Galactic Satori Chronicles: Kron

by Nick Braker

  “Ooh, I’m so scared little girl,” the young boy said, still laughing at her.

  She scowled at him.

  You wouldn’t have had time to feel fear.

  Katerra searched the area around her. Considering her knowledge of Earth cities, the streets of this city were in shambles. On Kron, a place like this would be considered a paradise. No one had been outside without special equipment since the attack by the Cortians.

  She caught her reflection in the glass pane of a building next to her. Katerra stepped closer. The girl’s face was dirty. Her long brown hair hung down in strips, matted and dingy. The child’s eyes were blue with pure white around them. The dress she wore was ripped in several places and covered in dirt. She wore no shoes, leaving the tops of her feet brown from dirt and the bottoms black.

  She stepped away from the building toward the street, looking to the stars for direction. It was night here on Earth. She found the two constellations that would show her north. Katerra gasped, putting her hand over her mouth.

  Breathtaking.

  Nowhere on Kron could one go and see the stars. She stood there several moments, unable to take her eyes away.

  They do not understand what they have... but I have no time for this.

  Katerra turned, scanning the street one way and then the other. A cloud of smoke billowed outward from a collapsed building to the north, several blocks straight ahead. The computer’s tracking system had stated the creature, Magnus, was heading this way but that did not mean he would continue that path. She walked north, scanning the sidewalks on both sides. The air was cool and the streets were lit by poles along the hard walkway... no, sidewalk. She found her gaze drawn to the stars again. Katerra’s finger twitched.

  Focus.

  Crowds of people lined the streets on both sides and cars continued to honk their horns at each other. Odors wafted her way as she walked, growing stronger as she got closer to the source. The smells were familiar to the young girl and they came with names... roasted chicken, onions, garlic and cooked carrots. She absently rubbed her stomach. Hunger gnawed at her.

  This young girl has not fed. She will not be useful if malnutrition has set in.

  The smells were coming from a restaurant along her path. The sidewalks were crowded with people watching the smoking spectacle to the north. She maneuvered between the people and entered the building. Katerra moved quickly, ducking inside. The restaurant was nearly empty as most of the patrons watched the chaos to the north along their street. Those inside were watching the event on their display stations, no, these beings called them televisions.

  Several plates of food were arrayed neatly around the tables inside the restaurant. Katerra grabbed a chicken breast with one hand and a fistful of vegetables with the other. She slipped back outside.

  Strange. I am very hungry.

  She ate quickly, stuffing the food into her mouth. The flavor didn’t matter, though this body savored each bite. She had to satisfy her hunger. It overwhelmed Katerra and she ate faster, consuming every morsel. A piece of the chicken fell from her mouth, landing on the sidewalk. She reached down and picked it up, returning it to her mouth faster than Katerra could react.

  What? Disgusting.

  Katerra finished the food, licking the last of the flavors from her fingers, cleaning them.

  This is ridiculous. My actions are affected by the child’s needs. No more.

  Katerra wiped the moisture from her hands on her dress and scanned the streets. People ran toward the destroyed building helping others to get away from it. They willingly put themselves in danger to help their own kind.

  Admirable but irrelevant. You will turn on my people someday.

  Katerra spied a man with dark hair working his way through the crowds on the opposite sidewalk. While everyone looked north, this one was moving south, refusing help from others. A white ash lightly covered him. He stood out from the crowd he so actively tried to blend into. It was him, Magnus. Katerra waited for him to move past and then she crossed the street, moving in behind him. Katerra stayed back, keeping her distance. She kept her eyes off Magnus, keeping track of him peripherally. If Magnus turned around, he would never see her eyes directly on his.

  He proceeded with caution, checking his back numerous times and assessing his surroundings. She followed him a full city block when he froze, staring down the street. Katerra shifted several steps to her right. What had caused Magnus to stop so abruptly?

  Large vehicles approached from the south, forcing the smaller vehicles to give way. Several words entered the little girl’s mind.

