"And why did you transmit the memory disc?" Dralcor asked.

"When we analysed the content of the memory disks, it triggered an ancient security protocol." Poltu, the town leader, replied.

Dralcor transmitted to the others.

Came back a reply.

"Can I ask why it is so important?" Poltu said.

"It is not. The trigger you received should no longer have been active. I am happy that it was, though," Dralcor replied, smiling.

Poltu blanched at the smile from the God of War. It appeared so unnatural and forced. "I hope I did right by transmitting the details. It was the first time I had ever had to trigger it."

“How many have seen the contained memory and where it came from exactly?”

"Including myself, there will have been eight who have seen it. Why may I ask?"

"Would it be possible for us to meet them all to thank them for their service to the Throne?" Dralcor asked.

"Of course, Your Highness. Let us arrange that for you now."

The Gods waited briefly as Poltu left the meeting chamber and arranged for the others. He was terrified of the Gods being here and wanted them gone immediately. They made him feel nervous and uncertain. Even he had recognised the face of the God of War and knew his history.

The Apelores who had been involved all gathered in the meeting chamber, bowing reverently until they were instructed to stand. "Thank you for your assistance," Dralcor said as they stood looking at him. "I have a final question. Could you let me know whose memory it was that was stolen?"

"I can, Your Highness. It was a Lyzord named Darju. She works at the cantina by the starport. It serves some of the best food." One of the original Apelores who had discovered Darju's unconscious body replied.

"Excellent news. I would like to see them as well, please." He replied with no sincerity.

"Of course, Your Highness. I will send someone now."

"No. If you can just escort me there. There is no need to bring them here."

"Yes. Your Highness."

"Chintu. Can you please take us to the cantina where this Lyzord works?" Poltu said.

"Yes, Sir," Chintu replied.

Dralcor left the offices, led by Chintu and Poltu, hurrying behind. Poltu stopped and whispered something briefly to one of his staff members, who disappeared at a run.

---

Darju was still sulking under her blanket when she heard the door open and close.

"Darju?" Flurew called.

Darju dragged herself from her bed and went out to the lounge.

"Ah, there you are. I am sorry that I ran off so quickly before. As I said, I have not seen a God in over 150PT, and I had to see them again before my ending."

"That is okay, Flurew," Darju replied. She knew that the behaviour of the other Apelore was not her fault. "I am sorry I knocked the dishes over."

"I have not forgotten. I will speak to Brunti tomorrow about his behaviour. Now, would you like some dinner?"

"Yes. Please." Darju replied, smiling.

They were sitting on the cushioned floor eating an amazing new dish that Flurew had been experimenting with when there was a sharp knock on the door.

"Who is that at this time of day?" Flurew said, standing and walking to the door. She opened the door to Brunti's panting face. "Oh, Brunti! What brings you here?"

Darju heard the name and turned, glaring at the door. She could not see him clearly from where she sat.

"Miss Flurew," he panted.

"Brunti, I have known you since you were a tiny Apel. There is no need to call me Miss." Flurew replied.

"This is official town business. You have a God coming to visit."

"What do you mean I have a God coming to visit?"

"A God is heading here now to visit you. He is coming to see that Lyzord that you have allowed to stay with you."

Darju heard his comment and flew from her cushion. "I have a name, you obnoxious Ape."

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"Darju. You know you should not call us by that name!" Flurew replied, shocked.

"And he should be more respectful towards me," she said.

"Now I think both of you need to stop this right now and get back to the fact I have just been told we have a God coming to visit to see you," Flurew said.

"I do not care about any Gods. I want an apology for his rude behaviour."

"I will not apologise for my behaviour to an insignificant creature like yourself," Brunti snapped.

"THAT IS ENOUGH," Flurew shouted.

It was the first time Darju had ever heard Flurew raise her voice. She was always so mild-mannered and polite to everyone. "If I hear one more word from the pair of you, I will bang both of your heads together. Now, Brunti, come in and tell me what is happening."

“One of the Gods will be here imminently. They want to see Darju!” Brunti repeated earnestly.

Flurew flew into action, "Darju, fluff the cushions. Brunti, empty the reclaimer," as she spun and headed to her bedroom.

Darju and Brunti just stared at each other for a few moments before they both spurred into action. "Brunti, I am assuming dressed as you are, you should not be here?" Flurew asked, coming out of her bedroom in a clean dress.

"No. I should be at the offices."

"Then I suggest you leave by the back door to the alley before they catch you here."

"Yes, Miss Flurew."

"And I will be speaking to you tomorrow about your language." she finished looking at him.

