I had no idea how long that was, but I’m guessing it was more than a few years. But there were so many other questions, I needed to ask. Before I could open my mouth to ask another question, a shimmering blue light appeared around a small table near the bed, leaving behind a large covered bowl on a tray and a tall pitcher of water.
I got up and lifted the lid of the first bowl. I couldn’t identify the wobbly, green gelatinous substance, but the spicy aroma was mouthwatering. Even before I knew what I was doing, I’d picked up the spoon and shoveled it into my mouth. It was sweet—like sugary cinnamon tapioca.
I swallowed. “How come you have food if the city’s been abandoned for so long?”
“Essence meal particle optimizer. Female’s food contains all the required nutrients to restore health.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled and cleaned the bowl. Suddenly I remembered Lucky. I hoped he wasn’t hurt when Essence brought me down into the city.
“Where’s Lucky?”
“Word Lucky is not understood.”
“My bonded Wuzzle. I hope he wasn’t hurt.”
“The animal is in the next room, resting.”
By the time I’d finished the third bowl, I was feeling very drowsy. My head started to swim. I stared down at the empty bowl and glanced up to the blue light beam above me.
“What was in that food?”
“All the required nutrients to restore your body to health and a calming agent to help you rest. You will come to no harm. Essence will protect you and guard the city.”
“It was drugged!” I only managed a few seconds of disbelief before I slumped back onto the bed as the drug took effect.
* * * *
I bolted upright, blinking rapidly in the dimmed light, disturbing a sleeping Lucky, who chirped unhappily at being woken.
I glanced down, scooping up my Wuzzle. “Oh Lucky, I am ever so glad to see you.”
I felt remarkably better. The aches and pains from sleeping on the ground were gone. I pushed off the blanket and stood up. My feet were no longer sore. Instead I felt pressure on my bladder.
I remembered the Essence had put something in my food to help me sleep. Although I felt it was ethically wrong, it had done the trick to heal me.
“Essence?”
“I am here, female.”
“Anna, my name is Anna. Never mind about that now. Is there a bathroom I can use nearby?”
“Word bathroom does not translate.”
“Wash, bath, I need to…relieve myself.”
“Walk into the corridor, turn left and walk six hundred paces, there is a chamber door on your right.”
I hurried out, noting the grand spacious hallway, the cool smooth stone under my feet flecked with reflective blue and green. I passed large doors carved in diametrical patterns. Lights glowed behind lovely arches. It seemed very luxurious. Streaming above me, the pulsing blue light seemed to be following me, watching every step.
“Essence?”
“Essence is here, Anna.” Ah, I thought so. It was kind of creepy, but then again it did beat being alone and the program did seem to have my best interests at heart.
“What part of the city am I in?”
“The Royal House of Morradi.”
“This is the royal palace? Wow.” I frowned. “How come you’re still running? I would have thought after so long, the power would have faded.”
“Morradi City Prime has an endless supply of power from the liquid crystal core of the planet.”
“Oh, okay.” Ask a question and get a,’ I have no clue what its talking about answer’. Right now, I had other pressing concerns. “Are you going to drug me again?”
“You have rested. Your body is returning to a healthy state.”
I sighed in relief. At least I didn’t have to worry about having a ‘HAL’ situation from the movie, A Space Odyssey 2001 with this program.
I stopped as the corridor ended. “The bathing chamber is on my right?”
“Correct.”
The double doors opened automatically. “Wow!” My eyes widened at the huge swirling pool that dominated the room. You could fit twenty large Zakiu men in there. I glanced down at my filthy state. I was so going to have a bath.
It took a moment to search for the Zakiu version of a toilet. But once I was done, I stripped off and walked down the steps into the warm water, moaning at how good it felt on my skin. I dunked under to wet my hair.
I emerged to see Lucky on the side of the pool, watching me. “Do you think I could get some clothing after my bath?”
