by SK Benton
"Becky, this part of the reason we brought you here. We will need your help on Azul, and I would like to extend an invitation to Josh to be part of my personal technology team. What do you say, Lieutenant?" invited Max.
"Wow, would I ever. But, we're fugitives now, right? I mean, you spirited us away and we're M.I.A in a manner of speaking."
"Don't worry about that. We're all going to be fine. In fact, the first thing we're going to do is set things right with the government. We already secretly command over half the space fleet, and nearly all ocean-going vessels," loudly stated Admiral Bagatelle, as he casually walked up to the family table to greet everyone. Josh's face turned pale as he looked at the highest-ranking officer he had ever seen up close in his life.
Jumping to his feet, he stood at attention and smartly saluted the admiral. "Sir, it is an honor, sir! And….wow, you look a lot younger than I would have….wow…"
Bagatelle chuckled and patted the young man on the shoulder, slightly pushing/guiding him back down to his seat, and taking one beside the junior officer.
"We are not so formal here inside the castle, Lieutenant. Outside yes, but here let's enjoy our meal. I have heard your story and am personally glad you are with us." Bagatelle lifted a hand and called to a servant for his meal - a steaming plate of roasted elk and cabbage.
"Sir, I'm Lieutenant Becky Branson, and it's an honor to meet you also. So, you're really Jennie's big brother? That is so amazing."
Becky had done her duty to properly greet the admiral, and then promptly tried to steer the conversation to the drama-laden tale of how Jennie found out her commanding officer was secretly her brother for so many years before he revealed their relationship.
"Yes, Becky. I already told you all about that," moaned Jennie.
"So, Josh, yes, to sum it all up, I knew about you, and when I found we could do something about your condition we decided to basically kidnap you two. And we have other things to offer you as well," said Max, while wearing a mischievous smirk.
"Um, what would that be?" asked Josh, gaining a wry smile.
"How would you two like to be lycans… like us?" asked Jennie.
"You mean enhanced strength, and all of the other sensory input that comes with it?" queried Josh.
"Jennie," whispered Becky as she leaned over to her best friend, "does it make sex… better?"
"You have no idea, Becks, no idea," sighed Jennie, while giggling with an impish grin on her face.
"I'm in!" exclaimed Becky, raising her hand. "I mean, I can still be vegan, right?"
"I'm in too, and please tell me that we can't be vegan because, baby, I love you so much, but if I have to eat another spinach salad I'm going to start chewing my own arm off," affirmed Josh.
"But… but, I thought you liked being vegan, honey!"
Josh shot his hand up in the air and waved a servant over. "Please, bring me a plate of whatever it is the Admiral is eating." Then, turning to his wife he happily said, "I already feel like a lycan!" prompting everyone at the table to laugh, with Becky even joining in, as she watched her husband devour his meal with a ferocity that made her look forward to when they would be alone later in the evening.
The group finished their mealtime sharing stories of past and current efforts, while Josh and Becky gave details from a scientific perspective on the current state of the military. After finishing their dinner they all went with Draagh to start the next phase of Josh and Becky's soon-to-be very long lives.
"So, all we need is an injection to become lycan?" asked Josh, from where he stood in Draagh's study with his wife, Jenny, Max, Bagatelle and Liliana, the latter wearing an expression of disappointment at not being able to turn the newly-arrived Azulian couple.
"Yes, my boy, that is quite correct. This inoculation will provide all of the elements your body requires in order to make a gentle transformation," said Draagh, as he conjured two sterile syringes.
"You said gentle, so that means we won't feel any pain or discomfort, right?" asked Becky.
"Yes my dear, that is quite correct," responded the old mage, momentarily considering conjuring a vid display of Pandy's feigned rejection to her own inoculation not long prior. He looked at Liliana and noted from her expression that her little brain was ticking, and whenever that happened, chaos usually ensued.
"Liliana, my dear, would you be so kind as to administer the inoculations?"
