Day of the Mystikon

By Nick Zentor

Ren Madkro was tired of playing warlord for the aliens that had him on a leash, so when he finally got a chance to make some kind of normal life for himself on Earth, he had to give it his best shot. But the aliens had other plans for him. Madkro was just a common, poor, working-class human who never wanted anything but a good, healthy, well-balanced life. But things went badly for him in his youth and in one of his most desperate times, he made a mistake that continued to haunt him, years later. But never in a thousand years did he expect the aliens would use him again, against his will, against humanity on Earth in the 21st century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Zentor
• Release date: Feb 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463122815

Nick Zentor

I was born in another parallel of Earth just a few years before John Kennedy was assassinated and I was transferred to this parallel after a motorcycle accident in late 1982. After 3 years of homelessness, I was inspired to become a science-fiction writer and committed myself to the task once I had managed to find a job and a place to plug in a typewriter. I worked on the job like a good robot for 10 years while writing science-fiction on my free time.After failing to get any books published due to a low demand (every publisher explained how they were selling less books every year), I decided to get into small-publishing and accessed the local copy-outlet to publish my own books. But I didn't have enough money to print more than a handful at a time, and almost no one was interested in buying any of it.It wasn't until 2004, after I managed to save enough money for a new computer, that I began to make some real progress. I was able to do a much better job with book-making and the quality of my books improved. But still they did not sell, so I simply small-published them at my own website online and offered them for free through the website. The website was up until 2008, when I lost my apartment and spent some time homeless again.Aside from writing science-fiction, I started working with 2d computer graphics and animation in late 2004, and got into 3d computer graphics and animation in 2009, after finding another apartment. I've been working with 3d computer graphics, trying to go somewhere there, but I've had problems paying for the software.I wrote "Fool's Errand: Redemption" as the last book in the Temspace-Variant Series in 2015 and turned it into an ebook in 2017. Because I am also a 3d computer graphics artist, I decided to try my hands at my first ebook cover and produced the cover for "Fool's Errand: Redemption" to go with it.

Book preview

Nick Zentor

Day of the Mystikon

Ren Madkro was tired of playing warlord for the aliens that had him on a leash,

 so when he finally got a chance to make some kind of normal life for himself

on Earth, he had to give it his best shot.  But the aliens had other plans for him.

Time-date:  1994

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To Lisa, wherever she may be.

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Day of the Mystikon is Book Three of the

Across the Multiverse Trilogy

Copyright: Coldpost-85, 2019

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Contents

1. The Martian Landlords

2. The Post Neutronic Era

3. The NYC and the EMDA

4. Stranded at Toyland

5. A Gem for a Ray-Gun

6. An Isotope for an Engine

7. A Sublime Portent

8. A Hard Rain

9. Against the Wind

10. The Monster Tank

11. The Secret Agent

12. The NDX Unit

13. Fort Granite

14. Contact with the Natives

15. Lakeside Limbo

16. The Hilltop Estate

17. Exo and Xik

18. The Wheelchair General

19. A Tem-Jump in Space

20. The Temspace Police

21. The Ntzeon Plant

22. The Ntzeon Effect

23. Eight Days before Doom

24. A Stunning Stalemate

25. Pondering a Paradox

26. Man or Mystikon?

27. Xik the Leech

28. Resetting the Temline

29. Afterword

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1. The Martian Landlords

After Ron Querzo returned me to AB3 Earth, in the late of May, 1994, with a briefcase of gold and platinum, I thought for sure my life was due to change for the better. Unfortunately, it took some time to locate a precious metal-exchange and when I finally did, I could only exchange a couple of thousand in gold because of the short notice and the fact that all the banks were closing for the night.  The 2 thousand was enough, for the time, but as I sat in a tavern enjoying my good fortune, around 6 pm, I had two unwanted visitors: Exo and Xik.

Well, well, Exo said, as they sat across the table from me, in the dark corner, what do we have here?  He doesn’t look suicidal, does he Xik?

No, Xik said.  I wonder what changed his mind.

What do you want? I said.  I don’t owe you anything.  Why don’t you just let me alone?

Oh, you don’t? Exo said.  That’s gratitude for you, Xik.  We saved your life, Madkro, and that’s all you can say?

I did what you wanted, I said.  I fulfilled my side of the deal.  It’s not my fault if your ancient enemy beat you.  You didn’t even warn me about him.

Exo frowned and Xik got red with anger.

We’re not beat, Exo said.  We’re still fighting.  But we don’t like double-dealers, Madkro, and that’s what you are.  Admit it. You made a deal with our enemy, did you not?  How else could you have been returned to your own time?

I froze and tried to think of a way to escape.  I looked over their shoulders toward the door, and wondered if I should make a run for it.

