“I'm afraid she will leave me, Connie.”
“If you aren't going to work on her now, at least help me with what we're doing. Frank is wandering around that place and I'm flying blind.”
“As you wish,” Gladys replied. “Do you have any insight to offer me regarding his mental state?”
“His eyes are still stuck. I suppose that means he's pissed.”
* * *
Frank was standing just off the sidewalk watching the sparse trail of the orderlies. They seemed to be doing as little as possible. Having looked around, he found it hard to blame them. Most of the patients on the outside of the building seemed to be almost unreachable. The orderlies couldn't be blamed for the high levels of drugs that had been prescribed. He approached the door and slipped inside behind one of the workers. The inside was even worse. He did his best to ignore the situation and made his way to a vacant computer. After looking over his shoulder, he jiggled the mouse and started looking over the icons. He was totally lost. And then the remote inside his suit started vibrating, adding nothing to his mood. Pressing his hands around the orb, it emerged from his varitherm without disruption, and he could tell that Gladys was in control of it. He began pantomiming his frustration with the computer when he overheard the nurses talking. It was time for a shift change and they were reporting. He heard the name 'Stewart' and listened closer. It was listed with those who were currently outside. He made his way back toward the door.
Once outside again, Frank looked around for someone who looked like a Dorothy Stewart. Not knowing what she looked like, he decided to trust his instincts. Scanning the garden, he finally spotted a lady sitting on a bench on the far end. She looked about the right age and Frank thought he could sense something in her. But the woman who fell in love and married Raymond was sitting slack-jawed and staring at something, or nothing, in the distance.
“That's Mrs. Stewart over there.” The voice came from behind Frank and he stepped aside just in time to avoid being run into by two orderlies. One was obviously showing the other around. “She tries to hide her meds, so you gotta watch her. And she's a fighter. Never let her watch TV. She thinks aliens abducted her family.”
“Shit, she might be right,” the new employee joked.
“Nah, they just left her crazy ass. Don't be afraid to get a little rough with her if you need to. You gotta show her who's boss.”
Frank fought the urge to throw the man into a bush. Instead, he walked over to and around the bench where Dorothy sat. He leaned down so he could speak to her in a low voice.
“Mrs. Stewart?”
She didn't respond.
“Dorothy?”
She still sat motionless.
Frank thought for a moment and then finally asked, “Dottie?”
She moved her head to look around. “My Raymond always called me Dottie.”
“I know. He asked me to look for you. I am the Gray Man. Have you heard of me?”
“Oh, yes. Yes I have. I saw you on the news. I was thinking about trying to find you.”
“Please keep your voice down, Dottie.”
“I wanted to ask you if you can find my baby. They took Raymond and my baby.”
“I'm going to help you.” Frank was having a hard time staying calm.
“Nobody believes me.” Her voice started to fail.
“I believe you, Dottie. Would you like me to take you out of here?”
Instead of answering, she tried to stand up. It was then that Frank noticed that she was bound to the bench at her left wrist. She tried to pull herself free.
“Sit your ass down, Dorothy!” The orderly was shouting at her from across the yard. But still she struggled. Frank saw the man start to sprint in her direction. “Don't make me bust your ass!”
Frank reached down and ripped the leather strap apart, freeing Dorothy. She stood up and suddenly looked very joyful. Frank almost smiled behind his face-plate as he intercepted the orderly and hoisted him up in the air. As Dorothy was being raised into the boat, the jerk was being tossed into the nearest bush. Frank felt satisfied as he watched the ground drop from under his feet.
“I put her straight into stasis,” Constanthos said as the circle closed. Frank pulled off his face-plate and entered the biotech room. The automechs were gently placing Dorothy into a partition.
“I hope I didn't just fuck up,” Frank said.
“You did the right thing, Frank,” Constanthos said. She was staring at Dorothy.
“I agree.” Frank spun around to find a remote hovering over the left shoulder of Constanthos.
“I'm glad you two agree,” Frank said. “They have her so doped up.”
“Stasis is restful, Frank.” Gladys had a gentle tone and Frank could feel the sadness in it. “I can work on her after I get Nera up and going.”
“Good,” Frank replied. “I don't understand much about mental health. I just hope everything works out for them.” He looked back at Constanthos and noticed the tears running down her cheeks. “Connie?”
She turned to him, unable to speak.
“Come here,” he said and took her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and began sobbing. “It's a lot to take in, I know.” She nodded as she wept. “This is all part of being human. Joy. Pain. Loss. Love. You'll get the hang of it.” He moved his hand to the back of her head and felt the stubble of her hair beginning to grow back. “And when you see her reunited with her family, there will be some new emotions for you. And it will be beautiful.”
16.
Things seemed slow at Hitakkita and Jard didn't have to wait long to have a spot assigned to him. He landed, locked down his ship, and left the yard. He realized as he made his way through the streets that everyone was awaiting news of the Monster. They were curious to know who the richest assassin in the galaxy was going to be. Pausing here and there, he heard no news of Rhoshe on any of the broadcasts. And any news from Earth wouldn't arrive for a few days, if at all. He doubted the pirates would tell anyone about it.
