Archangel Crusader (29 page)

"How did he contact you?"

"He didn't. His brother did. His brother lives in Little Rock. I know exactly where. I can show you on a map. I'm very good with maps..." He produced a folded map from his inside pocket as he went on. "Last time I flew over, there was a weird aircraft parked behind the barn. Looked like some kind of prototype straight out of Area-51. Never seen anything like it..."

"Really? Please go on..."

And the Weasel went on and on...

Chapter Twenty

In the middle of the night, Michael teleported back to Little Rock. This was possibly the last day before the destruction of Earth's civilization, and he'd be damned if he wouldn’t spend it with Jennifer. He had thought of sending his family to Amrah's spaceship for safety but realized they would stand a better chance to survive on the planet.

When Michael materialized in his brother's trailer home, late at night, everyone was asleep. He petted Shadow, wondering at the cat's presence when the phone rang. It was Walter. Debbie had collapsed and been rushed to the hospital in a coma. Her prognosis was poor. In the late stages, cancer did not respond well to exhaustion, but no one foolish enough to try could stop Debbie after she’d made up her mind. Nevertheless, Michael felt guilty about saving his energy for the great battle, but he must. The future of humanity depended on it.

Three straight days of exhausting preparation in Washington D.C. had drained Michael's reserves. In the small UFO that now served as his residence, he slept for three hours. He awoke rejuvenated and ready for D-day, but first of all he was hungry. In the dim light of dawn, he explored Becky's kitchen and decided to cook breakfast for everyone.

He wedged potatoes, sliced onions, fried bacon, beat eggs, brewed coffee, even baked frozen biscuits and made gravy. On special occasions, he forgot all about his vegetarian diet.

The first little head to peek into the kitchen was Jennifer's. "Dad, you're back!" She rushed to hug him, nearly knocking the mug of hot coffee from his hand.

"How many times have I told you to be careful with my drink, kid," he said jokingly.

Jennifer stopped in her tracks then smiled. "Sorry, Dad!" She stretched her arms around his neck to kiss his cheek. She was growing fast, but in many ways she still reminded him of the baby she once was.

Michael set down the coffee cup. "Now, you can hug me all you want. I hope you want a lot." They hugged and laughed. A pang tugged at Michael’s chest. Jennifer didn't know this could be their very last day. "How do you want your eggs, young lady?" he asked to hide his concern.

The noise in the kitchen, as well as the rising sun and the delicious smell of breakfast, brought bleary-eyed Becky, Dave, and Clara out of their beds into the kitchen.

"My brother's cooking. What a treat!" Dave poured himself some coffee.

"I know, I know. I can't help it if I'm perfect." Michael smiled, remembering old times. As the cat jumped on the kitchen counter to be included in the rejoicing, Michael fed him a bit of bacon. "How did he get here?" Around his family, he did not like to read minds and preferred asking questions, like an ordinary human being.

"The Frenchman brought him," Dave confirmed. “He’s staying at the Inn with Tori.”

"Yes, and he's real nice. I like him," Jennifer added with enthusiasm.

"Oh, is that so? You like him better than me?" Michael rolled his eyes in mock anger.

"Dad... I never said that... I never would." Jennifer paused then laughed. “You’re pulling my leg, aren’t you?”

The same good humor persisted all through breakfast. Clara and Jennifer went outside to play with Shadow. Michael watched them through the window for a few minutes, then turned on the television. Of course, he already knew what would play all day.

Dave and Becky had planned to go to church, but instead they sat down, gazing at the screen in pure fascination. Encouraged by the effect on his brother and sister-in-law, Michael decided to do some meditation of his own. So, he retired to the small alien craft behind the barn.

All over the world, anyone turning on a television set or a computer couldn't help but stare in wonder at the living, breathing planet, occupying the screen. Some talked about it, but most just gazed in pure awe. They pondered the pettiness of their quarrels over differences that did not seem to mean much when viewed from so far away.

