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Description
The Stroud, scared with numerous hull breaches and grazer hits, limped towards Gaia. What shuttles and pinnaces still serviceable were sent out to conduct a search and rescue operation for survivors from wrecked and destroyed Commonwealth ships. In the battleship’s auxiliary control, now serving as the backup combat information center, Admiral David Carson gave the hologram image of the planet a contemplative stare worthy of a chess master. “Carson to Bridge,” he said into the command net, “Captain Ichiba, have the ship halt three million kilometers from the orbit of the outermost moon. From there we’ll try to reestablish communications with our detachment in Silvertown.”

Ichiba’s concern was palatable. “Admiral, what of the ancient Gaian defense system? We don’t know its full range. I suggest we pull back to ten million kilometers.”

“Captain, at our speed and our mass we would’ve been interpreted as an asteroid and fired upon during our approach. That the system fired on the pirates at a much closer range suggests that it may be on automatic or that the operator or operators have a different set of priorities. The risk is acceptable. Our duty is to find a way to defeat that defense system. Prepare several commsats and launch them under the direction of my tactical officer.”

“Aye, Aye, Admiral.”

“The support ships have been contacted, Admiral,” said Commander Capri from her console. “They are returning from their hiding positions in the secondary component. A portion has been detailed to look for survivors from Commodore Wilwerding’s ships near the position of the wrecked hypercomm platform.”

Carson winced when he heard the name of his friend. Given the nature of pirates the likelihood of finding any lifepods at the battle space was low. On this occasion they won’t even have bothered to pick them up if only to ravage the female spacers. Navy prisoners would’ve taken up room meant for loot and Gaian captives. He didn’t spare anymore thought on the matter for what was happening on the planet was far more important. In regards to Estelle there was no doubt in the Admiral’s mind that she was performing to her utmost to resolve the situation she was in.

“Very good, Commander. Inform me when the commsats are in position.”

********

With enhanced eyes and ears providing a steady stream of input Esty and Emma waited as the Sparkmen and their assembly of unwilling converts approach the central pyramid. They were seven minutes out and it was here that the first shots were fired from the eastern face of the western pyramid. The two Gaians on that pyramid fired their Hammerfist rifles every five seconds, each time an original Sparkman went down due to a shattered head. Still that left hundreds of freshly converted people, each one compelled to do the bidding of their unseen controller. Hope was held that these poor souls could be saved. When weighed against the fate of the planet it might come down to having them as unavoidable victims.

New data from her ‘ware alerted Esty to the approach of the truck seconds before everyone else. It was Nalt and the four priestesses. He brought the vehicle to a halt so that it was broadside to the oncoming horde and the priestesses working to make an opening in the barrier. Nalt got out, looking grim. “So much for the runway, Miss Carson,” he said. “Those Sparkmen gave the truck a wide berth on our return trip. I pray to the All-Mother that with all the crystals we have and the faith behind them that we can hold those Sparkmen back.”

“I hope so too. If you’re good with a rifle I want you to use one.” Overhearing Esty’s words one of the Gaians gave his rifle to Nalt along with the ammunition. However, upon realizing that Emma was bare-chested Nalt removed his shirt and gave it her. Even with her ampleness the shirt was loose and she had to roll up the sleeve to keep her hands free.

The rifle fire stopped from the western pyramid only because the shooters ran out of ammunition. Emma took stock of the Sparkmen force. “There’re thirty of those crystal monsters left. Some are missing arms instead of heads. Don’t know how many of the others have been shot in the legs. Some of them are armed and…”

A rifle bullet ricocheted off the right front fender of the truck and was followed by two more. Immediately the group either got behind the truck or went into a crouched firing position. Esty peered over the hood of the truck. “Put up a flare!” Esty said urgently. A Gaian that picked up a flare gun from a captured Luddite earlier complied. Once up the flare’s sickly yellow light made the approaching menace all the more threatening. “Pick your targets. Priority is on original Sparkmen and those people armed with rifles. We can’t ensure headshots won’t miss those people behind them, so go for the lower part of the legs. Open fire, fire at will.”

