“The chameleon can change the color of its skin to blend in with its surroundings.”
“Ah, yes. I remember.”
“That’s what the Faylin does, or rather did, but exceptionally well. It was able to create a complete illusion. Oh, my gosh, the liquid that bled from his wound, it wasn’t green, it was clear. Maybe the Faylin made the substance green so it would be noticed, and left the residue on my hands for the same reason, to distract you. Maybe I was to be hidden away so you’d be spending your time looking for me instead of paying attention to something else.”
“That is an excellent theory and I think you’re exactly right. So the question is, Abby, what am I being distracted from?”
Chapter Seventeen
Though it was a short trip to the command center, by the time he entered the command center Zaroff believed he had the answer. Moving quickly to his desk, he brought up the map showing the recent activity of the alliance ships. All but four had been docked for a short time at headquarters.
“Sir, do you want me to open the channel to Kander?” Keon asked. “He’s waiting to hear from you.”
“Not yet. Open a secure channel to the commanders of all our alliance ships, and I mean all of them. The patrols, the warships, the scouts, the cargo carriers, and the passenger transports. Have the recording of the Faylin emerging from the wall ready to play. Just that piece, not the whole recording. How long will it take you to make that happen?”
“Not long at all, sir, assuming all the commanders are available.”
“This is Priority Red. That will make them available!”
“Oh! Yes, sir. Right away. May I ask, is Abby Walker all right?”
“Yes, and thank you for the concern. I’ll contact Officer Kander myself. Tell me the moment you have the channel open.”
“Yes, sir.”
Zaroff touched an icon on his glossy desk, and the high-ranking officer appeared wearing a grim expression.
“Kander. Did you see the recording?”
“I did. Astonishing. The council has convened ready to hear from you. We are all very worried.”
“You may bring them into this conversation. I have answers, Kander.”
“What a relief. One moment. Honored members of the council, Zaroff is here to address us with the latest information.”
“Hello, everyone. I believe I understand the Faylins’ actions and goals. As you have seen from the recording, they are masters of camouflage. I believe they’re on board many of our ships, and I also believe they boarded our ships when they were docked at headquarters.”
“That’s—that’s—well, that’s just a terrible thought,” Kander exclaimed, interrupting him and throwing his hands in the air. “They could take them over, hijack them, blow them up. And what trouble will they cause here? What will we do? And how did they end up here?”
“First, don’t panic,” Zaroff said calmly. “I was about to say, their goal is to overthrow the alliance. If successful, using our weaponry and resources they would cause chaos and mayhem on developing planets across the galaxy, planets like Earth and Nautilus, to name just a couple.”
“Excuse me, sir,” Keon said. “I have the commanders of our ships waiting for your message.”
“Excellent. Kander and members of the council, listen to my directive to our fleet and it will answer your questions. Keon, open the channel.”
“Open, sir.”
“Captains and commanders, this is a matter of extreme urgency. The very existence of the alliance is under threat. Patrol and battleship commanders, you were asked to report any odd substances found on your ships. Captains of the cargo, transport, and passenger ships, you were unaware of this alert, but the Faylins excrete a greenish substance. Double check your vessels. If you find it, a Faylin is probably on board. I believe they are planning to take over your ships, and the Faylin vessels at the perimeter of the alliance headquarters are waiting for them to do just that, and will then launch an attack. I’m going to play you a short clip of an event that took place here just a short time ago. You will see firsthand their camouflage capabilities. Keon, please play the recording.”
As Zaroff watched the replay of the horrifying event, the sight of Abby trapped in the ugly monster’s rough, scaled wings sent a shiver through his body—but it also made his heart race.
“The thought that you could have died...” he whispered under his breath. “I can’t bear to think of it.”
But the playback came to an end, and he quickly refocused his thoughts.
“I’m sure you’re all shocked by what you’ve just seen, but these reptiles are easily defeated.”
“Excuse me, sir, but how did they get on our ships?” one of the commanders asked. “Surely that’s impossible.”
“Remember, they are masters of disguise. Cargo ship captains, have any of you dropped merchandise off on Fay?”
“I have, sir,” a captain replied. “We received several requests for rodents and insects. They eat them apparently. They’re not on our exclusion list, so we accommodated them.”
“Since they are able to blend into their surroundings, they boarded your ship, left it when you returned to headquarters, then boarded the battleships when they docked. Commander Sinjin, you had a repair just recently.”
“Yes, sir, I did. This is terrible news.”
“As I said, they are easily defeated. Here are your orders. Send officers and security people throughout your ships, open all closet doors and energy cell compartments, then flood every space with bright white light. It will blind the Faylins and force them from their hiding places. The moment they show themselves, take them into custody. Only kill if they resist. Kander, you must do the same at the alliance headquarters, however, this action must be taken at precisely the same time. We cannot risk one of them sending out a warning to others. Commanders, when your officers are in place, send a signal to Keon. I will issue the order when you are all ready. Do not take any action until you hear from me. Any questions?”
“Sir, this is Captain Bannon. I run a passenger vessel. Are these Faylins dangerous?”
