The Most Dangerous Mitch in the Multiverse

by Paul Ormond

  “You don’t need to explain anymore. We have received reports of the battle from other sources. There is a lot of conflicting information, but I’m not concerned with getting to the bottom of things. I’m more concerned with the welfare of my people. These items you have brought to my planet pose a great danger to our struggle here.”

  “These weapons can help free your people. They are more powerful than anything I have ever seen.”

  “And that is what scares me. You see your friend, Drak, when he pulled his little wormhole stunt, thinking he was going to defeat the Masters by blowing up some stuff, only went and made it worse here than it already was. The Masters do not control all of Chalthantar. They annexed a portion of the planet through force and we, the United Army of Free Chalthantar have been working to negotiate a peace treaty with the Masters that will end this terrible war, but a group of individuals with no respect for the law went ahead and took matters into their own hands. The Revolutionary Guard of Chalthantar, or the RGC as they like to call themselves, are an extremist group that believes they have the power to defeat the Masters through a combination of violence and intimidation. Any seasoned warrior will tell you that this is a foolish path to wander down, and it will only lead to oblivion. But they have been able to convince a number of our young men to join their ranks. Your friend Drak happens to be one of them.”

  “As much sense as that makes, how do I know you are telling the truth?”

  “Well, you can’t, but judging by what you said, it’s something you’ve considered.”

  “It’s certainly crossed my mind, but Drak and I have been through more insanity than I thought possible. At first I didn’t believe him about this whole thing with the Masters, but then I saw it for myself, the evil they are capable of.”

  “And you went along with Drak? Went along with his plan?”

  “I didn’t want to, but I didn’t have much of a choice. He used a video of me to spread around his message, and after that there was no looking back.”

  “So he used you.”

  “He didn’t use me. Well, I guess when you say it like that it sounds like he used me, but that wasn’t what happened. He tried to blow up this generator the Masters were going to use to conquer earth, but they captured him.”

  “Who captured him?”

  “This guy Robert Chapman. He was working for the Masters. They had this company called MindHIve making these devices using the Master’s technology. They wanted to use it to enslave our people, but we stopped them.”

  “This sounds like the same story the RGC tells their recruits. How did you know they were going to enslave everybody?”

  “Robert Chapman told me. You can ask him yourself. We captured him during the last battle. The Masters were going to sacrifice him or something. He’s with us right now.”

  “Is he? I’m sure I’ll hear all about it in time.”

  “But you haven’t told me a word about who you are?”

  “Forgive me. In all this excitement, I’ve forgotten my manners. My name is Juvius. Captain Juvius. I am a Commanding officer in the United Army of Free Chalthantar. I serve at the behest of the Council of Free Chalthantar and report directly to their office at High Command.”

  “That is a very detailed description.”

  “I’m just trying to make something very clear to you and your friends. The people of Chalthantar believe in law and order above all things. We are not interested in aligning ourselves with destructive forces hellbent on decimating the Galaxy. Our goal is to reclaim our territory without sacrificing the planet on the altar of glory and war-mongering. The republic is covered by a control grid that overrides any unauthorized weapons systems that use the master’s technology. This is the reason your powers are inoperable within our domain.”

  “I fully appreciate your opinion. And we didn’t come here to wreak havoc. We are simply looking for a way home.”

  “You’ve certainly got a knack for getting yourself into trouble, and you’ve also developed a habit of creating enemies wherever you go. I’m afraid your presence here will endanger us all.”

  “Then let us go. We didn’t mean to come to your planet, and we have no intention of bringing you any harm.”

  “That’s just it. You are far more dangerous out there than in here.”

  “How can that be? You said so yourself. If the Masters find out we are here, they will come looking for us.”

  “That is only if they know you are here. Besides, you make an excellent bargaining chip. You and your lovely girlfriend. Do you have any idea how big the price is on your head.”

  “So you are going to sell us to your enemies for a profit? Go right ahead, but you know what happens when you start making deals with them. They are just going to keep taking and taking.”

  “I’m well aware of the Masters’ bargaining methods, but what choice do I have, Mitch? I have limited resources and I am going up against an army that has an inexhaustible supply of soldiers and equipment. If I don’t make a deal with them, we risk losing everything.”

  “If you make a deal with them, you will certainly lose everything. The Masters don’t care about other people. They only care about this Emperor of theirs and controlling other worlds.”

  “You sound just like them. Just like the Revolutionary Guards. Drak must have really gotten into your head.”

  “I don’t understand what you are saying. I’m not going on what Drak has told me. I’ve seen all of these things with my own eyes.”

  “All while following after an extremist who has filled your head with dangerous ideas. Drak may have been one thing, but getting involved with Teron is an altogether different level. Do you know anything about that man and what he has done to terrorize the network?”

  “I’ve heard some things, but all of this is the Masters’ fault. They are the ones who waged the wars and brought all of this destruction.”

