Bl’azzz’s avatar smiled in appreciation while Taysen smacked her husband playfully on the side of the head. “Drink it in while you can, you old fool. When she leaves, all you’ll have is this sad old hag to leer at.”
With a great effort of will, Hay’gar pulled his eyes off his guest. Looking at Taysen he said, “Silly woman. Don’t you know you’re still the most beautiful girl in all the land?”
“Get on with yourself,” she replied . . . but brushed her lips to his cheek all the same. Turning back to their guest, she asked, “So what name do you go by now?”
“Name? Oh . . . right. Um, how about Soo.” She smiled as she thought how her friend would react to being the namesake of Kr’eep’s new love.
“Okay, Soo, what would you have us do?”
“Ask him to come over and meet me. I’ll do the rest.”
“That won’t do,” interjected Hay’gar. “He would never believe that we would want to introduce him to anyone . . . let alone someone so pretty.”
“Then just ask him over for another reason. I’ll make a grand entrance coming out of the bedroom. Once I start talking to him, excuse yourselves so we can be alone. I hope I’m not imposing too much on you?”
“Don’t be silly. We’re more than happy to help. Are you ready now?”
“Just one last thing. I should have thought of this before I came. Why am I here . . . what am I to you two?”
“Good questions. How about the sister of Mysteria in search of her sibling. You had heard that she had stopped here,” suggested Hay’gar.
“I have to apologize for my husband, Soo. He used to have a wonderful imagination. Sadly, all he has now is a bad back and a grumpy stomach.”
Soo laughed at her hosts. “I hope that someday I’ll be married and as happy as you two. As for Hay’gar’s story . . . no problem. I’ll have Kr’eep’s head spinning so fast he won’t have time to think how lame it was.”
“Ouch”. The old man pretended to be mortally wounded by the comment.
“You’ll get no sympathy from me you poor excuse for a husband. She’s right; it was lame. Now, off with you. This girl has a man to trap in her web of love.”
“I almost feel sorry for the lad. Once you women set your minds to it, we poor men don’t stand a chance.”
“That’s because we’re smarter than you lot. Now, be gone before I whack you again.”
As Hay’gar left, the two ladies burst into a friendly fit of giggles.
*****
Jagged Peak
Jax’x was demonstrating Ziz to the others in preparation of sending it to find Jagged Peak. Serenity, showing a bit more friendliness to the other girl, was asking question after question about the bird’s design and capabilities.
“Forget the bird.” Jax’x and the others turned to look at BreeZee. “I’ve given this some thought. Where are you going to find this guy when he’s by himself?”
“He’ll be alone in the Library. Well, alone if you don’t count the not-really-me me.” That silly phrasing forced the tiniest of smiles to Serenity’s lips.
“Soooooo,” responded Bree dragging out the word. “Doesn’t that suggest another, more logical, solution? Do you really think he’s going to open up to a mechanical chicken?”
“Idiot,” barked the girl in the wheelchair. “Not you, Bree . . . me. The really-me me,” she added teasingly. “Jax’x, we can switch off the avatar’s brain functions and you can be wired into the unit. Basically, you’ll be having the conversation with Rugged Peak . . . only using the avatar as your body.”
“Jagged, not rugged,” corrected the Librarian.
“They’re synonyms.”
“If used as adjectives, then they are; but not as first names,” replied the other girl. If Egg was right, Serenity would probably enjoy someone trying to outsmart her. “However, he does have rugged good looks.”
“Hey guys,” interrupted Egg, “I didn’t want to take Jax’x away from her other stuff . . . namely finding a way to turn off the machine. That’s why we were going to use Ziz.”
“This won’t take long. Maybe an hour if he becomes really chatty,” offered Jax’x.
“Don’t forget that this may be our best, and maybe only, chance to find out about Tee’ka,” Bree reminded her friend. “It needs to be our first priority.”
“You’re absolutely right. When do you want to do it, Jax’x?”
