Rumors of Reincarnation (CC, Khivar/Mature) Pt.92 12/22[WIP]

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Welcome Readers!

Janetfl My god Paper I think that was the best chapter so far!!! You could feel the panic that Khivar was experiencing! Oh I really want to see how he's going to get himself out of this mess!! The way you described the different senarios on each planet was just fantastic. I LOVE THIS!!!! FREAKIN' AWESOME CHAPTER!!! JAN

Thanks so much, Jan! The funny part is that this chapter didn’t exist until yesterday. I was really feeling the pressure and just wondered: What would Khivar do?

Wow, part 50!! Way to go! I love the way Khivar's trying to calm himself down.. lol, its hilarious, he really is one of a kind!

‘Why didn’t she stop me before I blew the whole zamn galaxy to Haydeez? Some good she is!
I don’t even think we’re really related.’
He purses his lips in distate. ‘She always thought Zan was such a prize. I’ll bet she even had a crush on that slug. He thought he was THE MAN. Bastard! How did he get away with the Granolith right under my nose? Someone else helped him.
Someone. Someone. But who?
Probably his fracking Momma. I’m so glad I never have to see HER fugly face again.

hehehe.. i loved that part! Keep writing! XD

Thanks art_junkie! This whole thing is way longer than I ever expected. Whodathunkit? He does seem kind of bi-polar, doesn’t he? I’m so glad you like it!

ken_r: I might suggest that Khivar gets a fiddle. He seems to have a lot in common with Nero. Once i wrote a story where each side pulled their world just a little out of kilter each time they fought each other. Eventually they managed to change the whole universe. that is the fear when weapons get so big that their influence on the universe becomes measurable. ken r

Hi Ken! Thanks for your feedback! I was thinking of Nero when he was having his breakdown! Now that he has come to his senses again, he will get down to business.


51 - Seeriously

Do you ever feel like breaking down? Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don’t belong and no one understands you
Do you ever wanna run away? Do you lock yourself in your room?
With the radio on, turned up so loud that no one hears you screaming

No you don’t know what it’s like when nothing feels alright
You don’t know what it’s like, to be like me

To be hurt, to feel lost, to be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you’re down, to feel like you’ve been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down when no one’s there to save you
No you don’t know what it’s like. Welcome to my life.


Tension has been brewing all week as the Vid Screens have been ablaze with the news nonstop.

The coverage of Fubar’s demise was spectacular but it pales in comparison to the harangue of dire warnings spewing forth currently, concerning more impending disasters of epic proportions.

Terror of the unknown is causing mass panic.

Doom-mongers on the VidScreens hawk the latest dire warnings with extreme prejudice:

“The lush diversity of the Whirligig Galaxy is in peril.”
“Can the Zhatchar and Zinder disasters happen here also?”
“Billions of lives could be lost in mere minutes.”

The whispers have turned to shouting in the street. “Why hasn’t Khivar brought forth the Granolith?” they cry.

The temperature continues to rise and tempers flare correspondingly.

A maelstrom of violent storms is wreaking havoc on Antar’s already fragile ecosystem.

Wild fluctuations in air pressure have generated torrential rain and ghale force winds which are causing rivers and lakes to overrun their banks. Homes and businesses were swamped by floods and deadly mud slides. The waterways have become fouled by pollution. Wind damage continues to erode infrastructure as structures collapse under the onslaught of storm after storm.

His advisors, that know the Granolith is gone, can only suggest building scads of ships in case evacuation becomes the only solution.

“Why is this happening to me?”

+ + + + +


Do you wanna be somebody else? Are you sick of feeling so left out?
Are you desperate to find something more before your life is over?
Are you stuck inside a world you hate? Are you sick of everyone around?
With the big fake smiles and stupid lies when deep inside you’re bleeding

No you don’t know what it’s like when nothing feels alright
You don’t know what it’s like to be like me

To be hurt, to feel lost, to be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you’re down, to feel like you’ve been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down when no one’s there to save you
No you don’t know what it’s like. Welcome to my life.


Khivar has his spin-doctors working overtime on placating the distraught public with false promises and misinformation campaigns.

People are rioting in the squares.

The Military is on high alert. Martial law has now been declared and curfews are being enforced. Emergency supplies are flowing from his storehouses to give people some semblance of hope.

Part one of his emergency plan has been to assemble transport ships to evacuate his subjects. For what is an Emperor without subjects? Serena and her team quickly started the ball rolling on ship specifications and preliminary plans for the evacuation. His Military Advisors scrambled to carry out their orders and insure that the new ships would be battle ready. Production of the long-range transports are priority one.

Hostilities have been temporarily put on hold due to the massive problems plaguing the entire galaxy. There isn’t much reason to conquer his neighbors if the Granolith is not obtained.

Khivar feels “under the gun”. He has to think fast. And Khivar always thinks on a grand scale.

Being an omnipotent Emperor gives him vast resources. He will conquer this latest obstacle without delay.

He refined his ingenious plan while performing the rote movements of his morning swim.

He decided to forgo his usual massage and get right to work on his flash of inspiration. He assembled his Scientists (the few that the rebels left behind), his advisors, his top politicians and his most trusted Seers. He even invited “bad-news Nelly,” his sister.

The Seers would play a major role in his solution to the current dilemma.
‘It’s about time they earned their keep. They sure haven’t pulled their weight so far!’

What he wants them to do will take immense power and compromise their personal resources. It is on such a grand scale that it will be nearly unattainable. Serena has the audacity to tell him it will be all but impossible, but he feels he has to try. One doesn’t scoff at the Emperor’s plan without reproach.

He sent her packing.

At this point in time, he refuses to listen to any naysayers! His people have been dabbling in these kinds of mind-journeys for countless generations. But while it is indeed possible for a combination of 20 Seers to take over the consciousness of some weak-willed humans, it is entirely another thing to breach to walls of an Antarian’s strong resistance, especially at such an immense distance. In spite of the overwhelming constraints he gathers ALL his resources to the Palace Courtyard on Pinatubo Mountain to make the attempt.

Failure is not an option.

No one ever lies straight to your face and no one ever stabbed you in the back
You might think I’m happy but I’m not gonna be okay
Everybody always gave you what you wanted. You never had to work, it was always there
You don’t know what it’s like, what it’s like

To be hurt, to feel lost, to be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you’re down, to feel like you’ve been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down when no one’s there to save you
No you don’t know what it’s like


Burly guards line the perimeter. General Tove, looking both commanding and menacing in full regalia, supervises the attempt and puts the fear of the gods in all participants. The man is a real motivator. There isn’t a person there who doesn’t realize the stakes.

Apprehension is spiking among the participants who recognize that Khivar is already unhappy with the lot of them. If nothing else, he will accomplish this goal through sheer force of will. Two hundred Seers struggle and toil for countless hours to bridge the space-time continuum. The formidable task to unlock the mind of a King from such a distance in the unrelenting heat takes everything they have to give.

Tove keeps them striving for the coveted prize until too many have become incapacitated by exhaustion or simply passed out from the monumental stress and strain. The few still standing are weeping and gnashing their teeth together in pain. It looks like the last of his luck is washing down the drain.


