The Secret of Mars

“It worked,” Amber shouted, jumping into Gart’s arm and giving him a big kiss. Upon hearing Jeanip clear his voice, she broke her embrace. “I am sorry. I guess I got a little carried away. I do apologize for my actions.”

“As you know, such affection is frowned upon,” Jeanip stated. “But as your Great Grandfather King Enok would say, that due to all that has happened lately one such incident can be understood and overlooked. Also, a monarch never apologizes for what he or she has done.”

“Yes, Uncle,” Amber replied, her face blushing slightly. “I take back the apology.”

Jeanip raised his eyebrows and looked at his niece. “I don’t think you need to do that either.”

“There’s just no pleasing you, is there, Jeanip?” Swaybuk teased the elder.

“That’s not what Phameena says,” Earon teased also.

“If I were you two, I wouldn’t go there,” Jeanip teased right back. “Remember, I have walked the halls here and at the estate at night. So, unless you want to be embarrassed before our young princess and her guests, let alone the protectors, I suggest you drop this right now.”

“I think he’s right,” Earon chuckled.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” Swaybuk laughed. “We’ll figure out some way to get him for some of the pranks he’s pulled on us.”

Jeanip stepped closer and stared at both Oonock males. “Never going to happen!”

“What do you think that noise and shaking were?” Mary asked as she cut her melon into pieces. So far, the Orbs had granted every whim of food she had asked for, no matter the selection. She was starting to wonder if she might even be able to ask for a hamburger and fries. “Do you think perhaps my family is out there trying to break in and rescue me?”

“I cannot say what caused the shaking,” Weenow replied. “But I do not believe it was your family trying to break in. There is no direct link from the outside world into FarCore. I did notice, however, that the Orbs glowed brightly just before the floor shook and we heard the massive boom. Much like they did the day this planet was attacked by, what did you say his name was?”

“JeffRa.”

“By JeffRa, but on a smaller scale. Perhaps the Orbs are defending this planet once more.”

“”I cannot imagine we are at war with anyone,” May stated. “Weenow, if there is no entrance from the outside world into FarCore, how did I get sucked in?” She finished the last piece of melon she had sliced. She had eaten the delightful melon so fast that she burped, rather loudly. “Oh, excuse me.”

“In some cultures, that is a sign of a good meal,” Weenow laughed. “The truth is, Princess, I have no idea how you were brought into FarCore. I found you unconscious and lying by the small pool. I picked you up and put you inside the green emerald case to ensure your survival. But the lid did not close, so I knew the Orbs intended for you, and I, to remain awake.”

“You said that you were able to bring the other Oonocks and the other Martian beings into FarCore when you realized JeffRa was going to destroy the planet. Do you remember how you did that? Perhaps that will give us some idea of how I came to be here and give us a way to escape.”

“As I have mentioned before, I am not entirely sure it was me that did it,” Weenow said. “It was so long ago, but I will try to remember. It started out as a day like any other day; nothing special or out of the ordinary. Suddenly, like a blast of unseen hot air, I felt the world outside dying. I remember feeling so much pain, fear, and terror. The screams of death, from both plants and animals, filled my ears. I felt hearts exploding, lungs bursting, bones breaking. I even felt the molecules of water being ripped apart and sent flying into space. It was maddening. I knew I had to do something to save them. So I reached into the Orbs and drew out as much power as I could, then stretched it out across the land pulling in whatever I could: flowers, trees, grasses, marine animals, land animals, bacteria, fungi, plankton, and the alien species who were now living in the ocean.”

“The Oonock colony,” Mary clarified.

“Yes, your people,” Weenow stated. “I always believed I had saved them, but now it appears it was the Orbs. They acted through me, using my physical being as a way to scoop up the life and bring it inside.”

“Did they just appear inside FarCore?” Mary asked.

“Yes. It was like a wave of energy rushed through FarCore and the three caverns,” Weenow replied. “I felt their presence, and when I went to investigate, I saw the Oonocks inside their green capsules. Imagine my surprise when I discovered two more chambers filled with Mars’ creatures. At first, many were injured and burned, but the Orbs used their powers to heal them. That is all I remember.”

“So you did not leave FarCore to scoop up the Oonocks?”

“No, I was standing just over there beside the Table of Orbs.”

“I see nothing in your tale that reveals how I came to be here or how we can escape,” Mary stated. “Think, Mary.” She began to pace, stopping at the Table of Orbs. “All FarCores are the same. They are parts of one whole. But the solar system representations and the Orbs records are different. Each FarCore records all the important events that happens to the body it inhabits.”

“That is correct.”

