Amalthean Quests Two

By Jeri Dion

It is the twenty-fifth century and the Amalthean Quests team is back. Tayce Traun is in command of a new updated cruiser, Amalthea Two, with her former onboard computer transformed into Tayce's personal robotic escort - a Romid known as Twedor. The team travels through time and space to rid the universes of evil and lawlessness. Ranged against the Amalthean Quests team, powerful forces have pledged to destroy Questa and Enlopedia, as they did Tayce's home planet, Traun. The entire Empire of Honitonia is in danger of obliteration. The Witch Queen Aemiliyana has escaped from her prison in the Empire of Lost Traun and her one thought is that Tayce must die.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A H Stockwell
• Release date: Mar 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9780722348123

Book preview

AMALTHEAN QUESTS TWO

Jeri Dion

ARTHUR H. STOCKWELL LTD

Torrs Park, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8BA

Established 1898

www.ahstockwell.co.uk

2018 digital version converted and published by

Andrews UK Limited

www.andrewsuk.com

Copyright © 2018 Jeri Dion

First published in Great Britain, 2018

The right of Jeri Dion to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is purely coincidental.

For my late dad, who loved science fiction.

For Dick Hall, a man of many writing talents, thank you for your guidance.

Also my laptop, ‘A-mal’, who processed the words.

Jeri Dion

Pronunciations and Meanings of Names in the Book

Amal-pronounced A-mal, short for Amalthea

Romid-robotic original mobile intelligent drone

Stavern-champagne

Level steps-steps between the decks/levels of the cruiser

Vardox-Vodka

MLC-Medical Life Centre

DC-Discuss Centre

Amalthea Two Layout

FRONT AND REAR DECKS

LEVEL 1: Main Organisation Deck

Organisation Centre

DC (Discuss Centre, formally known as the Meeting Centre)

Resources and Study Centre

Slazer Emergency Store and Charge Point

Emergency Hatch for escaping Amalthea Two, which incorporates passage to Life Escape Pods (which are stored at the rear of the cruiser)

Total Shutdown Centre for the whole cruiser.

LEVEL 2: Life Deck

Medical Life Centre (MLC)

Emergency Treatment Room

Slazer Burns Centre (for the treatment of burns from weapon fire)

Dr Tysonne’s Officette

Medical Supplies Store.

Body Scanner Room (for injuries)

Transpot Centre

Docking Bay With Boarding Tube

Leisure and Refreshments Centre

Male Sanitary Room (for cleansing after a Quest)

Female Sanitary Room (for cleansing after a Quest)

Pios Sanctuary Centre

Medical Experimental Lab A (especially for diagnosing diseases)

LEVEL 3: Quarters Deck

Main Crew Quarters (situated at the front of the cruiser)

Tayce Traun, 1A

Marc Dayatso, 2B

Dairan Loring, 3C

Donaldo and Treketa Tysonne, 4D

Second-Rank Officers’ Quarters

Kelly Travern, 5E

Lance Largon, 6F

Craig Bream, 7G

Mac Danford, 8H (note: halfway through the voyage these quarters become Nick Berenger’s)

Sallen Vargon, 91

Aldonica Darstayne, 10J

Jaul Naven, 11K

Guest Quarters

1. Deluca Marrack (team member)

2.

3.

Flight Hanger Bay Entrance

Flight Maintenance Unit

Quest Suiting-Up Room

LEVEL 4: Science And Botany Deck

Garden Dome (rear of the cruiser)

Plant Specimen Growing and Prep Room

Botany Study Centre

Astrono Centre

Dairan Loring’s Officette

Sallen Vargon’s Officette

Medical Experimental Lab B (Larger facility than lab A)

Botany Equipment and Seed Stores.

LEVEL 5: Combat And Tech Level Deck

Combat Training and Practice Centre

Robot and Technical Service Section

Weaponry Design Centre (Aldonica’s domain).

Gym and Sauna Rooms

Shower Rooms for Gym

Recreational Room (for sports)

Weaponry Testing Room

Engine Room

Electronics Centre (serving the whole cruiser)

Engine Access Shaft (for maintenance)

Access Room (for the main weaponry cannons for the cruiser)

LEVEL 5 (REAR): Freight Hold And Interrogation Deck

Interrogation Centre

Confinement Cells 1–9

Slazer Energy Force-Field Doors to Cells’ Control Room

Cruiser Electronic Defence Operational Room

Invis Shield Control Room

Service Area (for shuttles/fighters and other spacecraft)

Team Members of Amalthea Two

Tayce Traun

CAPTAIN

Marc Dayatso

COMMANDER

Dairan Loring

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER / ASTRONOMER

(New member)

Lance Largon

QUESTS RESEARCH INFORMATION OFFICER

Kelly Travern

NAVIGATIONALIST

(From Greymaren; new member)

Mac Danford

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

(New member)

Craig Bream

COMPUTER ANALYSING TECHNICAL OFFICER

(New member)

Nick Berenger

REPLACEMENT COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF

(New member)

Deluca Marrack

QUESTS ASSISTANT

(From the Planet Marrack; new member)

Donaldo Tysonne

DOCTOR / LASER SURGEON

Treketa Tysonne

MEDIC / NURSE

(née Stavard, Tom’s sister from Amalthea One)

Aldonica Darstayne

WEAPONRY SPECIALIST

(New member)

Sallen Vargon

SCIENCE TECH

(Sallen is the evil daughter of the Countess, but she has undergone a memory-reprogramming procedure and has been given a new identity with no recollection of her old past; new member)

Jaul Naven

SCIENCE, MEDICAL AND BOTANY OFFICER

(New member)

Twedor

ESCORT AND ROMID TO TAYCE TRAUN

(Formally Midge, the guidance and operations computer on Amalthea One; Romid = robotic original mobile intelligent drone; new member)

Amal

FEMALE GUIDANCE AND MAIN OPERATIONS COMPUTER

(Link-up to Twedor; new member; Amal, pronounced A-mal, is short for Amalthea)

Amalthean Quests Update

At the end of the first voyage, when Tayce didn’t know if she could go on without Tom, her husband, the team and cruiser were called back to Questa unexpectedly. The future looked unsure for all the members for the vastly recognised Amalthean Quests team, even though they had been classed as Legends of the Universe. In 2418 the team were disbanded by new council ruling, by a man everyone despised, namely Layforn Barkin, who was at this time in charge of the new man-made sister colony to Questa, Enlopedia. Barkin, as many addressed him, because of the disrespect they had for the man, had the Amalthean Quests team disbanded on to new assignments without further word. Hence the Amalthean Quests team fell apart. He claimed that the Amalthean Quests voyage was taking up too much funding to be kept operational, and as he had to make cutbacks it was wiped of the face of the universal map. The Amalthean cruiser was placed in an area known as ‘out of service’ and shut down at Enlopedia, pending a final decision on what to do with it. Councillor Lydia Traun was furious - she had managed to gain all but one vote to keep her daughter’s Amalthean Quests crime-orientated voyage continuing.

