Secret of the Crystal - Omnibus Edition Books 1-3 (Time Travel Adventure)

by Larson, Brian K.

  Jhahnahkan exited the vortex that opened on the bridge of the Remedy and ran over to his captain who was sneering back with yellow colored eyes. He continued to hold his crystal sphere in one hand and stretched out his open hand in the direction of Rivynon.

  A white colored energy field swirled around his forearm and then a beam exited his hand enveloping both of them. He stepped closer and came in contact with the energy shield produced by the corrupted crystal. Calmly but forcibly, Jhahnahkan reached through Rivynon’s shield and pulled the crystal fragment away from his hand bringing Rivynon’s force shield down.

  The bridge doors opened again as Jhahnahkan lowered his shield and stepped back to allow the chief of security to remove Rivynon from the station as a squad entered the bridge lead by R’ihia fully armed with plasma rifles.

  Rivynon turned white as a sheet seeing R’ihia standing on his bridge, weapon pointed right at his head.

  “I should kill you right where you stand!” R’ihia spouted.

  Just as she finished her words the Remedy’s port engine connected with the surface of the moon and dug in causing a major jolt to everyone on the ship. The Remedy rocked forward and plowed nose first as it pitched down from the force of the engines. R’ihia and the others were knocked off their feet by the crashing ship’s sudden impact with the surface.

  The helmsman held on the best he could and brought the falling ship level to lessen the damage as they crashed into the surface. The core had shut down with the sudden impact as a built in safety kicked in causing the ship to fall slowly on its belly of Minos with its engines dimmed as its power source ceased.

  The weapon inhibitor ship finally arrived and flew apart into its separate canisters just as the base was able to fire another round. The inhibitor caused all firing to again cease and peace prevailed as it swallowed up the aggression making all quiet.

  The Remedy rocked to a halt on the moon’s surface. Jhahnahkan regained his footing and demanded to know what was going on with R’ihia.

  Torbik came to his leader’s side and reported, “Sir, Rivynon has been corrupted.”

  “And who might you be?” Jhahnahkan asked.

  “Torbik, first officer of the Remedy.” He answered.

  R’ihia grew impatient and squeezed the trigger on her weapons with the intention of killing her captor but the weapon did not fire.

  “Ahhh!” she screamed as she threw her now useless weapon on the ground and charged at Rivynon.

  Jhahnahkan prevented the two from reaching each other by raising his shield between them stopping R’ihia in her tracks. He cautiously approached R’ihia and reached out and touched her left temple with his first two fingers and began concentrating. She tried to resist and pulled back remembering the torment that Rivynon has caused her with the mind probe. She slowly relaxed as he reached into her mind, putting her at ease. The knowledge quickly flowed into Jhahnahkan as well as the deep hatred R’ihia had for Rivynon.

  He opened his eyes and turned to the Remedy’s captain and raised his hand and slapped him across the face. He then turned to R’ihia and smiled, “There, I know you wanted to do that for yourself R’ihia, but this has to stop here.”

  “Sir,” Torbik began, “He has held R’ihia for several days…”

  “I know all about what has happened here.” Jhahnahkan said. “R’ihia, you are fortunate that Totidaar pulled you from that transport.”

  “I had a feeling,” the Security Chief said, “I knew the captain had been corrupted, but we needed this intelligence. After he instructed me to put her on the shuttle he must have had someone rig the ship to explode at his command. I decided to enlist R’ihia’s help in removing him from command.”

  “Well done chief,” Jhahnahkan acknowledged, “Torbik, take command and get this ship repaired and return to formation.”

  “What about Rivynon, what will happen to him?”

  “R’ihia, you will escort your prisoner to the high council where he will face charges.”

  “Thank you sir,” R’ihia acknowledged as she bowed to his authority. Turning to the chief she gave him a cold stare, “I do not agree with the tactics used by you Totidaar, I would insist you face charges as well.”

