The Ancestral Trail Trilogy: New Time & Time Again

By Frank Graves

THE ANCESTRAL TRAIL TRILOGY (Book Number Two of Trilogy)
New Time & Time Again - THE CYBER WORLD
This is the Fifth Epic Novel Published in 2014
To See All Work, Visit Frank Graves Author Biography

The Cyber World was a calm, serene and happy place, a true new frontier because it gave
opportunity to make huge gains in many areas. This was only possible because it took shape
in a new world that was untamed and untainted by events throughout the universe. The Cyber
World became a fresh start on a whole new planet but, like events set in motion by all great
adventurers Evil has now entered this Cyber World, there is no way out
There are Life Forces that need to be rescued.

Over the centuries, astronomers have provided increasing evidence that Earth, the Solar
System and the Milky Way do not occupy a special position in the cosmos.
Our young hero finds out that not only are we not at the centre of existence — much less the
corrupt sinkhole surrounded by the pure crystal heavens, as in early geocentric theology —
he finds that the Universe has no centre and no edge.
However, if the asymmetry can't be explained away so simply, it could indicate that some new
physical mechanisms are at work in the early history of the Universe.

His path back home, this atmospheric shore
Was not a place a Chosen One would happily endure
For a new quest to find what evil Universe may hold
Another voyage, a journey he never sought to explore

(Young Adult) Myths, Magic & Monsters
Graves is once again busily updating and re-writing the full "Ancestral Trail Trilogy" in
the form of three major novels each being approx. same in size. In January 2014, the first
section covering a journey through an 'Ancient World' within "The Ancestral Trail Trilogy"
named "Long Ago & Far Away" in an EPIC major novel that was published Jan 2014.
This is the second continuing section of the trilogy name "New Time & Time Again" that
covers his journey across a 'Cyber World' published in November 2014.
The third section of the trilogy named "Once Upon & Time Again", covering our 'Present Day
World' will be published early in 2015.

(See the Ancestral Trail website for further detail on
each novel and also the YouTube Video promotion)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Graves
• Release date: Nov 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781873133026

Frank Graves

About Ancestral Trail's AuthorFrank Graves is an author and film producer raised in South Africa and is the great grandson of Sir Thomas Maclear named as one of the foremost royal astronomers at the Cape of Good Hope. He is also distantly related to Robert Graves the renowned writer and poet who was a large inspiration for Frank to eventually take up writing. Robert Graves encouraged Frank to start writing with several correspondence letters and stories while still a boy at school.His first published work was published in 1989 was a fictional political thriller named African Chess (Now revamped, updated and republished in March 2014). African Chess was loosely based on his South African upbringing and the then apartheid system in place before Nelson Mandela's release from prison or his death.His next major work published by Marshall Cavendish in 1992 was an epic 832 page publication; 'The Ancestral Trail Partwork' was 'split' into two halves of 26 issues each, making a total of 52 issues in total, all contained consecutive page and issue numbers. The first half, published fortnightly throughout 1993, takes place within a mythological 'Ancestral World'; that describes a boy';s struggle to restore good to these worlds. After the initial international run that sold over 30 million copies worldwide, the second half of that series was then created and was published in 1994 and took place in the totally different 'Cyber Dimension'; all about the same boy's attempt to find a way back to his own world.Graves is now updating and re-writing the full 'Ancestral Trail Trilogy' in the form of three major epic novels. In January 2014, the first section covering a journey through an 'Ancient World'; within 'The Ancestral Trail Trilogy'; named 'Long Ago & Far Away'; in a 450 page novel was published. The second continuing section of the trilogy called 'New Time & Time Again' covers the 'Cyber World'; published November 2014 and the third section of the trilogy, 'Once Upon a Time & Time Again' covering our 'Exponential World' was published in mid 2017. (See the website at the ancestral trail.com for further detail on each chapter and the YouTube Video promotion)'African Chess' by Frank Graves is a newly updated and revamped conspiracy, adventure thriller originally published in 1990. Recent events in South Africa such as Nelson Mandela's Death, Oscar Pistorius's Trial, Shrien Dewani' Extradition for Murder, 16,259 Murders in 2012/13 and Epidemic Corruption have all helped to heighten attention and draw in a lot of focus on that country.African Chess - The Story - Michael and Robert born at exactly same time and place at a remote hotel in one of South Africa's most beautiful regions are treated as equals until they grow up. Robert demands equality and falls foul of the dreaded South African police when he joins the African National Congress (ANC) as a freedom fighter. Both flee to England to escape and at Oxford Robert finds more racism. When the security chief Dirk tries to kill them, Robert is helped by his white brother Michael and beautiful cousin Sharon. Their family business empire gives him certain protection. He learns to wheel and deal on London's commodity markets and uses this financial strength to fight back at the apartheid system. African Chess is relentless suspense, with move upon counter move until final checkmate.The Culling novel is his third published work during 2014 and the story is that Western Governments use scientific evidence that within a few years, their world faces disaster from uncontrolled population explosion; especially by burgeoning third-world countries probably creating extra desert regions to ruin the industrialized world. No government could openly admit that it intends killing tens of millions of unwanted people worldwide. A number of major international conglomerates collectively called 'The Affiliation' are enlisted to conceal this man-made earthquake programme without any awkward questions being raised... It is a human survival war!The Newest Adult Work is The Kixing published in June 2015THE KIXING STORYLINEUsing hardened trained human fighters with lightweight gladiatorial designer Armour, these very private illegal bouts are always held amid sumptuous black-tie dinner events especially laid on for the extremely rich and titled. In every vicious contest, the loser always being smashed to a pulp, critically maimed or better still and mercifully ...killed in full view of the sophisticated audience and is known as 'THE KIXING' The reason for protection of this sport is the massive illegal gambling side with ensuing high stakes. There are never any other winners in commerce or sport when the conglomerate chairman promotes his beloved Kixing fights.A major conglomerate attempts a hostile take-over of a small family company using dirty methods including professional and underhanded industrial espionage methods. However, the large group meets their match as the owners of the small firm that is Mafia connected resists the attempt. The chairman of the major group is also a well known boxing promoter, who when acquiring a bookmaking business using similar type tactics creates his own total undoing of his business empire.The YouTube version is on the Ancestral Trail Website at the ancestral trail.com

