by Debbie Behan
Axon turned one on, showing that they were capable of displaying a holographic image of planetary action in the centre of the table for all to view.
Wall panels rotated and converted into screens. The brightness once they automatically switched on made them squint.
Six sets of eyes glanced up at the sound of a motor that strained above them. With mouths open in awe, they watched the ceiling disappear and realised the glass they looked through was actually a powerful telescopic lens. The focus blurred and then cleared, which allowed them to see stars thousands of miles away, their surfaces clearly visible.
The ignition of another motor starting up grabbed their attention as more desks with computerised equipment far more advanced than they had ever seen, complete with chairs, ascended from trapdoors that snapped open from sections in the wall and floor. The team jumped out of the way, a stunned Nathan collected by a chair as it roughly sat him in it. Jarvis laughed at him until the sofa he sat on revolved and disappeared. He only just leapt to a steady surface in time. Axon snatched Caitlin up before hers too spun and cleverly made way for a central processing unit. Bree and Lisha were in hysterics until a workstation slid under them. Rory caught them before they toppled over each other.
Rory high fived Jarvis and Nathan on the hands and whistled through his front teeth. ‘Wowee!’ He enjoyed every minute of it.
Bree couldn’t get the grin from her face.
Lisha put her arm around Caitlin’s shoulder, both girls now speechless. Their heads turned from monitor to screen as they observed the distinct mapping system that continued to alter repeatedly.
‘Got your attention now haven’t I.’ Axon watched their expressions. ‘All you see is to stay concealed when not in use. Many townsfolk from the city of Klaxton just north of here visit frequently. They look upon me as a rich, eccentric fool and know nothing of the comings or goings of their lavish neighbour who finances most of their council requests. For security reasons I hide this technology when entertaining.’
‘Stands to reason,’ Rory agreed. ‘You prefer the guests to feel free to explore your home. It gives you privacy and them no reason to feel suspicious of who they perceive you to be.’
‘Same as us, we have friends over and they walk in and out of the barn with no clue as to what we hide below.’
‘We all have our secrets but I think this next one is something none of you expects. I have gone one step further, as you do when you are the right arm of Zoren. You see if my home is attacked and we’re too late to divert the danger, this is what to do.’ He strode to the left wall, punched in a code on a portrait, the keys invisible to them, and the image slid up to reveal a button behind a glass case. ‘Push this and it will activate this whole section of the internal castle and plummet us all deep underground. The external building stays the same, which keeps onlookers from seeing the secrets held within the walls. If danger is successfully warded off, we surface and none is the wiser.’ He grinned at Caitlin when he noticed her look of astonishment.
‘You’re kidding me!’ She blinked and went over to feel the key pad on the picture. ‘I’ll be blowed; it is a controller.’ She ran her fingers along the lumpy section.
Axon glanced around the room. ’Listen up,’ he said as he walked back to the main table, and leaned against it. ’Concentrate! I only have time to run through this once.’
He spent the next hour showing them how to operate the complex paraphernalia.
Once they all had an idea of how it worked, he turned to them. ‘So here it is in a nutshell. Dig in and get comfortable. It might be some time before another location for you to live is located. In the meantime, secrecy of all this and where you are, is imperative.’
Rory intervened. ‘Axon has given us all the time he can spare. The ones that get it can teach the others. You will have to work on shifts as from now on, this home world needs to be monitored 24/7. Nathan, you’re in charge while I’m away so keep your wits about you. Let me know the second there is an inkling of trouble.’
Axon straightened. ‘Until we can determine how to resolve this dispute with Hades and his brothers, these orders stand. Zeus is the only one that has the power to access the top-secret files it took to find your locations on earth, and he most likely has this home in his sights too.’
He turned to Rory. ‘Ready buddy? We have a lot to do.’ He put his arm around Rory and they shimmered out of sight.
Nathan’s mouth was open ready to say goodbye, but all too late.
‘Can everyone up here do that?’ Bree asked.
‘The gods have only allowed the rulers to have that gift. They are capable of transporting an army if they wished,’ he answered her.
