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Crystal Guardian

Arc 3: Perversion of the Light

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Chapter 27: Rebuilding

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When Casara is finished briefing the Expeditionary Division on the standing orders from the Crystalorb Command sanctioned by the reconstituted Crystalorb General Council and by Lord Cyris she went home to her now expanded family. Casara now had 4 Children to look after, and there was still no word on the fate of her brother Naole, though many believed that Naole was dead and his Ship the Indigo simply could not accept it.

Naole's twin boys were a welcome addition to Casara's family, and Kato enjoyed the presence of the young boys in the house that was previously female dominated. Canala and Nasara had become very close over the years, and they were now more than cousins, but more like sisters. In the days that followed Canala went to see Casara as she was preparing the Intrepid for its next deployment.

Canala : " Aunt Casara" She stands at the door to the Captain's office onboard the fully repaired Intrepid "Captain can I come in?"

Casara : " Come in Dear"

Canala : " I hear that the Intrepid is leaving to join the search for the Spirit Stone?"

Casara : " Yes"

Canala : " Does that mean that your all leaving? I mean you, Nasara, Kalen, Ralen, Raole and uncle Kato?"

Casara : " The Leba needs to return for re-supply, the Gaurdius and the Jalen are on permanent station in Crystalorb's air space. The Intrepid has been ordered to join the search for the Spirit Stone, so we have to go."

Canala : " Then can I come with?"

Casara : " What did your mother say?"

Canala : " She said that it's up to the Captain of the Intrepid."

Casara : " Then you can come, but you have to understand that the Intrepid is a warship, and like Nasara you will have real responsibilities like others with Crystal Armour. The Crystal Armour gives you great power, and that power must have purpose. The Vanglead Crystal Armour you wear isn't just for show; it's a powerful tool, and a weapon system that only a few have the energy and skill to operate. Everyone on this ship understands that, and they train hard to fulfil their duties."

Canala : " I understand Aunt Casara."

Casara : " Welcome aboard Vanguard trainee."

Canala : " Thank you Guardian."

Before the Intrepid could depart on its mission to search the world's oceans for the Spirit Stone the families of the crew pack for the 9 week deployment, and say their goodbyes to friends. Canala is at her home preparing for her first deployment, and Enala gives her motherly advice at this critical point in her life. Enala is keenly aware that Canala's abilities are developing faster than other girls, and the source of the rapid development is undoubtedly the Red Chest Crystal.

Enala knew that Casara is the only person that could guide Canala through the next stage of her development, and as Canala prepares herself she takes some time to talk to her mother.

Enala : " This is a very important time for you Canala, and you are already behind for someone with a Red Chest Crystal. By the time Casara was your age she was already a fully trained Vanguard, but I'm confident that you will do well. I suppose that I've held you back from what is undoubtedly your destiny! I was only looking for your best interest! Nasara is 18 months younger than you, but because of who her mother is she has become an amazing warrior."

Canala : " Are you saying that I could have been as powerful as Nasara?"

Enala : " I'm saying that you are as powerful as Nasara."

Canala : " I am?"

Enala : " Of course"

Canala : " Sometimes I feel like I don't measure up compared to Nasara, and everyone expects me to be as powerful as she is."

Enala : " The only difference between you and Nasara is how you've been raised. Nasara is the daughter of two Guardians, she's a warrior born. Nasara was carried by the womb of someone with the extreme power of the Red Chest Crystal, and so she has had an advantage from the beginning, but you have the same blood as Nasara, the same mix of bloodlines. You are powered by the same Red Chest Crystal that powers Nasara, and if you ever have any doubt your potential remember who your natural father is?"

Canala : " I wish that you and Dad had prepared me more, I wish that I'd been trained harder, but I will try!"

Enala : " Kanalo and I felt that it was important to let you find your own way, and not to push you into something you weren't ready for! We've always known that you were meant for greatness, and when you were born I chose to give you your Natural father's Surname even though I had every right to name you Lesedi. You are Canala Olen. The Red Chest Crystal is a clear evidence of that. Even Casara did not change her surname to Lesedi when she married Kato."

Canala : " I will always remember Dad, and through my brother I will always be connected to him, but the time has come for me to reclaim my Identity"

Enala : " That's the way; Remember. The techniques we taught you are the same techniques you Natural father uses, and Kanalo learnt them from your grandfather Nalen. Kanalo being without a Chest Crystal trained alongside Naole in the advanced control techniques."

Canala : " Dad trained with Father?"

