by K R Sanford
“There’s the Amedan ship,” said Shanna.
“They haven’t left yet,” said Marco. He jumped out of the shuttle and onto the court. He raced up to the cigar shaped ship and ran alongside the rows of power coils. The gangway extended onto the floor of the borehole. He walked up the gangway and stepped inside the circular wall of the ship. He looked around at a thousand eyes watching every move he made. The wall was a honeycomb filled with Amedans.
A gentle voice spoke from the center passage. Marco focused on the corridor leading up to the front of the ship. He felt a hand pull on his arm. He turned. Shanna was out of breath. “The Amedan wants us to follow,” she said.
Marco searched the corridor looking for the Amedan that spoke. “Say again,” he said. “I am out of breath. I didn’t hear what you said.”
“This way, Admiral,” said the voice. “Lao is expecting you.”
“I have come for Cybil. Is she there?”
“Yes,” said the Amedan. Please, we must hurry.” The small purple and white Amedan darted out into the center of the corridor. “I am on your side. I’m here at Legion’s request. There are many Amedans here on your side. My name is Nico. Now, please come, this way.”
Marco and Shanna followed the neon orb of Nico. At length Nico stopped and spoke again. “Do not be afraid. In here, you will be safe with Cybil and me.”
Nico glided through the narrow passage. Marco and Shanna entered single file. The room opened to a circular platform fixed at a forty-five degrees angle in the bulkhead. The platform was steps with colored monitors, viewers and sensors. Each step was a station with an Amedan in control. Lao was in the middle conducting the array.
“We have no chairs for bipeds,” said Lao. “You may stand, or sit on the floor if you feel more comfortable.”
Marco turned and studied the surrounding floor. He stepped back at the sight of the panther drooling at his feet. “Cybil,” he called out, “Cybil.” He turned to Shanna. “He’s drugged her.”
Shanna bolted to Cybil. She held her head to free her breathing. “Dad,” said Shanna. “We have to get her out of her.”
“Okay, help me move her to the corridor. I can carry her from there.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” demanded Lao.
“All bets are off, Lao. Criminals don’t give orders on this planet.”
Lao flamed red. “How dare you come in here and defy my authority. You
“This ship is now grounded. And you, High Council Lao, are under arrest.”
“You arrest me? You don’t have authority over Amedans.” Lao lifted himself eye level with Marco. His energy bolts raced around his shell. Jagged edges appeared on Lao’s shell like teeth on a buzz saw. He advanced toward Marco.
Marco step back. In that instant, Nico darted between them.
“So, Legion has sent his Centurion to do his bidding. You are cast out from this place Centurion and the cat stays here.” Lao advanced once again. This time his bolts grew frightening. A high piercing screech sounded from his shell shaking the walls of the control room. He threatened the others for the last time.
Fixed in midair, Nico did not flinch. Lao threw himself at Nico. Lao was without a doubt intent on doing violence against Nico. Nico extended a crystal thread striking Lao dead center. Lao got thrown onto the center of the array. He froze on the platform lifeless, his lights out.
“Is he dead?” said Shanna.
“No,” said Nico. “When he wakes, he will wish he were dead.”
“Give me a hand, Shanna,” said Marco. Help me get Cybil out of this ship.”
“I’ll hold her neck straight if you will manage the rest of her,” said Shanna.
“You have done this before,” said Marco.
“Lady Lucia, working at her ranch,” said Shanna. “If it wasn’t a sheep stuck in a ditch; it was a new fold needing care.”
Marco nodded. “Good experiences, that ranch.”
“Yes, and very good memories too,” replied Shanna. “How does she feel about you taking to Cybil?”
Marco smiled. “Lucia said we have known each other too long. She said she was proud to be friends.”
“So you think that means you are free to take up with another woman,” asked Shanna.
“My life is the stars, crossing the galaxy
“I know, Dad,” interjected Shanna. “Cybil here is also from the stars. You could take care of each other it seems to me. You two would make a great team settling the Liometo.”