‘And we get a herd of horses with sissy wings that fly us around like overly dressed circus performers,’ Caitlin added and made them all laugh.
Woody Visits
The team had gathered to meet Woody when he arrived. He only had to take one look at them to see he had his work cut out for him. Caitlin was a mess and he realised they had barely tapped into the powers they had as a team.
‘You guys should have felt Cait’s stress and pain.’ He eyeballed each member. ‘She would be healed by now if you had listened, and used what we gave you.’
He looked at stunned unsure faces. The team had been so headstrong and sure they were the better squad; some of the finer details they were taught while with them were missed. They had been too busy showing off their own powers and joked together when the Cloud Riders showed them their skills.
‘Today, this has to stop. No more – smart mouthing or self-indulgent behaviour. You are a team! So start acting like one!’ Woody gave it to them straight. ‘Are you ready to learn now?’ he asked them.
Nathan turned the colour of Bree’s red top. ‘Sorry man, we had no clue what we were in for. We’d be dead if it weren’t for Caitlin’s intuition.’
‘That’s right. She is the one you need to protect the most. Cait should be as precious to you as our Cassie is to us. It was Cait who saved your arses. Her intuition had you here while your home was under attack. Yet here she stands with a messed up body and mind and not one of you tried to fix her. Save you lot – not on my watch! I would have let you bastards perish. Disgraceful – is all I can say.’
‘Okay I’ll wear that. Maybe we have been too preoccupied with training. And yes you’re right, we should have listened more, but now it’s done and she’s hurt it’s too late.’ Nathan put his arm around Caitlin’s shoulder. ‘We’ve learned our lesson. How do I prevent this happening again?’
‘Maybe, you say, maybe you’ve been too preoccupied. That’s an understatement and not strong enough. You have been arrogant.’
‘Yes,’ Nathan agreed with an apologetic tone.
It was a few minutes before Woody spoke. His look of disapproval was enough to make them all hang their heads. He sighed and rubbed a hand through his curly red hair. ‘Has Rory linked you all?’
‘Yes, but we’re not sure how it all works yet,’ Nathan answered with readiness and hope that was the end of the lecture. He felt bad enough being Woody’s equal. Worse that he hadn’t picked up all he needed to know to run his team while Rory was away. Rory had been so dedicated during training, but he’d been learning what he needed to know. This was Nathan’s area of expertise and he wasn’t going to miss a second of the training this time.
‘Goddammit, you guys. Why didn’t you ask?’ Once again, he looked into dead-pan eyes. ‘Bloody newbies,’ Woody grumbled and shook his head. His eyes shone like chips of emeralds as he lost his temper, telling them they would listen to him this time and listen good or he’d give them all a taste of his size fourteen Gucci’s.
‘Woody we’re all guilty of what you’re saying and we’re glad you’ve been so honest with us. You’re right; we thought we were ready, but losing all we had down there and protecting this fortress without Rory is overwhelming.’
‘You feel besieged because Cait isn’t well. With one team member ou
t, especially one so important, you will feel like a bat trying to fly in the daylight. Your vision and senses are poor. Let’s get her on the road to recovery first and then by god you lot have some training to do.’
It was then, once they all gave in and looked helpless, that he softened. They had been headstrong, impertinent and smart mouthed. He needed them to take him seriously and knew the gods would not put up with a bunch of impulsive cowboys. He sighed. This is going to be a long day.
****
Out in the barn he had them bridle their horses and sit on them to give them more power. Lifting his leg up and easing on his own horse, he combined the energy from them all to heal Caitlin. The glow around her blinded them for a moment as he dragged so much from them. Without warning he was off his stallion and lifted Caitlin off her horse. The magic made her so dizzy she almost fell. The rest of the team was stunned at his speed. The magic link between them allowed the team to experience the energised boost, but before the healing was given, they felt her pain, which eased as hers did. Still feeling the effects of the hurt she dealt with, they sat still in the saddles, with hands firmly wrapped in the horses’ manes until Caitlin improved. Then came the best part; they felt her joy at feeling better.
