by Jay Cannon
“Adar, you lost a great deal of fluid and you have a lot of Cheoili toxins in your system. It’s going to take a few more hours to restore your chemical balance. I suggest you just rest here for a while,” Valera said, as she bustled around the infirmary bed where the Ossie reclined.
“We will bring you some fresh meat when you are ready to eat. You need to be more careful. Sooner or later, your luck is going to run out,” she said, shooting a baleful glare in Adar’s direction.
“What happened to me?” Adar asked, shaking his head, trying to clear the lingering bits of confusion clouding his thoughts. Daloi’s attack plus the gunshots not only wounded his body but upset his mental equilibrium.
“You got shot up pretty badly by the Earthlings,” said Valera. “Wylyy noticed the transport being used, tracked you with your UCD and found you bleeding on the ground.” Valera’s expression turned somber.
“When can I get access to my UCD?” Adar asked, trying to sit up. “I need to plan my return.”
“I’ll give back your UCD in a couple of days, and you can decide what to do then,” Valera assured him.
Valera administered a sedative to Adar before bustling away as he faded, with his thoughts turning to Aundria.
***
When he recovered, Adar returned to his apartment in Manhattan to find Ahmed relaxing with his family in front of the TV.
“Adar, so good to see you, man!” Ahmed got up from the couch and slapped Adar on the shoulder. They then moved into the kitchen where they could speak privately. “Everyone here thinks you’re dead,” Ahmed exclaimed.
“What’s happened since I’ve been gone?” asked Adar, going straight to the heart of the matter.
“The police found Sharon and Sheila dead, but they’ve also been seen about town,” said Ahmed. “The police are keeping it quiet, but I have a contact inside who told me that Captain McKee is hoping to connect with you or your people, since they think you’re probably dead.”
“They felt bad about shooting you up the way they did. But they’re worried about dealing with the aliens without your help,” Ahmed reported. “Man, how did you survive that? McKee told me how badly your body was riddled with bullets, and that you were bleeding all over the place before you disappeared. I thought you died, too,” he added, a parade of emotions marching through his dark eyes.
“I was out of it for a while, but I’m fine now. It was the Cheoili who caused the shootout. I’m sure they killed Sharon and Sheila and are now posing as them,” Adar said, wondering where they might be.
“There’s a rumor that Sharon has some sort of special power that keeps her from getting shot. When the bosses add that to the time Toni supposedly killed Carl by pointing at him, they think some women are learning to be witches.” Ahmed laughed, because he knew the truth.
“One of the Cheoili took my personal shield, so that has to be them. Where do you think they are?” asked Adar, who was eager to settle the score with the twins.
“I would guess at Charlie Butters’ place. The police have it staked out, but they don’t have probable cause to search the premises. They got burned bringing them in on murder charges twice, and both times having to let them go.”
“They can’t be there,” Adar replied, shaking his head. “Wylyy has been monitoring Charlie’s place. What about Sharon and Sheila’s place?”
“They’re dead, why would anyone–oh, because if the aliens stole their identities, why wouldn’t they take their place as well,” Ahmed exclaimed, nodding his head. “No one would think to look for them there.”
“Exactly! Do you know where they live?” asked Adar.
“Some place in Chelsea. I’ll find out real quick,” Ahmed said, taking out his phone.
“We should start walking. I’ll update Wylyy on the way,” said Adar, standing.
“Okay, let’s go.” Ahmed headed for the front door. He paused in the living room and switched to Arabic. “I’ll be back soon, honey,” he told his wife before kissing her on the cheek.
***
Adar and Ahmed headed down the street towards Chelsea. It was a cool, overcast evening, with a bit of drizzle falling. Adar ignored the rain droplets landing on his unblinking eyes. He had his focus locked on hurting Daloi and Dholi the way he had been hurt.
Ahmed tracked down the address to Sharon and Sheila’s place, while Adar updated Wylyy using his UCD.
“They live in an apartment building at 25th Street and 10th Avenue,” Ahmed said, feeling proud of himself.
“Good, let McKee know,” Adar said, pounding his hand with his fist.
