Black Water

EELONG

Bobby Pendragon never made it home.

He and Gunny and Kasha left Black Water, made the long journey back toward Leeandra and got as far as the tree that held the flume. They entered the small tunnel at its base, crawled through the vines, descended the root stairs toward the underground cavern, stepped over the pile of gar bones, and came face-to-face… with Mark, Courtney, Spader, and Boon.

Bobby stood there in stunned silence, not fully understanding what he was seeing. There was a long, tense moment where everyone stared at one another. It was Mark who broke the ice first.

“S-Surprise,” he said meekly.

“What are you guys doing here?” Bobby said with dismay. “I told you not to use the flume!”

“We didn’t have a choice,” Courtney said.

“Why not?” Bobby shouted. “Did Saint Dane pick you up and throw you in?”

“Don’t be angry, mate,” Spader said. “Listen to what they have to say.”

Bobby focused on Spader. Seeing him was almost as surprising as seeing Mark and Courtney. “Spader! Did you bring them here?”

“Yes,” Spader said. “But-“

“There’s no buts!” Bobby shouted. “This is wrong! The territories aren’t supposed to be mixed. Get them out of here before-“

“Seegen died on Second Earth,” Courtney said calmly. “We were there.”

That got Bobby’s attention.

“You saw my father die?” Kasha asked. “What happened?”

Courtney and Mark explained everything they had been through, from getting the note to go to the flume, to Seegen’s death, to their fearing it was the poison from Cloral that killed him. Spader explained how Mark and Courtney came to Cloral with a sample of Seegen’s fur. They tested it and confirmed it was the Cloral poison. No mistake. Finally Spader said that ten tanks of the deadly poison were missing.

“Seegen was fine when he left for the flume,” Boon announced. “But he went with Yorn, and since Yorn was really Saint Dane, that means-“

“Saint Dane poisoned my father,” Kasha said as if spitting it out.

“And the poison is here on Eelong,” Courtney added.

“How bad is this poison, Spader?” Gunny asked.

“It’s a nasty-do,” Spader answered. “It works on living things, turning them deadly. Eat something infected and you’ll be dead before you know you’re in trouble.” He looked to Kasha and said, “It’s how my father died, too.”

“All those dead tangs on the farm!” Boon exclaimed. “That fruit didn’t just go bad. Saint Dane must have been testing the poison!”

“That’s what Seegen thought,” Courtney said.

“What if this poison touches a klee, or a gar?” Kasha asked.

“Instant death,” Spader answered. “At least, that’s what my brainy mates on Cloral tell me.”

“Bobby,” Mark said, “Saint Dane said he was going to w-wipe out the gars, but there was no way he could do that just by getting klees to hunt them. But with this poison, he can kill thousands.”

“That doesn’t make sense!” Boon interrupted. “If it’s so deadly, he can’t use it on the gars without poisoning the klees, too!”

“So maybe he’ll just poison everybody and get it over with,” Courtney suggested. “He is a bad guy, after all.”

“No,” Gunny said. “That’s not how he works. He wants the people of the territories to bring about their own destruction. All he does is push them into making foolish choices. He’ll get the klees to use the poison on the gars, all right. I don’t doubt that.”

“But how can he get the klees to poison so many gars without getting poisoned themselves?” Boon asked.

Nobody jumped in with an answer. There was a long silence, then Mark said softly. “It’ll be easy.”

Everyone looked at Mark. Mark cleared his throat and continued, “We read it in Bobby’s last journal. I think it’s why Saint Dane is here right now. This is the turning point of Eelong. When the radio message is sent from Black Water to start the Advent, every gar on Eelong will go there.”

The horrible truth suddenly became obvious to everyone in the cavern. It was Gunny who said it out loud. “If the gars are all in one place, then it would be nothing short of-“

“Genocide,” Bobby whispered. “That’s what Saint Dane promised. That’s his plan. Genocide.”

“That’s it,” Gunny said, stunned. “If the klees poison Black Water after the Advent, they’ll not only wipe out the gars, they’ll destroy everything the gars learned about growing enough food to feed the territory. The klees will be killing off their only hope of survival.”

