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The three days they had spend here had not been wasted.
While Rol and Ambassador Contact researched the whereabouts of the Nu-born that Rol's father had mentioned and planned what their next step would be, N'Gok and Aneaelle needed to act.
N'Gok, despite her big smile and outwardly positive attitude found it particularly ironic that she had ran away from her homeworld two years to learn more about the galaxy spanning United Planets and here she was, just as she had found a purpose in that hugely confusing and socially complex system now running away from it. She did what she had always done when faced with a problem that her conscious mind baulked at:
She found something to dismantle.
In this case it was the merchants elegant looking but woefully fuel inefficient skycart. Her love for mechanical engineering had been a constant in her life and she reveled in the challenge of working on this alien technology. It also meant she could spend a lot of time on the merchants roof garage looking out at the turquoise sky and alien landscape acting as the groups look out.
Anneaelle, as a student from Myar, the Alchemists planet, used her skills to mix up a poultice that included local flowers sap that, once spread across her and Rol's skin gave them a pale blue hue of the locals. It didn't stand up under very close scrutiny but it was enough to allow her to leave the merchants compound with a little confidence when she wrapped up in local garb. In the local bazaar she discovered that the High Seers announcement and the subsequent flurry of Science Police activity were the hot topic of conversation. Everyone had an opinion to share, a rumour to spread or speculation to muse over. She found the honesty and blinkered trust that the Talokeans showed to her despite their reputation as fierce warriors to be very endearing. On her own homeworld it would not be acceptable to speak out so openly, especially in a public place!
When she returned to the compound and shared her news the group knew there would be no going back from their course. They talked it through until the wee hours of the morning and all agreed that they would continue until they found answers.
Ambassador Contact had needed to use her telepathy very little since she had persuaded the merchant to look after them and when she spoke with Rol she commented on how honorable a man the he was, "his soul is full of generosity and light."
The merchant, Andur Sijjeh Mkaw, specialized in transporting food and beverages throughout the Southern Continents. He was a divorcee with two children he rarely saw. He lived to work and in a typical local cycle would rarely socialize. Ambassador Contacts initial telepathic push requesting he acknowledge them as friends and offer to house them while they visited Strmmor was all it took to release the more gregarious and companionable side. Here was a man who had escaped his loneliness by diving into the cut and thrust of commerce.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Amassador Contact had no need to sleep, telling the others that her species had two organs htat were a rough analogue of the Terran brain. Her species merely rested one while the other was awake. She had taken to sitting in the merchants kitchen area searching through the stores of dried meat and tubers for something rich enough in B vitamins for her system to absorb. The xenomorph had managed to sustain herself by licking some indigenous insects but she was beginning to reach her physical endurance limit. She hadn't wanted to alarm the group but her race had comparatively strict dietary requirements.
Rol had silently padded through the house to the kitchen and found her with her extended snout in what appeared to be a sack of Talokean potatoes.
"Ambassador, we need to wake up the others."
"Aneaelle is in the next room dozing. N'Gok is asleep in the nest she built on the roof terrace. She is dreaming of fishing for razor pike with her brother as they did when they were children. She was scared then and is scared now."
The directness of the Ambassadors telepathic assessment throws Rol of balance for a second. His excitement of having had a vision of Nura is pushed to the back of his mind as he realises that this group that followed him so bravely needed his attention, as well as leadership. The uncertainty of their mission must be confusing them, possibly even more than it confused Rol.
"I know where we are going Ambassador and I'm sure we will get more answers there. Can you wake the others please, we need to get going before the day starts. The less people who see us leave..."
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Within ten minutes of Ambassador Contact's telepathic intrusion into the groups dreams they were all sat around the large table in the merchant's front parlor discussing what they should do. The merchant offered them the use of his now very efficient skycart. As the Forest was over 2,000 klicks away they had very little choice. Rol realised that the Talokean that they had ungraciously pushed into hiding them had developed a bond of genuine warmth with them. Whether it was that they had found a way through his loneliness to remind him about the simple joys of company or his natural generosity being able to show itself, Andur was willing to go well out of his way to help them one more time. N'Gok was keen to show him the adjustments she had made and both wanted to test drive the vehicle.
