The poet Menab Portawea wrote a poem called,” If one was quenched by darkness,” that read,” While I thought a prayer came answered when I was unaware. I know now that only children make this error. For in all the many green grass meadows that I smiled so wide, it was only in my blackened heart my lust for life resides. And when the Baatold screams in my one deaf ear I pray my soul can hear. Cause prayers of hope don’t climb the slope of providence, but the witless fools believe they will.” Menab believed that if he cherished Goarote in his mind he never need kneel to pray. He spent 7 years in the Grash caves on Goep I an effort to forget civilization. When he came out he spoke only in 7 word sentences and refused to look away for a moment from anyone who was talking to him. There he wrote the book,” We’ve spoken,” about the underlying current of deception in everything the government did. The book told the story of Tamses Tenn and his plot to overthrow the government. He got together 50 assassins and made a raid on the emperor’s home quarters. After they had him in hand they leveraged his life as collateral to get control of the military. Then after laying siege to many of their rivals Tamses’s wife Bobin was captured and Tamses said simply,” Kill her, she wasn’t kind,” The story climaxed with Tamses ordering the destruction of the lower half of Parscan where much of the population lived and it was done in a rash of large explosions.
As the battleships neared Bearun they could see the thousands of Geen, Cacob, Plalo, Sandu and all of Veata’s subjects all piled into the enormous mountain castle. Bearun itself was half in front and at the base of Mt. Ourain and then the other half was dug deep into the actual mountain. The castle stood 2 miles high and went a mile into the mountain. It was made from a rare purple and red swirling marble and had a trio of long tall white marble towers in the front with round red decks at their apexes with dozens of red diamond shaped windows that spiraled from top to bottom. The castle itself had a black wooden deck that went from the bottom to top with 7 landings that had green castle doors that were square in shape behind each every so often. It had a large blue robot in front of the castle to ward off any enemies that looked like Veata and was 800 yards tall with a Mutters in a gun belt on its hip. There were thousands of windows shaped like perfect circles everywhere you looked with many of which with gun turrets built into them. There was a huge 500 yard wide bust of Goarote in the center of the front wall, with a large laser canon sticking out of its mouth as well as 2 missiles out of its eyes for protection.
All the people were filing their way up the black wooden deck as they entered the castle. As the battleships drew near the people turned and cheered as they raised their fists.
“ Somebody’s happy,” said Ohgood slyly as he eyed the crowd.
“ I just hope they’ll all fit,” said Famaron.
“ Where do we park, I mean seriously?” asked Ratie as she looked at the field of green grass in front of Bearun.
“ Just plop down in the grass and you’ll be fine,” said Famaron as he steered over to the grass and then landed.
The other 6 battleships did the same and lined up in a row. Then the hordes of people started to hurry over to the ships. The ship doors opened and the people with their possessions in hand began boarding the battleships.
Meanwhile inside Baub’s battleship he was in his study drinking an old bottle of scotch with general Bluntip when a holographic message appeared. The study had a circular book case that ran around the outside of the room that was filled with all sorts of old books from fiction to art books with tiny blue lights on each that when the book was touched would turn red and the book would levitate outward so you could grab it. There were 2 floors of books with the second having Dowa bird robots flying around in front in case you needed a specific book they would retrieve it for you. In the center of the room there was a 6 person pentagon shaped hot tub with a holographic projection in the center of the t.v. show,” To kill a friend,” playing on it.
“ To kill a friend,” was a TV. show based on a real life love affair between a Sandu cleric and a beautiful female robot. The show revolved around a murder in the Sandu temple that the lead character Nenven the Geen tries to solve. Over the course of the show it is revealed that it was a government hit that leads straight to the top.
Around the hot tub there was a trio of white Baatold fur round couches with a meal distributing elevator in front of each that would raise up a hot meal of your choosing as as well as a dark brown wooden table to put it on. The floors of the room had a wool and cashmere red rug with a Sarg sewn onto it in black and green thread. There was also 3 small turtle shell shaped robots that had large square blue crystal eyes that would perform tricks for you if you asked.
Baub sat on one couch with general Bluntip on the adjacent couch smoking a Redres cigarette.
Redres cigarettes had a long red filter and if you blew on the tips it caused them to self lite as there was a small amount of an explosive powder in the tip.
The holographic message was from captain Steaks . Steaks had a perfectly round bald head and a thick blonde mustache. He was wearing a gold stripped satin suit with holographic medals and a large pair of red rimmed glasses that were oval shaped.
“ Emperor, there is bad news to report. 7 battleships were taken from the retired war vessel shipyard and several of our soldiers were killed,” said Steaks as he stood straight up and raised one eyebrow as he spoke.
“ Really, did you try to follow them?” asked Bluntip sternly as he scowled at Steaks.
“ Yes and those vessels were destroyed, but we were able to get a fix on their position. They are at the Bearun castle. I wanted to alert you before we went after them, because we will need several battleships to take them down,” said Steaks calmly.
“ Yes, you will indeed. This stinks of Famaron, did he think he could overthrow me with a few battleships. How childish of him he must be desperate. O.K. here’s what I we will do, I’ll send all I’ve got every battleship, Flasher, and Woright and we’ll corner that fossil. Then we’ll blow those ships to pieces. My, won’t it be glorious, and if we lose a couple of battleships who cares I know Goarote won’t,” said Baub snidely then he laughed to himself.
“ I’ll prepare the fleet and have them assembled in 20 minutes, Emperor, Steaks out,” said Steaks sternly then he slapped his chest and the hologram disappeared.
“ But, Baub, what of the planned destruction of the Plalo?” asked Bluntip as he smoked.
“ You know, Bluntip, you’ve got a habit of asking too many questions. Why don’t you SHUT that mouth of yours and put spikes thru your skin to keep that IDIOT brain from malfunctioning,” shouted Baub as he glared at Bluntip.
“ C’mon, Baub, I was just asking a simple question,” said Bluntip calmly as he motioned with his hand for Baub to calm down.
“ You’re right as always you are right. I think I just need to stretch my legs, give me a minute,” said Baub calmly as he stood up.
Then Baub reached into his waistband and pulled out a Morshito bracelet and put it on his right wrist. Then he leapt at Bluntip and punched him in the face with his right hand. The Morshito amplified his punch so much so that his blow crushed Bluntip’s nose cartilage right into his brain. Bluntip gasped for air as a steady stream of blood gushed out of his nose. He began to stand up and Baub asked warmly,” Where you off to old friend? Have you got a pill in your throat let me see if I can knock it loose,” said Baub snidely as Bluntip looked at him wide eyed and waved no.
Then Baub punched him in the chest with his right hand and went 2 inches beneath the skin and thru the chest plate. Then Baub pulled out his fist and blood squirted out and Baub asked snidely,” Is it all better now child. Did daddy make your painypoo disappear,” and then Baub shouted,” You insolent fool your big mouth just ended your life!”
Then Bluntip’s eyes began to flutter and he fe
ll straight back and died when he hit the floor. Then Baub casually walked back over to the couch and sat down and began watching,” To kill a friend,” and started to laugh at Nenven who was speaking with his wife in a purple grassy field.
“ Look, Gorsy, I didn’t bring you out to ask you for your security codes again to get in your pants. We’re here for one reason and one reason only, I love you,” said Nenven boldly as he paced back and forth and then he smiled at Gorsy for several seconds and then said sarcastically,” Feel free to announce your love for me at anytime.”
“ You know how I feel about you, I hover between love and murder every day. That’s not the point here, love to you means a long conversation about how great you are. Love to me is a kind word and a good long kiss. So go ahead and tell me how robots just don’t get it, there’s a talk I’d love to have again,” said Gorsy in a sassy tone as her nose crinkled and she shook her head.
“ Oh great again with the robot thing. I make one off handed remark about your feelings being wrapped up in a scientist’s main frame and you never let me hear the end of it. Well here’s a news flash, I don’t take it back it was funny so go get a can of oil and get wasted you steel cube of heartlessness,” said Nenven boldly then he let out a yell and started to pull on his hair.