Hammerfist rifles thundered, their .60 caliber bullets utterly destroying or in some cases ripping off legs from below the knee. The Sparkmen responded after two volleys by going into a run, followed by their converts. Firing at a steady rate the defenders took down more Sparkmen, leaving them to crawl on the ground like uncoordinated drunks. What made the Gaians grow more and more hesitant was that when one of the converts was hit they yelled and screamed, showing that they were still human enough to feel pain. Once 50 meters away the whole ensemble came to a crashing halt upon encountering the resistance field generated by priestess not working on opening the pyramid barrier. It was surreal seeing some many people groping and pawing at an invisible wall like insects drawn to a light. Those with guns, however…

The sickening sound of a rifle bullet hit filled Esty’s ears. It wasn’t her but the Gaian male to her left, his shoulder shattered and bleeding. Jeln tended to the man, taking the first aid kit offered by another. Seeing the group hesitating due to that hit only intensified her conviction. “Stop gawking and keep firing! Your world and your families are at stake!” That was incentive enough for the Gaians to resume firing. Very quickly the screams and yelps of pain from the converted became nothing but background noise… for now.

Being one not to sit idle Emma yanked the hubcaps from her side of the truck. Being an avid Frisbee thrower as a child she then hurled the improvised weapons at two Sparkmen, Marine muscle and reflexes lopping the heads off like sliced melons. “Esty, they’re pushing against the barrier,” she said. “And they’re making progress.”

“And unlike mimes, this is real,” Esty replied. At that moment an inscrutable look came over her face and on Emma’s as well.

Jeln noticed this. “What is it? I’ve seen that look before…”

Esty held out her hand. “We’ve just came to the same conclusion to the same problem at the same time, Jeln. In a couple of minutes me and Emma will wipe the floor with the remaining Sparkmen and then give Prym the same treatment.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Emma added even as her eyes turned skyward.

In the pyramid the Despot watched a holographic image of the battle. At his side was Prym, looking every bit like a man on the verge of death. No, perhaps better explained as a man recently brought back from the dead. Behind them was the bound and gagged Wulna. She noticed how that whenever Prym turned to look at something the Despot copied the movement. Despite the power of the crystal it appeared the animated mummy was depended on Prym’s eyes to actually see. That little fact she kept in a handy corner of her mind, figuring how to use it when the opportunity arose.

“Ah, it appears to the battle goes well for me,” said the Despot, turning to Wulna a moment after Prym had already done so. “They will run out of ‘bullets’ and I will still outnumber them. Look! My army is gaining strength with each passing moment. Soon that barrier the priestesses have made will become useless.”

Wulna had seen on the hologram that the Sparkmen and the converts had spread out across the barrier and steadily making inroads. Sometimes it was just a footstep, other times by yards. She could only glare at the Despot for the gag was still too firm over her mouth.

Looking back and with Prym copying the movement the Despot saw the hologram change to that of a map of the temple complex. A trio of white dots appeared on the southeastern edge of that map. “Prym, are these the things you call aircraft?”

“Yes, my master,” Prym responded, emphasizing the last word deliberately to be patronizing. However the Despot didn’t recognize it as such as his desiccated face remained unmoved. “They would’ve traveled a far distance and will be almost out of fuel. With the runway destroyed they will attempt to land on the west side of Hadala. These aircraft aren’t meant to land on rough ground and it’s likely they’ll be damaged on landing and cause injury to those on board.”

“Perfect. Once they land I shall destroy them.”

“Yes. It appears they will fly over this pyramid. Since we’re monitoring outside we’ll be able to hear the engines.”

“As well as the destruction of those flying craft, my servant. The battle is all but won.”

*******

The five pyramids of Hadala formed a cross with four avenues: northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. In the decades following Hadala’s discovery three of these avenues have given way to recovered stonework, benches, vendors and displays. The southeast avenue remained clear. In the Gaian religion the mother goddess looks in this direction at night during the summer to see a particular star that represented Father Sky. Now that avenue was going serve a different purpose.

On the three Skyliners the pilots knew their business. Having flown the route for years they knew the layout of Hadala intimately. All agreed with Harkin’s plan to land on the southeast avenue. Having pushed their engines at a ruinous pace and practically out of gas the pilots prepared for the landing in the muted predawn light caused by the Shield. Lined up in train and spaced perfectly the trio of planes made their approach. Time was of the essence. There was going to be no second chance at this landing and the possibility of being destroyed by bolts from the crystal shards in orbit was all too real; a risk completely acceptable under the circumstances.

