The document explores the inner musings of the universe as it contemplates its existence and experiences annoyance from the sentient life it has created. As the narrative shifts, a character named Angel finds himself in a dire situation, recalling his past while grappling with his current predicament involving interactions with mysterious beings called the Ark Council. Through humor and introspection, the text examines themes of existence, purpose, and the struggles of consciousness.

3. PROLOGUE
The universe paused.
Somewhere a nerve was being harassed and generally
mistreated.
It slowly gathered its attention from several nearby galaxies and
focussed its cosmic essence on finding the reason for its
discomfort.
This event was not a singular occurrence.
Every so often, it experienced niggling irritations creep up the
central nervous system of galaxies.
Lately it had become a habit.
Still, after the excitement of the beginning, and at this advanced
state of being, very few things made the universe sit up and take
notice.
Time in itself remained a quite hypothetical reality to the
universe, but things tend to start and end, and this universe was
somewhere in the middle right now.
Hmmm, I have picked up a few more light-years around the
waist it seems, imagine that, the distracted thoughts rumbled
through the ancient synaptic web as it noticed its expanding
expanse with disdain.
Old memories briefly overpowered the hunt for the annoyance
as it fondly reminisced on a time when it was the centre of
attention on the canvass.
It burst onto the scene with a big bang and quickly became the
envy of all the other universes.
It had a plan.
It was going to do things right.
i

4. This universe would not repeat the mistakes of the others and
let itself slowly slip into eternity.
Nevertheless, fate is patient and time is relative with destiny
being inevitable… no one would take that bet.
Now a few billion years down the line it had become just
another cranky old universe with an expanding waistline.
Now there were other young idealists, with seemingly balanced
creations on the canvass.
Losing a few galaxies around the waist seemed to become
impossible as time went by, time being hypothetical of course.
It cringed at the thought of having to use black holes to
maintain some semblance of dignity and a semi respectable
tuxedo size.
When did it all get away from me?
The universe slowly turned its attention from the memories as
its irritation mounted, but only for a moment before slipping
away again.
It still headed towards the annoyance.
Sentient life, what every universe desired, and he had in
abundance. Why, he never understood.
They were a nuisance and needed constant supervision.
The torment he endured from the prattle of the other universes
with first time newborn sentients usually ended in a galactic
heartburn, without the prospect of an antacid tablet.
‘Ooh you know what my sentients did now? They invented fire,’
‘Mine are developing legs,’ and ‘My sentients are developing
advanced interpersonal communication skills.’
‘They are?’
ii

5. ‘Yes. The female chatters incessantly while the male clubs
himself to death.’
‘Wow!’
The universe continued its search.
Since these sentient life forms came to be, the neighbourhood
has gone to hell.
It was not sure where hell was anymore. It felt quite certain it
was in one of the galaxies off to the right.
Of course, after the sentients evolve, then the gods move in
with their demands.
Do this; create this; and destroy this.
It never ends, simply never ends.
It found the source of its irritation.
The universe sighed, them again…
iii

6. WAKING THE ANGEL
A Mindlord Novel
IGOR SWANN
iv

7. v

9. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 1
He dove for cover, landing heavily on his dislocated shoulder
mere fractions of a second before the shrapnel started to whistle
over his properly battered body.
He tried hard to remember what madness drove him to set off
in aid of this unwilling damsel in distress.
He thought that he portrait the role of a hero on a white horse
quite admirably; he even remembered his lines for the most part.
Being a little more appreciative of his efforts would have been
nice. Fine, they might both be in a spot of bother right now.
Nevertheless, she could show a touch more gratitude, since he
did save her life, quite frequently following their introduction.
Now she had disappeared and he could feel consciousness
slowly slipping from his grasp, which in all honesty might not be
the worst of the two possible endings he envisioned.
He was quite sure of a couple of things.
Firstly, that the tank like vehicle called a Reaper heading his way
was a serious chunk of metal. Oversized spike tracks, and with
turrets and gun barrels all over the place it appeared overdone.
Every modern art critic’s worst nightmare and they could really
have done something different with the light fixtures.
Nevertheless, who ever designed this monstrosity wanted to
make sure that if it did not rip you apart with its awesome
firepower, the mere sight would cause you to rather just give up
and go away. Far, far away, quite convinced you forgot to turn off
the stove before leaving home and maybe you should go check.
1

10. Igor Swann
Others, after a hasty glance in its direction, might simply die
from fear.
Another more comforting thought very clear in his mind was his
resolute confidence in his training and by popular belief making
him one of the most lethal beings in the universe.
He should know. He was there.
At this moment, his extensive training made him keenly aware
of one other important detail. He would shortly be the
unfortunately deceased, previously most lethal being in the
universe; and he is most definitely here.
As he slipped from this reality, his thoughts took him back to
only a few short months ago.
To a time, he would like to refer to as living in blissful ignorance.
The universe made sense then; it was something romantic way
up there. Stars were what got him into intimate moments on a
hilltop with a bottle of wine and a blanket.
Genes be damned, he thought angrily.
He would have happily lived and died of natural causes by now,
preferably intimately on a blanket, with a bottle of wine, under
the stars.
To avoid more confusion our tale needs to start at a different
point in time.
In the beginning,
No, not that beginning, but rather a beginning we find in the
memories of the unconscious human.
It was a dark and stormy night… No? Oh well, so much for that
good old cliché.
2

11. Waking the Angel
In fact, it was a quite pleasant evening. Birds were merrily
chirping away in the lane of trees next to his favourite bench.
Dogs were walking their owners. People seemingly without a day
job were picnicking in the park and pigeons were defacing statues
without fear of arrest. Everything from a distance of more than 20
feet seemed tranquil and serene.
He often wandered to this bench when he needed time to
reflect on a particularly taxing day.
Feeding the pigeons calmed him.
He stared absentmindedly at the brochure in his hand, which he
grabbed from a pretty girl distributing them outside the gym next
to his office building. He was not entirely sure why.
On the front scribbled in bright red letters the words, ‘A great
way to get fit’.
He felt it should rather read, ‘A great way to get a fit’.
He poured over the wonderfully relaxing things you can do such
as stretching classes, swimming, running, exercise bikes, core
stabilization, circuit and free weights. He expected to read wheel
balancing and alignment on the next page.
Placing the folded brochure in his pocket, he sighed deeply. The
people in the picture looked too depressed. I do not need a gym
to feel that way; I just need to wake up in the morning, he
thought.
Today weighed particularly heavily on his mind. He endured a
tax audit, which was, as expected, a disaster.
Moreover, well, let us just say a substantial pile of other
problems, very much inconsequential to what his genetic code
had fated his life to become.
As in right about…
3

12. Igor Swann
…tick…
…tick…
…now
There were no strange lights in the sky from previously
unidentified flying objects, a glowing beam surrounding him, or
aliens politely requesting him to ‘Take me to your leader
earthling.’
He was there and then he was not.
*blink*
Life seemed to be doing fine without him. A few pigeons were
annoyed since their waiter inexplicably vanished. However, having
the attention span of peanut, this lasted only the time needed for
them to spot a statue with less than adequate poop graffiti.
He awoke in excruciating pain.
Something that resembled giving natural childbirth to a
porcupine crossbred with a full-grown gorilla; and it was stuck.
It carried through every receptor in his nervous system. Every
single one competing to get to the brain first, and inform it that
the problem was in its sector and it had damn well better do
something quick.
His brain however had other concerns.
The burning desire to form a thought, which was contrary to
popular belief, not, ‘where the hell am I’ but rather, ‘where in hell
am I’.
4

13. Waking the Angel
Of course that would have been his thoughts if he had any
control over even a single neuron in his cranial cavity, and in fact
was his first thought when he found one.
Screaming seemed the next logical direction to progress in, but
that also required reflexive mental activity, and a faint
recollection on the general vicinity of his vocal cords.
The torture ceased abruptly, after what he could only surmise
to be days… thirty-three seconds to be exact.
They were there, surrounding him, staring at him with their
large almond eyes imbedded in those pale grey thin faces.
They looked exactly like the government said they would not
look even if they did exist, which they did not, you silly conspiracy
theorist person.
‘It’s all just weather balloons and stuff, so let that be the end of
that. Tea with crumpets will be served in the reception area, but
be forewarned, there are balloons in there, so please do not
panic.’
One of the expert weather balloon pilots surrounding him
screeched.
He had no idea which one.
They were not using sound.
The scream was inside his head. The words were like a tsunami,
rolling in from the ocean and his brain was a pebble in its way.
It smashed into his mind, again, and again.
This time he did scream, cradling his head in his arms, pleading
for the sound to stop.
It stopped.
5

14. Igor Swann
A voice came, soft and smooth, a playful stream full of apology
and comfort.
The tone your boss would adopt and cause you to panic
uncontrollably, because the next words from his mouth were
going to be ‘unfortunately due to downsizing…’
‘We apologize for your discomfort. I did not mean to shout but
we could not be sure the procedure succeeded and you could
hear us. I am Qren and we are the Ark council. The pain you
experienced was a side effect to the procedure used to unlock
those parts of your mind you humans do not use. This was
necessary to release your telepathic abilities. If you wish to
address us simply think a word or sentence and then direct it at
the recipient.’
They stared at him.
He stared back.
It spoke again.
‘What is your name?’
The words were robotic. They had no feeling behind them,
simply a statement of facts. It was a script perfectly memorized,
and seemed alarmingly well rehearsed.
He could think of nothing to say or everything to say but
nothing made sense.
‘Sweet angel of mercy’ seemed to pop up, and somehow out
because a buzz went up around the room.
The grey figures appeared to enter into a puzzled debate with
one another but he did not understand the language.
Qren spoke again.
6

15. Waking the Angel
‘You are ‘Sweet Angel of Mercy’? Strange… we acknowledge
you Sweet Angel. What is Mercy? May we call you Angel? Good!’
Too tired to argue, and far too angry to care what they called
him, he simply sighed in hopeless anguish.
His brain hurt, and raced. It was too powerful and fast. He could
not lock onto his own thoughts.
He designed light refracted super computers, re-indexed the
National Library, and negotiated peace treaties between India and
Pakistan at the exact same moment in time. He also levitated an
urn type object on the other side of the room for no apparent
reason.
His mind now calculated how long he could last before his
bladder exploded. The answer made him extremely nervous.
Angel became a passenger while his mind drove. His mind,
obviously way over the legal alcohol limit, drove a Ferrari over the
Alps with a large red letter ‘L’ in the rear windscreen.
Qren spoke again, ‘it will be a while before your consciousness
accepts your mind, so they may again be in harmony. We will
depart and return when you call.’
They left silently, as if floating. Their long grey robes concealed
any movement made by their limbs, if they had any limbs.
He made a few attempts at grabbing hold of a passing thought,
missed by a country mile, gave up and went to sleep. He left his
mind to solve world hunger, or perpetual motion or whatever else
it was working on currently.
The next conscious period arrived.
7

16. Igor Swann
He had no perception of time, his brain chirped in with ‘7 hours
32 minutes 12 seconds and 42 hundreds of a second since your
last conscious state.’
He took his mind’s word for it.
It waited.
The realization hit him like an Acme anvil in a cartoon. His mind
was not playing dodge ball with him anymore. It was a dragster
revving on the start line, just looking for an excuse to throw him
the finger and thunder off in the distance.
Angel approached cautiously like a kitten stalking a bird for the
first time, slowly, carefully, not to scare the bird away.
Having chosen an ostrich for this life altering experience might
have been slightly overoptimistic, but what choice did he have.
His brain carefully observed his every move from the corner of
its third eye.
It seemed to come to a decision, smiled inwardly, and to Angel’s
great surprise, moved over and presented him with the driver
seat.
Angel understood that this came with a promise to be a real
pain in the arse back seat driver.
For the first time he could examine his surroundings, while it
presented not overly much to examine. Whoever decorated this
place was on a tight budget, with the imagination of a coconut
tree, and not a very bright one at that. It was a dull grey, it
radiated dull, shining dull from every corner of the room.
Wow, I must get the number of their interior decorator, he
sarcastically thought.
8

17. Waking the Angel
They obviously did not fully comprehend the minimalistic
approach to decorating. The grey urn he levitated being the only
aesthetically enhancing aspect to the room.
Great, a toilet, they thought of everything, he groaned.
Now if he could just remember how this walking thing
manifests again. His mind refused to help since it was too trivial a
request.
He lay stretched out on a slab made of a substance his mind
could not interpret, and it tried desperately.
Angel could not remember ever feeling this helpless and alone.
He wanted answers, especially to Why me? He had a thought, I
wonder if they can hear me. The door opened and the alien choir
walked in.
He now noticed one of the creatures’ robes was a shade of grey
darker than the rest. His mind calculated the exact frequency of
light that would cause this deviation.
After they took up position around the table, Qren’s voice broke
the silence.
‘Well rested Angel?’
His mind calculated the angle of the incoming thought and
surmised it to come from the darker robed figure. It was the first
semi useful information his mind produced.
Angel; he had no desire to fix this mistake, the less they knew
about him the better.
Angel formed a response and pressed the send button.
‘What the hell do you want from me? Where am I? What are
you? Did your decorator die painfully? Is there any chance of a
drink? Or an automatic rifle perhaps?’
9

18. Igor Swann
He stopped his mind short of giving them the calibre, projectile
speed, firing tempo, muzzle velocity and serial number of the
required weapon.
Qren’s silky voice entered his mind again, ‘We mean you no
harm.’
‘Is that right?’ Angel interrupted sarcastically.
Qren continued unabated, ‘Your abduction was due to a
hopeless situation which required a drastic solution. You were the
only suitable candidate in age and genetic makeup. Your
predecessor met with an untimely demise. He was involved in an
unfortunate strata-surfing accident involving a meteor1.’
‘The normal procedure of infant seizure and training could not
be employed and was not scheduled to commence for quite some
time. This necessitated the procurement of an adult human. This
is a regrettable and ill-fated arrangement to be sure.’
Angel stared ahead blankly; confused would be an
understatement of galactic proportions.
Predecessor, Genetics, Are they mad? Is he mad? Where was
that drink?
His mind also tried to make sense of this, and seemed bemused.
It made no sense of it either.
His brain shrugged and continued to calculate the amount of
nose hair needed to fill the room.
Qren’s voice droned on.
1 Strata surfing required a space suit, a long board, a strata sail and a whole lot
of guts. The fact that he managed to sail into a meteor seemed quite suspicious
at the time. It is not easy to overlook a million tons of rock coming straight at
you.
10

19. Waking the Angel
‘We were fortunate to find a single male possessing DNA
sequence TNFR-12, the gene necessary for successful mind
transformation.’
Questions swam in Angel’s mind.
He knew he had an exceptional IQ, but why did they need him?
Their technology seemed far more advanced than anything he
could hope to imagine.
They were obviously a superior race, and what did they mean by
predecessor; and where was that damn drink!
Qren must have intercepted part of the thought. He started to
convey a completely different information package.
‘We are called the Ark. We are a race who travels the universe
in search of technology we may incorporate into our way of life,
or we might get lucky and find a new seafood restaurant.’
Qren felt proud of his joke, he was almost sure he got it right.
Humans appreciate these things.
Angel’s mouth did not even twitch and Qren continued, slightly
offended in an emotionless kind of way.
‘Even though we possess some of the greatest engineers in
existence, we do not posses what humans call imagination or
creative thinking, the reason why we need to accumulate ideas
from other species.’
‘Many millennia ago we came upon the mind enhancing
technology. The origins were indeterminable. It was found on a
remote planet close to the edge of explored space, abandoned by
an ancient civilization.’
‘We experimented with the device, but found that our own
neuron structure was insufficient to be enhanced using this
11

20. Igor Swann
device. We conducted tests on all known species but none had an
adequate neurological network.’
‘Hey, take a breath,’ Angel projected.
Qren ignored him and continued.
‘Centuries passed and our civilization became stagnant. Having
accumulated and enhanced all available technology, we were
desperate for an engineering challenge.’
‘Is there a point somewhere?’ Angel projected.
‘Information came to us from a deep universe explorer of the
existence of your planet.’
‘Dispatching a research party, news returned that your minds
were compatible. Unfortunately all initial attempts failed as
humans could not control this transformation and lost their
sanity.’
Angel had a revolting image projected into his mind. He could
sympathize with those unfortunate enough to be ‘liberated’ by
the alien technology.
He remembered how close he had come to losing control of his
mind.
He then reminded himself of the fragile truce he currently had
with his mind, and silently wished that he could lose his mind... or
rather part of it.
Qren continued without pause, ‘determined to find a solution
our research team, by coincidence or by fate, transformed a
human child who did not become insane. Many more years
elapsed before the discovery of the illusive gene.’
12

21. Waking the Angel
‘From there it was a simple matter of reconfiguring our
scanners. We continued to probe from our ships hidden in your
moon’s shadow and selected infants with the gene.’
Though fascinated by this he was now also realizing the gravity
of his situation. Without the help of his mind, he noted with
disdain. His mind was off calculating all possible protein
sequences.
They must need me for a think tank of sort, an imagination for
their engineers.
My body hooked up to machines, with wires and pipes running
from me. My intelligence drained. I am going to become a living
thought machine. I am going to be intravenously force fed
vegetables… ‘I hate vegetables!’ he screamed.
The chill shot down his spine, and cold sweat was dripping from
his forehead.
His mind returned briefly to see what all the commotion was
about, decided it was unimportant, and went back to its DNA
splicing and constructs.
Perceptive as ever Qren hastened his retelling, ‘do not fear
Angel. You have not been brought here as a prisoner providing
creative stimulus for our engineers. Perhaps I need to clarify who
your predecessor was.’
As Qren’s words unfolded in his mind, Angel felt an
unimaginable fear tightening around his soul… he preferred the
pipes and wires!
13

22. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 2
Sweat flowed freely from her brow serving only to accentuate
her striking beauty. The girl appear tall, slim and graceful; a
quality shared by all her brethren.
Her precise movements sent ripples through her toned and
slender muscles. An air of aristocracy surrounded her like a fine
swirling mist.
Her auburn skin glowed with its own light, a side effect of a life
on a radioactive planet, to which her kind had adapted and
become immune to long ago.
This remarkable quality of Elheimr deterred many would-be
invaders and served to protect her people. Elheimr had another
unique property, where its gravity would cycle between four and
nine times the gravity experienced on earth, making it impossible
for most species to visit the planet in its upward cycle.
Unlike the rest of her kind who became docile and inactive near
the top of the gravitational cycle, the extraordinary energy
required to exercise in this gravitational field only made her more
determined.
The girl’s ears pointed sharply upward, as did her eyebrows and
eye corners. Her eyes were uncannily large and in the shape of a
teardrop, a solid dark platinum coloured teardrop, with no pupil
or sclera.
Her raven black hair sprayed majestically and hugged her form
as she performed an intricate, and to any knowledgeable
observer, quite deadly manoeuvre.
14

23. Waking the Angel
It resembled a flowing seductive dance more than movement
designed for precision killing.
She was El, a race of explorers and warriors, a curious and
intelligent people who imagine their kind to be superior beings.
Repeatedly she performed the routines. They were completely
stored in her muscle memory, available as reflex actions to any
threatening situation. Of course, if no such situation presented
itself she was sure to create one.
She handled a strange weapon in the form of a curved metal
alloy staff, bent in the centre and towards the ends again in the
opposite direction. The end points of the staff were fashioned into
blades like those used on sickles, difference being the sharp shark
teeth-like protrusions on the outward facing side of the blades.
This was an awesome weapon of almost unrivalled destructive
capability when compared to any equipped on a single person.
In close combat, the El could deploy, twirl and move the blades
at speeds that suggested that there were no blades. An
assumption with severe continued existence limiting implications
for any would be assailant.
A simply thought would activate an energy shield, which would
form between the two blades. The shield is able to stop any
projectile, blaster or small arms ion cannon fire.
Gripping the centre of the staff in a bow-like fashion and
tapping the centre of the shield released a devastating energy
bolt. A bolt powerful enough to obliterate light armoured vehicles
and in their expert hands even disable the heavily armoured
Reapers.
What made this weapon so impressive was that it required no
reloading. The bow-staff siphoned organic energy from any source
15

24. Igor Swann
in the vicinity. This made the El untouchable in woodland or
vegetation-rich environments.
‘Princess,’ someone started to say.
‘I’m busy,’ she rasped in a voice that would on her death make
the devil wonder if he had come at a bad time.
‘But…’ he tried again.
He got no further.
‘You have one word left, and then you will hold your tongue
and leave. Any words following that word and you will hold your
tongue permanently…’ malice dripped from her perfect lips,
mixed with a fair amount of sweat, ‘…in your hand, do not ignore
this warning!’ she added.
She did not break her stride or falter on a single movement.
‘Meeting,’ the nervous voice said in haste.
‘What meeting?’
<Silence>
‘Are you deaf?’ she snarled.
<Silence>
‘Enough you insolent fool!’ she growled, ‘you may keep your
tongue. Give me the message and go!’
An urgent voice continued, ‘My lady, we have news from the
Ark council, a replacement has been found. You are summoned to
attend an emergency senate meeting.’
He ducked just in case.
Sharin gave a sneer of contempt and her eyes appeared even
darker than usual.
16

25. Waking the Angel
‘Who do these Arks think they are summoning me,
SUMMONING ME? What little respect they bestow upon an El
princess.’
Forced into a truce with the United Galactic Empire, or UGE for
short, because of the inferior El numbers and the growing threat
of the Taur, the repulsive alliance was born from necessity.
She hated the Vanir, the UGE name for humans, even more
than she hated the rest of the races. She had to admit that they
might be mentally superior.
No El was worthy of mind transformation, as was the case with
all other UGE member races. Only the Vanir, the despicable vile
Vanir were worthy. She spat at the thought as if hoping that this
would remove it from existence.
Since her ambassadorial appointment, her duties forced her to
suffer the indignity of consorting with these unworthy UGE
species, accepting them as sentient, and actually pretending to
listen when they speak.
How revolting, she thought.
She spared only a fleeting glance at her messenger before
setting off towards her wing of the palace. The fury radiated from
every graceful stride.
The messenger shared most of the princess’s attributes with the
most notable divergence being his blue eyes and blond hair. The
characteristic features of the previous rulers of the El, before the
current House of El, overthrew them.
He displayed the same ageless quality of their kind, which made
an estimation of their age quite impossible.
17

26. Igor Swann
The other variation to this ‘El-kind’ theme was dark green eyes
and red hair, but these features were the mark of commoners and
workers.
Royalty, such as the upset princess, came endowed with the
dark platinum colour eyes and midnight black hair.
He intently followed her departure, not sharing her unbridled
hatred for other species. He could only shake his head, a reaction
that would have found him separated from said head, had certain
platinum eyes observed this.
Kainen quickly scanned the surroundings for such eyes, but it
was a futile exercise even for the El-sight. His people were near
invisible surrounded by forestation, and his home world was one
large shimmering radiating forest.
The cities seamlessly weaved into the trees, with most
structures built either in or around them. This was not surprising
since the trees provided the energy that sustained their way of
life.
Kainen walked back to his quarters, now quite focused on an
even more vexing problem, what was on the menu for dinner.
18

27. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 3
His senses dulled. Angel would give anything to feel something;
even the temperature in the room was dull.
His mind hit his hand on the table.
‘Bet you felt that,’ it said as Angel yelped.
I have to escape, he thought, there must be a way off this…
whatever this was.
He had managed to convince his mind to let him use the urn a
few minutes earlier. The only reason his mind agreed was so
Angel would stop his incessant moaning, and so he could
accidentally hit Angel in the privates when he levitated the urn
towards him.
‘So are we going to escape or what?’ his mind asked, shortly
after Angel discontinued his contorted pose in the foetal position.
‘How exactly do you propose to do that?’ Angel returned the
thought, feeling quite silly speaking to his mind.
His mind had told him to sing if that would make him feel better
but after the first few bars, his mind cut off his control to the
vocal cords.
‘Won’t they know what we are thinking?’ he asked his mind.
‘No, they seem to be able to read what is in your conscious
mind, and I can control that,’ it smugly stated. ‘They are under the
impression you are thinking about cutting your toenails in the
shape of animals.’
‘Okay, so how do we…’ what am I saying he thought, we? He
was referring to himself in the plural. ‘Oh god, he was going to
end up in an asylum.’
19

28. Igor Swann
He gathered his thoughts again, ‘how do I open that door?’
‘Leave that to me,’ his mind said as he walked Angel over to the
door.
It opened.
‘How did you do that?’
‘Simple, when those things walked in it projected a thought at
the door, and told it to open. I used their brainwave frequency
and did the same,’ his mind explained as if it was the most
obvious thing in the world, and Angel must be the biggest idiot for
not thinking of it himself, which he in essence did but let’s not
confuse the issue.
‘How do we proceed from here?’ he asked.
‘Well walking would be my first choice, but you may run if it
would make you feel better,’ his mind answered sarcastically.
‘Fuunnnyyyy,’ Angel replied.
‘We need a disguise, so let’s open a few rooms and find one.’
He walked down endless deserted corridors and visited countless
abandoned rooms.
The fatigue enveloped him and he did not even think to use
stealth anymore.
Finally, he found a room with an unused grey cloak.
‘Good now we find a way off this ship,’ his mind ordered.
‘I should have figured we are on a ship of sorts,’ Angel replied.
‘Nooo… you think?’ his derisive mind replied.
‘I sensed a faint tremor when we accelerated, thus I surmise our
present course will take us to the back of the ship. I also judge
that to be the place they would keep any smaller ships since it
would be easier to launch ships from the rear.’
20

29. Waking the Angel
‘Makes sense,’ Angel thought wearily.
He listlessly embarked on his journey to the back of the ship.
‘Why did I not wear walking shoes?’ Angel groaned, painfully
aware of the blisters forming on the soles of his feet.
‘Yes, I can’t believe you did not know you would be abducted by
aliens today,’ another mocking thought came from his mind.
An alien blocked their path.
‘Leave this to me,’ his mind’s overconfident thought came to
him, as Angel shrunk back into the hooded cloak praying the
creature do not pay close attention to his unusual shape and
height.
Angel could feel thoughts leaving his brain.
A few moments later, his mind returned.
‘We need to turn left at the next corridor and then continue
another 100 yards to the docking bays.’
The door slid open silently.
‘Wow,’ Angel thought while his mind whistled.
It was huge. Ships lined the hull as far as he could see.
‘Well, pick one so we can get out of here,’ his mind suggested
urgently.
‘Why the rush all of a sudden, and why am I getting worried?’
Angel thought back.
‘None of your business!’ his mind replied, ‘now move it!’
‘You gave us away when you spoke to that alien, didn’t you?’
Angel smirked.
‘Would you move already!’ his mind ordered.
‘No, you tell me what you said,’ Angel delighted in this
opportunity for payback.
‘That’s it. Move over I’m driving,’ his mind replied.
21

30. Igor Swann
They ran to one of the ships, and his mind ordered it to open.
‘You know how to fly this thing?’ Angel asked.
‘I am the most intelligent life form in the universe,’ his mind
replied smugly, ‘how hard could it be?’
Angel sat in front of the command console.
‘Where the hell is the on button,’ he heard his mind thinking
aloud.
Angel heard the faint sound of the ship’s access door opening.
His heart sank.
Moments later Qren floated in accompanied by guards.
‘We have followed your progress on the ships monitors. Highly
impressive,’ he remarked before continuing.
‘We unfortunately cannot allow you to leave. Please understand
the future of the known universe could depend on your
cooperation in fulfilling your destiny.’
‘And if I refuse to cooperate?’ Angel asked fuming.
‘That is not an option you would wish to consider,’ Qren
suggested without a hint of malice, ‘the guards will escort you
back to your quarters. Please remain there until we reach our
destination. Thank you.’
‘We’re screwed aren’t we?’ Angel asked his mind while they
were ushered back to their quarters.
‘Yep,’ his mind replied indifferently.
22

31. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 4
‘Victory!’ the cry echoed along the cavern walls bouncing off
into the distance.
‘Care to wager another ounce of Zellion brother?’ the warm
deep voice asked, ‘you still have much to learn about the game of
Digs, but you will in time.’
Two small black beads stared out from under bushy eyebrows
at the one who made this statement before replying.
‘Yes brother dearest, but who could foresee a fate card
destroying my number one shaft?’
‘Ah, as the saying goes putting your coal all in one bucket. No
contingency plan, which was admittedly a brave move, but
foolish.’
‘Let us not forget that this youth has cried victory before.’
‘True brother, very true, and what a famous victory that was.’
‘It will not be the last,’ a determined voice came from the
younger player.
‘That I do not doubt, and I look forward to the day it will be a
regular occurrence.’
Brom proceeded to reset the pieces and shuffle the fate cards.
He loved this game. It gave him endless satisfaction to out-mine
his opponents, and none except for Kirom once, has ever tasted
the sweetness of victory when playing him.
His only regret was cheating to let his brother win. He dealt a
fate card from the bottom of the deck. He already knew what it
would be; a plague card that wiped out half his own workforce
23

32. Igor Swann
and left key areas severely weakened. This took careful planning
and positioning without his brother realizing what he was doing.
Kirom had won, and he did not stop smiling for a week after,
while Brom pretended to sulk.
It was necessary. He had to keep his brother’s interest in the
game. Adequate playing partners were hard to come by. Even in
the Universal Digs Championship, none came close to challenge
his skill.
The thought seem to amuse Brom and he let out a thundering
laugh that shook a few crystals loose from the ceiling.
One particularly large crystal unceremoniously dropped on his
brother’s oversized foot.
Kirom swore and bounced off into an unlit tunnel.
It took a while for his curses to die down in the distance.
A disappointed older brother watched him depart. Brom was
looking forward to testing out a new strategy he was working on.
As he returned his gaze to the board, he only now noticed the
large gist1, perched on the playing field, twitching his nose at
Brom.
Brom held out his hand and the gist scrambled on. He touched
the creature’s head lightly where he knew the hidden recording
dot resided.
1 A furry little rat creature. However, he had a much more relaxed
temperament and was a heck of a lot faster. They created their own tunnel
structure in the Dwar maze and trained easily, thus they were the preferred
carrier of information, since radio waves did not travel well in these ore-rich
caverns.
24

33. Waking the Angel
A monotonous voice arose from his hand, ‘Brom, Grand Master
Dwar, your presence is hereby requested for an emergency
senate meeting.’
Brom immediately grasped the meaning of this, the Vanir has
been located.
‘Excellent,’ he thought.
He loathed being on the surface, too much fresh air. He missed
the damp musty smell of his beloved caverns, tunnels and shafts
when he was unfortunate enough to be off-planet.
Topside Nidavellir was completely devoid of life. Acid and
sulphur pits covered its entire surface and one gigantic electric
storm fully describes the planet’s weather patterns.
This was one planet where the weatherman had an easy job. He
could predict the weather curled up in bed 10 miles underground.
The Dwar were a stocky, hairy race turned so by evolution from
living underground. As miners and traders, they were well known.
Their cities frequently visited by offworlders seeking a trade
agreement and a chance to lay their hands on the precious metals
and minerals only the Dwar seem to be able to get hold of.
They were rich, rich beyond the imagination even Angel now
possessed.
They loved their underground dwellings, so much so that they
decorated the inside of their interstellar cruisers in the fashion of
their caverns. Stalactites and stalagmites were painstakingly
‘grown’, and all the ships were equipped with burrowing tools so
that they do not physically land on a planet so much as inside a
planet.
25

34. Igor Swann
The race hierarchy was simple. You had miners and captains,
masters of mines, masters of planets and him, Dwar Grand
Master.
He gave the gist a few scraps from those left on the table.
‘Off with you now little one,’ he commanded.
He picked up his gigantic hammer, and set off to pack.
In peacetime, they banned the use of these hammers on the
surface of any habitable planet. It had a tendency to cause
devastating electric storms, not unlike the ones raging on
Nidavellir.
This was due to the build-up of electromagnetic energy in the
hammer core enabling the hammer to cut through solid rock or
metal like a hot knife through butter. It did not only shatter the
rock. The hammer in fact ripped apart the strong and weak forces
holding the atoms and molecules together.
This would release the electromagnetic energy that binds the
electron to its nucleus, which the hammer absorbs and use to
recharge. The hammer would direct the rest of the energy away
from the user and this energy subsequently collect in the
stratosphere.
In a very short time, the energy builds to such magnitude that it
creates the electric storms.
Precise prospecting was the Dwar creed. The few Dwar that
were unlucky enough to hit a uranium or plutonium deposit were
never heard from again, neither was the planet.
Brom’s hammer, a particularly powerful example, needed only a
few blows to cause a super-storm of continentally devastating
proportions. The name of this hammer was Mjolnir.
26

35. Waking the Angel
Mjolnir, handed down from generation to generation always
belonged to the Grand Master Dwar. It was the most exquisitely
crafted tool in the entire Dwar Empire, and it was the first. All
other hammers were fashioned from it. Mjolnir was the symbol of
Dwar power.
27

36. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 5
A freezing early dawn broke on Arken. It would be another 2
hours before late dawn, and the rising of the second sun with an
orbit far closer to the planet, providing most of the heat.
Angel rubbed his chest as he aimlessly sauntered down the
endless corridor. He arrived on the planet three days ago and
since been allowed to wander the palace grounds unescorted. No
one bothered him and he felt invisible, almost as if he was back at
work, only here he did not have to pretend to be working.
Still he wished he could wake up.
He stared at his own reflection in one of the palace’s mirrored
walls.
It was still his face staring back.
Angel was tall at almost six foot four inches, and had a decent
enough bone structure. Angel had a naturally athletic build, even
though fitness was not one of his main concerns, he maintained a
semblance of a decent shape. His dark hair, and grey blue eyes
that had a constant naughty glint to them, along with his well-
chiselled face and broad shoulders made him a very attractive
man indeed. Even the scar running from the corner of his right
eye about half an inch down his temple just made him appear
more handsome in a rugged way.
He had never believed himself an attractive male specimen but
he received constant compliments and attention, which should
have given him a clue.
Confused and lonely he kept walking.
28

37. Waking the Angel
Walking gave him something to do, something to dull the
longing for home. He missed earth, his bench, the pigeons, even
the tax audit would be welcome relief from this nightmare.
He had so many questions, most of which he did not want
answered.
A large memorial stone drew his attention and he ambled
across lethargically.
A strange hieroglyphic language covered the stone. As he stared
at the writing, the symbols started swimming in front of his eyes.
Here we go again, he sighed.
His mind was at it once more.
Qren had told him that it would take months before his mind
would feel like part of him.
Apparently, he still controlled his mind, only it operated at such
an enhanced level of processing, using so many previously unused
sectors, that it felt as if detached.
His mind had found a cryptic puzzle and it would be damned if it
would let this go by unsolved.
12.23 seconds later, it had very disappointingly cracked the
cipher. Sulking, it returned to a state of complete and utter
boredom.
<Sigh>
Angel gaped at that which his brain had revealed to him. How
could this be, he wondered.
Carved on the memorial-stone were the surnames of some of
the most renowned forward thinkers in earth history, stretching
back thousands of years.
He slowly read the latter ones he recognized.
‘… Einstein, Newton, da Vinci, Alexander, Michelangelo, Freyr…’
29

38. Igor Swann
That last name rang a bell, but he could not place it.
Angel shrugged, confident his mind would come up with an
answer shortly, and indeed, he did not need to wait long before
his mind head-butted his consciousness out of the way and
started chirping.
‘137 hits found on Freyr, to narrow the search, please supply
more parameters.’
When none was forth coming, it got back to calculating the
angle between the two suns and the second they would overtake
each other.
He made a mental note to ask Qren about these carvings and
the Arks’ interest in the greatest minds of his planet.
They already possessed the knowledge of the gene long before
any of these men were born, and the transformed humans were
much more intelligent, he thought, with his freezing limbs now
mostly forgotten, he walked on, quite puzzled.
He noticed the ion trails of a few personal cruisers arriving
during the course of day, but did not pay them much heed.
He had more questions than answers in any event, and had no
enthusiasm for compounding his confusion.
The revelation Qren imparted on him while en route to Arken
was too profound.
There were also a few other insignificant little details, such as
standing on a planet a zillion light-years from a place he really
liked to call home, looking at an alien sky, surrounded by beings
that did not exist a few days ago. Then finally coming to the
realization that this represents only the tip of the iceberg and he
was certainly in for a few more surprises.
30

39. Waking the Angel
He walked to the gardens on the other side of the palace,
kicking absentmindedly at anything unlucky enough to be in the
path of his foot’s pendulum.
I am only one man, one insignificant man, how can they expect
this of me, how can they expect me to command galaxies,
countless races, and lead them into war.
‘Why me!’ he screamed.
He fell into a brooding silence.
Angel tried waking from this nightmare every chance he got.
His mind has even helped on occasion, thinking of clever ways
to shock him back to reality.
Angel was sure his brain was only doing this because deep
down it had a nasty homicidal streak.
31

40. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 6
Teral stood on the bridge of his battle cruiser, a gigantic
spaceship.
He calmly gave orders while a battle raged on the view screen in
front of him. The raiders, mostly Taur bombers and a few fighters,
were attacking from all sides, but held at bay by his cruiser’s
heavy shield and directional turrets.
He had been hunting this raiding party for weeks. They
slaughtered settlements on more than a dozen worlds, and some
he could only surmise to be for sport.
These settlers had no valuables or commodities that would be
of interest to the Taur.
He inwardly smiled a wry smile, as he watched the murderous
fools taking the bait.
They were so gullible, but then again, dangling the seemingly
unescorted Imperial Battle Cruiser as lure, how could they resist?
He even gave them a few added incentives. The broken ion trail
of a crippled ship and taking his forward defensive array off-line,
something he knew their sensors would detect.
True, they might stand a measly few percent chance of taking
her but he was counting on this greed.
Why would they not want to return home as heroes having
destroyed the flagship of the Aesir.
The raiders pressed on in the attack and Teral let them get
close, he wanted to draw them all in.
32

41. Waking the Angel
Some were still hanging back, tentative, careful, not trusting
their luck, but more and more joined the attack after seeing the
apparent success of their brothers.
Everything was going according to plan.
Nearly there, just a few more, a few more, he thought to
himself.
He wanted the two Taur capital ships within range. They must
not get the opportunity to escape, he thought.
That’s it, ‘Commander, give the order for the corvettes to
decloak and commence fire,’ Teral barked.
The Aesir were the only race whose ships had this ability, except
for one other very special craft.
The cloak was not so much technology as it was magic. The
result of Aesir mages seated in the hulls of the corvettes plugged
into a thought amplifier. This enabled them to generate a huge
magical field around the ships, which made them invisible to any
observer or sensor.
This however presented one serious problem, since for anyone
inside the field there was no way to observe the outside either.
This necessitated one decloaked ship with a senior mage
onboard to mind guide the cloaked ships.
The development of this strategy took many years, and many
ships. They were flying blind and kept on crashing into each other,
quite embarrassing really, but the captain of the ship only had a
few seconds to feel embarrassed about their manoeuvring skills.
Teral tapped his mindcom to broadcast his orders to his ships,
‘bring the forward array online, all stations fire at will! Launch all
squadrons! Destroy them! Destroy them all!’
33

42. Igor Swann
He sat back in the command chair with pleasant thoughts
spiralling in his mind; did this scum really think the imperial battle
cruiser would travel without an escort? How simple-minded they
must be. At least he will have revenge for his people’s needless
deaths.
The mindcom projected thoughts as voices directly into Teral’s
mind and he was listening with satisfaction. He kept switching
wavelengths, listening in on stations across his fleet.
‘Forward array is on line, commencing fire.’
<Click>
‘Corvette Astor in position, decloaking.’
<Click>
‘Alpha squadron completed flanking manoeuvre, commencing
attack.’
‘Delta 3 and 4 break left, on my command… go,’
‘What the heck is that Taur doing? He is going straight into the
cruiser, must be Mino’t, sleep tight baby.’
<Click>
‘Oh shit, oh shit oh shit; get him off my tail… AND STOP
SHOOTING AT ME!’
‘Sorry, I thought you were the one, who looked like he knew
how to fly.’
‘I’ll fly this thing up your big ugly butt, asshole.’
<Click>
‘WHO IS CONTROLLING TURRET 4? Tell the idiot to shoot at the
moving things; he can’t hit the pretty little lights from here!’…
‘Yes, I mean the STARS MORON!’
34

43. Waking the Angel
‘HE FORGOT HIS GLASSES AT HOME? Get that C^@%$ off that
turret NOW, and eject him through the airlock… of course I was
kidding, eject him through the refuse disposal, we’ll give his family
a medal later.’
‘He’s your friend? Just send him to his quarters for Odin’s sake,
and choose your friends more carefully in future.’
<Click>
‘Bring the Corvette round.’
‘No, the other way idiot, never give your flank to the enemy.’
‘What is wrong with you? Are you auditioning to be a bus driver
at the old age home? I saw that!’
<Click>
‘Alpha three to Alpha two, I am on three, you?’
‘Stopped counting at 10,’
‘Bull.’
‘No really, last one was named Trac’y; she was a really hot
waitress at Blongs on Keras2.’
‘Idiot,’
<Click>
‘Sigma 1 you break left and I’ll go right, we’ll box him in.’
‘No, your other left, F*****, oops sorry my mistake, did not see
you were inverted.’
<Click>
‘Corvette Brondir Turret 7 acquiring target, target in range,
target locked. Firing plasma cannon…’
‘Sir, do they have battle cruisers?’
‘No?’
‘Then that’s… oh shit!’
<Click>
35

44. Igor Swann
Teral watched as his cruiser and the corvettes rained a barrage
of plasma, ion cannon fire and an assortment of missiles on the
murderous trash.
His fighters outflanked them and his corvettes formed a
corridor of death trapping the entire marauder fleet.
He hoped they have some idea of what his people felt before
dying, hopelessly awaiting death.
His people, the Aesir were a peace loving society of mages, who
embraced combat training only as a means to defend themselves.
Renowned as entertainers they were a flamboyant race with
magic being to them what air is to humans.
They were shape shifters; able to take on the appearance of
almost anything they touched. Though they could not duplicate
intricate machinery or complex cell structures, in outward
appearance, they were perfect replicas.
In their natural state, they had no prominent features. Their
‘skin’ and eyes appeared dark blue in colour with a metal-like
sheen. They have no hair, nails, or any orifices. The Aesir
assimilated food by phagocytosis. This means the outer layer of
the skin, with the magic field surrounding it, constantly attracts
‘edible’ particles, which the ingested through the cell membrane.
Their preferred means of communication like the Arks was
mental telepathy. Although, when taking the form of an entity
using any other means of communication, they would use this
instead.
36

45. Waking the Angel
The commander’s voice interrupted Teral’s thoughts, ‘sir, they
are running! We got at least 68 of the marauder ships, including
both Taur capital ships. There were only a few casualties on our
side. Your plan was a resounding success, congratulations sir.’
‘Your congratulations are premature commander,’ Teral
thought, ‘they will all die today, every single one. Send the fighter
wings after them, and I want an account of every Taur ship’s
destruction,’ and to be sure he added, ‘did I make myself clear
Commander?’
‘Crystal sir,’ the Commander turned on his heel and left.
Teral was not blood thirsty by nature, none of his people was,
but after seeing the mindless slaughtering of the Aesir, his people,
his blood, something snapped inside.
Now he wanted vengeance and he wanted blood to flow, the
blood of the Taur. Today he will cleanse this vile smudges on the
universe’s floor. He had the soap and brush, and he was not going
to stop scrubbing until it was spotless.
The mindcom beeped in his head, ‘Speak,’ he commanded.
‘Sorry to interrupt Sir, but we just received an encrypted deep
space transmission from the Arks. You are required to attend an
emergency senate meeting,’ the nervous voice squeaked, ‘shall I
respond in the positive?’
This did not amuse Teral in the least. He savoured these
moments of retribution but alas duty called. He took a minute
before answering.
‘Do so.’
He still did not recall his fighters until he was sure he destroyed
all remnants of the Taur raiders. Only then did he order their
departure for Arken.
37

46. Igor Swann
Teral relaxed in his chair even though a terrible sense of
foreboding plagued his thoughts.
The Taur had become more organized, deliberate and arrogant.
It felt as if some force controlled them, gave them courage. He
could sense an evil mastermind behind their movements and it
was not their current leader Kra’st, who would start to
photosynthesize if his IQ fell by one point. No, something was
wrong, very wrong.
His cruiser gave a faint shudder as the massive hyper-drive
engines came online and propelled them towards Arken.
38

47. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 7
It was not until nightfall that Angel had a chance to catch up
with Qren. He took up stride alongside the leader of the Arks, and
continued to examine the face of his abductor.
Qren seemed oblivious to Angel’s presence.
He did not wish to interrupt, sensing a great weight on Qren’s
shoulders as even the alien’s expressionless face displayed
concern.
They walked together for a while in silence before he felt Qren’s
voice enter his head.
‘Did you have a pleasant day my lord?’
This startled Angel. He was not ready to accept such a title.
‘Please Qren no more, I need time,’ he shook his head and
turned to leave. He was in no mood to get into a debate on this
absurd subject. Qren would not understand. How could he
without an imagination.
He was about to turn and leave having completely forgotten
why he wanted to see Qren in the first place, but got a reminder
from his now manically depressed brain.
It could not find a single thing worth dissecting and exploring. It
has even calculated the atoms in Angel’s body, but got frustrated
when Angel had a coughing fit and kept on throwing off his count
by expelling atoms.
It bing’ed politely and said, ‘Meeting with Qren, Subject: Stone
carvings, 5 minutes overdue.’
Angel pulled a face at his mind.
39

48. Igor Swann
‘I came upon a memorial stone today listing the last names of
earth’s geniuses. What does it mean?’ he asked.
‘Who told you what was written on the stone?’ Qren asked
with genuine surprise. Qren seemed concerned and Angel took
this as being something that is not because he has done
something right.
‘No one, I read it, or rather my mind did,’ he answered in
earnest not knowing if he should lie or not.
Qren took a moment before replying.
He was surprised at how efficiently Angel’s brain had
developed. Breaking the cipher so quickly was truly unimaginable.
He did not feel the necessity to inform Angel of this small detail,
but rather gave him the information he requested.
‘Oh? Well, to answer your question. The names on the stone
are not those of whom you are thinking. The names were those of
the UGE Lords, but to explain this I need to start with how and
why.’
Angel’s mind jumped into an armchair, ‘popcorn check, ears
clean, check, storage cells, check, reception… testing… testing…
check; Okay WE’RE READY,’ it announced.
Qren seemed thoughtful as he started to explain,
‘I did not fully explain the gene’s occurrence on the ship. Please
bear with me and all will become clear.’
‘Damn another long lecture,’ Angel thought. At least his mind
might get off its suicidal streak for a little while.
‘The gene is only found in the male of what you call twin
brothers, two males born from the same female in the same birth.
The gene would only be present in one of the twins, never both,
40

49. Waking the Angel
and rarely occur more than twice per generation. We were lucky
in that your generation had two occurrences.’
‘This however is not the case with the female of your species.
The gene could occur in a single birth and occurs more frequently.
Unfortunately the mind transformation on females has a more
physical effect.’
‘The transformation machine seems to focus not as with the
male on the central nervous system but rather the somatic
nervous system.
That is the motor neurons connected to the muscle and
external sensory receptors. This makes them more agile, faster
and stronger.
They develop enhanced senses and it seemed to augment what
you call their sixth sense as well.’
Angel quietly thought how dangerous this sixth sense
enhancement would make them. No more going out with the
boys, slipping away to go play golf, flirting with the secretary…
men would become slaves.
What horror.
‘This does not however mean that there is no significant
increase in intelligence, but it would solely make them
comparable to the geniuses of your world, which does not meet
our requirements.’
Again Qren took a moment before continuing, it seemed he was
about to divulge information that he was not comfortable with.
Something he did not agree with completely but partook in as a
necessity.
‘At birth we would take the gene bearing twin from the mother
and bring him to Arken. The current UGE Lord raises him until he
41

50. Igor Swann
is ready to take over as the new UGE Lord. Humans age very
slowly on Arken, as you will experience yourself. Therefore we
had ample time for the new lord to reach maturity and be fully
trained before accepting his position.’
‘Thanks Qren, but this still does not answer my question on the
memorial stone,’ Angel said.
‘I was getting to that. The names you saw on the memorial
stone were those of the twin brought to Arken. The name of the
earth family was given to our ruler, though you are correct in
assuming they were also the last names of your earth’s greatest
minds, the twin brother left on earth.’
This made no sense to Angel; he had no twin brother. His father
disappeared right after his birth. His mother had skilfully avoided
the subject whenever he approached it.
He froze… it was as if someone hurled icy water into his face.
A memory peeked thoughtfully into his consciousness. Could
this be the secret, his mother would not tell him? He had a twin
brother and his twin lives with his father? He was surely going to
lose his sanity. This is madness, all madness.
Deep down Angel felt it was true; he had to believe it was true.
He had a brother.
He believed in a lot more, in what exactly he had not decided
yet, but as soon as he did, he was definitely going to believe that
too.
Hallelujah.
Angel’s mind on the other hand was on a completely different
train of thought.
42

51. Waking the Angel
A train heading in a completely different direction and moving
at break neck speed.
Mind link, a link between twins, it thought. Could it be that the
genius of the transformed brother on Arken had somehow filtered
down to the twin, enlightening him in some cosmic twist of fate?
Stranger things have happened, especially to it, especially in the
last couple of weeks.
Angel hastily said goodnight before Qren had a chance to throw
another curve ball into the mix.
He had had enough. His mind blown so many times it felt like a
hopscotch team having a game in a minefield, and they were not
doing particularly well.
That night disturbing visions marred his dreams. It seems his
mind now equipped with the knowledge of him being a twin,
searched for the mind link.
It seemed to have found it.
Visions came and went. Apparently, his mind was struggling to
‘tune’ into his brother’s consciousness. The images were
distorted; a horror movie created by a demented mind. You might
find the same thing if you gave a monkey a video camera to play
with at a nightclub.
He woke in a pool of sweat. Overcome with nausea and a
splitting headache, with his thoughts haunted by the images of
what he assumed to be his father or a 1942 Dracula movie.
Sitting up and desperately wishing to remove the meat cleaver
from his cranial cavity and he assumed that an aspirin would be as
difficult to find on this planet as a decent steak dinner or a flight
home.
43

52. Igor Swann
Angel slowly got out of bed, and struggled towards the
bathroom. His was the only quarters equipped with this feature
since the Arks had no need for brushed teeth or combed hair as
they had neither.
The room had a shower, one of the few pleasures he still
enjoyed. It had hundreds of directional nozzles covering 360
degrees and from his head to toe.
The water massaged his aching body and slowly he could feel
the tension leaving him and his headache dissipating. He stood
there for what might have been half an hour. Quite a number of
times he told his brain to shut the <some choice French words>
up. His mind was acting like a 5 year old kid on a road trip ‘Are we
there yet… are we there yet,’ only it was complaining about
boredom.
He heard Qren speaking inside his head, ‘Angel I sense you had
a difficult night for which I am truly sorry.’
It would have felt as if he meant it if he had actually paused
before continuing.
‘There is unfortunately a matter of great urgency that needs to
be attended to. There is a senate meeting scheduled for later this
morning and you would be the reason. I would ask you to remain
in your quarters till an escort arrives to collect you.’
Angel did not care, he wanted to be alone, and staying in his
quarters would be a welcome relief. He also had an excuse now
not to take his mind for a walk.
His room was comfortable, decorated in a number of earthy
colours, which he accidentally chose while examining all the
switches in his room. This was calming.
44

53. Waking the Angel
The human who created this room spend a lot of time ensuring
it resembled the world he never knew. A world he only saw in his
dreams at night. Drapes adorned the windows and the
lampshades had designs on them, matching the duvet covers. The
floor covered in a thick soft rug and the walls were a cream colour
at present. It had a distinct 1930s feel to it. It was easy enough to
change. Turning a dial next to his bed changed the room colour
scheme to shades of blues or greens.
They provided him with clothes, which were nothing more than
normal slacks and plain cotton shirts, clean underwear, socks and
comfortable shoes. He felt sure Einstein’s twin had a hand in this
too, well either that or they raided an old age home last time they
visited earth.
He sat down at the foot of the bed, absentmindedly staring at
the clock next to his bed.
‘Why do these aliens have the same notion of time as we have
on earth?’ he asked his mind curiously.
‘If you hadn’t noticed a second here is almost 1.76 earth
seconds, and a day is synchronized to the sun’s movement around
Arken. They used this same model on earth to express days,
hours, minutes and seconds. I have to deduce that the concept of
time on earth must have originated here, and filtered down
through the mind link,’ his mind surmised in a half-hearted tone.
Angel sighed.
He had hoped his mind would be able to reinitialize the mind
link with his twin but from what he understood on his minds
mindless babble, it could only be useful if his brainwaves were in
delta around 1.5 to 4 cycles.
45

54. Igor Swann
It explained that this was the reason for the distorted pictures.
As soon as Angel became actively involved in what he saw, his
brainwaves increased to a theta state where it was not possible
for his brain to keep the connection.
Angel stood up and slowly walked to the bathroom to get a
glass of water, where the tap handle broke off in his hand. He
examined the handle perplexed. It really looked like a solid
enough metal. His mind whistled, and then added sarcastically,
‘That was a great trick. Do it again! Do it again!’
46

55. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 8
A noticeable tension prevailed in the council chambers,
something which resembling a rap concert from the brothers in
the hood at a Ku Klux Klan convention.
‘What do you mean it will take years, I thought he was
supposed to be the most intelligent being in the universe?’
Princess Sharin, Ambassador to the El coldly exclaimed.
Qren frowned, as much as an expressionless face could.
‘He must learn our lore, adjust to his new mind, be trained in
combat and in our technology, vessels and weapons. This takes
time. Our previous leaders were raised from infants,’ he patiently
explained.
It was no use and he was getting Sharin even more upset.
‘How is he adjusting so far?’ Grand Master Brom of the Dwar
asked genuinely concerned.
Qren shrugged.
‘As well as can be expected, he still needs to clarify many things
in his own mind.’
‘When will training commence? Will he be able to handle the
physical strain?’ chirped Sharin, annoyed that someone dare
speak while she was interrupting.
‘When he adapts to his new nervous system, we will commence
training. The mind transform has enhanced his synaptic pathways
and motor neurons to such an extent that he is most probably not
only the most intelligent, but might well become the most
powerful UGE Lord ever,’ Qren quoted.
47

56. Igor Swann
‘This is not the normal reaction to the procedure, but we never
use the procedure on adult males. He has reacted quite
differently to what is observed in infants.’
‘This physical transformation will take time unfortunately, we
have been monitoring him and his muscle mass is slowly
increasing, so is his speed but he might not have noticed this yet,’
Qren continued.
Teral seemed troubled.
‘What if he cannot be controlled, you have already mentioned
he cracked the cipher on the stone in seconds. This took his
predecessors weeks to break down.’
This also concerned Qren. The Arks used the memorial stone as
a final test when the students were ready to become the UGE
Lord. They placed the stone in the square for the new UGE Lord to
study. When he broke the cipher and wrote his own name on the
stone in the code, there was a party of galactic proportions with
lots of dancing, drinks, and crowns flying all over the place.
‘We don’t know yet, a lot is new in his situation. He needs to
deal with a cerebrum that has somehow managed to disconnect
itself from his consciousness, becoming a voice in his head.’
Qren knew this happens to some extent in the infants they
abducted. They noticed the infants kept talking to themselves just
after the transformation; they learned to speak several languages
in a few days.
It was always just one side of the conversation that was audible
as if speaking to something else in their heads. Unfortunately, the
Arks could not hear or rather mind read the other voice since it
was not in the conscious mind. This lasted a week at most before
the two combined into one.
48

57. Waking the Angel
‘You might see the consciousness as what he remembers his
mind’s abilities to be,’ he continued.
‘The other voice is all his mind is now capable of. The
consciousness actually does not understand how to control this
new power so it has given it a personality and kept it separate. It
will only gradually accept it and become one, when it realizes the
change is permanent.’
The others now shared his concern. What if they have a ruler,
whose decision-making abilities do not lie within his genius side?
What if he did not consort with his new intellect and made
emotional decisions?
Sharin was as always the first to start throwing her toys,
preferably not her bow-staff as it might cause a few heads to roll.
‘The El will never stand for this! We joined this alliance and
subjected ourselves to the rule of the Vanir because of their
superior standing. The El will never be subjected to an inferior
specimen.’
She gave a satisfied smile at the murmur of approval from the
10 junior senators that were not part of the head. She always had
them eating from her hand, after all she was El; they were
inferior.
There were only six chief senators namely herself, Brom, Teral,
Qren, the Vanir, and Noone.
Nobody knew anything about Noone.
His origin, what race he was and how old were secrets he kept
hidden from everyone.
All they know is that he has the wisdom of the ancients and he
was responsible for the creation of the alliance, before even the
great grandfather of Sharin was born.
49

58. Igor Swann
He brought the knowledge to understand the mind transform
device. He also found the Vanir gene and he discovered
strawberry ice cream. He was brilliant.
He refused to carry a name. They called him ‘no one’, which
over many generations and millennia became Noone.
Nobody knew what his face looked like because of the dark grey
hooded robe he always wore. His face remained cast in a shadow
deep within the hood. Only when he looked directly at you could
you see two glowing orbs inside the darkness of the hood. Some
speculated it to be two torches he has strapped on his head for
reading.
The other 10 senators comprised of races, which either were
colonists or ungoverned. They were numerous in number but too
scattered and poor to exclude them from the protection of the
UGE against the Taur.
Brom spoke up, ‘you forget princess that we are on the brink of
war. You have heard Arch-Chancellor Teral’s recount of the battle.
The Taur are openly aggressive and do not share the respect for
the alliance they had in the past. For some reason they are under
the impression we can now be beaten…’
Teral broke into their minds, ‘our spies have heard rumours of a
force that would destroy the alliance. However, it is a well-
guarded secret, known in only the top Taur circles. Our spies
cannot infiltrate this war council because they possess a scanner,
which can detect our cell structure.’
‘Our long range scout ships have found massive fleets being
readied in the far sectors of Taur space. Not enough to take on
the combined strength of the UGE but if they managed to divide
50

59. Waking the Angel
us we would make easy targets,’ the concern in Teral’s thoughts
clearly audible.
‘So what you are saying is if we do not accept this Vanir, and
keep the alliance under him we are doomed?’ Sharin made this a
statement less than a question.
She was ready to withdraw the El from the alliance a few
moments ago but now doubt clouded her mind. If this were true,
the El would not survive.
The El was the most powerful race along with the Dwar. No one
knew who would win an all out confrontation between these two
UGE races, and no one was keen to find out.
That is except for the punters, who have on several occasions
attempted to initiate a confrontation accidentally.
The reason the alliance was successful was the introduction of
the Vanir.
Nobody would willingly be subject to the rule of the El.
Especially not the Dwar, who has always felt the El was
colonizing planets, they saw first.
By a UGE decree, Dwar may not mine a planet if there were
already colonists on the planet. However, they could continue
mining, if the introduction of colonists happened after they
started mining operations.
Unfortunately, for the Dwar, prospecting takes time, and once a
race registers a planet with the senate, that race was responsible
for the planet’s inhabitants and upkeep.
Due to financial constraints, they can only register once they
have struck ore, and by then the El had jumped in and registered
the planet, if there was ample forestation on the planet.
The converse was also true.
51

60. Igor Swann
No El would agree to the command of the other inferior
species.
The Vanir was the only exception. He was superior in intellect,
but did not belong to their worlds.
There was no chance of bumping into another Vanir in a pub
who would tell them they are not allowed in the VIP section or
make them feel they need to buy the drinks so they could ‘fit in’.
The El would submit to his rule, while he did not make a
mistake in judgment.
No Vanir ever did… to date.
The only other option was Noone.
He however refused to rule since by his own admission, he was
no ruler, and reluctantly the others had to agree.
Even though he was a brilliant advisor and spoke with the
wisdom of the ancients, he did not have the presence of the Vanir
to rule. He had dignity, and he could make mistakes.
No, the Vanir would have to do.
The only mistake ever made by the Vanir, was the loss of the
symbol of Vanir power many centuries ago.
Each race had a symbol in the form of a weapon.
The Vanir had a sword.
This caused some division in the ranks of the UGE and caused a
few of the member states to go rogue or neutral, as they liked to
call themselves.
This was a huge blow to the UGE as they presented a sizable
part of the UGE defence strategy in the outer rim planets.
Sharin sighed, bowed her head slightly, and with a weary voice
said, ‘so Qren lets meet this protégé of yours.’
52

61. Waking the Angel
Qren waited and silently prayed for this conclusion. He gave a
nod to his guards who promptly left for Angel’s quarters.
Angel was playing noughts and crosses with His Worship the
Lord of the Brain Elite as his mind referred to himself now or LOBE
to his friends. He reluctantly allowed Angel to call him that as
well.
Angel was deep in thought and LOBE was getting irritated
because Angel was just randomly putting down X’s, even when he
was playing noughts.
LOBE vowed if it happened again he was going to start a
migraine.
Angel laughed until his belly ached.
‘That’s it, I’m leaving,’ LOBE said.
‘So where would you be going then?’ Angel asked still laughing.
‘Hmmm forgetful are we, you have been driving too long I see.
Shall I remind you that you are only in control because I allow you
to be, and because I had more important things to do,’ LOBE said
without malice, but Angel could feel the smile burn into the back
of his head, from inside his head.
‘Okay, okay, let’s just play, shall we? Have you had any luck in
figuring out why I could break the handle that easily?’ Angel
asked, trying hard to get off the previous subject.
LOBE started an explanation in his professorial voice, ‘I have
analyzed our nervous system and have deduced that the
transformation did not only affect me. Our motor, inter and
sensory neurons seem to be multiplying exponentially. The
synaptic clefts have decreased in size. Dendrites branched
extensively. The neurotransmitters changed in composition and
53

62. Igor Swann
increased in density. Action time has decreased from the normal
range of 0.5 and 1 millisecond. It is now less than a nanosecond.’
‘Protein absorption has increased dramatically and hypertrophy
is occurring without resistance,’ LOBE smugly answered.
Angel was NOT impressed.
‘English please!’ he replied irritably.
‘LOBE talks to muscles quick-quick. Muscles get biiig. Angel
strong like bull, run like deer, leap tall buildings in a single bound,’
sarcasm dripped from LOBE’s medulla oblongata.
‘Really,’ Angel asked.
‘No.’
Angel felt like strangling him, or at least cutting off the oxygen
supply to LOBE for a while.
A knock at the door placed a damper on his plans. He made a
mental note, Suffocate LOBE, and walked over to answer the
door.
54

63. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 9
Angel gingerly entered the great hall as his ushers took up
position on either side of the doors. Again, he could see an
unmistakable human influence. The décor of the chamber was in
the fashion of the Michelangelo ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
He stood in front of a half moon shaped table with the top six
chairs and that part of the table forming a dais. The seats were
more like thrones than chairs. A low hum came from the
members of the senate. They were obviously talking, those who
had vocal cords, but he could not understand them.
He tentatively walked into the middle of the half-moon.
A court attendant placed a small piece of metal behind his ear,
and it seemed to be absorbed into his skin, because when he felt
for it, there was nothing there.
The hum started to become words, and the words became
sense.
Angel felt like a racehorse on parade, and judging by the buyers’
reactions as he scanned the room one by one, they thought he
was an old plough horse. Revise that, a crippled old plough horse.
No rather a blind and cripple old plough horse.
Fortunately, Qren choose that moment to speak distracting his
survey of the council, for the next person his eyes would turn to
would have been Sharin, and if he saw her face, he would have
felt like the rotting broken tooth of the aforementioned plough
horse.
55

64. Igor Swann
‘Lords and ladies of the senate, may I introduce to you, Angel of
the Vanir,’ he turned to Angel, ‘Angel this is the Senate of the
United Galactic Empire.’
Qren began to introduce the senate indicating each as he
presented them.
‘Firstly we have Arch-Chancellor Teral of the Aesir, next to him,
Brom, Grand Master of the Dwar,’ for a moment Angel felt he
heard something strange, but dismissed it as a misunderstanding.
Qren continued, ‘Noone of the Ancients, Princess Sharin of the
El.’
This time there was no mistake, he had definitely heard Elf, and
he heard Dwarf when Qren introduced Brom.
He had seen the words El and Dwar written on the memorial
stone, but when Qren pronounced it, the wave coming into his
brain made an ‘F’ sound while it withdrew.
He started to laugh and walk around the room, looking under
tables, behind potted plants, curtains, chairs, even examining
some of the junior senators.
This must be the most elaborate hidden camera show ever
devised.
He was on to them now.
What did they do to make his mind react funny, see things, hear
voices? It was most probably some designer drug that will wear
off in a day or two.
What would they want him to believe next? Kidnapped by aliens
was far-fetched but now they wanted him to believe there were
Elves, Dwarves and whatever Aesir and Noone were?
56

65. Waking the Angel
He expected to find Godzilla, King Kong and Barney the
Dinosaur playing destructo-monopoly1 in the closet.
‘So where are the cameras?’ he asked, ‘great acting though, you
had me going there. Wow, I thought the alien abduction was real.
What a relief,’ he gave a mock applause.
Sharin reacted so quickly that it was almost impossible to see
her move. Angel felt something thin, cold and obviously deadly
push against his neck. A faint trickle of blood dripped on his shoe.
‘You dare mock an El Princess,’ she spat.
The venom in her voice clearly audible, no mistakes this time,
she was great at making a point.
Angel believed some more.
‘This is real?’ he stammered, ‘You are Elf and he is Dwarf?’
‘We are El, Vanir, El not Elf,’ her icy voice could freeze an
erupting volcano, if it had enough guts to erupt while she spoke.
‘On earth you are called Elf your greatness,’ Angel stupidly
replied.
He felt foolish and very scared.
‘What made him say that?’ he wondered, ‘they look like elves,
but that was coincidental was it not?’
‘Elf, how could Vanir know about the El or Dwar for that
matter? Neither race has ever been to Vanaheimr. The Ark are the
only ones who know, or care,’ Sharin sneered, ‘where that
primitive planet is, and they have no means to communicate with
1
Destructo-monopoly is where they start with the hotels and houses and then
destroy them as the game progresses.
57

66. Igor Swann
the Vanir except after he has been successfully transformed,
where after he is the UGE Lord and never returns home,’ she spat.
No one else he knew could make ‘lord’ sound like ‘he who
washes my feet, with his tongue.’
This made no sense to Angel. Their descriptions fit perfectly into
what he remembered from his fantasy novels, and a little hobby
he had on Norse mythology at university.
LOBE’s voice rose inside his head, ‘Freyr, Vanir, Elf, 1 hit,’ he
was pleased with himself.
LOBE proceeded, after imitating a drum roll.
‘The god Freyr was the bravest and strongest of all the gods. A
great leader, he was of the Vanir, a tribe associated with fertility
and prosperity. He was the god of the Alfkind or Elven,’ he paused
for dramatic effect.
‘He lived in Vanaheimr. Swedish royalty still believe that Freyr
was one of their Ancestors,’ LOBE was on fire, and did not intend
to relinquish the floor.
‘Freyr is second only to Thor in popularity in Iceland, and one of
the three most popular mythological gods of all time. The third
being Odin.’
Angel understood.
It made so much sense, even to him; insanity rocks.
Angel remembered.
However, the concept, what it would imply was unbelievable.
Angel believed.
He wanted to speak privately to LOBE but it came out audible to
the entire senate, ‘Freyr was the first human ruler right?’
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67. Waking the Angel
To his surprise, the senate responded, and a nodding of heads
around the room confirmed this assumption.
Angel shrugged.
‘Well what do you know,’ he whispered to LOBE and continued
audibly, ‘he had a twin sister on earth.’ Disbelief was as thick in
the room as marijuana smoke at a Bob Marley concert.
The sweet smell of success, but he had LOBE to confirm
everything, and he knew Norse Mythology, now that LOBE
allowed him access to the memories.
It was definitely a sister.
LOBE nodded. Angel felt his brain move inside his cranial cavity.
Qren interrupted, ‘it is true,’ he announced.
‘He was the first and it was an anomaly.’
‘He was the only male gene-carrier whose sibling was female.
We still do not understand how, but the anomaly has never
resurfaced.’
Angel continued unabated, ‘a twin sister called Freyja, whom he
was mind linked to.’
He could see the puzzled expression on their faces. He smiled,
how could they know?
The mind link between twins was an unobserved concept, even
if one of the infants experienced the mind link while he was here,
he would not know what it was and assume it a dream. He and
LOBE had had long conversations on the subject after LOBE
became aware of this strange phenomenon.
‘So the twins have a mental link? Like telepathy?’ he had asked
LOBE.
‘Yes, only much stronger and over an almost infinite distance.’
59

68. Igor Swann
‘But won’t brainwaves fade and dissipate after a while. Aren’t
they just energy and waves?’ Angel wondered, ‘I mean they were
communication over zillions of light-years?’
‘How do I explain this to a halfwit, actually more like a fraction
of a halfwit,’ LOBE patiently replied while snickering.
‘It is as if the souls are connected by a ‘cable’ on a different
plane of existence where distance and time does not matter, they
communicate through this cable.’
‘Oh!’ was Angel’s only disappointing response.
Irritably LOBE continued, on… and on… until he realized Angel
had probably nodded off after ‘oh!’
Growing in confidence Angel continued speaking to the senate,
but first he gently pushed the blade away from his neck.
Sharin did not object, and he started pacing, as she returned to
her seat.
‘She saw what he saw through the mind link they shared,’ he
paused to catch his breath and savour their expressions.
‘I assume your Freyr was closely befriended with the El?’ Angel
asked.
Again, the spellbound nods greeted him.
He had unearthed a crucial piece of this mystery.
‘Now Freyr’s sister on Earth or Vanaheimr as you call my planet,
dreamt of strange worlds filled with El. She dreamt of the one
whom the El saw as their ruler and friend, which she
misinterpreted as a god. She did not recognize the Vanir as being
an earthling or her brother for that matter. She just assumed he
must be of some deity race worshipped by Elves. She called this
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69. Waking the Angel
race Vanir, but you confirmed now that Vanir were in fact your
word for human.’
The faces in front of him were filled with fascination and he was
not about to disappoint them.
‘She must have had suspicions at some later stage that Freyr
was related to her in some way, because in some later records
they were mentioned as siblings as well as husband and wife.
Marriage between siblings, especially royalty was not frowned
upon then.’
Qren gave Angel a knowing look.
Was it because he was doing well? No, there was something
else! He knew a lot more than he let on. The story might not be as
straightforward as Angel thought it to be.
‘Mental note,’ Lobe chipped in.
‘I think so,’ Angel remarked before he continued.
‘These were probably just a tail added to the story, but the
mind link between some twins could be very strong. So strong,
that if one experienced pain, love, sadness so would the other.
This closeness between the two was most probably
misinterpreted as a union between them.’
‘You see Freyr’s life here became the basis for a belief structure
created by Freyja on earth thanks to the mind link which is shared
between twins.’
‘The mispronunciation Freyja got was the same one that I had
when Qren mentioned your races. El and Dwar when thought
transmitted sounds like Elf and Dwarf.’
The story of Freyja had a few unexplained sections he had not
sorted out yet.
61

