“I would like to speak candidly, but I fear it may insult you.” Her tone suggested she wouldn't care either way.
“Please, speak your mind.” Roper knew he would most likely be insulted, but as the leader, he needed to know where his benefactor really stood.
“Every species has its strengths and weaknesses. Your weakness is your religion. When you outgrow it, you could very well consume half the galaxy.”
He centered himself before speaking. “I choose to interpret that as you respect our capabilities.”
“Very much so, Roper. But the reality is, with this arrangement, we both win. You get what you need for your people, and the humans will be exterminated.”
“It's a shame, really. They make such great slaves. Are you sure you're not willing to give us more time?”
“Three generations, Roper. And then I want them sterilized.” Her tone became stern despite the sweetness of her voice.
“As you wish.” He resolved himself to somehow finding a way around the Reverence. No being he had ever known of had managed, but he wasn't willing to give up the free labor without a fight. But one thing still bothered him. “I must ask about the nuclear weapons.”
She giggled. “They aren't for you.”
Roper reached up and rubbed a horn in thought. “We've not been privy to any recent events. If not us, who are they intended for?”
“I intend to spread them around. There's a ridiculous amount of them here. These humans were prepared to destroy their entire planet for the sake of bragging rights. The Li engineered this so I will reward them. But the bigger threat is the Mingrein.”
“I've heard of them but I admit to ignorance.”
“All you really need to know is the Monster defeated them and for whatever reason gave them a planet of their own. I find that unacceptable. They attacked Sessik Home.”
Roper looked over to see one of his officers signaling.
“What is it?” Berthantine asked.
“The humans launched an offensive.” He let out a laugh. “And the shuttle carrying their leader is inbound.”
“I would like to see your ceremony, if you find my presence acceptable.”
“You are more than welcome, Berthantine.”
“Thank you. You will have a grand audience. I detected a rift. It could only be Gladosanthos.”
* * *
Cindy watched Constanthos intently as the human multi-tasked.
“Everyone is gathering to greet Phildan, Pock, and the Nakamuras.”
“I know.”
Constanthos looked at her. She was sitting cross-legged in the floor, staring. “Is something wrong?”
“I know what you are doing. You are going to need me.”
“He wanted me to do this. Frank has a secret plan.”
“There might be a plan in there somewhere. It's everything else that has me worried for you.”
Constanthos allowed herself to dig deeper. She soon realized what Cindy had meant.
“Oh.”
“Have you found what you are looking for?”
Constanthos trembled and tears started streaming down her face. “Why does he do this to himself?”
“It is his duty, as he sees it.” Cindy reached up to take the hand of Constanthos. “Look beyond the pain.”
“Oh,” she chuckled through her sobs. She paused as she looked over his plan. “He's so silly. Wait. A saying. Two birds with one stone. What does that even mean?”
“I do not know. You have what you need. Now look for what you want.”
She sat with a blank face for some time before a smile finally formed. “I am there.” And she realized why he'd acted so awkward when he saw her in person for the first time on Vera.
* * *
Frank sat up, replaced the halo, and stood up. He paused and looked down at Nera. Rounding the table, he leaned over to kiss her forehead.
“I love you all,” he whispered as he stood back up. He knew things would never be the same between them. There wasn't time to ponder that.
“She will be fine.”
The voice of Gladys startled him. “Have you been here the whole time?”
“It wasn't long, my love. Phildan has docked.”
“Good.” Frank made his way through the door and out into the garden. “Where did I leave my phone?” He marched on toward his boat and was pleased to see Hiro and Miyako. But he could tell from their expressions they weren't needing small-talk. “How bad is it?”
“They targeted our beacons,” Hiro said.
“Shit. Robert?”
“He's safe. He wasn't wearing his varitherm.”
“Frank!” Phildan popped his head out of Frank's boat. “You need to see this.” He waited as Frank strode by with the Nakamuras in tow. “Dave and Chavez have been captured.”
The television was tuned to a cable news channel. The demonic figure of a Verullian filled the screen.
“Frank.”
Frank recognized the chirp. “Hello, Pock.”
The insect made sure his translator was off before continuing. “There are Verullians spread out across the galaxy. We've run into them on numerous occasions. Most of them are cool as long as they have those stupid fucking pyramids. But this group here, well, fuck these guys.”
“They have the same markings as the last group I encountered here,” Gladys added in Sessiki. Her remote had followed quietly until now.
“This makes the third time, right?” Frank asked.
“Yes.”
“Three strikes and you're out.”
“I'm afraid I do not understand that reference,” Gladys admitted.
“It's not important.” Frank looked at the screen in time to see an old man decapitated. The ticker was saying the aliens had extracted his blood and drank it. He looked over at Cindy, who was staring at the screen with a confused look on her face. “Cindy, would you please escort the Stewarts to the garden.”
“You're going to need backup,” Raymond said. He walked forward with a confidence Frank was unaccustomed to.