Harkin kept an open ‘ware line to Esty and Emma. They’ll know first-hand if the landing was successful or not. They’ll also know how Harkin was feeling. Right now it felt like a swarm of butterflies was in his stomach. It wasn’t as bad at take-off or during the flight but now it was different. The deliberate and deft moves of the skyliner would’ve induced airsickness had it not been for the wetware enhancements working its magic. Harkin knew it was meant to keep a spacer from throwing up inside a helmet, but at this point Harkin wondered if it would’ve been better to do that than keeping it all inside. The command could be easily countermanded, but his sense of pride of being an officer kept him from taking that option. Looking around the passenger compartment some of the Gaians looked airsick, but they were so focused on the mission that they wouldn’t like something like an upset stomach distract them. That went double for Bassus, dealing with tension of the impending battle as well as the knots in his stomach.

“Hold on,” said the pilot over the cabin’s intercom. Making himself relax, Harkin was surprised by the jolt as the skyliner’s wheels made contact with the ground. The plane rolled up the broad avenue with ever so slight dips in the stonework being magnified and felt by the passengers. Combined with the sound of the engines it was like being on a conveyor belt that was missing a fair share of rollers. Quickly and thankfully the plane rolled to a stop but not without a final jarring movement when the brakes were fully applied.

“Fall out!” yelled Bassus as the passenger door was opened. Fatigue was forgotten as 20 people spilled out of the plane and headed for the pyramid. Harkin’s ‘ware told them to stop just short of the immaterial barrier that surrounded the structure. Then they made their way around to the east side while the other two planes made their landings and disgorged their passengers.

Harkin’s ‘ware kept him apprised of Esty’s situation. To call it desperate was putting it mildly. The Sparkmen were but 10 meters away from a bullet-punctured truck. It was such a spot that Esty used her Carson strength to break up a pyramid block and throw rock fragments at the attackers. The ‘ware program plotted out the potentials in Harkin’s mind and he picked the one plan that promised the best results. “Use your stun guns!” Harkin ordered. “They’re all gathered along the pyramid’s north side. Fire when you get a shot.” [Nol, Solongo, go along with west side and we’ll get them in a crossfire. Hurry! Those zombies are making a final push.]

[You got it,] said Nol over the link as well as Solongo.

[Ensign,] Esty said, [don’t wait. Move in now!]

[Acknowledged!] Stunner in hand, Harkin went on the fulfill the unspoken need of Ensigns to perform heroically in desperate situations.

*******

“What is this nonsense?!” the Despot wailed as he trashed at the hologram display, trying to tear it up like a tapestry. “Shield, why wasn’t told of this?”

“The objects were not factored into my construction, Defender,” said the voice of the Shield. “Such things did not exist at the time of your last use of my systems. They possessed no innate threat to this structure. I would only have fired had I been given a specific, direct order to do so.”

“They were heading right for us! You could’ve acted independently in such an instance.”

“I’m prohibited from firing the weapons within close proximity of the temple structures. To do so runs the risk of damaging my systems, perhaps even beyond repair.”

The Despot turned to Prym, crinkling his forehead to such an extent that small flakes of dried, dead skin fell off. “YOU!! You knew more about these ‘airplanes’ than what you told me. I would’ve destroyed them while they were in the air had I known what I knew now!”

Since he was practically a living corpse Prym would have made for a perfect straight man in his response. “Me? You entered my mind and learned much, even so far as to speak the language brought to Gaia by the blessed Rebecca and Pamela." Hearing that made Wulna raise an eyebrow in surprise. "You took my dislike of air travel at face value and looked no further, thinking that aircraft could only land on proper runways. That ignorance will take everything away from you for a second and final time.”

For defying the Despot the nearly dead man proved he had some humanity left in him. With that exchange Wulna thought the Despot would throttle Prym right there and then. Instead Prym clutched the hand that held one of the Despot’s eye crystals. He fell to his knees and placed his forehead on the floor in a sign of total submission. “Fool! Your sabotage will not stop me. Once this battle is over I will make you a full Sparkman and then know all that you know.” His single crystal eye shone bright blue as he made Prym get up to look at Wulna. “Priestess, know that if your foolish army succeeds I will destroy all the cities on this world and make it spend another 10,000 years in misery and despair. Not even your space brothers can interfere for the Shield will be on for as long as I exist. I will exist until the end of time.”

Wulna had choice words to use but the gag made that effort useless. But there was one effort left trying. She made herself concentrate on her crystal. If the Despot could use his to communicate with Prym then perhaps making contact with one her priestesses outside wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. Eyes closed, she made a prayer to the All-Mother for her assistance. Unseen by the Despot and Prym the crystal in Wulna’s cleavage began to glow.