In 2420 Layforn Barkin after his unpopular conduct with the people of both Questa and Enlopedia made a fatal error of duty in his cutbacks, assigning 200 newly trained cadets in their late teens on a dangerous and life-threatening assignment, where safety was not what it should have been. All 200 young people were sent to their deaths, horrifically. This finally was the turning point for Lydia Traun, when the other members began to see Layforn Barkin for what he was. A power-happy and dangerous councillor with no regard for life or duty. He was sentenced for his misconduct and sent to live out the rest of his dayons on a remote penal colony

Layforn Barkin was replaced by Waynard Bayden, Jonathan Largon’s friend and someone that knew a lot more about running a colony such as Enlopedia. Soon he put the harmony back where it belonged, in the every-dayon existence of what both colonies stood for and what the late Jonathan Largon had built up over the yearons’ peace and justice. One of the things he reinstated was the Amalthean Quests voyages. Everyone was pleased at both the colonies that life was returning to what it should be, and many congratulated Waynard when they saw him in the city square, as he checked personally on buildings and duties that went into restoring what life should be. That had been closed down or cut back. As for Amalthea One, he gave orders for it to be taken out of where it had been placed, stripped back to its bare frame and redesigned, but still keeping its sleek ‘A’ shape. Craig Bream, a young expert in the field of computer design and technology, was placed in charge of removing all of Midge’s computer circuitry, character memory and voice and placing them into a brand-new design of a free walking-talking escort-type robot, that was classed as a just over three-foot high Romid with a new name, Twedor. Twedor was given the same friendly characteristics that he had when he was guidance and main operations computer aboard Amalthea One, so he could become Tayce Traun’s new companion. He would also protect Tayce in any dangerous situation. Top construction designers in the fields of engineering, weaponry, interior electronics and quarters design worked around the clock to restore the sleek design with an up-to-date feel that was to become Amalthea Two. As the cruiser was Tayce’s to begin with, many of the chiefs in the relevant teams working aboard the cruiser welcomed her input. Craig Bream worked with her also, as there was to be a high-frequency link-up between Twedor and new female guidance and main operations computer named Amal, pronounced A-mal, short for Amalthea.

For Tayce life had been hard after the death of Tom Stavard, but she had had a good friend on Questa in Jan Barnford, now chief of the Security Patrol Division. He and Tayce had become firm friends and she had helped him on many an assignment until she felt that she could return to a life of independence once more. Jan had escorted Tayce to many social functions and put the laughter back in her life.

At the end of 2419 Amalthea Two was complete, except for the final check by Maintenance Chief Jamie Balthansar. New team members making the team bigger were interviewed by Lydia Traun, Waynard Bayden and Tayce. Some of the old team, upon hearing that they could drop their forced assignments and head back to being team members, dropped what they were doing and headed home.

Amalthean Quests was getting ready to be reborn once more, with a second voyage...

1. New Voyage

It was roughly forty-eight hourons to the commencement of the new voyage. It was hard to think that it was almost two and a half yearons since the Amalthean Quests team had been disbanded to assignments that were not of their choosing. Tayce cringed with anger every time she thought back to that dayon, when her team had so callously been sent off in different directions and there was nothing she or her mother could do to stop it. She felt Layforn Barkin got everything he deserved. She was near completion of yet another assignment for Chief Jan Barnford, on Naninda. A new planetary retreat for the latest and notorious pirates in the present time. The Nanindan pirates. They were just as ruthless as any other pirates to date, only their motto was take prisoners home as hostages and feed them to their so-called flesh-eating herds of animals. Tayce with the new Romid Twedor (Midge) in his blue metallic metlon capacity of escort by her side, on full scan alert, made her way to the point that Twedor’s scanner had identified as the point of rescue and assignment. They carefully wandered through the cavernous corridors, on total lookout for any of the Nanindan pirates that might have been roaming below surface and had picked up that she had landed not far from their domain. The air was filled with the strong smell of the vardox kind. Twedor felt his circuits were giving him bad vibes. Tayce glanced at him, noticing that for a Romid he was shaking. This could only mean one thing - his sensors were giving him the equivalent of extreme nervousness, something that was new to him.

Twedor, I’m not happy you being here. Go back to the rescue cruiser and prepare the onboard medical facility in case we need it, ordered Tayce.

Just as long as you think you can go on alone? he asked.

I can handle it from here, now go!

Twedor turned and wandered off back the way he had come, on alert. His Slazer primed ready to use if he had to. Tayce continued on, so that she could see through a gap in the cave wall large enough to crawl through if she had to escape quickly. As she looked, so she could see men dressed in scruffy-looking attire, mining for rare crystals, which as far as she could make out were white in colour, in various shapes and sizes. These, she thought, would probably be sold on the black market, and would no doubt go towards some dubious use. In making weapons and space equipment, which would be sold on the same kind of market. She’d seen these kinds of crystals once before many yearons ago and they were classed as molybdenum-orientated. Which only confirmed one thing. These Nanindan pirates had their retreat somewhere they could make more profit below surface.

Just as she thought it was safe to continue on in the final yardons to her designated point of assignment, she was grabbed roughly from behind. She realised it wasn’t good when she was blasted by a mixture of strong odour of sweat and vardox. This meant only one thing: she had been detected by a Nanindan pirate. He moved his leatherex gloved right hand across her mouth and nose, whilst restraining her tightly against his sweaty bulk of a body with the left. Tayce struggled - she was finding it near impossible to breathe.