The blue light shimmered, white- and apricot-colored clothing appeared over one of the stone benches in the bathing room.
“Thank you, Essence.”
“Essence’s duty is to serve and protect.”
Lucky bounced up and down on the rim. I smiled at the little critter as I sat back to reflect on my situation. I was going to give Killiu a big hug when I saw him. I felt my smile slide into a worried frown. What the hell was I doing? I had no business enjoying this luxury when my friends were out there in the Druel imposed camp.
I had to think. I had to learn and there was no way I was going to leave them out there.
“Essence, will you answer my questions?”
“Essence will answer all questions within programming parameters.”
“Good. What happened to the Zakiu people? Why are so few left?” It was hard for me to understand how the Druel could have conquered them so easily. They were such an advanced people.
“Accessing historical recordings of past events.”
A hologram appeared above the pool. I watched in fascination and horror as Essence replayed the devastation the Druel had brought upon the Zakiu.
They had first come under the pretense of peace, wanting a trade treaty. The Zakiu were open and trusting. But the Druel introduced a virus into the population, which wiped out more than half the Zakiu in a matter of weeks. It was then the Druel struck, transporting hundreds of Zakiu off the planet. With no standing army to defend themselves, the Zakiu didn’t stand a chance.
My fingers clenched, anger churned in my gut. I swiped at the tears as I climbed from the pool.
The Zakiu who remained struggled to find a cure for the virus but by the time they had, it was too late. They were a conquered people.
“If you were built to defend and protect, why couldn’t you protect the Zakiu?”
“In the last days Essence was created by scientist Galvan to protect the city. He lived in hope that the people would one day come home.”
Fuck the fucking Druel, they’d murdered billions of people, all for their own selfish greed.
“Why didn’t they attack or destroy the city?” I toweled myself dry and slipped on the clothing.
“Unknown.”
I remembered Morrdrook telling me they wanted the Zakiu people, not their planet.
“Does the planet have defense systems? The Druel are coming back.”
“Information classified.”
I frowned. “Classified? So I can’t defend myself if they attack?”
“Negative. You will be safe.”
“How?” I demanded, crossing my arms and glaring up at the blue beam.
“Information classified.”
“To who? Everyone is dead! I’m the only one here!” I waved my arms as frustration gripped me.
I drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. It was no good getting angry at Essence.
“Only members of the royal family can access the information.”
“So you won’t tell me?”
“Correct. You are safe, Anna. Essence will protect and serve you.”
“Right then, classified information. What about weapons. Ones I could hold in my hand. Do you have those?”
“All weapons are in the army vaults.”
“Would any of those weapons be powerful enough to destroy a Druel machine, roughly the same size as me?”
“Affirmative.”
Well, now
we were getting somewhere, my brain clicked into gear as ideas started forming. I smiled.
“Does the city have some kind of transport vehicle I could use?”
“Affirmative.”
This was looking better and better. “And these weapons, would someone like me be able to use them?”
“Your weight and body mass indicates you would not be able to use the heavier weapons.”
“Essence, I need your help.” I dressed in the pants and top. They fitted very nicely. “I want you to show me where the vehicles and the weapons are. Then you’re going to teach me how to use them.”
Chapter Nine
“Warning unsafe proximity to the pillar.”
“I know, I know. Stop telling me!” I gritted my teeth, careful not to overcorrect as I glided around the pillar.
“Woohoo!” Success! The air bike, as I’d named it, looked more like a cross between a jet ski and a rocking horse, only way larger. The black, padded leather seat could easily accommodate two larger Zakiu men.
The controls were built into the handlebars which made it easier to use. E, as I’d renamed Essence, also told me it had cruise control. A wicked-looking black disrupter with automatic targeting was fixed to the front of the bike. At least I wouldn’t have to learn how to shoot it. There were hundreds of these air bikes lined up in a big military bunker, along with a variety of bigger flying ships, and other strange looking machines.