70. Igor Swann
It did not quite fit completely into his retelling. She was
apparently the chief of the Valkyries and a goddess herself.
He kept this to himself not wanting to confuse the issue, but he
felt there were more to this story and he felt Qren had at least
some of the answers.
Angel accidentally caught a grumbling thought from the Arch-
Chancellor of the Aesir. He could see Teral did not enjoy his race’s
exclusion. Angel thought hard and took a chance.
‘In most earth tales of glory and honour, there was a great
friendship between Vanir, El and Dwar. They were always
travelling together on quests and adventure. However, the party
was never only three; there is always a fourth member, the mage
or wizard. This wise and powerful mage was a key figure, without
whom there would be no victory.’
He was looking intently at Teral and saw he had hit a good
nerve, a faint twitch as Teral’s head moved.
Angel felt confident to throw the final dice.
‘The party of four forms the basis for earth’s mightiest tales. No
story is complete without all four. Against the four, fearsome
armies would fall and unthinkable legions conquered. No one
could stand against the four when they stood as one.’
He saw Qren smile; he was becoming quite proficient in seeing
someone without a mouth smile.
He knew he had won a small battle, but a very important one.
Brom was the first to shake his hand.
Sharin and Teral followed close behind.
Noone paused a second to whisper one word in Angel’s ear,
‘congratulations.’
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71. Waking the Angel
The rest of the senate all followed suite and the celebrations
began.
Qren seemed the happiest of the lot.
The weight on his shoulders, Angel sensed the day before, was
gone.
‘Happy?’ Angel projected.
‘Ecstatic,’ Qren responded.
63

72. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 10
Guival tried to walk with as much confidence as possible, or at
least as much as his new form allowed him.
He was afraid, deadly afraid.
He had just disembarked the Taur cruiser and his next obstacle
was customs.
‘Next,’ the gruff call came from the officer.
‘Cru’t, bound for Evergal’t,’ Guival lied.
‘And what is your business in our capital, Cru’t?’ came the curt
question from the customs official.
‘Trade agreement, Zellion imports for the military,’ Guival
replied without hesitation.
The official handed him back his documentation and ID badge.
‘Next!’ he barked.
The Aesir spy shakily walked off with his heart pounding in his
throat.
He turned the corner to leave the spaceport and go into the
busy street.
Only now did he heave a sigh of relief, knowing this was the
easy part, but still traumatising.
He impatiently waited for the rail-train to come.
It was a dark and desperate city; there was no hope left here.
The wars were all that mattered, for these were people driven by
the sword.
They fought for fun, and killed for pleasure.
He took a seat in the back, uncomfortably trying to push all the
limbs and horns into the space available.
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73. Waking the Angel
There are three subspecies of Taur.
Guival decided on the easiest form of the three namely the
Mino’t. The Cen’t and Sa’t’s leg configuration were difficult to
master, although he was quite proficient in imitating both the
other species.
The Mino’t however, as specie had the combined IQ of a rock,
therefore none of the other two species took much notice of
them.
They also stood about 10 feet in their hoofs and had an
enormous build. They were the muscle of the organization. It was
the easiest form to travel in; only other Mino’t would intentionally
get in your way.
None of the species had hair on their body, although all three
species were subject to this dull brown pigmentation from head
to toe.
All three races had growths on their foreheads, which seemed
to increase in size and number with age. The size varied from
species to specie, but a Taur could have as many as six horns.
The strangest part of these races was below the waist.
Their legs where more like bended spikes, broad near the top
ending in a sharp hoofed point where their feet should be.
Both the Sa’t and Mino’t had two spikes.
Both these races’ knees constantly bent, like a kangaroo. The
Mino’t’s legs bent to the front like most earth animals; however,
the Sa’t’s knees bent to the back, similar to a grasshopper’s hind
legs.
The Cen’t was the only one of the species with four legs spaced
around their body almost like a horse-crab’s legs divide by two.
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74. Igor Swann
Both the Cen’t and Sa’t had very sharp noses, their mouths
when closed showed no visible slit, but could open as wide as a
human’s head and seemed to break open to their sharp pointed
ears.
This would display hundreds of razor sharp triangular teeth
when open.
The Sa’t also had a sharp chin, which resembled the beard of a
Billy goat.
The Mino’t faces although similar in discoloration had a jaw line
that protruded forward like most earth animals, closest would be
the bulldog. Their noses were flat, snout like and they had a much
larger mouth housing many more teeth.
The Taur’s most intimidating feature however, was their eyes,
which were black as midnight. It gave the impression that
someone gorged them from their skull.
This happened quite frequently in any event, when their hands
were busy and their eyes were itchy.
The Mino’t and the Sa’t were probably the closest relatives,
where the Mino’t had the brawn the Sa’t had the brains. The
Sa’t’s chosen professions included science and engineering also
serving as advisors to the Cen’t.
The Cen’t were born leaders, they were also born killers and
brilliant strategists.
The Mino’t mostly guard things and carry things.
It is advisable though to refrain from calling the Mino’t stupid to
their face, or you might find their face around yours and that
would be slightly detrimental to your health or soon to be lack
thereof.
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75. Waking the Angel
Together they lived in harmony, except when they were killing
each other, and this was as it happens quite often, mostly when
they could find no other living entity to slaughter. However, this
interspecies killing had no racial motivation; there was no
discrimination, they would kill anyone presumed to be alive.
‘You see I was there, he was there, then he wasn’t so much
there anymore, shit happens,’ is the general answer in an
interrogation afterwards.
In the central war room, not far from where Guival nervously
sat on the train, a brainstorming session progressed quite
splendidly. This involved the Sa’t braining, the Mino’t storming
and the Cen’t wondering who they would kill first.
Kra’st, supreme commander of the Taur forces, got their
attention by gently tapping Gungnir his spear, through the nearest
Mino’t’s heart.
The session came to order.
‘Have we located our target?’ he rasped.
An old Sa’t with fading brown skin named Tri’st answered.
‘We have my lord.’
‘The fleet is ready?’ Kra’st’s question came with a hint that he
had better hear what he wants or else.
‘Within the week my lord, the last crawlers and reapers are
being loaded as we speak,’ came the answer from his second in
command, Alra’st.
Alra’st was an anomaly through inbreeding; he had the
intelligence of a Sa’t and the body of a Mino’t. A Mino’t with a
brain was someone you did not want as an enemy.
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76. Igor Swann
‘Good, good,’ Kra’st rubbed his hands in anticipation of his
glorious victory.
‘Has our spy in the council been briefed? He knows the
schedule, and what he must do?’
‘It is his plan,’ was what Tri’st wanted to say, but he did not
reach this grand old age by being stupid so he simply answered,
‘yes my lord he was fully briefed before we lost communication.’
After the last UGE Lord’s ‘accident’, Arken blanketed all
unauthorized communication.
Kra’st knew this but he was quite proficient in asking the same
questions repeatedly.
This usually had the desired effect, since somewhere,
somehow, someone would roll an eye or sigh or maybe blink... for
one final time.
‘We intercepted a few communications but they were encoded
by a new Kasparov encryption. We have not been able to decipher
it,’ Tri’st continued, ‘it does appear to be only random chatter,
and the UGE seems to be oblivious to your master plan my lord.’
Kra’st was pleased, extremely pleased. He dismissed the
meeting and sidled off to his command centre. He had a much
more important meeting to attend to, and he had good news to
report.
Meanwhile Guival had reached the base of the command centre
tower.
He saw no way in.
The tower had only two entrances he could find, both heavily
guarded and equipped with scanners that could detect his Aesir
cell structure.
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77. Waking the Angel
He made himself comfortable at the burro-house across from
the tower. It felt hopeless; despondence crept into his now bulky
constitution.
He might as well go home.
There was nothing else to do.
His thoughts drifted back to his briefing.
‘We need to know why they are amassing that fleet,’ his
superiors had informed him.
‘They are planning something huge and it will not be something
nice, they will probably not be delivering Freymas1 gifts to
everyone.’
Guival understood the gravity of the situation, but what was he
to do, WHAT?
Hours passed slowly. His mind had gone numb; probably from
the terrible stuff, he was drinking to look inconspicuous. A
delivery truck from Desm’nd house of pastries pulled up alongside
the tower. A panel in the tower wall slit back to reveal a Cen’t
foreman with a clipboard2. He had four Mino’t with him and they
started unloading the cream buttons. Guival stared at the scene
without much enthusiasm.
‘Buttons as ordered, 10000, counted them myself. Feel free to
check.’
‘Oh I will,’ the foreman smiled.
He revealed two Sa’t counters sitting behind him.
1 Freymas was Christmas for aliens.
2 Apparently pastries and clipboards are another universal truth found
everywhere in the universe along with rocks and ice.
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78. Igor Swann
‘Good, good,’ Desm’nd said but he was worried, he ate 10 of
them on the way over.
‘Er, wait,’ he said urgently, trying his utmost not to perspire, ‘I
just remembered, I forgot a batch in the oven. Silly old me, damn
my bad memory, I’ll just go and get it shall I,’ Desm’nd nervously
concluded.
‘Tsk-Tsk, can you believe it. That is such rotten luck. Maybe I
should just remove that forgetful head. It seems to only get you
into trouble?’ The Cen’t foreman sardonically replied.
‘No, please sir; I am quite attached to it. It has been with me
since my unfortunate birth. It is the only thing my mother ever
gave me,’ Desm’nd visibly shaken, could feel his bladder control
adversely affected.
‘Here’s what we do, your next delivery is next Cen’tday right?
So let’s say a little extra would keep your head in the same
universe as the rest of you,’ the foreman said with a wry smile, ‘I
would be happy to return it to your mother on your behalf.’
He loved buttons and now he was getting them free. For weeks
now, he has been tortured with accepting these deliveries, since
Kra’st took a liking to them as well. The few he has been sneaking
on the side, was just not doing it for him.
‘Okay, I’ll just be getting on my way then,’ Desm’nd hurriedly
announced and disappeared.
Guival overheard the conversation even though it was more
than 300 yards away. He was Aesir and after all, they were
thinking very hard while trying to outwit each other.
The thoughts were clear in their conscious mind, and he
accepted them gladly.
Guival could see a plan forming.
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79. Waking the Angel
He needed to disguise himself as a button… No, that was not it.
He paid for his burro. Even his altered form could not stomach
this disgusting Taur drink. The waiter was kind enough to provide
him with directions to Desm’nd house of pastries but it was too
far to walk. He hailed a sky-cab and they made their way through
the city.
Guival confidently strode into Desm’nd house of pastries. The
unfortunate owner sat behind the counter, thinking hard on how
lucky he was to be alive. Guival smiled inwardly, ‘good, you just
stay frightened.’
He informed Desm’nd that the foreman requested that he help
him ‘remember’, and the Foreman wanted a 1000 buttons for this
service.
Desm’nd still thanking his incredible luck did not even think to
ask for identification.
‘Yes sir, no problem sir,’ he muttered a response.
A thousand buttons was worth a lot less than his life and it is
not as if Kra’st actually paid him.
The next week Guival spent enjoying pastries and ordering
Desm’nd around. It was not often that a spy gets pleasure from
his job, and he loved it.
Cen’tday arrived, and he helped Desm’nd load his truck.
‘I will accompany you back to headquarters,’ Guival instructed
Desm’nd.
‘Sure, sure, whatever you say.’
‘And be very careful what you say. No one must know about the
extra buttons.’
‘You are only to answer direct questions and the foreman will
pretend not to recognize me,’ Guival concluded the briefing.
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80. Igor Swann
This plan was masterful if he did say so himself. Desm’nd had
complete deniability when the rest of his plan goes into action.
Shortly after Desm’nd’s truck pulled up at the tower and Guival
helped to unload the pastries. He now wore a Desm’nd house of
pastries uniform.
They finished unloading the last batch.
As Guival walked back with the guards, he patted his pockets
and found he accidentally dropped his keypass and therefore will
not be able to get out the gate. Guival appeared furious with
himself. Stuff like this always seems to happen to him.
He tapped the nearest guard on the shoulder and absorbed his
form definition.
An Aesir needed physical contact to learn the structure of the
person they wished to shape-shift into.
Guival put on his best, please help me sir, I am stupid face, and
started begging.
‘Would you help me look for it sir, I am so clumsy?’
‘Whatever, where do you think you dropped it,’ the guard
replied, glad to finally find someone even more intellectually
challenged than himself.
‘I remember now, I heard something roll behind those crates. I
took no notice then, but now I think it’s the keypass,’ Guival
replied.
‘Let’s go,’ the guard ordered.
The guard peered under a crate and Guival pretended to look
with him.
He lifted the guard’s blaster seamlessly and fired, putting a
peephole as big as a large coffee tin through the guard’s face.
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81. Waking the Angel
Good thing I absorbed his form before this, otherwise I might
have had a little trouble explaining the ‘see through’ head, he
thought.
Hurriedly he took off his uniform and transformed into the
guard, every so often peering over the crates in case uninvited
guest were in need of a welcome. He then proceeded to dress the
guard, swearing at how difficult it is getting pants on those spiky
legs.
Guival walked towards the front door.
‘Spy!’ he yelled at the top of his lungs, and started shooting his
newly liberated blaster in arbitrary directions.
The other guards rushed towards his position, dodging his wild
blaster shots while trying to get him to stop shooting.
‘Will someone please shoot that idiot!’ one of the guards
shouted.
Guival stopped hurriedly since getting his head blown off was
definitely not part of his master plan.
‘I found him trying to sneak into the tower,’ Guival informed the
oncoming guards desperately pointing in the direction where he
knew the carcass lay.
The foreman with Desm’nd had come over as well to investigate
the commotion.
The foreman bravely walked over to the crate where he found
the faceless corpse wearing the house of pastries uniform.
‘You dare bring a spy into the tower,’ the foreman scowled at
Desm’nd after surveying the scene.
Desm’nd was confused.
‘He said you sent him, to make sure I remembered our deal,’
Desm’nd blurted, now visibly shaken.
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82. Igor Swann
‘Outrageous how did he know about our deal,’ the foreman
suddenly realised what he said, ‘I mean WHAT DEAL?’
‘You tell me,’ Desm’nd said, ‘I am as confused as you.’
‘I AM NOT CONFUSED, GET OUT, OUT,’ he screamed.
‘As for you, you made that mess, you clean it up,’ the foreman
told Guival.
‘Take him to the incinerator,’ he ordered Guival.
‘Sir, yes Sir,’ Guival replied.
Inwardly he was smiling from ear to ear, and outwardly, he
could if he wanted to.
He dragged the corpse into the turbo-lift and pressed the
basement button carefully avoiding the scanners, which would
detect his cell structure.
Guival unceremoniously dumped the guard with the ventilated
brain into the incinerator, and returned to the lift.
He caught a final whiff of the steak in the oven and pressed the
button for the penthouse suites.
A lone guard stood outside the top floor exit, violently picking
his nose. It was in there and he was going to excavate it.
Guival stood in silence waiting patiently, trying to maintain the
mystified look on his face.
As the guard took notice of him, Guival pretended to be very
confused. He looked around bewildered, not understanding how
he got here.
‘What do you want imbecile,’ the Mino’t guard commanded.
‘Is this the kitchen?’ Guival asked completely perplexed.
‘NO MORON, you need to press 10 not 100.’
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83. Waking the Angel
‘Oh… how many circles after the little stripe is that again? I
always get confused,’ Guival was relishing this ruse.
‘Er, let’s see,’ the guard counted on his fingers, ‘One. Now go.
Lowly kitchen guards are not allowed here.’
‘Okay but how many is one?’ he innocently asked.
The guard sighed, and held up his middle finger.
Guival hurriedly shook the guard’s hand, mindful he took the
hand not involved in the nose excavation, but displaying immense
gratitude for his assistance in this quite perplexing situation.
He shook it long enough to absorb the gold digger’s form
definition, and use his mind suggestion.
The guard being Mino’t did not give him much mind to work
with.
The Aesir magic was strongest when in physical contact with the
target.
He suggested to the guard’s heart that it would prefer to stop
beating since it was mistreated anyway; I mean, just look how
overweight your owner is.
After transforming into the guard and then dragging the now
slightly deceased to the nearest room, Guival heaved him into the
incinerator shaft with a slight grunt. These Mino’t were damn
heavy.
The shafts were something Kra’st had installed in all the top
floor rooms.
It was far easier to get rid of bodies this way, otherwise they
would just litter up the room.
‘I mean it is only good manners. Someone might trip over a
body and injure himself,’ Kra’st had explained to the architects.
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84. Igor Swann
After about a 3-hour search he was ready to give up. He was
fast running out of rooms, and it was probably almost time for the
changing of the guard.
He entered a huge office.
It had slightly more decor, meaning more blood splattered
adorned the walls. He started searching through the cabinets.
Guival discovered, under some very unimportant documents,
minutes from a meeting held a couple of weeks ago.
He sighed heavily as he began to scan through the entire
useless scribble.
The Sa’t scribes were thorough, with no consideration for
unfortunate spies needing only the summarized version.
There were notes on a few Taur that Kra’st accidentally killed
because they forgot to address him as lord, they gave him bad
news, or they breathed unevenly. These minutes were probably
the closest thing to a remembrance or eulogy any Taur could hope
to receive.
He read the last sentences of the minutes and it shook him
down to his core.
He suddenly understood the reason for the deserted command
centre.
This cannot be true, this cannot be true, he repeated to himself,
over, and over, as the colour drained from the rest of his face.
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85. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 11
The next few weeks Angel spent studying lore, weapon and ship
schematics and statistics as well as the races’ strong and weak
points.
LOBE thrived. He was as happy as a fox in a henhouse.
‘Know your enemy and know your allies. Use the strength of
your friends against the weakness of your foe. Study your
opponents with as much fervour as you would your assets,’
Noone had told him.
Noone was his mentor and Angel was fast becoming quite fond
of the old, well, Noone.
Qren placed the physical training on hold until his body’s
transformation was complete. The physicians could only guess as
to how long this would take. Angel already measured three or
four times the strength of any of his predecessors and was
infinitely more agile.
His unchecked strength posed an increasing danger to those
around him. He could barely touch something without breaking it.
He made a pact with LOBE to calculate the strength needed for
actions taking into account his transformation rate, and then
apply the correct grip pressure.
LOBE happily approved. This gave him something useful to do,
but he often purposefully miscalculated to cause Angel
embarrassment.
He would miscalculate the speed at which Angel walked and let
him run into a wall at speed.
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86. Igor Swann
During dinner, LOBE had him crush a full Zellion alloy wine
goblet.
This metal, the hardest and scarcest material known to, er,
alienkind, were sometimes found in the bow plating of some
ridiculously expensive space cruisers to protect the most sensitive
areas.
Sharin was not amused when the spray caught her in the face,
almost causing an intergalactic incident. She seriously considered
attaching Angel to the bow of her cruiser as a figurehead.
Sharin volunteered to organize his combat training. She was by
her own humble admission the most qualified instructor, and
NOBODY was going to dispute that. Except maybe if you were a
long way away, like in another galaxy, and you were dying from an
incurable illness, preferably before she reached you. Sharin did
not hold a grudge forever; she would die eventually.
She revelled in the process of creating a program to torture
him, designing it in such a way to inflict the maximum pain
without disabling him permanently.
The princess even summoned a few more students, not wanting
to waste her precious time on a single individual. She carefully
selected these students from her black book of ‘people I’d really
like to kill but might need an alibi for.’
She anxiously awaited the start of the training.
Every day she visited the physicians to ascertain the extent of
Angel’s progress.
She had so many surprises for Angel.
Angel on the other hand was quite oblivious to the dark
prospect surrounding his future.
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87. Waking the Angel
He found his predecessors intriguing and lost himself in the
archives for days on end.
Angel scanned the page on the hollow projector in front of him.
The UGE Lords know as Aristotle 384 BC and Archimedes 287 BC.
How did he know they would be there? He swiftly flipped through
the UGE Lord profiles. It was the latter lords, which he knew more
about that were of more interest.
He found that ‘Da Vinci’ who was born in 1452 had a reign that
was quite short. He contracted a rare disease and the Arks
abducted the newborn twin brother of Michelangelo Buonarroti
to replace him. Da Vinci survived long enough to pass the sceptre
on to his young protégé.
The latter names read:
Da Vinci 1452
Buonarroti 1475
Galilei 1564
Newton 1642
Gauss 1777
Einstein 1879
Kasparov 1963
On every occasion, almost a hundred earth years passed
between abductees.
He looked at the last name that was his predecessor, Kasparov.
He would have loved to meet him. His twin was an amazing man,
and drawing the chess match with the super computer Deep Blue
was astounding.
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88. Igor Swann
The accomplishments of the Vanir Lords were equally
impressive.
They designed the jump drive. This reduced the journey to
earth from months to mere days.
They frequently created weapons of mass destruction.
However, they also invented useful technology, which could
transform a planet from uninhabitable to a paradise, namely the
planet-shaker.
Buonarroti had a thing for architecture. He spent most of his
time on architectural designs and more efficient construction
techniques. Better living conditions and effective use of energy
were paramount in his constructions. He did a lot of research on
climate control and structural support for unstable planets,
especially those hollowed by the Dwar.
Galileo’s brother seemed to spend his days on war tools, but
not so much weapons. He was interested in the hull constructs of
the alien ships, and did many useful calculations on the
constellations. He discovered how to plot jump points accurately,
which were crucial for long-range exploration.
He developed most of the modern sensors and long-range
scanners.
Newton and Gauss continued to build on the discoveries of
Galilei but Newton focused on energy sources and jump-drive
technology and later expanded into shields when a technician
accidentally dropped a spanner on his head.
Gauss preferred weapons for his field of study, making the ships
and weapons of the UGE far superior to anything the member
states could even hope to imagine.
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89. Waking the Angel
This had the desired effect.
The unfriendly races were not prepared to take on these
devastating fleets.
Einstein was a pacifist.
He, like his twin on earth, was more interested in small things.
He did a lot of research on the races’ cell structures, magic
fields etc. He attempted to duplicate the effects of their special
properties.
In the end, he created enviro-suits that could withstand any
planet’s atmosphere. He accidentally discovered the technology
for the tachyon cannons as well. This was an incredible weapon,
which affected a glorious fireworks display, and went to show it
was not only magic that could make things disappear,
permanently.
Kasparov was a brilliant tactician. The strategies he devised
both defensive and offensive were simply awe-inspiring. He
reorganized planetary defences for optimum effect and created
attack formations and fleet compositions that would obliterate
armadas 5 times their size.
Angel hoped LOBE could compete; he sure as hell could not.
‘The moon is made of cheese,’ LOBE smirked sarcastically.
At night Angel’s nightmares continued. He saw many glimpses
of earth, but could not keep up the willpower not to get involved,
which caused the visions to start to fade as soon as they
appeared.
Angel’s consciousness overruled all LOBE’s attempts to keep
him from becoming actively involved.
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90. Igor Swann
Angel suspected the only reason why LOBE was so helpful was
so he could watch TV. However, they were both curious as to
current events back on earth.
LOBE had the patience of a 4 year old with Attention Deficit
Disorder.
‘Concentrate you moron,’ and, ‘it’s amazing you can focus long
enough to get the food from your fork to your mouth,’ or, ‘hey!
You remembered not to breathe and swallow at the same time.
Impressive,’ the abuse continued.
‘It’s a damn good thing I look after bladder control.’
His nights were not the only torment he endured.
Training now filled his afternoons, and for once Sharin was
happy.
She started him off very easy, stretching classes to make him
supple and flexible.
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91. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 12
Dear Diary,
Yesterday afternoon I attended a stretching class… stretching class
my ars#$#. Sharin is the devil incarnate. The dungeon master
thought up these positions which I have aptly named the
‘precarious pretzel’ the ‘cranium cracker with jam’ the ‘dying stick
insect cha-cha’ and the ‘Oh god, I cannot feel my toes, oh sorry, I
thought this was my leg I am holding’.
Here is what I do not get, which part of, I am a 33 year old, 93.72
kg MALE did she not understand. ‘Straighten your back’ … ‘point
those toes’… ‘Look up… I said look down’… ‘Sit erect. Oooh; you
are a big boy aren’t you; I did not mean do that, idiot! Sorry, I
meant Lord Idiot.’
‘Hook that leg under the other one… now put your arm around
both of them grabbing your ear… no, your other ear… yes, that is
it. Now push your head through that hole. Not that hole, and yes,
that is your own fat arse you are staring at… I said straighten your
back, you useless sack of wasted skin!’
‘I don’t care if you’re stuck! Breath in deeply; now relax and wave
your other arm gracefully around your head!’
I had flashbacks of my grade 2 teacher. She was cross between a
Doberman pincher with rabies, Bigfoot with dandruff and the Mac
Donald’s Clown with mad clowns disease. Only longer teeth, and
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92. Igor Swann
bigger feet, with redder hair. ‘Please don’t hurt me anymore, I
swear I won’t misspell ‘Beaujolais’ again, just stop hitting me,
please.’
I swear I actually saw the back of my own head at one stage while
I was trying to untangle my legs, which I knotted behind my back…
or somebody else’s back. I felt confused and delirious. Next to me
an El girl cried, she looked like she might have lost a limb but I
could not be sure since none of her limbs were in a position I could
recognize from 1st year anatomy.
There were a lot of limbs and ears and other stuff laying around
the room, most of it not attached to anyone.
In the front of the class, an El lay unconscious. She landed quite
heavily on her head after Sharin told her to wave her arms
gracefully. Dropping out of the handstand first should have been
slightly higher up on her ‘to do’ list.
Another nice young El (she smiled so sweetly at me when I walked
in, told me her name was Laidin), now wandered aimlessly
through the class, speaking to an invisible fruit bat. Now and
again, she would just start screaming hysterically and run into a
wall. My heart bled for her, her heart bled over everyone else.
Gripped in terror and surrounded by complete madness, I ran, fell
really hard, unlocked my leg from behind my neck, got to what I
assumed was my feet, since they were below what I hoped was my
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93. Waking the Angel
knees and ran, and ran. They found me trying to board an off-
world freighter going to dump waste into the sun.
The end; diary entry day 1
LOBE took it upon himself to keep a diary of the training. Angel
could not decide who was more thrilled, LOBE or Sharin.
LOBE swore these were an actual account of events.
Angel suffered a severe concussion in the latter part of his initial
training, and did not remember any of this.
Later when LOBE showed Angel some extracts of the more
interesting entries, as he referred to them, Angel had to laugh.
LOBE actually had a sense of humour.
LOBE said he wrote them from Angel’s thoughts for complete
realism, with a little creative license because Angel was simply
boring by nature.
Angel had to agree this would be what he thought.
85

94. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 13
Dear diary,
Satan’s girlfriend is forcing me to do all these ‘fun’ things.
Today the elves and I found these disassembled space cycle things
placed in the training facility. They were unlike anything I have
ever seen in my life. One of the elves explained that according to
the ‘wise and beautiful Princess Sharin’… aargghhh, it was
currently not fully assembled. We need to finish construction and
he offered to help me, but LOBE insisted he did not need any help.
I started my work to the best of my somewhat extraordinary
engineering ability. LOBE was getting to be his bossy self so I
ignored him.
Eureka, I did it; it was a work of art. Mostly abstract modern art
with a hint of da Vinci, a pinch of Van Gogh and a healthy dose of
Picasso; but art nonetheless. After I carefully examined my
creation, I got the distinct feeling something was missing. You
know that little thought that sits in the back of your head, and
makes your brain itch, where you cannot get to it to scratch… oh
yes, that would be LOBE.
Right the engine… engine... engine. Were the heck did I put it?
Oh well cannot blame a guy for trying, finally I was ready to go… If
I were thinking at all, my quarters would have been a good
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95. Waking the Angel
direction. LOBE wanted to see what would happen next so I
stayed. This is the last time I listen to that freak.
Old Demon Spawn walked in and took up her place in the front of
the class. She greeted us with a smile that could make spring
blossoms bloom ecstatically on weeping willows, in a blizzard. All
the laughter and chatter died down, you could cut the tension in
the air with an ice cream scoop.
I got very nervous.
She started some music device and these funky El tunes filled the
hall. They were soothing.
I felt even more nervous.
I don’t exactly remember when I lost my will to live or precisely
when I forgot I had a will to lose. Hallucinations filled my mind,
laughing hyenas, and nasty little blue midgets with cold noodle
whips, hot leg waxes, natural childbirth, and a big black guy called
Bubba trying to force-feed me a shaved poodle.
I felt the poodle transform into cool blissful liquid. I lay flat on my
back next to my study in abstract art. I stared into the face of
another much more pleasing work of art, a beautiful golden
haired Elven girl. Laidin.
Her bike stood next to mine. She squeezed water down my throat
and smiled sweetly… she understood… I saw it in her eyes. They
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96. Igor Swann
were the eyes of someone with uncontrolled suicidal tendencies
and it dawned on me, we were going to die!
I recovered slightly. I could feel my strength returning, mostly due
to panic and pusillanimous fear. Could the next 20 seconds be
worse than the first 20 seconds? I could not see how. I was young,
naïve. I had a mind like a steel trap, although thoughts usually
manage to skilfully avoid it.
Sharin would not break me with her pathetic intimidation
techniques. I used to be in Special Forces… we know things!
One thing I did know was earth’s gravity was a fraction of Elheimr
and even on the lowest resistance setting; I was struggling not
with strength but with sustaining energy to my muscles. Okay,
that is how LOBE explained it.
I inadvertently lost my manhood somewhere, which put me wholly
in touch with my girly side. Tears were streaming down my cheek.
I was bleeding profusely, from hitting my ankles on the pedals, my
knees on the handlebars and my head against the ground. Pain
was my friend, it kept me conscious… it reminded me I was not
fortunate enough to be dead yet.
There is no record of rest of my experience in hell, because my soul
left my body. LOBE wanted to go along but his fortunate
attachment to my brain was one small consolation, I suffer, he
suffers. The soul left shortly after discovering the next routine was
in fact called climbing with resistance (and I have always had a
resistance to climbing unless it was out of the gutter the next
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97. Waking the Angel
morning). Meanwhile the soul felt that no way could the real hell
be worse than this, and it needs a vacation anyway. It switched off
the lights before leaving.
My soul returned with a simmering Pina Colada and a nice crispy
tan. It took a while for him to recognize the crumbled mass of
bones, blood and flesh as that which it had inhabited earlier, in a
better time, a better place… before the time of the wicked witch of
the North.
LOBE felt since he was only a few weeks old and not ready to start
decaying in some casket somewhere that he would convince the
soul to give me a second chance, being a loyal soul and all, and
well frankly the brochures might have been slightly misleading.
‘Come to hell for a truly amazing vacation you’ll never forget, no
welcome is warmer than ours’, was truly amazingly forgettable
and you would pray to forget soon, hopefully by dinnertime, or by
the latest next Tuesday (it WAS a very optimistic soul). It also
thought ‘No idiot would be stupid enough to try something like
this a second time, right?’ and ‘Obituaries did not usually start
with ‘dear diary’, did they?’ It was also quite convinced hell might
freeze over in the foreseeable future (intelligence was not one of
its more marketable qualities)
The soul’s second mistake was its belief that the vessel spread on
the ground was still recoverable. That it could still use some of the
limbs, eye lids or still had some degree of bladder control. Put it
this way, if the soul was playing monopoly, it was bankrupt and
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98. Igor Swann
parked in jail with no get out of jail free cards… and he was pretty
sure this is NOT how gin rummy is usually played.
LOBE decided that now was as good a time as any to start a clinic
for the Para-psychiatric treatment of traumatized souls, and
maybe he should order me a wheelchair and a straw.
The end; diary entry day 2
Reports of more frequent raids surfaced, mostly occurring in
sectors of Aesir space. Teral returned to the warpath. He had
taken a massive fleet with him this time, under the flag of the
UGE. Dwar and few other smaller races along with the Aesir made
up the fleet.
The El had a number of similar problems, and their fleet left to
liberate one of their border planets, which was under siege by the
Taur.
Teral sat on the command deck of his Imperial Battle Cruiser
deep in conversation with Brom. They were planning on how to
patrol the sector when they got there.
The Arks supplied four Dreadnaughts1, immense warships with
the firepower to destroy entire planets. The only ships that were
bigger, of which there are only 2, and not present in this fleet
were each as large as the earth’s moon.
1 If you compare a Battle Cruiser to say an aircraft carrier then Dreadnaughts
would be ‘aircraft carrier’ carriers and then some. It is rumoured to be large
enough to hold Sharin’s shoe collection (she is apparently related to Keira
Knightley) but as an unfortunate bystander who wishes to remain nameless
and not headless told us ‘nothing can be that big’.
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99. Waking the Angel
Their massive hull held mostly capacitors and generators to
power its wide-angle ion cannons. These cannons were each as
large as a Corvette and could fire a beam that could destroy
Teral’s entire fleet in a couple of sweeps. It took four
Dreadnaughts to tow them into position, which was a slow and
tedious process.
These ships, aptly named Darkmoons, were under direct control
of the UGE, and if needed, dispatched to orbit the capital planets
of two feuding races.
This was to protect the race from invaders, but mostly from
themselves. The Darkmoons would destroy any fleet attempting
to attack or leave the planet. They have never needed to destroy
a fleet since everyone knows better than to mess with these two
behemoths.
The deployment of the Darkmoons around Elheimr and
Nidavellir occurred on more than one occasion. This still made
Qren smile when he thought of Brom and Sharin having to kiss
and make up so they may take back control of their planets.
At this moment both were in Aesir space, orbiting two
uninhabited planets in the hot sectors east and north, next to
Taur space.
From there they could easily deploy with a lot of effort
anywhere on the border.
It was not as if anybody could steal them, no armada could get
close enough.
Teral surveyed his current fleet.
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100. Igor Swann
The Dwar contingent consisted of 12 Corvettes and 3 Battle
Cruisers along with 200 long-range bombers and fighters, all state
of the art, fitted with the very latest technology. The Dwar were
rich and they like to parade it around.
He himself had 8 corvettes and 100 long-range fighters. That
was as much as he could spare without weakening his optimum
defence strategy according to Kasparov. He was the most
vulnerable as he shared an eastern and northern border with the
Taur.
The armada was starting to reappear from the jump and
decrease speed. Brom and Teral had spent the whole trip
discussing strategies.
‘I suggest we split the fleet into 4 equal parts and keep fighters
in reserve,’ Brom suggested.
‘I concur, we will place the fighters 1 jump behind the main
fleets, in range of all 4 attack groups,’ came Teral’s thoughts.
‘The movement of the Marauder fleet or fleets seems to be
random. I can find no specific pattern or direction,’ Brom cursed.
He expected this.
They wanted the element of surprise, and did not want an
armada waiting for them at their next victim.
‘We should send one group to the last attacked planet. Maybe if
we are lucky my mages can expose an ion trail, which would give
us a general direction and hopefully a trail to follow. The rest I feel
should go to each of the planets in the sector most likely to be
attacked next.’
Brom agreed that Teral’s idea was sensible.
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‘We should look for planets with a large enough colony, but a
small defensive grid since these seem to be the planets favoured
by the raiders,’ Teral continued.
Brom was examining the holo-image of the star map.
In this configuration, the map displayed only the planets with
the population density and defensive capabilities next to them.
‘There are unfortunately from what I can gather about 7 of
these planets in this sector.
We can probably ignore Tramor, since it is a Dwar mining colony
and too difficult for the raiders to flush them out without a long
and costly siege of the planet,’ Brom commented.
He was confident in his people’s ability to survive. They were
hard assed and hardheaded. You needed endurance and patience
to outwait a dwarf; and the ability to get very, very old.
‘Do you suggest we further divide our forces?’
‘Not the main attack force. We would need them all once the
hunt begins, and we will not have planetary defences to aid us like
the other groups,’ Brom suggested.
‘Agreed,’ Teral added approvingly.
He was very happy to have Brom along on this mission. Their
long-standing friendship made them brilliant strategists when
combining their experience. They rarely disagreed.
Brom spoke up again. ‘This would leave most of our attack
groups without dreadnaughts, which slow them down
immeasurably and would make them almost useless as
reinforcements. That is unless you plan to have a day long battle,
when we find the scum,’ Brom smiled knowing how much Teral
wanted to extend the torture on the murderous Taur.
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102. Igor Swann
‘True my friend, the groups led by cruisers can reach us at
maximum burn in less than an hour and the reserve fighter group
in less than 15 minutes.’ Teral ignored the comment about the
daylong battle, but was supremely pleased with their plan.
Teral picked up his mindcom and spoke to his ship’s
communication wing. He relayed detailed instructions for the
deployment of the fleet.
‘Let’s hunt,’ Brom said, and slapped his friend on the back,
unfortunately for his size his slap landed on Teral’s ass.
‘Oops, sorry,’ he blushed when Teral gave him a look of
disapproval.
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103. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 14
Dear diary,
Today the queen of the damned took us to a swimming pool.
Olympic size my foot, unless the Olympians are 14 feet tall. You
could barely see the far end. This was obviously built by someone
without any sense of dimension and who has never laid eyes on a
swimming pool. I examined the gear. A nice shiny silicone form
fitting swim cap (recycled implants), blue tinted goggles and a
skin-tight swimsuit. The ones with a short leg that looks like the
1943 female bathing costumes without the frills (banned in 1944
for causing too many drowning of male swimmers). Of course, the
list would be incomplete without the bright orange inflatable
arms. She presented those to me herself. Why did these things
look so familiar?
Off I go, extreme swimmer, ready to make waves and break
records. Who were these sissy swimmers I saw on TV anyway.
Lap 1 to 10 went relatively without incident. I started in lane 3 and
ended up in lane 7. I struggled a little with the turning, got tangled
in the swim lane ropes once on turn 4, luckily I had a knife with me
(I was taking no chances with Old Demon Spawn organizing these
events). I banged my head on the pool floor on turn seven (stroke
of luck that I stayed conscious. I forgot you only make one
summersaulty type move thingy), and got all the skin taken of the
top of my feet when I hit the tiles around the pool on turn 9. I had
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104. Igor Swann
a little problem once with the breathing when I forgot to turn my
head to the side before I inhaled, so I looked like a walrus humping
an imaginary friend for a while. However, other than that the first
ten laps went as well as might be expected. I was concentrating
very hard on my form (and the form of Laidin the golden haired El
in the lane next to me, her tail fins were glo-ri-ous). Admittedly, I
got confused between the butterfly, doggy paddle and freestyle a
couple of times (so I invented the new drowning praying mantis
style, which was a great hit with the El on the side of the pool).
Actually, I was concentrating a little too hard on my form and I
forgot to check my battery levels. As luck would have it, the
battery gave out half way through lap eleven.
So there I was half way through and absolutely no energy left. I
decided this was it, a character defining moment in life. I could
shout for help, I could wave my arms (trying hard to remember the
international signal for I’m in deep $%#%^#, or I need a double
martini on the rocks… and where were the Baywatch chicks when
you needed them). I could scream like a girl … but I decided NO …
NOOOOO, I’ll die with the little dignity I have left. I felt my lungs
burning, I saw the water close over my head (or it could have been
the water in the goggles. I remember wondering if I could still
swap these goggles for ones with orange lenses. I also realized I
would be dead in a few seconds and it might not matter anymore).
I rue the fact that I forgot to inflate my inflatable arms. I saw the
light grow dim. The water was streaming into my mouth. I
remembered it tasting a little salty with just a hint of chlorine, and
wondered if someone balanced the PH level in the pool. I also
wondered how many of these bastards urinated in the water. I
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105. Waking the Angel
saw a pornographic movie flash before my eyes. I realized that this
must be my life then, I wondered if there was enough time to
watch my whole career or if it would be only a highlights package.
Every fibre in my body was screaming for sex … er… I mean air, I
felt myself sinking … sinking …down, ever spiralling downward. I
felt my knees hit the bottom with a thud. I was already kneeling so
I prayed. He answered with a cramp… no, the mother of all
cramps, if you took the greatest cramp on earth, this one would be
its great aunt. The pain caused me to extend my legs. Relief
flooded over me since the water was only chest deep <sheepish
grin>
Okay, I tried to drown again to watch the end of the movie, but no
luck. I walked back to the other end of the pool, still keeping up
appearances while moving with perfect free style form in my
upper body or my version of perfect freestyle form.
I pushed myself out of the pool; fell on my face because I could not
feel my arms anymore. I slithered the rest of the way out, with as
much grace and dignity as was possible in this situation. Realized I
had slithered out of my costume. Slithered back into the pool,
found my costume, found the ladder, calmly walked to my towel,
slipped on a wet tile, twisted my ankle, scraped my knee,
dislocated my jaw again, gathered myself and limped to the
changing room.
The end; diary entry day 3
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106. Igor Swann
New understanding dawned in Angel’s mind. He remembered
reading in his old fantasy novels that there were light and dark
elves.
The light elves were blond with blue eyes, and the dark elves
had black hair and black eyes.
Apparently, the commoner El, with Green eyes and red hair did
not have an opinion on their alignment, probably neutral elves.
He understood why an earthbound observer would classify the
El royalty, judging by Sharin’s magnificent personality, as dark
elves.
Her creation of a torment procedure that was so similar to the
one used on earth was uncanny.
He thought that alien torture would at least have some
imaginative elements to it.
A thought wanted to break through into his consciousness,
‘aargghhh’, if he could only get hold of it.
Angel jumped up as if he was sitting on a hot coal.
‘Speedo, swimming caps, Goggles, Exercise bikes, Stretching
Classes, the dimensions of the swimming pool? It was as if
someone saw a…’
He started to run to the door, thought better of it and slowed to
a walk.
‘It is a good thing there are no old age people with walkers
around. They might get angry at you for holding up the traffic, and
where are you rushing off to anyway?’ LOBE quipped.
‘Wait and see, it is something I found before you were born,
and I think Sharin has it.’
He got to her office after what seemed a good few hours of
careful shuffling and cursing.
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107. Waking the Angel
He noted with a smirk the Princess Instructor printed on the
door. It was unlocked so he quietly sneaked in. He had no other
way of going in at the speed he was moving. He did not even have
to search for it. On the table was the brochure from the Gym next
to his office; the unholy relic he had had in his pocket when he
arrived on this godforsaken planet, and she was using it to torture
him.
The bitch, Angel cursed.
He and LOBE walked back to his room in silent contemplation.
Angel was furious while LOBE was amused.
‘So you gave her the whip to lash you with, how ironic.’
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108. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 15
By the time Angel arrived at his quarters, he had already lost
interest in the subject and started to wonder about something
completely different.
He could not figure out why he was struggling so much.
He was under the impression that he had almost unlimited
strength and speed.
‘Well since you have been sitting on your fat ass for the past
couple of years, guess what, you are unfit!’ LOBE explained
‘I would not be too worried about it. Our body seems to react to
outside stimulus by reconfiguration,’ LOBE concluded.
‘What is that supposed to mean?’ enquired Angel, trying to
focus but he was so tired that it was an exercise in futility, mainly
because of futile exercising.
‘Body see, body do,’ LOBE laughed.
Angel sighed.
‘Our cell structure in the muscles is adapting. Our body seems
to have realized that it has gone a little overboard in generating
muscle cells.’
‘So what,’ Angel remarked, yawning.
He could not keep his eyes open. He wished LOBE would get to
the point, but knowing LOBE that point would be far off. He might
as well catch forty winks and with a bit of luck wake in time for
the punch line, but he also knew LOBE would pound his brain until
he listened.
‘Well it’s reconfiguring the excess cells and increased water
retention in the muscle. Almost exactly half of them have been
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109. Waking the Angel
slowly changing in construct. They now resemble photoreceptor
molecules and are pairing with the normal muscle cells in a kind
of symbiotic relationship.’
‘Seen any matches I can put in my eyes?’ Angel commented
despairingly while free falling onto his bed not bothering to
undress.
‘The mitochondria inside the muscle cells have also increased.
They are used to make energy called ATP for protein and amino-
acid synthesis in case you were wondering.’
‘I wasn’t, but please continue professor.’ Angel was fading fast.
‘The photoreceptors I mentioned previously are commonly
known as Chlorophyll,’ LOBE paused for the gravity of this remark
to hit Angel.
It took a while.
Angel sat bolt upright, ‘I’m going to turn green?’ he exclaimed
very worried.
Green, little green men, he was going to become a human alien.
Although he had to admit, he did not notice any of the other races
being green.
He wondered where humans got that notion.
‘No, unfortunately not,’ LOBE appeared genuinely disappointed,
‘but these cells are absorbing the Carbon dioxide excreted by the
muscle cells. Together with the H2O and the photosynthesis
effect, they are producing oxygen and glucose. The oxygen feeds
the paired muscle cell, and the glucose converts to glycogen and
is stored. This is used to create ATP which turns chemical energy
into kinetic energy, when the muscle needs it.’
‘All I heard now was Blah-Blah Blah-Blah Blah-Blah’
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110. Igor Swann
‘It makes the muscle contract when needed,’ LOBE explained
irritably.
‘Oh, I understand. See I am a good student.’
He was begging the sandman to come.
‘Yes, your body has created its own self sustaining power
generator. When the process is complete, it should in theory,
never get tired. That is if you have enough sunlight and water,’
LOBE remarked teasingly.
‘Maybe you should go plant yourself in the garden somewhere,’
he smirked.
Too late, Angel had dropped off. At least he slept better now,
which pleased LOBE no end.
Angel was so tired he immediately went into Deep Delta sleep
and LOBE could activate the mind link.
Just in time for the discovery channel, LOBE thought.
He loved the fact that Angel’s twin regularly watched the
Discovery Channel. This gave him all the information he needed
with which to pester Angel.
Days turned into weeks and the training became more gruelling,
but as every day turned into the next Angel found it became
easier. The bond between him and LOBE was also growing
stronger and LOBE allowed him into more and more areas of the
mind.
It was fascinating.
He was like a small kid walking into a palaeontology museum.
LOBE played the part of curator with more than the required
gusto, since this was his domain after all.
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111. Waking the Angel
‘This part of the mind was last used 28 years ago. It was one of
the oldest specimens on language absorption, I uncovered. This
cavern, we expect, used to house a sizable creative thinking
centre and memory storage array that seem to have gone extinct
shortly after the parties at varsity commenced. It would have
been fascinating to see this as a living…’ his voice trailed off
genuinely dejected.
Angel’s latest body enhancement process had stopped and he
was now getting the hang of his new strength and speed.
He learned fast and studied hard.
The library had many books on fighting techniques and stances
and LOBE helped him perfect them and store them in muscle
memory. LOBE wanted to kick Sharin’s butt as much as Angel did.
‘Okay, okay, let’s start again. Left foot forward, right back and
twist slightly… good, now place your weight on your back foot,
and position your centre of gravity. Fine, now use your right arm
to steady yourself and bring the blade up in a wide arch… NO, NO,
NO, snap your wrist… Okay back to one,’ LOBE’s voice droned on
and on.
He also studied Kung Fu and Jujitsu on earth. Although he was
never a brilliant pupil, he knew the theory behind it.
His new body took to these techniques like a duck to water.
He knew this gave him an edge that would serve him well. He
was revelling in it, vowing to wait until he had perfected every
move before using it on Sharin.
His studies into the races were keeping him enthralled. The El
and their bow-staff he was quite familiar with having felt the flat
of the blade on numerous occasions.
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112. Igor Swann
The Dwar and the Aesir were just as interesting.
He found references to the incredible hammers of the Dwar,
and their ability to break down molecules and atoms and absorb
the energy. How they cause electric storms and the symbol of
power called Mjolnir.
‘Dwar Thor Mjolnir 7 hits’ LOBE interrupted.
Angel gasped. He never realized that, as Freyr was the God of
the elves, that you could link Thor to Dwarves.
The amazing hammer Mjolnir, The hammer was the key! He
remembered Brom asking where Mjolnir was. He forgot he left it
in the restroom, and went ballistic.
I mean, it is not as if anyone could steal it, nobody but one of his
kin could lift it, he had thought to himself after seeing Brom’s act.
He at least knew that much about the hammer.
Wow. Thor and the amazing hammer Mjolnir. The thunder god
who was able to control lightning and thunder with Mjolnir, Angel
thought.
Was he a dwarf? They seem strong enough, but Brom is very
intelligent, and the description of the bright red haired Thor was
as strong as an ox and almost as smart. Maybe he was a friend of
the Dwar or simply their god. He would need to ask Brom when he
next saw him.
He wondered about the other races, the Aesir could they be
linked to earth mythology as well?
He had read previously that they were shape changers. He
knew most of their customs and he knew they were entertainers
and great magicians.
‘LOBE, do you have any reference to shape changers in Norse
Mythology?’
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113. Waking the Angel
‘As a matter of fact Loki the trickster god was a shape changer,’
LOBE answered.
‘Yes!’ thought Angel, ‘he fits the profile. Entertainer, shape
changer, and magic user.’
‘Odin was also a great magic user and was said to be related to
Loki,’ LOBE continued.
‘So Odin and Loki are both Aesir?’ Angel’s curiosity reached
boiling point.
He had so many questions for Brom and Teral, such as did they
have ancestors called Thor and Loki in the time of Freyr? He did
not want to wait. He jumped up and rushed to find Qren. He
would know.
Qren was missing in action, and he sulkily went for a walk in the
garden.
It was a beautiful day outside.
He walked along the garden path that followed the contours of
the castle. Amazing birds flew overhead in all colours and
descriptions. He had never seen so many birds in one place
before, here or earth.
One particularly large bird caught his eye.
Shinning blue and shimmering in the sunlight it resembled a
falcon.
It glided over the castle and he tried to follow its flight as far as
he could. The bird disappeared over the castle roof. In the
window, right below where it disappeared, something drew
Angel’s attention.
The figure only appeared for a second, but he could have sworn
it was a girl.
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114. Igor Swann
Not an alien girl, she looked human.
He knew that that was impossible so he dismissed it without
another thought and kept walking.
The amazing garden clearly displayed a distinct human
influence. This must have been where his predecessors came to
ponder their plight.
Flowers as large as hubcaps and as small and frail as butterfly
wings, painted in all colours of the rainbow surrounded him. Oval
flowers looked as if covered in lace, with the most amazing blend
of pastel colours. Trees covered in blossoms, shrubs and bushes
all beautifully kept. Some shaped like animals and others like
birds. It was a little Garden of Eden, and the one place where
Angel could feel a little happiness.
‘What are we doing LOBE?’ Angel asked suddenly feeling quite
drained, ‘why are we here?’
‘You walked here?’ LOBE replied.
‘NO! I mean HERE!’ Angel screamed, frightening the birds away.
‘So you can become lord of the United Galactic Empire,’ LOBE
answered without emotion.
‘I know why I am here! I want to know, why am I here?’ Angel
was frustrated.
‘Why am I going to fight some aliens’ fight for them? They
kidnapped me, took me from my home and everything I knew,
changed me, and now I HAVE to fight for them, why?’
‘Because your life has meaning now,’ LOBE softly explained with
an unnerving compassion.
‘BECAUSE MY Life has meaning now…’ Angel’s voice trailed off.
LOBE was right.
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115. Waking the Angel
He knew that something was missing in his life since he left
Special Forces, a long time ago when the earth was still young, or
he was still young, all that matters is, it was a lifetime ago.
His life had meaning then.
He was fighting for a cause, and he was protecting lives. It might
not have been his cause, and he would never know the lives he
was protecting, but at least his death would have meaning.
He would have died protecting souls.
Sure, this was different. He did not even know if they had souls.
These were not his people.
Asked to lay down his life, die for creatures that were not
human. They came to earth to abduct and enslave for their own
purposes.
Nevertheless, in the end that did not matter. He had a cause, he
had beings in danger and he was the only one who could save
them. He had a purpose again.
His life had meaning!
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116. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 16
The days kept their monotonous routine and Angel still had
many questions and very few answers. Not only about Thor and
Loki, but also since Mjolnir the Hammer exists, then what about
Gungnir the mighty spear of Odin, questions leading to yet more
questions.
Qren suggested an off world excursion, to experience more of
the universe first hand.
Angel happily agreed.
He rushed off to find Laidin.
‘Laidin I have permission to go off world. Let’s go have some
fun,’ he excitedly imparted when he found her reading in the
garden.
‘Sounds great but I have to study, my friend,’ Laidin said looking
into his grey eyes.
The look of utter disappointment on Angel’s face was too much
for her to bear.
‘I guess it could wait a while,’ she sighed.
‘Great! Qren has been gracious enough to lend us his cruiser.’
Uncertainty crept over his face.
‘But where will we go?’ he asked.
‘Leave that to me,’ she said with a glint in her eye, ‘I think the
City of Dreams should do just fine.’
‘The City of Dreams, I like the sound of that,’ Angel agreed
eagerly.
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117. Waking the Angel
The city was in a word, enormous. It covered the entire planet.
It was a medley of dazzling lights and glittering signs. The magic
hung as thick as fog over the city. Sounds of laughter and pleasure
beckoned them to join in the festivities.
The city invited you to lose yourself and that would not be
difficult.
Some who entered a decade ago are still looking for the exit.
It would take years and years of exploration to visit only a
hundredth of this magnificent city.
‘Wow, this place is amazing!’ Angel remarked in wonderment,
his nose pressed tightly against the shuttle view port.
‘Yes, this is the capital world of the Aesir. Its real name is
Ásgarôr, but because it has become such a huge tourist attraction,
visitors like to refer to it as the place dreams come true,’ Laidin
said smiling.
‘Ásgarôr, as in Asgard, the home of Odin,’ Angel asked
bemused.
‘You sound surprised,’ Laidin laughed, ‘is it because another
part of your earth mythology is true?’
Angel ignored her, distracted by the sights from the city of
dreams below him.
Sigh, men! Laidin thought giving Angel a moment to focus his
attention on her again, before continuing.
‘They understand the art of entertainment. You would find
more races and species here than in the rest of the universe
combined. The origins of some were unclear even to the most
ardent of scholars. Most probably bred here and mutated through
all the residual magic,’ Laidin explained.
‘Hmmm sounds like New York on earth,’ Angel commented.
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118. Igor Swann
‘You have a place like this on your planet?’ she asked perplexed.
‘No not really. I would not even try comparing anything I have
seen in my sheltered life to this,’ Angel replied grinning.
They landed the shuttle on one of the millions of platforms in
the city. Being that the craft was a UGE Imperial shuttle they
could have used a VIP platform but Laidin did not want to attract
attention.
They both wore hooded cloaks, as per Laidin’s suggestion. No
reason to stand out in this crowd, even though that might be
impossible.
They walked down the street or more precisely Laidin walked
while Angel stumbled. He was falling over everyone because his
eyes were never on where he was going.
Laidin had never before heard anyone say ‘WOW’ so many
times.
‘Here we are,’ she said, ‘a retreat favoured by El.’
Plants were growing everywhere and it looked like a nursery left
unchecked for a million years or so.
Elves sat on tree trunks and in branches of trees, happily talking
and drinking.
‘We are safe here,’ she said as she pushed back her hood.
They walked up to a bar and she ordered them a couple of
drinks.
It was sweet like honey.
‘Nectar of the gods,’ she explained.
‘Do not drink too many, they pack a punch and could leave you
hung-over for a week,’ she grinned.
They spent the rest of the evening chatting away. Angel told her
about earth and their customs, the diverse races. She showed
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extreme interest in his stories on Norse Mythology, and how it
relates to the truth, he now knew.
‘So we are gods on your planet?’ Laidin asked curiously.
‘There are few who still believe in the legends and worship the
gods of old. The myths are still well known and makes for
interesting bed time stories,’ he said.
Laidin told him of Elheimr.
‘Sounds almost exactly like how it is described in our fantasy
novels,’ Angel remarked, ‘although it is a city, not an entire
planet!’ he added.
It was getting late and they decided to head back to Arken. The
city was as busy this time of night as when they got there.
Street magicians were performing incredible magic. Angel kept
on looking for the wires until Laidin told him that they are using
true magic and not illusion.
The duo walked up a small street since Laidin was tired of being
hustled.
Angel felt a little tipsy.
‘Did you enjoy yourself?’ she enquired.
‘Oh, I am going to,’ a gruff voice came from behind them.
They turned around to find five burly creatures grinning stupidly
at them. They tried to go in the opposite direction, but five more
vagrants blocked their passage.
I am about to be mugged, and I am not even in New York, Angel
nervously thought.
LOBE spoke into his mind.
‘Why are you worried? This is your chance to test out your new
abilities. Just don’t hurt them too badly,’ LOBE joked.
He was right Angel thought.
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120. Igor Swann
He has been looking for an opportunity like this for weeks now.
He had even tried to pick a fight with some of the students that
were bullying an El who had trouble keeping up with the program,
but they just walked away.
‘Stand back,’ Laidin ordered.
‘Not on your life,’ Angel replied with determination.
Laidin sighed.
‘Okay back to back; and go for the ears and knees, which are
these scum’s most vulnerable areas.’
They started to dance. The adrenalin pumped so hard Angel
could hear the ringing in his ears.
He lifted his leg and side kicked left and right at the nearest two
heads.
One head flew into a wall followed closely by the body, the
other spun around twice before it sagged into a crumpled mass.
Yeah baby, he thought, this is going to be fun.
The thugs seemed a little less sure of their strategy and decided
to draw their weapons. Laser whips that could slash clean through
you, long thin poison blades and shock batons that could put
down an elephant appeared in their claws.
Laidin dispatched one of her opponents with a short punch and
threw a second into his friend impaling him on a poison blade.
‘I guess he got the point,’ Angel smirked.
The dance continued.
Angel and Laidin had now circled away from each other, each
using the wall as a cover for their backs.
The whip screamed at Angel’s head. He ducked, or rather, he
was there and then he was not.
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121. Waking the Angel
The thug’s head exploded into the wall before the whip had
even reached the place Angel’s head occupied moments before.
‘That’s what you call opening a can of whip-ass, or rather
canning the ass with the whip,’ Angel explained to no one in
particular.
He felt a slight electric current prick the hair in his neck. He
immediately jumped into the air and made a back summersault
landing on a platform 16 feet above him.
Two thugs both holding stun batons stared up at Angel.
They looked at each other, and then looked back at him.
It took a fraction of a second, but Angel had disappeared,
except for his shadow, which seemed to have problems keeping
up with him.
‘Here I am gentlemen,’ he said from behind them.
They turned quickly batons swinging but all it made contact
with was each other’s jawbone, obviously with a little
intervention from Angel.
The shock batons discharged and they lit up like Christmas trees
with their boots starting to smoke.
‘Hey, it’s a shocking remake of puff the magic dragon,’ Angel
managed another corny remark.
One burly gentleman that was sneaking up behind Laidin, found
his feet not in contact with the ground any longer, and in one
movement Angel threw him to the end of the street.
‘He could have applied for his pilot’s license after that
performance. Too bad he did not stick the landing though, might
have lost points there.’
Angel’s mind must have been infected by this place, Laidin
thought, he speaks no sense.
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122. Igor Swann
Laidin jumped and did a spinning kick aimed at one of the two
bouncers in front of her; almost removing Angel’s head as well, if
he had not ducked in time, but she did make contact with the
target.
The enemy slid on his backside until he hit the wall and lay still.
After her foot made contact, Angel caught it.
‘Hey baby; want to go for a spin?’ he asked, and shoved her leg
in the opposite direction cleanly breaking the other distinguished
gentleman’s jaw.
A confused Laidin lightly touched down.
Peace returned to the street.
‘Hmmm that was fun, let’s do it again,’ Angel kidded.
‘Let us not,’ Laidin scolded giving Angel an angry look.
Laidin’s unease grew.
In all her years of coming here, she had never had an
experience like this or even heard of anyone having a similar
experience.
This appeared premeditated.
They walked back to the shuttle and took off in a hurry.
Angel’s face creased with a deep frown; he obviously had
something on his mind. It felt like a fog lifted and he could think
clearly again.
‘Laidin, would you keep this between us? If you tell them they
will never let me go off world again, and this was the best night of
my life.’
She hesitated but agreed.
‘I do not like it but I do not have to, I suppose the choice is
yours,’ she said.
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123. Waking the Angel
‘Thanks… One more thing, please do not tell anyone about what
you saw me do tonight. It’s a surprise,’ he gave her a sneaky grin.
‘The corny stand-up comedy with the terrible jokes?’ she asked
sarcastically.
‘Especially not that!’ he smiled sheepishly, ‘I think I’ll leave the
nectar of the gods, to the gods from now on.’
The weekly evaluation day arrived, and with this Sharin’s
chance to humiliate him.
He had been holding back the previous 8 weeks not using his
speed, strength or reflexes.
Last week he had to fight Laidin and he definitely did not want
to hurt her. She was his only friend and the only one who seemed
to care whether he lived or died. They did a few monotonous
haphazard manoeuvres together before Sharin halted
proceedings, claiming utter boredom.
No, he wanted Sharin, and today was his big chance. He was
supposed to be the teacher’s punching bag for the day. LOBE
brimmed with delight at the prospect.
He unlocked it all, and a little bit more even Angel was not privy
to.
Sharin started off by demonstrating a few attacking
manoeuvres with the bow-staff before she called Angel up, an evil
grin played across her face.
‘Even though I am not presented with a challenge, I will attempt
to show the effectiveness if these techniques,’ she sneered.
She hit, he blocked, effortlessly.
Her face contorted in a mix of confusion and contempt.
115

124. Igor Swann
She hit again, he blocked, and then, ‘accidentally’ swept her
feet from under her.
He stayed rooted to the same spot the entire time.
She furiously looked up at him from the flat of her back.
Sharin flew up, twisted and sent a flurry of attacks in his
direction.
She moved at speeds that made the rest of the class look in
opposite directions trying desperately to follow her movements.
He just stood there pretending to yawn and with only one hand
on his staff blocked every one of her deadly assaults, his feet still
unmoved.
Sharin charged, her eyes on fire, her muscles taunt like a
racehorse.
She desperately attempted to put the wooden training blade
through his intestines.
Angel moved and instantly became a blur. Her confused stare
stayed rooted to the spot where he was supposed to be.
He tapped her on the shoulder with his bow-staff. ‘You’re
dead,’ he whispered into her pointed ear, his mouth inches away.
She spun around, unfortunately for her, Angel’s bow-staff had
already been repositioned and had inexplicably ended up
between her legs; she ended up on her bottom again.
Sharin flipped up but again found her legs not where they were
supposed to be for her landing and she landed flat on her face;
Angel’s bow-staff completing the graceful arch that caused the
accident.
He pushed her face down in the dirt with the end of his bow-
staff.
‘Do you concede,’ he demanded.
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125. Waking the Angel
He took her grunt as ‘yes’, but it could have been something
about his mother.
Laidin sat with a huge grin on her face while the rest of the class
appeared gripped in unimaginable fear.
Sharin did not bother to dismiss the class before storming off.
The El seemed confused and too afraid to move in case the class
was not over, or that Sharin might notice them. One El tried
desperately to camouflage himself behind a blade of grass and
another imitated a shrub.
Only Laidin jumped up and hugged him.
She was as pleased as punch.
117

126. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 17
Brom clearly felt Teral’s disappointment.
They had picked up the ion trail with the help of his mages.
They followed the ion trail for 2 days until for no apparent reason
the trail changed direction.
This mystifying turn of events had flung the two leaders into a
serious deliberation.
They could not have known he and Brom were following since
they were pursuing cloaked by his mages.
The trails lead into Taur space in a straight line and judging by
the ion radiation at maximum burn. They were in a hurry to get
back.
Why were the Taur recalling their troops? Teral thought.
‘Shall we follow?’ Brom asked.
‘No, that would be futile. We do not have the numbers to
compete should we run into a border patrol and they summon
reinforcements.’
‘You are right, we would never catch a raiding party at
maximum burn in any event, and even if we did we would be in
Taur space and we would be sitting broadwings1,’ Brom thought
back equally disappointed.
1
Stupid alien ducks, that cannot fly and cannot run fast either. This was a
blessing since they always run towards the threat instead of away. Only reason
they have survived this long is that they taste worse than their manure.
118

127. Waking the Angel
The communications officer broke into the two leaders’
thoughts.
‘Sir we picked up a signal beacon on the low frequency band, it
seems like one on our spy network,’ he said into the mindcom.
‘What is the origin?’ Teral asked.
‘A small mining colony, Kend’d4 just inside Taur space sir,’ came
the reply.
‘Do we have any spies scheduled for pickup?’ Teral asked.
‘One second sir, I’ll find out.’
An intrigued Teral patiently waited for his communications
officer to verify their schedules. They do not usually welcome
spies back, though they would if they ever came back.
The work was deadly and the danger pay was tremendous when
successful. It could cripple most small races entire entertainment
budget. However, spies had a 100% success rate in not being
successful or returning from active duty, therefore, they have
unfortunately never had the pleasure of actually paying out the
danger pay. Nevertheless, by cleverly omitting this point from the
recruitment brochure, new spies were still conned into a short life
of service.
The mindcom beeped again, ‘we have only one spy deployed
sir. This is not his scheduled extraction, but he might have
uncovered something. He is the best we’ve got,’ thinking better of
completing the sentence with... left.
‘Set course commander, we might as well do something useful
on this tour.’
Brom seemed concerned, ‘what if this is a trap?’
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128. Igor Swann
‘We have to take the chance my dear friend,’ Teral answered,
‘he might have information on why the Taur is amassing that
fleet.’
‘You are right, we must take the chance. That fleet has been
bothering me incessantly,’ Brom replied with a grimace.
He did not know what to make of these new developments in
Taur behaviour, but knew it would not be pleasant.
This might well be a trap, but they needed the information
badly.
‘I wish I knew what suddenly made the Taur so brave. Have they
found an ally somewhere, or found some artefact of great
power?’ he thought aloud.
That was unthinkable, but they had been doing a lot of deep
space exploration, far beyond normal scout missions, he thought
to himself.
‘We will hopefully soon find out,’ Teral answered.
120

129. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 18
Angel woke with a scream stifled on his lips.
LOBE eventually got the hang of tuning into his brother’s
thoughts and was doing so at his convenience.
He watched events on earth through his brother most nights,
and it was quite pleasant really, since his brother had an
exceptionally ordinary life.
His brother often visited their father at the old age home, and
Angel loved to listen in on their conversations.
Tonight was different and Angel was terrified.
Cold sweat flowed from every gland in his body.
He ran madly, ran to find anyone who would listen.
Angel screamed for Qren, Noone, Sharin anyone.
The halls seemed endless.
He ran.
Around a corner and another, nothing.
Where did Qren sleep?
He ran past some guards and stopped long enough to get
directions.
He ran on, still shouting in his mind for Qren.
‘Where are we going,’ LOBE yawned.
‘What? You saw the vision,’ Angel barked.
‘What vision? I did not start a vision?’ LOBE remarked.
Angel ignored LOBE. He knew what he saw.
He burst through a door and ran into a mystified Qren.
They both lay sprawled across the floor.
‘They’re there,’ Angel screamed in his mind.
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130. Igor Swann
‘Who’s where,’ Qren enquired calmly.
‘They, THEY, the things are on earth, your things,’ he was so
messed up he could not remember what they, the Taur, were
called.
Qren understood, ‘the Taur?’
‘Yes the Taur, they have invaded earth,’ Angel stammered.
‘Please calm down my lord, tell me everything,’ Qren tried hard
to appear calm but he was also feeling panicked.
‘That is everything. My brother was watching TV and the
bulletin came on about massacres. An alien race had invaded
every major population centre, and they were killing everything in
sight. They had pictures. It was the Taur, there is no doubt.’
‘Do not worry my lord, we’ll think of something, we’ll do
something,’ Qren answered at a complete loss.
He did not even bother to wonder how Angel knew all of this.
‘WHAT, what can we do? By the time we get a fleet there the
planet will be destroyed, did you not hear me they are there.’
Angel continued at a frenetic pace stomping around like a
lunatic.
‘How could you let this happen? How could you let them find
earth? How could you not know this was going to happen? Why
did you not leave us alone? You caused this, you caused this,’
Angel shouted turning red in the face.
Sharin and Noone came rushing in as well.
Qren quickly gave them the run down.
Sharin was furious but Noone seemed somehow deep in
thought.
‘We have failed,’ Noone proclaimed.
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131. Waking the Angel
Angel felt like geysers about to erupt, even LOBE seemed
sympathetic, since he had hoped to see earth one day.
Anyway, he had grown attached to Angel and he hated seeing
him this way; the fact that he had no choice in his attachment to
Angel was beside the point.
Sharin and Qren just stared blankly in front of them, trying hard
not to make eye contact with Angel.
Qren feeling guilty for his planet’s destruction and Sharin
feeling something, which could have simply been a stone in her
shoe.
Noone on the other hand seemed distant, as if he was figuring
something out, something that did not seem to fit properly. If the
Taur had moved a fleet through the earth jump gate, they would
surely have known.
He turned to Angel and asked, ‘was there anything strange
about the vision, contorted vivid colours, names spelt backward,
or reversed. Movements that was too quick?’
‘Now that you mention it, yes, this vision was different to all the
others. All the words in the vision appeared backwards. I noticed
that when the vision started, but so what?’ he did not understand
why that was important.
‘There is time!’ Noone exclaimed.
‘What?’ All four of the others said in unison, okay of course
LOBE and Qren thought it.
‘There is time,’ Noone said again.
‘No there isn’t. They are there and they are killing us. Did you
not hear the words that are coming out of my mouth?’ Angel said
again, mouthing the last few syllables irritably.
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132. Igor Swann
‘They are not there yet,’ Noone said calmly, ‘what you saw is
the future.’
‘How,’ Angel asked frantic.
‘I noticed this in your predecessors. There were some strange
readings from them at certain stages through the night.’
‘When I interviewed them through hypnosis and using a mind-
projector which showed me the images of what they saw. I found
they saw glimpses of the future, especially very traumatic
situations which seem to come into their mind from somewhere.’
Noone continued, ‘I then found out, from studying text
collected by the Arks from earth, that you humans have what is
called a soul, it is in you but not part of the body.’
Noone seemed distant as if even now he was trying to make
sense of this phenomenon.
‘This soul can leave the body and explore. You see, because
time is bound to the physical universe, things with dimension,
weight etc. we have to travel with time.’
‘Okay, so,’ Sharin asked.
‘Well these Vanir soul entity travel on different planes where
time has no meaning. It can travel forward, backward and
sideways in time. It is not bound to time like us,’ Noone paused as
if puzzled.
‘I have yet to find the use for the soul. I have no idea why Vanir
have them.’
He snapped out of the daze he seemed to have fallen into when
Angel spoke.
‘So it’s like our God, who can listen to everybody’s prayers at
the same time and knows how the earth is going to end,’ Angel
asked.
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133. Waking the Angel
New understanding seemed to dawn on Angel.
His mother being a devoted Christian had subjected him to his
share of church services.
‘Now I understand what it means that to him a day is like a
thousand years and a thousand years like one day. Time has no
meaning in that realm,’ Angel remarked quoting the bible.
‘Anyway,’ Noone said, not appreciating the interruption.
‘When the soul has seen something very traumatic the thought
sometimes filter through to the mind, but the thoughts are
distorted, and usually things are reversed in the visions, such as
names etc.’
‘So I had a vision of a vision I was going to have in the future?’
Angel asked perplexed.
‘Now this is real sci-fi,’ LOBE giggled in Angel’s mind.
‘That sound like the description of a dream to me. He is
studying the Taur at the moment, his mind may have fabricated
this,’ Sharin remarked.
‘True, it could be a dream as well. We won’t be sure until it
happens, but can we take that chance?’ Noone asked.
‘No!’ Angel cried out, ‘We definitely cannot! But if I saw the
future, and if it hasn’t happened, it is going to,’ he continued,
killing Sharin’s thoughts.
‘Not necessarily. What you saw is one possible future and in this
case the most likely one,’ Noone explained, ‘but that can be
changed, the past is irreversible but the future is a series of
possibilities.’
‘So how long do we have?’ Sharin demanded.
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134. Igor Swann
‘I do not know. I shall have to place Angel under hypnosis and
on the mind-projector and hope he has seen something useful in
the vision, something we can establish a time line from.’
Qren spoke for the first time, ‘then I suggest we do that
immediately.’
‘We will speak further when I have more,’ Noone advised, ‘in
the meantime Qren send out communiqués. We need the Senate
here now. Angel, follow me.’
He spent almost an hour interviewing Angel.
When Angel woke, the questions were already forming, as his
eyes were still flickering open.
‘So how long do we have? Did you see anything useful?’
‘I am sorry Angel, there was nothing I could use to deduce a
timeline from,’ Noone apologized.
Angel left feeling dejected.
He wanted action, and he wanted it now. However, first he
wanted an aspirin, in the form of whiskey.
He found Qren in deep deliberation with Sharin.
‘We need to call in our forces now,’ Qren told her.
‘But that could take weeks. We do not have the time. In any
event, we have no solid evidence. It could just be a dream. How
are we going to convince the UGE to bring in all their fleets on a,
what did Noone call it? A soul flight,’ Sharin sneered.
‘It’s like asking them to believe in the Walker-monster1. We will
be laughed out of the senate,’ she concluded.
1 The boogie monster’s evil stepmother with hairy legs; she scares boogie
monster.
126