They left about two hours before the star Talok would rise above the horizon. N'Gok insisted Andur took the skycart up on it's first flight since she had made her changes. He was more insistent that N'Gok should be the pilot claiming that it was local custom for a woman to fly a vehicle as everyone knew they had better reflexes and sight. Despite his charm they all knew he was lying, he was just being kind. His sadness that they would leave him was visible in the small ways he would touch them as he spoke and the extravagant manners he suddenly acquired. Rol could see on his companions faces that they shared this feeling.
As most of the flight was over open seas and N'Gok estimated it could take up to two hours they started to talk. Andur was amazed that his "old 'cart" could make such a journey without needing to refuel and N'Gok kindly explained the system she had set up and minor engineering she had worked on. They could tell by the slightly distant look in his eyes that their merchant friend was considering how to he could benefit from these simple changes to existing technology that made such a difference. N'Gok seemed delighted that her 'tinkering;' was so well appreciated and they slipped below to examine the engine.
Rol, Aneaelle and Ambassador Contact were left in the control deck in silence.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Rol knew a little about each of his companions but knew that in the days to come, when things got harder they would need to have complete trust in each other if they were to succeed.
“Aneaelle, what is Myar really like? On Naltor we were taught that the people there had turned their back on the Enlightenment that the United Planets brought,” he smiles at the irony of this statement,”and were interested only in the metallic elements they could create for their own wealth.”
“There is possibly some truth in that Rol.” Ameaelle looks reluctant to say much more.
“Naltorians are snobs so don’t feel it’s personal. We... they are a race who think they always know what’s best for everyone else.”
“My mother moved us to Myar when I was very young. We were Bana-Mighdall. You know of our people?” There is a challenge in her tone.
Rol’s eyes widen in genuine surprise. “I’m afraid all I know is the rumours about the Bana-Mighdall. Something about searching for the route back to the Paradise Island that was destroyed in a long ago battle, or something like that. I’m sorry, that’s probably not true is it?”
“We were once warriors, our history is thousands of years old Rol and it would be impossible to distil it in one conversation.” Again her reluctance threatens to shut down the conversation.
“I saw a picture once in the Naltor Institute of Art of your people. It was real old school oil on canvas, stunningly dramatic, The Venus in Arms by a 24th century genius...”
“Willemma Maraggio Patel. It shows the aftermath of devastation to the Rubens Colony on Ganymede after we were supposed to have attacked one of the so-called Brave Sisterhood’s hospitals. I know it very well Rol. It is untrustworthy propaganda.” There was anger in her eyes now.
Rol had never heard about this interpretation of this famous piece of art. As he started to apologize, trying to explain that all he knew was that the picture showed the Bana-Mighdall as brave warriors Nemesis Girl got up and announced she was going to see how N’Gok and Andur were doing.
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Rol bristled for the next hour of the flight.
Had it not been for his vision while they were at the Spire that showed the group together and Nura’s reassurance to keep going Rol was tempted to tell his companions to leave, return to the Spire and explain that he had tricked them to follow him. Hopefully they wouldn’t face too much flak. Actually, Rol knew that they would be imprisoned before the Amazers could say or do anything to help. The High Seer had engendered the full support from the upper echelons of the United Planets and every police force, governmental agency or brigade in the various planetary armed forces would been keen to say that they had captured these runaway suspected terrorists.
As the skycart approached a mountainous island Andur returned to the flight deck with N’Gok. They were both excited about how efficiently the engine had been running. Neither seemed in any way awkward around Rol so he guessed that Aneaelle hadn’t mentioned that he had unintentionally upset her. Rol made a mental note to thank her for her discretion later.
Andur was excitedly pointing at various readouts while N’Gok cackled with shared enthusiasm. None of them heard Aneaelle return to the flight deck. She stood silently behind Rol and Ambassador Contact, staring fixedly at the screen showing the approaching continental edge.
Andur turned to them and said, “We will be there within the next few minutes. The Brotherhood are not always welcoming of outsiders but I have had some small dealings with them before so please let me see if I can gain you the access you require to continue on your mission to free the United Planets.”
Once again, the merchant showed his generous side and Rol felt his heart sink as he realised that despite Ambassador Contact’s initial telepathic monitoring and their attempts at discretion they had dropped the ball. Andur knew exactly who they were and what they were running from all along.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Andur set down the skycart in a clearing amidst the dark and tangled forest just as the Talokean sun rose brightly from behind the curve of the world. Rol was stunned by the riot of colours. The Great Forest of Talok was said to contain every kind of tree in the Galaxy and looking at the sight before him Rol could believe it.
