Patrik Jones and the Code of the Universe

by Robert S Kleinstone

  «Of course you can know. The gohtarma!»

  A thrill crossed the hall.

  Poligon Dhaal realized that everyone was anxious to know and, fundamentally, they also had the right. But there was no time. If he knew the lord of the Arkassians a little, he knew he was about to call. There were things to say.

  «Keep an eye on Kentaura and stay in touch with Karmora and Kalberham. We'll need Patrik Jones here as soon as possible».

  That said, he left the room.

  *

  Mendicar had remained all the time next to the gohtarma to watch Patrik's fight.

  During the fight, whenever something unusual happened, he tried to notice the expression of his lord, but the latter was limited to looking curious and almost amused by everything that happened.

  Only when the terrestrial boy pronounced Akelio's name had he seen the gohtarma change.

  Something between surprise and fear had crossed his face.

  Mendicar was thirsty to know.

  His ambitions for power had no limits and the old lord of Arkass knew this well.

  «My lord, the meaning of what happened on Kentaura escapes me» he said, turning to his master, who was leaning on his arm, as he headed toward the throne.

  «The time to know will come. Now I need to talk to Greymar» he replied without even looking at his face.

  Mendicar was boiling with rage, but it was not possible to fight back.

  «Of course, my lord» he answered without another word.

  «Contact the arkassian Chancellor, now!» he said, turning to the men in front of the monitors.

  *

  Marco ran out of the Spindorf and saw them all gathered together.

  «Can anyone explain to me where Patrik’s gone?» he asked the whole group.

  «I don’t know. He stayed inside and asked us to wait for him. Let's go back to the ship and hear what Poligon Dhaal has to say about it» Kalberham replied.

  «But he passed the test, right? Is he out of danger now?»

  «I think so, but I don’t know anything else».

  Marco wanted to ask a lot more, but a whole series of strange beings approached Kalberham to try to get as much information as possible.

  While trying to understand what had really happened, he saw Alannah stood to one side, with her sister Myah intent on comforting her.

  Marco approached and the two looked at him questioningly.

  «Hi» he said a little embarrassed.

  «Hi» said Myah with a certain detachment.

  «I know things didn’t start very well between us, but I wanted to thank you» he said, this time turning to Alannah. «Without your intervention, perhaps things would have been worse. You know, Patrik has always been my friend, so what you did means a lot to me».

  The solaryan sisters exchanged a look of amusement.

  What they said about the Terrans was true after all. They are really unpredictable beings.

  «You must have been very scared when that beast attacked you» he continued.

  «Yes, a little...» she answered, not knowing what else to say.

  Marco smiled and shrugged his shoulders with a thoughtful expression.

  «I knew that bullheaded boy was capable of doing all this. His problem is that he can only be special when he has to help others, and never when he has to help himself».

  Alannah didn’t understand.

  He noticed it and then tried to explain himself better.

  «You see, another time on Earth I saw him do something like that, and even then he did it to help someone. The safety of the people he cares for gives him all that strength».

  Now Marco had her full attention.

  «What I'm trying to tell you is this: I don’t know what you said or did to Patrik Jones, but I'm sure of one thing: he cares about you a lot. The force to block a Kentauro weighing at least six hundred kilograms, more than twenty meters away, you … gave it to him. And so, thank you».

  That said he took a couple of steps backwards, smiled and walked away, back to the others.

  Alannah was petrified.

  Those words caused her an emptiness in the stomach that meant she almost couldn’t breathe.

  «What is that stupid Terran going on about? Does Patrik have a crush on you?!» Myah said as she watched him leave. « Does he think a solaryan princess can fall in love with his little friend?! He’s an Earthman, something like that cannot even be imagined...».

  She turned to look at her sister and knew she was talking to herself.

  «Alannah ... are you listening to me?» she asked again.

  «Of course I’m listening to you» she answered with tears in her eyes and a big smile on her lips.

  Myah understood. It hadn’t taken long then.

  «Oh nooo... please tell me it's not true» she said, raising her eyes to the sky.

  «Alannah ... you don’t even know him! And then, in short ... it's a Terrestrial! I do not even know if it's technically possible. This time dad will kill you».

  «You don’t want to ...».

  Alannah choked her sentence looking at her sister with an air of supplication.

  Myah was not ready to accept such a thing, but she loved her little sister very much, and thinking about it so, she didn’t see her that way. If she needed this now, she would do it well, at least for a while.

  «Quiet...» she said smiling, «you're safe with me, because I don’t think it will last. And I want you to know that I am deeply against it».

  Alannah hugged her sister thanking heaven to have her in her life.

  «Yes, sure. Embrace me, stupid girl in love. I'm right, you're definitely a hen mak».

  The two burst out laughing.

  Alannah gripped her even louder and whispered, «I hate you, Patrik Jones!»

  *

  «From the planet Eta Carinae, they have accepted the communication, sir» said one of the arkassians on the monitors.

  The gohtarma, seated on his throne, looked up and stretched his siel to the ground.

  «Leave» he ordered in a whisper, and after a few moments he found himself alone inside the great room of the imperial palace of Arkass.

