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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Realm Komiks Prequel: New Worlds Chapter 11: Poisonous Dart



Chapter 11:
POISONOUS DART

An empty space vividly opens ten feet above the thick jungle foliage, spiraling over the muddy ground. Queen Sultana briskly enters through the darkness, leaping into the hidden mud as it splashes on her leather boots. She smacks the bracelet against her hand, closing the opening behind her, wiping some of the mud off her sleek, satin black pants. She scoffs at the sludge smoothed across her long fingertips and tries to wipe it off on the dark tree bark.

“Disgusting planet, Surraja” she complains from under her breath.

She tromps forward, stepping down on the humongous leaves that grab at her knees, giving annoyed sighs through her pursed lips. Then faintly, she hears the foliage crisping around her, as she pauses between movements. She takes longer strides listening to the faint slithering noise hidden among the foliage, skidding against the wet sludge beneath her feet. Leaves twitch as their stems are being cramped down by the weight of an invisible creature.

“Bloody hell.” Queen Sultana murmurs observing the movement under the long tropical leaves.

As the leaves fling to their perching stage the air falls back to silence. The stems stand unbothered.

“Nothing like the hunter to be hunted.” She scoffs and slowly moves her boot forward in the mud starring at the ground below her. As she does the foliage twitches below.  “As suspected.”

She stands still, her senses heightened, and sniffs into the air for a brief a moment, as a wolf catching the wind. She studies a limb above the tree and leaps for it, pulling her body from the ground, and as she goes to free herself from easy prey an enormous centipede flings from the foliage coiling itself around her legs, hissing loudly through its large suction mouth, lined with razor blade teeth. Sultana reaches for its' body but thrown off balance with her last dangling hand and collapse into the muddy leaves. The creature quickly wraps itself around her body trying to contain Sultana’s flinging arms, clasping at it with her nails trying to wiggle her legs and mid-section free. The centipede extends its body and as it hisses it strikes toward Sultana’s throat. She quickly clasp the creature’s neck with the palm of her hands pulling its body toward her and biting into its salmon flesh. It screeches to the sky, oozing thick yellow goo as Sultana quickly pushes out of its coils, her mouth covered with the substance she extracted from the creature. As it gains control of itself it rapidly slithers with its large shelled legs toward her. Sultana raises her hands releasing her force against the creature flinging it into a tree. It hits with a massive thud exposing the mid-section of its body. The vampiress then grabs its head, its antennas flailing as she wraps it around the trunk of the tree. She uses all her strength as she tugs against it; the creature screeches in agony as the tree’s bark presses into its skin. Sultana grabs it from under its claws crushing the head against the bark.  Its thick shelled legs claw at the air as the creature roars in agony, chomping its sharp teeth against one another as it struggles for release.  She finally feels the skeleton in her arms crunch and the centipede falls limp against the tree. Sultana drops the lifeless body and watches as it slumps against the ground. She wipes the left over slime from her mouth with disgust pulling her muddy clothes together.
“I hate this planet.” She murmurs walking forward. “Poisonous Dart!” she calls. “Poisonous Dart! Where are you?”

She stands still for a moment listening to the echoes of heavy steps crunching against the land and flings her body around to facing about six reptilian men. Their faces are a dark gray with noses that beak like a crocodile monitor. They wear dark, rustic scarlet armor over their chest, black mesh shorts straggle from their broad haunch and their lengthy clawed fingers clutch wooden spears covered with a thick black metal point at both ends. Only one fancies a long draped charcoaled cape and oval shield etched with random artwork.

“Take me to Poisonous Dart.” Sultana demands of them, angrily pushing past the lizards but comes to a halt when they surround her in the middle.

“I am Singae, if you remember. Poisonous Dart will see you...” He stands in her path slithering his tongue. “You should remain in the middle for your protection. Follow us.”

Sultana becomes annoyed, “Spare me the insults. I don’t need your protection.” She pushes through the remaining lizards to the front. “Well. Which way?” She dictates.

