“I’m surprised you lot even need drinks,” Loco commented, nodding at Jelly Bean as she sipped hers. “Or is your cup filled with diesel oil?”
“Watch it,” Jelly Bean scowled warningly, “or I may accidentally spill some diesel oil into your tequila the next time you’re on a bender. Unlike me, I don’t think your constitution could survive it.”
“Well, that remains to be seen.” Loco crossed his arms and stuck out his lower lip.
“Oh, I can see it now,” the android continued, “just test me.”
Shango looked from the open closet to Blackfriar. “I would have thought the use of serving robots among androids might be a bit taboo.”
“Why would it be?” Blackfriar asked enigmatically.
“Well, I mean…” Shango trailed off, and then shrugged. “I guess I don’t know. It just seems like an interesting concept.”
“Why taboo?” Loco asked. “It seems weird is all. Robots with pet robots. Next thing you know, your pet robot will have a pet dog. Heh!” He quietened down, chuckling at the mental image he’d conjured.
“It’s no more taboo than humans using serving robots,” Barnabas pointed out. “And certainly less so than androids being used as slaves.”
“On that, we most certainly agree.” Shango redirected his attention to the other captain. “But I should like to turn the conversation to our reason for coming here.”
“Ah yes.” Blackfriar shifted in his seat and regarded the Three carefully. “I believe there is much you know that I do not. I would be most grateful for the sharing of such information.”
Shango took a deep breath.
“Are you sure about this?” Olofi asked. Shango nodded.
“I’m damn well not,” Loco muttered.
Shango shot him a look. “We have discussed this,” he reminded him.
Loco shifted his gaze, irritably. “Theoretical conversations when I’m drunk shouldn't be so binding. Besides, we agreed we’d only ever reveal our secret if necessary, and I don’t see that as being the case here.”
Olofi tempered his tone to appear patient. “The most powerful forces in the galaxy are out to get us,” he pointed out. “And our only ally has just placed his trust in us. You don’t think we should repay the favor?”
Loco heaved a laborious sigh and shook his head. “Fine,” he huffed.
Shango cleared his throat and spoke carefully. “This will be difficult to comprehend, but myself, Olofi, and Loco, as well as our associate Legba and Amroth and his boss Malleghan, are… not of this world.”
“Well, none of us are of this world,” Blackfriar pointed out. “As in, this planet.”
“Right,” Shango chuckled. “What I meant to say is, we are from a different plane of existence. Our home is called the Unseen world, and with the sword-”
“The what?” Jade interrupted, clambering to her feet. “Hold on, are you saying that you three are some kind of aliens?”
“Not at all.” Shango shook his head, shaggy hair swaying. “We are gods in human bodies.”
“Gods?” Barnabas scoffed.
“Let them continue,” Blackfriar admonished.
“Thank you.” Shango impatiently drummed his fingertips on the tabletop. “I know it must be a lot to process, so allow me to start at the beginning.”
As he spoke Jade’s jaw dropped further and further, while Barnabas glanced continually from one captain to the other as if to confirm each individual fact. Blackfriar, on the other hand remained perfectly composed in his favorite posture, peering over the tops of his steepled fingers.
“Our story begins about three hundred years ago. That is how long the group of us have lived on this plane of existence. When we first arrived, we struggled at every turn to learn the ways of human culture. Over the centuries we carved out our own niches, developed our own skills, and realized our own comfortable means of existence.”
“Malleghan and Amroth were the first to come to the Seen world – about two hundred of your Standard Solar years ahead of us. They were kicked out of our realm by the Allfather Bondye for attempting to stage a coup. They weren’t always evil, especially not Amroth. He once had a noble purpose, but that was lost when Malleghan destroyed his family and drove him mad. Amroth, however, blamed the Great Bondye. He and Malleghan began laying the foundations for a plan that would allow them to overcome the Allfather Bondye. To make a long story short, it did not work.”
