Sam

by Pars001

©Copyright 12/14/2017 by Pars001

Chapter 1

Samuel Ray walked out of his house, waving to his neighbors. Getting into his car, he stretched his six-foot frame out behind the wheel. As he moved away from his house and neighborhood, little did he know it would be the last time he would see either of them.

High in orbit above the Earth, an unearthly craft hid among the satellites. Its sleek black skin absorbed all light and energy that came near it.

A tall, blonde, human-looking male nodded at the readout. "I think we've finally located the one on this planet that was giving off those energy readings."

"It's about time!" a smaller in height and frame female replied. "I want all bio-scanners on this one this time. No mistakes like last time," the female hissed. "I'll remove more than an ear this time!"

The male, a hand to the stub-like projection from the side of his head, nodded. "All scans now active, directed at the subject," the male said as clearly as he could.

The female stood, walking up behind the male. "Hmm, this one has more markers than any we've seen before. I'm so glad I suggested we come to this primitive place."

The male hid his face as he rolled his eyes. Her idea? Slightly shaking his head, he wondered how she'd go on without him. Most of her ideas were actually his.

A slash to his back let him know he hadn't heard the last thing she'd said. "You worthless piece of scum! I told you to get him!" the female growled.

"I will, Mistress, as soon as he stops moving! We don’t want a repeat of last time, like on Penal-One," the male said as he winced at the pain across his back.

"Hmm, you’re right. That cost enough to fix, plus we only got half of him. There was barely enough left alive for me to consume. Alright then, as soon as possible," the female said with a smirk.

Arriving downtown, Samuel had just parked his car and was moving as quickly as he could away from it. A sudden crunching sound behind him caused Samuel to stop; turning, his mouth fell agape. The front half of the very car he’d been in was gone! Looking closer, Samuel saw a blue glow emanating from the rest of what was left of the vehicle.

Turning back toward the building, Samuel took a step to run; suddenly, he was enveloped in a reddish light. Blinking his eyes hard, he saw that he was somewhere else! Two tall, well-muscled women in strange uniforms were pointing strange guns at him. Both had startled looks on their faces that quickly turned to anger.

"Inona! Iza io?" the tall, blonde-haired woman of the pair said.

"Tsy azoko antoka," the tall, Auburn woman next to the blonde replied.

When Samuel only stood there with his mouth open, the Auburn woman touched a button on the console. Just as quickly, a strange beam shot out of the bulkhead. "What the hell!?" Samuel almost shouted as he jumped back, the beam following him.

"Ah! Much better!" the Auburn-haired woman said. Pointing her gun straight at Samuel’s chest, unwavering, she started, "Now just who are you? Where is the criminal Mellos Thymp?!"

Shock registered on Samuel’s face as he swallowed hard. "Look, lady, I have no idea what you are talking about!"

A frown came over the Auburn woman’s face. "I am not one of these ladies that you speak of. I am Thellus Wron of the Intergalactic Patrol. This esteemed one," Thellus said, indicating the blonde, "is our sector Commander, Drivas Flot. You WILL refer to her as Commander!" The Auburn woman pushed her gun barrel into Samuel’s ribs to emphasize her point.

"Sure! Whatever you say, lady," Samuel said as he raised his hands and arms.

With a low growl, Thellus backed a foot away from Samuel. "Lower your arms now! You will be destroyed if you make an attempt to take my weapon! Now then, identify yourself," this command came out rigidly.

Swallowing hard again, Samuel replied, "I am Samuel Ray, I work at the World Bank downtown."

Thellus's face hardened as her grip on the weapon tightened. "I know not of this 'downtown' on your planet; stop lying..."

"Enough, Thellus! Tell me, Samuel Ray, is the name of that planet 'downtown,' or does it perhaps have another name?" Drivas asked, indicating the blue and green planet visible through a huge window that dominated the wall.

"Oh my god!" Samuel exclaimed as he fell to his knees. "There’s no way!"

