The Gathering

Chapter 7

Lance was in his room and trying to assemble a laser pistol when he saw a small moving object next to the door. He turned slowly to see a tiny female figure with wings watching him. “Rathir!” he gasped in horror “What is it? Why are you here? Has Zimmer done something else to Rick?”

The creature flew over to land on the table in front of him and nodded. “What is it? Tell me please!” As the creature spoke Lance was glad for the first time that Rick had asked him to learn it’s language. When she had finished Lance was fuming “He’ll pay in a big way that bastard! I’ll personally see to it myself!”

The fairy spoke and Lance nodded “you’re right Rathir. Come on and we’ll tell the others.” The tiny creature fluttered up onto his shoulder and perched there while he left the room, heading for the other rooms. The first he met was Andrew who took one look at the tiny figure and ran ahead of him crying “daddy! Rathir is with Lance! Mommy, Rick must be hurt!”

Peter and Paul were next to see them and joined the child, the rest of the group slowly joining him. By the time Lance reached Johnathon and Gwin in their room the entire group had joined him. Johnathon and Gwin looked up from a book they had been studying-one of the many ones they had brought with them from Castle Clina library and saw the creature perched on Lances shoulder.

After a long talk with the tiny creature the sorcerer looked up at them “Rathir knows were Rick is being held with the other prisoners Zimmer took from the laboratory. She will take us to him, but we must be quick.”

“Why would Rathir appear in the first place?” Cathrine asked in a concerned and slightly frightened voice “she has only ever appeared for him when it’s been emotionally stressing for him.” Johnathon frowned “There was such a time.”

“What do you mean?” Steven asked his friend “what did Zimmer do to him this time?” Slowly Johnathon told them and they were all horrified and disgusted by the aliens’ act, more so now than even before. “Bastard” Steven said one word but everyone nodded in agreement.

“We must go in and get Rick and those other people out of there,” Gwin said softly and they agreed again and started to organize a plan of rescue. Johnathon told them that the Ossla would be able to teleport them all inside the center so their arrival wouldn’t be sensed or seen by Zimmer. They were only half way through when Cathrine suddenly spoke “where’s Rathir and Peter?” Gwin looked around and frowned “Andrew is gone as well.”

“But could they really?” Cathrine asked with a frown “I mean they can’t fly the U.S.J.”

“No Paul can” Lance cursed “I’ve been teaching him in case of emergencies.” Steven cursed as well “he’s going to regret this and taking the boys with him when I get my hands on him.”

“But he would not have taken Andrew with him” Gwin said “he would have gone willingly and even if Paul refused to let them come Peter and Andrew would have stowed away inside without his knowing. You know those two are like Paul, fiercely protective of Rick.” They nodded a second time and Lance called out “CC, answer me.”

“Yes Lance?” came the female computerized voice “what is your request?”
“Location of U.S.J.”
“Ten minutes away from Zimmer’s Ice Palace.”

Steven and Lance cursed again and turned as Johnathon spoke “we know Zimmer will not harm them. We can only worry ourselves about how to get in and out now that the alien would alerted to our plans.”

“But the boys....”

“Will be unharmed until we get there. In fact Zimmer would probably put them with Richard until he decides what to do with them. By then we would have been in and out with them.”

* * * *

Payton was about to give up on waiting for the rescue when there was a sound and the tiny figure appeared back in the cell, jabbering excitedly. Rick called out to it and it landed on his palm again, jabbering and pointing at the door. Before Payton and Anna could even begin to understand and ask what was wrong the door was unlocked and three boys were pushed inside with them.

One was tall and about Ricks’ age with blue eyes and short brown wavy hair and covered in muscles. The other two were about seven, one with red hair and green eyes and slightly dark skin. The second had black hair and to their surprise he had gold eyes. All three had serious faces that made them look like they knew what was going on.

“Rick!” all three exclaimed and they looked at the hurt teenager to find for some reason he had almost lost consciousness, Rathir flying out of his limp hand to land on the gold eyed boys shoulder and perch there. The new teenager ignored them and moved to the back to the bench, so Payton turned to ask the boys who they were when Anna stopped him. “It’s obvious who they are,” she whispered. He looked at her “what do you mean?”

“Remember his story he told us. The other boy must be Paul and the gold eyed boy is Andrew, son of the sorcerer friend of his.” Payton remembered it “so the red head is Peter, the boy Loel gave them to raise for him and keep safe. Also the son of Zealer and Cara.”

Anna nodded “but what are they doing here alone?”

“They must have come here alone to try and help Rick before the others knew. Paul IS suppose to be extremely protective of his friend. Rick told us so.” Payton nodded and they watched as Ricks’ eyes slowly opened, the two children going to his side to watch as they fought to focus and Anna realised that his will all along had been keeping active and awake and finally the pain and injuries were catching up to him. The eyes slowly focused on them and he managed to speak to them “Paul” he frowned and his eyes went to each in turn as he spoke “Peter, Andrew. Why are you here and where are the others?”

Paul shook his head “they do not know we are here. We sneaked off with Rathir when we heard what had happened to you.” Ricks’ eyes widened and he asked them “how will Rathir bring them here if she is with you?”

The boys realised he was right and the gold eyed child spoke to the Ossla who disappeared again when he had finished speaking. “She will still do it Rie,” he said softly.

“But the chance of them sneaking in and out with us now is slim because Zimmer knows about her now” Rick said softly “you made him aware of her.”

“I’m sorry Rie” Andrews’ face broke out in tears “I didn’t know.”

“We all did not think of it” Paul said softly to both the boy and Rick “It is my fault for doing this in the first place. The boys just wanted to come with me and help.” Rick saw the tears in Andrews’ eyes at the thought he had hurt his ‘Big Brother’ his face went very gentle and held his arms out to the boy who climbed up onto the bench with him and buried his head into his shoulder, small arms wrapped as far as they would go around his chest and started to sob, which set of Peter who was picked up by Paul and soothed as Rick was the other.