135. Waking the Angel
They saw Angel approach and stopped talking.
‘You are not going to do anything,’ Angel remarked, it was a
statement more than a question.
Qren spoke up, ‘we are my lord. We will do everything possible!
We will fix this!’
He had heard enough. He turned and headed back to his
quarters.
‘How did he hear us?’ Sharin whispered when he was out of
earshot.
‘Super hearing,’ Angel’s distraught voice drifted in from the
distance.
Sorrow overcame a beleaguered Qren, how could Sharin have
been so heartless. He made a decision. He would send his fleet no
matter what the senate decided.
He made a few calls. The first was to the Admiral of his fleet.
‘Admiral I need you to assemble our entire fleet, they must be
ready to deploy immediately. I shall explain later, it is imperative
this is done with the utmost urgency.’
The Arks were no fighters. They did not possess the fortitude
for bravery and heroism.
Fortunately, their weaponry and technology were astonishing
and they relied on this as a deterrent, instead of actual fighting
skills.
The dreadnaughts were the property of the Ark. The
Darkmoons, even though the UGE senate would deploy them,
belonged to the Arks as well.
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136. Igor Swann
You would generally not attack the Arks and hoped to return
home triumphantly. You might however get a standardized
automated note of apology afterwards.
The Arks were nothing if not polite.
Qren sat deep in thought, how could they have allowed this to
happen.
Unbeknownst to Qren, Sharin did something completely out of
character. She brought her forces to full combat readiness, and
called up all available El to active service.
To an outsider it might look like she had gone soft.
Some might say she actually cared about something.
Careful observers would have noticed the glint in her eye.
128

137. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 19
Teral and Brom sat in stunned silence in the huge conference
room aboard the Imperial battle cruiser.
They had heard the story from Guival, and read the minutes
from the meeting.
The end of the known universe had begun.
‘We need to get to the senate,’ Brom said quite unnecessarily.
Teral was already thinking into his mindcom, ‘convene the
senate immediately.’
‘Set course for Arken. Maximum burn and I do mean maximum.’
‘Get all fleet commanders on conference mindcom,’ Teral
ordered.
‘Get mine as well,’ Brom added.
‘Call up all the reservists, get them all fitted and battle ready.
NOW, NOW, NOW,’ Teral barked at the unfortunate lieutenant
who just happened to be bringing afternoon drinks.
A few seconds later the message came back from the
communications officer, ‘the senate is already convening sire,
they request your and Lord Brom’s presence. The message came
flagged as priority black.’
Both Brom and Teral knew what that meant.
The entire universe was under threat.
Teral wanted to tell the senate immediately but he could not
take a chance and tip off the enemy thereby hastening their
journey to earth.
He could speak to his commanders; tell them to battle ready his
fleet, without giving them information that would alert the Taur.
129

138. Igor Swann
Minutes later both Aesir and Dwar fleets were on full alert, and
he dispatched the fleet with him to join the armada.
Only the Imperial Battle Cruiser continued on to Arken.
They arrived at Arken that same morning.
The rest of the senate, already there, were deep in
conversation.
Nobody except the Chief Senators knew what the big
commotion was, and the rest were speculating to their hearts
content. However, not even their most ridiculous fantasy flights
came close to the gravity of situation.
Qren called them to order with Angel sitting among the Chief
Senate on the dais.
‘We have called this meeting because Angel has had a vision of
the future.’
He nodded at Noone who proceeded to convey the events of
the previous evening, as well as his hypothesis.
At the end Sharin added, ‘it might also be a dream, and we need
to decide if we are going…’ she did not finish the sentence before
Brom forcedly interjected. ‘That was no dream,’ he boomed.
Blank stares met the leader of the Dwar, and a cold one from a
certain raven headed princess.
‘We picked up an Aesir spy, Guival. He is waiting outside and
will confirm Angel’s vision,’ Brom said while he turned to the
Guards.
‘Summon Guival.’
Guival stood on the same spot Angel did a few weeks earlier
staring nervously at the stark faces around him.
‘Members of the Senate,’ he began.
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139. Waking the Angel
‘We all know the Taur had been amassing a fleet for unknown
purposes,’ but an irate Sharin cut him off.
‘Yes, yes get on with it,’ she spat, politely informing him to
hasten his retelling or else.
Guival hurriedly continued.
‘I managed to infiltrate the Taur tower, and found minutes of a
Taur war council that contained disturbing news,’ Guival rambled
off as fast as his entertainer mind could form the words.
‘The minutes had the following lines spoken by Kra’st, we will
cut off the head of the hydra and burn the wound closed so
another head cannot grow in its place’
He passed copies of the minutes to all the senators.
‘Lord Teral and Grand Master Brom deduced the same as I, the
death of Lord Kasparov was no accident. There is a spy on Arken
and they did not know about Lord Angel because of the
information blanket. However, the fleet left for Vanaheimr, or
earth, almost a week ago. To burn the wound closed.’
The council sat dumbstruck. This was not what they had
expected.
Angel first to recover, the desperation clearly audible in his
voice, spoke the words on everyone’s minds.
‘They left a week ago. Then my people are doomed,’ Angel said
feeling the life drain from his body.
Noone ignored him.
‘We need to bring the fleets on alert immediately. I suggest we
combine the Chief Senator’s fleets as our main attack force, and
have the other senator’s fleet serve as border protection.’
‘From my estimates using the Bifrost jump point, compared to
the Taur fleet movement with partial jump points and having to
131

140. Igor Swann
do most of their journey on ship power on the space curves, I
estimate we must leave within two weeks to beat them to earth.’
‘How long will it take to alert your commanders?’ Noone
enquired.
‘My fleet is being assembled as we speak,’ Qren announced,
very proud of himself for his foresight.
‘So is mine,’ Brom said.
‘Mine too,’ came Teral’s voice.
‘The El fleet is on full alert as well,’ Sharin commented in a way
that would suggest she had the same motives.
All the chief council turned to stare at her.
They did not know what surprised them more, the spy’s news,
or this.
‘What?’ she demanded irritably.
They all suddenly pretended to be busy. Brom intently studied
his nails. Teral saw a dirt spot on the roof. Qren found a wrinkle
on his never crease tunic, and Noone desperately tried to
determine the taste of his pencil.
Only Angel looked at the council with amazement and
gratitude.
They were anxious to help his people. They were rushing to go
help the earth, even Sharin.
‘Thanks Princess,’ he murmured.
She smiled at him, in a friendly way for the first time, or he was
almost sure she did when he tried to recall the moment a nano-
second later. It might also have been a very evil grin.
‘Thank you all,’ he smiled.
‘Then all that remain is, for the rest of the senators to get their
fleets ready,’ Noone continued.
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141. Waking the Angel
‘I shall undertake to deploy them when they are assembled.’
‘The chief council may continue to form the plans for the battle
of earth,’ Noone concluded.
The meeting disbanded in haste.
133

142. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 20
A confounded Angel ambled back to his quarters, ‘LOBE I did
not understand any of that. If the Taur fleet left a week ago, how
are we able to take two weeks to prepare and still reach earth
before them?’
‘I figured you did not,’ LOBE thought, ‘I’ll try explain. Space is
not linear but rather curved, similar to a piece of cloth folded
many times, or more accurately, like a Japanese fan. Normal time
flows with space curves, following the contours of the fan.’
‘Are you following me so far?’ LOBE asked.
‘Yes, yes, space is a Japanese fan, go on,’ Angel sighed.
‘You take the fan and open it up, fan it out, and then make
marks at both ends of the fan. We then imagine one is Arken and
one Earth. Then you measure the distance between the two
points. Even when folded the distance between the points will not
change if measured tracing the outside of the fan’s surface. Are
you keeping up?’ LOBE asked suspiciously, wondering if Angel was
keeping up. Angel nodded.
‘Now fold the fan and press a needle through the fan’s blades
connecting the two dots, measure that distance between the
points going through the hole.’
‘The second is a fraction of the first.’
‘Uhuh,’ Angel acknowledged.
‘Jump points. They are holes through space folds. The one to
earth that is in this sector, connects this fold with earth’s fold.
Therefore, travel time to earth is the distance through folds, not
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143. Waking the Angel
along them. In the case of earth, it would take weeks instead of
years.’
He could see lights flickering in Angel’s eyes, from the inside.
‘The Taur do not have a hole that goes directly from here to
earth. They have to, if we take the fan example again, jump to say
the third fold, and then they need to drive along the outside to
say the seventh, before they use a hole to the ninth. I think you
get the picture now.’
‘Yes thanks,’ Angel acknowledged, ‘you need a special engine to
travel through these gates. This was developed by one of the UGE
Lords. A Taur spy later stole it, which is a shame. It would have
given us a huge tactical advantage,’ remembering having read
about it when he was studying his predecessors.
‘Bifrost,’ Angel jumped, ‘Noone said Bifrost.’
‘Yep,’ LOBE acknowledged, ‘the legendary Bifrost Bridge that
connects Asgard and Midgard in Norse mythology.’
‘Wow,’ Angel breathed, ‘so the jump gate is the bridge.’
‘Congratulations captain obvious,’ LOBE sneered.
Angel decided to take a stroll in the gardens. This used to calm
his nerves and help him think straight.
His route took him past Qren’s quarters where he saw a
shadowy figure exit and slink down the hallway.
‘Do you think,’ he started but LOBE interrupted before he could
finish.
‘Yep, follow it,’ LOBE commanded.
The figure moved like lightning but Angel had no problem
keeping up. He moved silently and kept the figure in visual range.
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144. Igor Swann
The figure scanned its surroundings to make sure there were no
observers, before entering Noone’s room.
Angel sneaked up to the door and listened. He could hear the
mysterious figure going through Noone’s personal belongings.
Angel silently opened the sliding door.
The figure looked up at him in horror. A mask of sorts covered
its face making it look like an evil ninja from some bizarre TV
show.
It vaulted the table and bolted for the door, but Angel reacted
faster. He launched himself at the fleeing shape and in a single
deft movement clambered onto the sprawling intruder, twisting
the fugitive’s arm painfully behind its back.
‘Now let’s see who is hiding behind mask number one,’ he
scoffed.
As he reached for the mask the interloper twisted, and with
expert precision hit him solidly in the ribs. He was not expecting
this and had no time to counter. The pain blinded him and gave
the assailant enough time to get to his knees and kick. Angel flew
several feet through the air and landed heavily against the desk,
sustaining a heavy blow to the head and just barely stayed
conscious.
By the time he gathered himself the figure had made its escape.
‘Damn,’ he said and got groggily to his feet rubbing the bump
on his head.
‘I suggest we keep this little episode to ourselves,’ LOBE
remarked sorely, ‘we don’t want our mission delayed because of a
spy hunt. Anyway I don’t want to hear Sharin’s remarks on how,
The Amazing UGE Lord, got beat-up by a lowly spy.’
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145. Waking the Angel
That evening, Qren visited Angel and found him nursing the
bump on his head.
‘What happened to you?’ Qren asked.
‘Shaving accident,’ Angel snarled and added in a much kinder
tone, ‘what can I do for you Qren?’
‘My lord how much do you know about the mythology of Freyr.’
‘Enough. Why?’ Angel sensed a story coming, his thoughts
returned to the day in the senate meeting. The day when he was
first introduced, and how he sensed Qren knew more than he let
on.
‘Assuming not enough then?’ he added smiling welcoming the
opportunity for a distraction.
‘Walk this way,’ Qren suggested.
Angel walked that way.
‘Hey this is not as easy as you make it look,’
‘Was that an attempt at humour?’ Qren asked.
‘Sorry,’ Angel pretended to look embarrassed.
They walked to a hover-platform, which gently skimmed off
after they took their positions.
‘In your mythology, there was a gift given to Freyr. A
mythological ship; a very special ship, which folded up so he could
carry it in his pocket and never ran out of wind for its sails.’
‘How do you know that about our mythology? You have cable
TV and you have been holding out on me huh?’ Angel grinned.
Qren did not answer but simply continued with his story,
‘anyway; this ship was called…’
‘Skibladnir,’ Angel interrupted before LOBE could.
The platform came to rest in front of a large building.
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146. Igor Swann
‘Yes she was called Skibladne or Skibladnir as you rightly
pointed out.’
Qren pushed a button and two massive doors silently swung
open.
‘My lord may I present the lady, Skibladne.’
Angel stood frozen, his mouth hung unashamedly open. It was
the single most beautiful thing he has ever seen.
LOBE gave a wolf whistle.
‘What? No comical banter?’ Qren asked in mock surprise.
Skibladne, twice as long as a modern Airbus A380, it was sleek,
and beautiful to behold. The design resembled a SR-71 Blackbird
but with its three massive angular engines on the rear seamlessly
flowing into the nose, with an angled intake at the bottom of each
wing.
The curved wings branched out from almost next to the
command section.
It was resting on three skids that resembled claws folded flat at
this moment, and the command centre was visible about a third
of the distance from the nose to the tail.
Skibladne shone with platinum coloured undertone, and she
was simply breathtaking. She radiated grace, stealth, agility and
an attitude, which unmistakeably stated, you are welcome to try
to mess with me, but be sure that breathing is not an attribute you
wish to possess in the near future.
Qren kept on explaining, and Angel kept on answering with, ‘Oh
my god.’
‘The most exclusive personal cruisers for the ultra rich had
some bow plating over its most critical systems made from
Zellion,’ Qren explained, ‘the hardest and lightest material known
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147. Waking the Angel
in the universe. It was also the scarcest and most expensive. To
build a complete ship from it was inconceivable,’ Qren continued.
‘And I assume she is?’ Angel asked.
‘Yes my lord. Skibladne is made entirely from Zellion.’
It was a marvel of modern alien engineering.
Every single advancement and piece of innovative technology
imaginable was inside. Every race brought its most prized ancient
artefacts, and it meant great glory to the race whose ancient
technology became part of the lady.
The ship’s power source was donated by the Griff, a poor race
who had very little to give. The energy source was the Griff home
world’s main source of live, an ancient artefact of unimaginable
power. They were also a proud race and part of the then, newly
formed UGE. They were not going to disappoint.
No one knew which ancient race left it there, but he was not
telling.
It was inexhaustible, and not even the Arks when powering all
their technology from it, could consume more than 10% of its
power output.
The member races, to show their gratitude for such a
magnificent gift, built power plants on all the Griff planets, and in
addition sent them agricultural and mining equipment.
This elevated the Griff to an economically stable if not
prosperous race. The Griff never forgot this show of generosity,
and afterwards they formed the core of the humanitarian, or
rather alientarian, drive in the UGE.
‘They supplied, the sails that were never without wind,’ Angel
thought to Qren.
‘Yes my lord. That is what your mythology says.’
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148. Igor Swann
All the Vanir Lords who inherited Skibladne kept on tinkering
with it. Shields, navigation equipment, jump drives, ion engines,
and adding weaponry far enhanced, beyond even that found in
planetary defences or on Darkmoons. The obvious reason being
the immense power source they had to play with, but mainly
because Skibladne was theirs.
This power source was also the reason Skibladne could cloak
like the Aesir ships, but without magic.
The speeds Skibladne could fly at were quite ridiculous, which
was why Skibladne was built from Zellion. Any other material
would simply disintegrate at that velocity.
‘This was of course before one of your predecessors invented
shields, now she can travel as fast as you can imagine,’ Qren
explained.
This ship was not only the fastest ever conceived but the
deadliest. Some reckon she is the only thing that can take on a
Darkmoon and win, but no one who has ever seen a Darkmoon
was going to put any substantial bet on that.
It had one more amazing feature, one that made it legendary.
Its real hangar was not so much a place as a universe,
dimensionally removed from ours. The ship created a tear in
dimensional space and moved into it.
This was the combined effort of scientists and engineers from
all the races, and with substantial aid from ancient technology left
behind on various planets.
Whichever lord owned Skibladne at any moment in time, would
carry a DNA coded beacon in his pocket. Whenever he needed
Skibladne he could call it by activating the beacon, and the ship
would appear wherever he was.
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149. Waking the Angel
Losing the beacons of course presented a real problem when on
a road trip and calling AA roadside assistance because the vehicle
was sort of in another dimension and that implied their mindcom
was as well. On the other hand, there is no AA support on say any
planet not named Earth; so no worries mate.
Due to the forgetful nature of the UGE Lords, with the most
prevalent excuse being, ‘oh I must have left it in my other pants,’
the beacon design later changed to reside on a wristband.
With the beacon tuned to the ‘TNFR-12’ transformation gene, it
meant only someone with the gene and the beacon could call
Skibladne.
‘Fold it and carry it in his pocket, apt description,’ Angel smiled a
smile that almost encircled his head.
Now it is mine, Angel thought with a satisfied grin playing across
his face.
If Angel thought this was where his surprises would end this
evening he was in for a very big surprise.
‘Can we take her for a spin?’ he asked Qren.
‘Why would you want to do that?’ Qren enquired with a puzzled
look on his face.
‘I meant can we fly her,’ Angel corrected himself.
‘Yes my lord, she is your ship, you can do with her as you
please.’
‘You command the ship mostly by thought, and as I said she is
tuned to the transformation gene so she will listen to you,’ Qren
explained, ‘just ask her to let you in.’
Angel did and the hull of the ship exposed stairs that lit up and
led into her bowels.
It was as beautiful inside as out.
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150. Igor Swann
There were 10 fully fitted luxury cabins inside, along with a
kitchen, and a state of the art conference room. There were more
rooms but he could not immediately deduce what function they
performed. In the rear of the ship, he came upon a sizable hangar
with two hover-bikes of a design Angel had not yet seen on the
planet. Then there was the crown jewel, namely, the command
deck. This was magnificent, Six high back leather seats stood
around the deck. Each one positioned in front of some command
console, tactical and engineering, weapons, shields and scanners,
and the pilot and co-pilot seats, where he and Qren took up
positions.
‘I cannot show or explain to you all her capabilities. Much of
what she is capable of is frankly beyond me. I am sure she will
inform you in due time.’
‘Fly now, talk later,’ Angel said.
‘Think of your training and then tell Skibladne what you require
of her. You may give one command that would mean multiple
things to her, like ‘take off’ would mean, do checks, start engine,
lift off and retract landing gear.’
Angel thought hard, and then relaxed as he heard the massive
engines come to life. It was the sound of distant thunder,
continuously rolling in.
‘Your predecessors liked the sound but if you wish she could run
in complete silence.’
She lifted off the ground a couple of feet and retracted her
landing gear.
Angel told her to leave the hangar, and she shot off like a wild
mustang begging for the taste of freedom.
‘Yahoo!’ Angel cried, his face frozen in a grin.
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‘When you fly she will be in tune with your thoughts, you do not
have to give explicit commands. She will sense when you wish to
accelerate, slow down, turn, stop, etcetera. She will not perform a
manoeuvre, which is beyond her capabilities, or would endanger
her or you. If you become incapacitated and she cannot sense
your mind anymore, she will fly directly here, or the nearest UGE
ship.’
‘Your crew will unfortunately need to give manual commands,
or use the consoles. You are the only one whose thoughts she will
accept... or anyone else with the transformation gene,’ he quietly
added.
This took Angel by surprise.
‘Yes, but I am the only one carrying the gene who knows about
Skibladne, right?’ he asked puzzled.
‘Well my lord. That is not exactly true.’
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152. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 21
The war room was abuzz with a quite heated debate.
‘I am not forming the reserve,’ Brom said, ‘let Qren form the
reserve.’
‘What do you mean I am not in command of this mission,’
Sharin forcibly interjected.
‘I am by far the most senior and I AM EL,’ according to her that
settled it, but only according to her.
‘Well I have the most experience with Taur battle tactics. I have
been hunting them for many years,’ the quietly commanding
thoughts from Teral entered their minds.
‘Yes but have you ever faced a Taur armada?’ Sharin gave a
snide sneer.
‘I am not heading up the reserve!’ Brom boomed again, highly
agitated.
Angel did not pay any attention to the volatile deliberation. His
head swam with thoughts of Skibladne mostly, but also very much
with what Qren had told him afterwards.
LOBE cut in. It would seem he did listen.
‘You better become a lord real soon your graciousness,’ he
noted sarcastically, ‘or we are never going to get off this rock.’
‘What? Oh, what do I know about war tactics LOBE?’ Angel
asked.
‘Everything, you studied it for weeks and you have me,’ he said
with a fierce thought.
‘So what do you want me to say?’ Angel asked.
‘Tell them this…’ LOBE proposed.
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153. Waking the Angel
It was brilliant.
‘Lord Kasparov could not have done better,’ Brom remarked
and everybody agreed.
A content band of leaders left to go organize their troops, give
them stirring pep talks, hoist a lot of flags and say a lot of, ‘some
of you might not return, but the rest of us will remember you
while we drink ourselves silly, don’t worry you won’t feel a thing.
We will be the unfortunate ones left with the hangovers.’
At last, Angel had some quiet time to reflect on Qren’s words
from the previous night.
Apparently, Freyja’s gender was not the only anomaly in the
story. Angel had guessed correctly, when he thought there were
more to this tale.
Freyja also had the gene.
After her brother, Freyr’s transformation, some of it seemed to
have filtered down to her. The mind link became stronger and
stronger, she and Freyr became like Siamese twins, attached at
the soul.
The link between Angel and his brother only seem to be active
when he is in delta sleep, and with a lot of interference from
LOBE. The link between Freyr and Freyja were continuously
active. They could communicate through it, and see through each
other eyes.
They both kept it well hidden, although Freyja spoke of
everything she saw. Neither knew where the other was. The Ark
did not initially tell Freyr where he came from, and since he was
the first, Arken did not have any record of earth. Freyja only saw
the world of the gods through her brother’s eyes.
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154. Igor Swann
It was only when they were both well into their twenties that
they invited Freyja to Arken.
LOBE started to quote from a book Angel had read 15 years ago.
‘Freyja was said to be a beautiful sorceress who could fly in a
falcon's skin and some traditions state that on her arrival in
Asgard she taught the gods the spells and charms of the Vanir, her
true name is not known...’
‘Was this the new power she possessed, or the soul link? Did
she explain to the Ark how it worked?’ Angel wondered.
‘The falcon skin sounds like a spaceship,’ LOBE had observed.
‘Freyja's greatest treasure was the Brisingamen necklace. The
Brisingamen necklace was crafted by four dwarfs with such
artistry that it glittered like a constellation of stars in the night
sky...’
This meant nothing to either LOBE or Angel. It was not apparent
from the tale Qren had told them the previous night.
‘She was the keeper of feminine magic; Unleashing magical
forces were like breathing to her. Freyja was an exceptional
warrior. She was skilled at the form of ecstatic, consciousness-
altering and sometimes malicious magic called seidhr…’
Qren explained this to Angel. Her visit to Arken included
training in combat and full mind transformation after which she
became very powerful.
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155. Waking the Angel
Except for her mind, her body reacted much the same as Angel.
Her reflexes and speed became unmatched in the UGE, and even
her brother took many a beating.
She gained the power to block thoughts and project anything
she wished directly into the subconscious of another mind. The
victim would believe whatever she suggested.
She used this to seduce or destroy. She could play with
anyone’s emotions and feelings twist and turn it to her heart’s
desire. The senate decided to return Freyja to earth because it
would be too dangerous to keep her on Arken.
They told Freyr under a brainwave scrambler so the mind link
would not project the thoughts.
Freyr even though distraught, agreed that she could destroy the
UGE if she was turned. She had the ability to subject a mind to her
will, which was an incredibly dangerous skill to have running wild
on your planet. Freyja employed this ability on numerous
occasions with increasing incidents.
She was a feminist and believed woman should be elevated and
assume positions of power, which in itself was not a problem, but
this was not a case of fighting for equal rights, she wanted the
men to bow at her feet and worship her.
They came up with a brilliant plan.
‘She is patroness of women who attain wisdom, status, and
power, since the Valkyries had been ordinary women, then
priestesses, and after being Valkyr became Norns, the Great
Goddesses who weave the fates and histories of people and of
nations…’
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156. Igor Swann
They requested Freyja to recruit other females with the gene,
unlock their powers and create a small tactical army on earth.
They would be the protectors of earth.
She felt this was a wonderful opportunity, for she was
homesick, and longed to return to earth, not having lived on
Arken from birth like Freyr.
They gave her a scanner to find females with the gene, and a
copy of the mind-transform technology, which they managed to
duplicate with some measure of success.
It was not as thorough as the original alien artefact, but it could
still turn her army into semi-super humans, with skills far
surpassing that of their kin.
She was pleased with this since her army would have powers
inferior to her, and she enjoyed the thought of being the most
powerful female in the universe.
Freyja received a small fighter, called gyrfalcon customized to
her specifications with a little help from Freyr, before she
returned to earth.
After her return to earth, Freyja created an amazing
underground army of female warriors, which she kept secret from
the world. She called them the Valk’r.
They were her daughters she felt, she created them, and she
was their mother. The Valk’r did amazing things, always from the
shadows, but deeds that transformed earth’s history and stopped
many wars. Even more than they started, since an apt description
of the Valk’r would be a promiscuous society and men will be
men.
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157. Waking the Angel
Freyr1, his human name, given to him by Freyja, often travelled
to earth in Skibladne to visit his sister.
Freyr fell in love on one of these trips with a Valk’r called Gerd.
Together they had a son called Fjolnir who later became a
Swedish king; hence, the Swedish believe that Freyr was an
ancestor of theirs.
1 Freyja heard her brother called ‘lord’ by the UGE and took this to be his
name; Freyr directly translated means ‘lord’.
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158. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 22
This story of the Valk’r formed the basis for the first part of
Angel’s master plan.
He would travel to earth and bring the Valk’r out of hiding.
The earth is going to know of the existence of the alien races in
any event. There was no reason for the Valk’r secrecy anymore.
The second step would be to inform the world leaders of the
approaching threat. He thought Skibladne would serve as a great
persuasion tool in case, or rather when, they do not believe him.
He could just imagine their faces when he let the ship of
legends appear on the Whitehouse lawn or the Palace of
Westminster.
Guival was to accompany him in human form. If the need arose,
he could transform, being an added incentive for them to believe
him.
There was one more addition to Angel’s team needed for the
plan to succeed.
First, another short story needs telling.
In Freyja’s old age, she retired feeling unworthy of leading the
Valk’r. She gave the reins temporarily to her deputy Brunhild who
became the most well known Valk’r of all time. She was a mighty
warrior and fought bravely for the Valk’r way, and she was the
only chief of the Valk’r who was not from the house of Freyja.
Freyja was married to a man called Odur with whom she had a
daughter, who she called Gersemi meaning ‘dear bijou’.
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159. Waking the Angel
Her choice of Odur was no accident. She had scanned earth for
a male carrying the gene, assuming through normal genetics the
gene would pass to the next generation.
She did not intend to let the leadership of the Valk’r leave the
family. She was correct in her assumptions, and Gersemi carried
the gene like her mother and father.
Gersemi accompanied Freyr to Arken where she was mind
transformed with the original artefact. She would be Freyja’s true
successor.
The tradition of the successor came into being.
The successor would return to earth on her 24 th birthday.
She would then receive 1 year of intense training on the Valk’r
way from the current chief, before taking over the chieftainship.
The successor tale had a twist however, where a year before
her return she would seduce the current UGE Lord and to bear a
child from him. This child was always female1.
The girl born from the union would remain on Arken, and
become the next Valk’r chief when she reached the prerequisite
age.
1
For a male to carry the gene, neither parent would have the gene. When the
gene occurred in a male, the offspring would always be twins, where only one
twin would have the gene. This would maybe occur twice in a generation.
There were no rules for the gene forming in females, but to ensure that a
female would definitely carry the gene, both parents had to have the gene. The
offspring would always be female, when both parents carried the gene.
Accidental female gene carriers happened frequently from single parent or
neither parent carrying the gene and after their discovery recruited into the
secret Valk’r order.
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160. Igor Swann
Ark science made the process less crude, with the artificial
creation of the next Valk’r chieftain in a laboratory on Arken, by
using samples from the current UGE Lord and the soon to be
Valk’r chieftain.
When Qren explained this to Angel, he suddenly remembered
the girl he saw in the palace window.
‘She’s here right?’ he said. ‘In the palace, I caught a glimpse of
her, I think.’
‘True’ Qren replied, ‘She is here. She will accompany you back
to earth since she is your only link to the Valk’r. Although she is
too young to be able to find them, they will find her, so be
prepared.’
‘How old is she?’ Angel asked.
‘She is now 8 of your earth years. Her name is Gemmi,’ he
continued, ‘But do not be fooled by her young age. She has a
genius IQ, and she has been educated in most combat techniques.
She has already acquired all the abilities of her predecessors to a
lesser degree,’ and, he sighed, ‘she is also an extremely
headstrong child.’
‘Oh no, just what I need’ Angel thought, ‘a mental midget with
an attitude.’
‘I shall teach you a technique that will shield your mind from
her; or else she would manipulate you as she wishes,’ Qren
seemed genuinely concerned.
‘Good, I have had enough women on earth messing with my
mind,’ Angel retorted.
‘Heed this warning my lord, she also carries the gene, she can
control Skibladne if she wishes to do so,’ Qren added.
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161. Waking the Angel
‘Great,’ Angel’s sarcastically remarked, ‘now she can steal my
ride as well. This is going to be a fun trip.’
He turned his thoughts inward to LOBE, ‘you up for babysitting
a hell’s angel?’
He went straight to voicemail.
Angel walked back to his quarters, wondering what happened
to LOBE. He had tried talking to him for a while now but without
success.
Due to their departure being so close, he could not worry about
that now.
In a different part of the palace, two other travellers were also
hard at work preparing for the journey.
‘I am taking Loser along,’ Gemmi screamed.
‘No young lady, you are not,’ the adamant guardian refused to
give in to the child’s demands.
She could see the frown on Gemmi’s face, and knew she was
concentrating hard on twisting her mind into a pretzel.
‘NO, stop that this instant.’
Gemmi’s face relaxed, ‘but he is just a baby Gerbit1, he won’t
harm anyone or get in the way.’
For some inexplicable reason this Gerbit formed a mind link
with Gemmi or she with it. It never left her side, and would
1 Gerbits are small blue monkey like creatures, intelligent and mischievous,
also completely un-trainable and uncontrollable. They are immune to magic.
They have one other attribute displayed when they got angry. They could
shape shift, and their alter egos are fearsome enormous creatures. It could rip
off your head while playing with you, not that the alter ego was the playful sort
but it would try putting it back on for the rest of the afternoon.
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162. Igor Swann
protect her to the death. This made Gemmi’s combat training
cumbersome indeed. Thankfully, it also listened to her, so when
she eventually explained to it that she was not in danger it went
off to go swing on the ceiling rafters, quite content.
The guardian stood fast.
Gemmi’s mouth went, ‘okay, I’ll leave him,’ but her thoughts
went, ‘there is no hope in hell he’s staying here.’
The keen observer would have spotted a twinkle in her eye, but
the guardian was not a keen observer with her back turned
towards Gemmi.
In yet another part of the palace Guival continued his packing
with the excitement of a girl at a 75% off clearance sale in a shoe
store.
He was going to see earth, and he was not going to have to
infiltrate anywhere he would most likely leave with a blaster hole
or be submit to torture… ignorance was bliss.
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163. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 23
Angel felt the pressure grow with every passing moment. They
needed to leave soon to mobilize the Valk’r and earth’s defences
before the main armada arrives.
He managed to have one last consultation with Qren before
saying goodbye.
‘My lord, do not be concerned, Skibladne knows the way to
earth. She has been there many times. Simply tell her you wish to
go there. We have loaded her cargo bay with all the weapons,
scanners and technology she could carry for the governments on
earth to deploy.’
‘Thank you my friend. Be safe and god speed. My world is
counting on you,’ Angel had said with a lump in his throat.
The rest of the senate all came to say farewell to the UGE Lord.
‘You have only been with us a while my lord, but you have
stolen our hearts. We will stand by your side till we draw our last
breath,’ said a very sincere Brom. He echoed the sentiments of
the rest of the crowd gathered there.
Sharin, refusing an inferior race to outclass her farewell, said
something to this effect.
‘Never fear the El is here,’ but nobody heard, since Angel
completely by accident, started Skibladne’s engines with a
thought.
He boarded Skibladne with Guival and Gemmi; both of the
latter were nervous being on the ship of legends for the first time.
A dark shadow followed them onboard, but it was only there for
an instant, then it was gone.
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164. Igor Swann
The hatch clicked close.
The three quickly stashed their belongings in their quarters,
before they took up position in the chairs on the command deck.
Guival took care of tactical, shields, engineering and
communications, while Gemmi controlled scanners, sensors and
weapons. Angel felt proud of this move. Give her something to
keep her occupied, something important and she will be out my
hair.
Angel flopped down in the driver seat, and gave Skibladne the
command to take off.
After one last wave to his friends, he simply told her, ‘Earth
please my lady.’
Skibladne accelerated to a speed that squeezed every bit of air
from their lungs, or more accurately his and Gemmi’s.
Guival had no breath to take away. It felt as if someone had tied
a rope to their hair and was now trying to extract their skull
through their mouths.
Guival simply touched a floor panel, and now looked up at them
as part of the floor.
Skibladne showed no mercy, as she kept on accelerating.
They broke free from Arken’s atmosphere, and the pressure
started to decrease.
Angel swivelled his chair to face the rest of his intrepid crew,
slowly looking them over.
‘Ehem,’ Angel cleared his throat.
‘This is your captain speaking. If I may have your attention
please, thank you,’ Angel said.
‘You, the fearless crew of the lady Skibladne, were chosen
because you’re the best of the best. Our mission is vital to the
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165. Waking the Angel
continued existence of all the member races of the UGE and in
fact the UGE itself. The mission has a potential survival rating of
2%. We do not expect there to be any survivors, but they will
remember us as heroes. They will sing songs about us. They will
compose ballads and tell their children of the brave adventurers
Angel, Guival and Gemmi who gave their lives so that they might
live.’
He saw their eyes widen. Not so cocky now Gemmi, he thought.
Angel laughed ‘Nah just kidding,’ he continued, ‘what we need
to do is get hold of the Valk’r and bring them out of secrecy. That
is where you come in Gemmi. You are the beacon that will bring
them to us.
Guival you will need to absorb a human form definition. Then
we, that’s me, you Guival and you Gemmi will need to convince
the heads of all the powerful nations to get battle ready for the
fight for the continued existence of the human race.’
He finished with, ‘After that Gemmi you may choose to stay
with me, or join the Valk’r, and Guival you may choose to stay or
join the Aesir fleet which then should have joined us.’
They just kept on staring at him as if he was speaking Russian
with a Japanese accent in the Central African rainforests to
Pigmies.
‘Would you just repeat that last bit again,’ Guival asked.
‘Which part?’ Angel asked Guival.
‘From ‘Ehem’,’ Guival answered.
‘You’ll be fine,’ Angel laughed.
‘Just follow my lead. Remember this is an alien society to both
of you so be as inconspicuous as possible. That means Guival you
do not change shape, and Gemmi you do not get people to take
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166. Igor Swann
off their clothes and dance naked in the streets. Is that
understood?’
They nodded their heads like two little kids, both with a very
evil and quite disconcerting glint in their eyes.
‘When will we arrive at our destination,’ Gemmi asked in a
formal tone, an, I’m bigger than I look wê wê-wê WÊ wê tone.
‘Best estimate, 4 days. Skibladne is about three times as fast as
the quickest ship in the UGE fleet. We left just before the
Darkmoons, which should enter earth’s orbit with their 8
dreadnaught escort in about 14 days.’
They stared at him yet again.
‘If you keep on staring at me like that I am going to get really
self conscious,’ Angel smiled.
‘The Darkmoons are going to earth?’ Guival asked.
‘Yes my friend, they will orbit earth. We wanted them to orbit
earth’s moon but we could not quite decide which would orbit
which. Even though a few small fast fighters could still get
through, an entire occupation force cannot.’
He tried to read their faces. ‘Happy?’ Angel asked.
‘Very,’ they replied in unison.
‘Okay, I’m going to lie down for a while,’ Angel remarked
wearily.
‘You kids play nice now that you are here.’
Again, the nodding of heads ensued.
‘Can you keep a secret,’ Gemmi asked Guival when Angel left
the bridge.
‘Sure, what is it, wait let me guess; it is the Gerbit that slipped
into your room as we left?’ Guival projected a grin.
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167. Waking the Angel
‘You knew? And you did not betray me?’ Gemmi asked with her
brow wrinkled.
‘Naturally young lady, I am a spy after all. It’s my job to notice
things,’ Guival added, ‘but your secret is safe with me Gem.’
Gemmi looked at Guival as if she just found the most wonderful
person in the world, someone who actually understood her.
She liked him a lot.
Angel she did not understand. She could sense he was powerful,
much more powerful than she was. Probably like Loser compared
to his Gerbit alter ego. She decided she was definitely the cuter of
the two of them. He was at least a zillion times stronger than
Kasparov. She did not like Kasparov; he was too uptight. However,
it seems as if Angel was doing his best not to accept his power,
but at the same time, he knew he needed it all to succeed in his
destiny.
She came to a decision, I to help him.
She wondered if he would be okay with her Gerbit. Sure he
would be. She could tell Loser to listen to Angel and Guival. If they
see he is good, they would probably not be mad at her.
Gemmi quickly ran to her cabin to free Loser. He jumped on her
shoulder and they ran back to the command deck.
Guival who knew what vicious monsters they could become
tentatively approached the blue monkey like creature. He tried his
utmost not to upset the little creature.
‘So does he get angry much?’ he asked Gemmi.
‘No not at all, only when someone is nasty to me, but as soon as
I tell him we are friends and just pretending he calms down,’ she
said with a playful smile.
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168. Igor Swann
‘Although it’s difficult to put the person back together again
afterward, but Loser won’t attack him anymore,’ she joked.
Guival gave her a horrified look.
‘I’m kidding,’ she laughed.
‘Loser let me introduce Guival, he is my friend,’ she placed
emphases on the friend part, ‘Guival this is Loser, he is my best
friend in the whole world.’ Gemmi looked like she wanted to hug
everything in sight including the chair.
The Gerbit walked up to Guival and extended his arms, Guival
tentatively extended his as well and Loser jumped into them. He
quickly scampered onto Guival’s shoulder and hugged him, his
tiny face pressed tightly to the cheek of the blue metallic Aesir.
Guival projected, ‘thank you,’ to the Gerbit.
He was sure he got a warm feeling back from the monkey, as if
to say, ‘you’re my friend now.’
Guival was dumbstruck.
‘He spoke to you, didn’t he,’ Gemmi remarked.
‘I saw the look on your face, and yes he can speak, but not in
words. Loser uses feelings. After a while you can understand him
quite well,’ she explained.
‘It’s my fault really,’ Gemmi gave a shy smile.
‘We became friends from his birth, and I was very young then,
probably 5.’
‘I did not know how to control projecting feelings then, and he
picked up the trick. Gerbits are very smart you know,’ she kept
babbling.
‘So now he can do what I taught him. Like project emotions and
attach a thought to it so you can know what he is saying. He
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169. Waking the Angel
understands you very well, ask him to do something,’ she told
Guival excitedly.
Okay thought Guival, but this is stupid.
‘Loser, fetch me a toothbrush please.’
A confused emotion came back from Loser that felt like, ‘what
the hell do you want to do with a toothbrush? You have no
mouth.’
Gemmi started to giggle hysterically.
Guival tried again.
‘Yes, well, climb on the captain’s chair and then do a back
summersault with a single twist.’
Up, summersault, one twist… this was amazing.
‘Wow,’ he projected, ‘you are an amazing little guy aren’t you.’
He was careful not to say creature or animal in case the Gerbit
thought he was human or something.
Loser chattered excitedly.
A big commotion in the command centre woke Angel with a
start. He found Gemmi sitting in front of two furry little creatures.
They were playing a game where she was trying to find out who
was Loser and who was Guival.
Angel cleared his throat, but there was no anger in his voice
when he spoke.
‘So we have a little stowaway,’ he paused, ‘now which one of
these two do we throw out the airlock I wonder. They both look
the same to me. Gemmi maybe you can tell me which one is the
stowaway.’
Gemmi looked up in fear. She could give up Guival but she liked
him, and Angel would be mad. She could never give up Loser.
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170. Igor Swann
Angel saw tears well up in her eyes and her bottom lip
quivered. She contemplated using her mind trick but sensed the
potent protection around his mind. If she let her consciousness
flow into his, she might never return.
Angel examined the distraught faces in front of him. He had a
very good idea what thoughts were flashing through Gemmi’s
mind right now.
Angel decided to end their suffering.
‘So, are you going to introduce me to your friend? Or are we
going to be strangers all the way to earth?’ he asked with a
naughty.
She beamed and hugged him, ‘thank you Angel,’ she screamed
happily.
‘He is my best friend in the whole universe. His name is Loser,
and we would die if we had to be apart.’
Angel switched to his best Captain’s voice.
‘Well he is a part of the crew now, and needs to take up his
responsibilities the same as everyone else. He will be in charge of
bringing the Captain’s coffee.’
Angel almost fell on his back when the little Gerbit halted in
front of him and saluted. Angel, stunned, saluted back. The Gerbit
ran off to the kitchen and returned with a cup of coffee. Angel
took it as if he saw his mother’s ghost, God rest her soul.
‘Thank you,’ he stammered amazed.
Guival who had subsequently returned to his usual form,
projected to Angel, ‘careful my lord he can understand every
word you say, and he can speak through emotions. He is no
ordinary animal, and I have a feeling he is going to be quite a
useful addition to this crew.’
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171. Waking the Angel
‘Amazing,’ Angel breathed.
‘Good thing he could sense your emotions when you made the
comment of ejecting him,’ Guival added.
‘Why?’ Angel asked.
‘Let us simply say, there are not many things in this universe a
UGE Lord needs fear. An angry Gerbit needs to be near the top of
that list.’
Angel did not fully understand and Guival did not elaborate.
Gemmi danced around with Loser, as happy as a mouse in a
cheese factory.
Angel felt the joy spill into his troubled mind. He was cheerful
for the first time in ages. He liked the crew. They were the nicest
team he could have wished for, and if you forgot their outward
appearance, they were probably the most lethal as well.
They were in close proximity of the Bifrost jump point when the
communication consol beeped.
What is the matter now? Angel thought.
‘Two ships of our starboard bow,’ Guival remarked.
‘Establish contact,’ Angel commanded.
‘My lord, the pilots of the ships identified themselves as Laidin
of the El and she had Kirom of the Dwar accompanying her,’
Guival relayed the message.
Guival seeing Angel’s mystified expression misinterpreted it as
not recognizing the names, ‘Laidin is head of EL intelligence and
Kirom is of the Dwar royal family,’ he explained, ‘both are
trustworthy.’
Laidin, his friend, was the El’s chief spy. How was that possible?
She trained with him.
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172. Igor Swann
They pulled alongside in two fighters. Laidin piloted an El fighter
and Kirom in a small Dwar fighter.
Angel could see from the design they were no ordinary fighters.
They were both exquisite pieces of alien technology.
Laidin piloted a golden ship, which was in stark contrast to the
midnight black Dwar fighter.
Both, though very different, would cause every Trekkie and
other sci-fi nut to drool incessantly.
Angel had never seen fighters that looked like this and he had
studied every fighter configuration in existence.
How did they manage to intercept Skibladne? That was
impossible was it not?
‘They are asking permission to come aboard my lord,’ Guival
patiently reminded Angel.
‘Huh? Sure, of course,’ Angel returned from his reverie.
Angel opened the hangar bay doors with a thought.
‘Please welcome them aboard,’ Angel commanded.
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173. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 24
A gorgeous golden haired elven girl stepped onto the command
deck. A dwarf accompanied her. However, like Brom and unlike
any other dwarf Angel had seen, this one had bright red hair tied
in a smart ponytail. He sported a neatly kept goatee wrapped in a
piece of leather.
He was taller than all the dwarves he had encountered before,
standing around 5’2’ in his impressive boots.
The duo’s most noteworthy features were the bow-staff on
Laidin’s back and, Angel could not believe it, was that Mjolnir
strapped to Kirom’s back? He fondly hugged Laidin and they
exchanged cheerful smiles.
Laidin smiled when she noticed Angel staring at Mjolnir.
‘Yes my lord that is Mjolnir with Kirom and this is the Bow of
Odin. Grand Master Brom asked Kirom to come, and Kirom asked
me to join him. Brom was a little upset about this of course,’ she
smiled at Kirom.
‘But he agreed when he heard that you and I were friends. He
asked us to tell no one, and he presented Kirom with Mjolnir.
Kirom is Brom’s brother, which is why he is able to lift the
hammer.’
‘Your majesty,’ Angel curtsied.
‘My lord,’ Kirom acknowledged.
‘So here we are on our secret mission,’ Laidin laughed.
Angel’s confused look reappeared, ‘What mission?’
Laidin attempted an explanation.
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174. Igor Swann
‘Brom and Teral suspect there is a mole close to the senate. We
found top-secret information leaked to the Taur, which could only
come from someone in the council. It was done so covertly and
with such skill that none of our counter intelligence operations
have been able to locate the source,’ she continued.
‘Teral and Brom wished us to secretly join this team so we may
assist you in this vital mission. We anticipate that the mole would
find a way to inform the Taur of your journey, and we expect that
they would be quite unprepared to deal with the addition of both
Odin’s bow and Mjolnir.’
‘That makes sense, my lord,’ Guival said.
‘I know Laidin and Kirom, and bar Sharin and Brom, there are
none that can fire a bow more accurately than Laidin or create a
more skilled pinpoint storm than Kirom,’ he smiled a devilish
smile.
‘Most would agree that Laidin is the far superior archer, but not
where Sharin could hear them.’
Angel nodded, he knows of the devastating power of Mjolnir,
which can create an electric super-storm with hundreds of
lightning strikes per square mile. He however, had not thought of
Odin’s bow still being around. Would it not be in the possession of
Sharin if it were? He kept this to himself, not wishing to offend
Laidin.
According to the mythology he knew, it was able to fire 10 bolts
with every shot.
Hmmmm, Angel thought, legends and fantasy have the
opportunity to become reality. The Human, the Dwarf, the Elf, and
the Wizard with the bonus of a Valkyrie and a shape shifting
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175. Waking the Angel
monkey off to save, not the kingdom, but rather the entire
universe.
He smiled at the thought as he ordered Skibladne into Bifrost.
It took a while before he had the chance to catch up with Laidin.
They crew kept themselves busy with unpacking and sorting out
their cabins. He hesitantly knocked on her cabin door.
‘May I come in Laidin?’
‘Of course my lord,’ she answered.
‘There are a few minor details I am still unclear on,’ Angel
stated.
‘I thought there might be my lord.’
‘Why were you training with students when you are head of
intelligence of the El?’ he asked.
‘I was hunting the mole my lord,’ she explained, ‘both Sharin
and I felt this would be the perfect cover for me. Joining a bunch
of inept students would not draw any unwanted suspicion to an El
wandering about asking questions.’
‘Inept? And why did you not ask for my help?’ Angel felt a little
hurt, ‘you knew I could not be the mole, and I would have gladly
kept my eyes and ears open. I was allowed everywhere and
nobody paid much attention to me?’
‘I know my lord, and I wanted to ask you, but Sharin refused,
and I had to reluctantly agree. We could not put your life in
danger. You are too important to the continued existence of the
UGE.’
He understood, though he was still not happy with the reason.
Angel smiled awkwardly, ‘well I am very happy to have you
along on this trip my friend.’
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176. Igor Swann
‘I am happy to be here my lord, good friends are hard to come
by, and even harder to keep in the lives we lead.’
Angel was curious about one other thing.
‘If you do not mind me asking, how old are you now?’
‘I am 212 earth years my lord, still quite young for an El,’ she
smiled.
He sat down hurriedly.
The numbers made his head swim.
He sat talking with her for a while longer while she unpacked a
few last things. He heard that they did not actually intercept
Skibladne. She and Kirom had left earlier and waited for Skibladne
to arrive at the Bifrost jump point. She confirmed Angel’s
suspicion that they would not have been able to catch the ship of
legends if they needed to chase her.
She moved a jacket into the closet when both their eyes fell
upon something Angel recognized. Laidin tried to cover it but it
was too late.
Angel had seen the mask.
‘It was you!’ he screamed.
‘Yes my lord,’ Laidin said in an apologetic voice.
‘You threw me against a table,’ he said accusingly.
‘You had my arm painfully twisted behind my back my lord,’
Laidin defended herself.
‘What were you doing there?’ Angel asked with burning
curiosity.
‘I was searching for the spy. My research had narrowed my
suspects to either Qren or Noone,’ Laidin explained, ‘I was trying
to find evidence of their guilt when you surprised me.’
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177. Waking the Angel
‘I apologize if I harmed you my lord, but I had to escape for I
would not have been able to adequately explain my presence to
the authorities without breaking cover; and that was not an
option,’ she concluded.
‘I guess it makes sense,’ he said thoughtfully, ‘but no more lies
and no more throwing me around.’
‘I swear on the honour of Queen Sif my lord,’ Laidin said in
earnest.
Angel winked and they left to get something to quench their
thirst.
The journey through the jump point proceeded quite pleasantly
at first. Angel reassigned posts, with Kirom on tactical, shields and
Engineering, Guival on Communications and Laidin on weapons,
scanners and sensors. Loser, showing an amazing proficiency in
the Kitchen, and Angel appointed him mission cook. No one knew
where he acquired this skill, but the food was excellent. That is if
it actually made it to the table and Loser did not get hungry on the
way.
Gemmi explained that he loved to hang out in the kitchen of the
palace and steal food when the cook was not paying attention.
They all agreed that food was not all he stole. He stole the cook’s
recipes as well.
Gemmi transferred to co-pilot, an opportunity she relished.
‘I am second in command now,’ she told Loser with great pride,
as they danced around the ship.
Angel grew extremely fond of the little blond girl. He assumed
she was a handful on Arken because no one trusted her, and
treated her like a child.
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178. Igor Swann
From Angel’s experience, she was anything but. She understood
his explanations immediately and handled Skibladne like a pro.
Guival and Gemmi became thick as thieves and they endlessly
chatted about some arbitrary nonsense. He sometimes called her
mam, which scored him another million points or so.
Angel had an interesting discussion with Kirom on a symbol of
power given to the Vanir.
‘In our culture, each of the UGE members has a symbol, or
rather a weapon that serves as a standard for that race to unite
behind,’ Kirom explained.
‘Similar to the flag we use on earth. Each country has a flag that
serves as the symbol for that country,’ Angel remarked.
‘Yes my lord. The Dwar has Mjolnir; the El has the Bow of Odin
and the Aesir the spear Gungnir. Likewise, each of the other races
in turn has a symbol they chose,’ Kirom continued.
‘Teral does not carry Gungnir does he?’ Angel asked.
‘No my lord, their symbol was lost a long time ago,’ Kirom
clarified.
‘Another thing I was wondering about was why Laidin has the
Bow of Odin and not Sharin?’ this has been bugging Angel for
quite some time.
‘Sorry my liege, but I do not feel that is my tale to regale you
with. You need to ask Laidin,’ Kirom stated with a naughty glint in
his eye, ‘mine is on the symbol of Vanir power.’
‘Please continue my friend,’ Angel smiled.
Kirom cleared his throat.
‘The Vanir symbol of power was in the form of a sword, named
the Sword of Freyr.’ Kirom began.
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179. Waking the Angel
‘I’ve heard of it!’ Angel yelped, ‘in mythology the sword could
fight on its own.’
‘The sword has micro receptors in the hilt,’ Kirom said with a
dreamy look in his eyes. He seemed to be quite fond of exotic
technology. He had begged his brother to send him on this
mission so he may be able to experience Skibladne first hand.
Kirom continued.
‘This allows the sword to bypass the somatic nervous system
and get signals directly from the brain. It uses an electromagnetic
push-and-pull effect to then do what the brain suggested before
the muscles in the arm could respond.’
‘Amazing,’ Angel said, ‘so it actually seemed to fight on its own.’
‘Yes, it was again ancient nano-technology built into the sword,
and we have not been able to duplicate it. There is no way, even
for modern technology, to receive a signal from the brain and
translate it into electromagnetic energy before the muscles in the
arm can react,’ explained Kirom.
‘In a skilled user’s hand, someone with an extremely quick
mind, like the UGE Lords it could deflect blasters or any projectile
weapon’s shots with great ease.’
Kirom continued speaking as if he was talking about his one
true passion in life.
‘The blade’s edge is only a few atoms thick and made from a
Zellion alloy, which is the hardest material known in the universe.
The swords protection comes from its own shield, which gives it a
striking bluish glow. This means the sword can never go blunt. It
also enabled the sword to slice through virtually anything save
maybe a Zellion hull or an energy shield, with very little effort.’
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180. Igor Swann
‘The scabbard was just as impressive. It was part of the sword,
living in the hilt. You would position the sword on your back and it
sensed that it needed to deploy the scabbard, which would then
wrap around it and your chest. By grabbing hold of the hilt again
the scabbard would instantly retract and the swords energy shield
would active.’
‘Do we have any idea where it is?’ Angel asked Kirom since he
had absorbed Kirom’s excitement and was now just as eager to
find it.
‘Freyr had a close friend and confidant, an El named Skirnir or
Skern as we called him. He often visited earth serving as a
messenger between Freyr and Freyja. Freyr tasked him with
presenting the sword as a wedding proposal to a certain Valk’r,
but the sword never arrived. Skern stole the sword. There is a
strong belief the sword is on earth, but we have no records or
current rumours on the sword’s whereabouts,’ Kirom said. Angel
could see he felt truly sorry for the loss of such a wonderful piece
of history.
‘So the loss of this sword is what caused the UGE to split?’ Angel
asked.
‘Yes my lord, many of the minority council members were
unhappy about the amount of power the El, Dwar, Ark and Aesir
had, and was simply looking for an excuse to rescind their
membership. They however feared retribution from the other
member races who would classify them as traitors, if they did not
remain part of the UGE. When the symbol of Vanir power
disappeared, they used this as an excuse to break off from the
UGE, claiming that the UGE Lord was not fit to be in control. That
the UGE was fallible.’
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181. Waking the Angel
‘I see,’ Angel’s brow creased, ‘so it might be in our best interest
to recover this artefact.’
‘True my lord, very beneficial indeed,’ Kirom smiled broadly, he
hoped Angel might come to this conclusion.
Guival was a master storyteller and he held the crew’s
fascination for hours with his retellings of UGE history and
glorious battles.
He also loved playing pranks, placing a spell on Kirom’s hammer
Mjolnir to make it invisible.
Since no one could lift it but Kirom, he believed he was going
insane and physically turned the ship upside down looking for the
hammer he misplaces. In another episode, Guival used magic to
change the properties of Laidin’s facial wash. She walked around
with little horns coming out of her face for a day.
Gemmi’s food came alive and ran off at dinner, scaring her half
to death.
He was careful not to anger Loser. He preferred his head where
it was, and it did not help at all that Gerbits were immune to
magic.
Angel got the worst of Guival’s trickery. He woke up one
morning with his head facing backwards. He had a nice view of his
ass the rest of the day. It was, needless to say, frustrating trying to
walk backwards.
Every time something happened Guival seem to disappear, and
could not be found until the magic wore off.
The crew grew tired of this tomfoolery and Guival got a severe
reprimand from Angel.
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182. Igor Swann
He promised to be good, but Gemmi decided to give him a taste
of his own medicine.
One morning as Guival woke he found an enormous Gerbit
standing over his bed, the saliva dripping from its mouth, gigantic
fangs exposed and death flashing in his eyes. Guival gave a
bloodcurdling scream into the minds of the crew.
They rushed in and saw the scene. Gemmi had installed a
hollow projector next to Guival’s bed and it was now projecting an
image of Loser in, don’t you wish you were somewhere else now,
mode.
The laughter did not die down for a long while after, leaving
Guival feeling like an idiot. Guival kept quiet and his behaviour
was proper for a while. This lasted until breakfast ended.
He and Gemmi made up, and the friendship was as thick as
ever. Unfortunately, they teamed up after that and things got
considerably worse.
Angel confined both tricksters to quarters until they reached
earth.
Guival’s personality intrigued Angel, somehow reminding him of
someone he knew from Mythology.
‘Skibladne, do me a favour and analyze Guival’s DNA, if you can.
Give me a genealogy report on him. More specifically tell me if
Loki was an ancestor of his.’
#confirmed. Guival is a descendant of Loki# Skibladne
answered.
Angel jumped.
‘You can talk?’ he asked.
#of course my lord# Skibladne answered in a metallic drone.
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183. Waking the Angel
‘Wow,’ Angel exclaimed before wondering, ‘I would have
assumed with all this amazing technology your voice would be
more like one of those GPS devices we find on earth?’
#I could synthesize any vocal pattern perfectly my lord. Your
predecessor preferred I spoke with a more robotic voice#
Skibladne answered.
‘That’s interesting,’ Angel answered.
#Do you wish me to change my synthesized voice patterns#
Skibladne asked.
‘No, I think I like it this way, thank you,’ he answered.
He then thought about what the ship previously mentioned
about Guival.
So that explains it all, Angel laughed, he probably cannot even
help himself. He is a descendant of the trickster god Loki. It is in his
genes.
Angel and Laidin kept busy in the replicator room preparing the
crew for the long journey ahead. They designed black jump suits
made from a comfortable material that looked like something
Angel saw in a superhero movie. He designed insignia that were
artistic impressions of Skibladne, which also doubled as mindcom
devices, a concept again borrowed from the movies he loved on
earth.
Belts with the same clasp insignia and comfortable stylish boots
completed the outfits.
Though not original ideas, they were functional and looked
great.
Even Loser got an outfit.
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184. Igor Swann
When Angel put the little outfit in his small hands and two small
tears ran down Loser’s cheeks, the crew could not help but feel
moved.
They could feel emotions of happiness and gratitude flowing
from the little creature in waves, washing over them and spilling
from their eyes.
All he ever wanted was to belong somewhere and not be just
another nuisance. A tender smile played on Angel’s face and he
fought hard against the emotions projected by the little blue
creature, threatening to expose him as a big softy.
Angel saw Kirom turn away, obviously to hide his feelings.
An emotional dwarf, Angel thought, who would have thought
that possible.
Loser ran to Gemmi’s quarters and a few minutes later returned
wearing his jump suit. Although it was the wrong way round and
his arms were through his suit’s legs. He jumped on every
crewmember’s shoulder and gave them a big hug.
Gemmi took his hand and led him to their room. She showed
him how to put it on by dressing herself and from that moment
on, there was no way for them to get him to take it off.
Towards the end of their journey through the jump, Angel
experienced fear, which he last felt when he had the vision from
his brother.
It was late afternoon when LOBE came into his mind.
‘I have calculated and recalculated every possible scenario,
taking into account, every possible jump point location, flight
plan, and burn speed, which could be incorporated by the Taur.’
‘LOBE, Buddy, you are back. I thought you had deserted me.’
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185. Waking the Angel
‘No, I was just busy and I could not afford to lose concentration
and make a miscalculation, especially after I found the mistake,’
LOBE said.
‘What mistake, what are you talking about?’ he enquired due to
a quite disconcerting urgency in LOBE’s tone, and because LOBE
had not made a single sarcastic remark yet.
‘Noone made a mistake in his calculations. We will reach earth
only about ten days before the Taur, and they would reach earth
11 hours before the Darkmoons and four days before the UGE
fleet. If we assume they follow standard operating procedure and
they do advance reconnaissance and scout missions while they set
up a base of operations...’ LOBES voice trailed off.
‘Then what,’ Angel asked frantic.
‘We will still be without a fleet,’ LOBE said.
‘I hope there is a, but, coming,’ Angel remarked.
‘If they do not pick up the Darkmoons arrival, which is doubtful,
we might have just enough time to put them in place before their
full strike on earth is launched.’
A visibly upset Angel conveyed the news to his troops.
‘I cannot understand how Noone could make such a mistake?
He would never make a mistake like that,’ Guival observed
obstinately.
‘Trust me Guival, LOBE and I did a detailed study of the star
charts before we left, and this is the quickest way that the Taur
could move undetected.’
Angel looked at them in turn before adding, ‘we are in big
trouble!’
To show them the validity of LOBE’s calculations he called up
the star charts stored in Skibladne onto the view screen. He
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186. Igor Swann
proceeded to plot the course with the help of LOBE, each step
showing the time it would take to complete. LOBE also plotted all
the other most likely routes.
The longest of all the unlikely routes would still place the Taur
fleet there three hours before the Darkmoons. The team agreed
that the route LOBE chose is the same one they would have
chosen as well.
No one could offer up even a far-fetched explanation for
Noone’s miscalculations.
They started examining their options.
‘We do not have any way to contact the Darkmoons and speed
them up while they are in the jump. Signals cannot be beamed
into a jump because there is no space to carry the signal,’ Guival
made a point which was already obvious to everyone except
maybe Loser, but since he did not show any visible
enlightenment, nobody was sure.
‘When we exit the jump we can contact the fleet, but even at
maximum burn, they will still be four days behind the
Darkmoons,’ Kirom remarked.
‘Our only course of action is to convince earth to mobilize their
entire defence initiative against something they do not believe
exists,’ Angel continued.
‘I do not see how we can achieve this, but if we do the Taur
might be in for a few small surprises.’
‘Earth has developed a nuclear missile arsenal that could
destroy the earth a thousand times over and they can be fired at
orbiting vessels.
We have planes, which even though they cannot leave earth’s
atmosphere, travel at twice the speed of sound and are all
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187. Waking the Angel
equipped with missiles that could bring down Taur fighters and
bombers. That is if they could penetrate the shields. We have
nuclear submarines that can launch warheads from the ocean
floor.’
‘But how,’ Laidin asked, ‘from the last Ark reports, you were still
decades from such technology.’
Angel smiled, ‘humans evolve more rapidly than other species.
They seem to be in a hurry to go somewhere. We might even
surpass the Arks in technological know-how in a couple of years,’
he said proudly before he added gritting his teeth, ‘if we don’t
destroy ourselves first, and make it past the next couple of
weeks.’
‘I just hope the cargo Skibladne is carrying will tip the balance
somewhat in earth’s favour,’ Laidin solemnly added.
One ship with supplies did not give much hope against an
armada but it did raise their spirits somewhat from suicidal
depression to sombre hopelessness.
Even Guival seemed to have lost his appetite for playing pranks
on the crew.
Angel started working on the crew’s disguises since he was the
only one that knew earth styles.
Skibladne had an advance database on earth fashion, but
somewhat out of date, and he had to make a few alterations to
her suggestions.
Hiding the crew’s alien heritage became quite a challenge. The
twins, since Guival had decided to absorb Gemmi’s form
definition, which obviously gave Gemmi endless enjoyment,
became an exercise in futility. Their demands were endless.
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He created a little rucksack for Loser, with breathing holes and
‘windows’. This was after a massive debate on whether Loser
should stay on board Skibladne or not.
Apparently, ‘not,’ was the only acceptable answer.
The bulky weapons were even more difficult to disguise.
LOBE came up with the solution.
They reconfigured the teleportation chambers on Skibladne to
be remote activated with beacons. The weapons placed inside
would be teleported to the heroes on demand.
Angel also created Zellion alloy gauntlets for the crews’ left
wrists. These housed an information database, scanners and
guidance equipment as well as the beacons tuned to the teleport
chambers.
His had the added functionality of placing Skibladne in the
hangar dimension.
Angel was impressed. The crew looked spectacular, especially
Laidin.
She looked like she walked off a runway at a Milan fashion
show.
They would have looked even better if they could just keep
from making faces and stop pulling on the clothes.
‘The blouse is scratching me.’
‘The boots are too tight.’
‘My top is suffocating me.’
Even Loser found a reason to complain.
There was no place to store his emergency food supply in the
bag. Angel gave up and went to look for a rope with which to hang
himself.
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189. Waking the Angel
The plan of attack was an even more complicated affair; nobody
knew how to approach this.
‘I should probably start with America, Britain, China, Russia and
the EU. These are the largest superpowers on earth,’ Angel
explained but after seeing the blank stares, he decided to give
them an overview and a brief history on earth.
‘Our main objectives are twofold. Firstly to find the Valk’r,’ he
paused, ‘Gemmi that will be your and Laidin’s responsibility,’ and
seeing the look on Loser’s face added, ‘and yours Loser.’
‘You need to convince them of the threat and mobilized their
forces.’ he took a breath and continued.
‘I am sending you, Laidin, because I believe these Valk’r are
quite partial to females. I have asked Skibladne to return to the
place it landed last time Freyr visited earth, and that should
hopefully place us near where the Valk’r headquarters is.’
‘Yes my lord, it will be done, and I shall look after her well,’
Laidin responded, followed by a slight altercation in which Gemmi
wanted to know who exactly would be looking after whom.
Angel gave her a sharp look and turned to Kirom.
‘You my friend have a very special mission, which could be quite
tricky. I need you to locate the Sword of Freyr, the symbol of the
UGE Lord’s power. I don’t know why but I have this gut feeling we
are going to need it soon.’
‘The Valk’r might have archives or ancient scripts that might
give you an idea of where to start looking.’
‘No problem my lord,’ he said with a glint in his eye.
‘Be careful with your fighter, if it is seen it will probably be
attacked. You will travel with the ladies till you have an indication
on a starting point for your search,’ Angel remarked.
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190. Igor Swann
‘As you wish my lord,’ Kirom smiled.
‘Then that leaves just you and me Guival. We have the tough
job of convincing the nations.’
Guival said nothing.
‘We might start with America and go alphabetically. We need
to get into the Whitehouse, the home of the ruler of America.’
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CHAPTER 25
The anticipation Sharin experienced made her thoroughly
hyperactive. She summoned crew on a regular basis for sparring
contests, mostly bitterly disappointed because they rarely lasted
more than a few seconds.
The two days since she left Arken felt like two weeks had
passed.
‘Are we clear on our mission parameters,’ Teral asked in their
last mission briefing.
‘Yes’ Sharin sighed, ‘I take a third of the fleet and enter Taur
space. Working from the outer stronghold, I destroy all hard
targets such as ammo dumps, refuelling stations, orbital stations,
minefields, ground defences, manufacturing plants and mines,
patrols and security outposts. Then go to Evergal’t and destroy
the command centre, as well as all other military installations.’
She revelled at the thought of this command so much she did
not even attempt being condescending. Until she added, ‘would
you prefer I spare Kra’st’s outhouse as your holiday home?’
‘Good,’ Teral remarked ignoring her.
‘Brom and I shall take the rest of the fleet to Earth. There we
shall await the arrival of the Taur and hit them into last Cen’tday.’
‘They will never expect it, it is a masterful plan. I wish I could
see Kra’st face when he sees the armada and the Darkmoons
waiting for him,’ Brom smiled with glee.
‘I wish to take only my fleet. It should be sufficient to take on a
few defenceless planets,’ Sharin suggested, or rather demanded
since this was the same thing in her world.
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192. Igor Swann
Both Teral and Brom quickly agreed since neither felt
comfortable with her abusive self in charge of their people. She
would probably just use them for suicide runs or target practice.
‘Noone will organize the border patrols and scout missions,’
Teral confirmed the rest of the battle plan.
‘Qren will act as command central and coordinate the separate
missions. I think that is it. Good luck my friends, and good
hunting.’
Sharin stood on the command deck of the Royal El Cruisers, a
beautiful, fast and deadly warship.
She designed it to perfection, her prized possession.
Admittedly, she stole a number of ideas from Skibladne, and she
was furious when the El council refused her the right to build the
entire ship from Zellion. However, not even she would dispute the
fact that Skibladne was the crown jewel of the UGE fleet and a
culmination of the technological supremacy of all the UGE races.
It was damn cool as well.
The fleet she commanded stretched as far as the eye could see
and with the El-sight, she could see pretty far indeed. She had
360-degree view screens on her command deck from where she
could ensure nobody stepped out of line.
Sharin hated not to be able to see everywhere at once, and
what she saw made her very happy, and even more hyperactive.
Battle Cruisers, numerous Corvettes and thousands of fighters
and Bombers littered space, and they were hers to order about,
all hers.
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You could not get the smile of her face with a crowbar, even if
you did forget to call her Princess. You would still lose your head
obviously, but she would be smiling while removing it.
She intently studied the star-map on the giant holographic
image projector that featured in the middle of her command
deck. A round flat structure which when activated would project
anything she asked above it in three dimensions.
It currently displayed a planetary system map of Taur space,
and the rest of her commanders nervously stood around the holo-
map hoping she would not direct any questions at them.
She zoomed in on the border planets carefully analyzing the
statistical data she had on each, while creating a summary of the
number of hard targets available on these planets.
Sharin ensured the planets with many red dots remained in her
target list. Not that she was selfish, she just likes to blow things
up, and okay, we are not kidding anyone, she was a certified
egomaniac.
She fitted enough weaponry onto her fighter to blow up herself
and half the galaxy.
It was like placing a chimpanzee in charge of a steamroller at an
exotic china exhibit.
Her crew painted, ‘shoot at me and die,’ on the side of her ship,
and this was no joke.
Sneezing near the ship was strictly forbidden and punishable by
expulsion, from the airlock.
Any enemy that would want her as a trophy needed to ensure
they were shooting from the next galaxy wearing welding goggles.
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194. Igor Swann
She left very little standing on a planet. A few mountains might
survive if they managed to look inconspicuous and not too
menacing.
Most planets surrendered even before her cruiser got into
orbit, other planets would surrender on principle even if they had
no life forms inhabiting it.
Even allied planets surrendered.
‘Better safe than not around to be sorry,’ they would say.
Her cruiser currently attempted to find parking around the first
of her little experiments in urban renewal.
It bumped a few communication satellites out of the way and
squeezed in between a relic space station and a freighter.
She blew up the freighter for suspicion of it carrying something.
It was a good bet since after all it was a freighter. In any event, it
was blocking her view of the planet. She blew up the space station
because she could.
The planet surrendered.
The inhabitants destroyed everything on the planet that Sharin
could find threatening or offensive. This included The Passions
Lingerie Emporium, since everyone knows the Princess despises
frilly stuff.
‘Mother Father!’ she swore when she noticed the explosions all
across the planet.
The next planet did not surrender in time, mostly due to Sharin
accidentally blasting a hole in the communication console with
her sidearm while cleaning it and no one noticed the smoke
signals the planet tried to send up.
Accidents do happen.
The fleet separated and the attack commenced.
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The first targets were any communication centres and the
defence grid, followed by anything that made a large bang. She
even took out a few enemy trees that were trying their utmost to
bloom white flowers and wave them as a flag.
They were not doing too well and she picked them off just in
case there was some covert plot by the trees to attack from the
rear.
A maniacal laugh filled the mindcom. Her wingmen, the poor
sods who drew the short straws and could not think up an illness
debilitating enough to get them sent home, or could not get
reassigned to the suicide bombing runs against planetary defence
grids, were keeping their distance in the event that she got bored
and started shooting at them.
You got a medal just for flying with her, mostly presented
posthumously.
She shrieked as something else went BOOM!
187

196. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 26
On board the Taur Imperial Battle Cruiser, Kra’st appeared in a
foul mood. The endless wait, while they were en-route, got to
him.
We should have fought our way open to the earth jump point,
he thought to himself.
If not for the damn alliance he would have, but they suggested
secrecy, no surprises.
He reluctantly agreed to it, but this felt like shooting fish in a
barrel.
‘Is the fleet ready?’ he asked Alra’st agitatedly thumping his
spear, Gungnir, on the floor.
‘Yes my lord, ships are outfitted with full payload and are
fuelled, pilots are on standby. Ground attack forces are on full
alert. Our scouts and reconnaissance forces are prepped and
ready to roll.’ He had this little rhyme memorized by now.
Kra’st kept on asking the same question, and even though it was
driving him insane, it was better to repeat the rhyme than to
surgically remove a spear from his skull.
‘Shall we go over the battle plan one more time,’ Kra’st
interrupted his thoughts.
‘If you wish my lord,’ Alra’st secretly wished Kra’st would trip
and accidentally fall on Gungnir, but that was not likely to happen.
Cen’t warriors do not accidentally trip often, only accidentally on
purpose when trying to explain an unfortunate death.
‘Oops I tripped. Can you believe my blade went straight through
his skull? You know, I was just examining my blade for rust, and
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197. Waking the Angel
this crack in the pavement appeared out of nowhere. What a
freakish accident, so very unfortunate.’
Nobody questioned the fact that the cracks in the pavement
were painted, and that nobody knew what rust was.
‘I wish,’ Kra’st gruffly replied.
‘Yes my Lord,’ Alra’st continued.
‘I shall lead the reconnaissance mission to Vanaheimr, with your
polite invitation, as soon as we leave the jump point.’
Thank god he thought.
‘The rest of the fleet will set up base and do long range scout
missions while we let the planet know we are here. We will give
the planet three days to organize a defence so we may at least
have some sport before you destroy it.’
‘Good, good, that’s very good,’ Kra’st sneered.
Alra’st did not share this enthusiasm, but he did not raise his
concerns for fear of his life. He felt sure that the alliance was a
farce, so did Tri’st. Unfortunately, neither knew anything of the
mysterious alliance Kra’st has formed except for what he told
them, and what he told them sounded extremely disconcerting.
‘What do they have to gain by helping us?’ Alra’st had asked
Tri’st.
‘The question should be what is going to be their objective after
they help us. You do not start a war and sit on the sideline if you
have no other agenda,’ Tri’st answered.
‘How do you know they are on the sideline? They may be UGE
and part of this war already, helping us from the inside. Or they
pretend to help us, lure us away from home and destroy us here,
while our planets are unprotected,’ came Alra’st’s deeply troubled
response.
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198. Igor Swann
‘I don’t think Kra’st would leave our planets unprotected if he
was not sure the alliance was real,’ Tri’st said but Alra’st did not
need a degree in psychology to know Tri’st was as unsure of this
as he was.
‘If you are right, at least they will keep our planets safe while
we are here?’ asked Alra’st hopeful of some comforting thoughts.
This situation bugged him from the start. They left their home
world unprotected, but Kra’st had insisted they need the entire
Taur fleet.
According to Kra’st, they needed to withstand an armada from
the UGE if they should arrive in aid of the puny planet. The
alliance agreed, and that was the end of that.
This was not Kra’st’s idea, Alra’st felt sure of this. They planted
this in Kra’st’s soft brain.
‘I wish I knew. It is all just speculation, but if we have a UGE
armada waiting for us, then we know they played us. There is no
way they could have found out about our plans, except from our
mysterious spy in the UGE senate. What better way than two
fleets destroying each other far-far away from home,’ Tri’st had
said.
‘If they are as powerful allies as Kra’st said, why don’t they just
destroy the UGE and be done with it.’
‘I don’t know but if you think about it what does a Tre’nt 1 do
when it is threatened? It runs for its hole. It is very difficult to
1
The Tre’nt described as a warthog like creature, shy and retiring and quite the
pacifist. That is until you threaten its little ones. They would retreat into their
holes dug in solid rock, and you would be extremely brave to continue with the
capture effort. Their armoured hide and razor sharp barracuda like teeth would
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flush it from there if you want to capture it alive. It is also quite
dangerous to put your hand down the hole, since it would most
probably not be there on the return journey. You will also need to
destroy the hole to get to the Tre’nt and its babies,’ Tri’st
explained, ‘but if you can keep the Tre’nt from its hole a child can
capture it.’
‘So you think they are making us destroy each other so they
may take our and the UGE planets intact? To what end? To avoid
a long battle,’ Alra’st asked perplexed, ‘what is the meaning of
this?’
‘That my friend I do not know,’ Tri’st replied, deep concern
clearly audible.
deter even the most avid hunter. Whatever you place down the hole generally
remains down the hole.
191

200. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 27
Silence remained, and a lot of it, deafening silence, as thick as
fog. The crew begged for it to stop.
Brom and Teral sat looking at each other in shock, neither
wanted to speak first, both wanted to believe that they misheard
the UGE Lord. The Echo of Angel’s voice still haunted their
thoughts with the horrifying news.
‘Noone miscalculated, the Taur will arrive 4 days before you.
The earth will not survive.’
‘What…’ Brom started and stopped.
‘How did…’ Teral tried not getting much further.
‘Should we…’
‘We were…’
‘It is…’
‘The…’
‘They must…’
Some of the crew, overhearing this very insightful conversation,
slowly formed the suspicion that there might be something amiss.
‘Sirs, I have ordered the ships to maximum burn and we will be
entering the Bifrost jump point any second. We deployed the
mines as ordered and they entered the jump 5 minutes ago. We
will not be able to keep the fleet together, but some of the faster
ships might reach Vanaheimr to give it some protection,’ a
concerned fleet admiral relayed the current situation.
‘If anything survives that long,’ he added softly, absentmindedly
staring at his boots.
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201. Waking the Angel
Teral, thankful for his admiral’s presence of mind, ordered his
fleet commanders assembled.
Brom initiated another conversation with sentences exceeding
2 terms… mostly.
‘Something’s wrong,’ Brom exclaimed.
‘I know,’ Teral agreed.
‘Noone miscalculated?’ Brom’s puzzled reply came.
‘I know.’
‘Our entire defence is deployed in different universes; because
we believed the Taur fleet going to earth was the only threat.’
‘I know.’
‘What if there is another Taur force, waiting for us to leave our
space. One we missed on the scouting missions?’ asked Brom.
‘I know.’
‘What are we to do?’ asked Brom, quickly adding, ‘and if you
say, I know, once more I’ll pummel you.’
‘I don’t know,’ Teral said and then quickly added.
‘The dreadnaughts and most of the older cruisers won’t even be
in time to pick up the ion trails of the Taur. We might as well leave
them here.’
‘I agree. We should stick with the corvettes, the fast cruisers
and the fighters.’
‘Let Qren deploy the dreadnaughts and cruisers around all our
strategic planets,’ an uneasy Brom replied.
‘But, I still smell a gist.’
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202. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 28
The intrepid adventurers chose the cover of night to make their
approach to a remote location in Sweden. It appeared as an old
abandoned ruin that could have been a temple a few thousand
years ago. They had built the temple into a mountain so that it
almost seemed to be part of the mountain. Only a few walls and
pillars still stood although in a bad state of disrepair.
The team, after Skibladne made such a soft landing that they
wondered if she had actually touched down or if she still hovered
in mid air, disembarked and began to explore the ruins for some
clue as to the whereabouts of its ancient inhabitants.
Darkness enveloped them and the crew felt uneasy walking
through the haunted ruins.
‘I wish I could see more clearly,’ Gemmi complained.
‘No problem,’ Angel said feeling dim-witted for not thinking of
this earlier, ‘Skibladne, some light please,’ he flashed a thought to
the lady. The area lit up like a football stadium, completely
blinding the crew for a few minutes until their eyes got use to the
intense light.
‘Ah, the light of my life,’ Angel quipped.
‘Yes, that was pretty bright of you my lord,’ Guival joked in turn,
not to be outdone; he was the entertainer after all.
‘I wish I knew what we were looking for,’ he added.
They searched the ruins for quite some time before Laidin’s
keen eyes found the ancient runes obviously left there by the
Valk’r, since the language was that of the Arks. Angel stared at her
in amazement, since the carvings were no more than a sand
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covered nondescript stone set in the floor. It seemed to be newer
than the surrounding ruins. The crew carefully dusted the stone
so not to damage the fragile lettering. The clue appeared to be a
riddle of sorts.
He who seeks the lady’s brood
From her gown in heaven’s womb
the monument ensued
and guide became a tomb.
Bounty of the Gefion thief
The sovereign will reveal
Inside the ladies grief
beware the stone of teal.
Her weep the veil
Her fury the shroud
In halls of pale
the call will sound
No sense will serve
the path to expose
Sightless Valk’r of silent nerve
follow the odourless rose.
When cast a thought
with gift life brought,
from fire of the mind the cry lead
that all Valk’r must head.
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204. Igor Swann
They stared at each other in confusion; this meant nothing to
any of them.
‘Okay we must figure this out,’ Angel stated the obvious.
‘We know this riddle is meant for the returning Valk’r leader, so
she must be able to follow it and get to the Valk’r. It should also
include information and directions only a Valk’r raised on an alien
planet could follow.’
‘Well we know, He who seeks the lady’s brood, means finding
the Valk’r since Freyja often referred to the Valk’r as her children,’
Gemmi suggested.
‘We could probably surmise we are looking for an Island, since
according to mythology Gefion stole an island from Sweden,’
Angel remarked after a brief conference with LOBE.
‘Now we have, from her gown in heaven’s womb, what in
heaven’s name could that mean?’ Kirom asked.
‘Freyja directly translated means the lady. Freyja’s gown is a
star constellation which today is known as Orion’s belt,’ LOBE
stated in his most overbearing way after liberating Angel’s vocal
cords.
‘So we are looking for an island under Orion’s belt?’ Gemmi
asked.
‘No, I don’t think so,’ Laidin said.
‘I think we need something else to show us the way to the
island, a sovereign of sorts.’
‘Any ideas,’ Angel asked.
‘This is your planet, remember?’ Gemmi reminded him.
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205. Waking the Angel
‘Okay, okay, I assume we built a monument from Orion’s image
that is supposed to guide us and it is now a tomb,’ Angel shared
his thoughts.
‘Probably, but let us get Skibladne’s assistance on this issue,’
Laidin interjected.
They all bundled into the command centre on Skibladne.
‘Skibladne, do you have any information on a monument built
on earth in honour of Orion,’ Angel asked.
#negative my lord# she answered.
‘What now?’ Gemmi was worried but Laidin suddenly had an
idea, ‘Skibladne, do we have anything on earth that resembles
Orion’s belt.’
#Affirmative my lady, the pyramids at Giza were built in the
exact configuration of Orion’s belt#
‘Great,’ Angel exclaimed before he added.
‘It is long believed that the pyramids were not built by the
Egyptians but by aliens, and later converted to tombs by the
emperors of Egypt. So what are we waiting for, let’s go!’
Skibladne set off at speed.
Minutes later, they hovered over the pyramids at Giza.
‘Well I don’t know much about the pyramids,’ apologized Angel.
‘I do know the pyramids are supposed to be aligned to true
north. I know that a blade hung from the Great Pyramid will never
go blunt; it is rumoured to sharpen. The other thing I remember is
that the Great Pyramid is rumoured to have a strange energy
emanating from it.’
‘Unless we are expected to fly true north, I don’t see any help
there,’ Kirom retorted.
‘Now what,’ Gemmi enquired.
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206. Igor Swann
‘Now the pyramids must show us the way to the island,’ Guival
answered in a mysterious tone.
‘And I know how.’
‘Do we need to find the energy source?’ Gemmi asked.
‘No, but I like the way you think little one. We do not need to
find it only use it,’ Guival explained.
The others looked at him curiously.
Guival walked over to his communications console and started
configuring his instruments.
‘Got it,’ he exclaimed after a few minutes.
‘The coordinates are hidden on a communication band this
world has not been able to detect yet. To them it will look like an
energy signature,’ he smiled self-importantly.
‘You have to be in close proximity to the pyramid to detect it,
but when you have the right equipment it is easy,’ Guival
explained.
Angel called up a map, but no island appeared at the
coordinates.
‘Sorry guys, there are no islands recorded in that area,’ Angel
sounded despondent.
A permanent, thick, very unnatural fog covered the area to
which the coordinates pointed. This was clearly visible on the
satellite image Guival found when he commandeered an earth
weather satellite.
‘It is there all right,’ Guival said, ‘a wall will hide what is on the
other side, but that does not mean there is nothing on the other
side. It is a simple illusionist trick.’
‘So that’s why there are no islands recorded there, because it is
cloaked. Maybe that’s what ‘inside the ladies grief’ means,’ Angel
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exclaimed and then added something he remembered from
studying lore, ‘Gefion was also rumoured to be another name
used by Frigg.’
‘You mean the wife of Odin?’ Guival asked.
‘Yes. She must have brought the technology to cloak the island,
and then gave the island to Freyja.’
He understood now how Gefion managed to steal the island.
She did not pick it up and walk away with it. She simply cloaked it
in this mist and hey presto, one standard size island stolen.
Angel decided that it was time for them to go their separate
ways. While he and Guival continued on their quest, Laidin,
Gemmi, Loser and Kirom would continue in the fighters to find the
Valk’r.
Kirom stared into the unyielding veil below them. The mist
seemed foreboding. It made him feel uneasy. The composition of
the fog, according to his fighter, contained trace elements found
only on Arken. Laidin intently studied the scanners, which did not
give proper readings. It seemed the mist not only confused the
senses but sensors as well.
‘We already know the mist is unnatural, so is it possible for you
to pinpoint the origin of the mist?’ Gemmi asked.
She flew with Laidin and Loser slept peacefully in her lap.
‘I am, just bear with me for a tick,’ Laidin responded still intently
studying her scanners.
Kirom’s mindcom came alive.
‘Kirom, change course to 12 degrees North by North-East, and
hold course for 12 seconds at current speed. Then we need to
descend into the mist.’
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208. Igor Swann
The soul-destroying fog enveloped them like a blanket,
Her fury the shroud, Kirom thought.
Laidin’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
‘We are about 2 miles from the source.’
The mist broke suddenly and a small island came into view
below them. All around them, the sombre mist swirled and
formed a dome of clear air around the island.
It appeared lifeless, since the mist blocked out the sun no
vegetation would survive.
Laidin hated this place.
This is no place for an El, she thought miserably.
The barren rocks looked disfigured and evil. If somebody
accidentally stumbled onto this place, it might be more preferable
to take on the mist. ‘It is better to die out there than die here,’
they would say.
‘We are here,’ Kirom stated the obvious, ‘so let us see if we can
find any clues from the rest of the riddle.’
‘Angel thought, her weep the veil, meant a waterfall of sorts.
Let’s see if we can find one,’ Gemmi suggested.
They did not have to fly far before they saw a huge dark
waterfall tumbling from the mountain, and they found a place to
set the fighters down. The closer the better was the entire group’s
sentiment.
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209. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 29
Angel and Guival had problems of their own. How were they
going to get into the Whitehouse?
‘Let’s blast a hole in the side and walk in,’ Guival suggested in
jest.
‘I have better idea,’ Angel smiled with a gleam in his eye.
At about four in the morning, they touched down in the
American capital. Both were dressed in their earth clothes and
Guival had transformed into his Gemmi alter ego.
They stuck their com-badges onto the inside of their jackets
before leaving Skibladne.
‘We might as well find an all night diner and have coffee and
maybe get breakfast,’ he told Guival.
Angel sent Skibladne into the next dimension and walked off
into the cold night with Guival.
It felt good to be home even though the smell was quite putrid.
Strange how he never realized it before, but admittedly after
getting used to the pure air on Arken this polluted place would
test the olfactory senses of any alien nose.
What a wonderful smell. He looked up, and all the stars were in
the right places; he was home.
He smiled happily but said nothing.
They walked only a little while before finding a diner. Both
ordered coffee since Guival had now developed a taste for it, after
Angel introduced it to him in a role-playing exercise.
The four hours they waited before putting their plan into action
dragged past. They kept themselves busy with working on the
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plan’s detail, and Angel explaining to Guival the customs of
earthlings. The strange customs of these earthlings intrigued
Guival no end and he asked many questions on the behaviour he
observed from the few people that visited the diner.
‘Why do they put their fingers in their noses?’ he asked.
‘That is a disgusting habit, my friend. Cleaning your nose with
your finger is socially unacceptable.’
‘Why is than male staring intently at the front of the female
behind the counter?’ Guival seemed perplexed, ‘I sense he finds it
stimulating?’
‘Er… Yes staring at the breast of females is stimulating to most
of the males on this planet,’ Angel awkwardly responded.
‘It is also really bad manners to stare like that, and it would get
you slapped more often than not.’
‘Why do they give her that paper before they leave?’
Angel felt a chill shoot down his spine.
Shit! We have no money, he thought, why did he not think of
that?
‘We are in trouble Jen,’ the name Gemmi chose for Guival.
‘We need that paper to pay for the coffee, and I don’t have
any.’
‘Would you mind if I liberated some for us? I noticed the female
keeps placing it in that silver box,’ Guival responded pointing to
the cash register.
‘How will you? Oh, I forgot. I think this situation is desperate
enough, go ahead.’
They ordered some more coffee and Guival lightly touched her
hand as she picked up the empty cups.
202

211. Waking the Angel
A little while later the waitress headed for the restroom, and
Guival followed but only to the door where he quickly
transformed.
He casually walked to the cash register and took a few notes.
A quite obnoxious patron sitting across from him, who had been
troubling the waitress since he arrived, reached over and grabbed
Guival’s breast. He uttered a distasteful laugh followed with,
‘what big titties you have gorgeo…’
His sentence ended abruptly as the slap rang across the diner.
Angel, who inconspicuously observed to restroom for any sign
of the returning waitress, sat bolt upright when he heard the slap
ring out from the counter.
He unfortunately forgot to mention to Guival how hard human
females slap, and therefore the patron now sat propped against
the wall, approximately 10 feet from where his coffee was getting
cold.
When Guival returned to his seat he had transformed into Jen
again, and a few dollars lined his pocket. The waitress looked
confused, the patron looked concussed, and Angel looked
constricted, as Jen was now a con.
They paid and left in a hurry, with Guival still not understanding
why they needed to go that urgently.
‘Did I do something wrong?’ he enquired from Angel.
‘Well you just slapped someone straight into another blood
type remember? We do not have time to answer questions when
the cops show up,’ Angel answered.
‘But he asked for it and you told me to.’
Angel could not argue with that logic. He kept quiet and
proceeded to hail a cab.
203

212. Igor Swann
‘Whitehouse,’ he instructed the cab driver.
Qren sat staring at the mindcom. Teral’s news left an icy grip on
his heart and his blood boiled. His normally unflustered
composure was something of the past.
‘Get me Noone,’ he screamed telepathically at the guard, who
raced off completely forgetting military protocol.
Thoughts rushed through Qren’s mind, Noone, his friend and
confidant. It is impossible. There had to be a mistake. There is no
way that Noone could be a spy. Noone helped them so much. It
was mostly due to him that the UGE is what it is today.
He remembered how many hours they spent together just
talking on nothing in particular and how they tried to challenge
each other in mind-battle, a favourite game on Arken.
How Noone fussed over him when he contracted a virus from an
alien artefact he had studied.
Noone is his friend.
One of his commanders returned a few minutes later.
‘We are unable to locate Noone, sir,’ he exclaimed.
‘He seems to have gone off world. His cruiser is gone and he did
not submit any clearance documents.’
Qren felt sick to the pit of his stomach. It is true, he thought. He
did betray us; betrayed us all. To what fate did he doom the
people that cared for him, and why, WHY?
‘Send out every scout ship we have available. I WANT HIM
FOUND,’ Qren projected. Only Noone has the answers he thought
to himself, like the recipe to his favourite gruel for instance. Qren
felt angry and alone, more alone than he ever felt before.
204

213. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 30
The four heroes tentatively left the protection of the fighters.
Gemmi of course felt this was her show so she ran off ahead,
followed closely by Loser.
Circular stones of all sizes left the embankment and seemed to
pass in front of the edge of the waterfall before continuing to the
opposite river bank. Gemmi started playing hopscotch and Loser
stayed on her heels one stone behind.
‘STOP!’ the word thundered off the mountain walls as Kirom
screamed at the top of his lungs.
Gemmi froze and Loser dove for his rucksack.
‘What?’ Gemmi asked irritably when she recovered enough
composure to speak.
‘The riddle, remember the riddle, beware the stone of teal, he
said, while Gemmi and Loser jumped back to where the other two
were waiting.
Kirom took a large rock and threw it onto the seventh stone,
which appeared a bluish-green colour. Immediately all the stones
vanished. The rapidly flowing river would have cut them to shreds
on the sharp rocks all the way down to the ocean, if they were
traversing the stones.
‘Thank you,’ Gemmi mumbled.
They approached the stones, which had subsequently
reappeared, with less gusto and a lot more respect.
A new obstacle hindered their progress. Neither Kirom nor
Gemmi could make the jump from the sixth to the eight stone.
205

214. Igor Swann
Kirom suggested Laidin go on ahead, and they would wait for
her.
‘I do not think that is the answer to the problem,’ Laidin
remarked.
‘The words of the riddle, when cast a thought with gift life
brought; I think that means Gemmi needs to activate whatever
acts as the Valk’r beacon.’
Gemmi beamed. She was important.
‘How are we going to get her across then? I think I can throw
her but if the wind gusts, or if I misjudge the distance she will be
killed,’ Kirom speculated.
They sat there in sullen silence, but looked up startled when
Loser suddenly began chattering wildly.
‘What’s wrong?’ Gemmi asked with deep concern in her voice.
However, Loser took up position a way off clearly concentrating
very hard.
The others stared in amazement.
They had never seen a Gerbit transform except when he
attempted to hit someone senseless with that someone’s own
arm.
Loser gradually became 10 feet tall with arms and legs like tree
trunks. His muscles rippled as he moved towards Gemmi. He
looked like King Kong up close and personal, way too personal for
the others’ liking. They would have preferred to see this with
Loser behind bars in a Zoo, and by the look of things, preferably
bars made of Zellion.
Laidin and Kirom backed away slowly. They did not intend to
take chances. Gemmi smiled as Loser gently picked her up as if he
unsure of his own strength and did not wish to hurt her.
206

215. Waking the Angel
He effortlessly jumped from the first stone to the eighth and
then jumped once more disappearing into the waterfall. Laidin
and Kirom exchanged fleeting glances before Laidin followed.
Kirom reflected on the world around him as he sat alone in the
strange place, wondering what complication he will need to
overcome in his quest for the sword. He relished the challenge.
In his minds-eye, he could see himself holding the sword. How
he victoriously presented it to Angel and how the UGE came
together because of his ingenuity and bravery.
For once, he would be the hero and not his brother.
He loved his brother, but had always lived in his shadow.
Brom bested him in everything they shared, and Kirom knew
that his brother was the obvious leader of their people.
Nevertheless, just once, just this one time he would like to be the
one holding the microphone on centre stage and not as a backup
singer.
207

216. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 31
‘The Whitehouse my friend,’ Angel gestured, ‘the seat of power
of the American people, one of the most powerful nations on this
planet.’
The two figures stood on the pavement watching the cab
disappear in the distance. Angel kept only enough money for the
trip here and the tour. He left the rest to the waitress who
probably thought she had hit the jackpot in tips. Angel surmised
they would be off in Skibladne no matter what the outcome of
today would be, so there was no reason to keep the rest.
They entered the Whitehouse and joined one of the tour
groups.
The tour operator’s voice droned on, and it felt like ages before
Angel gave Guival the signal to wander off.
Guival slinked down a number of passages until he assumed he
had placed enough distance between him and Angel. He took a
moment to put on his lost little girl face, before his purposeful,
aimless wandering commenced.
He did not get very far before he was intercepted by a Secret
Service Agent.
‘And where would you be going young lady,’ he asked.
‘I’m lost sir. My daddy is with the tour group. He is going to be
so mad,’ Guival stuttered in a quivering voice.
‘Well, let’s just go and find him, shall we,’ the agent said.
‘Thank you mister, thank you so much.’
Guival’s appreciation was unmistakable as he grabbed the
Agent’s hand before walking off with him.
208

217. Waking the Angel
‘Sir, is this your daughter?’ a voice behind Angel asked.
‘There you are! I was looking all over for you. Don’t ever do that
again, do you hear me?’ he shouted at Guival who imitated
Gemmi to perfection. With a whimpering lip and tears welling up
in his eyes, he stared up at Angel. His race is after all entertainers,
and this was his bread and butter.
‘Sorry daddy. Thank you Mr. Policeman.’
‘It was my pleasure little one. Just be careful okay, the president
is in a very important meeting, so there are a lot of people like me
that are not very friendly today,’ he looked at Angel in an
disapproving way.
‘What’s the meeting about?’ Angel asked innocently.
‘Don’t you watch the news? What planet are you from?’ the
agent responded sarcastically.
If you only knew, Angel mumbled under his breath and then in
an audible tone replied, ‘sorry, TV on the fritz again. So what’s it
about?’
‘The five most powerful people on the planet are planning
nuclear disarmament,’ the agent added a bit of information for
Jen’s sake, ‘that would be us, the Russians, Chinese, British and
the President of the EU.’
He continued, ‘if everything goes as planned the earth will be
nuke free in 2 years.’
He ruffled Jen’s hair one more time before he walked off.
‘If everything goes according to plan the earth will be nuke free
in 2 weeks,’ Angel smiled, shooting a glance at Jen.
They managed to split off into a closet-like room.
‘Okay, now for part two of my plan which I got from your floor
trick on Skibladne.’
209

218. Igor Swann
‘No problem my lord,’ Jen answered.
He became like Liquid, first making a puddle on the floor into
which Angel stepped. Guival then proceeded to flow up Angel’s
body, becoming a second skin. Angel looked in the mirror.
The secret service agent stared back at him.
‘Incredible,’ he said in amazement.
‘Thank you,’ Guival thought back.
They sneaked out of the closet and headed off to the oval
office.
Two Secret Service Agents blocked the door.
‘I have an urgent message for the president,’ Angel alleged in a
desperate tone.
The agent clearly saw the worry on his face and thought better
than to interrogate one of his own.
He nodded and Angel slipped in.
The five leaders were deep in conversation.
They did not even notice Angel as he stepped into the room.
Angel cleared his throat.
‘Gentleman, this is a quite fortuitous turn of events. I was afraid
I would need to visit each of you in turn on separate occasions,’
Angel said in fluent English, Russian, French and Chinese, ‘fated it
would seem.’
The translator the Arks installed projected any species’ mother
tongue even when Angel did not speak it. It seemed that France
was at the head of the EU for the current six months.
Five heads around the table jerked up and silence befell the
room before the president of the USA recovered.
210

219. Waking the Angel
‘Who are you and what are you doing in here,’ his irritable voice
rang clear around the oval office.
‘I came to save your lives of course and ensure the continued
existence of this planet,’ Angel replied simply.
‘Get out,’ The President of the USA shouted now visibly upset.
Angel ignored this, ‘gentleman, it would be a grave error if you
should disarm your nuclear arsenal. You will need every last
warhead in the next couple of weeks if the earth is to survive.’
‘Are you a madman?’ The Chinese President asked without
feeling in his voice except for a slightly comical inquisitiveness.
The other delegates wondered why the Chinese President
spoke to Angel in Chinese when Angel was obviously British… er,
Russian… I mean French.
‘No sir I am not a madman, but for the next few minutes I shall
sound like one.’
‘Jackson, Smith we have an intruder!’ yelled the president.
The two secret service agents burst into the room, one
hurriedly talked on his radio and both scrambled for their pistols.
Angel stood unmoved.
He barely blinked.
A smile gently played across his face.
Nothing thus far has been unexpected.
Ten more agents piled through the door, all confused as to
where the intruder was.
‘Take this man into custody,’ the President ordered pointing to
Angel.
‘Now?’ Guival thought to Angel.
‘Now,’ Angel thought back.
211

220. Igor Swann
Guival became like liquid for the second time flowing from
Angel.
Nobody moved, but the mystified secret service agents kept
their weapons aimed at Angel.
Angel however did move.
He became a blur as he moved from agent to agent, too fast for
any mortal eye to follow, even though some tried and got a
terrible headache.
Less than two second later, he stood in the same spot he had
occupied earlier.
Guival’s transformation was still in progress and Angel smiled as
he sensed the confusion.
The agents pointed guns without barrels at him. He had neatly
stacked all the barrels on the table in front of the delegates.
A deafening silence followed.
They stared at Angel as if he was an alien, and at Guival whom
they had very little doubt was an alien.
The President of the USA recovered enough to ask in a shaky
voice.
‘What are you?’
He felt the fear. He could smell it from every corner of the
room. This after the day started out so nicely with the leaders
very close to reaching an agreement on how they should proceed
with disarmament.
He already imagined the adoration, and the recognition as the
greatest President ever, the one who saved the earth from itself.
Now his day was most likely ruined. How badly would soon
become apparent.
212

221. Waking the Angel
‘Me? I am human, or I used to be few months ago. This is
Guival, he is Aesir,’ Angel answered.
‘Would you kindly ask the agents to leave, we mean you no
harm. We travelled a long way to save your planet.’
He rather said your planet instead of our planet, since things
were confusing enough.
The President waved the agents out feeling that if these two
intended to kill them, they would have done so by now.
‘That was a nice party trick, and I must admit the blue guy’s
makeup is exquisite, but what do you really want from me? Do
you need money or to free some political hostages?’
He continued to recover his composure rapidly.
This did not sit well with Angel. He preferred the Presidents to
be without composure, as that would make them think less and
believe more. He definitely did not need a load of thinkers right
now.
‘Sir, there is an invasion force heading for earth. They will reach
your planet in approximately 8 days. Earth will not be able to
defend against them but you might buy enough time for the
cavalry to arrive.’
He got their attention. They definitely took a step back in the
composure standings.
‘I know this is impossible to believe and we did not wish to
involve you as we felt the earth is not ready to be enlightened to
the existence of other civilizations and species. We had no other
alternative Mr. President. If you do not aid us in protecting your
planet then there will be nothing left for us to protect.’
He looked at their most satisfying reactions, then added, ‘please
follow me,’ in a tone that would serve a third grade teacher well.
213

222. Igor Swann
A tone that meant, ‘do not even contemplate disobeying me, or
else,’ and everybody who heard it would know that there was
actually an, ‘or else,’ that would follow.
They followed cautiously.
The Secret Service kept at a safe distance but no one interfered
with the assembly’s progress to the Whitehouse lawn.
Angel looked at them and smiled.
‘Gentleman, I wish to introduce you to the lady,’ he said while
using the beacon to call Skibladne.
The air shimmered and moments later the beautiful ship filled
the sky, hovering inches from the ground.
Angel commanded her to land and shut off her engines, but did
not lower her shields immediately.
His eyes did not leave the congregation of agents and leaders.
He felt like grinning as he saw the look on their faces. The pride he
felt threatened to make his chest explode. Skibladne looked even
more amazing than he remembered her to be.
Admiration slowly replaced the fear on the faces of the leaders,
followed by, ‘why don’t I have one of these. What good is it being
the head of a powerful nation and I do not have one of these.’
The stairs slowly descended from the bowels of the lady.
‘Gentlemen, please accompany me aboard,’ he commanded.
One of the agents, Angel assumed him to be the agent in charge,
intensely protested, ‘sir, I must protest. You cannot do this. We
know nothing of these people.’
‘Yes, you are correct, but look at the beautiful plane he’s got.
No species that’s all bad could make something this beautiful,’
The President defended.
‘Sir, I must object! What about the Sirens.’
214

223. Waking the Angel
‘The Sirens are mythology.’
‘Yes sir, but so is this.’
‘I promise I’ll avoid all beautiful singing females.’
‘Sir, she is called the lady and I am sure I heard her humming
just now.’
The President ignored him and continued to climb into the lady,
closely followed by the other heads of state. Curiosity
overwhelmed them, and none intended to back down before the
other.
Pride was at stake.
They followed Angel to the command deck.
Their eyes were wide with amazement and blinking was not an
option. They might miss something cool.
He asked them to take a seat and activated the hollow projector
in the middle of the room. Angel had the presence of mind to
command Skibladne to reactivate her shields just in case some
idiot in a tank on the Whitehouse lawn did something stupid and
a shell bouncing off Skibladne’s hull hurt someone. The shield
would disintegrate the shell.
His mindcom beeped. ‘I’m a little busy right now,’ the leaders
heard him speak to some unseen entity. Angel chose to speak in
words rather than only thoughts for the benefit of the guests.
‘Yes my lord we know, but we need your guidance urgently,’
Laidin’s thoughts came over the mindcom.
‘Gentleman, please excuse me for a second.’
He directed this remark at the delegates before he turned his
back on them, and continued speaking with thoughts.
‘Sorry for the interruption,’ Angel paused to gather his thoughts
before he proceeded.
215

224. Igor Swann
‘I know you have many questions which I shall not answer at
present like, what does this button do, but what I do need to
explain very clearly is the threat you are facing, and what we
intend to do to help you.’
He studied their expressions.
‘Please bear with me and keep your questions for later.’
The premiere started on the holo projector, the most gruesome
horror movie ever made. All that lacked was the popcorn and a
blanket to cover your head.
216

225. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 32
In halls of pale, an accurate description of the limestone caverns
behind the waterfall Laidin thought. A number of them branched
off from the great central cavern in which they now stood, all
connected by passages.
Unlike the previous ruins, decorated by carvings and pictograms
these walls appeared eerily blank, just bleak caverns leading to
the next bleak cavern.
‘So what do we do now?’ Gemmi asked desperately as she
stared at the endless labyrinth before her.
‘I do not know, we might consider the riddle again,’ Laidin
suggested.
‘Well, No sense will serve the path to expose, means very little
to me.’
‘Nor me,’ Laidin concurred.
‘Loser, would you be kind enough to fetch Kirom.’ Loser nodded
and disappeared through the veil of water without a sound.
Seconds later he reappeared with a struggling, red-faced Kirom
slung over his shoulder.
‘Of all the indignities,’ he roared.
‘My apologies my dear friend, but we are at a loss and since you
are the expert on caverns, we were in desperate need of your
guidance.’
‘Well in that case, let us see what we may see,’ Kirom
answered, brushing off some imaginary dust.
217

226. Igor Swann
‘Usually when you need to find a way out of a really difficult
maze of caverns you follow your nose to fresh air; but from the
riddle it seems we are not allowed to use our senses.’
‘I know, I know,’ Gemmi excitedly screamed, ‘I know what it
means.’
‘Think about the next lines, sightless Valk’r of silent nerve will
follow the odourless rose.
Look at the words sightless, silent, and odourless.
Those are non senses,’ she beamed proudly at the crew.
‘Well done Gemmi,’ Laidin acknowledged her ingenuity.
‘In order of appearance our first passage needs to test our sight,
or lack thereof. I propose that one,’ Laidin pointed towards one of
the passages.
‘They are all dark?’ Gemmi indicated perplexed.
‘Trust me little one, that one is darker,’ Laidin confirmed.
‘She has the El sight, Gemmi,’ Kirom explained, ’just trust her.’
They cautiously proceeded with Kirom in the lead.
Even Laidin’s elf vision could not penetrate the darkness in the
next cavern, but to a dwarf working in complete darkness quickly
became second nature. He skilfully avoided all the obstacles and
seemingly bottomless pits that adorned the passage.
It took the better part of 10 minutes before the cavern became
lighter again. Kirom could not explain the light’s origins, but the
walls pulsated with a dull glow.
They came to the next set of cavern entrances.
‘Next sense,’ Kirom affirmed, ‘I believe that would be silence.’
They walked from entrance to entrance listening for nothing.
218

227. Waking the Angel
Again only one of the entrances did not present them with the
sound of rolling waves or wind or dripping water. The tunnel
appeared completely devoid of sound.
‘This is very clever. If anyone were lost in here he would follow
water or air, not silence,’ Kirom explained.
‘Yes and they would definitely not follow the darkest passage
either, as we did. Very clever,’ Laidin admitted.
The foursome cautiously proceeded.
Another few minutes and yet again they reached more cavern
entrances.
‘Odourless is up next,’ Kirom established.
‘It’s no use,’ Gemmi’s voice cut the silence, ‘they all have smell,
damp and limey,’ she signed after they had visited all the tunnel
entrances.
‘I concur,’ Laidin added, ‘we must have overlooked some crucial
piece of information, unless the composition of these caves
changed since they created the riddle. If that is the case my
friends we are in a dire predicament.’
‘I don’t think these caves are allowed to change,’ Kirom
responded thoughtfully.
‘Explain?’ Laidin requested.
‘Well, we know the fog is to keep intruders out, but it seems the
veil serves another purpose, to keep time in. It seems as if the
caverns behind the waterfall are in some kind of stasis field,
everything inside ages and changes very slowly. I noticed that
when we came in. Everything inside the caverns seemed a lot
younger than what the outside island would suggest,’ Kirom
replied.
219

228. Igor Swann
‘So then the riddle is a dead end?’ Gemmi inquired. ‘Not
necessarily,’ Kirom seemed deep in thought.
‘I don’t think the riddle meant using our senses on another
cavern entrance. Remember the first two clues referred to the
Valk’r, but the last one to a rose. I think we should look for a rose
or at least a carving or wall marking of one. This would still make
it an odourless rose.’
The four excitedly started searching the cavern entrances. Angel
had the foresight to show them how a rose looked before they
left since none of them had ever seen one. It took almost half an
hour before Laidin beckoned excitedly to where Loser did an
impression of a Super-bowl victory dance.
‘Loser found it, Look.’
Just a little inside the entrance a small stalagmite perfectly
resembled a rose.
Kirom stared at it in admiration.
‘So beautiful,’ he whispered overcome with emotion.
‘Let’s go my friend,’ Laidin suggested when she noticed that
Kirom might be staring at the rose for the rest of the day.
The quartet picked up the pace and not long after the path
opened up into yet another cavern.
This one had no tunnels leaving it. There were also nothing else
in the cavern, just the pale dull pulsating cavern walls and floors.
220

229. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 33
A panicky voice reached Sharin’s pointy ears.
‘We have a UGE cruiser that just entered scanner range,
princess.’
‘Wow, really, you are not serious, a real cruiser with engines
and everything?’ sarcasm dripped from her voice and a
substantial puddle formed on the floor.
‘It’s not part of the fleet princess. It is not transmitting the
correct fleet id,’ the petrified voice came again.
‘Then find out who it is!’ Sharin yelled. She was not in the mood
for games and she did not like surprises.
‘The cruiser is not responding to hails. Scans reveal it to be
senator Noone’s.’
What would Noone be doing way out here? she thought to
herself.
‘Get me Qren,’ she commanded.
‘Mam,’ the nervous voice hesitantly replied, ‘break radio
silence?’
‘Oh no, I meant you should walk there and then go ask him
personally,’ Sharin fumed, ’of course I mean break radio silence
you fool.’
A few moments later,
‘Princess, we have huge problems,’ Qren’s urgent thoughts
reached her mind.
‘Something to do with Noone I bet.’
‘How did you know?’ Qren asked puzzled.
221

230. Igor Swann
‘His cruiser just went past like a Werten1 out of hell.’
‘There is more to it than that. He’s the spy!’ Qren responded in
anguish.
1 Werten, the black bullet like creature which seem to propel itself with a fart,
it could travel extremely fast on this gaseous propulsion method generated in
its stomach.
222

231. Waking the Angel
‘Princess it is imperative that you capture him! I cannot stress
the importance of this enough. You must bring him back to
Arken.’
‘Was that an order Qren?’ she spat.
‘No your highness, of course not, it is simply an urgent request.
Please your majesty,’ Qren replied.
‘I know you like the old man but is he really that important?’
she added venomously.
Qren gave her a quick report of the others’ findings.
‘The bastard,’ she rang off without saying goodbye.
A few seconds later her cruiser and several corvettes, sped after
the fleeing senator’s cruiser.
Sharin ran at full burn for almost a day and a half, but still did
not make huge inroads in capturing Noone’s cruiser. Apparently,
it was no slouch either.
She had placed a few million miles between her and her
retinue, but instead of bothering her, it made her more
hyperactive.
If Noone decides to fight he will die, she thought.
Boredom snuck up on the impatient princess.
This was taking way to long. She wanted him caught now, right
now. She tapped out her irritation on her command chair, which
irritated everyone else on the command deck, but not visibly,
never visibly.
She finally snapped.
‘Ready my fighter!’
If the El could read minds, the sighs across the bridge would
have been deafening.
223

232. Igor Swann
No more waiting around, time for action.
She commanded an exceptionally quick fighter, so too did the
special death squad of dark-El she had recruited as her bodyguard
and tactical team. The Royal Demons were the closest translation
for their elven name.
She had spared no expense in outfitting them with the best
technology and equipment available to El.
They would haul in the renegade cruiser in no time and keep
him busy until her cruiser arrived.
An hour later, she could smell the exhaust fumes from Noone’s
cruiser and her squadron deployed in battle formation.
‘A little closer, just a little and I’ll have a lock on you, you
bastard,’ she smirked, ‘you better pray and hope your gods can
listen real quickly.’
Sharin flew directly behind Noone with her fighters spread in a
‘V’ behind her, but nowhere close to her for obvious reasons.
Noone’s cruiser started reducing speed.
‘He’s giving up, the coward,’ she thought disappointedly.
Then a vision of nightmare proportions began.
She saw the rolling red and yellow clouds like a breaking wave
approach.
<Blink>
She saw it bend around Noone’s cruiser and her fighter since
she was directly behind the betrayer.
<Blink>
She saw her own squadron evaporate into thin air.
<Blink>
224

233. Waking the Angel
She saw the green light from a tractor beam hit her fighter
leaving her with no control.
<Blink>
She saw the inside of the monstrous hangar bay.
<Blink>
Then she saw nothing.
Someone else watched in horror as this disturbing episode
unfolded.
‘What are we going to do sir?’ the lieutenant anxiously asked,
‘they’ve got her.’
The stunned commander looked on in petrified silence. What
he saw in front of him filled him with the kind of dread only the
nightmares of a small child dreaming of the walker-monster could
describe.
‘We can do nothing for her now,’ he meekly responded, ‘we
need to warn the UGE council.’
‘But sir…’ the lieutenant began.
‘No buts; and I have seen the way you look at hers.’
‘I have not sir,’ the lieutenant looked shocked.
‘You must admit it is a nice one,’ the commander said dreamily.
‘Yeah…’ the lieutenant replied in the same way.
‘Even though it is attached to a Croman1,’ the commander
concluded, snapping back to reality. ‘But, it is too late to save her
1
The Croman was a little black ball of hatred. It despises everything. Even if the
target were as big as a house and not necessarily breathing, it would still try to
bite its head off on principle. One of these agitated, hyperactive creatures once
tried to kill Skibladne.
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234. Igor Swann
butt now, lieutenant. We cannot hope to attack those
monstrosities.’
He felt quite comfortable discussing her rear while she was a
long way away and most probably not going to return.
He continued, ‘get us out of here, maximum burn. Warn the
corvettes and order the entire fleet to retreat to Arken. Now
lieutenant!’ he barked.
He did not feel the need to commit suicide, not for her anyway.
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235. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 34
Alra’st smiled.
He was in his fighter and Kra’st was far behind him.
Alone and happy, he studied the approaching blue planet.
‘Attack formation, fighters will lead the way. The landing party
will follow behind.’
Alra’st felt sure no one on earth knew of what was about to
befall them. A fighter exploded a little way off and took out most
of his own squadron in the process.
‘What the hell?’ Alra’st was dumbstruck.
Whole squadrons of fighters went down in flames, or more
accurately, went nowhere in flames since they were still in space.
Immense explosions rocked his ship.
‘WHAT’S GOING ON?’ he screamed into his communicator at his
support ships.
‘It’s missiles sir, hundreds of missiles leaving the planet’s
surface.’
‘HOW, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY!’ he bellowed.
‘Raise shields, barrage attack, shoot down those missiles. Keep
firing!’ he screamed into his communicator.
We have not even fired a shot, he thought. What bloodthirsty
species would just start shooting without first finding out what the
intentions of the other party is? However, they seem to be ready,
almost as if they were expecting us. No, that is an insane thought.
We would have picked up a UGE fleet on scanners. I do not
understand. Do they really know our intentions or are they just
guessing?
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236. Igor Swann
Fewer and fewer of the missiles hit, some got through to his
Landers with the troops and assault vehicles.
He had less than a third of his initial forces left, but they were
still more than enough to deliver a decent invitation to this planet,
and right now he was badly pissed-off.
‘Head for the largest concentrations of life, and destroy at will.
Destroy this puny planet. Let their blood form rivers in the
streets,’ Alra’st spat.
The bloodlust in the cheers from his fleet elevated his own need
for vengeance and fuelled his hatred for this specie. They were
going to pay for the damage to his fleet, and for making him come
all the way out here. They were going to pay for him having to
listen to Kra’st’s incessant questions and for him having to leave
his home world unprotected. They were going to pay for their
insolence and they were going to pay for not understanding any
of this.
His forces split, with thousands of fighters, bombers and landers
setting course for their individual targets.
Alra’st still could not understand how earth managed to obtain
so much firepower. This completely contradicted the intelligence
they had on this planet.
His cakewalk had turned into a food fight, and although covered
in jelly, he still held a cream pie with a brick in the middle. He
wanted to cream some faces and crack some skulls. They will have
their just deserts.
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237. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 35
‘Concentrate,’ Laidin implored her young charge, ‘You must
focus.’
Half an hour had passed since she spoke to Angel and received
the final piece of the puzzle. The line in the riddle that read, from
fire of the mind the cry lead, means Brisingamen. Brising meant
fire or fire of the mind, and men meant jewel. This was Freyja’s
most prized possession, the jewel whose power no one may resist.
This line had Angel quite puzzled so he had Skibladne do a little
research just in case.
It all made sense now, the power to control and summon her
followers came from the jewel.
Her mind joined with the jewel could make her disciples come
to her from anywhere on the planet.
It must act as some kind of thought amplifier.
Just how dangerous was this woman? Laidin wondered.
‘Please Gemmi, concentrate, you must,’ Laidin pleaded.
‘Concentrate on what, Laidin?’ Gemmi sounded desperate. The
one thing required of her on this journey, her one special task of
the mission, and she did not know how to do it.
She wanted to die.
Nothing in the cavern screamed, pick me, you need to
concentrate on me.
She blindly needed to focus on something she had never seen,
and which might or might not be in this place.
Laidin hoped that if she focussed on this unseen jewel it might
reveal its location.
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238. Igor Swann
Loser came up from behind and put his arm around her neck
while he laid his head on her shoulder. She could feel his sadness
for her; it made her feel better somehow, comforted.
‘Here,’ they heard Kirom’s cry.
In the centre of the room on the floor, he found the carving of a
small rose. It was barely visible, almost indistinguishable from the
dust to the naked eye, but Kirom’s eyes were far from naked.
With those huge lashes, nobody would refer to them as naked.
In any event, his people noticed the smallest change in texture
and shape of rock formations or sediment patterns. This could
mean a deposit of some or other precious metal and Kirom was a
master prospector.
Gemmi squinted at the rose, but nothing happened. She
concentrated so hard that she thought her brain was going to
implode; still nothing happened.
‘It’s not working,’ she screamed in anguish.
‘Gemmi, calm yourself,’ Laidin said in a soothing voice.
‘Endeavour not to concentrate on the rose, but rather ask the
rose for the jewel. Speak to the rose as if it is protecting the jewel,
okay?’
‘Okay I’ll try,’ Gemmi did not have much hope for this
succeeding either.
It was only the faintest of tremor.
Gemmi tried harder, and there it was again. Gemmi kept
concentrating and this time the rumbling grew louder.
Ancient mechanics were at work; they could hear cogs grinding.
A pedestal rose from beneath the rose, and in the centre laid
the most beautiful stone Kirom had ever seen. A jewel with its
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239. Waking the Angel
own light inside, a fire, a soul and it seemed to be looking directly
at them.
Gemmi and Loser danced around the pedestal, and a broad
smile played on the lips of Kirom and Laidin as they glanced at
each other.
‘Gemmi dear, your task is not complete, you must still summon
the Valk’r,’ Laidin remarked softly.
Gemmi regained her composure.
She felt an ancient call embedded in every fibre of her tiny little
body, and it almost felt as if the jewel was guiding her. She knew
exactly what to do.
She gently lifted the jewel dangling on a golden chain and put it
around her neck.
She sat down cross-legged and closed her eyes.
A few moments later the jewel began to glow brightly, and
Loser began to scream.
‘It’s all right Loser, Gemmi is in no danger,’ Kirom told the little
animal.
The light became so bright that none of them could look at
Gemmi. Then the wailing began, the vociferous banshee scream
rose and it cut through skin and bone.
All but Gemmi were kneeling on the ground covering their ears,
the pain threatened to consume them.
The deafening silence followed.
Kirom tried to speak to Laidin, asking her if she was all right. She
saw his lips move but she could hear nothing. No one but Gemmi
could hear; the jewel seemed to have protected her.
They decided to go to sleep and wait.
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240. Igor Swann
Even an overexcited Gemmi surrendered to sleep after a few
hours of fruitlessly guarding the entrance.
Kirom and Laidin were deep in a hushed conversation when
Loser finally awoke. They seemed to have regained their hearing
in part, but Loser’s sensitive little ears still buzzed madly.
Gemmi rhythmically breathed next to him and Loser did not
wish to wake her. The jewel around her neck pulsated in harmony
with her breathing as if it was asleep too. He gently lifted her arm
that she had tightly wound around him and shuffled off to find
water.
‘Do you remember when we were stranded on Reva?’ Kirom
asked Laidin.
‘Yes my dear friend, you dug a shelter with your bare hands
when the neutron storm appeared from nowhere,’ Laidin smiled.
‘Quite correct, but it was you who managed to adapt your
shield to protect us from the neutron barrage.’
‘And you who found the water deposit, incidentally, the only
one for hundreds of miles around.’
Kirom had a faraway look in his eyes as he fondly remembered
the adventure.
‘You managed to kill a Grey Farren1. I have never heard of
anyone do that without a serious scrambler helmet and plasma
1
The Grey Farren is a bear-like creature with enormous spines running from it
back, its head more closely resembles an insect with thousands of eyes. The
biggest problem with hunting this creature is that it could sense brain wave
patterns even through the most protective scrambler helmets. When it sensed
you wish to kill it, it would simply run away or roll on you impaling you on the
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241. Waking the Angel
cannon. Even the greatest hunters in the universe concur that the
beast is near impossible to kill.’
‘Yes my friend but good fortune favours the brave, and the
desperate. If not for your water and the beast’s flesh, we would
surely have succumbed to that treacherous planet,’ Laidin
answered.
‘We do make a great team, don’t we?’
‘That we do my dwarven brother; that we do.’
‘I would not want to share this adventure with any other in the
universe.’
‘Nor would I Kirom, I may trust few, but you I trust with my
entire being.’
Kirom squeezed his friend’s hand as if to say, ditto.
The team knew it would be a while before the Valk’r arrived,
but even the ever patient Laidin began to doubt whether the call
had worked.
It was however impossible to judge how much time had passed
in this place.
‘Maybe we should send out the call again,’ Gemmi suggested.
‘They might have ignored it the first time, or maybe we sent it
incorrectly,’ Laidin added.
‘This island is a long way from anywhere. It could take a while
for them to return here, but you might be right.’
spines. Oh and it should be mentioned that these creatures at full gallop have
been heard to break the sound barrier.
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242. Igor Swann
Kirom did not mind the surroundings much, but it definitely got
to the others.
‘I will send out the…’ Gemmi’s words faded with Loser’s tiny
little finger on her lips.
He anxiously looked at Laidin, who listened intently and silently
motioned for the others to prepare themselves.
It took a while before the rest of the team heard the noise too,
like the rushing of many little feet.
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243. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 36
‘We are doomed,’ the despondent reply came from the
President of the United States.
‘We cannot withstand an invasion force of that size, with their
technological superiority,’ the French President concurred.
‘Yes Mr. President you are correct, but you can at least try, and
hopefully hold out long enough for help to arrive,’ Angel returned
softly.
‘Why would your alien friends want to help us?’ enquired the
Chinese leader, ‘they owe us nothing.’
‘Er, that is a very difficult question to answer. You see it is sort
of their fault that the invasion force, which is called the Taur as a
matter of interest, learnt of this planet.’
Angel did not see the relevance of informing them that earth
was the breeding ground for the UGE leaders.
‘Why are they so interested in destroying us?’ the British Prime
Minister was not about to let up, and he kept asking questions
Angel did not wish to answer.
‘They are afraid of what we could mean in a war against them
some time in the future.’
That is partly true, Angel thought, the UGE leader would play an
integral part if there were to be a war in their galaxy.
‘So step on the snakes head while it is still an infant?’ The
President of the Chinese Peoples Republic added.
‘Something to that effect,’ Angel agreed, ‘but sometimes a baby
snake is just as lethal as the parent. If you underestimate it, you
will be in for a big surprise.’
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244. Igor Swann
‘What is that supposed to mean?’ the President of Russian
Federation demanded, he had been exceptionally quiet up until
now.
‘It means that they have outdated information on your
capabilities. It means they did not anticipate how rapidly you
developed, and it also means that they will not be prepared to
deal with the venom of the baby snake.’
‘You mentioned, when we first met, that you were human. I am
correct in assuming this is part of the reason for this invasion,’ the
Chinese leader asked in a composed tone, with an unmistakable
intelligent glint in his eye.
‘I am, and it is, but please do not ask how. I will explain in due
course,’ Angel replied with a hint of urgency to, with any luck,
dissuade more questions like this.
‘I shall have Skibladne drop you off at your respective homes.
You have much to do and very little time. Skibladne brought as
much equipments and weapons as she could carry. This will be
evenly distributed among the nations.’
‘You must contact all other nuclear powers and convey this
same message to them. I have created these videodisks, which
you may use to convince anyone who might doubt you.’
‘I shall be in contact when Skibladne detects the invasion force’s
approach in at most eight days. This is all the time we have.’
Angel looked at each of them in turn.
‘Prepare well gentlemen.’
‘I believe this is where I leave you, though I must admit I would
have loved to fly in this masterpiece.’ The President of the USA
remarked as Angel lowered the stairs.
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245. Waking the Angel
‘I have asked Skibladne to unload your allocation of the
equipment Mr President. I would suggest you deploy the shield
generators around your most vulnerable targets immediately.
Help will arrive soon to aid your technicians in setting up the
equipment. Goodbye Mr. President, I hope to grant your wish
soon,’ Angel said as he waved goodbye and ordered Skibladne to
set course for Mother Russia.
It was en-route that Skibladne started speaking again and
caused Angel to spill his coffee.
‘Dammit,’ he said glaring at Skibladne, she ignored him and
continued.
#Request: Remote teleportation sequence initialized#
#Verify: DNA verification Laidin successful#
#Verify: DNA verification Kirom successful#
#Weapon: Mjolnir teleport sequence successful#
#Weapon: Bow of Odin teleport sequence successful#
Fear raced uncontrolled through Angel’s mind, and it was a
terrible driver.
His team must be in trouble. He must contact them.
Lobe spoke for the first time in ages.
‘If you contact them it might distract them, you should rather
wait for them to contact you.’
‘You are right, but it is infuriating not knowing what is
happening.’
‘Yes, emotions, that is one trait I prefer to leave with you,’ was
LOBE’s ever-faithful response.
‘They can take care of themselves, don’t worry. Rather concern
yourself with your guests.’
237

246. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 37
Arken did not feature in the top ten places Qren would have
liked to be right now.
It ranked below timeshare on a prison planet and a
condominium on the sun.
He would have rather listened to Brom singing the dwarf song,
‘Hi-Ho-Hi-Ho It’s off to work I go, with a bucket and a spade and
an ion grenade Hi-Ho-Hi-Ho.’
He had now modernized this into a rap version thanks to
Angel’s invaluable input.
Something in the line of, ‘yoyo Hi-Ho, to work yo, Hi-Ho, lets
Blow Yo-yo-yo.’
Even the hilarious image of Brom doing the finger pointing and
baggy pants thing did little to improve Qren’s current mood.
I am no war leader; I am an engineer. That is what the UGE
Lord is for, Qren thought in anguish, repressing the thought that
he was also a part time kidnapper.
He let his head drop to his desk.
How can he defend all of UGE space against this murderous
force, with technology far superior to anything the El commanders
could even begin to describe?
His mind drifted aimlessly to the council he had with the
returning El commanders.
‘From the footage we have of the invasion force, we could
discern markings similar to those found on the ancient artefacts,’
the commander told him.
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247. Waking the Angel
‘We must assume that they are the ancients returning,’ another
remarked.
‘For what purpose, what could we have they need?’ Qren
asked.
‘We do not know yet sir. Our fleet was deep in Taur space, and
from what we could surmise, doing long range scans in the
direction the ancients came from, they were doing the same as us
to the Taur planets.’ ‘Only, where we destroyed military targets,
they left entire planets devoid of sentient life,’ the commander
replied biting his lip.
‘With very little damage to the planet’s environment,’ he
added.
He did not enjoy needless slaughtering at all, even on the Taur.
Qren stared at him.
‘We know Noone betrayed us and that he is probably one of the
ancients, could it be that he played both sides? Have our armies
destroy each other somewhere far, far away, where they could do
no damage to the planets. Then the ancients could just walk in
and take what they wanted with no resistance?’
‘It is possible,’ a commander remarked.
‘However, with their superior armaments they could wipe out
all our fleets without taking a single casualty on their side, or even
slow down.’
‘Yet another question would be; why would Noone help us all
these years to become an advance species, and then destroy us?’
another commander questioned.
‘He must have been contacted by the ancients quite recently,’
was the only sensible thought coming from the room.
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248. Igor Swann
‘I think he was coerced by the thought of being reunited with
his fellow ancients.’
‘I don’t believe that!’ Qren cried.
‘This was his home for thousands of years; he would not just let
us be slaughtered.’
‘Sir you know it is common knowledge that he has been
searching for his people since we first made his acquaintance. He
has launched many probes and built huge frequency scanners in
order to find them. If his yearning was this great to be reunited,
he is probably not thinking rationally.’
‘Please, leave me now,’ Qren let the word dribble softly into the
minds of the commanders.
‘The further we get from Arken the less I like this,’ Brom said
broodingly.
He had been irritable since the thought of Noone’s mistake
formed in his mind.
Teral had only a slightly more upbeat disposition, since he had a
score to settle on the other side. Driven by vengeance and the
thought of retribution for Taur crimes against his people filled his
thoughts.
Nevertheless, he shared his friend’s concerns. Things were
definitely not as they should be.
The two stared at each other as they have done countless times
since they entered the jump.
Brom jumped to his feet.
‘That’s it,’ he roared, ‘I am going back.’
‘But I shall need your guidance old friend when we meet the
Taur,’ Teral confessed without much conviction.
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249. Waking the Angel
He also felt his friend’s presence back home would serve the
purpose much better.
‘You’ll be fine. You have fought this fight for a long time Teral. I
have faith in you, as does the whole UGE. I shall just be in the way
with so much else on my mind, and would it not lighten yours that
I am taking care of problems back home?’ Brom enquired.
‘That it will; that it will.’
He smiled at Brom. He knew he would not be able to change his
friend’s mind. It would lead to a pointless and futile argument he
could never win.
‘Go now, quickly.’
‘Be safe and victorious.’
‘And you Brom. Till we meet again, and boast of our exploits.’
Brom ran down to the hanger where his fighter stood waiting
for him, thanks to Teral.
Changing direction in a jump had never been attempted before,
since time did not exist in the jump, nor did space or propulsion
for that matter. The jump sucks you in and spits you out the other
side at the same speed you entered the jump. Since time and
space did however exist aboard the cruiser, Brom had a plan.
The UGE Lord Einstein theorized that it would theoretically be
possible to reverse course. If the forward speed of the ship when
it entered the jump could be overcome by a second ship moving
inside the first, but in the opposite direction at speed exceeding
the forward momentum of the first ship. The second ship would
end up at the origin jump point.
Brom had a simple plan.
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250. Igor Swann
If he used the rear-docking bay, and he could gain enough
speed, greater than the cruiser’s forward momentum the jump
should spit him out at the jump point in UGE space. If he did not
achieve the required speed, he would most probably be stuck in
no-space forever.
Well that was the theory anyway.
‘Wish me luck my friend,’ Brom said into his mindcom, and
powered his engines to maximum.
He shot off with his beard covering his eyes, and easily overtook
the forward momentum the cruisers had on entering the jump,
before he exited Teral’s cruiser.
What Brom could not take into account was if the cruiser had
increased speed in the jump, since there were no such things as
measuring speed or time in the jump. He had to pray it had not.
Immediately after he left the cruiser it disappeared and he was
in his own world filled with lots of nothing. Now he had to wait
until he emerged from the jump, and hope he was on the right
side, but mostly that he would actually emerge somewhere.
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251. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 38
The four explorers calmly stood watching the growing crowd of
females.
They looked quite ordinary. Not the warrior woman Gemmi had
imagined they would be, with leather skirts and boots, silver
breastplates and helmets with feathers, though they did have
swords strapped to their back.
They were all dressed in figure hugging black outfits with high
collars and black boots, and they definitely had the figures to hug.
The girls shared three traits. They were lean and toned. They all
had a gleam of intelligence in their eyes and they all looked like
someone you will not throw a wolf whistle at and expect to keep
chewing with your own teeth.
‘What are you doing in the sacred chambers and who
summoned us?’ asked a female who seemed to be the leader, a
young beautiful green-eyed girl, probably in her early twenties.
However, her most striking feature, and this mesmerized Kirom,
was her hair. It looked as if made from pure gold. She had two
golden bars on each collar, which seemed to be the only
divergence between her uniform and the others behind her.
‘You don’t seem old enough to be Gemkel,’ Laidin remarked in a
puzzled tone, ‘would you mind fetching her, we have urgent
business to discuss.’
‘How do you know of Gemkel and again who are you?’ she only
now noticed the necklace around Gemmi’s neck.
‘How dare you touch the sacred jewel!’ she screamed at
Gemmi.
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252. Igor Swann
‘Calm your tongue less you lose it woman,’ Kirom fumed as he
glared at the golden haired girl. Loser sensing the danger had
grown to the size of a truck.
‘Valk’r. To arms, and destroy the blasphemers,’ the golden
haired girl ordered and jumped at Gemmi, sword glinting in the
solemn glow emanating from the walls.
The bow of Odin appeared in Laidin’s hand as if by magic. Her
movement blurred as she deflected the Valk’r’s blow with little
effort leaving a very confused looking attacker staring at her and
the bow-staff.
The Valk’r attacked repeatedly, and with each attack, her blows
became more difficult to block as they increased in desperation.
This girl is quick; too quick, Laidin thought. I have never seen
anyone except maybe a UGE lord move this fast. She is almost as
fast as Angel is. I had better end this now before she gets lucky,
and she does seem like someone who got lucky often.
The only reason Laidin could keep up is from 200 years of
practice in anticipating moves. Laidin swept her feet from
beneath her, and laid the bow’s blade securely across her throat.
‘Yield,’ she commanded.
‘Never,’ the golden haired girl defiantly returned.
Laidin pressed the point, with a little more force. The girl sighed
and let her sword roll from her hands.
Over her shoulder, Laidin saw Loser with four Valk’r in a vice
like grip, while another six lay unconscious around him.
Mjolnir whirred around the dwarf’s head and the other Valk’r
was doing well to stay out of its way. A few of the Valk’r were
dancing around Gemmi, something like a ballet of very inept
ballerinas.
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253. Waking the Angel
Laidin smiled, she must have taken control of their minds.
She probably did not even need my intervention Laidin thought,
I should not underestimate this mental midget.
She took a moment to take pleasure in the exceptional
proficiency of the team.
‘Hold your positions,’ Laidin commanded.
‘Gemmi control Loser,’ she ordered and then continued in an
even more composed manner.
‘If you are quite finished with this futile endeavour of yours, I
think an introduction is in order. We are from the UGE, and I am
Laidin of the El. This is Kirom of the Dwar, Loser of the Gerbit and
Gemmi of the Valk’r,’ nodding at each in turn.
‘Valk’r? She is one of us?’ the commander gave a less than
confident reply.
Laidin felt a little taken aback. The girl did not give any
recognition to the fact that she stood, or rather lay, in the
presence of Dwar and an El.
‘She cannot be. Unless. She is the daughter of Gemkel. But that
is impossible?’ The golden haired Valk’r remarked in an inquisitive
tone while getting up and dusting her clothes.
‘We have introduced ourselves. Please return the favour in
kind,’ Laidin commanded slightly bemused.
‘The name given to me by Gemkel is Ricci. I was trained by
Gemkel before she passed away to keep the Valk’r safe until the
successor arrived.’
She intently studied Gemmi.
‘But that is only in another 16 years.’
‘Gemkel is deceased, how?’ Kirom demanded ignoring Ricci’s
confusion.
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254. Igor Swann
‘She fell ill 2 years into her reign. We could do nothing for her,
since the illness seemed to be of alien origin and must have lain
dormant. She passed away a few months later, and I have been in
command for the past 5 years,’ Ricci explained and seemed to
grow in confidence as she did.
‘Now will you answer some of my questions?’
‘Yes but first, I think, we should find more comfortable
surroundings. It is a long story, and we have very little time,’
Laidin did not intend to hang around these sombre caverns much
longer.
‘Sure. Please try and keep up,’ Ricci scoffed while she walked
towards the tunnel they first entered, followed by half a dozen
Valk’r who were still mobile.
‘I will send a medical team for the rest of you,’ she unhappily
remarked to her fallen kin.
The team followed her for what seemed to be an hour or so.
They arrived in an inconspicuous room in which Ricci spoke one
word, ‘Down.’
The whole cavern started to shake and then the floor began a
rapid descent. It took quite a while before it came to a standstill
again.
The platform started moving sideways so swiftly that Gemmi
lost her footing and fell down. She sat laughing and played with
Loser for the rest of the journey.
‘Follow me,’ Ricci commanded, walking to one of the tunnel
entrances.
The tunnel broke into a beautifully decorated reception hall,
like that of an extremely wealthy cooperation. They walked
passed a room that seemed to be a command centre with display
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255. Waking the Angel
screens and consoles, then laboratories and high-tech engineering
facilities. They saw libraries and weapon testing facilities,
armouries, sleeping quarters and mess halls. It seemed to be an
endless journey before they finally entered a room furnished with
comfortable couches and coffee tables.
‘Please take a seat,’ Ricci pointed to the couches.
‘Carra, bring drinks and food for our guests,’ she sneered still
feeling a little sore about being beaten by Laidin.
Kirom intercepted Carra, ‘would you mind if I used your library.
There is an urgent matter that needs my immediate attention.’
He did not feel like hanging around listening to why they were
here. He was sure he knew why by now and he was pining on
getting started with the quest Angel gave him.
‘Sure. Kilda is our head librarian. She will give you any other
assistance you might require.’
Carra did not intend to deny him anything at this stage less he
start whirring that hammer again.
The redheaded girl led Kirom away from the others with an
unmistakable sway in her hips. She wore the same uniform as
Ricci with the exception of single bars on her collar.
‘The archives are this way, master Dwar,’ she said in an almost
seductive voice. Kirom wondered what her chosen profession
would have been had she not been recruited by the Valk’r.
The difference between her and Ricci was more noticeable in
their posture. Where both were lean and toned, Ricci was more of
an athletic fighter, while Carra in the way she presented herself,
resembled a seductress. She had the ‘it’ factor that made men
swoon at the sight of her. They would soon regret any uncalled
for advances, since she was as deadly as she was beautiful.
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256. Igor Swann
He smiled at the thought and continued to trail in her wake.
A few moments after Kirom disappeared with Carra, Laidin
started relating their tale.
Her audience’s eyes widened visibly when she confirmed that
Gemmi is indeed their true leader.
She explained the dire peril they were in and that the Valk’r
must finally fulfil their purpose.
They must come out of hiding and protect the planet.
‘We are well equipped,’ Ricci seemed extremely pleased with
herself and the Valk’r.
‘We have been analyzing and duplicating, even enhancing the
equipment found on gyrfalcon, the ship Freyja arrived in.’
This surprised Laidin, the ingenuity of this species knows no
bounds, she thought, but aloud she said. ‘Good. You will need it all
in the fight to come. What is the number of your forces?’
‘Almost twelve hundred, including ground forces and Gentari,’
Ricci answered.
‘What are Gentari?’ Gemmi asked.
Ricci tapped the badge sewn onto her uniform, an artist’s
rendition of a falcon that resembled Freyja’s ship.
‘Do you know nothing of our culture? The Gentari is the elite
warriors of the Valk’r. There are but 50 of us left.’
‘Then let us begin our preparations,’ Laidin announced, hiding
her disappointment in the small number of Valk’r available.
They are not a fraction of the force needed to overcome the evil
about to befall them. Even if we had a Skibladne for each of them
they would not be enough, she thought and sighed. Oh well, we
might as well attempt the impossible.
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257. Waking the Angel
Ricci appeared quite oblivious to Laidin’s turmoil.
She did seem hesitant before continuing, ‘there is one small
matter. To prove the child is really the descendant of Freyja, she
needs to complete a sort of initiation ceremony,’ Ricci looked at
Gemmi.
‘To wear the jewel and lead the Valk’r, you must succeed in one
task.’
‘Lead on Ricci,’ Gemmi answered, full of confidence.
Laidin was sceptical. She did not like the smile Ricci gave
Gemmi, but felt that if she could stay close to Gemmi, she would
be safe.
Ricci saw Laidin’s concern and smiled even wider. Her shoulder
still smarted painfully from one of Laidin’s precisely aimed blows.
Kirom felt lost in the enormous archives.
He did not know where to begin.
‘Do we have any keywords we could go on?’ Kilda asked.
She was a petite little brunet with twinkling brown eyes. She
also wore the uniform of the Gentari, the same as Ricci and Carra.
‘Yes. I need anything and everything on Skirnir or Skern and the
sword of Freyr. However, in your incredible archives that could
take centuries to find,’ Kirom admitted unhappily.
‘Do not lose hope so quickly Master Dwar. We have spent much
time cataloguing and storing keyword references in our
databases.’
She saw the perplexed look on Kirom’s face and stifled a smile.
‘Let me show you,’ she said and walked to a computer terminal
standing in one corner.
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258. Igor Swann
‘Now, all we do is give the list of keywords, and it spits out the
parchment, scrolls or books the words appears in,’ she continued
typing in Kirom’s references.
‘We have scanned most of the older documents since they
would disintegrate if touched. You may read them here on this
terminal.’
Kirom was more than impressed.
The Computer started listing references:
References found: (42) ‘Skirnir’ (12) ‘Skern’ (5) ‘Sword of Freyr’.
Parchment 4 (Please reference online copy),
Parchment 8, (Please reference online copy),
Book, the elder years, by Termak,
Book, Valk’r Myths and Legends, by Gemtres,
…
On and on it droned. One book caught Kirom’s attention
immediately, Diary, by Freyja.
‘Hmmm I think I shall start with that one,’ he said to Kilda.
‘If anyone knows anything about the sword it would be Freyja.’
Kirom’s excitement grew when he found that Skern did in fact
return after he stole the sword, but he disappeared again
somewhere on earth and Freyja could not locate him.
Skern would be free to come and go as he pleased, and would
often disappear for months on end.
Freyja did not monitor him; he was her brother’s right hand
man after all.
Kirom spent the rest of the night studying each reference. Some
led to more references and leads to locations Skern favoured.
Apparently, he became obsessed with the pyramids, as he
himself was a well-known architect. Kirom’s research led him to
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259. Waking the Angel
the pyramids of the Inca and Mayan people and the Great
Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Considering the Mayan temples are in forests and Skern was El,
he picked this as the focal point of his research. He already knew a
bit about the pyramids at Giza thanks to the scans on their
previous visit there.
The Valk’r had an extensive database on the Mayan temples,
but one document drew his attention, or rather, the legend
surrounding the pyramid.
The pyramid at Uxmal also called the temple of the Magician.
A dwarf boy raised by a witch, who hatched him from an egg,
apparently built the temple.
According to the legend, the Dwarf boy needed to build a
temple in one night as part of the impossible tasks given to him by
the Lord of Uxmal. The Dwarf magically made the temple in one
night thus completing his task and became the King of Uxmal.
This myth he found in the archive, reminded Kirom of a legend
he had heard as a boy. It was of a Dwar baby left stranded on an
Aesir Outpost in an escape pod when his families prospecting ship
crashed nearby. It continued with how an extremely powerful
Aesir Sorceress raised him. She saw a strange power in the boy.
He had the ability to manipulate, transform and move any
earthen building blocks like stone, rock, sand, clay etc.
The Sorceress encouraged and developed this attribute and
thus as a boy he became a legendary builder in the early UGE. He
disappeared after a very short career and no one ever heard of
him again.
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260. Igor Swann
This sounded like something Skern would have done. His
repertoire did include kidnapping. Who better to build a hideout
for the sword than someone who could build a temple in a single
day? Kirom smiled proudly thinking only a Dwar could have
accomplished this amazing feat, and now he at last had a viable
lead. I think I should go check this out.
He pressed his mindcom, ‘Laidin, I think I may have uncovered a
bit of promising information, I’m going to follow up on it.’
‘Be sure to check in and let me know of your progress my
friend,’ Laidin answered.
Kilda led him back to the moving cavern, and took him to the
veil.
There she pressed her hand on the wall and told him to proceed
over the stones as they would not descend this time.
Kirom waved goodbye and took off. A few minutes later, he
headed towards the Yucatan Peninsula.
He felt like a kid and a huge ice cream was dripping all over him.
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261. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 39
It took mere minutes but felt like an eternity before he reached
South America. It took even longer to find the pyramid he wished
to examine in the dense Amazon rainforest.
He configured his scanners to search for any alien elements as
he silently hung over the Pyramid of the Magician.
The Pyramid, made up of five different pyramids, did not
provide enough indicators of alien involvement.
His scanners only detected a few small fragments and air
molecules in the upper yet undisturbed chambers.
Being a prospector, Kirom knew one thing; never get
despondent on the first attempt. They discovered the truly
famous deposits in the most unlikely places, places that Dwar
schooling did not teach you.
He resumed scanning in ever widening arcs.
His black Dwar fighter running dark and silent faded into the
night sky.
He started searching for undiscovered tunnels leading from the
pyramid, and found only a few undisturbed, but they all led to
dead ends.
He flew to Calakmul, which is the largest Mayan pyramid and
found a few undiscovered rooms and secret passages, but nothing
that would suggest a vault.
He saved them for later review.
He visited Cancun, Tikal, and Coba and did scans on all the
pyramids in these areas.
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262. Igor Swann
No luck, nevertheless he could not shake the feeling that he was
right on the first pyramid he searched.
The Pyramid of the Magician is where his answers lay. He
returned to this pyramid and restarted his scans of the surrounds.
If I was Skern and I wanted to hide something from probing
ships, how would I do it? Kirom thought hard, he knew we would
do surface scans. He knew we would find tunnels and follow them.
What if... yes, yes that is it. It must be.
He adjusted his scanners for deeper and deeper scans. 300
meters below the pyramid, he found more, a lot more than he
bargained for.
Skern, you were a tricky one. You know very well what the
increments were for depth scanning, so if you found nothing to
tickle your interest in the first 250 meters you would generally not
scan any deeper, ingenious!
Skern had a platform installed inside the great pyramid. The
thickness of the platform’s base measured 300 meters and
constructed from the normal rock found in the area. This left no
hollow spaces below the platform to detect and follow down,
unless your scan started below 300m. This platform fit into
another 300 meters of excavated shaft below the hidden
chamber.
I need to get inside the pyramid, he thought. He tapped his
mindcom, ‘Kirom to Angel.’
‘Kirom how are you? Long time no hear. I was truly worried
about you guys,’ Angel’s friendly voice came over the mindcom.
‘We are fine my Lord. Did the meetings with the leaders bear
any fruit?’ Kirom enquired.
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263. Waking the Angel
‘Yes my friend, I am just helping them to get battle ready and
create a defence plan. We are distributing the equipment and
weapons we brought. Unfortunately we need a lot more.’
‘Glad things are going to plan,’ Kirom voiced his support, before
conveying the details of their adventure.
‘Things are going exceptionally well on this side. Laidin and
Gemmi found the Valk’r, they should be getting battle…’ Angel
interrupted him.
‘Sorry to interrupt, but your weapons were requested from
Skibladne, why?’ Angel asked puzzled.
‘That is a long story my lord. Suffice it to say, we did not get the
warm friendly welcome we would have expected,’ Kirom relived
the memory of their meeting with the obnoxious Valk’r leader.
‘But you say things are looking good and we may expect help
from our Valk’r friends?’ Angel asked.
‘Yes, I am confident they will assist us.’
‘And your hunt for the sword, any luck?’ Angel enquired.
‘That is why I contacted you, I have found an incredible
chamber beneath the Mayan, Pyramid of the Magician, but I have
no idea how to approach the situation from here. I need to be
able to investigate without attracting attention.’
‘Hmmm let me think,’ Angel replied.
However, LOBE chipped in with, ‘I think a little role playing is in
order. Kirom could you join us on Skibladne, you will need the
help of a certain highly skilled entertainer.’
Angel smiled as he realized in which direction LOBE headed.
Very creative, I thought you were left-brain dominant, he
thought a punch at LOBE would make up for his interference.
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264. Igor Swann
As I said before, I control ALL the parts of your brain you do not
use. This leaves me with almost exclusive control of the entire
brain except for emotional sectors and that controlling your libido.
Although I am not entirely sure, the latter exists. I heard though
that you lose that in your old age, LOBE revealed his comical side
and Angel laughed.
‘I’m on my way,’ Kirom said and broke the connection.
In a quite different part of the multi-verse Kirom’s brother had
another far more vexing problem facing him.
‘Phew familiar stars, thank Thor,’ Brom thought.
Lord Einstein’s hypothesis did appear to be mercifully accurate.
Nevertheless, even after determining this he still wondered if
he really was on the right side of the jump.
Would Teral be okay without him? Would he be okay without
Teral? What if this was nothing?
In his heart, he knew he was right and his friend knew it too. He
had to come here. He had to put his mind at rest. They both
needed to know everything was in order at home, and he knew his
friend would better focus on his war while he was here.
‘Requesting permission to land,’ Brom asked the controllers at
Arken.
‘Permission granted Senator Brom. You have clearance for
approach on your private hangars. Welcome to Arken.’
Meanwhile in another part of the palace,
He is here, he returned. Oh my dear Brom you are a marvel.
Qren’s jubilant thoughts rang in the halls. He rushed to Brom’s
private hangar.
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265. Waking the Angel
‘My friend,’ He telepathically thought when he finally saw him,
‘you are a most welcome sight. Come, come we have much to
discuss and time is of the essence.’
Brom just stared at him confounded, ‘slow down Qren, you’ll
give yourself a heart attack.’
‘No time, no time. We must hurry,’ Qren anxiously responded.
He related the tale of Noone’s disappearance. He told Brom
how Sharin chased him and how the alien fleet captured her,
assumed to be ancients. How the ancients had devastated the
Taur Empire leaving death and despair in their wake. He ended
with, ‘our only consolation is that she will make the enemy regret
the day they laid eyes on her. They will probably start killing
themselves off before long.’
That for which Brom risked his life to return, and prayed was
not, had happened. He felt a mixture of relief and dread flow over
him.
‘We have no time to lose, we must organize our defences. It is
fortunate we left all the dreadnaughts and most of the cruisers
here. The gods must still favour us, in some small fashion. It does
not seem by the look of the El commander’s video log that
fighters will inflict much damage on them.’
Or last very long, he thought but kept it to himself.
‘Do we have their last coordinates and possibly a best estimate
on where they would be entering UGE space?’
The commander supplied Brom with the detail before he set off
to ready his fleet.
Qren had the foresight to recall all the other forces left in UGE
space including Border patrols.
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266. Igor Swann
‘I agree with your assessment Qren. I also think that they would
attack from a single simple access point. From what I could
determine from the video log of Sharin’s capture, their fleet
interconnects, which serves to fire their weapons as a cluster. This
would also account for the reason they did not chase the El after
they captured Sharin, although it might also mean that they just
did not care much for a few insects escaping.’
This is hopeless, Brom thought, how am I to destroy a fleet with
that kind of offensive weapons? He doubted that even the
Darkmoons would have been of any assistance in this situation.
‘I assume it might be wise to scatter the ships and attack from
every direction instead of giving them an opportunity to shoot fish
in a barrel as Angel used to say,’ Qren suggested.
‘What are fish? Never mind. Your tactics seems reasonable. I
would rather face a large lerok1 than a million tiny erks2 coming at
me from every direction.’
Brom knew they based their tactics on the one weapon
deployed against them but that is all they had to go on, it would
have to do.
1 A lerok is a large bee like creature, about as big as a house cat. Very fast, very
poisonous with a stinger like a cattle prod. They do not like anything other than
another lerok breathing their air.
2 The erks are as would be expected the size and shape of bees, but with teeth.
Not very poisonous and it requires a few thousand bites from them to die. Only
problem is they always travel in swarms and these swarms number in their
millions. They have the same problem with air as the lerok.
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267. Waking the Angel
Later that same day Brom stood on the El imperial battle
cruiser’s command deck. Qren suggested he would stay behind on
Arken to coordinate events.
Brom knew Qren’s pacifist nature would serve the UGE better
at home.
The combined remnants of the fleets, including the El fleet were
formidable indeed, far superior to the armada Teral commanded.
Brom knew it would not be enough.
This race probably created the energy source that powers
Skibladne. Most of the technology in Skibladne is possibly from
them; and they created those marvels many thousands of years
ago, he sighed, what incredible wonders have they created since
then?
This thought brought back a longing for his friend’s presence in
a way Brom has never felt. I wish you were here now my friend, I
need you, he thought.
He had sent out fast long-range scout ships since scans would
be useless. The El never caught the ancient fleet on their
scanners, so a visible recon seemed the only recourse.
The scouts had crossed into Taur space earlier, and were rapidly
proceeding to the last known coordinates of the ancients.
All he had to do now was hope the ancients stayed their course;
actually he hoped they turned around and went away.
259

268. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 40
Laidin followed a few steps behind Gemmi admiring the air of
confidence and tenacity surrounding the little girl. She had the
demeanour of a UGE Lord and the resolve of a Barken1 finding a
heat signature.
They halted in front of a huge vault door.
Ricci placed her hand on a scanner and gave a voice command.
‘Ricci, Commander Gentari.’
The vault door slowly opened.
‘What is inside here is the most prized possession of the Valk’r,’
Ricci explained while proceeding to enter the chamber.
‘This is also the location of the test.’
Gemmi said nothing and walked boldly into the huge room. The
Brisingamen jewel hung securely around her neck, pulsating
rhythmically.
They stopped in front of a platform that appeared to be empty.
‘Would this be the test? There do not appear to be anything,’
Laidin observed.
Ricci said nothing; she merely nodded up at a Valk’r in the
control booth.
1
When this animal wants some loving, it goes literally insane, and NOTHING
will stand between it and the object of its affection. Unfortunately, this
‘nothing’ would sometimes include ravines and chasms. They appeared on the
endangered species list.
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269. Waking the Angel
The Platform opened and a strange ship arose. Its design was
unlike any Laidin had ever seen, but still simply a very small
fighter.
Ricci turned to Gemmi.
‘This is Gyrfalcon, Freyja’s fighter given to her by her brother
Freyr. The ship, built to resemble a falcon, an incredibly large
falcon but a falcon nonetheless with claws, beak and tail. If Freyja
had to do a scout mission, an observer would mistake her for a
falcon playing on the air currents by anyone on the ground. The
ship is small and manoeuvrable, but do not let her size fool you. It
is equipped with incredibly powerful weapons modelled on the
legendary Skibladne.’
She scanned their faces. None of the newcomers seemed
particularly impressed, not even by her knowledge of Skibladne.
‘We have been able, as I mentioned before, to replicate it with
some degree of success. We had to find alternatives for some of
the more exotic and sophisticated parts as well as her power
source, thus our versions of the ship are not as fast or powerful.
However, there is still nothing on earth that can touch one of our
fighters.’
‘So?’ Gemmi asked.
‘We all possess the TNFR-12 gene, and we have all been
enhanced by the mind transformer. We are not disputing you
have the gene Gemmi, our scanners already confirmed that, but
this ship is keyed to the living DNA of the house of Freyja. Only a
direct descendant of Freyja can activate and fly the ship.’
A naughty smile played across Ricci’s face.
‘This is the big test?’ Laidin seemed unimpressed and at the
same time relieved. She worried for nothing, after she imagined
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270. Igor Swann
lava pits, duels to the death with monstrous robots and jumping
chasms.
‘Okay Gems it’s your show. Please fly this thing so we may get
down to business.’
Gemmi resolutely walked over and touched the little DNA
scanner, commanded the ship to open its canopy with a thought
and climbed inside. She waited a second for Loser to jump into
the small space behind her, probably a storage compartment of
sorts, and took off with another thought. She had a lot of practice
flying Skibladne on the way over, and this ship reacted in exactly
the same way. Brimming with pride, she flashed inches above the
heads of the onlookers. Only Laidin did not duck. She just smiled
at antics of the little rascal.
Gemmi handled the ship in the manner of someone born in a
cockpit. She tumbled and turned, rolled and did 360s from one
side of the hangar to the other. She made 90-degree turns,
followed by turns that you could only describe as handbrake
turns.
She performed in the manner of a wild falcon caught in a cage.
Then she did the unthinkable. She swooped down and used
Gyrfalcons claws to catch a drum that stood in the middle of the
hangar. Without breaking stride, she neatly deposited the drum
on a stack of drums in the opposite corner.
Laidin tapped her mindcom.
‘Okay, show’s over little one. There is work to be done.’
‘Satisfied?’ Gemmi asked smiling at Ricci, after making a perfect
2-point landing, accompanied by the cheers of the growing Valk’r
crowd.
Ricci simply nodded, turned and walked off.
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271. Waking the Angel
‘Shall we advance to the war room my lady, as you said there is
much to do?’
Gemmi walked with a self-satisfied stride and Laidin took step
beside her.
‘Remember Gemmi, nobody likes an obnoxious arrogant child,
and nobody knows so much that they cannot learn. Only a fool
speaks when he should listen. What I am trying to say is just
because you are the leader of these people, does not mean you
should not learn from them. Remember your predecessors
studied for a year at the feet of the chief of the Valk’r before they
became chief.’
Laidin felt she needed to make this clear to Gemmi. ‘You should
lead, not rule, draw people close to you by being friendly, open
and fair. You are truly intelligent. Remember the greatest leaders
of all times were fair, just, brave and treated all as they would
want to be treated.’
‘I shall not forget Laidin. I know I have much to learn. I shall
make you and Angel and the rest of my friends proud,’ Gemmi
proclaimed in earnest.
‘We are already proud of you Gemmi. More than you could ever
imagine. You are an invaluable part of our team, and I am truly
honoured to call you my friend.’ Laidin smiled and put her hand
on Gemmi’s shoulder.
Gemmi in turn put her hand on Laidin’s hand, and Loser his on
top of both theirs.
‘Thank you,’ she stammered.
This maturity impressed Laidin when she expected a child’s
outburst at her speech, a tantrum. She expected the kid to tell her
that she knows what she is doing and she did not need advice
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272. Igor Swann
from an over the hill El. She looked at Gemmi and knew this
young girl would become one of the great leaders in history. That
is, if she is allowed to live that long.
Kirom brought his fighter to rest inside Skibladne’s hanger, and
walked to the command deck where Angel and Guival waited for
him.
‘Well met. I am overjoyed to see you again,’ Kirom announced
and flashed a smile through his well-groomed facial hair.
‘Great to see you too Kirom, What do you think of my planet?’
Angel asked.
‘Earth is an interesting planet, very colourful and lots of
different climatic regions. Would love to see what is underneath
the surface though.’
‘So tell me exactly what happened since we left you,’ Angel
requested.
They spent the next few minutes listening to Kirom’s recount of
the adventure the four of them had. He showed a slight grimace
as he told the others of Loser unceremoniously flinging him over
his shoulder and carrying him through the waterfall.
Loser’s impressive new skill intrigued Angel. Kirom took the
story of unravelling the clues to great lengths as only a true
storyteller could.
He told them about the Valk’r and their base, and concluded
with his findings at the Mayan temples.
‘That is brilliant work Kirom. You guys have done exceptionally
well.’
He looked at Guival, ‘our mission had a lot less excitement, but
Guival did inject a lot of enjoyment into the episode,’ Angel began
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273. Waking the Angel
and then related their journey and Guival’s integral part in their
success.
‘But now Guival has a new equally important task to perform,’
Angel said as he glanced at his metallic blue Aesir friend.
‘You, my friend, will need to absorb another form for us. You
will need to go to a Dr. Tina Skinner. According to Skibladne, she is
the foremost authority on Mayan Pyramids. Nobody would
question her presence in the tombs.’
He turned to Kirom, ‘and you my friend will need a change of
clothing. Please follow me.’
In Kirom’s quarters, Angel had placed real archaeologist
clothing, safari pants and shirt, long socks and the round little
white hat. Complete as he remembered it from the movies he
watched, movies like Indiana Jones.
‘You want me to wear that?’ Kirom asked in surprise.
‘Trust me my friend you will fit right in,’ he laughed.
Angel doubled over when the master dwarf finally came out of
his quarters dressed in his work attire. It had been a long time
since he last had the opportunity to laugh like this.
‘You look perfect,’ he said whipping the tears from his eyes, ‘off
you go.’
‘Oh and Guival, you might want to use your Jen disguise until
you get the doctor’s form.’
‘Skibladne updated your fighter’s navigation computer with the
coordinates of Dr. Skinner’s dwelling in the USA,’ Angel informed
him, and then for Guival’s benefit, ‘please be discrete.’
‘Kirom you will present yourself as Doctor Cramer and you are
doing a thesis on the similarities between Mayan and Egyptian
pyramids. You should have gained enough knowledge through
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274. Igor Swann
your research to fake it. Remember most of the knowledge you
found in the scrolls are not common knowledge on earth, and she
will not know some of the things you found in your scans
especially on the undiscovered rooms. So dazzle her.’
‘Be safe gentleman, till we meet again,’ Angel said.
‘Er, Kirom. I think you should leave that here,’ Angel supposed
pointing at Mjolnir.
Kirom looked slightly flushed as he left to place the hammer
back in the teleport chamber.
Laidin’s curiosity got the better of her,
‘Ricci, those swords you carry, they look like they are made
from pure white gold. Where did you get them?’
‘Oh, thanks for reminding me. Carra, fetch the sword,’ she
turned to Laidin, ‘I thought the swords might interest you.’
Ricci took a deep breath as to say this is going to be one of
those long explanatory stories again, live with it.
She unsheathed her sword and handed it to Laidin. To Laidin’s
amazement, the sword felt almost weightless, and immensely
sharp. The entire sword appeared constructed from what Laidin
would have sworn was white gold, with only the hilt covered in
some synthetic polymer grip.
Laidin could only imagine how much Kirom would enjoy this.
Every Dwar child dreams of growing up to one day find a yet
undiscovered metal or gem.
‘The metal in the sword has one of the densest atomic
structures known to man. Almost as dense as that found in what
you call Zellion. The sword is almost impossible to chip or blunt.
The origin of the metal is a closely guarded secret.’
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275. Waking the Angel
‘Follow me,’ she said and left the room.
They walked down a few passages and through massive vault
doors. Inside, on a small pedestal, rested a simple nondescript
white gold ring.
‘You jest,’ Laidin said, ‘that could not possibly be the…’
‘Oh but it is,’ Ricci smiled.
‘That my friends, is Draupnir, the ring of Odin,’ Ricci explained.
‘The ring that spawns eight new rings every 9 days?’ Gemmi had
heard of this legendary ring.
‘Yes Gemmi, but unlike legend has led people to believe, the
ring is not made of gold and neither are its children. We call it
Draupnite.’
‘The eight rings cannot re-spawn, if I remember correctly,’
Laidin added.
‘Quite correct only Draupnir has that ability,’ Ricci answered.
‘But how do you mould such dense material?’ Laidin asked.
‘That was an immense problem. We had vaults full of these
rings but could do nothing useful with them. That was until
humans discovered the laser fusion reactor, the only thing that
could generate enough heat to melt and reshape the rings into
something useful. Unfortunately, we are only able to reform the
metal while it is at this heat. Therefore the metal is shaped into
swords entirely with the use of magnetic fields, which was
exceedingly difficult, but we are geniuses after all,’ Ricci laughed.
‘The swords are then presented to a Valk’r who has reached the
level of Gentari. It is a great honour to receive a sword. It is the
symbol of attaining a high level of enlightenment and is coveted
by all Valk’r.’
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276. Igor Swann
‘But how did it come to be here? It was supposed to be on the
funeral pyre of Odin’s son Baldur,’ Laidin asked confused.
‘According to our legends, the ring was given to Freyr. He in
turn gave it to Skirnir to present to a Valk’r called Gerd that Freyr
intended to marry. After Gerd passed away the ring remained
here in New Valhalla.’
‘Hmmm, you mean Skern actually delivered something he was
supposed to, amazing. Thanks for the tour, but I propose we
return to the war room,’ she suggested.
Back at the war room, Carra waited with an exquisite sword
made from the same metal as the others, though with a very
different design.
This one however had a large ruby decoration where the hilt
meets the blade.
‘You may notice that the Brisingamen jewel around your neck
Gemmi is flat at the back. The reason for that being that the jewel
was too powerful even for Freyja to control. It took hold of her
mind and made her do unspeakable things.’
‘Her 2nd in command noticed this and one night stole the jewel.
Long story short, the jewel was halved.’
‘The sword has the same abilities as the jewel around your
neck. Its name is Dragonfang and we did not create it. Freyr had
this sword forged by the dwarves from a mould of his sword, and
he presented it to Freyja. The substance used to forge the sword
has no equal in strength and durability. According to legend, the
dwarfs used the tooth of a dragon for the blade, but that is just
superstition. We added the setting for the Brisingamen jewel,’
Ricci explained.
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277. Waking the Angel
She knelt in front of Gemmi, ‘please accept the sword as the
symbol of the Valk’r chief.’
‘I thank you,’ Gemmi said and took the sword.
She strapped the sword to her back. Loser who sat on her
shoulder pulled the sword, but it was a little heavy for his small
body and he fell from her shoulder, sword and all. A soul-
destroying scream rang through the halls as he ran to hide behind
a huge potted plant.
Gemmi laughed, ‘it is okay my friend. You can come out. I’m not
angry.’
Only when Loser came close did she see that he held his little
arm. A huge gash lay across it and blood streamed from the
wound.
‘Oh no Loser you are hurt!’ Gemmi cried.
‘Get a medical team in here immediately,’ Ricci ordered.
Seconds later two Valk’r ran in and started to clean and
bandage the wound. Loser was obviously in much pain and
Gemmi softly sobbed hugging the little animal.
From that moment, Loser would not come near the sword, and
since Loser was Gemmi’s best friend whom she enjoys having sit
on her shoulder, she made a promise.
‘Don’t worry little one, I won’t wear that nasty sword again,’
she swore, to which Loser jumped on her shoulder and squeezed
her face tightly to his little Gerbit cheek.
269

278. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 41
After an uneventful flight, Kirom landed the fighter in an unused
part of a nearby park. They had to wait for nightfall as cover to
land and then they hoofed it to Dr. Skinner’s apartment.
Dr. Kirom Cramer rang the bell. A very attractive middle-aged
woman opened the door. That would be according to earth
standards, as El would refer to her as a spring chicken.
She smiled at the comically dressed person standing in front of
her.
‘Yes. May I help you,’ she asked in a pleasant tone.
‘Good evening Dr. Skinner, my name is Dr. Cramer and this is
my daughter Jen,’ Kirom answered.
Jen saw this as her cue to rush the doctor and give her a great
big hug, and a broad smile.
‘What a delightful child,’ Dr. Skinner said smiling.
‘So, to what do I owe the pleasure doctor?’ she asked while
showing them into the living room.
‘Well it is actually more a case of what I can do for you,’ he
paused for effect, and then continued.
‘I have developed a new X-ray technique, which I used on
Calakmul. I have found quite a few undiscovered rooms and
secret passages, which I think might be of interest to you.’
Dr. Skinner’s ears pricked up, she heard secret, a word she
cherished.
‘Please continue,’ she replied with controlled excitement.
Kirom unrolled a printed scan he made on Skibladne before
they left. They spent a few minutes discussing the incredible
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279. Waking the Angel
findings of Dr. Cramer. Dr Skinner would be looking for these
rooms in Calakmul, which meant they would not run into her at
Uxmal.
They were deep in discussion when Jen started complaining.
‘I want to go now daddy. I want to go play with my friends. It’s
boring here,’ Guival imitated Gemmi to perfection, ‘now daddy,
let us go, please DADDY, I want to go.’
Kirom gave in.
‘Okay, okay! Stop whining we can go now.’
Dr. Skinner looked bitterly disappointed.
‘You do not wish to accompany me and examine your findings?’
‘I’m sorry doctor but I need to get back to some other pressing
issues, but I am sure you will not be disappointed with what you
will discover,’ he smiled.
‘You are just giving me this?’ Dr. Skinner uttered quite
perplexed.
‘My field is locating secrets, yours is exploring them,’ Dr. Kramer
explained.
‘I am at a loss for words. Thank you doctor,’ Dr. Skinner
exclaimed.
‘Good luck and good hunting,’ Kirom said, and waved goodbye.
So did Jen.
‘I will not forget to give you credit on my findings Dr. Cramer,’
she smiled and waved goodbye.
Kirom set course for the Pyramid of the Magician with Jen, and
landed with a perfect replica of Dr. Skinner in a clearing, a couple
of minutes walk from the pyramid.
‘Yuck. El country,’ Kirom expressed his disdain.
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280. Igor Swann
Kirom felt as depressed about being in the jungle as Laidin did
about being underground.
Guival preferred the cities with its lights and noise.
‘Yes I do not quite understand how they find this mess homely,
but to each his own.’
They broke into the clearing around the pyramid.
There were quite a number of people walking around, but
nobody bothered them until they reached the entrance closest to
where the secret platform was.
‘Doctor Skinner. So nice to see you again,’ a friendly native
greeted them.
Guival had no idea who this was but held his pose.
‘My dear friend, how are you?’ he answered.
Kirom reacted quickly, ‘I am Dr. Cramer, pleased to meet you,’
he said holding out his hand.
‘Pleased to meet you too, I am Professor Kitzel. I have assisted
Dr. Skinner on a number of archaeological digs.’
‘Yes.’ Guival said to Kirom, ‘he has been invaluable in my
research.’
He turned to Kitzel.
‘Professor I am sorry to interrupt your work. I brought Doctor
Cramer here to show him around and give him a tour of the
amazing work you have been doing.’
‘That is quite all right my dear friend, take all the time you need.
You are free to visit anywhere you want,’ he smiled.
‘Enjoy the show,’ the professor told Kirom, ‘it is quite
impressive.’
‘Oh, please excuse me,’ he said noticing one of his team waving
in his direction.
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281. Waking the Angel
‘Phew, that was close,’ Guival exclaimed.
‘True but quite enjoyable too, like a game of digs, trying to
outmanoeuvre your opponent.’
The duo walked through the entrance to the pyramid. Guival
carried a hand scanner and took readings every couple of steps.
‘We are on top of the platform now,’ he said after they had
travelled down a maze of tunnels.
There were no indications that they were in any special part of
the tunnel. It looked exactly like every other tunnel they had
traversed thus far.
‘No wonder nobody found it, who would look here,’ Kirom
commented, ‘now to find the switch.’
Guival did scans on the walls, floor, even the ceiling for any
alien or electrical technology.
He found nothing.
Guival felt despondent however, Kirom looked quite impressed
as he took hold of a protruding rock.
‘Elementary my dear Guival, and if your knowledge of
metamorphic rock formations were slightly better you would
realize this rock is not in its natural habitat.’
He pushed down on the rock and they suddenly began to
descend.
‘Counterweights,’ Guival exclaimed as they rapidly moved down
to the hidden chamber.
‘Primitive. However, it is impossible to detect with modern
technology, very clever.’
They dropped into the cavern space 300 meters below.
‘Incredible!’ They both exclaimed in unison.
273

282. Igor Swann
An enormous stockpile of alien technology greeted them. All
kinds of weapons, shield generators, scanning equipment, digging
equipment and other useful tools littered the room. A quite
ordinary looking ship stood in the centre of the cavern.
‘This is the special ship Freyr gave Skern?’ Kirom asked Guival.
‘Yes, this is she,’ Guival said in admiration. He looked like he
was going to ask the ships hand in marriage any second.
‘Amazing is she not?’
‘You are losing your mind my dear Guival. This is the most
nondescript prehistoric relic I have ever encountered. I don’t think
you would get even an ounce of Zellion for it,’ Kirom commented
unimpressed.
‘And no alien race would even bother looking twice at it, if they
found it; right?’ Guival asked.
‘No they would not,’ a light went on.
‘You mean…?’
‘Yes Master Dwar, this is the fabled morph ship, designed with
the ancient’s technology.’
‘But that ship is just a legend, a story to keep kids entertained.’
‘I have always believed in legends. They are mostly always
based on fact,’ Guival explained.
‘How do you think Skern managed to visit so many planets
undetected. He was after all an explorer and Freyr’s messenger
and envoy.’
‘I understand,’ Kirom conceded, ‘but if you have quite finished
ogling the ship, I have a mission to complete, so may we continue
our search for the sword?’ Kirom asked.
‘Okay,’ Guival agreed reluctantly, and started scratching
through the huge heaps of equipment. He could not help feeling a
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283. Waking the Angel
little disappointed at Kirom’s lack of interest, and could not help
stealing a glance at the ship every so often.
‘It would not be in here. That sword is far too valuable,’ Kirom
announced looking at the junk littering his feet, ‘it will be in a
special hiding place.’
‘Like the ship?’ Guival suggested.
‘Maybe,’ Kirom answered thoughtfully, ‘so how does it work.
How do you get it open?’
‘I suppose it is mind controlled,’ Guival surmised.
‘Great, so it’s tuned to Skern’s mind,’ Kirom glumly replied.
‘Might as well call for Mjolnir and bash it open.’
‘No!’ Guival screamed in anguished.
‘It is far too valuable, and anyway it is built from a mallicon1
alloy if you have not noticed. Mjolnir would end up destroying it
before it made a hole in the side. The energy from the hammer
would rip its entire atomic structure apart. And if you damaged
the morph engine, your precious sword might be a carrot stick
when you find it.’
‘I guess you are right, so what do we do?’ Kirom asked.
‘I assume Skern was quite secretive about this room, and since
it has been sealed for so many generations everything inside has
been preserved almost perfectly. What I need is a sample of his
DNA. I need a hair, a bone, anything that belonged to him.’
1 Mallicon is metal commonly used by magic users due to the ease it could
transform into other substances because of its loosely coupled atomic
structure.
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284. Igor Swann
About 15 minutes later Kirom had found a sharp rock with some
dried blood on. El blood is a lot more resistant to decomposition
than human blood.
‘Great,’ Guival howled, ‘this is El blood. We can safely assume it
is from Skern. Now I won’t be able to take his form definition from
this, but I hopefully won’t need it.’
He tapped his mindcom.
‘My lord, I need to send a scanned DNA sequence to you. I
would require you to use Skibladne’s medical facilities. In there
you will find the regeneration chamber. It can generate lost limbs
etc. What I need you to do is program the regeneration machine
to create a brain using this DNA sequence,’ Guival explained
excitedly.
‘Are you with me so far my lord?’ he asked.
‘Yes. Please continue,’ Angel replied.
‘The regeneration machine will activate the brain for testing
purposes. What I need you to do is record the brainwave
patterns, and then I need you to play the recording back to me via
the mindcom, understood?’
‘I’ll get on it immediately,’ Angel replied still confused.
‘How did your meeting with Dr Skinner go?’ Angel asked.
‘Like a dream,’ Guival answered.
‘We are currently in the cavern, thanks to some brilliant
detective work by Kirom.’
‘Good to hear. I’ll get back to you when I have something,’
Angel replied and disconnected.
Kirom and Guival kept themselves busy cataloguing the
equipment and placing beacons on the useful piles.
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285. Waking the Angel
They felt they could pass on this equipment to the earth forces
so they may better defend themselves.
‘So how do you think he got this ship down here?’ Kirom asked.
‘I do not know, it definitely did not come down the platform,
and I do not see any other exits to the cavern,’ Guival looked
perplexed.
‘Then how do you intend to get it out of here if you do get it
working?’ Kirom asked Guival.
‘Don’t know yet, but I am sure a solution will present itself,’
Guival answered, but felt somewhat unsure of this.
It took hours for the two of them to sort through the
equipment, but it kept them busy and for that, they were grateful.
An eternity later Guival’s mindcom beeped.
‘Okay I have what you want, are you ready to receive?’ Angel
asked.
‘Just a second,’ Guival replied as he took a comfortable position
on the ground.
He took his normal Aesir form sitting in a way that resembled
the lotus position.
‘Kirom I have to ask you not to speak to me, after the
transmission has begun. I’ll have to concentrate to keep the
brainwave patterns stable,’ Guival projected into his friend’s mind
now that he lost his vocal cords.
‘Very well, I shall refrain from speaking.’
‘Please start the transmission my lord,’ Guival projected into his
mindcom.
Guival seem to flow into a trance as Skibladne beamed the
pattern into his mind.
277

286. Igor Swann
After a few minutes, he slowly got to his feet, and walked to the
morph ship.
His eyes were shining like blue lights, and he seemed quite
oblivious to his surroundings, except for an intent focus on the
ship.
He appeared to be staring at it, but Kirom knew he was
communicating with the ship.
A hatch in the side of the ship slid open, and Guival silently
entered.
He walked to the command console and again seemed to stare
at it.
It took a few minutes before he turned to Kirom.
The light in his eyes had vanished.
‘It is fine now my friend, you may enter, I have reprogrammed
the ship to accept my brainwave signature and it will listen to me
now.’
For the first time Guival looked around the ship. He and Kirom
stood on a small command deck, with a hatch leading aft.
Kirom eagerly opened the hatch and he was not disappointed.
Skern used this part of the ship as a tomb.
His skeletal remains lay on a flat table.
On his chest lay the sword of Freyr.
Kirom stared at it in awe.
‘We’ve found it.’
He picked it up and held it in his outstretched arm, watching it
glint in the dull light. He flicked it around a few times, what
amazing craftsmanship, he thought.
‘So Skern came here to die?’ Guival asked.
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287. Waking the Angel
‘Yes. It would seem he built this pyramid as his tomb,’ Kirom
acknowledged.
‘Seems more like suicide,’ Guival pointed out.
‘Guess we will never know,’ Kirom shrugged, ‘you know El and
their weird honour thing. Maybe he felt remorse for his crimes.
Who knows?’
The heard a whirring noise from the direction of the platform.
‘What’s going on?’ Kirom asked.
Guival seemed to be concentrating on the noise.
‘It’s Professor Kitzel and some guards,’ Guival answered.
‘How did they find the platform,’ Kirom asked bewildered, then
cursed.
‘We did not send it back up and the rock switch is quite obvious
in the down position,’ the dwarf swore.
‘From what I can gather from his thoughts, Doctor Skinner
contacted him and asked for his help at Calakmul. He smelled a
rat when she was both at home and here. He is coming down to
investigate, and he is very angry. He dislikes grave robbers
intently.’
‘Then we better find a way out of here, right now!’ Kirom
exclaimed, ‘we cannot start harming natives.’
‘I agree,’ Guival acknowledged and pressed his mindcom.
‘My lord you might want to start teleporting up the equipment
with the beacons.’
‘Will do... what is wrong, you sound worried?’ Angel asked,
happy that had distributed most of the equipment they came with
originally.
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288. Igor Swann
‘Nothing we can’t handle my lord, but I would not waste any
time getting the equipment on board,’ Guival replied. I hope, he
thought to himself.
‘We should have sent the platform up again,’ Kirom cursed
again, ‘they would never have found the entrance otherwise.’
‘Let it go my friend, we need to focus on our current problem.’
‘What’s the plan?’ Kirom asked.
‘Can we jam the platform, before it descends,’ Guival asked.
‘I do not think 300 meters of rock will stop for anything we stick
in its path,’ Kirom commented.
‘Cant you put a sleep spell on them,’ Kirom asked.
‘I don’t know enough of this species physiology. Angel and
Gemmi are not exactly human anymore. I might kill them.’
‘Would have been great if Skibladne’s teleport technology could
be used on something other than inanimate objects,’ Kirom
growled and then turned his attention to their current
surroundings.
‘Too bad this ship is not Sleipnir, Odin’s ship. It could teleport us
out of here.’
Guival imitated the thinker, which he saw on a photo Angel
showed him in his cultural training, and which intrigued him. It
worked.
‘This is a morph ship,’ he thought to Kirom, ‘it can become any
ship in its database by rearranging the atoms in its structure.’
‘Very impressive,’ Kirom sighed, not knowing how this will help
them.
The morph ship could become any ship of comparable atom
count it has scanned, even if it had to hide a few atoms in extra
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gear or not replicate some less than useful equipment on the
other vessel.
It will not be able to become a huge cruiser or even a corvette
of course but any smaller ship like a fighter, bomber, scout ship,
medical evacuation unit or small transport ship.
‘Yes, it is impressive. It cannot however replicate any living
material, also no intricate or foreign technology. It will also not
replicate any substance or elements it does not understand.’
‘So we can’t replicate Sleipnir,’ Kirom continued to curse, ‘there
is a surprise.’
‘No, but we can become anything else in its database,’ Guival
said.
‘Great now would you mind getting us out of here, the platform
is descending.’
‘Relax my friend. There is no way for them to penetrate the hull,
unless they brought some kind of explosives along.’
Kirom heard the click as the hatch closed.
‘You do know this is a dig sight, right,’ Kirom asked sarcastically,
‘lots of explosives!’
Guival ignored him and asked the ship to bring up a list of all the
ships it has scanned, from its data banks.
‘No, no, that will not work… no, no, YES!’ he startled Kirom.
The ship began to glow, and separate into molecules and atoms,
kept from spreading into nothingness with a swirling blue light
coming from a machine behind them. Except for the command
deck floor, which seemed protected by a force field, a strange
machine appeared to be the only other part of the ship that did
not become part of the swirling blue light.
‘The morph drive,’ Guival explained.
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290. Igor Swann
Seconds later, the ship, or more correctly a ship had formed
around them.
‘A Tunneler,’ Kirom boomed, ‘wonderful!’
‘I thought you would like it. Shall we get out of here?’ Guival
asked.
‘Let’s,’ Kirom answered happy to be back in a tunneler. He grew
up in them, and had fond memories of learning how to drive one.
Kirom grabbed the controls.
Guival did not protest, as he had no idea how to pilot a
tunneler.
They hovered and moved slowly forward until the tip of the
ship’s nose touched the far wall where an enormous nose drill
started up aided by ion beams extruding from the side of the
nose. The tunneler rapidly moved forward.
The two grave robbers were almost out of sight when the
platform with the invasion party finally came to rest. Desperate
screams followed their ascent.
They broke through to the surface. Guival turned the morph
ship into its original form, which was not the junker disguise it
wore inside the cavern. It resembled a B-2 spirit stealth bomber,
but with much sleeker lines.
He activated the ship’s camouflage and dropped Kirom and the
sword off at his fighter.
‘We are on our way, my lord,’ he said into the mindcom.
A miserable Guival piloted the ship back to its true owner, the
current UGE Lord. However, he felt blessed having had the
opportunity to operate it for a while.
He sighed, and set course for Skibladne.
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283

292. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 42
The following day’s strategy meeting with the Valk’r proceeded
rapidly and surprisingly smooth.
They seemed to be well organized and easily agreed upon a
battle strategy was.
Since only Gemmi had a fighter capable of leaving earth’s
atmosphere they agreed to wait until the invasion force entered
earth’s atmosphere before they would launch their attack.
With the help of the Valk’r deep space scanners, they would be
able to pinpoint the incursion coordinates and deploy their fighter
wings in time.
‘The Taur love to attack weak or single targets, so do not leave
your squadron unless your wish to be bait,’ Laidin explained.
‘That is a tactic to remember. Put them at ease then destroy
them in an ambush,’ Ricci helped.
‘Yes, that is an option. The Taur fighter cockpit is the most
vulnerable point and they have a blind spot in their seven o’clock
position if you come in high. This is from the attachment for their
vision enhancer.’
Ricci made more notes.
‘They are incredibly ferocious fighters and will hunt a target
with total disregard for their fellow pilots. If you are in trouble, fly
as close to some of the other Taur ships as possible. They might
shoot down a few of their own, or hit another Taur who would
not take kindly to it. With luck you will start an internal squabble
where they might forget about you.’
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Laidin saw the gleam in Ricci’s eyes, this tactic seem to sit well
with her.
‘First priority would be the bombers. They are able to inflict the
most damage. Then the fighters and then only we destroy the
ground forces. For this to work we need to distract the bomber’s
fighter escort. I think by baiting them into an ambush as you
suggested earlier, would be a good ploy to use here.’
‘Understood,’ Ricci acknowledged.
‘I have uploaded schematics and images of these ships onto
your computers, along with their favourite tactics and
manoeuvres, and any weaknesses. This is so you may recognize
them in battle, and for programming your fighter simulators,’
Laidin stated.
‘If you get shot down, these are anatomical presentations,
showing all the weak points in the anatomy of each of the three
Taur races.’
Ricci stared at the pictures in front of her.
‘Huh? We are going to be attacked by mythological goats, fillies
and cattle?’ She asked flabbergasted.
‘I do not know what those are?’ Laidin answered.
‘Those are earth animals that were used to describe
mythological creatures,’ Ricci explained, ‘only we call them
Minotaur, Centaur and Satyr.’
‘You know about the Taur?’ Laidin asked quite interested in this
new revelation.
‘Well we knew the myths and legends, but we always assumed
it was just made up to amuse the children. I mean, really,
mixtures of human parts and animal parts is a little farfetched I
think?’ Ricci asked,
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294. Igor Swann
‘Actually, they don’t quite look like the animals on earth but I
could see how the writers of mythology could make the parallel in
trying to describe them. I can’t believe they actually exist.’
‘Hmmm, but it is fine for El, Dwar and Aesir to exist?’ Laidin
smiled, ‘Shall I continue?’
‘Please do,’ Ricci suggested quite unabashed.
‘Right, these holodisk are for your holographic simulation
chambers. It will teach you where and how to attack each of the
races, and what their favourite attacks are. There are tactic
lessons on how to defend against them and preferably kill them
instead of them you.’
Laidin preferred not to mention the Taur mechanized forces.
They will be near impossible to stop with the earthling’s primitive
weapons. All she mentioned in passing was that if you should
encounter one, you should run.
‘I suggest you retire to your quarters and simulators, and start
studying these. We will hold a session in the morning with
questions.’
An overtired Gemmi said her goodnights and retired to her
quarters along with Loser.
It almost seemed as if Laidin did not need sleep, as if the
thought of battle kept her recharged.
They were about to depart when the door burst open and Kilda
the librarian ran in.
‘It’s gone, Draupnir is gone,’ she screamed.
‘Calm down,’ Ricci commanded after taking a moment to gather
her composure, ‘let’s go see.’
They quickly made their way to the vault.
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‘I came in this evening to collect the 8 spawned rings and this is
what I found.’
‘But this is impossible,’ Ricci remarked dumbfounded.
‘This room is sealed there is no way in or out, and you and I are
the only ones with clearance to come into this room,’ Ricci
reaffirmed the facts.
‘I know, but I did not take it!’
‘I did not say you did, but how did anyone else get in here?’
Ricci asked puzzled.
‘It is improbable but not impossible,’ Laidin suggested.
Laidin studied the room intently, a small fibre caught her
attention. She picked it up and examined it with her amazing El
sight. Then she smiled.
Laidin looked around the room again as if searching for
something very specific.
‘Aha, I think I know what happened,’ she declared.
‘What?’ Ricci asked irritably.
‘Elementary my dear Ricci,’ Laidin began, ‘let us examine the
clues. There is no way in except for the door and an air vent too
small for anyone to fit in. We have a missing ring and this small
piece of fibre.’
‘Now I deduce that this is from cloth commonly used in
bandaging.’
‘No shit Sherlock,’ Ricci sarcastically remarked.
‘Excuse me?’ Laidin answered confused.
‘Nothing, continue,’ Ricci sneered.
‘I surmise that the air vent although too small for human usage
would be large enough for a certain smallish animal to squeeze
through.’
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296. Igor Swann
She turned to a frightened little Loser peeking out behind
Gemmi’s head, ‘is my hypotheses correct Mr Loser?’
Loser dropped down from Gemmi’s shoulder, and with
drooping shoulders and a bowed head slowly left the room.
Ricci wanted to follow but Laidin held her back.
‘Let him do this his way?’ she suggested.
Loser returned a few minutes later, and extended his little hand
toward Ricci, a golden ring lay in the palm of his hand. She took it
and placed it back on the pedestal.
Gemmi appeared to be close to tears, ‘why did you do it?’ she
asked the little felon.
She felt his emotions come over her in waves, and she
understood.
‘That’s why!’ She exclaimed.
The others looked at her strangely.
‘The ring makes the swords that hurt him. He thought if he took
the ring you couldn’t make any more swords.’
‘But Loser,’ Kilda explained, ‘we already have vaults full of rings.
Even if you took Draupnir now, we would still have enough rings
to make hundreds of swords.’
‘Do not fear little one, we understand,’ Laidin softly mentioned
and gave Loser’s hand a squeeze.
Loser smiled shyly and slinked away to the safety of Gemmi’s
shoulder.
Assuming the issue resolved they turned to leave but Kilda had
one more concern.
‘Sorry to be a bother but there is still the matter of the 8
spawned rings.’
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Gemmi looked at Loser and he looked at her, then he shrugged.
Obviously, the ring had not spawned yet when he took it.
He jumped down again and took Kilda’s hand.
He led her through the corridors to a vent, and pointed inside.
She looked down and saw the nail on which Draupnir previously
hung.
‘Sorry Ricci, but it looks like the rings that spawned might have
rolled down the shaft. They are not on the small little hook Loser
used the hide the ring.’
‘Oh well, no big loss, we will just amend our books to show this,’
Ricci shrugged.
They retired to their quarters, beautifully decorated with murals
from Valk’r legends.
Gemmi fell asleep as soon as she lay down her head, with Loser
on top of her chest snoring away merrily.
The next morning Gemmi found the base in disarray.
She heard phrases like.
‘We are going to get slaughtered like cattle, by cattle.’
‘It’s hopeless. We are going to be creamed by goats.’
‘I wanted to get laid by a stud; but not onto a slab in the
morgue.’
‘We cannot hope to win.’ and ‘I am too young to push up
daisies. We are already animal fodder.’
‘Be silent!’ Gemmi commanded with more authority than Ricci
had heard in her entire life.
The Brisingamen jewel glowed with a dark red ominous light.
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298. Igor Swann
‘Did you really think any enemy you will face would roll over
and lick your hand as soon as you approach?’ Gemmi spoke as if
to naughty little girls.
Valk’r warriors were approaching from every direction, to find
the cause of the commotion.
Soon a large crowd of Valk’r had gathered.
‘You will fight because you are Valk’r and you will fight because
if you don’t then you and your families will be slaughtered
without mercy,’ she said.
Ricci felt something important was coming, and whispered to
Carra to have this speech transmitted over the entire Valk’r base.
Gemmi changed her tone to someone speaking with others that
had much to lose and are in need of guidance.
‘Do not doubt that you are strong. They may be from a far away
galaxy, but that does not make them stronger. Underestimating
us, thinking we are weak, will be their biggest mistake, one they
will not have the opportunity to regret. Travelling from a far away
galaxy does not make them smarter. Coming here to mess with us
just shows how stupid they are.
You are warriors, the sworn protectors of our planet. The planet
is in danger and the human race is on the brink of extinction.
All that stands between them and the end of mankind is our
strength, but what a glorious strength it is.’ Gemmi again changed
her tone to speak to warriors needing courage for battle.
‘The leader of the entire United Galactic Empire is a human.
WHY IS THAT? It is because we are strong, because we are smart,
because we are courageous! It is because we will not lie down and
surrender!
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299. Waking the Angel
We were chosen because they know that we can lead and we
can fight, and we will fight, and we will be victorious because, WE
ARE THE VALK’R.’
An enormous cheer rang through the halls in the Valk’r base.
‘We will not hide in silence anymore. We will not disappear into
the shadows again. We will not fight in secrecy any longer. Evil
everywhere in the universe will from now and for all eternity,
LEARN TO FEAR THE NAME OF THE VALK’R.’
Her voice echoed through the Valk’r base.
‘We will be known as the greatest warriors in the universe! WE
ARE VALK’R.’
The chant began.
‘VALK’R, VALK’R, VALK’R.’
The walls vibrated with it, and Ricci and Laidin gave each other
a smile.
She is the one, she is definitely the one, they both thought.
291

300. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 43
Angel stood waiting in the hangar bay when the two
archaeologists touched down.
‘Welcome back gentlemen,’ he said with a friendly smile.
Kirom and Guival approached Angel with solemn looks on their
faces, though it was for quite different reasons.
Angel found this quite disconcerting. It seems something had
gone terribly wrong.
Kirom knelt before Angel, bowed his head, and held up the
sword.
‘Allow me to present your sword my liege, the symbol of your
power. May it serve to once again unite the UGE,’ Kirom formally
announced.
A relieved Angel thanked Kirom for his brilliance in finding the
sword and the duo for retrieving it.
‘I could not have selected a finer team of adventurers. You have
my sincere appreciation and gratitude.’
He placed the sword on his back and it immediately secured
itself. He had to remind himself constantly of the sword, as it was
very light and comfortable.
Guival seemed more reluctant to hand over his bounty, but
continued anyway.
‘I have returned the incredible ship that Skern took when he
stole the sword. It will serve you well my lord.’
Angel looked at him and smiled, he could see Guival had already
fallen in love with the morph ship.
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‘Hmmm, I think I shall name her Jen after the alter ego of her
new owner.’
‘My lord, you mean? It’s mine?’ Guival stammered a thought.
‘Yes my friend, she is yours. I have Skibladne the most amazing
ship in creation. We have a very close mind bond now and I think
she would be jealous if I introduced another lady into the
relationship.’
‘Thank you my lord. Thoughts cannot express how I feel right
now.’
‘It is my pleasure, I hope you…’ Angel did not have time to
finish.
#Subject located# Skibladne’s metallic voice came over the
ship’s intercom.
Angel turned around and started to run towards the bridge,
leaving two puzzled aliens standing in the hangar.
He halted in front of the view screen, eagerly examining the
information displayed.
‘She found him,’ he whispered.
‘She found you?’ Guival concluded after he appeared next to
Angel and seemed confused since the display showed a photo of
Angel.
‘No, my brother,’ Angel tried to explain.
‘We were separated at birth. It received the vision of the attack
on earth from him.’
‘Why did you have such difficulty in locating him?’ Guival
inquired.
‘Well there are a few billion people on earth, and we had
different surnames. My mother never revealed my father’s
identity.’
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302. Igor Swann
He paused before continuing.
‘I had nothing to search on except the hope that we were
identical twins.’
He proudly patted Skibladne.
‘The lady has been jacked into all the major networks in the
world trying to locate someone that looked like me.’
‘Jacked in?’ Guival asked.
‘Connected; and although she complained frequently about the
ancient technology, she performed a sterling job. In only a week
she managed to sift through a few million faces.’
He studied the screen again.
‘Mark Stern, my brother.’
He turned to Guival, and Kirom who had now arrived after
deciding to get into his jump suit as soon as possible. Guival just
formed his around him, much less bother than actual fabric.
‘I shall be departing shortly,’ Angel explained.
‘I need you to load all the weapons and shields we liberated
from the pyramid and take it to the Valk’r. Please ensure they
distribute it fairly among the nations of earth. I also need them to
send out technicians to help deploy the equipment.’
‘My lord,’ they both acknowledged in unison and turned to do
his bidding.
Guival selected a transport ship from Jen’s archives, which had
sufficient space to carry all their cargo and they used Skibladne’s
teleporter to transfer the payload.
Angel’s mindcom beeped.
‘We are ready to depart my lord,’ Guival’s voice rang in his
mind.
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303. Waking the Angel
‘Excellent. Demonstrate haste my friends we have less than
three days before D-day,’ Angel thought back.
They parted company and Angel set course for somewhere in
Boston.
On route, he had Skibladne create a teleportation chamber for
his sword alongside that of the Bow of Odin and Mjolnir, and he
changed into his human clothes again.
Skibladne landed silently in an open field. Angel disembarked
and sent Skibladne into the next dimension.
He cursed the fact that were no fields closer to the town, and
walked for the better part of an hour before he reached it.
Thoughts rushed through his head like a freeway on fast-forward.
He had rehearsed what he would say so many times but the
nervousness would not leave him.
The little house seemed almost too ordinary as he walked up to
the front door and rang the bell. He still straightened his clothes
when the door swung open.
‘Hello brother,’ he said and smiled.
Mark stood staring at him, unable to speak.
‘Long story but yes I am your brother, and yes we are twins,’
Angel tried again.
His brother kept on staring without saying a word.
‘Would you like me to go?’ Angel tried a different approach.
This was not quite the welcome he expected.
‘No, er, no please come in. Forgive my rudeness, but you must
understand this is quite a shock. Opening the door and staring
into your own face does not happen often,’ Mark explained then
he started chattering.
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304. Igor Swann
‘So you are my brother? How did you find me? Were you living
with our mother? Can I meet her? Is this real?’
‘Slow down brother, sit and I’ll try to explain,’ Angel said.
‘Yes, we were separated at birth. I stayed with our mother and
you went off with our father. They both vowed not to tell us
about each other, and I am sorry to tell you this but she took the
secret to her grave. I have lately had dreams of you. That is how I
knew that you existed, but since we took the names of the
parents that raised us, I did not know how to find you. Luckily I
have some very resourceful friends and they managed to track
you down.’
Angel took a breath for the first time, ‘how is dad?’
Mark looked dejected.
‘He died of pneumonia about 3 weeks ago,’ he said and turned
his gaze to his brother.
‘I thought I was now truly alone on this planet and then you
show up.’
If you only knew how alone you were on this planet till a week
ago, Angel thought. Though saddened by the news of his father,
he at least had his brother.
‘I know this is going to sound confusing, but we have little time
brother and I have much to do. I cannot explain now but please
pack a bag, we need to go.’
‘Excuse me? You just got here, you tell me you’re my brother,
and now you want me to pack up and leave?’ Mark replied
baffled.
‘All will become clear very soon. Do you have a car?’ Angel
asked.
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305. Waking the Angel
‘Yes in the motor port. I don’t even know your name,’ Mark
tried again.
‘You can call me Angel; everyone that matters now does.’
Mark thought this was a strange name but went with it all the
same.
‘Okay I’ll humour you. It is Sunday and I have nothing better to
do today,’ he said and walked off to go pack.
A couple of minutes later they were driving towards the field.
‘So tell me; where do you live?’ asked Mark.
‘We used to live in a small town in Ohio. It was quiet living,’
Angel reminisced.
‘Mom was a sensitive woman, beautiful and had a bubbly
personality. She took very good care of me, and we never really
had any shortages in the home.’ Angel felt a lump in his throat.
‘After she passed away I moved to New York and started my
own company. It had been a rocky road but that is all behind me
now. My life is now something completely different.’
‘Well dad was a strong person, quiet and very intelligent. He
also took very good care of me, but I did not see him nearly as
much as I would have liked. He went away on business frequently.
I had a housekeeper who looked after me most of the time.’
‘So dad never got remarried, that is strange,’ Angel remarked.
‘Okay, pull over here.’
‘There is nothing out here!’
‘Not yet,’ Angel gave his bother a naughty smiled.
They walked a little way into the field before Angel called
Skibladne. Mark fell heavily on his backside as the massive ship
slowly appeared.
‘What the hell is that?’ he fearfully said pointing at the ship.
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306. Igor Swann
‘This, my dear brother, is Skibladne. Come,’ he motioned as the
hatch opened in Skibladne’s belly.
Mark, mouth agape, followed as if in a trance.
They stood on the command deck when Angel ordered
Skibladne to set course for the Valk’r base.
‘Okay, now for all your questions, but first I shall give you a little
background,’ Angel suggested.
He told him about his abduction, the worlds he visited, how he
became the UGE Lord, the visions, and lastly about the attack on
earth.
‘The earth is going to be destroyed?’ Mark nervously asked.
‘Not if we can help it. We are doing everything in our power to
prevent it from happening. But I’ll be honest with you, it does not
look good,’ Angel responded solemnly.
They continued speaking about what is going to happen and
how it all came about. Mark was astonished. He could not believe
his ears or his eyes when Angel showed him around Skibladne.
‘You have yet to meet the crew, and it unfortunately gets
stranger. We have a Valkyrie, a Dwarf, an Elf, a Wizard and a
shape changing monkey.’
Mark laughed so hard his whole body shook.
‘Elves, Dwarves and Mages, with a shape changing monkey and
a Valkyrie in for good measure, now I know you are pulling my
leg,’ Mark said when he could breathe again.
Angel just smiled.
‘You’ll see. Myths, legends and fantasy usually have a core of
truth somewhere at the centre. You would be amazed how much
of what we believe to be fictional is real. Take Skibladne for
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307. Waking the Angel
example, it is straight from mythology yet here you are standing
inside her.’
‘We will be landing shortly. I am going to change clothing. I have
created an extra jump suit for you, although I should have
expanded the waist area slightly,’ he joked.
By the time Mark reappeared on the bridge, Angel had the
Sword of Freyr securely strapped to his back and he was
requesting permission for final approach from Valk’r control.
‘This is Skibladne to Valk’r control requesting clearance to land.’
The answer came promptly.
‘This is Valk’r control, change heading to 32 degrees, altitude
1500 feet my lord and welcome to New Valhalla.’
They were heading into a mountain, and a section of the rock
face moved away, large enough for Skibladne to pass through
comfortably.
Skibladne gently touched down in the hangar where a huge
reception committee waited for them to disembark. All the Valk’r
had heard the legend of Skibladne and the UGE Lord but none had
ever seen them. They were here now and nobody intended to
miss this. His crew formed an honour guard; all dressed in their
jumpsuits. Gemmi proudly wore the Brisingamen jewel around
her neck. Kirom had Mjolnir, and Laidin the Bow of Odin strapped
to their backs. They looked proudly on, as he disembarked from
the crown jewel of the UGE.
Even Loser proudly stood next to Gemmi, wearing his tiny
jumpsuit and the bandage on his left arm, with his little chest
pushed out as far as it would go.
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308. Igor Swann
Angel happily noticed Loser’s jump suit held up under the
frequent resizing he subjected it to, which he built in as a
foresight, but never had a chance to test.
Gemmi stepped forward as leader of the Valk’r.
‘My lord, it is with great pleasure I bid you welcome to New
Valhalla, we hope you had a pleasant journey,’ she said with a
deep curtsey.
‘Oh shut up and give me a hug,’ Angel laughed, and Gemmi
rushed into his arms.
‘I missed you,’ she whispered happily.
‘And I you little one,’ he returned the affectionate words.
Loser hugged both of them, just as happy.
Angel walked over to greet the rest of the crew, and then he
turned to Mark who stood on his own quite bemused. Angel
waved him closer.
‘My friends may I introduce to you my brother Mark.’ He
pointed to each of his crew in turn.
‘Mark this is Laidin, Kirom, Gemmi, Guival and Loser, the
intrepid crew of the Lady Skibladne.’
There were a lot of, ‘how do you do,’ and ‘pleased to meet you,’
before Ricci stepped forward.
‘My lord, I am Ricci. We are honoured to meet you at last.’
‘Please to meet you too Ricci,’ Angel said and for the first time
looked at her. Something stirred inside him, and it felt very
strange. He could feel his cheeks redden. Angel quickly turned
away, pretending to examine his surroundings.
‘Impressive base you have here,’ he said without looking in her
direction.
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309. Waking the Angel
‘Thank you my lord, would you like some refreshments?’ she
asked, her naughty eyes twinkling.
‘That would be lovely, thank you,’ he said and she walked off,
hips purposefully swaying, to go organize it.
He watched her depart and suddenly realized he was staring, so
he quickly turned his attention to Laidin.
‘My lord, the war effort is going well,’ Laidin remarked trying
her utmost to stifle a laugh.
El generally did not miss much.
‘Great so give me the low down,’ Angel requested as they
started walking towards the war room.
‘We have distributed the shield generators and other
equipment to the major cities. It should give them some
protection but not a lot,’ Laidin confirmed.
‘The Valk’r warriors are battle ready and monitoring all known
Taur frequencies but nothing as yet. Guival informed us of your
successes. It seems we have done as much as we could for the
people of earth. The rest is up to faith and good fortune.’
‘I agree; I think there is little more we could have done, even if
we had more time.’
Angel felt anxious, the end was drawing ever closer and it was a
daunting prospect.
‘Let us review the battle plan one more time and then we
should get some rest. We have all worked hard these couple of
days, and we need all the strength we can muster for the battle.’
Angel spent most of day eight and nine with his brother
catching up.
There was nothing more to do but wait and pray.
301

