“Placard?” Frank just then realized that her voice didn't match her appearance.
“Yes, the one bearing your likeness.”
“That's my driver's license. The name's Frank.”
“Very well, Frank. You are currently aboard my landing boat. You are currently parked on Terra.”
“Terra.”
“Terra, Earth. It has many names as you probably know.”
“So, let me get this straight. You expect me to believe an old British lady is flying around from outer space, with giant lizards and gun toting aliens, picking up random Earthlings, and having weird conversations? Tell me, am I dead? Or is this some kind of fucking elaborate prank? I'm fucking losing it.”
“Please settle yourself and let me explain.” She shifted into a more Midwestern, American accent. “We have reason to believe that your planet is in grave danger.”
“Giant lizards and gun toting aliens?”
“Yes, precisely.”
“Holy shit.”
Just then one of the odd colored wall panels slid open and Phildan walked in carrying Frank's phone. He paused briefly at the visage of the woman, contorting his facial scales into a smile. “Mistress,” he said with a bow.
“Allow me to introduce you to Phildan, my close friend and assistant.” Phildan's scales darkened with pride.
Phildan extended one of his right arms to hand the phone to Frank.
“This communication device... I thought it was a little more advanced than it should be. It is full of Li technology. Although, I do see some room for improvements.” Turning to Frank he continued, “Your blades will be returned to you when we feel it's safe, sir.”
“Come on with the British accents already. Look Gladys....”
“That's Gladosanthos Mod Suercey, High.....,” Phildan went to correct Frank before being cut off.
“Look....Gladys, I've had about enough of this. Put me back where you found me. I need to get away from this place....” Frank began to get hysterical. The disbelief was overwhelming. “Ghosts. Giant lizards. Four armed British freaks....” he was mumbling to himself.
“Frank, please hear me out.” Her voice became soothing. The tone was sweetly melodic and far more youthful than her ghostly image would lead one to expect. “Please sit down, and try to calm yourself.”
Frank attempted to focus as Phildan slid back against the wall as to not be a distraction. “You were saying the Earth is in danger?”
“Yes, Frank. The reptilian species you encountered during your test are called the Mingrein. They raided our Great Archives and stole a physical copy of a list of inhabitable worlds. I fear they will be arriving to Earth very soon to attempt a takeover.”
“Test? That was some test! How many people have you killed?”
“No one was killed. Killing is not something we are capable of. The species you encountered were put into your mind via a thought projection device. Everyone who failed the test had their short term memory wiped, and were then returned to the surface.”
“Well, I'm pretty sure Terrelle shat himself.” Frank smiled. “Sorry. Please continue. What do the lizards want?”
“The Mingrein are a genetically engineered race that were designed to be a ground army for an ancient imperialistic race known as the Li. As a template, they utilized a carnivorous reptile that is native to one of the remote planets in a sector they had access to. The Mingrein are fierce and unyielding, and eventually capitalized on the primary weakness of the Li. They were unable to contain the Mingrein, and their capital planet was lost. We surveyed several other planets that have already been compromised. They are desperate, it would seem.”
Frank commented, “So the slaves freed themselves. What was the weakness of the Li?”
“They were edible.”
Frank blinked.
* * *
The conversation lasted for over an hour until Frank asked to relieve himself. Phildan showed him how to open the door panel to the lavatory he had rushed to outfit for their guest. Returning to his Mistress, he asked, “Why must he be so disrespectful? What is a Gladys anyway?” His accent was still British.
“Now Phildan, he is our guest and we need him direly. I consider it an endearment, and I am in no way offended.”
“Your patience knows no bounds, my Mistress.”
* * *
Frank returned and sat back down on the stool. His hair was wet from having splashed water on his face, discovering that it was salt water. He wondered where they were.
“Say, would it be possible for me to at least get out of this room? And can I get some water and maybe something to eat?”
“Yes of course, Frank. Phildan, would you please?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Let's go outside. I will arrange for Phildan to give you a tour of the landing boat at a later time.” She gestured for him to walk with her. He couldn't help but notice the orb maintained an equal distance to her as they left the room through the other door panel and out into a curved corridor.
“What do you really look like?”
The question caught her off guard. She remembered a few humans that had been quite observant but that had been so long ago. “The form you see before you is a projection. I tried to look as welcoming as possible. But as for my true image, I'm afraid I cannot show you.”
“And why is that?”
“I will just say that whenever a human encounters a Sessik, we never have the desired results.”
“Giant lizard?”
“Um, no.” She smiled. “And I find the gravity of your planet uncomfortable in long doses. Please stand on that red circle. And brace yourself.”
As soon as both feet were inside the circle the floor seemed to fall from beneath him. Just before impacting the sand below the craft, Frank's descent slowed to make a not uncomfortable landing. He only staggered slightly. Her image was at the bottom, waiting for him.
“That was incredible!” Frank looked around to find himself on a beach. The ocean waves were rather large and the sun was low in the sky. But he couldn't tell if it was morning or late afternoon. His sense of direction was in shambles.