When the crying had eased down the boy moved his arms up towards his shoulder only to hear the blond teenager gasp loudly. That’s when the three boys realized fully how badly beaten their friend was and the boy cried out “Rie!” in horror when his sharp eyes picked up all the wounds and bruises through his torn clothes.

Which ever the boy had touched must have been extremely painful because his eyes half closed as he almost fainted from the agony of it. “What is it Andy?” Paul asked, moving forward with the boy to see. “I do not know” the boy gasped in horror “he is so hurt.”

“Let me see” Anna moved forward. “Who are you?” the other teenager frowned as if just noticing the young couple. “My name is Anna Lister\Holmes. I’m a new friend of Ricks’.”

Before anyone could speak the Ossla had and Andrew had translated to another language they couldn’t understand but the teenager and the boy Peter obviously could for they nodded and moved aside a little so she could get to him. Peter, who hadn’t said a word since being pushed in suddenly spoke softly to her “but you can’t see in the dark can you?”

“No, but maybe if Rathir would....”
“Only when she is using her magic” Andrew said softly “and she knows we don’t need it.”

“You can see in the dark?” Payton asked curiously and sensed the boy, Paul, nod “Andrews eyes are magically enhanced since birth because so is Johnathon and Gwin’s. And because he is a mutant.”

“But you and Peter are human aren’t you” Anna said and when she sensed their nod she asked, “how do you see then?” And he answered “Similar, have you ever asked Rick how he sees in the dark as well?”

“He never told us or even suggested he can to us,” Anna said with a thoughtful frown “are you saying he can also see in here as well? What about him being mutant? Surely that is why.”

“No because as you said before I and Peter are not mutant.”

“Then how do you see in the dark?” Payton asked and the teenager explained “All those of us who have not got enhanced sight for once reason or another have implants designed and created by Rick.”

“Implants?” Payton frowned “what sort of implants?”

“I do not know how to explain them you would have to ask Rick. But this is how we were explained about them, see how our eyes seem to glow, especially near to Rathir?” They had noticed that and nodded “yes, so?”

“Have you ever noticed the way a cats-eyes seem to glow the same in the dark?”

“That’s because they can reflect light” Anna said “they reflect light around them and their pupils can open to almost 100% of their iris to allow in more light to see by. Why?”

That’s what the implants do. They reflect it when there is too much light and in normal situations we have normal sight and eyes. But if we are in a particular dark place the implants activate and open our pupils to a size acceptable for us to see in. This is one place they do so.”

“But it’s impossible for your pupils to open large enough for that. It would damage your eyes and not to mention your sight.” Anna protested and Paul shrugged casually “Not when they are also spell enhanced by Johnathon.”
“How many of you have these things and how long have you had them in?”

“We have had them a better part of two years and only my family, Peter and Lance and Rick have them. Every one else has enhanced sight. Even Dale had them. Apparently Zimmer ripped them out before he killed her and blinded her. He wanted to use them to enhance his servants but not only does only Rick know how to insert them but they would not work without the spell. So he could not use them.”

“What else do you have implanted inside you? How else has your body been enhanced?”

Paul glared at them “I do not like what you are implying. When you work in such a constantly dangerous job where even our science these days has not figured out how to repair some parts of the body to full function and like new then I would like to see you say ‘oh well, the way I am now is enough.’ A lot of people would be glad for the things Rick has figured out how to do and repair. He is a genius and is getting smarted the older he gets. That is why Zimmer wants him so bad. If he can turn him to his side..........”

They understood fully. “That’s why Zimmer can not afford to use 100% Ice Serum on him otherwise he will lose all his genius and knowledge.” Payton said and Anna added after a thought “And why he wanted us to weaken the immunity system, so he could use the drug on him again.”

Paul nodded “Rick under the drugs control is a scary thing. He almost got me once like that and if Lance-Ricks’ father-had not have pushed me away I would be dead now.” He shuddered at the memory.

“I can help Rie a little” Andrew said out suddenly as if trying to change the subject and they frowned at him. “How?”

“Daddy taught me some spells. One is a heal spell. It is not as strong as daddies and won’t heal him completely but it will stop some of the pain and stop the bleeding.”

“Then do it” Peter said softly but Paul frowned “it will pull your own strength will it not Andy?”
“Yes” the boy nodded slowly “but Rie needs it more and daddy and the others will be here soon.”

“How much strength will it take from you?” Paul asked gently and the other looked at him intently “Only enough to make me sleep for a few hours daddy says.” Paul hesitated then nodded slowly “do it then.” When the boy moved to place one hand to his older friends forehead and heart Paul suddenly looked up at him and said “but Andy.”

The boy hesitated and looked at him.
“Be careful.”
“I will” the child promised.

Anna and Payton listened as the child started to sing in another language, voice rising and falling and both were transfixed by his young beautiful voice and realized that in order to be able to do spells the boy and his parents must be exceptional singers.

This made them realize why there were songs you or other people could sing that would move you more than usual or make you feel things you won’t normally. They did say there was magic in music.

“Only a few of their spells are sung” Paul told them as if knowing what they were thinking “the powerful or most complicated ones are sung so they are easy to remember, and Andrew was taught them that way so he could remember each one.”

“What sort of spells does he know? And what the hell is magic?”

“Gwin and Johnathon have only taught him defend and healing spells as well as ones to protect himself. As for how magic exists for them to use....” He shrugged “Rick said he thinks the magic they use is really the energy in the air around them.”

“They are mutants aren’t they?” and when he nodded Anna spoke softly, thoughtfully. “Then I see how they do it. By using these spells they are creating a picture or idea in their mind of what they want the energy to do.”

“What about Jonathon’s crystal?” Paul asked, curious that someone could explain the existence of magic so. Even though he had been brought up not to question this sort of thing, because of being with Rick and in this age so long he learnt he could learn more questioning what he wouldn’t have in different situations.

“An enhancer and probably also attracts the energy he needs. In other words he uses it to pull in all the energy around him to use when his own body won’t absorb or attract enough and it allows him to enhance his own abilities and contains some of that energy for later use.”

