Sweet Dreams and Rescue Schemes
Oscar opened the door to his room. It was dark in the common area. Unusually dark. What's with all the darkness? He reached over in the general vicinity of the luminosity knob, and in doing so, his hand touched something wet.
"Huh?"
The small panels brought light into the room, and the light brought forth an impossible vision. One that simply couldn't not be true--and yet, there they were, all on the floor: dead. Blood was splattered everywhere, on the furniture, the walls and floor--even the ceiling.
Look: there was Wyn--she had been cleanly decapitated, a lock of bloody blue hair next to her headless body. My God... there's Jon... he had both arms cut off, one at the shoulder, the other at the elbow. His lifeless corpse lay in a puddle of blood. And what could only be Vinny was slumped against the far wall--you could only tell by the furry arms, though, his face had been brutally disfigured beyond recognition.
Oscar felt sick. He looked at himself and found that his shirt and pants were covered in blood. He saw it on his hands. His white feathers were now speckled red. He looked at his reflection in the blood splattered full length mirror nearby. The face looking back at him was one of sheer terror.
"My God... what have I done?!"
"Indeed," said a voice in his head, "What HAVE you done?"
"I didn't do this!"
"Not on your own, of course not," the voice replied.
"What? Who did this?!"
This time, the image in the mirror spoke, "You don't recognize your own handy work? My friend, this is the result of years of pain and frustration--years of being cooped up inside of yourself, struggling against seemingly unbreakable bonds."
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Oscar screamed, shaking his bloody hands violently.
"Face it, man," the image suddenly sneered, "Every day, in every way, you are slowly changing." Horns suddenly sprouted from the reflections head, "Into ME!"
Oscar's eyes registered confusion. Then shock as the reflection thrust outwards, a black, wicked-looking blade suddenly in its hand. The blade passed through the edge of the mirror as if it wasn't there and plunged into Oscar's chest, and his body folded in on himself. There was no pain, but he could feel the tempered steel inside of him--feel the barbed metal as the wicked reflection pulled it back out. Oscar's heart was skewered on the blade, and as the reflection pulled its sword back into the mirror, the heart stopped at the glass, and slid down the length of the sword. The organ fell to the ground with a dull thud, followed by a couple crimson red feathers. Despite now being heartless, Oscar slowly looked up at the reflection and watched as it hefted the sword above its head.
"Wake up!"
The angel's eyes suddenly opened. Fueled by a rush of adrenaline, Oscar jumped out of bed, his sword appearing in his hand. He was on alert now--in my room... room is empty... shadow--just a shadow... no physical person here... sword... my heart--Oscar felt his chest, which was perfectly normal, although he could swear he could still feel the blade piercing him--I'm okay... my friends--Oscar was across his room in two strides and the door was open. The room was dark, but not the same darkness that had filled it before. He could see everything in the faint light, and everything was as it should be. There was no blood, no lifeless bodies. All was well.
Still shaken by the nightmare, Oscar went over to a nearby desk and poured himself a glass of water. He moved the sword behind his back, where it vanished yet again, and drank deeply. It was only then that he heard Miriam's voice inside of his head.
"Oscar, are you alright?"
"I think so," Oscar whispered silently, although he only needed to think what he had to say, he found speaking to be easier to control his thoughts. Some of his first conversations with Miriam had been quite amusing, as his thoughts seemed to flow freely, they were difficult for him to control mentally, but verbally, he managed well enough.
"You had a dream. You were hurt."
"In the dream, yes, but I'm fine now."
"No," Miriam continued, "Not physically, emotionally."
"Did you see what I dreamed?" Oscar asked.
"No," Miriam replied, "That is beyond my abilities. What one dreams is of their own self, and no one else can truly see that dream--at least not in the same way."
"What did you see?"
There was silence. For a minute, Oscar thought he had lost his connection with Miriam, but then she replied, "I'd rather not speak of it--it was... horrible."
"Aye... that it was," Oscar nodded, even though Miriam wasn't actually there.