Frank shifted into Gotian. “You have your life back. There's no way in hell I'm going to let you get yourself killed now.”
“This is our home too, Frank.”
“And you're not cleared to reenter the general population. You and Chloe need to wait in line at the sick bay before you can even think about going down there.”
Raymond was left speechless. Frank's argument had taken a right angle from his own and he was unprepared to counter.
“You're something else, Frank.”
“That's what I hear. Now get your family out of here.” Frank was pleased to see him relent and walk away. Raymond put his arm around Dorothy as they departed the boat. Chloe paused and looked back. She gave Frank a grin and nod before turning to follow the others. But before he could gather his thoughts, Frank found himself eye to eye with Constanthos.
“I'll need to be closer to the Main Ship for this to work,” she said in a low tone.
“Am I being too ambitious?” he asked, forcing a grin.
“Two birds.” She gave him a look he didn't recognize and then walked away. Pock looked around and decided to follow her.
He watched them leave and when the door slid shut, he said, “Okay, you all know what to do.”
“I really don't know what the fuck is going on,” Damon admitted.
“I feel the same way,” Phildan admitted.
Frank had to pause. He'd glanced at the execution of the elderly man and saw Dave in the background. There had been a guard trained on him and another nearby guarding a crumpled human on the ground. He could only assume it was Enrique Chavez.
“Project an image of the area when we get close. You'll need to lift our guys out when I get them clear. I have full confidence in you.”
“You're not making any sense, Frank,” Phildan proclaimed.
An automech entered the living room and presented pouches to Frank.
“Thank you,” he said as he affixed t
hem to his belt. There were so many and stretched around to his back.
“Okay, I understand now.” Phildan watched the screen as the ground came nearer. The pyramids looked odd from above. “Where shall I put you down?”
“Right here.” Frank pointed to a spot on the screen.
“Wow,” Phildan replied. “That is close.”
Frank took a knee so that he could look up at Phildan. “Get our guys out of there. I'll create a distraction.”
A projection of the ground appeared in the open space.
“Thanks,” Frank said as he began to study the parts that weren't visible on the screen.
“You're welcome,” Constanthos replied.
“What's Gladys up to?”
“She is attempting to hail Berthantine.”
“I don't really see that changing anything.” Frank looked around at everyone. “Do you?”
“They've already done too much,” Hiro replied. “I don't think they will just leave.”
“I agree,” Constanthos said.
Frank returned his gaze to the projection. “Here's my plan. Damon, let me know if there's some gaping hole I'm not seeing.”
31.
“Gladosanthos, I was hoping you would show up.”
“I do not know what game you're playing, but this will not end well for you. Pull the Verullians from this planet and be on your way.”
“Is that any way to talk to a friend?” Berthantine's tone was jovial and it only angered Gladys.
“You know the humans are under my protection.”
“And I also know you are without your wings. Have you seen your pet lately?”
“Are you referring to the Custodian?” Gladys knew from her tone Berthantine thought him dead.
“Is that what you called him? I've only heard The Monster.” She exaggerated the title in a playful jest. “He is dead on Mertia, along with my former assassin.”
Gladys glanced at a screen. The boat wasn't quite into position over the pyramids so she decided to stall. “What do you hope to gain by bringing the Verullians here?”
“I just want them gone. They will deal with the human vermin for me.”
“And then what? What is the goal here?”
“I am reshaping the galaxy to better suit the Sessik. I founded a new home for us, Gladosanthos. There are thousands of our people there already.” She paused for a moment and then softened her tone. “I've always considered you a friend. I want you to know I have read your published works speculating our origins.”
“This isn't the time to discuss my past speculations, Berthantine.”
“We need scientists. Stop this nonsense with the humans and come home. You will be welcomed.”
Gladys smiled. “That's funny. Wold made it sound like I wouldn't be.”
There was another slight pause before Berthantine continued. “When did you see Wold?”
“Wold is no more. He died at Rhoshe along with your Centurion.”
“You killed my Centurion?” Berthantine became furious.
“Haven't you heard? No one messes with the bugs.”
“I will have Roper slaughter millions of those rats for this.”
“Your best option is to pull them out and leave, Berthantine. This is your final warning.”
“Well... Plain little Gladosanthos is issuing ultimatums. I never thought I would see the day. It's a shame your Monster is dead. I might have kept him for myself.”
“Keep an eye on your screens.”
* * *
“I think we should put the guys straight into stasis so that I can help load torpedoes.”
Frank nodded and held out his hand to catch a remote. He stowed it inside his suit before strapping his sword to his back. “That sounds good. Dave might put up a fight.” He didn't mind Miyako taking charge.
“He'll have to get over it,” Miyako replied.
“This Verullian is in love with the camera, Frank,” Damon said. “He has his back to the guys. Take out the two guards and we can pull them up.”
