“As does advice. Am I right?”
An odd sound echoed through the chamber. Frank realized it was laughter.
“We sense urgency, Custodian. But we insist you take your time here. We are not convinced the humans deserve to be saved.”
“There was a gathering at Rhoshe I was hoping to make. But I am willing to miss it. I just need to let my friend know I intend to stay.”
“Very good. The Commander will escort you to the nearest farm. And then after you know the people, meet us at the second river. By then you will know if they are worth saving.”
“Pardon me for asking, but just how am I supposed to get to the fog dome?”
“We will take you there if you see fit.”
“Okay.” Frank looked over again at Mondor. The blind man still stood silently.
“There is one more thing we require,” Gelan said, sounding ever more serious.
“How may I be of service?” Frank asked.
“Look upon us.”
22.
“That is absolutely amazing!”
Gladys smiled. “Thank you, Damon. It's actually a very old technique. This device is designed to stimulate the part of the brain that controls healing. It is similar to our implants.”
He was still in awe. “She looks twenty years younger.”
“That was charitable of you, sister,” Constanthos said with a wry grin.
“This poor woman has had a terrible time since her family was taken,” Gladys replied almost defensively. “Giving her some time back is the least I could do.”
“I would have done the same thing,” Constanthos admitted. She turned to Damon. “I hope you don't mind doing the talking. I'm kinda new to this.”
“I don't mind a bit.”
“I will be in the garden,” Gladys said before leaving.
Constanthos picked up the data pad. “Are you ready?”
“Oh yeah. This has to be the coolest thing I have ever done.” Damon took a deep breath and tried to center himself.
“I am bringing her to.”
Dorothy Stewart slowly opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling for a few moments before abruptly sitting up. “Where am I?”
“Mrs. Stewart, please try not to be alarmed. I'm Corporal Damon Potts of the United States Marines, and this is Constanthos.”
Dorothy looked around, clearly confused.
“What's the last thing you remember?” Damon asked.
“I was in that terrible place,” Dorothy said. “It's all hazy, but I remember a voice asking me if I wanted to leave. I thought it was the Gray Man.”
Damon leaned down and offered his hand. “Ma'am, it was the Gray Man. We are his friends.”
Her eyes widened as she looked around and realized nothing was normal. “Where are we?”
“We are aboard the Main Ship. Please, don't be alarmed. You're among friends.”
Dorothy blinked twice. “You said you are a Marine?”
“Yes, Ma'am. Frank pulled me out of the raid in Texas. He offered my unit a chance to help defend Earth. We've all been friends ever since.”
“Was I in a mental hospital?” Dorothy asked.
“Mrs. Stewart,” Constanthos interjected, “we know no one believed you when you said your husband and daughter were abducted. We know your life was a downward spiral after they were taken. But we believe you because we've seen them.”
“You've seen the aliens?” Dorothy asked.
“Well, yes,” Constanthos replied, “but we've also seen your husband and daughter. They are still alive.”
Dorothy brought her hands up over her mouth as the tears started to flow down her cheeks.
“Mrs. Stewart,” Damon started, “we would like to see you all reunited.”
Constanthos handed her a tissue as she openly wept. “Take your time, Dottie.”
“My Raymond always called me Dottie,” she said between sobs.
“Yes, I know. I was there when he asked Frank to look in on you.”
* * *
“Okay, change of plans.”
“So, it went well then?” Jard asked with a smile. He looked over the soldiers who still had weapons trained on him.
“Stand down,” the Commander ordered. He couldn't understand the language they were speaking but still caught its full meaning.
Frank nodded a thanks to him before continuing in English. “Gelan wants me to jump through some hoops. You should probably cut out.”
“Cut out?”
“Yeah, you know, fly away. Get out of range or whatever.”
Jard glanced back at the soldiers. “You want me to leave you down here, so far away from where you need to be?”
“Yeah. That's what Gelan wants.”
“Frank, that is fucking stupid.”
Frank bit his lip a little. “You're probably right. But they want me to see if the people here are even worth saving.”
“Hop in and I'll drop you off real quick.”
“Jard, dude, I'd get in so much trouble with my wife. You don't understand.”
“Ah, yes.”
“We're good, right?” Frank asked.
“I've studied my targets enough to know the importance of a happy mate. I will wait in orbit.”
“It might be a while. You don't have to wait.”
“I will wait, Frank Ford. You are my only friend and I wish to keep you alive. I'll keep you in sight and after the device cycles, come and help if needed.”
Frank nodded. “I totally would have never thought of that. I'm so glad the tournament was canceled.”
Jard let out a laugh. “As am I. Good hunting, my friend.” Smiling as he turned, Jard hit the button to raise the ramp.
“What is that thing?” a voice said from over Frank's shoulder as Jard's ship rose.
Frank spun around to find it was the Commander who had asked.
“That thing is my friend, Jard Dundarsheef.”
“I mean no disrespect. I only wish to know the name of the species.”
