“What? That is terrible news!”
“It is only a rumor. And it's not permanent. Apparently Ondex is working on some project and she is going to be handling the day to day dealings.”
“That is unprecedented. I hope she doesn't try to change any policies. Ahn, I always felt that I would retire once she takes the throne. There is way too much at stake right now.”
“I don't foresee much of an issue if the rumor does prove to be true. She is young, and Gotoreo is far.”
* * *
“I leave for a few days and my place gets overrun with Marines!” Frank joked as he walked down the ramp. He was carrying the grill in one hand and the charcoal in the other.
“Frank!” Chavez cried out as he jumped up to greet his friends. Hiro and the rest of the Crew were making their way down from the platform. It was late afternoon and the weather was perfect. Frank sat down his load and was shaking hands when Robert and Michelle joined him.
“Hey guys,” Robert said. “This is Michelle.”
“I'm Dave Elmore. It's a pleasure.”
“Damon Potts, ma'am.”
“I'm Chavez. Looks like Jones would have been leaving the Crew anyway, eh Sarge?”
“I know about that rule,” Michelle said with a smile, “and yes, he would have been leaving soon. It's really great to finally meet you guys.”
“Hello, Pock,” Dave said as the large insectoid scurried past, carrying most of the groceries along with his rum.
“Hey, what do you say there, Captain?” Pock answered without stopping.
“You taught him how to talk?” Chavez asked incredulously.
“He already knew how to talk,” Frank answered. “Now he can cuss at you in English.”
The joke was lost as Chavez grabbed onto Potts' shoulder as if to steady himself. “Who is that?” he asked with wide eyes.
“Holy shit,” Potts added as he also noticed Nera walking down the ramp with Denise.
“That is Nera Bunto,” Hiro said.
“You didn't say she was hot,” Chavez said. Hiro only smiled and shrugged. Dave was trying to maintain his professionalism. Robert considered warning his friends simply to not even try to go there, but decided it may be entertaining. He looked down at Michelle and shook his head with a smile, as if to apologize for their behavior.
Frank hadn't seen the girls since they lifted from the department store as they had locked themselves away in his bedroom to get ready. He turned to watch them walk up. Nera was dressed the same as Denise usually was on the island. Both of them were wearing little denim shorts and bikini tops. Denise's had a floral print but Nera's was a solid black that made a striking contrast to her orange skin.
Denise had a hug for everyone. “This is Nera,” she said after she was done.
Nera had stopped a few paces short. “Warriors of Earth, I am pleased to meet you.” She offered a stiff bow.
“We saw the video of your work at the White House,” Dave said, still trying to be professional. “Very nice.”
“Thank you,” she replied. “I understand you all have killed many Mingrein.”
“Not nearly as many as Frank, but we are proud to say that we helped.”
“Nera killed her share as well,” Frank added. “Don't let her beauty fool you. She is a total badass.” With that, her expression softened considerably. “Hiro, Robert was wanting to do the cooking. I hope you don't mind.”
“I do not mind at all,” Hiro replied. “I would like to watch and learn though.”
“That's cool with me,” Robert said. “If you learn how to work a grill as well as you do your thing already, you will be the best chef on the planet.” Robert was looking around, getting a head count. “So what's it going to be, Denise?”
Everyone paused in confusion. Denise smiled and said, “Vegetarian.” She reached out and took Michelle's hand. “I know Robert wants to show you around but we're going to at least show you the bar while he cooks.” All three women headed for the steps as Robert and Hiro went to decide on the best spot for the grill. Chavez and Potts didn't hesitate to follow the girls but Dave just stood and stared as the ramp of the boat raised.
“Phil will be along shortly,” Frank said.
“Good. I miss that little guy.”
“I hear you guys had it kinda rough.”
“Yeah, Frank, they threw us in the brig after you bailed us out. That whole thing was totally fucked. Then everyone figures out that it was because of that imposter, and here we are. President Porter was very apologetic.”
“He had a pretty rough time of it too. Korbaal is insanely hot. He was on the verge of death when I found him.” They started walking toward the steps.
“You're going to have to give me all the details sometime,” Dave continued.
“Oh, it's just the normal stuff.”
Dave paused as he was about to enter the bar. Frank noticed that he was staring at the blood stain on the floor. “It looks like crazy is the new normal.”
* * *
There was a fantastic sunset that night and everyone was eating and drinking their fill. Nera decided that she might be able to develop a taste for beer, but Denise was helping her to not overdo it on her first outing. Phildan had arrived to a round of cheers from the Wrecking Crew and pulled up a chair to actually enjoy some down time. Frank was enjoying watching Nera being virtually unapproachable as Chavez and Potts took turns trying to make time with her. They were surprised when Hiro pulled up a chair beside her and they began discussing the possibilities of him training her.
“Thank you all for the compliments,” Hiro said as they were fielding questions regarding their actions at the White House. “But that is now how I want to seek glory.”
“You helped save the whole planet, Hiro,” Potts said. “Sorry, man, but you get the glory.”
