The Uplift Protocol: In the Beginning

Issue 14: The Puzzler Finds a Clue

Maybe the Weave loves me after all.—The Puzzler.

Now Eddie is acting funny. Why do humans go through such long courtship rituals? You’d think it’d be more straightforward by now.—Cooper aka Emerald K-9.

While Doc had been putting out signals for a while: she still teases me for it. In contrast, with Eddie, the woman who would light up his life was rather blunt upon first meeting. I didn’t know who was more shocked: me, him, the lady in question, or Lorain. Then again: Her people’s customs didn’t include being coy. If you saw what you wanted, you didn’t beat around the bush. You pounced quickly. That man was the best steak in the multiverse and she wasn’t going to miss it by being shy. Redheads are also rare on her homeworld.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century

Area 51

Muthra Level

May 1oth 2104

Black and White reached out. Unlocking the Muthra level for us and the Golden Redeemers. Dexter had been having waking dreams. Due to his connection to Black. He kept describing the waters and statues of the Muthra level. Area 51 was still used as a research hub. But it was still a front for keeping eyes away from Project Freefall. Eddie and Lorain were joining us today. Dad happily took up “Mom monitoring” duty. Dexter and I shared a glance at that. For dad? It was like having an R&R holiday. For the rest of us? Evacuate the Jupiter. Anna was all too glad to wander the streets of New Ashbury with her husband, daughter, and two very concerned spheres of Markav and Forger make.

Comet had taken a shine to Anna. So he was more than thrilled to ride herd on her. An expression he picked up from Cooper. Knowing the Green Defender and Auggie? They were having a blast patrolling New Ashbury with Blue Blaze. As the doors opened I could see the reflections of the water all across the walkway. Faint dripping echoed throughout. Nothing seemed out of place. No Unity corruption on the horizon. Puzzler took the lead. Removing his Captain Cosmos styled glass helmet. Its material sinking into his suit. He took a few deep breaths. “No remaining nanites in here. From you know who.”

Emris.

I remembered. The ancient cycle vessel had closed off this level so Thoth and his failed attempt on A51 wouldn’t compromise the Muthra even further. Plus this place had direct access to the Leyline of Fire. The waves from the pool at the center of the walkway bubbled. Sounds of battle reached us. I couldn’t understand the language but Black translated.

“Hold! Do not let the savages breach the temple! Protect the Guardians of Yul!”

Eddie charged through first.

The rest of us close behind.

Temple Lands (Yul Circle)

Planet Tarvel

Q’vin Sector (Circinus Galaxy)

Nola raced to the highest parts of the Temple. Her tan robes pulled about her in haste. Its pale green walls were covered in scorch marks. The outer walls gleamed as white fire. The Living Stone devils were at the gates. Howling for the blood of the Holy. Those gifted by the mighty WorldShaker. Lifegiver to all who walked the surface of Tarvel. The golden plains were dark with hordes of enemies. She reached out. Chanting the words most sacred. Summoning champions to save her people. Her orange eyes widened as a rather handsome individual stepped forth from the portal. His red locks reminding her of the ancient rulers of old. His skin was paler than she expected. Not the usual purple spectrum of her people. They had only met one other race: The Litari. His light blue eyes locked onto hers. His speech was rough but she solved that by kissing his cheek. Understanding flowed through her as she chanted the ancient words of power.

“Please! The Living Stone threatens!”

*****

Eddie’s heart was racing. I had to admit, if it wasn’t for the immediate threat I would have given him some more time to ponder but I waved us all forward. Launching into the air. Dexter beside me as we created a double whirlwind to knock the Living Stone back. It had taken the forms of whatever this planet had to offer in the creepy department. Based on the expressions I could make out on the defender’s countenances. Multi winged monsters with protruding fangs. Not quite dragons. Too many limbs for that. They crawled across the ground similar to centipedes.

