INTO THE BLACK

Jupiter paused for what felt like an eternity to him as he searched for the right words to say. Words that could somehow make Belle understand the reasons behind his decision all those years ago. Words that could lessen the pain it had caused them both. Finally it came to him.
“I like what you've done with your hair.”
If looks could kill, Belle's look could've committed genocide.
“That's all you have to say for yourself?”
Jupiter racked his brain again for the right answer.
“Uh, your boots go well with that outfit.”
“Reign in the stupid or I'll shoot you myself,” Liberty muttered.
“And who is this?” asked Belle. “If you're dating him you should be warned, he can't be trusted.”
“Oh, sorry, allow me to introduce you two. Liberty, Belle...,” Jupiter said, then laughed nervously. “Liberty Belle – like the famous bell.”
No one else laughed. Jupiter gulped and looked around the cavern wishing he could be anywhere else. Wishing he was with Abe heading to Atlantis.

#

“No, it is not fine. We're about to vaporised into dust! And I'm allergic to dust!” yelled Abe, shaking Sunny by his neon-lit Hawaiian shirt.
“Relax,” Sunny replied. “I've got it all sorted. I have a plan,” he added as he took a small, rectangular device out of his pocket. He flicked a switch and started to tap the device like someone testing a microphone. Abe started to take deep breaths in an attempt to avoid passing out.
“Ahem, hello fine people aboard the warship – we ask that you kindly turn away and leave us in peace.”
Laughter roared down onto the planet from above.
“And why should we do that?” snarled the ship's commander.
“Because in return, we will hand over to you the chosen one, Google Jones. I'm sure Mykur would love to have him.”
In a flash Justice had his gun aimed at Sunny.
“That's not going to happen.”
“Now, now, let's hear the man out,” said Abe.

#

Belle flicked her long, blonde hair back as she punched a code into another set of giant, solid steel doors. Slowly they opened revealing the underground world of the Malacandra.
“My god...,” Liberty said, hand to her mouth as it all came into view.
“You've never been inside Mars before? Jupiter never told you?” Belle asked.
“No – I never knew. It's... it's beautiful.”
Laid out before them, continuing for miles on end, was what appeared to be a gigantic shopping centre.

When the decision was first made that Mars would become the second planet to be settled by humans, a worldwide effort was called for. Each nation was asked to provide its brightest minds for the mission. Mars was to be the planet where humans would finally reach their full potential.

However, once on the planet, each nation placed pressure on their representatives to claim as much land as possible for their country. This didn't appeal to the new 'Martians' as the people of Earth called them. Instead of sticking along national lines, they became a unified group. They no longer identified themselves as Americans or Chinese or any other nationality – instead they were all simply the people of Mars. After all, the greatest minds theorised that the absence of nationalistic tendencies would result in less conflicts and war.

What they didn't realise was that it would be the beginning of a new divide – the beginning of worldistic tendencies. Put simply: Earthlings versus Martians. People on Earth felt the 'Martians' were arrogant and elitist, people on Mars thought the Earthlings ignorant and un-evolved. Eventually it came to a head in what has since been described as history's most brutal water fight.

You see, water on Mars had not only been discovered, it had been found to be the best tasting water in the galaxy. People of Earth felt they had an equal right to the water – after all, they told the Martians, 'We're the ones that sent you eggheads there in the first place'. People of Mars, who had now started to call themselves The Malacandra, responded with, 'We may be eggheads, but at least we're not meatheads'. Gradually the name calling got worse until The Malacandra could take no more. Feeling threatened, they told the people of Earth, 'You want your water so bad, here it comes'.

In short, they created a water bomb – giving Earth all the water it demanded in one instant. The result was destruction on a scale never before seen, with most of the planet flooded. Earthlings felt they had no choice but to retaliate and launched all their weapons on Mars. Unfortunately for The Malacandra, although they were made up of mankind's greatest thinkers, they weren't exactly the world's greatest military strategists. With no weapons to speak off, only a few hundred thousand survived the oncoming attack, hiding out underground.

Needing to rebuild their crumbled society, they looked at all the greatest civilisations and the times and circumstances where society had thrived. Finally they deduced that their chance greatest of prosperity would be to convert their world into a gigantic shopping centre.

It should also be noted that most of mankind's greatest thinkers happened to be female.

#

“We'll find some other way out of this. We've got out of worse,” said Justice.
“There is no way out of this one though, is there?” said Google quietly. “Either we all get blown up or I let them take me.” He took a deep breath and looked around the beachside city. “I'll go,” he said finally.
“But you don't need to...”
“Yes, I do. All that matters is that Mykur is defeated. Get to Atlantis; get the next part of the key. Hopefully I can stay alive long enough for you to save me.” He turned to Sunny. “Tell them I'm ready to go aboard their ship.”
“Google is ready to surrender,” said Sunny into his megaphone device.
Laughter roared down onto the planet again.
“So you have Google?” the ship's commander responded.
“Yes.”
“The Google Jones that Mykur wants dead?”
“Ah, yes.”
“The Google Jones that would be made dead when the planet he's on explodes?”
“Once again, yes. Now please send down a transporter ship and you can be on your way.”
More laughter from the ship above.
Sunny looked across at Abe with a smile.
“I think our optimistic approach to life here is having a good effect on them. They seem so much happier now. I told you this was going to work out fine.”
Abe turned his attention to Justice.
“Now can I shoot him?”
Before Justice could answer, 10,000 missles shot out from the ship, headed right for them.

