by SK Benton
Gabriel seemed to really like Max's story of his adventure with the Lykanrol clan, and all were quite interested in Max's new phase 2.5 transformation, finding it unbelievable. Draagh stated that Max would need to shift for him before they left. He wanted to analyze the change and make sure it wasn't an anomaly that would only happen on that world, and possibly figure out a way to avail all lycans with the new transformative phase. Max wasn't looking forward to it, but agreed to do so later in the evening or the following day.
Most impressive to Draagh was Max's detail, recounting how had performed magical surgery and had extracted the Vrol trackers out of the locals. Jennie was simply relieved that Max hadn't taken another woman to his bed. The couple was seated next to each other, with Liliana leaning up against her mother. They noticed that Gabriel was sitting next to Jessica, the two of them engaged in conversation and seeming to get along quite well. Then Bagatelle leaned over and asked Max if they could speak in private, so Max looked at Jennie, who nodded her head in agreement as she pursed her lips and air-kissed him.
"Um, hey, we'll be right back. Azul military business - we need to have a talk," he said to everyone.
Getting outside the bar, and away from the noise, Max and Bagatelle both looked at the horizon that peeked out over the ruins of ancient and once-formidable structures.
"I would call you commander, but I have found the Dominion's structure to be quite informal and loose," said Bagatelle.
"Excuse me, Ensign? Shall I bring you up on charges?" growled Max as he did his best to stare Bagatelle down. Bagatelle looked back unbelievably at Max until he realized the lad was joking, and the two plopped down on the concrete steps in front of Seven Sins and shared a laugh.
"How did you hook up with everyone, Bagatelle? What happened?"
"Well, let's see, I was under house arrest. Len Johnson had taken over the military in a virtual coup, and I was sitting there eating one afternoon, in my underwear, when suddenly Jennie, Draagh and your daughter were sitting in my living room. So, they slipped me out of there and over the Krynos' castle. I trained - hard, and can I tell you, man oh man! I feel like I'm 25 again! But we had to find you. Jennie never quit, and neither did Draagh. Hell, Krynos damn near insisted he come along too, but there was this whole thing where when you come here you lose six months, so…"
"Oh wow, so you guys lost another six months coming here? Draagh changed the topic of conversation, so I forgot to ask."
"Hahahaha, no, not this time. He and Gabriel pulled a smooth move and came through that Hub thing - you know, Draagh's office, and we got here with no time loss. You know, now that we're family and all. Oh crap, sorry. I don't think anyone told you, did they?"
"That you're related to Jennie? Draagh slipped me a hint back in Peru, but he wasn't specific. So, who's her mom?"
"Oh, Carmen? Yeah, she was amazing. I miss her a lot."
"So, why did you guys give Jennie up?"
"Huh? What are you talking about? Give her up?"
"Yeah - for adoption. And then you find her in the military - what was up with that?"
Bagatelle threw his head back with laughter, having just put two and two together.
"Max, we were both orphans. Jennie is my little sister. I'm not that old."
Bagatelle then detailed, in short form, the story of how he was separated from Jennie, how he found her, and how he kept their relationship a secret - even from her, in order to be able to keep her under his command.
"Oh, ok. I totally understand. I always thought the nepotism accords were a necessary part of society, even though it's not like those with power are going to obey them. Like, look at Ryder Johnson. He caused so much damage simply because he was well connected. Anyway, where's Krynos?"
"Look, King Krynos does a great death form on the full moon, but he is super loud, so Draagh and Michael thought it best to simply tell him we were going to lose six months, which he couldn't do as king. He'll probably tell Krynos he did something amazing to avoid losing six months when we get back, and then offer to bring him on the next trip."
Max snickered, fully understanding everyone's desire to leave the kindly, yet loud Krynos behind. The king was built for full frontal assault, not recon.
"So, what do I call you then? Ensign? Luigi? Bagatelle?"
"Same as everyone else - G. It's my nickname."