“ Oh here’s the show I remember, the Nenven knows it all and everyone else is an idiot show. I can count on my hand the number of times you showed me a gentle caress of a single rub of my cheek. Things like that matter to a woman and if you weren’t so Zamtru headed you’d know enough to take me in your arms and kiss me right now softly,” said Gorsy sternly as she teared up then extended her arms and looked at Nenven.
Then Nenven walked over to her and took her in his arms and kissed her softly. Then he looked her in the eye and said,” Goarote, I love science.”
“ This show kills me,” shouted Baub as he burst out laughing and slapped his knee.
Then the hologram of steaks appeared and he said,” Emperor, the fleet is prepared and ready to start for Bearun. What are your orders?” asked Steaks as he put his arms behind his back.
“ My orders are as such, assemble the fleet behind my battleship and we’ll set out for Bearun as soon as I get to the bridge. Good work, Steaks, I’ve decided to promote you to general. Go ahead and make the proper alterations to your uniform and meet me here on my battleship. I can see good things in your future, Steaks,” said Baub warmly then he gave Steaks a smile and a nod.
“ Thank you, Emperor, that means the world to me. I will tell the fleet your orders and be on your ship as soon as possible. Again my thanks, Emperor,” said Steaks nervously as he tried not to let his emotions get the better of him.
“ Think nothing of it, hurry now we don’t want Famaron escaping,” said Baub as he laughed.
“ Of course Steaks out,” said Steaks quickly then his hologram disappeared.
Baub looked at Bluntip’s body and said wryly,” If you want the job, you’d better be flexible or you’ll get your stiff face punched in ha ha ahha.”
Outside Baub’s battleship the fleet assembled behind his ship in a long row with 200 ships in all. Then Steaks got into a small transfer ship known as Pormu which was a baseball hat shaped 20 foot long red ship. It had 2 large eye shaped yellow plasma windows in the front side by side. It had only a small pair of laser canons on its belly.
Steaks rode into the hangar bay of Baub’s ship and landed softly. The hangar bay was 1000 feet wide and 1000 feet deep. It had 150 foot ceilings and had an assortment of various small crafts including 2
Flashers and a Woright. The walls of the hangar bay were made from a green steel and were filled with electronic sensors, monitors, and input valves for refueling. There were 2 Zematron robots riding around the hangar bay.
Zematrons were a snow man shaped red robot with black faces that were of Famaron and Teverus. Each of which had 7 deadly weapons at their disposal like the machine gun lightning burst gun as well as an assortment of long blades and spikes they could fire at you. They hovered above the floor on an anti gravity thruster.
As Steaks exited the Pormu a Zematron rode up to him and asked,” Do you need help carrying your things?”
“ No, there’s just this, but thank you. Go ahead and keep an eye on my ship thou, thanks,” said Steaks brightly as he grinned and thought of his luck at becoming a general.
Then Steaks made his way to the bridge by taking the Spiral elevator which was a round black elevator with yellow stripped satin walls, that went spiraling upwards and sideways to the bridge. There was also a voice operated computer that could take any person anywhere in the ship.
When the Spiral reached the bridge the doors shot upward in an instant and Steaks saw Baub doing some stretches and said nothing he just walked up beside him and stood silently. Baub finished his stretches and then looked over and saw Steaks and asked,” How’s the weather out there, Steaks, sunny as usual?”
“ Yes, Emperor, a beautiful sunny night like Goarote planned for us,” said Steaks quickly as he looked directly at Baub.
“ Good answer I can tell you’re not the fool general Bluntip proved himself to be. Now, Steaks, excuse me general Steaks, let’s go get a traitor and teach him how to gasp for air,” said Baub snidely as he took his captain’s seat and pressed the thrusters button and the fleet did as well as they set off for Bearun.
Meanwhile at Bearun the battleships were half full as everyone rushed aboard with all their belongings. Inside of Bearun sat Veata, Famaron, Ohgood, Ratie, and Lucern on one of the seven landings halfway up the castle. They were each sitting on a Sarg feather chair shaped like an open mouth facing the battleships. There was also a trio of Veata looking female robots catering to their every whim. There was also a Duba laser telescope aimed up at the sky that could see 10 light years into space that Veata herself created and was emerald green in color and had a wide TV. monitor that you watched and a 4 foot long stalk with a round penny sized hole at the end. It was sitting on a small black marble table in front of Ohgood. The floor of the landing was covered in a hand sewn 5 inch thick red rug with Veata’s image sewn onto it in full color.
“ It looks like we should be able to leave quicker than I thought. Maybe even within the hour,” said Ratie as she watched the people loading the ships.
“ It can’t come soon enough for me. Let’s face it, at some point Baub’s gonna come looking for his missing flying fortresses and he won’t be coming alone. I only hope we’ll be far away from here when he does,” said Famaron sternly as he leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head then let out a sigh.
“ This much is true, he is a vicious man who will bring his vengeance to us without hesitation, but we can’t do anything to change this so we should just enjoy our last bit of time on Parscan,” said Veata as she leaned forward and rubbed her knee and took in the night sky.
“ Good point, Veata, nice one. Well then I will have a glass of white wine and a steak sandwich and literally DRINK it all in,” said Ratie slyly as she typed in her order on the robots chest.
“ That’s a good idea I think I’ll get a bottle of scotch and toast the last of the great civilizations. And, it’s late and I’m old and old men drink when they feel like it cause there’s only so many days left to do it,” said Solcrist smoothly as he waved to the robot to come over to him.
“ Here here, let’s all tie one on and give Parscan the however brief send off, she deserves. I’ll have a bit of brandy and a bowl of strawberry ice cream like I did when I was young,” said Lucern happily as he grinned.
“ You know this telescope is totally sick. I can see planets that are light years away like they were sitting in my lap. You never know either, we may be calling them home sometime soon. You should see this one I’m looking at now it’s covered in a huge dense forest, b
ut there’s spacescrapers all thru it. There’s even a large stadium, with some sort of gathering of at least a million people,” said Ohgood as he looked at the world of Permea and its sport Qualpork.
“ Let me look,” pleaded Ratie as she walked over to Ohgood and smiled.
“ Alright, but I got dibs on it after you’re done,” said Ohgood sadly as he stood up and gave Ratie the seat.
As Ratie looked at Permea she saw thousands of ships of every shape and size parked outside
colossal stadium in a series of different levels. The stadium itself was dark purple and perfectly round with 5 large black towers inside at the edges of the Qualpork field. Then she saw one of the natives walking out onto the field with a swirl of green and red lights that were racing around his body as flames appeared where he had just stepped and Ratie said in disbelief,” This is so fascinating, Ohgood, I can tell they have magic on this world. We seriously might want to consider going there to live.”
“ Magic, really let me have a look at that?” asked Solcrist as a robot handed him a bottle of scotch.
Then he walked over to Ratie and looked at the monitor and saw a giant bear appear with the head of a snake in front of the man and Solcrist said breathlessly,” Yes…this is exactly where we should go and it says here this world is called Permea, it would give us the advantage of magic. Then Permea it should be at the very least we could defend ourselves. The only question is will they take us?” asked Solcrist as he looked at Ratie.
“ I would think so, we’re good people. We’ll just go there and take our chances huh,” said Ratie as she smirked and looked at everyone.
“ Ratie, you have powers of persuasion I’ll never truly understand. Permea here comes the lot of us!” said Famaron boldly as he stood up and clapped his hands together.
“ Hooray for that!” shouted Ratie then she did a goofy dance in front of Famaron.
“ It looks like the last of the Geen are entering the battleships now. We could be ready to go in ten minutes,” said Lucern as he looked over the railing at the mass of Geen entering the ships some carrying statues of Peerios.
Peerios was a Geen poker player who came from humble beginnings. After a youth where every meal was in question as well as the hope of new clothes, he began developing a system to play poker with what involved breathing techniques. He used these to distract and deceive the people he was playing against by thinking violent thoughts when he didn’t have it and serene ones when he did. The method was so effective eventually no one would play against him, but by then he was so wealthy it didn’t matter. He used his winnings to open a bakery using all of his mother’s secret recipes like steak sticks, which she invented. This venture turned him into the richest man on Parscan. Then he used his even greater wealth to build the Gorcenic castle which towered 15,000 feet into the air and was 400,000 square feet. It was filled with every priceless painting, statue, and antique jewelry known to man. When he was asked in his later years why he was so lucky he said flatly,” I cheated every person that would let me.”
