Wizard Rebellion (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 5) Page 42

  “We suppose,” replied the green sphere. “Now we must ask how you’ll save our unborn brethren? The Dragars are going to take the Mountain’s Heart off planet. Even if you destroy their temple here, they’ll use the blue gem to build another temple on another world. They’ll continue sacrificing the innocents at their new temple.”

  Richard had many questions, but he didn’t need to ask. His mind was one with the three spheres. He was one with the dragon. He knew the black destroyer would leave as soon as the Mountain’s Heart was loaded. He also knew the three spheres would be forced to create their time-gate to take the Dragars’ starships into the future in the physical dimension. The three spheres couldn’t resist. The energy of the sacrificed dragons stored in the pyramid was under the control of the Dragars. Consequently, the three spheres were under the Dragars’ control as well.

  “We’re sorry,” said the green sphere. “We see your thoughts. You believe you will destroy us. You will not. You will only set us free.”

  “I already destroyed you,” Richard replied continuing to use dragon-speak. “I saw your spheres come together. I watched your destruction.”

  “Yes, time can be confusing,” agreed the green sphere. “In the end, it all turns out for the good. We see the plan of the Oracle in your mind. We believe it will work. It must work. You must insert the fifteen bottles of DNA gas into the Dragars’ temple.”

  A vision of the pyramid inside the dome appeared in Richard’s mind. He saw a small opening near the tip.

  “That’s where they must go,” said the green sphere. “The concentrated DNA gas will overload the emotional and magic energy stored in the temple. When that occurs, the Dragars will lose control over us. Then we’ll do what must be done. Your mind has shown us the way. We know how we can be free.”

  “How?” Richard asked.

  The green sphere only answered, “You’ll see when the time comes.”

  Richard hated it when he had to drag answers out of someone. He decided not to try. “Fine. What about the blue gem? How do I destroy it?”

  Another vision came to Richard. This time it was an image of the Mountain’s Heart. He saw a crack in the gem. He saw the fourteen bottles of DNA gas being opened near the crack.

  “Anything else I need to know?” Richard asked curtly. He had a feeling his time was running short.

  A final vision came. This time it was of a chamber deep below the Dragars’ temple. Richard sensed evil coming from the underground room. He’d encountered the evil before. It was the demon, Zenthra. Richard knew the demon possessed the Crosioian’s master computer. He visualized the equipment in the room. The equipment was magic, yet it was also a computer. The Dragars’ computer was connected to the Crosioian’s master computer in the future.

  Richard wished his battle computer was with him to help make sense of things, but he wasn’t. He allowed more information from the spheres to enter his mind. He saw the architecture of the hidden computer room. It was encased in creallium. Nothing could go in or out of the room unless Zenthra allowed it.

  “Zenthra thinks he’s invulnerable,” said the green sphere.

  Richard wondered if the demon might be right. “Zenthra’s a major demon. So’s Cancontus. How can I hope to defeat them?”

  “That is for you to decide, wizard scout,” replied the green sphere. “We cannot help as long as the DNA gas in the temple is under the Dragars’ control. Even so, don’t lose hope. Zenthra and Cancontus are in many places at once. The parts of them that are located here are relatively weak. They’ve spread themselves too thin. We see from your memories that you destroyed one of their brother’s avatar. Efrestra was more powerful than either Zenthra or Cancontus. You can succeed here as well. We have faith in you, wizard scout.”

  “I need my friends,” Richard said. “Release them from your spell.”

  “We cannot. Zenthra controls the Dragars, and the Dragars control us. You must release your friends yourself.”

  Richard thought for what seemed like a long time. Finally, he had an idea. “Take me back,” he ordered.

  Suddenly his mind was back in the tunnel. He sensed the Power of Cancontus’s Circle forcing the spheres’ enthrall spell on his friends. Richard took his feeling of hunger and tiredness and inserted them into the Circle.

  Then he waited. He hoped he wouldn’t have to wait long.

