ISSUE 25: FOR THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE
Eliza Odessen had no right. The Black even keeps this from his Host. We already ask so much of our Eliza. I even took some extra energy at Bastet’s behest to accelerate her healing. When the guardian of the Library of Alexandria heard my plea it made all the more sense. Does everyone know of the noose around that young woman’s neck? I fight myself every day. How do I save her? I care not if I fade but her? This universe needs her to remain a shield beyond the tyranny of Unity’s numbered days. My brother and I were the first guardians of the Lines. This is our penance. Alongside Di’axi.—The White.
I know it was harsh but the longer some secrets stay buried the more they will fester when brought to light. I rather have an Omni-cosmic entity ticked off at me than keep my main universe counterpart in the dark. She deserves more than that. I know her. She will react like I would in that situation. Live life to the fullest. Some would sink to the bottom of despair but her? She will endure because she cannot do anything else. Plus I have a feeling she will respond more to her human name. Just like another person I know.—Eliza Lanis (EUF Universe)
I know what you are thinking dear reader. When did I make this log of memories to share about this adventure? Well if I may be so bold. Read it until the end. Every journey reaches an end. But sometimes the road can lead to interesting places. I should know. I experienced so many things. This next story should bring a smile. If nothing else: It caused certain parties to implode. Figuratively. –Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century.
Downtown New Ashbury
Texas (USA)
January 10th, 2104
Doctor Impossible fired. The rays from her suit bracers paralyzing the thugs as they twitched and fell over. The grav plating on the road activated to break their fall. Most cities were prepped for collateral damage or demi abilities. But New Ashbury wasn’t most cities. It had more features due to it being home to the Star-Spangled Banner. Many things loved to gain street cred by trying something outrageous. Eliza was a regular blur on the battlefield. Someone called Inferno was attempting to lob firebombs everywhere but he found himself stopped cold.
Lorain bit her lip. Star wasn’t the only cornball around here. Flecks of ice formed under her boots as Star blew great swaths of ice over the hothead. He grunted and shouted, “I’m gonna melt this and you cant stop m----“An emerald muzzle formed over his head. While the Puzzler shot out some ice rays from his black and crimson retro rayguns. Eventually, the mighty flame of Neo Jersey was silent. Some sort of crime syndicate was trying to expand and they sent “Flame On-Demand” as a forward scout. She shook her head. Taking great care to step across the icy portions of the pavement. Star reached out to steady her. A light flush ran across Doc’s face as she realized Star hadn’t let go just yet.
Then she marshaled her thoughts.
Stay on mission.
She saw Puzzler grinning. He commed, <
Star purposefully left it alone.
Out of respect for the Terran Alliance’s privacy.
If they needed her there, Lorain was pretty sure she’d step up to the plate.
*****
The sane part of me knew Doc could fly just fine with her suit’s tech upgrades.
But a very goofy part of me enjoyed carrying her from place to place.
Eddie had gone full hog when Earth R&D got their mitts on all sorts of fun new things. I was just glad the military had taken even more precautions. Adding additional shielding around cities and rural areas in case some demis decided it would be more profitable to commit acts of evil. Highmarker had been giving me other regular updates as well. Adding more Markav nanites into the atmosphere to detect more Bardaxian offshoots. I lowkey asked him to keep running passive scans for Weave fluctuations. Madame Mayhem was still hiding somewhere with that Mordred blade. Even with all the new activity Project Osiris and Barracuda were still running covert ops to track down many different threats.
Auggie was still trying to think of a secret name.
I decided to make a polling question on my HeroNet account. See what the general population of Earth and Bardax would think. We set down near the skyscrapers of the heart of downtown Ashbury. I kept my ears peeled for trouble. Usually, it wouldn’t take too long for something to happen. A cerulean blur shot past then returned. My brother Zach was getting into the thick of things. He grinned, “Blue Blaze reporting for duty. Bulleteer said it’d be ok to shadow you guys for the rest of the day. Can I? Please?” He was being quite sincere. It was a bright aura of color around his head. Doc smiled. She was still sitting quite comfortably in my arms. Expecting us to take off at a moment’s notice. I winked at Zach. “Sure thing! Just stick close. As a certain someone told me, keep your head on a swivel!”
*****
Zach used the rooftops and a bit of metal gliding to go airborne when he wanted. He had metal disks on his boots that he could manipulate himself to simulate limited flight. He found it more fun to zig-zag around the city, always keeping his sister in sight, enjoying the feeling of stretching his speedster legs. His Uncle J’dax’s warning was replaying itself over and over in his mind.