Drivas shook her head with a sigh. They would have to wipe this one when they were done, a most unpleasant duty. "So you know the name of your home, good. I'm sorry you’ve never seen it before. I apologize..."

"Huh? Of course, I've seen it; we all have. It’s just rare that anyone but military personnel gets to see this much of it these days," an almost exasperated Samuel told Drivas.

"Ah! So your people are much further along then. Perhaps a wipe is unnecessary. So, please, what is its name?" Drivas smiled at him.

"We call it Earth," Samuel replied.

A shocked, then worried look crossed Drivas’s face. Stunned, she turned toward Thellus and yelled at her, "Send him back NOW!" Drivas’s voice grew louder with each word.

"But Commander, shouldn’t we first..." a confused Thellus began.

"NO! NOW! Send him now before he emerges!" Drivas was now screaming.

Thellus nodded as she immediately pressed another button on the console. Another reddish beam enveloped Samuel, who stood there a moment with nothing happening. Looking down at his body, he noticed a golden glow emanating from within the red beam. Then, just as suddenly, he was standing back in the parking garage.

Shrugging, Samuel turned toward the elevator. Taking but a step, he was again enveloped in a blue beam. Again he shook his head, then rolled his eyes as nothing happened this time! Waiting a moment more, he shrugged again and stepped out of the beam, then walked away from it easily.

Mellos Thymp cursed as she kicked the male off his feet, then hard into the bulkhead. Landing with a thud, the male crumpled into a heap. "How dare you miss the target!" Mellos raged.

"Mistress Mellos, I didn’t miss!" the tall male protested. "My god! He’s reading almost the same makeup as you!" the male said as soon as he limped back to the panel.

Quickly snapping her head around, Thymp looked at the reading on the panel. Her eyes flew wide as she whispered, "My god, he's reading more pure, if not more than myself! We must capture him at all costs!"

"Ma'am!" the tall man shouted, looking at another reading. "I’m detecting an Intergalactic Patrol command ship nearby!"

"Damn it!" Mellos said as she tracked the other ship. "So! It wasn’t your fault after all! Hmm, I might have to reward your efforts after all. Don't count on it," she sneered at the tall man, "though we’ll see."

The tall man nodded, shivering at the promise of a reward. If it was anything like the last time, it would be well worth it!

Samuel looked at his watch. Damn it! That little delay was going to make him late! Opening the stairwell door when he saw that the elevator was at the top of the building, he cursed. Twenty-five floors!

Taking a step into the stairwell, Samuel was suddenly staring at the twenty-fifth floor’s door. What in the hell was going on?

Grabbing the door handle, Samuel pulled it in a hurry, seeing that he had a few more minutes before he was late. Suddenly gasping when not only the door, but the frame also came away from the wall in his hand! Crap! This day was getting stranger and stranger. Putting them aside, Samuel was glad he was at the back of the room where no one else was.

Several people stared, then snickered as they saw him pass on the way to his cubicle. Staring hard, Samuel sat with a thud when he saw that almost all the space on his desk was taken up with huge stacks of reports piled on it. Shaking his head, Samuel thought there had to be at least a week’s worth of work here!

His boss walked up at that moment. "Samuel, I need you to read, comment, then do a complete write-up on each of these." Samuel groaned as the man started to walk away, then the man stopped, returning to Samuel’s desk. "Oh yeah, expect to stay after since you were the last in. You best have them all done when I come in tomorrow. I’m presenting them to the CEO." With a snide laugh, the man walked away without a thought to what he’d just done.

"What an ass!" Samuel whispered under his breath, staring at his boss as the man walked away as if he had lost his mind. With a sigh, Samuel shook his head, reaching for the first report and a pen.

Thirty minutes later, Samuel put the last down then wrote a comment. Reaching for another, Samuel was surprised when there weren’t any more! Blinking and looking up, Samuel saw that he was completely done with all but the last write-up.

Again shaking his head, he thought about what he’d just read. Turning to his keyboard, he started to type at a furious pace. A mere two minutes later, he blinked again when he saw that he had eight pages done! Saving everything, he could only stare at all the work he’d finished. What in the hell was going on?

