John T. Buckley
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This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.
THE CONQUERED
Copyright 2014 by John T. Buckley
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Cover art: Melody Simmons
Other titles by John T. Buckley
7 days from now…
It was hot like morning coffee and wet like summer grass. The storm had ravaged the fields and filled the reservoir. Dramkick stood at the G2 gathering depot poised to inspect a new crop of Vor Me soldiers. Would they know the depths of respect, Dramkick wondered. What was it Emasip had said? Yes, weakness is a corrosive virus caught unknowingly by the weak. He would grant them death. He owed them that much at least.
Dramkick's head is long, narrow, and has all the scars of a violent manhood. He has 2 stripes of dark blue hair that run in a semi circle to the back of his head. His skin is faded white from years of a dying sun's demise. He has one large milky gray eyeball, devious at best, that relieves you of every ounce of confidence. If he ever looked you in the eye you hated him for life. His left eye socket is covered in a coarse piece of bone. A birth defect his mother called lucky. She knew it would layer him ruthless before the world unraveled him. This gave Dramkick a certain glee he refused to apologize for. He also has no nose to speak of (a trait he is more than a little bit proud of). Instead there are 2 slits above his small narrow crooked mouth-and no lips to speak of. The top of his head has large round bumps with the largest of which protruding from his forehead. His shoulders and chest are immense, rigid, and triangular (and suggest tremendous physical strength). His fingers have been broken, every digit, and are large enough to crush anyone's skull. He has on a pair of dark blue lace pants and a white sweater. The sweater illustrates 3 stages of Dom-which are the first 3 segments of a Talz existence (that all Talz spend the rest of their lives unraveling).
Dramkick stands at the doorway of the G2 gathering depot with mercy on his mind.
The Vor Me are the elite class of soldier. They spend 5 years perfecting their destructive powers. Upon conclusion of their demanding and unforgiving training, Dramkick makes a point of perusing every new crop of Vor Me personally. He can spot weakness with ease and you will know it when he does.
The door opened and Dramkick walked in. The G2 is vast and perfectly symmetrical in shape. It has mint green walls and a domed roof. It is over a quarter mile in diameter and high enough to cough from. At its apex there is a purple crystal the size of a blue whale. It hangs down from the ceiling with a force field surrounding it-this gives it the appearance of floating in mid-air. The Vor Me are lined up in circular rows that get gradually smaller nearest the center.
They are split into 4 rows that lead from the center to the 4 large silver doors on the walls of the G2. All the soldiers are wearing navy blue army fatigues and dark blue helmets-each helmet is cast in Dramkick's likeness with the eyes and mouth cut out. Each of them has on spiked dark blue boots (that are anything but casual). They have a square, glowing orange pendant on the toe of each boot that has the seal of Dramkick emblazoned on it.
Dramkick walked down the aisle and started randomly bumping into the Vor Me. He punched and slapped them hard enough to jolt them awake. None of the Vor Me looked over or even moved slightly. And the ones being attacked gave no reaction. They simply took it and got back into line. It wasn't like seeing a body on the highway. In this case if you looked, you were the body on the highway. Needless to say, everyone's eyes drilled holes in the wall in front of them.
Dramkick stopped in front of one Vor Me named Ritrick and gave him a good hard looking over. Dramkick said softly, "Go ahead, Son, take a look. I give you every assurance there will be no recourse, feel free."
Ritrick started to sweat and his breath fell heavy. He glanced over at Dramkick (and regretted it the second he did). Dramkick grabbed him by the neck and pulled his head clean off his body. The soldier's body fell violently to the ground (like a 50 pound bag of potatoes knocked off a grocery aisle).
"How dare you look UPON ME!" Dramkick shouted and then said plainly," You were a handsome boy, a lover of jokes no doubt. Go ahead, tell me one now," Dramkick said as he smiled at the dead soldiers head and awaited his response. "Ha ha he hee he that's a fine joke, so true and so telling."
Dramkick grinned slightly and threw the Vor Me's bloody head into the wall at such speed it exploded upon impact. Dramkick danced playfully down the aisle and stopped in the center of the room. "Children, oh glorious Ilk, I am your Quadromolan. Not your king per se, a thousand times more powerful!" Dramkick bellowed as he got into an athletic stance with his hands spread. "You are my new crop of killing machines and let there be no mistake, you will murder for me. Or you'll end up splattered on a WALL somewhere ha he he ha! All's I ask of the is this…the exact moment you question me will be the last moment of your lives. You are all Talz by birth, and as such you are familiar with our curse," Dramkick flexed his muscles so hard it scared everyone in attendance. He loved the dramatic and scaring people just felt right to him.
He continued,” But be that as it may we were born with backs that won't bow or break and rightfully so,” Dramkick said coldly as he gazed up to the rafters for a moment. He thought of his father Emasip delivering the same speech years earlier. The power of the old man was still alive in him. “We are in the habit of being besieged by our friends with Deception! I am 1,033 years old and there have been 3,452 attempts on my life. Your mission, your heart's true purpose…is to shield my pure pumping vision from the tyranny of our enemies!” Dramkick thundered as his
eyes became demonic. “We trained you with unyielding precision. Now repay that enormous faith with your lives and the full breadth of your SANCTITY! Be us Talz…The rest we can't remember!" Dramkick thundered as his eyes welled up. He scowled at the Vor Me (and they knew enough not to scowl back).
The Vor Me raised their right fist, gave it a simple pump, and let out a single hum. They filed out of the G2 with laser like precision. Dramkick put his left hand to his chin and scanned the Vor Me for weak links. He refused to be the ruler of an army of fools.
A Quadromolan (a term that Dramkick created for himself) is the ruler of 4 solar systems.
There is the Talz system which has 9 planets, the Tremur which is 12 planets strong, the Messi counts 15 planets, and the Kull which has but 2, Devix and Tortum. Each planet has a ruler or caretaker known as a Benbre (but they all bow to Dramkick). Still they all lust for power and are in a constant state of scheming to do away with Dramkick. More than this, they want the location of the Rala fountains.
The Rala fountains pump a bright yellow liquid known as Praem. When Praem is ingested through the eyes or mouth the taker is thrust into an alternate reality known as Twosqu. Twosqu is a vivid specific detailed world on top of the current reality. For the takers of Praem they see their senses no longer react or interact with any negative energy. And if something was blue in real life, then in Twosqu it is a living blue-carrying with it a wave of emotion and texture you can feel. Physical motion in Twosqu is what you want it to be, it is your choice. You can float, dance, soar or stand outside yourself and watch your body in movement. Meals are no longer eaten and forgotten, a single bite brings hours of satisfaction and fills the belly to maximum. A sip of wine flushes the body from head to toe with an immaculate inebriation (devoid of the obligatory crippling hangover). The sensation of touch is so refined in Twosqu you can feel a
fleck of dust as it rests on your skin. There are also the conversation tracers. Small portions of other people's conversations that continue to resonate and float in and out of your mind's eye as you need them to. And of course the Danbridgo, 4 inch tall miniature beings with purple skin and green freckles. Clad in white trousers and jackets they are at your command inside Twosqu. Each Danbridgo has a furry head and a face like a kitten. Their affectionate nature is legendary. The sun in Twosqu is only red light and has no apparent shape or symmetry. It is easy inside Twosqu to see who has taken the Praem. They are the ones with vibrant colored masks while the others are draped in shadows. Too many, the real world is the dream and Praem is all they’ll ever want.
Dramkick sees it his birthright to live every moment in Twosqu and only gives the populous 2 hours a day. This infuriates most, though they dare not speak of it for fear of reprisals. There are some known as the Gopas, who steal Praem from everyone and anyone they can. Their leader Coats Ren has been trying to find the Rala fountains for 3 years.
"If it's in the Danviers cavern, then it's beyond finding. Those caves stretch for thousands of miles. It would be a fool's errand to try and map them," Coats said as he sucked on a Praem tube inside his art studio on the planet O-in the Messi system.
Coats Ren is 4 feet wide and 6 feet tall with abnormally large forearms. He is tan skinned and has a bald head with a line of red diamonds across his brow. His face is smooth and rounded like a new bowling pin. He is draped in a grey and white checkered jumpsuit and white leather slippers. His studio is quant only 20 x 20 (with eye blasting yellow walls). There is a pair of picture windows made of lightly tinted green glass that face the setting sun. In front of the windows there is a brown leather couch with the insignia PR. Situated behind it is an easel with a partially completed painting of Poeragard.
Poeragard is the Benbre of Tortum. He is the only person brave enough to put pressure on
Dramkick to increase the Praem distribution. The Gopas see him as a hero and saint.
"Then forget Danviers, let's organize a scout mission into Dramkick's inner sanctum," Pleu Mas said quickly as he looked at Coats.
Pleu Mas stands 5'6" and 180 pounds, with grayish black hair and a soft round belly (too many Porntap ears for dinner and lunch). His eyes are orange in color and have a look of serious intent. He has a large arching nose whose tip touches his upper lip when he smiles. His lips are purple in color and have the word Saimvic tattooed on them-Saimvic is the name of the last man to see the Rala fountains before Dramkick hid them away for good. Pleu is wearing a robe dripping with gold and has a multi-colored beaded necklace around his neck. On his feet he only wears a single pair of ankle high black socks.
"Shatcore, you honestly think we’re going to get 2 steps into Shatcore, are you serious?
Here's how that'll play out, you and I will wind up a garnish at Dramkick's nightly feast," Coats said in exasperation as he continued to suck on his Praem tube and then said angrily, "Damn it this thing's empty again. Well whatever we do it needs to get done, I can't live like this!"
"Calm down, there's a way forward,” Pleu said softly as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. ”I paid one of Dramkick's servants to find out if there was any way past his security. Turns out his swimming pool connects to the Clar lagoon," Pleu explained and then he walked over to the computer module followed by Coats and said gleefully, "Right there, that's our entry point."
Coats looked at the lagoon on the monitor and then at Pleu and said excitedly, "This is our shot, this is exactly the break we needed! Tonight we'll pay Dramkick a visit. I'll ready my ship and make the necessary preparations. Tonight we drink again."
"This is a chance, but not without risks," Pleu said calmly as he grinned and put his hand on
Coat's shoulder and then continued, "If we're found inside Shatcore we will be destroyed. That said, the payoff will be worth the risk."
Meanwhile Dramkick plays the violin in his study. He makes a point of playing for at least an hour a day (he is vicious to anyone who disturbs him). He sits facing out the window as he plays with tears streaming down his face. It's a cold walk to a man's heart. Even further to Dramkick's. The music touches his heart the way nothing or no one else ever could.
He finishes playing and sets down the violin on a rack. He grabs his Praem tube off the shelf and starts sucking on it. He is instantly thrust into Twosqu and feels a blinding euphoria. Unlike most people he prefers enjoying it alone (and finds it distasteful to see anyone inside Twosqu).
Suddenly he dances around the room. He gets rushes from the vibrant colors. His arms and legs move like a spider with 6 legs. He lays down on the floor and start humming to himself.
After several hours the Praem has worn off and Dramkick gathers himself up. He makes his way to the planetarium. When he steps on the moving sidewalk his former lover Bree Sa steps on as well.
Bree is 5 foot 5 with brown curly hair. She has large breasts and a shapely bottom (as good looking as she is no one’s dumb enough to look at her for long). Her face is stunning, with a button nose and sensual blue eyes that can open anyone's emotional wounds. She is wearing an orange flowing dress and a gold pendant around her neck. Dangling from the pendant is a large Praem tube. It was a gift from Dramkick for a week's worth of not glaring at him. She is also wearing a gold bracelet on both arms and brown lace sandals.
The sidewalk they are on stretches through the Gimly green shrubbery tunnel (Dramkick's favorite place to relax).
"Bree, you're still a stunner. Just when will you return the part of my heart you've stolen?"
Dramkick asked as he nudged Bree with his arm.
"Dramkick, we tried us, it just couldn't be a larger love," Bree said sadly. "We're both too hard headed for our own good. It's nice to see you though, you're looking handsome as ever,"
Bree said playfully as she smiled up at Dramkick lovingly.
"Thank you for the kind words, Bree," Dramkick said warmly and then continued, "It's a terrible shame our stars couldn't align. When I look at you now, I find it hard to remember the bad times. But this is life and oh how it throws me," Dramkick said as he ran his fingers through her hair.
Bree smiled and asserted, "Don't start something that can't be finished. We both know where casual sex will lead regardless of how hot it is."
"True, but it still satisfies even if only for a short while," Dramkick agreed. "But you're right we mustn't fool ourselves, still great to see you though, Bree, it always is," Dramkick said smoothly as his hands fell into his pockets.
"I always love seeing you as well, Dramkick, that box of Praem was an absolute godsend. I thank you."
"Think nothing of it they'll be another before long. It makes me happy to know you're taken care of," Dramkick said sincerely as he looked at Bree.
"This is my stop, Handsome, feel free to stop and visit someday. I'm usually around on the week's ending," Bree admitted as she stepped off the sidewalk into a corridor.
"I just might, bye, my Love," Dramkick said brightly as he continued onward down the sidewalk, wrenching his neck for one last look at Bree.
Dramkick rides another quarter mile and steps off at the entryway to the planetarium. The structure is gigantic and in the shape of a golf ball with 2 pencils piercing the sides. It is dark
purple in color and has a pair of large circular windows that are tinted cobalt blue. The walkway leading up to the large circular front door is lined with various statues of Dramkick (from his bloody early youth to the present day).
Dramkick walked past the statues with a wry smile on his face. He is very fond of his depictions (especially the one of him taking a bite from a Lizva bird).
The Lizva bird itself has a large round head with multi-colored feathers covering it. Its body is long and thin like a straw, with 4 sets of large wings along the sides. It also has one large yellow claw on the rear end that has 2 sets of steel cutting talons.
As he neared the front door it opened and a tan skinned Glom-which are from the Tremur system and have bright yellow tattoos covering their faces-came walking out. The Glom is slightly shorter than Dramkick and has on a hat with a dark blue spire stretching 2 feet up to the sky on the round brim. He is wearing a red cape and black open toed shoes. His eyes are shielded by blue tinted sunglasses with the center cut out-revealing his red eyes.
The Glom got closer to Dramkick and then stopped suddenly. He pulled out a pair of Dreme blades from under his cape-Dreme blades are a foot and half long with a rounded half moon blade and a black leather handles. They are also known to be sharp enough to cut through metal.
Dramkick sees this and lets out a sigh as he motions with his hand for his would be attacker to get on with it. The Glom thrusts forward at Dramkick with his Dreme blades whirling in front of him. His right hand slashes at Dramkick. Dramkick simply slips it and grabs the Glom by the elbow and breaks his arm in two. The Glom screams out in agony, gathers himself, and slashes with the Dreme blade. Whereby Dramkick in one motion dodges the blow and grabs the Glom by the shoulder. Dramkick viciously pulls his arm clean out of its socket. He pummels him over the head with his own arm and then said snidely, "He he he he ha, you should have thought this
Dramkick grabs him around the waist with his free hand and lifts him up into the air. He throws the Glom violently into the statue of the young Dramkick eating the Lizva bird. The Glom crashes into the statue sideways and breaks his back, causing a fountain's worth of blood to shoot high in the air. He lets out a loud squeal and drops to the ground (like so many others before him). Dramkick knew it so well he could almost time it to the second when they'd take their last breath. The Glom quickly dies with the last of his life fading into oblivion.
"A real art lover I can see He ha ha. Pity you tempted fate so foolishly, I could've used your courage on the battlefield," Dramkick said snidely as he entered the planetarium.
Inside the planetarium there are thousands of robot re-creations of every creature large and small on Membra. The robots walk freely around the planetarium and interact with the guests.
There are also life size androids of all famous Talz (including Dramkick). Dramkick makes a point of harassing the androids every time he visits. They have gotten in the habit of avoiding him at all costs (especially on his birthday ). Dramkick’s android on his last visit had his arms torn off because Dramkick felt they were too scrawny.
The ceiling is domed in shape and is covered end to end with a hologram of molten lava.
The lava appears to be falling down upon the visitor’s heads. This is not lost upon Dramkick as it is his favorite part. He loves seeing the horror on the faces of first time guests and loves screaming," IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!" The floor of the planetarium is an ever changing series of terrains. It ranges from jagged rocks to thick gooey mud (that fools most into a state of panic and makes them physically tired). The walls are covered with a live feed from over 100 different locations on Membra (everything from caverns to operating rooms, a full spectrum of humanity).
Today Dramkick isn't here for pleasure. He has arranged a meeting with the Benbre of the planet Tortum, Poeragard. The two haven't seen eye to eye on some things and Dramkick wants to clear the air. Certainly because of this Poeragard has requested a public place for their meeting. Poeragard knows that Dramkick thinks lost limbs are an indication he’s losing patience with you.
Poeragard stands 5 foot 10 inches tall and carries a lean 170 pounds of muscle on his frame.
He has long bright orange hair that cascades back from a pronounced widow’s peak in the center of his forehead. He has blue eyes that are like a cat's (a steely glare you can never make sense of). His nose is smooth, attractive, and thick like a sausage. His lips are purple and he has a clef in the shape of a 4 leaf clover in the center of his chin. He always wears the same thing, a black corduroy jacket that has interchangeable parts and a pair of white pants made of Pemavon cotton.
The Pemavon is a genetically engineered sheep that grows a full coat seconds after being shaven. The Pemavon cotton is extremely soft to the touch and favored among the Torsle-who are natives of Tortum.
Poeragard also wears a clip-on levitation device on his feet-known as a Jacour ring. It has the ability to lift the body 3 inches above the ground at anytime. It also allows the wearer to travel without resistance.
Dramkick scans the room for Poeragard and spots him on the far side. He starts walking briskly towards him. When he gets within a few feet Poeragard turns to face him, bows, and said softly, "I am at your service, Quadromolan." Poeragard stands up and said warmly, "Let us be friends, Dramkick."
"Friends for me are an unwise luxury, Poeragard, but I can make certain exceptions,"
Dramkick replied as he balled his hand up into a fist and then asked sternly, "What is all this talk
of increasing the Praem supply? I would have thought you smarter than this,” Dramkick said as he put his giant hand on Poeragard's shoulder.
"I apologize if I was out of line, but the populous has built up a tolerance. And what was once enough, is now too little," Poeragard explained nervously as he looked wide eyed at Dramkick.
"They always want MORE, it never seems less they scream of!" Dramkick thundered as his chest heaved. "What they fail to realize is that those bountiful Rala fountains won't pump forever, but some of us will. And when they run dry we'll be left to SUFFER," Dramkick said sternly as he squeezed Poeragard's shoulder tightly.
"I know, Dramkick, your wisdom is not the issue," Poeragard assured as he gently smiled to himself. "We know you're thinking ahead, but many, including myself, are having a hard time enjoying Twosqu knowing that our time is brief. If no more can be given, then that is it and we will make due. But if a little more is possible, then I had to ask," Poeragard said anxiously as he winced in pain.
Dramkick looked him over and then released his grip and said, "Fine, Poeragard, a little more is fine. But let there be no more talk of this for a long stretch of time, or my grip will once again tighten."
"Not a word, Dramkick, our thanks is never-ending,” Poeragard said quickly as he tried to contain his glee. More Praem was just what the doctor ordered, he thought. “We are fortunate to have such a wise and generous Quadromolan, this is something not forgotten soon," Poeragard said hollowly as he bowed his head and did his best to hide his shaking hand.
"Now, Poeragard, what do you hear from the other Benbres and be forthcoming?” Dramkick asked suspiciously as he gently tapped his index finger to his temple. "Is there any talk of
assassination, please tell of whispers no harm will come your way?" Dramkick asked coyly as he put his hands nonchalantly in his pockets. He knew there was a plot afoot.
Poeragard looked at Dramkick anxiously and then said quietly, "Benbre Khalex of the planet Drear…in the Kull system has made inquiries. He may be hatching a plot against you, but I don't know when. I did hear he was bringing in a Sepex bounty hunter named Doe Sides."
"Interesting, where is this Doe Sides now?" Dramkick asked as he looked down at Poeragard with suspicion.
Poeragard looked around nervously and then said, "He is here…on Membra, he arrived this morning. His shuttle set down in the desert city of Whonee Dgra. He could be anywhere now."
"Exactly what does he look like, Poeragard?" Dramkick asked calmly as he produced a chocolate candy from his pocket, tossed it into his mouth, and started chewing loudly.
"He is your height and very thin. He has bright orange skin with the word Amak on each of his fingers," Poeragard explained nervously as sweat saturated the tips of his bangs. Poeragard coughed and continued, "When I saw him he was wearing a black helmet that was tight to his skin and bore the visage of Trasom. He is also part machine, his hands and feet I mean. If I were you are I'd be careful with this one, Dramkick," Poeragard said as he rubbed his hands together.
Trasom is an ancient emperor who killed all of his followers shortly before death, leaving only a small boy and girl behind. The 2 children repopulated the planet of Fars and created a breed of genetic misfits known as Permings.
"If you were me you'd wonder why I let you live for withholding this information,"
Dramkick replied sternly as he took his hands out of his pockets and glared at Poeragard.
"I am sorry, my Lord, I was sworn to secrecy by Khalex. Please be merciful I only ask for my simple life," Poeragard pleaded as he got down on his knees and kissed Dramkick's hand. He
knew this sort of emotion would confuse Dramkick and save his life.
"You may live, Poeragard, please stand. In the future, Poeragard, only tell me lies when I'm asleep," Dramkick said slyly as he rubbed Poeragard's head.
"Of course, there will be no secrets between us, I will honor my Quadromolan with ferocity," Poeragard answered hollowly as he kissed his hand and stood up quickly. He wished he could kill Dramkick himself, but he knew he didn't have the power to do it.
Dramkick shot a glance at Poeragard and motioned for him to leave. Dramkick saw a family of 3 looking up at the ceiling and he shouted, "We're all going to die! Run for the exits!"
The family of 3 started running frantically in every direction and Dramkick laughed like a 12-year-old with a new prank.
Coats Ren and Pleu Mas landed their ship at the Clar lagoon. Inside the shuttle they gathered up their necessary equipment. The shuttle itself is: black, smooth, and in the shape of a large mouth bass without the eyes. It has 3 windows in the front which are also tinted black. It also has a dorsal fin on top and in the rear of the ship. Inside everything is pale white-including the nuts and bolts. There are 12 Capt's chairs in a semi-circle and a control consul in the front of the ship.
In the middle there are supply shelves and a cooking apparatus. In the rear there are sleeping quarters for 12 (they are modest to say the least but comfortable).
Outside the Clar lagoon there is an ocean blue oasis. It is surrounded by red rocks on 2 sides and a dense forest on the other. With a small patch of blue grass in between the forest and the red rocks (like the last piece of pie on a silver plate). The rocks stretch 150 feet in the air and there is a lone Pasil tree on top.
The Pasil tree has an almost human form to it. And if you didn't know better you could be fooled into thinking it was a person. Its bark is dark brown in color and has feet shaped roots.
"Alright then, it's Praem or our heads. God I hope we've got the luck with us tonight," Coats said anxiously as he attached his gun belt.
Coats pauses and looks at his Paniflu laser machine gun. The gun itself is red in color and resembles a Beretta-only slightly larger and with a scope.
