Bethany Anne, in full armor, sat down in her chair. She rubbed the arms. “ArchAngel, it is fantastic to be back. Where are our support ships?”
“There are a total of thirteen Sphaea ships surrounding us. Twelve are cloaked. The G’laxix Sphaea refuses to cloak, and will announce our arrival.”
“That’s Natalia for you.” Bethany Anne smiled. “Her Russian lineage is showing.”
“Okay, everyone,” Bethany Anne looked around at her people on the bridge. “We’re going down there to challenge the Yollin King in a fight to the death. I’m going to assume he doesn’t want to die and will try all sorts of shit to stop that, not the least of which is a concerted effort to kill me. We’ve got more battles to go, so I don’t personally have time to die today. Therefore, as your Queen, I’m ordering you not to die, either.”
There was laughter at that. During the fight, ArchAngel had been often attacked but never seriously damaged. She had waded right into the battle and kicked ass in an orgy of destruction and havoc. Yollin ships quickly learned to leave the big Leviathan Class battleship the hell alone.
It wasn’t until you earned the right to be on the bridge of this ship that you found out just how unique it was in all of the ships in Bethany Anne’s armada.
This ship was captained by ArchAngel itself, the avatar of Bethany Anne. Those on the ArchAngel worked, they felt, for the lady herself.
When they went into battle, ArchAngel announced, “All personnel, this is the Battleship ArchAngel. We have been ordered to go into battle and ‘We Will Not Surrender’ has been instituted by our Queen. All lockdown protocols on this ship are removed. Leviathan Battleship ArchAngel is now fully operational and will fight until victorious…”
There was a slight pause from the speaker system. “Or dead.”
Every man and woman shouted and cheered as the ArchAngel went, guns blazing, into the ships of the Yollins. As Admiral Thomas, viewing the information during post-battle review later, commented, “She tore them new assholes.”
No one would fuck with the ArchAngel, and now she was carrying the Queen on her bridge once again. The ArchAngel went loaded, weapons hot, just watching, scanning and waiting to see if someone tried to attack. If they did?
They would find out what an enraged and protective EI could do when protecting her Queen.
Her Mother.
Yoll Video Communications around the planet, moons, and space stations
It was a sight for the Yollins to see. Their own ship, the G’laxix Sphaea, was leading the alien ship.
The sight, most admitted, was impressive.
Yoll had their own versions of the ArchAngel. Ships as massive as the alien one heading for their home world, and the video commenters would place overlays between the class of Yollin spaceship that matched the ArchAngel, but there was something about the human alien ship that got into the Yollin psyche.
It wasn’t beautiful. In fact, as most of the video commentators said, it was only beautiful in the horror of the design, because death was the focus. When you looked at the ArchAngel through the right prism, it was understood this ship wasn’t meant to have any other purpose but to create destruction and visit it upon another people.
What kind of people must these humans be to design in this fashion?
Ones that would threaten to kill indiscriminately until their King fought. Many Yollins thought it an inappropriate threat. Effective, but inappropriate nonetheless.
A few were whispering, where those in the upper Caste couldn’t hear, that she hadn’t said anything that wasn’t true. The Holy Texts didn’t limit the King’s challenge to only Yollins. There was just as much commentary about Captain Kael-ven T’chmon and whether he was, right now, in command of the G’laxix Sphaea or not.
QBS ArchAngel
“We have been given the final location for the Challenge,” ArchAngel announced. “We are going to head to a large stadium in the capital city.”
“That’s interesting.” Bethany Anne turned. “Kael-ven, thoughts?”
“The King is going to use this to make an announcement, or pronouncement. With all of the news coverage we’re getting, he must get control back again, or risk additional challenges to his rule. You have created a schism in the Castes.”
“Good,” Bethany Anne said. “If nothing else, that shit has to stop. There is no reason for artificial bifurcation of roles or responsibilities based on some bullshit created a long time ago. It’s just used to help those at the top stay on top.”