Thinking about the events of the day, he remembered the blonde Commander saying that he was emerging. I wonder what the hell that had been about? Too bad I can’t ask her, Samuel thought.

[“Who the hell is this?”] Came the sound of Drivas's thoughts in her voice.

‘What the hell?’ Samuel thought, ‘just what was that?’

[“I will have you locked away! This is illegal telepathic communication with a commanding officer of the Intergalactic Patrol! Identify yourself or be prepared for immediate incarceration!”] Drivas’s thought said.

Shrugging, Samuel thought he might as well. [“This is Samuel Ray, I have a question for you.”]

[“Samuel Ray?”] Samuel swore he could almost feel Drivas swallow hard. [“I ... I will allow you one question.”]

[“You told Thellus that I was emerging... What exactly did you mean?”] Samuel asked.

[“What!? You mean you don’t know? Then I am afraid I am not allowed to tell you. The patrol has been trying to find others like you for almost four hundred years. At present, there are only two left alive, yourself and the criminal Mellos.”] Drivas explained.

[“Only two like me? What do you mean?”] Samuel asked.

[“I’m sorry, I’ve already told you far too much.”] Drivas’s thoughts came through in a panic.

Sighing, Samuel was starting to get more than a little pissed. [“What the hell! Just tell me!”] Samuel’s thoughts asserted forcefully.

[“You don’t understand, I can’t... I’m sorry, I can’t; it isn’t...”] Samuel could feel Drivas’s thoughts and mind struggling as she fought to keep her thoughts within. He could sense her trying to keep the information hidden but the reasons why as well. [“NO! STOP! I can’t! I... I... Your readings indicate that you and she are the last two pure-form Cliveastones.”]

[“Cliveastones? Never heard of them, I'm afraid. What...?”] Samuel started to ask.

[“They were once a race of super powerful beings that were thought to have been destroyed well over five centuries ago. All readings indicate that you are ten percent purer than Mellos. The purest, in fact, to be seen since the planet Owt Los was destroyed. It was rumored that they seeded thousands of worlds in case such an event happened.”] Drivas’s struggling thoughts came through, sounding somewhat numb.

[“What were your orders concerning those that are supposed to be like me?”] Samuel asked.

[“We were only supposed to find and report any that we found. I’m... I’m sorry we awakened you. It was never our intention to do so. May I ask what your intentions are?”] Drivas’s concerned thoughts emerged.

[“As of right now...”] Samuel began.

Another set of thoughts broke in. [“Release the Commander this instant or...”]

Samuel turned toward the new thoughts. [“You weren’t asked into this conversation!”]

[“I have to protest...”] The other’s thoughts started.

[“SHUT UP!”] Samuel thought, getting angry.

[“I am a thought warrior. I will not... Stop! NO!”] The other’s terrified thoughts came.

Samuel felt the other back off, so he eased the pressure. [“I told you to shut up. Try that again, and I may not stop ‘til there isn’t much left.”]

[“Yes, sir.”] The slowly relaxing thoughts responded.

Turning back to Drivas’s thoughts, Samuel continued. [“Now, as for my intentions. I mean no harm to anyone, though I will defend myself.”]

Thinking of the patrol ship, Samuel appeared far above the outside of the building he had been in. Looking up, he then shot skyward at tremendous speed and reached the patrol ship in seconds.

Samuel’s eyes went wide when he found he really didn’t need to breathe, stopping outside the patrol ship. Reaching for the ship, Samuel vanished, appearing before a shocked Drivas and a panic-stricken Thellus sitting on the floor, her gun drawn.

“I will not allow you to harm the Commander!” Thellus said as she discharged her gun. The energy beam struck Samuel in the chest. Furrowing his eyebrows, Samuel looked more annoyed than angry as his body absorbed the blast.

Sighing, Samuel snapped his fingers, making Thellus’s gun vanish. “There, that’s better!” Samuel said, which caused both Drivas and Thellus to stare at him in shock.

