Entry 101

                All right you two; here's the mission.  We're going to meet a representative from the Federation for Galactic Peace.  I really don't know much about these people but they want us to join them in their fight against Kindra.  I haven't decided what to do; however if I decide that joining them will be in our best interests then there'll be no other discussion about the topic.  I'm running a loose team but it isn't a democracy.  I may ask for your opinion at times but this won't be one of them.  I'm saying this so that the FGP can't saddle us with a liaison that'll expect to have an influence on the team.   Any questions?

                “Only one, my Lord.  Why is it that we are here?"

                You're here Stealth, because I'm not about to trust a group that knows so much about me when I don't know anything about them. So you're going to be keeping an eye on things for me.  The meeting isn't for another two days but we're going planet side a bit early.  That is, you and I will be going down early.  Thunder you'll be making an emergency landing tomorrow.  There's a starfighter in Hanger Bay 12 that I've prepared for you.

                “What do you mean emergency landing?"

The fighter's antigrav generator is shot and you'll only have enough power to get you to a low enough altitude to bail out.

                “No way. You'd better think of something else because I'm not going to do it.  If something goes wrong I'll be destroyed.  I may be a robot but I'm not stupid."

                You'll be fine.  Once you enter the atmosphere the fighter's drive system will automatically disengage from the fighter's control pod.  The pod's systems will then start up and you'll land as though nothing was wrong.

                “Yeah, but what if the command pod's systems fail?"

                There is a manual parachute system in the cockpit.  If the pod's systems fail you pull the lever and you float safely to the ground.  If that should fail you can eject and the seats antigrav unit will bring you down safely.

                “But . . ."

                Should that fail, you can deploy the chair's parachute, and in the completely unlikely scenario where everything fails you can wear personal chute.  Or you can take your chances and land in my racer with me, which at the moment has no safety features.  Oh, and I should mention that if you choose to go with me I'll be dropping you off out in the desert at a distance where you'll have to walk twenty-seven and a half, hours to get to the city limits.

                “All things considered, I do believe I'll go with your first plan."

                I thought you would.  Now once you're on the ground you're to go to the . . .

                “Sundowner Cantina and . . ."

                No, you go to the Tempest and reserve a room for three days.  After that you can spend your time however you want but you're not to make contact with me until the next evening.  On the evening of the meeting you'll go to the Downtime's bar and order a drink, preferably the cheapest swill that they're serving.  I don't exactly have an unlimited expense account and you don't have a lot of credits on the cards I gave you.  Anyway after a while Seeker will show up, you do remember her don't you?

                “Snarion, Trickster Clan, anthrolynx and likely to be wearing a green Snarion Guardian uniform right?"

                That's her. Anyway, she'll show up and also order a drink.

                “How's she going to recognize me?"

                She won't. You'll approach her and ask her if she'd join you for a drink.  She'll ask what you're drinking and you'll tell her you can't remember but you thing it's called a Ghost Source.  She'll laugh and tell you that you must be wrong.  She'll then ask you to follow her. From there the two of you will go to the Sundowner and order a Ghost Source.  But for God's sake don't drink it.

                “Why not?"

                Because it's water, it might smell like it's alcohol, but it is much more expensive.  I have no intention of wasting credits on your cover.  Remember you only eat and drink in order to cover the fact that you are a robot you don't actually need it. 

                “Water is the most expensive drink on Vesuvia?"

                Oh, I forgot, Rusty had never been off world before he made your memcrystal.  Vesuvia is a desert world and most of the water is imported.                And the importation is strictly controlled by the Vesuvians.  Anyway, as the night progresses in order to create the appearance of drinking, all you have to do is continually switch glasses with Seeker.  Also don't accept more than three refills each.  I plan on having a couple of drinks myself in order to make the FGP representative think that I'm getting a bit drunk.

                “Your plan seems rather complicated for just a meeting."

                It may be, but the FGP seems to know way too much about the Shadow Runners.  That's why I'm keeping the better known members of the ADL and Guardians out of this.

                “And that's why you left Dare behind.  Since they already know he's a member of the group."

                Exactly.

                “And pray tell, what shall I be doing?"

                You'll be my secret weapon.  I've got a blaster pack here that you wear like armor.  The pack's twin blasters mount over your shoulders.  I've designed it so that it won't interfere with your ability to fly.  The helmet is fit with optic targeting systems so all you have to do is look at what you want to shoot and then use the triggers in the hand grips.

                “So I'll be a knight? I like the irony."

                You'll be wearing the main armor and the blaster unit will be just behind the bar.  You're cover story will be that you're a pet that I got for Arlen.

                “Must I act the part of a mindless pet once again?"

                Yeah, but this time you're allowed to talk if you want to.

                “Then it will not be so difficult to accomplish."

                Good, because we're off.  Thunder, we'll see you on the night of the meeting.

End Log

Entry 102

                Damn, I'm really not looking forward to this.  I really hadn't planned on coming back to this place.  Meonii, may your spirit give me strength.  Hey Arlen, how about a drink?

                “Hello kid, I didn't expect to see you back in this part of the galaxy any time soon.  So you want the usual?"

                No, give me something a little less expensive and with a bit more kick.  But not too much I'm still here on business.

                “Anything I can help with?"

                Yeah maybe, I'm here to meet a representative of a secret organization that seems to know an awful lot about me.  I was just wondering if there'd been anyone asking questions?

                “Not recently, but then you and your Shadow Runners are rapidly becoming the main topic of discussion."

                Whoa, I asked for a bit of a kick.

                “Oh don't worry there isn't enough intoxicant there to impair you.  Now why don't you tell me about this organization?"

                All right, but first I've got a favor to ask.  As well as a question I'd like you to answer.  The favor is for you to temporarily add a member of my team to your staff. 

                “No problem so long as he or she can do something useful and stay out of the way."

                His name's Stealth and he's downstairs.       

                “So what species is he and what are his skills?"

                He's a Rukbarian Raptor.

                “Well, well, well, last I had heard that species was extinct."

                It still is for the most part, I just happened to discover Stealth in a hidden evolver, the prototype evolver unit actually.  You know the one, the unit that you yourself added entries to more than two thousand years ago.  That leads me to my question.  Just how old are you Arlen?

                “Kid, there are some things that are just best left unsaid.  That happens to be one of them.  So how many people know what you have?"

                You, Rusty, Thunder, Stealth, and myself; I don't think Stealth knows or cares that it's the legendary prototype.  To Thunder it's nothing more than another piece of equipment and Rusty knows enough to keep his mouth shut.

                “Who's this Thunder person?"

                A robot that I built, using a memcrystal which Rusty gave me for his primary personality.  He'll be along in a couple days.

                “Thank God, I thought it was still in Kindra's hands."

                No, and I'm going to make sure that it can never get into her hands again.  I'm having Rusty transport it to Hollow Base and then when I get a chance I'll have it moved to a much more secure place.

                “Where is this secure place you plan on sending it?"

                That's up to you.  You've traveled far more extensively than anyone else in this galaxy has and since you've used it before I figure it'll be best if you put it somewhere safe.

                “You know that it could give you the powers of a god, don't you?"

                I know what it is capable of.

                “It could bring Meonii back."

                No Arlen, it can never bring her back.  First I don't have a mental recording to input and besides even if I did it wouldn't be Meonii only a copy.

                “I think I'll just leave it in your capable hands for now.  After all you may be one of the few people in any galaxy that understands just how limited that machine really is.  Once you're gone I'll take care of it."

                So is that why you've lived so long?  You modified yourself using the evolver.

                “No, I am . . ."

                Never mind. It may be best if I don't know.

                “No, I think it would be best if you did know about my past.  Mikkalia, take over I'll be in the office on break for a bit."

                “Yes sir."

                “I'll meet you in my office right after I put my newest employee to work."

End Log

Entry 103  [Entry coded and encrypted. Enter code and decryption key]

                “I'm not from this galaxy.  I was an explorer from the galaxy in which humanity first evolved.  We'd expanded to the point where nearly every habitable planet was colonized.  We had plenty of space to live in; yet the urge to explore still drove us onward.  Eventually a gateway system was discovered.  It was hailed as the greatest discovery in human history.  Humans began to migrate into the new galaxies at a phenomenal rate.  We didn't think of the effect our presence would have on those galaxy's native inhabitants. Soon travel to and from galaxies was open to any species.  For hundreds of years this continued and it became so common that most forgot that they were moving between galaxies. It was just a bump on a journey through hyperspace.  Of course this all took place before I was born."

                So why is it that the gates are no longer common knowledge?

                “I'll get to that. Anyway I was born on the same planet on which humanity evolved.  It was called Terra yet everyone referred to it as Earth.  The planet, by that time, was nothing more than a burnt out shell. All that was left was city and sewer.  The only indigenous species that remained were humans.  We had pushed all other species to extinction thousands of years earlier.  However there was still a remnant of many of them in the form of frozen bio samples and genetic databases.  From the point at which gateway was discovered Earth's scientists had worked to create a machine which would allow them to create a New Earth in one of the recently discovered galaxies.  The project was named Eden.  That is where the evolver units were created."

                So there's more than one Evolver Prototype?

                “Yes, but not in this galaxy.  Once the Evolver was developed a ship was designed around the unit.  They weren't much larger than modern transports and they only had enough room for the evolver and a single pilot. I wasn't much more than a kid then, yet as a citizen of Earth I was one of the few who qualified as a pilot.  Each of us was treated in the evolver unit so that we would have an extremely long life span of about a thousand years.   As we spread out from Earth each of us was charged with finding an uninhabited planet on which we could recreate the Earth.  I chose this galaxy since it was the newest one discovered and because there wasn't a direct route here."

                You're a lot older than a thousand years.

                “True, but that happened once I arrived in this galaxy.  I was the last human allowed to travel to this galaxy.  You see the creators of the gateways were in the process of closing all the gates that led to human controlled space.  They captured me and took me to their home planet where they questioned me extensively.  When I told them of my mission they seemed somewhat surprised.  It had been their experience, up until that point, that humans only had the abilities to destroy things and no knowledge of how to be a force for creation. They had planned on removing the humans of this galaxy.  And trust me they had the power to do it.  Anyway, on their planet was a microscopic life form, which would attach itself to a beings genetic structure.  In return for the “home" that the host provided it extended the hosts life by thousands of years.  But even with that enhancement I would have died long ago.  It was one of the godlike beings which gifted me with eternal life but that comes later."

                These beings you're talking about were the Kah Har, right?

                “Yes, they were the Kah Har, known by most as the scourge of the galaxy.  But it wasn't until the Second Great War that they earned that title.  Their name actually best translates into “world builders" rather than destroyers.  You see; they'd created this galaxy themselves.  They had unimaginable power yet they could't create sentient life forms.  With my coming they decided that rather then destroying the humans who were invading they would balance the populations with sapient beings created from the evolver.  They charged me with the task of bringing new life into existence.  I traveled throughout this galaxy and a couple others creating this life.  That's why many of the beings seem to have developed along similar genetic lines.  The truth is they were actually artificially evolved and planted on their home worlds.  The only type of life that I never created was human life."

                Well that explains why many of the races can intermingle with similar species from different planets.  But it doesn't explain where my people came from.

                “That story takes place during the Second Great War and I wasn't the one that created them.  You see I wasn't alone on my journey.  After meeting the Kah Har one of them traveled with me in order to direct me in the selection of life forms and to help me collect new samples that had developed naturally on many of the worlds we visited.  He took the form of a talking black fox and he called himself Reaper after the human personification of Death.  He was the one that chose which species would be developed for each planet.  This went on for a very long time.  Eventually as more and more sentient races came into existence the humans decided the only way to control the galaxy was to create a galactic government in order to keep chaos from reigning.  In truth they just needed a way in which to control everyone else.  This outraged the Kah Har yet I was able to convince them not to get involved.  Reaper was instrumental in my argument that the people that we had created would rebel and fight for their right to live in peace."

                And so began the First Great War.

                “Right; it was during this time that I scaled back my creation of new life and once again began my search for a proper planet on which to create New Earth.  I found that planet in this region of space."

                It was Accordia wasn't it?

                “Yes Accordia began as New Earth.  Yet humans eventually found, and settled it.  They were refugees from the First Great War and all they wanted was peace.  I allowed them to remain since they were the least likely to recreate the destruction of Earth.  Eventually the memory of the First Great War faded and a Galactic Republic was formed.  As with most governing bodies it only took a couple thousand years before it tried to control everything.  And of course the humans believed that they were the superior species."

                Starting the Second Galactic War.

“This time nothing I did could convince the Kah Har not to get involved.  As the Second Great War progressed more and more of them fell.  They had too much power and eventually all the beings of the galaxy joined together in order to defeat them.  That was their sacrifice to peace.  The Kah Har knew that the only way for everyone to work together was to give the galaxy an enemy of such great power that they had no choice but to work together for survival.  In the end only thirteen members were left."

                You'd taken samples and added them to the evolver, so why didn't you just recreate them?

                “They asked me not to.  They knew that they were going to become extinct from the moment they had decided to allow the humans to remain in this galaxy.  In their last days they created a new gateway system.  I was gifted with eternal life and given the task of protecting the gates.  Their final gift to me was to make it possible to get back to the human controlled galaxies by traveling through certain gates in a special order.  I've never felt the need to go back.  In their final act they condensed all of their power into twelve powerful gems."

                Twelve gems, I thought you said there were thirteen of them left?

                “The thirteenth gem was created later by Reaper, who at the time, chose to continue traveling with me.  The Kah Har's plan of making all the beings of the galaxy work together had some very negative side effects.  Everyone was afraid of anyone who seemed to have unusual powers.  During this time the Human Purity League formed and they began tracking down and killing anyone with special gifts."

                That was the beginning of the Great Purges, which eventually drove Shendria Lightstripe through Gateway.

                “Exactly.  Your people developed at the same time as the rest of humanity.  Often it was your kind that allowed the rest of humanity to survive, since they were able to adapt much more quickly.  However you always had to remain hidden.  Once the HPL discovered the shifters they were quick to label them as evil and began to hunt them down. It also gave them a reason to extend their purges into other species since a shifter could be hiding among them. Reaper and I began helping your kind slip through gateway.  Even though your people believe that Shendria is in this galaxy, the truth is it's in the Tabor galaxy."

                Then there are two gates to that galaxy?

                “No, there are three gates to that galaxy.  Anyway, as I was saying, we were smuggling people through Gateway and it was at this time that Seer joined us.  Also Reaper had become so disgusted with humanity that he insisted I return him to his home so that he could join his kinsman on the next plain of existence.  He condensed his power into a gem of amazing ability.  It was in his honor that I created my last civilization the fox people.  While we were there the Kah Har gem of Time bonded to Seer and the gem of Luck bonded to me."

                So there are eleven gems that have not yet bonded to anyone?

                “Yes, though each of them can only be used by one person."

                Was the gem of Luck created by, Reaper?

                “No, only one who is truly special will be able to use his gem.  After I created the Fox Clan I hid the evolver on an uncharted moon.  It remained safely hidden until Kindra decided to build a base on that particular moon.  In retrospect I guess I should have destroyed it or at least took it out of this galaxy. From that point on the history that is taught is, for the most part, accurate."

                One last thing, Meonii once told me that you have a holo of me from the future.  Is that true?

                “Yes, time flows in one direction what has happened can't be undone. So if one were to travel back in time and then return to the present it would remain the same.  What has happened has happened.  It cannot be changed. I say this because at some point you will travel to the Kah Har's home planet and meet the Fox Clan.  They tell of a dark time when The Evil One forced them into slavery and created a new race of beings on their planet.  They rebelled and chased the Evil One away; yet she vowed to return when three beings came to their world.  You will be one of those beings.  This is the hologram that they gave me."

                That's the recording I made to announce my resurrection to Kindra.

                “Exactly, that's why I can show it to you now, since you've all ready created it.  At some point Kindra is going to do a bit of time traveling.  And that is why I trust you enough to tell you my story.  The Kah Har prophesied your coming. They called you the Justice Seeker."

                Wait a minute I'm no longer Jahar Træn. I gave up that name when I became Lord Lightstripe.

“True, but you're still trying to bring peace and justice to the galaxy right?  You are the one who will set the stage for a great battle against the forces of evil.  I can't tell you more than that because they wouldn't allow me to know more."

                That's all right, it's best not to know too much about the future after all things can change.

End Log

Entry 104

                Damn him, and damn me for asking him.  For anyone reading this who couldn't access the previous entry the short story is that Arlen told me that I have an appointed destiny.  All my life I've convinced myself that the future is not set.  Yet Arlen has made me question that idea.  It's as though someone else has plotted out my entire life and nothing I can do will change the course of events. 

                The idea that some entity has planned out my future from beginning to end is ridiculous.  Yet if it's true then every decision I've made in my life has been pointless.  If I'm nothing more than some character in some god's story then what has the point been?  I mean, if I'm the main character then what about the lives of my friends, and their friends?  What of all the lives of all the people that I've met only for an instant, are they nothing more than extra's in the story?  If so what is the point of their existence?  I mean they obviously have their own lives yet if I'm the main character then what's the point?

                Hey you, yeah you, the being controlling my life.  How about giving me some answers?  If you really know what's going to happen next how about giving me a sign, a clue, anything to let me know where I should go from here.  After all you obviously know everything so what's next?  Should I join the FGP or stay the hell away from them?

                Huh, I figured as much. No answer. 

                “Did you really expect an answer?"

                Wha! Oh hello, Seeker, I didn't think anyone was down here.

                “I just got here.  So tell me are you really starting to believe that our lives are completely planned out before we're born?"

                No, but it's getting harder to be sure of that fact.

                “Alright then, let's look at this from another angle.  Say our lives are nothing more than some story. Wouldn't that mean that every single person's story would have to be written?  After all if you're the main character in the story then what would the point be in my having a younger brother?  Sure it would make the story of my life more interesting yet it has nothing to do with your life."

                You have a point.

                “Of course I do, now how about we go down to the flight simulators and I can finally get even for that training drill over Accordia?  Besides contemplating the universe this way will only accomplish two things."

                And what are they?

                “The first, is doubt in yourself and the second, is a massive headache."

                You may have a point about the headache.

                “Good that should make it even easier for me to get the upper hand."

                You don't really think you can beat me do you?

                “Does it matter?  After all one way or another I'll be learning new tricks and improving my overall skill at dog fighting."

                A feline wanting to improve her dog fighting skills seems, so wrong for some reason.

                “Oh shut up."

End Log

Entry 105

                  Well Rusty, if you're reading this, let me just say that your team is really improving.  Seeker didn't win any of our matches but then neither did I.  We stopped when I insisted that I needed to get some rest.  If the rest of you have improved as much as she has then I can stop worrying about you taking on most threats.  However let me warn you again you're still no match for Kindra.  Hell, even I'm no match for Kindra.

                Now then, on to my report I've been here in the cantina all day and no one from the FGP has shown up.  I'm disguised as a miner and I've reconfigured my arm to appear as a cheap prosthetic.  I doubt the FGP knows about that incident.

                Stealth is getting on pretty well here.  He seems to be enjoying socializing with everyone. He has yet to spill a drink even though he's flitting around and teleporting back and forth like mad. I'm beginning to wonder if he'll even want to return to the asteroid with me.

                “Not to worry milord, this may be fun; but I'm definitely not going to be doing this night after night for the rest of my life.  Now may I refresh your drink?"

                No, thank you, I'm fine.

                “Very well then."

                “Hey kid, how's the job been lately?"

                Rather slow, you know how it is.  You have to dig for such a long time before you really start to see anything of real interest.

                “Well trust me, I'm sure you'll find something real soon.  You never know when Mr. Luck will walk through the door."

                “Barkeep, do you sell water here?"

                “No."

                “Do you have anything that is non-intoxicating?"

                “Yes, but it's expensive and I expect credits up front."

                “That's fine here's my card.  I'll be in a booth over by the door.  When you have my drink ready have one of your human servants bring it to me."

                “Very well."

                And I was worrying about the Federation's information network. If they think a man like that is going to convince me to join them it's a pitiful network indeed.

“Are you sure you have to wait to meet up with him?  I'm sure he's going to be very bad for business."

                Oh I'm sure.  As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to make him wait until tomorrow evening.  If he represents the ideals of the majority of Federation members then I dislike them already.

                “Good, because once you take Kindra down you'll probably have to go after them.  I can already smell the making of a Third Great War if the rest of the FGP are as human centric as he is."

                Agreed.

End Log

Entry 106

                Well this is it. 

                “Hey you, push off, I'm waiting for someone."

                What makes you think I'm not the one you've been waiting for?

                “I just know, now get lost."

                “Excuse me sir, may I bring you something to drink?"

                “Get out of here you flying vermin!"

Yes, I'll have a Ghost Source.  And my rude companion will be having a glass of drain sludge.

                “Very good sir, I'll be but a moment."

                “Listen mister, I don't know who you are but I suggest you leave immediately."

“Here you are sir, one Ghost Source.  I must apologize, but Master Arlen insisted your uncivilized human companion would prefer this drink to what you ordered for him."

                Very well. Oh, and tell Arlen that the swine here will be paying.

                “That's it! I'm not going to put up with this."

                Sit down and shut up.  Your people were the ones that wanted to meet with me not the other way around.

                “Are you claiming to be representing Mr. Dacat and his organization?"

                I don't know where the FGP is getting its information, but Tigris Dacat died some time ago.  I'm Prowler the Homeless One, and I am the Leader of the Shadow Runners.

                “I apologize, Mr. Homeless One, I am Ray Phase, and I have been sent here by the FGP to accept your entry into our organization."

                Really?  That's strange, since I'm here to decide whether or not to allow your group to join me.

                “I think you were under the wrong impression."

                Listen, I didn't plan on meeting with some flunky so here's the contract that I've drawn up.  You take it back to your leader. Then she can get in contact with me to either accept my terms or present me with an offer of her own.

                “Contract?  But you're supposed to join us."

                I'm not stupid.  If I join the FGP then you'll have complete control over my group and I find that to be completely unacceptable.  I intend to keep my autonomy.  If your leader doesn't like it then that's just too bad.  Now if you'll excuse me I have better things to do.

                “Just a moment Mr. Dacat.  If you'll just allow me to contact my superior."

                I told you, Dacat is dead.  Now go ahead and contact your leader and I'll get back with you in a couple days once you've heard back from her.

                “We have resources that you obviously don't know about.  I can contact her right now."

                Oh really?

[ED] I don't know how the FGP got a hold of one of Dare's hypernet satellites but I sure as hell wasn't going to let them think that they had any power over me. [ED]

                “Chancellor Image, I'm here with Mr. Prowler, it seems that he doesn't intend to join us."

                Open communications link, authorization Fireshadow, command Dare 2B.  Hello Crystal, I see you've found a way to access our little hypernet.

                “Ah Prowler, Ray tells me you're not planning on joining us?"

                Just a moment, I'll download a copy of the contract I've drawn up.