“Even with the King dead, those at the top will not be pleased to lose prestige.”
Bethany Anne smiled grimly. “Ask me if I give a fuck after I kill the King.” She looked him up and down, outfitted in his own Jean Dukes’ armor and pistols. “You ready?”
Kael-ven shrugged. “Who should ever be ready to lead a revolution?”
24
Royal City of Khn’Chik, Planet Yoll
“This planet makes even Los Angeles seem like a jungle,” Bethany Anne commented as they slowly floated over the megacity. “What do you use to build your cities with?” she asked Kael-ven
“Adhesive that we are able to manufacture from two large seas to the north and crushed rock. Both seas are inhospitable to anything living in them. But, if you mix it with the rock in the right proportions, the chemicals will allow a semi-liquid pour. If you use enough pressure to eject it, you can create some intricate shapes. Most times they have forms set to pour the mixture into, which hardens within hours.”
“Do they stick anything in the forms, to hold the hardened rock together?” Bethany Anne wondered. “We do something with concrete on Earth, but I think they have to put rebar or something in the mixture for strength.”
“No, I’ve never heard of anything placed in the rock unless it is for aesthetic reasons, which is often. Occasionally they will build a large hole into a wall so they don’t have to cut one later.”
“Huh, the buildings are beautiful.” She watched as the open-air stadium came into view. “Big sucker.”
“It is used for most of the major sporting games, and every time we have a coronation, of course.”
“How appropriate.” She turned around to ask, “Do Yollins have a phrase like The King is Dead, Long Live the King?”
Kael-ven’s mandibles opened and shut a few times before he asked, “Is that even logical?”
“No,” she agreed. “But what it meant was that the old monarch was dead, but there was already a new monarch and it allowed people to rely on continuity of leadership.”
“So, in this case, King Yoll, which is both title and name you take when assuming leadership, the previous one is dead, the new one is in place.” He paused a moment, “It has a certain relevant illogic to it.” He shrugged. “Yollins always assume there will be a King. We rarely see this King, only hear about him. So this,” he pointed at the stadium starting to take up the entire front view, “will be possibly a once in a lifetime experience.”
“Well, it will also be a last in a lifetime experience,” Bethany Anne said.
Yoll exited his Royal Shuttle into the back entrance of the stadium. He would show himself in his full glory at the appropriate time.
Perhaps this fight, he would take a new form.
Bethany Anne got up from the chair. “You got this ArchAngel?”
“Yes, my Queen, I have this,” she replied.
Bethany Anne nodded to Kael-ven, “Okay, Viva la revolution, let’s get this done.” She, Kael-ven and her security walked together to the Pod bay, passing by a long line of well-wishers. Ashur was waiting for her. “Let’s do this Ashur,” she said as she stepped into the armored Executive Pod.
Moments later, it was exiting the ArchAngel’s bay and slowly dropping, surrounded by a contingent of twelve Black Eagles.
The King watched the spectacle of the alien arriving through the top of the stadium. Their ships used a form of gravitics, so were silent.
Maybe he needed to up his estimation on when Kur
therians had upgraded this group. He was certain after reviewing the video that these aliens had been upgraded, he just couldn’t tell when or by whom. Most of their technology seemed older.
Who used an asteroid for a base? It was almost like these aliens preferred to thumb their nose at beauty and balance.
Obviously, they would be an easy species to subjugate once this Queen was taken care of and her head was on his wall.
Provided he didn’t choose to exchange forms and put this body’s head on the wall. Either way, one of these two heads was going to be on his wall by tonight.
When Bethany Anne’s shuttle landed, Gabrielle ordered the doors be kept closed. There was no way Bethany Anne was allowed out of the ship until the King showed himself.
It took five minutes, maybe six. Huge, cacophonous trumpets of some sort started blaring notes and those in the stadium stands, easily a hundred and fifty thousand Yollins, made all sorts of noise. But it was their pounding on the rock floors throughout the stadium that easily made the most noise, the vibrations could be felt in the Pod.
