“Oh, uh,” Frank interrupted, “the Wrecking Crew is on the island.”
“Who is that?” Nera asked, her demeanor suddenly shifting.
“They are friends,” Denise answered.
“Earth's finest warriors, Nera,” Gladys answered.
“Yes,” Frank added. “It is the group that Robert had been a part of. They were instrumental in turning back the Mingrein invasion.”
“Oh.” Nera decided that she wasn't going to allow herself to be intimidated. “I think I would like to meet them.”
“Hiro is contacting Robert. We'll need to pick him up, and I imagine Michelle will come along. She's going to meet extra-terrestrials for the first time, so this should be interesting. Miyako only needs a short time before she can be picked up.” Frank was battling the logistics in his head.
“It will be interesting watching the Crew meet Nera,” Denise added with a giggle.
“Why is that funny?” Nera asked.
“Nera,” Frank said with a shake of his head, “the Crew are all men.”
“Why does that matter?” she asked.
“You don't seem to realize how ridiculously attractive you are. Don't worry though. Denise went through the same thing.” He smiled as his phone made some odd tone that he barely seemed to recognize. “Oh, a text. How the fuck?” He was fumbling around with it.
“Allow me,” Denise said, snatching the phone from his hand. “Robert said they need five minutes.”
“Hiro said the Crew brought a ridiculous amount of beer with them but we are running low on tequila. We should go so I can pick some up. And some rum for Pock. And whatever else anyone wants. Maybe some chips for Phil.”
“We will send a separate boat down to retrieve Miyako,” Gladys said. “I don't want to begin until she arrives.”
“I feel terrible that you aren't joining us, Gladys,” Denise said.
“I'm planning to train my body so that I may visit the surface from time to time. But for now, the gravity would keep any visits very short. But please, don't worry. Constanthos and I have been looking forward to this for a very long time. You two should find something to wear though.”
“You don't like this suit?” Nera asked.
Gladys reached over and ran her hand down Nera's arm. “You look too good in that. You will drive those poor soldiers crazy.” She smiled and then added, “I need to talk to Frank about a technical matter. Frank, could you follow me, please?” She took his hand and led him toward a door panel that he had never been through before. He couldn't help but to admire the way she looked from that angle. Her gray varitherm, as always, suited her perfectly, and accented the shade of her skin. They entered the room and Frank was surprised to find that the large space was full of crates. They were stacked clear to the ceiling in neat rows that left very little standing space aside from the little bit at the door. She pulled him in so that the door would close behind them. “I thought you might like to see this,” she said as she pressed a spot on the nearest crate that made its side slide open. It was packed full of those little gold wafers. “This is all yours, my love.”
“It's all ours, you mean.”
She leaned into him and kissed him deeply. “There is something else that I thought you might like to see.” She turned her back to him and reached down behind her. With a gesture, the lower part of her varitherm retracted.
* * *
“One more time, Ottwan.” Korick was studying the footage of the Monster as if he was preparing for a Sunday football game.
“Of course,” Ottwan's voice said, sounding almost mechanical through the drone. “Are you analyzing his tactics?”
“Well, haven't you?” Korick responded.
“I will admit that I tried and failed.”
“The human seems to flow like water,” Ahn observed. “I am no fighter though.”
“That is a tremendous observation, Ahn. I used to be a fighter, as you know. I was the best, as anyone that knows fighting would tell you. This human has some slick maneuvers, but he would never be a match for the brute strength of a Gote.” Korick sat back and crossed his thick arms in satisfaction as he was certain of his words.
“Unarmed, certainly,” Ahn agreed. “But we should take great care to keep blades out of his reach.”
Korick made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Whatever. I still doubt his odds. Either way, we are going to cash in on his notoriety, or fill the brothels with humans. We win either way.”
“Surely, you don't expect him to give you so many females, do you?” Ottwan asked.
“Males, females...whatever. It doesn't matter. We are going to take what we want.”
“Korick,” Ahn interjected, “you know that the Terran humans are quite different than those from Mertia. We've only had a few Terrans over the years.”
“Yeah. So what's your point?”
“Most of the patrons do not like so much of a fight.”
“It's all about marketing,” Korick said with a smile. “Think of Earth as an untapped resource. The Li are out of play, except for our friend, Ottwan here. So if we want humans from Mertia, we'll have to get them ourselves.”
“I don't mean to be argumentative,” Ahn said, “but we don't have enough of the fast ships to supply the brothels from both worlds.”
“It is funny to hear all of this from one that never frequents the brothels.” Korick said with a smile. “Nothing is final until I hear the report from Nuun.”
“Nuunians would certainly change the outlook,” Ahn added. “They are probably due back anytime now.”
* * *
“I'll miss you,” Frank said as he straightened his pants.
“There are remotes parked down there.”
“Gladys, you know that isn't the same thing.”
“That is why you need your other wives,” she said with a smile.
“You aren't going to budge on that, are you?” he asked with a smile.
“Not anytime soon,” she answered.