310. Igor Swann
302

311. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 44
Day 10 broke and you could cut the tension in the air with a
knife. Angel stood in front of more than a hundred view screens,
of which 12 displayed the tense faces of the nuclear superpowers.
The rest of the screens showed the worried faces of most of the
leaders from the rest of earth’s nations.
LOBE’s voice came into Angel’s mind.
‘They have left the jump point,’ and Angel said in an audible
voice, which instantly translated in the mother tongue of each of
the leaders by the Ark technology.
‘They are here.’
No sooner had he said this and radio chatter started on one of
the Taur frequencies.
Angel still addressed the screens.
‘Please have someone monitor this broadcast continuously.
There would be very little time after we give the final warning.’
Laidin took up position next to him.
‘Unfortunate news my Lord, the Taur are mobilizing to attack
immediately. We will not have the Darkmoons as a defence
initiative.’
‘It is, as you feared. Their battle hunger has got the better of
them,’ Angel acknowledged.
‘A consolation is that we detected only a small portion of the
fleet break off and heading here. The rest seemed to be setting up
base.’
‘How small,’ Angel asked under his breath.
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312. Igor Swann
‘Large enough to wipe out the earth, several times,’ Laidin
solemnly confirmed.
Angel did not understand this.
‘What do you think that’s about? Why not just send the entire
fleet and crush us? Why bring such a massive fleet if you are not
going to use it?’
‘I think they want to put the fear of God into these people and
maybe get them to mount a defence so they may have some
sport before decimating the planet,’ Laidin answered in a gravely.
‘Well that is good news for us, is it not? We have a better
chance now. If they want us to mount a defence they were
planning to give us some time and hopefully enough for the
Darkmoons to arrive in 12 hours.’
‘12 hours and 37 minutes, earth time,’ LOBE corrected him.
‘That is one way of looking at it, but this means they will attack
civilian targets on this run which makes it worse. They want to get
earth angry and force them to defend themselves without
weakening earth defences before they show their true might,’
Laidin remarked.
Angel addressed the leaders trying his utmost to hide his
concern.
‘We have news that only a small portion of the invasion force is
heading our way. We assume it is to extend an invitation to earth
to defend itself. They will come here and destroy at will to show
their superiority, and then leave us so we may, in their opinion,
mount a feeble defence. We have a few surprises for them, and if
we succeed in holding them off, the two super-weapons called
Darkmoons should be arriving in 12 hours. They would make the
Taur think twice before attacking again.’ Angel did not feel the
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need to share the gravity of their situation with them. He did not
need them to panic. He wanted them focused on the mission.
Angel spoke to LOBE.
‘How long before the Taur are in target range and what are the
most likely coordinates for first contact?’ Angel asked examining
the Valk’r long-range scanners.
‘93 minute 12 seconds at current speed, entry will be 39°12’17’
Latitude 8°44’01’ Longitude,’ LOBE stated and Angel relayed this
as quickly as possible to the leaders.
‘Place your air force on full alert. Do not bother loading
ammunition, it will just weigh down the planes and have no effect
on the enemy. Arm the planes with high yield missiles only. If your
fighter planes were fitted with the plasma cannons we brought
along, use those to weaken the Taur’s shields before firing
missiles. I believe your personnel received instruction in the
proper battle tactics against the invaders. I shall initiate
countdown for the nuke launches closer to the time. We will now
feed our scanner information to you so you may stay informed.’
Angel did not attempt to argue with Gemmi when she
requested, no, demanded to lead the Valk’r into battle. He had
faith in her, and now he had to prove it.
‘Remember patience young one, a wise warrior waits for the
opportunity to attack to present itself while a young warrior
rushes in head first. Ricci will fly on your wing, listen to her
advice,’ he said in parting.
He fell in step beside Ricci as she walked to her fighter. He could
feel his heart starting to beat faster. The effect this green-eyed
warrior had on him amazed him.
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314. Igor Swann
‘A favour my lady,’ he said feeling strangely out of sorts.
She smiled sweetly, ‘anything my lord.’
‘Bring her back safely. She is very dear to me,’ Angel felt the
word choke in his throat.
‘I shall my lord’ Ricci promised looking deep into his grey blue
eyes.
‘Wear this. It is a mindcom. With this you will be able to
transmit and receive thoughts to and from any of my crew,’ he
explained, ‘and me,’ he added.
Angel turned to leave, and called over his shoulder.
‘I would love to see you again as well.’
She stared at his departing figure and smiled.
Since only his crew had any real battle experience against the
Taur they all took command of a squadron of Valk’r fighters.
Angel stood in front of the rows of screens for one last time.
‘Okay LOBE, count me down to 30 minutes to Launch,’ Angel
requested.
‘31 minutes 12 seconds,’ LOBE answered.
‘Gentlemen start 30 minute countdown to missile launch on my
mark.’
LOBE said, ‘Now.’
Angel said, ‘Mark.’
Mark said, ‘Yes?’
Angel ignored him, as counters all around the planet started
ticking down the seconds to the end of the world.
‘Set coordinates as previously given, they have not changed.
Deploy your fighters now. There will be no time to get them
airborne when the attack begins. You have all received our
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315. Waking the Angel
fighter’s images. Please ensure you program your identification
computers accordingly. Some of our fighters will act automatically
on a perceived threat like a missile lock, and we don’t want any
friendly fire incidents.’
‘Good luck gentlemen, I shall now return you to the feed from
our scanning equipment.’
He hurried off to Skibladne closely followed by his brother.
‘Where do you think you are going?’ he asked Mark.
‘Well I figured the safest place on earth right now would be in a
plane that does not exist, right?’
Angel smiled briefly. ‘Come on,’ he said.
The boarded quickly and took their seats.
He turned on his mindcom.
‘Well my friends, this is it. So get your backsides to the insertion
coordinates, and come back alive.’
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316. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 45
Skibladne took the lead, followed closely by the fighters of his
crew, and the 500 or so Valk’r fighters.
‘Battle mode,’ Angel commanded.
#Battle Mode engaged#
The gasps from his crew were clearly audible over the
mindcom.
He knew why and smiled broadly. They had never seen the
amazing ship go into battle mode. He wished he could see what
they saw now. It must be the most incredible sight ever.
Laser turrets, rocket pods, ion and Tachyon cannons, missile
launchers and some weapons no one had ever seen before,
appeared from nowhere. Skibladne deployed weapons that
should not exist, and some that could not exist. The lady looked
like a porcupine having a bad hair day. Nevertheless, she also
looked like something you would rather not mess with, even if
you could not count and you had your own personal Darkmoon.
‘Automatically target and destroy any Taur ships,’ he finished
the command sequence.
‘Guival if you intend morphing into a Taur ship, stay well clear
of Skibladne unless you wish to become cannon fodder.’
‘Trust me my lord, I don’t think anybody is going to come within
a standard continent of you once we go into battle,’ Guival
laughed.
‘Does it look that bad?’ Angel asked innocently.
Laidin answered.
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317. Waking the Angel
‘Put it this way my lord, if Skibladne is ever decommissioned we
can refit an entire UGE armada from the salvaged weapons.’
‘Okay, stop it now. You are going to hurt the lady’s feelings,’
Angel pleaded playfully.
‘Anyway the more firepower we have the better.’
‘I agree my lord but I think the rest of us should just get ringside
seats, a good supply of popcorn and enjoy the show,’ Guival
chirped.
‘Nobody is denying me a fight,’ Kirom growled.
‘Nobody would dare deny you anything Master Dwar,’ Ricci
answered adding her opinion.
‘Hey where did you get a mindcom?’ Gemmi demanded.
‘From me,’ Angel said, ‘I… We will need her insight.’
‘He just wants to speak to his girlfriend,’ Gemmi remarked
teasingly, ‘isn’t that right Loser old buddy.’
‘Gemmi that’s enough,’ Laidin’s stern reply touched a nerve in
the little girl.
‘But you said...’ came Gemmi’s faint voice.
‘I said enough, young lady.’
‘No let her finish,’ a terse Angel remarked.
‘What did Laidin say Gemmi?’
Kirom interrupted, attempting to run interference for his friend,
‘we are approaching the coordinates my lord.’
‘This conversation is far from over,’ Angel snapped.
Ricci remained strangely absent during the entire exchange.
‘Squadrons deploy. There will be a lot of military planes up
here, so be careful.’
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318. Igor Swann
Angel hoped the military planes knew what the friendly ships
looked like and did not start shooting at Valk’r, a move that would
be detrimental to their health.
‘Time to launch,’ Angel asked.
‘30 seconds,’ LOBE answered.
‘My lady, connect me to the leaders.’
A second later, the faces of the leaders spread across
Skibladne’s view screen.
‘Gentlemen this is the fight for earth, it’s what we prepared for.
Let’s show them what the earth is made of,’ he paused for
dramatic effect.
‘Now if you would be so kind as to nuke the bastards it would
be much appreciated.’
Angel switched channels to command his troops.
‘Okay, get low ladies and gentlemen, the sky will be filled with
nasty little thorns shortly.’
None of them had ever seen a firework display of such
magnitude. Hundreds of missiles came pouring overhead from
every direction. Smoke trails painted thin white lines on the blue
sky, before leaving earth’s atmosphere. Even inside earth’s
atmosphere, the explosions were clearly visible.
From Skibladne’s scanners he could see the missiles doing their
job. It’s working, he thought satisfied.
‘Oh no, they are dividing into different forces in space,’ Gemmi
observed anxiously.
‘LOBE, calculate possible targets,’ Angel thought.
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319. Waking the Angel
‘North America, Europe, Russia, China and Australia,’ LOBE
answered immediately.
Angel spoke into his mindcom.
‘Gemmi you have Europe, Laidin Russia, Kirom North America,
Guival Australia and I shall take the China remnant.’
Angel suspected that their leader would go for the greatest
concentration of people, which would be China.
‘Ricci take command of 100 fighters and follow me, Gemmi you
are on your own, make me proud,’ Angel commanded.
He headed towards China at maximum burn, not waiting for
Ricci. There was no way he was letting the Taur beat him there.
The Chinese air force, already airborne, awaited his arrival.
‘Hello boys,’ he said on their frequency, ‘mind if I join the
party?’
‘You are most welcome honourable warrior,’ the reply came.
He only had to wait a few seconds before the Taur invasion
force came into visual range. A sickly looking green fighter led the
Taur.
The Taur leaders had this interesting habit of marking their
fighters in a distinct fashion making them extremely easy to spot
in battle. Their arrogance knew no bounds.
‘Whose fighter is that,’ he asked Skibladne.
#Alra’st# Skibladne replied.
‘The second in command of the Taur?’ he smiled in glee. He was
hoping that Kra’st would have been arrogant enough to lead this
force, but Alra’st will do nicely.
Angel would have loved the look on Alra’st face when he saw
Skibladne; it was priceless.
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320. Igor Swann
What the hell, Skibladne, here, Shit! I should have known the
UGE were involved! He thought, but she seems to be alone, except
for a few earthling bugs.
A disturbing thought hit him like a sledgehammer.
The UGE Lord is dead. If there is no UGE Lord then who is flying
it? The legends say that only the UGE Lord can pilot it. This was
bad.
What is going on?
However, the thoughts vanished when he realized what he had
in his grasp.
‘Destroy that ship! Destroy Skibladne!’ he spat the order to his
entire fleet in general.
It would be a glorious victory if he returned to Kra’st with the
news that he destroyed the crown jewel of the UGE. Kra’st might
even forgive him for losing most of his invitation fleet.
‘What is he doing? He is flying straight at us.’ Alra’st asked
baffled.
‘Is he truly insane?’
A completely sane UGE Lord commenced fire on the Taur
remnant and it was like staying out of the way of a stampeding
herd of buffalo. The Chinese fighters followed closely behind,
using the highway Angel cleared for them as an attack corridor.
Ricci, a brilliant strategist herself, adjudged Angel’s intentions
were to perform a head on assault on the Taur. She knew they
would scatter and she brought her Valk’r fighters in from above
and behind in a wide-angle formation.
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321. Waking the Angel
The Valk’r warriors fought like cornered lions, not a quarter
given or asked for. The Taur ships went down in droves from the
front and the rear.
The Chinese fighters were not doing as well and their numbers
dwindled far quicker that the enemy. Nevertheless, they were
bravely fighting and they were achieving a measure of success,
especially with allowing the Taur to destroy their own forces.
Ricci hunted the Taur Landers while Angel resolutely pursued
Alra’st.
‘How are we doing?’ he asked Skibladne.
#Shields are down to 2%, rerouting power from energy
weapons, regenerating now# she answered.
Angel took thousands of hits flying straight through the Taur
force, but the amazing power source of Skibladne seemed to have
kept them in one piece.
He did do his share of damage. The awesome firepower
Skibladne deployed ripped through the hulls of those unfortunate
enough to be in close proximity of the juggernaut, like the Sword
of Freyr through thin air.
Countless Taur fighters, bombers and Landers were there and
then they were mostly everywhere, in molecule form. Others
simply fell out of the sky like confetti depending on which of
Skibladne’s weapon selection they were unlucky enough to be on
the receiving end of.
#one more direct hit will most likely result in hull breach#
Skibladne remarked.
Alra’st was a great pilot, and Angel struggled to keep on his tail.
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322. Igor Swann
‘Damn, missed again,’ he breathed after Alra’st out
manoeuvred him with a tight turn at high speed, at the exact
moment he lined up for the final shot.
He threw the ship around and searched for Alra’st signature.
‘Where are you hiding little one? Come out come out wherever
you are. Uncle Angel has a surprise for you.’
Skibladne located Alra’st coming from directly above him.
‘Ah, there you are... just a little closer.’
#if he fires now he will destroy us# droned Skibladne.
‘I know,’ Angel replied deep in concentration.
‘Now!’ he sent Skibladne into the next dimension by pressing
the beacon.
She disappeared into her hangar dimension with a very
confused Alra’st targeting thin air.
‘4… 3… 2… 1…’ he pressed the beacon again and Skibladne
reappeared.
‘All hull turrets target Taur fighter.’
‘Fire,’ Angel commanded.
Alra’st could not avoid the barrage. First Skibladne disappears
into thin air, and now this. His fighter’s engines exploded in a ball
of flames and smoke, and Angel watched as he fell to earth.
‘Aren’t you going to finish him off?’ Mark asked his brother.
‘I have more pressing concerns than a downed Taur my dear
brother.’ Angel did not want to shoot an unarmed enemy, even if
he was a Taur.
He got back to where he left the Valk’r and found Ricci in a spot
of bother.
Three Taur Fighters sat on her tail and they had her boxed in,
leaving her no room to manoeuvre.
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Angel smiled.
‘Skibladne, be a dear and target those three fighters for me.’ He
got in behind them with ease. With Skibladne’s manoeuvring
capabilities, it was like taking candy from a baby. Three pops later
and the slim lady had sung and eaten the candy for good
measure.
‘Thank you my lord but I had the situation under control,’ an
annoyed Ricci responded.
Sure you had, he thought but said, ‘just being a gentleman.’
The Taur forces scattered and appeared in disarray without
their leader.
The casualty count on both sides was astronomical.
‘They are retreating, my lord. It seems Skibladne’s return to the
fray did not go down well,’ Ricci observed.
‘Ah, and I thought we were getting along so well,’ Angel teased.
Nine fighters remained in Ricci’s squadron and the enemy all
but wiped out the Chinese Air Force. Angel felt sorry for the
Chinese, as their air force had to deal with the main Taur invasion
led by Alra’st. Many cities lay in ruin as several of the Taur Landers
made it onto the ground and some of the bombers got through as
well.
‘All right ladies, check for wounded on the ground and return to
base. I shall meet you there shortly,’ Angel commanded.
‘Regroup as quickly as possible. They have more than enough
time to send the main fleet, before the Darkmoons arrive.’
Angel knew it would not matter; they had no more nukes and
almost no air support. They had nothing to throw at the Taur
except rocks.
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324. Igor Swann
He set off towards Europe and Gemmi at full throttle. An
amazing sight greeted him. The Valk’r and Euro fighters picked off
the Taur as if it was open season in an apple orchid and an angry
Gerbit stood below the tree shaking it.
‘Gemmi, you sly little minks,’ he thought.
She obviously messed with the Taur minds.
Confused and frightened they flew around like idiots,
presenting themselves as easy targets.
‘All team leaders check in, situation report,’ Angel commanded.
‘We have them on the run,’ he heard a pleased Kirom’s
thoughts, ‘we have sustained heavy casualties, but these
American pilots have the right stuff. They took down a fair
number of the Taur bastards. I have less than forty Valk’r fighters
left in my Squadron.’
‘We are fine. Seventy-five Valk’r fighters remain in my
squadron. We destroyed most of Taur forces save a few Landers
that made it down. We did not have the brunt of the force to deal
with. The Russian pilots must be commended on a superb job of
defending their homeland,’ Laidin concluded.
‘I’m okay,’ Gemmi remarked simply.
‘I can see that little one,’ Angel grinned, until Guival’s worried
voice came into his head.
‘We are in deep trouble. I am overwhelmed and I have no Valk’r
fighters left. The Australian planes could put up very little
resistance and the Taur decimated our forces. We were
outnumbered 20 to 1. The only reason I am still breathing is that I
morphed into a Taur fighter. Most of the major cities are in ruin.
They seem to be withdrawing. I think they have completed the job
they came to do.’
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Angel felt sorry for Guival. Except for the force that went to
China, he had the largest insurgence to deal with and he was the
least experienced commander. This strange force division
mystified Angel. Why would they send such a huge force there
when America and Russia were much bigger threats?
‘Guival, see if you can leave the Taur remnant and then meet us
back at base.’
‘I’ll be there shortly my lord.’
‘We are in position my Lord,’ a voice Angel did not recognize
was transmitting on the mindcom.
‘I am very glad to hear that. Ehm, now, who exactly are you?’
‘Commander Darkmoon-1, my lord,’ the voice came again.
‘WHAT? You are here. But how, you were not scheduled to
arrive for…’
LOBE interjected.
‘…8 hours and 13 minutes, earth time.’
‘Yes my Lord but we detected Taur presence when we left the
jump and immediately went to maximum burn. The towing beams
were placed under a stress they were not meant to handle, but
thankfully they held.’
‘I am deeply thankful for your foresight commander. Now, there
is a Taur invasion force trying to leave earth orbit. Under no
circumstances may they leave, destroy every last one of them,’ a
mystified Angel requested, how did they sneak two ships as big as
moons past the Taur armada?
‘We have them on scanner my lord, it will be our pleasure.’
‘Thank you. Have the dreadnaughts deploy in a defensive
pattern around earth when you are done, good hunting.’
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326. Igor Swann
‘All squadrons take care of the wounded, examine every Valk’r
fighter shot down, we are leaving no one behind. Laidin send
some of your Valk’r fighters to Australia. Gemmi request medical
and support staff from New Valhalla. We will regroup back at
base.’
A crippled Valk’r fleet assembled in the hangar where Gemmi
addressed them.
‘Valk’r you have done yourselves proud. The slain will remain in
our hearts in a place of honour. You have fought bravely and
bards across the universe will sing of your courage and valour.
Today the human race became one, fought as one, stood as one
and in one voice refused to surrender. The greatest battle this
planet has ever seen led by the greatest warriors this planet has
ever seen... led to victory by the Valk’r.’
A cheer went up around the hangar and the chant of ‘Valk’r,
Valk’r, Valk’r,’ started while slain comrades were fondly
remembered.
Angel in the meantime, stood in the Valk’r command centre and
received feedback from the leaders.
‘Our forces are severely diminished and our nuclear arsenal
depleted. Millions of lives were lost but we managed to save
millions that would surely have succumbed today. The shields
held for the most part and many cities and other vitally important
centres remained intact. Our thanks to you and your brave
fighters,’ the President of the United States announced with deep
appreciation.
The other leaders echoed this sentiment.
‘Thank you gentlemen but I cannot take credit for the victory. It
was not aliens but a secret society of earthlings that fought so
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bravely. They have been on earth protecting your continued
existence for millennia. You will be hearing a lot more from these
warrior ladies, known as the Valk’r, in the future. You are alive
today because of their bravery and undying devotion to this
species. They went into battle knowing they will in most likelihood
not return, but they were willing to die for all of you,’ Angel
paused.
‘If anyone deserves your applause and admiration it is them.’
‘Then please extend our heartfelt gratitude to these fine
warriors,’ the President stated while the other leaders
enthusiastically concurred.
‘The fight is not over Mr. President. A sizeable remnant of the
ground forces remains on the planet, and they will be difficult to
stop. The Valk’r will do what they can, but you will need to assist
them in this perilous task.’
‘We will do what we can Angel.’
‘The super weapons I spoke of are now in place. You might have
noticed two extra moons orbiting earth. There are eight
dreadnaughts orbiting the earth as well. The Darkmoons should
deter any further invasion or at least slow them down until the
cavalry has arrived.’
‘Thank you Angel. We still have much to do, our countries are
battered and we have many terrified people out there. Till we
meet again,’ he said in parting.
Ricci stepped up beside Angel.
‘I heard what you said, and you did not have to give us all the
credit.’
‘How many close friends did you lose today?’
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328. Igor Swann
‘237 Valk’r including 12 Gentari and another 42 Valk’r are badly
wounded,’ Ricci responded in a anguished tone.
‘How many close friends did I lose today?’
Ricci understood.
‘You deserve every bit of credit. You fought for every bit of
respect the world now gives you, and it is time the Valk’r receive
the recognition they deserve,’ Angel said in solemn voice.
‘You will probably be going now?’ she asked.
‘Soon, I need to make sure the earth is safe first.’
‘Good,’ she said and walked off.
Angel walked back to his quarters.
In passing, he noticed Guival from the corner of his eye, sitting
alone in the atrium.
‘My friend, why the solitude,’ inquired Angel.
‘I have failed you. All the others succeeded in repelling the
invaders and I failed. I had to hide like a coward just to be spared,’
Guival replied tormented.
‘Guival, both Kirom and Laidin are experienced warriors. They
are used to leading people into battle. Gemmi used trickery to
subdue her opponents and Ricci was all but wiped out save for
eight Valk’r. You also need to remember that the four of them had
the support of a very large air force from the countries they
defended. You had the second largest invasion force to deal with
and you had very little support from the Australian Air force. You
also did not have Skibladne to destroy almost half the invading
force like Ricci did.’
Angel saw his words slowly sink in.
‘You were faced with unbeatable odds. That you survived is a
miracle, one for which I am eternally grateful.’
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‘But I still hid like a coward,’ Guival spluttered.
‘You did not hide until it was hopeless did you? You did not hide
until you were facing an insurmountable force on your own did
you?’ Angel asked.
‘No,’ Guival’s head still hung.
‘You did what you know best. You are a spy, and you
camouflage yourself, as any great spy would have done. There is a
time to be brave and there is a time to be cunning. Why die
needlessly when you can live to fight another day,’ Angel placed
his arm around his friend.
‘Your skill is invaluable to me. We know you are brave, we have
all seen that. We know you are resourceful, we have all seen that.
We know you are true to your word and faithful to your friends.
This crew needs you.’
‘Thank you my lord, I shall not fail you again,’ Guival promised.
‘No problem, but if you say you failed me one more time I shall
need to see how sharp this blade on my back really is,’ Angel
joked.
‘Now go get some rest.’
The water soothed Angel’s tired body. He leaned against the
wall with his eyes closed and let the spray massage his back and
neck.
He stood there for a long time.
Afterwards he sat on his bed, thinking back on the day’s events,
when a knock on his door startled him.
‘Enter,’ he commanded.
‘Am I intruding brother?’ Mark asked.
‘No, please come in.’
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330. Igor Swann
‘You look tired,’ Mark observed.
‘Yes it has been a rather taxing day, how are you doing?’
‘That is why I came to speak to you,’ Mark said but did not seem
to be able to find the words to express what was on his mind.
‘This is difficult to say brother, but I do not fit in here. This is
your world, not mine. I am an accountant. I work with numbers in
columns. I do not count how many enemy ships we shot down or
how many of my friends returned in body bags. My worst fear is a
paper cut or a freak stapler accident.’
‘Do you think I like doing this?’ Angel asked accusingly.
‘No I do not believe you do, but I am completely out of my
depth. You at least had Special Forces training. You also lived on
an alien planet and trained for this. This day had been a very
traumatic experience. I do not think I can or want to be part of
this life.’
‘I understand. Would you like me to take you back home?’
Angel asked.
‘Yes, that would be appreciated. Do not get me wrong brother, I
am overjoyed to have found you, and I am proud of the person
you are. Nevertheless, I am not as strong as you are. I need a
quiet life, a life without complications. I want to marry a normal
boring girl. Have 2.5 normal boring kids. Live in a boring middle
class suburban home with white picket fence and family
Labrador,’ Mark explained with a heavy heart. He felt like he was
deserting his brother.
‘It is absolutely fine brother, I do understand. I on the other
hand want to feel needed by the universe. I have never felt more
alive than now, with these aliens. I am apparently ruler of the
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known universe. I have a life. I have purpose. You do not have the
same needs. I shall take you back to Boston tomorrow morning.’
‘Thanks Angel, see you in the morning.’
‘Sleep well brother.’
‘Just before I go, what is your real name?’ Mark asked.
Angel told him.
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332. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 46
Aboard the Taur Sovereign Destroyer flagship, things were
getting messy. Taur hid behind desks, in wastepaper baskets, in
airlocks, and some posed as statues in the corridors.
Kra’st was furious.
‘What do you mean you can’t make contact with Alra’st?’ He
threw his spear Gungnir at the wall.
*gurgle*
‘All I asked for is a simple communication relay so I may speak
to my forces on the battle front. Is that too much to ask?’
*gurgle*
‘I am a patient Taur. I gave you 3 hours to complete a simple
task. 3 hours of our boys not hearing their beloved leader’s voice,
encouraging them, telling them, they are doing a great job and we
are thinking of them. I think I gave you enough time don’t you?’
Kra’st said in his most sincere voice.
*gulp gurgle*
‘All I wanted was to know how they were doing. To send help if
they needed it, to know our boys on the front are doing us proud.’
*gurgle, gurgle*
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333. Waking the Angel
‘And you can’t even do that right. Makes me wonder why I am
paying you. Oh, that’s right I’m not, but if I was, I would definitely
wonder.’
Kra’st always felt he should have had the lead role in, The Taur
and the pauper, in kindergarten but then a spiteful teacher denied
him the opportunity. She did however decide to sit on his Grun1
shortly afterwards, which seemed to have found her chair most
comfortable. She died an excruciating death, which many felt, had
to have been the performance of her life.
*gurgle*
A Cen’t interrupted his fun.
‘Sir, I think I know why we cannot establish communication with
our invasion force.’
‘Why? Pray tell.’ Kra’st was now so far into the role it was
sickening.
The Cen’t knowing fair well not to give bad news by word of
mouth and so giving Gungnir an obvious target, put the bad news
on the huge view screen.
Kra’st stared at it.
‘Yes it’s the puny planet. Well done, you sent a probe and its
sending back pictures of the planet. So tell me exactly why I am
looking at this revolting picture?’
1 The Grun is an extremely poisonous snake that could become near invisible
when asleep; it seemed to fade out of existence when unconscious and then
seem to come back into being when it awoke.
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334. Igor Swann
‘Sir the planet has 3 moons,’ Tri’st answered him.
‘Tri’st not you too, am I surrounded by stupidity today, woe is
me.’
‘Sir it had 1 moon when we arrived.’
‘The planet grows moons?’ Kra’st asked.
‘Unlikely sir, I think they might be Darkmoons, but I could be
wrong. We might need to get the probe closer.’ Tri’st tried to walk
the thin line between being right and being dead. It was so
obviously Darkmoons but nobody was going to be sure until Kra’st
was sure.
‘Get that probe closer,’ Kra’st ordered.
‘Immediately sir,’ the Cen’t who brought the news,
acknowledged the command.
‘Your assumption is quite correct Tri’st; it does appear to be
Darkmoons. See that is why I keep you around as my advisor, you
notice the little things, so I can focus on the larger picture,’ Kra’st
continued.
‘So how the hell did 2 darkmoons slip past us and get into orbit
around that planet?’ Kra’st bellowed.
<Silence>
*Gurgle, urgh*
‘Well at least the planet poses a challenge now,’ Kra’st
remarked thoughtfully.
‘Get me Alra’st,’ he ordered.
‘Sir, Alra’st is on earth. I do not think they can escape with two
Darkmoons orbiting the planet. It will destroy any ship leaving or
entering the planet’s atmosphere as you are well aware,’ Tri’st
explained while ducking instinctively.
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335. Waking the Angel
‘So they are stuck on the planet having fun destroying it from
the inside, while we are stuck out here till we figure out how to
destroy those two damn moons,’ Kra’st speculated on the
obvious.
He pulled Gungnir from the wall.
A loud plop followed as the now permanently retired previously
senior communication engineer hit the deck.
Tri’st had other concerns.
Why are the Darkmoons here? Does this mean the betrayal is
real?
He could not get his mind around this. Kra’st is obviously too
thick to understand the gravity of this situation. If the Darkmoons
are here then the UGE armada will not be far behind.
Tri’st knew it could mean his death, but he would rather die
than see this fleet destroyed without the chance of defending
themselves.
‘Sir, I have just had a thought. I am sure it is just paranoia in my
old age, but if the Darkmoons are here, could it be possible that a
UGE Armada is also on their way?’ Tri’st attempted to look
extremely baffled. He stopped short from drooling to
demonstrate his stupidity.
Kra’st looked at him smugly.
‘In my extensive experience as a commander, I would expect an
armada to closely follow the Darkmoons. They probably sent
them ahead while preparing their fleet.’
Tri’st looked impressed, had Kra’st actually concluded that on
his own.
‘Brilliant my lord, I wish I had thought of that. What should we
do?’ he asked innocently.
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336. Igor Swann
‘We should prepare to engage the UGE armada of course. There
is ample time to destroy that puny planet afterwards. Do I always
have to think for everybody?’ Kra’st said feeling very proud of his
obvious genius.
‘Prepare the fleet. Send probes to the earth jump point, and
redirect scanners. I want everyone on full battle alert,’ Kra’st
seemed ready to implode.
Tri’st wondered how long he could still play this dangerous
game with this buffoon before it backfires on him.
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337. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 47
A brilliant plan formed in Brom’s mind. He would have his fleet
hide inside the huge nebula near the Taur border.
This Nebula had been a source of amusement for youngsters for
ages due to its strange properties. No scanner could penetrate it
because of the high radiation and no light escaped it, thus when
you entered the nebula you were for all practical purposes
invisible.
He would put together a small tactical force and accidentally
run into the ancient fleet attempting to coax them into following
him. He would pretend to try escape into the nebula where his
fleet would ambush them.
One of his scouts had spotted the ancient fleet less than a light-
year from his current position.
‘Brom to Rellen, is the fleet in place?’
‘Yes sir. The last of our fleet have now entered the Nebula. We
will be creating a corridor for you to lead the ancients into.’
‘Good work, you may open fire as soon as we have passed
through the corridor of death.’
‘Very good sir, we will lose radio contact as soon as we enter
the nebula, in about 30 seconds. Good luck sir.’
‘And to you Commander,’ Brom said.
Brom had selected about 50 very quick fighters that should be
able to outrun the ancients if push comes to shove. With the trap
set, and the bait deployed, the hunt was on.
He was fast approaching the last known position of the
ancient’s fleet.
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338. Igor Swann
‘Are you sure this is the place, there is nothing here,’ Brom
asked his second in command.
‘Yes sir, this is the exact coordinates the scout sent us, factoring
in their rate of travel.’
‘Let’s keep our course steady. Reduce speed to 5% burn. We
don’t want to run into them at high speed.’
Brom felt uneasy. Something bothered him; the light from the
stars seemed somehow distorted.
‘Alpha 2, fire a light-burst,’ Brom commanded.
The light burst illuminated the space around them.
‘By the hammer of Thor,’ Brom breathed.
They had found the ancients fleet, no, they were inside the
ancient fleet. The light-burst, for a split second, revealed the
monstrous hunks of metal all around them before they faded back
into the darkness.
Fifty fighters started to glow with an eerie bluish-white light as
if St. Elmo’s fire surrounded them. Brighter and brighter, they
glowed until it was blinding, and then just as suddenly as it
started, the light disappeared. So did everything else. Nothing
remained, just the vast emptiness of space.
Teral awoke screaming inside his mind.
He knew something terrible had befallen his comrade. His Aesir
blood ran in freezing streams throughout his body. He could sense
the universe weeping for the loss of a righteous being, a brave
and noble soul. Teral suddenly felt a dreadful loneliness, and the
excruciating pain from his spirit threatened to consume him. His
lifelong friend, his blood brother, he could not sense him any
longer.
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The bond they had formed after centuries of friendship had
disappeared.
‘Brom!’ he cried in anguish.
331

340. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 48
A beautiful day broke in New Valhalla. The soft rays of dawn
streamed through the sky windows. The hive was abuzz by the
time Angel stepped out of his quarters.
‘Good morning my lord,’ a friendly voice echoed from behind
him.
‘Good morning to you too,’ Angel said as he turned to the red
headed warrior.
‘Ricci asked me to escort you to the command centre. There is
something she wants you to see,’ Carra said.
‘Before I had my morning coffee?’ Angel asked genuinely
disappointed.
‘Your coffee is waiting in the com room sire.’
‘Then by all means lead on,’ Angel replied smiling.
Ricci stood looking at news broadcasts from around the world
with Laidin at her side.
‘Good morning my Lord, slept well?’ Laidin asked without
turning around.
‘How did you know it was me? No I don’t really want to know,’
Angel wondered while Ricci turned her head and flashed a smile
at him.
‘So, what is so important that it supersedes coffee?’ Angel
inquired, quite intrigued by the obvious bond between the two
ladies.
‘Look,’ Ricci answered pointing to the monitors.
From all across the globe newscasts streamed in of successes by
the military in curbing the devastating destruction of the Taur
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ground forces. It intrigued Angel to see Valk’r fighters flying in
some of the bulletins.
‘And those,’ Angel nodded at the screen, sipping his coffee.
‘We deployed 200 Valk’r fighters in 10 squadrons this morning
to aid the governments in destroying the more imposing Taur
heavy gear,’ Ricci explained.
‘Most of the governments do not have the means to stop these
machines or penetrate their shields.’
‘That’s great,’ Angel admired their tenacity.
The last thing he would like today is another yesterday.
The Taur tactics confused him.
‘They are like sharks ravenous for blood. They are impossibly
outnumbered, and they have no chance of victory. Yet they
persist in their foolhardy pursuit of death and destruction, instead
of surrendering.’
‘Yes, but they still expect their fleet to come,’ Laidin remarked,
‘they think Kra’st would smile on them if he saw their bravery.’
‘Do you think the fleet will still try get past the Darkmoons?’
Ricci asked.
‘I doubt it, even Kra’st’s mushy brain should realize that if the
Darkmoons are here then a UGE armada won’t be far behind. He
will be readying his fleet for them,’ Laidin explained thoughtfully.
‘Well ladies it has been fun, but I still need to go drop off my
brother, see you later,’ Angel said and turned to leave.
‘Mind if I joined you? I would love to experience the ship of
legends first hand,’ Ricci enquired politely.
‘Sure, let’s roll.’
Laidin looked at him quite puzzled, ‘let’s roll? Where will you be
rolling to?’
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342. Igor Swann
‘It is an expression my Elven friend, it means, Let us depart’
Angel grinned.
He tapped his mindcom.
‘Mark would you meet us in the Hangar.’
‘Sure brother, be there in a sec,’ Mark replied.
Skibladne looked as beautiful as ever gleaming in the first rays
of the morning sun. She stood proud and dangerous like an
African lion surveying his pride.
‘She remains an awesome sight,’ Ricci remarked, admiring the
lady.
Angel flashed a knowing smile.
‘Yes she is. But she’s mine, you can’t have her,’ he joked with
the golden haired Valk’r.
They climbed aboard waiting for Mark to arrive. Angel took this
time to show her around the Lady.
‘And this is the command deck,’ He concluded his tour.
#good morning my lord# Skibladne greeted him.
‘Good morning beautiful. May I introduce to you, Ricci of the
Valk’r,’ Angel replied.
#good morning princess, I am pleased to make your
acquaintance#.
‘Huh? What did you call her?’ Angel asked perplexed.
#I called her ladyship by her title, is that wrong# Skibladne
enquired.
‘What title, what are you going on about?’ Angel asked
Skibladne, Is she being stubborn on purpose he wondered.
#Her DNA scan revealed she is a direct descendant of Thrud,
born from the union of Grand Master Thor of the Dwar and
Queen Sif of the El. Thrud came to earth to become a Valk’r under
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343. Waking the Angel
Freyja. She is therefore royalty#, Skibladne explained in her
emotionless voice.
‘She is a princess? And her ancestors were Thor and Sif?’ Angel
exclaimed in disbelief.
#correct# Skibladne confirmed, not understanding a rhetorical
question.
‘I’m an alien princess?’ Ricci exclaimed stunned.
#I am sure I mentioned that# apparently Skibladne was not
above sarcasm.
‘But I carry the TNFR-12 gene, which is human? How is that
possible?’
#that is unclear# Skibladne interjected.
‘There have been many of my ancestors who were Valk’r,’ Ricci
mentioned thoughtfully and as an afterthought, ‘but why was that
part of my heritage never written in legend?’
‘Maybe Thrud did not want her heritage known. Except for
Skibladne no one realized you were a descendant of Thrud,’ LOBE
answered her through Angel.
‘Skibladne, what can you tell us about Sif?’ Angel asked.
#Queen Sif was the last ruler of the true royal house of El. She
ruled after her husband died up until her banishment due to her
second marriage to Thor#
#a new ruling house came into power by hostile takeover. There
were royalty claims lodged by this house at a later stage
apparently proving they were the pure bloodline, unfortunately
without disputed for fear of decapitation#
#the evidence presented by them are rumoured to be forgeries
and has since been lost. Sif’s son Ullr from her first marriage and
true heir to the throne did stay on as a servant in the new ruling
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344. Igor Swann
house. His submissive behaviour supposedly showed the truth of
the dark El claims. Ullr, a well-loved El, except by ‘Royalty’ of
course, became a legend with the bow-staff#
#Sif had a further child with Thor namely Thrud. Queen Sif’s
eyes were blue and her hair blond. Shortly after her banishment,
but before Thrud was born, Loki of the Aesir cut her hair as a joke,
but Thor made him replace the hair with living gold#
‘So that is why Ricci’s hair looks as if it is made from gold,’ Angel
exclaimed smiling at the blushing princess.
#Correct my lord. Thor had two more children one of them with
the Dwar Jarnsaxa named Magni; he formed the bloodline for
Brom and Kirom. Thor’s other children namely Thrud and Modi
were outcasts. Thrud joined the Valk’r. Modi became a pirate#
Skibladne concluded.
‘My Lady, it almost seems as if you have an opinion on El
history, and on what is the truth,’ Angel mentioned curiously, ‘you
did not give only the facts.’
#this is how I was programmed#
Angel considered the information, ‘so if Ricci is descendant
from Thrud, and thus the Lineage of Sif, that makes her the true
heir to the throne of El.’
#no, there is one other from the bloodline of Ullr#
‘Who is that?’ asked Angel.
#I am not at liberty to say#
‘You cannot refuse a command from me?’ Angel inquired
perplexed.
#no, I may not#
‘But you still refuse to answer?’ Angel asked.
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#I do not, but I implore you to reconsider asking that question
my lord# Skibladne continued as emotionlessly as before.
‘Who told you not to tell me?’ Angel asked getting irritated.
‘That would be me,’ Laidin answered.
Both Angel and Ricci jumped when they heard her voice behind
them.
‘You,’ Angel looked confused. LOBE on the other hand was not.
‘Of course her, where is your mind. Oh right,’ LOBE liberated
Angel’s vocal cords.
‘I noticed your ability to use the bow of Odin. Yes, I thought it
seemed strange that Sharin did not take that precious bow from
you, but she cannot use it can she?’ LOBE surmised.
Laidin bowed her head.
‘Yes it is true. Although for some reason I have not managed to
ascertain, she would prefer that dreadful black bow-staff even if
she could. Nevertheless, I knew that the moment I would first
step aboard Skibladne, she would recognize me. When I
contacted you asking permission to come aboard I asked her not
to reveal my ancestry or use my lineage title, on a low frequency
band hidden in my communication.’
‘But why would she? It is not your title now, by El law it belongs
to Sharin,’ it made no sense to Angel.
‘Yes my friend, but remember Skibladne originally belonged to
Freyr, and he befriended Thor and Sif long before the incident. He
never believed the claims by Sharin’s ancestors and always
maintained that Sif’s children were the true heirs to the El throne.
Therefore Skibladne would believe it as well.’
‘So you and Ricci are cousins?’
‘I guess so?’ Laidin said.
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346. Igor Swann
‘And she and Kirom,’ Angel stated the obvious.
‘Yes.’
‘So I am a princess,’ Ricci wanted to be sure of this. This was
even better than being chief of the Valk’r, which she did
relinquish, extremely reluctantly, to Gemmi.
‘If Skibladne believes you are, I won’t argue,’ Angel smiled.
‘Laidin, one more question.’
‘How did you know I was asking these questions of Skibladne?’
She tapped her mindcom.
‘I asked Skibladne to let me know if anyone asked her silly
questions,’ she smiled and left.
338

347. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 49
Laidin stepped off Skibladne where she found Mark waiting
patiently.
‘Goodbye Mark, it was nice meeting you,’ Laidin said almost
absent-mindedly in passing.
Questions plagued her mind, which were in a tussle with a
sneaking suspicion.
‘Are we ready to go, brother?’ Mark asked as he made himself
comfortable on the command deck.
‘Sure, we’ll be on our way in just a second,’ he looked to Ricci.
‘Want to take her out?’
‘What? Me pilot this ship, are you insane?’
‘You dare call the UGE Lord insane!’ he answered in mock rage.
‘My sincere apologies, my lord,’ she replied taken aback.
‘I am kidding,’ he laughed to which she playfully punched him,
‘So take her out, you have the gene, just tell Skibladne what you
want her to do in your mind and she will do it.’
‘Really, May I?’ Ricci asked excitedly and closed her eyes to
concentrate.
‘Er, I think it works better if you keep your eyes open,’ Angel
advised her.
‘Sorry,’ Ricci tried again, she started issuing commands to
Skibladne and the lady responded as if on rails, every command
handled with such precision it scared Ricci.
‘Er, Ehm, the door is that way princess,’ Angel said pointing in
the opposite direction to which they were travelling, praying that
Skibladne’s hull would survive this abuse.
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348. Igor Swann
‘Yes, yes, it’s not as easy as it looks,’ Ricci said as three Valk’r
dove for cover and two others ran for the exit.
Even though Skibladne executed every command with
incredibly precision she did not intend helping the princess. She
was an enormous ship to begin with, being twice the size of an
Airbus A380. She belonged to the UGE Lord, and did not
appreciate a female in control of her.
‘Shit, Skibladne raise shield,’ Angel called out, just before her
tailfin, dislodged part of the roof.
‘Okay, chill, I think I’ve got it now,’ Ricci said agitatedly as she
calmed down and began to think slower and more accurately.
Skibladne responded immediately and turned from a wild
mustang into a mountain pony promising to be nice for as long as
Ricci kept her mind focused on her alone; a trait shared by most
beings of the female persuasion.
‘I have a question. Why are you able to travel light-years in
seconds but it takes you several minutes to get from here to say
Boston?’ Ricci asked.
‘Two reasons, firstly if you dive into a swimming pool from a
meter up you enter the water easily right, now go 500 meters up
and try the same stunt. Splat,’ he emulated this by gesturing with
his hands.
‘In space there is no air resistance, but down here it would be
like driving through a solid mountain at that speed.’
‘Makes sense,’ Ricci said.
‘Secondly the drag I’ll cause would severely disrupt the earth’s
weather patterns. I’ll be pulling along compressed air behind me
making me drag liquid oxygen and hydrogen, and sucking in that
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349. Waking the Angel
much combustible material would be a nuclear holocaust waiting
to happen.’
‘Interesting,’ she smiled.
‘Here we are, Boston,’ Ricci announced several minutes later
and started to descend.
‘Seems like it was pretty much left intact,’ Angel remarked.
‘My car is probably still parked in the field.’
Mark pointed to where he left his car.
‘You can drop me off there.’
Ricci performed a pinpoint landing in the field, and dropped the
stairs. They walked with Mark to where his car stood parked next
to the road.
‘Goodbye brother, come visit sometime,’ he said to Angel.
‘Sure will, this used to be my home too, remember,’ Angel
hugged his brother.
‘Goodbye,’ Ricci gave him a hug as well.
They waved as he drove towards town.
The rumbling started in the distance.
‘I don’t remember thunder on the forecast this morning,’ Angel
remarked.
‘That’s not thunder,’ Ricci nervously responded.
‘Look!’ she screamed as three monstrous tank-like things came
into view. They seemed to have spotted Skibladne. The tanks’
cannons spluttering were their first clue. Angel pressed the
beacon and Skibladne dropped into its hangar dimension.
‘What do we do now?’ Ricci asked, ‘we have no weapons except
your sword.’
‘Run?’ angel suggested.
‘Run!’ Ricci concurred.
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350. Igor Swann
The ion cannon blasts and plasma cells rained around them
creating enormous craters. Deadly pieces of shrapnel whistled all
about them.
‘Whatever happens to me, I want you to keep moving and don’t
stop,’ Angel commanded.
‘You are the UGE Lord, I am here to protect you,’ Ricci fumed.
‘I am also your commander in chief, and I gave you a direct
order. Do not stop for anything, I will find you.’
‘I have also been mind transformed. I can run the 100m in 5
seconds so do not tell me what to do, you old coot.’
He just shook his head. He did not hold much hope of the
commander in chief bit working on this headstrong Valk’r.
The cannon burst exploded less than 8 feet from them, and
flung them to the ground.
The shrapnel did a bang up job on both of them. Ricci had a big
hole in her arm, and she bled below the ribs from a piece of metal
lodged there. The rest of her looked like some crazy Japanese
sushi chef went berserk on her.
Angel looked a lot worse.
More shells exploded around them.
‘I think we should split up and give them two targets. RUN!’ he
cried.
She flew off, assuming he was going the other direction. He did
not want her to know that he had a broken leg and dislocated
shoulder.
He lost her in the smoke and haze. She moved like a gazelle. She
moved incredibly quick for someone so badly injured.
Even though in excruciating pain, he lay unmoving. Two of the
Grim Reapers followed what he assumed to be Ricci. The third
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351. Waking the Angel
turned towards him and appeared to want to crush him beneath
its giant spike tracks. He lay motionless until the monster tank
closed to within 5 meters of his position.
The following events occurred in the blink of an eye, literally,
and we decided to write it down in slow motion so you may be
able to follow.
Angel pushed up with his left arm onto his unbroken right leg
and the sword appeared in his hand in an instant. Thanks to the
wondrous technology in the sword, it screamed towards where
Angel knew the Reaper’s energy cells were before he even flexed
a muscle.
In the same movement, he dove for the only safe place around,
underneath the tank.
The sword sliced through the armour and the energy cells like a
hot knife through butter. The cells started to hum with their
exposed core overheating. He did not have long to wait before the
explosion rocked the earth for miles around but with the force
directed upwards, and he remained safe.
He pressed the beacon to call Skibladne, and ordered her to
pilot one of the hover-cycles she had stored in her hold, to where
he lay. He placed her back into her hangar dimension and set off
after Ricci.
One chance, he thought, as he set the auto destruct sequence
on the hover-cycle. Even though the bike had a number of high
yield missiles it would do very little damage to those tanks when
fired in sequence, but if combined into one synchronized
explosion, it might do the trick. He also became quite convinced
he would win the next lotto draw, without buying a ticket.
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352. Igor Swann
He flew his hover-cycle straight at the tracks of the nearest
Reaper.
Oh no, I have been spotted, he thought as one opened fire on
him.
He dove for cover landing heavily on his dislocated shoulder
mere fractions of a second before the shrapnel from the plasma
cell whistled over his properly battered body1. The Hover bike hit,
exploded, and ripped a gap the size of a small elephant in the side
of the Reaper, which caused some of the ammunition inside to
explode. A firework display the Chinese would be proud of
ensued.
Angel could not move.
He fell very badly and broke a few ribs in the process.
He saw the last reaper turn around as if in a dream.
He saw it slowly move towards him, the spike tracks saying
‘die… die… die,’ with every turn. Consciousness slowly slipped
from his grasp.
At least I tried to save you my beautiful princess, he thought and
then it went dark.
He walked in silence through the visions of his life and into the
light.
1
If you just experienced a feeling of déjà vu then be not afraid, you have
reached the end of the beginning of the thoughts of the unconscious human.
See Chapter 1.
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353. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 50
The Bifrost jump opened and Teral’s fleet started to appear.
He knew there would be a welcoming committee, so in
foresight he shot off jump enabled Tachyon-mines a few minutes
before entering the Ark jump point. He designed them to arm on
leaving the jump and you would want to be in a quite different
sector of the universe when they were active.
As he left the Bifrost jump point, he could see his advance team
had already engaged the enemy.
The Taur appeared visibly shaken.
He was pleased.
The mines obviously worked.
He saw a lot of debris from Taur ships, floating around his
cruiser.
‘Engage, engage, fire at will, fire at will,’ he shouted into his
mindcom.
His fighters were running like angry hornets at the Taur Capital
ships and Destroyers.
Kra’st, where are you, you coward, show yourself, Teral thought,
wanted blood for his friend.
It is your fault he is gone. Fight me you bastard.
His battle cruisers and corvettes kept pouring through the jump.
Explosions lit the black canvas like a mad hatter disco party.
We need more heavy firepower, he thought, ruing the fact that
he left the dreadnaughts behind.
The six Taur destroyers continued doing massive damage to his
fleet and he could not afford to send in his battle cruisers.
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354. Igor Swann
They were too valuable, and too few to take on the destroyers,
which were the Taur equivalent of a UGE dreadnaught.
The battle did not proceed according to plan. Too many
corvettes and fighters went down in relation to the enemy.
He slammed his fist into the armrest of his chair; I do not have a
choice. I have to take out the destroyers or this battle will be over
soon.
‘Battle cruisers, to me,’ he ordered.
They formed a scattered formation bearing down on the first
destroyer, making it difficult to target them all simultaneously.
Teral’s optimism had left him; six destroyers are going to be
impossible to take down, even with 14 battle cruisers.
‘Close formation, attack from right in front. Do not let the flank
cannons get a lock on you. Concentrate your fire on the command
deck; we must punch a hole through the shields,’ he commanded.
The firepower those monsters could muster seemed almost
absurd. The ion beams they fired would take out a battle cruiser
in a single salvo. The only upside was it took almost a minute to
recharge.
One of his battle cruisers disintegrated as a salvo hit, and
another exploded from a direct hit from a destroyer on his flank.
The other four destroyers were thankfully out of range.
He ordered six of his cruisers after the one that just fired from
the flank and he kept on course to the second.
‘Hit it, with everything you’ve got. NOW,’ he ordered, anxiously
counting down the seconds in his mind until the destroyer could
fire its main weapon again.
A concentrated salvo hit the command deck of the destroyer,
ion cannons, missiles everything in his arsenal. Another of his
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355. Waking the Angel
battle cruisers went down as a couple of the lesser guns on the
destroyer concentrated fire on it.
The destroyer finally exploded in sections from the front like an
open mine blasting operation.
He heard cheers through his mindcom. His other squadron of
battle cruisers had lost two more of their own but had similar
results.
He did not feel like celebrating, this is hopeless, he thought in
desperation. The other four destroyers are moving in close
formation, each firing in turn leaving us no gap to attack. He knew
one of them would be Kra’st, but he saw no way to get to him.
He felt their impending defeat creep over him like a slow
moving cold mist.
A Taur destroyer to his left exploded. Then another exploded
ahead of him.
‘What the hell…?’
347

356. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 51
Qren stared intently at the scanner in front of him.
‘They have entered UGE space, sir.’
They were not even trying to hide anymore, their path easy to
trace.
A little while ago, they appeared on scanners thanks to deep
space probes launched by Brom before he disappeared.
‘They must have destroyed our fleet and is now so sure there
are no more resistance that they are approaching unmasked,’ one
of his commanders ventured.
Qren had no one left to consult.
He had a devastating fleet approaching and no way to stop
them. He knew they were going to destroy the UGE planets as
they did the Taur’s planets. It was only a matter of time.
Qren sighed, and closed his eyes.
‘We tried,’ he thought to himself, ‘order the immediate
evacuation to the outer rim planets of all UGE planets in proximity
to their current course.’
Angel slowly opened his eyes.
Hmmm, so this is heaven.
Strange, I thought it would be a lot different, for one a lot
bigger. At least it is comfortable.
A sudden whirring noise distracted him.
‘She’s released him!’ he heard a voice shout.
He blinked and then squinted at the bright light.
An angel looked down at him.
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357. Waking the Angel
I thought of leaving you out there,’ she said with a serious face,
‘the Valk’r is only supposed to remove the bodies of slain
warriors, not living ones, and anyway we only take the brave
ones, but then I thought. He was going to die soon and he was a
little brave, so what the hell, I’ll take him,’ Ricci joked breaking
into a huge smile.
I am alive, he thought.
‘How long was I unconscious,’ he managed to mumble.
‘Two days, but Skibladne took great care of you. She refused to
open the coffin. Sorry, I mean recovery chamber, even after we
got back to New Valhalla. Apparently, she knows what she is
doing because you are as good as new. I asked her to make a few
improvements but she would not hear of it,’ Ricci laughed.
‘You don’t look half bad yourself,’ he observed.
‘Yep, I got into the second chamber, after telling Skibladne
where we needed to go,’ she smiled.
‘She took great care of me too.’
‘What happened? I remember dying and you were missing,’ he
croaked, trying to sit up.
‘Well if you can remember, I was pretty badly wounded as well,’
she remarked accusingly.
‘But since the last tank concentrated on you, I managed to slip
past him and roll you in between his tracks before he could crush
you.’
‘Ah, so we are both dead and this is a dream,’ he surmised.
‘No silly, I pressed the beacon on your gauntlet and Skibladne
appeared,’ she relished in telling him this story.
‘I used the mindcom and told her you were dying and we
needed to get rid of this thing on top of us.’
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358. Igor Swann
‘So you told her a sob story,’ Angel tried to joke, but ended up
coughing his lungs out.
‘Well it worked,’ Ricci pulled a sour face, ‘I think she got mad or
something because the tank thing lifted off us and landed about
50 feet away on its back. Then she fired something and it
vaporized.’
#it was a tractor beam and concentrated tachyon cannon
burst# Skibladne filled in the gaps.
‘Now why didn’t I think of that,’ he said feeling stupid;
Skibladne could have remotely taken care of all three Reapers
without breaking a sweat.
‘Because you men always need to do the macho thing, and
won’t ever ask for help from a lady,’ Ricci’s sarcastic reply rubbed
salt in the wounds.
‘Well I guess I owe you both my life,’ he sputtered sincerely.
‘Thank you princess and thank you my lady.’
‘Yep, you owe me one. Again,’ Ricci grinned.
Angel was unsure how he owed her, again, but actually did not
mind owing this green-eyed girl.
‘How is my brother?’ he asked.
‘He is fine, apparently there were only 3 of those things in the
area,’ Ricci answered.
‘Now get some sleep. I will be back to check on you a little
later,’ she said and left.
Angel almost immediately fell into a deep sleep, and only
awoke several hours later.
This time he did not feel stiff, sore and groggy like before.
‘Thank you beautiful, I appreciate it,’ he said to Skibladne.
#pleasure my lord# Skibladne answered.
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359. Waking the Angel
He disembarked and went to look for the others.
All of them except for Ricci and Laidin sat in the tranquillity
lounge area having a royal time. Guival entertained them with
magic tricks. They stopped when they saw him approach and
rushed over.
‘Glad to see you are still in one piece my lord,’ Kirom remarked.
‘Reports of my death have been exaggerated, but not by much,’
Angel grinned.
‘We heard you took on 3 Reapers with your bare hands, and
won,’ Gemmi exclaimed in amazement.
‘Well little one, firstly it was not bare handed, I had the sword
of Freyr with me. Secondly, I had to crash a hover-cycle into the
second one. And lastly, Skibladne and Ricci destroyed the third
reaper after Ricci saved my life, when that thing was about to
crush me,’ Angel recounted his version.
‘Ricci told us a quite different story of how you single handily
destroyed all 3 reapers, then carried her and placed her in the
recovery module, before collapsing in the other one,’ Kirom
heartily retold the previous version of the story.
Angel frowned, and then smiled.
‘Oh, it is probably because I gave the Valk’r all the credit for the
victory against the Taur. She is trying to repay the favour, but I
assure you, she deserves all the recognition,’ he looked around.
‘By the way, where are Ricci and Laidin?’
‘In the archives,’ Guival assumed.
‘Doing what?’ Angel’s interest peaked, especially after their last
conversation.
‘Don’t know. They were very secretive about it. Anyway you
must be starving.’
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360. Igor Swann
Guival showed Angel to a chair, while Loser ran off.
‘He said he’ll go make you your favourite food,’ Gemmi relayed
the message.
While they waited, they chatted about the way forward and
what they are planning to do next.
‘I need to see my caves,’ Kirom solemnly remarked.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I think earth is beautiful but home is
where the Dwar heart is.’
‘I don’t know. Earth is one of the friendliest planets I have ever
spied on,’ Guival grinned.
‘I am in two minds as well,’ Angel frowned.
‘I missed earth, but like a brother in jail. You love him but you
don’t speak about him, now I miss Arken and space.’
His reminiscence about his newfound home abruptly ended
with the appearance of two excited faces.
They had apparently become like naughty twins since Ricci’s
return.
‘We got it,’ Ricci beamed.
‘Okay, go back one, got what?’ Guival asked.
‘The proof, or rather the disproof of the proof,’ Ricci explained.
‘It was here?’ Angel asked.
‘Yes,’ Laidin answered.
‘What was here? What are you talking about, somebody better
answer me or I start busting heads,’ Kirom growled.
‘Patience Master Dwar, all will become clear soon,’ Laidin
smiled and turned to Angel, ‘I started searching for it right after
you left. After hearing the story of Thrud, I had a hunch Sif might
have stolen the evidence, to protect it from being destroyed, with
the help of her son. She had to get it off world so I further
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361. Waking the Angel
deduced she must have given it to Thrud. That left New Valhalla
as the most likely place for the evidence to reside.’
‘Why did you think they would keep it here, and not use it to
disprove the current house’s claims?’ Angel asked.
‘It was too dangerous to use it then, and Sif needed to protect it
in the event of a generation down the line wanting to reclaim the
throne.’
‘Why did the Valk’r not have reference to it in their archives?’
Laidin unrolled one of the scrolls.
‘Since not even I can properly decipher it. It is written in the
forgotten tongue of ancient El.’
‘Then how do you know it’s a forgery,’ asked Gemmi.
‘Smart girl,’ Laidin smiled at her.
‘Because Skibladne was kind enough to date the paper and ink
for us,’ she beamed.
‘This document had been signed 200 years after the date at the
bottom of the document implies.’
‘Huh?’ Gemmi said.
‘The paper and ink had been created 200 years after the
document was supposedly written, young one,’ Laidin explained.
‘Hey, I thought Skibladne is my ship? You two are using her
more than I do,’ Angel expressed in mock disgust.
‘I am sorry my lord, we promise to ask next time?’ Laidin smiled.
‘So then you two are princesses, congratulations,’ Angel happily
replied.
‘Okay, if somebody does not tell me what is going on right now,
Mjolnir and I are going to do some serious damage?’ Kirom
snarled, not impressed that he had been left out of the loop.
Laidin started her introductions.
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362. Igor Swann
‘Kirom my dear friend, I would like to introduce you to your
cousin, this is princess Ricci. You share a common ancestor.’
‘A common ancestor?’ a puzzled Kirom enquired.
‘Grand Master Thor,’ Laidin said with as much effect as she
could muster.
‘What? She is Dwar?’ he exclaimed.
‘And El,’ Laidin added.
‘And human,’ Angel threw in his two-cent worth.
‘Stop you make me sound like some horrible half-breed,’ Ricci
complained pulling a sour face.
‘I do not understand?’ Kirom remarked bemused.
‘You are from the Bloodline of Magni son of Thor, a pure Dwar
line. I am from the line of Ullr son of Sif a pure El line. However,
Ricci is from the bloodline of Thrud, the union of Thor and Sif.
That would make her a relative to both of us,’ Laidin explained.
Ricci walked over to where Mjolnir lay on the table and easily
picked it up.
Kirom’s mouth hung open; only one of Thor’s descendants
could lift Mjolnir.
‘Incredible!’ Guival breathed.
‘Incredible is an accurate observation,’ Laidin remarked, ‘we
already tested the Bow of Odin and she is able to use it as well.’
‘Hmmm, so she can steal all our weapons and hijack my ride,’
Angel jested to the enjoyment of the crowd.
‘From the information Ricci and I uncovered while searching for
the falsified documents, it gets a lot more complicated,’ Laidin
continued.
‘I wondered why I have the gene, which make mind transform
possible. So we combined our research,’ Ricci said.
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363. Waking the Angel
‘Apparently Odin of the Aesir’s wife Frigg was human and their
son Tyr became the stepson of Thor and Sif. We know Frigg and
Freyja were very close since Frigg often borrowed Gyrfalcon,
which like Skibladne you need the gene to operate. Of course, this
is before Freyja coded Gyrfalcon with her DNA. So we must
assume Frigg had the gene as well.’
‘Go on,’ Angel was mesmerized by this story.
‘The most logical explanation is that because of Odin’s alien
genetic makeup the TNFR-12 gene was fused into Tyr’s DNA.
Another very logical assumption is that Thrud found her way to
earth and to the Valk’r with the help of Tyr. She was his stepsister,
and he knew where the Valk’r was thanks to his mother,’ Laidin
paused.
‘We found one entry describing how close Tyr and Thrud was
from the Diary of Freyja. We asked Skibladne to analyze Ricci’s
DNA further but he did not have Odin’s DNA on file. Skibladne did
however find that unlike other humans whose TNFR-12 gene is
transposable, her gene fused into her DNA pattern. This is
because it is paired with an Aesir gene.’
‘So she is the daughter of the Dwar, the El and the Aesir,’ Guival
affirmed.
‘And the Vanir,’ Angel interjected. He felt he needed to make
sure everybody remembered her human allegiance, although
except for the hair that looked as if weaved from living gold, she
appeared completely human.
‘Yes I am a common quarter breed born from the rejects of all
the races,’ Ricci said in a sad voice.
‘Don’t ever say that!’ Kirom boomed angrily. Both Laidin and
Guival looked at her quite displeased.
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364. Igor Swann
‘You are the direct descendant of the greatest of our races,
Odin who was the father of the Aesir, Sif the last queen of the El,
and Thor the first Grand Master Dwar to carry Mjolnir. Never
tarnish their memory again.’
Ricci went as red as a fire engine.
‘I apologize, I am so sorry, I did not mean to insult you,’ she
mumbled.
‘It’s just, well, I feel like I belong nowhere. I do not fit in
anywhere anymore. I am not El or Dwar or Aesir or even human
for that matter.’
‘Belong nowhere?’ Kirom said softly, the anger had dissipated
as quickly as it appeared, ‘you belong everywhere. You fit into the
entire universe. You are the first true princess of the United
Galactic Empire.’
It dawned on the entire crowd that she embodied everything
the UGE stands for. She is the culmination of the UGE vision for
one universe.
Loser it seems had developed the ability to transform at will
now.
He ran in causing an earthquake scare on the lower levels, and
to Ricci’s relief distracted attention from her uncomfortable
situation. He carried four platters stacked with goodies to the
loud applause of his fellow crewmembers.
While they ate, Angel spoke softly to Ricci.
‘I understand that you might still feel like an outcast, even after
what Kirom said. However, just imagine what your ancestry
embedded in you DNA. You have the strength and fortitude of the
Dwar. You have the agility, beauty, and wisdom of the El. The
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365. Waking the Angel
intelligence and emotional control of a mind transformed human,
and maybe even the magic of the Aesir.’
‘You are only saying that, because it’s true,’ Ricci said flushed,
but slowly came around.
‘You are also the descendant of the greatest legends in
mythology,’ Angel declared, ‘how cool is that?’
Ricci nudged him, ‘you still like me don’t you?’
Angel felt his cheeks burning, he started to stumble over his
words like a schoolboy trying to talk to the girl he liked for the
first time; and she was the most popular girl in school.
‘I er, you see, what I want to say, I meant to say,’ Laidin
interrupted, ‘oh for the love of Odin,’ she exclaimed in mock
irritation.
Angel gave Laidin one look that immediately made her return
her attention back to Kirom who was sitting next to her.
Angel got up and pulled Ricci up with him. He gently held her
hand while she followed him to his quarters. Ricci did not protest.
At his quarters, he waited for Ricci to walk in and then followed
her, closing the door behind him. After the events of the last
couple of days, he did not have the energy to play games any
longer.
This was the girl of his dreams.
Sitting on his bed, Ricci sat quietly, looking at him with her
twinkling green eyes while he gathered the courage to say what
was on his mind.
He took a seat next to her, holding her hand.
Talking about emotions had never been easy for Angel. On
earth, he had always been one of those guys that girls would ask
on a date. He never had to make an effort to meet girls, since they
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366. Igor Swann
always approached him. Now for the first time in his life he had to
be the instigator, and this was hard.
‘I er,’ Angel said still not quite knowing what to say. Looking at
Ricci, he could see that he was not going to get any help from her.
Seeing the soft look in her eyes, hidden behind the naught glint,
finally gave him the courage that he needed.
‘I love you,’ he whispered.
‘Sorry, I did not catch that,’ she pretended not to hear.
Angel shuffled uncomfortably.
Ricci decided to rescue him. She could see how difficult that
was for him to say aloud, and got up from the bed. She walked
around to face him and knelt so her face was inches from his.
She leaned over and gently kissed him.
‘I love you too,’ she whispered back.
They kissed again, not wanting the moment to ever end.
Ricci finally broke the embrace and suggested that they get
some drinks. The others were missing in action, so the two of
them spend the biggest part of the night talking, well, their lips
moved... a lot.
‘It’s getting late, and we are both tired,’ Angel finally said. Both
were unenthusiastic to go to sleep, but they knew that much work
still lay ahead and tomorrow was going to be another busy day.
‘Yep,’ Ricci reluctantly agreed.
Angel walked her to her quarters, kissed her good night, and
walked back to his quarters on a cloud.
‘Crap, now the last bit of intelligence you had to exhibit has
dissipated,’ LOBE’s irritated voice came into his head.
358

367. Waking the Angel
Angel would not be able to get mad at LOBE even if he started
calling his mother names.
‘LOBE my dear friend, how have you been?’ he asked.
‘Have you gone quite insane?’ LOBE looked at Angel’s thoughts,
‘Yep, brain has gone all mushy in your section,’ LOBE answered
himself.
‘Life is wonderful isn’t it?’ Angel replied dreamily.
‘We are dead,’ LOBE cried in mock anguish.
Angel grinned foolishly.
‘I will leave all the thinking to you for now, okay.’
‘As opposed to...’ LOBE teased Angel.
‘Ah shut-up,’ Angel said happily.
‘I’m going to sleep now. You work out what we are supposed to
do next.’
359

368. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 52
By the time, LOBE managed to wake Angel and get him to the
command centre it was almost mid morning. Ricci smiled as he
walked in.
‘Morning sleepy head’ she said.
‘Good morning princess,’ he said but felt too self-conscious to
give her a kiss.
‘We have been getting reports on increased activity in China.
Bands of Taur remnants seem to be reforming and they are
getting to be more than just an irritation. They’ve holed up
somewhere and the Chinese cannot track them to their base of
operations,’ Ricci reported.
Damn Alra’st, Angel thought, I forgot all about him, this must be
his work.
LOBE also had something to add.
‘The UGE fleet will arrive in four hours.’
‘Ricci, please have the team assemble in the war room. We
have urgent matters to discuss,’ he said and walked out deep in
thought.
‘As you wish my lord,’ she said, her face showed no emotion,
but she felt twisted up inside.
She watched him leave, wondering if she did something to
offend him, or if the previous evening was just a dream.
He was still the UGE Lord after all, she finally decided without
much conviction.
Minutes later, the entire team sat around the table in the war
room.
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369. Waking the Angel
‘Friends we have little time. Two urgent matters need to be
discussed and dealt with swiftly,’ Angel looked at each of them.
‘Number one, I shot Alra’st down over China but did not finish
him off. It now seems he had amassed an army of sorts and is
terrorizing the country. If he manages to unite enough of his
original force he could become a real threat.’
He continued, ‘the second thing is the UGE fleet will arrive in
just over three and a half hours.’
‘So what is the plan?’ Gemmi asked.
‘The five of you, with Ricci leading the Gentari, will take care of
Alra’st and the Taur in China.’ Angel looked at Ricci and smiled as
he gripped the sword of Freyr, while it released itself from his
back.
‘I would like this back,’ he said as he handed it to her.
She took it without a word, averting her eyes from his.
Angel got serious again, ‘I will take the Dreadnaughts and go
help the UGE fleet.’
‘Be safe my friends,’ he said as they left to go and prepare.
‘Ricci,’ he called after her.
‘Yes my lord,’ she solemnly answered.
Angel examined her totally perplexed, ‘what is the matter?’
‘Nothing,’ she said coldly.
Angel looked at Ricci.
He felt such deep love for her it scared him.
She stood motionless as he softly put his hand under her chin
and pulled her gaze upwards until it met his.
Looking into her beautiful eyes, all he could think of was taking
her into his embrace again, feeling her heart beat next to his, her
warm breath caressing his neck, her lips tantalizingly seeking his.
361

370. Igor Swann
However, something was bothering her and he needed to find
out what it was.
‘Please talk to me princess,’ he quietly asked, ‘what is bothering
you?’
‘Would you even miss me if I did not come back?’ she asked
accusingly.
Where was this coming from? He thought completely taken
aback.
‘I do not understand you,’ Ricci angrily continued, ‘last night you
tell me you love me, but this morning you treat me as if I am
nobody. Like one of your pawns to order around and do your
bidding.’
Ricci took a deep breath before continuing, but Angel
intervened before she could.
‘I am so sorry. I have been neglecting you because I did not
know how to show affection in front of the troops and I did not
know if you were comfortable with it in front of yours. I am really
deeply in love with you. I wish I could take you with me and keep
you safe, but I know that would be wrong. I cannot protect a
warrior princess. I do not know what I would do if anything should
happen to you. I know it is not a bunch of roses, but the sword is
the only thing I could give you in the hopes of protecting you.
There is nothing and no one in the universe more precious to me
than you are.’
She smiled and jumped on him.
‘You are such an idiot, but I love you anyway,’ she grinned and
passionately kissed him.
362

371. Waking the Angel
He was laughing when he detached himself from her embrace,
when he was quite certain the battle would be over before they
would join in, if she had anything to say about it.
He looked pensive for a moment before speaking, ‘you do
understand that I am the UGE Lord, which means I might at stages
need to give you orders. Are you okay with that?’
‘As long as you always imply; please, my beautiful, precious,
love of my life and centre of my universe,’ she laughed, ‘and as
long as its orders from the UGE Lord, not Angel.’
‘Always, I promise,’ he vowed laughing.
‘Oh and if you are ever again too embarrassed to kiss me in
front of your friends, you will be surgically removing this sword
from your brain,’ she grinned.
‘Now my lord, I think you have wasted quite enough of my time.
I still need to prepare my troops,’ she replied in a mock irritable
tone and left.
She flipped her hair and winked at him over her shoulder.
Angel stared after her, where was that untouchable young
Valk’r he met a few days ago? He wondered.
He tapped his mindcom.
‘Commander Darkmoon-1, please prepare the dreadnaughts for
departure. We will be breaking orbit in 1 hour. Place them all on
full alert. The Darkmoons will remain in position.’
He walked off to Skibladne to prepare, and say his last farewell
to his team.
They were already in the hangar when he got there. Both Kirom
and Laidin looked eager for a fight. Gemmi chatted with Loser and
Guival, and Ricci did equipment checks with the Gentari.
‘My lord,’ Laidin said for the first time voicing her concerns.
363

372. Igor Swann
‘Do you think it is a good idea to go on your own?’
‘Why princess? Eight giant dreadnaughts will accompany me. I
am sure I will be fine.’
Angel looked pensive, ‘my concern is for you guys.’
‘Don’t be my lord. We are seasoned warriors. We have the most
amazing skill set available in this team, and we are fit and ready.’
‘Then may Sif guide your bow,’ Angel said.
‘And your ship,’ Laidin returned.
He walked over and shook Guival and Kirom by the hand. He
gave Gemmi a hug, which unintentionally included Loser. Angel
went to Ricci dipping and kissing her to the delight of her
squadron.
‘Good luck princess,’ he whispered.
‘You too angel,’ she whispered back; then seemed bemused.
‘Hmmm, that won’t work, I’ll have to find a new pet name for
you,’ she laughed.
She turned to her highly amused team.
‘Okay you lot, show’s over, move out,’ she ordered.
He stood on the launch-bay platform as the fifty odd fighters
disappeared into the distance.
Slowly he turned and purposefully strode towards Skibladne.
The Dreadnaughts were already in formation when he arrived.
‘Follow me lads, maximum burn,’ he ordered as he placed
Skibladne at the head of the formation.
364

373. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 53
Laidin set her scanners to detect Taur vehicles as the squadron
crossed the Chinese border.
‘There is a large contingent less than 400 miles from here.’
‘Shall we proceed there?’ Kirom asked.
‘If it is not the main force it would be a good place to start,’
Laidin decided.
‘Then lead on my lady.’
They flew over the target area a little while later.
‘That is the burial mounds of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, there are
more than 7000 Terracotta warrior statues down there. We are
on a valuable historic site. We cannot just carpet bomb this area,’
Ricci explained into her mindcom.
‘Then we go on foot,’ Kirom revelled at the thought, up close
and personal, just the way he likes it.
‘I have detected an unused tunnel leading from the foot of that
mountain into the area where the Taur are assembled. Ricci you
take the Gentari and cover the front entrance. We will go in
through the mountain passage. Wait for our signal before you
land and attack,’ Laidin ordered.
‘Keep your eyes open for traps. These tombs are renowned for
its booby traps,’ Ricci warned.
They landed close to the secret mountain passage.
‘Are we ready?’ Laidin asked looking at each of them in turn.
‘Ready,’ Kirom said gritting his teeth.
‘Good to go,’ Gemmi had a determined look on her face.
365

374. Igor Swann
Laidin felt happy thoughts from Loser.
Guival did a few quick metamorphoses into different objects
and let loose a thunderbolt from his fingertips, which melted a
nearby boulder into a small pool of glass.
‘At your command princess,’ he said.
Gemmi looked at him in amazement, ‘I did not know you could
do that?’
‘Aesir are magicians little one, and you never asked,’ he
grinned.
Laidin scrutinized the entrance for any sign of danger.
‘Proceed with caution. Kirom you take the lead. Your eyes are
best for spotting traps,’ Laidin commanded.
Ricci did not exaggerate on the amount of traps in the passage,
and the team advanced at a crawl.
‘Duck,’ Kirom yelled, as a trap accidentally triggered, and a huge
blade came whirring down, missing Gemmi by inches as Loser
jumped hard on her back, flattening her.
‘Thanks Loser old buddy,’ she breathed after noticing her
narrow escape.
They came to a section paved with stones, each etched with a
symbol.
‘This is clearly a trap. We can probably only move on certain
stones in a sequence,’ Laidin said, ‘but how do we figure out
which.’
‘My turn,’ Guival said as he took up position in front of the
stones.
Guival extended his right arm towards the stones and started
depressing them with telekinesis one by one. Some caused metal
arrows to fly across the passage, others breathed flames or
366

375. Waking the Angel
caused spikes to shoot up from the floor, and some just fell away
into a bottomless pit. Guival continued until they had a clear path
mapped out to the other side.
‘Ladies first,’ he said.
‘Thanks!’ Laidin pulled a face at him.
Not much further, Kirom caught Laidin’s belt just before she fell
to a spiky death after she stepped on a trap Kirom did not detect
immediately.
The passage opened up into a cavern sporting a chasm running
through its centre.
The only way across seemed to be a massive drawbridge which
they needed to lower. Unfortunately, the drawbridge resided on
the other side of the gaping abyss.
‘This is obviously a route out and not in,’ Guival stated the
obvious.
‘What now? We can’t fly,’ Gemmi sounded despondent.
Laidin looked at the scene.
‘Loser can you make the jump?’ she asked.
Loser shook his head.
They could clearly see the crank used to lower the bridge. A
wedge kept the large iron brake in place to ensure it would not
accidentally drop the bridge. A swift movement and the bow of
Odin appeared in Laidin’s hand. She tapped the energy field and
ten arrows flew off, becoming one in flight and not only took out
the brake but the complete drawbridge control.
‘Guival, catch it!’ she commanded.
Guival extended his hands and telekinetically caught the rickety
bridge as it fell down.
‘Sorry should have warned you,’ Laidin apologized.
367

376. Igor Swann
The team gingerly made their way across to where a massive
iron door blocked the tunnel.
‘Kirom,’ Laidin gestured to the door.
‘Sorry, can’t. Look,’ he pointed to the support stones around
the door.
‘If I use Mjolnir on the door, it would cause a cave in and block
off that tunnel.’
‘Hmmm, then I assume the bow of Odin will have the same
effect, and Guival’s lightning attack as well,’ Laidin looked
thoughtful.
‘Loser, do you think you can rip out the door?’
Loser grew and grew; he looked like a blue gorilla on illegal
steroids.
He stood in front of the door, curled up his middle finger and
flicked. The door flew off its hinges, about 20 meters down the
passage and into a wall. Loser started gibbering excitedly as he
turned back into his smaller self.
‘Nice trick with the bow earlier on,’ Kirom commented as they
made their way down the musty passage.
‘Combining the 10 energy arrows into one, I did not think it was
possible.’
‘Power of the mind my dear Kirom.’
‘Yes, a quite brilliant mind.’
He sniffed the air.
‘We should be close now,’ Kirom observed, ‘I smell the stench
of Taur.’
Two corners and four traps later they could hear the tick-tick of
Taur feet on stone and the grumbling of Taur voices above them.
368

