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Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 44: The Way Of The Wicked

Day 72 (2:30 AM the lost city)

"Sir Ram?! You survived!" I said as I greeted the evil beastial. It figures that many of the innocent perished while the evil and wicked didn't.

"I do boy. I see that you are thriving too... barely." The ram scientist said. "Ursa, Rhinox I am relieved that you made it too."

"It is nice to see a fellow warrior." The rhino said.

"Sir Ram?" Primrose asked.

"Yes, my dear I have her." The ram said to the rabbit.

"Have who?" Lady Ursa asked greeting her former colleague with a bear hug.

"...goat lady..." Rumble said peering behind the former Knight of Wundagore. She was wrapped in a white blanket and shivering as if she had been in a snowstorm then a blizzard then another snowstorm.

"Mara? How is that possible? She perished during the destruction of the castle!" I blurted out.

"I rescued her boy." The ram said.

"It took us a while to find her too." Cody added.

"But what about the damage to the timeline?" I asked. "I mean when did you remove her? That could have repercussions- I mean what if it was before she invented the prototypes?"

"I removed myself from the timeline boy." The wicked goat lady said to me. "By the way, it is nice to see you too."

"The damage was negligible boy." The evil ram said. "Given where you live now, the apparent quality of life you all enjoy and the company that you are keeping- times must be very, very hard." Sir Ram said.

"Shakara." I said to my lioness.

"I think it would be prudent to give our guests a check up commander." The lion lady said to our acting leader.

"I agree commander." Lady Ursa said lending her support. "Then afterwards we can catch up."

So Shakara and I escorted our four guests to the Infirmary in the central building, while Rumble returned to guard duty.

"So this is where you live now Alex?" Primrose asked.

"Yeah, it is a ancient underground city that was inhabited during the last cataclysm."

"Wow it certainly big." The rabbit beastial said.

"Medium size, but still remarkable in its own right." Sir Ram commented.

"It was discovered by Dawn Stern." Lady Ursa commented.

"You mean the archeologist Lord Tiger sent you to collect?"

"The same Sir Ram. This was her biggest discovery."

"It looks like it also turned out to be your sanctuary as well." Cody responded.

Rhinox and my mistress waited outside the infirmary as Shakara and I examined each of our visitors. Apart from being thirteen years older than the last time I spoke to them, they were in generally good health. However, Mara had not aged at all which led me to believe Sir Ram had gone back in time to save his lover.

"What is the prognosis boy?" The beastial scientist said.

"Some hypothermia- she just needs your love warm her up a bit."

(It was weird that he was asking me- he was the scientist. Perhaps he wanted to see how far along I was on my medical training.)

"That is good news boy, I searched long and hard to find her. So it is just the seven of you here?"

"Originally there were nine in this community sir." My lioness said to the ram.

"But two went missing under mysterious circumstances while two more appeared under even more mysterious circumstances." I added.

"Who?" Cody asked.

"A huge badger and a young avian girl." Primrose said. "They are in the room next to us."

"Lady Barq?" Sir Ram asked.

"The same." I responded.

"So three former knights are here?" The he beast concluded.

"Four now Rammie." Mara said coughing.

"Cody. Primrose, Alex, Shakara stay here." Sir Ram ordered. "The adults are going to have a talk."

"But I am an adult." The lioness protested.

"Also a wanted criminal as well am I right Shakara Kubari?" The goat lady said to my devious person.

"You know what? I think I will stay here." The dark tan lioness said.

Shakara, Primrose, Cody and I watched the goat and ram leave to join the rhino and bear in the hallway. They then went into the room next door to talk to Lady Barq. The conversation sounded quite intense.

That was when the little avian girl rounded the corner and came into the infirmary.

"Addy they tossed you out too?" The dark tan lioness said.

"Um-huh." She said surprised.

"I guess we should let them catch up." I said to our guests.

"Why?" The six year old youngling asked innocently.

"Because they haven't seen each other in a while." Shakara said.

"Why?" The little avian asked curiously.

"Because the in final weeks of the empire the master's enforcers were trying to hunt down rogue elements to his rule." I said trying to answer her question.

"Why?" She shot back.

"Because the dictator deemed those elements were a threat to his existence." Primrose answered.

"Why?"

"Well not all of his subjects were happy with the way they were being governed I guess." Mr. Spencer said adding his voice.

"Okay, I love you bye-bye." Addy said walking away.