#

Jupiter looked around, taking in the sights as the memories came flooding back. To the left was Herbert's Bakery where he'd eaten countless Herbie's sugar-free, fat-free, cholesterol-lowering jam donuts with added omegas 1-99, protein, fibre, iron and folateTM. To the right was the computer store that he and his friends would visit every weekend to get that week's latest computer and hand in their now outdated model.
“Over by that fountain is the town hall where the federation meets. I'll take you two there tomorrow to plead your case," Belle informed them.
Jupiter continued to scan the sights as Liberty squinted up ahead.
“Is that a communications centre?” she asked.
“Yep, you should be able to make contact with anyone in the universe from there.”
“Well, why don't I give you two a moment alone while I check up on Google and the others.”
Liberty wondered off into the distance, leaving Jupiter standing awkwardly with Belle.
“So... how have you been?” he asked.
“Very sexually satisfied, thank you.”
“Yes, I saw that you're married now. Congratulations.”
“For being married or the multiple orgasms he gives me daily?”
“Both, I guess.”
“Thanks.”
Belle paused, looked across at Jupiter and sighed.
“Look, perhaps I'm being childish. It's just – you hurt me. And for some reason it's important to me that you know, I'm doing great now. You didn't break me. After you left, I found my soulmate. So, I'm glad you did what you did. But that doesn't make me think well of you. So, you should know, I'm not ready to play nice just yet.”
“I'm just happy to see...,” but Jupiter never completed the sentence, because at that moment Liberty came racing over.
“What is it? What's going on? Are the others ok?” he asked.
“Oh no idea, the com centre was shut - but they're selling Gucci Blasters here at up to 60% off!”

#

Abe could only watch on as the missiles sailed down towards them like missiles sailing down towards a planet in a war simulation videogame. Then, just before they broke into the planet's atmosphere, the missile's swung around and went flying back at warship, like missiles in a war simulation videogame that had a strange glitch or cheat code. The ship never stood a chance, exploding into a billion pieces on impact. On the planet's surface, people cheered as if watching an impressive fireworks display.

Abe turned to Sunny in shock.
“How... How'd that happen?”
“That my friend is the power of positive thinking – and the latest state-of-the-art LG missile override system.”
“Why didn't you say something!? I almost died of a heart attack!”
“I know it was great! You should have seen all your faces! We got you good! Best. Joke. Ever.”
Everyone within earshot started to laugh and point at Abe and the gang. Abe reached for his blaster, but Justice held his arm back.
“You know for a planet of optimists, you sure are jerks!”
Sunny finally recovered from his laughing to reply, “Optimists? Haven't you worked it out yet? We're not optimists!”
“But wait, isn't this...,” Justice took out his map and pointed at the planet :-).
Sunny laughed again.
“No, no, no. That's the neighbouring planet. I was going to tell you before, but it was too much fun playing along. We're here,” he said pointing down at another planet on the map.

A planet founded by practical jokers. A planet named :-p.

Previously on INTO THE BLACK

The gang has split up! Jupiter and Liberty are headed to Mars to meet with the Malacandra, an underground organisation that might be able to prevent a kill order being placed on their heads. Meanwhile, Abe and the others are on their way to Atlantis to find the second piece of the Trinity Key, but first they'll need a vehicle capable of travelling underwater.

And, so far, if this story was Super Mario Bros. a Toad would have probably told you several times, "Thank you Mario! But our Cher is in another chapter."

Now we rejoin the action...

“It wasn't named after the chocolate you know.”

“Huh?” Liberty asked as she rubbed her forehead, slowly recovering from the drugged bacon.

“Mars – a lot of people think it was named after the chocolate bar, but it wasn't.”

“Riveting.”

“I'm just saying - lot of locals get touchy about it is all.”

Jupiter tried not to dwell on the point as Liberty glanced around the cockpit of the Blackbird, trying to regain her bearings.

“How do you know this Belle anyway? Are you sure she can be trusted?” Liberty asked, breaking the silence.

“Well I know she'd do just about anything to see Mykur defeated. She was against him before it was even the popular thing.”

“So what's with your clothing then?”

“What about it?”

“It's all blaster-resistant.”

“Let's just say, Belle and I, we have... history,” Jupiter replied as he piloted the shuttle down toward the surface of Mars.

“History?” She looked across at Jupiter suspiciously. “Now's the time to disclose any information that's pertinent to the mission.”

“Girls and their gossip... Fine. Belle and I used to work together once, as treasure hunters, along with Abe.”

“And that's everything.”

“And we were engaged.”

“Bad breakup?”

“You could say that?”

“What would you say?”

“I'd say I ran off with our ship a day before the wedding without saying goodbye.”

Liberty unbuckled her seatbelt and made her way out of the cockpit towards the back of the ship.

“Where are you going?” Jupiter called out.

“To get my blaster-resistant clothes.”

#

“You know, I don't need this! If I wanted to, I could be writing for CSI: Pluto City! But oh no, I just had to join up with Jupiter and see the galaxy,” Abe muttered to Justice.

“You have to admit, it is a little exciting – the chance to save the universe,” Justice countered as he examined a cockpit monitor on-board The Love Crusader.

