The Immortal Trinity: Inheritance

by Momchil Yoskov

  - But I have a particularly important question, Garret. - Ronnie said.

  - Oh, what is it? - said Garret.

  - You wanted to eat chips, right? - said Ronnie.

  - Yes, what's wrong with that? - said Garret.

  - Well, you took a sack of potatoes instead of actual chips. - said Ronnie.

  - True, but what you don't know is that I know how to turn them into actual chips. All I need is to peel them, slice them, smear them in some oils, some salt and pepper and then throw them in the oven. I'll show you - it's real easy. - Garret said. Ronnie was just starting to express an interest for homemade food and healthy diets and Garret sensed that interest, which is why he offered to show him how to make his own chips at home.

  - Alright, but we still don't know what beer Tyler would like to drink. - said Ronnie.

  - Ok, let's hope he can answer. - said Garret.

  Meanwhile, professor Harrington was busy being fascinated by the amount of technology within Tyler's body:

  - I've been into science my whole life and I have never seen anything like this! - the professor said.

  - I know! We're still trying to explore ourselves, what we can do and what we're capable of. And what we're capable of is... well, a lot, let's say. - said Tyler and grinned maliciously.

  - But how did you... what happened to you that enabled you to do all of... this? - professor Harrington asked.

  - Um, I don't think I can tell you that right away, prof. - said Tyler.

  - Alright, very well. I see why... - Harrington said.

  - Yes, it has a lot to do with the gentlemen in the White House and the guys in the suits and shades who constantly tell you something like: "Oh, it was just a weather balloon - nothing to worry about.". - said Tyler and even though he was being quite sarcastic, the message behind his words was quite serious and the professor squarely understood the gravity of the situation:

  - You need to keep a low profile. - the professor suggested.

  - Low profile? That's a little difficult and a little late, prof. You see, we had a fight with some aliens that got filmed and now, I believe, it's all over the internet and everybody's blabbering about it. It won't be long before everybody knows who we are; we're not in some teen film, where the protagonist has to keep his identity a secret! - said Tyler and cackled. - Just a quick question, though; are there any... devices, contraptions, here, in this laboratory, close to the potential of our tech?

  - Oh no! When it comes to the weapons - maybe, but in terms of devices and accessories... absolutely not! You can alter so many events in the world right now, young man. What you have gives you so much freedom of action and yet, it can potentially lead to some limitations on behalf of the government. Also, you can save so many lives and end just as many. I fear you already and shudder at the prospect. - said professor Harrington, as he took off his glasses and put them on top of his desk.

  - Hey, I know, we can be quite dangerous when threatened and bothered, but we're doing fine right now. At least some of us are... - Tyler was referring to Ronnie. - I have yet to find out how I'll personally cope with the attention. True, I like attention, but under these circumstances... it's all a mist to me.

  - Let's hope that you have the situation under control, because you are young, your blood is boiling, your thoughts are wondering in all directions. - said the professor.

  That conversation had the potential to turn into a full-blown debate. The potential was far from reached, partly because Garret contacted Tyler:

  - What's going on? What did professor Harrington tell you?

  - Not really anything spectacular. He's simply in shock and awe. - Tyler said.

  - How come? - asked Garret.

  - No, I'm just kidding. It's Garret. - Tyler replied and let the professor know who he's talking to, because he looked puzzled. - In short, he's concerned because of our age, combined with our capabilities at present and the possibility of the government hassling us, begging us for support and possibly turn us into guinea pigs, should we refuse to cooperate.

  - That sounds logical. Anything else? - Garret said.

  - Uh, nothing else, really. - said Tyler.

  - Low profile! - said the professor.

  - Huh? Oh yeah, he suggested that we keep a low profile. - added Tyler.

  - That's a little difficult, you know. - Ronnie joined the conversation. - I want to ask on a side note, what kind of beer do you want? We're buying something European to go with the chips we're gonna make.