He hauled her away, still in a restraining hold, off through the poorly lit winding cavernous tunnel. They headed toward a blue fluorescent force-field-type door. Upon approach, with his right hand - taking it from Tayce’s mouth and nose, much to her relief - he deactivated the entrance and threw her into the dimly lit cell, where the walls were solid rock, laughing callously as he did so.

Tayce sailed straight across the interior and right into the back of a humanoid male. She looked up. Light, such as it was, played to her advantage. Before her was the young dark-haired Questonian she had been sent to rescue - she recognised him from the image earlier.

Without warning she passed out. The young Questonian turned quickly, catching her in mid fall, wondering who she was. Supporting her, he guided her to the only stonex-type seat in the cell, sitting her down. Sitting beside her he began to pat her cheeks lightly to bring her back to consciousness. He looked at her with warm brown concerned eyes. Had these pirates tortured her? he wondered. Dairan Loring was his name. It stated this on his uniform identification badge.

Tayce opened her eyes, slowly looking about her surroundings. Her focus was fuzzy. She looked up, and as her focus cleared she found herself looking into the most warm good-looking features she’d seen in a long time. For a moment she found herself lost just looking into his brown eyes.

Are you all right? The name’s Dairan Loring, astro-explorer for Questa, he said, introducing himself.

Tayce Traun. Hello! replied Tayce, still caught by his handsome features.

Dairan quickly realised he was staring at none other than the legendary Tayce Traun, of the Amalthean Quests team. He began wondering if the Amalthean Cruiser was in orbit just outside. He was about to ask her when suddenly the grid-type force-field doors were turned off and the grids vanished. In walked a large paunchy scruffily dressed Nanindan pirate, who Tayce could read was the leader. He reached out roughly, grabbing her by the upper arm, pulling her sharply in front of him. She winced at the smell of his strong breath hitting her in the face. In behind him came another more-ugly-looking male, his eyes showing great interest in Tayce. He paused, leaning on the wall by the doorway. The first Nanindan put his left hand to Tayce’s face and jaw, forcing her to look at him. He congratulated his accomplice in a gruff slurred tone on capturing such a legend - she would fetch a pretty sum on the next trade trip. With this, he threw Tayce back at Dairan and walked from the cell, laughing evilly as he went. His accomplice fell in behind and the force-field grid type doors activated behind him once more.

Tayce rubbed her jaw, trying to bring it back.

Not the best of hosts, are they? said Dairan, trying to cheer her up.

Believe me, he’s no more than what I’ve come up against in the past. We’ve got to get out of here. I would contact my Romid, but that idiot that grabbed me the first time around must have made me hit my wrist against the wall, because it’s broken my Wristlink, she replied, furious at the fact.

Take it off. I’ll have a look - I know a great deal about electronics, and they didn’t take everything off me on throwing me in here, he said, reaching into his brown jacket pocket and retrieving what looked like a small pencil-shaped object, in silver.

Tayce removed her Wristlink. The glassene display was smashed. She handed it to Dairan without much hope of seeing it work again. He leant back against the wall in the better glow of the light that was illuminating their surroundings, beginning to work on restoring communications. Tayce slowly began to pace back and forth, agitated. She paused, turning in thought.

Then she began. Dairan - can I call you Dairan? she asked.

Yeah! he replied, giving her half his attention.

I want to tell you something, though you might find it slightly unnerving, she began apprehensively.

Go on, he prompted, still trying to fix the Wristlink.

I’m telepathic with added abilities; and if you can’t fix my Wristlink, I could try and send a message to Twedor at the rescue cruiser. He’s my Romid, so he can pinpoint our location and blow the forcefield doors via a high-frequency sound wave. I can do this by thought transference, she explained

Dairan gave her a blank surprised look, trying to take in what she had just said. He then went back to trying to fix the Wristlink in hand, saying nothing. She had a feeling she had just insulted him, when he figured he was doing his best to repair her Wristlink. Dairan continued to point the pencil-shaped object at different points on the Wristlink display. A fine beam of orange light hit the display, sometimes for short bursts, sometimes for long.

Tayce sauntered back to the force-field grid-type entrance and looked out through into the winding tunnel-like distance. She wanted to be back on Questa. Time was moving on in her destined beginning of the new voyage. Dairan, after a few moments of trying various ideas he had to restore the Wristlink, crossed and handed it back to her. Tayce looked up and he shook his head in a no-go way. He explained that the main relay chip for transmitting and receiving was totally destroyed - it had obviously happened when she hit her wrist. He could try further to see if he could bypass some circuits that were working, rig up something temporary to get them out of their present surroundings if she wanted him to. As he continued, on her nod for him to do so, she watched his look of great concentration. Tayce found her agitation of wanting to get out of their present surroundings nagging at her strongly. Dairan glanced at her. Then it hit him - he always carried spare digit bombs in his other pocket. Fudging inside, he found one. The digit delay bomb was the latest explosive device to come into circulation at Enlopedia and it was used on missions of exploration and danger. It was no bigger than a large marble, but the blast effect was the size of a megaton bomb. Tayce looked at the small device, then met his look. What next was he going to pull out of his jacket pocket? she wondered.

Those Nanindan pirates might be good at making money on the unlawful trade market; but when it comes to searching enemies, I think they need to go back to the manual, if you know what I mean, said Dairan.

What are you going to do? I’ve never seen one of those before, said Tayce, studying the small marble-shaped object in his hand.

Get us out of here. Stand back and look away while I set this, he ordered.

Crossing near to the entrance, he set the digit bomb and set it down quickly, crossing to shield Tayce. A few minons elapsed and the bomb blew a disruptive break in the form of a large gaping hole in the force-field grid for them to make an escape. Dairan hurried over to the doorway, quickly joined by Tayce. He stepped out on to the sandy-type soil of the tunnel.

Much to Tayce and his surprise, they’d been under watch by two guards, who now lay dead, caught in the blast. Dairan turned, outstretching his hand back through the gap in the energy force-field. Tayce grasped it, exiting the cell carefully so as not to get hurt. Dairan suggested they take the guards’ weapons - they could come in handy, especially if the pirates had heard the explosion above. Tayce agreed.