“Like a kind of storage unit for electricity” Payton guessed and Anna nodded. They turned their attention back to the boy in time to see a soft glow beginning under his hands on the flesh of the teenagers’ forehead and heart.

When he finally stopped and drew back the glow faded. The song seemed to hover in the air for a few minutes then faded away. “Did it work?” Anna asked softly, unable to see the result in the dark.

“His cuts and wounds are not bleeding anymore,” Paul reported after examining him “it did.”

“How is Andrew?” Anna asked after hearing a loud but delicate yawn. “Tired. Lay down Andy” the teenager guided the boy to lay down beside the blonde other on the bench. Without protest the boy did as he was told, curling into a ball with his head nestled in his ‘Older Brothers’ side.

“What do we do now?” Peter asked Paul.
“I do not know,” he answered.
“Can’t you kick the door down?”

“No. For a start there is not enough room to start a run-up. Second the door is solid Adamantinum. I am not as strong or experienced as father.” Before they could speak again the door was opened and they could hear the sound of firing in the background. Three Ice Soldiers bustled in and grabbed Ricks’ still form.

“No!” Anna screamed and Paul, with a loud cry ran towards them. He leaped in the air and landed, feet first on one’s chest.
The Ice Soldier screamed and broke into a thousand pieces as the teenager hit but another ran forward and before the boy could get his balance hit him. The Ice Soldiers were super human so the teenager was thrown across the room. Just before he reached the wall the boy managed to somehow twist in mid-air and land on his feet.

Before Paul could start to go after them again the Ice Soldiers got to Rick. They lifted the unconscious boy up and woke Andrew who took one look at what was happening and despite Paul’s cry started to sing a spell again.

One soldier drew back a hand and smacked the boy across the face, smashing him into a wall while they got out and closed and locked the door behind them. Payton turned to Paul in concerned when he saw the boy nursing his left arm. “Are you okay?”

“As well as expected with being hit by one triple you own strength. I only hope they do not hurt Rick any more than he already is or we may loose him. ” He looked at Anna who was examining the boy “What about Andy? Is he badly hurt?”

“He has a concussion, that’s about all I could tell you right now without proper medical equipment.” Payton looked back at Paul in time to see the boy shake his hand and arm a few times, flex it then move it as normal. He frowned and asked “how could you not have a damaged arm after that blow? I saw it and I know that would have usually broken your arm.”

“More enhancements?” Anna sounded somehow angry.
“No.”

“Then how?” Paul sighed before answering “It’s one part experience, two part resilience I have inherited from father and lastly the protein drink Rick made.”

“What do you mean Protein drink he made? How does that help?”

“Rick discovered a way to take the calcium and all those things good for the bones and body in herbs and spices and other things and make it into an enhancing drink we have. It tastes disgusting but it works as you can see. Once he told me that we would not be able to fight or work to the best of our abilities if we have brittle bones and sick organs.”

“So this drink keeps you at the peak of human ability?”
“Or mutant” Paul nodded “plus exercise and so on. Of course Rick himself can not drink it.”
“Why not?” Anna asked. “Because like with a drug or any other sort of such thing he is immune to it.”


Half an hour later the firing stopped. Payton finally spoke, voicing the question that had been on his and Annas’ mind. “What’s going on?” Paul only smiled and said “I have a feeling it might be the Calvary.” He had just finished speaking when the door started to rattle and he cried out “at the back! Hurry!”

They moved to obey, cramming as close to the wall as they could. Paul went to take Andrew but Anna had called “No! Don’t move him or you might cause more damage!” Paul reluctantly moved to join them.

The door suddenly burst from its hinges, falling to the ground in front of them and when the smoke had cleared they saw five people outside, plus the group from the other cell. Peter ran out into the arms of the figure Anna and Payton recognized as Lance-Ricks’ father.

Paul however called Gwin and Johnathon, the two tall and cloaked figures in the corner who came forward. They saw their son and while Gwin cried out in horror the man, who was only visible for his glowing gold eyes came forward slowly to examine his child gently.

“It is all right my love” he said gently “he only hit his head. Go join the others while I heal him.”
Without a protest the woman did so, allowing the man to start his own spell to heal their child.

Less than a minute later he left the cell, hand in hand with his son who was smiling at them and no sign of any wound or even a mark. The man-Lance-looked over the group then looked down at the red head boy and asked softly “Where’s Rick Pete?”

“They took him,” the child said softly and his voice trembled violently “they took him away from us.“ Lances’ face was suffused in rage as he stood “I’m going to get him back” he said firmly to the others as he started off. “Wait Lance” Johnathon said softly, but his voice was extremely compelling “Find Richard and bring him to us. Do not seek out Zimmer and try to kill him, not now. Rathir told you as well as us he was hurt. He must be taken home and cared for first.”

“I know what’s most important right now Sorcerer” Lance glared at him “I don’t need you to remind me. Go to the U.S.J. I’ll send him to you.”

“Agreed” Johnathon nodded and turned to the group while the man ran further down the hall towards chambers they hadn’t seen yet. He addressed the group “stay in a tight circle inside is and we will protect you. Do as we ask when we ask without pause or question and you shall be home within at least an hour or so.” Excited by the idea of being safe at home with their families the group closed in together tighter and one suddenly spoke “ how do you know this guy won’t grab us at home or threaten our families?”

“Did he ask you any your names, other than Miss Anna and Mr Payton?” They looked at each other and mumbled “no, not once.”

“Then how will he know who you are and where to find you?”
“But the lab...?”
“He did not choose it for a reason, only coincidence.”
“What do you mean?”

“He needed you to weaken Richards’ immunity to the Ice Serum. How many of those centers are around the world today with such equipment.”

“Zimmer is an idiot” Steven sniffed “he never researches his actions only jumps to it.”
“Trust us” Johnathon said softly.

So the group followed the man and his child up front, the rest surrounding the group tightly as they lead them away. They got outside without any injuries, the group surrounding the humans able to deflect or stop any shots or attacks from happening to the innocents.