“You know nothing of your origin yet you can do this? Why ask if you have such command of your power?” Drivas asked.

“Apparently, I learn them as I need them. Ok, so one last question.” Samuel stated.

"Please sir, I am already in enough trouble as it is. If we answer any more questions, we can most assuredly look forward to being executed," Drivas pleaded.

Sighing, Samuel took a moment to think. Looking at both women, he wondered if it was really that easy. He carefully formulated his desire.

Finally, Samuel decided he was ready, thinking, I wish to know of these people whose powers I have. I want to know what powers I actually possess, if I will gain more, and why I have only now started to develop them.

Both of the women's mouths dropped open as they watched Samuel grab his head. Sinking to his knees, Samuel's eyes were closed, then suddenly flew open as he started to scream!

"No! Too much!" Samuel screamed even louder. Then the tension and pain eased as the information started to flow slower.

Taking a deep breath, Samuel stared straight ahead as he began to process everything he was seeing. Most of it he knew from Drivas, though learning how they were wiped out caused Samuel to growl at the two women.

"So the patrol was formed because of my kind. It also appears that air like Earth's renders us powerless," Samuel whispered, drawing closer to the women. "Too bad it appears that bringing me here activated my abilities. Also, when you sent me back?" Drivas looked at Samuel and nodded. "I still had them!"

Both women appeared wide-eyed in shock and surprise. They realized they had to contact central as soon as they could. If he really still had his powers on Earth, then there was nothing they could do to stop him at the moment.

"So don’t come after me, and you’ve really got nothing to fear. Piss me off, then, well, might I suggest you don’t, okay?" With that, Samuel disappeared, reappearing outside the ship.

Now then, Samuel thought, it's time to do something about the other one. Looking around, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. Hmm, he thought, I need vision that will allow me to find her.

Suddenly, Samuel's eyes could see a broad range of spectrums. On the edge of the curvature of the Earth, he saw an odd energy pulse.

Heading toward it, he was shocked when it opened fire on him! Hell, he thought as the beams struck him, these are actually tickling me!

Mellos threw on her armor when the tall male who worked for her told her the other like her was heading their way. Sighing, she began to shake her head when the big idiot started to fire on their target.

A moment later, a man almost as tall as the male who served her appeared, a huge smile on his face. Yes! she thought. She could feel the raw power emanating from him!

Samuel looked around the ship more. A tall blonde man with a shocked look on his face was there. Further behind him, a smaller, well-armored, jet-black-haired female.

"Ah! You must be this Mellos Thymp that I have heard so much about," Samuel said as his face went from a smile to dead serious.

Mellos's eyes widened as she nodded. "I’m afraid that you have me at a disadvantage," Mellos said as she ever so slowly inched closer, waiting for a chance to touch the man. That’s all I need, she thought. Just one touch. I know that his power would heal me. I just know it!

Samuel bowed, a smile returning to his face. “I’m Samuel Ray from Earth. I was told that you were a criminal, so I thought I’d hear your side of the story. I also know you tried to bring me on board your ship. Uh... I suggest you not try that again.”

Mellos’s eyes widened as she moved a little closer to Samuel. Just a little more! Then she laid a hand on him. With a triumphant smile, she felt the draw start, then-huh? Nothing? Concentrating even harder, she pulled, but still nothing!

“So, I see you’ve never heard the saying that it’s really bad to take what doesn’t belong to you. Plus, trying to take from someone who’s not going to let you have it!” Samuel said, a firm, hard look on his face as he stared down at her, a look of terror starting to form on her face.

“I don’t understand, it has never failed before! You are just like me, how can I not consume?” A now even more shocked and terror-stricken Mellos asked.

“All I know is that I don’t want you to, so you can’t,” Samuel said, even as Mellos drew her fist back, driving it into Samuel’s face.

A quick look of anger crossed Samuel’s face as he grunted, shaking off her punch as easily as a piece of cloth. Shaking his head, Samuel drew his hand back, slapping Mellos across the face. This in turn propelled her across the deck into the far bulkhead.