Enala : " Kanalo was older than Naole at the time, and Naole was just a boy, but Nalen trained anyone who wanted to learn."

Canala : " Are these the same Techniques that allows Father to transform?"

Enala : " Naole is one of the most powerful people on earth, and I don't know the full extent of his abilities, but Casara could better explain Naole's abilities."

Canala : " Do you think that Father will return?"

Enala : " I don't know, but I do know this; Naole never gives up. If it's within his power, Naole will find a way to return to his children."

Canala : " What happens if we can't find the Spirit Stone?"

Enala : " The prospect is too hard to imagine. All I know for certain is that Crystalorb will never stop searching."

Canala : " Without the Spirit Stone Nasara and I will never rise to the level of Red Guardian. We would never get the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of Crystalan power."

Enala : " There is one important fact that you must never forget. Your Natural Father Naole was able to reach his full potential without Crystal Armour, and this means that there is another way to reach ultimate power."

A few hours later the Intrepid departed on its mission to search the world's oceans for the Spirit Stone. The Leba returned to Crystalorb and after a quick re-supply returned to the task of searching for the Spirit Stone.

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Meanwhile the recovery operations continued and life was once again returning to normal in Crystalorb. The children went back to school and hovering spheres of the dead were removed and placed in a separate location along with all the other dead.

As the global supply of the Crystal Based Batteries came under pressure, the price began to rise, and despite assurances by Crystal Valley Industries the markets continued to speculate that Crystal Valley Industries had reached its maximum production capabilities. The speculative environment only encouraged the rise in the price of the Crystal Based Batteries. Lord Cyris maintained constant contact with the Hodian High Council in an attempt to maintain the cease-fire between Crystalorb and the Hand of Destiny 〘HOD〙.

After 8 weeks of searching the Atlantic oceans with no real results the Intrepid was preparing to return to Crystalorb for a quick re-supply operation. Crystalans were beginning to loose hope of ever recovering the Spirit Stone. The Crystalorb Command Centre received information from the Hodian High Council about some people in Mexico who were selling information about the whereabouts of the Spirit Stone. The new Hodian Viceroy Nato Ralefa was Lerumo's cousin and part of the Hodian Elite.

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The chairman of the Hodian High Council Tumo Ralefa and the new Viceroy Nato Ralefa opened communications with Crystalorb Command Centre to discuss their Intel with the Crystalorb Leadership.

Cyris : " And these people are selling this information?"

Tumo : " Yes"

Aman : " But is their information reliable?"

Nato : " We don't know, but we thought it important to inform you. We could meet with them and determine the validity of their information? I could have a team in Mexico in a few hours?"

Cyris : " Our people can get there quicker."

Tumo : " We don't know who these people are?"

Nato : " The risk to your people could be significant."

Aman : " We appreciate your concern, but we have things under control"

Cyris : " Thanks for the Information."

Tumo : " Good Luck!"

Nato : " Good Luck!"

Following the discussions Aman ordered the Intrepid to travel to Mexico and make contact with the people who had the information. The meeting was arranged to be held in a ocean front resort town hotel, and the Crystalans knew that this provided them easy excess by air. The informants who identified themselves as the commission insisted that they only meet with one person, and that person must be unarmed.

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Casara was apprehensive about sending any of her people alone and she was in a heated discussion with the Crystalorb Leadership about how to proceed

Casara : " I'm sorry My Lord! I cannot agree to a course of action that would put my people in danger."

Cyris : " The commission could have crucial information."

Casara : " Could? That's not good enough."

Nasan : " I understand your position Casara! But we need to investigate every possible avenue."

Aman : " Someone has to meet the Commission"

Casara : " Someone?"

Aman : " Yes! There's no other way"

Casara : " Then I will go"

Aman : " No! You're a Guardian, and we can't put you at risk"

Casara : " Don't you see?" Casara lets out a sigh "I'm the only one that can go."

Cyris : " What do you mean you're the only one that can go?"

Nasan : " She means that she is always armed"

Casara : " With my Crimson Form I can handle anything that comes up until my people can arrive"

Aman : " Then It's decided"

Cyris : " Casara; Be careful."

Casara : " On your Command!"

And so with the approval of the Crystalorb Leadership Casara left the Intrepid and travelled to the hotel to meet with the Commission.

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As Casara entered the 6th floor room she found 5 men and 2 women waiting for her. Casara's Chest Crystal immediately detected the presence of the energy signatures similar to that of powerful Hybrids. Casara prepared herself for a possible confrontation.

