| The Confrontation� Chapter Seventeen In an area of space just a little way from Moltaria, Motun, Samona and Tauhn were trying to figure out where they were going and exactly how they were going to be able to make peace with two enemies. Over the course of the past few hours, the three had several discussions and arguments about possible plans. �That wouldn�t work. Remember? We know nothing of their languages. If we go cavorting to any of their worlds � we will get attacked by either their forces or the Phtor.� Samona stated calmly. �If we go there with a white flag � the same will happen. Motun � I know your reasoning but you are a fool. This can not work. The thin thread of trust that could have connected our worlds was cut long ago.� Tauhn retorted. �I know this won�t be easy. But what choices do we have? We haven�t the resources to fight everyone � hell, we barely have the resources to fight one enemy. As hard as this is � there is no other option.� Motun replied impassioned. �We understand what you are saying Motun. We believe you. We just need to find a way to get to talk to them without getting attacked, imprisoned or killed.� Samona replied. Motun sat down in his chair and looked at the vast expanse of space. �When the time comes lore keeper � I am sure you will think of something.� Tauhn added. The three returned their efforts into flying the ancient ship. But in their minds they were all wrestling with the impossibility of what they were attempting. *** In another part of space, Gee and Grey were out of view of Glacoria. All around them were distant stars and planets. The Coldan Gee was still working hard at decoding the data she had stolen from the archaic computer console in Storg�s lair. The Iceion Grey was still thinking of his old friend Grim and how he sacrificed everything just so that they could continue the quest. �Damn it!� Gee cursed as a circuit board sparked. Grey snapped himself out of his trance and looked back at the Coldan that was rapidly losing patience with what she was doing. �Problems?� he asked. �To put it mildly. I don�t know if it is an interface problem or a virus causing my pain.� she replied. She leaned against the wall behind her and looked over at Grey. �You�re handling this beast pretty good. I could barely tell we were moving.� She commented politely. The pilot smiled and pushed a few buttons. �I had a good teacher. Not to mention that this machine operates infinitely smoother than that beast we stole from that other Storg.� He replied seriously. Gee stepped away from what she was working on and sat down in the copilot seat. �I�ve been thinking about Grim.� She said in a distant voice. �You aren�t the only one. I mean the guy was a major pain � not to mention a trouble magnet. But all that time he was planning to save his people.� He replied. he shook his head and tried to remain focused on the task at hand. �Worst case scenario � what happens if we can�t make the remote?� he asked. �I thought we moved passed that stage.� She retorted. �Humor me. Sometimes that kind of talk motivates me.� he replied seriously. �Well, in that situation � we would never be able to go home on two counts. One, the Pinciata and Jakkle know us from our daring escape � and two � Storg would kill us. and I don�t mean the little one either.� She replied. �Let�s do this right then. Both of those options sound a little too unpleasant for my liking. You need anything to make your work easier?� he asked seriously. Gee smiled and thought for a moment. �I need some parts � stuff we didn�t pack. Some of the parts are in the ship�� she began � fully expecting him to explode on the issue. �Take what you need. Just make sure that we can at least fly and defend ourselves. If we run into enemy ships I don�t want to be a helpless little snowflake.� He interrupted. Gee smiled and nodded. He then sighed and looked at the emptiness of space. Of all the places he imagined himself dying � this was not one of them. *** In a section of space near Quagmiria, Sie was looking at the wonder around him. for years he had seen the wonder of the heavens from the treetops � but seeing the same stars in space was something completely different. �Such wonder � such beauty � I wonder if each of the stars is one of the children.� He said to himself. He lowered his eyes and said a quiet prayer for what he had seen. He then thought back to all of the people that had trusted in him so much and given so much so that he could be here. �I wish that our great sage could be here. His wisdom would aid me � and his voice would keep me company.� He commented with a sigh. He looked at the controls and saw that everything appeared normal. �But what is a little loneliness compared to the divine salvation of my people � and making peace with our brothers of fire and ice. May the apostles grant me the wisdom necessary to accomplish what I must do.