Lady Eloise [Book 6 of Ever After, an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel]

by Robert Iannone

  “The Cognitron.”

  Egg looked at Skotti for help. He addressed Ix’nay. “Did you invent the device?”

  “Negative.”

  “But it’s important to you?”

  “Without it, my people will suffer unimaginable harm.”

  “It’s not a weapon – something you fear?”

  “Weapon? Negative. It forces the Rak’nex to sentience.”

  “Say what?” That was Egg.

  But Skotti’s response was “Ah. That makes much more sense.”

  Both the Prince and Kon’dor responded simultaneously with “why?”

  “To exit the Glass, all you have to do is picture yourself on the outside. I thought that was very odd to say the least. But if the Glass is forcing someone to sentience it makes perfect sense. Only someone who is self-aware – of themselves and where they are - can do that. It’s the final test for these . . . um, people. If you can’t think your way out, you haven’t achieved sentience.”

  Egg turned to Ix’nay. “Really?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “If you didn’t invent the Cognitron, who did?”

  “The Mentorians.”

  “Why would they create such a device in the first place?”

  “They were great scientists. It was an experiment.”

  “What happened to these Mentorians?”

  “Destroyed. Enemy unknown.”

  Skotti picked up the line of questioning. “So you went looking for the Cognitron and found everything destroyed. But, you discovered the device had been taken away. You were able to track them and followed them to this world. Is that right?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Why didn’t you land and try to negotiate the return of the device?” This time it was the voice of Kon’dor.

  “We attempted communication with your fleet but without success. When one of your ships flew into our path, we diverted our ships to avoid injury. Later, our attempt at landing was disastrous. This world has insufficient magnetic radiation and we could not reduce speed. We crashed. We searched for inhabitants to make amends for any damage we may have inflicted but found no one. We then began our search for the Cognitron. I had given up hope for my people.”

  “Ix’nay, we will return the Reverie . . . the Cognitron to you once we have exited it. My people did not know its significance or its rightful owner. On behalf of all Sky’lords, I apologize.”

  “Gratitude. Infinite gratitude.”

  Chapter 2 – Kon’dee

  “It will take weeks, at the very least, to repair the damage to the iris mechanism. All other solutions will take even longer to devise and execute.”

  “No, no Serenity, that’s not satisfactory,” complained Bree. Waiting that long to finally meet Kon’dor was totally unacceptable. All the others smiled knowingly – even the unseen Sky’lord.

  The Rak’nex who was also privy to the conversation asked, “Proposition, if permissible?”

  Everyone turned to look at the giant bug with surprise (an innate prejudice of humanoid beings who considered all other life forms inferior). Without realizing how demeaning she sounded, Egg asked, “Do you understand the problem we’re trying to solve?”

  “Affirmative. Inability to sever power source to the Cognitron.”

  “Right. The mechanism that controls the iris was destroyed. We have no way to turn off the big lens.”

  “Apologies. Incorrect statement.”

  Egg couldn’t help but grin (while Serenity glared nonplussed). Apparently, the giant bug could outthink Sparky and her sidekick Jax’x. How fun. “What do you suggest?”

  “Apply a reflective coating.”

  The solution was insanely simple and lower than low tech. Egg and Skotti burst out laughing while Sparky mumbled something unintelligible. Jax’x growled.

  “What say you, my resident smarties?” chided Egg.

  “Shut-up.”

  Jax’x was a little less rude. “Not very elegant.”

  “I think it’s brilliant,” said the grease monkey. “Well done, Ix’nay.”

  The creature bowed its head then asked, “Additional proposition?”

  “Absolutely. What else you got?”

  “Inspect the Cognitron before severing power. Much seismic activity. Damage possible.”

  “Excellent suggestion since Kon’dor has said that he cannot exit the device by any means. However, if it is damaged, we have no way of repairing it,” said the Prince.

  “Incorrect.” That got everyone’s attention.

  “How so?” asked Egg.

