by Elin Wyn
I ignored her odd expression as footsteps approached in the hall.
“Oh thank goodness.”
A pair of medics entered the room, bearing a rolling cart with them. The cart contained a magnetic resonance device which pinpointed the shrapnel in my shoulder. Then it used a magnet to precisely withdraw it.
I gasped when it ripped out my back. The doctors quickly applied a spray of cellular regenerative paste.
“There you go, big guy.” The doctor patted me on my good shoulder. “With your metabolism, you'll be mostly healed by the time you check out at the front desk.”
“My thanks.” I stood up and smiled, genuinely in a good mood after talking with this beautiful creature. “Dottie was it? It was nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you--” the doors swung shut behind me as the physicians attended to her leg. They had taken over and whatever my brain was doing when I was around her wasn’t my problem anymore.
I couldn’t repress the little jaunty strut in my stride as I headed for the front desk to get my medical clearance.
I had helped quell a riot, personally sent over a dozen miscreants to the hospital, and rescued a beautiful and probably at least somewhat useful science type person.
All in all, a good day's work.
Once I signed out at the front desk, I headed for the exit. Of all the people I didn't expect to see, my cousin Cazak was standing in the lobby, leaning against the wall and looking bored. He perked up at my approach.
“Cousin, it's so kind of you to check on my wellbeing, but I'm fine.”
“Oh, that's right, you got a little scratch back there. Well, I didn't come to check on you. This was where central command told me to find you.”
“Why you? Didn't they think I suffered enough from the injury?”
“Nope.” He slapped a datapad against my chest. “I'm here to deliver your new temporary orders, and was told to do so immediately.”
“Great, as long as it gets me away from that little human woman.” I pulled up the info on the datapad while Cazak gave me a big shit eating grin. “Protect the scientist in charge of attending to the Puppet Master until a permanent bodyguard is assigned...no, it couldn't be.”
Then I noticed the name of my charge, the person I was supposed to escort back to her lab.
Dr. Dorothy Bellin.
Dottie.
Dottie
“I wish you’d stop grumbling,” I called over my shoulder as Jalok and I left the compound.
He had done everything but sitting on the ground and refusing to move.
How could he be seven feet tall and as big as a tree, and act like a toddler?
“I haven’t said anything.”
“I can feel your displeasure radiating from you,” I shot back.
I wasn’t happy about this arrangement either. I was glad to have a bodyguard for the moment.
I didn’t think of it during the riot, but it would’ve been terrible if I’d fallen into the hands of the rioters for more than one reason.
Obviously, the man who pinned me made it clear what he wanted but it was the knowledge I possessed that was far too valuable to put at risk.
I should’ve been assigned a bodyguard the moment I got the job working with the Puppet Master. The anti-alien radicals had already attacked him more than once.
That didn’t mean I wanted Jalok following me everywhere.
I’d admit that there was a moment when the rioters were in the camp that I thought Jalok honorable in his dedication to protecting innocents.
However, that single moment didn’t cancel out his overall jerk-ness or the fact that he could kill a grown man with a flick of his wrist.
As one of the aforementioned innocents, I knew I was safe from Jalok’s wrath. But what if he mistook one of the Puppet Master’s vines as a threat and sheared it off? What if the Puppet Master didn’t want to talk to me when Jalok was around?
“Are you an empath?”
“Beg pardon?” I cast a confused look over my shoulder.
“A human with the ability to sense the feelings of others.”
“I don’t think that’s a thing.”
“It is, indeed,” he insisted. “I’ve met an empath. Her name is Jeneva. She is now under the employment of General Rouhr.”
“How lovely.” I faced forward once more.
“I only ask because being an empath is useful. I’ve yet to see how you’re useful to General Rouhr all the way out here.”
I bit the inside of my cheek in an attempt to keep my temper from flaring. This bodyguard arrangement was only going to be tolerable if we weren’t at each other’s throats the whole time. Clearly, it was up to me to prevent that from happening.
“Good thing it’s not your job to determine my usefulness.”
“Lucky for you as well.”
“What is your problem?” I groaned through clenched teeth. So much for keeping the peace.
“I don’t want to be here.”
Well, at least he was honest.
“I don’t want you here either. You’re going to disrupt my work which General Rouhr, your boss, thinks is vital. Why don’t you crawl on back to camp?”
“And shirk my duties? I’d rather bathe in icthiannous goo.”
“I don’t even want to know what that is.”
“It’s the viscous secretions from a creature on my home planet.”
“I said I didn’t want to know.”
“You said you’re a scientist. I assumed that meant you want to know everything.” He was taunting me, trying to push my buttons.
“I’m working on trying to understand my own planet at the moment. We’re occupied by a giant plant that’s actually a sentient being, and apparently even he has a further mystery known as the ‘Ancient Enemies.’ Once I get all of that squared away you can tell me all about the gooey creature that lives on yours.”
“It isn’t gooey. It secretes goo. Big difference.”
At long last, I reached the lab. I swiped my ID card at the entrance, contemplating letting the door close before Jalok could follow me inside.