“I’m ready anytime. But first, we need to decide what I should or shouldn’t say to him.”
“Good thinking. Let’s get everyone who isn’t Bl’azzz together. The more brainpower the better.”
“Can I ask a question first?”
“Po, don’t ask permission – just ask the question,” scolded Egg.
“Sorry. What I wanted to ask is – if a Divine One were to use the avatar, would that mean the avatar could do what a Divine One does?”
“Interesting question,” responded Serenity.
“Obviously you are talking about yourself. Why do you wish to be the one to talk to ruggedly Jagged Peak?”
“Ruggedly jagged?” asked Bree.
“Just trying to make everyone happy,” replied the Thought Weaver with a smile.
“Depending on his response to this meeting, it may prove beneficial. He would never expect the Librarian to do what I can do. It could give us the edge to rescue Tee’ka.”
“Well, I love it. Nice thinking, Po,” complimented Egg.
“But will it work?” insisted the girl.
“Probably not,” answered Serenity.
“Too far from the towers,” added Jax’x.
“We could take the Gracie in close. It does cloak.”
“Cloak?” asked the cloaked girl.
“Invisible to see or to detect.”
“Use the Astral. We shouldn’t take unnecessary risks with the mothership,” recommended Egg.
“The Astral?”
“Serenity’s ship. It’s parked in the cargo bay.”
“Can it be cloaked?”
“It’s the same technology . . . Spirit stole it,” kidded the girl.
“Who told on me?”
“No one. You just have that guilty look about you.”
“You ladies never stop teasing and joking, do you?”
“It’s probably the one thing we all have in common – a great sense of humor,” explained Egg. “Maybe that’s what we subconsciously look for in new members.”
“Then how do you explain Serenity? I saw a book in the Library that showed the definition of words. Next to the word grumpy was her picture.”
“HEY,” cried the girl in the chair.
Jax’x looked at her . . . then stuck out her tongue. Turning to Egg she asked, “Did I do that right?”
“Like a pro.”
“I am not grumpy,” insisted the grumpy one.
“Cantankerous,” responded Bree.
“Curmudgeonly,” suggested Spirit.
“Cranky,” offered Po.
“Crabby . . . definitely crabby,” corrected Egg.
“I’m out of words that begin with a ‘c”, complained the girl that started it all.
“You are all creeps, clods and clowns not to mention cretins and cry-babies,” came the grumpy rejoinder.
*****
Back on the Planet
“Why can’t you get your wife to help you?” whined Kr’eep.
“Her back is bothering her.”
“Well, that’s not my problem.”
Hay’gar fought the impulse to haul off and hit his neighbor in the face. Instead, he took a deep breath and said, “When we get there, please try to be nice. We have company.”
That got the other man’s attention. “Not those two I met before?”
“Actually, the sister of one of them.”
“Which one?”
“Which sister?”
“No, which one of the two that I met is the sister?”
“Oh. Um, it’s the one you seemed to find attractive.�
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“Really. Is she as cute?”
“I’m an old, married man . . . what do I know about those things. However, she certainly made a very favorable impression on me.”
Kr’eep stopped to tuck in his shirt and smooth his hair. “How do I look?”
Hay’gar studied the repulsive man. “If I had a daughter and you were coming over to date her . . . I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot you dead.”
Somehow the idiot took that as a compliment. “Thank you. That was a nice thing to say.”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Hay’gar turned and continued walking.
“What’s her name?”
“Soo.”
“Soo,” he said as if tasting the word. “I like it.”
Rolling his eyes and forcing himself not to laugh, Hay’gar responded, “I’m sure she’ll be overwhelmed by your approval.”
“Do you really think so?”
Instead of answering, the old man sped up forcing the younger one to do the same. A minute later they reached the door. “Well, come in. Come in.”
Taysen greeted her guest. “Thank you, Kr’eep. It was very kind of you to help.”
“Uh huh,” came the mumbled reply.