"There's trouble, Oscar. You need to get the others."
"What? What is it?"
"Long story. Wake Jon--I can communicate with him best."
"Alright," Oscar said, walking across the dark common area to Jon's room.
Jon, Oscar, Vinny, and Windsong were all present in Wyn's personal chambers. They were mulling over the wealth of new information Miriam had shared with Jon.
"We're going to have to go to Gamezoha."
"Impossible," Windsong said, "We'd barely get within distance of their borders before they destroyed us."
"For what reason would the empire see fit to destroy us?" Jon questioned.
"The 'empire' is a farce--you know that as well as I do. Gauss rules the empire--"
"And Moebius controls Gauss," Vincit finished, "I don't like this at all--smells like a trap."
"We can't leave Gauss on his lonesome," Oscar supplied, "He might be on an ego trip right now, but he's in Moebius' hands. We've got to get him to snap out of it. If we leave him alone, there's no telling how Moebius will use him--and if we can get Gauss to see reason, we might be able to bring this war to an end before it escalates."
"I say we go after Moebius," Vinny growled, "He's the reason everything is all screwed up."
"But sweetheart, how?! How do we find him--he's probably very close to Gauss--how would we get to him? He's likely got the entire army on guard for such an attack."
"We've got to go, we have no choice!"
"That's suicide--there's no way we'll make it in without being killed!"
"Silence!" Jon's raised voice echoed in the chamber. Vinny and Windsong were immediately quiet, "We need not raise our voices to each other. We must work together."
Oscar nodded, "We need a plan. Wyn, how well supplied is your army?"
"I can't send my troops to Gamezoha--my people would be defenseless against my uncle!"
"Maybe we need to formulate an attack against Adamus," Vinny suggested, "Get the Wendauerian empire back?"
"It would take months to get the empire back under control. There'd be pockets of Windgust loyalists hidden throughout the galaxy. The army would be in no condition to wage a full scale assault against the Gamezohan military--not with their attention on keeping the peace here."
"Time is not on our side," Jon mused.
"What if we set up an infiltration mission into Gamezoha?" Oscar offered, "Sneak in undetected? Maybe get a ship with a cloak?"
"Those are VERY rare," Windsong explained, "There are only four prototypes that I know of in our galaxy--two are still under construction, in the hands of unknown researchers--one is in the hands of the Gamezohan empire, still undergoing tests, and the location of the fourth is unknown."
Oscar raised an eyebrow, "Unknown?"
"Hey, I know as much about it as my intelligence does."
Vinny sighed, "So what are we gonna do, here? Are we gonna take care of Gauss or not?"
"We can't," Oscar said, "There's just too much at stake to even attempt to get to him. Miriam's in the heart of the empire--she can keep an eye on him, check in on him from time to time and keep us updated on his condition."
"In truth," Jon interrupted, "I would rather not leave her there alone," Jon said.
"I know, Jon, I don't want to either--none of us do--but even our chances of snatching her away and escaping unharmed are slim."
"I'll go get her."
"What?"
"Jon, you can't--"
"She's hardly in any danger, Jon--she's practically invincible."
"Moebius is a monster. A spawn of hatred and the devil himself. He is cunning and crafty, twisting people like Gauss around to do his bidding. While I am aware Miriam is in no present danger, I strongly feel she is threatened and I cannot bring myself to leave her there on her own."
"I can go get her!"
Everybody whirled to a set of long red velvet curtains that draped along the curved wall of the room. They were moving, on their own, seemingly alive. Slowly, they lifted upwards and outwards, until a figure appeared from beneath them, fighting free of the heavy material.
"YOU?!" Windsong exclaimed, "Can't I get any privacy?!"
The SURTR soldier finally freed himself of the curtains, adjusted his uniform, smiled, and bowed, "Jurgen Kriegor at your service. Just call me Gunther."
"What the hell's going on here?!" Vinny exclaimed.
