“I’m starting with the Gryalth. After that, we can confront the human merc.” Cal said to Ralth on their way to the new prisoners.
“Why just us?” Ralth asked his brother. There was genuine concern in his voice.
“Because I let myself do something very stupid yet again, leaving Bill hurt and Andy doubting himself. I don’t think I can keep being the class clown forever while I let Andy handle most of the leadership here. So, it’s time for me to step up a bit. I am a few hundred years old, after all.” Cal forced a smile and clapped his brother on the back.
“Please, I lost count at five hundred, and I still haven’t grown grim and serious. It’s just not in our genes,” Ralth answered back.
“Maybe not, but you’ve still changed a lot from the kid I knew, so it’s probably best I try to grow up at least a little. Oh, also, I call good cop.” They had reached the door of the makeshift prison cell for their captured alien.
“Interesting, I’ve never been the bad cop. That was always Camden. Let’s try it.” Cal unsealed and opened the door, taking Ralth’s statement as agreement to start the interrogation.
The Gryalth was tied to a chair, with all their limbs forced against its own body. Cal had no idea if that would actually be able to stop it from channeling, but it was the best they had at the moment, at least until the Cyclopean brothers gave up their first thing in trade for their lives: mana suppression.
“Hey, there, Mr. Gryalth. I’m Cal, and this here is Big Ralth. The big guy wanted to kill you, but I figured that was a bit far. Someone like you, with all the information in your head just waiting to make a deal to stay alive, would much prefer a nice conversation, maybe a little food. What kind of food do you eat anyway?” Cal kept his voice calm as his barrage of questions started.
Ralth stood in the corner of the room glaring at the creature, grunting every time Cal referenced his supposed desire for its death. The alien finally lifted its head and looked directly into Cal’s eyes. It started to speak.
“What even are you two? This planet should only have base humans, and both of you smell as though you’ve been touched by the fires of creation.” Its voice had a low croak to it, as though it was struggling to speak the words.
“Oh good, you speak English. You know, I hadn’t even considered that to be a potential problem. Then again, when you are planning to destroy America and running some kind of clandestine infiltration scheme, I suppose it makes sense. So, no food then? How about a name? What can we call you?” Cal gave the creature a giant toothy smile. It looked far more predatory than friendly.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“I will not share my name with lessers, and neither will I partake of the trash you call food. I will, though, give you one chance to live. Release me, and I am willing to bind your souls to mine as servants.” Bind themselves to it, what the fuck? Cal suddenly had an idea of what was motivating the human mercenaries.
“I’m thinking we’d rather not. So, not giving us a name, eh? Well, I’m calling you Igor then.” Cal watched it struggle in vain against its bonds, glad he had managed to at least annoy it.
“Come on, Ralth, let’s try some of the other prisoners. I figure one of these things is going to be willing to take a deal.” Cal waved to Ralth to follow him as he exited the room. He resealed it behind them once they were outside.
“Same routine?” Ralth asked.
“Yep, stand there and look mean,” Cal answered, opening door number two.
Unlike the Gryalth, the man in this room was hunched over in his seat. He was also bound to the chair, but he looked like he had been crying. Cal thought that was something he could work with.
“So, I understand you’re soulbound to the Gryalth. What exactly would make a human pledge their soul to something that wants to eradicate us all?” Cal asked the man. He had no idea exactly what that meant, but he wasn’t about to let that stop him.
“Look, I didn’t have a choice, my kid. She had this weird power, which I’m guessing you also have, but the government was trying to catch her. Well, the Gryalth found us first. One of them promised he wouldn’t hurt Ella if I just agreed to work for them. I had no idea what it meant at the time, but I had to try to save her, you know? Well, it didn’t work. She’s dead thanks to the Agency’s ogres, and I’m here trapped with someone who wants us all dead.” The man looked ready to cry again.
“Hm, well, I’m sorry I can’t do anything for your daughter, but I can offer you the chance to tell us everything you know, and we can try to break that bond. What’s your name anyway?” Cal asked.
“I’m Rob, and I’ll tell you whatever I can, but I doubt I can tell you anything that will help unless you can break this soul bond.” He looked directly at Cal for the first time while speaking.
“Alright, let’s try this. Tell me the location of all Gryalth bases you know.” Cal didn’t expect this to work but figured it couldn’t hurt to try. The man opened his mouth to answer and instead screamed in pain. His head collapsed to the table. It turned out it very much could hurt, just not cal himself.
“He’s still breathing. I think it just knocked him out.” Ralth said.
“Good, let’s add breaking soul bonds to the list of topics at the giant meeting I called for. Alright, come on, Ralth, I want to grab something to eat before this thing starts.” He left the room with Ralth behind him again and made sure to seal it up the same as the last one.
“Do you think there’s anything left from breakfast? I would love some scrambled eggs.” Cal smiled up at his brother. They had someone who had real answers, and they just had to figure out how to help give them up. Today was a little better now.