Monster
Page 1
Monster
Monster
Monster of Earth
Book Three
Patrick F. Johnson
Copyright 2017 by Patrick F. Johnson
All rights reserved. Published by Patrick F. Johnson.
No parts of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.
To Mom
1.
“I would free all the slaves if it was up to me,” Caja said passionately.
“That is a beautiful sentiment, but I don't know where that would leave me,” Chloe replied.
“You know I think of you as a sister.”
“Yes, and I feel the same way. But technically, I'm a slave. If you weren't a princess, I would have been dead a long time ago. I wouldn't last a day without your protection.”
“I would certainly change that too. It wasn't always this way, you know. Slavery was all but abolished under my grandfather's reign.”
“But what of the soldiers?” Chloe asked.
“It is my understanding that they used to handle themselves with much more...dignity.”
“Any dignity at all would be an improvement.” Both females laughed.
“All joking aside, Chloe, I wish someone would just kill Korick.”
“Someone else would just take his place, I'm afraid.”
Caja sighed and slumped her huge shoulders. “You're probably right. I wish Father wasn't so worthless.”
“Caja! He is the king!” Chloe smiled as she chided her friend.
* * *
“Eat up.”
Gildract raised the arm to his mouth and took a bite as he looked at Tirogof. The scales on his face contorted. “Ugh, what have you done to yourself?” he asked as he spat out the flesh.
“A side effect of my rejuvenation process,” Tirogof answered. ”I am inedible.”
“So a quick death it is then,” Frank said.
“It's just as well,” Tirogof replied. “My ambitions have doomed my race. I don't want to live to see that.”
“Let me guess. The Gotes?” Frank asked.
“Yes,” Tirogof replied. “How much do you know?”
“A better question is how much do I care?”
“Your planet is doomed either way. And then they will most likely come for you.”
“Whatever.”
“Whatever indeed, Monster, of Earth. But no one messes with the Gotes.”
“Yeah. And no one messes with the bugs too. I keep hearing that shit.”
“You have no idea, human.”
“Oh, I get it. But what you don't realize yet is that no one fucks with me, either.” Frank nodded at Gildract. The lizard pulled his side arm and delivered one round into Tirogof's skull. The large round caused the smaller reptilian's head to explode. Frank stood for a while staring at the remains of his fallen adversary before turning his attention to Evrok. He turned to walk closer to the large reptile.
“Just make it quick,” Evrok pleaded.
“What are you talking about?” Frank asked.
“Do you not want this sash too?”
“I don't even really want the one I have, to be honest.”
“I'm afraid I will never understand mammals. What is it that you want of me?” Evrok was losing blood, and having difficulty in remaining upright. He lowered himself to the ground.
Frank knelt down to look Evrok in the eye as he spoke, “Of the three brothers, I sense that you carry, and value, the most wisdom. Your brothers need you now more that ever. Your numbers are diminished. This star is unstable. You need to lead them.”
“I would fail the first challenge.”
“Fuck challenges. You have Gildract. And he has Trove.”
“Aye, Sire,” Gildract agreed, directing his approval toward Evrok.
“A new way?” Evrok asked.
“Yes,” Frank agreed. “A new way indeed. Do you know of any worlds that you can relocate to?”
“Only Li worlds. We don't have the numbers to overtake them, I'm afraid.” As Evrok spoke, a fourth generation Mingrein arrived to tend to his wound.
“How about the planet of your birth?” Frank asked. Every Mingrein within earshot froze when he spoke the words.
“Every Mingrein dreams of that place,” Gildract said with a far away look.
“The location is a closely guarded secret,” Evrok added. “I suppose we should have asked him.” He gestured toward Tirogof's headless body.
“Yeah, fuck that guy. You're from Korbaal.”
“Korbaal,” Evrok repeated. “Do you know the way?”
“Yes. I've been there. There are Mingrein. They are new and untrained, but they long to be united with their brothers.”
Evrok was silent for a few moments before speaking. “I didn't see it before. And then Gildract told me, and I still didn't want to admit it. But you are indeed the most thoughtful warrior.”
“Thanks.” Frank stood up. “Gather your shit. There only seems to be a few hundred of you left. I need to go save my planet. If I'm not back, you can find Korbaal here.” A random orb projected the map before Frank's hand was raised.
“What do you mean?” Gildract asked.
“I would like to offer you a high speed transport. A rift, I guess. But if I somehow fail before I can get back, well, there's where it is.”
“Shall we accompany you to your Earth, Sire?” Gildract asked.
“No. You would certainly be killed.”
“Yes, you are probably right.”
Frank turned to walk away but then stopped. “Gildract, one thing has been in the back of my mind since I arrived. You said they took away your sense of smell?”
“Yes, Sire. Do you see those smoking craters?” He gestured at several large holes that were scattered about.
“Yes. What caused them?”
