Exoplanet Pioneers

Chapter 0ne

                                     An enormous land vehicle roared from the Borderland Valley on two treading wheels underneath long metal tubing in the shape of enlarged cat's paws which stretched from its lions shaped head to its hindquarters.  Above the gold faced lion's face in the front cockpit of the vehicle was Duncan, who was steering the large cat themed express carrier.    

                                      In the rear of the cockpit was everyone else who had escaped the attack of the Wolf Bats save for Malcom who was attending to the horses in the carrier bay below.

                                        Randor was seated beside of LT Glenn who was still in shock from the attack. Captain Powers sitting beside T.E. Scopes asked point blank," Where are you taking us?"

                                      The royal archeologist who was sitting near prince Randor addressed Powers question," We are headed back to the Royal Palace of Eternia. Of course, this means nothing to you. Why don't we take the time during this trip to learn from one another?"

                                     Glenn was stirring in the arms of Randor who let her sit up on her own. Randor asked, "are you all right now?"

                                    "I'm fine..." Glenn told the caring prince, then she turned her attention to Powers asking," Where's Beastman?"

                                       "You have another in your party?" Randor asked musingly.

                                        Powers started off, "I guess we had better introduce ourselves officially. Also, the answer is yes, we have a fourth member of our crew. His name was Biff Beastman, though he might be injured or worse...though I cannot make that determination."

                                      Glenn presupposed, "So, he's missing. What happened to him?"

                                       "One thing at a time LT Glenn." Powers insisted.

                                     There was a palpable tension between the estranged astronauts. Perhaps an unsettled issue that needed to be discussed between them. So, being an advocate for diplomacy Randor conceded to give them time alone to discuss their matters in private.

                                    After rising from his seat Randor made his decision clear," As guests aboard my Royal Lion Carrier, I would love to answer any and all questions that you pose to me. I would also expect the same in return. Though at this time there seems to be a conflict in your party. I along with Melaktha will be seated in the bay of the cockpit until such time as you have worked out your disagreement. Farewell."

                                     Prince Randor along with Melaktha exit through the threshold of the doorway which separate the cockpit from the rear passenger room.

                                       Glenn continues from when she was cut off from Powers," What happened to Beastman?"

                                          Captain Powers admitted, "I was hoping to discuss what happened to Beastman later on."

                                         Glenn pressed the issue, "Why would you delay the discussion of what happened to Beastman? As far as I'm concerned it's the first thing that needs to be addressed."

                                      Powers countered, "Our mission statement upon contact with alien life is to study and record our findings. Of which we are in the midst of doing. That is the protocol that I am responsible for."

                                         Glenn was weary of the back and forth between herself and Powers.

                                       Then Glenn informed made final point of contention," You were derelict of protocol when you left me behind. As far as I'm concerned you are unfit to command."

                                      "Why you treasonous little..." Powers started off until Scopes who had remained silent during the argument spoke up," LT Glenn is right. Your first command was to keep us together during our exploration outside of the Rainbow Explorer. You forfeit that command, which was negligent on your part."

                                       Glenn concludes Scopes appraisal, "A decision which put Beastman as well as everyone involved in danger. Scopes is also injured from what I have no idea. Why all the secrecy?"

                                    Glenns surprise Powers quickly admitted her guilt, "I am guilty of everything that you say." Powers confessed.

                                      "Good" Glenn says, "Now we can move past your guilt. So, I can also learn what happened to Beastman. Then we can work on building back the trust between us."

                                         Powers begins to laud over Glenns condemnation of her by freely admitting," I will tell you everything. You have my word my dearest Glenn. I thank you for tolerating my failure. It is so hard to get past the loss of Beastman. I am suffering so much. Then the exchange that we had before he..."

                                      Glenn begins to feel unsure of how to respond to Powers self-blame, maybe she feels guilty about not only Beastman but the crash landing as well.

                                           "Okay. Tell me later on. I don't need to hear it this second. Let us all take a break; we've been through enough already."

                                              "Why thank you." Powers gushes. There is a slight insincerity in her tone that trails off.