"Well if we haven't got it, these babies will even the score," Pleu said as he showed Coats some Tridney sound grenades he had in each hand.
The Tridney can shatter the skull of anyone within 30 feet-it does this by rattling the inside of their skull with sound waves. It has a reddish hue and looks like a metal softball. It has a green
grip that you held as you threw it and would detach releasing the firing pin.
"That looks like it could do a lot of damage. If we get cornered that may be our last resort,"
Coats said gleefully and then he took a chug of whiskey. Coats wondered if he was about to do something incredibly stupid.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that,” Plea replied nervously as he took in 3 quick breaths. He thought about ditching Coats and never looking back. “We need to be invisible and be smart enough not to get greedy," Pleu said sternly in a voice that seemed to almost convince both of them he was right. "Trust me seeing all that Praem in front of us will be a shocker. We load up our packs and we get out of there quick," Pleu said as he rubbed the back of his head to the point Coats stared at him.
"First things first, we've got to get inside, which means we've got a swim ahead of us," Coats explained as he stretched out his arms and then continued, "When we come out inside Dramkick's pool we have to be cautious. Before we surface we had better be deadly sure there's no one around," Coats said sternly as he put the Cous breathing device in his mouth.
The Cous is banana yellow in color and in the shape of a plunger-with the wide piece placed in the rear of the mouth. The Cous filters the oxygen out of the water and allows the user to breathe underwater indefinitely.
Pleu inserts his Cous and the 2 wade into the Clar lagoon. Coats nods at Pleu and they submerge. They felt dangerous and confident with a quicker breath. Under the surface there are several species of fish-none of which have a predatory nature. The Ustin fish are yellow in color and have see through stomachs. They have cat like faces and a long skinny neck that leads to a bowling ball size body-that is perfectly round. There is a small fin on their backs that moves back and forth at blinding speed. Near to them are the Rummon fish (which have black and red
stripes like a tacky suit your odd uncle might wear). They resemble a pair of trousers that are being pulled through the water. They have one small eye and 2 large ones on their perfectly flat faces. As well as a large gaping mouth with a black hairy tongue that licks its own eyes every 2
seconds.
The walls lining of the lagoon are covered with a light green crystal. Its bottom has a thick red grass that has bubbles coming out of it every few feet. The bubbles are caused by Homly bugs which nest on the lagoon's sea bed-and are bright red specs no more than the size of a penny.
Coats and Pleu swim along and marvel at how beautiful it is. Coats can’t help but think too himself that he wishes he'd been here before (and under different circumstances). Why isn't this his favorite place to swim, he wonders. Pleu wishes his daughter Rouela could have come with him and seen this incredible sight.
They swim for a minute and then Coats abruptly stopped. He put his hand on Pleu's chest and pointed to the side of the lagoon. There lingers a pair of hairy tan legs standing in the shallow water. The 2 slowly swim away from the legs, but keep their eyes locked on them (just in case things get heavy). Their hearts are pumping through their chests and they try not to panic.
Slowly but surely they continue onward (and thank God they weren't noticed).
They swim another hundred yards and enter Dramkick's swimming pool (nicknamed the master bedroom, because Dramkick brought hundreds of women there to have sex and ingest Praem). The floor of the pool has a portrait of Dramkick seared onto the marble. The pool itself is 40 feet by 40 feet and has an opening in the ceiling above it to let in sunshine. Lucky for them no one is using it Pleu thought. Pleu pops his head slightly above the surface. He can see a man in white shorts lying on a blue foldout chair poolside. The fat hairy man is fast asleep and
snoring very loudly. Pleu looks around and sees no one else is there. He slowly climbs out of the pool with Coats close behind.
The 2 of them cautiously moved past the snoring man and peek out into the next room.
There they see 2 guards on the far end of this enormous Peneme gym.
Peneme is a game between 2 teams of 2 involving the capture of a Quwoo-a Quwoo being a furry animal that looks like a flashlight, but with 3 legs and a wing on one side. It darts in every direction and is terrified by all living things. The Quwoo are known for their uncontrollable flatulence. In Peneme obstacles are placed around the gym and the first team to catch the Quwoo twice is the victor. The winning team usually takes great pride in dining on the Quwoo after the match.
"We're gonna have to find a way past those guards," Pleu said as he looked around and then continued, "There are no other doorways anywhere that I can see."
"I've got an idea, see that cage over there with that Quwoo?" Coats asked quickly as he pointed with both hands.
"I see it, wow what a great idea. It will take some doing to get over there but-"
"But it's our only shot. Let's break for it!" Coats interrupted as he started moving towards the Quwoo cage in a bent over walk.
Pleu was just behind and keeping a close eye on the guards as he and Coats moved from obstacle to obstacle.
"So does she still say she loves you every single day or has she grown up yet?" Henrit asked-the thinner of the 2 guards-as he smoked a long cigarette.
"Oh yeah she's grown up, she knows I love her and she knows that I know she loves me, everything's great," answered Pictick-the auburn haired guard-as he stretches out his arms.
Coats and Pleu carefully work their way over to the Quwoo cage. Once there, they take a look at the guards and Coats whispered as he unlocked the cage, "Let's hope those two are sporting fools 'cause it's about to get interesting."
Coats and Pleu hid behind a barricade and waited. The Quwoo shot out of the cage like a bullet out of a gun. It darted all over the gym. It just missed hitting Pictick in the head.
"How in the…," Pictick said suspiciously as he ducked the Quwoo and then said frantically,
"If we don't catch him, we're in serious trouble!"
"Let's get after him then, quick!" Henrit said nervously as he ran after the Quwoo.
The 2 guards chased after the Quwoo, while Pleu and Coats hurried to the door. They opened it, moved inside, and their jaws dropped as they saw the Rala fountains in front of them.
"Can you believe it, Pleu, we found it!" Coats said in utter disbelief and shock as his shoulders dropped.
"They're immense, what a miracle," Pleu responded as his eyes opened as wide as they possibly could. Wider than any birthday gift he had ever opened.
There before them are three 500 foot tall fountains in a 2 mile long cave. The fountains have geysers of bright yellow Praem gushing from them. The cave is filled with that all too familiar smell. Each fountain is unique. The first has a black marble statue of Dramkick holding a man's head-with the Praem gushing from the severed head's mouth. The 2nd is of a small child-the boy Prince Mailk Hillgo who perished only days into his reign. The Praem gushes from his ear as his head tilts towards the ground.
The Mailk Hillgo fountain shows what a muscular child he was, with large calves and forearms. He is only wearing a loin cloth in this depiction. His face is handsome and belies his actual age. This gives him the appearance of being much older and wiser than his years would
suggest. The 3rd fountain is of Emasip Teas Reign-Dramkick's father and the former emperor of the Talz system. Emasip has an almost square head with a round peak in the center. His eyes are far too large for his face and are looking in different directions. This caused his enemies to call him crazy eye (but never to his face for fear of his fury). His nose is also nonexistent like Dramkick’s. His mouth is wide and filled with 2 rows of circular teeth. In life he was a head shorter than Dramkick, but he is the only man he was ever afraid of. He had long fat fingers that could squeeze the life out of anyone. And he has 7 toes on each foot. He ruled over Talz for 2,671 years before he was assassinated at a gala at his home-by the next in line Leach Culle.
Leach was subsequently beaten to death by Dramkick shortly after he heard the news. It was done right in the middle the Barnes Hall-which is where Leach and his friends were celebrating the death of Emasip. Dramkick always loved a party.
Pleu and Coats gazed at the Rala fountains in bewilderment and walked over to them gleefully. There was a certain uncanny spring in their step they couldn't explain. Coats looked at his reflection in the Praem and ran his hand through it slowly and said, "We found the fuel for an entire civilization. It's so beautiful it defies description."
"It's what our lives are about,” Pleu said and as he drank from the Praem-he fashioned his hands into a cup.
"I've waited a long time for exactly this," Coats said in disbelief and then he quickly dunked his face under the surface. Ingesting the Praem like this made his body feel as if it were made of warm Wams. Coats knew this was the greatest moment of his life.
The 2 of them looked around the cave and Coats said excitedly, "Its beyond comprehension, the pure Praem gives you infinite faculties! I can see that ant eating a seed in the crack on the far wall, Pleu."
"I can see it too, how is this possible?" Pleu asked as he looked at Coats.
"I don't know…but we mustn't be careless. Let's fill our packs with Praem and find a way out of here. Someone will be along before too long," Coats said calmly as he pulled a hose from his pack and dropped it into the fountain. The Praem didn't splash or shift very much at all as it devoured the hose.
Pleu put his own hose into the fountain and said boldly, "Just wait 'til people hear, they won't believe it."
"They will and everything will change because of it," Coats said sternly as his eyes filled with Praem. "We've been duped by Dramkick for the last time. I knew he was diluting the Praem, I knew it!" Coats said angrily as his eyes met Pleu's. A second later he put his hose back into his pack and scanned the outer reaches of the cave.
Pleu did the same and then took another sip from the fountain. Coats pulled him out by the shoulder and they started looking for a way out. They walked around the back of the Emasip fountain and discovered a staircase leading up into the walls.
"This will do," Coats said happily as he smiled to himself.
"It's better than dealing with those guards, that's for sure," Pleu replied as he glanced over at Coats.
"Anything's better than that," Coats said as he started up the staircase with Pleu a few steps behind.
They ascended the staircase and it led to a darkened stone hallway. There was an opening on the right side 20 feet ahead of them. They could see a doorway at the end of the hallway. It smelled of old clothes and burnt pancakes.
"This looks promising," Coats said as he walked down the hallway.
Coats slowed and peeked around the corner only to see a Vor Me battalion doing training exercises 30 feet below.
"Wow that's bad luck, from 2 guards to two thousand," Coats said sadly as he looked down at the Vor Me. Where's my luck, he thought.
"Well we came this far, that door is only 20 feet away. If we were careful enough they might not notice us," Pleu explained as he looked down at the Vor Me.
"Granted, but with our luck Dramkick himself could be waiting for us behind that door,"
Coats answered as his right hand noticeably shook and then continued, "What we know…behind us there are 2 soldiers who will kill us on sight. There is a chance we could overpower them, but it's a slim chance. That door could be certain doom or a viable escape route," Coats said sternly as he looked over at Pleu.
"Are you asking me? " Pleu asked as he smirked at Coats.
"Yes!"
"The door, chances are for the taking. Let's be ready and agile for anything we face on the other side of that door," Pleu said as he pulled out a Tridney.
"Agreed," Coats answered as he raised his Paniflu and started slowly walking towards the door.
They each took a few steps as they keenly watched the Vor Me below. One of the Vor Me looked up and saw them. He reached for his weapon and as he did Coats blasted him with his Paniflu. Suddenly Coats and Pleu were making a mad dash for the door. The Vor Me soldiers below started firing at Coats and Pleu. One shot grazed Pleu's calf causing him to shout, "Whoa Vevin, that was close!"
Vevin Be was a man who narrowly escaped the gallows 47 times before his eventual demise
(hence the expression Whoa Vevin).
Coats grabbed the door handle and flung the door open violently. It revealed the Jarret marketplace (it had everything and was constantly buzzing with activity). It consisted of a large cluster of store fronts. And all the store fronts had the identical tan clay walls and round windows. Store clusters were in identical sections that met at Uvaly fountain-it is a 60 foot pair of pyramids with water running down the sides.
Coats and Pleu waded into the crowd of people and Coats said stunned, "If they only knew what was beneath them, they'd lose it."
"If these people knew the Rala fountains were so close there'd be a riot in seconds," Pleu said gleefully as he looked behind him for the Vor Me and continued, "And they'd all be killed."
Coats looked around for transportation and said firmly, "Let's rent an Airso and get some distance between us and here."
The Airso is a simple blue and red crotch rocket motorcycle that can hover above the ground using reverse magnetic force. It is ideal for the titanium rich soil of Membra.
"My wage stick is almost empty," Pleu admitted sadly as he pulled out his red wage stick.
A wage stick is a red plastic cigar shaped device. It can be used to access all of your available money and credit, even advance wages.
"Don't worry about it, I've got plenty. Let's take those 2 and speed out of here," Coats said sternly as he swiped his wage stick over the 2 locks holding the Airsos in place.
They mounted the Airsos and raced at full speed away from Jarret marketplace. Coats glanced over his shoulder and saw the place where they had just been get swarmed with Vor Me soldiers. Coats was relieved that they had escaped, but he knew they'd be looking for him and Pleu before long. He knew Dramkick would never let this stand.
Dramkick received the news that there had been intruders at the Rala fountains and laughed and said in his usual way, "I hope there's more, it's high time for another crushed revolution. The men who broke in though, I'll need to feel their craniums crushing in my hands. Appearances and all," Dramkick said snidely and then Vor Me soldiers were dispatched door to door to find the culprits (and told to look for the pure Praem and ingest none of it). Government Praem was much thinner for a reason.
Tonight begins the annual meeting of the Caspear-it is comprised of Dramkick and all of his assorted Benbres. The Benbre Khalex-of the planet Drear-is unable to attend due to an unfortunate meeting with a trash compactor. The other Benbres fear it was less accident and more Dramkick, but none dared even a whisper.
The meeting is to take place at the Rerich Manor (long known to be a favorite getaway retreat for Dramkick). It is an enormous castle made entirely from mahogany logs. It was built on Lake Maas and has a large deck that stretches a half mile into the water. Dramkick commissioned the castle be built after the mysterious disappearance of his first wife Olexis Reign. She had fallen asleep beside Dramkick and when he awoke there wasn't a trace of her anywhere.
Dramkick is sitting on the deck at Rerich shooting Silby skeet. The Silby are a duck like bird which can only fly a few feet at a time. The Silby would be launched into the air with a slingshot.
And then Dramkick would blow it into oblivion with his laser rifle-he relied upon his Hapman laser rifle for all skeet shooting.
"Pull, Infidel, pull!" Dramkick shouted angrily as he steadied his Hapman.
The Silby launched high into the air and a moment later Dramkick sent a shot through its body. It exploded into a ball of feathers and blue blood. Dramkick stood up and shouted, "Two at ah time, make haste you fools!"
His servants loaded up 2 Silbys and slung them high into the air. Dramkick fired his Hapman and hit both Silbys with a single shot and said proudly, "A keener shot does not exist, nor a wiser soul. That's enough for today bring me a drink! Make it stiffer than Dormaline or it's your skull's last breaths."
Dormaline being a toxic fuel used in the Talz warships. It is highly combustible and would burn through skin and bones.
His two servants hurried away while Dramkick sat down on his deck chair with his Hapman across his left leg. It was nearing night and lights started popping up all over the shoreline.
Dramkick loved this time of day and his thoughts were on his father Emasip. Many a day he thought of those summer nights the 2 had sat on the deck and told wild unbelievable stories to amuse themselves. His heart still ached for his father and he missed him dearly. He sat there and his thoughts of Emasip caused a tear to run down his cheek.
Behind him he heard a board creek that could only be a person's step. He grabbed the Hapman, dove, and rolled at an angle. And as he did a gun blast demolished the chair where he had just been sitting. Dramkick spun around and saw his attacker. It was a thin man with orange skin wearing a white robe and a black helmet. He had in his hand a Morneck-a small hand canon that could blow through a man leaving only specs of flesh and blood behind. It is a pistol with 4
barrels that can fire simultaneously. It also has a laser scope, but it is rarely used because of its wide spray.
Dramkick knew instantly it was Doe Sides. He fired his Hapman piercing Doe's chest and
knocking him backwards. A second later Doe fired his Morneck, but stumbled as did, causing the shot to barely miss Dramkick. Instead the shot blew a gaping hole in the deck. Dramkick meanwhile took dead aim and blasted Doe right between the eyes. It shattered his black helmet of Trasom and created a stream of blood pouring out of his forehead. Doe wasn't dead yet, he staggered back and forth and raised his Morneck. Dramkick fired a 2nd shot into his throat. This caused more blood to gush from Doe, but he still wouldn't die. Dramkick respected this.
Dramkick walked over to him and said snidely, "This death will be your last I assure you dear, Doe Sides, he ha."
Dramkick put his hands on either side of Doe's head and popped it like a balloon. Doe's lifeless body fell to the deck and Dramkick adjusted his shirt.
"GET off my deck!" Dramkick yelled as he kicked Doe's leg. And then he said jokingly,
"Don't dally I can't have you basking in the sun he Haw hee hee. Look at the mess you've made you insolent child! Don't you look at me that way, WHAT!" Dramkick shouted as he started to kick the dead body even harder now.
He tossed Doe into the whole in the deck and waved both his hands over the hole like a magician. He calmly watched the body float away and then made for the castle with great haste.
Meanwhile in the ocean community of Vanic Bay the Gopas were gathered at a beach house to discuss the findings of Coats and Pleu. The house they were meeting at is in the shape of a piece of pie tilted at a 45° angle. It is covered in an array of gold solar panels and has one large continuous blue tinted window-the window runs along all 3 sides. The tip of the pie piece has a sun shielding black curtain draped over it that extends to the beach below. Behind the curtain there is a sectional circular set of white couches. In the center of the couches there is a black table that houses a hologram projector. The 7 Gopas are seated around the hologram projector
including Coats and Pleu. Coats stood up and said strongly, "Brothers, there has been a deception that is beyond forgiveness. Pleu and I were successful in finding the Rala fountains, but that is not all we found, here try this," Coats said cautiously as he passed around the pure Praem tubes and then smiled and said, "This is what we've been missing, Brothers."
Everyone ingested the Praem and they were thrust instantly into Twosqu. Scraft Tams said gleefully, "This is beyond exquisite my dear, Coats. This is heaven beyond my dreams."
Scraft is all of 5 feet 8 and 203 pounds of pure raging muscle. He has long thick blonde hair with blue streaks that tie into 3 pony tails-each ponytail has silver balls attached at the ends.
Above each eye and in the center of his head are 3 circles filled with Rosmin-Rosmin is an 89th century shaman notorious for his sexual exploits. Scraft is missing 2 fingers on his left hand that he lost in a bar fight when he insulted a woman he had groped. He has on a blue and light blue striped T-shirt with a 1/16 inch thick monitor over his chest-it scrolls through his favorite jokes.
He also has on a pair of black pants with one pant leg shorter than the other and also a pair of ankle high silver Meakers-Meakers are a dress shoe with rubber soles like a sneaker.
Coats and Pleu looked around at everyone's smiling faces and Pleu said starkly, "We've been duped my fellow Gopas…Dramkick's diluting our shipments and we think he's hoarding the rest for himself!"
"That's an outrage!" Scraft shouted as he stood up and then said sternly, "This Dramkick has got retribution coming his way. There is no answer other than death on the stick for dear…Lovely…Dramkick!"
"You are right, Scraft, but this is an easy thing to dream for but a harder thing to hold in your hand," Coats explained as his mind cast a line through different memories of Dramkick killing people. "Trust me Dramkick has fended off many an assassin and his will is powerful, but
he is not infallible. Now we can't out fight him, but we are wise and we can out think him," Coats said as he turned on the hologram then continued, "This is his personal transport, pretty isn't she.
What we are proposing is sabotage. If we could get an explosive charge attached to the fuel cell.
And then detonate it at the opportune time. Then dear…Lovely...Dramkick would end up in pieces and be a distant memory for us all," Coats said as he sat back down.
"Then, we could take control of the Praem supply. And we could feel like we do now forever," Pleu replied as he spun his fingers into a ball front of his mouth.
"This is our mission, but preparation will be the key," Scraft walked among the Gopas and spoke softly. "We'll only get one shot at him like this, and a thousand things will have to go right to pull it off. It's certainly doable. And even old Dramkick could appreciate our courage in trying, and hopefully succeeding, where others have failed, "Scraft said boldly as he sucked on his Praem tube in between sentences.
Back at Rerich castle the Caspear had gathered around a long smooth white dining room table. They were just beginning to eat their split Wistle bloods stew. The Whistle is a 2 headed fish that looks like an Aardvark and smells of death. And when you split its head down the middle it oozes a dark green blood that is delicious to eat with boiled eyeballs.
The dining room has walls that are royal blue and specifically shaped with pockets for each person's chair. In the corner sits a large hat rack with a collection of over 100 old chapeaus that Dramkick has collected over the years. One has a triangular brim with a hand pointed at the wearer on top of it. Another displays random messages on a 14 inch monitor that covers the entire hat.
Each chair at the table is white in color and has built in computers. These computers are capable of relaying messages from chair to chair without speaking. Each chair is also capable of
escape as it has escape pod functions-this is where at the press of a button the chair would morph and launch in the atmosphere. Although no one knew of the Caspear's secret meetings, they still took every precaution. Dramkick was meticulous to the end. He even went to such lengths as hiring assassins to trail his rivals on the day the meetings. And if anything happened to them at the meeting, then the assassins were instructed to do away with their rivals as well as their entire families. Dramkick took it another step unbeknownst to anyone. He had secretly been adding a drug known as Gament to the Praem supply. He had given strict orders that upon his death the Gament should no longer be included in the Praem. The outcome of such a thing is in a few days everyone would begin to get violently ill and perish shortly thereafter (which unknowingly their bodies had become seriously dependent upon it to properly function). Dramkick's reasoning was,
"if I'm not here to enjoy life, then here will no longer exist."
Dramkick dipped a large piece of bread into the Whistle bloods stew and took a large bite.
He grunted with satisfaction. He took a sip of Inso white wine and then surveyed everyone at the table. They were wildly enjoying their soup and paid no attention to Dramkick.
Inso wine is named after Inso words-from the Kull system-and he makes each bottle of wine himself. He does this by crushing each individual grape with his own hands. He sells only a few hundred bottles a year, but they are very expensive and considered the height of luxury to have even just one.
Dramkick dips his bread again in the soup and asked gregariously as he ate, "What lessons will we teach this year? What concessions will be made? And where will our loyalties reside?"
"I think the people of Tortum should endure financial hardship and a food shortage,"
Poeragard said bluntly as he rubbed his belly. "I feel this will teach them the lesson of prudence and to not be greedy for sustenance. They've gotten fat and filled with laziness and a swift hand
is required, I yield," Poeragard said boldly as he held his spoon facing forward in front of him.
"Your yield is acknowledged and your requests are accepted," Dramkick retorted as soup dripped down his chin and then continued, "Your wage sticks will encounter a glitch and the populous will lose monies for 2 months. As far as the food shortage, the meat supply will be tainted causing a rash of deaths and thusly inciting a panic. This should in due time inspire your populous for movement and curb their lack of motivation. Next speaker be heard!" Dramkick demanded in a serious tone as he continued eating his soup.
"I call for an across the board action on all of our home worlds. The people of gotten too overjoyed with their lives, a reality check is in order, I yield," Benbre Larbell Starke said as he coughed-he was from the planet Tanslem of the Tremur system.
Larbell stalk stands a shaky 6 foot 3 and barely 184 pounds. His shoulders are broad and his hips narrow. His hair is off pink, down to his butt, and so thick it never appears to move. He loves bar room fights (especially the ones where obvious laws are broken). And his face is covered in scars and gashes, some old some new. His nose has been badly broken 3 times across the bridge. It looks like a ski slope with a jump at the end-as the tip of his nose turns slightly upward. He has 5 fingers on his left hand and 6 on his right. The 6th finger being twice as long as he others and his fingernails are naturally blue. His feet, covered by black leather boots, hide the fact that he has all big toes and the word Dravex scorched into each.