                “So, you're planning on acting as privateers for my organization?  That's rather interesting and I see that you've made an allowance for us to send you a liaison.  It appears you have quite the business sense.  Ah, I'm not sure I like this clause.  'The FGP will pardon all members of the Shadow Runners from any and all illegal activities that they may have committed before joining the Shadow Runners Organization.' How can we turn a blind eye to the possible criminals you feel like hiring?"

                I'm just covering my butt.  After all once we've finished with Kindra what's to stop your organization from coming after me since I'm a former member of her crew?

                “I see your point.  All right, I don't see anything else here that'll conflict with our rules.  So what are your payment terms?"

                You'll be paying your liaison whatever wage you think is best.  As for the rest of my team, all we're expecting is for you to share information with us. As well as any plans you have for fighting Kindra so that we don't end up getting in each other's way. Also we may need your operatives to provide us with fuel for our racers and fighters when we're on extended missions away from our base.

                “I believe we can do that.  So what is your plan for picking up your newest member?"

                If you mean your liaison, let's get something straight right now.  The liaison is a member of your group, not mine.  He or she will be living at my base and under my rules but they won't be going on missions with us.  The last thing my teammates need is some paper pusher, looking over their shoulders asking what they're doing while in the middle of a firefight.  If you look a bit closer at that contract you'll notice that I have the final say on who can join the Shadow Runners.

                “Ah yes, I see that now.  Fine, now you mentioned teammates so I'm going to assume that you've already recruited more members.  So who are they?"

                Trust me, you don't have any information on them.  One is a robot that I just built and the other, well, he doesn't have a past either but for now I'd rather not have anyone knowing about him.  I'm sure you understand.  After all you're not going to provide me with a list of all your operatives.

                “You're right about that. Ray, I'm appointing you as the Shadow Runner liaison."

                I suggest you appoint someone else.  I don't have much sympathy for people who hate others just because they aren't human.  Whoever you appoint had better have proper manners and a healthy respect for any and all species that might join my team in the future.  Now, I'm transmitting the time and coordinates where I'll be picking up the liaison.

                “This is on the other side of the galaxy from your current position."

                That's right, I may have started out in this sector, but from here on out I intend to avoid it.  After all, it wouldn't look good for my reputation if I led Kindra back here.  I've got your number and I'll contact you again once I've reached my base.  So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to spend the rest of the evening here catching up with a couple friends before heading out to meet with your liaison.  Prowler out.

                “He's gone my love."

                “Are you sure he isn't listening in?"

                “Yeah, he's at the other side of the cantina with a human and a Snarion of the trickster clan."

                “The Snarion is obviously Seeker of the ADL but I don't recognize the human.  It may be his robotic team member."

                “It's illegal for a robot to look that human."

                “Perhaps, but remember we just pardoned him.  Now I want you to follow him when he leaves.  You did plant a tracer on his ship didn't you?"

                “Of course I did."

                “Good then we'll know for sure where his base is located.  Crystal out."

                Well, well, well. It would seem that our new partners don't trust us.  I guess that means our departure is going to be a bit bumpy.

                “Don't worry, Rusty, Errant, and Trace will be covering you with the Blade Hunter while the rest of the group will be practicing some maneuvers over Vesuvia in a couple hours.  We'll be sure to delay your friend until you are well out of range."

                Good, let's get started.

End Log

Entry 107

                Ah ha, here it is. 

                “Then you found the tracer?"

                Yeah, it was in the landing gear housing. I wouldn't have been able to dump it once we had taken off.

                “So what, pray tell, are we going to do with it now?"

                Well, I figure it'll be best if we keep it until after we've made our first jump then I'll eject the thing and we'll head back to base. 

                “I suppose you'll be shutting me down again?"

                Sorry Thunder, but it's for everyone's protection.

“I know, but I really don't like it."

                “This is Blade Hunter to Ghost Source, respond please."

                Ghost here, we've finished launch preparations.  We'll be with you in a few minutes.

                “Acknowledged, Blade out."

                That's it; everyone get comfortable, the trip back is going to be a bit bumpy.

End Log

Entry 108

                This is Ghost Source to Blade Hunter, I've cleared the planet and I'm about to make my first jump. I'll be seeing you in just a little while at Shadow Base, Ghost out.

                “Where are we headed?"

                Technically speaking, we're heading for the middle of nowhere so that the FGP can follow us. 

                “So this is nowhere, I kind of thought there would be something here.  After all, many humans often say they're from the middle of nowhere."

                Right; now another jump to a random nowhere. This is where we'll be leaving our unwanted baggage.

                “Then we're headed back to Shadow Base now?"

                Not yet. We've got to make another semi-random jump.  There, now we wait for a minute so that our FGP friend can jump to his tracer, then back here to the middle of nowhere, and then back here to Vesuvia.

                “Why have we returned to this location?"

                This way when he traces the distortion wake created by our jumps through altered space it will lead him back here.

This is Ghost Source to all ADL members jump in three, two, now!

Now, even if the agent followed us back to Vesuvia he won't be able to track us after that since, now, there are too many jump wakes to follow. In the unlikely event that he gets lucky and jumps out here to Gateway he'll follow the jump signature that Rusty will create when he jumps from here to Accordia.

                “Is it possible the cur will follow us into Gateway?"

Not a chance. Everyone knows that Gateway is a black hole cluster.

                “This is Gateway Station to Lord Lightstripe, you are cleared for the Shadow Base gate.  Have a safe trip and remember your promise."

                Thank you control, and don't worry I haven't forgotten, I'll send your autographs back with Rusty.

                “Thank you my Lord, Gateway out."

                Well Stealth, you might as well curl up for a nap since I'll be putting the racer on auto once we're through the gate.  Besides, I plan on taking a nap myself.

                “I doubt I'll be able to sleep with gate sickness."

                Not to worry you only get sick the first time you travel through the gates.

End Log

Entry 109

                “. . . up.  Lord Prowler, please wake up."

                Yeah, what do you want?

                “We've reached the asteroid field."

                So what?  The autopilot is programmed with the safe course. There's nothing to worry about.

                “That's easy for you to say.  However those of us over here aboard the Blade Hunter don't have the navigation information on your safe course."

                Oh sorry about that Rusty, I'd forgotten that I have to lead you through.  I'm downloading the course into Hunter's navigation computer. After that all you have to do is leave the flying to him.

                “Wonderful, I just hope the course isn't too tight for a transport to navigate."

                Don't worry about it, Dare and I maneuvered the Fyretech drone transports through the field and that was by remote so I know you won't have any problems.

                “All right, we'll see you on the base, Blade out."

End Log

Entry 110 (28.7/9)

                “Dad!"

                Trace!  Ow, watch the claws.

                “Oh sorry, I'm just so happy that Uncle Rusty allowed me to come along."

                 Really?  Somehow I doubt he could have kept you away.

                “Well, I did rush my finals at the Guardian University so that I could be here.  But don't worry I passed the tests with higher marks than you did."

                I'm surprised they allowed you to take the tests as young as you are. 

                “Actually they wouldn't allow me to take them.  So I hacked into their main computer and added my name to the list anyway.  By the time they figured out what I'd done I'd already completed the survival section and only had the written exam to complete."

                What did they have to say about your hacking the computer?

                “Not much, though I did overhear Master Dancingcloud say 'like father like son' so I guess you did the same thing."

                Yes, I did, and let me tell you those were the most miserable two months of my life until Kindra came along.  If it hadn't been for Ryune and Stayve I'd have never made it. 

                “It wasn't really that hard."

                I may have been five years older than you are, when I took the tests, but remember I was confined to human form and I hadn't had any hunting experience.  I'm betting you didn't stick to your median form the whole time.

                “You got it. I did most of the hunting for the group. Luckily we drew the scattered forest and grassland area.  So it was just like our time at the temple."

                “Not to interrupt or anything, but did he call you 'Dad'?"

                “I guess that cats out of the bag then."

                Rusty I swear if you come up with another pun like that I'll stuff you in an escape pod and bounce you off the nearest asteroid.

                “Yeah right."

                “If he doesn't, I will."

                “Hey honey, you're supposed to be on my side."

                “So is he your son then?

                Dare, meet my son, Trace Dacat.

                “I'm sorry but according to my programming what you're saying is impossible.  Young master Trace is from a feline species, so he cannot be your biological son."

                Trace, this is Thunder, my teams robotic member.

                “Hello Thunder, Rusty told me all about you. If you ask me I think you should switch names.  It would be much more appropriate."

                “I don't get . . . why you little. . ."

                Yes, Thunder, he is my son. His mother was feline.

                “Still he can't be your biological son. Everyone knows that there is too much genetic difference between humans and other species."

                “I hate to agree with tin pants but he makes a good point. If it were possible for different species to intermingle we'd see a lot more hybrids running around. Hey, what are you looking at me that way for?"

                Well, to tell the truth, I'm rather shocked that you'd know that.

                “Hey, I may be a racer bum but that doesn't make me stupid. After all I was raised as royalty and I went to all the best schools. Now, you've got some explaining to do."

                “I uh, never knew my father and then when Mom was killed Prowler adopted me.  I've been living with Uncle Rusty and Aunt Errant because it's too dangerous to live here until you've defeated Kindra.  Now can we get something to eat?  I'm starving."

                “Oh. I'm sorry. I uh, anyway all I've got is synthesized food at the moment."

                That's all right Dare. We can all eat on my floor, after all, it isn't often I have guests.

End Log

Entry 111

                It's been two weeks since my last entry.  I could have left the log running for that time but instead I put it away.  It only took us three days to transfer the Evolver Unit to the Blade Hunter.  The rest of the time was devoted to just being together and having fun.  Dare finished the Virtual Reality Chamber so most of our time was spent playing virtual games.  I knew that would be the last time I'd see Trace until we've defeated Kindra.  Now that the FGP will be watching our every move I'm not going to give them any reason to believe that I have something to loose. 

I'd like to think that when this is all over I'll be able to settle down and just live a normal life.  However every time I imagine such a reality the dream is shattered by some new nightmare.  I still don't believe in fate; at least, not yet.  Even though Arlen has shown me that at least part of the future must be set.  At some point, Kindra has to travel back in time to leave that holo-recording of me.  And if I have to accept that then I also have to accept what Seer said about me clearing the way for the true savior of the galaxy.  But if that's true, then it means that my fate is to die defeating Kindra.  That means that was the last time I'll ever see my son.  No! I will not accept that.  I will defeat Kindra and anyone else I have to and I'll see my son again.

“Unidentified racer, this is Deep Space Mining Station 48265XV, please adjust course to 456-21-951 to avoid entering our debris field."

Acknowledged Control, adjusting course now.

“Course correction confirmed. I presume you're here to take out the trash?"

Affirmative, unless of course the “Trash" happens to be a biohazard in which case I'll have to make other arrangements.

“It's toxic but not a biohazard. We're launching the stasis pod now."

It's been a pleasure doing business with you Control.  I'm hoping you won't require my services again.

“The feeling is mutual, Control out."

Great, I should have realized they'd send the liaison in a stasis pod.  This way I can't search him for tracking devices.  Well, I'm not a complete fool.  Computer, scan the surrounding systems for a populated planet.

“Scan initiated . . . five planets are capable of supporting human life.  Mirian is populated by an avian species with a Stone Age culture."

Activate tractor beam and lock onto incoming stasis pod.  It wouldn't look good if we lost our liaison before we had a chance to thaw him, her, or it out.

“Tractor beam locked, and stasis pod is slowing to match racer's speed."

Now then back to finding a suitable landing area.  Continue with planetary reports.

“Satler 5 is a jungle world with a semi-sentient reptile race.  Humans with a pre-industrial culture level populate Neo-Trinity.  Wayland is a sparsely populated desert world with an insect hive structure.  Odell has a Lutri population with modern space port facilities, though it should be noted that they are not fond of humans."

Otters huh, computer open comlink on channel 3349 and broadcast activation code 7436.

“Channel opened, and code has been broadcast."

Now let's just hope that there's a Shendrian representative somewhere on Odell.

“Receiving transmission from Odell, attempting to translate."

Cancel translation. I already know Shendrin.

“I am Kai, of Clan Summerrevel, please identify yourself."

I am Lord Prowler of Clan Lightstripe.

“Lord Prowler, this is; unexpected. What can I do for you?"

I've got a bit of business that I need to take care of. Is there anyway you could help me get a landing permit on the Odell Space Station?

“Unfortunately I don't have that kind of authority, however you shouldn't have any problems.  The people of Odell support the efforts of the Shadow Runners and will gladly help in anyway they can."

I thank you Kai, of Clan Summerrevel, may your days be filled with laughter and joy.

“Good journey to you Lord Lightstripe, and may all your rainy days provide you with wonderful mud slides.  Kai Summerrevel, out."

Odell Space Station, this is Prowler of the Shadow Runners requesting permission to land.

“This is Odell Space Station, will you please repeat your identification and request."

I am Prowler, the Homeless One, leader of the Shadow Runners and I am requesting permission to land. Preferably in a shielded bay, since I am towing a stasis pod that I believe may contain a tracker along with the items I need.  If you do not want to give me a landing permit I'll understand and I will leave without an argument.

“Commander, you are cleared to land in bay 12."

Thank you Odell Station, Prowler out.

End Log

Entry 112

                Well, I've landed and scanned the stasis pod.  There isn't any sign of a tracer on the surface but there could still be one inside.

                “I take it this is you liaison from the FGP?"

                You must be Kai.

                “How did you guess?"

                Because you look human and humans are not ordinarily welcomed on Odell, at least according to my computer's files, and because you know who is in this stasis pod.  Though I didn't realize that you'd have gotten that information this far out yet.

                “News like the existence of a secret organization with spies all over the galaxy is top priority to us.  After all, we like to think that we're the master spies in this galaxy.  Of course the fact that Odell received hyper net access recently greatly improved my ability to communicate with home.  That's one of the major reasons you were given a landing permit.  It was one of the conditions in the Fyretech contract."

                Just remember to stick to the prearranged gateway communications channel.  Dare assures me that the hyper net is secure but we've just recently found out that the FGP already has access to the net.

                “I'll remember that.  So are you going to open this thing up?"

                I take it you're here to make sure I don't compromise this station?

                “Yeah, I'm a member of the stations customs and law enforcement division."

                In other words the reason you couldn't get me a landing permit is because it's your job to make sure humans don't get landing permits.

                “Exactly, but it also means that if your little spy does have a tracer on him we'll be able to take care of it.  Now why don't you thaw him or her out?"

                All right, I'm starting the revival sequence.  All lights are in the green and still no tracer signals.  The sequence is complete. He's beginning to wake up and there's still no signal.

                “That doesn't mean there isn't a tracer."

                Hello I'm Prowler, Commander of the Shadow Runners, and you are?

                “Jerod, my name's Jerod and I'm your FGP liaison now if you'll direct me to my quarters so that I can get changed. I feel like I've been in this stasis suit for a year.  You haven't kept me in stasis for a year have you?"

                No, you've only been in my custody for less than three days.  I can't tell you the exact amount of time but I'm sure you understand.

                “Oh I understand. That doesn't mean I like it. Now if you'd please direct me to my quarters."

                “I've finished scanning his baggage and checks out. You can put it in your racer now."

                “Racer? You mean we're not on the Shadow Runner base?"

                What, you think I'm a complete idiot? Of course we're not on the base.  This is a little stop over to make sure you're not carrying any surprises.

                “Hold on, I've found two discs in a hidden pocket. They're both marked as V.R. programs but that doesn't mean that's what they are."

                Virtual reality programs?  Dare just got the system working so how is it that you have program disks?

“Those are prototype programs that were created for our own virtual reality system.  Did you think that you were the only ones working on perfecting that technology?"

Fine, I'll just run them through my racer's computer. To make sure there isn't any malicious codes.

                “Hey those are mine you can't just take them."

                “Would you please hold still while I do a full body scan. If you don't I'll have to stun you first and then do the . . . Ah ha, I knew you had to have a tracer."

                “What!"

                You found one on him then?

                “Not on him, in him.  I've seen this type a couple of times before. Insidious little things they are too.  They're on a timer, a day or two after they have been passed they activate, in a stations septic treatment system where it is really difficult to retrieve and deactivate them."

                So what are we going to do about it, I can't wait here for him to pass it.

                “You don't have to, we have a robot probe specifically designed to go in and get it."

                Sounds rather painful.

                “There is no way you're sending in a robot.  Not into me, I'm a member of the Federation for Galactic Peace."

“Oh it's going in all right. The only choice you have is between the little probe or the big probe and whether you're awake or unconscious.  Damn, why is it they all pass out when I mention the big probe?"

                Well it must save on anesthesia.

End Log

Entry 113

                Welcome to Shadow Base, Mister . . . Ah?

                “Jerod, you can call me Jerod. The rest of my name is none of your business.  I still can't believe you did that."

                Did what?  Oh, you mean removing the tracer so that the FGP can't find my base.  I'd nearly forgotten about that.

                “Nearly forgotten?  It just happened!"

                In your reality perhaps, but you've been sleeping for quite some time.

                “What!  You drugged me as well?  Just how long have I been unconscious?"

                Oh, I'd say that it has been more than a day but less than a week.

                “Crystal will be hearing about this!"

                I doubt it since I'll be monitoring all of your messages.

                “You can't do that."

                Oh but I can.  You're on my base where I get to make the rules.  Rule number one each member's private space is off limits.

                “Oh sure, I can't go anywhere except designated areas; while you can walk around with impunity."

                No actually that rule applies to everyone.  I've had to live under conditions where my things were searched on a daily basis and I refuse to participate in such actions.  That rule has been in place since Dare and I first formed the team.  Rule number two everyone on this base will be treated with respect regardless of species, race, gender, sapience, or composition.

                “Composition?  What is that supposed to mean?"

                It means that all robotic beings are to be treated the same as humans.

                “An odd policy, but I can handle it."

                I'm not through yet; rule number three all correspondence to and from the base will be monitored.  Rule four I reserve the right to add more rules as necessary.

                “That's it?"

                No.  Rule five: no one, under any circumstance, has permission to enter docking hanger B1.

                “Why not?"

                That is where Dare keeps his racer and he asked me to make it a rule that his hanger was off limits to everyone.

                “So basically I can go anywhere on the asteroid except each member's room and Dare's hanger?"

                Almost, each member has their own floor rather than just a room.  Other things that are unwritten rules include the fact that the computer core is off limits to everyone.  You will be allowed to carry weapons on the asteroid but remember everyone else will be armed as well.  You can practice whatever beliefs you follow but don't try to convert other members to your faith. You can say anything you want as long as it doesn't conflict with the first rule.

                As for our culinary choices you can eat the replicated food, which will sustain you, but it has no flavor. There is the daily special at the cafeteria, which is a mix of replicated and real food stuffs, that our robotic chef has created. Or you can cook for yourself, which is my preference.

                “So, are you going to give me a tour or do I risk breaking one of the rules by wandering around on my own?"

                Give me a couple minutes to do the routine post flight check on my racer and then I'll take you on a tour.  For now, you can take the lift down to the main hanger deck and look around.  We're not expecting any company so you'll be safe enough.

End Log

Entry 114

                There, now that I've finished my post flight check we can start your tour.  This is the main hanger deck. As you can see it is big enough to hold a large transport or fifteen to sixteen racers.  It takes up most of the room on floors five through eight.  Behind us what is left of floors five, six, and seven are the secondary hangers. That is where we store and do maintenance on our vehicles. The hanger deck and what remains of level eight, here at the bottom,  is the flight control center and where our offices are located.  At the top, or A level, is where I store my racer and my star fighter."

                “If you have a starfighter, then why in the hell do you go on missions in a racer?"

                Two reasons really, the first is because I'm showing that I'm not afraid of Kindra or her supporters.  And the second reason is to annoy Kindra.  After all, my racer was originally built to be her racer.

                “I see, and on B level is Dare's racer and fighter."

                No, just hanger B1 belongs to Dare.  Hanger B2 is where we're building Thunder's racer.

                “Who's Thunder?  There was no mention of him in my briefing before leaving the FGP base."

                We'll get to the introductions later; after all, you opted for the tour first.  Anyway in hanger C1 is an emergency shuttle for your use, should it be required, and C2 is currently empty.  As you can see the hangers have their own lift system. Both a heavy lift for vehicles and a personnel lift. Now if you'll follow me I'll show you to your office.

                “It isn't very big."

                What more do you need?  I mean you've got a desk, computer, 2 chairs, filing cabinet, bookcase, and houseplant.  Which of course can be removed if you don't want to care for it.

                “Well I was expecting something a bit larger and perhaps with a view."

                Sorry, I can't do anything to enlarge the space since you're between flight control and Dare's office. However, I can give you a view.  Where would you like your window and what sort of view would you like?

                “What do you mean?"

                You're right, I probably should teach you to create your own window. However that'll have to wait. For now I'll simply provide you with an example.  If you'll look at the wall behind your desk I'll create a window with a view of a black hole's accretion disk.  It's one of the most dramatic vistas the computer can generate.

                “Wow!"

                You think that's good? Allow me to show you my office.

                “This is an office?"

                Yeah, just ignore the grasslands in the background. I'm still not happy about the way the computer is generating the herd animals. It seems that there is a glitch that causes them to move in an arc following the same path as the sun and moon. Still you have to admit that the large rock formation here in the foreground is still impressive. If you look closely you'll notice this smaller pile of rocks is actually my desk and computer and the mossy stump behind it is my chair. That tree in the corner is, in reality, my filing cabinet.  Though I still haven't found a way to make it look right when I forget to close the cabinet drawer.  With everything going on around you it may not seem like it but the actual space is identical to your office. Computer, please shut down the projection system in my office. See, now it's nearly identical to your office. 

                “Unbelievable, simply unbelievable."

                Don't worry, you'll get used to it after a while.  Now then there are three ways to move from floor to floor.  The stairwell and two lifts that run from the top of the base to the bottom.  Please, only use the emergency lift in the event of an actual emergency.  Since this is your first time on the base we'll be using the stairs.  Below us on floor nine is the medical facilities.  Floors ten and eleven are currently empty and floor twelve is Thunder's private floor.  Floor thirteen is a machine shop where we have our own workspaces for any project that may come along. And finally floor fourteen, which is in actuality two floors deep, contains the asteroid's main generator core.  However; since moving in, Dare and I have supplemented the main generator with independent generating units on each floor and for all essential systems.  So it is impossible to loose all power.

                “That's good to know."

                Oh, there is one other thing the gravity on floors nine through fourteen is inverted so it is rather disorienting traveling between them.

                “Are the windows here on in the stairwell more computer projections?"

                Both, they are computer projections from micro cameras on the asteroids surface so what you're seeing is a real time image of surrounding space.

                “It's nice to see that at least something is real around here."

                All right, we've arrived at level four.  This will be your floor to decorate as you wish.  As I said before I'll teach you how to program it in a bit.

                “I hope so because it's really empty at the moment."

                Next up, the third floor, belongs to Dare.

                “So what has he programmed it to be like?"

                I don't know since he's never invited me in.

                “You're really serious about not invading anyone's privacy?  Aren't you the least bit curious as to what he's programmed in there."

                Of course I'm curious. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but I'm not going to betray Dare's trust by snooping.  Now then, this is the main recreational floor.  The small amount of space above this level is my floor.  As you can see, this is the cafeteria. I asked everyone to wait here to meet you.  This is Darrin Fireshadow. 