Singae and the other lizards glare at her with their beady eyes, with his black cape draped under his armor, he comes to Sultana’s side. “This way your majesty.”

Sultana trots through the thickness ripping through vines, mumbling her voices of displeasure as she tromps through the mud of the jungle. Singae pauses for a moment, slightly pushing into Sultana’s waist halting her before she takes another step. Sultana swipes his scaled arm and sharp black claws away from her as she stands motionless, dancing her eyes through the trees that appear empty. The other five monitors are silent as they fall into formation around Sultana, staring into an air that holds only random insect noises.

“Oh, bloody, hell,” Sultana rolls her eyes, “What is it now?”

The caped lizard scowls at Sultana for a moment then turns his attention back into the forest. “I know you’re out there!” he calls through his throat.

Suddenly eyes become visible through the tree as the green in the trees becomes darker, revealing reptilian bodies. One, two, then three and soon Sultana begins to lose count of the naked army revealing their camouflaged bodies, picking up their own weapons through the grassy area and arming themselves as they prepare to attack the crew.

“How did Lord Krait know I had arrived?” Queen Sultana grits her teeth.

“Same way Queen Poisonous Dart has.” Singae muffles, “ His power has grown since you have last visited.” 

Hundreds of naked oversized, two legged lizards come running and leaping down the hill toward the pack. Their two legs carry them gracefully among the leaves, rolling like they are pedaling bicycles among the wind, their spears pointed in direction of the sparse monitor brigade. When the chameleon lizards are about twenty feet away the monitors charge turning their spears into bo staff, the lizards begin smacking them against one another. Sultana flings their bodies, smacking them against the thick trees. One chameleon whaps its tale knocking a monitor off balance and stabbing the spear through its chest. The monitor’s snout screams into the air before its body goes limp, returning the conquering lizard back into battle. Sultana leaps among it, biting its neck and tearing its head away from its body, losing it to the dense foliage.

“There are too many!” Singae announces, in his husky voice, calling to Sultana, who is only feet away fighting.

Sultana grabs the tail of the chameleon, as it is trying to throw its' stick into a Validant Monitor, the tail becoming detached from the keen lizard; it smirks in victory continuing to move forward for the kill. Sultana sighs at the deserted tail, draping over her arms,then rapidly targets the lizard, smacking it and knocking it to the ground. The Validant swiftly runs its spear through the chameleon’s chest giving Sultana and appreciative nod.

 “I’m dying here.” Sultana admits and then demanding under the same breathe, “Don’t give up fighting.” She commands at Singae, as another chameleon flings itself at the talking duo. He clinks his spear against the chameleon as another jumps on Sultana, knocking her to the ground. She kicks it with her legs when it tries to pounce on her, flinging the lizard into the mud; Using her invisible force against another itquickly smacks into a tree, yet remains unfazed. Sultana turns her body to another lizard as it is leaping toward her, while the Chameleon against the tree, slyly removes the black metal tip from the spear, throwing it aside, grimacing at Sultana with the wooden steak clutched in its claws. He rises and thrust toward Sultana’s chest at high speed. She quickly turns to witness the steak inches from her heart, not quick enough to stop the penetration herself.

Suddenly, from above, a body flings from a nearby tree, knocking the chameleon to the ground. Sultana blinks at the close call and takes a deep breath as she watches the woman grab the lizard’s neck with her fingers, it’s body convulsing as the woman injects it with poison from her tips. She stands smirking at Sultana; Her sleek black boots hug her calves, finding refuge at her knees.

“Glad you chose to grace me with your presence.” Sultana mocks.

“Like wise.” Poisonous Dart sneers, giving a high kick to a lizard in the face, then turning back to Sultana.

