“Mor’relock,” Akua asked, “Should not we test the above-land human?”
“She is the one, my Brother.”
“Still, we should be completely certain.”
“Very well, Akua, if a test you need for proof, a test you shall have. Follow me.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
________________________
Serintin Palace
________________________
“Leave us,” Tumaleka growled, her arm waving the Palace aides away.
Dumakas paced the floor in his chambers, “Why do you require a private audience with me? What could possibly be more important than planning our next attack on these Humans?”
“Relax, my Grandson,” Tumaleka smiled, “You will see soon enough.”
“I do not have time for your foolish old woman antics!”
“Sit down, Dumakas,” Tumaleka demanded.
Unable to resist her voice, he seated himself next to his Grandmother on his lounge.
Tumaleka softened her voice, “There, now isn’t that better?”
“Yes, my Grandmother. What is it you were going to discuss with me?”
“It is not something I wish to discuss, rather something that you must reveal to me.”
“I have told you everything. What more do you require of me?”
“Do not worry, my Grandson, you will tell me soon enough.”
Dumakas grew impatient once more, “I tire of your riddles, old woman.”
“What were you told at Revein’sev?”
“I do not remember, my Grandmother.”
Tumaleka looked deep into Dumakas’ eyes, “You must!”
“I do not!”
“You told me she’s looking for the scroll, back at Storm Keep, Dumakas, do you remember?”
Dumakas began to pull away. Tumaleka grabbed his shoulders and drew him close to her face, “Think hard, my Grandson! You must remember more!”
Dumakas closed his eyes and thought about sliding down the mountain slope. Then his focus turned to landing on the ground and losing his will to live.
“I know there is more, Tumaleka.”
“Keep thinking about that moment...the moment you crossed into Revein’sev. What do you remember next?”
“I cannot remember more.”
“Concentrate, Dumakas. You must remember more than one thing...”
“I am sorry, my Grandmother, I fail to see more.”
“Maybe this will help you remember.”
Tumaleka reached in a pouch tied to her side and removed a pinch of its contents. Leaning back, she held her hand in front of Dumakas and sprinkled Dimeatarian dust into her palm. She muttered a few Antarian words, and then softly blew the dust into his face.
Dumakas inhaled the sparkling dust. It burned down his throat, through his windpipe and into his four lungs.
“That’s right, my Grandson, take it all in and hold it...there. Now isn’t that even better?”
Dumakas fought to keep from coughing the dust out. His airways burned. The fire became hotter and hotter. Just when he could stand it no more, the fire faded into warmth, then into a pleasant cooling.
He exhaled the magic dust. As the substance spread quickly into his blood stream, his brow furrowed, and he convulsed.
“Don’t fight it, Dumakas, let it pass. That’s right, just relax and concentrate on Revein’sev.”
“Yes,” Dumakas answered in a trance-like voice, “There is more to remember.”
“Tell me, Dumakas, what do you see?” Tumaleka whispered.
Dumakas opened his eyes and found himself lying in a fog on the base of the mountains of Storm Keep. He slowly drew his arms in and picked himself off the ground.
“I see my own body lying before me. There is a thick white fog.”
“What else do you see,” Tumaleka asked with Dumakas’ eyes remaining closed.
Dumakas looked around, “The fog...it is thick and heavy.”
“Do not let the fog stop you, Dumakas,” she whispered to his ear, “Start walking and the fog will clear.”
“Yes,” Dumakas nodded, “I am seeing better now. There is a pathway.”
“Tell me what the pathway is made of?”
“Marble...inlaid marble tiles.”
“Follow the pathway and tell me what else you see. Look up. Look side to side. Tell me everything,” Tumaleka begged.
Dumakas remained on the fog-laden path, looking all about his surroundings, “Everything is quiet, no sound at all. Not even my own footfalls. No movement. There is no other but I.”
“If you were alone, then who was there to tell you that she was looking for the scroll?”