Mellos’s eyes blinked in surprise. “You are one of us! So damn strong! More than I thought!” Then she slumped down to the floor in a heap, her eyes closing in unconsciousness.

Staring at where Mellos lay crumpled on the floor, Samuel held his arm up. “Unless you want to end up the same way,” he turned toward the male, “with a lot of things broken, I suggest you stop.”

The tall blonde male skidded to a stop a foot from Samuel. “May I check on her, sir?” The male asked.

Samuel stepped back to allow the male to pass to Mellos. Tenderly, the tall male picked Mellos up. Mouthing a 'thank you' to Samuel, he then turned, taking Mellos into another room.

Samuel was about to follow when he heard a scream. A scream? What the hell? Appearing outside the ship, Samuel looked around, then started back down toward Earth.

Landing outside the same bank where he worked, he was sure this was where he’d heard the scream from. Suddenly, his eyes were drawn to the bank lobby itself. Inside, he could see about twenty men, half of them moving toward the back to start emptying what they could, the rest keeping weapons trained on the people on the floor.

Growling, Samuel took a step toward the bank. A moment later, he was facing the street with ten men unconscious at his feet. Turning back, Samuel vanished then reappeared with another nine more unconscious men. Shaking his head, Samuel wondered how he’d missed the last one.

Sighing, Samuel stepped slowly back into the lobby, looking for the last man. Rushing around the room, he was further confused when the last one was nowhere to be seen!

Samuel rushed back outside, dropping all the weapons beside the unconscious men. Hearing approaching sirens, Samuel lifted off the ground, accelerating faster and faster the higher he got.

Heading to where he’d left Mellos’s ship, he was astounded when he arrived to find that the ship was gone! Looking all around, he saw no sign of the patrol ship either. Running through all the spectrums he could see in, Samuel looked hard for any sign of either ship.

A few minutes later, Samuel came across a trail leading away from Earth. Shaking his head, he started to follow it. Mellos was the only one who obviously knew about him and his abilities. She was damn near as tough as he was. Rubbing his chin, he thought. He hadn’t let on, but that punch she threw had actually bruised his chin.

Well, Samuel thought as he passed Pluto a few minutes later, I just have to find her. She had to know more about this than I do now. Yeah, he thought, that is if I find her. It was a big universe, after all.

Chapter 2

Samuel had been following the energy trail for over an hour now. He had passed through several solar systems, getting further and further from Earth. Shit, he thought, I just hope I can find my way back!

Pulling up short, he saw that he’d arrived at a huge space station. It appeared to bear the insignia of the Intergalactic Patrol, which he’d seen both women wearing. Shaking his head, he looked at all the ships that were there. Nodding, he spotted the one that the two women had been on. Good, he thought, at least one friendly face!

Approaching closer, he suddenly ‘heard’ a voice in his head. [This is a restricted area. Unless you have an appointment with Intergalactic Patrol personnel, it is suggested that you depart this area. You are being bio-scanned now. Know that deadly force will be used if you persist in your actions!]

Concentrating, Samuel thought back, [I suggest you speak to Drivas Flot before you do something you will regret. I doubt you have anything that can stop me, though you might piss me off!]

There was a moment of silence, then many confused thoughts came back to him. Clutching his head, he concentrated as hard as he could. Finally, the voices started to thin until he heard Drivas and another male.

[Is this the one you saw?] Samuel heard the man say.

[Yes, sir, he is even purer than the criminal Mellos Thymp. We were unsure of him, so we came back to report. As of yet, we are unsure of what abilities he has.] Drivas said.

[You know, it is rude to talk about someone when they can hear you.] Samuel broke into their conversation with his thoughts.

Samuel could feel the shock that both were experiencing. [I apologize. It has been a long time since a humanoid with your abilities has been seen. Though as you can see, all are trained to handle almost anything. Please come aboard so we can discuss this in a more relaxed setting.] The man’s thoughts returned. Samuel was nodding, though he was feeling a lot of deception from the man.

