by M. Garnet
Unfortunately for GigasVnee, the force was separated on two small wars and several marauders. One had to wonder about the timing of these events. Also, at this time the government of GigasVnee had not requested aide.
The priests, all dressed in their white garments with only their pale faces showing, mumbled prayers as they too were escorted across the landing hanger.
The difference was, just before they started up the extended entry to the small ship, there was a request that they wait. The priests stopped their prayers and looked around in confusion. Perhaps they thought they were going to be massacred.
A great crowd moved toward them, but their guards held position strongly. This crowd had their backs turned looking inward at someone coming, someone much more fascinating than the silly white cloaked priests. The ones running up against the weapons of the guards moved to separate and move aside, to let the Heir come forward to approach the aisle of guards that led to the priests.
One of the priests stepped forward and gave his head a short bow. “We were told we had safe passage from this planet, your Majesty.” His voice had a slight tremble. It was evident he feared the worst.
The tall beautiful male with the amazing green eyes stopped at the bottom of the ramp where the priests stood.
“Good representatives of your world, you safety is still assured. In fact to mark this interesting and unusual time, we have a gift for the Senior Omega Priest, that we ask you to carry to him personally.”
The front priest looked around, then pumped out his chest. Perhaps there might have been some good results with them being sent to sit in the same room for the negotiations after all. He walked down to the Heir and this time bowed deeply.
A military male dressed in a black uniform stepped forward. He accepted the green wrapped present from the Heir and took it to hand to the priest.
The priest cleared his throat. “I thank you in the name of our planet and the Senior Omega Priest.”
He stood holding a heavy object wrapped in green velvet material and was left with his brother priests, as the Heir turned and disappeared in a sea of guards and then civilians. Even as tall as this male towered, they lost sight of him immediately. His citizens loved him and surrounded him until he was out of sight.
The head priest gave the heavy gift to a servant and they all entered the ship. There was a lot of excitement and commotion as the priests got transported up through the heavy atmosphere to beyond the area that no one entered, since the green bubble had cut off all ships.
They remained strapped in tightly until they finally reached the large space transport that was also a jumper. Here the priests went first into a common room where they could talk to the Senior Omega Priest and give a final report, before they went to the pods where they were sleep during the final space jump.
Strange that it was the Threads that made the great jumps between the unbelievable distances of space able to be converted into something that living beings could travel.
They made their final report and as they were concluding, the chief Priest mentioned about the gift.
“Wait.” The Senior Omega Priest actually yelled through the fixed screen on the wall.
Everyone in the small common room froze.
“Are you saying you brought an item that the evil son of the Twins gave you onto the jump ship?”
There was still silence among the priests with very little movement. Finally the chief priest felt it was necessary to speak.
“Sire, he said it was a gift from his planet to you. That we were to deliver it directly into your hands.”
“Have you looked at it? Does it look like a bomb? Does whoever touches it die from the poison on its sides? Have you tested it in any way?”
Thinking quickly, the chief priest’s fast brain proved way he had moved upward in the church. “Sire, we have not wanted to do anything to it until we notified you, since it came from the Royal Hands. Now, away from the planet, as you have directed, we need to test it. Would you like us to call you back?”
“No, I want to listen when the ship blows up with all you idiots.”
First they called in a servant and instructed the novice to go to the lab on the ship and to broadcast, so they could see his movements.
The lab techs unwrapped the gift slowly and showed a tall slender carved piece of rock in the figure of a male holding his head. The carving was smooth and polished and about the length of a tall male’s arm. It had hardly any details, just enough to show the vein running through the rock and a crude carving that had a nice appeal to it. On top of the head was a tiny green marble that reflected its color down over the head and rounded shoulders of the male sculpture.
During the next long half-day of their own home world, the lab techs took small shavings from the bottom, used scanners to see through the items from every angle and to attack it with different types of jolts of power.
They had the novice hold it while they hide behind shields and then tested him in all ways as well. They found they couldn’t get scrapings or samples from the small green ball at the top.
When the chief priest was ready to make his report back, the statue was sitting in front of him, where the Senior Omega Priest could see it.
“So tell me, fools, what have you found out?”
The chief priest cleared his throat. “Sire, it seems to be a plain rock statue with a green metal marble on top. There is nothing wrong with it, nothing dangerous, no poisons and nothing that can blow up in any way. The novice was exposed to it in various manners, and he died as the lab techs tested him. But he didn’t die from anything from the statue. He died from the misuse of the surgeons.”
There was silence in the room and then the deep voice came from the screen. “So what are you saying?”
“Sire, it would seem that the Royals on GigasVnee have sent you a gift. Made from the rock of their world and showing the green of their royal colors.”
Again there was silence and no one in the common room was stupid enough to even shift in a chair.
“Why?” The deep voice puzzled from the screen.