Shango continued his tale, the others listening in rapt attention. “This is where the three of us made a crucial mistake. With Amroth and Malleghan banished to the Seen world, we became curious about it. We were fascinated by the humans. We wanted to see them succeed and thrive. We only wanted to help.”
“The project that naturally drew our attention was the creation of artificial life forms. As gods, we know much of creation, but to see beings as infer-” he glanced at Jade - “as less advanced as humans attempting to bring new consciousness into the world by way of their technology, fascinated us.”
“We followed their experiments closely from the other side. We became enthralled with them. Their triumphs were our success, and their frequent failures our misery. We became as frustrated as they were with their lack of progress, and there, we erred. We gave them a push – just a whisper in a dream here, or a nudge of chance there.”
A long silence followed the statement. Shango cleared his throat and took a sip of tea and sighed.
“Wait,” Barnabas shook his head. “Are you saying…”
“Yes, damn it,” Loco burst out, “we’re the ones who gave you motorheads your consciousness!”
“Interesting,” Blackfriar commented, incredibly calmly.
“What?” Barnabas exclaimed over top of him. “You’re saying that… that you three… are the reason I know I’m alive?”
Olofi offered him a tight smile. “More or less.”
Loco grinned. “You’d be a bag of bolts without us,” he quipped quietly, giving Shango a sideways glance.
Barnabas shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t think I can accept that.” He stood up from his cushion and backed away from the table. “That can’t be true. You’re not… you can’t really be gods.”
“Oh but we can, and we are,” Loco grinned. “It says so in my contract.”
Barnabas continued to stand, unsure of what to do with himself. “Are you immortal?”
“In a sense, yes,” Shango confirmed, gesturing with his hands, holding them far apart. “Three hundred years is a long time to live as a human, and we show no signs of aging. But if you cut us, we bleed. A gunshot would hurt me as much as it would you. Maybe even more so. Trust me, I’ve tested the theory out a few times.”
“It sounds as though you wrestle with immortality, or lack thereof.” Blackfriar sounded sympathetic. “What do you believe Amroth is planning with this app of his? We have been able to track much of his progress, but the exact nature of his goal eludes us.”
Olofi leaned forward. “Unfortunately, we can be almost certain that his plan is to enslave mankind in the Seen world. That would make it easy for him to steal their souls, as easily as if he were strolling down the table at a buffet.”
Blackfriar’s poker face slipped. “I’m sorry,” he said wide-eyed, “did you say steal their souls?”
Shango grimaced and nodded. “He did. Amroth was gifted an amulet by his master which allows him to suck the souls out of living humans. He uses the souls he accumulates to sustain and build his power. With enough power, he and Malleghan may just be able to succeed in their plot.”
“I see.” Blackfriar regained his composure and arched an eyebrow. “Why do you believe they require this sword of yours then?”
Olofi answered the question while Shango sipped his tea. “Our best guess is that they need it to open the crossroads between the Seen and Unseen worlds, which makes sense with the idea that Malleghan is planning another coup.”
“Yep.” Shango pulled another wry face, and not because the tea had gone b
itter. “It seems like they’ve been biding their time, collecting enough souls for Amroth to harness to power up for another shot at it.”
“Should they succeed?” Blackfriar’s question hung in the air.
Loco grunted. “They could destroy everything on the other side.”
“Everything?” Barnabas’ eyes grew wide.
“What would that mean for us?” Jade asked.
“Honestly?” Shango shrugged. “I have no idea.”
+++
Aboard the Geburah, Orion Sector
Amroth’s private quarters aboard the Geburah represented his mood only too well. The furnishings were lavish without being exorbitant. There were wall hangings and rugs, all thickly embroidered and perfectly placed. He had a pair of leather lined sofas framed by polished end tables in the antechamber which were perfect for receiving guests in a less official capacity. Not that he ever entertained guests.
