The Bond of Pain: Installment 11

Installment 11
Episodes 31 - 33
Revision 1.0
Original Release Date: October 4, 1998

Copyright 1998 Austin Rogers

31. Prophecies of the Plumed Serpent

The Delaware medicine man shows Tao and Joaquin eight totem poles on the top of a grassy hill near the village. All but one is topped with a carving of the Plumed Serpent. The medicine man explains that each totem pole gives a prophecy and the date for its fulfillment. The carvings are in some sort of symbolic language that neither Tao nor Joaquin can read, so the medicine man translates for them.

The first totem pole tells of the Plumed Serpent's followers going into slavery by a strange race, and of the Plumed Serpent leading them out of slavery and building a city. It also tells of the Plumed Serpent's consecration of a fountain above the city.

The second one tells of a rebellion against the Plumed Serpent and the desecration of his fountain.

The third pole only contains three words: Emperor, Priest, and Sanctified. No one understands this prophecy, but the date on the totem pole suggests that it has already been fulfilled.

A fourth pole shows a large gray stone with two faces being pursued by a golden bird. It also tells that the golden bird will place a sacred gourd on the gray stone that will cause the sun to descend upon it. The gray stone and everything near it will be destroyed. The date on this pole was for the previous day. The medicine man explains that when the Indians first sighted the Olmec machine and the Golden Condor, they knew to stay clear of it. No one had been harmed in the previous day's blast.

The fifth totem pole says that a ship will sail through the sky, crashing at the burial mounds near the great river. Tao thinks that this might be talking about the Toltec.

The sixth, seventh, and eighth totem poles are not topped with the Plumed Serpent, but with an image of Ometeotl, the Aztec almighty God. These three poles are off to themselves and are not dated. They are also very tall, taller than all the other totem poles.

The sixth totem pole tells of Tzontemoc, the most beautiful of all of Ometeotl's creations, who tried to lead a revolt against Ometeotl in the twelfth heaven, Omeyocan. Some gods sided with Tzontemoc; others remained loyal to Ometeotl. Ometeotl's forces, led by Huitzilopochtli (the sun and war god) and the Plumed Serpent, defeated Tzontemoc. He and his followers were cast down into the nine hells, the first of which was the Earth's surface. Unfortunately, this gave Tzontemoc access to humanity. Tzontemoc convinced mankind to commit acts of desecration, which he knew would anger Ometeotl. He was right. Ometeotl could not allow impure men to enter the twelve heavens at death; they were sent instead to Mictlan, the murky bottom layer of Hell, to be tormented by Tzontemoc. The only thing that could stop this would be the willing sacrifice of a perfect man. All the gods searched for this perfect man, but could not find one.

The seventh totem pole tells how Ometeotl was saddened, because he loved mankind, and wanted them to dwell with the gods in the twelve heavens. The Plumed Serpent also shared Ometeotl's love, and requested that Ometeotl sacrifice him in mankind's place. He then went to Earth, lived among men, and was sacrificed. However, the Plumed Serpent was not a mortal man; he was a god. After his death, he traveled down through the layers of hell, arriving at Mictlan, the Place of the Dead. Once again, the Plumed Serpent had to fight Tzontemoc. The Plumed Serpent won, and Tzontemoc's power over humans was broken. The Plumed Serpent then ascended into the heavens.

The eighth totem pole on the grassy hill shows Tzontemoc on a fiery platform, above a golden pyramid. Off to the left is what appears to be a City of Gold.

Then the Delaware medicine man gets quiet and does not continue translation. Tao asks for the rest but the medicine man simply lowers his head and refuses to say anymore.

Joaquin explains that the pyramid is Ursarian. This also means that the Ursarian base is near the City of Gold at Lemur, and Tzontemoc cannot be far away. He is afraid that Tzontemoc may have some sort of flying machine, comparable to the Toltec or stronger.

