Monster

by Patrick F. Johnson

“She is known as the queen,” Rando explained, “only because that is what she would have been had she lived. She was a princess at the time of her death, having married then Prince Ondex. That incident claimed the lives of King Ondent and Queen Hipta, Ondex's parents.”

  “My grandparents,” Caja stated. “I loved them so much. And they loved me. And history tells us how fair they were, having made the change back.”

  “The change back?” Frank asked.

  “We defeated the Verullians,” Ran explained. Frank nodded his acknowledgment.

  “Ahn must be secured,” Princess Caja proclaimed, having regained her composure. “He is the key to cleansing the government. He will know who is corrupt. I can't believe Korick bought them all.”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” Rando agreed. “But what of Korick?”

  “The coward most likely has plans for this,” Caja said.

  The conversation was cut short by the arrival of Gladys' remote. “Moldew, Raymond, and Breet are approaching the building to the north of the main casino,” she said in Gotian.

  Frank's eyes went wide. “Was Breet leading the way, doing that shit with his feelers?”

  “Yes,” Gladys replied.

  Frank turned to Caja. “The bug is tracking Korick. Moldew and Raymond are with him. I would like to accompany them, if it pleases you.”

  “That would be just fine,” Caja answered. “I would prefer Korick alive. We will retrieve Ahn.”

  “Phildan is free to lift you two over,” Gladys said in English.

  “Oh, this is going to look so cool,” Frank said. Constanthos silently moved to what she thought was the appropriate distance and they were lifted upward within nanoseconds of each other.

  The Gotes all stood looking dumbfounded. “He is quite agreeable, for a monster,” Caja said finally.

  * * *

  Frank and Constanthos were dropped silently behind Moldew, Raymond, and Breet as they were trying to gain entry into what looked like a warehouse.

  “Need a hand?” Frank asked, startling the others.

  “Breet has tracked Korick to this point,” Raymond said.

  “He has a very distinctive odor,” Breet offered.

  “Breet, do you understand Gotian,” Frank asked in Sessiki.

  “I've picked up on it a bit in my time here. I wouldn't say I'm fluent.” Breet's speech sounded like random chirps to Raymond and Moldew.

  “I'm happy to see that you didn't kill these two,” Frank said, still in Sessiki. “They are both honorable.”

  “Alliances are born of common enemies,” Breet chirped. “Korick passed through this door a short time ago.”

  Frank looked around at the structure. “The grates all line up in the pavement,” he said. “Either they share a very well ventilated sewer, or that's a tunnel between the two buildings.”

  “Korick travelled on the surface. What do we care of tunnels?” Breet asked.

  “You can talk to bugs?” Raymond asked.

  “One of my best friends is a bug,” Frank replied in Gotian. “Wonderful culture. The Mother is quite lovely, and very charming.”

  “You've met Mom?” Breet chirped.

  “Yes, Breet. My wife is an old friend of hers.” Frank looked at a plaque to the right of the main entrance. “I don't read Gotian. What does that sign say?”

  “All Verran Collection Agency,” Moldew read aloud.

  “Well, shit,” Raymond commented.

  “What?” Frank asked.

  “These are the guys that collect the gambling debts,” Raymond answered.

  “So what's that mean for us?” Frank asked.

  “These are some bad dudes, Frank.” Raymond looked over the building himself. “This structure is a lot older than the casino. I think this is where Korick got his start.”

  “It very well might be where he meets his end,” Frank joked.

  “We want to take him alive,” Moldew stated firmly.

  “We're going to be severely outgunned in there,” Raymond added.

  “Connie?” Frank asked as he cocked an eyebrow. She answered with a nod and a smile. “Okay, everyone stand back.”

  “Frank!” Gladys shouted out as her remote sped over near him. “There is a small vessel moving in. It appears as if it has a landing solution in place.”

  “We can worry about that later,” Frank said. He gave her a little wink so she wouldn't think he was being short with her. “Okay, Connie.”

  Constanthos flung the shuriken straight at the door. The explosion blew the door in and sent shrapnel in every direction. Looking back, and seeing everyone shielding themselves, Frank said, “We'll go check it out.”

  “It's pretty dark in there, Frank,” Constanthos noted.

  “You ain't scared of the dark, are you?” Frank asked.

  “Not at all. But it will put us at a disadvantage.”

  “I will go in,” Gladys offered. “I can adjust my viewers for a low-light setting.”

  “Alright,” Frank agreed. “Everyone, stay loose. Look sharp. Suck in your guts.” Gladys disappeared into the darkness of the building. Frank was keeping watch and trying to not daydream about a long hot shower back home on Earth. He looked off to the east. “Connie, do you see that?”

  She followed the direction of his gaze. “It looks like the remainder of the armed forces are heading this way.”