The ship was nearing the android home base, and he needed to report to his master on their progress. He feared the report would be unsatisfactory, and with the stakes rising with each passing second, he felt as though he had all his chips on the table. Soon he would be more rich and powerful than he could imagine.
Or nothing at all.
He sat at his desk and pressed the intercom button to page whoever was on call as his assistant.
He recognized the attractive young woman who came in. She’d been the one to find the homing beacon, although he couldn’t recall her name.
A useful creature, certainly, attractive, and unless his sources had betrayed him, gossipy. She was also a commander. Goodness knows why she was taking a shift as his personal assistant right now. They must have been short staffed.
Unless…
“Yes, sir?” she asked entering the room. “How may I serve you?”
Unless she switched a shift to be here?
“Report to Malleghan on my behalf,” he instructed. “Detail our progress, our plans, and call for a fleet of LaPlacian Battleships to our current location to assist us. Make it clear that we are currently unaware of the android resources. We may well require many more ships.”
“Right away, sir.” The woman bowed her head and exited the same way she’d come in.
Having a subordinate deliver the report would redirect his master's fury, and he wouldn’t have to put up with Malleghan insulting him for needing reinforcements. For all that Amroth knew, the androids could have platoons of soldiers. After all, couldn’t they just fabricate more of themselves, practically overnight?
Amroth twisted his mouth as a wave of bitterness washed over him. Remembering what he had lost hurt more than he would ever admit. He’d had a wife, a child, and a good life. Now he only had his master, his orders, and his quiet thoughts of vengeance.
His hand went to his throat, fingers stroking the talisman he always wore there. He often wondered when exactly he had become a different man. Was it the day he lost his family? Was it the day Malleghan handed him the talisman? Or the day they’d actually attempted to seize control from the other side? Somewhere along the line he had changed. He couldn't even bring himself to regret it, but in the back of his mind he knew he’d been happier then. Never mind that, though. Happiness no longer mattered. Only conquering and control sat on the horizon of his path.
The door opened and the young woman walked back in, her cheeks red and her eyes frightened. Amroth raised his eyebrows. He had expected the task to take longer.
“Your will is done, sir,” she said with her eyes downcast.
“Good,” he stated flatly. “You may go.”
“Is there anything else you need, sir?” she probed, her gaze bravely lifting from the floor.
Amroth paused. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“If I could get you something to eat or drink, or help you rest somehow, I’d be happy to.” Her eyes were large and round with concern. And fear.
Amroth smiled. He pointed at the second sofa. “Please sit. That’s very kind of you. Maybe there is a way you can help.”
She moved to the couch eagerly and sat on the leather surface, looking at him with expectation evident on her face.
“Is our fleet of battleships on its way?”
“Of course, sir! I would not have returned if I had not completed your task.”
“I see. You are a useful worker indeed. Wasn’t it you who located the homing beacon aboard the android vessel?”
She beamed. “Why, yes sir, it was.”
“Very useful indeed. Such a winning attitude and aptitude deserves promotion.” He stroked his chin. “I’d like to invite you into an exclusive organization within the heart of LaPlace, which powers my hand throughout the universe. Would you be interested in that?”
“That sounds fascinating!” she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling, despite her obvious nervousness of being there. “I would love to join. Is Sergeant Wiseman part of this group?”
Amroth stroked his talisman. “Not yet,” he said, “but one day she may be. After all, both of you are so very talented…”
He trailed off, and the young woman felt a tug just behind her navel as her soul was pulled from her body by the power of the pendant. She had time to crumple her face into a silent scream and pitch forward in pain before her life left her, chasing after the vacated soul.
Amroth smiled as he pulled the soul into his talisman, feeling the pleasant warming effect throughout his entire body. She had been a valuable worker, but her life force would serve him even better from within. Now she was not just at his beck and call, she was truly his.
+++
Captain’s quarters, Android Home Base, Orion Sector
Barnabas held up hand. “You mentioned a sword. What sword is this?”
