THE VROL TRILOGY

by SK Benton

  "I'm rapidly healing. My sense of smell is great. What's next?"

  "I need for you to concentrate, my good man. Visualize phasing to your death form. Have no worries - if something goes wrong I can immobilize you quite easily," stated Draagh quite confidently.

  Bagatelle sat and closed his eyes. At first he saw nothing but random imagery, like anyone would see if they closed their eyes and tried to concentrate. Then, he focused deep inside his mind and saw darkness, and in the middle of that darkness he saw a white orb. As the object became more apparent he saw it was a moon. Not the moon of Earth, but a moon nonetheless.

  Then it started - the pain. He nearly panicked, but heard Draagh in his head, calming him, telling him it would be all right, and for him to eat the pain - to go with the flow and just let the change happen. The change was just as painful as when he phased under a full moon, but this time it was not as long because he didn't go through a full transformation. After less than two minutes Luigi Bagatelle stood in the middle of the street, looking down at fury, dexterous hybrid hands/paws.

  "My son, are you with me? Respond mentally, please."

  "Yes sir, this is… amazing. My senses are going crazy. What do I look like?"

  Draagh conjured a large mirror, floating in front of the lycan ensign/former rear admiral from another planet. What the man saw would have been shocking had it not been so amazing. He was nearly in his phase 3 form, but still bipedal. Bu the best part of it all was that he was in control. He maintained his sapience - his humanity, and now had nearly all of the advantages (and unfortunately a couple of disadvantages) of his death form.

  "Am I still affected by metals in the platinum group?" asked Bagatelle.

  "I am not certain, my son, and there is only one way to find out," Draagh responded verbally as he tossed a coin to the lycan. Bagatelle momentarily grasped the coin, then dropped it, as if he had been shocked.

  "Well, what happened, Luigi?"

  "It stings, but it's really not that bad. Like when I am in battle form."

  "Try speaking to me. I would like to hear your voice."

  "Rurrrr, Draaagh ish difkelt t' shpeak," Bagatelle choked out with some difficulty.

  "Ah, it is difficult to speak. Very well, then - we shall need to accelerate your mother tongue lessons, as well as for Max and Jennie," Draagh said, referring to the language that all sapient phase 3 lycans used during the full moon. It would be even more critical now that they had discovered a way to get near death form.

  "Let us depart back to the Dominion, my friend. Please stay still."

  Draagh used a direct slip this time, as they were in the middle of a street. In a matter of seconds they were in front of Krynos' castle.

  "Max, Jennie, please bring King Krynos out to the front of the castle. I have something for you all to see. You may also bring young Liliana and Donus if they are available," Draagh said over the comm.

  Max didn't even bother walking. He grabbed his wife and daughter and slipped to Krynos' throne room, where the king was conveniently having a conversation with Donus. After a momentary explanation, Max had slipped all five of them out to the grounds in front of the castle.

  "Herrooo," said Bagatelle, trying to be humorous despite the fact that he looked like a near-lethal hybrid beast.

  "Bagacoco! You have succeeded in the transformation! That is most excellent!" bellowed the thousand-years-old lycan king.

  "Yes, these are indeed good tidings for all in the kingdom, and especially for Max, Jennie and Bagatelle's world," added Donus.

  "Very cool, I agree. Where did you guys go to?" asked Max.

  "First, to your ship. He maintained skills and senses. Then we slipped to Hollywood, but the one of your timeline, where he tested his healing - all worked well. It was there that Luigi transformed to his new phase successfully. Oh, and you should really have a look at it sometime in the future. It is different, yet similar to the place where you were stranded," Draagh stated, but with a touch of sadness to his voice.

  "Yeah, let's not mention that part to Jessica, ok?" Jennie said bluntly.

  "Hey! I was just thinking of something. Draagh, you saw how I transformed, and now we know that G can do it also. It's a given that Jennie will do the same, but did I tell you that I maintained semi-sapience when I went phase 3 in the full moon back in Hollywood? It wasn't right away, but a while later I started to regain my senses," Max said excitedly.

  "Ok, and how does that affect you now, hun?" asked Jennie.

