Chapter 50

Nine Lives

What do I want to do now?

I tried saving the world from all the evil.

I had succeeded in my part.

The evil I had confronted had succumbed to me.

But it had momentum. Evil continues today. A new evil emerges every century and adds it’s corruption to the world.

How could I win? I look out and see that my energy had merely been an effort to stop something. But the life of the evil continues though it’s creator, though dead.

Maybe this time I’ll try something different.

I’m not going to try to stop evil, nor kill it.

I’m only going to try to do good.

And spread that goodness through the galaxy.

Is that a better campaign?

I’d think so.

———

“Put your gun here.” I told Gerome. He took out his pistol and laid it down on the stone table. I too put my gun on the table, along with some other unnecessary gadgets and weapons. I couldn’t let go of Ungu though, she’s a tool, not necessarily a weapon at all times. “Now, come with me.”

I went to the ship and grabbed my bag filled with food and water and stepped out from the temple grounds and into the desert.

Gerome looked at me strangely, a few feet behind me. “Where are we going?”

“Adventuring.”

“Oh great. We’re heading of into the desert. I’m going to die, not enough water. I’m a city boy, remember?”

“Don’t be so dramatic. This is how it all starts, an adventure.” I recalled my past momentarily; adventuring, the beginning of a quest. The beginning of my life. Dawn. A new day.

By the time we had made it to the river Gerome stuck his head in the water, tore off his clothes and jumped into the chilly water.

I watched him for a moment, headed up stream a bit and started drinking.

It was a good spot to camp for the night. Coming out of the desert was a relief, even if it was only a day’s walk.

“So what’s the adventure?” Gerome asked. “Are we looking for something, someone?”

“Maybe.” I said. “Maybe just looking for peace. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any. I figure things would have changed now that the Nightmare is gone. People working together, getting along, you know, peace.”

“Sounds like a good theory, but I have to say that most people would have very peaceful lives out here, even if they do live in a village.”

“You’d be surprised. But then again, it’s almost hard not to when everything looks like this.”

I took my time to admire the trees and grass, even though it was night time. Even the mud on the river bank was welcoming and peaceful.

We slept under the stars.

Looking up I found Ares and Xeres. There were a few other stars I hadn’t seen before. It seemed brighter, the darkness gone, each star shone bright, and together their minuscule lights made up a fire in the sky that would never go out.

I heard a whisper. Ares, soft voice.

I heard it again and a ruffling of grass.

I turned my head, glancing to where the sound came from. I didn’t expect it to be anything dangerous.

“Huntress, is that you?”

I got up and stared at whoever had just called my name.

Pushing through the grass was a little wooden figure just standing up to my waist. “Charlie?”

“Yep, that’s me.”

“How did you find me here?”

“I heard you were here and had to see you for myself.”

“Well, you’ve seen me. Please don’t tell me there’s more Ancients around needing to be slain.” I said.

“No, thank Grandfather Drus. Thanks to you I haven’t seen any for nearly two years.”

I bowed dramatically and came up with a smile. “There shouldn’t be any more, ever.”

“But I thought about you the other day. How you’ve killed them all and lived. But also at that time I thought you had died. You know, when you get that feeling that someone you really love just died, but you not quite sure. It was odd, but I knew you were happy, and I felt something else, a great and terrible monster had died as well.”

I’d say he’s right, but I didn’t want to tell him the whole story. Instead I just told him, “Your feelings are true. Exactly that happened.”

“But now you’re here and alive. That’s why I came running from the forest. But even while running I was amazed to see that everything’s changed.”

I laughed lightly. “I think things have changed. I’m out here venturing around Xenobia just to do that. Looking for peace, but finding that it’s been here the whole time.”

He smiled, finding more peace.

“But I think it’s time to go, I’ll continue my adventure tomorrow. I’ll see you again, Charlie.”

He almost seemed sad to go, but he changed rapidly to a comforting smile, then a grin. “I’ll see you again.”

Our journey took us clockwise. From the southeastern desert, following the river along the south, past the fields of the Equine and back home to the Jungle.

I was happier than ever to see my trees again, going up the tree line and heading back in on my own well worn path to the temple.

I nearly raced back to see my temple but Gerome had a hard time getting through the trees, so I had to slow down.

Eventually we had made it, but I told him to wait for me. He couldn’t even see the temple though we were twenty feet away.

I went inside, the lights turned on automatically, telling me nobody was there, or at least not moving about for a while.