  Danger, evil men, Contras, death.

  They headed toward Magnus, and based on his reaction, he needed a place to hide. He ran forward and ducked into a building on his left. Katerra followed him. She stopped outside, looking up. The sign read Amanda’s Coffee Shop. The aroma was almost as enticing as the food. Smells of chocolate, cookies, breads and other baked goods caused her stomach to growl again.

  Enough. I am in control.

  Katerra watched as Magnus talked with a woman inside. He entered an inner room, disappearing through the door. Katerra rushed in to follow. She did not want to lose him.

  “Hold on there, my little maje,” the woman said, stopping her from entering. “Are you hungry?”

  Katerra tried to ignore her, looking to where Magnus had gone. The door read Lavabo. Katerra relaxed. He may not be trying to leave. Blending in would be more prudent and that would mean cleaning up.

  “Yes, senorita,” Katerra said.

  “Mariangel, no need to be so formal,” Amanda said, smiling at her.

  Amanda pushed the hair from Katerra’s eyes, tucking it neatly behind her ears. Amanda’s eyes were brown and her skin smooth and clean. She wore a light red lipstick with black mascara surrounding her eyes. Amanda’s dress was dark brown and she wore an apron over it.

  “Here, let me get you a cake and a small cup of sweet, iced java,” Amanda said.

  Katerra had made a mistake. The little girl knew Amanda, but Katerra had been focused on Magnus. The young girl had been getting food from Amanda for several months now and Mariangel looked to her like a mother.

  “Yes,” Katerra said, grinning.

  The young woman went behind the counter and returned with a small piece of cake wrapped in paper and a paper cup filled with liquid.

  “Remember, don’t let any of the others know or you’ll run me out of business,” she said, smiling.

  Amanda held Katerra’s face in her hands. Amanda’s gaze shifted past Katerra, watching the Contra patrol pass by the coffee shop.

  “Someday, my little one. Someday, this will all be over,” Amanda said, brushing her hands through Katerra’s hair.

  Amanda’s eyes welled up with tears as she stared into Katerra’s eyes. Katerra’s arms reached out, wanting to hug Amanda, but she hesitated and put them back to her sides.

  “Oh, maje,” Amanda said, pulling her in and hugging her. “Go. Find a place of safety for the night.”

  The bathroom door opened and Magnus walked out, taking a seat. He had cleaned up, removing the ash and washing his face and hands. Magnus kept his back to a wall, but close to the window. He smiled at Katerra.

  “Go,” Amanda told her, patting her behind.

  Amanda opened the front door for Mariangel.

  “Thank you, Manda,” Katerra said.

  Katerra avoided looking at Magnus again. Instead, she turned and left the coffee shop. She crossed the street and stepped into the shadows between two buildings, keeping an eye on the human male. Katerra watched Amanda through the large glass window of the coffee shop. Amanda sat across from Magnus at his table, chatting with him. Katerra mentally timed Amanda, as she would occasionally get up to help her customers but would return to speak with Magnus moments later. The two talked for several minutes.

  Change of tactics.

  Katerra dropped her food and drink to the ground and crossed her arms in front of her, signaling the s
ystem to return her. The Kron computer, over twenty light years away, swapped the queen’s consciousness with Mariangel, the little girl from Earth.

  Chapter 4

  AMANDA

  Earth - Managua, Nicaragua

  Tuesday, October 13, 1987 - 10:00pm

  Magnus

  Magnus ducked into the coffee shop. It represented cover, possible safety and the potential for an ally. If the old man had told him the truth, Amanda would help him. She had to be working with the rebels, fighting against Miguel. If not, she could be the means of his end.

  He liked the taste of coffee on occasion, but he always loved the smell of it. It was much cooler inside and filled with smells of vanilla, caramel and freshly baked breads. The shop’s interior lights had several bulbs burned out, but it was lit well enough. Two people sat at a table near the wall on his left. Ahead of him was the shop’s glass-encased counter. It held an assortment of cakes, eclairs, brownies and cookies. The counter’s contents seemed sparse, probably because it was so late in the evening. A woman, her back to him, wiped the counter, cleaning coffee pots, cups and basins. She dried the cups, putting them back into the cabinet.