They both set off. Tayce explained that her rescue cruiser was about half a milon from their present surroundings. Both ran at full pelt with the Nanindan guns set on ‘disintegrate’. Halfway along the last part of the corridor to the surface Dairan noticed Tayce had fallen behind. He glanced back to see she had paused for something shiny and sparkly on the sandy soil.

Tayce! What are you doing? Do you want to be recaptured? Leave it! he said sharply to her.

As she showed no sign of taking any notice until she got what she wanted, he hurried back and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her on, ordering her to move. Tayce grabbed the shiny crystal and followed on, almost tripping as she tried to keep up with Dairan. He paused for a brief cencron himself, to get his breath back. Both ran on, on the last yardons until they reached outside. But as they broke the surface, shots rang out around and above them. Tayce, dodging the weapon fire, led the rest of the way to the Quest rescue cruiser. The open entrance hatch was a welcome sight.

Tayce climbed up and ran into the pilot area and slid into the seat, quickly starting the engines. Dairan glanced at Twedor, impressed by the little Romid, then hurried to get into the co-pilot’s seat next to Tayce as the entrance hatch closed and the rescue cruiser took to the Nanindan sky under the immense power of the nucleus engines. Once airborne, it headed off into the increasingly darkened sky of the planet, into the Universe, off towards Questa Headquarters Base, home.

The Nanindan pirates are still firing on us, and their orbital vessels are in pursuit, Tayce, said Twedor.

Tayce, on this, activated the defence shields just as a precaution. At the speed they were travelling they’d soon be entering ‘D’ space (defended space) of Questa and Enlopedia and would be protected. She glanced at Dairan, who was showing signs of concern regarding the fact that even though they’d escaped Naninda they could still be blown to hell by the pursuing Nanindan pirates in their fighter-type vessels.

It’s OK, Dairan, I’m a good pilot. A couple of minons and we’ll be in ‘D’ space. If they follow us in there they will wish they hadn’t, assured Tayce.

Thanks for saving me back on Naninda. Another dayon on that place and I would have been animal feed. Thank you, he said sincerely.

You’re welcome. Chief Barnford was the one to send me; you were nearly never rescued, as there wasn’t anyone to fly out and take on the rescue. Then Chief Traun offered it to me. I had one more rescue mission to run, so I agreed. In the end, you could say we rescued each other, she replied casually.

Dairan agreed. On approach to Questa with the Nanindan pirates nowhere in sight, Tayce asked for her usual clearance to go in to land. It was immediately granted. She looked up at the top-ranking space Construction Port, where the completed result of a shining new Amalthea Two hung suspended in stabilising gravity. Her thoughts were on Marc Dayatso, wondering if her mother had managed to find him for the beginning of the new Amalthean Quests voyage tomorron.

Dairan could see, as he glanced at her, she was in deep thought about something, and enquired if he could help. Tayce decided he was only being friendly and asked if he had heard of a well-known member of her first team, Marc Dayatso. Dairan nodded, asking what had happened to him - he was well known for being a computer genius - the best, in fact?

At the end of the last and first voyage on the Amalthean Quests, Marc was having none of Barkin’s laws about putting him on other assignments. He just took off and found his own work commanding a friend’s cruiser. He’s been down there ever since. The last report I had from him, he was off on a dangerous mission. I hope Chief Traun has managed to find him - he’s wanted for the start of the new voyage,explained Tayce.

Tell me to forget it if you want; but if you need any replacement team members, I would be more than glad to help out - join your team, I mean, said Dairan, being pushy.

You get straight to the point, don’t you? Won’t your section chief want you to return to your current position and duty? asked Tayce, finding Dairan’s cheek quite amusing.

He’s likely to kick me out of my section. I was supposed to return in three dayons with the report on the Nanindan mining survey; now I’m returning without that and the fighter I flew down there in, it’s going to be goodbye, Loring, and don’t come back, he replied.

Well, if you have nothing else to go on to, be at Chief Traun’s Officette this evening between the times of 19:40 and 20:30 hourons. I’m still looking for an astronomer lieutenant-commander grade, to join the team - someone who has both knowledge in the Universe and is able to be part of the crime-fighting-orientated team that Amalthean Quests is, put Tayce.

The moment the rescue cruiser had landed and they’d exited out into the Docking Port, Lydia Traun was waiting to see Tayce with good news. She knew that it was the kind she’d want to hear. Tayce smiled at her mother and crossed the moment she left the cruiser. Lydia began. She had good news: there was someone waiting to see her up on Amalthea Two.

Will you see Jan gets this? It’s the rescue report. Come on, Twedor, let’s go and see who’s waiting, said Tayce, turning and heading away from her mother, heading on across the port.

Lydia briskly went after her daughter, saying she had forgotten to say that Treketa had telelinked to say she and Donaldo had left the Medical Colony Assignment Division and couldn’t wait to start the new voyage.

Tayce smiled upon her mother’s words. It felt good to know her old team were coming together once more. She continued across the marblex floor towards the Vacuum Lift with Twedor in tow, to take her all the way to the Construction Port. Pausing, waiting for the lift to ascend, she began thinking - she would have to visit the Memorial Park to visit Tom’s memorial before she departed. The Vacuum Lift arrived. Several people stepped out, heading away to their destination. Tayce boarded, requesting the construction port. Upon the glassene and steelex doors closing, the lift began to ascend above Q City. The people below began to look like space migins (ants) milling around. She leant on the rail that ran round the lift. Twedor was silent beside her. He hated lifts - especially clear-vision ones. It made his sight circuits act up with the motion he considered was not natural; it was like having a vertigo attack.

A while later, as Tayce and Twedor walked aboard the new Amalthea Two, Tayce found there was still the strong smell of newness in the air as she and Twedor began on the walk towards the new central-operations centre of the cruiser. It was once known as the Organisation Deck and was now known as the Organisation Centre. She wondered who the on board person was, waiting to see her.

They soon arrived at the entrance to the Organisation Centre, a centre that was large and gave the feeling of being a comfortable and spacious working environment. Tayce could see that out of all the duty positions around the centre there was one black and chrome chair that was in a certain position at navigations, as if someone was seated there.