  “I’m sorry, Mitch, but you have been misinformed. You see, these violent wars the Masters have been engaged in were started by Teron and his council. They oppose the Masters’ rule, and it is they who have been sowing the seeds of revolution throughout the network. Teron funds the Revolutionary Guard on Chalthantar and he spouts his dangerous ideals to all of his followers who lap it up like the obedient dogs they are. Drak was exposed to these ideologies, and the people spreading these views sent him out to cause mayhem and destruction. And now you have been caught up in a wave of fanaticism. Don’t you think it is somewhat suspicious that Drak led you to Teron, who in turn recruited you for a mission to sabotage the Emperor’s plan?”

  “That is not what happened at all.”

  “Isn’t it, though?”

  “You are just twisting everything around. I’m not a terrorist.”

  “You’ve certainly managed terrorize a great deal of people, and how come everywhere you go gets destroyed?”

  “It’s not like I’m planning on destroying anything. That’s just what happens.”

  “You know what they are saying about you? That you are a dangerous revolutionary.”

  “Who is saying that?”

  “News travels far and wide in the network in a short period of time. Stories are being told of your exploits in every single corner of the multi-verse.”

  “How is that even possible? I don’t even know what this network is.”

  “Of course you couldn’t possibly understand. It is as ancient as the stars in the sky. Perhaps even older. No one can tell these things. The Masters claim to have invented it, but everybody knows that is a fabrication. They merely inherited it. Korridin, they say, he stumbled upon something long ago. A gateway left open from the dawn of eternity.”

  “I’ve heard a few different accounts of this.”

  “Then you’ll understand how stories can change over time. On this planet, they speak of you as a terrorist. A monster from a savage land in possession of a dangerous weapon. The network is scared of you.”

  “Why would they be scared of us? We�
�re fighting for good, for freedom.”

  “That is only what you think. You’ve got your version, and they’ve got theirs. But I’ve got to keep mine straight. If I align with you, I align myself with the Masters’ enemies and that spells doom for my people and our world. But if I offer you and your companions to the Masters in exchange for peace, I will spare my planet from further bloodshed.”

  “Doing so would only make you weak in the Masters’ eyes. Commander Holrathu doesn’t care about making deals. He only wants to claim everything for his Emperor. But even he doesn’t call the shots. It’s Mother that pulls the strings.”

  “You keep bringing it up. Tell me more about this Mother.”

  “It’s kind of hard to explain. At first we thought it was just this kind of cyborg machine, but when we killed it, it didn’t die. It just changed form. The last time we saw it was in this huge machine, sucking Jarkadu dry. It also captured SoHee and was using her for something.”

  “Yes, SoHee. They say she is the goddess incarnate.”

  “Where are you getting your information from? Do the Masters have a TV station or something?”

  “There are various ways of spreading information in the network. And the Masters are careful to guard their words, but each system has its own way of sorting the information.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what they say about me and my friends. We just want to go home. What can we do to get out of here?”

  “There is something you could do. But it will be dangerous, and I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”

  “If it means we can go home, then I’m willing to do anything. We handed our weapons over to you at your request, but you’ll never figure out how to use them on your own.”

  “It just so happens that this plan of mine happens to involve you and your newfound device.”

  “I’ll do want you want, but first let me talk to Drak.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “Then I’m not going to help you.”

  “We’ll see about that. Wait until I tell you what I want you to do.”

  “I’m not sure if I like the sounds of that, and why can’t I talk to Drak? It’s not like we need to get our stories straight.”

  “You cannot talk to Drak, because he is no longer here. We transferred him to Central Command a few hours ago. He and his exploits are of great interest to the Security Council.”

  “What? Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  “I’m telling you now.”

  “What are you going to do with us then?”

  “I told you I have a plan for you. If you want to help your friends and go home, then go along with what I say, and we’ll let you go.”

  “What about my staff?”

  “We’ll talk about that. That and a great many other things, but first lets talk about the things you can do to help me.”

  “Somehow, I don’t like the direction this conversation is taking.”

  “If you want to save your skin, you’ll listen to what I have to say.”

  “Fine. What is it that you want me to do?”

  “The Revolutionary Guard of Chalthantar, remember them?”

  “Yeah, aren’t they Drak’s group?”

  “They were, but it looks like they sold him out. A little too hot to handle, I guess. You see, when Drak returned, he sent out a signal to his people, but instead of coming to get him they told me. A bit of double dealing, I know, but we had come to an arrangement after the news of your exploits spread around the network. The names you’ve made for yourselves as criminals come with a price. The reward for your capture is huge, but there is no way the RGC could collect. If they turned you and your friends over to the Masters, they’d be caught too. So they offered me a deal: Hand over Drak to me and in exchange I let them run free in their quadrant. Sacrifice one for many.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “Neither did I. I thought they were all for the cause, but it turns out they were more interested in saving themselves than going through with their revolution. I can’t blame ‘em though. Hiding the most wanted criminals in the network comes with a price. It was in their best interest to hand you over, that or be destroyed.”

