COLOSSUS: Departure

by Terry Frost

  Nulashin was about the same height as Field Marshal Hopus, but his biceps were huge. He had removed the long smock and had replaced it with a sleeveless blouse, which showed his arms and a pair of Arabic style loose fitting pants and gold laced sandals.

  Walking over to a Nawi’s version of a bar, Nulashin asked, “Would Admiral Allen like to have a spirit with we? Drinkink is we’s way of resting the mind and this agink body.”

  Allen would swear he just saw a smile on the emperor’s face and said, “I would be pleased to have a spirit with you, Emperor.”

  It seemed by Nulashin’s own choosing to drop so much formality in how they addressed each other by leaving out the supreme this or that pleased him so Allen just followed suit.

  Allen stood and walked to the bar and when he stood by the emperor, Nulashin asked, We have many spirits you can try. Which would you like?”

  “Colonel Hammer told me about a spirit he shared with Field Marshal Hopus called Yuklin. Might you have that type?”

  “Ah yes, Yuklin. It is a favored blend among the Nawi Regals. We first tasted the spirit when it was gifted to we by we’s friend, Battle Imperial Maalik of the Daakie.

  He poured a stiff amount for himself and his guest then both went and took a seat. Allen took a fairly good snort then sat the drink down while trying to catch his breath. His eyes watered a bit and looking at him in the eyes Emperor Nulashing let out a hardy yip.

  “If one is not used to Yuklin one must take to gently sippink the fine spirit.”

  “To that, I would most surely agree.”

  Allen reached down to where he sat the bottle of scotch and presented it to the Nulashin.

  “This is my gift to you. It is an acquired taste, but if it is pleasing to you, you will not find a better spirit on Earth and we call it scotch.”

  Nulashin took the box, opened it and pulled out the expensive bottle of Glenfiddich 50-year-old scotch. He said he was pleased with the gold color of the scotch.

  He opened the bottle and instead of taking a sip he smelled the liquid first. Allen couldn’t tell by his expression whether the smell pleased him or not. Nulashin finished the last of his Yuklin and the poured a jigger’s worth of scotch into the small chalice.

  Nulashin sipped, then swished the liquid around in his mouth then tilted the rest up and drank it. He sat quietly for a couple seconds then said, “We thinks this scotch is the most satisfying a spirit we have ever tasted. Unfortunate for other Regals they will not be knowing the taste of this excellent spirit,” then he let out a couple of loud yips.

  Admiral Allen couldn’t help himself and laughed along with the first alien ruler he would ever meet and was quickly coming to enjoy spending time with. Nulashin had a couple more jiggers of the scotch as Allen had poured him another chalice of Yuklin.

  Allen figured he had better get to some of the questions he wanted to ask the emperor before he got too hammered to remember what he was going to ask.

  “As I’m sure you probably have a few questions about me and my people, I have a few I would like to ask you, Supreme Emperor, if I may.”

  “Yes, Nulashin will gladly answer your inquiries.”

  That was the first time Allen heard Nulashin use his own name.

  ****

  After their leaders left the table in the lobby of the pound, the remaining groups began to chat themselves.

  Addressing the Nawi in the gold cap Jeeves asked, “What is your name?”

  “He cannot speak. His name is, Pitah, and he is we’s brother. Pitah is Nawi’s master stone and gemstone cutter,” said Mita.

  “We are pleased to meet you, Pitah. Maybe during our visit, you could show us how you cut the gemstones,” Colonel Hammer said.

  Pitah shook his head in a positive motion then looked at his sister for approval.”

  “Yes, we can take you to gemstone cuttink area, Colonel Hammer. Commodore Jeeves and I were goink there before we’s father notified us of his request for our presence at the meetink.”

  She stood, as did everyone else at the table and said, “Follow please.”

  As the group was walking in the direction of the two large doors leading to the Nawi’s gemstone production areas, Jak speaking softly, spoke to Morgan Piner, the empath.

  “Did you get any readings on Emperor Nulashin?

