Exoplanet Pioneers

Chapter two

                                            Prince Randor graciously invited Glenn to the cockpit of the Royal Lion Carrier as it roared towards the Royal Palace. The prince wanted to cheer her up after all that she had been through since her time in the Borderland Valley. As Duncan manned the controls of the large transport vehicle, he let the prince know, "Were about 9 klics from the gates of the palace, sir."

                                                  Glenn asked Randor,"A klic is a unit of measurement on this planet?"

                                                  Randor kindly answered," Why yes, though sysytems of  measurements are more up Duncans sleeve. You see, Duncan is our Man-At-Arms at the Royal Palace. Duncan is the one that designs most of our transport, weapons and machines. It was his new guidance system, the Hawk-Wind which located your spaceship as it fell to Eternia."

                                                     Finally, Glenn heard someone from this world give it a proper name.

                                                     Glenn repeated the name, "Eternia."

                                                       Randor clairfied the meaning of the name, "This would be more up Melakthas sleeve as well since he is our Royal Archeologist. Though Eternia is the kingdom of which I represent as prince. It is not our planets official name. The name of our planet is Eternos. I hope that is not too confusing for you."

                                                      Glenn felt embarrassed when she slightly blushed like a schoolgirl. She was still enamored by the handsomeness of prince Randor.

                                                  "No." She said,"The name of my planet is Earth."

                                                   Randor smiled, "We are making a lot of progress."

                                                   Glenn laughed adoringly at the princes charm.

                                                   Duncan cut in, "As my prince has mentioned the Hawk-Wind guidance system helped me locate your ship when it crash-landed. I am still trying to perfect it. It is a shame that because of happened to your ship that I cannot learn from your technology. I will show you how the Hawk-Wind System functions when we get back to the Royal Palace. The Lion Carrier is fed into the Hawk-Wind system using a radar dish that I installed onto the roof. I used a handheld portable device to triangulate your position using the Lion Carriers signals in the Borderland Valley."

                                                   "Speaking of that valley." Glenn started, "I have noticed that the ride has been much more comfortable as of late. Have we left Bordeland Valley? Also, is Borderland Valley apart of the Eternian Kingdom?"

                                                 Glenn's questions were open to anyone though she wanted prince Randor to explain it to her.

                                                   Instead, it was Duncan who said, "Yes, we are in the Fertile Plains now. So, expect a far more comfortable ride."

                                                    Randor continued enthusiastically," The Fertile Plains are the breadbasket of Eternia. The land is as hearty as the people who live off of it. We sometimes simply refer to these plains as the Eternian Plains. Though there are outlaws along the plains the further east one travels. Eternias reach is far, though as you have seen there are those who operate outside of it. The Borderlands are a dividing line between Eternia's territory and the Dark side of Eternia where the lands are cursed with evil."

                                                  Glenn could not believe that she heard the word evil being used. For as advanced in the sciences as these Eternians where they were still archaic in there thinking. Glenn would have to warn her teammates about this. For all that Glenn knew this Keldor person could have been trying to escape persecution from them. Though Randor had such a kind face, she could not believe that he would be cruel or ruthless to his people.

                                                      Randor  beacame concerned by Glenns silence,"Are you okay?" He asked.

                                                      Glenn answered apologetically," Just lost in thought."

                                                    Randor warmly replied," Once we arrive you along with your friends will be shown to your quarters were you can rest. You will be our guests for the remainder of your stay."

                                                    Glenn simply smiled back at the prince's consideration.

                                                   "Where here your highness!" Duncan yelled.

                                                      A towering gold archway in the shape of a golden bird stood as the entrance to the Royal Palace. This golden bird must be a type of hierolatry thought Glenn. The entire palace sat prominently on a high plateau overlooking the Fertile Plains. The grandeur of the palace was lofty, but fitting given the purpose of its principality.

                                                     A large royally red domed building rested above other buildings representing the sprawling city within.

                                                     Duncan pulled halfway down on a lever on a which must have been a break to slowdown the Lion Carrier as it entered the towering archway. The Lion Carrier then rolled past two enormous golden doors as they opened up. Duncan pulled the Lion Carrier to a complete stop after he pulled down on the lever again until it was brought all the way down from center. Duncan then went across the dashboard to do some kind of quick systems check before he pushed up on the steering wheel he had been using to drive. A large hydraulic sound was heard in the front of the carrier. As the hydraulics churned Glenn saw the back of the lion's face design of the carrier be lifted up. The mane of the lion's face stopped along with the hydraulics slightly above the top of the dashboard view.

                                                        Prince Randor was escorted out of the carrier first by his bodyguard Malcolm. Then Duncan along with Melaktha came out with Glenn, Powers and Scopes. The lions mouth was the entry point into and out of the carrier of which everyone exited, it had been opened by Duncan using the vehicles hydraulic system. A large number of soldiers greeted them, they were dressed like Duncan with two key differences being that their silver helmets showed only slits for their eyes, emblazed on their chest plates was the symbolic golden bird once again. All of the soldiers were carrying long spear like weapons.

                                                  A deep voice was heard behind two of the guards," Welcome back from your journey my son!" Then after the apparent announcement of prince Randors father the guards parted to let their King through.

                                                  What stood before prince Randor was a very large king with a gold helmet with what appeared to be a bird circled at the crown, under the helm was a long white beard. The king's upper body had a gold-plated breast plate partially draped over with an emerald cape tied to a long ring on his right armored shoulder were the other half of his cape fell behind him.

                                                "What a suprise! Who is this lot that you have brought back with you son? "Asked the king.

                                                   Prince Randor turned his attention to the astronauts and said," I would like all of you to introduce yourselves one at a time to my father King Miro."

                                                  Powers spoke first," I am Captain Evelyn Morgan Powers from Earth."