+ + + + +

It doesn’t work.


To be hurt, to feel lost, to be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you’re down. To feel like you’ve been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down when no one’s there to save you
No you don’t know what it’s like

Welcome to my life.
Welcome to my life.
Welcome to my life.

Welcome to my life by Simple Plan

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Welcome Readers! This episode will be the "high point" of our Antarian experience.

Oh I am jumping for joy that his plan failed!! Serves him right!!! So this is going to be interesting ... he only has the summit now. I we all know how that turns out but we also still have Tess on the scene. Oh I really can't wait to see where you are taking us next. This is so freakin' brilliant!!!! JAN

Hi Jan! Thanks so much for your constant support! You are an absolute gem! I hope you aren’t too terribly disappointed but the summit won’t be for a few days yet. Khivar has a little surprise waiting for him today.



52 - If at first you don’t succeed . . .


Who’s sorry now? Who’s sorry now?
Whose heart is aching for breaking each vow?
Who’s sad and blue? Who’s crying too?
Just like I cried over you.

Right to the end, just like a friend,
I tried to warn you somehow.
You had your way; now you must pay.
I’m glad that you’re sorry now.

Right to the end, just like a friend,
I tried to warn you somehow.
You had your way; now you must pay.
I’m glad that you’re sorry now.

Who’s Sorry Now by Connie Francis / 1958

Kavar summons his errant sister, Serena, to his quarters.

“I’ve never seen them since you moved in here.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“We used to have dinner together.”

“That was long ago. We are grown. We both have responsibilities. I want you to supervise the tapping of the clone’s mind. Without the Granolith, the entire galaxy will perish. If I can find out where it is, I will confiscate it, and leave Zan and his family on Terran to live out their lives in peace.”

“I’ll do what I can. I’ll need complete authority to control the conditions of the trial.

“Agreed.”

+ + + + +

When Serena first learned Kavar’s objective, she marveled in appalled horror that the Seers were supporting Khivar in this endeavor. To enter another’s mind without permission is brutal rape. But the High Priestess and the Seers seem to be in complete agreement with his plan, though it is a major energy drain on all involved.

‘Do they think they can delay judgment forever?’

Serena spent the better part of the day calculating the odds at differing variables and extrapolating the data to isolate required parameters, then set about to make it all work. If it didn’t succeed on her first try, it would be many hours or possibly even days before the participants recovered enough to try a third time.

As she presumed to take over the operation, she moved the location to the consecrated Mount Zhtanhencg whose peak holds the ancient sacred circles of powerful megalith zhtans shaped and aligned to tap into the flow of the very forces of nature itself. The Womban Temple is located at the base of this mountain and the Priestesses of Zofya often worship in this holy place and feel renewed by its powerful auras. The very first High Priestess, Freyja, had the circle of zhtans built over 1,000 centons ago and legends says that the zhtans could be used to communicate with other worlds.

Serena hopes the spiritual ancient circle which has always been shrouded in mystery will help them now.

+ + + + +

Just before sunrise, Serena assembles her group on the panoramic mountain plateau which is the highest point on all of Antar. There are two giant rings of ztones on the ancient site. The larger outer circle has immense vertical monoliths standing tall and each pair of supports is topped with a lintel or flat zhtan on the top. These huge ztone structures are called “trilithons” and act as funnels for the energy waves and bring them into the inner circle which is made up of blue ztones from Cerule. At the center of the inner circle is a flat zhtan-ztone which acts as a table, where an offering to the Goddess Zofya is usually placed.

Serena formed an immense circle of Seers and elder Priestesses jam-packed into the space between the inner and outer circles and connected shoulder to shoulder, one to the other, through touch and each one in contact with the inner ring of sacred blue-ztones. She instructs her brother to place the offering of red, green, silver and blue crystal gems upon the sacrificial alter to represent nature’s elements of fire, ground, sky and water. Now she feels they are ready to begin. Kavar stands at the center of the circle with one hand on the alter and the other hand ready to touch the forehead of the closest Seer when Serena instructs him to do so. This will be the first and ONLY time he will ever take an order from HER!

As it has done for constant millennia, the glorious sun’s rays begin to envelope the ritualistic arena. Under Serena’s supervision, the Priestesses and Seers begin to chant oblique utterings which speak of love and unity. The chanting resonates a disarming cacophony that seems to dull the senses and cause a floating feeling in the entire mumbling assembly as their invocations awaken their powerful connections to the cosmos.

Khivar stands at the ready, wearing his impatience like a cloak. He is sure this connection will bring him one step closer to his destiny. When the sun reaches the proper altitude on the horizon and aligns with the towering shrine, Serena nods her head at her brother, Kavar. As the eager Emperor connects to the final Seer in the large circle, Khivar is pulled into the tenuous mind-link they have formed with his former nemesis, who will probably never even become aware of the intrusion.

At first, he feels a floating sensation, and then a calm and oddly satisfying sensation. ‘What is that?’

‘Happiness?’

His foggy vision clears suddenly and the first thing he sees in this pivotal moment is a pair of stunning dark eyes which seem to look right into the depths of his very soul.

Huge & brown.

And looking right at HIM with such wonder and longing that they make his heartbeat quicken. It electrifies him.

He is so startled by their sudden unexpected appearance that he quickly pulls away and loses the fragile connection.

“ZAMN!”

‘Was that Vilandra?’ He is momentarily paralyzed as he realizes the vital link was lost. He feels a horrendous sense of heartache and grief over the lost opportunity to find out who owned those amazing, captivating orbs.

He puzzles over what this could possibly mean. ‘Ava had icy blue eyes. So who else could it be but Vilandra?

But why would the pitiful boy king be thinking so highly of his sister? Or she of him!’

He had felt the phenomenal emotions that came along with thoughts of those enchanting eyes. ‘The boy WAS infatuated. This just doesn’t make sense. Apparently that planet does strange things to the people that live there.’

‘But who else DOES Zan have to idolize? The wicked wife? Ugh!’

As the unpleasant thought caused his stomach to take a nosedive, Khivar looked around distastefully at the pitiful mass of writhing bodies trying to recover from this latest painful experience.

“Resume at first light,” he growled.


+ + + + +



My grateful acknowledgement is given to “Stonehenge.org” for background information in this section.

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Welcome Readers! Just more of the same today!

OMG Paper this was just GREAT!!! So Khivar has seen through the eyes of our Maxie boy!!! I take it that it was Liz's eyes he was staring at?
I just love this and it gets more exciting every day!!! Keep up the fantastic work Paper. JAN

Thanks Jan! You are my Rock of Gibraltar! And who else would Max be thinking of, right?

A picture is worth a thousand words, but it helps if you know what you are looking at.
There’s a line from “Max in the City” in this installment.


53 - The Eyes Have it

I’ve Got You under My Skin by Cole Porter

I've got you under my skin.
I've got you deep in the heart of me.
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.
I've got you under my skin.

Those amazing sparkling eyes! Mesmerizing warm brown orbs bordered by opulent raven lashes.

They drew him down into their fathomless depths.