“I am very happy to have helped,” Hiro continued. “Please don't misunderstand me. I know, as my Miyako has reminded me, that stealth was needed. But I haven't trained my whole life to just sneak up on my enemies. I'm afraid of what Grandfather will think.”
“Your grandfather is a very wise man,” Frank said. “But the fact that you seek no glory over that particular victory makes you all the more worthy of that glory. Wisdom obviously runs in your family.” And with that compliment, Frank raised his glass. Everyone followed suit. Even Hiro raised a beer and drank.
“Well, at least you can walk down the street,” Pock said.
Hiro smiled as he asked, “Are you finding it hard to walk these days?”
“Very funny. It's been a very odd few weeks for me too, you know. I was just a normal scout doing my thing and some dickheads shot me down. Then I'm locked up in that shithole out in the middle of some desert. I meet this guy,” he said as he gestured toward Frank, “he gives me some syrup and now I'm famous.”
“Syrup?” Potts asked. “Syrup made you famous?”
“Yes, the syrup made me famous and now I can't even walk down the street without every fucking asshole that I see asking me a bunch of dumbass questions.”
“Corn syrup is an important discovery for his people,” Frank clarified. “For his family.”
“I always thought that was what I wanted,” Pock continued. “Fame and glory for helping the family out. It turns out that it sucks.”
Frank lifted his glass again. “You have the satisfaction of a job well done. That is all that is required.” Everyone drank again.
Just then an orb raised itself from the ledge and floated over near Frank. “Well hello, my dear,” he said with a smile.
“Hello, everyone,” Gladys said with a cheerful tone.
“Is everything going well?” Frank asked.
“Yes. We are waiting as the data is being transferred. It will be several hours before we can activate the rest of the implant and wake her up.”
“That is good news.”
“Miyako has been most helpful. Hiro, you should be very proud.”
“I am, thank you,” Hiro rep
lied with a polite bow.
“She is resting in my quarters now. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
“We should probably consider doing the same,” Frank said. His suggestion met a groan from several of the attendees.
“Have you given any thoughts to your sleeping arrangements?” Gladys asked.
“I have that all worked out,” Phildan interjected. “Hiro already has his place, as does the Wrecking Crew. Robert and Michelle can have my room. Denise and Nera can have Frank's room. I will take the couch. Pock will sleep just about anywhere, it would seem. And Frank will most likely go build something.” Everyone laughed at the last line. Frank just shrugged because he knew it was funny because it was true.
“Me and the guys will help Hiro with this mess, Frank,” Dave said. “I know you'll want to help get everyone settled in on the boat.”
“That's cool with me as long as you don't mind,” Frank replied. But without answering, the Crew sprung into action and the place began to take shape almost instantly. Frank and Phildan led the others back to the boat with Gladys' orb hanging right beside Frank. They walked up the ramp and split up. Frank and Phildan went to fetch more bedding for Robert and Michelle. The orb accompanied the girls as they made their way to the bedroom. Having been assured that Michelle found the accommodations to be satisfactory, Frank made his way back around the bend toward his bedroom. Phildan had cut off into the living room so Frank slowly poked his head into the bedroom door. The girls were sitting on the bed talking with Gladys. “Hey, I just need to use the bathroom and get cleaned up a little and then I'll be out of your way.”
“Take your time, Frank,” Denise said with a smile.
Frank went into the restroom and closed the door panel behind him. After relieving himself, he let the machines give him a quick cleaning before he put on his trunks and a fresh shirt. There was a muffled sound of giggling coming through the door. He reopened the door panel to discover that the orb was nowhere to be seen, but Denise and Nera were eyeing him with strange expressions on their faces. “Where did she go?”
“Oh, she had to go check something,” Denise replied. Frank looked over to discover that the door to the hallway was now closed.
“Frank,” Nera said as she stood up, “there is something that we need to discuss.”
“What is it?” he asked. “Is something wrong?”
“It's just this,” she said as she grabbed him and pulled him down for a kiss. It was much more passionate than her previous kisses.
“Oh, wow,” he said as she let up. But then he felt Denise's hand grasping his wrist and pulling him down onto the bed. He didn't resist too much, figuring they wished to cuddle with him some more, not unlike sitting on the couch earlier in the day. As Denise was laying over the top of his upper body and kissing him thoroughly, he felt Nera's hands pulling his trunks down. He then realized that they didn't wish to cuddle.
* * *
Ahn certainly didn't mind helping out here and there as long as he didn't have to come into contact with too many lower class beings. So this particular errand was particularly troubling as he had an innate disdain for Gurdiks. He didn't fault them for making a living wherever they could and he even saw the value of the various services that they excelled in. He simply didn't like insectoids. As he made his way to the side docks where the outside contractors parked, every doorway and gate opened for him. Rank certainly had its privileges, and being both the Chief Financial Adviser and born of noble blood, he had free reign over all those he encountered.
The guards on duty at the main gate simply bowed before him as he strode up. “Point me to the dock manager,” he said in a calm tone.
“I'll send for an escort,” one of the guards said as he pressed a button on the panel beside the gate.
