but his title).

“Seems everyone wants star-weed. Can’t you use something else?”

“If I must,” replied Taysen . . . disappointment evident in her face.

“No need, citizen.” This time the voice came from a woman in a red cape and hood who stood off to one side . . .

She was a member of the Order of the Obelisk known as Divine Ones. They ruled the planet ever since the Great War hundreds of years before.

Their rule was absolute.

Their tolerance for disobedience was non-existent.

Their power was god-like.

Turning to the Abettor (they served as personal assistants to the Divine Ones) who cringed at her stare, she said, “We are here to serve our people, are we not?”

“My . . . my apologies,” he stammered.

“Your manner has troubled me for some time.”

“No, no, no . . . Divine One. I was just trying to keep this woman from bothering you.”

“Perhaps a year in the mines would give you an opportunity to reshape your attitude into something we would all find more pleasing.”

The little man fell to his knees, forehead touching the ground . . . and he began to wail. “Forgive me . . . please. Not the mines, I beg y . . ” but he didn’t finish. An altogether too familiar flash of light shot out from the tip of the Obelisk and encased the Abettor. Everyone was forced to shield their eyes from its intensity. When the light finally faded away, the gnome was gone.

“Apologies, citizen. How much star-weed did you require?”

Taysen found it difficult to find her voice. After a few heartbeats, and a nudge in her back from one of her friends, she mumbled, “A pound or two would suffice, Divine One.”

“Of course,” and another bolt of light flashed out and in its wake left the requested vegetables in Taysen’s basket. “Please, help yourself to whatever else you need,” and she pointed to the rows of bushels filled with a variety of foodstuff.

Taysen bowed her head and began to walk away.

“Citizen.”

The woman reluctantly stopped and turned back. “Yes, Divine One?”

“How is your grandson?”

“My grandson?” she replied in horror.

“His name is Jay’gar, is it not?”

Her face now white with fear, Taysen nodded yes.

“Perhaps you would be so kind as to do me a small favor?”

“Anything, of course.”

“Please tell him that the Order would be greatly appreciative if he would stop seeing Jax’x.”

She didn’t mean to bark “WHAT,” but she did.

“Is your hearing not what it should be?”

“It . . . it’s fine. But . . . but why can’t he see her? They’re in love.”

In a very soft voice, barely more than a whisper, the red clad woman asked, “Are you questioning the Order?” There was no ignoring the menace behind the words.

Taysen wanted to shout something inappropriate but her two friends grabbed her from behind. Kallie hurriedly said, “She meant no disrespect, Divine One. She’s been a bit under the weather. She’ll be happy to talk to her grandson.”

“I am so glad. Please let me know when it is done.” The woman in red smiled sweetly then looked away “Who is next?”

*****

Taysen could barely stand. Kallie and Ty’rade hurriedly filled their own baskets and rushed to help their friend. Each hooked an arm through one of the stricken woman’s and half carried her back home.

“What am I to do?” she sobbed. “He’ll be devastated.”

“He’ll do what he’s told . . . if he doesn’t want to end up like his father,” growled Kallie.

Ty’rade cringed at her friend’s words. “No need to be so blunt. You could show a bit more compassion.”

“Nonsense. This is too serious to be nice. Taysen, you must make him see the sense of giving up Jax’x. His life depends on it.”

That last comment caused the other woman to moan in despair. “I couldn’t live without Jay’gar. He’s the only family I’ve left. But he’s so headstrong. He’ll never listen to me. Never.” In her distress, she could be forgiven that she seemed to forget that she still had a husband . . . a wonderful man that all admired.

“Then talk to Jax’x.”

“Why?”

“Because she loves the boy and would do anything to protect him . . . even leaving him.”

“But it’s so unfair. They’re perfect for each other.”

“There’s nothing to be done about it. Nothing. We all have to do what we have to do to stay alive. You know that better than any of us.”

*****

“Morning”.

Jax’x continued to intently examine some device she was tinkering with . . . refusing to look up at the man she loved. “Hi,” she answered.

The two had been together for a long time and he knew instantly that something was bothering her. “What’s wrong? Can’t get that circuit to work?”

“It works fine.”

“Hey, look at me and tell me what’s going on.”

She took a deep breath then turned toward him but said nothing. Her red eyes spoke volumes.

“You’ve been crying. What happened?” He hurried over to embrace the girl and give her whatever support she needed. His first thought was that Jax’x had found out that her parents were dead . . . or worse.

Shockingly, instead of returning the hug, she pushed his arms away. “Don’t.”

“Don’t?” He couldn’t believe he had heard her right. “Why not?”

Her answer confused him even more. “Because I love you.”

Now, we all know that men are not at their best when trying to figure out the emotions of women, but you have to agree that he had every right to be confused by her answer. “I can’t hug you because you love me?”

“Yes. Is that so hard to understand?” And now, let’s cut her some slack considering what was going on.

Jay’gar shook his head . . . not in way of answering her silly question but to try and clear his mind. “Are you ill?” he asked. It seemed like the only explanation to her weird behavior.

“NO,” she screamed. “I’m not sick . . . I’m . . . I’m . . . going to vomit,” and she did.

Jay’gar actually had to jump out of the way to avoid being splattered by the contents of his girl’s stomach. He raced to her and put his arms around her shoulders as she sank to the floor sobbing uncontrollably. She grabbed his arms and gripped them so tightly he grimaced in pain.

“Hey, it’s okay . . . whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together. Trust me.” He stroked her hair with one hand while holding her with the other.

Jax’x couldn’t respond because she was hyperventilating in between dry heaves. Her nose was running, there was yellow spittle on the corners of her lips and her eyes had gone past red to bloodshot.

Jay’gar looked around for something to wipe her face with but found nothing nearby. So, like all good men, he used the sleeve of his shirt to clean away the worse of the fluids from her eyes, nose and mouth.

“Sorry,” she finally mumbled.

“For what?”

“Your shirt . . . it’s filled with yucky stuff.”

He had never heard the girl use a word like ‘yucky’ . . . she was way too intelligent to respond in such a pedestrian way. He chuckled softly. Teasingly he replied, “It’s okay. You can buy me a new one.”

Despite the circumstances, Jax’x barked a laugh, which caused a little bubble to form at her nose. She wiped it away then disentangled herself from her lover. “I must look affright,” she said as she ran her hands through her hair and over her face.”

“You look beautiful,” and he leaned over quickly (before she could pull away) and kissed her forehead. “Now, tell me what’s going on.”

She took a deep breath to try and calm herself. “Your grandmother came to see me last night.”

That wasn’t particularly unusual. “Okay. And?”

“And . . . and . . .” and she began to sob again. Before Jay’gar could move toward her, she raised a hand to stop him. With her arm still outstretched, she took a half dozen or so deep breaths. The last one she exhaled loudly. Looking him straight in the eye, she said, “We have to break up.”

“Why? I can’t believe Tay-Tay (his nickname for his grandmother) would ask you to do that. At the very least, she would discuss it with me.”

“She couldn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re too stubborn to obey.”

He was about to argue about his stubbornness then stopped. That obviously wasn’t the issue. “Jax’x, what did she say?”

“That we have to break up. That you can never see me again.”

“Why would she say that? It’s not because you haven’t asked me to marry you, is it? We both know that sooner or later you will . . . when you’re ready.”

“No,” she whispered.

For some reason, Jay’gar got goose bumps. “Tell me the reason.”

“The Order (she didn’t have to say which one. There was only the Order of the Obelisk) forbids it.”

His goose bumps multiplied by a factor of ten. “How does she know?”

“She went to market yesterday. One of the Divine Ones . . . it was Pond Ripple . . . told her to tell you.”

“Why didn’t she?”

“Like I said, you’re so stubborn you would have defied the Order. We both know what happens to those who do . . . they disappear. Taysen was . . . is . . . afraid for you.”

“So she told you. She told you to break up with me because there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to see me safe. That’s the reason, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Well, forget it. I’m not going to do it.”

“Jay’gar . . .” but he cut her off.

“Jax’x, I love you. We’re doing nothing wrong; we’re breaking none of their damnable laws. It makes no sense to single us out.”

“They obviously have their reasons, though, like you, I have no idea what they might be. Regardless, we have no choice but to do as they say.”

“That’s it? That’s the extent of your love? Someone threatens us and you run and hide?” He really didn’t mean it but he needed to lash out at someone to vent his anger.

“You’re being unfair.”

He looked at her and all the anger seeped out of him. Instead of arguing or accusing her, he pulled her into his arms and squeezed her for all he was worth. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.

“And I love you . . . so very much.”

“What are we to do?”

She didn’t have an answer. Oh, how she loved his strong arms around her, the smell of him, the warmth of his body. She continued to rest her head on his shoulder . . . lost in the moment. Lost in his love.

*****

He opened the door then slammed it behind him. The bang made the windows rattle. Taysen knew who it was . . . but continued to peel the star-weed over the sink. Like Jax’x, she couldn’t face her grandson.

Like Jax’x, her eyes were red from crying.

“Tay-Tay,” he yelled from the other room.

“In the kitchen,” she answered.

He strode in . . . his heart was seething with hatred. “I’ve lost her.”

“I know.”

“It’s not fair.”

“There’s so much on this world that’s not fair.” She still had not turned around. There were tears streaming down her cheeks. Her grandson that she adored, that she loved above all else, now hated her. “I’m so, so sorry.”

“Tay-Tay, look at me.”

“Best if I don’t.”

“Tay-Tay, it’s not your fault.”

The relief she felt from those words made her cry even harder. Still, she couldn’t turn around.

He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. Respecting her wish, he didn’t force her to turn. Instead, he reached over and kissed her cheek. “Tay-Tay, I love you. I love you as much as I do Jax’x. You know that, don’t you?”

She couldn’t speak . . . so she nodded her head.

“I hate them, Tay-Tay. Someday I’m going to find a way to stop their tyrannical rule.”

“I can’t lose you, Jay’gar. It would kill me.”

“Don’t worry. They dared to come between true loves. It’s the Order that needs to be afraid. They need to be very afraid.”

Chapter 6 – The Order of the Obelisk

A week earlier

It was the meeting of the Absolute Assembly, the ruling body of the ruling class.  These six individuals were the ultimate power on Spell’ Bound. Their word was law . . . and their law was accepted unconditionally by all others.

They were not elected to their position. They fought for it.

Oddly enough, it was not a battle to be won by brute strength since, on that score, they were all equal. It was won by imagination, ingenuity and an ample serving of treachery.

Long ago, these battles were fought on a daily basis. Not surprising, that resulted in chaos for you could never plan ahead more than a day. If you did, someone smarter and quicker would take your place.

Realizing that the situation was untenable, the Assembly had agreed to new rules they called the Divine Decree. Simply put, the six members of the Absolute Assembly could only be challenged every fifth year . . . and then, only on a specific day. That day was called Chaos’ mas (literally, the day of Chaos)

It had been more than three years since the anniversary of the last Chaos ’mas. The next would not occur for two more years.

The members sat at a table in the shape of a six-pointed hexagon since all were equal. Well, in theory anyway. They were Ocean Foam, Grassy Knoll, Forest Green, Golden Sunrise, Sea Breeze and Morning Flower.

To someone from Earth, the names may seem a bit odd. However, on Spell’Bound they were quite logical. First, they were gender neutral – none was considered a male name or a female name. For instance, Forest Green, Grassy Knoll and Ocean Foam were women, while Morning Flower, Sea Breeze and Golden Sunrise were men.

Second, each member of the “Divine” class assumed a name of a natural phenomenon that no longer existed. Ever since the Great War, almost all plant life on the surface had been destroyed. Likewise, all water above ground had been lost. There were no more oceans, lakes or streams. And, without groundwater, there could be no more golden sunrises or sunsets, let alone forests and fields of flowers.

What power could possibly alter a planet in such a way? Simple – the power of the Divine Ones. And their names reminded the citizens of that every day.

At the moment, Forest Green was questioning Grassy Knoll. “No mark? Neither the sign of the X nor Hex? How is that possible? “

“Please listen more carefully. I did not say she had no mark. I said she did not have either of the two known marks. She has a heart.”

“Heart?”

“You heard correctly.”

“What is the significance of a heart?” asked an equally confused Ocean Foam.

Exasperated, Grassy Knoll replied, “I have no idea. Why do you think I brought it to the attention of this group?”

“And the Librarian . . . have you asked her? Is there any mention of such a mark in the archives?”

“She is worthless. Why we chose her is beyond me. She needs to be replaced immediately.”

“By whom?” asked Golden Sunrise.

“Stop,” demanded Forest Green. “Get back to the girl. Who is she?”

“Her name is Jax’x. She is the daughter of Sandaza and Try’dan. I am sure you will remember those two.”

“Of course. They and that other couple were removed before they could cause trouble.”

“And now,” continued Grassy Knoll, “the offspring of those two families, Jax’x and a young man name Jay’gar, are lovers.”

“Do you think they knew what their parents were up to?” asked Morning Flower.

“Both sets of parents were . . . questioned . . . exhaustively before they were rendered harmless. Their activities were never shared with their offspring.”

“Please, let us get back to this sign . . . this heart. What are you proposing we do? Eliminate her?”

“Absolutely not. We need to keep her under close observation until we can determine the nature of her sign.”

“And your plan?”

“Make her the Librarian. By all accounts, she is brilliant. By the way, so is her lover.”

“What of him?”

“They need to be separated. We do not want her to have an ally on the outside.”

“Shall we do to him as we did to his parents?”

“No need. If he gets out of hand, that course of action will still be available. For now, we will shield the Library with a force field that will keep out any individual with an X.”

“Growing soft, are you?” said Forest Green taking the opportunity to plant a seed of doubt in the others.

Grassy Knoll stared at the woman with unwavering intensity. “If we eliminated everyone that could pose a threat . . . and not just those that actually do . . . we would depopulate this planet. Your (and she emphasized the word) way would lead to open rebellion by the citizenry. I strongly suggest you reign in your blood lust before you do irreparable harm.”

With that exchange, it became abundantly clear who would be challenging who come the next Chaos’ mas. The other three looked at the two adversaries trying to decide which side to take . . . if any.

Forest Green wasn’t about to give Grassy Knoll the last word. “Unlike you, I can take decisive action when necessary without being hindered by sentimentality.”

“Again, you show the shallowness of your thought process. The young man you would so easily eliminate is an inventor with great potential. If we are to keep the citizenry contented, they must be allowed to build an economy based on their own talents. If history has taught us anything, it is that they do not like to be beholden to us for everything. It’s more than sufficient to limit that need to food and water.”

“Nonsense. We can crush them with a thought.”

“How original. Of course, we can. We know it. They know it. But consider, without the citizenry . . . who would we rule?” She spoke the last four words slowly and with emphasis.

Forest Green just glared with undisguised hatred.

*****

Taysen asked her friends to accompany her. They walked back to the Obelisk, one of hundreds in the city, where they had last seen Pond Ripple. Along the way, they discussed what had transpired between the young ones.

“She told him last night. When he came home, he had murder in his eyes. I thought he was going to blame me for everything. I could hardly stand, my legs were so weak. But . . . (she paused as she fought back her tears) . . . he came over to me and kissed me.” This time the tears could not be stopped as she remembered her relief at his words.

The other two women were teary for their friend. Ty’rade gave her friend a hug. “He’s such a good boy.”

“That he is,” added Kallie.

“But I’m so afraid for him. He says he wants to put an end to them.”

Kallie hoped she wasn’t hearing what she thought she was hearing. “End to who?”

Taysen looked around conspiratorially. “To the Divine Ones,” she whispered.

“Is he insane? Just talking about it can get him in trouble.”

“Tay, you’ve got to talk to him. Talk some sense into him. He’s hurting right now . . . but that’s just crazy,” advised Ty’rade.

“You two aren’t telling me something I don’t already know. But he’s not going to listen to me. I’m just an old woman.”

“You’re his grandmother . . . you and Hay’gar are his only family. You’ve got to make him see reason.”

“I know. I know.”

“Tay, there she is,” said Ty’rade, pointing to the woman in red.

“Let’s get this over with,” and she marched up to Pond Ripple and bowed her head, waiting to be acknowledged.

“Good morning, Citizen. How may I be of service?”

“Divine One . . . I have done what you asked. My grandson and Jax’x have parted ways.”

“How very gratifying to hear. I do thank you for your efforts. Is there something I can do for you in return?”

“No, Divine One. I was just doing my duty.”

“You are too modest. Perhaps this might distract the young man from reneging on his responsibilities,” and she handed a piece of parchment to Taysen.

“May I ask what this is?”

“Of course. It is a contract for Jay’gar. We would like him to build a fleet of his newly designed Bladder-ship. We are most impressed with his abilities and wish to encourage him in that regard.”

“I . . . I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“There is nothing to be said. You and your grandson are model citizens and deserved to be rewarded. Have a good day, Taysen.”

*****

Jax’x was in her workshop when she heard a knock at the door. Growling at the disruption, she got up and opened it. There stood an Abettor dressed in the bright yellow outfit associated with his position. It was highly unusual to have such a person  come calling.

“May I help you?”

“You are Jax’x?”

“I am.”

“Come with me.” Abettors were used to being obeyed since they spoke for a Divine One.

“Where are you taking me?”

On the other hand, they were not used to being questioned. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now gather what belongings you may need and follow me. Hurry up about it.”

“What do you mean belongings?” said Jax’x.

“It seems self-evident. Whatever personal items you will need.”

“Need for what?”

The Abettor grunted his dissatisfaction with how this conversation was going. “You are leaving this . . . this whatever you call it (referring to her workshop) . . . to take up residence at the Library.”

The girl scrunched her face. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“You don’t?”

“No.”

“Hmmm.” He gave the matter some thought then reached a decision. “No matter. You have been summoned by the Absolute Divine Grassy Knoll. She will explain all . . . if that is her wish. Now, come. Keeping a Divine One waiting is ill-advised.”

Summoned by one of the Absolutes was virtually unheard of. However, after being told she and Jay’gar had to break up, it was almost a certainty that she would be contacted sooner or later by someone in red.

“Give me a moment,” and she rushed about stuffing various things into a backpack. No telling how long she would be away. She returned to the front door. “Ready.”

“About time,” and he hurried out to a sail-craft, which he had apparently arrived in, and climbed up to the driver’s bench. Since Spell’ Bound had no surface water, this conveyance – despite its name – traveled on land. It looked like an old west covered wagon with a large, square sail hanging off a mast protruding from the center of the contraption. All in all, it was a fairly ingenious device. When there was wind, it powered the vehicle all the while storing excess energy in the form of coiled springs. If there was no wind, the driver just released the springs whose uncoiling motion propelled the vehicle. They were very common in the city.

She threw her backpack up to the Abettor who caught it more from self-protection than from any desire to be helpful. Then she climbed up . . . and a journey she could never have imagined was about to begin.

*****

The Archive of Lost Knowledge

It wasn’t really a library, as we know it. The populace could not go in, present a library card, check the file cabinet for the right Dewey Decimal card and locate a book to borrow.

It was a research center created by the Divine Ones. So much knowledge had been lost during the Great War . . . evidence of a once advanced civilization was recorded only in the rubble strewn about the countryside.

But within the rubble, citizens were constantly recovering books, documents and other artifacts that referred to subjects that now had little meaning.

So it was all brought to the Library to be stored, restored, studied and deciphered. Patches of what was once the fabric of a great society were slowly and painstakingly rediscovered and sewn into a tapestry of a peoples’ great achievements.

And it all fell to just one person . . . the Librarian.

The position could not be applied for. It was awarded by the Absolute Assembly to whomever they chose. There were certain requirements that had to be met. The why of some of them was lost in traditions forged long ago.

The person was always female.

She could not carry the sign of the hex.

She was deemed to be of high intelligence and of extraordinary resourcefulness.

She must be comfortable and productive working alone.

Absolute loyalty to the Divine Ones was mandatory. Stark fear could be substituted if need be.

She could never reveal to the citizenry any of the information she uncovered.

Conversely, every scrap of knowledge needed to be reported to the Divine One assigned to the Library. That position was rotated amongst the six members of the Assembly . . . each serving one year.

The Librarian served at the pleasure of the Assembly. They were removed at their displeasure.

Finally, the Librarian remained inside the Library throughout her tenure. She was to have no contact (physical or otherwise) with anyone on the outside . . . only the Divine One.

And now Jax’x was about to discover that she had been chosen for this inglorious honor.

They reached the impressive structure which was red and in the shape of an obelisk. Neither attribute was much of a surprise

.

The Abettor led his escort to the front door and knocked.

“Enter,” spoke a voice from within.

Jax’x looked at her companion who nodded . . . not a little unsympathetically. “Go on,” he said. She opened the door and entered. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light . . . or lack thereof. When they did, she saw a woman in a red cape and hood standing across the room. Because it was so dark, and because of the shadows cast by that hood, the Divine One’s face was just a puddle of black.

Jax’x took a moment to scan the room. Other than a desk and a few chairs, it was bare of any decorations save the torches hanging from the walls. She assumed it was just a reception area purposely devoid of functionality.

Grassy Knoll waited for her guest to bow and acknowledge her presence. But after a few dozen seconds, it appeared that wasn’t going to happen. Sometimes a citizen would forget herself because of fear. Rarely was it a sign of defiance.

In this case, it was.

Since the girl was needed, Grassy Knoll ignored the slight. “You are Jax’x.”

“Yes.”

“You have been chosen for an extraordinary honor. You are the new Librarian.”

That was shocking on so many levels. The girl took a moment to digest the information and to decide how she felt about it. Finally, she responded, “You’re very kind. But, no thank you.”

“You dare to disobey a Divine One?” Grassy Knoll was actually more intrigued then offended. No citizen ever stood up to her . . . and she found the experience exhilarating.

Not answering, the girl instead asked, “So this is why you had me break up with Jay’gar?”

Grassy Knoll smiled but it was lost in the blackness of the shadows. “Yes. A Librarian cannot be distracted by . . . by other interests.”

Jax’x was incensed. “How dare you. With all your powers, you find it so amusing to destroy the lives, and the loves, of two loyal citizens. Shouldn’t you be above such pettiness?”

Yeah, that was a little too much for the Absolute. “Let me make this perfectly clear to you. You will be the new Librarian. You will do an extraordinarily good job of it. You will be loyal. You will follow the rules. You will show me respect. Or . . .” she let that hang in the air for the drama of it. “Or, Jay’gar will suffer. Do you understand?”

The threat was expected. But it was a good one. “Yes.”

“And you agree to my terms?”

Defiantly, Jax’x responded, “Only if you swear on the Divine Rules that he will be safe and free of your meddling. That you will leave him alone.”

Another hidden smile. “Welcome to your new home, Librarian.”

Chapter 7 - The Archive of Lost Knowledge

Pond Ripple entered the reception room as requested. She had been assigned to give Jax’x a tour of her new home and to explain to her the nature of her duties. She would also be the liaison between the Absolute and the Librarian for the foreseeable future. The two young women had never had an opportunity to interact before today.

Grassy Knoll did not bother to acknowledge the others arrival. “This Divine One will be your guide as you learn the requirements of your new position. She is my representative in all things. Treat her with the same respect as you would me.”

Jax’x just stared.

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Did you not hear what I just said?”

“Of course I did. I’m standing right in front of you.” Pond Ripple was aghast at the disrespectfulness of this citizen. Did she not know that she was addressing an Absolute?

“Then answer me.”

“You didn’t ask a question.” Technically, she was right.

Grassy Knoll was about to respond in anger then realized her error . . . and the girl’s cleverness. ‘This one could prove dangerous’ she thought to herself. Instead, she turned to her assistant. “If she is uncooperative, let me know immediately.” To Jax’x she added, “Your . . . lover . . . will pay the price.”

“You promised.”

“Then see to it that you live up to your side of our agreement.” A moment later, a flash of light enveloped the woman . . . and she was gone. Jax’x didn’t react in surprise since this kind of thing happened all the time. It’s what Divine One’s did.

The two remaining girls stood in silence until Jax’x turned and asked without a trace of deference, “Well, what now?”

In that moment, something unimaginable happened. Pond Ripple instinctively felt a personal connection to a citizen. She was so used to seeing the citizenry quake in fear of the Divine Ones that, over time, she had lost what little respect she might have once felt. But this one . . . this Jax’x . . . was anything but subservient. She was either incredibly brave or unimaginably stupid. And she wasn’t stupid. Furthermore, to be named Librarian meant she was intelligent (Ironically, you don’t have to be stupid to do something stupid. Intelligent people do stupid things all the time).

Because Divine Ones were constantly jockeying for more power or to protect themselves from one another, there was seldom any friendships formed . . . only alliances. For the first time in her life, Pond Ripple wondered what it would be like to have a real friend. Someone she admired . . . and not feared.

“Well, since we will be working closely for the foreseeable future, we should decide how you will address me.”

Jax’x arched an eyebrow in surprise. “Do you have a name?”

“Pond Ripple.”

Jax’x smirked and replied, “Too many letters. How about I call you Po?”

The other girl giggled . . . something so very, very rare for her kind. “I like it. But, you have to promise me that in front of any other Divine Ones, especially an Absolute, you call me by my title.”

Jax’x smiled warmly at that. “Deal. So what do we do first?”

“The first thing is to dress you, of course.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” It was a peasant skirt and blouse . . . not very flattering, but extremely comfortable.

“Sorry. You are the Librarian. You have to wear the garments of the office.”

Jax’x began to bridle at being told what to do . . . especially about something as dumb as her clothes. “If I refuse?”

“I will . . . I’ll get in trouble.” She didn’t say the obvious – that Jay’gar would suffer.

“Oh.” No threats on Jay’gar, how refreshing. Jax’x was beginning to reciprocate in her feelings for Po. “In that case, let’s find a more appropriate outfit.”

“Thank you.”

Those simple words stunned the other girl. They were obviously meant sincerely and not used as a form of mockery, like so many other Divine Ones would do. Impulsively, Jax’x grabbed the girl’s hand and started to pull her along. “Come on, show me the way.”

Po gave the hand a squeeze . . . and a bond of friendship took its first baby steps.

*****

An Hour Later

“Come out and show me.”

“I look silly.”

“Jax’x, come out please. You’re way too beautiful to ever look silly.”

“Really?”

“JAX’X . . . get out here.”

“Don’t laugh,” and she stepped from behind the curtain. “Ta da.”

Po clapped her hands and laughed.

“Hey, you promised not to laugh.”

“I did no such thing,” and she let out a high-pitched giggle.

“Don’t be mean,” but she smiled as she said it.

“I wasn’t being mean. You look absolutely amazing.”

Jax’x wasn’t one for clothes. Science, engineering and Jay’gar were her only interests. But this outfit did make her feel . . . more feminine. Weirdly enough . . . and, more powerful. “I don’t look too . . . too pompous?”

“I think your pomposity is perfect.”

“You know, for a Divine One, you have a great sense of humor.”

It was meant as a compliment, but Po’s smile disappeared.

“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”

“No, no. It’s just that . . . my whole life has been about ruling people and forming alliances and trying not to offend anyone in power. I never . . . I mean, I . . .” she exhaled then continued, “I never felt like a girl. I’ve never had a real friend. And I almost never laugh. I guess, in a way, I envy you citizens. You get to live your lives like they were meant to be lived.”

“That’s not true. Mostly, we live them like you people tell us to.”

And along with the seed of friendship, one of self-doubt was also planted in Pond Ripple.

*****

They were walking to the main chamber of the Library. It was a huge circular room with books, scrolls and documents lining the walls as far up as the eye could see. On the way, Po found the courage to ask her new friend, “Why do you have that design on your face? Is it natural?”

Jax’x involuntarily reached up and touched it. “I was born with it. Does it bother you?”

“No. I think it makes you look mysterious. I just wonder why no one else has one. Did your parents?”

“No. When I was young, the other children used to make fun of me. I can’t tell you how many times I ran home to my father, crying my heart out.”

“Did he make you feel better?”

“Always. ‘Jax’x, he would say, ‘they make fun of you only because they’re jealous. Only very special people in all the world are given such a gift.”

“Do you think it is a gift?”

“Well, it didn’t scare away Jay’gar . . . in fact it might have attracted him to me.”

“Jay’gar . . . that’s your . . . um . . . your special friend.”

“He is . . . or was . . . the love of my life.”

“Can I ask you something personal?”

Jax’x laughed. “More personal than my markings?”

Po blushed a deep scarlet . . . but it was hidden in the shadows of her hood. “We . . . the Divine Ones . . . we don’t have . . . um . . . anyone special. When it’s time for us to marry, we are assigned a mate. After we bear two children, we go our separate ways . . . each taking custody of one child.”

“I knew that. Seems awful to me.”

“It is what it is . . . I never gave it any thought. But . . . um . . .” she exhaled loudly in frustration, “Never mind. I’m not sure what I was going to ask.”

Jax’x had many remarkable qualities. One of them was empathy. “We’ve been friends for a few hours and you are amazed at what that feels like. So, being intelligent and inquisitive, you now wonder what it must be like to have a lover. Am I close?”

Po stopped short and turned to face the other girl. “Do you read minds?”

Jax’x smiled. “No. But I can sense what others are feeling.”

“If you say so”. She hesitated then asked softly, “Are friends allowed to talk about each other’s lovers?”

Without thinking, Jax’x threw her arms around the other girl. “You are so sweet.”

It took Po a good three or four seconds to return the hug . . . something she had never done in her short life. “Does that mean yes?” she persisted.

They disengaged. “I’ll tell you what. We’ll discuss it over the course of the next few weeks. You can ask me one question each day.”

“Just one. That’s going to be difficult . . . but okay. What can I do in return?”

“I’ll think of something.” Or perhaps a someone named Jay’gar.

*****

They finally reached the main chamber and the enormity of it left Jax’x thunderstruck. She stopped and slowly turned in a complete circle taking in the thousands, or was it millions, of books and scrolls.

“Oh my.”

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

“All this . . . all these books were written before the Great War?”

“For the most part. Some were written during, and very few were written in the years following.”

“Have they all been read by my predecessors?”

Po laughed. “Not hardly. Maybe ten percent have been studied. Here, let me show you.” She walked over to a shelf. “The ones with these white tags on the binding have been studied and catalogued. If it has no tag, it hasn’t been read yet.”

“There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to the ones with tags. You would think that a Librarian would start at one end of a shelf and make her way to the other end.”

“I see your point. But there are no rules as to which one you can choose next. You’re free to read any one that captures your fancy.”

“Then what? Seems like it would take forever just to read one.”

“Oh no . . . you don’t have to read the whole thing unless it’s something really interesting or important. Once you get a sense of the subject matter, you can catalog it for future study or as irrelevant material.”

“How do I know what’s relevant or not? What’s important or not?”

“There are a number of subjects the Absolutes are interested in. Here . . .” and she handed the girl a parchment.

“Their list, I presume.” She opened it and scanned the contents. “Hmmm”.

“What?”

“Have you ever read this?”

“No. It’s against the rules.”

Jax’x smiled slyly. “Is it against the rules for me to read it to you?”

“Yes.”

“How about if I read this out loud and you happened to overhear it?”

Po smiled conspiratorially. “That might be acceptable. But, why do you want me to see it?”

“We’re friends . . . and friends share.”

Po just stared with her mouth opened as she tried to digest that statement.

“You okay?”

“I . . . I can’t be your friend.”

“Why not?”

“I . . . I don’t know how. I would never have thought to share a secret with someone unless there was some advantage to me. Besides, my Absolute would be furious if she found out. She would assign another to take my place. I don’t want that to happen.”

“Because we’re friends.” The irony of that statement was lost on the other girl.

“Is that wrong? Am I being selfish? Putting my feelings above the need of my people?”

“Po, you and I are Spell ‘Bounders. The Divine Ones and the citizens are Spell ‘Bounders. You, and your kind, just happen to have an amazing gift. Between us friends, I think the Divine Ones misuse that gift. Instead of serving the people . . . you rule them. You bend them to your will. That’s wrong.”

Jax’x had hit a nerve in her new friend. But, it was too much, too soon. Po stood up a little taller . . . and her demeanor changed to one of a superior to her inferior subject. “Please spend the rest of the day studying that list and examining whatever books catch your fancy. Tomorrow I will test you to see how much information you were able to assimilate and how you think those volumes should be cataloged. The kitchen is fully stocked. If there is something you need urgently, you may contact me with this (and she handed a small device to the other girl).

“Po?”

“Please address me as Divine One. I will see you tomorrow morning.” A flash of light engulfed the girl and she was gone.

Jax’x stood there – staring at the spot that no longer contained Po . . . and a feeling of sadness washed over her.

*****

When Po appeared the next morning, she found Jax’x slumped over a desk. The surface was covered with three or four piles of books and dozens of scrolls. Thinking the girl was ill, she rushed over to investigate.

“Jax’x. Jax’x . . . are you well? Jax’x . . .” and she gently shook the other girl.

Startled out of a deep sleep, Jax’x jumped up . . . totally disoriented. She tripped over the chair she had been sitting on and began to fall. Po reached out to help her but the other girl’s momentum caused them both to fall to the ground in a heap of arms and legs. If this was earth, you would swear they were playing Twister.

Stunned, they both sat there entangled in each other’s limbs. “What happened?”

Po managed to reclaim her arms. “Sorry.”

Regaining her senses, Jax’x responded, “Not your fault. I worked through the night and just fell asleep a few hours ago.”

“No . . . I’m sorry about yesterday.”

“Oh. Me, too. I assumed too much. I shouldn’t have said what I did. Well, not so soon anyway.”

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but . . .”

“No need, Po. You’re a Divine One and I should show you more respect.”

Po giggled. “I was going to say that you’re kind of heavy and you’re putting my leg to sleep.”

They stared at each other . . . then burst out laughing until tears were streaming down their cheeks. When they finally caught their collective breathes, Jax’x hugged the other girl. “We still friends?”

“Oh, I hope so. More than anything in the world, I want to be your friend.”

*****

“I thought you were going to quiz me on the books I read.”

“Sorry about that . . . I was just upset. There’s no quiz.”

“I read all that stuff for nothing?”

“Don’t be silly. You and I will review it, just not now.”

“I take it you have something else in store for me?”

“I do. I showed you the books and such. Now I need to show you the artifacts.”

“Artifacts?”

“Apparently life on Spell’ Bound was much different before the war. Very advanced scientifically. People have found a lot of . . . things that we have no idea what they do. Part of your job is to figure them out.”

“Now that sounds exciting.”

“Really? I guess I knew you like to tinker with stuff. I didn’t really believe it.”

“Why not?”

“I didn’t think girls went in for such things.”

If Jax’x had a hot button, that was it. “Why would you think that? You don’t believe men are smarter than women, do you?”

“Well, no.”

“Do you think they’re more clever?”

“Uh-uh.”

“You think they’re intellectually superior?”

Po smiled. “If I did before, I don’t now that I met you.”

Jax’x immediately calmed down. “Thank you.”

“Come on; let me show you some things that will set your mind a whirling. No one’s been able to decipher any of it. I think you’ll be the first.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the very top,” and she pointed skyward.

“Yuk.” It would be quite a hike up about a thousand stairs.

“Not to worry. I know a faster way. But . . . you have to answer another question.”

“Okay. Ask away?”

“What does it feel like to be in love?”

“Wow. You go straight to the heart of things . . . so to speak.”

“Well?”

“This might take all day. Why don’t we go up there and I’ll try to explain.”

Po smiled. “Wonderful. Here, take my hand,” and Jax’x did.

An instant later, there was a flash of light and both girls disappeared.

Chapter 8 – On Being a Friend

About a year later

She spent too much time in what Po had dubbed The Room of Doom. She preferred a more grandiose name like the Chamber of Enigmas, Conundrums and Perplexities.

Either name was appropriate since it was filled with so much science and engineering that it made her head spin with curiosity. Jax’x couldn’t have been happier.

And that made her more than a little sad.

The present was overwhelming the past. Jay’gar was well on his way to becoming a ghost of what was. She could hardly recall his face or his scent when she laid her head on his shoulder . . . or the taste of his lips.

Po had tried her best to get the young man into the Library but could not get past the force field erected by the Absolute. Likewise, she found she could not get Jax’x out. She wanted to cry for her friend but in truth, she didn’t understand the pain of unrequited love. Jax’x had tried her best to describe what being in love was like but it made no sense.

“I think I understand what you’re saying, but it’s just an intellectual exercise. I can’t feel the emotions.”

“Okay, let’s try this. What makes you the happiest? What makes you so happy that without it you would feel terrible?”

“That’s easy. You. Well, your friendship. The time we spend together.”

“Ahhh, thank you. How about before we met?”

Po answered immediately. “There was nothing . . . and nobody.”

“Something had to give you a sense of joy or happiness.”

“Well . .  . maybe one thing. I used to watch the citizens with their families or friends. It made me . . . I hate to say it because it seems so petty . . . I felt envious. Their lives seem so rich compared to mine.”

“Wow, you’re making me depressed. We simple folk always envy the Divine Ones. They seem to want for nothing.” She barked a laugh. “Duh, of course they want for nothing. All you have to do is think it and it appears out of thin air.”

“Things do. But not feelings.”

They lapsed into a reflective silence until Jax’x broached a subject that she hadn’t brought up in a long time. “Can you picture a different world?”

“What do you mean?”

“Say, for instance, where Divine Ones were allowed to marry ordinary citizens. And citizens would help rule this world. Those with your gift would use it only for the greater good and not for selfish gain.”

“Is that how you think of us . . . as selfish?”

“I could be flippant and just say yes. But having spent so much time with you, I’m beginning to think . . . or at least hope, that many of the Divine Ones are as sweet and selfless as you are.”

Po’s response was unexpected. “I’m terrified that I’ll be reassigned. I don’t want to lose you.”

“Why would you be reassigned?”

“Grassy Knoll is in charge of the Library for only a year which is just about up. Responsibility is about to shift to Forest Green. She’ll want to put her own person in as her representative. My Absolute doesn’t like that.”

“Well it’s unacceptable to me too. I’ll tell them I’ll quit if I don’t have you as my liaison.”

“What about Jay’gar? They’ll use him to force your cooperation.”

The air went out of Jax’x’s indignation balloon. “I guess you’re right. Can I let you in on a secret?”

“I’d be hurt if you didn’t.”

“At this moment . . . right this second . . . I would trade Jay’gar for you.”

“I know that’s a compliment. I’m just not sure how.”

“I haven’t seen Jay’gar in a year. It’s so difficult to keep romantic love alive after all that time. He’s becoming just a fond memory. On the other hand, you’re with me every day. Even though it’s a different kind of love, I would be devastated if I lost it.”

Po smiled sadly and gave her friend a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“So what can we do? I just can’t stand the thought of losing the both of you.”

The girl in red started to walk around the chamber deep in thought. Jax’x watched her with a small smile on her face. ‘Life is so strange’ she thought to herself. ‘No Jay’gar as a lover but a Divine One as a best friend. Beyond amazing.’

“I GOT IT,” shouted Po.

“Got what?”

“A solution to our problem.”

“I’m listening.”

“Sorry, I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

“Because if it doesn’t work . . ." but she choked on the rest of her sentence.

“Po, just knowing that you’re going to try . . . whatever it is . . . means a lot.”

“No.”

“No? No, what?”

“Trying is meaningless. Succeeding is the only thing that counts.”

“Hey, that’s not true.”

“For me it is. Anyway, I have to go and see my Absolute before it’s too late.”

“But . . .” but Jax’x was talking to an empty room.

*****

Divine Troglodytes

Located at the north end of the city was a mountain of very modest height. Mostly, it was a giant rock outcropping surrounded by a deep gorge. No citizens lived there . . . only Divine Ones.

Actually, that isn’t exactly accurate. The Divine Ones lived inside the mountain, not on it. It was called the Crypt. One had to pass over a long, narrow bridge to reach the opening of the cave system. Of course, if you were Divine, you could teleport to the entrance.

Oddly enough, and no one knew why, they could not teleport inside the bunker complex nor once inside, could they teleport out. They, like all Spell’ Bound citizens, had to enter and leave by the front door.

After Po left the Library, she teleported directly to the bunker complex and entered. Once inside, she made her way to the office of Grassy Knoll and waited until her Absolute would give her an audience. It took the better part of an hour.

“Mistress, I apologize for the interruption but I think I have a solution to your problem.”

The Absolute was only half listening to the young girl. “Which problem is that, Pond Ripple?”

“Losing your liaison in the Library.”

That got Grassy Knoll’s full attention. “How, pray tell?’

Po did as she was asked.

“Very good, Pond Ripple. Very good indeed. Implement your plan immediately and advise me when you are done. I will see to the force field.”

“As you wish.” Po turned around and left the office. She had to put her hand over her mouth to hide the big grin – something so out of place that it would bring unwanted attention from the other dour face Divine Ones.

*****

She knocked on the door and waited impatiently.

Taysen, who seemed to spend most of her time in the kitchen, shuffled over and opened it. Seeing a Divine One – the same one who had asked (actually told) her to talk to her grandson – gave her the vapors. She bowed her head respectfully and, with eyes cast down, managed to say “An honor, Divine One. How may I help you?”

Po was mortified. Such deferential treatment from a citizen had always been expected and, in the past, would have elicited indifference. Unless, of course, the deference wasn’t given.

Now, after a year with Jax’x, it made her ashamed. Taysen was a good person and deserved to be treated with dignity. Instead, she was made to feel subservient.

“Taysen, is your grandson home?”

Whoa, that was a shock to the old woman. A Divine One had called her by her given name. It gave her the courage to peer up at the young woman in red. “Yes, Divine One. I will summon him immediately.”

“No. No need. If you will allow me to enter your home, I will go to him?”

And that was shock number two and three. “Of course. Please,” and she moved aside so Po could enter.

The young woman took a moment to look around. What she saw was typical – quaint, inviting and clean. “You have a lovely home, Taysen,” she said sincerely.

And that was shock number four. “Thank you. Please, he’s in his workshop.”

They made their way down a long hall that ended at the doorway to Jay’gar’s workroom. Taysen knocked and said, “Jay’gar, there is a guest . . . I mean a Divine One here to see you.”

A moment later, the door swung open. “Tay-Tay, did you say . . . oh, I guess you did. Divine One, how may I be of service?” Like his grandmother, he was taken aback by the woman’s presence in his home.

“May we talk in private?”

To Jay’gar, it actually sounded like a question and not a polite way of ordering him to obey her wishes. “Of course. Would this room do?” and he pointed to his somewhat messy workshop.

“This is perfect.” She started to enter, then stopped and turned around. “Taysen, do not worry about this visit. I believe . . . well, I hope . . . it will bring joy to your grandson. After I leave, he is free to discuss any of this with you. I just ask that both of you keep the purpose of my visit to yourselves. May I have your word on that?”

“As you command, Divine One.”

“Taysen, I am not commanding . . . I am asking.”

The old woman looked at the girl in red . . . mouth hanging open and eyes wide. She could not find her voice.

“My grandmother and I will o . . . I mean, we will honor your request.”

*****

“May I sit?”

“I’m sorry . . . of course. Here let me get you a comfortable chair from the living room.”

“No. Thank you, no. This stool is fine.” She gently removed some gizmo that had found a home on top of it and placed the mechanism gently on the workbench . . . then sat down.

For the first time, she examined the young man in detail . . . and was pleased with what she saw. Why Jax’x was physically attracted to him was obvious. She almost wished he had a twin brother . . . then blushed at the thought.

Jay’gar waited patiently for his guest to speak. Normally being stared at by a Divine One should make a person squirm. For some reason, he knew she was studying him as any woman might a man. He couldn’t help but grin.

Seeing his face light up with a smile, Po found the young man even more appealing. Her first instinct was to challenge him for taking such a liberty then stopped herself just in time. Instead, she said, “Jax’x sends her love.” That wasn’t technically correct since Jax’x had no idea this meeting was happening.

Po’s words were like a slap in the face and Jay’gar’s grin disappeared immediately. “How is she? You haven’t hurt her, have you?” For a citizen to question a Divine One in such a way was almost unheard of. It took a bit of will power for Po not to react negatively . . . years of conditioning will do that to a person.

“She is well and no, she has not been injured . . . physically.”

“What does that mean . . . physically?” The young man was dancing close to the line of disrespect. Po didn’t want him to cross it . . . such behavior towards other Divine Ones would result in terrible punishment.

“Jay’gar, first, I am a Divine One. You must reign in your emotions.”

“I’m . . . I’m sorry. But tell me about Jax’x. Please. Is she . . . “

Po raised a hand to stop him. “Patience. You should know that I work with Jax’x every day. And we have become friends.” Oh, how she liked the sound of that.

“Friends?”

“Strange, I know. But it’s true. That’s why I’m here. How would you like to see Jax’x?”

“Today? Really? Oh, please.”

“Not just today . . . but every day?”

“I don’t understand. Is her time as Librarian ended?”

“No. She is doing amazing work.”

“Then I really don’t understand?”

“My Absolute has a problem . . . more importantly so does my friend. I came up with a plan to help both of them.” She paused then added, “To be completely honest, I also had a problem. My solution fixes all three.”

“Okay . . . if you say so. How do I fit into all this?”

“You are the solution.”

“Jax’x always told me that I was the smartest man she ever knew. Right now, I’m feeling mostly stupid.”

Po laughed good-naturedly at the young man. “Since Jax’x is the smartest woman I know, I’m pretty sure you aren’t stupid.”

Jay’gar shook his head for any number of reasons. “With all due respect, Divine One, you are not anything like the others.”

The girl exhaled loudly. “You are so very right about that. Your . . . your lover has changed me forever. Hopefully for the better.”

“You’re polite, you laugh, you don’t act superior . . . speaking for every citizen on this world, you are wonderful.”

Po nodded her head and said, “Thank you, kind sir.”

Jay’gar just shook his head again.

“Anyway, I won’t tell you what my Absolute’s problem is – that would be wrong. But my problem is that in the near future I will be reassigned from the Library and then I will have no opportunity to be with my friend.”

“I see. And Jax’x’s problem . . . I’m really, really hoping it’s that she’s missing me.”

Another warm laugh. “Quite right.”

“So . . . let me guess . . . once you are relieved of your duties at the Library, you’ll be assigned to me. To be my escort since I live in your district. And you will escort me each day to see the love of my life. You will also have to supervise the visit so nothing inopportune happens. You want everyone to believe that if Jax’x doesn’t get to see me, she won’t be as effective as the Librarian. Am I close?”

“No.”

“I’m not?” he replied disappointed.

“No, you weren’t close. You were spot on,” and she laughed.

Jay’gar stared at the woman in red. “Divine One, I like you.”

“And any friend of Jax’x is a friend of mine. Oh, when we’re alone, please don’t call me Divine One.”

“Really? How should I address you?”

“As Po.”

*****

The Library

They materialized outside the Room of Doom. The teleport was the first time for Jay’gar. “That was nothing like I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“Not sure . . . I guess I assumed there would be some sensation of moving or something.”

Po didn’t really care. She was way more anxious to see the look on Jax’x’s face when she saw Jay’gar. “She spends most of the time in here,” and pointed at the door.

“What is this room?”

“It’s where we keep all the artifacts. I call it the Room of Doom.”

Jay’gar made a face. “Can’t believe Jax’x would approve.”

Po smiled. “She calls it the Chamber of Enigmas, Conundrums and Perplexities.”

“Yeah, that’s my girl.”

“Well, you are driving me crazy . . . aren’t you going to go in?” She didn’t understand why he seemed to be dawdling.

He took out a small box from his pocket, then smoothed his hair with his free hand. “Of course. I . . . I . . . well, how do I look?”

“You look very handsome. You’re not nervous, are you?”

“It’s been almost a year. I haven’t seen her, talked to her, held her, kissed her . . .”

“I get it,” she interrupted before it got a little too personal. “It’ll be fine, trust me. Can I ask what’s in the box?” She was curious what kind of gift a man gave the woman he loved.

“It’s a pendant I found. Must have belonged to my mother . . . it was hidden in her old bedroom.”

“Why would she hide it?”

“No idea. Do you want to take a look?” and he held out the box.

“Thank you, no. Give it to Jax’x. If she wants me to see it, she’ll show me.”

“Okay. Here I go,” but he didn’t. He turned to Po and said “thank you.”

Impulsively she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Go.”

And he did.

Chapter 9 – Amber Heart the Necklace

Over the next nine months

Jax’x stood there looking at her two closest friends. Around her neck was the pendant Jay’gar had given her. It was beautiful . . . even more so when he first put it around her neck. It did the strangest thing . . . it began to glow. Only when she took it off did it return to its natural state.

The reason she was staring at the other two was because they had a problem. His name was Snow Flake.

If ever a person was misnamed, he most certainly was. Well over six feet tall, ugly as yellow snow, he was as grumpy and surly as they came. If he spoke at all, it was only to growl a question or bark his displeasure. Behind his back, the other three called him Mum the Glum. When they were particularly giddy, they’d call him Mummy.

He was the Divine One that had replaced Po as liaison to the Absolute, Forest Green, who was now in charge of the Library. Besides his grating personality, his very presence hindered the other three in their pursuits.

Jax’x and Jay’gar were almost never left alone to . . . um . . . to tend to their personal relationship. Well, maybe they were . . . but it was never as long a time as they would have wanted.

Jax’x and Po (with Jay’gar present) could not show their friendship and gossip, giggle and sometimes grapple with weighty issues of morality and politics.

And Jax’x couldn’t share her amazing discoveries with Jay’gar whose love of all things incomprehensible matched her own. Such a transgression would be severely punished . . . meted out to both parties.

What to do, what to do.

Jay’gar eventually suggested a solution. “Food and wine, of course.”

“I’ll need a little more meat on that bone,” joked Po.

Jax’x smiled at her friend. “You are too funny.”

“I know.” Jay’gar’s hand snaked out and playfully ruffled the girl’s hair. When they were alone, Po took the opportunity to pull off her hood. It was something never done in public. Never. “Hey . . .” cried the girl and an instant later Jay’gar was dangling three feet in the air . . . suspended by a thought.

“I give,” he yelped, all the while flailing his arms.

“Should I let him down?”

“Yes . . . but only after he finishes his plan for Mummy. If it’s a stupid one, flip him over on his head.”

“Come on, you two. That’s not fair.”

“Does he always whine like this?” teased Po.

“Actually, if I refuse to kiss him, he’ll sometimes cry like a baby.”

“I never did. Don’t listen to her Po, she’s . . .” but he didn’t finish. He started to spin like a top. “Heeeeeeyyyyyyy”.

“Never contradict my friend . . . you fiend,” but she stopped his spinning.

“I think I’m going to vomit.”

“If you do, I’ll get Snow Flake to kiss you the next time you’re feeling amorous.”

“Now I’m really going to vomit.”

The two girls looked at each other and nodded. It was enough silliness and they really did need a plan. Po released her prey . . . and he fell the three feet to the ground.

“Ouch.”

“Oh, be a man.”

Jay’gar smiled and turned to his love. “With your permission?”

“Granted.”

He then walked up to Po and gave her a big hug. “I am so glad you’re our friend. You are the best.”

Po returned the hug with equal enthusiasm. “I love you guys.”

“Okay, enough silly sentimentality,” cried Jax’x in mock revulsion. “I want to see some air between you two.”

Without releasing her, Jay’gar asked Po, “Did you hear something?”

“Nope. Not me. Not a word.” But they disentangled anyway.

“So start again. Food and wine?”

“What is the best way for a woman to get a man to fall asleep?” he asked the two girls.

“Talk about clothes?” suggested Po.

“Talk about anything,” chimed Jax’x.

“Yes and yes. However, give a big man like Mummy an even bigger meal and lots of wine to wash it down, and before you know it he’ll be fast asleep.”

“You do know he’s a Divine One, don’t you?” asked Po mischievously.

“Of course, I do.”

“Then you must know he can create as much food and wine as he wants with a thought.”

“Um . . .”

“Men!” exclaimed Jax’x, pretending disgust.

“What could you possibly see in him?” asked Po playing along. “Maybe he’s cute in a certain light, and I’ll grant you his smile is at least adequate. But he’s as dumb as a sack of . . .”

“Okay, okay. Enough, you two. I didn’t think it through. At least I tried.”

“I have a better idea.”

“Jax’x, any idea is a better idea,” replied the other girl trying hard not to laugh.

“How about you create a duplicate of me.”

“What?”

“Like a hologram. He’ll think it’s me, reading book after book, and he’ll just sit in that big chair he created and try not to fall asleep. Meanwhile, the three of us can continue researching the stuff in the Chamber.”

“Can you really do that, Po?”

“I’ve never tried but, I’ve seen others do it. Jax’x, don’t you need to do more reading. You spend so much time with the artifacts.”

“Actually, I do a lot of reading at night.  I’m working on something right now that is beyond belief. Before you ask, let me finish my research.”

“Fair enough. So, let me craft a hologram.”

*****

Some weeks later

She was alone – Po, Jay’gar and even Snow Flake had gone for the day. She had finished her dinner and, as was her routine, changed out of her ceremonial robes of office into a much more comfortable nightdress.

Earlier in the day, she had stumbled across some very ancient, leather-bound volumes and had put them on her nightstand to peruse after dinner.

With a cup of warm milk and honey, she entered her bedroom, turned down the covers and climbed in. It took her a minute or so to fluff and position the pillows just so. Finally comfortable, she sipped her beverage, and then picked up the first book.

It was called “A Treatises of Super Colloidal Crystals with Electromagnetic Amplification and Stimulation Properties.” Why anyone would think a book with that title could be interesting or even intelligible is beyond knowing. For some unfathomable reason, it tickled Jax’x’s intellectual curiosity

Even so, she found most of it far beyond her understanding. But, a couple of entries piqued her interest.

The first one was . . .

Irkstone - a multi-colored, crystalline structure whose jet-black interior is in the shape of a hexagon. Extraterrestrial in origin. Unusual ability to collect, concentrate and amplify certain brain waves. Characteristics are similar to, but not as pronounced, as the amber heart.

The second one was . . .

Amber Heart - a pale orange, sometimes reddish or brownish, crystalline structure with extraterrestrial origins. Unusual ability to collect, concentrate and amplify certain brain waves. Characteristics are similar to Irkstone but far more pronounced.

Without thinking, her hand went to her chest and found the pendant Jay’gar had given her. It was the same stone.

She scanned the remainder of the book but found no more references to these two crystals. Slapping it closed, she dropped it on the floor heedless of its ancient and delicate condition.

Her mind began to whirl through all the implications of what she had read.

All Divine Ones wore the Irkstone-adorned ring. It was supposed to be their badge of office. Rumor had it that once donned, it could not be taken off. She would have to ask Po about that.

The book said the inside of the crystal was hexagon in shape. All Divine Ones carried the mark of the Hex. Ordinary citizens carried only an X.

She, Jax’x, carried neither. Her mark was a heart.  Could it be related to the Amber Heart?

This city, the last one to survive the Great War, was named Amber Heart. That couldn’t be a coincidence.

What did it all mean?

She needed to find out.

A Week Later

Po and Jay’gar materialized inside the Chamber . . . bypassing Mum the Glum and the Jax’x electromagnetic avatar. The Librarian was at her workbench so engrossed with something that she didn’t hear the others arrive.

“Morning.”

“WHAT?” yelped Jax’x, startled out of her reverie.

“Sorry, love. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

The girl smiled. “Give me a kiss and I’ll forgive you.”

“As you command,” and the gallant young man did as he was told.

“Don’t you two get tired of that?”

“Of what? Kissing? Don’t be silly,” replied her friend.

“Come on Po . . . look at these lips,” and Jay’gar pointed to his own. “How could any girl get tired of kissing these?”

Ignoring the young man, Po asked her friend, “Are all men as self-centered and egotistical as this one?”

“You know, I’m not sure. I think you and I should do a scientific study to determine the answer. Why don’t you bring a different young man every day for the next . . . oh, say, three months, and we’ll study them close up.”

Jay’gar started to smile . . . then stopped. The other two seemed to be deep in thought, presumably considering the idea. “Don’t even think it.”

“Sorry, you talking to me?”

“Jax’x”.

“Just teasing.”

“Really?” said Po disappointedly.

“We’ll talk later,” and Jax’x gave her friend a wink. “Anyway, I have a couple things to show you. Ziz . . . come.”

A moment later, a mechanical bird that had been sitting high on a windowsill came gliding down and landed on Jax’x’s outstretched hand.

“What is that?”

“It’s pretty amazing isn’t it?”

“May I see?” asked her ever-curious lover.

He examined it closely with undisguised zeal. “The workmanship is exquisite. Have you discovered what it does?”

Jax’x smiled broadly. “He’s my new pet dragonetta. I call him Ziz.”

“What’s a dragonetta? And why Ziz?” asked Po.

“We’ve all read stories about mythical creatures called dragons. But they’re supposed to be big and fearsome. Since Ziz isn’t big . . . and since he looks so cute . . . I decided to create a new species called little dragons – hence the word dragonetta.”

Po clapped her hands enthusiastically. “That’s perfect. I love it. But why Ziz?”

“It’s the sound his gears make when it flaps its wings to fly.”

“Cute.”

Jay’gar was a man and adorable and endearing names were not quite as interesting to him. “But what does it do?”

“So far I can make him fly anywhere I want. But I think it can do much, much more. I just haven’t had time to find out what. In the meantime, he’ll sit in the corner and keep an eye on me.”

Jay’gar barked a laugh. “So you taught it to stare. Impressive.” He was teasing, of course, but his love was just a tad annoyed.

“Ziz, peck his head.”

“What?” asked Jay’gar just before he was dive-bombed by the mechanical beastie. “Hey, watch it. Ouch. He pulled my hair.”

Ziz returned to Jax’x’s outstretched hand and deposited a few strands of hair. “Thank you, Ziz. Back to your perch.”

The silly thing did as it was told.

“You’re mean.”

“And you’re a big baby.”

“I have an Ouchy – aren’t you going to kiss it and make it better?”

Po always found these exchanges endearing. She loved that they shared these little intimate moments with her. But, she was also sad that she could only watch.

“Po, do me a favor and kiss his head. He’ll complain relentlessly until one of us does.” Remember, Jax’x had great empathy for the feelings of others.

“Me?”

“I know it’s asking a lot, but . . .” and Jax’x shrugged.

Pretending to be distressed and put-out by the request, she answered, “I’ll do it just this once. But you owe me big time.” She forced herself not to run over to the young man. She went on tippy toes and gave him a quick peck. “Better?”

“A little. Maybe just one or two more.”

Instead, she punched him playfully on his arm.

“You spend way too much time with her. You’re getting mean, too.”

“Enough,” cried Jax’x who was impatient to share with her friends what else she had discovered. “I want to show you something else. I found two other artifacts that the log shows as inoperable. Apparently neither my predecessor nor hers could get them to work.”

“But you did?”

“Jay’gar, you sound surprised.” Jax’x was a teensy bit offended.

“No, silly. ‘But you did’ was a statement of fact not a question. You’re a genius . . . almost as smart as me.”

“Excuse me while I vomit,” chimed in Po.

“Remember Jax’x’s rule, you vomit, Snow Flake kisses you.”

“You know, the only man I ever kissed was you. And that was on your cheek and the top of your head. I think it’s about time I kissed a real man. Where is Snow Flake now?”

“You’re kidding?”

“Maybe,” came the coy reply.

“Jay’gar, just kiss her so she’ll know that she’s not missing anything.”

“My lips are only for you, dear love. No offense, Po.”

“Shouldn’t you kiss him when he says something sweet like that?” asked the Divine One. She actually wasn’t teasing. She wanted to know how lovers were supposed to react . . . just in case she ever found someone for herself.

“She’s right . . . I deserve a kiss.”

“You two are incorrigible. Come on; let me show you some amazing stuff.”

Jay’gar turned to Po. “Can you believe her? She'd rather play with these silly gizmos then to kiss me. I’m just so cute, how can she resist?”

Po giggled. “Maybe you’re not as cute as you think.”

“You mean I’m cuter?”

Jax’x exhaled loudly. “Po, just say yes so he’ll shut up.”

“Yes.”

“I knew it.”

“Look at this right now or I’ll ask Mum to throw your guys out,” and Jax’x held up a pair of goggles.

Resignedly, Jay’gar dutifully inspected them. “Can I try them on?”

“Please.”

He pulled them over his eyes. “Nothing.”

“Just concentrate. You can make them magnify as much as you want. Or, you can turn on the infrared circuit and see heat. That’s great if you’re tracking an animal. If I turn out the lights, you can even see in the dark.”

“I got nothing here.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m not seeing anything that you’re not. No magnification, no heat, no nothing.”

“Take them off and let me see.”

He did and Jax’x put them on. “They work perfectly . . . I don’t understand.”

“What else you got?”

Jax’x continued to examine the goggles. “They work for me,” she said to no one in particular.

“Love, what else?”

“Um . . . oh, this crossbow.”

“What about it?”

“You can’t miss. Just think about the object you want to hit, and presto, it will. Let me show you.” She loaded the device, pointed her finger at a small shadow on the far wall to indicate her target, turned the crossbow so it was facing straight up and pulled the trigger. The small arrow shot out, made a midair course correction and landed dead center in the spot.

“Wow. Give it here so I can try.” He repeated the process . . . but this time the arrow went straight up without making the course correction. It hit the ceiling with a thud.

Jax’x shook her head in confusion. “That can’t be right.”

“So why won’t it work for me?”

“I’m not sure,” but an idea was beginning to form in her mind.

“Let me try.”

“You’re a Divine One so it won’t tell us anything.” That reminded her of a question she wanted answered.  She hesitated then asked “Po, what happens if you remove your ring?”

“I can’t remove it. Once it’s placed on your hand, it’s there forever. Besides, taking it off doesn’t mean I’m no longer Divine.” She was surprised that she felt a irritation with her friend for even thinking it.

“No offense . . . but how do you know?”

Po was about to scoff at the idea . . . then stopped. Jax’x had asked a valid question and she really had no answer.

Chapter 10 – Jax’x of Heart

Months later

She had almost abandoned her work in the Room of Doom to concentrate on researching her theories on the Divine Ones and on the Amber Heart. As her ideas began to coalesce into a viable explanation of all the things that had been bothering her, she decided that sharing that information with Po and Jay’gar was probably putting them at needless risk.

But she needed Po’s help on one part of her hypothesis. So the next time they met she asked her friend, “If I wanted you to make a pair of these goggles – could you?” It was the same pair that Jay’gar had tried on.

“I don’t see why not.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

“You want me to conjure up a pair right now?”

“Please.”

“Alright,” and a moment later there was a flash of light and in her hand was an identical looking pair of goggles.

“May I see them?” and Jax’x held out her hand.

“Sure.”

Jax’x gave them a cursory glance then put them on her head and over her eyes. “Nothing.”

“What do you mean nothing?” asked Jay’gar.

“They’re just goggles. No magnification, no infrared. Just goggles.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“No, Po. I want goggles just like mine. Same functionality. Can you do that?”

“Um . . .” and her eyes glazed over. A flash of light and another pair materialized. “Here”.