They bewitched him with their irresistible magic incantations. They enthralled him.

They ensnared him in their undulating waves of pledged devotion.

They intoxicated him with their promises of unending acceptance and untold pleasures.

His heart pounds erratically and his face becomes flushed whenever he thinks of having her near.

The immense adoration radiating from the depths of those glimmering spheres have set his soul on fire!

I'd tried so not to give in.
I said to myself: this affair never will go so well.
But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know so well
I've got you under my skin?

I'd sacrifice anything come what might for the sake of havin' you near
In spite of a warnin' voice that comes in the night and repeats and repeats in my ear:
Don't you know, little fool, you never can win?

Use your mentality, wake up to reality.
But each time that I do just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin
'Cause I've got you under my skin.


The vibrant chocolate spheres intrude on his every waking thought.

He is a wreck! He couldn’t concentrate on anything else all day.

He couldn’t close his own eyes without picturing those bottomless pools of shimmering eternity in his mind.

They’ve incarcerated his very soul in their prison of love.

They haunted all his dreams.

His pulse races and his stomach flutters every time he imagines looking into those shining love- drenched portals to her soul.

His breath catches and his heart skips a beat as he thinks of possessing this elusive creature he’s discovered. He wants to caress and tease her until she begs for completion. He wants to fill her heart with joy.

His broken heart is reduced to rubble at the thought of being apart from this captivating vixen.

Why is the vision of these eyes tormenting him so? Vilandra never has THIS effect on him when she inhabited his thoughts in her first incarnation. This cloning thing may prove to be a gift from the gods!

What other changes has the cloning wrought? Why is he so attracted to her now? He’s never even LIKED brown eyes in the first place. He always thought them dull and undistinguished. His sister Serena has brown eyes! Is that why they seemed so familiar to him?

Is that why they seem to watch his every move without ceasing?

Is that why they beckon him to come closer?

Who is behind those tantalizing orbs? He will get to the bottom of this, if it is the last thing he does!

People will be dropping like fhlies if something isn’t done to stem the tidal wave of global disasters as his planet continues to wobble in its orbit.

Today is the day he will steal the secret from Zan, have Nicholas retrieve the Granolith and he will use it to save the galaxy from complete ruin.


I would sacrifice anything come what might for the sake of havin' you near
In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night and repeats - how it yells in my ear:
Don't you know, little fool, you never can win?

Why not use your mentality - step up, wake up to reality?
But each time I do just the thought of you makes me stop just before I begin
'Cause I've got you under my skin.

Yes, I've got you under my skin.


+ + + + +

Khivar demanded that they try to re-establish the connection over and over.

The assembled multitude of weary souls had given their all.

+ + + + +

It didn’t work.

Serena haltingly suggested that perhaps Zan had felt the initial link and was now fighting the connection.
They would have to try something else.

Due to the gravity of the situation, Serena ponders whether it would be advisable to let Khivar learn of her fledgling efforts with wormholes.

If a solution wasn’t found to recover the Granolith, the entire galaxy would be doomed.

Millions of lives hang in the balance. She sees no other choice.

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OMG Paper you can't let him know about the wormholes!!! No, no, no remember what can happen? Oh dear I have a feeling that if he goes to earth that Liz is going to be in BIG, BIG trouble!!! I can't believe she has had this effect on Khivar ... or was he feeling Maxie boys feelings. God this just gets even better, if possible, every time you update. I'm so excited to see what's going to happen!!! I LOVE THIS Paper!!!! JAN

Hi Jan! Thanks so much for your fabulous feedback! I love that you love it! I hope this part isn't too much of a downer!
Do you think I can keep a secret from Khivar? I’m afraid you won’t find out today. You do get to see him stew a little longer. You know me. I have to beat every point to death, ad infinitum. So he’s still having another one of his no-good very bad days. Ho hum.
I do have to follow cannon and you KNOW he goes to a wedding. Right? But first, he has to find some transportation.

Let’s find out what is happening on Antar right now. Global warming can be a bitch!

Bad news bears . . . repeating



54 - Galaxy on the Edge



Is anybody listenin’? Can they hear me when I call?
I’m shooting signals in the air. ‘Cause I need somebody’s help
I can’t make it on my own. So I’m giving up, myself
Is anybody listening? Listening?

I’ve been stranded here, and I’m miles away
Making signals hoping they’d save me
I lock myself inside these walls, ‘cause out there, I’m always wrong
I don’t think I’m gonna make it


We have a breaking news bulletin: A major groundquake has struck the Paris Peak area this morning at 5 A.M. The tremor, which could be felt as far as 3 plethrons away, registered 8.6 on the Johnson scale. Major damage was inflicted on the small settlements in the valley at the bottom of Paris Peak. The increased heat had already begun melting the snow cap and when the ground shook, the heavy moisture-packed snow began an irreversible slide down the mountain picking up mud and trees as it fell. One thousand Antarians are estimated to have lost their lives when they were buried by the onslaught. Crews are working nonstop to dig out any survivors who may be trapped in the mire.

So while I’m sitting here on the eve of my death bed
I’ll write this letter and hope it saves me

Is anybody listening? Can they hear me when I call?
Should I take notes in the end? ‘Cause I need somebody’s help
I can’t make it on my own, so I’m giving up, myself
Is anybody listening? Listening?


Another breaking news bulletin is offered by the Interplanetary News and Information Alliance Broadcasting Company: Antar’s Queen Dowager is still missing and unaccounted for today, as the immense tidal wave which swept her island home off the map, washing away buildings, trees and anything not securely fastened to the bedrock is still impeding recovery efforts. Rescue crews are combing the surrounding waters for survivors, but so far, none have been located. Effects of the devastating tidal wave is continuing to wreak havoc on the shorelines along the entire length of the North Sea as death toll and damage estimates mount. More news on the hour.

I’m stuck in my own head and I’m oceans away
Would anybody notice if I chose to stay?
I’ll send an S.O.S. tonight and wonder if I will survive
How in the hell did I get so far away this time?


We interrupt your regular programming to bring you a special public service message: The Department of Interior reports today that the polar ice caps are beginning to shrink at an incredible rate. The increased liquid volume adding to our oceans and seas is causing the tides to swell dangerously and voraciously eat at the shoreline. Whole small islands have already been swallowed by the seas. Before long, it will undoubtedly decimate the many resort communities and harbors still dotting the shoreline. Residents are advised to evacuate to higher ground as soon as it is safe to do so.

So now I’m sitting here. The time of my departure’s near
I say a prayer: “Please, someone save me!”


Is anybody listening? Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air, ‘cause I need somebody’s help
I can’t make it on my own, so I’m giving up, myself
Is anybody listening? Listening?


We now bring you the following news special: Environmental concerns take center stage as the planet reels in response to the horrific explosion that took the lives of 6 Billion Fubarians last week. The entire Antarian ecosystem of the oceans is in chaos as the normal Trans-planetary ocean current patterns have been disrupted. Mass fish die-offs are resulting from the abrupt changes in temperature and desalinization of current habitats. Deceased inhabitants of the deep now line the shores in testament to the immense problems generating at a global level.

