Threat Level Rising

Chapter One

                                                         "The Golden Isles?", Prince Randor asked his father Miro in disbelief.  "You want me to accompany Consul Ari back to his Island province along with the Earth astronauts for what reason again?"

                                                             As Randor questioned his father Miros decision for him, Glenn along with the other astronauts were allowed to accompany Drusilla to a dressing area to be fitted for new apparel. The only others alongside Randor  were Duncan, Zarek and Malcome in the Council Chambers of King Miro.

                                                            "I ask you son, why are you questioning my decision with such scrutiny?" Miro asked.

                                                            "I beg both your highnesses' pardons." Duncan interrupted.

                                                          "What is it, Duncan?" Miro asked almost in relief.

                                                             "I cannot speak for your son, though I must concur with him. We have only found out this morning about this trip. Your decision does seem rather spontaneous, especially since we have yet to be debriefed."

                                                              As if on cue, Consul Ari enters the Council Chambers saying," I am here for the debriefing."

                                                            "Seriously." Duncan says to himself almost disbelievingly.

                                                              "Now you must go son." Miro addressing his son Randor once more," I want you to take this trip as seriously as I am. You along with Consul Ari will be providing these Earth astronauts with a grand tour of Eternia. This will be a great learning experience for you, my son. A mission of diplomacy. I thought that this trip to the Golden Isles would settle your nerves some after your time in Borderland Valley."

                                                           "I do thank you for this opportunity." Randor says reluctantly as he bids farewell.

                                                       "Good Journey!" Miro says as he watches his son leave the room. "Go along with him Malcome to help keep his moral up. I don't know what has gotten into him."

                                                        "We all had a rough night." Malcome reasons as he follows Randor out the door.

                                                        In a corner of the Royal Palace, Drusilla was measuring the waste of Glenn for some clothes that she could try on. Glenn was the last of the astronauts to be measured. In fact, Glenn was the last to pack for the impromptu trip out to the Golden Isles.

                                                       As Glenn was being sized up by a measuring stick that Drusilla was using expertly, she asked," It will be nice to have a change of wardrobe. Will you be helping me make some good choices when I try on some of these outfits?"

                                                   "Of course." Drusilla answered as she folded up her measuring stick. "I have plenty of garments for you to try on. Though I am afraid that you must hurry. The departure time for Consul Aris private vessel will be right after his council meeting. Which is taking place as we speak."

                                                     "Then why am I not also given the courtesy of preparing for the trip? I only found out about the trip to this island a little over an hour ago."  Glenn concedes.

                                                          "As a royal consulate, Ari cannot be delayed, it would be rude to do so. As he is our royal guest. Also, as a reminder, you must always refer to Aris residence as the Golden Isle. As it is its official title." Drusilla instructs.

                                                           A forlorn look appeared on the face of Glenn as she staired off into space.

                                                           The look of loss in Glenns eyes was apparent enough to Drusilla that she felt obligated to ease that loss in any way that she could.

                                                            "You will love the Golden Isles; the beaches are as bright as the sun." Drusilla said with the warmest of smiles.

                                                             Glenn cast a slight smile in return for Drusilla's understanding.

                                                            "I think that you would look lovely in green." Drusilla said in reference to the clothing around the room.

                                                             The Royal Lion Carrier resided in wait to whisk Randors party away as it was his personal transport. When Randor came out to inspect his transport, he saw that Powers alongside Scopes who was handling the luggage of both waited alongside it.

                                                            Powers was now dressed in a ravishing turquois collared shirt with her dark blue necklace resting on her chest. On her head was a headdress with bright blue chards of crystal spread on top like a fan blade. An exotic looking belt of circled discs held by a thin rope wrapped around Powers waste. On the front of the belt was a plumage of silver, purple and scarlet feathers which covered her crotch. The pants as well as boots that Powers wore were as black as night.

                                                          This seemingly darker exotic tone for Powers did not enhance her far less feminine build or appearance. Instead, it made her look like a lame bird pretending to be a peacock.

                                                          The much taller Scopes was dressed in considerably less now, with most of it being a red sleeveless tunic under a green top. Above Scopes bare furry booted legs was a large green belt, which held up a brown fur loin cloth. The only apparel that was unchanged on Scopes was his brown cloth which covered up his eyes.

                                                         "Good morning prince Randor." Powers spoke charmingly, "Scopes and I are looking forward to this excursion. I remember that your father called it a royal tour. Ari has told me so many great things about the Golden Isles."

                                                           "You mean Consul Ari." Randor corrected Powers, "You seem unfazed by the lack of notice for this little getaway." Randors remark was blunt but for some reason he was finding both Powers and Scopes presence off putting.

                                                           Malcom had finally caught up to Randor saying," I stopped by the barn to check on Stridor, he is still suffering from the lacerations that he received from those Wolf-Bats on our first trek in Borderland Valley. After saying my goodbyes to him I thought to come here. It seems that I was right."

                                                            "You know me well enough." Randor stated flatly," Your instincts are as sharp as your broad sword."

                                                               Malcom sensed the tension that his prince was feeling and where it might be coming from as he greeted Glenns fellow astronauts.

                                                             "Exoplanet explorers..." Malcome said, trying to remember what Glenn told him last night.

                                                                "Exoplanet Eternos." Scopes replied in an expository way as to supply Malcom with an answer.