Jax’x went through the same exercise . . . with better results. “Perfect. Now I want you to create anti-gravity boots. Um . . . size eight.”

“What are anti-gravity boots?”

“Boots that cancel out gravity for the person wearing them.”

“I never heard of such a thing.”

“That’s because they don’t exist. From my research, they never existed.”

“This is some kind of test, isn’t it?”

“It is. Anyway, can you create a pair?”

“Well, let me try.” And she did . . . try. But nothing. The best she could do was to conjure up your normal, everyday, garden-variety boots. Size eights, of course.

“Just as I thought.”

“Jax’x, tell us what you’re up to,” asked a curious Jay’gar.

“I’m working on a couple of theories. One of which I think we just proved.”

“What did we just prove?”

Jax’x was loath to answer and even more reluctant to lie to the two people she held most dear. “Give me a little more time. I have a few puzzle pieces to intuit. Then, I promise, I’ll tell you both.” But after a brief pause, she added a caveat. “However, if I think the information will put either of you at risk . . .” she left the thought hanging, unfinished.

“The Divine Ones aren’t going to like it . . . this theory of yours?”

“No, Po, they won’t. In fact, all of our lives could be in danger.”

“Why?”

“If I’m right, they will . . . eliminate . . . the three of us to keep the information from getting out.”

“Well, that’s depressing.”

*****

She was so busy with her research that she asked Po and Jay’gar not to come so often.

“That’s not a good idea,” replied Po. “It will raise suspicions.”

“It will be more suspicious if I’m so busy delving into these books and scrolls that I completely ignore you both. What would be ideal is to have you two up in the Room of Doom. I could use Jay’gar’s help with some of my research.”

“Mum would never abide us doing that.”

“Let me ask you a question. Could you duplicate Ziz, the goggles and the crossbow exactly?”

“You know I can. I already did the goggles.”

“I mean back at Jay’gar’s workshop.”

“Why?” asked her lover.

“I want you to take them apart and . .  . um . . .  catalog every piece.”

“You are a terrible liar.”

Po raised her eyebrows in shock. “Jay’gar, that’s rude.”

“He’s right, Po.”

“Really? What was the lie?”

Jay’gar answered for his girl. “There’s something she’s looking for in those devices but she’s afraid to tell us what it is. She’s afraid it could get us into trouble.”

Po was impressed. “Is he right?”

Before Jax’x could answer, Jay’gar put his hand over his heart and cried, “Woman, you hurt me to the quick. How dare you doubt my brilliance?”

Po giggled. “Jax’x, I could make him disappear, if you want.”

“Actually, I do. Take him back to his workshop and create those three devices. And Jay’gar, be thorough. This is really important.” She hesitated then added, “When you’re done, have Po destroy all the parts.”

The other two were surprised at Jax’x’s seriousness. “Give my friend a goodbye kiss, you cad.” To Jax’x she said, “We’ll work all night if we have to.”

*****

They materialized in Jay’gar’s workshop. He lit all the torches on the wall then cleared his workbench. “Okay, I’m ready if you are.”

“Which one first?”

“Let’s start easy with the goggles.” A flash of light later, they materialized on the workbench. Jay’gar picked up the device and began to inspect it absentmindedly. “I would really love to know how you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Conjure this up . . . or teleport us.”

“It’s magic, of course,” she replied.

“Po, I don’t believe in magic.”

“What are you talking about? You’re holding proof of it in your hands.”

“I’m holding proof of something but . . .”

“But what?”

“I like to think I’m a scientist of sorts and an engineer. The idea of magic doesn’t fit with either of those.”

“Sorry, I don’t know how to respond.”

“It’s okay. Besides, we have work to do. Here, hold this while I pry off the lenses.”

Po took hold . . . and her fingers brushed against her friends. She blushed at the feel.

“You okay?”

Rats, he had noticed. “I’m fine.”

So they began to disassemble the goggles. About halfway through the process, Po asked, “Jay’gar, do you think I’m pretty?” It took an enormous effort to get those words out . . . and she forced herself not to make eye contact. She hoped he couldn’t hear her heart pounding like the proverbial drum.

In the time they had been together . . . even though it was always in the presence of Jax’x . . . their feeling for one another had grown. Though neither of them would ever do anything to hurt their friend, the attraction was very real.

“Po, if I wasn’t in love with Jax’x, I would be in love with you.”

“Oh.”

“Sorry if that offended you.”

Po took the remains of the goggles and set it on the table. “If you weren’t in love with my best friend, I would be in love with you.” Then she started to cry and walk away.

Jay’gar grabbed her, spun her around and put his arms around her. “Why are you crying?”

“Because the first time I fall in love is with someone I can’t have. I can never have. And worst, how will I ever find anyone as wonderful, as handsome as you?”

Jay’gar smiled. “Well, obviously you can’t. I’m pretty much one of a kind.” He wiped away her tears as he said it.

Po looked up at his handsome face and infectious smile and burst into giggles. “You are such a goof.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He kissed her on her forehead, lingering for longer than was necessary. “Shall we get back to work?”

“If you can ever take your hands off of me, you amorously shameless beast.” But she smiled warmly then kissed his cheek in turn.

They finished with the goggles then the crossbow and arrows.

Finally, they began to work on Ziz. By the time they had the bird’s head disassembled and cataloged, they were very tired. “I need to sleep.”

Po agreed. “I’ll get rid of all the loose parts,” and a thought later they were gone. “We’ll save the rest of the bird for tomorrow.”

“Agreed.”

“Okay then, I’ll be going. Good night, Jay’gar.”

“Wait,” and he walked up and gave her a chaste kiss . . . on her lips. “Jax’x would be furious if I forgot to do that.”

“Oh.” A moment later, she returned the kiss. “I would hate for her to be mad at me too.” She smiled and in a flash was gone.

Jay’gar exhaled as he sorted out his emotions. Putting out the torches, he left his workshop.

About five minutes after he left, the individual who had been watching through the window pried it opened and entered. He scooped up the remains of Ziz, stopped to listen that no one had heard, and then left the same way he had entered.

It was Kr’eep . . . and he was smiling . . . an expression that looked strangely out of place on his face.

*****

The Next Morning

Po materialized outside of the house and knocked. Seconds later, Jay’gar opened the door . . . his face looking very grim.

“What’s wrong? You’re not upset about last night?” She was terrified that their moment of intimacy would make him feel guilty and cause a rift in their friendship.

“It’s gone.”

“What’s gone?”

“The rest of Ziz.”

It took her a moment to understand what he was referring to. “Oh, the bird. Are you sure?”

“I left it on the work bench last night. This morning it’s not there.”

“Do you think it was that disturbing friend of yours? What’s his name?”

“It’s Kr’eep. He’s not a friend . . . and yes, I think it was him. I went to his house but he’s not there. No one knows where he is.”

“Why would he steal a mechanical bird with no head?”

“He’s always been jealous of my inventions and he wants something that he knows he can never have . . . Jax’x. So whatever the reason, you can bet it’s for no good. Come on, let’s get to the library.”

“Sure.”

“By the way . . . I’m not upset about last night. Just the opposite,” and he squeezed her hand.

“Thank you,” she replied with great relief and not a little joy. She wanted so badly to give him a kiss . . .  a proper kiss . . . but that could never happen. “Let’s go.”

*****

Jax’x didn’t know how to respond to the loss of the bird and, at the moment, was so distracted with the information she had uncovered, that she didn’t care. Whatever Kr’eep had in mind, she was sure Jay’gar could take care of it.

“Listen, I’ve completed my research. I just need your list of parts from those three artifacts to confirm the last part.”

He handed over the inventory. “Don’t forget, we only did the bird’s head.”

“That’s okay. It’s where I expect it to be anyway.”

“Expect what to be?” asked Po.

“Hang on while I scan this.” It only took her a few seconds. “Exactly what I thought.”

“Come on, Jax’x. Spill it,” demanded Jay’gar.

“There is a tiny amber heart in all three.”

“What are you talking about?”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she walked over to a table and dug around until she found what she was looking for. “Come take a look.”

“What is it?”

“A very old scroll. Most of it is long gone. But what remains is incredible. Here, read it for yourselves.”

However, she was so impatient for their reaction that she read it out loud. “And the rift between Hearts and Hexes began to grow. At first, it was a competition between brothers, and then it was a rivalry between adversaries. Eventually, it was war between enemies.” When she finished she asked, “Do you know what this means?”

“Is this supposed to be an account of history . . . or is it from a story?”

“It’s historical fact despite how poetic it sounds.”

“Are you ready to tell us what you think you’ve discovered?” asked Po whose curiosity was about to spill over.

“Yes. But I want to give you a demonstration first. Jay’gar, take the cross bow and shoot an arrow up to the ceiling.”

“Why?”

“Please, just do it.” Then she called up to her metallic pet. “Ziz, fly around the room. Okay, shoot the arrow.” Her lover did as he was told.

The projectile went up but before it hit the ceiling, it veered and headed straight towards Ziz. At the last second, instead of impaling the critter, the bird looped over and caught it in his beak.

“Ziz, bring it here,” and it did.

“How did you do that?” asked Po in wonder.

“I’m an Amber Heart . . . and probably the last of my kind.”

*****

For the next three hours Jax’x told them what she had unearthed, then spun it all together into a coherent, if unbelievable, tale of Spell ‘Bound’s history. She answered question after question, logically refuted any criticism of her assumptions and conclusions, and in the end converted her two friends into believers.

“I’m not surprised that Jay’gar accepts my theory . . . but Po, winning you over is a surprise.”

“Thank him for that. Last night . . .” and she hesitated for a second because she was beginning to blush at the memory . . . “Jay’gar told me he didn’t believe that what I do, what the Divine Ones do, is magic. I wanted to argue with him . . . but I found that I couldn’t. Well, I could but it would have been an emotional argument.”

Just like last night, Po’s blush didn’t go unseen. Jax’x had long ago sensed Po’s attraction to her man and wasn’t surprised that he felt the same way . . . at least to some extent. It was a prejudice that she would freely admit to . . . stroke a man’s ego and he’ll respond. To be fair, his feelings were probably honest.

Oddly enough, she wasn’t jealous. She trusted Jay’gar explicitly. As for Po, the girl would never do anything to jeopardize their friendship. So, unless they wanted to talk about it, she would not bring up the subject.

“So the question is what’s next?” asked Jay’gar.

“That’s entirely up to Po.”

“Up to me? Why?”

“Because if we are successful in turning off the M.A.G.E.K. machine, you’ll lose your powers.”

“Oh. Right.”

The other two waited in silence . . . giving their friend a chance to consider the implications to her, to this world.

“I want to say yes, turn it off. But . . .” She sighed then hung her head, ashamed to make eye contact. “I know I’m letting you down. That you must think me selfish.”

“Pond Ripple . . .”

The use of her full name startled the girl. She looked up at Jax’x, eyes wide. “Yes?”

“You can never disappoint me or Jay’gar. What we’re asking you to do is unfair. For that, I apologize. But, we have talked many an hour about how this world has evolved. The Divine Ones have everything, the rest barely survive. Having said that, you still need time to consider. This world has waited hundreds of years for change; it can wait a little longer.”

Jay’gar felt oblige to add, “Whatever you decide . . . it must come from your heart. Please don’t let your feelings for us . . . for me . . . persuade you into a choice that you feel is wrong. I will always love you, as I am sure Jax’x will, regardless of what happens.”

Po looked from one to another . . . and started to cry. Both her friends made a move to comfort her. But before they could, she vanished in a flash of light.

Chapter 11 - What a Kr’eep

He knew one thing for absolute certainty . . . he could never rat out a Divine One. He had no idea why this particular one had been helping that high-and-mighty Jay’gar, but she was.

If he got it wrong and made her angry, or any Divine One angry for that matter, he’d end up disappearing like Jay’gar’s parents. So, his best bet was to try and blackmail his neighbor. But he knew he couldn’t do that either. Jay’gar would beat him to a pulp. The big lummox could do it too.

That left one course of action. He’d take the mechanical bird thingy to a different Divine One. Hopefully it would get Jay’gar into trouble and get him a reward. With him out of the way, all of Jay’gar’s things, including Jax’x, would belong to “his truly”. At least that’s what he would ask for.

As you might suspect, Kr’eep was neither intelligent nor completely sane. He was envious of someone who he could never be. Finally, after years of watching his neighbor’s continuing success, he had a chance to set things to right . . . to finally outsmart Jay’gar.

And now, he was standing in front of a one of the most powerful Divine Ones in the city named Forest Green. His legs were shaking so badly he found it difficult to stand. He would have been hyperventilating from fear but found he had forgotten how to breathe.

To his credit, despite his motivation, it was easily the bravest thing he had ever done in his life.

He had fallen to his knees as was proper but had been asked (told?) to stand. His eyes were downcast, staring intently at his dirty shoes. He held a cloth bag in front of him.

“You have one minute. I pray that it will not be a waste of my time. That would displease me no end.” She said it softly all the while smiling politely. On the other hand, her eyes bore right through him.

“Um . . . that is . . . um, your Divineness . . . thank you for . . . um . . . seeing me.”

“Yes, yes. I am a good and kindly person. Now get on with it. You have already wasted twelve seconds.”

Since trying to tell a coherent story without biting off his tongue would be impossible, Kr’eep somewhat wisely emptied the contents of his bag on the Absolute’s desk then quickly took a step back.

If Forest Green was surprised, she did not show it. Instead, she examined the headless bird then asked simple questions of her guest to illicit straightforward responses.

When she was done, she asked “And why did you bring this to me?”

“I . . . I um . . . that is to say . . . I was hoping for a reward.”

“Of course you were. Please wait outside and another Divine One will . . . administer a just compensation for your efforts.”

The idiot’s face lit up with unmitigated joy and he began to mumble and stutter his thanks. Forest Green had no time or patience to spare this cretin. “OUT”. It pained her to raise her voice in anger. Kr’eep only tripped and fell twice in his effort to obey.

As he left, an assistant entered. “Send him to the mines.” It wasn’t the reward he deserved since it gave the Absolute what she wanted . . . a reason to keep Grassy Knoll’s spy out of the Library. But Kr’eep was a loathsome creature and the world was a better place without him. “Wait.” Citizens who spied on their own kind were rare and this . . . person . . . might have additional value. “Forget the mines. Take him home and do what you can to improve his living conditions. Within reason.”

As for Forest Green, her desire to outsmart her adversary was so intense that she never thought to ask herself why. Why were they working on an artifact outside the Library? Why was Pond Ripple helping them? Why this headless bird?

It was a fatal mistake.

*****

Jax’x and her two guests were in the main book chamber so the hologram was not in use. Snow Flake sat in his usual comfy chair, out of earshot, half watching the others. The other half of the time, his eyes were closed from the boredom of this assignment. The man had never read a book in his life and had no plans to change that.

It should be noted that just because you were a Divine One, it most certainly did not mean you were more intelligent than the general citizenry. It only meant that you controlled enormous power. The smart (and ruthless) ones knew what to do with that power. Ones like Mum the Glum did not.

Po was addressing her two friends. “I’m sorry for leaving like I did. It was just too much to absorb and I . . . I got scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Everything. Scared of the idea of giving up my powers, scared of losing your friendship, scared of the conflict that we’ll start. Well, you get the idea.”

“Does that mean you changed your mind?”

“Yes, Jax’x. I want to help. I just don’t see how we three can do that.”

“First, if Snow Flake wasn’t watching we would each give you a hug and a kiss.”

“Maybe two kisses,” added Jay’gar playfully.

“One kiss  . . . but you can place it on her lips,” countered Jax’x.

“Done.”

Po smiled. “You two are unbelievable. Here we are plotting a revolution and you’re discussing the number of kisses I’m to receive.”

“Kissing is an art form and needs to be taken seriously,” teased Jay’gar. “The number, location and duration are all critical factors to be considered.”

The word revolution caused Jax’x to turn somber. “Po’s right, let’s discuss our plan.”

“Do you have one?”

“Kind of. One of the facts I discovered was . . . and you won’t believe this . . . we use to be a space faring world. We actually met aliens out there.”

The other two just stared . . . dumbstruck.

Since they weren’t going to reply, Jax’x continued, “Up in the chamber I have two scrolls. One describes a communications device that we can build to monitor these other worlds to see which one might help us. The other can project . . . well, it can project Po’s powers.”

“What does that mean?”

“It will let you do what you Divine Ones do . . . but on another world.”

“Why?”

“Maybe it was a way to demonstrate the power of the Divine Ones . . . to scare off any would-be invaders. I’m not really sure.”

“So we’re going to try and find help.”

“Yes, you big dummy. I just said that.”

“No you . . .” but his sentence was interrupted by a flash of light.

And there stood Forest Green.

*****

All three conspirators bowed their heads simultaneously. Po looked up and addressed the visitor. “Absolute, how may we serve?” That was a fairly typical greeting amongst the Divine Ones . . . especially if you were addressing someone with greater power.

There was another flash of light and the remains of the headless Ziz appeared at her feet. “Tell me how you acquired this,” she said softly to Jay’gar.

Jay’gar thought furiously for a reasonable explanation. If he said he was helping Jax’x on her research, his love would get into serious trouble. If he said Po created it so he could study the engineering, she would get into trouble. So, in less than a heartbeat, he answered, “I stole it. I fancy myself an engineer and a scientist and I wanted to study the technology. It might be useful in my business endeavors.”

The other two girls knew he was trying to protect them, as did Forest Green. But his chivalrous answer was exactly what she had hoped to hear. Before she could respond, Jax’x blurted out, “That’s not true. He was helping me.”

Po could not stop herself and she added, “I recreated it for him to study. The responsibility is entirely mine.”

“Enough.” It’s amazing the power of a word softly spoken. The other three simply froze. “There is sufficient guilt to go around. Po, you will be confined to the Crypt for as long as it pleases me. You will go there at once, stopping at his home to remove any other evidence that may be there from the Library.”

Po gave her two friends a quick look . . . her eyes moist. She could not argue against an Absolute. Her time with them was over . . . perhaps forever.

Forest Green turned to Jax’x. “You will continue your duties. I will replace him (and she nodded towards Snow Flake who was gently snoring and oblivious to the goings on around him) with someone more diligent. Your punishment will be the loss of your lover.”

“I won’t  . . . “

“Silence. Disrespect will not be tolerated.” She turned to Jay’gar. “To insure Jax’x’s cooperation until, and if, she is relieved of her duties in this place, you will be placed in the Vault of Transitional Non-Being.”

Po’s eyes went wide. “No. Please, no.”

Alarmed by her friend’s reaction, Jax’x asked, “What is she talking about?”

But before Po could answer, Jay’gar was bathed in a flash of light, disappeared then reappeared inside . . .

A moment later, it faded away.

*****

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?” screamed Jax’x.

Ignoring the twin insults of questioning her actions and screaming, Forest Green replied in the same irritating quiet voice. “He is trapped in an inter-dimensional cell. He is no longer of this world, or any. Until I, and I alone, bring him back, he will neither exist nor not exist. You may think of him as both alive . . . and dead. His ultimate fate is in your hands.”

She turned to Po. “You may leave.”

The girl should have done as she was told immediately. Instead, she gave Jax’x a hug . . . and whispered, “I’ll get help.” Then she was gone.

******

Before materializing at Jay’gar’s workroom, Po went first to the Room of Doom. She found the two scrolls that Jax’x had mentioned and took them with her.

Next, she went to Jay’gar’s house. She knew there was nothing there either from the Library or from her own conjuring. But she needed to speak to Hay’gar.

She materialized outside the front door and knocked . . . with a little more urgency than she intended. Hay’gar opened it – ready to berate the noisy offender. “What . . . oh, sorry, Divine One. How may I help you?”

“May I come in?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t have much time.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand?”

“There is no easy way to say this . . . your grandson has been placed in . . . in custody. He is being used to keep Jax’x focused on her job.”

“Sorry, that makes no sense. They’ve allowed him to visit her every day. You, yourself, take him. His visits were to make her happy and therefore more productive. What’s changed?”

“Your grandson, Jax’x . . . and I were working on a plan to . . .” She hesitated because getting into all the details of Jax’x’s research, and what it implied, would take forever. Instead she said, “. . . to bring a greater equality to the Citizens of Spell ‘Bound. Unfortunately, an Absolute found out that we were up to something . . . though I think she came to the wrong conclusion. Regardless, I’ve been forbidden to enter the Library and, as I said, Jay’gar is being held captive to motivate Jax’x into cooperating.”

“Oh my poor grandson. This is terrible. Is he alright? You haven’t harmed him?” Only Po would have allowed such questions.

“As far as I know, he’s fine. Please, don’t ask me to explain because I can’t.”

“Can you at least tell my why you’re here? Why are you telling me this? Is there something I need to do to insure his safety because I’ll do anything? I will give you my life for his.”

He nearly had a heart attack when Po went over and gave him a hug. “Jay’gar and Jax’x are my friends and I intend to help them. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Hay’gar was intelligent . . . probably where his grandson got his smarts. “You are rebelling against the Absolute, aren’t you? Has that ever happened before?”

She ignored the question because she didn’t know the answer. “Like you, I will do everything possible to get him back safely. Hay’gar, I love him.”

Second heart attack. “You love him?”

“Please don’t get me wrong. I also love Jax’x and I would never do anything to hurt either one.”

“May . . . may I sit down?” The poor man was being overwhelmed.

“Of course,” and she pulled out a chair for him to sit on . . . then one for herself. “I need your help.”

“What can I do?”

“Jay’gar told me that you taught him a secret code – one that only you two know.”

Hay’gar smiled proudly. “I wanted to see if he could crack it. He was only twelve but he did it in less than a month.”

“Can you teach me? Tonight?”

“Well, of course. It’s really not that difficult. No one has a need for such a thing so no one is looking for it. It’s actually quite simple. I use recipes. For example, apple pie has only a few ingredients so the message will need to be short.”

“Then teach me now.”

“May I ask why?”

“I’m being placed under house arrest. I will need to get you a message.”

“I still don’t understand”

“I’m sending for help. If they come, you will have to act as my emissary. Can you do that? For Jay’gar?”

“I would die for my grandson.”

*****

She worked on the scrolls for weeks. Even with her powers, it still was trial and error. Once completed, she used the first device to scan the electromagnetic spectrum in an attempt to find extraterrestrial life. Assuming she found someone, she still had to determine if they were friendly, had spaceflight and would help. She had no idea how to accomplish that.

Then one day she discovered that a federation of planets, all with spaceflight, were abuzz with talk of a group of extraordinary girls.

They were called the Hameggattic Sisterhood.

Their leader had the unusual name of Egg – which she assumed meant something different than the edible shelled food they conjure on Spell’ Bound.

She learned of a leader called Rose’Alynnia whose daughter, M’egg-Alynnia, was queen of a world called Aerianna. She was also a member of this Sisterhood.

Po spent another full week to conceive of a plan. She revised it a thousand times but finally could think of nothing else to change. It was time. To simplify things, she would tell them that she was the Librarian, otherwise the story would get too confusing. And since she didn’t know these people and was afraid to trust them (old habits die hard), she would tell them that the Librarian was both a Divine One and a witch. Let them think she was incredibly powerful and they had no choice but to help.

She teleported the second device to the planet Peekaboo Prime and left it for Rose’Alynnia as a gift for her daughter, the Queen.

It worked. When M’egg-Alynnia opened it, Po took control of the girl’s mind.

She called for a meeting of the Sisterhood so she could talk directly to this Egg person. The conversation didn’t go quite as she planned.

After the Sisters gathered, she spoke through the Queen’s mouth. She had decided she needed to be like an Absolute . . . firm and demanding with as many threats as she could make.

“If you wish your Queen returned to normal, you will agree to my demands. Once you have accomplished the task that I assign, I will relinquish control of her mind.”

It didn’t take long for Egg to be Egg. “No.”

“What?”

“I said no.”

Book 2 of Nemesis – PO

©Copyright 2016, by Robert Iannone

All rights reserved (Book & Cover Illustration)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Ziz the Whiz

Chapter 2 – I am the Librarian

Chapter 3 – Meet, Greet Then Repeat

Chapter 4 – A Brief Debrief

Chapter 5 – That Bleep of a Kr’eep

Chapter 6 – The Spy Who Loved Me

Chapter 7 – Serendipity

Chapter 8 – Plan Within Plans

Chapter 9 – Point of No Return

Chapter 10 – Gone Girl

Epilogue

Underneath the celestial lair,

Lies a chamber that holds the sphere.

Suspended by a train of thought,

Perpetual motion stopped by naught.

Heart and Hex must combine as one,

Directed thru he - born with none.

Chapter 1 – Ziz the Whiz

She was devastated. Having no experience at negotiating, she had tried sounding strong and threatening - certain that it would intimidate them into agreeing to her demands. But it had achieved just the opposite results. Rejection.

But after initially being rebuffed in no uncertain terms, Po finally secured the help of the Hameggattic Sisters. They promised they would come to Spell’ Bound as quickly as they could. She ended her talk feeling very good about them . . . not all that dissimilar from her feelings for Jax’x. That was surprising and unexpected. Their leader, the girl called Egg, was someone she felt she could trust.

Having completed the task, she destroyed the evidence . . . using a thought to turn the two devices she had built into a small pile of dust.

She smiled for the first time in almost two months. Jax’x, would be so proud of her . . . of her success in finding help so quickly. She couldn’t wait to see her friend’s face when she presented Egg and her sisters.

Then she realized her mistake. “Oh no. Oh no,” she muttered in horror.

In all her nervousness, she had forgotten to tell the Sisters how to find her or Jax’x. Worse, they would go looking for the Librarian . . . and that would be disastrous.

Her feeling of triumph immediately dissolved only to be replaced with the humiliation of knowing she had been so incredibly stupid. She wanted to cry.

But she knew she didn’t have the time for self-pity. Thinking furiously, she needed a plan to make this right. Her thoughts immediately went to the man she dare not love, though she did – Jay’gar. Her feelings for him, if she could have been totally honest with herself, were the main reason (though most certainly not the only reason) she was helping Jax’x. He was being held prisoner in a Cell of Transitional Non-Being . . . a hellish device conceived and created by the Absolute – Forest Green.

She had heard of them but, until a few weeks ago, had never experienced one first hand. It was said that the poor souls locked inside would be conscious of their surroundings . . . serving their time in complete solitude with nothing to distract themselves except memories of their prior life. Apparently, no longer of this universe or any other (though Po had no idea what that meant) they would neither age nor require food, water or even air.

And, according to gossip, only the Absolute who created the device could recall it and set the prisoner free. How she and Jax’x would rescue Jay’gar was something she needed to figure out. Hopefully the Sisterhood could help. The stories that she had heard were pretty amazing. For instance, two of the sisters were said to be geniuses whose intelligence could not even be measured. One of the two was a sea serpent which, as best she could tell, was a large snake-like fish. The other was so severely injured in an accident during a selfless rescue mission that she was confined to a mobile chair.

Then she met all of them . . . seeing them through the eyes of the Queen M’egg-Alynnia. Though she knew conceptually what to expect from the stories she had heard, it was still shocking to see such aliens. The two dragons were fearsome to behold but not quite as ferocious as she thought they would be. Still, it was surprising they were part of this Sisterhood.  She had read children’s stories about such creatures . . . said to be big, brutal beasts. Intelligence was never one of the attributes used in describing them.

Just as strange were the two sea serpents. The really smart one seemed, to her untrained eye, to be a bit overweight. But, she really had no basis for that assessment.

The one she really was hoping to meet in person had beautiful, delicate wings. Po could teleport anywhere she needed to go, but the thought of flying seemed so . . . well, so romantic.

She shook her head to snap herself out of this time wasting reverie. It was obvious that she needed immediate help and that meant only one person . . . Hay’gar. The man had, at her request, taught her his secret code. She had to give herself some credit . . . anticipating the need for his possible assistance was very clever on her part. She was sure that Jax’x would complement her on such foresight.

She had to tell him to be on the lookout for strangers. However, she was almost certain that the Sisterhood wouldn’t send dragons and sea serpents . . . or girls with wings. They had to be clever enough to send people who could blend in with the inhabitants.

Unfortunately, if they blended in, how would Hay’gar recognize them? For that matter, what were the chances that he would even meet them?

The magnitude of her failure to arrange a proper rendezvous was driving her to desperation. She sat down and took a dozen or so deep breaths. What could she do? After all, she was a Divine One . . . though being so young, she wasn’t all that good at it.

Well, first things first. She composed a note to Hay’gar and buried the coded message into a recipe for star-weed soup. It told him to be alert for people that seemed out of place . . . as if they were new to this world. If he found them, keep them at his house then signal her with the communications device she was providing. She reminded Hay’gar that secrecy was paramount . . . for his grandson’s sake . . . and to use caution when calling her.

Okay, with that done, she now had to find a way to deliver both the recipe and the communications device. Like people (well, like Divine Ones), objects could not be teleported into or out of The Crypt. No one knew why. That left two possibilities . . . violate her confinement and step outside, or get someone to help her.

Of course there was a third way. Maybe she could get her Absolute to override Forest Green and let her at least resume her old duties at the Obelisk. The fact that she was still confined meant that Grassy Knoll was not inclined to release her . . . and that made Po very nervous.

So deep in thought, the girl at first didn’t hear the tapping at the small circular window (the only one in her room) high up the wall. As the sound grew louder, Po looked up and the shock on her face was immediately replaced with an ear-to-ear grin. It was Ziz, the mechanical bird-like creature that Jax’x kept for a pet.

She ran to the window and, using a cord attached to a pulley, opened it allowing the bird to fly in. It circled the room once – as if it was assuring itself they were alone – then settled down on Po’s desk.

Though she had no idea why it was here, she was glad to see the silly thing. “Hi, Ziz. You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Shockingly, the metal dragonetta responded. “Po, are you alright?”

“Jax’x?”

“Yes, it’s me,” and with that, Ziz’s eyes began to glow and two beams of light flashed out. Where the two met, an image began to appear . . .

“Sorry, the hologram isn’t as good as the one you created of yourself. I need to work on Ziz’s projector.” Amazingly, the voice came not from the bird but from the three-dimensional image of the Librarian.

Despite all that was going on, Po couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, that’s impressive.”

The ghostly image of Jax’x smiled warmly. “How can anything I do impress you – a Divine One?”

She was just teasing her friend, but Po took the question seriously. “I guess you’re right. But the thing is, I would never have imagined doing that . . . in which case I could never conjure it.”

Little did she realize that imagination was the only thing that separated an Absolute from those that weren’t. Jax’x, on the other hand, was beginning to understand just that. However, that was a topic for a future discussion.

“Have you made any progress in finding help?”

This time it was Po’s turn to smile . . . then frown. “Yes and no. I found a group of women . . . they call themselves the Hameggattic Sisterhood. They’re the talk on a hundred worlds. Apparently they are well known for their heroics in saving people. Saving worlds to be more exact.”

“Really? That sounds promising. Do you think we could hire them to help us?”

“They don’t do it for money. It’s said they do it just because they have the ability and they hate injustice. How wonderful is that?”

“It sounds like an organization that I would be proud to be part of. So how do we contact them?”

“I just did. They agreed to come to Spell ‘Bound and help us.”

Jax’x’s eyes went wide. “Oh, Po, that’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you. I wish I were there to give you a hug.”

The other girl broke eye contact and looked down at her feet. “Oh, Jax’x, I did something incredibly stupid. I forgot to tell them where to rendezvous with me. I’m sure they’ll go looking for the Librarian . . . and that will be disastrous.”

Jax’x fought the urge to frown . . . Po was obviously feeling awful about her mistake. “Start from the beginning. How did you make contact and what exactly was said?”

Po told her the story finishing with, “So they think I’m you and that I’m a witch and a Divine One. Calling you . . . I mean me a witch was simpler than trying to explain about Amber Hearts.”

“Well, I think that was very clever of you to make them believe you were so powerful. After all, we don’t really know these women.” She paused then asked, “What were they like?”

“First of all, for what it’s worth . . . I liked them. I think we can trust them. Um, physically, they were a little odd. Very alien.”

“In what way?” Jax’x was so intrigued with the idea of life on other planets. There was so much she could learn.

“This Egg and a few others look like us. But, two were dragons, two were sea serpents and one had wings.”

“NO.”

“Yes.”

“How interesting. I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Which brings us back to my mistake,” added Po forlornly.

“Po, stop being hard on yourself. You did amazingly well. I’ll say it again, I’m so very proud of you.”

“Oh, Jax’x, I miss you so much.” Then she felt she had to add “And Jay’gar.”

“We’ll get him back. I just know it.”

“Do you really think so?” Po asked hopefully.

“Of course I do. If I thought I had lost him forever . . . if we had lost him forever, I could never go on.”

“Me too.”

“Po . . .”

“Yes?”

“You’re not helping me just because of him, are you?”

The girl hesitated. Instead of answering, she asked, “Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m trying to start a revolution . . . to overthrow the rule of the Divine Ones. I need you to understand the magnitude of what you’re getting into. I need you to believe in what I’m doing. Jay’gar is important to both of us . . . but that can’t be your only motivation.”

“Why? What difference does it make?”

“Because even if we can’t get Jay’gar back, I intend to continue my rebellion. I need to know that you’ll be there for me . . . for the people of Spell ‘Bound. I need to know that, without hesitation, you’ll put their interest above those of your kind.”

Po’s response showed just how much she had considered what they were trying to accomplish. “To say that Jay’gar isn’t my primary motivation would be a lie. But I truly have come to the realization that something must change. When I went to see Taysen, she did what all of you do . . . humble yourself before a Divine One. I felt humiliated. She’s a good and decent person and doesn’t deserve to be treated like that. When one of my helpers irritated me with his boorish behavior, I sent him to the mines without a second thought. He deserved to be disciplined . . . but not punished in such a terrible way. I never lost a second of sleep over what I had done. Then, Forest Green put Jay’gar in the Cell . . . a punishment that he may have deserved if she knew what we were actually about. But she didn’t . . . it was just a convenient way to get the better of my Absolute.”

“Thank you. I think I understand your motivations better.”

“No. No you don’t. Not in the least.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know I love Jay’gar. He told me that he loved me too . . . but that you would always be his first love.”

“I know.”

“It terrifies me in a way that you can’t possibly understand.”

“That’s . . .” but Po cut her off.

“Jax’x, I could disfigure you with a thought. I can make you disappear forever. There is no limit to the evil I can rain down on you. And when I’m done, Jay’gar would only have me. Do you understand why that scares me?”

“Of course I do. You could let your feelings take control. You could be utterly selfish at my expense. But that’s not who you are.”

“You still don’t get it. I could wake up grumpy one morning and lash out at you from jealousy. In a moment of weakness I could do the unthinkable. No one should have that much power. It’s so very wrong. I love Jay’gar and will do anything to get him back . . . even if I can never have him. That motivation is so strong I can almost taste it. But, below that, and only a little less intense, is the feeling that we Divine Ones must be stopped. Well, if not stopped, be controlled in some way. I have no idea what that would mean. But, at the very least, the non-gifted need to be free of the everyday threat that we, the Divine Ones, pose.”

“Oh Po, I do love you. My life would be so much less without you in it.”

The girl forced a small smile. “So what do we two lovelorn girls do now?”

“First, we need to get your message and the communication’s device to Hay’gar. On Ziz’s back you’ll see a latch. Press it and a small lid will pop up. You can place both items in there. Be sure the communicator has the same frequency as the one you gave me.”

“Your dragonetta is getting to be a full member of our little revolution, isn’t he?”

“Wait till I show you what else he can do. But that can wait till later.”

Po created a communications device with a thought and put it and the recipe inside the mechanical bird. “Now what? How do I get the Sisters to make contact with Hay’gar?”

“You can far sense, can’t you?”

“Far sense?”

“Use your powers to scan the space above the planet. When the Sisterhood arrives they will go into orbit. My guess is that they will send down a smaller craft to land. When you sense this lander, use your power to mask the planet with a false landscape . . . one that would suggest to the pilot that the best place to land is in the northeast, outside of the city. The only passable road from there will take them by the market that Taysen frequents. That will give us the best chance of finding them. If that doesn’t work, I’ll send Ziz to scout for them.”

“Jax’x, I would never in a million years have thought of that. Then what?”

“Can you leave your room?”

“No. I’ll try to make an appointment with my Absolute. Maybe she will release me. But, the fact that she hasn’t yet, scares me.”

“Why?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she uses me as a bargaining chip in her little game of power.”

“Then don’t go see her. I’ll figure out a way to free you.”

“What about the Sisters?”

“Have Hay’gar keep them there. I’ll use Ziz to make contact and maybe we’ll be able to formulate our next move.”

“I hate being trapped in here. I won’t be able to help in any of this.”

“Not true. When I send Ziz, I want you to link your mind to his. Then we both can talk, and see, through him.”

“Jax’x, you make a better Divine One than I’ll ever be. My imagination is like a child’s compared to yours.”

“You’ll get the hang of it, I promise. In the meantime, just stay safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you. Losing Jay’gar has been horrible. Losing you, too, would be devastating.” With that, the image of the Librarian faded away. Ziz let out a mechanical squawk, took to the air and flew out the way he had entered.

Chapter 2 – I am the Librarian

About a week later

Hay’gar was in the kitchen listening to his wife describe the odd behavior of their two guests.

“I don’t think they are Divine Ones despite their red clothes.”

“Truly?”

“First, though they wear red . . . they’re not wearing the hood and cape of their kind. Second, they wanted directions to the Library, as if every Divine One doesn’t know that. Third, they act much too polite . . . saying please and offering to help an old woman. You need to find out who they really are.”

Hay’gar smiled in wonder. Had Po actually succeeded in bringing help? “My love, I need you to do me a favor.”

“Hay’gar, didn’t you hear what I just said?”

“I did. That’s why I need you to go visit one of your friends for a few hours.”

“What are you talking about, you foolish old man?”

“I can’t tell you. You’ll just have to trust me.”

“And leave you alone with two attractive women? Not likely.”

Hay’gar laughed . . . out of pure love. “Look at me. I’m old enough to be their great grandfather. Why would they have any interest in this rundown excuse for a man?”

His wife tried very hard not to smile. “I’m not worried about their interest in you. It’s your interest in them that worries me.”

“Ah. Good point,” he teased.

She punched him good-naturedly in the arm – then turned serious. “Why can’t you tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s for your own good . . . and Jay’gar’s.”

Taysen stared at the man she had been married to for more than a half century. “You’re not just saying that, are you? I couldn’t forgive you if you’re telling me a falsehood.”

He pulled her into an embrace and whispered, “I would never lie about my grandson. Now, you need to go. But . . . say nothing to anyone about our visitors. You must promise me.”

“For Jay’gar’s safety, my lips will speak of none of this. But what of Kr’eep? He met them.”

“I can’t undo that.” He kissed her gently on the cheek. “Go out the back door. You can return in two hours.”

“Will they be gone by then?”

“No. They will be our guests for a little while.”

“They can share Jay’gar’s room.” She started towards the door, but stopped and turned to her husband. “They are not from this world.” It wasn’t a question.

“They are his only hope. As far as you and I are concerned, they are from heaven.”

*****

Hay’gar reentered the living room and joined his two guests. He had to make sure that these young women were who he thought they were. It could be a trap set by the Divine Ones. Until he was sure, he didn’t want to contact Po.

“My apologies, honored guests, but my wife ran out of some ingredient that she swears is absolutely required for the meal. As you well know, at this hour there is no one at the Obelisk to assist her. So, as desperate as she is to provide you with a modest feast you will relish, she’s gone to see friends in hopes of finding the herb. Dinner will be delayed until she returns.”

A Divine One would be displeased that dinner would not be served as promised . . . regardless of the reason. At the very least, they would conjure the required spice so that the meal could be prepared. At the very worst, they would leave . . . but not until they showed their displeasure in some nasty way.

They would certainly not respond as Egg did. “Sorry to put her to so much trouble. Anything she serves would be fine with us. Can you call her back?”

“Sorry, unless she gets the proper ingredient, she would just feel terrible. Would it be too much to ask . . . that is to say, for the sake of a timely meal, could you do this unworthy household a kindness and conjure the spice?”

Egg stole a look at Bl’azzz who was pretending to examine the ceiling. “Um . . . actually, we’re really not that hungry. Please apologize to Taysen for the trouble we’ve put her through. We really need to go. If you could just tell us how to get to the Library, we’ll be on our way.”

And now Hay’gar was convinced. These two were definitely not Divine Ones and certainly not from Spell ‘Bound. “I’m sorry to have put you in such an awkward position. But I had to be certain that you were not from this world.”

“Say what?”

“Po told me to expect you. Now that you’re here, I’ll contact her.”

“Who is Po? Is she the Librarian?”

Now Hay’gar was confused. “Po is the Divine One that talked to you. Oh, I’m sorry. Her name is actually Pond Ripple.”

“Pond ripple? I know what that is, but I don’t know who that is.”

“She’s a friend of Jax’x.”

That didn’t clarify anything. “Who is Jack?”

“Jack? No, no . . . Jax’x. She’s the Librarian.”

“Okay, let’s start this again. A person who called herself the Librarian asked for our help. She didn’t give her name. For that matter, she didn’t tell us to look for you.”

“Well of course not. I’m not part of what’s going on.”

“What exactly do you think is going on?”

“I have no idea.”

Egg turned to Bl’azzz who was trying not to laugh at this inadvertent  comedy routine. “I think the wine is making me loopy. Are you as confused as I am?”

“You know darn well that I don’t need wine to make me loopy. I’m just a dragon-brained dragon.”

“You’re a dragon?” asked Hay’gar with a shocked look on his face. “I thought dragons were ugly creatures with wings and sharp teeth and big feet with claws?”

Egg had to giggle at the absurdity of the conversation. Bl’azzz, on the other hand, got defensive. “Hey, who you calling ugly?”

The poor man turned red from embarrassment. “You’re not ugly. Quite the opposite. You’re very attractive . . . for a dragon.”

Before Bl’azzz could respond with something totally unhelpful, Egg interrupted with, “Hay’gar, why don’t you contact this pond person? Maybe she can tell us what’s going on.”

“It’s Pond Ripple but I’m sure she’ll let you call her Po.”

“That’s great. Please, call Po.”

He nodded and went to his bedroom and retrieved the communicator. When he finished, he returned to the girls. “All set. Since Jax’x cannot leave the Library and Po is under house arrest, they’re sending Ziz. He should be here in a few minutes.” Then a thought struck him. “He’s a dragonetta. I’m sure you’ll like him.”

Not surprisingly, Bl’azzz asked, “What the heck is a dragonetta?”

“A small dragon, of course.”

Again Egg interrupted her friend. “Let’s just wait and see.”

*****

“Jax’x, they’re here. I just heard from Hay’gar.”

“Did he say how many?”

“Just two. Egg, their leader, and Bl’azzz.”

“Human I’m guessing.”

“Actually, he said Bl’azzz was a dragon.”

“NO!”

“That’s what he said.”

“That doesn’t make sense, but it is what it is. I just sent Ziz. He should be passing your window in about two minutes. Be sure to link your mind to his.”

“When that happens, you and I can talk to each other?”

“Yes. And we’ll both hear and see what he does.”

*****

Hay’gar had left the window open so that Ziz could fly in. About ten minutes later, the mechanical doohickey did just that. Once again he flew around the room then came to rest on the fireplace mantle across from where the girls were sitting. Hay’gar had retired to his room as directed by Po.

The bird sat there staring at the two girls. Jax’x asked her friend, “Do you recognize them?”

“No. And obviously neither of them is a dragon.”

“Listen, if I think they’re a threat, Ziz has the power to immobilize them.”

“What good would that do?”

“No idea . . . except to show them we’re as powerful as you led them to believe.”

“Okay. You do the talking.”

Egg and Bl’azzz had been sitting there, staring at the bird . . . waiting. Finally, Jax’x said, “I am the Librarian. To whom do I have the honor of addressing?”

Instead of answering, Egg asked, “What are you?”

“This is Ziz . . . my pet dragonetta. Both Po and I are unable to leave our respective homes. So, we’re both using Ziz to communicate with you. We can hear as well as see using his senses.”

“Which one of you contacted the sisterhood?”

“It was me, Pond Ripple,” the bird answered in her voice.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you do it and not . . . um, Jax’x? That’s your name, right?”

“Yes. I am the Librarian and Po . . . Pond Ripple . . . is my friend and a Divine One.”

“I thought they were the bad guys?”

“Not Po.”

“You still didn’t answer my question. Why did Pond . . . Po . . .  make contact and pretend to be you?”

“I asked her to contact you since I didn’t have the means and she did. It wasn’t meant to deceive you. For that I’m sorry.”

Egg just loved polite, honest people. “No problem. Anyway, I’m Egg and this is Bl’azzz.”

“No you’re not.” That was Po, of course.

“I’m pretty sure I know who I am.”

Then in her head she heard Serenity say, “You look a lot like Sera’Fina to me.”

“What? Oh, right.” Then to the bird she explained, “Sorry, these are not our bodies, they’re avatars.”

The bird’s mouth actually dropped open.

“I think the cat got its tongue,” teased Bl’azzz. “By the way, I think I want a dragonetta as a pet. They are way too cute.”

“I’ll buy you one for your birthday.” To Ziz, Egg said, “One of the sisters, her name is Serenity, has the ability to grow bodies like these. Then, we can control them with our minds. She can also use our personalities to make the avatars work independently . . . but that’s neither here nor there.”

Inside the bird, Po said to her friend, “Do you believe her?”

“I have no reason not to. At least, not yet. But if it’s true, you found us some awesome help.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

Egg continued, “So, we obviously need to know a whole bunch more about what’s going on and exactly how we can help. But, talking through your bird is going to make this a bit awkward.”

“The story I need to tell is actually very long. And you’re right . . . this type of communications is not the best way to proceed. Let me tell you what the most pressing issue is. I am being held prisoner in the Library and Po is under house arrest in The Crypt . . . that’s the home of all the Divine Ones.”

“So why don’t we break you guys out?”

“First, if the Divine Ones found us gone, they would be on alert for trouble. Right now, surprise is our biggest asset. No one knows you two are here. Well, other than Hay’gar and Taysen . . . but they can be trusted unconditionally.”

“Actually, that’s not true. When we first arrived, there was some other guy here. I think it was a neighbor.”

“Not Kr’eep,” exclaimed Po.

“Yeah, that’s his name. Is that a problem?”

“Possibly. But we’ll deal with it when and if we have to.” Egg liked that cool, unemotional response from Jax’x.

“What’s the second problem?”

“Po is in a bunker surrounded by . . . by the bad guys who could make you disappear with a thought. And, I’m held prisoner with a force field that they conjured. As importantly, there are a lot of artifacts and books here that I can’t leave behind.”

“You’re not going to make this easy, I take it?”

“Where you expecting ‘easy’?”

Egg laughed which totally surprised the girls inside Ziz. “I promise you, for the Hameggattic Sisterhood, nothing is ever easy. Not ever.”

Both Jax’x and Po were immediately enamored with this Egg. It was obvious  why she was the leader of her group. “Any suggestion?”

“Let me talk it over with my friends. How do we make contact with you? Through Hay’gar?”

“No, that’s too dangerous for him. Po is going to conjure a communicator. With it, you can contact both of us.”

A moment later the device materialized out of thin air and dropped into Egg’s hands. “Neat trick.”

“How will you get back to your ship? Do you need to rendezvous where you were dropped off?”

“Nope. We’ll just fade away,” and on cue, Serenity activated the transporter and the two avatars slowly dematerialized in front of a stunned Ziz.

“Neat trick,” said Po.

“Yeah, it was.”

*****

When the two avatars were back on the ship, the girls were helped out of their control hoods. Egg shook her head to unsmoosh her helmet hair. Bl’azzz watched her friend and rolled her eyes . . . a little jealous she couldn’t do that.

“You all heard what happened. Let’s get some food and we can talk about a plan. But first, I need to find the bathroom.”

“Did you know that we dragons go to the bathroom about once a week”?

“Did you know that’s too much information?” asked BreeZee.

“Just saying.”

Ten minutes later they were sitting around the table noshing and kibitzing. The babbling was getting out of hand so Egg called for quiet. “So how do we spring these two without the bad guys finding out?”

“Don’t forget that the Librarian wants to bring the library with her,” Serenity reminded the others.

“Well, the solution is pretty obvious . . . to the first part anyway,” announced Tee’ka.

“Do tell.”

“Avatars. Replace them with avatars. Serenity can program them with their own personalities.”

“Tee, you’re brilliant,” complimented Egg.

“Looks and brains . . . I guess I have it all.”

“Don’t forget modesty,” teased Spirit.

“Anyone want to argue against Tee’s suggestion?”

“Can’t argue against genius,” replied Bree. “The problem, of course, is how do we make the switch?”

“I can analyze the force field around the library. Maybe I can find a weakness we can exploit.”

“Great, Serenity. How long will that take?”

“A few hours.”

“As soon as we’re finished here, can you get started?”

“Of course.”

“So that leaves Po and The Crypt.”

“I think we should get Jax’x first. She can tell us what we’re up against when we try to get her friend out.”

“Good thinking, Spirit. So, let’s see if our resident genius can un-conjure a force field. If that doesn’t work, we’re back at square one.”

“Egg, what do you think? Any goose bumps when you talked to them?”

“No. They seemed great. They would probably make great Sisters if they had any interest. But . . .” she hesitated because Bl’azzz might take offense. “But, the neighbor (the dragon’s would be friend) might not be trustworthy. At least that’s the impression I got from Jax’x.”

Chapter 3 – Meet, Greet then Repeat

“Egg, getting the Librarian out will be ridiculously easy.”

“Serenity, you said it would take a few hours to figure out how. It’s only been about ten minutes.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Just trying to express my infinite admiration of your limitless brilliance,” teased her friend.

Playing along, the other girl responded, “For as many times as I’ve dazzled you with my towering intellect, I’m surprised that you continue to be surprised.”

“I see you and Tee share the same level of modesty.”

“Nonsense. I have no need for modesty. Anyone who knows me could tell it was insincere.” Then she stuck out her tongue.

“If you two are finished being children, I’d like to know what Serenity figured out,” interrupted Bree.

Serenity smiled like a cat who cornered a mouse. “The force field is around the one and only entrance to the library . . . namely the front door. Which means, for those of you who can’t follow the obvious (she looked at Egg with a smirk), we can transport her directly to the ship and beam her avatar into the library any time we want.”

“I assume that means her artifacts and books too?” asked Egg.

“It does, but that will be a little more difficult. It’s easy for us to lock on to a life form to transport; it’s another thing to find an inanimate object.”

“Why don’t we use your ship for the books and such,” suggested Spirit. “It’s easier if we can get closer to the thing we’re trying to transport.”

“Great idea. Okay, Egg . . . anytime you want, we’re good to go.”

“I’ll contact Jax’x and see what’s best for her. Serenity, why don’t you pilot your own ship when the time comes. Bree and Tee will go with you to help. Spirit, you take command of the mother ship.”

“Where are you going?” asked Bl’azzz as Egg got up to leave.

“The communicator is in my room. While I’m gone, why don’t you tell them how a dragon fell in love with a human?”

“What?” cried Tee’ka. “I can’t find a man and this . . . this dragon lady did? Life’s not fair.”

“Quiet, you whiney, wingless wench,” commanded Bree. “Spill the beans, Hot Lips. And we want all the details. All of them.”

*****

“Jax’x.”

“Yes?”

“It’s me, Egg.”

“So soon? I didn’t expect you to call for a day or two. Is there a problem?”

“Just the opposite. We figured a way to get you out of there.”

“That didn’t take long. You people are really good at this, aren’t you?”

“Mostly just lucky. Anyway, the force field only protects the door. We can transport you out anytime you want.”

Jax’x shook her head in wonderment. This was really happening. “How do we fool the Divine Ones? They can’t find me missing.”

“We’re going to grow an avatar of you. Then we’ll imprint your personality on it. The bad guys may never know that they’re not talking to the real person.”

“That’s amazing. I can’t wait to meet you . . . all of you . . . in person. But, what about Po? And my books and artifacts?”

“We can duplicate Po the same way. But before we try to make the exchange, we need to know what we’re up against. So, we’ll spring you first then figure a way to free her. Okay?”

Wow, they were asking for her approval. If first impressions meant anything, she was going to be good friends with these girls. “That sounds great. Not to be a pest, what about the books and artifacts?”

“That’s a little tougher. But we have a plan for that also.”

“Wonderful. What do we do first?”

“We need you here for a couple of hours so Serenity can scan your body and your brain. Then she’ll need a day or two to grow the avatar. When she’s finished, we’ll make the exchange. So, when can you leave for a few hours without them knowing?”

“Probably during my sleep cycle. Let’s do it at midnight.”

“Great. Will you tell Po what the plan is? I don’t want her to think we’ve forgotten her.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you. Of course I will.”

“Thanks. Oh, be sure to wear whatever outfit you want the avatar to wear so we can duplicate that too. See you later.”

“Egg.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“Nothing to thank me for yet. We haven’t done anything.”

“You came to help . . . to help a perfect stranger. To risk your life and that of your sisters for people you never met. That deserves a lot more than a simple thank you.”

“Jax’x, we don’t do this for fame or fortune. We do it because we can and there’s a need. If we succeed, well that’s our reward.”

“Amazing.”

“Not so much. See you later.”

*****

“Po.”

“Jax’x, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just wanted to tell you about my conversation with Egg.”

“She called?”

“Just now,” and Jax’x relayed the plans. “Are you okay with that?”

“Of course. These girls . . . are they amazing or what?”

“You would think they would be arrogant considering what they’ve accomplished. But this Egg . . . she sounds incredibly nice. She was so concerned that the plan would make you feel uncomfortable. The girl doesn’t even know us and she already cares about our feelings. I’m speechless. I’m so looking forward to meeting them in person.”

“Wouldn’t it be amazing to belong to such a Sisterhood and do heroic things? And they’re not even Divine Ones. They’re just ordinary people.”

“If that means that they’re not gifted like you . . . then yes. But they obviously have a lot of other ‘gifts’. Anyway, I’ll call you when I get back.”

“You better. Jax’x, this is beginning to get exciting, isn’t it?”

“I can’t let myself think like that. There’s so much to do . . . and most of it impossible . . . to achieve our goals. It’s so hard to believe that a handful of girls can pull it off.”

“Shame on you.”

“For what?”

“You once gave me a whole lecture about how smart and resourceful girls are. Now you doubt the Sisterhood because there are no boys?”

Jax’x laughed. “Shame on me, indeed. You’re right. Anyway, wish me luck.”

“Good luck, girlfriend.”

******

She sat on her bed, fully dressed in her Librarian outfit, and waited. But she could hardly sit still. In her hand she held her communicator which she kept staring at . . . willing it to speak. She was so deep in thought about what was about to happen, and the rebellion that was about to begin, if someone had said ‘boo’, she would have jumped out of her skin.

Time passed excruciatingly slowly, but unlike Cinderella, she happily counted down the last few seconds until the clock finally struck twelve.

And exactly on time she heard, “Jax’x, are you ready?”

“Yes” . . . and she began to fade away as the ship’s transporter beamed her up.

A moment later she rematerialized into a large room. As her eyes scanned the scene, she saw her first dragon, a girl with wings, a girl who was very alien looking, one in a mechanical chair of some kind with wheels and two ‘normal’ looking girls. Oh, and there was a weird purplish animal sitting and watching.

“Hi, I’m Egg. Welcome aboard the Gracie.”

Jax’x smiled from ear to ear. It had all seemed like a dream . . . but now, it was finally real. The Sisters were real. And her revolution had evolved from fantasy to reality. Impulsively, she threw her arms around Egg and hugged with a great affection. “Thank you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. All of you.”

Egg returned the hug just as enthusiastically. “Like I said, we haven’t done anything to deserve your thanks.”

“And like I said, you came to help strangers. Whether you succeed or not, I will forever be in your debt.”

“The most we’d accept would be your ‘forever friendship’. Anyway, let me introduce my sisters. That’s Bl’azzz from the planet Aerianna.”

“Hi.”

“Are you really a dragon?”

“Cute, aren’t we?” and she smiled revealing her two rows of razor sharp teeth.

“Wow, that’s a lot of teeth,” and everyone burst out laughing. Jax’x blushed and mumbled “sorry.”

“She’s also got thick skin so nothing you say would ever bother her. Next we have BreeZee. Bree is a Wind’dancer from Zynn-Zaz’zia.”

“Hi, Jax’x.”

“Po said one of the girls had wings. I thought she was exaggerating. BreeZee, they’re beautiful.”

“They’re just an accident of birth. But thanks anyway.”

“Bree is being modest. A Wind ‘dancer’s wings are grey until they ride out a huge storm. If they survive, they get to touch a special crystal stone that gives their wings color.”

Jax’x couldn’t help but smile. “That’s so fascinating. I hope I can spend time with each of you when this is done. I would love to hear about your worlds and your cultures.”

“Count on it. But the story of your world and your culture has to be first.”

“Of course.”

“Next we have Serenity. She’s our resident genius though that term doesn’t do her justice.”

“Pleasure, Jax’x.”

“If I may ask, what is that mechanical chair you sit in?”

“It’s called a wheel chair . . . but it’s pretty sophisticated. I’ll give you a demonstration when we get the chance.”

“Po said one of the girls had been injured in a rescue mission. Can I ask who you were trying to rescue? Was it on one of the Sisterhood’s missions of mercy?”

Egg answered for the girl. “She was trying to save her mother. It didn’t work out and Serenity was severely injured.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago, but thank you.”

“Moving on, the girl next to her is Tee’ka. Her story is probably the most fascinating. She’s from the planet Laff’Alott, and she started life as a computer program. And, just to really impress you, I’m going to whisper in your ear what I think will be her first words to you.” Egg did just that and Jax’x smiled. “Okay, Tee, say what’s on your mind.”

“First, Egg has no idea what I’m going to say. I’m no longer the child she thinks I am. Second, I love your outfit. It’s so pretty.”

Jax’x looked at Egg and they both laughed.

“Really? She guessed I’d say that?”

“Oh, please,” interjected Bl’azzz. “We all knew you’d say that.” That earned a round of giggles.

“Anyway, Tee saved my life and Serenity gave her this new life. Now, she’s just learning how to be a girl . . . clothes and boys are two big parts of that process.”

“Well, I’ll be glad to add to your knowledge on that score, Tee’ka. I have a boyfriend.”

“What’s his name? Will we get to meet him?” the girl asked way too eagerly.

“His name is Jay’gar . . . and I’m not sure. One of the Absolutes imprisoned him in a Cell of Transitional Non-Being. I’m hoping you can find a way to rescue him.”

“A cell of what?”

“Transitional Non-Being. Po tried to explain it to me. He’s neither in this universe or the next. He’s conscious but there’s no sensory input. All he has is his memories and dreams to while away eternity.” Her eyes involuntarily became moist at the horror Jay’gar must be experiencing.

Egg, of course, noticed. “Jax’x, we understood the word imprisoned. The rest of that sentence will require an explanation. Regardless, I can promise you that whatever we can do to save him, we will. His life is just as important as anyone’s.”

Jax’x gave Egg a sad smile. “Thank you . . . again.”

“Let me finish the introductions. This exotic beauty is Spirit from the planet Paradox. She’s got a few talents that will surprise you.”

“Hi, Jax’x.”

The Librarian turned her head to see where the voice was coming from, then turned back to Spirit. “What just happened?”

“I’m telepathic.”

“How fascinating.”

“She can also heal most injuries and really weirdly, she can Thought Weave. I’ll explain that later.”

“Wow. I can’t tell you how exciting this all is to me. You six are . . . well, out of this world.”

“Grrrrrrr. Burp.”

Jax’x turned to look at the purple animal then took a step back. “Is it friendly?”

“Grrrrrrr. Burp.”

“Easy, Jynxie. Jax’x, this is Jynx. She’s Spirit’s pet . . .”

“Grrrrrrr. Burp.”

“Sorry. She’s Spirit’s companion.”

“Grrrrrrr.”

“You’re welcome. She’s also a Shamie . . . short for Shameless Mimic.”

“I don’t understand what that means.”

So Jynx showed her by morphing into her ‘spitting image’.

“Oh my.”

“Neat trick, huh? Comes in handy occasionally.”

“Is Jynx . . . um, is she . . . um, like the rest of you?”

“Jynx is semi-sentient but no, she’s only an honorary . . . but well deserved . . . Sister.”

“I see. I think. Nice to meet you, Jynx.”

“Grrrrrrr.”

“And that’s the crew. We actually have another six sisters, but they’re retired from active duty. One’s a Queen, three got married, one of them has a little girl and another is pregnant. Another is going to college back on Earth. Who am I missing?”

“Big bird”.

“Oh, yikes. Don’t tell her that. And the last one, Aeri’elle, also a dragon by the way, is the head of a new multi-world university.”

“Truly?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.”

“I’m unfamiliar with the expression . . . but I think I understand.”

“Okay, you need to go with Serenity so she can complete her scans. Then we’ll send you back until she grows your avatar. I would ask if you have any questions, but I’m guessing you have about a million.”

Jax’x laughed. “At least. There’s one or two I would like to ask now.”

“Sure.”

“What is the significance of the ship’s name? Gracie I think you said?”

“The others named it that because they hate me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t listen to her,” said Bree. “We love her, as she well knows. So, to show our affection, we gave the ship her middle name.”

“Your name is Egg Gracie?” The others tried unsuccessfully not to laugh. “Was that a silly question?”

“No, the question wasn’t silly . . . however my sisters are. My name is Eloise Grace Graystone but everyone calls me by my initials . . . which spells Egg.”

“How Cute. I think that’s sweet. My other question is about you. You told me about your sisters, but said nothing about yourself.”

“Not much to tell. I’m from the planet Earth and I’m just one of the girls.”

“No special talents?”

“Um . . . oh yeah. I get goose bumps.”

“No idea what a goose is.”

“It’s like a duck.”

“No idea what a duck is.”

“It’s like a chicken that swims.”

“I have a feeling we can keep this up all night. No idea what a chicken is. I don’t even know what ‘swim’ is.”

“Serenity, any reason why she and I can’t talk while you’re doing your scans?”

“It’ll pass the time more quickly for our guest.”

“Then it’s settled. Come on, I’ll show you to her laboratory and we can talk.”

They started from the room but Jax’x stopped to face the others. “I’m so excited to meet all of you. I do hope you can help me and the people of my world. But, even if you can’t, thank you for trying. I have never met anyone like the Sisterhood. Extraordinary women doing extraordinary deeds . . . to me it’s like a fairy tale.”

“Jax’x, it’s we who should thank you . . . for giving us the opportunity to help.”

“BL’AZZZ, stop that,” cried Egg startling the others.

“Stop what?”

“Stop sounding so grown up and sophisticated. What would Soo say?”

“Good point. She wouldn’t be very happy either,” and all the girls (except Jax’x) smiled broadly.

“Inside joke,” the newcomer asked.

“Sorry. I’ll try to explain later.”

