Ghosts of Ophidian (14 page)

“Perhaps, but that’s why we will be cutting off the slave master’s access to the shuttle bay in the coming days. We are going to release one of the shuttles with a receiver that Mikunon created. It will stay behind and act as a relay for our distress signal,” Eilkenon said, “If they trace the signal, it will lead them somewhere between your planet and the planet we are going to.”

“Your plan is ingenious,” Dawn said, “And we will
gladly do whatever we can to assist you in this.”

“I don’t trust them, Eilkenon!” Tippenon hollered, “They could report everything you just told them to the slave master himself and everything would be ruined.”

“But they won’t, Tippenon,” he replied, “We’ve been watching them and it’s clear that they have no loyalties to the slave master beyond that of using it to learn our language. Why would they want to learn our language if not to plan a life among us?”

“I am disgusted with the thought of the way the Gods of Pli have used you and your people for their own desires,” Conner said to Tippenon, “I can’t change your feelings toward me because I can see that you really don’t
want
to trust us, but I can still pledge my loyalty and service. Spy on us if you must, but you will see nothing suspicious about us.”

“I trust you, Conner and Dawn. I ask for one thing from the both of you that will help us beyond measure, but I’m not sure that you will like it,” Eilkenon said, “I ask that you return to the forward portion of the ship and continue on
with your lives as you had. Change nothing. If you want to assist our cause, tell the slave master that you encountered us in the aft section and that we are only hiding out like cowards because we have an irrational fear of the slave master.”

“Really?” Dawn asked, looking around the room to see if the others appeared to be in agreement.

“Yes. Anything else would make the slave master all the more suspicious and probably hinder our progress,” Eilkenon said, “I’ll allow Tippenon to continue his own suspicious spying on you if it will make him feel better, but I will forbid his entry into your bedroom and I will forbid him from hurting either of you. Disobedience regarding any of these forbidden actions will result in his death.”

He stared at Tippenon as he stated those words. Tippenon nodded
subtly, then lowered his gaze humbly.

“I would gladly report your cowardice to the slave master if he asks,” Conner stated, “Though this would most certainly be an outright lie. I believe you are all very brave and I consider it an honor to be part of your heroic efforts to save your people. I only ask that you accept us into your community once this is all over
. I’ve spent my life fighting and I’d like to retire in peace.”

Eilkenon laughed then reached out and touched Conner’s chin. He did the same to Dawn.

“You two will live in my own home once we arrive on the new planet. You will dine at my table every morning,” Eilkenon said, “That is how well you will be accepted into our community.”

“Eilkenon!” Tippenon s
houted, rising from his seat, “I’ve given you everything.”

“Sit!” Eilkenon rose and pointed at him, “I will decide who gets honored and who d
oesn’t. These two may be presented with only a small task to perform, but they have forfeited their families and their world for us. They will never see another of their kind before they enter their eternal rest.”

“Indeed,” Belfenon added, “If anyone shares the table of Eilkenon, it should be them. We are saving our own families but whom are they saving? They will be fighting for an alien race.”

Twenty-Two

Conner and Dawn left their cloaks behind as they were escorted back to the cargo hold. They touched the chins of the Ophidians and promised to do what was asked of them. Tippenon backed away from them when they attempted to touch his chin, but they didn’t take offense.

By the time they had taken five steps into the cargo hold, the AI spoke up.
It asked about their well-being, then continued to quiz them on the ghosts. They kept their promise to the Ophidians, painting the ghosts in a cowardly light.

They retrieved their bags that remained on the floor where they had left them. Conner didn’t load
his weapon this time however. They made their way to their residence in silence, both unsure of what the future held for them. It wasn’t until later that night while they lie in bed that the words found their way out into the open.

“I’m afraid, Conner,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder as she curled up next to him, “I didn’t think I was signing up for something of this magnitude.”

“Me neither,” he said, looking up toward the ceiling, “But we’ve got the easiest job of all. I just have to spend the rest of my days here loving you and…”

His words shocked him. He hadn’t spoken the L-word since he last said it to Nicole.

“It’s okay, Conner. I’ve wanted to hear that for a long time,” she said, leaning up and kissing him tenderly on the lips, “I’m afraid that I might love you too.”

He drew his hand up and raked his fingers through her hair.

“But it’s dangerous. Loving someone can only hurt in the end,” he whispered against her lips.

“Then maybe you haven’t been doing it right,” she joked, kissing him hungrily.

. . . .

The days turned into weeks, which turned into months. All the while, Conner and Dawn were so enthralled with each other that they forgot that something more important was going on around them. It wasn’t until
several months later that they discovered the ship had been overrun with Ophidians.

It happened one day while they were on their typical walk through the wide corridors of the tenth floor. They were first greeted by two Ophidians who didn’t seem to be in a hurry at all. As a matter of fact, Conner thought they looked like they
too were on a recreational stroll as well. Neither were wearing the cloaks of invisibility that were needed to protect them from the slave master.

Later that same day, they stumbled across three other Ophidians who weren’t wearing cloaks as well. Finally Dawn asked one of them if the slave master could see them.

“Weimenon is now operating the slave master,” the one said, “He sent the distress call already. We’re free.”

“And we already located the planet where we are headed,” another said, “It has everything we could ever ask for.”

“That’s wonderful,” Conner said, “Has Eilkenon freed many others?”

“They are freeing the last hundred right now. We’ll be orbiting our new home in a few weeks and a few days after that, we’ll all be free of this ship forever.”

It was no easy task starting a new life on an unexplored world. Conner and Dawn however were up to the task. The first year was spent cutting down trees and milling the lumber they needed to build homes. They all worked together to till the ground and plant the crops. It was hard work, but it paid off.

By the first winter, they had harvested enough that
when combined with the leftover stores from the ship, they could readily survive the cold season. And although Dawn was merely a few years away from menopause, it became very clear that winter that she was still fertile. Her growing belly made it readily apparent that Conner and Dawn would no longer be the only humans to set foot on a planet more than fifteen light years from Earth.

By spring, the community had decided it was time to explore their world further. The city grew into
something of a state while Dawn grew to the point of swearing she would burst. All the while, they kept their eyes on the skies and their weapons at ready. If the Gods of Pli ever decided to descend upon their world, they would have to answer to a powerful force they never expected before.

All the while, Conner stayed home with Dawn while he began constructing a transmitter that would send out messages along 1420 megahertz. He had a lot to share with his friends back home and more importantly, he had to warn them. After all, the slave master had orbited the Earth and sent word back to its masters.
The Gods of Pli may very well have plans that had nothing to do with the Ophidians… after all, the Earth was ripe with potential slaves.

The End

The Ophidian Saga Continues

In

ALASTAIR

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