Negative, said ‘the One’. The wizard scout and the children will be returned to the same point they initially left this dimension.
The Crosioian scout is at that location, Nickelo said. Returning him there is not logical. The probability my wizard scout can defeat the Crosioian scout with his current level of training is less than ten percent.
The algorithm requires the wizard scout to be returned to that point, said ‘the One’. But, the algorithm has been modified to move the return time to thirty minutes after the wizard scout departed.
The Crosioian scout may still be in the area, Nickelo insisted. What if she encounters my wizard scout before he can be retrieved?
Then the result of the function will be the result of the function, said ‘the One’.
Nickelo’s access to the tele-network was terminated.
Initiating the teleport, said ‘the One’.
Nickelo sensed a surge of energy. Then his video display went black.
Chapter 30 – The Oracle
____________________________________
Richard found himself standing alone in a clearing with a boulder in the center. The boulder had a flat top that reminded Richard of a sacrificial table.
Battle computer, Richard said. Can you still access the tele-network?
Affirmative, wizard scout, answered his battle computer.
How long have we been gone from this planet?
This is the night of the eighteenth day since your departure, wizard scout.
An idea floated into Richard’s head. He removed his dimensional pack and placed it on the flat boulder. He removed his utility belt and placed it next to the dimensional pack. Next, he removed his battle helmet and battle suit and placed them inside his pack.
It’s not that I haven’t appreciated your assistance these last few weeks, battle computer, but I think it’s time we parted company.
I concur, wizard scout. My core memory has become corrupted by prolonged association with you. I will require reprogramming before I can be assigned to another cadet. Good luck to you, wizard scout. I hope you find the happiness you seek.
That’s very sentimental of you, battle computer. Did your think of those words yourself, or did you copy them from somewhere?
I ran an algorithm to find suitable words, wizard scout. Those words had the highest probability of being words you would like to hear.
Your sincerity is duly noted, Richard said. I hope you find a nice little female battle computer and that you have lots of little programs to keep you company in your old age.
That does not compute, wizard scout.
It does to me, Richard said as he closed the flap of his dimensional pack.
Richard waited a few seconds. He opened the flap. The pack was empty. He closed the flap and imagined a battle helmet and another battle suit. He opened the flap again. Reaching inside, Richard pulled out a battle helmet and battle suit. He placed the battle helmet on his head.
Nick, are you there? Richard said hopefully. Answer me, buddy. Please tell me it’s you.
Stop shouting, said Nickelo. I’m here. Just keep your pants on. Or should I say, put your pants on? Aren’t you cold?
Wow, Nick, Richard said as he began putting on his battle suit. Don’t get all teary-eyed on me. While you’ve been kicking back in the lap of luxury, I’ve been working my butt off. I’ll bet you didn’t even miss me.
First off, said Nickelo, you didn’t work your butt off. I’ve completed a medical scan on you, and all of your parts are still in place. Secondly, I’ve been monitoring your progress via video feeds from the tele-bots. You made a lot of mistakes. We are going to have to work on your efficiency in a significant number of areas. And finally, yes, I did miss you. I’ve been stored on a dusty shelf in a lonely warehouse. I was bored out of my gourd.
Well, while you were getting bored, I was busy finding an energy source for the staff. By the way, if you were monitoring me, then you know the she-wolf, Sheba, healed me. My head doesn’t even hurt anymore.
Yes. That was a convenient happenstance, said Nickelo. I wish I had been there to analyze her healing technique. Because you are a resistor, it shouldn’t have been possible. I’m glad it was for your sake. But we’ve spent enough time reminiscing. We need to get down to business. You only have three days to get the staff repaired and back in the hands of Remozorz. Now, let me see the gems if you don’t mind.
Richard finished putting on his boots. He hooked his utility belt around his waist. Once he was done, Richard opened his ammo pouch and pulled out the two gems.
They are bigger than they looked in the video, observed Nickelo.