I didn’t feel like going through my younger years and reminding myself of things, but it hit me suddenly. I choked back a quiet sob and kept myself from thinking that this would be the last time, the real last time, in this temple.

I walked slowly. Through the door and up to the village entrance, past the three doors, past my childhood bedroom, past the kitchen and into the garden.

It had been some time since the village was destroyed. Felines had managed to put up tents and roughly built huts. The city hall had been cleared out and in its place stood a similarly built hut, just taller and wider than the others.

I could see Felines moving about. I studied them for a moment deciding whether or not to go down and greet them.

It didn’t take long to make a decision. A Feline in a tight suit and goggles stepped out of the bushes. A mirror image copy of myself. “You said nothing!” She wailed.

I stepped back a bit. How long has it been? Not even a week. “I gave Clyde a message for you.”

“It said absolutely nothing. ‘I left’ that was about it. Now you show up looking all dreamlike and reminiscent, thinking that you’ll go off and save someone else’s life?”

“No…” I hesitated, “Yeah, you’re right.” How could I feel guilty. I did leave her all by herself.

“So where have you been?” She asked, less hostile but I could see we still had some talking to do.

“Killed Caine.” I said.

“I figured. Heard about it on the news. Who else would have shown up and given the police the message that it’s a tribal affair?” Definitely not the humans.”

“Good spot,” I said. “But I’ve finished my adventures here. I’m looking for peace, for what I’ve done.”

“What you’ve done? You didn’t do anything. You saved people.”

“Like when someone says, ‘look what you’ve done’ and see the consequences. But this time the consequences are good.”

“Are they?” She asked, seemingly sarcastic, but she was easing up still.

“I hope so. Really. That’s what I’m looking for. I found peace. It’s everywhere. People live and forget about it, even though it’s right in their face.”

“Where? What peace?”

“All around you. The jungle, the earth, Xenobia, the image that people create for their future. It’s all there waiting for someone to look and remind themselves.”

She looked down to the village. The huts, the piles of burnt rubbish, the aftermath of a genocide. “I guess your right. People want peace, they build it, they’re defining their future, slowly but surely.”

I nodded and stood there taking in the view for another moment.

“I guess I’ll be off.”

She gave me a sideways glance. “Really? So soon? Don’t you want to stay? Help a bit, take this village back to its prosperity?”

“That’s your job. But not to ‘take it back’. To make it new again. Make it like it’s never been before.”

She kept staring, nodding slowly.

I left, around the temple to find Gerome once again and continuing our adventure.

“I guess we can visit the beach. It’s a good one. There’s Pisces, you don’t get to see them in Xenobia city.”

It took two days of strolling to make it to the beach. I enjoyed it. No running, no time limits.

We enjoyed some sushi at a little restaurant and took a stroll on the beach. Gerome watched a show put on by the Pisces. Sun setting, warm summer breeze, Pisces flipping up and out of the water in unison creating patterns and circles in the ocean. It was our luck to be sitting in the perfect spot. At the end, five of them jumped over the sun in a perfect arc. The crowed cheered and begged for an encore, but the sun was setting and the day was over.

We went back and got a hotel room for the two of us.

I was listening to Gerome’s breathing, the crickets outside and a small voice calling my name.

I walked outside. A Nereid.

“Hello Dawn.”

“Well if it isn’t my old swimming instructor.”

“It is. But this time I have a message from Poseidon.”

“What’s that?”

“He says he wants to see you.”

I smiled. “I guess I’ll have to. Did he say for what?”

“Yes, but that was your part of the message. He actually said, ‘Find Dawn and bring her here by her little ears before she does something else stupid and kills herself. If not for the sake of the rest of Xenobia.’ I just dumbed it down a bit.”

The water was fresh and reminded me of my times at the island of Dakur. But it wasn’t a bad memory. Nothing much was a bad memory anymore.

I got through the guards and into the castle under the water.

Poseidon was doing the Pisces equivalent of pacing back and force in front of his desk. “Dawn!” He rushed over and picked me up in hug a Ursine would have been proud of. He let me go and sighed. “Look at you. The fearless Huntress of the Felines. I’m just glad you’re still alive.”

“So am I.”

“No, I’m seriously glad. You had me worried. I heard you had already use my good luck charm, used your own and then went off to find the Ancient of Ancients. I had no idea what that had meant but knowing you, it only meant trouble.”

“But I’ve done it. He’s gone. Xenobia is a different place now.”