“ That may not be soon enough, look in the distance!” said Ratie loudly as she pointed to the Baub battleships.
“ Oh great, Baub’s getting frisky and he brought the whole fleet. Tell the Geen to drop whatever they’re carrying and get on the ships now!” said Famaron boldly as he eyed the nearing fleet and then said softly,” Let us have guidance Goarote, and let it be now.”
Then everyone ran down to the ships as fast as they could. Once they were there they could see Baub’s armada only a few minutes away.
“ Everyone on the ships, we are leaving now you idiots!” shouted Famaron then the Geen dropped their possessions and sprinted into the battleships.
“ Do we fight them or just run for it?” asked Dornoa as he looked at Famaron.
“ We flee, but they might catch up to us with their Flashers and if they do continue to flee. Now as a last resort turn and fight, but only as you are leaving the atmosphere. Because they will only follow us so far before giving up, and remember it’s every mean for himself alright?” asked Famaron calmly as he looked at everyone who was staring back at him.
“ You got it, let’s not wait another second. We’ll rendezvous at the end of the Coulez system. Goarote speed everyone,” said Solcrist warmly then he ran towards his battleship with staff in hand.
“ We’re off,” said Ohgood as he and Ratie ran to their ships.
After everyone was inside their ships they closed the outer hatches and began to lift off with Ratie and Ohgood getting up in the air first, followed by everyone else a minute later. As they soared high up into the air Baub’s armada began closing in with a dozen Flashers hurling towards Solcrist’s ship. Inside the bridge of Solcrist’s ship he stood up watching the Flashers gaining on him and then said snidely,” Come a little closer you parasites. I’ll give you a nice warm welcome and then he raised his staff and shouted,” Landau bracncom be a taker!”
Then outside his battleship a large purple dragon with a Landan rider on its back appeared. Landans were dark green men with long t shaped heads with red swirls all over them. They had one large eye and one small each of which light blue and round in shape. Their noses shot out several inches from their faces and were jagged and pointy. They had menacing giant red teeth with a set of fangs on the sides. They were 14 feet tall and carved out of pure muscle. They wore only a black leather pair of shorts with the words,” to vanquish,” written on them. The Landan had an arm of a Gargoyle with a sword in its hand in the Landans hand that was engulfed in flames. The arm was filled with a powerful
chunk of dead magic that when thrown at something would unleash 3 random changing spells. The spells would shape shift parts of the person or craft it hit and leave the rest.
When the Flasher began firing on the rear of Solcrist’s ship the dragon and Landan flew at the closest 3. The dragon shot a steady stream of fire at them and melted off their laser canons. Then the Landan threw a piece of the Gargoyles arm at each of the three ships and suddenly they began to shape shift. First a large part of one ship turned into milk and floated away. This caused the pilot to be sucked into the vacuum of space as his head imploded. The second ship had parts of it turn into steak. This caused all the systems to fail and as the meat floated away a fire broke out in the cockpit and the pilot was burned to death as he screamed. The 3rd Flasher had the frame of the ship turn into explosives. Then when a circuit shorted out it caused the whole ship to instantly explode in a ball if fire and electricity.
“ Not lovers of magic I can see,” said Solcrist snidely then he said over the intercom,” relax everyone we are in space now and they won’t follow us much longer.”
Meanwhile the other 6 ships were already racing away from Parscan and heading for Permea. The other 9 Flashers saw what had happened to their friends and surrounded Solcrist’s ship with a Woright coming up behind followed by the slower battleships including Baub’s. The dragon and Landan went after 2 ships while the other ships blasted away at Solcrist’s ship.
Solcrist began firing his laser canons at the Woright and blew away a large part of their aft fuselage sending a steady stream of electricity out into space as well as flames. Then he shot the Woright again in the center of its right side. This shot went clean thru blowing away 5 of their crew members to a million pieces and starting a chain reaction. Then the Woright imploded and was only charred remains a moment later and Solcrist pumped his fist and said coldly,” You were not wise.”
Then the dragon and Landan caught up to the 2 Flashers and the Landan threw 2 pieces of the Gargoyles arm at them and hit them both in the side. Suddenly one large part of one ship shape shifted into half a Baatold and the Flasher looked like a Baatold was stuck half in and half out of the ship. Then the pilot lost control of the ship and began spiraling back to Parscan at tremendo
us speed. In a matter of seconds the Flasher smashed into the side of Bearun and was obliterated instantly.
The other Flasher shape shifted into half flaming shaving gel and there wasn’t enough of the ships frame to hold it together so it split into 20 pieces. And the pilot was suffocated inside a gel pocket.
“ Look, Solcrist, do you need any help with those Flashers? I could swing around,” asked Famaron as he looked at Solcrist’s hologram on his bridge.
“ No, but thank you, Famaron. I’m just having too much fun to share the devastation. Wait for a second o.k., I’ve got my next spell for old Baub,” said Solcrist happily then he raised his staff and shouted,” Tam burneth a hole for the holy!”
Then behind Solcrist’s ship appeared a trio of 30 foot tall Criffio’s inside a wagon being pulled by red dragons.
Criffio’s were half man and half magic with pure magic rainbow colored arms and a head of pure magic shaped like a donut with dark green giant eyes. Its mouth could fire lightning bolts and hand grenades. Its arms could fire mini spells in the shape of triangles in rapid procession. Its legs could stretch and turn into wings and fly at a series of right angles.
“ Now that looks like fun for old Baub. Why haven’t I seen that spell before?” asked Famaron as he looked at Solcrist blankly and a thought of his father casting a similar spell when he was a child.
“ I’d been saving it for just the right moment, and this will give old Baub reason to pause,” said Solcrist snidely as he watched the Criffio’s.
“ My father knew a spell like that. I never forgot the day I first saw it he said it would save my life someday. Odd how this memory just became fact,” said Famaron softly as he smirked.
Meanwhile the Criffio’s were riding right for Baub’s battleship and leaving a trail of cosmic dust behind them. Inside Baub’s battleship he sat on the bridge smoking a Redres cigarette and blowing the red smoke in circles and squares in front of him with Steaks standing beside him silently.
“ Steaks, why aren’t we moving faster? I need us to catch them while I’m still alive,” asked Baub calmly in between puffs.
“ we are at full speed right now, emperor, there isn’t much more we can do, but hope the Flashers slow them down,” said Steaks nervously as he kept his eyes looking forward.
“ I worried as much, don’t give it a thought. I still feel like I need to fire my laser canons. Why don’t you go ahead and fire away it doesn’t matter if we hit spit, I just want the satisfaction of sending a deadly laser beam in their direction,” said Baub coldly as his smile grew wild and he thought of Famaron.
“ Done, emperor, firing now,” said Steaks then he pressed the laser canon firing button and 8 laser bursts fired out of the front of the ship towards Solcrist.
“ Nice, Steaks, they should run out of power before they get even close to them, but it’s the slight that counts,” said Baub snidely as he laughed to himself and then saw the Criffio’s heading towards him and asked,” What is that, Steaks, is it one of ours? They should be engaging the enemy. Well if it is one of ours blow it to pieces filthy cowards,” said Baub in disbelief as he squinted at the Criffio’s.
The Criffio’s on the left began firing mini spells shaped like triangles from its arms like a machine gun. The Criffio in middle did as well while the one on the right fired lightning bolts and red hand grenades from its mouth while it flew out of the wagon at a right angle. Then the dragons fired off a wall of flames at the battleship melting their laser canons into large metal balls.
The first wave of the triangular mini spells began filling the ship with tiny gargoyles with daggers who started running thru the halls stabbing anyone in sight. 50 soldiers were getting their eyes gouged, legs severed and throats slit by the gargoyles. Then the second wave of mini spells hit just as the grenades and lightning bolts were destroying the front of the ship in a hail of explosions. Inside the ship a 300 foot long half snake half Solisva appeared and began driving down the halls and swallowing soldiers whole and digesting them. One after another some 2 at a time they were devoured whole.
