The Jadians, Part I
Of Kings and Chatoyancy
Of Kings and Chatoyancy
Of Kings and Chatoyancy
People looked like ants to the great King Shanduq’, sitting high above the valley on a throne flawlessly carved from green chert stone. It is said a man becomes embued with great powers when standing atop a mountain summit. If that be the case, then King Shanduq’ was indeed powerful. The masses below were gathering for a mid-day ceremony conducted each day of their lives. The ceremony was called ‘Ganha-set,’ paying homage to the Queen of the fiery green stones.
These stones, of purest jade, oft spewed forth from the belly of a great green mountain called ‘La Mujerzuela.’ The mountain periodically awoke to wipe out Civilization, in a hard rain of fiery death. Now, the throngs got down on their hands and knees, close enough to be heard by those ancestors long ago buried by the mountain.
From many cliffs, the mournful call of conch shell horns carried on the warm wind. The Jadians gathered for Ganha-set.
The scent of sweetgrass and sage wafted, too, upon these tropical winds, affording comfort and delight to every nostril. Sacrificial lambs -of the human kind- were led up ornate steps carved from the steep jaden slopes. Having been chosen to honor the gods, these lovely young men and women were sent off cheerfully, families celebrating loudly in the valley below. Rain clouds drifted slowly over, delighting the chosen and royal alike with prized summer rain drops. The low moo of huge oxen reverberated off the jaden wall of the mountain passes, carried far and wide by their low tone.
Then, through the dark anvil clouds came a bright light, pinkish in hue, accompanied by the hum of a futuristic time-drive. Animals scattered willy nilly, and all dropped to the sand who weren’t already on hands and knees. Even King Shanduq’ rose to stand, raising his un-calloused hands in a greeting. There through the cloud cover descended what could only be described as something akin to Yankee stadium, a thick disc lit from inside with the aquamarine of a shallow subtropical sea.
With a hiss and a release of orange mist, the mysterious and gargantuan craft came to a stand still some ten meters above ground level. By now, the king was dancing and shaking his magic staff wildly above his feathered head dress. Every citizen prayed to, and sang the song of the ancestors. The creators of the Jade Mountain had finally returned! -cont’d
Joseph John Racano
©@JosephJohnRacano/7/19/22
People looked like ants to the great King Shanduq’, sitting high above the valley on a throne flawlessly carved from green chert stone. It is said a man becomes embued with great powers when standing atop a mountain summit. If that be the case, then King Shanduq’ was indeed powerful. The masses below were gathering for a mid-day ceremony conducted each day of their lives. The ceremony was called ‘Ganha-set,’ paying homage to the Queen of the fiery green stones.
These stones, of purest jade, oft spewed forth from the belly of a great green mountain called ‘La Mujerzuela.’ The mountain periodically awoke to wipe out Civilization, in a hard rain of fiery death. Now, the throngs got down on their hands and knees, close enough to be heard by those ancestors long ago buried by the mountain.
From many cliffs, the mournful call of conch shell horns carried on the warm wind. The Jadians gathered for Ganha-set.
The scent of sweetgrass and sage wafted, too, upon these tropical winds, affording comfort and delight to every nostril. Sacrificial lambs -of the human kind- were led up ornate steps carved from the steep jaden slopes. Having been chosen to honor the gods, these lovely young men and women were sent off cheerfully, families celebrating loudly in the valley below. Rain clouds drifted slowly over, delighting the chosen and royal alike with prized summer rain drops. The low moo of huge oxen reverberated off the jaden wall of the mountain passes, carried far and wide by their low tone.
Then, through the dark anvil clouds came a bright light, pinkish in hue, accompanied by the hum of a futuristic time-drive. Animals scattered willy nilly, and all dropped to the sand who weren’t already on hands and knees. Even King Shanduq’ rose to stand, raising his un-calloused hands in a greeting. There through the cloud cover descended what could only be described as something akin to Yankee stadium, a thick disc lit from inside with the aquamarine of a shallow subtropical sea.
With a hiss and a release of orange mist, the mysterious and gargantuan craft came to a stand still some ten meters above ground level. By now, the king was dancing and shaking his magic staff wildly above his feathered head dress. Every citizen prayed to, and sang the song of the ancestors. The creators of the Jade Mountain had finally returned! -cont’d
Joseph John Racano
©@JosephJohnRacano/7/19/22
The Jadians, Part II
Queen of the Fiery Green Stones
A puff of powdery orange smoke wafted in concentric circles out from the craft, washing over the grateful minions. Some stood up to marvel at this fortuitous blessing, making orange hand prints on their bare bodies. King Shaduq’ approached through the parting crowd and bent low to touch the orange powder for himself. With a nod, he commanded his handlers to anoint his body as well as their own with these magical hand prints. A roar went up from the crowd. The King waved his hand, loosing troupes of performers out onto the common, where brightly colored dancers and musicians offered the gods incredible displays of artistry, much to the pleasure of the King. On one side of the common, a wooden box was opened, letting fly several hundred snow white doves, who took to the air as one huge flock.