The clearing they had landed in was easily the size of several football pitches but it appeared small and insignificant beside the majestic forest that surrounded them. In the distance there were majestic red oaks and banyan trees shading acres, strew with vines and climber tendrils of species Rol had never seen before.
The group were silent as they followed Andur through a rough path. Every member seemed stunned, cowed even, by the sheer size and variations of plant life around them. It was N’Gok who eventually broke the silence:
“We have forests on my world that I thought were amazing but this is... well it’s outrageous!”
Rol started to agree when Aneaelle spoke:
“Where are the birds and insects?”
Rol hadn’t noticed the preternatural silence but once he started to think abot it the more uncomfortable he felt. The presence of this much vegetation should of attracted a multitude of life. There should be dozens of bugs, the air should be full of the sounds of birds calling, the multitude of trunks should have armies of critters crawling over them.
“Ambassador, what do you sense? What are we walking into?”
Ambassador Contact, the telepathic xenomorph with eyes that Rol thought looked like delicate sunflowers and four legs that arched up and down like those of a jumping cricket, was keeping pace with Rol as he strode along the shaded path with small awkward looking jumps and hops.
“We are not alone. There are others here with minds more vast that you can imagine. They know we are here so I do not want to put us at risk by probing them directly.”
“Andur!” Aneaelle started to race ahead to catch up with their guide but as she approached branches shifted and when she had sidestepped them he was gone.
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Aneaelle’s initial reaction was to start twisting off branches, fighting her way through the dense vegetation to reach where she thought their guide should be. N’Gok’s eyes started to glow as the Laser Ape agreed but Rol quickly stopped her. They had been taken here for a reason and he knew they had to let this play out.
“ Stop! Don’t do that N’Gok. Aneaelle, stand down! We cannot damage this place, we need to be here and I don’t believe it’s to chop down a few trees.”
From around them the trees seemed to shake and shudder, the rustling of the leaves and trembling of branches coalesced into a sound that echoed like a chorus. N’Gok and Aneaelle took up defensive positions as they tried to locate a singular source. Rol knew better. Nura had sent him here for a reason.
“So you are the savior the Green has been told to wait for little child of the Red. You are chosen to stop the unnatural Black rule at the centre of your species dominion. You must strike at the Blacks chosen one’s heart. “
The air seemed to vibrate and thrum with an energy that made their hair stand. N’Gok covered her ears and cried out, Aneaelle visibly flinched and Ambassador Contact collapsed. Even with his confidence in Nura’s prediction Rol fought the urge to bolt. Picking up Ambassador Contact he called out:
“No! Tell me who you are? Why should we help you?”
“We are the Green.” Images flashed across the group’s minds, images of growth and life, of vegetation and the struggle of growth, of man’s destruction of nature’s harmony on their home world and the exodus to off-worlds that spread this subtle and ancient consciousness. Images of Terran plants being planted in this ancient forest spreading their consciousness amongst the semi-sapient native vegetation. With the images came the knowledge that the Red, the animals of Earth, were locked in an eternal symbiosis with the Green. The knowledge came of other players in this eternal struggle of life and balance. The Rot, the Gray spread of mould and finally, of the Black. Death itself. Necessary for the balance but it too wanted more. Its own nature made it greedy and that hunger had infected and empowered a man who sat at the heart of the societal stagnation that ate at the core of the United Planets. It had slowly taken control, limiting the spread of ideas, denying the natural urge for expansion and adaption and with an insidious power was slowly leading the many worlds of the United Planets to a cultural and evolutionary collapse that would lead to the Black holding the power its hunger demanded.
Without being told Rol knew the name of the man who had taken this up this devil’s bargain.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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The forest seemed to recoil as he said the name. Rol knew that this Mordru, whoever, whatever, he was would be his ultimate adversary. Ever since Rol’s father hadn’t wanted to speak about him Rol had known with a certainty that went beyond his Naltorian gifts that their destiny was linked in a struggle that could have galactic ramifications. Even as this thought coalesced in his mind the voice of the Forest spoke again.
“The Scion of the Black is on Zerox and the planet itself feeds his lust and screams in torment as he consumes the very soul within its stones.” With the words came pictures to their minds. The mysterious world that was once the galactic refuge for sorcery and spirituality slowly being drained of the essence that made it such a magnet for the magical. At the heart of this planetary vampirism sat a man in robes of purple with a white beard and eyes that were black with insanity and power.