Don’t bother trying to escape, Exo said, reading my mind.  Xik has his gun on you under the table. One shot to the leg and you’ll be helpless.

Well, what the hell do you want?  I said, anger building inside, overcoming frustration.  I can’t keep doing your dirty-work!  I’m getting too old for that!

Hmm…, Exo began, "when is the last time you looked in a mirror?  I’d estimate you to be no more than 2 years beyond the day we ‘rescued’ you from your sorry fate on the bank of the

river."

What? That’s impossible!  I said, with extreme doubt. I was gone for 15 years!

Even as I said as much, I looked at myself; at my hands, felt my face, and wondered if it could be true.  Then I recalled the fact that my stomach hadn’t bothered me at all since I returned, even though I had originally suffered severe gastritis and had to take regular medications.

What are you saying? I said with disbelief. How can I only be 2 years older?

Exo and Xik looked at each other with knowingness, exchanging a secret with their eyes, and then nodded in silent agreement.

It’s true, Exo said. Traveling back to prehistoric times has a way of restoring youth. It is just another reason why we do it ourselves.

I found it difficult to believe but I could see they were being truthful. And why not?  Was it any more difficult to believe in a fountain of youth than a time-traveling vehicle?  As I sat suspended by this with fascination, for I had always been an eager science-fiction fan, Xik went to get us a round of ales.  I thought shortly that it was a perfect time to make a run for it, but decided against it.  With wary realization, I knew it would be impossible for me to escape the 2 Martians.  I was no match against their high-tek skills.  They had me, again, but I knew not why.

Alright, I said, sighing with defeat as Xik returned with the drinks.  You’ve got me, now what is it you want?

Exo took a sip of the ale, looked about shortly, and spoke quietly and with care.

If we tell you now, he said, you must work for us. If you do not, we will dispose of you.

Wait, hold on, I said.  Can’t you find someone else?  I mean, I really need a vacation. Tell you what; come back in 2 or 3 months.

Hmm…, Exo thought about that.  Perhaps that is not such a bad idea. Xik and I could also use some rest. We could, all 3 of us, take a short vacation, anywhere you want. How about Australia or Hawaii?

Uh, well, actually, I admitted, carefully, I’d much rather take mine alone, if you don’t mind.

Really? he said with some surprise.  But what kind of rest can a poor fool such as your self find in a money-run world like this?

He had me. If I said much more they’d discover my windfall.

That reminds me, Exo added, what were you doing at a precious-metal exchange earlier today?

Yeah, Xik said, as they both put on the pressure.  Where’d you get the briefcase?

More to the point, Exo said, what is in it?  You don’t mind if we take a look, do you Ren?

Too late, they were on to me.  Damn that Querzo!  Where was he now when I really needed him?

Xik cleared a place on the table while Exo grabbed the case, set it down, and opened it.

Well, well, he said.  Seems we were right, Xik. Our little warlord is a double-dealer.

Shame on you, Madkro, Xik said. After all we’ve done for you.

Oh, very well then, Exo said, much to my surprise. Take your vacation, if you want.

He closed the briefcase and handed it back.

But in 2 months, he said, we will expect to see you by the river again, where we first met.  Maybe then you’ll agree to work with us.  But before you decide to disappear completely, consider the consequences.  We know your weakness.  Where is your Lisa now, Madkro?  We can pick her up anytime.  Remember that when your vacation is over.

He finished his ale and stood up.  Xik looked at me with a sly smile shortly, and followed.

See you in 2 months, he said, or it’s goodbye Lisa, forever.

Even before I wondered if they were serious, I knew what they said to be true.  My feelings for Lisa were still very strong.  I would see them again.

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As for Ron Querzo, his ability as a ‘temspace’ agent, with ‘Amalek’, the Tranquan AB-transverser, along with his knowledge of Earth, were considered very valuable to the members of the AB4 tem-line.  After delivering his report to AB4 Earth, in the late summer of 2094, just 2 months after the Third World War ended, he was requested to revisit the AB4 garden of New Anglia in 2 months time, in the early winter.

He left Visarae with Quela and Al, in the lodge on the high step of Greylock mountain, and went out to the large stone cave, which served as hanger and garage, where Amalek, the Tranquan AB-transverser rested quietly.  It was cold outside but there hadn’t been any snow yet and all the trees, except the evergreens, were leafless.  He promised to return within a day’s time, and then flew Amalek out of the stone-hanger, away from the mountain, southward, over the hilly lowlands and forest.

Five minutes of flying at 200 meters got him to a field, north of the college-campus greenhouses, in the town of Amherst, where he set down in the ‘tem-safe’ zone.  He disengaged the spatial en-gine, engaged the tem-engine, and traveled back in time to the 2990 AM intersection of prehistoric Earth. Amalek made the proper intersection, and then went forward again, on the AB4 tem-line.