                “Please call me Dare, everyone does."

                THNDR-23, is our robotic teammate.

                “I'm Thunder, it is a pleasure I'm sure.

                And finally meet Stealth our resident dragon.  Everyone this is Jerod our FGP liaison.

                “An illegally modified robot, a pet dragon, a half crazy space racer, and all of them led by a pacifist ex-member of Kindra's crew?  My God, what was Chancellor Image thinking?"

                “Great. We've been saddled with another idiot.  Come on Stealth let's go, it's obvious he isn't worth our time."

                “Hey, I don't think he's all that bad."

                “That's because he said you were only half crazy, give him some time and he'll realize he was only half right."

                Do I have to remind all of you about the rules?

                “I know, rule number two.  All right, I'll be respectful but your rules also give me the right not to like it.  Now you were going to teach me how to use your projection systems."

                Come on then, the entrance to the Virtual Reality Chamber is over here way between the bar and the pool.  I might as well teach you in there, where if you make a mistake and create an object inside yourself you won't be killed.  After all, I don't want to go through the trouble of retrieving another liaison.

End Log

Entry 115

                It's been about a month since my last entry and in that time Jerod has finally settled in.  Unfortunately, he felt the need to prove his worth.  To those ends he has appointed himself as head chef in the cafeteria. His abilities leave something to be desired, which in most cases is a stomach pump.  On the up side I've always done my own cooking and Stealth fends for himself in the orchard or dines with me.  Dare on the other hand seems to like Jerod's cooking.

                Jerod also elected himself to the position of personnel trainer.  I find this to be rather interesting since none of us really need any further training.  To humor him I agreed to a test of skill in a VR simulation.  The test consists of each of us crash landing on a planet chosen at random from the computer's database.  The planet could range from uninhabited up to an Iron Age civilization.  The main goals of the simulation are to gain allies, find each other, and eventually defeat the evil being that is trying to control the world.  Dare loved the idea, Thunder hated it, and Stealth wasn't included.  So he is overseeing the base and will alert me should anything happen.  Four types of beings populate the planet that the computer created.

The first population, the humans, consider themselves to be the superior race.  They arrived only a few hundred years ago when their luxury craft had to make an emergency landing.  They have some advanced equipment; but it is in a state of disrepair and can't be trusted in battle.  They also use primitive projectile guns and have several starship cannons mounted on the wall that surrounds the Royal City.  They hate all of the other races, but are officially at war with the Demons and the Wraith Hoard.  During our plummet from space it appeared that Dare went down into their territory.

The second population is called either Kith Var, which translates to Flying Devil, or The Demons.  They are larger than humans and have black skin, leathery wings, large fangs, and a gargoyle like face.  They have developed Stone Age technology and are considered bloodthirsty murderers by the humans and Harn Moor.  They are currently trying to drive the human population to extinction. Thunder went down into their territory.

Next are the felids, which call themselves Harn Moor or God's Chosen.  They resemble members of Snarion's striped clan except their fur is bright yellow with red stripes.  I was fortunate enough to land in their territory.  Their language has many of the same roots as that of Snarion. My ability to understand beast languages has come in very handy.  The Harn Moor are a semi nomadic people.  They move from one established community area to another.  They have Iron Age technology and are slowly learning to make guns.  They would rather avoid conflict with the other races but that isn't always possible and incidents have occurred.

The final race is known as the Wraith Hoard.  In their natural form they are immaterial beings that appear as shadows. They bond with a host, which can be taken through force for a time. However they prefer a host that agrees to the bonding for reasons of greed or a desire for power.  The better the bond the higher the Hoard member's rank becomes.  The Hoard has its highest numbers from the Demon race, then the humans and the fewest members from the Harn Moor. They are led by, the Evil One. She wants to dominate all the races on the planet.  That is the individual we have to defeat in order to beat the game.

So far we've been in the game for nearly three weeks. Dare and I met up a couple of hours ago and I've just now gotten my headset working again.  Our racers are a complete wreck, but that was to be expected.  The only equipment that I have left is my headset, Knar'tosh blade, and blaster.  Though my blaster is now at half charge since I had to use the energy to reactivate my headset.

When I crawled from my wrecked racer I was immediately captured and taken before the Harn Moor's Leader.  He asked the tribe what they thought should be done with me. I respectfully requested that they let me go.  Needless to say they were rather surprised that I could understand and speak their language.  The tribe elected to keep me as a slave in order to act as a translator between them and other humans.  That was until one of their children was possessed by a Wraith. 

I bargained with the Wraith for the child's release agreeing to willingly become his host.  The Wraith resisted at first since a Harn Moor was a greater catch than a human.  However the child was a throw back and so not as useful to the Hoard. Also the Wraith could tell I had greater knowledge than most other humans did.  So he took me and got the last surprise of his existence.  It was a risk, but I figured that with my mental training I could subdue him.  Boy was I wrong, contact with my mental shield didn't subdue him it eradicated him.  Though I did learn a few things from the contact.  Jerod sent the Wraith, to possess me. He is now a general in the Hoard army. For him to win, Dare and I have to either be taken over by the Hoard or die.  And I fell right into his trap.  I'm hoping Dare did a bit better than I did but until I know for sure I'm not going to fully trust him.  Since then the Harn Moor gave back my weapons and we've set out to defeat the Wraith Hoard.  I say we because Tye, the child that I saved, is traveling with me.  It seems that because I saved him he has become my Mre'roon which means child, son, protector, and responsibility all rolled into one.

“How long will your quest continue, milord?'

As long as it takes, so what is your report?

“The only messages that have arrived have been from Sir Rusty and Lord Trace. If you wish I can deliver them directly to your headset.  I wouldn't have interrupted your quest but for the fact that you've been here much longer than expected."

I know, and I'm sorry about that; but now that I've met up with Dare it shouldn't be more than a couple more weeks until we're finished.

“Very well I'll return to the real world then, fare thee well my Lord."

[ED] From this point forward everything that any of the games characters say will automatically be translated into basic galactic. [ED]

“What did he mean by real world?"

That Tye, would be the world that Dare and I come from.

“You mean he can understand what we're saying even though we're speaking basic?"

Yes Dare, all of the beings here can understand basic. They just can't all speak it.  Just because the humans here believe that the other races are primitive and not worth learning about doesn't mean they feel the same about the humans. 

“Alright but there's something wrong here.  I've played enough of these games to know that the characters have a blind spot towards the real world.  They never ask about it because it forces the gamers out of their suspended reality."

“He calls this a game? Just where do you come from that you believe that life is nothing more than a game?"

“See what I mean?  He shouldn't be asking questions like that.  Wait a minute, how is it that I understood him?"

With my headset working again I can make slight adjustments to the game.  Like giving you the ability to understand all the languages, refilling our weapons power packs, and reactivating Thunder's tracking unit.  As for Tye's sentience it seems that Jerod has been meddling with the VR chamber a bit too much. 

“I don't believe it! You're cheating. Not that I'll be telling Jerod about it or anything but still I never expected this from you.  I'm starting to wonder just where he got the program. Wait, if that Wraith did take you over the game wouldn't have ended until I was also captured and Thunder was deactivated right?"

I guess that would be how it played out, why?

“The Wraiths are a mind control program and as long as we're in the VR chamber we'd be completely under Jerod's control. He could learn all of our secrets, just by commanding us to tell them to him."

Oh that worthless little srenk. If you think about it; we have, in effect, turned this entire base into one big VR chamber.  Not only could he control us in here he could have gained access to the entire base.  I think it's time to make a few more changes to the rules.  Dare, why don't you tell us your story while I dump some of the programs from my headset into the base's primary computer.  I've got a plan that Jerod is really going to hate.

“I'm not much good at telling stories."

Don't worry about that. Just tell us what happened to you since the game started.

“Okay, as you know I crashed in the middle of The City.  A member of the royal family dragged me from the wreckage of my racer.  Her name was Sentia, and let me tell you, she was hot. Anyway I was taken to the palace where I was cared for by The City's finest healers.  I guess they figured I was the one which their ancestors had said would come from space to save them."

I'm sure you didn't do anything to dissuade them of that notion.

“Of course not, that would have ruined the game, or so I thought at the time.  They told me about the evil creatures that roamed the planet and how my teammates were either dead or possessed by Wraiths by then.  Of course I didn't believe that. After all Thunder can't be possessed that way. I also figured you were too smart to be possessed.  Any way, once I was healed they sent me off on a patrol with seven other soldiers in order to familiarize myself with the land and their weapons."

Were your blasters damaged?

“No, but I wasn't going to waste my power packs until I absolutely had to.  Anyway while on patrol we came across a young Cat, I mean Harn Moor, and her kitten.  The soldiers shot her and her child as they tried to escape. She was only injured so the troops decided to have some fun with her.  I know this is only a game, but I just couldn't let them do the things they were planning.  If I had I wouldn't have been any better than Kindra.  I ordered them to stop. When they didn't I pulled out my gun and threatened them. They just laughed and told me to run back to The City if I was too afraid to join them.  I . . . I shot them. I shot the men I was expected to lead into battle against the Wraith.  Only they didn't die they just laughed and got this odd look in their eyes."

“Hoard members, the only way to stop them is to take off their heads."

“Even that doesn't kill them.  When they didn't die I immediately drew my blaster and shot them again. The four I hit in the head went down immediately the other three I had to shoot again.  I immediately went to the Harn Moor woman but there was nothing I could do for her. She gave me this small totem and then started chanting.  That was when I became aware of the Wraiths that had left the soldiers bodies.  I'm not sure what happened but as the Harn Moor died the Wraiths let out a terrible shriek and disappeared."

“The totem is a the Harn Fa it is only given to those who are honored by the Harn Moor.  If you wear it openly you'll be safe while traveling through our lands. The chant she was singing was a death knell. When we die, we can take all wraiths near enough to hear the chant into oblivion with us.  It was the only way to be cured of Wraith influence until Prowler arrived."

“Anyway, I returned to the city and told the King that my men had been Wraiths and that they had turned on me but I had defeated them.  I was then accused of being a member of the Hoard since a Wraith cannot be killed.  I was to be executed, but in the middle of the night Sentia came to me and helped me escape.  Once we were beyond the walls she told me to follow her. When I asked where she was taking me she replied that we were going to join the Hoard."

“You didn't kill her did you?"

“No, I wasn't going to make that mistake again. I left her tied up by The City's main gate."

So how did you find us? 

“What, you have a monopoly on cheating?  Remember I'm the one that set up this system.  I simply used one of my back doors to find you. In other words I stepped out of the game, walked across the room, and by touching you I was automatically reinserted to your location.  How did you think I snuck up on you so easily?"

I just figured I'd gotten too busy working on my headset to notice.  Speaking of which I've finished the modifications now all I have to do is turn it on and . . .

“Aaaaarrrrrrrrr!"

“He's been possessed!"

Not anymore. Dare, are you all right?

“Urgh, yeah I'll be fine in a few minutes.  What the hell did you do?

I changed the program. You and Tye can't be possessed by Wraiths any more.  So how much of your story was true?

“Great, I just hope you can maintain the effect.  Believe it or not everything I said is true. The Wraith, bonded to Sentia, transferred to me as I tied her up. It was to remain hidden until you confronted either the Evil One or Jerod and then it would take over my actions and betray you.  The only control it exerted was to keep itself hidden.  The problem is that they are sentient programs and they plan on crossing the barrier into the real world.  The only way they can do it is if we loose the game.  When we loose they will have just a matter of nanoseconds where they'll be able to cross into the main computer before the VR chamber shuts down.  Once in the main computer they'll be able to transmit themselves through my hypernet until one of them can reach an evolver chamber. Then they can make themselves real and begin their conquest of the real world."

Please tell me they didn't get the idea from you.

“No, they got it from Jerod, remember he willingly joined them in order to defeat us."

So I guess we'll just have to end this little test right now.  Computer . . .

“No don't! If you end the program then the computer will mark it as a loss and initiate the game over sequence."

So, is there a way for me to pause the game and leave the Chamber for a few minutes?

“Hmmm, it may be possible for one of us to leave for a short time the same way I skipped to your location, why?"

I'm not going to risk mentioning what I have planned here. Just tell me how to get out.

“First I'll have to create a double of you. That shouldn't be too difficult.  The problem is someone else will have to take your place. I'll open a portal out of the game. As you leave the chamber Stealth will have to teleport in at the exact same time. Then he will have to remain in contact with your double until you return."

Got it, now before you open the portal take my headset.

“Why do I need your headset?"

It contains the program that makes you immune to Wraith possession as well as Tye's complete character parameters.  I'll fill you in on the plan when I get back.

End Log

 

Entry 116

                All right, now that I've finished making changes let's see how the Wraiths do.  Computer end program, command authorization Prowler Alpha Thirteen.

                “Program may only be terminated by programmer."

                Damn, well then I guess we'll just have to finish this.

“If you no longer require my services, I shall return to monitoring duty, milord"

                No Stealth, you have to stay here with us.  I've shut down everything except the VR chamber.

                “You what!"

                I shut everything down.  We can't take the risk of the main computer becoming infected. So to be sure that the Wraiths couldn't hide in any other systems I took everything offline except for the VR computer.  I figured that once I ended the program I could immediately erase the system and eliminate the Wraiths for good.

                “Unfortunately Jerod seems to be the only one that can shut down the program."

                So we just have to make a few more changes.  I have a backup plan; but I had hoped I wouldn't have to use it. 

                “Why not?"

                I'll explain in a few minutes, first I need you to open the portal again.  We're going to Thunder's location.  Stealth I want you to remain here so that we can get back to this location once we've retrieved Thunder.

                “Very well."

                “There he is, though from his position it would appear that he's been tied up."

                Well, I guess we'll just have to untie him.  Hey Thunder, I see that you're not faring very well so far.

                “You're cheating?"

                This is no longer a game.  The rules have changed and we've just adapted to the new situation.  Now come on before your guards notice we're here.

                “So what are the new rules?"

                Rule number one any electronic items that we entered the chamber with have to be shut down.  That means everything from my contacts to Dare's watch. And I'm sorry Thunder but that also includes shutting you down.

                “What are you doing?"

                I'm making a sling. My arm includes some non-organic enhancements so I won't be able to use it.

                “Great, your plan already calls for us to go into battle under manned. Now you're telling me you're planning on fighting with only one arm? You're going to get us killed."

                No Dare, only one of us will be dying.  That's the reason I didn't want to go through with this plan.

                “What!"

                In order to beat the game we have to take out either the Hoard Leader or Jerod.  And the only way to defeat a Wraith is if a Harn Moor sings their death knell.

                “So I guess I'll be the one dying then.  If I've understood everything you've said then I'm nothing more than some sort of Wraith myself."

                I'm sorry Tye, but it's the only way.

                “It's all right, I was probably supposed to die when the Wraith possessed me.  If this is the real world and your world is the fake then I'll still die knowing that I'm taking the Hoard Leader with me."

                If it helps you any there's a good chance we'll all end up dead.

                “Oh don't tell me, the game is now on Master Level?"

                Exactly, any injury we suffer while we're in here becomes reality.

                “I guess that means I can't shoot Jerod on sight then."

                I won't stop you.  Just make sure it isn't a fatal shot.

                “One of you had better live because I can't stand the thought of lying here inactive for the rest of eternity."

                You won't have to.  Stealth, I want you to stay here with Thunder.  Once the game ends the room should return to its standard configuration.  If we've lost then the Wraiths will be contained in the VR computer.  Erase the computers entire memory and then reactivate Thunder.  After that you should be safe to activate the communications array and contact Rusty. 

                “What, pray tell, shall I do if Jerod survives?"

                If Dare and I are killed and Jerod is still alive I leave his fate in your hands.  Though I'd expect you to keep him prisoner until Rusty arrives. I'm sure you can create any number of VR prison scenarios to keep him entertained.  All right Thunder, it's time for you to go off line. 

                “Now what are you doing?"

                I'm loading our gear to make it easier for Stealth to take it out of here if we fail.

                “I meant why are you removing Thunder's power pack?"

                I don't know just how long after the game ends the Hoard will be able to effect things.  By removing Thunder's power pack we'll know for certain that they can't infiltrate his systems. 

                “May the Gods grant you victory, Lord Prowler."

                I'm sure they will my friend. Now let's get going.

                “What about your headset?"

                I've got to keep it running until the last second.  Remember it's the only thing that's protecting you from Wraith possession.  Now open the portal, we've got one last jump to make.

                “What in the hell!  We should have reentered the game right beside Jerod."

                “So you thought you could cheat your way through the game?  Hah! I had already planned for that possibility.  Welcome to the grand antechamber of the High Tri-Phoenix.  As you can see there is no escaping my personal training field.  Before you is the field of battle. You must make your way across the two hundred yards of traps and surprises to the throne.  If you accomplish this feat I'll be waiting to finish you."

                Dare hand me that projectile rifle you've been carrying.  I'm going to shoot him.

                “That wouldn't be wise.  Remember this type of gun isn't as accurate as a blaster, you can only use one hand, and you don't even have a scope; you could kill him."

                Would that be such a bad thing?  Now shut up and give me the damn gun.

                BANG

                “See I told you, you missed."

                “You do of course realize that there is no way you can harm me.  You have to cross the battle field to end the . . ."

                BANG

                That'll keep him occupied, now shall we cross his little field?

                “I'm right behind you just don't shoot me."

                Good let's go.

                “Please stop, you must not go any further otherwise I will be forced to take extreme action that may lead to your execution."

                An executioner? You're wearing a green and white horizontally striped body suit. Sure it shows off all your bulging muscles but couldn't you have found a better color scheme?

                “Watch out! That Hoard Member is called Land Mind.  He can blow things up using his mind!"

                Thanks for the info Tye, I'll just remove his head and he won't be any more trouble to us or anyone else with even a mediocre fashion sense.

                “That be stoopid.  Now Helga kill you."

                Whoa, hey Dare, I got the brainy muscle man in tacky uniform. I guess that means you get the challenged fat lady in the skimpy body armor.

                “Hey big and beautiful, want to dance?"

                “Helga no dance, me destroy."

                Dare quit playing around and just shoot her!

                “Ha ha ha, puny little man creature. Guns not hurt mighty Helga."

                “She's right my bullets are just bouncing off. Heyearrr!"

                Well at least she threw you in the proper direction.  Now keep running or she'll catch up.  Whoa the ground is moving!

                “It's the Hoard!"

                Keep running we've almost made it to the throne. 

                “Uhhng, very good you've made it this far but you've still lost."

“Ah you poor humans, haven't you realized that there is no way to kill us.  We will take over your reality.  There is no way to stop us."

Oh there is a way your highness.  Tye?

“I'm ready my Mre'roon."

“What are you doing?"

Ending your existence, log off.

End Log

Entry 117

                So, how are you feeling?

                “What happened?  The last thing I remember was you swinging you're blade toward me.  I thought I was supposed to die."

                You did die, and defeated the game in doing so.  After the game ended, I erased the VR computer core.  You're here now use I'd isolated your core program from the game and copied it to my headset.  That's why you can't remember anything after I shut it off. 

                “I still don't understand how I can be alive if I died."

                You exist as a sentient program. No, you wouldn't understand that either. Think of it this way, the Tye of your world died defeating the Wraith.  However because of his sacrifice it was possible for me to resurrect his spirit in my world.  So even though you have all of his memories you are a different individual.

                “I don't feel any different."

                You won't since you're basically the same program, or spirit, that Tye was in the game.  The difference being that as soon as I get the chance I'll transfer your spirit into a physical body.

                “What do you mean?"

                Right now you're a solid light projection.  You can interact with the environment around you, but for the moment you're limited to this asteroid.

                “I guess I can live with that.  So what happened to the Hoard General you called Jerod?"

                Now that you're in our reality he isn't possessed by Wraiths; so you'll have to treat him with the same respect as the rest of us.  There are some rules you'll have to obey while here. Just a minute and I'll add a bit of information to your memory files.  And while I'm at it I think it would be best to increase your understanding of this reality.

                “Oh wow! I never thought learning something could be so easy.  Your reality is so much different that the one I was created in."

                Well, it's only different in that we're not sentient computer programs.  Otherwise our reality is based on the same basic rules as the game universe that you came from.

                “Maybe, but here I have the ability to ghost through objects just by willing my form to become less solid."

                I guess you could think of it that way.  Now as for Jerod, Dare took him to the infirmary to recover from his injuries.  Once he's been patched up, we'll all meet here in the conference room to decide on more official punishment.

                “So this is where you're at!  I see you've found a new project and conveniently forgot that you'd left me deactivated on the VR chamber floor."

                Ah, sorry about that, I see Stealth reactivated you though. 

                “That is what I have been trying to tell Master Thunder. It was my responsibility to reactivate him once the program was terminated."

“Yes, lucky me, if Stealth hadn't been in charge I'd probably have been left on that floor until you had to shut the unit down for repairs or something.  Just so you know I'm going to install a unit that will allow me to reactivate myself from now on.  If you don't like it, tough; I'm not taking the chance that you and Dare will end up leaving me on some planet one of these days."

                Thunder; I really am sorry. But you have to realize that we'd never leave you behind on any mission.  It's kind of hard to leave someone behind when they have their own racer.

                “Hey Boss, I've finished with Jerod and we're on our way up."

                I hear you Dare; we'll be waiting in the conference room.  Well, I guess it's time Jerod made his first report back to the FGP.

                “Oh, this should be interesting."

                Computer; please open a hypernet link to Crystal Image and the FGP.

                “Opening link."

                “Hello, you've reached Futuristic Galactic Pizza, how can we help you?"

                Hello, I'd like to talk to your manager, Crystal Image.

                “Are you sure you have the right number?"

                Yes. I've got one of your delivery boys here and he'd like to report in.

                “Uh, what is the delivery boys name?"

                Jerod.

“Oh, I'll get the message to Chancellor Image right away Mr. Prowler, please hold."

                “You shot me!"

                Ah, it's good you two joined us.  I was just about to report your misconduct to Chancellor Image.

                “My misconduct!  You're the one that shot me!"

                It's not my fault that your program took over the controls to the VR chamber and changed the setting to master level.  I'm not the one who created sentient programs that would be capable of leaving the program.  Nor am I the one that joined with these creatures giving them access to the knowledge of how to escape.

                “Well, I . . ."

                “It's about time your group checked in.  Our liaison has been with you for over a month and you haven't let him send a single report.  Have you even taken him out of stasis yet?"

                Oh, he's out of stasis and already causing problems.  So far he's tried to compromise the location of my base. Attempted to poison us with his cooking. Irritated the hell out of us with his insistence on giving us training that we do not need. My personal favorite, he nearly killed us. . .

                “I'm sure you're exaggerating.  Jerod was specially picked for this mission.  There were numerous tests that showed he would be the best individual to fit in with your group."

                I'm not finished.  He tried to kill us in a virtual reality program that he brought here with him.  That program would have unleashed a new life form on the galaxy.  A life form, I might add that would have been more powerful than Kindra.  In the course of stopping this corrupt program I had no choice but to shut down my entire computer system leaving the base open to attack.  In the end the only way I could solve the problem was to shoot Jerod.

