Raymond smiled as he answered, “Yes I have. Moldew thinks you are going to kill us all.”
“I've never killed a human,” Frank said, “so you got that going for you.”
“Good to know. So how did it happen?”
“Dozens of humans were abducted and tested. I was the only one to pass the test. So they hired me.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“I suppose. It was simple, in hindsight. No one was returned to the correct location, but they were kind of in a hurry to find someone.”
“Damn. I bet people were freaking out.”
“No,” Frank replied. “Everyone had their short term memories erased. I personally know three people that were in my group and they don't remember shit.”
“So which race was it? I've learned that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of sentient races out there.”
Frank quickly weighed the danger of revealing the information. “It was a Sessik.”
Raymond shook his head. “I might have heard of them. I deal mostly with Gotes and Gurdiks.”
“For me it's Mingrein and Li.”
“I am aware,” Raymond said. He looked over toward Moldew, who was trying to play it cool. “We have watched the video of Mingrein fighting in the tournaments. Moldew and I agree that those differ greatly from the ones that are in your video.”
Frank again considered the ramifications of revealing too much information. “The Mingrein that are acquired for the tournaments are new. Undersized and untrained. A seasoned Mingrein would wreak havoc upon the tournament.”
Raymond shot him a look of surprise. “You sound like you have some respect for them.”
“I do.”
“But you killed how many of them?”
“I lost count. You have to understand that the Mingrein that attacked Earth were being manipulated into doing so.”
Raymond again looked shocked. “So you've met Mingrein that you like?”
“Yup. There are a handful that I am downright fond of.”
Raymond laughed out loud again. “So what about the Li? Are you fond of them too?”
“I'm going to be honest. I've not yet met a Li that I actually like. But, those that I had to fight did not represent the race as a whole. I've learned that the majority of them didn't even know about any of that bullshit.”
“Well, I've never met a Mingrein in person. I have talked to a Li and he seemed like an asshole.”
“It seems that every race has its good and bad, as far as the people. I was very pleased to find your big friend over there so polite.”
“Yeah, he's great, really. And his wife is too. They've done so much for Chloe.”
“I was hoping to hear that not all of them are bad,” Frank said. “But that's going to make my job harder.”
“Your job?” Raymond asked. “What, exactly, were you planning to do?”
Frank answered with a smile, “I was going to wing it.”
20.
“Tell me, Ahn, do you think the Rhoshe would chance it?”
“It would depend on how they feel about Sungara,” Ahn answered.
Korick was pacing. “We would never be able to take Rhoshe directly, as you know. But would they write off Sungara so easily?”
“There are thousands of years of history between the two cultures. And from what I hear, it was almost always harmonious. But if the Rhoshe have located a new source, well, they might feel that they have to do what they must to survive.”
“Have we heard anything?”
“Other than the murders of those two soldiers, there is no information coming out of Rhoshe.”
“Ahn, do you really believe it was the Monster?”
“Yes. The Gurdiks said there was a Nuunian female accompanying him. It all makes sense.”
“So, he didn't, you know?”
“What, Korick?”
“He didn't eat them, did he?”
“No. One had his neck broken and the other was stabbed to death, before being sucked into the upper atmosphere of Rhoshe One.”
“Impossible.”
“I led the investigation myself.”
Korick continued to pace as he thought out loud. “The ship that was sent to Nuun never came back. The ship that was sent to Korbaal returned with just the pilot. The rest of the crew had been killed.”
“I would advise to retake Korbaal first. It would help in so many areas. Send a warship. Once we have Korbaal, send the warship to Nuun.”
“Should I pull the one from Sungara?” Korick asked.
“I would use one from the reserve. We cannot leave Sungara unsupervised.”
* * *
“Do you know who I am?” Denise asked.
Constanthos answered with a nod. She was now sitting up unassisted. Her dark hair was hanging just past her gray varitherm covered shoulders.
“Gladys had to attend a meeting. I am to teach you how to be a female of Earth. So would you like to learn to talk first? Or walk?” Constanthos answered by leaning forward and just about falling off of the table. “Let me steady you,” Denise said as she grabbed her arm. Constanthos stood on solid legs and within a few moments, she had somehow balanced herself. “Connie?” Denise asked. Constanthos looked her in the eye. “You can understand my words, right?” Constanthos nodded.
* * *
“As you all might have guessed, I would have never agreed to letting Frank go with the Gotes.” Gladys' remote hovered near the bar where everyone could see her.
“Again he puts himself in harm's way for the benefit of your race,” Bett noted.
“He takes his title seriously. I almost regret my actions in appointing him Custodian.”
“Gladys,” Robert interrupted, “we probably wouldn't have made it this far if you hadn't.”
“We don't have time for regrets, people,” Dave said. “We need to decide on a course of action.”
“Yes, of course,” Gladys replied. “I am open to suggestions.”
“The Gotes obviously have a thing for Nuunians,” Robert said. “We need to make sure that planet is defended.”
“I agree,” Gladys said. “But we cannot leave the Earth defenseless. Where is Pock?”
