| The Jailbreak� Chapter Twenty-Three In a section of corridor that was just a kilometer or so away from where the prison of the ship was, the six Quicksilver entities had stopped their advance when they saw others of their kind being used as hostages and weapons. �We don�t have a lot of options. If we stay here � more Phtor will come and force us towards them.� Tauhn stated seriously. �So then we slay those whom we came here to save?� Samona asked. �I didn�t say that.� He retorted. �Perhaps � we don�t need to fight them at all.� Sie stated. Everyone looked over at him as though he had lost his mind. �Those people that aren�t being held hostage are most likely completely under Phtor control. Exactly how can we avoid fighting them?� Motun asked seriously. Sie smiled and gestured for the others to step back. Once they did, Sie stepped out from around the corner. All eyes focused on him. No one moved. �I am Sie of the Insectorr family. I have quested for knowledge and for the salvation of our people. I have walked with the apostles and I have spoken with the prophet. I am here to save your souls or deliver them into damnation � abandon the hold that these C�antoras hold on you and walk with the apostles. If you do not � you will receive their judgement!� Sie demanded. The Glacorian and Moltarian fighters saw how visibly shaken the Quagmirians were. �What is wrong with them?� a Steamarch asked. �Nothing is wrong with them. They stand on the brink of a very important crossroad. They can abandon the pleasures and the ways of C�an � or they can receive judgement at the hands of the chosen one!� Sie answered strongly. Before any could react or think � Sie�s shell burst apart. From it two silver birdlike wings extended. He slowly raised his hand and pointed at the Mutates that were behind them. The Moltarians and Glacorians stood in shock as normally quiet and peaceful Quagmirians turned and attacked the Mutates in a savage frenzy. Within moments � all of the Mutates were dead. The Moltarians and Glacorians hurried away towards the prison. All of the Quagmirians knelt down and bowed before Sie. �A touch theatrical � but effective.� Tauhn stated. Sie looked over and saw that his friends had found his display a little more than amusing. Sie modestly laughed and cleared his throat. �Religion must be really strong among your people Sie.� Gee stated. �It is everything.� He replied. �So what do we do now?� Motun asked. �Well, first things first. Everyone get up.� Sie stated seriously. All of the Quagmirians jumped up to their feet and stood before Sie. He smiled at them and blessed them with the sign of the apostles. �All who fight for the gift of life � for us � for the Desorn � for the Parisaun � should we succeed or fail � this I swear to you�all past sins will be absolved and your place with the apostles will be assured.� Sie stated seriously. �But-but they hate us and seek to do us harm.� A Crabytese stated nervously. �If we return fist for fist � eye for eye � we have learned nothing from the apostles� teachings. This I tell you � we must fight together as one if we are to not only to succeed � but if our people are to survive. There is a great evil in this dark place � an evil that unlike anything any of you could imagine � it is an evil that we must stop.� Sie replied seriously. �But there are so many of them�� a Swamplop muttered. �You will not be alone. My brothers�� Sie started as he gestured for the others to step out from the corner. The Quagmirians were mildly intimidated when they saw three Moltarians with Sie. ��will aid us.� he concluded. �But-but�� a Pollyne began. �Remember the second � The sun shines equally on all living things � all therefore is equal. The Desorn � the Parisaun � neither are our superiors � nor are they weaker than us, both � are equal.� Sie stated. �We are here to help.� Motun stated. �They-they speak our language?� an Ecoseed asked. �Yes. We all want the same thing. An end to all the fighting. An end to all the pain and death. We have spent so much time hating each other and fighting that we have forgotten how truly alike we all are.� Gee replied. �They � they will talk with their kind? They will stop fighting us?� a Pollyne asked curiously. �We will do what we can � and what we must. But you all have to do the same.� Motun stated seriously. �Now go! Time is our enemy! If we waste time � it will cost us dearly.� Sie concluded. The Quagmirians bowed and hurried away. Once they had vanished from sight, Sie almost fell over. �You�ve got a real knack for this sort of thing.� Gee commented. �I only pray that I am doing the right thing.� Sie replied. �Well, if what you said to them helps us to rid our universe of this evil � I don�t think that you�re apostles � not if the end result is peace.� Grey suggested seriously. �He did his part � we have to do the same. Split up and rally the people. When we got everyone together and under control � meet at the entrance to the prison on this level.� Motun stated. The six nodded and hurried off in the direction that the Quagmirians had gone down. *** In the Watcher�s section of the ship, news of the intruders getting through had just reached them and it was news that was not well received. �They what?� he demanded. �They got passed us sir.� A Mutate voice replied. �Explain how that was possible.