As they rode out into the center of the Coulez system the Renyvo worm hole could be seen pulsing red and green as bursts of fire exhaled out of it every few seconds. There was a large black space station at the mouth of it that was filled with thousands of lighted windows. The station was shaped like a traditional castle, but had an anti gravity green ring around the center that spun continuously. There were 7 bubble shaped mini rest stops around the perimeter that carried all the amenities of home, each of which was owned by a different race like the Geens of the Goeps and catered to their specific needs. There was also a river of glowing vapors and liquid that was in and about everything and was white and light blue in color. There could be heard thunderous rock music coming from the station by the band,” Seeds of Death.”
The band was fronted by an uncharismatic 402 pound orange skinned Goep named Them Fiction. Them started the group after a bloody knife fight with a rival gang, with himself and 3 other survivors deciding to make music together. After their wounds had healed they began writing the songs that would eventually sell more digital and holographic albums than anyone in history. After reaching the top of the music world Them announced that he was a cannibal and confessed to over 50 beheadings. He said in an interview,” I got hooked on baked Goeps’ head and couldn’t shake it. I want to apologize to my fans I know I let you down, but if you’ll let me, I’ll keep rockin’ your world with my music.” A
week later Them was sentenced to 700 years in the Opelty mines where he had to smash boulders with a hammer made of iron for 15 hours a day with only one meal break. In the first month of his time there he went from a mound of blubber to a mound of muscles and lost 100 pounds.
“ What’s this here, Famaron?” asked Ratie as she gazed at the space station.
“ It’s called simply Endad and it is not to be trifled with. The worst of us live here and try to swindle unsuspecting passengers. We’d be smart to not stop here for any reason,” said Famaron as he sipped a cup of yellow Demon vodka which tasted like a basket of fruit and packed a wallop.
“ I’m afraid that’s not possible, Famaron, I’m sorry, but we have to charge up the fuel cell or we won’t make it all the way thru the Renyvo,” said Pator sadly as he grimaced at Famaron.
“ That’s bad news, Pator, ah…boy I can’t tell you how hairy things could get inside there. You have to remember the Knerk live in this area,” said Famaron nervously as he looked at Pator.
The Knerk are a race of half robot half genetically engineered assassins for hire. They have dark green skin and cherry red eyes, with both arms being robotic and their heads having a large computer hard drive sticking out the back. Their chests had a thick bullet proof blue vest adhered to their skin. They also had huge crooked and long noses with tiny crystals all over them. They wore tan silk and cotton weave jackets and black leather pants as well as dark green leather boots with flasks of adrenaline on the sides of their boots. They also carried Loutman dimension shifting sawed off shotguns that could thrust you into the 5th dimension if they hit you with a clean shot.
Then Pator went pale and said nervously,” Oh, that’s right…I had forgotten the Knerk. This could be an epic disaster. I should have charged up before we left.”
Then Pator thought of the night 3 Knerk assassins crept into his chateau and murdered his brother Vilm while he slept. Then they went looking for Pator, but he was hidden in the walls. He had seen the gruesome murder of Vilm by daggers and flamethrowers. His thoughts raced thru his head and then Ratie asked as she touched Pator’s arm,” Are you alright, Pator? You look pale.”
Pator didn’t move for a few seconds then realized Ratie was touching him and said quickly,” What, ah yes I just needed a moment.”
“ These Knerk are as vile and vicious as any creature I’ve seen. And, they have those unbelievably powerful robotic arms. We best get in and get out as quickly as we can with no fun and games,” said Solcrist sternly as he grabbed hold of his staff and let out a long sigh.
“ Good point, we’ve got plenty of time for recreation later. I think it best if I and Veata go inside and pay for the fuel,” said Famaron.
“ Why Veata I mean no offense, but why not Pator or Solcrist there are best warriors?” asked Ratie as she looked at Famaron.
“ No, Ratie, you are mistaken Veata had to earn her title and position in hand to hand combat in a ring of fire against 4 men. Don’t kid yourself she’s the bravest of us all,” said Famaron boldly as he smiled at Veata.