377. Waking the Angel
The roof had been made of stones that formed some kind of trap
door.
‘We go on three, Kirom you know what to do.’
She scanned the nodding heads around her.
‘Three,’ Laidin said.
Kirom whirled Mjolnir and smashed it against the trap door with
all his strength. Mjolnir transferred such energy into the rocks
that it broke into small projectiles each moving fast enough to
spontaneously combust.
Nothing within a 20 feet radius of the trap door stood or lived
for that matter.
Truthfully, if this had been one of those TV shows, which gives
clues, and you need to guess the object, nobody would be able to
guess a single object that occupied this space a few seconds
earlier.
They leaped into the room filled with hundreds of Taur, almost
like ants swarming inside their anthill.
Ten arrows dispersed inside the chamber and six found their
mark.
Mjolnir flew gracefully at a group of Taur standing around an
energy pod, which exploded on impact sending the Taur whom
escaped instant incineration, flying in several directions.
Loser grew to the size of a double-decker bus. He used an
unlucky Taur as a club against a few of his mates. Gemmi
cheerfully used her mind-trick to cause Taur to shoot at each
other. She then projected an image of each of the Taurs’ angry
369

378. Igor Swann
mothers-in-law1 into their minds. They ran around like crazy
chickens, some into the arms of Loser who gave them a great big
hug in sympathy. The compassion left them breathless...
permanently.
Guival let loose a giant fireball, which burnt a path of
destruction clear to the other side of the room. Weapon dumps
and energy cells stared exploding near its trajectory, Taur fell over
and lay still just in case they were dead.
‘Strrikkkke three, you’re out!’ Guival shouted in reference to a
weird earth game that he had grown addicted to while on the
Valk’r base.
Laidin managed to deflect a rather large chunk of metal with
her bow’s energy shield just as it threatened to displace her head
from its current position to the general vicinity of the opposite
wall.
Kirom lifted Mjolnir high above his head and brought it down on
the ground in front of him. The well-directed tremors dislodged
four huge statues falling on top of the Taur shooting from behind
it.
1
The Taur mother-in-law was the most feared creature in Taur society. If they
had to choose facing Kra’st or their mother-in-law, Kra’st would win every time.
It is assumed that female Taur birth is a combination of excruciating pain and
the longing for sedatives which of course in not available for Taur because it
would constitute a sign of weakness. The mother is therefore pissed off from
birth and that continues into the disappointment of the son-in-law not being a
success, since no Taur was.
370

379. Waking the Angel
A squad of Taur rushed in from the opposite entrance. Guival
let loose a lightning storm that melted the ground beneath them.
They sank into the molten glass where they remained entombed.
Laidin’s bow fired so fast it looked like a Gatling gun, and she
only broke the rhythm to use the bow-staff as a hand to hand
weapon, when needed.
The room quickly emptied. Gemmi held a line of Taur in check,
queuing nice and straight in front of Loser. He in turn held a huge
iron bar as a club and batted them one after the other as they
stepped up to the plate.
‘Wow you got some distance on that one,’ Gemmi remarked
after a particularly fine shot from Loser.
‘Finish up you two,’ Laidin commanded.
‘Okay,’ Gemmi shrugged.
The Taur started to run down the tunnel from which the
adventurers had previously appeared.
They heard screaming and shouting from the next chamber. The
five of them rushed in to see the Gentari leaving a lot of
destruction in their wake, with Ricci in the lead. The sword of
Freyr moved so fast it was near invisible; her tongue moved so
fast it was as well.
Ricci was a master of insults in her own mind, and now happily
threw them about, with complete disregard for how annoying
they were.
‘Hey you, yes you calf-boy. Shouldn’t you be hanging on your
mother’s teats?’
‘If you just weren’t so damn bull-headed; guess its genetics. Do
not worry I am a doctor. Let’s operate!’
‘Heehaw, time to send you space cows out to pasture.’
371

380. Igor Swann
‘Any of you mythological cattle wanna dance?’ and, ‘hey your
mamma wants her udder back. You cannot get it off. It is stuck on
your face. Wait, let me help!’ <Whack>
The quick and agile Gentari were as difficult to hit as catching a
summer breeze in your hands, never giving a target to the hapless
Taur. They would attack and disappear, and even with the thick
Taur armour protecting them, with so many wasp stings, they
were falling like cornered spiders.
A reaper fired up next to Kirom.
He absentmindedly brought down Mjolnir on the front of the
monstrous machine. Sparks and lightning shot from the point of
impact and the front of the reaper disintegrated into, well,
nothing really.
Another reaper bore down on four Gentari engaged in battle
with a group of Cen’t.
‘Get down,’ Laidin barked.
She let loose a flurry of arrows, which exploded on the back of
the reaper, leaving no more back of the reaper.
A heavy ion cannon that rained fire from a position above the
battleground had several Gentari pinned down.
Guival looked up and smiled.
He persuaded the cannon to overheat, which is apparently not
a great position for an ion cannon to be in, since it exploded.
A quite insistent Mino’t decided to charge Gemmi. She leaped
up using his double bladed axe as a platform and kicked him so
firmly in the face that it now protruded from the back of his head
like a glove turned inside out.
372

381. Waking the Angel
The Gentari warriors moved at speeds, which caused Laidin to
struggle to follow them. As Ricci, often and quite accurately, like
to point out,
‘We hit so fast you would think you are surrounded and we
duck so fast you would think you are alone.’
Glad I am not fighting them, Laidin thought.
Now that the Taur faced attackers from both sides, they began
to panic. One or two wild shots found their mark wounding a few
Gentari. Most of the Taur only carried their axes, which were
completely ineffective against the agile Gentari.
‘Guival to your left,’ Kirom yelled above the battle noise.
Guival let loose three fireballs in the direction Kirom suggested
before even trying to see what Kirom saw. Some unfortunate A
Sa’t shooting from behind crates, now facing great balls of fire,
screamed completely off key.
The balls burnt three neat round fissures through the crates,
the Taur, and the wall behind them.
A wild blaster shot hit Kirom in the leg, and he hobbled away
swearing revenge.
Loser flipped a reaper on its back with little effort. He grabbed
an armoured hover platform that shot at Gemmi and used it as a
Frisbee to help several Taur trying to escape through a tunnel get
to the exit much faster than expected. Most missed the tunnel
entrance completely.
<Splat>
Gemmi convinced several Taur gunners on a platform near the
ceiling that they could fly. She shrugged as they hit the ground,
‘who would have thought with all that hot air inside them they
don’t float.’
373

382. Igor Swann
Ricci separated two more Taur from their heads in one deft
movement, and smiled self-satisfied at her handiwork. From the
corner of her eye, she saw a Taur sneak up on the Valk’r beside
her. She grabbed the girl’s arm and swung her away from the
blow that would have cleaved her head in two, unfortunately it
still caught her on the shoulder ripping a big chunk of flesh from
it. She smiled appreciatively at Ricci, before swinging round and
removing the Taur’s head.
Gemmi in the meantime found a Taur to carry her around on his
shoulder, while she used him to do brain surgery on his comrades.
Finally, Laidin spotted Alra’st where he shouted commands
from a balcony in the far corner.
She aimed the bow and fired, but no arrows appeared. Her bow
had run out of energy with no vegetation to replenish its supply.
Apparently, Kirom spotted him as well because Mjolnir already
flew at great speed towards the back wall. It hit with incredible
force and the wall crumpled into dust, bringing down the balcony.
Alra’st fell heavily. His double bladed axe knocked from his hands.
Ricci moved like a cheetah as Alra’st bent to pick up the two
handed axe. As he came upright, he wondered why the axe felt so
light all of a sudden. It is around the same time he noticed he
would never be able to pick his nose again. He felt a little
detached at that moment, mostly from his arms, which lay in
front of Ricci’s feet, his axe firmly secured in its hand.
Alra’st saw red, but not from blood.
Ricci’s sword had moved so fast it actually fused the wounds
closed.
374

383. Waking the Angel
He was about to put his head down and charge, impaling
someone on his horns when he felt the slight prick of a steel blade
on his throat.
‘Moving your ugly head might not be a great career move at
this point in time,’ Ricci observed.
The team moved quickly towards their position. Most of the
Taur were dead, and the Gentari held the rest captive.
‘Alra’st my old friend, how is life treating you,’ Laidin smiled as
she noticed the severed arms, ‘hmmm, not too well it seems.’
‘Go to hell,’ he spat.
‘No thank you, I heard the weather is not great there this time
of year,’ Laidin remarked flatly.
‘What are you doing on earth?’ Alra’st spat again.
‘Oh we were tipped off by a very proficient spy,’ she said
nodding at Guival.
‘At your service,’ Guival made an elaborate bow.
‘Then our alliance did not betray us,’ Alra’st sighed with relief.
‘What was that?’ Laidin’s pointy ears pricked up.
‘Nothing, El scum, you will see for yourself when you return
home, or to what is left of it.’
He gave a gruff snort.
‘Okay girls get them out of here. We will hand them over to the
Chinese. I am sure they will love to get hold of a few of the dogs
who destroyed their cities,’ Ricci ordered.
She sheathed the sword or more precisely the sword sheathed
itself as she walked over to where Laidin stood looking worried.
‘So you intended having all the fun on your own cousin,’ she
said accusingly. Laidin looked up from her thoughts.
375

384. Igor Swann
‘Truthfully, yes, I thought you had lost more than enough good
fighters and I did not want you losing more. Secondly, I did not
want to be the one to explain to Angel why you did not return.
However, judging by what I saw, I was unjustifiably pessimistic.
You handled those Taur better than the best fighters I have ever
had the pleasure of seeing in action,’ Laidin said in earnest.
‘Seems I owe you an apology,’ Laidin added.
‘Accepted,’ Ricci looked extremely pleased at Laidin’s praise of
her fighters.
‘Shall we get out of here?’ Laidin asked with a nervous twinge in
her voice.
To what alliance was he referring? What is happening back
home? Her thoughts raced.
The team returned to New Valhalla in a rush and went straight
to the war room.
‘It seems the Taur were not the only force seeking to destroy
the UGE,’ Laidin told the troops when they were all seated.
‘We need to return home immediately,’ Kirom acknowledged.
‘I concur,’ Guival seconded the motion.
‘Then we are agreed, we leave immediately,’ Laidin echoed
their decision.
‘I’m coming with you,’ Ricci said without hesitation, she did not
intend to let her love go without her.
‘What about you Gems?’ Laidin asked.
‘I understand the reason for Ricci’s decision but that leaves the
Valk’r without a leader. I am trained to lead them, I therefore
should stay here.’ She spoke with so much authority that it
surprised Laidin.
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385. Waking the Angel
‘Wise decision young warrior. We will miss you and think of you
fondly and often,’ Laidin replied.
She felt extremely proud of the little scamp.
‘And I of you,’ Gemmi said now biting back a quivering lip.
‘Please visit soon.’
‘We will little one, you can count on that,’ Kirom said giving her
a hug.
‘Good bye my dearest friend,’ Guival held her tight,
‘I will be back soon, I promise.’
Laidin also gave her a hug and Ricci saluted her and shook her
hand.
Gemmi looked at Loser and then whispered something in his
ear.
‘Ricci,’ Gemmi said as Loser ran from the room, ‘Loser and I
have a little gift for you.’
Loser appeared again a few seconds later, dragging something
heavy.
Gemmi picked it up and handed it to Ricci.
‘Here. We think you might make better use of this than I will. I
value my friendship with Loser highly and this is of no use
gathering dust in the closet.’
‘You are giving me Dragonfang?’ Ricci asked surprise.
‘Yep, this sword looks much better than the one you have
strapped to your back,’ Gemmi announced.
‘The two swords are twins, Gemmi,’ Ricci laughed.
‘Yes, but this one has a bright red jewel in the hilt, and a golden
hilt. Anyway, you are a princess now. You are supposed to wear
jewels and I think it might be very useful in your new career,’
Gemmi grinned, referring to the Brisingamen jewel.
377

386. Igor Swann
Ricci spent her last moments saying goodbye to the only family
she ever knew.
They all said a fond farewell again and they all gave Loser a hug
before running for their fighters.
‘Ricci you will fly with me,’ Laidin said.
A Gentari honour guard stood at attention and saluted as she
took the seat behind Laidin.
Moments later a teary-eyed girl waved to them as they sped off
in the distance.
‘Well Loser, looks like it is just you and me again,’ she smiled
through the tears.
‘No your ladyship, you have a new family,’ one of the Gentari,
whom had silently gathered behind her, proclaimed.
‘Thank you,’ Gemmi said turning to look at them.
‘Now, shall we go have lunch? I’m starved.’
378

387. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 54
‘There they are boys, split into teams of two and target the
destroyers,’ Angel commanded, ‘fire at will.’
He turned his attention to Skibladne.
‘Battle mode, target Taur ships and open fire.’
Angel tapped his mindcom.
‘Hope this isn’t a private party,’ he laughed.
An astonished Teral stumbled across the words.
‘Angel? No my lord, you are most welcome.’
‘Thanks Teral, I hope I may be of service,’ Angel laughed as he
ploughed through the endless swarm of fighters.
Kra’st had Skibladne on view screen. She did as much damage
as all the other UGE fighters together.
‘What in mother’s womb1 is that?’ asked Kra’st.
‘Skibladne my lord,’ Tri’st responded trying his best not to
sound too intelligent.
‘That is impossible,’ Kra’st spat. He refused to believe anything
that he did not foresee, that means he pretty much believed in
nothing.
‘No my lord, it seems our intelligence reports were flawed, the
UGE Lord still lives.’
‘I want that ship destroyed!’ Kra’st barked.
‘Order all our ships to concentrate on it, promise great glory to
the Taur who obliterates it.’
1 As any Taur will tell you, this is the start of its time in hell.
379

388. Igor Swann
Teral, a seasoned veteran, immediately noticed the change in
the flow of the battle.
‘My lord the Taur is targeting Skibladne. I am creating a corridor
with the Battle cruisers and corvettes. See if you can lure them
through.’
‘I’ll try, but it is getting pretty hot in here, and Skibladne’s
shields are down to 8 percent.’
‘I would suggest you stop firing and reroute all available power
to shield generation and manoeuvring capabilities.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ Angel agreed as he ordered Skibladne into
stealth mode.
The weapons disappeared and Skibladne became very difficult
to track. It did not stop the thousands of Taur fighters from trying
to find and destroy her.
‘Okay, the ambush is ready, bring them through if you will my
lord,’ Teral said.
Angel become clearly visible, shining in the morning sun, and
made a few more turns to attract more eager Taur, before setting
off.
It worked beautifully. The fighters, bombers and even a capital
ship or two followed Skibladne into the tunnel of love, and Teral
loved every moment of it.
‘What is going on, where are my fighters?’ screamed Kra’st.
‘They are gone my lord along with five of the destroyers. We
have only a few corvettes and capital ships left, and a few
hundred fighters and bombers, shall I order the retreat?’ Tri’st
remarked head hanging.
‘NO; WE KEEP ON ATTACKING!’ Kra’st roared.
380

389. Waking the Angel
‘Then you leave me no choice sir,’ Tri’st pulled a blaster from his
belt and aimed it at Kra’st.
‘I should have done this a long time ago,’ he softly stated while
pulling the trigger repeatedly until he drained all the energy from
his blaster.
‘Order the retreat,’ Tri’st ordered one of the commanders who
looked at him in shocked disbelief.
Tri’st walked over and picked up Gungnir.
He made his point.
‘Now,’ he ordered again.
‘Open a channel to the commanding officer of the UGE fleet,’
Tri’st commanded.
‘Yes,’ Teral barked as Tri’st appeared on the screen.
‘Your lordship, I am Tri’st. Kra’st is dead. We had him removed
from power after he clearly displayed his madness. His ideals
were not that of the majority of Taur. I would like to propose a
truce.’
‘Why would I accept that after you murdered so many of my
people?’ Teral asked.
‘I have information that would be valuable to you my lord,’
Tri’st explained.
‘May I join you on your Battle cruiser to discuss the terms of our
surrender?’
‘Make it so,’ Teral said and turned to his commanders.
‘Stop the attack but stay on full alert.’
A few minutes later and the fireworks show on the battlefield
stopped except for a few UGE fighters that still had a score to
settle because of a fallen comrade.
381

390. Igor Swann
‘My lord you might want to join us on my cruiser,’ Teral
informed Angel.
‘Be right there.’
The room filled with fleet commanders and generals. Angel sat
at the head of the table next to Teral. Tri’st’s lone figure took a
seat at the opposite end. He came unescorted feeling if they
wanted to kill him, it would not matter how many men he had
with him.
‘Speak,’ Teral ordered.
Tri’st started by telling them about the allegiance, and the spy
in the UGE. How the spy told them where to find earth and to
destroy it. How the alliance were to destroy the rest of the UGE if
they destroyed the UGE Lord’s planet.
‘Who is this alliance?’ Angel asked.
‘We do not know Lord Kasparov, I do not think even Kra’st knew
who they were, but we do believe that they coerced Kra’st into
this madness.’
‘I am not Kasparov, Tri’st. My name is Angel,’ Angel corrected
him.
‘My Lord, you are not...?’ Tri’st expressed confused, but he was
interrupted by Teral.
‘We have to return, now!’ Teral commanded.
He looked at Tri’st.
‘You will return home immediately, and you will dismantle your
fleet. We will be sending an inspection team, and if they find you
are reconstructing a fleet at any stage, we will destroy you and all
your planets. Is that understood?’ Angel gave the ultimatum.
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391. Waking the Angel
‘Understood,’ Tri’st said thankfully, ‘I am as concerned as you
are, I just did not have the strength to stand up to Kra’st and his
madness. I am sure the alliance was a subterfuge technique to get
our fleet away from our home. I believe we both have the same
fears regarding our homes.’
‘Then you may use the Bifrost jump to return home. I am sure
you are as eager to get back as we are,’ Angel said.
Teral flashed him a disapproving look but said nothing.
‘Thank you,’ Tri’st said softly.
He turned to an object wrapped in cloth that lay next to him.
‘I believe this belongs to you Arch Chancellor,’ he said and
walked to Teral unveiling Gungnir.
Teral stared in wonder at the spear of his forefathers.
It was thought lost forever.
‘You had it all this time?’ he asked.
‘Yes, one of Kra’st’s forefathers found it after raiding a planet in
your sector.’
‘Thanks,’ Teral said trying hard not to project his joy.
‘Now get off my ship. I need to prepare for the jump,’ Teral
ordered Tri’st and then spoke into his mindcom, ‘order the
dreadnaughts to go pick up the Darkmoons, get the fleet in
formation we are jumping within the hour.’
Angel walked over to Tri’st, ‘I hope your planet is safe. I have
felt the fear of losing everyone and everything you love. It is not
something I would wish on anyone.’
Tri’st nodded and left silently, we may have been wrong about
the lord of theirs. He shows compassion when others would have
shown their teeth.
383

392. Igor Swann
He had a lot to think about on his way back to Kra’st’s, no, his
cruiser.
He stepped onto the command deck of the Taur Sovereign
Destroyer and gave the order for the fleet to fall into formation.
He initiated a fleet wide broadcast.
‘The UGE Lord has graciously allowed us to use the earth jump
back to Taur space,’ he paused before continuing.
‘It seems the alliance Kra’st so foolishly got us involved in has
betrayed us. We have good reason to fear they have turned on
our own defenceless planets. We have followed a madman for too
long. It is time we lived not as terrorists and pirates, but as the
brave and noble warriors we are.’
‘We will follow the UGE fleet into the jump, and pray that there
is a home to return to.’
384

393. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 55
‘Requesting permission to land,’ Laidin’s thoughts projected
through the mindcom.
‘You and your team have permission to land my lady. Good
timing, we will be entering the jump momentarily.’
They walked onto the bridge where they found Angel and Teral
deep in conversation, both got to their feet as they saw the party
approach.
‘Welcome back my friends. I am glad to see you are all still
kicking,’ Angel smiled.
Angel turned to Teral, ‘may I introduce to you Ricci of the
Valk’r?’
‘Pleased to meet you Ricci, I am Chancellor Teral of the Aesir,
commander of this fleet.’
‘Teral would you be so kind as to fill the party in on recent
events,’ Angel requested.
He grabbed Ricci’s hand and they hurriedly walked to a private
room.
‘I am so glad you are safe my love and that you chose to join
us,’ he said and kissed her.
‘Hah, you won’t get rid of me that easily,’ she said and held him
tight.
‘Anyway I would like to see my other three home worlds,’ she
grinned.
‘If there is anything left of them,’ Angel’s mood turned sombre.
‘That is true,’ she agreed in a subdued tone.
385

394. Igor Swann
‘What do you mean?’ Angel’s curiosity pricked up since he had
not told her what they had learned yet.
‘We captured Alra’st. He told us of an invasion force heading for
your planets,’ Ricci explained, ‘that is why we rushed here.’
‘Hmmm, yes, we gathered the same intelligence after we
defeated the Taur Armada.’
‘How did your mission go on earth? I know you finished off
Alra’st but how did the rest play out?’
‘Walk in the park,’ she smiled.
‘Oh by the way here is your toy back. I grew very attached to it
so you almost did not get it back, but then Gemmi gave me this
one which is a lot better suited to my particular skills,’ she
grinned.
‘Thanks darling, but what makes that sword so special?’ he said
while placing the sword of Freyr on his back. He did not realize
how naked he felt without it.
‘I’ll show you,’ she giggled and drew her sword, Dragonfang.
The jewel began to glow and Angel started to feel funny. Suddenly
Ricci screamed and dropped to her knees.
‘What happened, my love?’ Angel asked concerned. Ricci sat
holding her head.
‘She tried to make you dance the funky chicken,’ LOBE
interjected without any malice, ‘I just reflected the thought back
to her, but it seemed the Brisingamen jewel in Dragonfang
resisted and from there her discomfort.’
‘Oh, I am so sorry darling. I should have warned you that the
mind tricks do not work on a UGE Lord. We have studied blocking
techniques,’ Angel said sounding truly sorry.
386

395. Waking the Angel
‘I too am sorry. I should not have tried to make a fool out of
you,’ she said, ‘but dammit, I wish I knew your mind was like a
hotrod with an illegal engine. Throughout history no one has ever
been able to withstand the Brisingamen jewel, although, I do not
remember anyone using it on a UGE Lord. That is probably why
the jewel threw its toys.’
‘I do not understand? Why did Gemmi give you the jewel?’
Angel asked.
‘She did not give me her Brisingamen jewel. This is the other
half of the jewel. Let me explain,’ Ricci said, launching into the
same story she told Gemmi when she presented the sword to her.
She told him what happened to Loser and why Gemmi did not
want Dragonfang.
‘Incredible, I knew nothing of any of this,’ Angel said, ‘so your
sword was forged from the mould of the Sword of Freyr?’
‘Yes although yours is made from Zellion and mine Draupnite,
and mine does not have the nano-technology, it does have the
jewel making it a lot more powerful, and better looking,’ she
teased playfully.
Angel laughed.
‘It seems the gods think we are a pair my love,’ she observed.
‘How do you figure that?’ he asked in mock ignorance.
‘Well they gave us the two most powerful twin swords in the
known universe; don’t you think that is a little too coincidental?’
she stated.
‘Princess, I would have loved you even if all the gods and aliens
in the universe were against our union,’ Angel declared and kissed
her.
‘But now, tell me what happened this morning.’
387

396. Igor Swann
She gave him a rundown of the morning’s events of course
focusing on her capture of Alra’st in detail.
‘That’s my girl,’ Angel laughed.
When she finished he shared his little adventure with her, but it
seemed to pale in comparison.
‘So Alra’st spilt his guts,’ Teral thought came into their heads.
‘Not quite, I think he accidentally let slip about the alliance,’
Laidin remarked.
‘Oh I actually meant he was sliced and diced but that’s good
too. I am just glad you are all safe, and here.’ Teral looked at
Kirom and felt a sickening grief befall him.
‘Now if you would leave me, your quarters have been prepared,
get some rest,’ he expressed a tired thought.
They all stood up to leave.
‘Not you Kirom!’ Teral thought to him.
Kirom looked at Teral in surprise, but sat back down.
‘Kirom, I am afraid I have dreadful news. I do not quite know
how to put this to you. You know that Brom and I have been
blood brothers for many years. We shared a bond that transcends
space and time. Your brother returned to Arken because he a
disturbance in the universe, and with good reason.’
He placed his hand on Kirom’s shoulder.
‘I am sorry my friend, there is no easy way for me to say this. I
felt the bond severe last night. I am afraid your brother has
passed on to his next life.’
‘No,’ Kirom screamed and sobbed uncontrollably, ‘Brom can’t
be dead, no, no, no; you must be mistaken!’
388

397. Waking the Angel
‘I am truly sorry Kirom, but I am not wrong in this. I am hurting
as well. He was my blood brother and dearest friend.’
‘I need to be alone!’ Kirom’s cried as he left for his quarters.
‘I understand,’ Teral thought back to him.
It was a long and anxious journey home.
Most of the team spent the time on their own, but Angel and
Ricci became inseparable. They were permanently in each other’s
company, sitting together whispering and giggling. Siamese twins
attached at the hip seem to be an apt description.
Kirom appeared for dinner once or twice, but always sat on his
own. He refused to speak to anyone except Laidin.
Guival spent most of his time with Teral giving him the full
details of their exploits on earth.
Teral had asked Laidin to verify some of the details when the
stories became too absurd, but she only served to amplify the
absurdity.
She told Teral what an integral part of the team Guival was. She
told him about Guival’s bravery, his ingenuity, and his amazing
feats.
Teral was highly impressed. Guival, having proved himself on
numerous occasions, might be just the Aesir he was looking for.
The day before they left the Bifrost jump there had been a
ceremony.
It served to release some of the tension they all felt. Teral
awarded Guival the position of Aesir Ambassador to the UGE. He
would have to answer only to Teral in the entire Aesir Empire.
He performed a stately bow following which Teral tapped
Gungnir on his shoulders.
389

398. Igor Swann
Gungnir kept on wanting to turn inward point first, because it
never missed, but Teral kept it under control with magic.
Teral said a few words on his bravery and commitment and
then officially handed him the appointment.
‘There is this little matter of outstanding danger pay,’ Guival
joked holding out his hand.
Teral gave him a disapproving look.
‘Why could your ancestors not be Odin instead of Loki,’ Laidin
sighed lightening the mood.
‘Great job my dear friend,’ Angel slapped Guival on the back,
‘you deserve it.’
Ricci ran up and kissed him. She seemed to be in the mood to
kiss everything. Some of Teral’s crew had close encounters of the
Ricci kind, and were now avoiding the sectors of the ship, which
she frequented.
Even Kirom congratulated him. It seemed as if Laidin’s
encouragement had lightened his mood slightly.
390

399. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 56
The moment they left the jump, the fleet went to maximum
burn for Arken.
Teral tried to contact them.
‘Qren, come in Qren!’
‘Teral you’re back, I am so glad to hear your voice,’ Qren
exclaimed after a long anxious wait.
‘What is the situation?’ Teral asked.
‘It is unclear. The ancient fleet has stopped moving.’
‘Ancients, like Noone?’ Teral asked surprised.
‘Yes. He has joined them. They captured Princess Sharin, and we
presume they destroyed the fleet Grand Master Brom
commanded. We have no means of defending ourselves against
them,’ Qren continued.
‘They destroyed most of the Taur planets in their path. For
some reason they have not destroy any of our planets, yet. They
have now for some mysterious reason stopped, a long way from
Arken and have not moved for the past day.’
‘Well at least that might be a positive sign,’ Teral mumbled.
‘We should reach Arken in the hour.’
‘That would be most welcome,’ Qren’s genuine appreciation
entered into his mind.
‘What the hell is going on?’ Teral threw his thoughts at the
team sitting in front of him.
‘I think that will be revealed soon enough,’ Angel voiced his
opinion.
391

400. Igor Swann
‘The ancients came too far to hang around and do nothing,’ he
concluded.
‘They might simply be recharging weapons,’ Ricci ventured.
‘A chilling thought but a plausible one,’ Laidin acknowledged.
‘I think I need to have a little chat with our new neighbours,’
Angel decided.
‘I’m coming too,’ Ricci affirmed.
‘We all are,’ Laidin concluded with nods around the room.
‘I will continue on to Arken, and see what we can do from there.
For some reason the object of their affection seem to be Arken,’
Teral remarked.
‘How do you figure that?’ Kirom asked.
Teral pointed at the holo-map showing the estimated course
the Ancients followed based on the Taur planets they destroyed.
‘Their course leads straight to Arken,’ Teral argued.
‘Guys and girls load up your horses, we are moving out in five,’
Angel said, but received only blank stares from around the room.
‘Er, would you ladies and gentlemen be so kind as to dock your
fighters in Skibladne’s hangar bay. We are leaving in five minutes,’
he tried again.
The team scrambled.
‘Thank you!’
Ricci remained standing.
‘Should I try again?’ he remarked jokingly, ‘which words did you
misunderstand?’
‘I don’t have a fighter,’ she pulled a sour face at him.
‘Oh? Sorry darling, I forgot.’
Teral overheard this and smiled.
392

401. Waking the Angel
‘You are a descendant of Odin, if I heard the rumours correctly?’
Teral asked.
‘Yes sir, I am,’ Ricci announced proudly.
‘Then come with me,’ Teral commanded her.
She looked questioningly at Angel who shrugged.
‘Meet you at Skibladne honey,’ he shouted after her, whilst
admiring her tight bottom.
The duo walked through endless corridors, before they came to
a halt in front of Teral’s personal hangar bay.
‘As a descendant of Odin, and my only living relative, as well as
being the first princess of the UGE I am please to present you with
this gift from the Aesir.’
Teral paused for dramatic effect.
‘Sleipnir, Odin’s personal ship,’ Teral said in the style of a true
showman.
‘You are giving me my own ship?’ Ricci shrieked excitedly.
‘You may speak in your mind cousin, I will hear you,’ Teral said
tapping his head.
‘Sorry, I forgot sir,’ she thought back to him.
Teral opened the sliding door.
The strangest ship Ricci had ever seen greeted her.
It looked like an eight-legged golden spider. The body appeared
broad and flat, forming into a fin at the back and short stubby
wings.
Teral saw her look at the ship in a strange way.
‘This ship may look strange, but it has quite amazing properties.
Firstly, it is a walker, so it is quite comfortable as a ground assault
vehicle. Unlike fighters that are loud and difficult to manoeuvre
393

402. Igor Swann
close to the ground, this fighter is noiseless and extremely quick
over any terrain. However, that is not all; you also get a beautiful
fighter and a versatile submersible thrown in. When in a
substance other than air or space, where normal engines will not
propel you, the legs will ‘swim’. If you wish to use it as a fighter,
the legs will seamlessly fold away into the hull of the ship, and you
will have one of the most manoeuvrable fighters in the UGE.’
Ricci’s smile widened.
Teral noticed and started to close the sale.
‘The legs also act as tunnelers. This allows you to dig through
virtually any material. Last but not by any means least; there is
one other unique attribute to this craft. Something they have not
even been able to duplicate it the amazing Skibladne. It is able to
teleport itself and its occupants for short distances, as far as the
short-range scanners can detect an opening large enough to fit
the ship. Normally not more than 400 meters or so away, but it is
quite handy in a pinch. This is the only teleportation device in the
UGE that is able to teleport sentient beings without killing them.’
‘Great! Amazing, may I fly her please?’ Ricci looked like Santa
just brought her the bike she always wanted. She always liked the
idea of being different and this ship was most definitely different.
‘She is yours my dear, of course you may. But I think the UGE
Lord would like to depart, so let us get in and you teleport us into
Skibladne’s hull, okay?’ Teral suggested.
‘Cool,’ Ricci acknowledged happily.
They got inside and Ricci activated the short-range scanners.
‘There is Skibladne. Now to scan into the hull… there are the
other fighters… and there is a space. Okay let’s see if we will fit,’
Teral narrated as Ricci played with the controls. She touched a
394

403. Waking the Angel
few buttons and a red outline of Sleipnir appeared on the
scanner. She moved it around with a touch pad until it fit perfectly
behind Laidin’s fighter. It turned blue.
‘Teleporting now!’ she said and pressed the teleport button.
A few seconds later and they appeared inside Skibladne.
‘I forgot to tell you the teleport engine takes a few seconds to
warm up. So make sure you can spare that if you need to teleport
urgently.’
‘That’s not too bad, she said. But the selection of the
destination takes a while too,’ Ricci commented.
‘That will get a lot easier with practice,’ Teral remarked while
they disembarked.
They walked onto the bridge.
‘So are we going or what?’ asked Ricci.
‘What? How did you get onboard? I never saw you coming and I
did not open the hatch?’ Angel asked confused.
‘We came with the great new ship Teral gave me,’ she said
before adding, ‘don’t worry your pretty little head. I’ll tell you all
about it later.’
‘Well my friends, good luck. I will see you soon,’ Teral stated but
did not sound overly optimistic.
Skibladne swiftly closed the distance to the ancient fleet. A
tense crew sat on the command deck dressed in their jump suits.
They kept themselves busy with the controls in front of them,
praying to any god willing to listen, which they preferred to the
alternative of staring at each other and wondering how they were
going to die.
Angel had an idea.
395

404. Igor Swann
‘Qren, do me a favour. Please, go look on Noone’s
communicator for the last frequency he dialled in?’ he said into
his mindcom.
‘On my way,’ Qren’s thoughts came back.
A little while later, ‘okay I’m transmitting them to Skibladne
now. I can’t believe we never thought of that,’ Qren said.
Angel started transmitting on the frequency as soon as they
were in range of the ancient fleet.
‘This is Angel, representative of the UGE, requesting permission
for an audience.’
He continued to broadcast this.
The lead ship, a hulking monster, well most of them were but
this one was as big as a Darkmoon, only larger, completely filled
Skibladne’s view screen.
Minutes went by.
‘It’s not working; he must have reset the dials,’ Guival observed
miserably.
Angel tried another approach.
‘Okay Skibladne. Try using normal deep space communication
that matches the frequency range from your energy source.’
He got this idea from Guival at the pyramid of Giza.
The others looked at him with huge question marks on their
faces.
‘The energy source is from them right. So it is assumed they
have equipment that can detect variations in the frequency range
from the radiation emitted by the energy source,’ he replied as if
he could not understand why his request baffled them.
His words still hung in the air, when a massive hull door started
to slide open.
396

405. Waking the Angel
‘Oh well I guess this is our invitation to land,’ Angel said and
slowly piloted Skibladne inside.
‘At least we are not dead yet,’ Guival remarked relieved.
It felt like they were traversing the inside of a planet.
‘Do you think they are trying to compensate for something?’
Ricci observed sarcastically.
Angel flew to what he assumed must be an entrance to the
upper levels and set Skibladne down.
They still had not seen any sign of life.
They disembarked after testing the air quality, and walked to an
area that could be a lift, if you use your imagination.
‘Well, we might as well try,’ Angel suggested.
They stepped on, and the platform started moving upwards.
It moved for what seemed an eternity before it stopped on the
upper deck.
A door opened.
The room appeared to be a conference facility.
‘Let’s make ourselves comfortable,’ Ricci opted and jumped into
one of the chairs.
The others shrugged and took their seats as well.
A door at the far end opened and a lot of Noone like aliens
walked in silently, heads bowed.
Angel and the crew stood up respectfully waiting for them to
enter.
They each walked to a chair and sat down concurrently. Angel
assumed this was their cue to take their seats as well.
The door opened once more and two more ancients walked in.
All the other ancients stood again, and Angel and the crew
followed suit.
397

406. Igor Swann
‘Geez, if I wanted a workout I would have gone to the gym,’
Ricci admonished under her breath.
One ancient wore a black robe with red insignia; the other
looked to be in a terrible condition. He leaned heavily on a
walking stick and seemed to be in excruciating pain.
They took their seats, as the one with the insignia helped the
wounded one into a chair.
The intrepid crew waited silently for the proceedings to
complete. None of them felt the overwhelming urge to speak
before asked to.
398

407. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 57
The silence broke with the sound of a clear soft voice. It was
uncertain how it managed to travel the distance but it was clearly
audible to all the crewmembers.
‘We of the D’nari have travelled the universe for millennia. We
have visited countless planets and encountered many sentient life
forms, both moral and wicked,’ the black robed figure began to
say.
‘We returned after many centuries to your quadrant, and what
we found here is pure evil. Evil such as we had never encountered
before.’
He paused.
‘The Taur, a bloodthirsty species, bent on the destruction of life
with no understanding of compassion. These creatures would
murder their brothers and sisters for their own amusement. They
slaughter the innocent for pleasure.’
He looked at the heroes.
‘The council decreed their removal from existence for the
betterment of the universe.’
‘We were contacted by one of your own. A hateful, treacherous
thief whose sole purpose had been the glory it could attain and
the destruction of those who oppose it. It cared only for itself, no
better than the Taur species.’
‘The verdict of the council remained the same, the eradication
of this species and all its allies.’
399

408. Igor Swann
‘So you are going to kill us. You brought us all the way up here
to tell us you are going to kill us. Who the hell do you think you
are,’ Ricci spat, close to erupting; the jewel in Dragonfang pulsed
dangerously.
‘However,’ the dark robed figure continued ignoring her
outburst, ‘the keeper of the Keystone had a different tale to tell.’
‘He told of bravery, of selfless love, of the movement to peace,
harmony and unity. Of heroes who defend the innocent and
oppressed,’ he slammed his small hand onto the table.
‘How could we believe this, when all we found were lies and
deceit, hate and the love for destruction?’
Angel felt a little less tense.
There seem to be doubt and doubt is good.
It looked like Ricci might have been wrong on her assumption,
though he admired her guts.
They might live to die another time yet; he hoped it would be
more than a few minutes from now.
The ancient continued.
‘Your minds have been probed since you entered our ship, and
we saw brave creatures. Warriors, that went in aid of a race in
dire peril, with no hope of success and no hope of returning alive.
We saw heroes that came here when they knew they were
walking into the executioner’s hands. Nevertheless, they had to
try everything possible to save their people. A people who might
never know of their brave selfless act, for this thought did not
cross any of your minds.’
He sounded truly remorseful when he said, ‘we had to admit we
were wrong.’
400

409. Waking the Angel
Angel felt the anger well up inside him, ‘you speak about deceit
and betrayal, but it was one of your own people that betrayed us.’
‘No UGE Lord, you are mistaken. One of our own saved your
species. All will become clear shortly.’
‘Bring in the prisoner,’ he commanded.
‘Sharin!’ they all exclaimed at once, when the door opened.
The guards placed her in an energy cell behind the black robed
figure, where she stood quietly glaring at Angel and his team.
‘Perhaps I can better explain if I start from the beginning so as
to avoid confusion,’ the injured ancient next to the black robed
figure spoke for the first time.
‘Noone, is that you?’ Angel asked perplexed after hearing the
voice.
‘Yes my lord, it is I.’
‘I… I don’t understand?’ Angel stammered.
‘You will my lord, if you will give me a chance that is.’
‘I am sorry, please continue,’ Angel answered mystified.
‘This retelling starts many millennia ago,’ Noone started his tale.
He paused a moment before continuing, ‘Due to my impetuous
as a youth, I accidentally got stranded on Arken.’
‘By fate or coincidence I had in my possession an artefact called
the Keystone, which is the only means my brothers have of
finding their way back home.’
‘The details are not important, only that they cannot return
without it, and they only discovered my absences when they did. I
have been searching for my people for centuries. I developed long
range beaming equipment and have since meticulously
401

410. Igor Swann
experimented with frequencies and wavelengths in the hope of
establishing contact with them.’
The crew stared at him absorbing every syllable.
‘Sharin had looked in on me one day when she heard a noise on
my scanners. To make a long story shorter, she successfully made
contact with my brothers in my absence.’
‘Even then a plan of immeasurable evil had formed in her mind.
She altered my notes ensuring I would never happen on the same
frequency again and continued with her plot to deceive my
people.’
‘She had to use my equipment since it was the only technology
strong enough to communicate over such a distance. She would
sneak in, use it for her evil scheme and then reset the equipment
to its original settings.’
‘I came to suspect someone had used my equipment quite
recently when the settings I last programmed were not as I had
left it.’
‘I installed a memory function, which Sharin did not know
about. Unfortunately the only conversation I recorded had been
the one before Sharin left to attack the Taur worlds.’
‘She did not leave the frequency on the machine, but I
suspected she would meet them on route and I left in a hurry to
get there first. Hopefully to give them the correct information
before something dreadful happened.’
‘But how did she hope to achieve this?’ Laidin asked.
‘Her initial plan had been simple. She would have the UGE Lord
killed in an accident. She would leak the information of the
location of earth to the Taur, convincing them that without the
UGE Lord, the UGE will scatter before their armadas.’
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411. Waking the Angel
‘She would then unite the UGE under her flag and lead them to
a glorious victory against the defenceless Taur planets,’ Noone
explained.
‘She would convince the other leaders to return home while she
and the El took care of the last remaining Taur. The ancients
would then destroy the UGE fleet on their return home and she
would be unopposed to take control of the UGE with the only
fleet left being hers. The returning Taur fleet would also be
destroyed by the ancients.’
‘What did she have over the ancients to control them?’ Angel
asked.
‘The Keystone, she heard that the ancients were searching for it
and found it in my quarters. She hid it promising only to reveal its
location after they had done her bidding,’ Noone replied.
‘Why would she do this?’ ask Guival.
‘Obvious,’ said Laidin, ‘she hates every one not of her kin. She
wants a dictatorship, and to enslave all other races. This was
impossible while there was still a UGE Lord or the chance of a new
one emerging.’
‘So that is why she had been so upset when I was found,’ Angel
remarked.
‘Exactly,’ Laidin replied.
‘That must have thrown her plans off a bit?’
‘Yes but she did plan to kill you accidentally in training,’ Noone
said.
‘The day I beat her; I could see the hate in her eyes, she did not
hold back. She wanted to impale me on that staff,’ Angel
reminisced thoughtfully.
403

412. Igor Swann
‘The attack in Ásgarôr,’ Laidin exclaimed, ‘that is why it did not
make sense then. She must have hired them to kill us.’
Noone nodded.
‘You bitch,’ Ricci said through clenched teeth, on behalf of her
cousin, while glaring at Sharin.
‘She had even gone to the lengths of having Laidin investigate
the spy. She knew she could control her investigation and make
sure it came nowhere close to throwing suspicion on her, while
implicating anyone else she wished.’
‘You female Croman1,’ Laidin growled emulated her cousin.
‘Nice try cousin, you’ll get there, just stick with me,’ Ricci
grinned.
‘Yes, well, the next problem she had to deal with was Angel’s
vision and Guival’s brilliant spy work,’ Noone continued.
‘But that actually gave her a way to manipulate things. She
could have you go to earth while knowing the UGE armada would
be too late. There the Taur would destroy earth and you. She
could have the UGE armada and the Taur fleet destroy each other,
while she volunteered to take her fleet and destroy the Taur
planets.’
‘Yes, what was that all about? How did you make a mistake like
that in your calculations?’ Angel inquired.
‘I had been plotting the most likely routes and calculating the
time differentials when I was summoned to an urgent meeting
with Qren. I could not locate him and returned to my work
assuming he had to attend to other matters. Before my return,
1 This creature was a little black ball of hatred, possibly because it was ugly.
404

413. Waking the Angel
Sharin altered my calculations so surreptitiously that I did not
notice it.’
‘That explains it,’ Laidin acknowledged.
‘I also remember her insisting on taking only her own fleet,
saying no El would be commanded by an inferior race,’ Angel
added.
‘Correct my lord; then my brothers would destroy the reserve
fleet in UGE space and any returning fleet from earth. She would
return from her conquest of Taur space and the ancients would
pretend to flee. She returned a hero and with no UGE Lords left
become ruler of the UGE as well as having the only fleet to crush
those who might oppose her,’ Noone continued.
‘I became her next hurdle,’ Noone smiled in the darkness of his
hood.
‘When I sped past her she chased me, and she did not expect to
find the ancients where she did. They did not know who she was,
or who I was for that matter, and destroyed all her fighters. The
only reason my brothers did not destroy me, was that I managed
to transmit a code used by my people when there is an
emergency using the lights on the ship. They understood and
directed the attack around me and unfortunately her, at the last
micro second.’
‘So why did you not stop them before they killed my brother?’
Kirom growled.
‘Firstly my dear Kirom the blast did not completely miss my
cruiser, and I had been badly injured as you might have noticed. I
only regained consciousness a day ago, shortly before the fleet
405

414. Igor Swann
stopped moving. Secondly your brother is not dead, he is in
stasis.’
‘What! He is alive?’ Kirom yelled.
‘Yes. He was fortunate in that he used El fighters when he came
searching for the ancients. Let me explain.’
‘After Sharin’s rescue she pretended to be a commanding
officer in the El fleet sent to guide them on their mission. She
knew if she told them who she was, they would probe her mind
for the location of the Keystone, and she would lose her
advantage. She also made sure she did not know where it was, by
asking one of her kin to hide it. She could not risk my brothers
finding the Keystone, destroying the UGE planets and leaving.’
‘If they are so benevolent, why would they so easily eradicate
life?’ Angel asked.
‘Simple. We wish to protect life on other planets. If the
conquests here are completed what would stop these species of
terrorizing others in other galaxies?’ the black robed ancient with
the insignia commented.
‘So what happened next?’ Ricci asked while she lay on her
folded arms, enthralled by the story.
‘Well her next problem had been that her fleet had returned to
Arken, assuming her to be dead, and she needed it.’
‘What she planned next was for the ancients to wait around
here till the UGE sends an armada to stop them, as she knew they
would.’
‘But they would destroy her fleet as well?’ Kirom remarked.
‘No. We found the following when we probed her mind. Her
idea had been to make my brothers release her to join the
armada taking command of the El fleet. She would order the
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415. Waking the Angel
remnant fleet to encircle the ancients and attack from the rear,
while her El fleet pretends to attack from the front. The ancients
would naturally pretend to give up, and turn around to escape,
with unfortunately only the remnant fleet in their way, which of
course would be destroyed.’
‘Well she might be pure evil, but no one ever accused her of
being stupid,’ Kirom remarked.
‘I agree, she had to adapt her initial plan several times, which
admittedly she did brilliantly,’ Laidin concurred.
‘What about you? She must have known you survived?’ Guival
asked.
‘Yes she did, but she had no access to my recovery area. She
hoped that I would stay unconscious until my race had left or that
I would preferably die from my wounds,’ Noone told them with a
hint of malice in his voice.
‘I must assume my brother made a mess of the plan somehow?’
Kirom asked.
‘Again you are correct in you assumption. He led a squadron of
fighters to intercept the ancients. For what purpose we still do not
know. We have not had any contact with the fleet he presumably
commanded.’
‘Why did you not simply probe his mind?’ Laidin asked.
‘My brothers captured Brom and his squadron using a stasis
field transporter, which has the unfortunate side effect of erasing
all short term memory.’
‘This is incredible,’ Angel remarked.
‘I have a question,’ Ricci put her hand up like a school kid.
‘Yes?’ Noone acknowledged.
407

416. Igor Swann
‘What were the ancients doing here in the first place, and why
did they leave you?’
‘Ah, good questions, you see many millennia ago our worlds
were running out of energy, a very special energy source only
found on our planets. We had become completely dependent on
it. My people sent out long range prospecting missions to find
more. In our search we passed by this quadrant and after
searching it and not finding any trace of the energy here my
brothers left.’
‘Did they find the energy?’ Ricci asked.
‘Yes they did. A more than ample supply that will last my people
many generations,’ Noone answered, overjoyed.
An ancient came running in speaking hurriedly to the black
robed figure. The ancient’s leader began to relate the message.
‘Good news, a fleet has just been detected exiting the Nebula
close to where we picked up the El fighters and your brother,’ he
directed at Kirom.
‘Brom, he has always been a sly one,’ Noone chuckled.
‘He must have tried to lure the ancients into the nebula where
they could not detect his fleet,’ Kirom exclaimed proudly.
‘Brave plan, but unfortunately would have been for nought,’ the
ancient leader remarked, ‘there is no technology on these worlds
that would threaten us.’
‘So where is the Keystone?’ Laidin asked.
‘On Elheimr, we will be collecting it shortly,’ Noone answered.
‘Oh and Angel you might want to tell the fleet not to attack,’ he
added.
‘Yep, that might be a good idea,’ Angel concurred.
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417. Waking the Angel
‘Anyway I think it might be appropriate to go to Arken now.
There are a lot of worried people there,’ Angel concluded.
‘Not before I see my brother!’ Kirom demanded.
‘Then follow me,’ the dark robed ancient suggested.
He led them through endless passages and down into the
bowels of the ship.
They entered a chamber, and like everything else in the ship, it
was slightly bigger than your average metropolitan city. Inside
were rows and rows of stasis pods. He led them to where fifty
pods had life forms inside.
He walked to a control console and made a few intricate
gestures with his hand to which the pods opened, smoke pouring
from them.
‘It will take a few minutes for them to come round but they will
be fine.’
Brom opened his eyes staring into the familiar face of his little
brother.
‘Where am I?’ he asked confused.
‘Do not worry brother, you are safe,’ Kirom helped his brother
out of the pod.
‘It’s a long story for which we will have ample time later. For
now you just need to rest.’
409

418. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 58
Skibladne had a fifty-fighter escort back to Arken. Angel
contacted both Brom and Teral’s fleets and told them to stand
down.
Now he sat on the command deck with his crew. Noone and the
ancient leader had joined them on the trip. None of the ancients
had names or rather any names that any of the UGE species could
pronounce.
Sharin stayed imprisoned below deck, under guard by two of
the ancients. She kicked and screamed all the way onto the ship,
her composure entirely disappeared.
Angel told the ancient leader about the technology they had
found and incorporated into Skibladne. The ancient was
impressed that they had found such novel ways of using their
technology, in ways they never intended.
On their final approach to Arken, Angel had one request.
‘My friends I have one favour to ask of you; please omit any
reference to the Sword of Freyr from your stories to the senate. I
have another way of introducing it,’ he said with a glint in his eye.
The party proceeded directly to the senate room and after
some heartfelt greetings by Brom and Teral in particular, Angel
brought the council to order.
Angel told the story from start to finish as Noone had relayed it
to them, attempting to spare Noone the ordeal of another
tribunal. Ricci filling in the juicy bits that Angel omitted.
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419. Waking the Angel
The senate remained intoxicated with the retelling. They asked
many questions and received more answers than they bargained
for.
Laidin, Guival and Kirom took turns in telling of their exploits on
earth. This seemed to intrigue the crowd even more than Noone’s
story, being a tale of true heroes and conquest, and in this
culture, cherished more than Zellion.
‘Now all that remains is to decide what to do with Sharin,’ Brom
remarked.
‘Oh, I know exactly what to do with that treacherous daughter
of a Perol1. She will complete her diplomatic duties,’ Teral said as
an evil grin formed in the minds of those present.
The dark robed ancient stood up and a hush descended on the
room.
‘I have been honoured to meet such a glorious conglomerate of
races. You have succeeded in winning the admiration and
gratitude of the D’nari. As a token of our friendship we have
prepared a gift of some of our technology that you might find
useful,’ the ancient’s leader said.
‘We are also honoured to have made such wonderful new
friends. Please feel free to visit any time you wish,’ Angel
preformed his duty as UGE Lord.
1 A Perol is a creature created in hell to torture the most evil of souls. However,
even hell has to draw the line somewhere. The torture dished out by this
creature was too inhumane for even demons to accept. The demons exiled the
Perols from the underworld, abandoning them on a remote world without life
forms. The world’s name is the planet of the Damned.
411

420. Igor Swann
‘Now if you would kind enough to return us to my ship, we are
eager to find the Keystone and return to our home,’ the ancient’s
leader requested.
‘And we hope you will take good care of our ambassador, who
has requested to remain here,’ he added.
‘Noone, I am overjoyed. I would have missed you so much if you
decided to leave,’ Qren became quite emotional.
‘I would never do that to you my dear friend, we still have a
game of mind-battle to finish,’ Noone replied.
Brom called for order just as the senate began to disband.
‘There is one last matter that I would like to bring to the
council’s attention. Both Teral and I feel that we are neglecting
our duties to our people with the time spent on UGE affairs. We
therefore have decided to give full ambassadorial and senatorial
commissions to Kirom and Guival. They will from now on fulfil our
individual races’ duties to the UGE.’
‘They have proven that their judgment is sound and we have
both agreed that they may speak for our peoples,’ he said in a
solemn voice while Teral confirmed that Brom indeed speaks for
the both of them.
‘Also it would give me and my old friend a chance to catch up
on some hunting,’ he laughed with a thunderous roar.
Teral walked up to Guival and held out the spear, Gungnir.
‘This is yours now. As ambassador of the people you should
carry the symbol of our people,’ he stated.
‘Oh, and you may keep Mjolnir little brother,’ Brom boomed
without the fanfare.
412

421. Waking the Angel
‘I am sure it likes you better than me now, since you have
shown it so much action,’ Brom laughed again.
413

422. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 59
The entire senate along with the ancients gathered on the
command deck of the Aesir Flagship, while Sharin remained
securely imprisoned in the brig.
The ancient leader called Angel over to where he stood a short
distance from the rest of the group.
‘May I ask a boon my friend? I am quite intrigued in the novel
way you incorporated our technology into your ships. We ask that
you leave Skibladne and the other fighters with us, while you
finish your diplomatic duties. We will upgrade all the systems we
can, and see if there is any other useful technology we can
introduce to them.’
‘Of course you may. We would be honoured to share our
limited knowledge with you,’ Angel replied.
‘Laidin and Ricci will escort you to Elheimr to fetch the
Keystone. On her return Ricci will bring Skibladne back to me.’
‘Superb,’ the ancient replied.
The enormous hangar bay exposed itself slowly. Even Teral’s
Battle Cruiser seemed lost inside the hull of the ancient’s ship.
‘Definitely compensating for something,’ Ricci giggled once
more.
Laidin and the ancient’s leader said their farewells and left.
Angel took his time saying goodbye to Ricci.
‘Now darling, keep to the speed limit and don’t try overtaking in
heavy traffic. You know how easily accidents happen,’ he
solemnly instructed while Ricci giggled.
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423. Waking the Angel
‘Come back safely my darling. I love you,’ she said.
‘I love you too, so don’t go picking up any good looking elves on
the way,’ he joked.
They kissed until finally Guival sighed.
‘Ah give it a rest already, I’ve just eaten,’ he said to the delight
of the entire crew.
Two days later and Teral, Brom, Angel and the two new
ambassadors sat in the tower on Evergal’t. The city lay in ruin;
most of it destroyed by the Ancients. Makeshift shelters had gone
up and the city seemed mostly deserted. Work crews scampered
about trying to clear the rubble.
Even the tower looked worse for wear. Large gaping holes were
visible throughout its once magnificent rise into the clouds.
Tri’st and a number of sceptical looking generals sat across from
the UGE envoy.
‘We came to offer you our aid in rebuilding your cities. What
has happened here is an atrocity. We do not condone the wilful
destruction of any species, and will do our utmost to help in
restoring your society to its previous splendour,’ Angel
proclaimed.
‘I have heard what you said on the cruiser after the battle, and I
accept that the whole conspiracy centred on the plot of a
madman. You have the opportunity now to prove me right.’
‘We thank you,’ Tri’st said in an appreciative voice, ‘but it will be
difficult though, the masses are screaming for blood. They want
the ones responsible for this to pay. Most of them knew nothing
of Kra’st’s madness. All they see is their homes and lives
destroyed. They want someone to pay.’
415

424. Igor Swann
‘I felt the same way, after seeing my home destroyed,’ Angel
held out a recording device.
‘This is an account of the deceit and betrayal that forced our
races into war. You may use it as you see fit.’
‘Yes that would help,’ Tri’st remarked after viewing the
recording.
‘I have more,’ Angel smiled and nodded to two of Teral’s men at
the door.
A short while after, they returned with Sharin.
Sharin remained white as a sheet.
Teral smirked.
‘The betrayer, to do with as you wish. Please except this as a
token of the UGE’s commitment to establish ties, and build
relations with the Taur Empire.’
Tri’st looked surprised, and then his eyes showed a glint as an
idea formed in his head.
‘Yes, yes that would work. I could use this to bring the masses
to our side. Once I explained the madness of Kra’st, and turned
over the betrayer along with the confession... Yes, that should
work,’ he sat deep in thought for a few seconds while a plan took
shape.
‘We have much we can do for each other. I understand that for
the moment, we need you much more than you need us.
However, in time, we might turn this society into one of traders
and not warriors, and be of mutual benefit to each other,’ Tri’st
vowed.
‘We will start sending emergency supplies and medical support.
This should help you solidify your command. I would not want to
deal with another madman,’ Angel approved smiling.
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425. Waking the Angel
‘Then let us drink to a long and prosperous alliance between the
races of this quadrant,’ Tri’st said holding up his burro.
‘Oh no, you will not catch me with that a second time. I actually
learn when I hit my head,’ Guival exclaimed in mock agony, ‘you
drink, I’ll watch.’
Laughter filled the room. Angel understood where Guival’s
resentment of the drink came from but this was in the interest of
diplomacy. He drank and kept it down, barely.
On their return to the cruiser, Teral and Brom cornered Angel.
‘We went there to deliver a prisoner, not to make friends,’
Brom grunted.
‘And the only reason we agreed to that is because they have no
laws against torture like we do,’ Teral said reproachfully.
Angel looked at them but said nothing.
‘They tried to kill you and your family, and they managed to
destroy a large part of your earth,’ Brom stated with disdain.
‘They murdered millions and destroyed millions more lives,’
Teral added.
Brom broke into a smile.
Angel could feel Teral doing the same.
‘And we now understand why you are the UGE Lord. Your
compassion and your vision for the future are admirable. Where
we stare ourselves blind in the past, you look to find a better
future,’ Brom praised their leader.
‘We are proud to support you my lord. You are truly a leader
worth following,’ Teral commended him as well.
‘Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate the words and your
commitment to a new and better UGE,’ Angel sighed, relieved.
417

426. Igor Swann
They met Ricci en route to Arken.
The Ancients had left for home after they recovered the
Keystone, and enhanced Skibladne and the fighters as promised.
She ran out to meet Angel, barely giving Skibladne enough time
to touch down inside the Aesir flagship.
‘Whoopee!’ She started to babble, ‘we got new shields, new
engines and almost inexhaustible energy sources, and a lot of cool
new weapons and scanners. They even managed to enhance
Skibladne’s engines, and replaced some of the older borrowed
technology. Our ships can now cloak like Skibladne. We can go
play hide and seek. My ship had the oldest technology and they
almost rebuilt it from scratch, with a few design ideas from yours
truly. You need to see it darling. It is gorgeous. It’s now a
streamline, mean, ass-kicking machine,’ Angel put his finger in
front of her mouth.
‘I missed you too darling,’ he said softly.
‘Sorry. Of course, I missed you,’ she blushed, ‘but you should
see the new controls and the…’
The laughter that followed almost rocked the Battle Cruiser off
course.
418

427. Waking the Angel
CHAPTER 60
Laidin had never been this anxious in her entire life. This is a
fight where the bow of Odin would be of little help, except to
maybe get her into real trouble.
The El Council assembled in the capital of Elheimr, an incredible
city to behold. Everything seemed crafted from crystal and gold.
Trees stood in abundance, with the bigger part of the city
completely integrated into the gigantic trees. In fact, for the most
part, the crystal palace was trees. This was not nature meets
civilization, this was nature is civilization.
She approached the imposing golden doors guarding the
entrance to the council chambers. If all went well this would be
the first step to her and all of the El’s new future.
‘Enter Laidin,’ a deep old voice escaped from the dark interior.
She wordlessly entered, and halted in front of a half-moon
shaped table.
‘State your business,’ the same voice commanded.
‘I am Laidin, great granddaughter of Ullr, son of Queen Sif of the
El.’
She paused for a second, biting her lip before continuing.
‘I herewith reclaim the throne that was taken from my
ancestors by false claim.’
Laidin’s heart pumped in her throat. Maybe she should have
started with the evidence and led up to this, maybe she should
have told them about Sharin’s betrayal first off.
419

428. Igor Swann
‘Present your evidence,’ the voice said again with no
discernable incredulity. The voice searched only for facts, the
voice of reason, Laidin thought.
She presented the documents, and explained how she found it.
How Skibladne had dated the paper and the ink and how it was
obviously a forgery.
The council hung on her every word.
‘Summon my experts on historical documents,’ the voice
commanded again.
A short while later three El entered. They looked as if they had
never seen the sun, and colour was something that happened to
other people.
‘My lord,’ they uttered in unison.
‘Examine these scrolls and determine if they are forgeries or
not,’ the council chief ordered them.
The three took the scrolls and left with another, ‘my lord.’
‘I do not see the defendant. She must have the opportunity to
disprove your claims,’ the deep voice declared.
‘That would be slightly more complicated my lord,’ Laidin
announced. She launched into the tale of betrayal, deceit and lies
that would have brought about the extinction of the UGE, and her
people.
‘Do we have proof of this?’ the voice asked after the rest of the
council had had a chance to voice their disapproval, in a
composed manner.
‘My lord, I have brought the leader of the ancients with me to
retrieve the Keystone which Sharin hid here,’ Laidin explained.
420

429. Waking the Angel
She tapped her mindcom, ‘Ricci would you kind enough to
escort the ancient to the council chambers. Ask any El to direct
you.’
‘Sure thing, but we are about an hour away from the main city,’
Ricci answered.
Laidin relayed the information to the council who decided to
reconvene after lunch. A welcome break, they felt, since Laidin’s
initial summary took almost three hours.
After lunch, Laidin, The Ancient and Ricci stood before the
council.
‘Order,’ the El Elder commanded, ‘will our guests please
introduce themselves for the records.’
‘I am Ricci of the Valk’r, first princess of the UGE and
descendant of Sif, Thor and Odin,’ Ricci announced proudly.
A low hum went up around the council chambers. The
consensus was, impossible, but nobody said anything. Ricci
enjoyed the look of scepticism on their faces.
One of Sharin’s clan had an uncomfortable episode of tongue
control and Ricci happily obliged in fuelling the fire.
‘This is an outrage, how could you believe such obvious lies?’
‘Hmmm, you’re cute,’ Ricci began, ‘why don’t you slip into
something more comfortable,’ she said in a seductive voice, ‘like a
coma for example,’ Ricci spat.
‘You dare speak like that to a royal El!’ the dark elf continued.
‘I don’t know what your problem is but I bet it’s hard to
pronounce, although after this hearing it would probably sound
something like traitor!’
The council had to take a moment to gather their composure
before the chief council spoke.
421

430. Igor Swann
‘Princess Ricci, would you be so kind, as to leave that judgment
to the court. Thank you,’ he smiled.
He solemnly nodded at the Ancient.
‘I am principal of the D’nari,’ the Ancient said.
‘Are you able to verify the claims of Princess Sharin’s treachery
to the court?’ the chief of council requested.
‘I am,’ the ancient said.
He placed a small cube in the middle of the floor.
It opened and a holo-projection filled the centre of the room. It
showed Sharin’s interrogation after Noone spilled the beans, and
it showed her confessing to the crime of high treason.
‘May we keep this as evidence?’ the chief of Council asked.
‘Of course,’ the Ancient said.
‘Have you uncovered the Keystone?’ the chief inquired.
‘Not yet. The shimmering woods are presenting more of a
problem than we anticipated, and our scanners are ineffective in
detecting something as small as the Keystone, which is obviously
well hidden,’ the disappointed ancient reported.
‘That is not a problem friend,’ the chief stated.
He addressed the guards at the door.
‘Find me every available tracker and scout. Call up our infantry
and reserves. I am authorizing the use of every available resource
for the recovery of the Keystone.’
‘My sincere thanks your lordship.’
‘No sir, we owe you our thanks. If I was presented with the
evidence you had, I would have destroyed this species without
hesitation,’ the chief explained.
422

431. Waking the Angel
‘You need to thank Laidin. If it was not for her pure heart,
honourable intentions and brave spirit, the decision would have
been quite different.’
Ricci and the Ancient took their leave of the council, and
continued their search for the Keystone.
The Elder summoned the experts to present their findings.
‘My lord, we have concluded that the documents are indeed
forgeries. We have no explanation on how this had been
overlooked when they were originally submitted,’ the experts
appeared perplexed.
‘Please enter the documents into evidence,’ the chief ordered.
‘We will now retire and deliberate our findings.’
Two days after, the council summoned Laidin to appear before
them. She felt even more nervous this time round. Every El
dignitary and high born sat assembled on the gallery to hear the
verdict. News travelled fast and everyone had heard of the
commoner El who dared claim the throne.
The deep voice from the Chief of Council filled the chambers.
His tone implied, I speak the law, and do not forget it.
‘By the power vested in me as chief of the El council. I find the
claims of Laidin to be true and legitimate. The evidence she
presented has brought irrefutable proof to every single claim
made to the council. I hereby rule in favour of the House of Sif,
and re-establish this house as the ruling house of El with
immediate effect. We will observe a 3-moon protest period
wherein the current ruling house may submit counter claims and
dispute the ruling as per El law,’ he said scanning the room.
423

432. Igor Swann
‘Hereafter preparations may begin for the coronation ceremony
of Princess Laidin of the Royal House of Sif.’
This is the decree of the El council.’
‘This is an outrage!’
‘We will not stand for this!’
‘We will never accept her rule!’
Cries from the dark elves came from every corner of the
chamber. Sharin’s family was vocally well endowed.
‘Careful Denelin,’ the chief addressed the most vocal of the
protesters, ‘less I rule on your involvement in the treason of your
cousin. We will be investigating this in any event. The council is
under the impression she did not act alone in hiding the Keystone
here, and needed the backing of her house if she was to succeed
in her betrayal of her people.
You have your 3-moons to submit evidence to the contrary, use
it wisely.’
‘One word of warning though, any false claims or forgeries
submitted will be seen as high treason and will invoke the death
penalty.’
‘You have no proof of her doing anything against the El!’
Denelin screamed.
The chief of the council sighed, ‘I wished to spare your family
the humiliation, but truthfully I do not know why I bothered.’
‘Bring in the confession made by the accused,’ he ordered.
A few moments later, the cube again stood in the middle of the
room and Sharin’s confession replayed. Quite a few dark heads
slinked away before Sharin completed her final admission to the
El.
424

433. Waking the Angel
When Laidin left the chambers, thousands of her kin from every
class and house without dark hair greeted her, all cheering and
rejoicing in her victory.
She met Ricci and the Ancient halfway down the long winding
staircase.
‘Congratulations!’ Ricci shouted above the din of the crowd.
‘Thanks,’ Laidin mouthed back at her.
‘We found the Keystone thanks to your people’s help. The
Ancients are eager to be on their way, and who could blame
them. We will be leaving within the hour,’ Ricci announced.
‘Thanks for all your help, princess,’ Laidin gratefully remarked
and hugged her and the ancient.
‘You’ll be coming for the coronation?’ Laidin asked.
‘Would not miss it for the world,’ Ricci yelped, ‘I am your cousin
aren’t I?’
‘Of course and now a member of the royal house of El,’ Laidin
smiled.
‘I’ll drop off your fighter sometime soon,’ Ricci grinned.
‘Oh no you won’t, I will fetch it thank you very much,’ Laidin
jested, ‘I saw you pilot Skibladne.’
They waved and left Laidin standing on the steps looking over
her kingdom.
She smiled.
Perfect, she thought, just perfect.
425