With another gesture of the King’s hand, a tall man across the large fairground revealed a Golden Eagle perched heavily on his arm. The huge bird of prey wore a jade-studded leather hood to calm him until it was time to fly. The falconer cried out with a shriek as the hood was removed. The Eagle responded by lurching forward into the air, gaining great height very quickly on the strength of powerful wings. As the doves criss-crossed the sky, the Eagle struck with prehistoric force, culling a single bird from the formation, and returning with it to the sound of a bell rung by the handler. The rest of the birds landed all around the delighted King, who sat sprinkling seed at his own feet.
The body of the newly dispatched dove was then walked up the carven steps and lain atop the mountain summit of La Mujerzuela, where both bird and handler were added to the sacrificial bounty. At this, Ganha-set was complete. The conch shells once again blew their mournful refrain, and the King disbanded the festivities with a final motion of his feathered staff. Now the giant craft began to hum at a low frequency, and a giant portal slid open at front, revealing the brilliance of aquamarine crystals comprising the aperture.
An other-worldly ringing became audible and a large figure stirred within. Out through the portal stepped a giant humanoid garbed in an unknown blue metal. The giant came down on one knee and struck a staff of his own into the carved step. From behind him out walked the most beautiful woman in the Universe, the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones.
to be cont'd...
Queen of the Fiery Green Stones
A puff of powdery orange smoke wafted in concentric circles out from the craft, washing over the grateful minions. Some stood up to marvel at this fortuitous blessing, making orange hand prints on their bare bodies. King Shaduq’ approached through the parting crowd and bent low to touch the orange powder for himself. With a nod, he commanded his handlers to anoint his body as well as their own with these magical hand prints. A roar went up from the crowd. The King waved his hand, loosing troupes of performers out onto the common, where brightly colored dancers and musicians offered the gods incredible displays of artistry, much to the pleasure of the King. On one side of the common, a wooden box was opened, letting fly several hundred snow white doves, who took to the air as one huge flock.
With another gesture of the King’s hand, a tall man across the large fairground revealed a Golden Eagle perched heavily on his arm. The huge bird of prey wore a jade-studded leather hood to calm him until it was time to fly. The falconer cried out with a shriek as the hood was removed. The Eagle responded by lurching forward into the air, gaining great height very quickly on the strength of powerful wings. As the doves criss-crossed the sky, the Eagle struck with prehistoric force, culling a single bird from the formation, and returning with it to the sound of a bell rung by the handler. The rest of the birds landed all around the delighted King, who sat sprinkling seed at his own feet.
The body of the newly dispatched dove was then walked up the carven steps and lain atop the mountain summit of La Mujerzuela, where both bird and handler were added to the sacrificial bounty. At this, Ganha-set was complete. The conch shells once again blew their mournful refrain, and the King disbanded the festivities with a final motion of his feathered staff. Now the giant craft began to hum at a low frequency, and a giant portal slid open at front, revealing the brilliance of aquamarine crystals comprising the aperture.
An other-worldly ringing became audible and a large figure stirred within. Out through the portal stepped a giant humanoid garbed in an unknown blue metal. The giant came down on one knee and struck a staff of his own into the carved step. From behind him out walked the most beautiful woman in the Universe, the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones.
to be cont'd...
The Jadians
Part III
Valley of the Gods
With the last of the revelers gone and the huge square devoid of humanity, a thick silence hung on the air like a woolen blanket. With only the Great King Shaduq’ to witness, orange smoke began to billow from the aperture, obscuring the aquamarine crystals behind. As the orange smoke walked itself slowly down from the strange craft, it was flanked on both sides by a free-flowing mist as white as the bear of the northern snows. So much smoke and mist poured out of the craft’s portal it filled the entire common, turning it into a creamsicle inland sea. Then came a singing flute and the sweet scent of hummingbird sage as she appeared- the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones!
Chakras overflowing with nirvanic enlightenment caused a brilliant glow at her bosom, lighting the way forward in this creamsicle sea of her own creation. King Shaduq’ stood astounded, at once in love and in terror, so mighty was she. And this Queen had a singular beauty as she rode the smokey ripples in a small skiff filled with baubles and flowers. Lotus flowers and lake orchids swirled ‘round large white water lilies that gathered in her wake. It was indeed a sight fit for a King, and Shaduq’ was entranced.