“ This is true, Ratie, you need not be concerned with my safety,” said Veata plainly as she pulled a small 3 foot black ivory staff from beneath her dress that was attached to her thigh and then said proudly,” And I have magic just in case.”
“ We’re nearing the docking bay, you should head to the 8th floor at the end of the hall that’s the off load point,” said Saseap firmly as she pointed to a hologram of the 8th floor.
“ Done and done let’s go, Veata,” said Famaron as he started for the doors.
Famaron and Veata hurried to the 8th floor while Pator steered the ship into a helmet shaped docking bay that had hundreds of smaller ships going out the opposite side of it after stocking up on goods. The chateau cleared the roof, but only by 10 feet as it set down in the center with the 8th floor doors opening up to a large steel and gold triangular platform that led both directions into Endad and all its treachery. There were 6 large ten foot high green round wooden sliding doors that were on either side of the platform, that had a heat sensor that opened them instantly. There was also a pair of Knerks sitting on a red leather square couch in front of the facing wall watching a hologram of 3 naked dancing women. There were 4 Geen working at a platinum desk with hovering chairs on either side taking the supply orders who were all wearing black jumpsuits and red tinted sunglasses with black frames. The ceiling had a collection of used Momee dolls and used Coete bears.
Momee dolls were latex covered full size dolls of ancient rulers and current ones with ridiculous expressions on their faces and dressed as bums. They even made them smell of garbage. There was even one of Famaron wearing a black hole filled jacket and a white woman’s dress, with a look on his face like he’d been scared to pieces on his face.
Coete bears were 2 foot tall furry recreations of Coete Bax the famous philosopher and humorist. He had giant bulbous cheeks and huge wide purple eyes and a red round nose that children loved to look at and that was Coete’s actual appearance.
“ Alright, Veata, I’ll let you handle the order,” said Famaron calmly as they walked onto the platform side by side.
“ Why me?” asked Veata as she smirked.
“ No it’s not that, there’s Geen taking the orders. Needless to say we don’t get along. Which is to say the Geen love to go out of their way to bother me,” said Famaron softly as he took pains not to look the Geen in the eyes.
“ O.K. that’s…look at those 2 men on the couch,” said Veata nervously as she stopped in her tracks.
“ Oh no Knerks, nothing is ever easy. You place the order I’ll keep an eye on them,” said Famaron in disbelief as he clutched his staff tightly.
“ O.K. I’ll be right back,” said Veata as she walked away.
Veata went over to the Geen and sat down on a hovering chair and asked,” Excuse me, sir, is it possible to charge up my fuel cell on that large ship there?”
The tall moss covered Geens turned and saw Veata and smiled and the thin one named Benrack said warmly,” Yes my lovely it will be taken care of immediately. I’ll send a pair of my crew members right now. Just a moment,” said Benrack as he sent a telepathic message to his crew and they began hooking up the charger.
“ Thank you I appreciate that greatly,” said Veata warmly as she smiled.
“ It is not much of a favor, will you require much more?” asked
Benrack softly as he prepared to send another telepathic message.
“ That was all I required. Will the price of service be charged to our ship’s serial number?” asked Veata warmly.
Meanwhile Famaron was watching the 2 Knerks out of the corner of his eye. Then the Knerks noticed Veata and Slanoir said to Sevas,” Take a look at that pretty slab of meat over there, Sevas.”
“ She looks limber, but I couldn’t be certain without a dry run,” said Sevas snidely as he grinned and ogled Veata.
“ Don’t you mean wet run,” said Slanoir snidely then they burst out laughing.
Famaron tried hard not to look over and pretended he hadn’t heard what they said. Then Slanoir stood up and said coldly,” Let’s go see if she’s ready for 8 hours of pain and pleasure.”
“ I’m all for that, she seems the type for both,” said Sevas slyly as he stood up and grabbed his crotch and glared at Veata’s butt.
Then the 2 of them started walking towards Veata and Famaron saw this and instantly went to cut them off. He walked up to them and smiled and asked brightly,” Hi there I’m Famaron, how are you today?”
“ Excuse me, Famaron, but we are a bit busy right now. So if you do mind I don’t’ care beat it!”
said Slanoir snidely as he glared at Famaron.