“Exciting!? Brushing my teeth when the low-battery light is flashing, that's exciting. This... this is a prolonged heart attack.”

“Computer bring up section C2S8 on screen,” Justice instructed.

“You found something?” asked Abe.

“Maybe... look at this. It's a small planet, only has a couple of populated cities, but it's half covered in water. Odds are they'll have some water vessels.”

“Has potential. What's it called?”

“That's the odd part – it doesn't have a name, per se,” replied Justice.

“Huh?”

“Its name is a smiley face emoticon.”

“You've got to be kidding me.”

“Apparently it was founded by a group of theologians who believed the world would be better if everyone just learned to always look on the bright side.”

“We're flying to a planet of morons,” Abe muttered.

“Could be worse, at least they sound friendly.”

Abe shot Justice a look, before jumping up from his seat and heading for the cockpit door.

“Where are you going?” Justice asked.

“To get my blaster-resistant clothes.”

#

“You sure you're prepared?”

“I went out with her for three years, I'm capable of talking to her for a few minutes without anything going wrong.”

“Just try not to say anything stupid.” She paused, then added, “Stupider than normal I mean.”

Jupiter lowered Blackbird closer to the surface as the barren Mars landscape became visible through the cockpit window.

“There,” said Jupiter pointing out to the north. “There it is.”

“The Valles Marineris,” said Liberty, in awe of the canyon that stretched out before them.

“Largest canyon in the solar system,” said Jupiter proudly as he guided them closer towards it.

“I always thought Mars was a hole, but this is...”

Suddenly below the ship, massive explosions shot up into the air.

“They're attacking! Quick, load up the missles. This heap of junk does have missiles, doesn't it?” Liberty asked as she scanned the cockpit walls looking for launch codes.

Jupiter laughed and put an arm across to calm her.

“Relax, it's just the geysers. Look.”

Liberty pushed Jupiter's hand away and stared out as the surface continued to erupt sand and mud up into the sky.

“You know, it's actually quite beautiful up close,” Liberty admitted as the ship dropped down past the surface and into the canyon.

#

Justice, Abe and Google stepped down the front ramp of The Love Crusader and onto the surface of :-). Outside, the sun was shinning and the weather humid as a light breeze gently swayed the leaves of nearby palm trees. Finding it uncomfortably warm, Abe pressed on the buttons on his pants, turning them into shorts as he gazed out at the tropical wonderland. The Space port was conveniently located right by the beach, offering prime views of everyone enjoying themselves: surfing, sailing or just eating ice cream by the shore.

“Hello friends,” a rotund, bearded-man called out to them happily as he made his way over. “Welcome to...,” he pointed up at his smiling face.

“Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here on colon, dash, parenthesis,” replied Abe stiffly.

“It looks wonderful, like a mix of ancient Hawaii and the Caribbean,” said Google.

“Too true, friend. Now come, I'll show you to the vehicle you enquired about. I'm sure you'll just love it. We'll travel by golf cart. For some reason travelling by golf carts always makes life fun! Don't you agree, friend?”

Abe stared blankly ahead as the bearded man went skipping ahead, whistling as he did.

“Can we shoot him?” Abe asked Justice, who just laughed.

#

The Blackbird touched down softly on the canyon surface and a few seconds later the side hatch swung open. Jupiter stepped out, breathing in the air.

“Ah, don't you just love summer.”

“You must be kidding!” said Liberty shivering as she wrapped the hood on her wool parka tightly to keep out as much wind as possible. “It must be minus ten degrees out here.”

“Like I said, summer. They never did get around to properly terraforming this place. If you think this is cold, you should visit in winter.”

Liberty surveyed the landscape around her.

“There's nothing but rocks as far as the eye can see. Are you sure the Martian hideout is here?”

“For Cruise's sake Libby! Lower your voice, if they hear you calling them... Only a Martian can call us Martians.”

“I don't see the big deal.”

“Trust me, you don't want these people to mistake you for an Earthling.”

“But we were all Earthlings originally.”

Before Jupiter could repsond the ground began to shake.

“Marsquake?”

#

The bearded man, who'd they now come to know as Sunny, stood proudly in front of a red submersible, shaped like a giant stingray.

“There's no way I'm paying 5000 credits for that. It's probably not even water proof,” said Abe, crossing his arms.

“Trust me friend, this ship is a bargain. Besides, a bit of water never hurt anyone.”

“Yes, I've heard drowning just kind of tickles,” Abe replied dryly.

“I've thrown in the petrol for free. You won't get a better deal in this solar system.”

“But the petrol tank's half empty,” Abe complained.

“No, I think you'll find it's half full.”

“Half empty!”

“Half full!”

“Isn't it both?” asked Google, a little confused.

Abe and Sunny both turned to stare at him like he was an idiot.

“We'll take it,” said Justice suddenly.

“What!?”

“Relax Abe, it's not your money I'm using.”

“See, I knew things would work out fine,” said Sunny, just as a giant shadow crossed over the entire planet.

“What's going on?” asked Abe nervously. He looked up to see a giant spaceship, bigger than the planet :-) itself now hovered overhead, blocking out the sun.

“Oh, that? Well Mykur's army said they'd blow our planet into a billion pieces if we didn't join with him, but we just find him so pessimistic.”