Jax’x allowed Egg to lead her out of the room. In her mind she was trying to reconcile how these women, obviously talented and dedicated to doing good, could be so calm and full of camaraderie in face of a life and death struggle. She actually pinched herself . . . just to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

Chapter 4 – A Brief Debrief

“Lie back on this table and try not to move too much.”

Jax’x did as Serenity asked. “Will talking disturb your work?”

“Only if you laugh”.

“Why would I laugh?”

“Egg has that effect on people. She thinks we’re laughing at her jokes . . . but we’re actually laughing at her.”

“Hey, that’s hurtful,” teased her sister.

“They really love you, don’t they?”

“I assume you’re talking to Egg?”

“Sorry, yes.”

“They pretend to - otherwise they’d have to stay home and face the emotional pain from their dreary, tedious and mundane lives.” Egg raised her hand to stop Serenity from whatever witty rejoinder she was about to make. “Just concentrate on your electronic thingamajigs before you turn our guest into a glob of protoplasm.”

“There’s only a thirty-seven percent chance that will happen.” At Jax’x’s horrified stare, Serenity quickly added, “Sorry, just teasing. Egg brings out the worst in me.”

“Enough silly banter. Let’s get back to the future. Just to be clear . . . you want our help turning off a machine.”

“It’s called M.A.G.E.K. – I guess the builders thought it was a funny play on the word magic. It stands for Matter Anti-Matter Generator & Energy Kinesis.”

“Yeah, that means a little less than nothing to me. What about you, Serenity?”

“Think Crystal Egg.”

“Ohhhhh. Got it.”

“What’s Crystal Egg?”

“A little complicated - maybe better for a later discussion.”

“I disagree,” interrupted Serenity. “Stop being so freaking modest and tell her your story.” To Jax’x she said, “Our girl here saved the planet Aerianna almost single handedly. The bad guy had the Crystal Egg . . . a device about so big (she held her hands about two feet apart) that gave the owner the power to create anything with a thought. Sound familiar?”

“A miniature M.A.G.E.K. machine. That’s wonderful . . . you might be the only person in the universe who knows how to turn it off. How did you do it?”

“I didn’t. I had Aeri’elle, the dragon who’s the professor, return it to the Myst Tree at Sighing Whorl. Basically, we just gave it back.”

“To a tree? I’ve never seen one? Are they all so powerful?”

“Most just stand there and do nothing. The Myst Tree is actually a representative of the Old Ones, an alien race that created Aerianna. He’s been an amazing friend to me. In fact, he gave us a clue. Maybe you can figure it out.”

“He gave you a clue? How does he communicate?”

“He talks to me . . . but like Spirit.”

“A telepathic tree. How amazing. How does he know about us on Spell ‘Bound”?

“No idea. He seems to know about everything.”

“Did he say what we needed to do?”

“He never, and I mean never, comes out and tells you the answers to a problem. He just gives us cryptic clues. So let me tell you what he told me . . .”

Underneath the celestial lair, lies a chamber that holds the sphere.

Suspended by a train of thought, Perpetual motion stopped by naught.

Heart and Hex must combine as one, Directed thru he - born with none.

“Any idea what it means?”

“Oh my goodness.”

“What?”

“Hex refers to the Divine Ones. And heart refers to my kind.”

“What is your kind?” asked Serenity who was just as curious as her friend.

“I’m an Amber Heart. I think I’m the last one.”

“So what is an amber heart?”

“That’s a very long story. I don’t think we have the time right now.”

“Okay, we’ll talk later. What’s the last bit – one born with none?”

“That’s a puzzle. Everyone has either an X or a hex. Well, except me. But I’ve never heard of anyone born without one or the other.”

“What about the first two lines. The sphere and lair and stuff?”

“Nothing comes to mind. But when I get back I’ll do some research.” She paused then added, “Egg, I’m so amazed at what you and your friends have already done. I just know in my heart that together my little revolution will succeed.”

Egg didn’t respond. Instead she looked at Serenity who motioned for her friend to tell their guest the rest. This took all of three or four seconds, but to Jax’x, it seemed much longer. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No. But . . . I have to tell you something else.”

The way Egg said it made Jax’x shudder involuntarily. “It’s something bad, isn’t it?”

Instead of answering Egg responded with, “I told you that Spirit can Thought Weave. In essence she can see into the future.”

“What?”

“It’s a little complicated. Basically, she can follow the threads of events and determine which have the highest probability of becoming true. I asked her to do a Thought Weave on this mission.”

“And?”

“And if we didn’t come, your people would continue to suffer and you would probably die.”

“But you did come.”

“Yeah. If we came, there was also a high probability that we would succeed, but you’d be severely injured in some way.”

The girl hesitated only briefly. “It’s a price I’m more than willing to pay.”

“I would never doubt that for a minute. But, the Sisterhood will also pay a price.”

“Oh no. I’m so sorry. Will one or more of you be hurt . . . or worse?”

“No. When we leave here, something or someone will cause us to fail in half the future missions we undertake.”

“Are you telling me that if you stayed away, you would not have suffered any ill effects? It’s only because you volunteered to help perfect strangers that things will go wrong for you?”

“Pretty much.”

“But why would you do that? Why would you come here?”

“We told you . . . actually, we told Po . . . that we’d help. Our word is our bond.”

“But you didn’t know at the time, did you?”

“No, but I doubt it would have made any difference.”

“Serenity, may I get up for a moment?”

“Sure.”

The girl ran over to Egg and threw her arms around her. “I am so, so very sorry. If I had known I would never have asked.”

Egg again returned the hug. “Jax’x, the Sisterhood knows that we’re doing dangerous work. But someone has to do it. We can’t let evil win . . . regardless of the price. Please don’t feel badly. We’re the Hameggattic Sisterhood . . . and we live to serve those in need.”

“I can’t even process that. I have never known, or even heard of, such selfless motivation. Being asked to join your Sisterhood would be the highest honor anyone could ever hope to achieve.”

“Okay, that’s way too much praise. When you get to know us, you’re going to be shocked that we actually do succeed at the things we try. Most times we have no plan . . . we just go on instinct. We’ve had more than our share of luck . . . so I wouldn’t put us on too high a pedestal.”

“Serenity, do you agree with her?”

“One thing you need to know about our fearless leader . . . and I do mean fearless . . . she’s pathologically modest. It’s not even an affectation . . . which makes it all that much more insufferable.” The pride in her voice was evident to Jax’x.

“Okay, enough. You people are giving me a headache. Let’s talk about the mission. For instance, what do we need to know about getting Po out of her room? Can we switch her with an avatar like we’re doing with you?”

“Obviously, the avatar won’t be a Divine One. But in the short term, I don’t see why not.”

“Can’t,” interjected Serenity. When the other two looked at her she explained. “We can’t penetrate the force field surrounding The Crypt. It’s way more powerful than the one at the Library.”

“Then how did Jax’x get Ziz into her room?”

“I’m guessing the few windows in that place are designed to allow air and light to enter. Probably no one considered that a mechanical bird might try to get in. But I’m sure it wouldn’t allow anything living, specifically a person, in or out.”

“Is Po in any danger?”

“Maybe. The fact that her Absolute hasn’t let her out of her room is worrisome. Po thinks that she may become a pawn in some power play.”

“What’s an absolute?”

"There are six of them that make up the ruling body of the Divine Ones. Which, of course, means they rule Spell’Bound. Grassy Knoll is hers. Forest Green was the one that imprisoned Jay’gar.”

“What’s with their names? Pond Ripple, Grassy Knoll, Forest Green . . . sounds like labels on a map of a national park.”

“The Divine Ones fought a great war hundreds of years ago. During the fighting, virtually everything on the surface of the planet was destroyed. My home, Amber Heart, is the only remaining city . . . somehow untouched by the carnage. After the war ended, the Divine Ones decide to take the names of the natural phenomenon that they destroyed. It’s their way of reminding us who has all the power. The names, by the way, are gender neutral. The three you mentioned happen to be female.”

“Kind of makes sense in a sick sort of way. Is there a relationship between the name of your city and the fact that you’re an Amber Heart?”

“I think so. When we get to talk at length I’ll explain my theory. So what should we do about Po? I can’t let anything happen to her.”

“Serenity, any chance of getting through the force field?”

“Possibly. But it will take weeks, maybe longer.”

Egg went quiet as she considered her options. “Jax’x, the enemies are the Divine Ones, right?”

“Yes.”

“And this Crypt is their headquarters?”

“Yes.”

“Well, seeing that it’s apparently impregnable, at least in the short term, it might work to our advantage to have an ally on the inside.”

“You mean Po.”

“Yup.”

“But she could be in danger.”

“That part I don’t get. She has the same power as the other Divine Ones, doesn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“Then how can they hurt her?”

“Because the big secret that even Po doesn’t yet understand is that anyone with a great imagination has an edge on anyone who can’t think outside the ordinary. Unfortunately, Po’s mind isn’t devious enough to protect her.”

“That may be true, but up here there are six . . . make that seven counting you . . . who can help her imagine things that are literally out of this world.”

Jax’x smiled . . . then giggled. “Oops, sorry Serenity.”

“Told you she’d make you laugh.”

“Egg, how does someone become a Hameggattic Sister?”

“We vote them in.”

“Oh.”

“Why? Might want to join our motley crew?”

“I would . . . but I can’t. If this revolution succeeds, I need to be there to help with the aftermath. Then there’s the love of my life. If you can save Jay’gar, I’ll ask him to marry me. I should have done that years ago.”

“On your planet, the girls ask the guy?”

“Of course. Why? Is it different where you come from?”

“Yeah.”

“Really? Seems wrong somehow.”

“True dat.”

“Jax’x,” interrupted Serenity.

“Yes.”

“First, I’m finished with the scans. Second, since there is nothing on the surface . . . no vegetation to speak of, no lakes or reservoirs . . . where do you get your food and water?”

“The Divine Ones provide it. They used to provide everything, but in the last hundred years they’ve encouraged and even helped the populace manufacture everything else.”

“Ummm,” but Serenity didn’t finish.

“Yes?”

“If your revolution succeeds, and the Divine Ones lose their power, where will you get your food and water?”

Jax’x went white. “Oh holy obelisk, what an arrogant fool I am. I didn’t think it through. If I continue, I will cause the deaths of everyone.”

“No,” said Egg firmly.

“What?”

“Spirit would have seen such a horrible thing in her Thought Weave . . . and she didn’t. You’re going to find a solution.”

“How can I risk their lives on . . . on Spirit’s Thought Weave? It’s not like the citizens asked me to upset the natural order of their lives for a possible better future. They didn’t vote me their savior.”

“I could ask you to simply trust us . . . but that would be unfair of me,” replied Egg with compassion. “So, before we upset the proverbial apple cart, we’ll devise a solution. If you agree, then we’ll continue. If not, we’ll do what we can to save Po and Jay’gar, then go home. For the record, we’ll find a solution; I trust Spirit with my life. Well, technically I trust all my sisters with my life.”

Jax’x didn’t respond; she just stood there staring at the other girl.

As the seconds ticked by, Egg became worried. “You okay?”

“Sorry, yes. I was just trying to decide if it would be proper to hug you again. The first time was from excitement, the second time from guilt over what you may suffer from helping. A third hug would be from awe . . . because words simply fail me. A whole galaxy is better off with you in it. You are a hero - no, a super hero . . .”

“NO, NO. Stop right there. I’ll say it one more time, I’m not special. Individually, none of us are. As a sisterhood, as a team, the whole is way greater than the sum of its very un-special parts. You’re talking silly talk, so please, as a favor to me . . . don’t.”

“Told you,” wisecracked Serenity.

“Shut up and grow an avatar, you irritating genius.”

Serenity smirked and tipped her head. “As you command, mighty leader.”

Egg took the pillow off the bed Jax’x had been laying on and threw it at the other girl. She missed by five feet . . . but not for lack of trying.

“You missed.”

“Yeah, hard to believe with that big head of yours.”

Then she laughed . . . and the other two joined in.

After a moment, the laughing stopped and Jax’x gave Egg another hug.

*****

“Okay, we’re going to send you back. Figure a couple of days before we can make the exchange.”

“I’ll put it to good use. I have to research those references from the Tree.”

“Jax’x,” added Serenity, “if there’s anything you want to take with you when we make the switch, it has to be within arm’s reach. So keep it to a minimum. Just remember, it’s going to take time for us to rescue the rest of the stuff.”

“Okay. Besides Ziz and a few other artifacts and reference books, there won’t be too much.”

Egg reminded her new friend, “Be sure to talk to Po and let her know what’s going on. If things gets out of hand or dangerous, contact us immediately and we’ll find a way to rescue her. If that happens, it won’t be subtle and the bad guys are going to know what we’re up to.”

“Understood.”

“Okay, ready?”

“Just one more thank you to all of you. I’m sorry if this mission is going to cause you trouble in the future . . . but know that you will be saving a lot of good people from a life that they don’t deserve.”

“Then we’ll gladly pay the price,” responded Bl’azzz solemnly.

“I’m not going to tell you again, Hot Lips. Stop acting like an adult.”

As Jax’x faded away, the last thing she heard was laughter.

Chapter 5 – That Bleep of a Kr’eep

He had no family, no friends, no hobbies . . . nothing to distract him from prying into other people’s business.

In all his twenty-seven years, no girl had ever looked at him except in disdain, disapproval, dislike, derision or disgust. His wandering eyes, a hereditary condition for which he could not be faulted, made him appear shifty . . . unable to make or keep eye contact. He was an incommodious young man living up to (or is it ‘down to’) his name.

But something totally unexpected had happened. This evening, just a short while ago, he met a pair of Divine Ones. It should have seemed very odd that his neighbor had two such honored guests visiting. But, he knew that Pond Ripple had been there at least once, so two more visitors aroused curiosity but not suspicion.

What was unexpected was that one of them had looked at him and she hadn’t turned away in revulsion. She had even smiled, showing an interest that no other female had ever done.

He couldn’t get the image of her heavenly face out of his mind.

Nor did he want to.

For him, it was love at first sight. Again.

Virtually every young woman who had ever spoken to him – for whatever reason – generated a similar feeling. At least, he had always thought so. But this time, it was different. He had actually made a ‘connection’ with a woman . . . a beautiful woman to boot.

Unfortunately, he had no idea what to do next.

He sat in his kitchen brooding – alternating from ecstatic highs over his newfound love to depressing lows from his lack of a plan to do anything about it.

After a few glasses of star-weed wine (the term wine is being used with generosity. The liquid was barely drinkable), he decided on a course of action. He would go and snoop like he had done the last time with Jay’gar. That had ended rather well . . . for him, not for his neighbor.

He downed the last of his drink for courage then slipped out his front door, made his way across the backyard, stumbled over a knee high wall made of stones and bits of rubble and crept up to the side window by Jay’gar’s living room.

Peering ever so stealthily, he saw what he was hoping to see . . . the two Divine Ones. They had their backs to him – facing the room’s fireplace. To his surprise, on the mantle was another one of those mechanical birds. This one, however, was fully intact. What was more astonishing, the thingy seemed to be talking to the women . . . who were talking back to it!

Now that was weird.

He watched in fascination for a few more minutes when the situation became even weirder. The two women disappeared.

That in of itself was extremely commonplace as the Divine Ones disappeared all the time. What made this occurrence strange was the absence of a flash of light. Instead, the two just slowly faded away.

He had never seen that before.

Hmmm. He knew from years of being . . . well, of being a creep, that anything that was out of the ordinary held the promise of a windfall if he was smart about it. This situation, however, was different. He wasn’t looking for financial gain . . . he was looking for a chance to get to know a girl.

In any event, he needed time to consider his options. Patience was usually a good thing . . . even though his heart was telling him to hurry.

All in all, it almost made him seem normal.

*****

Meanwhile, after Jax’x’s meeting on the Gracie

She rematerialized in her bedroom, a big grin on her face. The last two hours were probably the most exciting of her life. Then her mind involuntarily leaped to the night she and Jay’gar discovered they were in love . . . and she blushed at the thought of the rest of that intoxicating memory. She nodded to the mental image of her young man – letting him know that, upon further consideration, what she had just experienced only rated a distant second.

Shaking herself out of her reverie, she started to run through all the things that she needed to do . . . but didn’t get very far. First on that list was to contact Po to update her on their plans. She glanced at the clock on the wall and was startled to see that it was two in the morning. She was so energized by all the goings-on that she had completely lost track of time.

As that excitement began to wane, she became aware of how very tired she was. Torn between calling Po or diving under the covers of her bed, she deliberated what to do. Yawning, she decided not to wake her friend at this late hour. Her call could wait till morning.

But she was wrong.

*****

The meeting of the Absolutes had dragged on well into the wee hours of the morning. Grassy Knoll had used all the means at her disposal to postpone this confrontation for almost two months, but in the end, Forest Green had prevailed. But that was her plan all along . . . allowing the delay to raise the temperature of the confrontation.

With Chaos ’mas fast approaching, everyone was bracing for the power struggle that would shape the Assembly, and hence Spell ‘Bound, for the next six years. It was abundantly clear where the battle lines were being drawn . . . between these two Absolutes.

It seemed to all that at this moment, Forest Green had the upper hand. She had told the Assembly about Pond Ripple’s transgressions and how she, Forest Green, had meted out appropriate punishment by banishing the Librarian’s love into the Cell of Transitional Non-Being. The others involuntarily shivered at the thought of the poor man locked in that hell. That Forest Green had conceived and conjured such a device – one that no other had yet duplicated – made her someone to admire and, more importantly, to fear.

She had also told them that she confined Pond Ripple to her room awaiting Grassy Knoll’s disciplinary action. “To date, my esteemed colleague has chosen to do nothing. I ask her now, are you too soft, too biased by friendship, to do what is required? I gladly offer my personal assistance in this matter if you deem such actions too onerous.” The other four Absolutes willed their mouths not to smile.

Grassy Knoll also fought the urge not to smile. Forest Green thought she had the upper hand, just as she – Grassy Knoll – wanted her to think.  That is why she kept delaying this confrontation . . . to feign weakness. But it was now time to turn the tables and watch that smug sneer turn into an angry frown.

“You are too kind, my dear friend. Perhaps it’s the lateness of the hour, but I cannot think of a proper course of action. Her behavior was egregious and requires a fitting, and severe punishment. Please, tell me what I should do?”

That got the other five to raise their collective eyebrows. Was Grassy Knoll conceding the contest? Forest Green knew that wasn’t the case. Her opponent was laying some kind of a trap but, she could not see what it was. Time to tread a bit more carefully.

“I sympathize with your inability to deal with such a difficult situation. But, upon further consideration, who am I to judge one of your acolytes . . . and protégées. The girl must be very close to your heart. I am sure we can all commiserate with your lack of certainty. I think this assembly . . .” but Grassy Knoll cut her off.

“Please forgive my rudeness but may I remind you of your offer which I assume was proffered in good faith and without any thought of chicanery”. She waved a finger and Forest Green’s words from a moment ago wafted over the table. “I gladly offer my personal assistance in this matter if you deem such actions too onerous.” So, please tell me . . . tell us . . . what I should do to a fellow Divine One?”

And there was the trap. In all the known history of this world, there had never been an instance where a Divine One was taken to task for wrong behavior. The simple reason was that they all had equal power. Unless the person deemed in the wrong volunteered to accept punishment (like Po had done with her confinement), in theory no one could force them.

A secondary reason was that the Divine Ones didn’t want the citizenry to see any of their own punished. As far as the people were concerned, Divine Ones could do no wrong. It would not serve if they thought otherwise.

So no one ever tried to discipline another of their kind. Chastise, yes. Punish, no. It was an unwritten, sacrosanct law. To willingly break it was an unthinkable breech of custom. It could only mean that the individual who did so deemed themselves very, very powerful . . . more powerful than the combined mental strength of every other Divine One. And that kind of power was unimaginable.

And now Grassy Knoll was forcing her opponent to severely punish Po. The girl had guessed she might become a pawn in a power play . . . and she had been right.

To the other four, the pendulum had quickly swung back. Despite the foolish thing Pond Ripple had done, it did not merit the risk of further punishment. Forest Green was trapped. She could either apologize and back down . . . or do the unthinkable. Either way, the four now knew who they would side with come Chaos ’mas.

But they were only half right in their analysis of the situation.

“Forest Green . . . I am waiting.”

“Well . . . that is to say,” she sputtered. Trying to regain the upper hand she tried a different tack. “I would permanently remove her from her former duties and insist that she never approach the Librarian again. They have obviously become friends . . . though how that is possible, I cannot fathom.”

Lame. Worse yet, everyone knew it.

Grassy Knoll let the ensuing silence linger . . . for every second that passed, Forest Green lost more and more respect . . . and support.

“Well?” demanded Green.

“Well, I think your suggestion is unworthy of an Absolute.” She held up her hand to stop the rejoinder that was about to be spat her way. “What if Pond Ripple was planning something more sinister than just helping out her friend?”

“What are you implying?”

Grassy Knoll actually had no reason to believe any other explanation. However, she needed something more disturbing . . . something that would justify anything she would do. “In these past few weeks, I have delved more deeply into this matter. I now have reason to believe she was conspiring with the Librarian and that young man to overthrow the natural order of things.”

The other five weren’t sure whether to be amused at the absurdity of that statement or horrified. By the looks on their faces, they chose the latter. “What does that mean?”

“They have the childish notion that they can remove the Divine Ones and put ordinary citizens in charge of governing this world. Before you tell me the obvious impossibility of such a thing, that is beside the point. They were planning treason. They were hoping to incite the populace into open rebellion. Laughable, most assuredly . . . but think of the trouble it would cause. At the very least it would put the idea into the heads of every non-Divine on this world. At worse, we would be forced to . . . to rid ourselves of many otherwise innocent people.”

Again trying to save face, Forest Green tried to take the credit. “And I stopped it. I believe you all owe me a debt of gratitude.”

“You blundered . . . and by pure luck you postponed the uprising. But you did nothing to the Librarian and as far as Pond Ripple, she would have eventually been free to go about her business. All you did was alert them, put them on their guard. Your actions were noteworthy . . . for their ineptness and utter incompetence. You do not belong at this table.”

“How dare you?”

Grassy Knoll narrowed her eyes into snake-like slits. “Let me show you what a capable Absolute would do when faced with such a situation.” She raised a finger and an assistant entered. “Pond Ripple has been confined to her room. Rouse her and bring her here immediately.”

“May I tell her why?”

“You may not. Now go.” When the aide left, Grassy Knoll told the others, “Do and say nothing. Understood?”

Four nodded . . . guess who just glared.

“I will have your word, Green.”

“As you wish,” she snarled.

A few moments later, a tired and dazed Pond Ripple opened the door. “You wish to see me, Mistress?” Realizing that it was a meeting of the six Absolutes, the girl became alarmed . . . summoning all her will power not to show it.

“You have disobeyed protocol. Do not bother me with explanations or excuses. Your confinement is insufficient punishment. Do you agree?”

Po felt trapped. Her mind was still half-asleep and she found it difficult to concentrate. The best she could do was to respond with, “As you say, Mistress.”

Grassy Knoll nodded solemnly. Then in the span of a few heart beats, there was a flash of blinding (and disorienting) light followed by a high pitch sound that was so piercing, painful and debilitating that it knocked Po to the ground. As for the Absolutes, Grassy Knoll had thrown up a protective field around each. However, she let a taste of the light and sound reach them so the others could get a sense of what was happening. For Forest Green, she had let in a little more than was necessary – a petty act but one she could not resist.

Brief seconds later, the light and sound had disappeared and Po staggered to her feet. Though her mind had involuntarily thrown up its own protective field, the phenomena had happened so fast that it did no good.

“Pond Ripple,” continued the woman, “you have been properly chastised. See to it that your behavior conforms to that of a proper Divine. Your confinement is now lifted and you are free to leave.”

Still stunned and not understanding anything that had just happened, Po just nodded and mumbled, “Thank you, Mistress.”

As she turned to leave, Grassy Knoll said, “If you wish, you may visit the Librarian for an hour a day.”

“Mistress?”

“The man, Jay’gar, is still held prisoner by my esteemed colleague. However, I sense that you and the Librarian have become friends. Other than this transgression, you have been a loyal and effective member of my staff. If you wish, you may resume that friendship. Please limit your visits to one hour. And, I will remind you just this once . . . do not remove anything from the Library without my permission.”

Po was now really confused. “I apologize for my behavior and I thank you for this kindness.”

“Leave us.”

Po staggered back to her room confused by what had just transpired but ecstatic that she could see her friend once again.

Chapter 6 – The Spy Who Loved Me

Five Absolutes stared at the sixth - dumbfounded by what had just happened.

“Are you insane? By the Holy Hex, why would you allow the traitor access to her co-conspirator? And as for punishment . . . a bit of harsh sound and an overly bright light pales in comparison to a token slap on the wrist. If the rest of you wish to see incompetence in action, you have just witnessed it.”

“Green, you continue to underwhelm me with your inability to think strategically. It is abundantly clear that you are a follower not a leader.”

“YOU DARE? After this shameful exhibition of ineptitude, I call on my fellow Absolutes to censure you. I would move to throw you out of this august body if it were permissible.”

To everyone’s shock, Grassy Knoll laughed loudly. “You do make these meetings enjoyable, my dear colleague. I will so miss you when you are gone.” She turned her gaze to encompass all five. “First, it is our tradition NEVER to punish a fellow Divine in other than a symbolic way. We all understand why this is. The fact that Green would do more should be condemned by all present.”

“I will not listen to any more of your insults.”

“Then leave.”

Forest Green was only a few degrees away from breathing fire . . . but she said no more. Grassy Knoll continued. “The sound and light were a mere distraction. Coupled with Pond Ripple’s sleep deprived state, she was unable to shield herself in time. During those seconds while she failed to react to my demonstration, I exchanged her robe with one of my own design. We can now track her movements and listen to her every conversation at our convenience. If she really is a co-conspirator to revolution, we will be able to eavesdrop on her plans and foil any attempt at insurrection. When we are sure we have identified all involved, they will be apprehended and disposed of as this august body sees fit. Does anyone wish to challenge my methods? Perhaps someone would like to offer a more clever solution?”

Four of the five Absolutes nodded their acceptance as well as their pleasure at what they had just heard. The fifth stood, gave one of those ‘looks could kill’ glares then stormed out of the room. When the door slammed behind her, Grassy Knoll said to the others, “I do hope I can count on your support.”

*****

Po tossed and turned on her bed, her emotions running wild. On one hand, she was so tired . . . having had her sleep rudely interrupted, coupled with the fear and tension of meeting her Mistress and the other Absolutes. Offsetting that was her excitement of being released from confinement and the totally unexpected pronouncement by Grassy Knoll that she could see her friend once again. Her desire to tell Jax’x the good news was tempered by concern for her friend. She was loath to wake the girl up with news that could just as well wait for morning.

Besides, it would be fun to see Jax’x’s expression when she, Po, materialized inside the Library. With that happy thought playing in her mind, she let sleep take hold and carry her off to a world of blissful, Jay’gar infused dreams.

*****

The next morning Po bounced out of bed, took care of her morning ablutions and hurried out of her room. It felt wondrous to be free to come and go as she pleased. Her plan was to walk out the front door so she could immediately teleport to the Library.

“Pond Ripple.”

She turned to see Lightning Flash, a high-level acolyte of Grassy Knoll, approaching.

“Blessings of the Hex to you, Sister.”

“And you. Our Mistress would like you to resume your duties at the Obelisk immediately.” Grassy Knoll had to continue to carry out what she believed was just a charade . . . uncovering the fictitious rebellion she concocted for the sake of her fellow Absolutes. Since Po had worked the Obelisk in the Corvallis sector for years prior to her confinement, it would be reasonable to assume that any additional fictional co-conspirators would have met her there . . . and might do so again.

Po was disappointed. She would have to postpone her trip to the Library until early evening when her duties at the Obelisk would end. “As our Mistress wishes. I will go immediately.”

*****

While Po was greeting old acquaintances as she helped the citizenry with their food and water needs, Jax’x was busy at the Library. Her focus today was to find out what the Tree had meant by the line “Heart and Hex must combine as one, Directed thru he - born with none.”

It was such a tedious job that she wished she could split herself in two in order to halve the time to do the research. A moment later she let out a laugh, one loud enough that Jagged Peak – the new Divine that supervised the Library for Forest Green – looked up from whatever he was reading. He was brighter, and much more alert and diligent in his duties than his predecessor, Snow Flake.

“Problem, Librarian?”

“No, sorry. I apologize for disturbing you.” Since he was her only company, she had decided it would be mutually beneficial to be nice to the man. He was actually very pleasant and his questions showed real intelligence.

“Quite all right. If I can be of assistance, please let me know.”

“Thank you, I will.”  She turned back to the volume she was perusing, a smile still playing with her lips. The reason she had laughed was the knowledge that Serenity was growing her duplicate. Once imprinted with the pattern of her mind, there would be two of her. Obviously she couldn’t use the avatar when she herself was present. Jagged Peak might find that a bit out of the ordinary. However, when she left the Library to take up residence on the Gracie, the avatar could continue the research. And that was a good thing . . . a very good thing.

She exhaled loudly then quickly turned to see if the Divine had heard her. Apparently he hadn’t. Picking up yet another book, she resumed her research. Hour after futile hour, she thumbed through ancient scrolls, tomes and manuscripts. At the suggestion of Jagged Peak, she finally stopped for a late lunch. She invited the young man to join her as she occasionally did. It wasn’t lost on the poor fellow that these invitations seemed to occur when she was most tired . . . and hated to cook her own meal. However, he didn’t care. It came as a complete surprise to him that he enjoyed her company . . . a mere citizen without the Gift.

“Is there something special I can conjure up for you today, Librarian?”

“For the thousandth time, my name is Jax’x.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Then why won’t you use it?”

“It’s not appropriate.”

“Why not?”

“You are not Divine.”

“So?”

“We do not socialize with citizens.”

“Why?”

“It’s not appropriate.”

“You already said that. Explain to me why . . . don’t just recite some silly rule.”

“It’s . . . well . . . that is to say . . . well, it’s just not done.”

“Let me see if I understand. Someone told you not to do it. They didn’t give you a reason other than it hasn’t been done before. And, after careful analysis you concluded that this rule should be followed. No questions asked. Just blind obedience on your part. Is that about right?”

The poor guy just stared at the beautiful girl, mouth hanging open. Jax’x reciprocated by staring back.

Finally, he responded. “You’re mocking me.”

“I am not. I’m challenging you to use your mind . . . you’re obviously very intelligent. I know from personal experience that not all Divine Ones are.”

“Now you mock my kind.”

“No, I simply stated a truth. On the whole, the gifted are no more or no less intelligent than we citizens. In fact, the only difference between us is the Gift.”

“You forget . . . we rule this world. Only the most intelligent could rise to that level of authority.”

“Don’t be silly. You rule because you have limitless power and we citizens can’t stop you.”

“Exactly . . . we have the Gift. That must be because we are superior.”

“In all things?”

“Of course.”

“Then could you tell me the thermodynamic properties of a dark object versus one that is light.”

“What?”

“Why does one absorb heat quickly while the other does not?”

“That’s . . . well, who cares?”

“I do. Doesn’t that make me superior to you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Simple, really. I am curious about the workings of my world. Of the whole universe. I try to analyze everyday phenomenon to see why it does what it does. I try to create, based on those findings, things that can improve our lives. Or, enhance our knowledge.”

“To what end?”

“That’s the beauty of it. There is ‘no end’ . . . knowledge is infinite. I can’t find all the answers . . . no one can. But, I will use my ‘gift’, my intelligence, to learn as much as I can.”

“But why does that make you superior?”

“Because you don’t challenge anything. You simply accept what you’re told and maintain the status quo. For you, it’s a double sin. You waste your Gift and your intelligence. I am a curious and inquisitive individual. You are an automaton . . . you use none of your human traits. You might as well be a robot . . . or an avatar.”

Jagged Peak, to his credit, went silent as he considered the girl’s words. “You don’t like me, do you?” Surprisingly, he was hurt.

“Just the opposite. It’s because I like you that I’m telling you these things. If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t waste my breath.”

Again silence . . . but with a small blush thrown in. He didn’t know how to respond so he asked, “Would potato soup and bread satisfy your hunger?”

“Only knowledge could satisfy my hunger. However, soup sounds wonderful.”

A flash of light and a table appeared with two bowls of soup, a large loaf of bread . . . and a lit candle for the centerpiece.

Jax’x smiled at the romantic touch. “A candlelit dinner. Is this a date?”

The blush was a deep red this time. “Don’t be silly . .  . It’s a bit dark in here. I thought candlelight would help you see your food.” It was an obvious falsehood, made more apparent when he pulled out a chair for Jax’x to sit on.

She gave him a kindly smile then sat down. Pointing to the other chair she said “please.”

If you think that Jax’x was flirting with Jay’gar only gone for a month or two, you’d be mistaken. Her motivation was of a practical nature.

First, up until last night, she thought she would have only Jagged Peak’s company for possibly years to come. Why not make the most of it?

Second, the young man was handsome, intelligent with a pleasing personality. However, she wasn’t interested for herself but for Po. Maybe she could get the two together. Her friend was so lonely . . . and her fixation on Jay’gar was, in truth, a little bothersome.

Lastly, when you’re trying to start a revolution, it was probably good to have as many allies as possible. If not an ally, at least someone who would remain neutral.

Asking Jagged Peak to question his belief system was the first salvo in her war against his natural predisposition. But she would have to go slow otherwise she might needlessly arouse his suspicions.

“The soup is delicious. Thank you,” she remarked after taking a spoonful.

“You always thank me and I always remind you that I didn’t prepare it. I just think soup and it appears. No idea what the recipe is.”

“That’s actually very interesting.”

“What is?”

“The fact that you don’t conjure soup to a certain recipe. It’s like . . . um, it’s like you’re asking a machine to produce a predetermined version of the soup. Like it was programmed to give you a ‘standard’ soup recipe unless you asked for something different.”

“What machine?”

“I don’t know what machine. It was just an analogy.”

“Well, that doesn’t make any sense.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just trying to fit a solution to a problem. A hypothesis that fits the known facts. That’s how you advance knowledge.”

Jagged Peak smiled unexpectedly. “Wrong.”

“Why am I wrong?”

“A hypothesis in of itself can’t advance knowledge . . . unless you can test its veracity.” Another smile . . . one of triumph.

Now it was Jax’x’s turn to stare. “That was very good,” she complimented her dinner partner. “I’m impressed.”

“Impressed or shocked?” he teased. That in itself was a breakthrough. Jax’x had never heard the man joke.

“Impressed with your answer . . . but shocked with your question. I never knew you had a sense of humor.”

The conversation was turning a little too personal and Peak was beginning to feel uncomfortable. “I’m actually not very hungry. Please, stay and finish your meal. I’ll be in the other room.” He stood up to leave.

“I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“You didn’t, Librarian. I mean Jax’x. It’s just that . . . well, it’s . . . um . . .” He threw up his hands in disgust. “I have no idea what I’m trying to say. I’m an idiot,” and he walked off. Since he didn’t turn around, he didn’t see Jax’x’s warm smile.

*****

As Jax’x was sopping up the last few drops of soup with a thick slice of bread, there was an unexpected flash of light. She looked up to see a very welcomed sight.

“Po!”

“Jax’x,” and the hooded girl ran over to her friend and gave her a humongous hug.

“What are you doing here?”

“Grassy Knoll freed me from confinement and told me I could visit with you for an hour a day. Isn’t that amazing?”

It actually seemed more strange than amazing to the other girl. “But why? Did something happen?”

“Last night they pulled me out of bed and took me to a meeting of the Absolutes. Grassy Knoll said I was wrong to take Library artifacts out of the building without permission . . . which, of course, I didn’t. She punished me with a blinding light and an ear-splitting sound. When she was done she said I could go. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Of course it is. Unexpected but wonderful . . . but it doesn’t seem like much of a punishment”.

“Did you expect them to spank me,” she teased. Po was more anxious to hear about the Sisterhood . . . Jay’gar’s only hope. “What’s happening with the Sisters?”

“I met with them last night. Oh, Po, I really think this is going to work. They’re so amazing. They had me . . .” but she stopped when Jagged Peak entered the room.

“I thought I heard a conversation. Pond Ripple, what are you doing here. I was told you had been confined to your room . . . and that the Library was off limits to you.”

“I was freed by Grassy Knoll and given permission to visit my . . . I mean the Librarian.”

“I have been given no such instructions by my Absolute. Until this matter is resolved, you must leave.”

“I will do no such thing.”

“Divine One,” interjected Jax’x, “couldn’t you go find out the truth of the matter. It would only take you a minute or so?” She was appealing to their budding friendship, of course.

“I’m sorry, Jax’x,” he said inadvertently using her name. “Forest Green cannot be disturbed this late in the day. At best, I could try to see her first thing in the morning.” Turning to Po he added, “Please, I do not wish to get into an argument. Surely you can wait till morning to renew your acquaintance?”

Po was about to argue but Jax’x put her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Let’s not fight . . . not when everything is going so well.” It was a veiled reference to the revolution. “Come back in the morning.”

“I can’t. I have to work the Obelisk. I can return this time tomorrow.” By her tone of voice, she was clearly disappointed. There was so much to talk about.

“Be patient, dear Po. One more day and we’ll be together again.”

The girl sighed loudly. “Till tomorrow,” and she hugged her friend goodbye. A flash of light appeared and she was gone.

“Thank you,” said Peak.

“I was doing it for my friend.”

“Which one?”

Jax’x smiled but didn’t answer. She had noted his use of her given name. Instead, she went back to her research.

Chapter 7 - Serendipity

Midnight at The Crypt

Grassy Knoll was getting ready for bed after yet another long and arduous day of politicking, cajoling and intimidating. She sighed loudly at the inherent inefficiencies of this world’s system of governing. Too many people were involved with every decision. She was referring to the Absolute Assembly . . . with its six members.

A much better solution would be an Assembly whose sole purpose was to advise a single leader . . .  a leader whose decisions were the final word on all matters. A leader with absolute authority.

It wasn’t a new thought. She had been contemplating this for a goodly length of time. It had come to her at the end of her very first day on the Assembly, some twelve years earlier.

She had even decided on a name for this new position . . . the One. And, this person would be addressed as Her Oneness. Or His Oneness if it were a man. But it would not be.

It would be her.

Her Oneness.

She loved the sound of it.

With Chaos ‘mas fast approaching, the time for imposing this change was almost upon her. If she missed this opportunity, she would have to wait another six long, dreary and tedious years. That was unacceptable.

Unfortunately, Grassy Knoll was still in need of a full proof strategy. Every one she had conceived so far was very high risk. She needed something to improve her odds of success. Something that had so far eluded her.

It was a shame that her little lie about Pond Ripple and the Librarian planning a serious revolt wasn’t true. That would be a gift from the Holy Hex . . . the key for her to eliminate her main competition, Forest Green. With that nasty witch out of the way, it would be simplicity itself to achieve her Oneness.

As a distraction from her foul mood, she conjured up the day’s recording of her acolyte. The images and sounds whirred by her mind’s eye as she ‘fast forwarded’ through Po’s day. When she reached the point of the girl’s visit to the Library, she slowed the recording to its normal speed.

The girl appeared in the Library and she and her non-gifted friend hugged and exchanged pleasantries. Very tiresome.

Then she heard a snippet of conversation which she replayed . . . thinking she must have misunderstood.

“What’s happening with the Sisters?”

“I met with them last night. Oh, Po, I really think this is going to work. They’re so amazing. They had me . . . “

Frustratingly, the girl didn’t finish because Jagged Peak interrupted the conversation. She replayed the scene three more times. There was no mention of revolution but who were these ‘Sisters’. Even more disconcerting, how could the Librarian meet with them? With the force field in place, non-gifted could not enter the Library nor could the Librarian leave it.

She needed to understand what they were discussing. Deep in her bones she knew it was the missing piece she had so desperately searched for. But she was conflicted – the need for speed was balanced by the equal need for caution. She couldn’t push Pond Ripple into revealing what the conversation was about without warning her accomplice and these Sisters.

But Chaos ‘mas was fast approaching.

What to do? What to do?

*****

Midnight at the Library

“Jax’x.”

No response.

“Jax’x.”

The girl stirred . . . but she was so exhausted by her research that she didn’t wake.

“JAX’X”.

That did the trick. “What? What?” she exclaimed as she bolted upright in bed, momentarily disoriented

“Jax’x, it’s me. Egg.”

“Egg?” Still trying to reclaim her senses, the name didn’t quite register though it seemed vaguely familiar.

“Sorry to wake you.”

Click went her brain. “Oh, Egg. Sorry, about that. I was in such a deep sleep. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. It’s just that we . . . well, me . . . that is to say, I hate waiting around with nothing to do. So, I was hoping we could borrow you again tonight and you can start to tell us what’s going on. Maybe we can begin to develop a plan or two.”

Jax’x grinned at her communicator. These women were so enthusiastic . . . it was infectious. “Give me a minute to slip on some clothes.”

“Just throw on a robe . . . I’ll give you ten seconds. Nine, eight . . .” teased our heroine.

Jax’x grabbed the robe from the foot of the bed. “Ready,” she replied with three seconds to spare. A moment later she faded away . . . and rematerialized on the Gracie.

“Hi, everyone,” she said as she simultaneously smiled and yawned.

“Egg, I told you to let her sleep?” grumbled BreeZee. “Just because you couldn’t was no reason to wake her.”

“She could have said no.”

“Right. Like that was an option.”

“Oh, it’s fine, really. Besides, I found something in my research,” and she went to reach for a book but realized it was on her night table. “Oops.”

“Let’s not stand around like a herd of Bi’cranium Hare Brayns to discuss what you found. The lounge is more comfortable,” suggested Spirit.

“I’m not familiar with that reference.”

“Don’t worry, Jax’x. None of us are.”

“You stay-at-homes all need to come visit Paradox,” quipped the exotic alien girl.

“Stay-at-homes? Oh my gosh, I’ve got enough frequent flyer miles to get like a million free trips.”

“Not to be repetitious, but I’m not familiar with that reference.”

Spirit mimicked Egg and said, “Don’t worry, Jax’x. None of us are.”

“Does this happen often?” asked the newcomer about the cultural references.

“There are ten girls from five different worlds . . . yeah, it happens occasionally.”

“Enough chit chat,” cried Tee’ka. “I need to know what Jax’x found out before I explode into a trillion nano-bytes.”

Serenity laughed. “That one I know. She’s referring to the smallest level of computer code.” She turned to Jax’x and added, “Don’t forget, she was once a computer-generated hologram.”

“I remember. I still can’t believe it.”

“Do you want to see what I used to look like?”

“Sure,” the girl replied enthusiastically.

“Jynx, could you do me a favor and show Jax’x the old me?”

“Grrrrrrr,” and the Shamie morphed into . . .

Jax’x clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, you were so beautiful.” Realizing what she had just said, she blushed and stammered, “Of course, you still are.”

“I know,” the girl responded with all honesty and a complete lack of modesty.

“If you’re so beautiful, how come you don’t have a boyfriend?” teased Bl’azzz. “Heck, I even got a human to like me.”

“Maybe I’m too cute. Wouldn’t that intimidate men?”

Jax’x looked from girl to girl to see how they were reacting. It was obvious from the twinkle in their collective eyes that they were trying their best not to laugh. She, too, suppressed a smile . . . feeling her usual empathy towards the former computer program. “Tee’ka, have you ever been attracted to a particular man?”

“Um . . . well, not really. I think Egg’s Ben’Edikk is kind of nice. So is Grammy’s husband Ezra. But I haven’t met too many others.”

“So obviously you’ve never been alone with one.”

“No. That’s what worries me . . . what do I say or do when it’s just him and me?”

“I’ll tell you what. If you and your sisters can help me get Jay’gar back, you and he can go out on a date.” That elicited a bunch of raised eyebrows.

“Is he handsome?”

“Dreamy.”

“Smart?”

“Very.”

“Funny?”

“He makes me laugh, or at least giggle, all the time.”

“When we go on this date, can we . . .”

“No. Most definitely not.” The other girls broke into knowing grins.

“I didn’t finish my question.”

“You didn’t have to. Just remember, he and I are going to be married. Well, assuming he says yes when I ask him. Besides, he already has another girlfriend.”

The poor girl had to take a step back when she was assaulted by a chorus of “What’s”?

“It’s not like that. Po loves him. Like Tee’ka, she never had a boyfriend. After spending time with mine, she fell in love. And he loves her back.” She held up her hand to stop a barrage of questions which were about to be fired at her. “They both love me and neither would do anything to cause me pain. I trust them explicitly.”

“It doesn’t bother you?” asked an amazed Bree.

“Well, to be honest . . . and you all must promise not to say anything to Po . . . it does a little. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been befriending the new Divine One that guards me. He’s pleasing to the eye, intelligent and just a nice person. I think he and Po will like each other.”

“Have you told her?” asked Egg.

“Not yet. I only saw her for the first time this evening.”

“What? She escaped from her room?”

“No, Egg. Apparently after being given a token punishment, she was released. Her Absolute even gave her permission to visit me every day. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Five girls nodded yes.

The sixth got goose bumps.

“I smell a rat.”

“I hate rats,” cried the usually fearless Serenity as she scanned the floor for the ugly little critters. Even Bree and Spirit made faces of disgust – or was it fright?

“Stop, already. It’s just an Earth saying,” but she involuntarily looked around just to make sure. Satisfied, she explained, “It means that something isn’t what it appears to be . . . it’s something more sinister.”

“Goose Bumps?” asked Bree.

“Yeah, goose bumps.”

“You said something about that before,” commented Jax’x. “I actually thought you were teasing me.”

“Oh, it’s real enough,” said Bree. “As far as I can remember, Egg’s goose bumps always foretell something bad. Uncanny, really.”

“I, for one, would like to dissect her brain to see where this supernatural power comes from,” suggested Serenity unhelpfully. “All those in favor?”

Jax’x’s eyes went wide before she realized it was a joke. “Wow, you ladies are something else. Do you take anything seriously?”

“Just the bad guys,” offered Egg. “We really don’t like mean people.”

“This conversation is meandering all over the galaxy,” complained Spirit. “This time I’m not asking . . . follow me to the lounge. Then, let’s try and keep the conversation to the problem at hand.”

“What a grump”.

“Who said that?”

“It was Jynx,” answered Tee in mock seriousness.

“Grrrrrrr. Burp,” then the Shamie morphed into Egg.

The girl feigned annoyance. “Nice, you flea infested purple people eater”.

“Grrrrrrr. Burp”

“Oh, shut up.”

“ENOUGH,” screeched the telepath . . . which nearly scrambled the brains of the other six who somewhat stupidly put their hands over their ears.

“Come on, let’s move to the lounge before she screams again,” and Egg led them to the other room. Everyone found a place to sit . . . putting Jax’x in the center. When they were settled, Egg said “Okay, Jax’x, talk to us.”

“There is so much to tell that it’s hard to know where to start. So forgive me if I jump all over the place. Anyway, when I left here, I spent the day researching what the Tree said. And, I found something. I already told you that I’m what’s called an Amber Heart . . . very probably the last of my kind. What that means I’ll get to later. Po on the other hand, like every other Divine One, is a Hex. Everyone else are just X’s . . . that’s the people with no gift. I had never heard of someone born without one of those three. So, I leafed through a couple of hundred books and I finally found a reference to it. Apparently once in a generation a child is born without any mark. Strangely enough, they are born with a telltale trait – wandering eyes.”

“What the heck is that?”

“They can’t keep eye contact with another person. Their eyes begin to . . . I guess you could say meander. Because it makes them look shifty, like they’re dishonest or lying, they became outcasts . . . sent away to live on their own. At least, that’s the way it was until the Great War. After that, the population was so diminished that if someone was born with this trait, it was either not noticed or disregarded.”

“So how does that help us? How do you find a shifty-eyed person?” asked our fearless leader.

“I already met him. It’s Jay’gar’s neighbor, Kr’eep.”

“Hey, that’s the guy who loves me.”

Jax’x looked at the dragon with bewilderment. “He loves you? He loves a dragon . . . no offense.”

“What’s not to love?” and she smiled - again revealing a mouthful of teeth.

“That’s still a lot of teeth.”

“She puts the Big Bad Wolf to shame, doesn’t she?” Everyone looked at Egg who shook her head in frustration. “Forget it.”

“Bl’azzz, when did you meet him?”

“Technically, he only met me in a human avatar body. But there was definitely an attraction.”

Egg agreed. “There was. And that, my dear Jax’x, is our famous stroke of luck in action. What were the odds that we would meet him and that he would find her avatar appealing?”

“Obviously one hundred percent since it happened,” chimed Serenity.

Egg gave the girl an exasperated shrug and smirk. “You know what I mean.”

“Well, that’s got to be something we can use to our advantage,” offered Bree.

“I agree in principle . . . but until I can figure out what ‘directed thru he born with none’ means, I’m not sure how.”

“Well, I think we’re making progress,” suggested Serenity. “On the other hand, we need to figure out why Po is allowed to visit with you. Anybody have an idea?”

“If it wasn’t for your goose bumps, I’d say it could be as innocent as it sounds,” offered the girl with wings.

“Oh my gosh.”

Everyone turned to look at Egg.

“Sassi”.

“I don’t understand what that means?” replied Jax’x who then added, “Sorry I keep saying that.”

Ignoring her apology, Egg explained, “Sassi is one of our sisters. On our very first mission, the bad guy gave her a necklace that let him spy on us. Maybe that’s what they did to Po.”

Jax’x was horrified at the thought. “Po would never do such a thing.”

“Of course she wouldn’t. Neither would Sassi. But because of me – which is yet another long story for later – I made her forget that was why she had the necklace. Maybe Po doesn’t know either.”

“Jax’x, what exactly was her punishment?” asked Serenity.

“Something silly. There was a blinding flash of light and an ear splitting sound. It lasted all of two or three seconds.”

The girl in the wheelchair smiled. “As Egg would say . . . bingo.”

“Bing what?”

“It means I think I have the answer. When they did the light and sound thing, it was probably to distract Po so they could plant a spying device on her. All we need to do is find out what it is then we can deactivate it.”

“No”.

Again, everyone turned to Egg.

“If we did that, they’d know we were on to them. A better idea is to let them spy on stuff that will mislead them.”

“That’s all well and good but does it mean we have to lie to Po? I couldn’t condone that.”

“Actually, it would be much better if she knew. We need to figure out a way to get her a message that only she would understand. I’m open to ideas.”

Jax’x smiled. “How about a recipe for scrambled eggs?”

Chapter 8 – Plans Within Plans

“Take two eggs, crack them open and spill their guts into a bowl. I’d add a little salt, a pinch of pepper then I’d whip the suckers till they cried.”

“What could you possibly be talking about,” asked a bemused Serenity.

“She wanted a recipe for scrambled eggs; so I gave her one.”

“Egg, the only thing scrambled is your mind. Once again, let’s vote on me dissecting her brain. All in favor?”

Only Jynx raised her hand . . . I mean her paw.

“Hey, you freaky walking rug, be nice or I’ll pluck your eyebrows when you fall asleep.”

“Grrrrrrr. Burp.”

“Shut up.”

“If you two would stop your . . . your hijinks for a minute, maybe Jax’x could explain herself. I’m assuming she doesn’t really want a recipe for eggs.”

“Yes and no, Spirit,” and she went on to explain the secret code developed by Hay’gar and his grandson and used by Po.

“Serendipity,” beamed Flying Girl.

“Actually, it’s Serenity,” replied Serenity. “See, scrambled. So far we have two in favor of a dissection. All we need is two more. How about you Bl’azzz?”

“Haven’t decided,” answered Hot Lips with a grin. “To be honest, I’m leaning ‘yes’.”

“Now you know why I miss Syl; you’re all a bunch of dolts. Serendipity means lucky. What were the odds that they would have a secret code? A gazillion to one, maybe more?”

And once again, the girl in the chair joked, “Actually the odds apparently were one hundred percent . . . since they did.”

“Girl, you’re killing me.”

“Technically the dissection would kill you. I’m just trying to prepare you mentally. You’re welcome.”

Maybe because she was so tired, Jax’x broke into a fit of giggles. Before long, everyone else had joined in.

When she calmed herself, the girl said, “I’ve known you guys for about a day. And, not to sound mushy, but I love all of you. The comradery in this room is beyond belief. Besides being smart and pretty . . . you’re also very amusing. Well, most of you are.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously when she said it.

“Most?” asked Egg suspiciously.

Jax’x smiled . . . but said nothing.

“Well, it’s not me. I once made Mobius laugh.”

“He was laughing at you, not with you,” said Bl’azzz.

“Come on you guys, we need to focus. Jax’x, you must be exhausted. Let’s make sure she has a plan of action before we send her back.”

“Ha, Grumpy. She was talking about you.”

“She was not.”

“Was, too.”

“Was, not.”

“Grrrrrrr. Burp.”

“Jynx says it was definitely you. Now, for the love of all the nebula in the known universe, let’s concentrate on our mission.”

Obliging by turning serious, Egg said to Jax’x, “Can you get her the coded message before she comes to see you again?”

“No problem. I’ll send Ziz.”

“Hmmm.”

“Egg?”

“Just thinking. Can you remember what you and Po talked about when she came to see you? Don’t forget, the Divine Ones were eavesdroping.”

“Let me think. Luckily, it was only a few seconds before Jagged Peak interrupted us.” She smiled at her own words. “There’s that serendipity again. Anyway, after she told me why she was there, she asked about the Sisters. I said I met you and how amazing you were and that I thought our little revolution just might work.”

“Did you actually use the word revolution?”

“Um, no. I don’t think so. In fact, I’m sure I didn’t.”

“Okay, you guys . . . what do you think Grassy Hill got out of that?”

“Grassy Knoll”.

“Right. Thanks. Well, anybody?”

Tee’ka offered the first suggestion. “Jax’x met with us. How could she do that unless she left the Library or we came to her? Grassy Grass wouldn’t think that was possible with the force field they put up.”

“Grassy Knoll”.

“Right. Sorry.”

“Good thinking Tee.  So they know about us . . . but only that we exist. There goes one of our elements of surprise.”

BreeZee had a different take. “Wouldn’t she assume that we, the sisters, were Divine Ones? Only they could get through the force field.”

“Nice, Bree. Element of surprise is back with us. Anything else?”

“Well, she knows that Jax’x and Po are planning something behind their backs,” offered Bl’azzz. “Can’t imagine they think it’s going to be a surprise birthday party.”

“Good job, Hot Lips. Anything else?”

“Excuse me . . . hot lips?”

“Jax’x, our dearest dragon sister used to have a gas problem . . .”

“Ew.”

“Not that kind of gas problem. She’s a self-proclaimed vegetarian, something not normal for her kind. Combined with the fact that she’s a F’yre Dragon, when she burps it ignites. So if you hear a whoosh, duck or she’ll burn off your eyebrows.”

“I’m not sure how to respond to that.”

“Good,” replied an embarrassed Bl’azzz.

“Moving on, any suggestions on how we’re going to use our advantage with this spying stuff?”

“Remove all doubt that the Sisters are Divine Ones,” replied Bree.

“Very good. So what would you be conspiring with them about?”

Seconds ticked off before Jax’x volunteered, “How about we let them think we’re trying to get Jay’gar back? They might believe that.”

“Why would they help you do that? What’s in it for them?”

“Well, how about it is information I discovered in one of those ancient books. They get the knowledge and I get back my love.” She didn’t mean to, but she teared up as she said it.

“I like it. At least for now.” Egg glanced at the wall clock and complained “Rats, look at the time. Jax’x needs to get back and we still don’t know her story.”

“This time tomorrow we’ll be swapping out our girl with her avatar,” reminded Serenity. “Then we should have as much time as we need.”

“I guess,” agreed Egg reluctantly. “Anyway, Jax’x, get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”

“Okay. But what about Po? Won’t you need to get her up here so you can duplicate her?”

“We can’t get her from her room as we said before. So, she’ll have to find a couple of hours when she’s not there . . . and no one will miss her,” said Serenity.

“That’s going to be difficult, but I’ll include that in my message to her.”

“I think you’re going to need a bigger recipe than scrambled eggs,” suggested our scrambled Egg.

“How about Egg’s Ben’Edikk?” teased the former computer program.

“Cute, Tee. Really cute.”

And like before, the last thing Jax’x heard as she teleported away was the sound of the Sisters’ laughter.

*****

The Next Day

On the Gracie

“Egg.”

“Yo,” answered the sleepy girl into the intercom.

“I found something. Get the others and meet me in the control room.”

Five minutes later, the half-dressed, half-awake sisters joined Serenity.

“Don’t you ever sleep?” complained BreeZee.

“I get by on about four hours a night. Sometimes less”.

“Four hours? That’s like half a nap for us dragons.”

“No wonder you walk around in a daze all the time.”

“Hey, I resemble that remark.”

“Way too early for jibber-jabber. Show us what you’ve got,” grumbled Egg.

“Well, did you ever wonder why there’s only one city?”

“I actually wonder about everything,” answered Tee’ka. “For instance, why do boys have . . .?”

“Stop,” commanded Spirit. “Focus on our mission. You and I can talk about boys later.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. But fair warning, I probably know less than you. I was never a computer program and I’ve never been on a date.”

“Then what would we talk about?”

“Come on, you guys,” pleaded Egg. “Enough. Serenity, start talking . . . and just answer your own questions.”

“Can do. So, why is there only one city? Answer, because the Divine Ones aren’t divine once they leave Amber Heart.”

“Why not?”

“Remember those towers that you passed . . . the ones that were fallen and mangled? They are the source of their power.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Well, technically, these towers are transmitters and receivers. Their existence confirms what we heard from Jax’x, the actual source is most likely this M.A.G.E.K. machine.”

“Sorry, I’m not following,” apologized Bl’azzz.

“The Divine Ones aren’t born with magical powers. For some reason, they are able to communicate with this machine using their minds. The machine takes their thoughts and converts them into reality. But, apparently, the mind can only transmit so far. These towers were built to pick up their thoughts, amplify them then send them on to the machine. I’m guessing that the machine transmits instructions back to the Obelisks to create whatever is required.”

“So those towers outside the city were destroyed in their big war. No towers, no way to communicate with the machine. No communication, no power to undo the destruction outside the city limits. Right?”

“Yup.”

“But the Divine Ones don’t know that, do they?”

“Just guessing . . . but no. I’m sure over the centuries they came up with some story or superstition as to why everyone must stay within the city limits.”

“Do you know where this machine is? I’m guessing in Amber Heart,” suggested Bree.

“Actually, it’s under the city. Based on the power readings I’ve measured, it’s probably about five miles below the surface.”

“Since you said the force field around The Crypt was super strong, then it’s probably right under their noses.”

“Egg-o, that’s a bing-o”.

“Cute.”

“I know.”

“Ah ha. Got it,” cried Bree.

“Got what? Milk?”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“The Tree . . . it said ‘underneath the celestial lair’. Celestial is another word for Divine.”

“And that’s another big ‘click’ as one more piece of the puzzle falls into place,” said Egg with a little bit of pride. Her team was good.

“So, all we have to do is destroy the remaining towers and we win, right?”

“Sorry, Tee’ka. I think that within the city limits, the Divine Ones are close enough to the machine that they don’t need the towers.”

“Rats.”

“Hey, that’s my word.”

*****

The Crypt, Po’s Room

Ziz flew in the open window and perched on the sill. Jax’x surveyed the room through the bird’s eyes to be sure she wasn’t observed . . . by Po. If the girl didn’t see her, maybe the Absolutes wouldn’t either.

Satisfied that her friend was still asleep, she had Ziz glide down and deposit the note on the pillow . . . placed so it would be the first thing Po would see upon wakening. Once done, she had Ziz make a ‘bee-line’ to the window and out. Mission accomplished.

After the note was deciphered, it would read, “The Sisters think that your moves are being monitored. When you were disciplined, Grassy Knoll probably planted a device on you. Don’t look for it . . . it will only give us away. She probably believes that the Sisters are Divine Ones. Let’s make sure she continues to believe that. When you see me, say nothing about our venture. Use coded notes. Find a time when you are away from The Crypt and can visit the Sisters for two hours . . . then let me know. Be careful.”

That about covered it all.

Unfortunately, a coded note will give away as much information to the enemy as to its recipient . . . if it’s decoded.

*****

After hearing the snippet of conversation, Grassy Knoll decided that Pond Ripple had to be monitored continuously. The obvious choice to do this was Lightning Flash, her most trusted lieutenant.

The Divine used a device that her Absolute had conjured . . . to observe, listen and record everything that Po did. She was in an office that was adjacent to her ‘boss’ doing just that. It was very early and she had to fight drowsiness to watch the boring display of the young girl sleeping. The red robe with the device was hanging on a hook off to one side of the bed . . . and that was the view that she had.

“WHAT?” The exclamation was a spontaneous response to seeing a mechanical bird fly into the room and deposit a slip of paper then fly off. Lightning Flash was a trusted assistant because of her loyalty . . . and her intelligence. Making a ‘lightning’ quick decision, she retrieved the note with a thought. The paper disappeared from the viewing screen and reappeared on the Divine’s desk. She scanned it but frowned at the contents. It appeared to be a recipe of some sort for eggs. It was obviously a code . . . but one she could not immediately decipher.

Again, she gave the situation some thought and again reached a quick decision. She conjured up a duplicate of the note and sent it back to Pond Ripple’s pillow. She saw it materialize on her device.

Satisfied, she summoned an assistant. “Please wake our Mistress. Tell her I have urgent news.”

“But . . . but it’s so very early. Are you sure?”

“If I were not sure, would I ask you to do it?”

“Of course not. My apology,” said the young man as he scampered off.

*****

Grassy Knoll entered the office five minutes later. If she was miffed at being awaken at this hour, she did not show it. She trusted Lightning Flash and the girl’s judgment.

“What has happened?”

“A mechanical bird flew into her room and deposited this note. I sent a duplicate back.”

The Absolute picked it up and scanned the contents. Like her assistant, she frowned. “A recipe for eggs?”

“So it would appear. It is obviously a coded message.”

“Have you deciphered it?”

“I’ve given copies to three others. They work on it as we speak.”

“Excellent. Let me know the second they . . .” but she was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Enter,” she called.

“Pardon, Mistress but we believe we’ve deciphered the note. The code was fairly simple,” and he handed her another slip of paper. He didn’t wait for a response; he just bowed and left – closing the door behind him.

Grassy Knoll read the note . . . then reread it. She handed it to Lightning Flash who did the same.

“The Sisters think that your moves are being monitored. When you were disciplined, Grassy Knoll probably planted a device on you. Don’t look for it . . . it will only give us away. She probably believes that the Sisters are Divine Ones. Let’s make sure she continues to believe that. When you see me, say nothing about our venture. Use coded notes. Find a time when you are away from The Crypt and can visit the Sisters for two hours . . . then let me know. Be careful.”

The Divine gave the note back to her mistress without comment.

