He pondered this for a moment. “I see the truth and weight in these words. Tell me,” he began, “if your general truly believes that we can work together to defeat a greater enemy, then what is the purpose of the Humans coming aboard this vessel?”
I knew he was going to be smart enough to see through this. My goal now was to throw up enough smoke that perhaps I could screen him from the truth. Paul hadn’t told me, but it was easy enough to see in the gaze he had leveled on me. As soon as those that were coming on board were up to speed, Asuras and company were heading out the airlocks. My part in the grand scheme didn’t represent humanity’s most stellar trait, but here’s a platitude for you: “All’s fair in love and war.”
“We are building our own ships and there is also a need on the Guardian to have as many qualified personnel as possible to be ready in case of injury. The problem is getting them enough time to properly train; kind of difficult when we are constantly at war.”
Wasn’t so much smoke as a slight haze; he would have had to be unconscious to not be able to wave it away with a slight movement of his hand and garner the true meaning of what I was saying.
“Perhaps one day when we have built up enough trust you will tell me your truth. Until that time, I look forward to our new friendship.”
“Asuras, I don’t trust the mutes…umm, the Devastators. They are entirely too volatile to be around people.”
“What would you have me do with them?”
“I think it would be best if those that are on the surface stay there and any still on this ship should be sent down as well.”
“I have never heard one word of praise from Grar in all of the years he has served under me. When I questioned him in regards to you, he grunted with an upward lilt. I will attest to you now, that is a high compliment from my Devastator leader. There is something in you, or about you, Michael Talbot, that my kind respects. I trust that you will not betray this.”
“I’ll do my best Asuras, but in the end, I’m only Human.”
I was paranoid those first few hours that the Progs got back into their duty chairs, that they would find Greggs’ worm and we’d all be sunk. The more time that elapsed, the more at ease I felt about it. I was waiting impatiently for the first of the shuttles to arrive with the new crews. I was absolutely stoked and apparently mortified when Tracy stepped off that third shuttle.
“Well, that certainly wasn’t the face I was expecting to see when I got here,” she said as she walked up. Apparently, I’d made the ‘scared shitless’ expression for all to see.
“I’m beyond happy to see you, woman, I’m just terrified that it has to be here. You can maybe understand my hesitation?”
She looked around. Progs and Genos were doing their things while Devastators were being ushered off en masse. There was a shitload of alien activity going on. Everything seemed to come to a standstill as Drababan came off the same shuttle Tracy had.
“Oh, he gets a big smile,” she teased.
“Sure he does! He doesn’t make me clean up after myself,” I said, leaving her standing there.
I pumped his hand once and then we brought it in for a hug.
“It is good to see you, Michael Talbot.” I swear the big lug was trying to hold back a smile. “It seems we have garnered an audience,” Dee said as he looked around.
“No ‘we’ about it buddy—it’s all you.” He did not seem totally comfortable with this realization. There was a good chance the Progerians would always see him as a traitor and an instigator and even amongst the Genogerians there would be those that did not understand why he did what he did. “I don’t know if I will ever be able to repay you for watching our son,” I said as Tracy came up to me.
“Perhaps one day you will be able to return the favor.”
A few images unwillingly flitted across my mind, they involved a quick montage of Dee getting married then procreating—yeah that was a fun one—then Mrs. Dee on a hospital bed, beads of sweat pouring off her crocodilian forehead…a snarling baby boy born. Quick snap to a year later, when the parental Dee’s in desperate need of a night off go to a movie marathon festival showing all the Lake Placid flicks. I stay back to watch Dee Junior, who mistakes me for a cheesy snack and tries to rip my arm off or when I tell him it’s time for bed, the baby—already bigger than me—puts me in the corner. “Yeah…umm, you got it, buddy.” I finally answered.
I noticed BT hanging back, I waved him forward, he didn’t seem quite so thrilled to be up close and personal with the giant Geno.
