Monster

by Patrick F. Johnson

“Why is it in English?” Frank asked.

  “I have no logical explanation, Frank. I really can't even guess at this point.”

  “Is there a way to respond with like, coordinates or something? I mean without actually talking to them.”

  “Certainly. I can send them the frequency for a beacon.” Phildan turned around and rummaged through a pile of equipment that Frank didn't understand. He found what he was looking for and handed it to Frank. “Just throw that out into the sand where you want them to land. Their autopilot will land them right on it.”

  “I'm on it,” Robert said as he reached over Frank's shoulder and grabbed the small box.

  “I want to keep them a little way from the platform in case there's a fight. I don't want them fucking our shit up.”

  “You got it, Frank,” Robert replied as he turned to find the nearest red circle.

  “How much time do we have?” Frank asked.

  “I'd guess fifteen minutes or so,” Phildan replied. He then manipulated the communication equipment, sending the frequency information.

  “Thanks, Phil,” Frank said as he turned to head around the bend toward his bedroom. Phildan followed closely behind.

  “What is your plan, Frank?” he asked in a concerned tone.

  “Oh, same as usual.” Frank found a pair of jeans and slipped them over his varitherm. He considered a t-shirt, but decided he wanted to cover the black suit completely in case one of the Gotes would recognize it. He glanced at his bracelet and pulled the sleeve of the suit down over it. A hoodie rounded out his wardrobe and then he located his shoes. Phildan followed him into the living room where everyone was gathered. The tension in the room was palpable as Frank clipped his shuriken pouches onto his belt. Without a word, he went to the sword rack. He decided that the Japanese swords were just too small so he opted to only take his Mingrein blade. He slung it over his shoulder and turned to face his friends. “I guess I'll go talk to these guys.”

  “We'll gear up,” Dave said.

  “No. I don't want any of you dropping down there. Nera, make sure everyone stays put.” She answered with a nod. “Seriously. These guys aren't like the Mingrein or the Li.” He walked to the red circle and tried not to notice the tears welling up in Denise's eyes as he smiled at her. And then he was gone.

  18.

  “Her heart rate is increasing,” Miyako reported. “Do you have any meds handy?”

  “They wouldn't work,” Gladys said as she split her attention between her data pad and her patient.

  Constanthos was laying flat on her back upon the table. Her breathing was very deep and was gradually speeding up as her implant synced up with her brain activities. Suddenly, her eyes opened and immediately squinted. And then she screamed.

  “Is this normal?” Miyako asked as she helped keep the now flailing Constanthos from falling off of the table.

  “I have no idea,” Gladys replied. “This is the first time this procedure has ever been done. I'm not strong enough to hold her. Constanthos! Constanthos! She doesn't know how the words really sound yet. Please, go get Cindy!” Gladys was getting knocked around but she never stopped trying to help her friend.

  Miyako ran to the door panel, and as it opened, she called out for Cindy, who closed the distance very quickly and peered into the lab. “Is this the one that I could never hear?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Gladys responded. “We moved her into this body so that she may live. Had she been discovered residing in the computational systems, someone would have deactivated her.”

  “You can explain it later, more fully, if you wish. Right now, I just want to take her pain away.” Cindy glanced at Brogue as she walked in and decided not to ask. She came to to where she was standing next to Miyako, who was still trying her best to keep their patient from hitting the floor. Cindy reached out with her hand and placed her palm flat on the chest of Constanthos, right above her heart. The convulsions stopped almost instantly as Cindy now had that look on her face. It was as if she were looking through the hull of the Main Ship and counting the stars beyond. She reached across with her other hand and touched Gladys' arm. “I do not know what it is that I am seeing here. Her senses were overloaded. The language is too complex, but I was able to make out one word.”

  Gladys was seeing what Cindy was seeing. It could only be described as information. Nearly infinite information. “What was the word?” she asked.

  “Frank.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I gave her an image of him. She is calm now.” Cindy let go of Gladys and slowly took her hand off of Constanthos. Taking one large step to the side, Cindy stood and watched, ready to help again if needed.