Samuel drew closer to the station, then suddenly vanished, appearing in the same room as the man and Drivas. Sitting when the man offered, Samuel felt as if there were a thousand eyes on him.

“I’m sure that Drivas has already made a full report to you. I also know that you are broadcasting this meeting to whoever you can. I’ll tell you as I told Drivas and Thellus. Don’t come after me; you really got nothing to fear. Piss me off? Well, I don’t think you want to see what I can really do,” Samuel calmly told them.

“Sir, we don’t...” The man started, then was quiet when Samuel held up his hand.

“Please, don’t insult my intelligence. I am former military; I recognize a military installation. An independent civilian operation? I think not. So, would you like to talk to me straightforwardly, or would you prefer for me to just leave?” Here, Samuel spread his hands in a gesture of unconcern. Samuel’s eyes narrowed as he suddenly heard more thoughts. “Unless you want people to be hurt, I suggest you tell them to stand down, NOW!”

The other man nodded as he spoke into a communicator. Turning back to Samuel, he asked, “If you aren’t here to conquer, then why?”

“I want to find Mellos also. She has a hell of a lot more information about me than I can get from asking,” Samuel turned to Drivas. “When I asked for the information on your ship, I gleaned quite a bit; the problem is hardly any of it makes sense. It’s in another language, one that your beam has had no success in deciphering. I know that the patrol is after her also; that’s fine. She tried, I believe, to kill me, unsuccessfully as you can see. I’ll go now; I just thought I’d tell you what I was going to do.” Samuel stood to go, then turned back to the two there. “Remember, Drivas,” Samuel tapped his head, “I still had them when I was back on Earth.” Drivas’ eyes went wide as she slowly nodded to a smiling Samuel. With that, he vanished, appearing outside the station then speeding away.

Drivas sat with a thud, as did the sub-commander of the Intergalactic Patrol. “You believe him?” He asked her.

Swallowing hard, Drivas looked at the male. "A lot of what he said I do believe. As of yet, he has made no aggressive moves against the Patrol, even when Thellus discharged her weapon at point-blank range."

The Sub-commander nodded; this was good. If they could use him in their quest, then this would be worth it. Touching a panel, he asked, "Did you get enough of a scan to confirm?"

"Almost a complete scan, sir. We are comparing the data to that of the first scans. So far, they are showing no deviation from the pattern of those that were recorded over five centuries ago. All readings indicate that he is from Owt Los! Sir, I thought that was impossible! They were all destroyed in..." came the voice.

"Enough! This is not a secure channel. You will store all you have gotten under the self-destructing section. You and all that are there are to report to the expungement center immediately!" The male said, then he turned to Drivas as he clicked off. "I know that both of you are class elite thought warriors. Though, as I saw, he breached her defenses in no time. We need to upgrade the status of both of you. It appears he has somewhat attached himself to both of you. Pray that doesn’t change."

Drivas swallowed again as she thought of the ease with which Samuel had entered her ship. They had the shields at full when he teleported in. Shaking her head, she thought that he'd done this as easily as walking into a room. Here he was, just starting to emerge. The sub-commander was right; they had to turn him to their side.

"Sir," Drivas said, coming out of her musings, "do you require Thellus and I to continue to monitor him and any interaction he has with Mellos?" The male was quiet for a minute as he thought about it. "I think that would be a good idea. I also think that both of you should be promoted to special field agents for the duration of this mission. I have already sent the request to central."

The door on the far side opened as Thellus walked in, nodding to Drivas. Drivas had thought they might be given this assignment. She'd already got her requests in ahead of time. It was, after all, what had gotten her the Sector Commander position, the youngest to date. Smiling, she thought she’d say thanks to Samuel the next time they were face to face.

"Alright, Special Agent Thellus and Special Agent Commander Drivas. As soon as you both have been escalated to the next level of thought warrior, follow him. Maintain as little contact as possible. Also, stay as hidden from him as you can," the sub-commander instructed both women. "You should know the next level is painful. Not much, but painful. As of right now, there aren't many thought warriors at level two. Far fewer at three, and four. Level five, well, there is only one-Thantas is a force to be reckoned with."

