Alien kidnapping, or was it Chapter 16

Alien kidnapping, or was it
Chapter 16

Damn it! Sam wondered why he had let himself fall into her trap. It was more than evident that she wanted him to hit her. To what end, he thought, going slowly higher, he had to think this through. The only others a lot like him had developed near immunity to the gas the IP was using.

‘Hmm,’ he thought, ‘was there something about me that was the key to all of this?’ As he thought, Thantas was more muscular, though not much. Then again, she'd only slipped into her body for a few moments also. Reaching out, he tried to feel for Queen Triada, shocked when he not only touched her but could almost see her. What the hell? This was the first time he'd been able to do that.

Queen Triada? I require answers; it appears that those I have helped or fought, who were like me, have grown stronger. Sam asked as soon as he touched the Queen's mind.

Sam could almost hear the Queen gasp as soon as he stated that. I have heard that the Clive Stone world elders had been experimenting with several improvements. What you spoke of was only ever hinted at by my ancestors. Have you ever heard of osmosis, a healing power?

Sam shook his head and then felt stupid knowing that the Queen couldn't see him, or rather, he THOUGHT she couldn't. No, Queen Triada, I don't understand the term osmosis.

Sam could 'see' Queen Triada nod her head. If I am right, you are the first and only one with the ability. This was rumored about not long before the destruction of the Clive Stone world. I have yet to gain full knowledge of it. I will have to ask the elders to gather more information.

Is there anything else you'd be able to tell me? I'm flying blind here. Sam stated, then could feel great confusion from the Queen.

Were you flying blind? I am afraid that I do not know that term. The Queen stated.

Sam sighed and thought, It is a term from the planet I was raised on. The best way to explain to him is, I am trying to do what you want without any information to know what to do.

Ah! Came the Queen's thoughts. I am just gathering the information that you may have that you need to move forward. That would be as bad as having no information at all.

Again, Sam nodded, then felt foolish again, knowing that the Queen had no idea. Sam sighed, then continued, I am sorry, Queen Triada. I am more than anxious to know what is happening. I am more worried about all this than I thought.

All is good, Sam; as I stated, I wish to have facts to give you. My people desire not to pass on false information. I have asked all the elders to look into this; we should have an answer soon. The Queen responded; Sam almost smiled, feeling the slight elation in her thoughts.

Thank you, Queen Triada; what you can find will help. Sam said, then broke off the contact. Shaking his head, he ascended faster toward Drivas and Thallus’s ship. As he'd thought before, maybe both of them might have information that would help.

Mellos's slave had accelerated away as fast as possible. He was nowhere near as strong as her, though he was far more intelligent than he let on. It wouldn't be good if he was dead and her ship was destroyed before she was healed. As it appeared now, almost seventy-five percent of the problems with her body had corrected themselves.

Looking at Mellos again, he saw that most of the massive bruising she'd received was starting to fade. Nodding his head, he adjusted several aspects of the healing machine. Good, it appeared that she would awaken soon.

Almost an hour later, the male heard her groan as she tried to sit up. "What!? Where am I? Slave! Why am I tied down? Release me now!"

"I cannot Mistress. The machine is only doing as you programmed it." The male told her, afraid that she'd wreck it soon.

"Only do as I... I see. Was I that injured?" Mellos asked.

"When you activated the return beam, I was ready as you'd instructed. Though when you appeared bruised and unconscious, I was worried. This was the first time that you were injured as badly as you were. I did as you instructed, then grew worried, as you have been in the healing machine for over two hours." The male related, half expecting Mellos to knock him across the room.

"I see," Mellos replied. "What action did you take after I was aboard?"

"I feared the ship might be destroyed if we remained in the area." The male stated.

Mellos looked at the male strangely, then shook her head. "Good, good, you've done very well." Then, with a sigh, Mellos laid back down, closing her eyes. She was asleep in a matter of moments.

Triot was starting to whimper as he felt his power begin to climb. This last improvement was the final piece that he needed to increase his power more than a little. Were the protective screens he'd come up with blocking the Lord Doctor from feeling what he was doing?

This was the first time he'd been able to withstand the machine this long. He could feel that his power had already passed almost all of the council.

Arduous, what good would that do? They were all greatly against him, especially after how easily he’d been defeated back then. Looking at the clock, he saw almost a whole time unit had passed. Far more than ever before. He just needed to get as high as possible.

It was another half-time unit when the pain started to become far more than he could handle. Barely able to shut the machine down, he nodded and then promptly passed out.

Thantas was still monitoring all she could when she felt Triot's power increase. Though he was far from her and Sam, this might be a problem, especially after she felt him climb past the first councilor.

Reaching out, she tried desperately to contact Sam. If Triot had found a way to increase his meager mind powers, they might have a problem. Then she started worrying that something was wrong when she couldn't reach Sam.

Sam had just reached Drivas and Thallus’s ship, phasing inside. Both females gasped slightly when Sam suddenly appeared. Both women became concerned when they saw the look on Sam's face.