Bobby’s head was spinning. This was all too much to believe, even for him. He sat down on the flat rock, stunned. Courtney sat next to him.

“You okay?” she asked.

“He told me everything,” Bobby said, reeling. “He told me what he planned to do, like he was daring me to stop him. He even said that you and Mark figured it out.”

“And we can stop him,” Courtney said. “We brought the antidote from Cloral. All we have to do is figure out how to use it.”

“You brought the antidote?” Bobby asked, surprised. “But Uncle Press said never to mix anything between territories.”

“Press is gone, Bobby,” Courtney said firmly. “Things have changed. You don’t want Saint Dane to get another territory, do you?”

Bobby closed his eyes, as if the thought actually hurt to be inside his head. He jumped to his feet, walked to the far side of the cavern, and huddled down, hugging his knees. The others watched him nervously, not sure of what to say. Spader made a move to go after him, but Gunny held him back.

“Leave him be,” Gunny said. “He needs to work this through.”

The tension in the cavern was intense. Nobody was sure what the next move should be, or if Bobby could get his act together and help figure it out.

Courtney approached Kasha and said, “I’m sorry about your father.”

Kasha nodded in appreciation.

Mark joined them and said, “He didn’t s-suffer or anything. One second he was fine, then he was gone.”

“That’s how fast the poison works,” Courtney said. “Saint Dane really could wipe out the gars.”

“I’m finally beginning to understand that,” Kasha said somberly.

Every so often they’d glance toward Bobby to see that he hadn’t moved.

Spader whispered to Gunny, “Time’s wasting.”

Gunny nodded and walked to Bobby. When Bobby looked up at him, Gunny saw in his face how troubled and confused he was. Gunny sat next to him, and the two had an intense conversation that nobody else could hear. Bobby nodded often, as if he were getting sage advice from a wise old friend, which is exactly what was happening. Finally, Bobby stood up, wiped his eyes, took a deep breath, and walked back to the group.

“I want to say something,” he announced.

The others gathered around, not sure of what to expect.

“None of us want to be here,” he began with a low voice. “If it were my call, we’d all go home and pretend none of this ever happened. But we can’t. Some of us don’t even have homes to go back to. I don’t know about you guys, but the more I learn about this idiotic war, the more confused I get. Uncle Press told me the number one rule was never to mix the territories. He said each territory has its own history and destiny. That’s the way it was meant to be,’ he’d always say, and I believed him. But if that’s true, how come Saint Dane doesn’t know it? Why do we have to play by the rules, if he doesn’t?”

As he spoke, Bobby’s voice grew more assured. The others felt it. Without meaning to, they all stood up a little straighten

“But you know what?” he continued. “We’ve beaten him. More than once. He took away most everything I ever cared about, but we beat him. He killed my uncle, but we beat him. He uses every trick possible to confuse us, but we still beat him. And I’ll tell you what, here on Eelong, we’re going to beat him again.”

Spader smiled at Courtney and winked. Things were getting interesting.

Bobby continued, “If he says the rules have changed, fine. That means they’ve changed for everybody. This may not be the way it was meant to be, but it’s the way it’sgoingto be. We’re not waiting for his next move. We’re taking the fight to him.”

“Yes!” Boon shouted.

“Mark, Courtney,” Bobby continued. “I’m sorry I doubted you. You were right to bring the antidote here. When we save Eelong, it’ll be because of you guys.”

Mark beamed. This was exactly the kind of moment he had been dreaming about since he read Bobby’s very first journal.

“But I want you to go home now,” Bobby added. “This is way too dangerous for you guys.”

“No!” Courtney said adamantly. It was so quick that everybody turned to look at her. “We’ve come too far to wuss out now. We want to see this to the end. Right, Mark?”

Mark gulped. “Right,” he said with a shaky voice.

Bobby nodded and gave them a small smile. “That’s what I figured you’d say. All right, then. I’m glad you’re here. You earned it.”

Courtney beamed. Mark smiled weakly.

Bobby turned to Spader and said sharply, “Spader?”

