ECOBEARS LEARN OF THE SEVERE GLOBAL THREAT TO A FAR DISTANT PLANET CALLED EARTH. THE THREAT IS FROM ONE OF THEIR OWN - 'DILUS'. SIX HIGHLY TRAINED BEARONAUTS PREPARE TO TRAVEL TO EARTH IN THEIR SPACESHIP, THE 'ECHAMELEON'. ILLUSTRATED.
Chapter Two.
PLANETARY GUARDIANS
Jai and Sarria sat facing the monitor screens.
"Well, I guess it looks like just another day at the mill," said Jai pointing towards the monitors. Sarria checked them all.
"Yep," she said. "Nothing unusual going on today it would seem."
As the screens flitted from one section of the universe to another, all looked pretty normal, that is for an ever changing universe. But even in a universe full of chaos there is stability, and it is these stabilized parts that receive more attention. The monitor screens flickered hundreds of images per minute, each detail checked and logged by the ever vigilant pair.
"Vyne-tea?" asked Jai.
"Sure, yes please," answered Sarria, her eyes still fixed on the screens. Jai swung round in his chair, staring at the rest of the room. Gigantic monitors stood everywhere, along with the machines that kept them running. They made the most curious of sounds, whilst their dials and clocks were giving out continuous details of changing universal conditions and time zones.
As he got up to walk to the kitchen, he passed in the centre of the room, ecomorphosis - a large black circular computer, which gave off a constant low humming sound. Jai pondered for a moment on the vast technology and power of this machine; the brain of the whole operation stood here, enabling him to zoom in on any part of the known universe. Here he could watch the beginnings of galaxies, and the final destruction of stars exploding into supernovas.
Jai sauntered into the kitchen. He looked down at his little tea-belly, grabbed it with both paws and gave it a little shake. He chuckled to himself as he thought of his girlfriend who occasionally poked it because it always made her laugh out loud. Oh well, he thought, smiling as he put the kettle on.
Sarria was still sitting at her monitoring post when she heard the door at the back of the room open. She swung round in her chair. She was met by one of the ancient Elders, a bear named Dorrall, an overlooker who regularly visited the monitor room. He would come to check that the systems were running smoothly. He knew them intricately; he had helped in the design of the structures.
"Hello, bears." Dorrall made his way over to ecomorphosis, a strained frown appearing on his face as he reached it.
"What's this?" he said.
"What?" replied Sarria, who now looked slightly concerned.
"It's a message coming through from Ixi and Inula." Jai came back into the room carrying a tray in his paws. As he heard Dorrall talking he immediately put it down.
"Bum fluff," he muttered.
"Pardon?" said Dorrall, looking up at Jai with an ever increasing frown.
"Oh, nothing," said Jai, a little embarrassed. Dorrall jotted down some notes on his clipboard. Jai ran over to receive the message. It was from Ixi and Inula. The bears were reporting from the Echameleon spaceship. For several months they had been observing the planet Earth in a solar system known as the Milky Way. Now they were returning to planet Vynen. The message simply said: 'Dilus has been located. On our way home.'
"Well, well," said Dorrall scratching his frown. 'I'd better report immediately to Hyred and Master Dante. For wherever Dilus' name turns up, there's bound to be trouble." With that he turned and shot off out of the room. Jai and Sarria looked at each other.
"Here," said Jai passing Sarria her vyne-tea. "Now let's get to work."
Hyred was sat at his desk piled high with paperwork, when his assistant, Avista, knocked on the door lightly, walked into the room and up to the desk. Hyred raised his head.
"Yes?" he said.
"Elder Dorrall to see you, sir."
"Is it important?" asked Hyred.
"I believe it will be," said his assistant. He raised both eyebrows as he looked Hyred in the eye, and said quietly, "It appears that they've located Dilus."
"You'd better send him in, and call Dante. Ask him to come immediately."
"Yes, sir," replied Avista. He quickly retreated back to the door and opened it. He was just about to call Dorrall in but was beaten to it by Hyred's booming voice.