Oscar sighed, "He's just a SURTR soldier, Vincit--they're practically guard dogs, they've had Wyn under surveillance ever since we've been here--"
"She's not the only one we've been keepin' tabs on, Mr. Angeles, but that's neither here nor there. Point is, you want your girl back," Gunther said, pointing at Jon, "I can do it for ya."
"Hold it!" Vincit said, walking over and stepping up in Gunther's face, "Just who the bloody hell do you think you are?! How much did you hear of our conversation?"
Gunther shrugged, appearing undaunted by Vinny's aggressiveness, "All of it, I guess. Why, that a problem?"
"You're damn right, it's a problem! You're a damn spy!" Vincit put a furred paw around Gunther's throat.
"Vinny--" Windsong started.
"C'mon, Vin, lay off him," Oscar said, "He's working for SURTR and they're working for us--he's on our side."
Vincit growled and let go of Gunthur, who had been momentarily surprised and was now massaging his throat. Jon spoke before Vincit could say anything, "For what reason is your offer made?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm really just volunteering, that's all. I've got a few ideas that could help us sneak into the empire under the radar, so to speak, if you're willing to hear me out. This girl seems awfully important to you to insist on going--only a fool would insist against his friends advice. I've been known to act the fool from time to time myself--point is, I want to help. You can take it or leave it, Mr. Saint."
Jon sighed.
"What does your commander have to say about this?" Oscar asked the SURTR soldier.
"What's a commander?"
"Right... that answers that question. Jon, it's your call."
Jon looked at Gunther, who was looking back at the paladin with hope. He sighed again, "It is settled. I will leave for the empire. Gunther will accompany me."
"If it isn't any trouble, I'd like to go as well," Oscar added.
Jon turned in Oscar's direction, "Pray tell, why?"
It was Oscar's turn to sigh, "I've just... got to get out of here. It's hard for me to explain... I just feel very anxious sitting around here doing nothing." There was a brief moment of silence.
"We will stay here," Windsong said, walking up to Vincit's side, "And plan an assault against my uncle. The sooner we have full control of the empire, the sooner the Wendaeurian empire can be of better assistance."
Vincit chewed on the fresh cigarette in his mouth, "I hate having to break this group up again, but I can't come up with a better plan. I'll make sure to keep you guys posted as to what's going on out here. First chance we get, we'll meet back up with ya."
Oscar nodded, "Very well. We'll depart immediately. Take care of yourself Vinny," he shook Vincit's hand and clapped him on the back, then bowed to Wyn, "Your Majesty."
"Just give me a hug and be done with it, Oscar," Wyn smirked.
Vinny stepped over to Jon, "Brother: do take care of yourself."
"And you as well, brother," Jon replied, squeezing his hand.
Gunther leaned over to Oscar and whispered, "Do you... uh... see any family resemblance at all?"
Oscar slowly turned to look at him with an expression usually reserved for a dog who had just peed on the carpet. Gunther mouthed a sorry and cleared his throat, "Well, fellas', I reckon we'd best be on our way. I'll go prepare our transport."
Klot watched (well, he knew the ship was moving, he didn't actually see it because, well, the no-eye thing, you know what I mean) the Wendaurian ship take flight and zoom past the Coyote before heading on a vector directly out of Erenduis B, deep into the dark vacuum of space. Space: it was cold, it was empty, but it had a haunting beauty to it--like other things in life...
Klot acknowledged Aris' presence without moving, "The angel and the paladin are heading to Gamezoha?"
"That's what Gunther said. And he's along for the ride, so they'll be under extremely close surveillance."
"Nice work, Delapore. You're turning out to be really useful--you sure you don't want to... join me for a bite?"
Aris grinned, "I appreciate the compliment and the offer but I'll have to decline it for now. I've a few details to attend to in the time being so if there isn't anything else, I'll be on my way."
"Very well," Klot let a flicker of a smile flash. Aris took that as his cue to leave. Klot continued to stare into the black vastness, seeing beyond normal sight, watching the ship's signature trail grow smaller and smaller until he could no longer sense it.