“ This is madness, Steaks, the ship is overrun. We must use the escape pods. Quickly, Steaks, come with me!” said Baub nervously as he ran over to the escape pod doors and pressed the open button.
“ Of course, Emperor!” said Steaks loudly as he followed Baub.
They jumped in the 2 escape pods and as they shut the pod doors the 30 foot snake burst into the room, but the escape pods launched as Baub saw the snake. Then as Baub and Steaks were flying thru space the Criffio that was flying shot 6 triangular mini spells at Steaks and Baub. When they hit their escape pods Baub’s filled with a mini red dragon who sat on Baub’s leg then looked at him fiercely and bit off his head and began devouring him. Steaks on the other hand had his pod fill with an energy bear that was filled with 50,000 volts and when it touched Steaks he writhed back and forth and a white mucus came out of his mouth as blood came out of his eyes and he died a few seconds later.
Back at Solcrist’s ship the Flashers were still attacking by blasting the sides of his ship and then Solcrist raised his staff and shouted,” Sea ccan’t revormi!”
Then a red energy wave appeared and shot out from the ship and washed over the Flashers. When it did it burned away their fuselage and left only the cockpits which floated helplessly in space with the shocked pilots inside.
Then a Woright came barreling at Solcrist’s ship and launched 4 missiles which hit the right side and blew open a gaping hole. Solcrist saw this and shouted,” Demdrebe lay!”
Then a 20 foot tall blue Sarg on a jet powered black Solisva with a particle sword appeared in front of the Woright.
A particle sword was a black dark matter sword that could disperse the particles of anything it touched.
Then the Sarg rode towards the Woright, but the Woright saw her and veered away from Solcrist’s ship. The Sarg pursued it and they darted back and forth and up and down as the Woright frantically tried to escape. Then the Woright released a large square box of explosives behind it. Then it exploded sending a defining loud explosion threw space and sent the Sarg flying backwards destroying its Solisva. But the Sarg used its wings and flew after the Woright shooting flames burst out of its back for extra propulsion. The Woright meanwhile started back towards Solcrist’s ship, but as it did the Sarg swooped down and thrust its particle sword into the top of the ship sending a geyser of scattered particles out into space in a river of green light. The hole in the ship revealed a soldier sitting at a table eating a sandwich. Then he got sucked out into space where the Sarg sunk its talons into his chest killing him. Then the Sarg moved the particle sword from side to side until there was enough room for it to jump
inside the Woright. Once inside it began swinging the particle sword wildly in every direction. The ship became filled with fire and smoke as large chunks of it floated away.
The pilots realized they were in trouble and hurried into the escape pods, but the Sarg burst into the cockpit and sliced his sword thru the center of the escape pods as well as the pilots themselves going right thru their torsos. The 2 halves that were left of them fell on top of each other and they soon were dead.
“ It looks like we’re free and clear now, Solcrist,” said Ratie as she looked at the hologram of Baub’s fleet heading back to Parscan.
“ Yes, Ratie, it think that’s the last of them. The question now is how long ‘til Goarote does his bidding on Parscan?” asked Solcrist as he chewed a steak stick.
“ It won’t be that long look at the cluster of planets and moons and that sun at the edge of our solar system,” said Famaron breathlessly as he eyed the oncoming galaxy.
“ Oh Goarote isn’t wasting any time,” said Solcrist softly as he looked at the encroaching galaxy.
There was a giant green planet surro
unded by 6 purple and blue moons that was closest, with a yellow sand planet twice the size of Parscan next. Then there was a purple and red gas giant next that had an asteroid belt surrounding it filled with giant asteroids some the size of Earth. Then came a red giant sun that was expanding by the second with 4 more smaller green and blue planets on its far side. The entire solar system called Portblat was only the first of 6 in that galaxy heading straight for Parscan.
Meanwhile on Parscan inside Bearun sat Prasau in the royal dining hall with general Sliprom his half brother.
Sliprom had lavender gelled straight up short hair and a thick red goatee. His eyes looked perpetually pissed off. He had a nose that had been broken 8 times and went in 4 different directions at each break. His mouth was permanently frowning and he had pure white teeth that extended over his lips as he smiled. He had a Halbaltic gang tattoo in the center of his forehead of a red and black cursive h with a dagger thru it. He was 6’8” and a mountain of muscles. He had small hands for his height with thin fingers. He had on a gold satin stripped suit with only a single holographic medal that decreed he was a 6 star general. He also had on blue leather boots with his personal gold plated Mutters attached to the side of the left boot.
Inside the dining hall there was an upper case y shaped golden table with legs shaped like Baatolds with pink diamond eyes in the center of the room. There was a built in dark blue quilt like tablecloth that had Veata’s image sewn into it showing her smiling as she held a long silver sword. The chairs at the table were shaped like gargoyles and made from platinum with 4 white ivory legs per chair and there were 50 chairs at the table. Around the outside of the table were 30 statues of every poet, writer, and hero from yesteryear that Veata loved like Duke Ermes Nogent.
Duke Ermes Nogent was a distant descendant of Veata’s and started off as a doctor in his twenties, but later founded a secret order known as the Bucklocks. The Bucklocks used their wealth and influence to crush the world’s economy thus giving them even more power. Then they raised the prices on basic goods and squeezed the common man until he was desperate and happy with anything he received. Then they lifted up the economy and gave the common folk the understanding it was the Bucklocks who saved them. Then they had the ultimate power as the people worshipped them and honestly believed that every good thing in their life was given to them by the Bucklocks. In the years that followed the people were easily swayed to the Bucklocks ideas and whims, because they were so appreciative. Then
the Bucklocks continued this process every time the people were either too happy or they started to question their authority and revolt.
The walls bowed inward every 6 feet and were emerald green marble with a door of red maple at the center of each wall shaped like an egg. The ceiling was 32 feet high and covered in a hologram of a scene from the movie,” The end at Stamina.”
The end at Stamina was a movie about a pair of identical triplets that grow up separately on 3 different continents. As they grow up and mature they all become rabble rousers and lust for power. Then they each form armies and try to take over the world. The story climaxes with a bloody battle in the hills of Vertize with all 3 armies destroying one another completely.
Prasau was eating a plate of alfredo pasta rolls at the head of the table with a bottle of blue wine next to his plate called Orehey’s Blue. Next to him sat general Sliprom eating a large piece of Dowa bird and red cheese pizza and having a can of Cortie soda pop.
Cortie was a green colored soda that had a built in energy enhancer that lasted 12 hours.
“ You know this Veata has got herself a nice sense of décor. I can’t remember the last time I sat in a room that looked like it was about to run off,” said Sliprom straight faced as he tried not to grin.
Then Prasau laughed and almost choked on his pasta roll and then put his hand up and said smoothly,” I’m not worried about it running I just don’t want to have to chase it.”
Then Sliprom laughed and said quickly,” Chase it, Goarote no then you’ve got to skin it and these babies are solid.”
Prasau laughed slightly and then said wryly,” I didn’t quite get where you were going with that one, but the wine still drinks the same. Alright look, Sliprom, now that we’ve run off all the undesirables from Parscan you and I need to talk about doing away with Baub as we planned.”
“ Good point I think my pair of assassins on his flag ship will take care of him tonight if the opportunity arises. If not, I’ve got a chef with a flask of powerful poison who will season his breakfast so to speak. Either way he’ll be dead before he knows what hit him and Parscan will be ours my brother,” said Sliprom snidely as he reached out and grabbed Prasau’s shoulder and squeezed it.
“ Good, Sliprom, this I believe is our destiny. We were born for true divinity and poor Baub was born for death at the hands of a friend. And when we have control, we’ll squeeze out all the riches we can from the people who lived. Then, Sliprom, we will have the life we were promised, then we will be kings,” said Prasau boldly then he saw the sun coming up and he noticed it was brighter and asked,” What is this treachery, Sliprom?”
Then Sliprom looked out the window and saw the red sunlight and said nervously,” I know not, let us see it more closely.”
Then they hurried to the window and then went out onto the landing and saw the red giant and their own sun filling the sky with a series of planets and moons nearly on top of them and Prasau’s jaw dropped and he said nervously,” Oh no, Sliprom, it is the end of us all. We were duped my brother, sold a bill of goods.”
