Trekachaw

by B R Flores

  Kigen stepped out of the control panel giggling at the silly foursome. The boy Trekachaw was a chameleon. He could permeate and change his colors to perfectly blend with any object or background.

  What else could Kigen do? Only time would tell. Phera turned into energy and flew into the control panel, then flew out and morphed into body form. “How does he do that? I can’t morph while in a solid object.”

  Vious and Deneb tried to morph inside the control panel and failed. “Kigen is the only Trekachaw I know of who can do that,” said Deneb.

  Pify watched the boy change colors and disappear several times while the adults were testing themselves. When the indicators on the panel flashed red, Kigen’s blue eyes turned red and flashed in sequence with the lights.

  “Kigen special, wild is he. Danger hide good not find. Show Victis pleased I’m sure,” said Pify.

  Deneb and Vious spoke at the same time, “Victis is here? When did he get back?”

  “One day past. Victis captive kinetic to detail before social spirit,” explained Pify.

  “What? Phera do you understand what Pify said?” Vious asked.

  “Victis needs to take care of something, then we’ll meet him,” replied Phera.

  “Oh. When do you think he’ll be finished with… whatever Pify said?” Deneb asked.

  “Spirit says when,” replied Pify.

  Deneb and Vious looked at each other, then started to speak at the same time again.

  Phera threw her hands up in the air. “This is so stupid, it’s funny. Deneb go first.”

  “I’m flying to Palatu to get Belton. He should be here when Captain Victis finishes his spirit captive kinetic detail thing. Vious said he’d stay here with Kigen.”

  “Try to keep Kigen from morphing into anything else,” Phera asked Vious in a snarky tone.

  Pify waddled with a skip and a hop over to his captain’s chair and sat down. Phera followed Pify; she’d had enough of the Trekachaw boy for one day.

  In a hushed voice Pify asked, “Phera come close, Victis good? Libido brain, teach communicate with wife?”

  Phera leaned over Pify’s shoulder and whispered into his ear, “We did. Victis feels much better. He says thank you. Victis was worried that you’d get mad. Didn’t want to betray you.”

  “Phera explain not Umduls’ way. Ataraxia Victis’ pain. We care, we share?” Pify asked.

  “All the same Pify, you should talk to him,” advised Phera.

  “Pify explain Umdul way,” replied Pify.

  Phera kissed Pify’s cheek and stood up. On the top of Pify’s head something wiggled in his hair. Phera screamed, “Shit, Pify don’t move there’s something in your hair.”

  Pify ducked and fell out of his chair as Phera slapped the top of his head.

  “Phera, NO,” yelled Pify.

  “Hold still Pify. Gross, it’s moving around on your head. Yuck, what is it?”

  A tiny dazed head with wiggly eyes popped up and looked at Phera.

  “NO Phera, my Tit,” yelled Pify.

  “Your what? Your Tit? You have a Tit on your head?” Phera gasped.

  “Fizz pet Tit. Don’t violate my Tit.” Pify blocked Phera from hitting his head again.

  “Oh, I’m so grossed out. What’s a Tit? How long has that… been in your hair?”

  “Years, Umduls keep Tit companions,” explained Pify.

  Pify yelled out to his crewmen, “Display Umdul Tits.”

  Indeed, there were colorful Tits on every Umdul’s head. What she could see of the Tits were a perfect color match to their respective Umdul’s vibrant hair. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought they were hair accessories. Phera’s face looked shocked, disgusted, and curious all at the same time.

  “Does that thing sleep with you?” Phera asked.

  “Tit home Umduls hair. Tit die if not. Cute Tit friendly. Phera fizz not gross,” refuted Pify.

  “I guess, if she means that much to you. Did I hurt her?” Phera asked.

  Pify baby-talked to Fizz, “Fizz, ooh Fizzy. Phera hurt, not know.”

  Two tiny black eyes popped up, peeking out from Pify’s orange hair.

  “I won’t hurt you again, Fizz. Sorry I slapped you,” said Phera.

  The little Tit crawled up on a tuff of Pify’s hair and reached its hands out to Phera. Pify was right, Phera was smitten by Fizz’s charm.

  “Her body is adorable and so tiny. How big is she, an inch?” Phera asked.

