Ark - Box Set #6, Part 1 of Ever After [an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel]

by Robert Iannone

  “I used to care about my mother but she’s gone. So, yes, now it’s money.” That put the woman in a bad mood. “Let’s go,” and she led Egg to the infirmary.

  *****

  “Grumpy girl in the chair – I’m transporting your Princess and her lover boy directly to your sickbay. Make sure your auto-doc is ready to receive its patient.”

  “We’re ready. Go ahead and teleport”.

  The unseen energy beam transferred the atoms of Egg and Benny through space and into the infirmary. Simultaneously, Serenity piggybacked the energized PhoG into a feedback signal that took it back to the source – Xara’s command center.

  Less than a second later . . . “got her.”

  “Waldo, can you confirm that?” asked Sylvia.

  “It is confirmed. She is ours.”

  “Commence your mind probe. Sparky, take his transmissions and update the avatar.”

  “I have the connection.”

  “Jax’x, can you get the MAGEK unit?”

  “Negative. It’s like the thing is in an electromagnetic vault. No way to transport it out of there.”

  “Waldo, can you access the codes from her mind?”

  “As I explained, it would take an inordinate amount of time. Additionally, such memories are protected by the individual’s will. Access would cause permanent brain damage.”

  “I remember the conversation. Just hoping you might have found another way.”

  “Statistically, given months to address the problem, another method could be found.”

  “No time. Jax’x – destroy the MAGEK unit.”

  A few seconds later – “It’s now a molten puddle of goo. That amazing technology is lost forever.”

  “No,” contradicted Sylvia. “Now that people know it can be done, sooner or later someone will figure out how to recreate it. Can’t un-ring a bell.”

  *****

  They auto-doc completed its scans to verify the readouts it had been receiving from Xara’s sickbay. It put Benny on a rich mixture of oxygen while simultaneously connecting an array of tubes and wires.

  “Analysis and prognosis complete,” came the mechanical voice.

  “First, list injuries,” command Egg.

  “Broken bones in the right wrist and arm. Four cracked ribs. Trauma to liver and heart. Severe concussion resulting in coma.”

  “Prognosis?” she asked.

  “All bones have been set. Mending accelerated by application of high-energy radiation. Liver and heart trauma not severe. Requires monitoring only. Surgery or transplant not required.”

  Egg involuntarily squeezed BreeZee’s hand.

  The auto-doc continued, “Concussion and resulting coma requires immediate surgery. This unit is not equipped for such a procedure. Awaiting instructions.”

  “Has there been . . .” Egg choked up but forced herself to continue. “Has there been permanent brain damage?”

  “If concussion not treated expeditiously, the probability of memory loss increases exponentially. Long term delay of proper care may result in death.”

  *****

  “If I may suggest a course of action?”

  “Please, Waldo,” said a distressed, worried, agitated and frantic Egg.

  “Strip my shuttle of all unnecessary systems to increase speed. Transfer the auto-doc and your Prince into the ship’s hold. One or more of you fly it to your nearest medical facility.”

  “That will still take a couple of days. He doesn’t have that long.”

  “I will use my PhoG to decrease metabolic rate. This will provide the patient with enough time to reach help.”

  “Waldo,” asked Syl “how will the PhoG be removed once they get to where they’re going?”

  “I will give Tee’ka control. Would that be satisfactory?” He wasn’t addressing Syl or Egg; he was looking at his girlfriend.

  She smiled and said “okay.” The big man smiled in return.

  “Egg, what do you think?” asked Syl.

  “There doesn’t seem to be any other choice. Bree, will you fly the shuttle and keep Tee’ka company?’

  “Of course.”

  “Thanks. The rest of us – let’s get to the hold and start stripping that ship.”

  “Egg, if you want me to complete the avatar, I need to stay here.”

  She almost said no, getting Benny to a hospital was more important. But she didn’t. “Finish. When it’s done, set a course to the Ephemeral.”

  “I’ll send word to Lord Z’kkk also. He can arrange for the best team of neurosurgeons to be standing by.”

  “Thank you.”

  As they made their way to the shuttle, Syl asked her friend, “How are you doing?”

  “He’s not going to remember, is he?”

  She was talking about Benny and his love for her.

  And they both new instinctively that Egg’s vaunted luck had probably run out.

  Chapter 9 – The Waiting Game

  It had been six hours since they had left Xara to face the Ephemeral. Bree was calling in every hour to give an update on Benny. His vital signs made no sense because of the PhoG inside him.

  With only Tee’ka to talk to, Bree got pretty bored since the other girl would only discuss Waldo. So she went back to her new hobby – sketching. When the next hourly call came around, she assured Egg all was as it should be.

  “Would you do me a favor?” she asked her sister.

  “Sure.”

  “Would you take a look at a couple of my sketches and tell me what you think.”

  “Love to. Flash away.”

  “Okay, the first one is how I pictured the first time you met the Myst Tree . . .” and an image appeared on the screen.

  All the girls strained to take a look. The sisterhood wasn’t known for their artistic talents . . . especially singing.

  “That’s really good,” complimented Egg. “Where did you learn to draw?”