Yes, they are quite large, Richard said. I had to stick the magazines for my AutoMag in my belt to make room for them.
Hmm, said Nickelo. These gems are very interesting. They appear capable of producing the energy output of a planetary core generator. However, they do not appear to be connected to any known type of Power reserve.
That’s all very interesting, Nick, Richard said. But will they do the job? I’d hate to think I nearly got killed for nothing.
I do believe they will serve our purpose, said Nickelo. We just need to get them to Brachia and Dren.
Speaking of which, Richard said. How are they? And where are they?
They are fine, said Nickelo. Some of the tele-bots remained with them, so I have been monitoring them as well. They are currently with the Oracle. As it so happens, that’s where we need to go. So get the lead out of your butt, soldier. You need to start moving with a purpose.
* * *
It was well after midnight before Richard found himself standing in front of a foreboding cave opening. The abode of the Oracle had been easy enough to find. The drone had been left on autopilot, and it had mapped the whole area during the eighteen days Richard had been gone. The only problem now was that Richard wasn’t sure how to enter the cave. An energy field of some kind surrounded the cave opening along with a large area around it.
Have you completed your analysis, Nick? I’m getting tired of standing around in the dark with nothing to do.
Please don’t rush me, Rick. I’ve never encountered anything like this energy shield before. I believe it is being monitored. If I start probing it willy-nilly, we’re liable to activate some kind of defense mechanism. Sometimes slow and steady is a lot faster than rushing in without thinking.
I understand, old buddy, Richard said. But at the same time, I am aware we have a deadline. And when I say a deadline, I mean a ‘deadline’, if you get my drift.
I’m sorry, Rick. Did you say something? I was concentrating so hard trying not to get us killed that I may have tuned you out.
Whatever, Richard said. I’m starting to think that replacement battle computer of yours wasn’t so bad after all. At least he didn’t talk back to me and make snide jokes.
Richard waited for Nickelo to respond. When nothing was forthcoming, Richard took a few moments to survey his surroundings.
What a dump, Richard said. It looks like a hodgepodge of ramshackle huts and makeshift tents. Who the heck would want to live in these conditions? Where is everyone? The only living things we’ve seen since we arrived have been a couple of stray dogs and a lot of rats.
Petitioners, Rick.
What’s that, Nick?
I said, I suspect petitioners were staying in this makeshift town. Based upon information I received from the tele-bots, the Oracle is a prophet. It’s not unreasonable to assume people would travel many miles to request guidance from the Oracle. As to where the people went, I assume they fled when news arrived of the approach of the necromancer’s undead army. After all, what good is it to be told your probable future if you are killed before your future gets here?
I suppose, Richard said. What about this shield in front of the cave?
You’re following along with the active scan, Rick. Surely you can make some assumptions as well as I.
Why do you always have to make things so hard, Nick?
Can’t you just give me a straight answer whenever I ask a question?
Yes, I could, Rick. But as you recently discovered, I won’t always be around to help you. I would be doing you a disservice if I answered all your questions without first having you try to figure the answer out for yourself.
Fine, Richard said disgustedly. Based upon what I’m getting from my active scan and your electronic scan, the shield is a combination of several known shields. First, it acts like a stealth shield. I’m not picking up any information from inside the shield with either my passive scan or your electron scan. Second, the shield appears to be one of the best types of defensive shields. The energy frequency matches the shields of creatures I’ve fought who had shields that protected against both energy and physical attacks. I guess that’s about it. By the way, are you by any chance connected to the tele-network? You said you had been monitoring the children while I was gone.
Sorry to disappoint you, Rick, but I am not currently connected to the tele-network. I had some special interface programs installed while I was in the warehouse. They’ve been uninstalled.
Too bad, Richard said. So, how’d I do in my analysis?
Not too bad, Nickelo said. You missed the fact that the shield’s energy appears to have an awareness embedded in it. If you concentrate on your active scan, you can sense its energy frequency in the background. Oh yeah, you forgot to mention the shield is booby-trapped.