Jard found his way to the door of the vendor and knocked on it.
“Who is calling?”
Jard smiled as he looked up at the camera. A few moments later, the door slid open and he slipped inside.
“Jard! I'm happy to see you still breathing.”
“I'm happy to be breathing.” Jard reached into his cloak and produced the unused data collector. “I would like to return this to you.”
“You know I do not offer returns,” the vendor hissed.
“Consider it a gift. A payment for the good advice you offered.”
The vendor relented. “It's a rare being that accepts free advice.” He took the collector into his claw and slithered back behind a counter. “Things have been real quiet lately.”
“I bet there's been less assassins walking about,” Jard said.
“That's right. I hear the whole lot of them went to Rhoshe to ambush the Monster.”
Jard smiled. “Not all of them went to Rhoshe. One crew went to Earth, the Monster's home world.”
The vendor leaned forward. “You don't say? I've only known one or two assassins that I've liked. It's a necessary profession, but most are arrogant and sloppy.”
“I've only met a couple and they work in the office.”
“You're one of the good ones, Jard. I respect the way you work. So how is it you have come across this information?”
“I've just returned from Earth. And before you ask, I wasn't a part of the crew that went after the Monster. He is actually a friend of mine. I used the data from the pirates' ship to locate Earth so that I could try to warn him. But he'd already killed the entire crew before I got there.”
“Amazing! So those that went to Rhoshe were wasting their time?”
“He was there returning the Champion when they attacked. The Rhoshe wiped them out.”
The vendor pounded his claws in delight. “I wish I could see the look on Fev's face when he finds out.”
“You are going t
o love this next part. Fev led the team that went to Earth. I saw him there, completely dismembered.”
The vendor let out a deafening laugh and Jard reveled in it. “That serves him right. He took a noble profession and twisted it into that evil Guild. Is that the end of them?”
“Not quite. You have been very good to me over the years. I want you to lay low for the next few days because I don't want you to get hurt.”
“This is all very exciting. What are you planning?”
“I'm not planning anything.”
The vendor's eyes went wide. “Jard, is the Monster coming?”
“Fev's trap killed someone who was special to him. I do not know his plans, but nothing would surprise me at this point.”
“I've been hearing a lot of rumors, Jard. They say he is mated to a Sessik.”
“I am happy to confirm that. They seem very happy with each other.”
“That doesn't make any sense! They say it's the Winner of Wars but even she never took up arms. And I also hear she had her wings cut off.”
“I really do not know what any of that means. I was actually hoping you could tell me something about the Sessik.” Jard was pleased with the direction of the conversation.
“I'm more than happy to tell you what I know, but it isn't much. It sounds like you could learn more from your friend,”
“I don't even know which questions to ask.” Jard produced the orb from his cloak. “My creators communicated through these remotes, but they never spoke the Sessik language.”
* * *
Frank sat his phone down and looked up at Constanthos. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I'm sorry.”
“There's no reason to be sorry. Are you cool to fly?”
Constanthos allowed herself to smile. “I'm cool. Where to?”
“The Pentagon.”
* * *
“So, you killed a bunch of those lizards in New York?” Brad Haines asked.
Damon looked down at Brad. “Yeah. I guess I got a few.”
“That is so badass.”
“We were just doing our jobs.”
Deon decided it was a good time to speak up. “You gotta understand that Wheelz here was doing his thing in a computer lab at the time. You guys kicked ass. I saw the whole thing.”
“I feel like we played a very small part,” Damon replied. “But thanks just the same. You guys probably do more for the greater good with all this technology.”
Brad smiled and nodded. “Damn, you Marines are so humble. That makes it so much more awesome.”
“You know I'm technically a Marine, right?” Deon asked.
“I can't believe I get to meet the Gray Man,” Brad said, ignoring Deon's proclamation.
“I see how it is. I broke into a phone that they couldn't touch, you know.”
“We all play our parts, Worm.” Damon sounded incredibly stoic. “Wheelz, please keep in mind that Frank just wants to feel like a normal guy.”
“Yeah, sure. The fact that we're here on top of a parking garage so he can fly his spaceship in... Yeah, regular guy.”
“Be cool, Wheelz,” Deon said. “I'm with Potts on this. I've known Frank since I was a little kid. He's cool.”
Damon's phone sounded off. He raised it up to read the message. “He's here.” He looked up in time to see Frank falling from the sky. “Hello, Frank,” he said as he touched down.
Frank extended his hand. “Hello, Damon. I appreciate you agreeing to this mission.”
“I'm more than happy to go. I gotta admit I was more than a little jealous of Jones when he got to go.”
Frank glanced over at Deon. “Deon, it's good to see you.”
“Damn, Frank, you been lifting?” Deon asked.
Frank tried not to slump. “Not really. My body adapted to the higher gravity on the planet Vera. Who's your friend?”
“This is Wheelz.”
Brad rolled forward and extended his hand. “Brad Haines. It's a real honor to meet you.”
“Thank you. You work with Deon?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Please, just call me Frank. So you're a hacker then?”
