HAGAR'S LITTLE HELPER - PART 6

I’ve gotten to know my captors well in the time they’ve been dragging me around the dungeon, just by listening to their conversation. The leader of the group is definitely the young man with the brown hair. The old man of the group calls him Zelaniel, while the others call him Zel. He’s trying hard to adjust to the weight of authority that rests on his shoulders as he takes point and orders his fellow rebels about. I also think he’s taken an interest in me for some reason. He’s stolen many a glance in my direction as we’ve been traveling along.

Tallam, the old human with the scar on his face, is a survivor of many battles past. He’s lost a great deal to Lotor’s occupation of his home world - his family, his home, many friends. Yet he still carries himself with a dignity that keeps his back straight and his shoulders squared despite his perpetually wearied expression. He is the wise old mentor of the group, and Zelaniel leans heavily on his advice as we hurry through one darkened corridor after the other.

Reid, the dark-haired youth, is a very good friend of Zelaniel’s, judging by the way they exchange banter with each other. He jokes around and teases Zelaniel much of the time, but when Zelaniel gives him a serious order he carries it out without hesitation.

Dana the trigger-happy one seems to be a loner who just came along for the ride. When she’s not threatening me with her rifle, she’s voicing her observations on male behavior. Her catty little remarks are mostly ignored unless Zelaniel gets offended or Reid makes a snappy comeback at her.

Then there’s Aria, the unwilling target of Cossack’s affections. She’s Zelaniel’s younger sister. She seems to be a very sheltered type, a girl who’s getting her first dose of how things really work in the universe. Unlike the rest of the group, she takes in everything around her with genuine fascination. Zelaniel wavers between letting her help scout out the area like the rest and trying to keep her out of harm’s way. I find myself feeling very envious of his demonstration of concern for her. I know it’s not the sort of thing I’ll ever see from my own brother.

After a long march through a dark tunnel we arrive at an archway flanked by carved pillars of black marble that opens into a huge room with a vaulted ceiling. A few suspended lights activate at random points, revealing the rubble and debris that’s strewn all over the floor. The rebels jump at the sudden flood of light and raise their weapons, casting wary glances at the piles of broken rock everywhere. Dana takes her eyes off of me to search higher up along the walls. My strength and clarity of mind have returned and I could easily net her before she realized what was going on, but I’m too distracted myself. Magical sigils have flared to life on the walls all around us. I can barely read half of the symbols that are present. The only other place I’ve seen them is in a dusty old tome kept under lock and key and grim-faced guard in the school library back on Kian. I wander over to one of the archway pillars to take a closer look at some of them.

“What do you see?” Zelaniel’s voice is suddenly at my left ear. I startle and snap my head around to look at him. He gives me a slight smile. I release my held breath.

“Why didn’t you send your watch dog after me?”

“She has her hands full,” he replies and points. Dana is leaning against the other pillar and sulking as Reid ribs her about letting me get away. I laugh a little, and Zelaniel smiles a little wider. Then he turns serious.

“You didn’t run. You didn’t attack us with magic either.”

“Entirely a strategic matter. That hold spell is the only one I know, and it doesn’t work very well on groups.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. I noticed how you’ve been studying us the whole time we’ve been on the run. You’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to spring something on us. So why haven’t you?”

“As I said, it was strategic. I was waiting for you all to bring me here, to a place where I could work my magic easily.”

He shakes his head again. “You said you didn’t know how to get around the castle, and I believe it’s true because you looked just as unfamiliar with the surroundings as everyone else as we were going along.”

“My, but you’re an observant one, aren’t you?”

“Apparently not observant enough.” He squints at the spot I was reading from. “Either you’re seeing something I don’t, or you’re a very good actress.”

“There’s magic in this room. Very old magic. That’s what activated the lights overhead when we came in, and it looks like there were other things it was meant to do, mostly for comfort and cosmetic reasons.”

Zelaniel casts a look around the area. “It looks like a giant banquet hall...maybe a ball room. Something royal and fancy. Could we be in Zarkon’s original mansion, maybe?”

“No. These things have been around for far longer than Zarkon ever was. I don’t know much about Castle Doom’s layout, but I do know something of its history. The foundation was built over the former palace of the ruler who governed from this planet before Zarkon took over and established the Doom Empire.”