                “You shot your liaison; you do realize that is a violation of your contract?"  

                Why, I didn't kill him after all.  It was only a flesh wound and I'm sure he'll recover in a month or so.

                “If he's still alive then why are you calling me?  While he's on your base he's under your command and so punishment is at your discretion.  So long as you don't kill him and he makes timely reports back to the FGP what do I care what you do to him?"

                That's just what I wanted to make sure of.  Now if you'd like he can make his first monthly report.

                “Chancellor Image, I . . ."

                “A report won't be necessary at this time. Seeing as how Prowler has already updated me on the situation.  I'm sending the Shadow Runners their first assignment I expect you to complete it in a timely manner, Chancellor Image out."

                “Thank-you-for-choosing-the-Fyretech-Hypernet.  You-have-two-incoming-data-packages."

                “Before you say anything, as soon as you're done I'll call the office and tell them to find a new voice talent for the closing message.  I don't know who made the decision to use a Nullander to do the recording but you can be assured they're not going to be working much longer."

                I didn't say a word.

                “You didn't have too. I've been in too many races where those high pitched, triple speed, nerve cutting, fluff tailed, menaces were considered the best people to relay information to the pilots.  You think that message was bad? You try running a dense asteroid course with that noise buzzing in your ear; supposedly directing you along a safe path.

                “Not to interrupt this thrilling interlude but can I have my data packages now?  Preferably before the pain killer wears off and I actually start understanding what he is babbling about."

                Only one of them is for you.  “Miller's Report: A history of starship battles during the Second Great War."  The other package is from the Federation for the Shadow Runners, and since we're all here I might as well play it.

                “Greetings Shadow Runners, I am Ellen, Prime Adjutant to Chancellor Image. I'm in charge of mission assignments.  For your first mission you are to search the planets listed at the end of this message for the mineral exp. 39.  The Federation needs this mineral to fuel a starship; which, we hope, will have the power to confront and destroy Kindra.  To expedite your search I am authorized to tell you that Exp. 39 is believed to be a remnant of energies released by the Kah Har.  Because of this the planets we have listed fall into three categories.  Category one planets are those known to have been involved in the Second Great War.  Category two are planets that are sparsely populated and too remote for our regular agents to search.  And category three contains planets classified as Desolates so they have no life signs.  As we are unsure of what environment Exp. 39 occurs in it is suggested that you rotate through the categories rather than restricting yourselves to a single type.  We await your report. "

                Well, it looks like we have our first mission.  Dare, I want you to take Desolate I, Thunder you get VII, I'll hit XV and then we'll meet up at Arakeen.

                “What about me?"

                Jerod, you're going to be staying here along with Stealth and Tye.

                “Tye?  Who's Tye?"

                “That would be me."

                You remember Tye don't you?  He's the kid your wonderful little program created in order to trap me.  The one I had to kill in order to stop your mistake from terrorizing the galaxy.  I'm sure you two are going to be the best of friends.

                “I thought you erased the VR computer."

                I did. However, I downloaded Tye's program to my headset before the Wraith could figure out what I was up to.  So while they were erased I was able to use their escape strategy to bring Tye here.  He's now in charge of the base's computer system.  And because he's a sentient program you'll find it rather hard to crack him especially considering he isn't exactly a Jerod fan.

                “Whatever, I'll be on my floor watching my new movie if you need me."

                “Forgive me, milord, if what I'm about to say is a violation of the rules; Jerod is a knave and you should send him back from whence he came."

                You're right, Stealth, that is out of line.  Just remember we've already seen that the FGP has people who are much worse.

“So pray tell while you, Master Thunder, and Sir Dare are away what tasks shall I be assigned?"

                You get to be our spy of course. I'm expecting you to help Tye screen all incoming and outgoing messages as well as patrol the base making sure Jerod doesn't get into any trouble or restricted areas while we're gone.

                “I know that Prowler has given you permission to travel through his quarters and I figure Thunder has as well. So Sir Stealth, I officially declare an open invitation for you to travel freely on my floor.  That way you can patrol it and make sure Jerod doesn't go in there."

                “I thank thee for your trust Master Dare, I promise you, your quarters will be well guarded."

                Stealth, Tye since this asteroid is technically your home planet I invoke rule four and exempt you both from rule one.  I doubt Jerod will protest. After all, how can Stealth who is, in his opinion, just a dumb animal be expected to follow the rules? As for Tye, since you're now a part of the base's main computer you're also a part of Jerod's floor whether he likes it or not.  Now let's go find that mineral before Kindra hurts anymore people or Jerod figures out another way to get on my nerves.

End Log

Entry 118

                Damn, I keep telling everyone that I'm avoiding the Tra'est sector; yet I keep returning.  Luckily Desolate XV is the only planet on Crystal's list that's in this sector.  Of course while I'm here I've decided to stop by Hollow Base.  According to the logs no one else is here at the moment. That will make what I have planned all that much easier.  So far I've moved the Evolver Chamber prototype into position so that it will be built into my star cruiser.  I figure since it's the most heavily guarded area of the base the unit will be safest there.

The Cruiser's construction is slow but there are several completed areas, those being the bridge, most of the primary passages, lifts, VR chambers, primary computer core, and now the evolver sections.  Computer, please open a hypernet link to Shadow Base. Stealth, are you listening?

                “But of course, Lord Prowler."

                Good. I want you to transmit Tye's full program to my location.

                “As you wish; that is of course when you tell me how to perform such an action."

                First activate Tye's program so that he is in the communications room.

                “Hey, what's going on, I was in the middle of a nap."

                Tye I want you to ride the light.

                “Say what?"

                I want you to travel along the communications signal to my location.  All you have to do is follow the data stream.  It's just like moving from one projection unit to another.

                “OK, but I'm not sure how I do that.  I just move and the main computer does the rest."

                So, just think of yourself being in this room with me. Yeah, like that.

                “But I'm still here on the asteroid with Stealth."

No, your holo-image is being created on the base with Stealth. Your core program is now here with me.  Once you close your image generation file. I can close the hypernet link and you'll have successfully transferred to this base.

                “All right I guess."

                Stealth, one of us will be contacting you shortly so that he can return.

                “I'll be waiting Lord Prowler."

                Computer, close the link to Shadow Base.

                “Hypernet link to Shadow Base has now been severed.  Please have a nice day."

                “Ah ha, I knew you'd be up here."

                Trace!  How did you get here?

                “Oh, I've been coming up here since the bridge's construction was complete.  Uncle Rusty thinks I'm out in the park.  Anyway when the alert was sounded that someone had entered Hollow Base we came here as quickly as possible.  You said you weren't planning on coming back so we figured someone had broken in.  So why are you here?" 

                I meant how is it that you are here in the restricted sections?

                “Well for starters I knew your security precautions were a bluff, after all you wouldn't take a chance on killing any of us.  And secondly you've got all the locks set for genetic scan override.  Which of course let me bypass what security you had set up."

                Oh.

                “So are you here to see me and Rusty, or is there another reason?"

                Actually I'm here in the Tra'est sector because I'm on a mission for the FGP.  But I decided to make a quick stop over here at Hollow Base in order to, well, play God as Rusty would say.

                “I'm not sure I like the sound of that."

                Well it isn't that bad, at least I don't think it is.  Come on, if I'm going to explain properly, we'll have to use the base's VR chamber since I haven't gotten the Runner's VR computer installed yet.

                 “That's cool, we've nearly gotten it up to the level of the one at Shadow Base. Except the matter generators still aren't working so we can't remove objects from the room."

                You can stop trying to remedy that problem since it can't be done.

                “But you've accomplished it at Shadow Base."

                Actually we haven't. The matter generators on the asteroid operate separately from the VR chamber and they require their own independent computer.  In order to move an object out of the VR chamber it has to be downloaded into the main computer and then regenerated outside the VR unit.  In order to get around the problem Dare basically turned the whole asteroid into one large VR chamber.  Unfortunately we recently learned how dangerous that can be.

                “Well then, I guess the virtual reality chamber here on this base is the equal of the one at Shadow Base."

                That's good.

                “Where have you two been?"

                “Here and there."

                Or there and here as the case seems to be.

                “Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to get a straight answer out of either one of you?"

                Because you're smarter than you look?

                “You're incorrigible, and a terrible role model for your son.  You do know that don't you?"

                You're right, I'll be sure to have Thunder berate me later.  Now if you're through you might want to join us.

                “Yeah Dad, says he's going to be playing God now."

                “I don't like the sound of that."

                “Hey, that's exactly what I said!"

                You know Rusty, I do believe Trace is picking up some of your good habits.  I guess I'm just going to have to hurry up and defeat Kindra before you can corrupt him any further.  Yes, I can feel you glaring at my back.

                “Ah, but you missed his eye roll."

                I've seen it enough times already that I could imagine it.  Hey Tye, I've downloaded your program into Hollow Bases VR computer, would you like to come out and meet a couple of my friends?

                “Tye's the kid from that program Jarod had you in isn't he?"

                I see you've been watching my logs rather closely.

                “Don't blame me for that one.  I tried to restrict what entries he was reading but I discovered that he wasn't getting his information from the same source I was.  It seems the moment you upload your logs to Shadow Base's main computer they're transmitted to him.  Obviously when he was there he added a few programs of his own to your network."

                I guess I'm just going to have to go back to storing it in my headset and only uploading edited versions.

                “Aw, that's not fair."

                “It seems that they already know me."

                Trace, Rusty, this is Tye.  Tye, this is my son Trace and my best friend and foster brother, Rusty.

                “Hello, I must say you look much better in person then the pictures from Prowler's files would suggest."

                “You know Tye, I think we're going to get along just great."

                “Wonderful, just what the galaxy needed another Trace.  Don't shake your head that way, you're the one that kept his program."

                Actually Rusty, its about to get worse.

                “What have you done now?"

                It's not what I've done; it's what I'm about to do.

                “Oh, I know what you're planning!"

                “I don't know what you're planning but I'm sure that I'm against the idea."

                The reason that I stopped here was because we don't have the ability to generate a mem crystal at Shadow Base.

                “That's not a bad idea, after all Tye's program would be much safer in a crystal than running loose in your computer system.  Wait, you haven't built another robot to house the crystal in have you?"

                Not exactly.  Tye, now that you've met everyone I need to transfer your program back into my headset so that I can move you to another part of the base again.

                “Alright, but I want to come back and spend some time getting to know Trace better."  

                “So where are we going now?"

                I'm moving Tye to Hollow Bases main computer.

                “Wow this place is huge!"

                Yeah, but it doesn't have the projection units that Shadow Base has so you're restricted to the computer system.  On the upside I'm sure Trace can set up a few so that you can get out now and then.

                You mean I'm, staying here?  I thought I was supposed to keep Jerod out of Shadow Base's computer system?"

                You are, but you can also move your program through the hypernet so technically you can travel between the two bases.

                “Or anywhere else there's a system large enough to contain his program!  Like the headset I'm building!"

                “What was it you were saying about my having a 'good' influence on him?"

                So I'm an idiot, one big raging idiot.  However since I've come this far I might as well go all the way.  Tye, you should be able to access the memcrystal generation equipment.

                “Yeah, I've got it."

                Good, now I want you to copy your complete program onto a crystal.  Don't transfer your program just copy it.

                “Done, now what?"

                I'm opening a link between my headset and the main computer so that you can come with us.  Or you could return to Shadow Base the choice is up to you.

                “I think I'll stick around.  I get the feeling you have something up your sleeve that'll affect me."

                Right you are.

                “So now where are we heading?"

                Back out to my star cruiser.

                “But according to the computer only a few sections have life support. Wait did you say back out?"

                That's right only this time instead of heading to the bridge we're going to the evolver unit."

                “No. No, no, no NO! You don't want to do this."

                Rusty, you can either come with us or stay here but one thing is for sure. You had better get out of my way or you'll learn just how well trained I am.

                “I beat you in the arena and I'll do it again here if I have to."

                “But Uncle Rusty, he was trying to lose in the arena, remember?"

                “I told you before that it's wrong to play God and you said that you wouldn't be."

                I'm not playing God.

                “Yes you are!  And you have been ever since you installed my memcrystal in Thunder."

                All right I admit that may seem to be the case; but with Thunder I had only intended for it to lend a small portion of personality.  How was I supposed to know it would subvert all other programs and become the dominant personality?

                “You couldn't, and that's why you shouldn't have done it in the first place."

                But this time is different. I'm not going in blind. I know exactly what I'm doing.

                “And that makes it better?"

                Yes it does.  I'm going to use the evolver to construct a body and then I'm going to upload Tye's identity to it.  It is no different than the doctor who regenerated my eyes when they were ruined.

                “But look what happened then!"

                “Yeah, I learned that I'm Shendrian and that I had a son.  I learned that I am more than just the son of an Accordan noble and that I'm going to die defeating Kindra." 

                “That can't be true."

Yes Trace it's true. It's only one of the things that Seer had to tell me about the future.  I'm fighting a failing battle not against Kindra but against fate itself.  I keep doing things that I haven't seen or that Seer didn't mention.  However I keep ending up here in this sector and I'm afraid that at any minute Thunder and Dare are going to come through that door and tell me that Kindra is here.

                “But Seer didn't know everything. The future isn't a straight line it's more like a river or a wave."

                Yeah, but the more we fight the current the stronger it becomes.

                “Listen, you've died several times yet you're still here."

                Yes here I am, Prowler the Homeless One, a shell of the being I used to be.  Everything good in my life is taken away from me.  I was happy on Accordia living in the bliss of my own righteousness. Believing that the Accordan way was perfect.  Then along came Kindra and Tigris Dacat sacrificed himself so that everyone else could live.

                “But you escaped from Kindra."

                Yeah, I escaped from Kindra, but Tigris didn't.  Tigris died on Tinand.  That was the first world Kindra visited after she made him second in command.

                “You never mentioned Tinand in your logs."

                I know, how could I? Kindra sent Tigris down there as an observer.  The Tinandians fought bravely against her.  But to her it was just a game like children playing tag.  The difference was her team was using blasters and they only had wooden spears with stone tips.  Do you realize she forced Tigris to remain on the planet for three days after everyone was dead?

Three days! The first day he tried to bury as many as he could. On second day he built a giant pyre and burned more warriors, women, and children then he could count.  On the third day Tigris gave up.  Between the smells of burned and rotting flesh and the sounds of the scavengers picking over the bones it was all he could do to hold on to the barest scrap of humanity.  And the whole time it was sunny not like the stories when a hero dies and the world weeps.  It was sunny as if even God didn't care.  After that I shut off all feeling. If I hadn't I'd never have survived watching Aarik gloat before Kindra as the last of the blood dripped from the heads of Dare's family.

                “But you met Dawna and Meonii both of whom you have loved."

                Yeah, and Kindra or her servants took both of them from me.

                “If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have formed the ADL."

                And that is another nail in my coffin.  Because of me all of my friends are no longer the people they used to be.

                “That's not true.  Ryune, Stayve, and Seeker are from Snarion and have always supported you.  And even though Nature is my adopted brother his Accordan upbringing has only been a glossy covering for his true wolven nature. Besides if you hadn't sacrificed yourself then all of us would have been killed on Accordia.  And think of all the refugees that you have helped with the money you and Meonii collected while you were Jahar Træn." 

                Which was time lost that I could have been on Shendria with Trace if I had only known.  Time that is irrevocably lost.  I can't be there for him or for Tye.  Don't you get it!  Jerod's program pulled files from the main computer and even though Jerod doesn't realize it the Wraiths created Tye by recreating Trace.  So in effect Tye is Trace's twin brother.

                “But that's not . . ."

                Not possible, of course it's possible the Wraiths created Tye knowing that I would willingly sacrifice my life in order to save him.  What they hadn't expected is that my mental shield would kill them.

                “But you'd mentioned your mental abilities in your logs so why hadn't they realized it?"

                Because up until that point I hadn't believed it myself; and my logs reflected that disbelief to the point that the Wraiths didn't believe it either.  I still don't know if it was that or the shard of Arlen's gem that saved me.  But one thing I do know is that I now have twin sons, one flesh and one holographic.  I'm here on Hollow Base to alter that situation.  It takes two years for a personality to properly load and I already know I won't be around when the program finishes.  Once the program is complete one of you will have to release him from the evolver tube.  He will then finish loading his memories from his two years as a holographic being through the hyper education machines.  I'd planned on using my own DNA code for Tye's body but since the two of you are here I can use Trace's DNA for a proper match.  The only part in which I might be playing God is in the fact that I'm going to slightly modify the genes so that Tye's fur color with remain yellow with red stripes.  Now either you're going to move or I'll move you.

                “I understand your reasoning but I'm still not going to let you do this."

                You don't get it.  I'm not going to be here.  I don't know how I'm going to die. I do know that I won't be around much longer and that when I do die I'm taking Kindra with me.  You've seen my latest log entries so you know how I defeated Jerod's program by sacrificing Tye.  Well guess what, I got the idea from a flash of my own future.  When I sacrificed myself to save Accordia I created a ripple of the river of fate that leads to me finally sacrificing my life in order to end Kindra's life.  What you don't seem to get is once I'm gone Tye becomes nothing more than a ghost in a machine.

                “Uncle Rusty, move.  I don't want you and Dad fighting and I know that you aren't going to change his mind about this.   When Mom told him about me he came to Shendria knowing that he couldn't shift and that he might die.  Yet he came for me anyway.  Then when you came he made sure that he was the one you would fight.  Not because he was afraid that you would lose but because it was the only way to guarantee without a doubt that you would win.  And do you know what his orders were just before the fight?"

                “No, but what does that matter?"

                “His order was that if you killed him during the fight we were to protect you from the other Clans and exile ourselves from Shendria forever.  His friendship for you was so great that he didn't care whether he lived or not so long as you survived.  Knowing that can you continue to risk destroying that friendship as well as my brother's chance at a physical existence this way?"

                “Even though you haven't asked for my opinion, which is odd considering I'm the one you've been talking about, until now I was agreeing with Rusty.  I was happy being a computer program.  After all I've experienced what it's like to be a physical life form.  But now I'm not so sure.  I didn't realize that I had a brother. In my simulated life I was a throw back because I walked on four legs instead of two.  No one cared about me and the only one who did was a stranger. A stranger, who risked his life to save me from being possessed by a Wraith.  I now know it was part of the game. But knowing that I have a father who cares for me and a brother who is willing to admit that we are related even though we come form different realities is more than I could ever dream of.  I . . . Trace get Prowler . . .get Dad's headset and my memcrystal and take me to the evolver unit.  Dad and Rusty won't have to fight over this. Dad won't have to play God we can do this ourselves.  While they consider everything that has been said here."

End Log

Entry 119

                Rusty, I know that you'll be listening to this at some point.  For what its worth I'm sorry, not for what I wanted to do but because of our fight.  I . . . I'm not sure what to say.  With all that's been happening I guess the stress has gotten to me.  I've dreamed of so many different futures and I know there will be peace; but at a cost.  If time is a river then I am caught in the main current without a way to free myself.  You see, we'll find the Exp. 39 but that element is highly unstable and though the FGP said they need it to power their warship the truth is they need it to power the ship's cannon.  Also they're going to have the Shadow Runners use the ship. That way they can claim that we're going to take Kindra's place.  So once Kindra is defeated we'll be tracked down and imprisoned.  Except for me of course.  Since I'm the leader I'm to be executed.   Or when we confront Kindra I end up hesitating and she destroys the IGSS.  When that happens the Exp. 39 will destabilize and destroy her ship as well.  Another of the possibilities is that I get captured during the mission and while I'm aboard the Malevolent I escape and kill Kindra but I end up dying from the wounds I receive.  You see, no matter what path the future takes it always ends the same.  

                Well, I've reached Desolate XV so I need to start my survey.  Since this is the first planet I'm searching I'm going to explain the standard procedure.  I've attached drone pods to each of the racers.  The drones are designed for scanning the planet.  Each racer has two pods, which allows us to survey two planets each.  I've reached orbit so I'm now releasing the first pod.  The drones will activate and scan the entire planet.  Unfortunately this will take two to four days depending on the planet's size.  During this time I figure the group will land in an area that might have a trace of Exp. 19.  This will usually be near ruins or other structures that have survived since the time of the Second Great War.  We'll do a bit of exploring and perhaps some prospecting of our own.  Once the drones have finished their scan we'll either go to work digging up the Exp. 39 or take off for the next planet on the list.  Here on Desolate XV I'm planning on hanging out and visiting with the Guardians who've come here for the advanced academy survival test.

End Log

Entry 120

                Hey Rusty, it's been three days and I'm off to meet up with the rest of the group at Arakeen.  You know, there's nothing like fourteen Snarion slave drivers to make a person realize that the future isn't as important as the present.  Thank God Desolate XV didn't have a trace of Exp. 39 otherwise I'm sure they'd have made me dig it out by hand. 

                “This is Shadow Base, to Lord Prowler."

                Prowler here. What is it, Stealth?

                “I have just received a message from the Federation.  It would appear that The Evil One is heading for Arakeen.  According to the message she has demanded a galactic standard ton of Arakeen's sand diamonds.  However, Crystal says that even if all the sand diamonds in the galaxy were collected there would only be a quarter of that amount. So it would appear that the planet is to be destroyed.  The FGP is in the process of relocating the rather small indigenous population to other suitable planets but they didn't want to waste time and resources scanning for Exp. 39.   However, they are ordering you to scan Arakeen immediately."

                Did they happen to mention how long we have before Kindra arrives?

                “Their best estimate is that the Malevolent will be in orbit within three days."

                Thank you Stealth, I'm entering orbit over Arakeen now, Prowler out.  Computer, open hypernet conference link to Darrin Fireshadow and THNDR-23.

                “Where have you been?"

                Hello, Thunder. I've been on Desolate XV. Where are you?

                “I finished my mission to Desolate VII.  Then I came directly to Arakeen. Where I've been assisting the FGP's planetary evacuation.  I launched my drones a day and a half ago.  I've also been taking samples of every plant and animal species.  Luckily this is a desert planet so there isn't as large a variety as a jungle world.  Unfortunately this is a desert planet so all the organisms are widely spaced.  Oh and I've got some mineral samples for you as well."

                Good I'm on my way down.

                “Looks like I'm joining the party a bit late.  So what's been happening?"

                Not much, where've you been?

                “Hey, I may have the fasted racer in the galaxy but that doesn't matter when you send me out to a gas giant.  It took the drones five days to scan the entire planet.  Hell, I'd have died of boredom if the system didn't have an asteroid belt to race around.  Oh and by the way the system had a second planet on the list so I dropped my other pod there.  I figure there wasn't any need to double back later.  That planet only took three days to scan.  So far I've come up with nothing, how about you?"

                Nothing yet, Thunder beat us here, and he's already started the scan.  I figure we'll go down and have a look around while the drones are finishing up.

                “Do I have to?  That sand is going to be murder on my new paint job."

                Dare, I'm going to follow you down. I figure you'll find the smoothest route so that your racer doesn't get sand blasted.

