The Glyph Saga Book One: A Great Escape

By D. K. N. Yuko

Following a series of bizarre nuclear accidents, the landmasses, languages, cultures, and political structures of Earth have drastically changed. One third of the population, which consists of Androids, Soligrams, Homo sapiens, and Homo radians, have been blessed (or cursed) with supernatural abilities, thanks to alien intervention. Split into three warring Regions, the tightly-knit World Leaders have closets brimming with skeletons. Welcome to Ecliptic Earth, in the time period of SF.
The Glyph Saga: Book One, A Great Escape, is the first installment of this seven book series. Set in the year 2098 SF, this book centers on the activities in the super region Panga Uno Animo. The PUA is an opulent, yet grueling, oligarchy with a fierce loathing of nature. The time has come for the Elder Dictators to initiate their highly trained children as future Leaders, with a lifelong commitment of unmitigated corruption and terror. However, a few of these Chosen Ones have had their fill of the despotism and autocracy in their dystopian home, and decide to make a break for it using their special superpowers to their advantage. It is up to these deserter offspring, with mysterious assistance from a remnant rebel, to escape the force field-protected gates of pretty oppression and attempt to usher in a new era of world peace and prosperity. Not, of course, without the obstructions of forbidden knowledge, lust, alien invasion, betrayal, loss, rejection, personal growth, and Life Form Warfare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D. K. N. Yuko
• Release date: Aug 23, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452313733

D. K. N. Yuko

There are few African-Americans or women in the Social Science Fiction, Occult Fiction, Fantasy, and Dark Comedy genres. However, they have been a passion of DaKarai Noshell Yuko's forever. She has an affinity for writing multicultural stories with flawed characters and strong female leads, as well as progressive poetry. D. K. N. Yuko put together The Dakaverse, a dark-yet-hilarious compilation of many of her stories and projects. The Dakaverse is a rich, fully-connected universe filled with eccentric and exciting characters, whose stories overlap. The stories take place in four fictional cities: Plumesworthe, Ponderer's Point, Pensburg, and Tellurium Ridge. Each area has its inherently distinct social climate, which affects the story and the characters from that city. Many of the titles are available in graphic novel form. Yuko also incorporates Veclage Art in many of her graphic novels and book covers. Veclage Art is an expressive art form created by using layered and textured collages of vector clip art.

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The Glyph Saga Book One:

A Great Escape

by D. K. N. YUKO

COPYRIGHT 2012 DKN YUKO

PUBLISHED BY DRAGONFISH ENT/EBOOK PUBLISHING AT SMASHWORDS

The moral right of the author has been asserted. Ecliptic Earth, Ecliptic Earth Symbol, Ecliptic Earth Map, and all other icons and characters associated with The Glyph Saga © 2001, 2006, 2012 (NoShell Lancaster, NoShell Hedges) as DK Rimmer, DKN Yuko, of Dragonfish Entertainment. All rights reserved. No portion of this book or the website may be reproduced or transmitted in any way, form, or fashion without written permission from the author. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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http://dragonfishent.com

*****

Dedicated to my son Donovan, my co-writer from the womb and constant inspiration, Also, my deceased mother Sheryl, my best friend, and the first person to value and nourish my bizarre creativity.

*****

Watch out for other books in this series:

BOOK ONE: A Great Escape

BOOK TWO: Mad at Truth

BOOK THREE: At the Mother Station

BOOK FOUR: Beast of Both Worlds

BOOK FIVE: The Cast Iron Shore

BOOK SIX: Waiting for the World

BOOK SEVEN: Conform or Be Cast Out

Bonus books:

The Glyph Memoirs (ten to twenty years before Glyph Saga)

PART A: Of a Deep Blue Dream

PART B: Men Can’t See the Open Road

The Glyph Imminent (ten to twenty years after Glyph Saga)

PART A: Short of Stable

PART B: The One to Have the Other

The Glyph Genesis (the historical post-disaster uprisings)

PART A: Days That Bring New Meaning

PART B: Histories of Ages Past

Visit dragonfishent.com/glyph for

The Glyph Saga Companion (the comprehensive website to Ecliptic Earth) and cafepress.com/DragonfishENT for

official Ecliptic Earth gear!