“Then JeffRa’s attack must be recorded in one of those Orbs. I think we should watch the recordings. There might be something in them that will show us how the Orbs, you or both managed to bring the Oonocks from outside into FarCore. If we can figure that out, perhaps you can do it again, and we can escape.”

“You can escape,” Weenow corrected the princess, smiling. “Remember, I cannot exist outside of this realm. Here is where I will remain until I stop living.”

“I do not believe that,” Mary sternly replied. “Ten million years is more than enough time to atone for what you did. Besides, Barook gave Hygone her powers back. The Council forgave her. I am sure once they find out you are still alive they will forgive you too and restore your abilities. Then you may go home if you like. Or perhaps visit Hygone.”

“Barook did that?” Weenow asked, a look of surprise on his face. “Imagine that. But unless we figure out how to repair the Window of Universes I cannot leave here even if I am pardoned.”

“Something tells me, Weenow, that is one of the reasons I am here. To help you repair that window.”

“Great news,” Swaybuk announced, as he stepped out of his red dust-caked spacesuit. “That huge landslide uncovered a piece of the starship underneath. I had Quiddo take me up in a speeder. The section exposed appears to be just above the entrance to the shuttle bay. But there’s a lot of debris covering the entrance, and it’s very unstable. Just the vibrations from the speeder sent rocks flying down the side.”

“We have to find a safe way to get that remaining rock and dirt off that ship,” Jeanip said. “You still think blasting away the rock is not a good idea?”

“More than ever,” Swaybuk replied, stepping out of the decontamination unit. “Ooo, I hate that thing. It feels like ants crawling all over my body. Anyway, there’s no way to tell what condition that starship is in. Even a small blast could tear it apart and then we’d have nothing.”

“Except a big pile of more debris,” Earon chuckled. He saw no one laughed. “What? Oh, come on. That was kind of funny.”

Ignoring his nephew, Jeanip asked, “How far do you estimate we’d have to dig down to get to the bay door?”

“A good six feet,” Swaybuk stated. “But it’s hard to know for sure. Now that we know that JeffRa never stole the ships King Enok sent him, we also know that he had to build his ships from scratch, so the design is completely unknown. What I observed looked like a hatch, but who knows what it is. Possibly a trap.”

“I don’t think so,” Jeanip replied. “JeffRa was an excellent ship builder. He designed many of the speeder models we still use today. He was short on time, so I don’t think he would have strayed much from his original designs. I would say that if it looks like a shuttle bay door, it’s going to be a shuttle bay door.”

“Are you willing to stake someone’s life on that?” Earon asked. “Because someone is going to have to go inside that ship to find out what is there.”

“And I’m willing to take that chance,” Jeanip said.

“No can do,” Earon replied. “You’re a monarch.”

“Well, you’re sure in the hell not going in!”

“Neither of you are,” Swaybuk stated. “And before you object, Jeanip, remember that as Supreme Protector my decisions overrules yours in matters of security. As Monarch Earon said, you are one also and therefore forbidden to go into areas of known life-threating events.”

“Sometimes, Swaybuk, you take the fun out of being a monarch,” Jeanip grumbled, knowing Swaybuk was right. It was verbatim for what he would have said if their roles were reversed. “So, how do we safely clear away that rock and who’s the lucky person to go inside?”

“So how did you say you came up with this idea?” Hygone asked, staring at the picture of a cracked piece of glass resting on the boulder.

EJ laughed. He knew it was a crazy idea. Quickly, he told the Ancient about the cracked window, Anew and Amber’s blood mixing and the window cracks disappearing.

“Do not forget the part about the Orbs,” Europa quickly added. “The amulets were glowing.”

“Right,” EJ agreed. “Apparently, all three items are needed: blood from each race and the power of the Orbs.”

“You mentioned something was occurring outside which needed either the Orbs’ protection or power,” Hygone said, now intrigued with this particular piece of the puzzle. “Might I ask what that was?”

Impatient to try to see if he and Hygone could repair the cracked window, the prince did his best to quiet the demanding child inside of him and remain calm. “There was a rock slide. One huge boulder became airborne. A beam of energy shot out of the obelisk and destroyed the boulder before it hit Uncle Jeanip and Swaybuk.”

Hygone floated down and sat beside the piece of glass. She stared at the area that was repaired, wondering. “And that’s when the window shattered?”

“Why, yes,” Europa said, looking at her mate and son. “How did you know that?”