"They are always so curious at that age." Shakara coo-ed.

"Um is she always like this?" Primrose asked.

"How about Shakara and I show you around?" I said to our guests.

(Hey, why not?! One of them already has a head start already.)

"That would be great, we were wondering what life here was like." Ms. Willow said.

"It looks like it is quite bad." The cat beastial said.

"Cody!" The rabbit said chastising him.

"Well, look the buildings are made of stone, the walkway is made of stone, the lighting is minimal and there doesn't appear to be any amenities of any kind." The former cat-boy observed.

"You probably think we are savages." Shakara said catching up to Addy."

"Well you are carrying a spear. Alex has a thumper." Mr. Spencer observed.

"It is a mace and standard protocol around here Cody. Everyone is to carry a weapon with us at all times." I said. "Now if you will follow me."

"No badger lady?" The little avian protested.

"Not right now little sweetie she is still meeting with old friends." Primrose said.

"Besides, wouldn't you like to explore where you are staying?" Shakara said to the bird girl.

She nodded.

"Well as you can see this is the second floor of the central building it is the centerpiece of the city. I think records from the previous civilization were housed here." I said starting the tour.

"What do you use this building for Alex?" The former cat-boy asked.

"It is a central meeting place for everyone here in the community. On the first floor is the commander's and professor Stern's offices and the eating room which is where we dine and have meetings. It also serves as our classroom." I said to Addy, Primrose and Cody.

"Here on the second floor you will find the Infirmary, some observation rooms, storage and this...." Shakara said.

As we walked through a doorway the Time Hunters and little avian took a good look around.

"What is this place?" Primrose asked.

"This is the washroom." I said to her. "We bathe and wash our clothing in here."

"What little you still have." The cat-boy said

"Cody!" Primrose growled.

"There is running water from the spigots at the sink, so we don't need to fetch water from a well."

"Where does that come from?" The rabbit girl asked.

"A stream a few miles from here." My lioness said. "Whoever designed this was ingenious- heated water is collected from the stream, pooled and then delivered in short bursts at the tap here when the spigot is touched. You touch it again to turn off the flow."

"And those over there?" The bird girl asked.

"Shower stalls but they don't appear to have any running water." Cody said.

"No, see those tubs above the stalls? Water is collected there; it is used to rinse off the bather." I responded.

"What about the waste receptacles over there? How do they work?" Primrose asked.

"Bodily waste is collected in those devices and forwarded to a swamp in the forest." Shakara said. "It is recycled back into the environment. Again, whoever designed it- did so in such a way as to prevent the city's detection."

"What is that over there?" Addy asked pointing.

"That is the soaking pool we use it for relaxing and socializing." I said cheerfully.

"Why?"

(Oh crap there she goes again!)

"With everything that is going on sometimes you just need a place to socialize." I said.

"Why?"

"It helps us to decompress Addy. Clothing of course is optional." The horny lioness said.

"Why?" The little girl added.

"Sometimes it is good to just let it all hang out." Shakara said.

"Why?"

"Clothing can be quite limiting and conforming at times and I don't always wish to conform." My devious person responded.

(I didn't like where this was going.)

"Um as I was saying, we also use the pool to wash clothing." I said to the little avian girl.

"Corey designed and built it." Shakara added. "Now if you come with us, we will show you the centerpiece."

We took our trio of guests to the roof of the central building.

"Wow, what a view- you can see the entire city!" Mr. Spenser exclaimed.

"Is it always this dark?" The rabbit asked.

"Prim, we are underground." I said to her. "Believe me, this it is lot safer than being above ground."

"You mean because it is warmer down here?" She asked me.

"Well the designers found a way to keep this place comfortable in the winter and in the summer." I said to our guests.

"How?" Cody asked.

"We are still trying to figure that out." My lioness responded. "It is a trade off though- we don't have to see the red sky down here or all the chaos and destruction."

"It is also well protected there are four entrances to the city. Each is protected by a maze that takes about 30 minutes to traverse on foot." I said. "It is an extra layer of protection the builders put in I suppose."

"That has come in quite handy too during some recent incursions." My lioness said.

"So have the limited technology we were able to obtain Shakara." I said to her.

"What about food ?" The cat beastial asked.

"We have The Madam to thank for that. We raided some storage caches she had placed around the empire otherwise we would have starved." Shakara said.

"When the weather gets better we plan to start growing our own food." I added. "During our travels we have found some areas that would be great for farming."