  Chapter 57 – Decision Time

  ____________________

  As it turned out, Stella and Jeena didn’t leave in an hour. A large chest was teleported into the cargo bay a half hour after their meeting broke up. Inside was not just the spell they required, but seven complete sets of spell books. The magic tomes contained both basic and advanced mage spells. Also included in the chest was a complete set of spell books for a priest along with two priest wands.

  After a cursory glance at the polymorph spell, Comstar announced he needed at least six hours to memorize and practice the complicated spell. Consequently, the decision was made for Stella and Jeena to spend the remainder of the afternoon practicing in the holo-square.

  After a particularly grueling session, Terrie finally called a halt to their training. When the holographic image of the space station’s interior disappeared, Jeena sought out the human wizard scout.

  “Why’d you stop us? I think we could’ve completed the mission successfully this time.

  Laughing, Terrie held up his hands in a stopping motion. “Hey, don’t kill the messenger. Sergeant Ron said Comstar’s ready. They’re on their way down now.” With a wink, Terrie added, “Besides, Margery, Danny, and I also think you could’ve gotten away with the bottles. I guess you could say the two of you are going to take your final exam in the next ten minutes.”

  Jeena did her best not to smile. For a human male, she guessed Terrie wasn’t completely horrible. In fact, all of the human males onboard the Defiant were starting to grow on her; a little. Although years of prejudice were hard to overcome, she was trying her best. She found it helped to imagine the men with pointed ears.

  “Not just the two of them,” said Bright Wing who was just coming out of the engine room. “I go too.”

  Jeena smiled. “Yes, you are. In fact, the entire mission depends on you. Are you sure you want to go through with it? Even if we successfully get the bottles of DNA gas, you’ll still have to get back to the Defiant on your own.”

  The silver dragon grinned. “I’ll use a dimensional shift and teleport. I’ll be fine.”

  Sergeant Ron had just come down the stairs. He gave Bright Wing some bad news. “I’m afraid it’s not going to be that simple. Comstar says with his limited experience with this version of the spell, he has to keep the level of magic energy to a minimum. According to him, that means you’ll only be in the form of an ancient dragon for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’ll shift back to your normal form.”

  “So how will Bright Wing get back?” Jeena asked. She liked the little dragon and wasn’t about to let her go on a suicide mission.

  “The Defiant will have to come get her,” replied Sergeant Ron. “Bright Wing can teleport a few thousand meters in her current form. That’ll get her outside the space station at the very least.”

  Charlie was helping Daniel add a fireball wand to the underside of Stella’s M12. At Sergeant Ron’s words, the Sterilian looked up. “No good. Black hole get her.”

  Apparently just as concerned about the dragon’s welfare, Terrie added his two credits’ worth. “Yeah, and the Defiant can’t go get her at short ranges anyway. The space station would blow us out of existence in less than a minute. Our defensive shields are good, but they wouldn’t last long under all that firepower.”

  Captain Ron snorted. “I wasn’t born yesterday. Bright Wing will just have to destroy the space station before they destroy us.”

  Frowning, Jeena asked, “How?”

  “By overloading their reactor,” said Comstar who’d just come down to join them. The old elf was holding a thick spell book in his han
ds. A piece of paper sticking out toward the end of the book appeared to be marking a page.

  This time, Jeena was the one shaking her head. “Unacceptable. It would place her in too much danger. I think as soon as Bright Wing teleports us inside the station, she should immediately teleport back to the Defiant while she’s still in ancient form. She’ll have time before her spell wears off if she hurries.”

  The dragon reared back on her hind legs until her head was level with Jeena’s.

  “No! I stay. You need me. My brother can’t get back until we get the bottles to him. I’ll stay and help fight.”

  One of the speakers in the cargo bay popped with static electricity before settling down to Margery’s voice. “The dragon’s right. I calculate your mission will fail if she’s not there with you. The shock value of her spells and breath weapons will give you the confusion you need to get the bottles of DNA gas.”

