THE VROL TRILOGY

by SK Benton

  Nearly every tribal elder seated started to laugh out loud, and one stood and whimsically said, "We would have to change our names then, young one. We are no longer able to run like a bear or fly. The years catch up with us, so we use our given names."

  Max looked at them curiously, and suddenly took into consideration that they were indeed old, even though they were lycan. He figured on that world, although they had extended lifespans, they were not immortal, and that Jessica would one day grow old, as well as Pandy. Dons had the right idea, after all.

  Holding hands with his wife and daughter, Max, along with the rest of the group, followed the elders down a trail, past the large totem pole, and soon encountered a large, wooden structure with ornate paintings on its front. There were also two short totem poles out front that resembled large birds. People of the clan milled about, curiously watching the newcomers; all knowing that they were in the presence of some very powerful beings.

  Delicious smelling smoke wafted in the air, as a small group of children, roughly Liliana's age, ran up to her, giggling and bouncing in all directions. Looking up at her mother, she got the nod of approval she needed, and darted off with the local youths, jumping over fallen trees and quickly disappearing into the dark, green forest.

  "Lili, don't stray too far, and keep in touch via the comm," Jennie thought out to her daughter, conveying more than a touch of concern.

  Max's group, minus Liliana, found themselves sitting cross-legged in front of a campfire, as Jake Williams passed a small bowl around. Everyone took a sip and passed it along to the person to their right, all while continuing to be extremely amused by the ritual. Once done, they all sat for a moment, until Draagh stood up, having decided to address the clan.

  "My dear, dear friends. Even though we had never previously met, I must say that it is indeed quite pleasant to make your acquaintance and be in your company. This all having been said, in a fashion I consider most eloquent, could you please inform us why we just drank chamomile tea?"

  "Yeah, it did taste like chamomile," Max stated accusingly.

  "It is simply a ritual. That is all," answered Jake Williams while wearing a wry smile, "but we would also hope that while we have you here, you might answer some questions from clan members."

  "We would do our best if you did ask," stated Michael.

  "Are there really other worlds? Worlds where man was murdered in his sleep?" nervously asked a middle-aged male clan member.

  "I can answer that," Max said with a touch of sadness. "There are countless timelines that happen concurrently. In my timeline, Earth, this world, was murdered by an alien race from the stars, called the Vrol. We were recently further south in this world, where Jessica here is from, and the Vrol hunt humans for sport, but they never destroyed the planet."

  "Then, if you are from a murdered world, how can you be here?" asked the same clan member.

  "Oh, that's easy. In my timeline, mankind travelled to another world. It-"

  "Has two suns," interrupted a female clan member.

  "Yes, it does. How did you know that?" asked Max.

  "We see it in visions," answered Jake Williams, "and it is where we desire to go. Can you bring us there?"

  "My friends, while we can most certainly transport you to Max's world, I believe you would need to be informed of its impending doom. That alien race, the Vrol, is on its way there, and they only bring death and destruction."

  "Our visions tell us of the world with two suns and two moons. They also tell us of battles in the darkness, but of eventual victory. We love our village, but we feel as if we do not belong here. Like all parents, we seek a better world for our children," Jake Williams pleaded.

  "They could be the first on Vera," said Max excitedly, "and as they are already familiar, to a certain extent, with their lycan abilities, they would be easily trained. They are diametrical to the Azulians who carry the recessive lycan genes and have no idea who or what they are! This could be perfect!"

  "If they are going, then I would like to go also," said Jessica, obviously having made a tremendous decision to leave her clan behind. Gabriel looked at her kindly, and reaching over, took her hand into his. "I have always wanted adventure, and Hollywood is just too darned small for me. So, can I go too?"

  "Only if you promise to help train our forces," Jennie said, "and I am agreeing to this so you will drag Gabriel along with you."

  "Hey, I'm hungry. All this talking and you have some serious BBQ going on outside. What is it you're all cooking, anyway?" asked Bagatelle.

  "Mostly venison," answered Jake Williams.