"Ok, G. Sounds good. So, everyone calls you that?"
"Yeah, except for Krynos. I swear to god, if he ever gets my name right I'll spend a year's salary throwing a party for the kingdom."
"Oh yeah? So, what does he call you?"
"Bagaduci, Baganello, Bagaduster. Hell, he even called me Baganom-nom once. I almost crapped myself. It would have been funny if it hadn't been so tragic."
"How about Bagabolsa," laughed Max, "but seriously, where do we go from here. I know we need to get home, but are you going to help us against the Vrol? Can you help us against them? And what's happening at home - Azul? I was thinking about getting my mother and bringing her to the Rhönen to stay with us in safety."
"Max, Johnson took over and last I heard he was trying to retrofit more ships with hook drives. Jennie told me that his son claimed they had been in contact with the Vrol for quite a while, and that they were attempting to get your ship, replicate the technology and retrofit the old exodus barges for a return to Earth. I guess we'll have to go there and see what's happening. But before we leave, Draagh said that there is something you have to do here. Something to do with going up north."
Max gave Bagatelle a startled look, as he hadn't told any of them that he felt a pull to the north.
"Johnson needs to die, just like his son. I'm sure you heard that Jennie killed Ryder, right?"
"Yeah, and Krynos keeps upping the ante each time he tells the story."
"We can deal with Len Johnson later. So, anyway, I'm glad you're here with us. I'm sure everything will be fine if we work together and plan effectively."
"Max, I was practicing what I was going to say when I saw you again. Now I can't remember a damned word, but I just want to apologize for the way I treated you back in Peru and the way I didn't believe you. Hell, I had a hard time believing even after you guys left, and it wasn't until Draagh, Jennie and Liliana popped into my house that I actually believed 100%. So anyway, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
"Hah! No need, I wouldn't have believed it myself either, G. Hey, wanna beer?"
Getting up, the two cuñados went back into the club and took seats with the clan and family members, being greeted with frosty, cold beers at their seats.
"Papi, I have so many new skills to show you when we get home. Oh, and did you not hear? I went to Azul and we pretended to be normals and I got to swim in the ocean and and… and," the little lycan said breathlessly.
"That's great, Lili," interrupted Max, sincerely wanting to listen to her adventures, but at a time when he could give her his undivided attention. She was so excited to see him that she could hardly contain herself, and both Max and Jennie knew that she wouldn't last long into the night. Pulling Liliana up onto his lap, he looked over to his grandfather.
"Pops, I feel a pull to the north and G just said something about you saying that we all had to go north. So… I guess we're staying here for a night or two, right? My room isn't very big, but I'm sure you can conjure some bunk beds or something, right?"
"No my boy, heh heh heh, no, we shall spend the night in opulent conditions. I have already planned to build something adequate and then leave the construct to your friends here - your friends who have been so kind to you all this time," said the old mage.
Without further delay, Draagh got up and walked out of the club and into the street. Bringing up an infoscreen, he did a deep scan on all of the surrounding buildings. Noting one across the street that was not inhabited, but potentially repairable, he walked to it and set his staff to the ground. What happened next caused a massive crowd to gather and watch in amazement.
The locals had come to
grips with the fact that Max Gunnarsson was a special type of person, but what they were about to witness would make him seem like a restaurant dishwasher.
Parts of the three-story building started to self-repair, as other parts appeared at ground level. Michael and Gabriel both exited the club and spread their wings, flying up and around the building, helping to guide beams into place, themselves using cantuses on other parts of the building. Max took Liliana by the hand and watched as she assisted with proper window placement on the ground-level panes. Impressed as he was with her skills, he couldn't believe that he was watching his father, uncle and grandfather completely rebuild what was turning out to be a hotel; in Hollywood - in an alternate timeline in the 29th century. But then again, they were world builders, and had been around for billions of years. This task was as simple for them as creating a cooking pot would have been for him. He realized he had so much to learn, and wasn't sure if he had the time to take it all in before they confronted the Vrol.
