Strange Planets: The Multiversal Chronicles, #5

By Richard Huggett

Tyra Bold is not what Kitty Strange and her team were expecting. She's an alien, but nothing like any of the aliens they've met before. And she needs help to find her missing friends and relatives. So it's a quick jump to Pansauria and take it from there. But things are complicated. Their search takes them to Lunaria, a dangerous sister planet to Pansauria; and then to Gaea, Concordia, and Aphrodisia, following up leads on Rosabella Rook and her mischievous daughter Regan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Strange Books
• Release date: Feb 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393103233

Richard Huggett

Richard Huggett is a retired university lecturer and huge fan of science fact, fantasy, and fiction. He lives in Cheshire and spends most of his time writing. And directing amateur musicals and concerts. And drinking coffee. He has written about twenty academic books. The Multiversal Chronicles is his first venture into fiction, going boldly where he has never gone before.

Book preview

Prologue

The Multiversal Research Centre

It had to happen at some point, Merlin Ambrosia sighed, shaking his head.

You think it’s connected with the Aquaterra, Terraqua, and Gaea incidents? Daisy Turtledove asked him.

Merlin began pacing while he considered that. After a few moments, he stopped and said, It’d be an incredible coincidence if it weren’t. But it’s different this time, I’ll grant you that.

There’s no obvious connection with Delphinium and Fleabane’s materialization in Ravenel Raven’s office, Daisy pointed out.

Merlin was deep in thought ... Eh? No. No there isn’t. But that’s not to say a connection doesn’t exist.

In some ways, it’d be better if there were a direct connection – we don’t want a new set of disasters occurring on parallel worlds, Periwinkle Bandicoot pointed out, frowning with worry.

Indeed, Merlin agreed.

No one said anything for a few moments while they thought about that.

This isn’t another one for the young humans, is it? Lily Moose wondered. I mean, given where it is and ... and everything.

Merlin heaved a long sigh. You know what I’m going to say next.

Lily smiled a sad smile then nodded once.

But we’d need to warn them about what they’d be signing up to, Periwinkle insisted, concerned about the dangers the young humans would face.

Merlin turned to him and said, I have a plan.

Fine. But we do give them the option of not helping, surely? Periwinkle checked.

Of course, Merlin replied. You know we’d not force them into anything.

What is your plan, Merlin? Daisy asked.

Ah. Gather round.

1 New Year, New Challenge

Day 0. Back to school

It was six months since they’d sorted the alien invasion of Earth. Didn’t seem such a big deal now, what with everything back to normal – more or less. It was difficult to believe it’d actually happened.

Life plodded on. Home, school, home, school ...

Their parents had the occasional weird dream, but the youngsters knew they were just flashbacks to the events of six months before; it’d take a while for Merlin and his friends (the aliens who police the Multiverse) to fix their memories properly.

The youngsters often talked about when they would be asked to go to the Multiversal Multiversity. Merlin had promised them they’d get there at some point. They guessed that wouldn’t happen until they were much older.

At that moment, they were a few weeks into Year Ten, so Kitty, Toby, Lizzie, and Luke were just fourteen and Sam a year younger. They were back in Lizzie and Luke’s house after school. Their mums were in the kitchen chatting – as always. Toby and Luke were testing a computer game that Toby had been working on with Jemima and Jessica. Kitty, Sam, and Lizzie were following their mums’ example and chatting ...

All of a sudden, they gasped and stopped what they were doing.

Hmmm, Lizzie frowned, got up, and crossed to the window. Yup, time’s stopped, she said, looking outside.

As soon as she’d said it, a pink beam of light appeared in the middle of the lounge and Daisy Turtledove materialized. Daisy was Merlin’s alien friend who kept an eye on them.

Problem? Kitty asked before Daisy could apologize for arriving in the lounge without warning – Daisy always did that.

Daisy smiled. Well ... yes. She stood there smiling.

And ...? Kitty said after a few moments of silence, raising her eyebrows.

Daisy took a breath and paused before saying, There’s someone I’d like you to meet. Would you mind if I bring her here now?

The youngsters glanced at one another with puzzled frowns. This had never happened before.

Okay, Kitty shrugged. Er, if that’s okay with Lizzie and Luke, she added quickly. It was their house, after all.