Nico’s still small voice was welcome to their ears. “Lao will need replacing, Admiral. Your team would have the honor of the Liometo. Legion has foreseen you and Cybil as the key to success in the Middle Corridor.”
“I appreciate the kind words, Nico,” said Marco. "But, Cybil will have to agree to be a part of Legion’s team.”
“Look,” said Shanna. She’s breathing easier.”
Marco pointed to Legions court. “Bring the shuttle up here, Shanna. I’ll stay with her.”
Shanna took out like a shot. She broke into a sprint with ease of a track star.
Nico flew into a wide arch then fixed his gaze on Shanna’s run. “A powerful runner, your daughter,” he remarked.
“Yes, I will have to enter her in the race tomorrow,” Marco, nodding.
Cybil took a deep breath and moaned.
Marco looked to Nico.
“That’s a good sign, Admiral,” said Nico. “She is coming around.”
The Eagle II slowed to a halt. Shanna set down next to Marco and Cybil. The side doors swung up. Marco laid Cybil on the back seat. He climbed in and held her neck so she could breathe.
Nico floated next to Shanna. “If you would be kind enough to drop me off at the castle, I would be grateful.”
“Now, isn’t that funny,” said Marco. “We happen to be going to the castle.”
“Yes,” replied Nico, “More is the better.”
“What, what . . . What does that mean?” stuttered Marco. “And, what is a Centurion?”
“You’re very curious for an Admiral,” said Nico. “You sound more like a scientist what, what, what. Always wanting to know; what is this, and what is that. I will tell you, Admiral. It is very boring. That’s what.”
Marco leaned toward Nico. “You’re turning out to be quite the character. You and Hector ought to get along peachy.”
“He is not your science officer is he?”
“No, he is security,” said Marco marveling what he said.
“That fits,” said Nico. “You can size up people quick and you know where they fit.”
“I try,” said Marco shaking his head. “I can see you guys are going to keep me on my toes. And, what are you grinning about up there young lady?”
“Oh, I love the way this shuttle handles. Can I borrow it? Pawdell and I need to check on a few things at the Emerald Sea Settlement.”
“Oh, sure,” said Marco. “You can take Nico with you.”
“Do you have a girlfriend, Nico?” asked Shanna.
“Aaah
“Because if you don’t,” said Shanna. “I could fix you up with one of my friends.”
“Well
“Of course, I don’t know what type of girl you like. Do you like the submissive kind, Nico?”
“Hmm
“I know someone who would like you, Nico, because she’s attracted to the quiet type. What do you think? Are you interested?”
“Oh
“The dance is tonight. I can make some inquiries if you like. It’s not a problem, really. After all, you saved our lives, for damn sake,” continued Shanna.
“Sure.”
“Okay good. Then it’s settled.”
Marco turned from Nico to Shanna to Nico and back to Shanna. A plan appeared in his mind that cleared up everything, for the time being and the foreseeable future.
Shanna, still filled with adrenalin, spoke. “Dad, can this shuttle do roll-overs?”
“Not in the tunnel, dear,�
� said Marco.
“It’s a safety precaution,” said Nico.
Shanna smiled. “I like him, Dad.”
“I can tell. You seem pleased,” said Marco stroking Cybil’s cheek.
Cybil quivered. Then, quicker than a thoughts breadth, she was on her feet staring at Marco’s face. Her eyes were wild like an animal ready to attack. Her muscles tightened. Her mouth was open. Saliva was dripping off her tongue. She coiled to strike Marco’s neck at the ill-fated twitch of an eye, a fate that did not happen. Cybil leaned in and licked Marco’s unshaved cheek.
“Still my girl, are we?” said Marco.
Cybil opened her mouth and chuffed. She chattered on about something in feline that no one could understand except, Nico.
“Hmm, well,” said Nico with a half spin and another half spin. “It’s us,” he said. “We will keep our eyes forward.”
“Ah humm,” she purred, pointing to the Grand Ballroom. The glow was intense reflecting off the river.
“Ooh, Mother,” said Nico in awe.
