Chronicle of Ages (23 page)

Upon viewing the pentagonal stone, Maelgwn was struck by an extraordinary feeling of recognition. A memory of Tory that was not from his lifetime in Gwynedd presented itself in his mind, and the image was so strong that it blurred his sight for a moment.

You got it working,
she said, gazing proudly at him.
You solved the power problem, didn't you?

Maelgwn wasn't too sure what the memory represented as it faded and he was left standing in the present. ‘Quasi-crystal,' he mumbled, before he even realised that he had.

‘Yes, that's right.' Aquilla was stunned. ‘How did you know?'

Maelgwn only shrugged in response, for in truth he wasn't too sure himself.

‘The problem I am having with the negative quantum field of the stabiliser is another story.' Aquilla referred Maelgwn back to the huge gun-like invention. ‘But if I can solve the conundrum it would enable us to create our own wormholes to whatever destination in the universe we choose.'

Maelgwn seemed confused by her words. ‘But didn't I travel through a wormhole to get here?'

That wormhole has existed for eons,
Gibal intervened to explain.
Aquilla is talking about creating temporary wormholes so that we are no longer limited to only travelling to star systems that enter and exit at existing wormholes.

As Maelgwn nodded his understanding, Aquilla continued the discussion. ‘At the moment, I can't get the anti-gravity field intense enough to stop the throat of the wormhole collapsing.' She appeared baffled but unfazed.

‘Well,' Maelgwn wound up their conversation, as the Lord Gibal was watching him very closely, ‘I wish you every success.'

‘Aquilla.' She introduced herself as it was apparent that nobody else was going to do it.

‘Forgive me.' Maelgwn realised he was being rude, again.

This is the Dragon,
Gibal cut in,
and he will be guarding me until such time as a certain commission has been completed.

‘If this your first visit to Mazua, you must allow me to show you some of the sights.'

Mazua
meant ‘deep-water vessel' and was the name of Gibal's underwater city here on Lura.

Maelgwn wasn't too sure how to respond to Aquilla's kind invitation, but Gibal spoke up before he was given the chance to accept or decline.

Uriah will take care of any inquiries the Dragon may have, and he shall have very little recreation time while he is here.

As Aquilla appeared rather disappointed by the information, Maelgwn added, ‘It was very nice of you to offer in any case.'

Now, Dragon …
Gibal demanded his bodyguard's attention.
You were interested in my control deck.
He motioned to the large observation chamber near the ceiling at the far end of the lab, and steered his floating
operations chair in that direction to lead the Dragon away from his assistant.

‘I was wondering after its purpose.' Maelgwn followed Gibal to the stairway that led up to the control deck, and gave Aquilla a wave as he left her work area.

‘I'll be seeing you.' Aquilla called, and turned her attention to her project.

In Maelgwn's view, Aquilla didn't seem half as bemused by his presence as everyone who knew her had expected her to be. Maybe this assignment wouldn't be as difficult as he'd first imagined.

‘You referred to this chamber as a control deck,' Maelgwn said as he scaled the stairs. ‘But a control deck to what?'

Gibal's seat floated right beside the Dragon as he answered his queries.
Why, to this ship, of course.

The claim stopped Maelgwn in his tracks. ‘Are you saying the whole of Mazua is a transporter?' Well, that certainly explained the significance of the city's name.

I am,
Gibal confirmed with a grin, amused by Maelgwn's astonishment.
But, as the control centre is not in use at present, I thought it might serve as a good office for you.

As the arched inset in the wall at the top of the stairs vanished to grant them entry, the Lord Gibal manoeuvred his hovering seat to follow the Dragon inside.

The control centre was massive, although Gibal assured him that only one particular section would be of interest to the Dragon at this stage, and that was the surveillance desk. The screens here permitted views of
the docking bay and entrance doors to Gibal's area, as well as of the operations centres for the dome, climate, security, power and communications for Mazua. The surveillance desk was positioned in front of the huge windows that overlooked Gibal's lab.

‘This set-up should suit my purposes very well,' Maelgwn agreed.