Daisy turned to Lizzie, who nodded.

A new shaft of pink light appeared. They all breathed in sharply and then froze.

This is Tyra, Daisy explained.

Kitty stared at Tyra. Tyra stood there staring back at Kitty. She was about Kitty’s size and she was wearing an emerald green sleeveless top and yellowish green three-quarter length shorts. But she was ... Well, her face looked a bit like a lizard’s face, with big round eyes. She’d got a flattish nose, and instead of hair she had yellow feathers. Her skin was pale green, a bit scaly in places, and neatly patterned like in some snakes.

Hi, Tyra said.

That made them jump. They knew it was stupid, but they weren’t expecting her to talk.

Er, hi, Kitty replied, but she couldn’t think what else to say.

I’m from Pansauria, Tyra said, trying to be helpful.

Okay, so that explains everything then, Kitty thought, turning to the others who looked as baffled as she was.

Pansauria’s a parallel Earth, Daisy helped. It’s the next step beyond Gaea.

Lizzie gave a small gasp. The place where the reptilian genius fainted when Delphinium and Fleabane materialized in her office.

They all remembered Daisy telling them about that before they’d jumped to Gaea to find their parent copies. And they’d come across a Pansaurian toy in London while on their previous adventure.

Daisy smiled. That’s the one.

Kitty noticed Tyra’s eyes were wet. She wondered if they were always like that or if she’d been upset. Why don’t you sit down, Tyra, and tell us what’s wrong, Kitty said.

Tyra gave her a little smile and went over to the sofa. Kitty sat to her left and Lizzie to her right.

Daisy grinned. I’ll just pop through to the kitchen, she said. I might as well check out your mothers while I’m here.

They’ve been having flashbacks in dreams, Daisy, Sam pointed out.

We know. Daisy smiled and left the room.

So what’s the problem, Tyra? Kitty asked.

Tyra turned to her. Her big eyes went even wetter. It’s my parents. They’re missing.

Humph, that sounds familiar, Kitty thought, but ... When you say missing, Tyra ...?

Tyra looked down at the floor and sighed. I don’t really understand the details. She turned back to Kitty. Daisy said someone has jumped several people off our planet, including Mum and Dad, as ... – Tyra’s eyes watered again – as an experiment.

Oh, Tyra, that’s awful, Kitty said, putting her hand on Tyra’s arm. To her surprise, it was warm.

Tyra nodded and shuddered.

Luke and Toby were still gaping at Tyra, not believing what they were seeing; it wasn’t easy. Okay, they’d been to three parallel Earths but this was the first real alien they’d come across; you know, an alien that looked nothing like a human. But somehow, they could all sense that Tyra was like them where it mattered – inside.

"But, what can we do?" Lizzie asked.

Tyra turned to Lizzie. Well, Daisy thought you’d be able to help. She said you’ve had a lot of experience with that sort of thing.

Lizzie’s nose wrinkled and she started biting her lip. After a moment, she said, That’s true, but we can’t come with you to Pansauria, can we? I mean, we look nothing like you.

Tyra’s eyes started to water again.

Kitty remembered something Daisy had said a while ago, about altering their appearances. "No, but I think we can be made to look like Tyra."

Yeah, or Daisy can probably create an image shield for us, Toby added.

Indeed, I can, Toby, Daisy said, coming back into the room. Your mothers are doing exceedingly well, by the way. The flashbacks should soon stop.

Great, Luke said, but what good would we be on Pansauria? We know nothing about the place.

That’s not stopped us before, Sam told him, rather crossly.

Well, no ... but— Luke began.

Whether we like it or not, Luke, Kitty cut in, "we have got a lot of experience in sorting this kind of problem. And we can get away with things adults can’t. If Daisy thinks we’re good enough to help Tyra get her parents back, then I’m all for doing it. Anyone not happy about it can stay here."

Luke felt a bit embarrassed because he didn’t mean it like that. I don’t mind going – it’s just ... well, it seems to me it’ll be so different we won’t be any use.

Only one way to find out, Sam said.

I’m sure you’ll be fine, Tyra assured them. We’re a very peaceful race and everyone will do all they can to assist you.