"Thank you, sir," they both said as they started to exit the room. "Oh! Commander, all your requests have been filled, including a few others that Thantas thought you might need. Good luck, good hunting."

Both women left, heading to a little-used section of the station. Entering a door, both women watched as several guards took up positions on either side of the door. Five minutes later, the guards cringed as the screams of the women started.

Samuel had turned back toward what he hoped was Earth. The problem was, nothing looked familiar. Damn, he wished he’d paid closer attention in science class. Stopping for a moment, he thought, then shrugged. Where is Earth? he thought, then waited. Ah, come on! This had worked last time. Waiting a moment longer, he felt his eyes start to shift, then he saw a path through space beside him. Shrugging again, he turned, heading that way. I really need to get back faster, he thought. Suddenly, his speed began to pick up, then a tunnel opened in front of him. What the hell?

Flying into it, he was only in it for what felt like a few seconds, then he was coming out not far from Earth. Okay, now that was a neat trick, and I have absolutely no idea how I did it. Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it. Looking around again where Mellos's ship had been, he began to run through the spectrums again. Growling, he started a second time, this time slower; he had to be missing something.

Frustrated, he was about to go through them a third time when he noticed an extremely faint energy trail. It was so faint that it almost blended into the darkness of space. Smiling, he started to follow it, then he thought again, I need to go faster. His speed picked up, and another tunnel opened as he flew into it. This time, it seemed more like a few minutes rather than a few seconds.

Emerging into the darkness of space, Samuel began to look around. The trail was just as weak here, though it seemed to be moving slower. It was thicker, meaning they weren’t in the tunnel. Whatever, he thought as he started to follow the trail. A few minutes later, he arrived in front of a solid blue-colored world. Funny, he thought, what's that grey patch that seems to be growing on the surface? Looking closer, he did a double take. There was no surface-it was actually gas.

Sighing, he headed toward the grey area that seemed to be growing larger. He was almost to it when a huge multitude of large gaseous bladder creatures flew past him. Samuel shook his head as he tried to ask what was going on. Finally, he stopped one of the larger creatures. “What is going on?” Samuel asked.

“I know not who you are, strange creature, but we must flee. The air is being destroyed. We are all doomed! Release me so I can die with my family,” the large creature said, then broke free, flying away to join the others, its fins flapping as fast as they could.

Turning, Samuel saw what appeared to be a cloud approaching him. Suddenly, it was upon him, then moving around him. Shaking his head, several small machines smashed into his chest. Each, as they collided with him, exploded, releasing a huge amount of blue gas. The problem was, it was just as quickly taken in by those around the destroyed machine.

Nodding, he was beginning to understand what was going on. Flying through the cloud, he collided with thousands of the small machines. It actually appeared that he was starting to beat them when they began to avoid him. The few that smashed into him fell, then divided, creating two. Damn it! Okay, he thought, calm down, I know there’s something I can do.

Samuel racked his brain when an idea hit him; the thing was, would it work? Flying to the middle of the cloud of machines, Samuel began to spin as fast as he could. Glad I’m not getting dizzy, he thought, or this would be over quick. Spinning faster, he felt many of the machines struggling to escape. Still spinning, he was starting to gain altitude, bringing almost all of them with him.

Smiling to himself, this is going to work, he thought until he ran out of air. Realizing his mistake, he began to fly around them as fast as he could, keeping them together with the G-forces he was creating. Looking down, he saw that a few had fallen out, falling back toward the blue gas. Then, to his astonishment, almost all of them exploded as they began to pick up speed. I thought this was a complete ball of gas.

Drifting lower, Samuel kept up his speed as he felt he was back in the atmosphere. Clapping his hands together as hard as he could, he watched as the force of the waves he’d created crushed the rest. Looking at his hands, he nodded, okay, sonic waves, good.

Flying back into the gas, he saw a few hundred that he’d missed. Clapping in front of the advancing machines, he watched them crumble and fall. Finally finished, he felt a presence. Turning, he saw what he thought was the same creature he’d stopped before. “I know not what you are, strange creature, but we all wish to thank you.”

