THE VROL TRILOGY

by SK Benton

  "So, what are we gonna do, Lili? Have meetings like old people and stuff?" inquired Janie.

  "Oh, no. Quartermaster Ohiro is going to teach us the basics of the crossbow this evening. It shall be most informative."

  Tommy looked at his sister and grinned. The two more closely resembled people of the culture of Liliana's adoptive mother, Jennie, than that of Liliana, as they were both partially descended of the extreme north Amerindians; themselves descendants of Eurasians that had migrated to North America some 21,000 years earlier.

  "You mean a real crossbow that you can shoot?" asked Tommy.

  Liliana gave the boy an almost blank expression. "Yes, of… course. Why would it not be?"

  "And we're gonna learn swords and everything too?" asked Tommy's sister.

  "Oh yes! I believe I went over some of the specifics with you earlier, did I not?"

  "Yeah, you did," said Tommy, "it's just so new to us and everything is hard to believe. Like, how you just appear out of thin air."

  Liliana grinned. She liked it when people noticed her performing magic.

  "Well, now that you committed to our group, how would you both like a little treat?" asked Liliana, gaining a mischievous grin.

  "Lili, we already saw you feed a vampire to your sharks and… woah."

  Janie was in mid-sentence when her surroundings changed, suddenly finding herself in a tree house a few hundred meters from the castle. Liliana had recently built it with the assistance of her grandfather Michael. She became intrigued and wanted one after hearing her father recount stories of the tree house of his youth, and how much fun he had in it. However, unlike Max's, her tree house was magic. It had running water, sanitary facilities and special protections. Best of all, it was invisible to the untrained eye. This was made possible by the same type of cantus used by Draagh to hide Max's spacecraft, the Machu Picchu, in 29th century Peru.

  "Lili! When did you make this?" asked Janie, as she watched the young lycan/mage grin, her brown eyes sparkling in the artifical light of their new environment.

  "This is our new secret hideout. You know, like your cave in Saxman, but we're up in a tree. Here, look out the window," said Liliana, as she moved over and brushed short curtains away from the view portal.

  "Wow. This is so… so," started Tommy, only to have his sentence finished by Liliana.

  "Cool. Yes, it is quite cool. But it is a secret. Do you both understand?" She gave them her typical serious, squinting expression. "No one can see this domicile. We are also quite protected here. My grandfather made sure of it."

  The twins nodded their heads in unison as Liliana opened a cupboard near the window, revealing a hidden refrigerator which contained a special treat - Inca Kola - a carbonated beverage from Earth's past, and brought along on the Exodus to Azul. Liliana's mother didn't care for it, but Max definitely had a taste for the odd, near-fluorescent yellow sweetened drink. The young girl only drank it sparingly, knowing that soda pop, as it was called, was not healthy and was only to be enjoyed on special occasions. And this was definitely a special occasion, as the twins had dedicated themselves to Krynos' Youth Brigade. Liliana now had her first two minions, and they had no idea what was to come their way. Perhaps if they did know they might have left, or maybe not - the mind of a child is hard to map, and is prone to much more rational thought than any adult may ever believe. Janie and Tommy were children of the forest and feared very little, making them the perfect companions for Liliana. Three brave lycan children, one with magical abilities. Trouble was brewing.

  The three tweens sat on comfortable pillows, leaning up against the base of a wooden floor cabinet. The tree house itself wasn't grandiose. Rather, it was quite plain. Four meters by four meters by two and a half meters high, it could only be entered via a 3D slip (being as its owner was a mage), and could not be entered by anyone with vampiric genes nor the cannibal virus. Further, no one could be inside if Liliana wasn't present - unless she willed it and put an override on the protection cantus, which she was able to do. One thing Michael installed in the tree house that Liliana didn't request was a failsafe evacuation button. Large, red and on the wall, it would activate a cantus that took all tree house occupants and slipped them inside the castle (specifically the castle's main commissary) no matter who punched the button. Michael had become protective of Liliana as of late, as had the rest of the family.