“We know very little about them, but as you saw on the recording, if you shine bright light in their eyes they are blinded and suffer terrible pain. Any further questions? No? Good. Remember, we are not savages. We kill only when we must. Be quick. They may be ready to strike at any moment. That is all.”
“Communication channel closed, sir,” Keon said. “I’ll report the moment they’ve all reported their readiness signals.”
“Thank you, Keon. Kander, you know what to do.”
“I must ask, Zaroff, how did you know about their sensitivity to light?”
“I noticed the Faylin’s eyes rolling around when he came out of his camouflage. That’s when I realized the reptile had been blinded and the white light had brought it out of hiding, but a furrbit is the hero of the day. He sounded the alarm and showed me where the Faylin had blended into the wall.”
“Extraordinary. I must go and set this in motion.”
“Yes, you must, Kander. I just hope we’re not too late. That is all.”
As Kander disappeared, Zaroff leaned back in his chair, his thoughts returning to his unexpected and deep feelings for Abby.
“You’re not too late.”
Spinning around, Zaroff stared at the walls. There appeared to be no source for the high-pitched, female voice.
“Even the blue light hurts my eyes. Bring it down and I will reveal myself and tell you everything. We are not an aggressive race. We have been forced into this action. Please don’t harm any more of my friends. Please believe me. We are not the enemy you believe us to be. I beg you, we need your help, not your anger.”
“Keon, are you watching this?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Dim the lights. Record this meeting.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the blue glow was dimmed, a form against the wall took shape and the Faylin emerged, its batwings over its face.
<
br /> “Is the light low enough?”
“Yes, thank you,” the creature replied, lowering her arms and raising her head. “Thank you. We have no eyelids and that is why my wings were over my face. I am female. If I say my name through this voice box it will not translate. You may call me whatever you wish.”
“Kera,” Zaroff replied, assuming the female form of the name Keon popped into his head because of his ever-present lieutenant.
“May I call you Zaroff?”
“Yes, of course. You say you’re being forced to hide on our ships?”
“Our planet is being ruled by a tyrant. She is vicious. We live in fear. As a race we hunt and eat only small creatures and insects, but if anyone dares speak against her, she tortures them and their loved ones, then eats them.”
“Did you just say she eats them?”
“Yes, and their loved ones.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing. That’s cannibalism.”
“I don’t know this word.”
“It’s what you just described. Eating those of your own species. Tell me more about this vile female.”
“Sheba, that’s what she calls herself. She looks like us, but she is three times our size. Many have tried to kill her, but she is—she is—I am too pained to keep going. My family is being held captive and will not be released until my mission has been successfully completed. This is also true for all those she chose to board the ships and take control of them. Zaroff, please, destroy her. This terrible ordeal will come to an end for the alliance, and my race will be free again.”
“Why didn’t you come forward earlier?”
“I followed you in just a short time ago, and I’m only able to tell you now because I just discovered my communication device doesn’t work in here. She can’t hear me.”
“This area locks out any form of transmission except those initiated by me or my lieutenant, and the same is true for the command centers in our other ships. I hope your fellow Faylins will step forward as well.”
“If they realize their transmitters don’t work, and Sheba can no longer hear them, I’m sure they will.”
“I must take a moment. This news is extraordinary, but you must be so distressed. Can I get you anything? Water, perhaps?”
“I would be most grateful for water.”
“Keon, you heard. Bring water.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Please, Zaroff, do not harm the others,” Kera begged. “We are peace-loving. The ships lined up outside the alliance don’t even carry weapons.”
“No weapons? I don’t understand.”
“Sheba has been planning this for a long time, but our planet has limited resources so she put everything into producing more ships. She thought the large numbers would be intimidating enough to distract you, and she knew she’d have all the weapons she needed once she hijacked all your battleships.”
“This is unbelievable,” Zaroff muttered. “Kera, can she intercept our communications?”
“Only what is broadcast on the open space channel, but she can hear conversations if they’re around the transmitters we’re wearing, like the one at the base of my leg. Zaroff, she will be easy to kill. She lives with a few others who also lust for power in a large palace surrounded by open space.”
“These others—?”
“They were our leaders, but she has turned them into tyrants too.”
“Your tribe lives on only one side of your planet, is that right?”
“Yes. The other side is uninhabitable. Does this mean you believe me?” she asked, her voice cracking. “You’re going to help us?”
“Of course I’m going to help you,” Zaroff said gently.
“Forgive me. I am overcome. We have been living such dreadful lives and been imprisoned for so long.”
Huge, copious tears suddenly sprang from her bulbous eyes, and raising her huge wings, she lowered her head, covered herself, and began making strange squeaking noises.
“What can I do?” Zaroff asked, not knowing how to comfort her.
“You—are—freeing—us. I—am—overcome.”
“Here is the water, sir,” Keon declared, entering the office carrying a glass, then taking a breath, he added, “This is all rather unexpected.”
“You have a gift for understatement,” Zaroff replied, taking the glass. “Kera, please have some water, then you can show me where this tyrant’s palace is, but we must move quickly.”