Dravex is an all male bar fighting club that he was proud to be a member of. He also has on a yellow T-shirt with triangles for sleeves and burgundy pants with a pair of black stripes down the sides.
"Agreed, the suffrage will begin post haste. Speak up, children, let's keep this meeting moving," Dramkick said condescendingly as he put his large feet on the table.
"I miss war, I admit it. I think we should fuel a planet too planet war between Vexus a Membra, with Membra the obvious victor," Benbre Vield Pas robustly said as he sat back in his chair and put his feet on the table.
Vield Pas is a speck of a man at 5 foot 3 and 112 pounds with narrow shoulders and a small pot belly. His checkered purple and gold hair has a small wooden chair fastened to the top of his head. His eyes are dull purple and have a panicked look to them. His mouth looks perpetually like he is beginning a sentence. And he was blessed with beautiful perfectly straight vibrant white teeth. His gold mustache covers only two thirds of his upper lip and stretches into his bushy purple sideburns. He walks at 30° angles because of an injury suffered during the Zaco Au war 2 years prior. He always wears black wool sweaters and black dress pants. And his black slippers have the number 8 stitched into the heels because of his father's passing on the 8th day of Month 5 years earlier.
"Obviously, a war could be good," Dramkick replied as if no one could hear what he had said. Dramkick leaned forward and said greedily, "I get an enormous thrill out of these epic battles and we all love to see our armies mature and excel. Not to mention another generation gets the power and the ache of war stories he he ha," Dramkick joked as he flexed his massive chest. "O.K. then, we'll set in motion an unforgivable scandal which will have every Talz up in arms with the Vexidians. Something heinous, a baby's death or a senator being sexually violated then murdered. Every war needs a spark and the bigger the spark the hotter the flame. Yes, I've missed my captain's seat on the Debrist Morou. And, the war machine always needs its father for guidance and direction he hee hee," Dramkick said happily as he hit the table hard again and again. Dramkick drank an entire glass of wine then said, "I decree Aovaba war will take place in 37 days and I commend Benbre Vield for his foresight in this matter. I also knowledge Benbre
Poeragard and Benbre Larbell, for their contributions and they were small by no measure. I deem that enough life reconstructing has happened and I end this council for one year. Be pure and be vivid, my friends," Dramkick said warmly and he started sucking on a Praem cigarette. He leaned back in his chair and thought what a lovely war it would be.
The Benbres touched their index fingers to the center of their brows, closed their eyes, and said in unison, "For Dramkick, for life, "and the meeting adjourned.
9 days after the meeting of the Caspear a female Sen. from Vexus was raped and then brutally murdered by a Talz diplomat (in front of her small child Anbo no less). Esic Lester-a Talz diplomat-fled to Membra causing the people of Vexus to scream for justice. When justice wasn't granted by Dramkick (who refused to release Esic into the care of the Vexus police for some reason) a Vexidian general stole a battleship and attacked the Talz capital of Altan. The Aovaba war started 37 days exactly after Dramkick decreed it would.
The Talz retaliated with an all out assault on the planet of Vexus-killing 600,000 the first 2
days alone. The Pavre-the Vexidian art Museum-had all of its priceless works of art removed only minutes before it was laid to waste (this was done oddly enough and timely enough by Benbre Vield Pas).
A bombing campaign by the Vexidian Army destroyed every castle in the hills of Orne except for Dramkick Château Gadileap. Nor was his villa lay siege to on a similar bombing run in the wine region of Pisl (much to Dramkick's surprise is what told the populous). A month into the Aovaba war, found Dramkick boarding the Debrist Morou for a trip to the front lines. He needed to gage his Vor Me and their readiness to fight (and also to feel the rush of a battlefield again).
"If it isn't here then I don't want it! Clear off that table and bring me the Smaus WITH
VIGOR!!" Dramkick shouted as he kicked a crew member in the butt and slid into his captain's chair-which was in the rear the war room.
The war room is exactly 30' x 50' and oval in shape. Its walls are covered with computer screens and control panels, as well as a painting of Emasip, Dramkick, and Snatsy Reign-
Dramkick's late mother. The image of the Reign family sits beside an enormous monitor.
Snatsy had fallen from the crest of Mt. Calby accidentally after a long day of climbing with Emasip- this happened when Dramkick was in his military conditioning term at Vonkf. When he found out he punched through the Dean's passenger door hitting his wife in the leg.
The Vonkef is a brutal training facility that every boy of 15 is forced to attend for 3 years-as per the government's request. How o I do this was the first day, how can I do this was the 50th, but a soldier on the 100th day by God had better be saying I'll always do this.
There is a large captain's chair in the center and 2 smaller chairs in front of it. The painting near the captain's chair depicts Emasip and Snatsy locked in a kiss, while Dramkick has his arms around them. Snatsy was a handsome woman of Talz descent. Who had grayish shortly cut blue hair with a ponytail the top. She was blessed with "Take no prisoner eyes" that were bright green. Her thick upper lip overpowered her thin lower lip. Her figure was womanly and very curvaceous. She also had large powerful hands and wide feet.
"Quadromolan, the Smaus is here just as you requested," Lieutenant Gigg Jeaf answered nervously as he placed the Smaus on the table.
Lieutenant Gigg Jeaf is a thin 5'9" and extremely muscular, yet he has a thin frame. His eyes are grey in the retina and have the words, "to trample," written in a star shape inside them hundreds of times. His fingers are long and thin, but his thumbs are short and very wide-after an incident at a chemical plant his fingernails were a crazed red ever since. His nose looks like a catcher's mitt in that it turns inward creating a pocket. He is wearing a grey and orange long sleeved shirt that has Dramkick's family crest on it-of a half skull being held up by 50 silver bayonets. His many accommodations are on the back stitched in rows of 5 perfect squares. He is a busy boy and Dramkick has noticed. Dramkick thinks Gigg could run the empire in the future.
"Finally, I needed this undeniably now," Dramkick said fiercely as he stared at the Smaus standing on the plate in his lap.
A Smaus is a 19 inch tall sentient being indigenous to Membra. The Smaus have the ability to lock eyes with someone for a matter of seconds and then free their minds of: anger, worry, stress, and self pity-they use yellow lasers made of endorphins. Their heads are twice the size of their entire body. And they have gigantic eyes that stretch across the front half of their heads.
Their eyes appear to always be a moment away from crying, yet they never shed a single tear. It is known as the Smaus careless stare by the Talz. They have tiny cat like noses that are black in color and tiny mouths with only 8 crooked teeth combined. They also have a tuft of thin black hair on top of their heads and a few strands dangling from their chins. They possess square ears that have a green hue to them. Their skin is dark blue with tiny red spots. Their arms and legs are very thin with their hands and feet being very large proportionately. They all wear gold skin tight necklaces around their waists with their specialty engraved on it (like pity or shame for example).
"How far do we need to go, Quadromolan?" Smaus asked as she gazed up at Dramkick.
"It's worse than before, I require a new perspective and please be bold," Dramkick said plainly as he locked eyes with the Smaus.
The 2 stared at each other for a moment and then a yellow laser beam came out of the Smaus's eyes. It hit Dramkick in the center of his brow and eyes causing him to lean back slightly.
"That's it, that is always it!" Dramkick exclaimed as a smile crept across his face. "My mind is no longer cloudy and the tension is slowly evaporating. Yes yes, it is exquisite you're cleansing my palate of fear and shame and most of all worry. Yes, Smaus, I am free again,"
Dramkick said slowly and then he let out a long sigh as he relaxed his shoulders.
"We've all had pain, we are more than our pain," Smaus said warmly as he continued to look at Dramkick. "Great things can and will be yours, Quadromolan, it is not by chance but by destiny," Smaus said warmly as she stared at Dramkick and waved her hands gently from side to side.
"You were born a miracle, Smaus, all of you were," Dramkick said happily as if the words brought him joy to say them. Dramkick continued, "God gave you a calling, an amazing gift he hee hee. I feel it now, the euphoria high in my shoulders washing over me he hee. Okay, Smaus, I feel great…ease away, our session is over," Dramkick said joyously as he pressed his right hand on his chest and rubbed the Smaus's shoulder gently.
"As you wish, Quadromolan, we emptied out a month's worth of unwanted emotions. I think we should not wait so long for our next session together," Smaus said anxiously as she stopped the laser beam and gave Dramkick's head a quick rub.
"I believe you are right, but I have other commitments that are unavoidable," Dramkick assured as his eyes glazed over. "Yes yes we must okay. Then we will meet in a short while and I will make a point of it," Dramkick said with a slight smile as he stretched his neck.
"If it suits you," Smaus said as she laid flat on her back and closed her eyes.
Lieutenant Gigg took her from the room and returned a minute later with a glass of warm Wams.
Wams is a milk-like substance taken from the breast of the Polkaba bird. The bird is a 2
headed land dweller that looks like a squirrel in the face. It has 4 large red teeth that pop out the sides of his mouth. It also has 3 large pink breasts and one very small wing on its left side. It's feet are like chicken nuggets in that they are gold in color and have hardly a hint of a toe.
"Wams, this is all a man should require for sustenance," Dramkick boasted as he danced with that glass of Wams. Dramkick shrugged and then said, "Fills the heart with wonderment and purpose. What distance are we from the illusive Vor Me, Lieutenant?" Dramkick asked as he slowly sipped the Wams.
"We're nearing the war zone presently, Quadromolan. Only a peek over the ridge and we will be there," Gigg said confidently as he sat down in his chair-it faced a large monitor in front of Dramkick.
"Righteous!" Dramkick shuffled his feet and his eyes perked up. "Let's see their valor, their pure vicious hearts in action! I hope they don't dishonor me or it would be their undoing for certain," Dramkick said boldly as he shifted in his chair like a lion in its pen.
The Debrist Morou came over the large stone covered peak with a smooth power. Below them they could see hundreds of thousands of Vor Me and Vexidian soldiers engaged in a fierce battle-it was taking place in a large green grass field. It sat between 2 hilltops with several large trees at the far end. Dramkick saw the Rota hover tanks blasting holes in the Vexidian squadrons and bristled.
The Rota tanks are 100' x 70' and shaped like a large flashlight. They each have 20 foot cannons where the front of a normal tank would be. They are dark red in color with the cannon painted seal black. The tank commanders control the Rota in a trio of seats hanging off the back of it-that are encased in 16 inch bulletproof steel and known as the Living Grave. The Rota use anti-gravity thrusts to propel them up and forward. In the front above the cannon is a lone gunner who has total discretion to fire at will-these men are known as the Leavum and are protected by a 30 inch thick see through polymer. They did have the last resort of an escape capsule (but few ever used it). These soldiers are known as Hell's Lunatics by the Vor Me.
The Flattener Flee is a giant circular ship that they use to crush large numbers of troops in one swift crash to the ground. It is over a half mile long as well as a half mile wide. The Flattener Flee is similar to a hamburger patty only it is made of solid iron and spikes. It has large windows on its belly so the skeleton crew of only 5 can line up the attack with precision. The Flattener Flees are covered in green spackle and thousands of multi color lights. It also has the Reign family crest adorned on its roof in gold and silver.
The Vor Me themselves are equipped with Trask 11 assault rifles-which can blast through solid metal with quick laser bursts and also anyone in their path. The Trask 11 is grey in color with white markings of its production number on the side. It has a 3 foot barrel and lightning fast trigger that is also black in color. The Trask 11 has an air suction device called the Wheezy, that can create a pocket in front of the weapon where there is absolutely no breathable air to speak of.
The Wheezy sits affixed to the front of the gun barrel and is only 6 inches around and 12 inches long. It is rectangular in shape with a blue orb on top of it that pulses red when fired.
Dramkick's watched greedily as his Vor Me battalions devastated the Vexidian soldiers on the battlefield.
"The Vor Me look stunning. They are rare vintage this crop," Dramkick said snidely as he watched a Vor Me behead a Vexidian soldier and then he said gleefully, "Oh yes they are delightful to watch. Such valor and ruthlessness, it makes my heart sing sad tunes with a touch of hope. Lieutenant Gigg, I'm desperate to see the new Flattener Flees. Please fly us in close so as to not miss their TRUE POWER!"
"Most assuredly, Quadromolan, there are 17 in action on this battlefield. There should be one beyond those trees," Gigg said happily as he typed in the coordinates with one hand and tapped his temple with the other.
They cleared the tree tops and saw a fierce ground battle taking place on a gradually sloping valley. There were Rotas blasting away at the Vexidian tanks and small aircraft. A good 50,000
Vor Me and Vexidian soldiers engaged in a bloody battle. A pair of Flattener Flees circled overhead. Then all of a sudden one fell sharply to the ground crushing 30,000 Vexidian shoulders that were in the holding area.
"That's what I came here to see!" Dramkick thundered as his feet subconsciously kicked the floor. "Now that's progress, the sheer beauty and mercy of such a device. It thrills my soul and lights my burning heart anew," Dramkick said boldly as he stood up and walked closer to the monitor and then asked, "And what is that one doing?"
"That one is engaging the target by swooping in several times until the enemy fails to scatter," Gigg said calmly as he watched the Flattener Flee drop and then rise several times then he continued, "Now she's got her target!"
The Flattener Flee dropped suddenly and gave Dramkick the feeling of an impending car crash. It dropped so fast the Vexidian troops could not scatter or escape leveling 25,000.
Dramkick suddenly smiled and said snidely, "These Vexidian soldiers are an embarrassment.
How dare they take the battlefield! These troops are nothing more than walking caskets. There is a stench of incompetence filling my nostrils. Where is my Praem tube? I detest weakness and these are not men, they are nothing!"
Lieutenant Gigg handed Dramkick a Praem tube and Dramkick poured into his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.
"Is it to your liking, Quadromolan?" Gigg asked as his left pinky twitched from adrenaline.
"Fine, Gigg, fine enough for a swing by Benbre Vield Pas' Lakeside home. I must thank him for this glorious battlefield and get his true feelings on the of Aovaba war," Dramkick said as he
plopped down in his captain's chair.
The Praem kicked in and once Dramkick was inside Twosqu he started sending mental images to the Danbridgo. Dramkick told them to dance and sing as he watched in total unbridled happiness. He ordered them to build a human pyramid and as they did he burst into laughter. It was a laughter seldom heard by others. He watched as the final Danbridgo climbed to the top of the pyramid, raised his right hand, and lifted his chin triumphantly. This caused Dramkick to keel over in laughter and then whispered, "Danbridgo can raise the impossible smile in me."
"In all of us!" said Gigg with confidence (which had started to rise) then sank back down again. He sucked helplessly on the Praem tube for help.
"Yes, Gigg, this much a man can deduce, but their gift is without explanation," Dramkick said quietly as he watched Danbridgo doing flips off each other's backs.
Several minutes evaporated and they arrived at Vield's lakeside home and landed along the side of the house. It is a beautiful and vast red brick home that has two 100 foot high towers on either side. There are 50 or so round windows wrapped around the towers like railroad tracks. In the middle, there is a 70 foot high white crystal dome with Vield's smiling face adorned on it.
There is a small deck on the peak with 2 wooden chairs and a black 3 legged table-in the shape of a Z-in between them. Clinging to the base of the tower there are several thick brown leaf bushes and a series of Baimes statues.
Baimes is a beloved figure among children has a week each year in celebration of his birth and remembrance of his passing. Baimes was a child prodigy painter who could paint anyone or anything in perfect detail with only a glance. His works were celebrated as masterpieces (while he was still alive) and considered priceless artifacts. He once painted 154 people in perfect detail after only one seconds worth of seeing them. He also happened to be a brilliant musician and
master of Maovick-Maovick is a musical device that produces sound from a person's brain waves. The Maovick is black in color and the size of a pack of cigarettes. It is completely smooth and rounded. It has the capacity to produce over 1 million musical notes and endless vibrato. It also has the ability to turn sounds only animals can hear into actual music. Baimes was known to lay on the roof of his home completely naked at night and hum endlessly in search of the perfect melody. He died as the result of a slip one evening from that very roof. Baimes had square red curls that covered his head like an umbrella. His eyes were silver in color and lacked even a hint of emotion. He stood 5'8" tall and weighed 159 pounds with large forearms and bulbous calves.
His nose was his defining feature because of the fact it had a 3rd nostril in the center. It literally allowed people to see through to the back of his throat (and it scared children). It gave him the ability to produce certain tones as he sang that no one had ever heard before.
"Ah Vield, it will be extraordinary to share breaths again with dear Vield. I hope we find him in good cheer, well…I think we shall," Dramkick said softly as he checked his sweater in the mirror for tears.
"I'm sure of it, Quadromolan," Gigg said brightly as he hesitated slightly to lead the way out of the Debrist Morou.
"As am I."
Once they were clear of the Debrist Morou a large opening appeared in the front of the crystal dome. Vield came walking out with a pair of crystal glasses in one hand and a bottle of Touc wine in the other.
Touc is made from 10,000 year old preserved grapes. It has exceptional body, density, and flavor.
Vield is wearing a flowing white robe and a square black cap that has an array of flashing
lights on it from front to back. On his feet he is wearing his black slippers-they have the Benbre insignia on each.
"Dramkick, I pray you haven't eaten and your thirst needs quenching. Because I have a bottle of Touc. And yes it is chilled," Vield spoke softly as he walked up to Dramkick and Gigg.
"Vield, you embrace with one hand and tempt with the other," Dramkick replied warmly as his body language said nothing at all to Vield. "I can't remember my last bottle of Touc, must have been…the devastation conference yes, that was it," said Dramkick as he gave Vield an embrace.
"I remember that conference and I remember you drinking 2 bottle of Touc if memory serves me well," Vield replied slyly as he handed Dramkick a glass.
"He Hee one invariably leads to 2 and as it should be he hee hee," Dramkick joked as his hand stroked his hair. "You have a fine home here, Vield, it suits your many palates," Dramkick said as he watched Vield pour the Touc.
"Thank you, Dramkick, it thrills my senses and allows me to dream anew," Vield said as he looked at his home and then asked, "And who might you be?"
"Lieutenant Gigg Jeffs I'm the Quadromolan's liaison on this mission. It's an honor to meet you, Benbre Pas," Gigg answered politely and then bowed.
Vield looked at Gigg bowing and then looked at Dramkick and said as he grinned, "You're in good hands, Dramkick. I won't worry about you any further."
"Nor I you," Dramkick said quickly and then he took a drink and continued, "Well let's see this glorious wonder of a home. My hope is that you've gotten around to finishing it, for my back needs a respite."
Vield smiled and then said politely, "Follow me and find out."
Dramkick and Gigg followed Vield up the stone pathway and through the opening into the crystal dome. Inside, there was a brief hallway lined with living pictures of Vield-they recounted his many triumphs like his victory at Percuk in the Zaco Au war. That was where he lead an array of Rota tank assaults. On the left wall there is also a living portrait of his late wife Bacos on the day they each had each other's name imprinted on their DNA. The hallway ceiling has a series of blue lights that move from one side to the other and then disappear into the wall.
Dramkick took a deep breath and entered the living room. He prayed it wasn't tacky. The living room has a 30 foot ceiling with a collage of images painted on it reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel. There is a portrait of Dramkick with his late father in opposite facing thrones. There is a picture of 2 Wees thrashing their heads together violently (Vield's hobbies included violence and drugs. And lots of both.)
The Wees resemble a ram like animal with 3 sets of spiral horns that stick out on either side of its head. They also have 5 legs, 2 per side, with an extra one in the middle. There are also several paintings of Vield's 2 sons Kraleb and Drench throughout their childhood. Affixed to the top of the ceiling in the center, is the Caspear seal displayed prominently (Vield knew that would catch Dramkick's eye).
The 2 fountains on either side of the room have red water running upwards and downwards.
They travel through a series of glowing green and red levels into pools of fire. The centerpiece of the room is a 10 person black reclining sofa that has foldout computer keyboards, monitors, and built in refrigerators extending out from the left wall. There is also a yellow energy coat rack (known as a smelly Rimto for obvious reasons) that has an assortment of unwashed formal and casual jackets hanging from it. One of which being a seal black jacket with red pinstripes and a turn up collar (Vield's favorite.) Not to mention his purple dinner jacket and his favorite silk
white scarf. There are massage robots, known as H.M.R., waiting to the side of the room like nervous children at a middle school dance. The H.M.R. are silver with beige eyes and look slightly human all said-except for a hole in their stomachs that has a crystal bottle of Brandy and 5 square shaped shot glasses inside. Vield knew Dramkick didn't like robots and could destroy the H.M.R. in an instant, he thought. Behind the H.M.R. there is a collection of massage tools on a white partition.
The living room consists of several levels with small staircases leading up or down to each of them-with a bed on one level and a bath on another. There is a hologram projector on another still. The Pressin walls-which you attach your hands to and they can move your hands in accordance to your specified workout routine-look like a fiery inferno to impress Dramkick. On the last level there is Vield's Heibu room-which is a place where if you were under attack or a natural disaster hit you could be totally safe inside a powerful force field generator-all of the Benbres had their own Heibu inside their residences (as did Dramkick). Vield's Heibu is lavish: it has a sitting room with 4 leather chairs, a blue marble table, an oil painting by Baimes of the river Zie, a pure platinum statue of a sword in a naked woman's mouth with diamond eyes, and a 17 inch thick glass safe filled was Vexidian currency for all to see (not to mention Vield's prized stuffed Ditt).
The Ditt is a bulbous fish with gold eyes and a tiny 1 inch mouth. It has a giant round belly with orange scales and a 1 foot fin attached to its nose.
There is also an elongated window that overlooks Lake Unanu, with a long bed beneath it that has several white pillows and blankets on top. Beside it there is a 3 level nightstand with the Paniflu, a good cigar, and notepad with his errands for the day on it-that included a swim in Lake Unanu and a laughter session at dusk.
"You've outdone us all, Vield, this home is truly stunning," Dramkick said as he looked around the living room. Dramkick enjoyed Vield's indulgences more than he let on. He kept his Benbres fat and happy.
"That's a fine thing to say, Dramkick," Vield gushed as he brushed off his hands on the side of his shirt and continued, "I have something here want to show you, I got on a trip to the Messi system," Vield said happily as he pulled out a round black box-with the word Tonyx written on it in gold letters-and handed it to Dramkick.
"What have you got here?" Dramkick asked slyly as he opened the box revealing 3 perfectly smooth black stones with a smooth white push button on each.
"Take one out and press the button, and see something wonderful."
Dramkick pulled out the center stone and held it in his right hand for a second. He knew something was different but what he thought? He smiled slightly and slowly pressed the button.
The stone started to glow from the sides and change its shape as it sat in Dramkick's hand. This caused him to giggle. The stone was morphing into a face as it creaked and popped loudly. It built itself into a black helmet with gold eyes. On the front of the helmet there is: a face with a: prominent brow, long nose with a crooked tip, old lifeless eyes, a scar under its left eye, and a black mouth guard over the bottom third of the face. The forehead has 3 perpendicular lines on it-6 inches high-that lead to an outline of a mane of long curly hair that stretches down the back of the helmet.
"Remarkable, Vield, a true wonder I'm sure," Dramkick remarked as he looked over the helmet
"There's more, try it on," Vield said with a smirk and a wink.