  “They made it around the pyramid pretty fast,” Frank commented. “You know, I'm really not in the mood for this.”

  Constanthos reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “I know you're not, Frank. But I also know you want to see this thing through. We'll get home soon.”

  “Yes, please,” Frank replied with a smile. “I really, really miss my toothbrush.”

  “It is all clear,” Gladys said as her remote emerged. “Everyone inside is dead.”

  “Is Korick among them?” Moldew asked.

  “I am unsure. The building doubles as a hangar. There is what looks like a very nice vessel parked inside. The roof must open.” Gladys moved to lead the way as everyone filed in behind her. “We need to get these lights on.”

  “I'm on it,” Raymond said as he began feeling his way around for a control panel.

  “Watch your step,” Gladys said. “There are dead bodies everywhere.”

  “Who do you suppose did the killing?” Moldew asked.

  “Korick passed through here,” Breet chirped. “His scent is still strong.” He scampered off into the darkness, his feelers allowing him to find his way.

  The lights came on and Frank quickly picked the door up and leaned it against the opening. “Maybe they won't notice,” he said out loud, mostly to himself. He turned around and found everyone looking around in a state of shock. Nearly two dozen Gote bodies were scattered about. The entry opened into a short hall with a door on either side. Raymond was emerging from the door on the right and stopped in his tracks to take in the view.

  “I'm only seeing a few gunshot wounds,” he noted. “It looks like most of them have been stabbed to death. Whoever did it destroyed the controls for the roof.”

  “That's some good police work, Ray,” Frank complimented. “There are bullet holes all over the place. Someone came in, killed the lights, disabled the roof, and went on a killing spree.” He walked to the end of the hall to where it opened up into the hangar. “I'm guessing Korick is inside that ship.” He continued to look around the hangar as he approached the ship. “More bullet holes. They were shooting in all directions.” He glanced up into the upper corner and saw the drone. “Ottwan? Get down here!”

  “Hello, Mr. Ford,” Ottwan said as his Li drone descended.

  “Did you do this?” Frank asked. “Do you got a knife on that thing?”

  “While that may very well be an idea worth pursuing, I am not responsible for this mess.”

  “I see him,” Gladys said. “Very clever. He is parked near a communications satellite. Shall I destroy him?”

  “Not just yet, my dear,” Frank answe
red. He was loving how she jumped right in.

  “Mr. Ford!” Ottwan sounded very concerned. “I promise you, I am leaving the profession.”

  “Let's wrap this up, Frank,” Gladys said. “The military is nearly upon us here, and that ship looks to be landing right between the two buildings.”

  “Yes, dear,” Frank said with a smile. Turning to Ottwan, he asked, “Is he in the ship, or not?”

  “He is, but...” Ottwan was interrupted by the ramp beginning to lower. Raymond, Moldew, and Breet trained their guns and waited. They squinted as the ramp was down and all they could see was darkness inside.

  “Frank?” a familiar voice called out from inside the ship. “Can you tell them to point their guns somewhere else?” It was Unified Taltosh.

  “Jard!” Frank turned to the others and said, “He's cool. Don't shoot.” He turned back and walked toward the ramp. “So how did it go, buddy? You can speak Gotian. These guys are good.”

  “My reputation is intact,” Jard said as he came down the ramp. He was carrying a bloody bundle.

  Frank turned to Moldew and Raymond. “Sorry guys. There won't be an arrest today.” They both gave a bit of a shrug and holstered their weapons. Frank turned back to Jard, and noticed a bloody spot on his back. “You're hurt.”

  “It's nothing,” Jard assured him. “I pulled a quill. It will grow back.”

  “That explains all the stab wounds,” Frank said.

  “Gotes do not see well in the dark,” Jard explained. “They would have easily defeated me had I not taken their sight out of the equation.”

  “Well done,” Raymond added. “Disabling the roof was brilliant.” He turned suddenly in response to the growing noise from outside the building. “I think we might be in trouble.”

  “We can be lifted from the roof if we have to,” Frank said.

  “Let me go take a look at the situation,” Jard said. He carried the bundle over to the hallway. “This door is inoperable! I picked the lock to get in so that I could, you know, close the door behind me.”

  “You are overly skilled, Jard.” Frank was following Jard and watched as he peered through the cracks around the door. “What do you see?”

  “They have us surrounded. We may need to use the roof, as you suggested. There is a small vessel parked very close. Wait, the ramp is coming down.”

  * * *

  “Is this any way to greet your king?” Ondex said in a loud booming voice as he marched down the ramp. Hundreds of Gote soldiers lowered their weapons and knelt, almost in unison. “Who is the commanding officer here?”

  “I am, Your Highness.” A soldier stood up among the others.

  “Who told you to shoot at my Royal Guard?” Ondex asked.