All of a sudden, the entire planet's windows vibrated as a booming voice came down from the ship's loudspeakers.

“Citizens of... Um, how do you pronounce... citizens of... this planet: prepare to feel the might of Mykur.”

With that, the ship opened its 10,000 missile bays – all of them now pointed at the planet.

“Don't worry, I'm sure everything will work out just fine,” said Sunny happily.

#

Liberty worked hard to keep her balance as the rumbling continued, while Jupiter simply lay flat on the ground, resting. When it finally stopped, he pointed to an area where the recent movement had cleared an entranceway to a ramp leading underground.

“Of course, where else would an underground organisation be?” Liberty said to herself.

As they made their way down the ramp, the air became warmer, more mechanical. After about 75 metres, the rumbling began again. Liberty fought back the feeling of claustrophobia as she turned to watch the entrance close up with rocks once more. Another 400 metres down and the tunnel began to grow wider until Liberty and Jupiter finally reached a giant metal door that stood 50 metres high.

“What now?” asked Liberty.

As if in response, an ear-splitting screech filled the underground cavern as the massive door lifted, sending a cloud of dust up into the air with it. When the dust finally settled, it revealed a lone woman, who somehow had a much bigger presence than her slender body would suggest.

“Well hello, Jupiter, it's been a while,” said Belle, coolly.

“First things first, we need a bird that can get her feathers wet,” said Google, addressing the rest of crew, who were all gathered around the cockpit dining table.

“What are you talking about?” asked Jupiter.

“Atlantis – the entire planet is one big water world; we'll need a ship that can travel underwater.”

“Come on, surely we're not... It's suicide. Yes, we have one piece of the key, but there's still two pieces to go – and we'll have every ship in the galaxy hunting us down if Mykur passes his kill order,” said Abe.

“That's the second thing,” said Justice, taking charge. “We need to delay that order if we're to have any chance. Jupiter, I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty, no pun, of researching you and Abe before Google hired you. You have connections to the Malacandra.”

“That was a lifetime ago,” Jupiter replied.

“Do you have any connections left that you could trust? They're just about the only group in the galaxy that still openly defies Mykur. If we could get them to message the Council planets maybe we could delay the kill order. It's possible they could sway enough planets our way.”

Jupiter took a sip from his drink.

“The way I left things with the Malacandra, they'd be just as likely to kill me themselves.”

“Well, suck it up, princess. Justice is right, we won't make it to Atlantis with a kill order on our heads,” Liberty said, in-between bites of Hangover-b-gone bacon.

“One problem,” said Abe. “Well, no, actually, a million problems – but one more problem – the Malacandra are on Mars while, last time I checked, Atlantis is on the other side of the galaxy.”

“Ape is right,” said Google, before ducking a cup thrown at him by Abe. “Sorry, Abe is right. That's why we need to split up. One group makes the trek to Atlantis on The Love Crusader, while the other group heads to Mars on Blackbird to meet with the Malacandra.”

“So who's going to Mars?” asked Liberty.

“I'll go – I was born there, no one knows the planet better. Abe, you take the others to Atlantis,” said Jupiter.

Abe and Justice both jumped to their feet, talking over the top of each other.

“Whoa, one at a time. Justice?” said Jupiter.

“Getting to the Malacandra is too important – you'll need help. You can't go alone.”

“Are you asking me out?”

“No. Liberty will be going with you.”

Liberty glared across at Justice. “My job is to protect Google. Where he goes, I go.”

“Lib – the best thing you can do to protect Google is to make sure the kill order doesn't get through the Council,” Justice said.

“It's true. Besides, I'm not the chosen one – I'm not your mission anymore.”

“Like hell you're not,” said Liberty.

“Don't worry, it'll be ok Lib. You'll find I've learnt a lot from you over the years,” Google said with a slight smirk.

Liberty looked down at her now empty plate with a grimace.

“I thought the bacon tasted funny,” she managed to slur before her head hit the table, passed out.

“Great, so it's all settled then,” said Justice. “Let's get you and Liberty packed and onto Blackbird – remember to dress warm for Mars.”

Google and Justice gently lifted Liberty out of her chair and made their way out of the cockpit. Now alone, Abe made his way over to Jupiter.

“You sure about this, boss?”

“Yes, you're the only one I'd trust with The Crusader.”

“But perhaps I should be the one going to Mars with Liberty.”

“Nah, it'll be fine. It'll be good – hey, I used to love Mars. Besides, I remember how you feel about the place.”

“Can't say I'm too fond of flying underwater, either.”

“You'll be fine. Just you make sure The Crusader stays in one piece. Don't let the kid fly her.”

Jupiter got up to head towards his quarters. Abe looked across, weighing up whether to say something or not. Then:

“Belle - she's not going to be happy to see you. You know that, right?”

“What do you mean, you can't remember if you had a birthmark before the crash!?” Jupiter asked, nervously pacing back and forward around the cockpit.
“Well, it's on my back... I didn't exactly spent a lot of time examining my back when I was a kid. What's the big deal?”
“What's going on?” asked Liberty, starting to sound concerned.
“And do stop moving – you're all whooshy when you move,” said Justice.
“What's with him?” Jupiter asked Liberty.
“He's can't handle his alcohol straight.”
“You can drink it arty?”
“No. I mean, he's used to having it mixed with coke. We're Cokecasians, remember.”
“Can we get back to the topic of our imminent, painful death?” asked Abe.

