Whether Bennu and Mira liked it or not, Yago was still an Adult Eldebrani, and the corruption of his mind did not change its abilities. True, his arrogance, so typical of those who would rule over others, gave him blind spots. In compensation, he had learned subtlety and trickery, and his plot to obtain one of their Phoenix medallions reflected that.
He was now well-settled in Peru. It was not difficult to convince the new government - and as many of the natives as he thought useful - that he was yet another of the gods, deprived of the use of his body by a quarrel with the other two. After all, gods were no different than humans in many respects, and they, too, fought over many things.
The government considered the dangers - getting caught in the midst of a godfight was VERY risky! - but Yago was careful to downplay the "quarrel", and even more careful not to portray himself as a serious enemy of the Two. Hence, he had to hide both his Evil nature and his ambition.
Peru wanted its god back, and Yago promised to help. In the meantime, they would have him. Not surprisingly, this part of his plan worked well, and it was easy to get a group of natives to work with him.
First he worked with them to build a SunTrap in a cave he had carefully chosen. With human help, in MUCH less than another 900 years - more like about one - he was collecting Light again, and not long thereafter, had secretly built the Unlight converter. He also had the natives - some selected for their superb abilities as craftsmen - construct a visual duplicate of a Phoenix medallion and had them bring it to the SunTrap. There he implanted several charges of Light - as much as it could safely hold - into it.
Meanwhile, he had been given an escorted tour, personally led by de Varga himself, of Bennu's hibernation site. Later, he returned alone to inspect it. Soon enough he had found what he was looking for - the actual opening mechanism, reversed Phoenix seal and all. It was embedded in what he recognized as Impervite, of course.
"Hmm," he thought. "Impervite. That should be easy enough to detect - there's certainly nothing like it on this planet!"
He began making trips back to the US. Being a disembodied mind, the travel time was very short indeed. However, finding the mound that contained his body still took a while - in fact, he actually checked almost as many sites as Bennu did while searching for Mira! But he only had to scan a site for the "resonance" of Impervite, and he located the correct one - in a place named "Shadow Hills," of all things - in a rather short time. (In fact, his search would have been even more rapid had he not found himself having to dodge around the increasing number of Healers and telepathic Mature minds. The window of opportunity for putting his plan into effect was narrowing rapidly!)
(Actually, his presence was noted, but as he spent little time at any one site, and the senses used in Channeling tended to be quite poor at giving either the direction or distance of a "signal," about all that was guessed was that Bennu's period of freedom from attacks was probably coming to an end. Osiron, as battler of a similar disembodied Evil, was deputized as collector of such information, and he used the SmokeNet to alert both Bennu and the other members.)
Now came the work. He sent a trusted (as much as he could trust others - but these were still uncorrupted, and so still faithful to him) team into the US with the replica medallion. They were to signal him when they reached his mound. But how?
They suggested Mindsmoke. Yago had never heard of THAT before, and the concept intrigued him. He could envision all sort of uses for it - Evil ones, of course, especially if he could infuse Unlight into it ... Since even they weren't really aware of Farthought - and NOBODY knew the distance limitations, if any - their idea was to burn some at a set time each day, and have members of the group still in Peru do the same. Perhaps a "simultaneous vision" would work.
Perhaps it would have - natives were starting to actually scientifically explore their "magic" - but, as Yago pointed out, it would probably be obvious to friends of Bennu and Mira, who, after all, would oppose his plans. It was easy enough to obtain some short-wave radios from the Peruvian government, and radio transmissions were normally not detectable by Channeling (or SunPower, for that matter).
So off the group went. Diplomatic passports and drug smugglers both proved to be useful as the plan went along. FIRST, they had to get to the Shadow Hills and signal back.
That having been done, Yago traveled to the site himself. There he had the medallion placed against its reverse and, using his mind to release SunPower, successfully triggered the opening mechanism.
At his direction, they removed the hibernation chamber and, after another charge use to reclose the mound, smuggled it back out of the US and into Peru, and finally placed it in Yago's Cave.
This appearance of Yago was rather longer than his previous ones, and he used his mental powers, too. This was duly noted and reported. He was obviously up to something - even more obviously "no good"- but the "what" was still a mystery.
Yago was relieved. At least his body was now safely out of the reach of his enemies. Now he began the real work of his plan. First he had the craftsmen make a visual duplicate of his hibernation chamber. While they were doing that, he was using his Healer's knowledge of Eldebrani physiology, combined with the natives' of knock-out drugs to design one that should work much better on Eldebranis than Earthmen.
