Very true, thought Lhvunsa, drifting in a little closer.
“Lhvunsa,” said Alcorn, “I know that’s what you’re thinking, but here’s what you don’t know. Among my people, in my profession I am a very high-ranking man. I don’t say that as a matter of pride but only to make the point that there are very few people I take orders from, and then only because I’m required to, not because it’s something I choose.”
“I don’t doubt that.” She heard Qilzar say, in a voice that was none too polite. “So far, you haven’t struck me as the type to take orders from anyone.”
Alcorn didn’t move, not even the slightest flicker, but kept his eyes locked on Lhvunsa.
“That’s right,” he said, “I don’t take orders well, not unless they come from someone I respect, someone who I believe has the intellectual capacity and mental fortitude to give orders on my level, or better yet, on a level higher than my own. Call it hubris, simple arrogance, or whatever you want, but when lives are on the line, the one giving the orders has to know what they’re doing. Until a few hours ago, I’d yet to meet anyone who I believed worthy of that respect.”
Lhvunsa didn’t know what the Earthling was trying to tell her, and though she was not ready to rejoin the waking world just yet, she remained intrigued and listened as Alcorn continued.
“From what I’ve gathered in my limited conversations with your husband, Gsefx spends his days, or whatever you call them out here, working as an accountant, but he is so much more than that, Lhvunsa. I’m not exactly sure how to put it, but he is perhaps the most brilliant individual I’ve ever met. It’s not just intelligence either. I mean, clearly, by Earth standards, all of you are much more advanced than we are. It’s his innate grasp of tactics and strategy that caught my attention. When we were talking and mapping out a rescue plan, I would barely begin a sentence before he not only knew what I was going to say, but then had a plan to address the situation.”
Alcorn was talking about her Gsefx, but not about how much danger he was in. He was telling her how much he admired him.
This is unexpected.
Without realizing how or when it happened, Lhvunsa had reassumed her own body and was hanging on every word this vulgar creature was saying.
“Gsefx didn’t ask me to come on this mission, Lhvunsa, I insisted. I’ve always dreamed of being a leader like him. But, after just a few minutes, it was clear to me I could never achieve his level, so I decided the next best thing was to serve under him.”
He sighed and took her hand in his and she looked down at it.
“Lhvunsa, even the most perfectly run mission experiences some bumps along the way. And while I may yell and scream and jump up and down, all is not lost. I will also tell you that while Gsefx is by no means out of danger, he’s far from helpless, nor is he alone. As for us, we’re not out of danger yet either and we need you to come back to us now.”
“The Klarock,” said Lhvunsa with a slight shake of her head. “It was the Klarock Museum.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” asked Alcorn.
Lhvunsa smiled and squeezed the Earthling’s hand gently with one hand, patted it with another, and reached up to caress his cheek with her third.
“Nothing important, just something I had been trying to remember. Thank you, General Alcorn. I believe I’ve misjudged you, and perhaps the whole situation. It seems you have things more under control than I gave you credit. I’m sorry. Everything just became a little overwhelming.”
“Please, no need for apologies. I understand, ma’am, I truly do.”
He started to get up, but Lhvunsa stopped him.
“Did you really mean all of that? The things you said about Gsefx?”
Alcorn smiled at her.
“Ma’am, I’m not above lying if I think it will give me a tactical advantage,” said Alcorn. “However, in this regard, I’ll let your friend, Qilzar, who I deem to be an outstanding judge of character, be my judge and jury. I am indeed an arrogant man, who not only finds it difficult to humble himself in front of others, but finds it just as difficult to lie about doing so, regardless of the tactical advantage. I would never willingly admit to serving under the leadership of an inferior.”
Alcorn got to his feet and reached down to help Lhvunsa up.
“And if Qilzar’s testimony isn’t enough,” he continued, “I’ll offer my son’s. He’s known me a lot longer and knows exactly what a son-of-a-bitch I can be.”
Lhvunsa smiled.