  The lycan/mage child flicked her wrist for a bit of effect and made a large, lit candle appear on the floor. She had the curtains drawn, making it eerily dark inside. In reality she could have done anything in there, so making it dark was quite easy. In fact, she knew a cantus that would make the ceiling transparent, exposing the night sky to the room's occupants. As it was designed, it was small and cozy - the perfect retreat for children.

  They sat and slowly sipped their drinks out of tin cups, savoring the indescribable flavor, but that was Inca Kola. No one ever really knew what it was supposed to taste like. Some said it was vanilla; others said it was banana. There were even those who said it tasted like bubblegum. It was unique, in any case.

  "Could we have a sleepover here sometime, Lili?" asked Janie, thinking it would be cool to stay overnight in the small, elevated room.

  "Oh yes! I plan on that. We can have a movie night too."

  "You have a theater? Wow!" exclaimed Tommy.

  "Oh no, Tommy, We do not need a theater. Here, look at this," said Liliana. Waving her hand, she caused cabinetry on the opposing wall to slide on tracks and separate to either side, creating a blank, white space. She then stood up and manually opened two small doors on the wall to her back, revealing an ancient film projector that had been given to her by her great-grandfather, Draagh. He had an affection for archaic, yet functional objects, and had manually rebuilt the projector, albeit with some enhancements.

  "Did the theater in Ketchikan have a projector like this?" she asked.

  "Pretty much, but it was a lot bigger," responded Tommy.

  Liliana moved a switch, causing the projector to turn on and start to spin, immediately showing a movie on the opposite wall. Theoretically this shouldn't have even been possible in the Rhönen Dominion, as electrical components, for the most part, would never work - the electricity they required conflicted with magic particles. But this projector was magical, and was powered by electromagnetic particles and a simple cantus developed by Liliana's ancient Primulus great-grandfather.

  The children sat, wide-eyed and smiling, as they watched a movie called The Bad News Bears. After about fifteen minutes Liliana bolted up, startled.

  "My classes! I cannot be late!"

  Janie and Tommy looked at each other, amazed and a bit bewildered. Just seconds before, they had been sitting on the floor in Liliana's tree house. Now they were standing outside their new living quarters, duffle bags in hand. Just like that.

  "She's fast," said Tommy.

  "Yup. You know this is gonna be a lot of fun, right?" asked his twin.

  "Oh yeah. I can't wait to play with a crossbow!"

  ###

  "My Lord, you called for me?"

  Prime Commander Donus walked into Krynos' offices, due to the king having earlier requested his presence for an undisclosed meeting.

  "Yes Donus, my good man. Please, come have a seat," said the king, as he graciously stood and motioned towards the chair to the front of his massive mahogany desk. The highest-ranking military officer in the Rhönen Dominion took a seat on the large, ornate wooden chair.

  "To what do I owe this pleasure, my liege?"

  "Donus. We have need to discuss… succession. As you know, we are not immortal, and although our lives are long, we can die in battle. So, I wished to discuss with you the--"

  "Max," interrupted Donus. "Max Gunnarsson is the logical successor to the throne, my liege.

  Krynos shot Donus a look of confusion, not understanding why his top military commander would not accept the honor for himself.

  "Donus, Max has only been with us a short
while, and he has his own world for which to care. I know not why you suggest his name."

  The prime commander sighed and lowered his head. He had long known that one day he would need to have this conversation with his king. The Rhönen leader had no children, no heirs, so per the law he was to select his successor. Donus had long hoped it would not be him, so throwing Max into the conversation was merely a stall tactic.

  "King Krynos. I must apologize. I merely suggest the Captain as he is the most powerful person here. Well, aside from his father, his uncle and his grandfather, but they are on a completely different level, are they not?"

  "Yes, I believe they are, but do not underestimate the lad. He is formidable. That being said - no. He will not be the heir to the throne. He has no right, as he is not of this land. You are to be my successor."

