“I don’t understand. He said he wanted to kill you,” said Hannelore. “What would he want you to give him?”
“It’s a trick of some sort, my girl. I don’t know what he wants, but he desires some final dishonor from me. Hopefully, it won’t matter,” replied Darbian.
“Sir, would you like me to land in Garden City as you said?” Gregorical said.
“Yes, Gregorical. The first thing I will do is drop the children off with their families. Then I’ll meet Aculpus in battle,” Darbian responded.
Gregorical flew down to Earth’s surface and hovered just above the streets of Garden City.
“Wow, I almost didn’t expect to see this place again,” said Micah.
“I don’t remember it being this beautiful,” remarked Hannelore.
“Children…teenagers, tell me where you live and we’ll go there immediately,” said Darbian.
“Over there,” Micah pointed. “We live in the historic district on the east side of town.”
“Be quick, Gregorical. Aculpus will follow us soon,” said Darbian.
Gregorical darted to the area Micah pointed toward. He landed just down the street from their houses.
The neighbors all came out shouting and screaming.
“Another ship has landed!” one of them cried.
“I think I’ve seen that one before,” said another.
The children ran off the ship and to their respective houses.
Micah’s mother, Elizabeth, and Hannelore’s father, Brendan, ran out of their houses as they saw the children approaching.
“Micah! Where have you been?” Elizabeth cried profusely. “I thought I’d lost you forever.”
“Mom!” cried Micah.
She hugged him tighter than she had ever hugged him before.
Hannelore and her father did the same only a few yards away.
Darbian stood back watching, happy for the first time in a while.
“Who are you?” said Elizabeth.
“My name is Darbian. I’m a Warden…the last Warden. I’m a guardian of this sector of the universe and friend to the children,” Darbian said.
Brendan looked on.
Micah picked his head up. “Darbian saved us from Vinitor and a lot of other things too.”
“How did you get involved with Vinitor? Where did you two go that night?” Elizabeth hugged her son all the tighter.
“We were chasing after the dog and the dog changed into Taurean and then Vinitor abducted us. It was a long day!” Micah babbled.
“What on Earth?” Elizabeth said.
“Parents, please know that your children are safe and that they’ve been a great help, but I must leave now. My work to protect this planet is not complete. Wish me a safe journey. I’m going to need it,” Darbian said.
“Take me with you, Darbian,” Micah cried.
Darbian looked back and remembered the words that the Timekeeper had spoken to him.
“Take me with you. I want to become a Warden like you. I want to help you defeat Halinkoy. Did you think I would change my mind?” Micah wiped away his tears and stood resolved.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but absolutely not. You just got home; you’re not going anywhere!” Elizabeth clapped her hands as if to signal a pet.
“I want the same thing and it’s time to stop putting it off,” said Hannelore.
“You’re staying right here, young lady,” said Brendan.
“You don’t understand, Dad. He needs us. He’s all alone, and the danger is only just getting started. We can’t leave him after all we’ve been through together,” Hannelore implored.
“You belong here. I belong up there.” Darbian pointed toward the sky.
“No! The Timekeeper said we were to be tested. He knows the future! You don’t, Darbian! Please let us come with you!” Micah ran back and hugged Darbian.
Darbian had not been hugged in a very long time. In fact, he couldn’t remember the last time it happened.
Hannelore ran up next to him and joined in the hug.
“You come back here, Micah!” cried Elizabeth.
“You said it yourself, Mom! Before I left, you said God would protect us, and God did just that. Darbian rescued us from Vinitor and protected us all along the way.” Micah turned to face Darbian. “Now, Darbian’s back to protect us from someone even worse. And he needs our help to do it.”
“You can’t be serious,” said Brendan.
“I’m very serious,” replied Hannelore.
“It’s too dangerous. I love you both, but it's too dangerous." Darbian's eyes welled up. "I’m going to program the Convergence to move the planet. Once I’ve fought off Aculpus then you will activate it. I have to leave the planet and I have to make sure Aculpus leaves the planet too. When you see Gregorical and I leave the city and then Aculpus follow us, that’s when you’ll activate it.”
Aculpus’ ship approached in the distance.
“Aculpus is coming. He’ll be here soon. Go now; go with your parents. I must leave you. Goodbye,” Darbian said.
“Don’t leave, Darbian. Don’t leave me like my father did,” Micah cried out. “You don’t understand. I’ve already lost my dad. I know what’s it like to deal with terrible things. If you leave without us, then we’ll never get the chance to make it count for something,” screeched Micah.
“Micah, Hannelore…if you leave, you may never see your families again. You’ll lose so much more than what you’ve already lost,” replied Darbian.
“You heard the Timekeeper, Darbian. I’m meant for something special. He’s been watching me all my life. How will I become what I’m supposed to be unless I go with you?” Micah said.
Darbian looked the boy in the eye. “None of us knows what we’re supposed to become, Micah.”
“Darbian, I know what I’m supposed to become…someone who matters,” Micah said.
“Everyone matters, Micah. You don’t have to be a hero. You don’t have to save galaxies. You matter because you exist,” replied Darbian.
Just then, Aculpus’ ship appeared nearby.