“If you wait just a second, I’ll ask Soo to come out of the bedroom so you two strapping men can move the chest.” She walked to the door and knocked. “Soo, would you mind coming out. My husband and our neighbor need to move that chest.”
“Coming,” came a voice. A second later the door opened and out stepped a blue haired exotic avatar. “Please,” she said to the men, “come in.” She stepped aside so they could pass.
“After you, my boy,” Hay’gar said to Kr’eep.
The young man didn’t move – frozen in place by the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. His eyes seemingly drank in every aspect of the vision before them. Somewhat disgustedly, his mouth hung open and a bit of drool snaked down the corner of his lips.
“Kr’eep?” said Hay’gar.
It took a moment for his name to register in his besotted brain. “What?”
“The lady said we could enter her bedroom.” Now there was a sentence the poor young man had never heard. And still, he stood there staring.
“Hay’gar, aren’t you going to introduce me to this handsome man?” The words came out of Soo’s mouth in a throaty whisper.
“Where are my manners? Sorry. Soo this is our neighbor Kr’eep. Kr’eep, this is Soo.”
“So very nice to meet you,” and the girl in blue extended her hand.
Kr’eep stared at the appendage as if it might smite him dead. . . and took a small step backwards.
Soo smiled brightly and gave a sweet and innocent giggle. “A big, strong man like you isn’t afraid of a helpless girl like me, are you?”
The poor sod couldn’t even breathe. A female, a beautiful female at that, was flirting with him. Well, he assumed it was flirting. He had seen it happen to other men but had never experienced it firsthand himself. He had no idea what he was supposed to say or do . . . so he just continued to stare at Soo’s hand.
The dragon lady (well, technically she was) slowly turned her hand so the palm was facing up. She crooked four fingers and motioned for Kr’eep to come closer.
He didn’t move a muscle . . . and this whole encounter was beginning to turn awkward. Soo glanced up at Hay’gar and motioned with her head. The man understood and, placing his hand on Kr’eep’s back, pushed the guy forward.
Unprepared for the shove, the poor creep stumbled and literally fell into Soo’s arms. “Gotcha, big guy.”
That seemed to jar his tongue. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to touch you. Don’t be angry . . . it wasn’t even my fault. He pushed me.” Very gallant. Behind him Hay’gar rolled his eyes while his wife shook her head in disgust.
Soo still held the guy in her arms . . . and she tightened her grip as he tried to disentangle himself. “You’re not going anywhere until you apologize by kissing my cheek.” She paused then added playfully, “Just the cheek. We hardly know each other, after all.”
The trapped man stopped fighting and looked up at the girl. “You want me to kiss you?”
“I think that’s only fair seeing as how you almost knocked me down. Unless, of course, you think I’m too ugly and don’t want to?”
“No,” he managed to say. That was followed by “no, no, no, no” for emphasis. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Ah, that’s sweet. So?”
“So?”
“The kiss . . . don’t try to get out of it. Right here on this cheek,” and she gave it a tap.
The poor guy had dreamed of something like this his entire adult life (not to mention his adolescent life). His head sprung forward like a rattlesnake attacking its prey. His disgustingly wet lips lapped at Soo’s cheek. With his face pressed against hers, he even took a deep breathe trying to capture the essence of the girl.
Involuntarily Soo grimaced . . . but with his head preoccupied, Kr’eep didn’t notice. Hay’gar and Taysen did and like the old married couple that they were, they each covered their mouths to stifle a laugh.
Soo slowly pushed the young man away. “Thank you, that was . . . indescribable. You obviously have had a lot of experience with women.”
The idiot puffed out his chest. “I don’t like to brag, but . . .” and mercifully he didn’t try to finish the lie.
Soo nodded at the comment as if it was exactly what she had expected. Turning to the older couple she asked, “Would you mind if I invited Kr’eep into the bedroom. I’m sure he has other plans tonight and I’d like to take the opportunity to get to know him a little better.” Turning to the now red-faced man, she asked, “You don’t mind do you? I’m sure those other girls can wait a bit.”
