The Secret of Mars

Europa and Jeanip traveled to the Purple Mountains, the secret home of Hygone. She was one of the Ancients, a magical race of peaceful and brilliant beings bordering on immortality. The Ancients had shed their mortal bodies and existed as beings of energy. They were able to channel the power of the Orbs and could shapeshift into other forms. Hygone was the guardian of the ice moon, seeing to its health and tranquility. But her role was not a voluntary one. Ten million years before she had disobeyed the Council’s decree and interfered in the development of the Oonock race. Her punishment was a life without most of her powers, confined to Europa until she died, cut off from her people and her homeworld.

The two intently waited at the cavern’s entrance. They could go no further until either the little fish or one of the Oonock helpers arrived to take them to Hygone. At their last visit, a school of tiny fish had led them to the entrance. But that was what? Almost thirty years ago? Jeanip looked around the cavern. It hadn’t changed at all, except he did not see any sign of life – fish or Oonock. For three hours they waited, and no one came.

“Perhaps she doesn’t know we are here,” Jeanip stated, rising and swimming a short way into the cavern.

“Hygone knows everything,” Europa replied, placing her hand over her stomach as it growled loudly. “Guess I should have eaten more for breakfast.”

Jeanip chuckled to himself. With Europa’s pregnancy came a new enjoyment and need for food. He had never seen her, or any female, able to consume as much as Europa did. She was already up to ten boxes of tubree worms a day, something that usually didn’t happen until the last few weeks of the egg’s incubation period.

“If you will follow me, Your Highness, we have food waiting for you,” came a calm voice inside their heads. Both looked around and, at first, did not see the Oonock female inside the cavern, emerging from the shadows.

“I am on urgent business,” Europa immediately stated. “Please take me to Hygone right away.”

“She is aware of your presence,” the female responded. “She said your unborn is in need of nourishment. You are to eat first, then rest, then she will see you.”

“No, I cannot wait that long,” Europa shouted, her anxiety rising. “I must see her now.”

“You, of all people, Your Highness, know that Hygone does not take orders,” the female said in a calm voice again, unstirred by the queen’s demands. “She is currently unavailable and will see you once you have rested. Or would you rather leave and come back at another time?”

Knowing they didn’t have the luxury of returning at a more convenient time, and knowing the importance of keeping Europa calm, Jeanip quickly stated, “We will eat and rest until Hygone can meet with us.”

Europa shot him an angry look, but she knew they had no choice. Besides, the female Oonock was right. Her unborn needed nourishment and she was exhausted from the trip there. In silence, the two travelers followed the female down a path into the heart of the cavern, to Hygone’s chambers. Europa could see the large, flat stone Hygone generally sat on, suspended above the bottomless abyss beneath that led to one of the entrances of FarCore. Regretfully, Hygone was not sitting in her usual spot in the middle.

The female waved her arm toward a sitting area with a small stone table. On top was an arrangement of food. Europa was glad to see there were three containers of tubree worms. Apparently, Hygone even knew of her voracious appetite for the squiggling critters. Beside the table were two resting spots made of soft moss, leaves, and fronds for the two travelers to rest on when finished eating.

“If you think of something you desire that is not here, please let us know,” the female stated. “When you awaken from your rest, Hygone will be waiting for you.”

Europa swam over and took a seat beside the table. She quickly grabbed three fat tubree worms and stuffed them in her mouth, savoring their flavor, allowing their yellow juices to flow out of her mouth and down her chin.

“Slow down, Missy, or you’re going to make yourself sick,” Jeanip laughed, wiping the escaping juices off his queen’s face. “Are you sure you’re not carrying triplets in there? You sure eat a lot.”

“I know,” Europa chuckled, grabbing another two worms. “I just can’t seem to get full. I remember craving tubree worms before when I was pregnant, but not like this. This time they taste SO good, so much sweeter and delicious.”

“If you say so,” Jeanip said, remembering how horrible the worms tasted when he had to eat them. Tubree worms were known for their horrendous foul taste, but, for some reason, a female’s body craved them when she had an egg growing inside her. Even the males desired them as it grew nearer to the time when he would take the newly hatched infant into his birthing pouch. But because of his damaged wings and artificial birthing pouches, Jeanip’s body never developed a taste for the gruesome worms. It was a taste he would never forget.