Spader stood up straight. He nervously said, “Look, Pendragon, I know you told me to go home and wait for you but-“

“Welcome back to the show, mate,” Bobby said with a smile. Spader let out a relieved breath and said, “It is so very good to be back.”

“Tell us about the antidote,” Bobby said.

“With pleasure,” Spader replied. He knelt down next to the three tanks in their black harnesses. “The agronomers tell me the poison may be nasty, but it’s fragile. A single whiff of the liquid in these tanks will make it harmless.”

Gunny asked, “How do you think Saint Dane will use the poison against Black Water?”

“From what I’ve read in Pendragon’s journal,” Spader answered, “Black Water is inside a giant, natural bowl, right?”

“That’s right,” Gunny answered.

“That’s good and bad,” Spader continued. “The poison is a liquid gas that clings to anything it touches. If Saint Dane and his klee wogglies release enough of it into the air of Black Water, the surrounding mountains will trap it. The result? Every living thing inside would die.”

Everyone exchanged nervous glances.

“So what’s the good part?” Boon asked nervously.

“The mountains can help us, too,” Mark answered. “If these canisters of antidote are released inside the bowl, the mountains will help keep it from blowing away and let it do its work against the poison.”

“Right,” Spader concurred. “The tricky part is the timing.”

“Gunny and I have a plan,” Bobby announced. “If Saint Dane is going to attack Black Water, we’ve got to get the antidote there as fast as possible. Boon, can you get five zenzens and more weapons?”

“Say the word,” Boon answered proudly.

“Good,” Bobby acknowledged. “You’re going to Black Water, tonight, with the antidote tanks. Gunny will lead you there, along with Spader, Courtney, and Mark. First thing Gunny will do is try to convince the gars not to make that radio broadcast. If the rest of the gar population stays away, that’s half the battle.”

“Why so many of us?” Courtney asked.

“It’s a long way back,” Gunny answered. “A lot can happen between here and there.”

They all knew what Gunny meant. Eelong was a dangerous place. There was no guarantee they would all get there safely. The more people who went, the better chance they had of somebody arriving with the antidote.

“W-What about the tangs?” Mark asked. “Isn’t it kind of dangerous to travel at night?”

“No,” Kasha answered. “Tangs don’t usually attack at night.”

“Then we’ll get there before daybreak!” Spader offered optimistically.

“What about you, Bobby?” Courtney asked.

Bobby took a deep breath, as if he didn’t like what he was about to say. “Please don’t be ticked,” he said. “But I can’t tell you what I’m going to do. After what happened with Yorn, I can’t be sure that one of you isn’t really Saint Dane.”

The others broke out with surprised responses. “What? Impossible! That can’t be. You’re not serious!”

“Saint Dane can do a lot of things,” Bobby said, trying to restore order. “But I’m pretty sure he can’t split himself in two. That means Gunny and Kasha are clear. But as for everybody else, I just can’t take the chance. I’m sorry.”

Courtney bit her lip. Spader smiled and shook his head. Boon laughed as if it were the most outrageous thing he’d ever heard.

“It’s okay, Bobby,” Mark said. “You’re right.”

“I’ll tell you one thing,” Spader said. “I’m not looking forward to wearing these rags.” He held up one of the smelly, rotten pieces of fabric that the gars called clothes.

“Don’t,” Bobby said defiantly. “If we’re throwing away the rules, we’re throwing themallaway. Keep your clothes from Cloral.”

“Now we’re talking!” Courtney said with relief.

“Are you sure, Bobby?” Mark asked meekly. “Absolutely,” Bobby answered.

“We should get going,” Gunny said. “Time may be precious.”

The group split up, each preparing for the mission in their own way. Spader strapped on his tank with the help of Gunny while Bobby helped Mark and Courtney gear up.

“Are you sure about this, Mark?” Bobby asked quietly. “If you want to go home, no harm, no foul. You’re already a hero.”

This was the moment of truth for Mark. He had wrestled with conflicting emotions since Bobby began his adventure so long ago. Part of him wanted to be right there with his best friend, battling Saint Dane and protecting Halla. It all sounded so exciting. But the practical side of his brain kept reminding him that he wasn’t a fighter; he wasn’t athletic; and he wasn’t particularly brave.

