First Contact

Chapter 4

                                                  In the long valley that the Rainbow Explorer had crash landed. Another group of not explorers shall we say but rather searchers were on the move. These searchers were not only dressed in a similar fashion to the medieval knights of Earth's own history. They also rode on horseback, atop armored steeds, which was likened to many civilizations threw ought Earths history before the industrial age. If LT Glenn bore witness to their approach, then she would gather that she had perhaps travelled back in time as well as space.

                                                     A burly young man wearing a silver -grey metal helmet, skin-tight green clothing underneath a heavy orange armor on his upper body was riding point. He was holding a sophisticated device in his left hand in the shape of a bird of prey while holding onto his horses' reigns to control his steed with his right hand.

                                                  "We are just five klics away from the fallen object your majesty."  According to the man after reading the coordinates on his device.

                                                    The man who was referred to with such reverence did not wear a helmet. For his head of brown hair blew briskly in the wind of the valley. While his upper body brandished a red armored chest plate with a golden iron cross that emanated from a golden collar around his neck, secured by heavy bolts that bulged like hardened buttons. The handsome man did appear majestic as his proud arms in long red sleeves held his horse's reigns regally.

                                                "I hope that you are not discontented with what we find." The regal red rider replied back.

                                                 "The Hawk-Wind detection system has been one of my grandest inventions. There are still kinks to work out but otherwise, it has proven very reliable. Thanks to it, I believe that what we discover in the borderland valley will have great significance."

                                                A reply to both men came from a rider at the rear, a large man with muscular bear arms that burst out of a blue armored chest plate with strapping gray bands of metal running across, one long horizontal one and two vertical ones warned," We had better hurry my friends. The three moons will be rising soon in borderland valley. When that happens, the dark side of Eternos strengthens. The first to descend on us will be the Wolf Bats, which could very well be followed by a pack of Shadow Beasts. By Eternia, there are threats even at this hour that may threaten us for the bone spined Shag-Grin has been known to attack in broad daylight."

                                                  "Why Malcom..." The final rider of the four continued, "You're not afraid, are you?"

                                                    " Melaktha, you know better than to ask me that. It is Prince Randors safety that I am most concerned with." Malcom contested.

                                                      Melaktha was a well-proportioned young man of slighter build clad in nothing but a light blue vest and pants. The neckline of Melakthas collar had an interesting pattern of symbols running along it.

                                                         "As Duncan has already stated..." Prince Randor said, "Ever since he unveiled the Hawk-Wind detection system at this year's Day of Invention we must use it to its full potential. To discover every fallen object from the cosmos until the machine is perfected. Also, if I take this sojourn away from the Royal Palace, with the misfortunes that you mentioned. I would rather that then spend another day at the Royal Palace. Where I would surly die of boredom while performing my princely duties."

                                                  All the riders had a good laugh from Prince Randors joke.

                                                    Far off in the eastern lands outside of borderland valley was a craggy landscape of sharp jagged rock, which was covered in mist. The most prominent structure in this landscape was a high mountain with a winding serpent carved around it. At the peak of the mountain was where the head of the serpent struck out from. The petrified serpent's mouth was perpetually open. Showcasing the snake heads two most prominent front fangs as they hung over the opening of its mouth like dreadful stone daggers.

                                                       Inside of this ominous structure were all three of the astronauts that left LT Glenn by the Rainbow Explorer in borderland valley. Where they were led to by the hooded stranger named Keldor. Now, they all resided before him in a large room that was mostly empty save for a large skeletal throne. Keldor resided in front of the macabre seat of bones, where there was also a round table with a large orb on it.

                                                       Keldor urged his guests, "This chair and table sit atop a platform. When I activate this platform, it can take me in-between dimensional space. I can demonstrate this to all of you. If you simply join me over here."

                                                 It was Captain Powers who was a bit skeptical that asked," Then what? What will happen to us when we step onto your platform? Will you whisk us away to another world. Maybe, the world that you are from."                              

                                                "If I unlock this platform from in-between dimensional space then I could move us all to another world. This platform can also be used to take you to a place that can unlock your mind. As it has been done to me. If you allow me the chance, I can unlock all of your mind's full potential. The potential that is hidden within all of you."

                                                  It is Biff Beastman who chides Powers," Are you afraid to find out if you don't have any full potential. Maybe you used up all your full potential when you kicked me in the balls. I know Scopes has a massive amount of hidden potential. He already showed me his pent-up anger. It doesn't matter to me what either of you do. Keldor has already demonstrated his capabilities. I want to see more of what he can perform. Where already trapped on this nut ball planet. So, what difference does it make. I'm in! Let me have it!"

                                                  Keldor cryptically replies to Beastman," I cannot give you anything. You must unlock the potential that is inside yourself. I can only show you the way. The rest is up to you."

                                                Beastman, now beside Keldor insults his teammates," You losers coming or not?"

                                                 Keldor slowly turns to meet Beastman, eye to eye where he whispers in a dark tone," Quiet."

                                                 Beastman for an instant sees the outline of a skull where Keldors bearded face should be. Whether it was Keldors stern warning or the appearance of his skull face, which momentarily shocked him, Beastman did as he was told. Saying nothing further.

                                              Captain Powers tells Scopes beside her," Ok. Let's go. We've come this far. I guess we can go a little farther."

                                                Scopes simply follows his captains lead as they both join Beastman beside of Keldor on the platform.

