by Nick Braker
“I’m here to help,” Magnus said.
“You’d have been dead already if I didn’t believe that,” Amanda said.
Her eyes didn’t waver as she sat down.
“How do you know its him?” she asked again, leaning in.
Magnus reeled inside. So much for Aliri augmentation. Amanda was a master of fooling people and she had just fooled him. Maybe it was exhaustion, either way, she had him. He could try to take the gun from her, but it was just out of reach. She played it smart from the very start with zero mistakes. The old man wasn’t lying, she could help.
“My apologies. I-”
“You thought I was just another pretty face, señor?” Amanda said, smiling sweetly.
She tucked the gun back inside her apron.
“I’d ask ‘Why aren’t you worried about me killing you now?’ but we both know we’re on the same side, if for different reasons.”
“What are your reasons, Magnus?” she asked.
“He’s a lunatic, hell bent on destroying the world,” Magnus said.
She laughed.
“He’s not that... wait, you’re serious,” she said.
Amanda turned her head to the side, eying him as if he were the one that was crazy. A moment of silence played out between them.
“He has a hideaway that he believes he is safe at,” she continued. “If he is not at his palace, he’ll be hiding there, with security, of course. It’s twenty miles south of the city surrounded by security fencing and protected by his forces.”
Magnus glanced outside again. The only thing of interest were the prostitutes. Several different cars would pull up next to a group of women on the sidewalk, one of the women would get in and the car would drive away.
It’s the same everywhere.
Amanda closed her eyes, putting her hand to her head.
“I am,” Magnus said, answering her comment about him being serious.
“Sorry, why... would he want to destroy... the world?” she asked.
“You wouldn’t believe my answer,” Magnus said. “So, let’s not go there. I need your help and, in return, I’ll kill Miguel and you can have your resistance groups ready to stage a coup. I know it won’t be that simple on your side, but I assure you, it will be that simple on mine.”
Amanda’s hand twitched.
“Well?” Magnus asked.
Amanda took a drink from her cup. She started coughing.
“Sorry,” Amanda said, still coughing. “I swallowed that the wrong way.”
Amanda relaxed, easing back into her chair. She studied him again, but this time her eyes were far more serious. They no longer vacillated but instead she focused on only his left eye. She was pondering his words and offer of help. If he could deliver, then wouldn’t that mean the world to her and the people of Nicaragua? Magnus already knew her answer.
“Well?” he asked again.
Her breathing increased and she licked her lips at him, leaning in. Her eyes widened, but then she leaned back in the chair a third time. She lightly touched her neck with her hand, looking around the room. She started to get up, but then changed her mind. Amanda rubbed both arms with her hands as if she was cold and then brushed her hand across the derringer in her apron.
“Amanda?” he asked.
She panted and he could see her come to a decision. Her head lowered and she looked up at him from across the table, grinning. Magnus knew that look. He had to lay low for the night anyway. Why not in the bed of a beautiful woman? She clearly wanted him and now that they both had the same goal, she was using the only weapon she possessed to help seal the deal. She made the decision to trust him. It seemed a sudden change but he didn’t know her. Life was harsh here and perhaps it was something she was accustomed to. Magnus felt dizzy but it faded.
Still, this is a bit strange. Yet, if she wanted me dead, she could have done that already.
She hesitated again, struggling with what to do next. Magnus watched her, enjoying her indecision. She couldn’t make up her mind whether to kiss him or kick him out. Her hand twitched again. He smiled at her.
“I, uh,” Amanda said, “feel...”
“Perhaps we could continue this conversation up-”
Amanda grabbed the table with her left hand and roughly shoved it aside, spilling their drinks and desserts on the floor. She lunged at him. Magnus went for his pistol. Amanda landed in his lap, straddling him. He started to pull the gun from its holster. She kissed him, holding his head in her hands. Amanda probed his mouth with her tongue, breathing hard. Magnus took his hand off the gun and grabbed the sides of her hips. He stood, carrying her upstairs as she continued to kiss him. She bit his neck, stripping his coat off him. Magnus stiffened, imagining she might go for his weapons. It didn’t last long as she undid his belt letting his hip holster fall to the floor. He loosened his shoulder holster, letting it fall, too. Amanda unbuttoned his shirt, still kissing and biting his neck.
Damn, that actually feels good. Shit. I didn’t know I was into biting.
She clawed his back, cutting his flesh lightly. Magnus pulled Amanda into him harder, pressing himself against her. Her head tilted back and she moaned, barely able to breathe.
“I can’t get enough,” she said.
I hear that a lot.
“We have all night,” Magnus told her.
“I hope so. I will mate with you,” she screamed.
Huh? Is this some kinky Spanish custom?
She pulled her apron off with Magnus still holding her.
“Bedroom?” he asked, between kisses, still climbing the stairs.
“End, of the, hallway,” she said, breathlessly.
He held her close with one arm and opened the door with the other. Her shirt came off next, exposing her bra and abdomen. Amanda’s body was lean and muscled. She had two scars along her left side, below her ribcage. Amanda was a fighter and she had the wounds to prove it. Maybe he would ask her about them, later. Right now, he wanted her and nothing else mattered.
