by SK Benton
"Maybe you, or we, could ask Max to amp up Dons' sword even more? I mean, I do care for him, but I need to see more. And you never know - maybe he'll change his mind later on?"
Gabriel went to the girls and set down at their side, uncharacteristically putting his hand on Jessica's knee, but looking at Pandy.
"So, have you decided what you would like to do? We must leave soon, and there is much to accomplish."
"I'm going. I just don't know if I should say anything to Dons, leave him a note or just leave," Pandy responded sadly.
"You should talk to him, sweetie. Just do it. It would be unfair otherwise," advised Jessica.
"Ok, I'll be right back," Pandy said.
Popping up and walking towards the door with purpose, Pandy steeled herself and approached her lover, noting he was quietly observing the comings and goings of the locals. He had Adam and Marko across the street, manning the hotel bar and renting rooms out. One of the good ideas that Adam actually brought up was to rent rooms out by the hour, which helped Dons' nekos out immensely.
"Heya hun. All good?" Pandy asked meekly.
"Yeah, I reckon. So, when are ya leaving?"
Pandy got a surprised look on her face and gasped lightly.
"You… knew? How? I mean, I hadn't said anything yet."
"Oh love, it's obvious. And I know you miss Jess. You girls are like two peas in a pod. I canna really tell you to stay, although I wish you would. And that's mostly for selfish reasons - I depend on you and Jess both for backup in fights, but maybe it's time I build another team."
"You could… come with us, you know. Jessica says it is amazing over there. And we wouldn't have to scrounge for supplies, or worry about demon attacks or asshole lycans tearing up the club," she said with total sincerity.
"But Pandy, if I went with you I wouldn't have the club, or anything. You see, this is mine, and if I leave it I'll lose it. You know how it works here. Tell ya what, I'll keep it in mind, ok?"
"So you won't be mad if I go, but just for a while?"
"Not at all. Just promise you'll come back safe, ok?"
The two sat walked in through the club and went up to the roof, where they could get a nice view of the sunset over the Santa Monica Mountains a few kilometers behind the building.
After the sun had finally signed off for the day they went back downstairs. Lennie's band had been playing requests, mostly coming from Krynos, who had acquired a song list from Max before leaving the Rhönen Dominion. Then, walking over to the couch where Gabriel and Jessica were seated, Pandy turned around and kissed Dons on the cheek, and then faced her friends.
"Ok, let's go. I just promised to come back safe. Oh, and can we ask Max for that favor right away too, Jess?"
"Sure hun, no worries. We'll go see him first thing," said Jessica. Then looking at Dons she asked, "Are you really ok with this, boss? I mean, it's just that this is such a great opportunity for learning and growing."
"I'm sure. And I'll be fine, girls. Still got the clan, and you know Cassandra will watch my back. Hell, maybe I'll let her bring Minnie over. Seems her little sis has really enhanced vision ever since Max healed her that day."
"Well, I am afraid we must depart at this time," said Gabriel while conveying no emotion, which was typical for him. "King Krynos, we depart now."
The lycan king was swaying side to side with the rhythm of the music. He never thought he would like the ancient music, but he did, and he had Max to thank for it. Waving to goodbye to Lennie, he turned and walked out of the club with his companions. The group gathered into a circle, with Dons standing off to the side. It was at that moment that Gabriel did something amazing. He reached out and conjured a staff, similar to Draagh's. But that wasn't what was so cool - it was that a bracelet on his right hand turned into what resembled a snake, and then slithered over his hand and melded into the staff.
"What was that?" gasped Pandy.
"That, young one, is my ghanlo. I usually keep it in a bracelet, but can embed it wherever I please. I simply feel like carrying a staff right now. Plus, I rather like how Father stamps his into the ground when he performs a 4d slip."
"Oh, ok. Cool," the young lycan said as she smiled and waved to Dons.
Within a second they were gone, out of that dimension and in another part of the galaxy.