“ We must get into the air and try to escape!” said Sliprom frantically as he pulled on Prasau’s arm.
“ We’re dead already…there’s no way to escape that sun. I can feel the air it’s got to be 125 degrees right now. In another hour we’ll all be burned to death. Sliprom, if we go into space we’ll meet the same fate only sooner. Make your peace my friend, cause we are lost,” said Prasau as he began to tremble.
“ We have to try, I’m leaving with or without you!” said Sliprom frantically then he ran down the ramp as fast as he could.
When Sliprom got to the bottom he ran over to his Woright and quickly went inside. He raced to the pilots seat and lifted off. Once he was in the air he looked back and saw Prasau on his knees sobbing and said softly,” Brother, your foolish heart has failed you.”
Then Sliprom raced out of Parscan’s atmosphere, but as he did a wave of heat and radiation washed over his ship. It began melting the outside of the ship and Sliprom began feeling sick from the radiation. He vomited and started to cough loudly. As he got further into space the heat intensified and his ship began melting away more rapidly until the nose of the ship was half gone. Then a red moon from a neighboring galaxy came flying towards his ship and he shouted,” Save me, Goarote, please save me!”
But the moon kept coming and it barreled into his ship smashing it to pieces. Then the moon continued onward towards Parscan. At Bearun Prasau saw the sky fill with the moon as he wiped away the tears from his eyes and he pleaded,” I was good, I was a friend to all. Let this poor soul live for more my god.”
Then a burst from the encroaching sun shot the temperature up 30 degrees and Prasau gasped for air as his skin began to form bubbles and turned beat red. Then he staggered towards Bearun, but as he did the moon pierced the atmosphere of Parscan and day became night. Prasau fell to his knees and
struggled for the castle. Then in a flash the moon hit and continued deep into the ground sending a wave of debris, fire, and dust in every direction. Suddenly the world of Parscan was enveloped in a never ending cloud of flames that killed every person and animal as it swept across the surface. The moon began breaking the world apart and chunks of it sailed into space, but the red giant that was getting nearer every second melted all the debris as it left the atmo
sphere. Then the red giant got so close it burned away the surface of the planet. Then a minute later it began to destroy the edge of the world as it quickly headed for Parscan. Then Goarote pushed the red giant quickly and it engulfed all of Parscan and suddenly it and all its people’s accomplishments were no more.
On board Veata’s battleship she sat watching the destruction on a holographic projector with a tear in her eye. And then she said softly,” All the years and many struggles for hope, gone in an instant.”
Inside Ratie’s ship she sat and said nothing as she thought of all her memories. Then she thought of her father and his ruthlessness and smiled to herself and said,” When the evil of one becomes many, all is lost.”
“ That’s from Paimes’s last manuscript, and it’s truer now than when it was written in the 200 years war. Then he also said when children can no longer dream the mind no longer is a thought, but only an afterthought. My how we blew it,” said Solcrist as he looked at the debris where Parscan had been.
Paimes was a short story writer and avid believer in Goarote’s principles who wrote 3 manuscripts each of which conjured up different finalities and realizations about life. One of which was a short story titled,” When we discerned hope,” that had the passage,” When the killers of us that come when we sleep feel the due they are owed, then the rest of us will have also failed as it took God’s hand to aid and he only comes once and only to reckon.” Paimes live in the mountain city called Bugeras that was
propped up by enormous red Turnpody trees that made up its base. After only a year there they declared him king and he married a native woman named Colkix Pomau. This union fostered 50 children and later was referred to as a Dun marriage or wed for life as they were married 80 years, In the last year of his life he spent 8 hours a day constantly speaking in the town square uncontrollably. He let his subconscious and his inner monologue take over and random thoughts came out of him. A young woman began writing them down and the book that came from it was later called,” Paimes’s gift,” and it had a passage that read,” Why am I all that is and surrounded by idiots who can’t make bread. Why can’t trees cook my breakfast and trim my beard twice daily I need a cup full of sun or death be your friend.”
Famaron looked at the devastation and thought of his family and all his friends who betrayed him and then stood up and began pacing around the room and then said sternly,” I hate to say this now, but there are challenges ahead. We need to get to Permea and we need to convince them to take in 7 ships worth of refugees.”
“ He’s right we can’t dwell on this for long. These ships only have so much in the way of supplies and if they won’t take us on Permea we need to have a backup plan,” said Ohgood as he chewed an Orcut wafer and sat cross legged on the floor.
“ He’s right, if we can’t stay there we’ll need another planet close by,” said Dornoa.
“ O.K. then let’s check the star map of that region,” said Famaron as he typed in his request to the ship’s computer and then a holographic map of that solar system appeared and he said,” There’s 4 habitable planets in their system Corac, Enen, Sorfla and of course Permea. It looks like they all have large land masses and plenty of vegetation, but Sorfla is mostly ice and snow.”
“ Sorfla is out, Ratie don’t do cold no way,” said Ratie quickly as she nodded her head no and rolled her eyes.
Then they all laughed and Famaron said happily,” Ah, I’m with Ratie on this, life’s too short for endless winter. Of the other two Corac is the least populated compared to its size although it’s only slightly smaller than Permea. The question with Corac is, is it a place with magic or not?” asked Famaron as he grimaced and grinded his teeth.
“ That is the only question that matters, but I say we worry about that when the time comes. For now let’s just get to Permea,” said Solcrist as he looked at the hologram of Permea and grinned at the idea of Qualpork.
“ I agree and at our current speed we’ll enter their atmosphere in 5 hours. Which suits me and my tired back just fine,” said Ratie brightly as she stretched her back.
“ Can’t come soon enough I just want to get there and get settled. And until I do I won’t be able to relax. I’m gonna get a bit of food and catch up on an episode of, “The Brother of fate,” said Famaron as he browsed thru the ships entertainment logs.
The t.v. show,” The brother of fate,” was about 4 brothers who inherit a priceless art collection from their grandparents. Then they use the money to open a lavish nightclub called “The Surge”. After a few months the club is attacked by a group of ruthless gangsters who want a share of the profits called the Herits. The Herits begin killing patrons as they head for their vehicles as they’re leaving the club. Then Bromi the oldest brother buys a dozen high powered laser canons and starts a bloody battle with the Herits. After 6 months of war there is a member of the Herits cast into a purple diamond and held as ransom, but the Herits say simply he got what he deserved and the war raged on.
“ I love the Brother of fate I could just never figure out how the youngest brother was able to run the whole family. You’d think the oldest brother Ramshickle with his size and brains would have kept the younger brother, what is it…Pemsey in line the whole time,” said Ratie as she tried to find a show to watch.
“ I know Ramshickle could kill that little brat. Maybe he just loves him so much he lets him have it to boost his confidence,” said Veata as she sipped a glass of green wine.
“ Yeah that makes sense I never thought of it that way, Veata, nice thinkin’ the part of my brain that works thanks you,” said Ratie jokingly as she smiled foolishly.
“ That part of my brain that cares says you’re welcome, only kidding, I think, but it was my brain that told me to say that, Ratie,” said Veata coyly as she smiled.
“ Oh ho ho now that was devious I think we’re a little punchy after all that’s happened. I think we need some wine and a bit of entertainment,” said Ratie as she watched the random thought projector.
The random thought projector was a slide show of random people doing random things that a college professor named Tormot taped every summer.
“ Here here to that, I could use a stiff drink and a solid hour of pure nothing,” said Ohgood slyly as he smiled.
“ Yes, nothin’ sounds like a good plan to me, but only if there’s steak sticks involved,” said Lucern as he typed in his order on the captain’s chair armrest and then the hot steak sticks rose up out of the floor in front of him and he said happily,” service without a smile now that’s progress.”
“ Lucern has got the right idea. I’m signing out while I watch the murder episode of Brother of Fate,” said Veata as she pressed a button and the chair turned into a bed and blankets came out of the floor.