  “Pify love Fizz and Phera. Inch less or more, Fizz three centimeters.” He was relieved his secret was out and they had officially met.

  “I’m going to feel really bad if I hurt her. Her fuzzy, tiny, orange body is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She’s the same color as your hair. Was she that color when you picked her out, or did she change colors?

  “No hurt, Tits tough. Come in all colors,” replied Pify.

  “Sorry Fizz. I promise to never hurt you again, little cutie patootie,” Phera cooed.

  Fizz looked up at Phera and winked. She reached out again, wanting Phera to pick her up. Pify encouraged her, demonstrating how to hold her hand flat next to Fizz. Phera understood why Pify loved Fizz the moment she crawled onto her hand and curled up.

  “Phera, Fizz share. You care Fizz in hair,” suggested Pify.

  He placed her hand on top of her head and waited for Fizz to crawl off.

  “We’ll share her, until I get my own,” replied Phera.

  Three monitors switched screens to Azha and Atue requesting a ship to ship transmission from the cargo ship. They had entered Palatu’s orbit and were eager to dock with Pify’s battleship. Captain Pify waddled to the center of the bridge. “Open com for ears to hear. Azha good are you, Atue same?

  “Yes, we are. I have urgent information to discuss with you and Captain Victis,” advised Azha.

  “Urgent you say? Not ship to ship? Captain Yagi best for cargo ship for now?” Pify asked.

  “Affirm. Akio is escorting a Gystfin in a shuttle to your ship with your permission. Is there someone who can replace Akio on Victis’s battleship? He should be at the briefing to answer questions,” said Azha.

  “My, my, a Gystfin you say? Briefing interesting will reveal,” said Pify.

  Phera spoke up, “You captured a Gystfin?”

  “It’s not what you think. The Gystfin is an ally called Boo. He was the source of the leak to the Fidus Achates regarding the Quizans being slaughtered by Captain Smyth, Kogbor, and the Gystfins. Pify, I must have your word that Boo will be safe on your ship.”

  “Guarantee, Boo safe he is,” promised Pify.

  “Thank you Pify. Roon, Zeta, Nikki, Clyde, Cody, Takeda, Duroc, Ajax, and my wife Ginzal are flying over in energy to be at the briefing. The other Human Trekachaws will not be attending. If possible, Phera, Choan, Vopar, Vious, Deneb, Pax, and Duro should attend,” said Azha.

  “Pify make possible. Brief in Mezzanine three… Welcome home.”

  “Glad to be home my friend,” replied Azha.

  Pify asked Phera to take charge of assembling the attendees at the Mezzanine. Victis did not return to the bridge with Phera. Instead, Victis thought it best to spend what little time he had left with his daughter before she departed to Opus. Pify walked as fast as his short legs permitted down the corridors to Tilly and Marilyn quarters. The door was shut, but he could hear Victis talking inside. A couple of tap-tap-taps were enough to get his attention. Victis opened the door and looked down at Pify.

  “Hey Pify, come in. Marilyn and Tilly are telling me some incredible stories.”

  “Must ask end stories, follow me. Azha present Palatu space, important data he shares. You convey.”

  “Okay? Give me a minute to say goodbye.”

  Pify skipped a few steps, “I wait, go soon.”

  Pify stood outside the door whistling then he broke into a song, “Coo-coo to-da-da. Coo-coo

  ou-dim-fa-da. Victis and Phera do da coo-coo ou-fa-la.”

  Victis heard what he
was singing and panicked, “Gotta go. I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

  Red faced with green stripes, he ran out the door and shut it. “Pify, shhh-shush.”

  “Funny, Victis outré bright stripes. Good, with daughter. Ah-ha, green stripes funny song sings too? Phera report superb for ou-dim-fa. Make Pify happy.”

  “Well, I guess? I take it Phera told you everything?” Victis asked.

  “Oh, detail. Victis good?” Pify asked.

  “Very good. I’m glad you’re an understanding Umdul,” replied Victis.

  “Umdul way, good way. Sing now?”

  “How about we sing after the convey or whatever this is you’re taking me to?”

  “Perfect, we go,” said Pify.

  The Trekachaws had arrived and were assembled inside the Mezzanine, with one exception. Atue stayed behind to accompany the shuttle, fearing for Boo’s safety. Azha walked up to Victis and gave him a bear hug that would’ve crushed a Ryquat. They both looked down at Pify with devilish grins.