  “It’s just something I’ve been fooling around with. Can I show you one more?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “The face is not quite finished. It’s a younger you – flying of course.”

  “Me flying - what a novel idea. Let’s see.”

  “I always dreamed of our leader without a mouth,” snarked Sparky.

  “You are really good, Bree. Maybe you can teach Serenity how to draw. It might keep her out of trouble.”

  “Egg, you’re asking the impossible. The only things she can see beauty in are equations and unfathomable physics,” and they all nodded at that analysis.

  “If I had to do something artistic, it would be interpretive dancing,” came the snide reply from the girl who couldn’t walk.

  Egg steered the conversation back to where it belonged. “Bree, when do you meet up with the fleet?” Lord Z’kkk had informed them that he had commanded a navy hospital ship to meet him at the site of the battle. If there were wounded, he wanted to have the best care available for them.

  “Another six hours. That was a stroke of luck for us.”

  “I should have thought of it myself. It was stupid of me.”

  “You have a lot on your mind.”

  “That’s just an excuse. Anyway, talk to you in an hour.”

  “Bye, guys.”

  *****

  Four hours later they received the transmission they had been expecting. It was Xara. Now they would see if their efforts did any good . . . or just more harm to an already toxic relationship.

  The girl’s face appeared on screen – but she said nothing.

  “Hello, Xara.”

  “Why?”

  “You gave me back the person that means the most to me. I tried to repay you in kind. Are you offended?”

  They were all shocked to see tears streaming down Xara’s cheeks. She was trying to say something but was having difficulty. Finally, “I don’t know how you did it, but thank you.”

  The next shock was that all the sisters began to tear up – even Jax’x who had more reason than most t
o hate this girl. Nemesis or not, it was a poignant moment.

  “Maybe now we can stop being antagonists.”

  Xara weighed that sentiment. “Maybe.”

  “Anyway, good luck Xara. To both of you.”

  “And to you and the Prince, Princess.” She paused then added, “Jax’x, I truly am sorry for what I did to you. I won’t ask for forgiveness – that I can’t expect. But . . . well, anyway. I’m sorry.”

  “Xara, I do forgive you. Being a Hameggattic Sister has been such a blessing. The scales of my life are once again in balance.”

  The other woman stared back, nodding her head slightly. Then she smiled. “My mother’s calling. She’s made my favorite meal.”

  “Xara.”

  “Yeah?”

  “If you ever need to talk, come find me.” If you couldn’t change the spots on a leopard, then you couldn’t expect Egg to be anything but her caring self.

  The girl barked a laugh. “Now you’ve gone too far, little lady,” and the screen went dark.

  Egg looked around the room, a small smile of satisfaction on her face. “I think we lost a nemesis and made a friend.”

  “Oh goody. My minds a ’twitter and my hearts a ’flutter. OUCH. Stop flicking my ear.”

  *****

  “The doctors have transferred Benny to the hospital ship.”

  “What did they say?”

  “They fairly screamed when Tee withdrew the PhoG. Other than that, a hurried thank you as they left the ship. I think they were trying to put as much distance between themselves and the gray ghost.”

  “That’s it?”

  “They really didn’t do any kind of examination. Anyway, they just left. You should call Lord Z’kkk in a little while.”

  “Thanks, I will. Why don’t you two transfer over to the hospital ship? If Benny does wake up, he’ll have a million questions.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need us for what’s to come?”

  “Honestly, I don’t what that is yet. If there’s a reason to have you back here, I’ll call.”

  “Okay. Let his Lordship know, if you would. I don’t want the doctors to throw us out or stop us from seeing Benny.”

  “Good idea. If you learn anything about his condition, call me. Don’t expect his father to give me bad news.”

  “Goose bumps?”

  “Want to hear something strange? I think I’ve lost both my vaunted luck and my goose bump warning system. Now we’ll really see if I’m any good as a leader.”

  *****

  A short time later she called her father-in-law to be. “What are the doctors saying?” she asked.

  “He is stable. Bones on the mend and the internal trauma healing of its own accord.”

  “And the concussion?”

  “That will require surgery. It is severe.”

  “Any permanent damage?”

  “Too early to tell. However, Eloise, you should prepare yourself for some memory loss. What that might be is anyone’s guess until he regains consciousness.”

  “I assumed as much. As to the other matter at hand, did you talk to the Ephemeral?”

  “To be completely honest, I did not feel qualified to make first contact. With their ability to alter reality, I was wary of becoming a pawn in the upcoming confrontation.”

  “Good thinking. Can you send me the coordinates of the planet that they landed on?”

  His Lordship looked off camera then back again. “It is done. Please remember, that if they will exchange the hostages for me, I will join you immediately.”

  “Understood. And Your Lordship, I’ve asked Bree and Tee’ka to stay behind for now to keep Benny company. In case he regains consciousness, he‘ll have a ton of questions that they can help answer. That’s especially true if there are gaps in his memory.”

  “Excellent. I will see that they have full access once my son is medically cleared for such visitors. And, Eloise . . .”

  “Yes?”