“Ok, I just received a transmission from Mykur – asking me to hand over Google.”
Liberty automatically reached for her blaster, “You didn't...”
“No. Stupidly it would seem! He said Google's not the chosen one. Mykur just set things up to make it look like he was to take the attention away from his hunt for the real chosen one.”
“But that's impossible – what about the way Google's parents died and the birthmark?” asked Abe.
“He tampered with the reanimation machine so that only Google would survive the space jump – the miraculous survivor. And the birthmark is just a combination of scarring and tattoo work. I even saw the footage of them doing it.”
Google sat down silently, his head in his hands.

“So what do we do now?” asked Abe.
“We have 24 hours to hand over the piece of The Trinity Key; he said that if we did that, he'd spare us; that he wouldn't hunt us down.”
“And you trust him?”
“No. Of course not – the guy's 101 flavours of evil. But, we don't really have any other option, do we? If we don't hand it over, he'll request the Intergalactic Council put a kill order on all of us. He already controls over 50% of the Council – it's very possible he could get the 66% vote required. We'd have every member of the entire galaxy's armies and police squadrons after us.”
Google started to run his hands through his hair, the way someone might do if they were stressed out about discovering they're not a prophesied hero. Jupiter rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey, look at this way kid, it's over. You should be happy. No more having to worry about killing Mykur. No more worrying about having to be some hero.”
Jupiter walked over to his control monitor, ”We can just press this button, make a deal and it's all over.”

“Press the button,” Google said softly.
“Are we all sure?” asked Jupiter.
“It makes tactical sense,” replied Justice.
“It's our only choice,” added Abe.
Liberty just sat quietly.
“Press it,” Google said more forcefully.
Jupiter did as he was told and a few seconds later a hologram of Prince Mykur appeared before them, smiling politely.
“How nice it is to see you all – particularly you master Google. I take it we can come to some sort of arrangement?”
Google stood and slowly approached the hologram.
“Here's the deal I'm prepared to make: You murdered my parents. I never even really got to know them. And you think I'll give you what you need to rule the galaxy? So I'm not the chosen one and I may not be able to face you in battle and live – but so help me, I don't care if I die in the process, I'm going to kill you, you evil son of a bitch. Do you hear me!? I'm going to fucking kill you!” he yelled before smashing the hologram projector into a hundred pieces.

“Well, that went well,” Abe muttered to himself.

Previously on INTO THE BLACK

Google and the hang have just collected the first piece of the three-part Trinity Key. With directions on how to get the next two pieces, things are looking up for our heroes, but surely Prince Mykur can't be beaten that easily. And so far, if this story was a chocolate bar, there'd be no need for the warning: May contain traces of Cher.

Now we rejoin the action...

The celebrations and back patting were still going strong on-board The Love Crusader. For once even Liberty was letting her hair down – allowing herself the chance to imagine a time when Mykur may be defeated and Google safe. The only ones that didn't seem to be partying it up, were Abe (who had retreated to his room – tired of hearing about other people's success) and Google, who sat alone in a corner of the cockpit reading The art of war by Sun Tzu. Jupiter got up from his recliner and made his way over.

“Your bodyguards can't handle their alcohol, can they?”

“Are they drunk?” asked Google, not looking up from his book.

“Yeah, Justice is blind. And Liberty's on her way, too,” Jupiter said. He studied Google a moment, then added, “What's up with you?”

“I'm not drunk, relax,” he replied.

“No, it's not that. You've barely said a word since we got a piece of the key. I thought you'd be happy. This is what you wanted, right?”

Google glanced up at Jupiter, “I didn't want any of this. I never asked for it. I'm going to get us all killed is what's going to happen. You should leave. You should all get as far away as you can.”

“Whoa, what's brought this on?”

“The closer we get to the Trinity Key, the closer we get to Mykur, and the closer we get to my showdown with him... it just all suddenly feels real. And I realised something today... I can't win.”

The declaration hung in the air. Before Jupiter could counter, Google continued, “Justice risked his life a few hours ago and didn't even blink. I couldn't do that. When Miller pulled a blaster on us, where was I? Hiding behind Justice and Liberty, messing my pants. Same as always. Can't anyone see – I'm not a hero! How the fudge am I supposed to defeat Mykur... I'm just a kid. How can I succeed when the prophecy says real heroes like Justice and Liberty would fail? There's no hope.”

Jupiter rested his hand on Google's shoulder.

“You're just a little scared, that's ok. It's not a crime to be afraid. Well, except for on Delta 7.”

Originally a inhospitable planet, Delta 7 was terra-formed in the late 22^nd century by Jedi Fundamentalists who, based on the teachings of Yoda in the prequel testament (“Fear leads anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to the dark side”) decided to make fear a crime. Coincidentally, Delta 7 was now almost entirely covered in prisons – with citizens living in constant fear of being put in jail.

“So just relax, the prophecy...”

Google scoffed back a laugh, “The prophecy says I'm the only one that can fight him and live. Key word: can. Not: will. The point is, I'm no hero. I don't even know who I am yet. I don't think I could kill someone. I just want to be nobody. To live a normal life - I've never even been in love or kissed a girl.”

Jupiter laughed. Google glanced across, annoyed.