“Zerox? The Sorcerer's World? How are we supposed to get there? No-one knows where it is anymore, do they?”
Even as Nemesis Girl asked the question Rol asked his, “Zerox cut itself off from galactic society over three centuries ago so how’s it linked to the scientific stagnation you say is killing us all?”
“It is not just your scientific stagnation, it is the evolutionary potential within all living souls that has been denied. You hot creatures of the Red, the decaying spores of the Grey as well as the roots and branches that make the Green have all been stunted. You creatures of the Red are blinded by your lights and metals, you cannot feel past your own short spans. We will join you on your quest. We will be the Green Guide you need to see what has been taken from all living souls.”
As the voice faded Andur came back into the clearing, though not Andur as they knew him. Whatever it was wore his form but the movements were awkward and unnatural, his eyes seemed wild and excited and his skin seemed tinged with a green glow.
With a feeling of revulsion Rol watched as the once charming Talokean merchant stumbled over words as he said “This creature's great great spore giver made a bargain that we could claim his legacy if we spared it's life as we knew as sure as our sap rises in summer that one day the child of the Red destined to break the Black's bond would come to us here and we would need to guide you. We take that claim now. This Creature of the Red now belongs to the Green.”
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Ever since Saturn Girl had freed Rol from the influence of Esper Lass and Lady Memory he had known that his mind had been tampered with long before the two Amazer traitors had messed with him. His father had mentioned several times how the Naltor High Seer had the ability to influence the Naltorian populace. The Witch Anagastru he had met on East continent had known of him and now the Green also seemed to have some fore knowledge that would impact on his life. Rol felt it was time that he learned what it was tat it seemed everyone else knew of him. He was not the most proficient precognitive on Naltor, he was not the strongest or most powerful of this generation of galactic heroes, in fact he was beginning to feel like a rat in a maze.
Well, he thought, it was time to do something about that and take back the control.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Laser Ape and Nemesis Girl were fussing around Andur, both were alarmed and obviously ready to confront the Green about its taking control of their former companion. Rol knew there was nothing they could do about it. He also assumed that Andur had known what he was getting into by joining the group here to this wild place.
There were bigger battles that needed to be fought.
“Green, tell me, what do you know about me? Tell me what it is we are supposed to do that will bring an end to this reign by the dark one on Zerox? “
Ambassador, the strange little xenomorph with eyes like sunflowers, hopped over to Rol’s side and wrapped her prehensile tail around Rol’s leg in an apparent show of support.
“And you can keep out of my mind too. I know now that you are not an innocent party here either.” Rol snapped and pulled his leg away.
Both Laser Ape and Nemesis Girl turned and expressed their surprise and shock.
“Well, come on! This telepath let two traitors alter the teams memories, was conveniently approaching the transmatter in Amazers Spire when I arrived and coincidentally pushed Andur to help us when we arrived here. Naltorians know there is no such thing as coincidence.”
“You are correct my friend, we are not totally innocent but we have not done anything that would be other than helpful.”
“Are you the Gray? Are you the voice of the other side in this battle?”
Rol stood his ground though could see Nemesis Girl recoil as the being known as Ambassador Contact split into several blobs of protoplasmic matter.
“Proteans? But you are extinct!”
“Yes Rol Purtha, we are the Gray. We have our own versions of what will come to pass. You creature of the Red burn so fiercely, so quickly. The gray has an unbroken line of knowledge that goes back before even the Green. We are in the final days of great darkness that will decide how the balance finally tips.” The telepathic voices were separate and distinct now. The blobs oozed back together into the singular form they had occupied, the four legged creature the group had known as Ambassador Contact. “We are here to help you in the coming battle.”
“What battle? I’ve had enough of these stories and games. Enough! Tell me what you know or I’m... I’ll return to Naltor and deal with the consequences there.” Rol knew his bluff would not fool them but he honestly didn’t know what else to say. His head spun with the events of the last few days.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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The Green spoke through Andur: It is the time of the regeneration and regrowth. New seeds must be planted before all is lost. This is the time to turn away from the dark and let life reunite with it’s proper pattern. There will be a battle on a hidden world that will decide this galaxy’s destiny. You have been chosen to represent the Red.
Rol replied quietly: It would have been polite to maybe tell me this was what was happening.
