The 12 tales of Christmas: Guiding light
For the sixth tale of Christmas Abbey from Canada asked of me…for six and the word hope. That’s the number and word that are the prompts for this story six and hope. Mind you this is my second attempt at this. I had to do some rethinking of this story before I wrote it. But boy do I have a doozy for you.
The president of the Terran Alliance is on the run. A conspiracy threatens the Alliance and the Draygan Confederation. A conspiracy involving never-ending war. All overseen by selfish forces that have their own agenda. President Gerald Merrick is about to get an important Christmas gift…the truth!
With it will come a new hope for peace. As well as reveal things about a certain member of his family he never realized. The president and We Three Kings Squadron are about to meet their Guiding Light.
Across the scarred and barren Kerros valley on Velushar all was quiet. That is save for the remains of battle. But in the distance came the sounds of laser and artillery fire. Overhead warships for the Draygan Confederacy patrolled looking for signs of enemy units. Amid the shattered cliffs and rubble four figures scampered.
Three were in heavy battle armor. One was human, another was a slenderer humanoid creature. A third was a winged humanoid. The fourth person stood out as he wore lightweight armor. He also wore a cruder breathing device with an oxygen tank.
The heavy armored human his battle rifle at the ready looked around. He then looked at the light armored man. “Mister President, are you all right.” He asked.
The light armored man was Gerald Merrick. He was president of the Terran Alliance who were at war with the Draygan Confederation. Yet the 45-year-old man’s mind was in a whirl. Recent revelations thrown his way were causing him to doubt himself.
“You mean besides the fact I learned my wife and VP have been having an affair behind my back? The fact my cabinet and they have conspired with the Draygan leaders to keep this war going? Or how about the fact they want me out of the way?” He retorted in anger.
Then he thought about what he'd said. “Sorry Commander Williamson, I’m…I’m not the man I was back at that Detention Facility.”
“Mind still reeling from recent events?” The Commander asked.
The president nodded at this. “I must get to my brother Lester and my daughter. I’ve got to warn the Alliance of the treason going on.”
The lead human said, “Mister president it's quite the shock to us too. To think the first lady and Vice President would engage in such high treason.”
The winged humanoid nodded. “Yes,” he squawked.
“Such treason is a felony crime by the Alliance Constitution.”
"Cut the chatter everyone, right now we’ve got to get the president back into our territory. I know General Lester Merrick is here. He’ll know what to do.”
The president thought, I hope so he is after all my older brother.
“With all due respect Commander Williamson, how are we going to get into our territory? Based on those explosions and the weapons fire I hear it’s safe to assume there’s a major battle going on. Going through the battle itself would get us all killed.” The slender humanoid observed.
“I’m well aware Zakahar, I’m well aware.” The leader of We Three Kings squad stated.
“Going around the battle would cause us to risk getting seen by a Draygan vessel or unit. We attracted enough attention with everything that happened when we rescued the president.”
The winged man then patted a pouch on his belt. “And the holographic evidence we have in here is very important. It must get through to the Alliance so we can end this war as quick as possible.”
“I know everyone, and I don’t like getting played for a fool either.” Williamson stated.
President Merrick sighed feeling useless. When it came to political stuff and leading the Alliance, he could do that. But war, war was something he didn’t understand. I should’ve listened to my brother and Raven and gone into the private sector. He thought to himself not for the first time.
The four saw a cliff area that showed signs of scarring from weapons fire. But then Gerald noticed a pile of rocks and rubbish that looked different. Wait a second that pile looks a little too well organized. It’s almost as if it’s…
Not wanting to jinx himself the president stopped right there. After that ambush on Miross 12 before I got brought to Velushar I don’t want to risk anything. He thought.
“Commander,” he ventured.
“Mister President?” Williamson responded.
"Look over there,” he said pointing to the pile of rocks and debris.
The group turned as Williamson said, “Oh I see, Shagrath do a quick scan.”
The winged humanoid pulled out a device and did so. “Commander, someone stashed a Camel-40 Fast attack vehicle there! And it’s fueled and got plenty of ammo." The avian humanoid stated.
Zakahar noted, “Well there was a time not so long ago this area was under our control. Someone must’ve left something in case we needed it.”
Williamson said, “To be on the safe side do a full scan of that vehicle. I don’t want to take any unnecessary risks.”
The winged man did a scan and nodded. “No explosive devices in the vehicle and no sign of any sabotage anywhere. Looks like we lucked out.”
Zakahar looked around and Williamson noticed this. “Zakahar? Colonel what’s going on?”
The slender creature raised a hand. “I see, I see yes. How many?” the humanoid asked then paused.
"Understood, thank you for this information.”
The slender humanoid looked at the rest. “We have a large unit of Draygan ground troops coming our way. They haven’t spotted us yet and I suspect they’re on patrol. But more than likely that patrol will take them to where we’re hiding.”
A surge of elation and terror raced through the president. On the one hand they may have found a means of escape. But Draygan troops were coming their way. I’ve had enough dealings with those soldiers to know they don’t’ mess around. The president thought.
“Is that our mysterious guiding light again?” Williamson asked.