Draagh handed her the syringes, with her little face lighting up and morphing into a menacing grin.
"Oh, of course, Grandfather! Ok, hold really still. Otherwise you'll turn into a vampire!" she squealed as she jabbed a needle into Josh's arm.
"Oh my god, are you serious? No!" screamed Becky, causing Jennie to jump to her friend's side.
"Lili! Don't do that! They're new here," scolded Jennie, while putting her arm around Becky's shoulder. "Becks, she's fibbing. She just likes getting people worked up," she added, as she glared at Liliana, who was still maintaining a gleeful look of victory on her little face. Then, looking over at Draagh, Jennie saw he was trying desperately to stifle his own laughter.
"I'll take that, young lady," said Max, who then administered Becky's shot in a much more gentle fashion than Liliana had done to Josh.
"Pops, that was totally mean."
"I thought it was rather comical, my boy. Your daughter has an edginess that will aid in her survival over the millennia."
The Mannheims sat down on a bench and stared awkwardly into space, holding hands and waiting for something to happen. Then, after a few minutes, they both started to feel their body temperatures rise a bit. This led to them look at each other and start to nuzzle noses, followed by them kissing. Everyone in the room knew what was happening, and the comfort level was dropping, especially with Liliana in attendance.
"Hey guys, I'm going to get them to their quarters, like right now," said Max, as he walked over and slipped the couple out of Draagh's study. Returning mere moments later, Max's face was blushed out entirely red, an obvious sign that he was embarrassed by something.
"Um, are they in their quarters now, love?" asked Jennie.
"Oh yeah. We'll leave them alone for a while," responded the lycan captain.
"That looked like Ali's reaction when we inoculated her. I don't pity them. It's a great feeling," added Bagatelle.
Max stepped over to Liliana and plucked her comm from her shirt, denying her the ability to listen in as he said, "They were nearly naked by the time we slipped to their room. It was almost as disturbing as it was fascinating. They were that fast."
"Well the inoculation was taken well by both. That is indeed a good sign!" Draagh thought back.
"Hey, that is totally unfair, Papi! I cannot hear what is being said," complained Liliana.
"Oh, I'm sorry sweetie. No, nothing's being said. I just need to check the cantuses on your comm." Max lied to his daughter, and she knew it, but grew a wide and knowing smile anyway. Even she realized that some things were not meant for tender, young ears.
###
Len Johnson opened his eyes, having no idea how long he had been unconscious, nor where he was. Barely able to move his head, he strained to look downwards, noting that his body was immobilized up against a wall by what appeared to be some sort of coagulated slime or mucous. He also saw that there were a number of organic-looking cables attached to his body, though he couldn't feel them. In fact, he could feel nothing. Everything was black in color, so it was difficult to get a bead on location, distance or even if he was upside-down or not. His depth perception was completely gone. Then suddenly, he heard a cacophony of voices in his head - it was chaotic, and confusing. Concentrating, as it felt like a natural thing to do, he tried to gather in the voices and tune them together. It only took a few minutes and he was listening to the Vrol hive mind communicate among itself. Then a most amazing thing happened - it addressed him individually.
"You are now conscious. Why did you come?"
"I needed to speak with you, and
you stopped responding," thought Johnson.
"Vrol need sleep. We were sleeping and you awoke us. Now you are with Vrol."
"No, I do not believe so. I retain my individuality," Johnson thought back defiantly.
"You are attached to us. You ship is now one with us. It will take us to you world more quickly. We shall feed."
Len Johnson, planetary dictator, murderer and traitor to the human race, was now slaved to the hive mind of the most virulent alien species in the galaxy. He closed his eyes and attempted to see through his psionic connection, and managing to get a glimpse of the outside of his small ship, watched as thousands of organic drones worked at integrating his ship with the fleet.
"Oh sharga, they're going to piggyback on my ship to Azul," he thought.