“He is one of a kind.”
“Amazing. If you would follow me, please.”
Frank was keenly aware of the change in attitude of this Commander.
“When Mondor told us to send a transmission, I must admit I was concerned. But you made a very good impression with Gelan.”
“They seem reasonable.”
The Commander actually let out a laugh. “Most people get squeamish around them. That is why the Stewards are always blind.” He led Frank toward a nearby building. “I suppose I should let you carry your own sword. Gelan seems to accept you but my duty states that I must say you will be shot if you do anything cross.”
Frank took his sword and answered with a shrug. They entered the building and the Commander ordered everyone present to the side so he could show Frank a map that was pinned to the wall. Frank ignored the murmurs from the soldiers that were in an unfamiliar language.
“We are here,” the Commander said pointing to a spot on the map.
“The water is a lot closer now,” Frank noted. “How old is this map?”
“It is pretty old. This base went unused until the power went out. As the water rises, we move farther inland.”
Frank thought it over. “The Li set you on a path that caused your world to heat up.”
“Yes. How do you know this?”
“They tried the same thing on my world.”
The Commander paused. He tried to look Frank in the eye but only saw his own reflection in the sunglasses.
“It is a long story, Commander. I would be happy to tell you on our way to the farm. For now, please show me the way to where I need to be afterward.”
“Okay. Here is the farm. It is not far. From there, you will go South by East.” He pushed his finger along the map. “This is the first river. I want you to know that no one has returned from that region in years.”
“You mean between the two rivers?” Frank asked.
“Yes. I feel like Gelan is testing you.”
Fra
nk thought it over for a few seconds. “I did not come here to fight humans. What is this line here?”
“That is the rail.”
“Okay. Tell me about the rail.”
“The rail was wonderful. It offered high-speed transportation across the nation.”
“That sounds awesome, Commander. But I need to know about how it is now.”
“Oh. It still stands as far as we know. It is elevated and braced with pillars. Very little land was sacrificed by its construction.”
“Is it passable, on foot?” Frank asked.
“It would be if you could reach it.”
Frank studied the map. “It would save a lot of time and effort. I do not wish to have to kill anyone.”
The Commander seemed frustrated. “Every time the power comes on, we quickly check in with the other bases. Everyone pretty much hides as it is a signal that the bug-men are coming. But we all check in first, and the base here hasn't responded.” He pointed to the part of the map where Frank knew the Gotes had landed. “The last we heard, there were spaceships landing. Gelan only told us they were not friendly.”
Frank committed the map to his memory. “Let us get going. I will explain everything on the way.”
* * *
The door of the lab slid open and they came into the garden. Dorothy was holding Damon's arm like a prom date and Constanthos walked on the other side of her.
“It's all so beautiful,” Dorothy said as she took in the view.
“I couldn't agree more,” Damon replied. “This is by far the best place I have ever been. Are you ready to meet some extra-terrestrials?”
“It came to me that this could all be...a vision, a result of some drug. You seem very real though and I feel better than I have for as long as I remember. If this is the result of a change of medication, please increase my dosage.”
“The medications are gone, Dorothy,” Constanthos replied. “This is a new reality for you, but know we are here for you always.”
Dorothy didn't reply. She'd caught sight of the others under the loba tree.
“Please don't be afraid, Dorothy,” Damon said. “They are some of the most wonderful people you'll ever meet.”
“I'm not afraid.”
* * *
“You are positive?”
“Yes,” Frank replied. “The Gurdiks will not be returning. The Gotes are only here in desperation.”
“Please, can we rest?” The Commander started the walk toward the farm fearing for the visitor's ability to keep up. But he soon learned the man from Earth did not tire. “How did you become the way you are?” he asked when Frank finally stopped.
“What do you mean?” Frank asked.
“You carry a great mass and yet you never slow.”
Frank smiled. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“I am in a position to where I think I should.”
“I do not wish to sound like a braggart,” Frank said.
“You came here on a vessel that is clearly beyond our known technology with a fantastic companion. It would not be bragging to tell me your story.”
“I am pressed for time so I will tell you the end. I defended my world against two species before the Gotes came. There was an accord between the Gotes and the Li and when I beat the Li, the Gotes threatened to destroy Earth if I didn't come without a fight. So I went. My body adapted to the gravity of Vera. That is why I am so large.”
“How did you escape Vera?”
“That is another long story. I will just say I had to take over the planet.” Frank's sunglasses prevented the Commander from looking him in the eye.
“You are either a fantastic warrior or a great actor. I am unable to decide.”
“I am a bit of both, to be honest.” Frank smiled again. “Shall we?”
* * *
“She was somebody,” Robert said.
“I have no idea what's going on,” Terrelle replied. “They're just sweeping it under the rug. Bankston doesn't talk to me like Porter did.”
“We need to do right by her,” Michelle interjected with authority. “You're saying she had no one?”
“She was raised by her grandparents after her folks died,” Terrelle replied.
