“Yes, luckily. She was taken by a couple of Gotes, but I got there in time.”
“Show me, please.” She touched his arm and had that same far away stare as she viewed his memories. Frank was very pleased to find that he didn't have to relive it as she read him. Eventually, her eyes refocused and she turned to regard him as she let go of his arm. “I must say that I am quite pleased by your actions. They certainly did not deserve to live. But did you really need to jump out of that vessel?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Frank replied.
She then turned to Pock and said, “It says a lot about you that Frank trusts you with Denise.”
“She's very special to me,” Pock replied.
“Something has been troubling me,” Frank said.
“You are wondering if they are all bad.”
“Yes,” Frank agreed. “I don't really know anything about them. Can they all be bad?”
“Well, I ain't ever met one that wasn't a complete asshole,” Pock commented.
“My experience with them is very much the same,” Cindy added.
“You should probably talk to Mom about it,” Pock suggested.
“Yeah, that's not a bad idea. We never did get the syrup delivered.” Frank thought for a second. “Were you able to call home?”
“Yes. Everyone is pretty pissed off about what happened.”
“They aren't mad at me, are they?” Frank asked.
“Shit, no. It's those fucking low-life Gotes.”
“Well, let me grab something for Nera to wear from my boat. And I'll let everyone know what's up. We are kinda pressed for time. I'll see what Gladys thinks.” Frank turned then to Cindy. “Thank you for your time. I always feel better after talking to you.”
“I am more than pleased to help.” She bowed a goodbye and Frank headed for the boat with Pock trailing closely behind.
“In addition to the syrup, I have a few cases of rum in the cargo hold. Knock yourself out.”
“You really know how to make a bug feel at home.”
“I try.” Frank searched around until he found where Nera had stowed her black varitherm suit. He scooped it up and headed back for the door. “I'll just be a minute.” He made his way back through the garden and toward the door panel that led to the lab. The door opened just before he got there and Gladys and Denise walked out. “How is she?” Frank asked.
“She will be fine,” Gladys answered. “She is resting now.”
Denise's eyes were starting to tear up. “Frank, I...”
“I know. I'm going back down to finish the delivery. I'm going alone with Pock this time.” He forced a smile. “No arguments.”
“You won't get an argument from me,” she replied, trying to laugh through her tears.
“Pock suggested that I should ask the Mother of Rhoshe about the Gotes. If they want a fight, well, I hate the thought of having to wipe them all out.”
“Frank,” Gladys interjected, “I was in the process of doing just that when the Gotes attacked. I shall resume my conversation with her. Please just drop off the syrup so we can go home.”
“That is fine by me. Here.” He handed the varitherm over to Denise. “I didn't know what else to grab for Nera. I know you had loaned her those clothes and feel free to buy more when we get home.”
“I don't care about the clothes,” Denise replied. “I'm just glad to have you both back.” She grabbed him with her free arm and pulled him in for a kiss. His head was spinning when she finally released him. But then it was Gladys' turn.
When they were done with him, all Frank could say was, “It's getting harder and harder to leave you two.” He turned with a smile and headed back to his boat.
* * *
“The twins are most eager to help with our cause,” Princess Caja said.
“As you know, I don't know them well. But they have always been very respectful.”
“Chloe, you will find that the majority of the Royal Guard are. One of my first orders of business will be to root out any that support Korick. But first, there is a lot of information here to sort through.” Caja placed a large amount of data sheets on a table that had been recently installed.
“Just tell me what I can do to help,” Chloe said.
“I'm searching for instances of blatant crime. I mean anything we can prove. If something happens to fall within a gray area, I'm sure I can interpret the laws in a way to find him guilty.”
“Grounds for his arrest,” Chloe said. “Got it. So what do we really know about him?”
“He is shrouded in mystery, of course,” Caja answered with a laugh. “He was known as The Orphan when he was coming up in the underworld. He had a successful career as a fighter before he became a promoter. No one really knows how he amassed the capital to start up his coliseum. But his profits have been astronomical. Within a short time, he was regarded as the wealthiest being in all of Gote Space. He is well connected on the outside, as several affluent members of various species come to gamble in his casinos.”
“So why doesn't he just go enjoy his money and be done?” Chloe asked.
“I wish I had an answer. For some, there is never enough. I am of the mind that after we won our freedom, we should have left it at that. But now we have a Gote Empire to tend.”
Chloe bit her bottom lip as she thought. “I would have to guess illegal intoxicants.”
“What's that?” Caja asked.
“How he financed the coliseum. I'm guessing he dealt in illegal intoxicants. If there's no records, then it's most likely something illegal.”
“You share your father's instincts. I will ask the twins to gather more information.”
* * *
Gladys reentered the lab to find Denise sitting upon a stool next to Nera, who was still slumbering. Denise was sitting with her chin propped up under her hands and her elbows were planted on the table next to Nera. Her gaze was affixed on Brogue, who stood over at the side of the room, still in stasis.
“So what do you think of my brother?” Gladys asked.