“You know, that’s something I’ve always wondered about. With all the better, brighter worlds that Doom has under its control, why didn’t Zarkon set up a castle somewhere else? Why this planet, of all places?”

“It has something to do with an old secret that’s hidden here. Hagar used to make little hints about it, but she never told me much. I think there’s powerful magic hidden in this structure that Hagar was able to access in order to help Zarkon build the Empire.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Castle Doom was designed to cover this area completely, and when Lotor had it rebuilt after Voltron destroyed it, Hagar insisted that it be erected on the exact same spot. The base was made even wider to conceal both this area and the original foundation.”

“I think you’re right, then - there must be something worth protecting in here somewhere. Is that what you see on the walls?”

“Do you trust me?”

He studies my face for a long moment. “Yes.”

“Make a circle with your thumb and forefinger and hold it up.”

He does, and I blow into it and whisper the phrase of magical sight. “See for yourself. Look through the circle.”

He brings his hand close to his eye and gapes at what he sees. “Wow...strange writing...it looks like it’s etched in golden light.”

“That’s the power of the magic in them. The brightness of the writing tells you how strong the energy running through it is.”

“Amazing.” He lowers his hand and looks at it. “How do I stop...this?”

“Just open your fingers. The magic vanishes once the connection is broken.”

“Ah.” He blinks at the tiny wisp of smoke that rises from his hand. “What was that?”

“Just the dissipation of the magic, that’s all. It won’t hurt you.”

“While we’re on the subject of hurt, you realize that we really have no intention of shooting you, right?”

“Most of you, don’t you mean?” I nod my head in Dana’s direction. She looks like she’s about to explode on the spot from sheer jealousy. It gives me a very warm feeling inside.

“Don’t mind her. She’s got a very big grudge to carry toward Lotor and most Drules in general.” He frowns a little. “Her father died in an attempt to destroy the lazon reserves on Galib three months ago. She’s been looking for revenge ever since.”

“I don’t think that’s a grudge-like expression on her face right now. Do you?”

He turns away, looking quietly embarrassed. “Umm...”

“Zel, hey Zel!” Reid waves at us from a doorway across the room. “When you’re through having your little chat with the princess, come check this out! I found a secret stash!”

Zelaniel glances at me and starts in Reid’s direction. I follow after him. Dana falls into step halfway along, brandishing her rifle. As we get near, Reid holds up a brightly-colored box for all to see. It bears an image of a smiling little human girl with both her hands full of sweets.

“Just look at this,” Reid says. “There’s all sorts of stuff - candy, chocolates, canned food, dried jerky, pre-packaged microwave dinners, cigarettes, liquor, soap bars, perfume...and girlie magazines!”

Aria makes a face as she and Tallam reach the rest of us. “Can we avoid using the term ‘girlie’ for the time being? Cossack called me that constantly while I was in his company. I’d rather not be reminded, thank you.”

“Oops, sorry.” He looks at Zelaniel. “You wanna give the go-ahead to dig in? I’m starving.”

“Reid, this stuff could have been down here for a long time -”

“Nahh, it’s all good. I checked the expiration dates.”

“It could be poisoned then,” Dana says.

“I doubt it,” I say to the group. “This is all contraband. Only nobles are allowed to have these items in any great quantity. They fetch quite a price on the shadow market.” I take a step forward to get a closer look. “Yes, all of this is...wait, I think some of these things came from my ship!” I pick up a box of the candy. “Yes they did! These are my chocolate truffles! Why, those rotten little bandits!”

The others burst into laughter. Even Dana seems to be amused. I pout at them all as I clutch the box to myself protectively.

“This isn’t funny - these are my favorites!”

Zelaniel smirks at me. “Okay, princess, you can keep your truffles. Tallam, Reid, let’s check to see if any of the food has been tampered with.”

“I know how to negate poison if it has been,” I say to him. The other four blink at me, then turn to their leader.

“We can trust her,” he says to them. “She’s had more than enough opportunity to strike at us.”

“Maybe she just doesn’t think the time is right yet,” Dana says.

This woman is getting on my last nerve. I slip one hand up to rest over the charm around my neck, the gesture hidden by the candy box I hold in front of me. The rifle in Dana’s hands suddenly leaps from her grasp, turns and points itself at her. There is a collective gasp of surprise, then all eyes fix on me.