This required considerable experimentation on volunteers, but as no harm was intended, they considered it an honor to help their god. All too soon he had one that should work. All he had to do was add some god-power - by dripping Unlight into the toxin - and it was ready.
The native Healers were uneasy. The toxin now felt bad - but, as Yago explained, it had to keep Bennu unconscious for an extended period of time - long enough to bring him to Yago's Cave. And, with luck, they would get Mira, too.
They shrugged. Arguing with a god was indeed foolish. They brought forth the medallion and carefully placed it over a specific spot on the replica chamber. Yago put forth his mind, and a reverse pattern of the medallion was implanted where it appeared on his chamber. Then the replica chamber was carefuly coated with the toxin. (//See,// Yago said. //Why do you doubt me if you can handle it with little effect?//)
Now it had to be smuggled out of Peru and into the US. That having been accomplished, it was brought to Shadow Hills and Yago appeared. Again the mound was opened. The booby-trapped chamber was put into place, the mound reclosed, and everybody left.
Again the activity was noted by the members of the SmokeNet. Still, Bennu reported no attacks, and there seemed to be no overt Evil of Yago's doing. Peru was in an uproar as it was, with the Christian churches furiously battling the pagan native revolution, and despite his pleas to both sides, things were going from bad to worse. The Shining Path was still busy, and the churches had a point - the country was being swept by a revival of Sun-worshiping, and he was usually held to be an Avatar of The Sun. That didn't excuse some of their more unchristian actions, though.
All he could do was plead to the natives: "If you hold me or my beliefs in high regard, you will refrain from violence, which is an abomination to The Light."
But the war - and it all too often literally was one - raged on.
And Yago prepared for the culmination of his plot. First, as he explained, he had to appear to be threatening to Bennu. The Two would then presumably visit Shadow Hills and try to deal with the source of their "danger" and the trap would spring. Yago even had a way to let Bennu know that his hibernation place was located there. (After all, he had no way of knowing of Mira's Assignment as Keeper of the Exiled One.)
Yago had his helpers prepare several samples of Mindsmoke. Into each he added a bit of Unlight, gradually building up the amount. They went back to the US (diplomatic passports were sufficient for a box of small tubes) and set up. One night, after he "checked out the scene" - Yago, as Bennu had before him, was finding that Immature languages were certainly more colorful than Eldan! - and found the Two asleep, he had the first tube of Mindsmoke powder lit and had his helpers concentrate on a vision of Bennu. Between the Unlight in the powder and a feinting attack by him, it gave Bennu a real bad dream while it, having two separate sources, made it impossible for Bennu to locate him for retaliation. Yago and company then scooted off at random some distance away and used the next tube a few days later.
Bennu shrugged off the first attack. The second was stronger, and he relayed his suspicions to the SmokeNet. They, too, could verify the subsequent attacks, but coming as they did at random from a different place each time, couldn't help. Finally, as Yago had intended, the Two decided to act.
Yago, meanwhile, had what he assumed was the problem of telling Bennu where his mound lay. Though his pet human - Premminger - was no longer under his control, he WAS both easy for Yago to locate and would be particularly susceptible to suggestions, especially from Yago. He waited some days and prepared to implant the suggestion.
It wasn't necessary. Indeed, Premminger had disappeared.
Bennu and Mira told the SmokeNet that they would be unavailable for a while, as they had "a problem to deal with." Many knew what they meant, but it was clear that the Two wanted no help. Still, they asked if they could be of assistance, and received the expected "No, this is something we must do ourselves."
Osiron, among others, wasn't happy. As soon as the Two had left, he spoke: //They go to do battle with the Evil member of their Race Bennu mentioned to me when we first met. Wise indeed they are, but they are unskilled in treachery. I fear for their safety.//
The Netmembers began to make their preparations. Though they had a very rough idea of where Yago had been busy earlier (when he was setting up the trap), that wouldn't be of much help. However, several had had encounters with Premminger and remembered Bennu's later comments about how come so many had. Osiron lit some Mindsmoke powder and went looking for Premminger's mind.
After finding it he kept track of the man for a brief time. It was easy to determine the location of his office, and off to Washington Osiron traveled. There he found a temporary barrier - the security guard in the Agency reception room, who refused to either let Osiron through or buzz Premminger. Osiron didn't have time to be nice, and the poor man soon thought himself surrounded by monsters. During the ensuing melee, Osiron went Premminger-hunting.
Justin Premminger was most astonished to find Osiron walking into his room. He was even more astonished at Osiron's message.