*****

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE: TERRIBLE TEAMWORK

CHAPTER TWO: EAGER ARGUMENTS

CHAPTER THREE: POLITICAL PARTIES

CHAPTER FOUR: MUTINY IN THE MAKING

CHAPTER FIVE: NOTORIOUS NEWS

CHAPTER SIX: DECIDING WHAT TO DO

CHAPTER SEVEN: A GREAT ESCAPE I

CHAPTER EIGHT: INTENSE INVESTIGATIONS

CHAPTER NINE: THE ABILITY ASSESSMENT

CHAPTER TEN: MORNING AFTERMATH

CHAPTER ELEVEN: DAILY DRIBBLE

CHAPTER TWELVE: DEADLY DISCUSSIONS

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: EXTRA EDUCATION

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE MAD MINDS OF MEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: DOOMED TO DEATH

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: COME HELL OR HIGH WATERS

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: FRENZIED FRIENDS

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: NIGHT MARES

CHAPTER NINETEEN: FAMILY AFFAIR

CHAPTER TWENTY: MIDNIGHT IN MAURASIA

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: MORNING MADNESS

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: TRIO TOILING TOGETHER FOR TROUBLE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: WET WISHES

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: VEHEMENT VISITATIONS

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: WOUNDED WILLOWS

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: NEVER NEEDED TO KNOW

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: SHAKEN AND STIRRED

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: SCIENCE AND SOLITUDE

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: UGLY FINE DAY

CHAPTER THIRTY: A GREAT ESCAPE II

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

*****

INTRODUCTION

The year was 2098 S.F. (Since the Flood). The planet was Ecliptic Earth. The population was approximately two and a half billion, a combination of Humanoids, Androids, and Soligrams. The problem was an egocentric and overriding Oligarchy, a dimwitted Dictatorship, and a damaged Democracy, locked in a fierce and blatantly personal fight to stay afloat in a violent, combative, broken civilization.

Over two thousand years ago, a radioactive explosion over Antarctica flooded the world and altered its landmasses forever, an era known as the Big Melt. Following years of problematic struggles across the globe during the Restoration, an often-brutal group of aliens, dubbed the Hospites Nostri, helped establish a tolerable level of stability.

The Hospites Nostri, acting as mediators for Earth’s new Regions, achieved many good feats before permanent banishment from the planet over three hundred years ago. They helped unify the Earth’s vocabulary and customs, advanced science, cured the radiation poisoning suffered by millions, and instituted a new way of life. On the other hand, the Hospites Nostri also instigated wars, harassed and studied humans, and accidentally initiated extraordinary superhuman abilities on a third the population because of their Quick Cleaning.

Another unusual reaction to the radioactive incident over Antarctica and the Quick Cleaning was the rapid evolution of a new species of humans called Homo radians. With their strange pastel looks and their new weird language called Thu Langve, many Homo sapiens regarded the Homo radians as the outcasts of society. They were not allowed to hold certain careers, not allowed to reside in certain areas, and in many places, they were not allowed to marry Homo sapiens because of reproductive incompatibilities. However, Homo radians and the Homo sapiens with superhuman abilities had far more in common than they realized.

In the modern, well-equipped society, where nearly every citizen packed a weapon and an opinion, the days of using superhuman abilities for petty crime and precarious stunts were mostly long gone. Many people used their freakish powers for the benefit of their Region's government. Some used their powers for their own paltry, personal advancement. Others kept their powers a carefully guarded, anxious secret. Most were nervous about the responsibility that went along with them, especially in the world's most opulent and dominant Region, Panga Uno Animo.