  “No hug me, too small. Get away.” Pify started to waddle under the table, but not fast enough.

  Victis picked him up and sat him on top of Azha’s shoulders. They walked through the crowded Mezzanine, then careful lifted Pify from Azha’s shoulders and set him down on a table. Looking out into the crowded Mezzanine, Pify needed to be higher if he were to be seen. Azha found a sturdy chair and placed it on top of the table. He then stood Pify on top of the chair. Pify smiled and clapped his hands.

  “Tall am I, a view not known. Trekachaws, loyal Ryquats, Umduls unite, strong we are. Speak Azha, want to hear,” announced Pify.

  Atue, Akio, and Boo entered the back of the Mezzanine and stood against the wall. Heads spun, and the Mezzanine glowed red with yellow eyes fixed upon the Gystfin.

  Pify shouted, “Gystfin guest, my ship, my rule. Azha speak, hear or leave not to return. Umdul gave promise.”

  More than a few Trekachaws were angry. Azha ordered sharply, “Stop staring at the Gystfin. Shall we continue? Alright, now that I have your attention. As you know, three Trekachaws did not survive the journey. For those who knew them, I am deeply sorry for your loss. We shall honor their sacrifice. Ryquat Trekachaws, I would like you to welcome the new Human Trekachaws. They will need your guidance and support. They are our future and family. Captain Victis, do you have anything to address?”

  “Yes. This is mandatory. Everyone be here tomorrow, same time. The Human Trekachaws will attend tomorrow’s meeting. Until then, there will be no contact of any kind with any of them unless I approve it first. Phera, Pax, Roon, Nikki, Cody, Zeta, Clyde, Takeda, Atue, Akio, and Boo, do not leave. Everyone else is dismissed.”

  Pify sat down on his table top chair and waited for the Trekachaws to exit the Mezzanine. Azha dreaded what came next. He wondered how Victis would take the news.

  Victis didn’t wait, “Who’s responsible for this Gystfin?”

  After looking back and forth at each other, Azha raised his hand.

  “Boo reported the Quizans being slaughtered. He’s the reason you were sent to Palatu.”

  “So that’s how it got leaked. Nice to meet you, Boo. As far as I’m concerned, your part of this mess we’re all in. You’re welcome on my ship, too. Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Victis asked.

  Azha raised his hand again.

  “Two Human Trekachaws are conspiring to dominate Earth as Gods, and they’re trying to recruit other Trekachaws to join them.”

  “Who are they and who have they tried to recruit?” Victis asked.

  Pax stepped forward, “Those are the same two that claimed to be injured on the Gor Battleship. I analyzed the blood covering their bodies. It was not theirs. Neither one of them had a scratch. When I confronted them, they refused to answer and walked away.”

  “Has anyone here been approached by them regarding an Earth invasion?” Victis asked.

  Everyone raised their hands and began talking at the same time.

  “Whoa, Azha you go first. I’ll listen to the rest of you in order.”

  “They never came to me directly. However, several Human Trekachaws told me in confidence what they’re planning,” replied Azha.

  “Do you know the names of the two conspiring?”

  “Joshua and Nick,” replied Azha.

  “Akio, what do you know?”

  “They never came to me directly, either. Although, Nikki, and Cody told me plenty. It concerned me enough that I changed the security code for the shuttles and the battleship to an encrypted code. The old code was entered on five separate shuttles on two separate occasions. Someone was tampering with them trying to figure out how to engage the launch systems, cockpit displays and the weapon systems. I entered a second code required to unlock the systems when Myosis became a threat. That’s why they couldn’t figure it out. Cody and Nikki have more information.”

  “All right Akio, Nikki, and Cody tell me the rest. Nikki, you go first.”

  “Cody and I were the only two Human Trekachaws that had permission to remain on the battleship. Everyone else was assigned to the cargo ship. Joshua and Nick snuck over here five times that I know of. They wanted Cody and me to teach them how to fly a shuttle. I asked them why and they told me because they were planning on flying it back to Earth. We reported them to Akio as soon as they left. Akio told us if they approached us again, we were to act like we were interested. Well, they did, and they spilled the beans.”