“I don’t care if you people get away from here,” I tell them. “I never have. As a matter of fact, I think it would serve my brother right if you escaped.”

I nod at the rifle and it drops to the floor with a clatter that makes them all jump. Then I walk over to a stone block and sit down to enjoy some of my truffles. The others have an exchange in heated whispers, then Zelaniel declares the conversation ended at a volume loud enough for me to hear. I raise my head to look at him. He’s staring right at me. I make a point of keeping my eyes on him as I take a bite of chocolate. He frowns and turns away.

“Let’s grab some of this stuff to take along with us,” he says to no one in particular. Tallam and Reid set to the task at once. The older man pockets several packs of the cigarettes, hooks a hunting knife he’s found on his belt and passes flashlights all around. Reid separates some bottles of spring water from the pile and slips a sleazy magazine into his coveralls when he thinks no one is looking. Zelaniel brings his sister a chunk of dried meat and some water, and she begins to devour it in earnest. I study the two of them quietly for a moment.

Why, Lotor? Why can’t we get along like that?

Zelaniel approaches with more of the dried meat and a bottle of water in hand. “This’ll have to do for now, unless you want some of the canned goods. There’s nothing to make a fire with, though, so we can’t heat anything up.”

“That’s quite all right, thank you. I have my nourishment.” I pop another chocolate into my mouth. He laughs.

“Man does not live by chocolate alone.”

I chew and swallow my morsel, then lick the melted bit off of my fingertips. “Speak for yourself. I’m not a man.”

“I’ll say.” His gaze falls to my cleavage briefly and he grins. I arch an eyebrow at him. His cheeks redden, he clears his throat noisily and he sets the food down near me.

“Keep it for later,” he blurts and hurries over to where Reid is happily continuing with his sorting. Aria watches him for a moment, then she looks around at me. I shrug and eat another chocolate. She frowns a little and goes back to eating her meal.

I walk over to sit beside her and offer the box of candy. After much hesitation she thanks me quietly and takes a single truffle, giving a little moan of pleasure as she pops it into her mouth. I nudge her arm gently with the box and she gives me a guilty smile as she takes a second one without hesitation. We share a quiet giggle together.

Tallam suggests we relocate behind a fallen section of pillar large enough to conceal the group. Zelaniel decides that his suggestion makes sense, so we all relocate to the safer area. Reid turns his head to regard something in a doorway he passes by and steps into the room beyond. Lights come on in the area. A few moments later he comes back to the mouth of the doorway with a smile on his face and excitement in his voice.

“Guys, guys!” he yells. “I found a treasure room! Check it out!”

He vanishes back into the room before Zelaniel can reply. Tallam and Aria head in that direction. Dana approaches me with her rifle raised. I look at her, then at the rifle.

“Have you got a good grip on it this time?”

Her expression turns dark. “You ever try that again and you’re dead. Count on it.”

I close my box of chocolates and rise to my feet, regarding her with a little smirk. There is a flash of something in her eyes that looks like fear, then it’s business as usual; I get prodded all the way to the room.

At the archway, something glowing red at my feet catches my eye. There is a warning sigil on the floor, partly obscured by dust. I crouch down to wipe the dust away and get another prod in the ribs an instant later.

“Nobody gave you permission to stop,” Dana snaps.

“Wait, let her go,” Zelaniel replies. He comes up alongside me and crouches down nearby. “What is it, Tira?”

“This is a Warning Rune…it’s set up to -” I follow a line of red glow that leads from the marking to deeper in the room. It goes straight to a thick metal door set in a wall directly opposite. The door has been knocked askew, most likely from the castle’s last run of devastation. Gold, jewels and other valuables have spilled through the breach and lie scattered amid the debris. The red line touches the door, traces around it and vanishes under more rubble. I follow the path it may have taken with my eyes.

“Hey Zel, think we could take some of this with us?” Reid calls to him. I glance Reid’s way. He has gold chains hanging off of each wrist and coins tumbling from both hands.

Zelaniel rises to his feet. “Reid, we’re not here to loot the place.”

“You gotta be kidding me!” Reid shoots back. “With all the thieving Zarkon has done? Turnabout is fair play. We could bribe every Doom soldier on Marlowe with what I’ve got in my pockets right now!”