Then I shall return to my duties, and allow you to get on with yours,
Gibal said, turning his seat around and taking his leave.

As Maelgwn got comfortable in the surveillance hot seat, he couldn't help but note the view of Aquilla's work area. ‘What a wonderful aspect, indeed.'

 

One full day and night on Lura was the equivalent of 28 hours on Gaia, but the daylight hours far exceeded the night at this time of year. As King of Gwynedd, Maelgwn had always said there were never enough hours in the day, but here on Lura that was not a problem. Everyone worked longer hours, but they also had more leisure time too.

As promised, Gibal awarded Maelgwn a good insight into his family whilst he worked. And when Aquilla was absent from the lab the Lord took advantage of having another immortal present and began testing the capabilities of his NERGUZ prototype. Maelgwn didn't mind being Gibal's test subject as it gave him something interesting and beneficial to do. Still, having experienced being controlled by another and having learned a little about the nature of some of Gibal's kin, Maelgwn didn't fancy the idea of what might happen if
this weapon was to fall into the hands of tyrants. Yet, in the hands of a good man, the NERGUZ could be a wonderful healing tool — much like hypnosis could be to a mortal man.

For the first week of his mission, Maelgwn watched Gibal like a hawk. Even when the Lord rested, Maelgwn would take up station in the adjoining room and wait for Gibal to emerge the next day. After a week of constant surveillance, the Lord had had about as much as he could stand.

Dragon, isn't it time you took a break?
Gibal broached the subject over dinner one evening.
It's not that I don't cherish your company and protection, but you are here to guard my work, not my person.

‘Thank you for the concern,' Maelgwn refused to take the hint, ‘but I am fine.'

No, you're not fine,
Gibal stressed, ever so slightly.
And what's more, I am not fine. I am in no danger and, therefore, when I am not working, and you can find me with a thought, there is really no reason to be so vigilant.

‘If my Lord is not happy with our arrangement,' Maelgwn sat forward in his seat to suggest, ‘perhaps you should take up the subject with mission control.'

I have already done so, and it was agreed that when I am at liberty, so should you be,
Gibal advised.

Maelgwn didn't like to question the Lord's word but how could he be sure that this wasn't just a convenient lie? ‘And I have your word that this directive is as you say?'

You do,
Gibal answered surely, before raising both brows to suggest,
Believe it or not Dragon, I have been
taking care of myself since before you were born, in any lifetime.

Gibal succeeded in making Maelgwn feel like the young pup he was.

So, after dinner you shall go see the city sights, relax in your own quarters, or whatever it is you see fit to do.
Gibal wiped his mouth with a napkin, then placed it aside.
Every living being needs its own space, including you and I.

Maelgwn raised himself from Gibal's table, feeling that he had little choice but to agree. ‘As you wish, my Lord. But at the first sign of anything unusual —'

Dragon.
Gibal cut him short, smiling with amusement.
The whole point of this exercise is for you to relax.

‘In truth, my Lord, I feel far more at ease with you in my sight,' Maelgwn informed.

Well, I don't.
Gibal accompanied his words with a convincing expression that implied there was to be no more argument.
Thus, I am ordering you to enjoy yourself. And when I see you on the morrow I shall expect a full report.

Maelgwn's concerned expression did not lift. ‘I shall do my best, my Lord.' He bowed to his charge before departing.

 

In his own chambers Maelgwn meditated, and took some time to practice and hone his fighting skills and physical teleportation ability.

During his surveillance of Gibal, Maelgwn had found ample time to familiarise himself with his equipment, specifically his firearms. A swordsman of
considerable experience, Maelgwn did not feel as comfortable with the PKA sonic pulse blaster as he did with the EMS Wand, which was the modern Nefilim equivalent of a baton cum sword. He'd seen a more primitive version of this weapon back in Gwynedd — one of the thirteen treasures of Britain that Taliesin guarded, the sword of Rhydderch, appeared to burst into flame when drawn for battle.