“ Well it’s just I need to find a broker for a load of Qamo gold and I thought you could help,” said Famaron quickly as he kept his peripheral vision on their Loutmans on their hips.
“ Look foolish infidel, I’ve got my mind on a different kind of load if you catch my inference. So take your ignorant problems elsewhere got it!” yelled Slanoir as he glared at Famaron.
“ Sorry, sir, didn’t mean to make you angry…but this load of gold needs a buyer. I HATE to bring it up again you leather faced miscreant,” said Famaron snidely as he grinned at Slanoir and watched him begin to get angry and then raised his staff and shouted,” Gourme cafidum!”
“ Wait wizard!” shouted Sevas quickly as he stepped back and reached for his Loutman.
Then in front of the Knerks appeared a dozen red and black 1 foot tall furry teddy bears with mini daggers in their hands. Sevas saw this and began to laugh and Slanoir said condescendingly,” You’re not a wizard, you’re a worthless imbecile. That’s the worst spell I’ve ever seen,” said Slanoir as he laughed hysterically and grabbed his knees.
Then the 12 teddy bears began to stack themselves on top of one another. And as they did they began to fuse together into a 9 foot tall black fur covered bear with a dragons head. It had a pair of samurai blades in each hand and small puffs of fire came out of its mouth with each hulking breath.
“ Have fun with your new friend boys. He’s a real dink to Knerks with ugly faces so he’ll love you,” said Famaron snidely as he grinned and walked away.
Then the Knerks looked at Famaron in shock then each other and they reached for their Loutmans, but as they did the beast jumped 20 feet in the air and landed on top of them. Then the bear breathed a stream of fire into Slanoir’s face and burned his head to ashes. Sevas was able to break free and raised his Loutman and fired it at the beast, but it only grazed its shoulder. The bear turned to him and used its fire to fry the Loutman into a melted lump of metal and Sevas’s eyes grew wide and he reached down to
his boot and grabbed a 15 inch dagger and 2 flasks of adrenaline, which he quickly drank and then said coldly,” Alright baby bear, let’s have a bit of dancing before the music stops.”
Then the bear snarled and began walking towards Sevas. Meanwhile Famaron was at the counter with Veata and asked firmly,” Could we hurry this up there is a large amount of potential trouble?”
Veata turned to him and asked,” What do you mean?”
Then Famaron motioned with his hand and said happily,” That Knerk is taken care of, but there could be many more coming.”
“ Oh,” said Veata then she turned to Benrack and asked,” How close are we to full?”
Benrack checked the monitor and then said warmly,” Only 5 minutes and you will be on your way, my lovely.”
“ We could be dead in 5 minutes,” said Famaron as he looked intently at Veata.
“ What can we do about it? We need every bit of that fuel or we won’t make it thru Renyvo?” asked Veata anxiously as she looked at Famaron then Benrack who shrugged his shoulders.
“ Well I…look, Veata, there’s 2 more coming thru those doors,” said Famaron nervously as he looked at the right side doors opening.
“ I’ve got an idea, watch this,” said Veata confidently then she walked out into the middle of the platform.
Sevas meanwhile was fighting the bear hand to hand with his blade. He saw the bear try to swipe at his head and he ducked and sank his dagger in its chest. This caused a thick blue goo to ooze out and
cover Sevas’s hand, but then the bear looked down at him and growled and in one quick bite took his head from his shoulders ending his life in an instant.
Veata stared down the 2 Knerks and as they saw their 2 friends dead bodies they reached for their Loutmans, but Veata saw this and raised her staff and shouted,” Veminab torenius!”
Then the largest Sarg Famaron had ever seen appeared towering 14 feet with yellow scaly skin. It ran at the terrified Knerks and as they raised their Loutmans and fired it flew up into up above them. Then it dropped straight down and put its right claw thru the skull of the Knerk on the left, but missed the other. Then the Sarg pulled its claw out of his head and he fell helplessly to the platform with thick red blood billowing out of his dead brain. The other Knerk aimed his Loutman and fired at the Sarg hitting it dead on and sending it instantly to the 5th dimension.
