by SK Benton
If I can gain control over this ship, I may be able to stop the attacks, at least long enough for a rescue, he thought, believing himself to still be considered the leader of Azul System. He had no idea he was considered a traitor, and would most probably suffer the death penalty when caught.
Ryder, my boy, I know you are out there searching for me. I was foolish to strike out on my own. I only hope you have traced my whereabouts and can come to my aid.
His mind clicked through various systems and subsystems. The first one he was able to control was the waste disposal matrix. He caused it to backflush, pushing millions of tons of putrid insect waste back into the ship's myriad of corridors. Vrol systems immediately recouped and started to suck back the disgusting waste Johnson had spilled out into the ship.
I'll have to be faster than that, but at least I can do something.
He continued to probe the hive mind, taking care not to get caught. His goal was the navigational command center, where he hoped to disable the side space hook the Vrol had coopted from his tiny ship.
###
"Whaaaat? That's Gadreel? One of the Grigori? What the hell does he want? To gloat?" bellowed Max.
"Now, now, my boy. Let us give Gadreel a chance to answer," said Draagh
"Uncle, it has been many millennia since we last spoke, and I come in this form only as a precaution."
"And for good reason too, ass-hat. Otherwise I'd slice you to shreds," said Max, while carrying an ominous tone to his voice.
"And I doubt you not, young Max. Might I say, I have been watching you with great interest, and I have come to have a great deal of respect for you, unlike my brother, Samyaza."
"And how is Samyaza, might I ask?" queried Draagh.
"Angry - still. He has never forgiven the elders for our banishment."
"You have none to blame but yourselves, youngling."
"Youngling? How old is he, exactly," asked Max.
"Oh, around a billion years old, in Earth chronology," responded Draagh.
"A spring chicken, huh? Okay, so tell me, dude, who sent golden boy to my ship? You know, the one I made explode like a cockroach in a microwave?"
"Samyaza sent him. Max, your actions were ingenious, I must say. However, you have also incurred the wrath of my brother and his underlings."
"Oh, I'm so scared right now. See? I'm shaking like a leaf," said Max, sarcasm weighing heavily n his voice.
"Max, Draagh, I come in peace. I believe I have had what one would call a change of heart. What my brother and his minions attempt is not right, and I wish to assist you in the salvation of Mankind."
"Why is that, Gadreel? Why now, after you have done so much damage already?" asked Draagh.
"I was always told that The Hybrid was our destruction - the Mankind resembled us too closely. They were to pave the way for the decimation of all Prīmulī, but I no longer believe that to be true. You were right all along, Uncle."
"Well," said Draagh, "I know that much. But let me ask you this - how can you prove your worth to us? How are we to know that you are sincere in your claims, and are not attempting a ruse?"
The two, plus Socrates, heard a knock at Draagh's door. The ancient one waved his hand, allowing the door to open, and as it did, Gadreel's apparition faded and the men were standing face to face with the real Grigori turncoat.
"I give myself to you, Uncle. Do as you will, but please know my intentions are sincere. Your power is great, and you can easily perform a cantus to control my actions, as you are well aware."
Max looked at the ancient youngling and shook his head in disbelief.
"Indeed I can, and will, give you a control collar. But first, you must prove your loyalty."
"And how may I do that, Uncle?"
"Where is Samyaza?"
###
"Mami, wake up," whispered Liliana. "There is someone strange in Grandfather's quarters speaking with him. Papi is there too. What should we do?"
Jennie murmured lightly as she opened her eyes. It was the first, decent amount of sleep she had in days. She looked at her young daughter and pulled the girl onto the bed, snuggling up with her.
"Lili, let the men talk. I'm sure it'll be alright."
"No Mami! Something is wrong. I can smell it. The man smells similar to Grandfather."
"Sweetie, Draagh has a lot of friends. Maybe he called on some favors and got us some help."
"Oh, perhaps you are right. Anyway, I am quite hungry. Would you care to join me for a meal?"