“Sire, we can instruct the flight crew to throw it out into deep space as we travel.”
Again a long silence hung in the room and from the screen. “No, there is some reason behind this. Bring it to me. I will have a special clear bombproof chamber built here, in the main Church. We will brag of our gift.”
Chapter Twenty
Preparing for the Second Gift of War….
“So, son of the Twins, you gave a gift to the religious group.” The Assassin waited until he found the Heir alone. That is, as alone as he was when he was out walking the hallways. There were still several of the black uniformed Elite Guards belonging to the Commander Sachim.
Quill nodded. “Gifts are often a surprise. I chose one that seemed appropriate.”
The Commander had taken it on himself to see that both the Queen and the Son had as much protection as he could provide. This time, not to startle any guard so that the Assassin wouldn’t be placed in a position of hurting them, he waited in the middle of the hallway Quill entered and walked down to go to the exercise room.
The Assassin let the guards do their job as a couple of them went in with scanners to make sure the room was empty. Word had already been put out that the room was off limits at this time. The guards nodded and Quill, with the Assassin at his side, entered the room set up for any type of physical exercise for most individuals of this side of the universe.
As these two very handsome examples of their breeds stripped down, they didn’t want anything but their own bodies to work and strain. This was special calisthenics that Bogdan had been taught as a child. He had learned that it would keep him alive as he trained in the stronghold of the Assassin’s lair.
To survive in that lair of stone and with no mercy, he had to master the moves and strengthen his body or find ways of protecting any weak area. He had succeeded beyond expectations.
On this amazing world, as
signed to protect a female, he had found another male child who was lost on his own. Bogdan had passed on the moves, but it was up to the child to use them. This lonely male youth had done what Bogdan did. He took the moves as his own and found the same type of uses for a tall lean body.
Here they were, with only the eyes of a storm blowing against the large wall covered by a force field, as they worked hard. Two long braids, one white and one reddish brown, swung against the glistening bodies, as they went through each exercise, side by side. Such beauty could have been set to music.
At last the time was up and the muscles were tired. Quill called for water. Instantly a guard brought in a floating cart with drinks and fruit. Now was the time for the two friends to relax and talk.
Bogdan chose a large red fruit, one of his favorite since coming to this world. Speaking with his mouth full. “I would guess you made sure no one had a chance to catch a ride on the two exiting ships.”
Quill just looked at his unusual friend with a raised eyebrow. “We have a killer still here in the city. We have eliminated seventy percent of the individuals within this cavern. We have been able to clear all females, all youths, all elderly, and anyone overweight. We have also added to our lists of excludes any aliens with strange colors and shapes, everyone confined to medical. There are the ones who are way to tall or anyone completely too short.”
Quill took a piece of fruit and looked out at the storm, a practice he did whenever he could. Bogdan, as an Assassin was just quiet. He waited for his friend to think this through.
Quill sighed as he continued. “It still leaves a large number. It is almost equal to the number we have in the military. But unlike the military he isn’t wearing a uniform. We found the yellow suppliers uniform with his DNA and other body traces on it in the laundry.”
Bogdan waved a hand above. “I have seen the floating scanners. Do you really think the machines are going to pick him out from among the crowds?”
“No, the guards have picked up two individuals wearing clothes that had his identifiers on them. He is playing games or tracking to see how we are trying to find him. He is smart, so he might be trying to find ways to avoid the machines and the guards.”
Bogdan got up and walked over to a wall that had water dispensers high, so that those who had exercised could rinse off. He took of the only item on his body, a tight wrap over his hips. He turned the water on, cold only and enjoyed the sting of the moisture hitting his body that had just begun to cool down.
It was a short rinse and he used one of the large fluffy wiping cloths. He came back to the Son with the cloth around his waist. He sat down, knowing the male that was part of this world had spent that time looking at the storm.
Quill ate some more fruit then cleared his throat. “We need something that will draw him out. We need bait. We know that he is after someone really important. He is not just some crazed serial killer. He is here for a purpose and has worked hard for a purpose.”
Taking a long drink of water, Bogdan nodded. “So there is the Queen at the top, you are next, the Advisor and the Commander. All those on the council are replaceable immediately, so they can be discounted. This government and planet is rare in that it does not have great families that can be threatened or great industries that can be held up for ransom. This whole planet has treated its residents equally and that isn’t understood by those out in the universe.”
The Assassin was now sitting in a relaxed position. Quill was not fooled, as he knew this male was never relaxed.
“Tell me Assassin, what was the life like for individuals and families on your planet.”
There was a short strange noise from Bogdan. “I never knew. Those within the walls of the Assassin League never saw the others living on that planet. There were some servants, but…”
Quill looked at the face that didn’t show emotions. “You know friend, I understand. I don’t think I know a single ocean farmer. Damn, how did this happen that I got separated from those that are important to the world that is in me?”
