Amalthean Quests One

by Jeri Dion

  The Tristarcan Power Crystal

  The decision was made unanimously by the Intergalactic planetary council for Intergalactic matters. The Amalthean Quests should continue. So for the next three monthons Jonathan Largon assigned every available man in the design, construction and electronics field to strip Amalthea One down and rebuild her. The men worked around the clock every dayon and sometimes in shifts, with the promise of a bonus in salary, to get the cruiser ready for the three monthons deadline. Three monthons passed and Amalthea now finished was in stationary position in the construction port, ready to be space bound again in all her white gracefulness.

  08:00 flashed up on the ‘Q’City large central clock. The dayon had arrived for returning to Amalthea. First to head for Amalthea, was Tayce, accompanied by Tom and Donaldo, who was back to his normal healthy self after breaking four ribs in the crash landing on Maldigri. Donaldo headed straight to the Life Ability Centre the moment he stepped aboard. He wanted to see and make sure that everything was as it should be before they departed. There had been a few changes to team and cruiser. One was Donaldo. Jonathan Largon had upgraded him in rank, he was now known by the official title of Medic Doctor/surgeon, this he felt proud of, it had been a long time coming. He felt that he had now reached the rank he had been trained in at long last and it felt good, he thought, as he walked down the new corridor towards the new Life Ability Centre. Tayce walked on board, still at the rank of Colonel and leader of the team. She was glad also to be back on what she considered, home. Both she and Tom headed straight on up to Organisation Deck. Tom was going to do a final systems check with the Computer Techs from the Reconstruction Electronics Team. Upon arrival Tayce found Marc under Midges new console, checking over the last of the new operations circuitry. Marc was another member of the team to receive a new rank, this was Computer Analysing Technical Officer. This meant that all on board computer functions, were his total responsibility. He had worked closely with the men installing and programming the whole of Amaltheas new computer systems, during the last monthons to familiarise himself with the way they functioned. One new change, that had occurred had been between Tom and Tayce. They had both decided to be legally joined in a coupling ceremony. Tayce was now Tom’s wife and her new title was now Colonel Stavard Traun, Jonathan Largon had officiated the Coupling Ceremony, which had been held just on two weekons previously, all the Amalthean Quests team had been present. All the team arrived on board, firstly heading to their new quarters to get unpacked with view to heading on back to duty once more.

  Two hourons later the Amalthea was ready to depart Questa Construction Port. Midge was back to his full operational self. One casualty that had not made it through the Maldigri crash, was ‘Cargo’, Tom’s robot his damage had been to far gone to retrieve, so Tom had decided to ditch any attempt to restore him because of the cost. Upon Midge scanning around the cruiser to make sure that everyone was present and finding that they were, operated the closing of the Docking Bay doors. Sealing off Questa, that had been home for the past three monthons. The on board Tech teams that had been present for final check, had left to return to their next job, or duty. Lance and Duncan returned to Organisation, heading to their new duty positions. Both were glad to be back on board, both were returning in their regular duty positions, Duncan, Navigationalist and Lance, Quests Research and Information Officer. He had informed his Father, that he was doing the same duty, so he would keep the same title. Tayce was sitting in the new Control seat and watching the many vessels arrive and depart at Questa of all shapes and sizes, waiting for her permission to pull out into the Universal pathway, off on the continuing voyage.

  “Midge hows clearance going, while we’re waiting, will you do a crew check, I don’t want to leave anyone behind,” requested Tayce.

  “All ready done Tayce, everyone is present and accounted for, it’s good to be back where I belong and it’s good to know that you pulled through the crash landing too,” said Midge.

  “I’m glad we were able to save you, if anything happened to this team, I’d be lost without you,” replied Tayce glad to have him working and hearing his voice once more.

  “I believe congratulations are in order, Colonel Stavard!” said Midge sounding as if he was pleased for his mistress.

  “Thank you Midge,” replied Tayce thinking about her new status.