Description
The Stroud, scared with numerous hull breaches and grazer hits, limped towards Gaia. What shuttles and pinnaces still serviceable were sent out to conduct a search and rescue operation for survivors from wrecked and destroyed Commonwealth ships. In the battleship’s auxiliary control, now serving as the backup combat information center, Admiral David Carson gave the hologram image of the planet a contemplative stare worthy of a chess master. “Carson to Bridge,” he said into the command net, “Captain Ichiba, have the ship halt three million kilometers from the orbit of the outermost moon. From there we’ll try to reestablish communications with our detachment in Silvertown.”

Ichiba’s concern was palatable. “Admiral, what of the ancient Gaian defense system? We don’t know its full range. I suggest we pull back to ten million kilometers.”

“Captain, at our speed and our mass we would’ve been interpreted as an asteroid and fired upon during our approach. That the system fired on the pirates at a much closer range suggests that it may be on automatic or that the operator or operators have a different set of priorities. The risk is acceptable. Our duty is to find a way to defeat that defense system. Prepare several commsats and launch them under the direction of my tactical officer.”

“Aye, Aye, Admiral.”

“The support ships have been contacted, Admiral,” said Commander Capri from her console. “They are returning from their hiding positions in the secondary component. A portion has been detailed to look for survivors from Commodore Wilwerding’s ships near the position of the wrecked hypercomm platform.”

Carson winced when he heard the name of his friend. Given the nature of pirates the likelihood of finding any lifepods at the battle space was low. On this occasion they won’t even have bothered to pick them up if only to ravage the female spacers. Navy prisoners would’ve taken up room meant for loot and Gaian captives. He didn’t spare anymore thought on the matter for what was happening on the planet was far more important. In regards to Estelle there was no doubt in the Admiral’s mind that she was performing to her utmost to resolve the situation she was in.

“Very good, Commander. Inform me when the commsats are in position.”

********

With enhanced eyes and ears providing a steady stream of input Esty and Emma waited as the Sparkmen and their assembly of unwilling converts approach the central pyramid. They were seven minutes out and it was here that the first shots were fired from the eastern face of the western pyramid. The two Gaians on that pyramid fired their Hammerfist rifles every five seconds, each time an original Sparkman went down due to a shattered head. Still that left hundreds of freshly converted people, each one compelled to do the bidding of their unseen controller. Hope was held that these poor souls could be saved. When weighed against the fate of the planet it might come down to having them as unavoidable victims.

New data from her ‘ware alerted Esty to the approach of the truck seconds before everyone else. It was Nalt and the four priestesses. He brought the vehicle to a halt so that it was broadside to the oncoming horde and the priestesses working to make an opening in the barrier. Nalt got out, looking grim. “So much for the runway, Miss Carson,” he said. “Those Sparkmen gave the truck a wide berth on our return trip. I pray to the All-Mother that with all the crystals we have and the faith behind them that we can hold those Sparkmen back.”

“I hope so too. If you’re good with a rifle I want you to use one.” Overhearing Esty’s words one of the Gaians gave his rifle to Nalt along with the ammunition. However, upon realizing that Emma was bare-chested Nalt removed his shirt and gave it her. Even with her ampleness the shirt was loose and she had to roll up the sleeve to keep her hands free.

The rifle fire stopped from the western pyramid only because the shooters ran out of ammunition. Emma took stock of the Sparkmen force. “There’re thirty of those crystal monsters left. Some are missing arms instead of heads. Don’t know how many of the others have been shot in the legs. Some of them are armed and…”

A rifle bullet ricocheted off the right front fender of the truck and was followed by two more. Immediately the group either got behind the truck or went into a crouched firing position. Esty peered over the hood of the truck. “Put up a flare!” Esty said urgently. A Gaian that picked up a flare gun from a captured Luddite earlier complied. Once up the flare’s sickly yellow light made the approaching menace all the more threatening. “Pick your targets. Priority is on original Sparkmen and those people armed with rifles. We can’t ensure headshots won’t miss those people behind them, so go for the lower part of the legs. Open fire, fire at will.”