“The Li bombed us with some horrendous apparatus. The smell is unbearable.”
“Oh. Stink bombs. How clever.”
“You don't smell that?”
“No, Gildract. I suppose the air is just too hot for my human nose to function properly.”
“Lucky.”
* * *
“How can you just casually stand in the middle of all those Mingrein like that?” Robert Jones asked as he was watching Frank stow the red sash.
“I wouldn't quite call it casual,” Frank replied. He walked over to place his gift swords on the rack, along with the new addition.
“You really need to let me do these things for you,” Nera stated.
“You are my friend, Nera, not my servant.”
“I am serious about paying my debts. If I could just get you to stay still long enough, I could get a good start on that.” Her words caught him off guard. Robert even looked up in surprise.
“Nera!” Frank exclaimed.
“What?”
“We'll talk more about this later. I'm going to go get cleaned up. Alone.” Frank left the living room, walked through his bedroom and into the refresher room. Closing the door behind him, he removed his clothes and handed them to the automech. With a gesture he removed his varitherm suit and looked into the tiny mirror that Denise had left. “What have you gotten yourself into with these girls?” he asked himself out loud.
“You obviously underestimate your own charm,” Constanthos said. Her voice came from a remote that Frank hadn't noticed.
“Oh shit! You scared me about half to death!”
“I'm sorry, Frank. I thought you were talking to me. You haven't been talking to yourself lately.”
“Hmm, I guess I hadn't noticed.” Frank was suddenly feeling self-conscious about his nudity.
“I, uh, yeah. I don't really know what to say about that.”
“You don't have to say anything.”
“You've seen my memories. But do you understand my thoughts?” Frank asked.
“Not entirely. The majority of species in the galaxy, mammals included, do not mate for life. In fact, females tend to be attracted to the best male available. And that would be you.”
“That's all fine and dandy for all those species. But they probably plan to reproduce. As for myself, I just want to be with Gladys.”
“What about me, Frank? I will be moving into my body soon.”
“I didn't mean to sound rude, Connie.”
“I did not take offense, as I know how you feel.”
“Good. To be honest, you might not even find me attractive once you see me with human eyes.”
“I've noticed the way the other females look at you. Even Miyako sneaks in looks. There is no data that would indicate a different reaction from me.”
“Let's just worry about that when the time comes, okay?”
“Okay, Frank.”
“Holler when we get to Main Ship.” Frank slapped his varitherm suit back on his newly cleaned body.
“We've already docked. Robert and Nera have entered the garden.”
“Wow. Okay then. What's Phil's status?”
“He adjusting the values of the stealth suits.”
Pulling on a clean pair of bluejeans, Frank asked, “What does that mean?”
“We are working to make them invisible to those of the Li.”
“Oh. Brilliant!” Frank found a shirt and started toward the door.
* * *
“Stan, you were probably right. We should have gone to Earth first.”
“I've been thinking it over, Frank. You made the right decision.” Stan and Cindy greeted Frank as he entered the garden and walked with him toward the finished area.
“Tirogof claimed there are seven Li capital ships in orbit over Earth right now.”
“Yes, I am aware, and Phildan and the computer are formulating a strategy. I'm afraid I was just in the way so I excused myself.”
“Yeah, they talk way over my head too. I'm going to check in with Gladys, and then I'll get with Phil in the lab.” And then to Cindy, Frank said, “I'm sorry for the delay. I promise we'll start searching for your home as soon as we can.”
“There is no need to apologize.”
Frank nodded and then turned into the passageway that led to Gladys' personal chamber. He passed through the door panel and removed his clothes, out of habit. Then he noticed that both Denise and Nera were accompanying Gladys where she was lounging on the bed platform. “It is done,” he said.
“Yes, Nera was just telling us about it. I did as you asked and sat that one out.”
“Gladys, my dear, I wasn't trying to boss you around. I just thought you should have a break.”
She stood and came into his arms. “I know, my love. And you were right.” She kissed him.
Frank became aware of the two other sets of eyes that were watching him and realized he was standing there in a very tight varitherm suit. “I'm afraid we're not done with the Li just yet. There are seven capital ships orbiting Earth.”
Gladys almost frowned. “We will have to continue this later then. We have much to discuss.” She turned to the girls and smiled.
Frank started to attempt to read the expressions on their faces then thought better of it. “Let's get to Phil's main workshop and see what they're cooking up.” He slipped out of Gladys' arms and walked over to start putting his clothes back on.
“You should leave those off,” Denise joked.
“The varitherm suits you,” Nera added.
Blushing, Frank replied, “I find it to be a bit too, um, revealing.”
“That's what we like about it,” Gladys said and all three females laughed together. Frank was speechless.
“You two go ahead,” Denise said. “I need to talk to Nera for a minute.” She watched Gladys take Frank's arm as they left through the door panel.
“What is it?” Nera asked after the door closed.