The sound of the engine buzzed overhead.
“Time’s up, children. I have to fight now. Get away from here. The battle is about to begin,” Darbian said.
Aculpus’ ship came in close and hovered above the neighborhood.
Aculpus elevated to the top of the ship and appeared out of a hatch. “Prepare to die!”
Darbian and the others looked back to see if Aculpus was about to descend to the ground.
Instead, Aculpus pulled out a laser rifle, aimed it at the children, and fired.
Darbian dove in the way to take the brunt of the weapon fire, but he couldn’t absorb all the shots.
Hannelore was struck and fell to the ground.
“Hannelore!” cried her father.
Chapter 19
Hannelore’s father ran toward her broken body. “No! My little girl!”
“Aculpus!” shouted Darbian. “You coward!”
Just then Gregorical came flying in from down the street, used his own lasers to shoot the weapon out of Aculpus’s hand, and not so gently nudged Aculpus off the top of his ship and down to the ground. “No weapons,” said Gregorical.
Aculpus was shaken and struggled to get up.
Darbian rushed to Hannelore’s side. “She’s wounded…badly. Micah, come help! Mr. Allbrooks, we have to get her into a stasis pod inside Gregorical’s infirmary. And we have to do it now!”
“Tell me what to do,” said Brendan.
Micah rushed over. “Is she going to be okay?”
“Gregorical, I need a stasis pod open now!” Darbian kneeled over Hannelore.
Gregorical landed next to Darbian and Hannelore, nearly crushing a nearby house. He opened his bay door.
Darbian picked Hannelore up and rushed her inside. “Mr. Allbrooks, I need you to stay by her side and do precisely as Gregorical instructs you. There’s a battle ahead for me and it must be away from here.�
��
Micah, Brendan, and Elizabeth all followed closely.
Gregorical was equipped with a small infirmary, but only had bare essentials as far as the best medicine available. He opened a tube in the infirmary wall and a stasis pod popped out.
Darbian placed her inside the pod and closed it. “Use lots of Meticulo, Gregorical, lots.” Darbian relaxed for a moment against the infirmary wall. He rubbed his face and slunk to the floor.
Micah rushed over to grab Darbian’s arm. “Darbian, please tell me she’ll be okay. Please tell me that!”
“Micah, I'm not sure. I think we got to her in time, but I’m not a doctor,” Darbian responded.
Brendan stood over the stasis pod watching his unconscious girl. “Tell me what to do! How can I help?”
Gregorical responded. “Mr. Allbrooks, first, I want you to calm down.”
Brendan jerked his head up towards the ceiling. “My daughter is dying! I will not calm down.”
“She’s not dying Mr. Allbrooks. Not while I can do something about it.” Gregorical retracted the stasis pod back inside the wall.
Brendan put his hands up against a murky window trying to maintain a glimpse of his little girl. “Please, for the love of God, tell me there’s something I can do.”
“Just watch. When she wakes up, she will want to see you first,” Gregorical said.
On the other side of the room, Darbian and Micah were trying not to shed tears.
Micah buried his face in his hands. “I was supposed to look out for her and I couldn’t do anything.”
“Trouble follows us, Micah, and it always will.” Darbian looked down at the boy. “I want you to stay with me, do you understand? I need your help. I need it now and I’ll need it in the future. And you need my help. I can’t protect you if I’m not with you. Danger will not leave you just because I do.”
“I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” Micah said while crying.
“I need you to program the Convergence. Can you do that?” Darbian said.
“Yes, I think I can if Gregorical helps me,” Micah replied.
“He’ll help you, Micah. Ask him anything you need to,” said Darbian. “For now, I have to face Aculpus, and I promise you he’ll be defeated.”
“Remember Hannelore,” said Micah.
“No trouble there,” replied Darbian. He dashed out of the ship and found Aculpus.
Aculpus was just picking himself up off the ground. “Darbian, I was afraid you’d run away.”
Darbian raced toward Aculpus and gave him a jab to the jaw. “No such luck for you.”
Aculpus fell to the ground and cried out, “Rites of Morolith, Rites of Morolith, let us fight properly.”
Darbian backed away. “You’re a slimy, cowardly, worthless waste of flesh!”
“Same to you,” Aculpus retorted. “But the Rites of Morolith demand a proper arena. I’ll meet you in the city center. There’s a lovely park there where I can kill you in front of lots of people.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” replied Darbian.
Aculpus inputted directions on a control pad on his wrist. He sent a command for his ship to lower itself enough for him to jump inside.
The ship lowered itself and Aculpus did a backflip into the bay door.
“Gregorical, I’m coming back. We’re going to the city center. I'll fight Aculpus there.” Darbian turned back and boarded Gregorical once again.
This time, Elizabeth greeted him at the bay door. “Where are you taking my son?”
“My dear lady, your son is the bravest child I’ve ever seen. He’s going to be a Warden, and I will train him. For now, I need his help. I hope you understand,” Darbian replied.
“No, I don’t understand. I’m afraid Hannelore may die and I’m afraid my son may be next.” Elizabeth shed tears. “Do you have children, Darbian? Do you understand the pain I’m going through? He’s all I have left.”
