* * *
Princess Caja stood in front of her throne. Hers was smaller than her father's, right beside it, and only slightly less ornate. Ran and Rando flanked her on both sides as she looked out over the Royal Guard who were assembled before her. It obviously wasn't the entire guard, as many were off performing their various duties. But that wasn't the point.
“Which one is it?” she asked.
“Front and center,” Rando responded with a steely tone.
She pointed to the Gote in question with her portly finger. “You there, step forward.” Her tone was short. The Gote stepped forward nervously. “It has come to my attention that you have been sharing information. And I understand that this has been going on for quite some time.” The Gote remained silent. She stared him down as if she was about to melt him with her eyes. “Now is the time where you might plead your case, if you have one.”
The Gote was clearly unprepared for this interrogation and began to stammer, “They only asked me to tell them if anything of interest was happening. I didn't mean any harm.”
“Did you accept compensation for your trouble?” she asked.
“Yes, Your Highness.” It was as if he only then realized the error of his ways.
“Well, I hope you used that money wisely. You are relieved of duty.” She waited until he was just about to protest before adding, “You are lucky that I'm not charging you with treason. And I'm sure you know what the punishment is for treason.” She continued to stare him down until he finally turned and walked away. When he had left the throne room, she said out loud to the others, “I want to keep you all close, for my father's sake. He is a much better Gote than I think the populace gives him credit for. But the death of the queen, my mother, has left him broken. His love for her is legendary, for lack of a better word.” Several of the more seasoned members of the group were nodding in approval. She continued, “It is obvious to me, and those whose advice that I trust, that the government has become wrought with corruption. They view the monarchy as being weak. You all are an extension of the monarchy. The Royal Guard has served with honor since long before the Revolution. It was you that freed us from our enslavement. You are responsible for any glory that is to be celebrated in all of Gote space.” The room erupted with cheers, which pleased her greatly. Even Ran and Rando surprised themselves with their own patriotism. When the din of applause died down, she added, “This corruption is just another form of enslavement. The throne will no longer sit idle while Gotes abroad act dishonorably. You all are the example of excellence that the populace can look up to.”
22.
“Either you eat the meat or you don't eat. I'm sorry, Frank. I really tried.”
“It's okay, Raymond.” Frank was still laying on his side, staring at the print that was pressed into the walls. Its repeating pattern resembled chicken wire that had been pressed into solid steel. His eyes crossed and uncrossed, completely distorting his depth perception.
“They're going to open that other door and something will be expecting a fight. What are you going to do?” Raymond asked.
“I don't know. How long do I have until the tournament?”
Raymond did some math in his head. “It will be a little over a month as you know it.”
“Super. Yeah, I probably won't last that long.”
“Dammit, Frank.”
“It's all good. I managed to save Earth a couple of times. This all fits into my job description.”
* * *
Denise dropped into the garden and quickly stepped aside and waited to offer aid to her companion. Constanthos followed shortly thereafter, and only needed minor assistance. After some brief giggling, they looked around to appreciate the beauty of the place. Yui Nakamura stood off to the side, blending in with the flowers.
“Oh, hello,” Denise offered with a warm smile when she noticed her.
“Wow. Grandfather was right about your grand entrances.”
“I hope we didn't startle you,” Denise replied, still smiling.
“Maybe you did, a little. Grandfather said you would drop from the sky.” Yui returned the smile. “I am Yui. Grandfather is away tending to business.”
“I am very pleased to meet you. I am Denise and this is Constanthos. May I ask what your relation to Hiro is?”
“We are cousins. We are all very proud of him. Grandfather says he has brought much honor to our family.”
“And then some,” Denise said. “Hiro has brought honor to the whole planet.”
Yui smiled a smile that showed her youth. “I thought maybe Grandfather was...exaggerating, but seeing you fall from the sky and speaking of my cousin, I now realize that I was being naive.”
“Don't feel bad,” Denise said. “Most people don't believe it.” She didn't so much as flinch as their luggage fell and landed softly behind them. She turned to see Constanthos walking away to look at a flower more closely. She bent down and clearly enjoyed the aroma. Their eyes met and they shared a smile. Turning back to Yui, Denise asked, “Did your grandfather tell you why we are here?”
“He said that friends of Frank Ford required asylum.” Yui regarded Constanthos with much curiosity as she spoke.
“That is true. And we thank you.” Denise thought about her next statement very carefully. “Constanthos is learning how to be human, and I might need your help.”
“I don't understand,” Yui admitted. “Was she not human before?”
“I'm going to try to explain it,” Denise replied, “but I'm not sure I fully understand it, myself. Constanthos was an artificial intelligence that emerged inside the computers aboard the Main Ship. Since artificial intelligence is illegal under galactic law, a human body was built for her to reside in.” Denise turned to Constanthos. “Did I get all that right?” Constanthos smiled and nodded.
“That is absolutely amazing,” Yui said as she continued to stare at Constanthos. “How may I help?”