‘Do a spin for us Cait.’ Woody put her on her feet. Suddenly her eyes snapped open and her body energised itself. The instant jump and joyous hands in the air made them all happy she was okay.
‘Look. She’s healed!’ Bree clapped her hands.
Woody was pleased to see Cait’s improvement as she danced around. She searched for marks on her leg and arm to find them gone. Maybe these guys were more powerful than he originally thought. With a little more work, maybe they were the right team after all, to work amongst the gods.
‘How’s my face?’ Her eyes were still dull but only Woody noticed that. He knew there was so much more they had to work on yet. First things first though, he rationalised. This motley crew needs a work out.
He turned to the others. ‘Today will test you mentally and physically. Your interaction as a group and reactions to a situation will make or break a positive outcome.’
By the end of the day, they had trained well and he could tell they were brain wrecked. He had been tough, but needed to be the hard taskmaster he was, as he tested their reflexes, aptitude and their universal mind control. He made them sit and defuse before allowing them to go inside for showers. Nathan and Jarvis, who decided to take the next shift, waved off a happy Nigel who had covered for them while they were training.
He had tried to get out of the duty, but Woody didn’t take no for an answer, and the butler’s last attempt at getting out of this duty was met with Woody’s pointed finger towards the staircase. ‘Now man - stop whining.’
Caitlin opted for a spa first; tired yet proud of the team for her healthy body that floated weightlessly in the bubbles. Bree stayed with her, too exhausted from the vigorous day. ‘That last exercise was the bomb.’ She smiled, now a bit more relaxed. ‘Nearly spun myself out of control the bolt of light came at me so fast, and what was with that! Geez, Cait he had you doing stuff I’ve never seen you do, ever.’
‘Me either. I didn’t know Cassie had given me that sort of download. I’m so all that.’ She lay back with a smug expression and jumped as she felt a slap. Bree hit her one. ‘That’s for getting me good the last time.’ She chuckled.
Caitlin lay back again, ignoring her. Today she’d learned how to let out a sliver of a power beam, just enough to zap the team if their reflexes weren’t quick enough, and enjoyed her ability to exercise authority. ‘That was one great experience.’ She giggled too.
‘For you maybe, Cait. We were the ones spinning like a top to deflect it. You just snuck up on us. Man, I hated you a couple of times. That hurt.’
Caitlin thought that hysterical and ended up with a mouthful of water, coughed and sat up. ‘Sorry, not!’ Cait was her old self again and she was so glad they could talk about anything again.
‘Breezy, honey,’ Caitlin mocked before getting serious. ‘It worked though didn’t it? You and Lisha don’t get dizzy now and Jarvis has stopped hesitating.’
‘I suppose so.’ She finally grinned. ‘Woody’s a good egg isn’t he?’
Caitlin agreed as she stood up, grabbed a towel and wiped the excess water from her bathers. ‘Come on girlfriend; let’s go doll up for the man we want to impress.’
‘Cait, you like Axon, um – lots don’t you?’
‘Shush, our little secret okay.’
Bree giggled and held on to her as they ran up the stairs, a secret shared and Bree excited Caitlin was still her best friend and had told only her.
****
Later downstairs, dressed, pumped up after a great day and fooling around dancing, Bree and Caitlin leapt away and squealed, then laughed when Axon and Rory shimmered into the area they were in, both getting a surprise at their sudden appearance. Bree fell into Rory’s arms.
‘What are we celebrating, beautiful?’ He grinned down at her. ‘You look stunning.’
‘Look.’ She pointed to Caitlin. ‘We healed her.’
Caitlin opened her arms and spun in a circle. Her short skirt and loose sleeveless top showed off her figure. Suddenly she flushed crimson as Axon’s eyebrow lifted and a slight grin softened his mouth.
Rory stared at Caitlin, speechless, and broke into a grin as he spoke to Bree. ‘You guys did well, so how about you fill me in on the rest of it while I take a shower.’
‘Woody taught us so much cool stuff today.’ She grinned happily at Rory as he dragged her off, making her giggle as he lifted her into his arms and ran up the stairs with her.
