(Disclaimer: A warning to those who continue. This is a sequel to a previous story. Both of these were written in the mid-1990’s. While the first one was slightly edited and vanity press published, this one has not been touched in over 20 years. I figure I should do something with it and people may get a laugh or fright from how I used to be. Every author comes from somewhere, so this is part of my origin. To that end, I am deeply sorry for whatever nightmares I will inflict on the literary world and the American English language. Enjoy?)
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The Main Hall. It is one of the largest rooms on the sun base and it is filled with beautiful silk banners and stained glass windows. The room is filled with multi-colored light because of the stained glass windows. The only pieces of furniture in the Main Hall are a large, wooden table and several matching chairs. At the head of the ancient table is a dais with a jewel-encrusted throne of pure gold.
“Has there been any response to our last message to the Glebnoks?” asks Fate, who is resting on the throne. He carefully fingers a medallion that is an orange gem with nine sparkling stones around it.
“No response. It appears that they are still mad about the death of the original guardians. Talk about holding a grudge. They blame all beings from Earth for the disaster and apparently do not trust any of you. If it were not for their peaceful beliefs and nature, Earth would have been destroyed hundreds of years ago. I do have two somewhat important messages for you,” answers SEAS from his red containment diamond, which is set into the top of the throne.
“What are you waiting for? Tell me already.”
“One is from the Devicors. They are fairly new race of interplanetary bounty hunters that specifically track down criminals and other space outlaws. Sort of like mercenaries for justice or heroic vigilantes. Most of them are very anti-social and deadly, but there are a few decent ones. Their message is a warning to leave them alone or suffer painful consequences.”
“I see. A weak threat, but we will do as they say. Unless they interfere with anything that involves us. Next message.”
“Adriana. Not one of her usual taunts that I receive from time to time and I usually just throw out if there is nothing of importance in it. It is a simple apology for knocking you into that comet with her. She is also telling you how thankful she is for not being linked to your destiny anymore. She said that the constant fear and stress was beginning to give her a few wrinkles and a gray hair.”
“She’s not the only thankful one. Delete both messages and reply to the Devicors with a nicer version of what I said early. But leave out that thing about their warning being a weak threat. No reason to piss off an entire race of warriors. Anything else you want to say before I go check the security cameras. There was some activity going on in a few of the border sectors.”
“Yes. I do not know how to put this gently. So, I will not bother to try. You, Edward Slane, are acting like the most cold-blooded, self-centered, arrogant creature in the entire galaxy. No offense.”
“What did you just say!” exclaims Fate as he jumps to his feet and faces the red, glowing diamond.
“You heard me. Even the sun guardian was not uncaring enough to push his friends and peers away. That is, he never pushed them away before they were slaughtered by Adriana’s gang,” mentions SEAS.
“I am not . . .”
“Don’t even try to argue the point because I see and know about everything that happens on the Sun Base. When was the last time you spent any quality time your girlfriend? Miracle will not wait for her entire life. Just because you were put in charge does not mean you have to isolate yourself. Strong leaders are the ones that can spend time and enjoy the company of others. I know this because I have seen millions of leaders rise and fall throughout the universe. By pushing your friends away, you will certainly lose the other planet guardians’ trust and friendship.”
“You’re right. But it’s not like I mean to push all of them away. I just have too many responsibilities as leader.”
“How about this? Spend tonight with Miracle and do not do any work. Try not to do any work for an entire week. If you do any work, I will personally leave you all alone on a tropical paradise for a full year.”
“Good idea. But I have to meet with Hydrana first. I promised her. Thanks for the vocal body slam. I think someone actually telling me that I’m being an ass helps a lot more than people just accepting it. You’re all heart, SEAS,” says Fate with a smile. He walks out of the room feeling a lot more relaxed and slightly like his old self.
After a couple of quick seconds, something dawns on the sentient computer system. “But I do not have a heart.”
