Spectrum Force Chapter Seven

Still not mine.

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The Diadem

Epilogue


It all made sense now. Everything fit into place.

Before, he had so many doubts; so many worries. How could he balance his education, his basketball team, and his duties as the Blue Enforcer? The worry gnawed at him, making it difficult to sleep, and impossible to concentrate.

But then... he touched the Diadem.

"If you still doubt, the Diadem will light your path..."

Mashal had been right. His quest to find the Diadem challenged him, forcing him to rely on his instincts. He finally recognized just how crippling discouragement could be; if he couldn't muster the faith to believe in himself, he simply couldn't succeed.

The Diadem called him... and accepted him.

He rubbed his palms together, remembering the warmth that flowed through him when he touched the mystical orb. He took lingering breaths, exhaling the worries of the day and inhaling the world around him.

He reached for that rapport... that luminous afterglow that lingered in his soul. That center of absolute clarity; of purpose and direction. No longer adrift, he had a rudder to help steer him through his life. Steer him toward his destiny.

He didn't know what his destiny was. The Diadem hadn't revealed that level of detail. But he did have a clearer of view of just how important his role was to the grand scheme. The Spectrum Force was able to draw from the Diadem's power, with startling results. They were worthy.

Some day, he would be called upon to take a more direct role in the liberation of the universe. In the meantime, he would serve as a defender. He would continue his studies, learning the field of psychology as thoroughly as possible. He would continue his athletic pursuits, helping fund his education as well as hone his body for the challenges that lay ahead. While these responsibilities were weighty, they didn't have to be overwhelming. And they weren't mutually exclusive, either.

Both his studies and his athletics groomed him to be a more capable Blue Enforcer. And his service as the Blue Enforcer gave him the dedication and maturity that made pursuing his studies and athletics easier.

He would persist in all three directions... and whenever his burden became difficult to bear, he would reach for that center of absolute clarity, and breathe in the Light.

"Craig? You awake?"

"I usually sleep on the bed, Keith."

Keith shrugged, leaning against the wall beside the area rug on which Craig sat. "Well, you've been acting pretty weird lately."

Craig grinned at that, opening his eyes and turning to his roommate. "Hey, you can't really blame me. We've all had some weird experiences lately."

The Red Enforcer looked at Craig again, observing his expression. It seemed as if he'd been... ironed. Earlier, lines of tension creased his brow and chin almost constantly, as if he were so tightly wound he would soon snap. But now, he seemed relaxed.

"How're you doing?"

Craig exhaled. "Much better."

"What was bothering you? Is it the Coach?"

"Yeah... among other things," Craig admitted. "Though it's definitely not Coach's fault. I just needed a new perspective, and this last mission helped me find it."

Craig then stood up, stretching his legs to get the blood flowing properly. "Speaking of Coach, I'd better drop by and see him."

Keith winced. "You want backup?"

"Nah, I got it. Either I face him now, or let him chew me out in front of everyone at practice."



* * *



After a few knocks, a brisk voice shouted, "It's open!"

Taking a breath to steel himself, Craig stepped into the imposing office of Theodore Mackenzie.

"Well, well, well," Teddy growled, looking up from his paperwork. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. "So you are still alive, eh Gillis?"

It took effort not to lower his eyes from the coach's hard glare. "Yessir. And I'm sorry I left practice the other day."

Teddy propped his feet onto his desk. "And why did you leave practice the other day? And not show up for yesterday's practice, either?"

Craig blinked. In truth, he had completely forgotten about yesterday's practice. It was quite a chore even figuring out what day it was once they returned to Earth through the Hyperspace Portal.

We were gone almost a day and half...

"I had a personal emergency to take care of," Craig admitted. "It... it had been bothering me for a few days before that, but I think I've got a handle on it."

Teddy carefully watched the athlete, noting his attentive posture and focused eyes. He didn't look agitated, like he had the last time they met. Nor did he look nervous, as if he were trying to hide something.

"Are you in trouble, Craig?"

"No, sir. I... I was in a tough place, though. I was feeling overwhelmed, and it just made everything I had to do seem impossible. I got over that now."

Teddy stared at him a few moments longer. Finally, he grinned. "It's a good thing you did, 'cause tomorrow's the Lexford game. I want my star player at his best."

Craig smiled broadly. "You got it, Coach."



* * *



"So, what happened?"

Keith frowned, staring into the dark recesses of his Coke. "When he opened the door, he was... meditating."

He glanced up, noting the four stares of utter astonishment.

"Meditating," Tamara repeated, "The whole eyes closed, legs folded, 'Hummm' thing?"

"He wasn't 'Hummm'ing, but otherwise... yeah."