Hell, yeah.
Magnus slammed the door closed. He kicked off his shoes as he reached the bed, laying her on it. Magnus had never felt this before. He wanted Amanda more than any woman. His head spun with delight and he marveled at her body as she stripped down to nothing. Magnus followed suit.
“Give me everything,” she said, pulling him roughly on top of her.
Absolutely.
He kissed her, pressing his body against hers. She moved her lips to his cheek and then his neck, biting him again.
“You really-” he started to say as she pushed him over on his back.
“I’ll try to be gentle,” Amanda said.
“No need. Like you said, give me everything.”
Milky Way - Aliri Moon Base
Tuesday, October 13, 1987 - 07:59pm
Alestron
The constant hum of the Time Line Analytic systems soothed Alestron’s nerves. His remote office was located near the interior of his moon-sized base. It housed the entirety of their new computer analytics equipment. It was the most advanced system in the known universe, but he still had to wait, not only on the actions and decisions of others, but also on the system itself. Selections had to be made and questions had to be asked of it to extract the best possible course of action. And now he sat waiting on the outcome of the fight between Magnus and the Omarii.
Distance made little difference in information reception from the multi-phased probes. Processing that information, though, could sometimes infuriate him. The new TLA system upgrade needed to be completed but his engineers and scientists were behind schedule. Their decisions and future actions were delayed while the current unit continued to process more and more information from across the galaxy. It could not keep up and the completion of the new unit was imperative. He diverted his thoughts to his one true goal.
The humans and Kron were abnormal and their genetic link to each other had to be kept a secret from both sides. If they realized they were both originally
from the same species, the knowledge would certainly change their behavioral responses, perhaps even form an alliance. The Kron had found a way to stop his people from watching them, leaving him blind but that didn’t mean the Kron couldn’t still be fooled. Alestron smiled knowing they were being tricked. The Kron’s TLA system had been compromised as a precautionary measure well before Katerra had been allowed to steal it. The Kron needed to be destroyed and the humans were going to help him do it. Everything was on schedule but the incessant waiting needed to be addressed. Choices needed to be made.
It was these moments when they reached a major decision point in the time line that concerned him the most. They had spent decades planning for the situation when Earth and Kron would fight. The outcome of this war would decide if the Aliri could reach their Utopian universe. All the other races’ actions could be predicted, their behaviors defined and categorized. They had done so for thousands of years but the Kron and the humans were different from all other species in the galaxy. They were genetically flawed, suffering from random and erratic synaptic responses that affected their decision making. Alestron’s scientists had spent centuries trying to create the perfect algorithm to predict and control the Kron but Katerra’s people were still a thorn in his side. Alestron was convinced there never would be a program able to predict their aberrant behavior.
Alestron rose, unable to sit any longer. He slowly paced the floor parsing through many of the more likely future options that Katerra would take in her effort to kill him and his people. The notion that if Magnus succeeded in killing the Omarii, then Katerra could potentially take greater risks in her efforts to kill the humans. This would leave her more exposed. On the off chance that Magnus was killed by the Omarii, they would have to rely on Grep. He could be used to battle the Kron with his heightened intellect. Alestron needed the Earthlings’ help to increase the odds that Kron would fall. The Cortians had almost succeeded long ago but Kron’s resilience had saved them, though their survival hung by a thread as a result. He smiled at the knowledge that the current TLA system indicated that the humans, with Aliri help, would give him the edge he needed over Kron. If that didn’t change, Kron was doomed.
“What is the chance of Magnus killing the Omarii?” he said aloud.
The computer system projected the answer into his mind.
33.12%
“And the chance that Magnus will be killed by the Omarii?”
33.98%
Alestron stopped pacing. That was odd, they were close to having the same chance of success.
“Is there a third primary possibility?”
There is a 29.45% chance that both will die.
“Show me.”
A holographic image appeared above the floor. There was a solid blue line representing the past and present time line. There were several points of interest on the blue line. All of these would be the pivot points where the time line could take major changes in direction. Of course, these had already played out and no longer showed the other possibilities.
His lip curled into a snarl.
Humans.
The blue line stopped just short of the fight between the Omarii and Magnus. There were the three primary pivot points in bright white showing the projected outcome and its percentage. Just to the right of that was a cluster of gray dots representing all the other possibilities. These possibilities had such a minute chance of happening that they were usually dismissed.
Update incoming.
The image in front of Alestron changed, the three white dots and the cluster of gray dots faded and were replaced with a single bright blue dot. The computer projected the information to Alestron’s mind. Both Magnus and the Omarii had lived. However, Magnus’ friend, Brock, was dead. Censors were unable to get readings of his remains after the explosions.
What’s going on?
“Show me the chance that this situation had of occurring.”
The newly created point of interest expanded out replacing the holographic time line. The requested information displayed.
.005281964%
Katerra. She is responsible for this.
