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

by Robert Iannone

  “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.”