by Sheri Vie
He tightened his eyebrows and stared into her large green eyes. “You lit the candles!”
She shrugged and smiled. “I helped you, but no one noticed. That is a sister’s role. We are one, you and I.”
“Yes, Reena we are one.” He hugged her again. A soft shudder rippled through his body, and he held back tears.
“Oh, I love you too, little Jee.” She kissed his head and held him at arm’s length, her eyes glistened. “Now, about Tuttles,” she said, raising one eyebrow.
Her Third Eye fluttered.
His gaze darted from left to right, unable to avoid the emerald glare. “Oh dear, you know.” He curled his lip.
“Yes, I know,” she said, staring straight at him.
He let out a short snort, turned around, and signaled to the bush. There was not much he could hide from Reena’s well-trained Third Eye. She could see almost everything!
“Come out, Tuttles. She knows!” he said.
Out from the bushes Tuttles emerged, flying over the greenery and landing with a thump at Reena’s feet.
“Glad to meet you, Tuttles. You take care of my little brother, understood?”
She patted the green humped shell of the four-legged reptilian as he smiled, blinked his massive eyes, and dipped his thick neck into the shell house.
“Jali, you are in charge while I am away. Take care of Grandma, the Royal Garden, and our life forms. I know you will be at the summit, watching Zooble beam off. I wish you would not be so scared each time I leave.”
The Magnificent ZW7 landed behind the hedge and tears threatened again.
“Time to go, little Jee. Remember everything we discussed?”
He nodded.
“I shall communicate with you through the Zookian Glass,” she said, poising her strong, limber body for action.
Retrieving the Spear of V, she raised it, and flew over the hedge.
The princess and the Magnificent ZW7 took off toward the Zooble Dome.
***
Letting out a deep sigh Jali turned to his friend, Tuttles. “Our secret is still safe.”
The cool creature smiled. “You are correct, your Highness. What is next on the agenda?”
Jali hoisted himself onto the hard shell. His Third Eye fluttered, and they merged into nothingness.
Bending low he whispered, “Let us investigate.”
The invisible pair flew over the garden, approached the Royal Cave, and floated through the open window, away from the Field of Detection.
Protector 1 stood near Queen Vraka, sharing thought waves. Jali tugged at his ear; he wished he would graduate out of Level-4 and access the Zookian superpowers of mind-reading.
His ears perked, the pair returned to Zookish and his super-hearing tuned in.
“We must meditate for the Princess’s success on this mission,” Protector 1 advised Queen Vraka. “If she fails, many civilizations and much more will perish.”
They faded into telepathy.
Jali flinched, before his ears perked again, and to his delight they continued in Zookish.
“It is a pity that Prince Jali has not graduated to Level-5. He could be a strong asset by observing the Princess on Zooble.”
Jali’s heart lurched, and he scrunched his lips.
Queen Vraka chuckled. “He certainly takes after his father. I recall his struggle with Level-4, too.” Her voice softened. “His legacy is a source of pride for this planet.”
Protector 1 agreed. “Come, my Queen, I have prepared the Zookian Glass.” He bowed and followed her. “Now, tell me, does Princess Reena have the secret mission guides for when she…?”
They switched back to telepathy and exited the Royal Counsel Chamber.
Cut off from the conversation, Jali snorted and tugged at his ears. He wiped the bothersome tears off his face and slid off the green hump.
“Did you hear that, Tuttles? If I learned faster and graduated in time off Level-4, I could be stronger; I would be keeping everyone safe. I would be on Zooble observing the mission. But I am not!” With his hands behind his back, he paced. “Reena is leaving me once again.” He flicked a burgeoning teardrop off his nose. “I wish I could turn back the clock so Mama and Papa would never have left on that dreadful mission.” Feeling abandoned he sank to his knees and sobbed.
Tuttles licked his wet face. “Crying serves no purpose, your Highness.”
Jali pondered on his friend’s words and his mind galloped as he widened his eyes and grinned at Tuttles. “I may have a purposeful plan.”