“It sure is. And that’s why I want to talk to you.” He sat down, putting on a face that looked worried. “You’re a very good Huntress, if not one of the best. You’ve saved all of Xenobia and all of our years to come, putting forward a future for children of all species and their children too, to keep walking and give them a chance at leading their own lives, peacefully.”

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“Thanks,” I said. “That’s quite a statement.”

“Yes. It is. But look, you do things that put you at risk, it scares the living daylights out of anyone who would call you their daughter. Like I do. So please. Please, just tell me that there’s no more Ancients, no more monsters, no more insane death quests for you to go and nearly kill yourself.”

“I think I did kill myself. And more than once.”

“Dawn!” He was starting to get hysteric. “What’s left? You’ve saved us all. Tell me there’s no more fighting, no more wars.”

“Poseidon, there isn’t.”

He let out a big sigh. “Really, you’re not joking?”

“I’m serious. I’ve think I’ve finished here. I’ve given my title up to another Feline, one whose saved my life. She’s actually the one to blame for the death of the last Ancient. I think she can handle things.”

“There’s another one like you?” He asked. He whispered something to his guard, something that was probably about bringing a Bandera here and meeting her too.

“I’ve decided to lay low for a while. I’m traveling on foot around all of Xenobia, looking at the changes, looking out at life. I think when I’m done with this I’ll find something to do. I’d like to go and save another planet.”

His face went dark again. “Another one? You want to go and kill yourself another five times of another planet?”

“No. Just save another planet.”

“Dawn. You don’t know what this does to me. I can’t bear listening to the kind of things you do. You’re still young. You would do much better in office running a village or a city.”

“We’ll see. I haven’t quite decided yet.”

He blinked, not know which way to go now.

“Poseidon, take a look around. It’s peaceful and full of life. People can do as they please because of what we all do. This is their dream, your dream. Xenobia would be different if none of us were here. It’s all of us combined that makes it what you see today. And I have to say that I’ve changed that from what it was a few years ago. People were scared. They have been for thousands of years. The Ancients gone, and the Nightmare killed. What’s left? Dreams.”

He didn’t say anything now.

I told him, “I’m going. It’s been good to see you. I respect everything you’ve done for me, from the bottom of my heart.”

“I saved your life.”

I kissed him on the cheek.

Then I smiled and left.

———

“It’s too cold to venture up north. We’ll have to pass back through the jungle and into the city.” I muttered, half talking to Gerome.

Gerome didn’t seem to care. He was caught too much in the serenity of the wilderness. We had been walking for weeks now, on foot across plains, through jungle trees and across the coast. Now we were crossing into the fields to head back to the city.

I liked the slow pace. The sounds of the jungle that I didn’t hear for a long time, the birds and the wind in the trees, gurgling water as we passed streams and natural springs.

It gave us time to forget our worries and start dreaming. My worries were long gone, even that subtle feeling of having to host Gerome through Xenobian wilderness. Gerome had taken the leisure to daydream, I could tell. Though he was aware and walking peacefully, he was often staring off, most likely into the future, thinking about something.

“Ho, Huntress.” A voice called out from the edge of the plains.

It was an Equine. The voice was the same, but it wasn’t, not my good friend Roland. I didn’t recognize him, but he seemed to recognize me.

I waved and caught up to him.

“What brings you here today?” He asked.

“Just crossing.”

“Sounds nice. I would advise you of the rules and dangers passing through, but I think you know them.”

“I do,” I said.

“And since you were the one who got rid of the Ancient beast I’d be obliged to take you to where ever you’d like.”

Sounds nice, I asked Gerome if he minded riding an Equine. His eyes lit up, “I wouldn’t want to miss out on that.”

And we went on a slow trot through the fields.

The scenery was more or less the same for hours and hours. This is where I found Gerome daydreaming the most, staring off into the distance, yet his eyes locked somewhere in between.

I asked the Equine, “Did Roland come back?”

It took him a moment to answer. “Why don’t you look for yourself.”

I was almost offended, but before I could say anything I had spotted the Equine herd. Magic?

We slowly trotted up to meet them. The chief was the first to hail me. “Huntress! I’m so glad you could come to visit. I think we owe you a feast!”

I remembered the time I had killed Midnai, the Ancient flying over the fields, and the feast we had afterwards.

“I have to say Roland paid me back. He saved my life at least once.”

“That’s good to hear. But I haven’t repaid you. You’ve saved more than two of my Equines for years to come.”

That was it. We had our feast. The fires burned bright and hot, meat and vegetables roasted and the sun had mysteriously repositioned itself just on the horizon making the lighting a little bit more romantic.

