Dark Skies
October 22nd, 2006 by Salem
Chapter 46 – The Blade Masters were boarding the YeagerBlade when their attention finally moved skyward. Ash that was kicked up from the fighting with the Phantom army and the digging were now turning the sky dark to the point of choking the light of the suns. Selene and Dark quickly enter the cockpit of the YeagerBlade to talk with Kasey. The young Master of the YeagerBlade was busy powering up the engines for a quick takeoff. “Can the plane go through that stuff without any problems?” asked Dark. “Plane?” both Selene and Kasey asked. “Sorry, I mean Blade,” Dark corrected herself. “I’ve flown through many clouds before,” said Kasey, “Never had any problems.” Dark looked at the young pilot, “But this is not just a cloud!” Kasey pushed the throttles at full power, launching the YeagerBlade into the sky. Jarody was about to take his seat next to Vivien when he fell forward and over his seat to land on the row of seats behind it. “What?!!” Yelled Jarody, “AGAIN?!” The landing gear folded into the underbelly of the YeagerBlade and the doors closed tight. They were in the thick of the ash cloud. Dust covered the windows and the large battle wing shook. The YeagerBlade found clear skies again and Kasey turned on water jets and wipers to clean the windows. “See,” said Kasey, “No trouble at all.” There was still doubt in the back of Dark’s mind.
The YeagerBlade was high over the Mantyan Expanse headed to the Mantyan Falls so Kasey could get a better idea where to turn to head to Koror where the Temple of the Blades is. A yellow warning light began to flash and a gentle tone sounded. “What is that?” asked Selene. “The engines are starting to heat up past normal levels but it usually does that whenever I have not flown it in a long time,” said Kasey. “How long has it been before we came to you?” asked Dark. “About two years. Just no need for me to go flying around like this when I’m the only teacher in my village,” answered Kasey. “Two years?!” reacted Selene, “Kasey, you never leave your Blade sitting like that for that long. It is best to take your Blade out and fly it on weekends. Blades are like people. They can become out of shape or even lose their ability if you have them just sit like that without using it.” “What about the KingBlade? You and your sister have it sitting in that secret cave somewhere,” said Kasey. “It’s ability is being used constantly, making sure that you are the only one who is able to use your Blade,” said Selene, “We keep it clean where needed.”
The Mantyan Falls comes up real quickly as Kasey dips the YeagerBlade low to fly through the heavy mist coming off of the falls to wash off the ash from the rest of the large battle wing. When Kasey was sure that the YeagerBlade was clean enough, she opens up the throttles again and heads skyward, above the falls and turns. “Next stop, the fishing town of Koror,” said Kasey. The yellow light begins to flash again along with the soft warning tone. Selene and Dark stare at Kasey. “I told you that it always does that,” said Kasey. Salem enters the cockpit, “Why are we flying so erratically? Are we under attack?” “No,” answered Selene, “She was just giving her Blade a good cleaning.” The yellow light on the control panel turned off. Only to be replaced by a red light and an even louder attention grabbing alarm. Dark puts her hands on her waist, “And how often does it do that?” “I got us to Mount Obelisk without problems,” said Kasey. “You didn’t fly through a thick cloud of ash on that trip,” said Dark. A second tone began to sound. “What is that for?” asked Salem. Kasey just sat at the controls, turned off the second tone and faked a smile, “Engine three just stalled out, but we still have three working engines.” The second tone began to sound again. “Did engine three start up again?” asked Selene. “No, that’s engine number two,” said Kasey, “It just stalled, BUT we can still fly with just two engines! We’re doing fine!” “I am about to be in the first plane crash this world has ever seen,” said Dark, “Can this ‘Blade’ float?” “I’m afraid not,” said Kasey, “But there’s no need to worry, We have two strong engines.” The second tone sounded again. “Let me guess,” said Dark, “We lost an engine.” “We can still fly with just one engine, right?” asked Salem. Kasey turned off the alarm tone and turned to Dark and the twins, “Do you know how to swim?”