“So, if you walk in and I'm in the middle of doing the deed with Denise, you won't be upset?” he asked, trying to be overtly graphic to prove his point.
“I would rejoice for the two of you. I would only be upset if you prohibit me from joining you.”
“Oh, wow. Okay, I, ugh...”
“You are being silly, Frank,” she said with a smile. “You forget that I am Sessik.”
“Maybe you are forgetting that I am not a Sessik.”
“Aren't they attractive though?” she asked with a grin.
“You probably don't know this, but I have a secret power.” Frank said the words, trying not to laugh.
“Oh, really?” she asked, playing along.
“Yes, my dear. I have the ability to perform my duties no matter how hot the customer is.”
“Is that so?” Gladys asked, now trying not to laugh. “So, you admit your other two wives are tempting?”
Frank's shoulders slumped. “I give up,” he said. “I don't know what to do.” His demeanor was that of a man who had lost an argument.
Gladys lifted his chin upward and gave him a little kiss. “Why is this so hard for you?” she asked in her most tender, melodic voice.
He raised his head to look her in her eyes. Fighting the urge to get lost in them, he answered, “I am so in love with you. We consider ourselves to be married, right?”
“All we have to do is say we are, by Sessik law.”
“Well, I am.” He looked into her beautiful, nearly blank eyes.
“I am,” she replied.
“So now it's official. I already fucked up one marriage and I don't want to fuck this one up.” He pulled her in for another kiss.
“Your wives need you. I love them too, you know.”
Frank shook his head. “Okay. I give up.”
“Well, it's about time.”
“Denise gave me that opening once, before you and I got together. I couldn't stop thinking about you though. “
“I know.
I admit I was jealous of Denise at first. I only knew that I wanted you.”
“Wendy called me that same night.”
“I didn't know about that,” Gladys said.
“The irony certainly wasn't lost on me,” Frank said with a smile. “I'd spent so long thinking about her and then when she called, well, I didn't have time for that bullshit.”
She kissed him yet again. “You need to get going. We are keeping the others waiting. I'll just say that I've waited a thousand lifetimes to be with you. But I have my work also, so my sister wives will have to, as you would say, pick up my slack.”
* * *
“I thank you for the invitation, but I need to meditate. You certainly deserve some time to enjoy your friends and allies.”
“I don't want you to be lonely. Gladys is going to be kinda busy,” Frank replied.
“You are too kind. Aside from my home, I would choose this place over most places I have been. There is no loneliness here. Even when I am alone, I am surrounded by love.”
“I swear, you must be the most beautifully eloquent speaker I have ever met.”
“Thank you. That is a high compliment. We strive for eloquence. You have a similar outlook, I know, as you value good manners.”
“Well, I try,” Frank smiled, “but it doesn't always work.” Frank looked over to see a stout automech coming out of his boat. “It looks like we're all loaded up. I'll see you soon.”
* * *
“I didn't know where to have the crate placed, so I just put it over there,” Phildan said, pointing to the new addition to Frank's living room.
“That looks like a good place. Thanks.” Frank's head was still spinning from the elaborate good-byes that just transpired. He sat down in the middle of the couch and turned on the television.
“What are we watching?” Denise asked as she and Nera plopped down on both sides of him.
“I just like seeing where we're going,” he answered as the girls both snuggled into him. He eased back into the couch and decided that he could easily get used to it.
“What is inside that big container?” Nera asked, referring to the crate.
“Nothing much. Just a few million dollars worth of gold.”
“Oh. That sounds nice. What is gold?”
“Frank, are you joking?” Denise asked.
“I'm not joking,” he answered. “You can have a look at it if you want.”
She looked at the crate. “Nah, I'm fine just right here.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.
Pock raised up from where he had been napping on the floor and stretched out his legs. “Well, I see you've finally come to your senses,” he said to Frank.
“What do you mean?” Frank asked.
“Remember when I told you that you should be mating with Denise?” Pock asked, not realizing the level of embarrassment his words would cause Frank.
“I, uh...”
“Pock,” Denise interrupted, “Frank is a gentleman. He isn't the type to speak of such things.”
“Cut me some slack, babe,” Pock replied. “Your ways are crazy alien to me.”
“I know,” she replied, “but you're still the sweetest bug in the entire galaxy.”
Frank felt the urge to change the subject. “Okay, guys, Michelle has never met any extra-terrestrials before, so this might get interesting. Pock, I never had a chance to ask her how she feels about insects.”
“You mean there are people that don't like bugs?” Pock asked jokingly.
“Some people are afraid of insects for whatever reason,” Denise said. “Frank, maybe you should give Robert a heads up. He's probably walked her through the lifting process.”
“Good idea. Phil, how much time do we have?”
“Less than five minutes.”
* * *
“We'll need to use the bigger portals,” Frank said to Phildan as he untangled himself from the girls and stood up. “He has some additional cargo, but the ramp won't be necessary.” Denise bent down to let Pock nuzzle her. This made Frank smile as he was walking out into the hallway with Phildan. They made their way to the large red circle.