  The team watched a traditional Haida dance as they ate their food and drank local brew. All except for Liliana, who was running around the inside of the clan house with her new friends, raising more than a few eyebrows as children were not supposed to run around indoors. Individuals from the two groups shared stories, both knowing that they were to share their destinies. Max was happy to know that he was soon to move on, and the Haidas were happy to know that they were to eventually escape their island.

  "So, you see, it appears that your entire village was transported across to this temporal location when the Vrol attacked the timeline that Max and Jennie are from. And now it all makes sense. Apparently it was my brother Marnn who saved you all. That is why his ghanlo took refuge in your most sacred totem when he was banished. In the other timeline, the town of Metlakatla, on Annette Island, was taken over as a temporary base of operations by the Vrol. They then experimented on Ketchikan, destroying the entire island of Revillagigedo. Marnn transported your ancestors here, out of compassion, enabling you to live on this world and realize a small part of your lycan-potential - or as you call it, your ability to touch nature. Now, my friends, thanks to your good stewardship of these lands, I shall soon return to assist in your exodus to a new world. It shall be difficult. Some shall perish, but your bloodline shall continue on a world where you shall live much longer and from there, fan out to the stars."

  The clan elders sat, staring at the ancient seraphim as he babbled on. Liliana had tired of running around and was relaxing on her father's lap as Draagh used his infoscreen to create a holographic map of the galaxy in the center of the clan house's main room. He was showing the Haidas where Azul was in relation to Sol system, as well explaining many other mysteries of the universe. He did find it necessary to inform them that their departure would not be immediate, as he and his group still needed to create their clandestine base of operations on Vera, as well as develop their communications network between worlds. There were still many unknowns that they faced, but the Haidas were more than exuberant in their desire to help.

  "We shall be here to assist when you need us, Max Gunnarsson," said Jake Williams, wearing a glowing smile on his withered face.

  Chapter 24 - Rhönen Reboot

  The sound of crackling lightning echoed throughout Krynos' castle as the away team, plus Jessica and Max, returned to the Rhönen Dominion of the 43rd century. It was night time and raining hard, leaving a slick layer of mud on the ground. Donus called out to the castle guard to hold their fire, having recognized the team's arrival.

  "Lord Draagh! How is it that you are here? Did your mission fail? It has only been a matter of two days since we saw you depart!"

  "Ah, my good Donus. Through good fortune we were able to navigate via the Hub and avoid the time dilation that had so adversely affected young Max," Draagh said, attempting to hide the shame in his voice for having originally lied regarding the length of their journey.

  Max lifted his head and walked out from behind the bulk of the group, revealing his presence to Donus and the castle guard.

  "Ah, Commander Gunnarsson. It is indeed good to see you safe and sound after so many long moon cycles," exclaimed Donus.

  "Heya Donus! Great to see you too! Let's meet up later in the main hall later on. Liliana passed out and I have to get her to her room," Max said with a bit of purpose in his voice, while holding a sleeping Liliana in
his arms. With that, he popped out of view, taking his daughter to her sleep chambers.

  The rest of the group filed into the courtyard where, although it was not covered, no rain was falling. Jessica put her hand out curiously, but it stayed dry.

  "I think I'm gonna like this place," she said happily, looking at Gabriel, who was walking in by her side.

  Everyone entered into the main dining hall, minus Max, who had taken Liliana to her room. Krynos was seated at the high table, but did not greet the group with his usual exuberance. Instead, he waited for Donus to tell him something quietly, which prompted him to stand up. The lycan king got up and walked down the stairs from his table, and moved towards Draagh, showing no emotion whatsoever. He had almost reached the old seraphim when Max crashed into the hall. Max was about to greet the king when Krynos turned to him, held up a waving finger and said, "Not one word, my son. I have need to discuss certain temporal difficulties with my old friend here."

  Jennie got a worried look on her face as she stood next to her brother, whose considerable military experience gave him the wisdom to remain silent.