  "But my king, why me? Why not someone else? Perhaps a youth whom you could groom to rule properly?" Donus was grasping for straws by this time, knowing he had no more options.

  "Donus, my boy, you have served me, and our kingdom well. Your father also served me, may he rest in peace. But the kingdom has need for a leader in the event I am killed or incapacitated. That leader must be strong, intelligent, fair and wise. You are that leader. I have been alive for over one thousand years, and while I may live for another thousand, I may also meet my end tomorrow morning while sitting in a toilet stall. These are the unknown details of life, and we must make preparations. In fact, I believe I have been quite irresponsible for not having dedicated myself to accomplishing this particularly vexing task for the past few centuries."

  "But why did you not make a selection earlier, my liege?"

  Krynos gave Donus a kind gaze. Standing up, the king walked around his massive desk and put a large hand on the commander's shoulder.

  "There was no selection to make, my son. You are the closest to kin I have in this world, so you are next in line for the throne of The Rhönen Dominion."

  Donus looked up at his king, knowing he could not refuse. He understood that Krynos would only bequeath the kingdom to the one he trusted most.

  "Very well, my liege. I shall not fail you. But at the same time, I expect to wait many centuries before taking on this great responsibility."

  "Let us hope, my son. Let us hope, indeed."

  Chapter 11 - Agreement

  "My dear, I just want to make sure that your friendship with Liliana is conducive to her proper behavior and upbringing. I understand you have the best of intentions, but you are both from different, yet similar worlds."

  Clarisa Gunnarsson was in her quarters having a frank discussion with Pandy Vendetta, regarding the younger woman's friendship with her granddaughter. She was concerned, and for good reason, that the age gap and their mutual lack of sophistication could lead to disastrous consequences.

  "Mrs. Gunnarsson, please, I understand you care for Lili, but you need to know I would never do anything to harm her. But can I ask, what do you mean when you say we are from different, yet similar worlds?"

  "Sweetie, I know you mean no harm. And what I meant was that you both come from - forgive me if I sound demeaning - you both come from savage backgrounds. Savage in comparison to where Max, Jennie, Janice and I are from. And if you think about it and are honest with yourself, where you come from is even worse than here in the Dominion."

  Pandy sat and thought for a moment, and couldn't find any reason to argue. The woman was correct. Things had changed in the past few months for the young woman from Post-Apocalyptic Hollywood.

  "So, do you suggest that I no longer be friends with Lili? How do you think she'll take that? We do fun things together like sew and draw pictures, and she actually teaches me things."

  Clarisa, the former university professor, looked upon Pandy with a kind gaze, knowing the woman had only the most innocent of intentions. She also realized the girl's best friend and virtual sister, Jessica, had taken a different course and now spent most of her free time with Gabriel. That in itself had to be devastating for Pandy, as Jessica was not only her fighting partner, but also her best friend.

  "Pandy, what I am going to recommend is that you go to school."

  "School? Like a kid?"

  "Basically, yes, but a modified version. I have had this discussion with Michael and he said you can attend a virtual school from the comfort of the Hub, in Max's apartment. There you will learn scholastic basics - mathematics, English, Español, science, economics and other subjects. I will assist you - be your tutor."

  "Ok, but why do I need these things if I'm in the military… or will I be… in the military?"

  "My dear, have you given any thought to where you would like to live once we have secured Azul and her moons? Would you like to stay here, in the 43rd century? Would you like to go to Azul with us in the 29th century, or would you like to return to your home in Hollywood?"

  "Oh god, that's easy. I want to go to Azul, of course!"

  "Very well then. Successful life on Azul requires education. You are intelligent, but you need to fill that fertile mind of yours with knowledge - information. In a few years the disparity in age between yourself and Liliana shall wane, and I am sure you will both be the best of friends, but in the meantime, she is learning, as must you. If you think about it, in our group you are the second-youngest person after Liliana."

  "Oh wow, you're right! You know, you’re so pretty and young looking I never really think about it. And Jessica's like seventy-five years old and looks my age, the same as you."

