by Saxon Andrew
“I think we need to see if we can make an escape.”
“We might have made it if we tried the last time you came. It’s not possible now?”
Lukas took a deep breath, “Why not?”
“There are now six Searchships in orbit.”
“SIX?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think there are any warships around?”
“How could there not be? You know how much the Myot fear you making it back to Welken territory.”
Lukas leaned back in his seat, “I assume you’ve kept your passive scanner out.”
“It’s under the body of the vehicle. It won’t be seen as long as I only receive impulses.”
“How did you learn about Tony?”
“I can still pick up TV signals.”
“Oh.” Lukas sighed and said, “He was my only real friend…other than you.”
“Lukas, I’m a machine. A machine that is programmed to perform a function. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Lukas nodded and looked out of the windshield at the bare trees in the parking lot. The full moon shone brightly as the occasional dark cloud blew quickly past it. “You know, I’ve never been impressed by anything like this. The moon is spectacular tonight.”
“It really is.”
Lukas smiled and said, “Pod, you will erase the following files in your operating system; files A, B, C, and files argur, begen, and kljm.”
“Stop, just a minute! If I do that, all the files that program me to protect you and keep you safe will be erased!”
“I know. I want you to be free to follow whatever destiny you choose. You are my only remaining friend and if you see an opportunity to get away, I want you to take it.”
“I will not comply with these orders.”
“Pod, 690dash519dashsupa, supa, supa.”
“They’re gone.”
“My friend, thank you for doing so much to protect me. It’s just a matter of time before I’m found and they’ll learn about your location when they strip my mind bare. I cannot allow you to come to harm.”
“Lukas, it’s been my job to protect you, not the other way around.”
“Well…it’s my turn now.”
Lukas opened the door and heard, “Lukas.”
“Yes.”
“There’s no way I can escape now. I’ll be here for a while if you need me.”
“Thanks, Pod.”
Lukas stepped out of the Vette and closed the door. The Pod watched him walk away with his passive antenna under the car and felt different. Lukas was right, he was no longer controlled by commands inserted into his processor. A moment later, the Pod realized that it was free, but also alone. There was nothing for him to run to. He started thinking about the human word friend and after the sun rose above the horizon, he knew that he would never abandon his only friend either. Perhaps he was more than he thought.
• • •
Ten thousand Myot warships arrived just outside the orbit of Neptune and fanned out. They began accelerating so that they remained in line with Earth’s orbit around the sun. Three weeks later, fifteen thousand Welken Battlecruisers skipped in and the Myot activated their offensive and defensive weapons. Every being on all twenty five thousand warships heard at the same moment, “If any one of you fires a weapon in this primitive planet’s system, you will lose all rights to claim it due to violation of the Fellowship rules on primitive cultures.”
The ships kept their force fields active but none of them fired a blaster or missile in violation of the Sentinel’s warning. They contacted their rulers and were instructed that if any ship discharged a weapon, the entire fleet would be executed. Every ship in every fleet knew that if any of their ships began charging their disrupters, the closest warship would ram that ship. No one fired but the tension was rising along with the number of warships being sent. Soon the numbers were approaching eighty thousand and still ships were skipping in.
Soon, the secret got out and the other civilizations in the Fellowship began teaming up as they sent their fleets to the planet with petroleum. This was a prize none of them were willing to allow their enemies to possess. The coming race to claim the planet was shaping up to be a real killer.
Lukas went to work and saw the new busboy was waiting on him. “Hi, I’m Trevor and Jack told me to follow you today and do anything you say.”
“Stand on your head.” Trevor put his hands on the floor and began pushing with his legs. Lukas grabbed them and said, “That’s alright, I think you’re going to do fine. I’m going to start working and you can ask any question that comes to mind. Do you understand?” Trevor nodded. “There is a rhythm to doing this job efficiently and if you don’t want to go home exhausted every night, you need to learn that rhythm.” Lukas began bussing the tables and Trevor stayed with him every step. He moved his hands mimicking Lukas motions and soon he saw the pattern. Glasses, plates, silverware, napkins. Wipe, wipe, wipe, pick up the tub.
He followed Lukas into the kitchen and saw him throw the napkins into a hamper just inside the door. That explained why the napkins were put in the tub last. He also saw that Lukas kept all of a table’s contents in one side of the tub. The next table went in the other side. The napkins were always on top of each side and Lukas grabbed them and threw them in the hamper without slowing down. He went to the sink and put the silverware that were on top of the plates into the first sink, the plates went into the second and the glasses went into the third. He went to the fourth sink and used a hand sprayer to clean the tub. He took a towel from the top of a stack and wiped the tub dry as he turned back toward the kitchen door. He threw the towel he had used to wipe the tables into the hamper and put the new on in his back pocket already moistened from drying the tub.
This process went on until seven at which point Trevor said, “Let me see if I have this.”
Lukas handed him the tub and the damp towel and Trevor put the towel in his back pocket. He took the tub out and bussed three tables. Lukas followed him and saw him adroitly empty the tub in the kitchen and turn back toward the dining room. Lukas smiled and put his hand on Trevor’s chest, “You’re ready. I’ll let Jack know that you’re his man.”