Place these throughout the city. It should notify us if Thoth uses any old Markav waypoints or Keeper nodes to phase-in. We believe he may use magic though. That is far more likely since he knows the other paths are monitored.
His father’s people and Sir Avalon’s were placing things around the whole planet and the Sol System to get a better warning net out in case of some shifts within the Leylines. Zach thought it would be better if they were honest but his father said that might cause a panic.
He usually didn’t ask about much more. His father drilled operational security into his psyche since he could walk. His mother as well. The more he thought about it the more he couldn’t wait until his sister could shake more things up. He hated having to have two identities when he felt like he was both. He was Human and Typherian. What did it matter if his sister and father didn’t have all the same abilities. He wanted to acknowledge them properly. A shadow darted outwards. Ritark’s golden eyes peeked out from Arthon’s white cape as the Atlantian placed more relays around the city.
So the Markav wanted to keep more eyes peeled as well.
He saluted both of them and sped onward.
Hoping to learn some more from his friends and family.
*****
J’ino exited Area 51. Her guard escort always including her son, Alexander. He wanted to know his Typherian name but she decided to withhold it for now. Explaining that she wanted to give it to him when Eliza could know her’s as well. Dexter immediately quieted, “I understand. “ His mother’s people had special rites with names and being twins, that was a few steps higher within their society’s symbology and overall spiritual rituals. He hit his HUD, connecting to his sister, <
Her green within green eyes crinkled, <
He smiled and then it faded. <
*****
From the tone of his voice, I could guess that this was more politics he found lacking. I got the sense that Zach and Dexter found that most House situations rubbed them the wrong way. Even my mother was quiet about it. Once Earth was Stage 3 in Uplift they would open up more. Sure INet had general information on most species within the Uplifted community but it seemed like Bardax was the most open.
Plus if I was being honest, the most simple as well.
They were natural explorers and genuinely loved meeting new people and places.
Doc touched my face. “What's up? You look like you swallowed all the spicy stuff all at once.”
“Meetings.” It was a clipped reply.
I couldn’t quite keep the hurt out of my voice.
I wish people wouldn’t keep me in the dark but even White added, <
I took a long hard look at my resentment. Grandma Murphy’s advice came to me: Work with what you have. The Lord will provide.
White added, <
I inquired, <
When I thought about Avalon she wasn’t able to pick up on the temporal abnormality.
<
She continued, her emotions rattling around in my head like fireworks.
<
Lorain’s lips thinned. Her head cocked to the side as she accessed things even I couldn’t as a Muthra. She had already given me her version of her escapades with House “Useless” as she dubbed them when being polite. X’mil’s branch of family relations was a thorny proposition. Things must be rather tight. Comparing my mom’s feedback vs seeing how relaxed my grandmother was on those visits to the Jupiter Rising, I knew my priority would be to steal them away from Typha. For a misadventure of epic proportions.
I even mentioned this to Gulliver and Trouble.
The gleeful quacking was all the answer I needed.
Lorain added, “Certain Houses are putting sanctions on J’ino for being too invested in Earth. They want to remove her from Ambassadorial status. X’mil’s House is leading the charge. They don’t have enough support for now but in the future don’t be surprised if she has to act more aloof in public.” Doc was livid. I accessed the Muthra band. Linking in with Sul’sandra for a bit.
///You happen to be anywhere near the cluster around Typha 101?///
I got no response at first then:
Live Feed: ///Remain quiet. They don’t know I’ve added you.///
*****
A man in flowing red and gold robes was sitting across from Sul and my mother. He seemed fixated on the Atlantian matriarch for the moment. “Dear Lady, why did you push for this Banner to be included in your Muthra division? It is not like she is of Atlantis itself! Her blood is so far removed from your people or the one's gene augmented for your programs.”
Her reply was cool, “Because this place was originally in the process of being terraformed by us. Yes. But events outside Uplift Protocol occurred. IE Humanity. We became intertwined beyond all measure. These sanctions you propose against Ambassador Ayeer are vile. Even Bardax and the Forgers see the folly of your words.”
Sul’sandra regarded the House Cyphuskara representative like one would watch a cockroach.
She continued, “The Star-Spangled Banner has Atlantian True Blood. You have seen the eyes yes?”