“I think the King is the hometown favorite,” Bethany Anne chuckled.
“They don’t know what you would do if they do not support you. They certainly fear what the King will do,” Kael-ven explained.
Eight four-legged heralds, all holding poles with black banners high, came up a ramp that had started underground. The racket in the stadium went up a notch. Then, King Yoll slowly walked out. You saw his head first, then his two front legs rose out of the hole, grabbing the sides as he lifted his body up. The crowds settled down.
Not in fear, but in awe. Their King really was a God of Yollins. He was massive as he emerged from the hole, easily dwarfing the tops of the poles that the heralds held high. The King looked up and around the large stadium, then he nodded his acceptance of their accolades.
He walked onto the field. “Doesn’t he seem a little bulkier than you would think?” Bethany Anne called over her shoulder to Kael-ven.
“He should. He really is three times my size,” replied the awed Yollin.
“More than that,” ADAM said. “He has on armor.”
Bethany Anne pointed at the monitor at the King. “That’s what I’m seeing!”
John asked, “Is that why you have on your old exoskeleton suit?”
“Maybe,” Bethany Anne replied.
“When I stuffed her in the suit,” Gabrielle said, “my God, you would have thought I was making her wear a pair of knock-off Louboutin’s, the way she bitched.”
“Being in this is hot,” Bethany Anne retorted. “I don’t see you wearing the old set.”
“I’m not fighting an eighteen-foot-tall half praying mantis, half alien centaur either,” Gabrielle said.
“Jealous?” Bethany Anne asked as she grabbed the suit’s helmet and prepared to step out of the shuttle.
Gabrielle looked back at the screens showing the huge King. “No. No I think I’m good this time. If fighting that massive mountain is what it takes to get your sweet ass bedsheets? Hell, you can keep them. I’ll just sneak into your room and nap when you’re somewhere doing something Queenly.”
“Gee, thanks.” Bethany Anne smiled then turned around and looked at her friends. “Motherfuckers, every one of you, let’s go kick some ass.” Her voice dropped an octave. “I’ve still got some mad to get out and it’s just this poor constipated dickless dictator’s fault he gets to feel the wrath,” her eyes started glowing red, “of the woman Michael, the ArchAngel himself entrusted.”
Her face started showing red lines of Etheric, like blood vessels glowing under her skin radiating out from her eyes. “Entrusted to keep our fucking Earth safe from all who would attack her.” Her voice, now causing those in her presence to have goosebumps run up and down their arms, commanded, “All right, you know how I feel. I’m done playing.”
Yoll watched as the shuttle door opened and he wondered how many guards would be in front of the Queen before she would show herself. Personally, he would have at least six, but if she came out with four, he wasn’t going to offer more respect for the bravery doing so would display.
The first figure off the vessel was an armored person who stopped and looked around. The figure turned to look over its left shoulder and stared at Yoll. It lifted its arm and raised a middle finger toward him before it spoke. “I’ll get to you in a minute, Yoll. So enjoy your last few moments before I bring the fucking pain.”
Yoll’s mandibles snapped together when he realized this figure was the Queen. She waited while five more walked out and surrounded her. On cue, they turned and proceeded to head towards him. Halfway, the security peeled off and turned, walking back towards the shuttle as those in the stands yelled and stomped.
Yoll walked forward past his heralds and stopped at his edge of the fighting circle. The alien stopped at the edge of the circle on her side.
Yoll looked around, his voice amplified as he pointed across the circle at her. “What have we here? I thought you understood the Challenge was without armor?”
She pointed back at him. “I am merely following your lead. You never accepted my Challenge, and I see that you have armor on at this moment. So, Yoll, are we fighting a Challenge, or are you already trying to cheat?”
Yoll grated his mandibles together. He reached behind himself and clicked two tabs. He lifted off the armor that was supposed to be invisible to the aliens as he said, “Ceremonial.”