  His tone turned utterly serious and his voice lowered. “In my heart I knew you and your sisters would bring my son home alive. To say that I am in your debt is meaningless since my family has never repaid you for all that has been done for us these many years. This time, however, is different. Ben’Edikk . . . Benny . . . is my boy. There is a unique bond between father and son that may be hard for others to understand. Had I lost him, I could not see how I would have carried on.” He said all this with his head held high – and his eyes glistening with tears.

  On the other hand, a few of Egg’s tears flowed freely. “You are a good man and Benny is lucky to have you as his father. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  *****

  “I am thankful to you once again.”

  “Why Waldo?”

  “You have left Tee’ka behind to keep your Prince company. She is out of harm’s way.”

  “To be honest, she is there for a reason. And, if I think she’ll be of assistance when we confront the Ephemeral, I will ask her and Bree to rejoin us.”

  “Unacceptable but understandable.”

  “So, let’s make a plan. First, and foremost, how close to the Ephemeral do we have to be in order to feel the effects of their mind games?”

  “Exact information is not in my data banks. Estimation would be one hundredth of a millisecond.”

  “Say what?”

  Sylvia explained. “He’s talking about how far light travels in a millisecond. So in a hundredth of one second . . . that would be about two miles.”

  “If you say so. I would have thought much further since they were able to get Benny’s ships.”

  Serenity added her two cents. “They must have used their own version of the maintenance shuttle to approach the fleet. Probably convinced them to let them on board.”

  “I guess I didn’t realize each habitat had one. So they have four war ships we need to worry about.”

  “Probably not,” suggested I’za. “To get permission to approach the Prince’s ships, theirs would have to be unarmed.”

  “Good thinking. Waldo, any idea why they were so eager to land their habitat?”

  “The structure negates their telepathic abilities. They cannot influence anyone outside of their domain.”

  “Well of course it does,” blurted Jax’x. “I had been wondering how they were kept contained on the Ark. Now it’s obvious.”

  “I already figured that out,” teased Sparky.

  “Liar.”

  “So maybe we fight this battle inside that structure if we can figure out how to increase the dampening effect on their telepathic abilities,” suggested Sylvia.

  Egg disagreed. “Then it can’t be that easy. These people are not stupid. They will destroy that habitat as soon as they’ve built themselves some new place to live. You can’t jail someone if there’s no jail.”

  “So how long to build these new structures?” asked Bl’azzz.

  “Depends on a bunch of things – what type of climate they need to protect themselves against, how much natural resources are available on the planet, how nasty the weather might be in slowing down their efforts.”

  “Egg.”

  “Yeah, I’za?”

  “Since they are physically weak, they are going to need help in building whatever they choose to build.”

  “I’m not following.”

  “They’ve thought this whole plan through over many years. More likely, over many decades. I would doubt that they didn’t create a solution to this problem.”

  “Like what?”

  The know-it-all twins answered together. “Robots”.

  “I said it first.”

  “Did not.”

  “Did too.”

  “Nope.”

  “Hey, cut it out. It was a tie,” yelled Egg.

  Jax’x got the last word. “She’s just being nice.”

  “Well, if there’s a chance you’re right; we need to find out ahead of time.”

  “I can send Ziz to do a reconnaissance.”

  �
��Perfect. Can you control her from a great distance? We’re going to keep some serious space between them and us.”

  “I still have the balance of my amber heart trove. I will put half of those inside Ziz to amplify my signals.”

  “Great. So what else?”

  The conversation continued for the better part of an hour. It was time to wrap it up. “Okay, we’ve got the vague outline of a plan. We just have to stay flexible and react to whatever the bad guys throw at us. Let’s get some rest. It might be our last chance for a while.”

  *****

  Egg went to her cabin and called BreeZee. “Any news?”

  “Surgery is already finished. He’s back in his room recovering. It’s too soon to tell if there’s any damage.”

  “This waiting is killing me. When do think you can talk to him?”

  “The doctor said tomorrow.”

  “You’ll call me?”

  “Of course. So I’m guessing you want Tee and I to stay here?”

  “Please.”

  “Whatever you think best. When do you engage the enemy?”

  “A few hours.”

  “Be safe. Give my love to everyone. Oh. Be sure to tell Waldo that Tee sends her love. She would never forgive me if I forgot.”

  *****

  “Have you spotted their ships?”

  “Three are in geosynchronous orbits above their habitat. No sign of the fourth,” replied Sylvia.

  “Keep looking. Sparky, take us to the far side of the planet so we can unleash our mighty bird of prey. Jax’x, is Ziz ready?”

  “Yes. She’s been instructed to find the habitat and survey it as well as any humanoid activity within a ten-mile radius. We’ll be able to see what she’s seeing of course.”

  “Great. Load her into the probe.” Since Ziz was a mechanical version of a bird, it couldn’t fly in space since there is no air. So Serenity suggested using a probe to get her into the planet’s atmosphere.

  A few minutes later Jax’x announced, “Ready. You can fire it off anytime.”

  “Sparky, do it.”

  “Done.”

  “Egg,” called I’za “I found the maintenance shuttle. It’s very close to the surface. Best guess is that they’re using it to either help in the new construction or to dismantle the habitat.”

  “How many life signs onboard?”