“Are you really thinking about setting Frank up with the daughter of his friend?”
“He's lost a wife, sister. And from the way Nera is behaving, he might have lost two.”
Constanthos took a moment to respond, reflecting on what she knew of Gladys and Frank.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“What do you mean?” Gladys asked. “I want to give him everything.”
“You were there when he turned her down.” Tears were forming in her eyes, but Constanthos pressed on. “All you have given him is everything he feared.”
“I only want him to be happy.”
“He is happy with you. He is in love with you. Those video files aren't real. Everyone told you so. I will not contribute to your madness.” Constanthos turned and quickly walked away. She eventually found her way to a storage room where she could openly weep.
* * *
“Step aside,” the farmhand said as he came forward. His gait was almost casual, as if he had done this before.
The Commander quickly put himself in front of Frank. “I can not let you do this.”
“It is no bother,” Frank said in a low tone. “I will not kill him. But do me a favor and hold these.” Frank removed his sunglasses and held them out while keeping his gaze downward. The Commander took them and stood aside. Frank raised his head, baring his blank eyes for all to see. “In all of my battles, I have never killed a human.”
The farmhand paused and Frank was pleased to see that his little act had some effect.
“I highly doubt he has ever killed anything,” Berris replied. “The sword.”
The farmhand nodded and charged in swinging. Frank evaded three wild swings before finding his opening and hitting him with the Heisman Trophy. The palm-strike to the sternum sent the farmhand flying backwards and for a moment, Frank was afraid he had hurt the man.
“You are outmatched. You should stay down.”
Frank's words infuriated the farmhand. He picked himself up and resumed his attack. Frank blocked several blows before catching the much taller man in that same wrist-lock he learned back on his island. The farmhand dropped to his left knee with his right arm gyrated upward behind him.
Frank looked at Berris, making a show of subduing her best man with just a couple of fingers. “I do not have time for this, farmer.” He reached down with his left hand and grasped the belt and hoisted it upward. He released the hold and transferred his hand to the collar. The farmhand started flailing about as he found himself pressed over Frank's head, face up. After a few steps, Frank tossed the man onto the porch. He landed just to the side of Berris.
She was furious. “You have a lot of nerve, visitor!”
“You started it.” Frank couldn't help smiling. That made her more angry.
“All who are loyal to the farm!”
Only a couple of soldiers joined in as the crowd of workers moved to surround Frank.
“Someone get that kid out of the way,” Frank said as he pulled his shield in and hardened it.
The Commander himself came in and scooped a child up and scurried away.
Frank kept his eyes locked on Berris as the crowd charged. Feet set, he said in a gentle tone, “This is nothing personal.” They were clawing, punching, and kicking and didn't seem to hear his words.
He flared his shield and sent everyone flying.
“The sword stays with me,” Frank said. “And your hospitality sucks.”
Berris laughed. “You will find no hospitality on Mertia. And you will fail in your mission.”
“I think I have you figured out, Berris.” Frank smiled as he spoke but was mindful to keep his shield up. “You were nobody before the power went out. And when I restore it, you will go back to being a nobody.”
“Someone shoot him.”
Frank became fearful for the people. If bullets started flying, one of them would surely be hit. The shot came fast, and he was relieved that no one was hit as the projectile was turned away. But his anger was threatening to consume him.
“I said I have never killed a human. I did not say I would not.” The people who had been slow to pick themselves up before now doubled their efforts. There was something in Frank's tone that motivated them.
“Frank, please!” The Commander rushed forward.
“Please what? She needs to learn a lesson.”
The Commander lowered his tone as he came near. “You said it. She will become nothing again. There are larger farms with better leaders. Complete your mission and she loses.”
Frank nodded. “Now I know why Gelan sent me here.”
“I did not know she would behave quite like this.”
“I am not blaming you, Commander.” Frank retrieved his sunglasses as he spoke. “You have been very accommodating.”
“I want you to have this.” The commander handed over an odd pouch. “I have not seen you drink any water. It is very hot.” He looked around to make sure no one else was going to try shooting. “The rail is to the North. If you head toward the mountains, you can not miss it.”
“Thank you. Does the road lead to the second river?”
“Yes. But the bridge is watched. They would see you coming.”
“I am not overly concerned. I do not wish to harm any people but I would like to speak with them if the opportunity presents itself.”
“Frank, behind you!”
Frank didn't feel the impact to his shield and turned to find a young man falling on his butt. He was clutching a farm tool that was somewhere between a pick-ax and a hoe. Frank could see the fear in his eyes and noted that he looked to be twenty years old, at the oldest. Instead of speaking, Frank gave a sideways nod, as if to say 'beat it, kid'. The young man scurried away, clutching his elbow. He turned back toward the Commander, who was now several feet away.
“Sorry about that,” Frank said, realizing his shield had pushed him away.
“Is that the Curse?”
“Only a small part of it.” Frank looked around at all the confused faces. “You are going to have a lot of work to do. You should start planning.”