  "Well, during the next full moon I'll see if I can maintain full sapience from the gate. If I can then I can help with guard duties and not be locked up in a cell, right?"

  "No, my boy. Sadly it is not done that way. Too many times in the past have our family members achieved sapience of a temporary nature. They soon reverted back to their mindless savage forms and went on murderous rampages. No, my boy, you have to stay in a cell for at least seven moons without incident. Once you have done this you shall be able to roam free."

  Krynos was very serious when he said that. He knew, sadly, from experience what can happen when a phase 3 loses sapience. It happened to his wife, and he was the one who had to put her down. It was for that reason he never again remarried.

  "Aww, sowwies Maxie-luv," Jennie said sarcastically, "I only have two more moons and I'm freeeeeeeee!"

  Max rolled his eyes at Jennie's comment, and then watched as Bagatelle transformed back to his day form, resuming a human shape once again. Once done, he looked down at himself, pleased with the transformation.

  "And I didn't even have to change my clothes!" he said cheerfully.

  "We'll be able to wear full battle gear during missions," said Max.

  "Oh but my good man, you already had that ability! Your grandfather long ago made a wonderful bit of magic that basically transforms our clothing into a collar when we transform on the full moon," said Donus, slightly surprised that Max hadn't remembered that, but then again, the young lycan was never given any such item for his own personal use.

  "Oh yeah, that's right. Well, we'll be looking super-slick, all wolfish and well-dressed," laughed Max.

  "Yes, but we do need to master the mother tongue," said Bagatelle, which made Max cringe a bit. He hadn't even begun to make a real attempt at learning it.

  "Yes, yes, of course! There will be plenty of time for that later. Right now, we need to finish preparations for our short trip. I would like everyone to meet in front of the castle, in the usual location, in one hour. We shall depart from there," commanded Krynos.

  "Old friend, are you going to deny an ancient king the opportunity for a bit of off-world travel?" asked Krynos, fully expecting the opposite response.

  "My dear brother, of course you may accompany us. But please know, that until you have received the anti-protein synthesis inhibitor vaccine you shall be basically powerless on any other world," said Draagh, and he looked at the inside of Jennie's arm, noting no adverse reaction.

  "In fact, why don't I administer your treatment right now? It has worked well for Luigi and Jennie, so I see no reason why it would not for you."

  Krynos nodded and rolled up his sleeve, offering his massive trunk of an arm to his friend of many centuries. Draagh painlessly provided treatment, to which Krynos comically winced when the needle first pressed against his flesh.

  "Young Liliana Gunnarsson is to accompany us also, no?" boomed the lycan king.

  "Yes, she is gathering her gear right now, my king. Why do you ask?" said Jennie.

  "Should she not receive the treatment also? She is a formidable warrior, and for her to not have complete command of all her faculties would be putting her at a great disadvantage, would it not?"

  "Um, she's only eleven years old, sir. She hasn't even had her first change on the moon," Jennie responded.

  "Jennie," Draagh added in a very sincere manner, "King Krynos is actually correct. This serum does nothing but enable enhanced potential on worlds with differing frequencies, and as Liliana is lycan
it would be the genetic equivalent of a temporary handcuffing if we were to deny her those abilities with which she was born - she truly depends on her enhanced senses and strength. Besides, as she cannot even achieve battle form, there is no chance she will be prompted to phase to the new form for which we still have no name."

  "Ok, whatever, but you had better not mess my daughter up, or I'll have your ass hanging out to dry in… what do you call it? Purgatory… entendido?" cautioned Jennie.

  "New name… yes, that is true. There is no name for it. We cannot simply call it 2.5. It needs a name, and it must be dramatic!" decreed Krynos, interrupting Jennie's rant against Draagh.

  "Battle Form 2!" suggested Bagatelle.

  "Assassin Form!" said Jennie.

  "Gegrillte hähnchenflügel!" crowed Donus.

  "Huh? Grilled chicken wings? Whaaaaaa?" exclaimed Jennie, completely confused. She had learned quite a bit of the ancient German language in her time in the Dominion, so she was familiar with the term. However, it came at a most unexpected moment.