“I don't really know where to start. Has Gladys said anything to you about Frank?”
“A little.”
“I'm just going to say it. She knows that I have feelings for him, and she pretty much offered for me to join them.”
“I see.” Nera gave a little smile.
“I mean in a relationship. Not like, in a one night thing.”
“And this is an issue?”
Denise blinked. “Don't you think it's an issue too?”
“Not at all. It is a common thing, actually.”
“On Nuun, you mean?”
“Yes. The most common way that a man would acquire two wives is if his brother died. He would take the wife and children and care and provide for them as if they were his own. If they were lucky, they would have additional children. But sometimes, if everyone was agreeable, a man would take multiple wives for no other reason than love.”
“Well, there's only a few cultures on Earth that do that. And I'm not from any of them.”
“And neither is Frank, from what I gather.”
“So you have talked to her!”
“Yes. But it's different for me. I am bound to him regardless.”
“So you would have no issue with being his wife?”
“While I never expected to get married, I find the idea agreeable.” Nera had a far away look as she said the words.
“How is it that you never expected to marry? You are absolutely gorgeous.”
“I had a lover once.”
“Oh. Did the Mingrein kill him?” Denise asked.
“Her.”
“Her?”
* * *
Frank strolled into Phildan's workshop with Gladys on his arm. Miyako was standing to the side trying not to laugh at Hiro. He was phasing in and out of visibility as Phildan was making adjustments to the black varitherm. Frank paused to enjoy the show as the others all came in behind him.
“This isn't nearly as fun as it looks,” Hiro joked.
“It's absolutely amazing,” Robert said.
“I would certainly agree,” Stan added. “This technology could be very dangerous, Frank. I trust you to take the proper precautions.”
“Of course,” Frank replied. “So, does anyone have any ideas?”
“I have been working out the details regarding the capital ships,” Phildan said.
“Awesome,” Frank said. “What do you got?”
“Li capital ships are enormous, as you know. If we torpedo them, they will fall to Earth, and that is way too dangerous. So we will have to use the, uh, G-bombs.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“There is more, Frank.”
“The floor is yours, Buddy.”
Phildan looked down at the floor with confusion before continuing. “The G-bombs would have to be fired from a great distance. They would undoubtedly detect them and send intercepting torpedoes. So I'm working out a way to render them invisible.”
“Is that what that is?” Frank asked, pointing to a tub of black goo on the work bench.
“Yes. I sacrificed one of the suits to concoct this. Once the bombs are dipped, something will have to power the cloak. I've hit a wall.”
“Remotes,” Frank offered.
“Remotes? Please elaborate.”
“I'm guessing that it would be easier to modify a remote to be cloaked than it would be a torpedo. Especially such a volatile one. Dip the bombs, then hook them to remotes to haul them to their targets.” Frank shrugged, fully expecting his idea to be shot down for some reason.
“Brilliant!” Phildan exclaimed. “And simple to implement.”
“Great. Now that the capital ships are taken care of, we need a plan for the imposter.” Frank looked around to see who would speak up first.
; “Phildan?” Stan asked. “Just so I have this straight, you're making it so these suits won't be visible to the Li that are wearing the same suits, right?”
“That is correct, sir,” Phildan answered.
“But we will be able to see them, right?”
“Yes, and each other too, if there are more than one of us deployed.”
“How will we be able to tell who is friend or foe?” Stan asked.
“There will be a difference in hues.”
“Outstanding. I am truly impressed!”
“Thank you, sir.” Phildan was blushing.
Stan continued, “The way I see it, we need to unmask the imposter, publicly. That will give me the best chance to undo whatever it is that he has done. I can only imagine the damage he has caused.”
“We can worry about politics later,” Frank replied. “I don't want to risk innocent people getting hurt.”
“Frank, a large portion of the Earth's population think that you are just a hoax. If this imposter has the United States on the brink of war, I need our enemies to see him unmasked, so that I might prevent something terrible.”
“I see,” Frank replied. “I'm sorry for thinking you were maybe looking for some type of political gain.”
“No need to apologize.” Stan looked from Frank to Cindy. “I got into politics to try to make a difference. After many years, I really got off track. Now I only wish to repair whatever damage that I can. I don't plan to run for re-election.” He smiled and nodded at his large friend.
“Let's not be hasty, Stan.” Frank said. “When we get back to Earth, we can maybe see where he is going to be and we'll go from there.”
“We are currently orbiting Earth,” Constanthos interjected. Just then Nera and Denise walked in. Frank noticed that Denise was looking rather shocked.
“Denise?” Frank asked. “Could you go look at the television in my boat and maybe see if you can get a clue as to the imposter's whereabouts?”
Denise snapped out of her trance. “I'd be happy to.” She smiled and left.
“How about this,” Robert offered, “we'll wear these suits and sneak up on him. He surely has cloaked guards, in addition to the Secret Service.”