Frenzy & Torch

Chapter 16: Sky Snake

Queen Violet, like Elizabeth and Annabelle in the recon vessel, could barely comprehend what she was seeing as the stars and planets whipped by the windows of the luxury cruiser. They had been cruising for a few hours now.

Ambassador McNeil strolled up, one hand in his pocket, the other cradling a dented soda can. He walked up to Councilwoman Clancy, who was preoccupied with staring awestruck out of the window as well.

"Fascinating, ain't it?" he asked.

"Yes, sir, it is! I never thought this kind of thing was possible."

"I think I caught wind of you saying that Marigni is your friend?"

"Yes, we met on a mission overseas and hit it off. She's so sweet."

"The news people and law enforcement say otherwise about her and that tall blonde woman she's with: Laminaurus, I believe. They've wreaked quite a bit of havoc since they've been out here. Thousands are dead, lots of money in damages ... it's a little hard for people to support them right now."

"Well then it seems news people aren't much different out here either, they've always been a bunch of liars and vultures who only care about ratings, and with all due respect, your law enforcement is also wrong about them. I don't know Laminaurus as well as I do Marigni. I do know that they've served honorably for the last couple years. Their enlistments will end soon and they can go back home. They wouldn't go crazy out of nowhere! I'm sure they have a good reason for what they've done."

McNeil digested what she said like the soda he was drinking and nodded. "I'm more inclined to believe you than all these "experts"."

Meanwhile, Queen Violet seated herself and got lost in her thoughts. All of those planets flew by with entire populations of living, breathing people, and there were billions more like it all over this "galaxy", yet two of her own subjects were wreaking so much havoc that Gladexus was now the center of attention and she had to show her young face in front of everybody and make up excuses for them. Dad, why didn't you warn me this job sucks?

A floating robot assistant hovered over with a silver platter full of cubed mini-meatloafs with sticks protruding from them. "Queen Violet of Gladexus, would you care for synthetic protein loaf on a stick?"

"Honestly, yes. Thank you, metallic man." She grabbed one and took a bite. She looked over at McNeil's polk-a-dot suit wearing assistant. "Hey, where are we going again?"

"The General Galactic Alliance Hall. You've been requested to give an address regarding your soldiers."

"I realize what they've done is scaring a lot of people, but I don't believe they've gone crazy."

"You're going to defend them?"

"I'm going to explain their actions. A close advisor of mine," she pointed to Ralemus, "that man over there— "

Ralemus was speaking in tongues with a crown made of pineapple atop his head.

Queen Violet redirected Polk-A-Dot's attention away from him. "Anyway, he says they're onto something. A great evil is upon us by the name of Xitanker. Before all of this started happening, the most concerning thing for my nation was stifling a rebellion led by a man who claimed soup was going to be outlawed. Now, for the first time in our history, we're making plans about how to defend ourselves in a goddamned extraterrestrial invasion."

"Xitanker is the head of a neutral planet, he has no reason to start a war."

"Regardless, Laminaurus and Marigni are the only ones doing something about his aggression, and I will not shame them or their families by berating them in front of who-knows-how-many people just to save face!"