“I don’t know if all that will be necessary,” she said. “I’d hate to stir up any family trouble in the midst of everything else we’re dealing with.”
“Well, I have no problem testifying to his arrogance,” said Qilzar, who, from what Lhvunsa could see, appeared to be trying to maintain his dislike for the Earthling, even through his gratefulness at seeing her come back to herself.
“Theo, anything to add?” asked Alcorn.
“No comment,” said Theo with a weak smile.
“There you go,” said Alcorn. “Guilty on all counts.”
“Okay, okay,” said Lhvunsa, who, inconceivably, actually found herself trying not to laugh. “I thought we were in some kind of hurry or something. So what’s next?”
“I don’t know if it’s possible,” said Alcorn, “but we need to stop Ricnor from leaving. It would also be great if we can find the paintings before the police get here and collect them as evidence. They belong to Henry, and Gsefx would like to ensure they are returned to him.”
“That was a short-range vehicle Ricnor and his companion were using,” said Qilzar. “They won’t be able to get off-planet with it. They’ll have to find another ship. If we can get to their main bay before they’re able to leave, we might be able to catch them.”
“Great,” said Alcorn. “I can get us to the main bay, let’s just hope it’s in time.”
“This place is a maze of twists and turns,” said Lhvunsa. “What makes you think you can get us there?”
“I’ve been mapping out the place since we first arrived. I have it all in my head. It may not be the most direct route, but I know how to get back to every place we’ve been.”
“It’s good they didn’t drug you when they brought you in,” she said, trying not to seem impressed by the increasingly more impressive Earthling. “Ricnor’s thugs hid inside my home, then ambushed me before I had a chance to react. After Ricnor held his spike to my throat in order to get Gsefx to do his bidding, they knocked me out. I was unconscious when I arrived and I simply woke up in my cell.”
“As did I,” said Qilzar, who also seemed to be trying not to look impressed, but was failing miserably.
“I think I know the way pretty well, too,” said Theo.
“Good,” said Alcorn. “Theo, you and Lhvunsa look for the paintings. If you find them, bring them to the main bay. Qilzar and I will go there and try to stop Ricnor. While we’re there, we’ll see if we can secure a vehicle for ourselves. We’ll meet back in the Grand Chamber.”
“Wait,” said Qilzar. “I’m not sure splitting up is the best plan. For one thing, we only have one weapon. What if we run into someone else who wasn’t knocked out?”
“Good point,” said Alcorn, while Lhvunsa and he made eye contact. He took the primitive Earth weapon from his belt and handed it to his son. “You only have three shots left, Theo, so use them carefully.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Any other objections?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” said Qilzar, “a rather important one. We have to remain together if we want to continue communicating. You have the only translator.”
“Huh, another good point,” said Alcorn. “Well, I suppose we could …”
“I speak your language,” said Lhvunsa, in near-perfect English. “Gsefx believed he was being secretive when he was learning English. I believe that’s what you call it. I let him keep his secret but thought it might be a good idea to learn it for myself. It appears I was right.”
“Well, I guess that takes care of that,” said Alcorn with a smile. “Anything else?”
“You’re missing the point,” said Qilzar, “I don’t …”
Lhvunsa reached over and put a slim green finger over Qilzar’s mouth.
“Qilzar, my dear friend, we need to trust, if not in them, then in Gsefx, who sent them.”
Qilzar started to object again, but Lhvunsa shook her head.
“No more,” she said. “We’re wasting time.” She kissed the Dremin on the forehead. “Take care of the General, and take care of yourself. We'll be together again soon enough. Come, Theo, let’s go.”
She gave Alcorn one last look, then turned abruptly and walked away.
Chapter 57
This Isn’t Earth, You Know
Alcorn watched Lhvunsa walk away, his expression never betraying the emotion he felt inside. In all his years with Janny, no woman had ever so much as turned his head, but then again, he’d never left planet Earth before, either. Marital statuses aside, both his and hers, it wasn’t that he was interested in Lhvunsa in any kind of romantic sense, though she was strikingly beautiful. It was something else about her, something that was more intriguing than anything else. With every thought she expressed aloud, he knew there were at least a dozen others she kept hidden. She and Gsefx were alike in that regard.