“I said no, Reid!” Zelaniel starts in that direction. Dana takes the opportunity to prod me again when his back is turned. I rise to my feet and stare her down.

“Look, you - there’s something dangerous in this room that I don’t think should be tampered with, and I’m trying to figure out what it is. I’m sick of your constantly prodding me with that security blanket of yours, so either you shoot me right now or go shove it somewhere!” I slap the barrel aside and Dana gapes at me in surprise. I ignore her and turn to try and locate where the red line has gone.

I find it easily on the wall to my right. The line has become a loose weave that blocks a dimensional portal. Just beyond the weave, something glares at the people near the treasure with malevolent red eyes.

A Guardian. Oh no…

“Stop!” I wave my arms at them frantically. “Drop those valuables and get away from there! Do it now!”

Zelaniel hurries over to me. “Tira? What’s the matter?”

“There’s a Guardian bound to this treasure room. If you take anything from that vault, it will be set loose to rip you to shreds.”

Aria startles and drops the diamond necklace in her hands as if it were hot. Reid makes a face.

“What guardian?” He demands. “I don’t see anybody but us in here.”

Dana smirks and walks further into the room, waving her rifle all around. “Yoo-hoo, Mister Guardian…come out, come out wherever you are…!”

I take Zelaniel by the sleeve. “You have to believe me. It’s being held at the threshold of a portal, waiting to attack. Crossing the warning line with any stolen items will set it loose. We’ve got to get out of here!”

“Let me see,” he says and makes a circle with his fingers. I cast the spell and point at the wall. He takes a look and the color drains from his face. He rushes over to grab his sister by the arm and drag her away from the vault.

“Reid, let’s go! That thing is over eight feet tall. Let’s not make it angry, okay?”

“What thing? Where is it?” Reid tilts his head and studies the wall Zelaniel was just staring at. “There’s nothing there.”

Tallam has joined us on our side of the room. The expression on Zelaniel’s face seems to have convinced him. Reid remains where he is, ankle deep in gold coins. Dana is still making a show of waving her rifle about. Zelaniel glares at them both.

“Come on, you two! Get over here, now! This is not a joke!”

Reid sighs and begins to empty his pockets. Dana is staring at the wall where the creature is held. The Guardian stares back at her, unseen. A forked tongue darts out to wet its lips. Dana shudders slightly, her own subconscious trying to warn her, but she simply frowns at the sensation, gives up trying to see what isn’t there and starts back toward us. Reid casts a wistful look at the items scattered at his feet. He starts to leave, but doubles back to grab a single coin.

“Couldn’t hurt to take just this, right?” He says with a grin as he goes.

“No!” I yell at him. “The hold on the Guardian will be broken if you take even one -”

Just then, Reid steps across the red line on the floor. It snaps like a wire under tension and the weave holding the creature back unravels quickly. Everyone gets to see the treasure’s keeper now as it first thrusts a clawed hand through the bare wall, then emerges fully into the room. It’s actually nine feet tall if one counts the twin horns jutting out from its temples. Thick gray scales cover its humanoid form. The rows of pointed teeth set in its lizard-like maw gleam wetly as it bares them at us in a mockery of a grin.

Aria screams and runs to hide behind a pillar. Dana takes aim with her rifle and fires off a volley that seems to singe the creature slightly but not much else. Reid flings the coin aside and runs for his life. But the Guardian knows all too well who has disturbed its charge, and it makes a straight line for him, plodding its way through the piles of rock blocking its path.

“Help!” Reid wails. “Somebody help me!”

Zelaniel and Tallam rush over to join Dana and cover Reid’s retreat with rifle fire. Reid runs between them all and dives into a hole in the wall nearby. The Guardian swats the others aside as if they were toys and heads straight for the hole, clawing at it to open it wider. Reid is crying for help from inside, his voice shrill with panic. Tallam and Dana regain their feet and continue firing at the beast, but to no avail. I have to do something about this, and do it now. I grasp my focus charm and stare at the thing’s scaly back.

“S’terr, otolo grethe.”

The creature stops its digging and slowly turns to face me.

“Sleetha…?” it growls.

I nod at it. “Sleetha. Dou tou a’heia.”

The Guardian looks pleased. It gives me a deep bow and its form abruptly turns into greenish smoke that whiffs away into nothingness. Tallam and Dara immediately go to help Reid out of his hiding place.