I decided on the bike, as they seemed easiest to learn how to use. I’d suffered a few scrapes before getting the hang of the machine. Something called a Put—a liquid crystal powered weapon roughly the size of a submachine gun but with a telescope barrel—packed one hell of a punch. Learning how to shoot the Put and ride the bike had eaten up more days than I liked.
E was always there to remind me of the danger I was putting my child’s and my own life in.
“I think I’m ready. I can fly and shoot straight enough. All I need to do is get into the camp and the men can do the rest. How many weapons can the rocker bike carry, E?”
“With your weight; twenty Put disrupters.” E responded, the voice hollow in the cavernous space.
“I’ll take ten and some supplies.” I set the bike down and swung my leg over the wide seat. “Are the bags I wanted ready?”
“Affirmative. E does not recommend you proceed. There is a sixty-two percent chance you will not succeed.”
“Yes, I know. You keep telling me that, but I’m going to get my husband. We’ve already been apart too damn long. I’ll move heaven and hell to get him back.”
I walked towards the once military barracks where I’d been living and scooped up Lucky, asleep among the black uniforms. “Wanna go get Daddy, Lucky?” He chirped, scuttling up to his usual perch on my shoulder.
“It’s still early. We’ll have breakfast, load up then go.”
“E has pre-programmed the co-ordinates into your air bike. At maximum speed, the journey will take you two hours.”
“And to think it took us around six days walking.” I mused to my Wuzzle. “Thank you, E. We’ll leave in one hour. I want to get my man and be in back in time for dinner. Prepare the city, E. Your Zakiu are coming home.”
“Affirmative, Anna.”
* * * *
A few hours later I was ready, dressed in a lighter version of Zakiu black battle armour E had designed and created with his particle re-organizer. Helmet on my head and a Put weapon strapped to my back, I flew over the fields, hills and mountains I’d walked across a few days before.
Like hell I’d ever do that again. A flutter sensation bloomed in my chest, as I rode with steadfast determination towards the encampment. It was time to burst the Druel bubble and free the Zakiu. Well, at least get them safely back to the city, then we could decide what to do next.
Gripping the handlebars tighter, my lips pressed into a thin line as I surveyed the landscape. No doubts, no second-guessing. The thought of seeing Morrdrook again, being in his arms, made me push the bike harder, faster.
“Approaching Druel tower,” E’s voice came over the earpiece in my helmet. Essence was determined not to let me totally out of its sight, keeping in audio contact, guiding me.
“Right, let’s get this done. Engage automatic targeting, fire within range.”
The weapon on the front of the bike emerged. I heard the whine of the disruptor preparing to fire. With a quick glance at the monitor, I saw it had already locked on the target. I slung the Put disrupter around, holding onto the bike with one hand ready.
“Firing.” E’s voice came through the speakers. A blue laser bolt shot out, hitting the tower head on. It exploded into heated flames. The barrier sparked briefly, before fizzling out. I pushed the bike up and sailed past.
“Head for the village. Better the men have the guns than me.” Ahead I saw the black buildings and the dirt covered mounds. My heart thumped harder against my ribs and chest. The men were already running towards the destroyed tower. Their swords ready as I guided the bike down to land just outside.
I saw Nular, Makkiu and Killiu heading the charge as I managed to set the bike down. I flipped off the engine, studying the wary expression of the approaching Zakiu, ready to defend. They were quite an intimidating sight.
“What is it?” Nular whispered, just a bit too loud. I grinned behind my helmet before yanking it off.
“Hello boys! Did you miss me?” I swung my leg over the seat unhooking the Put disrupters.
They stood in stunned, wide-eyed disbelief and looked almost comical.
“You found the city!” Killiu strode forward, pushing the younger men out of the way, catching me in a tight hug.
I squeaked and Killiu set me down. “Sorry Anna.” He stepped back and I saw pride shining in his pale eyes.