“I see you have been celebrating Ganha-set,” said the Queen as she nosed the skiff to shore and extended a long and delicate hand toward him.
“It is a favorite of our people. Please join me at my vista panor’amica for a sweet nectar,” he answered, taking the hand she offered. “The valley offers many wonders, all of which may be better seen from above. Even now, an evening fire is being prepared for your enjoyment.”
“You are far too kind, Great King,” said the ghostly yet beautiful woman. She stepped carefully from the small boat, allowing it to drift away until it was lost in the mists of the creamsicle sea. He looked deep into her green eyes- but only that once, finding that looking into them gave him the sensation of falling and spinning. He helped her gain astride a lovely and freshly brushed climbing mule, and led the way to his royal vista.
Cont’d…
Part III
Valley of the Gods
With the last of the revelers gone and the huge square devoid of humanity, a thick silence hung on the air like a woolen blanket. With only the Great King Shaduq’ to witness, orange smoke began to billow from the aperture, obscuring the aquamarine crystals behind. As the orange smoke walked itself slowly down from the strange craft, it was flanked on both sides by a free-flowing mist as white as the bear of the northern snows. So much smoke and mist poured out of the craft’s portal it filled the entire common, turning it into a creamsicle inland sea. Then came a singing flute and the sweet scent of hummingbird sage as she appeared- the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones!
Chakras overflowing with nirvanic enlightenment caused a brilliant glow at her bosom, lighting the way forward in this creamsicle sea of her own creation. King Shaduq’ stood astounded, at once in love and in terror, so mighty was she. And this Queen had a singular beauty as she rode the smokey ripples in a small skiff filled with baubles and flowers. Lotus flowers and lake orchids swirled ‘round large white water lilies that gathered in her wake. It was indeed a sight fit for a King, and Shaduq’ was entranced.
“I see you have been celebrating Ganha-set,” said the Queen as she nosed the skiff to shore and extended a long and delicate hand toward him.
“It is a favorite of our people. Please join me at my vista panor’amica for a sweet nectar,” he answered, taking the hand she offered. “The valley offers many wonders, all of which may be better seen from above. Even now, an evening fire is being prepared for your enjoyment.”
“You are far too kind, Great King,” said the ghostly yet beautiful woman. She stepped carefully from the small boat, allowing it to drift away until it was lost in the mists of the creamsicle sea. He looked deep into her green eyes- but only that once, finding that looking into them gave him the sensation of falling and spinning. He helped her gain astride a lovely and freshly brushed climbing mule, and led the way to his royal vista.
Cont’d…
The Jadians
Part IV
A Trade for Jade
The warm night was blessed by an altitude too high for most insects. The occasional high-flying fowl provided graceful winged entertainment for the Queen. King Shaduq’ dismissed his guardians and tended the fire himself in a chivalrous attempt to gain favor with the reclining temptress. Out from the rocks slithered large snakes of several species, all known to the King to be highly venomous. Each one of them also seeking the Queens favor. “Let me dispatch them for you,” offered Shaduq’, clearly jealous of their brazen attempts to divert her attention.
“That won’t be necessary at all, Great King. These are the serpents who salt my Earth. I cherish them to a one. Fear them not and be at ease. I am so hungry,” said the Queen.
“Very well, I shall not look upon them the same way forward. And for your hunger well timed, there are strips of jerky ready to come off the fire. I shall sprinkle them with a sugared maze. I know you will find them delightful.” The Queen smiled like the sun, clearly impressed with the King, a man’s man.
“It is said that to win a beautiful woman’s favor, a man must be patient enough to feed her a pomegranate one seed at a time,” said the King. He sat at the edge of her straw recliner and held a kernel to her rosy lips between two fingers.
“I accept,” whispered the Queen, and the night was upon them.
One taste of the Queens sorbet lips sent the King spiraling into a sensual abyss where did Kings, Gods and Ghosts dream the dreams of the Black Lotus. Fighting would have been useless, even if the King had any intentions of doing so. For tonight, there was none other than this ghostly she-siren who floated in on a skiff of flowers. Now his education was complete, his body nurtured, his every hungry cell filled to satisfaction.
The King awoke late at morning, a sunburn on the back of his neck. He shook the grog from his head and looked about only to see no sign of Queen, snake or smoke. His charges approached from every direction with warm and wet hand towels to wipe the cobwebs from the King. Several tonnes of Jade piled at the craft's doorway had now vanished.
Nothing more was said of the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones.
