posted
The flight to Daxam was relatively quiet between the three of them. They all had a lot of things to work through.
The proximity alert finally went off and the ships communication system came to life, "Please Identify..." the voice come through.
Dev hit a button, "This is Legion World Cruiser 247 on approach to land at Embassy Row."
"Copy LW247, proceed and land."
"That was easy," Sharklad said, finally looking away from the window next to him.
Timberwolf laughed, "helps when they know we're coming. Although, nobody knows I am here...it wouldn't be a good thing."
"What the Sprock did you do?'
"Not me really, but they would love to get me back on their payroll again, and that just leads to all kinds of messes if I actually set foot on the damned planet. So as long as I stay on board, they can't touch me."
Sharklad just looked at him and shook his head, "you are a piece of work."
Timberwolf just laughed.
----------------------------------
Dev landed the ship and swung his seat around. "He'll be here soon, he already sent a message that he was enroute. Before he gets here though, a bit of an explanation is in order...don't you think Lon?"
Lon let out something between a sigh and a grunt, "Fine. Before I came to Legion World, I was an operative for the Daxamite military. Dad taught me his trade and the military started sending me on missions as soon as they could, without his consent. When he finally found out, he decided that I needed to be off world, adn not doing these things, so he sent me to live with Dev. I kept the Furry mascot thing going because...well, for a while, it was fun as hell. then I got bored. About 6 months or so after Cobie started the Office of Security, I started doing things to help out Legion World on the side. I got to do things, and he got things done off the books. Somewhere along the way, it grew into something that I cannot talk about, but regardless...dad probably knows at this point that I am back to doing the things he didn't like back then, and probably not real happy about it."
Dev looked at him and shook his head. "I wish you would have thought enough of me to let me know what was actaully going on, and not having to learnabout it in the middle of a fight."
"Need to know basis brother, until recently. Then it was decided that it was not necessary to maintain certain protocols. Meaning, it was up to me to reveal myself whenever I wanted. There are things happening that take priority over maintainingthe mascot image...thank the gods."
A big voice boomed from behind them, "You forgot to mention the final reason I sent you to Legion World. The one thing that changed my mind."
They all turned towards Kar Em. He was a tall man, taller than Dev, and had obviously been behind a desk for a while, but not too long. He carried himself well, and even under the red sun of Daxam seemed to be more than able to handle himself in a tough situation.
Lon looked at his dad and sighed, "you really want to go there as soon as you see me?"
"I think they have a right to know, or at least Dev does."
"Fine," he said and looked at Dev, "I killed our Uncle Kel. He had turned over document databases to teh Dominion and the Daxam government wanted him gone...so they had me do it."
Kar held up his hand, "I put up with a lot, but having him kill family was a bit much. So, I had him sent to Legion World, not expecting him to be doing the things I hear he's been doing."
Lon looked at him with a look that was questioning and had a warning in it.
"Oh please Lon, I keep up in intel...I trained you remember. I sent you away when they sent you after your own family...even if he deserved it...and took his post as a favor to the President to save face."
Dev just started laughing. "This just keeps getting better. My dad's a political pawn so my brother can go and do the nasty work of a even larger political organization," he sighs and rubs his temples, "...my family gives me a headache."
Sharklad laughed. "You should try mine. Oh, wait..."
With that Timberwolf, Dev and Sharklad broke out in almost hysterical laughter.
Kar looked between the three of them like they had all gone mad.
Dev stopped finally and looked at his dad, "Dad, this is Sharklad..."
"I know who he is Dev. I've followed all of you..."
"...he's your nephew."
"I beg your pardon?"
They broke out into more laughter and eventually explained the bizarre events that had unfolded on Isla Larga.
"So, I now have an extended family of sorts..." Kar Em said, "welcome to the family Bruce."
Sharklad looked at him, "thanks."
Kar looked at Dev, "let's go get my grandchildren."
From: Turn around... | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dev and his father piloted the ship to the Main Moon of Xyler 7, called Daroon.
They were cleared for landing immediately, but something seemed off in the voice on the other side of the transmitter.
"Be ready for anything when we land. I'm sure they know why we're here and aren't going to be real willing to let the kids go," Dev said.