� He instructed. �One of them stepped out and spoke some religious mumbo jumbo and all of a sudden the passive fighters turned into berserkers and attacked my men. We were barely able to get away.� The voice replied. �What about the others?� he asked. �They saw what was happening and booked.� The Mutate replied. �So they are on their way to the prison � can you have personnel to intercept them?� he asked seriously. He tensed up when there was a pause. �The things that caused the bugs to fight or the bugs?� the Mutate asked. �Both!� he replied raising his voice. �I don�t know sir. It would take a few minutes to rally all of the guards together and by that time they would be well in there.� The Mutate answered. He shook his head and looked over at the other Watcher and could see that she was finding this situation extremely amusing. �Do it.� He ordered coldly as he shut the communicator off. �If I was an I told you so sort of person � I would be living it up.� She stated. �Save it. Let them play with the inmates. What is the status of GOD?� he asked. �Complete sir.� She replied sarcastically. �So soon? Color me amazed. So all of the blueprints were followed?� he asked. �I had to modify them so that the beast would work.� She retorted. �Then it would appear as though these intruders arrived too late. So tell me, how many shots should it take to take out these three worlds?� he asked as he pointed to a map that showed Quagmiria, Moltaria and Glacoria. �If done right � one shot. If done incorrectly � as many as you like. But one shot will give you a nice clean kill � unlike that which happened to Earth.� She answered seriously. �Plus that really drained our weapon�s power�wait � they hit the Control Schedule Room � oh shit. Computer! Access the scheduling database!� he shouted. A monitor near him activated and showed him database in question. �Problem?� she asked curiously. �Big one � we will need full power to the weapon�s cell batteries. The batteries are at about maybe a third after what we did at Earth. According to our schedule here � if we push them harder � hundreds will perish and we will risk engine shut down. Worse � if the prisons are in disarray � we won�t be able to process replacements.� He explained. �Yuck. What happens if we just play it cool and let the batteries warm up on their own? I mean even if they do liberate all of the prisoners and by some twisted miracle manage to get them to work as a single unit � there is no way that they could find off switch before the gun fires three well aimed shots.� She suggested. �True � even if they did shut off the engines � the batteries operate independently. Still, we would have to worry about the Control Room.� He replied. He walked over and looked at the Arena through the special window in the floor. �Don�t worry so much � it will make you old before your time.� she commented. �Old wives tale. So how long would it take the batteries to get to full power on their own?� He asked. �Well, we never really destroyed a world that way before� if I had to guess � I would probably say half a day. If you announce that the time is substantially less � it might cause panic and erase any thoughts of uniting against us.� she suggested. �Hmm. I like the way you think. Also, dispatch the new E.C.M. enforcers to add to the confusion. After all � these little monsters were viewed as nothing short of a dark god � I�m sure that their �brothers� will intimidate as much.� he suggested. �I�ll relay the order � oh, just for fun � you want to send a dozen Hunter Mechs out to cause some additional chaos and carnage?� she asked curiously. He looked away from the Arena and looked over at her untrustingly. �I thought you said we didn�t have any.� He replied. �Maybe I saved a few toys for a rainy day � like you honored the agreement.� She mocked. He smiled and walked over to his terminal. �As this is a hard situation � I will ante up all of mine if you do the same.� He said calmly. She looked over at him and could see that he was being quite serious. She walked over to her terminal. �Just Hunter Mechs right?� she asked. �Yes � they are expendable.� He replied. �Fair. I have a hundred Hunters at full power � how about you?� she asked. �Six hundred � at half power. I found a secret compartment and stored a bunch while we were making the ship. Shall we send them on random hunts throughout the ship � or send them at them as an army?� he asked. �I�d opt for the first. We tried the second before and boy did we get results.� She replied as calmly as she could. If he was able to hide such a huge arsenal without her knowing � she could only imagine what else he squirreled away. �I�ll set mine on scavenger setting and have them detonate if delayed for more than two minutes. That way if some of the natives get lucky � the Mechs will still do damage.� He stated as he did several fast key commands. �I�ll set mine on proximity setting. If anyone gets within the radius � they�ll regret it.� She concluded. She did a quick program and activated her Hunter Mechs. On the to scale map of the ship � it showed hundreds of little red dots slowly emerging from their hiding places. �Have yours patrol all over the place � as mine are at full power, I�ll station them at key areas on the ship.