BLADESTORM

3.Spring goes to Fardel Well Spa

Spring Launcher's strategy was simple: to find an energy source powerful enough to fuel his crystal technology. His search led him to Fardel Well Health Spa, where he went undercover as a customer, hoping to steal the coveted resource to charge his crystal.

As he entered the spa, the receptionist greeted him, "What can we help you with today?"

"I have a voucher for a free massage," replied Spring, handing over the coupon.

The receptionist checked his details on the computer and said, "Looks like you attended one of our presentations with Jason. You must know everything about the Ice Machine by now."

"Enough for a free massage," Spring said with a grin.

The therapist led him to the massage table, and Spring lay down on his stomach.

"What are you doing here?" whispered the therapist. "You're in danger. You need to get out of here."

Spring didn't catch the warning. Spring said, "I need you to pay attention to my neck. I just skateboarded down a highway going 108 miles an hour. It was awesome until it wasn't. After I crashed, I came to on the side of the road, and my neck has been killing me ever since."

"Everybody knows your face," replied the therapist.

"Nobody suspects a thing,"said Spring rubbing his own neck.

But his confidence waned when two Windbreakers, Aplot Fardel's personal guards, appeared behind the therapist. Spring fell in a trap. Spring Launcher jumped up and grabbed one of the guards by the arm and twisted it behind his back, and collapsed him at the knees. He fell to the ground. The second guard darted towards Spring. "Stay back, or you'll regret it," he said but the Windbreaker didn't listen. Spring's crystal began to glow in his hand and his voice resonated with the nature of the agate. The crystal emitted an unknown force that threw the second guard backwards across the room.

Aplot Fardel saw everything. "Impressive," he said, waiting for the commotion to end. "I knew you would come, Spring" his voice smooth and oily. The light in Spring's crystal faded and the Windbreakers overpowered him. Aplot took the crystal from Spring Launcher. He lifted the crystal in the air and examined the agate in the light. "It shimmers like jewels in the hues of the rainbow." Aplot inserted the crystal into the Ice Machine. "With your crystal, the power of the Ice Machine will be complete." He turned on the machine, a row of lightbulbs lit up down the corridor, and the Windbreakers placed Spring inside.

"I have been coveting the Music Guild's technology for years."

"Thank you for the opportunity to exploit your desire, Spring. My powerful energy source is mine, not yours."

Aplot Fardel captured Spring Launcher and froze him in the Ice Machine. Fardel hoped to extract the knowledge and capabilities necessary to power his new machine. Ironically, it was Spring's very own crystal technology that turned out to be the missing link in Fardel's plan, and the means by which he would justify his sinister end.