“Calling him now,” replied Ahmed.
“I’ll be right there. Don’t make a move until I get there,” Captain McKee said, after Ahmed updated him.
“I can’t promise you that, Captain,” said Ahmed. “You know how Adar can be. I suggest you hurry.”
“Just do what you can,” McKee barked, grabbing his coat and rushing out of the office.
Adar and Ahmed arrived outside the building where Sharon and Sheila had lived, and stood looking up at the apartment’s windows. Ahmed headed for the entrance before Adar stopped him.
“Ahmed, wait here for a moment,” said Adar. “Wylyy, tell me if they’re in the building,” Adar requested, switching to Euclidian.
“Yes, they are in an apartment on the 11th floor. One of them is wearing your personal shield,” replied Wylyy.
“Tell me if you see my weapons anywhere up there,” asked Adar.
“Hold on. They’re in a closet in a back room,” Wylyy replied, a bit of glee in his voice. “I don’t see their personal transporter anywhere.”
“Good, we won’t have to worry about them vanishing on us. Grab my weapons. I’ll walk up to their location. I can’t wait to see their faces when they find out I’m still alive,” Adar said, letting out a quiet shout and throwing his fists into the air. “Monitor me, but don’t do anything unless I say so. Let’s go, Ahmed. They are on the 11th floor.”
“So what’s the plan?” Ahmed asked, following Adar into the building.
“You just watch my back and witness the takedown,” Adar replied, punching a fist into the air.
Adar broke in the door to the apartment with a quick, no-nonsense head butt, and Ahmed followed him inside closely with his gun drawn. Outside sirens could be heard approaching the building.
“Adar!” shouted Sharon and Sheila, standing up from the couch where they sat.
“Hello, ladies. Surprised to see me?” Sharon went for her gun, but Adar tackled her to the ground before she could get a shot off. She attempted to resist, but Adar knocked her unconscious. “That shield isn’t much good against a punch to the face, is it?”
Sheila, meanwhile, began to reach for her gun, but stopped when she saw Ahmed already had a pistol trained on her.
“Please give me a reason to take you out,” said Ahmed, a sneer curling his lip. “I don’t appreciate you trying to kill my friend.”
“I didn’t try to kill him,” said Sheila, shaking her head vehemently. “I just happened to be there when it happened.”
“Whatever you say, lady. Just stay chill, and I won’t have to ventilate your skull,” Ahmed replied, his cold stare turning glacial.
Adar turned away from Sharon and trained his focus on Sheila.
“Look, Adar, you’re making—”
Adar cold-cocked her, and slammed her against the wall.
“Adar, you’re alive!” cried McKee, walking into the apartment.
“Yes, I am, no thanks to you,” Adar groused, giving the police officer a cold stare.
“Look, I had no control over the situation back at the club. Once she started firing at the officers, they had to return fire. I hope you understand that?” McKee said, a plea for understanding in his voice.
Adar only shrugged.
“So what’s going to happen to them?” McKee asked, pointing at the women Adar was holding.
“I’ll take them back with me. They won’t be troubling you or your plan
et anymore.”
Adar made a call to Wylyy, who transported Adar, the women and Ahmed to the attack ship.
Ahmed gave a nervous wave to the alien crew on the ship, who merely responded with toothy grins. “So tell me, Adar. What are you going to do with them?”
“They will probably be sold to a collector or a labor camp on some planet on the far end of our galaxy. They’ll spend the remainder of their sad lives in captivity, away from civilization. They’ll wish for death, but they won’t get it anytime soon. I’ll make sure of that,” Adar replied, happy to see the ordeal over.
“I guess I won’t be seeing you again,” said Ahmed, looking at Adar sadly.
“I can’t leave the planet yet. My captain wants me to stay here until he returns. I may spend some time in Syria and kill some bad guys. Who knows?” Adar said, feeling a little giddy.
“What about Aundria?” asked Ahmed, looking for any sign of compassion for his human girlfriend in the alien.
“It’s better if I stay away from her. My being around just places her in danger. Tell Toni to give Jerome a pass. If she agrees and Jerome knows I am gone, he may let her go.”