"What the hell happened to Craig?" Matt grumbled through a mouthful of ham and bread, "Before we went to Edenia, you couldn't get Craig to sit quiet for ten minutes. Now he's meditating?"

"He's different," Jocelyn observed. Her voice was quiet as she leaned her elbows on the cafeteria table. "Whatever happened to him on Edenia... when he found the Diadem... it changed him."

"Maybe it's for the best," Rachel posed.

Keith stared at her. "How d'you figure? He's... not Craig anymore."

"Of course he is. Just now, he's experienced something so monumental we can only guess what it means. If I understood Spectra, even seeing the Diadem is a great honor, and Craig actually touched it." Her reverent smile faded. "Poor Spectra... I wonder how she's dealing with all this."

Tamara observed her friends' expressive faces. She keenly registered Keith's discomfort, Matthew's anger, Rachel's gloom, and Jocelyn's distraction.

It's not just Craig, she realized, her eyes lingering on the Orange Enforcer, We've all been shaken by what happened on Edenia... each in our own way.

She smiled as she waved away her concerns. "Let's not think about it now," she suggested. "The best we can do is keep our eye on Spectra, Craig, and everyone else. We're a team now, and we need to look out for each other... now more than ever."

The bright-eyed Yellow Enforcer then turned her attention to her spinach salad, taking a bite of the leafy greens. "And speaking of looking out," she continued, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "Ray, what are you doing at three o'clock today?"

"Economics."

"In the Parson Building?"

Rachel looked up from her soup, eyebrow rising. "Yes."

Tamara beamed. "Great! Then you can walk over to Chris' apartment with me at two-thirty. He lives two blocks away."

The Purple Enforcer blinked as her mind began to puzzle through her friend's suggestion. She noticed the surprised stares of Matt and Keith, as well as Jocelyn's very obvious blush.

"Why?" Rachel demanded with a soft frown.

Tamara was unphased by the lack of enthusiasm. "I need to stop by and pick up his notes from the Shakespeare class I missed yesterday."

"Why do I need to come with you?" Rachel clarified, her patience evaporating. To either side, she heard the poorly contained chuckles from her other friends. She shot both boys piercing glares that did little to quench their humor.

Tamara's smile was utterly guileless, though Rachel knew better. "To keep me company," was her excuse. "Plus, I think Chris has a three o'clock class in the same building."

Jocelyn smothered a gasp with her hand.

Matthew stared openly at Tamara, marveling that she maintained her perfectly innocent smile.

Keith lost the battle for composure, and openly laughed as his arm wrapped his girlfriend's shoulders. "That was subtle like a brick, Tam!"

Her thick lashes fluttered. "I don't know what you're talking about, Keith." She then turned back to Rachel, watching in abject fascination as Rachel's lips pursed into a thin line. To her glee, a faint rosy hue collected on her best friend's cheek.

Ha! she cheered inwardly, She's blushing! Maybe Chris has a chance after all!

Warm satisfaction flooded her heart as all the tension at the table simply evaporated. Keith was laughing riotously, Matt was slowly recovering from his shock, and even Jocelyn had begun to giggle. Rachel was thoroughly embarrassed, which was in itself a rarity.

And all disturbing thoughts about Craig's behavior, the Denebian Empire, Spectra's ailing father, and the elusive Diadem had faded... for the time being, at least

Mission accomplished! Tamara privately congratulated herself, grinning smugly.



* * *



Her hand pressed against the thick, clear glass that served as a window into the most chilling chamber in all of Lumina City. Dozens of medical personnel moved through the room with swift precision, making adjustments to revolutionary devices and testing a variety of potions... all to help ease his suffering. Telepathic dampeners were secured in all four corners, trapping his fevered thoughts within the room and away from the millions of citizens who otherwise would have been assaulted by his nightmares.

Reddened eyes narrowed as the doctors proceeded to connect Gaius to several contraptions. Needles pricked into his forehead, causing screens to display quite clearly his brain and the affected areas. Fluids were fed intravenously, no doubt numbing his pain by numbing his senses.

And all the doctors wore small steel headbands, which effectively blocked their patient's frenzied thoughts and feelings, preventing either distraction or empathy.

Her hand tightened into a fist.

"I thought you had left, Spectra."

Her eyes never turned from the treatment room. "I couldn't," she admitted, "Not until you had emerged from your study."

She then turned, and fixed Luminus with a pleading stare. "Please, High Father... tell me you have found the cure!"

The brilliant sage slowly shook his head.

Spectra released soft gulp of despair, her forehead touching the cold glass.

A warm arm wrapped her shoulders. "You were wise to keep Phaedra's scroll," he told her, his voice soft. "I know we will decipher how the 'blood of the condemner' can restore Gaius. I am confident that the scroll contains the truth, and with time this matter will be resolved."