“By the blessings of the Holy Hex, this is serendipitous. A conspiracy from within, using forces from without. I could not have asked for a better opening to bring my plans to fruition.”

“What would you have me do? Arresting Pond Ripple would only give us away. We have the advantage of surprise.”

“We do indeed. I think our first order of business is to capture one of these Sisters. We need to evaluate the threat. And then . . . we need to punish her. Severely. Perhaps that will flush out her compatriots if they are inclined to attempt a rescue.”

“I will see to it.”

Chapter 9 – Point of No Return

The Library

“You’re up early.”

“Oh, good morning, Jagged Peak. I didn’t know you were there.”

“Sorry if I startled you. Can I make you some breakfast?”

“I have so much work to . . . but, sure. I guess I can spare a few minutes.”

“The usual?”

“Um . . . I think I would like some eggs this morning. Just for a change of pace.”

“Of course. How would you like them prepared?”

“Scrambled,” she said immediately then giggled.

He smiled warmly. “Well, you’re in a good mood. It’s not often that the mention of scrambled eggs will make someone laugh.”

“Forgive me for acting like a little girl. I must be tired . . . I didn’t sleep all that well.”

“I, for one, like the little girl Jax’x. So innocent and joyful.”

“Maybe not as innocent as you’d think.” As soon as she said it, she wanted to take the words back. No use in arousing the young man’s suspicions.

Peak just smiled, then with a slight nod of his head, he conjured up a table - set with two plates of eggs and mugs of hot coffee . . . well, not coffee like we know it, but close enough. “Please,” he said gallantly as he pulled out a chair for her to sit upon.

“Thank you.” She sat then pointed to the other chair, giving him permission to join her.

“Jax’x, do you know what a cone of silence is?”

That was an unusual topic of conversation. “I have heard of it. It’s when a Divine One engulfs a person or persons within a field that ensures that any conversation cannot be overheard.”

“Correct.” He then raised a finger and such a field formed around the table and the two occupants. “Now you are experiencing it firsthand.”

This was strange . . . but she wasn’t frightened just curious. “Is there something personal you wish to discuss?” She was hoping he wasn’t about to get romantic. That could only end badly . . . and she did want to maintain their friendship for Po’s sake.

“Can I ask, what do you think of me?”

Oh well, best to tackle this head on with honesty. “I think you’re intelligent, handsome and excellent company. But, I’m in love with Jay’gar . . . even if he’s been taken away from me. I know in my heart I’ll get him back. I’m prepared to wait till time itself runs out for that to happen. I’m sorry.”

The young man politely stared at his companion . . . but as her words began to sink in, his expression turned from confusion to embarrassment. He began to blush furiously. “Oh, no. No, no . . . I wasn’t trying to find out if you had a personal interest in me. No, no . . . I’m sorry if you misunderstood. You’re very attractive, very desirable . . . but I have no romantic feelings for you.” Now he was scarlet. “I mean, I would if I didn’t care for someone else. Really. I mean, I would be honored if you felt that way about me, but . . .” but he stopped. The hole he had just dug was so deep, he was smart enough to realize there was no gallant way out of it.

Just to make it worse, if that was even possible (which it was), Jax’x burst out laughing. The poor Divine One wanted to teleport away but that would only postpone the conversation. The only thing he could do was to sit, squirm and wait for the girl to regain her composure.

It only took about thirty seconds . . . but to Peak it lasted about a month and a half. “I’m sorry, but the look on your face and your sad attempt to be gallant were unexpected. You’re usually so smooth and sophisticated.”

“There was no need to laugh at my discomfiture,” but he smiled brightly when he said it. Obviously, he now found it as amusing as Jax’x.

“So, you’re handsome and I’m beautiful. We’re both smart and delightful company. I’m in love, but not with you. You’re in love, but not with me. Does that about sum it up?”

“Technically, I said you were attractive not beautiful . . . but let’s not quibble over semantics”. His face was beaming – enjoying the repartee.

She smiled back. “So, who’s the lucky girl?”

“Lucky girl?”

“The one that you’re in love with”. She said it pleasantly but she felt incredibly disappointed. There went her matchmaking for Po.

“I lied.”

“About?”

“Having someone I love. It was the first thing that came to mind. You’re probably aware that we, Divine Ones, are discouraged from finding our own partners. When the time is right, we’re assigned a mate.”

“I know and I think that is awful. It’s not natural.”

“Why are you smiling?”

She hadn’t realized she was doing that. But, since he had no one, maybe she could get him and her friend interested in each other. Her gut feeling was that she should try honesty again. “I’m smiling because I was hoping I could get you and Po . . . I mean Pond Ripple . . . interested in each other. Romantically.” What the heck, in for a penny, in for a pound.

Jagged Peak just stared.

“Don’t you think she’s cute?”

“Jax’x, I just told you we aren’t allowed to fall in love with whomever we want.”

Time to keep pushing. “What if there were no such stupid rules?”

He was about to protest that there were and that wasn’t about to change . . . when he remembered why he had placed the cone of silence around them in the first place. “If there was no such rule, I would be physically attracted to Pond Ripple. However, that’s not love, is it? I would need to know what kind of person she was. How she thought? If she laughs. Is that stupid? Am I being a dimwitted male by expecting more of a person?’

“Oh my, no. You sound like . . . no offense, but you sound like one of us. One of the ungifted. You even sound like Po.”

“Why do you call her that? Po?”

“It’s a term of friendship. It’s my name for my friend. Does that offend you?”

“No. I like the idea. If we were friends, what would you call me?” Only the tips of his ears blushed.

“Let’s see. Jagged Peak . . . how about the first two letters of each name. So I would call you Jape.”

“That’s insulting. Doesn’t that mean joke?”

“Absolutely . . . it will be our little joke on the rest of the Divine Ones.”

He smiled yet again. “Then, I like it. As for Pond . . . I mean Po, I will find the time to talk to her. For you.”

“No, for you . . . and her.”

“For the three of us, then.”

“Acceptable,” and she instinctively reached out and squeezed his hand. The gesture was so unexpected that he began to pull back.

“It’s a sign of friendship” she explained.

He put his hand back. “There’s much to get used to.” He squeezed her hand in return.

“Now, tell me why we’re in this cone?”

“You’re intelligent and perceptive and clever. You tell me.”

“A test?”

“Not really. I will tell you regardless.”

“Fair enough. Let me see . . . you don’t wish to be heard – presumably by other Divine Ones. It’s not about a personal interest in me. Hmmm . . .” Then she stopped and looked intently at her new friend. “Are you bothered by the way . . .” she groped at how to phrase her thought, “. . . by the way this world has evolved?”

He showed no emotion unless you were perceptive enough to see the glimmer in his eyes. “Explain.”

But now a chill of doubt passed through her. She didn’t really know Jape. It was possible he was setting her up to espouse treason. To trap her into revealing her plans. She wished Egg were here . . . to see if she got her magical goose bumps. “I’m sorry, I really have no idea,” she lied.

*****

The Crypt – Po’s Room

She awoke . . . with the feeling like she was being watched. Sitting up, she looked around the room but realized she was alone. Yawning hugely, her hand stretched out and touched the note that she hadn’t seen.

Before picking it up, she stared at it . . . as if to be certain it wouldn’t attack her. Satisfied it was only sheet of parchment, she grabbed it and scanned the contents. Hmmm . . . a recipe for eggs.

Obviously a note from Jax’x or possibly from the Sisters.

She looked around again to be sure she wasn’t being watched. Strangely, she felt the hackles on her neck stand up. Getting out of bed, she skipped to the bathroom and closed the door . . . just for a little more privacy.

Since her cape was still hanging up outside, she inadvertently achieved her purpose.

Without a pad of paper and a stylus, she had to convert the code in her head. It was simple but still took her a good ten minutes. To be certain she had it right, she did it all again

Then her hackles went back up.

*****

The Library

“Jax’x, you have nothing to fear from me. In fact, I have more to fear from you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m about to reveal some things about myself that would place me in great jeopardy with my Absolute. Forest Green has little tolerance for disloyalty.”

“Then please don’t tell me. Not because I would willingly do anything to harm you . . . but your kind can exert a great deal of pressure to get what they want. My Jay’gar does come to mind.”

“If I can help you get him back, would that change your mind?”

“Don’t you dare toy with my emotions like that.” She stood up and made to leave.

“I’m not toying with you. Please, sit down and let’s talk.”

Reluctantly, she did as she was asked. “Talk and I’ll listen.”

“Fair enough. As you know, when children reach the age of puberty, their X’s will change to Hex’s if they are gifted. At that point their parents give them to the Order. I’m sure you’ve heard rumors about what happens to them . . . to me . . . at that point. We’re put through six years of intensive training. And six years of thought altering conditioning. We are changed to think, feel, react like Divine Ones. Our connection to our past lives, and to our families, is completely severed. If we were to encounter our parents afterward, we would not be so much as inclined to wish them good day. They are like strangers to us.”

“It’s disgusting.”

“Yes, it is. But sometimes the conditioning isn’t effective. Sometimes we keep our past selves. Hidden from view, of course, but there none the less.”

“And that is you?”

“Yes. I still love my parents. My brother. My crazy aunt, not so much,” and he smiled.

She couldn’t help it and she smiled too. “So what does this have to do with me?”

“I’ve heard some of Forest Green’s most trusted advisors talk about some kind of conspiracy. Something about non-gifted rising up to overthrow the order of things. I didn’t think anything of it. I assumed it was just paranoia or some stupid power play. Then I was assigned to you. I’ve watched you closely – because that is my job but also because you’re easy to look at.”

“What does that mean – easy to look at?”

“Attractive – for a non-gifted. Well, attractive for a woman.”

“I thought I didn’t appeal to you in that way?”

“I’m loath to admit that men are like that. They can’t help but look at beauty.”

“Well, I’m flattered, I guess. So what does that have to do with anything?”

“As part of my job, I’ve read everything that you have. I have to say . . . you read a lot.”

“Go on.”

“What you said before was right. I don’t like the way this world evolved. I don’t like the way children are made to forget their families. I don’t like the fact that I can’t choose who to love. I don’t like the fact that because I have this gift, I should be considered superior to those who don’t. I want to change it.”

“What has that to do with me?” she asked – but held her breath.

“From what I gleaned from those overheard conversations, coupled with the volumes you were most interested in, I think you and Pond, I mean Po, are planning something – something magnificent. I want to help. I want to be part of it. Will you let me?”

Jax’x sat there dazed. If Jagged Peak knew what was going on, who else did? What was confusing was that his Absolute was Forest Green . . . according to Po, Grassy Knoll’s mortal enemy. If Knoll had planted the listening device on Po, why would she share that information with Green?

It didn’t’ make sense. She would love to have another ally in the upcoming fight, but she just wasn’t comfortable with Jagged Peak. They’d known each other for only a short time. Granted, he had been very un-Divine like. In truth, he was surprisingly similar to her beloved Jay’gar. She would talk to Egg tonight and get her advice before taking any action. For now, the best course of action was to stall for time.

“I think I need to get back to work. Thank you for breakfast and our little chat.”

Jagged Peak was disappointed, but not surprised, that the girl would need time to consider his offer. “You’re welcome. May we continue this conversation over dinner?”

“I think I’ll skip dinner tonight. Perhaps you could prepare me eggs in the morning. They were delicious.”

“Eggs it is. Sorry I can’t leave you alone but I will sit over there and try not to bother you anymore. I know you have a lot to think about.”

“I appreciate that,” and she did. She would have been more suspicious if he had pushed her for an immediate answer.

Later that Evening

“Hi, Jax’x.”

“Evening, Po. Hope you’re well.”

“I am, thank you,” and she walked over and gave her friend a hug. As they separated she slipped a note into the inner pocket of the Librarian’s cape. “Have you found anything interesting in the books today?’

“Actually, I found a story about . . .” and she retold a tale of lovers from hundreds of years ago. She had purposely read the saga so she could retell it to her friend. They had to maintain the appearance that all was normal. With their every word being recorded, this was the only thing she could think of to pass the time. And to pass a message that wouldn’t be read.

“Then what happened?” Po was clever enough to understand what her friend was doing.

“He needed a way to fool the person pursuing his love. Since this person was very powerful it had to be totally convincing. So, he pretended to die using some potion. When his lover found him, she thought he was dead and killed herself from grief. When the poor man awoke, he found the love of his life draped over his legs . . . cold and lifeless. He took the knife from her hand and . . . well, you can guess the rest.”

“How extraordinarily tragic.”

“I know. It made me cry. On the other hand, I think it was a bit unrealistic.”

“How so?”

“Keeping secrets is so hard. What one side knows, the other is bound to find out.”

Po scrunched her face trying to figure out what message her friend was trying to give her. “So, you’re saying that in the real world, the girl would have found out what her lover was up to?”

“Exactly. Given enough time and taking into account all the people that had to be involved in this . . . tragedy . . . word was bound to leak out.”

“Interesting. Well, I’m hoping you’re just overthinking this. Taking the story on its own merits would be best.”

“I’m not so sure. Not when the consequences are so enormous.”

“Well, on that sad note, I’m going back to my room and weep for all the star-crossed lovers in the world.” Realizing that Jax’x was one of them, she hastily added, “Sorry, that was incredibly stupid of me.”

“It’s okay. Go, enjoy your evening. Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Of course,” and they hugged once more.

Chapter 10 – Gone Girl

The Crypt, Later that Night

Office of Grassy Knoll

“No discussion of their conspiracy”.

“Obviously, they know that we know.  What did you make of that ridiculous story?”

Lightning Flash gave it some thought. “I don’t believe that there was any message in the story itself. But the Librarian’s analysis was obviously an attempt to convey information to her friend.”

Grassy Knoll nodded her agreement. “Replay that part.”

“Keeping secrets is so hard. What one side knows, it would be inevitable that the other would find out.”

“So, you’re saying that in the real world, the girl would have found out what her lover was up to?”

“Exactly. Given enough time and taking into account all the people that had to be involved in this . . . tragedy . . . word was bound to leak out.”

“By the Holy Hex . . .” fumed the furious Absolute.

“Mistress?”

“She knows. That witch knows.”

“Forest Green?”

“Do you know any other witch?” stormed the woman . . . taking out her anger on her own trusted assistant.

Instead of responding, Lightning Flash replayed the conversation. With the help of her boss’s insight, the message now seemed perfectly clear. “How is that possible?”

Grassy Knoll turned her vengeful face at the other. “Someone is not loyal to me.”

Lightning turned white at the implied accusation. “Mistress, I hope you don’t think I would betray you?”

“You have one day to find out who did. By this time tomorrow someone will pay for such a heinous act of disloyalty.” The message was crystal clear – find the person or Grassy Knoll would assume it was Lightning Flash. “In the meantime, put a recording device in the bedroom of the Librarian.

*****

The Library, About the Same Time

Jax’x’s Bedroom

“Ready?”

“Yes. I have everything I need for the time being on the bed with me.”

“Great. Here we go . . .”

And Jax’x, her bed and everything on it faded away.

A moment later the whole enchilada reappeared in the Gracie. Jax’x jumped up and ran to Egg for her now customary hug. When they separated, Egg told the Sisters, “Clear the bed, quickly. It has to go back.

They did as they were told. Then Serenity entered followed by Jax’x . . . the avatar.

“Hey Jax’x . . . meet the Librarian.”

“Is that what I look like? My hair . . . it’s hideous.”

“Hey, I like our hair.”

“Serenity, send her down. The longer we wait, the greater the chance of being discovered.”

“Ok, you heard our fearless leader. Get on the bed.”

The avatar obeyed.

“Ready?” asked Egg.

“Wait. Um . . . what do I call you?”

“Our name is Jax’x . . . remember?” but the avatar smiled as she said it.

“Wow, she’s as insufferable as I am. Anyway, when you get back, be sure to change out of your Robes. I don’t usually sleep in them.”

“Let me write that down so I don’t forget.”

Jax’x dropped her jaw and stared. Six other girls giggled.

“Serenity, do it,” and the avatar disappeared along with the bed.

“That is freaky.”

“Don’t get too hung up on it,” replied Serenity. “The avatar isn’t alive in the same way as you and I. And, she’s not really sentient. You can’t think of her as a living duplicate of you. She’s a biological machine.”

“So what you’re saying is that she’s expendable.”

“It sounds harsh . . . but yes. I built her and I promise you I’m not a god. I can’t create life.”

“But what about Tee’ka. Sorry, if this is being insensitive.”

The former computer program replied, “I don’t mind. Gosh knows I’ve had this conversation with myself a million times.”

“Now isn’t the time to discuss it at length. The short answer is that our sister was a self-aware program otherwise known as Artificial Intelligence. The body I grew for her out of living matter.”

“I’m not seeing the difference.”

“Stop,” demanded Egg. “Like Serenity said, now’s not the time. Did Po give you a time and place where we can beam her up for a couple of hours?”

“Yes. But, first I have to tell you what happened,” and she retold the encounter with Jagged Peak. When she finished, she added, “But the two Absolutes hate each other. I can’t imagine that they would share information.”

“So they found out on their own . . . that’s not good,” observed Bree.

“Ummm . . .”

Everyone turned to Egg. “What are you thinking?” asked Bl’azzz.

“That maybe if they both know, they also know the other one knows but didn’t tell them. Maybe, if we’re lucky . . . which is most of the time . . . they’ll fight amongst themselves and not pay as much attention to us.”

Jax’x, for one, was impressed. “You’re very devious, aren’t you? I mean that in a good way.”

“Naturally, what other way is there?”

“Egg,” said Serenity “let’s get Po up here before we worry about that. As long as she’s down there, she’s fair game to get into trouble.”

“Agreed. Jax’x, where and when do we get her?”

“She said that two hours before she’s due to report for work, she’ll go to the Temple of Three Obelisks. TOTO is a shrine that the Divine Ones often go to for meditation. No one would be suspicious if she went.”

“Toto?”

“The initials of the temple.”

“Reminds me of a character from a movie. He was Toto, too.”

“What?”

“Not important. So when she’s at the shrine, we just beam her up?”

“Not exactly. Um . . .”

“Um?”

“If she’s got a recording device on her, they’ll know what’s going on. Po suggests that the device must be in her cloak since it’s the only thing she always wears. It would be best if one of you would beam down to meet her, put on the robe and wait for her return. I know that’s asking a lot.”

Egg looked at the others and they shrugged as if to say ‘why not’. “Okay, I’ll go.” As you might expect, that was greeted with a very nice chorus of no’s.

“Why not send one of the avatars that you used before?”

“Good idea.”

“Egg, send me”.

“Why, Tee?”

“I feel like I haven’t contributed to this mission.”

Bl’azzz asked, “Goose bumps?”

Egg checked her arms. “No, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. It’s not exactly a full-proof system.”

“It’s good enough for me,” replied Tee’ka.

“On one condition. Flying Girl gets to keep an eye on you.”

“Who or what is Flying Girl?” asked Jax’x.

“That would be me.”

“You can fly? Like Bl’azzz and BreeZee? What do you do, flap your arms?” She was actually serious.

“I only flap my arms when I drink an ‘Icee’ too fast and get a brain freeze.”

“What?”

“I’ll show you later. But the answer to your question is that I have a suit made from serpents crystal. It allows me to fly. Watch. Ring, tend to my suit.” Like an old friend, a gray fog enveloped our heroine and out stepped flying girl. “Ta da”.

Poor Jax’x just stared . . . it seems that just when she thought she had seen it all, the Sisters would find a way to shock her. “That is amazing.”

“It’s actually how all this got started. My Grammy gave me the suit and some jewelry when I was almost nine. Figuring out what the jewelry did was a test . . . which by pure luck, I solved. My reward was to be invited to Aerianna to find five more sisters – I already had my best friend, Sylvia – to fight a war against the most powerful man in the universe. With the help of a bunch of people and some glue, we won.”

Jax’x could only shake her head in amazement. “I’m guessing there’s a little more to that story.”

“Not much. Great sisters, good friends and a gigantic amount of luck . . . that pretty much sums it up.”

“Liar,” mumbled Bl’azzz.

Jax’x smiled at the dragon. “Promise to tell me the whole story, Bl’azzz?”

“I promise. It’ll take hours, so get plenty of rest.”

“Enough about me. We have about five hours before we get Po. We need to get some sleep, but Jax’x owes me some explaining. You’ve got thirty minutes.”

“I think we all might want to hear it,” suggested Spirit.

“Then let’s get comfortable.”

*****

The Library

Jax’x’s bedroom

Lightning Flash planted a recording device. But all she could see was the Librarian changing out of her Robes of office and getting into bed. A few minutes later, she was gently snoring.

*****

The Crypt

Office of Forest Green

“Status.”

“The plan is to disguise one of these Sisters as Pond Ripple as she visits the TOTO. The exchange is to happen two hours before she assumes her duties at her Obelisk.”

“And you know this how?”

“I was able to detect Po . . . Pond Ripple . . . slipping a note into the pocket of the Librarian. While they were distracted talking about some nonsense, I duplicated it without either of them knowing.” He showed his Absolute the parchment.

“Excellent, Jagged Peak. What of your discussions with the girl. Did she admit to anything?”

“I believe I was very close to winning her confidence. We’re to meet tomorrow over breakfast to continue our chat.”

“And how will you handle Pond Ripple?”

“That will not be a problem,” and he told her of his plans.

*****

On the Gracie

“About four hundred years ago, Spell ‘Bound was actually called Unbound.”

“What was the significance of that name?” asked Spirit.

“My world was incredibly advanced technologically. There apparently wasn’t anything they couldn’t accomplish. They were free to create whatever they wished . . . unbounded by the laws of the universe.”

“Wow, kind of full of themselves,” observed Egg.

“I prefer to think of it as supreme confidence in their abilities,” replied the Spell’ Bounder.

“That’s sweet,” was the sarcastic reply.

“Anyway, they were a space faring people. On a mission to some far off planet, they discovered two minerals that they had never encountered before. One was so black that it seemed to suck the light out of the sky. It formed in hexagonal crystals. The other was amber in color and formed in heart shaped crystals. They brought them home so our scientist could study them.”

“And now we know the origin of the Hearts and Hex.”

“Yes, Bl’azzz. But that was just the beginning. The story is actually heartbreaking . . . as sad as any love story with a tragic ending.”

“We’re listening.”

“The information I found was incomplete but this is what I pieced together so far. It turns out these crystals can amplify brain waves . . . but not for everyone. Some people could use the hex stones, some the amber and some neither. I don’t think they ever found out why. But the amplification was pretty limited. They could levitate objects, teleport short distances and create simple products.

Then the great minds of the time came up with a plan. I can see how appealing it was . . . unfortunately, it failed to take into account the baser side of human behavior.”

“Jax’x, I have a feeling this is going to get pretty complicated. Try to keep the science part as simple as possible. My friends have trouble with complex thought,” semi-teased Serenity.

“Ah, thank you,” replied Bl’azzz not quite realizing she was being insulted.

“My pleasure”.

“There actually wasn’t much detail on the technology,” continued Jax’x. “The gist of it was that they decided to build a giant machine that could amplify the thoughts limitlessly. The concept was that the Hearts and Hexes would become a branch of government whose sole purpose was to use their ability to interface with this contraption to help the rest of the citizens. The machine was called the Matter Anti-matter Generator and Energy Kinesthesis . . . otherwise known by its initials - M.A.G.E.K.”

“Cute,” replied someone.

“I’m sure they thought so. Anyway, they built towers throughout the planet to connect Hearts and Hexes with the machine. They built the Obelisks for M.A.G.E.K. to create whatever it was that these folks wanted created.”

“So how did all this get integrated into society?” asked BreeZee.

“Great question. They introduced a genetic modification into the populace so that everyone was born with an X. At puberty, those with a predisposition to use the Hex crystal would see their mark transform into a hex. Same was true with the Amber Hearts. Otherwise, the X would stay an X. Children with the gift were taken to their appropriate sect to become acolytes. Hexes were given rings with the Hex crystal; Amber Hearts were given pendants with theirs.”

“It sounds kind of amazing,” observed Spirit. “Technology that would help everyone do just about anything.”

“What went wrong?” asked Egg.

“Let me read you something I found,” and she dug through a stack of books until she found what she was looking for. “It says . . .

And the rift between Hearts and Hexes began to grow.

At first it was a rivalry between brothers.

Then it was a competition between adversaries.

Eventually it was war between enemies.

“Sorry to be such a dragon-brain but what does that mean exactly?” asked Bl’azzz.

“It seems that everything worked as it should for many years. Then those two groups began to vie with one another to become the dominant sect. As that passage says, it started as a rivalry and ended in a war. The great war.”

“Since they had equal power,” added Serenity, “it would have been a stalemate. They destroyed virtually everything on the surface except Amber Heart. By the way, the name must mean that your kinds, Jax’x, were initially headquartered in that city. I’m guessing The Crypt was actually built over M.A.G.E.K. and not the other way around.  Logically, it would have been programed to protect itself. That meant protecting the entire city from destruction.”

Jax’x was startled by that revelation “Really? The machine is below The Crypt? How did you find it?”

“Power readings.”

“Well that makes sense. Po told me that no one can teleport into or out of The Crypt. They actually have to leave by the front door then teleport.”

“Why does that make sense?” asked Egg.

Serenity answered, “Again, to protect itself. M.A.G.E.K. didn’t – doesn’t – want to be vulnerable to an attack. Pretty slick.”

Jax’x continued, “To finish what I know, obviously the Hexes somehow found a way to win. Afterward, they must have again altered the genetics of the population to suppress any future Amber Hearts. I must have been a one in a million anomaly.”

“By the way,” asked Egg “where is this mark that you have?”

Jax’x blushed. “I can’t imagine why they chose to put it there?”

“Where?” insisted Egg with a grin.

“Let’s just say that it follows me wherever I go.”

Everyone giggled except Tee’ka. “I don’t get it.”

“It’s on her butt.”

“Oh. Can I see it?”

“You most certainly may not,” which elicited more giggles. When they died down, Jax’x finished with, “Since the war was so destructive, everything my people had ever achieved was also destroyed. Even our collective memory of what we once were. Over time, the Hexes became the Divine Ones . . . believing that their gift was a holy one. The memory of M.A.G.E.K. disappeared.”

“By the way, Jax’x, do you know why there’s nothing outside of Amber Heart?”

“Legend says that it’s saturated with a deadly radiation. No one ever ventures out there.”

“That’s actually not the reason,” and Serenity explained the why of it.

“How sad. Almost an entire planet going to waste. For as great a people as we once were, we are now not much more than savages.”

“Well, Jax’x, you were right. Your planet’s story is really as tragic as any love story. The law of Unintended Consequences . . . a noble idea turned into a weapon of mass destruction and a means of oppression. I, for one, look forward to righting this wrong.”

Egg’s eyes rolled back in her head. “Come on, Bl’azzz, you’re killing me.”

“Get used to it, Egg-o. I’m a big girl now.”

“Ha. You’ve always been a big girl.”

“Trees and boulders can break my . . . rats, I forgot how that Earth saying went.”

“It’s sticks and stones, sticks and stones . . . not trees and boulders, you lumbering, loopy labradoodle.”

Bl’azzz just winked at the others.

Epilogue

Egg left the ship first and landed on top of TOTO. “I see Po. There doesn’t appear to be anyone else around,” she whispered into her communicator. “Send her down.”

A moment later Tee’ka materialized in a dark alley off the temple. Po was standing there with her back turned. Her instructions reminded everyone not to show themselves or talk so as not to be seen or heard by the bad guys.

Tee tapped the girl on the shoulder. Without turning around Po slipped one arm out of her cloak – and Tee awkwardly slipped it on. They repeated the action for the other arm.

Tee’ka then pulled on the hood and turned around to face away from her companion. This time, Po tapped her on the shoulder - a way to say thank you.

So far so good.

Then it happened. Out of a dark shadow appeared Jagged Peak. He waved his finger and, seemingly from nowhere, a glaring light lit up the whole area. Instinctively, both Po and Tee’ka turned.

Before Flying Girl could even get airborne, the traitorous Divine One pointed at Tee’ka and an opaque force field enveloped the girl.

Po screamed at the hooded man then tried her hand at dissolving the field around the other girl . . . but to no avail.

This took all of five seconds . . . more than enough time for Egg to fly down to help the girls. She tried to grab her entombed sister, but her hands just bounced off the force field.

“BEAM HER UP. TEE’S TRAPPED . . . BEAM HER UP,” she screamed into her communicator.

“Can’t,” came a faint reply.

“Hold on,” and Egg took to the air, her arms around Pond Ripple.

“No. Go back. Go back. We have to save your sister.”

“We will. Just not now.”

Egg turned skyward with a burst of speed. On the ground, Jagged Peak took aim with his finger. A moment later a humongous lightning bolt shot out. But his aim was off and it passed harmlessly behind the rocketing duo.

He tried again . . . with the same results.

The man should have been disappointed at missing an easy target . . . twice.

But he actually smiled . . . it was small and brief and unless you were staring at him, you would have missed it.

Taking his time, he strolled over to his captive inside the force field, and snapped his fingers (just for show, not because he needed to do so). The spherical thing began to shrink . . . and within seconds was the size of a baseball. He plucked it out of the air, examined it carelessly . . . then closed his fist.

The field popped into a little puff of grayish smoke . . . and was gone.

Book 3 of Nemesis – M.A.G.E.K.

©Copyright 2016, by Robert Iannone

All rights reserved (Book & Cover Illustration)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Goosebumps Stump

Chapter 2 – Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

Chapter 3 – How About This

Chapter 4 – T’was the Day Before

Chapter 5 – Reap the Kr’eep

Chapter 6 – I Feel Pretty

Chapter 7 – All You Need is Love

Chapter 8 – Little Po Peak

Chapter 9 – The Key to MAGEK

Chapter 10 – Shazbot

Chapter 1 – Goosebump Stump

As they made their way skyward, narrowly avoiding two humongous lightning bolts, Po finally regained her wits enough to realize what was happening.

“We’re flying.” Though she had been teleporting for the last twelve years, she had never actually flown. It wasn’t quite as romantic as she had thought . . . but it was close.

“Yeah, we are.”

Po craned her neck to look at Egg’s back. “Where are your wings?”

“Only BreeZee has wings. Well, so does Bl’azzz but she’s a dragon so that’s not weird.”

Po studied the girl in whose arms she was held. “You’re their leader. You’re Egg.”

“Nice to meet you, Po.”

“Is Jax’x okay?”

“She’s great.” Egg, as you would expect, liked that the girl cared about the Librarian. That’s what friends did. “We’ll be there in a few seconds.”

“Where’s there?”

“The Gracie . . . it’s the name of our spaceship.”

“There’s no air up there.” It was a statement of fact . . . but Po wasn’t sure that Flying Girl knew that.

“No problem. My suit protects us.”

“Is that how you fly . . . your suit?”

“Yes. Not as cool as being able to teleport, but still more fun than a barrel of monkeys.”

“What are monkeys?”

“Really not important. I just meant that there are few things in life that give me more pleasure than flying.”

“So you don’t have a boyfriend?”

Egg smiled. “You and Tee’ka just have to talk.” Then she realized why that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. “What was that thing they put her in?”

“The girl’s name was Tee’ka?”

“Yeah.”

“She gave her life for me. I’ll never forget her sacrifice. What was she like?”

Egg didn’t like what she thought she was hearing. “What was that thing?” she asked again.

“Not completely sure . . . but it looked to be a Vanishing Veil. I’m . . . I’m almost certain it was.”

“Vanish? Where did Tee vanish to?” This definitely wasn’t sounding good. Hopefully it wasn’t like that contraption that entrapped Jay’gar.

Po turned her head so she could look the other girl in the eyes. “When the Divine One chooses, the Veil begins to shrink in size. As it does, the person inside begins to deconstruct into its component parts . . . molecules and atoms. She’s gone. I’m so, so sorry.”

Egg forced herself to look away. Fighting back tears, she managed to mumble, “There’s the Gracie.”

*****

They entered the ship through an airlock. When it had finished pressurizing (by being filled with air), the inner door slid opened.  Egg took the other girl by the hand and ran as fast as she could to the control room.

It wasn’t that far but Po was breathless by the time they reached their destination. “You okay?” asked Egg. Even in times of great stress, Flying Girl could never ignore the needs of others.

“Sorry. Remember, I teleport . . . I can’t even remember the last time I had to run somewhere.”

“Sorry about that”. They walked into the control room and were greeted by six pairs of anguished-filled eyes. Before anyone could speak, Egg blurted, “Did you get her?”

Serenity shook her head and answered, “No. She was inside some sort of force field. I couldn’t get a lock on her.”

“What happened after I . . . after we left? Have you been tracking her?”

“Egg, the force field disappeared soon after you took to the air. When it was gone, there was no trace of Tee that I could find.”

Poor Po stood there transfixed by the pain she had caused. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated then began to cry. As ordinary a reaction as that might seem to us, for a Divine One it was all but unheard of. They simply didn’t show emotions that way.

Jax’x ran over to her friend and enveloped the sobbing girl in her arms. “It’s not your fault,” she said softly . . . but she looked at the others to see if they thought differently. Their reaction wasn’t one of blame but confusion.

“Why is she crying?” asked Bl’azzz.

It was Egg who answered.  “She said that Tee is gone.”

“We know that. We just don’t know where.”

Egg was trying her best not to emote. She was their leader and needed to be strong. But she had never lost a sister before . . . at least not to death. “Po said that the field around Tee is called a Vanishing Veil. When it disappears the person inside . . .” She had to stop for a few seconds to calm herself. “She said the person inside is gone.” But it was just too much to bear and she put her hand over her mouth to stop a sob from spilling out.

The look in Flying Girl’s eyes was pure horror and the other girls, sisters who knew each other so well, understood immediately.

Bl’azzz, despite her medicine, burped and burned . . . nearly incinerating a couple of her sisters. The two newcomers screamed at the unexpected tongue of flame . . . their fear adding to the already high tension in the room.

BreeZee fell to her knees for fear that she would retch.

Serenity threw her hands over her face . . . as if she could hide herself from the truth.

The only one that did not seem to be reacting like the others was Spirit . . . but in her kind, it was hard to tell. “She’s not dead.” At first it wasn’t clear if she was making a statement or asking a question. “STOP,” she shouted . . . the force of it whacking the others across their proverbial heads. “Tee’ka is not dead.” When she had their attention, she explained, “I would have seen it. The thread of something that . . . something that significant would have glowed brightly. There was no such thread. She is not dead.”

“What is she talking about?” asked Po of her friend.

“She can see the future,” came the not quite accurate reply.

“Truly?”

“Only threads of the future; and then only probabilities of which will come to fruition,” explained Spirit.

For the first time Po realized the voice was in her head . . . and not from her ears. Remembering the stories she had heard when researching the Sisterhood, she stated the obvious. “You are the telepath.”

“I am Spirit.”

“I am Pond Ripple. But Spirit, I saw the force field. I am almost positive it was the Vanishing Veil. There is no escape. I am so very sorry.”

In the few seconds that this conversation was transpiring, the others had a chance to regain their poise. Eye wiping and nose sniffling were the most obvious gestures. Then everyone started talking at once.

“Hey, guys . . . quiet,” requested Egg. No one heard so she politely repeated her request with, “SHUT-UP.” That worked. “Thank you. Spirit, tell me you’re one hundred percent sure that Tee is okay.”

“Egg, I said she is alive. I can’t tell you if she’s okay . . . or in danger.”

“But that danger, assuming that she’s in any, won’t result in her di . . . I can’t even say the word.”

“She will not die on this mission.”

Egg took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. “Okay, then. That’s good.” It was actually a silly statement but no one felt the need to mention it.

This whole episode made Jax’x feel a bit uncomfortable. For a band of legendary world-savers, these women seemed totally unprepared emotionally for the prospect of injury or death of one of their own. How do you confront evil . . . evil with power . . . and not expect that the worse might befall one of you? Before the girl’s demise was even confirmed, the rest literally fell to pieces. Maybe she was putting too much faith in the Hameggattic Sisters. Mentally, she took a ‘step back’ from the unconditional faith she had placed in what these girls could accomplish. And that was disappointing.

Oddly enough, Egg had a very similar thought. She and her sisters could face the theoretical idea of the ultimate sacrifice . . . but when confronted with the reality of it, they were unable to cope. Maybe they were in the wrong business. She needed to think on it . . . maybe get some advice (though she had no idea from whom).

“I take it the Sisterhood has never lost a member?” Jax’x felt compelled to ask.

“Almost. Meggy nearly died and Big Bird was severely injured. Luckily the Myst Tree had sent Spirit just in the nick of time,” explained Egg.

“I’m sorry, who?” asked Po.

“Meggy is M’egg-Alynnia and Big Bird is Aeri’elle.”

But the Librarian couldn’t let it go. “Were the rest of you there when this happened?” She didn’t think so based on their reaction to Tee’ka.

As she expected, the answer was, “No. It was just those two. When we met up with them, Spirit had already worked her magic.”

“Magic?” asked the Divine One.

“Just an expression. Besides seeing the future, she can also heal the injured.”

“I can see why she’s a valued member of your Sisterhood,” and Po smiled at Spirit. Oddly enough, the other girl looked away.

Into the awkward silence that followed, Jax’x took the opportunity to formally introduce her friend. When that was accomplished, she asked Po, “What happened down there?”

“Tee’ka and I had just exchanged my robe when we were hit by a light. We both turned . . . and there was Jagged Peak.”

“NO!” Jax’x was horrified.

“What’s wrong?”

“I befriended him. I can’t believe he was deceiving me the whole time.”

Before Po could question her friend more, Egg stepped in to take control. “Listen up. Let’s see if we can approach this whole mess logically. First things first . .  . If Tee’ka wasn’t put inside a Vanishing Veil, what else could it have been? Po, only you can answer that.”

“Let me think a minute,” and she actually did.

As the seconds ticked by, Egg became more and more impatient. “There can’t be that many possibilities.”

Jax’x jumped in to defend her friend. “There are as many possibilities as your imagination can conceive.”

“I get that, but obviously a Vanishing Veil is . . . I guess you’d call it an oldie but a goodie.”

“What?”

“A standard conjure that many people would employ,” clarified BreeZee.

“Oh. Right.” After a moment, she asked, “What’s your point?”

“If it wasn’t a Vanishing Veil, he obviously wanted someone to think it was.”

Jax’x was impressed with Egg’s logic . . . and her feeling of disappointment was somewhat mitigated. “Very good reasoning.”

The girl ignored the compliment. “So who did he want to fool . . . Po?”

Before anyone could answer, Bl’azzz asked, “Po, would that thingy have worked on you? Is that why he only took Tee?”

“Good question, Hot Lips.”

“If I was unprepared, the answer is yes.”

“Unprepared as in startled by the bright light?”

“Yes. But even if he had trapped me, I would be able to get out.”

“How do you know?” asked her friend. “Has it ever happened to a Divine One?”

“Um . . . I see your point.”

“What’s her point?”

“No Divine One has ever been inside one of them, at least to my knowledge.”

“You’re going down the wrong path.”

Everyone turned towards Spirit.

“He did not want to capture Po. He wanted her to witness the imprisonment of Tee’ka so she would meet with us and plan a rescue. Since he seems to know much, we can assume he knows all. Therefore, the only way to stop this rebellion is to find out who the conspirators are . . . then capture them.”

Everyone went silent as they considered Spirit’s words. Eventually, Serenity posed a question. “Egg, why didn’t you get goosebumps?”

“What are goosebumps?” Jax’x leaned over and whispered in Po’s ear. When she finished, the girl said, “Interesting.”

“I told you it’s not a foolproof warning system. Heck, it amazes me that it ever works.”

“Don’t buy it.”

“What are you getting at, Serenity?”

“Bree, maybe there’s a different take on all this. What if this guy actually wants to be part of the revolution? What if he still has to fool his Absolute into thinking he’s doing his best to stop the rebellion all the while trying to help it?”

“That’s a lot of assumptions,” observed Egg.

“Maybe. But that could explain why you didn’t get goosebumps and why Tee isn’t going to . . . you know.”

“Die. The word is die.” As soon as Jax’x said it, she cringed at her own insensitivity. The girl with extraordinary empathy for others was acting like a heartless boor. “I’m so sorry. That was beyond rude. Please forgive me.”

The reaction to her words was mixed. Spirit, Bl’azzz, Serenity and BreeZee were soul ripping angry. Po was a little beyond shocked.

Egg was . . .  well, Egg was Egg. “It’s okay,” she said not just to Jax’x but to all the girls.

“What do you mean okay?” stormed Serenity - the only one of the sisters who had seen violent death – the explosion that had taken her mother.

“Now’s not the time.”

“If I’m going to risk my life for her, now is absolutely the time.” The girl was livid.

“Stop. Everyone just calm down. We came all this way to help the people of Spell ‘Bound – not just Jax’x. It’s for them that we’ll risk everything.” She paused to let that sink in. “Now, I want Jax’x to explain herself without anyone biting her head off.” Amusingly, the two new comers involuntarily looked at the dragon. “Go ahead, Jax’x.”

“I apologize. My comment was wrong on so many levels. It showed a complete lack of empathy – which is ironic. One of the attributes of an Amber Heart is an over-developed sense of compassion.”

“I didn’t know that,” exclaimed Po.

“Po, let her finish,” said Egg gently.

“Okay, here it is. I’ve lost my love Jay’gar to the Divine Ones. I lost my parents and he lost his parents to the Divine Ones. The population of this world has lost their freedom to the Divine Ones. We even lost the natural beauty of the entire planet. When Po told me about the Sisterhood I was incredibly excited that we found the help we needed.”  She stopped to take a breath.

“We’re waiting,” chided Serenity, impatient for the rest.

“Legend has it that you women would sacrifice yourselves to help others. Very noble. Very selfless. Then, when one of you might have been killed – and even before you confirmed the truth of it – I watched you fall to pieces.”

“And why shouldn’t we? Tee’ka is our sister, our friend,” demanded the girl in the chair.

Egg chose to finish for Jax’x. “There’s a lot at stake for Jax’x and Po. Then they see us act like amateurs. We talk a good game about sacrifice – but when confronted with the reality of it, we lose our composure. After this mission, we’re going to have to do a little soul searching.” She raised her hand to stop the comments. “Think on it. We can have the first discussion over dinner. Right now we have work to do. We have a sister to save . . . and an entire world.”

Chapter 2 – Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

Jax’x sidled up to Egg. “Thank you. What you said . . . it’s exactly what I was feeling.”

“Doesn’t make it right.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

Po had joined her friend. “Egg, for what it’s worth, I have never heard Jax’x say anything like that before. She’s the nicest, most considerate person I’ve ever met . . . and a wonderful friend.”

Egg forced a little smile to her lips. “That’s good to hear. But what you need to know is that we sisters have been through alot . . . stumbling from one dangerous situation to another. Before the Sisterhood, all of us were loners to some extent – few friends and maybe no parents. We’re now a family. Tee, for instance, has only us. If she gets hurt – we suffer just as much. I can’t even explain to you the love and the bond we share. When someone we don’t really know belittles it, well, it makes us angry.”

“I would do anything to take back my stupid words. It was so out of character. Please believe me.”

“I do. But you hurt them . . . and it might be a little difficult to regain their trust. I’m sorry, I can’t change that.”

“I feel horrible.”

“You know what they say – it takes longer to repair a friendship than to make one.”

“What should I do?”

“Be yourself. If things are meant to work out, they will. Either way, the Sisterhood is here to help you save Spell ‘Bound. That won’t change.” Then as an afterthought she added, “Bree will be the first to forgive . . . Serenity will be the last.”

“Thanks,” she replied but the expression on her face was a picture of remorse and regret. “What about you?”

“Already old news. Time to focus on Tee and the bad guys.”

Egg turned to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s brainstorm. First, and foremost, what happened to Tee? Assuming it wasn’t a Vanishing Veil, do we go with Serenity’s idea that this guy is actually trying to help?”

Po didn’t want to embarrass her friend more, but she just had to ask, “Jax’x, why did you try to befriend Jagged Peak? Did he seem like someone that wanted to change the order of things?” What she didn’t ask was, “Or is it because he’s cute and you’ve already given up on Jay’gar?”

“Um . . . not at first. But over time, I thought I sensed a change. Then he put a Cone of Silence around us and told me flat out he did want to be part of whatever I was planning because he didn’t like the status quo.”

“How did you respond?” By Serenity’s tone, she thought the girl had given away too much information resulting in the loss of Tee’ka.

“I told him nothing . . . afraid he was setting me up to reveal my treason. I just said I had to get back to work. He wanted to continue the talk over dinner but I wanted to discuss it with the Sisters first. So, I put him off until breakfast.”

“Good thinking, Jax’x,” replied Egg, trying to do her part to reestablish the relationship between her sisters and the girl.

“Po,” asked Bree, “if it’s true that this guy wants to help, what could he have done? You didn’t really answer us before.”

“That’s just not a fair question,” answered Jax’x for her friend.

“She’s a big girl. Why don’t you let her speak for herself?” was Serenity’s sarcastic retort.

“Sorry.”

“What Jax’x already said is that as long as a Divine One can conceive of something, we can make it happen. It just takes imagination . . . something that I have little of. Sorry.”

Egg reassured her with, “That’s okay Po. Maybe the eight . . . I mean seven of us can come up with something.”

“Thank you. Anyway, if I wanted to fool an Absolute, I would have to be very, very convincing. So . . . um, well, maybe it was just made to look like a Vanishing Veil. Maybe he . . . um (she was struggling to be clever) . . . well, maybe he teleported her an instant before he created the Veil.” She shrugged, embarrassed.

“Po, that’s very good,” said Bree. “Nothing can be more convincing than the real thing.”

“Egg, I don’t buy it.”

“Buy what, Bl’azzz? . . . Him teleporting her away before the Veil was in place? I kind of like that idea.”

“No, that’s clever and all. I just don’t go along with Serenity’s idea that this guy is one of the good ones. If he was, don’t you think he might have given Jax’x or Po some kind of heads-up? Why scare the teeth out of their mouth?”

Egg had to smile at that phrasing. The Earth version was a little too crass for her taste. “So what’s his plan . . .  anybody?”

“Let me take back what I had said. Obviously he wouldn’t fake Tee’ka’s death if he wanted the rest of us to try and rescue her. So maybe it was to scare us into giving up the revolt.”

“I gotta say that makes way more sense to me than the big fella playing double agent.”

“Sorry, Egg. No idea what you’re referring to”.

“Jax’x, a double agent pretends he’s working for one side when he’s actually working for the other.”

“I see. Are there many double agents on Earth?”

“Couldn’t tell you. Any who, let’s get all our ideas on the table and decide which we’re going to use.”

“If I may,” began the dragon.

“What don’t you understand?” was Egg’s involuntary response to Bl’azzz’s inability to follow a complex line of reasoning.

“Just wanted to summarize, add another take - and then suggest a course of action.”

“Say what?”

“You heard me. Surprised?”

“No. Shocked.”

“Unkind.”

“My bad. Go on and regal us with your newly acquired sense.”

“Sense of what?” asked Spirit.

“Just your everyday, ordinary sense . . . mostly common.”

“What are they talking about?” Po whispered to Jax’x.

“They seem to joke with each other like this all the time. I thought it was cute; now it’s getting annoying.”

Po glanced at her friend – once again surprised by her words.

For Jax’x’s part, she was just being cantankerous . . . looking for a reason to be upset with the sisters as they were with her. It was petty, but she had never been in such an uncomfortable position.

“So,” continued Bl’azzz, “this guy is either good and trying to help by saving Tee from his boss or he’s what he seems to be – one of the bad guys and Tee paid the price. But, let me suggest another possibility – namely that he or his boss teleported Tee away for questioning. Forgive me Sister . . . but why destroy such a valuable commodity without first trying to squeeze as much information out of her first.”

“Rats . . . that’s also a reasonable assumption. Nice going, Hot Lips.”

“Be sure to tell Soo. She’ll never believe I thought up something like that.”

“Promise.”

“Bl’azzz, you said you had a suggestion about how to proceed,” reminded Po.

“I do. Now that they know about us, we need to split up into smaller groups. One will try to rescue Tee, one will try to figure out how to turn off the magic machine and the third will recruit Kr’eep. I take it he’s going to have a key part in all this.”

“Kr’eep?” asked Po aghast.

Her friend explained. “He is a once-in-a-generation citizen born without an X. According to information provided by a . . . um, a special Tree that they know, it will take a Hex and an Amber Heart working through a person with neither mark to turn off the M.A.G.E.K. machine.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Join the club,” added Egg. “Bl’azzz, you’re right . . . a three-pronged attack is the way to go. Anyone object?” No one did so Egg suggested, “Bl’azzz, use the Mysteria avatar and make this guy fall in love with you.”

“Epic.”

Egg just shook her head in amusement. “By the way, if this guy does help, I think he deserves a reward.”

“Hey, I’m not sleeping with him.”

“Yuk. No, of course not; you’re still a dragon and he’s not. However, we can leave him the avatar . . . he’ll never know what she really is.”

“She can’t have children. That improvement is way out of my league,” explained Serenity.

“Not a problem. They can spend the rest of their lives trying,” and Flying Girl grinned coyly. The rest either tittered or smiled.

“Po, you need to help with the Tee’ka’s rescue. Jax’x, you have to figure out where the off switch is on this machine. I want Bree and Serenity to help you. Spirit and I will work with Po. Anybody prefer a different team?”

Jax’x understood what Egg was trying to do. As much as she appreciated the idea, she was sure Serenity would not. She glanced at the girl in the wheelchair who, to her surprise, turned to Egg and stuck out her tongue. The other girl gave her an exaggerated wink . . . and a wolfish grin. Once again Jax’x could see the qualities that made this Flying Girl a good leader.

*****

They broke off into their respective groups. Serenity led her two compatriots to the control room. “Okay, let’s see what we know.”

“First, I need to apologize again. I spoke without thinking.”

BreeZee couldn’t hold a grudge. “These are trying times and people say things they don’t really mean. So, I for one, accept your apology.”

The two girls turned to Serenity . . . who just stared back.

Bree frowned at her sister. “Say something nice.”

“Look, in times of stress people can say things that they normally wouldn’t. But it’s usually not because they don’t believe it but because social protocol says you shouldn’t. Our guest here said what she felt . . . I don’t like it, but at least she was being honest.”

“Serenity,” groaned butterfly girl.

Jax’x put her hand on the girl’s arm. “It’s okay, BreeZee.” To the other girl she asked, “Can we still work together effectively? There’s too much at stake for my . . . my honesty . . . to jeopardize what we are trying to accomplish.”

“Let’s get to it,” came the reply. “So, first question, what’s with that tattoo on your face? No one else seems to have one.”

Before Bree could complain that such a question was inappropriate, Jax’x answered, “It’s the mark of an Amber Heart. Apparently they decided it was a way to be instantly recognizable to the citizenry without wearing a cape and hood uniform like the Hex’s. They thought their outfits were pretentious. Secondly, it was the Hearts way of saying symbolically that we don’t matter. We are here to serve and as individuals, we are of no consequence. We hide our individuality behind these masks. Well, that was the thinking.”

Bree thought it was a most noble gesture and said so.

Serenity’s response was an ill mannered and dismissive, “Whatever.”

Without thinking, Jax’x touched her hand to the Amber Heart around her neck which began to glow and glared at the girl. Serenity and her chair began to levitate. When she was at eye level, Jax’x spat, “Why don’t you tell Egg that you are incapable of forgiving and forgetting? Tell her that ever since you’ve became a cripple, you have no tolerance for the human frailties of others.” Then she released her hold and the girl and the chair slammed back to the deck.

“EGG,” screamed Bree into her communicator. She stepped between the two adversaries and extended her wings so neither could see the other. The girl knew that her sister became incensed if anyone dare refer to her injuries in such a way.

“What?” came a voice at the door.

“These ladies have a problem . . . with each other.” She folded her wings and stepped aside revealing a pair of glaring, fire-breathing faces.

“Bree, do me a favor and take Jax’x to the commissary (otherwise known as a kitchen) and get her some coffee.”

“Come on, Jax’x.”

“Egg . . .” began the girl.

“Jax’x, it’s okay.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled as she left the room.

When the door closed, the two remaining girls faced each other. “What’s going on with you?” Egg demanded of Serenity.

The girl had the good grace not to pretend she had done nothing. “There’s something about her I don’t like.”

“Can you be a little more specific?”

Serenity went quiet as she tried to put into words what she was feeling. “She’s so high and mighty – pretending to care about everybody. Po, her boyfriend, her people . . . she wants to protect them all. On the other hand, she’s upset that we care so much about Tee’ka . . . like she can’t understand how we could feel pain if she got hurt. It rubs me the wrong way.”

“Do you want to go home?”

“What do you mean?”

“Take your ship and leave. The rest of us promised to help and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Serenity was shocked by the suggestion. “You know shazbot well that I would never leave you guys in the middle of a mission.”

“What is a shazbot?”

Serenity rolled her eyes. “A bad word.”

“Never heard you curse before.”

“Shocked?”

“No. But I am shocked that you can’t put your feelings aside and work with Jax’x. She may be a . . . a shazbot pain in the butt, however, she is trying to do a good thing. We need to cut her some slack. Don’t forget, she is also risking her life, as is Po.”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t use shazbot. It really is a naughty word.”

“Hey, I’ve been around the block a few times. I know some salty language, too.”

“Yeah, I know. Rats, Epic and Oh My Gosh come to mind.”

Egg smiled at her friend. “I don’t know why, but I do love you.”

“That’s because I’m so shazboting awesome.”

*****

“My turn to apologize.”

“And I’m sorry I called you a cripple.”

“No need. I take my physical state as a badge of honor . . . even if it had been caused by an illness or birth defect, and not from the attempt to save my mother.”

“I will have to give your words some thought. In the meantime, I’m also sorry if I hurt you. Did I hurt you?”

“No. This chair, as I mentioned before, is pretty sophisticated. It absorbed all the force of the fall. So, is that what an Amber Heart can do?”

“I’ve never done anything like that before. I’ve used the power to control Ziz and a few other artifacts. But I never . . . I never attacked someone like that. Please forgive me . . . yet again.”

“My fault. I can be a bit irritable. Served me right. So, let’s get started, shall we?”

“No,” said BreeZee. The other two looked at her. “Not until we do a group hug.”

Jax’x smiled at Serenity who pretended to vomit. But, they did as they were told.

“Enough. You women have to stop being such girls,” she complained with a grin.

“Serenity is right,” agreed BreeZee. “We spend about half the day laughing, giggling and hugging. I’m sure the rest of the universe can’t take us seriously.”

“They do that at their own peril,” responded Jax’x very seriously.

Serenity nodded her head slightly . . . agreeing with the sentiment as well as with the girl who said it. “It might help if we did less giggling and more chortling.”

Chapter 3 – How About This

“Here you go,” and Spirit handed a cape and hood to their guest. She had the replicator create one to the girl’s specifications.

Po slipped it on. “Oh, thank you. I feel naked without this.”

“You would look a whole lot cuter with some new clothes,” quipped Egg as she rejoined her team.

“Is that important on your world . . . looking cute?”

“Sadly, yes. Too many times on Earth you can be the smartest or the funniest or the nicest person to ever roam the planet, but if the package isn’t tied up in a pretty bow, some people won’t bother opening it. It’s true for both sexes, but women have it the worst.”

“You have an interesting way of talking.”

“What do you mean?”

“You never just answer yes or no. Instead you tell a fascinating story. It gives the listener a chance to know you better.”

“Ask her a question about herself,” teased Spirit.

“Don’t listen to her, Po. She’s just being a troublemaker.”

“Go on, ask her,” insisted Spirit.

“When I was researching the Sisterhood, I heard that you were called the Heroine of Aerianna. They even created a museum about you.”

Egg waited for a question. “And . . . ?” she asked.

“Well, they said you were nine years old at the time. How is that possible? How could someone that young do such amazing things?”

“Like I told Jax’x – great Sisters, good friends and more than my share of luck.”

“But . . .”

“No. No buts. No more questions about me.”

The girl grinned and turned to Spirit. “Now I understand.”

Egg turned serious. “So how do we find out what happened to Tee’ka?”

“This is what I’m thinking. First we assume that she didn’t vanish in the Vanishing Veil. Therefore, Jagged Peak teleported her away. Next, we can assume he’s on our side . . . since that’s the easiest solution for us. If he’s on our side, we need to give him a chance to tell us.”

Egg looked at Spirit who nodded her approval. “Good thinking. So how do we contact him? I won’t send you or any of the sisters into harm’s way.”

“What about another avatar?” suggested the alien girl.

“No. I think we need to hold them in reserve. If the bad guys find out we have that capability, we lose the element of surprise.”

“Ziz,” suggested the Divine One.

“Gesundheit”.

“I’m sorry?”

“That’s German for . . . not important. Anyway, won’t we need Jax’x to fly that thing? I don’t want to pull her off the other team.”

“I think she said the dragonetta could work independently . . . but she’ll have to confirm that. Um, Egg . . . does a person need special powers to become a Sister?”

“An infinite capacity to laugh, giggle and hug. Did I forget something, Spirit?”

“Someone witty to make up for Egg’s complete lack of ‘funny’ would be nice.”

Po then stunned the other two when she stated categorically, “I want to become a Sister.”

The girls once again exchanged glances. “What about Jax’x and Jay’gar and your revolution?”

“I’m so embarrassed about Jay’gar. He and Jax’x have been wonderful to me and I repay them by falling in love. I’ve given it a lot of thought . . . and I need to get away. I need to find my own life and not interfere with theirs. As far as the revolution – well that’s why you’re here. We’ll see it though and then . . .” but she didn’t finish.

“Don’t you want to stay and help your people afterwards? They’re going to need all the support they can get.”

“I won’t have my powers anymore. I’ll be just like them.”

“You’re still a Hex. According to Jax’x, you would still have some of your powers. Besides, we don’t meet alot of nice guys, if that’s what you’re hoping for. You’re way more likely to find someone right here. Someone like Jagged Peak, for instance.”

“Why Jagged Peak?”

“I hear he’s really nice . . . well, assuming he isn’t really bad.”

“I’m sorry. I should never have said anything. Please, let’s just forget I asked.”

“Don’t be silly. We don’t really know each other yet. Let’s see how this little adventure goes. When it’s over, we’ll talk again. And, by the way, we normally have seven sisters on our missions. This time, we have only six. We could use someone else. Right, Spirit?”

The other girl stared at her friend for a few seconds. “Yes. We could use more recruits.”

The way she said it made Egg take notice. “Something wrong?”

“Now is not the time.”

“I could step out if you’d like to talk in private,” offered Po.

Egg looked at Spirit for confirmation. “She may stay.”

“Then spill it. What’s the problem?”

“I must take Jynxie home.”

“What does that mean?”

“She will soon be entering her one and only reproductive cycle. She needs to go home and find a mate. Her kind is rare and it will not be easy for her.”

Always concerned for the well-being of others, Egg asked, “Do you have to leave now? I’m sure Serenity would let you borrow her ship.”

“No. There is time to finish the mission.”

“Okay, what’s the rest of it?”

Spirit smiled. “That is why you are such an amazing leader . . . the way you can sense the emotions of your Sisters. As to your question, I must remain with my dear companion throughout the cycle. We have bonded in ways I can’t explain. She will need me during this time.”

“And how long is ‘this time’?”

“A year, possibly two. It depends on how quickly it takes for her to find that mate.”

Egg swallowed hard before she asked, “And after? Will you come back?”

“I did a weave on just that.”

“And?” Egg rubbed her goosebumps.

“The probability is low.”

“Oh no, Spirit. I can’t lose you, too.”

“You will never lose me, Egg of Earth. My love for you, and to the others, is unbreakable and forever. I will always be your sister. Your friend.”

Tears began to fall . . . from all six eyes. Egg grabbed the girl and hugged her hard. “This is the shazboting worst part. I hate having to say goodbye. I hate it.”

“I believe that’s one of Serenity’s naughty words.”

“I wish I knew more.”

*****

“So, let’s start with the obvious,” began BreeZee. “How do we turn the machine off and how do we actually get to it. Remember, it’s about five miles below The Crypt.”

“We can make some basic assumptions,” added Serenity. “First, and this is not an assumption, the machine protects itself from anything or anyone trying to harm it. We can measure the strength of the force field it has in place. Second, we should assume that the Tree is telling us something that the builders of M.A.G.E.K. had planned for – namely the ability to shut it off.”

“How did you come to that conclusion?” asked Jax’x.

“The Tree probably isn’t giving us a trick he made up to turn it off. That’s not his style. He’s telling us that the builders intentionally created an off switch.”

“Why is that important?” asked Bree.

“Because if it’s true, they must have left a way to get to it.”

The other two nodded their approval of the logic.

Before they could continue, Bl’azzz stuck her head in the door. “Hey, sorry to bother you but I thought of something.”

Jax’x waited expectantly while Bree and Serenity smiled at the dragon-brained dragon. “I’m all ears,” encouraged Serenity.

“They are large, but not that big.”

“Bl’azzz, you babbling Booyah-base, speak or forever hold your peace.”

“You really are a grump. Anyway, the surface of the planet – I don’t think it was forever destroyed.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I think the magic doohickey is just keeping the rains from falling. If you get rain, you get crops and lakes and drinking water. Food and water, the two most important things for us living creatures. I think someone just forgot to tell the machine to turn it all back on.”

Three faces gawked at the dragon.

“What?”

“That’s beyond brilliant,” said the beyond brilliant chair-bound girl. “I thought dragons were . . . well, not the sharpest candles in the sock drawer”.

“If you’re trying to sound like Egg . . . congratulations.”

“Ahhh, thank you. What you just proposed; it really is a spectacular bit of insight. Well done.”

The dragon attempted a human curtsey. “You’re very kind. Tell Soo?”

“As soon as I see her.”

“Love to stay and chat, but I have a man to seduce,” and she left to the sound of one chortle and two groans.

*****

Jax’x could hardly contain her emotions. “Do you think she’s right?”

“I do. I really think she’s on to something.”

“That means when M.A.G.E.K. is turned off, the planet will begin to return to some semblance of normal. Therefore, removing the Divine Ones from power won’t starve the entire population of Spell’Bound.” That, of course, had been a big worry.

“It certainly fits with what Spirit told us . . . she didn’t see any threads of food or water deprivation in her weave. However, there will be a lag time for plants to grow and be harvested. And you’ll need some kind of irrigation system and aqueducts to move the water to where it’s needed.”

Jax’x was quiet as she considered the implications of what she had just heard.

Bree interrupted with her own observation. “Jax’x, the Divine Ones will still have their power – just not as strong. Surely they could fill the void until the citizens can get things under control?”

“They could – but why would they? Why would they want to help knowing that they’ve lost their special place in society?”

“Simple. Because in a relatively short period of time they won’t be needed at all. It will be their one and only chance to ‘mend fences’ with the people they oppressed. I think a good leader on both sides could help navigate this period of transition.”

