Monkey Spider Mountain (Chapter two)

At the helm of the control center of the Cerebrum, Duncan methodically analyzed the readouts on display. There were all kinds of blank monitors on the control panel. Though as Duncan found out the only active monitors were the ones showing the jungle tiger in the corridor where he first entered as were the ones showing his pursuers, Mer-Man, Kronis, Scopes and the Beastman. There was a large display on the wall of the vast room that showed a schematic display of the whole facility, it denoted in dots representative of the Monkey Spiders as they moved in real time. Duncan had an icon of the facility on his control panel, which he could tap in order to display a particular area on a virtual screen. This virtual image was two dimensional and as Duncan found out only, he along with the AI controller could see the displayed images. The images would blink off as long as Duncan wished them as well as reactivate. Duncan had all access to everything inside this hidden base as long as he was wearing the pointed crown atop his head.

A voice spoke to Duncan inside of his head, it was the Gar-Shan AI, "Are you ready to perform a diagnostic check of the rocket?"

In order to buy himself more time, Duncan answered aloud preferring not to use his mind," I need to study the map further before making my selections."

In response, the AI offered a suggestion." You could ask me which system you would like to check. For example, if you ask me to run a diagnostic check on the thruster bay, I will bring up its location for you as well as perform the action. In this way we can proceed with the diagnostic check with increased efficiency as well as performance."

"We cannot proceed until the perimeter of this location is properly secured. As long as those four remain outside this facility then I cannot proceed with diagnostics.", Duncan said trying to sound as technical as possible.

"In addition, I would like for a connection to be established with my portable AI. Is there a port available for link up?", Duncan asked as he planned to confer with Rohad on a plan to give this Gar-Shan intelligence new directives.

"I understand, your first concern but fail to understand why you want me to interface with your other computerized intelligence.", the AI put forth.

"Data sharing, collecting as well as adding any updates you may need.", Duncan responded in kind.

At the foot of Duncans feet, on the circled platform he sat upon, rested his helmet. Further up on the arms of the chair where he now sat upon, Duncan noticed a speaker set up on the right arm of the chair. Despite the voice of the Gar-Shan being heard everywhere inside of the room he was in as well inside his own head as long as he wore his crown, it felt as if the chair he was sitting on could serve as a potential link up.

"Your perceptions are correct.", the AI voice told Duncan," As you will see this platform is an extension of me. It is appropriately named the Cerebrum for this reason."

Then from somewhere behind the chair Duncan sat on two spindly tentacled arms appeared! These metal tentacles where just like the ones that brought him here. They opened up with tonged clamps for hands as if to receive Duncans ai device.

"I will have to remove your helmet to give you the device.", Duncan told the Gar-Shan intelligence.

"Allow me.". the Gar-Shan intelligence said as it started lifting the helmet off with its tentacled arms.

Where Duncan saw on the large schematic on the wall before him there was a vast, empty chamber inside the mountain which led to its peak. The Cerebrum was far below the base of the mountain itself and the only way to i was threw a series of sparsely spread-out lifts. Suddenly, a red blip appeared on screen at the peak of the mountain, it denoted danger!

Duncan grabbed the helmet which the AI controlled arms were proceeding to take off, "Wait for a moment!"

"One of the interlopers you had warned about is tampering at the mountain top!", the AI controller alerted as an image of Kronis appeared on a screen on his consol." It is using a thin laser to cut along the seams of the outer launch point."

Duncan then ordered the AI controller," That is Kronis, you must capture him! Then bring him down to the Cerbrum just as you did me."

"For what purpose?", asked the AI controller.

"I may find a use for him as either a hostage or preferably a technical assistant.", Duncan affirms.

High above the mountain top where Kronis had used his Kondors wings to anchor himself as he used a thin laser beam from his helmet guided by his eye to slice along a thin line in the carapace.

While at the base of the mountain far below Kronis was his compatriots, Beastman, Mer-Man and Tri Klops.

"What are you seeing?", an anxious Mer-Man asked Tri-Klops as he used his supernatural far sightedness to observe Kronis as he worked with his laser beam to slice an opening on the mountain far above.

"We have company!", Tri Klops alerted to as he pointed to a series of holes re-appear on the face of the mountain once again! Then the echoed cries of madness preceded numerous multi-limbed Monkey Spiders as they emerged aggressively from the mountain to attack!

Mer-Man rapidly shot at the maniacal Monkey Spiders with his trident's sharp teeth! It did little to stop the tidal wave of arachnid-simian terrors as they just overwhelmed the three warriors with an onslaught!