  - Carlsberg. If you can't find any, go for Heineken. - said Tyler. - Throw it in the fridge once you go back home, mate.

  - Alright, will do. See you back home! - said Garret and cut off the connection. - He seemed like he was in a good mood. - he added afterwards.

  - That's because he hasn't talked to me today... yet. - Ronnie said. As they grabbed the beer, Garret reassured Ronnie:

  - Listen, it's not as bad as it seems. Yes, he can be brutal in his honesty, but the truth is, and I don't know if you're aware of this... that you can be brutal and unflinching as well.

  Ronnie's baleful glare directed itself at the beer shelves, before shifting to Garret.

  - Say what now? - Ronnie asked.

  - Yes, I genuinely believe you have quite a bit of brutality in your spirit. You simply choose to suppress it most of the time. I assume that's out of fear of interpersonal conflict? - said Garret.

  Ronnie remained silent.

  - It's true, isn't it? - asked Garret.

  - So what if it is? I can't run around and shout at everybody who walks into me, right? - said Ronnie.

  - No, of course not, but you have to be when it's needed. - said Garret. As they queued up, they witnessed a toddler making a lot of noise, because she wanted her parents to buy her some chocolate sweets, while her parents had other plans and refused to do it. Ronnie was always irritated by little kids, when they express their needs through shouting, pouting and crying so much that it attracts the attention of onlookers to the point, at which they jump at the parents like social justice warriors and talk to them like a Dutch uncle. As soon as Garret and Ronnie moved away from the supermarket, Garret felt cheesed off because of Ronnie suppressing his anger:

  - Why did you not say anything back there?

  - Did I need to say anything? - asked Ronnie.

  - At least something! - said Garret.

  - There was no point getting pissed. - said Ronnie.

  - You could have at least politely told them to keep their kid under control. - said Garret.

  - And then what? - said Ronnie.

  - Then they might have done it; you never know. - said Garret.

  - I actually know, because those people would refuse anyone telling them what to do and possibly what is right. Currently you're doing something similar. - said Ronnie.

  - But this was a test for you - try and react a bit, break out of your shell... - said Garret.

  - You're testing my patience much like Ashlynn. I'm not in the right mood for discussions, Garret! All I want is to have a beer and not think for a good while. - Ronnie upbraided him.

  ***

  - I must talk to you, Retion. It is of extreme importance. - Ren'ul said. While trying to strike a conversation, he was looking at photos taken by the assassins while they were on Earth. Not even that could please him:

  - Look at this! All I see is forests. It's repulsive. It better be just an isolated region of that hunk of rock.

  - We've only scratched the surface, Ren'ul. You should be well aware of it. - Retion said.

  - This planet is not quite small, so there should be a lot of life on it. Life which needs to be subdued or eradicated. We must also find out if their resources are suitable for my needs. - said Ren'ul.

  - You've never mentioned taking resources from any race you've conquered for quite some time, sire. - Retion said.

  - My fleet is running low on them. If we're lucky enough, they might possess something valuable or powerful, which could be of good
use. - Ren'ul said. By saying "we", he was referring to himself, Retion and Huklin most of the time, leaving Gibel outside of that ring most of the time.

  - What about the heads of the Hordes? - Retion was referring to a number of commanders who belonged to the respective species that served the Overlord and received special treatment for their loyalty, adequacy of actions and overall lack of compromise.

  - The planet needs to be thoroughly scanned. Then they will come into play. - Furot said. - Should we find suitable weaponry or artefacts that do not suit me, they will use them. It's been a very long time since they've received any sort of compensation for their services and achievements. Has Huklin sent any reconnaissance units to the planet?

  - No, your magnificence. He's busy tending to other duties. - Retion said.

  - What is he exactly doing right now and where is he? - Ren'ul said.

  - He's helping with the armaments training of the Culvyns. You specifically wanted them to be more hostile, unforgiving, more dangerous to the enemy than they already are, after the most recent events and their defeat. - clarified Retion.

