Dracule: Race, refugees from a destroyed world, vampiric however consider drinking human blood for food to be abominable, life span ~2,000 years, create and carry their young in same manner as humans, can create turned vampires, powerful mind-speakers, can change limited shape, cannot tell a falsehood because of mind to mind meld contact, only one known individual that could create Human Hybrids - known as M'beleci Captain of Dracule, omnivores.
Turned Vampire: Created only by the exchange of blood fluids with a Dracule (see Dracule above) or a Hybrid (see Hybrid below), light sensitive, strong sunlight is fatal, cannot create other turned vampires, cannot create or bear young, vampiric however consider drinking human blood for food abominable, life span less than 2,000 years, mind-speakers, cannot tell a falsehood because of mind to mind meld contact, extremely loyal to their maker, referred to as childe, omnivores.
Hybrid; Correct term is Human Hybrid, created by exchange of blood fluids with two hybrids known as makers, progenitors of the race are known as Roger and Little Bear, somewhat sensitive to strong light, can change shape in many forms, extremely powerful mind-speakers, can combine with other Hybrids or Turned Vampires to create extremely powerful long range mind-sweeps, cannot tell a falsehood because of mind to mind meld contact, can read minds of human, turned vampire and Dracule, believed to be able to control human minds or plant false images, vampiric but consider drinking human blood for food to be an abomination, there is a life-long maker/childe relationship, cannot create or bear young, have an almost fanatic urge to protect humans particularly children, have an intense hatred of those who would harm humans particularly children slavers, can be savage fighters of great ferocity, life span unknown but believed to be greater than 2,000 years, form life long relationship with their mate, only occur in the male form - no known female Hybrids exist, it is not known how many mated pairs exist, also known as Spirit Warriors, Roger is Captain of Hybrids, omnivores.
Human Sensitive: Many Humans have rudimentary mind-speak abilities, most are unaware of their ability. Humans who have worked with the Human Hybrid Warriors have developed their mind-speak abilities to a greater degree than those who have not been exposed to the Warriors. It is believed that Humans, under ideal circumstances, are able to mind-meld with Human Hybrid Warriors, however, there is considerable risk to the humans doing so.
The peace had lasted long, the band of Hybrid Warriors patrolled the Three Kingdoms they had guarded for so long. Roger and Little Bear had been leading The Warriors against criminals, pirates, slavers and cannibals for 2390 years! Their Fabulous Lifespan was not over, but both were aware of the fleeing years. Their features, were still those of youths in their teen years, but their minds were burdened with the passage of time. Only their love of small children kept them from the bitterness of old age.
Somehow, children everywhere sensed that their Warrior Protectors both loved them and needed them. Every day there were children at the gates of Fort Warrior, never closed to them, waiting for an invitation to enter. Inside, Warriors went about their duties, ever mindful of their trains of small children toddling after them. It was not uncommon to see one of these Famed Men carrying a child in each arm and another riding his shoulders! The children knew they were permitted any trespass upon their Champions, they were permitted anything, but they never took advantage of their protectors. More than one child needed comfort after thinking they had, somehow, committed some breach against those they held in worship.
Older children, throughout the three kingdoms, could tell you every Warrior's names and history, teenaged girls had their wall plastered with Warrior pictures and teen boys dreamed of becoming a Human Hybrid Warrior themselves!
As the years progressed, the two Princes Royal became more and more concerned about what was happening that they had missed. They flew more patrols, searched more diligently, roamed the planet's surface in meld, looking for those who would do harm against those they loved.
They had just seated themselves and their children's guests for lunch when their long-time Turned Vampire/Major Domo Wang-Li approached, bowing he said, "Masters, there is an urgent telephone call for you from Honolulu."
Their son, Lord Knight Protector, Sir Teddy jumped up saying, "Dads, I will take the call," and he followed Wang-Li out of the room. When he picked up the phone, it was Professor Paul Fairns of the Royal Observatory on top of Mona Loa on Hawaii.