Axon caught Caitlin’s hand as she brought it down, and transported her into his study.
‘That was trippy. Kidnapper!’ She chuckled.
In large arms that wrapped gently around her and warm lips that claimed hers, Caitlin’s head swam in the dreamy embrace.
‘You look stunning. I couldn’t help myself.’ He lowered his head to steal one more kiss.
‘Can you stay here a minute, beautiful? I want to hear about your day but just have to duck up and get changed.
She agreed and sat over on the couch waiting for his return. At the speed he could move she knew it wouldn‘t be long before he returned.
It was just a kiss, she reminded herself, bewildered by the affectionate move he made on her and glad he finally did. Her eyes dropped to the low cut top and tight leather skirt and pulled at the hem. This didn’t change the position, so she shrugged and smiled. It worked once; maybe it might just get her one more kiss before the night ended. She felt dreamy as she waited. While thinking of his wide grin and come to bed eyes, pleasurable warmth built inside her. They had only just started to kiss again, nothing too serious, so she stood up and paced. He had hurt her once and she must stop falling into his arms every time he wanted her there.
Caitlin’s eyes widened and her heart happily hummed when he transported into the room with his shirt undone, doing up his buttons. His shoulders were massive, a buff chest tapered down to a trim waistline and the slight hint of manliness on the pants line made her blush. Luckily he missed her checking him out, or had he? There was definitely a sexy drone in his voice as he asked about her day. Caitlin averted her eyes to catch her thoughts while he finished dressing.
‘It started with Woody giving us a dressing down for not taking enough notice of what we had learned from the Cloud Riders, then turned the day into a full on training session. I, of course, had the pleasure of handing out the disciplinary measures. The guys are still annoyed at me.’
‘So he sounds like he gave a bit of tough love then.’
‘Yes! He is so cool – but strict, you have no idea.’ She rolled her eyes as he sat opposite her and bent to tie his shoelaces.
There had been two calls for dinner before Axon was satisfied with the day’s events and stood. ‘This has been, as usual, very enlightening but you must be starved. Shall we?’ He gestured for her
to go through the door first.
Caitlin had never been wooed by a man before, but was sure he should have at least taken her hand or stolen another kiss. She’d miss-read him again. Maybe he just wanted information and knew the kiss would loosen my tongue. She sulked as they joined everyone at the dinner table. Woody was the first one Axon headed for. He shook hands with him and thanked him sincerely for the work he put into the team. ‘Welcome. I hear you kicked arse with this bunch. They’re a good bunch but needed guidance; hell, we all do.’
‘No worries, but even though I gave it to them, they took it on the chin and I was pleased with each of them for the big effort they put in.’
‘I’m pleased to hear that! And, guess it isn’t over yet. You still need time with Caitlin. Or should I say she needs time with you.’
‘If you can spare her again tomorrow it would be great. It could take a while if what I saw today is how she has been for the past few months.’
‘Worse.’
‘Mmm, thought so!’
‘Shouldn’t be a problem, Nigel can fill in a shift for her. She tells me even he did as you instructed.’
Woody laughed. ‘Thought I’d have to hog tie him to the chair he gave me so much cheek. ‘Where is he?’ He laughed heartily. ‘Butler or not, I’m having a beer with the funny man.’
Woody snapped his fingers. Nigel’s head bobbed up and smiled.
‘Get over here you!’ he commanded and ruffled his knuckles on Nigel’s head when he got to him. It was then the team relaxed and during the night saw what Woody meant in his gruff voice, when he said, “you work hard and I’ll show you wimps how to party.” And, did they party, all but Caitlin. She volunteered to go on watch. Today had been exciting for her, but tomorrow was on her mind.
It was early morning before Axon joined her. He had showered and his light aftershave lingered as he passed her to check the activity on the planets, chatting to her as he scanned the solar system. While he searched the surface of Pluto, he told her of the planet’s ruler Hades and the role he played as God of the Underworld. She shuddered at how cruel he could be and out of all the rulers, he was the one she least looked forward to meeting.