  - Hm... ah, yes, I remember now. - Ren'ul said. - Are they making any progress?

  - I have yet to find that out, your magnificence. Though I am sure that they are making good progress. Have some faith. I know that Huklin may be an oafish, self-centred freak, but he is valuable to your ultimate goal, I feel. - said Retion.

  - He is, indeed. He has been a reliable member of my army for quite some time. - the Overlord said. - It would be quite unwise to lose him on the battlefield... or at all, for that matter.

  A discreet note of rattiness crossed Retion's mind. Regardless of the fact that he was second to the Overlord himself, he did not want to take his place on the throne. In fact, Huklin had such aspirations and Retion has systematically observed them. He wanted to protect Ren'ul from the outcome of such a scenario; the mere thought of it only made him protect his master even more. It was that display of selflessness which perplexed Furot and prompted him to ask a question that he's been asking Retion quite frequently:

  - Retion, you've been by my side for 275 years now. You've never asked me for anything more than you've received and you've never had any objections towards anything I've ordered or said. Why? Why are you so loyal? What makes you do what you do and think what you think?

  Retion paused, then said:

  - Sire, you've always been asking this question and the answer has always been the same. I do it for the idea, the concept, for the honour and the purpose. In the beginning I felt that you should not be alone in your task. You lost a fair amount of support early on in your quest and I could not take their side. I did not want to remain neutral, either. Here's a question I have for you, your Magnificence: when there's no honour and no purpose, what use is there for anyone to be alive?

  Furot pondered upon those words and realised how right he was. Retion was his most reliable source of information and inspiration, an example of loyalty, which he used in front of his own hordes, so that he could motivate and inspire them the same way Retion inspired him.

  - Do you know where my son is? - Ren'ul asked.

  - His training for today should be over and he should be in his room, unless Huklin's given him an assignment. - said Retion.

  ***

  Sharon was acting as if she was trying to figure out why Ashlynn was so angry. In actuality she knew exactly why she was wroth - she told her that the three of them had been to Ronnie's house:

  - What were you doing there? - Ashlynn said.

  - Looking for answers. What were you expecting us to do - go mushroom picking? - Sharon said.

  - I'm asking, because he came to university and dashed into our classroom! It was embarrassing and horrible! - said Ashlynn.

  - Do tell! - said Zoey.

  - Yeah. He told me again that it was too complicated and too early to explain. - said Ashlynn.

  - Explain what? - said Abigail.

  - Keep it down. I don't want the whole cafe hearing us. - said Zoey. The cafe in question was called Coffee Table. The name was that basic and uninspired, because the owners had reportedly gone through at least 150 potential names, before giving up in the end and naming it after the first object they saw, which was a coffee table.

  - I'm not going to keep it down, because I'm seriously unsatisfied! Is it that hard to maintain a relationship? - Ashlynn said in a squeaky and browned-off voice.

  - We understand that, but if you keep talking like this while unsatisfied, you won't convince anyone. - Abigail said. Some of the clients in the cafe were already throwing glances at their table. - See, they're already looking. - she whispered.

  - Ok, ok, I'll keep it down. - Ashlynn said and bowed her head, stirring her coffee as her nose pointed at the table.

  - You really need self-control, girl. - Sharon said. - Also, you need some help.

  - I don't need help. I... I don't know what I need anymore. - Ashlynn said.

  - That party wasn't enough for you, was it? - Sharon said. - Not to worry, we'll fix you properly this time.

  - No! I don't want to see any more drunken and drugged people. - Ashlynn said, took a sip of coffee and angrily slammed the cup back onto the table.

  - Hey! Calm down already! - Zoey said. - Who told you that you can yell the whole time? That party was a way for you to loose steam. That is how we do it, that's what works best for us and we believe it might work best for you as well.

  Ashlynn had no more arguments and subsided into silence. Then she quietly dragged her cup of coffee towards herself. She had no desire to say anything else. That lack of desire did not escape Sharon's senses and as a result she smirked maliciously, knowing that slowly but surely she was putting a leash on her neck.