With each generation subjugated to surrender more of their personal freedoms in that rich Region, the next grew more restless. They began to question the way things were and set the wheels in motion to make changes. It seemed impossible, lifting the veils of deceit and freeing the people from the beautiful tyranny of the PUA.

By the year 2098 S.F., crass conflicts, illogical lies, and cold communications between the three Regions of Ecliptic Earth led to a ruthless rebellion. People took sides, and many relationships, families, and friendships ended. Even though some groups formed new alliances, the government monitored them heavily.

Who could crack through the horrible propaganda used for world control in a political Super Region? Only the ones groomed to govern it…

*****

BEGINNING (2098)

*****

CHAPTER ONE

TERRIBLE TEAMWORK

An alluring blonde in killer heels strutted boldly into a lavish jewelry store with a few other scattered patrons. Scrambling obediently at her feet was a large, black, robotic Doberman. All eyes were on her, in her skimpy, sexy outfit. She knew exactly what she was doing. She stroked a furry Pomeranian in her velvety arms. Accenting her long fingers was a huge solitary diamond on a golden ring. Around her neck, she wore a thin, white Collar with a red flashing light, just as everyone else.

She strolled up to the glass-encased counter, and the elegantly effeminate male manager chirped, "That's not a Robo-Dog. Is that a real dog? That's so illegal, hun," pointing at the Pomeranian.

A small child broke away from his parents and played with the apprehensive Doberman. Seductively, the woman answered, No, darling, just the latest technology, nothing but the best for me.

Coolly, she studied the tiny, round, floating, security imagers (cameras) in the four corners of the room, the two sliding-glass exits in the front and back of the store, and the two hovering glass cases beside the manager, jam-packed with precious stones and jewelry.

The manager poked at the dog and laughed, I'm just asking because it looks like its breathing.

She rolled her eyes and sat the dog on the counter. He leaned across and said, So, how can I help you today, beauty?

She extended her jeweled hand and smirked, I would like to have this appraised.

He slid the rock slowly from her finger and reached under the counter for a pair of silver magnifying glasses. She slathered him with her erotic charm as he examined the sparkling stone.

After careful inspection, he slid the ring back onto her finger. Flirtatiously, he moaned, It’s flawless, just like you.

The Pomeranian lifted its leg and urinated on the manager. She snatched the dog off the counter and dropped it on the floor, hard.

Are they programmed for that now, he sneered, the Robo-Dogs?

Quickly, she replied, I'm sorry, a glitch in the programming. He does that sometimes because he's a BITCH.

Getting back to the reason for her visit, she asked, "So, you say it’s perfect, pretty good work, that? I know you’re an expert. I bet there’s about well over two million Minaries (currency) worth of jewelry just in those two cases, not counting under the counter in front of you."

The security imagers floated a little closer to them, sensing a possible altercation.

The manager smiled, I see a lot of really nice work coming through here, yes. The Emperor himself came here last week and bought both his daughters earrings and bracelets.

The Emperor? Buying jewelry? the woman giggled. Are you sure it wasn’t for one of his silly tarts?

They shared a cheerful laugh.

The woman toyed with the ring on her finger. Ha-ha, ooohhh, I'd hate to do this, because you are so cute and friendly. But—! She ripped off the fake Quell Collar and chucked it to the floor. Swiftly, she morphed the ring into a large laser gun and her clothing into a black cat suit. Pointing the gun in the manager's face, she growled, This is a stick-up!

The customers went crazy as the two dogs transformed into armed men. The man that came from the Doberman waved one hand to lock the doors via telekinesis, and barked, A stick-up? Oh, that was so damn lame.

Two of the customers ripped out black masks and big bags. Cutting away at the floating glass cases, they loaded the bejeweled booty.

Keeping a firm eye on the scared patrons, the Pomeranian man growled, Everybody, kiss the ground! I’m not keen on the idea of hurting people, but you guys are Pangans. You don’t count.