  Victis looked puzzled, “Explain beans?”

  “That means they told us what they were planning,” replied Nikki.

  “Okay. I still don’t get what that has to do with beans. What else did they say?” Victis asked.

  “They wanted us to help them recruit more Trekachaws to take over your battleship and return to Earth as Gods. When they couldn’t get anyone else to join them, they tried to steal a shuttle.”

  “Who else heard this?” Victis asked.

  Zeta, Clyde, and Takeda raised their hands.

  “Roon, did they say anything to you?”

  “No, but Zeta and Clyde told me the same thing Nikki just told you.”

  “Atue, did they approach you?”

  “No, not directly, but I heard the same thing.”

  “Zeta, is this what you heard too?”

  “Spot on. They were even pushy about it and when I told them no, they got angry.”

  “Clyde, do have anything else to add?”

  “Nope, they’re a couple of scoundrels with no honor or gratitude. No one wanted to be a part of their mutiny.”

  “Good. Boo, do you have anything to say?”

  “No Captain, happy here.”

  “I will deal with Joshua and Nick. Do not discuss what we have talked about to anyone. You’re dismissed. Pify and Azha, we have additional matters to discuss.”

  The Mezzanine echoed with the sounds of Trekachaws leaving and the door closing behind them.

  “Pify, you and Azha inform every Captain to add encrypted security codes on their shuttles and battleships. Pify, when do you think our Crozin and Gor ships will depart for Opus?” Victis asked.

  “Sooner better, tomorrow best. Improve on Opus, friction-energy to fracas Crozin, Gor dirty birds.”

  “Very well. Tonight, I would like to visit Connie and Tilly before they leave. Azha, I’d appreciate it if you’d arrange for all the Trekachaws to meet on the Cargo ship tomorrow at 1400 hrs. Have Akio and Boo attend, as well. Pify, do you have navigators to manage Choan and Phera’s battleships while they’re at the meeting?”

  “Navigators plenty.”

  “Great. Pify, I’ll be on your ship for a while if you need to find me.”

  “Victis, ou-dim-fa with Connie?”

  “No.”

  “You do fa da Phera? Mind rest. Body, too.”

  “We’ll see,” smiled Victis.

  Victis questioned himself if he should attempt to visit Connie again. The last time was disastrous. Ou-dim-fa was completely inappropriate, a
nd communicating inside her brain could make matters worse. He promised Tilly they’d spend more time together, and that promise he was going to keep. Victis met with Marilyn in the corridor outside their room.

  “Has Pax spoken with you yet?” Marilyn asked.

  “No. Why?”

  Marilyn had been crying. Victis followed her back into the room and waited for her to sit down. Tilly was busy playing a game with a Toogus.

  “What’s wrong?” Victis asked

  “Tilly shouldn’t hear this again. Could you have Pax explain to you what happened? He’s probably with Connie.”

  “Of course. Are you okay?”

  “No,” cried Marilyn.

  Victis flew through the ship landing outside Connie’s room. He peered through the small window in the door and saw what he thought was blood splatter across the walls. He realized it was, when he saw the sheets soaked with blood. Sickening memories of Trinite flashed in his head and the feeling of utter helplessness overwhelmed him. He opened the door and the same smell of death was in the air. How could this happen? He failed to protect her again.

  Pax walked in with a Toogus. He had planned on cleaning the room before Victis was told. “I’m sorry you had to see this. I’m worried about Tilly. She may be in danger.”

  “Why is Tilly in danger? What happened?” Victis demanded.

  “I’m having Marilyn and Tilly escorted to the bridge for their safety. Nurse Anna shuttled over from your battleship to assist us with Connie’s transport. Anna found Traitor Myosis and a Leader scalping the Umdul Aid with a mediatric laser. I heard Anna screaming and ran into the room. Myosis and the Leader turned into energy and flew through the wall. Anna and the Umdul were injured… or I would’ve chased them. Connie was already dead. If the Umdul makes it through surgery, he’ll have a fighting chance. Myosis slashed Anna across her stomach with his claws. I’m told she’ll be okay. Myosis could still be on board for all we know.”

  “Did Myosis rape Connie?” Victis’s voice cracked.

  “Do you really want to know what Myosis did?” Pax asked.