“As you can see, she's already mastered walking. She has started basic speech, but having someone else around to talk to her will definitely help.”
“It would be an honor.” Yui smiled and bowed. “Will the two of you also be training while you are here?” Denise looked over to Constanthos to see what she thought of that idea.
“Yes,” Constanthos replied as she mimicked the bow.
* * *
“What is going on around here?” Korick demanded as Ahn walked into his office.
“It would seem that all of the Gurdiks have left,” Ahn replied.
“What? Why?”
“It's something about them fearing the Monster.”
Korick started to chuckle. The chuckle turned into a laugh. “If they could see him now, they'd feel differently.” He looked at a message on his view screen. “Ottwan's drone is just outside. Please collect him.”
Ahn walked back to the door and opened it and waved the drone in.
“Just a moment, Ottwan,” Korick said with a flourish of his large hand. “Ahn, what are we going to do about this Gurdik situation?”
“They are still available for all off-world operations. I have reassigned other races for the jobs that were previously held by Gurdiks.”
“Tremendous!” Korick exclaimed. He turned toward the drone and said, “You see, Ottwan, I have all the best Gotes working for me.”
“Most impressive, Korick,” Ottwan replied.
“Yes, I know. Now for the reason I have summoned you. The Monster isn't looking too good.” Korick pressed a button and the large view screen on the wall switched to the feed from Frank's cell. “All he does is lay there. He doesn't eat and I don't think he's had any water.”
“Interesting. I am not familiar with that type of behavior in the species. And his nation is known for their massive over-consumption of most things regarding food.” Ottwan thought for a moment. “Could it be the gravity?” he asked.
“Most humans still eat,” Ahn said.
“Moldew's pet has been spending time down there, talking t
o the Monster. But I don't trust that little worm.” Korick switched off the feed. “Ottwan, I think we need to juice him.”
“Juice him?” Ottwan asked.
“There is an intoxicant that has been known to, let me see, extend the usefulness of humans.”
“I see,” Ottwan said after the clarification. “Are there any known side effects?” Ottwan suspected that it wouldn't work. He thought back to the time Frank was poisoned and stabbed.
“Side effects?” Korick replied with a chuckle. “Who knows? They all end up dead anyway. The juiced ones just last longer.”
“I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try,” Ottwan said.
Korick walked over to a shelf that contained a variety of liquid intoxicants and poured himself a drink. “So, Ottwan, how many Li worlds are there now?”
“You know how many Li worlds there are. What do you really want to know?”
Korick chuckled again. “Aside from the worlds that the Li inhabit, how many inhabitable Li worlds are there?”
Ottwan didn't like where this line of questioning was leading. “Hundreds,” he answered.
“Is there any intelligent life that we might find interesting?” Korick asked.
“That isn't my area of expertise. I'm afraid I am unable to answer with full confidence.”
Korick took a drink and smiled. “Perhaps we'll have to take a look for ourselves then.”
* * *
“I can't believe we are in outer space,” Michelle said as she watched the Earth shrink on the television.
“This thing has a real smooth ride, don't it?” Robert asked with a smile. Phildan walked by with his eyes never leaving his data pad. The door panel slid open and he walked through and turned to the right, toward the finished area. “Shall we?” Robert asked as he took her hand. They walked through the door and into the garden. “I understand these trips are going to take a little longer now. We might as well try to enjoy our time.” He was craning his neck to see if Cindy was up and about.
“Do you think I will get to meet her?” Michelle asked nervously. “I hear she is absolutely beautiful.”
“You will. But she isn't the only beautiful creature aboard Main Ship.”
* * *
Gladys was sitting in her high-backed chair, glued to the images that were being projected before her. Frank's face, in all of its less than photogenic glory, was right there in front of her. She reached out as if she could touch him. She didn't flinch when the door panel slid open and Phildan walked in.
“I miss him too,” Phildan said when he finally looked up from his data pad. “Have you been monitoring our status?”
Gladys reached up and manipulated the controls that ceased the projection. “Yes, we are making the first jump. It feels strange to not have her here.”
“On several levels,” Phildan agreed. “I am doubling my efforts to keep tabs on everything.”
“The computational systems are working, but I thank you just the same.”
“So all the issues have been resolved?” he asked.
“Yes. There was a void in the program when she left. I filled it in with the original programming. We aren't as fast as we were, but we're still faster than everyone else.”
“Are you planning on leaving the system at full speed?” he asked.
“For now. We can back it off once we rescue Frank.”
Phildan nodded his agreement. “Robert and Michelle are in the garden.” He looked again at his data pad. “Everything else seems to be running just fine.”
“Okay. The first jump is done. I will take time now to go greet our guests.” She stood and took a moment to center her emotions. Looking down, she made sure her varitherm was in order and covering everything properly, a ritual that all wearers of varitherm eventually adopt. Satisfied, she walked through the door and set off to find her guests.
* * *
“Here she comes, now,” Robert said as the words made Michelle jerk herself upright from where she had been inspecting an alien plant. “Gladys,” he said when she was close enough, “This is Michelle.”
