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Jinn 93x Archives

"The Conglomerate has most probably moved its operations for crossing over into Earth's dimension from Ladeera to the Island of Spires," Brok emphatically whispered.

"Why do you feel that way?" I asked Brok.

"I began thinking about why the scientists working for the Conglomerate were experiencing limited result in their experimentation of transporting across dimensions—it's because they were confined underground! Don't you see? The Island of Spires offers a perfect location for their work; it's above ground, in a location where they can effectively generate thunderstorms to power the equipment needed to cross dimensions. They really have no limitations any longer to cross over to Earth!" Brok exclaimed as he propped himself up on his left elbow.

"But what is the interest in Earth?" I queried.

"I'm not sure. I suppose that you'll find that out once we're on the island," he sighed.

"I can hardly wait," I replied, and then drifted off to sleep.

The next morning found Ahma and Oona setting out for the Island of Spires on the great falcons.

The rest of us tried to occupy ourselves the best we could with scavenging for food and collecting wood.

The sun was beginning to set when two large shadows signaled the return of Ahma and his daughter.

We hurried over to the canyon opening of Dourbbage and excitedly made our way to Ahma and Oona as they ordered the falcons to perch on the wooden cross members we had recently fashioned for them.

As soon as they had climbed down from the birds, we anxiously questioned them regarding their findings.

Still out of breath, Dezz assisted Ahma into the largest room in Dourbbage where a newly constructed seat was offered him.

With a wave of his hand, Ahma proclaimed, "The stand will do me well; sitting for such a length of time is not good for my bones!"

He stood beside a newly-built table that Unk and the other small- heads had constructed hours earlier, and after he removed a rolled up animal skin from the folds of his robe, he unfurled it to expose a series of sketches he had made of the island and its features.

"How was the trip?" Grazzat inquired.

"First, we are located a considerable distance north of the island. When we arrived at the approximate distance the island should have been situated from shore, it was obvious we were some distance north of where the island is located," Ahma began.

"How were you able to tell how far from the shore the island was supposed to be?" Brok asked.

Oona spoke so that her father could catch his wind. "At a steady rate of flight, we know how much distance Dallon and Jarna can cover. From where the sun was positioned in the sky when we left here, we could approximate where the sun should be in the sky at the time when we had flown the distance Brax had told us that the island should have been seen, yet when we arrived there, the island was nowhere in sight, so we traveled south at that point. When we finally did spot the island, it was necessary to avoid the north side of it, for Brax had told us that it was that side that was reputed to be heavily guarded. We therefore had to steer clear of the north side and circle to our left so that we could make an approach from the south, so as to not be observed". Ahma pointed to each sketch that he had drawn and explained what the various line drawings represented.

It was obvious from his drawing that the south side of the island, with its sky-scraping spires was the least guarded, and the only safe way to make an approach to the island.

Ahma detailed how the northern shoreline of the island was heavily protected by fencing and posts constructed upon high towers.

He remarked that the posts above the eight towers appeared large enough to support a small contingent of guards.

In the vicinity of the island's center, a facility abutting the side of a rocky outcropping seemed to be where most of the activity was occurring. Ahma warned that he and Oona had witnessed a flying vessel (resembling one of the craft that had attacked us earlier) fly into an opening at the front of the facility.

Ahma added something puzzling when he noted, "The craft appeared to pass directly through the front wall of the facility! It's as though it passed through solid matter!"

"Through solid matter? Are you positive?" I asked, questioning Ahma's perception of what he had witnessed.

"I don't understand it either, Brax, but I'm just letting you know what I saw; accept it, or not," he remarked.

"Any sign of life, other than the flying craft that vanished within the facility's front?" I asked.

"Life? Yes, but something extraordinary Brax—something like I had never seen before!" Ahma exclaimed, his voice quivering with apprehension.

"What are you talking about Ahma?" I rapidly asked, glancing over at Oona, who was at this time bowing her head and looking away.

"On either side of the front of the facility, chained to the ground, were two enormous, monstrous creatures, each with hideous gaping maws!" Ahma exclaimed.

"So, I guess we abandon the plans of just strolling into the Conglomerate's outpost through the front doors," I smiled, trying to ease the seriousness of the moment.

Ahma was not smiling.

"Have you ever seen any creatures like those before, Ahma?" Brok asked.

"I once saw classified drawings that Lakunan survivors had made of beasts that the Devvonids had brought with them when they occupied our planet. The creatures Oona and I spotted looked very similar to the drawings I once observed," Ahma admitted.

"What do you suppose the Conglomerate would be using those creatures for?" I asked.

"It was rumored that these beasts possess skin as hard as stone and their longevity spans centuries," he replied.

"Any suggestions on how we can get past those creatures?" Ronic asked.

"It is possible that I may be able to mix a concoction tomorrow that will eliminate any threats the creatures might pose," Ahma suggested.

"Thanks Ahma, we'll spend tomorrow preparing for the assault, and then leave the next day," I offered.

That night I mulled over just how we might succeed in assaulting the Conglomerate's island outpost.

I must confess that I was not optimistic over the idea of seeing Shara again.

I had come this far and I was now having doubts on whether this entire other-dimensional trip was worth it.

My confusion, worry, and anxiousness over the upcoming assault made for a restless night that would have meant no sleep had not Ahma prepared a special 'tea' that allowed my mind to go numb.


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