“What happened…?” He asks as he cautiously pokes his head out into the open.

“It’s gone!” Aria exclaims with relief as she emerges from behind the pillar. “Tira made it vanish!” She turns to me. “How did you do that?”

“I told the Guardian that it was released from service and it was free to go,” I reply. “Beings like that value their freedom the same as anyone else.”

She smiles slightly, then her expression turns to worry as she looks around the room. “Where’s my brother?”

We both spot him at the same time, lying sprawled on his back amid the treasure and debris. He appears to be unconscious and the front of his coveralls is soaked with blood. Aria shrieks and runs to his side. Tallam and Dana look around from where they are helping Reid and abandon him to hurry over as well. Reid clambers free of his hiding place and I run over as well to join the group.

“The Guardian must have done it when it knocked him aside,” I hear Tallam say. “With the claws that thing had, it was certainly capable of doing so.”

“He’s bleeding!” Aria wails. “Somebody help him!”

Reid looks miserable. “I’ll see if there are any medical supplies to be found.” He dashes out of the room. I look over Tallam’s shoulder to see what damage has been done. Zelaniel has three large gashes across his chest. I think the old man was right in his assessment of what happened. Even a casual slap from that creature could have done this kind of damage.

“Here, move aside,” I say to Tallam. “I can help him.”

“No way!” Dana aims her rifle right at my head. “You’re not going to use any of that magic of yours. You’ll just cast a spell on him!”

“Dana!” Aria yells with the most force in her voice I’ve ever heard. “Stop being such a bitch and put the rifle down! She’s going to help my brother!”

Dana does as commanded, staring at Aria with genuine surprise as she takes a step back. I start to work on the wounds at once, calling up healing energy to soak into the gashes.

“It’s blue…” Aria says, her concern for her brother fading into fascination with what I’m doing.

“This is a mistake,” Dana hisses. “We’re all going to be sorry for this.”

“Shut up, Dana,” Aria snaps at her without looking around. I ignore the transaction, despite my wanting to smile at it, and keep my focus on healing Zelaniel‘s injuries. The energy weaves itself through the wounds, working like stitches to pull the torn flesh together. Soon only fine white scars remain where the bloody gashes once were. I straighten up and step back. For a long time, no one speaks. Then Aria’s voice breaks the stillness.

“You fixed him? He’s okay, just like that?”

“Yes. Not all magic is meant to do harm.” I turn to look at Dana. She avoids meeting my gaze.

“He’ll wake up soon, right?” Aria takes one of her brother’s hands in both of her own.

“Yes,” I tell her. “As a matter of fact, he should be coming around any moment now.”

Aria nods to herself and smoothes a hand over Zelaniel’s forehead. He groans and stirs to life.

“What happened…?” He props up on his elbows and regards us all with confusion for a moment. Then he looks down at himself and takes notice of his bloody clothing briefly before his sister leaps at him, throws her arms around his neck and hugs him. Reid shows up right them with an armload of bandages and ointment. He takes in the scene before him with an arched eyebrow.

“Umm…I take it that things are under control, then.” He says.

Tallam rises to his feet and claps Reid on the shoulder. “Everything’s fine. Tira has taken care of it.”

Reid watches in disbelief as Zelaniel gently disengages from his happy sister, stands up and walks over to where he is. He looks down at the medical supplies in his hands, then at Zelaniel.

“Sorry, man,” he says.

Zelaniel tilts his head, studies Reid for a minute, then he swats him across the back of the head. “Idiot! Why didn‘t you listen to her?”

“Oww!” Reid cringes, both from the hit and the anger in Zelaniel’s voice. “I thought she was just trying to scare us into not taking anything, that’s all.”

“Well, now you know she was telling the truth. From this point on, if she says ‘don’t do something’, we don’t do it. Understand?”

“Yeah, I got it.” Reid frowns and sets his armload down. Dana glares at me. I smile back at her. She promises me pain and suffering through her eyes. Tallam’s voice cuts through the void between us.

“Let’s grab the supplies and get out of here before we stir up something else we don’t want to,” he says.

I look around at Reid. “You can go and fill your pockets now that the Guardian is gone, if you still want to.”

“No thanks,” he replies with a dismissing wave of his hand. “I’ll pass.”

