Amalthean Quests One

by Jeri Dion

  “Your hurt, just what’s been going on here?” demanded Tayce in concerned alarm.

  “We’ve been…,” began Duncan he’d just used up his last ounce of strength he’d had.

  He dropped to the corridor floor, between Marc and Tayce. Tayce ordered Marc to fetch a Medic Emergency Kit and hurry. She crouched down by Duncan, thinking this was a great way to start his first duty aboard. She lifted his head and shoulders supporting him until Marc returned. He soon came running back with a fully equipped Medical Emergency Kit. Setting it down, he suggested as Duncan was injured, maybe, he should head off and see who else had fallen victim to the intruder whoever he’d been. Tayce nodded. He suggested she keep her gun ready, just in case and to stay alert.

  “You too you can see what whoever it was that boarded has done to Duncan,” replied Tayce beginning to treat him.

  Marc headed away his gun primed ready to shoot at a moments notice. Tayce retrieved the Healentex healing device and began treating Duncan’s wound, after using the exam scan to determine if the wound was deeper than it looked. As all clear had been given, in the reading, she figured she would suggest that Donaldo if he hadn’t been killed by the on board raider, would take a look at him. She realised that Duncan must have tried to track down the intruder himself, because of what he had done and she was proud of him, even if he had nearly taken Marc out in the process a while ago. Once the Healentex had done it’s work, Duncan began to come back to consciousness. Tayce administered a relaxant and suggested he head to his quarters and take it easy for a while. She helped him to his feet and along to his quarters.

  Marc ventured onto the 2nd Level. He couldn’t believe the sight that greeted him ahead. Treketa was laying in the corridor not moving, covered with a Heat Sealant Blanket. He ran along and knelt down, taking hold of her wrist he checked her pulse. As his hand took hers, she woke groggily, looking up into his familiar eyes glad to see him.

  “Take it easy, your safe, we’re back now,” he reassured her softly.

  He scooped her up in his strong arms and once on his feet, carried her into what was left of the Life Ability Centre. Inside the Yarrick Raider had wrecked almost everything, in sight and took what he wanted. Marc crossed to the Exam Bunk and gently placed Treketa down. He glanced around for Donaldo and shook his head upon seeing him slumped over the far Hover Trolley out cold. He knew that he would not be able to help. Marc figured it was time to find out if Midge would answer his Wristlink. Raising it, he pressed commun button.

  “Midge do you hear me, it’s Marc, can you communicate?” he asked hoping so.

  “Yes Marc I can communicate, welcome back, sorry it’s under current circumstances, we were raided by a Yarrick Raider, I’m only able to communicate via Wristlink at this present time, as the raider took some of my parts, I saw you and Tayce arrive in the Quest and was able to open the Flight Hanger Bay doors, what would you like me to do?” asked Midge trying to be helpful.

  “Can you activate the medical equipment in the Life Ability Centre, what’s left of it down here?” said Marc hoping he could.

  “If I am able to do so, I can scan Treketa and find out her injuries, if it is any help?” suggested Midge.

  “Good, go for it, she’s all yours,” replied Marc.

  Marc waited and upon the Life Ability Centre scanner coming to life on low power which wasn’t easy and begin its scan of Treketa. He turned his attentions to Donaldo. Just as he was about to head over to find out if he was alive Tayce entered the Life Ability Centre, bringing with her the Medical Emergency Kit.

  “I’d like to know just what’s been going on here, while I was at Questa, I left Tom in charge… oh my God where’s Tom!” she said in panic and alarm.

  “Take it easy, he’s probably going to be fine, wherever he is, Midge is able to contact us using Wristlink only,” said Marc, though his words fell on deaf ears, Tayce had raced off to find Tom.

  She’d gone back out into the 2nd Level corridor, ordering Midge via her Wristlink, to tell her where Tom was at that moment, if he could. A few cencrons lapsed, Midge informed her that he was actually along by the steps on her current Level. No more needed to be said, she broke into a sprint, calling back to Marc via Wristlink, that she needed a Hover Trolley and fast. Tayce was not prepared for the sight that greeted her ahead, especially of the man she had come to fall deeply in love with. He was still in the position the Yarrick Raider had left him in.