� He said to himself as his ship continued on its course through the stars. *** Back where the Moltarians were, things had gotten a little tense. A small fleet of Phtor ships just happened to be going through their section of space. Were it not for the asteroid belt that they were able to hide in, all of their work would have been for nothing. �That was too close.� Motun whispered. They watched as the last of the ships vanished into the emptiness of space. Seeing as the danger had passed, they collectively sighed and powered up the ship again. �I thought for sure that they were after us.� Samona commented. �We don�t know for sure that they weren�t. We will have to proceed with more caution. There might not be an asteroid belt for us to hide in next time.� Tauhn stated seriously. Motun put his book down and walked over to where he was. �You are preaching to the converted on that count. Are they gone?� he asked. �My scanners can�t see them.� Tauhn replied. �That will have to do. Tauhn � what is in that direction of space?� Motun asked as he pointed towards the asteroid belt they were currently hiding in. Tauhn punched up a few maps, but saw nothing remotely familiar. �Nothing out of the ordinary. Are you looking for something in particular?� Tauhn replied curiously. Motun sighed and stared off into space. He couldn�t explain it � but something was out there. �I don�t know for sure. The Khorta and Drortah home worlds aren�t that way are they?� he asked curiously. Tauhn fiddled with the old controls to see if that was where those two planets were � but according to the maps, they were in the opposite direction. �Not even close. Whatever is out there is in almost uncharted space.� Tauhn replied. Motun looked at that direction again � there was no doubt. Whatever was out there was what they had to see. �Take us there.� He stated calmly. �Are you sure?� Tauhn asked. �Positive.� He replied. Tauhn grumbled to himself and began to curse himself for not walking away from this lunatic when he had the chance. He set the controls and coasted the ship through the asteroid belt. �Are you sure about this?� Samona asked hesitantly. �Something is telling me that something is over there � something important. I can�t explain it, but I know that we have to go there.� He replied seriously. Samona returned to her seat and began to quietly pray for the safety of her daughter Tee. Within moments, they were clear of the belt. Motun pointed to a seemingly empty section of open space. Tauhn shook his head and punched the direction into the guidance system. �Maybe if you gave us something lore keeper it would reassure us that you aren�t flying us into some cosmic disaster.� Tauhn requested calmly. Motun sat down in the seat beside him and looked out into space. �I wish I had something to give. It is like when I learned how to use the Key � it was just a gut instinct � just like this is.� He replied seriously. Just then something blipped on the panel before Tauhn. He pushed a few buttons. �My nerves � something is out here � something big.� He stated. �What?� Motun asked. �Look.� Tauhn pointed straight ahead. In the distance he could see it. It looked like a tiny yellow circle. �What-what is it?� Samona asked curiously. �I don�t know � but whatever it is � it is bigger than Moltaria.� Tauhn replied. The ship slowly made its way towards the circle. As it did � the circle grew bigger and bigger. Tauhn felt the ship beginning to shake and quickly reversed course until he felt the shaking stop. �What was that?� Samona asked. �Whatever that thing is � it was trying to pull us in. We should be safe here.� Tauhn explained. The three looked at the gigantic golden circle. On it were numerous symbols on it that were clearly not of Quagmirian or Glacorian origin. Also there were stars all around the ring � but inside � there were none. �I take it this was what you were seeking.� Tauhn commented. �It must be.� Motun replied. *** Closer by then they could have imagined, The Glacorians Grey and Gee were still trying to decode the stolen files. Most of the interior of the ship had been thoroughly gutted for the sake of getting the files � and unfortunately they were still having little success. �Grey,� she began. �Please don�t say you need more parts. I barely have flight control, deflectors and weapons. Anything more might cost us our life support systems or something equally important.� He pleaded. �I wouldn�t ask if it wasn�t necessary.� She continued. �What do you need?� he replied. �A failsafe unit from the weapons array. In this sector of space � I doubt we would need it anyway.� She replied. Grey sighed and gestured for her to go ahead. The Coldan opened one of the few remaining panels and began to disconnect the unit she needed. Grey looked back at the mess and regretted doing so. �How close are you to achieving your goal?� he asked seriously. �Depends on if I can make the appropriate interface. I came close on a few occasions, but close won�t be good enough.� She replied as she began to dismantle the failsafe unit. �That�s reassuring.