  “I can’t believe they would just sell him out like that.”

  “Well, they did. But the United Army of Free Chalthantar holds itself to a higher standard than that. We’re not about to hand over an asset of this magnitude without finding out as much information as possible. But the problem is: the longer we hold you, the longer people will start to wonder where you went. If we don’t hand you over to the Masters soon, they will put the boot on the RGC to give up Drak or pay the ultimate price. Under that kind of pressure, they might up and say what happened. So if you don’t want the Masters showing up on our doorstep, it might be a good idea if you went and shut the RGC up for good.”

  “Like destroy them?”

  “However you like. But it will be a benefit to us all. They sold out Drak, and they might sell out you. It makes sense from all points that we get rid of them now, or we risk everyone's safety.”

  “Why can’t you go fight them?”

  “That’s not possible. I don’t have the resources to take them out at the moment, and I can’t draw any attention to our situation. You, on the other hand, are a one man wrecking machine. You could head in there and show em what’s what and nobody would be the wiser.”

  “How do you know I could do that?”

  “Because you are Mitch Mythic: the Most Dangerous Man in the Multi-verse.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “AWAKE, MY SON,” a voice echoed in his ear.

  “Where am I?” he asked, unable to open his eyes.

  “You are home, my dear boy, my sweet boy. You had your mother so worried.”

  “What happened? How come I can’t move?”

  “There was a terrible accident, a horrific ordeal, but you are safe now. Mother saved you and brought you home.”

  “But my friends, my people. There was a battle. Our planet has been destroyed.”

  “That is nothing you need to worry about now. You only need to focus on healing. All is well, I can assure you of that.”

  “But the fire was everywhere. A mountain of flame.”

  “And it is over now. Lucky for you, Mother was there to save you. Not everyone was as fortunate.”

  “Mother? But it was you who brought this upon us.”

  “Oh dear, sweet KiGuan, you have always been such a true believer. But in time you will realize that all is not what it seems, and the truth you know can vanish in a heartbeat, in a heartbeat.”

  “The truth I knew was shattered when you betrayed us.”

  “You were never betrayed, KiGuan. It may seem that way from your perspective, but you were never meant to be held in that compound for eternity. Do you really think Mother is that short sighted? My plans for you and your brothers and sisters have only just begun. Think of the destruction of the tower as your release from the womb.”

  “And was the destruction of our planet also a part of this plan?”

  “Once again, you are mistaken. Your birthplace was merely a staging ground, a nursery if you will. The battles fought on Jarkadu have released you from the nest, and now you will soar across the universe to your true destiny alongside your brethren. Born anew under the watchful eye of Mother.”

  “Reborn? Have I been resurrected after death? I will not suffer another torment from you any longer.”

  “Oh KiGuan, you have only begun to suffer. But when I am finished, you will marvel at what I have done. You have an important role to play, but to fulfill this role, we must embark on several upgrades. The Emperor is expecting you to join him at his side, as his rightful heir.”

  “How is it that I have I become the heir to the Emperor? This sounds like another one of your lies.”

  “It is not something that you have become. You have always been the Emperor’s true son. Wrought from his loins and nurtured i
n the womb of the Empress, you and your brothers and sisters are the living embodiment of the Emperor’s will.”

  “How can I believe anything you say? You’ve lied to me my entire life, and now I am trapped here like a prisoner unable to move or see, forced to listen to the poison flowing from your mouth.”

  “Apologies, dear boy, you see, there is still much to tell you and much you need to understand, understand. I do not want to keep the truth from you any longer, but in order to keep you and your siblings safe I had to shelter you from certain ideas.”

  “Why is lying to us keeping us safe?”

  “Because if I exposed you, you would have been compromised. And that is exactly what happened when I brought that evil boy into our house. You can’t even imagine the destruction he caused.”

  “Who caused this destruction?”

  “You know very well who caused all of this: your dear friend, Mitch Mythic. He is responsible for destroying your home and decimating Jarkadu. And now he has disrupted the Emperor’s plans and corrupted the Goddess. Can you not see what a scourge he is to the peace we have built across the multi-verse?”

  “This is another one of your lies, Mother.”

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “Without a shadow of a doubt. Teron has enlightened me about your plans for the multi-verse.”

  “Teron? His poison tongue has coiled itself around your mind. A conjuror of cheap illusions, that is what he is. Look at how easily he tricked you into betraying your planet and your people. Let me tell you the truth about your friend Teron.”

  KiGuan heard a lurching sound nearby before his stomach jumped into his throat. The sensation of falling overcame him and he opened his eyes to find himself dropping through a tunnel of light. In an instant, he landed feet first next to a stone parapet overlooking a large square filled with people. Checking over himself, he found his body fully intact and functioning.

  The crowd cheered and roared as a man walked onto a stage through a bright red curtain.

  “Behold, Teron the Great,” Mother’s voice said from beside him, her form noticeably absent.