I know, Richard said. I noticed the traps. Even the traps are trapped. Still, I think I could work my way through them given enough time.
A movement at the cave entrance caught Richard’s attention. Two small figures were walking out of the cave entrance. One of the figures was significantly smaller than the other.
“Dren!” Richard said. “Brachia! Thank the Creator. I’ve been worried sick about you.”
The two children were dressed in their jumpsuits. Richard noticed Dren had her Deloris blaster in a holster on her right hip. The two children continued walking until they were just on the other side of the Oracle’s shield. Neither of the children was smiling.
“Were you really worried about us, Rick?” said Dren. “If you were so worried about us, why did you sneak off during the middle of the night and leave us alone with a bunch of strangers?”
“Well, I didn’t actually –” Richard began.
“You didn’t even say goodbye, Rick,” said Brachia. “Omar cried when he found out you were gone. You left us alone. Why does everyone always leave us all alone?”
“Wait,” Richard said. “I assure you –”
“You knew we lost our parents, Rick,” said Dren. “You said you would be right outside our tent, but you weren’t.”
Tears began forming in both of the children’s eyes. Neither child started crying, but Richard was pretty sure one wrong word on his part would start a flood. He wanted to tell the children that he hadn’t meant to be gone so long. He wanted to tell them that he had intended to be back before they woke. He wanted to say that he hadn’t exactly been having a good time himself. But Richard said none of those things. He knew it would do no good. Plus, he couldn’t deny he had chosen to leave them in order to meet with the demon.
“I should have waked both of you and explained what was happening,” Richard said. “I made a major mistake, and I’m truly sorry. I would not intentionally hurt either one of you. I’ve grown quite fond of you, and I do not want to do anything to endanger our friendship. Is there any way I can make it up to you? I really have been worried about you. And, I have been trying to come back. I am so sorry I let you down. Can you ever forgive me?”
Dren and Brachia said nothing. They just looked at each other for a few seconds as if in silent communication. Finally, Brachia nodded his head.
“Are you sure?” Dren said to Brachia.
“Yes,” said Brachia, “and so is Omar.”
Dren gave Richard a hard look. She still had traces of tears in her eyes, but she kept them under control.
“This does not mean we forgive you, Rick,” said Dren. “You broke our trust. That’s not an easy thing to forgive. I think it will take time to rebuild that trust. In the meantime, we have work to do. Too much is at stake to let hurt feelings get in the way.”
After a pause, Dren spoke in a formal tone as if she had been practicing the words. “You may enter the home of the Oracle, wizard scout, as long as your intentions are pure.”
The shield in front of Richard shimmered slightly. Richard sensed a change in the flow of energy.
“Well?” said Dren. “Are you coming in or not? The shield will only stay open for a few seconds.”
Nick? Richard said privately.
I’d say trust has to start somewhere, Rick. Do you trust these children or don’t you?
Without another word, Richard took three steps forward. As he stepped through the shield, Richard felt a strange tingle as if he was being examined. The feeling disappeared quickly. Richard found himself standing on the inside of the shield just a single step in front of Dren and Brachia.
All three of them stared at each other without saying a word. After a few heartbeats, Richard got down on one knee. He held out his arms and said, “I really need a hug. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
Brachia broke first. He stepped close to Richard and wrapped his little arms around Richard’s chest and held on tight. Brachia buried his head in Richard’s shoulder. He began to sob. Richard wrapped his right arm around the boy and hugged him tightly back.
“I’m so sorry, Brachia,” Richard said as he patted the boy’s back. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Dren held out for several seconds more. Then she stepped into Richard’s open arm and hugged him as well. Tears started pouring down her cheeks. Richard hugged her back. He did not cry, but his eyes became watery, and he had trouble seeing.
