Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood]

by Robert Iannone

  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 hav
e 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 goin
g 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.”