“I am very pleased to meet you finally,” Gladys said as she extended her hand.
Michelle's hand slowly rose to meet the alien's and she said, ”Oh my god. You really are beautiful.”
Gladys became a light lavender as she replied, “Thank you. I love your hair.” Gladys then turned back to Robert.
He stood tall and proud before he realized that she was waiting on the proper greeting. “Oh, hey, Gladys...I don't know the correct, uh, protocol here.”
“I don't either,” Gladys said with a smile. “I'd say the apprentice of my husband gets at least a hug.” He bent down and she wrapped her thin blue arms around his neck. “Thank you so much for coming along,” she said.
“Don't mention it,” Robert replied.
“We have made the first jump. The computational systems are now taking measurements.”
“I'm sorry, Gladys,” Robert said, “but I have no idea what that means.”
“The galaxy is in constant motion. One cannot simply tell the computer where to jump. We must always search for it first.”
“Okay, I get it,” Robert said. “So Connie was able to keep track of everything before then?”
“Correct. That ability defied my understanding. But we are still the fastest ship in the galaxy.”
“So, where are we now?” Michelle asked.
“We are in an uninhabited system. There is a nice, big red star here to keep us charged while the measurements and calculations are being made.”
“This is all going to take some time to get used to,” Michelle said with a nervous chuckle.
“I hope it will grow on you,” Gladys said. “Robert is like family, and I hope that you will come to feel the same way.” She glanced up at Robert, who smiled in agreement.
“I'm sure I will,” Michelle replied. “I gotta say, I didn't expect you to be so sweet.”
“The name 'Gladosanthos' translates to 'sister of grace'”, Robert added.
“Yes, very good, Robert,” Gladys complimented. “And 'Constanthos' translates to 'sister of mercy'.”
“The name certainly fits,” Michelle said. “I have so many questions though.”
“We have some time before the next jump. We should collect Cindy and I'll give you all a proper tour of Main Ship. I know there are parts that Robert hasn't seen yet, and Cindy might find it interesting too. I fear that she must be terribly bored by now.”
“Who is Cindy?” Michelle asked.
* * *
Michelle's shock at meeting Cindy soon turned into a delight as Cindy's natural gentle appeal quickly won her over. Gladys briefly discussed the significance of the loba tree before leading them toward the finished area. She was giving a summarized history of the Sessiks' interactions with other civilizations and the events that led to the Great War and the creation of humanity. Her timing was perfect as just as she was explaining the Reverence, she led the group into the lab.
“This is my brother, Brogue,” Gladys said. “The stasis has his Reverence subdued for the most part.”
“I can feel it,” Robert said. Turning to Michelle, he said, “It would put you on your knees at full power.”
“The wings. Your thoughts of them never showed their beauty.”
“They kept me isolated for so long,” Gladys replied. “I suppose it was hard to think of them as anything other than a curse.” Michelle couldn't help but to glance back and forth between Brogue's wings and Gladys' uneven stalks.
The awkward silence was broken by Phildan's arrival in the lab. “Oh, there you are. The measurements are in.”
“Splendid,” Gladys said. “That is much faster than expected. How bad is it?”
“The safe route would take four more jumps, at least. The fast route would take just two, but, believe it or not, we'd be at Hitakkita.”
“Hitakkita?” Gladys shook her head and thought about it. “We'll go that route and take the opportunit
y to survey the traffic.”
* * *
Frank was still laying on the hard floor of his cell. His concept of time was ruined at this point. Raymond had been retired for the night for some time. The solitude mixed with his hunger to drive him half out of his mind. Every so often, a distant noise would find its way to him from beyond the door. He could only imagine what creatures were in the surrounding cells. After what seemed like hours, a sound started from far off, but gradually became louder as its source grew nearer. The grumbles of Gotes were soon recognizable as the door to the next cell over opened and something was being placed inside.
“I'm glad to be done with that!” one voice exclaimed in Gotian.
“As am I,” another replied. “How many Gotes did this one kill before they got him?”
“At least a dozen. I'm glad they finally wanted it down here. It was really stressful to have it upstairs.”
“Great. Now I have to deal with it. Oh well, I might as well tend to my chores while I'm here.” A few moments after Frank heard the door close, his collar began to send the current into him. He tried to fight it but soon lost consciousness.
* * *
“What is it?” Evrok, the Master asked as he entered the control room with Trove following closely behind.
“Sire, a rift was detected,” a fourth generation Mingrein answered.
Trove walked over and manipulated some controls. “It's a Gote warship,” he stated.
“I've never tasted Gote,” Evrok said. “I wonder if the mingala will be willing to share this time.” The room erupted with laughter. “Where is Gildract?”
“He is training with a group down in the gravity chamber,” Trove responded.
“You there,” Evrok said to a random Mingrein. “Go alert Gildract.” The Mingrein sped off to fulfill the order.
“They are hailing us, Sire,” the fourth-gen added.
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