"That is correct. We convey gratitude."
Chapter 4 - Conversion
Deep within the bowels of the moon base on Vera, Michael and his younger brother, Gabriel, sat with two high-ranking Azul naval officers. They had been individually analyzing various senior officers in Azul military over the past few days. It had been more than a few weeks since Len Johnson had disappeared, and Max was getting anxious about the reacquisition of Azul naval forces, so the archangels were doing their best to assist.
The two officers had been involuntarily spirited off their respective vessels, and now found themselves awkwardly staring at two winged archangels - something they had never even imagined in their entire lives. The two, both maintaining the rank of captain, were Topper Stanton and Logan Stor. Despite their rank, neither had a command of their own, but both were second in command of the vessels on which they served.
They both also carried the lycan recessive gene, thus explaining the angelic brothers' interest in the men.
"Can you tell me why we are here, and where here is?" asked Stanton, while carrying an antagonistic tone to his voice.
"It is quite simple," responded Michael, "we are assisting in the salvation of your world, and you both will be part of it."
"Define what you mean by salvation," demanded Stor.
"If we are unsuccessful, then every man, woman and child on Azul and her moons will perish. This is a plan facilitated by your so-called chairman, Len Johnson, who, by the way, is currently missing," said Gabriel. "If we are successful, Mankind will continue to progress and eventually reach other galaxies, where he will join with his brothers."
"His… brothers? What do you mean?" asked Stanton.
"You do not really believe that you are the only intelligent species in the universe now, do you? Please do not cause me to believe that you are simply another ignorant monkey," retorted Gabriel.
"And what do you mean, Chairman Johnson is missing? How is he missing?" asked Stor.
"Logan, this Chairman, as everyone calls him, is patently evil, and is facilitating a planetary takeover and cleansing by a virulent alien race. These Artusians are, in reality, the Vrol, a disgusting insectoid species, created solely for the purpose of wiping out life on entire worlds. Would you like to see what these Artusians really look like?"
Michael was doing his best to be kind to the humans, even though he found their disbelief and questions to be annoying. Taking a cue from the two men's nodding heads, he stood up and said, "Please, do not freak out. This is just imagery."
It didn't work.
Stanton screamed and fell backwards, while Stor soiled his pants as he remained frozen in place.
"Oh my god what the hell is that?" Stanton screamed.
Morphing back to his normal appearance, Michael sat down and attempted to calm the two men. At the same time, Gabriel performed a cantus that cleaned Stor up, the stench being overwhelming, especially for the two immortal brothers.
"Topper, that was what a Vrol ground soldier looks like, and they are the most attractive of the species. You do not want to see their centipedes up close," informed Michael to the captain.
"But what are they?" asked Stanton, apparently not having paid much attention to what was earlier being said.
"I tire of repeating myself, brother. Can we not simply mind-wipe these two?" Gabriel added, causing the two humans to practically hold each other out of fear.
"No, Gabriel. We promised Max, so we shall give them a chance," advised Michael, as he then gave his attention to the two men. "The Vrol simply bring death. But I believe we can answer a question you do not yet have. The question is - what are you?"
"What are we? What am I?" asked Stanton, with Stor nodding in confused agreement.
"Precisely. You both have experienced increased strength during times of stress, have had odd dreams and bite your lips, causing bleeding, especially when you are surrounded by allies from whom you need assistance, am I not correct?" Michael was extremely detailed with his questions, as he had little time to mess around with the two men. He merely noticed as they nodded their heads yet again.
"Gentlemen, you are both of the same subspecies of Mankind, called Homo sapiens canis, and if properly treated, will have amazingly enhanced strength, as well as substantial regenerative abilities. We are offering you these gifts, with the stipulation that you help overthrow Azul Naval Command, and possibly assist with a military coup of the government. You see, Len Johnson has nothing good planned for your worlds. In fact, he has a secret fleet of old Exodux barges with faster-than-light machinery nearly installed. He is facilitating the Vrol's unimpeded arrival, where, once he has departed for Old Earth with his cronies, they will decimate these worlds. The only way to prevent this is to do exactly what we say."