Oscar was sitting in a chair, looking out the port window where he had but mere minutes ago, watched as the ship broke the atmosphere, passed the large dome of Meggido station, and whiz by the Coyote. They were already nearing the fringes of the Neo-Phobos-Ex-Machina belt. They were on their way, and Oscar breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be gone from Meggido.
Jon was somewhere in the back of the small ship, in one of the cramped quarters, talking to Miriam. Gunther was in the pilots seat.
"So what's your plan for getting into the empire's borders, Gunther?" Oscar asked, turning in his chair.
"Well, I'll tell ya, I've got a few, but what do you think about tourists?"
Oscar's head sorta flinched backward at the word, "Tourists? Don't tell me that's the best you can come up with."
Gunther was smiling, you could hear it in his voice, "Naw, I'm just joshing ya, but you have to admit, it'd be a cheap way to go--all we'd have to do is buy some tacky clothes and we'd be set."
"How about something that won't draw too much attention?" Oscar suggested.
"Yeah, we wouldn't want to do that, would we, Feathers?" Gunther quipped, "I kid, I kid."
Oscar sighed and shook his head, "C'mon, seriously."
"Alright, alright, spoilsport, here's the plan: we'll go in as professional businessmen for a new technographical financial company, looking for some capital and support from the Gamezohan government."
"Do we have a name?" Oscar asked.
"Yeah, how's this, I came up with it just a few minutes ago: Inrun."
"Inrun... could work..."
"Whenever we get into neutral territory, we're gonna touch down near the closest dealership and I'm selling this bucket for something a little nicer--more businesslike. Besides, the Wenduarian markings won't do us any good where we're going."
"That's right, friends, this is Crazy Ernie from Crazy Ernie's Used Ship Emporium! It's a giant supermarket of ships! I got so many ships, people come up to me and say, 'Hey! Crazy Ernie! Where'd you get all those ships?!' Lookee here. We got red ships, we got green ships, we got enough ships to choke a camel!"
Oscar and Jon walked past the large and loud animated advertisement next to the entrance of the shipyard. Gunther was somewhere inside, trying to negotiate a good deal on a nicer ship. The two friends turned a corner and started walking in the general direction of some eating establishment, hoping to fill their empty stomachs. Oscar's coat hid his wings well enough, save for the occasional feather that dropped behind him. It was happening even now as they walked down the empty, dreary street.
"I thank you for accompanying me," Jon said.
"Ah, it's no big deal, I'm starving too, y'know--"
"No, I mean to Gamezoha."
"Oh, right, sorry!" Oscar smiled, looking at the wet sidewalk as they walked on, "Don't mention it, Jon, it's no problem. You said so yourself, we're friends. We stick together and help each other out through each others troubles--it's a noble thing--it's the right thing."
"That it is," Jon added as the two came upon a small bar & grill.
"Listen, you go on ahead, I'm going to walk around for a little bit, take a look around, probably check a few places for some suits--I'll be back in a few."
"Are you alright, Oscar?"
Oscar smiled, "Never better."
Jon smiled in return, "Be careful."
The sun was starting to set in the small town. The streets weren't very busy at all, save for a few people and cars--it was almost deserted.
Xurmaith was not a highly populated planet by any means. It had only recently been settled by colonists escaping the effects of the ongoing wars within Wendaur. Before then, it had been a scientific outpost--biologists studying the flora and fauna of this alien planet, discovering new species, new breeds, and learning more about their abilities, all in the name of science--which in turn was fueled by capitalism, grubby little peons, asking for the bottom line, wondering what kind of profit their funding would turn out.
When did his train of thought end up at THAT station, Oscar thought to himself... honestly, he was convinced he was going crazy... maybe even hearing voices...
"Guess who."
THAT voice was unmistakable.
"Joel," Oscar said. He turned and looked up in the light of the quickly fading sun to see his nemesis standing up on a nearby roof. He was wearing a black business suit with a red tie, but it looked as if he had slept in the outfit more than once. There was nothing on his head to cover his horns. The two silently looked at each other, Oscar with a look that conveyed no emotion, Joel with a look that radiated satisfaction similar of a person who'd just won a game of hide and seek.