                                                 Scopes with the cloth still covering his eyes went second," I am Astronomer T.E. Scopes of the planet Earth."

                                               Whispers were heard after Scopes introduced himself probably out of confusion hearing a blind man calling himself an astronomer.

                                             After the whispers died down Glenn introduced herself," I am Lieutenent Marlena Glenn of Earth. I piloted our spaceship the Rainbow Explorer to your planet Eternos."

                                            Prince Randor urged his father," It has been a perilous journey from Borderland Valley. Not only for us but for these explorers. They have lost a great deal, there ship as well as their chances of ever returning home."

                                            King Miro gave a hearty laugh at his son's concern," My paternal prince did you think I would turn these strangers away so soon? Only just after they introduced themselves to me."

                                             Miro laughed in amusement as he went on," They can stay as long as they wish in the Royal Guest chambers."

                                                King Miro then went up to the astronauts," There are things beyond science that which can get you back to your world."

                                                Powers made it a point to speak first," I could not agree more my King."

                                              "You may call me Miro." The king stated." As King of Eternia I do not impose my royalty on cultures not accustomed to it. You will find Eternia a peaceful and prosperous place. Though that flag you hold lady Glenn. That is the flag of Earth?"

                                               Glenn immodestly bestows the flag to King Miro as not only a gift but to ingratiate him to her side before Powers can.

                                              "On behalf of the NASA program, the United States of America and Earth I present to you the star spangled banner."

                                                Powers rolls her eyes in disgust, though no one notices except Duncan.

                                                 King Miro proudly takes the gift of the American flag from Glenn saying," Lady Glenn I am delighted as well as honored by your gift. It will be presented in the Royal Museum for posterity."

                                                  Duncan comes forth to say, "I can see them to their rooms now if you like."

                                                Miros tone becomes firmer as he tells Duncan, "No stay with me for a moment. Randor, take them to their chambers."  

                                              "Of course, father." Randor  says as he begins to leave with Malcome as they lead the astronauts to their quarters.

                                                 As the astronauts leave, Miro stands with Duncan and Melaktha.

                                                 Miro hands the Ameriucan flag to Melaktha saying,"I presume you know what to do with this."

                                                  Melaktha takes the flag saying," I sure do. I have never seen anything quite like it." Then as Melaktha walks away with the flag Miro leans in close to Duncan and says," We must meet early in the council chambers to discuss what happened to you in Borderland Valley."

                                                   Duncan presumes," You are thinking of investigating the attack."

                                                     King Miro nods saying, "We will discuss it in the morning."

                                                 Later that night Evilyn Powers sat in her guest room as she presumed everyone else was. She was still in her original body before her transformation wearing nothing but the heirloom dark blue necklace around her neck, bra and panties. A circle of pillows was circled around Powers on the floor near an open window. The dark blue necklace around Powers neck shined in the starry night. Powers sat inside of her self-made sanctum with her legs crossed in a circle, her arms were outstretched as if she was awaiting to receive something.

                                                Scopes was standing in the guest room next to Powers as was Glenn as all three of their rooms were lined together. The muscular Scopes was standing in nothing save a pair of underwear with his eyes still covered by the bandage around them. I did not matter if the bandage was around the place where his eyes should be or not. The bandage could not prevent Scopes from scanning everything around him, through his bandage as well as through the walls, up above the ceiling as well as below the floor. Scopes observed the restless Glenn as she wrestled with the sheets of her bed in the cool nighttime air. Then Scopes felt the psychic nudge from Evil-Lyn next door.

                                                Evil-Lyn concentrated on the blue crystal on her necklace as she waited to behold what Scopes would see next. As Scopes staired through the walls of the Royal Chambers of King Miro so did Evil-Lyn.  A vision was shown in a purple haze like mist manifested from Evil-Lyns fingertips. Then as Evil-Lyn began to scry the image her body reverted into its yellow hued more feminine shape once again. An intoxicating passion began to take over Evil-Lyn as closing her eyes in acceptance of it. Evil-Lyns mouth opened as her tongue undulated inside of it like an exotic worm. Then she felt the release.

                                                  The king was sound asleep on one side when the invisible form of Evil-Lyn entered into his room through the window. Evil-Lyn whispers into the ear that is not smothered into the pillow by Miros head," What did you tell Duncan tonight?"

                                                     It takes a moment before Miro is compelled to utter," My son...protect my son..."

                                                      Evil-Lyns invisible lips then ask," You're meeting with Duncan...can you tell me...what for...?"

                                                       Miro moans a response," Discuss tomorrow morning..."

                                                        Evil-Lyn breathily asks," Where?"

                                                          "Council chambers..."

                                                           Suddenly, Evil-Lyn wakes from her trance, as she does the image of Miro's room inside the purple haze evaporates into the either.  

                                                          Instead of re-establishing contact with Scopes, Evil-Lyn opens up communication with someone much farther away.

                                                           Evil-Lyn closes her eyes and speaks aloud his name,"Skeletor..." There is no response.

                                                            "Skeletor...Skeletor...", Evil-Lyn repeats the name. Still nothing.

                                                                Underneath molten rock caves, Skeletor leads Beastman across streams of molten lava. Skeletor senses the presence of Evil-Lyn as she tries to contact him. Skeletor pushes against Evil-Lyns presense, blocking it completely.

                                                              At the Royal Palace, Evil-Lyn feels the pushback from Skeletor as her concentration shatters jarringly!

                                                         "He's ignored me!" Evil-Lyn shouts, "I'll play his game for now...keep up this charade! I might be able to play it to my advantage anyway."

                                                           "Where are we going master?" Beastman asks as he follows Skeletor along the burning path of the cave.

                                                              "To where the fire meets the water." Skeletor dimly states.