Standing back and admiring his work, Draagh felt something was missing - a bit of pizzazz. Looking over to Max he asked, "My son, should this fine establishment not have a name?"
"How about Seven Virtues? It's the opposite of Seven Sins, and maybe it would be a nice contrast," Max replied.
"That sounds dumb. How about Hotel California?" suggested Jennie, always willing to put in her two cents and never afraid to ruffle feathers. Both Max and Draagh looked at her, amazed at how good her idea was.
Michael and Gabriel moved about inside the hotel, going room-to-room, conjuring basic furniture, making window coverings, as Liliana followed the two, picking up skills in matter repurposing cantuses. By the time they were done (and Liliana had already picked out and decorated her room, which was part of the master suite) there was a massive street festival out front. Lennie's band had moved the stage to the street, and Max had helped to create an outdoor bar for Seven Sins. Sitting at the bar with Jennie, he listened to her stories of the castle and of her attempts to find him.
"So, you didn't see Councilman Johnson when you were there? Probably for the best," said Max.
"Yeah, we only had a bit of time, and I didn't go to see Becky on purpose. If she had accidentally opened her mouth and said she had seen me no one knows what Johnson's government would have done to her. You and I are both on the Most Wanted list, as I am sure G also is now."
"When we go back, we'll have to work out of a secret base, possibly not even on Azul. I just met Michael and Gabriel for the first time, and I'm not sure we can count on them to help, but I know that G, Draagh, you and I will be in the thick of things," Max added.
"Sweetie, there are a great number of people still loyal to G. In fact, he has been in contact with Lt. Commander Alicia Vasquez, who is the leader of the underground. Johnson has been pushing propaganda saying that the Artusians are friendly and preparing everyone for this wonderful, intergalactic love-fest."
Max gave Jennie a blank stare, never having known Vasquez, but knowing that the government had consistently referred to the Vrol as the Artusians.
"Who is this Alicia Vasquez?"
"Honey, she was G's second in command - and his lover," Jennie added, blushing.
Max was about to talk about love with the love of his life, when Dons and Pandy approached.
"Oy mate, this looks fantastic and all, but how you gonna keep all the riffraff from polluting the place up once yer gone?" asked Dons, while wearing a concerned look in his one eye.
"My good man, it is not for us to maintain. No, no. It is for you and your people," Draagh interjected, having just arrived at the bar. "I only ask that you use it to help rebuild your community."
Dons garnered a look of unbelieving amazement as he scanned the building from end to end. It had a nice, green neon sign that displayed Hotel California in cursive script, a double-door entrance, a restaurant area, complete with a fully-stocked kitchen (where Jessica already was, being assisted by Gabriel), a smaller, more casual bar, a reception desk, and of course sixty rooms, each one having its own full bath and toilet facilities.
Inspecting the interior, Max and Jennie went to the master suite on the top floor, finding a king sized bed, luxuriously appointed with plush comforters and pillows. Max had been sleeping on a wooden floor for the past days, while Jennie had basically been sleeping alone, or with Liliana.
"A room befitting a king and queen, I would say. Would you not agree?" asked Draagh, as he entered from the hallway.
"It is beautiful, pops. Who's sleeping here tonight?" asked Max
"Why, you two, of course. I would imagine that after so much time apart the two of you…"
"Shut up, Draaaaagh! Don't get all creepy! We get it!" growled Jennie, but followed up with a meek, "But thanks. We appreciate it."
"Trust me, Jen, I would love nothing more than to lock that door behind us for a solid week, but we are probably leaving tomorrow and we should say or goodbyes, shouldn't we?"
Jennie looked at her husband's greenish-brown eyes, knowing he was right. There would be plenty of time later in the evening for renewing their wedding vows, as Max had jokingly referred to it earlier. The two went down the stairs while holding hands like teenagers, just happy to be together again.