"Wait, I know what you're going to say: 'Joel, how DO you keep those devilishly good looks going?' Sorry, ol' chap, but you can't have it all... I mean, I got the brains, the good looks, and you got... well, maybe one CAN have it all, heh, heh..."
Joel took a step forward and dropped three stories to the ground, landing in a clean crouch. The final rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon at that moment (nice timing, showoff). He stood up, looked his adversary in the eye, and smiled, "How's it going, old friend?"
"Not well at all, I must say. And how is the Gamezohan President fairing?"
Joel frowned, "You'll be glad to know that your 'friend' succeeded in taking control of the USG, although I personally found his musical talent to be the equivalent of Roast de Lymóne: painfully sour to the last bite--or note, as it were. But I can't say I'm greatly bothered by this change. In fact, it's kinda refreshing--to realize that after all this time, my intents and purposes have been skewed and completely off target."
"What do you mean?"
"Quite simply," Joel smiled, "I've gotten so wrapped up in my quest for power that I forgot what mattered most in my existence, the true reason I am here: to completely and utterly destroy you, Oscar Angeles."
This statement was nothing new to our hero.
Joel continued, "When this whole mess started, I joined forces with Adamus intent on getting revenge against the man-beast, but I did so because I knew it would be an opportunity to kill you. When I became president of the USG, my power grew exponentially. I could have easily crushed you, but the demands of being President were just too great--not to mention the demands of Nike, but that's another story altogether."
"But you're no longer president."
"Exactly. I may have lost all that power, but my concentration on my one true goal has been restored, and I am all the more adamant about your destruction."
"What makes you so sure of victory, demon?" Oscar challenged.
"Because I'm stronger than before, and you have grown weak. Your dependence on your friends, your allies, it has made you but an empty shell--see, you just now realized it yourself. It's what's been bugging you all this time. You're alone, and worthless, and you have no, oh, what would you call it... vigor, bravado, chutzpah."
It was hard to admit what had been his greatest fear: Windsong and Skai were regaining control of their birthrights, Jon and Vincit were following their own destiny as knight and king, and Gauss had regained control of his empire--one of the most powerful forces in the galaxy. It had occurred to Oscar that, perhaps, he was now a useless pawn.
Joel was floating in midair, on his back, hands behind his head, looking bored as Oscar thought about these things, "Sucks, doesn't it, to realize your own self worth is next to nothing. When it's all said and done, there's only one thing you're good for."
Oscar slowly looked back at Joel, frustration on his face, "Fighting you."
Joel's eyes popped open and he smiled, "Why, YES, the good boy CAN be taught! It's all we've ever done and all we ever will do. Companions, allies... 'friends'," he spat the last word, "They may come and go, but our quarrel will last forever, time and time again, until..."
"Until one of us dies," Oscar finished.
"Well... yes, I imagine so, actually, or to be more specific, YOU die. You see, I am of all this!" Joel held his arms out and looked at the surroundings, a sick smile pasted on his face, "This reality--there is so much for me here--so much in this universe for me to see, to touch, to experience--it's what I know and believe! In the past few months, I've been a battleship captain, a governor, a president, a GALACTIC RULER! I've had a taste of power, and once you've had a slice, you want the whole pie!"
Joel floated in a backwards summersault and landed on his feet, "You wouldn't understand, of course. If I killed you, it'd just be a goal in my life completed--then I could pursue greater pleasures, but you... if you killed me, you wouldn't know what to do with yourself, would you? You'd be completely alone--AGAIN! No friends, no arch nemesis, nobody! Ahh, foolish angel," Joel chuckled, "The irony is just sickening, isn't it? You are NOTHING without me--NOTHING!"
Oscar felt his body go numb. He stumbled to the ground, his head hung in hurt, shame, and helplessness.