Dons looked at the spot where they were just seconds before. Then, he simply turned around and went back into the bar and started performing an impromptu breakage inventory on his liquor - as if nothing had happened.
Chapter 30 - Inoculated
Krynos strode up into the courtyard and headed directly to his quarters. Pushing his comm he called out to Max.
"Commander Gunnarsson. Are you in the castle or at Vera Base?"
"Hi King Krynos. I assume you've returned. I'm in my quarters in the castle, assisting Liliana with her schoolwork. Do you require my presence, sir?"
"No, not at all, my son - I just wanted to tell you that I met your friend Lennie. He is a nice young man. I also wanted to thank you for the song list you provided. Lennie put on quite a show with his group."
"Ha! I told you it was better live. Did you enjoy your visit to Hollywood?"
"Yes, quite so. We also brought back another individual who wishes to assist in our efforts to protect your world."
"Oh really? Who would that be?"
"Max, this is Jessica. We brought Pandy back with us, and she is asking when she can see your daughter."
Max laughed in his head, which everyone heard, except for Pandy of course, as she had no comm device at that time.
"Tell her Liliana is in the middle of her homework, but will be able to have a short visit tonight at dinner, after she has taken her bath."
Later that evening, practically the entire team met up for dinner. Seated at the largest table in the main dining hall, they all enjoyed rack of lamb with rosemary and mashed potatoes. Bagatelle was seated next to Liliana, who was beside her parents. Pandy sat across from her little friend as the two mixed excited conversation in between mouthfuls of food. Michael and Gabriel conferred with each other in a language unknown to anyone else, except for Draagh, who was listening intently to Krynos' story of his weaponless defeat of a Vrol flyer, along with Jessica, Max and Jennie.
"So, as I had ample reserves and I had gone to my battle form. I turned around and spied the vile creature as it came out of the sun, attempting to blind me with its angle of descent. But ha! I am lycan, and we have excellent daytime vision. I saw it come at me, but acted like I was ignorant and unaware of its approach. Then, I suddenly spun around and reached out my hand to capture the creature's neck in my grasp. It was strong, oh-ho yes! Quite strong, but no match for me. As it struggled and scratched at my face, I got my arms around its wings and up behind its head, where I clasped my hands together. Bringing the beast to the ground, I put the entirety of my weight upon its back and wrapped my legs around its flailing body. It was then that I knew I had to end our most excellent battle, so I pushed its head down and hard, into its chest, breaking its spinal cord. Once I heard the snap I dug my claws into its spine and ripped it out completely. I then extracted the teeth from its great maw and put them into a bag."
"Wow, King Krynos. That sounds amazing!" exclaimed Jennie.
"May I ask what you did with the teeth you collected?" asked Jessica.
"Why, I gave half to a nice family of normals. The rest I gave to Lennie and his good wife Jelly, in celebration of the new addition to their family."
The lycan woman smiled, knowing that Lennie and Jelly appreciated the gift.
"Lili, may I see your sharks tomorrow?" Pandy asked excitedly.
"I would imagine so, but there are a number of things I believe you must accomplish before we can play," responded the young lycan-mage in a most responsible manner.
"Yeah, sis, like you gotta get your shot," added Jessica.
"My what?"
"Your inoculation, my dear. Yes, we must inoculate you," said the anci
ent mage seated next to Krynos.
"What does that mean?"
"Pandy," said Liliana matter-of-factly, "you must understand that your genetics are slightly different from ours, so in order for you to be able to properly assist in our efforts you will need to be… enhanced."
"Um, what kind of enhancement do you mean" Pandy asked, with a bit of preoccupation in her voice.
"My dear girl, there are a number of skills which you lack. It is not your fault - it is simply due to the fact that your lycan mutation is mild. You only have a bit of enhanced strength and senses. In reality, you only possess roughly 10% of the extranormal abilities that the people of this world enjoy. In order to bring you up to speed you will need to be re-turned and inoculated," Draagh explained, which really didn't do anything to help with Pandy's confusion.
