Exoplanet Pioneers

Chapter Four

                                             Duncan recounting what Captain Powers had told him yesterday morning concluded that the mountain that Keldor had planned to trap herself and T.E. Scopes inside of was Snake Mountain. The mountain both fitting description as well as being the closest in proximity from where the Rainbow Explorer had crash landed. Now flying instead of driving, Duncan was cruising inside of a small brown air ship with stubby wings, underneath a large plate glass dome that covered the cockpit. LT Glenn alongside prince Randor sat behind Duncan as he flew the not so avion looking aircraft.

                                                 "I find it odd that you're the only one of your crew to help in this search." Duncan pointed out to LT Glenn.

                                                    "I think that there is something else going on that they aren't telling us about." Duncan also freely admitted.

                                                      Glenn could not really argue against Duncans suspicions, however much as she wanted to.

                                                       However, Randor rallied to Glenns defense, "We have all the information that we needed from them. Your accusations are unmerited. Henceforth, I would insist that you keep your insinuations of LT Glenns party to yourself. Her willingness to help is proof enough against your baseless conspiracies."

                                                      Glenn really liked how Randor came to her aide, though she did not blame Duncan for his reasoning. From her argument the night before aboard the Lyon Carrier to Powers aloofness at the Royal Place something odd was going on with both her and Scopes.

                                                     Though as thankful as Glenn was towards Randors advocacy she was not incapable of speaking in her own defense.

                                                       "Duncan, I do agree with your assessment of Powers and Scopes. Though my first concern is finding Beastman our lost crewmember."

                                                        "That is most admirable." Randor says in affirmation.

                                                         "The Sky-Hawk has located the crash-landing sight already. Where close enough to it. Though according to the Hawk-Wind guidance systems, the Rainbow Explorer is no longer there."

                                                           Duncan continues speaking into the intercom on the dashboard" Attention down below!"

                                                            On the ground in the distance are two single manned tractor sized vehicles pulling in tow two much larger wheeled heavily armored trailers.

                                                            A voice speaks from the intercom, "What have you detected Duncan?"

                                                           "It is a most pondering thing but according to Hawk-Wind instrumentation, the crash site is now empty." Duncan says.

                                                          "Maybe Hawk-Wind is faulty. You said that the ship was blown apart back in Borderland Valley. The image that was recorded by Hawk-Wind previously has now changed." The voice answered back.

                                                         "Thats not how Hawk-Wind works Zikran, a new signal has been sent out. The result that is showing is now a new nothing." An annoyed Duncan says.

                                                            "Do you want Malcom and I to stay the course?" Zikran asks.

                                                            "Yes. Call me if you need an update. I am flying the Sky-Hawk ahead." Duncan then ends the transmission.

                                                           In stark amazement, Glenn askes," The Explorer has disappeared?"

                                                           "I am sorry." Duncan begins. "Yes, my instruments do not display any remnant of your spaceship."

                                                         "There has to be something left, unless the bulk of it was carried off somehow?" Glenn concluded.

                                                          Duncan then reminded Glenn, "I have a duty as well as yours, the security of Eternia rests on my shoulders. This disappearance of your ship simply raises more concerns. In addition, when I searched the database for the name of Keldor. I received nothing, not a name or an image that matched Powers description. It was as if he was made up."

                                                   "Maybe he was." Randor said, "Perhaps this is one big rouse that this Keldor person has devised up. Using the astronauts as pawns for his own fiendish purposes."

                                                     The Sky Hawk now propelled itself above the Borderland Valley.

                                                     On a tall terrace at the Royal Palace, Scopes had determined the direction of where to look for the team that was sent to search for the Rainbow Explorer.

                                              Powers whispered to Scopes, "Do you see anything?"

                                              "I see more than anything, I see nothing." Scopes commented.

                                               In annoyance Powers whispered, "What do you mean nothing? Do we need to go to another location?"

                                              "I would like to see if the palace has a telescope. I already know that they have a museum." Scopes said.

                                                 "Not yet." Powers whispered. "Tell me what you are witnessing at Borderland Valley."

                                                "The Rainbow Explorer is no longer in the valley. In pieces or as a whole. Duncan is flying in low towards its location now. He will be there within minutes. There is also no one anywhere near us at the moment. So, you don't need to whisper so much." Scopes explains.

                                                Powers annoyed by Scopes superior vision pointing out that for which she was unconcerned with pressures him to stay on task," Where are the others in the search?"

                                                 "They are lagging a good distance away." Scopes answers.

                                                   "Details." Powers asks in further annoyance.

                                                   "There are two transports pulling two trailers full of soldiers. The trailers house ten soldiers each. Of the two riders that are pulling the trailers, one of them is Malcom while the other is one of the council members from the meeting yesterday morning. I recognize the council member as the one with a thick black beard who was dressed as a ships admiral." Scopes concludes.

                                                    "Much better." Powers affirms, "Of the four at the meeting only two have went on the search in Borderland Valley. The king would surely not go, so that leaves only one left besides him. I think we should learn more about this other counselor. Though let's keep watching to see how things play out."

                                                    The Sky-Hawk is expertly landed in the dusty valley below where the crash took place. Duncan presses a switch to open up the widow hatch in order to exit the vehicle.

                                                  As the windows spread apart to open up Glenn comments," That was a great landing. I didn't feel a thing. You know I was something of an expert pilot back on Earth. So, I can appreciate good flying."

                                               Duncan uses his handheld bird shaped locator device once more in the valley replying back as he homes in on the signal of the Hawk-Wind," You must be far better than me to have safely crash landed from outer space. Though I thank you for the compliment. Now let's see if I can find something that is left of your spacecraft."

                                                As Duncan scans for a trace of the Spaceship, Glenn's shoulder is tenderly touched on by Randor who smiles once his affection is noticed.