The customers cowered on the floor.

A robbery, in Panga Uno Animo? Despite the rarity, there was a rash of them as of late. The PUA was the mightiest, most secure Region on Ecliptic Earth. Citizens who showed the slightest hint of superhuman abilities worked for the government. Everyone else over the age of twelve had to wear locked Quell Collars, the white collars with the red flashing lights, for possible power suppression. However, a robbery was happening, unbelievably.

The annoying, buzzing security imagers swarmed her head. The woman snapped, It's hard to think of a cool snatch-up line when you're maintaining so many fucking powers at once, snot!

Doberman shot down the imagers and yelped, If you weren’t so busy flirting, you could have—!

She grimaced and turned her gun on him instantly.

Man, get your woman! he screamed.

Pomeranian kicked the manager in the side and grumbled, Damn that, get the jewels, so we can get outta here!

Another bandit heard the loudly approaching PUA Lawmen and shrieked, Alright, let’s go! Gotta move!

One of the masked and heavily armored Lawmen kneeledat the front door with his laser gun and warned, Halt! Hostis humani generis!

The group of five robbers started for the back door until they discovered that the Lawmen had that one surrounded too. The sexy woman, Melanie, looked up at the sophisticated stained-glass ceiling. Peko, baby, do your thing.

Peko, the Pomeranian, stepped in front of the group. My pleasure, my love. Dicot?

Dicot, the Doberman, raised his hands to the sky and clapped with all his strength. The booming shockwave exploded the front windows, the glass cases, the glass doors, and more importantly, the glass ceiling.

Through the shower of glass shrapnel, Peko twirled his fingers and levitated their entire party to the new exit, with a bit of a struggle. Fuck, you’re all too heavy for me, he whimpered.

The seven Lawmen entered the store and aimed their guns at the escaping crew. The other female bandit tossed her bag of loot to Melanie, and volunteered, Drop me.

I’m not leaving anyone behind, Peko protested.

Drop me P, fuck it! The cause is more important than me. Just make sure y’all don’t get caught.

Reluctantly, he let her go. Without the weight of the fifth person, they soared easily through the busted ceiling and out into the cool nature-less air.

You are so brave! Rest in peace, Melanie whispered.

Dramatically, the woman cheered, For Maurasia! as she plummeted to the waiting Lawmen below. They apprehended her and led her outside. Three of the Lawmen vanished to chase the remaining criminals.

As they jumped from the damaged jewelry store rooftop to the next one, the three Lawmen appeared behind them in hot pursuit. They each shot off three rounds of choice in the criminal’s direction. Melanie looked back at them and slid to the ground, evaporating into the sparkly-tiled roof.

Mel, no! Peko screeched.

She can handle herself, man, Dicot assured. Let’s bail!

One of the three Lawmen figured their path ahead and disappeared again with a mean sneer.

They jumped down from the roof and darted off into a crowded, multicolored street accidentally. The other robber roared, Fuck! Of all the—!

Dicot glanced at the throng of people, and cried, Not a crowd! How the hell did we wind up in a—?

Suddenly, confirming his fears, a Lawman, holding a large Elemental Baton, shape-shifted from one of the random citizens. On your fucking knees, now!

The street-load of people panicked, darting off in different directions. Peko transformed into a woman and made a run for it. Dicot changed into a short man and whizzed off, but he looked back at his powerless and confused cohort. Peko stopped running and shouted, Let’s move, bro! in a girlie voice. Dicot shook his head and mumbled, It’s not fair.

Peko knew exactly why his friend could not gather the strength to run. He trekked back to them and awaited the consequences. The Lawman threw a shimmering dome of energy towards his prey to keep them corralled during the chaos. Peko jerked the bag from the other robber and shoved it in Dicot’s hand. Go, man!

Dicot shook his head frantically.