Jennie groaned and sat up as Liliana bounded off the bed. The beautiful dega reached down and pulled her clothes off the floor. Sliding into her pants, she went for her camouflage jacket when she noticed Liliana staring at her chest.
"Mami?"
"Yeah, sweetie, what’s up?"
"Will I have those one day?"
"Huh? You mean boobs?"
"Yes," the girl responded sheepishly.
"Well, of course you will - when you get a little older. Why do you ask? Do you not want them?"
"Oh no, Mami, quite the contrary. I just hope that when I do have mine they will be nice like yours."
Jennie thought for a moment, and then asked, "What makes you think mine are so nice, honey?"
Liliana gave her adoptive mother a curious glance, and then, with a broad smile, said, "Because everyone stares at them, Mami!"
Jennie nearly started to laugh, but maintained her composure. She was well aware of her admirers, and knew she had been truly blessed on her top end. Looking at Liliana, she realized the little girl was growing up quickly, and would also attract the attention of many boys.
"Sweetie, you have a while yet before you get to that stage in life, but how would you like to learn about makeup?"
"Makeup? Do you mean the way you accentuate your beautiful eyes with lines and color?"
"Yup. You might as well learn now so you know how to do it right."
The two lovely lycans then sat at Jennie's vanity, where the woman showed her young daughter the basics of how to (and how to not) apply eyeliner, neither remembering the reason Liliana why went to the room in the first place.
###
Gadreel gave Draagh a steely-eyed look of confidence and sincerity, as he said, "I could tell you where he was an hour ago, but we have been going to completely random locations."
Draagh nodded, having figured that was the case. "Very well, how involved is Anaita in your brother's efforts?"
"She is in neck-deep, to use a human term, Uncle. She shares Samyaza's views on humanity. I just… I just," he began.
"Just what?" Max demanded.
"Max… may I call you Max? I have been watching you. You've changed my view of Mankind. I no longer see them as a threat, but as our salvation. You see, we shall never change, but you are constantly evolving. I now believe it is true that when your species reaches biological singularity with us we shall advance with you. And you, Max, you are the best that Mankind has to offer."
"Not really. You haven't met my wife."
"Oh, but I have watched her. And therein lies another reason for my coming here. I believe she is in danger."
"Danger? But how?" yelled Max.
"Samyaza is a manipulator. He looks for openings and weaknesses. He is a coward who hides behind others. Why do you think he uses the Vrol to do his dirty work? It is he who sent Guriel to attack you. He did so not believing the lower angel would succeed in his mission. That fool was a sacrifice. Rather, he did so to gauge your reaction. Your emotional response to the threat against your wife, even though she was spared his cowardly attack by Gabriel, showed you care for her more than for yourself. I fear for your wife more than I fear for you, young Max."
"He touches my wife and he's toast."
"Yes, I do believe you could destroy any of us, such is your potential, but at the risk of your mate?"
"He does have a point, my boy," said Draagh. "We must put Jennie under constant protection immediately."
Max got an alarme
d look and bolted for the door. "Be right back!"
Running down the hallway and barging into his room, he expected to find his wife asleep. Instead, he saw Jennie and Lilia, both with ridiculous amounts of makeup on their faces.
"Max! What are you doing?" she demanded.
"Papi, this is girls' club time, so if you please?" said Liliana.
Max almost had to put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing, and noticed Jennie was desperately trying to keep from doing the same.
"Oh, I am so sorry, girls. I will leave you to your lady things."
Max left the room, embarrassed that he had barged in on something mothers and daughters do, and went back to Draagh's quarters.
Entering into the vast chamber, he was shocked to see Gadreel levitated in the air, his feet a full meter off the floor. His head was back, and a glowing band of light encircled his neck. "Gadreel agreed to have a monitor collar. I think it is only fair. Do you not, my grandson?"
"Um yeah, I guess. Will it keep him from doing shitty things?"
"It will, Max," said Gadreel. "My intentions are honest. It is my greatest hope that one day, perhaps even millennia from now, we shall be able to see each other as friends, and even family
"Um, don't count on that, but we'll see, Gaddy."