Europa ate all three boxes of tubrees, along with some sea bulbs, piiquid, and ocean greens. She laid down on the bedding, determined she would not fall asleep. After all, how could she with all that was happening? Her precious Mary was missing. Despite it all, her filled belly soon had her sound asleep.

“Oh, how long have I been asleep?” Europa asked, sitting up and stretching her wings.

“For at least three hours, for that is how long I have been here,” came a welcomed voice. Europa turned to see Hygone transformed into her usual representation - a twelve-armed, glowing green octopus with eyes that looked like two pools of cloudy milk. “Welcome, Your Majesty. Jeanip and I have had a pleasant conversation while you slept. I had more tubrees brought here, in case you would like a snack.”

“Thank you, Hygone,” Europa chuckled nervously, as she reached out for more worms. “I am a little hungry. Did Jeanip tell you of our problem?”

“Yes,” Hygone replied, watching the queen devour the box of worms. “He also mentioned that you have an almost uncontrollable need for food, especially tubree worms.” Hygone lifted herself off her stone seat and swam across the Expanse, taking a seat next to the pregnant female.

“I am probably a little bit hungrier this time,” Europa confessed.

“A little?” Jeanip said in surprise. “You eat enough to feed a biddle of soldiers.”

“I do not think I eat that much,” Europa quickly replied, a chastising look on her face as she popped the last worm into her mouth.

“This time, I think I am going to side with Jeanip,” Hygone stated, staring at Europa. “In the few minutes you have been awake you have eaten a whole box of worms. And Jeanip said you ate three boxes when you arrived along with other food. I would consider that, your Majesty, to be excessive. Do you mind?” Hygone held up one of her tentacles, indicating that she wanted to feel Europa’s abdomen and the growing egg inside her egg chamber.

“Not at all,” Europa said. Hygone softly placed her tentacle on Europa and sent a small impulse into the egg chamber. “Oh, that tickles,” Europa laughed.

Hygone removed her tentacle and looked once more at the female. “Well, you’ve never had that reaction before. You say it tickles?”

“Yes, like a feather being brushed inside me,” Europa laughed.

“Hmmm. See if you can control your laughter for a few moments.” Hygone replaced her tentacle and sent in another impulse, trying to make this one not so “feathery”. She placed another tentacle on Europa’s back, allowing the impulse to travel through Europa’s body and the unborn, then back out into her other tentacle. “Fascinating.”

“What?” Europa asked, no longer able to silence her laughter.

“Is the unborn prince okay?” a worried Jeanip asked

“Perfectly healthy Oonock unborn,” Hygone smiled. “Extremely intelligent already. Good bone structure.”

“Why do I hear a ‘but’ in there?” Jeanip asked, wishing Kiijon was there with him.

“I assure both of you, there is nothing to worry about,” Hygone stated. “But this child is different than your other two offspring. It has been almost thirty years since Europa was last implanted, and during that time her body continued to evolve into an Oonock. There is no more human DNA left inside her. Therefore, this child will be born as full Oonock. He will not be half Oonock/half human as Prince EJ and Princess Misso.”

“Does that mean he will not be able to channel the Orbs’ powers?” Europa asked.

“That I cannot say,” Hygone replied. “I do feel the Orbs’ powers within him, to what extent I do not know. But I do believe he will not have the ability to heal or do all the other extraordinary things you or his siblings are capable of. He will be more like Princes Terrance and Giibold. I also sense he will be built like his great-grandfather, King Enok; tall, strong and enormous, even for an Oonock. That is why you are probably craving more tubree worms with this implantation. You’ve never had a full Oonock inside you before, and certainly not one of this stature.”

“So it’s okay for her to eat so much?” Jeanip asked.

“He will slow down soon, and your cravings will lessen,” Hygone smiled. “As long as you don’t start to put on too much weight, I would not worry about it. Now, about Mary’s disappearance. Jeanip said you believe the Orbs are involved?”

“Yes,” Europa stated, checking to make sure she hadn’t missed one of the worms in the box. “Amber was able to sense something was wrong across the galaxy. She is currently on Setus Three. That is over four light years away. Even with her strong connection to Mary, Amber should never have been able to sense something about her. Only the Orbs could traverse that distance.”

“But I felt no disturbance in the Orbs,” Hygone replied. “It would take a tremendous amount of power to connect the sisters at that distance. Plus, why would the Orbs be involved with Mary’s disappearance?”