End Log

Entry 121 (Shadow Runner Quest)

                All right, that's it we've finished our scans of Arakeen and we're now headed to . . . Holy!  Runners go to full acceleration and prepare for emergency altered space jump.  It seems we've got company!

                “Who?"

                Don't ask questions; just jump, right now!

                “All right already.  Holy shard, that's a destroyer!"

                Dare, cut down on your super thrusters.  You're just wasting fuel.

                “I realize that, I guess I'm just a bit wired about seeing a destroyer so close."

                Well, I guess we cut that one a little too close.  If we'd waited even a few seconds later we'd have been toast.  Check that, we may still be toast. It seems Kindra has a lock on us.  And from the sound of it Dare and Thunder are in the middle of an argument. 

                I hate to interrupt this pleasant conversation but we've got a bogey on our six.  It would seem that one of us has picked up a tracer.

                “Oh no, I forgot to run the scanning program!"

                “Skip the scan and activate your counter measures.  You've got to dump that tracer now!  At least it isn't on my racer. It would have really screwed up the new paint."

“Tracer dumped, now what are we going to do?"

                Prepare to drop out of altered space.  Thunder, once we've reverted to real space you need to find a planet where we can refuel, I'm almost on empty.  Hopefully we'll lose the Malevolent when we jump back into altered space.

                “Everyone set course to 8-24-162, we're headed for the space docks of Ziracol."

                Thunder, where are the space docks you mentioned?

                “It would be best if we land before I go into detail but this is not Ziracol."

                “You'd better have a very good reason for bringing us here.  You know how dangerous it isto change course while still in altered space."

                “Don't worry, everything is fine."

Okay, turn on all ground thrusters this looks like the best place to set down. All right Thunder, first why did you change our course while we were in altered space and second where are we now?

                “Just before entering real space above Zircol the digital transceiver warned me of a threatening presence.  Therefore I changed our course so that we would exit altered space above the next planet on our jump vector.  I did this because I knew that we were low on fuel and because the racers are not equipped for heavy battle conditions."

                “So where are we?"

                “If you had let me finish I would have told you that we are on Ranta V."

                That's great. That's just great.  First you blow our landing place and then you bring us way out here to some unknown world. Without any solid thruster fuel left in the racers! Zip, zero, nothing!  Is there a refueling depot around here?  Do you know anything about this place?  Your answer had better be yes. Because you brought us out here where I have no contacts and unless there is a modern spaceport I doubt they'll accept standard galactic credits.  Which, I think I'd better point out, I'm not carrying in large amounts at the moment.

                “Yes, I do know something about this planet, the temperature is eighty two degrees standard with a pleasant east wind.  The planetary time is twenty three minutes past noon, it is point eight light years from Zircol and the computer informed me that it was a safe place to land."

                “Did the computer happen to mention where the closest fuel depot is located?"

“No, but I would expect it to be nearby since the computer informed me that this area is the most heavily populated."

                I hate to break this to you but that doesn't mean that there is a fuel station anywhere nearby. It just means that there are a lot of animals around.  I think its time to recharge your energy pack.

                “No wonder he messed up.  He's been running at less than fifteen-percent charge.  His neural circuits must be the first thing to shut down."

                “Sure, sure blame the robot that probably just saved your pitiful lives.  And my neural functions happen to be the last thing that shuts down you . . ."

                Okay, lets get a couple rovers and try to find a refueling station.  Even if all we can find is the low-grade fossil fuels that they use on less developed worlds if we fill the tanks it should be enough to get us up to speed for a single jump.  I'm hoping we can find something here because I'm not looking forward to calling Jerod or Crystal for help.

“We'd better find something a bit less volatile.  I don't want to have to try and replace my engines and thruster system with second hand parts.  And you know that's all we'll get from your contacts."

                You know, we may have no other choice.  Now get out a couple of rovers.          

“I don't know why you always insist on using rovers from my supply.  So what do you want?"

                It doesn't matter; just something to get around on.

                “Oh look, his name's Sparky.  What's your rover's name?"

                Ralph.  Now let's get moving before something else can go wrong.

End Log

Entry 122

                What a rotten day, we searched for a refueling station most of the afternoon and when we took a break it seems we fell into some sort of trap.  What's worse is I'm not sure I was able to get Thunder back online before the remote control unit broke.

                “Where are we?  Wherever it is I don't like it."

                We seem to be in a circular room.  The floor is smooth and covered with a thin layer of dirt and leaves.  The ceiling is a bit taller than I am in most places but there are a couple low hanging rocks.  Oh, and there is the outline of a door to the right of you.

                “How do you know that?  It's darker than Kindra's soul in here. Wait, let me guess, you have a night vision program for your computer headset."

                Well, I can see the walls and it isn't my headset.  Didn't I ever tell you I could see in the dark?  It happened like this . . .

                “Oh no!  Every time we get stuck in a jam, you have to take a trip down memory lane.  Which wouldn't be so bad if you didn't make it up as you go."

                Oh, what are you complaining about?  There's nothing else to do.

End Log

Entry 123

                “You two!  Out!  The Queen demands your presence!"

                “Now I remember where I heard of Ranta V. It was a warning to stay away because the beings are extremely hostile to humans.  They call themselves the Colony.  We're in deep this time!"

                Whoa, this place is huge.  The tunnels must cover the entire planet.

                “Silence!  You are now entering the Queen's chamber! Behold, the ultimate prowess of the All Mother, Queen Debant!"

                “How rude!  I refuse to go anywhere else with you until you've apologized for tripping us."

                Hey Dare, you seem to be the expert on the Colony, what is that?"

                “What humans dare disturb my tunnels with their foul presence?"

                We are the Shadow Runners, you highness.

                “What are you doing here?"

“Our ships ran out of fuel and so we went to look for gas and a cheap diner when suddenly we . . . Hey that reminds me of a great joke.  There's this guy and he's a Nullander, you know a squirrel, anyway he . . ."

                “These humans displease me.  Throw them in my personal cooler for lunch."

                “Hey!  You can't do this, I didn't even get to the good part of my joke."

Dare, close your mouth. Before you get us into even more trouble.  Uh oh, we've got a problem.

“Yeah I know. We're stuck in here and if Thunder doesn't show up to rescue us soon we're going to be lunch.

That's the problem. It seems that Thunder beat us here.

“What?  Oh crap."

I suppose we'll have to get him out of that block of ice in order to make our grand escape.

End Log

Entry 124

[ED] Dare and I pounded on the block for a while before we gave up and I finished the story of how I'd gained the ability to see in the dark.  Of course, that was when I remembered I had Dawna's heat blade hidden in my arm. [ED]

“You mean you've had that all this time?  I was beating my hands to a pulp on that block of ice and you had a heat blade!  If my hands didn't hurt so much I'd hit you."

No, you wouldn't, besides if I had freed him earlier I wouldn't have been able to finish my story.

“It's about time, do you know how annoying it is to be frozen in a block of ice?  No of course you don't; instead of freeing me, you two decided to take a break and chat.  And don't try to deny that you were talking about me."

Where's Ralph?  I only see Sparky in here.

“She ate him!  We've got to get out of heraaarrrrggggghhhh!"

“What the hell is happening!"

“I have no idea. If I had to guess it almost felt like a space ship crashing on the surface.  However in order to cause planet quakes on this scale would require the ship to have impacted very close to this location. Or it would have had to be a ship the size of the Malevolent."

It's definitely time to get out of here, before we're buried alive.  Besides, I'm sick of being cooped up with you two.

“Let us out of here!"

Dare, that'll never . . .

[ED] I couldn't believe it, he just walked over and tapped on the door and it fell ff its hinges.  Obviously the quake had weakened the wall. [ED]

“It's all in the wrists."

Okay, it's clear, let's go and for God's sake be quiet.  Thunder, I said be quiet.

“I'm trying to be quiet.  It's not my fault, between being frozen and shaken it seems one of my internal lubrication lines has broken."

“Evil Ones, you dare destroy my children!  Now I will destroy you!"

                “Whoa sister, we didn't do anything!  Run for it!"

Whew, that was a close one.  You sure convinced her of our intentions, Dare.

“Oh shut up!  I didn't see you doing anything of extreme importance."

End Log

Entry 125

“Whew, does it ever stink up here."

                There's wreckage everywhere but no sign of the actual impact.  I guess that supports Thunder's theory of a large ship impacting the surface.  Though it smells oddly familiar.  Thunder, get a scan on this slime.

                “It contains trace amounts of metal and space craft fuel; however, it is primarily composed of pulped organic material."

                “Organic matter?  You mean . . . oh I am so not touching that stuff!"

                “From the debris pattern I'd have to say that a rather large ship crashed."

                You're right, and the good news is . . . It was the Malevolent!

                “Yes!  Kindra has finally bit the dust!  Let's party!"

                We have more important things to do. Let's see if any of the fuel pods survived the crash.  Otherwise we're just as stuck here as this junk.  Of course it still might not matter

                “What do you mean?"

Did you ever consider that the racers might have been totaled?

                “NO!"

“So much for him helping us find the fuel.  I should have known better than to join this group."     

                Like you had any choice.  If you hadn't joined I'd have had to reprogram you so that you would.  Besides if you're going to complain let me give you something else to contemplate.  This may be the Malevolent but there is no proof that Kindra was on board when it crashed.  So we're going to continue our mission until we have some proof that she's dead.

                “Prowler, has any one ever told you that you're a real kill joy?"

End Log

Entry 126

                “The racers are intact! Though, you might want to think about a new coat of paint."

“Good. I found a fuel storage tank.  It's dented, covered in slime, and slowly leaking but I think there's enough to get us off this rock. So what did you find?"

                You know, from the size of that fuel pod we may be able to fill the racer's tanks completely.

                “So what are you waiting for? Let's get it back to the racers and find out just how far we can go."

                Just a minute I'm bringing the racers here by remote.

                “I thought you said they were completely empty?"

                They are, but the antigrav units and the jump engines still work. We need the thruster fuel for take off, landing, and normal space flight.

                “I'm surprised you didn't know that.  Did you forget to add proper flight training to your programming."

                “Dare, I'm not talking to you again.  Now on with our mission."

                “Why?  Kindra's dead so there's no need to find exp. 39."

                “There, I've finished repairing my systems so now I shouldn't squeak anymore.  To answer your question we don't know for certain that Kindra is dead.  However, in the event that she is dead, we still need to find the exp. 39 since she isn't the only marauder in the galaxy.  If she is dead then it's a good bet that one of them killed her and is now taking over her organization."

                Besides we don't have anything else to do right now so think of this as a vacation.  A tour of the galaxy if you like.

                “Yeah, but we never get to go anywhere fun.  We always end up on deserted desert planets or lush tropical ones where the indigenous life wants to eat us or . . ."

                “Dare, shut up and prepare for take off or we'll leave you here.  Remember there may still be some ant people around and you can bet that they'll be blaming you for the destruction of their colony."

                “So what's the next planet that we're going to explore?"

                Let me check, according to the charts it is a small planet with three moons called Celtis Aranaki.  It has only been visited twice in the past so there should be plenty for you to explore.  The primary land formations are plains, mountains, and forests. There are several oceans, which means plenty of tropical beaches.  Best of all, there is no mention of human hating life forms.

                “Well then what are we waiting for?"

                One of these days I'm going to have to knock some sense into him.

                “I'll be sure to find a large enough club for you."

End Log

Entry 127

                Welcome to Celtis Aranaki.

                “It seems nice enough. Does the computer's files mention anything about there being life forms that hate humans?"

Well, there was one incident of humans forcing them to be slaves but that incident was over a thousand years ago. So, as long as we're careful we should be all right.

                “I've located a landing spot.  It should provide the racers some protection for the next couple days."

                Then let's set down.

                “Ah, what a beautiful morning!  Smell that breeze, the only thing missing is a little ham and eggs."

                Really?  How about a canned ham and one huge egg?

                “Whoa, that's one big bird!"

                I agree.  Hey, let's have it for dinner, you take it's weight and measurements for our records while I get my knife to clean that sucker.   Thunder, get over here and help Dare pluck this bird!

                “Wait a minute, don't you think it's odd that . . . Iieee"

[ED] I really should have been much more suspicious of the situation at this point.  First of all fowlen aren't usually the size of a racer. Well, half a racer anyway.  Second, and much more importantly, I shouldn't have assumed that the disturbance from our landing had scared away the predator that had killed the bird. [ED]

“Damn!  That thing isn't dead so don't get to close.  I forgot to replace my blasters power cell so I only had enough energy to stun it."

                Thank Dare, for his lack of diplomatic thinking.  Did you ever think that this huge fowlen might belong to this hunter?

                “What is it?"

                “It appears to be a biped white fox. The smaller of the two sapient species that share this planet."

                “Oooohhhhhh. So what is it?"

                “We'd better take care of him before some of his friends show up."

[ED] The white fox in question was a roughly four to four and a half-foot tall when standing or being held upright as the case may be.  He wasn't wearing any clothing but he did have a quiver with a number of arrows leading me to agree with Thunder's assessment that the fowlen was his. I carried him over to my racer and belted him in. [ED]

                “Friends?  You mean there could be more of these things?

                “I wouldn't doubt it.  It would defy all logic to believe that he is the only hunter in the area. After all how could he carry that entire fowlen home on his own? Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to have a quick look around."

[ED] I just shook my head as Thunder took off mumbling something about fresh herbs and spices. There are times I have to wonder whether or not it was such a good idea making him so human. He's probably the only robot in the galaxy with an actual taste for the good life. [ED]

                “Prowler, I think he's coming around, are you sure those restraints will hold him?"

                Of course they'll hold him, they're designed to protect the passenger in case of a crash. So unless he understands our technology enough to hit the release button you're perfectly safe.

                “Ooohh. So this is where he wakes up and we discover that he has hidden fangs and spits poison right?"

[ED] I rolled my eyes at Dare's stupidity.  After all, most creatures that spit poison rarely also have fangs for injecting poison. [ED]

                Just relax, I'm going to take these restraints off now and Dare is a bit twitch so try not to make any sudden moves.

                “Very funny."

[ED] The fox jumped as I smeared a bit of medical ointment on the patch of burned fur where Dare had blasted him. [ED]

“Yeah, sorry about that.  Like I said Dare is a bit twitchy, I think I got the regeneration pad on quickly enough so that your fur will grow back in that area. Still, I can't make any guarantees."

                “Me Dare.  Me sorry.  I am very nice."

[ED] The fox jumped again from the sound of my palm hitting my face due to Dare's complete lack of intelligence. [ED]

                “Ahhoo.  Tiz kay se varmer taz er keran. Er kae Wite Foecks.  Oh wait; you probably speak the language of the ancient ones. Greetings, forgive me for saying so, but where I come from it is very rude to pat someone, you do not know, on the head."

                “I found some sage but we'll have to do without the other seasonings . . . Ah, er I vah ker ammak."

[ED] It took me a moment before I realized that I understood the language that White Fox was speaking. I was even more shocked to realize that the language was the same as the Lightbearer foxes of Shendria. [ED]

“Good, I was beginning to get worried that Dare might have seriously harmed you."

“I see that at least one of you is intelligent.  You even know how to speak correctly."

Dare, if you don't put those away I am going to have to hurt you.

[ED] Dare was still pointing his blasters at White Fox and twitching nervously. [ED]

“Yeah, like you would shoot me."

No, I wouldn't shoot you. I'd shoot your racer.  Or better yet I'll let him shoot your racer.  Just imagine the damage an arrow or spear would cause to your precious paint.

“Fine, I won't touch my blaster again. I don't trust him and if you end up on some barbecue spit don't come to me looking for a rescue.  I know all about small, cute, furry creatures. They may look cute but the first chance they get they turn you into kabobs."

“You had better sit down, Dare's blaster can have some nasty affects.  I think it's because he never cleans it.  The scent on that weapon alone could knock out a forty ton elepike."

                Hey Thunder, just before you arrived he spoke to us in basic.

                “Prowler says you spoke our language a little while ago?"

                “Yes, that's correct."

                “If you don't mind my asking, where did you learn to speak it so well?  I thought the Fox Clan knew only their own language and that of the Wolf Clan?"

“Many, many seasons ago we were visited by beings such as you.  They taught our ancestors many things, and gave us knowledge about new weapons. This is my bow it has been handed down from father to son for generations.  I would like to know more about your civilization.  You must be very knowledgeable to make a hut as amazing as this.  However I think it would be best if we exchanged proper introductions.  I am White Fox, son of Chief Snaggle Tooth and Clan Healer Wilna, Hunter for the First Village of the Fox Clan."

                “I am Prince Darrin Fireshadow, First Exile of the Royal Family of Arrebo."

                “Yes, I remember you.  You're the twitchy on who shot me."

                “The Fox People never forget anything, no mater how trivial or how much time passes. So be careful what you say."

                I am Prowler, The Homeless One, and leader of the Shadow Runners.

“And I am called Thunder, my proper designation is THNDR-23.  I am the brains of this pitiful group."

                “Yeah right."

                “Yip! It's nearly sunset! I was supposed to be back hours ago with the Clan's dinner!"

                You were lugging that huge fowlen back to camp?  It looks too heavy for just one person to carry.

“No, I had my rooc with me but your appearance startled him.  I really need to get that fowlen back to the village.  Everyone must be very hungry and very worried by now."

“I think we should help him take the fowlen back to his village.  It's nearly nightfall and it is our fault that he was delayed for so long."

                “Well if they're as hungry as I am, then I think we should nab a few more of those cluckers.  Besides, if we present enough food perhaps they won't want to eat us."

                Good idea Dare, cook us up some transportation

                “Gentlemen, line up and prepare to be amazed, your transport has arrived.  Whatever animal you get, you keep.  No complaints, agreed?"

                Yeah whatever, just hurry up and get on with it.

                “White Fox, stand by this one here.  Thunder you get the orange and brown capsule, Prowler you get the light blue and green one, and I'll take the brown and black one.  Ready?  Okay, lets make some animals!"

[ED] White Fox's capsule was the first to open; it was a trantpoll.  A trantpoll has long curving black horns, a small muzzle and nose, oval ears, black eyes hidden under thick facial hair, a squat body also covered in long hair, and six legs ending in small feet with four widely spaced toes. [ED]

                “Wow, what powerful magic you people have!"

[ED] Next was Thunder's rover, a spiken. An insect creature with a long body composed of armored segments with multiple stick like legs. [ED]

                “A perfect match."

[ED] Then Dare's rover emerged, an arachni with its eight furry legs, eight beady eyes and curving mandibles. After his complaints about poison I couldn't help but shake my head at his choice for a rover. [ED]

                “All right, let's go."

                Wait a minute!  Mine hasn't even moved! I guess it's a dud.

[ED] Suddenly a glillen, burst from its capsule, grew to full size, flopped a couple times, and died. At that moment I felt like strangling Dare. [ED]

                “Wrong species, Dare!"

“Hey it's not my fault, that was the last rover I had with me. I guess you'll be walking."

Fine, you've made your point. I'll use one of mine. Thunder; strap this thing to your spiken for transport.

“I guess that means we can add fish to the menu tonight."

“Okay!  Let's get underway; I'm ready to bag my limit on those birds.  Prowler can catch up with us when he finally gets his rover."

[ED] They just took off expecting me to catch up with them.  I wasn't really sure whether or not that would even happen.  I only had a single rover capsule and it was the one that Kindra had left in the racer.  As far as I knew it could have been another glillen. There was no way I could have prepared for the shock I got when the rover emerged.  It was Tanth Nightiger, the Snarion legend in the flesh.  I quickly removed the saddle, halter and collar.  I wouldn't need them. I'd learned the proper way to ride a feline mount on Shendria. [ED]

                Welcome back to the land of the living cousin.  I have a lot to tell you but right now there's a group of novice hunters that need to learn what an effective team a Shendrian and a Snarion can be.

End Log

Entry128

                We ended up getting ten more fowlens in the hunt. Then we met up with White Fox's brother Black Fox as we were traveling to the Fox Clan village.  When we reached the village, White Fox introduced us to Chief Snaggle Tooth and the Clan Healer Wilna.  Right now the Clan is preparing the fowlen and fish for a feast.  It seems the Clan thinks of us as their prophesied Great Ones.  It's obvious that this is the planet that Arlen claims was the home of the Kah Har. Of course if that's true then there is a good possibility that we'll find the Exp. 39 here.  The real problem is that since I'm here Kindra will soon be following us.  Obviously she didn't die when the Malevolent crashed since; she traveled, or will travel, back in time around a thousand years in order to enslave the Fox Clan.

Well, enough of that, I've got to remember not to dwell on the past or the future and live in the present.  Speaking of which this is the first chance to actually speak with Tanth about Snarion and our being related so I'd better seize the opportunity.  Oh, and I've set my headset to translate Snarion.

                Hello Tanth.

                “What's happened to me?  The last thing I remember is being captured and sold to slavers.  They did something to me and then I woke up in front of you."

                It is believed that the Striped Raja and Maned King, had you kidnapped by the slavers because they were afraid you'd become the sole sovereign of Snarion.

                “That's ridiculous, father would never have allowed such a thing."

                You and I know that but back then they didn't.

                “Back then?  How long have I been imprisoned?"

                Long enough for your existence to become legend.

“What!"

                In fact, I can only think of one individual that is older than you are.  Did your father ever tell you of the human named Arlen Sundowner?

                “Yes, Arlen has always been a friend of the Nightiger family.  So everyone I've ever known and loved is dead?"

                I'm afraid so. It seems the fate of our family line is to suffer.

                “Our family?  Are you saying that we are related?"

                Yeah, I'm a descendant of your father's brother Dacat Lightstripe and the current Lord of Clan Lightstripe on Shendria.  Though, now that you've been resurrected I suppose you have a greater claim to that position than I do.

                “So what is the legend which I am a part of?"

                The Guardians claim that one-day when Snarion is once again on the verge of destruction you will return. And just as your father saved them in the past you will save them in the future. 

                “That's just stupid.  What can I do?  I mean I haven't even reached the age of maturity and they already expect me to save them?  Are they in trouble right now?"

                That's the thing; they're not in trouble. As a matter of fact they are currently thriving.  But then, at this point, that can change in only a moment with such terrors as Kindra D'mize wandering about the galaxy.

                “So what should I do now?"

                I suggest that you officially join my group, the Shadow Runners.  We are an unofficial extension of the Guardian Corps, and then stay here for a while.  Once Rusty, my Accordan foster brother, receives this log entry I'm sure he'll pass it on to our brothers on Snarion.  You'll be safe here on Celtis Aranaki until you come of age.  Once you've matured they will come and take you home.

                “Can't I just leave with you?"

                That wouldn't be a very wise choice.  My path and yours lie in different directions. You have to live to save Snarion and I have to die to save the galaxy.

                “I've never heard anything so foolish."

                You're not the first to tell me that, but hey we've got nine lives and I haven't used all of mine up yet.

                “Hey Prowler, stop talking to your rover and get over here.  The feast is about to begin!"

                Okay, I'm coming.  You have to excuse me it seems to be time for dinner.

                “Is it alright if I do a bit of hunting?"