“If he doesn’t, I will seek retribution for you,” Ahmed promised, placing a hand on his gun.
“I appreciate that,” Adar said, grabbing Ahmed’s shoulder. “You are on your own for now. Just be the badass I know you can be. I gave McKee a story about the Cheoili influencing you to kill that guy at Luigi’s, so he should leave you alone.”
“Can I keep any of your alien gadgets?” Ahmed asked, a hopeful smile lighting his face.
“No, but you can keep the apartment until the end of the year. If the power goes off and all your electronics stop working, take your family and go underground for two days,” Adar warned.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Ahmed asked, suddenly very concerned.
“No, just take care of your family. Wylyy, transport him to my apartment,” Adar shouted in Euclidian.
With that, Adar’s mission on Earth ended. Or so he thought.
***
The Acela train sped down the track from New York toward D.C. The sun shone brightly on the countryside, and water scenes intermittently broke up views of the many small towns the train passed at high speed. The two men, riding in a train for the first time, marveled at the scenery, consisting of rural buildings, fields of grass and crops, and bodies of water.
“It’s funny that we posed as twins so often and in the end twins saved us from being caught. You see them here, dragged off by Adar? They are not going to enjoy the rest of their lives. Take a look,” said Dholi, tipping the screen of the personal transporter for Daloi to see.
“They behaved like evil bitches anyway,” said Daloi. “Using their twins to do their dirty work while they hung out with Charlie. Giving them that expensive floral-smelling perfume was a nice touch Dholi.”
“Looks like we got away scot-free. We had better stay disguised as men, just in case. I can’t believe we stood so close to Adar in that club, and he didn’t recognize us until you grabbed him. A little musk disguised our scent, then a little grip around his neck forced him to succumb to us like everyone else,” Dholi said, taking off her sunglasses and smiling at Daloi.
“I love the idea of going to D.C., sister. I hear it’s just as corrupt as New York, but it’s all legal because they make the laws there.” Daloi let out a sigh and pushed her head back on the cushioned seat in the first-class compartment of the train.
“We are going to spend the rest of our long lives in the lap of luxury, my dear.” Dholi replaced her glasses and turned back to the window to enjoy the scenery.
“We certainly are, sugar.” The two aliens exchanged a bro hug and laughed.
Part III
Washington D.C.
Chapter 21
Tracking down the Cheoili
At Mason’s hideout, where Jerome was keeping Aundria under wraps, he walked in to find Aundria choking Mason.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Jerome shouted. Aundria lay on a bed with one arm wrapped tightly around Mason’s neck. With her other arm still handcuffed to the bedpost, she used her muscular legs to grip his body around the waist. “Aundria, he’s supposed to be letting you go. Why are you trying to kill him?”
“If he’s here to release me, why did he pull down my pants and throw them to the floor?” Aundria demanded between grunts, as she continued to tighten her grip on the man in both places. “If you look at my face, you can see he’s been punching on it. I think you would agree that I’m within my rights to snap his neck.”
“I can’t let you do that,” said Jerome, reflexively reaching for his gun.
“Shoot her. Just shoot her,” pleaded Mason.
“You pull out your gun, and I promise I’ll rip his head off before you can pull the trigger,” Aundria snarled, tightening her grip around Mason’s neck again. “Give me a knife so I can cut off his manhood, and I’ll let him go.”
Mason flailed away, attempting to free himself from Aundria’s stranglehold. He desperately gasped for air, while Jerome watched helplessly.
“Aundria, be reasonable. If you kill him, I’ll have to kill you. And no, you can’t cut off his penis.”
“A finger, then,” an unsmiling Aundria said.
“I’ll grant you a toe, but that’s it,” Jerome said, looking to compromise with her.
“Deal!” barked Aundria, as Mason renewed his struggle to escape her clutches.
“You okay with that, Mason?” asked Jerome, taking a knife from his pocket.
Mason eyes bulged. His oxygen cut off, the bodyguard’s face had begun to turn blue. It was all he could do to nod his consent.
