"Morals for Masters"

[Cptn Elias Moore 0]

Between two of the Arcanroot mountain range's sourthern spurs is a large cavernous opening. Despite its size, the opening is not visible--it is concealed by a rock face that blends seamlessly with the surrounding mountainside.

 

A transport shimmer suddenly appears in front of the hidden opening. It materializes into the form of a large, burly figure with thick hair and beard, jutting canines, and a grim look set on his face. The man sweeps his gaze over the vast plains beyond the spurs. A solitary hill, massive and perfectly round, rises from the otherwise flat expanse; a single cloud hangs over it, releasing a gentle snowfall. Even from this great distance, the tower and castle are visible, mammoth structures atop the hill. The man sneers disgustedly at the sight, at memories few of which are fond.

 

The giant turns to the concealed cave mouth. He waves his hand and utters a short series of alien syllables. The rock face fades away as if it were nothing more than a holographic projection, and the opening is revealed. A gentle slope leads down and into the roots of the mountains. The man starts down the five hundred yard corridor at a sprint, realizing that time is short. Down here, he knows, his powers are useless.

 

The Bolian Ardyus waits in the chamber at the end of the path from the surface. The chamber is as wide as a space station and far taller, its stalactite-covered ceiling rising nearly to the peaks of the mountains. The smooth walls of the chamber are dotted with lanterns, and lightposts are scattered about the ground. None of this light manages to reach the ceiling, however, not because of the sheer height of the chamber, but because of the massive cloud of darkness that fills the upper half of the chamber. What light manages to glance off its surface reveals that it is identical in appearance to the nebula from which the Omega molecule was retrieved.

 

Panting from the exertion of a five hundred yard sprint, the giant finally reaches the chamber. He slows down to catch his breath and moves toward Ardyus. "Why are you still in this form, Garthuk?" He asks.

 

"You know sure enough, Lupwof." The Bolian answers. His gaze is fixed on the cloud, a transfixed look in his eyes. "I cannot stand my true form."

 

Lupwof, still puffing, reaches the Bolian and rests a thick hand on his shoulder. "I have grim news. Quantus has been captured."

 

Garthuk removes his gaze from the cloud and gives the giant an alarmed look.

 

"So too, I believe, have Melina and Arman." Lupwof points up at the cloud. "But Arman was able to transport the molecule. Melina tried to set off a destruction sequence on Challenger; I do not know if she was successful."

 

"This is terrible!" Garthuk exclaims. "We must free Master Quantus!"

 

"The humans have formidable defenses against our powers." Lupwof says. "They know all about us and our capabilities. Quantus believes that they have had contact with that damned Rufus. How they crossed paths with Rufus I cannot imagine! What can we do?"

 

Garthuk looks up at the cloud and frowns deeply. "We are going to have to use our bargaining chip."

 

"We were to use the molecule to bargain with the King!" Lupwof says in an offended tone.

 

"And we shall!" Garthuk gives the giant a severe look. "But first we will use it to bargain with the Master's captors. We know now that they are willing to sacrifice anything to prevent us from using the molecule. They have morals, Lupwof... and the morals of others are weapons in our hands... weapons even more powerful than the molecule..."