You’d better be a friend; if you’re a reporter wanting a scoop for the news channel, I do not have the time, she said, not knowing who it was.

After a few cencrons the chair slowly turned to face her, and none other than Marc Dayatso looked at her with a warm, handsome smile. He stood up and walked over. She gave him a warm overwhelmed smile that said it all. She was glad he was back. He opened his arms to her upon approach and closed them around her as she walked into them, giving her a strong hug that conveyed he’d missed her. Upon releasing her, he held her so that he could study her for a few minons.

You certainly look better than when I last saw you, he began, pleased.

Are you ready to start the new voyage as commander? she asked, wondering if he had come back for good, or had just visited the base to say hello before heading back out to his friend’s cruiser.

Yes, I’m here for good. Tom and your father would never forgive me if I left you alone to take on the many vagabonds of this Universe. I’m here for as long as you need me as part of your new team, he replied, full of enthusiasm.

Marc looked past Tayce and saw the new form of Midge in Twedor. He was impressed beyond words. Twedor walked forth, welcoming Marc back to the team in his original voice, telling him he was no longer immobile, as he could see; he was now free to roam and protect Tayce as her escort. He now had a small plasmatronic ultra-thought brain, which was like a human’s and could process a number of things all at the same time. He could smell, touch with the right amount of pressure and act in a split cencron if required. He had a small built-in operating system that enabled him to link up with Amal via high-frequency link-up. Marc gave a look of total amazement that this just above three-foot-high Romid was once Midge and was now under the title of Twedor. Tayce crossed and pushed a small white key on the main operations panel for the cruiser, below a circular wall screen. Marc watched, interested as to what was going to happen next to amaze him. Amal, the new female guidance and main operations computer introduced herself in eloquent soft-spoken English.

Welcome aboard Amalthea Two, Commander. I’m Amal. I have logged your presence into my memory system and your quarters are allocated to you, with everything fully operational when you are ready, she stated, much to Marc’s surprise.

This cruiser has just got even better; and as for the amazing new major change to Midge, being this amazing little robot, it astounds me. I’m speechless, began Marc, impressed, but he was cut off by Twedor.

I’m a Romid. A robot is an insignificant form of the lowest grade compared with me, said Twedor.

Apologies. I’d like to shake the hand of the person responsible for achieving the redesign of both Twedor and Amal here. What they’ve done is truly exceptional, said Marc, truly speechless.

Tayce began back to the new wider entrance, exclaiming that he could meet that man tomorron. In the meantime Lydia was expecting her in an houron for refreshment, so she had to cleanse and change into a clean uniform.

Do you mind if I tag along? he put to her, glancing around the new Organisation Centre, impressed by what he was seeing.

Not at all. It will give you a chance to see some of the changes we’ve made around here - that’s me and the design team. Come on, Twedor, let’s go, commanded Tayce.

Marc followed on behind Twedor, still not believing the impressive change in the once guidance and main operations computer, in him becoming a highly sophisticated robot, classed as a Romid.

One thing that Marc noticed as he went was that Amalthea Two was a lot larger in size than Amalthea One. He put it to Tayce and she confirmed that in fact the cruiser was wider by a milon and longer by half a milon; this was to incorporate the new improved changes. They both discussed the many changes that had taken effect and why on the way to Level 3.

* * *

The Enlopedian Cruiser and Redesign Team at the Enlopedian Dome had stripped Amalthea One back to its bare frame. It had taken five monthons to undertake the task. Tayce then attended meetings, being in on each stage of the redesign and construction with many of the heads of each stage, including the new improved computerised functions and capabilities to bring the cruiser up to date. Her input was welcomed and she was considered like one of the team from start to finish. Now, finally, after fifteen monthons of hard overtime duty for the workers concerned to get Amalthea Two ready for the new voyage, she was ready. The final signal for completion was signalled with an elaborate appreciation party thrown by Tayce for all the hard work the men and women had put in and finished just prior to twenty-five hourons into the galactic new yearon of 2420. Amalthea Two had had many extras incorporated into her larger design. The original Transpot had been up dated to Transpot 2, which was quicker and more risk-free than its original. Enabling travel from one spot to another within a fifty milon radius. A fail-safe return was incorporated, making sure everyone returned safely. More weaponry had been incorporated with Slazer cannons, giving an immediate setting of ‘disintegration’ if required in battle. A new improvement for Amalthean Two, was the new Invis Shield. A shield that made the cruiser totally invisible to the eye and undetected on any vessel, colony or base.

The Organisation Centre was the new immediate working and operations hub of the cruiser. Tayce’s Officette was now incorporated in the new Meeting Centre, which was named the Discuss Centre, or DC for short. In the new DC was a new meeting-centre table in chrome and tinted glassene, which seated the whole team plus any guests that were visiting the cruiser. There was a mouldable cream leather soffette that had been placed against one wall for a more relaxed atmosphere. Tayce’s desk was situated in front of the almost floor-to-ceiling sight port. The colour scheme in the DC was cream and beige. Amalthea was bigger and better than before.

* * *

Tayce, down in her new quarters, was soon cleansed and changed and was checking her final appearance in the imager. She looked the true successful leader of the Amalthean Quests team that she was! Marc, who had dropped his bags off at his new quarters to unpack later, admired her, thinking she was still as gorgeous as ever, despite what she had gone through, as he leant on the soffette waiting for her. She did one final turn, this way and that. Upon seeing she was pleased with the end result, she headed for the entrance, asking was he waiting for something?

Once off Amalthea Two Tayce exclaimed whilst they walked that when they’d got down in Q City she’d leave him to go on to her mother’s and meet him there. There was something she had to do before leaving next dayon.

Marc nodded understandingly as they began across to the Vacuum Lift. Once aboard, they soon travelled back down to the main city level - Q City Square. Marc glanced around through the clear glassene walls as they descended slowly and smoothly.

So what’s with these new changes? I go away and there is one headquarters base; come back, there’s a new second one. Enlopedia? he asked, curious.