“Forget I said anything.”

“No – sorry I wasn't laughing at you. It's just... you're scared of the wrong things. Trust me, there are worse things than death.”

“Like what?”

“Women.”

“So you are Arty.”

“For the last time, no. I'm attracted to women plenty.”

“So you've just never been in love then?” Google asked.

“I didn't say that,” Jupiter answered, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

“What's it like?”

“I don't have time to talk about it,” Jupiter replied before getting up. Google looked back down at his book, still clearly depressed.

A sigh from Jupiter, and then, “Just one night with someone you love... it's like... it's like your whole life is worth it, just for those few fleeting moments. That there's a greater power behind it all.”

Google looked up at him, “That doesn't sound so bad.”

“You got a lot to learn kid.”

Jupiter made his way back to his quarters, hoping for a quick nap before they made plans on getting to Atlantis. He'd barely closed his eyes when he sensed a light coming from inside his room.

“Your 24 hours are nearly up,” said a hologram of Prince Mykur.

“You said I had 48 hours.”

“Did I? Well, I changed my mind. Now, let me use the remaining time to tell you a story, in case you finished school before I made my biography part of the curriculum. Do you know why I'll rule the galaxy?”

Jupiter thought on it a second. “Your massive conscripted army?”

“No. Simple will power. In life, you need to dare do what the other man won't do. If he'll kill one billion people, then you must be prepared to kill one billion and one. My parents didn't understand that principle – they let our planet be downgraded to a moon. You can see why I had to kill them.”

“I'm sure if they were still alive, they'd be very proud, your majesty.”

Mykur smiled, not picking up on the sarcasm. “I like to think so. My point is that you need to think the unthinkable, do the un-doable. That's how you become great. That's how you become legend.”

“Why are you blessing me with this lesson?”

“You and I are, we're not so disimilar. Normally, in this position, I'd threaten to kill someone you love – but I can't find any record of you loving anyone. Your file shows time and again that you'll chose money over all else. It warms my heart. But that won't save you if you disappoint me. Now, kill Google and enjoy untold riches.”

Jupiter took a deep breath. “I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your offer.”

A flash of anger appeared on Mykur's face, but in an instant it was replaced by a chilling calm.

“You will live to regret it. And then eventually die to regret it,” said Mykur.

“I don't know,” said Jupiter, sitting up confidently in his bed. “I'm starting to think this kid could take you down.”

“Oh do you?” said Mykur with an icy grin.

“Way I see it, we've not only got a prophecy on our side – but now the first piece of The Trinity Key, too. So maybe you should start treating us a little nicer.”

“Well then, seeing as we're sharing secrets – I think this might bring you back down to Earth 8: The eagle seen up close does not fly, so you see, your chosen one will die.”

Jupiter furrowed his brow. “Uh, what does that mean?”

“It is very vague isn't it... I knew I should've made them go with the cooking theme,” said Mykur.

“What!?”

“Your chosen one was chosen all right – but by me. If you want to make your own chosen one at home, first you need to separate him from his parents: I suggest you finely chop up the reanimation system on your selected child's ship. Then take your child - the miraculous survivor, and add a tattoo and scar artist to create a delicate birthmark on his shoulder. To finish, let him simmer for, oh, around ten years. I don't know about you, but I sure do find it delicious.”

Jupiter went a shade of white.

“You mean...”

“That's right, I'm afraid Google is no more the chosen one than you are. He was just a diversion I created to keep everyone occupied while I went about hunting down and killing the real chosen one. Oh, I do like surprises, don't you?”

In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you I'm dead. In fact, I've been dead for over a day now.

“You're not dead. Will you stop with that already.”

That's Matt. He can speak to dead people.

“I'm not... I can't speak to dead people! Enough already!”

Poor guy. You can see the strain the gift places on him. Temper tantrums and such.

“Ok then ass clown, tell me how you died?”

I can't remember how I died. Of course, Matt still can't wrap his pudgy head around that – when it comes to ghost whispering, he isn't exactly Jennifer Love-Hewitt. Can you remember how you were born? It's the same with death. Matt's getting restless now, fidgeting in his seat.

“Why'd you stop taking your meds?”

Ah, well, I didn't think drugs could do me much good now, seeing as how I'm, oh, DEAD!

He stares up at the ceiling and lets out a silent scream.

“Ok, last question: how come, in this here cafe, the waitress saw you and took your order? You're eating food. That's not typical ghost behaviour, is it, Scott? How do you explain that? Does the waitress have the gift of seeing the dead, too?”

Of course she doesn't. Matt simply sees what he wants to see. He's in the denial stage of grief.

“Ah, for fucks sake, I'm sick of this bullshit! Keep it up, you'll lose all your friends, too,” he yells at me, before making a dash for the door.

That's good. That's for the best. He's moved onto the anger stage.

I finish my coffee then head towards the exit, just in time for the door to be shut in my face. Obviously they didn't see me. Well, of course they didn't. Guess no one ever said death was meant to be easy. The chill of winter grips me as I step outside. Times like these I wish I'd died in something other than my tennis gear – it doesn't offer much in way of warmth. I pull my socks up as high as they'll go and jog on the spot in an attempt to stay warm. Snow descends from the sky, bombs in a cold war, as I navigate the city streets. Ducking and weaving, I make my way through the crowd, avoiding people left and right as they push and shove their way past each other. More than a few times I nearly have people walk right through me. At least some things are the same in death as in life.