  Tom next to her in the adjacent seat turned his head and as she glanced in his direction. He winked lovingly at her. Midge cut the air of the moment by announcing that clearance had been granted and it was time to depart. Tayce suggested that he take the cruiser out slowly to begin with. Midge obliged.

  The new Amalthea One slowly began going through the disembarkation procedure to manoeuvre them out of the construction port, that she’d been in from the dayon she’d arrived from Maldigri. Questa Headquarters Base began to fall away behind them and the cruiser went into position, to head off out into the dark blue yonder. Everyone involved with the rebuilding of the cruiser, stood watching their work leave with pride. Even Jonathan Largon and Lydia watched proudly, as Amalthea got under way for the continuing of the Amalthean Quests.

  No sooner had Amalthea left the headquarters base continuing on voyage when Jonathan Largon reached his desk and contacted Tayce and the team via Satlelink. Tayce had a strong feeling that they were about embark on their first Quest back in space. She gave him her full attention as he appeared on screen before her.

  “Hows she handling Tayce?” asked Jonathan enquiringly.

  “Better than she did before, a lot more smoother, how can we help?” replied Tayce calmly.

  “Just checking in making sure everything is okay…” replied Jonathan.

  “Actually sir she handles just like Tayce, smooth and easy to control!” said Tom playfully.

  “Tom, sorry Jonathan Tom does get carried away sometimes,” said Tayce hitting Tom playfully.

  “It’s all right you two, I was coupled once you know,” replied Jonathan laughing.

  “You know I always wondered how I came to be here,” quipped Lance from behind, at his duty position.

  “Enough you two, we’re ready for our next Quest,” said Tayce laughing about banter between Father and son.

  “Your Mother wants a word, I’ll leave you two to talk and will be in touch shortly.

  Jonathan moved away from the screen to allow Lydia and Tayce to talk for a while for the time being. Lydia wished Tayce luck, suggesting that they stay in touch, when she had a moment. Tayce agreed, then signed off. Amalthea headed on into the Universe, waiting for the first signs of trouble, or a rescue to cross it’s path.

  For the next dayon or so, Amalthea just headed back into deep space and explored the new area of space they’d ventured into. After what happened the last time, when they ventured into a new space territory Midge kept a close scan, as they progressed on, any sign of what had happened before and this time around he had more than enough new weaponry to put the phenomenon into oblivion, where it would belong, if it was considered a threat with the new modifications done to the cruiser. The team on board were able to check out a lot of the new equipment that had been brought up to date. From the outside the cruiser looked graceful once more, as she travelled at a slow speed onwards, it was hard to imagine that three monthons ago Amalthea looked more like a crushed, dented and ambushed pile of scrap.

  It was mornet of the third dayon. Marc was sipping his first cup of Coffeen of the dayon, on Organisation Deck, watching the unchanged area of space through the main sight port, as Tayce and the other members of the team present expressed their concerns and shared general discussion on different matters, past and present. Tayce had stipulated that as there was a Meeting Centre on board still then every dayon they would come together first thing in duty time, to air any problems or what was on everyone’s mind. Without warning the on board alarm sounded, stopping the discussion abruptly. The alarm signifie
d that there was a vessel in distress in the near vicinity. Tayce ran out of the Meeting Centre coming to a pause before her chair.

  “Midge scan the vessel and give me what information you can please,” she ordered.

  “It would appear that the vessel has lost all engine and operational power,” replied Midge informatively.

  “Put up a scan view, let’s have a look,” suggested Tayce wanting to know more.

  The main sight port soon revealed a sleek looking arrow shaped Space Launch, in sapphire blue. Big enough to withhold a small crew. By the appearance of the Launch, it could be seen, it was in no ordinary class, but one of extreme high ranking. Midge informed Tayce that it had originated from somewhere in the present sector and it hadn’t been in space to long. Marc next to Tayce, studied the drifting sight on screen, in a scrutinising way and ordered Midge to do a further magnification. The view moved a step closer and froze. The Launch was from whom Marc had suspected.