***
CHAPTER FOUR
INTERGALACTIC SPACE EXPLORER
IN THE ROYAL OBSERVATION CHAMBER, Queen Vraka floated with her Lotus Wand. On the Zooble Dome below, the Magnificent ZW7 followed Reena into the docked Zooble intergalactic space explorer.
Inside, one hundred Zookian warriors prepared the craft for their expedition and Reena stood astride in the Control Chamber, the Commander ZW1 at her side. Outside, all of Zooka cheered.
The Magnificent ZW7 set Zooble for intergalactic travel, and they lifted off. Reena watched Zooka disappear into a void as they zoomed past millions of stars to the edge of Galaxy Thare.
She wished that Jali would not hide each time she left on a mission. The image of him tugging at her feet before she boarded Zooble on her first journey flashed before her, and her stomach knotted. He had run away from the Royal Observation Chamber and hid in their favorite viewpoint at the summit to secretly watch the takeoff. Today he would be watching her from his hideout as well.
She sighed, turning her attention to the activity around her. In the Control Chamber, the Magnificent ZW7 steered Zooble through the vastness of the Cosmos. She felt humbled with honor to intern as their supervisor. The legendary reputation of Commander ZW1, Chief of the Peace-Keeping Force, was revered throughout the Cosmos. She observed her mentor with admiration as he supervised their Zarp-speed through the galaxies.
“Princess Reena, we are nearing the periphery of Galaxy Al86,” Commander ZW1 said.
Above them, the Z-Clock registered 13:00:00
Commander ZW1 followed Reena, who prepared to receive instructions for the crossing. Her Third Eye opened to access the deep blue Zookian Glass, with Protector 1 and Queen Vraka in the Royal Counsel Chamber.
Queen Vraka hoisted her Lotus Wand. “Esteemed Commander ZW1, when Zooble crosses over and traverses into Cosmo 13 there is no turning back until the mission is accomplished. You have ninety Z-days to find planet Earth, locate the SOS, discover the deviancy, and restore precisely what has altered.”
“Understood, Queen Vraka.”
“Zookian wishes to you, Zooble, planet Earth, and my dear Princess. You now have access to the Portal to enter Cosmo 13,” Queen Vraka said, and the transmission ended.
Reena’s heart palpitated. She realized not only the crucial time deadline, but also that none of them had journeyed into Cosmo 13 before.
Commander ZW1 clicked his heels. “Princess Reena, I have prepared the crew. We are standing by to cross over.”
She composed herself and followed him to the Transporter.
The Magnificent ZW7 waited as she inhaled deeply and, with caution, entered the coordinates into the Zookian Locator and turned to Commander ZW1; he spurred her on. Her Third Eye opened; she took a deep breath and, as she released it, triggered the sequence.
Darkness blanketed the Control Chamber, and a vacuum of silence spread around her, evaporating her body.
Nothingness.
Endless.
Nothingness.
“Reena, I am scared!”
“Do not worry, Jali, I am safe.”
“Please do not leave me, Reena. Come back, Reena. Come back.”
“I am not leaving you, Jee. I will never leave you behind.”
***
CHAPTER FIVE
CROSSING OVER
A FAMILIAR HUM RESOUNDED around Reena, and a cool breeze brushed against her cheek. She drew in a short breath.
The Z-Cl
ock flashed 14:00:00.
The Magnificent ZW7 recommenced their activities with Commander ZW1 at the helm.
Close to her, a hot form stirred and she gasped.
“Jali!” She instinctively embraced him before her stomach tightened. She frowned; her Third Eye fluttered.
“Jali, you should not be here. Jee, what have you done?”
He looked at her wide-eyed, speechless; his body felt too warm. Tightening her grip on him, she focused her Third Eye, permeating cool energy through his body to stabilize his thermo regulator, and with infinite love she rocked him. “Oh, Jali.”
Commander ZW1 interrupted her. “Princess Reena, Queen Vraka and Protector 1 are ready at the Zookian Glass.” He startled at Jali’s presence and helped to steady the prince before they proceeded to report on their progress.
“Your Highness, we have successfully entered Cosmo 13. Vitals on Zooble register one hundred percent. Princess Reena, Prince Jali, and Tuttles are well,” Commander ZW1 reported to Queen Vraka.