We leave the treasure room and scramble to collect everything we can carry from the stash of contraband. Aria rubs at her arms and shivers. Her skimpy clothing simply isn’t meant for roaming around a dank, chilly dungeon. Reid hands her a wine-colored cloak with gold embroidery around the edges. It’s one of mine, stolen along with my box of chocolates and who knows what else. She wraps it around herself, happy to have the warmth. I decide to keep the matter of ownership to myself.

Once some final decisions are made about what will be taken and what won’t, Reid retrieves a duffel bag to hold all the goods. As he packs the items into the bag he glances into one of the crates and smirks at something he has found.

“Say, Zelaniel - I just found a change of clothes you could use…” He chuckles as he holds up the Drule soldier uniform for his friend to see.

“Beggars can’t be choosers at this point. Let me see if it fits.” Zelaniel takes the uniform, holds it up against himself. “Looks like it will.” He goes off to a spot where he can get some privacy and changes quickly. Aria giggles at him as he rejoins the group in his new outfit.

“It looks good on you,” Reid says with a grin. “Ever think about changing sides?”

“You’re not funny,” Zelaniel replies. “Just for that, you get to be the pack mule.”

Reid shoulders the fully-loaded bag with a salute. “Yes Sir, Mister Drule Sir.”

“Oh, you’re a riot. Can we get going now?” Zelaniel shoulders his rifle and starts off briskly. Everyone follows after him just as quickly.

A laser rifle, a coil of rope and climbing gear. Some water to drink along the way. A knife, a flashlight and a cat. This is all I have to put to use to rescue Tira. It isn’t much to work with. But it means that I’ll be able to travel light, and therefore fast. Speed is of the essence.

I’m determined to do whatever is necessary to accomplish my goal, no matter what I happen to have on hand. I’ll even use my bare hands if I have to. I will let nothing stand in my way.

I wonder why Hagar asked me if I like the color red?

I need to find Kyle. I’d feel better about my chances of success if I had him around to keep my back. I look down at the cat where he sits cleaning himself on the floor.

“Coba, can you help me to locate a friend of mine?”

The cat regards me with a tilt of his head and a flick of one ear. He continues to stare as if he’s waiting for me to say more.

“My friend Kyle? Shorter than me, blue hair, good with a rifle? I need to find him as soon as possible.”

It seems as if he’s understood everything I said. He gets right up and heads for the door. I grab the gear I’ve collected and follow him.

“So what’s th’ deal here, Talik? We close to finding ‘em or not?” Cossack pauses at the unlit intersection, turns to frown at me.

“Please give me just a moment, Commander. I’m trying to get my bearings.”

“Yer bearings? You wouldn’t have lost ‘em if you kept ‘em in your pocket in the first place.”

“Beg pardon, Sir?”

“I was makin’ a funny. Bearings, like ball bearings? Don’tcha get it?”

The soldiers behind me break into polite laughter for Cossack’s benefit. He looks at them, then at me.

“See, they all got it. I think maybe you’re a little on the dense side, Captain.” He breaks into a wide grin. The soldiers laugh some more. Cossack looks pleased with himself. I sigh inwardly and return my thoughts to the problem on hand.

“All signs indicate that the rebels are headed to the foundation level, Commander.”

“So wassat mean?”

“It means that there are lots of places for them to hide, but I know this area well because I had to lead a survey team through this area to check for structural damage a while back. With all the exits to the upper levels covered they won’t be able to evade us forever. It’s just a matter of time before we close in on them.”

“Good, good. Th’ sooner we find my girlie, th’ better.”

“And the princess, of course.”

“Yeah, yeah, th’ princess too. Whatever.” He makes a dismissive wave and I arch an eyebrow at him. When he turns to face me fully, the expression on his face is dead sober.

“Send th’ troops on ahead a little, willya? We gotta talk.”

“Yessir.” I wave the men forward, and as soon as they reach the far end of the hall Cossack claps a hand on my shoulder.

“We got some dirty work to do, Captain,” he says. “Really dirty. Lemme fill ya in on it.”

“What’s the matter, Tira?” Reid comes up even with me where I stand with a death grip on the railing, staring out at the catwalk that stretches into the shadows beyond.

My words all come in a panicked rush. “We have to cross that reservoir, and I can’t swim - I mean, not that I’m afraid of water, I’m not afraid of small amounts of water, but if it’s large and deep, I -”

“Think we could double back, then?” Reid looks around at Zelaniel.