Peko bawled, Go! Meet Melanie. You know where! We got this. The Lawman rushed Dicot with his Baton, but he disappeared swiftly. The Lawman stumbled and fell, breaking his concentration. As the protective dome evaporated, Peko and the bandit bolted down the road, but another Lawman captured them the old-fashioned way.

Realizing their irreversibly caught status, they surrendered immediately. The long and merciless arm of Panga Uno Animo law surrounded them. Peko uttered, Damn, we are so dead.

As the Lawmen closed in on them carefully, the other bandit chuckled, We should have tried this shit in Guandaland.

His face against the cold, purple asphalt, and a boot in his back, Peko sighed, What would be the point of that? We are enemies of the PUA, not Guandaland.

The robbers accepted their fate. The lead Lawman assured, And on this illustrious day, you will certainly be judged as such, scum!

The colorful citizens on the street erupted in applause, pleased by the superb work of their PUA Lawmen.

*****

Meanwhile, five eccentric young adults brandished their exclusive weapons through a picturesque, plush forest, verdant with wildlife. The group cringed, knocking through the unfamiliar terrain. However, they had been through similar exercises many times, and it was second nature for them. They were almost annoyed with it.

After the long trek of running through the woods, Eve Draconic, a beautiful Tinile/Isle of Cali girl with rich, dark eyes, and a heavy Tinile/Cali accent, turned to the group. Aggravated by the task, she attempted to reason with them. They stopped in their tracks to partake in her perceptive counsel. Hold it! Come on, you guys; this is muy estúpido! Today is our day. This is initiation day, and we're stuck in the middle of nowhere, working on these dumb exercises! She flopped down under a nearby tree and looked up at the green, branchy treetop in disgust. Why isn't Holiy here? Why is she exempt? She gets to do whatever she wants, and it's not fair!

The youngest in the pack, Gina Haven, a tiny, cute, hip, Isle of Cali/Chipanese chick with a sharp Valley Girl tongue, walked over to the ledge. She looked down at the scenic, yet long, death drop, leading to a dark blue mass of foaming water. Holiy is an ass! You guys think she gets to do whatever she wants, but I'm the baby and crap! I'm the one that runs around, like, so unchecked!

Exceedingly oblivious to their banter, Randu Helios, a very attractive, muscular, Turkia/Isle of Engle-Irescofra guy, strolled around in amazement, admiring the breathtaking surroundings. In his proper Engle brogue, and trademark pointed straw hat, he asked, Why do we not share our awareness with the youth of Panga Uno Animo? This is the knowledge they need to possess, knowledge of the natural world abroad. What could it really hurt?

The others stared at him as he kneeledcalmly and felt the grass, appreciating the raw beauty of the land. This is the indigenous lawn that was in this area before we destroyed everything. Rach, do you feel that? It’s just as I’ve read in Doctor Hermetic’s science journals. That man was a genius.

Que Draconic, Eve's insanely Gothic older brother, sat on a huge boulder and scratched at the dirt with his stubby black nails. He tugged at his long, black, pencil skirt in an attempt to sit more comfortably. Across from him, the candidly gorgeous Rachale Selph, youngest daughter of the Emperor, dropped down under the tree beside Eve. She smoothed back her wavy brown hair and gazed silently at her cocoa reflection in her crystal ball.

Que stared at her and discretely smiled as he stroked his petit-goatee, because to him all the splendor of nature could not hold a fiery candle to Rachale. He would have given his life, gladly, to lay in her arms for a single moment. He would have taken on the entire world in barehanded combat to feel her fragrant skin against his. He watched her chest rise and fall with each pensive breath as she simply stared. He would have ended time to know what she was thinking at that moment. Alas, his tender, loving concentration was broken when Randu threw a rock at him for attention.

Why do you go through these changes, hombre? Que yelled. You always come here, groping and fondling the scenery. After we leave, I’m taking you to the Arbormorial!

Randu rolled his eyes and plucked a straw from his hat. He chewed it as he grumbled, It’s not the same, Q! I don’t want to see—oppressed trees. I like natural foliage in its natural environment. Is that too much to ask?