“Pardon?” Protector 1 and Queen Vraka said in unison.
“Yes, Grandma, Jali and Tuttles are on board,” Reena said.
From behind her, Jali edged closer, in full view of the Zookian Glass.
“Little one, why did you sneak on Zooble?”
***
Jali squirmed, taking in quick short breaths. “I am old enough, Grandma. Reena left on her first mission when she turned fourteen!”
He nodded vigorously and pursed his lips, ignoring the stunned Magnificent ZW7 warriors. Reena and Commander ZW1 stared at him, their Third Eyes fluttering fast.
Grandma and Protector 1 shared telepathic thoughts and shook their heads.
“What’s wrong?”
Jali turned to Reena.
“I did not want to tell you in this way, Jee.” She placed her hands on his shoulders. “Jee, before Mama and Papa left on their final mission, they instructed Zooka to protect you until you turn thirty. You are vulnerable until then.”
He turned to the Zookian Glass. “Grandma, I don’t understand. Why am I different? What’s wrong with me? I am strong. I can do everything Reena did when she went on her first mission. It’s not fair. I want to grow up too!” He sniffed and sped out of the Control Chamber with Tuttles at his side.
***
CHAPTER SIX
ROYAL CONFIDENCE BOOST
ON THEIR WAY OUT of the Control Chamber, Tuttles and Jali startled a Zookian warrior. “What are you doing here, Prince Jali? You should not be here.”
Nobody wants me around!
Jali brushed past him and ran through the narrow passageway, recalling Reena’s description of the Royal Zooble Chamber around the corner. Barging in, he sank into the leafy bed, with Tuttles hovering beside him.
“Tuttles, why do they treat me like a little child?”
“Adulthood is at age thirty, Prince Jali”
“Tuttles, you know what I mean. I am fourteen and I qualify for my first mission. Besides, I have been mastering my secret superpowers.”
The door opened to reveal Reena, her protective Force-1 Shield shimmering as she joined him. “I know you want to protect Grandma and all of Zooka and me. But you must be patient, Jee.”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“There is nothing wrong with you. Today you overcame your fear of exploring Zooble.”
He smiled, feeling light and empowered.
“But your courage has placed the rescue mission at risk. We cannot return to Zooka until we rescue planet Earth.” She frowned with apparent concern. “You are protected from harm if you remain on Zooka or within Zookian protection.”
He ignored her troubled words, and his eyes danced with excitement. “You think I was brave, Reena?” He winked at Tuttles.
Reena eyed him with suspicion.
Raising himself on tiptoes, in an effort to level himself with her eyes, he unveiled his proposal. “I have an idea. I can stay safe on board Zooble and complete my internship with Guardian 1 through the Zookian Glass while you are on planet Earth.”
Her Third Eye scanned him for signs of mischief, but he had none. “Agreed. You observe me from Zooble and gain mastery of your Level-4 skills.”
He grinned. “Agreed.”
“Now tell me, how did you hide from my scanner?”
“Oh, no!”
“Yes, out with it now!”
“Okay, there was an anomaly when I applied Level-4 powers to help me fly, making Tuttles and me invisible!”
“For what length of time are you two undetectable?”
He shrugged. “I cannot predict, it varies.”
To his relief, Commander ZW1’s voiced echoed and disturbed her line of questioning. “Princess Reena, you are wanted in the Control Chamber.”
She turned to Jali. “Very well. We shall revisit this later.” Opening her Third Eye, she transmitted an announcement through the space explorer. “Zookian warriors, Prince Jali will remain on Zooble, complete his Level-4 practice, and observe our mission through the Zookian Glass. You are to keep him safe and regulate his thermo fluctuations as needed.”
Jali chortled and winked at Tuttles.
“Princess Reena, you are wanted in the Control Chamber,” Commander ZW1 repeated.
Fortified with his new agenda, Jali’s confidence rose. I can complete Level-4 and observe Reena! He bounced in step with her as they walked through Zooble.
A couple of Zookian warriors passed by. “Greetings, Prince Jali.” He felt thrilled and smiled from ear to ear with delight. His adventures had finally begun.