He said, "Sir, we have received strange radio signals from the North American Continent. They appear to be a message, but we are unable to decipher the code. It is repeated once every hour, exactly the same."
Teddy said, "Play it for me." The scientist did so and then Teddy told him that he would confer with his Fathers and get back to him. Teddy returned to the luncheon and said to his Fathers, "READ ME."
They reviewed the conversation and the message and agreed it was something important but they, also, were unable to decode it. They read in Teddy's mind where the scientist believed the signals were originating, somewhere near what has once been Memphis, Tennessee.
Roger jumped up, "WARRIORS ATTEND-ME!"
From all over mind responses came, "WE COME."
Wang-Li was the Moderator of the Vampire Lodge, he sent, "Vampires, prepare for meld!"
From all over Fort Warrior, Turned Vampires began to assemble in the Lodge Meeting Hall. Nearly 100 mated pair Hybrid Warriors answered the call and joined Roger and Little Bear in meld. The protected structure of Fort Warrior, began to vibrate as the Warriors sent their mind energy forth, window glass began to soften and run, Roger mind-screamed, "VAMPIRES - JOIN MELD."
500 hundred seasoned Turned Vampires inserted their minds into meld, the air above Fort Warrior turned orange and then angry red with escaped energy. The citizens knew their Warriors were in search! Further and further they pushed the meld and, suddenly the Meld Master, Roger, screamed, "GOTTEM!" He had reached Chief Scientist Gabrial Ghoram of the Kentuck Mountain People.
The man stumbled and thought, "Who art thou?"
Roger sent, "I am Prince Royal Roger of the Human Hybrid Warriors, we send you greetings in response to your radio message."
The man replied, "Are you Earth Humans?"
Roger responded, "Yes, of a sort, we have powers beyond what you may know."
Scientist Ghoran said, "We have no choice, we are dying. We tried to save some travelling folk and they turned on us, they are cannibals! We are 40 scientists holed up in a pre-disaster observatory with our families. We have young children among us. They cannot reach us, but we are nearly out of food and water! Where are you?" Roger told him and the man's disappointment was terrible, "You cannot reach us!"
Roger replied, "I told you we have powers not known to you. We come, some few of us can reach you in two weeks, can you hold out that long?"
The man replied, "Yes, but not much longer."
Roger sent, "WE COME!" While still in meld, Roger Mind Screamed, "WARRIORS - TO THE NAVY PIERS!" He sent to El Jefe Bobby, "We need 5,000 Warriors to the Great Inland Sea!"
That leader responded, as he was already in meld with them, "They depart today!"
The flight of Great Birds of War darkened the sky, at the word "CANNIBALS" their anger arose and the sky glowed red from their angry eyes, THE WARRIORS WERE GOING TO WAR! They swooped down upon the Navy Pier, the newest versions of HMAS ROGER and HMAS LITTLE BEAR were withdrawing control rods from their reactors and raising steam for the great turbines. These new ships were capable of 50 knots through the water, the moment the last Warrior strode on board, they backed from their piers and headed for the open sea. They passed the breakwater at 51 knots!
The two Monarchs refused to be left behind, they were on the Bridge with Roger and Little Bear. Commodore Gerald Kilpatrick, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandson of their old fighting comrade, was in command of the flotilla. Across the sea they raced, holding the reactors at 110%, the great ships straining every weld to get their Warriors to Mariposa! These sailors, all descendants of multiple generations of sailors dedicated to the service of their Hybrid Warriors, were pushing their ships beyond what the designers ever dreamed! Their sole purpose to serve the needs of these wonderful and fabulous Men!
Four days later they docked at Warrior Pier in Mariposa City. The Warriors streamed off their vessels, changing to flyer form as they hit a solid surface. They went screaming into the atmosphere, leaving a trail of frightened land animals and burned trees in their path! They hardly stopped, except for food and water, they met up with the column of troops sent by El Jefe Bobby as they neared the great inland sea.
Roger detailed twenty Warriors to remain with the Mariposa Elite Infantry Warriors to prepare for the refugees' arrival! Faster they flew across the great inland sea, their passage noted by frightened sea mammals and steam rising from the surface of the water! Roger ordered meld and the Warriors reached out to those they were rushing to save.