Joaquin and Tao are anxious to return to the Toltec and get the Rangers to free Esteban and Zia from the Ursarian captors. They thank the Delaware for their hospitality and healing, and return to the Golden Condor.

Joaquin helps Tao, whose hands are still bandaged, climb into the cockpit. Joaquin takes the center seat, and tries to bring up navigational information on the screen. It only shows gibberish, however. He adjusts a few controls and tries again, with no luck. He finally bangs on the control panel in frustration, causing it to be engulfed in light. When the light dies down, the control panel is back to its original configuration, with only the golden sun emblem, the golden snake control stick, and a useless viewscreen.

He asks Tao if he remembers the way back to the crashed Toltec. Tao reminds Joaquin that the Condor chased the Olmec machine all night on autopilot while he slept. The navigational records are gone, and they are far from the Toltec.

Suddenly, they remember the fifth totem pole that prophesied the Toltec's crash. Joaquin exits the Condor and runs back to the village. The Medicine Man gives him directions to the place spoken of on the Totem Pole, "the burial mounds by a great river".

As they fly off, Joaquin and Tao are silent.

32. Fulfillment of Prophecy

The sun begins to set over the mountains in the west. Joaquin lands the Condor and helps Tao out. They set up a tent for the night, and build a fire. Joaquin takes off Tao's bandages and rubs on a salve given to him by the Delaware Medicine Man. Tao screws his face tightly in pain as Joaquin gently rubs on the salve.

Tao doesn't like it when Joaquin has to feed him supper; he hates feeling helpless without the use of his hands. Joaquin says that he also feels helpless when he thinks of the Ursarians interrogating and possibly even torturing Esteban and Zia.

Tao gets downright angry when Joaquin mentions the Ursarians. He berates Joaquin for not doing anything against them when they kidnapped Esteban and Zia. Joaquin tells Tao that what's done is done, that bickering will get them nowhere. He then further explains his connection with the Ursarians:

While he and Makala were bringing the Toltec back in time for the Rangers to use, the Plumed Serpent appeared to him. The Plumed Serpent showed Joaquin many visions, most of which he didn't understand. The final and most disturbing vision had been of the Ursarian's golden pyramid base. Joaquin tells Tao that he is ready for the Plumed Serpent's will to be done, even though it may cost him dearly.

Tao tries to get more information out of Joaquin, but is unsuccessful. They eventually doze off, not knowing that Indian warriors have encircled them. These warriors are from a tribe that is an ally of the Delaware, and are protecting the two children.

As the sun rises the next morning, a small, geometric golden pyramid descends from the sky. It moves swiftly northward over a very large lake, and then flies over a thick forest. Upon reaching a mountain that stands all by itself, it turns eastward, reaching the Ursarian's golden stepped pyramid. The flat roof of the building on the pyramid's top disappears in a blaze of light, and the smaller pyramid descends into the larger one.

The small pyramid comes to rest on the floor of a brightly-lit hanger. Fifteen Ursarians in the form of Toltec warriors line up in a semicircle around part of the small pyramid.

One whole wall of the small pyramid disappears. Out steps an unnaturally tall warrior. His manner of dress is similar to the other Ursarian warriors around him, but his long hair drags the ground behind him. His head is covered with a jaguar skin, with the mouth over his forehead. The jaguar's mouth is dripping blood onto his face, and his long hair is nastily matted with it. His facial expression is one of pure hate. One of his feet is missing, having a gold replacement. An attendant emerges behind him, carrying a large polished obsidian mirror.

The fifteen Ursarians in the form of Toltec warriors prostrate themselves before him, crying, "Hail, Lord Tzontemoc!"

In their small cell, Esteban is asleep in the corner, with his back up against the two walls. Zia is also asleep, cowered up against Esteban. A door suddenly opens. Two of the Ursarian warriors enter. One of them roughly kicks Zia aside and the other drags Esteban out by the arm. Esteban and Zia scream for each other and plead with the warriors. One of them gives Esteban an injection in the back of his neck, which knocks him out. They carry him out, leaving a blind, frightened Zia alone in the cell.