Dramkick was stupefied by this, but only for a moment. Know the outcome, he told himself,
know the outcome. Dramkick rolled his eyes and then looked at Vield. He calmly placed it on his head and winked. Instantly as he looked through the eyes of the helmet he could tell he was able to see the world through someone else's eyes. This caused Dramkick to say boldly, "This is madness, it’s as if I'm looking at you for the first time, Vield! And you, Gigg, I see your face now and it is unfamiliar to me," Dramkick said in disbelief as he flapped his arms as if they were wings. "And suddenly I have a lifetime's worth of memories that aren't my own. Different likes and dislikes God…I can vividly recall seeing worlds from galaxies I've never been to he he ha.
Outstanding, Vield, truly outstanding!"
Vield smiled and said proudly, "I thought you might like it. It's known as a Tonyx Preserver and it was created as a way to preserve a person's life, their passions, their family memories and their triumphs. The man's life you're experiencing was Dape Davonic. He was a scientist and explorer who died half a century ago," Vield explained as he breezed around the room and then continued, "He created the Tonyx Preserver on a lark. Just to see if he could. And now his life, his wife's life, and his son's life are here in these helmets."
"The question I have for you, Vield, is this. It feels as though I'm thinking like him and when I look at you and Gigg, my mindset is who are these people? So my question is how can this be harnessed?" Dramkick asked as his eyes squinted at Vield.
"That is exactly the question," Vield replied as his voice sounded excited on every other word. "We now have the will and the intellect of an extraordinary scientist at our disposal. It begs the question can we make more of these Tonyx Preservers from all of our brilliant minds?
Because if so, our power would expand a thousand fold," Vield spoke as if he had discovered the universe's most important secret (and Dramkick knew he had).
"Yes, Vield, this is one puzzle worth unraveling. I can see now our purpose must be this and
this it shall," Dramkick said coldly with his hands looking as if they could crush the world.
3 months after Dramkick was shown the Tonyx Preserver he was still consumed with discovering its secrets. He had 170 of his finest scientists examining every molecule the helmets.
They had to find a way to create more firstly, and fill them with brilliant minds lastly and most importantly. Dramkick was housing the 170 scientists in a château on the far end of the Bior Waveless Sea (it was a place he often went for solitude and where no one lived within 150
miles.) The château's large dining hall had been converted into a makeshift lab. The long dining table was littered with parts, tools, and helmets in all stages of production.
"What do you think he'll say when mine works?" Dr. Edmo Ugen asked snidely as he held a red helmet in his hands.
Dr. Edmo Ugen is a slight 5 foot 9 and 130 pounds, with graying black shortly cut hair that is combed straight back. He has a gently curving nose and deep set eyes that lack any hint of humor. He is clean shaven with high cheekbones and a prominent chin. He also has a barrel chest and a short torso, with long arms and legs. His hands are large with long thick fingers. And his feet are extremely wide (they bulged out the sides of his shoes.) He is wearing a silver framed set of glasses and a gold necklace with the inscription, "I'll always love her," written in diamonds.
He also has on a grey cardigan sweater and a white collared shirt (fitted perfectly for him). His black leather paten shoes have a Jackull sewn into them.
The Jackull is an animal similar to a hyena with black and red fur and a long mouth with huge snarling teeth. It has 6 legs with huge feet that have thick claws. Along its spine is a river of yellow fur that stands straight up. The Jackull has white eyes and a blank stare like a newborn baby. The Jackull has the ability to run at blinding speed and are notorious for being vicious to
"He won't say anything cause it won't work," Dr. Atse Ullin growled as she worked on her mask and then said, "Then he'll see mine and realize that I'm on the right path."
Edmo laughed and thought to himself how beautiful Dr. Atse was (and how fond he was of her).
Dr. Atse Ullin is 5 foot 4 and weighs 180 pounds. Her flowing brown hair is straight and shoulder length-with bangs that are cut to different lengths on each side of her face. She has a nose like a bird's beak that is gently sloping from top to bottom. Her face is heavily wrinkled by age and by smoking, but her smile and laugh are very youthful. Her body is thin and she has a womanly figure. She has very small hands and feet, with the fingers on her hands noticeably shorter than the palm of her hands. She is wearing a loose fitting black dress that stops just above her knees with a black clasp that has the words, "I knew it was him," written on it in pink crystals. She also has on black lace leggings and black leather 2 inch heels. Around her neck a simple blue Pearl necklace-given to her by her sister as a joke.
"Path no, ravine yes and you'll both be falling helplessly towards it before mine doesn't work properly," Edmo said jokingly as he nudged Atse's shoulder and smiled.
"Oh really, a coy boy like yourself making predictions. Here's a prediction, I see Dramkick tossing you and your ego into the fiery sun if your precious helmet doesn't work," Atse looked at him with streaming, reddened eyes (and she wished she could give him a good slap).
"If that be the case I just wish Dramkick would be kind enough to let me take a friend along.
And you know just who I'd pick, go ahead and see if you can guess," Edmo said jokingly as he put the rear plate of his helmet together.
"Oh, Lover, you get me so hot and bothered with your considerate gestures. But when
Dramkick throws you in, and its coming for sure, I think I'll do nothing. A whole days worth of nothing I'll have planned. But thanks for thinking of me, Lover, " Atse said sarcastically as she gave Edmo a long wink.
"Boy, you are some kind of woman," Edmo fought back laughter as he spoke and continued assembling his helmet. "The kind of woman I like to see dangling from a rope somewhere. I mean that, you turn my wheels and you set my heart ablaze. Atse, I've fallen head over heels in love with the idea of your early demise. I've never felt feelings so strong for woman. It's you, Atse, it's you who brought this out in me," Edmo said sarcastically as he threw Atse a seductive gaze.
"I feel the same way about you too, Edmo, I mean that," Atse curled her wrists and pouted her lips at Edmo. "When I think of the times we'll never share and all the memories of air. It's hard to control my glee and I know that men like you do come along every day. So it gives me hope for us and nothing but, Lover," Atse said sarcastically with a smile that told Edmo it was never gonna happen.
"Can't you feel it, there it is, it’s us." Edmo smiled and said sarcastically, "I do feel it, I really do. This time with you has made me long for a briefer life and a long afterlife for a diamond in the ruff like yourself, Atse beautiful."
Just then the air shifted and Dramkick walked into the far end of the makeshift lab. This caused everyone to stop talking and focus on their work. They all knew too well the stories of Dramkick and the vicious deaths that had and could happen. Atse threw a cold stare at Edmo and whispered, "Make sure he hears about your work of art and how great it works, Lover."
Edmo shot a fierce stare back at Atse and started working diligently on his helmet.
Dramkick climbed up onto the table, then jumped up and grabbed onto the chandelier. He looked
at the scientists and shouted, "Who's wasting my time! Who's going through the motions! I will find you and you will be rid of appendages!"
Dramkick was convinced if he put a shock through all the scientists they would focus all their energies appropriately. He knew they were tired and it gave him great joy to see them squirm. He also knew people loved to think he was a bully and a baboon (he approved of both.) He felt this gave him a decided advantage in keeping his people under his thumb. As he scowled at the scientists one by one, he fought desperately not to break into laughter as he swayed back and forth on the chandelier. He locked eyes with the head scientist Dr. Pone Witterkez-a renowned genius in the scientific community-and squinted at him.
Dr. Pone Witterkez is all of 6 foot one and four 50 pound bags of potatoes. He has an enormous head on top of narrow shoulders. His hair is mint colored green, curly, and gets gradually longer towards the top. He has a goofy toothy smile that doesn't look quite at home.
His eyes are half covered by his brown eyelids and look like he is always in the middle of a thought. His right hand has 2 thumbs and 3 index fingers, while his left hand is completely normal. His feet are abnormally wide and turn inward then outward as he walks. It's the type of walk that draws in the eye whether you want it to or not. He is wearing a black surgical mask around his neck with the Eye of Bim seal on the front of it.
The Eye of Bim is a secret order of doctors who have made several attempts at wiping out the population of Membra. They've used super flu's and blood diseases that create death and destruction everywhere. They also have sabotaged several hospitals during the periods after natural disasters. They did this by cutting off power, supplies, and contaminating antibiotics. The Eye of Bim's hope is that they and their families will inherit Membra and create a new society.
Pone also has on a black lab coat with 10 pockets that have: notepads, tools, chocolate
cookies, Praem tubes and various other things that he might need in them. He has on white dress pants and a pair of rubber soled dress shoes that have no laces.
"Things are going swimmingly, Quadromolan. We are making real progress I assure you,"
Pone said nervously as he fidgeted with his hands.
Dramkick jumped down off the table and slammed his feet. This caused the scientists to gasp and breathe a little heavier. Then Dramkick danced over to pone and asked, "Pone, my patience is a small candle that was lit a month ago. Where do you think it is now?"
"I apologize for the delay, Quadromolan, but there have been breakthroughs," Pone said anxiously as he motioned with his hand for Dramkick to follow him.
The 2 men walked 10 feet to the end of the table and stopped at a place where 3 helmets were laid out beside one another. Pone grabbed the red one and handed it to Dramkick and said hopefully, "This one is almost perfect!"
"Hmm, we will see," Dramkick replied as he put on the helmet and released just a slight laugh and then said, "This is very good, this is farther than I thought you were. I can feel this Sanfe and his strengths. I'm capable of using his intelligence. What is missing is his secrets and that is something we must strive for. I want the whole the man's secrets, and men are always their secrets you know."
"Of course, Quadromolan, we will bridge that gap and I suspect soon," Pone fought to hold it together, but he felt Dramkick's agitation. He simply nodded and grinned at the other scientists.
"Soon is a term I have grown to dislike, but I will forgive it in the light of your strides toward completion," Dramkick spoke in a regal tone that he only used to dismiss people.
Dramkick took the red helmet off and laid it back down on the table in a meticulous fashion.
"I'm already there," Edmo said loudly as he lifted his helmet high in the air and waved to
Dramkick walked briskly over to Edmo and asked snidely, "If your helmet doesn't work which arm of yours will I take with me?"
"It will work," Edmo answered calmly as he handed Dramkick the red helmet.
Atse looked at Edmo terrified and thought to herself what a fool he was. Dramkick looked at Edmo and felt giddy at the prospect of tearing his arm from its socket, but admired his courage and resolve at the same time. Dramkick put on the blue helmet and said coldly, "This is absolutely devious, a horrific mindset. This person tells an endless array of lies and lives his whole life on the edge of deception. He hee hee YES…yes indeed you have unlocked the mind of a monster. All the layers of the man are at my disposal, how titillating."
"Edmo, I thought we were sharing our breakthroughs as a group. What have you been-"
Pone started to ask angrily as he scowled at Edmo.
"Please do not speak to him, Pone," Dramkick said irritably and spread the fingers on his right hand like it was a weapon. "This man is a genius and he has done what had eluded you, with grandeur and style. Edmo, I'm making you my most trusted and revered scientist and giving you total control of mass production of these helmets. Which we will call Kranduccis,"
Dramkick spoke matter-of-factly as he wrapped his hand around Edmo's shoulder and chest.
Dramkick leaned in and said boisterously, "I want the galaxies' logic, Edmo, and without their permission we will take it!"
Edmo beamed and said quickly, "You will have it, Quadromolan, and more."
"Please, Edmo, let us be friends. You'll excuse me for a moment," Dramkick said sharply as he started walking towards Pone and continued, "Pone, your lack of vision INFURIATES ME!"
Dramkick suddenly kicked Pone in the shin and this sent the lower half of his leg flying over
the heads of the other scientists. Pone fell to the floor and screamed out in pain as blood gushed from the top half of his leg onto the floor. Dramkick and Edmo walked out of the makeshift lab and onto Dramkick's shuttle. Edmo was excited by his new opportunity, but also slightly scared given his employer. Dramkick's thoughts were racing as his plans were finally coming to fruition. He was filled with the greedy thoughts of power and more power.
In the year that followed Edmo's invention of the working helmet, Dramkick had 103
million of them made. At first a person's participation in the "Share your journey" experiment (as it was christened by Dramkick) was at the individual's choosing. Soon, when Dramkick saw how few people chose to participate, he gave them no choice and suddenly made it law. At this point if someone refused, their journey came to an abrupt end with their heads put on display on pikes in front of the Caskpe Revolving Library. Very few took that option, but some did, as they were unwilling to give up their secrets.
Dramkick had all government buildings converted into intake centers. One by one people waited in line until it was their turn. Then their brains were connected to an interface and tuned to the correct frequency. After that their every thought was downloaded into the computer and uploaded into a helmet. The helmet was then marked, packaged, and promptly shipped to Dramkick's country home of Beauda. Dramkick sat there eagerly awaiting all the millions of helmets in the hopes of finding a genius mind. Those were the helmets Dramkick was really after. He got an incredible rush from feeling their brilliance and found their minds lifted his to unbelievable heights.
After Dramkick had sifted through all the: poets, artists, doctors, and scientists he threw his gaze elsewhere (His very own Benbres, and least of all Vield, his treasured friend.) This caused the Benbres to auspiciously disappear from their home worlds without a trace. They knew that if Dramkick had any idea what they really thought of him (or how they had deceived him) they'd be dead for sure. They decided instead to make a run for it and catch Dramkick off guard. This infuriated him beyond belief.
"How did this transpire, Gigg, how?!" Dramkick shouted as he stared out the window of his
The bedroom is draped in Royal blue carpet on all 6 walls and floors. There are 9 paintings whose frames were sewn into the carpet thousands of years ago. The paintings are of Doga-a brilliant prophet who invented his own religion known as The Bloodless Wound. His religion centered primarily on the idea that there are stages to be gotten too in this life. And to get to the more evolved stages it took effort (and some stages are gotten to prior to this one (life) to enrich and find the soul happy was his theory). The technique he used to get to the next reality was for a person to ask themselves 5 questions that they couldn't, or didn't want to answer-known as the Alive 5. The first question was the same for everyone, "Why do I believe in God?" If you couldn't believe in God, or refused, then there was no need to ask the other 4 questions because you wouldn't be passing to the next reality anyway. These people were known as the Shadowless Mo and Doga believed they were put in the world to inspire the other people's 5 questions. The next 4 questions were meant to be different for every person and center around an individual's hypocrisy with themselves. The period of time to ask the Alive 5 could be moments, or decades depending on a person's bravery. Once a person had asked their Alive 5-and reckoned their fears-the rest of their lives was meant to be lived with endless passion for their dreams and the people that loved them and who they loved. Doga wrote in the Soa letters, "Of all the people that have shared their lives, very few will share the next. A life span of mortal success is not a molecule of eternity. Give yourself a chance at forever, it's worth the wait."
In life, as in the painting, Doga was shown with his dark green skin and long crimson hair.
His head was an enormous, unusually large, and sat atop a thin muscular neck. His forehead is large and bulbous with 3 square lumps protruding from the sides and the center. While circular wrinkles wrap around his face like Halloween paint. His eyes are gold in color and one eye is
larger than the other and star shaped-they always appear perfectly calm. He has a long thin chin-like a crescent moon-and it has a tuft of crimson hair at the tip of his triangle shaped chin. And there is a dark blue glass ball attached to the hair that has red one word messages that pop up inside every few seconds like, "Yes, certain, we believe." His eyebrows are black and in the shape of a plus sign. He has a long and thick perfectly straight nose that has no lump in it-and has a computer outlet at the top between his eyebrows. He is 6'3" tall and had ballooned up to 299 pounds before he was feared dead-4 years ago-in an apparent shuttle crash.
"They will be tracked down, Quadromolan, it is an eventuality I assure you," Gigg said hopefully as he sat down a tray of sugary delights and a flask of red Toffy coffee.
Toffy coffee is made from genetically altered coffee beans. They have a piercing flavor and give you a tremendous jolt upon drinking it. The beans give you a day's nutrients and the perfect amount of fiber.
"Hmm this could not have been deduced," Dramkick espoused as he played in invisible piano. "The Benbres are all wise men and if they don't want to be found they assuredly will not.
Having said that…some of them will be found and they will pay the tally for the rest! This is not a promise, but a certainty, Gigg!" Dramkick said sternly as he grabbed a strawberry cookie and started chewing quickly like a chicken.
"You are absolutely right, Quadromolan, their cowardly act will be reconciled," Gigg answered as he looked directly Dramkick.
"It's Vield that scorns me so," Dramkick whispered as if the words were a song. "I fear our friendship has perished and I am sickened by it, but…Vield knew the cost of progress and he will pay his own debt," Dramkick said sternly as he poured a cup of Toffy and took a sip. Then Dramkick said coldly, "Poeragard, he knew my love and now he will know my wrath."
"What would you like me to do?" Gigg asked as he put on a pair of silver rimmed sunglasses with gold lenses.
"That idiot son of his, Brahm, feed him to the Ponquirt herd, his wife as well," Dramkick said snidely as he sipped his Toffy like there wasn't any left.
"Done!" Gigg said quickly as he called in the order on the radio channel in his cheek.
"Hee hee I have a thought."
"Yes, Quadromolan," Gigg said curiously.
"Why should I wait for them to be found by scouts when I can personally seek them out with my army?" Dramkick asked as his fingers twitched like an old piano player. "Yes, a trip is in order, a nice get away from it all. And a chance to look up some old friends. I want every soldier, vessel, and able body ready in 10 hours!" Dramkick ordered with his eyes glaring at Gigg.
"Those worthless Benbres will be abolished one…by…one hee hee ha," Dramkick said snidely and then he drank the rest of his Toffy.
The entire fleet of Maox battleships, Owel destroyers, and Sleaa fighter ships are quickly assembled and filled with the necessary supplies. Every soldier at every rank is called upon to help in the search for the elusive Benbres. With a small number left behind to guard each world (and of course, the Rala fountains). Dramkick sent 1,000 Vor Me there alone.
"With this ridiculous crusade of Dramkick's to catch the Benbres. It has afforded us an opportunity to take what is rightfully ours. The Vor Me are powerful, but we outnumber them 10
to 1," Coats explained as his thoughts were of Praem and Praem alone. Coats continued, "With one Swift blow we could get enough Praem to last us 100 years. Our time is now and our cause needs to breathe in the open air to be realized. Pleu and I know the layout of the cave the Rala fountains are in," Coats tucked his shirt in. "And we have weighed the risks of attacking the Vor
Me. We believe we can destroy them and take what is OURS!!" Coats said boldly as he stood there on a wooden crate in front of 10,000 Gopas. They were in a long empty carpeted warehouse with thousands of old carpets lying everywhere and piled on top of each other.
The warehouse is 150 feet high and a half mile long and wide. Its walls are painted white and have posters of Dramkick with the words, "A fool has come," written on them in red paint.
There is a pair of large stained glass windows at either end that depict the childhood of Doga in red, blue, and yellow glass. There are thousands of couches and chairs littered about the floor.
The ceiling has 3 large square lights that burn brightly-each of which hanging down from the ceiling a considerable distance. There are also half a dozen Hovacycles-which are anti-gravity motorcycles.
The Hovacycles are similar to crotch rockets, but have a long body that has a gold jet accelerator at the end. The handle bars are gray and you extend your arms into them to steer them with brain waves. The seats are black, tan leather, and move in correspondence with your movements-this is to keep perfectly balanced at all times. On the front is a large circular nose cannon that has an automatic sight for moving targets. On the side of each is the word Dazel in white-this is the inventor Dr. Itchwe Vams daughter's name. They are all red or dark green in color-except for the control panel which is dark blue.
"Yes we could attempt this, but in all fairness some of us will lose our lives," Downer Frien responded in a voice only a mother could love. He burped loudly and then continued, "That's not to say anything for the slim chance of getting the Praem out in any significant quantity," Downer explained as he stood up and sucked on a Praem tube.
Downer Frien is 5 foot 7 and a lazy 170 pounds. His hair is dark brown and he has thick eyebrows. He has a large gently sloping nose and piercing brown eyes. His teeth are large and
when he smiles he looks like a dog growling. He has a green and purple star tattoo in the center of his for head that is the size of a silver dollar. He has large trophy like ears that have a silver sword earring in each. His body is very flabby and his shoulders permanently thrown back. His hands are well proportioned and his feet are long and wide. He is wearing a blue velvet shirt and a pair of black leather pants (that he bought when he was thin.) He also has on bright orange boots with a skull burnt into leather.
"Look, Downer, Pleu and I have been there and the distance from the Rala fountains to the street is almost nothing. If we set up a supply chain we can get thousands of gallons out of there with only a minimal risk," Coats replied sharply as his breathing became heavy with annoyance.
"The key is distraction, our plan is this... We send a couple hundred of us through the swimming pool entrance to engage the Vor Me. While that's happening we take out the guards at the other entrance. Then we make a mad dash to line our pockets with a lifetime's worth of Praem,"
Coats's was feeling the moment and he loved it. "In life there are risks, but here I see no risk. I'd rather die trying for freedom, then breathe 100 years as Dramkick's slave!" Coats, ordinarily quite good at controlling his temper, felt it suddenly fraying. Against his every inkling Coats offered Downer his wrist. Downer looked at it for second, then grabbed onto it and smiled.
"Then it's Praem and a 1000 Twosqu weeks for us all!" Coats shouted as he lifted his and Downer's hands above their heads and smiled. This caused the crowd of Gopas to cheer.
"I'm surprised Dramkick has us wasting our time guarding a pool. I was trained to fight not babysit a couple of pool chairs and some towels," Rench Sepo said angrily as he looked vacantly around Dramkick's pool inside Danviers cavern.
Rench Sepo is 5'8" tall and182 pounds of donuts for breakfast donuts for lunch. He has long blonde hair and a thick red mustache with a triangular shaped chin beard. His eyes of black
honor his boyish good looks. He is wearing standard issue Vor Me attire.
"Calm down, we'll see plenty of action before too long," Itchi Hurchil spoke with an undeniable calm. "You know what the Admiral says, if you've got a murderous and savage heart Dramkick will see your talent. Then you'll find your way to battle right quick," Itchi said confidently as he pulled out a silver flask and then asked slyly, "How bout a sip for dinner of the pure Praem?"
Itchi Hurchil is 5'10" tall and 140 pounds of fast lean muscle. He has dark brown hair that is tied into a ponytail with the hair at the ends woven into a square. He has hazel eyes and thick bushy eyebrows that have knots sewn into them. His teeth, large and goofy are slightly rotting because of too many soda and Praem mixed drinks. His hands are bony and almost always curled into a fist. He is wearing a standard Vor Me uniform except for a gold watch with 10 clock faces of varying sizes on it.
"Well…I don't know, that stuff's so strong it can make protecting this fine pool an incredibly difficult task. I'd hate to see it stolen out from under us," Rench confessed sarcastically and then he took the flask and took a long chug.
"Dramkick will manage, he's got other pools. It's those chairs being stolen that will haunt me in my dreams," Itchi laughed and took the flask from Rench. It quickly made a trip to his lips and the contents to the back of his throat.
Meanwhile 300 Gopas were entering the pool through the Clar lagoon entrance. On the other end, in Jarret marketplace at the Uuvaly fountains, the rest of the Gopas-all 10,000-were preparing for the signal to blow the door and flood into the cavern. All of them dressed as normal patrons and pretending to shop. The door itself has only one Vor Me soldier guarding it and he is sitting in a chair nodding off.