  “Yes, I did, Colonel. He had a pleasantness about him. I also sensed a small amount of apprehension at first. But as soon as Admiral Allen addressed him, the apprehension vanished. It was as if he too can read or feel other’s emotions.”

  “How about Mita’s brother. I know he can’t talk, but having you here will give us a better understanding of how he feels at any given time.”

  “Pitah seems bothered. I felt he didn’t want to be at the meeting. But I also feel has a tenacious spirit, which is why he is the master gemstone cutter.”

  Hammer looked quizzically at Morgan and before he could say anything she said, “Meticulous, Colonel. That is a required adjective necessary for a master cutter of stones.”

  Chapter 12

  Supreme Emperor Nulashin and Admiral Allen had shared a few drinks with each other and Allen informed the emperor he would like to ask a few questions if he could. But before Nulashin allowed him to ask he motioned for Noona to come to him.

  The huge guard walked up to his emperor and bent down close to Nulashin and the emperor said something quietly to the big Battledog. Noona walked into the emperor’s bedroom and returned with a jewel-encrusted box about twelve inches long and handed it across the table to Allen.

  The big worrel took the box and sat it in front of him on the table. He looked at the emperor and asked, “What is this? This box is exquisite.”

  “We’s gift to we’s new friend, Admiral Allen.”

  The box had a small latch on the lid similar to the kind found on jewelry boxes on Earth. Allen pulled the latch from its catch and opened the box. Allen didn’t quite know what he was looking at but referred to the gift as a very handsome and special gift.

  Nulashin yipped and smiled, but not for the reason Allen thought. He was smiling because he could sense the admiral had no idea what the object was. Allen reached into the box and took out an object the size of a sturdy flashlight that fit comfortably in his hand. He raised the object up slightly higher than his head and turned the gift partially in his hand, sort of admiring it.

  “That is a “cho-ka,” Admiral. Field Marshal Hopus told we Colonel Hammer and you would favor cho-ka.”

  “Yes, I remember the Colonel’s report about the cho-ka. This is too much Emperor Nulashin. This is too valuable to give as a gift.”

  “Many cycles ago we were givink a cho-ka as a gift of friendship by we’s friend, Maalik of the Daakie. It pleases Nulashin if the gift would please Allen.”

  Arvin didn’t know what to say, but he knew he could not insult the emperor by refusing the gift. He also noticed Nulashin was feeling more trusting of him as he just referred to him as Allen, not Admiral Allen.

  “I am honored that you gifted me with this fine cho-ka and will happily accept your generosity.”

  “Good. Now we will have Noona give demonstration of how cho-ka works.”

  Allen was beside himself after watching the skill that Noona displayed with the cho-ka. He was sure it would take a considerable amount of practice to get proficient with the device.

  Noona stopped the demonstration and placed the cho-ka back into the box then stepped away again and went back to his position standing several feet directly behind his emperor.

  “Now is time for you to ask inquiries if you please,” Nulashin said.

  “Is Nawi the only intelligent species that lives or has ever lived on Yopa?”

  “Explain intelligent, please.”

  “Intelligent means to be capable of speaking and communicating with other species. And in many cases be able to solve problems, to laugh, love and feel sorrow.”

  “Yes, Nawi only intelligent species that has ever lived on Yopa
. Nawi is one-million-three-hundred-thousand cycles old.”

  Allen surmised that a cycle must be the same as a Human’s year.

  The admiral let out a laugh and said, “Nawi is about the same age as Earthings.”

  The emperor laughed or yipped and when he did his double chin giggled, it was a hard laugh.

  “Can you tell me about the Daakie and how long have you traded with them?”

  “Daakie are longtime friends of Nawi. Daakie is good to Nawi and treats Nawi with respect. Daakie is like Earthlinks as they fly the stars too. Daakie is a powerful race with many ships and strong weapons.”

  “Has Nulashin ever visited the world Daak?”

  “No, but Burseq Maalik asked we if we would like to go see Daak many times.”

  “Do you mind if I ask you why you do not go to Daak?”