One of the 2 women proceeded to search Casara for weapons and once she was satisfied Casara was invited to sit down. The man speaking for the group was sitting down

Jack : " Please sit"

Casara : " I'd rather stand"

Jack : " My name is Jack Spencer; I represent the commission in these dealings. And you are?"

Casara : " I'm the person authorised to make you very rich should your information be valuable."

Jack : " But what is your name?"

Casara : " I'm not authorised to give you my name."

Jack : " Who do you represent?"

Casara : " That's not important. Let's get down to business; How much?"

Jack : " $25 million."

Casara : " We can meet that"

Jack : " Then how do we do this? Do you pay us first, or do we .."

Casara : " We are true to our word! Tell us what you know and if you are not lying we will pay!"

Then the other people draw their weapons and move to quickly surround Casara, and it became clear that the meeting was some kind of trap

Jack : " We are the National Security Commission! We've been authorised by the President of the United States to take you into US custody"

As the National Security Commission agents move closer to Casara she quickly transforms to her Crimson Form. They open fire with their manacles, but they're unable to harm Casara, and they try to grab her. Then Casara used ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts to knock down those who were approaching her

Jack : " Impressive; That's incredible energy. But by showing me your power you've given me the power to defeat you. I will absorb your power and make it my own."

Casara : " Fool; You're an energy mimic! It's a rare ability, but I'm afraid that won't work on me."

Jack : " Shit!" realising that he can't mimic Casara's energy "You must be Hodian!"

Casara then opened fire on Jack with a combination of ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts and ElectroLaser Lightning Plasma Energy Ball sending him flying across the room; leaving him seemingly lifeless. Then Casara noticed that one of Jack's associates was still moving, and she turned her attention to her, but as Casara approaches the Hybrid woman produces an energy field and tries to push Casara away. Casara produces an energy field that negates the agent's energy field

Sarah : " What?"

Casara : " Telekinesis; Impressive! But you probably don't even know what that is? You produce energy fields, and that's how you are able to move objects. In my normal state I can produce energy fields that are more than 100 times more powerful than yours; In this Form it's about 10000 times. You are out of your league!"

Sarah : " I see"

Casara : " And what's your name Hybrid?"

Sarah : " Sarah"

Casara : " Our power can not be absorbed by a Hybrid trick; Our power is hardwired into our DNA, into our Bodies. Including DNA based Neural pathways that require Specific energies to develop. It can't be Cloned, Replicated, Absorbed or Duplicated by the abilities of an energy mimic!" shaking her head "You have to be born with Our abilities."

Sarah : " I'm just following Orders!"

The two women are interrupted by the re-emergence of Special agent Jack Spencer.

Jack : " I’m not like the other Hybrids!"

Casara : " Clearly! Your energy is different; Evil!"

Jack : " I’m an empowered Hybrid!"

Then agent Jack launches an attack on Casara; landing two punches to Casara’s face. But Casara blocks the third punch by grabbing Jack’s fist with her left hand

Casara : " I’m a Crystalan dammit!"

Jack : " Let me go!"

Agent Jack struggles; trying to free himself from Casara’s grip. Casara then grabs him on his head.

Casara : " Now let’s see" She looks into his mind “So they Drained the life force of a hundred Hybrids into you?”

Jack : " Get out of my head!"

Casara : " They murdered a hundred people in a mad quest for power? So this is what they have planned for all Hybrids! This is grave indeed!"

Jack : " What’s happening?” suddenly feeling weaker “What are you doing to me?"

Casara : " I’m draining the Negative Energy out of you and into the atmosphere. Crystalans are Energy absorbers, but we can also manipulate energies."

Jack : " You’re not supposed to be able to do that?"

Casara : " The Hodians don’t know the full extant of our capabilities"

Jack : " How can you be this strong?"

Casara : " I honestly don’t know."

With most of Jack’s energy depleted Casara produces a high energy Chest Crystal ElectroLaser Lightning Bolt that virtually vaporizes Jack’s head; killing him. At that moment Kato Crushed through the concrete wall to find that Casara had everything under control.

Kato : " Are you OK?"

Casara : " As if there was ever any doubt."

Sarah : " Crystal Guardian!"

Casara : " So you've heard about us? I take it that you Volunteered for the Military advanced soldier program?"

Sarah : " The power stone belongs to you?"

Casara : " Tell your Government that things can get very bad if they continue down this road!"

