THE VROL TRILOGY (78 page)

Once Michael had been shown to his quarters
and was restfully digesting his lunch, Draagh, Jennie and Krynos
were in the old mage's office, discussing the details of the rescue
mission, if it could have been called that.

"I really cannot believe that I did not think
of this before. It is so logical, if it indeed does work, "said
Draagh, as Jennie cleaned her stinger pistol.

"Jennie, my dear, I am sure you will want to
bring your sidearm, but I am unaware if it will even be operable as
it was in Michael's prison world. That being said, if Max were
stranded in a world that had magic then it would be safe the say
that he would have probably found a way home by now. In closing, I
believe I am saying a bit too much and should probably concentrate
on formulating a list of the supplies we shall need."

"To which kinds of supplies do you refer, old
friend?" asked Krynos

"Foodstuffs, mostly. There is a slight amount
of danger that we will become lost, but I shall have Gabriel
monitor our progress from the Hub."

"Draagh," asked Jennie, "have you ever used a
firearm of any sort?"

The immortal looked at her, and then out
through a window, reminiscing a bit.

"Yes, my dear, I have. Although it has
been a few millennia since, and on another world, it was similar to
the Gatling gun of your peoples'
19
^th
century. I would carry it
around on my shoulder on a very complex mounting system, and dare
say it was so impressive looking that I never had to use
it."

Jennie thought for a moment and then pictured
a Gatling gun in her mind's eye, determining that Draagh, with his
large frame, would indeed look formidable carrying such a weapon.
Krynos, on the other hand, could not visualize that with which he
was completely unfamiliar, and pictured Draagh carrying Jennie's
tiny stinger on his shoulder, and of course finding it quite
comical, and not very impressive. However, Draagh was an old and
dear friend, as well as an entity of cosmic significance, so the
lycan king kept his thoughts to himself.

Liliana was in her room catching up on her
studies while her newly-located grandfather took a nap. It pained
her that she was forced to hurt him in order to get him to help
their situation, but she was determined to do anything and
everything possible to help bring her father home. And even though
he appeared to have come about his senses and had agreed to assist
the team, she still maintained a bit of disbelief, so she
determined that would keep an eye on him. Even though the child
seemed innocent most of the time, she was cynical toward him - and
no fool.

Once Michael woke up, Liliana sensed his
movements (his room being fairly close to hers) and went to greet
him (and to also make sure that he held to his promise of helping
her feed the sharks). Walking to his door, she placed her ear up to
the great wooden portal and listened carefully. She only heard
faint grunting sounds with which she was unfamiliar. Liliana burst
the door open, only to be shocked to see her grandfather trying to
fit into some leather clothing. He had not received the assistance
of his own father and was attempting to make some clothing fit.
Liliana started laughing out loud, which upset the powerless
archangel, but as the little girl had the ability to basically
thrash him within an inch of his immortal life he held his
tongue.

"Michael. Why do you not request the
assistance of grandfather Draagh? He can conjure the proper
clothing for you. Did you not know this?"

"Oh, hi Liliana. I was just trying to, you
know, do things on my own as I have for the past twenty-five years.
I became accustomed to doing things without special skills
and…"

"That is ridiculous. You have abilities. You
have merely forgotten them. One of your abilities is to ask for
help," stated the little girl while wearing a smirk."

"Ask for what?"

"H… E… L… P," she spelled out
sarcastically for her grandfather, "you know, assistance?
Aid?
Ayuda
?"

Michael wasn't sure if he was beginning to
really like Liliana, or simply dislike her. She had a wisdom that
was beyond her years, but had not yet learned to temper her
attitude. She was, after all, a child. Sighing in resignation, he
dropped his leather jacket.

"Shall we go to see my father, then? I should
need some decent clothing while we attend to matters at hand."

"I am already here, my son - and willing to
assist," stated the ancient Primulus, who had come out of
nowhere.