"Returned? Like I'm going back? I'm sorry, I don't understand."
"No, my dear. Re - turned, as in being turned into a lycan as would happen to a normal. It is necessary in order to reintroduce a more potent version of the lycan virus into your system. Then, we shall give you a painless shot that will enable you to enjoy your skills on a myriad of worlds," Draagh explained further, hoping that the girl would start to understand.
"And so, how am I turned?" she asked, but before she could formulate another question she looked at her best friend and practical sister Jessica, who had transformed to her battle state, or phase 2 as it was also called. Baring long canines she smiled at Pandy and said "Hold still, sweetie. This won't hurt… much."
Pandy woke up on a bench, surrounded by everyone. Groggily opening her eyes, she mumbled, "Am I turned?"
"No Pandy, You passed out before Jessica could even perform the procedure," Liliana said with a bit of disappointment in her voice.
"My dear young girl, I believe I shall enhance the inoculation to include all of the necessary components for turning a normal to a lycan, eliminating the need for an inefficient double process."
"Huh?"
"I am going to include the lycan virus and some blood in the inoculation."
"Oh, ok. I guess that sounds good," she said, feeling somewhat relieved.
"Pandy, you so totally passed out it was funny," said her longtime best friend, who had reverted back to her day form while her best friend was unconscious.
"I must agree - it was quite humorous. Especially as you fell backwards and nobody caught you before you hit the floor with a resounding thud!" added Liliana, in her own sinister little way.
"So Jessica, are you like Max now? All wolfy and stuff?" Pandy asked.
"Oh no, sweetie. All lycans can transform at will to their Battle State. We have enhanced strength, speed, senses and bigger teeth."
"Then what was it that we saw Max turn into?"
"The first change you saw in me, on the full moon, is what happens to us all, but we have nice little cells we stay in for a few hours when that happens. When I returned - well, that was completely new, and as far as we know I'm the only one who has done it so far."
"Yeah, we call it Assassin Mode. Jennie made up the title," said Bagatelle.
"Ok, so we can change into other forms. That's cool. What else can I look forward to?"
"Pandy, we have a levels meter readout in our peripheral vision. It monitors health, stamina and strength. And food tastes a whole lot better too," said Max in a very positive fashion, "so don't be afraid. It'll all work out."
"I am so happy you are well, Pandy," said Liliana as she gave her friend a hug and appeared to whisper some reassuring words into her ear.
Everyone except for Krynos, Michael, Jennie and Liliana went to Draagh's study, where he concocted up a new inoculation. He would now have two versions, as he didn't want any adverse affects debilitating a full lycan upon injection due to the introduction of someone else's virus into their system when not necessary.
Pandy sat down on a chair, mildly excited that she would soon join her best friend as a full-fledged lycan.
Draagh turned from his infoscreen and was holding a small syringe in his hand. He had considered playing a joke on Pandy and conjuring a giant syringe as he had earlier done for Alicia Vasquez, but Pandy apparently fainted easily, and he just wanted to get the job done.
"Ok, my dear. Here we go. Please hold perfectly still."
"Will it hurt?" she asked as she squinted her eyes in anticipation of something immensely painful.
"Oh yes, it stings quite a bit. In fact, I had heard that some have been permanently damaged from the pain," Draagh said eloquently.
"Then no way! Do NOT touch me with that needle!" she screamed out.
"Pandy, it's already done," said Jessica.
"Wha? Huh?"
Draagh started to snicker, which prompted everyone to start laughing, including Pandy. That is, until she went suddenly rigid, eyes staring straight forward, gasping in little breaths.
"Oh my god, Pandy! Are you ok?" Jessica cried out, shaking her friend.
"Dear me, it does appear that we have a negative reaction here. I must correct this right away," said Draagh as he went to touch the young woman's forehead.