Taysen grabbed her husband’s hand. “You two take all the time you want. I have some cooking to attend to and my husband has some chores.” With that they quickly walked away.
“So, would you like to come into my bedroom? You must promise to be a perfect gentleman.”
Suddenly filled with a courage he had never known, he answered, “Since you asked so nicely, I’m sure I can spare and hour . . . or two.”
Soo smiled coyly. “This is turning out to be my lucky day.”
Chapter 6 – I Feel Pretty
“So who’s going with Po?” asked Egg.
“My ship - so I call dibs,” replied Serenity.
“What are dibs?” asked Po.
“Earth slang. It means she’s claiming the right to do something . . . like go on the Astral or eat the last slice of pizza.”
“Pizza?”
“We’ll make some tonight. You’re going to love it . . . with lots of garlic, pepperoni, anchovies, green peppers, olives, mushrooms and onions.”
“I didn’t understand any of those words.”
“Me neither,” complained Jax’x.
“Trust me; you’re in for a taste treat you’ll never forget. Anyway, Spirit you’re the pilot of the Gracie. I also want you to keep an eye on Hot Lips and Jynxie. Bree, you should help Po while Serenity concentrates on flying her ship and not getting in trouble with the local folk.”
“Didn’t she say she was asking, not telling?” teased the butterfly girl.
“How about me?” asked Jax’x.
“Ummm. I think I need to make you some new clothes. When we go looking for the magic machine, you can’t be dressed like you are.”
“You can sew?”
“Not a stitch. But lucky for you I can press buttons and twist knobs. We have a replicator onboard. It can make virtually anything you can think of . . . including pizza.”
“Wonderful. This robe of office is incredibly uncomfortable.”
“Hey, Jax’x,” called Serenity.
“Yes?”
“Get her some new clothes too. She looks like a grey ghost.”
“More like a Graystone,” teased Bree referring to Egg’s last name.
“And do someth
ing with her hair. No wonder why she’s single . . . her fashion sense is non-existent.”
“What do you know about hair styles, you shiny-headed freak-a-zoid?”
“I know that yours need to be retired. Jax’x, give her something a bit more formal as befitting the leader of this esteemed group of star-faring, planet-saving, bad-guy-whomping women.”
“I’m not one to complain, but I’ve obviously been assigned the most difficult task by far. However, I’m willing to give it a go for the sake of the Sisterhood.”
“If she resists, Jynxie can give her a good licking,” replied Bree. “Hey, where is she? Come to think of it I haven’t seen her in while.”
Egg looked at Spirit and nodded. “My dear companion is not well. After we have completed our mission, I will be returning to Paradox with her.”
“It’s not serious, is it?”
“Yes and no, Bree. Her kind enters a breeding cycle but once in their lifetime. She needs to go home and find a mate. The whole process can take a year or two.”
“And you have to be with her, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not coming back. You’re retiring.” She stated it as a fact, not a question.
“This will be my last mission.”
As the cries and moans were about to overwhelm them all, Egg yelled. “Stop. I’m as heartbroken as you all are. But, we can talk about it later . . . and hug and cry to our heart’s content. For now, let’s get that shazbot machine shut off.”
They all nodded but as they made to leave, each girl stopped and hugged their sister.
*****
“What will you do about replacing Spirit?” Jax’x asked Egg.
“She can’t be replaced.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t being insensitive. You’ve mentioned more than once that the Sisterhood always has seven active members. With Spirit gone, you will be down to five.”
“Yeah, I know. On the other hand, Po asked if she could join.”
“Po? Really?”
“I probably shouldn’t have been the one to tell you.”
“I’m so surprised. I didn’t think this type of adventure was something that would interest her. And then there’s Jay’gar.”
Box Set #5: Nemesis: [The 4 book 5th adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 24