Well, I’m happy to help, Lizzie said, giving Tyra a small smile. Then she had a puzzling thought and turned to Daisy: "But how will you disguise us as Pansaurians, Daisy?"

Daisy shrugged. As you’ve already guessed, I can either alter your programmes to make you Pansaurian, or I can give you image shields so you look like Pansaurians to other Pansaurians and anyone else. 

They all thought about that for a moment.

Will we look like Pansaurians to one another if you use image shields? Toby asked.

Daisy smiled. Whatever you like.

"Okay, but won’t it feel very odd if you actually make us into Pansaurians?" Lizzie asked.

You’ll adjust quickly. It’s not so very different from being human. But if you’re worried about it, I can programme your SSPs to switch to an image shield if you want a break from being Pansaurian. (SSP was short for supersmartphone, the name the young humans gave the amazing tablet computers given to each of them by Merlin and his friends, which could read your mind, talk to you, change shape to fit into their surroundings, and a lot else besides.)

Lizzie frowned thoughtfully. Yes ... yes, that sounds good.

Fine. So I guess we might as well go now, Kitty said.

Hey, what about Jemima and Jessica? Lizzie cut in.

They want to come, too, Toby said. They’ve been listening in on their SSPs.

Daisy chuckled. Lily Moose is with them. We need the full team.

They’ll need Pansaurian credits, Tyra pointed out. To pay for things.

Daisy smiled. We’ve got that covered, Tyra. Their SSPs will disguise themselves as Pansaurian mobiles and have plenty enough credit on them.

Brilliant, Tyra grinned.

Can Woof come? Sam asked. Woof was Kitty’s young brown-and-white beagle who’d joined them on their first three adventures.

Daisy thought about that for a moment. Perhaps better to leave him behind this time, Sam. I’d have to change him into a reptile and he might find that difficult to cope with.

Sam pulled a disappointed face. Okay.

Kitty stood up. Well then, we’re ready when you are, Daisy.

2 Pansauria

Day 0. Getting to know their new selves

WHAT! Kitty said, goggle-eyed. Okay, she knew they were going to change their appearance to look like Tyra, like Pansaurians, but ...

After a few moments of shock, they all burst out laughing. The pale green skin was funny enough, but it was the hair that did it for Kitty, or the feathers really: Sam’s were blue and white; Lizzie’s dark red and pale orange; Toby’s a mix of dark and light green and quite long; Luke’s yellow and green.

Hey, what colour are my feathers? Kitty asked Lizzie.

Red and yellow, Lizzie answered, then had a fit of the giggles.

Jemima and Jessica materialized at that point. They had exactly the same reaction as the others. They stood there laughing, making their identical sets of medium blue and pale blue feathers flap around.

"What do you look like, Luke?" Jemima asked him, and then spluttered as she tried not to laugh.

I think Luke makes a very good-looking Pansaurian, Tyra said.

Sam made a sound like a cross between a chuckle and a snort. If you say so, she said.

Tyra was smiling at Luke. It made Luke feel a bit uncomfortable but he gave her a small embarrassed smile back.

You must be Jemima and Jessica, Tyra said to the Updown twins. Welcome to Pansauria! And thanks for coming.

Together, Jemima and Jessica said, Hi, Tyra.

Once they’d got over the initial shock, they decided they didn’t feel any different inside, but they all found their feathers a bit irritating as they moved in an annoying way every time they turned their heads. They guessed they’d get used to it.

Kitty liked her red-themed sleeveless top and three-quarter length shorts though. She noticed the others had similar clothes to hers: Toby’s were blue, Luke’s green, Sam’s yellow, Lizzie’s orange, Jemima and Jessica’s violet.

They’d arrived in Tyra’s lounge. It was pretty much like Lizzie and Luke’s lounge. The seats were a bit odd – more like stiff beanbags. A screen above a computer console displayed the time – eight o’clock in the morning.

Two young Pansaurians came scampering in and stood by Tyra, blinking at Kitty and the others.

Ah, this is my younger brother, Zeo, and his twin, Zilla, Tyra explained.

Zeo and Zilla looked a lot younger than Tyra, perhaps ten. Zilla was holding a Pansaurian doll.