Zakahar nodded his confirmation. “It is sir, and this person sounds like they’re much closer now.”
“Come on people let’s move," The commander stated.
The president and We Three Kings squadron scrambled over to the pile. It didn’t take them long to uncover the vehicle. Once inside they found the key card to the device. Zakahar without another word set to work. He reprogrammed the vehicle to respond to them.
And that’s when they got a surprise. Something came up on the small computer screen on the vehicle dashboard. “What is that?” Gerald asked.
“It looks like some kind of natural cave network.” Zakahar said.
President Merrick then remembered something. “Wait, I recall something from before the war. There were some Geologists and scientists who studied this world. There were reports of some lava cave networks underground.” He explained.
Williamson said, “This must be one of those cave networks. And it’s giving us a means to travel to the base camp of our forces.”
A thought came to Gerald. "But that begs the question have the Draygans found it?"
Zakahar looked around and said, “You don’t say…how interesting!”
The slender humanoid explained, “Our Guiding Light says General Merrick knew about this. He was planning on using it but kept getting bogged down by his superiors.”
The president grimaced at this. “Because it would’ve brought us victory that much quicker. Ugh, so many traitors in my own administration.” The president muttered in shame.
"I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid! No wonder the public isn’t happy with me," he moaned.
“Time for recrimination later mister President. Right now, we must get you to safety!” Williamson stated.
He turned the key in the vehicle and it started. “Reprogramming of this vehicle is complete sir,” Zakahar said.
“All right remove your breathing devices everyone,” the We Three Kings commander ordered.
The four did so. President Merrick sighed as he moved his hands through his sweat grimy blonde hair. And his face was still covered in dirt. If I get out of this in one piece, I’m taking a shower after I go through medical, he thought.
The vehicle roared to life, and they saw the map of the cave location. “Looks like it’s a couple miles away from this location.” Shagrath observed.
“Fasten your seatbelts gentleman and hold on!” The Commander of We Three Kings Company said.
The president did so. “I hate adventures like this,” he moaned.
The military vehicle zoomed out of its location and headed in the direction of the cave entrance. What a way to spend Christmas, in the middle of a war zone fleeing for my life. Merrick thought to himself.
"Shagrath man the weapons console and keep an eye out for any enemies.” Williamson ordered.
“Yes sir,” the Avian humanoid with red feathers on his face confirmed.
The president felt helpless and useless at that moment. All I’d wanted to do was find a way to end the war and find some common ground. But now I find out that mission of peace I went on was in fact a set-up. The president observed.
And then a thought came to the leader of the Terran Alliance. "Colonel Zakahar, a question.”
The crystalline-like humanoid turned to the president, “You ask something of me sir?”
“How does this Guiding Light who’s been helping us on this adventure know about what my brother was planning?”
The crystalline creature turned away and closed his eyes. Zakahar’s people the Crystallians like some humans had telekinetic gifts. Gerald knew the colonel was having a telepathic conversation with their benefactor. He opened his eyes as a look of surprise appeared on the Crystalline being’s face. "Our Guiding Light has said she’s overheard some conversations the General has had.”
“She, our Guiding Light is female?” the president asked.
The Colonel nodded at this. “Indeed, and she says she also knows about you and came here to find you. She’s a blonde-haired girl and made mention of the situation with a…Wanda Moore in 5th grade.”
President Merrick's face paled. “Blonde and the situation with Wanda Moore?”
In that moment everything clicked together. "That's Elsa,” he gasped out loud.
“Who Mister President?” Williamson asked.
“That's Elsa my daughter. I never had the chance to have her tested. But I’ve suspected she’s had telepathic gifts ever since the incident where she got her arm broken.
"Wanda Moore was a mean girl at her school who wanted to destroy Elsa’s face. I later saw from the footage how she used her mind to deflect the ball, so it hit her arm. Moore got suspended and everything came out about the bully she was.”
Then the man’s face furrowed. “Why would my daughter come to such a dangerous place though.”
Shagrath said, “Time for more questions later…we’ve got company gentleman.”
The avian humanoid pressed some buttons. And on his and the main screen there was a cavern opening. There was a force of humanoid dragon-like creatures in heavy battle armor guarding it. “Crap, Draygan confederation troops. Looks like they found that cavern passageway.” Williamson stated.
“But why haven't’ they used it to their advantage?” Zakahar asked.
“Likely the same reason my brother couldn’t,” The president observed.
“This war has taken a toll on all sides. But we must get through. Even if it means fighting and killing these enemy troops.”
“The odds of us getting through this mission have been a million to one sir.” The Colonel pointed out to his Commander.
“And that’s’ the way We Three Kings squad does things mister.” The legendary Commander declared.
President Merrick sent up a silent prayer. God if you can hear me, please help me get through this and back to my brother and daughter.
Shagrath’s hands moved over the controls. "Targeting the enemy troops and initiating force shield system. For something that got left here this vehicle is in prime condition.” He observed.,
A gold-skinned Draygan led the force. The red and blue skinned creatures responded when the gold pointed at them. They raised their weapons as the vehicle approached. Energy beams shot forth as the enemy troops opened fire. Williamson meanwhile hit the gas causing the vehicle to pick up speed.