Book preview

The Ancestral Trail Trilogy New Time & Time Again

The Ancestral Trail

Copyright Frank Graves 2014

Published by Frajil Publishing

The Ancestral Trail

Book Two

New Time & Time Again

The Cyber World

Original Copyright Frank Graves 1990

Published by Frajil Publishing

First Published by Marshall Cavendish Ltd. 1993

Website: www.theancestraltrail.com

Copyright Frank Graves 2014

ISBN 978-1-873133-11-8

All rights reserved. No part of this trilogy or book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise – without written permission from the publisher.

The characters and situations in this work are entirely imaginary and bear no relation or any real person or actual happening

Kindly Edited by Allan Gauci

DEDICATION BY THE AUTHOR

This Work is dedicated solely to Alexia Blair,

a wonderfully courageous lady

The Ancestral Trail Trilogy

New Time & Time Again

The Cyber World Odyssey

The Cyber World was a calm, serene and happy place,

a true new frontier because it gave opportunity to

make huge gains in many areas. This was only possible

because it took shape in a new world that was untamed

and untainted by events throughout the universe.

The Cyber World became a fresh start on a whole new

planet but, like events set in motion by all great adventurers

Evil has now entered this Cyber World, there is no way out.

There are Life Forces that need to be rescued.

The Ancestral Trail Trilogy

Book Two - The Cyber World

New Time & Time Again

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Following the Evil One into the Cyber World

Richard had already been to hell and back on his long, unrelenting journey through the Ancestral World. He had somehow found an unidentified inner strength within himself that he never knew he possessed in order to complete the tasks on that expedition to acquire the lost Ancestral Pods and release the Ancestral Guardians. At the same time, he had also found both friendship and demonic nightmares with normal and mythical beasts; his whole world had been turned on its head. Thanks to his efforts as the Chosen One, he was leaving behind a once again, safe and peaceful Ancestral World in his wake as his very being suddenly sparked awake through a rushing, swirling vortex taking him back homewards. Again, he was brought a sudden halt as he found himself underwater struggling for breath, but this time he knew what to expect. His eyes immediately scanned the dark surround, there was a glimmer of light way above, he swam as hard as he could towards that distant hope of final release.

Aarghh! Richard gulped in large gasps of life giving breath. He looked around, trying to gain his bearings, Richard's vision was still blurred for a moment from his rushed tumbling excursion through the tearing whirlpool of sound, light and speed on his way home. His vision began clearing as he noted the pool was surrounded by not very high stone edge, he swam to the lip and pulled himself over the rim and sighed with relief as he flopped down onto his back, believing he had at last reached home

Whaaa! Richard gasped as he sat bolt upright taking a good look at his surroundings, he instantly realised with utter and cold clarity, that he was not back in his home world but instead, he now found himself in a strange barren landscape scarred with cracks and acid pools. Despite the alien look of the place, this environment had a slightly weird but familiar feel about the encircling landscape, suddenly the truth began to filter through to his almost numb brain, this was a macabre form of the Ancestral City, only it was now in the future!