Premminger: "Osiron! What on Earth are you doing here? I would ask how you got past Security, but, judging by the ruckus going on, I can sort of guess. I'd ask what you did to him, but I'm sure this is no social call."
Osiron: "Bennu needs your help! I fear he and Mira are walking into a trap of Yago's making."
Premminger shuddered. He remembered Yago all too well. "Obviously, you think I can help. I will do what I can, of course."
Osiron: "You must still have your files on Indian sites from your earlier assignment. Get all of your photos of them, and quickly. I have no idea how much time we have."
Premminger called in his request. At that point, the security guard burst in, his gun waving wildly. "Monsters! The place is full of them, and I think they're after you. We've got to get you to safety."
Premminger: "Alex, relax. They're gone now and, I assure you, I'm quite safe."
Alex suddenly noticed Osiron. "He summoned them! OK, you, don't move!" He reached for his radio. Premminger opened his desk drawer and removed a gun.
Premminger: "Alex, we don't want shoot-outs in the Agency. It's bad form. Put the gun down and leave us alone. This man is a friend of mine and I am helping him."
Alex turned toward Premminger and started to lift the radio to his lips. Premminger was about to threaten him with the gun, but it wasn't necessary. A pair of large, hairy, clawed paws grabbed Alex's wrists.
Premminger: "Alex, don't meddle in the affairs of Indian medicine men. I assure you, I'm much safer with him than with an armed security guard. Drop what you're holding and you'll be unharmed."
Alex gave Premminger a most peculiar look - this was the man who used to scoff at anything that even smacked of the paranormal? With a clatter, he dropped gun and radio. The paws dematerialized. Just in time, too, as the secretary carrying the first boxes of Premminger's files walked past the stunned Alex and into the office.
Osiron: "All we know is that it seems to be in the central US."
Premminger grunted and began flipping through photos of Indian sites. Some time later he was well into the second box. He picked up yet another picture, not apparently different than the first 509 - and paused. He seemed to be mentally weighing it ...
Premminger: "This one. No doubt about it." He turned the picture over. "Shadow Hills. That figures. Can't tell you which mound on the site, though."
This time, Osiron was the one to grunt. That was the translation of an old Indian name, and it probably did figure. "That's quite good enough. I must leave now. Better get me safely out of here - magic takes energy, and I fear I will need all that I can muster."
Premminger stood up and holstered his gun. "Better yet, I will come with you. I also owe Bennu much. Is there anything you can use?"
Osiron thought briefly. "We have enough jeeps. We could use some short-wave radios and walkie-talkies."
Premminger stared. "I thought you would prefer your magic."
Osiron: "That would be interceptable not only by Bennu, but by Yago. It will have its uses, too."
As soon as it was safe, Osiron activated the SmokeNet and informed the members of the location. Fortunately, Bennu and Mira had been working with a New Age group in California, and the Netmembers should have time to assemble and follow the Two.
Most of the men - and some of the women - of the People of the Chosen Ones broke camp and headed out. So did Smokesinger and many of his People, most with more "earthly" talents. He had a feeling about what might be needed ... Others that Bennu and Mira had helped, individually or collectively, also left for Shadow Hills.
So the Two set off for Yago's Den. (Yes, as in the den of a hibernating animal - after all, Eldebranis also have a sense of humor.) Some Netmembers closed in from three compass points. Those to the west had to wait for the Two to pass and then follow at a discreet distance - some 30 miles. Stops had to be made at Agency regional offices to pick up the radio equipment, and much was the amusement during some of the encounters as Jeeps full of Indians showed up to claim the items. Oh, it was all properly authorized, but still, the sight was "unusual." Besides, those names! Perfectly normal Indian ones, but these appeared on official Agency requisition documents, and one of the clerks was finding them hard to accept. That is, until he was asked by a coworker: "Why do you find 'Pale Moon' any stranger than 'Operation Noah's Ark'?" (As the search for Bennu had gone on, it could no longer be kept informal, and so needed a code name - one Premminger had used fairly often.)
Days passed and the Two approached their goal. The Netmembers kept a careful watch on them, making sure not to get too close. That was accomplished by lighting off Mindsmoke in "puffs" - just enough to keep track of the scenery the Two saw. Otherwise, they used radios of various sorts.
Smokesinger (holding up a radio): "And it was Bennu who told me not to scorn modern society, for it had much that was useful in it. He would not wish us to be following him, feeling it was his and Mira's duty to do this alone, and also, I'm sure, not wishing us to place ourselves at risk."