Shagrath aimed at the targets and fired. Everyone heard the laser weaponry on the vehicle opening fire. The laser fire from the Draygans bounced off the protective shields. The enemy troops weren’t so lucky. Several of them got hit by laser blasts.
The gold one managed to dodge the attacks. And then he pulled out a strange controller of some kind. He pressed it and a hypersonic blast hit the Camel-40 vehicle slowing it to a stop.
“Ready yourselves boys.” Williamson said before everyone put on their breathing gear and leapt out.
The Draygan launched himself into the air. But that’s when Gerald noticed something. It came from the Draygan now above them. That hum sounds like one of those new energy field machines the sky soldiers use for flying. Draygans don’t need that.
Williamson said, “Zakahar be ready to take a shot on my word. Shagrath, fly up there and distract that character.”
The avian humanoid leapt into the air as he unfurled his wings. The Crystalline pulled out his sniper rifle and aimed. “Can the colonel do it, can he shoot someone that high in the air?” The president asked.
"Sir there’s a reason We Three Kings Squadron is the best of the best.” Williamson stated.
Merrick watched the avian humanoid soar to the so-called Draygan. But the creature dodged to the side. I know enough about the Draygans to know they would never be so wary of a battle in the air. Their culture dictates that it’s an act of honor. What’s going on here?
Shagrath turned and fired his own laser rifle, but the Draygan dodged the attacks. Yet he was unaware of the Crystalline figure watching and waiting. After several moments Zakahar pulled the trigger. The results were instantaneous. The creature let out a scream…a human scream!
The blast hit him square in the chest and he dropped to the ground dead.
The three rushed over to him and that’s when Merrick smelled the air. The scent from the dead figure had a slight scent of…iron! Wait a moment I know from Draygan biology their blood is of a copper base not iron. What’s going on?
Zakahar searched the corpse and found a device. He pressed some switches on it. The corpse transformed into that of a human. The body wore technological gear designed to make him look like a Draygan. The figure had a black uniform on.
“Wait a minute, this is the uniform of my Special Ops people.” The president yelped.
“It would appear this treason in the Alliance is far bigger than we thought." Zakahar observed.
Shagrath landed and looked over the situation. “It seems our Alliance and the Confederation are both getting played for fools.”
Williamson looked at Zakahar and asked, “And that device we got hit with I’d bet was an E.M.P. device. Can you get that vehicle up and running?”
The Crystalline creature nodded. “I can undo the effects of an E.M.P. device.”
“Get on that man!” The commander said.
True to his word Zakahar had the vehicle up and running in short order. The four piled in and were soon in the cavern. For good measure they sealed it to make sure the enemy didn’t try anything. The group then made their way through the long cavernous passage following the map.
It wasn’t long before they reached the other side. Outside a large force of Terran Alliance troops waited for them weapons at the ready. One figure stepped forward.
“Whoever you are step out of the vehicle and identify yourselves!” He ordered.
The Commander slowed the vehicle to a stop. The group stepped out their hands raised. The C.O. of the squadron spoke first. "Reginald Williamson Commander of We Three Kings Squad. I.D. number 41932 dash 7.”
But before they could continue Gerald stepped forward as he recognized the voice. “Oh, for God’s sake Lester have your men stand down before someone gets hurt!” The Terran Alliance President growled.
The leader of the large force pulled off his helmet. The face beneath was a weathered one lined with age. Yet it still possessed the strength of someone used to command. “Gerald, Gerald is that you Runt?” he asked.
The president pulled off his helmet and snapped, “I told you never to call me that!”
The General sighed in relief and nodded. “That’s my brother the president all right. Force Commander, tell the men to stand down.”
Another man stepped forward. “Yes sir…” he said before he turned to the men.
He called out, “Power down weapons and stand down!”
The command raced through the force as the general ran over to embrace his younger brother. “Oh man you gave us quite the scare Mister President.” Lester said.
President Merrick said, “And I’ve gotten humbled on certain subjects. I’ll tell you about it in debriefing. Right now, We Three Kings Squad and I are looking for our little Guiding Light.”
“Daddy!” came the call from the crowd.
A thirteen-year-old girl dressed in smaller military attire ran over to hug her father. Gerald held his daughter close. “Oh Elsa, I’m so sorry for scaring you and not being a better father.”
The colonel walked to the girl and said, “You have tremendous talent as a telekinetic young lady.”
The little girl looked at him and said, “You’re…Zakahar aren’t you?”
“I am, and I wish to thank you for helping to guide us to safety.”
The General said, “We can talk more later. Right now, we need to get the lot of you to the medical bay. My wife will want to give you a full check-up Mr. President!”
Gerald Merrick flashed a sheepish smile. “I know better than to say no to my-sister-in-law.”
They turned to walk towards the medical bay. The president let go of his daughter save for one hand. “Merry Christmas Elsa, Daddy’s home, and I’m not going anywhere ever again.”
Well, this story took longer than I thought. Still, I hope you enjoyed it. But don’t go anywhere because the 12 tales of Christmas are still going. I hope you’ll come back next time for another story.
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