“I do not know, Hygone,” a frustrated Europa said. “But my gut tells me the Orbs had something to do with this.”

“How like your mother,” Hygone smiled. “She always had a sixth sense about things, but usually before they happened. I will explore the Orbs and see if I can discover anything.”

“Thank you,” Europa said. “I only ask that you try.” She hesitated for a moment. “I have one other favor to ask. It is imperative that Jeanip and I get to the Complex on Earth right away by way of FarCore. Is there any way we can go through your entrance? It is a four-day journey to the Palace and cavern.”

“What you ask has never been done,” Hygone said, rising into the air. “Non-Ancients are not allowed to use the passageway. But I believe the current circumstances dictate a change in policy. If you do not mind dropping into the abyss with me, I will take you to your FarCore and the entrance to the Complex.”

“Thank you, Hygone,” Europa stated. “What do we do?”

“Stand close to me and hold on tight,” Hygone responded. “While you are small, Your Majesty, Jeanip is a good sized male. I don’t know how fast we’ll drop with his weight.”

“Can’t I swim alongside?” Jeanip asked, looking over the edge of the cliff into the utter darkness. He wondered how far the abyss went down. The thought of going into an unknown world of complete darkness with his queen did not appeal to him.

“No, we could get separated, and you’d never find your way without me,” Hygone answered. “Just make sure neither of you let go of me. Now wrap your wings around me.”

Europa and Jeanip did as asked, wrapping all six wings around one of the arms of the Ancient. Hygone then entwined four of her arms around each Oonock, giving her two arms on each side to navigate with. She hoped it was enough.

“Try to tuck your head inside your top wing, if possible, and close your eyes. Here we go!” Having said that, Hygone allowed the weight of her body and the other two’s to carry her over the edge and down into the endless darkness. Europa and Jeanip could feel the water racing past their wings. Europa tried to bury her face further into her top right wing for the water rushing by was stinging it. After falling for what felt like hours but was only five minutes, Hygone said, “When I let go of you and tell you to, open your wings and float down.” She paused briefly, then announced, “Now.”

Both Europa and Jeanip uncurled their wings from around the Ancient and stretched them out, swaying them in the lilac waters as they gently descended to the cavern floor. They were not surprised to see they were floating just to the side of the Windows of Universes, from the same area they had seen Hygone descend from numerous times. The room spinning, Europa leaned over and vomited up the large lunch she had eaten. Seeing she was ill, Jeanip hurried to her side.

“Europa, what’s wrong?” a concerned Jeanip asked, trying to calm his own room-spinning.

“I’m sorry,” Hygone stated upon seeing the sick Queen. “The sudden descent must have upset her stomach. Jeanip, you’re not sick?”

“I’ve felt better,” the protector replied, then chuckled. “I’m not sick to my stomach. Just a little lightheaded. But I didn’t consume four boxes of worms like someone did.”

“Don’t remind me,” Europa said, getting sick again.

“Let’s get you down to the Complex right away,” Jeanip suggested. “I am sure one of the medical assistants will have something to help your stomach.” He turned to Hygone. “On behalf of my monarchs, thank you for your support, Hygone.”

“I’m not sure I was of much help,” Hygone confessed. “I will let you know what I find out about the Orbs and if there’s a connection to Mary’s disappearance. Tell Prince EJ I will contact him when I have something.”

“Will do,” Jeanip said, scooping the ill queen into his wings. He swam over to the portal exit and passed through to the Complex.

Hygone turned to return to her rock when she heard, “She could have waited until she left to get sick,” a disgruntled Barook stated as he emerged from the windowpane, dodging several floating fragments of half-eaten tubree worms.

“I am afraid Queen Europa’s upset stomach was unavoidable and a direct result of my actions,” Hygone said. “If anyone is to blame, it is me.”

“Whatever,” Barook stated, quickly dismissing the subject. “We have important business to discuss.”

“Now what does the Council want?” a weary Hygone asked. She was irritated that the Ancient’s governing body sent Barook with some assignment and expected her to comply with their requests. She owed them nothing.

“The Council does not know I am here,” Barook reported. “I just came from Mars’ window. Something has happened.”

“Mars? Tell me what?” Hygone shouted, swimming closer to her older brother. Could he have information about Princess Mary’s disappearance?