“Technically, I'm a cracker.” Brad tried to ignore the snickering from Deon and Damon.
Frank wasn't in the mood for jokes. “Maybe you guys can help me out with something. Denise made a documentary and I was hoping to get it put out on the internet, or however that works. I'm not good with technology.”
Brad answered with a blank stare so Deon spoke up. “We'd be happy to help with that, Frank. She was a really special lady. Do you have it on a drive or what?”
“Shit. I was just going to give you her laptop. Is that cool?”
“Yeah,” Deon replied. “We'll make sure you get it back when we're done.”
Frank looked over his shoulder and nodded. He then looked up, spotted the computer as it fell, and caught it as its descent slowed. “Here you go.” After handing the laptop to Deon, he nodded to Damon who started bringing his gear forward. “Is that it?” Frank asked regarding a case.
“Yeah, that's my baby,” Damon replied.
“You got plenty of ammo?”
“Oh yeah.”
* * *
“You'll have to pardon me, Berthantine,” Filn was saying. “This is a lot to take in.”
“It is quite simple, really,” she replied. “It's all just a matter of having all the pieces in place. Now, would you be so kind to tell me about your encounter with the Monster?”
“Wold insisted on meeting with Gladosanthos after Home was destroyed and told her to bring him along. I never thought it was a good idea. She complied and when they arrived on our ship, Wold tried to destroy the Monster.”
“I feel like you're leaving something out, Filn.”
“Let's see, Brogue Suercey was with us...”
“Brogue? He's alive?” She seemed to grow excited.
“Well, yes. At least he was when he left. They took him when they left.”
“What else are you leaving out?”
Filn looked around to make sure no one was nearby. “Wold told Gladosanthos that she was to lay with us and bear our children to ensure the survival of our species. He was rather rude about it, and she and the Monster took offense. So Wold ordered him to step into an air lock.”
“How did he survive the airlock?” she asked.
“This is the scary part. He didn't go to the airlock. Wold ordered us to assist him and the Monster withstood our combined Reverence.”
“Remarkable! Would you say he is completely immune?”
Filn gave it some thought. “I wouldn't say he's immune. I could tell he felt it. But something in him drove him to resist. And then he laid his hands on Wold.”
Berthantine smiled. “I almost wish I could have seen that.”
Filn let out a laugh. “It was something else. He grabbed him and shook him. And then as he was leaving, the Monster pretended to strike at Wold.”
“Oh my!”
“Wold yelped like a child!” They shared a laugh.
Berthantine resumed the conversation. “My Centurions have an amplified Reverence. Look at the size of their wings. I bet they could control a Mingrein if they had to.”
“They are very impressive, Berthantine.”
“Thank you. I would have to say they are my greatest creation.”
“I would like to see some of your other projects. I find it fascinating, although I don't understand the science.”
Berthantine smiled at his interest. “One of my favorites is down on the surface as we speak. You won't be able to get a good look at him, I'm afraid, as he is blacker than night.”
“Really? Why did you make him so?”
“I designed him to be the ultimate assassin.” She picked up a data pad and looked it over. “This is interesting.”
“What is it, Berthantine?”
“When we supplied him with his warship, I had a subroutine installed into his navigation. I am looking at where's he
's been.”
Filn smiled. “The suspense is killing me!”
“He just returned from Terra. He may very well have already killed the Monster.”
* * *
“Sir, the Vice President is here to see you.”
“Thank you, Terri. Please send him in.” Stan sat up straight in his chair wondering what his former friend was up to. Earl Bankston walked in and Stan thought he looked shorter and fatter than he remembered.
“Hello, Stan.” Earl started gesturing, pointing in all directions and then pointing to his ear.
Stan nodded, realizing that someone at some time had slipped listening devices into the Oval Office. “Earl, It's good to see you.”
“I know things have been rough lately,” Earl said as he fetched an envelope from his pocket. “I just want to make sure there's no hard feelings between us. Being chosen as your running mate was the highest honor of my life and I am forever in your debt.”
Stan accepted the envelope. “No worries, Earl. You've earned everything on your own merit.”
Earl mouthed the word “later” and Stan nodded his acknowledgment. “I'm sorry to hear about Janet. I'm more sorry to have to hear about it on the news.”
“Philosophical differences,” Stan mused. “It happens among married people all of the time. The media has made it out to be something more than it is.”
“I thought as much. But the tabloids are having a heyday.”
“Let them have their fun,” Stan replied with a smile. “If my marital troubles can sell some papers, at least I'm helping the economy.”
“Stan, I could never comprehend what happened to you, but if we could harness your attitude and sell it, we'd be rich and we could leave politics behind us.”
Stan offered his best fake laugh. “This office will be yours soon, my friend. I know you will do a good job.” Stan stood up and offered his hand.
“Thank you for everything, Mr. President.” Earl Bankston gave a firm handshake and then turned and left.
After a short while of shuffling through papers, Stan opened the envelope, half expecting it to contain poison or something. It only contained a note. He unfolded it and read the contents. Smiling, he picked up his phone and started furiously texting.
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