"But how do you know all of this, all of what is happening? Why are two guys with wings trying to lead this rebellion?" asked Stor, causing Michael to get a grin.
Looking at Gabriel, Michael asked his brother to invite their friend into the room. Both of the captains sat stunned, as they gazed upon a rejuvenated Rear Admiral (and soon to be Full Admiral) Luigi Bagatelle as he entered the small, enclosed space. Immediately jumping up to attention, it was obvious where their loyalties were.
"Attention on deck!" screamed out Stanton, as both he and Stor stared straight ahead while saluting.
Bagatelle merely grinned, returned a sharp salute and said, "Hello boys. It's good to see you again. We have a lot to do, so my question is, are you in?"
"Sir, yes sir. I cannot speak for Captain Stanton, but I am in. I felt your incarceration was unjust, and it never smelled right, sir."
"Rear Admiral, I am with you 100% sir. But for the sake of argument, if we were to have refused to partake in this bit of revolution, what would have become of us?" added Stanton.
He was merely being inquisitive, which still annoyed the two archangels, with Gabriel being the more annoyed of the two (as usual), so he interjected, saying, "We would have terminated your existence."
"Exploding heads are our specialty," added Michael
"Oh… I see," responded Stanton, who then gained a wide smile, and continued, "Admiral, I would like to know more of these supposed abilities we will have, sir."
Before either man could formulate a solitary additional word, they were both looking at a very real and menacing-looking phase 2 Luigi Bagatelle who had just morphed to his battle form.
"You are extremely lucky. You both, just like me, are lycan. As you can see, it is not rumor, nor fantasy. It is real, and we are required to save and protect the human race. So boys, shall we get going?"
"Going… where, sir?" asked Stor.
"To the 43rd century. It is there where we do initial training. I mean, we could do it here, but it is so impressive when you meet those who are going to risk their lives for a world of the past."
"World of the… past? 43rd century? I am not quite following you, sir," stammered Stanton.
"You have much to learn, and I believe it best that you learn in a future timeline. Mind you, we are offering you two this opportunity as you are of high rank here. Other, lower ranking individuals will not be offered such an extraordinary adventure. I suggest you not waste it," advi
sed Michael, as Bagatelle nodded his head in agreement with his angelic ally.
###
Bagatelle stood alongside his sister and brother-in-law, watching as captains Stor and Stanton were led away from Krynos' castle's courtyard by some extremely large lycan warriors. The three grinned, not at the men's stupefied expressions, but because they would be incredibly helpful in commandeering the Azul naval fleet. Even though they had no commands of their own, they held a good deal of sway with superior officers due to their good deeds and reputations.
"I think I'll give them their own ships once we get control," mused Bagatelle.
"Whatever you like, Cuñado. I was simply glad to meet someone from the military who didn't immediately accuse me of eating live kittens," said Max.
Jennie leaned up against her husband, remembering when they first met, particularly how within ten minutes of encountering him she had tried to blow his head off.
"People are waking up now, baby. Johnson just went too far, and leadership is waking up. Plus, you're an acquired taste, hun."
Max snickered at his beautiful wife's comments, and looked out across the courtyard as their daughter, Liliana, bounded over for their lunch date. She had been traveling to Vera for morning instruction on computers by none other than Kyle Reynolds, the nephew of Bagatelle's now-fiancé, Lt. Commander Alicia Vasquez. Kyle was an expert-level computer hacker who had been brought onto the team after his parents and siblings were deleted (murdered) on Len Johnson's orders, simply because his father had requested status on his family's place on the New Exodus fleet. Kyle was fortunate enough to have snuck out to party with his friends on the night his house was destroyed, thus avoiding a most heinous death.