"Remember, Oscar," Joel's voice suddenly uncharacteristically soft, "Remember what I said to you, on the ship, months ago? I know EVERYTHING about you and I. You can amount to nothing alone--but together! Together, you and I can rise to power so great and so marvelous that it would outshine the stars of the universe and overpower the powers that be! Fuck, man, who needs friends when you've got power! They certainly don't! Why shouldn't it be the same with you?!"
Joel walked over and extended his hand to Oscar, offering to help him up, "Take my hand, and we will bring vengeance against those who have done us wrong! We WILL rule!"
This didn't make any sense. First the guy wanted to kill him, then he wanted to RULE with him. Oscar looked up into the eyes of his enemy. They looked like his own eyes, in every way physically. But there was something behind them that radiated with pure, concentrated evil--the feel of a million stinging insects, the smell of raw sewage, the cries of tormented souls. Oscar cringed inwards, then looked back down at the ground, "Away with you, demon... tempt me no more."
Joel frowned, his gentle demeanor vanished instantly and he sneered at Oscar, "Fool, fool, FOOL! YOU SHIT FUCKIN' FOOL! I CAN'T PRETEND TO HAVE PITY FOR YOU FOR SO LONG, DAMNIT! YOU SCREWED THIS UP! YOU screwed this up..."
A green fireball exploded in Joel's hand and he hefted it above his head.
"... you screwed this up..."
Mickey the Cod was walking down the bare street, getting ready to put phase one of his plan for revenge into action, when he unwittingly bumped into a sulking Joel as he exited the alley.
"Hey!" the Cod yelled, "Watch where ya--" Mickey froze, fear running ice cold through his veins, his mouth moved but no sound came out (for all intents and purposes, he looked like a regular fish), "It... y-you..."
"Fuck off," Joel snarled, and blasted Mickey with a fireball at point blank, sending him clear into the next chapter...
The bar & grill, like most of the town, was an equally quiet place. There weren't but two other people inside but Jon, and one of them was the bartender. A woman sat in a booth in the corner, pouring over paperwork and sipping coffee. Jon was sitting at one of the tables in the bar & grill, halfway through his meal and already feeling quite full--sure was a hefty sandwich. Gunther entered the bar at sat at the table with very little fanfare.
"Man, that Crazy Ernie sure is crazy. Anyways, I've got us a nice ship, and his mechanics are making sure everything runs smoothly--we can pick it up in an hour--that'll be enough time to eat, pick out a couple of suits, and take off--you gonna finish that?"
Jon shook his head and patted his stomach, "Help thyself." His Olde English was creeping up on him, as it occasionally did after a full meal.
"Feathers already eat and run?" Gunther asked, biting into the other half of Jon's sandwich.
"Alas, no," Jon said, concern on his face, "He said he was going to take a look around and meet us back here, but he's been gone for an awfully long time."
The door to the bar opened and Jon and Gunter looked over expectantly, hoping to see Oscar. Instead, they saw a little girl who looked briefly at them before running over to the woman in the back. She was easily overheard.
"Mom! You're NOT gonna believe what I found! There's this HUGE dead bird down on Ruthyor street--it's, like, nothing I've ever seen before!"
The lady in the booth, obviously the young girl's mother, turned to look at her, "A new species of fowl? I'm not surprised, actually, let's go take a look," she said, standing. She had a certain air about her--maybe it was her slight Japanese accent, or the way her dark hair cascaded, framing her pale face.
"She's a looker, ain't she," Gunther whispered through a mouthful of sandwich.
Jon wasn't sitting in his chair anymore, though. He approached the woman and her daughter, "Excuse my intrusion, I couldn't help but overhear, this giant bird--what color was it?"
The little girl looked skeptically at Jon before replying, "I'm really not sure if it's a bird or not--it's wings were white, in any case."
Jon looked at Gunther, "That's no bird, that's Oscar!" He was out of the bar in a flash, followed closely by the mother and daughter.
"Wait!" Gunther yelled, "We got to pay for... pay? Aw, screw it..." Wrapping what was left of the sandwich in a few napkins and stuffing it into his pocket, he was out the door.