Part IV
A Trade for Jade
The warm night was blessed by an altitude too high for most insects. The occasional high-flying fowl provided graceful winged entertainment for the Queen. King Shaduq’ dismissed his guardians and tended the fire himself in a chivalrous attempt to gain favor with the reclining temptress. Out from the rocks slithered large snakes of several species, all known to the King to be highly venomous. Each one of them also seeking the Queens favor. “Let me dispatch them for you,” offered Shaduq’, clearly jealous of their brazen attempts to divert her attention.
“That won’t be necessary at all, Great King. These are the serpents who salt my Earth. I cherish them to a one. Fear them not and be at ease. I am so hungry,” said the Queen.
“Very well, I shall not look upon them the same way forward. And for your hunger well timed, there are strips of jerky ready to come off the fire. I shall sprinkle them with a sugared maze. I know you will find them delightful.” The Queen smiled like the sun, clearly impressed with the King, a man’s man.
“It is said that to win a beautiful woman’s favor, a man must be patient enough to feed her a pomegranate one seed at a time,” said the King. He sat at the edge of her straw recliner and held a kernel to her rosy lips between two fingers.
“I accept,” whispered the Queen, and the night was upon them.
One taste of the Queens sorbet lips sent the King spiraling into a sensual abyss where did Kings, Gods and Ghosts dream the dreams of the Black Lotus. Fighting would have been useless, even if the King had any intentions of doing so. For tonight, there was none other than this ghostly she-siren who floated in on a skiff of flowers. Now his education was complete, his body nurtured, his every hungry cell filled to satisfaction.
The King awoke late at morning, a sunburn on the back of his neck. He shook the grog from his head and looked about only to see no sign of Queen, snake or smoke. His charges approached from every direction with warm and wet hand towels to wipe the cobwebs from the King. Several tonnes of Jade piled at the craft's doorway had now vanished.
Nothing more was said of the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones.
The Jadians
Part V
Journey to the Underground
Great King Shaduq’ lived a long life, leading his people to spiritual health and prosperity by virtue of the Jade. Not only were his people among the greatest astronomers in history, but they literally carved a technological niche for themselves using fine cutting instruments left behind for them by the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones. The Queen never returned in the King’s lifetime, but the Jadians were eventually visited by a very strange craft under the insignia of the Alternity Group. The craft materialized on the same commons as had the Queen several centuries before, and also during the celebration of Ganha-set. And as before, the revelers dropped down on all fours in homage.
But when the craft became wholly visible, it was a very different machine. And as the portal hissed open to expel its occupants, these were three of history’s most famous time-agents, come to see the land of the Jadians for themselves. Justin Nicholas Thyme stepped off the Quarterdeck, flanked by his top brass, Commander Nikki Night Bird and Harmony Staires. Justin was greeted by the first actual King of the new age, Zetoa Co’apetl, who had been waiting to meet these god-like travers of the sky. Nikki and Harmony took up positions at the bottom of the gangway, polasers held high, their backs to the Commodore.
“King, we have come to help your people advance even further than where your excellent carvers and astronomers have taken you.”
“The words of Justin Thyme carry more weight in the world than what Jade an ox-drawn cart could carry on a hundred trips," said the King. "Let us wash, eat, and sleep. In the sun I shall lead you myself to the Cavern of Forever, where all the Jade in the galaxy lives."
Justin smiled and signaled the crew to secure the Time Ship. Tomorrow would see them on a subterranean safari.
cont’d…
Part V
Journey to the Underground
Great King Shaduq’ lived a long life, leading his people to spiritual health and prosperity by virtue of the Jade. Not only were his people among the greatest astronomers in history, but they literally carved a technological niche for themselves using fine cutting instruments left behind for them by the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones. The Queen never returned in the King’s lifetime, but the Jadians were eventually visited by a very strange craft under the insignia of the Alternity Group. The craft materialized on the same commons as had the Queen several centuries before, and also during the celebration of Ganha-set. And as before, the revelers dropped down on all fours in homage.
But when the craft became wholly visible, it was a very different machine. And as the portal hissed open to expel its occupants, these were three of history’s most famous time-agents, come to see the land of the Jadians for themselves. Justin Nicholas Thyme stepped off the Quarterdeck, flanked by his top brass, Commander Nikki Night Bird and Harmony Staires. Justin was greeted by the first actual King of the new age, Zetoa Co’apetl, who had been waiting to meet these god-like travers of the sky. Nikki and Harmony took up positions at the bottom of the gangway, polasers held high, their backs to the Commodore.
“King, we have come to help your people advance even further than where your excellent carvers and astronomers have taken you.”
“The words of Justin Thyme carry more weight in the world than what Jade an ox-drawn cart could carry on a hundred trips," said the King. "Let us wash, eat, and sleep. In the sun I shall lead you myself to the Cavern of Forever, where all the Jade in the galaxy lives."