  Totidaar returned a cold look, “We needed the Intel…”

  R’ihia cut him off from finishing, “However, in light of your efforts to save my life by removing me from that transport, I will forgo requesting formal charges.”

  “Sir, the Leif Erikson and Destiny have arrived and are in position above the Remedy,” Itafar, the Remedy’s com officer noted, “They are asking if you need assistance.”

  “Tell them the situation is under control. We will resume our voyage shortly,” Jhahnahkan said.

  R’ihia grabbed Rivynon by the collar, yanked him to his feet and escorted him gladly off the bridge with the rest of the security detail.

  Jhahnahkan tucked away the infected crystal and opened a vortex to return to the Leif. Just before he left the bridge, he thanked the crew for their help in subduing their captain.

  He returned to his bridge and returned to his command chair, “Helm resume course for Zelinite. Glenda, open a channel to Destiny.”

  “This is Uttarak, ready to depart.”

  “Uttarak, there has been a change of plans.” Jhahnahkan instructed.

  “Go ahead.” Uttarak replied.

  “I want you to stay behind with Destiny and keep your eye on the canisters. We need to ensure we keep this field in place or the fighting could break out again.”

  “But father, you will need me on this…”

  “This is not up for debate,” Jhahnahkan insisted. “I need your support. Please agree to stay and help Qiaoshan and Luanren look after the council.”

  “Are you putting me in charge over my uncle?”

  “Only until Jhovahkan returns to the surface from the Rune expedition.”

  “Very well father,” Uttarak said with a wide smile. He turned the Destiny and began to return to the planet.

  “Thank you my son, I shall see you when we return, Jhahnahkan out,” he said looking concerned.

  “What troubled you my love.” Kate asked.

  “That was too easy,” he shook his head, “I guess I expected more resistance from him since he was so bent on going to Zelinite with us. I am feeling uneasy about this.”

  “It seemed he changed his tune when you told him he was being placed in charge.” Kate commented.

  “I will warn my father to be watchful for any deceit.” He said as he concentrated on sending the telepathic note.

  Satisfied that his father received his thoughts, he ordered Lanatek to resume course at full speed.

  Lanatek raced away from Minos and quickly passed by Ziton just before the Leif accelerated into slipstream space.

  “Katie, please accompany me to our quarters. I will need your help.”

  * * *

  Terra Firma

  Year: 16,011 BC

  “I must know who this Uttarak is.” Jhahnahkan asked the young Roth’stavous.

  “Looks like you might have a chance to ask him yourself,” Roth’stavous’s tactical commander said, “Uttarak’s battle cruiser is on an intercept course from the surface.”

  “Can you open a channel?” Jhahnahkan asked.

  “No, we will not communicate!” Roth’stavous sternly replied.

  “We must be the first to offer peace and stop this meaningless war.” Jhahnahkan urged.

  “We’ve tried to contact them, but they refuse to answer,” Roth’stavous said, “This looks like all his other attack maneuvers. He flies in very fast and all alone. Then his supporting fleet comes in and secures the area after he’s done. When he’s close enough, he teleports to the command center of his target taking them off guard. He is easily able to secure the vessel and disables our defense systems. Then disappears back to his ship and never even skips a beat as it passes by. That is when his support fleet comes in and finishes the job. Really an easy matter at that po
int once Uttarak has left them with no shields or weapons.”

  “Nothing will prevent his vortex from appearing,” the tactical officer added, “He seems to have the ability to open and close it at will, where ever he chooses.”

  “Yes, Jhahnahkan,” Roth’stavous continued, “This time we may be able to take him off guard.”

  “Uttarak’s ship will be in range in one minute,” The helm reported.

  “General Quarters!” Roth’stavous ordered. “Maybe you better get that fancy crystal device out and make ready.”

  Jhahnahkan removed his crystal and held it with hesitation. This is exactly what he wanted to avoid.

  “Hold your position close to my ship.” Jhahnahkan ordered, then called his ship, “Computer, do you read me?”

  “Yes, Jhahnahkan,” The computer replied through his com link.