“He is on the landing boat,” Phildan replied.
“Ah, yes, I see him. I will summon him.” The orb hovered silently for a short time. “He is on his way.”
“I will return to Nuun to defend my people,” Nera declared.
“You're going to need help,” Robert said.
“I will go with her,” Hiro offered.
“And I will follow my husband,” Miyako added. She looked to Hiro and they nodded toward one another.
“I hate to split everyone up, but you three work really well together. Gladys?” Robert asked.
“Three skilled warriors with stealth varitherm...It almost seems unfair to the Gotes. I will have to perform a small procedure to ensure there is no cross-contamination between the two worlds.”
Pock scurried up the steps and into the bar. “You wanted me for something?”
“Yes, Pock,” Gladys replied. “We need to know what you know, personally, about the Gote's capabilities.”
“How much has Mother told you?” Pock asked.
“I know the full history,” Gladys replied, “but she didn't offer any intelligence regarding their capabilities.”
“All I know for sure is they have Sungara. That's the whole reason I was out this way to begin with.”
“Does Sungara not have a military?” Robert asked.
“Yes, they do,” Pock replied, “but they don't have the ability to defend against an orbital bombardment.”
“Do you know where they acquired their nuclear weapons?” Gladys asked.
“I'm afraid not,” Pock answered.
“Probably the same place they got their irrelevancy drives,” Bett interjected. “The Li.”
“The Li?” Pock asked.
“Yes. As I was looking over the scout ship and learn
ing its systems, I discovered a setting for the computational systems to display Lianese. And then I discovered that it was running an around one third capacity.”
“I doubt those idiot Gotes would have ever figured that out,” Pock said.
“We have learned,” Gladys started, “that Tirogof had been financed by Korick, who has control over the government of Gote Space. The monarchy, who is the only arm of their society that could overturn the government's decisions, is idle. I believe this has all been a long term plan for the Li and the Gotes to take over as much of the galaxy as they wanted. By destroying Sessik Home, and controlling the main food source of the Bugs, they had very little stopping them. But now with Tirogof gone, the Gotes are trying to take it all for themselves.”
“Not if we can help it,” Chavez said.
“I need Robert to help me with strategy,” Gladys replied. “You three have the most experience with fighting other races. You shall help defend the Earth.” The Wrecking Crew nodded. “I will need somewhere to hide Constanthos while she adapts to her body.”
“Who will accompany her?” Hiro asked.
“Denise, of course,” Gladys answered.
“Might I suggest Japan?”
“Could you make the arrangements?” she asked.
“Yes, of course,” Hiro responded. “I only need to call Grandfather.”
“We shall also need to contact Stan,” Gladys added.
“Leave that to us,” Dave offered.
“I'll tell you what,” Pock said. “I'll leave the sensor array up on the moon, so you will know when something is coming.”
“I will quickly assemble a relay module,” Phildan added.
“I'll help,” Bett offered.
Michelle watched as everyone left in different directions. She followed Robert as he gathered some tools together and set out around the building. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“I want to shutter this place up.”
“In the middle of all this madness, you're worried about this building?”
“Michelle, this is Frank's place. I don't want it getting damaged while he's gone.”
“So, you're sure you can bring him back?” she asked.
“Yes, but I was hoping you were going to come with me.”
She paused. “Won't it be dangerous?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I didn't see any action last time. I just kinda gave advice and helped out where I could.”
She paused again, but this time for longer. Finally, she picked up some boards and started helping.
* * *
The ship had completed its automated landing sequence and Frank found himself being dragged out of the cage and led down the ramp toward a ground transport that had pulled up. He quickly looked around to find that Vera was actually a beautiful planet. He was near the edge of a large landing platform that was populated with a variety of vessels in several configurations that he didn't recognize. The horizon was lined with mountains that seemed to reach up and touch the white puffy clouds that rolled lazily by in the blue sky. He was pleased to see that it was a yellow star. And then he saw it. The great pyramid loomed large in the distance and he realized that it would be his destination. The sights distracted him from the growing pain in his stomach, and the soldiers pushing him violently from behind did little to diminish his sense of wonder.
“Nice place,” Frank said out loud in English as he resisted a little longer in an effort to look around a bit more.
“Silence!” It was the unmistakable voice of Doris and then Frank felt something hard strike the back of his head.
“Doris!” Moldew exclaimed. “I am warning you for the last time. If he doesn't kill you, I will. You made him bleed, you fool.”
“He'll be doing a lot more bleeding when I'm through with him,” Doris replied. “You are in our domain now. Your threats carry no weight here.”
Frank let them push him into the ground transport, all the while continuing his ruse. So far no one suspected that he could speak and fully understand Gotian. They sat him on one padded bench seat that faced another, not unlike a limousine. Raymond took the seat to his left and Moldew sat to his right. Doris sat directly across from him, flanked by two of his soldiers. Their eyes never left him.