Jon was running, but he didn't know where he was going. He had know idea where Oscar was, he turned back to the girl and her mother, "Which way?!"
"Follow me," the older woman said, and she was off and running, followed closely by Jon and the little girl. It took them about a minute to get to the street. It was empty.
"Where--"
"That alley, over there!" the girl said, pointing.
Jon dashed across the street, not thinking what he might find. Turning the corner, he first saw Oscar's coat, torn to bits, covered in loose feathers, then a human figure amid to giant wings, both splattered with blood.
"OSCAR!" Jon yelled, dashing down the alley. He skidded to a stop and dropped to his knees next to his fallen comrade, "Oh Father, no, what happened?!"
The angel had been badly beaten: scorch marks were on his ripped clothing, mostly on his chest, which was an ugly bruise. His nose had been bloodied, two crimson rivers moved down his face. His wings didn't seem to be damaged, but they were ruffled.
Jon was panting from the run, and panicky at the situation, "God, God, God... Miriam!"
Miriam's voice was in his head, "I hear you, Jon! I know! I'm trying everything I can, but unless I'm there, I can't heal him!"
Jon looked up as the woman knelt down on the other side of Oscar, "What is he?"
"I've never been sure," Jon quickly replied, "We think he's an angel, but he's never confirmed it."
"Fascinating," the woman said, looking at Oscar. She slowly reached out, not touching him but moving her hand over his form, her eyes closed. Jon looked at her curiously, "What are you doing?"
"Your friend is unconscious. There is massive internal damage. His makeup is unique--unlike anything I've ever come across... and he's a technomancer--incredible..." she touched his chest and a greenish light issued forth from her covering Oscar and enveloping him. When it faded, a lot of Oscar's wounds had been healed, and the bruise on his chest had diminished greatly. The woman's daughter came over to support her as she sat back, breathing heavily, and looked at Jon, "He will live."
Jon heard Miriam's voice in his head, "What just happened?"
"I don't know..." he replied in thought.
"A biomancer." Jon repeated.
"That's right," Aria replied, "I've been here on Xurmaith with my daughter for close to a year, now. Before then we traveled from place to place. My field of study sends me to a lot of remote locales."
"What field is that?" Jon queried.
"Biologist, of course. I make the money I need studying the new species here on this planet and sending the findings back to the Intergalactic Scientific Research Association. And it helps me hone my skills," she said, flexing her fingers as if she actually used her hands in a physical activity.
"Amazing. And quite a wonderful blessing--praise the Lord your daughter found Oscar. We owe you a great debt of gratitude," Jon finished, nodding to Amaya.
The little girl looked up from the cot where Oscar was laying and up at Jon. She was the spitting image of her mother, save for a few features she obviously must've inherited from her father. She smiled and nodded, "It's alright, mister. I'm sorry I thought he was a bird."
"That is alright," Jon said, smiling, "I don't think he will mind that much."
"Where did your other friend go?" Aria asked. After brining Oscar's body back to Aria and Amaya's flat, Gunther had left to pick up the new ship from Crazy Ernie's New Ship Emporium and gather the necessary goods to help create their disguises as businessmen.
"He had to run an errand or two," Jon replied, "He'll be back before too long."
Oscar was having another dream.
He was back in room 31844-B. He knew the first second he opened the door to the common room, he'd find his friends dead, but he couldn't stop himself. When he opened the door, he was looking out into space, and suddenly, he felt himself moving at an incredible speed. He wasn't afraid, just amazed. He saw planets whiz past, he started to recognize a few. Saturn... the Mars colony... Earth... he vision blurred as he entered the atmosphere and he saw the beautiful blue ocean--watched it blur as he flew over it at an impossible speed. Saw the approaching coast, a huge port city he did not recognize until he saw the bright, white shells of the old Sydney Opera House and knew he was over Australia. Up the eastern coast he zoomed, passing large port cities and vast stretches of beaches, up around to the northern coast, the sun moving horizontally in the sky as he followed the coastline up and around until he was heading west, along perilous cliffs that rose hundreds of feet above the rough ocean. He watched as he approached a large mountain directly on the cliff side, and he circled it once before zooming madly into a tunnel at the base of the crag. And inside, he stopped at a single, metal panel--big enough for a person to step through--built into the red rock of the cave. Nothing happened at first, then he saw a mist began to gather and swirl in front of him, until it finally took the shape of a stag, and he heard a voice behind him speak.