She gives a nod at the caped monitor and he bellows out a deep call. Millions of scarlet, armored soldiers peek through the top of the trees. The chameleons run in chaos toward them, being easily slayed as their worn down scaled bodies are week against the new, adrenaline pumping, monitors. The Validant charge at them, equipped with shields and double headed spears. Poisonous Dart continues kicking and grabbing with her deadly fingertips, injecting deadly poison in her victims, leaving them limp and lifeless. She leaps over one dead body to conquer another as Sultana continues popping off the creature’s heads and breaking their wiry necks. The few living chameleons flee to the thick jungle, disappearing as their color quickly transforms among the dark green leaves and rusty bark.

Poison Dart flings her jet black hair away from her hallow, ebony eyes, trending painted, red, streaks etched under her eyes. She gazes toward Sultana, straightening her body and slightly titling her head. Her ruby lips part as she subtlety suggest. “Shall we go somewhere that reeks less of carcass?”

*****


Susan sits on her aunt’s pastel couch fumbling through the lap top. Her Aunt hovers over her shoulder; her faded red locks floating above her shoulders, her bangs falling over her forehead outlining her eyebrows that widened her hazelnut eyes. She is the youngest of the three sisters, her fine lines less prominent in showing her true age. She points her finger at the screen, “What’s this?” she asks, of some short hand writing, scribbled in the corner of the document.

“Not sure. Let me zoom in.” Susan suggests pulling it in view. “I can’t read it, only the question mark after it. You try.” She pushes the computer screen toward Donna who reaches for her reading glasses from the end table and pulls the computer close to her eyes.

It says, “’False-memory syndrome?  ‘It’s one of the diagnoses they gave my mother, later adding sleep paralysis and hallucinations. All the diagnosis appear to make sense. My mom was sleep deprived and grieving. It’s as if she was trying to find reason to escape all of the reality of my father’s passing.” Susan watches as her aunt’s eyes seem to lose focus and cloud as she remembers the fragility of her mother. Donna sets the computer down, “I’m not sure what we are going to find in here.” She shakes her head resting her palms on her forehead as her strawberry bangs flop over her fingertips. “There is no information here that I haven’t seen before.” She peers up toward Susan through the palm of her hands, “I hate to admit it, but your mom might have been right.” Her hand presses against her forehead rubbing hard against her temples and she fixes her body and sits up. Susan watches her aunt struggle and she feels helpless with a loss of comforting words.

“I know we’ve talked about it before, Susan. Joan, your mother, wasn’t always so callas. There was a point in her life she was genuinely happy. She would sing and dance around a room with Patsy and I. She was always a mother figure, especially when mom wasn’t around… but it wasn’t until she was eighteen or so that she began to slowly drifting away from us. Then everything with dad and then mom and then losing your dad…” Donna pauses, “I’m sorry she wasn’t the ‘mother’ to you that she was to us. The three of us grew up with a wonderful mother and she took pride in that at one time protecting and shielding us and I just can’t believe…” her aunt’s eyes begin to swell and a tear drops as she quickly wipes it before it can touch her cheek.

Susan takes her aunt’s soft hand and rubs it gently, “It’s okay. I’ve made peace with it long ago.”

“Oh, how could you?” Her aunt challenges. “No one makes peace with an unloving mother.” She stands up giving Susan’s knee a gentle tap and heads towards the kitchen. “I’m getting us some wine.”

Susan watches her aunt walk into the kitchen and continues to read through the information before her. “I didn’t get to any of the documents that explained more in detail to what she had actually told the doctors.”

Donna enters with a rose wine and stemless glasses, placing them on the coffee table. She unscrews the cheap bottle and pours. “Let’s see.” Donna scans her mind as she tries to remember the details of her mother’s stories. She hands Susan a glass of wine and then takes a sip of hers before falling into the pillow on the couch. She leans her head backward on the pillow for a moment with her eyes closed and takes a deep breath. Donna then sits up and opens her eyes while taking another drink; Susan patiently awaits her Aunt to gain composure.