“Is that what you plan to do?” asked Serenity. “Be one of the leaders?” She kept her voice neutral which wasn’t easy.

“Jay’gar would be a great leader. I don’t think I could convince anyone to follow me.”

Serenity responded a little too passionately with “I hope you’re not saying that men can rule better than women.”

Jax’x surprised the other two by laughing. “Believe me, the answer is no. Just ask Po what my thoughts are on the subject. It’s just that not anyone can be a leader. Take Egg – with all due respect, is there anyone else in the Sisterhood that could replace her?”

Without hesitation the other two chorused a “never” in response.

“Jay’gar is a born leader . . . and I miss him so much.” The last part came out in a whisper.

“Don’t give up hope,” consoled Bree. “If there’s a way to get him back, we’ll find it.”

“Thank you. Truly.”

This whole exchanged forced Serenity to soften her dislike for the girl.

“What about a leader for the Divine Ones?” asked Bree. “How about Po?”

“I love her dearly, but I doubt if she has the ability or the desire. Sadly, I thought Jagged Peak would have been a candidate . . . even if he isn’t a woman.”

“Well, we still need to find out his role in all this. In any event, we may be getting slightly ahead of ourselves,” teased butterfly girl.

“Ever so true. So let’s continue with our assumptions. The machine was programmed to allow it to be shut down.  On the other hand, it’s programmed to defend itself. Case in point, it won’t allow anyone to teleport into or out of The Crypt. Logically, the entrance has to be through there.”

“Not necessarily,” countered Jax’x. “Isn’t it possible that the Hexes were . . . more adept at war than the Amber Hearts. By the way, whereas my kind is drawn from people with a high degree of empathy, the Divine Ones are more predisposed to be . . . um, how do I put it?” She paused searching for the words. “Are you familiar with the concept of alpha males or alpha females? They are driven to be leaders, to be aggressive.”

“It’s a pretty universal concept,” replied Bree. “But Po doesn’t seem to fit that mold.”

“It may be latent in some people . . . buried until a catalyst sets it free.”

“Then perhaps she could be a good leader?”

Jax’x smiled, “You may be right.”

“What’s your point?” asked Serenity a bit impatiently.

“My point is – maybe the Divine Ones created The Crypt over the sphere knowing that it would be an easily defensible base of operations. M.A.G.E.K. itself would protect them. Once it was built, they started the war against the Amber Hearts - right in the middle of their enemy’s city.”

Serenity gazed at the ceiling as she considered Jax’x’s ideas. “Okay. I like it as a working thesis. If true, then there may be another way in. Maybe more than one.”

“I’m not sure if you’ve actually seen The Crypt. It sits on the other side of a rift in the ground. You have to cross a bridge to get to the entrance.”

“How deep is this rift?”

“No one knows. There’s some kind of mist or haze that obscures the bottom. Legend has it that it’s virtually infinite.  It’s also said that if you venture into the mist, you will die a horrible death.”

Bree looked at Serenity who nodded in silent agreement. To the Librarian she said, “I think we found our entrance.”

*****

“Break time. Everyone to the lounge,” came Egg’s voice over the intercom. Five minutes later they were sitting or otherwise making themselves comfortable. “Let’s catch up with each other. Po, tell them what we decided. Just . . . please, just keep it brief.”

“Am I too talkative?”

“No. The rest of this motley crew is. I want you to set a good example.” To the rest of her sisters who were beginning to complain, she said, “Shush. Go ahead, Po.”

“We assume that Tee’ka is alive . . . teleported away before the Vanishing Veil collapsed. We are also assuming that Jagged Peak is on our side. To find out, we will send Ziz to have a little talk with him . . . hopefully, giving us the opportunity to discover whose side he’s on.”

“Nice job, Po. Jax’x, can Ziz be programmed to work without you being involved? I don’t want to take you away from what you’re doing.”

“Yes.”

“See,” exclaimed Flying Girl. “Short, pithy answer. The rest of you can learn from these ladies.”

Bl’azzz mumbled something unintelligible.

“What?” demand Egg.

“I just said ‘bite me’. It’s a dragon’s way of expressing . . .” but her sister cut her off.

“I know what it means. Funny thing, on earth it doesn’t sound so bad. But coming from a dragon with a gazillion teeth, it seems a little more ominous.” Smiles and giggles. “Okay, your turn Hot Lips. Have you come up with a plan?”

“Yup. I’m going to his house dressed in something sexy . . .”

“Sexy? For a dragon or for a human?”

“Since dragons are always naked, we can’t get any more sexy.” That drew the usual assortment of gasps, giggles and groans. “Oh, grow up,” replied Bl’azzz with a smirk. “Anyway, I need one of you to pick out an outfit that will wow him.” She looked from girl to girl. “Serenity, nope. Bree, nope. Spirit, maybe. Po, nope. Jax’x . . . yup.”

“Hey, what about me?” asked Egg pretending to be hurt.

“Not on a bet.”

“Why not? I’m a stylish dresser.”

“Right. Flying suit or what do you call those things?”

“Jeans.”

“And you wonder why you’re still single.”

“Ha. There’s a very handsome Prince who wants to marry me.”

“Which proves he’s not the sharpest candle in the sock drawer.” She glanced at Serenity who nodded her approval.

“Good one”. Turning serious she asked, “What then?”

“It’s going to be a whirlwind romance . . . without you-know-what. However, if he’ll do me this one little favor, I might consent to be his wife.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it? No offense, but you haven’t dated many humans.”

“You know what? I’ve decided that men are men no matter what form they come in. Leave it to me. I’ll have him eating out of my hands in a few days. But the more time you can give me, the better chance I’ll have of succeeding.”

“Understood. Okay, let’s hear from the last team.”

Serenity was about to start when Bree chimed in first. “Jax’x, would you do the honors?”

Reflexively, the girl looked to Serenity for approval. She took the girl’s shrug as an okay. “First, Bl’azzz came up with an insightful thought,” and she told the others what the dragon had suggested.

“Hot Lips, epic. Truly epic,” said Egg approvingly.

“See . . . me getting more smarter,” she teased in reply.

“Breathtaking to watch. Go on, Jax’x.”

“We believe that there is a way into the machine from the rift that surrounds The Crypt. Now we need to decide the best way to test that theory.”

“What about the Hex and Heart and the Neither thing we need to actually turn it off?”

“I have some ideas, but I need to work with Po on it when we get the chance.”

Chapter 4 – T’was the Day Before

Forest Green

Jagged Peak made his way through a mind-numbing labyrinth of passages hewn from the solid rock. There was no one else in sight at this hour of the morning. Since this area led to six catacombs – one for each Absolute – only a few specially appointed acolytes ever ventured this way. The deathly quiet was only interrupted by Peak’s footfalls and the incessant dripping of water as the walls and ceiling wept their tears.

The darkness in these passageways was absolute – since it was the ‘magic’ of the Absolutes that suppressed all light. The only way to navigate the maze without getting forever lost, or falling to your death in the numerous pits, was by the ring worn on the hand of every Divine One. For those few who were allowed into this area, his or her Absolute imbued their ring with the ability to traverse the maze to the proper catacomb. A slight vibration emanated from the ring – one for left turn, two for right, and three for stop.

Once Peak reached his destination, he touched his enhanced ring to the glowing crystal on the door. It grumbled and groaned as it slid opened.

Before his eyes could adjust to the lighted room, he heard the venomous voice of Forrest Green. “Have you got her?”

“Of course.” He walked to the center of the chamber and did something so improbable that it would have impressed any sci-fi fanatic. He opened up a tear in the boundary of this universe – using his hands as if he were separating window curtains. Reaching into the tear, he grabbed Tee’ka and pulled her out.

The girl stumbled and fell to the ground. Peak did his best to break her fall.

“Stand,” commanded the Absolute.

Instead, Tee took her time to look around. She examined the two other people in the room . . . recognizing the male as the person who had captured her. When she was ready, she stood.

The other two expected her to react to the situation . . . either by asking what was going on or trying to make an escape. But the former computer program did neither. In her mind, she was asking herself ‘what would Egg do?’ The answer was obvious . . . do the unexpected. In this case, do nothing.

“Who are you?” demand Green.

She smiled (thinking how Egg would have loved her reply). “Your worst nightmare”.

The answer, given with such calm and certainty, made the other two flinch – as if they were slapped. “Do you know who I am?” demanded the Absolute.

“Why do you ask? Have you forgotten?”

“What?”

“You asked me to tell you who you are. If you don’t know, perhaps this handsome young man knows,” and she gave Peak a flirtatious smile. The young man did his best to suppress a grin.

“How dare you,” said Green as she pointed at Tee’ka and the girl began to levitate. “Show me respect or I will shake it out of you,” and, on cue, the girl began to shake as if she were a rag doll in a windstorm.

After a few too many seconds, Peak became nervous that his Absolute would do permanent harm to the girl. “She is more useful uninjured,” he dared to remind the woman.

She continued her punishment for a count of ten then released Tee’ka who fell down. Dazed, she laid on the cold stone floor unmoving. Jagged Peak went to her, knelt and did his best to assess any damage she may have incurred. Satisfied that nothing was broken, he stood. “She is uninjured.”

“That is a temporary state, I assure both of you. I will have answers.”

Before the deranged woman could initiate any more torture, Jagged Peak again dared to offer advice. “Mistress, allow me to pry the information from our guest. With Chaos’ mas so close, surely you have more important work to attend to.”

Green stared at her acolyte, her face unreadable. “Very well. Use whatever means necessary. Afterwards, her life is of no consequence. In fact, be certain that she can never fall into the hands of Grassy Knoll. Do. You. Understand?”

“Of course, Mistress.”

“You have twenty-four hours.” She turned to leave but stopped and turned back. Pointing her finger at Tee’ka, a flash of light flew out and dissolved the red cape and hood the girl was wearing. “That attire is for Divine Ones only. NEVER don them.” She turned again and left.

Tee’ka waited a bit then stood. She looked at Peak, and to his shock, said, “You are very cute. Are you married?”

The poor man couldn’t help himself and barked out a laugh. “How do you feel?”

“I’d feel better if you gave me a hug.” Let’s face it, the girl was incorrigible.

Jagged Peak ignored the request. Instead, he turned deadly serious. “Who are you?”

“My name is Tee’ka.” She didn’t think telling him that would do any harm.

“Tee’ka, what were you and Pond Ripple doing?”

That was a more difficult question.  What would Egg say? Hmmm, probably something that was truthful but not helpful. Egg just hated to lie. “To help her turn off a machine.”

“What?”

“Which word didn’t you understand?” (Definitely an Egg-ism).

“Don’t play games with me. Time is short and lives are at stake. Yours included.”

“I told you the truth.”

“You and she are going to turn off a machine. What machine?”

“I haven’t seen it yet.” Truthful, but not the answer to his question.

“What does this machine do? Why does it need to be turned off?”

Careful . . . keep it vague. “Supposedly it turns a little bad into a bigger bad. Since bad isn’t good, and a bigger bad is even worse, it needs to be shut down.”

“Does this machine have a name?”

“Who would name a machine?”

“The creators.”

“Well, if it doesn’t have one, can we call it Larry?”

“I prefer a different name.”

“As long as we get to vote on it, what name did you want?”

“M.A.G.E.K”.

“Rats.”

*****

Grassy Knoll

“Her only option is to remove the threat. Without a threat, I have no leverage.”

“What would you have me do, Mistress?” asked Lightning Flash.

“We must get our hands on the Librarian before Green does anything. Have you been watching her?”

“Yes. Her routine this morning appeared normal. She has left her room and is in the main hall of the Library perusing her books.”

“I assume Jagged Peak is watching her?”

“Not as of a few minutes ago. She is unattended.”

Grassy Knoll per her finger to her lips, an involuntary gesture whenever she was lost in thought. “Our window of opportunity is small. Go get her and bring her to the catacomb.

“As you wish. And if I encounter Jagged Peak . . .?”

“Do whatever you must to complete your assignment.”

“It shall be done,” and the girl left.

*****

Bl’azzz with Spirit, Serenity and Jax’x

“So this is Mysteria. What do you think?”

Jax’x looked at the avatar from all angles. “She’s cute. I actually love the outfit. The only problem is - it just can’t be red. It will draw a lot more attention than from just Kr’eep.”

“How about blue?” suggested Serenity. She directed the avatar into a pod, shut the door then busied herself with the controls on her chair. A moment later the door slid opened and out came a blue Mysteria . . .

“Much better. What do you think Bl’azzz?”

“It’s okay but is it sexy enough?”

Jax’x and Serenity shrugged their shoulders since neither of them knew much about sexy clothes. On the other hand, the always stylishly dressed (even if she only had one outfit) Spirit did.

“Put her back in the box.” Serenity obeyed. “Now, I want a new hairstyle,” and an image appeared in Serenity’s mind.

“Really?”

“Yes. And please modify her clothes like this,” and once again, the girl received a mental image.

“Okay,” and she fiddled with her controls. A moment later out stepped . . .

“Wow,” exclaimed the dragon.

“Wow, indeed” added Jax’x. “I like the little bit of skin showing. As for the hairstyle . . . I think it’s very exotic. I believe poor Kr’eep doesn’t have a chance.”

“That hair . . . it looks like a space helmet to me,” grumbled the girl in the chair.

“I would love to have such a head of hair,” bemoaned Spirit who actually was more bald than not.

“The important thing is that I love it,” stated the dragon. “And if I do, that little Kr’eep will too. Trust me.”

“You are really confident about all this, aren’t you?” asked Jax’x.

“Ha. If it wasn’t for my medicine, I’d be burping and burning right now. Wouldn’t that impress my new beau?”

“Beau?” Everyone turned to see Egg enter the room.

Bl’azzz stepped aside so the girl could see the newly modified avatar. “What do you think?”

Egg stared at the blue-headed not-really-real girl. “Wow.”

“Yeah, that’s what we all said.”

“Not me,” came a slightly belligerent voice.

“That’s because you’re such a grump.”

*****

Since no one had any objections of substance to the newly remodeled avatar, it was time to get that part of the operation under way. After all, even with love at first sight, it was going to take Bl’azzz a day or two to work her girly charms and convince Kr’eep to blindly follow her without question.

“So, I just beam down and knock on his door?”

“Um, I guess,” responded Egg. “Anyone have a better idea?”

“May I suggest something?” offered Jax’x.

“Hey, you’re a part of this team. No need to ask permission.”

Jax’x smiled at the girl. “Thank you. I was going to recommend that we send the avatar to Hay’gar’s house. We should tell him some of what we plan . . . but only as it pertains to Kr’eep and Bl’azzz. Then, he can call Kr’eep over and make the introductions. It might seem a little more natural that way.”

“But he and I already met.”

“From what you told me, it was hardly more than a passing glance. Besides, with the new hair and the blue outfit, I doubt seriously he’ll recognize you.”

“Then that’s a problem,” stated Serenity. “We were counting on his infatuation to make this work.”

“Sorry to disagree . . .”

“I doubt that,” mumbled the girl in the wheelchair under her breath.

Jax’x heard Serenity but decided to take the high road and ignore her. “Since I apparently have a bit more experience with men than . . . well, than all of you, I think it won’t be an issue. Subconsciously, he’s going to note the similarity between both avatars but I doubt he’ll put two and two together. Whatever attraction he thought he felt before will predispose him to feel the same way again. This time, however, Bl’azzz is going to reciprocate in a way that he probably has never experienced. I’m confident this will work.”

“I like it,” replied Bl’azzz. “It will be a lot less awkward with the introductions.”

“Then go get yourself strapped in. Serenity, give her a hand, please.”

“Can do,” and she and Bl’azzz left. Spirit trailed along . . . sensing that Jax’x wanted to be alone with Egg.

Before the Librarian could say anything, Egg said, “Sorry about that. I’ve never seen Serenity so put out with anyone”. Then she laughed and continued with, “I take that back. She really, really had it in for me when we first met. It makes her dislike for you seem like a much-ado-about-nothing tiff.”

“Truly? Then how did she become a sister? How did you change her from an enemy to a friend?”

“That’s a really long story. The short version is that she was unable to get the better of me. To be fair, that was only because of Tee’ka and Jynx. When it was all over, we didn’t try for revenge. Instead, Spirit gave her back the sight in her left eye which had also been injured in the explosion that killed her mom.”

“You rewarded her . . . how wonderful is that?”

“Since no one was hurt by her shenanigans, it was the right thing to do. Then, she did the most amazing thing . . . gave Tee a body and a way to leave Laff’Alott. That sealed the deal and we invited her to become a sister.”

“I won’t say how remarkable a person I think you are . . . that would just irritate you.”

“Thank you for that.”

The girl smiled and added “but you’re really a remarkable person.”

“Shut up,” but it was said teasingly.

“So how do I win over your sister?”

“Don’t bother.”

“Don’t? Why not?”

“It doesn’t matter. We . . . all of us . . . are going to do our best to help you. Her friendship isn’t required. Well, unless you wanted to become a sister – but you said you can’t. So it doesn’t really matter. I will talk to her, however, and tell her that if she wants to say something rude under her breath, she’ll have to do it more quietly.”

“I understand you’re point, but I need to try. I hate the idea that I alienated her with my insensitive comment.”

“Well . . . there may be a way.”

“Which is?”

“She’s so ridiculously smart it’s almost impossible for any of us to have a real conversation about the stuff she does . . . or is interested in. I get the impression you’re no slouch yourself. You taking an interest in her scientific gobbledygook might get you past her grouchiness.”

“Thank you. I’ll give it a try.”

“Just do me a favor – remember what’s really important here. It’s not Serenity’s friendship . . . it’s the people of Spell ‘Bound and Jay’gar. Let’s stay focused on that.”

“Mind if I add Tee’ka to that list?”

Egg smiled warmly. “No. I won’t mind it a bit.”

*****

Twenty minutes later Mysteria was teleported to the surface a few blocks from Hay’gar’s house. It was a secluded place and there was little chance that the avatar would be spotted as it rematerialized.

Jax’x went to the control room to find Serenity. She was anxious to try Egg’s plan for winning the girl over. Besides, it would be nice to have a conversation about science and technology . . . one of the things she had to do without when Jay’gar was taken from her.

“Mind if I come in?” she asked hesitantly.

Serenity looked up from her instruments. “Egg’s not here.”

“I wasn’t looking for her. I came to ask you a few questions . . . if I’m not interrupting.”

“You are,” the girl responded petulantly. “But I can multi-task.”

Jax’x did well not to show her irritation. “Thank you.”

Serenity continued to work on her instruments. After a minute she finally looked up and rudely asked, “Well? What?”

This time Jax’x actually giggled.

“What’s so funny?”

“You just reminded me of Jay’gar.”

Serenity scrunched her face. “This should be interesting. Do tell.”

“Sometimes, not often mind you, but sometimes I irritate the heck out of him . . . getting deeply under his skin. Invariably, he’ll look at me with complete and utter annoyance and grumble, “Well? What? Just like you did.”

Serenity studied the other girl for a moment before responding with, “You being annoying I can believe. As for Jay’gar’s response, Egg would say ‘great minds think alike’. I’m referring to him and me in case you’re confused.” It sounded harsh but it was actually the girl’s way of softening her attitude. “So ask your questions.”

Chapter 5 – Reap the Kr’eep

Hay’gar answered the knock at the door. When he saw the blue haired woman his jaw dropped most of the way to his knees. He stared with saucer-wide eyes unable to utter a greeting.

“Hey, Hay’gar, it’s me.”

“I’m sorry . . . have we met?” He was pretty sure he would have remembered such an exotic sight.

Bl’azzz laughed. “Last time I was wearing red and I had blond hair. I’m the dragon.”

Somehow the man’s eyes managed to get even wider. He studied the vision in front of him trying his best to make the connection. While he was deep in thought, Taysen came in from the kitchen to see what was going on. She looked at the girl in blue . . . first in shock then in recognition. “It’s you. Mysteria, wasn’t it?”

“The one and only. Can I come in?”

Taysen roughly pushed her husband out of the way. “Move over, you big lummox and let the lady enter.” To her visitor she said, “Please, come in and make yourself at home. Can I get you something? Wine?”

“Thanks but no thanks. I came to ask you a favor.”

Taysen led her guest to the couch and had her sit. She and her husband did likewise on chairs facing her. “Does this have to do with my grandson? With Jay’gar?” Without thinking, she squeezed her husband’s hand waiting for the answer.

“Yes and no. We’re trying to help everyone on your world, including your grandson. What I’m about to do is one small part in the scheme of things.”

It wasn’t the perfect answer but it still gave the old woman a modicum of hope. “Whatever we can do, we will.”

“First, I’m not allowed to tell you much about our plans. It’s for your own safety. What I’m going to do is get Kr’eep to fall in love with me.”

“WHAT?” barked Hay’gar.

“Shush, old man. Let the girl talk. Please, go on.”

“Kr’eep doesn’t know it yet, but he has an important part to play in all this. The easiest way to get his cooperation is to have him fall hopelessly in love with me. Maybe you caught the way he looked at the other me the last time. He definitely was attracted.”

“Then why did you change into . . . into what you are now?”

“Can’t wear red. We didn’t realize that before. So, we thought to make me similar but perhaps a little more attractive than the last time. Having the red me suddenly become blue might be confusing to our friend. It’s better to think I’m someone different . . . maybe a cousin or a sister of the girl he met.”

“I guess that makes sense,” conceded Taysen.

“Well, I think you are certainly much more alluring now . . . not that you weren’t before.”

Bl’azzz’s avatar smiled in appreciation while Taysen smacked her husband playfully on the side of the head. “Drink it in while you can, you old fool. When she leaves, all you’ll have is this sad old hag to leer at.”

With a great effort of will, Hay’gar pulled his eyes off his guest. Looking at Taysen he said, “Silly woman. Don’t you know you’re still the most beautiful girl in all the land?”

“Get on with yourself,” she replied . . . but brushed her lips to his cheek all the same. Turning back to their guest, she asked, “So what name do you go by now?”

“Name? Oh . . . right. Um, how about Soo.” She smiled as she thought how her friend would react to being the namesake of Kr’eep’s new love.

“Okay, Soo, what would you have us do?”

“Ask him to come over and meet me. I’ll do the rest.”

“That won’t do,” interjected Hay’gar. “He would never believe that we would want to introduce him to anyone . . . let alone someone so pretty.”

“Then just ask him over for another reason. I’ll make a grand entrance coming out of the bedroom. Once I start talking to him, excuse yourselves so we can be alone. I hope I’m not imposing too much on you?”

“Don’t be silly. We’re more than happy to help. Are you ready now?”

“Just one last thing. I should have thought of this before I came. Why am I here . . . what am I to you two?”

“Good questions. How about the sister of Mysteria in search of her sibling. You had heard that she had stopped here,” suggested Hay’gar.

“I have to apologize for my husband, Soo. He used to have a wonderful imagination. Sadly, all he has now is a bad back and a grumpy stomach.”

Soo laughed at her hosts. “I hope that someday I’ll be married and as happy as you two. As for Hay’gar’s story . . . no problem. I’ll have Kr’eep’s head spinning so fast he won’t have time to think how lame it was.”

“Ouch”. The old man pretended to be mortally wounded by the comment.

“You’ll get no sympathy from me you poor excuse for a husband. She’s right; it was lame. Now, off with you. This girl has a man to trap in her web of love.”

“I almost feel sorry for the lad. Once you women set your minds to it, we poor men don’t stand a chance.”

“That’s because we’re smarter than you lot. Now, be gone before I whack you again.”

As Hay’gar left, the two ladies burst into a friendly fit of giggles.

*****

Jagged Peak

Jax’x was demonstrating Ziz to the others in preparation of sending it to find Jagged Peak. Serenity, showing a bit more friendliness to the other girl, was asking question after question about the bird’s design and capabilities.

“Forget the bird.” Jax’x and the others turned to look at BreeZee. “I’ve given this some thought. Where are you going to find this guy when he’s by himself?”

“He’ll be alone in the Library. Well, alone if you don’t count the not-really-me me.” That silly phrasing forced the tiniest of smiles to Serenity’s lips.

“Soooooo,” responded Bree dragging out the word. “Doesn’t that suggest another, more logical, solution? Do you really think he’s going to open up to a mechanical chicken?”

“Idiot,” barked the girl in the wheelchair. “Not you, Bree . . . me. The really-me me,” she added teasingly. “Jax’x, we can switch off the avatar’s brain functions and you can be wired into the unit. Basically, you’ll be having the conversation with Rugged Peak . . . only using the avatar as your body.”

“Jagged, not rugged,” corrected the Librarian.

“They’re synonyms.”

“If used as adjectives, then they are; but not as first names,” replied the other girl. If Egg was right, Serenity would probably enjoy someone trying to outsmart her. “However, he does have rugged good looks.”

“Hey guys,” interrupted Egg, “I didn’t want to take Jax’x away from her other stuff . . . namely finding a way to turn off the machine. That’s why we were going to use Ziz.”

“This won’t take long. Maybe an hour if he becomes really chatty,” offered Jax’x.

“Don’t forget that this may be our best, and maybe only, chance to find out about Tee’ka,” Bree reminded her friend. “It needs to be our first priority.”

“You’re absolutely right. When do you want to do it, Jax’x?”

“I’m ready anytime. But first, we need to decide what I should or shouldn’t say to him.”

“Good thinking. Let’s get everyone who isn’t Bl’azzz together. The more brainpower the better.”

“Can I ask a question first?”

“Po, don’t ask permission – just ask the question,” scolded Egg.

“Sorry. What I wanted to ask is – if a Divine One were to use the avatar, would that mean the avatar could do what a Divine One does?”

“Interesting question,” responded Serenity.

“Obviously you are talking about yourself. Why do you wish to be the one to talk to ruggedly Jagged Peak?”

“Ruggedly jagged?” asked Bree.

“Just trying to make everyone happy,” replied the Thought Weaver with a smile.

“Depending on his response to this meeting, it may prove beneficial. He would never expect the Librarian to do what I can do. It could give us the edge to rescue Tee’ka.”

“Well, I love it. Nice thinking, Po,” complimented Egg.

“But will it work?” insisted the girl.

“Probably not,” answered Serenity.

“Too far from the towers,” added Jax’x.

“We could take the Gracie in close. It does cloak.”

“Cloak?” asked the cloaked girl.

“Invisible to see or to detect.”

“Use the Astral. We shouldn’t take unnecessary risks with the mothership,” recommended Egg.

“The Astral?”

“Serenity’s ship. It’s parked in the cargo bay.”

“Can it be cloaked?”

“It’s the same technology . . . Spirit stole it,” kidded the girl.

“Who told on me?”

“No one. You just have that guilty look about you.”

“You ladies never stop teasing and joking, do you?”

“It’s probably the one thing we all have in common – a great sense of humor,” explained Egg. “Maybe that’s what we subconsciously look for in new members.”

“Then how do you explain Serenity? I saw a book in the Library that showed the definition of words. Next to the word grumpy was her picture.”

“HEY,” cried the girl in the chair.

Jax’x looked at her . . . then stuck out her tongue. Turning to Egg she asked, “Did I do that right?”

“Like a pro.”

“I am not grumpy,” insisted the grumpy one.

“Cantankerous,” responded Bree.

“Curmudgeonly,” suggested Spirit.

“Cranky,” offered Po.

“Crabby . . . definitely crabby,” corrected Egg.

“I’m out of words that begin with a ‘c”, complained the girl that started it all.

“You are all creeps, clods and clowns not to mention cretins and cry-babies,” came the grumpy rejoinder.

*****

Back on the Planet

“Why can’t you get your wife to help you?” whined Kr’eep.

“Her back is bothering her.”

“Well, that’s not my problem.”

Hay’gar fought the impulse to haul off and hit his neighbor in the face. Instead, he took a deep breath and said, “When we get there, please try to be nice. We have company.”

That got the other man’s attention. “Not those two I met before?”

“Actually, the sister of one of them.”

“Which one?”

“Which sister?”

“No, which one of the two that I met is the sister?”

“Oh. Um, it’s the one you seemed to find attractive.”

“Really. Is she as cute?”

“I’m an old, married man . . . what do I know about those things. However, she certainly made a very favorable impression on me.”

Kr’eep stopped to tuck in his shirt and smooth his hair. “How do I look?”

Hay’gar studied the repulsive man. “If I had a daughter and you were coming over to date her . . . I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot you dead.”

Somehow the idiot took that as a compliment. “Thank you. That was a nice thing to say.”

Shaking his head in disbelief, Hay’gar turned and continued walking.

“What’s her name?”

“Soo.”

“Soo,” he said as if tasting the word. “I like it.”

Rolling his eyes and forcing himself not to laugh, Hay’gar responded, “I’m sure she’ll be overwhelmed by your approval.”

“Do you really think so?”

Instead of answering, the old man sped up forcing the younger one to do the same. A minute later they reached the door. “Well, come in. Come in.”

Taysen greeted her guest. “Thank you, Kr’eep. It was very kind of you to help.”

“Uh huh,” came the mumbled reply.

“If you wait just a second, I’ll ask Soo to come out of the bedroom so you two strapping men can move the chest.” She walked to the door and knocked. “Soo, would you mind coming out. My husband and our neighbor need to move that chest.”

“Coming,” came a voice. A second later the door opened and out stepped a blue haired exotic avatar. “Please,” she said to the men, “come in.” She stepped aside so they could pass.

“After you, my boy,” Hay’gar said to Kr’eep.

The young man didn’t move – frozen in place by the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. His eyes seemingly drank in every aspect of the vision before them. Somewhat disgustedly, his mouth hung open and a bit of drool snaked down the corner of his lips.

“Kr’eep?” said Hay’gar.

It took a moment for his name to register in his besotted brain. “What?”

“The lady said we could enter her bedroom.” Now there was a sentence the poor young man had never heard. And still, he stood there staring.

“Hay’gar, aren’t you going to introduce me to this handsome man?” The words came out of Soo’s mouth in a throaty whisper.

“Where are my manners? Sorry. Soo this is our neighbor Kr’eep. Kr’eep, this is Soo.”

“So very nice to meet you,” and the girl in blue extended her hand.

Kr’eep stared at the appendage as if it might smite him dead. . . and took a small step backwards.

Soo smiled brightly and gave a sweet and innocent giggle. “A big, strong man like you isn’t afraid of a helpless girl like me, are you?”

The poor sod couldn’t even breathe. A female, a beautiful female at that, was flirting with him. Well, he assumed it was flirting. He had seen it happen to other men but had never experienced it firsthand himself. He had no idea what he was supposed to say or do . . . so he just continued to stare at Soo’s hand.

The dragon lady (well, technically she was) slowly turned her hand so the palm was facing up. She crooked four fingers and motioned for Kr’eep to come closer.

He didn’t move a muscle . . . and this whole encounter was beginning to turn awkward. Soo glanced up at Hay’gar and motioned with her head. The man understood and, placing his hand on Kr’eep’s back, pushed the guy forward.

Unprepared for the shove, the poor creep stumbled and literally fell into Soo’s arms. “Gotcha, big guy.”

That seemed to jar his tongue. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to touch you. Don’t be angry . . . it wasn’t even my fault. He pushed me.” Very gallant. Behind him Hay’gar rolled his eyes while his wife shook her head in disgust.

Soo still held the guy in her arms . . . and she tightened her grip as he tried to disentangle himself. “You’re not going anywhere until you apologize by kissing my cheek.” She paused then added playfully, “Just the cheek. We hardly know each other, after all.”

The trapped man stopped fighting and looked up at the girl. “You want me to kiss you?”

“I think that’s only fair seeing as how you almost knocked me down. Unless, of course, you think I’m too ugly and don’t want to?”

“No,” he managed to say. That was followed by “no, no, no, no” for emphasis. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Ah, that’s sweet. So?”

“So?”

“The kiss . . . don’t try to get out of it. Right here on this cheek,” and she gave it a tap.

The poor guy had dreamed of something like this his entire adult life (not to mention his adolescent life). His head sprung forward like a rattlesnake attacking its prey. His disgustingly wet lips lapped at Soo’s cheek. With his face pressed against hers, he even took a deep breathe trying to capture the essence of the girl.

Involuntarily Soo grimaced . . . but with his head preoccupied, Kr’eep didn’t notice. Hay’gar and Taysen did and like the old married couple that they were, they each covered their mouths to stifle a laugh.

Soo slowly pushed the young man away. “Thank you, that was . . . indescribable. You obviously have had a lot of experience with women.”

The idiot puffed out his chest. “I don’t like to brag, but . . .” and mercifully he didn’t try to finish the lie.

Soo nodded at the comment as if it was exactly what she had expected. Turning to the older couple she asked, “Would you mind if I invited Kr’eep into the bedroom. I’m sure he has other plans tonight and I’d like to take the opportunity to get to know him a little better.” Turning to the now red-faced man, she asked, “You don’t mind do you? I’m sure those other girls can wait a bit.”

Taysen grabbed her husband’s hand. “You two take all the time you want. I have some cooking to attend to and my husband has some chores.” With that they quickly walked away.

“So, would you like to come into my bedroom? You must promise to be a perfect gentleman.”

Suddenly filled with a courage he had never known, he answered, “Since you asked so nicely, I’m sure I can spare and hour . . . or two.”

Soo smiled coyly. “This is turning out to be my lucky day.”

Chapter 6 – I Feel Pretty

“So who’s going with Po?” asked Egg.

“My ship - so I call dibs,” replied Serenity.

“What are dibs?” asked Po.

“Earth slang. It means she’s claiming the right to do something . . . like go on the Astral or eat the last slice of pizza.”

“Pizza?”

“We’ll make some tonight. You’re going to love it . .  . with lots of garlic, pepperoni, anchovies, green peppers, olives, mushrooms and onions.”

“I didn’t understand any of those words.”

“Me neither,” complained Jax’x.

“Trust me; you’re in for a taste treat you’ll never forget. Anyway, Spirit you’re the pilot of the Gracie. I also want you to keep an eye on Hot Lips and Jynxie. Bree, you should help Po while Serenity concentrates on flying her ship and not getting in trouble with the local folk.”

“Didn’t she say she was asking, not telling?” teased the butterfly girl.

“How about me?” asked Jax’x.

“Ummm. I think I need to make you some new clothes. When we go looking for the magic machine, you can’t be dressed like you are.”

“You can sew?”

“Not a stitch. But lucky for you I can press buttons and twist knobs. We have a replicator onboard. It can make virtually anything you can think of . . . including pizza.”

“Wonderful. This robe of office is incredibly uncomfortable.”

“Hey, Jax’x,” called Serenity.

“Yes?”

“Get her some new clothes too. She looks like a grey ghost.”

“More like a Graystone,” teased Bree referring to Egg’s last name.

“And do something with her hair. No wonder why she’s single . . . her fashion sense is non-existent.”

“What do you know about hair styles, you shiny-headed freak-a-zoid?”

“I know that yours need to be retired. Jax’x, give her something a bit more formal as befitting the leader of this esteemed group of star-faring, planet-saving, bad-guy-whomping women.”

“I’m not one to complain, but I’ve obviously been assigned the most difficult task by far. However, I’m willing to give it a go for the sake of the Sisterhood.”

“If she resists, Jynxie can give her a good licking,” replied Bree. “Hey, where is she? Come to think of it I haven’t seen her in while.”

Egg looked at Spirit and nodded. “My dear companion is not well. After we have completed our mission, I will be returning to Paradox with her.”

“It’s not serious, is it?”

“Yes and no, Bree. Her kind enters a breeding cycle but once in their lifetime. She needs to go home and find a mate. The whole process can take a year or two.”

“And you have to be with her, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not coming back. You’re retiring.” She stated it as a fact, not a question.

“This will be my last mission.”

As the cries and moans were about to overwhelm them all, Egg yelled. “Stop. I’m as heartbroken as you all are. But, we can talk about it later . . . and hug and cry to our heart’s content. For now, let’s get that shazbot machine shut off.”

They all nodded but as they made to leave, each girl stopped and hugged their sister.

*****

“What will you do about replacing Spirit?” Jax’x asked Egg.

“She can’t be replaced.”

“Sorry, I wasn’t being insensitive. You’ve mentioned more than once that the Sisterhood always has seven active members. With Spirit gone, you will be down to five.”

“Yeah, I know. On the other hand, Po asked if she could join.”

“Po? Really?”

“I probably shouldn’t have been the one to tell you.”

“I’m so surprised. I didn’t think this type of adventure was something that would interest her. And then there’s Jay’gar.”

“That’s why she asked to join.”

“What do you mean?”

“She feels terribly embarrassed by her behavior. She’s returned your friendship by falling in love with your man. She wants to get away . . . give you guys the space you need to get married and settled down.”

“Seriously?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I guess I assumed that with her inexperience with men and with non-Divine Ones, she would not act so maturely. She is such a wonderful person. I hate to see her lose her first love.”

“Thinking about stepping aside so those two can explore their feelings for one another?”

“If I didn’t love him as much as I do, I would. Have you ever heard the term soul-mate?”

“Sure. Must be a universal concept.”

“Well, he’s mine and I believe I’m his. That doesn’t happen very often.”

“Most times it never happens.”

“So I’m not being selfish?”

“Good grief, no. You’ve been amazingly generous with this whole affair . . . no pun intended. I doubt if I could be friends with a girl that was in love with my soul mate. I’d scratch her eyes out.”

“Is that something earth women do? Scratch a person’s eyes out?”

“It happens . . . but usually metaphorically.”

“I would love to visit your world . . . and the others as well. But . . .” and she shrugged.

“Keep an open mind. I know I will.”

“Truly? Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I need to see if you can pull off a look in a less official-looking outfit.  Let’s get you something sexy to wear. Well, girlie anyway.”

“You must think me shallow . . . but that does excite me. Can I get new shoes, too?”

“The whole works . . . including some lingerie that will drive your man crazy.”

Jax’x giggled like a schoolgirl. “I’m guessing lingerie is your term for body intimates.”

“I’m thinking black lace”.

“Not sure what that is, but I’m game.”

“Maybe we’ll do two outfits – one good enough for spelunking and the other for a date night with Jay’gar.”

“Spelunking?”

“Cave exploring.”

“Oh. Well, that seems appropriate.”

“I think a version of what my avatar Sera’Fina wore would work. Step over to this contraption and I’ll have it scan you.” Egg turned a dial, pressed a button and a beam of light shot out and did what it was meant to do – scanned Jax’x. “Okay, let me twiddle, turn and flip a few controls.” When she finished, she had the other girl enter a closet-like cabinet. “Here you go” and the thing made whirring sounds. “Alright, come on out.”

“Wait a second. Do you have a hair brush?”

“Hang on,” and Egg ran and got one. “Here”.

“Thanks. Give me a second.” Girls combing their hair – not going to happen in a second. Not on Earth or on Spell ‘Bound. About two minutes ticked by before the ex-Librarian emerged. “What do you think?”

“Nice . . . very sexy in a practical, bad-ass, no-frills sort of way. Take a look,” and she pointed to a full-length mirror.

The girl stared at her image . . . doing a full pirouette to see herself from all sides. With a big smile lighting up her face she said “It’s true . . . I am a girl.”

“Yeah, you are. Jay’gar is one lucky man.”

“Yeah, he is,” the girl teased back.

“Ready for your date night outfit?”

“Absolutely. What did you have in mind?”

“Well, like Spirit said – I have zero fashion sense. On the other hand, I have a friend back on Aerianna that does. Her name is Molly.  I don’t think she’d mind if we borrowed one of her outfits. Get back in the closet.”

Jax’x did as she was told. “Ready.”

“Here goes,” and Egg twiddled with the controls and the machine whirred.  When it stopped, out stepped. . .

“Beautiful, elegant and downright hot. Take a look.”

Jax’x did, and after examining herself with great interest proclaimed, “I can’t believe that’s me. Do you know what the really sad part is?”

“What?”

“I’m an Amber Heart. I could have created these outfits with a thought. Problem is . . . I’ve never seen such styles before. Everything on my world is pretty basic, and definitely unattractive, stuff. My imagination would never have allowed me to conceive such beauty. Thank you, Egg.”

“My pleasure.”

“Now it’s your turn.”

“I’ll show you how to use the controls.”

“No need. I’m going to use my powers.”

“Really? I thought you didn’t have the imagination.”

“I don’t. I’ll just alter the outfit you’re wearing. What do we have to lose?”

“Well . . . me for starters.”

“Is the great Egg of Earth scared of new clothes and a hair style?”

“Yeah.”

“Too bad. Okay, first off . . . let’s get rid of the grey. I think we’ll go with my new favorite color.”

“Which is?”

“Red, of course.” Then Jax’x put her hand on the Amber Heart and a moment later Egg was transformed into . . .

“Oh my gosh . . . that was epic.”

“Do you like?”

Egg examined herself in the mirror. “Better. But kind of plain . . . and not classy at all. And the hair probably can stand a small alteration . . . maybe a little more volume. Don’t tell Spirit I said that.”

“Okay. Let’s try this . . .”

Egg again examined herself in the mirror. “Seriously cute. Poor Benny won’t be able to keep his hands off me.”

“Have you and Prince Charming ever . . .” but she politely left the rest of the question unspoken.

“I kissed him once. That was kind of nice . . . him being a prince and all.”

“One kiss and now you’re engaged . . . I’d say that was a heck of a kiss.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Let me guess . . . it’s a long story for another time.”

“When this is all over and we have Tee and Jay’gar back . . . then we’ll talk about things like this. Fair enough?”

“Of course. So, are you satisfied with your look?”

“I think I’ll make one small change. Be right back.” She ran to her cabin and came back with her necklace. “How’s this?”

“Cute. That was one of the three pieces of jewelry your grandmother gave you, isn’t it?”

“Who told you?”

“BreeZee.”

“What a blabber mouth. Yeah, this is one of them.”

“The other two were a bracelet and a ring, right?”

“Yup. Each piece gave me two powers. Believe me when I tell you that I blindly stumbled onto the answers. It was just dumb luck that I passed Dazzle’s test.”

“Dazzle?”

“Her real name was Princess Rose’Alynnia. Later it was Queen. Now it’s Queen Mother. Dazzle was the name of her sword . . . which became the symbol of the resistance against Mobius – the guy that caused all the trouble.”

“We’ll add that to the stories you’re going to tell me later. But that brings up a good point. Let’s see how you look in your flying suit. We have to make sure that this hair style works for Flying Girl.”

“Good idea. Ring tend to my suit,” and a gray fog enveloped our heroine. A moment later in cleared. “Ta da.”

“Marvelous.”

“Well, you know what they say . . . a mirror never lies. Thanks, Jax’x.”

“That was fun. Now if I can get Po into something this cute . . .” but she didn’t finish.

“Thinking about how Jay’gar might feel seeing her in something other than robes?”

She was about to protest but dropped her head instead. “I was. I can’t believe I’m so petty.”

“I’m guessing it’s how we women are wired . . . it’s in our DNA. Why would we voluntarily give the competition an advantage?”

“That’s a valid point but I can’t bring myself to truly believe Po is my competition. Makes me pretty naïve, I guess.”

“Makes you pretty awesome in my book.”

Jax’x looked at Egg for a moment. “You would make a spectacular role model. Wait, that came out wrong. You ARE a spectacular role model.”

“Please . . . don’t say things like that. I’m no different than any of my sisters. Besides, look at you. You’re starting a revolution to save your world. You and Po are the real role models. When this thing is over, they’ll build museums in your honor. And let’s not forget the history books with your pictures splashed all over it.”

Jax’x smiled sweetly. “I might have started things . . . but it will be you who sees it through to fruition. I’ll never be a hero . . . it’s not . . .” she hesitated as she searched for the right words. “It’s not in my DNA.”

“I don’t want to argue about this. For starters, we aren’t anywhere near finishing this fight. So, no more talk of heroes and role models. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good. But for the record, it will be you, not me, who will go down as savior in the history of this world.”

“I presume your get the last word in this discussion.”

“Always. Before we go check on the others, a couple of things are bothering me.”

“Like what?”

“For starters, how did the Divine Ones stop the MAGEK machine from working with Amber Hearts?”

“If I had to guess, it was probably the same way we’re going to shut it down.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It seems to me the reason it takes an Amber Heart, a Divine One and a person with no mark to alter the machines programming is rather obvious. Each segment of the population has to agree to any changes.”

“Okay, that makes sense. But why someone with no mark since they come along only once in a generation?”

“Because they can never turn into a Divine One. Everyone else with the X might. So this person represents all the non-gifted on the planet.”

“Ohhh. Good thinking.”

“What was your other question?”

“Well, now I still have two. Why would an Amber Heart help the Divine Ones defeat her own kind?”

“Must have been a traitor . . . or it was done under duress.”

“Okay, that was pretty obvious. Last question, your power is limited in distance because you can’t connect to the machine . . . just like Po’s will be when we turn it off. But how are you able to control Ziz? You sent him miles away to meet us. You don’t have that range, do you?”

“No, I don’t. However, if I put a small amber heart in Ziz, which by the way was already there, I can control him at much greater distances.”

“That could come in handy. How far?”

“Don’t know. I haven’t experimented yet.”

“As soon as we find some time, I think you should. It’s another potential weapon at our disposal that the bad guys won’t know about.”

“Will do.”

“Do you think the same is true for the Divine Ones . . . only using their hexes?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Any idea where they keep their spare stones?”

“I don’t. Maybe Po does.”

“What about you? Do you have spare amber hearts?”

“Yes. I found a stash.”

“Suggestion – split them up into smaller amounts. If some get stolen or destroyed, you’ll still have the other half.”

“Wonderful idea. Can I leave one set on the Gracie and other set on the Astral . . . at least till this is all over.”

“Of course. Ring tend to my suit,” and Flying Girl became Egg. “Let’s go check on the others.”

Chapter 7 – All You Need is Love

The Library

The Librarian was already up and dressed. She had made her way to the kitchen and was preparing her favorite breakfast . . . well, Jax’x’s favorite breakfast. Feeling frisky this morning after a good night’s sleep, she was concocting what we on earth would call flapjacks. She was about to use a spatula to turn them over when she giggled. Why not flip them in the air and catch them again in the pan. So, she did . . . flipping them a bit too high.

At that instant, Po assumed control of the avatar. The first thing she did was scream. It wasn’t because being inside the mind of an avatar was disorienting – which it was. The unexpected crash of flapjacks scared the batter out of her (so to speak).

She stood there for almost a full minute to still her heart, catch her breath and figure out what the heck had just happened. When she realized it was the flapjacks, she smiled. “Jax’x, you can’t get enough of them, can you?” she said to no one in particular.

Then she jumped again as someone banged on the door. “Librarian, open up,” came a muffled voice. The loud knocking was repeated.

Po walked over and asked, “Who is disturbing me at this hour?”

“Lightning Flash.”

That was unexpected. Since the young woman worked for Grassy Knoll, she had no business being in the Library. Jax’x probably would not have known that . . . but Po did. But at the moment, she literally wasn’t herself . . . she was the Librarian. Opening the door, she asked her visitor, “Good morning, how may I help you?”

“Gather what belongings are most precious to you. Do it quickly.”

“I don’t understand.”

“We are leaving the Library . . . now.”

This was truly unexpected. But Po needed to speak to Jagged Peak about Tee’ka . . . something she couldn’t do if she was forced to leave. “Has Jagged Peak agreed to this?”

“It is not for him to approve. Now, either gather your belongings or I will teleport us immediately.

Po needed to stall for time  to find out what was going on or for Peak to make an appearance. “As you wish. How long will I be gone for? That will determine what I will bring.”

“Assume you are not coming back.”

“WHAT?”

“When you leave . . . it will be for the last time. Now hurry.”

“Am I being relieved of my duties?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“Divine One, it is not my place to ask for explanations, but . . .” and she left the sentence unfinished.

Flash gave that some thought . . . seemingly fighting an inner battle to decide how to respond. She exhaled loudly in resignation. “I am trying to save your life. You are aware that Chaos’ mas is almost upon us. There is going to be a great and ugly power struggle between my Absolute, Grassy Knoll, and Jagged Peak’s Absolute, Forrest Green. Unfortunately, you are going to be caught in the middle, and you will most certainly be a casualty in the conflict.”

“And Grassy Knoll wishes to save me from harm? Is that why she sent you?”

“She did send me . . . but not for your safety. She does not wish you to fall into the hands of her hated adversary. She would rather see you dead.”

“Why am I such a threat?”

Again the other girl hesitated. “You know very well why.”

Now that was interesting. “Do I?”

“Librarian, we are on the same side.”

Say what? “Which side would that be?”

Before the question could be answered, there was a commotion in the outer room. Obviously, someone had just teleported into the Library. In a panic, Lightning Flash was about to take Po and leave when she heard, “Librarian, are you awake?” Stating the obvious, she said, “It’s Jagged Peak.” To Po’s amazement, the girl visibly relaxed. “We’re in here.”

A moment later, in walked Peak. Jax’x was right, thought Po; he was good looking . . . though not up to the standards of Jay’gar. He looked from Flash to the Librarian then back to Flash. “What’s going on? Why are you here?”

“To save her.”

“Did Knoll send you?”

“Of course. She wants to insure that our friend doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

“Where were you taking her? To the Crypt?”

“That’s where I was ordered to take her. Obviously, I can’t.”

“Then where?”

“I was going to hide her until I could talk to you.”

“Well, without realizing it, both Absolutes have now backed us into a corner. I’ve been given one day to interrogate the other then dispose of her. We’re forced to move our plans forward.”

“Are you sure?”

“What choice do we have?”

Po, the Librarian, listened to the conversation with utter fascination. Was it possible? Was she reaching the right conclusion? Time to find out. “You two are working together, aren’t you?”

“Obviously,” replied Flash.

“Against your Absolutes?”

This time Peak answered, “Yes. I did try to tell you before.”

So that was why he put Jax’x in the cone of silence. “How is that possible? You are on . . . opposing sides.”

Then her surprise turned to shock. Jagged Peak walked up to Lighting Flash, pulled her into an embrace, and kissed the heck out of her. Po blushed at the show of intimacy . . . but could not force herself to turn away.

*****

Home of Taysen and Hay’gar

“Come sit on the bed,” said Bl’azzz as she patted the spot next to her.

Kr’eep didn’t hesitate and virtually flew across the room. He landed so hard that his momentum once again carried him into his companion. “Sorry.”

“You just can’t keep your hands off me, can you?” She meant it a joke.

Not wanting to offend the only woman who had ever shown the least bit of interest in him, Kr’eep croaked, “I didn’t touch something I wasn’t supposed to, did I?”

Now we humans know what he was referring to. But Soo was really Bl’azzz who was a dragon. Male dragons can’t get ‘handsy’ because they have none . . . so Soo was momentarily flummoxed by the question. She finally responded with a stern, “I’ll let you know when or if you cross the line.” She then smiled. “I’m obviously not as sophisticated in the ways of love as you are. Maybe . . . maybe if this goes well . . . well, maybe.” That was mostly gibberish but Kr’eep took from it what he wanted.

“I understand. No, no – we’ll take this nice and slow. But . . . but not too slow because I think I’m in love with you.”

She didn’t want to but she barked out a laugh. Kr’eep’s face fell . . . just avoiding his knees as it hit the floor. “I’m sorry, that was mean of me. It’s just that I thought love at first sight was stuff of make-believe. But I felt it when I first saw you . . . and I’m so overjoyed you feel the same about me. You do, don’t you? You weren’t just saying that?”

Disgustingly, the creep actually drooled as he answered. “I really meant it. You are the most beautiful woman in the world. I’m not just saying that so you’ll let me . . . um, you know. I actually mean it.”

“Well, that deserves a kiss. But just one.” She leaned over and he turned his head so she could kiss his cheek. “No, silly . . . on your lips.”

“Lips?

“Those things,” and she pointed.

“You want to kiss me there?” His eyes were wide, and his breathing had stopped.

“Only if you want me to”.

Apparently he did.

*****

On the Gracie

As they made their way to the control room, Egg asked Jax’x, “Do you have a photograph of Jay’gar?” She was dying of curiosity.

“What is that?”

“A picture.”

“I have an image if that’s what you’re asking. The Divine Ones will make them for you . . . usually.”

“Can I see?”

“Of course” and she reached into a pocket and tenderly pulled out a black and white photo . . .

“Here,” and she handed it to Egg.

The girl examined it. “Wow. Very handsome . . . and sexy.”

“Thank you . . . but I’m not sure I understand the word sexy.”

“It just means that he’s very appealing to women. A sexy woman would be very appealing to men.”

“Oh. Then yes, he’s sexy.”

“He kind of reminds me of Lord Z’kkk, Dazzle’s husband. Of course, his skin is blue.”

“Blue? Do you have an image of him?”

“No. But I’ll have Serenity find one on the computer.”

“I’d like that. How truly amazing the universe must be. BreeZee has wings, Bl’azzz is a dragon, and Tee’ka is an A.I. And the colors! Everyone on this world is beige. But Spirit has golden tones to her skin, Serenity brown, BreeZee yellow. You mentioned a girl named Sassi who is green. And your Prince, like his father, is blue. How wonderful.”

“Sadly, on some worlds, people are discriminated against on the basis of their skin color.”

“But why?”

“Don’t really know. My guess . . . stupidity.”

“So Spell’ Bound isn’t the worse world out there?”

“Not by a long shot. In your case, brilliant minds created amazing technology that was eventually used for selfish purposes. It happens. Anyway, don’t show that picture to Tee’ka or you’ll have to fight off two girls. Here we are,” and they entered the control room. “Hey, Spirit . . .” but then she spotted Jynxie. “How are you feeling, you poor Shamie?”

“Grrrrrrr, Burp.”

“I’m so sorry. Can I get you something?”

“She has been staring out the view screen . . . hoping to see Paradox.”

“Are you sure she can hang in there for a few more days?”

“She’s feeling the irresistible pull of motherhood. For her, it’s overwhelming . . . but not yet dangerous to her physical health. Emotionally, she’s like any other lovelorn woman – pining away for the man of her dreams.”

“She dreams about men?” asked an incredulous Jax’x.

“As often as most humans. Sometimes it makes me jealous. There has never been a man in my life for me to dream about.”

“But you’re so exotic, so nice. How is that possible?”

“I’ve had to run and hide since I was ten. There were those on my world that would have tried to enslave me for my powers. But, thanks to Egg, they are now gone.”

Jax’x turned to Egg. ”You saved her world too?”

“She’s giving me way too much credit. When we helped topple her Imperial Highness, Violetta Viva Velveeta, the bad guys on Paradox lost their access to some technology. I don’t even know the details.”

Jax’x shook her head in disbelief. “You accidently saved an entire world. Incredible.”

“Blind luck . . . and not important. Spirit, have you talked to Serenity?”

“She said she would call shortly with a progress report.”

“And how is our dragon lady doing with the creep?”

“Last I checked, they were alone in a bedroom and he was kissing her.”

“Why that little tramp. That didn’t take her long,” teased Egg.

“What is a tramp?” asked the former Librarian.

“In this case, a woman of low moral standards.”

“Spirit . . .” came a crackling voice over the intercom.

“Serenity, it’s me,” responded Egg. “What’s going on?”

“I’ll let Bree tell you.”

A new voice said, “Egg, you’re not going to believe this. Po is with Jagged Peak and someone named Lightning Flash who works for a different Absolute.”

Jax’x explained, “She works for Grassy Knoll, Peak for Forest Green. I’m pretty sure she has no business being in the Library.”

Bree responded, “Po said they’re working together and they’re on our side.”

“WHAT?” That could have been either Egg or Jax’x or maybe both.

“You heard right. Lightning Bolt . . . I mean Flash . . . went to the Library to save Jax’x. Then Peak appeared and the long and the short of it, they began kissing.”

“Geez, it’s like an epidemic.”

“Say again.”

“Nothing. Anyway, that explains why he missed us with those lightning bolts. And why I never got goosebumps. What about Tee? How is she?”

“They’re discussing that right now. I’ll get back to you as soon as I hear.”

“Good job, Bree. We’ll be waiting.”

*****

The Library

The Librarian cleared her throat. Then, once again. She finally got their attention on the third try. “Thank you for clarifying your relationship. Now, tell me what happened to Tee’ka.”

“She’s is fine . . . all things considered.” Po felt a wave of relief wash over her.

“Where is she? What do you intend to do with her?”

“In a manner of speaking, she’s right here,” and he waved his hand to indicate the room they were in. “But, before I do anything, I need to meet with those that are helping you. Is that flying girl I saw their leader?”

“Yes.”

“We need to meet with her.”

“Why?”

“I need to know that you and Pond Ripple have credible allies. Flash and I are putting our lives in your hands. If I don’t give my Absolute some meaningful information in the next day, this Tee’ka will die . . . and so will I. And if Flash doesn’t produce you, she could die.”

“Well, you can certainly take me to Grassy Knoll. That won’t be a problem.”

“You are either very brave or very stupid.”

“Neither, I assure you.”

“What are you not telling us?”

“I am not telling you anything. That is for Egg to do if she so chooses.”

“Egg?”

“Flying Girl.”

“Very well. When and where can we meet? Remember, Flash must produce you very soon. I, on the other hand, have a little time.”

“I will go with Lightning Flash now. As for you, I should think a quick trip to the heavens will suffice.”

“What are you talking about?”

Flash grabbed her lover’s arm. “Are you sure you can trust them?”

“We have no choice.” To Po he said, “Your move Librarian.”

“First, I need to tell you that . . . um, that I won’t remember any of this conversation. In fact, I won’t even remember how either of you got here.”

The other two scrunched their faces in confused unison.

“Egg will explain it to you. I just didn’t want Flash to think I was acting strange.”

Lightning Flash, in a flash of insight, asked, “You are not the Librarian, are you?”

“No. This is an artificial body.” She put up her hand to stop the questions. “I can control it or I can turn it over to an artificial intelligence that mimics the Librarian.”

“How is that possible?”

“Truthfully, I have no idea. But it obviously works.”

“So who are you? One of their allies?” asked Peak.

“I am Pond Ripple. But please, if we’re going to work together, call me Po.”

As the other two continued to gawk, Po returned the avatar to the A.I. Simultaneously, Serenity beamed Jagged Peak to her ship.

Lightning Flash stared at the place where her lover had just stood. She finally turned when she heard “Hello. Who are you?” from the Librarian.

Lightning Flash studied the avatar but said nothing.

“I said hello. What can I do for you?”

The other girl smiled in appreciation of what she was witnessing. “My name is Lightning Flash. I am taking you to see my Absolute.”

“Why?”

“I’m sure she’ll tell you. Shall we go?”

“As you wish. But I have much work to do and this interruption is terribly inconvenient.”

Chapter 8 – Little Po Peak

In a twinkle of an eye, Jagged Peal rematerialized on the bridge of the Astral. He took a moment to look around and get his bearings. Satisfied, he turned to the girl in the wheelchair and asked, “Where am I?”

“Look out there,” and Serenity pointed to the view screen.

Peak did as he was told. “Spell ‘Bound, I presume?”

“Yes.”

“It’s much more beautiful from up here. You can’t see the destruction.”

“We can restore your world to its natural beauty.”

Peak turned to face the girl. “By turning off MAGEK, I presume.”

“Indeed. My name is Serenity . . . and these two are BreeZee and Pond Ripple, who I think you know.” The two girls had just entered.

“Pond Ripple, we have never been formally introduced. I am Jagged Peak and I cannot tell you what a privilege it is to meet you under these circumstances,” and he nodded his hooded head. To BreeZee he said, “If I had any doubts that you people were not from this world, they are completely gone. Can you really fly?”

“Actually, we call it sailing. I can’t flap my wings, only extend them to catch the wind or a breeze. They are very efficient in generating lift.” She extended them in all their full glory . . . to satisfy the man’s curiosity and to preen a bit. Jagged Peak was very good looking.

“Beautiful.”

“Thank you,” and she actually blushed. (I just have to say, these girls really needed a night on the town, so to speak.)

He turned back to Serenity. “That chair – it seems mobile and complex. Is it a means of transportation?”

“Yes,” she answered but did not elaborate.

“And where is your leader – the Egg that flies?”

Serenity raised a finger indicating she needed a moment. Into her communications channel she said, “He’s ready for you. Shall I send him over or will you come here?”

“Beam him over. Meanwhile, keep an eye on the Librarian. If it looks like we can take advantage of the situation, put Po back in control. Can she hear me?”

“I can, Egg.”

“If you think you can use your powers to advance the cause, go ahead and do it.”

“No,” interjected Peak. “If she fails then Grassy Knoll will be on to us. Better to wait till we can coordinate with one another.”

“That was Peak, I presume.”

“Yes. What do you want me to do, Egg?”

“Just be ready to take control. We can’t afford to lose an opportunity. Meanwhile, let me talk to our guest. Serenity, anytime you’re ready.”

The girl in the chair looked at the young man who nodded back. “Here he comes,” and Peak was transported to the other ship. The first thing that he saw upon rematerializing was . . .

“I’m Egg. Where’s Tee’ka?”

Peak was a bit taken back by the brusqueness of his greeting. “She is safe.”

“I want her . . . NOW.”

“Not until we come to a satisfactory agreement.”

“Let me give you a quick education when dealing with the Hameggattic Sisterhood. Lesson number one . . . no one messes with my sisters, mister. No one. Lesson number two, I don’t take kindly to threats. And three, be nice and so will I.”

“You would make a great Absolute.”

Egg didn’t respond to the apparent compliment. Instead she touched the button on the intercom “Spirit.”

“Yes Egg,” came a mechanical voice (since the intercom couldn’t relay telepathy).

“Beam this guy back to the Library.”

“WAIT,” called Peak.

“Egg?”

“Hang on a second.” To the young man she asked, “What am I waiting for?”

“Do you not wish to negotiate an alliance?”

“Of course I do . . . after I get my sister back.”

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“Because I don’t lie.”

Poor Jagged Peak, he was simply unprepared to deal with someone like Egg . . . in most respects an alien Absolute. But he did understand that he needed this person’s help more than she needed his. He held out his hand bearing the Hex ring and it began to glow. He then made a slashing motion with that hand. To Egg’s shock, it looked like the fabric of space was being ripped open. Peak pushed his hand into the tear and pulled. Lo and behold, out came Tee’ka.

“Tee,” cried Egg as she ran up to the girl and gave her a ferocious hug.

“Ouch”.

“Oh, sorry. I’m just so glad to see you. Are you okay?”

“A little shaken,” she joked.

“Where were you?” and she pointed to the slash that was slowly healing itself.

“In some ways, it was like being back inside the Laff’Alott computer complex. I was just a small point of light in an infinite sea of nothing.”

Egg smiled. “Wow that was quite poetic.”

“Silly, I’m a nerd when it comes to words,” came the teasing reply.

“Yeah . . . not as much as you think. Anyway, what happened to you?”

“One second I was with Po then the next I was in there,” and she pointed at the now healed tear in space. “Later, he took me out and I met his boss. She was mean especially when I talked like you.”

“Talked like me?”

“Yup. But it got her really mad and she shook me with her magic. But this very handsome man helped me. His name is Jagged Peak and . . .” she leaned over to whisper in Egg’s ear, “. . . I think I love him.”