Brunti's whole demeanour changed, and his shoulders dropped at the remark.

"Now. This is very strange. I have never known a God visit anyone in town, and why would they want to come and see you, Darju?"

"I have no idea. I do not even know anything about them."

"Well..." Flurew was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door.

Flurew walked towards the door and opened it. Stood outside were Poltu and Chintu with an imposing figure of a God dressed in a pure black nanosuit with the emblem of a fist on it. "Miss Flurew. How very nice to see you. Could I please enquire if your Lyzord companion is home this evening?"

"Yes, she is here. Can I ask what this is about, please, Poltu?"

Poltu's eyes opened at her question, and he rolled them to the God behind him.

"Oh, I see I have another guest, and whom may you be?" Flurew asked, addressing Dralcor.

Dralcor looked at the unfolding conversation with disdain. This female Apelore standing in the doorway looked like she was on her last legs.

"Good evening. I am Dralcor," he said with as much politeness as he could.

"Good evening, Dralcor. Oh, I see you are wearing the Royal Emblem. I say we do not often get visited by the Royal Household. Could I ask what you do for them? Please come in." Flurew added as she stepped aside.

"I am known as the God of War," he replied curtly.

"Oh my. Do forgive me. I did not realise I was in the presence of an actual God. I am so sorry, Your Highness. Do come in." Flurew said.

Darju could not believe what she was hearing and how Flurew was behaving. The being walked in behind Flurew as she showed him into the lounge.

"Darju. Please come and greet His Highness Dralcor, the God of War." Flurew said, glancing at her and raising her eyebrows slightly.

Darju stood from the cushions she had been sitting on and walked over to him. She stood at the same height as this supposed God, and he looked nothing special in his black pilot suit. "Hello."

"Hello, Your Highness." Poltu corrected her, a look of sheer terror on his face.

"Hello, Your Highness." She said, offering her hand. She had no idea why everyone was acting the way they were around this being. He was nothing special looking at him.

Darju could see Poltu and Chintu's shocked faces as she offered him her hand to shake.

Dralcor looked down at her offered hand and removed his pilot glove before taking hold of it. His hand was soft and pink-coloured like a naked Apelore.

"Miss Darju was it. I have some questions for you if you don't mind?" he said.

"Darju is fine, and of course," she replied.

"Do you mind excusing us?" Dralcor said.

Flurew ushered Poltu and Chintu into the kitchen area and left Darju to talk with the God of War.

"I believe you may have seen something recently, and I would like to know about it and where it is now," Dralcor said.

"Seen what, sorry?" Darju replied, genuinely confused.

"You had a memory stolen recently. Did you not?"

"Yes. By a Shriven at the market stalls."

"I assume you still have your original memories, but I wonder if you can remember anything about a golden object."

"Oh yes. I remember the object. It was beautiful. I found it in a cave as I was journeying here from the pod. I fell unconscious and am not sure quite what happened, but when I came around, it was no longer there." Darju replied honestly.

"So you do not have it in your possession?"

"No, unfortunately. I wish I did. It was the prettiest thing I had ever seen."

"Do you remember the cave where you discovered it?"

"Yes. I think I can remember its location. About a cinteps walk from here."

"Could you show me the exact location?"

"I am sure I could, but it will not be easy to locate at night."

"Then, can I ask that you accompany me tomorrow morning and show us where it is?"

"Yes. Of course, I can."

"Good. That will be all for now. I will return tomorrow at first light."

"No problem. I will see you then."

Dralcor replaced his glove and left the house without saying another word.

"You can come out now," Darju said as he closed the door.

Three Apelores almost fell into the lounge. They had been trying to listen closely to what was being discussed.

"He will be back tomorrow morning. He wants me to show him where I saw this golden object in the caves when I came from the pod."

"What golden object?" Flurew asked.

"I found a beautiful golden object in the cave, but I collapsed, and when I came to, it had disappeared."

"What did it look like?"

"Nothing and everything. I cannot really explain what it looked like as it had no shape."

"That sounds strange," Poltu said.

"Very. Anyway, he will come and collect me at first light tomorrow to go and show him where I found it."

---

Dralcor had never met a Lyzord before, and she had genuinely intrigued him. He knew of her race but had never met one in being. He had been mildly surprised at her height, thinking them much shorter. He knew they were normally a reclusive race that kept to themselves. This Darju was not in the least bit reclusive and had been very forthright. He doubted that her species even knew who the Gods were. Hopefully, they will get to the bottom of the issue tomorrow and retrieve the artefact.