                That probably isn't a good idea. I'm not sure what species are off limits on this planet.  Just stick close to me and I'll be sure you get plenty from the feast as well.  After all you helped hunt it.

End Log

Entry 129

                “Sablaoy tanook!"

                “What did he say?"

                “The Great Leader is one with the spirits and he has asked for story requests.  Don't worry, I will translate what he says for you."

                “Many years ago, our people roamed this land.  We were the chosen people of the Kah Har and we lived in total peace."

                “Quite a tame little story.  I was hoping for something with a little more action."

                Dare, shut up.

                “But one day, the harmony was broken.  The Evil One came!"

                That would be Kindra when she jumped back in time.  Damn, I was right and this is the planet Arlen told me about.  And so the past has met the present once again.

                “She was the most evil creature the Clan had ever seen.  She came to pillage our world and make slaves of the Clan.  She created our cousins, the Wolf Clan.  They adapted quickly to our world.  We begged them to help us but they would not listen. They were loyal only to the Evil One.  We were forced to work in the granite quarries to build the Evil One a palace where she could live in luxury.  She lived well, while we worked and died in filth.  When we could stand it no more we rose up against her tyranny. The Wolf Clan fled in fear and we drove the Evil One back into the sky from whence she arrived.  As she fled she threatened to return and destroy us all.  She claimed that three beings, like herself, would lead her here again."
                “Hey Prowler, their Evil One sounds a lot like Kindra doesn't she?"

                “These strange beings! They are the one's that will bring the Evil One here!"

                “No way! We're not in cahoots with anyone evil!"

“I speak on the Shadow Runners behalf; they are not evil.  They helped me bring back the feast we had tonight.  Would anyone that was in league with the Wolf Clan or the Evil One have done that?"

                “Get them!  Before they can summon the Evil One!"

BOOOOOOOM

                I don't believe my eyes!  Tanth, we've got to get out to where that ship crashed before the Fox Clan does!

End Log

Entry 130

                I was right. It is a shuttle from Dawna's ship, The Trouble.

                “We must destroy it before the Evil One awakens!"

                “Grrr, back off!"

                Tanth, hold back this mob.  If there's a fight now, the survivors of this wreck could be killed.

                “As you wish commander."

                I said hold them back not scare them more!  They're jumpy enough as it is and I don't want them killing us as well!

                “You're no fun."

                There are five of them. The first two are a Callindoni, a feline, and a Furthian, a fish, both of whom are unconscious but otherwise unharmed. I take that back the Furthian has a rip in her suit; if the water keeps leaking out she won't survive.  I'll just tape it up; she'll be uncomfortable but otherwise she is unharmed. The pilot is a Nullander, a squirrel, and it appears her tail is broken. The fourth member is an amphibian from Morszack he's injured but he'll regenerate the damage soon enough.  The fifth crewmember is . . . It can't be . . . Dawna!

                “Look!  That female, is it the Evil One!"

                Oh great here we go again, Chief Snaggle Tooth, is this the Evil One?

                “No, she is not the Evil One!  Now all of you end this hatred of our new found brothers."

                “Yes, Great Chief."

                “Forgive me my brother, I should not have jumped to judge you so quickly."

                You're forgiven, now have some of your warriors get the rest of the survivors out of there.  I'm taking this one back to camp.

                “Take her to the large yellow hut.  Wilna lives there, she is a powerful healer."

                “Hey commander, anything I can do?"

                Yeah, help get the other survivors out of the ship and back to the village.  I'm taking Dawna to the Clan Healer.

                “Dawna, now where have I heard that name before?  Oh wait she's the one . . ."

                Here we go again. Not only has the past met the future but it's also repeating itself.  I only hope that this time Dawna regains her senses.  Wilna, I need your help!

                “Yes she is in a dark place, perhaps I can help her, quickly bring her inside."

                Please take care of her, she . . . she's special to me.

End Log

Entry 131

                “Dawna's advisors are sleeping comfortably. However but these warriors are wired enough to try and take on Kindra; and they might actually have a chance at winning. I think it's going to take a lot of story telling to get them calmed down."

                I guess we have to calm them down then.

                “What do you mean we?  I didn't join the Shadow Runners to tell stories to overly excited foxes."

                What a great idea, I'm glad you thought of it.  Great fox warriors, this has been a night of much celebration and many surprises.  You have shared a story with us and now we shall return the honor by sharing a story with you.

                “I'll translate the stories of our new friends so that all may understand them."

                I think that Darrin Fireshadow, should share the first story.

                “But I don't know any stories."

                Just tell them about how you joined the Runners.

                “Darr, tell story now?"

“Uh yeah, I guess.  Hmm, long ago and far away there was a small planet called Arrebo.  This planet had all the things needed for life.  Fresh air, cool clean water, and rich soil. However there was no life on this poor little ball of dust.  Then one day a nature loving people found it. These people traveled among the stars searching for planets just like Arrebo to call their home.  They settled and introduced life to the planet.  For every person in their clan they planted a forest so that they would always be connected to their new home.  To continue to remember they planted a new tree for every child born.  After many years the surface of the planet had become one giant forest and there were to many people to continue living there.  To solve the population problem the elders came up with a plan.  They mixed two kinds of tree seeds.  One type of seed would grow into a great tree and the other kind would remain small.  For each child that was born a seed was planted.  If the tree grew tall then the child would live on Arrebo.  However, if the tree remained small then when the child was old enough he would be given his tree and then he would leave Arrebo to find a new planet on which to live."

                “Here, Darr Feersadow, a dwink of wah'er."

                “Thank you little one, and just call me Dare."

                “You welcome Dare.  Me am . . . I am Skahwet."

                “Thank you Scarlet.  Now where was I?  Oh yeah, one day a son was born to the greatest chief on Arrebo.  This was a blessing to the chief but as the boy grew older his tree remained small.  His father was sad and the people agreed that it would be wrong to send the chief's son away.  They told him that they would make an exceptation in his case and allow his son to remain.  However the Chief knew that it would be wrong not to send his son away.  So when the child was old enough he too left his home world."

                Dare, I can continue if you'd like?

“No, this is my story and I will complete it."

                As you wish.

“Several years later an Evil One found Arrebo.   Her name was Kindra and she demanded that the people cut down their trees and give them to her or she would destroy them.  The elders refused. They believed that cutting down their sacred trees was a worse punishment than death.  Kindra sent a man to bargain with the elders.  He killed them and then told the people that if they didn't bow to Kindra and cut down their trees then they would die as well.  The people still refused and Kindra rained fire down from the sky.  Huge areas of the forest were burned and many people died before she left to terrorize other planets.  I … The son of the great chief found many of the people that had been sent away and they returned to Arrebo.  He convinced the people that they would be able to save the planet and that there was still hope for them.  But, I couldn't stay I had to find Kindra and stop her before she could destroy any more planets.  I . . ."

                That's when he joined me in my quest to make the galaxy a safer place to live.  And you said that you didn't know any stories.

                “Now, it is late and we should all go to bed.  Perhaps tomorrow Prowler will tell us his story.  Everyone off to bed or it will be tomorrow before today has had a chance to rest."

End Log

Entry 132

                I knew he had it in him.

                “So, is this Kindra the evil that I'm going to save Snarion form?"

                No Tanth, Kindra is the evil that I must defeat.  Though I have learned a bit about my future I have no knowledge of yours.   All I know of your path is what I was taught during my time at the Guardian Academy.

                “You were trained as a Guardian?"

                Ah yes, that came about several generations after your time.  To maintain family ties the oldest son to the Dacat family is fostered on Snarion.  While I was there I entered the Academy and graduated, with a fourth class air rank and a fifth class ground rating.

                “That's impressive, especially for an Accordan."

                Yeah, but it was that off world training that got me into the mess I'm in now.

                “Well it isn't all that bad, after all you found me.  And from listening to Dare's story it seems you've helped him as well.  Even if you are fated to die, so what?  We all die eventually. You just get to go out as a galactic hero."

                You're right.  I don't know what it is but; you Snarions have a habit of reminding me that the future isn't as bad as I keep dreaming it to be.

                “So where are we sleeping tonight?"

                Well, I figure Wilna isn't going to let me stay in her hut to watch over Dawna so I thought I'd sleep out here on her porch.  All you have to do is lie down there and then I'll use you as a pillow.

                “You're definitely unlike the humans father told me of."

                Hey, watch the tail.  So what's that supposed to mean?

                “For one thing you're willing to sleep outside without knowing what predators may be lurking around.  And you haven't acted strange even though most of the Fox Clan isn't wearing any clothing."

                First off, I've spent enough time sleeping out in the open that it doesn't bother me any more and secondly I've lived on a planet where clothing is optional before.  As for dangerous predators I don't have to worry since you're here to protect me.

                “How do you know I'm not one of those predators?"

                I don't. However you have to remember something.  I'm the current Lord Lightstripe.  In order to hold that position I had to travel to Shendria.  Didn't your father tell you what that means?

                “He said that our family can't return to Shendria until we regain our ability to shift."

                Exactly, now let's get some sleep.  It's been a rather busy day.

End Log

Entry 133

                “Good morning. Your friend's condition hasn't changed.  I'll call you if there is any change but for now the one called Thunder would like to talk to you.  He was here earlier but I sent him away as you were in need of rest."

                Where's Tanth?

                “Oh that one. You know, he watched over you all night.  I sent him off early this morning to hunt.  The food you brought in last night will sustain the camp for some time; unless we have to feed that walking stomach.  I will call you if there is any change but I do believe that Thunder wishes to speak with you."

                Thank you Wilna, I'll be back after while.  Whoa!

                “Humans sure get gravity sickness easily, and you could use a bath. According to my olfactory sensors you smell like wet cat."

                Is that all you wanted to tell me? Because you left out the fact that it feels like a rodent built a nest in my mouth, my neck and back are killing me, and if I don't find the restroom or a convenient bush real soon the camp is going to be flooded.

                “If you insist I can also point out a multitude of other flaws both mental and physical. However, let me just point out, that is what you get for flopping down on the most convenient porch. Didn't you consider the possibility of heavy dew? Or how about the fact that your frail human body has become soft and weak from spending so much time in a gravity controlled environment? No, of course you didn't.  At least Dare had the good sense to find a hammock to sleep in and a blanket to cover himself with. Now I need to run a blood test."

                Hey, you'd better have a damn good reason for that.

                “Hmm, it's just as Dare said."

                What's going on?

                “Last night after the story, while you were rescuing your pirate girlfriend and Dare was telling stories, I was out working.  I found the remains of a warning beacon.  It seems Celtis Aranaki is under Alpha Class Quarantine.  I found it at the base of a recent rock slide which explains..."

                Wait; go back. Did you say Alpha Class?  What kind of horrible disease have we contracted?

                “It isn't a disease."

                Then what is it and what are the symptoms?

                “Either you will allow me to tell the story as I see fit or you can just sit there and suffer.

                Fine, I'm shutting up.

“Good. So last night Scarlet, the fox kit that seems to have a crush on Dare, told him that her father had died in the last battle against the Evil One.  I asked Chief Snaggle Tooth when that battle occurred.  He told me that it was nearly four thousand seasons ago."

                So they have around three hundred seasons per year, big deal.

                “The Fox Clan only recognizes two seasons, wet and dry, per Galactic Standard Year. It seems that they age about one year for every one hundred fifty years we age."

                What!

                “That is the reason the planet was quarantined.  The beacon was a model manufactured during the opening years of the time known as the Great Purge.  The reason for the Fox Clan's slowed aging is a symbiotic creature that attaches itself to the individual's chromosomes.  Once it has adapted to the host it creates a link to every other symbiot in the host's body forming a primitive hive mind.  The group then reads the individuals DNA code.  Or perhaps I should say every single strand of DNA code in the host's body.  It then repairs any damage that the code has received."

                So the repairs that the symbiot makes are in effect a regenerative measure as well?

                “Yes. In effect we have discovered the proverbial fountain of youth."

                And the negative side effects are?

                “Extremely long life and freedom from diseases related to the breakdown of DNA. Isn't it terrible!  You're going to live for a very long time and I was so looking forward to going to your funeral in only fifty or sixty years."

                I think you may have missed the reason that the human purity league quarantined this planet.  The symbiots attach themselves to the host's chromosomes in effect making them a new type of creature.

                “Yes I guess it could be viewed that way."

                So how long do we have before the effects become permanent?

                “It's too late if you think you can get away from it.  According to my calculations you and Dare would have had to leave at the same time Dawna and her crew arrived."

                Well, no use worrying about that now.  So are these symbiots communicable if we leave the planet?

                “As far as I can tell no.  They can't be passed through blood transfusion or reproduction.  Once they have attuned themselves to the host body they can't be passed on.  After they've adapted to your particular genetic structure they cannot live in any other environment."

                How do you know that they can't be passed through reproduction?

                “I discussed the subject with Wilna.  It seems that gestation in the Fox Clan is equivalent to other humanoid species. The symbiots enter the host body through the lungs and then spread to other parts of the body.  Which makes sense.  After all how may species could survive a century and a half long pregnancy?"

                Well, at least we aren't infectious.  Are there any other side effects besides the lengthened life span?

                “None worth mentioning."

                I think any that you know would be worth mentioning.

                “Well it is rather personal, but if you insist.  It seems you'll only be able to procreate with someone else who has been infected with the symbiot. Also, well lets just say, you're not going to be having a large family anytime soon.  Though I suppose it is still possible for you to pass on your genes if you use the evolver unit."

                Are there any other side effects that you feel aren't worth mentioning?

                “Do you consider the fact that I left out the negative side effects when I was talking to Dare a problem?  I figured, as our leader, you should be the one to tell him about that.  Otherwise I don't currently know of any others. However, I will continue to observe you and Dare for the next couple thousand years."

                Couple thousand years!  That is going to take some getting used too.

                “Yes it will. But it does increase your chances of bringing peace to the galaxy.  Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to study some of the local flora and fauna to see if the symbiot has attached itself to lower life forms other than humans."

                Well, this event was unforeseen.  Though I think Arlen mentioned something about a life form that extended his life when he first met the Kah Har.  Even though it's obvious that Kindra shot down Dawna and then some how jumped back in time two thousand years. I refuse to accept the fact that the future is set.  Rusty and Trace were right. I mean, if the future is set and I'm meant to die in a final battle with Kindra then what is the point of my life span being extended by such a degree.  Oh God, I just realized Kindra's life will also be extended.  Does this mean that my battle against her will be centuries long instead of years?  How many people will be harmed in that amount of time?  I've got to clear my mind.  The only thing of importance right now is helping Dawna get better.  After that, I can go back to worrying about the future and Kindra.

End Log

Entry 134  (30/10.3)

                It's been a week and a half and Dawna hasn't shown any sign of improvement.  Also Dare discovered a safe aboard the shuttle that he is positive holds all of Dawna's treasure. I've tried to tell him that it is likely just a save containing her captains log and maybe a few trinkets but he refuses to believe me. Still he hasn't made any progress at cracking it yet. The funny thing is if he took the time to really look at the shuttle he'd realize that instead of focusing on the safe and instead try to find the door to the secret room. Anyway I'm not going to let him know about that since for now the safe is keeping him occupied.

Speaking of needing to be kept occupied, Dawna's advisors are driving everyone nuts. They keep getting into trouble. Several attempts have been made by our new friends to keep them occupied, I think that today's project is basket weaving, Hopefully Dawna will wake up soon and do something. At this point I'd even welcome the homicidal pirate commander just to give everyone a break.

As if that wasn't enough all of the scans for exp. 39 have all turned up negative.  That means that the FGP's idea that the mineral may be found in conjunction with known Kah Har sights was completely wrong.

                “Prowler!  Come quick!"

                What is it?

                “Len touched the Fox Clan's nuts and they killed her!"

                Dare, slow down and tell me exactly what happened.

“Len, the squirrel from Nulland, touched the Fox Clan's sacred acorn.  I guess they see it as a fertility object given to them by the Gods.  Anyway when anyone touches it they have to be executed.  It was quite a show.  Anyway now the Clan has decided to banish the rest of Dawna's crew as well."

                What!  Let's go see if we can talk some sense into them.  Dawna's advisors may be a pain but they still have rights.

End Log

Entry 135

“Because of your insolence and disregard for our customs, I hereby banish you from our midst.  RayMee, you we banish to the plains of Tootra.  There is plenty of game to hunt and you should be able to find shelter in the mountains bordering the plains. Gailfin, you are banished to the river Cresh."

                Chief Snaggle Tooth, may I be allowed to speak on Gailfin's behalf?

                “You are our honored guests, but the decision has been made and you cannot change that."

                I just wanted to point out that Gailfin's home world of Furth is an ocean world.  If you wish only to banish her then she must be banished to an ocean otherwise it will be a death sentence.

                “You have knowledge that I did not, I thank you for advising me in this way.  As the advisors are to be banished rather than executed I will modify my ruling.  Gailfin, you will be taken to the Great Father Ocean.  Far Runner and Spear Breaker, you are to escort her down to the beach and remove her helmet.  She is not allowed to return to the land.  Casshai, you shall be banished to the river Cresh.  The area is bountiful but it also separates the Fox Clan territory from the Wolf Clan territory so you must be forever vigilant.  You will be blindfolded and escorted there by our finest warriors. I have spoken and now it shall be."

                “Well that was interesting.  Though I have to wonder why you didn't protest their banishment?"

                If I'd protested they would just continue to cause problems and end up getting themselves executed.  If we need to find them again they shouldn't be too difficult to track down.

                “I don't know if it would be such a good idea to track them down.  After all, they are pirates and they now have very long life spans.  As long as they remain here we won't have to hunt them down later."

                You have a point.  Say, who's with Dawna?

                “You were, I suggest you get back, and hurry. You never know what might happen in a place like this.

End Log

Entry 136

Dawna!  You're awake!  Oh no, she's dead!

                “Boo!"

                Aaarrrgh!  The living dead

                “Hah hah, you're quite the brave person, Tigris. Ah hah hah hah."

                You're alive! And you remember who I am.

                “Of course I'm alive, Kindra didn't hurt me that badly."

                That was nine years ago!  Can't you remember anything between then and now?

                “Nine years!"

                Well, let me bring you up to speed.

                “Wait a minute, something's coming back!  Ke-Yah"

[ED] Dawna launched a flying kick aimed at my face, which I easily blocked. [ED]

“How did you do that!?"

                Well, let's just say this isn't the first time you've attacked me after recovering from a coma.  Now then, let me tell you about some of the things that the Great Dawna Destruction has gotten herself into.

End Log

Entry 137

[ED] I'd just finished telling the Fox Clan the story of how I'd joined Kindra and then escaped. [ED]

                “Can we hear the poem that you composed to describe the horrors of war that the Evil One used against her victims?  As a warrior who prefers peace I would be honored if you would tell it to me and my warriors."

                Black Fox, I haven't recited that poem since Kindra turned it to evil.

                “The only way that it will ever be redeemed is if you speak it to those who would honor it for its true purpose."

                Perhaps you're right White Fox; maybe tonight it will indeed find redemption.

 

Verres, Allahk, Lenkah

Love is dead                         the path is gone.

The wolves are hungry       death is all around.

The land in ruins                  the heroes gone.

Hope abandoned                nightmares abound,

This is the end                      and life has gone.

There is no fear                    the door closes without a sound

 

There was silence when I finished.  I stepped from the dais of story telling and walked through the village. I passed the last hut and I continued walking.  Now I'm standing here at the top of the cliffs overlooking the ocean.  It's nearly a mile from the village and I don't remember getting here. I don't even know how long I've been standing here.

“Not long."

I've changed so much since I had to become Kindra's second in command.

“Yes, you've grown stronger and you've learned how to fight for peace.  But deep inside you're still the same person."

Am I?  I can hardly tell anymore.

“You saved me didn't you?  Anyone else on Kindra's ship would have worried more about their own life.  And if what you've told me about the memories I'm missing is true; then I tried to kill you.  Yet you save my life again when I crashed here.  I can't think of anyone else who would have done that."

What if Kindra was killed on Ranta V?  If I continue to fight then I may become as evil as she was, and now that Thunder tells me that we'll live for thousands of years that might be even more likely.  How can I go on that long?  I'd convinced myself that I'd die fighting Kindra but if she's dead then what?

“We stay here and forget about the rest of the galaxy.  If Kindra is dead then they don't need you anymore."

No, I promised the Federation I'd find the Exp. 39 for them.  Also there are others to whom I must return. 

“Why?  If Kindra is dead then there's no need for the Federation to have the mineral."

If I don't find it then another one of their agents will and if that happens then I won't have a chance to destroy their super weapon.  Without a threat such as Kindra to use it on I know they'll turn it on the citizens of the galaxy.  And the Federation isn't my only concern, I . . . so much has happened in the last nine years.  Dawna I don't want there to be any secrets between us so I'm going to tell you everything.  After you had betrayed me, no don't say anything I don't blame you.  Anyway, I learned that I had a son and I was mated with his mother.  On the planet that she was from that bonding was the same as marriage. 

“But how is that possible? The only one you were with during our time on the Malevolent was that cat on Vesuvia and that's impossible since you're human."

Dawna, look into my eyes and say that.

“But how . . ."

I'm from a race that has the ability to change their form, just as you are.

“I don't understand."

I learned as much as I could about you during your time as a pirate.  You're also from Accordia, but your family is from the same world as my family.  I can't tell you the name of that planet but I can tell you that your true name is Dawna Destiny.

“Destiny . . . when I hear that name I get an impression of being happy knowing that I'd never be alone because there was always going to be someone there with me."

You're remembering your parents or you sister.

“No, I don't think so. There's a room. A large room, it seems warm and friendly and there is a carpet, no a tapestry hanging on the wall.  Some one is telling me that one-day I will live in this house and be part of a great family.  That I will never be alone because . . . because . . . “

You're remembering your past don't try to force it.  Try describing the room or the tapestry.

“There are men and cats, just many woven pictures of men and cats and a large part of it shows the stars."

And on each side of the wall where the tapestry is hanging is a stairway leading up to the second floor.  But it's really the first floor because the house is built up the side of a small hill. And at the top of the stairs is an old man with a little boy standing next to him.

“How did you know that?"

I just remembered it.  Your memory is of the entrance to what was my home on Accordia.  I was the boy at the top of the stairs.  What you are remembering was the day that our parents arranged our marriage.

“And just how do you know that little tid bit?"

I didn't realize it until just now.  But it makes sense. Your sister told me how your family had lost prestige because you had died and the only way to make up for the loss was for her to be betrothed to my foster brother Rusty Darkmane.  Dawna, will you . . . will you join the Shadow Runners?

“I . . . I'll have to think about it.  There's so much that I don't remember and so much more to understand.  Ask me again when I've remembered more about the person I was both in the last nine years as well as before I ended up with Kindra."

Of course I shouldn't have been so hasty to ask such a question.

“So where am I to stay while we're here?"

I'm sure you will be able to stay with Wilna.

“And where will you be staying?"

Now that you are out of danger I'll move to White Fox's hut.  He has insisted I would be more comfortable there.  But for now I think I'm just going to sit out here and watch the stars while listening to the surf.

