“Tragic. He thought he was all alone and the world below had been obliterated. But he's out now and will be in contact with the surface shortly.”
Frank nodded again. “What's up with that boat?”
Constanthos gave a slight smile. “Its computational system is similar to ours. Everything about it is similar, only scaled up in size.”
“He was rather large.”
“Indeed. I'm taking it into the star.”
“Wait,” Frank said. “Aren't we short on boats?”
“It isn't compatible.”
“Bummer.” He looked at the screen to see the surface speeding away.
“We'll be docking shortly,” Constanthos said.
There was an uncomfortable silence so Damon decided to speak. “That slug dude seemed to like you, Frank.” He wanted desperately to cheer his friend up.
“I... Um...”
“We saw him loving you up in the water.”
Frank was saved by the door sliding open. Everyone was gathered to greet him. Gladys was front and center and came into his arms as he crossed the threshold. After she released him, he turned to greet the Stewarts.
“Ray, it's good to see you.” He accepted a firm handshake. “Mrs. Stewart.”
“Call me Dottie.” She embraced him and kissed him on the cheek. “I owe you everything.”
“Think nothing of it, Dottie.” He then turned to their daughter. “You must be Chloe. I'm Frank.” He extended his hand and was surprised by the power of her grip.
“I've heard so much about you.” She had a curious look that Frank attributed to the fact that she hadn't seen many humans for a very long time. Or maybe it was his eyes.
He looked around. “Hello, Cindy.”
The Ezilak answered with a bow.
“Where is Nera?” Frank asked.
“She is in stasis,” Gladys replied. The look on his face made her nervous but she continued. “She was injured when she killed the Centurion.”
“She did what?” Frank didn't know why he was suddenly enraged. His shield hardened itself and slowly extended, pushing everyone away.
“Frank, please,” Cindy said. Her voice was very calming.
Frank concentrated and the shield dropped. “I'm sorry.”
Cindy came forward and took his hand. But she suddenly recoiled. She grasped her necklace and said, “It's too much. I'll need to build my strength.”
He nodded in acknowledgment, knowing that last part had been private. Moving by everyone, he quickly made his way toward the lab. Gladys rushed to catch up with him.
“I haven't had the opportunity to work on her yet.”
“Why did you let her face a Centurion?” They entered the lab and the door closed behind them. Nera was laying on the table.
“We didn't know there was a Centurion. The Ekokes said a Sessik was in the Mother's chamber. We assumed it was Wold.”
“I see. But still.”
“We had to act. She insisted on going.”
Frank relented. “She wanted Wold. I get it.” He looked over to the blank spot where Brogue had been slumbering. “Where is your brother? He has some explaining to do.”
“He is in the control room but there is something...”
Frank stormed out before she could finish her sentence. She rushed after him.
“Frank, please!”
He ignored her and marched to the door of her control room. The Reverence hit him as he entered but it was weak in comparison to what he had faced on Mertia. Brogue was sitting at the far seat, monitoring the screens.
“Brogue, you have some explaining to do!” Frank could taste his fear.
“Frank!” Brogue stood up. His was an expression of sheer terror.
“What is your relationship to this Berthantine?”
“I do not have a relationship with her, I promise.”
“Frank, please calm down,” Gladys said from behind him.
Frank spun around to face her. “How can I be calm when these giant fucking clones of your brother are doing this shit?”
“Let us work this out. There are aspects you have not been made aware of.” She stepped forward so the door could close. She gave Frank a look that caught him off guard.
Frank paused and took a few deep breaths. “Okay. I'm sorry.”
“I can only imagine how this looks,” Brogue started. “I had no idea she was doing all of this. I haven't seen her for thousands of years.”
“So she has a thing for you?” Frank asked.
“Brogue is famous for his looks, Frank,” Gladys said.
Frank shifted his gaze between the two of them a couple of times. She could tell from his expression he was nowhere near satisfied with her statement.
“Do you remember when I told you about female Sessiks seeking out and paying for sex?”
“You were talking about Berthantine?” Frank asked.
“Yes. I know her as well. She is a fellow scientist. I considered her a friend at one point.”
“So she has a thing for your brother...” Frank was trying to think it through. “...and she's super horny.” Frank turned back to Brogue. “Bad personality? Stupid? Ugly maybe?”
“I don't know what to say,” Brogue replied. “I cannot say she is ugly.”
“She is extremely attractive, Frank,” Gladys added.
Frank sighed. “I was mostly joking there. She's obviously intelligent too. I won't pretend to understand what makes up attraction among the Sessik.”
“Brogue,” Gladys said, “just tell him. He isn't Sessik. He will understand.”
“Okay,” Brogue said. He looked Frank in the eye and said, “I prefer the company of other males.” He quickly turned his gaze downward as if he were ashamed.
“Well, that's a relief,” Frank said to Brogue's surprise.
“Excuse me?”
“She doesn't know you're gay. And you're probably the only male Sessik that never gave her the time of day.”
“Gay?”
“That's what we call it on Earth. Most folks are cool with it.”
“Oh.” Brogue was shocked by the level of acceptance.