“Hold on, you said you have encountered humans before?”
“Yes, but it's been a while.” For being alien abductors, they have actually been surprisingly polite, so he didn't pry.
Phildan returned to them carrying a bowl and a metallic cup. Frank wondered how he managed to get them down from the boat without spilling them. He was very pleased to find the cup contained fresh water. The bowl was soup. Frank ate heartily as Gladys continued her story.
“I'm sorry to interrupt, but what is this soup? It's delicious!”
“It's just a mix of vegetables that I brought from the Main Ship garden. I am very pleased you like it, Sir.” Phildan really was pleased at the compliment.
“Please just call me Frank. I'd like to check out that garden sometime.”
“Perhaps......Frank.” He said it knowing it was quite unlikely.
* * *
“So Gladys, tell me about the Grays.”
“The Grays? I assume you mean the Rotinoms. They are an army of organic automatons, also designed by the Li back during the Great War. The Mingrein somehow got the factories back online. We believe the Rotinoms are setting up bases in several parts of this solar system to prepare for a ground invasion.”
“Damn. Have you actually seen these bases? Or are we just speculating?”
She was quite pleased that he said “we” and not “you.” She was bringing him into the fold.
“They fired Li style torpedoes at us from the backside of Earth's moon.”
“How did you escape?”
“My ships are very fast.” She smiled.
* * *
Frank was learning fast and was surprising himself at how much information he was retaining. Having finished eating, and draining the cup of water, he asked the real question, “So what do you need me for? To talk to our leaders? Warn them? I'm su
re there are far better qualified people for this.”
“Pardon me, Frank, might I see your left wrist?”
“Sure Phil.” He continued talking to Gladosanthos as Phildan measured his wrist. “I'm not much for politics. In fact I kinda hate politicians.”
“I'm very delighted to hear you say that, Frank. I wish to appoint you as the official Custodian of Earth.”
“Custodian?”
“Now, I need to ask you a serious question.” Her expression was looking less weary and almost youthful. It was as if she had been waiting to ask this for some time. “Frank, how do you feel?”
* * *
Over the past several years Frank had gone out of his way to hide the fact that his body was beginning to break down on him. Hiding his weaknesses was so important to him as he feared for his reputation, not as a man but as a craftsman. Since Wendy left, work was all he had, and he poured everything he had left into his job. Frank had bad shoulders, back, knees, and arthritis was creeping into his hands. He was suspecting some carpel tunnel issues as his wrist would lock up for no apparent reason. It was all quite painful so when considering the question from Gladosanthos, he was shocked to find he could honestly answer, “I feel great.”
“Splendid.” She beamed with pride. “I want you to know that while we were mending your wound, I also inserted a comm chip.”
“I, uh” Frank was confused. “A what?”
“As Custodian, the comm chip is your most important tool, as the Sessik value diplomacy, because it allows you to communicate verbally with several other species. We recently uploaded all of the major languages of Earth, in case there might be some you don't know.”
“Hell, I barely even know English.” Frank didn't know how mad he was supposed to be. “So, you put this shit inside me without even asking?” But he had to admit to himself that he can't remember ever feeling so good physically. They obviously mended more than just his knife wound.
“You are the only human to past the test. You demonstrated the exact temperament that we require.”
“What temperament, exactly, are you speaking of?”
“Courage in the face of certain death, mostly.”
“To be honest, I thought I was already dead.”
* * *
She left him sitting on the beach, where for some time he just sat and stared out into the ocean, contemplating this so called temperament they claimed he possessed. He wasn't entirely convinced that he was the man for the job they so desperately wanted him to take. But could he sit by and watch as his world was invaded by hostile alien monsters? He was lost in thought when Phildan dropped out from the boat and headed toward him. He was shocked to see how fast the little guy traversed the deep sand. Frank hadn't spent much time on beaches, as he was flat footed and walking in sand tended to be uncomfortable. But today he hadn't noticed any pain.
“Hey Frank, got a minute?” Phildan was failing at attempting to not sound British.
“Sure, Phil.” Phildan grabbed Frank's left wrist and slapped a bracelet on it.
“There's your velocity shield,” Phildan said as the orb appeared over his shoulders.
“What's it do?”
Gladosanthos appeared instantly to answer, “It's your primary defense mechanism. It deflects high velocity projectiles.”'
“So am I laser-proof?” Frank joked.
“What's a laser?” Phildan produced his pad seemingly from thin air, quickly found his own answer, and laughed.
“So you guys don't use lasers?”
“Ha, no. Not as weapons anyway. In fact, we don't have any weapons at all. The Mingrein use a form of a laser, so to speak, for their light-drives in their vessels. But as far as weapons, they only have projectile weapons, not unlike those here, along with grenades, torpedoes, and things like that. The Rotinoms have various types of projectile guns, primarily.”
“Advanced alien races just use conventional weapons? Hollywood has lied to me. Why don't they just nuke us?”
Phildan answered, “They prefer their food uncooked, Frank.” He wasn't joking.
