"I just know everyone is going to ask me how I knew I could send James up the Infant Tree. Cool name for that cave etching to Heaven if I do say so myself." Cameron Scott laughs as he navigates his flight through the cavern far ahead of the oncoming Ganthorian ship the X'Orr, "The truth is...I didn't. Something within me just knew that it was the right thing to do. To be that kid's guiding light. I guess we'll see how that reaction worked out. Right now we have more pressing concerns. Like getting this big bad boat docked next to the Hilton without destroying everything we've built for ourselves."
Having flown in it seemed like a no-brainer for a pilot to fly back out. The Ganthorian ship however was on auto-pilot. That meant its scan chose each and every trajectory to avoid damaging its hull. Peering back Cameron slowed up. It appeared that computers weren't always reliable . The X'Orr was teetering from side to side slowly. Almost as if unsure of its own calculations. Then, it dawned on Cameron.
"That Toddler son-of a bitch. Orin Ridge must have fucked with navigation too. I think it's time for me to try something else new to my power set. If this works I'll officially admit to James that I'm a freakin' superhero."
His light sphere that conceives rib like armor of hardened photons re-evaluates what Cameron needed of it. Shaping out in the form of a simple laser beam that severs lengthy stalactites and stalagmites that could potentially rip open the ships side long before the behemoth craft could reach them. The rubble falling away leaving loud echoes of destructiveness in the demise. The vibrations shook the entire cavern. Dust was kicking up everywhere making his vision hard to see. If his eyes were struggling then so would that of the X'Orr.
Luckily his body was encased in living light. His helmet which resembled something similar to that of a Spartans Corinthian battle hoplite. It had a sharp ridge arching over the top leading to a pinpoint upon the brow. Designed how he imagined it to appear. It was certainly aerodynamic. From a Pilots point of view. However, the light expelled from within Cameron himself. A gift from whatever some God offered him. All he knew was he was grateful. The light inside flares his eyes up like golden orbs. In seconds he could see even through the dust clouds.
"Woohoooo! Cam Light too the rescue. Let's get this Noah's Ark through the sea of debris. Only four more miles I'm guessing. Slow and easy Big Fella. Little Fella? Who knows what the computers guidance systems size is." He continues his narrow chiseling trying not to create as intense vibrations as he had before. One wrong move and the entire cave might collapse in on itself. Game over.
Vampires in the deep darkness cry out their objections to the chaos. Their ears and senses disoriented by the echoing devastation. Sure they had a bad side to them but, a truce was certainly brought on with the help of the Roman Antonaeus Gaicazar. How long that truce could last remained to be seen. Their hunger selfish.
For the next hour the Ganthorian craft jostled its inhabitants about. Even seated in Gravity chairs the turbulence created a rough ride. Chief Scientist Harpea hissed her thoughts on the balance her ship had lost. The Time Travel device they had rigged up was not the only thing the psychotic Orin Ridge had tinkered with. The entire ships navigation network was out of synch. Her Officers forced to control their flight by hand with auto pilot slipping in and out. There lay the problem. Auto pilot was not dependable. Nor were Harpea's scientists. She only had one true pilot on hand. He was good but not that good. If they made it out alive she would give him an hours vacation. All that any of her kind could accept. Ganthorians were known for being constant workers. Constant thinkers. In other words Workaholics.
"I think we're going to make it." Colonel Ruby Goddard noted daylight through the powdering dust from the cave.
Harpea nods, "So it would seem. Well done Mav'ryk." She praises her pilot.
Ruby smirked, "Mav'ryk? Seriously?" She had to chuckle. The thoughts of Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun capturing her imagination. His nickname Maverick. Harpea of course had no knowledge of Earth made films. The reference would be insignificant.
"Cameron sure helped make things easier." Elle Franklin adds, "That boy needs a medal."
"Pat on the back." Ruby smiles.
"Pat on the ass." Sophia Ridge giggles then quiets her own jesting. Her thoughts suddenly returning to the elder version of James. While she shouldn't even think badly of her flirtatious demeanor she did almost feel as if she had cheated on James.
Younger James hides his expression. It was nice to know she had feelings for him. Even if it was for his older self. Still him in the end. So weird.
"Stop reading minds." Ruby growls.
"I can't help it. Give me time to learn how to turn it off already." James scowls.
Hiding her face Harpea calls out toward James, "Try meditation Young One. We telepaths have to rely on solace to gain perspective."
"Almost forgot you had Telepathy."
"Not nearly as powerful as yours. I use it sparingly. It does indeed hurt the brain. I would like to apologize to you in person. My reasons for accompanying Orin Ridge selfish. My race leans upon knowledge. Each planet has a similar trait of evolution. Such as yourself. Our desire is to decode the reason for it. To my kind we are traitors for joining Orin Ridge. My home world still suffers at his treachery without knowing. His clones will one day do as his original form. Turn toward deception. I fear for my race. Only a miracle might save them. I fear he will travel back in time on my world as well. To whatever Grotto was at our worlds beginnings. As you humans say, Try, try, again."
"Wow. I'm sorry that Ganthor might face trouble ahead. I forgive you. Just know I won't let anybody harm my family."
"You have family Child?"
"Doesn't everyone? I came back in time to find mine."
"How could your Parentage be back in time this far distant?"
"Trade secret. Little birdy told me. I didn't know exactly. Thought it was stupid to believe at first. Then I dug into knowledge help top secret at REGION. Hacked 'em. Learned a lot. I probably should have dug deeper but once I knew they were lost in Time I had to find them. Trouble is I think I brought them back in time to conceive me. Crazy, huh?"
"Troublesome to say the least. If I may help you learn more I shall. I will earn your trust Great One."
"Great One?"
"Yes. You are the first correct?"
"Ummm. Second actually. My new buddy Moe is the first. He saw the first reflection. The face of God. Sorry I missed it."
"Did you?" Harpea smirks, "Read the hairy man's mind. See what he saw. Then you shall know."
"I never thought of that. Wow! I'll try that once we get settled. He's freaking out being held in a gravity chair. I hope you guys have sanitizer."
"But, of course. Forgive me I must end our talk. My head is splitting."
"Bye Harpea."
She closes her eyes to relieve her mind. A light trickle of blood escapes her nostril. As light grows brighter she had to squeeze her lids tighter. One last brush with falling sand the monster ship departs the cavern opening. Flying out into open air for the first time in weeks. Once free of obstructions Mav'Ryk levels the X'Orr out.
"Damn fine flying Air boy." Ruby smiles at the Pilot who glances at her without expression, "Come on Grin. You know you want too." In response Mav'Ryk quivers the left side of his mouth. That was the best she would get. Ganthorians not known for deep emotion.
Cameron Scott zips in flight around the X'orr to survey any potential damage. Exterior scratches at worst. They got lucky. Favoring a report in Cam swoops around toward the Bridge windows and heads straight for it. He had it in mind to try something he hoped didn't kill him. He wanted to do what he called a Madigan.
Ruby and Elle speak as one, "What is Cameron doing?" Elle finishes the panic mode with, "He's playing Chicken at a time like this?"
Before their very eyes Cameron's body glows bright. So bright all eyes in the Bridge clamped shut. All save for James Ian. His mercurio gaze hardly straining against the light. As a matter of fact James began laughing hysterically.
"What's so funny Kid?"
Every eye in the place opened to witness Cameron Scott standing next to the Pilot. Arms folded. Legs crossed. He swiftly pats Mav'Ryk on the shoulder, "Han Solo couldn't have done it better. Reminded me of the Millennium Falcon flying out of the mouth of that Space Worm."