“Lean forward so I can have a look at your head,” Raymond politely requested. Frank obliged, but the collar on his neck felt heavy enough to pull him to the floor. “I can't seem to find the wound,” Raymond said a short time later. “Head wounds tend to bleed a lot. It must have been a small puncture. He smacked you pretty hard with his pistol.” Frank merely shrugged as he sat back up and locked in a steely gaze onto Doris' eyes. They sat in silence for the rest of the trip.
* * *
Gladys returned to the lab to find Denise face to face with Constanthos, holding both of her hands as she walked heel to toe around the table. There was a look of determination on the face of Constanthos, but Denise was smiling as she looked over.
“She is a very fast learner,” Denise said.
“She always has been,” Gladys replied as she forced herself to smile. “Please continue.”
“Do you want to try it on your own?” Denise asked Constanthos. Answering with only a nod, Constanthos slowly allowed their hands to separate. Constanthos stood stiffly for a moment before slowly walking around the table on her own. She returned to her original position and looked Denise in the eye. Hers was a look of quiet satisfaction, almost like someone recovering from a disability instead of someone learning to walk for the first time.
Gladys found herself feeling very pleased. “I don't know what to say. I am just so happy to see you up and around already.” Constanthos replied with just a smile. Gladys turned to Denise and said, “We are so lucky to have you.”
“Me?” Denise asked. She felt herself blushing. “I'm just happy to help. Connie is simply lovely.”
“Yes, she is. I knew she was going to be beautiful, but I had no idea she was going to be this beautiful.” This time Gladys' smile was unforced as she inspected the body that she had constructed for her sister of mercy. Constanthos was fully smiling as she stood, bending her legs so that she almost bounced, while getting to know her body. “So, we have a plan in place.”
“Oh?” Denise responded. “So, how did Bett come across that ship?”
“The Gotes were on Nuun, trying to round up humans. Bett and one of Nera's warriors killed them.”
“Why now?” Denise asked. “Why don't they just leave them alone?”
“I've been putting the pieces together,” Gladys replied. “With the death of Tirogof, all bets are off, so to speak. The human worlds that were obviously reserved for the Li to exploit are now exposed for the Gotes to invade.”
“That's terrible!”
“Yes, I know. Nera is going to return to Nuun with Bett. The Nakamuras are going to accompany them.” Gladys had a solemn expression.
“Will that be enough?” Denise asked.
“I have faith in them,” Gladys answered. “Nera and her warrior clan faced a superior force in the Mingrein for years and survived. The Gotes have a different motivation. While they are physically strong, they are idiots compared to the Mingrein. Bett is beyond clever, and the stealth suits will more than even the odds. Plus there is the warrior clan.” Gladys thought about it for a moment. “I almost feel sorry for those poor, stupid Gotes.”
Denise thought about the Li at the White House. “I suppose you are right.”
“Dave, Damon, and Enrique will be staying on Earth to hopefully oversee its defense.”
Denise nodded in approval. “Yes, they are the best at what they do.”
“Robert is coming with me,” Gladys continued. “His knowledge of strategy is staggering. I suspect him to be a genius.”
“I can see that,” Denise said. “So I guess Michelle will be coming along too, then?”
“I imagine so,” Gladys answered. “But I have a special favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
Denise asked.
“Hiro is arranging it so that Constanthos can stay with his grandfather in Japan while she learns to use her body. I am hoping that you will agree to stay with her and help her learn.”
Tears started to well up in her eyes. Fighting the urge to cry, Denise said, “I want to be there for Frank.”
Gladys moved forward to embrace her. “I know you do, my darling. But Constanthos needs a guide, and you are the only one that I trust with that task. Keep in mind that she is basically the female version of Frank. She needs to be in the gravity of Earth.” Constanthos was standing, still listening and learning.
“You are right, of course,” Denise finally said before she tilted her head up to kiss Gladys. “I love you all,” Denise said afterward.
Gladys smiled. “I love you all. That shall be our mantra.”
* * *
“There he is,” Korick said with glee as he watched Frank being paraded through the main entrance of the casino on his view screen. He turned to the drone that was being controlled by Ottwan and said, “You can see where we have succeeded where the Li have failed.”
“Yes,” Ottwan said, trying his best to not sound overly sarcastic. “It is truly an accomplishment.”
“You should put him straight into a cell,” Ahn suggested.
“Nonsense,” Korick countered. “I want to see him in person. They will be up soon.”
Within a few minutes, the door of the lift opened and Frank appeared, front and center, with a group of guards, including Doris, surrounding him. Moldew and Raymond were in the rear of the lift chamber. They all walked out, pushing Frank, in a most unfriendly manner, to the center of Korick's office. Moldew and Raymond stayed near the lift to observe.
“Ottwan, perhaps you would care to translate?” Korick asked.
“Certainly.”
“Monster, of Earth, I am Korick. I oversee this fine establishment.”
“Monster, of Earth, I am Korick. I oversee this fine establishment.” Ottwan was repeating the words but Frank cued in to the sound of his voice more than the content of his words.
“You,” Frank replied with a tone that sent shudders through Ottwan where he sat in his cloaked ship.
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