Planet Zar: Nexus

McKale acquires a priceless reality-hopping watch from a mysterious ne'er do-well named Wilbur Winquist. This watch allows the user to traverse time and space as their discretion- but Winquist has placed limitations on the watch, stipulating McKale must pay the debt before getting free reign over its magical properties.

And the price of this watch? Winquist requires McKale to track down 12 individuals and bring them to Winquist's doorstep. While kidnapping isn't oojah-cum-spiff, some things are worth a little moral wibbly-wobbling.

Watch at the ready, McKale and their trusty butler Jeffrey take off on a series of adventures.

One of their first stops is Star City, where they track down one of the names on the list... and some dragon bonds! Jeffrey stands at a clutch aboard the Abstract Destiny and bonds the clever-but-quiet Shar'voras Tah. Not to be left behind, curious and talkative Cyilume joins the party as well.

The holidays approach and their first quarry is brought to Winquist, who is delighted by McKale's efforts.

Having witnesses the bond between Jeffrey and his new dragons, McKale decides that candidacy is up their alley as well and puts their name in for a hybrid clutch at the Abstract Destiny, where they bond not one, but two chaotic hooligans: Hushaiju and Sakay. (Or Sakay and Hushaiju? Who can say!)

Shar discovers there's something nefarious behind Winquist's list of names and isn't certain they should keep working for him. McKale, Cyilume, and the twins disappear (via watch) before Shar can voice his worries.

Jeffrey is attacked by one of Winquist's targets. McKale doesn't return during his recovery and he begins to worry. Desperate to keep McKale from trouble, Jeffrey reaches out to Winquist for help.

McKale, Cyilume, and the twins appear in a medieval-fantasy-esque world and begin tracking down 'Prince Brennan', a target from the list. During a scuffle the watch is broken, trapping the party! McKale and company seek out a way to repair the watch while they exact a plan to capture Prince Brennan for Winquist. Cyilume is treated like a queen among the people  - being a powerful young dragon - and thinks she might like to stay here.

Winquist brings Jeffrey a facsimile of the watch, one with far reduced properties and a limited number of charges. Jeffrey and Shar hate being in Winquist's debt, but accept the watch so they can save their friends.

After a series of mishaps where the two parties continue to miss one another by a hair, McKale and crew are scooped up by Winquist's associates. In her fear and anger, Cyilume comes into some of her powers, which erupt in a burst of realm traveling, sending her back to her proper time and location.

Shar and Jeffrey unearth Winquist's plan with the list of names and realize the man must be stopped. He's been collecting shards of interconnected souls with the intention of siphoning their power for his own. Winquist is far more than the simple little human man he appears to be.

Jeffrey and Shar receive a message from Winquist: He has McKale and the twins. Jeffrey is far more reliable than McKale, and Winquist demands Jeffrey find the remaining people on his list in exchange for McKale and the twins' freedom. Winquist resets their watch with additional charges... but just enough to complete the list, with no room for error. Shar deduces that Winquist is tracking them through the watch. Cyilume informs the boys that she can realm travel now, which will help them avoid Winquist's eye.

Cyilume tracks down Jeffrey and Shar, and together they formulate a plan to rescue McKale and the twins. The use the watch and track down some of the names on Winquist's list, looking for allies. They meet some powerful friends and explain what Winquist plans to do with their souls.

Together, they storm Winquist's stronghold of time-magic and defeat him. Jeffrey is reunited with McKale and confesses his feelings for them. McKale has always been aware of Jeffrey's attraction to them, but didn't realize the emotional connection was true as well. McKale returns Jeffrey's sentiment and the entire group escape.

Cyilume informs the group that she wants to continue her travels on her own, but she'll return frequently for visits. McKale understands her wanderlust but everyone will miss Cyilume dearly while she's gone. The group host a going-away party for her and eagerly await her visits.

McKale keeps their newly-restored watch but is more cautious about playing with time travel.

Post-Story

Kutoth, one of the allies that aided McKale and co in the fight against Winquist, offers McKale a place to stay on the Refugium. It's not as fascinating or colorful as Star City, but McKale could do good for the conservation efforts. McKale agrees, and they, Jeffrey, Shar, and the twins move into a sizable establishment aboard the Refugium and become board members.

McKale, Jeffrey, and their bonds continue to have adventures through time and space, but are much more cautious.

Shar'voras Tah opens a private detective agency and travels frequently between the Refugium and Mwari Station.