  “Ix’nay is knowledgeable. Countless cycles of training by the Mentorians.”

  “You’re an expert on this technology?” asked Skotti.

  “Affirmative.”

  “Do you understand the science of it?” The young man was as excited as the proverbial kid in the candy store.

  “Affirmative.”

  “Can you explain . . .”

  “NO. Skotti, now’s not the time. There are eight thousand people waiting to be rescued.”

  “Sorry, Egg. Guess I got carried away.”

  “Understandable in a mysterious and mostly unfathomable sort of way.” To the bug she said, “Let’s go take a look if you’re feeling up to it.”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Let me go too,” requested Skotti. “I might be able to help.”

  “And me.” Egg turned to BreeZee who continued with, “I think I should be there when Kon . . . when the first Sky’lords exit the Glass.”

  Feeling a bit playful, Egg asked, “Kon’dor, what say you to my sister’s request?”

  “EGG,” cried Bree embarrassed. But she giggled when he answered with, “Not to sound ungrateful or petulant, but if BreeZee isn’t there to greet me, I won’t come out and you can’t make me.” He definitely had a sense of humor.

  “Well, then that’s settled. Okay butterfly girl, you’re with us. Serenity, how long to coat the lens?”

  She mumbled something.

  “Say that again?”

  “Fifteen minutes . . . maybe less. Probably less.”

  Egg chose not to laugh.

  *****

  The four materialized in front of the arch holding the mysterious Reverie Glass . . .

  Skotti, the ever-curious engineer, went up the steps to get a close-up look. He had to kick a few stones and accumulated rubble out of the way. Unseen in the detritus, was the broken intensity control unit.

  “So you just walk in?”

  “Yes,” responded the Rak’nex.

  “I know Egg doesn’t want to get into a full discussion of the physics of this thing, but I have to ask one question.”

  Egg scowled. “Just one.”

  “And make it fast,” added Bree whose heart was pounding so hard she knew everyone could hear it.

  “Ix’nay, why did they design this thing to stop time if its primary function was to bring your people to sentience?”

  The disembodied voice of Kon’dor agreed. “Good question? I would like to hear the answer also.”

  “Because a young Rak’nex could take many cycles before they became self-aware. The Mentorians did not want to waste a child’s most formative years. It would prove counter-productive.”

  “So they simply stopped time! Just amazing.” Skotti was awed.

  “Ix’nay, please finish your inspection,” semi-demanded BreeZee.

  “Affirmative.” The big bug walked completely around the Arch. When he re-appeared, he said, “No malfunction detected.”

  This time it was Egg who was curious. “How do you know that”?

  “The electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Cognitron conforms to specifications.”

  Well that was helpful. NOT. Egg turned to Skotti.

  “He’s saying that the green light we see is doing what it’s supposed to be doing.”

  “Oh. He should have just said that,” but she didn’t communicate that thought to the Rak’nex. “So, can we turn off the po
wer?”

  “Affirmative.”

  Bree didn’t realize that she was squeezing her own hands so hard that it was leaving a mark. Then she began to panic. “No, wait. Wait.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “What happens if he doesn’t like me? If he thinks I’m ugly?”

  Kon’dor heard the question since she had forgotten to turn off her communicator. “Bree, please don’t think I’m so shallow as to put physical attractiveness above internal beauty.”

  “Wow, that was sweet.”

  “Shut up, Jax’x. You’re not helping.”

  “I wasn’t trying to help,” came the snide response.

  “Ok, ok. I’m going to step to the side so that I’m the last person you see. Maybe seeing the others first will make me look more attractive.” She was kind of, sort of kidding.

  “Hey, that was hurtful.” Skotti smiled as he said it. “Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood.”

  “Good one, sweetheart.”

  “Thanks love,” he called back to Sparky.

  “I hate you all,” said Bree as she walked to the side of the arch. “Okay, go ahead.”

  “Serenity, turn it off,” requested Egg.