Beastman thought his best option was to overtake the primal minds of their attackers as his allies tried to fight them off!

So focused was Kronis on his precision laser cutting that he failed to notice numerous small holes open up around him. Then slithering out of the holes came a multitude of serpentine limbs with gaping fangs ready to strike there unsuspecting target.

While far below the mountain a battle raged on! Mer-Man had speared, impaled and poisoned many of the attacking Spider Monkeys until one leapt on top of him! Mer-Man was then piled on by several more of the terrors!

Tri-Klops hawk billed wooden walking stick batted many of his attackers away for a while until he too was overtaken by their sheer numbers!

Then in confusion the onslaught of the Monkey Spiders stopped!

The madness that had once driven the attack was halted in confusion as the Monkey Spider that held down to of the enemy were suddenly as well as unnaturally still. One might say the stillness of them was akin to paralysis. The sight of the stilled Spider Monkeys caused the rest of the attacker's concern as well as a stark confusion as to what was now happening.

A blood curdling cry rang out until it was cut off by coiling solid metal arm!

The coiled arm tightened around Kronis neck as the claw crushed the laser attached to the helmet! Another arm wrapped around the visor of the helmet Kronis was wearing which causes his vison to become blacked out! The rest of the unleashed arms wrapped around the body as well as the legs and arms of Kronis! A loud mechanical sound was heard as the arms tugged at Kronis body in order to pull him off the mountain! The porous holes where the majority of the armed tentacles came from were too small to pull Kronis body into, yet they still tried to pry him off! Though as the arms seized Kronis in their effort to capture him another large opening was opening up.

"Stand back...", Beastman told both Tri-Klops and Mer-Man as the red furred ape-man in heavy concentration constrained his efforts on the frozen Spider Monkeys.

"Turn...face each other..., Beasman ordered his now mind controlled minions. Then as the Spider Monkeys were faced opposing one another, Beastman gave his last order to them...

"...now attack!"

It was a massacre that all the warriors took pleasure in as the Spider Monkeys tore into one another!

Beastman gave a ghastly grin at the results of his final command!

Mer-Man showed his sharp teeth as he gurgled in laughter at the tearing of sinew and flesh on display!

Tri-Klops merely marveled at the Spider Monkeys sudden turn to violence against one another.

Of the few Spider Monkey survivors, they were quickly picked off by Mer-Man with his trident from afar or up close.

At the top of the mountain a gaping hole was on display. It was ready to receive Kronis who had been pried from his perch and suspended over the chasm!

Kronis was received from a number of tentacled arms that emerged from the darkness of the chasm!

Then as soon as Kronis was taken into the chasm the mechanical sound commenced once more. As slowly the seal was shut once more on the lid of the mountain top.

Duncan was still in shock after witnessing the massacre of his controlled Spider Monkeys. Though as he watched the view screen, he saw a portal open up. What looked like a Goblin soldier emerged, then several more followed. Then as quickly as they emerged from the portal, the Goblin soldiers along with the three warriors left. As the portal was sealed away. the only thing to see on the view screen were the bodies of the fallen Spider Monkeys.

Duncan turned off the view screen with his mind as he still wore his tall colorful crown.

"The one you had requested has been captured.", it was the AI controller.

When Duncan had first been captured, he was brought down by a lift where the doorway he came out was designed to look like the face of a man.

This time around, after Kronis capture he came out the mouth of a face representative of a monster.

There was a third face that probably led to an elevator in the appearance of a robot.

Kronis after he was scanned by the same tentacled red eye as Duncan was asked by the AI controller to retract his wings before entering the Cerebrum.

Duncan had called in some Spider Monkeys as a welcoming comity to intimidate Kronis. As well Duncan warned, "I can order the intelligence holding you to tear off that jet pack of yours by force if you do not comply."

Kronis cried out in surrender, "Okay, you win! I'll do it!"

Four Spider Monkeys were sent to make sure Kronis complied after he was released by his restraints.

Kronis was eager to compress his folded wings back into his harness just as he did his guidance helmet.

"You can come out now...they won't bite you...", Duncan urged Kronis as he slowly left the lift he was inside of.

Finally, after Kronis was brought before Duncan who had his crown removed in order for his necklace housing Rohad to be removed for which it was to begin its interface with the Controller AI, Duncan made his was down the circled platforms to greet his guest.

Kronis had a bemusing smile as if he was actually pleased to be greeted by Duncan who began," While we have this little opportunity...alone...were going to have a conversation. Which our very lives may depend on."

A deluded smile was all that was left with on the face of Kronis as if he could not wait.