Ambassador Contact’s silky telepathic voice: The slow decay that brings life to the next generation has been disrupted. We must stop the Black from ascending any further for while it feeds the Grey it will kill us as surely as it will stop your heart from pumping.
The Green: We all feel the pull of tides and planets. The stars themselves light this path.
Ambassador Contact: We must get to the centre of the Blacks power without the Black’s agents knowledge. We must...
Rol: Hang on! We have to find Zerox, a magically hidden planet, and sneak onto it before we can even find this bloody Mordru who I have to defeat somehow?
Green and Gray: Yes.
Rol: Well we will need help and I can only think of one person who may be able to do that but I’m afraid she may not want to help. Princess Projectra’s a little unstable these days.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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Both Nemesis Girl and Laser Ape were particularly vocal with their objections. Princess Projectra and her consort Brin Londo had led a revolution on Earth and, it had been reported, escaped from the Legion almost a year ago. They had fled with the survivors of Orando and taking control of a small world out by the Galactic Edge. Rol had heard from the Legionnaires, when he had taken Pol Krinn to Earth, how she had support from the future and it was only through the intervention of the Kryptonians from Kandor that the Legion had finally curtailed her ambition and plans for revenge. Still, Rol knew with a certainty that would not be swayed that she was the key to their successfully finding Zerox. Her illusions could hide them from any prying eyes. They needed to get Princess Projectra on side.
He was not sure how that could help them find and maybe rescue the other Nu-Borns that his father and the Techomancers had created on naltor, but he knew that if they were really following a prophecy they would have the opportunity when it arose.
“So how do we get to her?” Nemesis Girl asking in exasperation. “She’s a florggin’ nutjob Rol but if you think it’s the only way we can get to this Mordru on Zerox and you can talk her into maybe not executing us...” she left the statement hanging.
Rol had not been close to either the Orandian princess or Brin Londo and he hoped that would stand in his favour now as the Legion were definitely not on her side. Both Nemesis Girl and Laser ape knew they couldn’t change his mind so they eventually agreed, under some duress. The Green, in the form of Andur and the representative of the Rot, the Gray, the Proteans in the form of Ambassador Contact were wholeheartedly behind Rol’s idea. They both seemed oblivious to the dangers that contacting Projectra could bring.
“Ah, one problem Rol, sorry to be the party pooper but we don’t have a space ship so how do we get to see Mad Queen Projetra?” Laser Ape gave a viciously toothy smile as she asked her question.
“We need to borrow one N’Gok, I’m sure the starport here will be most accommodating. And if not we can always just steal the fastest one we can find and get going. “
“Well, that’s a plan. Maybe not the best one but a plan anyway so that’s a start.” Aneaelle’s dry humour brought a smile to Rol, his companions were behind him.
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They reached the spaceport on the southern archipelago three hours later. Andur’s skycart was known by the AI’s who controlled the air space around it so they had no problem getting permission to land. The vast flat area had several towers with landing pads jutting out. On the highest of these pads sat several obviously Galactic class ships. The group planned on somehow getting access to a tower and one of these impressive ships.
Aneaelle had slathered the poultice she had created across her and Rol’s faces and hands, their skin turning the soft blue tones of the Talokeans from these southern lands. Both dressed in the voluminous clothes that the locals wore, their turban’s and high collars covering most of the faces. They hoped it would be enough to keep them from being discovered.
As they were about to leave Ambassador Contact hopped to their side and, with a fluid ease that startled them, assumed the form of Andur before the Green possession. Rol noticed the possessed merchant smiled as his double left the skycart with the two Amazers. Maybe there was something of the original man inside.
They walked towards the nearest tower and were a little under 100 mets from its base when Rol had a precognitive flash.
“We need to hurry up and we can get what we need. There’s no time for subtlety now.” Neither of his companions asked any questions.
They quickened their pace, jogging to the high security door before them. A large pad with two dozen keys showing the local script glowed to its side. Rol took a deep breath and reached out. His precognition was good for this type of problem. Without conscious control he tapped in a sequence and stood back. The doors slid open revealing a corridor. They strode in showing every confidence that they had the right to be there. They had only taken ten steps when a group of Talokeans turned into the corridor and started walking towards them.
“Hey, merchant, what are you doing here?” The man who challenged Andur drew a small weapon from his belt, “You have no business here, you’re not a technician.”
“My friends here were showing me the amazing...” Ambassador Contacts attempt to placate the Talokeans before them stopped as Nemesis Girl leapt forward and with three precise blows floored the men.