Amalek phased into the garden ten minutes later, in the early winter harvest-time of 2094.  Ron went outside, and met with Elza, the keeper of the garden.  Elza was a classical brunette female, and she wore a thick cloak to guard against the early winter chill.

Greetings, Querzo, she said, taking his hand.  I have two visitors, at the pavilion.  They would like to meet you.

She led Ron to the pavilion, into the lounge, and he was somewhat surprised to see two tall men standing in waiting.  One was a Tranquan, with light, purple skin, and the other was a pink-skinned Martian!

He thought of Exo and was slightly startled by the presence of the alien from Mars, but calmed upon realizing the Martian posed no danger. He was obviously an AB4 Martian.   The two men looked at each other and smiled with some amusement, as if at a private joke, then returned their gaze upon Elza.

Agent Querzo, Elza said, and made the introductions, This is Vezikon, the High-Amplek of Tranqua, and Tokxno, the High-Tier of Mars.

Ron stumbled shortly, and then recalled the customary greetings.

A great honor, Oh Hi-Am, he said, nodding to Vezikon, and also to you, High-Tier.

They nodded likewise and Vezikon spoke.

Mr. Querzo, he said, how is AB1 Earth presently?

Fine, just fine, Ron admitted, now that the war is over.

We’re happy to hear that, Vezikon said, and Tokxno agreed.

Exemplary work, the High-Tier said, in compliment, Quite exemplary."

Gentlemen, Elza said, may I offer you seats and refreshment?

Vezikon and Tokxno both agreed, as Ron did likewise.  The two extra-planetary visitors sat in seats beside each other, and Querzo sat by Elza across from them, as she typed a few keys on the com-console.  A robotic droid-unit slid from the side wall and moved between the group, with 4 cups and a decanter on top.

Elza poured drinks as Vezikon spoke.

Your discovery of Zondar’s bird is somewhat extraordinary, the Tranquan said, not to mention an act of fantastic luck.  He took a drink and sipped, then continued.

Until now, Tokxno and I have been making routine visits to Earth, every 10 years, to monitor the other AB planets.  Now, it seems, our visits may not be so necessary.

Ron accepted this with some ignorance.  He found it difficult to believe that a Tranquan and a Martian were partners in AB-transversal.

You and Tokxno? he said, forgetting the extreme differences in which the AB tem-lines and pla-nets had evolved, and quickly choked on his words.

They looked at each other again oddly, and then smiled as if with the same earlier private joke.

AB1 Earth, Vezikon said, has evolved quite differently than AB4.

Yes, Tokxno agreed, and completed the thought. Tranquans and Martians, of the AB4 line, overcame their anemic relations many centuries ago.

Tranquans and Martians, Elza said, to clarify the point, work together, with Terrans, in many different things, Querzo.  You must remember what you’ve learned of AB4. Together, our planets have opened up the galaxy.  Is that not proof that cooperation is the inevitable goal of competition?

Ron nodded and looked at the 2 extraordinary men.

Well said, Elza, Vezikon agreed, and got to the point.  "Cooperation, Mr. Querzo, is what we

hope to attain with you.  Now that Earth has access to an AB-transverser, our visits may be ter-minated so that we may concentrate our efforts elsewhere."

But first, he went on, there is a matter with AB3 Earth to be resolved.

Ron recalled his findings on AB3 and realized he’d been intentionally avoiding the nuclear-winter of 2018, hoping that somehow it would go away.  After the operation on AB1 Earth he needed a rest and a vacation.  During that time he managed to convince himself that the return of Madkro to AB3 Earth’s late 20th century had somehow prevented it.

Do you mean the nuclear-war still occurred? he said, innocently, "even after I returned

Madkro?"

Apparently, Elza said, turning to him.  Something of that scale has occurred, but not until 2024.  Apparently, therefore, the change in the dates tells us that Madkro may in fact still be in-volved somehow.

But, I don’t get it, Ron said, I gave Madkro enough money to turn his life around without Exo and Xik.  Do you mean he still played along with them?

So it appears, Vezikon said. But we do not have the details. Upon our most recent pass through the AB3 tem-line, we detected 2 things of import:  One, a massive planet-wide burst of neutronic radiation, which lasted and lingered in the atmosphere for 3 months, and two, an extreme decrease in motor-activity.

Neutronic radiation? Ron said, So the form of weapon has changed also?

Exactly, Vezikon said. It would seem to be more of a coincidence that the return of Madkro would affect such a change.

Fallout rads only lingered for 3 months? he said, attempting to get a better idea of what happened.  Decrease in motor-activity?

Quite a large decrease, Tokxno said.  We didn’t get close enough to check the level of destruction, but that high a level of neutronic radiation is lethal to most animal life.

Dear god, Ron said, and you think Madkro was involved?