  Constanthos was looking around now. Her expression was blank. Gladys reached down and took her hand. Constanthos stayed calm as her eyes found the source of the new sensation and followed it as Gladys pulled the hand up to her face. Her eyes grew large as she looked over the blue form of Gladys' face. She then had her hand led back to her own face. Holding her hand up now, she examined her fingers. A look of wonder appeared on her face as her fingers wiggled.

  “Now she just needs to learn how to be human,” Gladys said.

  * * *

  Frank stood at the base of the steps with his arms folded. “They're more scared of me,” he said to himself as the Gote scout ship landed about a hundred feet in front of him. It was the same configuration as the one he had seen on Korbaal. The ramp lowered and armed Gotes started pouring out. The first four were wearing similar uniforms, but the fourth had some additional insignia that the others lacked. And then a very large Gote with a totally different uniform strolled out. Not only was his uniform different, his demeanor was almost regal in comparison to the others. He also bore a strange mark over his left eye. But then following him, a human male strode down the ramp. He was a tall, heavily muscled man wearing similar colors as the large Gote in front of him. Their dark red with gold trimmings made the olive green uniforms of the soldiers look like rags.

  The fancy Gote turned to the highest ranking soldier and Frank could plainly hear him say in Gotian, “Don't do anything stupid. He could very well kill us all.”

  “That?” the soldier replied. “It looks downright puny.”

  “Stay put and let us do our job.” The fancy Gote and his human companion walked toward Frank with deliberate, non-hostile movements. Once they were close, the Gote nodded toward the man.

  “Monster, of Earth, I present to you Moldew, of Gotoreo, a captain of the the Royal Guard of King Ondex.” The man spoke English just as plainly as Frank.

  “Hold up,” Frank said. “I'm not going to answer to 'the Monster, of Earth.' That's the stupidest title I have ever heard.”

  The man turned and repeated Frank's words in Gotian. Moldew nodded and said, “I think I understand.” His English was slow but his pronunciation was adequate.

  “My name is Frank Ford. May I ask your name, sir?”

  The man looked up at the Gote, who nodded. “My name is Raymond Stewart.” Frank was trying to figure out the man's age. He had a gray beard that contrasted to the smooth dark skin of his face.

  “Where are you from, Raymond?”

  “St. Louis.”

  “No shit?”

  “No shit.”

  “How long have you been hanging out with these guys?”

  “What year is it?” Raymond asked. He looked weak when Frank told him. After some quick math, he answered, “A little over twenty-five years.”

  Frank looked over to Moldew and tried to read his eyes with no luck. “Can I offer you guys anything? I guess it must have been a long trip.”

  “That would be nice, thank you,” Moldew answered. He turned to regard the soldiers. “Wait at the ship,” he ordered. The lead soldier answered with a disgusted look.

  Frank led them up the stairs toward the tiki bar. He was watching the steps flex under the massive weight of Moldew and was pleased when they held. “This is my home. I'm afraid I don't get many v
isitors.”

  “You live in a bar?” Raymond asked. He made a mental note of the blood stain on the floor.

  “It's a work in progress. I sleep over in that tent.”

  “How are you getting your supplies?” Raymond asked.

  “The United States military drops them off periodically.”

  “I see,” Raymond said. He then turned to Moldew and said in Gotian, “I'm pretty sure he is lying through his teeth.” They didn't know that Frank could speak Gotian, and Frank decided to keep that ability to himself for now.

  “So, how did you find yourself in your peculiar situation, if I may ask?” Frank asked.

  “I was grabbed by some rogue Gurdik slavers. Earth was supposed to be off-limits, but once I got to Vera, I was stuck and became a slave anyway.” Raymond didn't seem too upset about his situation.

  “Would you like a beer?” Frank asked.

  “I would love a beer.” He gladly accepted the can and regarded it as if it were a treasure.

  “How about you, big guy?” Frank asked Moldew.