“No need to get wet. Look,” said Salem. Below them was the TidusBlade cutting through the water on it’s way to Koror. Selene pulled out her ComBlade. In the main bridge of the TidusBlade John was sitting in the captain’s seat allowing his father to catch up on some well needed sleep. The trip between the Mantyan Falls and Koror is always an uneventful one. It was not like the trip between Hellion and the sea port of the Hoofar. All that was needed for this trip was the constant checking on the bearings to be sure they were on course. “Lieutenant Commander John,” called Lieutenant Harke, “We are receiving a call from Selene.” “Put her on the main screen,” ordered John. Selene appeared on the large screen. “Hello Selene! How are you?” asked John. “We are not doing very well,” said Selene. “Oh? What is the trouble?” asked John. “We are on the YeagerBlade but ash from Mount Obelisk has caused the engines to stall out,” said Selene, “We need to land on the TidusBlade or we will crash into the sea.” John started to go through his head on how to handle this. “I’ll go get the captain,” said Lieutenant Harke. “No, Wayne. Don’t get my father,” said John. Harke turned to John, “But we need him on the bridge.” “Didn’t you see him when he left the bridge?” He could hardly walk,” said John, “My father needs his rest. We can do this without him.” “John!” objected Harke. “I am giving you a direct order Lieutenant!” yelled John, “Do not wake my father.”
“Commander,” called Ensign Jeff, “The YeagerBlade just exited out of the clouds and is in sight.” “Selene,” called John turning to the screen, “How long can you stay in the air?” Selene turned to Kasey, “All we have left is engine number four. It can keep us in the air but as you can see by this, it is about to stall out,” said Kasey, “If it does, we will be gliding until our momentum runs out and we will fall the rest of the way like a stone. That is if I don’t keep up our speed by going down. We can fly just above the surface but that won’t last very long.” “Why don’t we call on Yeager herself and have her keep us in the air?” asked Christina entering the cockpit. “She may be the Caretaker of the sky and clouds, but even she needs solid land to stand on,” answered Salem. “Anyway, for her to keep us in the air, she will have to throw us like a normal battle wing. We cannot land on the TidusBlade if we are spinning.” “Well how about calling Tidus?” asked Christina, “Can he not catch us and connect us to the TidusBlade?” “Yes, he can do that, however only the Blade’s current master can call Tidus and they do not want to wake James from his sleep,” said Selene. “We need to give them a time,” reminded Dark. “Thirty minutes,” guessed Kasey. “John,” called Selene, “Kasey thinks we have a good thirty minutes before we are forced to land in the water.” “I do not know if you have noticed, but that ship does not appear to have any deck space for this plane to land on,” said Dark. “I am guessing that ‘Plane’ means ‘Blade’ in the language from that other world and assure you, Dark, that all Blades have a way of connecting with each other,” said Salem. “Have these Blades ever been connected before?” asked Dark. “Never,” answered Selene.
The tension in the bridge was high. John knew what he needed to do and wondered how his father would take it when he finally woke up. “Commander,” called Commander Ajax, “In order for the YeagerBlade to land and attach to us, we will need to disconnect, eject, and dump the philosopher labs and observation towers into the sea.” “If we have to,” said John, “Wayne, take a team of security officers and evacuate the philosophers as fast as possible.” “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” said Harke, “We need to tell your father first.” “And what will he do differently?” said John standing up off the captain’s chair, “You can’t lead me to believe that my father would keep a bunch of wood and metal and allow the Gemini Twin HexBlade Masters to fall into the sea! Go evacuate those philosophers now and hurry! They don’t have much time!” Lieutenant Harke turned to the lift behind him. “I’ll help out,” said Commander Ajax as he joined Harke in the lift. The lift doors closed and John fell back into the captain’s chair filled with regret and guilt. The lift reaches the main level of the TidusBlade and the doors open. “Come on Ajax, we’re getting the Captain,” said Harke as he turned to head to the resident quarters. Commander Ajax grabs Harke by the arm to stop him. “John is right,” said Ajax, “James would do anything for the twins. Trust me Wayne. This is the only way. We need to support his son. James will not find rest in his retirement if he thinks we can’t trust his son enough to follow his orders. I will tell him, but you have a job to do Lieutenant. You’ve been given an order.” Harke agreed with Ajax and the two men parted ways with Harke heading to the philosopher labs and recruiting security personnel along the way to help with the evacuation. Ajax stops at James’ quarters and leaned against the wall next to the door and stood guard until the right time came to call on his old friend.