Pleu looked down at the mini monitor in the palm of his hand and said quietly, "They've made it too the pool. Let's wake up our sleepy Vor Me."
Coats motioned with his hand to a Gopas in a tan shirt and pants. The man walked briskly over to the Vor Me and shouted, "She was my little sister!!" When the Vor Me looked up he punched him 3 times in the head knocking him unconscious.
2 women stopped and stared for a second, but then shrugged their shoulders and walked away. Pleu quickly moved a brown square push carriage-that had 3 wheels, a series baked goods on top of it, and an affixed umbrella-quickly over to the unconscious Vor Me. He and the Gopas threw the Vor Me onto the carriage and quickly grabbed his clearance stick-Pleu was taken aback as it had black velvety trim. They threw the Vor Me into a secret compartment and quickly whisked him away.
"I just sent the strike force in the pool a message letting them know we've got a way in!"
Pleu said happily as he strolled past Coats-who was pushing the carriage in the opposite direction.
Coats nodded and tapped the microchip in his thumb. This quickly sent an electric pulse to every Gopas letting them know it was time.
"Twosqu never looked so brilliant and the Danbridgo are moving at incredible speed,"
Rench said excitedly as he ordered the Danbridgo to slither like snakes.
"It's unbelievable! I had no idea it could be like this," Itchi said as he looked at his fingers in astonishment as they appeared to be made of water.
The Gopas watched the Vor Me from beneath the water. Strike leader Asole Maib blasts himself out of the water-with a nitrous jetpack-and opened fire on the two of them with his Paniflu.
Asole Maib is covered head to toe in a dark blue bulletproof wet suit and orange skin tight goggles-and has his weapons fastened tightly around his waist.
His first 3 shots hit Itchi in the chest, neck, and through his left eye sending him to his maker. Asole's next 2 shots caught Rench just under the chin and blew a softball size hole in his throat. He fell awkwardly to the ground as he gasped for air. Asole and the rest of the Gopas quickly exited the pool and started putting explosive gel on the door to the Peneme gym. After the green gel hardened it started smoking. And in one quick flash blew the door into a million pieces.
The 300 Gopas flooded into the Peneme gym with guns blazing. They were quickly met by 900 Vor Me who were milling about and caught off guard. The Vor Me closest to the door were mowed down before they could even draw their weapons. What was left of the Vor Me took cover behind the many obstacles and returned fire. Asole sent word to Pleu that they had engaged the enemy.
"We're go!" Pleu said gleefully as she smiled at Coats and counted the bottles of Praem in his mind.
Coats felt a rush of adrenaline and shouted, "Set up the supply chain I've got the door!"
Coats waved the Vor Me's security clearance stick in front of the lock and the door popped open. They ran down the hallway and soon down the stairs led by Coats and Pleu. 2,000 Gopas swarmed into the cave where the Rala fountains were. Coats went to the fountain of Emasip and turned his head like a bird and shouted, "Fill a container and pass it down the line! We must be swift, Men! Remember your brothers, who are risking their lives for us!"
A line of men formed from each fountain: that went down the hallway, up the stairs, and out to the Jarret marketplace-there were 50 large Hover trucks there waiting. The Hover trucks had
Dramkick's seal on the sides of them. And the Gopas driving and loading them were dressed as Vor Me.
"Now this is the dream I awoke in last night and pray I never dream again," Pleu said boldly as he filled and then passed a full see through plastic container of Praem to the next man in line.
"I've never had a dream this rewarding. Let's just pray they can buy us enough time to fill the trucks," Coats said quickly as he filled another container.
"At this place we'll only need an hour and we should have it," Pleu said hopefully as his Praem stained hands made him smile. "Asole's wise, he'll keep them guessing. Plus we've got enough extra troops on this side to fight them off," Pleu said as he rested for a second and wiped the sweat from his brow.
The Gopas in the Peneme gym had been engaged in fighting for 45 minutes and only lost 50
men. The Vor Me had taken losses of 250 men and had another hundred wounded.
"How long do we stay and fight?" Enkins Py asked as he hid behind a barrel and shots exploded all around him.
"As long as we can," Asole replied as he scanned the room for a better vantage point. "Every minute we fight, we buy the rest of us another month of Praem. That adds up quickly.
Remember, all's we are is a distraction, this isn't a battle we need to win," Asole explained as he tried to catch his breath. "The key is to get home safe, so watch your head, Enkins," Asole said sternly as he shot a Vor Me in the shoulder.
"Nice shot! I just wish we knew how soon to run for it," Enkins confessed just a second before he got shot in the eye. His body fell to the ground and he died a moment later.
Asole shouted, "No, not you, Enkins, ah I…I just can't," and he reached down and lifted Enkins up and embraced his lifeless body tightly. Shots buzzed over his head looking almost like
Back at the Rala fountains everyone was moving the Praem out as fast as they could. They had filled 48 trucks, but were beginning to get tired. Just then the Vor Me Sgt. Caip Lah said,
"Let's fall back, there's no winning this one. Send out the signal that we’re going to make our stand at the fountains."
"Done, Sgt.," Vor Me Anie Vams answered as she started signaling the other Vor Me to fall back.
Caip turned and opened the door to the Rala fountains. He smiled when he saw the Gopas.
He knew then they had been had. The Gopas paused for second in shock as they looked at Caip curiously. Coats drew his Paniflu and blasted Caip 4 times in the abdomen. This sent him reeling onto his back in a colossal thud. Coats pressed the microchip in his hand that signaled for everyone to make a break for it. All the Gopas made a mad dash for the exit like someone had run the dinner bell. They had the containers of Praem in their hands and were smart enough to not lose any.
The Vor Me flooded the fountain's cave fast on the heels of the Gopas. In the Peneme gym, what was left of the Gopas made their way back to the pool entrance and swam for it. When Coats and Pleu got outside they jumped onto waiting Hovacycles and sped away. Pleu had his calf grazed by a laser blast just before he was safely out of Jarret marketplace. For some reason, he didn't mind a bit at that point.
6 weeks into space and Dramkick had yet to track down even one Benbre. Individual planets were being tossed over like a messy room and the inhabitants given "Help or Die" orders. The military's grasp was squeezing the life out of every world they randomly selected. Dramkick's feeling was that even sprinters legs get tired if they're kicked hard enough. All of the Benbre's families and friends had been killed or captured (with the news of such made public knowledge, and yet they still ran). Dramkick was devising new methods for capture, least of which a lifetime's worth of pure Praem for information leading to their whereabouts. This created a rash of first time bounty hunters with a thirst for Praem and knowledge of the best mousetraps. When the Benbres heard of the bounty on their heads they collectively felt a chill go down their backs.
"We're dead, we are DEAD!" Poeragard paced back and forth slapping the air in front of them. "There isn't a scumbag alive who wouldn't tear us to pieces for all that Praem. I didn't sign up for this, Vield, no way no how!" Poeragard said frantically as he kept checking the monitors on the sides and on back of the ship. He coughed and said nervously, "If they find out were on this ship, they will descend on us like a fist full of maggots."
The ship they are riding in is a Brainbere freighter-it's off-white in color and looks like the mane of a lion's hair in shape. It has a glass cockpit where the lion's face would of been. It also has 8 pairs of descending jet thrusters on the rear of the ship. On the sides are 6 short range missiles and 10 laser cannons per side. On the front it has one large gun that hangs independently from the cockpit. It also has an array of multi-colored lights that flash periodically and melt together to form large pictures of flower pedals, war scenes, and old Dramkick himself juggling with different planets over which he ruled. The Brainbere generates a hologram 20 feet in front
of it of a giant outstretched hand-it signifies that it is in need of cargo. It is 4 1/2 football fields long and 2 wide, and over 5 stories high.
Inside the cockpit there are 2 black leather Capt.'s chairs and a green 3 person couch on the left wall. The couch snakes around the corner and has a silver statue of a hand crushing a beating heart-it sits on a large red marble table. The walls are covered with control panels and there is a refrigerator unit that hangs down from the ceiling. The stove folds out of the right wall with just the press of a button. The floor has a map of every known star system painted on it. And there are 2 white beds that come out of the floor upon of simple voice command of "Up."
"Please, Poeragard, Dramkick's a fool and a swindler," Vield begged as he motioned with his hands for Poeragard to calm down. "Nobody's dumb enough to think he'll pay such an outrageous sum. And if someone did, they would be a fool themselves and no one we need to concern ourselves with," Vield said hollowly as he sipped a cup of Toffy and fought his own panic attacks.
"Look, Vield, you're stronger than I, you at least can reason with Dramkick. If I am caught, I'll end up splattered on a wall somewhere," Poeragard replied as he clutched his shaking left arm tightly.
"Poeragard, he doesn't want you dead for it, he did, you've certainly given him enough reason in the past to do just that," Vield said and then he put up his hands as an apology. "No, it's our secrets he wants and those very secrets are the only thing I hold dear. And if I die protecting the summation of me then…then a man and his fate can't be separated for more than a lifetime,"
Vield said sadly as he put his arm around Poeragard.
Poeragard nodded and said softly, "You're right my friend, I would rather be dead and my secrets dead with me, then be a politician's parlor game," Poeragard sucked on a Praem tube he
had in his left hand and then said, "We should have seen this coming, Fools the lot of us."
"No, not fools, if you dine with the devil the last course is always your heart. Dramkick like his father will find his end," Vield said coldly as he sat down in the Capt.'s chair.
"It would seem so, but I just can't allow myself to believe it. After that debacle with Doe Sides, I knew a Sepex bounty Hunter was a dumb choice, but we were so desperate," Poeragard said tearfully as he sits down on the 3 person couch and slowly closes his eyes with a sigh in is heart.
"Don't concern yourself with that, he was the best choice at the time," Vield replied with a tear in his own heart. "Now that's what I'm talking about. Imagine if Dramkick knew that was our idea. Imagine the horrors he'd put us through no, no it's better to fight this and run 'til the stars run out," Vield said sadly as he looked back at Poeragard.
"You're right, I'll not go through his revenge fantasies," Poeragard snorted as he threw a feeble punch through the air. "Not under these or any other circumstances. A man that petty would break your mind and then destroy your body slowly. Oh God, to think of it," Poeragard lay back on the couch lodging his head between a cushion and the armrest.
"Poeragard, calm down...what's this? There are 2 ships 3 miles back that just came on the ship's rear sensors," Vield said quickly as he stared at the monitors.
Poeragard jumped up and hurried to Vield's side and asked frantically, "Who the hell would be out here?"
"I don't know what or who it is. This trade route was supposed to be abandoned years ago!
Oh God don't be Dramkick, don't be just don't," Vield pleaded sternly as he grabbed hold of the weapon's controls.
"Good idea, even if it's Dramkick we can still hold them off with our firepower," Poeragard
said hopefully as he kicked a pedal with his foot and a pair of black steel guns controls rose out of the computer panel. He grabbed them and shouted, "They're my secrets you Tyrant!"
"Only a fool would be this far off course. Let's catch up to them and ascertain their destination," Vor Me Sgt. Lianis Alleher said firmly as she looked at the Brainbere on the monitor in front of her.
Lianis is purple skinned with dark green hair that is braided into triangles. Her lips are thick and full and her eyes are no-nonsense. She is 5'7" tall and a svelte hundred and 10 pounds. She is wearing a checkered black and orange flight suit with a yellow donut shaped helmet and a tan visor on her head-the word Quadromolan is written an angle on either side of the helmet. She also has on black leather gloves and white rubber soled shoes. She is sitting inside a Sleaa fighter which is in the shape of a baseball cap with a lone jet thruster-the jet thruster is on its undercarriage and can tilt in any direction and slice space-time. It also has Ikoot blasters that fire laser pulses with high tension wire inside that can attach to a person's ship. It can send waves of electric current through their ship and destroy their communications and render their weapons useless. They also have Goome bombs which would attach to a foe's ship, then explode, and cover it in a purple ooze that would then implode on top of them. The Goome bombs ended battles real quick and Dramkick loved them. The shell of the Sleaa is dark blue and has 4 bright yellow lights in the front and back. It also has a pair of 6 sided star shaped windows on forward and aft. The Sleaas are one person ships that are only the size of a small truck, but extremely fast.
Inside the ship there is only a pilot's chair-that can rotate back for sleep-and a control stick surrounded by holograms showing every aircraft within 10 miles.
"We're being hailed, Vield, I can't take you'll have to," Poeragard said quickly as he looked at Vield for approval.
"Remain calm, I can handle it, Poeragard. This ship has all the necessary zone clearances in case they get frisky," Vield said sternly as he moved his lips closer to the cockpit communicator and then spoke into it, "Hello there, nice to see someone out this far. Can we help you with anything?"
"Nothing serious, hi my name is Lianis and we're scanning the region for a pair of fugitives.
Is it just you uh-" Lianis started to ask before being cut off.
"Corto, yes I am alone," Vield replied hollowly as his eyes grew wide. "You're welcome to come aboard for a drink and some dinner if you'd like, Beautiful," Vield's voice ebbed and flowed with nervousness. He looked at Poeragard coldly and held his forearm tightly.
"That sounds entertaining maybe some other time though. If you run across any of these men," Lianis said as she uploaded holograms of all the Benbres-including Vield and Poeragard.
And then she said brightly, "Then send me a priority channel message on the Alvo wavelength okay."
"Absolutely, I will not hesitate. What did these scoundrels do if you don't mind me asking?"
Vield asked hollowly as he shot a glance to Poeragard.
"Well I'm not supposed to divulge that information. Let's just say that they were involved in a series of child murders and what they did, was disgusting and truly unspeakable, " Lianis said hollowly has she rolled her eyes and tried not to laugh while looking at the other Vor Me pilots.
"Those Monsters!" Vield answered quickly. "I hope to God you catch them and that death is the least of their worries! No child should ever be harmed or have their innocence taken away.
Trust me, Lianis, if I see any of these scumbags I will stop everything and contact you immediately," Vield said fiercely as he looked at a wide eyed Poeragard and slowly took a sip from his Toffy.
"Thank you, Corto, we're just trying to help keep the children safe. And if you do help in their capture there is a sizable reward, so keep that in mind. Bye for now, Corto," Lianis said as she smiled and shook her head as she sped away from the Brainbere.
"Bye, Beautiful," Vield said and then he let out a sigh and sat as far back in his chair as it would go.
"That was too close, Vield, yes we were careful though," Poeragard said as he watched the Sleaa fighters fly away.
"It wasn't as close as you think," Vield spoke softer now as he felt around his chest. "A woman like that is easily deceived she's just too trusting. The good news is we won't see another one of Dramkick's errand boys for the rest of our trip," Vield said with a wry smile that failed to put Poeragard at ease.
Inside the Sleaa fighter Lianis turned on her hologram communicator and spoke, "I have a positive voice identification on Vield and I am tracking him from an untraceable distance as was the directive."
"Are you positive it was him?" Dispatch Officer Braggs asked as he typed Lianis'
coordinates from inside Debrist Monroe.
"100% identification of all 5 points of his speech patterns were spiked on the computer. He seemed to be in good spirits as well. Am I required to engage and apprehend?" Lianis asked as she looked at the hologram of Braggs.
"Negative on that, do not engage," Officer Braggs ordered sharply. "Keep a safe distance from his vessel and follow him until he reaches his destination. Dramkick wants them all, he thinks their taking different routes to the same place," Officer Braggs gave her brisk orders as a map of the solar system appeared to his right.
"Affirmative, we will see where they've decided to spend some R&R Lianis out."
Osot Braggs-descendent of Ramkill Braggs an ancient serial killer-stands 5'10" tall and weighs all of 200 pounds. His hair is thick brown, greasy, and shaved on the left side of his head.
He has a large handsome nose and large round lips. His face is boyish and he has low cheekbones with puffy cheeks like a kid from a comic book. He has the word Ruckin tattooed under his left eye. Ruckin is a form of fight to the death hand to hand combat. It involves 2
martial arts Masters locked in a large room until only one is left alive. If you are successful you’re given the tattoo of a lifetime membership in the O8 society-which gives each member use of over 1000 lavish homes and every kind of sport vehicle imaginable. You were also given all of their life, as you took all of their possessions. This included: his wealth, homes, friendships, lovers, and any and all offspring if you desired-the summation of the person was yours for the keeping. He has large powerful shoulders like a rhino and wide hands and feet like a star football player. On his neck, just below the ear, is a slow dissolving Praem patch attached to a gold necklace with the inscription, "Death is life." He's wearing a black long sleeved sweater, black dress pants with red pinstripes, and a pair of black sneakers with black soles and the see through tinted toes on each side.
Osot stood up quickly and grabbed a square communicator device-it was the size of a matchbook-off the wall and spoke into it, "We've got Vield and are following at a safe distance.
They are unaware and have been unprovoked, Quadromolan."
The small room he was sitting in was 8' x 8' and had only an egg shaped white chair, a computer Consol on a small black table, and a pair of shelves with 3 dozen communicator devices that have direct links to all of the high ranking officials-they are an array of different vibrant colors with the official's crest on each. The walls are covered in a paint known as Plaba-
that acts as a pliable television screen and can be set to different environments. The floor is covered in one large area rug that has word Quadromolan sewn into it.
"Vield, the ultimate prize," Dramkick said greedily as he tapped his index fingers together.
"Where there's Vield there is always darling Poeragard close behind. This a fine day, Osot, fine day indeed," Dramkick remarked greedily as his fingers violently played a piano that wasn't there. "Contact me immediately when they land. I'll need to ask them about their adventures together," Dramkick said brightly as he lay in his bedroom.
"Without a second’s hesitation, Quadromolan, it will be done," Osot said quickly as he put the communicator back on the shelf.
Dramkick's bedroom is 25' x 25' with 20 foot high arching ceilings that have several Baimes paintings fashioned securely to them. The walls are burgundy in color and entirely bare. There is a large brown mahogany bed that fills two thirds of the room with a small maple nightstand beside it. There are several empty Praem tubes littered about the nightstand and the floor beside it. There is a pair of windows beside the bed that open into a complete replica of the countryside-including a fake sunrise and sunset. Dramkick has a cushy blue blanket and a pair of white pillows.
Bree lay in bed staring at Dramkick and then asked, "Poor Vield and poorer Poeragard, will they live much longer or is it their last breaths?"
"I haven't decided it will depend on how effectively they grovel, and how terrible their secrets are. It is their running that worries me," Dramkick said as he ran his fingers through Bree's hair.
"They were scared of your wrath," Bree said softly as she rubbed Dramkick's muscles. "Poor Poeragard he couldn't hurt a fly. And Vield has been your closest friend for over 20 years.
Whatever their secrets are just give them a little leeway, Dramkick," Bree begged as she kissed Dramkick's chest and rubbed his shoulder.
Dramkick looked at Bree warmly and said, "I will try to be forgiving with them, Bree. My fear is that their sins may be unforgivable. If only I could trust them like I trust you."
"Thank you for that, Dramkick, at least there's still us," Bree said warmly as she rested her head on Dramkick's shoulder.
"Thanks for that indeed he ha," Dramkick said sternly as he stared at the painting on the ceiling.
He thought about how much he loved Bree and how happy he was that he had gotten back together with her. His thoughts soon turned to Vield and Poeragard. He started wondering if he could let them live. His gut told him no, not this time, but he valued their friendships. The more he thought the closer to sleep he came until it grabbed him tightly.
Dramkick dreamt of a lush green world of which he had never seen before. He found himself being worshiped by the inhabitants and having all his whims and wants taken care of. As he lay on the beach, lakeside in a small cove, he saw the lake suddenly drain itself. It revealed a long stone passageway that went deep into the ground. Soon he came to a torch lit room with 8
statues of the late great Cra family arranged in a circle.
The Cra family was a family of theorists and mathematicians who laid the groundwork for virtually every important technological discovery over the last 2,000 years. The eldest boy, Pitro, came up with the pushy numbers theory-that stated there is no number given value by man that can't be gotten to in one mathematical step. Dab the oldest girl, and 3rd from the top, theorized that rational thoughts exist in one dimension while the irrational ran the gamut of all 12. It was believed that the Cra family's gene pool would eventually bear fruit again, but no descendent of
the original 8 in the last hundred years had amounted to very much of anything.
Dramkick walked up to the first statue of Pitro and read the inscription, "There is a Cra hybrid Dramkick. And you must find him and rule the universe together. Start your search with Doga, he will have a clue."
When Dramkick awoke in the morning his memory of the dream was extremely vivid. He actually felt he'd traveled a great distance as his body was sore. He didn't speak of it to Bree, but it was omnipresent in his mind.
Dramkick violently worked out with 20,000 pounds-on the Fulltobody press-inside his personal gym. He typically spent 2 hours every morning doing strength and speed training. The Fulltobody press is a machine that you lift with your legs, then press and twist with your arms and torso. This one machine accounted for Dramkick's unbelievable physical strength and blinding speed. The only other exercise he did was to run two 300 meter runs every other day at top speed and up a slight incline. After every workout he consumed 22,000 calories over the course of an hour (without interruption.) He believed that no conversation should take place while he was eating. And he was less than cordial to anyone who tried to speak to him at a meal.
After he finished eating, a Praem tube was soon in his hands.
Bree did her normal workout inside the Beyo apparatus-which consisted of a harness you strapped your body into that is attached to resistance coils. You simply laid down inside and spun your entire body in one direction, and then the other, until total exhaustion occurred. She finished her workout and watched Dramkick as he finished his. The gym is a mile long and there is a track in the shape of a figure 8 in the middle-it is surrounded by lush vegetation. The Fulltobody press sits on a raised platform as well as the Beyo apparatus-with an L-shaped black leather couch and refrigerator next to it on the platform. Inside the refrigerator there is a chilled Mosa-a sugary sweet drink high in caffeine and preferred by Dramkick. There is also an Andle pie, which is filled with Hummy berries and topped with never melt ice cream. It tastes like strawberries, blueberries, and apples have been mixed together into one. It also has a delectable aroma and finger lickin’ good taste. There are also 4 small plates with mini-steaks surrounded by
whipped mashed potatoes and blue Sawt carrots-as well as a honey-like substance in the center.
Dramkick and Bree sat beside each other on the L-shaped couch for a moment as they gathered their breath. Bree gave Dramkick a poke in the arm and said slyly, "Enough rest for you, I want to know what's on your mind and don't say nothing, because I know what nothing looks like."
"Alright, Bree, I will share what is that has grabbed hold of me," Dramkick seemed very serious all of the sudden. "I had a dream last night of the Cra family, have you heard of them?"
Dramkick asked as he looked at Bree.
"Of course the family of geniuses, I've heard all about their theories and travails," Bree replied as she rubbed above her eye in a circle with her index finger. "What happened in your dream, Dramkick?" Bree asked to she reached over and rubbed Dramkick's bicep.
"Okay, I must start by saying this was more than just a dream it appears in my mind as a memory, not a dream first off," Dramkick started as his eyes traced the window sill. "I was in a large torch lit room that had statues of the Cra family. I walked up to one and it had a sign on its base that said I needed to find Doga. It said he would have a clue for me," Dramkick said as he looked straight ahead now.
"Clue for what?" Bree asked anxiously as she crossed her legs Indian style and turned to face Dramkick.