  "Six months? Six months?" Krynos roared, not having even bothered to take the conversation to a private place.

  "I could not take the chance that you would be stranded away from your kingdom, old friend," Draagh responded with a great deal of sincerity.

  "Oh please spare me your concerns. I am more than certain that you had found a way to avoid losing six months of lost time, even if that actually happened to young Max!"

  "Um, actually, it…" started Max.

  "Shut it, boy! It matters not if you lost time. I was in need of a change of pace, and was willing to take the chance. And you! What have you been doing all this time?"

  Max had never been upset with Krynos before, and was aware that Draagh had deceived the king regarding the six-month lag time, but the old mage could take no great chances with the leader of a kingdom that was surrounded by enemies on all sides. Seeking to distract Krynos and to put this matter to an end, and quickly, Max did the first thing that popped into his mind.

  "King Krynos, with all due respect, leave my grandfather alone!" yelled Max with a tone of authority, as he revealed his wings in a very loud and flamboyant fashion.

  It worked. Krynos shut up.

  "I consider you family, sir. And family cares for one another. That also means that sometimes we must make decisions that are for the greater good. Not risking the kingdom losing you for six months or more was one of those decisions. I stand with my grandfather."

  Jennie elbowed her brother and whispered, "My husband is sooo hot."

  Max had a look on his face that no one had ever seen before. He was staring down a very old and powerful lycan king. He was standing up to a being nearly twice his size and much, much older than him (even though technically Max was from the 29th century, making him 1,400 years old, give or take a decade).

  Before Max could say another word, Krynos broke out into his characteristic smile, and holding his arms out bellowed, "My boy! Of course you are right! And what impressive wings you have… grown. Did you grow them? Anyway! I was merely upset at having been denied a bit of adventure. As king I am never denied my desires, but like you said - we are family, and I believe your grandfather did indeed make the correct decision."

  "Excellent, my good friend!" Draagh interjected. "Now that we have resolved this matter, I should like to introduce you to a traveler who has come to assist us. Her name is…"

  "Jessica. Her names is Jessica, and she is my… friend," said Gabriel, uncharacteristically interrupting his father.

  "Of course, of course!" Krynos answered sharply.

  "My Lord, Jessica was the first person I met when I was stranded in Hollywood," said Max.

  "Holly… wood? What is this Hollywood of which you speak, my dear boy?" asked Krynos.

  "Well, how would you like to hear a really cool story?"

  Four hours later Max was still telling his tale, as he intermixed what he had experienced with what he had learned about himself during his few days (for him) away. Krynos enjoyed Max's tale of melting Sally's head, although he was a bit saddened to learn that many lycans of that timeline were not noble, like those of the Rhönen Dominion (and especially that vampires were friendly sorts). But Krynos was a king who saw much more than his own kingdom - he saw a galaxy that was to soon cry out in pain, while the Vrol stripped, and then melted another planet.

  It was late in the Dominion, but the team felt it was only early evening. Still, they all found it necessary to get their schedules synced with their current location, so all bid the king a good night, as a castle servant showed Gabriel and Jessica to their own quarters.

  Liliana woke up and gently knocked on her parents' door, trying not to make too much noise, but to let them know that she intended to enter.

  "Yeah Lili, come on in. We're decent," groaned Jennie, prompting the little lycan to push the door open and jump up into her parents' massive four-poster bed, handing her mother a gourd of steaming yerba mate.

  "It is so good to be home, Mami. Are we soon to depart for your homeworld?"

  "Yeah, sweetie. We'll be going back and forth. You, however, have to study."

  "Awwwwwwww, but I am needed! I killed a Vrol! How many people have done that, hmmm?"

  "School comes first, love. But don't worry. You'll have plenty of travel opportunities. Things are going to get pretty exciting, but you need to pack that little brain of yours with knowledge, because knowledge is the key to survival."

  "Ok, that is fine. Anyway, I am off to classes. We are to learn smelting techniques for extracting quadrinium today."

  "Have a great day, sweetie, and careful with the heat sources. Meet us for lunch?"