Developing pockets of dense smog are starting to choke the atmosphere with ash particulates as unrelenting heat fuels grass and brush fires. There’s been no rain in the tropics for the entire week and the looming drought is causing even the lush vegetation of The Wabe Preserve to wither and desiccate to an unholy brown paper.

Deforestation and crop failure is a major concern. Half of the planet suffers from lack of water and the other half is tormented from unnatural flooding as weather patterns have become disrupted and explode in forceful aggression. Topsoil is being eroded at an alarming rate by the strong winds buffeting the plains and soon there may be nothing but infertile bedrock left in Antar’s prime agricultural regions. Other planets are experiencing similar horrors that portend the even more gruesome realities to come.

I’m lost here; I can’t make it on my own. I don’t wanna die alone, I’m so scared
Drowning now, reaching out. Holding on to everything I love
Crying out, dying now. Need some help!


Khivar is starting to think that everyone blames HIM for the galactic turmoil bombarding them. Is it his fault the sun has gone haywire? No one can prove it to HIS satisfaction. He’s always appreciated a good tan, but now you have to watch out because the high intensity heat is accompanied by an increase in the radiation levels emitted from their scarlet orb. People are afraid to go outside! There are new warnings issued everyday from the Planetary Weather Service.
Signs of the end-times are everywhere.

Even the black ice that dots our landscape seems to glow ominously in the brighter than usual light.

Is anybody listening? Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air, ‘cause I need somebody’s help
I can’t make it on my own. I’m giving up, myself
Is anybody listening?


Khivar is at his wits end! He looks outside at the bright red day and his stomach churns. The sun’s darkening reddish hue warns them that delay will be the death of them all. Nicholas has not contacted him in 2 weeks! Serena thinks the sun is causing communication problems. Without the Granolith, the sun will one day extinguish all known forms of life in the Whirligig Galaxy.

He has to stop mooning over Vilandra and find the granolith and he has to find it FAST!



Is anybody listening? by Good Charlotte

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Welcome readers!

God the galaxy is in a right mess now. I've just realised that you were following Cannon and soon Tess will bring back the granilith with Max heir ... I forgot about that ... ahhh and here's me thinking that Khivar would get his just deserves ... well maybe another time!!!
Great chapter paper ... I love how you described all the different disasters that were affecting each planet. JAN

Hi Jan! Yes, they are having a few problems. But at least THEY don’t have TESS!!!! That in itself is something to be grateful for, IMHO. His summit idea won’t materialize until 11/2000 ET (Earth time). Tess blasted off for Antar with her bun in the oven in 5/2001 ET. So forget about her! I know I did!

watching to see what happens. ken r

Hi Ken! Good to have you back! You’re just in time for Khivar’s big development meeting. Everyone likes to attend meetings, right?

I’m struggling to stay ahead of the posting curve and keep this a daily serial but I’m laboring under an unexpected complication that is taking up a lot of my time right now. Sorry in advance if some parts seem short.

Khivar’s gotten some good news from his sis and he’s in a pretty good mood today.



55 - Eureka! It all becomes abundantly clear.

Khivar was back to choreographing his victory dance.

His good-for-nothing sister had finally come through on something useful.

Serena is developing wormhole technology that can deliver someone across the vast expanse of space in a very short amount of time. Each slip-stream could possibly be maintained long enough to move up to four people! She is currently explaining to his Development Committee that while she is lacking sufficient energy sources for a test run, she feels she could produce one or two wormholes within the next few light cycles if a suitable fuel could be found.

Where she got this epiphany, he couldn’t fathom, because she hadn’t mention an inkling of the idea until now.

“Harumpf.”

Serena explained that IF the initial test was unsuccessful, it would take a long time to determine the problem and reassemble the resources needed to try again. She needs funds and authority to quickly build a massive new structure to contain the radical new device. Initial trials would allow for one test subject.

Don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to say
Cant’ you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?
If the button is pushed, there’s not runnin’ away
There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave
Take a look around ya boy, it’s bound to scare ya boy

And you tell me, over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.

As the meeting droned on, his murky thoughts finally coalesced until one over-riding factor became utterly clear.

HE would have to go to Terran HIMSELF!

This technology would be an affirmation of his brilliance. Because while his ears listened to Serena drone on about requirements to commence this project, his mind was quickly developing the secret plan to heroically go to Terran himself to rescue his beautiful Vilandra and recover the Granolith from her spineless brother. He can then use it to jubilantly return to Antar and correct the failing Sun. He would save the galaxy and kill his hated enemy in one fell swoop.

Rebel sentiment would be snuffed out as a tidal wave of gratitude would ensue from thankful denizens.

Then none would be able to deny his magnificence!

His demeanor left no room for question as he consented: “Prepare for the initial wormhole to Terran”.


Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’
I’m sitting here just contemplatin’
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
And marches alone can’t bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin’
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’

And you tell me, over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.

…Mmm, no, no, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.


Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire

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Welcome, one and all.

Hi Paper ,
Oh dear, he is now going to use the wormhole so he can get his hands on our poor Isabel but we all know how that ends ... so I can't wait to see his reaction to it!!! Another great chapter!! JAN

Thanks Jan! Things are moving quickly now. If things go well, the Summit should be this week!
The wormhole will take a little longer. Unfortunately, Serena’s time estimation left a little to be desired.

Interesting point to assume the clone will have many characteristics of the original. I am working on a story where we explore the difference between the Antarian personality and the human personality. how will the clone of Vilandra react to Khavar? . . . Will Khavar find the clone enamored by his presence and was all the adoration of Vilandra real or survival to live in the world of Khavar. ken r

Hi Ken! I’m salivating to read your new updates, but unfortunately I’m barely keeping my head above water right now.
Khivar will often say or think many things about people but sometimes he just seems delusional, doesn’t he? Like in this part!
Thanks for your feedback. I hope to find some time to read this weekend, but I may be delusional also.


56 - A Dictator Has to Know His Stuff

He has been studying them.

Serena has found a way to pick up remote broadband and high-definition signals from primitive Terran information and media broadcasts emitted from their orbiting communication satellites. Something called “TV” and an even more useful reference guide called the “internet”.

It beats watching Antarian news right now!

The first files she accumulated from natural signals were woefully out of date and useless. But she sat on her thinking mat and then she figured out a way to connect to recent data streams by passing them through a reconfigured orb and by modifying their current Antarian communication wave which uses the anti-gravitational forces of dark energy to propel the wave at many times the speed of light. Nicholas has one of his operatives feeding the information into a slew of the altered orbs at his command center, and he can access it all from his viewing station.

If there was only some way they could get their ships to ride these speedy com-waves, maybe they wouldn’t have taken so freaking long to get Nicholas and his troops to Terran!

The information coming through is extremely surprising. For the first time in his 37 solar cycles, he is flummoxed to find that in certain attention-grabbing areas of the remote Terran planet their language is extremely similar to Antarian! They simply drop a few letters here and there and insert new ones in other words to confuse and mystify anyone looking.

It doesn’t hide the fact that major populations of Terran’s people speak Antarian.