They got outside and were about to wonder how they would get away now when a huge black painted jet appeared and a door opened, a small platform allowing them to climb on and be lifted up inside the jet plane.

Inside was huge and they were able to move to the back and sit in the cushioned seats with comfort, glad for the plush thickness after the cold stone and ice of the cells. The hatch closed and Anna frowned and called out “what about Rick and his father?”

“They have another way out. Getting you away and safe is the most important thing right now” the black haired man flying the jet said to them “don’t worry, he can take care of himself and his son. They’ve been looking after each other for years.”

“What about you having to tell him not to go after Zimmer?” Payton pointed out as he looked to Johnathon. “Sometimes he just needs reminding” the sorcerer shrugged. They went quiet as the plane took of and sped away so fast Anna was breathless. “Who designed this thing?” she asked in awe.

“It’s only the latest in aerial technology,” Steven said. “But I’ve never heard of this before” she said to him “a plane that travels at Subsonic speeds?” Steven just shrugged and turned to look away from her to watch the front.

Suddenly a few minutes later someone at the back called “Look! Who is it?”

Outside the right side of the plane was another smaller one catching up to them. Anna craned her head to look with Payton beside her and a small feminine voice in the back said softly “don’t worry. It’s Lance with Rick.”

They all turned to find a young woman in the back, Black hair and green intense eyes a mirror of the man piloting. She was beautiful, it wasn’t hard to see why Rick was in love with her for her eyes showed innocence and sensitivity as well as a generosity of spirit that was extremely rare in today’s world. Yet her body was muscular for a girl her age and well proportioned and shaped, tight and controlled like the two warriors and their son.

This was Cathrine Anna and Payton knew, the girl who looked like a twin to her father-obviously the pilot. Rick had told them that the man was a ruler and kind of god to his village in New Africa and his daughter was overly sensitive because of being sheltered there so long-since her birth apparently. Not just that but she was incredibly agile and fast, like her father even though she only had an inkling of her fathers’ unusual strength.

As far as he had displayed and they had seen so far the man could almost equal Steven who was only a highly trained human since birth and with the experience of his forty years behind him.

Not only didn’t they know who the girls’ mother is or was but how old the jungle ruler was. When Anna had asked how old he looked Rick had answered with that the mans’ age outside was obviously redundant. When they had asked why he had said that the man was a mutant descended from Johnathon’s’ people.

When they had asked what difference that made the boy had told them that the Kel Sorcerers’ can hold back age for centuries with magic. There was no telling what his mutant abilities were other then the strength, agility and speed.

Besides, if they met the man they would also get the sense he’s a lot older than he seemed. In fact in Ricks’ opinion he was ancient, not just that but he had never needed the protein drink or enhancements the others had. He seemed mentally and physically perfect.

When Anna asked if he had never examined him at a biological level Rick had answered that he refused it and to be enhanced as well. And now they could see the man and speak to him they saw exactly what Rick was talking about.

As they were watching the man his head turned briefly and he looked at them as if he knew exactly what they were thinking and then turned to look back to the front and they agreed with Rick totally, this figure was exactly as he had described him.

There was a sudden sound and they saw the man touch the head set microphone briefly and speak softly. He nodded and as if knowing what he was talking about and Cathrine called out “Johnathon, Lance wants you to teleport Rick in here.”

Obviously used to this sort of behavior the man nodded and the girl rose, attaching herself to a harness hanging from the roof which allowed her to walk to the young negro couples side and bend over them to say softly to Anna “you’re the doctor aren’t you. Come.” Anna was confused “how did you know?”

“Rathir told us. You and your love were in the same cell with Rick. It’s obvious you are she. Come.”
“But you weren’t with the others when they freed us. How do you know that was me?”

“Come” the girl only said, tugging the woman to her feet with unusual strength and saying softly “Johnathon will be teleporting Rick inside so Lance can safely deal with Zimmer’s forces when they come after us. He’ll still need your help.” This moved Anna who stood and then frowned as the girl brought forward another of the harnesses for her. “What’s that for?”

“Think of it as a moving seat belt. It’s to prevent any injury should father need to start manoeuvring. Trust me.” Reluctantly the woman allowed herself to be strapped in.

Payton spoke suddenly while the girl worked on it “where do you get those? I’m thinking we need one for the bedroom. It would be the only way to keep her from moving around so much in bed.” Anna looked down to see the grin on his face and said playfully “you can talk mister toss-and-turn.”

“I wasn’t talking about sleeping” the grin widened “she never stays still.”
“With you all over the place I need to be” Anna grinned wider “just to keep up with you.”

“Slow poke” the man laughed and slapped her backside as she turned to follow the girl up the back of the jet plane. “Men” she rolled her eyes, feeding on the feel of all those eyes watching them. On the envy and jealousy.

Glancing up ahead she saw the grin on Steven and a slight secret smile on his wife’s face as they held hands and she realized that when Paul smiled briefly at her that these two had also acted like this in public as well, that it was the closeness and love that allowed them to act like this in confidence of their relationship.

And that’s what made her realize that she and Payton would last, unlike others who lost the spark to quickly after marriage. She and the man she loved were more like those two warriors then anyone else they had met and since they had lasted this long so would they.

Glancing down at Payton she smiled when she saw that he had exactly the same thought. He looked up to see her face and he smiled back and leaned up in his seat belt to press his lips to hers briefly. When they had separated he smiled at her and said teasingly “go on Mrs Holmes and do your job.”

“Yes Mr Holmes” she smiled and followed the girl to the back where a low and long metal bench was. “Here” the girl opened a panel in the wall and there Anna found various metal doctor instruments and in the next one she found all the medical first aid things she could possibly need or want. “Is there everything you need here?” she asked softly “if you need anything else Johnathon can create it for you.”

“No this is fine” Anna said, as she looked through them “everything I could need...” she looked up and saw the expression on the girls face before she could cover it over. She gently touched her hand and said softly “I know.”

“How could you” she sighed at this “you don’t know me and you don’t know Rick.”