Chief Scientist Ghoram responded immediately, "Thank God, we are nearly done for."
Roger replied, "Light a signal fire that we might locate you!"
Soon, a wisp of smoke was spotted on the horizon, the warriors drove themselves even faster, to the very edge of the sonic disturbance they pushed themselves. The scientists gathered on the rooftops, and looked in horror as huge Birds of War started landing on their roofs and shape-shifting to Human appearing men.
Roger sent on wide mind broadcast, "Fear us not, we are HUMAN and are here for you!"
Chief Scientist Gabrial Ghoram stood in fear, "You are not here to hurt us?"
Roger smiled, "Only those who attack you need fear us, those, he pointed to the assembled slavers and cannibals, we have dealt with those before!"
As the warriors peered over the edge of the building, they saw their hated enemies, slavers and cannibals, The Warriors' hatred of those foul fiends overcame their need to reassure those whom they had come so far to rescue, their eyes began to glow red and their fangs went to full drop! The folk receded in horror and fear.
Roger said, "Fear us not, we mean only to destroy those who attack you!"
With that, the assembled Warriors swooped to the ground, changing into animals, some of which had never before been seen by humans! The folk in the refuge on the roof looked on in both horror and fascination as great gorillas, huge bears, giant lions and animals that defied description began to tear the savages to pieces. Slaver and cannibal parts went flying in every direction, the creeks ran red with their blood.
All day and all night they battled the fiends, by morning the warriors had destroyed every living slaver and cannibal. Parts were stacked higher than a man could stand, and sheets of gore covered the land. The Warriors foraged the forests for food and clean water for those they had rescued, discovering those the hated slavers had held captive. They treated their hurts and healed those needing such. Several were so severely hurt, they needed Turning to spare their lives. The scientific folk were amazed that such wounds could be healed.
Roger smiled, "It is not magic, we only add our own energy to their bodies so that they might heal themselves."
Two teen boys, both sons of Chief Scientist Ghoram, looked upon the Warriors. Both had congenital defects of the limbs, and they hobbled up to Roger, "Sir, could we be healed! Could we even be made as you, Warriors to protect our people? Could we fly as you?" The boys were twins and Ghoram rushed to hold them back, fearing they would offend their rescuers.
Roger held their father back and said, "Boys, yes we can but you must know that, once done, it cannot be reversed. You will be changed like us forever!"
The boys said together, "Sir, we are hateful as we are, we hurt, we are ugly of features and we are of little use to all!"
Roger became angry and turned to their father, he quickly skimmed his mind. Their Father loved his boys, but it was true, they were shunned by those around them. Roger's eyes went red and his fangs dropped full, "We will change these boys, but those of you so hateful to them, we will leave here. I hope you LIKE cannibals and slavers!"
The Warriors drew into a protective circle, their glowing eyes and dropped vampire fangs sending fear among those who would shun these boys. Roger and Little Bear took the boys and found an abandoned closet, where they went about healing the twins. They then exchanged blood with the two and then sat in vigil as they slept the sleep of change.
On the 7th day, the two boys, Kail and Oberon awoke. They ran their hands down their bodies in amazement, looking at each other, each wrapped their arms around the other and said, "Brother, we are whole, NEVER will I leave you!"
Roger announced, "Those who will accompany us on our return must stand before us and be judged by these two boys, whom you shunned! They alone shall judge you!"
Out of the nearly 200 refugees, only 60 passed the boys' judgment, they even hesitated over their own father, but, at the last minute, they relented.
The party started out overland, towards the Great Inland Sea. The Hybrid Warriors broadcast a homing mind wave that The Mariposa Elite Warriors and those Hybrid warriors left on the western shore could follow. As they approached the shores of the inland sea, sailing boats started to land, the rejoicing among the Hybrid Warriors was monumental, even the skies glowed in their happiness to be reunited with their fellow Warriors!