Hammerfist rifles thundered, their .60 caliber bullets utterly destroying or in some cases ripping off legs from below the knee. The Sparkmen responded after two volleys by going into a run, followed by their converts. Firing at a steady rate the defenders took down more Sparkmen, leaving them to crawl on the ground like uncoordinated drunks. What made the Gaians grow more and more hesitant was that when one of the converts was hit they yelled and screamed, showing that they were still human enough to feel pain. Once 50 meters away the whole ensemble came to a crashing halt upon encountering the resistance field generated by priestess not working on opening the pyramid barrier. It was surreal seeing some many people groping and pawing at an invisible wall like insects drawn to a light. Those with guns, however…

The sickening sound of a rifle bullet hit filled Esty’s ears. It wasn’t her but the Gaian male to her left, his shoulder shattered and bleeding. Jeln tended to the man, taking the first aid kit offered by another. Seeing the group hesitating due to that hit only intensified her conviction. “Stop gawking and keep firing! Your world and your families are at stake!” That was incentive enough for the Gaians to resume firing. Very quickly the screams and yelps of pain from the converted became nothing but background noise… for now.

Being one not to sit idle Emma yanked the hubcaps from her side of the truck. Being an avid Frisbee thrower as a child she then hurled the improvised weapons at two Sparkmen, Marine muscle and reflexes lopping the heads off like sliced melons. “Esty, they’re pushing against the barrier,” she said. “And they’re making progress.”

“And unlike mimes, this is real,” Esty replied. At that moment an inscrutable look came over her face and on Emma’s as well.

Jeln noticed this. “What is it? I’ve seen that look before…”

Esty held out her hand. “We’ve just came to the same conclusion to the same problem at the same time, Jeln. In a couple of minutes me and Emma will wipe the floor with the remaining Sparkmen and then give Prym the same treatment.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” Emma added even as her eyes turned skyward.

In the pyramid the Despot watched a holographic image of the battle. At his side was Prym, looking every bit like a man on the verge of death. No, perhaps better explained as a man recently brought back from the dead. Behind them was the bound and gagged Wulna. She noticed how that whenever Prym turned to look at something the Despot copied the movement. Despite the power of the crystal it appeared the animated mummy was depended on Prym’s eyes to actually see. That little fact she kept in a handy corner of her mind, figuring how to use it when the opportunity arose.

“Ah, it appears to the battle goes well for me,” said the Despot, turning to Wulna a moment after Prym had already done so. “They will run out of ‘bullets’ and I will still outnumber them. Look! My army is gaining strength with each passing moment. Soon that barrier the priestesses have made will become useless.”

Wulna had seen on the hologram that the Sparkmen and the converts had spread out across the barrier and steadily making inroads. Sometimes it was just a footstep, other times by yards. She could only glare at the Despot for the gag was still too firm over her mouth.

Looking back and with Prym copying the movement the Despot saw the hologram change to that of a map of the temple complex. A trio of white dots appeared on the southeastern edge of that map. “Prym, are these the things you call aircraft?”

“Yes, my master,” Prym responded, emphasizing the last word deliberately to be patronizing. However the Despot didn’t recognize it as such as his desiccated face remained unmoved. “They would’ve traveled a far distance and will be almost out of fuel. With the runway destroyed they will attempt to land on the west side of Hadala. These aircraft aren’t meant to land on rough ground and it’s likely they’ll be damaged on landing and cause injury to those on board.”

“Perfect. Once they land I shall destroy them.”

“Yes. It appears they will fly over this pyramid. Since we’re monitoring outside we’ll be able to hear the engines.”

“As well as the destruction of those flying craft, my servant. The battle is all but won.”

*******

The five pyramids of Hadala formed a cross with four avenues: northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. In the decades following Hadala’s discovery three of these avenues have given way to recovered stonework, benches, vendors and displays. The southeast avenue remained clear. In the Gaian religion the mother goddess looks in this direction at night during the summer to see a particular star that represented Father Sky. Now that avenue was going serve a different purpose.

On the three Skyliners the pilots knew their business. Having flown the route for years they knew the layout of Hadala intimately. All agreed with Harkin’s plan to land on the southeast avenue. Having pushed their engines at a ruinous pace and practically out of gas the pilots prepared for the landing in the muted predawn light caused by the Shield. Lined up in train and spaced perfectly the trio of planes made their approach. Time was of the essence. There was going to be no second chance at this landing and the possibility of being destroyed by bolts from the crystal shards in orbit was all too real; a risk completely acceptable under the circumstances.