� She suggested. He nodded and programmed the instruction in. the two looked suspiciously at each other and wondered what the other could be holding back. �After this business with these creatures is done � I do believe a security check or two will be in order.� he commented. �I couldn�t agree with you more. Are you going to relay the message or do you want me to do it for you?� she asked sarcastically. He smirked at her and looked up at all of the red dots that were spreading out like a plague throughout the ship. �Tell me � do you think that these Quicksilvers know us?� he asked. �If they got this far � they must. Why?� she replied. �I just think that it is time to formally introduce ourselves to the ignorant peons.� He replied. she actually allowed herself to laugh at that one. They had been hiding in the shadows for nearly a century � and now he wanted them to step into the light. �Practical.� She muttered. �By no means am I suggesting that we physically involve ourselves in this � just tell them enough to taunt them further � think of it as the time you tried to confuse my men on Earth during the third week of the war.� He added. �Hmm. Why not?� she replied. �Computer � lose voice distorter � activate translator to all languages.� He said. �Done.� The computer replied. �Open a channel � all decks.� He added. �Done.� The computer replied. he and the other Watcher picked up the two microphones and looked down at the Arena below. �Greetings one and all. I believe that congratulations are in order. it would appear as though you Quicksilvers have caused a little chaos in our little circus.� He started calmly. �Indeed. First you manage to escape from your pathetic little worlds � then you survived finding ours � and now here you are � playing in our little game. Just so you know, we are sincerely impressed that you people have made it as far as you have. I honestly didn�t think any of you animals had it in you.� She continued. �Well said. In case you worms don�t know who we are � allow us this brief moment to introduce ourselves. I am General, Edward Black of the Earth Coalition Alliance.� He stated proudly. �Heh, and I � am Queen Samantha Craven of the United Colony Forces.� She added with a wicked smile. Edward looked over at her as though she had lost her mind. He shook his head and resumed his speech. �You might be asking yourselves this little question � why are they talking to you now? The answer is really quite simple � the war is over. You are too late. In the last hour � our ultimate weapon was finally completed.� He continued. �But what is this ultimate weapon you might ask? Well, those of you that witnessed what we did to Earth � heh � that was just a small taste of what our GOD cannon can do. For those of you unaware as to what GOD toys are � allow me this moment to educate you. It stands for Generic � Overkill � Device.� She continued. �But wait � there�s more! As the weapon has just been completed � we will need some planets to test it on. And as we are in your home solar system � it is only fair that we destroy your worlds and end this futile war of yours. But � just to be the sporting types that we are � we will set up a timer so that you all will know when your home worlds go boom. All will be ready in six hours � fifty-nine minutes � and fifty-nine seconds. Enjoy the view people with window seats � this will be the last time any of you see home again.� He concluded as he shut off his microphone. �That was kind of fun.� He admitted. �Effective too. Take a look.� She replied as she gestured down to the Arena down below. he stepped over and looked down. There he saw all of the, Moltarians, Glacorians and Quagmirians running around in a panic. The Mutates were sitting back and watching their terror with sincere amusement. �If we increase productivity in the Engine Room by ten percent � we could shave almost six hours off of the time needed to get the weapon fully powered. And if my math is correct � it won�t cause any serious problems.� He stated calmly. �Good to know.� she replied. �Queen?� he asked curiously. �Why not? When this whole affair is done � what do you think my title will be?� she asked seriously. �I suppose we will find out when we get there � won�t we?� he replied. *** In an area of the Prison, Motun, Tauhn and Samona had just heard the announcement and were seeing the populous around them panicking around them because of it. �How will we be able get them to listen if they are acting like this?� Samona asked hesitantly. Tauhn stepped away from them took a deep breath and let out a deafening roar. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over at the three silver beings. �I am Tauhn! I am Moltarian and all Moltarians will hear what I say!� he shouted. The Quagmirians and Glacorians continued to run around. Tauhn looked over at his friends and smiled at the shocked look on their faces. �You two make yourself look like Quagmirians and Glacorians and round up those that are panicking and running about. I�ll deal with these people.� Tauhn whispered. Motun and Samona nodded and hurried away. �For years we have fought � it is in our blood � but we have been deceived!� Tauhn shouted. More Moltarians began to flock over to where the large crowd seemed to be gathering. �In the dark days of our ancestors � when they forged the Sacred Flame � they did this so that Moltaria would be strong � so that it would be the model for how everything in the universe could and should be. But we were led astray.