“And they're gone?”
“Yes.” Terrelle motioned for a refill of his soda. Sammie obliged and was uncharacteristically silent about it.
“We were her family,” Robert said. “She was a special woman. Gladys saw it. Frank too, eventually. I don't really understand what was going on there, but she was one of us.”
“I've spoken with the Nakamuras,” Terrelle replied. “They share your sentiment.”
Sammie stopped wiping the bar and turned up the volume on the television. “Hey, look at this, you guys.”
One of the cable news channels was playing Denise's documentary. She had done the narration herself and there wasn't a dry eye in the bar.
* * *
“We are almost there,” the Commander said. He was looking quite tired. A low limb nearly claimed his hat as he was late to duck. Mertia was working on reclaiming the road.
“I am sorry you have to come all this way,” Frank replied.
“I was due for a visit. I am in charge of the soldiers over here too. But I must say I have never made the journey this fast before.”
Frank was trying to gauge distances and times from what he remembered of the map. “How much farther is the first river?”
“Not long. Especially at this pace.”
The trees finally gave way to a vast clearing. A series of flat-roofed buildings stood off in the distance and a mountain range completed the view. They left the road for what could only be described as a long driveway.
“This is a lovely planet,” Frank said. “It reminds me of home.”
“It is funny to hear that from someone from another world. I cannot help but to imagine your home as looking like something from the future.”
“Mertia is actually more technologically advanced than Earth.”
“Not any longer,” the Commander replied. He waved to soldiers standing guard off in the distance. He repeated the gesture in the other direction. “This is the perimeter.”
They came upon the fields and Frank found himself wondering what they were growing as he noticed people's heads raising up from time to time. As they grew nearer, people stopped working to stare at him. He tried to ignore them as they pressed on. Armed soldiers stood about, their rifles at the ready. Frank realized they were there for the protection of the workers as every soldier seemed to be scanning the now faraway tree line. As they grew nearer, he decided the main building was the Mertian version of a farm house. Every out-building was single-story except for one larger building. A group of soldiers were inter-mingled with workers just outside the structure that was nearest to the main house.
“Greetings, Commander,” a soldier said as he came away from the crowd.
“Greetings. Is Berris around?”
“I will have her summoned.” The soldier gave Frank a sideways glance and jogged away.
“This building is the dormitory of the workers,” the Commander explained. “The next building over is where the soldiers sleep.”
Frank looked around and realized this particular group of Mertians came in two varieties. Tall and taller. “It looks like everyone is getting along well.”
“There are farms like this all over Nilda. We try to guard them but it is becoming nearly impossible.”
“Nilda?”
“Yes. That is the name of this, um, continent. The other is Landis.”
“I tried to see as much as I could on the way down,” Frank replied. “Did I see a narrow strip of land connecting the two continents?”
“Yes,” the commander replied. “That is known as the Zone. It is impassable.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“That is where the weapons were tested.”
Frank knew right away the Commander was talking about nuclear weapons. His thoughts were inter
rupted by the arrival of the other soldier and a woman.
“Greetings, Commander,” she said. Her voice was much deeper that Frank expected. She stepped up onto the porch of the main building as if to oversee.
“Greetings, Berris. This is Frank. He is a visitor. Gelan asked that we stop here along Frank's journey.”
Berris turned her attention toward Frank. “A visitor? From where? He doesn't look Landisian.”
Frank felt every eye upon him but decided to let the Commander do the talking.
“He is from one of the other human worlds.” The Commander's words were answered with laughter from the crowd that had gathered. “I saw their vessel land with my own eyes.”
Berris looked Frank over. “You came across some unfathomable distance to visit my farm? I am very flattered.”
Frank answered with a wry grin. He almost felt like an apprentice that was going through some hazing process.
“Berris, please, let us not be rude to our guest,” the Commander pleaded. “I heard the words of Gelan.”
“The lights came on and we prepared for the bug-men. And now we find our panic was for this...short, bloated runt of a man. You expect us all to swoon over your guest just because Gelan said to?”
“Berris,” the Commander said her name and paused for a moment. “I am beyond exhausted. This man has come here to restore power for good, and expel the invaders from the capital city. Gelan would have known if he had been lying about his intentions.”
“This is too much, Commander.” Berris looked over to her nearest farmhand. “Bring me his sword.”
23.
Gladys broke away from the communion to stand next to Constanthos.
“She is lovely, isn't she?” Gladys asked.
“Yes. She certainly is.” Constanthos was watching Dorothy's face as she was being read by Cindy.
“Raymond is a handsome man,” Gladys continued. “Their daughter should be a sight.”
Constanthos shot Gladys a confused look. “I'm sure she is, but why would that matter?”
“I recall our Frank admitting to relations with a dark-skinned Earth human.”
Constanthos felt a new emotion brewing. She struggled to gather her thoughts. Grabbing Gladys around her upper-arm, she pulled her away toward the finished area.
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