  «Poligon. Old boy. It is an honor for me to be able to speak again with the Head of the Guardians of the solaryan alliance!» he said with a little bit of sarcasm, seeing his interlocutor on the screen.

  Poligon Dhaal was standing inside his quarters.

  «Darkonar! I was waiting for your call. I see that your pet always helps you change your blood» he replied, without giving in to the provocation.

  «What do you want, my friend ... it loves me. And its love regenerates me».

  «I dare not even imagine where that little creature goes to get new blood» Poligon Dhaal commented, changing his tone of voice.

  «I ordered Greymar not to break the truce» the gohtarma cut short. «There seem to be more important things to worry about».

  Poligon Dhaal said nothing. He knew that the Arkassian was right.

  Everyone else ignored this, but they knew what the name pronounced by Patrik Jones meant.

  «It will be good to question the boy as soon as he arrives here. It seems that he can communicate with the Kentauros. We need to understand what he knows and what he has managed to perceive from them» said Poligon Dhaal without delay.

  «The young Terran didn’t have the solaryan tunic...» The gohtarma was probing to understand what the Guardian of the planet Prisma had to say about it.

  «I haven’t had the chance to talk to Kalberham, but I think the boy decided for himself. I don’t know anything else».

  «You don’t know anything else, but you will use all your influence to bring him to the solaryan side. He is powerful, and you certainly will not miss the opportunity to teach him properly» the Lord of Arkass said scornfully.

  «You will have your chance, Darkonar» replied old Poligon promptly, «he agreed to fight only to free his father, prisoner on Vortix and, as you know, he will need something from you to
get an audience with the queen. Patrik will introduce himself to you. If he is really the chosen one to restore balance in the galaxy, it will be the Code that decides for all of us».

  The gohtarma sat up again, laid both hands on the stick he created with the siel and looked at the screen in front of him. Then, as if rapt by a memory, he looked down.

  «You were with me, Poligon. There’s only two of us now. No one can go back to where Akelio and his followers were sent, then. You know it and I know it too. The boy is wrong».

  «At this point I'm not sure about anything, Darkonar» Poligon Dhaal said worriedly, «but I have the distinct feeling that we'll know the truth very soon. Remember, however, only you and I know what to do, and there will be no war to take place …».

  19

  Alannah was impatient to see Patrik again, but it was two days since he had disappeared with the Kentauros and now she was beginning to fear the worst. She had imagined a thousand times how their next conversation would go and now she was tired of waiting.

  They all decided to await the return of the terrestrial boy directly on Kentaura, inside the imperial ship still moored in the same spot where it had landed.

  Many ships left, and the docking area was almost deserted, apart from the delegation of Velado, which would leave soon to try to recover the body of the prince.

  «What will happen to Billo?» Marco asked as soon as he realized what could happen.

  «A part of him is still inside the dog, but nobody knows what could happen next» a blue being from Selidar's planet told him.

  The boy regretted that Patrik had not had the chance to say goodbye, but apparently those beings could not wait any longer.

  Meanwhile, the Arkassians had not broken the truce and now, paradoxically, they were all tied to the words of an Earthman.

  Alannah reached out to her sister Myah and asked in a detached tone, given the presence of her father, if there was any news.

  «Nothing» replied her sister, «Poligon Dhaal has just called and he has no idea how and when the Earthman will return».

  «The Earthman has a name» said Marco, who had just entered the company of Tadiero and little Camilla.

  Myah decided not to answer. Arguing with that stupid boy didn’t interest her.

  «If the wait should continue, we will be forced to leave the planet. Young Jones could stay in there for a long time. Unfortunately we have no indication of that» said King Karmora in the direction of Marco.

  «Here nobody goes anywhere» the latter replied. «You forced my friend to fight for your interests, and now that he's locked up with those beasts to solve some intergalactic mess, do you want to leave him there?»

  «Important affairs of State await his majesty on Solyar, young tyke. You’d better remember who you are talking to» said Hiylos, annoyed by the Terran's behavior.

  «I see that planets and races change, but the attitude of those who govern is a constant of the universe! I’d just like to remind you all that if my friend had not risked his life, the important affairs of State would be to understand how to kill each other».

  Everyone remained silent and Alannah smiled. Well done Marco! She thought.

  Myah was beside herself.

  «Maybe you forget we're all here for him» she said, raising her voice. «You forget that we all exposed ourselves to great danger. If your friend had not survived we would be at war, helpless and irremediably far from our planet. Evidently the egotism of your people has taken over, but I would like to remind you that your presence here is the result of an accident».

  «Listen honey, you're really pretty, but I wasn’t talking to you» Marco answered with a little bit of cynicism «so be quiet. When I want your opinion, I'll try to let you know, sweet cat».

  A punch hit him cleanly, sending him sprawling to the ground.

  The young Andal stood with his fists closed, gasping with rage.

  «You will immediately apologise, stupid Terrestrial, or you’ll get it again!» he shouted.

  Everyone on the bridge was bewildered.

  Marco was on the ground in disbelief and with his hand wiped the trickle of blood at the side of his mouth.