“If you don't mind I think I'll join you.  It's such a beautiful night.  And thank you, thank you for helping me remember a time before Kindra, and for giving me back my true name.

End Log

Entry 138

                Grrr, I've spent all morning trying to convince Dawna that I'm not lying about her being a pirate.  I even showed her the private log that Dare found aboard her shuttle.  Of course she insisted that it could have been a fake. So since that wasn't good enough we're heading out to the shuttle so that she can see it for herself.  If that doesn't work the only thing left is to go back to the racers and download the galactic news reports of her actions.

                Damn it, how can she move so fast when she still has to use a cane?  Hey Dawna, wait up!

                “Hey, it's not my fault you can't keep up when you're talking to yourself."

                I'm making an entry in my log and you know it.

                “I still say it's slowing you down."  

                Yeah, whatever, so there it is. It even has your name plaque on the side.  Trouble Shuttle 94 property of The Great Dawna Destruction.  If you get closer you'll also see the words “and the Trouble Makers" in smaller print.

                “All right, so I guess that means this ship belongs to me.  However that doesn't mean I was a pirate.  I mean really, what self-respecting pirates would refer to themselves as 'Trouble Makers'? After all..."

[ED] Dawna suddenly assumed a defensive stance as though something was going to attack her and then dropped to the ground as if in extreme pain.  That was when the sensation hit me.  My mental shield snapped into place in an instant but it wasn't enough to protect me from an extreme headache.  Something was trying to attack our minds. [ED]

                Dawna, are you all right?

                “Prowler, I saw something."

                I think you may have hit your head a little harder than I thought.

                “A vision, I had a vision.  There was an upright wolf, talking to me.  She gave me a warning."

                Whoa!  A vision, I must alert Dare and Thunder and then we have to talk to Wilna.

                “You think I'm kidding don't you?"

                You were quite a kidder when we were on the Malevolent.  I remember the time you installed bedpans in all the gunnery stations and convinced the crew that Kindra had ordered it.  However this time . . .

                “This is no joke, you insensitive  . . . Brat!  I'm telling you it's true.  We've got to prepare ourselves.  Kindra is coming!"

[ED] In my own defense I was about to tell Dawna that I did believe her except the sonic boom from Kindra's entrance silenced me. [ED]

                Ah, Dawna accept my humble apologies.

                “Apology accepted, now let's get out of here. Kindra is coming, and we've got a lot of preparations to set up to welcome her properly."

[ED] We ran back to the village as quickly as we could and though Dawna had just recovered she easily outdistanced me and I noticed she had left her cane behind. [ED]

                “Kindra is coming! Kindra is coming! Prowler, say something. They don't seem to understand the danger they're in!"

                The Evil One has returned, she just landed where White Fox told us the Wolf Village is located.

[ED] I really should have known better.  Dawna was yelling and the Fox Clan was slowly backing away as though she had lost her mind again.  Needless to say the moment I mentioned The Evil One the entire village panicked. [ED]

                “Excitable aren't they?"

                Quite.

End Log

Entry 139

“My people, please calm yourselves. Once again the Evil One is threatening our lives, but remember, we drove her away once before and we shall do so once again.  For this time we have the help and guidance of the Great Ones."

I may dislike conflict, but that doesn't mean I don't know how to fight. We have a plan.

“Knock off the big man attitude, okay?  We're dealing with a war here."

Okay, here's the plan. The Fox Clan will follow Thunder to the granite quarries.  When you arrive, he will carve some caves to act as a shelter that will be impenetrable to attack.

“We'll face the Evil One here. If we're defeated, your warriors will be positioned between this point and the quarry as a second line of defense.  Even if the Evil One takes us out we will have inflicted heavy losses to her forces.  I'm not counting on our loosing the battle but Kindra is one tough cookie.  Prowler, can you think of anything I'm forgetting?"

No, that's it.

“Great Ones, I have some gifts that may make your battle easier.  These are the sacred weapons that drove the Evil One away before.  Use them well and they may do so again.  Commander Prowler, I give to you the Jahar  Blade.  It was forged by the Kah Har and named by the Great One known as Arlen.  When wielded by one with a true heart it, like all of the weapons empowered by the Evil One, can defeat any foe."

[ED] The, Justice Blade, appeared to be tempered steel yet much lighter.  It had a double edge blade and a metal claw clutching a black orb as the pommel weight. [ED]

It is well balanced and feels as though it was designed to enhance my abilities and mask my weaknesses.  I am honored, Great Chief.

“Dawna, I give to you the Tdres'rilt Shield.  As long as you hold it before you, your enemies cannot harm you."

“Makes sense to me.  Oh my, for such a large shield it's surprisingly light.  I thank you, Great Chief."

[ED] Dawna's, Stop Death Shield, was made of sheets of hammered metal and decorated with the image of a fox with white stone eyes.  The only discernable damage was a scorch mark perfectly centered between the eyes. [ED]

“Thunder, to you goes the Aray Mirror.  It will hide you from danger and blind your enemies."

                “Great Chief, you honor me, thank you."

[ED] I only got a glimpse of the, Heaven Mirror, before Thunder stored it in his chest compartment. However, from what I saw it had a gold frame with jade set at each corner.  It also had a burn mark in one corner as though it had been used to deflect an energy bolt. Though I'm not certain, I don't think the reflective surface was made of glass. It appeared to be polished metal. [ED]

                “Dare, to you I give one of the most powerful weapons, the Anor Frying Pan.  Its power reflects your own inner passion."

[ED At first I thought the Fire frying Pan was a joke.  I mean, I've never seen Dare cook anything and I'm not sure I'd eat his cooking, even if he did.  Anyway the pan shined with a silver finish and it had a wooden handle with gold inlay and an orange stone on the end.  As with the other weapons there was a scorch mark. This time located in the center of the cooking surface. [ED]

                “This is a weapon?  How can this be a weapon!"

[ED] Dare swung it around over his head and the Fox Clan dropped to their knees.  Not knowing what to expect, I dropped as well. I found that Dawna was likewise on the ground covering her head.  At about the time Dare noticed that he was the only one standing an energy ball formed in the center of the pan and shot into the ground about fifty feet away.  The crater looked to be two foot across and at least half a foot deep. [ED]

                Dare, would you watch what you're doing you could have killed someone.

                “I'm sorry for my behavior, Chief Snaggle Tooth. Thanks for the pan, now that I've seen its power I'm sure I'll be able to kick the Evil Ones butt."

                Okay then, let's get moving. Tanth!

                “He's gone, I thought you realized that.  I saw him follow RayMee onto the plains, when I was collecting herbs for Wilna."

                Thank you Thunder, when we get back to the base I'm going to run a full diagnostic on your logic circuits.

“What did I do?"

“Oh, let me answer that one. Pretty please."

Dare, shut up. So what about the other rovers?

                “My spiken ate the trantpoll and was killed when it got into a fight with Dare's arachni. It also died in the fight.  So it looks like you're on foot again. Luckily for me you built tires into my feet.  Now excuse me, I have to go out to the racers and get our mining equipment so that I can build a fortress for our fox friends."

                Wonderful.

End Log

Entry 140

                “So Dawna, are you starting to believe us about being a pirate?"

                “Just because there was a bunch of weapons and traps onboard my shuttle doesn't mean I was a pirate."

                Would you two knock it off! All that matters is that with these weapons we have a better chance against Kindra.

                “You're just in a good mood because you found that arrow gun in Dawna's weapons collection."

                It's called a semi-automatic twin crossbow. And yeah, I'm glad I found it.  It may seem primitive, when compared to your blaster, but it can fire almost as rapidly and unlike your blaster it's silent.  I can take out three maybe four targets before they know what's happening.  After they do figure it out I'll still be able to get in at least two shots before they can figure out where I'm hiding.

                “So what? You've only got ten shots and then you have to take the time to switch clips."

                Yeah, but once the enemy has gotten over their surprise I can immediately switch to my blaster to finish off the rest.

                “I hope you're right. From the stories I remember the Evil One isn't so easily defeated."

                “White Fox!  What are you doing here?"

                “A better question would be how did you get past my traps?"

                You were there when the Fox Clan drove the Evil One away the first time?

                “Hmm where to begin?  I'm here because Black Fox won't let me fight with the rest of the Fox warriors.  I'm one of the best hunters but he thinks I'm too young to be a warrior.  I'd like to join your team in the fight against the Evil One.  Dawna, I got past your traps because I've been watching you place them all day.  And no I wasn't actually there when the Warriors drove the Evil One away since I was only a cub. However, I heard the stories when they returned to announce that we'd been freed.  I was a slave to the Evil One and I refuse to be put in chains again."

                “Wait a minute, I know we've been referring to Kindra and the Evil One as the same person but they're not, right?  If I've calculated correctly then it was about a thousand years ago that your Evil One enslaved you."

                No Dare, Kindra is the Evil One.  Don't ask me how but she traveled back in time just after she shot Dawna down.  I've seen the proof."

                “What proof?"

                I can't believe you haven't put the pieces together yet.  Arlen Sundowner has been visiting this planet for years.  He's the one who showed me the proof.

                “Of course, Arlen must have been one of the first Great Ones to visit this planet.  That's why he seems to be ageless, he's been infected with the same life extending symbiot that we have."

[ED] The look on Dare's face was absolutely priceless.  It was as though he had personally solved one of the greatest mysteries in the universe all by himself. [ED]

                That's right. The same symbiot that Kindra now has in her system.

                “So what's the proof that can convince you that Kindra is the Evil One?"

                The Fox Clan gave him a holomatrix recording of me.  The recording we made after our first strike against one of Kindra's bases.

                “He could have gotten the recording after your attack."

                No, Meonii had seen it before I made the recording and she told me he had it.

                “And you trusted her?"

                Yes Dawna, I trusted her.  I trusted her with my life and she died to make sure I lived long enough to make that recording.  So I don't want anyone saying anything against her.  White Fox, if you really want to join us then you're part of the team.  I don't think any of the other members will have a problem with that. Right Dare?

                “The more the merrier and it might be fun to have someone I can talk to. After all everyone else on the team knows you better than they know me."

                “Thank you Commander, I promise to be the best warrior that I can be."

                Just try to be yourself. We're only warriors because we don't have any other choice. Oh, and please, just call me Prowler.

                “Hey Commander, it seems while we've been talking you burned dinner."

                Dare, if you don't like it, you can cook next time.

End Log

Entry 141

                Well, they complained all night about my cooking so now I'm giving them something to really complain about.  This morning I'm making oatmeal.  The thing is I've made it so that it'll set up as hard as stone and be even less edible.  Of course I have a chemical agent that will break up the mass when it comes time to clean the pot. However, I don't think I'll give it to them until they've scrubbed at it for a bit. Hey everyone, breakfast, is served.

[ED] When they looked at the pot I had a hard time keeping a straight face. White Fox picked up a rock and pounded on it before giving up. [ED]

                “So when do you think the Evil One, uh, I mean Kindra is going to attack?"

[ED] For a minute I thought Dare was going to pull out his blaster to see if that could dent the oatmeal. [ED]

                “Take this advice my friends.  Wait not for battle, for battle comes whether you want it or not."

                “Yes, but some of us crave battle!"

[ED] Dawna looked crazed and there was even a trickle of drool rolling down her chin.  It wasn't a pretty sight and I'm hoping I never have to see it again. [ED]

                Where did that little comment come from?

“I don't know. I think I just had a flashback or something."

                “Oh thank goodness. When you salivated while looking at us I thought you had finally resorted to cannibalism, rather than risk eating what Prowler made for breakfast."

                “No, too much cholesterol."

                Oh ha ha, from now on someone else can do the cooking.  If anyone needs me to lead an assault on some ruthless tyrant bent on galactic domination, I'll be in my tent napping.

End Log

Entry 142

Damn, it's been four days and Kindra still hasn't shown up.  I'm really beginning to worry.  It isn't like her to take the time to form an extensive battle plan.  She's always been the rush in and blast everything until it's all dead type of fighter.  Whoa, what the hell was that!  Dare, Dawna, White Fox come quick. Something really weird is happening out here!

                “Oh, what is it?  It's too damn early in the morning to bother with anything."

                There's a silver object out here spinning around the camp extremely fast.

                “Wow, what is it!"

                Well, White Fox, just guessing from the size and shape I'd have to guess that it's Thunder.  However, it would seem that he's gotten a few of his wires crossed again.

                “He seems to be slowing down. I guess this was worth crawling out of my sleeping bag to watch. Now I'm going back to my tent. Don't bother me again unless Kindra is marching over the hill."

                “Kindra . . . bzt . . . on the hills . . . zrrk . . . headed this way!"

                “She's coming at last!  Now I get to have some fun!"

                “I guess I'm no longer the crazy member of this team."

                Dare, shut up and give her some time.  She isn't exactly herself just yet.

                “No kidding? I'd have never guessed."

End Log

Entry 143

                According to Thunder, Kindra's troops are approaching us from the rear. The only way he could reach us before she did was to hotwire his wheels so that he could travel faster.  Of course, when he crossed the wires he burned out several systems.  As soon as I had his vocal unit repaired he explained that Kindra had rounded up the Wolf Clan into a rag tag looking army. We only had about a half-hour to prepare so we moved the camp down the side of a small hill and we've taken up positions on the surrounding hills.  We're hoping to catch her army in the valley bellow.  There's nothing yet, I swear Kindra is taking her time.  Now I've got to signal the others that I haven't seen anything moving yet.  There's everyone else's signals, I guess they haven't seen anything . . . wait a minute, the valley's been filled with a hill!

                “Attack!"

                Well, she's here; and her army seems to be incredibly stupid! They're trapped under their own camouflage cover.

                “What are you waiting for?  Attack!  Attack, you fools!"

                “But your highness, we can't get out!"

                “What?  Are you all really that stupid?  Must I do everything myself?"

                It looks like she's got a combat knife and she's cutting the cloth away.  We really should be attacking but it's just so hard to bring myself to shoot down any creatures that are so stupid.

                “See?  Was that too hard to think of?  Am I the only one using my brains here?  Now you've ruined our surprise attack. Demmina, you might as well come down, the surprise attack is ruined."

                Oh, how the mighty hath fallen. 

                “A shame that we have to kill them really"

                Dare what in the hell are you doing over here?  You're supposed to be over on the other hill!

                “She doesn't have any heavy weaponry.  If she did she wouldn't be wasting time with this pathetic excuse for an army.  So I figured I'd come over here for a better view."

                I hope you're right because her ship just arrived!

                “Listen my army, your prey is on that hill hiding in the bushes.  Let's get them!"

                “What are we going to do now?  Kindra's ship can track us!"

                Sh, don't worry, Kindra will be hitting some of those booby traps we planted any second now.  So sit back and enjoy the show.

                “And it should be a really impressive show at that."

                Not you too, is there anyone that followed my orders?

                “I guess not since I signaled Thunder and White Fox to meet up here.  If Kindra concentrates her attack directly toward this position her army will hit the greatest amount of traps leaving only a few of them for us to finish off.  Besides, only one of them is carrying weapons more advanced than a spear and she's staying close to Kindra."

                “Wait!"

                Uh oh, I think she discovered one of the traps.

                “It doesn't matter it's already been activated.  Besides her troops didn't take the hint see they're still moving."

                “Halt!  Desist!"

“Yes! One wolfcicle, and the ground is coated with a nice sheet of ice I just love frost grenades."

                “This could happen to you!  This fool has set off a booby trap. A frost bomb to be precise, he is now frozen in place for a very long time.  Watch your step or you could be next!"

                “Ah Hooo!"

                “Another trap everyone down!"

                What the hell was that trap?  It took out all but Kindra and three wolves!

                “F.R.A.P. grenade."

                “A Form Reduction Anti-Personnel grenade? Wow, I didn't think it had been perfected yet.  As soon as we get back to base I'm ordering several cases!"

Excuse me, but am I the only one who doesn't know what just happened?  I mean that one trap just wiped out most of Kindra's forces.

“Technically it didn't kill Kindra's army. It reduced them in size to about six inches in height. It is the ultimate in non-lethal personnel suppression. "

                Well, that's one way to reduce an army's size. You say it's non-lethal as well?  Is there a way to counteract the effects?

                “No need, over the next week the affected wolves will gradually return to their normal size as the effects wear off. It's great for infiltration and getting into tight spaces to make repairs on starships. As long as you've got someone willing to be reduced in size for that amount of time.  It works along the same lines used to reduce rovers in size."

                Right, Dare order a case or two for me as well.

                “Oh no!  They've shrunk!"

                “You see! This is why I told you all to be careful!  These dumb fools set off a F.R.A.P. grenade.  As you can see it shrinks you.  Beware, the Shadow Runners are trying to kill us!"

                “Oh look, the Evil One is doing a little dance."

                Actually I think she's gotten so mad at her insignificant army that she's squashing them herself.

                “We could take her now. I'm sure I could pick off at least two of the wolves and maybe Kindra as well."

                “Only if you remembered to charge your blaster."

                “I remembered to charge it this time.  Did you remember to charge your brain?"

                Wait, I've got an idea.  I think it's time to use the special weapons Chief Snaggle Tooth gave us.  It would be a fitting end for Kindra to be killed by Fox Clan weapons.  Charge!

                “Ah ha, there they are, get them!"

                “Hey, this mirror is heating up!"

                “What's going on?  I can't seem to fling any energy balls."

                “Prepare yourselves my friends, when the weapons are used together they release an unimaginable amount of power!"

I'm initiating the energy release.  Thunder, make the calculations and position your mirror to reflect the beam toward Kindra!  Dawna brace yourself here it comes!

                “Wow!"

                “Umphf"

                “Damn, she ducked but I atomized one of the wolf warriors and one is headed for the hills.  It seems the fight has gone out of him."

                Here we go again!

                “Retreat!  Demmina get us out of here!"

                Damn, the beam isn't powerful enough to penetrate the ship's armor.  Thunder, aim for the engines!

                “What was that all about? That shot was nowhere near the engines"

                “Yes, I know."

                Well, since Kindra seems to be heading out into space to lick her wounds I guess that means our job here on Celtis Aranaki is done.  That was a lot easier than I expected.  Though it was a pretty weird battle if you ask me.

                “Oh no."

                “Oh what now you metallic monster?"

                “Well, I have bad news and good news.  First the bad news, according to my scanners, Kindra had a time drive on that new ship.  That means she can go anyplace and anytime she wants."

                “Then she really is the Evil One.  I had doubted the possibility but she looked just the same as Snaggle Tooth described her.  She must have gone back in time to create an army of wolves.  That's how she knew you would be coming.  Yip yip yip, this is great! I was starting to worry that there was more than one Evil One."

                It's nice to know you all believed me when I told you that was what happened.  However, once we leave Celtis Aranaki Kindra should follow us away from here.  So Thunder, what's the good news?

                “I destroyed her time drive with that last shot.  Of course there is still the really bad news, at least for Dare. When I went to the speeders to get the mining equipment I discovered a large storm passed through that area while we were away.  So now the racers are covered in dirt and vegetation so we'll have to dig them out."

                “Noooooooooo!"

                “I don't get it, what's Dare's problem?  It shouldn't be too difficult digging them out."

                You have to understand that Dare has an odd fixation with his racer.  You'd almost think he loved it more than anything else Dare, calm down I'm sure she wasn't damaged; too badly.

End Log

Entry 144

                Thunder blew things out of proportion, the racers weren't covered just lightly dusted with a bit of vegetation on them.  It seems that he was only trying to provoke Dare.  Man, if Kindra doesn't kill me keeping those two from killing each other will.  We're currently in route to the new Fox Clan strong hold in order to inform them that we have driven Kindra away, and to say goodbye.

                It seems that Jerod has tried to contact us several times about modifying the base.  I'm sure that Tye and Stealth have stopped him, since neither one has sent out a priority message.  Ah, we've arrived at the strong hold.  It seems Thunder was a bit more creative than necessary. The quarry is located at the back of a canyon and the only ground level entrance is through a narrow gap. On each side of the opening Thunder has carved giant Fox Warrior statues.  I'm through the gap and we're setting the racers down.  The area opens up into a large bowl with a small lake to one side and plenty of meadowland for the warrior's horses.  At the very back of the bowl Thunder has carved a fanciful castle pattern into the rock, making everything look rather magical yet in harmony with the surroundings.

                “CHIEF SNAGGLE TOOTH!  WE'RE BACK!  WHERE IS EVERYBODY?"

                “Hey rust bucket, why don't you yell a little louder?  They might still be able to hear."

                “Oh sorry, I forgot how sensitive human ears are to decibel levels.  Although, one would think human ears could handle loud noises, after you let out that hideous scream when we found the racers."

                “What do you expect when I see my beautiful baby buried under half a ton of dirt and vegetation?  I thought you said it was a little windstorm!  I'm surprised the racers weren't blown away!"

                “Since you are here my friends, I must only assume that you have defeated the Evil One.  Well come on up, this calls for a celebration!"

                I'm afraid that would be impossible for us Chief Snaggle Tooth.  Kindra is still alive and who knows when, and where, she might strike next.  We're endangering your planet, so it is best if we leave as soon as possible.

                “If that is the case then off with you.  We'll just have to have the party without you."

                “Great Chief, wait!"

                “Yes White Fox, what is it?"

                “I . . . I'm going with them, they need me.  Besides, when they destroy the Evil One I want to be there."

“I suppose I could give you permission.  Oh yes, that reminds me I have some more things to give you before you depart I'll be right back."

                “Alright more goodies.  I hope I get more than just a frying pan this time."

                “I didn't realize that these were meant for you until last night when I was given a vision from the Kah Har."

                Oh no, we couldn't take anything else from you!  You've already given us so much.

                “Don't be ridiculous, of course we could accept another gift."

                “Not so fast!  We have to do this right, and with the proper reverence.  These are . . ."

                Telegems!

                “I see you know of the telegems, Commander Prowler. This is good, you must realize how very special they are."

                Yes, I have met the owners of two such gems and I have the shards to prove it.

                “Ah, then you are truly blessed by the Kah Har.  I did not believe until now that you were their chosen one.  Only Wilna and I knew of the location of these crystals.  The Kah Har tribe, a tribe of abnormal foxes, once owned them.  They were mighty warriors, superior in battle and genius.  They created these crystals to heighten their own understanding and knowledge.  Soon great things happened in the Kah Har tribe.  They invented space exploration devises, science, new plants and animals and later whole worlds.  But soon they became too intelligent.  They began to make weapons and horrible fiendish devises that were dishonorable in battle.  Then they began to war with each other."

                “They sound just like humans."

                “They began destroying anyone who disagreed with their own personal point of view.  They were vain, foolish, and lusted for power.  Soon nothing was left of their whole civilization.  Only seven stones remained.  All knowledge that they once possessed is now lost."

                Just like humans.

                “What a sad story."

                “White Fox, shush, let him finish so we can get those crystals!"

                “Now brave Shadow Runners, I give the Kah Har telegems to you.  They give certain abilities to the owner that are in harmony with the abilities you already posses.  As I say your name please step forward.  Dawna Destruction, to you goes the white gem of emotion.  Use it well, for without compassion all worlds would be destroyed. Yet without justified anger those worlds would also be defenseless.  The gem will help you realize that you are truly good and not evil."