  Liliana nodded her head and kissed Jennie on the cheek, before racing out of the room.

  "She loves waking us up, doesn't she?" murmured Max from underneath a large goose down pillow.

  "You love it, Gunnarsson. Admit it."

  "Yeah, I have lots to love."

  Jennie slid out of bed, not having been nearly as decent as she told her daughter, while Max eyed her appraisingly. He struck the jackpot with her, and wasn't going to take off again, no matter the occasion. Throwing a tank top over her head, she turned around and gave her husband a sly grin as she sipped a bit of mate from the bombilla in her gourd.

  "Max, do you wonder what ever happened to them? The people in Hollywood?" Jennie asked, with a touch of concern in her voice.

  "What do you mean, what happened?"

  "I mean, we are here in the 43rd century. Technically they have all been dead for over 1,000 years, haven't they?"

  "Jen, if you look at time in linear fashion, then yes. They are all gone, but time doesn't work that way. It's weird, I know, but they are probably decorating the hotel right now."

  "And are we going to bring any of them along with us?"

  "If they choose to help, we'll go get them. But first we have a ton of stuff to do. You need to get back to your troops and I have a crapload of stuff to learn now that I have a ghanlo. I'll be able to 4D slip and not get lost and…"

  "You'd better not, brat! I'm going with you everywhere!" squealed the gorgeous dega, as she dove back into her bed, quickly ditching her tank top in the process and wrapping herself around her husband.

  Max looked over at their door as it made a clicking sound, signifying it was secured and locked by a non-verbal cantus.

  Michael, Gabriel and Jessica were in the main dining hall nibbling on some grouse and potatoes when Max and Jennie finally showed up. The three had been attempting to surmise the nature of their next mission, offering up various scenarios, but were actually waiting for Max and Draagh to lead the charge in the decision making process.

  "Morning, ya'll. Has Draagh been here yet?" asked Max.

  "Good morning, son," said Michael welcomingly. "He was here briefly, but he took Bagatelle for some training. He said it had something to do with protein synthesis in
hibitors."

  "That's not training!" cried Max, "that's human experimentation! Jennie, come with me!"

  The two darted out of the dining hall and made for Draagh's study. As they arrived at the room they stopped outside the massive, oaken doors. Listening, they heard laughter from both Draagh and Jennie's brother inside the room. Max calmly opened the door to find the two watching some molecules float around in a hologram. Relieved, but still concerned, Jennie went up to her brother and asked, "Hey bro, watcha doin' here? You don't plan on trying anything crazy now, do you?"

  Bagatelle looked at her whimsically, and then back at Draagh - and then back at Jennie.

  "If you mean trying anything, such as letting Draagh inject me with a serum that would bypass protein inhibitors and facilitate my conscious phasing to 2.5… ummm, sorta. Why?"

  "Why the hell would you do that? Aren't there other, less-important lycans you can experiment on, you old fool?" she cried out.

  "My dear young lady, please define less-important lycan," commanded Draagh, with the opposite of an amused voice. His harsh reaction caused Jennie to immediately shut her mouth, as she looked at the floor, shuffling her feet.

  "Sis, I volunteered. I want to make a contribution, and probably would have been executed by Johnson anyway had you not rescued me from house arrest. It's only logical I be the one to assist. Besides, I trust this old guy." Bagatelle winked at his sister's grandfather-in-law.

  "Well, at least have Michael or Gabriel in here helping to monitor your efforts. Pops, you're too reckless sometimes," said Max with a scolding tone.

  "What makes you think we are not aware of the situation, Max?" asked Gabriel via their comms.

  "But, you acted like Draagh had just taken G to do something you weren't quite sure of!" responded the young lycan commander.

  "As Bagatelle is the brother of your wife, and you are my nephew - the son of my brother, we consider him family. We would not be so careless in allowing our father to wantonly experiment on a lesser being, especially as he has a penchant for the herb," Gabriel stated, hoping to calm Max down completely.