Probably why they’re such a good match for one another.
Gsefx seemed to be more of an extrovert, preferring to lay all of his cards on the table, whereas Lhvunsa was more introverted, more mysterious than her husband. At least that was the impression he’d gotten so far. But aside from that difference, which was more complimentary than anything else, they seemed to be very much alike in the way they were several steps ahead of everyone else around them. In any case, Alcorn liked her as much as he liked Gsefx, and swore to himself he would go to whatever lengths necessary to protect and serve both of them.
Theo turned to follow Lhvunsa, and Alcorn snapped out of his reverie to reach out and touch his son on the shoulder.
“Theo …”
Theo turned and locked eyes with his father. Alcorn’s throat closed up unexpectedly and, without warning, he found that no words could escape. He gave his son the best smile he could muster and nodded, hoping that would be enough to show Theo how proud he was of him. He also hoped that he would get the chance to actually tell him someday. Theo smiled weakly, and then went on to catch up with Lhvunsa.
Alcorn afforded himself another moment to look at them both, and then turned to Qilzar, who was watching Lhvunsa, with much the same look of dedication to her that Alcorn felt. He pretended not to notice and walked on in the direction of the cafeteria.
“We’ll need to go this way,” he said in a soft voice as he walked by.
Qilzar cleared his throat and turned to follow.
“Yes, of course,” said the gray-skinned non-terrestrial. “I do hope you know what you’re doing. This isn’t Earth, you know, and these aren’t primitive criminals we’re dealing with.”
Alcorn looked away and smiled. As annoying as Qilzar had already proven himself to be, he was also extremely sharp and had, on more than one occasion, thought of things he, the four-star general, hadn’t. If there was one thing Alcorn had learned over the years, is that often the people who were the most difficult to deal with personally, could also have the most to offer, if you knew how to treat them. Gsefx had said Qilzar could be an asset if he could be trusted, and he was right.
“That’s why I wanted you with me,” said Alcorn, turning back to Qilzar. “I know strategy and tactics, and those things don’t vary too much, regardless of how primitive or advanced a culture becomes. You know a lot more about what goes on out here than I do, and have already saved our bacon more than once. Together, we should do pretty well.”
“Saved our bacon? What, in the name of the Gods, does that mean?”
“It’s just a primitive Earth expression, meaning you’ve saved us by thinking of things I haven’t,” said Alcorn, turning and walking on. “You’re a good man, Qilzar.”
“I am no such thing,” said Qilzar, in his most offended voice, but following along, nonetheless. “I am a Dremin, and to call me a man is to equate me with the likes of you, which, no offense, is beneath me by several millennia.”
“No offense taken,” laughed Alcorn. “You’re a good Dremin, then. How’s that?”
“Better, although other Dremins might disagree on that point. General, there is still one thing that bothers me.”
“Hold that thought,” said Alcorn, lowering his voice to a whisper as he moved them both against the wall. “We’re about to enter the Great Hall again, and even though it was quiet the last time we came through, there’s no sense in taking any chances.”
“Yes,” said Qilzar, “I quite agree.”
Alcorn peaked around the corner and slowly worked his way until he had a full view of the room. He took a few more steps, carefully examining the room before motioning the ‘all clear’ to Qilzar.
They walked steadily, but warily, through the Great Hall, remaining alert while in such a wide open space, only relaxing when they made it to the other side without incident, and the walkways became closer and easier to navigate. There were no bodies here, unconscious or otherwise, which was fine with Alcorn. They continued making their way toward the main bay, balancing caution with speed.
“What was it you wanted to ask me back there?” said Alcorn, when they were in a passageway safe enough for conversation.
“What do you mean?” said Qilzar.
“Back there, before the Great Hall, you said there was still one thing that bothered you. What is it?”