“Good grief.”

“It is good, isn’t it?”

“No, you dopey doe-eyed dufus.”

Peak cleared his throat to get their attention. “You two are very charming but there’s a revolution afoot . . . and we need your help.”

“Do you really think I’m charming?” asked the doe-eye dufus.

“Tee, go find Jax’x and Spirit,” and she shoved the girl out the door. “Sorry about her. She so desperately wants to fall in love.”

“I don’t understand.”

“She used to be a computer program.”

“What?”

“Not important.”

At that moment, in walked Jax’x and Spirit followed by Tee. “Librarian . . . you are the real Librarian, are you not?”

“Yes, Peak. I can’t tell you how excited I am that you’re on our side. After that incident with Po, I thought I had been completely deceived by you.”

“I tried to tell you. However, this is turning out so much better than Flash and I ever expected.”

“Who’s Flash?” asked Tee.

“Lightning Flash is my lover and co-conspirator.”

“Are you sure?” asked a broken-hearted former computer program.

“Am I sure that she’s my lover?”

Egg raised her hand to stop that line of questioning. “Tee thought you might be single . . . and available.”

“Well, that is very flattering. Sorry, I am deeply in love.”

“Do you have a brother?”

Jagged Peak laughed . . . making his rugged good looks even more appealing.  “You have gotten over your broken heart rather quickly. To answer your question – I don’t know. I was taken away from my family when I was young.”

“Okay guys, let’s concentrate on the task at hand. What type of alliance are you looking for?” she asked him.

“First and foremost that we work together to overthrow the status quo.”

“That begs two questions. First, why would you want the status quo to change? And second, what did you expect to take its place?”

Instead of answering the questions, he turned to Jax’x and asked, “Do you know why the former Librarian was replaced by you?”

“No, I was never told.”

“She had given the Absolutes almost no meaningful information in the three years she held that post. Unlike you who gave them bits and pieces of not-quite useful tidbits of science and history . . . our former Librarian gave them nothing because she is one of us. Then you came along. Not a Hex or and X . . . but a Heart. They did not know what that meant but decided it was best to keep you close and under control until they could determine if you were a threat.”

Jax’x looked into the man’s eyes. “But you do know what the heart represents, don’t you?”

“You are an Amber Heart . . . the last of your kind.”

Egg interrupted with her own question. “You know about MAGEK. Did the former Librarian tell you about it?”

“Yes, and much more.”

“Now answer my two questions,” demanded Egg.

“I prefer if you answered them yourself.”

Egg was about to complain but instinctively knew she was being tested. She held a private conversation in her mind with Sylvia – the best Feminion that ever was. After a few seconds, she actually mouthed the words ‘thank you’. To Peak she said “I’ll give you the short version. You and Flash know about the history of your world and all that they accomplished. You know why MAGEK was created and the roles X’s and Hearts were meant to play. You feel the need to right the wrong that has taken place. You want to rewrite your history the way it should have been written.”

Jagged Peak’s eyes grew wide . . . then he smiled again. “I am deeply impressed.”

“Personally, I’m shocked,” teased Spirit.

Peak’s head spun around at the telepathic message he had just heard. “A telepath, how amazing. Can you direct your ‘speech’ to just one person or must it be broadcast for all to receive?”

“I can direct it as I choose. By the way, my name is Spirit and you are the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. I envy Lightning Flash.”

Peak quickly looked at the others - but they were still waiting for Spirit to respond. “How very useful. And, thank you.”

“Spirit, what did you tell him?” asked Egg.

“Only that I was teasing about your analysis and that you are undoubtedly one of the most intelligent Earthling I have ever met.”

Egg gave that her best smirk. “What a crock of shazbot”.

“You wound me, dear sister.”

“I must say you people are not what I expected.”

“Because we’re women?”

“Don’t be silly. All the best Absolutes are women. No, it’s because I can feel an amazing camaraderie between you. Not to mention, your greeting was a bit off-putting with your insistence on having Tee’ka returned to you before all else. You know your priorities and your loyalties.”

Egg brushed that off with a barely polite, “Yeah, thanks. So we need to know what you know . . . and vice versa. But before we get into that, I want Serenity and the others here. While we wait, one of you kindly take our guest to get something to eat or drink.”

Both Jax’x and Spirit stepped forward . . . but were knocked out of the way by Tee’ka. She grabbed Peak’s arm and pulled him close. “I’ll do it.”

No one laughed . . . but that was only because they fought the urge with a super-humanoid exertion of willpower. Egg put her hands over her mouth to hide the smile then admonished her friend, “I expect you to treat him with the same respect he showed you. It’s the least you can do since he saved your life.”

“You’re right. I never did thank him properly,” and she turned, threw her arms around the unsuspecting man, and kissed him on the lips. Peak turned scarlet.

“Spirit, pull her off.” To Tee’ka, who was resisting with a death grip on the poor guy she growled, “Let him go, or I’ll put you back in that space rip or just alt-ctrl-del your skinny computer butt.”

As she was falling backwards into Spirit’s arms she smiled coyly at Peak and said sweetly, “Thank you.”

“Sorry about that. She’s never kissed a guy before,” explained Egg.

Jagged Peak was many things . . . including gallant. “I must warn you, Tee’ka, that if you tell Flash that you kissed me, she will be inconsolably hurt and fire-eyed jealous. That amazing kiss must be our secret. Promise?”

With a big grin splitting her face, the incredibly complex, yet emotionally simple girl just nodded.

*****

Serenity returned the Astral to the cargo bay. She, Bree and Po went to the lounge to join the others.

“What’s happening with the Librarian?” Egg asked upon their arrival.

“She was taken to the Crypt . . . but we lost contact. I can probably reestablish it but it will take time,” answered Serenity.

“Later. She’s too valuable to us especially now that she’s with the enemy.”

“So the Librarian is an artificial life form. Is she self-aware?” asked Peak.

Serenity nodded her approval at the question. “She is not sentient. She cannot reproduce, she can feel no pain . . . though she is programmed to fake the sensation, and she cannot assimilate life experiences like you and I.”

“I see. Not to be crass, but I assume she’s . . . it . . . is expendable if need arises?”

Jax’x looked like she was going to be sick when Serenity said “yes.”

“Does she . . . sorry, it . . . have any special skills?”

“I can program her to do virtually anything any human can do. Any non-gifted human, that is.”

“Very good. She may well prove very useful.”

Egg was impatient to find out what Peak knew. “Let’s start with the most important piece of this revolution . . . turning off the machine. Tell us what you know about MAGEK.”

“I know where it is.”

“About five miles under the Crypt . . . yeah, we know.”

“Very good. It took us a year to discover its location. What I know, that you don’t however, is the key to turning the machine off,” and he reached in his pocket and pulled out a crystal . . .

He passed it to Egg who examined it then gave it to Jax’x. “We believe it turns off the force field that protects it . . . which then allows anyone to access MAGEK’s controls. What I don’t know is the method of powering it.”

“We do,” said Jax’x.

“Really? Did you find that information in one of the old texts?”

“No. A tree told us.”

“A tree? I did not know they still existed.”

“Not from here . . . from Aerianna, the Sisterhood’s home world.”

“Are trees intelligent? I thought they were merely vegetation.”

Egg answered the question for Jax’x. “Trees are normally big plants. This one is a representative of a very advanced civilization that created Aerianna. He’s been my friend and . . . advisor . . . for as long as I’ve known him.”

“Truly amazing,” and he paused to allow that concept to sink in. “What did the tree advise?”

“He gave us a riddle . . . his usual method of conveying information.”

“Why a riddle?”

“He wants us to earn his help . . . by being clever.”

“Interesting . . . and arguably wise. What was the riddle?”

“The part that applies is ‘Heart and Hex must combine as one - directed thru he born with none”’.

Peak paused again to digest the information. “If the phrase ‘he born with none’ refers to an ungifted, then it makes perfect sense.”

“Not just an ungifted,” explained Jax’x. “It refers to a once-in-a-generation person born with no mark at all.”

“I have never heard of such a thing. Why would the creators of MAGEK do that, I wonder?”

“Simple. A person born with an X could always change into a Hex. A person born with no mark . . . will forever be ungifted.”

“Very clever of them. So it all fits. These creators wanted all three segments of society to agree to any change in MAGEK’s programming . . . or to turn it off. So, how do we find this person . . . this once-in-a-generation unmarked?”

“We already have. We’re working on recruiting him as we speak,” explained Egg.

“You people are very good. When we have the time, perhaps you can actually tell me who you are.” He said it with a small smile playing at his lips.

“As you say, when there’s time. Meanwhile, do you know how the Divine Ones reprogrammed MAGEK to exclude Amber Hearts?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”

“And?”

“It was a traitor to the Amber Hearts . . . her name is Xara.”

“Is?”

“She still exists.”

Chapter 9 – The Key to MAGEK

“That isn’t possible,” protested Jax’x. “From my research, Amber Hearts were eliminated hundreds of years ago. This Xara would surely be dead.”

“I don’t possess the complete history on the matter, but there are a few things I do know. First, Xara never developed the facial mask of the Amber Hearts. We think that this birth defect drove her to resent the Hearts that did. As the tension between sects began to escalate, she decided to throw her lot in with the Hexes. If they succeeded, then Xara would be the only Amber Heart that could access MAGEK. But treachery begets treachery and the Divine Ones rewarded her duplicity by putting her in a stasis chamber.”

“Do you mean a Cell of Transitional Non-being like the one they put Jay’gar in?”

“The stasis chamber was the forerunner of that cell . . . not as sophisticated or cruel. Xara is in a state of suspended animation. In theory, we can bring her back.”

“Why would you want to?”

Serenity answered Jax’x’s question. “She knows how to get to MAGEK.”

Peak smiled in appreciation. “That is correct. No one else knows how to get to the machine.”

“If we could find her, why would she help us?” asked BreeZee.

This time Egg answered. “Revenge”.

Peak nodded.

“How do we find her?” asked Serenity.

“And Jay’gar, how do we bring him back?” She looked anxiously at the young man – holding her breath without realizing it.

“There may be a way to save both of them.”

“How? Please, I need to know,” begged Jax’x.

“With a little MAGEK.”

*****

Hay’gar’s House

Soo took the young man’s hand in hers then asked, “So, Kr’eep, tell me all about yourself.”

“Well, um . . .” and he began to sweat as he frantically tried to think of something interesting to say. He desperately wanted to impress this girl. “Um, I like soup . . . especially star weed soup.”

She wanted to be encouraging since she needed this fool’s help . . . but her personal feelings momentarily got in the way. “That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard. Why would you tell me that?”

The now crimson faced young man gave serious consideration to fleeing. “I’m sorry. I got confused. Ask me again . . . please.”

Bl’azzz felt sorry for the poor guy. She could relate to his discomfort. “No, I’m the one that should apologize. I was very rude. So, since star weed soup is your favorite, do you know how to make it? Maybe a secret recipe?”

His face lit up. “I do. Really. I could make you some.”

“I’d like that . . . but maybe later. So, fair is fair - is there something you want to ask me?”

“Sure. Um . . . well, I mean, um . . . how tall are you?”

The girl quickly put her hand over her mouth . . . catching her laugh just before it escaped her lips. “I’m not really sure. I have an idea. Stand up and turn around.”

“Why?”

“We’ll stand back to back and see which of us is taller.”

“Our bodies might touch.”

“I certainly hope so,” was the coy and mischievous answer.

Like the clown popping out of a jack-in-the-box, Kr’eep jumped up. Soo turned around and stepped backwards towards her companion. As expected, there was a small rump bump. Kr’eep, the creep, closed his eyes and let the intimate sensation wash over him. If he had died at that instant, he would have died happy.

Soo touched the top of her head then moved it back towards Kr’eep. From the top of her big hair, she was going to be about six inches taller than he was. So, she smooched down her bouffant and re-measured. “You’re definitely taller . . . by at least two inches.”

“Is that good?”

“Absolutely, the man should always be taller than the girl.”

It was all too much and Kr’eep spun around, threw his arms around the girl and kissed her on the lips. Unlike the last almost chaste one, this was done with feeling.

Soo returned the favor for a count of ten . . . then pushed him away. “Slow down, big guy. We only just met.”

“That was amazing. It was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”

“Have you had many?”

“Kisses? Um, no.  Counting the one before, that was my second.”

“Well, I’m still flattered.”

“I definitely love you.”

******

On the Gracie

“What does that mean . . . a little magic?” asked Egg.

“Do you have something for me to draw upon?” was the unexpected reply.

“Sure. Tee, get him that tablet,” and she pointed to one sitting on a table.

The girl did as she was told and handed it to the handsome young man . . . making sure her fingers and his touched.

“Thank you.” He examined the device then asked, “Sorry, could you explain how this functions? I am unfamiliar with the technology.”

“Use that stylus on the side and draw. No need to press hard,” explained Serenity.

“Ah,” and he did as instructed. When he finished he showed his work to Jax’x. “Does this look familiar?”

The girl took the device. “Sure. It’s with the other artifacts in the Chamber of Enigmas, Conundrums and Perplexities.”

“The what?”

“I call it the Room of Doom but my friend is way more poetic,” explained Po.

“Never mind the name,” huffed Egg. “What is it?”

“I never did figure it out,” replied Jax’x.

“Oh my gosh,” exclaimed Serenity when she was handed the tablet. Everyone turned to look at her. “That’s a prototype MAGEK machine, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. We believe that it was the final working model before they built its bigger brother - probably a hundred times this size, maybe larger.”

“Does it work?” asked Jax’x.

“We don’t know for sure. But, I don’t see why it wouldn’t.”

“And if we get it to work, what then?” asked Spirit.

“For one thing, it will give Jax’x a great deal more power than she has now. Maybe enough power to bring back Jay’gar and Xara.”

“Epic.”

*****

Somewhere in the Crypt

“Librarian, tell me about your treason.”

“Sorry, Divine One, I’m not aware that I’ve committed any treasonous acts.”

“You are conspiring with Pond Ripple to overthrow the natural order of things.”

“What natural order would that be? A sect that was created to serve all, but only serves themselves? A world destroyed because of the selfish deeds of a few? The continued subjugation of a population? The twisted and sinister use of a scientific achievement for the betterment of Divine Ones? The loss of the culture and history of an entire world? Forgive my stupidity, but which of these were you are referring to?”

“Watch your tongue, girl, or I will remove it from your mouth.”

“Ah, I see. The natural order is a society where those with stolen powers make the laws and mete out punishment based on whim. Then, I must plead guilty . . . not because I have done anything to end such tyranny, but because I have not.”

Grassy Knoll studied the young woman before her. She was not used to such blatant disrespect . . . and she needed to understand why this individual felt comfortable doing it. “Who else is involved in your machinations?”

“There is no conspiracy.”

“Is it your lover’s parents?”

“The Divine Ones took his parents and mine. If you are referring to his grandparents, they are old and incapable of any . . . mischief.”

Grassy Knoll turned to Lightning Flash. “Find them and send them to the mines.”

“As you command,” and the acolyte turned to leave.

Knoll studied the reaction on the Librarian’s face . . . something she was very adept at doing. To her amazement, there was no sign of any emotion. How very peculiar. “Never mind. Let them be.”

“Yes, mistress.”

“Tell me, Librarian, what do you fear most?”

“Inane conversations like we are having.”

Grassy Knoll was so shocked by the girl’s insolence that her eyes grew wide . . . a show of emotion that almost never happened. All her instincts told her something about this girl was not right . . . but what that might be she could not venture a guess. “What is the significance of your facial birthmarks?”

“Perhaps my mother imbibed a little too much wine when she was pregnant.”

Again, insolence and sarcasm. “And the heart that you carry in place of an X or Hex?”

The Jax’x avatar did not respond.

“Answer my question.”

“You didn’t ask one.”

Normally Knoll would be incensed at this exchange. This time, she was simply curious. If she could unravel this girl’s perplexing attitude, she knew it would lead to something very important. What that might be, she did not know.  “Why is your mark a heart? As far as I know, that has never happened.”

“Truthfully, I was very young when I was born so I lacked the curiosity to ask my parents.”

You can push an Absolute only so far. With a thought, Grassy Knoll lashed out with an invisible hand and slapped the Librarian so hard that the girl literally flew across the room. To Lightning Flash, Knoll said, “Interrogate her. We need answers. Use whatever force necessary.”

“Yes, mistress.”

“Do not fail me,” and she spun and left the room . . . slamming the door behind her.

To that door Flash, whispered “No, Mistress. I won’t fail.”

*****

On the Gracie

“So, can your team of provocateurs secure the device? As importantly, can you provide the power to make it function?” asked Peak.

Egg looked at the girl in the chair. “Serenity?”

“Easy Peasy on the retrieval. I’ll take my ship in and transport one of you into that room. Then with that person standing next to it, I can beam her and it back up. As to the power, I’ll have to examine the device first. If I’m right, we might need a little something from K’ssss.”

“K’ssss?” asked Peak.

“She’s a sea serpent back on Zynn-Zaz’zia. Very smart.”

“Do you need her here to help you?”

“No, Egg. Just a quantum field generator that I know she has.”

“I’m not even going to ask what that is. How will she get it here? We can’t wait very long.”

“Since it will only be the equipment, she can send it under computer control in a scout ship at maximum warp. It’ll be here in a couple of hours.”

“Do you want me to contact her now?”

“No. Let’s wait till I get the MAGEK device to be certain.”

“Actually . . .” interrupted Spirit. “Please send for it now.”

“Is it Jynxie?”

“Yes. I thought she could wait a few more days but I was wrong. I can take her in the scout ship to Paradox.”

“You can have the Astral right now,” offered a concerned Serenity. “We can make do without it.”

“Thank you, but we can wait if it’s just a few hours.”

“Egg, I’ll go contact K’ssss,” volunteered BreeZee.

“Great. Go.”

Peak was confused. “I’m sorry, am I allowed to ask what is going on?”

“Not now. Serenity, take Tee and Po. Po, you’re going down to the Library to find that thing.”

“I’ll go.”

“No, Jax’x. Po at least has her powers to defend herself.”

“Absolutely,” agreed the Divine One.

“If I may suggest . . .” interrupted Peak.

“What?”

“First, I am surprised and impressed by how quickly you can organize a plan and implement it. However, I think you should wait a few hours before you go. If I am correct, Forrest Green will be sending a contingent over to the Library to fetch her,” and he pointed at Jax’x. “As you know, we let my compatriot take her duplicate to Grassy Knoll. Green’s people will be searching high and low  . . . assuming that she is hiding somewhere in the building.”

Egg wasn’t sure why, but she felt that Peak’s explanation for a delay didn’t ring true. “Po, Jax’x . . . what do you think?”

It was Jagged Peak who answered first. “You don’t trust me, do you?”

“I don’t really know you, do I?”

“True enough. If I go and put my life in danger, would that not help persuade you of my intentions and sincerity?”

“What do you mean?”

“I will go with the others to secure the device. If I am caught, it will go very, very poorly for me.”

“I’ll think about it.” To the other two girls she asked again, “I want your opinions.”

“I have no reason to dispute his assertions about Forrest Green sending people to look for me. As for Jagged Peak accompanying Po and the others . . . that just doubles our defenses.”

“What about you Po?”

“I think Jax’x’s response was reasonable. I have no objections.”

Egg wasn’t so sure. Her goosebumps were screaming NO; but she chose to ignore the warning. “Ok, then it’s settled.”

*****

Bree came back and joined the others. “I talked to K’ssss and she said the generator would be airborne in a few minutes. We should expect it in less than two hours.”

“Great. Spirit, what can we do for you and Jynxie until it arrives?”

“There is nothing to be done for her. However, I will use the time to pack my belongings and . . . and to say my goodbyes. Once the ship arrives, she and I need to leave immediately.”

“I sense this is going to be an emotional farewell,” said Peak. “May I have your permission to explore the ship? It will give all of you the privacy that the moment deserves.”

“No way you’re going to wander around alone. No offense, but you are still an unknown quantity. Jax’x, you and Po do the honors.”

“We don’t really know that much about the workings of the ship,” protested Po.

“Exactly.”

“Oh. I understand.”

“You are a very cautious individual,” observed Peak.

Egg didn’t even bother to respond. To Jax’x she said, “Go . . . take your time.” After they left, she said to Tee’ka, “Fetch Bl’azzz.”

“Okay . . . but don’t start crying and hugging till I get back.”

She was serious but it still made the others laugh.

*****

A few minutes later Bl’azzz and Tee came back.

“How’s it going with Kr’eep?”

“He loves me.”

“Wow, you are good.”

“Told you. Now, what’s going on?”

“Spirit needs to take Jynxie back home. K’ssss is sending a scout ship with some equipment for Serenity. They’ll use it to go to Paradox.”

“Oh”.  The dragon stared off into the distance fighting back her tears. She turned to say something . . . but she burped and burned. “Shazbot” she screamed at herself.

Spirit walked up to her friend and threw her arms around the dragon. “Thank you. That was the nicest farewell you could have given me.”

“Do you know what’s worse? I can’t even argue against you leaving. It’s poor Jynxie’s life we’re talking about.”

“You must all come to Paradox when her child is born . . . promise me.”

“As the leader of this soppy, schmaltzy sisterhood, I promise. We will all be there. All . . . how many are we?”

“Um, twelve, I think,” offered Bree.

“Don’t forget our honorary members . . . Dazzle and Zazzi.” said Bl’azzz. “They would never forgive us.”

“Right. So, I promise we’ll all be there.” Egg wiped the tears from her eyes. “Um, you know I love you, right?”

“And I, you. It has been such a privilege to be part of this group of courageous, loving and honorable women. No matter what happens in the years I have remaining, being a Hameggattic Sister will always be the pinnacle of my life.

Bl’azzz gave the girl another hug with her wings. Then Bree did the same as tears came cascading down her cheek.

When it was Serenity’s turn, she apologized. “Sorry, I can’t get up to give you a hug.”

“Don’t ever apologize for who you are . . . and certainly not on my account.” Spirit knelt down and the girls hugged.

“Thank you again for giving me back the sight in my damaged eye.”

“I wish I could have done more.”

“You’ve done more than enough . . . for me, and for us.”

No sooner had the girl stood when Tee’ka threw her arms around her sister and whispered something. Whatever it was, it made the Thought Weaver laugh . . . and the sound reverberated in the heads of the others.

“What did she say?” demanded Egg.

“It is not for me to share,” was the smiling reply.

“Something about boys? It was, wasn’t it?”

“My lips are sealed.”

“You don’t talk with your lips.”

Spirit stuck out her tongue for her reply. Then, “Egg, my dearest friend, never have I met such an extraordinary humanoid. My heart already aches from missing you.”

“Well . . . well, just shut up and hug me,” and she did. A minute later and Egg still refused to let go. Spirit was forced to gently push her away.

The alien girl looked from one face to another. Satisfied, she turned and walked back to her room. But even through the steel bulkheads of the ship, they could still hear her telepathic sobbing.

Chapter 10 – Shazbot

Two Hours Later

Over the next ninety minutes or so, each of the sisters individually visited Spirit and Jynxie in their cabin. They needed one more opportunity to share feelings, swap remembrances and exchange hugs and tears.

Even Po and Jax’x asked for a minute to wish their new friend a safe journey home. More importantly, they each wanted to thank Spirit for answering their call for help. Even though her efforts were being cut short through no fault of her own, the Spell ‘Bounders still considered her a heroine who selflessly volunteered to help perfect strangers in their time of need. Their debt of gratitude was real and needed to be expressed.

The rest of the crew and Jagged Peak were waiting in the control room as they monitored the approach of the scout ship. It had just appeared on the main viewer . . . its silver skin reflecting the purple glow of the sun . . .

“Will it fit in the cargo bay with your ship in there?” Egg asked Serenity.

“Easily. I’ve just taken control of its computer and I’m programming the rendezvous as we speak. It should be in the bay in two minutes.”

Egg sighed so loudly that the others turned to see what was the matter. “That’s also Spirit’s ride home,” she reminded them. “Bree, let her know, will you?”

“Of course,” and the girl walked off.

“Tee, go with Serenity to get the gizmo.”

“Sure. Come on, Ren.”

“Ren?”

“I’m tired of saying your whole name. If I have a nickname, you should to.”

“Ren?”

“Be nice or I’ll change it to ‘Nity’ . . . or Grumpy.”

“Ren it is,” and the duo left.

“Egg, I need to talk to you about  . . . you know who,” said Bl’azzz. She wisely was cautious enough not to mention her boyfriend by name.

The girl looked around and found Jax’x and Po in the back of the room. “Guys, keep our friend company for a few minutes, will you?”

“Of course, Egg,” responded Jax’x.

Peak was a bit bemused by the girl’s attitude towards him. “I’m sure in very short order you’ll understand and appreciate my purpose in all this.”

That phrasing struck Egg as odd. “What does that mean?”

“As it sounded, I assure you.”

The girl stared for another few seconds then turned and walked out. Bl’azzz followed her.

On the other side of the door, the dragon asked, “You don’t like him, do you?”

“There’s something not right . . . but I can’t put my finger on it. Anyway, what’s up?”

“I think now is a good time to let Kr’eep know he’s going to have to earn my love. I’m not sure how much I should tell him.”

“Yeah, that’s a tough one.”

“Don’t give him any specific information about our plans. Keep it vague. Just tell him that soon he will have to accompany you on a dangerous mission. You’re counting on his bravery to make it a success.”

Both girls turned to see Spirit and Jynx.

“Good advice. Thanks”.

“We are about to depart.”

“Yeah.”

“I just wanted to wish you all good luck. I’m so sorry to leave in the middle of a mission.”

“Stop that. Jynxie is a sister . . . and your mission is to save her. Isn’t that right, Jynxie?”

“Grrrrrrr.”

“As for you . . . you better find a terrific husband, understand you shaggy purple teddy bear.”

“Grrrrrrr.”

“Good. And if your baby is a girl, you promise to call her Egg?”

“Grrrrrrr. Burp.”

All three girls laughed. “Glad you’re feeling a little better.”

“We must go.”

One more round of hugs, and sloppy wet kisses from the Shamie, and another wonderful Sister walked into the history books.

“Egg.”

“Yeah, Bl’azzz?”

“Why didn’t Spirit see all this in her thought weave?”

“She probably did. My guess is that she really wanted to go on one last mission.” Her voice was filled with so much sadness.

“You okay?” Bl’azzz asked her friend.

“No. When I lose one of you, a little part of me dies.”

******

They went back into the control room. Serenity and Tee’ka had already re-entered from the other door. On the floor was the device they had been waiting for . . .

“Doesn’t look like much,” observed Bl’azzz.

“This little sweetheart can generate enough power to light up this entire world for a couple of years.”

“Impressive,” responded Peak. “How does it work?”

Before Serenity could answer, Egg said, “Now’s not the time. How do you hook it up to the MAGEK machine?”

“Once I get it on board, I’ll be able to figure it out.”

“Are you sure you can?” asked Peak. “Obviously our technology, which by the way is hundreds of years old, is different than yours. Why would they be compatible?”

“The science is the same. You people didn’t invent or redefine the laws of physics. Give me the time, and I’ll get it to work.”

“Po, why can’t you just use your divine powers to connect it?” asked Egg.

“Because I have no idea what to conjure . . . my mind can’t imagine it.”

“Same for me, if you were about to ask,” added Peak a bit sarcastically.

“Yeah, I kind of figured that out myself. Serenity, if you’re ready, let’s get this show on the road. Po, can you use your power to pick that thing up?”

“Of course.”

“Great. Follow Serenity and Tee’ka. Bree, help Bl’azzz get back in her gear . . . she’s got a man to recruit.”

“Will do. Come on Hot Lips.”

The dragon smiled. “Kr’eep would agree with you. In fact, I’ll tell him that’s what everyone calls me.” Without thinking, Bl’azzz had let slip the name of ‘he born with none’. The only one that seemed to notice was Jagged Peak.

“Go before I barf,” teased Egg.

“And me?” asked Peak.

Against all her instincts, she replied, “Follow Po.”

******

Hay’gar’s Home

“Sorry I was so long.”

“What were you doing in there?”

“For shame. A man should never ask a woman a question like that. Have you no self-respect?”

Kr’eep turned white. “I . . . I . . . I’m sorry.”

“Well, apology accepted. So, now what would you like to do?”

“Um, would you like to see my house?”

Soo pretended to give that a great deal of thought. “Before I say yes, I need to know what your intentions are.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Your intentions towards me. You say you love me, but do you want a long-term relationship or are you just looking for a little . . . how shall I put it? Are you just looking to have your way with me then cast me out like yesterday’s garbage?”

Kr’eep now turned red . . . very bright red. It was actually a very sweet reaction. “No. No, never.”

“To which are you referring to . . . no long term relationship or no short term frolicking?”

“That second thing.”

The girl nodded approvingly. “So, if I were to ask you to marry me . . . not right away of course . . . you would say yes?”

Now he turned blue since he couldn’t breathe. He did manage a shake of his head.

“That’s wonderful. How long should we be engaged for? We really don’t know each other. Love at first sight is all well and good, but there’s more to a relationship than . . . physical intimacy.”

Kr’eep forced himself to suck in a mouthful of air. “A week?”

“No, silly. It should be at least three months, I should think. Can you wait that long?”

“No, not really . . . but I will if that’s what you want.”

Soo smiled brightly then gave her betrothed a kiss. This one lasted almost a minute. “Yummy, thank you.”

“How about a month?”

“No, no, no. We agreed on three.”

“Okay. But what about that other thing you said?”

“What other thing?”

“Physical inny-something.”

“Intimacy. What about it?”

“Do we get to do that before we’re married?”

“You are a naughty, naughty boy. Let’s just see how it goes. But I expect you to respect my feelings on the matter and not push harder than I’m comfortable with.”

“Never. I promise. Can we kiss again . . . just to make this official?”

“Sure. No, wait.”

“Why?”

“Because I need you to do something for me first . . . to prove your love.”

“Anything.”

“Well, I’m going on a very dangerous mission and I want you to go with me.”

Back to white. “What dangerous mission?”

“I really can’t tell you too much. You’ll just have to trust me. You do trust me, don’t you?”

“Um, sure. But why is it dangerous?”

“The Divine Ones won’t like it.”

Now death mask, chalky white. “The Divine Ones? Are you crazy?”

“Kr’eep, I could never marry a man that won’t risk his life to save mine.”

“Risk my life? Are you crazy?”

“That’s the second time you asked me that. No, I am most certainly not crazy. Please don’t ask again or I will have you leave.”

“You don’t have to ask me . . . I’m leaving.”

Whoops. “If you walk out that door, then we’re through.”

Kr’eep hesitated a second while he weighed his options. On one hand there was a chance of a lifetime of love and physical inny-something. On the other hand there was a chance he could become dead.

Tough choice.

He turned and left without another word.

Soo watched helplessly as he slammed the door behind him. “Rats.”

*****

Aboard the Astral

The Astral had slipped out of the cargo bay and entered orbit around Spell ‘Bound.

“What is the plan?”

“I will cloak the ship then head for the Library. Once in position, I’ll transport you and Po into that room. I can lock on to life forms, but inanimate objects are much more a hit or miss affair. So once you locate the unit, just stand on either side of it and I will beam it and you back up. Once here, I can figure a way to hook up the power unit.”

“Hmmm,” replied Peak.

“What?”

“It might be better if you and the power unit beamed down with us. You can attached it while it’s still in place.”

“Why is that better?”

“The device might be secured in some fashion that we won’t be able to determine. Transporting it up to the ship might damage it.”

That had a ring of plausibility.

“Reasonable assumption. I’ll need to get Egg’s approval first.”

“Of course.”

*****

Aboard the Gracie

Egg and Jax’x were sitting in the control room . . . waiting impatiently.

“I’m sorry you lost Spirit.”

“Me, too. Thanks.”

“Was she the most important member of the sisterhood?”

“Why would you ask that?”

“She can see the future and she is a healer . . . pretty useful talents to have on any team.”

“Yeah they are. But, we’ve only had one MVP and that was an overweight, ditsy sea serpent.”

“Sorry, I don’t understand.”

“MVP is an earth term . . . means Most Valuable Player as on a sports team. When I recruited K’ssss, she was – and still is – overly plump. She also was as dumb as a sack of sea shells.”

“Sea shells?”

“Never mind. Think sack of rocks.”

“Oh. Then why did you choose her for the Sisterhood?”

“I had a dream.”

“About a fat, dumb sea serpent?”

Egg laughed. “Not exactly. Anyway, no one thought she should be going with us on that first mission. Turns out, that old Librarian saying is true – you can’t tell a book by its cover. She ended up saving us five or six times. Without K’ssss, we would have failed. Without her, we wouldn’t be here helping you.”

“Well, next time you talk to her, say thank you.” Then she added, “Wasn’t she the one that sent the generator?”

“Yup.”

“What would she be doing with something so sophisticated?”

“She outgrew her dumbness. She’s now as smart as Serenity . . . which is really ridiculously smart.”

Before Jax’x could ask another question, the comm buzzed. “Egg, here.”

“Egg, Peak wants us to change the plan.”

“Does he? Do tell.”

“He thinks I should beam down and affix the generator to MAGEK in the Library.”

“Why?”

“He’s afraid it’s attached in some way and that beaming it up would damage it.”

“What do you think?”

“It’s a possibility.”

“Hang on a second,” and she turned off the comm channel. “What’s your opinion?” she asked Jax’x.

“First impression – it’s plausible but I don’t like it.”

“Why?”

“Once the generator is attached, that MAGEK unit goes live. In the wrong hands, it could be dangerous.”

“How so? After all, the Divine Ones can access the big unit. It can only help you since it probably wasn’t reprogrammed to exclude Amber Hearts.”

Jax’x gave that some thought. “I guess you’re right. But we really don’t know what this thing does . . . it just seems like we’re taking an unnecessary risk.”

Egg smiled. “I like the way you think.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“Let’s see if we can make everybody happy.” She flicked a switch and the comm came alive. “Serenity?”

“Here.”

“I need to speak with you privately.”

“Give me a second,” and the comm went dead again. A minute later, “They all stepped out. Tee is showing them the ship.”

“Great. So, go ahead down to the Library.”

“Really? Didn’t think you would agree.”

“Well, I want you to do something first,” and she proceeded to give her sister some instructions. “Can you do it?”

“I can. That’s pretty devilish of you.”

“Ever hear of a Deviled Egg?”

*****

Kr’eep’s House

If he was going to give up Soo, give up love, give up marriage . . . he darn well wanted something in return.

There was only one way to get that something.

This time he felt bad about it, but he had no choice.

He opened the door and headed to the Crypt. He was sure that the Absolute he had dealt with before would reward him again.

What should he ask for? He would have to give that some thought.

*****

The Library

When they beamed down, Serenity was surprised to see someone waiting.

“My name is Lightning Flash.”

That was the name of Peak’s friend. “Serenity. You already know Tee’ka and Po.”

“Do you have the power source?”

“Right here,” and she pointed to the unit on the ground.

“Seems small.”

“Good things come in small packages.”

“Is that a philosophical adage where you come from?”

“No, it’s actually a stupid Earth saying. Anyway, let me take a look at the sphere.”

She did just that . . . taking a good twenty minutes to analyze the device. Finally, she told the others, “No problem. I’ll have it up and going in ten minutes.”

True to her word, she did. “Okay, let’s fire this puppy up.” She flipped a few switches, turned a dial or two and the unit came alive with a soft whirring sound.

“That’s it?” asked a disappointed Tee’ka.

“I can sense my abilities are stronger,” replied Po. “Definitely stronger.”

“Agreed,” added Peak. “Let’s see just how strong.” He looked at Flash and nodded. They both closed their eyes, obviously concentrating on something.

A moment later, something odd appeared in the center of the room. It took a moment for it to come into focus. It was a swirl of light.

“What is that thing?” asked Serenity with more than a little alarm.

“It’s a gateway,” replied Peak calmly.

“A gateway to what?”

“To a stasis chamber.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Watch,” was the cryptic reply.

A moment later a woman emerged . . .

She took her time to look around and examined her surroundings . . . exuding arrogance and confidence. Finally she turned to the only man in the room and asked “why am I here?”

“My name is Jagged Peak. We have freed you from the stasis chamber they imprisoned you in.”

“How long?”

“It has been almost three hundred years.”

The woman showed only the slightest emotion by raising one eye brow.

“Who is this” demanded Serenity.

“This is Xara.”

“Why did you bring her back now?”

“Tomorrow is Chaos ‘mas. What better time for her to take revenge on the Divine Ones who betrayed her.”

Xara smirked at that statement. “And what price do I pay for this generous opportunity?”

“We, Lightning Flash and myself, intend to replace the council of Absolutes.  With your help, of course.”

“And why would I do that? Two Absolutes are still two too many.”

“For your troubles, we will give you the means to leave this planet. I am sure there are many worlds that you would find (he searched for just the right word) . . . amusing . . . to visit.”

Xara gave that some thought. “I presume if I decline your offer, I would be returned to there?” and she pointed in the direction of the swirl of light.

“Indeed.”

“Then, I accept your terms.”

“Your word?”

She smiled like the Cheshire Cat. “On my honor.”

Peak laughed. “As we both know, you have no honor. However, for the sake of our newly formed alliance, I will pretend that you do.” He then raised a finger and Serenity, Tee’ka and Po disappeared before they could fully understand the treachery that was unfolding.

Book 4 of Nemesis – Xara

©Copyright 2016, by Robert Iannone

All rights reserved (Book & Cover Illustration)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Rats

Chapter 2 – That MAGEK Moment

Chapter 3 – Into the Abyss

Chapter 4 – War, What is it Good For?

Chapter 5 – So What’s Next?

Chapter 6 – Chaos ‘mas Eve

Chapter 7 – Final Preparations

Chapter 8 – Grim Fandango

Chapter 9 – Utter Chaos

Chapter 10 – Night of the Living Dead

Epilogue 1 – The Carnage

Epilogue 2 – Goodbye Girl

Epilogue 3 – Knight in Shining Armor

Chapter 1 – Rats

On Board the Gracie

“What just happened?”

“Not sure.” BreeZee pressed a button on the communicator. “Serenity, please respond”.

Static.

“Rats and double rats.”

“What does that mean?” asked Jax’x.

“It means I screwed up royally.”

“Egg?” asked Bree.

“When I sent Peak down there . . . I got goosebumps but I ignored them.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m stupid. I just don’t understand why they always foretell trouble. So, I decided to ignore them this time.”

“Shouldn’t you have at least warned then?” asked Jax’x.

“Ya think?”

“Yes, that would seem like a reasonable precaution.”

“I was being ironic. Of course I should have said something. But, I didn’t want to worry the others needlessly. Sometimes they take the goose bump thing too seriously.” Once she said it, Egg realized how stupid that sounded. “I screwed up.”

“We don’t know for sure that there’s a problem. It could be a malfunction in the communications equipment,” offered her sister without much conviction.

Just then Bl’azzz entered the room. “We’ve got trouble.”

“I know that.”

“Have you been listening in?”

“To what?”

“Me and Kr’eep.”

“No. We were monitoring the others.”

“Then how do you know we have trouble?”

“I ignored my goosebumps and now we can’t contact them.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What are you talking about?” responded an exasperated Egg.

“Kr’eep, of course. He walked out on me when I asked for his help.”

“Seriously?”

“Why would I joke?”

“It’s just an expression of . . . oh, never mind.”

“What’s happening to the others? Why can’t you contact them?”

“We’re trying to figure that out.”

“What was that thing about your goosebumps?”

Egg explained.

“Egg-o, that was . . .”

“DUMB, I know.”

“So what now?”

Egg didn’t answer. Instead she reached out and threw a switch allowing her to address the ship’s computer. “Execute Plan B, please.”

The ship responded with “Plan B executed. Await further instructions.”

*****

On the Road to the Crypt

When he left his house, Kr’eep began jogging towards the Crypt. The thought of the reward he was about to receive made him salivate. Then again, it seemed like anything he considered good produced an excess of spit. The poor guy really was a little gross . . . though it probably wasn’t totally his fault. Sometimes it’s in your DNA.

It took him almost twenty minutes to reach the bridge that crossed the rift which protected the Crypt. He stopped to catch his breath . . . and to screw up his courage. Talking to a Divine One was nerve racking; talking to an Absolute was downright terrifying.

A few deep breaths and he was ready. Well, almost ready. His heart was pounding from a combination of fear and regret. Soo was so beautiful and she liked him. Heck, she even kissed him . . . more than once. The feel of her lips on his was etched in his memory. What was he doing? He knew there would never be another like her. If he crossed that bridge he was condemning himself to a life alone.

On the other hand, if he crossed that bridge he was insuring that he would have a life . . . alone or otherwise. There was a lot to be said for not being dead.

“Stop you darn fool.”

Kr’eep spun around. It was Hay’gar . . . red faced and wheezing from running. “What?” he barked, more from being startled than anything else.

“What are you doing? There’s a very fine woman back there that likes you. Most men would die for a chance to be with her.” Hay’gar’s choice of words was meant to challenge the young man to . . . well, to man up. The unfortunate phrasing only served to reinforce his fears.

“I don’t want to die for her . . . or for anyone.”

“She needs your help. Sometimes a person has to put the needs of others above his own safety.”

“Then you do it, you stupid old man.”

Surprisingly, Hay’gar wasn’t offended. He knew that Kr’eep had been brought up with a negligent mother and an abusive father. There had been no love in that family. And there most certainly wasn’t any role model for a young man to emulate. Without guidance and left to his own devices, the misbegotten Kr’eep had settled into the lowest level of human existence – selfish, self-indulgent and void of any moral compass.

“Come back with me and we’ll talk,” offered the older man.

“About what?”

“About why you left Soo.” The old man had followed his neighbor after Bl’azzz told him Kr’eep stormed out of the house. Knowing the young man all too well, he suspected that he might do something impulsive. The fact that the guy was willing to give up a woman who had shown interest in him spoke volumes.

“What’s to talk about? I don’t want her to get me killed. And if I can’t have her, I want to get something out of it.”

Time for a different tack. “Are you sure they’ll believe you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe they’ll think you were involved and got scared.”

“Even if that was true, so what?”

“So they might choose to eliminate a person that seems to be unsure whose side he’s on. Why waste a reward on someone that might find a reason to change his mind yet again. If it were me, I’d simply do away with you.”

The colorful Kr’eep turned deathly white . . . a shade that was becoming all too familiar on him. “You’re just saying that to scare me.”

Hay’gar wasn’t sure if that was a statement or a question. “I’m just trying to show you that you’re acting in haste. Let’s talk about it.”

“Just go away.”  After a few seconds, he added a very soft, almost pleading “please.”

“If that’s what you want. But Kr’eep . . . if you change your mind, you know where to find me.” The old man patted his companion on the shoulder – a gesture a father might make to his son. Without another word, Hay’gar turned and left.

*****

Room of Doom

Xara watched the three girls disappear with only the tiniest of smirks playing with the corners of her mouth. Turning towards Jagged Peak she asked, “Are they dead?”

“Of course not.”

Xara shook her head in disapproval. “You’re not nasty or ruthless enough to be an Absolute.”

“I would disagree that either of those are a prerequisite to being a good Absolute . . . but quite frankly I have no interest in your opinion on the matter.”

The smirk turned to a wolfish grin. “That’s better. I like my men with a stiff . . . backbone.” She raised her eyebrows for emphasis.

“If we didn’t need your help, I would put you in a Vanishing Veil in a heartbeat. You are a vile creature.”

“Tsk, tsk. You don’t want to hurt my feelings, do you?”

Peak stared at the woman . . . eyes locked on eyes. “Perish the thought.”

“If you two will stop this childish posturing, we have work to do. Need I remind both of you that tomorrow is Chaos ‘mas”?

“You’re little girlfriend is right . . . something that probably doesn’t happen often.” Xara looked at Lightning Flash and winked. Before the girl could respond, the former Amber Heart said, “Bring me up to speed. I want to know everything.”

“The only thing that’s relevant is for you to show us how to get to MAGEK and reprogram it to ignore all other Divine Ones except us.”

“Divine Ones? You call yourselves Divine Ones?” and she startled the other two when she broke out in gales of laughter.

“What do you find so amusing?”

It took Xara a few seconds to regain her composure. She wiped away a few tears of laughter from her eyes then explained, “In my time, you people were known as Hex Weavers . . . and your ruling counsel Absolute Hexes. When did you become holy rollers? Did God ordain it?”

“What god? Are you referring to MAGEK?”

Once again, the now familiar eyebrow arch. “Interesting. When I roamed this world, the population was deeply religious. It was one of the reasons that the whole MAGEK project took so long to build. A large segment of the population felt it was sacrilegious. It gave us . . . at least some of us . . . godlike powers. They found that offensive.”

“Sorry, I have no idea what you are talking about. We know of no deity.”

“Of course you don’t. How sad.”

Peak was getting annoyed. “What difference does it make to our present situation? No, save your condescending answer . . . that was a rhetorical question. Tell me what you need to accomplish our goal?”

“First, I need to understand what has happened since I was put in hibernation.”

“That’s three hundred years of history. Even if I knew, which I don’t, it would take weeks and weeks just to give you a summary. We don’t have that much time.”

“What do you mean – ‘even if I knew’?”

He was about to respond with a rude comment but stopped. A sudden realization hit him. “As far as I know, about the time you were removed, the world was destroyed.”

Xara shook her head. “Not quite right,” but she didn’t elaborate.

“Come look out this window.” The Room of Doom was perched at the very top of the Library and from this vantage point you could see past the city boundary and into the desolation beyond.

Xara did as she was told. She scanned the city and beyond . . . trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Finally, she asked, “We are in Amber Heart?”

“Yes.”

“In three centuries, this is all you’ve accomplished? Three hundred years and all you could do was . . . was this?”

“What are you talking about?”

“This city was once the center of scientific learning and technological industry. Now . . . now it’s a backward village. The majestic buildings that housed the best of what we are – what we had been – were destroyed in the war. But it’s . . . it’s disgusting. You have MAGEK and you haven’t been able to rebuild any of it. This is what you Holy Hexes are so proud of . . . this is how you justify your position of power?” Xara had never shown much emotion in her later years; but this remnant of a once proud civilization was overwhelming.

“What was it like?” asked Flash.

Xara spun around and glared at the two Divine Ones. “YOU did this. You and your ilk. I should rip your eyes out right now.”

Involuntarily both hooded people raised their ringed hands to ward off any attack. Peak, upon realizing the threat was just verbal, said, “Need I remind you that you betrayed your own kind to work with . . . with my side.”

“That was personal not philosophical.”

“What does that mean?”

“None of your business.” She looked from one to the other then continued. “Let me give YOU a little history lesson. It was the Hex Weavers that started the fight, not the Amber Hearts.”

“So you say.”

“So I do. My kind are drawn from individuals with a high degree of empathy. Yours, on the other hand, are mostly alphas . . . individualistic, self-centered and egotistical. Amber Hearts by their very nature are incapable of being aggressors. Don’t misunderstand – they will defend themselves and those that are entrusted to them with every ounce of strength they can muster. BUT . . . they would never fire the first shot.”

“You don’t seem to fit this mold. Why is that?”

She considered her answer before speaking. “I’m an anomaly.”

“Because you don’t have the facial markings?”

“Still none of your business. Now, start answering my questions, assuming you have the answers.”

“Go on. Ask.”

“Are there other cities that survived?”

“No.”

“What’s out there . . . beyond the city limits?”

“Desolation as far as you can see. But, no one can explore the ruins because of some residual radiation from the war.”

“What kind of radiation?”

“Don’t know.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Why?”

“There’s no radiation. You can’t go out there because the towers and obelisks were destroyed. You can’t access MAGEK without them.”

Peak glanced at Flash who shrugged. “Can those be rebuilt?” he asked Xara.

“Of course.”

“Interesting,” he mumbled as he considered the consequences of doing just that.

“Are there any Amber Hearts left?”

“Just one that we know of.”

“Does she have the amulet?”

“Amulet?”

“The necklace with a Heart Stone. I need one if I’m going to help you do what you want done.”

“She does have a necklace.”

“I want it.”

“How about this . . .” and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a duplicate of the necklace worn by Jax’x.

Xara’s eyes went wide and she reached for it. Peak was anticipating the reaction and snatched his hand back before the woman could grab it. “Now, now. You can have this when you need it and not before.”

Licking her lips as if she was a starving lioness staring at her prey, Xara forced her hand back to her side. “Very wise”.

“Indeed.”

Xara turned and looked back out the window. Over her shoulder she said, “I see no green, no vegetation of any kind. And the canals and fountains . . . they are either dry or covered over. Why is that?” She knew the answer but was curious if her hosts did.

“There is no rain therefore no flora of any kind. And all surface water has long since evaporated.”

“So for the citizens to survive, the Divine Ones create the food and water. The population can never rebel because if they did they would starve or die of thirst. Very clever.” Xara should know . . . it had been her idea.

Peak shrugged his shoulders in dismissal. “It’s a natural, probably cyclical, phenomenon. Nothing to do with the Divine Ones.”

“Idiot. It’s the work of MAGEK. Someone very, very clever told the machine to stop the rains.”

“Are you saying I can tell it to let the precipitation return?”

“I doubt it. My guess is that there’s a hard command wired into it. You have to go down and physically change it.” Again, she knew very well that this was the case.

“How?”

Instead of answering, Xara asked, “What exactly is it that you think I can do?”

“Get us into the machine.”

“Then what?”

“You can reprogram it as we wish.”

“And why do you think I can do that?”

Peak turned to Flash and she handed him a piece of parchment . . . very old parchment. “It says here that one woman of extraordinary intelligence was given the task to improve the machine’s original design. Her name was . . . Xara. Among other improvements, she was told to reprogram MAGEK in a way that . . . The rest of the text did not survive. We only know that she had access to MAGEK and had the ability to alter its programming.”

“Sounds like this person was pretty amazing. May I see?”

“If you like,” and he gingerly handed her the ancient document.

Xara looked at the name and saw what she had expected to see. The first letter wasn’t an X. It was a double X.

Unless you knew what you were looking for, it was easy to miss. In this case, the darker X was outlined by a much lighter one. It was an X inside an X . . . something uniquely Amber Heart. In her day, they pronounced it as if it were a Y. The person this referred to was YARA . . . her mother.

“And you think that’s me?” She saw no immediate need to correct their thinking.

“If it’s not, you’re about to vanish . . . forever.”

The woman laughed. “How predictable your response. Not very imaginative.”

“Do you know what a Cell of Transitional Non-Being is?”

Xara actually paled. “It was a theoretical construct to be used instead of the death penalty . . . something the citizens found distasteful.”

“Why?” asked a curious Flash.

“It meant we were playing God again . . . taking a life that was not ours to take. But some people are truly evil and the punishment must fit the crime. So the Cell was conceived but never perfected.”

“You will be happy to know that it has been.”

“How pathetic. You left the world to wallow in the destruction of war, but that wasn’t enough. You found the time to create another kind of hell.”

“I am glad you fully understand its nature. So, can I assume we’ve reached a mutual understanding?”

Xara stared at the man with pure loathing. “As you say.”

“Excellent.”

Chapter 2 – That MAGEK Moment

About 300 Hundred Years Ago

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Xara, tell me what’s wrong?” She already knew the answer.

“The other Hearts . . .” and she left the sentence unfinished.

It wasn’t a new subject. Ever since she had reached the age of womanhood and developed the mark of the Amber Heart, Xara had become something of an outcast. Well, an oddity at least. The facial tattoo of her sect should have begun to form. It was referred to as the Mask of Concealment, a genetic condition programmed into the genome generations earlier. It represented the Amber Heart’s commitment to anonymously serve the citizenry without expectation of personal gain or glorification. It was a mark of honor and commitment.

For some reason, Xara’s didn’t materialize. The elders weren’t sure what to make of it but were content to dismiss its absence as inconsequential . . . just a minor birth defect. On the other hand, the young adults of the sect were much less forgiving. They took it as a personal affront to their Order as well as a sign of inferiority on Xara’s part though they had no basis for such a conclusion. Nevertheless, the girl was ostracized, shunned and cruelly taunted.

On more than one occasion, and against the very founding Principles of MAGEK, some of her antagonists would use their powers to embarrass the girl.

The first few times, the unsuspecting girl had fallen prey to their antics. However, she soon learned how to defend herself.

Then she learned how to take revenge . . . also a violation of the Principles. But, it served to bolster her self-esteem while putting the others on notice that their actions would have consequences.

On one memorable occasion, two of her fellow Hearts attempted to cast a Spell of Misperception (a training enchantment that had no real use in everyday life) on the unwary girl. Had they succeeded, Xara would have walked around mistaking people for objects and vice versa. It was harmless enough, but terribly embarrassing. The person so enchanted would talk to walls, attempt to open doors that were actually people, eat non-edible items . . . in other words make a complete clown of themselves.

But Xara was ready. After talking with her mother about the essence of MAGEK (her mother being a member of the elite corps that performed maintenance and modifications on the machine), she realized that she could detect when the machine’s power was being directed at her.

When these two troublemakers sent their spell at her, she deflected it back from whence it came. The two fools actually zapped themselves. The ensuing hour of bumbling absurdity was nothing short of magical.

Though she never told anyone, not even her mother, it also just felt good to beat her tormentors at their own game. She loved the feeling of superiority . . . both in her power to use MAGEK in ways that would have been considered ingenious in a person three times her age and in the lack of remorse for the pain she inflicted. Compassion, she thought, was such an incredible weakness.

Xara had no mask and not coincidently, though shockingly, she had no empathy for her fellow Hearts . . . none. There was one exception – after her father died when she was very young, the bond between mother and daughter grew exceedingly strong. It was the only thing that would or could keep the young girl from ‘going rogue’.

Unfortunately for her, there was one small issue that she couldn’t seem to master. She kept falling in love. Well, to be honest, it was more a series of infatuations. But to a very young woman – one hardly out of her childhood – it felt like love.

Sadly, her feelings went unreciprocated. No one wanted to be with an Amber Heart with such an obvious deficiency. So poor Xara would spend her teen years unmasked, unloved . . . and for her acts of revenge – unrepentant.

*****

Present Day, Room of Doom

“So what now, oh Divine One?“ Xara asked mockingly.

Peak cleared his throat, a sign of nervousness. “We are prepared to listen to your suggestions.” Translation, ‘we got nothing’.

“Wow, not much has changed in three centuries, has it?”

“Meaning what?”

“Hexes . . . very fast to start something, no plan to see it through to completion. Idiots.”

“I’d appreciate it if you would tone down your disparaging remarks.”

“Yeah. Not happening.”

Exhaling in frustration, the Divine One forced himself to ask, “How do you suggest we proceed?”

“First of all, tell me about these people that you made disappear?”

“They were recruited by the Librarian to help change the order of things.”

“But who are they? Where do they come from?”

“I met them briefly. They are aliens . . . a dragon, a winged girl, another with a flying suit and the two I made disappear.”

“Well, my guess is you already screwed up.”

“How so?”

“If they came to help, they must have some experience doing this sort of thing. From that, I’m guessing they already know that their friends are gone. I’d say sometime in the next few minutes they’ll let their displeasure be known.”

“How do you know that?”

“It’s what I’d do.”

And right on cue, the quantum generator powering the mini-MAGEK machine dissolved into thin air. The two Divine Ones tried to stop it but failed. Peak immediately turned his focus on Serenity’s ship – but it was no longer in the same orbit. “The ship is gone, too,” anger and frustration evident in his voice.

Xara, for her part, burst out laughing. “I think I’m going to like these people.”

A moment later a mechanical dragonetta materialized. It was Ziz, of course.

Xara’s eyes lit up. “Swoop, you little hellion. Come to momma,” and she held out her arm and opened her hand.

Ziz landed on the offered appendage. It spent a moment giving Xara the once over, then it flew over to the mini-MAGEK machine and landed. From its eyes came a projection of Egg . . . unfortunately it looked like a blob of light since Jax’x still hadn’t fixed the projector.

Xara walked up to the bird, popped opened an access panel and fiddled with something. An instant later the blob coalesced into our heroine’s face.

Egg normally would have expressed her gratitude to the woman, but at the moment she had more important things on her mind. “You have ten seconds to return my companions. If you don’t, I will destroy the MAGEK unit . . . and probably everything else in that room. One . . . Two . . .”

“Wait!” yelled Peak.

“THREE . . . FOUR . . .”

“I’d do as she asks,” suggested Xara who was thoroughly enjoying the confrontation.

“Egg, they are not harmed. You have my word.”

“FIVE . . . SIX . . .”

Peak looked at Lightning Flash who nodded. An instant later, the three girls reappeared, looking confused but unharmed.

“Thank you. Now tell me what’s going on? Let me first remind you that there are four seconds left in the countdown. If you lie to me, it starts up again.”

“Now that, I believe, is a bluff. You are not going to hurt your friends.”

“True dat,” and the girls, like the power unit, dissolved into a twinkle of lights and were gone.

Peak cursed under his breath. “Well, I for one will no longer underestimate you.” If he expected Egg to acknowledge the compliment, he was about to be disappointed. Into the embarrassing silence he said, “Perhaps we should meet on your ship to discuss all of this.”

“No.”

“No?”

“You crossed the line . . . twice. I’ve already warned you not to mess with my Sisters. You seem to think that was an empty threat.”

Peak was getting annoyed. Time was running out while this this girl was spouting words with no substance. He raised his hand and a force field formed over the MAGEK unit. To the bird he said, “That particular bargaining chip is now off the table. Your chance to destroy the unit is now gone.”

“Yes and no.”

“Meaning?”

“Without the um . . . flux capacitor (she couldn’t remember the name of the power unit so she substituted something from a movie she had seen), it’s just a steampunk ornament. Even if you found another power source, when I beamed our unit back to the ship, I took a . . .” The bird went silent for a moment while Egg asked Serenity what the name of the part was. “Oh, yeah. The power input coupling is sitting here in my cargo bay. Sorry.”

“I did not understand anything you just said.”

Xara, forcing a smile to her lips, answered for Egg. “The MAGEK unit has neither power nor the means to connect to a power source. Well, unless one of you can conjure up the missing part. Ohhh, but you would need to know more about its technical configuration, wouldn’t you? Darn, I think this lady got the best of you.”

“Is that correct?” Peak asked the dragonetta.

Egg chose not to answer the obvious. “Tell me what you are attempting to do? Who is she and why make the others disappear?”

While Peak was trying to decide how much information to share, Xara spoke up. “My name is Xara. For the past three hundred years I’ve been . . . asleep. These two brought me back to help them defeat their overlords so that they can take their place. I am . . . I was an Amber Heart. This device you are communicating through is my creation. When you’re done with it, I’d appreciate its return.”

“Ziz is not mine to return. You can negotiate that with Jax’x.”

“The Amber Heart, I presume?”

“Yes. Why would they bring you back? More importantly, why would an Amber Heart help a Divine One?”

Instead of answering, Xara asked, “What’s your name?”

“I’m called Egg. I’m the leader of the Hameggattic Sisterhood.”

“Stupid name.”

Egg had to smile. “Are you referring to my name or the sisterhood’s?”

“Yes.”

Egg covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Be that as it may, you haven’t answered my questions.”

“That would require a more hospitable setting. Like your ship, for instance.” If Xara was going to leave this planet, a spaceship would be very useful.

“Xara, if you are going to help these two, then I’m going to assume you’re guilty by association. They have attacked my sisters twice. I have no intention of letting them close enough to do it again.”

“Very good. I like your thinking.”

“Not too be rude, but your approval is not something I need. However, thank you for fixing the projector on Ziz.”

Xara smiled. She liked this girl . . . even though she would have to destroy her when all this was over. “You’re welcome. By the way, Ziz is also a stupid name.”

Returning her attention to Peak, Egg said, “Unless you can give me a good reason to trust you, I’m going to assume you’re one of the bad guys we are going to defeat.”

“You think too highly of yourselves. We have the power of MAGEK . . . nothing can defeat us.”

Xara was standing in front of the two Divine Ones and was closest to Ziz. Into its eyes she mouthed the words “I CAN.”  Then she winked.

Egg had read her lips and made a split second decision . . . and teleported the woman up to the ship. She was so caught up in the moment that she never noticed her goosebumps.

*****

About Three Hundred Years Ago

“Xara, there’s a war coming.”

“I know. Everybody knows. The only question is who’s going to win?”

“With both sides having access to virtually unlimited power, there will be no winners . . . just losers. They’ll end up destroying this planet.”

The young woman (Xara was now in her early twenties) looked at her mother with deep concern. She was ill and had been in declining health for a more than a year. “What’s going to be the spark that ignites the madness?”

“There’s no telling. But with both sides sending unseasoned, and way too young, acolytes into the field, I wouldn’t be surprised if one side or the other will do something stupid . . . not from malice but from immaturity.”

Xara stared at her mother and a small smile played at her lips. “So tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“Your plan.”

Now the older woman smiled. “Am I so obvious?”

“Only to me. So?”

“What is the one thing that would give one sect an unbeatable advantage over the other?”

Xara gave that question all of a second’s consideration. “If one side could exclude the other side from accessing MAGEK.”

Yara exhaled contentedly. “You are such an amazing person. Your father would have been so proud.”

The girl didn’t like discussions about her father. She still harbored the irrational belief that he had abandoned his family. Dead people often did that. “Tell me your plan.”

This time Yara exhaled in resignation from her failure to get her daughter over her feelings of abandonment. She felt a sense of urgency on the matter – since she would soon do the same thing to her child. Death would almost certainly make his visit within months. Possibly sooner. “You and I will hide MAGEK.”

“Excuse me?”

“We are going to cast a spell of Mis-Direction.”

“What is that?”

“Something I made up.”

“Mother, stop being annoying.” It was said affectionately.

“We are going to command MAGEK to make everyone, except us, forget how to reach it. They’ll know it’s underneath the Crypt, but whatever pathway they take will always be the wrong one. In effect, the machine will be programmed to protect itself from visitors.”

“How is that possible? To change its programming requires Heart, Hex and an ungifted.”

“Actually, not in this case. We are not changing the programming to affect how MAGEK is being used. We are simply adding another self-defense mechanism for it. That does not violate the Coda on changes. It’s a loophole that I discovered.”

“And what will this change accomplish?”

“Answer your own question.”

“Obviously if they don’t know how to reach the machine, they can’t tamper with the programming to exclude the other side from accessing it. But how does that stop the war? If anything, it will prolong it.”

“I’m hoping that by maintaining the status quo and the balance of power, their ill-will towards one another won’t escalate out of hand. As the old proverb goes ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. Each side will be afraid of the consequences of their action.”

Xara never thought she would say it, but she did. “I disagree. I think the quicker that one side wins; the less damage will be done. It’s the lesser of two evils.”

“You think we Amber Hearts should be the victors?”

“Of course. Don’t you?”

“No. We Hearts do poorly trying to lead. We respond to a situation in a kindly and thoughtful manner. But we never initiate; we react. There would be chaos.”