CHAPTER SEVEN
BEAMING TO APOCALYPTIC PLANET EARTH
“PRINCESS, we are passing through Andromeda Galaxy,” Commander ZW1 reported to Reena as they entered the Control Chamber.
The fascinating view of the galaxies, suns and planets enthralled Jali.
“Within Milky Way,” Commander ZW1 announced.
“Approaching Solar System.”
“That is planet Earth,” he said, pointing straight ahead.
“Engage P1 invisible shield,” Reena instructed the team as Zooble circled the little land-filled planet. “Locate the source of the SOS and derive intelligence about the life forms and activities of the planet.”
A Magnificent ZW7 warrior delivered the data, “Humans dominate, but ninety percent of their kind function at Level-1. The SOS emanated from the large landmass named Africa.”
Commander ZW7 confirmed the location. “We are zooming in to southern Africa, to the tip called South Africa, in a region of KwaZulu-Natal, to a place of habitation called Chatsworth. The SOS left Chatsworth twenty-four Earth hours past.”
Around them the Control Chamber whirred with activity, and Reena turned to Jali. “Jee, remember your agenda. You need to remain secure.”
Agreeing, he followed her.
“Princess Reena, we transport in sixty Z-seconds,” Commander ZW1 announced.
“Acknowledged,” she said, and joined him in the Transporter Chamber.
Tuttles hovered near Jali and they watched Reena, Commander ZW1, and the Magnificent ZW7 position themselves in the Transporter, before the launch team began the countdown sequence.
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...0.
Jali’s pulse quickened, his ears perked, and his Third Eye fluttered.
Something is wrong!
A loud burst clamped his ears shut. He fell to his knees and shielded his eyes from the bright red lights and thick smoke as the Transporter burst into flames. His heart raced.
Reena screamed. “We are burning up, stop the sequence!”
“The interference is too resilient, we are unable to terminate!” the launch team shouted.
Jali cried and ran to the Transporter. “Reena!”
She was fading fast; dropping into a terrifying dark pit.
He stretched his hand to her. “Reena, hold on to my hand!”
Her fingers drifted farther from him, her large green eyes pleaded, and her attempt fai
led as she, Commander ZW1, and the Magnificent ZW7 began to vaporize.
Jali leaned onto the Transporter and screamed. “Reenaaaaaa!”
***
CHAPTER EIGHT
MYSTERY ADVENTURE
“BIRTHDAY CAKE!”
Youngsters laughed, giggled, and shrieked with delight amid a scent of fresh roses. The familiar sounds and smells embraced Jali as he opened his eyes, comforted by purple swallows flying high above in the clear blue atmosphere.
I must have dozed off.
Brushing smidgens of grass off his legs, he arose away from the bush, and stretched his arms above his ears. A twang of pain shot through his head. He cringed, squeezed his eyes, and let out a mournful groan.
Brela… I wonder where she is?
Tall trees lined a stony narrow path and wound down to the source of the laughter. His ears perked.
They could not have started without me!
Pushing his way through thick shrubs, he followed the winding trail of mirth, on the lookout for Brela’s bushy tail.
In the clearing ahead of him, a dark-skinned boy about his height, clothing draped loosely around him and with a ring of leaves on his head, peered at the edge of a window set in an odd-shaped brown cave. Balanced on a rock, the boy held a smooth stick in one hand and a stack of identically sized white leaves in the other.
“Careful, you’re ruining my Halloween cape.” A girl’s voice flowed out of the cave.
“Okay, settle down. Now that you have your slices of cake, back to the lesson,” an older female voice from inside the cave said.
A twig snapped under Jali’s feet as he approached the boy, who looked startled and shook his head with annoyance. Jali froze and watched with curiosity as the boy pushed a double glass object on his nose.
“Shhh,” he whispered and flapped his hand downward. “Get down.” He returned to spying on the cave. “Do you want us to get caught?”
Jali dropped to his knees, crawled to reach the boy, and studied him. What an odd life form.
From inside the cave, the older female voice asked, “What is the 143 element?”
“Bulnitramet,” the boy whispered.