The street festival was in full gear, and thanks to Draagh's extended frequency transmitter, the Vrol were repelled to an even further distance, keeping them sufficiently far away so as not to cause any problems. Vampires, lycans, nekos and normals milled about, with the nekos mostly attempting to ply their wares. Jennie and Bagatelle still found it odd to be in the company of friendly vampires, but Liliana thought it was cool, as she put it. Children were always the ones most accepting of change.
Pandy and Dons were dancing in the crowd, as Lennie pounded the drums on a song featuring Jelly on vocals. The band was in great form and the crowd was going crazy. Jennie and Max joined them, along with Liliana, who was doing her best to imitate Dominion soldiers on the dance floor. Draagh looked down over the crowd from the main suite balcony, having determined that he would repair the local streets before they all left. After all, it wasn't the fault of anyone there that the streets could barely even facilitate a motorized vehicle.
As Draagh watched the throngs of revelers his sons joined him - they had performed an ample amount of work, and both felt relatively good for it.
"Father, I believe we are done with the rooms. I have to tell you, it is so much easier to do this at full power, rather than build everything by hand," said Michael, with a bit of relief in his voice.
"Perhaps one day I shall take a sabbatical and live life as a human," exclaimed Gabriel.
"No Brother, you really do not want to do that, or if you do, at the very least retain some of your abilities."
"We shall see, Brother, we shall see," responded Gabriel, as he watched Jessica float around the dance floor.
###
"I think he likes you!" Pandy said to Jessica, after the former had gone to the dance floor perimeter.
"Huh? Like how? Like me? He's an angel - does he even have bits and pieces?" asked Jessica.
"Of course he does, silly! How do you think Max was born? Michael is his father."
"Oh yeah, you're right. And Gabriel is pretty cute. I think he knows how to cook, too. He seemed pretty familiar in the kitchen of the new building."
"Oh wow, a kitchen too? Is it nicer than in the club?"
"Oh my god, yes!" exclaimed Jessica, "the club kitchen is like a toilet in comparison."
"Speaking of toilets, have you seen Adam lately?"
"Yeah, he's trying to have a battle of wits with Marko. He knows he can't beat him physically, so he is talking big while Marko growls. I guess he wants to make sure that Marko's sudden change of heart and decision to help out doesn't push him further back in the hierarchy."
"Poor Adam. He's such a tool. And he has such a crush on you too!"
"Shut up, Pandy! He's so gross. I mean, it's not that he's ugly - it's just that he is so full of
himself. I like intelligent men of action, not big-talking bullshitters."
The band finished a song and immediately went into a slow ballad. Jessica and Pandy were watching the crowd when Jessica looked up and noticed only Michael and Draagh on the new balcony. Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, her heart jumped as Gabriel was standing there with a pleasant look on his angelic face.
"I am not accustomed to dances of this timeline, but I would be honored if you would spend the few minutes of this song with me," said Gabriel, as he bowed slightly.
Jessica gasped lightly, not being one to dance much, either.
"Um, sure, but I really don't know how to."
"Then, why don't we just pretend?" asked the archangel, wearing a mild grin.
Taking her by the hand, they both moved a few feet out into the crowd, as Pandy floated back out to Dons. Gabriel put his hands on Jessica's hips, as she rested hers upon his shoulders and the two swayed lightly to the song. It was the first time the archangel had danced with a human in nearly 3,000 years.
"Oh gawd, Jen, what happened to all of the wedding preparations?" asked Max, slightly alarmed as he remembered he had been away for six months.
"Oh, don't worry about it, hun. Everything is in storage, and Krynos said we'll have the wedding as soon as we get back."
"I'd like that, although I think Krynos didn't like my tuxedo very much. Hey, look - Liliana's about done for the night."
"You're right sweetie, he didn't. And neither did I. It's just that I just didn't want to say anything. Maybe you could wear your Azul commander uniform? It looks soooo sexy on you. I remember seeing you in it for the first time - my knees almost gave out."