Hi. Sorry about your parents, Kitty said to them.

Two large pairs of eyes went watery.

Are you going to get them back for us? Zeo asked her.

Kitty gave him a little smile. We’ll do our best.

And we’re coming with you, Zilla said with a very determined look on her face.

Kitty glanced at Tyra and raised her eyebrow feathers. She hadn’t thought about who’d be coming with them. Okay, it’d make sense to have Tyra with them as they didn’t know anything about the place. But the twins seemed rather young to go on a potentially dangerous adventure.

Tyra took hold of the twins’ hands. We’ve talked about this. You need to stay here for now. Aunt Tikki’s coming round to look after you.

Humph, they said together huffily.

We’ll send for you if you’re needed, I promise you that, Tyra told them.

They both pulled glum faces and then nodded.

So what’s the plan? Kitty asked Tyra.

Let’s sit down, Tyra said. I’ll tell you all I know.

Tyra’s story reminded Kitty, Toby, and Lizzie of what had happened to Sam and Luke when they’d first disappeared in front of them – but with differences. For a start, Tyra’s whole family was in the middle of breakfast when both parents vanished with a tiny popping noise, leaving a see-through pale violet outline of their bodies that went fuzzy for a split second and then fizzled out. The young humans remembered that bit happening alright, Sam, Luke, and the Updown twins experiencing it first hand when Dr Raven jumped them to Aquaterra, and Kitty, Lizzie, and Toby seeing it happen. They all felt sick as Tyra told them. In fact, Sam and Luke had left behind a pale green outline, but Merlin had explained that it could be any colour.

Tyra went on with her story. Once she was thinking straight again, she phoned their Aunt Tikki – she lived around the corner and was with them almost at once. Hmmm, that was different, too: Kitty, Toby, and Lizzie’s phones had gone dead because time had stopped. Anyway, Aunt Tikki got in touch with the Pansaurian security police. Tyra was surprised that the police believed what she told them, but apparently, the same thing had been reported in two other parts of the town they lived in. The police were completely baffled and were still trying to work out what was going on. As soon as the police left with Aunt Tikki, who was rushing back home to get a few things, Daisy materialized in Tyra’s lounge. Once she’d calmed Tyra and the twins down, she told them she knew people of her own age who could help get their parents back – but they were aliens. Tyra found that difficult to believe until Daisy showed her some holograms of them.

Yeah, Zilla chipped in, I can’t believe how weird you look in human form. Like hairless chimpillas.

Zilla! Tyra snapped. That’s very rude. They’re here to help us.

Zilla’s eyes watered. Yes, I know. She looked at Kitty. Sorry.

Kitty smiled. It’s okay. I guess you’ve never seen a human before.

Apart from Daisy, Sam pointed out.

The twins frowned.

Daisy’s a Pansaurian, Zeo said.

The humans’ turn to frown.

Ah, Lizzie grinned after a moment’s thought, Daisy must’ve appeared to you in Pansaurian form, not human.

The twins frowned even more. She can do that? Zeo asked.

Kitty nodded. As far as I know, she can make herself look like anything.

Even a Blublubbian slug? Zilla asked carefully.

I guess so, Kitty shrugged, not having the faintest idea what a Blublubbian slug was.

Zilla and Zeo stared at one another. Wicked! they said together, looking incredibly impressed.

Anyway, Tyra continued with her story, I phoned Aunt Tikki again to explain what was going on before Daisy took me to see you. She’ll be here soon.

A voice that seemed to come from all round them said, "Your Aunt Tikki’s here now."

Please let her in, said Tyra, standing up. The rest of them got up as well.

There was a noise from the other side of the door. The door opened and Aunt Tikki walked in. She looked like a larger version of Tyra.

Hallo, hallo, she said. What unbelievable goings-on.

Zeo and Zilla rushed across to her and she put her arms round them.

Looking at Kitty, Aunt Tikki said, You must be the people sent here to help.

Kitty smiled. Yes, we are.

Good, good. So what are you going to do?

Er ... Kitty hesitated. That was a very good question.

For a start, we’ve just scanned the planet, Toby said, Jemima and Jessica by his side.

Really? Aunt Tikki frowned in amazement. And ...?

Toby scratched his head. "There