After 5 hours in space at maximum speed of the speed of light the 7 battleships drew near to Permea. The planet was half red ocean called the Bloodlet and the rest was lush and green except for the Prampt yellow mountains which formed a circle around the round continent of Dars and shot almost out of the atmosphere. The mountain range was home to the Deveo people. The Deveo were lightly tanned and had long blonde hair that had a natural shine to it. They had carved over 2000 miles of a giant cave city known as Packot which also went a mile into the ground. Each of the caves were made from either red, green, or magenta colored stone and were filled with electronics that the Deveo had created or stolen like the invisibility necklace that did what it said. The leader of the Deveo were the Dasher family headed by king Mouca Dasher. The Dasher’s had an enormous castle that was 1 million square feet and included their own underground lake and a collection of rooms they’d removed from conquered people’s homes.
The other continent on Permea was called the Bowayn and had a massive plain which swooped every few yards. And there were red sand circles every so often that wer
e 50 feet across and had a single Gruce tree in the center.
The Gruce tree was shaped like a dagger and grew 100 feet up with round pancake like branches with red Goger apples that the Gips bears lived on.
Gips bears were orange in color with red squares on them. They grew 10 feet tall and had a nose that resembled a eagles beak.
The Haborm people lived on the Bowayn continent as well as the Dirki, Peom, Sands and the Orfin, each of which stuck primarily to their own territory with the Peom being a group of 1 million wizards. The Sands were a people of great size towering over 9 feet with red hair so thick on their bodies they looked like wild animals. The Orfin were a race of half breeds with their ability to stay underwater for months at a time and their blue scaly skin and fin shaped heads. They lived in a massive city under the red Bloodlet ocean. They were well known for their short tempers and savage violence.
The Dirki were a race of green skins with purple curly hair. They were a small people only 4 feet tall or less and very slight of build. They lived in clay mound shaped huts in the city of Purku. They were well known for their lack of smarts and were easily duped. The city of Purku had a giant natural fresh water fountain in the center of town that provided all the water for a hundred miles and was guarded by armed Dirki soldiers for fear of it being tampered with.
The Haborm were a race of geniuses that spent all of their time enriching their lives thru knowledge. They each had a responsibility to write 8 350 page books before they were 30 or face violent reprisal. They also had to come up with an original piece of electronics before age 35 of face death. They had a stark white skin with small and large black circles all over their arms and legs with their faces being blue in color with red eyes. Their skulls were elongated and had giant frontal lobes as well as a square portion on the top of their heads. They were normal sized, but with long muscular arms and legs and hands the size of a catcher’s mitt. They were ruled over by the Torm Sort council, which was headed by Reaven Omyeto. They lived in the beach community of Leseroak and had a massive network of skyscrapers made from green and blue steel with yellow hourglass shaped windows that spelled out Reaven’s name across 50 buildings and his likeness.
“ We’re here everyone prepare yourselves for niceness,” said Ratie as she eyed the city of Packot.
“ Finally and just when Ramshickle was about to tell the secret of the Tames murders,” said Famaron playfully as he turned off the t.v. show hologram.
“ It was Dr. Noon I’ve seen that episode,” said Ohgood quickly as he stretched his arms.
“ Great thanks for ruining it, I watch a show for 5 hours and he tells me the ending,” said Famaron in disbelief as he stood up and walked closer to the hologram of Packot and took a better look and said softly,” Looks hospitable to me.”
“ Look again we’ve got company,” said Ohgood boldly as he saw a Mehelux fighter jet.
The Mehelux was dark green with black swirls running the length of it. It was shaped like a catfish and had 2 gunner’s seats extending out ten feet from where the eyes would be. It also had a large round central laser canon on either side of the ship that could blow right thru most shields. It had an array of missiles that lowered out of the undercarriage once in flight, with one called a Tomcu that would chase down a vessel then implode and send a nuclear explosion forward after the victim. The ship was 300 feet long and 50 feet wide and could carry 70 soldiers on board. It also had an array of multi colored lights all over the ship that constantly created different pictures of the Dasher family and their crest.
“ Now that is an odd craft. I wonder what he wants?” asked Veata as she got ready to fire her laser canon.
“ We’ll find out soon enough I’m being hailed,” said Famaron then he opened the hailing channel and Corpig Leman’s hologram appeared in front of him.
A Corpig was a high ranking soldier who had completed the 7 years of ways to kill someone training as well as mastered the art of pure treachery and deception by reading the Larm V manual.
The Larm V manual covered every mind trick and ploy as well as every rebuttal known to man.
Leman Trem was 6’0” feet tall and very muscular with broad square shoulders that had spikes protruding from them. His hair was blonde and braided on the sides in 2 large braids that looked like jet engines. He was clean shaven except for a blonde letter y shaped pieces on his chin with a red diamond in the center. He had a small thin nose that stopped at his upper lip. His mouth was small with thin lips and an under bite. He had red teeth that were perfectly straight and pointy. He had on a burgundy satin jumpsuit with his name on the front alongside Mouca Dasher’s face in black thread. He also had on golden silk shoes with thin black rubber soles that had the mark of Burnrih on the sides.
Burnrih was the spiritual leader of the Deveo people and wrote their bible when he was 10 years old called,” The Scourge.” The Scourge was 2000 pages long and covered every topic and situation you would ever run into in your life like the paragraph about friendship with god that went,” At the moment I trust his plan we are friends and nothing less. On the days I cherish the seconds and fill my mind with hope we are more than friends. But when I ask for presents and guidance when I won’t accept the truth of my problems then we are less then friends and desperate close to enemies and the worst of it comes my way.” Burnrih now in his 100’s lives in the Jemron temple at the top of the Dasher castle in a 10,000 square foot sanctuary made specifically for him. His distinctive unebrow of red and black hair and his giant arcing nose give him away every time. He stands 6’5” and weighs 380 pounds with a rounded set of muscles. His goatee is dark brown and as thick as concrete. He wears only his dark green empirical robe with the lessons of late magic written all over it in red lettering.
Lessons of late magic are the 300 spells a wizard learns after the age of 30 that take 2 weeks each to master. The spells are the most powerful and most deadly using the full spectrum of beasts and dark magic.
“ Go no further, sir, until we can determine your intentions. I need to know why you have entered our atmosphere and why you are visiting our planet?” asked Leman sternly as he eyed Famaron.
“ My name is Famaron and I was the emperor of Parscan before it was destroyed by Goarote. Now my friends and I are seeking a new world to call home. We had hoped you would let us live here with you,” said Famaron warmly as he raised his eyebrows and held his lips softly.
“ Nice to meet you, Famaron, I am sorry to hear of your troubles, but I am not the one to speak to if you are seeking asylum,” said Leman.
“ Then who would that be?” asked Famaron as he sat back in his seat slightly.
“ Our king, Mouca Dasher I could bring you to him if you like,” said Leman coyly.
“ I would indeed, where shall we land our ships?” asked Famaron as he looked intently at Leman’s Gasou pistol.
Gasou pistols were dark red in color and had a black handle with a thin layer of rubber. The barrels were made from thin steel and could fire tiny slow moving red square bullets that grew into large round red fireballs that could devour a man with a single shot.
“ On the plain at the base of the mountain, then we’ll take a Konno up the mountain,” said Leman sternly.
A Konno is a silver bullet shaped anti gravity ship. It has a pair of 2 way silver oval shaped windows on the front and 3 red windows on the sides and read of the ship. It has a pair of laser machine guns that sit 4 feet out from the sides of the ship and can be operated by the captain. It also has a large purple energy bubble around the ship that acts as a force field and can be used to shatter the sides of any ship that bump into it. The ship is 40 feet long and 30 feet wide and can also dig deep into the ground.
“ Sounds good, we’ll follow you in,” said Famaron then he grabbed a cup of hot coffee and took a sip.
&nbs
p; Then Leman turned his Mehelux around by doing a sideways flip and sped towards Packot with the 7 battleships right behind him. As they got closer a blue wave of energy washed over all the ships and mapped all their weapons systems.
“ What was that?” asked Ratie quickly.
“ I think we were just scanned. It’d be wise to be ready for combat, that was not the action of a friend,” said Solcrist as he pursed his lips and thought of Goarote’s words to him.
“ He’s right this may be a trap. I’m putting the weapons systems on manual. I’d advise you to do the same,” said Veata firmly then she pressed the manual control buttons.
“ Very wise, Veata,” said Ohgood as he did the same.