Gladosanthos added, “The other worlds appear to have been mostly wiped out.”
Frank took a moment. “So, am I bullet-proof?”
Gladys answered, “Yes.”
“Well that should make the job easier.”
“I am quite pleased to hear you are on board. Phildan and I shall do everything possible to assist you in the transition into your new position.”
“I'll help out until you either fire me, or we find someone better suited for the position. I still don't understand what you expect me to do.”
“It's quite simple Frank. You must intercept hostile interplanetary invaders, and when diplomacy fails, you must defend your planet.”
“Yeah, simple. By the way, where the hell are we?”
“Mistress, if you please?” At Phildan's request, the orb projected a three dimensional globe of the Earth. He pointed at a blank spot on the map in the South Pacific.
“Damn, we're not even on the map. Not bad.” Frank looked thoughtful for a moment. “Phil, out of curiosity, where did you drop the other eleven?” Phildan looked puzzled for a moment, then pointed to a spot. Frank held back a chuckle. “Detroit. Perfect.”
The orb positioned the visage of the lady so she appeared to be leaning in to speak more intimately. “You should really take some time to rest and plan.”
“So how many of these procedures have you performed? With the chip?”
“In Sessiks, several....long ago. You're the first human to have a comm chip.”
He thought about what she said, “How is it possible to adapt Sessik technology into an alien species, such as myself?” He surprised himself with the question.
“Because I know humans better than you know yourselves.”
4.
For the next few days they remained on the island so Frank could get a feel for his new found health. He was able to walk painlessly in the sand. His climbing ability improved vastly, especially after he discovered a coconut tree farther off the beach. The best part was how he could now run. He could run for what seemed like forever. He could never run for any great distance before because of his feet, but now he could, and fast too. He didn't know what they did to him but he'd sure like to know what it was so he could bottle it up and sell it.
For every question he asked, Phildan seemed to ask two. He was convinced that humans had somehow acquired alien technology. He insisted that mankind couldn't have advanced this quickly over such a short period of time.
“Why is it so hard to believe, Phil?”
“Because typically, mammalian species undergo a much slower adaptation.”
“I have a feeling that Gladys could probably shed a little more light onto that topic.” He felt there were things they weren't telling him. But the orb would disappear randomly, for several hours at a time.
Phildan was quite likable after Frank got used to the fact that he was talking to an alien. Had he been human, Frank would most likely have offered him a job.
“Phil, I think I understand why you need a human for this job, but why are you two sticking your necks out?”
“I'm afraid I don't understand your question, Frank.”
“What's in it for you? I mean, how do you benefit?”
“I am happy to assist my Mistress with whatever project she undertakes. As for myself personally, when the Mingrein raided the Grand Archives, my twin was lost.”
“I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have any other family back home?”
“No. We were the only two ever made.”
“Made? What are you talking about?”
“The Mistress genetically engineered us to be engineers and mechanics. She wanted us to be the perfect assistants. She kept me for herself and gifted my twin to a colleague.”
“So you're a slave?” Frank was unnerved.
“It's nothing like that Frank. I am free to come and go as I please. The Mistress nurtured us and gave
us a quite comfortable home. We were given all the tools we need for survival and it was made very clear that we could go off on our own any time we wished.”
“If you say so.” Frank didn't like the sound of this, but decided to let it drop. These were aliens after all, and their ways were alien as well. After a long silence he said, “We should probably get down to planning. I still have a lot of questions about what I'm up against.”
“Where would you like to begin?”
“The Mingrein.”
“While I didn't see what The Mistress put into your head, I can assume you saw feeding, based on the reactions of the other eleven.”
“Oh yeah.”
“The Mingrein are intelligent enough in many regards. They typically do not develop technology on their own, but they excel at stealing it and using it for their own needs. They vary in size according to age and diet. Their physical strength is relative to their size, and the females are indistinguishable from the males except to a trained eye, but are just as aggressive. They are motivated by the acquisition of supplies, with food and water being the most valuable. Their hide is thick and mostly resistant to smaller projectile weapons. They are surprisingly quick and use their long tails as weapons. If you cut off their tails, they grow back, but their arms and legs do not.......”
“You sure do know a lot about them!”
“I had full access to the Archives before the raid. And much of the information has been uploaded to the Main Ship.”
“Sounds like I need some big guns.”
“You can't have a velocity shield and guns.”
“Huh?”
“You can have one or the other, but not both.”
“Why is that?”
“The same technology that blocks projectiles coming in would prevent them from going out. You would just end up shooting yourself.”
“Well this job just got harder. So how do I kill them?”
“The easiest way I can think of is to get someone else to kill them.” Frank realized that Phildan just told his first joke. “In all seriousness, either a battery of missiles or large guns held by other humans under your command. If they utilize Li fog domes like we surveyed elsewhere, then targeting will be an issue. I'm working on a solution to that. Maybe your blades. Or some larger blades?”
Custodian_Monster of Earth Book One Page 3