  “Expand phosphorus shielding to encompass this vessel I am presently on.”

  “Station keeping protocols mister,” Roth’stavous ordered his helmsman.

  Jhahnahkan’s ship began to emit a highly concentrated field that glistened a pale green looking veil of colors which expanded around both ships, sealing them from the approaching ships view.

  Jhahnahkan stretched his crystal into the air and raised a shield around Roth’stavous’s ship to try and prevent Uttarak from opening a vortex on their command center.

  “His ship is slowing sir,” the tactical station reported, “and coming to a synchronous position parallel to our own… just off the starboard bow.”

  “Continue scanning,” Roth’stavous ordered.

  “Sir, I am getting reports that Uttarak’s support ships have been ordered to halt their attack run,” the com officer reported.

  Roth’stavous smiled at Jhahnahkan, “I think you got their attention.”

  “Perhaps they will answer your call now,” Jhahnahkan said as he continued to hold the shield in place. “I suggest you do so quickly and find a solution, I am not able to hold this shield for too long.”

  “Open a channel,” Roth’stavous ordered, “Uttarak, we need to speak.”

  The com channel returned static. He repeated his request two more times.

  “Uttarak!” Jhahnahkan said with authority.

  The com channel finally returned a rather subdued voice, “Father?”

  Roth’stavous turned to Jhahnahkan, “You tricked us!”

  “No!” Jhahnahkan said now breaking his concentration.

  “How is it he knows you?”

  “I do not know who this is!” Jhahnahkan exclaimed.

  “Father!” Uttarak again said, “It is you!”

  “Explain!” Roth’stavous ordered, “He says he does not know you, Uttarak.”

  “It is a long story,” Uttarak said, “Of course! He wouldn’t know me because he is from a time where I did not exist! You really should not be told any of this Roth’stavous.”

  “I recommend the three of us meet onboard my ship,” Jhahnahkan offered.

  “I will agree father.”

  “Under one condition,” Jhahnahkan added, “You command the Southern fleet to stop their attacking while we try to come to an agreement.”

  “I will agree to this truce… for now.”

  Jhahnahkan directed the power output of his crystal to open a vortex to his ship. He motioned Roth’stavous to come with him while his first officer took command.

  They exited the vortex at Jhahnahkan’s command center only to find Uttarak already on the bridge scanning the vessel with his crystal.

  “What are you doing!” Jhahnahkan asked with sternness.

  “Relax father,” Uttarak said as he finished his scans, “I like your ship. I think I’ll have one made for myself. After all, it’s our destiny.”

  “You need to explain yourself,” Jhahnahkan said.

  “Very well father,” Uttarak said as he turned to face the two. “I’ll tell you what I am here for...”

  “…I will tell you what he is here for,” Roth’stavous interjected, “he came here to assist the South in their war efforts and to turn it back to their favor!”

  “Not true!” Uttarak argued.

  “So what then?” Jhahnahkan asked, “And what proof do you have that you are my son? I have no son.”

  “If you will allow me to expound,” Uttarak said taking a serious look.

  “Roth’stavous, I urge you to hear him out and then we can make a judgment call.”

  “Do not trust him!” Roth’stavous insisted.

  “Allow him to speak!”

  “Thank you, Father…” Uttarak said as he bowed to his command. “I came here for a very important reason, and I am sure that once you hear me out, you will understand my mission.”

  “How can you’re helping the south with this war, be anything close to what my purpose is here?” Jhahnahkan asked.

  “It’s simple really… I am here to see to it that the north faction leaves this planet and seeks out to find Ackturra. Once they leave, I have promised to give the southern movement technology that will allow them to flourish on this new world of theirs.”

  “Preposterous!” Roth’stavous shouted back. “You have already given the south technology.”

  “No sir,” Uttarak said taking an offensive step toward him, “I have not given them any technology! I have only assisted with them evening up the sides!”

  “Now, now,” Jhahnahkan said stepping between the two. “We will not get anywhere if we do not listen to what he has to say first.”