  “Fresh water, if you have.”

  “Sure. Here you go.” Frank handed him a cold bottled water. “You're kinda big. Better take two.” Frank sat down a second water in front of Moldew who nodded in thanks. Moldew picked up a bottle and looked at it, puzzled. Raymond reached over and unscrewed the cap for him. “You know, Raymond, I could just kill all these guys and you could be free.” Moldew's eyes grew large and Frank could sense the fear within him.

  “No, thank you,” Raymond replied. “I have reason to return. That brings us to the purpose of our visit.”

  “Yes, please tell me why you traveled all the way across the galaxy.”

  “We are to place you under arrest.” Raymond's gaze never faltered as he spoke.

  “May I ask, what are the charges?” Frank had a wry smile as he asked.

  “Trespassing, and theft.”

  “Hmm, let me think. Where, exactly, did I trespass?”

  “In order to reach Korbaal, you must pass through Gote Space.”

  “Nope. I went around it.” Frank stared right back at Raymond as he spoke. “So now that the trespassing is gone, what did I steal?”

  “Korick had loaned a specimen to someone called Tirogof. It was housed on Korbaal. Now it is gone.”

  “I didn't take any specimens. You can't blame that on me.”

  “I'm not in the position to make that decision. Korick wants you brought in.”

  “What is the nature of this specimen? I have an idea where this Korick might search.”

  “I'm afraid I do not know. But where would you suggest we search, out of curiosity.”

  “You can go to Korbaal. Or better yet, send those assholes down there, and start sifting through mingala droppings.” Frank was pointing toward the soldiers standing at the ship.

  Moldew was struggling to follow along as Raymond was fighting the urge to laugh. “Frank, this is serious. I don't want to see anything bad happen. He's offered one alternative.”

  “What would that be?”

  “He would accept ten-thousand human females as payment. Kind of like a fine.”

  Frank paused. “That's the craziest shit I've ever heard.”

  “I know. I'm just the messenger. Look, Frank, he said that if you refused, he was going to, and I quote, remove the Earth from the galaxy.”

  “What? So he's going to nuke us if I don't come along?”

  “That's what I was led to believe.” Raymond finally looked away. “I really don't want anything to happen to this place.”

  Frank grabbed a shot glass and placed it in front of Raymond. He then found a taller glass and placed it in front of himself. He turned and grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the top shelf. Unscrewing the lid, he poured a shot for Raymond and then filled his own glass. “Might as well enjoy one for the road,” he replied as he drained his glass.

  “Leave your weapons, please,” Moldew said in a surprisingly polite tone.

  “I like you, Moldew. You have good manners.” Frank removed his sword and sat it down hard on the bar top. He then removed his shuriken pouches. Finally, he pulled his knife out of his pocket and sat it next to the sword. “Shall we?”

  * * *

  “He isn't seriously going, is he?” Michelle asked as they all sat in stunned silence, watching the feed that Phildan was able to patch into. A remote on the shelf was providing the perfect vantage point for them to view the bar.

  “He should take those guys out,” Potts said. “We can figure the rest out later.”

  “Damon,” Robert said, “Frank doesn't want to kill that human. Didn't you hear him? He's a slave. By going, Frank believes he is saving Earth, again. I bet that once he gets to wherever they're taking him, he'll find a way to neutralize the threat.”

  “It won't be that easy,” Pock interrupted. “The Gotes aren't like anything he's faced before.”

  “You weren't here for the Mingrein invasion,” Chavez countered. “I would never bet against Frank.”

  “I ain't doubting his abilities,” Pock continued. “What I'm really saying is, he's going to need some help.”

  “I'm having trouble reaching Main Ship,” Phildan said.

  “Did the Gotes do something to the signal?” Dave asked.

  “I do not believe they have those capabilities,” Phildan replied. “The computational systems are acting, what is the word? Glitchy.”