Irritated, out of the twelve pairs of earring in each ear, Que chose to rub the R-initialed one as he leaped up and spat, Forget it, Randu. Look, I'm tired of this. We have been doing these things for over nine years. If we have to become NQLC Leaders, let's get this—!

A melodious, yet frightening, roar cut through the gentle breeze, growing more urgent with each pulsating baritone. Que held his glowing boomerang-shaped weapon across his face, looking deeply into it for answers. Wait, did you hear that? I see danger approaching, and—

Nonchalantly, Gina knocked his BuemAyeWrang from his hand. Cut the drama. We are always stuck here with those dumb—flying things. Who cares, let's just fight it, and like, get out of here! I'm ready for the Au Fait. I want to party, and junk! I'm making history today! She kicked a pebble off the ledge and danced around a nearby bush.

Everyone else equally ignored the impending danger, except Eve. Frustrated, she threw her hands in the air and whined, "Personally, I think we shouldn’t be thinking anyway. Come on, we are here now, free and happy. Who cares about whatever life people may have led on this land thousands of years ago, especially when that knowledge is forbidden?"

Randu picked a large red flower from a nearby patch. The scary roars grew even louder than before. He sniffed the blossom and waved it playfully in Rachale's distracted face before sticking it in Eve's luscious black hair. Even you have to admit, my brainwashed friend, that all this is stunning. He plucked another flower and inhaled its tantalizing aroma.

The roar’s origin appeared in clear view: a twenty-five-foot dragon with glistening silver scales, breathing great billows of blue flames and black soot. In a state of nature-induced euphoria, Randu ignored the dragon.

Rachale picked up her crystal ball, conveniently dubbed Brystal Call, and stood slowly in a here-we-go-again fashion. Que jogged in place and stretched in preparation for battle with the beast. Eve hopped up heroically, clutching her Summonette necklace and ready for action.

Randu shoved the flower in Rachale’s face, begging for attention. How nice of you to join us. Smell that, Rach! Admire its unfathomable beauty, much like yours.

Rachale smiled at the compliment, leaned over to sniff the flower, and knocked it from his strong hand as the dragon descended deviously. In her waning Rwaconrundi/Engle accent, she yelled, No time for that right now, love; here it comes!

The dragon swooped down and barely missed the crew. Que pointed BuemAyeWrang at the dragon and screamed, OWL EYE BLASTER!

His weapon shot thick laser beams from its large center eye at one hundred eighty degrees. The potent blast blew Que backward a few feet. The dragon was stunned slightly but continued to attack the pack.

Rachale ran to Que’s side as Randu stepped up for battle. He pulled out CrosSstaff, a handy sword/staff weapon, and struck it on the ground with a mighty blow. CON MOTO!

A thunderous musical tone shook the ground, followed by an explosion of tiny, pearl-like mist capturing the dragon in a large bubble. Eve stood behind him, contemplating the struggling dragon in the sky.

Que cast BuemAyeWrang at the dragon, which expanded three times its size and knocked the captured beast down. As his weapon returned, it stopped short, hit the ground, and cracked. The dragon plummeted, vibrating the ground on impact and freeing itself from the bubble. Fretfully, Rachale glanced at everyone and stepped forward.

In a panic, Randu threw CrosSstaff at the dragon and lodged it in its back. Serenely, the dragon flew away in the opposite direction. Angry, Randu stomped his foot. I want my weapon back, you—large beast!

Rachale clutched Brystal Call, raising it towards the sky. Puzzled, Que examined his weapon, attempting to nurse it back to health. Gina laughed at Randu, who was chasing the dragon on foot as it soared through the sky. She twirled her weapon, a sleek, forked staff called Trydgent, like a majorette, sending dazzling sparks flying everywhere, except at the dragon. Large beast? Is that, like, the best you could do?