In retrospect, Maelgwn knew the sword's fiery blade to be a laser beam. This weapon operated within an electromagnetic spectrum, meaning that the weapon's density function was controlled by the wave length and frequency, or more obviously, the colour, of the laser. On a low wave frequency the laser assumed a deep red colour that was equivalent in density to a club or baton. Set at the highest frequency of the light spectrum, ultra-violet, the weapon's edge would cut through most metal with as much ease as a knife through cheese. Around the middle of the light spectrum, when the laser glowed green, the cutting edge was equal to that of the steel sword Maelgwn had wielded in the Dark Ages. Zerrah had proven to be a willing sparring partner and had even warmed to Maelgwn a little during their duels, for the Delphinus warrior had discovered he could hold his own against Gibal's new bodyguard and had even managed to disarm the Dragon a couple of times. Not that this had come as any surprise to Maelgwn. Zerrah had proven himself a superior fighter in every lifetime that Maelgwn had encountered him in, and thus he was not surprised to discover that this incarnation was no exception.

Once he'd completed all the training he cared to, Maelgwn retired onto the balcony. It would be low tide soon, when the ocean's surface would drop below the top of the city's watery dome and expose the sky beyond — an event that he was quite looking forward to beholding.

‘Hello there.'

Aquilla startled Maelgwn as she stepped out onto his balcony to join him.

‘I hope you don't mind that I let myself in. I did buzz, but there was no answer.'

‘No, not at all.' He stood, trying not to appear as flustered as he felt. ‘Is there something I can do for you?' Maelgwn despised how official he sounded.

Aquilla smiled at his formal tone, and maintained her relaxed informal one. ‘It's more what I can do for you really.' She looked out over Mazua, towards the Stargaze Temple. ‘My uncle thought you might like to see some of the sights, and as it is Uriah's night off, he sent me instead.'

Surely Cornelin would not have sent Aquilla to him, after going to such pains to keep Maelgwn away from her? Still, he was not about to accuse the woman of lying. ‘Nothing would please me more,' he told her truthfully, whereby Aquilla turned back to him, well pleased. But the serious expression on his face caused the smile to slip from hers. ‘But I don't think that our association would be very appropriate on a social level.'

‘Because of racial and gender differences or my deceased husband?' Aquilla brought the whole mess out in the open.

‘Well,' Maelgwn shrugged, ‘all of the above … and your overly protective brother, uncle and employer.'

Aquilla's smile returned. ‘Their efforts are quite unnecessary. I do realise that you are not my husband, and I also understand you are married yourself. Nevertheless, I intend to prove to you, and indeed to everyone else who feels it is their business, that there is no need for you to avoid me like some sort of plague. I am really quite harmless and nice to know.'

Aquilla seemed sincerely friendly in her intent, just as Tory had in the beginning. ‘Aquilla, I am sure you are a wonderful person to know and as much as I would love to —'

‘You're going to politely decline, aren't you?'

Aquilla seemed as if she was going to let him off the hook and so Maelgwn nodded to take the easiest way out for all involved.

‘Oh, come on, Dragon, just this once.' She changed her tack, her big blue eyes doing their best to sway him.

Maelgwn should have realised the universe would not allow his escape to be so simple. ‘But why, Aquilla? If you have no true interest in me, then —'

‘Now, I didn't say that,' she corrected, playfully. ‘My interest is intellectual.'

‘But I am not permitted to discuss anything about myself,' he objected, inwardly tickled by her persistence.

‘I realise that,' she stressed, grinning broadly at the obvious. ‘But we don't have to talk about you … you could give me your first impressions of our city, as you've seen precious little of it yet.'

Maelgwn frowned, torn by her sweet pleas.

‘I could take you to the seaside, Cornelin mentioned you were interested in seeing it. It will be fun … you do know what fun is?'

‘Alright.' He folded, feeling there could be little harm in it. Gibal did order him to enjoy himself and this way he would have something to report.

Aquilla slapped her hands together, delighted. ‘You won't be sorry,' she assured him, backing indoors to lead him towards the front door before he changed his mind.