“Indeed,” the Commander replied. “You should probably take your leave. I have another farm to look in on before I return to the coast.” He paused. “Be wary of every group you encounter. And know the cities are the most unsafe places.”
Frank nodded. “You have been most helpful and I wish you the best.” He gave a slight bow before turning to Berris, who was still fuming on the porch. He raised a middle finger to her before turning to sprint toward the driveway. His speed never decreased as he hit the road and disappeared in the distance.
* * *
“I do not wish to be a bother, but I would like to witness the reunion.”
Cindy's words gave Gladys a needed reprieve from her thoughts. She had been sitting on a bench far away from the loba tree. Wiping tears away, she replied, “Yes, of course. A joyful moment is something we all need.”
“Are you okay, Gladys?”
“I've just had a hard lesson in human nature.”
* * *
Jard laughed out loud as he watched Frank running across the bridge. The bubble of the shield became visible as the projectiles met it, but his pace never slowed. Clouds started to block the camera, so Jard fetched a canister of protein and kicked back in his chair.
“Jard Dundarsheef.”
The voice startled him and he nearly dropped his snack. But he recognized the female's voice and decided to respond in Sessiki.
“It's been a long time.” He looked around and decided that she was communicating through the normal equipment, completely out of his control.
She chuckled before continuing . “How did you figure it out?”
“The apparatus you used. I've since met other Sessiks.”
“I've gathered. You need to fulfill our commitment.”
Jard didn't like the tone of her voice. “What is the job?”
“I want you to kill the Monster,” she replied.
Jard laughed out loud. “I couldn't even if I wanted to.”
“You are the deadliest assassin in the galaxy. I order you to kill him.”
Jard took a moment to look around the cockpit of his ship. He held up his hands and looked at them. “You made this terrible thing that I am and sent me off. And now you want me to kill the only being that has ever shown me any kindness?”
“We have an agreement, Jard. Do this and you are free forever.”
Jard manipulating the controls. No vessels were showing up on the screen. No rifts had been detected.
“I will not kill my friend. Like I said, I wouldn't even if I could.”
“I am very disappointed. I had such hopes for you.”
Jard Dundarsheef, The Assassin, had been in several tough places in his life. He'd always survived and fulfilled his contracts by remaining calm and weighing his options. But the tone of her voice nearly set him into a panic. He grasped the yoke, in case he needed to perform evasive maneuvers, only to find it dead. The gauge for atmospherics read normal. He then noticed the navigation array showing odd readings. A rift was opening ahead and his ship started toward it. There was nothing he could do.
* * *
“I am confused,” Filn admitted.
Berthantine took a moment to compose herself. She turned to Filn and smiled finally. “My fail-safe failed.” She pressed a spot on her control panel.
“I certainly understand your disappointment,” Filn replied. “So ungrateful. May I ask where you sent him?”
“He is in a nearby system. I killed everything except his atmospherics. I want him to think about me as he is drawn into the star.”
Before Filn could speak, a door panel slid open and a Centurion entered, ducking his head to clear the door. There was a grin on his face. It looked as if he knew something. Berthantine strolled over to him and reached up to touch his chest.
“The Monster is on Mertia. I would like you to kill him.”
“I am honored you trust me with such a task.” The Centurion's voice was as low as one would expect from such a large being.
“You will be rewarded, of course.” She ran her fingers downward before pulling away. “I believe we are out of range of the power of the amphibians. They will sense you when you reach orbit. They will know you are a Sessik. I am hoping they will assume you are Gladosanthos.” She turned toward Filn. “What do you think?”
“Ah, yes. Gelan. If memory serves me, they will know the species of a visitor before they enter the atmosphere. That is, of course, if they have encountered said species.”
“Filn,” Berthantine interrupted, “please skip to the end.”
“Of course. They will know you are a Sessik.”
“Is there anything else he should know?” Berthantine asked.
“Let me think. Gladosanthos was vague about her time here. I do know they asked that no Sessik ever return. Apparently the Reverence is uncomfortable for them. I mean more than normal.”
Berthantine waved her hand for silence. “They are of no concern. I might let them live if they don't cause any trouble.” She turned back to the Centurion. “The humans will be exterminated in the near future. Feel free to kill as many as needed. If Gelan interferes, you may kill them as well. I am loading every bit of data we have onto the landing boat. You will have to wait until the Monster disables the pulse generator or else you will crash.” She paused and flashed that smile again. “The Monster is clever. I do not doubt your intelligence, but you will need to arm yourself as a precaution.”
The Centurion gave a smile of his own.
Berthantine continued, “I will return for you after I oversee the Verullian invasion of Earth.”
* * *
“You're a clever, clever girl,” Jard said out loud as he was trying to bring his ship back to life. He was adrift and couldn't help but to notice the star periodically shining in through the glass. He was weightless, and the slow spin of the vessel had the brightness of the star alternating with the blackness of space. The effect was disorienting, but he wasted no time pulling panels away and digging in to see what he could figure out. He couldn't feel it, but he knew the star was going to pull him in.