Justin smiled and signaled the crew to secure the Time Ship. Tomorrow would see them on a subterranean safari.
cont’d…
The Jadians
Part VI
Cavern of Forever
At first light, King Zetoa Co’apetl and his High Priest She’sha stood at the Time Ship’s portal awaiting the crew. A horn sounded a subdued alarm and the portal slid open, causing the men to stagger backward a few steps. Their pack mule brayed in fright, but was soon calmed by the steady hand of the High Priest. Smoke poured from the now open portal as three figures stepped out of the ship and onto the common. The crew members were each handed a cup of mulsum, a mixture of wine, honey and aromatic spices.
The crew looked to Justin, who nodded that it was ok to accept. Even more than ok, it was proper. Knowing the many customs of the timeline, Commodore Thyme was sure that refusing it would likely be construed as an insult. It was delicious and gave the crew a boost of energy and endorphins. The cups were gathered and hung on the mule. The portal snapped closed behind them and set itself on security mode. Unauthorized contact with the ship would deliver a powerful jolt. With a wave of his hand, King Zetoa bade the crew follow as the Priest led the mule toward the edge of the common. Harmony carried polaser at the ready and Nikki set a wrist apparatus to record the entire journey and sojourn.
“Have a care with your footfalls, the terrain can be treacherous,” said the King. “We shall be descending steeply straight away.” Within minutes of leaving the common, the safari was lost among an army of robust boulders, and began the arduous journey of stepping over smaller rocks and eventually dipping underground. Strategic holes in the ceiling allowed for a filtered light to guide them on their way, as they crunched on a soft gravel below their feet. Now and again the path narrowed making it necessary to navigate a bottleneck to enter another even larger cathedral room.
Each cavernous void came replete with pastel-colored stalagmites, stalactites and occasional parietal art. When the safari had reached the bottom, the floor levelled off and gravel became sand. “We’ll stop for a rest right here,” said the King. The High Priest began unpacking the mule but was interrupted by the agents, who kindly took over duties in deference to the old man. He smiled at their kindness while marveling at their beauty. These tall, statuesque warriors of the sky would make a handsome concubine, thought he. Dangerous, but handsome!
Justin stood, himself marveled by a different subject- the ancient cave paintings. He produced a wristometer and waved it slowly over the art.
“This artwork is registering at 800,000 years old! Great King, your realm has indeed a wealth of treasure and history. It is important that it be fully documented.” Justin ordered Nikki to leave the pleasantries to Harmony, and get busy scanning all the art and accompanying pictographs, which were scattered about the cave walls at every height and depth. Several were visible below the clear shallow pools that occasionally dotted the floor.
Odd forms of life rose to the surface of the pools, looking without eyes, curious as to the nature of these infrequent visitors. Devoid of color themselves, these were half salamander, half fish, having evolved independently from the surface-dwelling life forms, living isolated lives in subterranean pools filled with bat guano, which fed the plants that in turn fed them. ‘Fascinating,’ thought Nikki.
In an hour’s time, the safari was back on the move, this time led by the women who carried powerful weapons and gas detection devices. After several hours of walking with a crouch, the crew found it necessary to leave the mule on a sandy outcrop, eating hay, surrounded by fresh pure water and getting a much-needed rest for the return trip.
The King spoke suddenly, “Look there! Behold! The Cavern of Forever.”
Before the crew was a sight not to be believed by the lying eye of the cave blinded. Statues one hundred feet high, carved with exquisite mastery- and from pure Jade! “I gotta get this!” exclaimed agent Night Bird as she pushed ahead and powered her wrist recorder to its’ highest resolution.
“The Cavern of Forever!” added Harmony. “Wow.”
cont’d…
Part VI
Cavern of Forever
At first light, King Zetoa Co’apetl and his High Priest She’sha stood at the Time Ship’s portal awaiting the crew. A horn sounded a subdued alarm and the portal slid open, causing the men to stagger backward a few steps. Their pack mule brayed in fright, but was soon calmed by the steady hand of the High Priest. Smoke poured from the now open portal as three figures stepped out of the ship and onto the common. The crew members were each handed a cup of mulsum, a mixture of wine, honey and aromatic spices.
The crew looked to Justin, who nodded that it was ok to accept. Even more than ok, it was proper. Knowing the many customs of the timeline, Commodore Thyme was sure that refusing it would likely be construed as an insult. It was delicious and gave the crew a boost of energy and endorphins. The cups were gathered and hung on the mule. The portal snapped closed behind them and set itself on security mode. Unauthorized contact with the ship would deliver a powerful jolt. With a wave of his hand, King Zetoa bade the crew follow as the Priest led the mule toward the edge of the common. Harmony carried polaser at the ready and Nikki set a wrist apparatus to record the entire journey and sojourn.