“I've always told him it exists in nature everywhere,” Gladys said.
“It makes sense to me now,” Frank said. “I'm sorry for being an asshole.”
“I thank you for your understanding,” Brogue said.
“You're good,” Frank replied. “How do you suppose Berthantine was able to use you as a template for the Centurions?”
“It could have been anything, my love,” Gladys replied. “A single hair could have done it.”
“She's starting to sound like a creepy bitch,” Frank said. “Did the Centurion on Rhoshe look like the one on Mertia?”
“Identical,” Gladys replied.
“I wonder how many she has,” Frank said. “And what is up with the Verullians?”
“Connie, are you plugged in?” Gladys asked, calling out into the air.
“Yes, sister.”
“Are we clear to depart?”
“Yes. I suggest Rhoshe.”
“I agree. I think we've built up the credit.” Gladys was amused at the thought of being a Sessik and worrying about credit.
“Hold up,” Frank said. “Why Rhoshe?”
“I will explain everything,” Gladys said.
“Allow me,” Constanthos said. “You will need to speak to the Mother.”
“Yes, of course.” Gladys reached up and touched Frank's cheek. “I am so sorry for all of this, my love. Your home is once again in danger.”
Frank noticed Brogue turning away so he pulled her in close. “This is my job, babe.” He was careful to not squeeze too hard. “I might not be in the mood for a lot of diplomacy.”
“This makes the third time the Verullians have tried to take Terra,” Gladys replied. “I should have made them kill themselves the last time.”
“That's not like you, my dear.” He gave her a brief kiss. “You've been hanging around with humans to
o much.”
She saw his smile and knew he was trying to make a joke, but the very air around him made her feel uneasy. This being who had brought her out of her shell and paused her thoughts of termination had changed. She feared what she created but her love for him was stronger than ever.
“Make yourself ready, my love. They have the Reverence on their side this time.”
30.
As the door closed behind him, Frank noticed everyone was still congregated together near his boat. He felt like an asshole. There was a rage inside him unlike anything he'd ever felt before. It was far greater than his murderous thoughts toward Wendy and Terrelle had ever been. But this wasn't what he wanted to be. As he walked over, he decided to start with an apology.
“I've been under a considerable amount of stress,” he started after gaining their attention. “This whole shield thing is weird and it should calm down soon. I'm sorry for what happened earlier.”
He was answered with a chorus. No one was holding anything against him.
“I thank you all for your patience with me. But there is more work to do. The Verullians are back and they have the backing of a Sessik.”
“I propose you get yourselves acclimated to Earth-normal gravity,” Constanthos said. Her voice wasn't coming from a remote, but from inside the boat. She was still sitting on the couch, doing a thousand things at once. Everyone made their way inside.
“What are we up against this time?” Damon asked.
“You all know of the Centurions at this point,” Constanthos started. “We now know the Sessik known as Berthantine Mod Lurvan is responsible for their creation. And she has brought the Verullians back to Earth.”
“Back to Earth?” Dorothy asked. She had been seated at the opposite end of the couch with her daughter seated between her and Constanthos.
“They're the ones who built the pyramids,” Raymond explained. “They built one on Vera too, but they didn't have time to do any more like on Earth.”
Constanthos continued, “Raymond, you probably possess as much or more knowledge of them as I do. Gladosanthos ushered them away with the Reverence on two occasions. The Gotes found another way to beat them.”
Raymond opened his mouth and then paused. And then he raised his hand again as if he was ready to talk. Both times he second-guessed himself. Finally he said, “Their food supply was, um, drugged.”
“What do they eat?” Cindy asked.
“Blood,” Raymond finally said.
“What the fuck do you mean blood?” Damon asked. “All due respect, sir, but you gotta explain this shit.” He was answered with a blank stare as Raymond was trying to formulate a response. “Okay, I'm sorry for my outburst,” Damon continued. He shot a glance over at Frank who was only looking on with his blank eyes. “Can we at least see what we're going up against?”
“Verullians fall somewhere between mammals and reptiles,” Constanthos began. A remote lifted from the refrigerator and projected an image.
“What the fuck?” Damon asked seeing the demonic image before him.
“I figured these guys are the basis of legends of demons and vampires on Earth,” Raymond said in a flat tone. “And they have a thing for pyramids.” He glanced over at Frank to see a smile forming on the Custodian's face.
“I've killed a Verullian before,” Frank said. “There was one among the assassins on the island.”
“They subsist on a diet of mammalian blood. They will also drink the blood of other forms but mammals are their favorite.” Constanthos went on for some time before asking, “Frank, how did you deal with the strength and speed of the Verullian you faced?”
“Shuriken. Right between the eyes.”
“I see. They are highly adaptive to various gravities and are physically powerful.” She paused as another orb lifted and flew into the circle of people.
“The Mother is sending two carriers,” Gladys reported.
“That is wonderful news, sister. I don't know enough about the Verullians' capabilities.”
“That might grant us orbital superiority,” Gladys continued.
“We'll have to handle the atmosphere ourselves,” Constanthos replied.
“They will be standing by shortly. I've arranged a simple signal. A small rift will signal that we are all clear and they aren't needed. A large rift will tell them to enter and join the battle.”