  “What’s she doing out here, this is not right, it’s from the twin world of Traun, Tristarcas, it’s generally flown by the supreme chief of Tristarcas, Empress Tricara,” informed Marc revealingly.

  “Surely she should be flying with an escort,” said Tom joining Marc in curiousness.

  “Quite! Something is badly wrong she hardly ever leaves Tristarcas, unless it’s an emergency,” said Marc agreeing.

  “She’s escaped from a terrifying ordeal,” replied Tayce suddenly, her eyes glazed as if someone or something had told her as much.

  “Right!” said Marc glancing to her, seeing she was obviously under another of her powerful influences.

  “Bring it in on extreme power tractor beam, Donaldo you and Treketa go and get ready for an emergency, I’ll meet you down at the Hanger Bay,” ordered Tayce seriously.

  No more needed to be said, both Donaldo and Treketa walked briskly from the Organisation Deck heading on down to Level 2, to carry out Tayces orders. Lance began to key in various commands to find out just what the Empresses on board computer had on why she had left the Tristarcan world alone, something she rarely did without some kind of close escort. Tayce was about to order Tom and Marc to head off down to the Flight Hanger Bay, when she was cut off by Lance, suddenly announcing over her shoulder in utter alarm that the Tristarcan Launch was suddenly becoming vary unstable, in the grip of their tractor beam, they had to do something and fast or the craft would implode and Empress Tricara would go with it. Upon these words Tayce went into action.

  “Get her out of there using the new Transpot, now Midge, hurry!” said Tayce in alarm.

  “Come on Tayce, we’ll head down to the Transpot Centre, tell Donaldo what’s happened Tom,” said Marc heading on out the entrance, Tayce following on in hot pursuit.

  “Sure!” replied Tom.

  Both Marc and Tayce ran as fast as their legs would take them, they knew the urgency of the moment there was no telling what condition the Empress would be in, considering her vessel had been found drifting. They soon stepped on to Level 4 and ran along to the Transpot Centre. Upon reaching the doorway, as soon as the red overhead sensor, picked up their presence the doors parted. Inside on the Transpot area was Empress Tricara in an unconscious state, laying on the floor dishevelled, scorched and bloodied. A far cry from what she generally looked like. Both Marc and Tayce glanced at each other, in questioning wonder of what had been going on, on Tristarcus, or who had attacked the Empress so viciously. Before Marc and Tayce had a chance to enter the Transpot Centre, Donaldo and Treketa came rushing in. Donaldo manoeuvred the Hover Trolley into position, whilst Treketa set down the Medic Emergency Kit, readying it for Donaldo.

  “She’s beautiful, but how come she looks like this, it looks like she’s been in a fight or something?” asked Treketa to Tayce.

  “I’ve no idea, but I think something has gone wrong on Tristarcus,” said Tayce, studying her family friend.

  Donaldo began to get the Empress ready for transferring back to the Life Ability Centre. She was a vary graceful and beautiful looking woman. She had long straight brown thick shiny hair, that cascaded down to her waist. Her features were as pure as snow and her make-up just rightly applied to make her true beauty shine through conveying who she was. She was of slender build, but not as to be classed as skinny, she was an Empress by breed and an Empress by rank and name. Tricara was thirty-eight yearons old in her appearance, but it was wondered whether this was her true age, no one ever knew otherwise and she never divulged. She had held head supremacy of her world for the past twenty or so yearons and there was always a certain mystery, which surrounded the true creation of the twin world of Traun and Tricara’s true age. Tricara was a very powerful woman, other than just being the supreme person in charge of her planet, she withheld a very powerful blue coloured crystal, known as the Tristarcan Power Crystal, which withheld great immense energy, that if it fell into the wrong hands, would cause untold devastation, throughout the galaxy. Both Marc and Donaldo gently lifted the unconscious Empress in her white chiffonex lined gown, onto the Hover Trolley. Tayce looked on. She wanted answers. Donaldo quickly rushed Tricara off to the Life Ability Centre, with Treketa in tow, carrying the Medic Emergency kit.