“Yes,” Blackfriar agreed, “I must admit I was intrigued when you said that, but we got sidetracked. Surely you’re not still finding uses for such primitive weaponry.”
A long silence passed, which Olofi broke only after Shango nodded at him.
The smooth cheeked lwa scratched his chin. “This isn’t an ordinary sword.” he explained. “In truth, it’s not really a sword at all. We just call it that because it happens to look like one. In fact, it is an incredibly sophisticated piece of technology created by our fellow lwa, Legba.”
Blackfriar held his gaze as he spoke. “And this Legba is the one that young Bentley and Svend have gone chasing after?” he clarified. “If he can create such advanced technologies, I would very much like to meet him, too. Perhaps it will prove to our advantage that Bentley escaped. What does the sword do?”
Loco animated himself. “It slices off android heads like no other,” he chuckled.
Shango shot him a glare. “It can cut through to the crossroads that connects the Unseen world to the Seen,” he corrected. “It essentially opens a portal between the two worlds.”
Olofi sat forward. “The wielder boasts a portion of Legba’s unique powers,” he added.
“However,” Jelly bean interjected, “it seems to have been bonded with Bentley by encoding itself to her DNA.”
The babble from the crew of the Chesed cut off as everyone stared at her. “What?” she asked, “Am I the only one who’s been doing private experiments on the sword, and its potential connection to each crew member? Well good for me then.”
Jade stifled a snigger.
Blackfriar leaned forward with his hands on the table. “Perhaps if you explained one at a time, I could gain a better idea of what we’re dealing with. Captain Shango, what were you saying about the sword carving its way to the crossroads between worlds?”
“Well, we don’t have many details.” Shango admitted, “but based on what we’ve seen so far, Legba programmed the sword to allow someone else to do what only he was meant to do, which is travel between worlds. It appears that only Bentley can use it, so Jelly Bean’s discovery about the DNA encoding makes sense. That’s what Olofi meant when he said it gives the wielder some of Legba’s power. It’s almost like it’s mea
nt to create his proxy in the wielder.”
“Fascinating.” Blackfriar’s eyes gleamed. “Where is this sword now?”
Loco crossed his arms. “None of your damned business!”
“Loco, come on, we’ve trusted them this far.” Olofi nodded at Blackfriar and Barnabas. “We can reveal this too.”
The dark haired lwa rolled his eyes and kept his arms crossed, but gave a small nod of assent.
“It’s safe aboard our ship.” Shango said firmly.
Jelly Bean cleared her throat. “About that…”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
QX849-LF, Dead Rock, Deep Space
“Does the size really matter?” Svend asked.
Bentley clicked her tongue. “Oh, honey…”
The land mass they were staring at through the pod’s translucent wall was not even large enough to be called a moon. It had no orbit and no apparent trajectory. Unlike every other bit of detritus in space, it floated stationary within the depths of that forgotten sector. Other than that, there was absolutely nothing special about it that they could see.
“Well,” Bentley sighed, “I guess that means I’ve lost my mind after all. A wild goose chase. I’m so sorry, Svend.”
“You don’t know what we’ll find down there, though. We’re not done yet.” Svend pointed out. “It may not be much, but it looks like it’s holding a breathable atmosphere. Don’t be sorry yet.”
“No.” Bentley said, her heart sinking into her stomach, “You’re just being your usual wonderful, optimistic self. Legba’s not here. How could I have been so stupid to think that he would be?”
Svend shook his head. “You can’t know that. There’s a reason he gave you those coordinates, and a reason Jelly Bean was able to unlock them.”
“So what? What if he is down there? What would I have accomplished by finding him? Giving him a big hug? Were we going to give him a ride somewhere?” She shook her head ruefully. “What was I thinking? That we’d go out and catch a low gravity tetherball match together? Or maybe that he’d finally train me to use the…” she slapped her palm over her forehead. “Oh my god.”
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