"Come in Dorrall! Take a seat. Dante will be here in a moment."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Master Dante walked in. With his staff tapping the floor every other step, he made his way over to the table to greet the others.
"Good day, Hyred," said Dante, tilting his head slightly in respect.
"Good day, Dante," replied Hyred.
"Good day, Dorrall. It's been a while. How are you keeping?"
"Fine and well, Dante. Thank you."
"Okay," said Hyred looking at Dorrall. "Tell us what you know."
"Well," began Dorrall. "At the moment this is only an initial briefing. We have received a message from the Echameleon, our spaceship manned by Ixi and Inula. They have been searching the Delta 9 region of galaxies; one in particular called the Milky Way. It is here on a planet known locally as Earth, inhabited by the species humans, that we believe we have located Dilus." Dante's face tensed as he looked across at Hyred, who was already searching his expression.
"We knew this would happen some day," said Hyred as he felt the disappointment from Master Dante.
"Yes," said Dante. "I know. "
"Okay," Hyred rose from behind his desk. He stretched and tensed his massive stature, relaxed, then continued.
"Dorrall, put together a report on what we know of planet Earth for me to read this evening. Dante, organise a meeting of the Councils for tomorrow morning." With this both visitors nodded lightly in acknowledgement, then left the room.
Deep in the Great Council Halls lies the Assembly Room, where all the most important decisions on Vynen are made. A buzz was in the air; the place was a hive of activity as the ecobears found their seats. The Great Chair reserved for Hyred was at the head of the room. It was surrounded by others where the most important bears were starting to take their places. Here sat the lords of major cities. Nearby were the mayors, the administrators, the high wizards, alchemists, and a list of dignitary bears who may have important input for the discussions that would take place.
As Hyred sat in the Great Chair, Master Dante stood next to him. With his staff in his right paw he tapped the floor three times. The sound echoed throughout the Hall. Bears immediately sat down and a hush of silence filled the room. For thirty seconds, except for the occasional cough, you could hear a pin drop.
Master Dante scanned the Assembly Room. When he was satisfied with the silence, he turned to Hyred, gently nodded and sat down. Hyred then stood. After clearing his ancient throat, he began.
"Good morning, bears. I'll keep this brief as I know you all have work to do, and its tea break in ten minutes. 'Dilus'." The mere mention of his name sparked mumbles and murmers from the crowd. Hyred looked out across the concerned faces in the Hall, then continued, "Yes, Dilus. We have located his presence on a small inhabited planet in the Delta 9 region of galaxies. One called Earth, whose inhabitants are a species of moderate intelligence, known as humans. As you know Dilus means only one thing.. TROUBLE. Especially on this type of planet which has a vast and diverse flora and fauna. This planet has evolved through 4,600 million years. So we all know why he is there and what he wants. But it is the way he goes about getting what he wants that is our main concern. For it will surely involve the death of many of the planet's inhabitants, especially the humans." Hyred paused. "So, we know what we have to do." Shouts of acknowledgement echoed throughout the room.
"So then," continued Hyred, "Upon its return we shall re-fuel and re-stock our spaceship, the Echameleon, and send back a team of six highly trained bearonauts to planet Earth." All nodded in agreement. "The Echameleon will be arriving here tomorrow. The day after we will re-launch. The names of the chosen team shall be announced then. Okay everyone, until then. Oh, by the way, its teabreak time in five minutes," added Hyred as he sat back down. 'Oohs' emitted all around the Hall as the bears got up and headed towards the canteens.
ON LAUNCH DAY the hustle and bustle around the launch pad is at fever pitch. It seems every ecobear on the entire planet Vynen has turned out for the event. The surrounding hillsides are covered with families and friends having picnics and barbeques, all waiting in anticipation for the take-off of the Echameleon; telescopes and binoculars ready and focused to catch sight of the main event.
Master Dante was running through the final checklist with the ship's supplies co-ordinater.
"Water." said Dante.
"Check," replied Inda.
"Food."
"Check."
"Hot water bottles."