"Is there something wrong, Sam?" Drivas asked when he sat with a thud.

Ignoring them momentarily, Drivas was about to ask again when Sam looked straight at the two females.

I was talking to Queen Triada earlier." Sam started. "She mentioned something about an osmosis, healing power." When both females gasped, they had Sam's undivided attention. "So, I take it you have heard of this."

"Well, only rumors. It was written that a race that had gone to war with the Clive Stones had a type of osmosis power, though nothing like what you just mentioned. It was also written that the Clive Stones had the power before they went to war. They had repressed it so that very few could accomplish it." Drivas stated.

"From what I have seen, I have something like it. Those like me that I have helped or fought have grown stronger. This seems to be the truest of Mellos. I have fought her three times, though the last time she tricked me into fighting her." Sam relayed.

Both Drivas and Thallus stared at each other. "Do you think it is possible?" Thallus asked.

"I'm not sure; we need to check the readings to make sure," Drivas stated. Thallus nodded as she moved to a monitor and rapidly typed in commands. Drivas also sat beside her, typing furiously on their next console.

"It's going to take at least an hour, commander," Thallus replied, to which Drivas nodded.

Sam had been waiting patiently, his head going back and forth between them. He had a confused look on his face, still not understanding what in the hell the two females were talking about.

Finally, frustrated, Sam touched both females on the shoulder. This immediately caused both of them to shudder and then stop to look at Sam.

"It's not that I hate being ignored," Sam stated. "I am, after all, used to it most of my life. So, you might imagine my concern when the both of you turned away without an explanation."

Both females stared at Sam for a moment, seeming to be lost. Suddenly, clarity came to Drivas's eyes as she nodded.

"We are both checking the records now," Drivas explained to Sam. "I remember reading something close to what you mentioned. Almost ten of your centuries ago, the Clive Stones devised a plan. It seems that they were facing an enemy as advanced as they were. They also discovered that the race was as war-like as the Clive Stones were peaceful."

Sam nodded, "I take it this is the race that destroyed the planet Owt los?"

Drivas’s eyes were wide for a moment, then she sadly nodded. "According to records, their attempt to destroy the Clive Stone world had severe repercussions."

"Repercussions, how?" Sam asked.

"Though they managed to destroy the Clive Stone world, the amount of energy they had to use cracked their world. It was only another full unit of time before their world shuddered then exploded." Drivas explained.

Sam was nodding, almost seeing the destruction in his head. "Moving on, what has all that have to do with me? You told me, plus I also heard someone say that my genome was the same as the original Clive Stones."

"Well," Thallus broke into the conversation. "There was also a rumor that the Clive Stones were almost expecting something of this nature. There were thousands of launches from Owt Los, but they vanished almost as soon as they left orbit. It was surmised that they might have 'seeded' other worlds in case something like what happened might happen."

Sam was again nodding as he took this information in. He suddenly grabbed his head as he heard a shrill, piercing tone. Then he heard a voice. Unfortunately, only every eighth word was understandable. Holding his head, Sam sank to the deck, his mouth open, though nothing was coming out.

"What?" Sam said aloud. "I can't understand you! What are you trying to tell me?" Sam had tears in his eyes this time as he also heard a female voice far more beautiful than any he'd ever heard. "Please! Help me to understand!"

Shaking his head, Sam was concentrating as hard as he could. That helped, though now it was only every sixth word he could understand. Still straining to comprehend, Sam could swear he felt a feather-light touch his forehead.

My son. A voice stated clearly in his head. Rest now. You have expanded a great deal of energy.

Suddenly, the beautiful female voice stated. All will be well, my son. Rest, let your mind grasp that which you need to.

Sam nodded as he almost fell to the deck. Within moments, he was asleep, and Drivas and Thallus could only stare at Sam, wondering what was happening.

A moment later, they both felt and then 'heard' Thantas. Drivas? Thallus? Would you happen to know where Sam is? I have tried to contact him for some time.

Both females could only again stare at Sam asleep on the floor. After both females explained what they had heard and seen, Thantas gasped.

That sounded much like repressed superimposed memories. The fact that I can't feel or contact Sam tells me.

Sam is going through a change.

Thantas thoughts said.

A change? A worried Drivas thought replied. He won't become something like Mellos, will he?

No, I don't think so. I hope that whatever he is going through helps him become what he was meant to be. Thantas replied.

Would you happen to have any idea what that is? A now worried Drivas thought.

No, though, I have felt no malice throughout my encounters with him. Well, none unless he is provoked. As of yet, only the IP and their minions have done that. Thantas thoughts replied.

So, what is our next move? Thallus asked.

No, almost everything depends on Sam. I hope that this plan will succeed. Thantas replied. I need to strengthen you both again.

For the next hour, Thantas worked on Thallus, effecting the changes that Sam had shown her. She was still amazed at the total simplicity of the changes.