  “Launching the drones now.” Each of the four drones held an equal amount of the reflective material that they would spray over the lens. “In about ten minutes all power will be cut-off.”

  In about ten minutes, the Sky’lord nation would cease to exist.

  *****

  Back on Aerianna

  “Daughter, you wish to see us?” asked Rose. She and her husband had entered the Queen’s private quarters.

  “I just received the most amazing communique from Jax’x.”

  “Is there a problem? It’s not your brother, I hope? If he did anything to upset Egg I will . . . I will . . .” she turned to her husband. “What will I do?”

  “You will chain him in leg irons, toss him in a dungeon and throw away the key.” Then Lord Z’kkk grinned.

  Rose smiled then laughed. “Very funny.”

  “What are you two prattling on about?”

  “Those were the words my dear father said to my mother when he heard I had flown off Q’umulus. I was ten at the time.”

  Meggy rolled her eyes. “I do believe I have heard that story on more than one occasion. May I get on with my news?”

  “It is a wonderful story about a very precocious young lady,” replied Rose defiantly.

  “A true delight each and every time I hear it. Nevertheless, Egg and her sisters have outdone you on this occasion.”

  “Ladies, I grow impatient. Get on with it, daughter.”

  The two women exchanged glances then laughed. “Yes, Father. Apparently, my sister BreeZee discovered her long lost Sky’lords. Egg and the rest are about to rescue them.”

  “Good grief. She went to Bel’lanca on her honeymoon and somehow found time to save an entire civilization. Tell us the details unless you wish me to annoy you with a thousand questions.”

  “I will relay what I know. Bree, Jax’x, Serenity and Skotti discovered a lost journal that revealed what had happened to these people. They are trapped in time . . . in a device called the Reverie Glass. And no, I have no idea what that means. Furthermore, an insect-like creature is helping them free the Sky’lords from the device. The rescue attempt is happening as we speak. As I mentioned, the newlyweds ended their honeymoon to help the others. Egg is supervising the rescue. My brother has been by her side and sustained some minor injuries but is in no danger.”

  “Is there something that we can do to help?”

  “My brother will let me know when I can send the fleet with food and supplies. These people will need a planet to relocate to . . . at least temporarily. Perhaps you can visit with Zephyr and gauge his interest in having another winged species living on Zynn-Zaz’zia?”

  “We will go immediately,” replied Z’kkk.

  Rose on the other hand looked very worried.

  “Mother, something wrong?”

  “Yes. This incident, it highlights what your Sisters mean to so many people. It worries me greatly . . . how will the Hameggattic Sisterhood continue without Egg? And, it simply must continue. The good that you women do is beyond comprehension. I will not see it end.”

  “Tis a bit of a conundrum,” replied Z’kkk unhelpfully.

  “Worry not. My sister will find an answer when the time is right. She would never condone the Sisterhood’s end. Never.”

  *****

  “Half done,” reported Serenity.

  “Thanks. Keep me posted.”

  “Ow.”

  “Bree, you all right?”

  “I tripped over something metallic,” and she bent down to investigate. To her surprise, it was another one of those medallions that Aeri’elle had lent her. She picked it up.

  “What is it?” asked Egg.

  The girl held it up for all to see. “Another medallion.”

  Upon seeing the device, the Rak’nex lit up like a Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. And as before, the translator was not up to the task of translating the massive input. Realizing that the others couldn’t understand his agitation, Ix’nay started to buck up and down much like a horse trying to avoid a rattlesnake.

  The three humanoids all took a step back having no idea why their strange new friend was throwing a ‘conniption fit’.

  “What’s gotten into him?” asked Skotti.

  “That medallion set him off,” and as soon as the words left her mouth, Egg’s arms exploded with goosebumps. “Uh oh.”

  “What is it?” asked Bree.

  “Goosebumps.”

  “Because of Ix’nay?” That seemed like a logical assumption.