“Wait...there are…more now. At the end of the path...before the veil...they are moving around me...ushering me forward...pushing me...faster...faster...the veil is closing...wait...now they have stopped...they are now in front of me...stopping me...not my time...you recalled me back...”
“No, Dumakas, fight them. Move closer to the veil. Tell me what they say!” Tumaleka grabbed Dumakas’ face with both hands and drew him closer to her, “You mustn’t leave yet! Focus, Dumakas, focus on what they are saying!”
“Voices...I hear many voices...too many to understand...getting louder...too many...voices...”
“Do not be distressed, Dumakas. Ask them why she seeks the missing scroll...ask them now!”
Dumakas fought the pushing hands pressing against his chest, “I...cannot...breathe...too many of them...must return...”
“Fight it, Dumakas!”
Dumakas let out a groan and tensed once more. He focused on one apparition. Struggling to stay in one place he leaned closer, closer to the speaking phantom. “Why does she seek the missing scroll?” Dumakas fought to ask.
“She seeks the Blood Scroll...” repeated in his ear from many voices.
“Yes, yes, we already know she seeks the Blood Scroll, Dumakas. You must demand of them an answer!”
“Why does Danielle Cooper seek the Blood Scroll?!” Dumakas forced once more.
Again, he heard the voices’ echo overpower the one voice, “...She seeks the Blood Scroll... she seeks the Blood Scroll...”
“Tell me now! Why does the Empress of Antares seek the Blood Scroll!?”
“The Empress seeks the Scroll...the Scroll...the Scroll...”
“I cannot hear the one voice...too heavy...too much pressure...cannot stay longer...”
Tumaleka reached for another pinch of Dimeatarian dust and sprinkled it over Dumakas’ head. The powder floated around his face, sending him further into an intoxicating trance.
“Now, ask them again. Use her full title. They seem to respond to that.”
Dumakas began swaying from side to side, dizzy with the added magic powder. Falling backward into a cushion, his closed eyes rolled up into his head and he began gagging.
“Breathe, Dumakas, breathe in the dust...that’s right...gain more power over them with the dust...focus now...ask them again...use her full title. They will respond to you, Dumakas...”
“Why...does...Danielle of the House of Cooper, Empress of the Rising Star of Antares, seek the Blood Scroll,” as he fought to speak, spittle splashed from his thick lips. Dumakas labored to breathe, gasping for breath, and then all at once relaxed.
“Tell me what they say, Dumakas?”
“They are telling me she seeks the Blood Scroll...the Scroll must not be found...they fear she will find the Blood Scroll...”
“Ask them what the Blood Scroll holds for the Empress...”
“They are pushing me away now...I cannot hold my footing...my feet fail me on this marble...cannot hold...moving away...too far to hear...”
“Hold on, Dumakas! You must ask this last question!”
“No...no...I weaken...too strong...I am returning...the fog is gone.”
“No, go back, Dumakas! Go back!”
Dumakas’ eyes fluttered open. “What have you done to me, old woman?” he growled at Tumaleka.
“I always knew you were weak, Dumakas. I was trying to pull the memories from your Revein’sev experience. We need to know what the missing Scroll holds.”
“You used the dust upon me, did you not?”
“Yes, I used my dust to try to get you to answer me.”
“Why did you inflict this dust upon me? I would have spoken to you about what they said if you had asked.”
“I do not think you would have remembered as much as you did without the dust.”
“You may be correct about that, old woman. Now I must rest until the effects of your Dimeatarian dust fades.”
Dumakas passed out laying sideways on the lounge and began snoring profusely.
“Humph, guess I used too much this time. I will try again soon enough.”
________________________
Earth
Moon Base Operation
________________________
“Admiral Gilmore!” a short stubby Ensign yelled as he ran to catch the Admiral.
Admiral Gilmore paused, and turned to the young man, bounding at a rapid rate, “Yes, what is it, Son? And take it easy there. Don’t get carried away at the absence of gravity.”