“My mom told me she didn’t know my grandfather was an alien, until shortly before they were going to be married. Two or three days before I think.” Donna begins taking another sip of her wine.

Susan sets the laptop on the coffee table pulling her mobile device free. She wraps her arms around her legs letting her head lean against the cushion, giving her aunt her undivided attention.

Donna lets her head fall back to the pillow, as if she was entering a therapy session, resting her wine against her pelvic bone. “Dad didn’t want to keep any secrets from her. Those two were really in love. They had a respect and kindness toward one another like I’ve never seen.”

Susan gives a faint smile watching her aunt reminiscing her parent’s reunion.

“My dad didn’t just bring her flowers; he would plant her gardens of all her favorites.  On her birthday we girls were summoned to help serve her breakfast in bed.” Her aunt gives a mild laughing sigh as she remembers the thoughts, “Fresh strawberries from the garden were a requirement, also one of mother’s favorites.”

Donna pauses for a moment and sits up once again sipping from her glass. She gives a wispy smile to her niece and Susan returns her gesture. “They really were so happy.” Donna whispers from under her breath to Susan.

“I know,” Susan tries to encourage realizing she will never be able to see the dear memories that her aunt holds in her soul’s depth.

“Mom married him anyway, of course. She said she was sure that my father, had in some way, lost a part of his mind thinking his own dad was an alien, but that wasn’t going to stop her from marrying the man she was in love with. She told me, “He could tell me anything at the point, it was too late, I was in love with the man of my dreams and nothing was going to keep me from marring him.” Donna laughs, “Mother was such a spirited individual.”

Susan chuckles as she watches Donna’s face light up with the memory of her mother’s words.  Donna then continues, “She said she never met his father and that she assumed that my father’s talk of his dad being on another planet was some kind of mechanism he used as a child. Then she said she thought he continued the charade into adult hood as a facetious tale. And then one day, a spaceship landed in her backyard and it was indeed his father.”

Donna shakes her head in disbelief, “The thing is, it all sounds legit until you get to the end, doesn’t it? Then it’s like a bad joke.”

Susan admits, “It does. Odd that it sounds so logical and then fades into an E.T. movie.”

“Exactly.” Donna nods. “Why have we never had this conversation before?”

“I was never to speak or know of these things. I was scolded for asking anything to anyone…” Susan mocks and then playfully adds, “Except you of course.”   

“I wish we had talked more about it in the past. It feels so wonderful to chat with someone willing to listen and be opened minded. I always just had the ‘what If’ in my head; so unlike Joan and Patsy.” Donna sighs.

“Grandpa never mentioned these things? Grandma never mentioned them when he was alive?” Susan ponders.

“No. No, not to my acknowledgement. But it was also like ‘I don’t give a crap, now’ attitude after my father passed away. She would reminisce and tell of these stories, but what I saw in her was she acted like she was trying to announce to the world who my father really was. She was proud and now that he was gone she could tell everyone because it didn’t matter anymore to keep such a secret. Of course, your mom and Patsy didn’t feel that way, but it was enough passion in her to keep my curiosity of that ‘what IF’. Now all that Planeteers stuff… no one can deny that my mother could have been telling the truth. What I wouldn’t do to get a hold of one of those Planeteers and drill them with questions.” Donna sips from her glass finishing down the sweet liquid and pouring herself another glass. “More?” she ask pointing the bottle toward Susan.

“Still full.” Susan lifts her glass for her aunt’s view.

“Well drink up.” She insist.

Susan smiles taking another drink. “Drinking.” She shows her. Susan has never been a big drinker nor a fan of sweet wine but she knew her whimsical aunt would have reservations about drinking ‘alone.’

“Did she ever mention what planet her father-in-law was from? Did she ever mention a mother-in-law?” Susan wonders.

“She never mentioned a mother-in-law.” Donna thinks. “Never thought about that before. Weird. She has mentioned a planet but I don’t remember what she said the planet was called.”