"Hello Father. I didn't realize that you
heard us," responded the mildly surprised archangel, only to look
at Liliana who was shaking her head in disbelief while pointing to
a metal badge on her lapel.

"Michael, these are magical comms. We use
them to communicate during missions, and I simply pressed mine and
let Grandfather know of your unfortunate, ill-fitting attire.
Grandfather Draagh, might you conjure something more befitting the
status of one as great as the Taxiarch? The archangel who is going
to help rescue my father and bring our family together
forever?"

Michael looked at his smiling granddaughter
and decided, for the moment, that he did indeed like her.

"My son, your new garments are in your
wardrobe. Liliana, please come with me and allow him to dress in
peace. And Michael, we shall be in the dining hall awaiting your
arrival."

"And we have to feed the sharks also, so
please be timely," advised the young lycan as she skipped away.

Bagatelle and Jennie were sitting on the
floor of his room, chatting about the potential success of Draagh's
operation. Bagatelle had acclimated so well to life in the Rhönen
Dominion that he maintained the appearance of a man in his early
thirties. Salubots were effectively keeping him at his prime. He
sometimes looked at himself in the mirror and wondered what Alicia
Vasquez would think if she saw him. She was a few years younger
than him and he now matched her in aged appearance. Trying not to
waft off into deep thought, he again paid attention to Jennie as
she laughed about Liliana's magical pummeling of Michael.

"But seriously, G, I don't know if I want to
bring her along if they do locate Max. It could be dangerous. I
mean, what if we popped into a world where giant monsters waited to
eat you?"

"There are giant monsters out there?"
Bagatelle asked curiously, wincing slightly.

"Well, I don't know, but… why take
chances?"

"Little sister, all we have ever done is take
chances. It's what makes us great. Can you deny your daughter a
chance at greatness? Plus, she'll be with us."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just worry
about her. You know, she's so-"

"Capable? Incorrigible? Brash? Amazing?" he
interrupted.

Smiling, Jennie lightly and playfully slugged
her brother in the arm and then popped up.

"I'm hungry. Draagh is waiting for us in the
dining hall, didn't you hear?"

Bagatelle looked down, remembering that he
had changed his jacket and wasn't wearing a comm badge, thus he
didn't hear Draagh's request.

"Oops. No comm. Let's go. I'm hungry
anyway."

In the dining hall, Draagh was seated with
Michael, Liliana and Gabriel. Jennie and Bagatelle approached and
noticed Krynos coming in from the other side of the room, being
followed by Master Commander Donus (formerly commander, but as Max
was granted that rank, Krynos had to invent an even more grandiose
sounding title for Donus). The two lycans native to the Dominion
walked up, with Donus first addressing Bagatelle.

"Bagatelle, my finest student. How was your
mission?"

Bagatelle immediately popped to attention at
seeing his commanding officer, even though he was accustomed to
being around the king and also Draagh who was, in all probability,
the most powerful thing in the universe - at least while Jah was on
sabbatical.

"Sir, we achieved our objective, sir,"
exclaimed the relatively new lycan.

"I had to give his ass a serious beat-down,"
Liliana blithely stated while thumbing over in Michael's
direction.

"Lili! Do not say such things or interject in
between officers!" demanded Jennie.

Donus grinned and winked at Bagatelle, and
then, taking a more serious approach, walked over to the seated
Liliana, where he looked down at her and ominously said, "Young
one, we are aware of your great deeds. I for one certainly look
forward to your training when you are of age. I promise it will be…
enlightening."

Liliana gave a slightly alarmed, wide-eyed
expression back at the lycan master commander and kept her mouth
shut. Donus was one of the few who Liliana feared. She respected
most, but feared few, and the adults felt it was best to limit her
contact with Donus, so as to keep her from becoming too comfortable
with him, like she had become with King Krynos.

"Michael, this is Master Commander Donus, the
head of my military forces and a dear friend. Donus, please meet
the Taxiarch, Michael," said the king.

Donus went to kneel in respect, but as he
lowered himself Michael shot up and extended his hand, clasping
Donus' and pulling him up.