  Clarisa tried not to blush, but was unsuccessful. And even though Pandy's compliment was made with the purest of intent, it did seem a bit manipulative. Clarisa was in her early 60's, but thanks to her lycan genealogy and relocation to the 43rd century Rhönen Dominion, where magic was reactivated, she had basically been restored to what a lycan female of her age should look like, which was the same as a normal female in her prime.

  "Pandy, my dear, we are all so fortunate, and you are a lovely girl. I only wish the very best for you. So, would you like to study in the manner prescribed?"

  "Yeah, I really would. Thank you. But can I ask, just to know, what if I would have said that I don't want to study. Would that have affected my friendship with Lili?"

  "Oh, my dear," said Clarisa with a kind smile, "your friendship with Liliana would have come to a screeching halt. I only want what's best for my granddaughter, and as I am the consort of the Taxiarch, you can bet your sweet ass that whatever I say goes. ¿Entendés?"

  Pandy gave Clarisa a panic-stricken look, never having heard the woman speak in that manner before. But the woman's smile remained the same. She meant business.

  "Y-y-yeah. I understand. Thanks, Mrs. Gunnarsson."

  "Oh please, call me Clarisa."

  ###

  "Where are the troops on this fine day, brother?" asked King Krynos, who seemed uncharacteristically perky. This usually meant that he wanted to get out of the castle and was itching for some adventure.

  "Ah, good afternoon! Come, have you had any lunch yet? Let us eat and discuss the day's possibilities," responded Draagh, seated at his usual spot at the family table in the commissary. It was unusual for the King to eat in the commissary, but not unheard of, especially while in the company of his best friend.

  "Today Max, his father and uncle, as well as Jessica are going to start bringing over some of the Samurai lycans - first to here for orientation and inoculations, and then over to the moon base on Vera. They are starting with a group of a dozen, to keep it simple. Apparently there is some concern that there may be some incompatibility between the Tokyo lycans and those of Rhönen and Azul."

  "I can most assuredly guarantee my soldiers shall behave in a manner most befitting of the Dominion!" exclaimed Krynos, quite loudly too, as a plate of roasted ham and eggs was set before him.

  "Oh, I am sure that they will desire to behave, quite sure, yes," stated Draagh, in his usual redundant manner. "However, it is not so much a matter of social graces as it is of hormones a
nd nature. We shall see what happens, in any case. That being said, would you care to accompany me on a little trip today?"

  "Yes!" bellowed Krynos, slamming his fist on the massive oak table. "I desire some fresh air and adventure. What have you in mind for the day's activities?"

  "I intend to visit Luna and Sienna, the two moons that orbit Azul. Then, perhaps we could have an early dinner at… In-n-Out?"

  "The doubling? Yes! Excellent idea, brother. I have been long craving the delicious hand-held meals."

  The two finished their meals and set off for their first destination, Luna. Of the two Azulian moons, Luna was larger, and a bit more desert-like than its counterpart, which was almost tropical, with its lush forests and green foliage. In fact, Sienna was where the first settlements were built hundreds of years before when Mankind first arrived. The only downside to Sienna was the quantity of poisonous indigenous creatures, of which there were many species. However, modern medical technology easily created vaccines that made all inhabitants immune to the various creatures' toxins, and later on gen mods made the need for inoculations unnecessary.

  Krynos wore a huge smile as he looked around at the plaza de armas in the city center of Santiago, Luna. Even though each planetary body had representation from each of the autonomous countries (with the exception of Vera, which was shared by a composite government - not federal, but of the autonomous states), nearly the entire moon was part of the country of Andina, selected by its Peruvian and Chilean ancestors for its similarities to their countries on Earth - desert coastlines, arid mountains, lush interior jungles and lots of oceans. Their seawater wasn't as beautiful as that of Azul, and more resembled the Pacific Ocean of Earth - dark and murky. However, Luna did have some famous surfing locations - mostly big wave surfing, with up to thirty-meter faces.