The Two Monarchs and El Jefe Bobby were among those left on the Western Shore, King Fala and King George hugged Roger and Little Bear, vowing never to be left behind again. Prince Paul and the Earl of Kelsey, Joseph, told Roger and Little Bear that never would they allow their Warrior Heroes to leave them behind!
The two newest Warriors, Kail and Oberon, knelt before Roger and Little Bear, "Prince Roger, Prince Little Bear, we dedicate ourselves, our lives and our bodies to you, where you go, we go, what you do, we do for now and forever, we are your bodyguards and never shall you be left unguarded by us!"
The Warriors and their party loaded into the sailing craft and headed west, across the Great Inland Sea. Huge Birds of War flew patrol over the fleet, insuring their safety, the mammals of that sea fled in terror of these strange beings, even the strange mammoth sharks that inhabited those waters stayed far clear of their presence! The Western Shore was reached, and the wagons made especially for the protection of Turned Vampires and small children were readied for the return to Mariposa.
Roger and Little Bear tutored Kail and Oberon in the mysteries of being a Human Hybrid Warrior. The two twin boys were identical in every respect, their Flyer shapes were both Giant Sea Falcons and their Land shapes were bright red Tigers of an enormous size! The twins hovered near to Roger and Little Bear, never letting them out of their sight. They were Guardian Warriors! The small children of the party had all known the Twins in their former life, that they were now Great Warriors made them Heroes! It was not unusual to see several young boys strutting behind the two or to see young girls making "moon eyes" as the twins passed them!
The Mariposa Warriors kept the party at a fast march that ate up miles upon miles each day. As they entered the Country of The Herders, they were forced to pause. The folk of that country had a special love for their Warriors from long ago. They insisted upon Festival and fed the Warriors and their party the finest they had to offer. The twins were walking around, sampling the treats offered by the Herder Folk when two teen boys came limping around a building, one boy carrying the other! They spotted the new Warriors and fell at their feet, pleading for help.
The twins, new at their powers, mind-screamed for Roger and Little Bear with such power, the entire force of Warriors came running! The twins were each cuddling a frightened Herder Boy in their arms, tears running down their faces. Kail and Oberon broadcast, with incredible power, "Please help them as you helped us!" They held the two frightened boys up to Roger and Little Bear in supplication, begging the two leader's assistance.
Roger and Little Bear took the two boys from the twins' embrace and held them. Roger smiled and asked, "Is this what you truly desire, once done it cannot be changed."
The boys said in unison, "We are brothers and are a burden to our folk. If you truly have the power to make us whole as the legends tell us, then do so that we might treat our folk with the kindness they have shown us, despite our disabilities."
Roger and Little Bear smiled, hugging the two teens even tighter as they announced, "We pause here for a time that we might make these boys as us!"
The Herder Chieftain stepped before the Warrior Leaders, "Princes, these are my sons, Lor and Got. I love them dearly but if you can make them whole and give them a life with you, it will be a great joy to me. I will still love them, but will also know that they will experience greatness. May the Great Spirit guide you and them in this!" The man's face was covered with his tears, he hugged his sons saying, "My beloved children, do as the Great Spirit guides you."
The Herder Folk gave over a home for the two Warrior Princes to accomplish their task. Roger and Little Bear carried the two brothers into the darkened building and first healed their deformities, making them whole.
Roger again asked, "Are you sure this is what you desire?"
The boys both responded with, "YES!"
Roger and Little Bear made the necessary blood exchanges and sat vigil for the needed six days while the two made their change. On the 7th day, both awoke to a new awareness of the Warriors around them. They heard greetings from their now fellow Warriors in welcome. As Roger and Little Bear emerged from the home, leading the two new Human Hybrid Warriors, a great shout of Festival went up from the assembled Herder Folk. The boys were feted by their own people and made welcome.
The two brothers, each holding the other's hand dropped to their knees before Roger and Little Bear, saying, "Lord Princes, we hereby dedicate ourselves to you, we join our rescuers, Kail and Oberon, in your protection, your enemies are our enemies, your lives are our lives, this we swear by the Great Spirit, it cannot be unsaid!" The two then broadcast to their Warrior fellows, "Brothers, we greet you with great joy, long have we dreamed of being whole and being as you!"