Harkin kept an open ‘ware line to Esty and Emma. They’ll know first-hand if the landing was successful or not. They’ll also know how Harkin was feeling. Right now it felt like a swarm of butterflies was in his stomach. It wasn’t as bad at take-off or during the flight but now it was different. The deliberate and deft moves of the skyliner would’ve induced airsickness had it not been for the wetware enhancements working its magic. Harkin knew it was meant to keep a spacer from throwing up inside a helmet, but at this point Harkin wondered if it would’ve been better to do that than keeping it all inside. The command could be easily countermanded, but his sense of pride of being an officer kept him from taking that option. Looking around the passenger compartment some of the Gaians looked airsick, but they were so focused on the mission that they wouldn’t like something like an upset stomach distract them. That went double for Bassus, dealing with tension of the impending battle as well as the knots in his stomach.

“Hold on,” said the pilot over the cabin’s intercom. Making himself relax, Harkin was surprised by the jolt as the skyliner’s wheels made contact with the ground. The plane rolled up the broad avenue with ever so slight dips in the stonework being magnified and felt by the passengers. Combined with the sound of the engines it was like being on a conveyor belt that was missing a fair share of rollers. Quickly and thankfully the plane rolled to a stop but not without a final jarring movement when the brakes were fully applied.

“Fall out!” yelled Bassus as the passenger door was opened. Fatigue was forgotten as 20 people spilled out of the plane and headed for the pyramid. Harkin’s ‘ware told them to stop just short of the immaterial barrier that surrounded the structure. Then they made their way around to the east side while the other two planes made their landings and disgorged their passengers.

Harkin’s ‘ware kept him apprised of Esty’s situation. To call it desperate was putting it mildly. The Sparkmen were but 10 meters away from a bullet-punctured truck. It was such a spot that Esty used her Carson strength to break up a pyramid block and throw rock fragments at the attackers. The ‘ware program plotted out the potentials in Harkin’s mind and he picked the one plan that promised the best results. “Use your stun guns!” Harkin ordered. “They’re all gathered along the pyramid’s north side. Fire when you get a shot.” [Nol, Solongo, go along with west side and we’ll get them in a crossfire. Hurry! Those zombies are making a final push.]

[You got it,] said Nol over the link as well as Solongo.

[Ensign,] Esty said, [don’t wait. Move in now!]

[Acknowledged!] Stunner in hand, Harkin went on the fulfill the unspoken need of Ensigns to perform heroically in desperate situations.

*******

“What is this nonsense?!” the Despot wailed as he trashed at the hologram display, trying to tear it up like a tapestry. “Shield, why wasn’t told of this?”

“The objects were not factored into my construction, Defender,” said the voice of the Shield. “Such things did not exist at the time of your last use of my systems. They possessed no innate threat to this structure. I would only have fired had I been given a specific, direct order to do so.”

“They were heading right for us! You could’ve acted independently in such an instance.”

“I’m prohibited from firing the weapons within close proximity of the temple structures. To do so runs the risk of damaging my systems, perhaps even beyond repair.”

The Despot turned to Prym, crinkling his forehead to such an extent that small flakes of dried, dead skin fell off. “YOU!! You knew more about these ‘airplanes’ than what you told me. I would’ve destroyed them while they were in the air had I known what I knew now!”

Since he was practically a living corpse Prym would have made for a perfect straight man in his response. “Me? You entered my mind and learned much, even so far as to speak the language brought to Gaia by the blessed Rebecca and Pamela." Hearing that made Wulna raise an eyebrow in surprise. "You took my dislike of air travel at face value and looked no further, thinking that aircraft could only land on proper runways. That ignorance will take everything away from you for a second and final time.”

For defying the Despot the nearly dead man proved he had some humanity left in him. With that exchange Wulna thought the Despot would throttle Prym right there and then. Instead Prym clutched the hand that held one of the Despot’s eye crystals. He fell to his knees and placed his forehead on the floor in a sign of total submission. “Fool! Your sabotage will not stop me. Once this battle is over I will make you a full Sparkman and then know all that you know.” His single crystal eye shone bright blue as he made Prym get up to look at Wulna. “Priestess, know that if your foolish army succeeds I will destroy all the cities on this world and make it spend another 10,000 years in misery and despair. Not even your space brothers can interfere for the Shield will be on for as long as I exist. I will exist until the end of time.”

Wulna had choice words to use but the gag made that effort useless. But there was one effort left trying. She made herself concentrate on her crystal. If the Despot could use his to communicate with Prym then perhaps making contact with one her priestesses outside wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. Eyes closed, she made a prayer to the All-Mother for her assistance. Unseen by the Despot and Prym the crystal in Wulna’s cleavage began to glow.