  “Margery’s right,” Danny mentally agreed over the metal band Jeena was still wearing on her forehead. “The truth is, the dragon has a higher probability of surviving the mission than Stella and you. I’d advise worrying about what you’re going to do if you run into Crosioian scouts.”

  Jeena had been worrying about such an event but wasn’t about to admit it to anyone else.

  “Well,” said Sergeant Ron getting back in the conversation. “If you’re going, you best get to it. We’ve had a couple of Crosioian recon ships pass within two light minutes of us less than an hour ago. Something’s got them spooked. We’ve either got to pay the piper and get on with the mission, or we need to tuck our tails between our legs and head back home. Which is it going to be, High Priestess Jeehanathoraxen?”

  The captain’s use of her formal name surprised Jeena. “That’s the first time you’ve called me by my title, Sergeant Ron. You pronounced my name perfectly. I’m impressed.”

  “Yeah, well,” said Sergeant Ron, “don’t think I’m going to make a habit of it. Your name’s definitely a tongue twister. Now, what’s it going to be? Do we go, or do we head back home?”

  Jeena didn’t have to think long before replying. She’d never abandoned a mission in her life.

  “We go. We go now.”

  Chapter 58 – Enthralled

  ____________________

  Even though Gaston knew what was happening, he didn’t care. It didn’t matter that he was being enthralled by the Circle. It didn’t matter that some alien presence was soothing his soul and controlling his emotions. Even though he could feel the demonic evil in the first link of the Circle, it didn’t matter. As far as he was concerned, everything was as it should be. He was at peace. He was in a world where Diane, Matthew, and he could finally be together as a family. His mother and father would be there as well, and they’d be loving parents. In the world where Gaston now found himself, he felt no animosity between his father and him.

  Why should I? he thought. My life’s perfect.

  Gaston knew he was on his knees in the secret tunnel, but it didn’t matter. He could see the other members of his team around him. Everyone was on their knees. They all had smiles on their face.

  They lack for nothing, he thought. I lack for nothing. Life is good.

  For the first time in his life, Gaston felt truly happy.

  * * *

  Lord Cancontus remained at a distance until the Circle amplified the enthrall spell enough so that none of the wizard scouts could resist. Except of course for the Master’s variable.

  The variable’s still near the entrance, thought Cancontus. He hasn’t yet fallen to his knees. He continues to fight against the power of the spheres. The Master’s variable is strong-willed. Even the increase in strength provided by the Circle hasn’t been enough to bring him to his knees.

  Cancontus knew why the variable could resist. The Master’s human had a flaw in him. The flaw fought the enthrall spell for dominance. The Master’s variable had also been exposed to the enthrall spell on a previous occasion. The variable knew what to expect. Like a creature who’d been exposed to an illness, the variable had built up a resistance.

  The wizard scout’s a resistor as well. The enthrall spell can’t get a firm hold on his mind. I should have foreseen it.

  Lord Cancontus wasn’t sure if he should be concerned. Unlike their last encounter, he was at a safe distance. The Master’s variable couldn’t reach the Circle’s keystone link. He was safe. However, he couldn’t take any chances. He considered recalling his vampires and having them finish the job.

  No. The vampires would see it as a sign of weakness. I would have to destroy them all. I must do the task myself.

  The variable’s companions were in the center of the secret tunnel. From their expressions, Cancontus knew they were all fully enthralled. He sensed something else among one of the other wizard scouts. He sensed the essence of his brother, the Dalinfaust.

  So, Cancontus thought, you placed a part of yourself in more than one weapon.

  Cancontus unfurled his avatar’s bat wings and laughed.

  Perhaps I can use the essence to gain an advantage over my brother. With the Dalinfaust as my servant, I wouldn’t need that fool Zenthra.

  With a thought, Cancontus teleported into the secret tunnel. All nine of the companions of the Master’s variable were on their knees. Even the female dwarf had the same foolish smile as the others.

  Cancontus laughed. I’ll make her scream just like I made her father beg for mercy.

