The Fire Crystal by James Lawrence Read Free Book Online

made them defend themselves this close in to Earth, then I fear the planet would be destroyed.”
    “ That’s why we must hurry, and will need your help,” said Eagle One. “The Zaarks are showing their hand. That avalanche was no accident; they didn’t want you to reach us. We believe that they are planning an attack on this cave, to steal the crystal. Now please follow us, we must reach the inner cave and prepare, and will tell you the rest of the story when we get there.”
    As they followed the eagles inwards along a narrow badly lit tunnel, Tom wondered how computer projections could move like this, but didn’t even ask – the eagles had hinted that they were special, and that was good enough for him.

11 The Cannon
    They walked for some time, until suddenly the tunnel opened into a cavern.
    Calvan rubbed his eyes. “I’ve never seen fire crystal, but I know this must be it,” he said. The whole cavern was made of it; a magnificent natural cathedral that radiated bright blue light, and a feeling of power.
    Tom looked on in awe, and said, “I never really understood the meaning of magic before this.”
    The crystal glowed with a bright beautiful inner fire - was it blue? Calvan found that he couldn’t put a name to the color; it was unlike anything he’d ever seen.
    “An attack could be imminent,” Eagle One said. “Sorry that we haven’t got time to show you around, but we must get this moving.”
    They walked to a small opening in the back of the cave. “Here is your craft,” Eagle Two said. Calvan knew that Tom would reply, so stood back.
    “What craft?” Tom said. “Do you mean that metal tube? Where would we go in it; we’ve only just got here.”
    Calvan was surprised too. “This is a converted rescue craft, it is safe – well almost,” Eagle One said.
    “ Yes , I saw one a long time ago in a museum,” Tom said drily.
    “We need you to fly it and find the SP’s ship,” Eagle Two said. “This craft is already loaded with fire crystal, and when it’s installed in the power-core of the SPs mother ship, then the games over. There will be enough energy to defeat the Zaark ship.”
    “Or even a fleet of them,” Eagle One added.
    Calvan asked. “Wouldn’t this thing have it’s own distress beacon, that the SP’s could home in on. That would save us two from flying in it.” I suffer from travel sickness, and anyway would like to live a bit longer.”
    Tom had to smile and admit to himself - that kid is smart. “But if my people could find it, then so could the Zaarks I guess, and we can’t take that chance, we have to fly it ourselves unfortunately.” Tom had answered Calvan’s question himself.
    Calvan thought for a moment, and then declared, “right let’s get started.” 
    Five minutes later, and both boys were strapped into their narrow seats, and the hatch closed. They had been loaded into a long transparent tube. Tom gave the thumbs up, and waved in a forward chopping motion. He must have watched some Earth movies Calvan thought.
    “We are to be shot out of the mountain top, like a bullet from a gun,” Tom explained with relish.
    Calvan shuddered. “Please spare me the details, I’d prefer to die in ignorance.”
    “I’ll count down from five,” Tom said. “When I push this red button, pull back hard on that lever.”
    With a final wave the Eagles sealed the loading tube. Then Tom saw the green light. “Three two one” - he hit the GO button, and Calvan pulled the lever down hard.
    “So this is how I die,” he thought.
    The boys waited. Nothing! The biggest nothing that Calvan had ever experienced. Suddenly there was an explosion, and both boys were pushed hard back against their seats. They cleared the mountaintop, and sped upwards leaving a shockwave behind them, as the sonic boom echoed back from the plain below. The guardians were down there somewhere.
    Calvan glanced out of the small porthole , and glimpsed a flash of sunlight through the red haze. Then