Drivas was watching over both Thallus and Sam. Strange Sam usually awoke far sooner than this. Perhaps it was, as Thantas had said, that Sam was changing while he slept; at least, she hoped that was all it was.

Almost two hours later, Thallus awoke, though she tried her best not to move. Thantas could see that Thallus was almost at the same level as Drivas. Looking within, she saw that Thallus was now fifty percent changed, as was Drivas.

For another hour, Thallus lay there feeling her strength rapidly returning. Finally sitting up, Thallus looked around, her eyes going wide. What was going on? She could swear she could see and hear much better and felt more substantial.

I am ready to watch over Drivas now. Thallus thought to Thantas.

Very soon, my dear. Thantas thought. It would be best if you still recovered a bit more.

Thallus nodded as she sat in the nearest chair.

Another hour passed, and Thallus was worried as she watched Drivas's body convulse on the floor. This was the only time she felt as powerless as she did. Though Thantas had assured her that Drivas was well, she still couldn't help worrying about her friend and commander.

Thantas was grateful she'd have as much more time as she did. This advance gave Drivas a far better chance to survive than before.

Though she hoped she had another chance to work on Thallus, she was only on the fringe and needed a little more.

This, of course, worried Thantas; she liked both females. The fact that Triot was now as strong, if not stronger, than the first councilor, was also worrying her.

Looking back, she feared she might have pushed Drivas too far. Thallus worried more when Drivas's body suddenly went rigid, and then she was unconscious.

With this treatment, Thantas felt that Drivas would be at sixty percent, though was she strong enough to withstand all that needed to be done?

The Lord Doctor was looking over several of his prospects when he felt something. Screwing up his face, he reached out, trying to find the source.

Rapidly, his mind flew through space, searching everywhere he could get to.

Stopping outside the IP space station, he thought he felt it again, though he wasn't sure. Reaching out, he was surprised when he couldn't feel Triot.

Then he pressed in further, finding Triot unconscious. Scoffing the Lord, Doctor withdrew, disgusted at how weak Triot still felt.

Returning to the IP home world, he sighed as he reached for and downed the liquid nourishment. Shaking his head, he left his domicile, heading for his laboratory.

Entering it, he found the few that were there hard at work. Going to a nearby door, he joined a highly complex code. Walking in, he walked to the eight transparent capsules. They were far more extensive than he was. They were also more expensive than his body was. Looking within, a small smile came to his lips. They were finally almost ready.

Inside, there were alien creatures that were unlike any other race. Sadly, they were also the last of his kind. There are multiple sets of eyes, and the eight arms are in four sets. The upper and lower body muscles were far more robust than any creature had ever seen.

Sighing, the Lord Doctor longed to be back in that body. With its sheer power, his race had been feared all over the thirty galaxies. Then, they had run afoul of the Clive Stones. Their science is on par with theirs. Perhaps even a little beyond.

Then, there was the fact that though they were smaller in stature, they were just as strong. Even after five hundred years, the Lord Doctor still hadn't figured out that.

Shaking his head, he looked again at the bodies within the capsules. Soon, he thought, they could shed these weak, pathetic bodies they were forced to inhabit. Looking over the latest readings, he saw that the bodies were almost where he needed them.

Walking out of the building, the Lord Doctor took his transport to the councilor's building. Stepping into the entranceway, the Lord Doctor shook his head. Still, these idiots hadn't decided to join.

The councilors argued heavier than usual when the Lord Doctor burst through the chamber doors. All seven councilors gasped when they turned, seeing the look of anger on the Lord Doctor's face.

Waving his hand in a wide arc, all seven councilors were thrust hard against the chamber walls.

His eyes glowing, the Lord Doctor kept all seven pinned against the wall. "I warned you against the new threat. I warned you about how dangerous he was. I warned you I would end you all if you didn't take this seriously. Then I come here to find you arguing! I should end all of you now; if our race has degenerated into a bunch of idiotic fools, then it should end."

The Lord Doctor threw his arm toward the floor, slinging all seven councilors to the floor. The resounding thud that the bodies made made the Lord Doctor sigh. Shaking his head, he took a seat and raised it into the air as he waited for the seven to awaken.

Thantas was still watching over Drivas when she felt Triot start to stir. Talking to an unconscious Drivas, she quickly left. Triot groaned as his eyes snapped open. Looking up at the ceiling, it took him a moment to remember where he was.

His com was going off insistently when he finally crawled off the floor. Instead, he was looking at the floor from the ceiling. A thin smile crossed his lips. Ah! He had finally passed all seven of the councilors. However, he would need more if he was going to take over.

Walking out, he could start to see the energy of every life form he passed. Good, he thought it had started.

Drivas had been out for over two hours when she finally clawed to the surface. Slowly opening her eyes, she could barely get them open as the light hurt. Slowly turning, she saw Thallus sitting beside her. Then she saw Sam still on the deck behind her.

Still no change? Drivas thought to Thallus. Thallus shook her head about to speak when they both heard Sam mutter, "Mother? Father?"



To be continued