  “No . . . the medallion.” To the big bug, she said “Ix, calm down and speak slowly so we can understand. And stop jumping up and down. You’re scaring the snot out of us.”

  “Snot?” asked Skotti.

  “A much nicer word than the one I was going to use.”

  “Gotcha.”

  Ix’nay did as he was asked. “You must stop the other. Hurry.”

  “The other who from what?”

  “No time. STOP NOW.”

  They were interrupted by Serenity. “About a minute to go.”

  “NO.”

  “Egg, he wants Serenity to stop what she’s doing,” explained Skotti.

  Without questioning, though she did not understand, Egg ordered Sparky, “Stop the drones. Hurry.”

  “Why?”

  “Serenity, now.”

  A heartbeat later – “Done. Care to explain why?”

  Egg looked at Ix’nay. “Why did you want her to stop?”

  “Without the key, the Cognitron is locked.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Without power, those inside would cease to exist.”

  “They would die?”

  “Cease to exist,” he repeated.

  She still didn’t understand but her goosebumps were gone. “Kon’dor, did you follow that conversation?”

  “Indeed. That device – we use it to set the intensity level of the Glass. It sounds like it is also a key of sorts. Without it in place, the Glass is essentially locked. When the power goes off, all of us would be ejected – but we wouldn’t make it past the front door so to speak. Apparently, we would die on impact.”

  “Is that right?” she asked Ix’nay.

  “Fundamentally correct.”

  “Ix’nay,” said Kon’dor. “Thank you.”

  “Not to thank. Failure to notice during inspection; fault is mine. Apologies.”

  “Let’s not argue. Ix, you did good. Jax’x, beam down the other medallion. Let’s see if it will work.”

  “Here it comes.”

  The device materialized at Egg’s feet. She picked it up and gave it to Skotti. “Unlock the door, if you would.”

  “Yes, ma’am” and he found the receptacle and placed it in.

  “Kon’dor, give it a try. See if you can leave
like you normally do. If it doesn’t work, we’ll try something else.”

  “Here I come,” and Bree held her breath.

  A second later, the winged man stepped through the glass . . .

  . . . and BreeZee felt her knees go weak.

  *****

  He took a moment to adjust to this new reality then smiled. Looking at the young woman in front of him, he said “No wings. You must be Egg. I am Kon’dor.”

  Egg smiled wryly. This cute guy was going to drive her sister crazy – she could feel it. “Welcome back to the here and now. This is Skotti, an engineer in our space navy and a very close friend of one of my sisters who you’ll meet in a bit.”

  Kon’dor gave the young man a bow of the head. “Pleasure.”

  “Likewise.”

  “And this impressive individual is Ix’nay,” and she pointed at the big bug.

  Kon’dor reflexively pulled back a bit . . . whatever he expected, this creature wasn’t it. Regaining his composure, he said, “Thank you for saving my people just now.”

  The Rak’nex twinkled a reply. Egg’s translator spoke the words, “We have much to discuss.”

  “What? What just happened?” asked a confused Sky’lord.

  “Ix’nay communicates by those twinkling lights. My translator can turn that into words.”

  Kon’dor stood there looking distressed but seemed unable to speak.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “L’elle . . . my, my friend. She encountered his kind in space. She reported seeing twinkling lights but dismissed it as unimportant.” To Ix’nay he asked, “Was that you?”

  “Affirmative. Attempted dialogue without success.”

  Kon’dor shook his head sadly. “She died for nothing.” He wanted to cry at the great waste.

  “Kon’dee, that’s not true.” He turned and saw Bree for the first time . . .

  . . . and his mouth fell opened. “She died to ensure your survival. The survival of all your people. She was brave beyond measure. Don’t you dare forget that.” She actually sounded angry.

  Realizing he was gaping, the young man forced his mouth closed. And for the next few moments, this tableau seemed frozen in time. Finally, he found his voice and his smile. “My dear BreeZee, you never had anything to worry about. You are as beautiful on the outside as your heart is on the inside.”