“Aundria, take it easy,” said Jerome, seeing Aundria stiffen at the sight of his knife. “I’m laying my knife on the bed. Now I’m going to take off his shoe and sock.” Jerome moved slowly, his eyes never leaving the woman.
“Damn, your foot stinks, Mason. You could stand to lose a toe,” Jerome muttered in disgust.
He proceeded to slice off the little toe on Mason’s left foot with a clean motion of his razor sharp pig sticker.
Mason shrieked in pain, but Aundria loosened her hold, which allowed him to breathe again.
“Put it in his mouth!” she snapped.
Jerome did as Aundria demanded, stuffing the dirty appendage between Mason’s thick, shiny lips. “Choke on it, you bastard!” she growled, releasing her grip and shoving Mason to the floor.
The bodyguard coughed and grabbed at his throat as his toe fell on the floor in front of him. He panted angrily and went for the gun at Jerome’s waist.
“No, Mason, we’re not going to kill her,” said Jerome, pushing the injured man away.
“What about my toe?! You can’t let her get away with this.” Mason whined between giant gulps of air. “You think she’s just going to walk away and forget about being held here against her will? And how do you know that crazy guy is really gone?” Mason shouted angrily.
“Take your toe and go to emergency and see if they can sew it back on. Be happy I don’t kill you myself. Raping a woman is despicable, you piece a shit. Get a girl or a hooker like normal people!”
“As far as my safety goes, Toni agreed to accept me on her team without harm and that crazy guy is no longer in her employ. If you’re worried that she’s lying, we can keep Aundria for a few more days until we verify that everything is back to normal,” Jerome proposed.
Mason hobbled out of the room, cradling his little toe in his hands like a tiny baby. As he stepped into the hall, he glanced over his shoulder at Aundria, the menace in his stare letting her know they still had unfinished business.
“This is bullshit!” protested Aundria, twisting her arm back and forth in a futile attempt to loosen the handcuff holding her wrist. “I’m not interested in retaliation. I just wanted payback for that asshole attacking me. There’s no reason to keep me here.”
“It’s just for a cou
ple more days until Mason calms down. I also want to verify that your boyfriend is indeed gone. You know, I could use someone with your talents on my team. You could keep your current job. Just keep your eyes and ears open for me, and I’ll pay you well for any information you pass on to me.” Jerome spoke softly to her as he offered to shake her hand in a sign of friendship.
“I’ll consider it. As a sign of good faith, could you remove this handcuff from my wrist? I promise I won’t try to get away,” Aundria said.
“Sure, but if you give the guards any trouble I’m going to have them kill you,” Jerome warned.
“No trouble, I promise. So come over and free me,” Aundria cajoled, holding her arm up toward him.
“I’m not that gullible. I’ll stand over here with my hand on my gun, while an unarmed guard unlocks the cuff.” Jerome chuckled before moving to the doorway. “Roger, get in here and unlock her handcuff,” Jerome ordered.
“Thanks. I appreciate the trust.” Aundria flashed him a mischievous smile.
“Just prove you deserve it. Roger, if she causes any trouble just kill her and dispose of her body. And keep Mason out of here,” Jerome said, with a frown.
“Will do, boss,” said the beefy hunk who unlocked the handcuff.
Aundria sat up, striking a sexy pose on the bed and waved at Jerome as he and Roger stepped out. Once they disappeared, she rubbed her wrist, her thoughts swirling as she considered her predicament.
I can’t believe Adar abandoned me. I guess alien lovers are no better than the men here on Earth. If I don’t accept Jerome’s offer he’ll probably kill me. If I accept it, that means betraying my friends. There are too many of them to kill, as if I want to risk being placed in a real prison.
As the reality of the dire Catch-22 facing her sank in, Aundria dropped her face into her hands and wept. I hate my life. It’s just a series of teasing moments. I get accepted to college only to drop out due to lack of money. I develop great physical abilities only to lose the sporting event because of the flu. My nice looks only attract assholes. I’m back in school, but broke again. What am I supposed do now? Maybe I should accept Jerome’s offer. I could use the money. Why should I care about criminals offing each other? Ugh, I hate my life.