Kato : " Protocol 16!"

The Armoured Crystal Guardian turns to face Sarah.

Casara : " Every Crystal Guardian carries a message from Crystalorb’s Council of Elders!"

Kato : " Intended for circumstances where we make unintended contact with government officials of sovereign states."

Casara : " A type of First Contact Protocol meant for all humans."

Kato : " This is a message from Crystalorb’s Council of Elders."

The Armoured Crystal Guardian produces a holographic Video Image of the 9 members of the Crystalorb Council of Elders.

Gaurdius : " From the Council of Elders gathered in this time of crisis and confusion, Crystalorb here reaches out to humanity."

Isis : " We are born of the Light."

Cyris : " We live in the light."

Lumen : " We stand down the road waiting for you."

As Kato and Casara left the Hotel Sarah followed them outside, and at that moment the Intrepid opened Fire on the Hotel killing more than 200 people.

The Hotel was reduced to rubble, but Sarah survived the blast. Casara felt that the attack was unnecessary, and the loss of life completely uncalled for.

When Casara arrived onboard the Intrepid she immediately summoned her second in command senior Vanglead Seko Lesedi

Casara : " Who gave you authorization to fire?"

Seko : " Commander Aman ordered the attack on the Hotel"

Casara : " I'm the Captain of this ship! You take orders from me!"

Seko : " But!"

Casara : " No Buts! You of all people should know that! You're relieved of your position on this vessel! Furthermore I'm transferring you from the Expeditionary Division to Crystalorb Command!"

Seko : " As you wish!"

A moment later Casara opened a communication channel with Crystalorb Command Centre to discuss the situation

Casara : " Why would you do this Aman?"

Aman : " We are at War!”

Casara : " This War is no excuse to...!"

Aman : " War calls for hard choices Guardian!"

Casara : " I'm in command of this vessel Commander; I decide when and how this ship employs its weapons!"

Aman : " We had to send a message to the Americans!"

Casara : " And what kind of message is the killing of innocent lives?"

Aman : " They must understand that we won't stand for their interference. If this truce with the HOD does not hold then the war will intensify, and we cannot afford these delays."

Casara : " You make it sound as though you expect the truce to fail?"

Aman : " We must recover the Spirit Stone before the HOD decides to resume their War against us. Every moment we delay will be equalled in the blood of our people!"

It soon becomes clear to Casara that the Guardians in Crystalorb are still suffering from the effects of the absence of the Spirit Stone, and despite the recent ceasefire with the HOD war was still a real option for the Guardians.

Being away from Crystalorb had a calming influence on both Kato and Casara, and the drums of war seemed to beat less forcefully.

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Casara was in command of the only fully operational contingent, and because of this she resisted any attempt to drag her people into wider conflict.

The Expeditionary Division only suffered 30% casualties to its force during the Hodian attack, and the Expeditionary Recognisance in particular had only 12% casualties to its component. The primary reason for such numbers is the fact that many of those in the Expeditionary Division were deployed away from Crystalorb, and another component is the fact that the Expeditionary Division receives superior training.

The first Expeditionary Guardian Esara instituted an advanced training regiment for those under her command, and at the moment of truth her methods were vindicated. During the Hodian invasion of Crystalorb the Expeditionary Units proved their mantle, and the advanced techniques taught by Esara and Nalen proved very effective against the enormous numbers of the Hodian attack force.

In the hour of Crystalorb's greatest need the Expeditionary Units lived true the Vanguard Oath. They were the light on the hill, the line on the sand, and denied the Hodian further movement. The Expeditionary Units held back the Hodian advance until Naole's ship the Indigo arrived and drove the Hodian forces away. Because of the success of the Expeditionary Units the Crystalorb General Council decided that Esara and Nalen's training methods be the standard training methods for all units.

The Crystalorb General Council recognized another important thing about the Crystalorb forces, and that was normal human aspirations. The Crystalorb General Council pointed out that the presence of the Olen family in the Crystalorb forces posed unusual leadership challenges. Because of their special abilities the Olen family did not follow the normal career path that other professional warriors followed.

The Olen's were stronger and faster than the other warriors and that had the propensity to create animosity towards the Olen's. Following Amun's betrayal the Crystalorb General Council decided to restrict the 12 Sectors to those with clear Chest Crystal, and those without Chest Crystal would go to the Mobile Assets Defence Division, leaving those with any other colour Chest Crystal restricted to the Expeditionary Division and the Research Division.