                                                                  Powers recognized that Glenn had told Malcom about the exoplanet status of his planet according to NASA. To Powers he was just parroting what she had told him. There was also a sensation that she was picking up from Malcom. This could be the concern that he was feeling about his injured horse.

                                                                   "So, Glenn had been discussing the nature of our space mission." Powers insinuated.

                                                                     "To some extent." Malcom admitted.

                                                                      Powers felt inclined to ask a question that might touch a nerve," Of the three horses bitten by those Wolf-Bats, have any of them died?"

                                                                       Malcom was unsure as to why Powers would ask such a sensitive question in the moment, but he was forthcoming," No. Though they are in severe pain from the lacerations. They will all recover in time given proper care."

                                                                     "Who is giving the attention to these horses?" Powers probed.

                                                                    "Everyone at the stables. Including myself." Malcome said firmly.

                                                                     "Though you won't be able to provide that extra care to your horse on this trip." Powers inconveniently pointed out.

                                                                  Randor could see the concern on Malcoms face, knowing how torn he was of leaving his horse behind. If only Randor could convince Malcome to stay behind with Stridor though he knew that Malcom was honor bound to be his personal bodyguard.

                                                               To say that things were off to a rocky start was an understatement. When suddenly, LT Glenn arrives alongside Randors Handmaiden Drusilla.

                                                               Randor was taken aback at how stunning Glenn looked in her new emerald, short sleeved green top underneath a golden V-shaped collar. Glenns golden V-shaped collar only complimented her golden buckled high waste tan leather belt around her slim waste.

                                                                Glenn strode over to Randor, in her velvet pants as her brown boots clicked in the pavement to ask," Well what do you think of my long overdue change in appearance?"

                                                                In that moment Randors other concerns were washed from his mind.  The proximity of Glenn to him in her flattering as well as formfitting clothes put Randor instantly at ease.

                                                                    "I am most pleased." Randor answered.

                                                                   The timing of Glenns arrival not only changed the mood all around but it vexed Powers who was attempting to sow the seeds of doubt in both Randors and Malcom's minds. Glenn could be a distraction for  Randor along this voyage which could distance him from Powers machinations. Though as long as Powers had Concul Ari she still had the upper hand. After all they would all be residing in Aris home on his island.

                                                                     Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced Powers skull inexplicitly!

                                                                     Skeletor wanted to communicate with Powers at the most inconvenient time and place!

                                                                      "Scopes, come with me! Now!" Powers demanded her unknowing ally.

                                                                    "What's gotten into them?" Glenn asked more for herself than anyone around.

                                                                   As Powers whose skull was in pain lead Scopes away, she asked in a low yet agonizing voice, "Find a secluded place for us!"

                                                                  The spot that Scopes lead Powers to was near the stables where the horses resided. I was mostly deserted save for the horse inside as well as a lone stable boy who was doing some early chores.

                                                              Powers went inside a gazebo in the field near the barn. After crouching down on the floor in pain so that she could not be seen she ordered Scopes," Do not let anyone come in..."

                                                              Scopes standing guard simply replied, "I am keeping watch."

                                                             Powers then released her mind, to except Skeletor's thoughts into it, which in turn eased her pain as he spoke to her," What took you so long to answer me?"

                                                              Powers groveled on the floor in her mind," I am sorry...I had to move to another location."

                                                               "Very well." Skeletor capitulated. Then Powers was asked, "Tell me of your progress, what is going on at the palace?"

                                                                 For a brief second Powers was unsure how to answer but she quickly did as not to upset Skeletor," I will soon be heading to another location." She blurted out in her mind.

                                                                 Skeletor did not take this new information well as he also blurted out in her mind," I never told you to travel anywhere. What is the meaning of this?"

                                                                  "I convinced king Miro as well as one of his Consul men to bring not only myself, Scopes and Glenn but prince Randor as well to the Golden Isles. We will be headed towards the Royal Port very shortly." Powers frantically explained.

                                                                "What exactly did you hope to gain from this ploy?" Skeletor asked.

                                                                  Powers simply said one word," Leverage."

                                                                   "Perhaps..." Skeletors voice inside of Powers mind faded out then it came back, " I may be able to take advantage of this leverage that you are employing. As I have already stated to you once before, I never let an opportunity go to waste."

                                                                   Skeletor ended the conversation with little doubt that he had intent to take advantage of this situation. Though as usual, he felt little need to include Powers in on his plans.

                                                                  "The Council meeting is over; I see Ari heading towards his guest room with some royal guards as well as Zarek." Scopes tells Powers who is still on the floor when she gets an idea.

                                                                "Is that stable boy still in the barn?" Powers asks.

                                                                 "Yes." Scopes says.

                                                                  Powers then instructs her all seeing ally," Let me see this stable boy through your sight. Just keep looking at him."

                                                                      Scopes does as he is told by Powers as he follows the young blond-haired boy through his chores. In so doing, Scopes allows Powers to scry the boy with her blue necklace around her neck.

                                                                     "Let me pass!" A small voice calls out from behind Scopes. The voice is of Powers who now appears as the little stable boy as he was shown to her.

                                                                      "Waite for me here! I am taking advantage of an opportunity!"  Powers now in the guise of the stable boy runs off towards the stables!