“I have been going through the few Ancient text I have here on Europa. Thankfully, when I came to this moon as a young Ancient, I was into legends and possibilities. I brought with me a book in which was written countless legends from across this universe, including one about the Librarians and the Stryguard Obelisk. It was a story of heroes, keepers, and savers. It told of how, eons ago, an evil descended upon this part of the galaxy. What the evil was the story does not say, but I believe it was some warring race bent upon conquering and devouring the planets. The Librarians were a peaceful race, dedicated to saving life, so they could not fight this evil directly. Yet they knew they had to stop it or all life would perish. They already had obelisks throughout the universe that they used for travel. They instilled in them the power of the Orbs. At the first sign of danger, the obelisks were programmed to react and repel the evil.”

“Did it work?” Kiijon asked.

“Apparently so, because you are here today,” Hygone chuckled. “The story tells of a bolt of energy rising from the tip of the obelisk and firing at the evil. How it stopped it, the legend does not say. You said a beam of light came from the pillar and saved them?”

“That is what Jeanip reported. The boulder was pulverized into a very fine sand.”

“Interesting,” Hygone replied, now rising back up into the lilac water. “I am sure the obelisks would not have pulverized the advancing starships and destroyed the beings inside. The Librarians respect for life would not have allowed that. Therefore, the obelisk must have several different methods of stopping evil, and can decide on which method to use.”

“Are you saying the obelisk can think?” Jazee asked.

“Possibly. It uses either thought, instinct or programming,” Hygone said. “It is impossible to know which. They make decisions, just like the Orbs do. They examine a situation, make a determination and react accordingly. I believe they may simply be a different form of Orb.”

“How do you think the obelisk got on Mars?” EJ asked.

“I think it has been there all along,” Hygone said. “Since the day the Librarians placed it on the planet. The colony never mentioned it?”

“Father said the only communication they had with the colony was on the day JeffRa attacked them and they warned him that Earth was next,” Europa replied.

“I wonder if Lord Hoffman and Lady Arianna knew what stood in their courtyard?” Jazee asked.

“Probably not,” Europa answered. “Mother only discovered FarCore and the Orbs shortly before they departed Europa. And they knew nothing of the Ancients or the Librarians at that time. They may have thought some alien race made it and left it there, but they never could have imagined what power it possessed.”

“But the Mars Settlement is only forty, maybe fifty miles away,” EJ said. “Why has no one found it before this?”

“Because JeffRa’s destruction of Mars buried it in too much debris to be seen,” Jazee commented.

“Until our Mary awakened it,” Hygone stated. She looked down at the piece of cracked glass. “So, let’s try your experiment and see what happens. I’ll need a volunteer to donate a few drops of Oonock blood.”

“I understand there was another landslide this morning,” Earon said, as he walked into the meal room. “Further excavation has been put on hold. The Commander didn’t waste much time putting a halt to our silly dig, as he calls it.”

“Actually, it wasn’t the Commander, Earon,” Jeanip replied. “It was I. One of the diggers barely missed being hit. I’ll not sacrifice more human lives to reach our goal.”

“Then what? Do we just give up? Go home?” Earon asked.

“You know me better than that,” Jeanip stated. “If need be, we’ll get more cranes and move the rocks one by one.”

“That will take a good six months or longer,” Swaybuk said, as he and Anew sat down at the table with their trays of food. “Princess Mary has already been gone for almost two months. If she’s still alive, I doubt she can hold out for another six.”

“I hate to admit this, Jeanip, but the Commander might be right,” Earon softly spoke. “We may never find a way to reach Mary. Eventually, we will have to admit defeat.”

“NEVER!” screamed Jeanip, pounding his fist on the table. The table consisted of metal, not wood, so instead of an indentation that usually resulted from Jeanip’s fist slams, the table buckled in half, causing Swaybuk and Anew’s food trays to slide toward the center. “I will never give up until I find her . . .”

“Her what, Uncle?” Earon asked. “Her body? We Oonocks leave no trace of our existence when we die. There is no body to be found.”

“I can’t go home and tell your sister that I could not bring her granddaughter home,” Jeanip sighed, taking a seat again.

“I don’t want to give up either, Jeanip,” Swaybuk said, picking up his and Anew’s trays and moving them to the next table. “But it may be time to ask ourselves how long we are going to keep trying to reach her. Just because we were able to see a picture of her inside that damn obelisk does not mean she is still alive. And if she is, that there is a way to reach her. We need a deadline at which point we concede she is gone. Or at least outside our grasp.”

Jeanip stared at the soldier knowing that he spoke the truth. “That is something for King Kiijon and Queen Europa to decide. If we have no success in clearing that debris in the next two days, I will inform them we need a deadline.”

“Woo, is the food that bad today?” Amber asked, as she, Gart and PiePie walked up to the sorrowful group. “You all have horrible looks on your faces.”

“It’s passable,” Jeanip replied, quickly recovering his composure. “What can we do for you, Princess?”