Whoa! This cannot be happening again, I'm supposed to be back home. Richard screamed as loudly as he could.

After a short while of contemplation and feeling sorry for himself, he slowly rose and decided that any hidden strength he had gained from his last experience now dictated that he was the only person that would be able to help himself. Richard‘s brain lurched into motion as he tried taking in the enormity of his current position, he looked down and realised that he was still wearing the armour that Juroot had given him, also he still had his sword, though not his helmet that he had returned to the Guardians.

Well, at least I still have some things to protect myself with, He absentmindedly whispered. He looked at his wrist to discover he still had Golan's amulet, which he thought he had returned before departing the Ancestral World.

His mind was now concentrated and he was thinking clearly as he recalled the last words of the final prophecy, Richard begrudgingly started looking for a way out of his current surroundings; he now noticed that what he originally thought was simply boulder rubble, was in fact the ruins of a decrepit city.

All right, I've encountered worse than this before. He murmured to himself, Let's see what we have here. Richard began making his way through the ruins of the once proud city; somehow he felt that this place could have been what would have happened to the Ancestral City if they had not defeated the Evil One and his forces. He detected that in the distance there were large walled set of city gates, he headed for them and looked out on a barren panorama of grey lifeless and desolate world standing before him. As far as he could see there was simply an uninteresting and darkened vista of grey and blackened cloud, it was as if he was looking out at a shadowy and murky terrain. He turned back toward the debris strewn city more in the hope of finding something or somebody habiting this place somewhere in among the piles of rubble.

At least back in the Ancestral World I had Orkan and Melek for company, let's see if I can find any clues within this pile of rubble. Richard set off back towards the pool where he arrived, noting on the way that this must have once contained a thriving community before what happened to destroy the small city.

For some time he scouted through the unkempt streets but found no signs of any life, not a rat, insect and bird to be seen anywhere yet, all the time he moved through the stillness of the demolition he felt an uneasiness by suspecting that he was being carefully watched even though he could not see anyone. Rounding a corner he was confronted by a large cathedral looking building that in it's heyday must have been the seat of government or learning, ornately carved stone busts and cherubs adorned the environs. Richard vaulted his way up the wide stairway and then walked up to the main entrance, one of the huge doors now hung askew, holding on precariously by one hinge.

One good wind is going to send that crashing down. He told himself, wondering whether or not to enter the building. If anyone is seeking refuge, it's going to be in a building like this. He muttered to himself, trying desperately to gain enough courage to take that first steps forward and go into the darkened threshold that now confronted him.

When he did finally make up his mind, he drew his sword and stepped briskly into the hallway through a second large doorway that opened up a long stairway through an enormous hall that was now splayed out in a semi-circle below him. The thing that stood out to Richard were the many rows of seats that were filled with very damaged computer-generated robots, in among them were various alien shaped beings and a hotchpotch of beyond description headless and strange, out of the ordinary individuals. Richard slowly made his way down the long stairway, continually checking to see whether there was any sign of life yet, not finding anything remotely alive.

Welcome to the world of dead cyber aliens. Richard spoke respectfully quietly as he reached the main speaker’s podium. I wonder what happened here.

There were two foreign looking figures on the dais, one was a friendly looking small robot that reminded Richard of a Japanese plastic made model battling up and down stairs that he had seen on television. The other one looked something like a diminutive painted glass, multi-layered Matryoshka Principle Russian doll. Staring at this delicately ornate creature, he could see that it consisted of a series of clear composite material figures that were individually separated, top from bottom, each section revealing a smaller figure of the same sort housed inside, which had in turn yet another figure inside of it, and so on. Richard was trying to assess how many layers to the doll there were when he noticed a slight glimmer of a spark shoot across the inside of one of its inner glazed heads.

Aah, we have a live one. Richard smiled as he stretched forward across the lip of the stage to take hold of the doll.

I would not do that if I were you. The funny looking robot blurted out in a rapid, high-pitched, staccato voice. With the silent eeriness of the big hall suddenly being shattered, Richard, sword at the ready, immediately spun to face the white plasticised dwarf robot. With a simple soft gentle whirr the automaton figure's head turned to face Richard.

That ancient metal rod you are holding will do no damage to anything in here, it blurted. My power reserves are almost exhausted, but I had to warn you, that your carbon framework would have been destroyed by CHML-53 had you touched it. We are the last ones with any form of working capacity left in this area and are both programmed into defence mode.

So why did you warn me? Richard answered, not fully believing that he was now having a discussion with some sort of android.

Logic dictated that you meant us no harm, you utilise a different power source from the rest of us, you could assist with our current problems by helping us. The replied.

