First Contact

Chapter Seven

                                                       On the view screen monitors, LT Glenn saw the four men on horseback. They looked like costumed actors on the set of a new film, perhaps a sci-fi fantasy film in the vein of Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers. The images of the four riders on her monitors was not so much alarming as it was surreal. Glenn wondered if they had any connection to Keldor and if so, what could it entail? Perhaps, Keldor was an outlaw that they were pursuing. Maybe they were explorers like Keldor. Was it safe to go outside and find out? Glenn thought to herself. The four riders stayed a good distance away from Glenns ship not even dismounting their steeds. A man in silver helmet with orange armor on his upper torso was using a handheld device as if he was scanning the spacecraft with it.

                                                   The four riders were at the rear of the Rainbow Explorer. So, the only way for Glenn to view them was on the rear monitors. The windows of the Explorer were heavily tinted so she could see out, but nobody would be able to see inside.

                                                 As Glenn observed the four riders, she noticed a symbol, that appeared like a coat of arms on the sided of the horses. The coat of arms showed a large golden bird with its wings spread apart as if it was soaring upward. The symbolism of the golden bird seemed aspirational, there was nothing ominous about it. Or so Glenn thought, as she knew nothing of the meaning behind the image. The golden bird had Glenn thinking of making contact with the four riders outside of the ship. First contact.

                                                   Glenn stood up from her seat then promptly went about planning her introduction. The first thing that Glenn thought of was to present the American flag. This would at least put both parties on equal footing by showcasing a symbol of another ruling state. Glenn could only assume that the foreign party would want to have an open dialogue with another state. Though if they did not then Glenn thought to bring a canister of fire retardant. It wasn't a weapon but would be effective in giving her a chance to run back into the ship.

                                                   On Glenns first venture outside of the ship she along with her crewmates did not seal up their space suits. There was no need to as the air outside was comparable to Earths. However, Glenn supposed that she would wear her space helmet to conceal her identity. More specifically her sex as she knew not how a group of men might take to seeing a lone woman emerging from the spaceship. In any case Glenn felt more comfortable this time around with her identity being concealed. It might present even more mystery to the four visitors outside the ship which could allow for some caution from them.

                                                 The front hatch of the ship was opened once more by Glenn. As the door dropped to the ground, Glenn watched it until the rampway was secure enough to walk down on. When it was, Glenn walked purposely down with her flagpole in her right hand and her cannister of flame retardant secured to her left side on her belt.

                                                 "According to Hawk-Winds findings, that is the only life reading. Unless there is artificial life aboard that ship as well." Duncan said after viewing his bird tipped scanner once more.

                                                 "The suit of that creature gives of the likeness of being itself artificial.", Melaktha notes.

                                                    Glenn having the attentionof all four riders now what does she do with it?

                                                  Glenn marches forward, holding the flagpole in front of her with both her hands. She shows purpose as she halts a good distance between the four riders and the ship. LT Glenn proceeds to forcefully place the flagpole into the ground. Then after backing a few steps behind the flag Glenn does the only thing that makes sense to her, she salutes old glory.

                                                  Prince Randor remarks as if a precedent has been made," The visitor has placed its flag for us to take notice. As the princely son of king Miro, it is my duty to acknowledge the motion. I must represent the Kingdom of Eternia in a similar fashion. It is protocol."

                                                       "My prince you have no flag to place as representation. As your personal bodyguard, let me perform the honors. " Malcom states as an excuse for his prince to stay safely out of harm's way.

                                                      In reply to Malcom's concern, Randor slowly dismounts his horse. Which only causes more concern from Malcom as he gravely warns," If you won't allow me then at least let me accompany you sir!"

                                                      "Let it go Malcom. "Duncan affirms.

                                                     "I need us all to be in consort. As I am performing my royal duty, so is Malcom just performing his. As my royal bodyguard. Though Duncan, I would ask you as the official Man-At-Arms, how do I approach this situation? "

                                                      "I am a man of adventure, science and machines. As a friend I would advise extreme caution. As a tactician I would advise the same. For whatever is underneath that large dome of the visitor you will have no way to discern its facial cues. That would be your best way to register its hostility but because you cannot your life may be at great risk. Though you already know that. I support you as my friend and prince."

                                                      Duncan turns to asks Melaktha,"Though, I bet our resident Royal Archeologist has some excellent advice."

                                                      Immediately, Malaktha offers his insight," All signs would indicate that this visitor is applying diplomacy. You are just in acting accordingly as the royal prince you best represent Eternia. Though this visitor does not know that. So, I would greatly advice that you show the visitor that you are not a threat. That is paramount."

