The vast open world of the New Zealand wilderness spread out with the lofty Southern Alps making up the distant horizon. Flowing green grasses and shrubbery zoomed by as Alex sped along in the rented all-terrain vehicle.
“I just love the mountains.” Torrik sat in the back, looking at the world around them.
Krystal Fae, thumbing through a tour guide book, asked, “Didn’t you say you were trained in the mountains back in Yohan?”
“Yes. I trained near Wylde Peak in the Hawk Mountain range that divides Yohan. They are shorter than these here, but we have the Shakanohey Ridge that dominates most of the Western and Northern borders of our land. They are as tall as these and just as beautiful.”
Alex asked, “Why did you train in the mountains? Is that where you fought many battles?”
“My training prepared me to fight dark magic users as part of a special security force. I haven’t fought in a full war in a long time, not since the second Fire Elf Rebellion. That was a long time ago. We trained in the mountains because it gave us a private place for extreme styles of training in nature. The Wylde Peaks were the place where the Wind Elf Guard trained. We were below them training in the forests. It was grueling, but the location was beautiful.”
“I would love to see it.” Alex turned as the road made a deep curve.
Krystal said, “I would love to be in a world of magic. I love this world, don’t get me wrong. But, when you talk about being around Satyrs, Elves, Fairies, Pixies... I just wish I could be there for a while, see it for myself.”
“Maybe, one day. I would have to have a long conversation with Queen Jade, but I think we could make it happen.”
Alex asked, “Tell me again why we’re out in the middle of nowhere?”
Krystal said, “There was a report that a Ren Tech sphere was at these coordinates.” She showed him information on a tablet.
“That doesn’t seem right. We’re in the bountiful, sprawling, majestic… middle of nowhere. Why would they put one of those things out here?”
They crested a ridge in the road and saw the glinting silver surface of a Ren Tech sphere in the distance. There were buildings and a small community nearby.
“Wait, I recognize this,” Alex said as they continued toward their target.
Krystal asked, “You’ve been here before?”
“No, but I’ve seen it. They filmed those fantasy movies here about twenty years ago. And, if I’m not mistaken, that town around the sphere is not real. I mean, it exists, but the movie producers built it for the film, and it’s become a tourist attraction for fans.”
“What is a fantasy movie?” Torrik asked.
Alex chortled, “Uh, your life on film.”
“What?”
Krystal said, “I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to focus. Nova still has us on this secret investigation of these spheres. I figured, this one is so far away from most people, it would be easier for us to get a close, long look at it. That’s why we are in the middle of nowhere.”
“Yeah, you said you wanted me along to help you study the morphon activity.” Torrik said, “I still don’t see how I can be of much help. I can only see magic morphons, and I know hardly anything about human technology.”
Alex looked at Torrik through the rear-view mirror. “We have to keep this investigation under the radar. If we invite too many BADGE people to help us, it might show up on something. You aren’t officially a BADGE agent, just an advisor. ”
“I’ll do what I can. I told Nova that I have to be getting back home soon. The portal is currently stable. My work here is technically done.”
Krystal said, “I know. I’m just glad you’re willing to offer some help. When this is over, you can head back to Yohan.”
They rolled into the town. The rustic wooden buildings and fences were so well built, it was hard to believe that a movie studio constructed this just a few years ago. People in costume worked around the town while a few tourists stopped to take pictures.
“The sphere is over there. I don’t think we can drive that far.” Alex stopped the car and craned his head to look around.
“We can walk.” Torrik went for the door.
“I don’t know. With all the tourists, I would hate to cause a scene.”
Torrik stepped out of the car. “We’ll be fine.”
Krystal followed. “I agree. I want to get this over with.”
***
“How far do we have to take this stuff?” Adrianne could hear Dragonborn ask Justin as they disembarked the shuttle.
Adrianne waited for enough agent and student hero activity to create a distraction. She pressed the button and the back hatch opened for the people to gather the equipment and supplies. The sun was just beginning to rise, filling the open lands with a gentle warmth. The smell of dried grasses wafted in on the cool breezes.
“Okay, teams, we need to get the supplies out first. Heroes, you’ll take the food and med supplies to the village while the agents set up the temporary lab.” Justin approached.
Adrianne bolted out the back of the shuttle, shuffling her way through the bleary-eyed agents and heroes. Most napped on their way down from the station, knowing this would be an early morning start. This allowed her to avoid notice. But there was one who had a keen interest in her.
“Adrianne?” Dragonborn stopped her just as she was about to steal out of a BADGE crate.
She stopped and turned, scattered thoughts running through her head about how she would explain herself. “Oh, hi. That took longer than expected to get down here.”
“Guess you missed the first briefing. They said it would be a three-hour trip down. I slept most of the way. Did you sit in the back the whole time?”
“Where else would I go?”
“Guess you wouldn’t be stepping out for a breather four hundred miles over the Earth.”
“No. But I... uh... have something to take care of.”
“Oh?” He cracked a smile. “Yeah, I gotta go, too. No bathroom out here, just brush and rocks.”
“Yeah, so... I’ll just take one of these with me, so I can find my way back if I get lost.” She took a basic sensor unit out of the crate.
“Lost?”
“Yeah, uh, don’t tell Justin. I... um...” What lie to say? What story could she make up on this spot? Nothing came to mind. There was a glimmer of interest in his eyes, and she hoped that would be enough. “Just don’t tell him. Please.”
Dragonborn asked, “What’s going on?”
She said, “I have something to do, and I won’t be back for a little while. Nothing bad. Justin won’t understand. Please.”
Dragonborn smiled at her, “Okay. I won’t. If you get into any trouble, don’t include me.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t. Thanks.” She hurried around a boulder just as one of the BADGE agents approached.
“Mr. Dragonborn, you’re on the supply run with the other heroes. Get going.”
“Oh, right, on my way.”
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