Another time, Osiron was carefully using Mindsmoke to scan for Yago. Thankfully, he was still absent! Unfortunately, Premminger, having been the victim of it twice, began watching curiously. He had Talent, and the Smoke began to be affected. Osiron extinguished it with a wave of his hand and chastised the man. "Really, Justin! Your mental patterns are very familiar to Bennu. Do you wish to give everything away?"
Indeed, Bennu found himself briefly distracted. He spoke to Mira, using voice so that Yago would not detect him. "How odd. I just found myself thinking of Premminger. I wonder how he's doing."
Mira: "We are moving into danger at an Indian site. Is it not natural to think of him?"
Bennu: "True. I certainly won't spend the time searching my memory for the exact explanation."
So the Netmembers avoided discovery.
Shortly thereafter, the Two arrived at Shadow Hills, left their vehicle, and walked to Yago's Den. Their friends formed a ring about the site and waited, checking occasionally with puffs of Mindsmoke.
Mira led her Partner to Yago's Den. There she found an unpleasant surprise. Rock fragments littered the area, and the closed doors were clearly visible to both.
Mira: "The seal has been broken! I fear a trap! And worse, he must have had men help him do this."
Bennu: "Our friends wished to help. I do not know if it would have been wiser to put them in danger or risk all on our abilities. But, for better or worse, they are far from us now."
They carefully scanned the area. Only the faintest hint of Evil was perceptible, but still more than Mira's Training as Keeper told her should be present. Then they checked for physical booby-traps, including explosives. Bennu, at least, had some practical experience in those! But no, nothing abnormal. They shrugged. Then they locked down their minds to resist mental attacks, retaining only a thin communication channel between the shields.
Osiron tried the Mindsmoke again. First one, then the other image blurred into near invisibility. He raised his radio to his lips: "The've just raised their barriers to maximum. They cannot detect us now - move in!" The circle rapidly began to tighten about the site.
Meanwhile, Mira placed her medallion against the opening mechanism, poked a thin shaft of Power through her barriers, and triggered it. The doors squealed open. They waited briefly. All was silent as a tomb - or a hibernation site unopened for 1000 years.
Bennu started to step forward, but Mira placed a hand on his chest. "I go in first. Not only did the Wise make me Keeper, but you are the stronger Healer. Should I be struck down, you are more likely to be able to Heal me.
Bennu didn't like it, of course - no more so than Mira would have had he gone in first - but it was clearly the most sensible plan. He did, however, choose to emphasize the need to watch out for booby traps. She nodded and cautiously entered the mound.
Within a few minutes she stood before the hibernation chamber. So far, nothing looked disturbed, though there was little dust about - was it possible that a freak lightning bolt had triggered the explosives? She brought out her medallion, placed it against its mate on the chamber, and again used a thread of Power to activate the mechanism.
Instead of the head end of the chamber revealing a computer screen, a puff of black smoke rose from it and enveloped her. She barely had time to scream - vocally and mentally - "TRAP!" before she plunged into deep unconsciousness.
Bennu had to use all of his Training to force himself to move in very cautiously - he was even more worried about physical traps now, and racing in was only too likely to trip something lethal. Soon enough he was at her side. She seemed to be breathing regularly, if slowly, and bore no obvious wounds aside from the nicks one would expect from her collapse against a hard surface. The feeling of Evil he felt upon entering was fading, too. He carefully carried her out of Yago's Den and into the Sunlight.
There he Lit his medallion and began the Healing process. To his brief horror, something black seemed to rise up out of her and swallow him up, too. All he had time to think of before he joined her in unconsciousness was "We have Fail ..."
It was some minutes before help arrived, and some more before the two of them were located, collapsed in a heap near what was obviously, from the massive pair of open doors, an Eldebrani hibernation site.
Sunsong, as the most powerful Healer, examined them briefly. Though so deeply unconscious there was no trace of higher mental activity, their bodies seemed quite unharmed. He signaled and others gently carried the Two away from the site - and sight - of Evil. Their upper bodies were bared to the Sun and the Healer's Circle was formed about them. Then the process of Healing was started.
Something black seemed to rush up and out at them, fading as it approached. The Healers retched at its foulness, but, as the toxin was designed for minimal effect on humans, they stayed functional.
Sunsong: "A great Evil has been worked on our friends. Never have I seen the Healers' Tune be used out of necessity, but now we can only hope it is sufficient. Windsinger, play!"
As Windsinger blew the Sacred Flute, the minds of those in the circle fused together. Again the Evil raced towards them, but now they fought back! Slowly, grudgingly, it boiled up and out of the bodies of its victims and dissipated in the sunlight. Finally, it was drained from their bodies and the simple task of counteracting the chemical toxin was undertaken. Shortly thereafter, Bennu - who was larger and had absorbed less - and then Mira came groggily to.