“Have a care with your footfalls, the terrain can be treacherous,” said the King. “We shall be descending steeply straight away.” Within minutes of leaving the common, the safari was lost among an army of robust boulders, and began the arduous journey of stepping over smaller rocks and eventually dipping underground. Strategic holes in the ceiling allowed for a filtered light to guide them on their way, as they crunched on a soft gravel below their feet. Now and again the path narrowed making it necessary to navigate a bottleneck to enter another even larger cathedral room.
Each cavernous void came replete with pastel-colored stalagmites, stalactites and occasional parietal art. When the safari had reached the bottom, the floor levelled off and gravel became sand. “We’ll stop for a rest right here,” said the King. The High Priest began unpacking the mule but was interrupted by the agents, who kindly took over duties in deference to the old man. He smiled at their kindness while marveling at their beauty. These tall, statuesque warriors of the sky would make a handsome concubine, thought he. Dangerous, but handsome!
Justin stood, himself marveled by a different subject- the ancient cave paintings. He produced a wristometer and waved it slowly over the art.
“This artwork is registering at 800,000 years old! Great King, your realm has indeed a wealth of treasure and history. It is important that it be fully documented.” Justin ordered Nikki to leave the pleasantries to Harmony, and get busy scanning all the art and accompanying pictographs, which were scattered about the cave walls at every height and depth. Several were visible below the clear shallow pools that occasionally dotted the floor.
Odd forms of life rose to the surface of the pools, looking without eyes, curious as to the nature of these infrequent visitors. Devoid of color themselves, these were half salamander, half fish, having evolved independently from the surface-dwelling life forms, living isolated lives in subterranean pools filled with bat guano, which fed the plants that in turn fed them. ‘Fascinating,’ thought Nikki.
In an hour’s time, the safari was back on the move, this time led by the women who carried powerful weapons and gas detection devices. After several hours of walking with a crouch, the crew found it necessary to leave the mule on a sandy outcrop, eating hay, surrounded by fresh pure water and getting a much-needed rest for the return trip.
The King spoke suddenly, “Look there! Behold! The Cavern of Forever.”
Before the crew was a sight not to be believed by the lying eye of the cave blinded. Statues one hundred feet high, carved with exquisite mastery- and from pure Jade! “I gotta get this!” exclaimed agent Night Bird as she pushed ahead and powered her wrist recorder to its’ highest resolution.
“The Cavern of Forever!” added Harmony. “Wow.”
cont’d…
The Jadians
Part VII
A Toll for the Cave Witch
Upon reaching the heart of the Cavern of Forever, the Alternity crew now realized the enormity of the Jadians resources and knew how to help them. Justin advised the King it was time to end the descent and return to the Time Ship. There, he would design a tool like none other, and give it to the Jadians in return for a promise- that they would never use it against nature. The King whole-heartedly agreed, and the crew began the long trek back to the commons.
In a few hours, they came upon their loyal but lonely mule, who lay shivering against the cave wall, as far from the pool as he could get. “Come here, Sal,” implored the High Priest, but the mule would not move an inch. “Come on boy, come here now,” he repeated.
All of the safari gathered by the poor mule except Justin. “Something’s wrong,” he declared.
“What kind of something?” asked Nikki Night Bird.
Justin shook his head side to side slowly. “I don’t know, but something scared the heck out of Sal, that’s what I’m thinking. Priest, is their anything we should be concerned with here?” asked Justin.
Now it was the High Priest’s turn to shake his head. “I don’t know of anything.”
The mule suddenly stood to his hooven feet and let loose a braying wail. Then a splash came from the dark pool which began slowly illuminating from some inner light source. “I thinks perhaps the nice Kings must wants to go backs, perhaps,” said a voice straight from the bowels of the cave. Justin looked hard at the rippling water and pointed to Commander Night Bird.
“Polaser,” he spoke in a quiet voice. Nikki drew her polaser and set it for kill.
“Me thinks the nice Kings may want…”
“Who goes there,” asked Justin, “and what do you want with a peaceful King?” he demanded.
“Yessss, I sees the Kings remembers not the bargains of old!” There was a face just above the water, a frightening face that could belong only to a cave witch.
King Zetoa Co’apetl spoke in a slow tone, “I do remember you, the one called Sequana!” The witch made a cackling laughter and smiled with demonic delight.
“Sequana!” exclaimed Justin. “Witch practitioner of all things Aquamancy!”
Sequana’s eyes flashed red at the mention. The cackling laughter continued on, like fingernails scratching on a school chalk board. And a school of Aquamancy taught in Hades, at that. “Nice Kings, but fors you to pass, ye know such is caused fors a steep toll only!”