                                                      Glenn sees the three other riders are counseling the regal looking rider who seeks to approach her. Finally, the regal man dressed mostly in red looks towards Glenn. Then the man starts to make his approach towards her.

                                                       Prince Randors consort look on with trepidation as they watch him close the gap with the visitor.

                                                      The Randor stops before the flag presented by the visitor.

                                                     Glenn is reassured at how much respect the regal man is displaying. Then to Glenns surprise the man not only pays homage to her flag he begins to pay even further respect to her as he lowers himself to one knee. Where he summarily takes off his three-pointed golden crown. Glenn is beside herself at the man's sincerity. If he was a threat to her Glenn doubted, he would go to this much reverence. Glenn knew that she had to make the next move. How could she respond?

                                                    Glenn now above the man on his one knee makes a motion for him to rise. It seemed the gracious thing to do. Glenn felt a twinge of regret by giving him the okay to stand up. This was because as Glenn looked at the man with his broad shoulders and thick brown hair, she began to stare at his ocean blue eyes. Glenn felt her heart flutter for a moment. She sighed breathily into her speaker, letting her sigh be heard. The man hearing the audio relay could not discern the sound. Is simply sounded like crumpled static, so he simply smiled warmly at the sound. Glenn admired the mans bravery but she thought, what to do now?

                                                      The moment was still.

                                               Skeletor with his arm across the back of the man with no eyes, the Hunter as he called himself, both of them stood inside the serpent's mouth which looked over the landscape below it.

                                                 "I see it." The Hunter told Skeletor.

                                                   Skeletor drew his black hooded skulls face closer, whispering," Please describe for me what you see."

                                                   Evil-Lyn along with Beastman watched Skeletor talking with the Hunter as he cast his eyeless sight upon the horizon. Not saying a word to one another.

                                                  "Lt Glenn is outside of the Rainbow Explorer with her space helmet on. She has placed the American flag on the ground. She is also in front of a man that I have never seen before."

                                                "Is the man alone?" Skeletor asked in a whisper.

                                                    "No. There are three others behind him on horseback."

                                                     "Keep looking at them. Do not avert your sight for an instant." Skeletor whispered.

                                                   Then the ghoulish demon raised both his arms in the air, the hand holding his rams head staff and his other empty spouting," I declare a nightly escapade!"

                                               Not waiting for further details, Evil-Lyn speaks boldly as Beastman glances sideways at her," My power grows in the dark of the night. Tell me what has the Hunter spied upon?"

                                             Skeletor presumes, "Is it not obvious dear Evil-Lyn?"

                                              Evil-Lyn looking hesitant to answer is explained to by Skeletor," This mountain for where I now make my home looks out towards the valley that your spaceship crash landed into. I saw it as it fell from space. Thats how I knew where to look for you."

                                                "What do you want of us master?" Beastman implored.

                                                 Skeletor directed both Evil-Lyn and Beastman attention with the head of his rams headed staff to the Hunter as he looked out towards the distance below the mountain.

                                                   "If there is but one thing that I have learned in my travels is that you should always take advantage of an opportunity." Skeletor said as he stammped his staff twice on the floor.

                                                  "Well, opportunity has knocked, and I am opening the door to greet it. Are you both with me?"

                                                  Without hesitation Beastman answers, "I am with you master!"

                                                       Evil-Lyn says nothing.

                                                      "What aren't you telling us?"  inferring as much as asks.

                                                         "I am telling you that which you need to know. You are relatively new to this planet as I am. Though I have been here slightly longer. You were chosen by me to be my allies. Though much more than that. I need you to assist me in learning about this planet. We can both learn from each other the expanse of this world. Its strengths, its weaknesses its mysteries. In so doing we will be gaining far greater insights than bickering between one another. Let us work together."

                                                           "To what end?" Evil-Lyn demanded.

                                                             Beastman became riled by the way in which Evil-Lyn was countering his masters wishes.

                                                        "Lower your aggression!" Skeletor commanded Beastman. Immediety, Beastman complied to his master's instruction.

                                                        "I needed allies. I chose you." Skeletor shrewdly admitted.

                                                        Evil-Lyn did show gratitude towards him in that," You chose well. As did we." Despite her gratitude seeming self-serving.

                                                        "Are you with me?" Skeletor again repeats.

                                                          Evil-Lyn replies smugly having made Skeletor work for his answer, "Why yes I am."

                                                           "Then listen and listen well. For I have a plan that will test each of your limits."

