Chalice of Taroonah - Part One

Posted on Sat Feb 8th, 2020 @ 9:54am by Brigadier General Kaden Ross

1,470 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 103 - In The Darkest Days...
Location: Various
Timeline: MD4

~ The Planet, native settlement ~

Freya awoke from her first night as a guest of the planet natives, she was being treated like royalty, Something she wasn’t happy about but she couldn’t interfere with the beliefs of the people. She offered a smile as a female native arrived with some breakfast and what looked like native clothing, it seemed at some point overnight her own clothing had been taken.

Waiting until the female was gone she slid off the basic wooden framed low to the floor bed, which was covered with furs and slid into the native clothing. It was basic to say the least, a bra type top and underwear with a grassy skirt, she could only imagine Kaden’s reaction to her appearance in this.

Emerging from the teepee type shelter a few minutes later, having eaten she was lead across to sit by the burning fire before another female native set about brushing her hair and adorning it with native flower decoration. As nice as it was she wished Kaden was here with her.

~ Meanwhile in Orbit ~

Varena had woken early, she’d eaten and was ready to go to the planet’s surface. If this was the location of the Chalice she wanted to get on and find out, natives or not she’d find the priceless artefact they’d come for.

Vox stepped onto the bridge, the first to arrive. He scanned the planet and located the settlement. He waited for Kaden and Varena to arrive on the bridge.

Varena stepped out onto the bridge. “Are we ready?” She leaned over Vox’s seat playfully running her fingers along his neck as she did so. “I don’t like hanging around.”

"Yes, we will be shortly. I've located Freya's combadge signal. She is with a fair number of people. We might want to beam down away from the settlement so as not to startle them." Vox replied

Kaden entered the bridge fastening up his armored vest setting his his hard cased backpack down on the floor. "All set?" He asked.

"Pretty much yes. I was just saying to Varena that Freya appears to be ok and is with a group of people in a primative settlement. So,I suggest we beam down away from the settlement so as not to startle them. Also, based on their level of development, their weapons are likely to be bows, arrows and perhaps spears. So your arsenal of weapons maybe somewhat OTT." Vox replied.

Kaden picked his phaser rifle and patted it like a cherished pet. "Trust me, Vox, I don't plan to go in guns blazing but that don't mean if things go south, which I hope doesn't. I am going to go down there not ready to defend us if need be so I hope they are friendly." He replied.

"Very well. Let's roll." He lead them to one and only transporter on the ship. He set the coordinates and set it on a 30 second timer. The three then beamed down to the planet, finding themselves in a small clearing surrounded by rain forests. The temperature was around 28°C.

In the village Freya was enjoying the pampering, her hair was decorated with flowers and she was learning more about her hosts. She looked up in excitement as she sensed Kaden's presence somewhere nearby, being bonded to him she felt his presence more keenly. Unknown to Freya her reaction hadn't gone unnoticed.

Away from the village, Kaden had knelt down taking scans from his wrist-mounted combat tricorder trying to triangulate the direction of Freya's location. "I am picking up a Betazoid life sign," He pointed towards the direction of his reading with his index finger. "That way."

"Ok, lead on Kaden. " Vox replied. The group trudged there way through the trees and undergrowth until they could see the tops of tents above the shrubbery ahead of them. They could see the smoke from a central fire rising into the air.

"Ok, we are here. How do we handle this?" Vox asked.

"I'd say it's already been handled for us!" Varena looked around as native warriors surrounded them.

"You have come just as expected" Freya's guide and village elder appeared before them, directing himself to Vox. "The scrolls foretold of your arrival, the one with spots shall come to prove himself worthy of the hand of Venus." He motioned them all towards the village. "Venus awaits your arrival."

Varena simply sneered and shook her head.

In the village Freya stood and smiled as she looked towards the party being escorted in, she went to move towards them but her path was blocked.

Vox makes a quick glance towards Kaden with a 'what the hell' kind of expression. He follows the village elder. Vox smiled as he saw Freya, looking well and ok. As he approached he thought about the situation. 'So, they believe Freya is the Goddess Venus, in which case I better play along and treat her as such.' he thought.

Kaden felt the natives strip him of his phaser rifle and side arm surprised to see they seemed rather familiar with them. He watched them wrap his weapons in silk and take them to a hut full of weapons probably their version of a armory. "Fear not, your weapons will be returned to you but must remain under guard for now." Said one of the natives.

Vox turned to the village elder. "Forgive me sir but Venus has already chosen her champion" he said pointing to Kaden. " I am his humble servant and guide." He added. He waited to see how this information would be taken.

The village elder looked to Freya then back at those in front of him. “Our sacred scrolls are quite clear, to win the hand of Venus you must first find and return with the Chalice. Make no mistake the journey is a perilous one, those who have tried have not returned.”

Freya’s gaze turned to Kaden. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. “I wish to speak to them...alone!”

The elder opened his mouth to speak before bowing and motioning them all towards her previous night’s shelter. “If that is what Venus wishes. Then the strangers will be escorted to the temple of the Chalice.”

The four entered the tent and the door was closed.

"Are you ok Freya? " Vox asked

Freya nodded. “So much better for seeing all of you!” She quickly moved across to Kaden throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. “I was so afraid I’d never see you again!!”

Kaden embraced Freya tears of joy streaming down his face. "Oh god, I been so worried about you are you and the baby okay?" He asked.

“We’re fine” She smiled as she gently wiped away his tears. “Venus...” She pulled a funny face. “Has been treated like a queen, they’ve pampered me since my arrival. I can’t say I like the sound of this Chalice hunt though. I don’t want you getting hurt!”

Varena huffed. “Oh for heavens sake! Grow a backbone!!” She looked around rifling through things in the tent. “It’s like every other Hunt we’ve ever been on! They all have their traps but it’s nothing we can’t handle! I’d be more worried about yourself!”

Freya looked at Kaden then at Varena. “What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“You’re their fabled goddess! You work it out!” She shook her head as she gazed out of the side of the tent flap. “The deities are usually the ultimate sacrifices, that’s what temples are built for. The temple was built in Venus’ honour, so Venus has to become part of it!” She stepped back. “They’re coming.”

The tent flap opened and the village elder walked inside. “It is time.” He motioned to those with him. “Take the strangers to the temple!” He watched as Vox, Varena and Kaden were forcefully escorted from the tent, waiting until they were gone before turning his attention back to Freya. “I shall escort you to the temple.”

~ The Temple of the Chalice ~

Freya arrived at the temple, it seemed the natives had their own way as she’d seen no sign of the others. She was surprised when she was ushered inside, down a twisting corridor that seemed to go on forever though they encountered no traps. Arriving at the centre of the temple she was surprised to find a large empty see through chamber which went from floor to ceiling, moments later she was pushed inside and the door was shut behind her. “The goddess shall await her fate.” With that she was left alone and in the dark with the exception of a handful of burning candles.

{TBC}

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