The force of their broadcast amazed both Roger and Little Bear, the same as with Kail and Oberon, the power of their minds was greater than anything they had ever before encountered in their long lives! Two days later, the party took their leave of the Herder Folk, Warriors Lor and Got were loaded down with gifts from their Folk, and the love of their Father. The two marched directly in front of Roger and Little Bear, while Kail and Oberon took up the rear, nothing they would say could dissuade the four from their Guardianship!
As the party entered the country of Mariposa, their way was lined with cheering Mariposans. That El Jefe Bobby was marching at the head of his Elite Warriors was a source of great pride to the Mariposa Folk and when the troop of Human Hybrid Warriors passed, the cheers and screaming deafened all those near! Children walked among the Warriors, holding their hands or being carried on their shoulders!
Teen boys looked upon the four newest Warriors with envy in their hearts and teen girls swooned as they passed! An enterprising Mariposa Photographer became wealthy selling pictures of the Warriors to young girls with stars in their eyes! As the cavalcade reached Mariposa City the local Lodge of Vampires turned out "en mass" that they might welcome those who had been newly Turned. The Vampires of Mariposa were a highly respected group, many were officials of El Jefe Bobby's government.
A two-day Holiday was declared in order that the people could see and greet the Warriors and especially Roger. There was 2,400 years of history between Roger's Family and the Mariposans, Roger's older brother was the first El Jefe Bobby! Housewives dashed from their homes bringing treats for the Warriors, mothers brought their babies that they might see these Fabulous Protectors who had saved the Mariposa People time and time again! The Warriors would delight the children by gleaming their eyes red and dropping their fangs! The children would squeal and scream, "More, More!"
The group rested for two days before embarking the two Cruisers. It would be a more sedate trip back to Sydney, the need for speed had passed. Their return to that city was marked with the people's joy, not only for the return of their Two Monarchs, King George and King Fala, but also for the return of their beloved Warriors! In the crowd of greeters were representatives of the Aborigine People as well as those from the Maori People. Both folks revered the Warriors as near godly!
As the Warriors trooped off the ships, the Great Shaman of the Maori People and the Revered Grand Shaman of the Aborigine Folk stepped forward to greet Roger and Little Bear. The two men said, "Lord Great Ones, we must meet."
Roger sighed, "Yes, it is time, meet with us in two weeks' time in Cairns."
The folk in Cairns welcomed their Warriors home with great joy, The Lodge of Vampires took in those that had required Turning with love and acceptance. Among those who meet, mind to mind, there can be no pettiness, no hate, an open mind allows nothing hidden. As the Warriors approached the gates of their home, Fort Warrior, children were thronged, all wanting a glimpse of those whom they so greatly loved. Every Warrior had his share of children hugging them, holding their hands or asking to be lifted to the Warrior's shoulders in absolute trust! For one of them to hurt a child was completely unknown, a Warrior would cut off his own hand before he could bring himself to hurt a child!
Wang-Li met his Masters at the door, he looked at Roger and Little Bear and tears started streaming from his eyes, he knew what troubled this Great Pair. He would say nothing, but his sadness was overbearing. The two weeks went by and the Shamans called at the gate. With great reluctance, Wang-Li escorted the two to the living quarters, where they met with Roger and Little Bear. Four young Warriors stood, shoulders locked, to prevent entry to all. The Shamans soon left, both in tears, needing to be escorted as they could hardly see through their distress.
A silence came over Fort Warrior, none wishing to intrude upon these saviors of mankind. After a while, a sort of normalcy returned but when they thought none were watching, an air of sadness descended upon the two Princes Royal. They still played with the children, they still went about their duties as leaders of the Human Hybrid Warriors, but the children could not be fooled. They came and sat before the gates of the home of Their Wondrous Warriors, or they would come inside and with subdued voices, would cuddle and hug Roger and Little Bear.
TBC