The evidence suggests it, Vezikon admitted, but we are not certain.  We want you to investigate.  We want you to take Amalek to AB3 Earth, to 2024, and find out what happened.  But before you operate, you will need a partner.  If you wish, we can assign an agent to work with you.

Ron considered this, and recalled Al Markins, back ‘home’ at the lodge, with the girls, on Greylock Mountain.

Amalek and I will check it out, he agreed.  But I already have a partner, on AB1 Earth.

Very well, then, Vezikon said.  If you need our help, we will remain here for 5 days.  Since the safety-margin is flexible for transversal that should be more than enough time to reach us.

Ron felt like asking other questions, but they were of irrelevancy to the work that had to be done, and that seemed like a conclusive statement.  The 2 extra-planetary visitors began talking to themselves and Elza stood up.  She walked him out and saw him off.  Minutes later, he was traversing the tem-line, with Amalek, heading home.

2. The Post Neutronic Era

I took my vacation and tried to rest, but it was not easy knowing how much manipulative power Exo and Xik had over my future.  Within a week, I had all the gold and platinum converted to cold cash, and sat in a motel, wondering what to do with it.

Before encountering Exo and Xik again, I had thought of writing a book.  With 25 grand, it was possible to get it published.  It was an ambition that I had long before my dealings with the Martians, and now, with the money to do it, I felt closer than ever to reaching that goal.  But 2 months was not enough time, I realized, to complete it, or was it?  Perhaps it was, if I really got going, but it was still not enough time to get it published.

Besides, there were other things I had to do, and all that would take time.  Finally, I compromised by carrying the writings in the briefcase wherever I went, and worked on it whenever I had the time.

Twenty-five thousand dollars was 25 times more money than I ever had all at once ever before.  I could not resist the temptation to play with it and enjoy myself.  One thing for certain about the good old USA, anyone with lots of money could find plenty of ways to enjoy it.  When it came to play, the United States was a veritable playground for people with money.

The first thing I did was locate an automobile dealer and purchased a vehicle for 10,000 in cash. It was a brand new 1994 Hyundai, not the sexiest or sportiest car, but nonetheless attractive, and for my practical purposes, quite within reason.  When all the paperwork was complete and it was a done deal, I sat behind the wheel and felt like a new man.  It was the first ‘new’ car I’d ever owned and with 15 thousand to play with still, I began to realize how good it was to be a-live.

As I drove south on 91 towards Springfield, toward the old hometown-city area, I wondered if I should look up some old friends.  Then I thought of Lisa and wondered where she was.

Exo said he could pick her up anytime, but I myself had lost touch with her quite some time ago.  Besides, even if I did find her, there was no certainty that she’d still be interested in me.  The fact was, she dated many other guys, all of whom had done better then I did.  They all had more money, more muscle-power, and more friends.

As I thought about it, I realized just having a new car and 15 grand to play with might be no-thing compared to what her present boyfriends could provide.  Still, I felt I had to protect her from Exo and Xik, so I decided it was best to try and locate her, if for no other reason than to keep an eye on her.  When the time came, it might be possible to defend her from the Martians.

I spent the evening shopping for new clothes. For the first time in my life, I found an expensive suit that ‘made the man’ and for the first time in my life I looked like someone that ‘fitted in’ rather then stuck out like an oddball.  Later that evening, I checked into a motel on route 5 in West Springfield and enjoyed the luxuries of a warm shower, expensive wine, Chinese food, and pay-television.

The next day, I decided to put 13,000 in the bank and keep only 1500 on me.  It was safer that way, especially considering the areas I intended upon venturing into.  I can honestly say that whoever coined the phrase ‘money isn’t everything’, probably never was poor one day and wealthy the next, at least not in the USA.  Sure, money isn’t ‘everything’, but it sure is a good beginning. Being poor sure wasn’t.

I had lunch at a fast-food take-out, ate in the car, and decided to look up an old friend.  Leo Gaultier, whom I attended high-school with, had married Lisa’s older sister Laura.  If anyone could point me to Lisa, he could.  So I located Leo and Laura living in West Springfield, and learned that Lisa was still single and living at home in ‘Mawaga’ with her mother and sister.

I felt genuinely excited about seeing her again, but when I drove to her house in Mawaga, she was with another guy and I was suddenly unsure of myself.  The other guy was good-looking, young, and had a very sexy, sporty vehicle.  I saw them hugging in the driveway by the vehicle and decided to keep driving.

As I reflected upon this image of them together, all the anger inside me arose and I couldn’t contain it.  I drove quickly to the end of the street, got on the highway, and drove as fast as I could.  Before I regained my senses, the Hyundai was hitting 85 and on its way to 90 mph. Around halfway along route 57 I gave myself a mental slap in the face, slowed down, got in the break down lane and stopped.

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