They all got ready as Kar landed the ship.
He looked at them, "go easy on them guys, they really don't stand a chance against you three, and I may be able to come to a peaceful solution...but I suppose none of you want to wait."
They all just looked at each other.
Lon finally spoke, "We're just going to go outside and talk to the nice people dad..."
They turned and strode down the ramp.
"Sprockin kids today," Kar said as he reached for his Omnicom, "although it does feel good to be under a yellow sun again."
-------------------------------
As they reached the bottom of the ramp, they saw hundreds of the Kings men in full armor and weapons drawn.
"You have been allowed to land as a courtesy. You will refuel your ship and leave immediately," the Captain of the Guard said.
Dev shook his head, "I'm not leaving this place without my children."
"We know who you are and why you are here...you are ordered by King Graftun to leave immediately."
Sharklad looked over the crowd, "are they sprockin kidding me?"
Lon started grinning, "this is gonna feel so good..."
Devs' eyes started glowing, "Remember boys, don't kill anyone. But make a point."
Timberwolf and Sharklad waded into the armored guards, while Dev flew above them flash frying arrows that headed his way.
-------------------------------
Inside the ship, Kar was waiting for a response from Daxam.
[ March 22, 2011, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: Dev Em ]
From: Turn around... | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
SharkLad grabbed a bow and arrow away from one of the King’s men.
“Hey, watch where you’re pointing that thing!” he growled.
“Again, I command you to turn around and leave this world,” the Captain of the Guard barked, drawing his sword.
“Too late for that,” said Timber Wolf with a distinct gleam in his eye. “What do you say, cuz?”
“I say… we kick some arse!”
SharkLad leapt into the air and crashed down upon a phalanx of the King’s men, scattering them and their weapons.
Timber Wolf caught a spear as it was thrown at him and used it to pole vault into the crowd.
“Hey, Sharky! Catch!” Timber Wolf said with a laugh as he threw the Captain of the Guard at SharkLad.
SharkLad grabbed the shaken captain by the sides of his breastplate.
“Mmmm… you’d probably taste good with a little barbeque sauce,” SharkLad said licking his lips.
“Remember!” Dev Em yelled from above, “No killing!”
“Eh, I was just joking,” SharkLad said as he tore the breastplate off of the Captain of the Guard. He tossed him over his shoulder and threw the breastplate towards Timber Wolf.
“Hey, Lon! This may be a good look for you.”
Timber Wolf finished bashing two of the King’s men’s heads together and reached up and caught the breastplate.
“Maybe, but I don’t think it would stay on when I go furry.” He smashed the breastplate down on the nearest guard’s head.
“Whoa! You mean ‘Furball’ might make an appearance? Sprock! I hope I can fight the urge to kick your furry arse!”
SharkLad grabbed a guard by the leg and tossed him up into the air where Dev Em met the guard’s face with his fist.
“You’re a laugh riot, fish,” Timber Wolf said with a sneer as he rolled a small, burly guard into a group of others, knocking them down like a set of bowling pins.
“Seriously though, don’t you find it strange that we haven’t torn into each other yet? Usually by now, we’re at each other’s throats.”
“I guess your mom’s serum worked,” Timber Wolf said with a shrug as he ducked from a barrage of arrows. “Hey bro! You missed a couple!”
“Sorry ‘bout that!” Dev Em yelled back. “Looks like there’s more guards coming.”
“Sprock! We gotta end this before the King has a chance to make off with Dev’s kids. If you were going to go furry, now would be a good time.”
“Alright,” Timber Wolf answered. “I ruess I rave ro roice.”
“Nice! Furball lives to scratch again! I guess there’s only one thing left for me to do -- Inyuk Chuk!”
SharkLad grows to 50 feet tall, scattering a group of the King’s men with a kick of his foot.
“FURBALL! WHAT DO YOU SAY WE END THIS?”
“I ray re rend the Ring a ressage that unress re rurrenders Rev’s rids row, re ron’t rave rany ruards reft to ripe ris rass.”
“UM, SURE, YEAH… ANYWAY, I’LL PIN THESE CLOWNS DOWN WITH A COUPLE OF PROJECTILE TEETH. YOU CLEAR THOSE GUYS OUT WHILE DEV FRIES THE REST OF THEIR WEAPONS.”