The Typerian in question bore a resemblance to X’mil. That didn’t bode well. He shot daggers at my mother. He evaded the inquiry by Sul. Saying instead, “We feel that J’ino’s mental faculties are compromised at best.”
A burst of incredulity from my brother flowed outward. He knew I was with them! Even though Sul’s feed. Because I could feel the rage he was keeping under wraps. He wanted me to know what he was really experiencing. Dread was at the very heart of him.
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He spoke audibly, which appeared to be an insult to the House toad. “I am D’kari of House Hudo, trained by the 1st circle of Investigation. She is not impaired. I say this out loud for the company we keep.” Mr. Toad looked like he had swallowed a whole bucket of salt. I thought his head would screw on backward. Sul typed out a message to me before cutting the feed.
///I will fill you in later. Know that Odessen, Hudo, M’tah, and Ithar keep the closest ties with Ayeer. Cyphuskara aligns with B'kara and Tinzi. We must prepare Earth and other parties first before you go out and attain Stage 3 Uplift.///
*****
Doc got my attention by poking my nose. I peered below.
It looked like an armed robbery was in process.
*****
Argus Paxton yelled, “Come out and no one has to get hurt!” Some crime still happened in his city even though a certain someone patrolled it fairly often. A few onlookers raised their hands to the sky, pointing. Paxton smiled as Star landed on the rooftop of the bank. Maneuvering about to find the best access point. A corgi decked out in a modified bardaxian space suit trotted on past. <>
His collar relayed his speech like Emerald K-9s. Translating everything.
He began barking at the doorway.
The suit was a yellow and white setup. With a small grav pack on the back.
Paxton saw one of his K-9 handlers maneuver behind the bank signage. His saddle tan and black German Shepherd watching the corgi intently. Barking softly at him ever so often. Paxton could feel the truth flowing through both of them. His eyes locked onto Emerald K-9. But the Defender was too busy using a screwdriver to drill a hole into the roofing unit. Paxton could see the shield he had placed over that section of the roof so they couldn’t hear the drilling.
What else had Star gotten into?
Knowing her it would be something wholesome.
*****
Augustus responded to his fellow dog friend.
Yes! I see the one you are talking about. He is infected by the living stone. Are you one of the Bright Ridge clan descendants?
The German Shepherd nodded.
He was glad some of his brothers and sisters could talk properly to the humans.
He had just enough of Bardax within him to perceive things beyond the Weave.
He pawed the ground. The other dogs in his unit howled in response.
The corrupted inside stared. Their eyes glazed over with the influence of the Endless.
His handler wanted to approach but Axel, chosen of New Asbury’s Elite, stopped his human. Pulling on his hand with a gentle tug. The officer gave Paxton a questioning stare.
The detective made a halting motion. He wanted to see if Star could resolve this.
*****
Augustus aka Yellow Bullet was talking to the other dogs. I could almost understand what he was saying. Cooper was trying to teach me Bardaxian. Our dogs had similar minds so we hoped to create another bridge so everyone could talk to their dogs. It might take a while without specializing collar translation units. I went over to the police line, keeping out of sight of the bank. Motioned to Paxton, “Can I borrow a SWAT uniform for a moment, I want to talk to those K-9s.” He quirked an eyebrow but opened the van so I could quickly change. I maneuvered next to the GSD near the sign display, his handler was confused but moved out of the way as I cased the place. I cupped the dog’s chin. Staring into his chocolate brown eyes. There was more there.
“How many under the sway of Endless Night?”
Two Barks.
I used my vision to re-examine the area.
5 Heartbeats. 5 skeletons. Nothing showed up in the blood.
I asked, “How do you know which are corrupted? Sight?”
Augustus continued to harass the door with noise.
Axel tapped the ground with his paw. Sniffing it.
“Smell.”
One Bark.
I concentrated. Filtering out all the scents in the area until I could focus on all 5 people within the bank. I wanted to kick myself. The Weave had a scent. Corruption had a fragrance. One of rot and old eggs. I buried my head into my arms as I sneezed.
Axel whined and chuffed. As if to say, “Welcome to my life!”