"Check."
"Bio-fuel."
"Check."
"Vyne-tea bags."
"Err.. check."
"Okay, and most importantly, vyne-tree seeds."
"Oh yes."
"Pardon?" said Dante raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry," said Inda, "I mean check."
Everything had been loaded by the time the six bearonauts were climbing up the gantry of the Echameleon. The announcement of the crew had been made a short while earlier. Savreth, Mission Commander; Mudsey, Second in Command; Faz, ship's Medical Officer; Taggs, Professor of Astronautics; Pumkinn, Ship and General Engineer. Finally, Mel, Planetary Regeneration Expert and Vyne-tree Biochemist, who, unfortunately for her, had drawn the short straw and would be making the tea throughout the journey to Earth, and probably on the way back too.
Hyred and Master Dante were ready and waiting in the launch pad's Communication Tower. Savreth clicked open the transmission channels on the Echameleon.
"Ready for lift-off," said Savreth.
"Affirmative," replied Hyred from the Tower. "Let the countdown begin."
"TEN...NINE..."
All the ecobears that had come to watch the take-off stopped what they were doing when they heard the beginning of the countdown.
"EIGHT...SEVEN...SIX..." Binoculars and telescopes were all raised and pointing towards the Echameleon.
"FIVE...FOUR...THREE..."
"Engines fired and ready!" yelled Savreth.
"Affirmative!" replied the ship's team.
"TWO...ONE... WE HAVE LIFT OFF!" boomed the tower. Slowly the Echameleon rose to some fifty metres above the ground, then, a great noise of thunder, and, BOOOMMFF!!! It was gone. Out of sight from all, and on its potentially perilous journey to save the planet Earth.
"Oh, damn," came a cry from the back of the Echameleon's flight-deck. It was Faz, the ship's Medical Officer.
"What's wrong?" shouted Savreth.
"I've forgotten my chillichillout meditational cookies," said Faz. "It's gonna be a long journey. Can we go back for them?"
The text, photographs and illustrations for ECOBEARS are the copyright material and property of David Sterricker, Gareth Rivett and Yvonne Wright. No part may be reproduced without our permission. Contact us via email for permission details.
ECOBEARS is a registered Trademark. All rights reserved.
PLANETARY GUARDIANS
Jai and Sarria sat facing the monitor screens.
"Well, I guess it looks like just another day at the mill," said Jai pointing towards the monitors. Sarria checked them all.
"Yep," she said. "Nothing unusual going on today it would seem."
As the screens flitted from one section of the universe to another, all looked pretty normal, that is for an ever changing universe. But even in a universe full of chaos there is stability, and it is these stabilized parts that receive more attention. The monitor screens flickered hundreds of images per minute, each detail checked and logged by the ever vigilant pair.
"Vyne-tea?" asked Jai.
"Sure, yes please," answered Sarria, her eyes still fixed on the screens. Jai swung round in his chair, staring at the rest of the room. Gigantic monitors stood everywhere, along with the machines that kept them running. They made the most curious of sounds, whilst their dials and clocks were giving out continuous details of changing universal conditions and time zones.
As he got up to walk to the kitchen, he passed in the centre of the room, ecomorphosis - a large black circular computer, which gave off a constant low humming sound. Jai pondered for a moment on the vast technology and power of this machine; the brain of the whole operation stood here, enabling him to zoom in on any part of the known universe. Here he could watch the beginnings of galaxies, and the final destruction of stars exploding into supernovas.
Jai sauntered into the kitchen. He looked down at his little tea-belly, grabbed it with both paws and gave it a little shake. He chuckled to himself as he thought of his girlfriend who occasionally poked it because it always made her laugh out loud. Oh well, he thought, smiling as he put the kettle on.
Sarria was still sitting at her monitoring post when she heard the door at the back of the room open. She swung round in her chair. She was met by one of the ancient Elders, a bear named Dorrall, an overlooker who regularly visited the monitor room. He would come to check that the systems were running smoothly. He knew them intricately; he had helped in the design of the structures.