“I don’t think so. We need to find a place that’s relatively secure to hide in so we don’t get any surprises while we wait to see if Lotor is going to give in to our demands.” He comes up and places a hand on my shoulder. “We have to keep going, Tira.” He frowns slightly. “You’re trembling.”

I make a face at him. “I did say I was afraid, did I not?”

He purses his lips, then he moves to my side to take me firmly by the waist. “Come on. I’ll take you across. Reid, get her hands off the rail.”

“No wait! I just need a moment to regain control - let go of me, I am not a child!”

Reid pries my fingers loose and Zelaniel steps onto the catwalk. I squeeze my eyes shut and fling my arms around his neck. The soles of my feet tingle like I’m walking barefoot on fuzzy gravel as I’m dragged along, step by hesitant step.

I hear a creak and the catwalk shifts slightly; it makes me gasp and cling all the tighter. As I do, I catch the scent of starched, pressed uniform fabric. It reminds me of Garn. My imagination takes hold and suddenly it’s his shoulder that I’m leaning on, his arm wrapped around me to keep safe from harm. I smile to myself and relax in his hold. Everything will be just fine…

“Tira?” Zelaniel’s voice snaps me out of my musing. “We’re here. You can open your eyes now.”

The floor beneath me feels as solid as the confidence in Zelaniel’s voice. I relax my grip and open my eyes to look around. The rest of the group is crossing the catwalk with ease, their flashlights showing the way. Reid arrives first to grin at Zelaniel.

“If I’d known this was the end result, I’d have volunteered to take her myself.”

It’s then I realize that even though I’ve loosened my hold on Zelaniel, I haven’t let go of him entirely. He still has his arm around my waist. We blink at each other and separate quickly. Reid is amused, but Dana certainly isn’t. She glares at me with unbridled hatred as she steps down on to the floor.

“Can we rest here for a little bit before we go on?” Aria asks. “I could use some water.”

“Good idea,” Zelaniel replies, and we all plop on benches lining the room on one side. Reid passes water and dried meat around, since he’s been elected to carry most of the supplies. Then he sets the bundle aside. Zelaniel decides to take a look a little further on to see what we’re up against. Tallam and Reid go with him. Dana gets up and wanders over to the catwalk, near a spot where the railing has broken. She stares into the water as if transfixed. Aria tilts her head as she studies her.

“Dana, what are you doing?”

“I thought I saw something in the tank when we came across, but I’m not sure.” She resumes her fixation on the water just a few feet below where she stands. Aria shrugs and goes back to eating.

“Yes, there it is! I saw the tail! It looks just like that thing from the treasure room!” She looks at me. “I thought you made that thing go away! I think it’s following us!”

“What? That can’t be. I freed it from the binding. There’s no reason for it to want to chase us now…” I go over to where the railing along the edge of the water tank meets the catwalk itself and grip the railing firmly as I attempt to locate whatever it is that Dana has been staring at. Behind me I hear Aria going to call for her brother.

“What’s that light then, down there? Do you see it?”

There really is a bright spot in the water, far below the surface. At first I’m skeptical about a Guardian being present. But on a barren world like this one, water can become a valuable resource worth protecting. I edge up cautiously onto the catwalk to get a better angle to see it with, my hand still gripping the railing firmly.

“That doesn’t look like magic of any sort,” I mutter to myself. “It looks like it’s just -”

Right then I feel a solid thump in the bottom that pitches me face-first toward the water. My grip on the handrail slides along until I feel jagged metal scratch across my palm, then I am swallowed up by cold, wet darkness. I break the surface with a pitiful, raspy cry for help as I flail about in the water. Dana is staring down at me with a smile that clearly shows her pleasure at seeing me in such a predicament. She turns into a featureless blur as I sink below the surface again.

She pushed me into the water, knowing full well that I cannot swim, and with all the others gone she fully intends to stand there and let me drown. The anger that fills me overrides my panic long enough to let me struggle my way back to the surface. I give another cry of help, louder this time, and hiss a curse at her as I once again begin to sink. I see her throw a look of surprise over her shoulder before the water closes over me a final time.

To Hagar's Little Helper: Part 5

To Hagar's Little Helper: Part 7