  “No please… Tom, not like this,” she said having a sinking feeling, that he had been the unlucky victim of the team to die at the hands of the intruder.

  Thoughts that she did not want to think went through her mind, was she about to be alone without him. Tears appeared in her eyes, as she knelt beside him and took his head and shoulders supportingly. Shaking off the feeling, the worst had happened. She refused to believe she’d lost him forever. If by some pure coincidence she felt that inner feeling of immense power once more mysteriously rising within her she wished she knew what it was and why it happened. The feeling was the same as it had been on the Lair and in the unwanted company of Lord Dion. She looked down at her hands. They were glowing, an orange aura surrounded them. What was this she thought? What was she to do with this aura? If by some guidance from somewhere beyond her very existence, she immediately found herself placing her glowing hands, palms flat, above Tom’s heart. She closed her eyes to concentrate. The orange glow grew in size over Tom, pulsating and growing to a great intenseness, minon by minon. But it didn’t seem to faze her. As Marc arrived, he looked on in great amazement, at what he was witnessing, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, it was truly beyond belief. What was causing Tayce to do this, he thought? Then he remembered what Lydia had told him, that her great Grandfather had been gifted. It now looked like Tayce was the one to inherit her Grandfathers gift. He watched on stunned almost beyond words, at what he was seeing unfold. The orange glow formed a pencil thin beam and entered into Tom’s body, into his heart region. This could be seen glowing from outside his body. Tayce continued unaware that Marc was present, watching what she was doing. Right before Marc’s eyes, Tom’s wound began to heal, like it had never been. He guessed that the power was doing the same for his injured organs. Once it was achieved Tayce’s hands brought the orange glow up out of Tom and slowed it down, to where it had started, just above his body. Slowly Tayce felt the glow fade and the immense power that had mysteriously arisen in her, die once more. Slowly she opened her eyes. Marc looked concerned at her wondering if she was all right.

  “What did I just do?” she asked shocked at what had just occurred.

  “Save Tom’s life, he’s coming round,” replied Marc softly to her.

  “What happened, I thought I was dead… Tayce!” said Tom looking up at her.

  “Your alive mate and this little lady here just saved you,” said Marc.

  “What, how?” asked Tom in sheer disbelief.

  Tayce sat not quite knowing how to explain what had occurred before her. That one minon Tom was dead and now he was very much alive all thanks to this mysterious power. All she remembered once more was feeling the amazing powerful force grow within her, but a different kind this time around. Tom could see she was somewhat stunned, he turned hugging her in a warm reassuring loving way, telling her it was all right. He stood up pulling Tayce up with him. Marc couldn’t believe the fact that now Tayce had done what she had, there wasn’t a wound mark or any kind of bruise on Tom, it was as if the Yarrick Raider hadn’t existed. All three began on the walk back up the corridor to the Life Ability Centre. On the way Tom began that the last thing he remembered, was being viciously attacked by a really big black clad resemblance to a Earth One Ninja.

  Marc an houron later whilst Tayce was still busy patching up the team, was back in Organisation undertaking Midges repairs, replacing the various damaged and missing computer boards and circuitry that the Yarric
k had ripped out. He had found that not only had half his electronic panels been damaged, when the raider stole his main Aircom transceiver and scanner device, to scan the team or intruder on board, but he’d also damaged the main Intruder Cam relay system, which was going to take a further houron to fix as good as new. He knew one thing, he’d like to have come face to face with this so called Yarrick Raider, he would have given him as good as he dished out for damaging Midge so severely. One thing, Marc realised as he repaired Midge that the items the Yarrick had taken had been ones, that had been taken to order, as some would be classed as somewhat expensive on the wrong market. Time passed and soon Midge under Marc’s orders was able to operate and open the Satlelink Relay Link. Midge soon announced that there was a call waiting to come in from Questa. Marc upon this, shot out from under the console, banging his head as he did so, cursing and rubbing it. Getting to his feet he gave Midge his full attention. Tayce entered asking was he all right. Midge ignoring Marc’s expletive, commenced the call.