The Terrans call the Antarian language “English”. Some of the trendier new words that seem to be all the rage are actually used by his people every day! And all across their measly rock, Antarian words are also interspersed with the other Terran languages!

The similarities are too profound to be chance occurrence.

‘Of course! He used the Granolith to accomplish this!’ Khivar is impressed by Zan’s resourcefulness at establishing this takeover in such a relatively short time. ‘It seems the boy king has been very busy putting his protocols in place. Maybe he is good for SOMETHING after all,’ he thinks jokingly.

“Nah!”

This is certainly a tremendous advantage for him nonetheless. Everything he ever wanted to know about Terran is right at his fingertips! It’s amazing! It makes him feel like a young boy in school again. Except, this time he WANTS to learn everything he can get his hands on! He feels like a kid in a candy store. He is going to learn all about this strange and unusual place before he goes and then he can impress Vilandra with his proficiency.

He can see it now. She will be amazed at his knowledge in all things Terran! She will fall all over herself gushing over his skill and expertise. She will be so impressed that she will immediately beg him to mate with her. He sits down and imagines the scene in his mind. ‘Vilandra is a lucky woman indeed!’

‘Women do want a competent mate.’ And he has always been more than proficient in THAT area!

This reunion with Vilandra will be everything he’s always dreamed of in a connection with his soul’s mate. And all he has to do is absorb all this CRAP! Who is he kidding? He HATES education! In any form!

He’d rather be out honing his sharp-shooting skills with Tove!

Maybe Serena can rig up some way to let him absorb all this junk in his sleep? Khivar doesn’t care how she gets the information absorbed into his grey matter, as long as he isn’t chained to his VidScreen.

‘Hey, this looks interesting. Military web-sites. Tove should see this! Combat techniques, weapons specifications, ranges and styles. Cool! Here’s some information on who is in power and where. Useful! Maybe this won’t be so bad after all!

He’ll also have to ask Nicholas to send through a picture of Vilandra as she looks now. He now knows what her eyes look like. He knows them intimately. He hopes any other changes from her old form will also be pleasing to him. Nicholas assures him that they are compatable ages. They must have matured pretty quickly! If Terrans have some sort of acceleration device to bring their offspring to maturity at a rapid rate, he wants one!

He’s not sure how that is possible otherwise, since it’s only been just under 15 solar cycles since the day Zan was killed here on Antar. He had just gained his first office at the young age of 20 when the unfortunate and untimely death of King Zander set everything in motion for his rise to power. After that he rose like a juggernaut to the highest office in the galaxy. Someone had to send the clones to Terran and give them time to mature. Nicholas even had to employ his first set of husks. ‘Hmmmmm?’

‘Oh, that’s right. Serena was telling him something about “time-dilation”. He had asked her how Nicholas could have thought he was on Terran for 50 years, when he hasn’t even been GONE from Antar that long! Serena says that the temporal stream is stretched out as it moves faster and faster away from the center of the Universe where the original explosion took place that first formed the planets and galaxies. While Terrans experience time passage the same way Antarians do, their time stream is actually moving a lot faster as it is pushed outward by the repulsive properties of dark energy's anti-gravitational forces. The closer to the “big bang” one is, the slower the time stream moves as everything becomes elongated. It gives him a headache just trying to imagine it! So he tries not to think about it at all!

Right now he is having a lot of fun laughing at the monkhey antics of this backward race.

Khivar is highly amused by the puny unevolved humans. They are a truly violent race. If they aren’t engaged in outright hostilities, then they are scheming together in backroom machinations. If they weren’t so utterly pathetic, he might be worried about their aggressive proclivities. They even attack each other through usage of their VidScreens with something called “the blue screen of death”. He intends to have Serena find a way to duplicate this weapon so he can use it here. It sounds very promising! Imagine your enemy turning on the news and “Zap!”

“Ha, ha, HA!”

He also read something about viruses that attack communication networks. There are all kinds of new toys on Terran he wants to try!

Once he has the granolith though, he and Vilandra will say goodbye to the undeveloped vermin breeding ground. It will never be equal to his beloved Antar. He will return with the granolith and everything will be grand once again.

The backward humans haven’t even mastered cold fusion yet. Most of their weapons wouldn’t scare a hatchling. The only one they are truly concentrating their wealth to accumulate would wipe out life on their entire planet.
Khivar chuckles loudly, which is a most unfamiliar sound.

‘Those numbskulls wouldn’t even be able to leave it after they ruined it for themselves because they have no interplanetary means of travel. What utter fools! They aren’t welcome here! Without the granolith, Zan will perish there with his new-found friends.’

There is one major thing that does greatly trouble him about his study of Terran.

He is chagrined by the fact that one of their Terran rulers, a King Soloman also had 700 wives and 300 mistresses. Some of his wives have been killed in the various mishaps that are befalling Antar even now, but he believes the count is accumulative and not for any one specific day in time. Soloman must have lost wives by attrition also. But he can’t let a puny Terran hold a record over HIM. He will surpass that charlatan when he marries Vilandra, but in the meantime, it couldn’t hurt to accumulate a few more concubines. A man can never have too many of those.

He remembers the lovely woman who works at Olde Tankard Tavern. He decides to invite Joovee to Crystal Palace for dinner and a walk in his gardens. Perhaps she will stay the night. Perhaps longer.

‘No one bests ME!’

[paper]

Welcome readers! I'm glad you survived that last technical trauma!

He can see it now. She will be amazed at his knowledge in all things Terran! She will fall all over herself gushing over his skill and expertise. She will be so impressed that she will immediately beg him to mate with her. He sits down and imagines the scene in his mind. ‘Vilandra is a lucky woman indeed!’
‘Women do want a competent mate.’ And he has always been more than proficient in THAT area!

Well he's certainly up his own ass isn't he!!! OMG Paper you brought back the egotistical Khivar. I am glad he is back to his old self!!
You said on one of your feed backs to me that I was good at the technical stuff ... well what can I say ... I think you beat me hands down on this chapter!!! Another great update. JAN

Thanks Jan! That is high praise! I really worried that everyone would think that entire chapter was “bunk”. You have to take some things with a grain of salt, but when someone goes to Antar and comes back, THEN they can tell me whether or not my “time-dilation” theory is correct. Until then, watch out for all the mini-black holes they now say are floating around “everywhere”.

your despot reminds me so much of students i have known. I always nurtured a love of learning but there were many who only wanted the short cut. Just give me the solution never mind that getting the solution teaches skills that can broaden the students to learn new things on his own.
When Russia put up the first sputnick and the next dognicks to circle the world about 1955, everyone went on a feeding frenzy to force science and mathematics down everyone's throat. That didn't bother me because i was already on the road to Mathematician. someone wrote a Sci fi story about the wars of the engineers. Somewhere along the line they needed a poet but all the children had been turned into engineers. Well the despot only sees the war machines from earth. He never understands that all machines need dreamers behind them to envision the moral value of their use. From the world of the cat ken r

Hi Ken! Khivar is a lot like your students. He doesn’t care HOW something is done, as long as it goes his way! Thanks for your feedback! Here’s a little poetry to tide you over, courtesy of Khivar.