“Thank you,” she replied, lowering her arms. “If you would, please place the container on a surface.”
“I’ll hold it for you.”
She moved slowly forward, her long tongue darted from her mouth, and she lapped from the glass.
“We do not require much, but this translator in my voice box has made my throat very sore. Those of us who boarded the ships were forced to have them implanted. Besides taking control of this ship, Altus and I were supposed to keep you negotiating for the release of the female hostage.”
“Altus? A male? He was the one who took Abby?”
“I know he is gone. Please, I can’t talk about it. You did what you had to.”
“But he gave me information. Didn’t he fear for his loved ones?”
“The furry creature bit his leg, and Altus probably discovered the transmitter had been broken. You see the barren patch low on the inside of my leg? That’s where it lies.”
“I’m so sorry about your friend.”
“The blame lies at Sheba’s feet.”
“Come closer to my desk. I’m going to bring your planet into view. Keon, contact the commanders and tell them I’ll be speaking with them shortly.”
“Yes, sir,” Keon said, but paused for a moment, then took a step toward the Faylin. “My name is Keon. I’m sorry for all you’re going through.”
“You’re so kind. Thank you. I didn’t think there was a way out of our dreadful captivity. I have been blessed with a miracle.”
“Excuse me, Kera, but I have the surface of Fay in view,” Zaroff declared. “Where is Sheba’s compound?”
“The large red structure.”
“How will we know if she’s there?”
“She never leaves. She knows she is despised, and her fortress is impenetrable. Zaroff, how do you know I’m telling the truth?”
“You may be a reptilian creature, but I was born with a lie detector inside me. I can’t explain it, but when someone is fabricating their story, I know it.”
“Thank the Universal Gods.”
“Excuse me a moment. Keon, open a secure channel to Commander Sinjin. I’m about to make his day.”
Chapter Eighteen
Believing Abby had been successfully abducted, Sheba had ordered her unwilling operatives to seize the ships, but like Kera, once in place the Faylins quickly learned the transmitters became ineffective and they began to emerge. Alerted by Zaroff to their desperate plight, the commanders and captains welcomed the reptiles with warmth and understanding. To keep Sheba at bay, the Faylins returned to those still hiding in other areas of the ships, whispered the wonderful news, then for the tyrant’s benefit, they concocted stories of how impossible it had been to penetrate the command centers. When Zaroff gave Sinjin the mission to destroy Sheba’s palace, the battleship commander sent his ship into hyper-speed, but Zaroff still had time to speak with Abby before Sinjin neared the planet.
With the Faylin situation under control, their breathtaking kiss and overwhelming connection consumed his thoughts. Anxious to see her, he rippled the large screen and brought the chamber into view, but found only Minerva studying the screen on the wall, the line of worry creasing her forehead.
“Hello, Minerva. What are you watching?”
“The Faylin ships on the perimeter. Do you have any more news?”
“A great deal, and the Faylins are no longer a concern.”
“They’re not?” she exclaimed. “But there are so many of them.”
“I’ll bring you up to date shortly, but where is A
bby?”
“Taking a bath, sir. She went in right after you left.”
“I must speak with her. I’ll be there shortly and tell you both what’s happening, but...”
“Yes, sir?”
“Transform the bed and dining table. I want a comfortable couch with a coffee table, and tell the keeper to bring in a bottle of cabernet and chocolates. Have it ready when I arrive. I’ll be there momentarily. That is all.”
“Yes, sir.”
Vannen had been called to remove the transmitter from Kera’s leg, and Keon had taken them into the lounge area adjacent to Zaroff’s office.
“Your fellow Faylins are still coming forward,” Zaroff declared as he entered. “They are as brave as you, Kera, and they have been warmly greeted.”
“I don’t know how we’ll ever be able to repay you.”
“It is we who are in your debt, Kera. Thanks to your courage a battle has been avoided. I’m just sorry we didn’t know of your dire straits before now. We would have stepped in.”
“Sheba’s insatiable greed for power has been her undoing. Now my fellow Faylins and I must look to the future. I know I can speak for them when I say we would be very happy to join the Universal Alliance, but until I know Sheba is truly gone I will remain apprehensive.”
“The commander in charge of the mission is one of our best, and like all our battleships, his has a powerful cloaking device. She won’t even know it’s overhead.”
“Thank you for the reassurance.”
“But I must ask, Kera. Where are your families? We must avoid any attack that could harm them.”
“They’re nowhere near her compound. She keeps them in an underground dungeon on the other side of the open space.”
“Will there be any trouble releasing them?”
“None. The guards are only guards from fear. They will free everyone the moment she and the palace are turned to dust.”
“Excuse me, sir,” Vannen said. “The transmitter is almost out, but it’s embedded right next to a vein and I have to be very careful.”
“I’ll leave you to your work. Don’t worry, Kera, your nightmare will soon be over. If you need anything just reach out to Keon. You’re our guest, not our prisoner.”
Trained by the Alien Page 13