“I’m pretty scared,” Mark said. “But I’m more scared about what’ll happen if Saint Dane comes to Second Earth. One way or another, I’m going to have to face him. It might as well be here. Maybe we can stop him for good, before he gets a shot at my family.”

“Trust us, Bobby,” Courtney said. “We’re going to do this.”

Bobby smiled and said, “I believe you.”

Courtney added, “And neither of us is Saint Dane, you dork.”

Across the cavern, Boon approached Kasha. “Is it true?” he asked. “Is Yorn dead?”

Kasha nodded sadly and said, “Saint Dane changed himself to look just like him. If I hadn’t seen it for myself…” She didn’t finish the thought. “It’s not that I didn’t believe my father, it’s just that, I didn’t want to.”

Boon said, “You know what he told me? He said that when Saint Dane made his move, you’d be the one to bring him down.

He told me you’d complain, and argue, and come up with a hundred reasons not to be involved, but he knew in the end it wouldn’t be him, but you who would save Eelong.”

Kasha began to tear up at the thought of her father. She wiped her eyes quickly and took off her necklace. Dangling from the string were two rings. She took one off.

“Yorn’s ring,” she said. “If I’m the Traveler from Eelong, then you’re the acolyte.” She held it out to Boon. Boon took it reverently and slipped it into his tunic.

“I won’t let you down,” he said.

Gunny finished strapping Spader’s tank on his back, making sure it was snug. “How’s that feel, Flash Gordon?” Gunny asked.

“Snappy-do,” Spader replied. “Just like old times, aye, Gunny? It’s good to be back with you.”

Bobby stepped up to the two and said, “I guess I don’t have to say anything. You guys know how important this is.”

“No worries, mate,” Spader said cheerfully. “You’ve got the A team in now.”

Gunny and Bobby exchanged looks, and smiles. They were used to Spader’s cockiness. “Then there’s only one thing left to say,” Gunny announced. “Hobey-ho, let’s go.”

“Hobey-ho!” Spader echoed. He gave Bobby a clap on the back and started for the stairs.

“You be careful now, shorty,” Gunny said to Bobby.

“Yeah, right,” Bobby replied.

Spader called, “Last one back buys the sniggers!”

“You’re on,” Bobby replied.

Gunny followed Spader to the stairs. Mark and Courtney walked up to Bobby. Mark said, “You know I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time.”

“I know,” Bobby said. “But this is no dream, Mark. It’s on. For real.”

Mark gave him a small, unsure smile. “Don’t worry about us,” Courtney said. “Only one thing’s got me nervous.”

“What’s that?” Bobby asked.

“What the heck are we gonna tell our parents when we get home?”

Bobby laughed. Courtney did too. Mark’s stomach flipped.

“Like we don’t have enough to worry about?” Mark said.

Courtney leaned over and gave Bobby a kiss. “See ya,” she said with a wink. She was ready. The two joined Gunny and Spader, and the group pushed through the hanging vines, disappearing up the root stairway, leaving Bobby alone in the cavern with Kasha.

“Well?” she asked. “Are you going to share your big secret plan?”

“Are you in?” Bobby asked with dead seriousness. “I meanreallyin? Because if you have doubts, tell me now.”

Kasha said, “I don’t understand who you are, Pendragon. Or how you got here, or what it means to be a Traveler. But some things are very clear to me. The klees are going to starve. That’s a fact. I also believe the gars deserve better treatment. If the klees can be made to understand that, then I believe the gars of Black Water will share their knowledge and help feed all of Eelong. At least that’s what I hope. It may be our only chance to survive.”

“I think you’re right,” Bobby said.

“I still don’t know what Saint Dane is,” Kasha continued. “But I now believe he’s real too. He killed my father and he killed Yorn. From what I’ve seen, I don’t doubt for a second he’d use that poison to destroy Black Water. So given all that, Pendragon, I can say with total confidence… I’m in.”

“Good,” Bobby said.

“So what’s the plan?”

Bobby smiled and said, “If we’re lucky, it won’t matter if the others get the antidote to Black Water in time.”

“Because?…”

“Because we’re going after Saint Dane.”