"Gaddy?"
"Yeah, it’s your new nickname. We all have nicknames. I call Draagh Pops, my brother-in-law G and anyone I don't like ass-hat. Feel fortunate I don't call you boludo."
"Very well, then," responded Gadreel, as Draagh gently lowered him to the ground. "Gaddy sounds rather quaint. I should like it."
Max was about to respond, when suddenly, the two most powerful archangels in all existence burst into their father's room and started wiping the walls with the fallen angel. There was nothing Gadreel could do as he was slammed from end to end, the brothers' wings battering his immortal frame. He accepted his punishment, which was for things far worse than what he had recently done with his brother.
Michael and Gabriel had long waited to capture one of the Grigori, and now that they had one in their grasp they spared no time in making sure he suffered for his sins.
"Sons! Cease this attack immediately!" Draagh cried out, his cantus barely protecting the angel as Michael stomped on the turncoat's face. "Gadreel comes to aid us, and gladly accepts the collar!"
"Huh?" exclaimed Michael, as he stopped pummeling the impotent soul, allowing him to stand up. Gabriel also stopped momentarily, but waited until Draagh wasn't looking and gave Gadreel a quick, sneaky no-look backhand to the face - just enough to make his nose bleed.
"What business have you here, traitor?" Michael demanded, turning to the angel.
"Yes… traitor!" Max followed, trying to look tough in front of his father, but only looking awkward.
"Max, we were listening outside the door. Did you not just give Gadreel a nickname?" asked Michael.
"You gave him a nickname? That is a term of endearment, is it not?" asked Gabriel. "Why have you not yet bestowed one upon me, nephew?"
"Um, we call you Gabe, which is a nickname. Would you like another? Like Blondie, or Spike. No, I know! How about Moose?" Max retorted.
"Are these good nicknames?" asked Gabriel, while he looked at his brother who was shaking his head in a manner opposite of enthusiastic.
"I guess Gabe shall be fine then," he sighed.
"You know, I really missed you all. It has been miserable these past millennia with Samyaza. He is no fun at all."
"What? You think we have fun here? We're fighting for our existence, Gaddy," Max yelled.
The fallen angel looked down, realizing the timing for his statement came at a very poor time.
"Jah is gone, but it is not the fault of Max, nor of his people. It is our fault. He tired of us - our incessant whining, our begging and complaining. He has a plan, and we fight with him over it. No wonder he is nowhere to be found!" exclaimed Michael.
"Hey, I don’t know anything about Jah, really. Never met the guy, but I can tell you one thing," said Max.
"And what would that be, my son?" asked Michael.
"I'm super hungry. They're serving elk in the commissary. Who wants to come along?"
"Elk? I have not sampled elk in centuries, and I do feel hunger. Might I get something to eat?" asked Gadreel.
Michael and Gabriel gave him a sneering look, while Draagh took him by the arm.
"Yes, my boy. Come along. Your cousins shall need some time to become accustomed to your presence."
"Well, I guess I could get something to eat. I'll call on Jessica to see if she would join us," said Gabriel.
"Hmm, yes. I shall retrieve Clarisa and meet everyone in the main dining hall," Michael added.
"You have wives?" asked Gadreel.
"Girlfriends, dude. Only I have a wife around here," Max boasted.
"Clarisa and I shall soon be married!" exclaimed Michael.
"No way! Seriously?" asked Max.
"Once we have rid the universe of the putrid insect strain, then yes, my son."
"I am to be the best man of the wedding," boasted Gabriel.
"I do not recall asking you to hold that honor, Brother," said Michael.
"I shall earn the right, then!" said Gadreel.
Both Michael and Gabriel looked at Gadreel with amazed expressions, with Michael saying, "Brother, you shall be best man. Gadreel, you would be lucky to even survive the battles that come."