� He stated. Just then something odd appeared on his sensors. �You didn�t do anything to the sensors did you?� he asked seriously. �No � there was nothing there that I could use � why?� she asked. �Something just came up on the long range. Something that has a strong gravitational pull on it. I checked with our records and it isn�t a black hole � but it is damn close.� he replied seriously. �Are we still in our system or did we drift?� she asked. Grey typed in the request. �Shit � we drifted. I guess I wasn�t paying attention. Flight records at least say that the way back won�t be too perilous.� He replied. Gee picked up her hand computer that was currently storing the necessary files and made her way over to where Grey was. �We don�t have to worry about getting back just yet. Wow - you weren�t joking when you said strong gravitational pull. We had better be careful or that thing � whatever it is might pull us in.� she commented. �Should we turn around?� Grey asked. �We should be okay � just keep alert.� She replied. *** In another area, heading in the same direction, Sie woke up and looked around. Everything looked exactly the same as it had a short while ago. If it wasn�t for the guidance system that showed that he was traveling in a straight path, he would have surely belied that the ship wasn�t moving or was traveling in circles. �Apostles � I know that it is your will that I be here and that it is part of your grand design, but my nerves. I have seen nothing but emptiness and flashing lights. If I do not see something different I fear I will lose my mind.� He said to himself. Just then one of the panels began to beep. He looked over and saw a small fleet of C�antora ships. He quickly shut off all power. There was no where to hide � all he could do was hope that they wouldn�t notice him. He closed his eyes and prayed. He could hear the small fleet as it slowly moved by. His tiny ship shook as his ship was almost pulled along with theirs. But just as suddenly as they had appeared � the fleet had vanished. Sie slowly opened his eyes and tried to slow down the beating in his heart. �Apostles � I thank you for sparing my life. I swear I will not complain of boredom for the remainder of this journey � or any journey ever again.� Sie exclaimed. He reset the power and continued on his way. It was then that that the console began to beep again. Sie feared for the worst. �The fleet did see me and is coming back.� He said to himself. He looked around, but there were no ships. He checked the readings and realized that it was something in the distance. He studied the readings closer, but still they made no sense. �How can this be?� he asked himself. He looked at the readings again. �What could possibly project such power?� he asked himself. His eyes widened. �C�an � his ships were coming from where these readings are coming from. His home � or his dark gate must be around here. If I find it � I may be able to stop his evil by destroying his gate.� He rationalized. �I thank you apostles for all you have done for me. Grant me the strength to do what I must do.� He said to himself as he flew towards the source of the gravitational emissions. *** Back at the golden circle, the Moltarians were looking at the odd device and were trying to understand what any of it could mean or could possible be used for. �I think I�ve seen that symbol � that one near the top. It was on a Phtor ship back at the capital.� Motun pointed out. Tauhn and Samona looked up and had to agree. It was the same, but it didn�t explain what the device was, who put it there or what it did. �You don�t think the Phtor or Kjoranan are responsible for this do you?� he asked. �I don�t know. At this point I suppose anything is possible. Do you think that it is some kind of weapon?� Samona asked curiously. �No idea. But if it does belong to the Phtor or Kjoranan it must be destroyed.� Tauhn stated seriously. He activated the weapons system and prepared to fire. Before he could, Motun grabbed his hand. �That might not work. It might only make matters worse.� He stated. �It might solve all our problems and eliminate the Phtor and Kjoranan menace from our universe once and for all. Both are possibilities � which would you chose to believe?� Tauhn asked seriously. Motun released his hand and let him fire. The three watched as the projectile soared towards the emptiness inside the ring. Just when they thought it was going to explode � it vanished. �It-it just disappeared.� Tauhn stated in mild shock. �Our weapons have no effect on that thing then.� Samona commented. �Great � bad to worse � incoming ship � no � two ships. One is Khorta the other Drortah.� He commented. �This could get messy. If this turns into a fight we won�t have much room to maneuver and if we get hit � the blast could send us spiraling into whatever that damn thing is.� Tauhn continued. They looked over to the right and saw a ship that looked like a snowflake slowly making its way towards their location. Over to the left a bug like ship slowly flew their way. *** In the Glacorian ship, Gee and Grey saw the golden ring. �Whatever that thing is can�t be good.