Shanna sailed the Eagle II through the Vallian camp. She slowed at the narrow passage into the mountain. She opened the nav-chart in the task console. “The doors are clear,” she said looking back over her shoulder. She smiled at Cybil, now changed into human form.
Cybil lay on top of Marco. Her raven hair draped down her back. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her cheek rested on his. Marco stroked her neck. She chuffed. Shanna turned her head. Her eyes rolled and her mouth opened.
“We will touch down on the baily outside the castle in one minute,” said Shanna. “We have time to change and make it downstairs before the first dance.”
Marco spoke. “We will be in time to hear Legion’s annual speech?” he asked. “Nico, I want you to join us. I want you with us to hear this event begin. What do you say? Will you honor us with your presence, Nico?”
Nico replied with exuberance. “I accept your invitation gladly,” he said.
Marco raised an eyebrow, “Excellent.”
The Eagle II flashed over Shrine Road through the dome entrance. She skirted the forest between the game field and the castle. Shanna banked the shuttle round to the front. She leveled out and landed on the baily like a seasoned pilot.
Devin and Gonquin were waiting at the foot of the steps. Gonquin pulled off his cape and flung it around Cybil’s shoulders. Devin helped them up the steps. They both showed them to a large room on the third floor next to the King’s quarters where two guards stood. They left them to their privacy, satisfied the guards would keep them secure and safe. They went downstairs to rejoin the guests in the banquet hall.
Chapter 9
_______________________________________________________
NO CAN DO
You’ve got the body
Now you want my soul
I’ll do almost anything
That you want me to do
But I can’t go for that
No – oh - ohh
No can do
I Can’t Go For That
Hall & Oats –1981
The twilight eve of the seventh hour swallowed the shadows on the castle grounds. The sound of laughter spilled through the banquet hall windows. The din inside erupted with an inhale and an exhale like a troll rising from its slumber. Yet, with the coming starlight, a new game was playing. In the ears of villagers was a tap, tap, tap, and a thong, thong, thong. It was the persistent hammering from the dome overhead.
The din inside the castle began to hush. The guests trailed onto the back patio to witness the event. They trailed to the garden patio and to lawn out on the baily. Hundreds of guests were staring at the shuttlecrafts parked on top of the dome.
Kids were jumping out and sliding over the parabolic edge. More guests were coming, drawn by the screaming and howling and laughing. Kids from every known star system in the galaxy raced to join the free-for-all.
The slide over the face of the dome went viral. Marillians, Vallians, Earthlings and Liometos teamed together for the race over the side. Some wrapped in blankets kicked themselves free for the twilight plunge. Some dropped over the side on hover boards to show their mettle then splash into the waters of Shrine Lake.
Tildanfin standing on the back porch looked at Saralil and smiled, “At least we know where the kids are.”
“That’s true,” said Saralil. “The dome has proven itself in the twilight. A good light,” she said reaching her hand in his. She pulled. “Come along Tilly. There is nothing more we can see here. Our guests are waiting.”
“Humm yeah,” grunted Tildanfin. Again he smiled at Saralil. Together they went inside.
Marco and Cybil were refreshed from the ordeal with Lao earlier that day. Standing on the third floor balcony, Marco looked up and said, “Look Cybil.” He pointed at the kids teaming for a daring slide into Shrine Lake. “What business folk and politicians were fighting about is being settled by the kids.” Marco turned to Cybil. Tears were streaming down her face.
She smiled at Marco then replied, “This is what makes my job worthwhile.”
Marco put his arm around Cybil's shoulder and they went downstairs.
They stepped into the banquet hall and were immediately hailed by Tildanfin.
“We should see what he wants, don’t you think?” said Cybil.
Marco was fidgeting with his new Admiral’s uniform. He gave her an awkward smile. Cybil could see his unease with the gold cords around his shoulder. He pulled at his coat. He made vain attempts to straighten the row of medals and the Purple Heart on his chest. “I must confess, Cybil, I can’t think straight in this uniform.”
“You look marvelous,” said Cybil. “Bite your lip. Now let me see.”
Marco had his lip between his teeth.