  “Nulashin would not favor travelink through the stars. We like Yopa and don’t care about seeink other worlds. We like other species to come and visit Nawi. Only one species Nawi not like and they are the Hive.”

  “Who are the Hive and why Nawi not like?”

  “Hive are killers of Nawi and many other species. Hive comes to Nawi one hundred cycles ago and not give Nulashin a chance to greet them. They come down to Yopa and begin to kill Nawi. If not for that (he pointed at a decorative box sitting by itself in an indented pocket in the mountain wall) all Nawi die from Hive.”

  Admiral Allen became anxious at the news of a killer race called the Hive. He was sure Nulashin wouldn’t know how to talk technology with him about the Hive and the answer just might come from the Daakie.

  “How did the box save the Nawi?”

  “Noona, brink the communicatink device.”

  Allen thought got to get Commodore Jeeves to look into the ink thing. All other words through the translator are translating correctly except for the ink.

  The huge worrel sat the box down in front of his emperor and Nulashin opened it. Inside the box was a square metal device with a slot the length of the box and a green button below the slot.

  “We were given the device by the Daakie and one of Burseq Maalik’s commanders was ordered to instruct Nulashin on how to use the device. We are a few periods overdue to check in with the Daakie so we need to communicate with them now.

  “Burseq Maalik asked we to check in at regular periods and we vowed to do so. It would be good if Allen would not show himself while we communicate with the Daakie. They do not know about the good Earthlinks and may think we are a captive.”

  Nulashin yipped twice then said, “Maalik favors Nulashin and is protective of we.”

  “I can see why Emperor Nulashin. I haven’t known you long but I favor Nulashin too.”

  The emperor smiled and before starting the device he ordered Noona to bring over what the admiral thought to be a concealment curtain on wheels and placed it a few feet behind Emperor Nulashin.

  “Please stand behind shield,” Nulashin called it. Allen can see Daakie but Daakie can’t see Allen.

  The admiral stood behind the curtain so he couldn’t be seen by what it might be that came out of the wide slot.

  Nulashin pushed the button and the box began to come alive. It started to make a low humming sound. Then to Allen’s amazement, a hologram of an alien appeared.

  The Daakie’s face had Human skeletal features but with slightly more pronounced cheekbones. Its eyes were set slightly deeper into the skull than Humans and were round in shape. On its head appeared to be jet black, short, spikes about an inch long. All in all the Daakie was very similar to Humans, at least the part of the anatomy Allen could see on the device.

  “Good day to you, Supreme Emperor Nulashin. We were worried about the Nawi, as we hadn’t heard from you for several periods now and Burseq Maalik was about to order a ship to go to Yopa.”

  “Good day to you too, Anleni. We apologize for missink the period for communicatink with our Daakie friends. All Nawi is good today and we thank the Daakie for their concern. Please give Burseq Maalik we’s apology. Until next we communicate, Anleni.”

  Nulashin pushed the green button again and the hologram disappeared. Noona came over and closed the box then took it away.

  Though the admiral was impressed with the Daakie’s device he noticed the box was antiquated in its design.“Thank you for showing me the communicating device, Nulashin. We have similar devices on our ships too.

  “On the day the Hive came to Yopa how long did it take the Daakie to come to the aid of the Nawi?”

  “We did not communicate with the Daakie during Hive attack. The Daakie said after the battle they were comink to Yopa to visit Nawi, and a Daakie starship was not far from Yopa when Nawi was attacked.

  “Hive attacked Nawi as our star’s light came to Yopa. After a short period of seeink the Hive killink Nawi, most Nawi made it to safety inside pound and then Daakie come. Daakie kill many Hive but a few Daakie star vessels die too.”

  Arvin had a ton of questions he wanted to ask about the Hive and the Daakie but he could tell Lulashin was tiring. He wasn’t sure how old the emperor was but guessed he could easily be several hundred years old.

  “You have been so kind to answer my inquiries and Allen thanks you very much.”

  “Now, may we ask an inquiry of Allen?”

  “Please do.”

  “Why does your kind leave Earth?”