On the subway now, clatter from the tracks providing a background for my thoughts. If I weren't a local, I might worry I'd been cast down to hell. However, the smell that invades my nostrils is less brimstone, more urine and body odour. Yes, only the subway can make hell seem appealing. A map of the underground is posted next to the doors. From a distance the train lines look like arteries running through the heart of New York city; a heart that is surely rotting, going by what I can smell.

Back inside my apartment; finally back to a feeling of comfort and security. A feeling that's rare to find when you're dead. Yes, it's good to be home. My happy return is disturbed when I hear moaning. Diane. Poor Diane. I suspected she would take my death hard, but even I'm surprised by the great, heavy sobs coming from her. I make my way down the dark corridor into the kitchen. What cruel torture to watch her in pain – wanting desperately to comfort her, but being unable. I enter the room to witness my psychiatrist doing her doggy style.

His sweaty butt jiggles around like a novelty jelly dessert gone wrong. The moaning gets louder. She's faking it, I can tell. Lord knows she faked it enough with me. I stand there, painfully numb, a horrible contradiction of feelings as he continues his robotic thrusts. I move slightly to my right in an attempt to glimpse his dick. I really hope he has really small one. (He always did say I was emotionally immature.) I watch as he begins to slide it out of my girlfriend. And continues to. Still going. And now... no still withdrawing. Hmph. Well, I hear women care more about girth anyway.

It's then that I notice one other thing: no condom. She always made me wear one. She trusts him. Something about the whole scene makes me realise this isn't some heat of the moment Scott's-dead-so-I-need-company shag. No. Everything suggests it's just a run-of-the-mill shag from an ongoing affair. An affair that must have started when I was alive. The anger builds in me as their moaning increases and just as he seems past the point of no return, ready to shoot life into her, I explode. In a burst of poltergeist energy I send a chair flying across the room. She screams. My naked shrink turns in shock.

“Scott!”

“How long have you been feeling disconnected from life, Scott?”

How long you been doing my girlfriend, shrink? He sits in front of me, wearing a dressing gown and a smug I just screwed your girlfriend expression.

“Now, Scott, Diane explained the situation to you on Tuesday. You're not supposed to be here. You're meant to be staying with Matt. You have no right to enter unannounced. Technically you're trespassing.”

He's talking to a ghost and he wants to get anal. Well, too bad for him. I know that's the one thing Diane won't do.

“I can understand you wanting to lash out at Diane and me, Scott. That's natural. But this delusion – we need to address it.”

He keeps saying my name. It's so pompous, don't you think?

“Remember when you lost confidence in your painting ability? You came in worked up, convinced that your hand had fallen off, but that wasn't the case now was it?”

I clinch my new robotic hand into a fist. I don't see his point.

“My point is, breaking up is hard. It can feel like you've had your heart ripped out, but it'll heal. Your heart is still there, it hasn't stopped beating. This delusion of yours is your mind finding a way to avoid dealing with the real, underlying issues. The hard issues.”

I get up from the couch. I'm tired of all this talk. I want to leave before he decides to start charging me for his time.

I'm almost out the door when Diane approaches me meekly. Here we go. Here come the waterworks and the pleas for forgiveness. Maybe that's why she can still see me. I'm meant to haunt her. That's my unfinished business. She holds out her hand. Here we go.

“Please, can you give me your keys to the apartment?”

I really hate my after life.

“Don't make me change the locks, Scott.”

I hand them over. It's stupid. This is all just so stupid. Does she not realise I could just float through the damn door if I wanted?

Somehow I end up back at the cafe. I don't know where else to go. Nursing a coffee, I sit alone in one of the corner booths. Just me and my silent heart.

“Please tell me you're normal.”

Huh? I look up to discover a perky blonde girl in her early thirties, beaming up at me. The sort of girl that would've made my heart race, once upon a time.

“Sorry. It's just a thing my shrink has me doing – overcoming shyness. I have to approach a random stranger every day and start a conversation. This way, you end up defending that you're normal – ignoring the fact that what I'm doing is kinda bizarre. Brilliant, don't you think?”

She talks fairly fast, but that's the only noticeable sign of nervousness. Guess her shrink is better than mine.

“Thanks. So now you know my deal, what's yours? It's just, you seem kinda bummed out. Feel free to tell me to go away though, if you want – I know it's none of my business.”

I don't want her to go. I'll spill the beans if it means she stays.

“That's so harsh, boning your shrink. Well, I guess more, he was boning her. Did you have any idea?”

I should have, really. I mean things had been going downhill with Diane for ages. She always hated how much time I'd spend on my art. Or as she would call it, my 'art', the quotation marks implied from her tone of voice. I hoped things would get better when I caved and gave up painting to take on a soulless job at a bank, but really it just got worse. Maybe it was my fault – I started to resent what my life was becoming and she was an easy target to blame. Truth is, our relationship had been decaying for a long time. I feel like I've been sleepwalking through the last ten months of my life.

“Oh my god! That's awesome! Well, not awesome – like you're life's fucked. But this is your 'And then' moment. That's awesome.”

My what?