The city of Packot had 2 1000 foot high statues at its entrance 500 yards from the city with a 200 foot high red concrete wall surrounding the city. The statues were of Mouca and depicted him holding a Maravin in each hand.
A Maravin was a breed of half bird half fish with a black scaly body and a large red feather egg shaped head. It also had 2 giant blue eyes that looked right thru you. It had large claws instead of hands, but also had a long yellow fin at the end of its torso. It could fly thru the air using its wings and also swim deep beneath the ocean which made it an ideal messenger for Mouca.
Along the top of the wall dozens of Gasou machine guns were set up in little cubby holes with Corpigs sitting at them watching the battleships closely. Beyond the wall sat a green grassy plain that went for a mile up to the foot of the city, with dozens of small novelty shops made from wood all over the plain. Each of these shops were shaped like common items like a shoe or bottle and sold things like Gack.
Gack was a red and green triangular meat made from the Gack and it tasted like filet mignon combined with apple pie.
The Gack was a green pig like creature with a long square snout, but with long antlers made from meat that were used for breakfast sausage. There were 25 different dishes that came from the Gack giving it the nickname,” The animal of feasts and parties.”
The city of Packot itself was six 4500 foot tall square protruding monoliths that were red, turquoise, blue, yellow, and black marble with thousands of different shaped windows all over their faces. There was also a network of elevators and hangar bays up and down the red and blue monoliths that had thousands of ships coming in and out and heading off in every direction. There was the face of Mouca carved across the 4 buildings and on top of them was the Dasher family castle made from green marble and steel that was shaped like a pyramid with a large white orb on top. The castle had its own hangar bay at the bottom and the orb was filled with the collection of rooms from conquered peoples.
The 7 battleships landed on the grassy plain side by side and everyone exited the ship and were met by Leman who asked,” Which 5 of you will be coming to see the king?”
Everyone looked at each other and Dornoa and Lucern just nodded that it was o.k. if they stayed and Famaron said,” It’ll be us 5 here,” said Famaron as he pointed to Ratie, Ohgood, Veata, and Solcrist.
“ Good, we’ll be taking that Konno that’s coming this way,” said Leman as he turned and looked at a Konno that was gliding over the grass and heading straight for them.
“ Now that’s a ship, I really haven’t seen anything like it anywhere,” said Ratie as she watched the ship fly in sideways and stop just before Leman.
The side of the Konno lowered down and created a ramp to enter and Leman said sternly,” Please do not draw any weapons on board or the ship’s computer will interpret that as a threat and cut you down where you stand. It’s best to do as I say ‘til we arrive at the castle.”
“ Yeah I agree dying is bad,” said Ratie jokingly as she grinned and nudged Ohgood softly.
“ Yes, Ratie, death would be a Semport for sure,” said Ohgood in disgust as he tried not to laugh out loud.
Semport is a word meaning bad break or bad thing on Parscan. It comes from the death of Duke Ills Semport who had 3000 spikes put into every part of his body with long chains attached to 5 Solisva’s. Then they sped away tearing him to pieces. He received this horrible death after cheating at a card game full of Halbaltic gang members where they found the sunglasses he was wearing had infrared scanners that could see thru the cards.
As they entered the Konno there were 15 mannequins of various different warriors from yesteryear like a Crahim which had silver tubes coming out of its ears and its mouth a blue foot, with black built in oval sunglasses on their eyes. The mannequins lined the walls of a square room with no apparent doors. But as they walked in and the ramp retracted the floor began to rise and lifted them into the living quarters.
“ It had only 4 round white beds with pillows and blankets in a circle. There was also a large holographic projector on the left wall playing the movie,” Dust Takers,” on it.
Dust Takers was about a group of 4 scientists who begin stealing DNA from people by grabbing large barrels of dust from metropolitan areas. Then they stole all their best genes and spliced them with their own. Thus they became super people with a lifespan of 175 years and massive brain capacities. The star of the film was Petibed Finks a Haborm actor. Petibed had seal black hair and a perfectly square jaw. He stood 6’4” and could lift over 1500 pounds over his head. He was well known for his acting ability and was said to be the only man who could play god in a film, because he was the only man without a conscience. He said once to a reporter,” The days I am a person are the days I’m pretending to be. The other days just melt together like a bowl of ice cream and I regret their every second.”
“ It’s this way,” said Leman calmly as he walked towards and thru a secret passageway in between the beds as the wall swung inward.
“ Nice trick, I need to learn that one,” said Famaron as he walked thru the secret passageway into a brief hallway with grey concrete walls.
At the end of the hall there was a red leather chair that was shaped like a snake. Leman sat down on it and the chair swung around and the wall opened up into a large bridge. There were 10 black and red
chairs floating in an arc in front of a large plasma window, with a hologram of Mouca in the center of the room. There was also a 10 foot long brown leather couch along the left wall with a large silver computer hard drive on either side of it that was on a rotating swivel. There was also a series of weapons inside a glass case marked,” In case all is lost,” that included a dozen Gasou pistols and 8 large staffs. The walls of the bridge were covered in an outdoor hologram that gave the illusion of being outside. The floor had a soft Gack fur covering every inch of it.
Leman sat down in the middle captain’s chair and it shot forward 5 feet as he did and a steering and weapons column sprang up from the floor and he said happily,” I’d sit down if I were you.”
“ Ah…yeah,” said Solcrist as he hurried over to a captain’s chair as did everyone else very quickly.
Then the Konno shot forward at tremendous velocity as it started to rise up the mountain at a perfect 45 degree angle. As they rode past the Deveo they could see many smiling faces and people going about their day. Then Ohgood saw a pair of men aiming Gasou pistols at 2 women. Then they suddenly blasted them and the women were engulfed in flames. Ohgood turned to tell Famaron, but he had seen and just shook his head no and waved his hand. Veata had also seen and they all looked at each other in shock.
“ This is a beautiful city you have here. Does it have a self sufficient nature or do you rely on other peoples to sustain your life here?” asked Solcrist as he eyed the Dasher castle’s front entrance.
“ We use the Peom for Hobas and the Dirki for all our Gack needs as well as most vegetables. So in answer to your question we are not, but there are many things the other races rely on us for like our Eyebrem drops,” said Leman smoothly as he chose his words carefully and made sure not
to say too much, but he feared he had.
“ Hobas I’ve never heard of or Gack or Eyebrem, what exactly are those are they edible?” asked Ratie as she pouted her lips and used a child like voice.
“ Hobas is a thick blue powder that gives us our intellect, physical strength, speed and creates an inner joy that we all share on Permea. Gack is a form of delicious meat that you will surely taste and love. It’s the one thing all of us agree on here. And Eyebrem is the wizards true friend as it can take a normal staff or medallion and turn it into a hugely powerful item. So much so that some wizards have rubbed Eyebrem on their staffs and created a separate reality away from this one. There’s literally 500,000 wizards who’ve vanished into what’s called the Joram and never returned,” said Leman happily then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a vile filled with a red metallic liquid and said ,” Here is Eyebrem be careful with it.”
Then he handed it to Ratie and as he did it began to glow brightly and Ratie asked softly,” Wow it’s really amazing, can we try some on our staffs?”
“ Of course, but be very careful what spells you cast as they will take on a life of their own,” said Leman sternly as he gave Ratie a stern look.
Then Ratie opened the vile and a puff of circular light came out and a low hum started. She took her staff and held it between her knees and then poured a few drops on the tip and then said brightly,” O.K. let’s see what happens the next time I cast a spell.”
Then everyone else poured some on their staffs except for Ohgood who said slyly,” I’ve got all the power I can handle thank you.”
Then Solcrist stood up and raised his staff and shouted,” B gampa try flying!”
Then outside the Konno a cauldron of blue flames appeared and out of it sprang a 50 foot tall Sarg riding a red glowing orb with a long spear in its hand. It rode beside the Konno and then threw its spear up and out of the atmosphere and it sailed right into their moon of Shor. The spear went 200 feet into the moon and a large plume of blue moon dust shot out into space.
“ Interesting, the size and power of the Sarg have tripled. Granted that was only a test and true combat will be different, but still it intrigues an old man who thought he’d seen it all,” said Solcrist as he put his index finger to his mouth.