“But we know love when we see it and the both of you have it stronger than most people I have known or met. Payton and I have it almost as strong as you both do and I know you’re going to last. Just as that guy Steven and his wife will be, and Johnathon and his wife.”

“You think?” she asked softly then suddenly realized what she had been saying fully and looked at her with eyes wide “you mean...?”

“Yes” Anna smiled at her “he does love you. He just doesn’t know it yet. Even Celine could see it in him every time he talked about you” she chocked slightly before she could help herself “he has to figure out for himself how he feels, especially after the recent losses in his life but once he figures out he doesn’t have forever he’ll tell you. You just have to be patient and supporting and then it’ll just happen, as it did with Payton and I.”

“You mean you and your love were like us? That he didn’t know he loved you even though you did?”

“Yes, except Payton didn’t want to acknowledge us because we were working together at the time. He convinced himself that he couldn’t love me and didn’t because a work-together situation like ours meant you couldn’t have an emotional relationship.”

“Why not?”

“The last couple we saw in our job made a breakthrough in strengthening bone and muscle tissue for people with weakness there. They decided together to reveal the secret to a pharmacy company. One day the man-Frederick-woke up to watch the news and discovered the woman had already done so and taken the credit for the discovery all herself. She got rich on it and when Frederick tried to claim it was a joint discovery he was laughed at. He sued her for the money and credit. He lost. That’s why places like our business disallow relationships.”

“So Payton was afraid at the start if he felt something for you and you made some sort of major discovery that he would be cheated by you?” Anna nodded “he and Frederick had been close friends before he went into heavy drinking and drugs in depression. Payton was afraid of what might happen but the closer we worked together the more he felt for me and I for him and eventually he could no longer deny what we felt for each other. Now we are together and we trust each other deeply, even since we also decided to keep a deep and shameful secret of each others, just in case.”

“What sort of secret?” Cathrine asked curiously. Anna shook her head and before Cathrine could ask again Johnathon spoke out from his spot “prepare. I am teleporting Rick in now.”

“Yes Chel” Cathrine said as she moved Anna back slightly from the bench, holding her back silently as the humming of words from further up came to them. As it went on there came a slight light gathering on the metal bench, growing stronger and a form starting to gather in the centre of the brightness.

Finally less than a minute later the light had died down and Rick lay there in front of them, unconscious and pale, still.

Anna took one look and took charge, telling Cathrine what bandages and sized gauzes as well as antiseptics she’d need while she pulled away the torn top and jacket so she could get a better look at his arms and chest and sides and the wounds. But before she wanted all those other things she wanted for a cloth and some water to clean each wound with.

Cathrine pulled out a soft cloth from one panel and opened another to reveal a bowl under a small tap just next to the boy’s head. After filling the bowl Anna turned the tap off and while Cathrine got everything else she started to remove the boys denim jeans. Cathrine froze when she saw what she was doing, eyes on her hands at his belt “What are you doing?”

“His legs are also hurt. I need to see them too.” When she looked up at the girl still not having moved she saw the almost panicked look on her face as she stared at the almost completely naked form of the boy she loved, various emotions waring in her face, least of all embarrassment for seeing him outside maybe a future bedroom.

She was looking so intently that she jumped when Anna reached out to touch her hand, waiting until she tore her eyes away from him and was able to blink at her before she said softly “we need to help Rick right now, not worry about modesty or anything else as such. If we miss something it could cause more damage or pain, or even death if there is a wound we miss and he keeps bleeding. When you look at him think about only finding the wounds and fixing them, and any damaged bones or so on. Don’t think about what you’re really seeing except damage that needs immediate repair.”

Nodding slowly Cathrine swallowed once and then let her continue with the buttons. She said as she did “get his shoes while I do this.” Glad to have an excuse to look away Cathrine pulled off his shoes and socks and took his torn jacket and shirt to another panel-this one revealing a washing basket. She put all inside and when Anna frowned at the shoes she smiled and said “machine washable.”

Nodding herself Anna went back to his pants, pulling them down by the legs and handing them back to her. Cathrine took it, put those things in his pockets aside and put them inside as well. Anna froze and frowned “what the?”

A little afraid by her reaction Cathrine came forward and asked, “what is it?”
“Look.” Cathrine looked but couldn’t see anything wrong “What?”

As she watched Anna moved the band of the boys plain boxer shorts down slightly to reveal the line of blue underwear underneath “I’ve never known anyone to wear boxers AND underpants at the same time. They’re really supposed to be worn separately. It’s like he’s trying to cover as much as possible and protect himself but open at the same time.”

“Sounds like Rick” Cathrine nodded “if you don’t know that sort of thing it shows you don’t know him as much as you think you do. Haven’t you noticed how he’s open and honest but guarded and secretive at the same time?”

Anna nodded this time and the two got down to patching him up. While they did the negro woman noticed the use of the harnesses they wore. Whenever the plane moved suddenly or violently instead of going flying it kept her upright and safe, able to quickly recover and go on with her work and through a corner of her mind she took note of the cheering the other scientists and Biologists did as they watched Lance soar and dip in his own plane, fighting the approaching ships of Zimmer’s.

Soon the man had made short work of them, apparently being ex-air force and a prized pilot. Now he was beside the other plane, escorting them back to the home of this strange but skilled group.

They had finished by the time they landed and Anna was just wrapping the boy in a thick but soft blanket as the hatch opened and the group started leading the men and women out to organise their return to their homes.

Paul came forward to silently release them both from their harnesses and lead her to the door where Payton waited. Silently the two watched as the boys’ father removed his headset as he walked towards them, stopping to look briefly at Anna. His intense blue eyes softened momentarily on her then hardened again and Anna realized why his eyes seemed so cold to her.

He had lost his parents when he was eleven-to a hit and run apparently-and then his wife and he was determined not to get close to another outside this small group again. He seemed to see right through her to her unprotected heart and Anna was stuck by the truth of Ricks’ words not long ago about the heritage and their legacy. Although Lance and Rick were so much alike it was not hard to believe their relationship they weren’t so much twins as Cathrine and her father was, but the signs of the Simpson blood-line was there.