Selene could see the large main doors of the TidusBlade slowly open to reveal the large structure and tower inside. “There is where we are going to land,” said Salem. “But there’s no room,” said Kasey, “That tower part of the TidusBlade is in the way.” “The structure and tower is not part of the TidusBlade,” said Selene, “It was added to the TidusBlade so philosophers could have labs to work in. They will have to demolish that structure in order for us to connect with the TidusBlade.” “Well I hope they do it fast. We are very close to losing the last engine,” said Kasey. “I feel that we’re overlooking an option,” said Dark, “Can’t we simply repair the other three engines?” “We can, but the tools we need are with Sturmer on the TidusBlade,” answered Salem. “Christina,” called Selene, “Go to the back and have everyone get ready for a rough landing.” On the TidusBlade, philosophers are running all over with boxes and bags shoving what materials of their research they can save as security officers try to bring order to this large mess.
“Lieutenant Harke, It’s Tiberius,” reported one of the security officers. “What’s the matter with him?” asked Harke. “He’s locked himself in his lab,” reported a female security officer. “Oh sh! Not now,” said Harke as he followed his officers to Tiberius’ lab door. Harke uses the butt of his dagger to knock on the thick door. “Tiberius, open this door!,” yelled Harke at the door, “You have to leave!” There was no response. Harke turned and gave his officers a hand signal. The security officers moved to the door and began to undo the bolts holding the door together. The last bolt was pulled out and the door falls with a heavy ring. The officers move into the lab space with Harke following them in. The lab was filled with equipment Harke had never seen before. This bothered Harke because he had to personally approve of all philosopher equipment brought onboard. “Tiberius!” called Harke, “Unless you want to end up at the bottom of the sea with your lab, you must leave now!” The Philosopher named Tiberius appeared. The man was not very tall and he looked more turtle like than human. But the face, it was a face that did not belong to a philosopher. The face was more fitting to a man who makes a living by killing others. It had to be his eyes. He had the darkest eyes of any man living. “Tiberius, you have five minutes to gather what research you can carry and leave,” said Harke. “That is alright Lieutenant. I have what I need already,” said the diminutive philosopher with a voice of an old priest. The man had the handle of a metallic case in his hand. “I will now return to my room inside,” said Tiberius. “Wait,” said Harke as he stopped the man with a short stick, “What is this equipment and why haven’t I seen it before?” “What does it matter, Lieutenant? As you said, it will all be at the bottom of the sea soon,” said Tiberius before leaving the lab.
The philosopher labs were evacuated and every door was opened to allow water to flow in. The longer it stays near the surface increases the risk it could hit the TidusBlade. Engineers as well as Sturmer were busy undoing the bolts and welds that held the structure to the metal deck. A few angry philosophers who had overheard that the captain was asleep in his quarters grouped together. They were stopped by Commander Ajax in the hall. “What you are facing is only temporary. We will replace what necessary equipment that is needed for your research, but right now we have friends who need help and as philosophers, I am sure you know how important it is for the Captain to get his sleep,” said Ajax. On the bridge, Harke on his ComBlade tells John that the structure is ready to be ejected. “OK. Ensign Jeff, fill only the starboard side tanks,” ordered John. “Aye, Sir,” responded Jeff, “I am filling starboard side tanks.” The engineers and Sturmer quickly move inside and seal the doors just before the TidusBlade begins to lean to the left. The philosopher lab structure begins to moan and creak the steeper the deck becomes. High above, the Blade Masters in the YeagerBlade watch the TidusBlade slowly tilting. In the cockpit, the stalled engine warning sounds again, telling them that the last one has just shut down. “This is going to be interesting,” said Dark.