*****
Yellow Bullet continued his valiant distraction. Every bark inching the frame of the door off its hinges. He would time this with Emerald’s assault from the roof. He could tell by his human’s heartbeat that she would be ready to use her powers to knock everyone out if need be. Auggie was happy that Eliza knew to ask his brother for help. The dogs of Earth had protected man for many eons. He commed Star, <
Her reply gave him hope, <
Time seemed to slow as a wave of emerald energy knocked everyone inside off their feet. Yellow Bullet rammed the door with all his strength, using his telekinetics to warp the metal further. He dashed for the corrupted man. Latching onto his pants. Growling as fiercely as he could. Emerald was next to him in an instant. Knocking the other man into the wall. His head thumping on the drywall. Star was dressed in a police outfit. She had a third person, a woman, held up against the opposing wall. Paxton’s men flooding in behind them. Blue Blaze had caught the 4th man trying to escape by grav car. He had tied him up near the SWAT vehicle outside.
He saw all the 6 K-9s of New Ashbury’s finest surround his sister. Tails wagging.
*****
It turned out that all the German Shepherds of New Ashbury’s police department were family. The mother and father. Along with all their kids served the force. They had come here by listening to the Weave. Went through police training. Keeping their unusual talents hidden as to not astonish those humans who didn’t have Shaman Sight. As they put it. They were delighted by the arrival of Bardax. I motioned to Paxton. “Can I borrow these good boys and girls for a bit? I might have something fun for you in a few hours.” He grinned.
“What’s next girl scout?”
“The future.”
His eyes peered into me.
He seemed satisfied by what he saw and waved me and the pack outside.
Dad told me he had a sort of truth sight but his file was behind barriers even my credentials couldn’t breach. But he’d never lead me wrong. I got the impression he was more in the know than my parents. White threw me a mental wink.
She added, <
I replied, <
White’s cosmic awareness shifted. She swept through me like a concerned grandmother.
<
<
Her mood cleared somewhat but I could still perceive those ancient wheels turning.
Not even my belt could see my memory of that out of time letter or visitation. It was like that was behind a protective bubble that even ascended beings couldn’t breach. Even ones like White. I didn’t want to think about the future. What my death would entail. If I was being honest. Because all I could see would how it would impact my family and friends.
I shook my head.
I kept my heartbeat level.
Keep your head in the game Murphy.
*****
Argus mumbled some warding sigils under his breath. He didn’t need to smell it to know that the corruption was there. The last time it was this active was when Thoth had arrived into this Universe. Bringing that blight with him. The Living Stone was driven by the Lord and Lady of Chains. Just as the President feared. Thoth was not a corrupted Markav. But he knew enough that it worried Paxton and Marshall. After the US President had brought him into his sphere of information, Argus knew he had to be vigilant. Even if that meant nudging his friends towards different avenues. He knew Eliza felt hurt over the lack of knowledge on some things. But Aether thought it best that the fewer people that knew the overall big picture the better.
The creeping corruption bleeding from the Weave would only be the beginning.
That was how it started when the mad king rose his armies the first time around.
He sent a packet out to Thomas and Sir Avalon with the usual code words.
He had a feeling that the Living Stone had different ideas this time around.
Those ideas probably didn’t involve remaining loyal to Thoth.
Dr. Zanzibar waltz in. “Someone require a Doctor?”
He flipped a coin high into the air.
“Avalon wants us to place some more wards around all the cities.”
Paxton replied, “Better safer than sorrier.”
The Cajun countered with, “Our extrasolar colonies and cities as well.”
That got Paxton’s undivided attention. “On it. Might have a certain NASA Jumpstart Captain do a dry run with me on some of those new routes.” He wouldn’t even be shocked if Bardax asked for some warding as well. Of all the council races they seemed most in tune with Earth in the trade and exploration department.
The detective hoped that they could kick Typha in the pants quickly enough.
Their ruling body was blind to some of the dangers because they had been at the center so long. Looking at the meta angle. To him, to defeat Unity, it would take more than the strength of arms or walls of ships. It would take all the light within the Multiverse to kick that thing to the curb once and for all.
*****
Heals-The-Rifts let out a bark of joy as The Star-Spangled Banner and her team arrived at the Crystal Reliquary. Many of A51’s patrons would walk about the structure. When not in meetings or other affairs of state. Her specked Australian Shepherd head turned to headbutt J’ino on her thigh. <
The Typherian’s green eyes turned to look at the whole army her daughter was bringing towards them. Six Earth dogs, a partridge in a pear tree indeed.
*****
Mom’s thunderous expression cleared as we came in. The German Shepherds tested the air. Their tails stock still as they took in the Bardaxians closing in. I asked Heals, “I have a favor to ask. Within the rites of clan and home, I request a naming. Along with the trials of Speech.”
Cooper rested his head on my shoulder. His tail quivering with excitement.