“Hmm…” Susan thinks allowed. “I wonder if it would be in any of her sessions’ paperwork.”

“Possibility is high, I would think. She actually said the day after her father-in-law landed… said his name, but I don’t remember that either, it was something weird; she said her and my father traveled to his planet. Then she proceeded to describe the planet. Then she claimed after my father’s death she revisited the planet, which she did disappear for about four days. This sent your mom and Patsy over edge, your mom mostly, and that is when they admitted her to the home.” Donna’s eyes search for the memories in chronological order.

“And you?” Susan ask softly.

“Me?” Donna laughs. “I’m the youngest sister! My weight pulled little in the battle between those two… though I wish I fought harder now...  because I believe ultimately my mom died of a broken heart. Wherever her mysterious weekend getaway took her, she came back revived and anew with passion in her voice again. My sister’s crumbled her heart all over again sending her there and I just watched it all happen.” Donna’s voice becomes solemn as it fades in the silence of the room.

“But you were there for her. You listened when she needed to talk. You believed in her when no one else would; and you still do. I wouldn’t be here now having this conversation with you if you didn’t.” Susan tries desperately to lift her aunt’s grieving heart.

Donna tries to force a smile to her supportive niece but mostly fails at the attempt. “I try to be positive Susan. How do we prove my mother wasn’t all these things the doctors diagnosed? Does it matter now if we were able to prove it?”

“It does matter. I am here because I also want to know my grandmother’s story. If her and my grandfather are as amazing as you say they were, they deserve the opportunity to have their stories heard. Oh, how Janet would have a field day with the thought.” Susan chuckles at imagining her wide eyed daughter boasting her heritage trickled down from somewhere in outer space.

“So what do we do next? Get back into Joan’s house?” Donna ask sipping down another glass of wine.

Susan sighs at the thought of going back into her mother’s house and cringes. “I’m not fond of the idea but I don’t know any other way. I would have to imagine the home she was sent to would have originals... but I don’t know how to obtain them.”

“They should have to release them to me if they were to have them? I assume since Joan had all the paperwork, it was indeed all the paperwork and records of mom. I didn't think of her obtaining copies.” Donna tries to reason.

Susan thinks out loud, “But wouldn’t they have to keep some for their own records?”

Donna gives a doubtful moan, “It was so many years ago. I am sure they are not obligated to keep files dating back so far.”

“Well, there is only one way to find out. If they don’t have anything then I’ll sneak back into mom’s house, but I would like to use it as a last resort.” Susan confirms.

“If we have to go back to your mom’s, I will make it a we and not a you. Let’s do this together.” Donna decides standing up from the couch and catching herself for a moment.  “And you’re going to drive. Let’s go.”

*****


Russet walls fortressed the underground cave that holds tunnels dimly lit with scorching torches hung on the wall. Poisonous Dart falls into her magnetite throne, tapping her dark fingernails against its arm. Scarlet spotted feathers protrude through her sleek onyx gloves, delicately hovering over her knuckles. “Sit, Queen Sultana.” She demands as Sultana scans the catacombs, admiring a thick, triangle cerulean jewel that hovers over a hanging kettle of murky water.

“I prefer to stand.” Sultana announces. She turns her head over her shoulder slightly, “You still live so… primitive." She mocks placing a fingertip on the cerulean treasure admiring it.

Singae watches Sultana suspiciously and turns toward Dart for approval of Sultana’s boldness. Poisonous Dart slightly raises her hand giving him the approval he seeks.  

The vampiress grimaces as she stares back to the triangle's translucent shape. Dart rises from her throne, her boots snapping against the rock as she approaches Sultana. She peers toward Sultana for a moment and then pokes her finger into the water tracing it in circles. Sultana watches intently as imagery of the forest appears. Her men stand above the ground in mild chit chat. “Why does one need technology when they own magic?” Poisonous Dart boast.

“A comfortable bed?” Sultana sneers.