“Dee, this is BT, and vice-versa.”
“That’s not how you introduce people,” Tracy admonished. I shrugged.
He stuck out his huge hand for a shake; Dee did the same. They locked eyes for a second, Dee’s opened a little wider in surprise. I think BT was trying to show a little dominance by squeezing as tight as he could. If anything, Dee was bemused, but he also wasn’t going to back down from a challenge. It was BT’s turn to show a modicum of surprise…then a grimace that quickly turned into a wince.
“Okay, okay!” he said, pulling his hand back quickly. “It’s great to meet you.”
“Did I just witness a pissing contest?” Tracy asked.
“I think you might have,” I replied.
“That was rhetorical.” She shook her head.
“Don’t you go using your multi-syllable words on me.”
“I married a seven year-old.”
“I have met seven year-olds with far more intellect,” Dee told her.
“Wow. How quickly the wheels of the bus go round and round,” I said.
“Is he referring to his allegorical bus that keeps running people over?” Dee asked Tracy.
We went on like this for a few more minutes; it was our traditional greeting to mess with each other for awhile; we always stopped short of someone getting offended. Humor always helped to ease down the worry we harbored for each other during our absences. It was just like old times until we caught sight of Asuras and three of his officers coming our way. I figured this was going to be the point where he said it was all a ruse and now that they had all the important people together they thought it better to just shoot us and be done with it.
I froze at the hesitation to Asuras’s approach, but it was probably completely fabricated in my mind. Here was Drababan, a Genogerian who had revolted against their system, incited rioting and rebellion, and was now a leader of a group that was still technically an enemy, at least until we were either destroyed or formally recognized by the Progerian home world. Plus, add to the fact he was like a damn sports celebrity. His exploits in the games were known across the Progerian galaxy. This would sort of be like me walking up on Babe Ruth after he was fighting for the Progs…it would be that strange; I’d ask for an autograph before shooting him.
Asuras had an entire lifetime of biases built up, kind of like Paul had. I was not entirely sure how this was going to go down. If he insulted Dee, and Dee took offense, I would obviously side with my friend, and the uneasy truce we had going on would quickly unravel. Sure, we were bringing people up here quickly, but we were still vastly outnumbered. Asuras looked to me, though he would occasionally glance over at Dee.
“I am having all of the Genogerians aboard confined to their living quarters,” he said.
“May I ask why?” this from Dee.
“Much the same reasons we have disembarked the Devastators. Running a ship of this complexity and magnitude requires that everything works flawlessly. I cannot have the Genogerians interrupting this due to outside influences.”
I placed a hand on Dee’s chest. This was about to go south really quick. That I had to play peacemaker before we'd even sat down was a heavy indication of that.
“Commander, you’ll let the Genogerians go about their daily activities and, in turn, Drababan here promises to not sow the seeds of discontent.”
“I have promised no such thing, Michael.”
“Could you roll with me on this one, Dee?”
br /> “I will not cause any untold distractions or malfeasance, but I, as of yet, have not promised any such course of action; and I would appreciate you not presuming to speak for me.”
“So you’re basically saying you agree with me but you’re taking offense to the fact that I spoke for you?”
“I think, Michael, that anyone with a modicum of sense would take offense if you spoke for them,” Dee said.
“Holy shit,” BT blurted out. “He’s fucking funny!”
Tracy could barely contain her giggle.
Asuras seemed to weave through the conversation; he’d heard what he needed to from Drababan.
“Very well,” he said. “I would like to escort my new officers to the bridge. We have much to discuss. Michael. BT, I will have my sub-commander show you to your new housing.”
I had a moment of doubt; the whole divide and conquer thing, but Dee would be with Tracy and she quelled my fear. “Go get some sleep; you look exhausted.”
It was like I hadn’t realized it until she’d told me, but I was exhausted. If I was half as tired as BT looked, I couldn’t even figure out why I was still standing.