"It said there was a Cra hybrid, and that I need to find him and we would then rule the universe together," Dramkick explained as his mind focused on the dream. "Bree, I've had a feeling for some time that there was someone out there that my fate was aligned with. I know now this Doga holds the key to finding him," Dramkick said as he turned and nodded at Bree with a face devoid of history.
"I knew it had to be lonely, friends are hard to come by for someone like you, but I thought Doga had died?"
"Disappeared, not died he just vanished and no one knows where," Dramkick said sternly as his face grew harder with every word. "Bree, I have to find him. To have no one, Bree, no one in the world who is you, is an ache beyond loneliness. And ache beyond remedy and without resolution," Dramkick said as a single tear blinked in and out of his left eye for only a moment before disappearing. "If Doga is alive then I will use all my powers to find him. This Cra hybrid is not a pipe dream. I suspected this for a long time. The hope is, that they are searching this very moment for me and we are hurling ourselves towards each other. It could be a violent fate line,"
Dramkick disappeared into his hopes and sat in front of Bree as a person she had never seen before.
"You have to find this Cra hybrid, Dramkick, it's your destiny. The question now is where is this Doga?"
"Exactly!" Dramkick came to life slapping his hands together. "And all's I can do is wait for a sign and hope. Obviously if a man doesn't want to be found, then you're bottling sun beams. I don't know, Bree, what else can I do? Then there's the matter of Vield and Poeragard, my focus is going in different directions," Dramkick said as he stood up and squinted his eye at a Vor Me soldier coming towards them from the other side of the gym.
The Vor Me walked briskly up to Bree and Dramkick and said quickly, "Vield's ship has just entered the atmosphere of Eyeso, Quadromolan, and is preparing to land."
"Excellent, let's hope it's a big party. You're dismissed, soldier," Dramkick rubbed his fists together and smiled. He had old friends to see again.
"There is more news, Quadromolan."
"There were 3 tons of explosives found attached to our fuel cell. The detonator was faulty and prevented it from exploding. We believe it was put there before we left Membra, because it would have been impossible to do so in flight, Quadromolan," the Vor Me tightened his muscles and stood ready.
"Really, that is troubling, but not worth worry at this point. Set the explosives adrift in an escape pod as there could be a sound detonator as well. Good work, Soldier," Dramkick motioned with his hands for him to leave and then said, "Bree, I have business to attend to, but I would love to see you after and continue our conversation."
"I would love to, Dramkick."
"For later, Bree," Dramkick said and then quickly made for the War room.
When he arrived he immediately sat down in the Capt.'s chair and watched on the monitor as Vield's ship landed. He laughed to himself and said firmly, "Let's give him a couple minutes to get cozy then we'll drop by for a snack."
"You got it, Quadromolan, I'll take care of it," Gigg said smoothly as he gave the fleet the order to hold the positions.
Dramkick sat and smiled a sinister, satisfying, and devious smile as he watched Vield and Poeragard exit their ship and greet Benbre Larbell with an embrace. The 3 men went into a blue stone castle that is all of 3 miles long and a half mile high and wide. There are 4 large crow’s nests in the front with gun turrets on each. There is also a crystal cube that stretches high out of the center of the castle-it stands 500 feet around with a round table, 2 dozen chairs on the roof, and a full armament of guards. The walls are draped in murals of sunsets and sunrises without even the slightest mention of people or wildlife. There is an unbroken line of large trees that
encircle the castle and have tree houses in each-with wooden steps leading up to them. On the left side, is a meandering stream that disappears into a mountain cave behind the castle. There are no other structures for 30 miles in every direction except a small stone hut on top of the mountain.
"It feels like now, Gigg, let's steal some champagne," Dramkick said snidely as he nodded firmly Gigg. "They tell us it isn't sunny when we feel the sun in our eyes."
"Done, Quadromolan, sending in the ground siege now," Gigg replied plainly as he electronically keyed in the assault orders.
50 Lando fighters descended upon the Castle. The Lando has the shape of a C lying flat with a glass domed center. It is 70 feet high and 100 feet long and 80 feet wide. It has 2 large Jets that burn completely flameless-only producing a dull red glow. They are black in color and have 6
tinted red windows across the front. Inside there is enough storage capacity for 800 soldiers and several ground assault vehicles-as well as ammunition and supplies for lengthy occupations.
The Landos land and the Vor Me soldiers come flooding out securing the perimeter of the castle. Two Vor Me place an explosive charge on the front door and quickly move back from it.
The explosives vaporize the door by scrambling its molecules and left only a puff of smoke in its stead. The Vor Me throw in a Rian grenade-which would cause anyone within 30 feet to have their muscles go completely numb.
Dramkick watched all the action from retinal implants in the Vor Me. He sat and smiled as the action unfolded and felt a surge of revenge inside him. The Vor Me burst into the castle and could see 3 guards and Poeragard lying helpless on the floor. Dramkick saw this and said sarcastically, "Someone help that dear friend of mine he's lost his balance he he ha."
The lead Vor Me continued onward by throwing Rian grenades into each room before they
entered. The next room they encountered is a huge lavish living room with 5 large brown leather couches in the center situated back to back. And on the walls are leather chairs every 5 feet with helpless Benbres sitting motionless in each-including Vield and Larbell.
"Don't get up, really, we hate to intrude," Dramkick says sarcastically as he started laughing at the mere sight of Vield in his chair.
"They sure look cozy," Gigg said proudly as he glanced down at the monitor.
"They do indeed, Gigg, almost tranquil yet bordering on PA-thetic," Dramkick said as he sat forward in his seat and smiled.
The Vor Me continued securing all the Benbres and carting them back to the Landos in energy shackles. One by one they were carried out of the castle. One of the Vor Me-a Novice Blade as he was called for his lack of experience-named Dragto noticed this sunken crease in the carpet. Dragto grabbed hold of it and pulled it up. Beneath there is a solid silver door with a gold latch causing the soldier to ask, "Quadromolan, do you wish me to pry it up, or just focus on the Benbres?"
"By all means let's see what lies beneath," Dramkick said as he pretended to kick the door with the heel of his boot.
Dragto grabbed the latch and pulled it up. The door swung open revealing a spiral staircase that disappeared into darkness. Dramkick saw this and said sternly, "I can't do it myself, Dragto, so get me down those stairs."
Dragto hesitated for a second and then said quickly, "Absolutely, Quadromolan."
Dragto walked down the stairs and soon he was covered in blackness. He pressed the luminescent disc on his chest plate and could see stairs in front of them, but not much else. He neared the bottom and could see there was a dim light. He continued towards it. At the bottom of
the stairs there was a room lit by torches and filled with hundreds of old and new robots. Some were humanoid, others animal-like, and they ranged from very large to the size of a penny. In the middle of the room there was a man wearing a silky tan robe that covered his entire body. He was sitting with his back to Dragto humming.
"Identify yourself!" Dragto ordered as he raised his weapon.
The man sat, didn't move for several seconds, then he whispered as he stood and turned to Dragto, "I'm an old friend of your father's."
"Identify yourself or I will kill you as you stand!" Dragto shouted as the inched closer to the man.
"I am Doga and my life isn't worth a lunatic's opinion. So feel free to disperse my molecules," Doga said nonchalantly as he threw off his robe and revealed he was wearing black shorts and sandals underneath-as well as a spade shaped red emerald pendent.
"The Vor Me dropped his weapon and lost his equilibrium for a moment. He started breathing heavy upon seeing Doga in the flesh. This was not something you could understand.
Not something he ever would.
Dramkick felt his heart skip a beat and he stood up and walked closer to the monitor. He whispered, "It is not a dream, my path is assured."
Doga walked slowly over to Dragto and put his hand on the shoulder and said softly, "Don't feel overcome, Son, there are too many joyful things in the world."
"But you were feared dead my…there are so many questions I have. So much thanks I want to give you-"
"The answers are in your silence and thanks is not desired by me. I give what I know for the future's sake, and never wanted more than that," Doga replied and then he walked over and put
on a pair of black dress pants, a black sweater, and a wrap around his shoulders and chest with the number 11 sewn onto the shoulder sleeve.
"We're not here to disturb you we're here-"
"No matter, you are here nonetheless. Whatever your business here I would like an audience with your leader. I feel we need speak to one another," Doga slipped on a pair of black dress shoes with a yellow flower emblazoned on each toe.
Dramkick watched and listened with an overwhelming excitement. He hadn't felt a thrill like this since his youth when he first found his spiritual self and discovered Doga. He sat and remembered those days as he looked upon Doga with a soft glee.
"Of course, I'll take you there immediately, Doga," Dragto said nervously as he looked at Doga like a brilliant shimmering light.
Doga smiled, nodded, and then the 2 climbed the staircase. When they got to the top everyone stopped what they were doing when they saw Doga. Even the Benbres were speechless and their jaws dropped to the floor. Poeragard swallowed hard and closed his eyes as he started muttering to himself.
Doga looked at each of them for a moment and gave them a slight smile and a nod as he walked by. Dramkick watched this carefully and said smoothly, "I am on my way to the study, see that they find me there, Gigg."
"Yes, Quadromolan, they will be there by God," Gigg answered as he stood up and headed for the docking bay.
"I know they will, Gigg," Dramkick answered as he hurried out the door and slapped the side of his leg with his right palm.
The remaining Benbres were transported up from the surface and put into holding cells.
Doga was greeted by Gigg at the docking bay and brought immediately to Dramkick's study. Just before they entered Dramkick sucked down a Praem tube and got down on one knee and waited.
The doors opened, and in walked Doga with Gigg and Doga said hopefully, "You must be Dramkick the Quadromolan if I am correct."
"Yes, Doga," Dramkick stood and walked over to meet Doga and said firmly, "I need to speak with you most urgently about a pressing matter of supreme importance. Please leave us, Gigg."
Gigg exited the room and the door closed behind them. Dramkick led Doga over to a silk covered pair of tan chairs that faced out into space and the two sat down beside each other. The oval shaped windows are in front of them and the walls of the room are off white-with a full accompaniment of 12 racks of books built into them. There is also a Penchi warrior's suit of armor on either side of the window. The Penchi warriors are a long extinct race that shunned modern technology and their history consisted of only one age. Their civilization was eventually destroyed by an asteroid leaving their world of Tae Pos a lifeless ruin. The floor of the room is covered in memory carpet that adjusts to each individual's feet as they walk.
"Tell me what you require, Dramkick, and it will be given without hesitation, " Doga said sincerely as he gazed out the window.
"I had a dream that carried with it a message and that message is this… I was told to seek you out, and you would be able to help me find this Cra Hybrid. And then he and I would rule the universe together," Dramkick explained as his hands trembled. "Doga, do you know of what I speak?" Dramkick asked as he rubbed the top of his head.
Doga stared out the window for several seconds and then turned to Dramkick and spoke softly, "Yes, here is what I must tell you and it is all I can say. There is a world that lives under
the T sun called Sras Oblique. The ruler of Sras Oblique is named Peastro. And he has enormous powers beyond anything you are very seen in your galaxies. This man, this Peastro, he is ruthless as well as kind. You ask Cra Hybrid? He is IT, Dramkick!
"Peastro yes…there is a poetry and a power to his name. The T sun?" Dramkick spoke with a hope in his voice it had never known before. "I have never heard of this T sun, how far is it from here?" Dramkick asked in a dry tone as he looked out the window. He thought of lonely days on the lake as a child.
"It is very far, a year's journey at full speed and through many hostile galaxies," Doga said as he thought of the T sun’s oppressive heat. "I would dissuade you from going, but I see in your eyes you have already left. When you go, Dramkick, bring more than supplies, bring the breadth of your armies for you will need them for certain," Doga said coldly as he looked Dramkick dead in the eyes.
Dramkick smiled and said, "I would never go anywhere without my armies these days," He paused and tapped his temple. "I am only planning now I still have many things to do before I leave. This situation with the Benbres will take looking after. Before too long I'll seek out my brother and hope he greets me with a smile."
Mardevar Porgtan was an 86th century fiction writer who wrote a series of 5 books called The Segments of Srapla. The books center on the lead character Loac Four and his journey deep into the cave community of Samma-on his home world of Ation. The books were a huge success and had garnered great praise and great wealth for Mardevar. Dramkick has infinity for the books and never travels without them. So much so is his love for Srapla he decreed all children of 14
years of age spend 16 months studying and dissecting the text. The descendents of Mardevar-and there are hundreds living on Membra-were all given cushy government jobs that require very little actual work. Mastof Porgtan is Dramkick's head of Supreme Festivities (which means he oversees and takes care of Dramkick's yearly birthday party). Today is Dramkick's birthday and it involves massive celebrations in every city under Dramkick's control. There are enormous scripted plays, with gaudy light shows put on by the inhabitants, and beamed into Dramkick's living room. He sits alone and enjoys the spectacle inside Château Quesm.
Château Quesm was built with a mile high bust of Dramkick as its shape. Where his mouth is, there is a 600 yard wide patio that has 500 tables and a cedar dance floor set up. There is also a Punche set up for the guests.
A Punche is an android that will verbally assault the guests until they pummel him (much to their satisfaction).
The room has a Penibody set up as well-which is a winding tunnel you enter at the bottom and are sucked upward through the tube, only to pop out safely at the top. Dramkick loves games, so there are always hundreds of them set up at his château. There is also a banner that reads, "I'll outlive the sun," written in large black letters and displayed prominently.
Mastof walked into the living room and set down a tray of Praem tubes on the table in front of Dramkick. Mastof is barely 5 foot 7 and 160 pounds. He is top heavy with very thin legs like a moose. He has long dark blue hair that is naturally curly. He is 20 years old, but looks like a teenager in the face. His eyes are bulging and round (brilliantly lime green in color). His nose turns up at the end and his mouth is large and crooked like a stick. He is wearing a dark green corduroy suit and has a white scarf dangling from his neck. He also has on a white T-shirt and a pair of brown boots with matching laces.
The living room is 25' x 25' and has gold leaf wallpaper in a Paisley design. There is a pair of red adjoining couches and a small maple table in front of each. There is also a 10 foot monitor hanging down from the ceiling in front of the couches. There is one wall that is entirely a window and faces Dramkick's flower garden outside. The floor is white and red marble and has area rugs under the furniture. There is also a small green tube that extends out from the middle wall and has a dull glow to it.
"Will you need anything else?" Mastof asked as he stood beside the couch.
"Yes, I want to speak to you for a few minutes, Mastof. There are a few questions I need answered," Dramkick said as he tapped the seat cushion next to him and motioned for Mastof to sit down beside him.
"Anything, you can ask me anything," Mastof replied nervously as he sat down beside Dramkick.
"Why are you such a failure? Well, not just you, but your whole family?" Dramkick asked snidely as he leaned forward in his seat. "You see not a one of you was ever written a great book or song or even developed much as an artist. So let's have it," Dramkick said honestly as he put his arm around Mastof.
"Ah I ah…it's hard to say, I guess-"
"No, no guesses, I need to know why your whole family is such a bunch of screwups. Do your brains think anything interesting at all?" Dramkick asked and then he put his hand tightly on Mastof shoulder.
Mastof looked around in shock then said anxiously, "I ah well, it’s not entirely our fault we just didn't get the talent. And I would say that we are intently lazy and we didn't get the genius genes."
"That's what I suspected, you go ahead and run along and take your mediocrity with you.
Try not to sniffle on my good rugs though," Dramkick said snidely as he pushed Mastof off the couch and then said firmly, "Actually why don't you stay a while and help me enjoy the festivities."
Mastof picked himself up and said brightly as he sat down, "Of course, it would be my honor, Quadromolan."
Secretly Mastof was feeling terrible that Dramkick wanted him to stay. He knew if he said one wrong thing it would be his head literally. He sat there and waited for Dramkick to say something. He lived 100 years in those few seconds. Several minutes went by and then Dramkick started staring at Mastof with a fierce glare. Mastof tried not to panic, but his hands and forehead started to sweat. Dramkick put his hand around Mastof's neck and said sternly,
"Mardevar keeps you alive you little weasel. It's his gift and my fondness for it that keeps me from punching a hole in your neck. Then again maybe you've worn out your welcome."
"Oh my God, don't kill me please, please don't kill me I'm just a fool. A fleck of dust, let me live please," Mastof pleaded as a river of tears raced down his cheeks.
Dramkick started laughing and messed up Mastof's hair and said hopefully, "I mighta
thought you'd crack sooner being as weak his you are. Maybe there is some backbone in there after all."
Mastof didn't know what to think as his eyes looked around the room frantically and his brain fumbled for the right thing to say. Dramkick watched him in dismay and smiled as he sucked down a Praem tube (and put his feet in Mastof's lap).
"Do you mind if I have some Praem?" Mastof asked sheepishly as he peeked over at Dramkick and looked away quickly when their eyes met.
"Sure, Mastof, you are my guest, but I want to show you something after you're finished."
Mastof swallowed the Praem and as he did Dramkick stood up and walked over to the window. Mastof got up and followed Dramkick over. His mind was racing, the Praem wasn't enough he thought. He stood beside Dramkick looking out at the beautiful flower garden.
"This garden is a testament to the generations of Reign's and our dynasty," Dramkick said warmly as he gave Mastof''s ear a good yank. "A man like yourself can certainly appreciate the passion it takes to succeed. Hey, let's play game I know you're gonna love it," Dramkick said hollowly as he stretched out his arms. "Stand back from the window a few feet and let me grab your ankles this'll be a hoot," Dramkick said hollowly as he grabbed onto Mastof's ankles and then said joyfully, "Boy we're going to have fun watch this!"
Dramkick started to lift Mastof up in the air and swing him around in a circle. First slowly and then faster and faster like a rollercoaster. Mastof shouted, "I feel sick, slow down please it hurts!"
Dramkick spun around even faster than before and was spinning like an Olympic discus thrower. Dramkick squeezed Mastof's ankles so tight that they snapped off from his legs and his body went flying through the window. It sent glass crashing into the stone walls below. Mastof
died upon impact and his crumpled body lay 40 stories down in a rose.
"Isn't this fun Old Pal!" Dramkick shouted sarcastically as he started to dance around in a circle.
He looked out the window at Mastof's body and shook his head with a wry smile. He walked over and lay down on the couch. A moment later Gigg came rushing into the room, out of breath, and said quickly, "Benbres Vield and Poeragard have been sprung from the containment by their combined armies. They've taken Bree and Doga hostage. They said that if you chase them they will kill them both!"
"WHAT?!" The sound of Dramkick's voice was beyond irritated, it was sinister. "Those derelicts think they can take me ON! I will personally assure you they will suffer and I will destroy them without reservation!" Dramkick shouted as he stood, started to pace back and forth, and then asked, "Please tell me their masks were completed, Gigg."
"I'm sorry we didn't have time. They were to be the next ones in line," Gigg said nervously as he looked at Dramkick with hopeless eyes.
Dramkick grabbed the small table in front of the couch and threw it through the wall and said boldly, "Forget my birthday IT'S CANCELED! I want every ship to track them down and bring their lying souls to my feet. And if they harm Bree or Doga…there are levels of pain, Gigg, levels and they will experience them all."
"Yes, Quadromolan, we have every soldier trying to track them down now as we speak."
"Good, very good let's hope there were a few holes in their escape plan. Was there anything else, Gigg?"Dramkick asked knowingly as he frowned at Gigg.
Gigg hesitated, fussed with a shirt and then said, "This month's Praem shipment was stolen on route and it appears to be a separate incident. The men used Vor Me uniforms to steal the
Praem at the changeover station. I need to know what you want me to do about this month's Praem?" Gigg asked as he folded his arms.
"We can't encourage these thieves or others like them," barked Dramkick as he stretched out his fists. "I want only an 8th of the monthly supply to go out. When the natives get restless, let them know that one of their own caused them this hardship. That will ferret out the guilty party faster than we certainly could. I need to take a journey now and see about an old friend, walk with me to the shuttle bay," Dramkick said as he walked towards the door.
Gigg nodded yes and walked out into the courtyard-it was 50 yards long. It had Gusgo's statues lining either side. The Gusgo are a half man half bird like creature that has one vacant eye on the right side of its face. It also has a huge sloping nose with a bulb at the end. Its hands are jointless and it's fingers numbered 3 per hand. It's body is hairless and has a thin torso with outstretched wings from the shoulders. It's legs are long and bulbous and very muscular with toeless feet.
There are also bushes in between each of the hulking statues. The walkway is covered with marble murals of the Densiden 8.
The Densiden 8 were a group of 8 friends who made a pact to only speak with and interact with each other for the length of their lives. They used their combined wealth to build a lavish compound with: 3 large houses, 2 swimming pools, a garden and a field for livestock, as well as a large art studio. After 10 years 2 groups of 4 formed and had months of spirited arguments to give their lives excitement. Those initial play arguments led to a rift between the 2 groups. For the next 2 years they avoided each other. Then it was decided that the 2 sides would have a fight to the death war and the victor would get all their possessions. The 2 sides armed themselves and took opposite sides of the compound. A 6 hour gun battle ensued. After the battle only 2 people
remained alive, a man and a woman from opposite sides. They lived the rest of their days as man and wife and spawned 9 children (and never left the walls of the compound). The youngest child-Vaim-left the compound on the 16th birthday and shared the story of the Densiden 8 with the people of Membra only this past year.
"Now, Gigg, will we find these thieves and I want public executions for all," Dramkick said angrily as his eyes drifted from side to side. "Should also be enough of a deterrent for any others who try the same. Now, they are going to need a place to house the stolen Praem. You can't just put it in a closet, Gigg. So I want all the old factories checked and also any large homes in the area," Dramkick ordered as he walked briskly along.
"I'll take care of it trust me, Quadromolan, they will be brought to justice," Gigg said as he sent a message to the Vor Me Sgt. Dracs with the orders from Dramkick-using his hand communicator.
"Yes, I feel a meal's worth of vengeance is soon to be mine. Vield and Poeragard will come to know that very fact," Dramkick spoke in a voice more sinister than anything Gigg had experienced before. Dramkick clenched fist and then blew into it as he quickly spread his fingers.
The 2 came to the end of the courtyard and stepped into the elevator-it rose upwards at a 45°
angle. They stepped out of the elevator and into the shuttle bay at the top. Two shuttles sat beside one another with their massive noses pointing out a large opening.
The shuttles are egg shaped and have a blue circular wall that runs completely around them.
They also have a pair of braces extending down to the ground holding them in place. They are light green in color and 30 feet high and 35 feet wide at their base. Inside there is a modest kitchen area and sleeping quarters on the first level. On the 2nd there is a pair of laser cannons
that can deploy if they are attacked. On the 3rd level there is a cockpit and it has 8 leather recliners in a circle facing out the window (with instrumentation in front of each).
The shuttle Bay itself is 60 feet tall and has smooth black walls that have rounded corners and black floors-with jet pits below each shuttle.
"Gigg, stay on top of this I will be back in a few days and I expect progress. You won't be able to contact me so use your devious heart if need be," Dramkick said as he walked through the shuttle wall-its molecules were scattered by the mechanism inside the wall.
"I will, Quadromolan," Gigg replied boldly then he watched the shuttle take off into the air.
Inside the shuttle Dramkick took his seat in the cockpit. While the pilot and a Vor Me handled the navigation. Dramkick started to type in his security clearance on the keyboard in front of him. He typed A6b7go and a small drawer popped out. Inside there was a Hormaro tongue compressor.
