“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 a
llow 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 heredit
ary 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.
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 14