  “At last, I was beginning to think that you had fallen victim of what was breaking the communications link when you were here, is everything all right, what happened when you returned?” asked Lydia curious.

  “My uneasy feeling was right, we arrived back to find the cruiser ransacked by what is termed as a Yarrick Raider, he left the whole remaining team with injuries also wiping out the Aircom on board scanner and Intruder Cams, plus the Satlelink Relay Link that’s why Midge couldn’t call for help, Marc’s just completed the repairs, what’s the reason for calling Mother, is Jonathan no better?” asked Tayce preparing to hear the worst.

  “Yes! He’s actually stable about an houron ago he began to respond and the Cardiac Officer said there is no reason why with the proper care and advice he shouldn’t restore to normal health.”

  “That’s great news,” said Marc relieved at what he was hearing.

  “I agree,” said Tayce pleased, that Jonathan was on the mend.

  “Unfortunately you won’t be getting Lance back as early as you might have hoped, Jonathan has asked me would you believe, to run Questa in his absence, I know I use to help your Father, but this place is on a grand scale, anyway Lance has offered to assist until I get use to doing the routine Jonathan did with Adam, then I promise I will send Lance back,” she said sounding convincing.

  “It’s okay. Mother, it’s good to hear Jonathan is on the mend, we’re glad he’s going to be all right, speak to you again soon,” said Tayce cutting communication.

  Marc was somewhat miffed as communications ceased between Mother and daughter, that she had not shared with her Mother the fact what she had done to Tom earlier. But he said nothing, as he figured perhaps she preferred it that way. Tayce began to undertake the task of completing a report on the Yarrick Raider to be sent to Questa Security Division, on what had happened aboard in her absence, she had heard from the rest of the team the many stories, that had to be taken into consideration. She suggested that she and Midge work together he could take down the report and she would dictate it to him, then he could send it to Questa for further investigation. Later when Tayce had figured that the report had been filed with Questa Security Division, she was somewhat surprised to have a message come back, stating that a team was on it’s way out to question various members over what had happened. Something Tayce didn’t like the idea of but had no choice, if it caught the vicious creep. Just when everything was looking like returning to normality on board Amalthea, out in space, to Midges utter stunned amazement, the Yarrick Raider returned. His vessel that looked like it had seen better dayons, rusty and somewhat along the lines of an old freight barge, came into the cruisers vicinity. Midge warned Tayce immediately. She waited till the raider came into weaponry sights, then opened fired. A hit was scored, in a region that would take the no good for nothing weekons to fix, if not longer in some unlawful dry dock. Tayce knew that her hit would teach this Yarrick a lesson, he would never forget. That was to pick on her cruiser, any time soon. Both watched as the rusty looking vessel spun out of control off into the far flung deep depths of uncharted space on fire in the damaged region. Marc over Tayces shoulder whispered.

  “You can get in trouble for that you know,” he teased but found the whole thing deserving to the raider.

  “Very funny, that will teach him to pick on my cruiser again,” she replied.

  He laughed shaking his head. Over all the yearons he’d known her, she hadn’t changed a bit, when it came to dishing out what someone had done to her, or something close to her. She had always found a way to retaliate.

  An houron later Tom sat in the on board Leisure Centre in thought, looking out at the passing stars. Donaldo and Duncan soon joined him for a meal, but Donaldo was finding eating anything at the present time owing to the beating he’d taken from the Yarrick near damned impossible, because he’d been smacked in the mouth. It had been almost seven hourons since they had all been unsuspecting victims of the so called Yarrick Raider it was a miracle to think that they had come through the whole ordeal with their lives intact. Marc wandered in, he was glad to see that Donaldo was back to near normal, apart from a bruised cheek. He sauntered over as he wanted to ask his opinion on what he thought about Tayces latest feat, in bringing Tom back to life. He sat down next to Duncan.

  “I know your away from duty right now, but I want to run something by you, it’s about Tayce,” began Marc cautiously.

  “Sure what is it?” asked Donaldo giving Marc his full attention.