The Hormaro is placed on the tip of your tongue and all you have to do is hum your words and the message will be sent to the other person.
Dramkick's started to hum, "Poida, I am coming your way. The situation is serious and I will need all the help you can give me. Be assured dearest Poida, that it will require the Rue and Taliop. Meet me at the East entrance and do not speak of my coming, Dramkick."
Dramkick removed the Hormaro and placed it back in the drawer and closed it quickly. He stared out the window and thought of Poida the last time he had seen her. He remembered their fierce argument, and could still feel her anger even now. He hoped she'd forgiven him and she could help. He thought of her beauty and her beautiful violet eyes.
The shuttle passed over the last of the city, soaring over the lush farmland of Pinc Township.
The rolling hills covered in 20 foot high Okam stalks. The Okam is a purple vegetable that has a
fish shape and tastes extraordinarily sweet. So much so it is wise to only take small bites (but few did).
There are giant windmills and Y shaped farm houses on every hill. In the valleys, there are livestock and crystal blue ponds. They traveled far and fast until they came over a hilltop.
Dramkick said as he saw a large home, "There she is, how magnificent."
To the left was the Gobe bridge-it was a bridge that was formed when 2 Gobes crashed their horned heads into each other's, killing them both instantly. Their lifeless bodies fell into a giant gorge beside them. And their dead bodies formed a bridge, with the top their heads as the path.
The bridge led up to a giant H shaped home made from maple. It has 4 stories with large and small square windows placed randomly throughout. Each level is painted a different color with the first being black, the 2nd red, and the 3rd blue with the top level white. The front door is shaped like a plus sign and has a silver door knocker in the shape of a Whyzi.
Whyzis are a half man half cow like creature that has large legs and bulging torsos. They also have disproportionately large heads compared to their bodies, with a long human nose on a cow's face. Whyzis are notorious for eating large quantities of Okam stalks and snoring very loudly when they sleep.
The walkway leading up to the house has thick Pummy trees that grew over it-creating a tunnel of trees up to the front steps. The Pummy tree has large leaves and yellow bark as well as small lavender flower pedals at the tips shaped like shamrocks.
"I'll put us down at the end of the Gobe Bridge, Quadromolan," Tiotio said plainly as he pressed the landing control's engage switch.
"Excellent, I hope she's home," Dramkick said vacantly as he stared out the window.
The shuttle landed on the Gobe Bridge and Dramkick exited quickly. He started across the
bridge when he heard, "Just in time I made Kookyes," Poida announced as she walked down the walkway towards Dramkick. She was carrying a bright red square pie with tan flaky crust.
Dramkick noticed.
Kookyes is a meat pie that is often served in the afternoon as a pre-dinner snack. It tastes similar to filet mignon and blueberry pie combined.
Poida is 5 foot 8 inches tall and very curvaceous. She has long wavy dirty blonde hair that has a silver hair clasp on top. She has violet carefree eyes and pouty red lips as well as a button nose. She has on a silver teardrop earring and a silver rope necklace. She is also wearing a dark blue tight fitting velvet dress and silk black slippers (the slippers have the crest of Lies Eventu on each).
Lies Eventu is the radical psychiatrist who invented the Totalk scream therapy. This is a process where you scream at your patients about all their problems for hours of the time. Then you forced them to go out in public and shout their faults and problems to total strangers. It was meant to shame them into recovery. He had a 50% recovery rate, but was banned from practicing in urban areas, because he was deemed a nuisance.
Dramkick walked up to Poida and grabbed her around the waist and gave her a kiss, dipping her slightly and said boldly, "All my dreams end in you."
Poida smiled a mischievous smile and asked, "What do they start with?"
Dramkick laughed and said, "Us, always us."
"My darling Dramkick, it is always a joy to see you. Let us go to the house and talk in earnest.”
Dramkick nodded politely and walked hand-in-hand with her up to the house. They walked through the doorway and came into a room with 3 levels: a den on one level with 2 shelves of
books in the armrest of the snake shaped couch with various clippings on the wall, the 2nd level has a living room with a sunken brown leather couch and a glass table in front of 20 or so photographs of Poida-the photographs of Poida were strewn across the table and stuffed inside a Whyzi's heads on the wall, on the 3rd level there are mirrors and several different colored lights being refracted into different shapes on the walls-there is a large waterfall in the center of it all.
"Let's grab a seat in the living room, I need to know what is troubling you," Poida said as she grabbed Dramkick's bicep.
They sat on the couch and Dramkick said honestly, "I've got a million problems right now and the horrible truth is, I don't care about any of them."
"Really?" Poida was puzzled and her brow quickly furrowed.
"Yes, my mind is on different things than it should be. But there nonetheless."
"What sort of things?" Poida asked as she lit up a cigarette and offered Dramkick one (Dramkick refused the cigarette, but accepted the gesture).
"It has come to my attention that there is another like me. His name Peastro and I'm convinced that if he knew of my existence he would find his way here," Dramkick explained as his voice nearly cracked. "This Peastro and I are brothers, and friends already, but we had never met, Poida," Dramkick explained as he allowed Poida to see him vulnerable for the first time. "I need your guidance on this matter."
"What do you want to do?" asked Poida as she took a drag from her cigarette and then set it down in the crystal ashtray built into the table.
"What I want to do is leave tomorrow with the bulk of my army and seek out this Peastro,"
Dramkick confessed as he rubbed his sore shoulder "The problem is…it is a long journey and my empire could and probably would be in pieces upon my return. But…I know that this man would
seek me out if he could do so. I am torn, what advice can you give me considering you know how long I've waited for a true friend?" Dramkick asked sincerely as he looked Poida in the eye.
He picked up her cigarette, took a drag and then said, "An equal to converse with, what I wouldn't give for a moment of that."
"What I can tell you is this, if he is like you, Dramkick, then he would want you to take care of your problems and your empire first. Then when you've finished leave with a full heart and a clear mind," Poida caressed the back of Dramkick's head. "In the meantime, a messenger could be sent to let Peastro. Then he would know of you and your wishes to speak with him," Poida said warmly and she took her cigarette back from Dramkick and took a long pronounced drag.
"You are wise, Poida, that is a right path to take," Dramkick said softly as he put his hands on his knees. "Sending a messenger would be a sufficient solution and then possibly he would seek me out. At least he would know of my existence. Yes that it would be enough for now,"
Dramkick said as he glared over at Poida with humanity in eyes.
"Exactly, it starts a dialogue and possibly he would travel here. While the messenger is sent you're taking care of more pressing concerns," Poida felt the air get heavy. "You've got to keep positive momentum going forward or it's another dark building time," Poida spoke in a way that always made Dramkick feel inspired and alive. It softened is ruthless heart just a bit see her. She took his hand in hers.
"Then that is it, I thank you for seeing me, Poida. You were always a treasured love of mine and never far from my memories," Dramkick said honestly as he gave her a kiss.
"That means a lot to me, Dramkick, we were a supernova together we just ran out of air,"
Poida said as she started to tear up and covered her mouth her hand.
"The truth is what destroys us all, lies are only pauses in a longer conversation. Love, Poida, love
is what we always were," Dramkick said passionately as he brushed across her lips with his hand and then her cheeks with his thumb.
It had been 4 months since Dramkick had seen Poida and he had taken her advice and focused on his affairs. After Dramkick cut the Praem supply to an 8th, the natives became infuriated and one of them ratted out the Gopas. Coats and Pleu were taken to into custody, as well as the rest. And the missing Praem was returned. Poeragard and Vield had yet to be apprehended or their hostages returned. But recently Dramkick had cut the supply of Praem to their home worlds and refused to return it to normal until their location was revealed.
Babsetron Putor Miug sat in the information room going over potential leads in the missing Benbres case. A Babsetron is the title given to the head of Dramkick's secret service-he holds authority over 50,000 agents that are known as Prags. The public is unaware of their existence and they carry out most of the missions the Vor Me couldn't or wouldn't for obvious reasons do.
Whenever people turned up missing you could bet it was at the hands of the Prag.
Putor's information room is a 30' x 30' circular office where only important information (or leads that are supremely focused on by the Prags) ever end up. It has one large window on the ceiling that is half the circumference of the floor. The walls are colored seal black with 2
paintings in triangular frames across one another that are of absolutely nothing but empty white space. There is a red J shaped desk in the center with smooth edges and a pilot's chair that swings into it. There are 2 hologram projectors inside the desk as well as a keypad and movable red monitor. The desk has 8 large drawers that have voice operated security locks that can only be operated by Putor. The floors are black and grey marble with the large letters DR carved into the center-in white and red cursive letters at the base of the wall.
Putor is a giant at 6'10" tall and 590 pounds (built like a Greek God). He has an enormous
chest and back, with broad shoulders that are harder than steel. His feet and hands are 3 times the size of a normal man's. His face is hard and sinister with high cheekbones and wide set eyes (and a scowling crooked mouth that never fully closes). His nose looks like a baby's arm and it has 8
diamond studs in the left nostril and a blue stud through his upper lip. His hair is tan in color and so long he tucks it into his pants. He is wearing a white silk vest and a necklace made from human teeth-as well as a pair of black and green checkered pants and red boots that have his favorite saying, "The afterlife starts today friend," written in Whyzi's skin.
A message comes over the monitor that Poeragard and Vield are in the Lashno mountain range and Putor shouted, "Your destiny is at hand!"
He pressed the button for his next in command to come into the office and he waited for him. Camtrid Tash immediately jumped up and hurried down the all black hallway.
Camtrid is diminutive at 4 feet tall and a slight 76 pounds. He has thick curly short blue hair and a yellow beard that covers his face. He is wearing a green and yellow striped shirt and a pair of light blue denim jeans with a tan dress shoe.
The door to the information room opens and Camtrid walks in. He stands in front of Putor's desk.
"Camtrid, the cowards Vield and Poeragard are hiding out in the Lashno mountain range. I need to put a strike force together and go up there and apprehend them. I'll be heading up the mission and I'd like you to be a part of it," Putor said as he extended his hand out with his pointed index finger stretching even further.
"It would be a blessing, Babsetron," Camtrid said proudly as he touched Putor's fingers with his thumb.
"Glad to hear it, Camtrid, now I want you to go get me 20 of the finest Prags you know,"
Putor ordered as his cocky grin took over his face. "Have them ready to leave this evening and do not tell them the nature of the mission. You can't screw something up if no one knows you're doing it. And we both know the value a surprise like this would be worth to Dramkick," Putor's voice was thick with intensity and unforgettable sternness. He sat back in his chair and waited for Camtrid to take the leap.
"I'll tell them nothing, Babsetron, and I will have them ready in an hour's time."
"Outstanding, Camtrid, outstanding let's see some fire in those engines!" Putor replied loudly as he smiled ear to ear.
Camtrid smiled slightly and hurried out of the room. On the Greaps Promenade Coats and Pleu-as well as the other captured Gopas-were being fitted for execution by amputation. They were all locked into a standing position in large steel braces-each brace has hoops that are attached around each of their joints and they are all lined up in a row.
"Pleu, we screwed up our lives for nothing. It was so foolish of us," Coats started to cry.
"I'm sorry, Coats, we just lost our heads. We could have had great lives. I blame myself I'm really sorry I dragged you into this, Coats," Pleu said honestly as he looked down at the restraints.
A large crowd had formed and was milling about in front of the 10 foot high wooden stage.
Greaps Promenade is a walking area only and has: a dozen shops, 2 fountains, abundant trees, bushes, and green grass to sprawl out on. There is also a 20 foot crystal statue of Dramkick, behind the crowd, facing the stage. Dramkick had chosen this spot to give the Praem thieves a reminder of who they had messed with. Coats looked at the statue and felt incredible anger well up inside of him. He wished he could strangle Dramkick to death with his bare hands. Pleu looked at the people who had gathered and felt embarrassed and ashamed. He knew that things
"Coats, if by some miracle one of us gets out a here, promise me something," Pleu said calmly as he furrowed his brow like a worried Labrador.
"What, Pleu, what is it?"
"Kill Dramkick, kill that Whyzi dead. No one should be able to do this to anyone, never!"
Pleu said fiercely as he gave Coats a looked that implied the threshold of murder had been crossed in his mind. This was a leap Coats didn't care to see and it made his throat dry instantly.
"Pleu, if I get that chance I will do it in a second, but it's not going to happen. We're going to die a horrible death and that is for certain," Coats replied with the sadness of a widowed wife.
"I know-I know, Coats, how stupid we were. We should just accepted our lots in life and been happy and now-" Pleu stopped himself just as he realized what he had just said was true and not just words.
The Gopas who are first in line have the bottom of their legs amputated with a lightning quick blow. The 2 ton steel block-attached to a pendulum-would swing like a giant hand of death causing them to scream, "OH GOD SAVE ME!" Then blood gushed from their shins like a spilt pot of pea soup. The next 2 were slid into place as the crowd looked on in a "Thank God it's not me" horror. In a Flash their legs were split in half and they screamed like butchered pigs.
"Oh no, Coats, were next, do something," Pleu pleaded as he watched the steel block slide in front of them and he felt a sudden unexplained pain in his shoulder. Coats gritted his teeth and looked quickly over the crowd for someone who could help. Suddenly his mind was on fire with thoughts of bread, beer, sex, and of course Praem. He wanted that most of all to numb the pain.
He started to laugh hysterically and talk in an indiscernible language. He violently shook his head from side to side in a pathetic gesture to somehow dodge the steel block.
Pleu stared at him in shock and then looked at the steel block. It started for their legs like a mountain suddenly collapsing, but jammed halfway to their shins. Coats and Pleu stared at the block in utter shock, fear, and uncontrolled mania. They wondered, they hoped, they prayed this somehow meant they were free. The seconds ticked by like an eternity as their eyes sat transfixed on the block. A Vor Me walked over to the block and started kicking it is hard as he could. Every kick, every single kick, sent a jolt of fear so powerful and so potent their bodies had no choice but to seize up. Coats started muttering incoherently. Pleu started biting his lip (causing nervous blood to trickle down his chin). The Vor Me stopped, kicked the steel block 5 more times as hard as he could and let out a sigh and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Gentlemen, we can't kill you today. Don't worry it will be soon enough." He turned to the crowd and said sadly, "You can all go home that's the end for today."
Pleu looked at coats wide eyed and said hopefully, "Coats, it's a second chance can you believe it! We have to make this count."
"We will, Pleu, I am not going through this again. We are going to escape or die trying,"
Coats said forcefully as he studied the blood stains on the steel block like there was some answer there.
At the foot of the Belos path, at the base of the Lashno mountain range, Camtrid, Putor, and 20 Prags started up the slope. The path was lined with 30 foot high thick green bushes that hugged the sides. The path itself is a red tar and white brick combination. After a bit of planning, the ascent to the Hailmo-which was a Château made famous by its former owner Dr. Aigl Dam a one handed surgeon-was way past the daydreaming as you walk stage.
Dr. Dam had the château built as a summer getaway, but it became famous because of one particular dinner party where Dr. Dam drugged all his guests. He proceeded to kill them all by
cutting their chests open and removing their still beating hearts. It got its name Hailmo after the Talz slang term that means, "To dine."
"When you make positive visual identification fire the tranquilizer spread, and do so without hesitation," Putor ordered with the just got laid smile on his face. "We need them alive and for the fear of their fate, they will undoubtedly give us resistance. Needless to say take them down before they know what's happening," Putor said sternly as he and the Prags jogged up the slightly sloping path. They were sure to not even trust the breeze.
"That's right, Boys, and there's a bonus for whoever tags em first," Camtrid spoken in a way that calmed everyone's nerves. He thought of his father, and how used to talk to people, and he mimicked his charisma. "So be prepared to take your shot and keep your aim on the torso and below. If you hit them in the head it could kill them all, and we can't have that, Boys. Unless you want to be the one to tell Dramkick of your blunder," Camtrid looked at Putor and saw he wasn't struggling with fear. This lifted his spirits tremendously.
They came around a corner and there rose Hailmo. It was almost too real to be believed.
There is a long wooden tunnel that rises up 20 feet and leads through to the château's courtyard-the courtyard has a swimming pool stretching into the center and 50 feet beyond. Hailmo is a towering structure, all of 50 stories with a botanical garden on the roof, as well as an attic that has a large bed and hot tub made from wooden Indians. The front of it has an enormous mural of Dr. Dam adjusting his glasses-with hundreds of windows throughout the mural in neat rows. The sides of the château are covered in mountain rock stolen from an enemy’s home while he was on vacation. The deck surrounding it sticks out like the gaudy tongue of a drunk. With 50 stories, it has a wide variety of themed rooms from a sword room to a stuffed animal's head room, and everything in between.
Putor carefully jogged into the courtyard and took a quick look around. He realized very quickly that their defenses were down. He saw a man in a well lit room sitting in a chair reading a book. The nerve of these people, he thought. He stared at the man and realized it was Vield.
His eyes checked the back for holes and he saw a brown door slightly ajar. He and Camtrid, followed by the Prags, hurried over to it. Putor pushed the door completely open with his gun barrel and looked inside. They entered quickly with their rifles raised. They saw a brief hallway with 4 Impressionist paintings of Manalike trees on both sides-they had been painted by Tamel, a 15-year-old prodigy from the Ceers basin.
The Manalike tree is a large green tree that has small men known as Tormoc’s growing on its branches. The Tornocs only live for 8 days after they form and are separated from the Manalike. They are completely green from head to toe and respond to the commands of whoever planted the tree.
At the end of the hallway there is a half moon shaped living and dining room. It has a purple couch and 3 red chairs in the center of the room facing a living mural of Dr. Dam smoking a pipe. Poeragard is asleep on the couch while Vield is sitting in the chair on the right reading the Marko coal memoirs-which is a collection of 64th century short stories written for Emperor Valest Pen the 36th.
Valest was notorious for his love of fiction and paid the 50 greatest writers of the age to contribute one 20 page short story to what became the Marko Col memoirs. Valest himself died of a massive heart attack before he could ever read a word and only 30 years into his term as Emperor.
Putor and Camtrid burst into the room and Putor fired his Horsemu at Vield, but the book he was holding shielded him from the tranquilizer dart. Vield sprang to his feet and darted into the
next room like a kid at Christmas. While this was happening Camtrid stepped up and shot Poeragard just as he was waking up. The darts caused Poeragard to pass out instantly. Doga came walking into the room and remarked as he looked at a vase, "You've got to see this, Vield, it's really quite astonishing."
Camtrid and Putor were busy reloading and unable to shoot Doga, but a Prag stepped forward and shot Doga, right as he looked up, in the neck. Camtrid and Putor sprinted after Vield and all the Prags joined in-the Prags marking the exits flooded throughout the château. Vield ran frantically from room to room looking for a hiding place or escape route. He saw the Kast Rig statue and remembered there was a secret passageway beneath it. He might just be able to make it he thought.
The statue was carved by Kast Rig a renowned sculpture. It looks like a 6 foot lava lamp made of green clay and wood.
Vield pulled the light fixture on the wall towards him and the statue spun 90° revealing a staircase. Vield quickly raced down the stairs and pushed the closing mechanism at the bottom.
The statue started moving back into place and Vield ran like hell. Putor burst into the room and saw the statue moving. He ran over to it and tried to lift it, but couldn't. Camtrid came rushing in asked, "Need some help with that?"
"Yes." His voice clearly echoed his agitation. "There must be a lever that releases it, start pulling anything that can be pulled," Putor ordered forcefully and started moving all the books on the nearby desk.
"Got it," Camtrid replied as he grabbed a painting off the wall and threw it with a joyful cackle that only a mother could hate.
Putor looks at the light fixture, pulls it, and the statue swings open. Putor shouted, "This way
Camtrid and Putor flew down the stairs into a darkened furnished cellar-it has various children's games strewn about and feather stuffed balloons. The walls are covered in hand written questions like, "Who stole the soup?" and also, "Where is my laughter?" The room is 300
yards long and has a damp smell to it like a root cellar.
Putor waded through the sea of toys and kept his eyes focused, looking for any movement.
"Babsetron, I can see the far end of the room and it looks like there's no way out of here,"
Camtrid said implying a question and buying some confidence.
"I see it too, and if that's the case he's in here somewhere hiding. I want you to stay by the stairs while I find him," Putor said sternly as he kicked over a musical robot-the robot started playing a simple 4 note song repeatedly after the angry kick.
Putor walked out into the center of the room and shouted, "WE know you're in here! And you might be afraid!" Putor's eyes never left the room. He was aware of everything. "Do not worry, Vield, we are not here to harm you. We just want to let you do your duty and serve your Quadromolan…if you must hide, then hide, but were not leaving without you, Dear Benbre."
A few seconds went by and Vield stood up from beneath a patch of balloons and said glumly, "I give up, Dramkick can have my mind as his play thing. If we weren't safe here, why bother running at all.”
Vield walked over to Putor and Putor tapped him on the shoulder and said, "You shouldn't fear, Vield, Dramkick can be very forgiving if you appeal to his benevolent side."
"It's his friendship I fear the most," Vield replied as they walked up the stairs with his breathing was heavy and gasping.
When they got back to living room Poeragard and Doga were already fashioned to floating
gurneys by the Prags. This while Bree was sitting on the couch having a cup of tea with a Prag and said brightly, "Our respite has ended and far too soon. Luckily I can reason with Dramkick so I wouldn't worry, Vield."
"I don't have that luxury, Bree, I know what I'm hiding, " Vield said honestly as he looked at Poeragard unconscious. And for a moment he saw his own dead face in Poeragard's. His real thoughts were murder and he knew it.
"Get away for me, Bree, I don't believe you!" Dramkick shouted as he glared at Bree-they were inside Dramkick's trophy room at the château Gaudileap.
The room was comprised of 60 feet tall rows that were filled with hundreds of shelves and thousands of trophies from all of Dramkick's many pursuits-including his "Quadromolan of the century" award and his "Father of the People" trophy which oddly enough he awarded to himself.
The floor is made of glass and there are 6 handwritten poems by Dramkick-from his youth-scrawled beneath it in large black letters. There are also 8 leather chairs with sculptures of Dramkick on the backs of each, placed randomly around the room. There is also a large fresh water spring in the center of the room that is used for swimming.
"Dramkick, look I didn't want to go they forced me to. Secondly, I still haven't heard you say you were glad to see me back. I could've been killed or worse!" Bree said boldly as she tapped her right foot on the floor and smoked a government cigarette.
"Of course I'm glad to see you, but something is amiss here," Dramkick sensed deception with her every breath. "I will find out soon enough. And I won't in good conscience ask you to make a mask, but Vield and Poeragard will have theirs made shortly. And then I will find out the truth!" Dramkick said as he noticed a Bree's tapping foot and gave her an accusatory look.
"Don't you give me that look,” Bree snapped. “I'm more than happy that those masks are being made. I've got nothing to hide, nothing at all…No Sir," Bree replied hollowly as she lit up another cigarette.
Dramkick looked at Bree and she raised her eyebrows and continued smoking quickly. He walked over and took off his sweater and pants, and slipped off his shoes, and jumped in feet
first. Dramkick popped his head out of the water and grinned and said, "Don't pout all day, Bree, my shoulders need a rub."
"Ah, oh really, your precious shoulders need my decrepit hands rubbing them do they?