How can I help you? Richard enquired. The robot's head whirred again as its face single windowed facemask pointed downwards towards the stage platform, a splayed light beam emitting a picture onto the floor. Richard rose onto his tiptoes to get a clear view of the picture.

What is that? Richard questioned.

That is a Comporter, it is a form of special transporter hidden somewhere within the city, it alone has the capacity to recharge our reserves. The robot replied. Find it, bring it back here and we will explain everything, my reserves are almost gone. With that, the picture disappeared and once again the eerie silence.

Where do I start looking? Richard questioned. The humanoid looking robot did not stir, it was then obvious to Richard that it had either lost all power or, had switched itself off in order to preserve what little reserves it had left.

You will have to take me with you. The doll squeaked. Richard whirled round

But he said…

I know what he said and he was correct, I know who you are and I must not waste energy talking, I do not have much power left. Take me with you and I will show you where you can find a Comporter. Richard could only just hear what the doll had said because her voice was fading in and out as she attempted to make him understand. Very gingerly he reached out expecting the worst but nothing happened when he touched the glass like surface and with both hands lifted the doll. It was a lot heavier than Richard had expected it to be. He placed it on the floor beside him, took off his cape, gently wrapped the gossamer thin material around the doll and placed it in his shoulder bag using the flap as support so that the painted head was outside the bag.

There, that will be comfortable for both you and me because I need my arms to be free in case of trouble and you can guide me from over my shoulder? He pulled his shoulder on and when it was comfortably on his back a laser light pointed directly to a side door of the great hall.

I get it, you want me to follow your beam? Richard questioned. The laser pointer suddenly switched off. Saving energy? He followed instruction, found the door was unlocked, climbed a long stairway and came out at street level. The laser flashed it's green light to their left then again switched itself off, Richard started off down the wide rubble strewn street. For a while he followed the laser commands until they reached a narrow alleyway, the beam pointed into the darkened narrow lane.

Go into that dark alley? That is not a comfortable place for me to be in, there could be no escape for us from inside there. I don't like it. Richard said firmly. Are you certain there is no danger there?" Again the laser flashed on and off, he got the message but all the same drew the dagger that Juroot had given to him. Carefully measuring each step all his senses were now on full alert as he made his way along the dim corridor expecting to be caught in some kind of trap at any second. Almost reaching the end of the alleyway the laser beam flashed to their right, it was a black hole and Richard by this time was feeling very uncomfortable, he stopped took the shoulder bag from his back laid it down gently, undid the clasps and rummaged about until he found what he was looking for. Going through the reverse procedure he pulled the shoulder bag, complete with the doll onto his back once more, picked up his sword and turned on his flash light and shone it into the cavity where the laser had directed him to go.

Whoa! How cool is that? Is that the Comporter? Richard questioned excitedly. The laser flashed onto what looked like a dusty but, crimson coloured slimmed down Beach Buggy minus its wheels. The upper half being entirely enclosed in glass type material while by contrast, the lower half was so sleek and modern looking that it somehow reminded Richard of the front end of an ultra contemporary training shoe he had once seen advertised. It is useless to us though, somebody's stolen the wheels. Richard ventured over to the sleek vehicle and ran his hand over the dusty outside; the object sprang into instant life, raising itself off the ground like some form of noiseless hovercraft.

Oh-oh! What's happening? He jumped back.

It's doing what it is supposed to do, your touching it only activated the Comporter into readiness mode. The doll said. If I have enough resources left I will attempt to open the hatch and you must place me straight into that round disk between the seats. Richard flashed his torch at the vehicle and saw that it was very narrow but that there were two bucket seats, above and behind them was a rounded platform where the doll wanted to be placed.

What happens now? He asked. Without replying the doll's innards began to flash and spark differing colours, there was a whooshing sound and the glass domed top flipped upward and one side panel slid backwards allowing them access. Richard released the doll from his bag and quickly placed it onto the ring then stood back. Slowly but surely, the doll started to glow, fuse and sparkle as it drew energy strength from the Comporter, Richard was astonished that with all this activity he could now clearly determine and count the nine differing dolls within the one body framework.

That already looks a lot better. Richard exclaimed watching the doll grow in electro strength.

Thanks to you I am now back in control, we must get back to the Great Hall and collect the Kibel-969 android before his force expires. I am now ready, get into the seat. Richard found that it was a bit of a tight fit but instantly the seat seemed to relax and take the shape of his body, at the same time the door beside slid into place and the glass canopy locked into position. With a sudden whoosh they shot out of the cavity and down the alleyway at almost lightning speed.

Whaaa! Who the hell is driving this thing? Richard screamed, he was sure that his stomach had been left somewhere far behind.