  "No! They are serving gegrillte hähnchenflügel in the main dining hall, and I am so hungry! I love them, especially since young Max created the burning sauce… what is it called?"

  "Buffalo sauce," Max said laughingly, "Old-Earth recipe."

  "Ok, so back to the name. How about Fere Plenum?" Draagh said, trying to get everyone back on track.

  "What does that mean?" asked Jennie.

  "Almost full, in ancient Latin," said Bagatelle.

  "Fred," said Max.

  "Fred what, my dear boy?" Krynos inquired.

  "Let's call it Fred - just Fred, or Fred Form," Max returned, totally deadpan.

  "Max, you know I love you more than life itself, but that has to be the stupidest, most retarded sounding name for anything I have ever heard in my life."

  "I agree, Max," said Donus, "that name is most unbefitting of such a powerful transformative phase. I believe that Jennie's label is best - Assassin Phase. All in agreement?"

  Everyone said a toneless "Ay" in unison, including Max, who was desperately trying to keep from bursting out with laughter.

  Liliana entered the room, carrying a backpack large enough for an excursion of at least a week.

  "Lili, sweetie, we are only going for a day. Why so many provisions?"

  "Mami, we may become stranded, and from what I know of the world of your birth, we will need to hide, so I have packed provisions for a team of five for at least a week."

  "Liliana, we have magic on my world now. In fact, you will also," Max said happily.

  "What do you mean by that, Papi? How is this possible?"

  Before the little lycan could ask any more questions, she felt a quick, sharp pain in her upper arm. Yelping, she turned to see her great-grandfather turn away from here, carrying a syringe in his hand.

  "Grandfather, what was that?" she asked, sounding almost betrayed.

  "My dear, it is how you shall be able to use your budding magical skills while on the world of your parents. In fact, on any world from now on," responded the old mage, "so, shall we gather our team and be off?"

  "I'll go get Jessica. She's on the training pitch," said Jennie, as she darted out of the room.

  "And I shall call my sons. They shall arrive momentarily," said the eons-old Primulus, as he brought up his infoscreen and silently summoned his old companion, Socrates.

  Within twenty minutes the entire team was assembled - Draagh, Max, Jennie, Liliana, Bagatelle, Michael, Gabriel, Jessica and Krynos. Donus was staying back to care for matters of the kingdom while his liege was off-world. They were first going to Machu Picchu, in the 29th century, and then to Azul - across to another part of the Milky Way Galaxy.

  "Good afternoon, my Lord. It is good to see your kindly visage yet again," Socrates stated in his usual monotone voice.

  "Good morning, my ethereal friend. Today is a special day," stated Draagh.

  "Yes, my Lord. Master Max has inherited his ghanlo and shall use it for his first 4D slip. I can assure you that I will be with him during his entire journey. Query: Where is our first destination?"

  "My ship in Peru, please. I would like to succeed where I failed before. I'm sure you can understand, Socrates," Max said, carrying a hopeful tone in his voice.

  "Yes, of course, Master Max. Query: Who shall be travelling with you?" asked the sentient computer.

  "Max shall be transporting everyone, Socrates," Draagh stated quite authoritatively.

  Max followed his grandfather's instructions to a tee, as Michael slipped to their side and Gabriel and Jessica walked across the drawbridge and quickly joined with the group. He brought up his infoscreen and typed in his predefined coordinates; albeit with a bit of prodding from his computerized assistant. Moments later, he called everyone to gather around him. He looked around at the group, and there was no doubt that if anyone saw them they would believe it was an attack squadron. Everyone person was dressed down in battle leathers, sporting various weapons, including, but not limited to Japanese katanas, short knives, stinger pistols, grenades, a mace, and of course Draagh's massive staff.

  "Ok, everyone - ready?" asked Max, as he pulled his katana out of its sheath and pointed it to the soft earth. His sword vibrated slightly as it emitted a beautiful, blue glow. Then the typical 4D slip sphere of influence developed and grew out one hundred meters on either end, and in a concussive flash the entire group was gone, minus Socrates, who was monitoring their trip.

