11: The SkySkipper

A light transport vessel came with a low humming and a puff of soggy air. It slumped onto the soft soil. With a sluggish decrescendo, the humming slowed to humble quietness. The machine was new, impressive. It was the latest of Norlanta’s nationwide commercial air transport range. Without wings or propellers, the SkySkipper was considered one of the planet’s finest creations yet. It was a simple cockpit, with a passenger seat. That’s all it was! With simplified steering and enhanced suspension.
Although manufactured and marketed in Norlanta, the SkySkipper was commonly known to include imported parts from Babuja’s biggest corporate development: Gammana. Skyco had even gone as far as to make notable mention of the unique teleportation company’s part in the development of the wingless vehicle, stating that without the ability to transport air so quickly around the flyer, the thing simply would not take off!
It’s interior was superb. Crimson cushioning, a deluxe surround sound audio system, and two fully adjustable recliners. Two. But Davice Hayle’s partner in crime no longer traveled with him. He was the only one occupying this device. One seat was empty.

Three years ago, Davice Hayle had worked for an ambitious crime lord named Yanis Dukun, utilizing his skill for stealth. This man was his partner, or rather, he was this man’s partner. The criminal, Davice, had worked his way patiently up the ranks of the Ar Dukun, and became the master’s esteemed apprentice. But when Dukun tried to pull a stunt that he hoped would give him a position in the continent’s most prestigious crime syndicate, the Ar Dakar, he was soon obliterated.
Obliterated: the term assigned to Avanar Dakar’s act of removing someone’s existence, without putting an end to that someone’s life. Or so it was said.
Davice, abandoned, left this life of law breaking, and tried his hand at a “proper” career. But he had no formal qualifications. Struggling for money, Davice slipped down a spiral of misfortune spanning many months, wondering if he would continue this way until his part in the history of Myria came to an end.
But this was not how Davice died.
The man actually played a much more significant part in the history of Myria. He, in fact, was, at one stage, sent an anonymous holophone message requesting his presence in Babuja Norla. This was what he had been waiting for. The message sparked his interest for a change in lifestyle.

The door of the SkySkipper flicked open, and the man stepped out, breathing in the fresh, humid air of Babuja. He had only been here once before. Ever.
Giving his pressed black suit a quick wipe, Davice stepped forward and soaked in the scenery. He presently stood in a public park, a small patch of grass with an elaborate playground to his left, and a ridiculously expensive Skyco SkySkipper behind him. To his right was a long, pale strip of sand, snaking along the coast and squashed into position by a rippling blue ocean and a modern, palm riddled civilization. He knew that most of Babuja was not like this. This was simply the north coast of Babuja Norla, and was the only place in Babuja where humans outpopulated babuks.
There were three main cities along this coast: Orgoth, Deltis and Rimsey. Davice currently found himself in Deltis, the home of Gammana. And it was here that he would stay for a while, before venturing somewhere drastically far away. Although he had no idea, yet, that this would happen.
The former thief whirled, and pressed a small button, which he had smoothly slipped from his front pocket. In a swish of subtle green lights, and a few quiet but high pitched noises, the SkySkipper completed the function that had made Gammana famous. It folded up into a wallet-size box. Every time he saw something do this, Davice was completely and utterly awestruck.
The technology and the genius that created such an ability is beyond even my imagining! That Gammis-Manasan was a true hero. In fact… I am in Deltis, why not go and have one of those guided Gammana tours?
Davice paced over to the minimized SkySkipper, and snatched it up in his palm. It had folded into a small black box, with an intricate silver “Skyco” printed along its edge. On the top of the box was the trade mark Gammana Shield, the company’s logo and corporate identity. It’s face comprised of two Dragoyas with their only two limbs regally stretching for each other. The mystical creatures were the perfect mascots for the corporation. Just below where the arms of these two dragon-like creatures met, there was an ancient Earthen symbol that was fabled to have once been called gamma by an Earthen tribe called Greece. Davice struggled to believe this. The shield printed on the black box’s façade emphasized Gammana’s importance in the creation of the SkySkipper. It went into his pocket.
‘Hayle.’ A voice whispered in Davice’s ear. He jumped.
Spinning around, the former criminal stepped back from a strange looking man, a strange looking man that had mysteriously crept up behind him.
The stranger was clad in bizarre dress-like robes, with peculiar patterns squiggled around them in red, orange, maroon and yellow. He wore a strange head piece, and a warming smile.
‘Hayle,’ said the man again, ‘Thank you for being here. Bendor will see to you now.’
Davice gasped. He peered around the stranger’s robed shoulder, and saw that, sitting on one of the park’s benches, was none other than Bendor: The man he had intruded upon three years ago. Bendor’s cool demeanor intrigued Davice once again.
Heeding the bulky Ar Dakar’s gestures for him to approach, Davice thought to himself: What is this man doing in Babuja? And what is he doing in a public park like this? And how on Myria did he know I was going to land here?
‘I’m sure that you’re mighty confused right now, Hayle.’ The man on the seat said. This man was Sardis Dakar, the Avanar of the Ar Dakar, but was known to Davice simply as “Bendor”, the messenger of Avanar.
‘Yes.’ Responded Davice.
‘I will explain, then. Please, have a seat.’ Sardis shuffled closer to one side of the bench, leaving significantly more space for Davice. The former thief couldn’t work out why Bendor was being so friendly with him. He had thought that the famous name in crime held a grudge for him.
Uneasily, Davice took a seat on the far end of the bench, leaving space for a third person between them. The hard wooden planks that made up the chair seemed to cut into the smooth pants of his suit. Nothing could combat the comfort given by a levichair. This was definitely no exception.
‘Good. Now, Davice. You met Zuke, yes? That’s him there,’ said Sardis, pointing, ‘him in the funny clothes. I daresay you’ll get to know him a little bit more quite soon.’
Davice smiled, out of obligation, while staring at the stranger who had his back to them. With his hands wrapped around each other, Zuke seemed to be admiring the seaside city.
‘I’ve heard word from Avanar, Davice. He extends to you an invitation.’
Davice’s heart skipped a beat, and he held his breath. Was Bendor about to say that one thing he had wanted so much in the past?
‘He wants you to join the Ar Dakar.’
Yes, he was! But now what? Davice thought. I used to think this was all I wanted, though I’ve left my life of crime behind me, now. Besides, somebody has called me here, though I don’t know what for. Maybe that’s of more interest to me than becoming an Ar Dakar. But can I deny this opportunity to Bendor’s face?
But wait! Bendor already does not like me! The Avanar’s decision to invite me to his ranks must have been against Bendor’s wishes. It must be paining this man to tell me such news. How I wish I could say no.
‘Clearly, Bendor. I cannot say no. You know this only too well.’
‘Too right, I do!’ Bendor laughed, reaching an arm around Davice’s shoulder, and sliding to the smaller man’s side.
‘Now, Davice, I’ll have you know that it was I that summoned you here.’
Ah!
‘Why is this, you say? Why me? Why here?’ Sardis asked for his new comrade. A wicked smirk twitched his expression. ‘Well, my friend. Let’s find out.’