“Staybo asked me to inform you that Grandfather said the experiment worked,” Amber said, excited about her news. “Using Father’s and Hygone’s blood, they were able to repair a cracked piece of glass.”

“That is fantastic news,” Jeanip smiled.

“Could be a little tricky for the Oonock who has to go into the Expanse to repair the window,” Swaybuk stated.

“I wonder who will go?” Anew inquired.

“I am sure Dattwa will,” a bubbly Amber replied. “Since he was inside the Expanse before, he should have no trouble doing it again.” Neither of the three males at the table had the heart to tell her how dangerous the Expanse was. If he became lost or disoriented, there would be no way to save him. And since the Librarians built the Expanse, it wasn’t even known if an Oonock could survive inside for over a few minutes. Or what unknown dangers or creatures were lurking out there. No, the Expanse was not a good place for any Oonock to be.

“So where are you and Gart off to?” Earon asked, wishing to change the subject.

“We were looking for you,” Gart replied, doing his best to stifle a yawn. “Forgive me. I was up most of the night talking with Frank and the other engineers from the next Settlement on ways to bring down that mountain. I understand the excavation is stopped again?”

“That is correct,” Jeanip sighed. “We almost lost another digger and her crew this morning.”

“Were you able to come up with anything?” Earon asked.

“Yes,” Gart replied. “We had a similar situation some years back on Setus Three. A good portion of a hill slid down into a stream, blocking the water supply to one of our villages. The more we tried to move the rocks and debris, the more the hillside slid down. It threatened to completely bury a small valley and possibly destroy the life that lived there.”

“What did you do?”

“We realized that we couldn’t start removing the blockage from the bottom. That only caused more landslides. We had to remove the larger boulders on top first. But they were out of reach. We needed a way to remove them without getting near them. Just as with your mountain. We devised a machine that used sound to pulverize the large rocks into dust.”

“But that still leaves you with a lot of dust,” Swaybuk stated, taking another bite of food.

“True, which can be just as troublesome and deadly,” Gart answered. “We used huge siphon tubes to draw the dust into containers, then took them out into a more arid area and dumped them. We were even able to fill in a few sinkholes that had been giving us some problems.”

“Sounds like a good idea, but the removal of that much weight from the top will change the dynamics of the mountain and probably cause more landslides,” Jeanip stated, putting a damper on Gart’s good news.

“Thankfully, your niece came up with the answer for that,” Gart proudly declared.

Amber saw the disapproving looks on her uncles’ faces. “Do not worry; I did not go outside or leave my assigned area. The humans graciously came here to talk to Gart. We met in the Observation Lounge. The room has been certified to be safe once more.”

“The humans appear to have taken a strong liking to Amber,” Gart offered as a reason why the engineers came. “And they were very fond of Princess Mary and wanted to help find her.”

“Human males never could resist a beautiful face,” Earon stated.

“I don’t think males from any race can,” Jeanip chuckled. “That’s how Mother Nature works. Keeps the species going. Although humans may tend to go a bit overboard in that department.” Everyone laughed. “So what was your idea, Little One?”

“I simply asked why not pour cement inside the base and around the side that keeps sliding,” Amber nonchalantly replied. “Make it solid.”

“I’ll be danged,” Jeanip chuckled again. “She’s right. Why didn’t one of us think of that? Since we’ve found what we believe to be the bay doors, we only need to dig on the one side. We can fortify the rest with cement. Way to go, Amber. I assume that means you didn’t get any sleep last night either.”

“I got a few hours late this morning,” Amber replied, smiling at Gart while placing her arm inside his. “Now, if you will excuse us, I am starving and need to get something to eat.”

“Make sure you don’t sit at that table,” Swaybuk grinned, pointing to the bowed table beside them. “Your Uncle had one of his temper tantrums a little while ago.”

Jeanip shot Swaybuk a disapproving look. He knew the soldier was only teasing him, but he did not want his princess to ask what had upset him. How could he tell her that they were discussing the possibility of setting a date to call off the search for her twin? How could he admit to her that he had failed, that he could not save Mary? He had vowed the day his beloved Queen flowed in the Waters of Life that he would never, ever lose another one. Now here he was, fifty years later, facing the possibility that another queen would be lost forever. And this time he could not even return her to the Waters from which she came. This time he would be haunted by the question of what happened to her. Oonocks flowed out when they died. But what if Mary was pulled deep down into the planet, deep down under the sand where the pressure was strong enough to hold her Oonock body together. Would her body remain there, intact, mummified for all eternity? The thought of such an existence made his stomach turn, and he feared for a moment he might be sick. “Where are you, Mary? Give me a sign!”