Within a minute, a young Gote jogged up and bowed deeply. “Right this way, sir,” he said in a shaky tone. “There are several freighters being unloaded, so safety is a concern.” Without speaking, Ahn followed him as he gave the machinery a wide berth until they came around the backside of the main office. Once inside, the young Gote closed the door behind them and stood at attention. “Mr. Manager, sir, Master Ahn is here.”
“Master Ahn, it's a great pleasure to have you here,” the surly old Gote said as he emerged from his office.
“It's just 'Ahn',” he replied. “I dropped the honorific when I took this position. What is this nonsense about Gurdiks and dead soldiers?”
“As you probably know, we have been sending soldiers out with some of the contractors. We've been doing it randomly to, you know, keep everyone in line. So this Gurdik freighter comes back after dropping a load of essence at Rhoshe, and they reported that the two soldiers had both been killed.”
“Did they say how they died?” Ahn asked.
“It wasn't my place to ask. So I sent out word. I must say I am surprised that you are here instead of some soldier.”
“Any dealings with the Rhoshe must be handled with the utmost delicacy. I found it best to handle this myself. Where are the Gurdiks now?”
“They are waiting at their ship.” The manager nodded to the young Gote. “I'll have them fetched right away.” The young Gote opened the door and took off in a jog toward the opposite end of the dock. “It will be just a little bit. I would have had them waiting here for you, but to be honest, those freaks kinda creep me out.”
“That is understandable, Mr. Manager.” Ahn looked around the room and decided that is was just about as messy as one would imagine such a place to be. He didn't see anywhere clean to sit, so he decided to just stand.
“So, Ahn, if you don't mind me asking, do you have any idea when the lineup for the next tournament will be announced?”
“Now that is one topic that I don't mind discussing. The lineup is still being decided. I'll just say that we are anticipating a couple of surprise entries. Are you a betting Gote?”
“Just a little, as my personal budget allows. I'd say that I am more of a fan than anything else.”
“Splendid! What do you think of our champion?”
“He's a tough one, that's for sure. I just don't understand why he keeps reentering. I thought they won their freedom if they win the tournament.”
Ahn smiled. “Breet is an unusual case. He continues to fight so that his brothers don't have to.”
“I'll never understand bugs,” the manager said, shaking his head. “I'd love to see a Gote win it.”
“Wouldn't that be something?” Ahn certainly didn't share the sentiment as it would mean granting some hardened criminal his freedom. He looked out the window. “Ah, there comes our Gurdiks now.” The door opened and two Gurdiks came in and stood nervously before Ahn. The young Gote closed the door and stood guard, his hand on his pistol. “You may deliver your report to me.”
“We were on Rhoshe One,” the older of the two Gurdiks began, “and everything was going well when a strange vessel landed near us. It was a configuration that I had never seen before, and it ran totally silent.”
“Totally silent? Fascinating. Did you see the crew?”
“Humans. A male and two females.”
“And how did the Rhoshe take to having humans at their docks?” Ahn asked with great interest.
“I wouldn't have believed this part had I not witnessed it myself. They were socializing. The male human was able to verbally communicate with them.”
Ahn paused for a moment to try to read the Gurdik's body language. “This is an interesting story,” he said finally. “It is too fantastic to be a lie. What happened next?”
“Your soldiers caught sight of the human females and sent my first mate to make an offer for purchase. They then instructed me to prime the engines so I didn't see anything else from that point.” The older insectoid gestured toward the younger one standing beside him. “He will tell you the rest.”
Ahn looked to the younger Gurdik. “What happened next, young one? Please, don't be nervous.”
“I asked the male human who his
master was, and the Rhoshe all assumed a defensive position. The human acted like the question was offensive.”
“Such a question would be offensive to a being that possessed its freedom,” Ahn mused.
“So then I offered to purchase the females and that's when things got out of hand.”
“Please continue.”
“Your two soldiers emerged from beside the ship. One grabbed a human female while the other provided cover fire for their escape. At that point I just ran.”
“The soldiers were well within their rights to claim the female,” Ahn said. “So how did the soldiers die?”
“I beat the soldiers back to the freighter and waited at the top of the ramp for them. As soon as they were aboard, I began to raise the ramp. The soldier who was carrying the human took her straight to the crew quarters. As the ramp was nearly up, the human male appeared and disabled the one soldier. Keep in mind we had lifted off at this point and were quickly gaining altitude. He found the other Gote and I assume they somehow killed him. I was not there to see the deed, but there is a dead Gote for you to investigate. The two humans emerged in the hold, where they finished off the other soldier.”
“So what happened next? Did you simply land and let them disembark?”
“No. The human male told me to hold on to something and he opened the ramp. They were sucked out of the freighter, along with the one dead soldier.”
Ahn looked puzzled. “He told you to hold on. What language did he use?”
“He used our own language, sir.”
Ahn remembered some of the things that Ottwan had said. “Can you describe the females?”
The young Gurdik looked down as if trying to remember. “I didn't get a good look at the one that was left behind, but the one that your soldiers took, she had orange skin.”
Ahn's eyes grew large. “Mr. Manager, what is the reputation of these two?” He pointed to the two insectoids who were now suddenly in fear for their lives.
“Honestly, their record is impeccable. The ride-along was just a formality.”
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