When the team split in 2418 Lydia decided to divide the council chamber, as so many heads of Questa sections were being formed. Questa wasn’t coping with the increasing changes, so Enlopedia was designed and constructed. Even our population was growing, because people and aliens from other words came to live and work here. With just the one base, it was impossible to cater for everyone, explained Tayce.

Really? I noticed there was more security around - why? asked Marc.

It’s been a different attitude since Barkin was put in charge. Morale throughout the base began to wane; people no longer tolerated something just because it was classed as right. Peace was falling apart and unrest was on the increase. The way people were being treated in their duty was like - and still is in places - they are easily replaced. Loyalty was coming to mean nothing. This mornet I returned with a young male astro-explorer for Questa, and because he’s failed to return without his fighter and mission report he’ll be out of job by the end of the dayon. Dairan Loring is his name. I offered him a place on the team - you’ll probably meet him later.

Still helping out strays, then? he teased with a cheeky grin.

You know me, she replied, laughing.

I got the evil eye when I landed, by security that I hadn’t seen before, said Marc, recalling the fact.

Mother had a threat made on her life. They’ve now moved her to a new Officette area under the city, where it’s guarded by personal security all the time. Things have changed around here, Marc - not for the better, said Tayce.

So the changes are related to this Layforn Barkin, then. Why did they choose him for being on the council? Surely they must have checked his background? asked Marc.

Someone had it in for Mother, they said. She got the duty she was given too easily. They wanted to unseat her, but try as hard as they could no one could find out who was sending the threats. But they ceased mysteriously when Barkin was escorted from the base, explained Tayce.

Marc raised his eyes in surprise. The Vacuum Lift softly stopped on city level and, as the doors drew apart to reveal people and aliens waiting to board, Tayce, with Marc and Twedor, walked forth. Tayce with Twedor walked as far as the offshoot corridor that would take Marc down to her mothers new Officette, then she informed him she’d see him later with her mother. He nodded and continued on, wondering what had happened to the rest of the old team.

Tayce began on the walk across to the Memorial Park, where Tom’s memorial was. She soon entered the park and began on the walk along the rusty-coloured marblex path to come to stand before Tom’s plaque in a secluded area of greenery.

She began.

Well, this is it. Tomorron I’m heading out - second voyage, would you believe, Tom? If someone had said to me at the end of the last voyage I would be starting again without you, I wouldn’t have believed them. Marc’s back and taking on the role of Commander. Well, I won’t be seeing you for a while. I’ll come again soon. Bye, my love!

Twedor noticed as Tayce turned she had tears in her eyes. He could see she would never really forget what unfolded before her eyes that fateful dayon. He slipped his metlon hand in hers and squeezed it lightly. She looked down and smiled. Even in this new Romid form, he knew how she felt. She heard someone familiar talking not far away. Turning, she saw Lance Largon visiting his father’s memorial too. She decided to let him have his moment and walked on out of the Memorial Park, off to see her mother.

When she exited the park she was surprised to find Marc waiting for her.

What’s wrong? I thought you were heading to Mother’s Officette? she asked, concerned.

I got lost, would you believe? After a scrutinising look from security, I came back to find you, he explained.

Come on, I’ll take you there, she said, amused.

So what happened to the rest of our team from the last voyage? he asked, curious.

"Lance has been teaching combat to cadets, would you believe? He hated it so much that when I asked him to become part of the new team for this voyage he jumped at it. He’s in the Memorial Park at the moment, paying his respects to Jonathan. The rest of the team were scattered here and there, throughout the Universe on different bases. I’ve found Treketa and Donaldo - they were on the Intergalactic Medical Colony, but are on their way back.

You’ve worked hard to bring us all back together. I’m proud of you, considering what you’ve been through to get us here, he said praisingly

After crossing through the busy atmosphere of city life, in the city square, they walked down along the glassene offshoot partitioned corridor, turning into a large walkway.

You can see the need for the second base. I noticed, coming across the city square back there, that it was very busy! Marc exclaimed.

Quite! replied Tayce.

Marc wondered if anything happened to Questa, would Lydia Traun take care of its sister colony Enlopedia.

They neared a large white doorway, guarded by two light-blue-platex-shielded guards. They saluted to Tayce with a quick, efficient hand-to-forehead gesture, then went back on guard. They respected her gaining such a high rank at such a young age, as captain. But Marc was not so fortunate as to be allowed to just enter what was classed as a restricted area. They asked him for his identification, prepared to arrest or shoot him if he didn’t comply with the new precautionary rules. Marc, feeling he didn’t want to rub the guards up the wrong way, took out his ID wallet and handed it to the fair-haired more-officious-looking guard of the two. He studied Marc in great cold security-orientated interest, then handed the ID back with a much kinder expression and nod.

Both Tayce and Marc continued on in through the floor-to-almost ceiling heavy doors, followed by Twedor. Lydia came forth, her arms held out to greet Marc, whom she considered almost like a son. She was dressed in a white silkene high-necked suit and matching high-heeled boots, in cream.

You found your onboard guest, then? she asked Tayce with a warm smile.

Yes she did, and she’s been filling me in on what’s been happening around here, said Marc with a hint of displeasure in the tone of his voice.

Both Lydia and Marc hugged affectionately, then released, as Lydia explained she had had an update from Treketa and Donaldo in that they’d be arriving in about an houron, via the next Medical Launch.

There’s something that will surprise you as far as Treketa and Donaldo are concerned. Three monthons ago they became legally joined. Treketa is now known as Medic/Nurse Tysonne. I was unfortunately too busy with the redesigning of Amalthea Two to attend, said Tayce, wishing Lydia would close the file she was working on, on screen, and put her screen to standby mode.

Well, before any more of the new team arrive for the forthcoming voyage, I suggest a bit of refreshment - so let’s go, shall we? suggested Lydia, coming from behind her desk.

Both Tayce and Marc didn’t get the chance to protest as Lydia led the way and Twedor followed on first. Marc draped a friendly arm around Tayce’s shoulders, like a big brother, as they walked on out together. Lydia glanced over her shoulder to see her daughter and Marc laughing and talking like old buddies. He hadn’t changed a bit, thought Lydia. He might have been a couple of yearons older and he had been in the position of command on his friend’s cruiser, but he was still the Marc they had come to know and love and consider one of the family, the ‘warm, friendly and ready for anything’ attitude was still present.