“In the movies, when things seem at their worst, it's always right before they change for the best. I think it's called the 'And then' moment. Like, um, in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is captured by the wicked witch and then she's like, hello bucket of water. Or in Ghostbusters, they're all about to get killed by the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and then they realise they can save the day by merging their energy streams. This is just your 'And then' moment. Maybe you'll become a famous artist or meet the girl of your dreams. Or both. The point is, you've escaped a job and girl you don't love. That's got to be for best. Now just follow your bliss.”

I smile at the thought of it as she looks down at her watch. Could life ever be that simple?

“Oh shit! I've got to run. But hey, I'm usually here Friday lunchtimes chatting to randoms, so keep an eye out for me if you're in. Be nice to chat to someone who's not a stranger.”

It's funny. She doesn't seem shy.

“Must be something about you that brings me out of my shell.”

She quickly slides out of the booth.

“Nice meeting you.”

A kiss on the cheek and she's gone.

And then my heart starts to beat.

I step outside and the late afternoon sun warms my skin. I feel different; somehow set apart from the all the 9-5 office drones dressed in suits, all rushing along the streets so fast they never stop to see the breathtaking sunset on display. I pity them. I used to be them.

They rush down the street and keep the city pulsing, never slowing down to realise they're dying on the inside. Now I know the truth. Everywhere I look, I see dead people.

But I've never felt more alive.

“Ah... why aren't I dead?” asked Justice.
“Very good question, my dear boy. It's because you've won! Oh, and because that was just a hologram blade.”
Celebratory game show music filled the dome as Justice was freed from the guillotine's restraints.
“So, 7 was actually the right answer?”
“Good lord, no. But this was never a test of your intelligence,” said the hologram as it changed before their eyes. Gone was the tall, gaunt representation of Alexander Vogel, replaced by a shorter man with softer features.
“Forgive me for the deception – My name is Christopher Charles and I most certainly am not the smartest men ever. You probably could have guessed that, what with my foolish mistake of placing the Trinity Key so close to a gravity suppressor. You see, I always put more importance on someone's heart than their mind. In choosing to be honest, at the presumed cost of your life, you've proven yourself worthy of this,” the hologram said as The Trinity Key orb floated over to Justice, landing softly in his hand.

The hologram looked solemnly across at them.
“I must tell you, there is quite a challenge ahead if you wish to claim the two other pieces of the key. A good heart in itself is not enough. I should know – I destroyed an entire planet. You'll find the real Alexander Vogel has crafted an extraordinary brain teaser for you on the water planet Atlantis to ensure you're of the right intelligence. If successful there, combine the two pieces of the key and you will be led to Rebecca Jorden and the third piece. But make sure you're well rested when you do so, for to earn that piece you'll have to display incredible physical ability.”
“Can you give us any hints?”
“I could... but look at the time,” he said, pointing at the count down clock, which showed there was only a few minutes until the next snow show.
“You're right, we better get out of here. Thanks for the key,” Jupiter said.
“Uh, just one more thing. Please don't tell the Alexander Vogel hologram about my little gravity blunder. No doubt he'll ask – that twat always did have to know everything.”

The four made their way back out into the warming sunshine of Super-Sunny-Happy-Bright-Fun Land, where Miller waited to greet them.
“So, did you find what you were looking for?” he asked as he helped them back into their safety harnesses and latched them onto the metal beam.
“Yes, we certainly did,” said Jupiter with a big grin.
“Excellent! It just goes to show - this planet has everything you could ever hope for.”
“That it does, Miller, that it does,” said Justice, still buzzing after his escape from death.
Miller stopped, confused. “Where are you all heading?”
“Back to my ship. We've got we came for?” Jupiter replied.
“But you... you can't leave.”
“Can we take him with us?” Google asked. “He can't be happy stuck here on a planet all by himself.”
Jupiter thought on it for a second. “I guess I could use a helper-bot. What do you say, Miller?”
“You think I would leave this beautiful slice of nirvana! Are you mad? I guess you haven't seen the sunsets here. There's two of them, you know.”
“I'm afraid we'll have to miss both – we need to get going right away.”
“But I can't allow that, sir. You really must see the sunsets,” said Miller, as he pulled a blaster on them. “Unless you want to end up like the others.”
“The others?”
“The ones in Fantabulous City that were indoors when the first gravity storm hit. They wanted to leave this world, too – so I made sure they got there, express all the way,” he said looking up at the skeleton rings that orbited the planet.

Before he had a chance to say anymore, Liberty and Justice fired a torrent of shots from their blasters, sending Miller's gun - and the arm it was attached to, flying.
Just as quickly, Miller drew another gun in his one remaining hand.
“Where is he getting all these guns from?” exclaimed Jupiter.
The robot took aim at Liberty and Justice, whose blasters were still powering back up after their recent efforts.
“Before you fire, there's one thing you should know,” Jupiter said as he stood in front of the brother-sister duo, blocking Miller's shot.
“What's that?”
“Ichi-bots aren't that much heavier than Ni-bots.”
“So?”
“How much do you think one of your arms weighs?”
A look of concern flashed up on Miller's face as the city started to rumble. Quickly, he dropped his gun and reached out for the metal bar, missing it by mere inches as he rose up into the sky.
“It really is a wonderful planet. No gravity is a delightful weight off your shoulders!” they heard him yell, before he became a distant dot on the horizon.

END OF PART ONE