"Please, do not bow. It is my pleasure to
meet you."

"Then the pleasure is also mine, Taxiarch. I
would have imagined you much… larger."

Gabriel sat at the far end of the table and
appeared to flinch every time that word was mentioned. He had
always desired the title and power, but Draagh had preferred
Michael for reasons unknown. Michael saw his brother's glare and
wondered why he had even been given the position, but it was still
his - for the time being.

"Larger? Yes, well, I have been on a vegan
diet for the past twenty five years and it is not conducive to
muscular growth," responded the archangel.

"Vegan?" asked Donus. "What is this vegan?
Does one hunt it with knife in hand, or by traps? Or perhaps one
uses a bow?"

Liliana jumped up out of her seat and bowed
before Donus. She then motioned for him to lean forward, where she
whispered into his ear.

"Green… what? Oh, I see. He will need more…
elk, you say. Very well then!"

Donus clapped his hands and a number of
servants rushed over.

"We shall need roasted elk. Young Liliana
states that our unfortunate friend here has been denied proper
nutrition for many long years while trapped with a clan of crazy
people, and must restore his system. Purple potatoes also! Bring
them mashed, in heaping piles," commanded Donus.

Liliana sat back down with a stunned Michael,
and then scooted over and whispered to Gabriel, "You should sit
closer to us. I have neither brothers nor sisters, and wish I had a
sibling. Can you not be closer to yours?"

Gabriel looked at the little girl, honestly
unable to formulate an argument to her request, so he got up and
sat next to her, the young lycan now properly seated in between the
two most powerful archangels in the history of the universe.
Gabriel looked over at Michael, who was wearing a tepid grin.

Michael project out his mind out, knowing
that, although changed, he still shared a bond with his father and
brother.

Gabriel, I know you can hear me. What do you
think of the child?

She is a credit to her
subspecies. I am told her father, although not related, is also
quite special
.

Michael then felt a thud in the back of his
head and looked back quickly to see Gabriel retracting his
wings.

I miss having those. You
were right. I have much to atone for
.

You may yet again have them, Brother - and I
am not a psychopath. We have both erred seriously in the past.
Perhaps it is time to look forward. Father has a good deal to tell
you regarding your son's world. It is in great peril.

Turning to Draagh, Michael asked, "Father,
can you give me the whole story? How you all came to be here and
what is to happen to Azul?"

Draagh looked around to make sure everyone
was seated and then again began to tell Michael the entire story of
Max, the side space carrier currents hook drive, Bagatelle, Jennie,
their travels to the Dominion and the issues back on Azul. Everyone
listened peacefully as they ate, except for Krynos, who insisted on
recounting the tale of Jennie's decimation of Ryder Johnson's
skull. It seemed each time he told the story it became a bit more
dramatic. This time he had Jennie pulverizing Johnson's entire body
into atoms, sending them back into time and causing Johnson's
family line to never have been born. This caused Michael and
Gabriel both to gain confused expressions, as both had traveled
extensively through space and time and had never encountered such
an ability. Draagh found it necessary to communicate telepathically
with his sons and set the record straight. Even though Jennie did
not reverse an entire timeline with punches they still found her
story impressive and saw the humor in Krynos' prideful
boasting.

"So, Azul still has roughly four years before
the Vrol get within range?" asked Michael, stunned that the hive
was allowed to exist in the first place.

"Yes, my son. That is true. And it could be
avoided, if not for some particularly ruthless politicians who seek
to amass short-term power over the survival of their own
species."

"You're talking about Len Johnson. He's an
evil bastard, for sure. His son was a vampire, so it's pretty
certain he is also, but inactive as he is on Azul?" said
Bagatelle.

"Yeah, that's right, G. No magic on Azul so
no enhanced abilities," responded his younger sister.

"Then, if Max is the one to lead the fight
for his world, we must find him before any ill befalls his
countenance," said Gabriel, who occasionally slipped into using
archaic linguistic forms.