After we ate I looked around a bit to notice that Roland in fact hadn’t come back. He would have been the first to hail me, if I knew him any better.

Gerome and I stayed there for the night, laying in the grass in the middle of the Equines, protected in the ways of the grassland Xenos.

When we awoke, we returned to our host and he carried us further to our destination. He left us at a good spot just a few minutes walk from the suburbs. From here we could just see the tip of what must have been the Xenobia city tower.

Another day had gone by and we arrived back to my headquarters in the city.

I showed Gerome the lay out of the shipping yard, nothing exciting but I found the container and eagerly ran up to get inside and greet my friends, if they’re still here.

Before I could even get close the alarms went off, “Security breech! Intruder alert!”

I laughed, knowing John, this would be some joke of his.

I tried to open the door, but it was locked. Instead, guns popped out of nowhere and turned to lock onto me.

A handful of Dryads came out with Farrow leading them. Well I knew it was Farrow, but he wore a black mask. They seized us and wrapped our hand behind our backs, tying us up. The Dryads picked us up and carried us into headquarters.

We were put on the ground in the living room and Farrow yelled, “Who are you and what have you done with our Huntress?”

“What do you mean? I am Dawn.”

Gerome looked just as perplexed, fading towards unconsciousness. Maybe this was just a big set up to get him raped and killed.

Roland was standing nearby. “I think it’s her,” he said. “That’s fine, let her go.”

As they untied me I looked at them and laughed. “Great joke guys. How’s it been since I’ve been gone?”

“It wasn’t a joke Dawn,” Farrow said.

Roland continued. “We didn’t know what happened to you. For all we knew you could have been possessed by the Nightmare, or something worse.”

“We learned from you. Never expect the usual,” Farrow said, still deep in emotion.

“Expect the unexpected.” Roland said, correcting Farrow.

“Really? You learned that from me?”

“Well, yes.” Farrow said. “Really there wasn’t much to expect. You had left when the Nightmare was killed. We didn’t know anything and Bandera didn’t come back, neither did Clyde. We thought you had died, and that’s why they took you back to the Jungle.”

“So we waited,” Roland said, “for the expected time for a funeral to take place, then a little bit more. We were just about to evacuate in a day or two and then you come back with some stranger.”

“Well, I’m not dead. And this isn’t a stranger. His name is Gerome, I saved his life and killed Caine for him. Really more for my own satisfaction, but he was there too.”

Gerome looked at me funny. “I would have gotten him.”

“He’s been on my hit list longer than he been on yours.”

Gerome was about to say something but kept us on his line of questioning. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re not dead. It’s just been quite different without you around. I’m even surprised I’ve kept myself together for this long without going back to the mountains.”

Roland said, “I enjoyed waiting for you, Dawn. It couldn’t have been a more fruitful wait. I am more than happy that you’ve come back.” (That’s should have shown Farrow. One point for Roland.)

I gave my thanks. “Roland, Farrow, Dryads. John and Nancy. I’m going my own way for a while. I’ve saved this planet and I’ve decided to go off and save another.”

They all looked horrified. “Really, You’re leaving us?”

“Yes, I hope everything will be just as you like it. Peaceful, nothing too exciting. Live another life, just as you’d like it. Gerome and I have decided to stop killing, put our guns down and take another direction in life.”

“Well I guess that does sound like a good idea. Like something a hero would do when he’s won.”

“It is. I hate to be abrupt but, as our journey continues through Xenobia, I depart, leaving you with everything I have given you, and my best wishes.”

“Dawn, it’s been fantastic knowing you. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”

“Same.” Roland said. “You’ve changed my life. I don’t think I’ll go back to the fields being as I was before. It’ll be strange, different. A good different.”

I nodded, nearly cried. A couple of tears rolled down my cheeks and I hugged them all, gave my best wishes to my jungle Dryad friends and left.

———

Closing in on our last stop, we headed east through the city, just south of the frozen spires of the northeast.

I found the old and rusting crate down at the end of a tunnel. A tunnel made by my exit from Genres’s ship. This was one place I knew where I could find the Talpas.

I went down and followed through, crawling for some time until I found the Talpa’s kingdom. It shone brighter than daylight, even though no lights were on. I figured it must have something to do with their magic potion. But this was one time I could see and admire their buildings and village without having to trust a tour guide’s description.

After making it through the village, and many villager’s comments about a Feline being underground, I made it through to the underground castle, which was just a lot of big holes in the walls. The paintings actually were very beautiful and showed such depth and perspective.