“ Uh oh, now what?” asked Famaron as he kept his eyes on the Knerk’s Loutman.
“ Don’t worry a bit, I’ve got it and he won’t get away,” said Veata smoothly as she raised her staff, but as she did the Knerk fired at her knocking her staff to the 5th dimension and Veata said nervously,” Maybe it’s your turn, Famaron.”
Then as Famaron ran at an angle to the Knerk he raised his staff and shouted,” Darsplum be best!”
Then a red bubble of dense used magic appeared around the Knerk and he began to change colors. First it was blue then orange as he got smaller and smaller as he screamed out in agony. Then he began to pulse in and out as his body was only 2 feet long. Then it pulsed inward and in an explosion of green, red, and blue globlets his body was entirely consumed by the bubble. Then the bubble turned quickly into sheets of brown paper until the platform was covered with them and Veata said slyly,” Must have been a reader.”
“ Or a librarian, either way he missed his deadline. Let’s get out of here before his family tree comes looking for its branches,” said Famaron sternly as he started over to the counter.
They walked over and as they did Benrack smiled and said brightly,” Everything is as it should be. Your fuel cell is halfway charged like you asked for.”
“ What we wanted a full charge. What good does half a fuel cell do us?” asked Veata angrily as she glared at Benrack.
“ Well it wouldn’t have mattered anyway as we are out of fuel. You can come back later, say tomorrow or get a room in the hotel. It’s your choice,” said Benrack warmly then he turned and walked away.
“ We are dead, we are now pristine death we should just buy a casket instead of a room,” said Famaron angrily as he paced back and forth.
“ Ah, o.k. I say we get back in the ship and at the very least talk to Pator. Maybe there’s someplace else we can fuel up or stay ‘til tomorrow,” said Veata as she started for the ship with Famaron right beside her.
They hurried back into the ship and behind them a group of 6 Knerks came out onto the platform and saw the carnage. One of them named Focasa looked up and saw Veat
a and Famaron hurrying onto their ship and Focasa said quickly,” It was them those 2 getting on that ship. Let’s get our Damkids and go after them.”
Damkids were a long sleek cross shaped fighter jet. They were dark red and had silver laser canons on either side of the cockpit that could fire forward and back. They also had tiny 4 foot long remote
controlled kamikaze planes packed with explosives attached to the wings. They could be launched and flown right into an enemy ship and explode on contact. The Damkids had 2 pilot’s seats with the second being directly under the other and being able to see thru a glass bubble on the bottom of the ship.
As Famaron walked hurriedly into the captains deck he saw Ohgood lying on a cushion of air just above the floor and squinted and smirked as he was taken aback, but then said boldly,” We were only able to get half the fuel cell filled.”
“ I see that, what happened?” asked Pator as he spun around in his chair.
“ They ran out, but they said we could come back tomorrow,” said Famaron.
“ And we ran into 4 Knerks,” said Veata as she stepped over Ohgood.
“ Really, that’s not good. Alright we’re lifting off we’ve got to get some distance from here,” said Pator sternly as he steered the ship back out of the hangar bay.
“ Why leave now we haven’t…” said Ohgood before being cut off.
“ Because the Knerks are circling the ship in their Damkids. Battle stations everyone and hurry,” said Pator sternly as he steered out into space.
Everyone went back to their gunners seats and instantly saw the Damkids aggressively fly around the ship.
“ They’re not firing what do we do?” asked Ratie in a concerned tone as she watched the Damkids shadowing the ship.
“ Just hold on a second maybe they’re just trying to scare us. Leave ‘em be until they fire,” said Pator as he increased the thrusters and began to put 30 miles worth of space between the space station and them.
“ Why are they just flying beside us. It’s almost like they’re escorting us somewhere,” said Famaron in disbelief as he sighted his guns on one and waited.
Then Pator looked forward and saw a Knerk Embathon robot. It was 50 stories high and pure black in color, with red glowing eyes that sent out a crippling retinal bursting beam that would blind you if you looked directly into it. It was shaped like a large fat man with seven rolls of mini robots around its belly known as Corebots that acted in unison at the captain’s command. On its arms were Zorenk emitters which were a checkered green and purple smoke that could destroy any ship’s controls and circuits if you passed thru it. There was also a large red machete attached to the belt around its left leg that had a massive destructive power when wielded.