"Hello, bears." Dorrall made his way over to ecomorphosis, a strained frown appearing on his face as he reached it.
"What's this?" he said.
"What?" replied Sarria, who now looked slightly concerned.
"It's a message coming through from Ixi and Inula." Jai came back into the room carrying a tray in his paws. As he heard Dorrall talking he immediately put it down.
"Bum fluff," he muttered.
"Pardon?" said Dorrall, looking up at Jai with an ever increasing frown.
"Oh, nothing," said Jai, a little embarrassed. Dorrall jotted down some notes on his clipboard. Jai ran over to receive the message. It was from Ixi and Inula. The bears were reporting from the Echameleon spaceship. For several months they had been observing the planet Earth in a solar system known as the Milky Way. Now they were returning to planet Vynen. The message simply said: 'Dilus has been located. On our way home.'
"Well, well," said Dorrall scratching his frown. 'I'd better report immediately to Hyred and Master Dante. For wherever Dilus' name turns up, there's bound to be trouble." With that he turned and shot off out of the room. Jai and Sarria looked at each other.
"Here," said Jai passing Sarria her vyne-tea. "Now let's get to work."
Hyred was sat at his desk piled high with paperwork, when his assistant, Avista, knocked on the door lightly, walked into the room and up to the desk. Hyred raised his head.
"Yes?" he said.
"Elder Dorrall to see you, sir."
"Is it important?" asked Hyred.
"I believe it will be," said his assistant. He raised both eyebrows as he looked Hyred in the eye, and said quietly, "It appears that they've located Dilus."
"You'd better send him in, and call Dante. Ask him to come immediately."
"Yes, sir," replied Avista. He quickly retreated back to the door and opened it. He was just about to call Dorrall in but was beaten to it by Hyred's booming voice.
"Come in Dorrall! Take a seat. Dante will be here in a moment."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Master Dante walked in. With his staff tapping the floor every other step, he made his way over to the table to greet the others.
"Good day, Hyred," said Dante, tilting his head slightly in respect.
"Good day, Dante," replied Hyred.
"Good day, Dorrall. It's been a while. How are you keeping?"
"Fine and well, Dante. Thank you."
"Okay," said Hyred looking at Dorrall. "Tell us what you know."
"Well," began Dorrall. "At the moment this is only an initial briefing. We have received a message from the Echameleon, our spaceship manned by Ixi and Inula. They have been searching the Delta 9 region of galaxies; one in particular called the Milky Way. It is here on a planet known locally as Earth, inhabited by the species humans, that we believe we have located Dilus." Dante's face tensed as he looked across at Hyred, who was already searching his expression.
"We knew this would happen some day," said Hyred as he felt the disappointment from Master Dante.
"Yes," said Dante. "I know. "
"Okay," Hyred rose from behind his desk. He stretched and tensed his massive stature, relaxed, then continued.
"Dorrall, put together a report on what we know of planet Earth for me to read this evening. Dante, organise a meeting of the Councils for tomorrow morning." With this both visitors nodded lightly in acknowledgement, then left the room.
Deep in the Great Council Halls lies the Assembly Room, where all the most important decisions on Vynen are made. A buzz was in the air; the place was a hive of activity as the ecobears found their seats. The Great Chair reserved for Hyred was at the head of the room. It was surrounded by others where the most important bears were starting to take their places. Here sat the lords of major cities. Nearby were the mayors, the administrators, the high wizards, alchemists, and a list of dignitary bears who may have important input for the discussions that would take place.
As Hyred sat in the Great Chair, Master Dante stood next to him. With his staff in his right paw he tapped the floor three times. The sound echoed throughout the Hall. Bears immediately sat down and a hush of silence filled the room. For thirty seconds, except for the occasional cough, you could hear a pin drop.
Master Dante scanned the Assembly Room. When he was satisfied with the silence, he turned to Hyred, gently nodded and sat down. Hyred then stood. After clearing his ancient throat, he began.