Sleep came exceedingly easy considering the circumstances and the location. At some point, Tracy had joined me, got the hours she needed then returned to duty. I’d stayed in bed like a hard-partying teenager. I think I got up twice to take care of some base needs then immediately went back to bed. BT may or may not have shown up to see if I wanted to get dinner. I blew through an entire day and night, not that those terms held much weight in space. I might have been going for a record when a warning klaxon blared. I thought alarm clocks were bad. Heart just about burst from the piercing rupture of sound.
I’d thrown the covers off of me and was sitting up, I had grabbed my rifle long before I thought to grab any clothing. I was standing in the hallway fully armed and naked.
“What the fuck is wrong with you man?” It was BT.
“You’re wearing flip-flops and Spiderman tightie-whities. I don’t think you’re in any position to give me shit. And since when do they make Spiderman underwear in Hulk sizes?”
“I have been sent to retrieve you, Colonel.” It was the sub-commander.
“What’s going on?” I raised my hand to wipe my eyes.
“There is shit I cannot unsee Talbot!”
“I’m not making you look.”
“Imminent arrival,” he stated
That got my blood pumping. “Which ship?”
“The Dreadnaught.”
“Yeah, that’s a pretty comforting name. Give me and my superhero friend over here time to change and we’ll be right there.”
“Stop looking at me, BT. Ever since that Stryver penis incident you make me slightly uncomfortable.”
“Fuck you, Talbot,” he said before he went to his room to get changed.
The sub commander didn’t move.
“You’re waiting, I take it.”
“I am. I was told not to return until you were with me.”
“Asuras’s orders?”
“Your mate’s.”
“Yeah, she’s scary alright. Okay, five minutes. I’ll be right back.”
I got dressed in my battle fatigues as quickly as I thought humanly possible. BT had beat me out there. “I thought you were a Spidey fan, not the Flash.”
“Let’s go,” he said as we followed the sub-commander.
“Where’s your gun?” I asked.
“You brought your gun?”
“Why didn’t you?” was my reply. “This meeting goes bad and there’s no telling what could happen.”
“We’re all friends now, right?”
“Yup. Real good friends, just like Russia and the US right after the second world war.”
BT just turned and ran back to his room.
“Where is he going?” the sub commander asked.
“He’s going to get his security blanket.” I waited there. We still had plenty of time and I wanted to make sure nothing befell him as he was wandering around an alien ship.
“You didn’t have to wait.”
“Yeah, I kind of did.”
“Thanks,” was all he said in return.
There was tension when we got onto the bridge; not sure whether it was because of Dee and all the Humans or the impending arrival of another ship or more likely a combo of all three of those factors.
Asuras took us in quickly. “It is good of you to come…though you did not need your weapons.”
“I’m a foot soldier, Commander. I am only comfortable with a rifle strapped to my back.”
“We are not on the ground, Colonel,” Asuras said.
“Doesn’t look like they got the memo,” I said, pointing back to the heavily armed guards doing their best to stand discreetly against the wall.
Asuras ordered them out of the room, then looked over to me.
“I’m keeping it,” I told him. “What’s your feeling about this?”
“I am the commander of this fleet; they will do as I say.” It was interesting to me that he was compelled to repeat his assurances in his authority; the possibility that our agreements might not be honored was so much at the forefront of his thought, he did not need any clarification to what I was asking. To Asuras, the only point of contention here was his command.
“Being the commander doesn’t always ensure that your orders will be followed, Asuras. All military men and women in the United States at first, and now the entire earth, are taught that they are to obey all lawful commands from their officers. So for instance, if an officer orders his charges to shoot baby harbor seals, they will not do so because it is not a lawful order. I’m extremely fearful that this might be exactly what happens when that ship arrives.”
“I can assure you that all orders are obeyed by my people, Colonel.”
Drababan had turned from his post. “That is not exactly a true statement. There was the FreeTown incident.”