57 - Comes the inquisitor

Khivar was on the scene bright and early the next day as he hovered over Serena to get a glimpse of her current project. He was making an Emporal nuisance of himself, asking questions of everyone he came in contact with.

He was certainly confounded as to where Serena had been hiding her idea all this time. While her guileless nature didn’t cause him any worry, he certainly didn’t believe her story about it coming to her in a dream just as it was needed. But he was confident that his Seers kept him informed of all pertinent information.

Still, he felt that on-site supervision was in order. Even if it seemed to be driving his sister up the wall.

Serena’s ideas were pretty far beyond the pale of reason and expectation, but the quantputer projections seemed to support her conclusions. Her original estimate of two light cycles turned out to be a pipe dream! Her depleted team has been working day and night for a lunar light cycle and progress has been slow.

If only he hadn’t lost so many of his best Scientist in the last rebel attack!

The heat and humidity makes everyone cranky and there have been a number of accidents that caused major setbacks in the schedule. While progress is hampered by the weather and a shortage of proper materials, the building and containment facilities are slowly being completed.

Serena is confident that the wormhole will stand the test.

She wasn’t very happy when he let her know that HE would be the test subject. She is going over the delicate equipment with a fine tooth comb.

A sufficient power supply still eludes them but Serena is testing a new process to convert the black ice energy war-wounds that desecrate their landscape everywhere into a new fuel source. It may even work in the evacuation vessels, so he’s given her more funding to research its possible uses.

+ + + + +

I’m not a perfect person
There are many things I wish I didn’t do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want to let you know

I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I use to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you


Romeo & Juliet, ACT II SCENE II by William Shakespeare: “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East and Juliette is the sun.” Khivar really got a kick out of reading some of their literature. He wondered just what these Terran creatures are really like. ‘Kind of corny, really!’

“Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou her maid art far more fair than she. . . “

I’m sorry that I hurt you
It’s something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That’s why I need you to hear

I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I use to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you


‘What was SHE like? HIS Juliette.’

‘Her eyes bespoke of gentleness and kindness. And love. So much overwhelming love that my soul aches for her.'

His every molecule heats up at the thought of taking her again for the first time.

‘Would she be a virgin? Yes,' he decided. She would be for him alone. A great prize for a great man. His due.

As her eyes came to mind once more, he quietly breathed out: “I’m coming for you, my love.”


I’m not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I’ve found a reason for me
To change who I use to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you

I’v found a reason to show
A side of me you didn’t know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

The Reason by Hoobastank

[paper]

Welcome Readers! Sorry! No post on Friday. I need a day off.

Just for fun, scroll back a little bit to see the signature on my last post. Look! A picture of all the remaining Heads of State.
Whodathunkit? Can you guess which one is our beloved Kavar?

Well I don't think he is going to be very welcomed do you? Another great chapter Paper. JAN

He did see love in her eyes. What can I say? The guy is smitten! Thanks Jan!

remember in the 60s i was one of those searching for the "Poet"
is Khivar after Liz? ken r

Khivar is looking for “HIS” Vilandra. Thanks for your feedback Ken!
No poetry here. How about a song?


58 - New “York”


Start spreadin’ the news. I’m leaving today
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York
These vagabond shoes are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it, New York, New York


At last, his absent general has made contact. And Nicholas has finally come through on something. Although he’s made limited progress on pulling the two changzling protectors under his thumb, Nicholas has finally managed to finish off the original Zan who he determined knew nothing about the granolith and was merely a decoy.

He’s also found a way to convince the second Zan to come to new “York” to “supposedly” meet with the heads of every planet in the Whirligig Galaxy in a Peace Summit. Khivar’s plan is coming to fruition nicely!


I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
And find I’m king of the hill, top of the heap

These little town blues are melting away
I’ll make a brand new start of it, in old New York


Even the dearly departed Hanar would not be conspicuously absent, since Khivar’s going to play the part of Hanar to pull off the ruse. He isn’t delighted that he will have to occupy the form of a caustic old lady for the event, but the character fits Hanar’s brusque demeanor to a “t” so he’s not going to throw a tantrum over it.

It’s all in good fun.

After all, Nicholas has had to play the part of a pre-pubescent teen for the last 50 solar cycles on Terran. Kavar figures he can be a good sport just this once. It will be like an immense practical joke on Zan and he loves those!

Because he will be attending in drag and assuming a false identity, there’s no chance the timid Zan will discover that the knight in shining armor who liberated the entire galaxy from his ineptitude is sitting right there next to him. He snorts at the thought.

Khivar also wants to make sure the insipid fool doesn’t panic and do something stupid.

They will send an emissary from the order of Zofya to learn if Zan still retains the royal seal before they let him attend. Then it will be Nicholas’s show all the way. Khivar intends to calmly sit back and watch the jubjubs line up in a row. After all, a jub in the hand is worth two in the tumtum. Unless he’s just feasted on one. In that case, that axiom is completely off base!

‘Hmmmmm. Maybe I have time for a little snack before we start?’


If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere
It’s up to you, New York, New York

I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
And find I’m A-number-one, top of the list,
King of the hill, A-number-one


Khivar knows that the Seers will facilitate the forging of the same type of mind-links they used to enter Zan’s mind, but they will find it a lot easier to take over multiple humans.

The other Heads of State are also using the same method to participate and all have assured him that they will pretend that the absent Hanar is still alive and in attendance. They have agreed to the deception because, after all, Hanar was to blame for the planetary demise that has caused the need for Summit in the first place.

His former mistress, Kathana, would never dare to cross HIM.

And both Larek and Sero have asked for sanctuary on Antar.

They will toe the line.

They are all in the same sinking yacht without a life-vest. He’s coerced them not to reveal their dire predicament to the ignorant royal pretenders with intimidation and menacing threats of stiff penalties and banishment. His Seers would inform him if one of them miss-stepped.

Nicholas will try to get Zan to turn over the Granolith willingly by extending a generous offer of peace and sanctuary. Not to mention, safe passage home in the Granolith. The clueless kid will jump at it. After all, millions of lives hang in the balance. And Zan always was a sucker for the common man.

Nicholas and the Bhrillig could bring the coveted artifact back to Antar, with the Royal Three in chains and his new Empress upon a silken cushion.

Maybe he can now scrap the plan for the dangerous wormhole trip to Terran and start planning all the other wonderful ways to exploit his amazing new traveling and power resources.


These little town blues are melting away
I’ll make a brand new start of it in old New York
If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere
It’s up to you, New York, New York, New York!!!

New York, New York lyrics by Fred Ebb & composed by John Kander as sung by Liza Minnelli

[paper]

Welcome readers!

Hi Paper,
I thought you said that there was no post today and then I scroll down and there was another chapter. Hey I'm not complaining I'm a very happy lady!!! OMG I LMAO when I realised that Khivar was going to be a woman. I am really interested in finding out how he is going to save the planets when the Granilith stays on earth ... erm since there's no Tess to take it back. I love this paper but please don't put pressure on yourself to post every day. We all know how busy RL can get.
JAN

Hi Jan! I aim to please, but uhm, that was my Thursday post. So this one is early and it hardly seems like I skipped a day! The only thing I can say about Tess is “problem solved”. Thanks for your sweet feedback, Jan!