Esteban awakens in the bright interrogation room. He is again paralyzed and suspended in mid-air. He begins to obstinately demand that his captors return him to Zia.

The light dims enough for Esteban to see Tzontemoc, in his nasty array. Strangely enough, Tzontemoc is very friendly toward Esteban.

Tzontemoc tells Esteban that it was he who originally introduced the Power of the Sun to Atlantis and Heva, but that the humans perverted it. He also reminds Esteban of his gift. He tells him that his gift is much more than the ability to command the sun; Esteban could command even the earth itself. Esteban's power could equal that of the gods.

Esteban's power used to belong to Tzontemoc until Huitzilopochtli (according to Tzontemoc) "unfairly" took it from him. He says that, after long consideration, Huitzilopochtli gave the power to the Atlantean royal family. Esteban protests that he is not Atlantean, but Tzontemoc tells him that he is just as Atlantean as his cousin Joaquin is. This takes Esteban by surprise.

Tzontemoc tells Esteban that all he wants is the temporary use of his gift. Esteban refuses, but finally agrees when Tzontemoc threatens to further torture Zia.

Encamped around the Toltec, the Rangers are busy preparing breakfast. Makala checks the solar battery. This is its third day charging, but the amount of energy collected and stored will not fly the Toltec.

Suddenly, Don Santiago collapses. Makala runs over to him, finding him weak but conscious. Don Santiago incoherently references Esteban and a god named Tzontemoc. One of the Rangers recognizes the name Tzontemoc, but only as an Aztec god. However, he thinks that Tzontemoc was one of the evil gods. A few Rangers tend to Don Santiago. He is moved to the shade where many other wounded Rangers are.

Makala thinks a moment before deciding to use the charge in their precious solar battery to attempt contacting L'Nir. He and another Ranger hook up a portable view-screen to the battery. A few moments later, an audio connection is established with the Aztec priest. L'Nir says that his "transceiver" is working well, that it was wise of Makala to leave one with him at the Village of the New Sun.

Makala tells L'Nir that this is an urgent call and he doesn't have much time to talk. He asks L'Nir for any information he might have on the god Tzontemoc. L'Nir says that Tzontemoc is not a god, but a devil, and tells Makala the ancient legend about Tzontemoc's battle against Ometeotl.

In the small cell, Zia is praying, while, in the interrogation room, Esteban agrees to help Tzontemoc as long as he will not harm Zia. Tzontemoc gives him his word as a god.

33. Portent and Resurrection

All the Ursarians once again gather in the great hall of their pyramid base. Two of them guard the blind Zia, while Tzontemoc, arrayed in his gory panoply, leads in Esteban. Esteban is now dressed like an Ursarian.

All the way around the huge room, the walls are covered with machinery. The focal point is at the center of the back wall: an operating sun power unit reactor with a crystal about three meters above it. Tzontemoc leads Esteban towards the reactor. Esteban then sees Zia and calls out to her.

Zia tells him not to worry, that the Plumed Serpent will take care of them. At this, her two Ursarian guards start to punish her, but Tzontemoc forbids it.

An Ursarian turns off the sun power unit by manipulating some unlabeled controls. He then levitates a flight of stairs and platform so that the platform is between the sun power unit and the crystal. Tzontemoc leads Esteban to the base of the stairs and begins pouring blood on his head.

Esteban is repulsed and asks Tzontemoc what exactly a sun power unit and a crystal have to do with the use of his gift. Tzontemoc is obviously enraged, but maintains his self-control. He pushes Esteban up the steps and tells him to stand on the platform between the sun power unit and the crystal. Esteban refuses unless Tzontemoc will tell him exactly what is going on, but grudgingly agrees when Tzontemoc brandishes an obsidian knife and threatens to hurt Zia.

Tzontemoc begins chanting in Nahuatl, repeatedly mentioning Xipe Totec, Tezcatlipoca, and Coatltin. He then tells Esteban to enjoy Mictlan, and presses a button on the control panel.

