The Beast

The Beast - Part 32

They finished with Taro wishing Drashe good luck, followed by him moving to the couch. Verona followed him and Gabriel took position next to the couch, unsure whether to go or not.

"What's on your mind Taro?" By now Verona cuddled with Taro.

"Do you think we were hired by Drashe or the Union?" Taro's voice was quiet as he was deep in thought.

"It stopped being uncommon for Admirals to pay out of their own pocket a long time ago. Aina paid out of pocket too." Verona was well aware that her job was to bounce back his ideas and took that roll up.

"Yea but that's Ania, she didn't flee for no reason but Drashe. Her principalness has always disqualified her as an associate, so why would she stoop and not only hire me but do it out of pocket?."

"Could it be you're underestimating Rutha's...way out?"

"Huh, yes. The war could have been a greater tool on the union than expected and they might've been pushed to the brink with losing the four fleets, plus all those dead leaders. Yeah, you're right she sounded desperate."

"See, you should worry more about how Erdfeld will react to being governed by you."

"We don't have a good reputation but Drashe said I could use any means necessary and I will. They won't dare to do anything stupid once we estamblish our athority. Speaking of, you can leave for Tibi. She can take out the bomb once you're ready." He was looking at Gabriel, who was ready to stand for a long time but not to be addressed.

"What about your safety?" Gabriel wanted to listen and learn more but he couldn't just say that outright.

"You would have pounced on anything of danger by now and the guards won't let anything enter." The words were kind but Taro was very much ordering him to leave.

Gabriel took the hint and left. The hallways were back to normal as if nothing happened. He had to admit to himself that he stopped thinking about the bomb, he didn't even know that aliens existed a month ago and now he was supposed to not only survive but also break free. It was all so much, he wanted to just head back to his room and play with Zuski again but that wasn't an option the bomb had to leave, Chip still had a surprise for him, the assissnation attempt needed to be followed up on and He should start plotting an escape in case Taro proved unreliable. One by one was the only way he would solve his problems. Gabriel took a deep breath before making his way to Tibi.

It didn't take long for one of his instincts to kick in, it was like seeing a rat vanish in the corner of his eye as he noticed a similar face behind him as he turned around a corner. The assassin was following him. Didn't she learn last time? He wasn't even concerned about being killed just irritated like a parent seeing their kid doing the same stupid thing again. A plan was quickly formed, he would lead her down to his quarters, apprehend her and then they could have a real conversation. He avoided the elevator so as to not scare her and they reached the stairs to the connecting room without issues. He waited around the corner at the bottom of the stairs, listening for the sounds she made walking down. His follower was certainly not experienced enough to walk silent.

The nian reached the bottom of the steps and he sprung into action. Gabriel had done a little bit of martials arts as a teenager but most of what he learned didn't apply now, the people he fought against would die from a single half decent punch and he ripped enemy combatants in half on multiple occasions. He grabbed the nian by the neck and lifted her up until she was pinned against the ceiling. She struggled at first but went limp when Gabriel slapped a knife out of her hand.

"I have killed an assassin in this exact position before, why do you want to die so badly?" Gabriel wasn't considering killing her but just letting go and waiting for the next attack wasn't an option either.

"I am gathering intelligence. Let go of me." Her arms and legs were wrapped around the arm he held her up with in a pathetic attempt to break free.

"I am Gabriel and if you want to know more about me ask. This is clearly not working out for you, is it?" He stopped pressing her against the ceiling but kept his hand firmly around her neck and walked, with her still wrapped around his arm, into Tibi's office.

"I have prepared everything for the operation." Tibi started talking with her back turned to him but now she saw the cat clinging on his arm, "Gabriel, why would..how did you even get into this position?"

Gabriel answered: "Long story short, You are either going to meet a new friend or help me dispose of a body." He was joking with the second option but the fact that the nian shivered at his words delighted him.

"My name is Kanu" is all the nian said as she stopped clawing into Gabriels arm. He let go of her thinking she was ready to talk but a split second later Kanu dived under his legs and ran for the door. It was a clever maneuver but Gabriel wasn't feeling like getting attacked a third time and bolted after Kanu. She was turning the corner for the stairs when Gabriel saw his chance and jumped at her, he missed his takedown but was able to hold onto her ankle. He felt her try to rip herself free but his grip was unyieling, the next thing he felt was a sharp pain in his fingers as her claws were digging into his skin. Sadly for her it was only the skin and not further. He yanked at the ankle causing her to come flying into his arms, which he wrapped around her Chest. Gabriel didn't know much about fighting but he noticed she struggled to breath under the pressure of his "hug" and like a constrictor snake he increased the force until she passed out. Tibi joined him with a syringe after the sounds of struggle died down.

"It's a sedative." He watched the needle disappear inside the nian and thought to himself that the drugs were probably on board for him.

"Looks like I won't be getting a new friend today." Not the best result but at least nobody died.

They stuffed Kanu into his bathroom, to the dismay of Zu but Gabriel didn't want Tibi to listen when he would ultimately get answers one way or the other. Worst case he had to torture her, it wasn't like he would enjoy it but you have to adapt to survive, plus the last weeks desensitized him enough that he could probably do it without vomiting. Gabriel stood in his room thinking everything through once more, distracted he slowly walked out the door, his body on autopilot, he instinctively petted Zu. A happy chirping pulled him back, his hand was on top of her head, strachting her behind the non-existing ears. Zu's eyes were rolled back and she pushed her head up against his hand, all while continuing the joyful chirping. He used the only possible way. Continuing for a few more seconds because she was cute like that and then leaving out the door without saying a word.

Tibi was waiting for him in her office, different bizarre looking tolls were spread out next to the padded table and Tibi's white ropes were covered in an additional layer of a see-through material, topped off by some sort of protective mask. He asked: "Do all Hyee's like getting petted?"

"Wha-" Her look was answer enough.

"Nevermind, sooo what are the chances you'll kill me in the next few hours?" He started to feel tired

"You don't know about the ancient artifacts?" Her head tilted to the side.

"Chip told me about the FTL engine and the mining suit." Gabriel had totally forgotten about those.

"I'm sure she oversimplified, how has nobody told you about them before? All modern civilisation is built on them."

"Is this an interrogation or a bomb defusal mission?"

"Neither. Ania deactivated the bomb before deserting. You keep astonishing me, even a being of your size should be unconscious by now."

"What did you do to me?" He let out a big yawn, something wasn't right.

"The room is filled with anesthetics. Would you please lay on the table? You have great chances of surviving the operation."

Gabriel stumbled to the table, his mind was clouded: "I can't think of any cool last words."

"That's a problem for another day. Count with me, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,..."