Justin drew a polaser of his own and fired at point blank range, but to no avail. The witch’s magic was impervious to such mortal dandle. He looked to the King. “What do we have for barter, good King?”
The witch began to rise from the pool, her pale hands capped menacingly by sharp red talons. The crew looked toward the braying mule and all were thinking the same thing. The King took the mule by the lead in one hand and pulled him close, whispering comfort into his long furry ear. He placed his other hand squarely on the upper back of the High Priest and shoved him into the water. Neither Sequana the Witch nor the High Priest were ever seen again.
cont’d
Part VII
A Toll for the Cave Witch
Upon reaching the heart of the Cavern of Forever, the Alternity crew now realized the enormity of the Jadians resources and knew how to help them. Justin advised the King it was time to end the descent and return to the Time Ship. There, he would design a tool like none other, and give it to the Jadians in return for a promise- that they would never use it against nature. The King whole-heartedly agreed, and the crew began the long trek back to the commons.
In a few hours, they came upon their loyal but lonely mule, who lay shivering against the cave wall, as far from the pool as he could get. “Come here, Sal,” implored the High Priest, but the mule would not move an inch. “Come on boy, come here now,” he repeated.
All of the safari gathered by the poor mule except Justin. “Something’s wrong,” he declared.
“What kind of something?” asked Nikki Night Bird.
Justin shook his head side to side slowly. “I don’t know, but something scared the heck out of Sal, that’s what I’m thinking. Priest, is their anything we should be concerned with here?” asked Justin.
Now it was the High Priest’s turn to shake his head. “I don’t know of anything.”
The mule suddenly stood to his hooven feet and let loose a braying wail. Then a splash came from the dark pool which began slowly illuminating from some inner light source. “I thinks perhaps the nice Kings must wants to go backs, perhaps,” said a voice straight from the bowels of the cave. Justin looked hard at the rippling water and pointed to Commander Night Bird.
“Polaser,” he spoke in a quiet voice. Nikki drew her polaser and set it for kill.
“Me thinks the nice Kings may want…”
“Who goes there,” asked Justin, “and what do you want with a peaceful King?” he demanded.
“Yessss, I sees the Kings remembers not the bargains of old!” There was a face just above the water, a frightening face that could belong only to a cave witch.
King Zetoa Co’apetl spoke in a slow tone, “I do remember you, the one called Sequana!” The witch made a cackling laughter and smiled with demonic delight.
“Sequana!” exclaimed Justin. “Witch practitioner of all things Aquamancy!”
Sequana’s eyes flashed red at the mention. The cackling laughter continued on, like fingernails scratching on a school chalk board. And a school of Aquamancy taught in Hades, at that. “Nice Kings, but fors you to pass, ye know such is caused fors a steep toll only!”
Justin drew a polaser of his own and fired at point blank range, but to no avail. The witch’s magic was impervious to such mortal dandle. He looked to the King. “What do we have for barter, good King?”
The witch began to rise from the pool, her pale hands capped menacingly by sharp red talons. The crew looked toward the braying mule and all were thinking the same thing. The King took the mule by the lead in one hand and pulled him close, whispering comfort into his long furry ear. He placed his other hand squarely on the upper back of the High Priest and shoved him into the water. Neither Sequana the Witch nor the High Priest were ever seen again.
cont’d
The Jadians
Part VIII
Lathe to Laser
After an uneventful trip back to the commons, the crew got down to the business of lifting the technology of the Jadians, a race of people contemporary with the early Aztec empire in Mesoamerica. Having returned from a journey to the Cavern of Forever, where they saw ‘all the Jade in the Galaxy’ in the words of the King, the crew set up shop outdoors on the common. The fresh air was too enjoyable to pass up. There would be plenty of time to spend in the netherworlds of space-time on the inside of the ship and there was no need to do so now.
The crowds gathered large, and the crew was still a little freaked out by the King’s sudden betrayal of his High Priest, but such were the Aztecs and their sister races. A Spanish King once gave his beautiful daughter to his Mesoamerican counterpart as a gift, ostensibly for marriage. But when the Spaniards returned some years later to visit the King’s daughter, the Aztec King brought her to meet her father wearing her cured skin as a full-length outer coat. In the eyes of the Aztecs, she made a fine gift and a better overcoat. Needless to say the King was beyond horrified and he never went back.
Anyway, the mule was pleasantly surprised, thought Justin. The peoples had set up a huge wood table on the common for the crew, and work they did. It took weeks to design and months to manufacture, but the end result was a laser Jade carving tool based on the design of the polaser weapons the crew all carried, each with the power of a yellow dwarf star, like as the sun. When the Jadians got to working with their new tool, the combination of futuristic technology coupled with brilliant, unspoiled minds of antiquity, resulted in amazing breakthroughs.