                                                        LT Glenn started to remove her space helmet from her head. It was a spontaneous response to gain the trust of the man before her. It was also a symbolic gesture in which matched what the man did when he removed his crown.

                                                       Randor's eyes grew wide at the breathtaking beauty of the women before him. He bowed again before rising once more in order to meet his eyes with hers.

                                                      The sky was getting darker in the valley when two voices yelled out from the distance. Glenn recognized the voices as Captain Evelyn Powers and T.E Scopes!

                                                   Randor put his hand to the head of his sword at his side which was still in its scabbard. In readiness to use it if these interlopers posed a threat to them. Then he saw that they wore the same uniform as the beautiful women in front to him.

                                                       T.E. Scopes had a torn off piece of cloth around his eyes. While Evelyn had reverted back to her old, haggled appearance without her glowing yellow skin.

                                    "What happened to the both of you?" Glenn asked franticly.

                                      "There's no time to get re-acquainted! We've got to get out of here!" Powers panted in fright.    

                                      "You can all ride with us!" Randor affirmed.

                                        Glenn was amazed that she understood whatever language was being spoken by her handsome greeter.  

                                         It appeared to be dusk in the valley when a large number of screeching like sounds could be heard drawing nearer!

                                       "Wolf bats!" Randor exclaimed.

                                          The three other horsemen rode up to Randor, Glenn, Powers and Scopes.

                                           "You can ride with me!" Randor said as he pulled up Glenn to his saddle atop his horse!

                                            "I need my flag!" Glenn said as she pulled it from the ground.    

                                              As Malcome had Scopes ride in back of him Duncan did the same with Powers. Then a blue bolt struck past them all! Where it directly hit the Rainbow Explorer! Exploding it to pieces!

                                               Randor lead the charge away from the energy blast in the effort to avert them getting struck next!

                                               The horses carried them all away from the destruction as fast as they could! Driven both by fear as well as obedience to their riders!

                                              The black mass of winged horrors with gray wolfen faces followed the riders from behind!

                                              The horses had a strong lead as they ran away from the screeching legion of wolf bats!

                                               Glenn buried her head in Randors chest as she sobbed for the loss of the Rainbow Explorer. Randor patted her head to comfort her.

                                                Duncan also consoled Powers who sat behind him," I am sorry for the loss of your ship."

                                                 Powers answered back in a way that appeared odd to Duncan as he glanced over at the grieving Gleen who was crying into Randors shoulder.

                                                      When Powers said, "We must carry on."

                                              Unseen by the riders, now far behind them as well as the flurry of bats Skeletor stood with Beastman crouched at his hip.

                                              "Should I call off the Wolf Bats?" Beastman asked in uncertainty.

                                               "Keep control of them but keep them at a distance. I want them all to make it back home safely in the night."

                                                  "Where not alone master." Beastman growled.

                                                  Though before Skeletor could ask for clarification, a multitude of yellow eyes peered from the darkness around them.

                                                   Beatman mentions to Skeletor, "These creatures are curious about the explosion. There aggression is held back by fear. They gain confidence in large numbers."

                                                   Instinctively, Beastman takes charge of the situation by commanding their leader," Show yourself! Come out of the shadow!"

                                                     The creatures begin to stir amongst themselves, emitting a high-pitched chatter in an effort to organize themsleves.

                                                  Beastman commands, "Come out I say!"

                                                  The command from Beastman quells the chatter of the creatures until one of them emerges from the shadows.

                                                  A massive dark blue ape like creature comes forward with a single horn protruding from its forehead.

                                                  Beastman making himself tall before the creature asserts his command over it by declaring," I am your master!"

                                                  The creature albeit larger howls in compliance.

                                                "Call forth the others!" Beastman commands the creature.

                                                The creature turns as it yells in its high-pitched voice for his cast to join it.

                                                  Beastman watches in admiration of his ability to control the creatures as he sees them slowly emerge from the shadows.

                                                 "Now put them to work." Skeletor tells Beastman. "Have these creatures carry the debris of the spaceship to our lair. We may find a use for this wreckage later on. Evil-Lyn will communicate back to me when she is able."

                                               The servile Beastman obeying Skeletor implicitly begins to hurd the creatures at his command. Yelling at them to start carrying of the remnants of the Rainbow Explorer. Where they begin hefting the large fragments of the ship into a portal opened up by Skeletor. A line is then formed by the creatures on Beastmans command as the creatures in single file transport the wreckage through the portal. Over time does all memory of the spaceship is carried away back to Skeletors lair by the shadow apes.