  “Earth had much more land than Yopa. Our world warmed. Our snow and ice melted and the water had eaten most of the land on Earth. We are searching the stars for a new home and will look until we find it.”

  “Supreme Admiral Allen, Supreme Emperor Nulashin give thanks to my Earthlink friend that he finds a home.”

  Suddenly, Nulashin stood and his posture stiffened as did Noona’s. The big worrel started to become animated and emitting a low guttural growl.

  Allen noticed the Nawi’s behavior and quickly understood the aliens were hearing or feeling something he couldn’t, but what?

  “Admiral, follow Noona to gather the Earthlinks that came with you. You are safe with Noona.”

  The second he stepped off the elevator with the big worrel his commlink beeped.

  “Admiral, this is Petrov. Our scanners are showing a large group is moving toward your position. We can’t define what it is but it seems to be a sizable group. Do you want me to send down a squadron of wasps?”

  “The Nawi are in a state of heightened awareness and I would say they are troubled and are beginning to act defensively. Yes, send the wasps but do not have them engage until I give the order. Allen, out.”

  Chapter 13

  Mita and her brother Pitah had just taken Colonel Hammer and his group inside the gem cutter's area. In the center of the area was a wide arcing semi-circle of pods, with a gem cutter sitting with their backs to the front entrance.

  As the visitors first began to take in all that was in the room Hammer and Jeeves noticed every Nawi in the room including Field Marshal Hopus, Mita and Pitah stood erect and stiff, then all of them began emitting low guttural sounds.

  “Look at them, Jeeves. Something is going on.”

  “I see them, Colonel. You know canine hearing is exceedingly better than that of Humans. Though they hear what you cannot, I hear just as good. I detect a disturbance outside of the pound.”

  Hopus was the first Nawi to come out of the trance he had been in and looked at Hammer and said, “Hurry, follow Mita to the safe area. Nawi’s home is attacked by Mynah. Mynah means many legs in Nawi. They come to prey on our wekas and lootas.”

  “Aren’t you coming with us, Hopus?” asked General Dubois.

  “Hopus needed by Nawi warriors. You be safe with Mita.”

  “I’m a warrior, Field Marshal. I don’t hide from trouble. I attack it,” Dubois said as he patted the blaster covered by his military blouse. “I’m going with you.”

  The two brave commanders took off running through the main entry doors, then turned in the direction of the livestock pens. Just above and behind the
pens, the two Battledogs disappeared into the mountain.

  Mita led the group out of the gem cutting area and was waving them to come with her when Jak saw Admiral Allen and the big worrel approaching them.

  “Admiral. Do you know what in the world is going on?” Jak asked.

  “I do not, Colonel. The emperor asked me to come find you and go with Noona here to a safe place.”

  “With your permission, Admiral, I’d like to have Noona take Jeeves and me to a place where we might better see for ourselves what is causing the alarm in the Nawi.”

  “Permission granted.”

  After asking Noona to take them to a lookout position, Noona hesitated but then Mita came up and said something to the big worrel and he relented and waved for the two Humans to follow him. They quickly ran up three flights of stairs then Noona walked them briskly to the right end of the long hall where two armed Battledogs stood as sentries.

  He ordered the two Battledogs to remove themselves from the lookout positions that were located above the tall entry doors to the pound that were now closing and soon to be secured against opening from the exterior of the pound.

  Hammer took a position on the left look out and Jeeves stood on the right. They both heard the sonic booms made from the wasps entering the atmosphere. It wasn’t long before all the Nawi Battledogs standing in defiant positions around the livestock pens and all along the pound side of the river bank started howling.

  Suddenly they stopped howling and began growling while thrusting their battle spears in a jabbing motion and became quite animated again by hopping up and down, waving their arms and thrusting their long spears.

  Commodore Jeeves picked up the sound of rustling noises coming from the forest across the river as well as a high-pitched screech. Yopa’s strange looking birds took wing and flew from the forest ahead of the approaching hoard.

  A multitude of animals not seen by Humans before was trying to get out of the way of whatever it was that had them in a panic. Fifteen seconds later he and Hammer saw what was approaching the Nawi’s home.