“ On second thought I’ll take some Eyebrem. Let’s face it that’s the biggest Sarg any of us have ever seen,” said Ohgood as he took the vile from Veata and then dumped a bit on the end of his staff.
“ We’re nearing the castle have yourselves a look. The Dasher family built all of this over the past 500 years. And wait ‘til you see the inside it is truly astonishing to behold,” said Leman as he steered up around the front.
“ It’s truly a wonder, Mouca has a vast mind to build something so grand. It reminds me a little of my former home just, not…” said Famaron as he started to lose it so he stopped speaking.
Veata rubbed his hand and then said,” It’s a masterpiece, I love it.”
Then they rode into the hangar bay and landed at the far end on a round white and red floating landing pad. The hangar bay had thousands of ships going in and out all the while. The ceiling was 50 feet high and had several circles cut into it for a fleet of Konno’s to be lowered down in case of attack. The floor of the hangar bay was red marble and had hundreds of electrical inputs and outputs to fix ships as well as charge their power cells. The walls depicted the death of Lronic Gum in full color from one end to the other.
Lronic Gum was the most famous actor and comedian on Permea for over 3 decades. He coined the phrase,” Questions are for idiots so ask me anything?” He also started a society known as ,” The blank stares,” that made untold amounts of mischief all over the world including scattering themselves in large crowds then suddenly falling to the ground and pretending to be having a stroke while others yelled out,” It’s Armageddon save yourselves!” They also pulled off the first sabotage of a Dasher family press conference about their plans for the year ahead. What they did was put 30 fake reporters in the royal question hall and each of them would ask a ridiculous question like,” Why is your whole family a bunch of shameless bastards? And my follow up is do you use your finger to wipe your butt?” Then that reporter would be literally thrown out and the next reporter would ask another ridiculous question until Mouca canceled the press conference. Well after years of wrecking havoc in a playful way a group of 4 men decided to even the score. They set up an obstacle course of 10 booby traps. Then chased Lronic Gum into it, each of the traps destroyed a different part of his body leaving only his dapper smiling head remaining on a pike.
Everyone made their way out of the Konno and out into the hangar bay where Leman turned to them and said wryly,” Only the givers of life go any further. Be you brave be you wise, but be you not angry at heart as Mouca is a lover of joy.”
“ Me me and me you just described my every molecule to the largest degree,” said Ohgood slyly as he grinned.
“ This way,” said Leman quickly with a smile then he walked up to the wall in the center and pressed both hands to the picture of Lronic.
Then the wall folded inward into a staircase that gently spiraled upward. Then up walked Leman with everyone behind him. The walls of the staircase were covered in 4 pictures of Rnto.
Rnto was a phase of true happiness that a Haborm scientist found a way to photograph the actual emotion instead of the person. The camera tapped into the actual brainwaves and amplified them into a series of brain generated pictures.
As they got to the top there was a black wooden oval shaped door with the Dasher crest of a skull smashing thru a red wall drawn on it in gold. Leman gently touched the center of it and it exploded inward revealing a massive throne room.
It had 2 large red thrones of gold, with diamond encrusted designs all over them in the center of the room. There was also 4 smaller thrones that went in descending order on the left side of the largest throne that were covered in green silk cushions and made from gold and silver. In a circle around the thrones there was 8 white marble 2 foot high fountains in the image of gargoyles riding Gips bears and holding long crooked swords. There was green and purple water flowing from spouts in their eyes. Beyond the fountains were 7 large arching white leather and gold satin couches that had built in individual holographic projectors for each person. The couches formed a circle 5 feet back from the fountains. Behind the couches were mahogany cases filled with family heirlooms like ancient staffs, gold rings with giant blue diamonds and even solid gold exact size statues of every Dasher who had held the throne. On top of the cases there was a large patio that stretched to the walls and had a dozen liquid chairs.
Liquid chairs were made from wine and apple juice that had a spell cast on it making it sturdy enough to sit on and still not get wet.
In front of the liquid chairs were landscape portals that gave you a window to different parts of Permea.
The floor of the throne room was covered with hundreds of area rugs all of which being different colors and shapes. The ceiling of the room was made from wood and raised up over 100 feet with dozens of Emifids.
Emifids were a bat like creature with dark red scaly skin and long wings with sharp talons. They have dark purple rectangular eyes and red fangs.
Sitting in the thrones sat Mouca, Greride, Lamsilk, Garci, Broy and the littlest Cepain Dasher.
Mouca had tan skin and long curly blonde hair with green stars dyed into them. He also had a purple goatee with a tiny vile of Hobas tied into it. His eyes were only half open as his thoughts were never rushed and were lime green in color. His nose was big and wide and turned up at the end. He was 5’8” 187 pounds with a rugged physique. He had on a white robe that had Gack fur along the collar. He also had on a black satin shirt and pants with his crest sewn across his chest in red. He had on a pair of tan leath
er slippers with the words,” Stop asking,” written on the sides.
“ King ‘o mine these people have come to Permea to request asylum. This man here was the emperor of Parscan and his name is Famaron,” said Leman as he closed his eyes and put his hands palms up in front of him.
“ Really, hello there, Famaron, I am Mouca and this is my wife Greride and our 4 children. Tell me about the WAS part, in the emperor of Parscan,” said Mouca slowly as he pressed a button and 6 red wooden chairs with yellow cushions immediately were brought into the room and set behind everyone.
“ Ah, thank you,” said Famaron as he sat down as well as everyone else and then said warmly,” The was consisted of a total destruction of Parscan by Goarote as per he felt the people had gone horribly wrong. Thus we are essentially seeking a new home.”
“ I see, well I have no problem letting you reside here under the understanding that all of you to a woman recognize that I am your KING!” said Mouca loudly as he glared at everyone and looked at his wife and nodded.
Greride had lavender hair that was long and cascaded over her shoulders with tiny curls at the tips. She had orange startled eyes and a beautiful strong nose with a small dimple in the tip. Her lips were thick and her mouth lacked any humor. She had high cheekbones and a thin soft neck. She was 5’10” and had a thin, but curvaceous figure and weighed 124 pounds. She had tattoos of gargoyles on her fingertips that covered only a quarter of them. She was wearing a black silk formal dress with ruffled white shoulders, as well as a pair of burgundy satin slippers with black dragons embroidered onto the toe of each shoe.
Everyone stared at Mouca in shock and then Greride said warmly,” This is our price for you staying here and it is a fair price.”
“ Ah…yes it is and we do swear allegiance to you as king,” said Ratie calmly as she looked at Famaron then Mouca.
“ Yes that goes for all of us,” said Solcrist as he secretly worried about what Mouca was asking.
“ Good, but I still haven’t heard from you, emperor, which is it yeah or nay?” asked Mouca snidely as he shifted in his throne.
“ Yeah, of course it’s yes we just want to do what’s right and abide by your rules and customs,” said Famaron smoothly as he wondered if they’d chosen the right planet.
“ Good, I’d hoped you’d come around. Now we need to find a place for you all to live as those battleships won’t do. I can put you, emperor, and your friends here with us in our castle. The rest of you will have to stay in Gorma Highlands I’ve got a brother there who owns a new city made of 5 story buildings called Crockholm. Trust me it will be fine,” said Mouca sternly as he looked over everyone.
“ Great, thank you, Mouca, we appreciate the gesture. And we are thrilled to be staying in your castle. Now we’ll just unload our things and start our new lives. What sort of things will you need us to do?” asked Famaron.
“ I’m glad you asked, emperor, because we are currently in a war with the Peom. They’ve decided to destroy us and all we stand for, but we will fight ‘til none remain. You will be of great aid to me with your knowledge of war and military tactics. I will keep you close and give you the title Serumtic,” said Mouca sternly as he stood up and walked over to Famaron.
“ What is a Serumtic?” asked Famaron.
“ It is the 3rd most powerful position there is with only my wife and I above you. It gives you total freedom to command my troops as well as complete use everything I own. You will grow fat with the perks of your new station and you will know no boundaries. We must win this war or suffer eternal death together,” said Mouca boldly as he put his hand on Famaron’s shoulder.