Goose Saves Terra-Part IV

Goose Saves Terra-Part IV

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After dinner, the Rangers and their guide walked through the castle, exploring and talking. The compound was huge, filled with strange statues and corridors twisting everywhere, but Hahz helped ensure that they were never lost for long.

"So, what kind of fighters will we have to deal with?" Zach asked. "The Queen of the Crown is obviously a sponsor or something similar for the invading group, but who else do we have to worry about?"

Hahz's eyes focused on something far away. "Well, for the first time in history, the Tournament is defending Terra against at least three separate factions of invaders. As near as my sources can tell me, the Crown is a definite contender for taking over Terra, despite her apparent 'treaty' with the forces of the usurper Emperor Shang Tsung, the second group. The third faction is led by a circle of sorcerors, including your old friend Larry."

The Rangers' expressions turned incredulous, then bleak.

Zach remained doubtful. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," he said, crossing his arms. "I don't know what this 'Emperor Shang Tsung' is all about, but I can't imagine the Queen allying herself with anyone, even Larry and whatever so-called 'sorcerors' he's managed to find."

Hahz gave a thin smile. "An excellent summation, Captain, but you're forgetting one thing."

"What?"

Hahz held up a hand, four fingers extened. "Four things, actually." He turned his hand over, then indicated each of the Rangers in turn and sending a vaguely apologetic glance at Buzzwang before dropping his hand back into his lap.

The others stared. Doc was the first one to break the silence. "US?!?" he almost shrieked.

Nico blinked, frowning. "Are you trying to say that this whole thing, this entire, triple-alliance invasion of Terra itself, is some kind of personal vendetta against the four of us?"

Hahz leaned a little closer toward her. "Well, most of them wouldn't admit to that part of it, even to themselves, but think for a moment: these beings represent a significant portion of the entire power of this entire part of the galaxy. For most of them, to express a wish is to have that wish granted. You four, while not possessing a perfect record of thwarting that power, have mananged to earn their personal attention by forcing them out of their somewhat complacent mindsets. And I shouldn't have to tell you that people who are in the positions these beings have made for themselves do not take such things lightly, or well."

Goose nodded. "All right, so what's holding them together?"

"Well, each of the factions have contributed a small, disposable portion of their resources to ensure victory for Emporor Shang Tsung's forces, since he has the best chance of winning the Tournament in the shortest amount of time."

"If nothing else, our Queen's pragmatic," Doc said, shaking his head. "She's contributing that large combat and tech-force, as I recall. How are Larry's sorcerors involved?"

"They are a buffer between the Queen and the Emperor. The former knows the science of modern warfare, while the latter is far more comfortable with ancient, magick-based conflict. Between the two of them is more than a barrier of pride. With Larry and company acting as liason between them, as well as having access to the Emperor's libraries and colleges, they stand to gain rather considerable power. Their price is Terra's magickal resources, which are currently dormant but represent formidable power in knowledgeable hands."

Nico frowned. "That could include a lot of priceless artifacts from around the world. I'd hate to see all that Terran history fall into the hands of people like Larry."

Hahz spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "That will be another reason to oppose them." He locked eyes with each of the others, including Buzzwang, for a moment, then went on.

"The Tournament is not just a question of physical skill or guile, lady, gentlemen, and android," Hahz said. "It is a sign and measure of Terra's resistance to any invasion or change that does not come from within itself. You are symbols of the very fighting spirit of Terra."

"What about the other fighters?" Buzzwang asked. "Aren't they symbols too?"

Hahz met the android's unblinking stare. "No, they are not. Although they are all excellent fighters, they each lack something which would mark them for greatness; some are fighting for the wrong reason, others have never learned to fight with all their souls. If they had refused the invitation, perhaps they might have honed themselves into warriors who might have been the invaders' equals, but they made their choices and must endure the consequences."

Zach grimaced. "All right, let's talk about the other Kombatants. You said that there were others from Terra fighting against it and some not, or whatever, and something about two more Named, Marked Troopers like that Commander Quartzite. What can you tell us about them?"

"Well, you will be facing Commanders Ferrocarb and Conch. Their Marks are harder to describe in English than Commander Quartzite's, but all I can tell you about Ferrocarb's is that he can shape grotesque weapons from the stuff of his own body. As for Conch, his Mark relates to the shell for which he is named, both the spiral-configuration and the structure of his body."

"Great," Doc said. "Doesn't anyone in this Galaxy take after something nice, like cakes and cookies?"

Hahz raised an eyebrow at him. "You might be surprised, Doc," he said. "I've hear tales told of... well, I'll save that for later."

Goose nodded. "Anyone else?"

"Other than the master of the tournament, only Obsidiwing. He is one of four cross-elementals who rule a chaotic realm which owes allegiance to Emperor Shang Tsung. His powers draw from Earth and Fire, though he has struck an alliance with Air, as his name suggests. Don't underestimate him, but also keep in mind that he is the second-to-last warrior you will need to fight; never lose sight of the fact that you will need to defeat the Master of the Tournament before victory is won."

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• Goose Saves Terra
• Goose Saves Terra-Part II
• Goose Saves Terra-Part III
• Goose Saves Terra-Part IV
• Goose Saves Terra-Part V
• Goose Saves Terra-Part VI
• Goose Saves Terra-Part VII