All three walked from the Officette deeper into the corridors to Lydia’s new apart-house (named apart-house, because one part of the dwelling was like an apartment and the other was like a two-storey house), where refreshment had been prepared by the Questa Catering Dome techs. Once refreshment was through, Lydia, Tayce and Marc sat around discussing many of the things in general that had gone on in the past yearons. Both on Questa and in Marc’s life.

Suddenly Lydia’s private cordless Telelinkphone buzzed. Tayce reached across and picked it up. Adam Carford’s voice came through, informing her that Treketa and Donaldo had arrived. Tayce thanked him.

Upon replacing the handset, she rose to her feet and began moving over towards the entrance, telling Lydia she was going to meet Donaldo and Treketa and she’d see them later. With this, she walked from the Living Area as the main doors opened automatically before her, and began on the walk down to the Docking, Departure and Arrival Dome. She soon crossed Q City Square and entered briskly into the Arrival and Waiting Centre. Pausing, she looked about in all directions, even over the heads of arriving passengers. She glanced up at the digital display arrival-and-departure board, reading down until she found the Medical Launch. It was in. She pushed on through the arriving crowd, coming from the same flight. Without warning there came a cry out from Treketa to get her attention. Treketa broke into a sprint, leaving Donaldo behind with the luggage.

Welcome home. It’s good to see you both, said Tayce as Treketa paused and gave her once sister by law a long-awaited missed-you hug, excited to see her again after the long absence.

Hello, Tayce. Long time no see, said Donaldo, giving Tayce a hug upon reaching her, leaving the luggage carrier in Treketa’s care for a moment.

"I hear congratulations is in order - so sorry I missed your dayon. It’s been hectic around here, getting the cruiser completed.

No need for apologies. We were amazed to hear Waynard had done what he had, considering what Barkin had done. You’ve done well to bring us all back together, said Donaldo praisingly, studying her as he spoke like a friend, yet doctor.

That’s just what Marc said. Anyway, Mrs Tysonne - it has a nice sound to it... began Tayce.

Nurse/Medic Tysonne, if you don’t mind, she said, laughing.

She doesn’t change, cut in Donaldo, putting a loving arm around Treketa, pulling her to him affectionately.

Shall we go? We’ll head for Mother’s Officette, though it’s not where it used to be, said Tayce.

They all began walking on across the Arrival and Waiting Centre. Treketa, as she went, noticed the different-uniformed guards that she hadn’t noticed the last time she was on the base, just on two yearons ago. They seemed dressed in uniforms other than those at Questas previously, as she remembered. Tayce saw the look on her face and explained there had been quite a few changes since they’d all been together. The three of them soon exited the Docking, Departure and Arrival Dome, entering into Q City Square. As they went they talked about many things that had changed. Treketa commented on how well Tayce looked, considering what had happened for them both in losing Tom last voyage. She’d done well to come through it. Tayce didn’t want to say anything, but deep down she still found there were times when she missed Tom. Donaldo understood and could see she was doing a good job in hiding the fact.

* * *

Later that same dayon on Questa in Lydia Traun’s Officette Chambers, a pre-voyage party was in full swing to celebrate the coming-together of the old team and the joining of some of the new members. New members present, and nervous of meeting the old familiar ones, were as follows. Jaul Naven, a science medical and botany officer from Canardan 5, was a pleasant young man with sandy-coloured hair. Aldonica Darstayne, a young female genius in the field of weaponry, was around 1.70 metres tall and was joining the team as weaponry specialist. She was Questonian/human, fresh from training, and had passed her grade with flying colours. She was top of her field. Next was Craig Bream, a young, blonde, curly-haired, well-built Questonian/human male, responsible for the redesign and update of both Twedor and the Amalthea’s new guidance and main operations computer, Amal, pronounced A-mal. He was to be Amalthea’s new computer-analysing tech officer and would be responsible for Amal and the upkeep of Twedor. Making sure they were kept in working order. Craig was a pleasant bit-of-a-jack-the-lad type, but good at his job. He took great pride in what he did. Tayce had offered him the position on the team when they’d got on so well in working to get both Twedor and Amal up and running. She knew that he would fit in with the others, as he got on well with everyone around him whilst working with teams in Amalthea Two’s construction. He was chatting with Kelly Travern, the team’s third new recruit. Straight from Greymaren, she was to be Amalthea’s new navigationalist. Kelly was rescued on the last voyage and had decided to join the team upon Tayce’s invitation to do so, in looking for a good all-round navigationalist. The familiar regulars of the team returning were Lance Largon, who was reprising his position as Quests research and information officer, though his title had now been shortened to Quests research officer. Donaldo Tysonne was back to be the cruiser’s doctor. He had returned with Treketa as his assistant in the new role of medic/nurse and his new intimate joined partner. Marc Dayatso was back in the rank of commander, bringing with him the experience of commanding a cruiser. Everyone stood around with a fluted glassene filled with celebratory liquid of some kind, talking, getting to know one another.

If I could have everyone’s attention for a minon, the reason I’ve called this get-together is so firstly you can all get to know each other, and to introduce you to one more new member - someone who has spent the last two yearons after special medical treatment putting her new life together, with no recollection of her old one whatsoever. Some of you might remember her because of what she has done in her old life, but due to mind reprogramming she is no longer the person she used to be and has a completely new life and identity. If asked who was her mother, you would get the simple reply she is an orphan who was adopted and put through science academy, explained Tayce.

Before you ask your final member in, Tayce, I have authority to hand you a surprise you weren’t expecting. From tonight, care of Waynard, you are hereby given the new rank of captain, officially, said Lydia proudly.

What! said Tayce, both surprised and overjoyed.

Congratulations and applause in the honour of the joyous news erupted into the air. Whilst Tayce took in the moment, pleased such a thing had been bestowed on her, Lydia turned, ordering one of the aides to show in Amalthea’s last recruit. The doors to the room soon opened and in walked someone that the old regulars of the Amalthean Quests team didn’t expect to see ever again. Treketa gave a wide-eyed look of shock and surprise. What was Tayce thinking? she wondered. How could she invite this person to be part of the team? Marc gave a look to say had she lost her mind? They were forgetting what Tayce had said - that this person present had no recollection of what she used to be.