In a few years’ time, the Jadians had trams that ran on tracks of honed Jade, lived in homes impenetrable to forced entry, quilled arrows that held glow-tip projectiles and could pierce any shield or armor. They even wore headdresses and helmets able to withstand any falling boulder that didn’t break ones’ neck.
But try as they might though, the Jadians were never granted the technology to build a polaser. Justin correctly envisioned a future where such an advantage could have created a lop-sided history. Leave the polasers to the agents of Alternity Group, he thought. And the crew agreed.
Soon, the work done, the crew paid their respects to the Jadians, boarded the time ship and dematerialized in a whirlwind of plasma. The people below the now-vanished time ship danced in rapture, and the King called an end to the season of Ganha-set.
The End
Part VIII
Lathe to Laser
After an uneventful trip back to the commons, the crew got down to the business of lifting the technology of the Jadians, a race of people contemporary with the early Aztec empire in Mesoamerica. Having returned from a journey to the Cavern of Forever, where they saw ‘all the Jade in the Galaxy’ in the words of the King, the crew set up shop outdoors on the common. The fresh air was too enjoyable to pass up. There would be plenty of time to spend in the netherworlds of space-time on the inside of the ship and there was no need to do so now.
The crowds gathered large, and the crew was still a little freaked out by the King’s sudden betrayal of his High Priest, but such were the Aztecs and their sister races. A Spanish King once gave his beautiful daughter to his Mesoamerican counterpart as a gift, ostensibly for marriage. But when the Spaniards returned some years later to visit the King’s daughter, the Aztec King brought her to meet her father wearing her cured skin as a full-length outer coat. In the eyes of the Aztecs, she made a fine gift and a better overcoat. Needless to say the King was beyond horrified and he never went back.
Anyway, the mule was pleasantly surprised, thought Justin. The peoples had set up a huge wood table on the common for the crew, and work they did. It took weeks to design and months to manufacture, but the end result was a laser Jade carving tool based on the design of the polaser weapons the crew all carried, each with the power of a yellow dwarf star, like as the sun. When the Jadians got to working with their new tool, the combination of futuristic technology coupled with brilliant, unspoiled minds of antiquity, resulted in amazing breakthroughs.
In a few years’ time, the Jadians had trams that ran on tracks of honed Jade, lived in homes impenetrable to forced entry, quilled arrows that held glow-tip projectiles and could pierce any shield or armor. They even wore headdresses and helmets able to withstand any falling boulder that didn’t break ones’ neck.
But try as they might though, the Jadians were never granted the technology to build a polaser. Justin correctly envisioned a future where such an advantage could have created a lop-sided history. Leave the polasers to the agents of Alternity Group, he thought. And the crew agreed.
Soon, the work done, the crew paid their respects to the Jadians, boarded the time ship and dematerialized in a whirlwind of plasma. The people below the now-vanished time ship danced in rapture, and the King called an end to the season of Ganha-set.
The End
Bondservant King
She floated down from space, Queen of the stones
A beautiful countenance etched on cheek bones
In royalty robes of shimmery sheen
Satiny soft and billowy green
He dropped to his knees the mighty Shaduq'
Before her the Queen he now just a rook
Bathed in the glow of her emerald aura
All senses reeling from her sweet-scented flora
The delicate fingers she ran through his hair
Created a crisp static charge in the air
A single look up was the most he could muster
His Jadian face cheeks and skin now afluster
And who was to judge him his servient ways
Kneeling before her with amorous praise
A fool in his kingdom but sinew and bones
Thrall to the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones
Joseph John Racano
©@JosephJohnRacano/7/1/2023
My Novel, Order it here:
https://www.ebl.com/book/Chronopolis
She floated down from space, Queen of the stones
A beautiful countenance etched on cheek bones
In royalty robes of shimmery sheen
Satiny soft and billowy green
He dropped to his knees the mighty Shaduq'
Before her the Queen he now just a rook
Bathed in the glow of her emerald aura
All senses reeling from her sweet-scented flora
The delicate fingers she ran through his hair
Created a crisp static charge in the air
A single look up was the most he could muster
His Jadian face cheeks and skin now afluster
And who was to judge him his servient ways
Kneeling before her with amorous praise
A fool in his kingdom but sinew and bones
Thrall to the Queen of the Fiery Green Stones
Joseph John Racano
©@JosephJohnRacano/7/1/2023
My Novel, Order it here:
https://www.ebl.com/book/Chronopolis