I am guiding the Comporter, it has instructions not to exceed any forces that will harm your soft carbon being. The doll stated from over Richard's shoulder. In a matter of seconds they had reached the back entrance to the Great Hall, the Comporter slowed and gently moved inside the huge auditorium and along the front of the podium until they reached the position of the peculiar looking white humanoid robot where they had left him a short while before.

The Kibel-969 android has very little power resources left, you must help it into that seat." The passenger door slid open, as did the door on Richard's side. He got out and moved to the podium.

You found it, that is good. The robot said but even in the deafening silence of the Great Hall, Richard could hardly make out what it had just said, instinctively he knew that the android's energy source was just about at its end. Without waiting he scrambled onto the dais, lifted the humanoid robot, finding that it was unexpectedly a lot lighter than the doll and slung it across his left should before carefully climbing off the podium. He placed the Kibel-969 android in the passenger seat.

What happens now? He is very weak, do you think he will make it? Richard asked the doll.

Did you notice the contact point in the seat behind the Kibel-969 android's brain? The doll asked almost impatiently.

I was wondering about that thing, if the Comporter ever had a crash that is not a safe thing to be there. Richard replied.

Give the Kibel-969 androids head a push until you feel a click, which will mean that electro contact has been made and hopefully we are in time to recharge its power source. Richard placed his hand on the android's full-face screen and gave it a gentle push until he felt the head click into place with the contact behind its brain.

What now? Richard asked.

We wait to see whether the Kibel-969 android survives, its power source is at such a low level that the electro charge may only do further damage to its internal system.

What happens if it does burn his innards? Richard asked.

I will have to destroy it at once, a malfunctioning robot is of little use to us, all the engineers were taken from here so there is no chance of getting Kibel-969 android repaired. The doll said without any compassion. Suddenly a dim message appeared on the androids facemask in a series of binary coding. What does all that coding on his facemask mean?

"It simply says ‘Following the Evil One into the Cyber World’.

That's it? Not working properly, you just destroy the little fellow? Yet it can tell us in its own garbled way that I’m in a Cyber World, I like this little guy a lot. Richard was outraged.

Any electrical malfunction can spell disaster within this world, everything must work to exacting standards as was originally intended otherwise, the whole system becomes one of chaos. If the repair engineers were here now, all those up there would be functioning correctly and normality together with the humans would return to the city. The doll carefully explained.

While he is recuperating, can you please tell me exactly where I have landed up, all I wanted to do was go home. Richard asked.

According to my calculations, you too have had a malfunction and have been redirected into a secondary dimensional transfer from a place named the Ancestral World to this Cyber Aspect by an existing digital plane. The malfunction was intentionally caused by the Evil One who somehow distorted your line of propulsion.

What does all that mean in simple language? Richard was totally baffled.

Instead of reaching your destination as planned, your course was altered and you have somehow been sent here. This Cyber World is a multi-dimensional sub-version of that Ancestral World. In very simple terms you have returned, yet not quite back into the Ancestral World.

I don't understand what you are saying. Richard was now even more confused.

Oh dear. Think of it this way, you place two mirrors opposite each other and logically whatever is seen in one mirror should be directly transferred onto its counterpart. However, the gap between the two mirrors has accidentally become distorted so what happens on the first mirror changes both shape and time to reflect something quite different, it's the same reflection but, it's not quite the same picture. Hence, you are now back, yet not back in that Ancestral World, the time and place are the same but not the same in this Cyber World.

Right, got that. Does that mean that I will have to spend yet another twenty six days but in this Cyber World? I was given a task to complete on the Ancestral World and now I am expected to do it all over again on a different world?

Correct, although in our world, time as you know it is very different from other various worlds meaning at this point in time, your task will entail enemies from the Cyber World and not the carbon-based organisms of that world and you will not be allowed to return to your world until you have completed your task. The doll said.

So where are the pods I am supposed to retrieve, where are the Guardians, where are my two friends. Is anything the same?

That I cannot say because there are going to substantial differences to interpret, you asked about your two friends? You now have the Comporter, me and the Kibel-969 android and incidentally, neither of us has sought to destroy you.

Okay, I'm getting the hang of this, instead of Orkan and Melek, I now get the Kibel-969 android and a doll called CHML-53 as my friends and this rather cool looking transport. Have I got that right?

Precisely right, one of us with learned ability and the other with fighting skills, there are distortions but, it's an exact mirror of events. Just then the humanoid android's facemask began to flicker showing signs of returning power to the Kibel-969 android. If I were you, I would move away from it until we are more certain of recovery and no malfunctions or damage having transpired. Richard's door slid open as if by magic, but as he exited the craft, he now knew that the multi-faceted doll was controlling it all. While they waited to see what was going to happen Richard moved off and started inspecting some of the destroyed robots in the front row, there were signs of war damage to many of them while others seemed completely whole, Richard suspected that the damage was mainly to their inner circuitry.