I moved swiftly. Shielding Lorain from some dark brown fluid that burned the ground around us. While Eddie used the opening to fire into the crowd of mutated bodies. Each shot felling an enemy. Dawnbreaker’s mouth and hands light up the pre-dawn area as he pushed the nightmares back. While regular fire burst forth from his lips and throat, the heart of cosmic flame found our enemies unprepared. I added my ice breath into the mix. The high-pitched whine of the Puzzlers grav darts crashing into the frozen Stone bodies. Dust to dust as they say. The defenders of the temple rallied. Hacking at the living stone with enchanted bladed staffs, spears, and swords. Their bodies lighting up with rites from Light Shamans!

The odious head of a Unity Cyclops phased into the physical realm. A dormant Arc Way was here! Eddie aimed. Hitting the monster in its swollen orb. It bellowed. 3-fingered hands cradling its face as it crashed to the ground. Dexter and I raced forward. Our Defender suits molding over our bodies. Our weapons humming as we struck true. The Weave resounded across the Infinite as a wave of energy burst forth. Healing the wounded. The woman who had greeted Eddie raced forward. Locking her hands around his neck.

Kissing him deeply in front of the entire crowd.

Doc smirked and nudged me. “I seem to remember someone else doing that.”

I put my hands on my hips.

“All in a day's work!”

Dawnbreaker slapped me on the back. “Sure! Black says this place is giving off rather interesting feedback within the Weave.”

Doc ruffled my hair. I wrapped my left arm around her. The black dragon tattoo warming to her touch as she gripped my hand.

I was pleased for Jonas. If anyone needed a big heroic moment it was him. Earth was entirely too focused on me and my brother. It was nice just to be somewhere where the local population expected demis but didn’t have the same social media frenzy. I wondered if that was particular to Earth.

Dexter responded, >>Oh no. It's quite popular on Typha as well. Just in a different area.<<

Feasting Hall

Yul Circle Temple

Eddie’s face burned bright red in the low fires of the temple feasting hall. He was quite drunk. From what I could tell. No one paid us any mind. The Puzzler was the star of the show this go around. His read hair extremely rare for the people of this planet. Plus that shot to the Cyclops had impressed them. Since they only saw his demi setup as common armor. They expected Defenders to stop the corruption. They were just past K1 level in tech. But most of them still used melee weapons to beat off the Living Stone. Because of the blessings of the Guardians of Yul. The woman who caught Eddie’s attention was the High Priestess.

Nola kept feeding the Puzzler by hand.

A great honor according to Black’s information.

He kept us abreast of the conversations going on.

I asked the elder priest if I could walk within the gardens. He bowed. Waving Lorain and me through. “Please be careful of blue thorns. Makes people of your genetics…drunk on happiness!” Doc nodded.

Responding with, “Of course. We will abide by your wishes!”

The rich aromas made my mouth water.

Lorain giggled at my expression, “That good huh?”

I rubbed the back of my neck, “Frankly? Yeah. It's like nothing I’ve smelled before.”

She brought out her scanner. Her eyes going huge, “Oh my goodness. I’ll ask if I can take a few samples. As long as it's not insulting anyone.” She hid the screen when I tried to take a peek. “Oh no, you don’t! This is a surprise!” I sucked in a breath.

She pulled me along. “It will be worth it. I promise!”

*****

Eddie was entranced. Is this what Eliza felt while she was with Doc? No wonder Thomas had locked himself in happy exile on the Jupiter Rising with J’ino. If so Jonas didn’t want to ever leave. His heart thudded rapidly as she fed him another pump piece of meat. It tasted like steak. Doc had said it was safe to eat. She pulled him to his feet. His face flushed even harder when he noticed they had entered her private chambers. She giggled. Those orange eyes of hers pulling him in. It was an enticing contrast to her deep purple skin. Black hair completed the package as she tied it up in three braids. Her long fingers practiced and sure. She pulled out a mirror. A plain iron one. Gripping it in both hands. “A gift from my mother. She guards the Inner Way. My father patrols the stars above. In our research station. Your people are known to us through the WorldShaker.”

Jonas nodded, “We call it the Weave.” She smiled at that. “Touched by powers beyond Ken.” She ran a hand down his face. Her nose crinkling at the styled beard hugging his chin. “Is it supposed to tickle so much?”