New York, New York, was part of my son's memorial CD i made. He was a jazz trumpet player. Ok so we see that now it will be Liz who puts "the brick in the wringer" or as Khivar would say it the "kick in the winger." the poor dups never knew they were just decoys. of course that doesn't explain why Ava was so nice and Tess so bitchy. Which Vilandra does Khivar want, Lonny or Isabel? Oh so complicated. Oh well, i will get back to my story the Slave Girls, the banner is so sexy that i will have to see if i have the courage to ever post it. ken r

Khivar doesn’t even know there “is” a Liz at this point. Let’s keep him in the dark. It’s more fun that way. Thanks for your feedback, Ken!

OMg I missed so much, Im so sorry paper, it wasn't intentional your story is freakin awesome!
Im all caught up now and all I have to say is wow!
Your imagination simply astounds me!
Great job! Carrie

Hi Carrie! Glad you found your way back here. Thanks for the complements. You are too kind! I hope you continue to enjoy my wild imaginings.

This chapter includes actual dialogue from the “Max in the City” episode of Roswell (with name correction to match current spelling). All credit goes to the original writers and owners of the show. No infringement is intended.

To get everyone in the mood, here’s music from the original episode:
How to Disappear Completely by Radiohead




59 - The Summit was a Bummer!

That there, that’s not me
I go where I please
I walk through walls
I float down the Liffey



The Summit was a complete bust. Zan showed up with the ever irritating Avaria on his arm and the other two ruffians in tow. Even though he’s used to having the entire galaxy at his feet, Kavar played his part to perfection! He even remembered to pretend that 50 years had gone by on Antar as well as Terran. He was amazing!!!

I’m not here
This isn’t happening
I’m not here, I’m not here
In a little while I’ll be gone
The moment’s already passed
Yeah, it’s gone


+ + + + +

(Back at the summit)
LAREK: We're here in the spirit of reconciliation. We're not here to rehash the past, point fingers, and assign blame.
HANAR: Can we get to it? We're here to end 50 years of misery and suffering among our worlds. Kathana attacks Khivar. Khivar attacks Sero. Sero attacks me. The situation is intolerable!
SERO: Agreed! We have to find a solution.
NICHOLAS: And Khivar has a solution. Khivar will abdicate the throne and allow the royal four to return home under the following conditions: 1) Max becomes king only in name. All real power and government remains in Khivar's hands, 2) Max calls upon his followers to lay down their weapons and support the new government, and 3) Most importantly...Max returns the granilith to us.
KATHANA: The granilith?
NICHOLAS: No, it's no longer on our world. Yes, we've known about it for a long time. No, Khivar decided he didn't need to tell you. And, yes, we know where it is. It's with Max.
LAREK: Is this true, Max?
MAX: It's here.
LONNIE: What?
NICHOLAS: So there you have it. Max comes home with the granilith. All is forgiven. Do we have a deal?
MAX: I...need to think about this.
LAREK: I'd be surprised if you didn't. But be quick about it. Holding onto these bodies isn't easy. In fact, it's chewing up huge amounts of our resources. 20 minutes, Max...then I need an answer.
MAX: You'll have it.

+ + + + +

In a little while I’ll be gone
The moment’s already passed
Yeah, it’s gone


Nicholas kept messing up the name of their galaxy to throw everyone off kilter. ‘What the heck is a “whirlwind” anyway? It sounds like some sort of atmospheric event!’ It wasn’t enough to distract him from his biggest disappointment of the day, though.


His once courteous and genteel Vilandra really was a troll. He finds all of her imperfections exceedingly distasteful.

She had all the horrible qualities Nicholas had enumerated. She was rough and tawdry. It hurt his heart to think she had been ruined this way.

While still physically attractive, her greed and power-hungry manner turned his stomach. But it was her eyes that gave her away. They were not the eyes of his angel. He would leave her to Nicholas, if the original could be secured.

General Rath was a joke. He kept calling everyone “Peeps from the hood”. True to his name, he was a sewer rath. There was no threat there. The boy didn’t have a brain.

Zan was another story altogether.

I’m not here
This isn’t happening
I’m not here, I’m not here

Strobe lights and blown speakers
Fireworks and hurricanes


+ + + + +

(Back at the summit)
LAREK: Well, Max, have you made your decision?
MAX: Yes, I have. And the answer is no. I will not give up the granilith to you. Not to you, not to Khivar, not to anyone. It was entrusted to me.
NICHOLAS: You're all witnesses. Khivar tried to be reasonable, tried to extend a hand of peace...and had it slapped away. Our business is at an end here. Our offers are withdrawn.
KATHANA: You made a lot of enemies here today.
NICHOLAS: Do you ever wonder why your predecessor was killed? He made bad decisions.
(Nicholas leaves)
LAREK: You don't remember any of this, I'm sure, but...our families used to be very close. You and I practically grew up together. I was there at your father's funeral. At your coronation, your wedding. We were friends. And it was so painful to watch you fall, to see you trying so hard to make a better world for your people. And then to watch you have it all taken away by a man like Khivar...I told you you were trying to do too much too soon, that change takes time. But you wouldn't listen. You just kept...what's the point? It's all ancient history now. What a shame it is to see history repeat itself.
(Larek leaves)

+ + + + +

As the other belligerent participants continued bumpin’ their gums, he seemed thoughtful and questioned everything. He didn’t roll over like Nicholas claimed he would. He admitted that he was in possession of the Granolith. But he would NOT deal.

Now he has a public relations SNAFU to clean up! There is no way to hide the absent Granolith now that so many people have participated in the mind-links.

I’m not here
This isn’t happening
I’m not here, I’m not here

+ + + +

“So this is why you’ve done nothing! We thought you were just having problems because you lacked the seal! Why didn’t you inform anyone?” Sero demands angrily.

Khivar let his Public Relations Director respond to their complaints: “This is exactly the type of thing we’ve been trying to avoid!”

Larek’s question is one of measurement: “How long has it been out of your control?”

“The relic has been missing for only a few solar cycles.”

“It’s been gone for solar cycles?” Kathana inquires with disbelief.

“We believed it was still here on Antar. When it couldn’t be located, his Majesty expanded our search to the rest of the galaxy. Every Seer has been working night and day! Then . . . finally . . . on a routine fact-finding visit to Queen’s Island, one of the Seers gained an inkling into what really happened. She saw a vision of the Granolith being loaded onto a long-range Star-Kroozer. There were Changzlings who also boarded. We knew then, that the Granolith had been stolen by the Dowager Queen and spirited away somewhere. Nothing was said due to the sensitive nature of the subject. No one wants to cause MORE panic to sweep the streets.

It’s taken many more solar cycles to get a lead on where she’d hidden it but we finally learned that the crafty Whitch had it concealed on a small backward planet called “Terran”. His Eminence had sent operatives to recover it as soon as we were able to get a ship prepared. But the Queen has hidden it well. Without the former King’s Seal, the Granolith cannot be called forth. (Everyone thought that the King’s Seal was lost when the last of the Zander line was killed.)