� He continued. The crowd before him was in the hundreds now. �We let that flame � that burning flame that is inside us all burn to brightly. So bright that it clouded our judgement. We became blind and arrogant � believing that the universe was ours and ours alone. Had we not hated blindly the Khorta and Drortah � none of us would be here. The flame that guides us would have shown us the true targets of our fury � these monsters.� He shouted. �Peace with the Khorta and Drortah? Such a thing could never happen.� A voice challenged. Tauhn grunted and tried to find the owner of the voice but shook his head. �Of course. I forgot. Moltaria is so strong that is can take on the Khorta � the Drortah and those that rule here. Remember what made Moltaria strong � the fires were kept hottest when the ancestors worked as one! We lost track of that and look what it got us. Our world is under Phtor rule � our women and children die hungry � and those that don�t die end up here. Is this what the ancestors wanted?� he demanded. �No!� several voices shouted out. Tauhn smiled. �What? Are you a bunch of children � or are you Moltarians? I asked you all a question � is this what our ancestors wanted?� he repeated. This time hundreds of voices sounded as one. �NO!� was his answer. This process repeated until everyone in the huge crowd spoke as one. Tauhn smiled and looked around. On higher levels he could see other Moltarians running about. He looked at the mass before him. Tauhn pointed up. All looked up. �There are others that are lost in this confusion � it is time that we remember � it is time all are reminded what it is to be a Moltarian. All of you sing the anthem of our military � loud enough so that all may hear � loud enough to let everyone know � that Moltaria � is alive � that Moltaria � is still strong � and that Moltaria is now fighting back!� Tauhn shouted. Everyone cheered out and then Tauhn led them in the anthem. *** On the level one higher, Motun, disguised as a Quagmirian heard Tauhn and the others singing and saw how it was guiding the Moltarians that heard it down to where the huge crowd below was. �What are they doing?� a Pollyne asked. �The Anthem�� he whispered. He snapped himself out of his trance and turned to face the moderate sized crowd that was before him. �What they are doing is calling all of their numbers together.� He began. He remembered back to when he heard Sie talking and sighed. He walked into the center on the crowd and looked around. �The chosen one � has said that the deliverance of our people is at hand. But to do this � and to bring right � what wrong has been done in the name of the apostles � we must do the same. We must gather all who are able and remove the fear and terror in our hearts that C�an himself has placed there.� He stated confidently. �But those people � they said that they would destroy our home.� A young Insectorr whined. Motun smiled and turned to looked at the youth. He walked over and placed his hand on his shoulder. �In the days � when our people turned their eyes to the stars � they did not turn their backs on the apostles or their teachings. They had grown � much like all of us have. The apostles will be with each and every one of us � as long as we keep them in our hearts. Quagmiria � although it is our beloved home � it is not who we are � it is where we are from.� Motun stated calmly. The youth seemed to calm down a bit. �Does this mean that we will sit back though? No. the time has come for us to restore Quagmiria to its former glory � and restore it to what it was before the rain of tears. Go forth and spread the word � all must assemble down on the floor down below.� he stated. �But that is where the Desorn are! They�ll kill us!� an Ecoseed retorted. �If the fear and hate is in your heart � the apostles can not be there! Did it ever occur to you that there were three apostles � and ironically � there are three peoples at war? Is it not possible that we are all of the same?� Motun asked. His answer seemed to erase any doubt that they felt all save one hurried away. �May I say something?� the young Insectorr asked. �Of course.� Motun replied. �You make a lousy Quagmirian.� He stated with a smile. Motun was about to deny it, but found himself laughing. He sat down before the youth and reverted to his true form. �Was it that obvious?� he asked. �Not really. Just a few things tipped me off. The way that song down there seemed to entrance you � the way you walk � and the way you turn your head. It was all wrong.� He answered with a smile. �I thought I was pretty convincing.� He retorted. �You did okay. I was really impressed by what you said though � did you really mean it � or were you just trying to get everyone motivated?� he asked curiously. Motun looked at the youth and smiled. �At first I was just trying to motivate you � then it was as though everything I was saying was starting to make perfect sense. Kind of weird huh?� Motun confessed. The young Insectorr extended his hand to the sitting Moltarian. �Not at all. That sort of thing happens when the apostles are in your heart.