  “I was fortunate to witness another of her power forces earlier, in where she brought Tom here back to life, I don’t know how it started, but by the time I got to Tom, she was in full swing, it concerns me whatever this is that she has inherited, apparently from her Grandfather, she is scared of what it can do, I think she needs to confide in someone about it and I don’t mean me,” expressed Marc.

  “Okay. I’ll look into it for you, I’ll see what I can find out from Lydia and discretely talk with Tayce, I’ll find some way of getting her down to me, for a one to one, when I have all the information,” assured Donaldo.

  “What concerns me is, she’s going to hurt herself, if we can’t help her in some way, adjust to what she now unexpectedly possesses,” confided Marc, much to the amazement and understanding of Tom and Duncan.

  Both Donaldo and Tom glanced suddenly out of the sight port, as their sight had caught the arrival of the Questa Security Division Launch coming along side, to investigate the Yarrick attack on the cruiser. Marc thought to himself that really their journey had been a waste of time as Tayce had sent the law breaker off into the deep depths of the Universe earlier, but he guessed it still had to be done, in case he found a way to return using another more powerful vessel. Tom suggested he go and meet them, he had finished his meal and was ready to face duty again. He slid out from the table and upon discarding his utensils for hygiene recycling, headed on out to go and meet Tayce. Marc continued on talking with Donaldo and Duncan about what he’d seen Tayce achieve earlier. Donaldo could pick up on the way Marc was talking about it, it had effected him also.

  Tayce and Tom met half way along Level 2. They walked to meet the team leader and his team from Questa. No sooner had they arrived at the Docking Bay doors, when the Patrol Officer stepped forth through the open doorway and outstretched his hand to shake Tayces, in friendly but authoritative manner. He studied Tayce for a few minons, almost making her feel unsure of herself. She slightly blushed thinking to herself that he was quite rugged looking in a rough kind of way. He was tall with close cut short hair, in a layered style. He had the kind of features conveyed that he was a go getting action man, that if something needed to be sorted, then so be it. His eyes were narrow and grey, they held a certain cold icy look about them. He spoke to her in a gruff no nonsense tone, but to the point.

  “Colonel, the names Barnford, I’m security officer for Questa Security, I’m here to qu
estion your team on the unsuspecting attack of a Yarrick Raider,” he announced seriously.

  “Officer Barnford, welcome to the Amalthea,” said Tayce politely.

  “If your team can check their belongings to find out if there is anything missing and can compile a list, I’ll take these back when we return to Questa, meantime I and my team want to talk to the victims of this Yarrick and take prints of were he’s been, to take back,” he said to the point and almost commandingly.

  Tayce wondered if this Officer Barnford ever relaxed, as at this moment in time, she felt like she was under investigation, not this Yarrick Raider. But she knew that in order to trace him, she had to comply with what he wanted, she nodded for him to commence. He turned ordering his team of male and female officers to go about their duty. Twenty five members of Questa Security Investigation team all ran aboard Amalthea and under Tom’s explaining of where the various team members were headed, off to get what they needed to investigate the crime that had been caused.

  The Patrol men and women took prints for testing all about the cruiser and interviewed the team. They knew their place though, in respect that they were classed as on board guests and had to work around the team whilst investigating. They mingled in and around the team, as they began to get the cruiser back to the first class exploration cruiser it should be. The men and women when they entered a room or centre, worked around the personnel of the Amalthea team, gaining samples left by the Yarrick in his raid. Within two hourons the whole crime evidence against the Yarrick had been obtained by the Patrol Investigation team. Officer Barnford took the reports that had been taken and the lists of belongings that had been stolen, with him. He apologised for any inconvenience that had been caused and thanked Tayce politely, much to her surprise, for her total cooperation, explaining that the evidence would go back to Questa, then get sent to all patrols within the Universal sector for apprehension of the Yarrick Raider. He further added that if she could think of anything further that could help in the capture of this said felon, then to contact him asking for Officer Jan Barnford. Tayce nodded in agreement, as they paused at the Docking Bay doors. He ordered for his team to return aboard. With that he nodded obligingly, then headed on aboard, behind his team and left for Questa. Just as soon as the Patrol Launch left Amalthea, so the cruiser headed on across the Universe onto the next waiting Quest.