That was the blond hair and blue eyes as well as the muscles and tall form.

The man walked right past them and into the plane, heading for the teenaged girl. They spoke in low tones for a minute or so then the man bent down to pick his son up with strong but tender arms, balancing him perfectly and turning to carry him away.

Payton whispered something in her ear and she nodded, not looking away as the man slid from behind her to join the other men and women and the tall sorcerer across the other side of the hangar. As the blond man headed for the door at the far side of the huge room Anna had a thought and ran after him, calling out “wait!” as the door opened for him automatically.

“Go back to your friends” Lance said to her without slowing down.
“I want to help Rick, he’s my friend. Besides, you don’t have the right medical knowledge to help him do you.”
“Johnathon does.”
“He knows only what he’s read in books. There is something’s books can’t tell you.”

“He’s all I have left and I am grateful you were there for him when I could not be, but go back to your friends. Let Johnathon and the others take you home and forget about us all. For your own safety.”

“Zimmer knows who we are unlike the others,” Anna said and for a minute she couldn’t believe what she was saying, “we’re safer with you all then any where else.”

“What are you saying?” Lance looked down at her with a frown. Before Anna could try to answer that Rick started to moan and stir in his fathers’ arms. Slowly the hurt teenager rolled his head and groaned, slowly opening his aquamarine eyes and letting them focus before speaking. They took a full fifteen seconds for the cloudiness to adjust but when they did the first thing he saw was his fathers’ caring and concerned face. “Where are we?” he managed to ask thickly and his father told him gently.

“Where are Payton and Anna?” he asked, trying to look around but too weak to move that much.

“I’m here Rick” Anna made sure the boy had seen her before she reached out to soothingly touch his hand. “And Payton went to see Johnathon about contacting his brother to let him know we’re all right.” Rick smiled weakly and blinked slowly, his strength draining quickly “dad?”

“Yes Rick?” Lance frowned at that one word. “Take care of Anna...and Payton.” Lance glanced at her then back at his sons’ half-closed eyes “Yes son. I’ll even show them around the center myself.”

“Good” the boy murmured and his lids closed fully, quickly loosing consciousness as he did.

They walked in silence for a few minutes until they reached a door and entered a large room, the man heading straight for the bed and gently laying his son down on the firm mattress and soft pillow. Anna looked around herself and found a bedroom, a classic teenaged boys except for one point.

It was neat and tidy, not the mess a usual boys’ is.


There was a desk and chair in one corner, a bookshelf next to it stuff neatly with books on various subjects. The desk was littered with various computer components, some she had seen before and some looked as though the boy was half way through putting them together himself in the wrong way. There was a metal table nearby with a stereo obviously home built and huge. Across from the single bed was another door and from her position she could see it was a bathroom.

She watched as Lance tucked Rick under the sheet and blankets tenderly and then turned to her and asked “can you watch over my son for a while? I have something to do.” Anna nodded “I’ll take good care of him.” Lance thanked her and left the room.

Fifteen minutes later when Johnathon and Tommas entered the room she was seated by the bed and using a face cloth and bowl of water she had gotten from the bathroom to sooth the boys’ burning forehead. “How is he?” Tommas asked her, his voice soft with concern.

Anna wrung out the cloth and replaced it on the boys’ forehead before speaking. “Better. At least he hasn’t got a fever.” Johnathon stood beside the bed long enough to say, “If it appears that he is developing one there is an intercom on the wall. Summon me” and he and the other man left the room.

The next in the room was Paul half an hour later. Anna saw him approached silently, his eyes thoughtful and full of concern. After watching her for a few seconds he asked softly “how is he?”

“He’s improving. He came too a while ago although I think the pain and exhaustion is what’s keeping him out, not the injuries. Kind of like his body is using the mutant cells to prevent his pain since sedatives don’t work.”

Paul nodded without looking away “that is what it does. His entire body and mind goes into a deep state of sleep or a trance. He has done it before. The first time he did it we thought he was withdrawing or even dying but Lance tells us it is normal for him. He heals quicker that way.”

The younger warrior suddenly looked up at her “I was suppose to come and tell you all your friends were taken home safely. Only your fiancée is here with us. He refuses to leave and has started arguing with Johnathon and the others. Father wants you to come and see if you can calm him down.”

Anna frowned “why is Payton arguing with Johnathon and your father?”

“Well you are taking care of Rick so we thought you would want some time alone for that. When Payton asked where you were Johnathon told him and told him to wait a while. He suggested that he rest himself and maybe have something to eat before he comes to get you, since Rick instinctively hates too many people around him even out as he is. Father thought to give you until you are ready to leave him alone before he brought him to you. Your love called father a racist and they started to argue.”

Anna sighed and stood “some times Payton’s’ temper is to quick. Come on, although if Payton wanted to see I was fine himself you should have brought him here to see me.”


“I know Paul nodded “but even out Rick would not like it. It is a different matter in the cells, but not here and nearly naked.” Anna agreed and followed the teenager away to a large room, obviously meant as some sort of dinning room. At the moment it held Payton and Johnathon seated and facing each other, Steven standing beside his thin and silent friends’ chair and Tommas standing back, leaning against the wall with one shoulder casually and arms crossed over his chest in an annoyed gesture while his face was blank.

All arguing stopped when they entered, Payton seeing her expression and blushing in embarrassment. Steven stood up straight and Tommas only blinked at her while Johnathon smiled warmly “ah Miss Lister. Come in and sit down.” She did, glaring at Payton and snapping out “what’s the meaning of this childish behavior?”

“I....” Payton started to stutter out.
“I thought we resolved all this anger, tight-ass.”
“But they...I...” Payton tried to protest.

Anna smiled and touched his arm gently for she could never stay angry with him for long. “I’m sorry Payton. I was with Rick. Apparently his friends thought it best we were left alone. Paul here told me it’s because Rick fears too many people around him even unconscious and near-naked as he is....”