  “Again… I thank you my Father.”

  “You might want to hold that feeling of gratitude until after I have heard your entire story,” Jhahnahkan said pointing a finger in Uttarak’s direction.

  “Very well Father, I shall continue,” Uttarak said. He reached out and nonchalantly pushed his father’s hand away. “It is vital to your existence for the North to leave this world. If they solve their differences, the North won’t leave and we will not be born. I’m here to see to it that they do leave.”

  “This is where we differ, Uttarak,” Jhahnahkan said, “I came here to prevent them from leaving and to help end the war. There is more at stake than you know. Once they find Ackturra they will have the Crystals. Another war breaks out with another race who will seek these crystals.”

  “And what is it that is so wrong with them finding these power crystals?” Uttarak asked shrugging his shoulders.

  “Yes, Jhahnahkan,” Roth’stavous asked, “I have to side with Uttarak on this one, I see only a benefit to having this power.”

  “I should not tell you of this as it can impact the future,” Jhahnahkan warned.

  “You have traveled the time-helix to get here Father; you must know that these events, as hard as one might try to alter, cannot be altered; this path is our destiny!”

  “I remember what the time-helix entity said to me, we control our destiny and it can be changed,” Jhahnahkan argued, “I do not think this time-helix entity would tell you something different than he told me.”

  “We must not let these people settle their difference or we will not be born, I do not wish for my existence to end Father… I am rather fond of living...”

  “Uttarak, you are not making any sense,” Roth’stavous interjected, “First you say the future is not alterable. Then you insist that if we do not leave this world, you will cease to exist.”

  “I know you do not grasp these concepts, but you must understand that I only do these things for the good of…”

  “…There is only one way to know for sure.” Jhahnahkan said cutting Uttarak off mid-sentence.

  “Yes Father, you are correct,” Uttarak stated, “We must perform a memory transference.”

  “A memory what?” Roth’stavous asked a with puzzled expression.

  “Memory transference…” Jhahnahkan explained, “…is an ability that is provided by these crystals. It allows us to transfer memories to each other so we can understand much more quickly.”

  “And you want to k
eep these crystals from us because why?” Roth’stavous questioned.

  “There is more at stake than you know,” Jhahnahkan again stated, “The Rune. The crystal infection…”

  “Enough of this!” Uttarak exclaimed out of desperation.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out his crystal and touched his father on the temple with his free hand. The power crystal glowed and filled the room with its shine. The two winced with pain as the memory transference began. Images flowed between the two as normally would between the two participants during a transference. However, this time Uttarak took control of the transmission by only showing him of the things he willed to show him. Jhahnahkan was just as strong willed as Uttarak and began to probe deep into his son’s mind and pressed back to dominate.

  Uttarak’s face turned pale as he began to lose his control over the memories being revealed and fought to break the link. Jhahnahkan grabbed the back of Uttarak’s neck and pulled him closer to prevent him from pulling back, just as his grandmother had done back at the palace when Helen had first showed up.

  Uttarak dropped to the floor on his knees. He was exhausted and fell to the floor limp causing his crystal to dim and grow cold. Jhahnahkan broke the hold he had on his mind and regained his composure. He looked up at Roth’stavous with a concerned look and with a sense of urgency he tried to relay to his young grandfather, “He has become insane.! Uttarak is my son. He comes from another time and another place, but when he traveled the helix, he lost his mind. He stayed within the helix for too long, helix warned him.”

  Uttarak slowly turned over on his back and gained enough strength to open another vortex beneath him causing him to fall through and then promptly closed as fast as it had opened.

  * * *

  Leif Erikson

  Year: 2983.9

  Jhahnahkan and Kate made their way from the bridge to their cabin. They remained quiet and said nothing to each other since the carrier incident on Minos. Everyone was still in shock over the discovery of this base the North had secretly hidden on the back side of the moon. The southern faction had their base on Ziton, but it wasn’t nearly as sophisticated nor was it as large.