The Queen nodded and reached up and unhooked her helmet and took it off, allowing her black hair to cascade behind her head. Two of her guards jogged back to her.
John reached Bethany Anne first, with Eric a step behind him. John caught two of the snaps and popped them off. “Got your armor, that was sneaky as shit boss. You never expected to fight with this on.”
“God no,” Bethany Anne said as she stepped out of the boots. “The new stuff is so much better, this shit feels like something Jean dreamed up when she wanted to punish us.”
John noticed red armor under her present set. “You expect to get to use this?” He asked as Eric grabbed her old armor.
“No, I’ll have to strip again, I’m sure.” Eric chuckled. “Oh shut up, Eric. I know all of your girlfriends screwed the hell out of each of you before we did this, so don’t be thinking seeing me in my birthday suit is going to embarrass me.”
John took the helmet. “Oh, it will embarrass you, BA.”
Bethany Anne looked up at her friend and put up her thumb and index finger, close together. “Maybe a little.”
The two guards took the armor back to the shuttle.
Yoll looked at the woman, the red of her body and feet not matching the white of her face. “You have more armor on,” he accused.
She pointed out to him, her voice heard just as easily even though he had tried to make sure only his voice was audible to those in the stands. “You have never agreed that this is a King’s Challenge. When are you going to accept?”
Yoll considered his next move. No doubt her armor was good, but should he fight her with it, and it not be a King’s Challenge, or should he call it a King’s Challenge and make her take it off?
While he pondered, the crowd started murmuring. Yoll finally realized that many in the stands were pointing to a new figure entering the field from her shuttle.
It was another Yollin, encased in red armor like the Queen wore, his mandibles chomping. Here was the ex-Captain of the G’laxix Sphaea, the one time Acolyte of the Holy Text and the present pain in his attempt to subjugate this race.
He would deal with him next.
“King’s Challenge,” Yoll ground out. “Accepted.”
She nodded to the yells and stomping from the crowd. The red armored Yollin walked calmly towards the alien Queen as she stripped off her red armor, watching Yoll the whole time. Finally, she stood there unarmored, her skin the same color as her face.
Kael-ven walked up behind Bethany Anne. “So,” he whispered. “Why is it this red armor isn’t at
all like the real red armor you normally wear?”
Bethany Anne turned to hand it to Kael-ven, “Because I trust that asshole about as far as I can throw him. You ready?” she asked and he nodded.
Kael-ven turned and walked back towards the shuttle.
When he got there, Gabrielle accepted the red armor. “Guys,” she hissed, “this shit isn’t real.”
“Tell us something we didn’t guess as soon as we figured out we weren’t staring at her real ass, but a photograph on a bodysuit!” John hissed back.
She eyed Eric, who was busy looking at anything but his girlfriend at the moment. Gabrielle chuckled. “That damn bitch is just never going to stop surprising my ass.”
Darryl whispered, “If you ain’t cheating…”
“You ain’t trying,” five humans and a Yollin hissed back.
“Challenge has been issued,” a voice from the speakers announced to those in the stadium, “and Challenge has been Accepted. This is now a sacred battle and will be fought behind the Sacred Curtain.”
“Okay,” Bethany Anne muttered, “this was unexpected.” She looked around as the Yollin King moved into the hundred-yard diameter circle.
“Well, fuckity fuck,” she murmured as she walked into the circle herself, head held high. She heard massive machines power up, then felt the energy they produced as a circular, white translucent shield erupted from the ground around the perimeter of the circle, arching over their heads to meet sixty feet above them.
“Well, that’s just spiffy,” she said, looking at the new enclosure.
“What,” the Yollin King chittered, “You didn’t know about the Sacred Curtain?”
Kurtherian Gambit Boxed Set Three: Books 15-21, Never Submit, Never Surrender, Forever Defend, Might Makes Right, Ahead Full, Capture Death, Life Goes On (Kurtherian Gambit Boxed Sets Book 3) Page 21