“What will we do now? The Granolith has protected our Galaxy since the Great Catastrophe when the Sun swallowed its first two children.”

The proficient Director spins the company line to placate the other Heads of State as Khivar sits stoically on his throne, regretting that he’s approved this audience in the first place. Next time he’ll just send them a memo.

“We expect to retrieve the Relic without delay. Now that we have verified the existence of the Royal Simulations, they will also be retrieved and returned to Antar.”

‘Yeah. In a Tumtum box,’ the Emperor thinks scornfully as he continues to let his aide hold the floor.

“You WILL be notified when that occurs. Until then, we would appreciate your discretion in this matter.”

“In other words, you don’t want this travesty to be revealed!” Kathana quipped sharply.

Khivar regally stands to gain everyone’s attention and speaks at last: “Correct. Depart.”

+ + + +

They’ll keep their mouths shut if they know what’s good for them. Meanwhile, he wonders what else can be done to rectify this minor set-back. The situation was becoming very delicate now. Khivar knows he won’t be able to force Zan to willingly give up the Granolith, so he will have to subtly work around it. He doesn’t want to chase his prey underground.

General Nicholas will have to continue using covert surveillance and finesse to get the better of Zan and gain his objectives; recovering the real Vilandra and securing the Granolith. Khivar hopes the twit is up to it. But he leaves nothing to chance. Nicholas doesn’t have a good track record so far.

Now, part Three of his plan would have to be employed – The Wormhole Express.

[paper]

Welcome readers. I hope everyone enjoyed the jaunt to Earth, even if it was only in our minds.

Okay! that is all i can say for the minute ken r

Thanks for your feedback, Ken! I’m glad that everything is still ok. Sounds like you are laboring under the same kind of time constraints that I am. Here’s hoping things go smoothly!

So they now know that he hasn't got the granilith!! Things are starting to get out of his control and I am wondering how he is going to deal with all of this ... but it's good to see he is no longer panicking he's his usual lovely self.
Another great chapter. JAN

Thanks for your feedback, Jan! You can only panic for so long before it becomes the same old hat. He has a new plan today, and he owes it all to you, Jan.
Because you reminded me that Tess was actually in the show.
Seeing as how I had forgotten all about HER.

Tomorrow’s chapter is all about Tess also. Something to look forward to, right?
I’m sure everyone is getting tired of hearing about Khivar, Khivar, Khivar, ad nauseum.



60 Would You Like Whine With Your Meal, Zan?

It’s been a complete lunar cycle since that terrible summit on Terran. Let’s see, Serena says that’s about 5 1/3 lunar cycles onTerran due to the time dilation discrepancy. One entire lunar cycle since he’s become reacquainted with his good buddy, Zan, again.

He’d like to forget he was ever there. What a farce!

The only thing it accomplished was that he got an up-close and personal look at his enemy.

Know thy enemy. The old axiom still applies.

He knows what the Zan clone looks like. He knows what the Zan clone sounds like. He knows . . . nothing else! Khivar decides to send new orders to Nicholas. Being so far away, it’s not like you can talk back and forth. Nicholas sends a transmission which Khivar watches, then he sends a return transmission with his orders. Now that he has this new understanding of the Zan clone and the problems they face getting the dog to roll over, he can “suggest” a new course of action. Nicholas has wasted enough time!

Avaria has helped them in the past on Antar.

She will help them again. He wants information, yes. But he also wants more.

Nicholas told him the day of the summit that Avaria came to their aid and helped him and his crew escape when Zan had them trapped in one of his royal strongholds. Zan was just about to put them all to death for following him to Terran, when Avaria stepped in. She convinced the insipid Zan that SHE should be the one to kill them all since a king should not have to get his hands dirty and she sorely wanted to demonstrate what she is capable of anyway. Then she managed to mindwarp Zan and his gang of thugs to think that she used her Zinderian powers of flame throwing to break their husks and end all of their lives. Nicholas and his crew slipped safely out the door during her deception and Zan was none the wiser.

She is still trying to trick the fool into revealing where the Granolith is but so far her efforts have come to nil. The wily Zan hasn’t given up that secret yet, but they are now working together to get the location from him. It’s always nice to have someone on the inside!

This new development has given Khivar another idea.

Nicholas has access to chemicals. He has specialists in his ranks that can formulate substances which will cause Zan to act irregularly. Ava can slip them in his food and drink. Or offer him specialized gum. That should loosen his gums! Maybe he will explode if we are lucky. This stuff can really alter your personality.

Nicholas says that Ava helped him in New York after the summit, also. Apparently, the Vilandra troll and Rath-boy tried to take out Zan and Avaria killed them both to show him her allegiance. He doesn’t know what happened to the new “York” Ava-dupe though. Avaria says Zan trusts her more now and she has him just where she wants him. It shouldn’t be much longer before she gains the knowledge they need.

She had been a wealth of information and all she asks in return is to once more be Queen of Antar. Well let her think she has a deal. She can be Queen of Antar again, right up until the time he has her beheaded in the square for high treason! She might last all of 60 minutes as Queen if she’s lucky! A Queen has no jurisdiction now that he is Emperor anyway. The fool.

Still, she is useful for now.

Nicholas is still unaware of Antar’s fate. The planet has stabilized in its orbit and the natural catastrophes have lessened in numbers, but the heat is still an overriding problem. Ice season will come soon enough as their orbit swings away from the sun and Serena says it will be intensely severe. Khivar does not deem it necessary to enlighten his wayward General on the urgency of the situation at this time, since he plans to see Nicholas soon and can fill him in personally then. Nicholas may not survive it.

Khivar plans to rectify his mistake of sending a Bhrillig to do a man’s job.

Maybe he will let Tove finish him off. Tove just loves to redeem lost souls. He has such fun with his torture techniques. The man is brilliant. He is a master at getting people to give up their secrets. He says psychological torture is always the most effective, if not the most personally satisfying.

‘I’m feeling better just thinking about the effects my plan will produce.’

He’ll have Nicholas instruct Avaria to slip Zan some formulations that will allow the puny weakling to build up his muscles, but crash & burn as they take him over like a drug addict. The stuff has been outlawed on Antar due to its deleterious effects, but the military still has access and it has been used as a weapon more than once. With Zan completely off his game, Avaria can use her powers of persuasion to meld him into the perfect patsy and get him to reveal the location of their source of salvation, the granolith.

Maybe she can even trick them all into coming to Antar in the Granolith and sharing in her reward.

Wouldn’t that be a kick?


Well, I feel stupid, but it’s something that comes and goes
And I’ve been changin’. I think it’s funny how no one knows
We don’t talk about the little things that we do without
When that whole mad season comes around

I feel stupid, but I think I’ve been catchin’ on
Do you think you can cope? You figured me out?
That I’m lost and I’m hopeless
I’m bleeding and broken though I’ve never spoken
Well, I need you now

Do you think you can cope? You figured me out?
That I’m lost and I’m hopeless
I’m bleeding and broken though I’ve never spoken
I come, oh I come undone

Excerpts from Mad Season by Matchbox 20