Darbian lowered his head and then raised it again. “No, I don’t have any children, but I promise to protect Micah as though he were my own. I’ll die before I let anything happen to him.”
“Did that work for Hannelore?” Elizabeth replied.
Darbian pressed forward. “Hannelore’s father is here as well. He needs comfort.”
Elizabeth followed Darbian through the corridor. “I’m in no shape to comfort anyone, but I’ll try. Why am I even doing this? If my son doesn't come home, then I don't know what I'll do.”
Gregorical took off once again and flew toward the city center. They landed and noticed Aculpus was already there.
Aculpus exited his craft and walked up next to a large fountain.
Darbian exited Gregorical and walked until he stood only a few yards from Aculpus.
“The Rites of Morolith are clear,” said Aculpus. “We fight with our bare hands…no weapons, no armor, no devices of any kind. The winner has the right to demand whatever he wishes of the loser. You’re honor bound to follow these rules, Darbian.”
“Don’t speak to me of honor. Fight me,” replied Darbian.
The two ran at each other.
Remembering that Aculpus had no actual vision, Darbian ducked down and Aculpus missed with his first swing.
Darbian used his leverage to trip up Aculpus from behind. Once he had Aculpus on the ground, Darbian pounded his face hoping to wound his radar-like sense.
Aculpus, the stronger and more experienced fighter of the two, reached up with his legs and grabbed Darbian from behind his head and threw him to the ground.
“I am not so easily injured, Warden,” said Aculpus.
“Gregorical, I can’t figure out how to set the Convergence to move Earth. What do I do?” Micah said.
“Micah, have you tried activating the voice command? Most Armankouri technologies have such a feature,” Gregorical said.
“Micah, what is this all about?” asked Elizabeth
“Mom, there's no time to explain,” Micah moved the Convergence up on a table in the middle of the infirmary.
“What does this thing do?” Elizabeth was quite far behind.
“Mom, we have to move the planet. Halinkoy is coming to destroy it. This is the only way to protect it for now.” Micah said.
Elizabeth’s ears perked up. “I don’t understand. Who is coming? Are you talking about more aliens? Why would they want to destroy us?”
Gregorical spoke up. “Mrs. Alfero, there is a villain, the likes of which this planet has never seen, and he is approaching. That’s why we’ve returned…to protect Earth.”
“But you said you’re going to move the planet? How could something so small do something like that?” Elizabeth said.
“I really don’t know, Mom. The Armankouri invented it. They’re really smart; that’s all I got,” Micah replied.
“Well, where could you possibly move the planet?” Elizabeth said.
“The Convergence will decide for us,” said Gregorical.
“What about the other planets? And the sun? What are you going to do about them?” Elizabeth had picked up on a very important fact.
“She’s right, Micah, the other planets in this system form a unique balance along with the Earth. They should all move together,” said Gregorical.
“One planet at a time, Gregorical. I’m just trying to figure out how to move one,” Micah replied.
“Micah, try the large orange button in the center,” said Gregorical.
“Ok, hopefully we don’t make it move on its own like Taurean did,” Micah pushed the large orange button.
A foreign language emanated out from the Convergence. It went on for several minutes.
Micah backed away from the device. “What’s it saying Gregorical? Did we do something wrong?”
“No my child. This is an ancient version of the Armankouri native language. The language translation program is stored in my databanks. It is giving us instructions on how to operate the device,” replied Gregorical.
Micah nodded his head and smiled. �
�Awesome!”
“I will speak the correct language now and program it according to the plan.” Gregorical spoke the native language of the Armankouri and commanded the Convergence to move the entire solar system to a point and time of the Convergence’s choosing.
Micah pulled on his hair. “Is it done?”
“Not yet. First, I need to make sure that Halinkoy’s ships don’t move with the solar system. For that matter, we can't move either.” Gregorical relayed those specifications.
“How about now?” Micah was impatient as though he were waiting for Christmas.
“That’s strange. I didn’t expect that possibility,” Gregorical said.
Micah furrowed his brow. “What’s wrong?
“The Convergence works by surrounding itself and every object it’s programmed to move with a field of energy. What I’ve just asked the device to do is create multiple fields for an unknown number of objects inside the primary field thus shielding these various objects from the effects. Anomalies could result.” Gregorical displayed a diagram of the energy fields on his main screen.
Elizabeth responded, “English, please.”
“The Convergence has informed me there is a possibility of time warp,” Gregorical replied.
“Well, what would that mean?” Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips.
“Flashes of light, random wormholes, and a great degree of unpredictability,” the machine said.
Micah’s mouth hung open. “For who?”
“For us and for any other ship. It’s possible we won’t remain in our current time and location.” Gregorical pondered for a moment. “It’s a risk we must take. There are no other options.”
“So we may pop out in another time? Or another place?” Micah said. “Well, maybe we could lure the other ships away?”
“Not likely, Micah,” Gregorical replied. “We can’t know how many ships we’re dealing with. That and I doubt Halinkoy will fall for any trick that leads him away from the Earth, even for a moment.”
“So we chance it?” The boy said.
The Accidental Astronaut Page 17