“Do you have any idea how much damage you band of misfits have caused?” the hooded woman squawked in Fixx’s face. She held him firmly by the shoulders and pressed him painfully onto the ground. Fixx had been sleeping peacefully outside with the others nearby when he was rudely awakened. “None of you should even be getting along!”
Maggie grabbed her by the purple sash and began pulling in a weak attempt to help Fixx. “You said you wouldn’t follow us,” she said, straining.
The woman let go of Fixx and turned her head toward Maggie. “I said pursue. Do you understand the difference?” By the time she looked back, Fixx was gone.
Dack and Alin were awake and moving closer to the robed figure. “What do you want?” Dack asked.
“I want you to do what you are told,” she said calmly.
“What have we been told to do that we haven’t?” Lucan asked as he stood next to Dack.
“How did you get here?” She wrinkled her nose in disgust at the sight of Lucan.
“Only one way that I know of.” Fixx giggled as he watched Maggie pulling on the sash. “I think you can stop now and come over.”
Maggie let go, walked over to the group, and put her hands on her hips. “By the way, I do know the difference. So, why are you here?”
In the early morning light, the woman in the white robe could see the others clearly with her keen sight, but the others, except Dack, were struggling to make out all of the details. After carefully removing her hood, the woman ruffled her fine feathers, took a deep breath, and bowed low. “I am sorry for my outburst.” She stood again and tightened her sash.
“What do you want?” Alin asked.
“I need your help. Your previous visit destroyed years of hard work.”
“You have us at a disadvantage,” Dack began. “What do you mean?”
“I have been trying to save Storality. Your untimely interruption left us no choice but to retake control.”
“If you’re confused, raise your hand,” Fixx said, stepping forward with his hand raised.
“You are the worst!” The woman lunged forward in a failed attempt to grab Fixx.
“I’m awake now, so touching is not going to happen.” Fixx grinned while wagging a finger at the woman. “I told you they were fighting. Are you going to admit that now?”
“Yes.”
“So why did you lie?” Fixx demanded.
“You questioned my authority and our solidarity in front of others. We cannot allow that.”
“Keeping up appearances,” Lucan flippantly interjected. “Is that what this is all about?”
“Call it what you like. Now I have a problem. I was close to convincing the others that we need to stop our current tactics of overtly and covertly imposing our desires on every world.”
“No more control or death?” Fixx frowned.
“Stop it, Fixx,” Maggie said, stepping forward. “What do you need us to do?”
“Help me to stop the others,” the woman said, kneeling down in front of Maggie. “Some will be easy to convince, some difficult, and one impossible.” She stood and looked at the others. “This is what I have been working with Theterm to accomplish, but he is more trouble than he is worth.”
“Where is Theterm?” Dack asked.
“Right now all of your allies from Storality are safe; however, that will not last long. If you will agree to help, I believe I can keep them safe indefinitely,” the woman said hopefully.
“If we don’t help, then what?” Alin asked.
“It will not be long until they are moved to more secure facilities. Once that happens, I have no authority or sway to prevent them from experiencing…” The woman paused to carefully choose her words. “…An extensive range of—”
“We get it,” Lucan interrupted. “I think we should discuss this, right?” he asked, stepping forward to get a better look at everyone. “There is a lot at stake.”
“I would like to take you all somewhere to show you what will happen if we fail. I know you all have an idea of what to expect, but I am sure my world will convince you that we must succeed.”
“I do not think we need to spend any more time talking,” Maggie announced. “I am ready to follow…” She pointed to the woman. “What is your name?”
“Laird.”
“I am ready to follow Laird.” Maggie nodded.
“Is that wise?” Alin whispered to Dack.
“Our friends’ lives are in danger,” Dack whispered to Alin.
“Speak up,” Laird encouraged. “Say what you need to.”
“We came to an agreement last night that we would all do what was in the best interest of Storality. Rescuing our friends and getting rid of Alkaskre control of our world comes first,” Dack said confidently. “Also, we realize it will be difficult to put all of our differences and past mistakes behind us, but that has to happen. I am not sure if I am willing to help you overthrow your own people too.”
“Our people,” Laird corrected. “You, Lucan, and now Maggie, are all a vital part of the Alkaskre.”
“Whisperers of Lore,” Dack smirked.
“Call yourselves whatever you want; it changes nothing. Abuse is happening on a scale you can only imagine, but I’ve seen it firsthand.” Laird turned her head quickly. “Who is that?” She pointed at something running.
Fixx looked where Laird was staring and laughed. “That’s just Ghera.”
“Why is he running that way?” Maggie wondered aloud.
“I’ll go get him,” Fixx said as he blurred into motion. In a few moments, he was walking quickly next to Ghera. “What are you doing?” Ghera had a look of sheer terror on his face, and he picked up his pace. “Stop!” Fixx demanded, standing in front of Ghera, pushing him roughly.
“Please, you do not understand,” Ghera said, swinging wildly at Fixx while trying to move around him.
“Ghera, you can trust me. What is going on?”
“She is here to send me back!”
“Back where?”
“To my world—or worse,” Ghera said weakly.
“We all agreed to work together. That will not happen. You have my word.”