The Bardaxian waved her guards forward with a paw. Each placing a collar on the Shepherd in front of them. We waited. Axel was the first to burst out with, <
His tail indicated triumph.
The others joined in. Mom touched my mind.
>>Space Cadet. Go full America on the House Council. My hands are tied in ways you can’t know. Living here so long has changed me in ways I didn’t even realize until now.<<
Now I was really worried about Diamonds and Grandpa Wolf.
Just how backward was this whole House apparatus?
My brothers sent an image of the US Postal Service. At nearly the same time.
Both eying each other with solidarity.
Oh my.
I concentrated. Adding a particular Tricorned Hat to the proceedings of mental speech.
>>You got it, Space Lady. Operation Demolish The Cage has begun. I know nothing! I see nothing. What social protocols? I’m an American. I laugh at them in Standard Texas Yeehaw.<<
The utter glee that caused within Mother left its mark on me.
She relished the idea of the ensuing chaos of flubs.
Auggie licked my face. Right on my cheek. His bardaxian suit letting him hover for a moment. <
I knelt as Cooper intoned above us, <>
He couldn’t say the rest for now because Anna and her crew of “Into the Fire” had shown up and were recording. So was Eddie. He seemed to know where to be. I got a ping from Jupiter Rising, complete with cackling.
I see.
Horus added, ((We have an ongoing bet with Taleer and others. The Anna will never get a clean getaway again!))
So Lorain’s family name would be an official Bardaxian Clan now. I winked at her.
I shouted to Anna, “Want an exclusive Mrs. Preston-McGuire?”
Lorain muttered to me, “You’re crazy! Why’d you want her feedback?”
I remembered the letter. What it had said. My heart froze for a moment.
This was it.
I took her into my arms, “Yup. Indeed I am.”
The Kiss that was all over INet for the next few months.
I still had no idea why my future letter self said to do that but I didn’t mind.
Strange how not worrying about the future did wonderful things to one’s motivations.
*****
Q’vera stifled a shriek of laughter as Anna’s harsh voice echoed throughout the room.
Condemning the romantic antics of the Banner.
“Not only is America’s sweetheart ever so heroic but does also she want people to kill this Doctor Impossible? To torture her or whatever diabolical plans many villains devise?!”
Her daughter added, “What is that?”
She was talking out loud to fit in along with the rest of her family stationed here on Earth. It took some getting used to but it had its charms. Plus they weren’t under the thumb of protocol here. Her mother’s joyful tears and hysterics notwithstanding she looked at the simple holo feed. “Why is this Anna angry about a kiss? Isn't that a normal thing for the humans here? Now if she was running a hand along the bare skin of the spine or kissing that area in public, that would be a big scandal.”
Q’vera’s husband poked his head into the living room. Saw the holo feed and disappeared. He still didn’t understand some of the soap opera aspects of Earth. But he had to admit, some women here took it to the stars and back. He concentrated on the true worth of Earth. So many steak products. He put some fire to the grill and got busy. Back home he loved to throw some Umma gizzards onto the flames but the bovine meat of this place was divine.
He could see why Bardax cornered the market on Bacon too. It went well with so many things. Like his daughter, he was breathing a sigh of relief to be away from House worries.
*****
Heals-The-Rifts pranced around us.
<
I nodded. Doc still looked floored as I steadied her.
Zach was reporting to Legion HQ so he didn’t see the event up close.
My twin, on the other hand, his mental golf claps were the stuff of legend, to which he added over our coms, <
I replied with, <
Mom was happy for us but also concerned.
>>Won’t that make your superheroic life a bit more perilous?<<
I nodded, >>In some ways. But in others? Life is too short to just not do anything. In or out of uniform.<<
*****
Jino knew that Avalon had changed Eliza somehow. But even with her mental ties to her daughter, she wasn’t able to see anything from that event. She would always ask permission of course. Within her society, only the vilest, heartless, or truly diabolical would rummage around without a person’s permission.
Still, it gave her a moment of clarity. Typha would need the easy-going charm of her daughter. That spark of genuine warmth. But first, they would have to deal with the immediate threat of Thoth and this Endless/Living Stone situation. The more they discovered about the Mad King, the more she worried. The Survey Corps should have detected his breach into this Universe. What had happened? Had her people been under the influence by the Unity or something else at the time to miss such a breach?
*****
Hilary eyed the news feeds. A slight smile plastered on her lips.
The Banner had a weakness.
And that idiot had telegraphed it to the Sol System and Beyond.