Before I could really get close, guards had stopped me and asked for my business. They weren’t hostile at all, but seemed to want to know if I needed help. I’m sure no one could make it down here this far without being able to see in the dark, plus what other Feline would. I answered, and they helped me find my friend King Monty of the Talpas.

I hadn’t really known him personally but I had had all too much help from his people: the potion, the holes in the battle field, salvation after the battle, the city headquarter’s renovations and not to mention the events leading up to the battle with the Nightmare.

He welcomed me as all the Talpas have welcomed me. “Hello Huntress!” Seeming way too happy.

“Hello,” I said. “I have to say my thanks to you before anything else happens. I may not see many of you for a while.”

“What do you mean?” He asked, a little too sad.

“I’ve finished my work and figured another planet may need my help.”

“Is that what you doing now? But.. really, you’ve finished?”

“I believe so? The Ancients are gone, every last one. Peace is beginning to blossom and the evil will slowly whittle away to nothing before too long. Maybe the evil isn’t here, but somewhere else.”

“But that doesn’t give you a reason to leave. You can enjoy the peace with us. We can venture further outwards, further downwards and find more mines to be explored. There’s always new minerals to be found.”

“I believe there is, but I’ll leave that work to you and your people. My work is something else, something for you to enjoy.”

“Well, when you put it that way there isn’t much to argue about,” he said. “What do you call your work anyways?”

“That’s a good question, I’ll have to figure that out myself. The only thing that I can see I do is getting into trouble and fighting my way out.”

“That’s not work. That’s life.”

“Than that’s what I do. I work life and give it back to you.”

He sighed, feeling he lost the argument. “But I do feel it. There’s been a bit more life down here, more than usual.” He licked his finger and put it up, testing the wind. “Yep, more life. Even if things from the surface take longer to reach us down here I can feel the life growing already. I say you’ve done your job.”

I laughed at the little creature, bowing to give him my thanks again,

“You’ve helped more than you might have known. Really,” King Monty said.

“Well, it’s really because of who you are.”

This was one question I’ve always had a hard time answering. “Who am I then?”

“The Huntress. A Feline. The one and only Feline who would do anything and kill anyone who got in her way. If you had a bad purpose you wouldn’t have been supported, nay. The Felines, they’ve always been a Xeno I’ve had close to my heart. The Felines work for the Xenos, they know their power and that it isn’t all for themselves. Sure it may look like it, but the more true power one has, the more power those around her has. And that the rest of the Xenos and even us native Talpas are helped by you only means two things.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“That your power is stronger than anyone’s, if only by a simple equation; you plus all that you work for and with, are the greatest power.” He put on a big smile, crossed his arms a nodded.

“That was one.” I said.

“Yes your right, but I wanted that to sink in… And two! That because you’ve granted me and my people that power, that we’re that much more powerful after having helped in building your power.”

“I think that makes sense,” I said.

“Really, all I’m trying to say is that power plus power equals more power and that we’re included in that power of yours which really makes me feel powerful!”

“Okay, okay. I get it know. Thank you. I really could have done it without you.”

“Exactly! That’s what I meant.”

I smiled and told him I’d be on my way now.

“No, don’t go yet. I have something for you.”

I couldn’t guess what that could be, I already have a potion from the Talpas. Then he came out with a jewelry box.

“Open it, open it!”

I did. Inside was a thin golden chain with a golden pendant. It was heavier than it looked. The figure was a simple triangle.

King Monty described it for me, “It was made by Winston the wizard. And we know that with everything of his there is something magical. He only said that this was a pendant of power. I couldn’t tell you how it works or even if it does. Time will tell.”

“Well thank you again. I’ll definitely keep this safe. If you and the Talpas haven’t saved my life enough, I can only compare you with Winston’s magic. And I’m sure time will tell. I have a knack of using these kind of things when needed the most.”

We hugged and went through the formalities one last time and I made it back to the surface finding Gerome sleeping beneath an apple tree, two or three apple cores next to him.

We continued our travel through the Great Forest heading southeast, and steering very clear of the home of the Canines.

We found a tree, one that stands over them all, taller and wider than all the rest. One that has its own life, and is the life of the forest itself. Grandfather Drus.

I walked Gerome into the clearing, standing before the largest tree anyone has ever seen, and really the largest that has ever existed on Xenobia. But not a tree, a grandfather.

“Welcome to the home of the Dryads,” I told Gerome.