“Are we clear to leave?” Constanthos asked.
“Whenever you're ready.”
Everyone turned to the screen to watch the stars change. Earth soon came into view, along with the entire Verullian fleet.
“Large rift it is,” Damon said.
“We need to recon,” Frank said.
“We have inbound,” Constanthos said in a surprisingly calm voice.
“How are they tracking us?” Gladys asked.
“Unknown. I'm taking us evasive.”
“Are those torpedoes?” Frank asked.
“Yes,” Constanthos replied.
“Jard did this thing at Mertia where he opened a rift and made the Gotes shoot themselves down with their own torpedoes.”
“That's fascinating,” Constanthos said. She was sitting calmly, staring off into the distance. “We need to figure out how they're tracking us.”
“Get us into phone range and I'll call Phil.” Frank looked around. He barely noticed how everyone else was glued to the screen. “Now, where did I leave my phone?”
“It's on the refrigerator.”
“Thanks, Connie.” Frank picked up his phone and dialed Phildan. He pushed the button to put him on speaker.
“Frank, turn off the beacons,” Phildan said. There was no greeting.
“Okay,” Frank replied before looking over at Constanthos.
“Ours are built into our bracelets and I can disable them from here,” she said. “Damon's and Nera's were added to their suits. Behind the neck, a tiny sphere.”
Damon reached behind him and felt around. “I feel it.”
“Pinch it out,” she said.
“Okay, it's out. Now what?”
“Smash it with something.”
He looked around for something, anything.
“Give it here,” Frank said. He accepted the beacon and smashed it with his fingers. “I'm going to go get the one off of Nera.” He walked out the door and toward the lab. He looked over his shoulder to make sure Gladys wasn't following. “Connie, can you hear me?”
There was nothing. So he entered the lab and let the door close behind him.
He tried again. “Connie, can you hear me?” He gently reached under Nera's neck to find the sphere.
“Yes, Frank,” Constanthos replied.
“I was thinking about something. Is that big cloaked ship out there?” He pinched the beacon out and smashed it.
“It is a ways off, but it is there.”
“Just a second.” She paused. “I managed to access Brogue's beacon and disable it. The Verullians have broken off their pursuit so I'm signaling Phildan to rendezvous.”
“Good, I'm going to need him to drive my boat.”
“I can drive your boat, Frank”
“You're going to be busy.” He thought it over. “I mean, if you agree to my plan.”
The door slid open and a remote flew in.
“I was wondering what was taking you so long,” Gladys said.
“I was about to do a quick upload, my dear.” Frank sat in the chair and put on the halo. “Just until Phil gets here.”
“Is it really a good time for that?” Gladys asked.
“It was my idea, sister. Frank needs a quick breather. For his sanity, if nothing else.” Constanthos really wanted to know what was on Frank's mind and this was obviously the quickest and easiest way.
“I suppose there's no harm.”
“Thanks, babe. You're the best.” Frank leaned back and closed his eyes.
* * *
Roper fiddled with his translator before addressing Dave and Enrique.
“A
gents of the Monster, I am Roper.” He looked them over with curiosity. They stood silent and seemed unfazed by the guns that were pointed at them. “I see you have been in similar positions before.” They remained silent. “We will be extracting information from you soon enough. The Sessik are in the city, gathering our labor.” He gestured at the Great Pyramid that was looming behind him. “We have a lot of work to do here.”
Dave looked over to Enrique and nodded. They had been stripped of their weapons except for their knives. They drew them in unison and spun around to attack their captors. Dave tried to stab the nearest soldier in the chest but his knife didn't penetrate the armor. The alien grabbed his wrist in a vice-like grip and forced Dave to drop his knife. Enrique fared even worse and was knocked out by a powerful straight punch.
Roper chuckled. “That was very brave. It was also very foolish.” He nodded at another soldier and Enrique's leg was lifted. They used his own knife to cut his Achilles tendon. Before Dave could react, he felt himself being lifted up. He was powerless as his tendon was also cut. And he was unable to not cry out in pain. They dropped him in the sand and stepped back to continue standing guard.
“Look around you, human,” Roper said. He gestured in the other direction. Dave looked over to see what appeared to be a local news crew being led forward. “The Li have given me an easy means to deliver my message to this world.” He reached up and started removing his helmet. “The Monster is dead,” he said as he removed his mask. Dave realized the horns of the helmet had been perfectly formed around the very real horns on Roper's head. “And I have your leader in custody.”
“We'll fight to the last man,” Dave said.
“No. You will surrender and accept subjugation.” Roper smiled, showing his fangs.
Dave started to feel uneasy. He knew Roper was a species that was new to him, but he felt as if he was staring down a demon. His confusion grew when a Sessik remote appeared.
* * *
“I trust things are moving along to your satisfaction,” Berthantine said.
“I am quite satisfied,” Roper replied. “I never asked how you prefer to be addressed.”
“You may simply call me Berthantine.”
“Your intelligence is vastly superior to my own, Berthantine. But I cannot help speculating your motives for giving us this planet. I assume you wish us to be far away.”
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