"Ters Dered Mathuse Vens Ven."
What?
"Wake up."
"Oscar, wake up. Are you alright?"
The angel's eyes opened and focused on Jon's face. He could feel his whole body now... and it ached miserably.
"Praise God," Jon said, with a sigh of relief, "What happened to you?"
"Joel."
"Oh, dear God. Oscar, don't try to sit up, you're still recovering."
Oscar lay back down, breathing heavily, "How did you find me?"
Jon smiled, "That is a long story... let me introduce you to our new friends..."
The following day, while waiting at Aria's place, Oscar told Jon about the dream (he felt compelled to leave out the part about his room back in Wenduar, worried Jon would ask what he had been so scared of and he'd have to share his earlier horrifying dream).
"It was no ordinary dream... it felt like, a vision."
"Do you feel this was ordained by the Lord?" Jon asked.
"I don't know, I'm not sure... but... I have this feeling... that if I go to this place... a lot of questions about my past will be answered."
"Then you should go forth."
"But I can't leave you and Gunther to head into the heart of the Gamezohan empire all by yourself."
Jon clapped the angel on the shoulder, "Oscar: your loyalty is a great blessing. Gunther and I will be perfectly fine. If you feel compelled to go to this place, do not deny that feeling. The Lord, He works in mysterious ways."
Oscar nodded, "That He does... only if you're certain you'll be alright, I'll go."
"I can't thank you two enough," Oscar said, hugging Aria and bending down to hug Amaya, "If there's anything you need at all--"
"We're just fine, thanks, Mr. Angeles," Aria said, smiling, "I would like to meet with you again, perhaps another time, to talk more about you. If you don't mind my saying, you are a simply fascinating person."
Gunther made a remark to Jon out of earshot, and Jon smacked him in the back of the head.
"It would be my pleasure," Oscar replied, smiling and slightly blushing.
"Take care of yourself, Mr. Angel," Amaya said.
"Don't worry, I will."
"I think we shall one day cross paths again," Jon said, shaking Aria's hand, "I hope that it is under better circumstances."
"As do I. Take care on your journey."
Gunther stepped up, "Whelp, I can't convey how wonderful it was to meet you, ma'am, even though I didn't quite catch your name--what with the running around and all--and I thank you greatly for your hospitality!"
"Right, Mr. Gunther," Aria replied, remaining polite for polite's sake, "Safe trip."
"Buh-bye! Be careful!" Amaya waved as the trio left the building and started down the sidewalk to the shipyard.
"Nice kid," Gunther said, "So, what's the deal with you now?"
"I've got a personal matter to attend to. Not sure how long I'll be gone, but if you need anything, just have Miriam contact me."
"Do not fret," said Jon, "We'll be alright. Gunther has managed quite a convincing disguise for us, I doubt we'll be found out."
"Thanks for watching out for me, Jon."
The paladin smiled, shook hands with Oscar, and clapped him on the back, "Go with God, my friend."
They parted ways yet again. Gunther and Jon boarded their new ship, the 'Inrun' logo clearly painted on the wing, and lifted off in the direction of Gamezoha Prime. Oscar stepped into the cockpit of a small, personal transport and set the auto-pilot for a direct course to Earth. He had no idea what awaited him, but he certainly hoped it would be answers to his problems.
Bishop takes pawn. Moebius mumbles something about never winning against himself. Silence...
"... should have killed that bastard when I had the chance..."
Knight takes Bishop. Moebius chuckles and proceeds to hum another nonsense tune.
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