Well…fine whatever makes you happy, I hope I don't actually choke you in the process," Bree said sarcastically as she walked over and sat down beside Dramkick. She knew the stakes and she quickly started rubbing his shoulders angrily.
"That's perfect, Bree, just like that. Really put your thumbs into it," Dramkick said smugly as he closed his eyes and sighed.
Bree clenched her teeth and rubbed as hard as she could for a minute and asked snidely, "Is that good enough, Dramkick, is there anything else I can do?"
"Actually yes," Dramkick said quickly as he grabbed Bree round the waist. He lifted her into the spring in one motion and kissed her passionately.
Bree fought the kiss at first, yelling into Dramkick's mouth, but gave in after a few seconds.
She grabbed both sides of his face and pushed him away and said sternly, "Alright, not mad anymore, but don't think this is a bottle of Jacour for me."
Jacour is a red wine that gives the drinker uncontrollable laughter after only one glass. It is often served after a personal tragedy to ease the sense of woe.
"Bree, what good is love if it isn't tart and sweet from one breath to the next? It wasn't the fighting that drove us apart, it was the lies we told ourselves about each other. Let's avoid that trap this time," Dramkick was earnest as he gently pulled Bree's hair from her face.
Bree took off her top, exposing her bra and a tattoo of a bird on her shoulder. They started French kissing with a new passion. Dramkick didn't mine, but wondered how he got so lucky.
She started smiling in between kisses and thinking she had the greatest being in the universe in
Dramkick. She started kissing all around his face and neck, and Dramkick held her close and smiled at her affections. Still he had to wonder if he could truly trust her with all that he was, this made him grimace slightly. Bree picked up on this immediately and smiled playfully. She put her hands on both sides of his face and kissed his eyes. Dramkick was young again in this moment.
He laughed at this and said honestly, "It was always you, Bree, and always still."
Bree rubbed his back and spoke as she caught her breath, "We are what makes us roar, I know this now, and will forever."
Just then a message pulse sounded. Dramkick knew it was important news and a messenger outside his door. He climbed out of the water and threw on his clothes. He pressed the unlocking mechanism on the near wall-it was in the shape of his father head-and stood waiting for the news. In walked his liaison Kapel Imobul, and with him a beautiful middle aged woman with green hair in a silky black dress. Beside her there were 2 tall thin men in red robes. The thin men's faces resembled that of an angry camel. Dramkick was ready for anything.
Kapel has dominating size of 6'4" tall and 231 pounds of sculpted muscle. His lime green hair and light yellow beard (on the left side of his face only) struck Dramkick as trouble. He has on a black suit jacket, blue T-shirt, and a pair of black cargo pants. He is off putting to Dramkick to say the least.
"Quadromolan, this is Queen Mela Vindijan from the planet Sras Oblique. These are sheiks Uaty and Paut from the planet Areap," Kapel explained as he looked at each person and then stepped to the side.
"Sras Oblique…then undoubtedly you are Peastro's wife," Dramkick said brightly as he gave Mela a hug.
"No, I am not his wife, I am married to the former Emperor Coup Vindijan. Which is partly
why we are here to speak with you, Quadromolan," Mela said as she looked at Dramkick awkwardly.
"Let us sit and discuss these matters that concern you," Dramkick said as he walked over and sat in the nearest leather chair.
Kapel grabbed the remaining chairs, one by one, and moved them so that they were close to Dramkick and facing him. Mela, Uaty, Paut and Kapel sat down, while Bree stood behind Dramkick with her arms draped around his neck.
"If you don't mind me asking how do you know of Peastro? I mean you're so far from Sras Oblique out here," Mela crossed her legs seductively.
"Doga, a famous prophet told me that Peastro was a wise and powerful ruler," Dramkick explained as he sized up the 3 of them. "That he was the true equal I've been searching for all my life. In a few short months, when all of my affairs are in order, I'm going to travel to his home world of Sras Oblique. And I will meet the friend and brother I never had," Dramkick was more serious now as he held Bree's hands to his chest.
Mela looked at Dramkick concerned and said sternly, "Peastro is not the man you think he is. He is a vindictive, murderous little monster who single handedly destroyed billions of lives on Sras Oblique so that he could take power. If you knew him you would despise him with all of your faculties."
"No, you have just confirmed it to me that he is the man I think he is," Dramkick was now overjoyed and excited in a way he hadn't been in a long time. "It may come to a shock to you that I did those very same things to take power a good many years ago. A woman like you can't truly appreciate the resolve it takes to pull something like that off,” Dramkick said snidely as he grinned. “And moreover, the devious man is always more likable to me for his total honesty in
his search for possessions and power. Now that was not a request, but I feel one is coming on so let's have it," Dramkick said snidely as a smile glided across his face.
Mela looked at Dramkick with a cold stare and then she looked at Uaty and said, "Well, Dramkick Reign, son of Emasip Reign there is a problem. See your father Emasip entered into a Morshan agreement with my great grandfather a few hundred years ago. In exchange for use of our armies and advanced weaponry in the Raska war. A war which your father won. This led to him becoming the ruler of Membra and to the Reign family dynasty in general."
"What is this Morshan agreement and what exactly is your request?" Dramkick asked as he let his hold of Bree's hand lapse.
"I was hoping you'd ask, a Morshan agreement, for lack of a better term, is a life debt redeemable at any time,” Uaty replied with a boyish glee. “When 2 parties enter into a Morshan, each gets one undeniable request from each other. In this case your father asked for the use of our armies. My great grandfather never made his request and after he died the Morshan was passed to my father. Upon his death, it passed to me and today I've come to make my request and complete the agreement. Guess what I want?" Uaty asked smugly as he smiled a sinister smile.
Dramkick paused for a moment then asked calmly, "What?"
"Great, we want you to capture Peastro, bring him to the Gorgus Syndrome Hospital planet in the Mum system. Whereby we'll slowly slice his body into little pieces. This as he is kept alive and conscious through the entire ordeal. So what do you say?" Uaty asked snidely as he waved his hands in unison like a bird’s fluttering wing.
"What happens if I say no firstly, and where is the proof that there is a Morshan agreement at all?" Dramkick asked as he sat forward in his seat.
Paut pulled out a silver mask from under his robe and handed it to Dramkick and said,
Dramkick took a slow breath and pressed in the eyes. He heard Emasip's voice say, "I Emasip take the breadth and scope of this Morshan. And agree that I will, and my family will, for a thousand generations will honor this agreement or our family secret will be revealed. And all my subsequent descendents destroyed. I also agree that all powers and properties will be forfeited by my family if the Morshan is not accepted. If my son or daughter is listening to this I send you our family nickname, Waudo."
Dramkick stood up and quickly said, "OH God no it can't be…Waudo, there is no way you could know that. It was only spoken once."
"You have a decision to make and it is difficult, but is Peastro’s life worth giving away everything your family has worked for?" Mela asked as she stood up and reached out her arms palms up.
"What is this?" Dramkick asked defiantly as he looked at Mela's arm. "What does this mean?"
"If you agree to the deal then wave your hand in a circle over my arms,” Mela spoke with an unwavering determination. “It's a small thing, Dramkick, that's all it is. One man's life and then you're back to your life as Quadromolan. Your empire is vast and will need your supreme guidance to survive. Steady the ship with this gesture and secure your legacy," Mila said sternly as she continued extending her arms out.
Dramkick stared at her as she spoke and thoughts careened off the inside walls of his skull.
He feared that he might have to kill the only person he could truly relate to. He wondered if he could fight off Uaty and Paut and their vast armies if he refused to accept the deal. Then he decided quickly and said boldly, "My father said the end of the world would be caused by a lie,
and then an admission followed by violence between friends. He also said carry your feelings in a silver safe that has no door. This Peastro…if his existence threatens mine then a pair of friends we weren't or ever would be. "
Dramkick waved his hand over Mela's outstretched arms and Mela smiled and said snidely,
"You're ridding the universe of its lesser self. This will not be forgotten by Me or mine. "
Dramkick nodded yes and asked with his full breadth of voice, "What is the timetable for this? I ask because we're in the middle of an interplanetary war as well as several other pressing matters. And I will need a little time."
"Granted we would like to see this remedied as soon as physically possible, but we were aware that there would be loose ends to tie up before you journeyed to Sras Oblique," Mela said warmly as a sense of glee filled her body. This Dramkick would take care of it all she thought.
"We are willing to wait and eager to escort you to the outer reaches of the T sun. And then it will be at your discretion how you actually apprehend Peastro. I must warn you in advance that he is wise, he is powerful and he will not yield," Mela said firmly as she stroked his chin.
"I am not concerned with his power he will be broken,” Dramkick answered as he looked at his fingers and thought of them killing Peastro. “I would appreciate the escort for my mind to be put at ease, considering I’m venturing to a galaxy I've never seen. As far as how I will capture him, I've got that under control fear not. The question now is, is there anything I can get you for your stay? We have very luxurious accommodations I can assure you," Dramkick walked over to Bree and put his arm around her shoulders. He kissed her on the lips but didn't close his eyes.
Not with these men around, he thought.
"Thank you, Dramkick, for that, but we brought all the comforts from home on our ship. I'd like to catch a bath and lie down for a while if I could," Mela said warmly as she rubbed her
"Kapel, see to it they get everything they require and put them up in the Baumeg wing.
Mela, Uaty, Paut, don't hesitate to ask for anything, we don't judge here," Dramkick said honestly as his voice descended into almost a whisper.
"Thank you again," Uaty said and then he, Mela, and Paut were escorted out of the room.
As soon as they left Bree asked, "You're not really going through with this are you, Dramkick?"
"Oh most assuredly so, this Peastro will fall under my blade."
"What? That's lunacy I thought this was the person you'd searched for your whole life. How could you even think of killing him?" Bree asked emphatically and then she pulled away from Dramkick's grasp.
"It's not a thought, it's an action and one that needs to be taken if I am to survive and my empire continue, Bree." Dramkick was agitated and his body language showed it. "You've never been in control of another man's fate so you don't appreciate the responsibility involved. I don't enter into this lightly, there are huge things at play here that must not be ignored." Dramkick reached down and touched his toes. The stretching calmed him for a moment. "Trust me, Bree, they'll be another Peastro and I'm strong enough to wait," Dramkick said passionately as he walked over to the wall and grabbed one of his trophies. He walked back over to Bree and said sternly, "This is a physical trophy for a challenge met. It wasn't easy obtaining it and neither will the trophy of Peastro, but the glory will be of same. Roll your eyes all night long it still doesn't change the fact that Peastro will die a horrible death. And I will live another thousand years as Quadromolan.”
"58 Prangs please?" Downer Frien asked anxiously of Haver-a 12 foot tall android bartender. He looked around Gorelle's bar for Vibrom Teni Pents (who he was waiting to meet with).
Haver is bright red in color and looks humanoid. His eyes seem to trace you even when he wasn't looking in your direction. His head is long and shaped like a Peacock's feather. His face is soft, almost childlike, and can convey emotions. Haver has 8 fingers per hand and long arms with a V shaped torso. His black legs walk with the ease of a rich banker.
"In a Kispo, Downer?" Haver asked as he stood and waited with his arms behind his back.
"Yes, please, Haver," Vibrom responded quickly as he spun around and continued to look for Vibrom.
A Kispo is a 12 inch blue glass that has 3 compartments-the 3 compartments would become one when you pushed the lever on the side. This allowed you to mix your own drinks and have them with the right amounts you wanted. Heavy drinkers loved it, lightweights filled it with beer.
A Prang is an individual flavor of alcohol as well as a degree of intoxication. There are a total of 57,000 different Prangs in the known universe.
Gorelle's is poorly lit and has 4 circular bars in each of the 4 corners of the oval shaped room. There are square bar stools hovering in place that are very sturdy. Behind the bar there are holograms of robots-the patrons control these robots and square off against one another in a fist fight for a nominal fee. The other patrons would place wagers on who would be the winner.
Often times this sparking real fist fights when someone didn't want to pay up. This is a frequent occurrence and enjoyed by the bar staff. The floors and countertops are covered in Asup dust-
which is a sanitizing cleaner that destroys all the germs that come into contact with it. Because of this fact, it is commonplace to see people lying on pillows and eating off the floor. It doesn't take an evolved sort of person to come in, but it does to stay. The walls are filled with shimmering trapped light balloons. They burst every few minutes causing a kaleidoscope of colors that stretch to the far corners of the bar.
Downer turned to get his drink and heard, "All the drinks here are poisoned!" That was the password he had sent to Vibrom and he instantly turned and said warmly, "But death is only certain."
"Downer, how are you?" Vibrom asked happily as he grabbed Downer's shoulders and gave them a friendly shake.
Vibrom is medium height and build, but has yellow and blue stripped hair that reaches out for the walls. His wild eyes and yellow teeth snarl perpetually at you. He also has the words,
"Truth is a lie," tattooed on his chin. He is draped in army fatigues and a pair of white boots-with the drawing of Perbetain on the sides of each.
Perbetain was a 29th century general who sabotaged his own battalions, because of a severe mental collapse. He is responsible for the death of 3 million of his own troops. And he was only found out to be crazy after a love affair with a Whyzi and he shaved his head bald before running naked through the capital city (whipping pedestrians across the face with a belt as he did).
"Better now, Vibrom, that's for sure. Let's grab a seat and talk," Downer replied warmly as he walked up to the bar and sat down on a stool.
Vibrom sat down beside him and said sternly, "I’ve got a message and did some research."
"Okay.”
"Coats and Pleu are the only Gopas that can be set free,” Vibrom admitted as he fumbled in
his pocket for a government cigarette. “See, their cells are next to the Sooly restaurant supply warehouse. I know Fermand Sooly personally, he's a scoundrel, but he will allow us to blow a hole in his wall to spring Coats and Pleu," Vibrom said and then he motioned to Haver to get him 34 Prangs.
"That's great news! Then let's get them out right now," Downer said enthusiastically and he grabbed a nervous drink. His ears were flared, his eyes pierced, his heart not quite ready.
"It's complicated, we can't just blow the wall or the guards will come flooding through. Our only shot is at lunch today. You see the guards eat their meals at the same time as the prisoners, and on the other side of the prison. Today is their bi-monthly card game," Vibrom explained carefully (not sure he was ready for all this). He continued, "So an hour from now we blow that wall and grab Coats and Pleu. Otherwise there’s no chance," Vibrom said as he tried to hide the fact his hand was shaking.
"Nice, but what happens if they’re too close to the wall, they're not in any danger are they?"
Downer asked nervously as he casually pulled out his Ovelie cigarettes and lit one up.
Ovelie cigarettes are made from genetically altered tobacco that has been spliced with wild berries (they have a very sweet aftertaste, but are not quite candy).
"Well, that's the Meonk in the room,” Vibrom answered as he twisted his sweaty neck to the side. “What if they get blown to pieces, it's a risk we have to take. I saw the look on Coats and Pleu's faces when they were on that stage waiting to be killed, you did too," Vibrom said as he looked firmly Downer with no friend in the eyes. The stakes are too high, he thought.
"No, you're right they're not going through that again. That's it then, we just take our chances. I just pray we get lucky," Downer replied sadly as he nearly stared bubbles into his drink.
A Meonk is a 2,000 pound ape like creature that is known for its destructive power. A hundred thousand people per month are ripped to shreds by Meonks. They have small hands that are covered in blonde fur. Their shoulders and arms make up two thirds of their body weight.
Their eyes are ocean blue typically and appear lifeless.
Downer and Vibrom made their way to Sooly's supply warehouse. Fermand Sooly is waiting at the side door with a smile on his face and the control switch in his left hand as they walk up.
"Gentlemen, I have their freedom in my left hand," Fermand declared as he handed it to Downer and then said, "Just squeeze the handle firmly, when you're ready, and press the button on top and it'll be one loud hello."
Downer inspected the switch and replied, "Let's hope for an easy resolution and that Coats and Pleu aren't injured in the blast."
"Let's hope, now we must hurry inside and make the final preparations," Fermand led them through an egg white fist shaped door.
They hurried down a long black hallway with bright red lights every 10 feet (it cast their shadows skyward). They came to a gold door that is slightly ajar and Fermand shook it open.
Inside there was an enormous hangar bay with 4 Tetrio fighter ships lined up in a row. Each Tetrio is stacked with 3 large jet engines on each side and an upside down pie shaped fuselage in the middle. They are 40 feet long and pure white in color-with dark blue laser canons on the front and back and can easily rotate 360°. The ceiling of the warehouse has a retractable roof that is wide open. The rest of the room is filled with old memories an old annoyances stacked one on top of the other (Fermand's signature lasagna Au Moat, is piled up in plastic green containers along the wall). The walls are colored paisley red and green. Downer can see this isn't his life he had entered, but he still didn't want to leave.
The 3 of them walked over to the left wall and Fermand said boldly, "Don't worry about a thing, we've got the Tetrios fueled up and ready go.” Fermand shook off a chill. “The explosives are here as you can see. And in about a minute from now we'll stand back from this wall and light the candle. Any questions?"
"None, let's cook it," Vibrom answered as the 3 men moved back from the wall 40 good feet (and wondered if 50 feet was a better distance).
Downer looked at Vibrom and Fermand nervously. We need the luck today, he thought. He squeezed the control stick and remarked as he pushed the button, "I'm sorry my friends."
The explosives blew a gigantic 100 yard long hole through 30 different prison cells. A moment later, each of the inmates poked their heads into the blast cylinder. Downer looked at Fermand and asked sarcastically, "Did you pack enough explosives, Fermand? Were you trying to set a record for the longest blast?"
"I'm sorry I made a mistake, we must hurry and get Coats and Pleu there's no time,"
Fermand sounded apologetic, but he was more annoyed than anything (They were his friends in their damn it). He ran over to the hole and jumped inside.
Coats and Pleu were covered in rubble, but were still alive. Fermand started clearing the rocks off their bodies. Coats asked, "Who are you and why are you trying to kill us?"
"I am your friend, we’re here to help. Try to get to your feet, be quick!" Fermand barked as he lifted Coats to his feet and they hurried through the hole. The dust made it very difficult to breathe and many of the inmates were coughing themselves to death.
While this was happening Downer was helping Pleu to his feet. They were right behind Coats through the hole. The other inmates came running from their cells with the stunned guards right behind them. They boarded 2 different Tetrios with Vibrom, Pleu, and Downer in one and
Fermand and Coats in the other.
"Take off quick!" Coats shouted as he sat down in a leather chair and coughed the prison out of his lungs. Fermand jumped into the Capt.'s chair and hit the button for the jet thrusters. This caused them to soar through the opening in the roof like an eagle through a mountain pass.
"We're fine now, we'll be out of the atmosphere in a few seconds. Then we'll reenter on the far side of the planet. How do you feel, Coats?" Fermand asked as he walked over to Coats.
"A lot better now that's for sure, thank you."
"Fermand, I'm a close friend of Downer's. We were friends from a long time ago. It's alright if you don't remember. Downer here is the one that set this up."
"Downer…oh God I owe him an enormous debt. I almost forgot, how's Pleu, did he make it out?" Coats asked anxiously as he rubbed his hurt shoulder.
"He's fine, he's in the other ship. We're gonna meet them at the rendezvous point in the morning." Fermand reassured Coats as he put his arm around him. "There's nothing to worry about now, we won't allow them to take you again," Fermand said as he walked a few steps, grabbed a Praem tube from the drawer, and then continued by asking, "Thirsty?"
Coats looked at the Praem tube and said quickly, "You can't imagine my thirst. It's like I've been drinking sand with the crap they gave us in there," Coats swallowed the Praem and let out a sigh. He declared snidely, "Not anymore, Dramkick, not ever again you TYRANT!"
300 million Talz live on the shores of the river Pusdo and have bathed in the light green waters. Pusdo stretched for 7,000 miles and ends in the Gone Sea. The Gone Sea is titled such because of its depressing green water. And the fact that many a lost soul has chosen it as their final resting place in the underwater cemetery known as Traps League. The mighty Emasip and his wife Snatsy Reign were counted among the ones resting there.
Today Dramkick is giving Mela, Uaty, and Paut a tour of the Pusdo and the Gone Sea (including Traps League). Dramkick insisted they travel aboard a Toose ship-a vessel that can travel above and below the water as well as in the air. The Toose is 85 m long and is shaped like a slingshot lying on the ground flat wise. It has 2 steel hands on either side that can smash through other boats or ships if need be. There is a luxurious open air deck on each of the stems, with a complete outdoor kitchen and dining area surrounded by beautiful vegetation. It also has a thin white canopy over half the deck to give people a break from the sun. There are 2 leather couches under the canopy and 2 cloth ones in the open air. Dramkick had seized the couches from assassin the previous year (after breaking his neck in a botched coup attempt). There are also several small tables shaped like the number 8 in front of the couches. They have pop up Praem tubes in the center as well as holographic projectors. There is a group of 4 musicians playing the popular song of the day, "Why ask questions?" on their Vaneck guitars.
The Vaneck is shaped like a regular guitar, but has a microphone on the neck that you sing into. It causes the Vaneck to play the melody you chose, while you manipulate it with a series of 7 strings and an array of 30 buttons. Regardless of how you sang every note, everything was always played with perfect pitch. Each one of the 4 musicians stands 3 inches shorter than the
next in the order. They are playing in the semi-circle. They are all wearing black leather flight suits and white helmets with Dramkick's likeness on each. They are from the Conservatory of Rebet-which is 50 miles from the Gone Sea and produces every well known musician on Membra. Like P.H.D. short for Pieces Hurled Downward for instance. An immensely popular group of 3 identical blonde haired sisters who have 9 octave range. Each of the sisters are 6'2"
tall and incredibly beautiful (with make you nervous legs).
Mela and Dramkick are sitting under the canopy in their swimsuits, each enjoying a glass of Wams. Mela said sincerely, "This Wams is extraordinary, it truly is a pleasure. Where I'm from we don't have anything near as good."
"Thank you for that, it happens to be my favorite," Dramkick replied as his eyes looked more in than out. "Ya know, Mela, I would love it if you would try some Praem. It's the life's blood of our civilization and fuels our better selves," Dramkick said as he pressed the red button on the table and a rack of 5 Praem tubes popped up.
"I would love to,” Mela answered warmly and then continued, “On Sras we have a pill called Breask that thrills our souls. I wish I had brought some to give to you, but I didn't think about a stay of sorts," Mela said apologetically and then she inched closer to the table.
"Don't give it a thought, here," Dramkick said as he handed Mela a Praem tube and then continued, "I hope this suits you."
Mela sucked on the Praem tube for a few seconds and then a smile came across her face. She fell back onto the couch and started to laugh. Dramkick ingested some Praem and joined her in Twosqu. Once inside they were enthralled, and a little scared, at the way the world looked and everything felt. She saw the Danbridgo climbing up her arms and dangling from her fingers. Her skin felt warm and she was filled with sensation. She turned to Dramkick and said sarcastically,
"I've officially seen it all. I can see now the Breask was not required. A woman of many years shouldn't get this excited without her husband, but I know he would understand."
Dramkick smiled and stood up and said, "We're nearing the Gone Sea, you must see it with the Praem's embrace."
Mela rose to her feet and walked briskly over to the railing. She saw the mouth of the Gone Sea and said shocked, "Oh my God, all the world's blood is here and on fire!"