“ Alright, we’re in as deep as it gets. I’ve heard of these robots they carry a crew of 10,000 and would tear this ship to pieces like you were slicing thru a piece of Gabnab soup,” said Famaron loudly then he threw up his hands in disgust.
“ He’s right, we can’t fight them and win with force. Our only hope is to try and work out a compromise with them. And as I say that they’re hailing us. I’ll try to barter a deal,” said Pator sadly then he pressed the message receiver and the Knerk general Plora Burkom appeared in a hologram in front of Pator.
Plora was the same as all Knerks, but had a red streak in his hair and a thick blonde goatee. He was 6’1” and 192 pounds with a small pot belly. Plora looked over everyone and then said flatly,” Surrender!”
Pator looked at Plora and then asked warmly,” Will you let us live?”
“ I’ll think about it,” said Plora coldly as he bit the head off a Corcaci water red rat then its blood began to drip from his lower lip.
“ We are but travelers why are you interested in us?” asked Famaron as he stepped forward.
“ We have our reasons, I’m sending my gravitron tunnel from our ship to yours. Grab your things and walk over swiftly. Don’t think of trying my patience,” said Plora sternly as he ate.
“ Alright, whatever you say, we’ll be right over,” said Pator sadly then he shut off the hologram and turned to Veata and asked,” What are our options?”
“ That’s a good question I would say we must take over their ship,” said Veata flatly as she looked at Pator.
“ How do we do that, there’s so many of them?” asked Ohgood anxiously as he walked over to Famaron.
“ Magic, we’ve got 6 wizards here and that means if we got close to their leader, alls’ we’d have to do is capture him. Then we could use him as ransom to convince the rest of his soldiers to lay down their arms,” said Solcrist smoothly then he pursed his lips and grinned.
“ But what of their ship, if the soldiers lay down their arms what’s to stop them from picking them back up after we’ve left?” asked Famaron.
“ Oh I am disappointed, Famaron, it’s so simple. We take their ship and set the bulk of their soldiers adrift in escape pods. Let’s face it a ship like that would be incredibly valuable when we got back to Parscan,” said Solcrist then he grinned and patted himself on the back.
“ O.K., Solcrist, that’s a good plan, but this Knerk general will be wise how do we dupe him?” asked Famaron intently as he smirked.
Then Solcrist smiled and said simply,” We will come baring gifts, more specifically a long wooden case with all our staffs in it. And when he opens it we’ll shout our fetching spells and the staffs will come to us,” said Solcrist then he danced around in a circle and laughed a goofy laugh.
“ Brilliant, I’ll get the case,” said Saseap excitedly as she hurried out of the room.
“ And all this time I thought your brain was yellow custard. And Goarote sings us a miracle, huh,” said Famaron in disbelief as he smiled.
Then in came Saseap with a long tan wood case that had carvings of Bornfre Diedso from one end to the other.
Bornfre Diedso was a legendary Mormach general and musician. The Mormach were a race of people who possessed incredible natural magic and could shape shift, as well as pass thru different dimensions without casting a spell. They lived on a moon sized planet of Mastick in the far end of the Coulez system. Bornfre was their most famous and most powerful wizard. He was the first to turn his body into words on pages of a book that when read correctly caused him to reappear. He was also able to
become a ball of fire and slide into an open flame and disappear. Bornfre was 5’6” 142 pounds, but had an extraordinary natural strength and could lift over 1500 pounds over his head. His hair was green in color and long with 8 rows of figurines tied into it. He had black and yellow gargoyle patterned eyes and a long skinny nose with a large square tip. His head was far too large for his body as were his hands and feet as he wore a size 16 boot.
“ Here, this case will hold them all and it looks lavish enough to be thought of as a gift,” said Saseap as she walked over and set the case down on the couch.
“ That’s perfect let’s put in the staffs then head for the tunnel. Which reminds me where is this tunnel exactly?” asked Famaron then he began looking at all of the holograms.