Payton nodded in understanding and looked at the sorcerer sitting calmly across from him. “I’m sorry I called you racist and a liar, sir. Anna is all I have since Nick has decided to pretend I don’t exist to him and his family. I guess I’m over protective.”

Johnathon smiled at him “I understand my friend. In your position I might be that same” and he held out a hand to him which the negro man took and shook firmly. After wards the men looked up at Steven who merely mumbled something under his breath at them. “Temper Steven” Johnathon said soothingly “he has apologized for his behavior. Now you shall do so.”

“I didn’t do anything but defend you, Chel!” Steven protested and Payton stood, one arm sliding around Anna’s waist almost in an unconscious possessive and protective gesture. The man spoke again to Johnathon “he’s right, he was only defending you. No need to apologize to me.”

“No he must” Johnathon said and looked at his friend with intense eyes “you know and trust me to keep you from acting like a common Barbarian, my friend. Do this or you shall be acting against all I have so far taught you, all Richard and the others have so far taught you.”

“Tommas wouldn’t have to” Steven said sullen and the young negro couple saw the man in the corner stand up straight and glare resentfully at him for what he was implying.

“Tommas is his own judge and jury” Johnathon said softly “whatever he does he has his own conscious to tell him how to feel. You wished me to teach you to be more than your village raised you as and so I shall. If you do not wish me to continue-tell me now so I need not worry about it any more.”

“No I wish you to” Steven said quickly and turned to Payton “I’m sorry I spoke so coarsely to you. Johnathon is my first and closest friend and I am very protective of him.”


There it was, as close to an apology as he was going to get but in the last sentence was a warning. It told Payton if he ever did any thing like that again Steven wouldn’t resort to just words to protect his friend and he saw the man frown when he heard it too. But for now both men let it lay as it was.

A loud explosion suddenly rocked the mountain.

The intercom near Tommas suddenly beeped into life and Rick’s voice came out, painful and weak but also strong like his fathers’ and full of will. “Guys come to the control room now. We have a Purple Alert.”

Johnathon rose and his friend stood at attention by his side, Tommas joining them as they started out of the room after the sorcerer excused themselves. After exchanging looks Anna and Payton followed them, Anna crying out after them “Wait! What’s going on?”

“No time to explain” Steven said as they reached a set of huge steel doors. There they were met by they others and they quickly entered the room as the doors swung open slowly. Anna and Payton stopped short.

The room was gigantic and held thousands of computer panels all over the walls. In the centre was a huge monitor and underneath was a keyboard and chair. Mouth set in a determined line as his hands flew over the keys was Rick, dressed and still patched up but awake.

“What’s the emergency Rick?” Steven asked as they reached his side. The boy glanced at him before answering quickly “Zimmer’s forces are attacking us. Fighter ships only so far and Dad’s out there already. But he needs help and they keep coming.”

“We’ll help” and the Stairer's with Gwin, Tommas and Cathrine opened some panels nearby in the wall and climbed inside. Payton and Anna saw then sliding down metal chutes before the panels closed again and they were gone from sight.

When they were gone Rick looked up at Johnathon, eyes pleading silently for permission to join them. The sorcerer nodded slowly and he smiled in relief, ignoring Anna’s protests to follow the others down the chute. When he was gone the thin man took his place at the keyboard and started to type more commands, ignoring their questions.

The screen suddenly flashed a picture of what was happening outside.

Lance and Rick’s ship appeared side by side, swooping and soaring in union and the young couple realized suddenly the boy had inherited his fathers’ skills with the plane. And by the way the others moved they guessed the man had also taught every one else. Except Tommas who’s skills they guessed was another of his mysterious talents.

With their joint skills and abilities they had destroyed half the ships within minutes when suddenly their radios crackled into life and Zimmer’s voice could be heard “Greeting Protectors.”

A purple beam from one ship suddenly caught Rick’s in mid flight, freezing it. His reactions slowed by his pain and weakness the mutant boy was helpless to avoid it. It paralyzed his ship and him, preventing him from moving to try and free himself from the beam.


Lance’s voice came over the headset he wore. “Son, are you okay? What’s happening? Why don’t you get free?” Gritting his teeth Rick managed to move to switch his speaker on, grinding out “He has got me and the ships systems frozen dad. I can barely move my mouth let alone get free.” Zimmer’s laugh came over the speakers “yes Young Simpson and that is not the only thing I’ll have under my control in a minute.”

“You know your Ice Serum does not work any more alien.”
“I’m not talking about my Serum, my boy. I’m talking about something else.”

“What do you mean alien?” Lance said.
“Watch human” Zimmer laughed again “Zay. Zay ta.”

Rick gasped in pain and shock as commands flooded his mind, overwhelming commands to do Zimmer’s will and protect him no matter what the cost. He tried to fight but his face went blank, eyes white and he stopped struggling. The force released the ship and while the other Protectors went back to fighting Lance spoke over the speakers “Rick are you okay?”

Unable to hear his fathers’ concerned voice for the commands flooding his body and mind Rick found he had to obey them and started to move. Quicker and quicker until his hands were a blur he typed commands to the jet to prevent any override of its functions so the others couldn’t take control of the jet from him. Then he sat back and took the joystick-like control, the ship starting forward and towards the Protectors, firing as he went.

“Rick what are you doing?” asked Lance’s confused voice over the speaker but Rick couldn’t hear him, couldn’t call for help or warn them of his intent. All he could hear was the commands while his soul screamed for control, but Zimmer’s device was too powerful.

Lance spoke to the other Protectors over the speaker “Something’s wrong with Rick. Stop him but don’t hurt him!” Payton and Anna in the control room heard all this and Payton frowned then looked at Johnathon “Isn’t there some sort of override on the ships functions just in case someone else tried to steal one?” Johnathon nodded and his thin hands were already flying over the keyboard “I am attempting that now but Rick has over rode those controls.”

“Isn’t there some sort of fail safe to override that as well?”