The air is filled with the sound of teeth and claws clashing against metal, as SharkLad, Timber Wolf, and Dev Em make quick work of the remaining guards.
Dev Em swoops in and lands between SharkLad and Timber Wolf. “Alright, that takes care of the lot of them. I don’t think the King is going to put up much resistance now.”
Kar Em walks down the ramp of the ship and approaches the trio.
“I guess this was as good as any peaceful solution I might have come up with. So, who’s ready for an audience with the King?”
-------------------- Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
From: The waters off eastern Long Island | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Kar Em had become a very patient man over his years in the Daxamite Military, and after spending the last several years in the role of Diplomat to many worlds. He had never been assigned to any one particular world, as his talents made him an asset in traveling around and establishing initial relations and leaving the day to day stuff to others.
He was now waiting for Xyler 7 and Daxam to finish arguing over the rights that the the King of Daroon was claiming. The situation had been explained, and the negotiations were under way. Everyone was claiming foul as to the way their people were being treated, and nobody wanted to give up their position. The matter was made worse by the initial reaction of the King, and his assembling his army to force them to leave Daroon immediately. The fact that there was now a skirmish happening outside the ship was not helping matters in any way. "Grife...I know that Lon is hotheaded; Bruce, from everything they explained to me is just as bad, if not worse at times, and these are Devs' children...what did they think was going to happen here?" He asked nobody in particular. "I didn't raise my boys to not fight for what they believe in."
His Omnicom beeped to life to let him know that an agreement had been reached. He picked it up and hit the read option. He shook his head, "Sprockin politicians."
He stood, and pressed his uniform down. "Time to get this situation under control before the natives get hurt too bad.
-----------------------------
Kar Em walks down the ramp of the ship and approaches the trio.
“I guess this was as good as any peaceful solution I might have come up with. So, who’s ready for an audience with the King?”
The three of them looked around...
"Rhfter rall this, I don't think..." Timberwolf said as he changed back.
Dev looked at his father, "There is no way that I am going to let him..."
"Let's go meet with him before we do anything else too hasty," Kar said as he looked around at the guards scattered around them, "and let's go before this group starts waking up."
-----------------------------
They were at the Castle in no time and were escorted in.
It was a scene that they had often heard about, a King with his Queen sitting on their thrones. The Princess with the children to their right.
Dev made a move forward.
"Wait, let them come to you," Kar Em said quietly.
The children bolted as soon as they saw their father..
"DADDY!"
"DA!"
Dev scooped both of them up and they hugged his neck as tight as they could.
"I've missed you two so much," he said, tears forming in his eyes, "I'm so sorry I couldn't come sooner."
"It's okay daddy, momma and the King and Queen are very nice and they are very happy to have us here...we just missed you."
"I know sweetie."
Han Em ran over to her grandfather and gave Kar Em a big hug as well. "Why are you here Grandpa?"
"To help your daddy sweatheart, the best that I can."
Jon Em ran and jumped at Timberwolf, "Unca Furbie!"
Lon caught him, "Hey kiddo, missed you."
Jon proceeded to pull something out of his pocket and started to babble about what it was.
The King rose and descended the stairs to meet them.
"Mr. Em," he said looking at Kar.
"King Graftun ," Kar said.
Dev shifted his glare from the Princess Alyson, the mother of his children, to the King, "what gave you the right..."
The King held up his hand. "Please. Let us retire to my office to discuss this matter."
Dev had his hands clenched into fists. "Fine."
Kar looked at Bruce and Lon, "Can you two stay out of trouble for a while?"
They looked at each other and shrugged. "I thought we'd been doing pretty good so far," Lon said with a grin on his face.
Bruce looked at him and nodded, "yeah, let;s go find someplace to get a drink."
"I can live with that."
With that, Lon and Bruce walked out of the castle looking for a local pub.
-----------------------------
Kar caught up with Dev Em and King Graftun . Princess Alyson was moving to join them, and the look on Devs' face was not real accepting to that thought, but he bit his tounge.
Once they entered the Kings chambers, or office as he liked to call it, they took seats that had been placed in a circle.
