GENESIS - THE BEGINNING. Book 1

CHAPTER 22 ... Ask

"I have to get you out of here," Wyatt said to a whimpering Megan.

"You think? She asked in a small voice as he bent down and shifted his arms underneath her.

"This is going to hu.."

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION SIGAL WYATT EARP, BUT AS A NON-COMBATANT YOU ARE IN GROSS VIOLATION OF THE TENETS OF THE AGREEMENT REGARDING THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE PLANET HADES. YOU WILL CEASE AND DESIST ALL ATTEMPTS OF REMOVING CONTENDER MEGAN LETROP FROM THE BATTLE FIELD. THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING.

"Her legs are broken. She cannot continue as a Contender." Wyatt froze. He knew that to stand up with the girl in his arms would be tantamount to suicide. Polrobs were not known for their leniency.

THEN SHE MUST EITHER BE ELLIMINATED, LEFT TO DIE ON THE FIELD, OR TO BE LEFT TO FEND FOR HERSELF. SHOULD SHE SURVIVE SEVEN DAYS HENCE AT THE BEHEST OF THE NEW EMPEROR, THEN SO BE IT. IT IS NOT YOUR PLACE TO MAKE SUCH DECISION.

"Wyatt?" Megan's eyes were large and pleading.

"There is another way," he said, giving her a wink as he stood up and turned around to look up at the hovering Polrob. "There is another way but it would entail the services of a minister. And as there is no minister available, I will proceed to hire one as soon as her legs are taken care of."

NEGATIVE SIGAL, ACCORDING TO SAID AGREEMENT, THAT WOULD ALSO BE A VIOLATION. NO CONTENDER MAY LEAVE THE BATTLEFIELD UNLESS THEY BE FROM THE PLANET HADES AND ALL CONTRACTS FOR THE MONTH OF RECKONING ARE ADHERED TO.

Wyatt was worried. "Question; how many Contenders still survive then?"

THIRTEEN SURVIVE SIGAL. THAT INCLUDES THE THREE CONTENDERS FROM HADES. THERE ARE ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED AND TWO SLATED FOR TERMINATION SEVEN DAYS HENCE. CONTENDER MEGAN LETROP SO FAR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP. SHOULD SHE BE INCLUDED IN THE LAST GROUP?

He ignored the last question desperately. "Have all contracts with the Hades Contenders been accomplished?" Wyatt squinted as sunlight danced off the Polrobs carapace.

ALL, EXCEPT TWO.

"And which two will that be?"

TO REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM CONTENTION AND TO RETURN TO HADES.

"And how the hell do you expect me to accomplish that?" he glared at the Polrob. "I will not leave the woman I love to die here."

THEN YOU SHOULD MARRY HER AND REMOVE HER FROM NOT ONLY THE CONTENTION BUT ALSO FROM OVERLORD.

"Bugger," he exploded. "Are you stupid or something? That's what I have been trying to do the whole time."

NEGATIVE SIGAL WYATT EARP. YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE MEGAN LETROP FROM THE CONTENTION. YOU MAY ONLY REMOVE SIGAL MEGAN EARP.

Wyatt dropped his head in disgust. They spoke in circles. "So what do you suggest, Polrob?" he asked, trying to hold his temper.

POLROBS ARE ORDAINED MINISTERS SIGAL WYATT EARP.

Wyatt lost his temper again. "You stupid, dumb idiot. You flying jackass of a misbegotten..." he stopped and fumed in exasperation. The sound of girlish giggling made him frown and turn towards Megan. "And you too, woman?"

"It's got you there Sigal Wyatt Earp," she said, grimacing in pain.

"But how was I supposed to know if the thing keeps its mouth shut? It could have said so in the beginning."

IT IS GENERAL KNOWLEDGE SIGAL WYATT EARP. HOWEVER, ALL MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF THIS AND OTHER SUBJECTS COULD BE ELIMINATED WITH THE CESSATION OF BUSH DRUMS AND THE INCORPORATION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

"And you, woman. Surely you knew?" he glared at her.

She smiled up at him through the beating pain in her legs and nodded. "I did, but you never asked."

CONFIRMED.

Wyatt threw his hands up in the air. "I give up. You have both ganged up on me." He brushed fingers through his hair. "What now?"

"Ask."

ASK.

"I have this sudden feeling of stepping into quicksand," he said as he knelt down at Megan's side. "Will you perform the marriage rights, Polrob?"

CERTAINLY.

"And now?" Wyatt asked, looking up. "What's the matter now?"

"It requires both parties to request the marriage vows Wyatt." Megan said softly

"So?"

"That's where the dilemma comes in Sigal Wyatt Earp, for you haven't asked me yet." Megan said.

"I thought..., I uh, umm..."

"Soon please, my legs are hurting."

" Uh... will you uh... marry me Megan Letrop?" he was suddenly nervous.

"Why, yes Sigal Wyatt Earp. I do believe I will, if only to finish your training," she said, smiling impishly.

"Training? What training?"

"Will you perform the marriage rights, Polrob?" she asked, ignoring him.

CERTAINLY. PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION. DO YOU, CITIZEN MEGAN LETROP LOVE SIGAL WYATT EARP AND WISH TO MARRY HIM?

"I do."

DO YOU, SIGAL WYATT EARP LOVE CITIZEN MEGAN LETROP AND WISH TO MARRY HER?"

"I do."

THEN I PRONOUNCE YOU MAN AND WIFE. YOU MAY REMOVE SIGAL MEGAN EARP FROM THE BATTLEFIELD AND OVERLORD, SIGAL WYATT EARP.

"That's it?" asked Wyatt in surprise. "All this nonsense and then it's over before it started? I feel cheated somehow."

"It cuts down on expenses," said Katya behind him. "Congratulations both of you." She stepped forward and hugged Wyatt. Kneeling down, she gently touched Megan's shoulder. "Train him well."

"Oh, I plan to. Thank you. When you are Emperor, don't forget us. Come and visit."

"I won't and I will."

"What's this about training?" asked Wyatt, releasing Tobor from the hug she gave him. "It is common knowledge Sigal," Tobor laughed. "That one woman has more common sense than ten males put together."

He turned to the silent Polrob and walked towards it. "Any advice?" he whispered.

It seemed to dip into the air.

I TOO AM OF THE FEMALE PERSUASION AS DEFINED BY YOU HUMANS. The metallic voice returned softly. MY ADVICE SIGAL IS THIS, LISTEN. THINK BEFORE OPENING YOUR MOUTH. WHAT YOU FEEL NOW FOR YOUR WOMAN YOU SHOULD STILL FEEL THE DAY YOU DIE. OH. ONE MORE THING, PLEASE TRY TO GET RID OF THOSE BUSH DRUMS, THEY CAN BE IRRITATING AT TIMES.

The Polrob shot into the air and silently drifted away.

"What is this about bush drums?" Asked Katya, as she watched the departing Polrob.

He glared at her and bent to pick up Megan. "I know when I'm beaten. I will say nothing more on the subject."

Hewalked away towards the same flitter that Katya had entered a short whilebefore. A few minutes later, it took off and disappeared.?