“Yes, Sir, Admiral, Sir,” the young Ensign flew past.
Gilmore grabbed the man by the arm and pulled him back before he crashed into the bulkhead, “Sudden stops still hurt up here.”
“Sorry, Sir,” the Ensign said regaining his footing.
“What’s the rush, Son?”
“Message from Admiral Fitz, Sir.”
“Okay, okay, settle it down, now.”
“Yes, Sir,” the Ensign panted.
“Walk with me, I’m on my way to the Moon OPS.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
The two continued in the direction the Admiral was going, “What’s Admiral Fitz want this time?”
“They’re reporting that Colonel Jennings and team have found Danielle and the other Antarian.”
“Good,” Gilmore nodded with a smile, “Did he give you any more details?”
“Apparently there’s some underground passage they followed them to.”
“Underground? Was he any more specific than that?”
“No, Sir,” the young Ensign puffed, “Only that they will try to make contact as soon as they can.”
“Ensign, you need to hit the gym more often. Well, that’s Race all right,” Gilmore sighed.
“Yes, Sir. I agree, Sir.”
“You know Race?”
“No, Sir. About the exercise, Sir.”
“Right.”
“Sir, what about Colonel Jennings, Sir?”
“It’s just that Colonel Jennings and I don’t have a great track record.”
“I understand, Sir.”
The two arrived at the entrance to the Moon Base Operation Center, or M-BOC. The young Ensign gasped as he saw the view from inside the dome.
“Wow, Sir, this is pretty amazing, Sir.”
“Yes, it is. We have views of all the stations surrounding this half of the moon. The glass isn’t glass, but a carbon-silicone matrix.”
“Yes, sir, I understand all the specifications of diamond reinforced glass. It’s designed to keep quarter-sized meteors from penetrating the dome, Sir.”
“Very good, Ensign. What’s your name, Son?”
“Ensign Cory McCartney. Alien Intelligence Division, Sir.”
“You’re Ronald’s kid, right?”
“Ron, Sir.”
“Sorry, it’s Ron?”
“Yes, Captain Ron McCartney of the HMS Bristol, Sir.”
“We’re very proud of your father, Cory.”
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll tell him next time I see him, Sir.”
“Yes, I’m sure you will. How’s your assignment with AID?”
“Good, Sir and yes, Sir.”
“Now, Cory.”
“Yes, Sir?”
“I want you to deliver a message to Admiral Fitz. Tell him I want him to mount a search party and find out where they are.”
“Yes, Sir, right away, Sir.”
“Then I want you to come back and be one of my personal aides. Sound like a good gig to you, Cory?”
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll return pronto, Sir.”
The young Ensign saluted Admiral Gilmore before bounding away.
“I’m going to keep my eye on this one,” Admiral Gilmore smiled as he stroked his chin.
“Yes, Sir,” the M-BOC communications officer winked, “Cory’s a go getter, that’s for sure, Sir.”
“Now, about the repairs on the Aga? How we coming?”
One of the Admiral’s personal aides pointed out from the domed glass, “There she is, Sir, down south wing. We should have her out of dry-dock in a couple more days.”
“Well, she fought hard and stayed the course. I’m pleased.”
“Yes, Sir, she’s a fine ship indeed, Sir.”
“I’m giving Jed twenty-four hours to find them, Lieutenant. I want the Aga at flight-ready status before then.”
“Yes, Sir, I’ll have them speed up the pace. She’ll be ready, Sir.”
“Superb, Lieutenant.”
“Now, about our Antarian guests?”
“Yes, Sir. We’ve recovered all the escape pods and all the Antarians are accounted for. They’re currently in a holding pen in a sub-section of the Moon Base, Sir.”
“Is it secure enough?”
“Yes, Sir, secure enough, Sir.”
“Have we got anything out of them yet?”
“No, Sir. They refuse to speak to us.”
“Well, maybe we should beef up our integration protocols, hmmm?”
“Yes, Sir, I’ll see to it, Sir.”