Bogdan spoke. “I have something for you for your female.” As usual, Quill watched the Assassin rise and move as if his body did not recognize gravity. Quill never tired of seeing this male with the tall muscular body shift over the room so silently. The Assassin dug down into his discarded clothing and came up with something small that he held in one hand.
He returned and knelt down on one heel, holding out his hand to display a small round shiny metal item. Quill’s instinct recognized it immediately as a weapon, with a tiny amount of Thread within the center.
He took the weapon from the Assassin’s hand and had to admire the exquisite small work involved in this hand protector.
“Is this one of a kind?”
“There had better be one more, or I will have to punish my favorite female.”
Quill looked up quickly as he felt there was almost a smile in that tone. “Your lady made this?”
He saw the pride in the nod from the Assassin. “I thank you deeply. What can I do for the female that made this?”
Now Bogdan rose to get his clothes. “The same thing you will do for your female. Catch the killer before he does any more damage.
With the special weapon, Quill also went over to get dressed. “What we need is bait. Someone in a position that will draw him out.”
Now the Assassin became an Assassin. Drawing himself up, there seemed to be a cold feeling of air around his area. “That could be asking for danger to come. Asking danger to come is asking for death for someone. This is something I am familiar with and don’t tempt the Gods if I have any other options.”
There was silence as clothes were donned and some hidden knives placed in the usual places. Finally Quill made a quiet statement as he left to join the Elite Guards.
“Perhaps the bail would need some strength from another. It would be an interesting game.”
Bogdan walked out and turned in the opposite direction in the hallway, but his voice carried to the Heir. “I do like games.”
****
Quill was smiling, as he had an excuse to visit the female. He sent word with one of the Elite Guards that he had something for her. That it wouldn’t take long, but it would take a private moment at her first packing place.
This area wasn’t used, as all the deliveries to this area had been stored and Minel and the team she worked with were at another location. The Guard reported back that she would meet him, but it would be later and only for a short time.
The Heir sighed, but accepted that at least she would comply with his request. He was at the meeting early and fought his body as he waited, trying to keep still against a stack of boxes. He had given his Guards an order to stand at a distance away that made a lot of armed soldiers very unhappy. If he had been anyone else they would have followed him, but he did out-rank even the Commander.
There was no one in this area, so Quill wasn’t worried that anyone would wonder why the Heir was holding up boxes. He felt she would be more comfortable having her back to the open area.
At last he heard her approaching. Since he had warned the Guards to be expecting her, she was not stopped as she worked her way through the unloading area. Once she saw him, she slowed and approached at a pace that would take forever if the distance were longer.
Not wanting to cause her to move away from him, he didn’t stir or shift his stance. He watch her with hunger, as she finally stopped, out of his reach yet close enough that he could see the color of her eyes. They were green, not the gem stone green of his, but soft living green that showed so much of her anger and some of her thoughts.
He allowed himself to read what was written there, as he would honor her and not go into her mind to read her thoughts. He knew she was waiting for him to speak first.
“I thank you for meeting with me.”
Minel gave a little huff. “What would happen if I refused? Would those oafs in the black uniforms haul me here in chains?”
Now Quill shifted, feel
ing his own anger. “No, Mine. I promise you it is important to me that you have free will when it comes to us.”
She flipped her hair back that she had tied into a ponytail. “Then turn me free. Release me from the prison I must sleep in.”
Quill nodded. “If you wish, but I will have to find somewhere that will be safe for you, as the killer is loose. Here, I have something for you.”
Holding out his hand with the tiny weapon, he hid his smile. He knew she didn’t want anything from him, but her own curiosity pushed her to step forward to take the round metal object.
“It seems to be a small gun.”
Now Quill stood upright, away from the boxes. “If you mean weapon, you are correct. A very intelligent female built it. It has a Thread for power. It will shoot an unlimited number of times. I must warn you that it will set off detectors.”
Turning the small round item over and over in her hand, she looked up at him. “What do you want in return?”
He hated to take his eyes from her, but he knew it would be better for her not to have him peering at her.
“Meet with me again. Somewhere safe, but just where we can talk.”
Minel looked at the small weapon before she spoke. “I will bring my gun.” She expected him to say either that they wouldn’t meet or that they would meet if she didn’t bring the weapon.
“That is a must. I don’t want you to be anywhere without the weapon on you. Between the weapon and your new training, you have some protection against the killer.” Now his gem green eyes were all over her.
There was a long silence that was painful to Quill. Still she surprised him.
“Where do you want to meet?”
He thought fast, trying to pick a place that would satisfy her. “Tomorrow night. By the west side of the landing force field where they are building new work areas for the crews. We can meet at sunset and see the reflection on the ocean as the night claims the day. The workers leave at last meal.”