"Good morning, bears. I'll keep this brief as I know you all have work to do, and its tea break in ten minutes. 'Dilus'." The mere mention of his name sparked mumbles and murmers from the crowd. Hyred looked out across the concerned faces in the Hall, then continued, "Yes, Dilus. We have located his presence on a small inhabited planet in the Delta 9 region of galaxies. One called Earth, whose inhabitants are a species of moderate intelligence, known as humans. As you know Dilus means only one thing.. TROUBLE. Especially on this type of planet which has a vast and diverse flora and fauna. This planet has evolved through 4,600 million years. So we all know why he is there and what he wants. But it is the way he goes about getting what he wants that is our main concern. For it will surely involve the death of many of the planet's inhabitants, especially the humans." Hyred paused. "So, we know what we have to do." Shouts of acknowledgement echoed throughout the room.
"So then," continued Hyred, "Upon its return we shall re-fuel and re-stock our spaceship, the Echameleon, and send back a team of six highly trained bearonauts to planet Earth." All nodded in agreement. "The Echameleon will be arriving here tomorrow. The day after we will re-launch. The names of the chosen team shall be announced then. Okay everyone, until then. Oh, by the way, its teabreak time in five minutes," added Hyred as he sat back down. 'Oohs' emitted all around the Hall as the bears got up and headed towards the canteens.
ON LAUNCH DAY the hustle and bustle around the launch pad is at fever pitch. It seems every ecobear on the entire planet Vynen has turned out for the event. The surrounding hillsides are covered with families and friends having picnics and barbeques, all waiting in anticipation for the take-off of the Echameleon; telescopes and binoculars ready and focused to catch sight of the main event.
Master Dante was running through the final checklist with the ship's supplies co-ordinater.
"Water." said Dante.
"Check," replied Inda.
"Food."
"Check."
"Hot water bottles."
"Check."
"Bio-fuel."
"Check."
"Vyne-tea bags."
"Err.. check."
"Okay, and most importantly, vyne-tree seeds."
"Oh yes."
"Pardon?" said Dante raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry," said Inda, "I mean check."
Everything had been loaded by the time the six bearonauts were climbing up the gantry of the Echameleon. The announcement of the crew had been made a short while earlier. Savreth, Mission Commander; Mudsey, Second in Command; Faz, ship's Medical Officer; Taggs, Professor of Astronautics; Pumkinn, Ship and General Engineer. Finally, Mel, Planetary Regeneration Expert and Vyne-tree Biochemist, who, unfortunately for her, had drawn the short straw and would be making the tea throughout the journey to Earth, and probably on the way back too.
Hyred and Master Dante were ready and waiting in the launch pad's Communication Tower. Savreth clicked open the transmission channels on the Echameleon.
"Ready for lift-off," said Savreth.
"Affirmative," replied Hyred from the Tower. "Let the countdown begin."
"TEN...NINE..."
All the ecobears that had come to watch the take-off stopped what they were doing when they heard the beginning of the countdown.
"EIGHT...SEVEN...SIX..." Binoculars and telescopes were all raised and pointing towards the Echameleon.
"FIVE...FOUR...THREE..."
"Engines fired and ready!" yelled Savreth.
"Affirmative!" replied the ship's team.
"TWO...ONE... WE HAVE LIFT OFF!" boomed the tower. Slowly the Echameleon rose to some fifty metres above the ground, then, a great noise of thunder, and, BOOOMMFF!!! It was gone. Out of sight from all, and on its potentially perilous journey to save the planet Earth.
"Oh, damn," came a cry from the back of the Echameleon's flight-deck. It was Faz, the ship's Medical Officer.
"What's wrong?" shouted Savreth.
"I've forgotten my chillichillout meditational cookies," said Faz. "It's gonna be a long journey. Can we go back for them?"
The text, photographs and illustrations for ECOBEARS are the copyright material and property of David Sterricker, Gareth Rivett and Yvonne Wright. No part may be reproduced without our permission. Contact us via email for permission details.
ECOBEARS is a registered Trademark. All rights reserved.