Ghera stood still and looked at Fixx sadly. “There is more you don’t know.”
“It doesn’t matter to me.” Fixx poked Ghera in the ribs jokingly. “Okay?”
“Fine. As long as you promise to protect me, I’ll return.”
Fixx turned Ghera toward the others and pushed him gently. “Dack won’t let anything happen either.”
When Fixx arrived back at camp with Ghera a few paces behind, Laird leered. “I was wrong, little man. That one is the worst,” she said, pointing at Ghera.
“He is under our protection,” Fixx said flippantly. “Understand?”
“I understand that my initial assessment was accurate.”
“Why do you always use words with so many letters and so little meaning?” Fixx asked, moving close to Laird. “If you want our help, you get it from all of us, including Ghera.”
Laird bent close to Fixx and patted him on the head. “I have already worked him into the plan.”
Ghera pushed Fixx out of the way and stepped up to Laird. “You have my word—”
Laird waved Ghera into silence. “No promises, please. If these others will vouch for you now, that is all that matters this time.” She looked sternly at the others. “Are you ready to see my world? I am sure it will convince you all to think outside of your own immediate problems.”
“Do we need to bring anything with us?” Alin asked.
“I think I can provide you all with what will be needed,” Laird answered.
“Then unless anyone has a problem with going, I say we at least see Laird’s home. After that we can discuss what to do next,” Dack said, standing next to Laird. The entire group felt confident enough to follow Laird to the Way.
“No one?” Lucan asked.
“That’s correct,” Laird said sadly.
Fixx was on his stomach while Alin held him securely. “A little bit more and I should be able to see,” Fixx said as he wiggled farther over the edge of the platform. “Perfect, now pull me up.” Alin hauled Fixx back to his feet. “She’s right. It’s only resting on a long metal tube.”
“How stable is what we are standing on?” Maggie asked, greatly concerned.
“It is not wise to stand here long, but the machines have not returned yet. You are all welcome to wait through the Way if that would make you feel better,” Laird said while scanning the skies.
“How many?” Lucan asked.
“Several billion.”
“Quickly or slowly?”
“Both.”
“That is truly tragic,” Dack said, looking at the ruins below. “The Alkaskre did this?”
“Not directly, but yes.” Laird jumped slightly when she spotted something in the distance. She pointed so everyone could see. “They will be able to lower us to the surface.”
In a short while, four identical machines landed softly on the platform. Each had lights and buttons on the top, which she looked at and then touched.
“Still no signs of life.” She frowned.
“Why here?” Maggie asked.
“Because I told them to,” Laird remembered sadly. “When I learned I could open Ways, I was very excited about telling everyone. Some of my kind were very excited, but most were suspicious. I was told the Alkaskre wanted to help. They offered us advanced things that we had never even imagined. My world was very simple but happy.”
“But that help was a lie, right?” Ghera sneered.
Laird looked at Ghera and laughed. “The first of many. I believed them, supported them, and fought for them. In the end, I was the one who gave the orders to make this happen.” She opened a little door in the side of one of the machines and pulled out a length of metal cable with a hook on the end. After touching a few more buttons, she handed the hook to Dack. “Wrap it around your waist and hook it together. Hold on tight then let yourself dangle over the edge.”
Dack did as instructed, checked the hook again, and then peeked over the side. He went to his knees, looked over his shoulder, and allowed himself to move past the edge while holding on with both hands. At first he felt like he was falling but stopped abruptly when the cable went taut. Moments later he started to descend at a reasonable and consistent speed. “I’m all right,” he called when he disappeared from everyone’s view.
After much yelling and convincing, they were all safe on the surface. Alin looked up at the platform that was well above them. “Is the thing holding up the platform part of the Way?” he asked, trying to scratch the tube.
“Yes, and the platform is all that is left of my palace. It was quite exquisite,” Laird looked up, remembering fondly.
“Why is the Way so far above the ground?” Maggie asked.
“It wasn’t. We are in a crater created from all that was dropped from above. My kind did all they could to make sure it would be destroyed, but as you can see, there is no visible damage,” Laird said, banging on the tube.
“Theterm told me he dug down too but not this deep. How far does it go?” Dack asked, pointing down.
“You don’t know?” Laird asked, confused, as she looked at Lucan, Dack, and then Maggie.
They all shrugged. “Should we?” Lucan asked.
“Sounds like once again Theterm did a poor job.” Fixx grinned.
“In most cases, to the liquid core, if there is one.” Laird looked at the blank expressions on their faces. “What is wrong with you?” she yelled. “This is basic stuff.” She shook her head and began crying.
They all looked at each other and shrugged. Maggie moved closer to pat Laird on the back in an attempt to console her. “We want to help, but you have to remember this is all new to us. Can you accept that?”
Laird sniffed. “I am sorry I got you all involved.”
“I’m not,” Alin said. “I am willing to learn whatever we need to know so I can rescue my brother and the others.”
“Theterm has no control over them. They are all doing this on their own,” Ghera added. “You could not have asked for a more loyal group.”