  “Puedo ayudarle, señor?” she said, as she turned toward him. “Oh, you are an American, yes?”

  Magnus nodded, glancing out the windows and down the street. He couldn’t see the contras from this angle, but they were coming. Miguel could have sent them or they might simply be reacting to the explosions. Either way, he needed to get off the street and blend in.

  “Sir?” she said. “What happened to you? Were you in the explosion?”

  “Sorry. No, but I was close enough to get covered by the dust,” Magnus lied.

  The woman was almost as tall as Magnus and had a thin, short nose and full lips. Her eyes were brown and she had black hair. She used makeup sparingly and Magnus thought it suited her well.

  “The restroom’s right there,” she said, pointing to a door near the back wall.

  “Thanks,” Magnus told her. “I’ll just be a moment. May I get a cup of java and a coffee cake?”

  The woman smiled back at him, nodding.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  Magnus smiled, nodding at the two sitting at the table. They had been staring at him, but they looked away, saying nothing. He needed to get cleaned up. As he entered the bathroom, the door to the coffee shop opened. Magnus jerked his head around, reaching for the weapon on his hip. His hand stayed there as he realized it was a little girl. She seemed eager to get inside. Was she following him?

  “Hold on there, my little maje,” the owner said. “Are you hungry?”

  Magnus let his momentum continue, pushing the door open and letting it close. He could still hear both outside.

  “Yes, senorita,” the child said.

  “Mariangel, no need to be so formal,” the owner said.

  Magnus locked the door, taking his jacket, shirt and pants off.

  “Here, let me get you a cake and a small cup of sweet, iced java,” the woman said.

  Magnus shook his clothes, getting as much of the dust off as possible. He washed up, rinsing his face and hands. He stared at the results.

  “It will have to do,” he said, half rolling his eyes.

  The motion reminded him of Grep.

  I hope you’re okay.

  Magnus tapped behind his ear again.

  “Call Alexandria,” he whispered.

  Beep.

  “Magnus,” she said.

  Alexandria worried about him. One single word and he knew how she felt. Her voice sounded tired from lack of sleep and her normal barriers were down.

  “Grep?”

  “The doctors have him,” Alexandria said. “We don’t know anything yet. The report I got is you refused-”

  “You know me well enough. Why keep questioning my actions?” he asked.

  His irritation leaked through. His barriers were down, too.

  “I’m-” She started to say something else. “I’m concerned your judgment is compromised.”

  “I can tell you without a doubt, it is,” Magnus said.

  “Listen to someone you trust then. Get back here long enough to heal. I-”

  Magnus had to get back outside. He was blind in here.

  “Look. I’m sorry, Alexandria. I’m going to kill it. I’ve got a lead. Magnus out.”

  He cut the connection. Magnus checked himself in the mirror once more and then stepped out.

  I need to see what is going on outside, but keep my back to the wall.

  He picked a spot on the opposite side of the room from the two other patrons and chose a table in a corner with a wall to his back and window to his left side.

  “Here you go,” the woman said.

  “Amanda, right?” he asked.

  “You’re a quick one,” she laughed. “I’ll have to keep my guard up with you.”

  “Me? I’m harmless,” he said. “The name’s Magnus.”

  Magnus figured if she could help him with locating Miguel, he shouldn’t begin by lying to her. Giving out his true name instead of the fake CIA bullshit name might go a long way with her. Asher was his name from long ago. Today, he felt it no longer suited him.

  “Well, then, Magnus, let me know when you’re ready and I’ll get you your check,” Amanda said. “No rush, señor. Stay as long as you like.”

  The crowd was thinning outside. The traffic moved normally again and it looked like people were heading away from the area. The white ash and dust floating in the air was barely noticeable this far from the explosion, but people wanted the safety and security of their homes.