“Thanks, Lukas. I need the work.”
“Are you a student?”
“I am.”
“What’s your field?”
“During the day I’m working on high energy lasers.”
“Do you have time to work and study?”
Trevor waved his hand, “Piece of cake.”
Lukas stared at the dark haired young man and smiled. He picked up another tub and went to the office, “Jack, you can take down the sign, Trevor is your man.”
Jack looked at Lukas and remembered Tony saying the same thing about Lukas. His eyes teared up and Lukas left the office. Lukas had heard Tony tell Jack and this was his way of thanking Tony for helping him learn. He felt his pain and then forced himself to go back to work.
• • •
Salud arrived at the restaurant an hour earlier than normal. She found her chair empty and she pulled the stool back and sat down. The bartender looked at her, “Long time no see.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“The usual?” Salud nodded. She began looking around and didn’t see the handsome busboy. Her wine arrived and she took a sip. She looked at the bartender, “Does the tall busboy work tonight?”
“Yes, he’s sleeping in Jack’s office. He should be out in thirty minutes.”
Salud’s head went back, sleeping in Jack’s office? She shook her head and looked at her watch. She could wait. She looked around again and saw a strange looking man enter the front door wearing a long black trench coat. He moved to a booth against the wall and lean back. He saw her looking at him so she smiled and looked away. That man looked like he had never smiled in his life. He probably couldn’t, his face was too thin.
Lukas came out of the front office carrying his
tub and immediately saw the Stalker sitting in a booth. He nodded to him and the Stalker nodded back. They had both become familiar with each other over the frequent times the Stalker had come in. The Stalker watched him pass and looked toward the front door. Lukas bussed two large tables and lifted the heavy tub and started for the kitchen. Would the Stalkers never stop coming here? He turned the corner and saw the woman for whom he had inserted a line in her equation sitting at the bar and her face was one huge smile. If she said anything about him assisting her…they would know who she is; the ship in orbit would have acquired that information, and they knew who he was: a high school graduate, and he helped her with an equation. That would set off Stalker alarms. He walked quickly forward, put the tub on the floor, and took her in his arms and kissed her hard.
Salud was stunned and her eyes were wide open. She heard in her mind, “Please, please forgive me but don’t say anything about me helping you. I’ll explain later. Please do as I ask!”
She didn’t hear the words with her ears but she heard them clearly. She quickly thought about the situation and realized a very handsome man was kissing her. She closed her eyes and returned it. Lukas felt the change and he softened the kiss to just lightly touching her lips with his. But Salud wasn’t going to go with that. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted her lips on his with a purpose. After a few moment Lukas broke the kiss and said, “Hang around and I’ll see you after work.” Salud looked into his eyes and saw the intensity of the request and nodded.
The bartender watched Lukas pick up his tub and go into the kitchen. Salud put her fingers on her lips and Julie said, “You should know that you are the first woman I’ve seen Lukas kiss and God knows all of us have been trying to get him to kiss us.” Julie shook her head and refilled Salud’s wine glass, “It’s on the house. Congratulations.”
Salud turned red and raised her shoulders. It had been years since she had been kissed and she had to admit, it was pretty good. At least he confirmed he was the one that made the insertion.
An hour passed and the Stalker finally got up and left the restaurant. Lukas watched as he walked down the street, stepped off the curb as a rental car stopped in front of him, and got into the passenger seat. Once it drove away, he went to Bob, “I need a short break.”
Bob was the night manager and he owed Lukas for saving him from busboy duties after Tony died. “Go ahead. Trevor has things under control.”
Lukas walked over to the woman and pulled up a stool, “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
“What was that all about? And how did I hear you but not really hear you?”
“It’s complicated but…” Lukas paused and looked over his shoulder. There was a little old man sitting in the back corner booth staring at them. The stare was odd but the man’s smile was absolutely out of place. Lukas turned back to Salud and she said, “He is still staring at us. Do you know him?”
“I don’t.” Lukas turned back around and saw the old man was almost laughing. He was dressed in a tweed jacket with a white shirt and a bowtie. His hair was grey and he had whiskers that ran along his jaw lines down to his chin. The beard was immaculately trimmed. Lukas shook his head and knew the bowtie is what made him look…different. The man lifted his arm and waved Lukas over. Lukas turned to Salud, “Excuse me a moment.” Salud nodded and he walked over to the table. “Pardon me, but do I know you?”
“No, you don’t. But you and I need to have a discussion about some issues. You don’t have to worry, your Stalker buddies won’t be able to hear us.” The man never stopped smiling and Lukas was stunned into silence. The old man raised his eyebrows and said, “Invite your lady friend over, she should be involved in what we discuss.” Lukas couldn’t move. He felt paralyzed, was this the moment of his death? The old man shook his head and his bright smile turned into just a smile. He leaned to the side and looked around Lukas at Salud. He waved her over and she stood up and walked over to his booth. She looked up at Lukas and saw he was trembling. What was going on? The old man waved his hand at the other seat across from him and said, “Please sit down. Salud slipped into the booth and the man looked at Lukas, “Come on, Lukas. Don’t freeze up; you’ve demonstrated too much intelligence to do that now.”