He looked in awe at the colors, giving depth; the movement of all that was alive. Dryads were running about, playing, telling jokes and swinging on vines.

I heard a motion above me, like a rustle of leaves and growing of vines. Looking up I found Drus manifesting in humanoid form. Thought not like a grandfather, he looked like a prince. His stately figure had formed, his eyes opened to show a mysterious light beneath his hardwood skin. “Welcome back Dawn. I see that you’re alive. I nearly worried my bark off until I had sent one of my scouts to confirm you’re still alive.”

“I am alive. Very much so,” I replied. “It took me a while to recover, but I had managed it. The fight was tragic, for me at least. And the last Ancient is dead. I have his head to prove it.”

Drus laughed a bit. “You wouldn’t believe what I had felt. A sudden death, then another. The good and the evil both vanishing from existence. And then, a few days later, it was you again.”

I didn’t have anything to say, but kept smiling and giving him my gratitude.

“I will have you know that you will be free to come and go through the Great Forest and the land of Dryads. You will be safe by every means possible which I can summon in my own home. Which means, you will be at home.”

“That means a lot. And I do feel at home. I’m glad you’re here, because without you there wouldn’t be a forest. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I have your necklace which I believe is enough to anyone’s heart. Not to mention that I can talk to the Dryads and he Hamadryads. It did come in helpful once or twice.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Drus said. “But what’s next? I’m sure there isn’t too much evil to be rid of here on this planet.”

“There isn’t. That’s why I’m going off to find another job, somewhere else, another planet, another race.”

“Another planet, really?”

“Yep, Gerome here came for one reason, I fulfilled it and now were off to do what we do best.”

“Ridding the whole galaxy of evil?”

“Maybe, if I can. We’ll start with planet number two.”

“I have to say that is incredible. And if I could be of anymore assistance to you, let me know. I too plan to flourish and grow, the forest has no bounds you know.”

With that I looked to Gerome.

He looked at me and Drus, completely mystified that I was talking to a tree. He had no understanding whatsoever ever.

I pulled him away and back onto our path, explaining the details on our way to the next location.

———

We had made it back to the desert temple. This time it was different. There was no feeling of hiding. It was void of politics, insights and fear.

This time I already knew what I was looking for. I had found that just recently. There was no more games I was looking to solve, none left that I wanted to play now.

So I asked Gerome. “What is it that you’ve been planning all this time?”

“What do you mean? Planning? I wasn’t planning anything.”

“Yes you were, I’ve seen it in your eyes.”

“I don’t know,” he said as if he had no idea what I was talking about.

“What do you desire? I can tell there’s been something going on up there.” I tapped my head.

“Well, I guess I have been thinking a lot,” he said. “I’ve forgotten about everything that was happening. I though that maybe we could change the world, change it in a better way. Like, people should do what you want them to do. They should follow you and do what you ask. But not in a bad way, not like slavery, but people should be on the same wavelength with you. You know?”

“I guess that makes sense. What did you have in mind?”

“Something like…mind control? We could all do with some offensive and defensive mind control. Though the person would have to still have their own will, but you just change their intentions. For the better.”

“And how might we do that?”

“Maybe like a machine. Something that puts the other person under your control, makes them think the same things you do, but then they decide what they really should do. But it’s more forceful than just talking about it.”

“Hmm, let me think about that.”

I did, I had no idea where to start, but he said machine.

“You know,” Gerome said, “I was an inventor before. In a way. I could make parts for cars and change the whole thing so it would work better.”

That’s a start. Invent a machine to control people’s minds.

I don’t like where this is going, the Nightmare was just that, but for evil. Maybe he’s onto something. Only use it for good, a mild type of mind control.

But if we’re going to do that we need a place to do it. We need materials and whole of other things, not to mention test subjects. We need money.

I know where to go.

———

I told Gerome to stay in the ship as I headed down into the building. A somewhat historic building, especially for me. This was the first place I had breakfast in the city.

I took the elevator up.

I found Yanku shouting across the office, something about buy now before the stock prices soar again.

“I’ve come to follow up on that agreement.” I told him.

He looked me up and down. Not so much up, as he was seven feet tall himself. I don’t think he recognized me, but he asked, “And what the hell did I agree to this time?”

“You don’t remember me? A lost Feline from the village, forgot her money at home.”

He simmered down, looking at a little Feline. “Rings a bell. Right! You’re that Huntress girl. I still haven’t told anyone.”

“Good. So you said that if I needed help, especially in the business side of things, you’d help.”

…