Feeling nervous, and not understanding why some of the team were looking at her coldly, she felt she wasn’t wanted and wanted to turn tail and run. Pausing in the middle of the room, this last new team member was none other than the once evil daughter of Countess Vargon - Sallen. She was a far cry from the old dayons, when she dressed like an evil vixen. Instead she was dressed in an Amalthean Quests science uniform, in the rank of science tech, looking like she was ready for duty. Tayce glanced at Treketa and slowly shook her head. Sallen felt awkward. She didn’t know what to do or say, having no recollection of her old past.

Kelly, after a few minons broke the ice by walking forth and welcoming Sallen to the team with a gentle hug. She was prepared to adjust to the fact that Sallen was not what she once was. After Kelly broke the tense moment, slowly everyone else came forth and did as she had done and wiped the slate clean, welcoming Sallen to the team. Tayce sighed a gentle sigh of relief, glad the uneasy moment was over. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy for Sallen. She mingled with the others, answering questions that they had, then suggested that as they were leaving tomorron she would see them in the mornet and she expected the team to be ready for duty then - in other words, not to remain too long. Sleep was what they needed, to be ready to leave at first light.

Everyone agreed, saying goodnight to her.

Tayce turned and walked from the chambers, meeting Adam Carford in the doorway, who handed her her new silver metallic attaché case for the new voyage, wishing her luck. Tayce nodded, then walked on with Twedor in tow. Everyone had loved Twedor as the new addition to the team in his new form and had spent most of the evening congratulating Craig for his excellent work.

Tayce had no sooner entered the outer anteroom when Dairan Loring entered.

Dairan! Are you here to be part of my new team tomorron? she asked, finding her heart jumping with excitement at the warmth of his mysterious brown eyes as he looked at her.

You’re leaving - am I too late? he said, hoping not.

No, go right on in. I’ll see you tomorron - a little more punctual, I hope, she replied.

What do I say? he asked, walking to her and about to walk past her.

Tayce felt their closeness was all too much to bear, and she began to blush. The feelings she was feeling were less than professional. Was he doing this on purpose, winding her up? He could see he was unnerving her and slightly smiled - a bright smile that broke the moment.

Tell Chief Traun I sent you and you’re the new astronomer, lieutenant-commander grade - that’s if you still want to be? she said, trying to concentrate.

Sure I do, Commander, he replied, not knowing her new rank.

Actually, it’s now Captain, but when we’re on the cruiser you can call me Tayce, she replied, liking what she was picking up from this Dairan Loring.

Sorry! Congratulations, by the way. See you first light, he said softly and continued on in to meet with the others.

Tayce thought to herself she had to get a grip on this feeling she was feeling whenever she was around Dairan Loring. She was going to be his team leader and duty was duty. She would have to stop feeling like a love-struck teenager meeting her idol and treat him like a friend.

After Dairan had walked on in to join with the others, she continued on towards the construction port Vacuum Lift to take her back to the cruiser.

He liked you, you know, I read his vital signs. His adrenaline level was a little elevated, said Twedor at her side as they walked.

Twedor! Dairan Loring is just another member of the new part of the team, nothing more, she replied sharply at him.

Um! said Twedor. His readings were telling him otherwise.

* * *

Sometime later in the Vacuum Lift, when the doors had sealed shut, Tayce felt she could breathe a sigh of great relief as the lift rose above Q City Square, on the way back to Amalthea Two, which once again was to be known as just Amalthea. She began thinking that all the hard work was done. She could feel proud of herself. Tomorron was finally arriving, when she could leave Questa for the new voyage.

Upon leaving the lift with Twedor, she walked over to the Docking-Bay doors. Suddenly she heard the familiar voice of none other than Empress Tricara behind her. Tayce had confided to Twedor the fact that she would forgive Tricara for what had happened on Trinot with Tom and had put it down to fate playing a cruel blow. The two of them had come back to being friends again. Tricara asked if it was possible to talk with her, as after tomorron they wouldn’t be seeing each other until she was in port again. It would be a good time to go over what she had been taught about focusing her abilities, making sure she fully understood. In the last yearons Tricara had been appointed Tayce’s guide in adjusting her to her new powers. Both women walked aboard as the Docking-Bay doors drew apart on the original Level 2, and began on the walk to the Organisation Centre, talking as they went. As soon as Tayce entered Organisation, Amal came on standby and illuminated the overhead lights. She continued on through to the DC. Entering, she placed the attaché case down by the side of her new desk. As Tricara sat down relaxingly on the cream mouldable soffette, Tayce crossed the floor to fix them two drinks from the small wall dispenser.

Here, I thought we could toast to new beginnings all round and let the past remain where it is, said Tayce, walking to Tricara with a glass filled with stavern.

I totally agree, she said softly, smiling, glad Tayce had said what she had.

Is there anything I should expect during this voyage, as far as my abilities go? said Tayce, turning and looking out through the floor-to-ceiling sight port back at Questa.

Honitonia! she simply announced.

What or who is Honitonia? asked Tayce, glancing back at her questioningly.

He’s emperor of the Realm of Honitonia and someone you will be turning to over the yearons ahead, as your superior being in your gifts, as they mature, he will come to mean a great deal to you. But you must be careful - he will reprimand you should he feel the need to. He is an extremely powerful being, explained Tricara as gently as she could.

Why should he pick this voyage? asked Tayce, curious.

He has consulted with me and feels during this voyage he will set you a test, to test your true loyalty to the Empire of Honitonia with your powers, whether you can be trusted to carry the blue power crystal. Before you say anything, I know you’re true to the Realm of Honitonia, but he doesn’t, said Tricara, seeing Tayce was about to protest.

On the words Tricara had just spoken, Tayce felt strangely uneasy and wished she hadn’t asked. Tricara could see she was worried, but there was nothing she could do. Tayce had to face the final test of her powers to be granted studentship of the Realm of Honitonia, so she could hold on to the Telepathian blue crystal. She thought for a moment. Then it struck her that there was one thing she could do and that was to give her the