“Yes but Rick has over rode that as well. He programmed all the computers and ship systems so can easily override them as well.” Payton stepped to his side “let me try.” The man only looked at him long seconds. “Let me try” Payton insisted “I’m also an computer programmer in my spare time.”

“It can’t hurt Johnathon” Lance’s voice said over the speaker in the wall “let him try.” The man nodded and slid silently out of the seat allowing the younger man to replace him. He cracked his knuckles and Anna leaned over the chair and asked softly “are you sure you can do this Payton? I know your good but so’s all this.”

“Hopefully I’ll be able to use all this in ways Rick doesn’t think of as he is to bypass his systems and force his weapons to shut down and dock inside so we can find out what’s going on.” As the mans’ fingers flew over the keys Anna and Johnathon watched, the sorcerer suddenly standing up straight and starting to leave the room.


“Where are you going?” Anna looked after him and asked. “If your love is successful I will be needed to control Rick long enough to get him to the medical room so the others can find the reason for his loss of control to Zimmer.”

“In that case I’m coming” Anna stood and when the man raised an eyebrow at her she said “you’ll need me to find the reason. If Zimmer has implanted something on him only I can remove it safely and properly without damage.”

The sorcerer nodded slightly and motioned her to follow “I will leave you in the Med room so you can prepare. Every thing is there for you to operate if it comes to that.” The woman nodded and followed the man out of the room, told how to keep the intercom open so she could hear what was going on.

The man finally succeed in regaining control over the ships systems and while he caused it to dock the other Protectors were free to fight off the rest of the ships and then follow Lance inside after Zimmer’s ship disappeared over the horizon. At first Paul had started to chase it but Steven had called over the head set to his child “let him go Silton.”

“But father...!” he started to protest but his father interrupted “finding out what is wrong with Rick right now is more important, how that alien S.O.B is controlling him this time without the Ice Serum. If he was to use what ever it is on any of us without us knowing what it is or how to remove it....”

Paul sighed, he knew his father was right and followed him inside.

When they had climbed out they found Johnathon had used his levitation to bring the boy out from inside and he hadn’t needed to use a freeze spell to keep him from struggling or trying to kill them. They had imagined him cursing them or at least trying to get free, not what they saw.

Rick was screaming in pure agony and anguish, gripping his head as Tommas held Lance back from him. The boy couldn’t seem to stop screaming, hands to either side of his head and they could tell by his cries that if they didn’t do some thing soon the boy would go mad. It wasn’t pure anguish that was causing him to scream, they could hear real pain there as if something was attacking his brain and trying to tear it apart inside his head. That’s what made them realize what ever it was must be inside him, close to his brain.

Anna confirmed it after a quick examination when they got him to the medical room. “But how did what ever it is get into him without us seeing it?” Paul asked her helplessly.

“Well he was covered in cuts and so on before so we wouldn’t be suspicious of a cut in his head some where.” She frowned “but where?” Johnathon drew back his staff after a mental examination. “It is a metal device implanted in the back of his head. It is attached to the base of his brain above the spine.”

“How do you know?” Anna looked at him in surprise. “Can you remove it without any damage?” Steven asked her, trusting his best friends word on it. “Probably. But....”

“Then do it” Johnathon’s thin fingers touched her hand, pale white against dark brown “there is no time to be unsure or for me to explain my methods. The longer you pause the more chance Rick shall go insane from the pain and what ever images the alien is flooding his mind with.” Anna hesitated seconds then looked to the floor and nodded slightly “but I need you to keep that up and monitor what I’m doing and every one else to leave the room.”


“Of course” and the man shooed every one else out of the room, Paul protesting all the way.


For two long hours they waited outside for word until suddenly the door opened and Johnathon stood there. Behind him they could see Anna washing her hand solemnly and for a minute they feared they had failed. Then the man smiled and he said softly “he is sleeping soundly.”

“It worked?” Cathrine’s voice trembled in hope and a need for assurance. “We won’t know that until he wakes up.” Anna appeared behind Johnathon, drying her hands “there’s no telling what images have flooded in his mind because Zimmer would rather him mad then on your side.”

“They must have been terrible” Paul’s’ voice trembled “you heard those screams. It was as if his worse fears were turned against him.”

“Zimmer doesn’t know Richard’s worse fears” Lance said smoothly “and he could never imagine it. Rick is safe from that.”

“Just in case I shall remain to attempt to repair any damage his mind has been through,” Johnathon said softly “although I am not sure what I could do to help him.” Anna spoke out “meanwhile someone should sit with him, just in case and someone he cares for and would encourage him to come out.” She looked at Cathrine “You should do it.”

“Me?” Cathrine wasn’t sure why the woman had chosen her but Gwin and her husband seemed to know for they nodded and agreed with her. “All right” Cathrine said softly and still unsure but truly wanting to do it. With a nod to her father the girl joined Johnathon and entered the room.


A few hours after the sun had fully set under the horizon and it was getting dark Anna found the girl snoozing across the bed, head touching the boys with their hair melding together. Black and dark as the gathering night into curls of blond so dark it was almost yellow.

Although she didn’t want to Anna knew the girl should sleep so gently shook her awake, noticing the momentary panic in them and the way she twitched protectively close to the boy before she realized whom it was. “Oh, Anna” she sat up straight in her chair and rubbed her eyes tiredly “what is it? Is something wrong?”

“No, every thing is fine Cathy. You’re exhausted, go to bed. I’ll watch over Rick while you catch up on some sleep.”
“But you’re more exhausted than I, you’ve been through more than we have.”

“I know but I don’t think I could sleep. Too many memories of what happened to Rick and Celine.”
The girl frowned “are you sure? Have you tried to lay down for a while?”

“I’m sure” the woman smiled at the girl “I tried earlier. Payton’s in our room snoring like a chain saw but he always found it easy to sleep despite the situation. Some times I envy him for that. Go and get some sleep and come back in a few hours. I’ll try again then.”

“Well okay” and the girl rose, giving her a concerned look at the doorway. “I’ll be fine” the woman smiled at her “go. Get some proper sleep.” Reluctantly the girl left them alone.