“No time for subtlety he said.” She quickly searched the fallen men, picking up two hand blasters and all three of the Talokean’s ID bracelets , then caught up with Rol and the Ambassador as they hurried down the corridor. Ambassador contact, the Proteans who served the Gray, assumed the form of one of the fallen men as they stepped into an anti-grav shaft. The ID was scanned and they flew up towards the higher levels.
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Both Nemesis Girl and Laser Ape were particularly vocal with their objections. Princess Projectra and her consort Brin Londo had led a revolution on Earth and, it had been reported, escaped from the Legion almost a year ago. They had fled with the survivors of Orando and taking control of a small world out by the Galactic Edge. Rol had heard from the Legionnaires, when he had taken Pol Krinn to Earth, how she had support from the future and it was only through the intervention of the Kryptonians from Kandor that the Legion had finally curtailed her ambition and plans for revenge. Still, Rol knew with a certainty that would not be swayed that she was the key to their successfully finding Zerox. Her illusions could hide them from any prying eyes. They needed to get Princess Projectra on side.
“So how do we get to her?” Nemesis Girl asking in exasperation. “She’s a florggin’ nutjob Rol but if you think it’s the only way we can get to this Mordru on Zerox and you can talk her into maybe not executing us...” she left the statement hanging.
Rol had not been close to either the Orandian princess or Brin Londo and he hoped that would stand in his favour now as the Legion were definitely not on her side. Both Nemesis Girl and Laser ape knew they couldn’t change his mind so they eventually agreed, under some duress. The Green, in the form of Andur and the representative of the Rot, the Gray, the Proteans in the form of Ambassador Contact were wholeheartedly behind Rol’s idea. They both seemed oblivious to the dangers that contacting Projectra could bring.
“Ah, one problem Rol, sorry to be the party pooper but we don’t have a space ship so how do we get to see Mad Queen Projetra?” Laser Ape gave a viciously toothy smile as she asked her question.
“We need to borrow one N’Gok, I’m sure the starport here will be most accommodating. And if not we can always just steal the fastest one we can find and get going. “
“Well, that’s a plan. Maybe not the best one but a plan anyway so that’s a start.” Aneaelle’s dry humour brought a smile to Rol, his companions were behind him.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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They reached the spaceport on the southern archipelago three hours later. Andur’s skycart was known by the AI’s who controlled the air space around it so they had no problem getting permission to land. The vast flat area had several towers with landing pads jutting out. On the highest of these pads sat several obviously Galactic class ships. The group planned on somehow getting access to a tower and one of these impressive ships.
Aneaelle had slathered the poultice she had created across her and Rol’s faces and hands, their skin turning the soft blue tones of the Talokeans from these southern lands. Both dressed in the volumous clothes that the locals wore, their turban’s and high collars covering most of the faces. They hoped it would be enough to keep them from being discovered.
As they were about to leave Ambassador Contact hopped to their side and, with a fluid ease that startled them, assumed the form of Andur before the Green possession. Rol noticed the possessed merchant smiled as his double left the skycart with the two Amazers. Maybe there was something of the original man inside.
They walked towards the nearest tower and were a little under 100 mets from its base when Rol had a precognitive flash.
“We need to hurry up and we can get what we need. There’s no time for subtlety now.” Neither of his companions asked any questions.
They quickened their pace, jogging to the high security door before them. A large pad with two dozen keys showing the local script glowed to its side. Rol took a deep breath and reached out. His precognition was good for this type of problem. Without conscious control he tapped in a sequence and stood back. The doors slid open revealing a corridor. They strode in showing every confidence that they had the right to be there. They had only taken ten steps when a group of Talokeans turned into the corridor and started walking towards them.
“Hey, merchant, what are you doing here?” The man who challenged Andur drew a small weapon from his belt, “You have no business here, you’re not a technician.”
“My friends here were showing me the amazing...” Ambassador Contacts attempt to placate the Talokeans before them stopped as Nemesis Girl leapt forward and with three precise blows floored the men.
“No time for subtlety he said.” She quickly searched the fallen men, picking up two hand blasters and all three of the Talokean’s ID bracelets , then caught up with Rol and the Ambassador as they hurried down the corridor. Ambassador contact, the Proteans who served the Gray, assumed the form of one of the fallen men as they stepped into an anti-grav shaft. The ID was scanned and they flew up towards the higher levels.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
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