“And what would you know of a comfortable bed? You have no use.” Dart reminds her.

“I have plenty of use.” Sultana smirks staring up at Dart. “Don’t be simple minded. To what lengths are you able to use this stone?”

Poisonous Dart eyes her, “Depends on the recipe of magic. What use have you of it?”

“I didn’t arrive depending on its use but I see the value in it. I want to know if I can spy other planets from this trove.” Queen Sultana inquires staring into the vision.

Poisonous Dart smacks her hand against the water splashing the visual away and bringing Sultana’s amber eyes to hers. “Why are you here Sultana?” Poisonous Dart ask slightly miffed, “Get to the point.”

Sultana hesitates for a moment and then turns her back toward Poisonous Dart as she rubs her fingers against the hieroglyphics etched in walls.  “I’ve taken business with planet Earth and I need your assistance.” Sultana announces.

Dart scoffs as she finds refuge to her enormous throne, “Earth? It’s in another galaxy. Another realm way. Why would you travel to such lengths for that diseased enriched planet?” A Varanidae reptile enters from a connected tunnel with over sized insects lingering on a marbled platter; it sits the delicacy at the edge of Dart’s throne and then hastily exits. Dart’s petite body leaves open space between the magnetite arms. She slouches toward the arm of the chair extending her torso toward the plate and grabbing her snack, pinching the abdomen and suckling the guts through her mouth, removing the juicy fluids, and placing the skeleton back on the plate. “Need anything?” Dart entertains.

“Apologies your planet has nothing appealing to my appetite.” Sultana confirms with disgust.

Dart smirks loading another creature to her mouth and suckling delightfully while eyeing Sultana.  “Not much different than your daily meals.” Dart grunts.

Sultana protest Dart’s snooty comment, “It is very different,” Sultana turns toward Dart and approaches her boldly trying to make her focus, “If you can believe this, dear Poisonous Dart, the Earthlings have created an alliance with the light planets in our realm. We happened to not be invited.”

“Of course you were intrusive.” Dart decides. “A representation for the likes of us all.”

“Precisely.  ...” Sultana confirms. “The Ceniathiancs entertain the idea that they will be able to mesh in this deal everyone is striking… I think they could be persuaded to see things my way.”

“Why do you care what the other planets do with Earth? You say I am primitive, yet their knowledge and research is long in our past.” Dart relaxes in the depths of her seat, crossing her legs that our snuggled in black fishnet stockings.

“The planet is of much value,” Sultana thinks allowed, “Earth is rich in one particular thing that my planet finds very worthy.”

“Continue.” Dart plainly commands.

“Human blood.” Sultana smirks.

“You already consume human blood from that planet. There is no change in that.” Poisonous Dart notes staring at her nails and once again shifting her body so that it is now dangling over the throne; using it as if it were a partial bed. “You bore me, Vamp.”

Sultana ignores her rudeness and continues her thoughts, “For centuries we have born and survived from Earth’s planet resources. Some trusting vampires left humans clues of our defeat... and the more the barbarians retaliated against us... we have had no choice but force into hiding when among Earth. My father, Vlad Dracul discovered Divobite` so we could thrive freely among one another.” Her fist clench as she continues her thought, “He died at the hands of those damned mortals. The humans of light and goodness choosing our demise and trying to extinct our kind; monks and churches erasing our existent and power after hunting my father and killing him." She pauses as she strolls toward the hot flames scorching through a pit, surrounded by overlapping rocks that circumference it. It rises from the side of Dart’s throne and her eyebrows mildly shift as Sultana pauses among the fire. “There are some mortals that yearn to become what we are. Their hearts of ebony cloud their scant minds and leave them vulnerable to creatures likes us. The planet has much potential for complete darkness, only need to…,” she hesitates and then continues through her trance across the flames, “extinguish the light.” Her clenched teeth illuminate the glow of the flames as it dances off her face.  “Humans are considered my delicacy.” She smirks, gazing towards Dart’s carcasses plate, continuing. “Many I will be able to recruit. They can be complicated creatures wanting things in return, like eternity itself; however, if I took over the planet, made their multi ruled planet only under my ruling, then my vampire army and I will be in riches. We keep the dark, pursued the gray and kill the light. I tend to clean up the planet, Dart…”

“Lots of you. I don’t hear anything appealing for me.” Dart dryly announces siting up from her throne. “Good luck with your war.”