“This is not going to be easy,” Laird began. “It is possible that some of you will be worse off in the end than you are now. That is why I wanted to show you this place,” she said, holding her arms out. “There was never anyone more loyal than me in the beginning. Here I stand now, ready to betray the Alkaskre.” She clenched her fists tightly and held them high.
“What outcome do you want?” Lucan asked.
“I have given this a lot of thought, and it all comes down to one individual. Once your friends are all safe, if you still want to help me, then we will end his reign,” Laird answered confidently.
“Are you talking about that floating image you were all arguing with?” Fixx asked.
“Yes, he is our leader. We have allowed him to control the direction that the Alkaskre have been taking. All of us are as guilty as he is, but it is never too late to correct our path,” Laird admitted.
“Did he send a bounty hunter after Theterm?” Ghera asked.
“I hope not,” Laird said, shocked. “Who told you that?”
“Theterm mentioned that there was one sent, but that was all.” Ghera shrugged.
“I guess we’ll find out more when we rescue Theterm,” Laird said hopefully.
After a brief tour of the area, they were all firmly resolved to make sure that nothing like the destruction they witnessed would ever happen again if it could be helped. Lucan saw many similar sights during his twenty years of wandering, but he decided not to share that with the others. He wanted to talk to Theterm about it first to understand what happened and who was to blame.
“Before we leave, I have to give you each something,” Laird said, reaching into her pockets.
“What is it?” Lucan asked when Laird pulled out a handful of small tubes and held them out to the others.
“Simply put, medicine,” Laird said, frowning. “I do not think you want to know more, right?”
“I do,” Alin said, picking one up to look at it. “What does it do?”
“It helps to reduce the effects of time.”
Fixx chuckled. “Give me two then,” he said, taking one. “Do I eat it?”
“No, you crush it in your hand.”
“Wait, Fixx,” Dack said. “Effects?”
“When Fixx returned to his world, all those he held dear were dead. Correct?” Laird looked at Dack and then to Fixx.
“Except the king.” Fixx grinned. “I think it’s that tea he drinks.”
“If someone there would have used one of these,” Laird said, holding up one of the small tubes, “they would still be alive.”
“Guaranteed?” Maggie asked, squinting at Laird.
“Not guaranteed but more likely than not.”
“Have you taken it?” Maggie asked.
“Yes.”
“Has Theterm?” Dack asked.
“No, but he has been exposed to something like it. This was made to be used only by those Fixx saw in that glass room. I took these before I left.”
“So, it slows down aging,” Alin concluded.
“Not exactly, but that’s close enough.” Laird shook her head slowly.
“I’ll go first,” Fixx announced as he crushed the small tube in his fist. The others looked at him as he stood completely still. “How fast does it work?”
“Open your hand,” Laird said.
Fixx opened his hand slowly and peeked inside. “That’s gross,” he whispered. “Is that going to heal right?” he asked Laird.
“Look again,” she said expectantly.
Fixx opened his hand and showed the others. Small slivers of glass were all that was left when everyone gathered to look. “I guess so.” He laughed.
“Do you feel all right?” Ghera asked, moving closer.
“Actually, I feel very…” Fixx paused. “Wait a minute.” He began sweating and sat down roughly. “What is happening?” he asked, grabbing his chest. “What did you do to me?”
“That shouldn’t be happening,” Laird said as she kneeled next to Fixx. “What hurts?”
“It’s my heart,” he said, breathing heavily. “There is something in me, keeping me from dying.”
Laird stood up and crossed her arms. “Good.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Maggie said, standing in front of Laird. “How can that be good?”
Fixx yelled and then passed out. Lucan and Dack knelt down next to him and then looked at each other. “What should we do?” Dack asked.
“I have no idea,” Lucan answered.
“Will he be all right?” Alin demanded.
“Better than before. I’m glad he went first,” Laird admitted. “Anyone else have something alien living inside them?”
“How can you be so callous?” Maggie asked.
“I am confident, not callous. He will be fine once his body rebuilds the damage. I’m not sure what will happen to the thing inside him though,” Laird said, rubbing her chin. “After a few hours, your body will stop healing so fast, so enjoy it while it lasts.”
“A real joy,” Fixx said, sitting up slowly. He reached inside of his clothes, pulled out a handful of silvery goo, and poured it on the ground. “Looks like I don’t need the orb anymore.”
“Your body knows what it needs and doesn’t need. Now it has help,” Laird summarized.
“So we could live forever,” Alin said.
“Could, but I doubt it. Too many other things could happen to end your life,” Laird admitted.
“Like what?” Lucan asked.
“Falling off a cliff—or worse. I am sure that if you thought about it, you would see how limited this is, but it will help.”
“Fine,” Dack said, holding out his hand to Laird. “Give me one.”
One after the other, they all crushed a small tube to limited or no ill effects. When Ghera stood in front of Laird with his hand out, she laughed. “We both know you don’t need this.” She looked sternly at him.
“Couldn’t hurt, right?” Ghera scratched his head.
“I hope it does, but here you go,” she said, sniffing as she handed one to him.
Ghera took it, pretended to crush it, and acted like something was happening while the others watched. “We can go now,” he said, pointing to the cables, and began walking toward them. “I feel real good, real good.” He grinned widely.