“ It’s here on the 7th floor by the left exit,” said Pator as he pointed to the tunnel outside the ship.
“ Easy enough, alright we need to mentally prepare ourselves these Knerks are cruel and ruthless,” said Famaron sternly as he put his staff into the case.
Everyone else put in their staffs and then Veata closed the case and smiled and said sarcastically,” It’s only our lives why worry?”
Everyone smiled and then they made for the 7th floor. They went down in the elevator which had its walls covered in red satin with Pator’s visage sewn onto them. The doors opened and they saw an oval shaped hallway that significantly bowed inward. It had several people shaped black leather and green silk covered cha
irs along the sides. There were Mytime robots in between the chairs.
Mytime robots were mini robot animals like dragons and Corvubs. They were named after Mytime Locint, a famous artist who loved creating lifelike robots that took you a few seconds to realize they
were fake. Mytime also penned the phrase,” If all my time was spent on what I love, then I died in my sleep long ago cause this heaven”
The walls of the hall had hundreds of various and unique clocks from all over the galaxy that Saseap had collected. One was shaped to look like a mirror, but when you got close it morphed into a clock face. The floor was covered in a rich dark brown mahogany with tiny carvings of Pastor throughout his life. The ceiling had a swirling vortex of fire and clouds that was caused by an ancient spell Saseap had cast for fun. At the end of the hall there was a triangular spinning door that would stop moving when you approached.
They hurried down the hall with Famaron carrying the case. As they walked they saw the door at the end of the hall stop spinning and a Knerk open the door and step out. Famaron saw the Knerk and he felt a rush of adrenaline. He knew that fate is only a word if there isn’t action. He kept his mind on happy thoughts of his deceased wife’s favorite birthday. The one where he asked her to marry him and she said yes, but that she wondered if he was ready to be a father cause she was pregnant. The memory kept him where he needed to be, but soon his thought turned to her death and was visibly shaken. As they got closer to the Knerk they saw he had a Loutman in his right hand and Ratie said calmly,” He’s packin’ some serious firepower. This may be a trap.”
“ I’m ready for him,” said Famaron sternly as he unfastened the lock on the case and watched the Loutman intently.
“ If any more of them come out of the tunnel I say we take our chances in battle,” said Ohgood as he kept a soft look on his face.
“ Agreed, I’d rather go down fighting,” said Veata sternly as she gave Famaron a nod.
“ Agreed,” said Famaron.
The Knerks name was named Past Awin and he walked up to Famaron and asked sternly,” Wait, ah second, what’s this case for?”
“ It’s a present for your leader,” said Famaron as he grinned.
“ Let me see it, c’mon now give it here,” said Past sternly as he grabbed the case and then he opened it and saw the staffs and said snidely,” Wooden sticks what a useless gift. Plora will get a hearty laugh when you give him these, peasant.”
“ It’s Famaron, and those are rare staffs from all over the galaxy a very apt gift,” said Famaron quickly as he took back the case.
“ I says sticks, now follow me, peasant,” said Past snidely then he walked into the gravitron tunnel.
The red walls of the tunnel had dozens of people’s faces floating around as their souls were lost to a place between the afterlife and reality.
“ You know this isn’t creepy at all, I love it,” said Ratie sarcastically as she looked at the floating faces.
“ It isn’t I agree, I only wish I could come back again and again,” said Ohgood jokingly as he reached out and touched one of the faces.
“ Focus everyone, we’re going to meet a great man. Be ready and be thus kind,” said Famaron warmly as he winked at Ohgood and nodded to Past.
As they came to the end of the tunnel they saw into the Knerks ship and there was 12 rows of Knerks on opposite sides of the walkway leading up a brief gradual staircase to a black throne with Plora sitting
on it. The steel floor was covered with a black and gold carpet that had all the teachings of Praptu Slisk, including his 5 sayings of pride and knowing that were as follows.
1.If a misstep taken god laid the brick.
2.If a vengeance sought, only a loss of character achieved.
3.When the mine runs dry a pure heart will dig asunder.
4.While the tepid heart sings too many notes, the passions of men bring war.
5.If my father be killed by pride, I his son won’t die from a loss of dreams.