The security light flashed red in response to my ID. I frowned and tried again only to be rejected once more.
“Clearly you’re a very important person,” Jalok chuckled.
“Are all Skotan this coarse and rude or did I just get lucky?” I snapped.
After the third swipe, an alarm went off. One of my associates, Eluna, came rushing to shut the alarm off and open the door for me.
“Sorry about that, Dottie. The scanner took some damage earlier today. It didn’t let me in either,” she explained in a rush. Her gaze shifted from me to Jalok. Her expression changed from one of concern to one of interest.
“And who’s this?” She asked. “Does he have clearance?”
“No, but he’s been assigned to guard me for today.”
“On that secret, special mission for the General?” Her voice dropped to a whisper that wasn’t as quiet as she believed it was.
“Yes,” I chuckled. “Having him here is going to be a real treat.”
“Allow me to introduce myself.” Jalok stepped around me to offer his hand to Eluna. When she shook it, he lowered his head to kiss the top of her hand.
“Oh my!” Eluna blushed deep crimson. “It’s an honor to have you with us.”
“It’s an honor to be here. Everyone here is so valuable to General Rouhr and our mission. I’m excited to learn something new.”
Eluna, still holding Jalok’s hand, turned back to me.
“Are all the aliens this nice?” She gushed.
“Not that I know of.” My cheeks ached from forcing a smile. “Sorry, Eluna but I have to check my data. That means the big red guy has to come with me.”
“Shame.” Her eyes roved over his body. I could tell Jalok enjoyed the attention. “Hope to see you around.”
“You will.”
Once we were safely in my office with the door locked, I whirled on him.
> “Would you mind telling me what the hell that was?”
“I can’t be polite to a new person?”
“You only did that to look like an angel when I go around telling everyone how insufferable you are.”
“If you weren’t correct, I’d tell you that you sound paranoid.” Jalok leaned back on my desk and folded his arms across his chest.
“Stop smirking like that.”
“Make me.”
Tension hung in the air between us as I tried, and failed, to come up with a witty comeback. Scowling, I pushed past Jalok to get to my personal console. From there, I was able to determine if any of the lab’s equipment was damaged from the riots. Luckily, everything had been spared.
For the first time since I went down that stupid alleyway, I allowed myself to take a deep breath.
“Good sigh or bad sigh?” Jalok asked.
“It’s a none of your business sigh.” What I wouldn’t give for a moment alone simply to process everything that I’d been through this morning. I wanted to talk to the Puppet Master for the rest of the day but that wasn’t on the agenda.
“If you’re planning on blankly staring at your console all day, can I at least have a chair?”
I jerked my chin toward the spare chair near the door.
“I’d ask you if all humans are as coarse and as rude as you are but I already know the answer to that.” Jalok settled himself into the chair. It was too small for him. He struggled to find a comfortable way to sit.
“I’m done talking to you for the next six hours,” I announced.
“Why? All out of comebacks?”
“No, I have to do work for your boss.” That appeared to shut him up. I relished the silence. Since I stepped out of my apartment that morning, I haven’t had a moment of silence. Even with Jalok in the room, it was easy for me to sink into my work.
Hours passed in the blink of an eye. I’d actually gotten somewhere with analyzing the data from the Puppet Master, which was an unexpected surprise.
I still had to send some to the lab in Nyhiem for further analysis, though. Getting those results back was something to look forward to.
With all of this bodyguard talk, I wasn’t sure when I’d be allowed to go visit the Puppet Master.
“I’ve finished my work,” I announced to Jalok, who’d dozed off in the chair. He woke with a start and reached for the weapon at his side before realizing that there was no danger. He cleared his throat and got to his feet.
“I am to escort you home when you’re ready.”
“Give me five minutes to tidy up,” I nodded.
“But,” he looked around my office, “everything’s already spotless.”
“You and I have a different definition of spotless.”
Jalok made various impatient and annoyed grunts and groans while I tidied up and made sure everything was in its proper place for tomorrow. He was raring to go when I finished.
“What’s got you in such a hurry?” I asked as we waited for the lift.
“Once you’re home the night guard takes over,” he explained. “I get to go do whatever I want.”
“And what do you want?” I asked.
“I don’t know. This town doesn’t have much by way of entertainment.”
“I have to agree with you on that,” I laughed.
“I might die of shock.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Jalok let out a barking laugh.
“Not bad.”
“Which way to the alley you found me in?” I asked once we were a block away from the lab.
“That’s not the fastest way to get you home.” Jalok lifted a brow.
“I know but I left my bike in the alley and I want to take it home. I can probably fix it,” I explained.
“There could be rioters lingering in the dark alleys. They probably dragged your bike off for parts, anyway.”
“Can we please go check? It’s been in the family for ages. It’s from Earth.”
“Are you going to keep bringing it up if we don’t?”
“Yes. I’ll be incredibly annoying and never let you forget it. Besides, I have some brownies in there you might like.”
“Fine.” Jalok groaned and altered our course.