They became dimly aware of various minds they knew well. Even one similar to Premminger's seemed to be present. It hardly seemed possible - surely this was some cruel joke of Yago.
A Voice - unmistakeably Sunsong's - rang in their minds. //Friends, it is truly us, and you are safe. We feared that you were walking into a trap and have been following you throughout your journey here.//
Bennu: "Praise The Light that you did so, for you were right. What happened to us?"
Mira explained what had happened to her. Bennu followed. Sunsong told the Two of their struggles with Healing.
Sunsong: "I would say that it was Sunlight made Evil, but who has ever heard of such a thing?"
Bennu: "Yago has. There is only one way he could have learned of it, too - he has trafficked with the Shadow Lords! Yet he keeps his body. That explains much about his Power, and why the Wise underestimated him. I do not fully understand, but he is a formidable foe indeed. Had you not rescued us, I'm sure our medallions would have been on their way to him and he soon would have been fully Awake. Then NOTHING could have withstood him! He must have persuaded some of the Peruvians to help him - probably why we are still alive. If we had died, they would have known he was no friend of us, and not brought him that which he needs.
"But how did you know where to go? Only Mira - and Yago, too - knew that, and you didn't read either of their minds!"
Osiron: "Others know, too - men. But we did not know that. No, I used someone who has found you many times before."
Bennu: "Premminger! I thought I recognized his mind, though he has changed much. In fact, I suddenly thought of him yesterday."
Bennu looked up. Premminger was indeed there, pacing about with his gun drawn. He understood the dangers men with weapons still posed! And Bennu, for the first time since his poisoning, laughed. "Never indeed did I think that I would be comforted by the sight of him with a drawn gun!"
Smokesinger: "I have brought members of my People with me. This place is surrounded by armed men - armed friends."
Bennu helped Mira up. The poison was well out of their bodies and their Healing was complete.
Bennu: "We are volunteers on this planet, devoting our lives to the service of The Light by being Missionary Healers, as the term for what we do would translate. Many times before I found Mira I gave help because it was what The Light wishes us to do, and there is little opportunity for that on a Mature world, where Sin and Evil are rare. And often in my times of need have I been blessed by Him in ways I could not imagine. You are grateful to us for that which we have done for you, and Smokesinger has expressed it thusly: 'I owe you a debt beyond repayment'. The debt is repaid. Let us thank The Light for all He has done for us."
He then spoke again, and there was a tone of command in his voice that was something new to all but Smokesinger. "Justin Premminger, come here!"
Premminger started to turn towards Bennu, then remembered what he held and hastily put his gun away. Bennu certainly would not want to see that sight again! He presumed he was about to be chastised for his past conduct. Well, he certainly deserved it! He stepped forward.
Bennu: "Some of you know the story of this man. He was - and still is - an employee of one of this government's secret agencies. After my rude Awakening and escape, he was assigned to locate me and return me to captivity. He could not believe that I was other than Earth human, or in any paranormal power. Yet he found me so often because he has such a power of his own. Sometimes, as in this case, he somehow 'felt' where I was going to go next. Truly, he made my search for Mira more difficult than it would have been otherwise, though he also saved my life - twice, once getting possesed by Yago in the process.
"And in the end, when I found Mira and Yago asserted dominion over him as part of a trap, he preferred suicide to accepting either of us. Finally, denied that choice, he allowed us to help him. And now I learn of the horror that has been averted - at least for now - because he used his Talent to help us."
Bennu held out his hand. Justin couldn't help but chuckle - he remembered all too well the last time that hand had touched him! - and took it. "Friend?" he asked hopefully.
"Friend," Bennu replied and shook it.
Mira Smiled. Then she frowned. That "hibernation chamber" of Yago's was clearly a fake. "We must bring out Yago's device so that we may study it, but, truthfully, I loathe to reenter his Den so soon after my poisoning. We request volunteers."
Soon enough it was brought out and the Two studied it. They reclosed the Den.
Bennu spoke to Premminger: "You'd best take this with you and turn it over to the government. And they'd better notify the Peruvian one, too. We've all got more problems, and there are men to catch!"
Premminger was escorted to the nearest Agency station to call for a team with heavy weapons to accompany the fake chamber. Bennu and Mira were escorted well away from the site and any possible enemy men. Life went on.
Copyright March 11, 2001 Three Cheeks Productions (Richard Kaplan)