"It does look like you have a growing community here. Better than some of the ones we have seen." Primrose said.

"Well we struggled at first- food, clothing, water, supplies and then our own security. Well the last one turned out to be the most important." I commented.

"But we finally got to a point where we're ready to start searching for survivors to try to help those that are still out there." Shakara added.

"You plan to help survivors?" Addy asked.

"As much as we can." Sweetie.

"Why--"

(Oh no not again!)

"Why not bring them here?" The little girl asked.

(Phew!)

"You certainly have the space." The former cat-boy commented.

"I think that is in the plans but many things have to be worked out- like a permanent security force to guard the city." I said.

"We also have to figure out an adequate method for detecting the possessed so they don't slip in as well." Shakara said.

"What about the creatures roaming around?" Primrose asked.

"Those too." My devious person said.

"Last month we dealt with constant invasions by those things- we ended up closing off an exit in the end. But if those issues can be figured out we will start taking in those we find, those who are in need." I said to our guests.

"You mean those who aren't a threat to the city?" Addy said.

Cody, Primrose, Shakara and I looked down at the little bird girl.

"Correct." My lioness and I said in unison.

Sir Ram, Mara, Rhinox, Barq and my mistress had a very long meeting; it lasted for several hours. When they finally concluded it was around 7 AM. That was when they held a bigger meeting downstairs in the eating room. Shakara, myself, Addy, Cody, Primrose, Rumble, Corey and Corbin were included in this one as well as Overwatch and Wheels. It was a big, big meeting.

"Yay another morning meeting before school." Corey said sitting down next to his wolf and the mongoose boy.

"Actually this meeting is going to be special." The little mongoose boy said to the black haired teen and werewolf.

"...something happened..." Rumble said in a hushed tone.

"While Corbin and I were sleeping? Now I am intrigued. What was it?"

"...visitors..."

"More than that guys friends and colleagues of mine from World One." I said taking a seat next to three.

My perfect person and devious person soon entered the eating room followed by our latest editions to the community Lady Barq who was holding little Addy by the paw as they walked in.

"So you cleared those two?" I asked Shakara.

"Addy is responding to treatment little cutie, Lady Barq will take a while longer." My lioness stated.

"Um but she is up and about."

"Barely." She shot back.

Finally the beastials of the hour entered the room- Rhinox, Sir Ram and Mara. The three went to the counter and looked over all who assembled.

"Thank you for coming everyone." The commander said opening. "For those of you who didn't have the watch, we received some visitors overnight. "Sir Ram and Mara from

Wundagore Castle and their charges Cody Spencer and Primrose Willow all from World One."

"But World One was destroyed." Corbin said. "You make it sound like they had just come from there."

"We did youngling." Sir Ram said addressing the mongoose. "Just not from this year."

"Um, how is that possible?" Mr. Collins asked.

"My charges and I have been traveling back and forth through time at random for the last thirteen years looking for a way to rescue my beloved."

"And to defeat the synoptic right Rammy?" Mara said to her big horned sheep.

"That too my darling I was only successful on with the first mission, not the second. We have seen what this world looked like before time began, after time ended and the eras in-between. But after witnessing the death, misery and destruction after the fall- I am no closer I am sorry to say."

"Rammy has been looking into the synoptic's origins in attempt destroy it- but has not determined its weakness or how it arrived here on Counter Earth only that it is extraterrestrial in origin." The female goat said.

"We have been in discussions comparing notes and experiences since the fall." Commander Rhinox said.

"I have been made aware of the challenges and struggles facing your refugee camp." The ram warrior said. "Quite a collection you have here two humans, six beastials and a escaped lab creature."

"Honorary beastial Sir Ram." I said.

"What did you say boy?"

"Rumble is one of us sir knight- a fellow warrior and valued member of our community." The black haired teen said.

"I see you are stronger together than separate. Despite the fact that your camp was nearly annihilated several times over the last two and half months and is facing another crisis now." The ram warrior said deriding the teen.

"Your only saving graces was Rammy and my creations." The wicked goat lady added.

"Lady Ursa brought the blue prototype here and we found the silver prototype abandoned sometime later- but it has exhausted most of it weaponry and its functionality is severely limited." I said.

"We have been discussing that for the last several hours as well little human." Mara said as Cody and Primrose entered the eating area.