  “We were told that your daughter was trying to overthrow the government.”

  Ondex shook his head. “She is the Princess. The future Queen! She can overthrow whatever she wishes. But I will have you know, she is operating under my permission.”

  “We were told that she had overthrown you as well, Your Highness.”

  Ondex laughed very loudly. “You believed the words of the Orphan, Korick, without checking in with Gotoreo. You are all fools. I was told that Korick is inside that building.”

  “With all due respect, we know for a fact that the Monster, of Earth is in there. Breet, the Champion is there as well, along with some others.”

  “What is your point?” Ondex asked.

  “Korick is in danger. He may already be dead.”

  “You're in danger,” Ondex replied. “Get out of my sight before I shoot you myself.” He turned toward the collection agency and walked toward the door. “You in there! You may exit the building.”

  * * *

  Jard tried to move the door one handed. “Frank, do you mind? I'll stand aside.” Frank picked the door up and sat it to the side. “Thank you.” Jard walked out to greet the king. Frank took a few steps out the door, followed by Constanthos. Gladys' remote held its position between the two of them.

  “Jard Dundarsheef!” Ondex exclaimed almost gleefully. “What do you have for me?”

  “I apologize for the delay, Your Highness,” Jard said as he was kneeling, not to show reverence to the king, but to unwrap the bundle.

  “The gravity?” Ondex asked.

  “Yes. The gravity.” He opened the cloth and Korick's severed head became visible.

  Ondex looked upon the head and nodded. “Closure, at last,” he said in a low voice, to himself. “You have done well, Jard. I am doubling your payment.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness.” Jard noticed the king was turning to address the soldiers. Ondex paused when he noticed Moldew and Raymond departing the building. He smiled and nodded before speaking.

  “This is what happens to traitors!” he shouted. “Look upon it. This Orphan was responsible for the deaths of my parents. And my beloved wife!” There were gasps of shock coming from the crowd. “Spread the word. And if anyone so much as glances at my daughter, I'll have your head!”

  Breet came out to stand near Frank as Ondex walked over to them. “Is this their king?” Breet asked.

  “Yes,” Frank answered. “And he is the one that hired the assassin. My mind is blown.”

  “Should we kneel?” Breet asked.

  “We don't kneel, Breet.”

  “Breet, the Champion. Monster, of Earth.” Ondex stated their names, as if he were somehow a fan of their work.

  “Just call me Frank.”

  “I would like to issue a formal apology. This entire operation is now closed.”

  “Apology accepted,” Frank said. “Who can I talk to about opening some trade routes?”

  “That would be my daughter,” Ondex replied with a smile. “She has taken over the operations of the crown so that I can focus on my art.”

  “I'll have to set up a meeting. But right now, I have Mingrein to reunite with their brothers. I'm going to take Breet home. I'm dying to brush my teeth.”

  “Take your leave, Frank. Safe travels.” Ondex bowed slightly and turned away. “Who knows where my daughter is?”

  “I do, King Ondex,” Moldew said. “I will escort you.”

  Raymond started to walk away with them but turned back. “Frank? Can you check on my wife when you get back to Earth?”

  “Sure,” Frank replied. “What's her name?”

  “Dorothy Stewart. She goes by Dottie.” Raymond gave a smile and a nod. He turned to follow Moldew and the king.

  “Frank, I would like to seek you out sometime, if that would be alright,” Jard said.

  “If you come to Earth, be sure you hail me first, so you don't accidentally get shot down.”

  “It wouldn't be right away,” Jard said. “I will have to retrieve my ship and collect my payment. There are other trivial matters, but I am leaving this life behind me now. Loose ends and whatnot.”

  “I know a thing or two about loose ends,” Frank replied. “I'll see you soon, my friend.”

  “Goodbye for now.” Jard was gone with a quickness, traveling in the shadows, becoming one with them.

  “Hold out your hand, my love,” Gladys said. He complied and she parked the orb in his palm. “While you are escorting the Mingrein over to Gildract, I'll ask Ahn a few questions regarding the Ezilak home world.”

  “Good thinking. I was hoping to ask Korick, but you know, shit happens.”

  “Yes, indeed. I will see you soon.” The orb became dead weight in his hand.

  “Connie, feel like going for a walk?”

  “Sure, Frank.”

  “I'll show you my hole. Speaking of holes, I've had to poop in a hole for the past few weeks.”

  “You paint a picture with your words, Frank.” She shook her head and smiled.

  “Mr. Ford?” Ottwan's drone had been hovering silently.

  “Relax, Ottwan. We aren't going to shoot at you.”

  “While that is certainly a relief, there is a bit of information that I wish to share with you. Consider it a
token of my newfound good will.”

  “Okay. What is it?” Frank asked.

  “There are still humans on Mertia.”