“Oh yes, that. When Lhvunsa was first put into the cell with me, she accused me of telling Ricnor about the paintings and of bringing him into all of this in the first place. She said that she and Gsefx would never forgive me.”
“Yes, but apparently, that’s not the case,” said Alcorn. “You didn’t bring Ricnor into this. Someone else did.”
“That’s correct,” said Qilzar. “But Lhvunsa and I figured that out by ourselves, alone in a cell. How did Gsefx figure it out?”
Alcorn stopped and looked at Qilzar appraisingly.
“You and Lhvunsa figured it out by yourselves, while locked alone in a cell?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Qilzar,” said Alcorn as he turned and continued on his way, “did I say you know a lot more about what goes on out here than I do? You simply know a lot, period. I’m not sure how you figured it out, but it’s pretty damned impressive.”
Qilzar’s gray face flushed into a brighter shade of gray.
“Thank you, General,” he said. “But, to be honest, it was more Lhvunsa’s doing than it was mine. She had me recount my abduction, step-by-step, every last detail, which led back to Galacticount, which led her straight to Xtlar, the one Ricnor reports to. He also happens to be my boss, as well.”
“X-who? No … no—Gsefx said it was someone named … uh … umm … Piggy … something-or-other.”
“Pigawitts?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
“No, it couldn’t be Pigawitts. Could it?” Qilzar seemed truly puzzled. “Why in the galaxy did he think it was Pigawitts?”
“Apparently Gsefx and his team found some discrepancies buried pretty deep in this guy’s books when they were going through them. He thinks that’s why they took both you and Lhvunsa hostage, instead of just one of you. They wanted to make sure they pulled him away from digging any deeper.”
Qilzar seemed to consider the possibility for a moment.
“I can see the logic there, I suppose, but whoever kidnapped me had to have access to my vehicle, which means they had access to the Galacticount parking area.”
“Would that include Pigawitts?”
“Not normally, although he did come into the offices for meetings on occasion. I’m trying to recall if he was there the rotation I was … yes, yes he was there! I remember seeing
him with Xtlar … Oh Gods!”
Qilzar stopped and the brightness left his face, leaving him an ashen gray.
“What? Qilzar, what is it?”
“What if Xtlar and Pigawitts are working together? Gsefx could be walking into a trap.”
Alcorn thought for a moment. He didn’t know either of the beings Qilzar was talking about, nor did he know the situation they all lived in. But he knew enough. He knew Gsefx.
“You bring up a fair point, Qilzar, to be sure, and even though I don’t know either of them, I have to trust your judgment about the possibility of the two of them working together.”
He raised his hand to ward off Qilzar's intended interruption.
“Be that as it may, I also have to trust in Gsefx. And in Henry. They are far from helpless. Think about it for a minute. Regardless of whether or not Xtlar and Pigawitts are working together, where would Gsefx confront either of them?”
“In their offices, I imagine,” he said, after taking a moment to think about it. “For Xtlar, that would be Galacticount, where Gsefx and I both work, or worked. I don’t suppose either of us will have a job any longer, even if we do find a way to get out this whole thing alive. For Pigawitts, it would be at his offices. They’re both on the planet Laxor.”
“And both are relatively public places, as well, I imagine. Right?”
“Yes, I suppose so,” said Qilzar.
“Where it would be difficult, if not impossible, to make a move against Gsefx and Henry,” said Alcorn. “Plus, Gsefx still has to get and then review the proof first, which should give him better insight as to who is really behind all of this.”
“Perhaps, but …”
“But nothing, Qilzar,” said Alcorn, signaling that they needed to continue on their way to the main bay. “We have to trust that Gsefx can take care of himself, if for no other reason then there’s nothing we can do to help him. Besides, he does have Henry with him.”
“You keep saying that. What good is the artist going to be in this situation?”
Alcorn looked startled.
“I thought you’d seen his paintings.”
Your Truth is Out There (Find Your Truth Book 1) Page 26