The papers published the same picture plastered on every front page. Most headlines used the conditional tense, however, as to whether the space generated satellite broadcast would actually take place, using phrases such as, "If all the technical requirements are met today," or "According to unofficial sources," or even, "Hoax or technical feat? Find out by turning on your TV set." Some publications only mentioned Earth Day, safely omitting the worldwide television broadcast.

This was the quietest day on Earth in a very long time, even by alien standards. No big rally, no demonstration, not much traffic on the roads. The flight attendants were dumbfounded to find an image of the blue planet, complete with ethereal sound, coming out of their on-flight projection systems. Since no one complained, however, they didn’t try to fix the video. All the passengers seemed engrossed in listening, staring, and meditating in utter ecstasy.

As for Michael, tuning in his long-range psychic search, he shivered in the invisible seat when he saw a crimson fleet of a thousand craft converging toward Earth from the outskirts of the galaxy. The mother ship looked much smaller than Amrah's vessel but ominous, with sharp angles and crab-like claws.

Even at this distance Michael felt the dread like a cold spot in his chest, the same fear that seized him every time he caught a glimpse of Lufriec, the Reptilian lord. Michael shuddered, realizing that this was Krastinios' father, ten times more powerful and wicked than the son.

"O, dear Lord," Michael prayed, with all the powers of his enhanced psyche, "wherever, whoever, or whatever you are, please help us and be on our side today."

*****

Jennifer and Clara had fun chasing Shadow around. The cat didn't seem to mind the game too much, as long as he didn't get caught, pouncing on them from above every time he had a chance. This time, however, the feline found refuge on a high branch of the oak tree. Clara, who knew the tree quite well, proceeded to climb after him.

"Careful, Clara, I'm not sure this is a good idea." Afraid of heights, Jennifer didn't dare climb herself.

When the little black girl reached the fork in the tree, she sat as was her custom and looked in the distance toward the road. "I see lots of cars coming this way," she said, proud of herself.

"What kind of cars?" Jennifer knew there was no traffic on that road on Sundays.

"I dunno... Cars, lots of them."

Jennifer couldn't resist the temptation to see and, spontaneously, without even thinking, she linked her mind with Clara's. "My God, they're police cars. I've got to tell Daddy." She ran off toward the small spacecraft concealed behind the barn where she knew she would find her father. In her haste, she let her thoughts race ahead.

*****

A rustling and a hiss made Michael turn around.

"You called me?" The suave voice came out of a tall, creature, a greenish humanoid with no hair, scaly skin, spurs and sharp ridges, in full red armor. He stared straight at Michael through black mesmerizing eyes. Only the lashing forked tongue indicated some excitement on the monster's part. "I am your Nefarious Lord, Lufriec," the Reptilian announced regally. "I came ahead to meet you personally. Interesting craft you have here, Earthling."

Michael's heart jumped in his chest. Had he provoked the apparition with irresponsible thinking? No. The powerful alien had chosen to grace him with his physical presence, scales, stink and all, but Michael did not feel ready. He had not anticipated a personal confrontation with the Reptilian warlord. Hiding his panic, Michael recollected every piece of information he could muster about Lufriec and his race.

"I could use someone as resourceful as you at my side," the Reptilian lord went on, gracefully pacing about the vessel, scales gleaming, spurs rising and falling gently as he walked.

"You, Lufriec, interested in me?" The unexpected offer surprised Michael. "What do you want?" He watched the Reptilian's slightest moves.

"I want you to help me colonize this planet peacefully. With your skills, you could convince your people to accept me as their ruler." Lufriec moved with ease, strong armored arms punctuating his words. "There would be less bloodshed if the leaders surrendered without resistance. Your race should serve us best as slaves. I can reward you better than the Blue Angels..." The fanged monstrosity smiled.