"The bottom line is this we will only be here for 28 hours more before being pulled back into the time stream. With the time left Mara and I will devote our efforts to make sure all of you are better prepared for the future."

(Wow, that is awfully generous even for Sir Ram.)

"Excuse me Mr. Knight what does that mean exactly?" The little mongoose boy asked.

"Sir Ram and Mara are going to augment and improve our defenses starting with the prototypes." Lady Ursa said to Corbin.

"It is the most we can do until I can devise a way to defeat the conqueror of worlds." The ram said.

"Is such a thing even possible?" Corey whispered.

"How so?" The little mongoose boy asked.

"I mean didn't you say that you encountered extraterrestrials that were fleeing their worlds from this thing freckles?" Mr. Collins said to me.

"I did. They had space faring technology and they still couldn't find a way to defeat ONE." I said as Rumble looked on.

"So what chance do we have?" Corey said.

"So what is the alternative? Continue hiding in the hope that things get better?!" Corbin asked.

"...flee..." The were-creature said.

"Just like Hue and Cassia or that alien family that crashed near the Frosts' farm." I said out loud.

"But where to?" Corey said. "We could head to the other side of the planet but it would be only a matter of time before we would have Others at our door again."

"What about abandoning the planet?" Corbin asked.

"What short stack? You are thinking about hooking up with the KLIS? I think they would love to have a mongoose to experiment on." Corey said sarcastically.

"What about that platform the professor was investigating?"

"You mean the one that caused her disappearance Corbin?" I asked.

"Yes. What if that led to some place far from here?"

"That would depend on what was on the other side- what if it was worse than we are experiencing now?" I said throwing that out there.

"...what if it is better..?"

Corbin, Corey and I glanced at the pensive were-creature.

"So how is my favorite test subject?" The wicked goat lady said walking up to our group.

"Mara. It is amazing that you are alive. I am still trying to figure out how?"

"Walk with me boy."

I followed the goat lady out of the eating room, the central building and on to the stone walkway were the blue and silver prototypes were parked.

"I heard I had been crushed by debris in my lab during the fall, is that correct?"

I nodded. "A dark being I know even confirmed your death Mara."

"So you want to know how is it that I am alive? Very well, I received a mysterious and very detailed note from Rammy to leave the morning of December 31st at 5 AM. To travel to the Dark Forest to meet with him at a particular spot on January 2nd. It was very specific. He warned in order to prevent a time paradox- not to tell anyone, pack enough supplies for two days and don't be late. He and the rabbit and cat appeared within hours of each other at the meeting place. They brought me up to speed and then I appeared here."

"So he removed you from the timeline before you died. Which means the timeline has been changed- but by how much?"

Mara didn't answer she sidestepped the question.

"So these are my prototypes. They look like hell!"

"The have been through hell Mara." I said to her.

"Overwatch, Wheels we have a visitor."

"Wheels little human?"

"Yeah- when we found the silver prototype that was the only thing working on it. So Corbin named the automated assistant Wheels.'

*Recognized Mara Goat Systems Specialist Castle Wundagore.*

*Emergency Authorization Alex Winter Wundagore Castle.*

*Mara is that you?*

"Overwatch." The wicked goat lady said sitting down in the driver's seat.

*I thought you perished?*

"I had, until Rammy reversed my demise."

"Overwatch display the visual record from December 31st and January 1st." I ordered.

Mara's eyes went wide as she saw the horrors of that day.

"This is the world we live in now, searching for survivors and defending against threats to our very existence Mara."

*Or in other words Mara this is why the prototypes look like hell.*

"Overwatch I want a complete systems diagnostic of all your systems and weaponry."

*Acknowledged Mara.*

I watched as the wicked goat lady studied the information that was on the screens in detail.

"Well given what this community has been through I am glad that both my creations made it. But where is the red prototype?"

"Still out there somewhere if it is even still functional." I said to Sir Ram's main squeeze.

From there Mara moved on to the silver prototype looking at diagnostic screens. She asked for something to take notes with. I gave her one of the communication cubes.

While she was working, Sir Ram and my mistress approached.

"Mara?"

"They both are in need of significant maintenance especially this one. I wish I had my lab."

"We will have to make do with what we have my nanny and soon." Sir Ram said to his lover.

"Then I will need some things." She said handing her main squeeze the cube. "Where can we find the items I need?"

"World Five." The evil beastial said. "I have a secret lab there. Lady Ursa would you join me for a supply run?"

To Be Continued....