                Whew, that takes a burden off my mind.

                “White Fox, youngest of the Fox Clan warriors, greatest of our hunters, and my son.  To you goes the red gem of courage.  It will protect you and make you brave on the difficult path you have chosen.  To fight with these warriors, I feel you will need all the courage you can find."

                “I shall not disgrace my clan or bring dishonor to my heritage, father."

                “Dare, to you goes the orange gem of strength.  May it strengthen your mind, your body, as well as your patience."

                You're right, he needs a lot of strength in areas other than his weakling muscles.

                “Commander Prowler, to you goes this fossilized fowlen dropping.  May it always remind you that wherever your path takes you the Fox Clan will always be glad to let you call Celtis Aranaki home."

                I, uh thank you Great Chief.

                “Yip Yip, I also give you the black gem of Knowledge and Wisdom.  This will help enhance your natural abilities and also greatly increase your mental potential."

                “Oh good, I was beginning to think his stupidity was permanent.  I remember one time on the Malevolent when . . ."

                Very funny Dawna, Chief Snaggle Tooth, I cannot accept this gem.  I know the full story of the black gem and I don't have the right or abilities to master it.  I don't know if any human does.

                “Do not doubt yourself.  The gems choose their owners not the other way around.  You are the Chosen One who will bring peace to this galaxy."

                No, I am only the harbinger.  I am the one who will lay the path for the chosen one.  Seer told me he had foreseen this from the telegem of Time.

                “Then time has changed.  You have been chosen by the most powerful of the gems.  If the bearer of the weakest gem has told you that you are not the chosen one, then he has misinterpreted what his gem has shown him.  Now for the final presentation, Thunder, to you goes the green gem of Life.  We were unsure of how to make the gem work for one such as you. However, Wilna and I wired it to some of the memory chips Dare took from Dawna's shuttle."

                “Well, if nothing else I'll be able to upgrade my memory unit."

                “Little is known about the powers of your gem, so use it carefully. I now officially bring this ceremony to a close.  We are very proud of you and thank you again for all of your help.  Now as Dare would say let the party begin!"

                “Oh, don't get in such a rush Prowler.  I'm enjoying this!"

                I didn't say anything.  You must have read my mind with your gem.  I guess these things really do work!"

                “No time for playing with your gem Prowler.  I'm picking up an emergency summons from Jerod about a message from the Federation and both Tye and Stealth have marked it as urgent."

                Oh joy. Well then, let's get moving team, the robot says there's an emergency.

                “Ouch, that was a little hard wasn't it?"

                “Oh man, it seems he blew a circuit or something."

                Hey, I only hit him on the back.  It's not like I hit his power switch causing him to pass out.  Wait, he felt it when I hit him that means he really did pass out.  Great as if things weren't complicated enough now I've got a living robot to deal with. He was bad enough before, now I'm going to have to deal with the fact that he can feel pain.

                “Oh this is going to be so much fun."

                Dare, I hate to tell you but you're broadcasting your thoughts and you will not be doing any of those things.  Now lets go, Dawna, you take Thunder's racer since he can't fly in his condition.  White Fox, you can come with me or Dare.

                “Hey, no offense, but would you go with Prowler?"

                Come on, White Fox. I don't have a racer fixation. Besides, the seats in my racer are already set up for the comfort of individuals with tails.

End Log

Entry 145

                Hey Dare?  White Fox, says that he can see a silver object out his side window.  Can you get a fix on it?  It looks like a ship but I can't pick it up on the scanners.

                “I'll bet its Kindra again!  I wish you'd brought your fighter instead of your racer, that way we'd have a chance if she attacks."

                “Why is she just sitting there?  I'm so tired of that evil pest.  She only causes trouble."

“Uhhg, what happened?"

“Thunder, I'm glad to see you're waking up.  We have an unknown ship to the right.  We think it's probably Kindra, but we can't . . ."

                “Oh no, my dream is coming true!"

                “What, you had a dream?"

                “No time to explain, Kindra's going to blow up the planet!"

                No she isn't! Dawna you're in command, I'm putting my racer between her and the planet. What the hell? Computer, guidance report; why can't I turn the racer?

                “Racer cannot alter course.  The system's gravity field is in flux due to the unusual orbit of Celtis Aranaki's third moon."

                Oh no!  What are we going to do?

                “The only thing we can do."

                “Thunder, you know that sitting here and watching her isn't acceptable.  Damn, I can't change course either.  Prowler, what's this increased gravity reading my computer keeps spitting at me?"

                “Kindra is going to blow up Celtis Aranaki, and there's nothing we can do about it.  The increased gravity field from the third moon makes it impossible for her ship to navigate out into space.  The planet is keeping a firm grip.  We can move straight out because our racers are much smaller and faster.  It seems, Kindra has decided the only way she can get free is by making a very big mistake.  She's going to destroy the planet.  When I, um, went off-line I must have been picking up radio waves sent out by her ship's computer.  I just misinterpreted it as a dream.  Though I'm sorry I had it."

                “That, that . . ."

                White Fox, I'm sorry but there's nothing we can do.  Kindra, this time the cards are in your hands, but next time they won't be I promise you that.  Dawna and Dare, raise your shields and increase your acceleration we've got to get clear of the system and jump to altered space before the blast wave hits us.

                “She just fired! I can't look!"

                Hold on, we're not going to be able to jump before the planet explodes!

                “There it goes!"

                “All systems are go, adjusting course to intercept with Shadow Base. Everyone, prepare to jump to altered space."

                “Prowler, look Celtis Aranaki is still there!"

                “It's still there?  It's still there! She didn't destroy my home!"

                But how?

                “I believe, those missiles must have exploded just outside the ship's shields creating enough force to push her out of the planet's gravitational field.  She's free without causing any damage.  It's a miracle!  I wonder if she suddenly realized that destroying the planet wouldn't have freed her? After all it isn't like her to do something that isn't destructive in some form."

                It doesn't really matter, she's out and that means she'll be coming after us the first chance she gets. Now, everyone jump to altered space.

End Log

Entry 146

                I must have dozed off.

                “Brilliant observation, Prowler. You know, I certainly feel safe from attack with you around."

                Hey, we're nearing home base.

                “No duh, reset navigation program to 7-5-9 now, or I'll be scraping your stinky hides from the surface with a space mop.  And don't deny that there's someone new with you.  I distinctly heard a female voice.  You're in big trouble, Prowler."

                Program reset, now the auto will take us in.

                “Wow!"

                Impressive huh? I bet you never dreamed you'd be living part of your life in a hollow rock in deep space, that morning you went out to hunt fowlen and met up with us.

                “No I didn't, but then, I never thought I'd be fighting the Evil One either."

                Private link open, hey Stealth, what's up with Jerod?  He seems to be in a bit of a snit.

                “It's not my fault."

                Oh great, what isn't your fault?

                “Crystal sent a message marked 'Prowler only, confidential' and I may have missed something in her message to Jerod that allowed him to find out about it.  I, of course, had master Tye bury it under so much security that Jerod couldn't get to it. So he is in a right state about my insubordination.  He also seems to believe you've enlisted more warriors, and that means his status has sunk to an even lower position.  I have every confidence that he is going to blow up when you touch down."

                I got it. I should have known he was going to have a problem with me adding members to the group.  Well, we've arrived so I guess we'd best let the show begin. White Fox, the humans you've known so far have either been Great Ones or Evil Ones. Well, you're about to learn about the loud annoying ones who aren't really evil but aren't very nice either.  So I suggest you prepare yourself.

                “I think I can handle it, I did have to baby sit Dawna's advisers a time or two."

                “Hey Dawna, White Fox, pretty fascinating isn't it?  Hey wait a minute, the hanger has been enlarged!"

                “It wasn't always this big?  Ah, Jerod I presume?"

[ED] In typical Jerod fashion he came strutting out onto the landing pad clutching a data pad in one hand and a large stack of papers in the other. [ED]

                “That's right, and just who are you?"

                “Why I'm . . ."

                “Just as I suspected, new recruits."

                Yeah, you're correct on whatever it is you're talking about.  All right, down to brass tacks.  Why was the landing pad enlarged?  I had no idea this was going to happen and I didn't authorize it.

                “Oh yes, I forgot.  I tried to inform you but no one ever answered my calls.  What's the problem are your communication units broken?  Or did you just ignore me purposely?"

[ED] I just rolled my eyes as Dawna stepped forward and jammed her finger against the end of Jerod's nose. [ED]

                “Okay, that's it, bed time for Bonzo!  Now listen short stuff, we've been planet side for quite a while, and right now both my body and my mind, are very stressed out.  I'm sure everyone else is as well.  So, unless you would like to have my boot sticking out of a certain part of your anatomy, I suggest you keep your mouth shut.  You really have nothing at all to complain about.  You're here hidden on this base while we're out facing Kindra with little to no weaponry.  Oh yeah, one more thing.  Stay out of my way!"

                “Bravo!  You're the first person I've seen who could knock some sense into the little snot, without using your fist no less."

                “Mister Fireshadow, I suggest you stay out of this. Otherwise you might just wake up to find someone spilled paint remover on your racer.  Now back to you missy.  In fact if I'm not mistaken, you fit almost perfectly the description I saw on the news net of a notorious pirate.  Ah ha, I knew it from the very start you're that evil space scum, Dawna Destruction!  Quick, someone get some shackles!"

                Enough!

[ED] I quickly inserted myself between Dawna and Jerod and pointed my crossbow so that Jerod was staring directly at the twin bolts. The blank papers he'd been holding scattered all over the bay and he just glared at me.[ED]

                “Thanks, if you hadn't stopped him I may have had to hurt the little snot rag."

                I said enough!  Now listen carefully, Jerod.  I am the commander of this group.  I can, and will, recruit whomever I wish. And, because Crystal signed a contract with me stating that all criminal activities of Shadow Runner members are pardoned, that means that Dawna has a clean record.  You are only a liaison for the federation. That means it's your job to report to Crystal that we haven't yet found her little mineral, I've added two new members to the team, and nothing more.  Furthermore, you do not give me orders nor can you order around my team.  If you have a problem with that you can either take it up with Crystal or step out the nearest airlock.  Either way I don't give a damn.  Right now we're very tired, and we really don't want to deal with your crap so I suggest you be very quiet for the next couple of days.  Oh, and one last thing, you are to consider Dawna as my second in command.  If you have a problem with that take it up with someone who cares. Oh wait, you're the only one who cares so I guess you can just go off in a corner somewhere and sulk for a while.  Now if you'll excuse us I have a load of paperwork to fill out before I can even think about relaxing.

                “Ah, yes, I forgot to mention that the IGSS Victory is going to be moved to these premises in a few weeks.  That's why the landing pad was enlarged.  Of course the entire ship won't fit but a portion of it will be able to connect to the hanger."

                “How is that possible we haven't found the exp. 39 yet?"

                “Simple Dare, only the super cannon needs the mineral, the ship itself runs on normal starship fuel.  At any rate I'll be taking command of the ship as soon as it arrives."

                I don't think so. You may have had the delusion that you would be commanding Crystal's little super ship, but honestly, I'd put one of my pacifist Accordan friends in charge long before you could get your grubby little hands on it. However, now that Dawna has seen fit to join us she will be in command of the Victory.  After all, she has had more experience at commanding starships than either of us.  Is that clear?

[ED] Jerod mumbled something that I couldn't hear. [ED]

                “What was that?"

                “Ah, of course, brilliant idea I'm sure Chancellor Image will be thrilled."

                I'm sure that if you're a good little boy, perhaps Dawna will allow you to pilot the ship.

                “Fat chance of that."

                “You just watch yourself missy.  After all, if you're part of the Shadow Runners then I'll be one of your instructors."

[ED] Oh, how I had to fight the urge not to do something stupid. [ED]

                Thunder, will you please show Dawna and White Fox to their floors?  I'm sure Dawna will be able to program hers after some basic instruction.  However, White Fox will need considerably more training on how to use the furnishing simulator.  Dare, you're dismissed, if you like you can spend some time in the VR Chamber relaxing.  Now I've got to go and take care of that paper work I mentioned earlier. After that I'll be on my floor relaxing if anyone needs me.  And please, don't need me until after dinner at the earliest.

                “All right, virtual reality here I come.  Right after I wash my baby and lock her safely in her private hanger."

                “He really is hung up on his racer."

                Yeah, but you get used to it after a while.

End Log

Entry 147

                Well, I've finished all the paperwork and now all that's left are the letters from Rusty and the message from Crystal.  I figure Crystal can wait until after I've rested.  Though perhaps I'd best read Rusty's messages first.              

“Hey Prowler, I read your logs and I accept your apology.  I wasn't exactly thinking straight at the time either.  When we last met, the Accordan Council membership had changed. For the first time in centuries there were no members from the Dacat, Darkmane, or Destiny families on the council.  Just as the votes were read, we received the alert that someone had landed at Hollow Base. So Trace and I came out immediately.  I was worried about what was happening at home and I let my anxiety boil over into anger.  After all, you're out there doing something and I was stuck on Accordia living a double life.  Though I don't have that problem any longer. Like you, I'm now a member of the living dead. 

It seems the Council finally figured out what we've been up to. That was what precipitated the change in the Council. Anyway, before I was sent away they grilled me to discover whom the other members of the group were. When I wouldn't tell them they rounded up all our relatives, old friends, classmates, and associates. Of course that included your brother, Davit.  Man was he pissed. After all, he'd tried to convince me to allow him to join the group and I had refused.  In the end I relented and named the members of the team, at least, most of them.  I figured that the council couldn't do anything to the members who weren't Accordan.  Stayve, Ryune, and Seeker took it amazingly well. The council told Seeker that she was banned from ever returning to Accordia and because of the twins foster status they were declared dead.  It was actually enjoyable watching them laugh at the council since they really didn't care.  Nature voluntarily admitted to being a member of the group and told the council where they could go.  He immediately left the council chambers; it's amazing how quickly the guards moved out of his way.  I guess they felt an angry wolf wasn't someone they wanted to mess with.  I then named Kam, I figured he wouldn't mind since he's from Arrebo and he'd been complaining about having to hide our actions all the time. Boy, was I wrong, he stormed out after Nature and instead of waiting for the rest of us in the foyer he continued out of the Forum, caught an air taxi back to his place, packed, and left for Arrebo without even saying goodbye. 

I then admitted that I was the ADL commander, and that we had been receiving technical support from an unknown backer known only as, The Ghost Source. When they pressed me for more names I insisted that each of us had been responsible for a robotic fighter that acted as our wingman.  They didn't believe me; however, they couldn't prove otherwise so the had to accept my explanation. They said that because of my actions I was now one of the dead.  Erin immediately told the council what she thought of their decree and told them what they could do with themselves.  I'm pretty sure what she said isn't humanly possible. Anyway for her outburst she was exiled but fortunately not declared dead so we still have a way to communicate with our families. That still didn't quite satisfy them so they took away Davit, Kay, and Barb's pilot's licenses. Then they paced Trace in foster care and escorted us off planet.  We weren't even allowed to pack, just off to the spaceport and into space. The transport pilot was nice enough to take us to the Snarion Space station rather than dumping us on Vesuvia.

Fortunately Marx and Trista weren't implicated with the group.  So when Trace slipped out, like you didn't see that one coming, he headed straight to their place. The three of them then raided each of our apartments, before the council could clean them out, and loaded everything aboard the Blade Hunter.  Then, with Tye's help, he took the extra step of clearing out all of our bank accounts. I can't say I'm happy about that little transaction, especially seeing as all those credits were transferred into a single account. Trace insists that at the start of the month all the funds will automatically be separated into individual accounts. Sorry about that, it is off topic and really my groups problems not yours. As I was saying, Trace then rigged the starfighters systems so that they could be remote piloted from Blade and then followed us. I could hardly believe it when he arrived at the station before we could even make preparations to stage a raid to retrieve our lost property.

We're currently living at Hollow Base and we've started assembling a ship of our own.  I'll send you more information on that in another message.  Now the group is currently at half strength and I'm loath to allow Trace to go on missions with us, even though he really is a good pilot.  So I've begun searching for new pilots.  So far I've found two possible candidates.  The first is the new Shendria Representative for the Tra'est sector.  Her name is Icebreaker, though she prefers to be called Ice. She's from the Summerrevel Clan and she claimed that you met her brother on the space station over Odell.  I confirmed her information from your logs so she's been flying with us and I've allowed her access to Hollow Base.

The second member is a ferret and goes by the name M.J. Hazard.  He says he worked as a test pilot for Fyretech but he got board with just testing fighters and racers and wanted a bit more action.  I tried contacting Fyretech but they refuse to release any information on former employees. I'm hoping you or Dare will have more luck than I did.  Until I hear from you he'll remain on probationary status.  I guess that's it for now.  Oh, please review the message marked Operation A.R.C. and get with Dare on it.  I'm sure we'll be able to help a lot of people once the project is completed.

                                                                                                                Rusty Darkmane"

End Log

Entry 148

                Hey Dare, I'm glad you came down.

                “So what is it you wanted me to see?"

                This project proposal I got from Rusty.  He wanted you to look over it and either give it the go ahead or reject it.

Operation A. R. C.  Accordia Rescue and Relocation Craft

Mission Commander: Rusty Darkmane

Mission Supervisor: Fyretech Industries

                First off, I'd just like to state for the record that the Arc's are not being built for the evacuation of Accordia.  They will be used for planets in imminent danger of destruction.  After the destruction of Arakeen and the hands of Kindra D'mize it became obvious, that currently, there are no organizations with the equipment or resources to institute a full-scale evacuation of a planet with a dense population. With the Arcs it is my hope that this will no longer be the case. Once the threat of marauders such as Kindra has past, the Arcs can be used to help planets in danger of destruction from natural phenomena. 

                The Arc project will construct three ships.  The first ship, which will be named the Thunderbird, is already under construction by the ADL (Accordia Defense League) and will be entirely funded by that group.  The second ship, The Arch Angel, will be funded and owned by an unnamed group operating through ShadowTech industries and will be built exclusively by Fyretech Industries.  This brings me to the third and final Arc ship, the Phoenix, we are hoping that Fyretech will fund the construction of this ship and retain ownership.  The now legendary, Prowler the Homeless One, designed the Arcs. They are completely modular, this allows for components to be easily swapped between ships, completely replaced for specific missions, and upgraded as new technologies become available.

                I am presenting this proposal directly to Commander Prowler and Prince Darrin Fireshadow with the hope that they will approve the operation and order the immediate implementation of the Arc project.

                                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                                ADL Flight Commander, Rusty Darkmane 

                “Well it seems to be a good idea. Do you know the unnamed group that's going through your company as a front?"

                I can only think of one group that could be doing this and I'll personally vouch for them. Both as being trustworthy and as not being affiliated with Crystal and the F.G.P.

                “So you really designed these ships?"

                Actually they're designs I rejected.  The Phoenix and Thunderbird were early concepts and the Arch Angel was just too big.

                “Damn, if these are your rejected designs I'd really like to see the one that met with your approval.  I'll forward the proposal to Fyretech.  It might be nice having my own starship."

                Oh, and one more thing, what can you tell me about a test pilot named M. J. Hazard.

                “He's crazy, I mean completely nuts. You don't want to tangle with him.  Why do you ask?"

                He wants to join the ADL.

                “Oh, in that case they would be lucky to have him.  He's the best-damned pilot out there, after me of course.  If that isn't good enough to convince you then perhaps I should mention that he's the only one I've ever allowed to pilot my racer."

                That's good enough for me. I'm sure Rusty will be thrilled to know that he can add another pilot to his team.  Thanks Dare.

                “Hey, what are friends for, now if you'll excuse me I've got to go and get ready for dinner."

                That reminds me, if Dawna shows up at the cafeteria and doesn't like what's being served, tell her to come up to my floor and I'll throw something together for her.

                “Yeah fine, but I'm sure she'd prefer Jerod's cooking to anything you might try to put together.  I still remember that oatmeal you fixed for breakfast on Celtis Aranaki."

End Log

Entry 149

                “Prowler?"

                Heh, I knew she'd come up here after she got a look at Jerod's cooking.  Now, for a bit of flour on my apron for that authentic cooking effect and I'll go out and welcome her to my home in exile.

                Ah, you're here.  I thought that you might like something better than that slop Jerod makes down at the cafeteria.

                “Jerod makes that?  I should have guessed as much."

                Well, the food is almost done.  Make yourself at home while I finish up in the kitchen.

I hope I didn't over do things.  I know that these recipes were her favorites but that was back during our days on the Malevolent.  I must say that I didn't expect her to dress so well just for dinner.

[ED] She was wearing a light gray dress that was just tight enough to be provocative with a shawl of woven silver thread and a black sequin cape. [ED]

If I didn't know better I'd swear she isn't even armed.

                “Welcome home milord."

                Whoa, Stealth! You really shouldn't pop in like that after I've been out on a mission.

                “I am profoundly sorry, I didn't realize you would be so jumpy.  So who are these new members that Jerod keeps complaining about?"

                White Fox and Dawna, I'll introduce you to White Fox after while but you can meet Dawna at dinner.

                “Dawna?  So that is the reason you have gone to the trouble of fixing a proper meal."

                Hah, I hear that she just met Tex.

                “What do you mean you heard her meet Tex?  Your pet ferret is in the living area."

                Oh, on our last planetary visit we picked up these little gems.  They allow us to communicate telepathically with anyone else that has one.  And though Dawna is getting good at closing the link so that the rest of us can't read her mind, she still hasn't mastered it. What I heard was her surprise and interest about Tex.  Oh, she's moved into the dining room so I guess it's time to serve dinner.  Once I've set everything out I expect you'll make an appropriate entrance?

                “Yes of course, but first I'll have to get ready, later."

                I get the feeling he's been spending to much time around Tye and Jerod.  He seems to be picking up on our manner of speech.

[ED] I carried in four trays and set them on the table. While I was setting three places Dawna attempted to scan my mind. [ED]

                So Dawna, problems in the mind reading racket?  I want it to be a surprise evening with my special guests.  Oh and I “heard" you meeting Tex in the other room. It's really relaxing watching him play.  Oh, the cage is self-cleaning and it has it's own air recycling unit, so should anything happen to the base he would be the safest one of all of us.

                “Yeah, whatever you say, just bring on the food!"

                Would madam, prefer soup or salad?

                “Forget the preliminaries let's go for the main dishes."

                Ah ah! The dinner guests are not all here yet.

                “And just who else do you plan on having over?  Whoa!"

                “What appears to be the problem, fair lady?"

                “Who are you!"

“I am called Stealth, milady."

                “Stealth huh, indeed and just what are you supposed to be?"

                “Why, I am a dragon of course.  What else would you presume I am?"

                “A dragon. Of course. I should have guessed."

                Isn't he amazing?  He even has excellent table manners and is an expert actor and spy.  I'm sure he would be willing to regale you with his life story.  After all I know how curious you must be.

                “Hold it! I would rather eat first and hear the story after."

                “But of course, fair lady."

End Log