Chapter 8:Raising The Dark Raven

"Please forgive me!"A purebred dragon begged before the dreaded Master as Vor, Jakira and Liqua watched on. It had been one day since returning from the dryad forest with the masters prize and now Vor waited patiently to give his full report. They stood in an enormous, metal walled chamber deep within the dormant volcano their leader called home. A few very dim lights gave just enough light to see the large dragon plead, but as always the master remained in the shadow, the rest of the room like a great void. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness a huge shape could be seen, writhing and pulsing.

"Are you not the scout sent to patrol sector eight?"The Master replied as a video screen lit up above them showing a map of the entire continent. The dragon nodded 'yes'. "Both Moo and the IMA have recently completed bases in that area. Why was I not informed when the first bricks were laid down?"

"W-well sir, I-ack!"Several powerful tendrils emerged from the darkness and wrapped around the dragons limbs and neck. The mighty beast struggled but couldn't break their steel grip.

"You don't seem to realize my position,"The Master said."As things are, I am vulnerable. Until this base has been reactivated, I am in danger. If Moo were to locate this place and attack, all these long, dark years would be for naught. That is why I must monitor my enemies at all fronts, at all times."

"I didn't(ack!)realize master, I am a fool."The dragon choked out and the master released him. After a few breaths of hot air and a long sigh of relief he bowed before him."It will not happen again."

"Indeed..."A huge claw, as large as the dragon himself, sprang from the shadows and grasped him. The dragon struggled, attacking the claws natural ebony armor with fire. Nothing was effective. At last, scraping his nails along the steel floor the dragon was dragged into darkness. The flesh tearing sounds that followed disturbed even the carnage hardened warriors as Jakira began to feel sick to her stomach and Vor shifted uneasily where he stood. Liqua simply stared on, the usual blank look on his face. Finally the mutilated body was thrown toward the far wall. Vor noticed the dragon was missing his head, among other body parts. After a brief moment of silence the Master simply said, "Anything else?"

"Yes, my report."Vor said"The regenerative powercell has been retrieved from the dryads and is being installed as we speak. You need not worry about your vulnerability much longer."

"You've done well my warriors,"Said the Master as the vid screen changed to a close up of a small island."I have new assignments for you. Vor, take Flood and Darklon, proceed to this island and secure it. Be sure to clean out any human infestation. Jakira, take grapper and go to the city of Torlormec. There, you will find a stronghorn. Recruit him as my newest warrior, he will make a fine addition. Now go, and serve your Master."

"Master..."Vor said"A group of monsters has tried to interfere with us and I fear they will do so again. A durahan, a trident, a fairy hare and a dryad."

"If she's still alive that is,"Jakira added with a sadistic grin.

"Any who would oppose my will,"The master said."Must be destroyed. Kill them."

"By your will, Master!"Vor and Jakira said in unison and turned to liqua who was staring off into space. "Oh,"He said at last"Yes, by masters will....liqua's head hurts."

(Core power at five percent and rising)

Shielka stood deep in the underground base not very far below the masters own chambers. She stood now in a large room filled with machines, computers and metal devices, most were powered down. It was almost pitch black, a few very dim overhead lamps provided little against the thick gloom. One computer spoke and stated that the power reserves had been raised to ten percent. A few lights and buttons began to flash off and on. Near her, Talus worked furiously at the controls. He was a Gaia, a mix of Henger and golem. He was also the closest thing she had to a friend in this place.

"Once we arrive at 60 percent power,"He said as the power reached 15."I'll try the main power and see if we can get some light in here. After working in the dark for years and years it would be a welcome change. In fact, if you hadn't come along to keep me company once in a while I may have blown a fuse. None of the other warriors come down here and appreciate my hard work. I break my back day after day and they don't even-"

"Um, what about the other systems?"She tried to change the subject knowing Talus would go on for hours."You know, the life-support and things like that?"

"You know I converted the life support to run on thermal energy years ago."Talus replied as he punched in some more commands. Power was now at 30 percent."Just how do you think we're able to live down here!? It's because of my hard work! Well, I can't take all the credit, you and the others brought back that power cell, as well as the spare parts I needed to fix this pile of scrap!"

"The master always told me,"Shielka said"When I was little, that this place is more then what it seems. He nev-"

"Power at 60 percent and still rising. Here we go,"Talus clanked over to the main switch and turned it on. For the first time in centuries the base sputtered to life. The overhead lights shined as brightly as the sun and became brighter still as the power level increased. The light hurt her at first but as the daina's eyes adjusted she saw the place clearly for the first time. Other then the secondary control panel that spanned the length of the room she saw a row of six conveyer belts. Each one attached to an oval shaped machine. The master had told her about these, they were monster generators, smaller versions of the same devices that created Moo himself in ancient times. They were perhaps the very last in existence. But there was much more she didn't understand. A computer screen showed a map of a machine that resembled a raven.

"What is this??"She wondered aloud and Talus came to her.

"The map of this very base, you didn't know?"He could tell from the confused look on the daina's face that she had not the slightest idea what was happening."Allow me to explain. During the ancient wars of long ago, before moo's temporary imprisonment; a group of humans built this place for one purpose, to destroy him. They did not want to put their faith in another monster to save them, after all, moo himself was a monster. So this place was created, but never quite finished. By some miracle it remained buried here unharmed. Don't ask me how the master discovered it but he did and set me to work repairing it. That was years ago...." "You mean,"Shielka said"This place is..."

"A battle ship, a weapon the rivals even moo's floating fortress...." Talus finished"The Dark Raven."

"Attention...."Said the voice of the Master"At long last...after all these years...the Dark Raven lives again! This day marks a new beginning, the reign of the master has come. All hengers report to control stations, All warriors stand by...Talus! Ready the primary weapon! We're going for a test flight...against one of Moo's bases."

Erupting from the volcano like a tainted phoenix, the Raven thundered across the wasteland. It wasn't long before they had arrived at their destination. One of Moo's newly built training grounds. Below the monsters did moo's bidding not knowing that they were mere seconds from death. Approaching the base the IMA army charged forth, they too would feel the Ravens power.

"Prepare to fire primary weapon at lowest setting."Said the Master.

Talus set the weapon to it's lowest power, 5 percent."Fire!"

-- Black Razor (Allanmontalvo@mindspring.com), May 18, 2000

Answers

Wow... really cool!

-- Justice (demoncougar@hotmail.com), May 19, 2000.