My bike was still in the alley though it was in desperate need of care. I wouldn’t be riding it any time soon.
And those brownies were long gone.
At least I made my great-great-great grandad proud by coming back for it. I reached to pick it up but Jalok swung it over his shoulder with surprising gentleness.
“We’ll move quicker if I carry it,” he grunted.
I didn’t argue.
There was a Valorni stationed outside of my apartment complex when we arrived. He and Jalok exchanged a few words.
“Have a good night.” Jalok tipped his head to be before sauntering off, leaving me to carry my bike up three flights of stairs.
Jerk.
Jalok
I hesitated in front of Sk’lar’s office door, my hand inches away from the chime as the morning sun splashed warmth across my back. The rumors I’d heard from my teammates said that my actions during the riot had come under scrutiny.
It seems that not all of the rioters I put down had recovered, and some never would.
Inside, I knew that I was just acting in self-defense, and defense of my team. But that kind of attitude never goes over well with the brass. So I had to gather up all of my mental faculties and prepare for an intense grilling without taking it personally.
Still, I stood in the hallway like a fool. Several attaches passed me by, giving me puzzled looks. At that point, I’d have rather stepped in front of a charging Xathi than walk into that ready room to face the music, to use a human term.
At last, I shoved my finger onto the chime and waited. The door slid aside, and Sk’lar glanced up from the datapad in his hand.
The ebon skinned commander sat behind a glossy desk he rarely had time to use. His face was inscrutable, so I had no clues about what was in store for me.
“Jalok.” He gestured to the seat across from him. “Please sit down.”
I arched an eyebrow at his unexpected manners. Sk’lar wasn’t known for being articulate or gentlemanly.
My bulk settled into the chair, which elicited creaking protests. Once I was ready, Sk’lar punched buttons on his console.
“You and I are going to have a conference call with the General, Vrehx and Karzin.”
“I see, sir.”
Sk’lar glanced sharply at me, then completed the call.
“Try to accept your recriminations with some dignity. Your behavior reflects on all of Team Three.”
“Understood, sir.”
He caught the sharp edge to my tone, and fixed me with a worried frown until we heard the general’s gruff tone over the comms.
“General Rouhr here.”
“General, it’s Sk’lar.”
“Ah, good. Vrehx and Karzin are in attendance. Is Jalok there yet?”
“Present and accounted for, sir.”
“Hmph.” I could hear the disdain heavy in the general’s voice. “Jalok, I certainly hope you have an explanation for your overzealous application of force during the unpleasantness in Kaster.”
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms over my chest defiantly.
“You mean the riot? Riots are unpleasant, but I wouldn’t refer to them as unpleasantness. I’d refer to them as damn near a battle field.”
“Your tone is inappropriate, Jalok.” Sk’lar’s reprimand hung in the air until I heard Vrehx laugh.
“Let him speak in his own words, Commander Sk’lar. Allow Jalok enough rope to hang himself with.”
“A curious metaphor, sir, given that Skotan neck muscles are too thick and powerful for such an execution method to be effective. Sir.”
Sk’lar’s eyes widened, and an incredulous expression stretched his ebon features. There’s silence on the other end, and the
n General Rouhr let out a great guffaw.
“Oh, I like this one. He has spunk.”
“General, please, this is meant to be an inquiry, not an endorsement of his character.”
“You are correct, Karzin. My apologies.”
“Jalok, you are here today because we have found your actions to be unbecoming of a strike team soldier.” Sk’lar really hammed it up for the General. “The force you used was inappropriate for the situation.”
“Inappropriate?” I scoffed. “I was out of ammunition, and had no melee weaponry. Hand to hand was my only choice.”
“We were being rushed by a group of armed rioters, and Navat had been shot.” Sk’lar was putting on a show for the brass, but he was also trying to mitigate how much trouble I would get in. “Team Three was forced to use whatever methods happened to be available.”
“Whatever methods available?” Vrehx’s voice was ripe with derision. “Would that include smashing a man’s skull into the pavement?”
I shrugged.
“He was trying to kill me.”
“What about the poor fellow whose back has been broken, and will need months of rehab to walk again?”
“I didn’t know that humans bent backward that easily. My mistake.”
Sk’lar seemed ready to explode. Maybe that wasn’t the right answer.
Karzin interjected. “I’m more concerned about his unscheduled dentistry.”
I cocked my head to the side, because I wasn’t sure what the leader of Strike Team Two was referring to. “Sir?”
Sk’lar cleared his throat. When he spoke, his tone dripped with anger. “I believe they are referring to the man whose bottom row of teeth you broke off at the gumline.”
“He tried to bite me. Stupid move for a species without carnivorous jaws.”
“Enough.” General Rouhr’s snarl cut off all debate. “We are not here to argue with you, Jalok. Obviously you believe your actions were not grounds for discipline—“
“It was self-defense.”
“—but it is not your opinion that matters here. We believe you have acted with unnecessary violence toward the civilian populace.”
“The same populace that was protesting my right to exist? That civilian—“