“Then let the ungifted lead. We’ll be here to help them.”

“Maybe a hundred years ago that would have worked. But they’ve grown accustomed to depending on us gifted. I have no faith that they could rise quickly enough to the challenge.”

“So it’s the Hexes you would see win?” Xara was aghast.

“They might actually be the lesser of two evils. However, our only real hope is a standoff . . . let neither side win.”

“Mother, are you sure?” asked her very skeptical daughter.

“Trust me on this.”

And the die was cast.

Chapter 3 – Into the Abyss

Aboard the Gracie

Xara materialized in the control room. She rapidly scanned the occupants but showed no surprise at seeing some pretty exotic aliens. Her eyes quickly found Egg and she smiled. Well, it was more of a smirk. “Princess Egg I presume?”

Egg scratched at her goosebumps. Returning the stare – and the smirk – she responded with, “Asleep for three hundred years and you haven’t lost your sense of humor. Even your hair looks reasonably presentable. Congrats.”

The woman’s response wasn’t expected. “How high of an orbit are we in?”

“Computer, how high is our orbit?”

“Approximately twenty-five thousand miles at the current moment.”

“Good. They can’t find us at this height.” She was referring to Jagged Peak and Lightning Flash . . . or any Divine One for that matter.

“We already figured that out. So why did the other two think you could help? Or would help?”

The response was a non-sequitur. “I’m hungry.”

Egg stared at the woman trying to assess the danger in playing along. Xara was obviously stalling for time. But why? “Do you know what goosebumps are?” Two could play the game.

“If I was to hazard a guess I’d say they were bumps on a goose . . . whatever that is.”

Egg raised her arms. “I’m talking about these.”

Xara looked at the outstretched appendages. “Ah, cute little bumps. I take it you’re a goose.”

She didn’t want to but the other girl barked out a laugh. “One for you. So, besides being hungry, have you no curiosity about my sisters and me? I would think that, at the very least, a dragon would peak your curiosity.” She pointed at Bl’azzz who smiled back.

Xara glanced over. “Personally, if I wanted a pet I’d get one with a few less teeth and not as ugly.”

“Hey, I’m not a pet. And, for your information, I’m considered cute.”

“It talks.”

“It,” replied Egg with a touch of annoyance, “could incinerate you where you stand. I’d play nice, if I were you.”

“It – I mean she . . . you are a she, aren’t you?”

Before the situation could get further out of hand – and even more off purpose - Jax’x stepped forward. “My name is Jax’x. How can you be an Amber Heart?” Left unsaid was ‘with no facial mask’.

“Ah, the Librarian. Nice necklace. Mind if I have a look?” and she held out her hand.

“We both know that’s not going to happen, don’t we?”

“Maybe not. Then again maybe,” was the cryptic, and threatening, response.

“Enough,” demanded Egg. “Either you start acting like someone we can trust or I’m sending you back.”

“But only I can lead you to MAGEK, don’t forget.”

“Maybe. Then again maybe not,” came the sarcastic reply.

This time Xara barked the laugh. “One for you. Now we’re even.”

“This is not a game. Now convince me that I should trust you. You have two minutes.” Egg was out of patience.

“Fair enough. First and foremost, I agreed to cooperate with those others to stay out of the stasis chamber . . . and get my life back.”

“Is that it?”

“Oh, please, you prissy prudish princess . . . wouldn’t that be enough for you?”

“If you’re asking me if I’d trade my freedom at the cost of a whole world being subjugated, the answer is no.”

“I would normally laugh at such rubbish . . . but for some weird reason, I believe you.”

Egg ignored the compliment. “You said ‘first and foremost’. What’s the rest of it? What’s number two?”

Xara took a deep breath and for a moment looked vulnerable . . . certainly a lot less self-assured. “Reason number two is that my mother was wrong. She thought she was being noble and clever but she blundered horribly. I can’t let history remember her in that light.” That was the first, and it would be the last, time that Xara showed her compassionate, human side.

“I don’t understand? What did she do?”

“She destroyed this planet . . . and I helped.”

*****

Room of Doom

Peak cursed as Xara dissolved into nothingness.

Lightning Flash, to her lover’s annoyance, stated the painfully obvious. “We can’t let her team up with those others.”

“Obviously.”

“Well?”

“Remember, I still have the key,” and he patted the object in his pocket.

“They may be able to duplicate it or bypass it all together.”

“I know. But I also know who the ungifted individual is . . . the one with no mark.”

“You do? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I found out by accident when I was on their ship. His name is Kr’eep. They have been trying to seduce him in some way to gain his cooperation. Do you know the name?”

“No”. Closing her eyes, she asked MAGEK to show her an image of the person. A holographic representation appeared. Involuntarily, Flash shuddered. “There he is . . . ungifted, unmarked and unambiguously ugly.”

Peak allowed himself the smallest of grins. “Go find him. Bring him here.”

“And then?”

“Interrogate him. He may have some information that could be useful. When you finish, put him in a trans-dimensional rift so he can’t be found.” He was referring to the same technique he had used on the three girls.

*****

About Three Hundred Years Ago

The girl just had to ask again. “Mom, are you really and truly sure about this?”

The woman put her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “Yes, it’s the only way.”

Still, Xara wasn’t convinced . . . but she trusted her mother explicitly. “So how do we make everyone forget?”

“We need to introduce a modified sub-routine into MAGEK. Once the machine analyzes the code and sees that it doesn’t violate the standing directive on prohibited programming changes, it will execute the order.”

“If you say so. But I’m not authorized to get near the machine. Even though you have access, they won’t let me accompany you.”

“There’s another entrance.”

“What?”

“The main entrance is through the Crypt as everyone knows. But there is also an access tunnel that was used to drain the water from the site where the machine is housed. That deep within the mountain the rocks weep constantly. The amount is much greater than you would expect and they needed to divert it away from the construction. Remember, before MAGEK, everything was done the old fashion way . . . with muscle and perspiration.”

“So why was it forgotten?”

“It was only a few feet wide and the mouth is located deep in the rift guarding the Crypt. In the old days there was no easy way down . . . and no reason to risk your life to reach it.”

“But now we can just teleport, right?”

“No. It’s still protected by MAGEK’s force field. That’s also the reason why it is shrouded in fog. We’ll have to climb down.”

“Absolutely not.”

“You’re not afraid, are you?” That was a shocking thought to Yara.

“Please . . . me afraid?”

“Then what?”

Xara hesitated. She broke eye contact with her mother and looked down at her feet.

“Oh,” was her mother’s response. “You know.”

“Of course I know. I didn’t say anything since you didn’t. But it’s obvious that you’re not well.”

Yara reached out and grabbed her daughter – this time in a tight embrace. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”

“For what? For being sick?”

“No, dearest. For leaving you.”

“Leav . . .” but she bit off the rest of the word when she realized the implication. “No. Don’t you dare.” Obviously that was more an emotional response than a logical one.

“It’s not really my choice, now is it?”

Xara gently pushed herself away from her mother. “Why can’t MAGEK fix whatever is wrong?”

“You know as well as I that the machine was designed to never improve the biology of this world’s inhabitants. To placate those who didn’t want MAGEK built . . . specifically those that feared that we were playing at God . . . the system has a failsafe mechanism to stop any internal tampering with sentient beings. To make it work, it had to be all or nothing. That meant giving up the medical benefits that we could have had. It was a terrible price to pay but there was no choice.”

“Why can’t we change that programming?”

“Not possible. It’s hardwired into the machine. It simply can’t be undone.”

Xara couldn’t accept the finality of it all. “Then why don’t we . . .” but her mother cut her off.

“Please, my sweet girl, don’t. There is nothing to be done for me. So, let’s use what time I have left to make a difference in this world.”

Her daughter stared at her mother without actually seeing her. She tried mightily to fight back tears . . . something she almost never shed. As she took deep breathes to calm herself, her mother squeezed her hand but said nothing. It took a few minutes, but she finally calmed herself so she could face the task at hand without unnecessary emotion. “You still can’t make that climb. In your weakened state, I would practically have to carry you.”

“I need to show you want must be done. There is no other way.”

“Yes there is. Swoop.”

“That mechanical winged creature you created?”

“Yes. You’ll be able to see thru her eyes and we’ll be in constant communication.”

Yara gave that some thought. “I don’t like the idea of you taking all the risks.”

“Mother . . . now it’s your turn to trust me. I’ll be fine.”

Yara smiled warmly. “You are so fearless; you should have been a man.”

“That’s an outrageous thing to say. Why shouldn’t a woman be as fearless as a man?”

“No, no, no. I’m not going to get into another argument about the roles of a man versus a woman. We’ve been over it a million times.”

“Good. Then I’ll take that as your acceptance that women are at the very least equal to men . . . and more often than not, we’re superior.”

Another smiled grew on Yara’s face. “The only argument that I’ll accept without reservation is that you, my wonderful daughter, are superior in intelligence, creativity, fearlessness and every other adjective that escapes me at the moment . . . to any man or woman that I know.”

“I am my mother’s daughter, after all.”

“Oh, yes, my love. That’s why I love you so . . . always have, always will.”

And the realization that this relationship must end, and soon, brought both women to tears.

*****

On Board the Gracie

Egg glanced at the other girls to see their reaction. It was the same as hers – shock and sympathy. The latter was a bit disconcerting since Xara, if first impressions were to be trusted, was anything but a sympathetic person.

“In the spirit of building a working relationship, will you tell us what happened?”

And Xara’s moment of frailty vanished. “No. The details are none of your business.”

Oddly enough, that statement made Egg feel better. It was a lot easier to deal with a person who was consistent . . . even if she was consistently obnoxious. “You’re right; the details are not relevant to this discussion. So, you want your freedom and to have your mother’s legacy repaired. What do you want from us?”

“A one way passage to another planet.”

“Which one?”

“Any one that has space flight.”

That made sense. Xara didn’t want to be tied to one world when there was an entire galaxy to explore . . . and probably exploit. And that created a moral dilemma for Egg. Did she have the right to release this dangerous woman – and she had no doubt that Xara was dangerous – on an unsuspecting universe? That thought reminded her of Spirit’s thought weave.  One of the probable outcomes of their success would be the unleashing of a nemesis that would foil the Sisterhood’s efforts in the future.

That nemesis was most assuredly Xara.

Rats and double rats.

Her reverie was interrupted by the other woman’s sarcastic, “Hey Princess, you seem deep in thought. Dreaming about your handsome Prince?”

Egg, to her horror, blushed. “I was not,” she sputtered, but it sounded unconvincing even to her own ears. Worse, Xara laughed in response.

The moment was diffused by an insistent beep. “Hay’gar, it’s me,” Bl’azzz said into a communicator. “What’s up?”

“It’s Kr’eep . . . a Divine One took him away.”

“Away where?”

“No idea. He was headed to the Crypt to turn you in when I found him. I tried to convince him not to do it but he sent me away. I must have done some good because he didn’t cross the bridge. Instead he headed west . . . muttering to himself. I followed from a distance until a hooded figure materialized. She grabbed him and they both teleported away.”

“Well that’s not good.”

“What should I do?”

Bl’azzz looked up at Egg. “Tell him to go home before he gets into trouble. If we need him, we’ll let him know.”

The dragon relayed the message. “And Hay’gar thanks for trying.”

“I do it for my grandson. I would do anything for that boy.”

“I know. We’ll get him back. I promise.”

After a moment, the old man said gruffly “thank you. Thank you for saying that and thank you for trying. No matter how this turns out, my wife and I will always appreciate your efforts.”

In a low voice full of her own emotions, Bl’azzz softly said, “Be well, my friend.”

“What did you fools do?” barked Xara when the call was over.

Egg was going to protest that statement but didn’t have the heart. “What we did was to insure that you, us and those two hooded hooligans are going to have to work together.”

Xara smirked. “Well, won’t this be fun.”

*****

About three hundred years ago at

the rift guarding the Crypt

They waited until past midnight on a moonless night. Mother and daughter had teleported to a place about a mile from the bridge that led across the rift and into the Crypt. It was a city park deserted of visitors at this late hour.

Yara handed her daughter a star-shaped crystalline object.

It was one of only two keys in existences that allowed the holder to access and modify MAGEK’s programming. One was in the possession of Amber Hearts and the other with Hexes. To possess one meant that you were an individual of the highest integrity with a superior mental connection to the great machine. It was an immense honor and colossal responsibility.

The subroutine that Yara had written to accomplish her goal had already been entered into the device. Xara would need to locate and enter the control booth. It consisted of three modules . . . one designed for a Heart, one for a Hex and one for a Generational Ungifted.

By inserting the key into its proper slot, the individual would then touch it with her Heart pendant or Hex ring to begin the activation process. MAGEK would then read the crystal key, analyze the program and decide if its use was allowed. Even then, the great artificial intelligence would make an independent evaluation to determine if the change was beneficial to its master directive – to serve the citizens and to protect itself from unauthorized use.

“Are you ready?” asked a nervous mother.

“Mom, don’t worry. Swoop will go first and show us what’s under the fog. I’ll be able to see what she sees through these goggles. You showed me where to look . . . I’ll find the tunnel.”

“But it’s so narrow.”

“You yourself said it was a drainage tunnel. The water probably wore away the rock making it wider and the sides smoother. It will be easy to traverse. Please, don’t worry. Now, go back home. I gave you the gadgets you need to communicate with me and to see what I’m seeing.”

“But I really should be there with you. This is my idea. What if something goes wrong?”

“Stop. We’ve been through this a hundred times. Go home. I won’t start down until you do.” She gave her mother a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Go. It’ll be fine.”

“You are so brave.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just like a man,” but she smiled as she said it.

Chapter 4 – War, What is it Good For?

Aboard the Gracie

Egg looked at Xara. “You told us what you wanted . . . but you left something out, didn’t you?” It was only a hunch based on her impression of this strange woman.

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you do. You want revenge on the Divine Ones. They doubled crossed you.”

“Do tell.”

“They wanted to change MAGEK’s programming but they couldn’t. They probably had the generational ungifted but not an Amber Heart who would betray her own people. That’s where you came in. How they knew you would do it I don’t know. Based on what you said, it may have something to do with your mother would be my guess. In return, you wanted to leave the planet to start over. Maybe take your mom with you. But they double crossed you. After you helped them, they imprisoned you instead.” In a softer voice she asked, “What did they do to your mother?”

“Nothing. She had already died.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“That was three hundred years ago.”

“Not to you. You’ve been in suspended animation. To you, she just died.”

The conversation was much too personal to Xara. “I suggest you change the subject.” If words could kill . . .

“Sorry, I over stepped.”

Xara stared at Egg to see if she was being facetious. She was shocked to see that the girl was sincere. The realization forced her to soften her stance. More importantly, if she was going to accomplish her goals – including stealing the spaceship – it made her realize that she had better make them believe she could be trusted. The only way to do that was to tell them the truth about the past. “I do appreciate you saying that. My mother was very special to me. Her loss still weighs on my heart.” Xara was very good at sounding sincere or turning on the charm. It was part of what made her so dangerous.

Egg glanced at the others to gauge their reaction. Her sisters always wanted to believe the best in others. However, Po was unreadable while Jax’x was trying not to scowl. Her instinct told her to trust Jax’x.

“If we could turn off MAGEK, then we get what we want, and you get your revenge.”

Xara would have rather seen the Hexes writhing in pain . . . but figured that was asking too much. “Agreed.”

“So I’ll ask you again – what happened three hundred years ago? What did you and your mother do?”

They were all eager to hear a firsthand account – none more so than Po and Jax’x. “The whole concept of MAGEK was flawed. It depended on humans doing what was right for others without expecting anything for themselves [obviously she didn’t know that Flying Girl was just such a person]. People aren’t wired that way. When you have godlike powers, you want to be god. By the time I was about twenty it became obvious that there was going to be a war between the two gifted sects. Hexes, with their domineering personalities wanted to rule as they saw fit. They considered the citizens unfit to plan their own future. We Hearts wanted peace . . . at any cost. Any cost, that is, except kowtowing to the other side.”

“Didn’t they try to talk through this?” asked Po.

“Please. That’s all they did was talk. When that got them nowhere, they stopped talking. Anyway, my mother couldn’t stand by and do nothing. She decided that neither side should rule the other. She wanted a standoff. The only way to insure that was to stop any one side from messing with MAGEK.”

“She didn’t want Hearts to rule?” asked Jax’x.

“No. She didn’t think they could. She thought that if it came to one side over the other, it would probably be best if the Hex won. However, she figured a way to achieve her goal of a standoff. She programmed the machine to defend itself from intruders by disguising all paths to it with illusions. No matter what you did, the machine would trick you into taking a wrong turn. It was ingenious.” Her chest seemed to swell at the thought of her mother’s genius.

“Then how will we gain access to stop MAGEK?” asked Egg.

“The program exempted me and my mother. We are the only two that can reach the machine.”

“So there was a standoff. I’m guessing your mother figured if one side did something nasty to the other side, they would be subject to the same transgression?”

“Yes. What she failed to foresee was that these idiots didn’t seem to care. A couple of weeks after we made the change, war broke out. Hexes hit Hearts with everything they could imagine and MAGEK could supply. The Hearts retaliated in kind. After a year or so, the planet was as you see it today . . . destroyed.”

“This is where you come in,” Egg stated.

“Yup. I had to do something. My mom had been wrong and the results were catastrophic. I contacted the Absolute Assembly and told them I would help alter MAGEK to exclude Hearts. To prove I was really on their side I suggested that at the same time, we have the machine stop all precipitation. This way, the citizens had to accept the rule of the Hex or else starve or die of thirst. They loved the idea.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they did. I assume the rest is straightforward. They had the Generational Ungifted and with you, the three individuals needed to alter the machines programming.”

“Yes. When it was done, I was to be given a spacecraft and allowed to leave. Instead they put me in suspended animation. They didn’t want me to leave nor did they want me dead. I was still the only person on the planet that could find MAGEK. I was invaluable to them.”

“Did your mom live to see the war begin?” asked Egg gently.

“Oddly enough, she died the day it began.” Xara’s eyes were moist and she quickly wiped them dry.

Serenity gave the girl a few seconds then asked, “What happened? What started the war?”

“Stupidity,” and Xara told them the story.

*****

About Three Hundred Years ago

On the day that would be known as the

First Chaos’ mas.

It had started innocently . . .

A magneto-craft accident had left a major bridge damaged and impassable, though the driver was able to walk away with only a slight cut to his forehead. In the confusion, both an Amber Heart and a Hex Weaver had been summoned to clear the wreckage and repair the bridge. Normally, only one or the other sect would respond. Within minutes a representative of each service had materialized at the scene. Upon spotting each other, custom dictated that they introduce themselves and decide who would do what. It was always disagreeable to both sides when the other one showed up. But there were rules of engagement as they were called to make the situation tolerable so that petty squabbles would not interfere with their primary function of resolving the problem at hand.

“I am Tryst,” said the woman with the heart-shaped pendant.

“And I am Weaver Goth.”

Unfortunately for mankind, both Tryst and Goth were very young, very inexperienced and overly zealous of their MAGEK’al order.

“Let’s settle this quickly. Since I was obviously here first, I will repair the vehicle and fix the structure. If you would kindly clean up the debris, we can get this bridge re-opened in no time.”

Goth looked at the girl with contempt. “You Amber Hearts make me sick with your presumption of superiority. You and I materialized at the same time so you don’t have first rights. And by the look of you, I doubt you have been doing MAGEK for more than a month. You would have no idea how to make things right. So stand aside and let a Hex teach you how it’s done.”

Tryst glared back at her counterpart; her hostility beginning to get the better of her. She had been warned that these encounters would happen sooner than later. But she hadn’t expected it on her third week in the field. Worst, this black-robed arrogant idiot had correctly guessed that she was inexperienced. And his lucky guess made her that much more angry. Unfortunately that anger caused her to forget how she was taught to respond to this all too typical situation.

“I demand you step aside immediately and allow me to help these people before someone dies or this bridge collapses. And I fully intend to report you to my superiors.”

“You insulting little witch. If you don’t get out of my way, I’ll turn you into a pebble and toss you into the river.” Goth was all of seventeen years old, two years younger than Tryst. He was particularly mean-tempered and aggressive . . . even for a Hex.

“You wouldn’t dare you nasty little . . .” but she never finished. Goth raised his right hand with the Hex Ring and a flash of light struck the girl. But she didn’t turn into a pebble as he expected. His technique was substandard at best. In fact, he should never have been cleared for a field assignment but his branch of the Hex Weavers was woefully understaffed and certain requirements had been relaxed. The result was a mere child with enormous power and about half the brains needed to control it properly.

When the beam of light hit her, Heartfelt Tryst yelped in surprise. But in less than a few heartbeats, it became an agonized howl of pain. Everyone in the area turned towards the sound and to their horror they saw the girl slowly turn to stone. First her hands, then arms and legs, her torso and finally her head. Her blood curdling scream continued until her mouth, too, froze rock hard.

Goth stared in disbelief. He knew it was forbidden to direct MAGEK against any human unless it was to help them. Irritated with her attitude he had only meant to turn her into that pebble for a quick moment, then to restore her . . . just to show her his ability . . . just to impress her. However, not only were his technical skills faulty, he forgot one small point of fact – once a person was dead, whether as a pebble or a more traditional corpse, they were dead forever. He put his hands to his temples and as the realization of what he had just done registered in his less than adequate brain, he started to shake uncontrollably.

The death of anyone with a direct link to MAGEK sets off an alarm at that person’s warren or base of operations. Within moments of her demise, two Hearts materialized on the scene. One pointed his ring at a bystander, induced a trance akin to hypnotism and had the individual recall the events of the past two minutes. The other pointed his ring at the statue and tried to reverse the process . . . but, as expected, to no avail. As one, they turned towards Goth.

“NO, NO. It was an accident. I was only trying to scare her. Please. I made a mistake. I’m sorry. Please…”

And the uneasy truce between Hex and Heart came to a screaming halt. What should have been a meaningless confrontation between two young acolytes escalated with unimagined speed into an all-out conflict.

*****

Aboard the Gracie

“Did you fight?” asked Bl’azzz.

“Of course I fought. Why wouldn’t I?”

“The other Hearts had ridiculed you because you didn’t have the facial markings,” Egg pointed out.

“More than just that . . . I was ostracized.”

“So why fight for them?”

“For my mother. She wanted each side to feel the same pain that they inflicted on their opponents. I thought I could do a better job of it.”

“Because you’re meaner than the rest?” suggested a naïve Tee’ka.

Xara looked at the girl and decided she wasn’t trying to be nasty. “Librarian, you can answer as well as I. Tell her.”

“The only thing that separates one gifted from another is their imagination. If you can think it in sufficient detail, MAGEK will make it happen.”

“What she said,” added Xara in way of agreement.

“So what actually happened?” inquired Po.

Xara looked at the hooded Divine One and actually snarled. It was so intimidating that Po took a step back.

Egg felt the need to defend the girl. “She is one of us. More than that, she is willing to give up her powers and her place in society to bring an end to the way things are. Don’t lump her in with the obvious disdain and dislike that you harbor for the rest of the Divine Ones.”

Xara wanted to lash out in response . . . but forced herself to maintain the charade that she was a worthy ally. “I apologize. The princess is right; you had nothing to do with what befell me. As to your question, we all went mad.” She paused as her mind involuntarily relived that awful time. The others remained silent.

BreeZee was horrified at the idea of total war. “Did many people die?”

“Yes.” was the vague response.

“How did it come to pass that you were allowed to help?”

“As I said Princess, I was more clever than the rest. I came up with the strategy to destroy the Obelisks and Relay Towers. Without them, all the Hexes in a city were helpless. Once they were cut off from MAGEK, we sent conventional weapons in to destroy . . . everything. Eventually the other side caught on and did the same to us. And we had a stalemate.”

“And then?” encouraged Egg.

“And then my brethren turned on me. They needed someone to blame for how poorly the war was going. Since it was my strategy that they had followed, I was held responsible. They tried to imprison me but I got wind of their plan and escaped.”

“Fleeing to the other side, I presume.”

“Yeah. And the rest, as they say, is hysterically historical.”

“But one thing I find hard to believe is that you gave up your connection to MAGEK. That seems out of character. It obviously left you vulnerable.”

“I gave myself a way back into the machine but I never got the chance to use it.”

Everyone was silent, digesting the story they had just heard. Jax’x took the opportunity to ask her fellow Heart, “Do you know a way to save someone from a Cell of Transitional Non-Being.”

Xara turned to the girl. “Someone you know stuck in one?”

“The man that I love.”

“How long has he been in there?”

“A few weeks. Why?”

“After about two months, I’m told the person begins to go a bit stir crazy. After six months, there isn’t much left of their mind. It’s as cruel a punishment as anyone ever devised.”

Jax’x turned white, putting her hand over her mouth to stifle a cry.

Egg asked the question again. “Do you know how we can free him?”

“Probably.”

Jax’x – and Po – both broke out into tears of happiness. The fact that the lady in the red robe seemed to be as invested in this guy’s release was not lost on Xara. But, she said nothing.

“How?” asked Egg.

“Once a person is connected to MAGEK, their power is multiplied tenfold. That connection can only last for seconds . . . a minute at most. After that, the machine will short circuit your brain. It happened a few times according to my mother. Nasty stuff.”

“So before we turn it off, we can bring Jay’gar back first. Right?”

“Not quite.”

“Meaning?”

“Only the person that imprisoned him can release him. Do you know who it was?”

“An Absolute. Her name is Forest Green,” answered Po.

“Then how can you bring him back?” demanded Egg. “This green person has no reason to help us.”

“Yes and no,” was the ambiguous reply. “You know about the treachery of Peak and his girlfriend. I think an Absolute would reward you for such knowledge.”

“But we can’t turn them in. We need those two to shut down MAGEK.”

“A bit of a conundrum, I’d say.”

Egg stared at Xara. “You have another way. What is it?”

Xara smiled in appreciation. “You’re very good at reading people, aren’t you? We should team up.”

Egg rolled her eyes. “You’re not asking to become a Sister, are you?”

Xara’s eyes lit up with feigned horror. “Good grief. I’d rather swallow my own vomit.”

Every other girl in the room involuntarily squealed and squeaked in revulsion and utter disgust at that image. Bl’azzz squawked, “That’s just gross.”

Xara looked at the dragon and grinned. “I change my mind. She’d make a great pet. Come over here, you big, ugly thingy and I’ll rub your belly. Come on, don’t be afraid.”

Bl’azzz took a step forward – not for a belly rub but to see what a Xara tasted like. BreeZee stopped her.

“I’m guessing dragons are grumpy things.”

“Actually yes, but that’s beside the point. Now, tell us what other way there is to get Jay’gar back.”

Xara playfully blew a kiss at Bl’azzz then turned to face Egg. “We can connect the Librarian to MAGEK. With her enhanced power, she can command the Absolute to do whatever she wants . . . including returning her boyfriend.”

“But?”

“Wow, you are good. But, as I said before, connecting to MAGEK is draining. After she rescues her friend, she won’t be able to reconnect to the machine for at least a week.” Xara, seemingly inexplicably, grinned at Egg.

“But you’re also an Amber Heart – so you could connect to MAGEK in her place.”

“Yeah.”

“But you would need to be wearing an Amber Heart necklace.”

“Yeah.”

“And we would have to trust you.”

“Yeah.”

In the next few seconds of silence, BreeZee asked, “But what does it matter? Hearts no longer receive their gift from MAGEK. She would have no power.”

“Not true. That was the ‘back door’ I left open for me. Once in the control room, an Amber Heart can connect to MAGEK. We become all powerful again.” And she smiled maniacally.

Chapter 5 – So What’s Next?

About two hundred years ago;

One hundred after the war ended

Once Xara made the programming change to MAGEK, the war ended rather quickly. From one standpoint – it ended none too soon. Every city except Amber Heart had been totally and utterly destroyed. All of their connections to MAGEK – the Obelisks and Relay Towers - were also destroyed. Outside the city limits there was nothing but a sea of devastation.

Not only were the towns obliterated, but so was the whole fabric of society. Technology was gone, schools and businesses were gone, organized religion was no more, virtually all records of the planets history and accomplishments destroyed, all infrastructure gone.  The war had sent the world of Spell ‘Bound hundreds and hundreds of years into its past.

The few thousand people that survived made their way slowly to the one remaining, semi-functional population center. They didn’t care who had won the war – only that it was over. With so little left, they turned to the Gifted Ones for help. Their resentment over the conflict was quickly replaced with appreciation for the food, water and other essentials that the hooded Hexes provided. Since there were no Amber Hearts to be seen [they had been rounded up and teleported to the mines below the city], it was pretty obvious who had defeated whom.

It wasn’t long before they realized that for some reason the rains had stopped. No one knew why . . . it was just one more unfortunate event that befell them. Shockingly, the drought continued beyond all expectations. In less than ten years, all surface water evaporated . . . turning the entire planet brown as all vegetation died.

With the population so small, there was no need to rebuild any of the other wrecked cities. Besides, that would just have made feeding and caring for the people that much more difficult. Over time, this practicality was replaced with a rumor – then an accepted fact – that the lands beyond the city limits were poisoned with radiation. To venture there would mean certain death. No one chose to challenge that idea.

By the end of the first hundred years after the war ended, other changes evolved.

The most important were the beliefs about MAGEK and the Gifted. What began as a scientific organization whose sole goal was the benefit of society evolved into a cult of religious proportion.

MAGEK, the great machine, became a myth. Since no one could find it, the great sphere probably never existed.

If there was no MAGEK, then the powers of the Hex Weavers must be divine in nature. And what was that power? Well, with no evidence to the contrary, it must be Magic.

And Hex Weavers became the Divine Ones.

Their black robes and hoods would not do. Such a mundane color belonged to the ungifted – along with grays and whites and all things drab. No, black would not serve their station in life at all. It must be a bold color – one that only they could wear. The color of blood – the giver of life – was more appropriate.  And the first red robes and hoods appeared.

As the generations passed, Xara, in suspended animation, was forgotten.

And the last living link to the great machine faded from memory.

*****

Aboard the Gracie

“I’ve got a question.”

“And that would be what?” responded Egg patiently.

The dragon asked, “The only two Hearts in this plan are right here. But there are three Divine Ones - only one of which is on our side.” She looked at Po who smiled back. “We need the other two because they probably have Kr’eep and they do have the key and the little magic machine. So why would they let our little red riding-hood do the honors of reprogramming MAGEK and not insist it should be one of them? That’s what I would do.”

Everyone was impressed with the dragon, none more so than Xara. Still playing “nice” she said, “I humbly beg your forgiveness for calling you a pet. That was an excellent question. Well done.”

Bl’azzz and the others stared at the woman expecting a snide comment to ruin the compliment but none came. After a few seconds, the dragon mumbled “thank you.”

“I can see why you ladies are an effective team. I tip my cap to the Sisterhood.”

The moment was a bit ruined when a puzzled Bl’azzz blurted, “How can she tip her cap? She’s not even wearing one.”

Egg’s mouth dropped open . . . but only a small chortle escaped. “I call seconds,” she said.

“Second what?”

“I get to rub your belly second . . . after Xara is finished.” Everyone but poor Bl’azzz laughed.

“Nobody rubs my belly . . . it tickles and I don’t like it” she huffed indignantly.

“Too bad. Anyway, it was a great question. Can anyone suggest an answer?”

“Won’t be a problem,” responded Xara.

“You have all the answers, don’t you?”

“Sorry Princess. Must be disheartening to realize you’re only second best.”

Egg surprised her when she laughed.

“Did I say something funny?”

“No. I had been waiting to see how long before your ‘I’m just a loveable one of you guys’ charade would crack. I’ll give you credit that it took longer than I had expected.”

Now Xara laughed. “You know, I look forward to the day that we lock wits with one another.”

“Nemesis.”

“What?”

“One of our sisters foresaw that if we succeed, the result would be the creation of a nemesis that would dog the Sisterhood for years to come. That would be you.”

“You have a seer? That’s handy. So, are we still friends?”

“We’ve never been friends. We are, however, stuck with one another for the duration.”

“Plan on double crossing me when it’s over?”

“We keep our word. We’ll give you a ride to wherever you want to go.”

“Good. Stupid beyond belief – but good. I actually believe you.”

“I don’t lie.”

“How sweet.” There was no longer any reason to pretend to be ‘one of the girls’.

“So answer Bl’azzz. Why would Peak allow Po to do the honors?”

“He won’t.”

Egg’s look of confusion spoke volumes. “What?”

“Why would he? He’s not a complete fool . . . close, but not completely foolish.”

“And this isn’t a problem why?”

Before Xara could respond, Serenity answered the question. “Because the program will be in the key device. It won’t matter who activates the link between it and the machine. They’re just pawns in this little chess game.”

“But won’t they see that the program isn’t what they want?”

This time Xara did the honors. “It’s a lost art – that type of programming. I’m the last person on this planet that understands it. They will have no idea what I’m doing.”

It was Tee’ka who raised the right objection. “But we won’t either.”

“Won’t what?” asked Egg.

“Won’t know if she’s doing what she promised. Maybe she’ll have MAGEK just talk to her so she’ll be the queen or something.”

Xara shook her head. “I have no idea how to disconnect all Hexes except Peak and his girl. Likewise, I can’t connect me and not the other Hearts like her” and she pointed with her chin at the Librarian.

Jax’x shook her head. “Don’t worry on that score. Once the programming is complete, and before we execute it, I’ll have the mini-MAGEK device read it and confirm it’s what we want. The communication between it and me won’t be noticeable to either Peak or Flash.”

“Like you would know what to look for?” ridiculed Xara.

“For your information, before I was the Librarian I was a scientist and inventor. Jay’gar and I created all sorts of devices.” The pride in her voice was evident.

Serenity rolled her eyes but said nothing.

“Perfect. Xara, how long do you need to complete the program?”

“Maybe an hour. Two at the most.”

“What command will you actually give the machine?” asked Serenity. “MAGEK must be designed to ignore any such requests that would leave it vulnerable – and the population too, for that matter.”

Xara was impressed yet again. These women were good. But, she felt no need to share that thought with them. “You’re correct. However, there is one command that supersedes all others. It’s an emergency shut down routine designed to protect the machine from some unknown alien attack, a natural disaster or a mechanical malfunction that might threaten to destroy the unit. Only one Heart and one Hex ever had access to that command at any given time. My mother was one of them.”

*****

Room of Doom

After Lightning Flash left to fetch Kr’eep, Jagged Peak went back to the Crypt to fulfill some pressing duties for his Absolute that could not wait. He certainly didn’t want the woman to wonder what was so important as to make her demands anything other than his first priority.

He returned about an hour later and found to his surprise that Flash was not alone. “Who are they?” he asked without preamble.

“According to Kr’eep, these two apparently know our space aliens.”

“Really?” Turning to Hay’gar he asked, “And how did that come to pass, I wonder?”

“Divine One, I have no idea what that means,” pleaded Hay’gar. Taysen gripped his arm while he put his body in front to protect her. It was a noble but meaningless gesture against a Divine One.

Peak looked at him then turned to his cohort. “Explain.”

“You said they were trying to seduce Kr’eep to help. Well, he told me that these two introduced him to an exotic woman, one whose appearance was foreign to him. In a matter of hours or days, they fell in love.”

“Why does that make her an alien?”

“Because Kr’eep is such a loathsome being that no one on this world could conceivably have feelings for him. Certainly, if someone did, it would take much longer for them to develop than a convenient day or two.”

Peak nodded in appreciation of Flash’s reasoning. “What are their names?” he asked the girl. A non-gifted person would have asked his guests the question . . . but a Divine One would never consider such a common courtesy. “Hay’gar and his wife Taysen.”

“So, Hay’gar, please answer my question.” Sometimes the use of a word like ‘please’ can actually be intimidating. Like now. “How do you know the aliens? What is your involvement in all this?” Left unsaid was “at your age.”

The old man didn’t know what to do . . . or say. He had promised the ‘aliens’ that he would keep their secrets safe. Jay’gar’s life depended on it. “I . . . I . . . don’t know any aliens. Please, my wife and I are of no danger to anyone.”

“Interesting. Why would you assume that I think you are a danger?”

“Um . . . um . . .” but he didn’t know how to finish. If a person could look guilty . . . poor Hay’gar would be the poster child.

Peak turned back to Flash. “Do they have family?” Just like on Earth, threats against your loved ones can be very effective to loosen tongues.

“Only a grandson. According to Kr’eep, he was in love with the Librarian.”

“Ohhh. He’s the one my mistress put in the Cell.”

Even Lightning Flash was horrified. “No. Not a Cell of Transitional Non-Being?”

“Indeed.”

The young woman turned towards her two ‘guests’. “I am truly sorry for your loss.” She actually meant it.

On a more practical note, it was now obvious why these two were involved - either for revenge or the misplaced hoped of having their grandson returned. Peak decided to prey on the second. “I, too, offer my condolences. Such a thing should never be. The Cell is an unspeakably cruel punishment.” He paused to let that sink in. “However, if you cooperate, perhaps there is a way for us to bring him back safely.”

Lightning Flash was about to object to the absurdity of that statement but a quick look from Peak kept her quiet.

Hay’gar looked at his wife – his eyes pleading. If these two could rescue Jay’gar, surely they had to cooperate. Taysen stared back. After so many years of marriage, no words were needed to communicate. She finally took a deep breath then nodded.

To his credit Jagged Peak had allowed his two ‘guests’ time to decide. An Absolute would have yelled and threatened. Seeing the woman’s nod of assent, he asked in a gentle voice “for your grandson’s sake, please tell me what you know.”

The use of the word ‘please’ coming from a gifted did the trick. “We know very little, Divine One. However, we have a means to communicate with them.”

Peak didn’t believe the first part of that statement but let it pass. “How is that accomplished?”

“They gave us a device. It is back at our house.”

“Then, if you would be so kind, please take us to it.”

And they did.

*****

“Soo. Hello, Soo.”

Bl’azzz looked at Egg who nodded. “Hi, Hay’gar. What’s going on?”

But the old man didn’t answer. It was Jagged Peak. “You are one of the aliens?”

Again the dragon looked at Egg. “Give it to me,” and she took the communicator. “This is Egg.”

“You know I have the key device and now I have the ungifted. I believe working together is your only choice.”

“I agree. What do you want us to do?” She didn’t think they had a plan . . . or even a clue as to what to do next.

But Peak wasn’t totally without skills. “Time is running short. Chaos ’mas is tomorrow. Whatever we (and he emphasized the word) need to do must be done in short order.” Smooth since he didn’t actually answer Egg’s question.

“Can we use the Library as a base of operations?”

“No. Too risky.”

“Hay’gar, can we use your house?”

No answer.

“Where are they?” demanded Egg. “I have zero tolerance for any more of your tricks.”

“Calm down, they are in the other room. Flash is bringing them.”

“They better not be harmed. Understand?”

“Perhaps you need to stop threatening me?”

“Don’t push your luck, little man. You have no idea what we can do.” Actually that was pretty much a bluff. But it worked.

“I apologize. We are all a bit on edge. Ah, here is Hay’gar.”

“Hello?”

“Hay’gar, can we use your house for our . . . work. It might prove dangerous but this is all about to end one way or another.”

“And my grandson?”

“Trust me. Please.”

“As I told Soo, anything my wife and I can do, everything that we have, is at your disposal.”

“Thank you. Let me talk to Peak.”

“Yes,” spoke the Divine One.

“I need one of you to go back to the Library and stand next to the MAGEK unit.”

“Why?”

“We’re going to transfer it to Hay’gar’s house.”

“I thought that might prove destructive to the unit?”

“We’ll risk it. Be there in exactly three hours.”

“Three? Why so long?”

Flying Girl was in no mood to justify herself. “If you are not there in three hours, this little revolution is off. Got it?”

For a moment Peak thought he was talking to an Absolute. “I will send Lightning Flash.”

Egg wanted to say, “Thought you might, you coward.” Instead, she replied, Fine. Three hours from now,” she repeated then disconnected. “Well, it’s party time.”

“We’re not actually having a party, right?” asked a somewhat confused dragon.

“I wish. No, we need to finalize our plans.”

Chapter 6 – Chaos ‘mas Eve

Aboard the Gracie

“First things first. Xara, what do you need to write the program? Obviously we don’t have the key.”

“For one thing, I need to be an Amber Heart again.”

“What does that mean?”

“To input the program into the key requires the gift. So until I get a pendant and access to the mini MAGEK unit, I can’t do anything.”

“But I can.” Everyone turned to Po. “Once we are back on the surface, I can use my gift to write the code.”

Now everyone turned to look at Xara. It was pretty obvious she wasn’t a happy camper. Trying to wiggle out of the situation, she started to lie with, “That won’t work. She doesn’t have the skill set required. She’ll only . . .”

“Stop,” demanded Egg. “Find a way to make it work. In the meantime, what do you need to develop the code?”

As mad as she was, Xara was also a realist. If plan A wasn’t going to work, she would just have to come up with a Plan B. “I’ll need . . . “ and she went on to describe some rather sophisticated equipment.

Egg looked at her sister. “Serenity?”

“I can provide most of that. But transcribing the final code onto a crystal . . . that could take me the better part of two days.”

“We don’t have two days.”

This time the other Amber Heart spoke up. “I can do it.”

“How?” asked Serenity rather rudely.

“I may not be connected to MAGEK, but as I’m sure you will recall (referring to their brush up where Jax’x had levitated the girl and her wheelchair), my pendant and I have enough power to accomplish the task.”

Serenity mumbled something unladylike. The exchange was not lost on Xara.

“Okay, you three go to wherever it is you need to go. And Jax’x, be sure to keep our guest in sight the whole time. Wouldn’t want her to get lost.”

*****

After they left, the Divine One said, “Egg.”

“Yes, Po?”

“Couldn’t Jax’x and I go now to the MAGEK cave so we can get Jay’gar back? You heard what Xara said – the longer he’s in there, the more damage will be done to his mind.”

Flying Girl was sympathetic but there was no way to do what she was being asked. “I can only guess at what you and Jax’x are feeling . . . the pain and the worry. But, if I let you go now, the green lady is going to know somethings very wrong. We can’t tip our hand before we’re ready. Sorry. Truly.”

The girl exhaled. “Of course. What was I thinking? Forget that I asked.”

“Remember, if all goes well, we’ll have him back before the sun goes down tomorrow. Try to be patient . . .  which is asking a lot, I know.”

“Thank you.”

“Nothing to thank me for. We haven’t done anything yet.”

“Of course you have. You came here, you’re risking your lives and you’re creating your nemesis. And you’re doing it all for perfect strangers.” She laughed without mirth. “You all are the Divine Ones. Me and my kind are just selfish egotists that have lost our way . . . lost the noble purpose for which we were created. I’m so ashamed for being one of them.”

BreeZee stepped forward and put her arms around the distraught girl. “As strange as it may seem, none of you have anything to apologize for. It was Xara and her mother that made the Divine Ones what they are.”

“That’s being more than generous to us, and less than kind to those two.”

“Not at all. As long as there were two groups, each kept the other honest and in check. When one was removed, that natural balance was gone. This generation of Divine Ones is only thinking and acting like the generation before them. Over the years, you and your traditions have become much like a religion. No one challenges those types of beliefs . . . that’s why it’s a religion. You take it all as a given and a matter of faith.”

“So when we turn off the MAGEK,” added Egg, “people will realize that there was no divine in Divine Ones. It was just bad science. But there is something else that needs to be said. You did what no one before you ever did . . . realized that the current order of things is wrong. You don’t give yourself enough credit for that epiphany. You, my dearest Po, are extraordinary.”

“Egg . . . I am most certainly not that. And the epiphany as you call it only came about because of Jax’x. She’s the extraordinary one.”

“I will grant that you are both amazing people.”

“Anyway, after we lose our gift, do you think the citizens will try to take revenge on us? I probably would if I were in their place.

“Well, that’s where a good leader or two will need to step forward. Maybe Jay’gar and Jax’x could do that.”

“Egg.”

“Yes, Tee?”

“I don’t think that would work.”

“What won’t?”

“An Amber Heart and an ordinary person.”

“They’re called ungifted or citizens, but never mind. Why don’t you think it will work?”

“Nobody on this planet ever heard of the Hearts but everyone knows about the ones in the red hoods. I think one of them needs to help lead . . . to show everyone that they really have changed and can be trusted.”

“Hey, you walking computer, that’s a really good analysis,” complimented Bl’azzz.

“And you thought I was just a pretty face, didn’t you?”

Egg put her hand over her mouth, but it was too late. The others burst into giggles and she followed suit. A little of the tension in the room dissipated.

“Why are you laughing?” asked the avatar-turned-sister.

“Because you are absolutely right. We sometimes forget that you’re more than a beautiful lady. As far as your suggestion . . . I think you’re right. They need to find a Divine One that can help lead the people through this transition. It’s going to be a rough time for everyone.”

“Po, you can do it. I know you can.”

The hooded girl looked at the one with wings. “No. Absolutely not.”

“You’re selling yourself short,” argued Egg. “You’d be wonderful at it.”

“But I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I would have to work alongside of Jay’gar . . . day in, day out. I can’t do that.”

“But why?”

“Because she loves him,” answered Bree for the embarrassed girl. “And she’s afraid of what might happen.”

“Please, please make me a Hameggattic Sister. If I don’t put a trillion miles between me and him . . . I’ll die.”

*****

“Po, getting away from Jay’gar is not really a good reason to join the sisterhood. We can always take you with us and drop you off wherever you want. Aerianna would be a great first world to visit. There are enough retired sisters there to help you get acclimated to being a ‘former Divine One” and to help you formulate a long term plan.”

“Is that your way of saying no?”

BreeZee chose to answer. “Egg would never do that. She wants you to make an informed decision and not one in haste. She’s only thinking about your wellbeing.”

Those words actually made Egg get a bit misty eyed. “Thanks Bree and very well said.”

“Sorry. It’s just so hard to believe people can be so nice . . . so caring. Then it’s settled. When this is over, I’ll go to Aerianna.” She smiled. “That actually sounds terribly exciting. A world of dragons and sea serpents, floating cities, talking trees and blue men . . . how amazing. Thank you yet again.”

“No problem. However, there’s a big, bad machine that we need to unplug first. To that end, let’s talk about how this will play out. First, tell me what happens on Chaos ‘mas – especially how it might affect our plans.”

“All rules are suspended for the Absolutes and anyone who wants to become one.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

“They can do whatever they want to one another. Anything. That also applies to any Divine One that chooses to help. They are fair game, also.”

“Do you mean like ‘bang-bang, you’re dead?”

“If you’re asking can they kill one another – yes and no. There can be no actual bloodshed or mangled bodies. But Vanishing Veils and the like are acceptable. In reality, it’s usually only a couple of the Divine that try to make a play for more power. Just knowing that anything goes tends to keep things more or less civilized.”

“What are you expecting this year?”

“I thought Forest Green and Grassy Knoll would go at each other. They are the two most powerful Absolutes. But, we now know that Jagged Peak and Lightning Flash intend to get involved. To my knowledge, that’s never happened before.”

“Well, it sounds like none of that should impact us. In fact, if they’re busy whacking each other, that will distract them from detecting our little scheme.”

Po was silent for a moment, obviously deep in thought. Then she looked up and smiled. “We have to delay our trip to MAGEK.”

“That’s a change of heart. Why?”

“Because Peak and Flash are hoping to turn off the machine before midnight – the start of Chaos ‘mas. They know that their individual Absolutes will expect them to help with whatever schemes they each concocted. If that happens, they can’t be with us when we visit MAGEK. Worse, for them, is that they may very well be collateral damage.”

“Ah. I like it.”

“Hey, if it were me, I’d make sure that they were.”

“What’s that, Bl’azzz?”

“Collateral damage. These guys are nasty and power hungry. There’s no way they don’t at least sense that the two acolytes’ are dangerous to them. So, send them in first to draw fire. If you lose them – so what. In fact, so much the better.”

“Peak and Flash must know that,” said Po expounding on the theory. “That may have been their motivation all along – to protect themselves.”

“Wow, you guys are good.”

The other girls smiled at the compliment. But it took an outsider to fully realize what just happened. “That’s exactly why it can’t be me to help with the transition. Well, that and Jay’gar.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The way you get us involved in the plans, the way you encourage us, and the way you compliment our input. That’s the sign of a real leader. Absolutes, on the other hand, just demand and certainly never encourage or compliment.”

“I’m still not understanding.”

“They were my teachers – my role models if you will. I would tend to act like them and try to bully people. You would never do that. You would find a way to inspire everyone’s participation and get them to accept whatever outcome as their own. You’re the one with the gift – not us Divine Ones.”

“That’s why she’s our leader,” agreed Bl’azzz.

“She’s one of a kind,” added Bree.

Everyone turned to Tee’ka – since her silence was deafening. “Well, hostess with the most-est,” demanded Bl’azzz. “Nothing to say?”

“I’m thinking of changing my hair style. Maybe I’ll go blond while I’m at it.” Four mouths dropped open at that non-sequitur. Then the former hologram from Laff’Alott smiled “Gotcha.”

“I think I’ll ask Serenity to check your program. There seems to be a glitch,” said Egg through a big smile.

“Don’t you dare. I’m already perfect. Smart, witty and of course irresistibly cute.”

*****

“So, Librarian, are you going to marry your boyfriend or become a member of the Sisterhood?” Xara expected that question to create a bit of trouble. She was eager to see how much.

Serenity answered for Jax’x. “There’s a zero chance she’ll become a sister. So, she better hope that her man hasn’t completely lost his mind and become a drooling idiot.” That comment was totally uncalled for, uncharitable and unbelievably unkind. Once she heard her own words, she flinched.

Jax’x hated herself for rising to the bait. “How dare you? How would you like it if I ridiculed you for your failure to save your mother’s life?  All you did was to get yourself mangled while you watched her die. How heroic.” Well, that was just as ugly.

Xara stared at the two combatants . . . her face showing no emotion. Inside, however, she was reveling in the unleashed animosity. It was a weak point in this little alliance and one she might be able to exploit. But she couldn’t be seen taking sides. “Hey, you two, can we postpone the girl fight until after we finished our work?” Perfect – just the right amount of indifference.

The two combatants stared at each other. Ironically, they were sharing the same emotions. Horror at the words they spoke and venom for the words they had heard. Neither one said anything for fear of escalating the situation.

“Ladies? Hello?” Xara had to bite her lip to keep from smiling.

Serenity knew she had to back down and bring the situation under control – if for no other reason Egg would be really upset with her. But she was also incredibly stubborn so she didn’t offer the first apology. Or any apology for that matter. Turning to Xara she asked, “What do you need first?”

*****

A couple of hours later, the three women rejoined the others.

“How did it go?” asked Egg innocently. She was referring to the crystal.

“I will not work with her again.”

Egg thought Serenity was referring to Xara. “What did she do?” and she pointed at her Nemesis.

“Not her. Her,” said the girl in the wheelchair, correcting her sister.

“What? Oh, not again. Come on, you both need to grow up. There’s a world that needs our help and you two can’t play nice for a few days. You both disappoint me.” It was a sign of the incredibly deep respect that both girls had for Egg that they lowered their heads in shame. Neither wanted her to think poorly of them.

“Sorry,” mumbled Serenity.

“Me, too.”

“NO,” Egg almost screamed. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to each other . . . and mean it.”

Both girls continued to look down at their shoes. Each was trying to get the courage to speak first. So, as you might expect, they both looked up and simultaneously said “Sorry.”

“Shouldn’t they hug it out?” suggested Xara with pretend innocence.

“Shut up.”

“Hey, I was just trying to help.”

Egg wasn’t buying it. “If I catch you trying to stir up trouble, I will personally put you in Jay’gar’s Cell of blah-blah-blah when we get him back. Think about that before you offer an opinion without being asked.”

All the girls looked at one another (except Xara who glared at Egg). They had never heard Egg talk quite like that. In fact, ever since this mission began, Egg seemed to be different. A few weren’t sure how, but Bree and Serenity realized it was a new level of maturity in her leadership quality. That was a bit amazing to them – that Egg could find a way to improve on what they considered near perfection.

Chapter 7 – Final Preparations

“Can we move on now?” Egg asked the room – though it was really directed at the two combatants.

“All good,” responded Serenity.

“Fine. So we have the crystal with the program. When we get to Hay’gar’s house, Po can transfer it to the key while Jax’x will use the mini MAGEK unit to confirm it’s what it is supposed to be.” Xara was about to interrupt but Egg raised her hand to stop her. “No, I don’t trust you and please don’t pretend to be offended.”

“Nemesis . . . I do like the sound of that,” responded the woman somewhat incongruously and with too much delight.

“Unless I declare this mission a success, you don’t get a ride out of here. So keep that in mind and focus on the task at hand.”

Xara would beg to disagree since she had other plans. But, that was her little secret. “Yes, Princess,” and the nasty lady gave a parody of a bow.

“And so to that end, does Kr’eep have to be cooperative to make this work?”

“I presume that’s the ungifted. And the answer is yes. It wouldn’t be much of a safeguard if all you had to do was threaten the guy, now would it?”

Egg chose not to answer. “Bl’azzz, you’ll have to go down as Soo and finish the job.”

“Can do.”

Xara burst out laughing. “She’s going to seduce him?” She raised her eyebrows a couple of times. “A bit warped, don’t you think?”

“You’re disgusting and no, it’s not what you think.” Without explaining, Egg asked, “So who do we need down on the planet and which of us needs to access MAGEK?”

Not unexpectedly, the other four sisters insisted they go.

“Okay, okay – quiet down. I’m going because I can fly down there and carry one or two of you with me.”

“I believe these lovely wings qualify me, also,” said BreeZee as she unfurled them to their fullest, most beautiful extent.

“Okay . . . that makes you a maybe.”

“Hey, I can carry two or three of you and the little magic gizmo,” advised the dragon.

“Wow those must be powerful wings to be able to lift that body,” teased Xara semi-maliciously.

“Watch it, puny person,” growled Bl’azzz. “You don’t want to make a dragon angry.”

“You things really are grumpy.”

“Xara, do we actually need the mini MAGEK unit when we connect to the main unit?”

“No. But I don’t think you want it lying around unguarded.” What she didn’t say was she wanted the unit very badly.

“I hate to destroy such advanced technology even though it’s so dangerous. Let me think on it. Anyway, Bl’azzz, you are definitely going.”

“I’m going too, Egg,” insisted Tee’ka. “Someone as clever as me should really be there.” Unfortunately she was serious.

“Well, you’re sure as shazbot not leaving me behind,” groused Serenity.

That surprised Xara. Out of curiosity, and for a change without any malice, she asked the girl in the wheelchair, “How would that work exactly?”

“I’ll manage,” was all the answer she received.

Egg looked at her sisters. Normally she would never take everyone into a dangerous situation but she wasn’t getting any goosebumps. “Okay, everyone goes.”

Xara’s reaction was twofold . . . surprise and joy. The former because Egg was putting all her sisters in harm’s way for no good reason. The latter because Egg was putting all her sisters in harm’s way . . . and she, Xara, was that harm. She neither said anything nor showed any emotions and when Egg glanced at her, she pretended not to notice.

“What exactly happens to MAGEK when you tell it to shut down? Please, no snide answers.”

“Actually, I haven’t got an answer. It’s never been shut down.” Again, that was a partial truth.

“Anyone want to take a guess. Po, Jax’x?”

Xara looked at the two young women. They were standing next to each other, arms touching. They were apparently good friends and that irked Xara deep in her core. A Heart and a Hex – friends. It was an abomination and she was going to put an end to that. The ‘how’ was going to be easy . . . devilishly clever and irreversible. A small smile creased her lips and she quickly bowed her head so no one could see.

“I can hypothesize what will happen,” offered Serenity. “That the machine is enormous and spherical like the mini one suggests that it’s spinning constantly and probably at a high rate of speed. I have no idea where it draws its power but that’s beside the point. Once the command to shutdown is executed, it could take a relatively long time for it too slow and finally come to a halt. It could very well still supply ‘magic’ to the Divine Ones though at a continuously diminishing rate.”

“Anyone want to argue with that?” Egg asked the assembly.

“Will that be a problem?” asked BreeZee.

“Could be a disaster,” offered Xara. “If the Divine Ones still have power, things could get ugly. There may be a lot of collateral damage if they panic as their power begins to wane.” She was planting a seed hoping for a specific response. Without thinking, she bit her lower lip waiting for it.

“Collateral as in other people?”

“Yeah.” Actually, she didn’t have a clue.

Silence as they considered this possible outcome. And the outcome that Xara wanted and anticipated – an expectation based on her assumption that these little girls wouldn’t want blood on their hands – was offered. “Serenity, your ship has an advanced infirmary. I know we wouldn’t want to land the Gracie but maybe we could use the Astral as a temporary hospital just in case.”

Xara played the innocent. “Don’t you think that people might notice an alien spaceship and wonder why it was there?”

“The ship can be cloaked. Maybe the Divine Ones could find it if they were looking, but otherwise it should go unnoticed,” explained Serenity. To Bree she said, “Sounds like a good precaution.”

Since the mother ship would not be put in jeopardy, Egg had no reason to object. “We can also put the mini MAGEK unit on the ship to protect it. Is there a place to land while we make our way to the access tunnel?” she asked Xara.

“There’s a park that I used the last time. Well, to be fair, it was a park. Now it’s probably just a barren, hilly place that no one visits. For sure, at night, there will be no one there.” It took all of her self-control to answer without showing her emotions. Not only were they going to land the spacecraft she intended to steal, they were also going to put the MAGEK unit on board. She wanted to fling her arms around Egg and give her a big kiss . . . no one ever gave her such a great and wondrous gift before.

“Then it’s settled,” declared Egg. She glanced at the universal clock. “Time to tell our co-conspirators that we’ll be late.”

“What are you talking about? We’re right on time.”

“We are . . . and in about four hours, so will Chaos ‘mas.”

“I don’t get it?”

“Bree, explain to those three what we came up with”.

“Where are you going?”

“To tinkle,” and Egg ran out of the room.

*****

Home of Hay’gar and Taysen

“They are obviously stalling, I just don’t know why?”

“Whatever the reason, if this is not done by midnight or soon thereafter, we have to get back to the Crypt.”

Lightning Flash blanched. “I have to be honest, that scares me. You know that either Absolute won’t hesitate to sacrifice us for her own gain.”

Peak wrapped his arms around the girl. “This will work out. Even if we go back to the Crypt, there’s every reason to believe that the others will do as we wish.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I am going to put a Twisting Torc around our host and hostess. If anything happens to you or I, there will be no way for the others to save them.”

“They have the Divine One. Why can’t she remove the Torcs?”

“I will encode the release command. It would take Pond Ripple, or anyone with the gift for that matter, days to figure it out. Hay’gar and his wife will not have that long.” (The Torc was a necklace consisting of strands of pure energy. It was designed to slowly tighten until the poor soul who wore it would literally lose his head).

Just as he finished saying that, the holographic image of Forest Green’s face began to materialize before him. “It’s my Absolute. She mustn’t see us together. Go back to the Library and wait by the small MAGEK unit. Hurry.”

The hooded face finished materializing. Without preamble, the woman said, “At midnight, you will issue a formal challenge to Grassy Knoll.”

“Yes, Mistress. Have you decided where the confrontation is to take place?”

“Of course, you idiot. I choose the far side of the Bridge of Infinite Possibilities (that’s the one over the rift that connected to the Crypt). Tell her one Acolyte only (the challenger could set the rules of engagement). You will meet me there precisely thirty minutes before the appointed hour. I expect you to be as clever as you always are.” Those were not meant as words of encouragement but as a thinly veiled threat.

“As you command”.

Green glared for another few seconds then her image dissipated like so much smoke in a windstorm.

Peak took a moment to calm down. Then he summoned the old couple.

*****

On Board the Astral

“Nice little spacecraft you’ve got here. Is she fast?”

“Fast enough,” replied Serenity vaguely.

“Any weapons?”

“Of course not. This isn’t a war ship.”

“But I’m guessing it could be.”

“Guess all you want.”

“What kind of fuel does it use?”

“Enough,” demanded Egg. “We’re giving you a ride when this is over . . . not a ship.”

“Just curious. For instance, is it easy to command? Seems really sophisticated and complex.”

Before Egg could object again, Serenity’s pride got the better of her. “Voice command to the A.I. [that’s artificial intelligence] or manual if you’re in the mood. Even a child could fly her.”

“Serenity, no more,” said Egg shaking her head.

“Oh, right. Sorry. It’s just that sometimes . . . never mind,” and she shrugged her shoulders. What she didn’t say was that she seldom got a chance to talk science and engineering to any of the others. In fact, she was a little miffed that the brief conversations she had had with Jax’x were so satisfying that she was tempted to treat her like a friend. That made it really irritating since the Librarian just rubbed her the wrong way. Shazbot.

“Serenity, let’s fly over the Library and get the mini unit. Then we’ll head to Hay’gar’s place. Bl’azzz, get into your gear and get ready to send Soo down to talk to Kr’eep.”

“On it. Can one of you ladies give me a hand?”

“I’ll do it,” volunteered Tee’ka. “And maybe I can give you some advice on how to seduce your man.”

“What are you talking about, you whack-a-mole? You never even kissed one?”

“Ha. I kissed Jagged Peak.”

“That wasn’t a kiss. You attacked him with your lips.”

“Well . . . that’s how it’s done. Haven’t you ever read a romance novel? No wonder you’ve been unsuccessful with Kr’eep.”

“Where’d you get a romance novel?”

“Serenity got it for me. So maybe I should go instead of you since I have more experience. How about it, Egg?”

“Next time we need someone seduced, I promise I’ll send you. Now, enough jibber-jabber and go help Bl’azzz.” After they left, she turned to the girl in the chair. “Why would you give her a romance novel?”

“Because she never shuts up about men. It’s enough to drive me crazy. I’m thinking about building her a boyfriend avatar. Is that okay with you?” She was only half joking.

Egg opened her mouth to say no, but stopped as she gave that some serious thought. After a moment, she answered, “That’s too weird . . . don’t you think?”

Serenity chose not to answer.

*****

As the ship made its way to the Library, Serenity opened a compartment in the control panel looking for something or other when her hand felt a leather pouch. She pulled it out and looked inside. To her surprise, it was filled with a couple of dozen smallish heart stones like the one worn by Jax’x.

“Hey, cat woman.”

“Are you talking to me?”

“Who else looks like a cat?”

“I don’t even know what that is.”

“It’s you with four feet, whiskers, a furry rump and a tail.”

“You are incredibly annoying. What do you want?”

“I’m guessing these are yours. Why are they on my ship?”

Egg had forgotten that she suggested Jax’x split her cache of gems. “What is it?”

“Little Hearts,” replied Serenity.

Egg glanced at Xara who pretended indifference. “Store them in a safe place, will you.” And she nodded towards the evil one.

Following her glance, Serenity said, “Safe in the safe.”