The five men, four being collectively billions of years old, sat in the commissary, ravenously devouring their meals in a fashion that made Jennie look like an expert at table etiquette. As they consumed their food, the two archangels, as well as Max, stared Gadreel down, watching as he hungrily took to his dinner.
"Food must suck where you're from, eh Gaddy?"
"I must admit, young Max. I have mostly eaten alien fare as of late. Have you ever tried zozlonsh?"
"Huh? What's that, dude?"
"It is an animal that resembles a cross between a hippopotamus and a giraffe, my boy," said Draagh.
"Sounds thoroughly disgusting, Pops."
"As young Liliana would say, my son, it tastes like ass," said Michael.
"Especially as it comes from a world with an ammonia atmosphere," added Gabriel.
"I wonder what from a world with silicon-based life forms would taste like," mused Max.
"Well, I am certain your system could tolerate it, but I dare say it would be toxic to a normal human," said Draagh.
"But what would it taste like?"
"Have you ever tasted petroleum oil?" asked Gadreel.
"Ew. Okay, no more questions about food. Gaddy, you have a lot of proving to do before we let you join the gang," said Max.
"Erm… gang?" responded Gadreel.
"Yes! The… gang of lycans and angels! We are GoLA!" yelped Liliana, as she entered the dining hall. "Papi!"
"Ah, this must be your adopted daughter, Max. Hello, Liliana. I am Gadreel."
"I know not whom you might be, sir, but I do know that my grandfather and my uncle basically cleaned the walls with your ass, so I am not to speak with you."
"Lili!"
"Sorry, Papi. I only seek to protect my own."
"As well you should, young one. Again, I am Gadreel. Your elders were kind enough to not kill me and are allowing me to atone for the errors of my ways."
Gadreel looked at Max for permission to continue speaking with his daughter.
He didn't receive it.
"I shall keep my mouth shut for now."
"That would be wise, fallen one," said Gabriel.
Jennie entered into the main dining hall, surprised to see the newcomer. She sauntered over and kissed her husband, and then turned to look at the turncoat Grigori. "Who are you?"
"I am Gadreel. I seek redemption."
"Um, yeah. Sure."
Liliana sat next to her father and waved a servant over for a plate of food. When the kitchen girl arrived, Liliana not only smiled, she stood up and gave
her a hug. The young lycan had become much more appreciative of the servant staff as of late, for some unknown reason.
"Lili, hugs? Why?" asked Max.
"Oh Papi, that is Lucinda. I accidentally caused her to be sent to the infirmary due to one of my cantus practice sessions. We have become friends since."
Lucinda, a small, mousy-haired lycan servant bowed and backed away, a tiny smile lighting her face.
Liliana watched her leave and turned to her father, asking, "Papi, why must there be servants and underlings?"
"Well, everyone needs a job, sweetie. It all depends on people's willingness to persevere and improve themselves."
"I am sure that Lucinda wishes to improve, Papi, yet she serves food and scrubs floors."
"Honey, wishes and intentions are not enough."
"Why then do I have such a wonderful life, Papi? I always dreamed of such a life and now it is true."
"Lili, you took incredible risks, and nearly died trying to save us. That brought us together. Well, and your mom falling in love with me - that helped a lot. Those who live incredible lives usually do incredible things. Now, I believe you friend is a nice person. Heck, everyone here is nice, but wishing and being nice isn't enough. It takes extraordinary talent to be a leader, and leaders need not worry about washing plates and scrubbing floors - they have other important jobs to do. Just as servants don't have to worry about defending the castle - they take care of us so we can do our job, and vice-versa. Their jobs are also important. There is no shame in having a particular job."
Liliana looked at her father and nodded her little head in agreement. Her life had quickly become so amazing that she had forgotten her cold, lonely nights in the hallways of the castle, living as an orphan. At the same time, Max nearly had to wipe the sweat from his brow. While he told the girl the truth, he avoided the cold, hard fact that not everyone was meant to be a leader or live an amazing life. In fact, most were quite content having normal, trouble-free lives. Liliana just happened to be an incredible child, destined to do great things.