"Where are my chldren?" Dev asked.
"They're my children too, and they belong here with..."
The King cut her off, "Enough. There is no reason to make this any worse than it already is."
He looked at Dev, "Please understand, we were out of options. There are no valuable suitors for the Princess here, and a precedant had been set by the King of Orando for allowing commoners to marry his daughter."
Dev shifted in his chair.
"We were looking for someone that could help provide children with natural powers, physical or mental. Your mother told us that it was possible to have you and my daughter marry, and produce heirs to the throne. By the time things were moving into place to have you two meet, you had already fallen in love and were engaged. Suzanne told us that there would be time to fix things. When the accident happened, she said that she had passed and that you were open to the idea. We had no idea what she had really done, until it was too late and there was no way to get Alyson out of there without causing a huge problem."
"You expect me to believe that you all had no idea..."
"Of course not Dev Em. What I hope you do believe is that..."
Princess Alyson interupted, "please let me tell this part daddy."
"Very well."
"Dev, I wanted to tell you, I wasn't convinced and wanted out, but your mother said that she had things under control and that I would only have to pretend for a short time. I really loved you all those years we were together, and am sorry that I did this to you. The plan was for us to have been killed in the Red Bees attack, and to slip out and come home. The children were to have been told that you perished as well, and we actually feared you had during your battle with him. We obviously couldn't go through with everything that we had planned...or at least I couldn't."
Dev was holding his head in his hands, "I don't sprocking believe this."
Kar Em had risen and was standing behind his son with his hands on his shoulders. First as a sign of support to his son, and secondly as a sign of where his u;ltimate loyalty lied in this matter to the King.
"Let her finish son."
The Princess continued, "We are ashamed of what we have done. I am ashamed, and do not blame you for hating me right now. But please listen. the arguments we had about your time with your friends...those were real. You spend so much time away fighting for all the right reasons. But still away from your family constantly. Sometimes we barely saw you for weeks at a time."
Dev shifted again in his chair.
"We were thinking at times about telling you the truth, and inviting you here to live with us as Royalty, but I knew that you would never be able to give up what you do. You are one of, if not the most caring people I have ever met...but your heart is that of a hero...not a stay at hime father and husband. You need something to fight for, and Legion World needs you to be there fighting for it...as do your friends. I know you love the children, they love you and have talked about you everyday since we got here. They know what happened, and were quite upset at first, but they have grown to love it here. There is a life for them here that they could never realize anywhere else..."
"If you think that I am leaving them here alone with you and your family..."
Kar walked in front of Dev and knelt down, "They're not going to be alone. If, and only if," he said as he shot a look at the King, "you agree with this, I will be staying with them. To watch over them. Face it...she's right son. You and your brother are not people that can stand still and turn your backs on your duty. You have your children, and they will be here for you to visit as often and as long as you'd like. But they need to stay here. On a planet that is not attacked every other month by the Villian of the moment."
Devs' face had gone emotionless. "I...you're...they..."
"Why don't we leave him alone to think this through for a few minutes," Kar said to the King and Princess, and motioned toward the door.
As they exoted the children came running in.
They closed the doors, and Kar looked at the King, "you;re a lucky man. My other son would have gutted you about five second after we walked through the door."
The King looked at him with an indignant look forming on his face.
The Princess chuckled under her breath, obviously feeling her emotions settling, "he's right you know."
Kar looked at the doors, "there are three reasons he'll agree to this. First, he knows that she's right about his true nature. he cannot sit back and let others fight in his place. He s tried and failed miserably. Second, the childrenlove it here, and are used to him being away on assignments with the LMB and Legion Worlds Office of Security. Lastly, he trusts me. Even with everything he and I have disagreed on over the years, he trusts my judgement, and if I am willing to give my life up on Daxam to oversee the raising of his children, he knows that this is a serious enough situation that he needs to carefully consider."
"So in other words..." the King said.
"He'll agree for all the right reasons...oh, and there's a fourth...he'd do anything that those two will ask him too."
-----------------------------
About an hour passed before the doors opened.
Dev walked out with the kids up on his shoulders.
Dev smiled a half smile, "go ahead sweetie, tell them."