“Oh!” Denise answered with a start. “He's beautiful, I guess. I can feel his power.”
“There is no getting away from it as long as we have our wings.”
Denise stood up and faced Gladys. “Your wings were beautiful. I didn't get to see them for long. I couldn't help but to fall to my knees.”
“I must admit that I don't miss my wings. Life is so much better without them.”
“Gladys, I know that I can never fully understand. I'm just glad to be here with you and call you my friend. But your wings are part of you. Are you really going to keep them clipped?”
“That is my plan. I know it is difficult for you to understand. I've never had an opportunity to grow close with anyone before Constanthos emerged. And then there was Phildan. But I've never had real intimacy. I was paired with Ryal, but that was a union of convenience. We never loved each other.” Gladys reached up to touch Denise's face. “Without my wings, I can now fully experience true love.”
Denise was unable to fight the urge to kiss her. Finally, she was able to say, “I think I understand. I know why you kept yourself hidden away.” They stood and held each other for a short while before Denise let out a giggle.
“What is it?” Gladys asked with a smile.
“I never would have thought I would end up, you know, liking girls too.”
Gladys joined in with the giggling. “To be honest, I am rather surprised with myself too. I blame this one.” She looked over to where Nera was resting.
“She is something else, isn't she?” Denise asked. “I just hope she knows how loved she is.”
“I'm sure she knows. It will be interesting to figure this all out. I'm afraid that Frank might be a little bit stubborn.”
“I'm sure he loves all of us,” Denise replied.
“Soon, there will be four of us. I hope for a harmonious union. I think that all of us females will be fine. It's all about Frank.”
&nbs
p; Denise giggled again. “He is the one man that I know that absolutely doesn't want everything to be about him.”
Gladys laughed out loud. “It is ironic, isn't it?”
“So, Connie is going to, um, be one of us?” Denise asked.
“Let's ask her, together. To be honest, she and I have had this conversation, but you need to hear it from her. Constanthos?”
The smooth contralto began to speak as if she had been a part of the conversation the whole time. “My entire persona is based upon the stored memories of Gladys. It only stands to reason that if she fell in love with Frank, I would also fall in love with Frank.”
“I think any woman would fall in love with Frank if they took the time to get to know him,” Denise replied.
“Being in love with him makes us biased,” Gladys joked.
“I do not fully understand the concept of love,” Constanthos admitted. “I do understand the weight of the emotion though. If I had to describe Frank with a single word, it would be 'sentimental'. I realize it isn't ethical to share his thoughts, but I don't mind sharing with you that your well-being is highest among his priorities.”
“And you are referring to both of us, right?” Gladys asked with a smile.
“All three of you, actually. Although Nera isn't currently listening. He values me as well. But for now it is different, which is only to be expected until I have my human form.”
“What do you mean by that?” Denise asked. “I mean, when you say that his feelings for you are different.”
“Frank's intelligence has increased significantly with the implant. It was an unforeseen phenomenon. His subconsciousness is telling him to reserve his feelings for me until I have a corporeal form because he suspects that I won't share the feelings once I am present, physically.”
“Nah, he loves you,” Denise said. “You just picked up on what he is telling himself.”
“I agree,” Gladys said. “He left an opening for you just in case you don't end up sharing his feelings. Yes, he is smarter now. I doubt that he even knows that he did this.”
“Perhaps his psychosis is a factor. I was sure that it was nearly cured.”
“Connie?” Denise asked. “What are you talking about?”
“Frank has been dealing with some psychological issues for quite some time. It really isn't my place to discuss it, but I feel that it is relevant to our conversation.”
“Wow,” was all Denise could say.
“Either way,” Gladys said, “he is acting more rational these days, for the most part.”
“He just jumped out of a space vessel shortly before it left the atmosphere of a planet,” Constanthos pointed out.
“I have to blame his ex-wife,” Denise admitted.
Gladys looked confused. “How is that possible?”
“I had a talk with Terrelle when I was staying in Frank's apartment. He has been in therapy since he separated with Wendy. Apparently, she has a way of whittling away at man's confidence. And masculinity. And pretty much his sanity. I know it sounds crazy, but the way he explained it, it almost made sense. At first, I thought he was being misogynistic or something. But then he said that she had done Frank way worse. Frank was married to her for much longer too.”
“What a fucking bitch!” Gladys shocked herself with her outburst. Her eyes went wide as she put her hands over her own mouth.
“You sound like Pock!” Denise said as she burst into laughter. Gladys turned a dark shade of lavender out of embarrassment but then joined in the laughter. They didn't notice Nera stirring.
“What happened?” she said as she tried to sit up.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” Gladys said. “I didn't mean to wake you.”
“That is alright,” Nera replied as Denise came nearer to her. “The last thing I remember is being sucked out of that freighter.”
“Connie was able to catch you two,” Denise said. “We were just wondering why you would jump out of a ship like that.”
Nera smiled. “That was all Frank. But I wasn't going to argue. I think I was happy to leave, actually.”