Randu unwittingly flailed towards a dangerous drop. Que stopped what he was doing and chased him. Why'd you throw it in the first place? he huffed. Didn't you know it'd get stuck, logical man?

Que ripped off his silver skull belt buckle and pressed the eye socket. He shot a small hook into a sturdy tree near the edge and swung out adventurously to save Randu just as his left foot ran out of ground. Que dangled in the air, holding Randu under his arm. I have no idea why I like you.

Randu chuckled as Que glanced over to Rachale, hoping she saw his daring rescue. Of course, she did not. Rachale and Eve seemed more interested in a small pool of water Gina created after she slammed her weapon into the ground tip first. When are you going to learn to use that thing? Eve bristled. Come on, what is this?

Scolded, Gina turned her back and frowned. The wounded dragon made a complete U-turn and advanced towards the girls. Upon seeing that, Que panicked, unable to save the object of his secret affections. Rach! Watch out; it's coming back! I'm on my way!

Inelegantly, Que descended the belt with Randu clinging to his waist. However, in his eagerness and haste, he discarded Randu a few feet above the ground and made a leap for it.

As the dragon dived, Rachale gathered the strength she needed to act. Majestically, she held up her ball and yelled, From the depths of Pluto I call upon Oiprocs, Dexif keeper of water!

A flood of swirling red water splashed from the ball, and she fell onto her plump backside. The Glyph of her conjured creature appeared in the sky, and the mammoth burgundy scorpion, drenched in plutonium and topaz emerged from the water, awaiting instructions from her. Que ran towards the action with Randu limping behind him. He watched Rachale, waiting for her to make a move. You got it, Chica; name the attack! It’s ready for you!

No, Rachale, not that one! Don’t do it! Eve protested feverishly.

Rachale ignored Eve and continued with her battle plan. WATERY GRAVE!

Oiprocs shot blue bolts of blistering water from her tail at the dragon. The bolts struck like a machine gun, and the dragon dissolved into a puddle of disgusting green and bronze goop. The dragon was demolished. Randu caught falling CrosSstaff long before it reached the ground.

With nothing left to do, Oiprocs discharged her bolts of toxic water at the crew. Everyone ducked and scattered like high school vandals running from the Principal.

Irritably, Eve dodged the pools of scalding water at her feet. She raised Summonette as she admonished, I know you know that was the wrong Summon for this job! You know that's a Dexif Creature! For the love of Ephemeris, Rach! From the feet of Neptune, I call upon Suruat, Dexif keeper of Earth!

The necklace hit the ground, and as the locket opened a cloud of particles and dust spiraled from the gemstone. The ground vibrated when the mauve, bull-like creature with copper and emerald accessories charged onto the scene. Nervously, Oiprocs ceased firing, watching Suruat’s grim approach. Proudly, Eve commanded, Capture your opposite! Everybody stand back, quickly! FURY QUAKE!

She yanked her necklace off the ground. Everyone hid behind Eve, except the blasé Gina. Ferociously, the bull stomped its front legs into the ground. As the soil cracked, Suruat shot huge brown and beige rocks in every direction. Oiprocs shrilled and sucked into the slit with a cold slurp.

Unfortunately, Gina and her comical pool of water swallowed into the ground as well. Randu spat out his straw and ran back to that spot to recover her. What the hell, Gina! NO!

Que jolted out to restrain him but fell flat on his face in the dust. Don't do it, dog!

The ground rumbled open, and Gina appeared, riding her weapon like a witch's broomstick. She scooped up Randu and took him along for the ride. Exasperated, but relieved, he glared at her.

Que dusted the brown dirt from his black gear and chuckled, I told you she had it, man. Mami Chula has the dumbest luck.

Patiently, Suruat awaited dismissal, but Eve turned to Rachale and waved her hands with extreme disagreement. What were you doing, Rach?

Rachale, ignoring her best friend, stormed away without looking back. Lady, will you just dismiss your creature!

Eve looked back