  “This is not right, I want some answers, she would not be out here in this part of the Universe and in this terrible state without some desperate reason, considering she had no royal escort, it’s not like her to travel without one,” pointed out Tayce knowing there had to be more to why the Empress was out where she was, alone and it didn’t look good.

  “So what are you thinking?” asked Marc wondering.

  “I know what I’m thinking, our worlds were joined in many planetary matters…,” began Tayce.

  “Don’t tell me you think that Countess Vargon is somehow connected to this, come on Tayce, she can’t be everywhere,” said Marc.

  “Well the Empress did try and help stop her from taking Traun, by giving us her men and forces to halt the attack on our world, if you remember the Empress was threatened by Vargon, perhaps the Countess has gone back to finish what she started, casting Tricara out into the Universe, like she did me you know what Vargons like,” said Tayce seriously.

  “Yes but, she has magnificent powers and her men were a slight cut above ours, remember, if you ask me, I think she would have quite swiftly done away with the Countess if it was her, if it meant protecting her people,” replied Marc thinking over what Tayce was thinking.

  “I think we need to hear her side of the story, when she gains consciousness,” said Tayce.

  “I agree,” replied Marc, as they both turned and walked from the Transpot Centre.

  As Tayce and Marc began on the walk to the Life Ability Centre, so she began thinking back to past times and the fact that a lot happened back on the last dayons of Trauns existence, when both Tristarcas and Traun were in joint entente treaty with each other. It was a good joint union, as she recalled, they used to exchange materials with each other, they both worked together in lots of joint ventures. People and technologies were the main source. She remembered how the relationship between Empress Tricara and her parents was very strong, in fact her Mother had told her, that Tricara had been present when she was born and had declared that one dayon she would discover, if the generations were as they should be, she would be gifted. She had been right about that. Tayce suddenly recalled to mind how Empress Tricara had treated her like the daughter she could never have as through a freak accident when she was in her teens, she was not able to have children of her own. Marc noticed that she was quiet in thought and didn’t say anything. He figured if she wanted to share her thoughts she would.

  Up in Organisation Lance and Duncan were in deep discussion over the sudden and unexpected arrival of the Empress. Duncan was finding Lances explanation over the origin of Empress Tricara and Tristarcus quite extraordinary. Lance like Tayce had wondered if the Countess had anything to do w
ith the sudden departure Tricara had made from the Tristarcan realm? He put it to Duncan.

  “You’ve a good point, but the last report we looked into about the Countesses whereabouts, was, she was on Carafax 7, wherever that is,” said Duncan.

  “Okay, so if Tristarcus was under attack, and it’s not who we suspect, it has to be someone who has a lot of clout to match Vargons capabilities and has it in for the Empress, don’t you agree?” asked Lance.

  “Oh I agree, but who, that’s the big question?” replied Duncan.

  “Yeah, your right,” said Lance thinking on who it might be.

  Both went back to their duty not bothering to think about the fact any longer, or at least Duncan didn’t, Lance found that it was on his mind and decided to do a bit of off the cuff research into what was going on with Tristarcus, he knew Tayce would be glad he did, should it be needed and he could find anything out.

  Marc and Tayce soon entered the Life Ability Centre to find Donaldo running checks with the assistance of Treketa. They stood out of the way, whilst Tricara was brought back to normal health and consciousness, under Donaldo’s expert guidance. Marc studied Tricara. Secretly deep down, he had always liked Tricara, he had always felt a certain deep respect for her and wished somehow she would have seen him more than Just Darius Trauns aide. Tricara began to come round. Donaldo turned beckoning to Tayce and Marc. Tayce crossed with Marc not far behind. Upon Tricara looking at Tayce, she could immediately tell that she was gifted and her words had come true, what she had foretold all those yearons ago, when Tayce was born.