Han jumped down, :we get to stay with Grandma and Grandpa and Mom and Grandpa Kar! Daddy said he will be back soon to check up on us, and that he will talk to us everyday that he can."
Princess Alyson went over to Dev, and hugged him. "I know this isn't easy for you, but they have two planets and a Moon to protect them now. Daroon, Xyler 7 and Legion World."
"Let's not forget my staff that will be joining me from Daxam," Kar said with a grin. "50 or so Daxamites under a yellow sun is something that will raise the political attention of the United Planets."
-----------------------------
A short time later, Dev and his father were talking under the night sky.
"Thanks dad. how long did you know this was going to happen?"
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.”
"By the gods...you know that Lon says the same thing all the time don't you?
"Where do you think he got it from?"
Dev gave his father a hug, "I wonder where those two got off to?"
"That is something I don't think I want to know."
"Give this to them. It's just a note telling them that this is something I agreed to, and that I expect to see them back on Legion World as soon as they can make it."
"Will do son. You taking the scenic route home."
Dev floated off the ground, "yeah, I need to be alone for a while, and flying home is gonna give me the best opportunity to do that. Besides, if they;re causing the trouble I'm betting they are, I don't want to wait around for them to sober up."
"Take care, and I'll see you soon."
"Yeah, you to. I'll be calling as soon as I get back. There are a few things I need to take care of back on Legion World. I still don't buy half of what they told me here..."
"Son, you're mom is a scary person when motivated by greed. She needed the funding, and was goign to manipulate anyone she could into getting it. From what I can gather from talking to the King, they were scared to death of her and kept playing along to save everyones lives. They're not as bad a people as they seem...just motivated by different standards."
"Take care of all of them..."
"I will."
[ April 12, 2011, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: Dev Em ]
From: Turn around... | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
SharkLad and Timber Wolf stumble out of a bar called "The Xylerzone."
"And those were the worst chicken wings ever!" SharkLad shouted in the direction of the bar.
"We didn't eat chicken wings, fishface," said Timber Wolf stifling a burp.
"Then, what the sprock did I eat?"
"Fairies. Xylerian fairies."
"Oh, gross, man... did you eat any?"
"Nah! I don't like to eat anything that's still moving... or talking," answered Timber Wolf. "I think they were the waitresses."
"Sprock! We gotta get out of here. Where's the cruiser?"
"RIght over there, but hey, we can't leave without Dev... and his kids... I mean, that's why we're here, right? Right?"
"Sorry, I was picking fairy wings out of my teeth. What did you say?"
"Forget it. Hey, I got a message from my dad. What? Dev took off. Everything is fine with his kids and his wife and the King and... and... can you pilot the cruiser?"
"Sure, do you have the keys?" SharkLad asked.
"Keys? We don't use keys. It's a space-cruiser," Timber Wolf slurred.
"So, how do start it?"
"Um, you say 'engage.'"
"'Engage?'"
"Yeah, you like point at the screen and say 'engage.'"
"Alright, whatever. We are we going?" SharkLad asked.
"I have some business on Argus 7 I need to take care of before we <hic> go back to LegionWorld."
"Argus 7? Argus 7? What do you know about Argus 7?"
"Yeah, it's like the seventh planet in the Argus system."
"No, not that. Nevermind. Let's go." SharkLad said, shaking his head.
"Engage!"
"Knock it off!"
-------------------- Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
From: The waters off eastern Long Island | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
It was raining on Argus 7 as Timber Wolf and SharkLad exited the shipyard.
"I can't sprockin' believe I'm here again," grumbled SharkLad. "Now that we're here, you want to tell me what you have to take care of?"
"It's better if you don't know, Sharky," answered Timber Wolf. "I'll make it quick."
"Fine. I know a bar that serves a decent Bloody Thora."
"A 'Bloody Thora?' Who are you? Space Tart?"
"Tough talk from someone who drank so much Spiffany Ale at the Xylerzone that they won't have any left for the next bachelorette party that comes in."
"Aw, cripes."
"What's the matter?" asked SharkLad.
"Missionaries... they're gonna want to save our souls."
"Good luck with that."
Timber Wolf and SharkLad managed to dodge the Swilian missionaries and head for the main section of the Argus 7 colony. They approach a bar called "Lucky 7's."