Spectra struggled to open her eyes, further subjecting herself to her father's plight. Somehow, she felt she needed to see it... as if sharing his pain would somehow ease it. "How much time?" she whispered, her voice wavering. "He is suffering so much. Perhaps we... should..."

Luminus took Spectra by the shoulders, and pulled her toward him. His stern eyes locked with hers. "We cannot afford to lose your father, Spectra. I know it is hard for you both to cope with this present situation, but it is a necessity."

Her gaze hardened. Luminus felt her anger, and sighed softly. "This may seem unduly cruel to you, but we have no choice. Gaius is the only one who might know where the Midjinari have retreated. We must know where the Diadem is hidden, or we will lose the war."

Spectra blinked. "But the Diadem is safe now. Our presence only draws Phaedra's attention. Alone, the Midjinari are better equipped to protect the Diadem."

"They can hide it, but we are the ones destined to find the One who can use the Diadem to finally defeat the Denebian Empire."

"The Diadem told you this?"

"The Bright One himself told me."

The blood drained from Spectra's cheeks. She stood speechless for a long moment, staring at Luminus as if she had never laid eyes on him before.

Luminus smiled at her thunderstruck expression. "The Bright One recruited me to form an allegiance of Light. We have only crossed paths that one time, and decreed that I would find him again. The Midjinari have sworn to protect the Diadem from evil until the Bright One arrives. However, they assume that he will find them."

He shook his head, his concern obvious. "I have seen the darkness of the Empire; the desperate need to douse the Light and overwhelm the galaxy. I fear... that the Empire will be drawn to the Bright One. That is why we must maintain a link with the Diadem: so we can insure the Bright One is armed with his true power efficiently. Gaius was sent to align with the Midjinari, so when the Bright One is found, we could arrange for him to unite with the Diadem."

Luminus released Spectra, clasping his hands behind his back.

"What will you do now?"

"Find a cure for Gaius," he answered plainly. "Or... at the very least, find a way to communicate with him. I know that the new hideout of the Midjinari would be a guarded secret, so there is no point in combing his mind to force the information from him. His every thought and breath will protect the secret from an intruding consciousness, and in his current state he cannot properly differentiate the mental presence of a friend and a foe. It would only be damaging to scour his mind now."

"He will know me," Spectra stated. Her tone was forceful, as if daring the High Father to contradict her.

"I will not expose you to his mind now, Child." His tone brooked no argument. "He is very fragile, and so are you."

She frowned stubbornly.

Luminus responded with a soft smile. "Now is not the time, Spectra. The medical technicians are doing everything in their power to calm him, which will make it easier for you to reach him. And you have endured much, as well. You must return to Earth."

His fingers lifted her chin, forcing their eyes to meet. His gaze was warm, yet urgent. "Phaedra has been humiliated on Edenia. Her anger and cruelty are as a slumbering monster that has just been wakened. I fear she will unleash that wrath upon you and yours when she finds her way back to Earth."

Spectra stiffened at the grim forecast. In her experience, Phaedra was irrational and spiteful at the very least. To suggest that this most recent defeat could incite even more brutality was truly terrifying. "We... shall be ready, High Father."
* * *



At least the fires had stopped burning.

Mor'se took a small measure of comfort in that observation. It had been days since the utter devastation of the warship left him stranded on Edenia. He couldn't quite tell how many days had passed, since the blasted suns kept the entire planetoid bathed in a vicious light so disorienting, time seemed to crawl.

That vicious light was far more than disorienting. It proved to be deadly to many scores of soldiers and scientists who were exposed too long to the piercing rays. Less than a quarter of the crew escaped the destruction of the warship, and of those few hundred survivors, nearly half of them succumbed to the sunlight. Some had perished, and still others suffered from radiation burns that varied in severity from mild to critical.

Thankfully, Mor'se himself and several escape pods had landed near Gaius' stronghold. The granite fortress was completely covered, preventing the harmful radiation from eliminating more of the crew. Also, the traitor had kept an admirable supply of tonics and medical apparatuses. Granted, they weren't designed for treating sunburn, but ointments intended to soothe laser fire would work well enough.

Of course, what would really be beneficial was some magical aid. Perhaps a canopy of dark magic, serving as portable shelter from the light so a troop could explore the surrounding forest for other survivors. Or even a fresh batch of Shadows, capable of withstanding the light, could seek additional shelter and even help assemble what little equipment survived in the escape pods.

Something had to be done. The scores of soldiers needed sustenance, and since the suns never set, they needed shelter at all hours. Without the comfort of night, how could they consolidate their resources to construct a ship capable of reaching the Hyperspace Portal? Would they truly be marooned on this jungle planet?