                                                Suddenly, Keldor stabs his rams head staff into what looks like a shaft below his skeletal throne. Where he then locks it in place. Keldor maintains his grasp on his staff which remains inside of its holding.

                                                  Then a sensation occurs, as the astronauts start to feel disconnected from their bodies. The feeling is like what they felt while traveling inside the vortex of the Einstein Rosen Bridge.

                                                 "We have arrived, in the in-between space of where we once were to where we now are." Keldor announced.

                                                     The room inside of the mountain was no more. Instead, the only thing that seemed solid was the platform they were standing on. Outside of that there was nothing but energies at play, strange energies that washed in bright waves around the astronauts. It seemed that if one were to dare step foot off the platform then they would fall into this well of bright swirling energy.

                                                  "Where are we?" Powers demanded.

                                                    "A nexus, in-between dimensional space." Keldor answered.

                                                     Noticing the fright in the faces of his company, Keldor added," You are all safe from the vortex around us as this platform is mystically shielded."

                                             "Is that supposed to comfort us?" Powers scoffed.

                                              Beastman shivered upon noticing what looked like glowing apparitions streaming around the platform.

                                             "What are those anomalies?" Asked Scope, referring to what was frightening Beastman.

                                               Instead of answering Scope's question, Keldor putting his hands together simply professed, "I need all of you to trust me. After that you must trust in yourselves as I do."

                                              After a brief interlude, where eerie howls could be heard around them as the apparitions circled the platform.

                                             Keldor announced, "Enough time has passed. Who among you will lend me that which is on your person your most identifiable totem?"

                                             Surprisingly, it was Captain Powers who approached Keldor, where she promptly unzipped the upper part of her space suit, in order to remove a necklace from around her neck. On the chain of the necklace was a small round obsidian colored crystal ball.

                                             Keldor then raised his right hand to point past Powers shoulder. Upon where an ovel opening of blue energy appeared.

                                             Powers asked knowingly, "You wish for me to enter through that doorway. Correct."

                                              "Only after you hand to me your necklace totem. After that you may proceed through the portal. Where you will traverse the ever-widening Infinite Bridge. Where you will then enter from which you came. I will then greet you as a far different person than you are now."

                                               Powers unsure of what she was dealing with resides," My necklace in an heirloom, passed down to me by my great, great grandmother..."  

                                            "Who was a Salem Witch..." Keldor finishing Powers sentence to her astonishment.

                                              "Yes...", A speechless Powers says as she hands Keldor her necklace, "How can you know that?"

                                                 "I need your assurance, so that you can proceed across the Infinite Bridge undeterred by doubt. Though now the way forward must be clear to you as never before. Though if doubt creeps into your mind, then focus on the necklace that was bestowed upon you. Where you must maintain your focus indefinitely, until you find your way back to here."

                                              Captain Powers assures Keldor, "I will. Though as the commanding officer, I must wait for Beastman and Scopes. before entering the portal."

                                           "Very well." Keldor smiles acceptingly before calling out, "Who's next?"

                                             It is Beastman, who not nearly as confidant as he was before backs away as far as he is able.

                                                Instead, it is the much-reserved Scopes who steps forward. Where he hands Keldor a piece of old paper with the drawing of a symbol of three eyes which are connected to a circle on it.

                                                Scopes explains the meaning of his totem to Keldor," I am Jewish. That picture represents the angel Ophanim. It is my Jewish faith and heritage that guided me to this planet."

                                            As Keldor is handed over the picture he nods in approval as Scopes walks towards the portal.

                                           Keldor then calls out to Beastman," We are waiting for you! Hand over your totem."

                                             Beastman begrudgingly comes over, slowly and deliberately.

                                          "Why do you delay?" Keldor insists," What is in that bag around your shoulder?"

                                            Beastman clumsily hands bis bag to Keldor who proceeds to smack it away with a backhand!

                                            The bag falls to the ground where the blue tablets of Beastmans medicine fall out.

                                             A concerned Beastman looks to go retrieve his medicine when Keldor takes him to task," You don't need it! The medicine only weakens you. It inhibits your true desires. You must let go of your medicine! Then join your friends by the portal. Though first you must look into my eyes."

                                           Keldor then grabs Beastmans neck with his right hand! The stunned Beastman is unable to resist as Keldor draws his face closer until he shows his skeletal face once more. Though only Beastman can see the haunting visage as the skeletal face as it burns into his mind. Then Keldor whispers," You belong to me now. I am your master. This is my true face. When you gather with the others you will only envision my skull face. The face...of me...Skeletor. Do you understand?"

                                           Biff Beastman is reminded of his overbearing father... but that memory soon vanishes. In its place is his new father...his new master...Skeletor...,"Yes...I obey...Skeletor."

                                          "You better.", Keldor gives one final remark as he lets go of Beastmans neck. "Now get going."

                                                It is not with confidence that Beastman races over to his collogues but rather stark terror as all three astronauts walk threw the portal.

                                              Keldor decides to place the two totems he has collected on the table before him before slumping into the skeleton chair behind him. The mysterious man whose real name may be Keldor or Skeletor or perhaps neither simply watches the distant portal as it maintains its opening. Then the orb on the table displays the images of the ones who have just left the platform. The watchful gaze of the hooded man plays close attention to the astronauts as they traverse the Infinite Bridge. For what purpose only he knows.  

                                                  "