Why do most of these robots have such warlike wounding, has there been a war here? Richard enquired.

"Not a war, more like a division between originally installed programmes and manipulation attempts to veer away from what was initially programming. Since the Evil One arrived in the Cyber World humans have gone into hiding, robots are always designed to do various tasks, so they rebelled and defended themselves when attempts are being made to change their original programming, these are some of the casualties.

So the Evil One is behind this? Richard knew the answer before he asked the question.

All of these are older robots and do not have full self protective frameworks installed into their systems, but several of the new experimental models have had the new Omni Forms built into their systems and they were the robots being targeted. While the Omni Forms provide the most powerful inbuilt processing, those robots also have the capability to fight back and were being designed in conjunction with peace keeping battleship capabilities as being the ultimate deterrent in mind. The Evil One is using the more powerful but older robots to intimidate the rest of the galaxies but, it’s these new models that must now be protected and retrieved, otherwise if the Omni Form’s know-how is passed to those operating under the Evil One, it will become a one sided war.

Are you two the old models or the new types? Richard enquired.

"The Kibel-969 android is fitted with an original version of the Omni Form, I am a newer type experimental robot built in multi structured layer format and inserted with the newest version of the Omni Form, the humans left so quickly that I am the only remaining one of my type.

So multi layers make you different, how?

There are nine interacting layers within my exterior shell that all accelerate and agitate at seven times the speed of light that makes me the most powerful storage and calculation robot anywhere within the universe. My downfall is that I have no inbuilt self protective mechanism as yet and that is why the android was originally designed to protect me. After that the Comporter was built in order to transport us plus one human throughout the Cyber World. But now, it would be a pity if I have to destroy the Kibel-969 android.

I thought you said you did not have killing powers? Richard was intrigued.

My sole purpose is to examine the large array of other robots, assess their functionality and assign their duties to more effective areas of production. However, if a robot is malfunctioning beyond repair effectiveness it is better to destroy it immediately rather than have it continue.

So you are a play God robot, deciding which machine continues, and which is then confined to the scrap yard? An amazed Richard reflected.

A malfunctioning machine causes untold damage, to the human eye they may seem fine but are not and go on to cause great harm or damage to other installations. I was built to rectify this problem, it needed something that can penetrate the very core of electro circuitry and redefine its function or destroy the machine, that's why I was produced but, I must say, I do have limitations.

Such as? Richard asked.

"I do not have the capacity or programming to attack another machine that is sound in movement and circuitry, that is why the Kibel-969 android was built, in case anything threatens me, he is my defender and that is why I hope that no damage has been caused within his framework, so far all signs are positive.

Just then Richard felt, rather than saw some kind of movement in the hall, he immediately drew Juroot’s dagger as his eyes scanned across the large hallway.

There was movement,. Richard whispered. His eyes spotted another movement from the top of the long stairway near the main door where he had made his own entry into the hall, he blinked several times, Richard immediately recognised the advancing figure now moving down the flight of stairs, he was certain that it could be Sarkel, Broon's bear-like lieutenant except, his whole being was now kitted out with a full suit of armour yet somehow it was not the carefree bear that he remembered from that huge cathedral. The face, the proportions, the colouring, all screamed out at Richard that this was one of the Common Beasts he had rescued except, for the bear’s movement, something about it was not right, it was jerky and a little juddering. Richard’s enthusiasm to race and greet Sarkel was tempered by his previous experiences within the Ancestral World so instead, he made a saluting gesture used by Broon, the leader of the Common Beasts. The Sarkel-like character paid no heed to Richard as it jerked its way down the stairs of the outsized conference hall until suddenly there was a blinding flash and thunderous thud that broke the eerie silence and bathed the figure in a mantle of unaccustomed uncontaminated energy that covered the beast's framework, lighting it up as if it were some kind of Christmas tree. The shimmering beast quickly sank to its knees, another loud report and flash went out and a red glow surrounded the unfortunate Sarkel as it slumped face down into a flaming, sparking heap.

What the blazes is going on, that was a friend of mine. Richard blurted angrily.

Negative, that was a malfunctioning server robot, its entire readout indicated that of a mission to destroy you. Because of this malfunction fact, I was able to destroy the machine before it had the opportunity to carry out its mission, had it not been for the fact that it had a break down within its circuits you would now be dead, having been vaporised by the weapon it was carrying. The doll replied almost calmly.

Robot? That was Sarkel a Common Beast from the Ancestral World and was killed by the Cozards. Richard was emphatic.