Mor'se seethed. Blasted woman! She is the only one here with the power to actually do something, and yet she has sequestered herself in that filthy traitor's private chamber. What is she thinking??

The tension had reduced the scholar's patience to cinders. No longer could he stand quiet and bow to the Empress' bizarre whims.

His face set with grim determination, Mor'se climbed the narrow stairs leading to the deeper recesses of the sanctuary.

The captain stood at the door. "The Empress has decreed that no one is to interrupt her studies."

Red eyes flashed. "Has she now? And what is she studying that is more important than our very survival??"

The captain tucked his chin. "It is not my place to ask."

"Someone must induce sanity into her head. Let me through."

"She will kill you, my Lord," the captain pointed out. "And me as well, if I let you through."

Nonetheless, he obliged the old man's request, and stepped aside.

Mor'se marched into the chamber, holding his head high as his mind wove clear, logical arguments into a web of reason that no sound mind could dispute. Of course, he was well aware that Phaedra's mind was often far from sound.

To his surprise, he found the Empress sitting at a computer station, tapping her finger as she perused information on the screen. He had expected her to be fuming, pacing around the room and destroying any object that caught her fevered gaze.

Perhaps she has calmed after all...

He exhaled the anxiety that had tightened his muscles, and bowed low. "Majesty, we must determine a course of action to preserve our lives."

She utterly ignored him.

His lips twitched. I have given her too much credit. "I... have been considering our options. I believe we must first consolidate our forces. Unfortunately most of the equipment on our escape pods was damaged by the entry and the fires caused by the debris of the warship, but we do have a few short-range scanners. I am confident that other escape pods have landed."

Still, no response.

Mor'se began to boil. "We must seek out our brethren, and treat the wounded. Then, we should try to send a distress call to the nearest imperial squadron."

"No."

The scholar blinked at the direct command. "What??"

She turned in her seat, and set her ruby glare on the aged man. Suddenly, Mor'se's heart climbed in his throat. "Are you questioning me?"

He swallowed the lump, and managed in a tremulous voice, "My Empress, we must leave this planet immediately! The heat and light is lethal, and we've already lost scores of warriors! Without the cloak of night, there is no safe means of searching for food or water! If we remain, we will all die!"

"We will not leave until I am ready."

Mor'se's eyes widened to new proportions. "What could possibly be on this empty planet worth an entire exploratory crew?"

Her lips curved. "The map to the ultimate weapon."

Her deep, dark laughter made the scholar's skin crawl. "Tell me, Mor'se... what do you know of the Nightfall?"

The empress had the pleasure of watching abject astonishment drop the seasoned explorer's jaw.

"It... is the single most destructive force in existence," Mor'se stammered through dry lips. "At the dawn of his reign, King Charon summoned the Nightfall from beyond Time and Space. The Nightfall laid waste to solar systems in days, laying the foundation of what is now the Denebian Empire. Had the Remnant not assembled to destroy it, the Nightfall would have ravaged the galaxy."

Phaedra steepled her fingers. "The Remnant did not destroy it. They have not the means. Gaius committed the ultimate folly by referring to the historic spell used to capture the Nightfall. Therefore, it still exists, somewhere in the galaxy."

Mor'se slowly regained his senses, excitement suddenly energizing him. "This is incredible! We may have lost the Diadem, but if we manage to recover the Nightfall, the galaxy's fate will be sealed! When Acheron learns of this-"

"No."

Mor'se blinked absurdly. "No?"

That cruel, bloodthirsty grin tightened, making Mor'se freeze with sudden fear. "The Nightfall will be my victory. Mine! I will trample the Remnant, crush the Earth, and achieve what my husband could not."

The scholar took a step backward. "But... you rule the same Empire!"

Phaedra slowly rose from her seat. "Do not pretend to be a fool, Mor'se. There is a difference between ruling through blood, and ruling through marriage. Yet I will rule through neither. I will rule through power."

Her eyes flashed, red energy snaking from her orbs like vibrant, dancing lashes. "You are loyal to my husband, Mor'se. You have served him throughout his life, as well as his father before him. And you will tell him of this discovery the first chance you get, won't you."

It wasn't a question, despite its phrasing. Mor'se felt his heart quicken as the electricity webbed outward.

"If you did not trust me, why did you tell me of the Nightfall?" he rasped through a painfully dry throat.

Her smile deepened. "I wanted to see your reaction to my plan," she responded coolly. "Besides, I planned to kill you anyway. You were unwise to make your lack of respect for me so obvious."

Mor'se held his breath as the dark power struck. The blast was so hot it vaporized him on impact, so mercifully quick he never had the chance to scream.

Then, without even a glance at the sooty stain on the floor that was once one of the greatest minds in the Denebian Empire, Phaedra turned back to the computer, reading Gaius' notes with avid interest.