Frank looked at the screen. It was tuned to a news station. He fought the urge to shudder at the sight of the alien. “I'm going. Be ready.” He started toward the hallway, checking that his face-plate plate was secured to the back of his shoulder. Everyone except Phildan turned into the biotech room as he headed for the larger circle. He pulled his sword from its sheath and held it vertically.
“We'll only have a few moments before the perimeter ships come in,” Phildan said, never looking up from his pad.
“Take out the ships on the ground before you engage,” Frank said.
Phildan nodded.
“Connie will provide additional instructions.” Frank stood in the circle and nodded. And then he dropped.
The ground came fast and the first guard lost his head as Frank's feet touched down. He turned to drive his sword into the chest of the other, noting their armor looked very similar to that of the Gotes, only of way higher quality. The Verullian was built like an offensive lineman and was stuck on Frank's blade. He lifted his leg up to the alien's chest to brace as he ripped the sword back out. Dave looked up as Enrique was being lifted first. Frank stepped around him to provide cover.
“I almost want to stay and watch,” Dave said.
“You don't want to be here when the Centurions show up,” Frank said. He looked over to see the camera crew falling back in a hurry. The Verullian leader was charging forward. Drawing a nasty looking pistol, he starting firing at Frank.
“I really gotta get me one of those shields,” Dave said as he watched the rounds being deflected.
Frank looked in the direction of the parked ships and noticed other Verullians starting in his direction. “Well, shit.” He pulled an exploder and lobbed it in the direction of Roper. The blast sent the alien flying. “I'll catch you later, Dave.” Frank started toward Roper and Dave was lifted away.
Roper was quick to get to his feet. He glanced back at the camera crew and cursed at the thought of the embarrassing images being sent to every end of the planet. The look on his face made it clear he intended to make this human pay with his life. He brought his pistol back up and turned to fire again.
“Surrender,” Frank said in the Verullian language after several more shots had been deflected.
“Never!”
Without flinching, Frank launched another exploder. It hit Roper directly in his chest. He was instantly glad for the distance between them as body parts and sections of armor flew in every direction. Although he could hear the angry hoard approaching, he paused and gave an upward nod at the camera. He hadn't taken the time to call anyone and he was sure everyone was watching.
The Verullians were using some sort of electronic weaponry and the shots were coming in from hundreds of guns. The force of the onslaught was causing considerable resistance as Frank tried to advance so he decided to jump as far as he could. The invaders were taken by surprise and most of them had lost track of him as the sun was now high. He landed in their midst and took several heads and hands before flaring his shield and jumping again. The parked ships began exploding as the torpedoes from the cloaked boat found their marks. He landed again and began killing. Once a lane was clear, he took off toward the open desert away from the pyramids.
“How are we looking?” he asked as he ran.
“The Centurions are coming,” Constanthos replied. Her voice was coming from the remote mounted to the sheath of his sword. “And you are being pursued by hundreds of Verullians.”
“I figure these guys will stop once the Reverence hits them. Where's their perimeter ships?”
“There are human aircraft engaging them.”
“Shit. How are they doing?”
“Not good.”
Frank looked over his shoulder to look at his situation. “Wow, these guys are fast. Try to get in contact with Taylor. Tell him to pull out.”
“You were right about Dave.”
“Really? Do tell.”
Constanthos al
lowed herself to chuckle. “He's currently sitting on the couch, shouting into your phone.”
“Cool.” Frank looked around. “I suppose this will have to do.” He slowed to a stop and turned to face the invaders.
“We have time. I'll instruct Phildan to torpedo the rear.”
Frank was almost disappointed. He was in the mood to kill. “Their armor is pretty stout. There are weaknesses at the joints but that will be hard to target from above.” He jumped to avoid being run down and landed once again in the middle of the group as they slowed to a stop. Arms, legs, and heads were removed with great precision as Frank seemed to find a higher gear. These aliens were strong and very fast. He could see now how it was possible for them to have held the Gotes. They rebounded much faster from his flares. Explosions from the rear rocked the sand under his feet and yet he was forced to stay on the defensive. The bodies were in his way so he jumped. The weight of the Reverence hit him before he landed.
“Kneel,” the first Centurion commanded as he flew near.
Frank's little battle came to a grinding halt. He hardened his shield and took a knee.
“Status?” he whispered.
“The humans are pulling out. Verullians are dropping in at multiple points and I don't know how do describe it.”
“Open the rift,” Frank said.
“That might divert my attention slightly,” Constanthos replied.
“I'm fine. It needs to happen.” Frank looked over to see a Verullian looking at him. He was crushed under the weight and was powerless to even speak. Frank shifted back into the Verullian language. “Yes, I am faking it.”
The alien's gaze started to look fearful.
“That's right. You're all going to die.” He waited a moment before standing and removing the frightened alien's head. He repeated the motion a half-dozen more times before the Centurion landed.
“Kneel!” it commanded.
Frank was struggling under the amount of Reverence he'd let through but was able to let an exploder fly. The angelic alien was blown to pieces but there was no relief as others were now closing in. Before he could react, he was surrounded.
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