“First load coming up,” Phildan reported. The portal opened and quickly closed. A strange apparatus now stood inside. “What is that?” Phildan asked.
“It's called a grill,” Frank answered as he pulled it to the side.
“If you say so. Second load coming up.” A large bag of charcoal now sat in the circle.
“I'm seeing a theme here,” Frank commented as he once again cleared the circle.
“Okay, here she comes.” Phildan activated the lift once again and within a second, Michelle was standing in the circle. Frank was there to steady her as her feet met the floor plates.
“Welcome aboard,” Frank said as he guided her off of the circle. Two seconds later, Robert was lifted.
“That never gets old,” Robert said with a smile. But Michelle was frozen in place at the sight of Phildan. “Baby, this is Phil,” he said in a gentle tone.
“I am very pleased to meet you,” Phildan said with a slight bow.
“It's nice to meet you, too,” she finally replied. And then in a low tone, she asked Robert, “Why does he have a British accent?” Robert answered with a shrug.
“So, Michelle,” Frank started, “this is called a landing boat. It's basically a landing craft that docks with the Main Ship. Main Ship is kinda big so it's better off just staying in orbit. The layout here is circular. Over there is Phil's workshop. Around that way is a cargo area. If you follow me...this room is called the biotech room. It's full of shit that I don't understand.” He stopped in front of the door to the living room and pointed down toward the next door. “That door panel leads into my bedroom.”
“Your bedroom?” Michelle asked incredulously.
“Yeah, think of this as a flying RV. I'm telling you where the bedroom is because there is a restroom in there. It's the only one on the boat so, you know. And finally, this is the living room.”
Michelle paused. “So all of these rooms are on the outside of the hallway. What is on the inside?”
“You're very observant. The inside is full of more shit that I don't understand.” He gestured toward the living room. “Shall we?” She walked through the doorway and froze again at the sight of Pock.
“Hello, Pock,” Robert said. “Denise. Nera.”
“Hello, Tall One,” Pock answered. “So, is this your mate?” He pointed to Michelle with one of his pincers.
Robert looked at Michelle and smiled. “Yes. Yes she is.”
“You will have to excuse me,” Michelle said. “This is my first time meeting a talking insect. Robert said you were big but I didn't think you would be this big. I'm sorry if that came out weird.”
“It's no big deal,” Pock said. “I had the same reaction the first time I ever met a human.”
“So, Frank,” Robert said after he laughed, “I assume we're stopping off for supplies, right?”
“Am I that predictable?”
“Oh, there's not much chance of you ever really being predictable. I just need to buy a bunch of meat.”
“I kinda figured, seeing as how you brought a grill. But yes, we're stopping off. Hmm.”
“The department store?” Phildan suggested.
* * *
Nera easily ignored the few stares she received from the other customers as Denise and Michelle helped pick out several new outfits for her. Robert was choosing various meats and also a few items that Hiro had requested. He then swung around and hit the bread aisle to get buns. Frank, as usual, found himself in the liquor aisle. The men finished their shopping first and met up to wait patiently as Denise and Michelle were making Nera try on a variety of garments.
“It looks like they're all getting along well,” Robert observed.
“It looks like you're getting along well too, Robert.”
Robert smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am. I can't wait to show her what we've been working on. How are you holding u
p?”
“I've never been better.”
16.
“So what do you have to report, Ahn?” Korick asked.
“This isn't usually my area, but since Doris is gone, I felt I would have a go at it. We are short on Mingrein for the next tournament.”
“Getting more Mingrein might prove to be challenging. Ottwan provided me with surveillance images of the compound on Korbaal. The barrier is down and the place is overrun with mingala.”
“We have a few. We'll just have to make due if acquiring more is too risky.”
“There's more to it,” Korick said. “One of our ships, one of the fast ones, is sitting in the airfield there. The crew is obviously dead, but I hate to lose that ship.”
“I'll send a team to retrieve it.”
“Good. Make the risks known, though. It will require careful planning.” Korick was feeling proud of himself for good decision making. “Is there any news from Nuun?”
“I'm afraid not. They are long overdue. Nuun is only a couple of jumps away.”
“Well, let's not stretch our resources too thin. We'll investigate Nuun further once we are done on Korbaal. With luck, we can get our ship back as well as a few more Mingrein.”
“I believe that would be very wise.” Ahn paused to gather his thoughts. “Korick, I was thinking. Perhaps we should activate the Assassin for the next tournament.”
“Is he acclimated?”
“I believe so. He is moving well inside of his cell.”
“Good. I feel that he has the best chances of unseating Breet.”
“I agree. Who would have thought that such a dominant champion would affect the numbers.”
“It only stands to reason. With Breet being so tough, betting on him doesn't deliver enough of a profit for most beings to even worry about.”
“Korick, could you imagine the draw if we had the Assassin, Breet, and the Monster all in the same tournament?”
“There certainly is that possibility. But I hardly have time for speculation. Is there anything else to report?”
“There is a rumor going around that Princess Caja is taking over the duties of the throne.”
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