Before anyone could say another word, Pandy started to moan, and slowly moved her eyes around, with her body completely immobile. Even Draagh appeared to be alarmed, and he had seen much sickness during his eons of existence. But right before his finger made contact with Pandy's forehead she jumped up and screamed.
"Psyche!"
"What the hell?" yelled Jessica, practically in a state of shock.
"Liliana said it would be funny!"
"Oh my god Pandy, Liliana has a morbid sense of humor. You should know that by now," said Max, well aware of his daughter's precocious ways.
"Ok, ok. I'm ready to get serious. What do we do next?" asked Pandy, satisfied that she had her revenge.
"Well, first we need to get you to your quarters, and tomorrow you will start training to learn your new skills," said Jessica.
"Oh, my own room? I thought I would just share with you."
Gabriel and Jessica immediately grew awkward expressions, when Bagatelle jumped in saying, "We are all required to have our own quarters, Pandy. I have your room assignment, so please come with me. You will need your rest, trust me."
"Yeah, I'm out too," said Max. "Gotta tuck the little one in before she goes to sleep."
"Until tomorrow, then," said Draagh, as everyone departed.
The following morning Michael was the first one to arrive for breakfast, which was a simple bratwurst sausage with potatoes and some apples. Liliana and her parents, who sat down on the other side of the table, soon joined him.
"Abuelito, what are your plans for today?"
"Oh, I don't know, Liliana. I will probably go to Vera and continue work on the underground base. But we will need to do some recon on Azul. I'm assuming you will probably like to handle some of that, won't you, Max?"
"I think I've had enough of Azul for the present. Working with Mom and Janice is good enough for me right now. Plus, being with my girls here makes life all worthwhile."
"Max, I have received some intel from Alicia," said Bagatelle, as he entered the dining hall. "It appears that Johnson has a team working on surveillance, and they have managed to see some idiosyncrasies in the vids from your mom's holding apartment and your family home."
"What do you mean, G?" asked Max.
"According to her sources, they believe that you are alive and using some advanced cloaking technology in order to foment rebellion."
"What? That's ridiculous! I haven't tried to… foment rebellion… well, not yet, anyway."
"Max, you know how the government works. They'll gin up all sorts of controversy, and probably even fudge some vids and try to get public opinion on their side," Bagatelle responded.
"Well, why shouldn't they? Johnson somehow managed to suspend the Constitution and he needs to distract everyone from what he's really doing," Jennie added.
"What is it that he is really doing?" asked Michael.
"Then, why do you not simply destroy the barges?" asked Michael.
"Johnson keeps entire families living on them - innocents, in case anyone with a conscience tries to stop his plan," said Bagatelle.
"Oh yeah, that's totally evil," added Jennie.
"Papi, what are you going to do with Councilman Johnson when you have to face him in battle?"
Max had to think for a moment. His first instinct was to skirt around the subject, as Liliana was his young daughter - but she was no ordinary child.
"Well, I am going to kill him, sweetie."
"How will you kill him? Will it be like what Mami did when she killed Ryder Johnson?"
"Hopefully not as messy, dear," Jennie interjected as she pulled Liliana's hair back into a ponytail. "Now go straight to classes. You can visit your sharks during the lunch hour."
"Ok, Mami," said the little girl as she kissed her parents on their cheeks, and then popped over to her grandfather, who she also kissed before jetting out of the dining hall, a small tornado trailing behind her.
"I really wish Draagh hadn't taught her elemental cantuses quite yet," said Max as they heard a series of crashes and screams from the hallway.
"Max, based on what we've learned, it's probably not a good idea for you to go back to Azul right now," said Jennie.
"I would agree, cuñado. Perhaps Michael would like to investigate the happenings on Azul," suggested Bagatelle.
"How about we go together, Brother?" asked Gabriel, entering the dining hall for his morning meal, being followed by Jessica and Pandy.
Michael got a big grin and nodded his head as he dug into his sausage and potatoes. Two archangels tearing around a planet, completely invisible - he rather liked the idea. It would be like the good old days.