Praptu spent all 121 years of his life writing 200 books and only speaking with his wife and twelve sons. With every successful new book he built another 50 yards of house until his house stretched 6 miles into the Muvra jungle. He also genetically engineered his last 3 children to have the strength and speed of a wild Corvub and the height of a one story hut.
“ O.K. keep quick behind me, Plora doesn’t like to wait. Oh and don’t forget the sticks he’ll be thrilled,” said Past sarcastically as he laughed like a wild boar.
They walked up the steps and Veata looked at the stuffed people of every race the Knerks had conquered hanging from red ropes all along the slanted outward wall and said as she tried not to vomit,” This ship is an unspeakable horror and these Knerks are atrocious. Let’s not waver in our mission here.”
“ We won’t, just let Famaron handle it,” said Solcrist as he looked at the stuffed people and cringed.
Then Past walked up to Plora and whispered,” These fools have the most ridiculous gift I’ve ever seen. I told you they were fools”
Then Plora smiled and said,” I here there is a gift, bring it here I can’t wait.”
“ Of course,” said Famaron warmly then he walked up to Plora and handed him the case and kneeled before him.
“ Let me see this amazing treasure. I hope I am not blinded by its brilliance,” said Plora sarcastically as he unlocked the case and then opened it and said loudly,” sticks, we are not building a fire you child. How dare you even bring these effronteries before me. I should have you killed for this alone.”
“ I see it the other way around,” said Famaron boldly and then he shouted,” Bracheth tracketh!” as did everyone else.
Then the staffs lifted out of the case inside blue flames and shot right for their owners with Ratie grabbing hers first and then shouting,” Gudlow while righteous!”
Then a Emyep appeared in front of Plora with a lightning sword.
Emyeps were 7 foot tall cat like creatures only with large muscular arms and a row of spikes around their necks. They had black fur and glowing green eyes as well as long sharp talons.
The lightning sword had thunderbolts shooting back and forth inside a sword shaped plasma case.
“ What is this treachery?!” shouted Plora as he stared down the Emyep.
“ Grab hold of him Emyep and wait for my orders!” said Famaron sternly as he pointed to Plora.
The Emyep leapt forward and grabbed Plora in one quick motion and put its lightning sword to his neck. The other Knerks gasped in horror and reached for their Loutmans, but Famaron shouted as he raised his staff,” Endog my staying!”
Then a 2 foot thick see thru blue glass 10 foot wall surrounded Famaron, Past, Plora, Ratie, Solcrist, Ohgood, Veata, Saseap, and Pator. The Knerks fired their Loutmans into the wall, but the shots were easily absorbed and did no damage.
“ Listen! Your precious leader will die a savage death unless you do what I say! You will leave this ship in the escape pods and never look back or my magic will destroy you all!” thundered Famaron as he glared at the Knerks.
“ Prove it, you are but one wizard we are many warriors,” said Past fiercely as he slowly griped his Loutman.
“ Oyyum veatit!” shouted Veata as she raised her staff.
Then Past raised his Loutman to shoot Famaron, but as he did his body burst into thousands of green and red marbles of marble and rolled down the steps. The other Knerks instantly lowered their weapons and headed for the escape pods without saying a word.
“ What of me, will you spare this old father of 10 his twilight?” asked Plora timidly as he grimaced.
“ We don’t care what happens to you just as long as you get off this ship when we say alright?” said Solcrist implying a question as he lifted Plora’s chin with his staf
f.
“ Of course, thank you for the supreme kindness,” said Plora nervously as he grimaced at Solcrist.
Then within 20 minutes almost all of the Knerks had jettisoned in the escape pods and had collected a mile away from the ship. Then the last of them took off leaving only Plora who was standing outside the final escape pod.
“ Alright, sciombog, find your way out of my sight and out of my space. If we see you again you will end up meeting a horrible end I assure you. So get in that escape pod and don’t look back,” said Famaron sternly then he gave Plora a firm shove.
Sciombogs were a race of liars and treacherous thieves from the planet of Scionuit that would literally eat an enemies excrement to show they had no power over them. They also were in the habit of killing their friends if they felt they were asking too many personal questions. Their leader Omathy Deathor had 200,000 of his people killed in retribution for his wife being waved at while swimming.