  ***

  Tyler rang the doorbell.

  - Wait, Ronnie, I'll get that. - Garret said. - Just keep an eye on the potatoes.

  - OK, I will. - said Ronnie as he took a gulp of beer and burped quietly. He was immensely interested in the taste of the chips, but in order to find out how they tasted, he had to wait for another 6 minutes. Meanwhile Tyler barged into the kitchen:

  - How's it going, sulky?

  Ronnie sighed with vexation, but eventually responded after a brief pause:

  - Not as good as I'd want, but not as bad as you'd like it to be.

  - Oh, come on now! I don't want you to feel bad! - said Tyler. - Yes, it irritates me how things are going on between you and your girlfriend and how crappy your situation is with your parents and how university is the worst thing after syphilis, but I wouldn't want your life to crumble to pieces.

  - I'm saying this, because you seem to be the sort of person who gets easily irritated when somebody makes a mistake and fucks up in some way. That's especially bad if that person is close to you. - said Ronnie.

  Tyler remained silent for a bit and then said:

  - That's true. I don't want you to fall down into a hole and end up unable to get out of it. It'll hurt me, mate. We're all a part of a grand scheme and one of us falling out won't make it any better. I'm sorry if I said anything wrong.

  - You acted just like my parents. THAT was your biggest mistake. I figured that with you guys I'd escape that disease, but here I am, being lectured once again about what's right and what's wrong for me and my life. - Ronnie said.

  - Now, can we have a few beers? Garret, is the crisps ready? - Tyler said.

  - Just 2 and a half minutes left! - Garret said.

  - Here's your beer. - Ronnie handed a bottle to Tyler and he smacked it open. - So what did the scientist tell you?

  - Nothing more than what I already told you, really. - said Tyler. - He was mostly feasting his eyes on the tech that we have.

  - OK, fair enough. - said Ronnie, as he took another sip of beer. - So what do we do next? We haven't been bothered by anybody so far these past couple of days.

  Ronnie was proven wrong when Tyler contacted officer Bronco.

  - Hello? What is it? Are you
boys still in town? - Lawrence asked.

  - Yeah, we are. Do you have anything for us? - Tyler replied.

  - I have a job for you that you might be interested in. - Bronco said. As Garret took the chips out of the oven and left them on the table to cool for a bit, he joined in:

  - What does it involve? - Garret said as he crunched up a couple of pieces of chips at once.

  - From some reliable sources I found out that a $15 000 bounty has been put on someone who tried to shoot a bald eagle in Tennessee. If you want the money, act quickly, because a lot of people are after him. He's a recluse, very isolated, so it should be pretty easy to deal with him without any witnesses. Now, mind you, he needs to be brought to the nearest police station ALIVE, so don't get too excited and don't do something like blowing up his house or setting it on fire. When you reach the police station, you'll find a couple of my former colleagues. Not to worry, I trust them. They won't bug you with any questions at all. Just hand him over, grab the money and leave immediately before you attract any unwanted attention. That is all for now. - Lawrence said.

  - But wait! - Ronnie yelped.

  - Yes? - Bronco said.

  - You didn't tell us his whereabouts. - Ronnie said.

  - I did; he's in Tennessee. - Lawrence said.

  - Yeah, but where exactly in Tennessee? - Ronnie asked.

  - The place is Cookeville. Once I find the address, I'll send it to you. Now go! Don't lose any time! - Lawrence said.

  As Garret munched through the chips, Tyler grumbled:

  - Once again I have to miss a snack because we have to go somewhere far away and do something. God, I hate this!

  - We can eat the chips and drink the beer on the way. We're not drinking and driving, plus we're not exactly in a race against time. There's no threat, but at the same time we can't afford to be slacking. There's a lot of money on the line. Let's go and collect that bounty - I've already got ideas for what to use the money for. - said Ronnie, finished his beer and stood up from his chair.

  Chapter XV