Again, that is another negative. That is not a carbon creature, it is a robot built in the style of an Ancestral World being, its electro system had been reprogrammed in order to find and kill you, therefore it was malfunctioning, which then allowed me to destroy it. The next time you may not be so fortunate because I detected that the robot SRKL-98K sent a message confirming that he had located you here.

So what does your fantastic brainpower consider we should do about that? Richard asked while adding a touch of tongue in cheek humour.

"Already there are many similar type of automatons on their way here, I suggest we leave this place immediately and seek out the machines bearing the Omni Forms immediately.

Right. Richard clambered back into his seat next to the android. Get us away from here, let's seek out those Guardian robots and find these Omni Form pod things so that I can go home again. We will deal with the android, if he makes it later. The glass top half came down and locked into position and the vehicle rocketed out of the hall into the now not so deserted streets of the city. Already the enemy were arriving, the doll's driving skill carried them past attacks through the main gates and into the bleak unknown.

I just do not believe we're going to survive this. Richard said as he looked towards the darkened horizon and now not knowing what terrifying quests that may lay ahead. The one certainty that could be relied on in Richard's mind just then, was that the Evil One was out to destroy him once and for all.

Aktomi, Garbage Intimidator

Clash with a Cyber Arachnid

Twenty-Seventh Region

01000001 01110000 01110000 01110010

01100001 01101001 01110011 01100101

00100000 01000100 01100101 01110011

01110100 01110010 01110101 01100011

01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110

00100000 01000010 01100101 01101000

01101001 01101110 01100100 00100000

01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000

01000011 01100101 01101110 01110100

01110010 01100001 01101100 00100000

01000111 01101100 01101111 01110111

Appraise Destruction Behind the Central Glow

The Comporter raced along at tremendous speed for a while then came to an abrupt halt near a flat dark surface alongside a mountain range.

Where are we? Richard asked looking around at the bleak surrounds.

We need to stop, it appears that the Kibel-969 android has recovered its power force and I do not detect any differences in its metabolic electro functions. Suddenly there were light flashes materialising from behind the robot’s face mask, it sat forward to disconnect itself from the spiked electric contact, the canopy rose up, the door slid open and the android exited the Comporter and moved around the flat surface for a few seconds before returning to the craft.

Why did it do that? Richard addressed the doll.

I simply had to check that all its moving parts were sound and the analysis report is perfect.

Does that mean you won’t have to waste the android? Richard was simply being sarcastic.

"The Kibel-969 android is one hundred percent active and does not need to be eliminated. I have been steadily monitoring its internal mechanisms and will now pass authority back to the android so that it can once again operate from within its own resources.

Are you awake? Richard enquired of the android.

I never sleep, have been readjusting my timing mechanism as it failed when power source was lost. To reinforce the point, the android projected a picture of his own body clock onto his facemask screen.

How cool is that. You can look inside yourself and show it on a television. Richard exclaimed. Right guys, let's get something out of the way before we go any further. I am still in some kind of warped Ancestral World except; here it is called the Cyber World. Correct?

That is so. The doll replied.

We have also somehow been brought together to form a team, as I teamed up with Orkan and Melek, therefore, this is simply another version of that partnership? Richard continued.

Correct assumption. The doll again replied

If that is the case, from now on I am not going to call you both by your original identifying names but I am now only going to use the names I have devised and you two will do the same with each other. Is that all right with you both? Richard waited to see the reaction.

Will have to compute this new data into both memory banks and erase all existing records of current name. The Android said.

Do not have the inbuilt pass code to achieve that, will require authority or password to change programming. The doll interjected.

From now on, you the android become Orkantoo because you are the warrior here, and you will become Melnik. He pointed at the doll. If you are simply some sort of extension from the Ancestral World then it makes life simpler for me to get my head around calling you silly names by extending your roles from the Ancestral World to this Cyber World and it is a logical extension.

Logic is something we can compute, therefore, we do not have to make changes to memory banks, we alter the logic of names. It is done and I have reprogrammed both Orkantoo and myself.

Great, now what comes next? Where are we supposed to run to? Those machines are bound to be searching for us? Richard flashed the questions in quick succession.

Your answer may be viewed on Orkantoo's screen. Melnik replied. Richard looked at the humanoid's facemask could see a display of indiscriminate 1s and 0s. He studied them for a moment before realising that it was some form of binary coding.

That's of no use to me, I don't know what all those digits mean, it will take me a week to work that out. Can't you do something to help me Melnik? Richard thought back to the time when he had first seen the strange characters in Melek's 'Book of Prophecies' but instead, this was a new and modern challenge for him to conquer. Suddenly the words appeared below the binary coding.

"Ahhh! That’s better, 'Appraise Destruction Behind the Central Glow'. Whaaa! That message tells me nothing, never been good at riddles and rhymes, c'mon guys, help me out here."