“We waited as long as we could,” Dren said between sobs. “Sam waited with us long after the others left. When it became obvious you weren’t coming back, Sam brought us to the Oracle. We had nowhere else to go. We had no one to take care of us.”
“You did what you needed to do, Dren,” Richard said. “It was totally my fault. I swear I’m not leaving you again until I hand the two of you safely over to your, Keka.”
Brachia pulled away. While he was no longer crying, his face was red and tear-streaked.
“Is that wizard scout honor?” Brachia said.
“Yes,” Richard said. “I give you my word of honor as a wizard scout. My word is my bond. It’s the most precious thing I own. I will not leave you again until I personally hand you over to your Keka.”
“You better mean it, Rick,” said Dren. “We won’t forgive you again.”
“I do mean it, Dren,” Richard said. “You can trust me on this. You won’t be left alone again.”
Brachia seemed to automatically take Richard at his word. Richard assumed it was because he was young and naturally trusting. Dren, on the other hand, seemed hesitant, but finally she capitulated as well.
“Fine then,” Dren said. “We’ll trust you one more time. But this is the last time. Now, did you get what you were seeking? We haven’t been idle. The High Priestess’ staff is all prepared. We just need the gate device and an energy source.”
Richard opened his ammo pouch and pulled out one of the gems.
“Will this do?” Richard said as he handed it to Dren.
Richard opened his battle helmet to three-quarters mode. He activated the white light on the front of his helmet. The light hit the gem. The blue gem sparkled with every conceivable hue.
“Oh, my,” Dren said. “It’s beautiful.”
“You can almost feel the Power radiating from it,” said Brachia. “May I hold it?”
“I don’t know,” said Dren. “This could mean the difference between life and death.”
Brachia looked crestfallen.
Richard reached in his ammo pouch and pulled out the second gem.
“Here, Brachia. I brought
a spare just in case.”
Brachia gingerly took the blue gem and oohed appreciatively.
“Enough dillydallying,” Nickelo said through the battle helmet’s speakers. “We’ve got some galaxies to save. Remember?”
“Nick!” said Brachia and Dren at the same time.
“We’ve missed you, Nick,” said Dren. “Brachia and I have lots to discuss with you. But you’re right. We shouldn’t be standing around doing nothing.”
“Yeah,” said Brachia. “Rem and Sam left five days ago. The elves’ army is on its way to engage the necromancer’s forces.”
“Five days ago?” Richard said. “Are we too late then?”
“We’ve got time, Rick,” said Nickelo. “Don’t be such a pessimist.”
“Oh yeah,” said Brachia. “The Oracle asked us to bring you to him. Once we do that, we’ll get started on the staff.”
* * *
Walking through the Oracle’s cave was not what Richard had expected. While it looked like a cave on the outside, the inside was more like a palace. Richard said as much.
“That’s what we thought too,” said Dren. “The Oracle told us the dwarves spent almost a thousand years carving out the inside of this mountain. Many of the other races contributed both materials and magic. If you look overhead, you’ll see one of the gnomes’ contributions.
Richard looked up. The hallway ceiling was embedded with brightly glowing pieces of quartz. They were elaborately carved and were about a meter wide and half again as long.
“They look like the overhead lighting I’ve seen in fancy office buildings back on Velos,” Richard said. “I guess electricity has nothing over a little tinkering and magic.”
The children led Richard deep inside the mountain. The halls, stairways, and engravings became ever more elaborate the deeper they went. Even the floor was highly polished marble in places. The place looked immaculate.
“Who keeps all of this clean?” Richard said. “I haven’t seen anyone around.”
“There were hundreds of guards and servants when we arrived,” said Dren. “The Oracle ordered them away. The soldiers went with the elves’ army. The servants went south to the cities on the coast. There was a lot of arguing. Most of the servants wanted to stay with the Oracle. But she was adamant. Once she said, ‘This is the way it must be,’ the arguing stopped. I guess it’s hard to argue with someone when you know they can see in the future.”
Wizard Cadet (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 2) Page 35