* * *
Constanthos came out from her hiding place and made her way toward the landing boat. She tried to put on a serious face as she noticed Damon and Dorothy sitting under the loba tree. She rounded the bend and found Gladys and Cindy waiting at the door of the boat.
“Cindy would like to stay for the reunion,” Gladys said. Her tone was almost timid, as she didn't wish to upset Constanthos any further.
But Constanthos smiled as she looked up at Cindy. “Yes, of course.” She thought it over for a moment. “There is an element of sentimentality left behind, right? I mean when you use your abilities.”
“That is correct. You are very intuitive. Especially for being new to emotions.”
“All of the study and research did little to prepare me. Every day holds something new.” Constanthos looked into the boat. Nera was inside, running through some type of martial arts forms. “We are one jump away from what I believe is your home. Would you recognize it from orbit?”
“I believe so.”
“Good. We'll have a look. And I can get us back to Gotoreo in one jump after I do some quick math.”
“That is wonderful, Connie,” Gladys said. “I will see what I can do to help Dorothy ready herself.” She smiled and turned to make her way to the loba tree.
Constanthos gestured for Cindy to follow her into the boat.
“Widen your stance,” Constanthos said to Nera.
Nera paused and looked down at her feet. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Constanthos gave Nera a push on her shoulder as she passed by. It caused her to teeter and she had to step out of it. Constanthos retrieved the halo from where she'd left it sitting on the couch and motioned for Cindy to make herself comfortable. She placed the halo on her head as she turned back to Nera. “Assume that same position with your feet a shoulder-width apart.” Nera obliged her and when Constanthos repeated the shoulder push, Nera held her ground.
“Thank you,” Nera said. “This is different by myself.”
“I was going to suggest you come in here to practice. I'm pleased to see you thought of it yourself.”
“The garden was making me feel weak.” Nera just then looked up to see the color had left the eyes of Constanthos. “You're controlling the ship, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
“And helping me with my stance at the same time. You amaze me.”
Constanthos smiled. “I've been controlling the ship for a very long time. It's very natural for me. I find everything you do to be amazing.” She turned and found the remote control. When the television came on, the screen was filled with a beautiful blue and green planet. “Cindy, does this look familiar?”
Cindy stood and took a couple of steps toward the television. “I've never seen it like this before.”
“It is a lovely planet,” Constanthos complimented. “Are we sure it's the right one?”
Cindy dropped to her knees and settled into what looked like a meditative pose. Grasping her necklace, she closed her eyes.
“I can feel them. They are well. My father is well. I am trying to send him positive energy.” She sat quietly for a short time. Finally, she stood and embraced Constanthos. “Thank you so much, my friend.”
“You are very welcome. I am moving us to Gotoreo now.”
24.
The shoes weren't made for running but Frank didn't care. He just ran. The forest had blocked out the sunset, and his thoughts blocked out any pleasure its sight may have given. He thought of immortality and everything that came with it. He thought of Denise. When he finally became curious about how he could still see where he was going, he looked up. Mertia had two moons and they were both shining bright. But the distraction caused him to stumble.
Unable to correct his fall, Frank braced for the impact.
But it didn't come. He was quite surprised to find himself floating about three feet above the ground. As he slowed to a stop, he realized his shield had formed a bubble around him and had rolled down the road. Willing himself upright, he found himself able to relax the shield and his feet settled back on the road. He had been running uphill for quite some time but he decided to do a quick experiment. With a bit of concentration, the shield pressed outward in all directions and his feet came back off the ground. And he began rolling back downhill. When his speed started to pick up, he pressed downward and he came to a stop and once again landed on his feet.
“What a completely useless ability,” he said out loud, almost allowing himself to chuckle.
But then some motion in the woods caught his attention. Something was out there. He realized it was multiple somethings, and they were fast movers. It hadn't occurred to him until then there might be some aggressive wildlife on Mertia. He started back up the hill, deciding they couldn't delay him if they couldn't catch him.
Frank was running faster than he thought possible. Every once in a while, he'd look over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of whatever it was that was pursuing him. They were pretty far behind him, but slowly gaining. He finally reached the top of the hill and the view was spectacular under the two moons. It reminded him of Tennessee. The road flattened out for a few hundred feet before dropping into a deep valley. He could see the next hill in the distance, as it seemed to form a bit of a mostly clear plateau.
The thought of running down this decline made Frank realize he was due for an encounter with his pursuers. He would have to work too hard to control his speed and they would surely catch up with him. So he decided to jump. The shield formed that same bubble and he only had to focus on staying upright. As he gained speed, he realized staying upright wasn't the main concern. He needed to stay on the road. Somehow his course stayed true and he could only imagine how he would be passing sports cars at this rate. The bottom came quickly and he made it halfway up the next smaller hill before he relaxed and literally hit the ground running. Looking over his shoulder again, he saw nothing of the creatures.
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