Denise kissed her forehead. “Are you okay, sweetie?”
“Those things, Gotes, they...” She shuddered as she thought of them. “Where is Frank?”
“He just completed delivering the syrup,” Constanthos replied. “He was delayed by countless apologies.”
“I went through the same thing with the Mother,” Gladys added.
“Pock is going to accompany us back to Earth. His workers will pick him up in a few days when they arrive.”
“That is amazing, Connie,” Denise complimented. “Aren't you going to miss being everywhere at once?”
“I do not know. This whole procedure is unprecedented. Phildan and I are finishing up work on a special halo that will allow my human body to interface with Main Ship's computational systems. I suppose that if I miss it, I can just plug in.”
Gladys couldn't help noticing that Nera still had a sour expression. “Is there something we can do for you, Nera?”
“I guess I just want to see Frank,” she answered.
“He and I have both had ordeals as well, my sweet Nera. As you know, Frank was a builder before I found him. And I am just a scientist. You have witnessed many horrible things in your lifetime, but I think I know something that can make you feel better.”
“Please. Yes.” Nera was fighting back tears. “What is it?”
“Cindy.”
15.
Phildan walked out of the work area and into the garden. Although his attention was being dominated by the data pad he was holding in one of his right hands, he followed the path without a single misstep, and found himself in front of the door where Frank's boat usually parks. Within moments, the door opened.
“Hey, Phil,” Frank said.
“Hey, Frank.” They walked past each other with Frank heading into the garden as Phildan walked into the boat where Pock was waiting for him.
“Phildan!”
“Hello, Pock. It is good to see you in person. I'm sorry that I have been so busy. We just wrapped up a major tech project.”
“No worries. So where do you want this stuff?”
“I'll leave this here on the boat. I'll have the automechs move it to my little workshop.”
“Cool. So what is all of this for, if I may ask?”
“I'm having a go at duplicating Li stealth suits.”
“That sounds like fun. Need a hand?”
“I would love your input. But that will have to wait until later.”
* * *
Frank was heading toward Gladys' lab when he noticed Nera sitting with Cindy up under the loba tree. And then he noticed Denise and Gladys standing nearby, so he headed over. “How is she doing?” he asked in a low voice.
“Physically, she is perfect,” Gladys answered. “We are hoping that Cindy can help with the emotional part.”
“She was really wanting to see you when she woke up,” Denise added, “so don't go anywhere.” She gave him a playful jab in the ribs.
“Constanthos, what is our status?” Gladys asked into the air.
“We are entering orbit now. Frank should have a signal on his phone. The tank is nearly empty.”
“Good. Thank you, sister.”
“Tank?” Frank asked.
“Yes, my love. We are prepping to move Constanthos. If you would, please call Hiro and ask Miyako to join me here on Main Ship.”
“Okay. Uh, let me find my phone.” But before he could turn to walk back to the boat, an automech floated over. It was the hovering variety, and a small platform was extended from its mid-section. Upon the platform sat Frank's phone. “Thanks,” he said as he picked it up.
* * *
Cindy's eyes came into focus and she looked down at Nera and smiled. “You are a truly inspiring human.”
“Thank you,” Nera replied, finally with a smile.
Cindy looked past Nera and noticed that both Gladys and Denise were standing within earshot.
And past them, down the path, Frank was pacing around as he spoke into his communication device. Holding one hand over her necklace, Cindy took one of Nera's hands into her own. “I want you to know something. Only Frank knows this about me. A Gote tried the same thing with me.” Nera's eyes went large but she didn't speak. She realized that Cindy was confiding in her. “He failed. I didn't kill him, but I made it so he would never be able to try that on anyone else again.” She showed a devious smile and Nera nodded in approval. Cindy paused for a short while before continuing, “You are wondering if he can ever love you.” Again, Nera nodded and then lowered her eyes. “Nera, he already loves you.” She released Nera's hand and let go of her necklace.
Nera stood up on her knees and reached up to embrace the much taller alien. “Thank you so much,” she said. She then stood up and turned to the others. The change in her was obvious. She was back to being the confident warrior. The black varitherm only enhanced the physical presence that she possessed in her small body.
“Wow, you look like a million bucks,” Denise complimented as Nera walked over.
“I don't know what that means, but thank you.” She stood on her toes and gave Denise a playful little kiss. She then repeated the process with Gladys. “You were right,” she said as she was pulling away. “Cindy is amazing.”
Before Gladys could respond, Frank walked back over. Nera bounded into his arms, pulled him down to her level and planted her lips onto his. He was caught off guard initially, but certainly didn't fight it. “That's six,” she said with a smile.
“Six what?” Frank asked. He was visibly flustered.
“Six life-debts, big boy.”
“Oh. Well, that doesn't count since I nearly got us both killed. You might owe that one to Connie.”
“You're not getting out of it that easily.” She kissed him again. She let go of him and turned to see Gladys and Denise staring wide-eyed with huge smiles on their faces. “So, who's up for a bath?” she asked.
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