  Everyone stood in place, at the ready, looking around, but all they heard was the chirping of birds. They were in an overgrowth of jungle foliage, and as Draagh waved his hand, a very run-down, dilapidated space transport appeared to their north - The Machu Picchu.

  "Oh wow, it's even more of a piece of garbage than I remembered," said Jennie sarcastically.

  "Hey, it did its job, Love. Got me here, where we met."

  "And you nearly killed him," added Bagatelle.

  "Papi, I really do like your spacecraft. Will we go for a ride in it one day?" asked Liliana sweetly.

  "So Max, this is your space ship?" asked Jessica, looking the craft over with the utmost in curiosity, "I think it looks pretty cool, well, considering I've never seen a space ship before. Does it have a toilet? I really didn't have time to go before we left."

  Max pulled a key fob out of his pocket, and pointed it at the cargo bay door on the back of his craft. The door silently lowered as the lycan commander walked toward it.

  "Jess, up through the cargo bay, left side. Sign on the second door says Head. And yes, Lili, we will one day soon, but first you need to meet your grandmother," Max instructed her.

  "Success, my son! Excellent work! Now, from here, we split into groups," Draagh blurted out with great enthusiasm.

  "Hey Pops, why are we splitting up? Max did such a great job getting us here already," stated Jennie.

  "We are actually going to two different locations," said Draagh, "because Max is retrieving his mother but Bagatelle is taking a group to Vera, being as he knows the moon better than anyone else."

  "But how will we stay in communication? Our comms won't work across million of miles - Vera doesn't orbit Azul," exclaimed Max.

  "Oh but they shall, my dear boy. Yes they shall. I have enhanced our comms, enabling Socrates to function as a communications relay from the Hub as you greet your mother and we search for a proper base of operations on Vera. I would sincerely love to see the look on your mother's face when you show up, but I can only imagine her shock at seeing such a motely crew at her doorstep. Yes, I believe this way is best."

  Max looked at his father, figuring he probably looked exactly the same as he did the last day he and Max's mother had seen each other.

  "Michael, will my mother remember you?"

  "No."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Absolutely."

  "Like, no chance at all?"

  "No. None at all."

  "Then would you like to come with us to Azul, or go with Dra
agh and everyone else to Vera?"

  "I am going to Vera," the archangel said flatly.

  "What are you afraid of, then?"

  "I fear nothing, Max."

  "Max, my dear boy, it is fine. Michael shall be a great help on Vera," said Draagh, placing a hand on the shoulder of the newly-minted lycan/archangel hybrid, "and you should concentrate on not shocking your mother. You will need to ease her into your new existence. Have you considered how you are going to do this?"

  "No, not really. I was just going to basically knock on… her door?"

  "Really? Max? Really? That was your plan? We're going to meet your mother and you can't come up with something better than that?" asked his wife, with a good deal of incredulity in her voice.

  "Jennie, that might be the best course of action, as I am relatively certain we are all wanted by the federal authorities," said Bagatelle with a touch of concern. "They very well could have all of us on holo-verts throughout the continents."

  "Actually, that's what I was thinking. I wanted to maintain a partial invisibility cantus around us so anyone opening the door of the family home would see us, but no one else outside that area would."

  "That would be an excellent idea, my son," responded Draagh, pleased with Max's idea.

  Jennie stood there, looking like she had a lollipop taken away from her. She loved Max and was happier than anyone he was back, but she still maintained her competitive nature and it always seemed like he came out on top.

  "Mami, I believe that Papi has a very sound idea. I shall guard the perimeter when we arrive at grandmother's home," Liliana said while drawing her smaller version of a katana, looking a lot like a small ninja from centuries past.

  "That's ok, Lili. I think we'll be just fine. Plus, I really want my mom…erm… your grandmother - to meet you without a sword in your hand. She comes from an academic background and was never very comfortable with weapons."

  "I am perfectly fine with that, Papi," responded the young lycan resoundingly, putting her sword back into its scabbard.

  "Very well, then. Are we all ready?" asked Draagh, looking around at the assembled team.