Have scanned my memory banks, there is no logic used in that statement, I am unable to assist. Came back the answer from Melnik.

I just know it's not going to… Richard was stopped in mid sentence by the ominous roar that streaked in from nowhere, the Comporter was thrown high into the air as its three occupants spilled out of the craft. Orkantoo immediately fired his backpack jet rocket and swooped down catching Melnik. Richard on the other hand was being sucked upwards, he turned to see what had attacked them so suddenly, harshly and he almost swallowed his tongue. It seemed like a monstrously huge black cloud now filled the skies above them.

It's a mechanical flying spider. Save me! The instant thought that shot through his mind was this was his nemesis from the Ancestral World, it looked very similar to Baal the huge and gigantic spider that had scared him witless, except this was some type of modern form of mechanical flying arachnid, having many eyes at the front of its bulbous body, surrounded by eight power-driven legs all ending with sharply pointed grab spikes. Its underside had a huge blooming circular furnace in the centre and no matter what Richard attempted to do, he was tumbling straight towards this menacing and fiery incinerator. He needed help badly, his eyes searched below for his newly acquired companions, he spotted them and also picked out that even though Orkantoo's backpack rocket was still firing, he too was caught in some kind of powerful up draught and was now being swiftly sucked towards the huge flying spider because his backpack was not powerful enough to resist the strong pull.

What is that thing? Richard screeched.

It is called Aktomi; an automated garbage collector and incinerator. Immediate evasive action required - appraisal process now initiated. Melnik informed the helpless Richard as he began to feel the heat from the spider's central underside. As he got closer he could make out that around the circular perimeter of the blazing furnace were a series of metallic blades that swirled around viciously.

Appraisal concluded, Aktomi has no malfunctioning weaknesses, using a combination of suction and magnetic capability to draw in objects for disposal or recycling. Have found that its initial capacity resonators have been bypassed, a sure sign that the Evil One now controls Aktomi. I am unable to utilise the destructive force as Aktomi shows no sign of break down. Ever-closer Richard could see and feel the red hot furnace drawing him towards it.

It has a furnace and metal blades, we are going to be chomped up and spat into that glowing inferno if we don't do something and quickly. Richard screamed at his companions who by this time, because of their lighter combined weight had almost caught up to him.

Could that not be the glow referred to in the riddle? Melnik called back.

"Yes! Yes, that's what it meant. Richard recalled the words, 'Appraise Destruction Behind the Central Glow' must mean we need to concentrate on the fire and not the blades. Richard shouted, Orkantoo, can you use your forces to fire straight into the furnace? Richard screamed. No sooner had he shouted when a pinpoint ray of laser light shot directly from the androids arm into the heart of the furnace. There was a large clap like thunder as the robot spider above them rolled to one side followed immediately by a second beam from Melnik at the creature’s head that immediately brought chaos in the skies above the trio.

Help me. I'm falling! Richard screamed. With the beast having turned side on at the first blast it had broken the connection to the three who were now reeling towards the ground way below. The second blast had smashed the front end of Aktomi and large lumps of metal were now dropping from the sky towards the group. A terrified Richard watched the black stone ground coming up to meet him thinking this was his end but just before he smashed to the ground he was suddenly grabbed by his shoulder bag and whisked away and out of harms way, all he saw was metal slapping the ground behind them sending showers of sparks skywards. With Aktomi’s failure, Orkantoo's rocket immediately became fully effective and the android went into a dive and swept Richard away from any harm. Just then, there was an almighty roar from above as Aktomi's mighty furnace exploded and eight gigantic metal clawed legs shot out in all directions at supersonic speeds; other metallic parts filled the skies to form deadly shrapnel spraying the whole area. Orkantoo slowed down as the Comporter appeared from nowhere below them canopy opened.

Keep going! Those bits of metal are travelling faster than we are, we will be annihilated if we're struck by any of that debris. The Comporter eased right up below them and Orkantoo dropped Richard neatly into the seat, and then followed him smartly into the craft, immediately placing Melnik into her position. The canopy slammed shut and the vehicle accelerated at great speed away from the carnage happening behind their backs, then traversed in a long arc once out of danger. They turned just in time to see Aktomi's great bulk hit the ground sending a large firework type display to fill the darkened sky all around.

Whoa! That will hopefully teach the Evil One to mess with us? Richard clapped his hands in glee at their successful escape. Thanks guys, you were marvellous, both of you but one question. Melnik, you said you could not fire at Aktomi but you did, how?

"When Orkantoo sent a laser force into Aktomi, it destroyed a section of its circuit series, that was connected to other parts of the whole mainframe. I calculated that Aktomi would not make it back to the nearest station before crashing, therefore