“ I’ll go, but that insult was not necessary. I am not so low as that,” said Plora softly as he entered the silver egg shaped escape pod that was inside a huge thruster in a row of 100,000 escape pods that covered an entire wall.
“ Don’t go away slighted, just go away,” said Ohgood slyly as he grinned.
Then Plora rocketed out of the ship and out into space where he was met by 10 of his soldiers in their escape pods.
“ Alright then, now we just have to figure out how to pilot this ship and we can head for Parscan,” said Famaron brightly as he grinned.
“ All ships have simple controls if you don’t have a simple mind. Let’s look around,” said Pator as he looked down the wall of empty spaces where the pods had been and sighed.
Everyone began searching the ship for the bridge. The inside of the ship had a series of large rooms mostly filled with living quarters, but with no beds as the Knerks slept standing up against the wall. The
center of the ship was 200 feet long and had 20 foot high ceilings. It had a large Omagic pool around the outside of the room.
Omagic pools were filled with a high density mix of water and pain relievers that once you got in washed over your body and made you pain free and gave you a worry free mindset. Omagic was the famous Knerk scientist who pioneered the use of creating viruses to fight off more deadly ones. He also came up with a way to insert synthetic eye lenses that gave you 20/1 vision, as well as a wider range of colors. He forced himself into seclusion when the military stole one of his creations he intended for healing the sick and used it as a powerful weapon. Before he did he created a dense red smoke that could penetrate even steel that he put around his house that could kill anyone or anything that inhaled it called Pamitle. He told them to never bother him again or he’d pump millions of pounds of the Pamitle into the air and kill them all.
Inside the pool in the middle of the room there was the bridge with 5 holographic monitors and keypads arranged around a dozen large black cushioned recliners. There was also a statue of Goarote cast as a Knerk in the center of the recliners. The floor was covered in a brown leathery carpet that stretched over every inch of the bridge. There were uncontained bubbles of electricity being strewn from a pipe at the edge of the pool.
Goarote was depicted in the statue as having a large bulbous head that had blue lasers coming out of it that shown up to the ceiling. There were 4 large black square steel doors with each at the center of all 4 walls that had Plora’s face melted onto them in platinum. The ceiling had a painting of Plora’s weapons collection with him floating above them in a white robe.
Ohgood walked thru one of the steel doors and saw the holograms in the center of the pool and yelled,” I’ve found it it’s in the center of the ship!”
Then Ratie and Solcrist heard this and yelled to Famaron and the rest,” It’s in the center of the ship come quick!”
Within a few minutes everyone made their way to the bridge and went across the walkway to the control room.
“ It looks like it’s pretty standard controls. I could fly this very easily,” said Ohgood proudly as he smiled and sat in one of the recliners.
“ Really, that’s good news,” said Saseap as she walked over and sat down beside Ohgood.
“ So what’s our plan we can’t all take the same ship?” asked Famaron as he looked at a hologram of the outside of the ship.
“ Well Saseap and I could fly my ship alone, but I’d feel more comfortable if we had someone else to come with us,” said Pator.
“ I will go with you,” Pator, if no one minds,” said Veata as she raised her left eyebrow and pursed her lips.
“ Fine by me,” said Solcrist as he shrugged.
Ratie and Ohgood nodded and then Famaron said plainly,” Then it’s settled, but what isn’t settled is how we’re going to charge up your fuel cell.”
Well now that the Knerks are scattered out into space we could possibly stay right in our ships or even get a hotel room in the space station,” said Pator calmly.
“ He’s right all’s we’d have to do is find a way to lock the Knerks ship without locking ourselves out,” said Ratie.
“ Ah…I never thought of that, boy that would have been an embarrassing error to lock ourselves out. That aside I don’t feel comfortable sleeping in this ship, don’t ask why so it’s the space station or even a trip to Goep,” said Famaron warmly.
“ The station,” said Ratie, Ohgood, and Veata in unison.
“ O.K. o.k. let’s dock and be done with it,” said Famaron quickly as he grinned.