"How do you know this place?"
"Argus 7 seems to be a place I can't shake. This is my fourth time here," said SharkLad as he stepped up to the bar.
"When was that?"
"Once on a LMB mission -- that was the first time I met my father. The next time was to get some closure from the first time but all I got was a shiv in my side from Beaver. The last time, well, it was to pay my respects to someone who got mixed up and lost their life in the sprockin' game Beaver's been playing with me since I first learned to swim."
"Bummer."
"Yeah, you could say that. Hey barkeep! Two of your best ales. And keep them coming."
---
"So, I told Lardy, I don't care if you wrote your name on every box of Cheez-its, when I'm hungry, I'm gonna eat whatever I want."
"What's a Cheez-it?" asked a pretty little redhead at the bar.
"They're like a little square of cheese, but it's not real cheese -- I guess that's why they spell it with a 'z' -- and they're orange, kinda like your hair ... all orange and powdery and tasty..." SharkLad slurred. "You have nice hair."
The redhead blushed.
"Say, have you seen my buddy? He went to the bathroom like an hour ago, and we gotta get going. Dev is probably already home by now."
SharkLad downed his Bloody Thora.
"Lon thought this is a girl's drink, but I like it 'cause it tastes like real blood," SharkLad said licking his lips.
The redhead gave a nervous laugh.
"Say, don't worry. I'm not gonna drink your blood, unless, ya know, that's your thing, I mean, <hic> I don't judge."
"This guy bothering you?" came a gravelly voice from behind SharkLad. "Cause, I'll take care of him for you."
"What th-- Who the sprock are you to care of me?" SharkLad asked as he turned around.
Behind SharkLad stood a Dividian Man-Hawk, eight feet tall with massive arms and a broad set of wings.
"Say, those are pretty wings. Do you <hic> carry a little bow and arrow too?"
The Man-Hawk grabbed SharkLad by the arms and lifted him off the ground.
"I don't need weapons to take care of scum like you."
"You didn't even get my joke... cupid," SharkLad mumbled. "But, listen, if we're gonna dance, I think I'll lead."
SharkLad opened his mouth and let loose a barrage of projectile teeth. The Man-Hawk, his arms and wings sliced by the teeth, let out a cry of rage as he knocked SharkLad across the bar.
"What the sprock!" SharkLad grumbled as he picked himself up.
"You will leave now," the Man-Hawk bellowed.
"You will leave now, blah blah blah," SharkLad mimicked. "Listen, I'm just trying to have a drink. Why don't you find your little harp, and go fly away."
The Man-Hawk gave a yell as he ran in SharkLad's direction.
"Oh sprock," SharkLad said as he took a shaky step backward. Dodging the Man-Hawk, SharkLad grabbed him by the wings and tossed him into the mirror above the bar.
"Say! We don’t want any trouble here!” bellowed the bartender.
"Oh good, you're still here. Can you get me another drink? Mine got spilled."
The Man-Hawk leapt over the bar. SharkLad met him with a right hook, knocking him to the floor.
"Now about that drink..."
---
Timber Wolf entered what was left of Lucky 7's.
"What the sprock? Bruce, are you here?"
"Heeeeeeyyy! There you are, furby. You missed all the fun. The Man-Hawk -- the guy hanging over the bar in the tutu -- didn't like me talking to some little redhead. So we, um, ya know, whatever," SharkLad said, motioning around the bar. "Turned out the redhead was friends with the Man-Hawk. She called some other guys and, well, I ended up redecorating the whole place."
Timber Wolf looked around. Besides the Man-Hawk above the bar, there were several other additions to the walls.
"How many Bloody Thoras did you drink?"
"Never mind that. You did what you had to do?"
"I can't say."
"Ugh, whatever."
"Where's the redhead, by the way?"
"Oh, I ate her."
"What?!?"
"She reminded me too much of Lardy's Cheez-its."
"You're lucky we're not here on official LMB business."
"And you're lucky my mom gave us that serum 'cause I still got a lot of fight left in me."
"Well, save it. We're leaving."
"I think this might be my last trip to Argus 7. This place rots."
-------------------- Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
From: The waters off eastern Long Island | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
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