The sun power unit is energized. Pure energy flows upwards from the reactor to the crystal, suspending Esteban in the middle. Esteban winces and writhes in pain, screaming a final prayer before passing out. Zia, not knowing what has happened, begins crying and screaming Esteban's name over and over.

Tzontemoc pulls the platform away, leaving the unconscious Esteban suspended in midair. He tells the Ursarians that their victory is sure now, Huitzilopochtli's own chosen one is theirs.

An earthquake violently rips away from the Ursarian pyramid, tearing through the forest. In the Golden Condor, Joaquin and Tao see the disturbance in the river they are following westward. The Rangers also feel the earthquake.

Makala, hot in the oven-like temperatures of the powerless Toltec, exits and walks to where Don Santiago is resting in the shade along with several other wounded Rangers. Don Santiago is a pitiful sight; his long, dark hair is all but gone. He looks older than he really is. Makala sees that he is sleeping and turns to leave, but Don Santiago calls his name.

Makala kneels down beside Don Santiago. Makala asks him if he felt the earthquake. Don Santiago says that it woke him up, and he is troubled over it. He is afraid that it has something to do with Tzontemoc, maybe even Esteban.

Later on that day, a Ranger technician comes up to Makala and tells him that a makeshift fusion reactor is almost ready. Makala goes to take a look and sees a sprawled out pile of junk. But it is a fusion reactor just the same; the massive amounts of metal are there only to shield the plutonium-ceramic slug. They still need two parts that cannot be rigged: a neutron capture accelerator and a fusion chamber.

Makala hopes that the Golden Condor is still intact and that Tao will return soon. Tao's jar would take care of the fusion chamber, and the accelerator could be taken from the Condor.

Just before sunset, the Golden Condor flies overhead. The Rangers quickly clear a large enough area for the Condor to land. Joaquin and Tao exit the Condor and walk with Makala over to Don Santiago. Don Santiago is, understandably, very worried about his son. He is afraid that Esteban is not prepared to face Tzontemoc.

Joaquin wants to attack the Ursarian base, but Makala soon puts that idea to rest by revealing the small number of unwounded Rangers. He says that they must now concentrate on restoring power to the Toltec.

Tao willingly supplies his jar for the fusion reactor, and the technicians remove the small neutron capture accelerator from the Condor. Piece by piece, they carry the components of the makeshift reactor into the Toltec's reactor room and assemble them by torchlight. They bring water from the nearby river and start the reactor up.

Inside the reactor, water is broken down into hydrogen and oxygen. An aura glows around the top of the reactor as the oxygen is expelled and burned. They see a faint glow in the center of the reactor as hydrogen is transported to the bottom to be converted into tritium. So far, everything seems to be working correctly. Suddenly, a brilliant light bursts forth from Tao's jar as fusion takes place. A beam of pure energy rises from the top of the reactor to be received by a crystalline fixture in the ceiling.

Soon, the Toltec's power is restored. The gigantic ship rises off the ground and hovers. The Ranger technicians lower a debarkation column and begin loading the wounded onto the Toltec. Before they break camp, they assess the damage to the Toltec's underside, where four Solaris ships are stored. The metal of the Toltec is relatively undamaged, but the hulls of most of the Solaris ships have been badly damaged. They must have hit the ground first; one of them is shattered, two are badly cracked, but the Solaris de Trinidad is hardly damaged at all.

Before resuming their northerly course, the Rangers seal the emergency exits carved into the Toltec's hull after the crash. Mendoza then programs in the navigational vector, and the Toltec is underway.

Meanwhile, in the Ursarian base, Esteban is trapped unconscious between Tzontemoc's sun power unit and crystal. Zia is in her cell praying.

The Delaware Indians are having some sort of religious ceremony. The Medicine Man is wailing in prayer on the grassy hilltop with the totem poles while the warriors dance wildly around a fire in the village plaza.

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