“My vampire army, as much as we dislike your planet, will help you gain the other half from your brother; giving you complete control of your planet. Your army may not be able to defeat him alone, but with us you will conquer.” Sultana proposes.

“That is an attractive offer.” Poisonous Dart admits chewing on the thought. “However, you have seen us in battle today. We are becoming stronger. I am cloning hundreds of soldiers a day. It is only a matter of time before he meets his demise. “

“All of his soldiers, I am sure he has the same ideas as you. Why not place an end to this sibling rivalry once and for all.” The queen approaches Dart and stands at the end of her throne with her arms on her hips, determine to persuade the amphibian in her direction.

“To be done with him once and for all would be complete victory.” Dart thinks aloud staring up at the vampiress.

“Yes, finally you will have no one to challenge your authority.” Sultana entices the offer.

Poisonous Dart stands from her throne, “How could we be of service on Earth with our spears and shields? Their choice of weaponry would demolish one of my armies in minutes.”

“You have something that will catch Earthlings off guard. Reptilian Soldiers.” Sultana suggests.
“The Earthlings will not be prepared for such a thing.  Perhaps, you can even persuade some of their own, home reptilian to join?”

Dart grimaces with the thought, “Yes, I could bring them to legs. They will be slow and clumsy but useful for taking first blows.”

“They will be ideal, to bring the earthling soldiers to their knees, and we will lose less of our stronger soldiers.” Sultana agrees.

Dart grins wickedly as she paces and continues the plan, “Yes. Yes, indeed. I knew there was a reason I kept you on my side, Queen Sultana.” And then as if an afterthought, “There will be some things I will want to bring home with me.”

“What do you want from Earth?” Sultana becomes confused.

Poisonous Dart approaches her murky liquid kettle staring at the stone above it. She grins in thought, “A few things I need to inquire from some labs on Earth. Nothing of importance to you.”

The vampiress becomes suspicious and corners Dart against the kettle as flames burn against its depth. “What do you know about science labs on Earth? I thought you had no interest in the planet.”

Dart’s lips tighten as her cheeks swell and her eyes squint with pleasure, “Turns out I do. Nothing you need to worry about it, friend. I will gather my resources and be prepared for when we are needed.”

Queen Sultana eyes the amphibian with uncertainty. “How will you know when you are needed?”

Poison Darts twirls the hot liquid through her fingers revealing the Queen’s planet through the reflection. Sultana hastily whips her head towards the woman, sullen, “What game are you playing Dart?” she demands spitting her words through her sharp teeth.

“Yours.” Poisonous Dart scowls innocently.

Sultana locks eyes with the hallow amphibian staring back toward her. Her eyebrows burrow in her head and she searches for expose` in Darts brain, but can receive nothing. Dart grimaces at the vampire, knowing quite well she is seeking revelation and only finding emptiness. Sultana huffs as she swings her body toward the entrance of the catacombs and pauses taking a deep breath, holding and then releasing. She faces Dart once again who remains calmly awaiting Queen Sultana’s frustration to subside.

“We will meet again soon.” Sultana pouts.

“I’ll be ready.” Poison Dart simply confirms. “Singae lead her toward the gate way.” Dart barks, “Appears I have one right here, Queen. No reason for to trace through a jungle unnecessary.”

Queen Sultana nods her head, “Until next time Dart.” She follows Singae into the tunnel. Poison Dart wraps her arms around her torso sneering proudly to herself.

**********

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 Chapter 12: Recruit


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