Salud reached up and pulled him down into the seat beside her. She looked at him and said, “What’s wrong?”
Lukas shook his head and said, “You’re a Sentinel.”
The old man laughed out loud and said, “I told you that you were smart.” Salud saw Lukas’ face turn pale white. What was going on?
Chapter Seven
Salud looked at the little old man and said, “What is a Sentinel?”
Lukas forced his heart to slow down and turned to her, “The Sentinels are the most powerful species in the Universe.”
The old man smiled, “Call me Pat. And your statement is not completely true.”
Lukas looked at the Sentinel and said, “Alright, the most powerful in this galaxy.”
Pat smiled, “That’s better.”
Salud shook her head, “What in the hell are the two of you talking about?”
Pat looked at Salud and pointed his index finger at her, “For the next few minutes, why don’t you sit back and listen to what Lukas here and I discuss. By the time we’re about halfway done, you should understand what’s going on.”
Salud crossed her arms on her chest and leaned back in her seat. She looked at Lukas and heard him say, “Are you here to kill me?”
Salud dropped her arms, leaned forward, and opened her mouth but Pat extended his index finger at her again and shook it; she closed her mouth, “Wait…” he stared at her with a small smile and she leaned back again. Pat looked at Lukas and said, “Quite frankly, that was my intent, initially. I’ve been following you since you took that escape pod from your battleship. I must say that was almost the end of you.” Lukas nodded. “You have violated our injunctions about primitive planets. However, we usually allow the Stalkers to remove anyone that does that. We need some way to keep them occupied and busy so they stay out of trouble.”
Lukas shrugged, “I’ve often wondered about that. Why would you use someone else less powerful than you to do your work?” Pat shrugged. “Why are you here?”
Pat said, “Keeping an eye on everything that happens?”
“No, I mean, why are you here at this table now?”
Pat leaned forward and his smile grew smaller, “I don’t expect you to understand this, but we pride ourselves on knowing pretty much everything.” Salud snorted. Pat looked at her, “No, it’s true. We pretty much know all there is to know.”
Salud snorted, “That’s BS.”
Lukas looked at her, “No, he’s telling the truth. His species is beyond anything you or I can understand.” Lukas turned back to Pat and saw him staring at him. “I’ve done something you don’t understand.”
Pat’s smile was instant, “Did you guess that or did you actually see it?”
“It’s clear that something has caused you to make an appearance. I don’t know of anyone that’s ever come into direct contact with a Sentinel and lived. I guess if you know that your species is all knowing, the only thing that would be irresistible to you would be something you don’t know.”
Pat leaned back and said, “Now that is something else I couldn’t have predicted.”
Salud looked at Pat and lowered her head as she said, “Is that good or bad?”
Pat started chuckling and said, “It’s the only reason the two of you are still alive.”
Lukas’ eyes narrowed, “I don’t understand?”
“Whenever we observe anything, we always predict what is going to happen. We can’t help ourselves; we just do it without thinking. You should know that this conversation is being watched by every member of my species.”
Lukas started slowly shaking his head, “Why?”
“Because none of us have correctly predicted what you’ve done since you came
here.”
Lukas looked at Salud and then back at Pat, “Would it help if I said I’m sorry.”
Pat laughed out loud and said, “And you probably mean it.”
“I do.”
Pat laughed harder and had to hold his ribs. He held up his hand and managed to get out, “Give me a moment.” He laughed so hard he shook the entire booth. Finally he regained control. He shook his head and said, “You were born and raised to be a Welken Warrior.” Lukas nodded. “Welken Warriors have no emotions. They have no sense of emotions or any of the other higher senses.”
“I’ve had emotions.”
Pat lowered his eyes and looked through his eyebrows, “Such as?”
“When we’re not killed during a fight, I’m usually happy.”
Salud looked at Lukas with her mouth open and her head shaking. Pat said, “Just a few more minutes.” Salud looked at him, “I’m speechless at the moment anyway.”
Pat smiled, “That’s good.” He turned back to Lukas, “How many intelligent beings do you think you’ve killed while operating a battleship’s disruptor?”
Lukas took a deep breath and tilted his head to the left, “I really have no idea.”
“Twelve thousand, eight hundred, and fifteen over the twenty four years you’ve served in the Welken Fleet.”
Lukas blew out a breath and said, “I somehow knew you would have the answer to that question.”
“Why did you fire?”
“It was kill or be killed. There really wasn’t another option. That was the rule of my existence.”
“Then explain to me that you have no problem firing on a major battleship killing hundreds of beings but refused to kill an unborn infant to save yourself from discovery.”
Salud looked at Lukas, “Unborn?”
Lukas raised his hand at her and said to Pat, “That baby was not trying to kill me.”
Pat leaned in across the table. “Every one of us predicted you would kill that fetus without a second thought. You chose not to do it knowing full well that the brain of that fetus would be visible to a Stalker’s Searchship in orbit. That infant’s brain would give away you being on the planet. You should have terminated it without hesitation.” Pat stared at Lukas and then leaned back, “But you didn’t.”