The Crystalorb General Council noted that there was another factor that would always be of critical concern for Crystalorb security. The fact that Amun was able to reach Crystalline Form with the aid of Hodian Energy would always be of interest to Crystalans seeking power, and the possibility of desertion amongst the Crystalorb warrior elite would become a consideration when the time came for promotion to Guardian.

Casara grudgingly agreed to the new rules with the hope that it would reduce the propensity for future conflicts amongst Crystalans. Casara felt that Aman's actions were undermining her authority, and she wondered if it had anything to do with him wanting to prove that he can control a Red Guardian. The Intrepid was scheduled to search an area of the South Atlantic Ocean on its root home and was 2 days from expected arrival in port.

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Later that day Sarah arrived back in Washington and met with Mike Trotman the Director of the National Security Commission. Sarah was understandably upset that they were sent to confront a Crystal Guardian

Mike : " Good to have you back Lieutenant."

Sarah : " Good to be back Sir."

Mike : " You're the first to survive a confrontation with Crystalans."

Sarah : " They let me live Sir! They wanted me to deliver a message"

Mike : " What message?"

Sarah : " Don't fuck with them!"

Mike : " I doubt the Crystalans would use such language, they would consider it beneath them."

Sarah : " They were very polite, but the message was clear Sir."

Mike : " After the incident on Diego Garcia we need to know everything we can about these Crystal Guardians."

Sarah : " The Hodians we right Sir." taking a deep breath “No Hybrid can defeat a Crystal Guardian!"

Mike : " Yes; That much is clear." brief pause as Mike takes a drag from his cigar "Jack was one of the most powerful Hybrids on record."

Sarah : " She wasn't even wearing Crystal Armour Sir! She took us apart like we were nothing; it’s like we were nothing more than insects to her. I got the feeling that the one who was wearing Crystal Armour could destroy buildings with ease; he could level entire cities."

Mike : " Did he destroy the Hotel?"

Sarah : " Don't know Sir!"

Mike : " This could be a problem."

Sarah : " They had another message Sir."

Mike : " Another message?"

Sarah : " Their Council of Elders said; We are born of the Light, We live in the light, We stand down the road waiting for you!"

Mike : " Born of the Light?"

Sarah : " The holographic message said that Crystalorb is reaching out to humanity.”

Mike : " They Stand down the road waiting for humanity? Sounds like they telling us that they are more than human!"

Sarah : " They are definitely more than Human. However they seem to want to help Humanity!"

Mike : " Were you able to measure the energy output of the Crystal Guardian?"

Sarah : " It’s off the charts Sir; Over 20 Gigajoules/sec Sir. But I get the feeling that there's more below the surface."

Mike : " My God."

Sarah : " We are out of our depth Sir."

Mike : " The Crystalans are more dangerous than you know."

Sarah : " Dangerous Sir?"

Mike : " A small contingent of Crystalans destroyed our forward base on Diego Garcia! The Naval base on Diego Garcia was one of the most heavily defended bases in the world, with the latest in our state of the art weaponry, but the Crystal Armoured Crystalans destroyed the base with absolute ease. The President has designated the Crystalans as a strategic threat to the national security of the United States, and that means that they are our number one defence risk. After the attack on Diego Garcia Everyone is on edge. We are on a hair trigger, and information about the Crystalans has been classified beyond top secret."

Sarah : " What do we do Sir?"

Mike : " Nothing; Clearly this isn't the time to piss them off! With their Power Stone gone they are vulnerable, and that makes them more dangerous. If they think that we are taking sides in their war with the HOD they will attack us directly; plunging the world into the deepest crisis since World War 2. The President has ordered that we cease all operations aimed at the Crystalans. Apparently the Crystalans and Hodians have reached some sort of cease fire, and the President does not want us doing anything that could be perceived as hostile. Let’s hope we haven't ruined everything."

Sarah : " If the peace fails?"

Mike : " Then God help us all!" letting out a sigh "For the moment we can only hope." taking a drag from the cigar "Take 2 weeks R&R; Then we will be sending you to Hybrid city."

Sarah : " Crystal Valley City Sir?"

Mike : " If this thing goes hot we need to have people in place for counterattack! Understand that if they attack we have the elements in place to blow up the whole valley"

Sarah : " Understood Sir."

Director Mike Trotman knew that their nuclear missiles would not be able to break through the Black Crystal that covered Crystalorb, but they were desperate, and having SLBM aimed at Crystal Valley City gave the US leverage with the South African Government.

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