  The demon approached the lead wizard scout. The man held the weapon with the demon essence of his brother in his left hand. The human’s hand hung loosely on the floor. Sparks of phase energy crackled as the rod made contact with the stone surface of the tunnel.

  Speaking aloud, Cancontus said, “You fools. You should never have opposed me. I’m going to rip out each of your throats and feast on your blood.”

  None of the wizard scouts or their companions responded. They just continued to stare off into space with the same satisfied smile on their faces.

  “Ah, but you don’t care do you?” said Cancontus as he knelt next to the lead wizard scout. “You’ll raise your head and keep smiling as I suck out your life. I’ll start with you, wizard scout. Bare your neck for me, fool. I hunger for the taste of your blood, and I don’t like to wait.”

  * * *

  Gaston let go of his empty Deloris blaster and removed his battle helmet. He heard Wanda yelling at him, but didn’t care. Everything was perfect. Lifting his chin, he tilted his head to the side to better expose his neck.

  Why not? he thought. I’ll be with my family. All will be well.

  However, all wasn’t well. Gaston began to sense a feeling of hunger sweep over him. He pushed the feeling aside. His perfect world had no place for such mundane feelings as hunger. No sooner had he pushed the hunger aside than a feeling of tiredness came over him. He shoved that feeling aside as well. When he did, the feeling of hunger came back.

  Why can’t you leave me alone? Gaston thought. My life would be perfect if you just left me alone.

  Something else touched Gaston’s mind. He sensed another presence through his link with the Circle. He knew the presence. It was his brother. Just thinking of his brother irritated him. The sense of peace that was finally his was in danger of being taken away. Gaston sensed his brother destroying his only hope for happiness. The irritating presence of his brother was joined by a feeling of hunger and tiredness.

  Gaston’s world of peace and happiness began to crack. He felt something warm on his neck. It was the breath of the demon.

  Fear and revulsion suddenly threw off the last bonds of the enthrall spell. Gaston rolled back as he slashed out with his phase rod. The demon roared with anger when the weapon smacked into his face.

  Gaston came up out of his roll with the .44 caliber AutoMag in his hands. He pulled the trigger as fast as the finger of his battle suit could move. The demon was knocked back a step but wasn’t harmed. He sensed layer upon layer of shields around the demon.

 
; A link from the demon to the Circle drew Gaston’s attention. It beckoned to him as surely as if it was calling his name. Stabbing downward with his phase rod, Gaston drove his phase rod into the heart of the link. This time the demon roared with pain.

  The jagged claw of the demon’s right hand reached out for Gaston. Before it could make contact, another round from the AutoMag struck the demon in the left side of its chest. Although the bullet didn’t penetrate the layer of hardened skin, the demon’s vampire body was once again driven backward by the force of the round.

  “The heart,” Wanda mentally yelled. “Your brother’s battle computer says to go for the heart.”

  Sending a burst of pure Power at the demon’s chest, Gaston tried to tear an opening through the demon’s defenses to expose the heart. He wasn’t strong enough. The heart was too well protected. While a thin layer of shielding gave way to his Power, there were many layers beyond it. Even as he swung his phase rod at the demon-vampire, Gaston realized it was hopeless.

  A bright length of red flashed over Gaston’s shoulder and struck the demon in the chest. The red glow was a phase rod in full-destructive mode. The strike of the phase rod was accompanied by a blast of pure Power as another layer of the demon’s defenses was stripped away. Suddenly, Gaston’s mother was standing shoulder to shoulder on his left side stabbing wildly at the demon as she fired a burst of plasma rounds from her rifle into the vampire’s chest.

  Another blast of pure Power struck the demon from Gaston’s right. His father was standing shoulder to shoulder on his right side, adding his phase rod to the fray. Two more blasts of Power hit the demon and stripped away more layers of its defenses. Gaston recognized the frequencies of Tam and Telsa.

  The demon formed a ball of magic in its hands. Before it could strike, two more blasts of Power hit the demon’s chest as Trinity and Jerad entered the fight. They were joined by Emerald and Chancee who began beating at Cancontus with their magic swords.