                                                Inside a large cavern somewhere under the stalagmite mountain in which Skeletor has made his home the remnants of the Rainbow Explorer have been brought in by the shadowy simian creatures that Beastman was controlling.

                                           "Send them away now." A satisfied Skeletor informs Beastman.    

                                             After Beastman commands the last of the creatures, Skeletor closes the portal leading back to the valley. Then the cavernous room is lit up with ambient light from Skeletors rams headed staff.

                                               Beastman snarls,"Whats next master?"

                                                "A tour." Skeletor informs his eager henchman.

                                                  As Skeletor walks forth past the wreckage that has been stored within the room Beastman staunchly follows behind each of his masters' steps.

                                                   When Skeletor at last stops before a large tunnel he turns his hooded head back to inform Beastman," There are two tunnels that lead away from this vast cavern. The one that we have walked away from to the one we are about to enter. I have traversed both. Though you must learn these passages yourself. Come."

                                                 Skeletor, like a corporeal phantom leads the way into the shadows of the passageway.

                                                   Beastman follows the lead of his master past rows of hollowed out entranceways on the side of each wall.

                                                    Skeletor stops dead in front of one of the entranceways. Then he shines the light of his rams headed staff into the darkness of its maw.

                                     "Why do you suppose these lined up cave dwellings were made?" Skeletor asks as he fills its space with his macabre lantern.

                                          Instead of hazarding a guess Beastman eagerly asks," What is it master? Please tell me."

                                          Skeletor touches the wall outside of the entranceway, he presses on an indentation in the wall, saying," These mechanisms in-between each of these holes in the wall are meant to be pressed upon. None of them will budge when I press on them."

                                           Almost salivating, Beastman offers his assistance," Master, may I press it for you?"

                                               "No." Skeletor tersely replies. "I am trying to explain something rather than demonstrate it."

                                                 Beastman not fully understanding Skeletors meaning nods in approval.

                                                 Skeletor continues, "There is another mechanism that controls these switches on the wall. When we find it, we will be able to press down on these panels."

                                                    The light from Skeletors staff is shined along the top of the entranceway, where it exposes several tiny holes along the archway. Skeletor then brings the light down to cast its glare on the threshold of the entranceway, where he exposes several more symmetrically lined holes.

                                                 "Do you see them?" Skeletor prattles off.

                                                   Beastman strains to see what his master is directing his attention towards.

                                                   "The holes, do you see them?" Skeletor gives away the answer so that Beastman can identify them.

                                                     Not waiting for a reply Skeletor explains in morbid detail," Living breathing people were locked away behind these walls. I have heard them crying out in agony. There spirits wander these corridors, I know because I have seen them. I mean to commune with them at some point to learn more about them along with their history as well as this planets history."

                                                       Stridently without provocation Skeletor turns to proceed once aging down the passageway. A cold chill runs down the spine of Beastmans fur. Was it the air from his master's cape that he felt?

                                                           The far end of the passageway draws nearer, where a loud churning sound becomes louder as Skeletor leads the way towards it.

                                                             Outside of the passage is the open night, where a bridge leads over a raging water fall of red-hot lava. The heat as well as the sound of the waterfall is intense.

                                                             Skeletor leads the way across the burning falls.

                                                             On the other side of the bridge is another entranceway in which Skeletor leads his henchman into.  

                                                               Once lead through the entranceway, Beastman led by Skeletor walks through a tunnel. Then both Beastman is lead out of the tunnel and onto a cliffs edge. Skeletor looks out above the landscape of charcoal burnt sand and rock towards a large black mass on the horizon. The only way down from the cliffs edge is along a crooked winding stone carved staircase.

                                                                  "I will confide to you now since you are the most loyal to me." Skeletor tells Beastman, "I was drawn to this world by a great power. You must tell no one else about that. Or you will suffer the harshest of fates."

                                                                  Out of a mixture of fear as well as loyalty Beastman assures his master, "Never...master...you have my word...I will tell anyone."

                                                               "I must have that power."

                                                                After a brief respite, Skeletor proceeds down the long winding staircase of the mountainside. As Beastman straggles behind him once more.