                                                 As on the day after the crash landing of the Rainbow Explorer, on the excursion of the astronauts as they ventured outside of the unknown planet a lizard's tail was spotted behind the rocks of a running stream. Now, instead of a scaly lizard behind the rocks beside the stream it is the scaly underwater dweller called Mer-Man. The clammy urchin faced creature gurgles to himself satisfyingly knowing that the information that Skeletor told him was correct. That kind of acute forecasting would only benefit him. There was no need to overstay his welcome now, Mer-Man thought to himself. For these Eternians would not have ventured out here alone. Obviously, they flew ahead in their sky craft that Mer-Man saw next to them. There would be others arriving soon, especially when Mer-Man noticed the royalty in his direction. Mer-Man cooed in delight when he saw prince Randor talking with some strange, garbed woman beside him.

                                                  Mer-Man had to chance it, he had to take the shot.

                                               So, Mer-Man raised his trident in the direction of the prince, his webbed hands holding the weapon firmly. Mer-Mans eyes widened with the anticipation of his poison tipped spikes jutting out to strike from the three prongs of his trident. All that was needed was to apply a little pressure at the shell shaped nerve at the neck of the trident.

                                                  No one was aware of Mer-Man's intent to assassinate prince Randor. In particular Duncan, who was inspecting the area of the crash in search of remnants from the spaceship that was now missing.

                                                   Glenn was attracted to Randor as she felt that he was attracted to her. They were becoming enamored with one another as they conversed when a falcon's cry was heard from above them! The loud cry was a warning to the searchers, who when turning towards the cry saw the large golden bird attack a green creature in yellow armor carrying a long trident!

                                                    "Mer-Man!" Shouted the prince as he stood in front of Glenn in order to protect her!

                                                     "Are you close to our location?" Duncan asked into the large orange structure of his chest armor that covered his face.

                                                      "Almost there, were about 2 klics away from your position! What's going on?" Asked Zikron.

                                                  Having missed his chance, Mer-Man ran away down the stream to get away from the scene!

                                                    "Zoar be praised." Duncan said, "The great falcon alerted us to the presence of Mer-Man who was about to spear the prince with his trident!"

                                                   "Let me after him!" Malcom blurted after hearing what had happened on the intercom.

                                                   "Temper your anger, the prince is safe." Duncan assured.

                                                "I must contact Skeletor." Powers said after hearing Scopes describe what had just happened. "Meet me back at my room when you are done."

                                                 Duncan came over beside Randor who was checking Glenn to see if she was alright. When to their surprise Glenn burst out in laughter!

                                                 "A great big bird saved us!" Glenn continued in bemusement," It swooped in at that thing out of a creature from the black lagoon movie! What on Earth is happening?"

                                                 Prince Randor tried to explain, "That bird is Zoar, a representation of power."

                                                  Glenn was in tears as she said, "I have been wanting to ask about your bird symbols. The Hawk-Wind, Sky Hawk, the hawk thing that Duncan is using. Then a bird comes out of the blue and saves us!"

                                                     A concerned Randor asks, "Are you alright? I can have you taken back to the Royal Palace if you want."

                                                      "No way!" Glenn protests, "I just need some time to take all of this in. We are alike in many ways, but I now feel like I'm trapped in a Tolkien novel. It is a little overwhelming."

                                                     The vehicles that were behind the Sky Hawk finally roll in with heavy intent.

                                                    Malcom jumps out the seat of his vehicle to check up on prince Randor!

                                                     "The battalion carts really slowed the speed of our chariots! Where is that dissident Mer-Man, that vile creature needs to finally pay for his crimes! Let me give chase to him!" Malcom pleads.

                                                        Zikron adds, "We can do two things at once, search for Mer-Man while you stay here in search of a clue as to the whereabouts of the spaceship."

                                                    Duncan understanding Zikrons point still feels apprehensive," This seems like too much of a coincidence, there is a spy in our council. What else would explain Mer-Mans unexpected visit on us. I don't like it."

                                                       Zikron gives an offer to restore Duncans confidence in his approach," Let Malcom and I pursue Mer-Man. We will take but five of the guard with us. If it turns out to be an ambush, then I will take all the blame."

                                                        "There is no blame, just bad judgment." Duncan then gives in," May the power be with you!"

                                                           Malcom charges like a man possessed in the direction Mer-Man ran off in!  Zikron waves a group of five guardsman soldiers as he stated to Duncan then he also follows in pursuit of Mer-Man!

                                                             Duncan shouts to the soldiers around him, "Keep us fortified on all sides while keeping two patrols in rotation at a distance of a half klic in both directions!"

                                                              Once Powers is back inside of her room, she calls out to Skeletor in her mind by the window.

                                                              This time she is not shunned away by her benefactor, instead he is eager to hear from her saying," I have been waiting patiently for you to contact me. What do you know?"

                                                              "The Hunter saw a fish like creature try to attack the search party. He was thwarted by a falcon, then ran away from the scene. I thought this new event might interest you." Powers spoke flatteringly.

                                                                 To Powers surprise, she received great praise from Skeletor," You have done exceedingly well for yourself. So much so that I will let you in on a little secret. The name of the one that attacked the search party is called Mer-Man, he will more than likely become an ally of ours. I suspect that I will be meeting with him very soon. When I do you will know about. Though not until then. Understood?"

                                                                   "I understand." Powers said with her eyes closed. Then when she opened them, she saw Scopes standing before her.

                                                                     "Let us find out about that other counselor from the meeting yesterday." Powers told him.

                                                                     "That is why I came to see you. I have spotted him moments ago. He was headed to the banquet hall." Scopes said.

                                                                     "Then we must contact him before he gets there. Let's go." Powers insists.