The Beast

The Beast - Part 41

Gabriel walked a few feet before getting another idea: "How much could you help me if I wanted one particular person dead?"

Elle answered: "It's like being back when I first met you humans. Sadly times have changed, I am forbidden to create the hybrids of war like I did back then."

She got him wrong: "I am not asking for power. I want one deserted admiral of the helm union to drop dead, nothing more yet."

The response came with a devilishly delightful tone: "I might not be able to directly support you but my nanos are spread far enough that nobody can hide."

"One more thing. Is there a way we can talk without me speaking out loud?"

"With your permission for me to access your brain, yes."

"Can I get that deal without you reading my mind?"

"It is how I am supposed to assist."

Disappointing but Gabriel wouldn't trade away his last bits of privacy for comfort. He allowed Elle to repair his cheek before heading back down home. Feeling the cold mass of nanos swarm out of his bloodstream brought back memories that got him shivering. Nevertheless they did good work not even leaving a scar behind. He reached his room to find Zuski, Kanu and Tibi playing a 3 player version of terret. He couldn't help himself but to be happy for them. He had killed, bled and suffered so much in the past 24 hours while they had made themself comfortable with a board game night.

Zuski sat facing towards the door so she noticed him first and greeted him with a big: "Hey! You are back. How was it?" The others turned to him.

Tibi asked: "Is there anything that needs my attention?" Somewhat concerned but not really.

Gabriel answered as he took a seat next to them: "The board. You are losing and it's not even close."

Tibi countered: "Giving up space early creates an advantageous middlegame."

Kanu added jokingly: "She calls it 'playing the long con', but you can call it being bad at board games." The comment was followed up by a punch against Tibi's shoulder.

Zu made a move to bring attention back to the board. He took the opportunity to whisper in her ear: "So what's your plan for this game?"

She unsuccessfully held onto her poker face as her beak traveled to his ear: "Making moves that look deep." A quiet giggle escaped her lips. "This is sooo much out of my depth."

Leaning back, he watched them play the game. Zu was beaten quickly to no one's surprise but Tibi and Kanu dragged the game on for longer than he had ever seen before. Afterwards they turned to him, listening as he told them the story of the battle he had just previously that day. Gabriel did his best to keep the story as truthful as possible while also not mentioning anything connected to Elle. She had surprisingly not said anything since he arrived in his room. That should be worrying but he chose not to give it another thought as he was quite exhausted by now. Tibi and Kanu left soon after he finished his story and he went to bed not long after ending a long day.

He woke up lying on his stomach with his arms spread out from one side of the bed to the other, Zu sleeping under the left one. His sore muscles announced themself as he rolled over to the edge of the bed. Shaking off the sleepiness he got dressed and walked out the door. The early morning tiredness caused him to jump up scared when Elle suddenly started talking: "How will you go about your day?"

Gabriel took a second to calm down and accept the fact that Elle existed before responding: "Not being in my brain really fucks with you, doesn't it?"

"It is how I am supposed to assist. Would you mind answering my question?"

Gabriel responded half-jokingly: "I do. Enjoy the surprises as they hit you." He started walking up the stairs towards Taro's place.

Elle explained: "I am inquiring about your plans so I can ensure your safety." That wasn't a surprise to him but he didn't like being a child under supervision. Keeping Elle in the dark was his only way of coping with the unchangeable.

He changed the topic: "Do you know where Earth is?"

"I am aware that it is located somewhere in dead space but the exact coordinates have been deleted. Although I can triangulate it with your memories of the night sky."

He followed up: "What exactly would you do if you were to arrive on earth?"

"Experiencing an entire world untainted by the filth around you would make me happier than I've been in millenia. I would guide humanity towards reclaiming the glory of the lost paradise."

"Dramatic."

Elle's voice shifted just enough that he noticed nostalgia: "It is an impossible feat to explain a blind man why you miss the colors of a rainbow."

He responded snippingly: "And I'm the blind man?"

"I was created in a time without suffering. You were born in a world designed for punishment. There are few things I envy more than your ability to embrace circumstances in which you've found yourself."

"Thanks...I guess. Besides, the earth isn't that bad."

"The words of a man that has never experienced alternatives."

He was in the middle of responding when he saw the signature red door with two guards before him. The door slid open revealing Taro and Verona inside, cuddling in their usual spot. He stepped in ready to ask for what he came for when a whimper caught his intention. Perplexed, he locked for the source of the noise. He found it on the wall to his left, between an ancient looking spear and a giant animal head was the skiks that had tried providing him with first aid when he got shot, back on Licharbnat. Hands shackled above her head dried blood below her mouth and nose with bruises covering the majority of her lizardy skin, portrayed like the trophies beside her.

Taro cut him off before he could comment on what he saw: "Don't even start talking about morality. You ripped her fathers head off before her eyes." His words caused another whimper followed by quiet crying.

Unable to produce a coherent sentence he fell back on the original reason for his visit: "I wanted to ask for an actual weapon."

Taro quickly answered: "Permission granted. Tell Chip what you want." One of the guards put their hand on his elbow, guiding him out the door.

Gabriel instinctively started walking, his mind still occupied what he had just seen. He failed to formulate his feelings into words. Elle noticed his silence and took the opportunity to sum up his thoughts: "Vermin."