434. Igor Swann
CHAPTER 61
Almost two months had passed and Arken was in a festive
mood. Beautiful decorations, a kaleidoscope of colours and
shapes, adorned the city.
The wedding day of the UGE Lord and the first princess of the
UGE finally arrived. Arken played host to everyone who was
anyone. The few hundred with personal invitations received the
royal treatment; most of them were royalty in any event.
The huge banquet hall had a feast that encompassed the
culinary delights of the entire United Galactic Empire. At the far
end stood two golden thrones, where Angel and his bride sat
accepting well wishes and gifts from every corner of the universe.
The thrones had been Ricci’s brainchild and no one felt brave
enough to deny her this. The Brisingamen jewel pulsated
rhythmically in Dragonfang, as if it too enjoyed the festivities.
A smartly dressed Aesir, wearing an itchy powdered wig
announced the guests on arrival.
‘Queen Laidin of the El.’
Angel looked up, so wonderful to hear that title, he thought.
‘Senator Guival of the Aesir and Senator Kirom of the Dwar...’
‘Arch-Chancellor Teral of the Aesir and Grand Master Brom of
the Dwar...’
‘The Lady Gemmi Chief of the Valk’r and Sir Loser of the
Gerbit...’
The Brisingamen jewel shone brightly around her neck. Loser
had grown to a respectable size and walked at her side dressed in
the jump suit Angel had created for him.
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435. Waking the Angel
Apparently, he still refuses to remove it. A whole entourage of
Gentari followed in their wake.
‘They made it, they made it,’ Ricci shrieked, before she jumped
from the throne and set off in their direction.
She sent the Ark cruiser to go fetch them, and hoped they
would make it back in time.
‘Mark!’ Angel proclaimed joyfully.
‘Hello brother, nice place you’ve got here,’ Mark joked.
‘I am so glad you came,’ Angel cheerfully exclaimed.
‘Would I miss my own brother’s wedding?’ Mark asked
pretending to be hurt.
Angel laughed, ‘go mingle, I see a pretty Valk’r checking you
out.’
‘Emperor Tri’st of the Taur,’ the announcement of the
dignitaries continued.
A hush descended over the crowd.
What madness is this? How dare he show up here?
Angel stood up and walked to him.
‘Welcome Emperor, glad you could make it. Please enjoy our
hospitality,’ Angel smiled and shook his hand.
The crowds started up again just as noisy as before. Apparently,
they were mistaken, and he is supposed to be here. Nobody
wanted to look foolish for not knowing what was going on in the
Empire.
The dignitaries continued to pour in. Noone, Qren and all of the
UGE senators, even the Leaders of the neutral planets not part of
the UGE were present at the celebrations having all received
personal invitations from Angel.
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436. Igor Swann
Angel had a plan.
Gemmi approached the thrones to speak to Angel,
‘My lord’ she said, ‘I brought you some homemade apple pie.
Unfortunately Loser has eaten half,’ she said and pulled a sour
face.
‘Wow, thanks, that is the best gift I have received all day, and I
don’t mind sharing,’ he smiled at Loser, ‘how are things back on
earth?’
‘The Taur are under control, a few went into hiding, but not
many and we do find them eventually. I have informed Tri’st and
he will be sending transport ships for them. The cities are slowly
being rebuilt and some will look better than ever.’
‘The Valk’r warriors received a lot of recognition and are pretty
much the new buzzword on earth. The world thinks we are its
new superhero police force, and we even have our own range of
action figures.’ she grinned before continuing.
‘One small problem however, it seems Alra’st escaped and he
managed to get off world somehow. Apparently, he was in a
murderous spirit when he left, bent on destroying both the UGE
and earth.’
‘This is grave news indeed,’ Angel’s brow creased as he felt the
warning lights flash, ‘Alra’st might still have support among the
Taur. Last thing we need now is a revolution.’
‘I better warn Tri’st,’ he added and left to go find him.
Tri’st stood alone, at one of the buffet tables.
‘My lord, anything I can do for you,’ he said when he saw Angel
approach and noticing the concerned look on his face.
‘Well actually there is,’ Angel replied, ‘apparently Alra’st has
escaped from his prison on earth.’
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437. Waking the Angel
‘I did not know Alra’st was being held on earth?’ Tri’st
announced surprised.
‘My apologies, I actually forgot all about that,’ Angel answered
sincerely.
‘Anyway, he has escaped, and he is not happy. He wants to
destroy the UGE and everyone he felt betrayed him. I think that
includes you for not coming to rescue him.’
‘This is not welcome news,’ Tri’st remarked a little out of sorts.
‘The Taur are still uneasy and to create an underground rebel
movement now would be very easy indeed. There are still many
Taur who feel an alliance with the UGE is sacrilege, and would
gladly join a movement against the treaty. Alra’st is a highly
regarded war hero, and will find followers with little trouble.’
‘This is as I feared,’ Angel agreed in a sombre tone.
‘I will send out my spies, and keep my ear to the ground my
lord. Thank you for the warning,’ Tri’st promised.
‘So what happened to Sharin?’ Angel asked, curiosity getting
the better of him.
‘I would rather you do not ask that question of me, my lord.
Suffice to say, what she calls home now, others fear to name.’
Angel gave him a puzzled look and Tri’st noticed this. He sighed
before continuing.
‘Her sentencing and punishment did not reside with me. I saw
her once before her relocation to the planet of damnation. A
sentence to this planet is only for the most evil of creatures, and
this is by Taur standards. That should give you a clue. We do give
those sentenced to go there an option of death by slow torture
after we skin them alive. No one who knew of the planet chose to
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438. Igor Swann
go there instead. Sharin did not have the option. Her best friends
are now Perols,’ Tri’st explained.
Angel almost felt sorry for her, almost.
Angel asked for order after ascertaining that the entire guest list
had arrived.
‘Ladies and gentlemen we are gathered here so you may bear
witness to a very special day for me and my beautiful wife, and so
you may share in our joy,’ Angel said to the resounding applause
of the crowd below.
‘But it is hopefully not the only union that this day will be
remembered for.’
He motioned to someone in the corner, summoning him.
Whispers started in the crowd. Everyone wanted to know if the
person next to him knew what the UGE Lord meant.
A soldier walked in carrying something on a cushion covered
with a red drape, and knelt before Angel.
‘Many centuries ago the UGE divided as a result of treachery.
The symbol of the UGE disappeared and the UGE lost many of its
valued members as a result thereof,’ Angel paused.
‘A brave knight of the United Galactic Empire has gone to the
ends of the earth to retrieve this symbol. To again unite the UGE
into a society of diversity, and into the powerful unit that protect
its members.’
He looked at the anxious faces in front of him; they knew
something interesting was about to happen.
‘First allow me to present the warriors who strived to reunite
the UGE. Queen Laidin of the El, Senator Kirom of the Dwar, and
Senator Guival of the Aesir,’ he indicated each in turn, ‘Sir Loser
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439. Waking the Angel
and the Lady Gemmi of the Valk’r, and of course my lovely bride,
Princess Ricci. With special thanks to Master Kirom for finding the
symbol for us.’
He paused while he took hold of the hilt underneath the drapes.
‘Without further ado, I give you the sword of Freyr symbol of
the UGE, and an invite to all, to again join the United Galactic
Empire. Standing together under the symbol, once a sign of our
unity, there will be no more discrimination or segregation. We will
all be equals in the new UGE.’
The applause rose to deafening heights, and it seemed that it
would continue for an eternity.
‘We have extended an invitation to the earth, which will soon
have the capability of extended space flight. Senator Gemmi will
represent them on the council until they become fully fledged
members of the UGE,’ he paused and searched the crowd.
He found Tri’st standing quietly in a corner.
‘And now a special invite to the Taur Empire to join the UGE.
They have shown remorse for past mistakes, and we cannot and
will not dwell in the past. No race will be excluded from this
opportunity to join the combined United Galactic Empire.’
Silence from a shocked crowd greeted him. A pin dropped and
deafened those close by.
Tri’st noticed that Angel was in trouble joined him. He
understood the importance of this invitation, especially now that
Alra’st was somewhere surely stirring up trouble.
Tri’st looked at the masses of dignitaries standing before him.
He stated in a clearly apologetic tone.
‘I am not able to undo the atrocities my people subjected you
to. The crimes of the Taur committed against the UGE races are
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440. Igor Swann
unforgivable. I can only on behalf of the Taur extend my deepest
apology, and beg for undeserved understanding. We were
subjects to a dictator, a madman, who wished only to destroy and
murder the innocent. None of us had the courage to stand against
him. In the end when we did find the courage, it was too late. I
can only hope that you would understand that the actions of a
fanatical fool did not portrait the sentiments of a race, and that
you may someday forgive us our past crimes. If you would give as
the opportunity we would try our utmost to become valued
members of your UGE and attempt to repair the pain we caused,’
Tri’st bowed his head.
Laidin started to slowly clap her hands. Kirom and Guival joined
her. Slowly the crowd started applauding. Tri’st and Angel shared
a meaningful glance.
Noone smiled. Brilliant my lord, place them where you can keep
an eye on them and control them, he thought to himself.
Angel smiled as he placed the sword on his back and took Ricci’s
slender hand in his. They slowly walked down the aisle shaking
hands and greeting new friends.
They came to their crew and comrades, old and new, the very
young and the very old.
‘Well friends, it seems our adventure has come to an end, and
all is well. But something tells me this will not be our last
adventure together.’
432

441. Waking the Angel
EPILOGUE
Angel had no idea how true these words were.
A few short weeks after the ceremony, he received an urgent
communication from Tri’st.
‘My lord, we have located Alra’st. He has as you suspected set
up an underground movement, and is in the process of converting
many Taur to his cause. I have discussed the situation with the
Taur council, and they agreed that it would be foolish to ask the
Taur to move against him. They will not fight a war hero like
Alra’st, and many more would join his cause. It is fortunate that
the rumour of the rebels have not spread far. We think he is
keeping it covert till he has amassed a large enough force.’
‘I therefore respectfully request your help in this situation. If he
persists in gaining support, we will have a large problem on our
hands, in the not too distant future,’ the communiqué ended
with, ‘your friend Tri’st.’
Angel stared at the screen.
Things have been going so well, everything they worked for in
establishing the new UGE formed seamlessly. He should have
known it would not last.
‘Convene the senate,’ he ordered the guard at the door.
The Ark had completely refurbished the senate chambers with
50 seats, with Angel in the middle of the horseshoe while Ricci
and the rest of his crew flanked him. Even earth’s seat on the
senate had a representative present, since Ricci would not allow
the Gentari to leave yet. Loser sat quietly on Gemmi’s lap. The
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442. Igor Swann
only seat notably empty was that of the Taur, and for good
reason.
‘Friends,’ Angel addressed them waiting for silence before
continuing.
‘We have had disturbing news from the Taur Empire. A few days
ago, Tri’st detected a rebel movement led by Alra’st. He escaped
from earth, and has now managed to get a rebel faction going.
We need to stop it before the cancer has time to spread to the
rest of the UGE member planets,’ he barely finished when he
remembered that the senators probably had no idea what cancer
is.
‘I suggest we send a strike force to deal with the problem
before we need to deal with another Taur invasion. I will now ask
the senate to vote on the issue. Emperor Tri’st has given me proxy
to vote yes on his behalf.’
The votes came in anonymously with the press of a button from
the council members.
‘Thank you ladies and gentleman. The strike is approved.’
The senate spend the rest of the afternoon debating trivial
matters.
Late evening arrived on Arken and Angel got his old crew
together. The Gentari who were eager to explore other planets
joined them.
‘Well, it seems we will be going on another adventure sooner
than we anticipated,’ Angel said when they had settled down.
‘I have decided not to involve anyone else, simply because we
need a small tactical strike, not an all out war in Taur space.’
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443. Waking the Angel
‘I agree,’ Laidin concurred, ‘the smaller the better. Everybody in
this room has proven themselves before. I see no reason to
extend the party.’
‘I second that,’ Kirom added, feeling there will be more for him
if less people join their mission.
‘Then it is settled. We will start our planning at dawn. Prepare
well my friends, we will depart soon after,’ he smiled as they piled
out of the room.
435

444. Igor Swann
***
Early dawn and the surgical strike team eagerly assembled in
Skibladne’s hangar to discuss their battle plan.
‘Settle down friends,’ Angel ordered, ‘what we thought was
going to be a walk in the park turns out to be a much more deadly
and important mission. I received an urgent communication from
Taur intelligence this morning. They picked up a Taur that escaped
from Alra’st’s stronghold.’
‘Apparently Alra’st had gone quite insane. After he left earth, he
took a detour, and ended up on a planet held by the Mates of
Modi.’
‘Mates of Modi, who are they?’ Gemmi asked.
‘Bloodthirsty pirates me hearty,’ Guival got into the act, ‘they
are techno junkies and drug addicts, but pirates all the same.
Except for the technological secrets guarded by the UGE, they
have the most advanced technology in the known galaxies. They
crave blood, mostly flowing down the sewer. This is due to a drug
which causes insanity, but also gives them incredible strength,
about 10 times that of a normal El which is pretty damn strong I
might add.’
Laidin flashed him a smile for the compliment.
‘Modi, isn’t that Thor and Sif’s crazy son?’ Ricci asked.
‘That is correct princess,’ Guival answered.
‘But,’ Qren interjected, ‘he did not create the Mates of Modi, he
only served as their figurehead. Bringing them together had been
the work of a failed transformation on a human by the name of
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445. Waking the Angel
Teach. Even though he carried the gene, he gradually went insane
after the transformation.’
‘Blackbeard!’ Ricci shouted, ‘Edward Teach, the most feared
pirate in the Caribbean. The Valk’r had dealings with him on more
than one occasion, but we never managed to catch him. He was
as slippery as an eel.’
‘I do not know what his brother did,’ Qren explained. ‘But we
offered our Teach the opportunity to stay on Arken after it
became clear he could never be allowed to take power. He
disappeared however and soon after that, the Mates of Modi
formed. We knew it was his doing since they knew much of the
UGE’s closely guarded secrets.’
Guival sensing Qren’s story was at an end, continued.
‘Er, Oh yes. Only the most fearless traders with the protection
of fleets rivalling that of most member states would attempt to
use trade routes frequented by these pirates. Nevertheless, they
would still only use these routes if they could make enormous
profit by being at their destination early.’
‘The Modies will plunder every ship and murder every single
being on board these ships.’
‘They are left as empty shells filled with ghosts.
I have tried infiltrating their ranks before but they are a closely
guarded secret society. No one gets in and no one gets out alive.’
‘The UGE launched operations against them before but they
would disappear into the night, and no trace of them had been
found.’
‘We know their leader is called Vigil, a lunatic son of a Perol. He
is rumoured to have killed everyone claiming relation to him and
then those who refused to acknowledge it. He cut out his one eye,
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446. Igor Swann
cut off his hand and one leg, so he could have augmentations
done, because it seemed fashionable,’ Guival concluded his
briefing.
Angel started to feel even more uncomfortable with the
information he received earlier.
He cleared his throat.
‘Apparently Alra’st managed to join forces with these vagrants.
They must have noticed his insanity and bloodlust and thought
him to be a suitable ally.
They supplied Alra’st with some kind of mind function inhibiter,
which once injected into the bloodstream will cause you to lose all
fear, and gives Alra’st the ability to plant suggestions in the
subconscious of everyone who had the inhibiter.
This is essential for controlling someone with no fear,’ Angel
added.
‘The other little gift they had for Alra’st was the infamous drug.
Therefore, thus and because thereof Alra’st now has an army of
fearless super-strength lunatics bent to his will.’
An icy shiver ran down Laidin’s spine, ‘the Mino’t already has
incredible strength, enhancing that tenfold…’
‘Yes. We are in trouble, and this is even more reason why we
must succeed. The mindless minions will not stop coming at you,
they will not run away, they will not hide and shoot from the
shadows. They will be in your faces and they will be almost
unstoppable.
Use your speed, do not attempt to match strength with them,
and if you are outnumbered, then retreat immediately. Do I make
myself clear?’ Angel asked.
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447. Waking the Angel
Nodding heads flowed like a Mexican wave.
‘Gemmi, you and Ricci will play an integral part if we are to
succeed. You must find a way around these inhibiters,’ Angel said
with a soft glance at Ricci seemingly to say, I do not like asking this
of you but I have no choice.
He continued.
‘You will also be fighting the Modies, as Guival called them.
They have allied themselves with Alra’st for what purpose I can
only speculate to be Alra’st’s desire to destroy the UGE. Again,
they are sneaky and strong. They have no honour in battle like the
Taur so watch the shadows carefully.’
‘How did he escape from earth?’ this question has been bugging
Ricci for a while now, ‘last time I saw him he did not have the
ability to scratch his ass let alone pilot a ship.’
‘He did not escape alone. Quite a few others got out as well,’
Gemmi explained, ‘They had ships hidden in a location we only
found after the fact.’
‘The Valk’r responsible for that sector swore that area had been
thoroughly scanned. The strange thing is that, according to
rumours, they did not break out. Someone rescued them. By
whom and why no one could explain to us. From the Chinese we
interrogated it seems the wind or a ghost freed them. Some say it
had been a demon in an iron mask. They all mentioned black
soulless eyes. The demon appeared from nowhere as soundless as
a whisper, killed and disappeared again only to reappear
elsewhere.’
‘Why have you not mentioned this before?’ Angel asked.
‘It seemed like the ramblings of madmen,’ Gemmi answered.
439

448. Igor Swann
‘It could not have been the Modies. They know nothing of earth
and had no reason to go after Alra’st?’ Angel remarked in general.
‘They have ways and means my lord,’ Guival interjected, ‘stolen
ship logs. Intercepting data streams etc. But why... your guess is
as good as mine.’
‘They might want to expand their operations into Taur space
and wanted first hand information from a reliable source high up
in the Taur ranks,’ Kirom opted.
‘I doubt it. To Travel all the way to earth for that is a little
extreme. They also had no idea if Alra’st was alive or dead, and if
he would help them against his own race,’ Angel thought.
‘I agree, I think they wanted him for more than information. If it
was indeed the Modies that liberated him,’ Laidin concurred.
‘Well he is starting a rebel movement. Maybe that was their
objective all along. Get him to make the sector unstable and easy
for them to run their operations in,’ Angel suggested.
‘Makes sense, but who is this demon in the iron mask. I know
Vigil, he is as ugly as hell but I would not describe him as a
soundless demon that moves like the wind. He is more like a
marching band that moves like an angry Gerbit with ear infection,’
Laidin stated.
‘Yes, that is an apt description,’ Guival agreed, ‘the Modies are
also not known to slink around and kill their targets. They like to
rush in with a lot of screaming and swearing.’
‘Do you think the Modies sent an assassin to free Alra’st?’
Gemmi asked.
‘That is a viable conclusion,’ Kirom agreed.
‘Hmmm, quite intriguing questions we are faced with,’ Laidin
commented, ‘but I am sure we will have answers soon enough.’
440

449. Waking the Angel
‘Oh by the way,’ Angel continued, ‘apparently Alra’st has had a
few cyber enhancements made to his body, or more accurately
his body has made a few enhancements to the technology. He is
more android than Taur now.’
‘What?’ Kirom exclaimed in awe, ‘bionic augmentation is never
attempted simply because the pain is completely unbearable. The
body tries to reject the implants, and most patients die from
shock after the most undemanding implant. Full body
augmentation is unthinkable, only the truly insane would even
entertain the notion.’
‘Well according to Taur intelligence he is about a tenth of the
Taur he used to be, and 50 times the Taur he should be.’
The Queen of the El looked at the crew in turn, before
commenting, ‘listen to me closely my friends. Do not become
complacent because of our past successes against the Taur. This is
a completely new breed, and from what I could gather from
Angel’s briefing, we are strolling into our untimely demise. At the
risk of sounding cynical, I suggest you say your last farewell in
earnest and prepare yourself mentally for losing comrades in
battle,’ Laidin again scanned the faces, making sure they
understood, before continuing.
‘You cannot grieve for a fallen comrade or hesitate for a second.
Be sharp and be focused, do not lose your head. The lives of all
those around you depend on it. This might sound strange but
Kirom would affirm these sentiments.’
They all turned to look at him nodding in agreement.
Angel continued, ‘this mission is critical. It not only threatens
the Taur but the entire UGE.’
441

450. Igor Swann
‘For you Gentari remember he knows where earth is, and he
has a score to settle there as well. You will be fighting as much for
your own planet’s survival as the UGE.’
‘He might be insane, but there is a fine line between genius and
insanity. I feel that he did not stumble upon the Modies
accidentally; he had to seek them out purposefully. This all seems
too coincidentally perfect. I sense a much more sinister brilliance
in planning behind these accidental circumstances.’
Angel thought it best to start the mission planning now. He and
Laidin were scaring everyone.
‘Right, Tri’st supplied us with the coordinates of the planets
Alra’st uses as his base of operations.’
‘There are 2 of concern to us, the first is his command centre,
and the second is a training facility and weapons stockpile.’
‘This will be a synchronized operation, as we will take both
objectives at the same time. His command centre will be a full
frontal assault.’
‘As far as Tri’st could determine there are only a small number
of fighters on this planet. Dispatching these will be the task of the
Gentari lead by Gemmi. The 42 Gentari fighters that you brought
along, we enhanced with the new technology given to us by the
D’nari. They are now capable of space flight. We upgraded your
shields and weapons as well. You should not meet anything out
there that your craft cannot match,’ with an added, I hope, in his
mind.
‘We will then infiltrate the stronghold and take out Alra’st. Be
aware that we have very little information on the layout of our
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451. Waking the Angel
target. All we know for sure is that the command centre is
somewhere in the middle and on the lower levels of the fortress.
I do mean fortress ladies, thus we will not be going in quietly.
We will need to create our own entrance into the compound,
which will be Skibladne’s task. This means they will know we are
coming and they will be ready for us.’
‘The planetary defences though crude are still dangerous so
take care. Be quick and do not hang around inside. Your new
motto is in and out.’
Ricci started to giggle.
Angel felt flushed as he continued his briefing.
‘We estimate there are no more than 500 or so Taur and
Modies in the compound. That information is again based on very
sketchy intelligence.’
Ricci looked puzzled.
‘So darling; why don’t we just take a few of those big ships of
yours and blast the planet to kingdom come?’ she asked.
‘Four reasons,’ Kirom interrupted.
‘First we need to be sure we kill Alra’st and not give him
another opportunity to escape. Secondly we need to find out who
rescued him and why. Thirdly, we should find locations of more
Modies bases since their alliance could attack from any of them.
Lastly we need to find out what their plans are, their strengths
and weaknesses, allies and any other useful information to give us
an edge.’
Angel nodded and continued his briefing.
‘Spot on Kirom, you are correct. That was the reasoning behind
my battle plan,’ Angel acknowledged before continuing.
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452. Igor Swann
‘Our second objective will require stealth and demolitions. We
need to blast the training facility and weapons stockpile into orbit.
You will need to plant high yield explosives all over the facility
preferably without being detected.’
‘Gather intelligence from every possible source. Guival you will
need a disguise and mingle with the crew.’
‘And before you ask darling,’ he smiled at his wife, ‘no, we
cannot blast the planet to kingdom come, because they chose a
planet with benevolent inhabitants.’
‘I am sending the four of you on this mission,’ he pointed to
Kirom, Laidin, Guival and Ricci.
‘My reasons are quite simply that Guival and Laidin are both
spies. Kirom is an expert on demolition and Ricci has the ability to
mask your movement with her mind trick.’
‘And of course we don’t want to mess with a winning recipe,
meaning a human, dwarf, Elf and Magician,’ Angel grinned before
he finished his briefing.
‘The new cloaking devices installed in your fighters, should
mask your approach.’
‘The explosives are being loaded onto Guival’s ship as we speak.
They are triggered by remote detonation, which will be initiated
once you leave orbit.’
‘I have uploaded the coordinates of the target to your fighter’s
navigation computers.’
‘Come back safely my friends.’
He felt an impending doom grip his heart. This all seemed so
simple yesterday. Now it had become another deadly fight for
survival.
444

453. Waking the Angel
It would be a while still before late dawn broke, when a keen
observer would have noticed almost 50 flashes, as they left the
atmosphere of Arken.
Angel loved the emptiness of a space, the absolute nothingness,
and the complete solitude. He was alone with his thoughts. He
would have wished for better thoughts right now, nevertheless
the endless night in front of him was strangely calming.
He thought about Ricci. Moments earlier, she had slipped
aboard Skibladne to say her last goodbye, before they set course
for their targets.
He missed her already. Her bubbly personality and quirky sense
of humour always got him in a good mood. She always said what
was on her mind, never trying to play games with him. He
appreciated this more than he could ever tell her. She was his soul
match, and he loved her with all his heart.
His memories travelled back to how they met. The feelings he
felt then. He again relived the fear for her safety when the
reapers attacked, the reluctance when he sent her off to fight the
Taur in China. He saw their wedding day and all the happy times
they spent with each other, and he smiled.
He felt trepidation as he thought of the mission he had sent her
on, or did he really? No. She would not have forgiven him if he
made her stay.
Skibladne interrupted his thoughts.
#approaching the target my lord#
‘Er, thanks,’ he answered confused for a moment as his
attention returned to his current predicament.
‘Stealth mode,’ he commanded Skibladne to cloak.
445

454. Igor Swann
‘Gemmi you know what to do. I am going to hang back while
you group the enemy fighters close together. Make sure I have a
corridor to come through,’ Angel confirmed the plan, ‘off you go
and good luck.’
Gemmi and her Squadron disappeared into the distance.
He struggled to think of her as the little girl she was. It was
strange to think that only a few short months earlier he could see
her as nothing but. Now she was Gemmi the warrior, a leader and
his equal.
He listened to the mindcom chatter as Gemmi expertly
deployed her troops. She sent a squadron Gentari after the
planetary defences while the rest hung back, waiting for the
enemy to launch their fighters. She drew them in and closed them
down. They were trailing after her like the rats in the Pied Piper of
Hamlin.
‘We are ready for you my lord,’ Gemmi confirmed, ‘But I
suggest you hurry, there are a lot more flies in the sky than we
bargained for.’
‘Time to go my lady,’ Angel remarked.
#Yes my lord#
‘Battle mode,’ he commanded as the excitement mounted.
#Battle Mode engaged#
Drums played a dramatic beat in his head.
Angel loved this, the thrill of the speed and the absolute power
under his command. He loved the danger, mostly to the ones
facing his lady. He felt the maniac laugh fill his chest. What a rush.
Who needs drugs? He thought.
The platinum coloured juggernaut burst into the atmosphere
raining destruction like the angel of death. Multicoloured beams
446

455. Waking the Angel
of light flashed in all directions, smoke trails from rockets and
missiles, detonations and fiery explosion as they found their
targets. It was magnificent to behold, or maybe not so
magnificent if this show was for your benefit.
‘Beautiful’ Gemmi gasped.
‘Yes chief. You wondered what a rave looks like; well something
like that,’ Kilda interjected.
‘Did you see that in one of your library books,’ Carra, Gemmi’s
second in command jested.
‘I’ve gone out before,’ Kilda blushed.
‘I was just playing Kilda, you are too easy,’ Carra laughed.
It ended as quickly as it began.
‘Okay Gems, the rest are yours. I’m going to knock on the door
down there,’ Angel said as he studied his scanners. There were
less than a fifth of the enemy fighters left and they were in
disarray. Of course, Gemmi played with their minds again, so it
was even more chaotic than if Skibladne had been their only
problem. A rave party complete with hallucinogens, he laughed at
his private joke.
He turned his attention to the fortress in front of him.
‘My lady, analyze that structure for the weakest point, then
concentrate fire and make us a door,’ Angel commanded.
The lady’s turrets that were seemingly wildly firing in every
possible direction, and with what was obviously the luck of the
gods, always hitting something, suddenly started concentrating on
a specific section of fortress.
It held for a brief moment before everything in that section
disintegrated.
#access granted my lord#
447

456. Igor Swann
‘Did you just make a joke?’ Angel asked.
#was that not executed properly my lord#
‘No, no, you just surprised me. I did not know you had the
programming to do that,’ and he quickly added, ‘but that was a
great attempt.’
#thank you my lord#
‘Gems get the landing party over here. We are going in.’
Twenty fighters broke away and fell in beside Skibladne. The
rest mopped up the remaining few bad guys and kept the skies
clear.
They landed and disembarked quickly. Angel sent Skibladne into
her hangar dimension.
‘Gemmi take out the sentries on the walls,’ he commanded and
watched as the nimble Gentari practically flew up the walls barely
touching a nook here and a cranny there. Loser, who was now the
size of a tank, threw rocks and debris at the guards. The
Brisingamen jewel around Gemmi’s neck burned a sickly red.
Angel suspected that this was the reason the guards chose to
skilfully evade empty air and instead duck into the path of Loser’s
projectiles.
He swung the sword of Freyr and sliced a massive iron support
for one of the compound’s towers. The tower obliged by crashing
down with its sentries.
‘Let’s go, let’s go ladies!’ he shouted.
‘Teams of seven, sweep the compound, Gems take your team
left, Kilda take right and I’ll plough down the middle, keep moving
ladies do not give them a target. Carra keep the skies clear please,
I don’t want any surprises.’
448

457. Waking the Angel
He had decided to split them into teams since the corridors
were too narrow for all 22 of them to fight side by side. The ones
at the back would be of no use.
It was slow going. There were many Taur and Modies. Some
were ready, and others seem to have just woken up. All feeling
the same way afterwards, rather detached from their bodies.
They kept on charging, as Angel had feared. Removing limbs
helped little as they would crawl after you and bite your shins.
The only way was removing their need to blow their noses and
clean their ears, mostly through a lack of a head.
Angel who had never seen the Gentari in action could not help
but be impressed.
They reminded him of Ricci as she evaded the reapers. The
unarmed guards tried to grab for them and managed to grab
entire arms full of nothing. Usually only able to wonder, what the
hell, just happened? while descending into the underworld.
The sword of Freyr did an amazing job as well. It made an eerie
banshee howl as it sliced through the sound barrier. Even if these
Taur did not know the meaning of fear, this sound would make
them stop and wonder; is there possibly something important in
life I should have known the meaning of?
Angel moved at speeds that caused lighting flash in every
footstep from the friction he generated on the metal floors. The
air he dragged behind him physically blew over two Sa’t just by
running past them.
His sword arm moved at the same incredible speed, but he
could feel that the sword moved his arm instead of the other way
around; it was an incredible piece of machinery.
449

458. Igor Swann
Gemmi’s team made less time, because of Loser’s
overwhelming desire to want to shake hands with everyone he
met. It went something like grab their hand, bash the head
against the ceiling and then leaving a crumpled mass on the floor.
The Gentari ran on walls, bouncing off the ceilings as they
entered rooms and rushed down the passages. The Taur felt like
they were trying to stop rushing water and if the current did not
sweep you away it just flowed around you.
One Gentari unfortunately collected a lucky shot in her leg. She
now sat on Loser’s shoulders shouting encouragement to her
friends.
‘You go girl!’
‘Kick him in the balls!’
‘Give him a lap dance, yeah baby,’ and then she sang the
Gummi Bear Song ‘… Bouncing here and there and everywhere…’
450

459. Waking the Angel
***
Kilda, not having Loser to slow her down made excellent time as
well, until she ran into them.
A hoard of heavily armed Cen’t, Mino’t and Modies blocked the
only exit. She ordered her troops to retreat, as Angel had told
them to do, but the door slammed shut behind them.
‘Ladies, allow me to introduce myself,’ a shrill maniac voice
came from the crowd in front of them. They parted and the most
demented demon in existence hobbled forward. Looking at him
was enough to consider suicide. One of the Valk’r lost her
breakfast.
‘I am Vigil, and you are… well… unfortunately dead,’ he said in a
voice that could cause the devil to grind his teeth and wonder
why he chose this job.
The hoard behind him opened fire as the madman’s hysterical
laughter filled the chamber.
Angel ran into the command centre closely followed by the
Gentari, it was mostly empty save for a few minions, which his
team quickly dispatched.
‘Damn, no Alra’st,’ he said under his breath.
The Gentari did a thorough search of the room.
‘I found something,’ a pretty brunette exclaimed a short while
later; well Angel was not looking but if he did he would have
thought she was pretty.
Angel rushed over to find she had uncovered documentation
that pinpointed the locations of a number of the Modies bases.
451

460. Igor Swann
They also found communications to Alra’st from Vigil and a
mysterious third person named Dar’kel who seems to be the main
brain behind this operation.
‘Great work,’ he said, but at the same time, his concerns grew.
Gemmi and Kilda should have joined him by now.
The scream tore through Gemmi’s head.
‘Kilda,’ she cried, and halted her troops; ‘we are going back.’
They ran.
The most gruesome sight any of them had ever laid their eyes
on, met them when they discovered the missing team.
All the Valk’r dead, executed, murdered.
Gemmi felt a fury rise inside her, which she had not known was
possible.
‘I will find the one responsible, if it is the last thing I do,’ she
clenched her jaw, speaking with such fierceness the nearest
Gentari attempted to back away from her.
She walked to the opposite door and turned to Loser
‘Follow the stench of these murderers,’ she commanded
through gritted teeth.
Loser started to sniff around and then set off through the door.
They were running, stopping and smelling through several levels
of the compound before they came to an enormous steel door.
‘Hangar bay,’ Gemmi breathed, ‘the scum are trying to escape.’
‘Loser, open the door.’
Loser crashed through the door to where the Taur and Modies
loaded crates onto a transporter.
‘That’s them?’ she asked Loser who nodded his head.
452

461. Waking the Angel
‘Girls time for them to start breathing through their assholes,’
she rasped as the Gentari charged.
‘The leader is mine.’
The enemy knew no fear. Gemmi taught them fear.
She showed them death and she showed them what lies
beyond.
Loser extracted their limbs one by one and tossed them aside
feeding on Gemmi’s rage.
‘Where is your leader?’ her chilled voice reached one of the
Modies who was quite hysterical, seemingly not having had his fix
in a while.
He laughed and made faces at her.
‘Loser, please help him remember.’
Loser stepped up and the idiot started pointing frantically at the
cruiser.
‘Move,’ Gemmi ordered the Gentari who started swarming the
Cruiser.
Slowly and determinedly, she walked onto the bridge with her
retinue.
‘So there are more maggots1 in my haven,’ the sick voice
reached her ears.
‘I love squashing maggots, I love to see them wriggle around as I
break them apart and then stomp on them.’
Gemmi said nothing. She just stood staring at the creature
made of vomit and spare parts.
‘So they do not speak. Interesting, but I have never known a
maggot to speak,’ he said in the high-pitched squeak.
1 Maggots seemed to be one other constant in the universe.
453

462. Igor Swann
‘Sword,’ Gemmi ordered and held out her hand to the nearest
Valk’r, who placed the hilt in her hand. Loser instinctively gave a
step backwards.
She dropped her sword arm to her side and walked forward
purposefully. Murder flashed in her eyes and the Brisingamen
necklace burned brightly around her neck.
‘Ooh, look I am unarmed,’ the malicious giggle filled the room,
‘you won’t kill a poor unarmed victim of circumstance,’ Vigil
mocked her.
The sadistic smile still appeared on his bloated face but it was
getting thinner. Gemmi kept on walking.
The jewel controlled minds, and this mind, this mind she
wanted to teach the meaning of fear.
‘Enough games!’ Vigil started to sweat profusely.
He laughed again viciously as a blade appeared from his
dismembered hand.
He feint a blow at Gemmi and started circling her.
She stood unmoved.
Then she closed her eyes, which surprised Vigil for a moment.
He grinned, ‘foolish little girl.’
Vigil attacked suddenly from her left, aiming a vicious blow at
her head but her sword had already moved in the way of its
destination. Gemmi’s eyes still closed, her feet unmoved. She
read his mind, since reading his movements would only distract
her. He slashed at her waist and then her arm but both times a
blade magically appeared to halt his progress.
‘Yer good lassie,’ he said, ‘but no one has ever beaten me in an
unfair fight. My breathing is proof of that.’
454

463. Waking the Angel
‘You bore me,’ Gemmi said and threw a flurry of blows at him.
He parried them haphazardly.
She sensed his fear, unimaginable undiluted fear.
He was ready.
‘For my friends!’ she cried and jumped in the air. He blocked her
sword coming down on his head. Unfortunately, for him her blade
never intended to find his crown and now vibrated, firmly
imbedded through his rib case and his heart.
‘Oops,’ he said and fell backwards with the sick grin now wiped
from his face.
‘Let’s find Angel.’
Gemmi turned and walked from the Modie ship without a
backward glance.
Angel meanwhile had made his way towards Gemmi and found
the wounded Gentari propped against a wall.
‘Gemmi screamed, and then she ran off towards Kilda,’ she
informed Angel.
Angel looked at the Gentari around him, ‘take care of her, I’m
going after Gemmi.’
‘We are coming too.’
‘You will only slow me down,’ Angel shouted as he disappeared.
They did not even see him flex a muscle, he stood talking to them
and then there was only the rush of wind.
He ran so hard he thought his lungs would explode. He was glad
that his muscles did not need oxygen from his lungs anymore. This
oxygen was for his brain and it worked overtime.
Mostly to keep him from running into a wall, but also playing
scenarios on what could have happened to Gemmi.
455

464. Igor Swann
He found the slaughterhouse and stopped to examine the
pieces of Valk’r scattered around the room.
‘No, Gemmi is not in here,’ relief flooded over him, along with
nausea.
He was about to set off again when Gemmi walked into the
room.
‘They will have a proper Valk’r burial at home,’ she stated.
‘Fetch body bags from Skibladne and collect the remains. Then
load their fighters into the lady,’ she ordered.
‘My lord, we have dispatched Vigil to the underworld.
Unfortunately, not before he murdered our friends. We found no
evidence of Alra’st. I do not think he is on this planet,’ Gemmi
presented herself as a true leader but Angel sensed she was
heartbroken and felt out of her depth.
‘You did great pixie,’ he said and hugged her.
She hugged him back and held him for a long time.
When all the Gentari had left and it was only the two of them,
she sobbed silently.
456

465. Waking the Angel
***
‘Going to stealth, cloaking device armed, and engines on silent
burn,’ Laidin said to the others.
The four invisible ships descended into the planet’s
atmosphere.
I hope these cloaking devices the D’nari installed are as good as
Skibladne’s, she thought anxiously.
‘We are approaching the target and it appears to be in that
mountain. We will set down on top and make our way down,’
Laidin suggested.
The four ships landed silently.
The adventurers checked their weapons and gear.
They divided the explosives between them, before setting off
on the arduous journey down the steep slopes.
Laidin’s keen eyes spotted something. The other three strained
to see but there was nothing in the direction she indicated.
‘It looks like a ventilation shaft. There are two guards.’
‘Guival and I will take care of them, you two wait here for our
signal.’
The two figures slinked off.
‘I suggest we get close enough for you to use Gungnir.’
‘Oh do not worry about that, I have been practicing. It is as if
the spear reads my mind and hits exactly where I want it to hit. I
never miss even from 300 yards,’ Guival remarked proudly.
‘Okay I did not really want to get that close but 300 yards it is,’
Laidin smiled.
They crept closer to the target.
457

466. Igor Swann
‘Right, think you can make it from here?’ she asked
‘With my eyes closed,’ he grinned.
‘You take the guard on the right through the throat. We do not
want him making a sound.’
‘Laidin I am a spy. I do know how to kill silently,’ he said in mock
disgust.
‘Just shut-up and throw,’ she said as a smile played across her
beautiful face.
Guival wound up and let loose the same time Laidin fired a
combined energy bolt. Both hit their targets at the exact same
moment.
‘Bulls-eye,’ Guival whispered.
‘Yes we all get lucky sometimes,’ Laidin teased.
‘Then I must be born under a very lucky star. Shall we go back
and get the others?’ Guival asked.
The quartet sneaked up to the shaft. It had been sealed shut
and obviously bolted from the inside.
‘Mjolnir,’ Kirom enquired burning to let loose its awesome
power again.
‘No my friend, it would make too much noise,’ Laidin observed,
unfortunately no obvious way past the obstacle presented itself.
‘We might as well try finding another entrance.’
‘No we don’t,’ Ricci said excitedly, ‘wait here, I’ll be back,’ she
whispered and disappeared.
The remaining heroes looked at each other quite perplexed.
Kirom shrugged.
A few moments later, they saw a shimmer in the air in front of
them and then it was gone.
458

467. Waking the Angel
They waited. Laidin’s sharp ears heard the bolt on the inside
being moved. They braced for action.
It slowly opened.
‘Well are you coming?’ Ricci whispered from inside the shaft.
‘How did you do that?’ Guival asked.
‘Simple; Sleipnir can teleport remember. I just found an
unoccupied space inside and teleported my ship there.’
‘Brilliant princess, that was quick thinking,’ Kirom exclaimed.
‘Your ship will not be discovered?’ Laidin asked.
‘Not unless they start cleaning this place, which by the look of
things has not happened in millennia. It’s in a room filled with
cleaning equipment,’ Ricci laughed.
They silently made their way down the shaft and into the
facility.
‘Excuse me, I need to go find a form to absorb and do a little
mingling,’ Guival stated. ‘We will meet back here in an hour, will
that give you enough time?’
‘I’m good,’ Kirom remarked, ‘I think Ricci should accompany me.
I assume you wish to do your own investigation Laidin?’
‘I do. An hour it is,’ Laidin agreed.
‘I will leave Gungnir in Ricci’s fighter while we do our
reconnaissance.’
Guival walked down the filthy corridors. Trash and rubble
littered the path and at stages, he had to climb over it. It was
mostly deserted. He had to hide in the shadows once or twice but
the pirates did not expect an attack and were not on alert.
At last he found what he was looking for, a Mate fast asleep or
passed out he could not tell. Guival quickly absorbed his form
459

468. Igor Swann
definition and set off. Not long after he ran into another filthy
bunch. They were drinking, laughing and singing.
‘Yo ho, ho, and a bottle of Grum1,’
‘So maties, has anyone seen the boss around?’ Guival asked
swinging a bottle, with his arm around one of the drunks.
‘Nah, he never comeshes here… hic… hish down thersh,’ the
Modie said pointing down at the floor.
‘Yep, you don’t want to be caught by him huh?’ Guival
wondered how long it would be before he got any useful info out
of him.
‘Yesh,’ the Modie leaned in real close, the stench of his breath
made Guival want to puke, ‘I shaw him squeesh a matie so hardsh
with those metal armsh of his, thash his brain… exshploshes…
swhoosh,’ he displayed a wild gesture that placed him flat on his
back.
Guival helped him to his feet.
‘Thanksh Matie,’ the drunk slurred.
Hmmm, Alra’st is here. That is interesting; he almost thought
the drunk was talking about Vigil there for a second.
The drunk started to say something, which was mostly garbled
nonsense.
‘Bu’t hesh okay, it’sh the one in the iron mashk you hash to
worriesh about, itsh a de… hic... emon they saysh. It wouldsh put
a blade through yourshes gut for… for… for lookinsh at it. You
cantsh shee a damn thing anywaysh... Oh, and the voishe it’sh
‘orrible, Liksh nailsh on shlate.’
1
Grum is rum on steroids.
460

469. Waking the Angel
A demon, here, must be the liquor talking, but it was worth
looking into.
‘So where’s captain Vigil huh?’
‘He’sh had gone… hic… somewhersh imp… imp…’ The drunk was
going fast.
‘Important,’ Guival tried to help.
‘Yessshhhh…’ the drunk dropped and passed out amongst his
comatose mates.
‘Hmmm, so Alra’st is here, and Vigil is gone. This is useful
information indeed,’ Guival thought.
Laidin managed to find a communication terminal into which
she quickly hacked. She felt slightly aggrieved at what little
challenge it presented, but they obviously did not expect to be
hacked by her.
She found a lot of useless stuff, but also a communiqué from
Alra’st and Vigil, and few from someone called Dar’kel.
…
I want that trade route secured by next week – Dar’kel
We are on schedule – Alra’st
Good! They will pay handsomely for the safe passage of their
precious cargo through the jump – Dar’kel
Soon we will control all the jumps in the sector – Alra’st
And have enough money to create our own fleet to destroy the
UGE – Dar’kel
Cut of their aid to the Taur, make them the enemy again –
Alra’st
Make it that much easier to convert to Taur to our ways, show
them the UGE cannot be trusted – Dar’kel
461

470. Igor Swann
The glorious day approaches when I will bath in the blood of
those weaklings – Alra’st
We both will – Dar’kel
…
Not good, Laidin thought, so they are planning on taking over all
the trade routes, and liberate the aid to the Taur.
The four friends reconvened again.
‘Explosives set,’ Kirom affirmed.
‘No problems?’ Laidin asked.
‘None that Ricci could not handle. A few got close but they
seemed to remember something they needed to do and went the
other way.’
‘Good! I found some disturbing news though,’ Laidin said and
relayed her findings.
‘Hmmm then maybe we should stick around for a while, since
both Alra’st and this Dar’kel person are on this base,’ Guival said.
‘Huh?’ Ricci exclaimed.
‘Yep, I talked to a Modie who confirmed Alra’st is here as is a
demon with a metal mask, which I can only assume, must be
Dar’kel.’
‘Then we stay, and we make sure they do not escape,’ Kirom
expressed happily, eager for a fight.
‘Just give me a second to fetch Gungnir.’
They slinked down to the lower levels, keeping to the shadows.
Ricci persuaded a few to go the other way, and Kirom persuaded a
few to go the underworld way.
They reached a large hallway that appeared clean and better
decorated. This meant that the spelling in the graffiti was almost
correct.
462

471. Waking the Angel
The noise started. It came from all around them, a loud clanking
and chains rattling.
‘Look out!’ Ricci bellowed, but too late.
The cage had dropped and sealed them in tight.
‘Shit,’ she said as she tried her sword Dragonfang on the bars,
but it simply bounced off.
Laidin readied the bow of Odin, and Kirom lifted Mjolnir. Guival
formed a giant fireball since lighting does not work that well in a
Faraday cage.
The door in the far side slid open.
‘I would not do that if I were you,’ Alra’st grunted as he walked
in, ‘or maybe I should let you try and watch you die by your own
hand. However, that would not be fun would it? I need you to
suffer; suffer as I was made too by your hand.’
‘For both our sakes darling,’ rasped a masked figure floating
gracefully down the stairs. The figure, covered in a flowing dark
green hooded cloak with the same colour boots, displayed
exposed skin. Her hands covered in metal gloves and her face
covered in a metal mask, served to accent a severely menacing
demeanour. On her back, an El bow.
‘Sharin,’ Laidin exclaimed.
‘What?’ The other three adventurers exclaimed in unison.
‘The bow on her back is Sharin’s and the name Dar’kel or Dark
El, the ancient name for her lineage. Why did I not see it earlier?’
Laidin chastised herself.
‘Yes puppet it is me; in all my disfigured glory thanks to you and
the UGE. Too bad Teral could not be here. I would have loved to
return the favour in kind after he so graciously sentenced me to
463

472. Igor Swann
be tortured and die on Evergal’t. But I am sure I will have that
pleasure soon enough,’ a grating laugh filled the room.
‘How the hell did you escape the planet of damnation?’ Kirom
asked.
‘Oh my friends the Mates of Modi recognized my genius and
talents. We have had a long-standing relationship. They have
been of service to me on many occasions. Remember our
previous UGE Lord’s untimely demise. Unfortunately, they failed
when I sent them to destroy the new one in Ásgarôr; but they did
come through when you stuck me in hell. The poor fools were so
simple minded, so lacking in vision, but I changed all that after we
met. They loved my ideas and of course the technology I could
provide.’
‘The Modies, I should have guessed. How did you manage to
hide their involvement in your interrogation?’ Laidin spat.
‘That was easy. I tricked you and the whole UGE senate into
believing me, how difficult could it be to omit a little fact like that
from my confession. They would not expect me to lie now that I
was faced with certain death,’ Sharin sneered.
‘And then you rescued Alra’st,’ Ricci added.
‘Yes my dear, we interviewed a Taur from the earth battle and
he mentioned that Alra’st was still lost on earth. I felt that he
would hate you as much as I do and would be a brilliant partner in
my quest to destroy the UGE. He is of course a great leader and a
Taur of intelligence and character.’
‘Wow, don’t you struggle to breathe with your head so far up
his ass,’ Ricci made a smooching noise.
464

473. Waking the Angel
‘Ricci right... or should I rather call you bastard princess Ricci.
Yes, Alra’st has told me all about you. He has planned something
quite special for you half-breed.’
‘Ooh a party, for little old me. He should not have. No really, I’m
good,’ Ricci sneered.
‘He did not care that you started all this. That it was you who
fed the Taur the misinformation. That you led the raids against
the Taur planets?’ Laidin interjected.
‘Old news darling, why would he care about people that left him
to die on a god-forsaken planet at the end of the universe? He
wants revenge as I do, against the Taur, against the UGE and
against you. We are two of a kind,’ Sharin’s grating voice cut
through them, as she gently stroked Alra’st metal arm.
‘Yep; two demented clowns, a perfect match. You should get
married right away, and have evil little clown babies we can use
for cosmetic experiments,’ Ricci agreed.
Sharin ignored her.
‘I am so happy you obliged by dropping by. We were so hoping
you would. We especially constructed this lovely accommodation
for your enjoyment, making your weapons useless. Mjolnir would
cause a cave in burying you alive. The bolts from the bow would
bounce off the energy shield back into the cage. The shield also
acts as a brainwave scrambler, which would nullify the
Brisingamen jewel. Of course, lighting and fire is useless, and well
Gungnir is just a spear is it not. Did we miss anything?’ she asked
the rhetoric question.
‘You missed my foot up your huge arse as soon as I get out of
here,’ Ricci spat.
‘No cousin, she is mine,’ Laidin fumed through a clenched jaw.
465

474. Igor Swann
‘Well it was lovely chatting to you again, but we have urgent
business to attend to. Do not go anywhere now, you hear. We will
be back soon to come play with you. Don’t want to rush things
and make you feel unwelcome.’
She made a weird throat sound that you could interpret as
laughter, or mimicking the sound of a foghorn.
The four sat in a huddle, after a number of failed attempts to
escape.
Their captors definitely did a good job in the cages construction,
and Laidin surmised that was the reason for their current privacy.
Sharin wanted to show them how hopeless their situation was.
466

475. Waking the Angel
***
Angel walked back to the command centre deep in thought. He
had to active the self-destruct, which seemed to be standard
functionality in structures such as these. You would not want the
information contained here falling into the wrong hands.
The communication console beeped.
…
We are on route to the jump, is the welcoming committee ready
– Dar’kel
…
Angel felt Dar’kel deserved an answer.
…
Aye – Vigil
Good, we had some unexpected visitors but they are caged.
Place your forces on full alert, an infiltration team might be
heading your direction as well – Dar’kel.
Aye – Vigil
See you soon and don’t be late – Dar’kel
Aye – Vigil
…
Vigil never used, or did not know many words, as Angel could
surmise from the other communiqué he read.
Okay, you have captured my crew, but made the mistake of
leaving them alive. I am going to ensure it is the last mistake you
will ever make, Angel thought furiously.
He set the self-destruct sequence and rushed to Skibladne
tapping his mindcom.
467

476. Igor Swann
‘Gemmi get your fighters ready to move. We need to leave
now.’
‘Ready and waiting,’ she answered.
‘Good,’ he acknowledged as he ran aboard Skibladne, ordering
her to take off before he cleared the last step.
‘I am sending new coordinates to your fighters. Go to full burn
as soon as you leave the atmosphere. You will not be able to keep
up but infiltrate the installation when you get there and find me.
Use stealth, no unnecessary killing, and hide the bodies of those
you do.’
‘As you wish my lord,’ Gemmi said.
‘Good luck Gems.’
Skibladne screamed out of the atmosphere. He pushed her as
hard as she would go and slowly lost consciousness because of
the acceleration. The lady just kept on accelerating.
Angel awoke with Skibladne beeping in his ears.
#we are nearing the target coordinates my lord#
‘Stealth mode,’ he breathed heavily from the lack of oxygen in
his lungs.
‘Find Laidin’s fighter and land as close to it as you can,’ Angel
ordered.
The lady landed without moving a blade of grass.
Angel placed his sword on his back and started to make his way
to the door. He stood in the doorway and had a thought.
‘Skibladne, Can you detect the explosives in the compound?’
#Yes my lord#
‘Are they set properly?’
#Yes my lord#
‘Can you remote detonate them?’
468

477. Waking the Angel
#Yes my lord#
‘Are you able to detect Laidin, Kirom, Guival and Ricci as well as
my vital signs?’
#Yes my lord, all are well#
‘Then my lady, I need you to remote detonate the explosives as
soon as we are all deceased. If you detect we have not changed
location or if I have not contacted you for more than a day, go for
help.’
#understood my lord#
He turned to go.
#my lord may I make a suggestion#
‘Sure go ahead.’
#I have created something you might find useful. It is in the
materialization room#
On the platform lay a gauntlet similar to the one he wore on his
left wrist. The old one held his scanning and navigation
equipment, as well as the beacon to summon Skibladne.
‘So what does this do?’ Angel asked.
#while you are in a five-mile radius of my position, I can project
my cloak around you#
‘Cool, an invisibility bracelet,’ Angel said snapping the gauntlet
onto his wrist.
#Pleasure my lord#
‘You are amazing my lady,’ Angel marvelled at the artificial
intelligence Skibladne possessed.
He did not put Skibladne in her hangar dimension, since he
needed her in this universe for the cloak to work, and to detonate
the explosives. He ran as quickly as he could down the mountain
and found the ventilation shaft the others used.
469

478. Igor Swann
He came into the corridors and while still moving swiftly,
concentrated more on stealth. Even though they could not see
him, they could still hear him. Nobody even spared a glance in his
direction.
He smiled as he saw his friends sitting huddled in the centre of
the cage, extremely despondent. All except for Ricci that is, she
looked mad as hell stomping around the cage breathing curses
and telling the world what she would do with that rattlesnake if
she gets a hold of her. She gestured wildly with her hands,
demonstrating how she would rip her head off.
He felt such pride in his wife, he almost laughed aloud. Even in
the face of death, she still wanted to spit in his eye socket and tell
him where he can shove his stupid little scythe.
He found a comfortable ledge in clear sight of the crew, and
stretched out nonchalantly, before he decloaked.
‘Tsk, tsk. How like you to stumble into a silly trap. How many
times do I have to save your sorry butts huh?’ he said.
‘Darling,’ she yelped, ‘I knew you would come for me; I just
knew it,’ she laughed and then suddenly got serious. ‘What took
you so long? I have needed a bathroom for the past 3 hours.’
‘My lord, are we glad to see you,’ Guival had already imagined
all the horrible torture techniques they were planning to perform
on him.
‘Get me out of here,’ Ricci screamed.
‘Nope, I have a better idea. I assume this cage is protected by a
force field?’ Angel asked.
470

479. Waking the Angel
‘Correct my lord that is why our weapons are ineffective,’ Kirom
answered.
‘So if I turn off the force field you could break out in a
heartbeat?’ Angel asked.
‘Yes my lord,’ Laidin acknowledged catching on to Angel’s idea.
‘Then I have a plan.’
They all agreed that Angel’s plan would be a lot more fun than
simply escaping immediately.
He had to let Ricci out for a while, because what she threatened
to do to him if he did not was not something he would have liked
hanging over his head. It was inhumane. He assumed one of her
ancestors must have been a Perol.
Angel tapped his mindcom, ‘Skibladne disregard last order. We
will be staying in the same location for a while. Contact Gemmi
and tell her she may return home and everything is in order. We
will see her back on Arken.’
They had to wait for almost a day before the terrible twosome
returned. Of course, they were furious. Vigil did not pitch and
when they went to look for him the base was nothing more than
rubble.
‘Who did that?’ Sharin demanded.
‘Did what?’ Ricci asked innocently.
‘Don’t play games with me half-breed, we will just prolong your
ultimate demise,’ Sharin rasped.
‘I am sure I don’t know what you are talking about. We have
been here the entire time. Well, except when we popped out for a
bite to eat. Oh, the one time I just had to try on your exquisite
demented wardrobe although green is so last season and the
471

480. Igor Swann
masks did nothing for me. Of course, I still have a face so no
worries there. Hmmm, yes, come to think of it there was this one
other time when we slipped out to blow up the Modies Command
Centre,’ she said with a wicked grin, ‘would that be what you
were referring to?’
‘WHO DID IT?’ Alra’st screamed
‘That would be me,’ Angel said calmly stepping out of the
shadows. Both Sharin and Alra’st spun around to face him.
‘So the lord returned to free his pitiful underlings and mongrel
wife,’ Sharin mocked trying to hide her shock.
‘Yep,’
‘What are you going to do? Kill us both; you are good but not
that good.’
‘Nope,’
‘Then you have walked into your doom UGE puppet,’ Alra’st
boomed.
‘Nope...’
‘Guards,’ Alra’st yelled.
‘Goodie,’ Angel laughed.
‘Are you ready to die?’ Sharin asked.
‘Nope, but I hope you are,’ Angel suggested pointing at the
cage.
The crew had formed a half circle behind Sharin and Alra’st,
having slipped out by removing the bars. Angel had previously
sliced through them seamlessly and then replaced them to give
the appearance of an intact cage.
‘NO, NO, NO! This is not how it was supposed to happen.’
‘And how is this different from any of your other plans?’ Ricci
mocked.
472

481. Waking the Angel
‘I’ll kill you, you… you… UGE, er, thing,’ Sharin screeched as she
leaped for Angel’s throat.
‘Ooh good one,’ Ricci laughed, ‘I’m going to have to write it
down. Anyone have a pen and paper for me... anyone?’
Angel ducked as Laidin landed a flying kick on Sharin’s back,
which saw the masked figure flying over him. Closely followed by
a golden haired queen, the Bow of Odin firmly gripped in her
hand.
Alra’st lunged at Angel as well.
‘You three take care of the guards,’ Angel ordered the others as
Alra’st swung his heavy axe at Angel’s head. He blocked, but
assumed his sword would go straight through Alra’st axe.
It did not and violently threw him off his feet and against the
wall.
‘Neat trick,’ Angel said, ‘force field?’
‘Today you will die by my hand UGE bastard.’
Sharin’s midnight black bow-staff moved like lightning to block
a vicious blow from Laidin.
She rolled and swiped at Laidin’s feet.
Laidin came down hard to avoid learning to walk on stumps, her
bow whirring at Sharin’s head from the flat of her back. Sharin
barely able to parry all the blows while Laidin regained her feet,
unfortunately survived.
Sharin made a back flip and immediately swung her blade in a
long arch. It missed Laidin’s chest by a hair’s breadth. If Laidin had
hair on her chest, it would now have split ends. Laidin would have
been sliced in halve if she had not jumped back at the last second.
473

482. Igor Swann
‘Isn’t this fun, the queen versus the lowborn bitch,’ Sharin
breathed.
‘You should not talk about yourself in that way my dear Sharin.
You might develop an inferiority complex,’ Laidin remarked,
‘although the description is fitting.’
‘Die commoner,’ she shouted, and swung wildly at Laidin.
Laidin parried easily, ‘so I guess you did not hear. Your house
has been disgraced and the throne has been given back to its
rightful heir, namely me.’
‘That’s a lie.’
‘Now why would I lie to you?’ Laidin smiled, she was definitely
spending too much time in her cousin’s company.
‘I will be queen of the El.’
Sharin saw red as she aimed another sweeping blow at Laidin,
who rolled with the blow and swung in the same motion.
Her blade firmly planted in Sharin’s heart.
‘No, I don’t think so.’
Sharin stood unmoved.
‘So you do have a heart after all,’ Laidin remarked with a wry
smile, turned around, and slowly walked away as a thud came
from behind her.
Angel could hear the trio fighting the guards in the distance.
Now and again, he heard a boom caused by Mjolnir and a
whistle as another fireball left Guival’s hands or remarks like,
‘your mother bends for hippopotami.’ ‘Oh you like that do you,
want some more. I have all you can handle right here.’
‘Come here so I can stick this thing up your fat arse and floss
your brain. That is if I can find it,’ from his sweet little darling wife.
474

483. Waking the Angel
Alra’st swung again but Angel had left the general vicinity of the
blow ages ago.
‘Stand still so I may remove your head,’ Alra’st shouted.
‘Now why would I do that? I am rather attached to it you see, it
fits me so well,’ he laughed pretending to model his head.
Alra’st swung again, and again. Angel just took a step backwards
each time.
‘I was wondering. Does the force field go all the way up your
arm?’ Angel asked as he swung at Alra’st left arm where it joined
his torso.
<Clunk>
‘Guess not. Clearly, the force was not with you. You seem to
have a real problem with keeping your limbs don’t you? Maybe
you should take something for that. Actually there are no pills for
stupidity, are there?’ Angel joked as Alra’st arm dropped off.
That’s good, he thought, keep him off balance by making him
angry.
Alra’st started whirling his blade in front of him.
‘You will pay, I swear. I’ll gut you like a Tre’nt,’ Alra’st’s eyes
glowed red.
He flew at Angel with superhuman speed. Angel did not expect
this rapid acceleration. Only by sheer luck did the sword react in
time; leaving Angel with a flesh wound instead of a severed limb.
‘What? No smart remarks, UGE fool?’ Alra’st asked.
‘No. However, I was wondering how a bully like you would stay
upright on those stick… sorry hooves… I mean feet, if one was
missing,’ Angel asked.
Angel knew he had to finish this, Alra’st had the strength and
speed to beat him, and he might get lucky soon.
475

484. Igor Swann
He ducked under another sweeping blow by Alra’st, rolled and
removed his left leg, after which Alra’st obliged by collapsing.
‘NOOO!’ he screamed.
He wound up, and threw his axe at Angel who spun as a pure
reflex reaction and deflected it millimetres from burying itself in
his face.
He swung back, only to see Alra’st’s head, failing to find a
substantial grip on his spinal cord slowly topple over backwards,
and Ricci wiping her blade.
‘No you don’t!’ Ricci angrily remarked.
‘Nobody throws an axe at my husband’s head except for me,’
she sneered and kicked Alra’st’s head into the corner.
Kirom stood behind her with a huge grin on his face.
According to Kirom, it had been one of the most entertaining
battles of his career. Guival asked if he might copy some of his
wife’s anecdotes for the comedy act he moonlighted in.
‘So you think I am funny? I’ll show you funny. Why aren’t you
laughing huh?’ she asked and started chasing them around the
room, Dragonfang flaying madly around them.
Angel and Laidin looked at each other and both broke into huge
laughter.
Laidin walked back to fetch her bow-staff.
Sharin’s body had disappeared.
All that remained was a few words written in blood.
I have no heart.
476

485. Waking the Angel
***
It was a sombre afternoon on Arken. All the dignitaries were
present in full dress uniform.
Angel and his crew wore a version of their jumpsuits that Ricci
designed with the help of Skibladne, for as she put it formal wear.
Angel had to admit it looked damn smart. Black jackets with
silver insignia, high collars, and silver trimming all around the
edges.
Loser looked incredibly cute in his suit and everybody wanted to
pat him on the head and give him hugs. He started snapping at
hands and Gemmi suggested he should grow-up.
He took it literally and it worked. Nobody felt like patting a 500-
pound blue gorilla.
The Gentari slowly carried in the seven caskets. On top of the
caskets, they had securely attached the fallen Gentari’s swords.
Gemmi gave a stirring speech ending with the words.
‘… Now return to the universe from whence you came, brave
warriors. Your praise sung throughout Valhalla, never forgotten,
you will remain in our hearts in a place of honour for eternity. We
shall miss you greatly and be forever proud of the privilege we
had of serving with you. Farewell, my noble sisters.’ She said as a
tear rolled down her cheek.
There was not a dry eye left in the house.
Angel saluted followed by the rest of the retinue.
The casket’s rockets ignited and they launched into space.
According to Valk’r tradition, a massive feast in honour of the
fallen warriors followed the ceremony.
477

486. Igor Swann
Angel and his friends were solemnly talking about all that
happened.
Noone had cornered Ricci and quietly explained something to
her when suddenly she screamed, ‘I’m what?’
‘What’s wrong darling? Are you okay?’ Angel exclaimed startled
at the outburst.
‘You bastard, you knocked me up,’ she yelled as she launched at
Angel.
‘You are...’ he stammered trying desperately to muster some
defence from the coming onslaught.
She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately,
‘congratulations daddy,’ she laughed.
‘I’m going to have a baby?’ Angel sputtered confused.
‘Actually two my lord,’ Noone corrected him.
‘I’m having twins,’ Ricci yelped, ‘I’m going to look like an
elephant.’
Angel grinned like a Cheshire cat, as his friends congratulated
the happy couple.
It neared the witching hour and everyone had left except for
Angel’s close companions.
Angel walked out onto the balcony with a mixture of happiness
and sadness, ‘so we get to greet new souls while others are taken
from us.’
‘I guess we do,’ LOBE agreed.
‘How long before I lose one of my close friends? I would not
know how to handle that. It had been soul destroying watching
those caskets leave.’
478

487. Waking the Angel
‘You will when the time comes. The human mind is strong,’
LOBE answered.
‘I pray I will never have to face that moment.’
‘I hope your prayers are answered,’ LOBE remarked.
His friends walked out onto the balcony and they all stared into
the night sky. Ricci stood next to him and placed her arm around
his waist, laying her head on his chest.
They all just stood there wordlessly taking in the beautiful
evening.
Angel turned his head to look at his friends each in turn and
smiled. He felt incredibly fortunate to have the loyalty and
affection of these extraordinary individuals.
‘Well, at least for the moment, there is peace in this Universe,’
Angel sighed as his solemn words carried off on the night breeze.
Alas, all things must end. However, that is a story for another
time.
THE END
479

488. Igor Swann
Genealogy
Vanir (Humans)
Planet: Earth (Vanaheimr)
Deity descendant from: Freyr
Angel
Position: UGE Lord
Age: 33
Weapon: Sword of Freyr (Sword)
Ship: Skibladne, the ship of legends and the crown jewel of the United Galactic
Empire, enough said
Description: the hero; he would have preferred to be consulted on this career
change
Brother: Mark (twin)
Companion: LOBE, angel’s sarcastic migraine who could figure the amount of
nose hair needed to fill a room in seconds; an unstable truce exists between it
and Angel most of the time
Deity descendant from: Odin, Frigg, Thor and Sif
Ricci
Position: Valk’r Commander, Gentari
Age: 23
Weapon: Dragonfang (Sword, equipped with half Brisingamen Jewel)
Ship: Sleipnir
Description: a Valk’r warrior with a fast blade and an even faster tongue; she
causes the strange fluttery feeling in Angel’s stomach; LOBE calls it heartburn
480

489. Waking the Angel
Valk’r (Humans)
Planet: Earth (New Valhalla)
Deity descendant from: Freya
Gemmi
Position: New Valk’r Commander
Age: 8
Weapon: Half Brisingamen Jewel
Ship: Gyrfalcon
Description: The Valk’r leader with the weight of the world on her tiny
shoulders; Loser is Gemmi’s pet and generally the other weight on her
shoulders
Companion: Loser (shape changing blue Gerbit)
Carra
nd
Position: Valk’r 2 in command, Gentari
Age: Unknown
Weapon: Valk’r sword
Ship: Valk’r fighter
Description: A Valk’r warrior, second in command to Gemmi, when Ricci is not
around, it is complicated
Kilda
Position: Valk’r Librarian
Age: Unknown
Weapon: Heavy book
Ship: Valk’r fighter
Description: keeper of the Valk’r archive, warrior
481

490. Igor Swann
El (Elves)
Planet: Elheimr (El), Svartalfheimr (dark El)
Deity descendant from: Sif
Laidin
Position: Spy
Age: 212
Weapon: Bow of Odin (Bow-Staff, fire 10 bolts consecutively)
Ship: Golden El Fighter
Description: the Elven voice of reason and guidance; she is more than she
appears to be and apparently even more than that. She is Angel’s best friend in
this unreal world
Deity descendant from: Unknown
Sharin
Position: El Princess, evil bitch
Age: Unknown
Weapon: El Bow-Staff
Ship: Royal El Cruiser
Companion: Seriously?
Description: is an arrogant self-centred Elf princess, egotistical to a degree,
which on her, death would make the devil wonder if he came at a bad time
482

491. Waking the Angel
Dwar (Dwarfs)
Planet: Nidavellir
Deity descendant from: Thor
Brom
Position: Grand Master Dwar
Age: 145
Weapon: Mjolnir (Hammer)
Ship: Dwar Battle Cruiser
Description: Leader of the Dwar.
Kirom
Position: Ambassador to the UGE
Age: Unknown
Weapon: Dwar War Hammer
Ship: Royal Dwar Fighter
Description: portraits the hardcore adventuring dwarf and is trying his best to
get out of his brother Brom’s shadow as well as the hip-hop pants Angel gave
him
483

492. Igor Swann
Aesir (Mages)
Planet: Ásgarôr, Asgard, “City of Dreams”
Deity descendant from: Odin
Teral
Position: Arch-Chancellor of Aesir
Age: Unknown
Weapon: Magic
Ship: Imperial Battle Cruiser
Description: Leader of the mages
Deity descendant from: Loki
Guival
Position: Ambassador to the UGE
Age: Unknown
Weapon: Gungnir (Spear, Magic)
Ship: Morph ship
Description: the unfortunate Aesir spy who would rather be doing stand-up
comedy and magic tricks than the inevitable dying he is currently employed to
do; but the danger pay is great. At least it is rumoured to be, since no one has
actually claimed it
484

493. Waking the Angel
Ark (Aliens)
Planet: Arken
Deity descendant from: Unknown
Qren
Position: First Ark Engineer
Age: Unknown
Weapon: None
Ship: Ark Cruiser
Description: has no desire to be in command but frequently becomes burdened
with the responsibility; he would be happy if they would just let him abduct
people in peace
D’nari (Ancients)
Planet: Unknown
Deity descendant from: Unknown
Noone
Position: Advisor
Age: Unknown but rumoured to be millennia
Weapon: None
Ship: Cruiser
Description: a mystery but speaks with the wisdom of the Ancients
485

494. Igor Swann
Taur (Creatures)
Planet: Evergal’t
Deity descendant from: Minotaur, Satyr, Centaur
Kra’st
Position: Taur Commander
Race: Cen’t (Centaur)
Weapon: None
Ship: Taur Sovereign Destroyer
Description: dictator ruling the Taur; he would struggle to notice a supernova
that threatens the continued existence of his specie; but as he likes to point out
he has no time to be concerned with the little things in life. He mainly likes to
make this point with the tip of his spear 'Gungnir'. Survival rate was negligent
when he made a point
Alra’st
nd
Position: Taur 2 in Command
Race: Mino’t (Minotaur)
Weapon: None
Ship: fighter
Description: second in command of the Taur, and seems to have a brain but
prefers senseless violence
Tri’st
Position: Taur Advisor
Race: Sa’t (Satyr)
Weapon: None
Ship: None
Description: main ambition in life is to become older. Tri’st serves as an advisor
to Kra’st, which is a sure way of not achieving his goal in life. He is intelligent,
but profusely denies such groundless accusations
486

495. Waking the Angel
Other Norse gods mentioned:
Skirnir (Skern): Servant to Freyr
Magni: Son of Thor and bloodline of the Dwarfs
Modi: The crazy son of Thor and Sif
Thrud: Daughter of Thor and Sif
Baldur: Son of Odin
Ullr son of Sif: Pure royal bloodline of the Light Elves and so Laidin
Brunhild: Most famous Valkyrie
Gersemi: Daughter of Freyja and Odur
Others mentioned:
Dar’kel: is a mysterious and dark figure, which puts the fear of the gods in
everything, including certain morphological formation, a number of food
groups and small woodland animals.
Vigil: He is a pirate, rumoured to have killed everyone that claimed relation to
him and then those who refused to acknowledge it
487

496. Igor Swann
Animals
Gerbit
They could change from a spider monkey size to a bus size gorilla in seconds if
it was angry enough. They communicate with emotions and are immune to
magic.
Grey Farren
They are highly sought after bear-like creatures with enormous spines running
from their backs. Its head more closely resembles an insect with thousands of
eyes. The biggest problem with hunting this creature is that it would sense
brain wave patterns except through the most protective scrambler helmets.
When it sensed you wish to kill it, it would simply run away or roll on you
impaling you on the spines. Oh and it should be mentioned that these
creatures at full gallop have been heard to break the sound barrier.
Perol
These remain creatures of legend, rumoured to have originated in hell to
torture the most evil of souls. However, even hell had to draw the line
somewhere. The torture dished out by these creatures became so inhumane
that the demon union voted them out, calling it cruel and unusual. The demons
banned them from the underworld and left them on a remote planet with no
life forms, the planet of the Damned.
488

497. Waking the Angel
Croman
This is a little black ball of hatred. It despises everything. Even if the targets
were as big as a house and not necessarily breathing, it would still try to bite its
head off out of principle. One of these agitated, hyperactive creatures once
tried to kill Skibladne.
Gist
A furry little rat creature. However, he has a much more relaxed temperament
and is a heck of a lot faster. They created their own tunnel structure in the
Dwar mines and train easily, thus they were the preferred carrier of
information, since radio waves did not travel well in ore-rich caverns.
Broadwing
Stupid alien ducks, that cannot fly and cannot run fast either. This is a blessing
since they always run towards the threat instead of away. Only reason they
have survived this long is that they taste worse than their manure.
Tre’nt
A warthog like creature, shy and retiring and quite the pacifist. That is until you
threaten its little ones. They would retreat into their holes dug in solid rock,
and you would be extremely brave to continue with the capture effort. Their
armoured hide and razor sharp barracuda like teeth would deter even the most
avid hunter. Whatever you place down the hole generally remains down the
hole.
489

498. Igor Swann
Werten
The black bullet like creature, which seems to propel itself with a fart, it could
travel extremely fast on this gaseous propulsion method generated in its
stomach.
Lerok
A large bee like creature, about as big as a house cat. Very fast, very poisonous
with a stinger like a cattle prod. They do not like anything other than another
lerok breathing their air.
Erks
Are as would be expected the size and shape of bees, but with teeth. Not very
poisonous and it requires a few thousand bites from them to die. Only problem
is they always travel in swarms and these swarms number in their millions.
They have the same problem with air as the lerok.
Barken
When this animal wants some loving, it goes literally insane, and NOTHING will
stand between it and the object of its affection. Unfortunately, this ‘nothing’
would sometimes include ravines and chasms. They appeared on the
endangered species list.
Grun
An extremely poisonous snake that could become near invisible when asleep; it
seemed to fade out of existence when unconscious and then seem to come
back into being when it awoke.
490

499. Waking the Angel
491

500. Igor Swann
The Author
Shortly after he hatched, the author proceeded to lead the life that would
constitute the fantasies of most parentally supervised mental midgets. He
managed a miraculous escape from the festivities at university with his mind
mostly intact. He then became an instructor on special weapons, attended the
Military Academy and survived Special Forces.
An epiphany or two later he found that he preferred the life of a successful
nerd dodging viruses to a poor jock dodging bullets. He descended into the
world of bytes where he soon reached the top of his profession as a senior
systems architect. He got bored, became a lecturer, got bored, and became a
quant. He is now happily doing extreme maths, and according to rumour
mastered multiplication in addition to addition.
In an attempt to appear more interesting he found time to raise cheetahs, race
huskies, do modelling, fling himself from serviceable airplanes, and scuba with
those teeth with fish.
After someone, presumed to be his mother, told him that he actually lived a
quite interesting life for a hamster, he began to write his autobiography. This
factual account of his life encountered more than the expected scepticism so
he decided to reposition this book for publication in the genres of fantasy,
science fiction, science and mystery.
He unfortunately lives on; and has vowed to deposit more of these literary
masterpieces on the unsuspecting public.
492