At that instant, the on-board screen came alive under Lufriec's prompting, showing Michael adorned with gold, dressed in luxurious clothes, stepping out of a limousine, smiling at the crowd rushing to worship him while armed Reptilian soldiers kept his adoring fans at bay. Michael could hear them call his name. He could feel their love, their awe, their submission. He could smell their sweet devotion. "Power is my favorite," Lufriec commented insidiously.

Without transition, the screen now showed Michael relaxing in his own palace, as dozens of slaves attended to his every wish. Some poured him intoxicating drinks while gorgeous concubines vied for his attention by slowly removing their skimpy outfits.

"There are worlds to be owned, riches, powers, potent drinks, drugs, women, you name it. Consider... I could even spare your daughter's life."

The screen switched to Jennifer running toward the small spacecraft, chickens scattering in her path.

"STAY AWAY!" Michael mentally broadcast to Jennifer, but too late. When the little girl saw Lufriec through her father's eyes, she let out a horrified scream, brought a hand to her throat, eyes bulging under an invisible choke. Michael sent his strongest jolt to get Lufriec's attention away from her, but the Reptilian only laughed and increased the pressure on Jennifer's throat.

"Stop it!" Michael rushed the Reptilian warlord.

Lufriec avoided Michael but released the mental grip on Jennifer. "All right, as long as we understand each other."

When Jennifer collapsed unconscious in the dust, Michael spread his awareness. She was still alive. "You, coward. Leave her out of this," he spat at Lufriec. "Your business is with me."

"And very fruitful it can be for both of us. Think about your future, the power of my gratitude..." The Reptilian smiled horribly.

"My future? With your kind?" Michael thought of Jennifer raised with the likes of Krastinios and Lufriec when suddenly, in front of him stood Veronica in the flesh. Her loveliness made his body ache.

"Yes, you could have her back." The alien voice rang in his ears, corrupting every fiber of Michael's integrity.

Damn, this is hard... Tears blurred Michael’s vision.

Veronica implored him. "I miss you, my love." Her sweet voice sounded like music. "Please, for my sake, give him what he wants. We can be happy together again." The daunting eyes he could never resist pleaded now, as Veronica, touched his arm.

Moved beyond words, Michael stepped forward to caress the soft skin of her shoulder. Veronica smiled and kissed his tears, then took his hand, guiding it though the folds of her dress...

Something snapped in Michael's mind. He punched Veronica's face with unrestrained anger. Veronica snarled, her expression changing as her distorted voice sent the warning. "Be careful Earthling, I could kill you in an instant." Her skin grew scales while her body reshaped itself into the form of Lufriec.

"How dare you tempt me?" Michael couldn’t contain his anger anymore. "Your son killed the only woman I ever loved, and there is nothing for me on any of your worlds."

"You dare refuse?" A dangerous aura was building around the Reptilian lord, dark red, like his armor.

"Yes, Lufriec, I refuse... I would rather fight you and die in the process than listen to your lies."

"And die you will, Earthling." On cue, Lufriec sent a finger of electricity that nailed Michael writhing in pain to the metal floor of the small craft. "Did you really think you could get away with slaying MY son? Did you believe I would spare you? I don't need you to annihilate all resistance and enslave your race for labor or consumption."

Michael, still pinned to the floor, looked at Lufriec in shock at the revelation.

The Reptilian smiled. "Ah, Yes. My race is fond of human meat. That's why I don't want to butcher all of you at once. But you will suffer more than anyone else, Earthling. First you will see your only child obliterated. But you... You I will kill slowly before roasting your carcass on a spit for a feast."

As Lufriec spoke, Michael's mind raced despite the agonizing pain coursing through his body. Could he tap directly into the mental pool? Could he hope to destroy this monster even now? It would take enormous energy to blast the evil thing that rendered him defenseless. Maybe Amrah could help...

"No one can prevent me from taking this planet!" Lufriec’s arrogance knew no limits. "My people need a home with plenty of food, and I happen to like this Earth best. It was taken away from me once, long ago. But not this time! This time I win." Lufriec studied Michael's face. "I see your pain, Earthling. Show me some fear... I like fear."