“I was on my way to see a new life form when I felt some disturbance, some energy surge. Did you feel anything?”

“No. Go on.”

“Well, I decided to see if I could find the source of the surge. I thought perhaps your Oonock friends were using their Orb powers again. But when I checked, there was nothing out of the ordinary either around the Europa window or Earth’s. So I continued down and came to Mars’ window. That’s where I stopped.”

“But Mars’ window is broken, sealed from showing us anything,” Hygone stated, wondering why Barook would have gone there.

“It is,” Barook replied. “Thanks to that JeffRa person.”

“Were you able to see something this time?” a hopeful Hygone asked.

“Not exactly,” Barook said. The elder Ancient held out his hand and released the tiny dot of light.

Hygone stared at the dot, wondering what it was. Then she smelt it, a scent almost forgotten. Her eyes opened wide. She stared at her brother in disbelief. “Weenow? Our lost brother? How?”

“I don’t know,” Barook replied, drifting down to the floor. “But it warrants investigation.”

“Is she okay?” Kiijon asked upon his arrival.

“I am fine,” Europa reassured her mate and Jazee. “It was just a little upset stomach. I have been fine ever since we arrived here.”

Kiijon immediately looked to Gardawyn, their family medical assistant. “She is correct, Your Majesty. It was just a little something she ate. I gave her something to calm her stomach down, and she has been resting while awaiting your arrival.” He looked at his queen. “It is important that you continue to rest, Your Majesty.”

“What did she eat that made her sick?” Kiijon asked, still concerned.

Jeanip started laughing. “It’s not so much as to what she ate; it’s more like how MUCH she ate.”

“I was hungry,” Europa quickly stated, defending her actions. “I ate a few too many worms.”

“Europa, you know your body has a problem with an overabundance of tubrees,” Kiijon scolded. “Remember how sick you got when implanted with EJ? You did the same with Misso. How many worms did you consume?” Europa didn’t answer. Kiijon looked at Jeanip. “How many?”

“Four boxes,” Jeanip softly said.

“Four boxes?” Kiijon shouted, trying to control his anger.

“I learned my lesson. Again,” Europa reported. “And have promised Gardawyn once more that I will watch the number of worms I eat. So can we concentrate on Mary?”

“You’re sure you’re okay?” Kiijon asked, floating down beside his mate and taking her hand.

“Yes, My Darling.”

“OK. EJ, what do you know about Mary?” Kiijon asked, still tightly holding his mate’s hand.

“Not much,” EJ replied. “Patrols have gone out every day, but they have not been able to find any sign of her. Not a hair ribbon a piece of clothing or anything that belong to Mary. And since she is part Oonock, we don’t know if there would be a body or not if the worst has happened. But PiePie did send us this image.” EJ reached over and lifted a picture up for his father to see. It was a picture of the purple rock with the strange insignia on it.

“Is that what I think it is?” Earon asked. “The emblem for Europa? The same insignia that hangs above the palace’s front door?”

“The same,” EJ said. “Which means Mary found the site of the original colony. Something strange is going on there, something we need to discover so we can get our Mary back. Uncle Earon, I was wondering if you would go with me tomorrow to Mars to help with the investigation.”

“No, EJ,” Europa stated. “I do not think you should go.”

“Mattwa, she’s my daughter,” EJ replied. “I have to go. There is no danger.”

“In my present condition, I cannot return to land,” Europa explained. “Terrance and Teerdomay are far out in the galaxy. Even if they left immediately, it would take them weeks to get home. That leaves Medi all alone at the Estate. And you know she does not do well with space travel, so you cannot take her with you. She cannot be left alone. She needs her mate.”

“I can go by myself,” Earon said, knowing his mate would have to remain behind to take care of their two infant sons.

“I will go with you, Your Majesty,” Jeanip announced. “Phameena gave me permission before I even left Europa to travel to Mars.”

“Oooo, she gave her permission,” teased EJ.

Jeanip laughed. “Now that I think of it, it was more like a demand. I believe she’s getting a little tired of me being underfoot all the time. It will be like the old days, Earon. You and I fighting to save the fairer sex of our race.”

“Please,” Europa commented, a grave look on her face. “How many times have I brought you back from the brink of death? You might want to rethink that statement.”

“She’s bloody well right,” Jeanip laughed.