Asuras about went rigid. I don’t know if it was from the remembrance of the event or that he’d been called out for a lie.
“I had forgotten about that,” Asuras said.
“Of course you had,” Drababan said. “It involved the lawless slaughter of thousands of Genogerians, not Progerians.”
There was not a Progerian on that bridge who was not watching the dialog with great attention. Would have needed a chainsaw to cut through the tension. When the alarm went off again, I figured the fighting had started. It was an automated response from the ship regarding the imminent arrival. Seemed like a bit of overkill, since we already knew.
“It’s the Cruiser Dreadnaught,” the sub-commander informed us.
I looked over to Tracy, this situation was maybe not spiraling out of control but we sure were leaning heavily to one side.
“Get the general on the horn,” I said. I didn’t need to bother, he was already calling in. Made sense—he had the same detection gear we had.
“Commander, Colonel,” Paul said. He was looking fairly stern, though, if one looked close enough you could see the concern that interwove through that visage; subtle, unless you knew him like I did. “Is everything still on course?”
“There is no need for a constant re-questioning or doubting of our agreement, General,” Asuras said.
“General,” I addressed my superior, “my personal opinion is that you should maybe fly out of here ahead of us and make sure we get this sorted out on this end,” This over Asuras’s word. The look he directed at me was something usually reserved for mother’s staring at the accused murderer of their offspring. That alone gave me pause. Was he pissed I still doubted his authority, or was I maybe tossing a monkey wrench in his plans?
“And what of you?” Paul asked. “And those on board with you? I will not leave you to twist in the wind of fate. The commander will honor our agreement or will die in disgrace.”
“Whoa.” BT had said just loud enough that only I could hear it. That was my thought exactly. Paul had not given much wiggle r
oom in that statement; he’d basically discounted what Asuras had insisted was immutable. The fact that he’d made the decree publicly pretty much proved he had grapefruit-sized balls. I wasn’t envious. Who wants to be hefting those things around? Always smacking into each other, you have to walk with your legs splayed, it’s just a mess; not to mention other guys are always trying to prove theirs are bigger.
“Umm, since we all seem to be playing with our cards facing up, General, I’ve been slightly concerned about the odds shifting with two new ships coming into the picture. The commander here is under the belief that his fellow officers will abide by these field decisions we’ve struck, but apparently there is some historical precedence that orders haven’t always been followed to the letter.”
“Not by my officers,” Asuras said.
“General, even if this ship went neutral there are still two better-armed battleships in top shape coming to meet yours, which is in serious need of repair.”
“I, above all, understand our current state, Colonel. My stance remains the same. I will not ever yield this ground. My days of running are over. I have no doubt of Asuras’s sincere belief that he will be in a position to keep his word. The others will capitulate; by force if necessary. Out.” He looked pissed when that screen turned off.
“Well, umm, there you have it,” I said as all eyes were on me now.
“Awkward.” BT was looking around.
“Commander, I need this ship placed in between the Guardian and the ships about to arrive. I’m hoping that will avoid some of the…confusion that is bound to spring up. I would rather they have to blow through us to get to their target.”
“They will not fire,” he assured me, again.
“I’m not asking, Commander.”
Yeah, that got the reaction you might expect.
“Are you giving me an order aboard my own flagship?” He puffed out in a threatening posture, enough so that Drababan stood quickly; me and BT had our weapons at the ready, as did Tracy. Our crew members followed suit.
“Make no mistake, Asuras, this ship is ours. I’m allowing you to use it and at some point, if I deem you trustworthy, I will let you have it back. But I’m not going to allow anything untoward to happen to the Guardian, not at any diplomatic, procedural, or military breach. I know most of the people on that ship; I’ve had them over for barbecues, we’ve raised glasses to all those we’ve lost. Sure there’s one or two that I won’t miss when they’re gone, but it’s not worth the sacrifice of the rest. So when I say we are going to become a shield for that ship, I fucking mean it.”