“It’s alright. God knows, it’s good to see you again. You’re right, there’s a whole big empty city but we can’t talk now. Quick take a Put disrupter. I just took out the force-field tower. The Druel defense machines will have been activated and no doubt already homing in on me. We have the weapons to use against them. I brought as many as I could.” I turned around and opened the back compartment under the seat of the bike, handing the first of the Put disrupters to Killiu.
“Do you know how to use these?”
“Yes, do not worry.”
“It is good to see you, Anna. Abby will be happy beyond words.” Nular stepped forward to help Killiu hand out the weapons.
I turned around trying to spot Morrdrook. Where was he?
“Take the weapons, defend your females. We are at last free!” Killiu called.
“Where’s Morrdrook?”
“I’ll get him. He’s down by the lagoon,” said Nular.
“No, I’ll go, you need to stand and defend. Take out Druel machines, once and for all.”
Nular nodded. “Yes, go to him. He has been difficult without you.”
I ran towards the path leading down to the lagoon, wildly shoving plants out of my way.
I jolted to a stop as I spotted him standing by the water’s edge, his head hanging down, staring into the water. His usually tame hair was a wild mess where it hung over his slumped shoulders.
“Morrdrook?” My voice barely a whisper as emotions swamped me. How lost he looked. His head whipped around at the sound of my voice. Lines weighed heavily around his eyes and I swore he’d lost weight.
“Aunna?” His voice but a whisper, disbelief in his blue eyes as his gaze swept over me from head to toe.
“Morrdrook, I found a way back. I…” tears stung the back of my eyes. I blinked rapidly trying to hold them back. “I…found the Zakiu city. I found a way to free us…”
I couldn’t stand it any longer. I ran at him, throwing myself into his arms. Warm strength enfolded me as he held me tightly, his face in my hair. I heard him draw in deep breaths.
“Oh by the moons! It is you, my Aunna, my beautiful Aunna.” He grabbed my shoulders, pushing me back as his intense gaze sweeping down my body
. His hands followed, touching every part of me. He traced his mark on my throat with the tip of his finger. When he reached my curve of my stomach, he caressed the swell tenderly.
“You have lost weight, but our bud still grows strong.” His voice was deep with emotion.
“Yes, it was hard, but thinking of you kept me strong. I’ve missed you so much. I don’t ever want to be apart again!”
He hugged me close again, his hands stroking my back as he kissed my hair.
“No, never again,” he choked out.
Tilting my head back, he lowered his lips to mine, kissing me again. I clung desperately to his shoulders giving him everything I had and more.
The loud zing sound of weapons fire had us breaking apart. I pulled back from his arms and shoved my Put disrupter into his hands. He looked over the weapon and smile spread across his face.
“Killiu said you know how to use these?”
“Druel have similar disruptors, takes little skill to use.”
I snorted, knowing how long it took me to learn to use it.
“We’ve still got to destroy the Druel drones. I’ll explain everything else after.”
With a nod and his left hand wrapped tightly around my right, we hurried back to the village. Already the Zakiu fighters were engaging the Druel guard drones, and they were dropping like flies.
“Stay!” Morrdrook barked, with a pointed glare he pushed me behind the first hut on the row. I couldn’t help but grin as satisfaction swarmed through me. I nodded obediently. God, I loved having my big alien protector back, bossing me around. Watching as he charged into the fray, taking out two machines as he ran.
“Anna!” The squeal of Abby’s voice, I saw her running the perimeter of the village, steering clear of the fighting. Close at her heels was Joan. Both women dived behind the building and caught me between them, squashing me into a tight embrace. I squeaked struggling to breathe, until they let me go. I couldn’t help notice how swollen their stomachs were.
“Jaysus woman, you’re back! How? You look like some bad ass biker chick!”
“No more like Sigourney Weaver from the Alien movie.” Joan put in with a grin. “She brought big bad guns.”
“What happened to ya?”
Beast Planet 2: Captive Salvation Page 6