“Oh yes. You see,” said Cybil. “That’s perfect. Now you look good to the last drop.”
Marco raised an eyebrow. “Now, I know why you’re a prized symbiote. I better keep my eyes on you.”
“Yes,” she said. “Tildanfin’s eyes are on you, and it looks important. We better go see what he wants.”
Marco nodded and they strolled over to Tildanfin’s station. They signed the guest book.
Tildanfin leaned toward Marco. “Legion wants to see you.” he whispered. “He has news.”
“Okay, thanks Tilly.”
They continued their stroll through the banquet hall chatting and greeting. Marco was watching Legion for a break in the throng around his table. Seeing there was none, he took Cybil to the other side of the hall and found a table. As they sat, Cybil spoke.
“Nico is hovering beside Legion.”
“So many new faces,” said Marco. “I’m going to turn-in early. Tomorrow is opening day. We are back here for the annual ball in the evening.”
“I see my staff is here,” said Cybil. “Do you see them next to the orchestra?”
“Yes. Your staff,” inquired Marco. “That’s a first. I hadn’t heard you refer to your lead team as your staff.”
“Yes, there is a lot of responsibility that goes with my job. I gladly share it with others,” she replied as if exhausted from the work.”
“Nico is coming,” said Marco. “Now he can join us for a spell.”
Nico’s course was direct. He was across the hall in seconds. He skimmed their table then hovered an inch from the white linen cloth. He announced himself with a slow glide into the lip of Marco’s water glass. The glass rang out with the chime of fine crystal.
“Hello Nico,” said Marco. “You changed my water glass into a musical instrument.”
“I enjoy playing,” he replied. “The sound is pleasant to make.”
Marco scratched his ear. “Nico, I understand Legion has a message for me. Do you
“Yes, I am to deliver you the message,” said Nico. “The Royal Neptune is in orbit with the convoy. The Liometo Elite is in orbit around the Corsi Star. Legion has made arrangements to synthesize a serum to acclimate the Liometo to the Milky Way Galaxy. They w
ill use Cybil as the symbiote.”
“This will get complicated for me,” said Cybil. “I will have to say; ‘No can do’. You see, Nico, my body chemistry has changed recently. In my condition I can give the initial blood base. After that, you will need donors from the Liometo Elite to distribute the serum.”
“Will that work?” asked Nico.
“Yes, Nico,” replied Cybil. “I have been a symbiote for many years. I have given this matter a great deal of study. My tests prove: It is the only way, in my condition, for the safety of the Elite. The good news, is now the Liometo Elite will have their own kind in the game, so- to-speak.”
“What condition are you talking about,” asked Marco.
“Yes, Cybil,” said Nico with a tone of trepidation. “You were not injured by Lao, were you?”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” she replied. “Those kids sliding down the dome were having the time of their lives, weren’t they?” Cybil looked into Marco’s eyes and smiled.
Marco pointed his finger to the dome overhead and raised an eyebrow.
Cybil nodded.
“Oh,” said Nico with a three-sixty spin. “Now this is marvelous. Congratulations! May I spread the good news to Legion?”
Marco and Cybil stared into each other’s eyes. They sang out in unison, “Sure.”
Nico wasted no time turning Legion’s head with the news.
Legion listened then questioned. With a new shine on his face, he raised his glass to Marco and Cybil. He declared dramatically, “Congratulations you two!” Unwilling to contain himself, he broke into uproarious laughter.
Legion rose from his table. He marched over to Marco and Cybil. With drink in hand he swung his hip onto their table saying, “You two are brilliant. Nico here has proven an excellent choice as centurion for you and your family.
Congratulations,” he continued. “I would give anything to see the faces of the Liometo Elite when they learn of this event. Cybil’s generous aid will be recognized of course. This is wonderful news, Cybil. Finally, these people will have a contribution to make them proud. Like the rest of us," said Legion. “I am very proud indeed. I want to tell you something, Cybil. This news makes my job a whole lot easier, a whole lot easier.” Legion grinned from ear to ear. It was almost creepy, as if he knew something they didn’t.