The large structure finally slid off the deck and into the sea. The TidusBlade straightened out again and was ready for the YeagerBlade. “We have a problem,” said Selene on the main screen, “You will have to catch us as we glide down. We have no speed control and turning the YeagerBlade will cause us to lose momentum.” “We understand Selene,” answered John, “Hold your direction and rate of descent and we will catch you.” Mage Khet enters the cockpit yelling, “What does that walking milk bag mean we have to get ready for a rough landing?! We are over the ocean! Are you planning to land us on the water?!!” Dark grabs the palace mage and drags him out of the cockpit. On the bridge, it was clear that news of the YeagerBlade making a landing had circulated in the ship when Detective Lagan entered. “Where are they?” asked the extremely tall woman. “They are just ahead of us heading down but all we have to do is to make a sharp turn port side and speed up until we are under them and match their speed until they are safe on the open deck. The combining of the TidusBlade and the YeagerBlade should be automatic,” said John. “Combining?” asked Lagan, “You mean that this ship and that large wing will become a single Blade?” “If all goes well, yes,” answered John. The TidusBlade moved through the water like a dolphin trying to get under the lowering YeagerBlade and doing it’s best to stay just under it. “Be very careful now,” ordered John, “That is no sea bird. If she hits the water, she is lost.” The two Blades were very close now where a wrong move will cause a crash. “Keep things steady Ensign Jeff,” said John, “The lives of the twins and everyone else on that Blade are in your hands now.” The lift doors open and Commander Ajax enters the bridge with Captain James behind him. Ensign Moody was the only one to see this and stands at attention as he announces, “Captain on the bridge.” John quickly stood up from his father’s chair but quickly yelled, “Don’t break your concentration Ensign!” to Jeff. The rest of the bridge crew stood up at attention. Without a word, Captain James walked down the steps and to his seat. “As you were,” said James. The bridge bustled with activity as people started to move about again. John stood at his father’s right side. “I hear you had to dump the philosopher labs into the sea?” asked James. “Yes sir,” said John with a shaky voice. “Glad I wasn’t here to make that choice,” said James.
“Are we in contact with the twins on the YeagerBlade?” asked Captain James. “Yes sir,” answered Ensign McCloud as he transferred the ComBlade signal to a side screen leaving the main screen for Ensign Jeff to use. “Hello Jim,” said Selene, “Are you not supposed to be in bed?” “Couldn’t sleep with a group of philosophers yelling at Ajax outside my door,” answered the Captain. “We are almost there,” said Ensign Jeff. “You better find something to hold on to. We are almost connected,” said James. The two Blades were close now and almost connected. The TidusBlade was cutting through every wave, being as still as solid ground. The YeagerBlade was a yard above the flat deck. Kasey did not dare drop too early, or the resulting shock may cause them to bounce off. Half a yard now and the Blades were very close. Captain James stood up and yelled, “TidusBlade, combine with YeagerBlade!” At this, sections of the deck open as long rods and electric powered magnetic plates pull the YeagerBlade down and the long rods enter small doors in the belly. The YeagerBlade separates into four sections. The cockpit and passenger compartment enter the main body of the TidusBlade and becomes a room. The engines and intakes move into the TidusBlade’s main engine room and slid into place to become a secondary propulsion system. The wings take their place on ether side of the TidusBlade to become part of it. The large main doors closed up tight once again. “We are now the YeagerTidusBlade,” said Captain James. “The Blade Masters and Raptors exit the YeagerBlade passenger compartment and cockpit through a door to be met by Lieutenant Harke, “Welcome back ab!” Harke became dumbfounded when he saw the large woman with them. Harke did not have to guess at who it was. There was no mistaking the person. “The twins and I have to talk with the Captain as soon as possible,” said Dark.
The other Blade Masters had left to return to their rooms to find them the way they had left them. Kasey, the Raptors, Mage Khet, and the Twins were being escorted to the Captain’s office where James was waiting. The YeagerTidusBlade had resumed it’s course to the Town of Koror while Sturmer repaired the YeagerBlade engines and removing the ash that had become caked inside. The twins were the first to enter the office. James jumped up and gave them both a healthy hug, “Girls! I’m so very happy you’re safe. That was a real close!” James felt like falling back onto his chair. Not only did it look like Lord DarkRaptor had entered his office, but there were two of them. “I have a feeling that you already know DarkRaptor,” said Selene, “These other two are ColdRaptor and PurpleRaptor.” “The master of the YeagerBlade, Kasey,” continued Salem, “and!” “I see my reputation has preceded me,” interrupted Mage Khet, “No need to be so astonished, I am the well known and loved Palace Mage of the Hoofar. You may call me Mage Khet.” “Who?” asked James. “Cold, Purple, take the illustrious Mage Khet outside. We need to be alone with the captain. “Do I need to be here?” asked Kasey. “You may leave if you want to. I don’t see what I have to say will affect you,” said Dark. “It’s OK. I have to find out how to send a message back to my village. I don’t want anyone to wonder where I’ve gone and start to worry,” said Kasey as she left the office with Mage Khet and the other two Raptors.