“Do a complete scan of the TLA satellite in Kron’s possession,” Alestron ordered. “We have to find out why this is happening. We are supposed to be controlling her with this, not her controlling us.”
Earth - Managua, Nicaragua
Wednesday, October 14, 1987 - 08:00am
Magnus
Magnus woke, opening his eyes to the back of Amanda’s naked body. She slept beside him, partially covered by a thin white sheet. The memory of their time together, still fresh, returned to him. The night had been a long one and even as exhausted as he felt before they started, he could not stop having sex with her. The intensity of the passion between them had made him crave her repeatedly. He couldn’t get enough and it replayed again and again in his mind. His last memory had been the knowledge he was about to blackout.
Apparently, I did.
Amanda’s bedroom was directly above the cafe. It was clean with thick, dark curtains over the windows. A window air-conditioning unit buzzed behind him, shaking the window sill that held it. Magnus rolled away from her. Something on his back stung him. He reached his hand behind him, trying to feel the skin. His fingers returned dried blood.
What the hell?
He rolled out of bed, moving to a mirror across the room attached to a dresser. Magnus put his back to it, craning his neck around to see. Several bloody streaks of various depths lined his back. Amanda had clawed him with her fingernails and in some cases, deeply. He remembered a few of the moments where she had screamed out, scraping his back with her nails. At the time, it had only heightened the moment for him, increasing the intensity of the pleasure. Standing there, Magnus returned his gaze to her. She still slept, her breathing slow and relaxed.
Magnus leaned back against the dresser, crossing his arms in front of him.
Damn. How the hell? I’ve never met a woman like her before.
Love was one thing and sex another. Never, with any woman, even his first time, had he experienced something so insanely intense. He felt like an animal last night, mating again and again. That had been her word and it seemed appropriate. They didn’t just have sex, they went to a deeper, physical level. It was a level of connection he’d felt with Beth emotionally and now with Amanda physically. Magnus didn’t love Amanda. He cared for her like he cared for everyone, yet, last night was a thrill ride he’d never thought possible. He’d come to the coffee shop for help... he stopped.
Damn it, Miguel is still out there.
He dressed, keeping as quiet as possible. He wanted to say something to Amanda, but she slept and he was in a hurry. It was never a good idea to leave like this. Being exhausted had brought him here, needing cover had kept him here and wanting sex had him thinking about staying here. He shook his head. He didn’t have time for this shit. Why did he keep making these bad decisions? The desire passed, replaced by his mission. Miguel had to be found and killed before the she-devil Omarii found another way to destroy Earth.
Magnus left the coffee shop. He had something to go on now. Amanda’s comments about Miguel’s hideaway was good information and likely where the Omarii would go. The sun had risen a few hours ago, but Magnus needed the rest more than he realized. Alexandria had been right. He needed time to recuperate and heal. The delay bothered him. He was in no shape last night to help anyone.
Magnus unlocked the door and stepped out into the busy streets of Managua. The collapsing building, the explosion and the ongoing military war didn’t seem to faze the people. Life continued and it even appeared almost normal here. He turned to head south. He’d need to acquire transportation and... Magnus froze. He was being watched.
“Well, you’re up,” a woman said from behind him.
Magnus recognized the voice. He turned around.
“I was about to contact you,” Ruth said, touching her ear.
“We knew your location and I wanted to break i
n,” Li Xin added, “but the boss lady figured it best to talk first.”
Li Xin giggled, holding her hand up for a high five. Magnus laughed, completing the motion with her.
“It’s damn good to see you, Li,” Magnus said, turning to Ruth. “Ruth, what are you doing here? Wait, Alexandria sent you.”
Giselle and Joannah stood behind Ruth. Giselle had her arms crossed in front of her and it looked as if she thought Magnus might make a run for it. He greeted them both.
“How are you holding up?” Ruth asked.
Ruth’s eyes searched Magnus’. She was worried about him.
Brock.
“Did they find anything?” Magnus asked.
“Nothing. The fire consumed everything. We had undercover agents on the ground, searching with the locals. There was no sign of him and his EP isn’t responding.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Magnus.”
“Grep?” he asked.
“Fighting hard,” Ruth replied. “Seph and Zara left Devils Shore without orders and are taking care of him at the hospital in D.C. Not that they needed permission, but they used the alien ship to transport him. They scanned for bodies, Magnus. Brock’s body was completely incinerated because they found nothing.”
“Or he got out,” Magnus told them.
“I hope so,” Joannah said, “and we have all our operatives looking for him. I’m... we’re not giving up, but so far, nothing.”
Dark circles surrounded Joannah’s puffy eyes. Wasn’t that how he was supposed to be? Brock was dead and Grep could die at any moment, yet all he could think about was killing those responsible.
How did I get like this? Is it me or did the aliens do this to me?
“We were told to take you in,” Ruth said.
“Ah,” Magnus said. “Well, I’m heading south to follow up on a lead. Have you found where-”
Ruth poked Magnus in the ribs. He jumped back in pain. His ribs were still healing.
“Thought so, agent Carson,” Ruth said. “We’re taking you in. Orders are orders.”