  “Who’s the little girl that came in after I did?” he asked.

  “Mariangel? Such a sweetheart. She comes in from time to time, mainly when she’s hungry.”

  Amanda scanned the streets, looking for her.

  “I gather she’s homeless. You’re a good woman, Amanda. Helping out where you can.”

  She ignored his compliment. He had wanted to lead the conversation to the war or even straight to Miguel but she had shut him down with her silence.

  “I’ve never seen you in my shop before. What brings you to Managua?”

  “I wanted to see the sights and sounds of Nicaragua,” Magnus said, “and enjoy a bit of R&R.”

  “R&R?” she asked, her brows narrowing.

  “Sorry. It means rest and relaxation.”

  “I just learned something new in your language then,” Amanda said, turning. “Excuse me, while I check on all of my customers.”

  “All two of them?” he said, laughing.

  She snorted.

  “Most went to see what the explosion was about,” she said.

  Amanda refilled their cups, brought them some cookies and returned to sit with him.

  “It’s nice to practice my English with someone fluent in it,” Amanda said.

  She smiled at him. Magnus studied her. Her breathing rate was up, she had a bit of perspiration above her lip and her eyes were dilated open. Amanda’s eyes darted back and forth between each of his. It was something he rarely saw people do.

  “There is little R&R here in Managua,” Amanda said.

  Bingo. My lead in to ask about the war.

  “I’m enjoying myself. What’s not to like here?”

  She leaned back, folding her arms in front of her. Amanda looked at him quizzically and her eyes narrowed at him.

  “You’re after something. Cut to the chase, Magnus. Is that even your real name?”

  Interesting. Smart too.

  “Okay,” Magnus said. “I was given your name. Do you know Jose Armando?”

  She didn’t flinch, but her eyes gave her away. She knew Jose.

  “No,” Amanda said. “Should I?”

  “You know him and he gave me your name. He said you would help me kill Miguel.”

  “I-”

  “Before you deny anything more, let me tell you what just happened over the last hour.”

  Magnus relayed t
he chase, the explosion, his friend’s death, his other friend’s life still hanging in the balance and finally his mission to kill their leader. He didn’t mention anything extraterrestrial.

  “We both know he is an evil tyrant and you are working with the resistance to try and stop him,” Magnus whispered. “My only question, how much help can you give me?” She appeared to size him up. “Look,” he said, continuing. “I just showed you all my cards and you’re still-”

  “I can help you,” Amanda said. “I know where he goes because we always have eyes on him. Someone, somewhere, in the resistance, keeps an eye on him as he moves through the city. As crazy as this sounds, he’s on foot... well, he was as of an hour ago. Those that were watching him couldn’t believe their eyes. They would have killed him if they were sure it was him, but they all reported back that he looked and acted insane.”

  Magnus absently scanned the streets outside. Amanda reached over and touched his hand.

  “I think he’s made someone up to look like him and is trying to draw us out should we try to kill him.” Amanda said. “He’s waiting-”

  “It’s him,” Magnus told her.

  “How can you be so sure?”

  He ignored her question.

  “Your two customers are trying to get your attention,” Magnus told her.

  “Excuse me,” she said.

  The couple paid their bill, thanked Amanda and left. She flipped the hanging sign from open to closed, locked the door, turned the lights off and returned to the table. She did not sit down. Between the various appliance lights and the street lights outside, Magnus could still see clearly.

  “Closing early tonight?” he asked.

  She pulled a small derringer out from under her apron and pointed it at him.

  Holy shit. I didn’t see that coming.

  “You’re packing,” she said. “One under your left arm, the other on your right hip. You had dust from the explosion all over you but more importantly, you have blood on you. Specks of it, here and there. Your eyes and demeanor are of a man trained in fighting and survival. You’ve been hurt. You don’t show it in your face, but in the subtle movements when you walk or when you pick up that cup of coffee. Something is going on in Managua with Miguel and you are part of it.”