� Gee stated. �If it isn�t � there are two things that will compensate for that. Sensors are picking up a Soaran and Pinciata ship in the area. Sensors say that the Soaran has fired but there is no signs of an explosion or of any battle.� Grey stated seriously. �They must have been trying to destroy that thing. Can you see anything in that thing?� Gee asked curiously. Grey did some quick programming and shook his head. �Whatever is inside that thing � if there is something � is beyond our technology to detect.� He replied. Gee was going to say something when the targeting computer began flashing. �Shit � tell me something good.� He pleaded. �The computer is responding to attack protocol. It sees the enemy ships and will fire at them if we don�t stop it.� She started. As soon as she said it out loud � she knew that that would be impossible. They watched as two icicle shaped missiles shot out at the ships. �We needed that failsafe didn�t we?� he asked. �So it would seem.� She replied quietly. *** In the Quagmirian ship, the Insectorr saw the approaching missile but couldn�t react in time. The weapon exploded into his ship, but luckily didn�t cause much damage. He managed to stay on course towards the golden ring. �Even if the Parisaun ship destroys me � I will destroy that unholy thing!� he shouted. He pushed a button and fired two bug shaped missiles at the ring. Unfortunately, due to the fluctuations this firefight was causing a gravity wave disrupted the course of the missiles. Sie watched in horror as the two weapons flew towards the other ships. �Heaven help us all.� He whispered. *** In the Moltarian ship, Tauhn was able to barely avoid getting hit by the ice missile, but couldn�t avoid the bug. A small explosion rocked the ship. He did a quick check to see if all of the systems were operational. �Weapons � shields � check. We are still in this.� Tauhn stated. He looked over and saw the other bug missile explode into the Drortah ship. �The bug took out one target � now to deal with the other.� He continued. He got ready to shoot at the other ship, but the firing mechanism jammed. He tried repeatedly to shoot but nothing happened. �Tauhn�� Motun strained. �Not now.� He retorted. �Tauhn�� Samona added. He raised his head to shout at the two that were bothering him when he saw what they were trying to say. The explosion knocked them into the ring�s gravitational pull. �Attempting to compensate.� He stated. The ship turned around but continued towards the ring. �Nothing is working.� He stated on the brink of panic. *** Aboard the Glacorian ship, things weren�t much better. Gee and Grey were barely conscious. They had survived the hit, but the ship had pretty much had it. They had completely lost engine power, scanners, deflectors and weapons. �We�re in deep trouble.� Grey strained. Gee slowly looked up and saw that they were moving towards the huge ring. �Is there anything we can do?� she asked. �If the ship wasn�t gutted from your work and we didn�t get hit by that missile � there would be lots of things. Right now though � we are lucky that life support is still functioning.� He replied. �Sorry.� she stated. �I wasn�t blaming you.� He replied. �Good to hear � I�d kick your ass if you were.� She teased. The two looked up and watched as the giant ring seemed to get even bigger. *** In the Quagmirian ship, Sie too was caught by the gravitational grip of what seemed to be a demonic gate. Sie stared at the emptiness within the ring and tried to have faith in the apostles. �You may bring me to your hellish realm C�an � but I will fight you until I can fight no more � and then with the will of the apostles I will fight on from there.� He said defiantly. *** Outside of the ships, the ring seemed to slowly spin. The three ships were slowly being pulled into the center. All of the symbols and markings began to glow. The three ships were pulled into the emptiness � and vanished. *** Inside, the three ships were moving faster than any of them believed possible. In the conditions their ships were in, all they could do was sit back and watch as everything around them blurred. Seconds later, a bright light flashed. The ships were back in space. Around them were stars and planets. What struck them as odd, was that what few planets were around seemed as though they had been deeply scarred by hundreds upon hundreds of years of fighting. It was at this time that they realized that the other two ships were there with them. they were getting ready to start the fight up again when they noticed that they were being drawn to something else. They all slowly looked over and saw a black and brown world. They all tried to regain some kind of control of their ships, but nothing seemed to work. All of them watched helplessly as the planet slowly brought them to it. |
| The Corruption Continues... |