“I’ll tell you everything about where I’ve been Captain but we have something more important to talk about right now,” said Dark. “Well, we do have the time,” said James, still not believing he was talking to Lord DarkRaptor. “We have an adversary who’s been working against the twins since they left the Temple,” said Dark, “The twins had filled me in on the events that had happened up until they met with me at my home. I believe that this adversary, who we only know as the Mysterious Master right now, has a Blade Master spy in the group of 6 that are traveling with them.” “Oh? One of the Blade Masters is a spy for this Mysterious Master?” asked James. “I do not see how it is possible,” said Selene, “There is no way to predict who a Blade will choose as a master.” “Selene and I have seen millions of Blades choose a master and we have yet to see any pattern to it,” said Salem. “Is there a Blade that can see into the future?” asked Dark. Salem and Selene thought it over for a while. We did make a Blade called the SoothsayersBlade, however it chose an old poem writing gypsy woman as a master,” said Selene. “That was over two hundred years ago. The SoothsayersBlade could have changed hands since then,” said Salem. “However this Mysterious Master did it, there IS a spy in your group. The last fight had shown me what I needed to see. I now know beyond any doubt who this spy is,” said Dark, “But we must continue as if we do not know. You remember what Terra told you Salem and Selene. All eight of you are needed to restore Gin’s wish.” “Wait! I thought this was to find a missing Blade,” said James. “Things have changed since we were last together,” said Selene. “Well, that is very obvious. Here we are with Lord DarkRaptor talking about a spy in your group,” said James, “So out with it already. Who is this spy?” “I think you got this wrong James. I am not the leader. Selene and Salem still lead this group. I am just one of the people coming along to help,” said Dark, “As for the spy. I now know it is Vivien Leblanc.” “Vivien?!” yelled both of the twins. “The vampire?” said James.
“What do you have to support this?” asked Selene. “It started at the Tagi Challenge. You told me that General Carcass was very brutal with his opponents on the first day of the challenge,” said Dark, “He had fought every one of them to the death. Yet, on the second day when he faced Vivien, all he did was grab her and cut her sleeve open to expose her to the suns’ light and let her go so she can run away to the closest shade. Why did he do that? Because he knew she was needed for his Master’s plan. The next time you saw her was at the Bill’s Miller Tavern. I am surprised that you found nothing strange in the fact that Vivien appeared at the tavern of the inn you were staying at on that day when she had not been there before. Then there was the last day where Vivien had disappeared. We can only guess what she was doing on that day. Then on the TidusBlade, when you were under attack by the megalodons, you found her on the level were Emhril was knocked out. Did you not suspect a thing when you found Vivien moving to the back of the ship away from Emhril when the back was filled with water and Emhril was lying in a section where the water was only ankle high?” “You mean she helped those convicts steal my mirror?!” yelled James. “I do not think there was anyone else on the ship. She did it alone,” said Dark, “You were distracted by false information you were given by a convict who had nothing to lose. There are many other suspicious acts, but the one that told me what was going on was at Mount Obelisk. Vivien pretended to have been knocked out by some unseen force. Vivien was actually waiting to see the result. If the Phantom army had killed us, Vivien would not have to do much being a dark creature, the army would have left her alone allowing her to dig for the SaintBlade herself and then take it to her master. The deadly gas was no factor since vampires do not actually breathe anyway. Their bodies get oxygen from the blood of their victims. But we beat the army and so Vivien has to continue her innocent act until the time is right for her to take the SaintBlade from us and deliver it to her master.”
This information was very shocking to the twins. James was ready to call his security force to have the vampire thrown in the brig. “We must not let her suspect we know,” said Dark. “You mean I have to let that thieving bitch walk around the ship as if were ignorant of her doings?” said James. “Well you could always post guards on her like you did before. Just make sure they do not leave her side this time like during the megalodon attack,” said Dark, “But now I think ti is time I filled the captain in on where I have been for the last twenty years.” “We have things we must do before we arrive at Koror,” said Salem. “Remember, do not treat Vivien any differently. She might think that you know and will fly off. We will be in a real jam if we don’t have her to restore Gin’s wish. And don’t tell Jarody. He might warn her and tell her to run where he can meet up with her later. “He would do something like that,” said Selene. The twins leave the Captain’s office while Dark begins to tell her story to James.