Xara, for her part, meandered to the view screen taking in the sights below. With her back turned to the others, she actually licked her lips in excitement . . . much like a dog who was about to attack an unsuspecting victim. This was all going better than she could have hoped for. Life was looking up. Way up. A minute later she called to the others, “There’s the Library.”

“I knew that,” replied Serenity petulantly.

“And I couldn’t be more proud of you,” said Xara sarcastically.

“Play nice, you two.” To Bree she said, “Let’s send down Ziz and make sure the coast is clear. Is that okay with you, Jax’x?”

“Of course.”

So Bree teleported the dragonetta into the Room of Doom. The bird looked around and spotted Lightning Flash. “Flash, it’s me, Egg. Are you ready?”

“No. I can’t go. My Absolute has ordered me to report to the Crypt. In fact, I must leave immediately.”

“Hang on. Where’s Kr’eep?”

“Oh, right,” and the Divine One opened a rip in the fabric of space and pulled a befuddled creep through. Before he could say anything, she cast a spell over him. “I put him in a waking sleep. You can make him do what you will but to him it will be a dream. Pond Ripple can undo it if you so desire.”

“Sit him on the MAGEK unit so we can transport them both.”

She did as she was asked. “One more thing, Peak has placed a Twisting Torc on Hay’gar and Taysen. Only he can remove them. If we don’t get out of this safely, your friends will die.”

“HEY,” protested Egg.

“Stop. It was a sensible precaution since we can’t be with you. Just do as we agreed and everyone will be fine. Now I really must go.” She started to leave then turned back to look at Ziz. “Good luck. Please, don’t fail us.” Then she was gone.

“Serenity, beam Kr’eep and the unit to Hay’gar’s house. Then beam the Soo avatar down there.”

“Will do.”

On the intercom Egg called the dragon. “You ready to strut your stuff?”

“Oh yeah. This time I’ll melt him into a glob of infatuated manliness.”

In the background they heard Tee’ka yell, “More like a blob of . . .” but the rest was lost in a burst of static.

Chapter 8 – Grim Fandango

Home of Hay’gar and Taysen

“HUSBAND,” screamed the old woman.

Hay’gar burst through the kitchen door. “What’s wrong? Are you ill?”

“Look,” and she pointed at a spherical contraption upon which sat a seemingly sleeping Kr’eep.

Before he could reply, Soo materialized. She looked around – noting her beloved sitting in a stupor, then Hay’gar and Taysen. “Hi, guys.”

“Soo . . . is it beginning?”

“Oh, yeah. This dance is about to start. What about those things around your necks? Are they hurting you?”

“No, not yet but Taysen says hers is a bit tight”. That wasn’t good.

“Will get them off you very soon.”  She then walked up to the couple and grabbed each by the hand. “And we found a way of getting Jay’gar back.”

Taysen began to collapse in a flood of tears and Bl’azzz and Hay’gar had to grab her less she hit the floor. “Let’s put her on the couch,” instructed her husband.

“I’ll get her some water.”

“No. No need, Soo. I’m fine. I’m . . . I’m . . . I’m going to cry again,” and she did.

Hay’gar sat down and embraced his wife in a gentle bear hug. Though he wasn’t crying, his eyes were puddled with tears that threatened to cascade down his cheek. “You best stop that old woman before you make me cry too.” But she didn’t . . . she couldn’t. So, being the loving husband that he was, Hay’gar joined in.

Soo knelt down in front of them. “Hey, guys. It will all be over soon. Now’s the time to be strong for your grandson.” That worked and the two regained their composure.

“What can we do?”

“First, I’m going to take Kr’eep in the bedroom and convince him to help us.”

Hay’gar was horrified. “You’re not telling us that without his help, you won’t be able to get Jay’gar back? He already ran away once. He can’t be trusted.”

“No. His cooperation has nothing to do with your grandson’s rescue. It’s has everything to do with the rescue of everyone else on this planet.”

It wasn’t her intent but that embarrassed the other two. “I’m sorry. We’re being selfish. Forgive us,” begged the older woman.

“Don’t be silly. There’s nothing to forgive. Anyway, Egg, Jax’x and Po should be teleporting down soon. Maybe some others. They are going to turn off a machine that looks like that doohickey over there. This one is a small version of what makes Divine Ones divine.”

“We don’t understand?”

“All the little red riding-hoods get their power from a machine. That’s a prototype. Me and the others are going to turn off the big one. Then – poof – no more divine power.” Soo smiled in satisfaction at her explanation but the other two just stared back without real comprehension. “Doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that if we’re successful, the citizens of this world will be in charge for the first time in forever. And, like magic (she couldn’t resist the pun), it’s going to rain again. You better get ready to start a garden because you’ll be able to grow your own food.”

“Grow our own food? How is that possible?”

“Oh boy. Let’s leave that for later.” Into her communicator she said, “Egg.”

“I’m here.”

“Send down the ‘A’ team.”

Egg had to smile at that earth reference. “On our way.”

*****

A moment later Po, Jax’x and Egg materialized. The Librarian hadn’t seen her friends in many weeks and she walked over and gave them each a warm hug. “Are you two okay? The Torcs, are they hurting you?”

“Everything is fine,” lied the woman. “And once Jay’gar comes home, all will be perfect. Can you tell us when that will be?”

Jax’x smiled. “Very soon.”

“I know it’s none of our business but are you finally going to ask him to marry you?”

“Old woman,” cried her husband. “That’s incredibly rude to ask such a thing.” Then he smiled and said, “But since you already did the unthinkable, there’s no harm in having the question answered,” and he stared at the masked girl.

Jax’x smiled back. “Egg told me there’s an Earth saying. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Apparently it even works on Spell ‘Bound. I am absolutely going to ask him to marry me.”

“Oh Jax’x, we’re both so very happy. You know how much we love you, I hope?”

“I do. And you know I feel the same about both of you.”

The maudlin conversation ended when Egg yelled, “RATS and double RATS.” Everyone turned toward the girl. “That dumb son of a . . . um, son of a gun forgot to leave us the key.”

“What key?” asked Hay’gar.

“The key to make our plan work. We are royally up a creek without a paddle.”

The others had no idea what the Earthling was referring to . . . but her intent was abundantly clear.

“So what now?” asked the Soo avatar.

“You still need to get Kr’eep to do his part. Take him in the bedroom. Po, follow them and when Bl’azzz is ready, remove the sleepy spell.”

“Of course. After you,” she said to Soo.

“Okay, but you can’t stay once he’s awake. This could get . . .”

“No. No, don’t say whatever it is you were going to say. Please.” Like many women he met, Kr’eep creeped out Po. Whatever Soo had in mind she definitely didn’t want that image in hers.

“Your loss,” and the three walked off to the bedroom.

Less than a minute later Po returned. She looked at the others and shuddered involuntarily.

“Egg, I can still do my part and get Jay’gar back, right?” asked the bride-to-be.

“No.” The sudden gasp from the poor guy’s grandparents caused her to raise her hands. “Sorry that came out wrong. No we can’t do it immediately. But yes, we will do it for sure. It just can’t be right now.”

“Why?” demanded Hay’gar.

“Because it will let a certain Absolute know that we are a very real threat. Unfortunately, without the key, we’ll have virtually no defense if she should find us.”

“So what now?” asked Jax’x who was just as impatient as her soon to be (hopefully) grandparents-in-law?

“Please, just give me a minute to think.”

*****
Bridge of Infinite Possibilities

“Find Grassy Knoll and give her this ultimatum,” and the nasty lady handed him a parchment that materialized in her hand.

“May I read it first?”

Forest Green didn’t answer – she just waved her hand in a gesture of acceptance.

Peak scanned the document and was not surprised by its content. Green called for Knoll to resign from the Absolute Assembly. The reasons were listed in painstaking detail outlining the woman’s transgressions and failures (as seen through the eyes of her adversary). “Of course she will not accept your . . . um, invitation.”

“Obviously.”

“Then may I ask what my role will be in the coming confrontation?”

“You will distract her so I may act in accordance with my divine right.”

“And the nature of this distraction?”

“You will terminate her acolyte in as painful a way as possible. The louder she screams in agony, all the better. But be sure it does not end too quickly. You will do this in the center of the bridge.”

“You wish me to kill Lightning Flash?” asked the horrified young man.

“Isn’t that what I just said?”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then I will use your death as the distraction. Now, deliver the message and be quick about it.”

*****

In the Bedroom at the

Home of Hay’gar and Taysen

“Hey sleepy head, wake up.”

“Huh?”

“Come on, open your eyes.”

Kr’eep reluctantly did as he was asked. “Soo?”

“In the flesh.”

The creepy one tore his eyes off the girl and looked frantically about. “Where am I?”

“In Jay’gar’s bedroom silly.”

“But they put me in . . . in that place. It was dark and there was no noise and the blackness felt so heavy it made me choke. I was so scared.”

“Well, you’re safe now. I saved you.”

“You? From the Divine Ones? How?”

“I’m not just a pretty face you know.”

“I can’t help you.  You have to believe me . . . the Divine Ones will put me back in there (he pointed towards nothing). I want to, but I just can’t.”

“Kr’eep, calm down please.”

“But the Divine Ones . . . if they catch me again, they’ll . . . they’ll, I don’t know what they’ll do.” He was becoming hysterical.

“STOP.”

The poor slob’s eyes went wide and nodded. Strong women both frightened him and well, excited him. He never knew what to do or say . . . so he liked when he was told how to behave.

“Now listen to me. You are going to help me and my friends put an end to the Divine Ones. We can protect you, I promise. Once we finished what we’re about to do, I’m going to ask you to marry me. And, I expect you to say yes. Understand?”

“But . . .”

“NO BUTS. What I’m going to ask you to do is incredibly simple. When the time is right, all you have to do is think a specific thought.” That sounded dumb even to her. What else could a person think but a thought? “And you must really and truly believe it.”

“What thought?”

Time to keep it simple. “That you want a machine to turn itself off. And when it does, you and I can get married. And, as an added bonus, the Divine Ones will never, ever be able to hurt you. How does that sound?”

“I just have to think that and it will come true? I don’t understand.”

“Come here,” and she opened her arms to him.

Not too reluctantly he did as he was asked.

Closing her arms around him, she pulled him close then put her lips to his and gave him the most passionate kiss he had ever experienced. Yes, yes, I know . . . that particular bar was pretty low.

Thirty seconds passed . . . then a minute . . . then a second. She gently pulled away to take a breath. “Can you handle a lifetime of those?”

“A lifetime?” he mumbled. Hard to say if it was a question or not.

“Yup. For as long as the sun shines and the stars twinkle (yes, that was from the oath of the Hameggattic sisters).

“That’s a long time.”

“Very, very long,” and she pulled him close and proceeded to kiss the heck out of him.

*****

She asked him to wait a minute while she went to get Po. “Can you put him back in that sleepy trance?”

“Of course,” replied Po. “May I ask why?”

“If he’s awake as we make our way to the machine, he’ll freak out. This way when he wakes up, he’ll be standing in that control booth.”

“Very wise,” and she closed her eyes. “Okay, it’s done.”

“That’s way too cool. Every wife or girlfriend should be able to do that. So, now what?” everyone turned to Egg.

“Let’s see if we can find Peak and get the key.” Into her communicator she called “Serenity.”

“Here.”

“Peak didn’t leave us the key. I need you to send Ziz to look for him.”

“That’s a pretty big city.”

“Have her head towards the Crypt but keep her out of sight of any Hoods in the hood.”

“Say what?”

“Don’t let her be seen by the bad guys. While you’re doing that, put Xara on.”

“Here she is.”

“Hi, Princess.”

Egg rolled her eyes. “Question. When Jax’x plants the thought in Green’s mind to bring back Jay’gar, can she also tell her where she wants the Cell to materialize?”

“That’s getting too complicated. The Librarian doesn’t have any experience doing this. Best to keep it simple and just plant the thought to have it return. The cell will materialize wherever the Absolute is at the time.” The first part of this statement was a lie. It was not in the least bit complicated to direct the cell wherever they wanted it. However, making things simple for the Sisterhood was not in Xara’s plan. The more chaos on Chaos ‘mas, the better the chance for her to make an escape.

“It’s just never easy.” Egg didn’t mean to complain to the woman. It could be construed as a sign of weakness.

“Ah, you poor baby. Maybe you’re in the wrong line of work. Just get married if anyone will have you and raise babies.”

“From where I come from, being a mom is a noble profession . . . though I doubt you’ll ever experience it.”

“Again, I think I’m going to vomit in . . .”

Egg cut her off. “Setting that woman loose on the universe is not a good idea.”

“Thinking about not doing it?” asked Po.

“As much as I promised that I wouldn’t double cross her, I am definitely thinking about it.”

“Good.”

Bridge of Infinite Possibilities

Ziz found Peak at the far end of the bridge. Since this end was void of any other Divine Ones, Serenity chanced talking to the man.

“Peak, the key. You forgot to give us the key.”

The man had been lost in unpleasant thoughts and was startled to hear his name. His head snapped to the left and he spotted the mechanical bird. He purposely looked away.

“She’s watching. Don’t let her see us talking.”

“Who?”

“Forest Green.”

“We need the key otherwise we can’t turn off the machine.”

The man knew his Absolute was watching. There was no way to toss the key to the bird without being seen. Since it would take these people time to get to, and turn off, MAGEK, he would be as good as dead long before the plan came to fruition.

“Flash and I need help. On the bridge in about thirty minutes.” He reached the other side and entered the Crypt.

“Shazbot,” squawked the bird.

*****

Home of Hay’gar and Taysen

“Egg”.

“Here, Serenity.”

“I found him at the far end of the bridge. He was being watched by the Green lady and he couldn’t give me the key. He said he and Flash need help in about a half hour or so. Didn’t have a chance to elaborate.”

Egg exhaled loudly. “This was such a good plan. I should have known it would never work.”

“What now?”

“Well, we need to keep moving forward. I want Po, Jax’x, Kr’eep and Xara to make their way to MAGEK. I want you to keep the bird’s eyes on the bridge and let me know when the other two appear. When they do, tell them to jump.”

“Did you say jump?”

“I did. I’ll have Bree and Bl’azzz hiding in the rift ready to catch them. Once they do, they can make their way to MAGEK with the key.” To Jax’x she said, “As soon as we have them, you can plant the thought to bring back Jay’gar.”

“But he’ll materialize wherever Green is. He’ll become her hostage.”

“Nope. I have a contingency plan worked out. Tee’ka is going to save him.”

“I don’t understand. How can one person without the gift do that without getting herself captured too? Until the machine is turned off, Forest Green still has her powers.”

“Ah, don’t forget we have a genius on the team.” Into her communicator she said, “Send her down, Serenity.”

“Just for the record,” teased the girl in the chair, “I would need to lose about one hundred IQ points to be just a genius. Anyway, here she comes.”

As Tee’ka began to materialize, Jax’x said unkindly, “That girl has an inflated ego and an exaggerated sense of self worth.”

“You two are never going to be friends, are you?” asked Egg rhetorically.

Jax’x responded any way. “Probably not in this lifetime.”

“Someone call for a super hero?” said the former computer program upon materializing.

“Ladies, may I present Xena the warrior princess and Wonder Woman all rolled into one bundle of feline feminine ferociousness.”

“Don’t forget that I’m also adorable.”

“And she’s also adorable,” complied her sister.

Chapter 9 – Utter Chaos

“What are we looking at?” asked Jax’x confused at not seeing an obvious superhero.

“Tee, tell her.”

“This thing in my hand,” and she held it out for all to see . . .

“is a um . . . universal, time-dependent, quantum disruptor and field suppressant.” She smiled at herself then asked, “Did I say it right?”

“How would we know, you gawky, goofy gadfly?” respond Bl’azzz aka Soo.

Over the communicator, Serenity said, “Nicely done, Tee. Just like we practiced.”

“Could you explain that using small words?” asked Po. She was looking at Tee’ka.

“That’s a joke, right?”

“I got this,” came Serenity’s voice. “It will dissipate the force of the gift when directed at Tee’ka. It has a very limited lifespan depending on the strength of the spells cast at her.”

“We’re hoping that in the confusion it will be enough for her to rescue Jay’gar. We’ll only need a few seconds,” explained Egg. “Tell them about that the other thing you’re holding.”

“And, my staff is now a . . . um . . . magic polar participle. No, No . . . that’s not right.”

Again Serenity came to her assistance. “That’s okay, Tee. It’s a magnetic dipolar pulsar; it fires a beam of concentrated energy. In Egg’s literature, it’s called a ray gun.”

Jax’x didn’t like the sound of that. “That thing is designed to kill? That’s despicable.”

“Jump down from your pedestal, you prissy, puritanical prude,” replied Serenity with a touch more venom than she wanted. “It can’t kill . . . on its low setting.” She mumbled the last part.

“Egg, I object. I want no killing,” demanded the Librarian.

“No one does. That’s why Tee will only keep it at its lowest setting.”

“But why give it the higher settings at all? Modify it so there is only the one.”

“I can’t do that. I am responsible for Tee’ka’s life as well as everyone else’s on this team. That includes yours. You were once pretty upset with me and my sisters when we fell to pieces because we thought Tee had died. I’ve given it a lot of thought. I still need to explore that whole aspect but in the meantime, I’ve decided that if I give each of us a fair chance to survive, then that’s all I can do as your leader. Tee’ka has volunteered for this particularly dangerous assignment. She now has the means to protect herself . . . and Jay’gar for that matter.”

“But taking a life . . .”

“Taking a life for selfish gains – or simply based on your personal political or religious beliefs – is wrong. But protecting yourself from aggression, especially when so many lives are at stake, is an individual choice.”

“Meaning?”

“Tee’ka will choose if that moment comes. It’s her principles that matter. I will support her unconditionally.”

Still not satisfied, Jax’x asked Tee’ka, “What will you do?”

“I would never hurt someone who is not trying to hurt me . . . or my sisters.”

“But . . .”

“Enough,” demanded Egg. “Jax’x, to be blunt, your only involvement from this point on is to get your man back. That’s it. If you want out, just say so now.” She forgot that Jax’x was to check the programming to be sure it did what they wanted it to do.

The girl took only a second or two to respond with, “I’ll play my part.”

Serenity couldn’t help herself. “Big surprise”.

“Shut up,” yelled Jax’x at the communicator. Tensions were beginning to rise.

“Stop it, you two. I’m not going to tell you again.” To Serenity she said, “Sorry, but I can’t spare you from the ship. In a minute or so, I want you to transport all of us to the landing site, and the mini unit to the ship. Once that’s accomplished, put Soo on automatic pilot because Bl’azzz will be busy elsewhere. Have Bree help her out of the avatar contraption. Then monitor Ziz as we discussed. When you see the other two Divine Ones, send in Tee. Be ready to transport her and Jay’gar back to the ship. While that’s going on, I’ll have one of us take Jax’x back to the rim so she can be brought on board and take care of her man. Got all that?”

“Yup.”

“Sorry, Serenity. I know you wanted to be part of the away team. Next time, I promise.”

“Egg, if you expend one brain cell worrying about my feelings, I’ll create a tickle monster and set it loose on you.”

“Cruel. So very cruel,” she said through a smile. “Okay, anyone have anything else?”

“Um, I do,” said Bl’azzz.

“Yes?”

Instead of answering, the avatar turned to their hosts. “Hey guys, tell Egg what you told me about gardening and growing your own food.”

“It’s not possible,” replied Hay’gar.

Bl’azzz turned to Egg. “See.”

“What’s your point?”

“Very soon there’s going to be a lot of hungry people. Why don’t you have Serenity get a message to Meggy and ask her to send as many cargo ships of food and supplies as she can spare? Hate to win the revolution but lose the war.”

Egg smiled. “A grown-up dragon . . . I’ll never get used to it.”

“She’s a dragon?” asked a confused Taysen. “I thought they were monsters?”

“When this is over, I’ll show you something that you would never believe possible,” replied Egg. To the communicator she said “Serenity, do as Bl’azzz suggested please. Also tell her to send some experts in this sort of nation building thing. Let her figure out the details.”

“On it. Nice going, you big beastie brontosaurus.”

“I’m much more like a T Rex,” and the girl with blue hair growled.

*****

The Crypt

Jagged Peak walked into the office complex of Grassy Knoll . . . and was greeted by his love, Lightning Flash.

Following protocol, since he didn’t know who was listening, he said, “I have come on behalf of my mistress, Forest Green.”

Again, following the strict protocols associated with Chaos ‘mas, the young woman responded with, “For what purpose?”

“To present her with these demands,” and he handed her the parchment.

“I will see if my mistress chooses to accept the document at this time. Please wait.” Flash turned, knocked on the inner door, and then entered. She returned a moment later. “Grassy Knoll is reviewing the ultimatum and will have a response for you to take to Absolute Green at her convenience. Do you choose to wait?”

“I do.”

“Then please do so outside.”

“As you wish.” He turned to leave but stopped. With his back turned to the girl he said, “You and I are but pawns in this great struggle and I bear you no ill will. Whatever may transpire on this auspicious day, though it may not be clear at the moment, will surely lead to a greater tomorrow. Please trust in that.” It was the best he could do to warn his love that what was about to happen required her unqualified belief in him if they were to achieve their goals. He hesitated at the door hoping for a confirmation that she understood.

“That is very gracious of you. Like you, I have complete faith that a greater goodwill be achieved this evening.” She did understand.

*****

At the rim of the rift

Serenity had put the ship down where they had agreed. Egg, Po, Jax’x, Soo and Kr’eep (who was still sleepwalking) were transported just outside the ship. Po was back in the control room awaiting her turn and the mini MAGEK unit was safe in the hold.

Having another person to carry down to the access tunnel in the form of the avatar Soo was unavoidable. She had to keep her soon-to-be-husband quiet and focused. However, Bl’azzz was no longer directing her since she was needed in the flesh, so to speak. Hopefully Soo’s behavior directed by her artificial intelligence would not alert Kr’eep to the change.

“Serenity, send down Bl’azzz, Bree and that . . . witch.” Not quite the word she had wanted to use but at least it rhymed.

A moment later, the three materialized.

“Okay, guys, listen up. We all need to get to the access tunnel. Bl’azzz and Bree – as soon as that’s done, you two go wait under that bridge. But stay out of sight until we need you. Jax’x, the timing here is super critical. When Peak and Flash appear on the bridge, Ziz will tell them to jump. At that instant you’ll plant the seed in Green’s mind to recall Jay’gar’s Cell. Tee will join the fray and besides rescuing Jay’gar, she’ll make a lot of noise to add as much confusion to the situation and to buy us a few minutes till the key arrives.”

“Egg what about you?” asked Bree.

“I’ll help get everyone out of the cave when the off switch is thrown. We don’t really know what that machine might do. If I’m needed out on the bridge, I can get there in a heartbeat. Which reminds me – ‘ring tend to my suit.”

Xara watched the gray fog surround Egg then Flying Girl emerge. “How fun,” she said. “What’s with that stupid costume?”

“It’s my flying suit obviously.”

“Very girly . . . in a princessy sort of way.”

“Anyone ever tell you that your act gets very old, very fast?”

“Act? It’s just the real me without the phony makeup.”

Egg ignored the snide remark. “Bl’azzz, you take Kr’eep and Soo.”

“Can do.”

“Bree, you can take Jax’x.”

“My pleasure,” and of course the girl meant it.

“Po and Xara, you’re with me.”

“If you think I’m climbing on your back, you be thinking wrong.”

“Stop your whining,” demanded Egg. “All you do is grab my hand.”

“Less offensive but still unpleasant,” was Xara’s snarky reply.

“Just remember, if I let you go, you best start flapping your arms less you crash to the bottom of the rift.”

Xara chose to accept that statement as a joke. “You’re such a fun playmate. I can see why everyone loves you so much.”

“Shut up.” To Jax’x, she said, “You have the crystal with the program?”

“Yes.”

“Give it to Po. She can upload it to the key.”

“You don’t trust me?” came the hurt response.

Egg exhaled. Sometimes being the leader of a bunch of women was like babysitting. “You’re going to do your thing before we actually get the key. Who knows what state of mind you’ll be in after the machine puts a big drain on your brain?”

“Oh. Right. Sorry.”

“And stop apologizing. That drives me crazy.”

“Sor . . .” began the Librarian before she caught herself. Changing the subject she said, “Po, here’s the crystal.”

“Thanks, Jax’x” and she took the device. Then she hugged her friend.

“What’s that for?”

“For good luck and because you’re about to get Jay’gar back and I couldn’t be happier for you.”

“It’s going to be a brave new world for the three of us, isn’t it?”

“No. Not for me. I’m leaving Spell ‘Bound with Egg.”

“You’re joining the Sisterhood? That makes me both incredibly happy and terribly sad. I don’t want to lose your friendship. On the other hand, you’ll make a great sister.”

“They haven’t asked me to join. I’m just going to Aerianna and try to start my life over.”

“I don’t understand?”

“Yes you do,” and she kissed her friend on the cheek.

“Sorry to interrupt, but it’s time to go,” said Egg gently.

To break the solemn mood, Jax’x responded with “I do wish you wouldn’t apologize so much. It drives all of us crazy.”

“Touché.”

*****

Xara directed Egg to the tunnel opening she had last visited some three hundred years before. They all landed without incident.

“Okay you two, off you go. Good luck.”

“Same to you guys,” replied the dragon. She and the butterfly girl dove back into the rift and quickly disappeared from sight.

“Lead the way, Xara.”

“It’s a tunnel. There is only one way.”

“Shut up.”

They walked for almost a half a mile – the tunnel sloping gently uphill. “Okay, it’s just around the bend. Try not to wet yourselves when you see it.”

They turned the corner and everyone (except Xara) loudly sucked in their breath at the sight before them . . .

They simply stared at the humongous, glowing, pulsating sphere hanging in midair. No matter what they had imagined, MAGEK was so much more.

Egg broke the spell with as dumb a statement as she had ever made. “That’s a big machine.”

“Can’t get anything past you, princess.”

“Shut up.”

“How long did it take to build that thing?” asked Po.

“It took about twenty years. But the design and science took more than fifty years to perfect.”

“That’s an incredible piece of technology. I’m glad we have the mini unit.”

Jax’x said, “I don’t understand.”

Before Egg could explain, Serenity’s voice came over the communicator. “It’s pretty obvious if you had half a brain. Egg would be hard pressed to do anything that might damage such a technological marvel. But, since we have the prototype, the science will be preserved for future study.”

“Why are you always so nasty?” Jax’x demanded.

“You bring out the best in me.”

“Come on you two, now’s not the best time to continue your little cat fight.” To Xara she asked, “Where is this control booth?”

“Follow me. It’s not far.”

They reached it in just a few minutes. Xara showed Jax’x how to do what she needed to do. “Any questions?”

“No. Thank you.”

“Sure. Hey, tell me something. Is your hooded friend in love with your man?”

“That’s a long story.”

“Must be. Heck, if she’s willing to move a trillion miles away, she must really, really want him.”

“It’s not like that. Po would never do anything to hurt me.”

“Well, isn’t that sweet.”

“Just shut up.”

*****

Inside the Crypt

Unlike Forest Green who lacked any personal connection to her underlings – including Jagged Peak, Grassy Knoll cared for Lightning Flash. Certainly not as the love of a mother for her daughter – more like the affection of a master for her beloved pet.

“Once you deliver this,” and she handed the girl her own parchment, “you will be fair game to whatever Green has in mind.”

“I . . . I understand.” The girl was already nervous; this reminder didn’t do anything to help ease her fears.

“She will probably have Peak attack you . . . and he’s probably been instructed to make a show of it. Be ready to eliminate his threat.”

“What do you suggest?”

“As soon as you hand him the parchment at the midpoint of the bridge, he will open it. That will allow Green to read it from afar. When he begins to roll it back up, that will be your signal to attack. A Pulse Punch that knocks him off the bridge and into the Rift should work well. Then cast a spell of dispersion about yourself and hurry back. Understand?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Then go. This whole charade will be over rather quickly. And Flash . . .”

“Yes?”

“Do not fail me. I would hate to have to punish you.”

Lightning Flash’s nervousness immediately evaporated to be replaced with a renewed sense of purpose. “As you say, Mistress.”

Chapter 10 – Night of the Living Dead

“Egg, everyone’s in place.”

“Great. Any sign of Flash or Peak?”

“Not yet.”

“Let me know the minute . . .” but she was cutoff.

“Wait a second . . . I see someone leaving the Crypt. And, here comes a second person. It’s them.”

“Okay, everyone. Get ready. Serenity, get Ziz in there as close as you can. I’ll do the talking. Can you relay my transmission to the bird?”

“Just did. Ziz is in place, just off the bridge and out of sight . . . I think.”

“Peak, it’s me, Egg,” spoke the bird.

Like a wannabe ventriloquist, he mumbled thru a nearly closed mouth, “We need help.”

“I have two of my sisters waiting in the rift under the bridge. As soon as you’re ready . . . jump.”

Upon hearing those words, Flash stumbled from a bad case of weak knees. “If they miss us, we’re dead.”

“Unless you have a better idea, you need to jump.”

“Peak, I can’t,” pleaded his lover.

Thinking quickly he asked “Egg, can your two sisters create a diversion long enough for you to reprogram MAGEK?”

“I already have a diversion planned. Tee’ka will be there shortly.”

“One is not enough.”

“Yeah, yeah . . . one is the loneliest number,” which was an obscure reference to a song her sister used to play every time she and Brad broke up.

“I don’t understand.”

“Never mind. I’m going to give my guys some instructions, so give me a minute. Bl’azzz, can you do a Bl’uddd impersonation?”

“Just watch me.”

“Needless to say, be careful. They’ll throw all sorts of magical nasties at you.”

“Dragons are pretty thick skinned. I’ll be mostly fine.”

“Bree, as soon as Peak tosses you the key, get back here as quickly as you can. I’ll have Jax’x waiting at the entrance. Take her back to the ship.”

“Will do, Egg. Then should I go back?”

“Um . . . why not. Go back to your current positon under the bridge just in case but stay out of sight until you’re needed. Don’t be a hero.”

“Okay.”

“Peak, satisfied now?”

He hesitated but Flash said, “Please. I don’t want to jump.”

“Very well, Egg. In about two minutes we will reach the center of the bridge. At that point I will open the scroll in my hand for Green to read using her gift. When she’s finished, I will roll it back up. That is the instant you must act.”

“Got it. Bree, as I said, get here as fast as you can. I’ll also be waiting at the entrance to get the key.”

“Ready. Peak, toss the key,” BreeZee told the young man.

“Flash, trip and fall into me.”

She didn’t ask why; she just did as asked.

As Peak bent down to help the girl, he tossed the key over the side of the bridge in one smooth motion. It instantly disappeared in the black abyss.

BreeZee never saw it.

*****

“I DON’T HAVE IT,” she screamed into the communicator.

“Look behind you,” came the very calm voice of Serenity.

Bree did . . . and there was Ziz with the key in her mouth. With a burst of speed, the bird reached the outstretched arms of the butterfly girl and placed the device in it.

“Ohhh . . . thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

“Yeah, enough. Three’s the limit; everybody knows that.”

Egg added her compliment. “Nice going Serenity”.

“Well, you know that Earth saying – a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?”

“Yes? And?”

“I still have no idea what it means.”

“You’re just weird.”

*****

Cave of MAGEK

“Okay, Jax’x, you’re up.”

The girl took a deep breath then stepped into the booth with the heart-shaped insignia over the door. “I’m ready . . . I think.”

“Like we talked about – just search for Green’s mind and implant the thought that the Cell needs to return. Make sure you impart the urgency of it.”

“I understand. Thank you, Xara”.

“Jax’x, do it now please. We only have a minute or so before you know what hits the fan.”

The Librarian had no idea what that phrase meant, but she understood the message. She closed her eyes and felt the power of MAGEK – something Po and the other Divine Ones experienced every day. It was electrifying . . . the unlimited energy of the great machine was there to do her bidding. She forced herself to search for Forest Green and was surprised at how easy it was to locate her. The woman had a potent connection to MAGEK which explained how she could maintain her dominance over the Assembly. Jax’x’s mind whispered into the subconscious of the Absolute, “The Cell in which Jay’gar is imprisoned must be returned immediately. Your success this night is dependent upon it.”

She knew she had succeeded in planting the thought and a wave of relief washed over her. Then a wave of dizziness followed. She stumbled out of the control booth and fell down.

Egg rushed over to help the girl. “Jax’x, can you stand?”

“Maybe with a little help,” and Egg offered her a hand. “Mind if I hold on for a minute?”

“Of course. Did you do it? Did you get Green to recall Jay’gar?”

“Yes,” and she smiled from ear to ear.

“That’s wonderful.  Timing now is really important. We have to meet Bree at the mouth of the cave.”

“I don’t think I can walk that far.”

“That’s why we’re going to fly. Here we go.”

“Hey, wait,” yelled Xara.

“What?”

“I need the Amber Heart otherwise I can’t do the shutdown.”

Egg didn’t trust the girl . . . at all. “I’ll bring it back with me.” She turned and flew down the tunnel with the Librarian in tow.

*****

Obviously, Jay’gar’s return had nothing to do with Chaos ‘mas, but the mind works in mysterious ways. To Green, it was like a revelation. Without questioning the logic of it, she summoned the Cell of Transitional Non-Being back from the void between universes.

A moment later, it materialized a hundred feet or so from the Absolute. The door automatically opened . . . and the lone occupant fell out. Jay’gar’s eyes were wide as he tried to understand what had just happened. He was free of his prison but he couldn’t bring himself to believe such a thing. It was madness . . . his madness . . . and he cowered on the ground, hugging his knees crying.

*****

“He’s back,” announced Serenity.

“What’s happening on the bridge?”

“Peak looks to be unfolding a document.”

“What about Jay’gar?”

“He’s curled up on the ground. Looks a bit shell-shocked.”

“And Green? Is she threatening him?”

“No, just staring. If I were to guess, she seems confused.”

“I should thing so. It won’t take her long to figure out bringing him back wasn’t her idea. Let’s get Tee into position.”

“I’ll teleport her behind some boulders on the opposite side of where the Cell is.”

“Perfect. Tell her not to do anything unless Jay’gar’s threatened.”

“Why don’t you just beam him aboard the ship?” asked Jax’x.

“Don’t be insane,” came the belligerent response.

“Serenity, just tell her why,” demanded Egg who was very tired of this personal feud.

“Yeah, sorry. First, it will tip our hand . . . she’ll know that we’re here. Worse, our transport device leaves an ionized trail that she can follow using her gift. It will lead her right back to the ship . . . then our goose will be cooked.” A second later she asked, “Did I say that goose thing right?”

“Perfect. Bree, over here. Thanks. Now take Jax’x to the ship then get to the bridge.”

“I take it you have the key?” asked Serenity.

“Yeah and Jax’x’s Amber Heart necklace. I’ve got to get back. Keep watching.”

“Good luck.”

“Rats . . . goosebumps.”

“Please tell me you’re kidding?”

“Wish I could.”

*****

Bridge of Infinite Possibilities

Grassy Knoll exited the Crypt and made her way onto the bridge. She was feeling supremely confident. Though Forest Green had superior command of the Gift, she had something better. The other four members of the Absolute Assembly, unbeknownst to Forest Green, had cast their lot with her. She now had the power of their Gift to supplement her own.

As she had told Lightning Flash, this little drama was about to play out very quickly. Green would be suitably punished and the Assembly would be hers to control.

She took a deep breath – not to steady her rock solid nerves, but to enjoy the sweet taste of the night air.

*****

Cave of MAGEK

“Po, please upload the program into the key then wake Kr’eep.”

“Of course Egg,” and the girl did as she was asked.

Kr’eep woke up, looked around and screamed. Soo quickly put her arms around the man. “Easy there, big guy. It’s okay. You’re safe, I promise.”

“Where are we?”

“Listen to me. We don’t have much time. I’ll answer your questions later. For now, step into that booth, close your eyes and keep thinking that you want the machine to shut down. That’s it.”

“I . . . I . . .”

“Stop already. Do as I ask and the Divine Ones will lose all their power and you and I will get married. Isn’t that worth a few minutes of bravery?” She sealed that thought with a kiss.

“I can do this. You can trust me, Soo. For you, I can do this.” He was hoping that if he said those words out loud, he would actually believe it.

“I know I can trust you. Now my love, step into the booth.”

“One more kiss . . . for good luck?”

“Absolutely,” and she gave him a memorable one.

“Po, take your place,” directed Egg and the girl stepped into the second booth.

“My turn,” said Xara with too much glee.

Egg handed the woman the key and the necklace. “I expect you to do as you promised.”

“Of course you do,” was the snide retort. Then she added, “I promise you that the machine will be turned off. Okay?”

Goosebumps. “If I had another choice . . .”

“But you don’t.” Xara locked the necklace around her neck, inserted the key into its nook then stepped into her booth. “Show time” and the Nemesis of the Sisterhood closed her eyes.

*****

Rim of the Rift

BreeZee landed on the rim in close proximity to the cloaked ship. “Serenity”.

“I’m here.”

“I need to get back to the bridge. Please beam Jax’x into the ship. She’s a bit dizzy so you might want to put her in the infirmary.”

Serenity mumbled something unkind.

“Sorry, what?”

“Nothing. Listen, the other Absolute came out of the Crypt. So be extra careful.”

“Thanks. Bye.” To Jax’x she said, “Serenity will beam you up shortly. Will you be okay?”

“I’ll just sit down and wait. Go. And please, please be careful. If any of you get hurt helping me and my people, I would never forgive myself.” She had grown quite fond of the winged girl.

“Attempting to remedy a terrible wrong is way more important than the life of a single individual. Even so, any one of us would weep inconsolably if another of us was injured . . . or worse. A just cause doesn’t really mitigate the pain when you lose someone very close to you.”

Bree was trying to give her new friend a bit of insight as to why the sisters had reacted so violently to the presumed death of Tee’ka.

The Librarian was a very smart young lady. Not quite the genius of Serenity or K’ssss . . . but she was pretty darn close. “I will forever be embarrassed at my insensitive comments. Thank you . . . and please don’t give me a reason to cry.”

Serenity had eavesdropped on the conversation. When the girls finished, she beamed Jax’x directly to the infirmary. She also decided she had been too mean to the Librarian. She was embarrassed at her own pettiness.

*****

Bridge of Infinite Possibilities

Peak rolled up the parchment . . . and yelled into the darkness, “NOW.”

From the depths of the rift rose a sight never before seen on Spell ‘Bound . . . and Forest Green and Grassy Knoll both opened their mouths in shock and awe and horror. A flame-spitting monster filled their vision and they froze where they stood.

At the same moment, and under the cover of the Bl’azzz’s diversion, Tee’ka stepped out of her hiding place and ran toward the Cell of Transitional Non-Being and the still cowering Jay’gar.

*****

Cave of MAGEK

Xara felt the all-too-familiar power of the great machine surge through her mind. After taking a moment to enjoy the sensation, she turned her attention to executing the final steps in her plan. It was not quite what Egg had expected.

First, she ordered the machine to reconnect to Amber Hearts. Since she was the only one on the planet with the necklace, she effectively was giving herself supreme power.

Next, she searched every mind on the planet to see who had the most potent connection to the machine. She was a bit surprised that only two surpassed the rest by a significant margin. Not surprising, those two were Forest Green and Grassy Knoll.

She then ordered MAGEK to disconnect all Hexes . . . the so-called Divine Ones.

Being a petty and spiteful individual, she found Jay’gar and implanted a powerful thought into his mind. A rare bit of remorse forced her to balance that act with one of kindness.

Finally, she instructed the machine to redirect all the power it was generating in maintaining its levitation above the ground into a surge in its rotational speed. This would guarantee that the unit would self-destruct. Once the spinning mass made contact with the cave floor, it would disintegrate into a billion pieces. All the Kings horses and all the Kings men would never be able to put MAGEK back together again (couldn’t resist, sorry). She considered this as her fulfillment of the promise she made to Egg to turn the machine off.

But why not keep the machine intact and rule this planet any way she deemed appropriate? The simple answer was she didn’t want to. It was now a backward world with a small population. It would take them untold number of years to even start to regain some of its past glory. That sounded like work and mind-numbingly boring. With a spaceship and the mini MAGEK unit, she was about to have an adventure worthy of legends. Now that was a goal to match her ego.

She also wanted to destroy the machine for her mother’s sake. It was never a solution that either of them had ever considered. It would have been perfect . . . defang both sides. It was a missed opportunity and the world was destroyed because of it. Now she had the chance to right the wrong her mother had inadvertently committed.

MAGEK would analyze these commands, as well as the programming in the Key to determine if it should execute them. The only one requiring the Hex and the Ungifted was the self-destruct sequence. All three minds were in agreement . . . the machine should turn off. The methodology was not important.

*****

Xara stepped out of the control booth and turned to face Egg.

“Well?” demanded Flying Girl.

“It’s done. Give it maybe ten minutes . . . then it will self-destruct.”

“What?”

“It’s going to rip itself apart. I suggest you get your little gang out of here as quickly as you can. Bye-Bye.”

“Where are you going?”

“As far from the machine as I can. You really should do the same.” Then to Egg’s shock, Xara touched the Amber Heart stone around her neck, levitated . . . and flew down the tunnel and out of sight.

Epilogue 1 – The Carnage

Bridge of Infinite Possibilities

While Green and Knoll were staring at the fire-breathing dragon, their two acolytes took aim with their hex-ringed hands and fired bolts of energy at their former masters. Both Absolutes were able to react in time to flick the attack away with a brush of their minds.

Tee’ka reached Jay’gar and bent to help him up. Serenity had told her the man seemed in shock and she was prepared for the worse.

But Jay’gar rose to his feet on his own. “And you are?” he asked calmly.

“My name is Tee’ka. My sisters and I are here to help Jax’x. I can’t tell you how happy she’ll be to see you. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, thank you. You wouldn’t happen to know a friend of Jax’x. Her name is Pond Ripple . . . sometimes she goes by Po.”

“Sure. She’s part of this.”

“Is she okay?”

“Jax’x?”

“No. Po?”

“As far as I know, she’s great. Come on, I need to get you away from here. Jax’x is waiting for you.”

“Tee’ka is it? I’ve been . . . away for a while. I really need to see Po. Can you take me to her?”

“I don’t understand?”

“It’s quite simple, really. She and I are in love.”

Yup, you guessed it. Xara did what she had promised herself she would do . . . end the friendship between Po and Jax’x by convincing Jay’gar with a well-placed thought that he loved the girl in the red hood. Her act of contrition was to restore Jay’gar’s mental health from the terrible effects of the Cell in which he had been imprisoned.

*****

While this was happening, both Absolutes asked MAGEK for an evaluation of their situation. Both received the same answer – there was a high degree of probability that an alien force was trying to usurp power with the help of the two acolytes. Not quite right, but close enough.

Green and Knoll went on the attack . . . for a moment both allied against a common enemy. They fired their own bolts of energy at the man and woman on the bridge. Not to be left out, they also fired at Bl’azzz who was taking evasive maneuvers to keep from being hit.

Seeing Bl’azzz in trouble, Tee’ka told Jay’gar to stay put as she ran out with her weapon set to stun. She fired at the closest target which was Forest Green.

The Absolute was taken by surprise and only just fended off the effects of Tee’ka’s staff. She returned fire.

Tee’s shield held but the force of the attack knocked her down and out.

Knoll fired a rapid burst at the two on the bridge – concentrating on the traitorous Lightning Flash. One of the bolts hit its target and the girl went flying through the air . . . and over the side of the bridge. Peak reached for her but was too late. He screamed at his loss then started to run at Grassy Knoll.

Green turned her firepower on the dragon. Bl’azzz did well to avoid being hit . . . but that lasted only so long. One energy bolt hit her square in the chest and she let out a loud oomph. She flipped over on her back and began to sink into the blackness of the rift.

Sensing victory, Forest Green began to walk across the bridge towards her principal adversary – Grassy Knoll.

Knoll saw her advance and casually hit Peak with a bolt that spun him around, knocking him to the ground with both arms broken. He lay there, writhing in pain. For him, the battle was over.

The two Absolutes looked like gunfighters from the old west at High Noon (though in this case it was Low Midnight). They stopped perhaps thirty feet from one another.

“Any last words,” taunted Green.

Knoll laughed. “It’s one against five . . . I think your last words will be more appropriate.”

Each raised their ringed hands and fired the biggest bolts of energy they could imagine.

Nothing happened.

As one, they touched their foreheads as if feeling for their connection to MAGEK – but sensed nothing. “What?” cried Knoll.

“I have lost my Gift,” screamed Green. “What madness is this?” she asked the night.

“Hi, girls” came a mocking voice from above. They looked up to see a woman float down and land on the bridge between them. “So, how’s it going?”

“Who are you?” demand Green. “What do you want?”

“My name doesn’t really matter. The what, however, does. For the treachery inflicted on me by your ancestors, I intend to have my retribution. You two are the strongest representatives of the Hex Weavers by virtue of your connection to MAGEK.”

“What are you talking about?”

Xara ignored the questions – more because time was running out. “I sentence you both to a lifetime of companionable companionship. Now . . . off you go.” She touched her Amber Heart and both Absolutes soared through the air and into Jay’gar’s recently vacated Cell of Transitional Non-Being.

Their screams abruptly ended when the door slammed shut and the device melted away – finding its way into the space between universes.

“That was fun,” Xara said aloud though no one heard. She touched her Heart and disappeared.

*****

The Astral

Serenity made her way to the infirmary to check on Jax’x. “You okay?” she asked.

The girl was a bit taken back by the sincerity of the question. “She lied.”

“She who?”

“Xara. She said I would need a week or so to recuperate. It’s been maybe ten minutes and I’m almost back to normal.” Jax’x half-expected a snide retort but none was forthcoming.

“Her lying is no big surprise. If you’re up to it, come with me to the bridge [the control room, not the one over the Rift]. I could use your help.” That wasn’t entirely true . . . but it was the best olive branch Serenity could offer.

They made their way in silence. Just as they were about to enter, the ship shook violently almost throwing Jax’x to floor.

“What was that? Something happen to the ship?”

“I don’t think so. Come on. Let’s go fire up the view screen.”

However, when they opened the door, they were unpleasantly surprised to see Xara standing there. “Ladies, there’s been a change of plans.”

“What are you doing here?” demanded Serenity. “How did you get on board?”

“It was the very last act of MAGEK . . . which is unfortunate.” She couldn’t use the Gift to rid herself of these two.

“You reconnected Hearts to the machine, didn’t you?”

“I did, Jax’x. I did indeed. But, as I promised your princess, MAGEK is no more.”

Serenity understood. “That rumbling . . . the machine self-destructed.”

“Oh, yes. I didn’t stop to count, but I’m guessing there are now a billion or so pieces strewn over the cave floor.”

“Where are Egg and the others?”

“Actually, I don’t know. I told her to leave as quickly as she could. Hope she listened.”

“If anything happened to . . .” but Serenity was cut off.

“Excuse me for being rude, but do shut up. Now, I want both of you off my ship.”

“Your ship?”

“Yeah, isn’t it nice?”

Without thinking through her actions, Serenity did something impulsive that she would soon regret. She wheeled over to a hidden compartment and took out a smaller version of the weapon she made for Tee’ka. Pointing it at Xara, she said, “Let’s go. I’m locking you in a storage closet till Egg decides what she wants to do with you.”

Xara shrugged in apparent resignation and walked towards the door. But as she got close to Serenity’s outstretched hand, she did a forward roll and sprung up kicking. The weapon went flying out of the girl’s hand and into Xara’s. “Thank you. Now, off you two go. I need to get out of here.”

“And if we don’t, what are you going to do . . . shoot me?” challenged the Librarian.

“Never. I’m going to shoot her instead. You wouldn’t mind that since you two aren’t really close, are you?” Xara was many things, but a cold-blooded murderer was not one of them. Even the two Absolutes that she imprisoned were technically still alive. This was all a bluff to get them quickly off the ship.

The other two believed the nutty woman was serious. Without thinking of the futility of the effort, Serenity lunged for the weapon as best she could but Jax’x beat her to it. She wasn’t about to let a Sister die for her cause. In the ensuing struggle, the weapon discharged. Jax’x’s eyes went wide, her face went white and she collapsed onto Serenity’s lap.

“That was just plain stupid,” complained Xara who was as horrified as Serenity. “You fools need to stop trying to be heroes all the time. Unfortunately, we are all out of time. Her especially.” She walked over to the control panel, looked at it for a moment then uttered an “oh, yes.” She pressed a button, turned a dial and just before she threw a lever, she said, “get her medical help if you want her to live.” The lever was thrown and Serenity and the inert body of Jax’x dissolved into a twinkle of lights as they were teleported to the surface.

A few moments later, the Astral’s engines fired and the ship lifted off the surface. Within a minute, it disappeared amongst the stars.

Epilogue 2 – Goodbye Girl

It was chaos. The explosion of MAGEK collapsed part of the Crypt. Former Divine Ones were running around trying to help the trapped and injured.

Jagged Peak was on the bridge writhing in pain and yelling for his lover who had fallen off the bridge.

Tee’ka was unconscious with a severe concussion.

Egg had evacuated the others from the cave with a couple of minutes to spare. They were on the rim of the rift not far from the still cloaked Astral. She sent Po to the bridge to see if she could help. She told the Soo avatar to take Kr’eep home. No use getting them hurt.

With the others gone, Egg tried to contact Serenity on the communicator to no avail. Then she saw the girl in the chair materialize at the same moment the engines of the spaceship fired. She watched in confusion as the light from the ship faded into the night sky.

She walked toward Serenity calling out “What’s going on. Who’s in the ship?”

“Egg, hurry. Jax’x . . . she’s dying.”

Flying Girl flew to her sister and saw the other girl draped over her lap. There was blood everywhere. “Oh my gosh. What happened?”

“Do something. Don’t let her die. Please.”

Unfortunately Egg didn’t have the healing bracelet that her grandmother had given her so many years before. “Let’s lay her on the ground. Can you come down here and put pressure on the wound?”

Serenity slid gracefully off her wheelchair and sat next to Jax’x, cradling her head while applying pressure. “Find the others. Bree might be able to do something.”

“I will.” She patted her friend on the shoulder and leaped into the air. It took no time at all to reach the bridge.

The first thing she saw was Po being hugged and kissed by Jay’gar. It seemed strange but she wasn’t quite sure why. Regardless, right now it didn’t matter. She needed to concentrate on her sisters. She found Tee lying unconscious. She couldn’t tell where she was hurt or how serious . . . but she was still breathing.

Into her communicator she called “Bree. Bree where are you?”

“Where are you?” came the reply.

“Far end of the bridge. We have injuries. Hurry.”

Seconds later, the girl with wings landed. She was holding the body of Lightning Flash.

“Oh no. Is she . . . how is she?”

“She was hit by a bolt of something and was knocked off the bridge. I don’t think the injury is serious. If you hadn’t sent me back, she would have fallen to her death. How’s Tee?”

“Breathing. But Jax’x . . . she’s bleeding a lot. Can you do something for her?”

“Egg, all I know is to apply pressure to the wound.”

“Serenity’s doing that.” Egg exhaled. “Any idea where Bl’azzz is? And the two Absolutes?”

“No. But Jagged Peak is on the bridge screaming. I’ll go check on him. Maybe he knows something. She flew off. She landed by the wounded man and was relieved to find that he only had two broken arms. When he heard that Bree had caught his lover, he calmed down. He was then able to answer a few questions.

Bree left him there and flew back to Egg. “How is he? What did he say?” By the look on her face, Egg braced for more bad news. “Tell me.”

“He said Bl’azzz was hit by a bolt of energy. She fell into the rift.”

For a moment, Egg couldn’t breathe. She forced herself back into control. “The two Absolutes?” They were still the enemy.

“Xara appeared out of nowhere and sent them into Jay’gar’s cell. They’re gone.”

“Good news for a change. Listen, stay here with these two. I’m going to go look for Bl’azzz.”

“Oh, Egg . . . this has been a disaster.”

“For us. For the people of Spell ‘Bound, we did good.” She kissed her sister on the cheek then launched herself into the night sky. She then dove straight down . . . her heart beating much too fast, and way too loud.

*****

“This is Her Majesty’s Ship Kat’Alynnia. Do you read?”

“Well?”

“Still no answer, Your Highness.”

“Try again.”

It soon became obvious there would be no reply. “Any ships in orbit?”

“Yes, Sir. It’s the Gracie. There are no life signs aboard.”

“Scan the surface. See if you can pick up the life signs of a dragon. That would be Bl’azzz and we would know where they are.” Since everyone else was humanoid, hers would be the only one that they could easily identify.

The officer did as he was asked. “Sorry, Sir. There are no life signs for a dragon.”

Ben’Edikk swallowed hard. In his gut he knew something terrible had happened. “I believe there is only one populated city. Find a suitable landing site and take us down.”

“Sir, we do not have any intelligence about the forces we might encounter.”

“Take us down, Captain. Inform the other ships to maintain a high orbit. If they do not hear from us within twenty hours, they are to return to Aerianna. I want the Queen to send an armed armada. Understood?”

“Yes sir.”

Thirty minutes later the populace of Amber Heart gazed in wonder as an alien spaceship landed in the open space about a half mile from the Crypt.

“Prepare an away team. I want a dozen medical personnel, as well as a half dozen armed guards. Have them meet me in the auxiliary bay.”

“Sir, I cannot allow the crowned Prince of Aerianna to walk into a potentially dangerous situation. I will go first.”

“Captain, the love of my life – and the heroine of Aerianna – is out there. You do not have enough men on board to stop me. Have I made my self abundantly clear?”

“Sir.”

*****

Serenity had seen the ship land. She called BreeZee on her communicator. “I think it’s the blue footed booby. Go find him. We need doctors RIGHT NOW.”

“Understood. How is she?”

“I . . . I don’t know why she’s still alive. There’s blood everywhere.”

“Hang on. I’ll get help.”

******

A contingent of medical personnel found Serenity and Jax’x. The wounded girl was teleported directly to sick bay.

Another contingent found Tee’ka, Flash and Peak. They, too, were taken to the ship.

Ben’Edikk had been with this group. As soon as they were taken care of, he turned to BreeZee. “Where is she?”

“Bene, she’s okay. She went to find Bl’azzz.”

He could have screamed for joy but that would be un-princely. Instead, he said, “I am relieved, as you might expect. As for Bl’azzz . . . we scanned for her life signs but found none. I am terribly sorry.”

Bree fought a losing battle against her tears. The Prince grabbed her and hugged her close. “She was creating a diversion,” the winged girl managed to say. “She was hit by an energy pulse and fell into the rift. Egg went to find her.” Saying the words out loud was too much and she burst into tears yet again.

Ben’Edikk wanted to leave and find – and console – Egg. But it would have been unseemly to just rush off. He forced himself to stay for a few moments with the weeping girl held to his chest.

*****

The rift was very deep and very dark. The walls were encrusted with protruding rocks and small ledges barely wide enough to grab hold of.

As Egg made her way down into the abyss, the tears she promised herself she would not shed refused to listen. She cried from the bottom of her heart. How she loved her sisters. It simply wasn’t going to be possible to continue the sisterhood if one of them died. The guilt would overwhelm her.

She continued to spiral down using the only sense that worked in this darkness – her hearing. Against all measure of common sense, she called out “Bl’azzz, it’s me. Hey, Bl’azzz can you hear me?”

No reply.

She continued her descent . . . deeper and deeper into the void. “Hey, Hot Lips, you there?” Then, “Bl’azzz, say something will you.” Her voice echoed off the rocks until it faded into silence.

Then she saw something like a light. She headed for it as fast as ‘inhumanly’ possible. She began to yell “BL’AZZZ.”

Another flash of light.

It was the dragon holding on to an outcropping of rock with the tips of her talons. She was literally breathing fire.

“Bl’azzz,” and Egg reached her sister and hovered there. “Stupid question – are you okay?”

“Sorry, sister.”

“Sorry? I don’t understand? Are you hurt?”

“Egg, I can’t hold on much longer. I . . . I really wanted to say goodbye so I’ve been hanging here like forever. But, it hurts too much. I have to let go.”

“Don’t you dare. I’ll help you.”

“Not even Flying Girl can carry a big old dragon like me. Egg . . .”

“Don’t you dare say anything stupid.”

“I have to go now. I love you so much. And the others. Tell them, will you?”

“NO. You tell them yourself. Come on, let me help you.”

“I have to go now,” she repeated. “Hey, tell Soo she’s married to a creep. That’ll make her laugh.”

“Stop it. I order you to stop talking like that.”

“Bye, Egg,” and the dragon lost her grip and fell backward into the darkness.

Epilogue 3 – Knight in Shining Armor

Egg was onboard the Kat’Alynnia moving from one sick bay to another.

Her first stop was to see Jax’x. “How is she?”

Serenity was sitting next to the bed holding the unconscious girl’s hand. “They think she’ll live.”

“What happened down there?”

“It was my fault. She and I could have just left the ship but I decided to be a hero. I pulled a weapon and Xara knocked it out of my hand. I went to get it back but Jax’x beat me to it. She tried to save my life. After all the grief I gave her, she tried to save my life. The thing went off and . . . well, here we are.”

“Jax’x wasn’t about to let any of us die for her cause. Regardless of the relationship between your two, you’re part of the sisterhood that came to help.”

“For a smart person, I can be incredibly stupid. If she doesn’t make it . . .” but she didn’t finish. If she uttered another word she would begin to cry.

Egg changed the subject. “Did you hear about Jay’gar and Po?”

“No.”

“Apparently after spending time in that prison cell he decided he was madly in love with Po. When she,” and Egg pointed at the girl in the bed, “wakes up, I’ll have to tell her.”

“No, I’ll do it.”

“Serenity, broken hearts are a lot harder to fix than a physical wound.”

“I know that all too well.” She was referring to the loss of her mother.

“Of course you do. Sorry.”

“Egg”.

“Yes?”

“I want to ask her to become a sister. Is that okay?”

“Yeah. That would be terrific.”

*****

Next up was Tee’ka. There wasn’t anything to be done for a concussion other than waiting for it to heal on its own. In the case of the former hostess, she was just a bit more looney that she normally was.

“How do feel?” asked Egg.

“With my hands, silly. Or is that a trick question?”

“No, no. I meant since you were injured, are you feeling any better?”

“Better than what?”

Egg couldn’t think of a response. She bent over and kissed the girl on the cheek. “You did great down there. I’m very proud of you.”

“I bonked my head.”

“Yeah, I know. Does it hurt?”

“What?”

“Your head?”

“What about it?”

Egg smiled. “Get some rest. I’ll be by later.”

“Did we win?”

“Yes we did. The bad guys are gone.”

“Egg?”

“Yes?”

“Will you take me clothes shopping?”

“I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

*****

She even paid a visit to Jagged Peak and Lightning Flash.

“How are the arms?”

“They will heal.”

“How about you, Flash? You okay?”

“I owe my life to BreeZee. I tried to thank her but she wouldn’t hear of it. I wanted you to know how grateful I am. Unfortunately, without the Gift, we can’t remove the Torcs around the necks of your friends.”

“Not to worry. They’ve disappeared. Remember, it was the machine that supplied the power.”

“How is the Librarian?”

“They think she’ll live.”

“I’m glad. Will she be going with you?”

“We hope so. She’ll make a great Hameggattic Sister.”

“Please give her this,” and he nodded at Flash who handed Egg the Amber Heart pendant that he had once dangled in front of Xara.

“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to have it. Thank you. Anyway, I presume that you two are very disappointed in how this all ended?”

“It obviously didn’t go as we had planned.”

“No. No more Gift. Everyone is now equal. You’ll all have to work together.”

“I understand that Po and Jay’gar will be left in charge?”

“For a very short time. The experts from Aerianna will help you and your people rebuild the city’s infrastructure and government. Then there will be a vote to see who will sit on the council to draft a constitution. When it’s complete, everyone will vote on that. It’s all up to you guys to figure out what you want. The Queen’s people are just here to help.”

“For that we thank you.”

“A word of advice . . . don’t dwell on what might have been. Accept the situation and try to make a contribution.”

“Again, thank you. You could have punished us and you didn’t.”

“You actually didn’t get a chance to do anything wrong.”

“Will we see you again? You and your sisters?”

“Probably not.”

*****

Her next stop was to see Benny. She waited outside his office while the guard announced her presence. The Prince himself came to the door.

“Please come in.”

She smiled in acknowledgement but said nothing.

“How are your people?”

“So far, so good. Your medical staff performed miracles. Please express my gratitude.”

“I will pass on your thanks. And may I extend my congratulations to you and your sisters. You have written yet another glorious chapter in the history of the Hameggattic Sisterhood.”

“I guess. Maybe later when everyone’s healed I’ll feel more glorious. Right now I’m just mentally exhausted.”

“Considering the complexity of the challenge, I certainly understand.”

Tired as she was, Egg took that the wrong way – as if she hadn’t been up to the task. “Is that a criticism?”

“Good grief, no. Setting aside my feelings for you for a moment, if we were a warring people, I would not hesitate to name you General of my armies and Admiral of my fleet.” Egg tried to interrupt with an apology but the Prince stopped her. “In addition, if you had the time, I would add Primary Adjutant of the Diplomatic Corp. You are simply the most remarkable being I have ever met.”

She smiled. “On Earth, the title would be Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.”

“I truly have no idea what that means.”

“It means that I apologize. You have been beyond wonderful. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Compared to you, I have done nothing.”

“Benny.”

“Yes?”

“How did you know?” It was the one thing that he did do that made her eternally grateful.

He understood what she was referring to. “Merely a lucky guess,” which it most certainly wasn’t.

“You saved her life.”

“She is a loyal subject and a heroine of Aerianna. I could do no less.”

Egg didn’t respond in words. Instead she went up to the young man and kissed the heck out of him. It was a kiss of gratitude . . . but sometimes one emotion can get confused with another.

“I do love you, Gracie,” he managed to say when their lips parted.

“And I . . .” but she didn’t finish because she wasn’t sure how she felt. However, she definitely did feel something as evidenced by the flush on her cheeks. She had never kissed anyone with so much passion before – not that there were many other opportunities. So, since it was so darn pleasant, she just kissed him again.

When they finally broke apart, the Prince asked, “Can we talk?”

“Later, okay? I need to go to the recovery room.”

“Of course. Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

“I’d like that.” To her surprise, she wasn’t just being polite – she really meant it.

*****

Earlier that Evening

When Ben’Edikk had heard that Bl’azzz had fallen into the rift and that Egg went looking for her, he disengaged from BreeZee and hurried back to his ship.

“Scan that chasm for a dragon’s life signs. They may be very weak.”

The technician did as he was asked. “I have her sir. She’s seems to be falling.”

“Beam her directly to sick bay. Have the medical staff alerted. We have a Hameggattic Sister to save.”

“Yes sir.”

Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood

The final chapters are about to be written. It has been a great ride – 29 books and three quarters of a million words.

However, all stories must end. Look for the last series**

Ever After

** Author’s note: I reserve the ‘right to write’ more books. Just saying.

Visit www.flyinggirl.us for more information

Or

Come see us on Facebook