  King Karmora stood up.

  «Guards, arrest midshipman Andal!» he ordered. «I don’t tolerate incidents of violence inside my ship. You will remain confined to your quarters and you will be admitted to the bridge only for the return operations. A military court will judge you on Solyar».

  «Yes, sir» he replied, looking up at the floor, while two guards took him away.

  «And as for you» he said, turning to Marco, «please forgive my soldier's attitude. He will get what he deserves. Know that nobody here forgets young Jones, far from it. He is important to us all. We will sail before sunset, but I will ask Kalberham to stay here with his crew and with Olympia. In this way you can wait for your friend».

  That said, the king left the room, followed by the faithful Hiylos and a pair of guards.

  Marco stood up with the help of Tadiero.

  Princess Myah approached him. «Even if your lack of respect is remarkable, what happened is regrettable. I apologize in the name of all of us» she said grudgingly.

  «No need» Marco answered with a smile on his lips. «The false apologies of those who think me an idiot are meaningless and to be fair, I asked for it».

  His aching lip was still bleeding.

  «Listen to me, there was more in that fist than a lack of respect, I think you've got an admirer ... sweet cat».

  Myah's eyes widened, incredulous at hearing those words.

  «I'm going to look for Kalberham» Marco said again, and walked out of the room, followed by Camilla and Tadiero, who apologized with his eyes, facing the princess.

  Alannah approached her with a mischievous smile drawn on her lips.

  «Don’t say anything» Myah anticipated, having already figured out where her little sister wanted to go.

  «I really think Patrik's friend is right, even in his immense stupidity. Andal never takes his eyes off you» she replied, ignoring what her sister had said.

  «I knew it. But I'm not a stupid girl like you, so I don’t get distracted by these stupid things».

  «Yes, yes, of course... sweet cat» Alannah said, smiling as she watched Myah leave the room.

  She was glad that such a cute young man was interested in her sister. Andal was a good guy.

  The problem was now another thing, however. Their father wanted to leave and she would not have the chance to wait for Patrik there on Kentaura.

  She had to think of something, and quickly.

  *

  Kalberham was seated on the command bridge of the Velado ship with members of the veladian council. Selidar sat on the ground next to him like a good dog.

  «It is not necessary for you to wait any further, Prince. I will wait for Patrik and take him to Poligon Dhaal as established. It will be good for all of us that you resume your appearance. Many changes are going to happen and we will need the most valuable allies».

  «I fully agree with the solaryan Guardian. At this point it is essential to have it back here in person. King Karmora is also in line with all of us» added one of the present members.

  «Okay then» Selidar replied. «The continuation of the truce allows me to leave and then I will do what you ask of me. Kalberham, I leave with you the safe custody of the boy. It's not necessary to tell you how important he is now. I will wait for you with Poligon Dhaal ...I hope».

  «You must trust old Poligon, he knows his business» said Kalberham, smiling. «Good. I leave you. It is advisable that you leave immediately».

  That said, he left the room and headed out to reach the solaryan ship.

  The sky was getting dark and it would soon start raining.

  He looked towards the village.

  Not even a shadow of Patrik.

  He wondered what he was doing and, above all, when he would be back.

  He saw Tadiero and Marco come out of the ship, walking qu
ickly toward him.

  «Did something happen in my absence?» he asked curiously.

  The two told him of the little quarrel of a few minutes before and he just smiled.

  «Well gentlemen» he said without hesitation, «we will wait for Patrik on the Olympia. Despite everything, I'm glad to take possession of my ship again. And I want you to be quiet» he said, turning to Marco. «I'm not leaving without Patrik Jones. Very soon we will see him return. I feel it».

  *

  Myah walked briskly into the corridor of the imperial ship, heading for the housing area. After the king, she was the highest officer in attendance, and what had happened was not right.

  Andal had done something absolutely out of order and her father had given the right reaction. They still needed him on the bridge, otherwise he would have ended up in the cells. However, her intention was to make herself heard by the boy.

  She didn’t like that someone had defended her, making her feel like a girl who was not able to protect herself.

  Arriving in front of the prisoner's quarters, the guards jumped to attention.

  «Is he inside?» she asked in vain, almost as if she wanted time.

  «Yes, sir».

  «Open up» she ordered.

  Andal was lying on his bed with his face turned towards the wall.

  «I've already told you I don’t want to eat» he said as soon as he heard the door open.

  «It’s Princess Myah» she said, and he whirled around, falling off the bed. Then he stood up in a hurry and snapped to attention.

  She forced herself not to laugh.

  «I beg your pardon, Princess» he immediately said red-faced. «I didn’t know it was you»

  «I have come to tell you that I will no longer tolerate such attitudes in the future. You put all of us and the great solaryan military tradition in a bad light» she said, trying to maintain an austere and decisive tone.

  «I am aware of what I have done and I am ready to face the consequences» he replied without moving.

  «I'm sorry, but you're still a midshipman. A reprimand at this point in your career could cost you expulsion from the army» she added, with a little regret «and all this for a foolish Earthman. Tell me soldier, was it worth it?»