“Very good, Lieutenant. Stay by my side and you’ll go far in my organization.”
“Thank you, Sir. I won’t disappoint you, Sir.”
CHAPTER NINE
________________________
Earth
Under-Lands
________________________
Danielle and the group followed Mor’relock. The passage opened to a large open cavern, complete with a lake, a running waterfall in the distance, trees and green grass.
Race gave a low whistle, “Wow, you got yourself quite the operation here. I see crops over there, living huts that way. It’s a gosh darn commune of Antarians down here.”
“Yes, Race. We like it here.” Mor’relock turned and bowed slightly to Danielle. “The Empress will accompany me to my hut.”
“I would have never imagined something like this was underground,” Race continued. He shielded his eyes from the bright light emanating from the ceiling, “How’d you get the sun down here?”
“It is artificial,” Mor’relock answered. “My Brother, Akua.”
“Yes, Mor’relock?”
“Why did you bring such inquisitive humans with you?”
“We only brought you the Empress and her first officer. The others followed.”
Mor’relock stopped, turned and pointed a finger at Thelix, “You are from Antares, are you not?”
“Yes, I am former Lord Thelix of the House of Gornash.”
“...and what are you today?”
“Today, I no longer am infected by the Blood Spirit. It no longer sings to my heart. I am now Mister Thelix.”
“I see,” Mor’relock said, stroking his thick beard. “Most interesting. Tell me, Mister Thelix, how you lost Kron’Shulooka?”
“If you are referring to our Blood Spirit, I have not heard it spoken of by that name.”
“Nor would you have.”
“I fail to understand…”
“You all should accompany me to my abode. It appears there is much that must be told.”
“Oh, I’m all ears, Mister Mor’relock,” Race said, gawking at all the sights.
“I am sure you will be, Race,” Mor’relock smiled, “I’m quite sure you will.”
“Mor’relock,” Danielle asked, “What is this test you speak of?”
Th
e group stopped once more at a simple grass hut. Mor’relock parted a curtain and ushered the group inside, “Please sit and enjoy my mate’s hospitality.”
A female Antarian head popped out from the back room’s curtain, “I see my Husband has honored me by bringing many guests,” Her head popped back into the other room. “He is quite correct, I shall see to your every need,” her voice rose over the bustle of her preparations.
“And what would your name be? Misses Ma’Getch?”
Mor’relock roared with laughter and slapped his hand on his knee as he sat in his chair, “I think I will enjoy having this human around. He is funny.”
“What’d I say?”
“Well, you see, Race, we do not have the same customs as above-land humans do. Ma’Getch is our clan name, we do not use surnames. She has a name, but that is not important at the moment. She will tell you her name if she feels like it. A shy woman creature she is, but I love her just the same.”
“Yes, my Husband, and I do love you as well. Many guests notwithstanding.”
“Now,” Mor’relock rolled his eyes. He turned to Danielle, “I suppose you’re wondering what this is all about?”
“Yes. I must know about the missing scroll.”
“Ah, you know about the Blood Scroll, excellent.”
“That is one reason for our being here,” Danielle returned a stern look, “Do you have the scroll?”
“You are trying to infect me with your Kron’Shulooka, and if I am not mistaken, you have partaken of the Blood of an Adolescent Boreshog, have you not?”
“Yes, I have the Blood Spirit of an Adolescent Boreshog, I have Kron’Shulooka, and you cannot resist my power over you. Give me the scroll!”
“Take it easy,” Race begged, “I mean, ease the ‘hard-sell routine’ on our hosts. I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it, Mor’relock?”
Mor’relock fixed his gaze on Danielle. He took his large hands and cupped them around Danielle’s face and drew her close, “Having trouble instructing me, my Empress?”
“I fail to understand why I have no hold over you?”
Mor’relock looked deep into Danielle’s eyes and he pulled her even closer, she could feel his breath on her face, “I would not say you do not have any hold over me; I have not killed you yet.”
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