� He replied. Motun laughed as the Insectorr helped hip up. The two continued to talk as they made their way towards the lower floor. *** On the higher levels, Grey and Gee looked down and could see that for the most part, the Moltarians and Quagmirians were starting to organize. They looked at each other and then looked at the small crowd before them. �Tough acts to follow.� Grey whispered. �Yeah � follow my lead.� Gee replied. several Quagmirians flew up by them and scurried around to find every one of their brothers. �This is a dark time for our people. But we have survived dark times before � when that asteroid hit our world so long ago � many thought that such a disaster would surely be the end of us � but we survived. If anything � the hardship made us stronger.� She stated. �I don�t have any fancy analogy like Gee here � but I would like to talk about a friend of mine. He was an idyllic fool that was a magnet for trouble. More often than not � he got us into serious trouble. We always seemed to get away though. He died on the way here. You see, he was on a quest � he was looking for the Beast Beneath the Ice.� he began. �That is just a story.� An Articur retorted. �Not so � we thought he was nuts also � but we stuck with him. it turned out � that he wasn�t a fool � the Beast really existed � right where he said � under the oldest glacier. Storg found out where we were going and almost killed us � but something flung him away like a toy. It was then that we found him. the Beast � believed by some to be the true Storg � was actually a highly advanced weapon system that was made to stop the asteroid that hit our world � something went wrong on the launch day � the rest as you say is history.� Grey commented. �What does that have to do with anything?� an Iceion retorted. �Only this � through the help of the Moltarians and Quagmirians � Soarans and Pinciata � we were able to find the blueprint for the remote that controls the Beast. And through their help � we were able to make it.� Grey continued. Gee held out her empty hand. Everyone watched as a remote seemed to rise up from her palm. �With this � we have a means of fighting back.� She stated. �Against the Pinciata!� a voice shouted. �NO! this I swear to you all � when we all leave here � when the Beast Beneath the Ice rises up and eliminates Jakkle menace � the Pinciata will leave of their own accord � with no weapon being raised against them.� Grey retorted sharply. �We have been fighting three enemies � it is time to make peace with two of them. if we don�t � we might as well just sit back and let these people finish what they started.� Gee added rationally. �So what should we do?� a Snowitte asked. �Organize as many Glacorians as you are able � tell them to assemble on the same floor as the Moltarians and the Quagmirians. Be sure to tell them � that no matter what is said � no one is to speak against anyone. The time for warring against them has passed � now is the time for peace.� Grey answered. The Glacorians nodded and hurried away. �It is going to be a long day.� Gee stated. �Tell me about it.� He agreed as they hurried away. *** Almost four and a half hours later � all of the former prisoners were assembled. Almost three million plus stood together. All of the Moltarians stood behind Tauhn, Motun and Samona. All of the Quagmirians stood behind the chosen one Sie. All of the Glacorians stood behind Grey and Gee. �Today � on this ship � in this place � let all of those years of hate be gone!� Tauhn stated seriously. �In the name of the apostles � let there be peace.� Sie added calmly. �Today � we may be of three worlds � but from this day forth � we shall be one people!� Grey shouted out. �Three worlds � One people!� Tauhn shouted. �Three worlds � one people.� Sie said with a smile. �So when do we attack?� a Moltarian asked. �Attack? No � at first I believed that with numbers we could seize this beast � but it would be too risky. No, all of you � are going home! Kjoranan is here � let the fires of the Sacred Flame ignite in each of you! Go forth and drive the Phtor into the lava!� Tauhn retorted. �The same holds true for us. This is not your fight. Go towards Glacoria but wait for our return. When we arrive � we will awaken the Beast � and we will drive the Jakkle back to where they came from.� Gee added. �I agree with my brothers and sisters born of different apostles�� Sie began with a smile as he looked over at Motun. The Moltarian smiled and turned away. �This is not a place for the holy to be. This is a place where the wrath of the apostles must be unleashed. Return to our homeland � and spread the word � that the chosen one is approaching!� Sie stated seriously. The six Quicksilvers watched as their people calmly left the Prison area and headed for the docking bay that was near by. �This � this is going to get really messy now.� Motun stated. �We have to find a way to stop that weapon.� Grey stated. �We have to find the Watchers.� Samona added. �We have a full day�s work ahead of us. let�s stop talking about this and let�s get it done.� Tauhn retorted. �Gee and I will try to find a way to disable the weapon. The rest of you find these Watchers. I have a feeling that if they go poof � the rest of the Mutates as they affectionately call them won�t be of much use to anyone. Sound like a plan people?� Grey asked seriously. �Works for me. Let�s do it!� Tauhn retorted as the six hurried away. |