He gulped. Taking a moment to gather his wits.

“Want me to trim it?”

Her eyes gleamed in the light of the lamps. “No dear Earthman.” She brought the mirror forward, images flashing before his eyes. “I want to go with you when you depart.” Hidden images wreathed in purple flame danced across his vision. He saw children. His and hers. They would need the Tarvel to help guard the Arc Ways. They still knew the rites to reinforce them. She rested her forehead against his, “I have been waiting for you. Across the sea of time and stars.”

She pressed a finger to his lips, “Do not worry. I will abide by your dating customs.”

Jonas was split on this. What were her customs?

She winked, “Come! We must thank your companions.”

What else had that mirror revealed to her?

Her lithe form pulled him along. Hands guiding him within the dimly lit hallways.

“You will know. Soon enough!”

If grins could encompass a planet, Jonas “Eddie” Olsten would have covered quite a few.

Area 51

Muthra Level

May 12th, 2104

President Marshall greeted us. Already sending emissaries to assist with the Tarvels technological advancement. The Typherians didn’t have much of a presence there while the Litari only had a few outposts in that sector of space. Aether bowed. The J’kua’s light white skin and enormous dark gray within gray eyes gleaming in the reflected waters of the portal. Unlike some popular holovid shows this one didn’t need coordinates. It hummed across Leylines and cleared Arc Ways.

Plus you had to jump in. Since it was flat along the floor. The only reason we had been able to reach Nola is because of her summoning. But with the Weave cleared around their world, more could flow through Earth’s Arc point to theirs. FLT would take a bit longer. Arc Ways allowed nearly instant transportation. So that’s why it was vital to keep cleansing more of them.

Nola reached out, “From beyond the Veil, we greet you star brother, and mourn for your lost compatriots.” He bowed his head.

“Thank you, sister. We shall rise once more. But not before the Convergence.”

That left a cold pit within my stomach.

Confirming one of my fears. Chronos and the initial corrupted Keepers would have to be destroyed before Aether could reclaim his lost people within the Ur-Stone. The J’kua smiled sadly at me, “Indeed Bearer. Ours is a heavy price. Mine most of all.”

Who else was he referring to?

A faint buzzing filled my ears.

Later.

I whirled around but the voice faded.

Doc kicked me in the rump. “Let’s go! We have a Sister to find don’t we?”

She always had the right idea. Nola’s eyes locked onto me, “All threads will intersect in time. Trust those who love you most.”

Was everyone a fortune cookie now? Grandma Ayeer. Nola. Even Gulliver had all sorts of advice and tea leaves.

Trust without fear.

*****

When we returned years later we would find a most curious mosaic. Eddie’s children would insist on hearing that tale over and over. A regular David vs Goliath. Jonas puts on his old uniform for special events. I’m just glad my friend got his moment in the sun. That’s all any of us can hope for.

Typha

Hall of Ages (Hidden Sublevels)

V’alkor sat. Staring at the Wall that King C’alain had sealed so long ago.

His face a mirror of Eliza and Dexter. His face mustached where Dexter had a neat beard.

Small hairline fractures had spread across the markings. His grandchildren would soon arrive. The battle of the soul of Typha would begin. Cold arms wrapped around him. The souls of his family comforting him. It was the cool of a bubbling spring. Not of a grave. Ayeer’s burial site Ziggurat would line the Arc Way of Earth. Sealing their fate to Humanity.

Trouble quacked softly, <>

V’alkor replied, “To place a puppet of Hidden House within these halls. Yes. For that, he will send the Jungle Dweller of Earth. We must be ready.”

The Throne Matrix throbbed in the rearmost regions of his mind.

The clock counting down.

Second by second.

He gripped his sword. C’alain’s. It still shimmered with the last vestige of Typherian Light Shaman power. It would save him. But not without a cost. He would lose his grip upon the Throne. But by that time, his grandchildren will have taken the mantle. Fulfilling part of the Prophecy laid down so long ago. His blue and silver cape snapped as a light wind filled the chamber. Ghostly eyes stared out at him. Determined.

Resolute.

Unity and Set would fail.