  “What are they working on up there?” Dave asked. “Gladys isn't going to be very happy when she finds out about this.” Dave looked around to see everyone's face. Potts and Chavez had their game faces on. Robert had a grave expression and Michelle looked confused. Denise was quietly sobbing into her hands. Nera looked as if she was ready to kill. Phildan was poking away at his data pad. “We need to figure out where they're taking him, and then we'll bust him out.” He looked the other way to see Hiro standing with his arms crossed, clearly lost in thought. Pock was taking a long drink from a bottle of rum.

  “Gladys is moving Constanthos into her human body,” Robert said.

  “Who?” Dave asked.

  “Constanthos is an artificial intelligence that emerged sometime ago in the computational systems on Main Ship,” Phildan answered. “Gladys built a body for her to bring her existence into compliance.”

  “You lost me,” Dave admitted.

  “She's been saving our asses this whole time,” Robert declared. “Gladys told me that she, herself, can only control one or two orbs at a time. Whenever you see a swarm of them, that is Connie.”

  “Yeah, she totally saved our asses,” Chavez said.

  “She really upped her game at Lian,” Robert said. “Artificial intelligence is illegal, so they're giving her a body. It's never been done before. I have a feeling that Frank and his exploits are becoming more and more high-profile in the galaxy, so Gladys had to act.”

  “Talk about bad timing,” Pock added.

  “Why is artificial intelligence illegal?” Potts asked.

  “They have been the cause of the destruction of at least three civilizations,” Phildan answered. “But Constanthos is delightful.” He was still punching away at his data pad. “I'm not getting anywhere with this from here. We need to dock with Main Ship.”

  Michelle looked up at Robert with a concerned look. “We're going into outer space?”

  “It'll be okay, baby,” he replied and kissed her forehead.

  “Hold on a second, Phil,” Dave requested. He then turned to where he faced everyone. “If anyone wants out, now is the time. Once we dock, anything can happen. We might very fly across the galaxy or who knows what.” His words were directed toward Potts and Chavez, mostly. No one responded so he then said, “Okay, Phil. Let's go.”

  * * *

  Frank was sat down on a hard metal bench that was bolted down to the deck plates facing another, that was against the one straight wall in the hold of the scout ship. Raymond and Moldew were sitting there, facing him. Within a couple of ho
urs, he found himself feeling jealous of the wall they had behind them to lean against. They had been sitting in silence for some time, and Frank was feeling antsy, as he was unaccustomed to just sitting, doing nothing.

  “So, how long does this trip take?” he asked in an even tone. He noticed the movement of the soldiers in his peripheral, as if his voice had somehow alerted them.

  “Well, it took about four days, as you know them, to get to Earth, so if all goes well, about half that to get back,” Raymond replied.

  “I don't understand how any of that shit works,” Frank said, just happy to be talking, only if to do something other than sit in silence. The lead soldier moved to stand next to the bench where Raymond and Moldew were sitting. He had an odd look on his face. “Is he going to be staring at me like that the whole time?”

  “Doris, don't stare,” Moldew ordered in Gotian.

  “I don't answer to you,” the lead soldier replied. “I am going to claim this one. I do not believe there is anything special about him at all.”

  “Do not be a fool,” Moldew said. “Your master wants him alive.”

  “He is a prisoner, just like the ones you guys round up all the time. He will be treated accordingly.” Doris shot a look at someone over Frank's shoulder.

  “You know, Ray,” Frank started in English, “I think this guy is undressing me with his...” Frank's thought was interrupted by a violent jolt of electricity running through his body. Before he passed out, he realized that another soldier had prodded him with something from behind.

  * * *

  “Let us go alert Gladys,” Phildan said as the door panel opened to reveal the garden. Denise and Nera trotted out around him and disappeared down a path to the right. Phildan glanced in their direction as he continued. “Robert, Hiro, please give everyone instruction.” He didn't wait for a response as he followed the girls.

  “We stay in the garden or on the boat unless we are invited elsewhere,” Robert said in a commanding tone.

  “The gravity drops drastically as you walk through the door,” Hiro added as he also bolted out and to the right.