“Do you know where those machines came from?” Samuel asked.

“Machines?” The creature asked. “I’m sorry, I do not know of this word.”

Samuel thought for a moment as he considered how to word his question. “The strange things that were destroying your air. Do you know where they came from?”

“Oh yes! Though we do not go there as it is a dead, forbidden place,” the creature said.

“If you can take me to it, I will not ask you to go in. Would that be alright with you?” Samuel asked.

The creature was hesitant and quiet for a few moments, then it spoke. “I am allowed to take you to the edge; my poddles said I could help you. Though, I must go straight back.”

“I understand; I don’t want you to get in trouble,” Samuel said, a slow smile appearing on his face.

“Oh, thank you, strange creature. May I ask what you are labeled? I am Atata,” Atata said.

Samuel nodded, “I am called Samuel, though I rather prefer Sam, Atata.”

Atata shook a little from side to side; it was hard to tell the head from the tail. “You are labeled Sam Atata? Interesting.”

“No, I am just labeled Sam,” Samuel clarified.

“Oh! Okay, that will make it easier, Sam. I mean, both of us being called Atata would be confusing,” Atata told Samuel with what sounded like a small laugh.

“Please show me where this dead, forbidden place is. Then you may go back to your... it was poddles, correct?” Samuel asked Atata.

“Oh yes, Sam. They are very concerned that I am helping you. Though since you have helped all of us, they are allowing me to help you. Though, as they said, I cannot do much,” Atata confided very quietly. “They say I am far too young to do much else. I desire to do more, though I will obey my poddles.”

Samuel nodded as Atata took off, with him right behind it. Suddenly, they were diving deeper into the blue gas, going quite a ways until they reached a dead-looking area of the air.

“Is this the place your people don’t go to?” Samuel asked.

Atata started to tremble as it whispered, “Yes! This place is terrifying.” Suddenly turning, Atata took off at high speed. “Be careful, Sam,” Atata said as it quickly vanished.

Sighing, then shrugging, Sam could understand; just a week ago he was nearly as timid. Turning toward the dark place, Sam was sure he felt almost as if something was trying to make him as afraid as he could get.

Shaking his head, he pushed what he was feeling away as he started into the dead area. Strange, Samuel thought, not really that much here. I’m beginning to think that someone wants everything to keep away. Smiling, Samuel pushed on, Yeah, he thought, I think I am starting to smell a rat.

Going slowly for what felt like miles, Samuel eventually came upon a small habitation area. Nodding, Samuel thought it was as he had suspected. Going right to the side of the place, Samuel decided to try and make nice. Then, if that didn’t work, well, they really didn’t want to piss him off, did they?

[I don’t know just who you are, but I suggest you stop trying to take the atmosphere from this planet. Don’t pretend that you can’t hear me. I know for a fact that all can now understand me,] Samuel thought toward the habitation. [Come on, I know you can hear me, unless you want me to come in there. As mad as I am right now, I don’t think you want that. So, start talking.]

Suddenly, very gruff thoughts started to assail Samuel. [Who are you? Are you from the Intergalactic Patrol? I was told that we were protected. This world was declared non-sentient, therefore I was able to purchase the rights to all elements here. I...]

[NON-SENTIENT,] came Samuel’s harsh thoughts. [I am only a basic thought talker and even I can hear the thoughts of those here. Therefore, your rights to this place are no good. Of course, I could just destroy this place with you in it if you prefer. I suggest you be gone as fast as possible. If not, I will throw you into space, ready or not!]

[Just who do you think you are? I have all the rights...] the other’s thoughts started.

[Wrong! You had them under false pretenses. Leave as fast as you can before you can never leave again!] Samuel’s thoughts growled.

[I will... ] started the other’s thoughts, then paused. [I am corrected, sir. We are departing within a minute.]

Samuel watched as there was a flurry of activity, then the whole structure began to rise at an accelerated rate. Mere minutes later, it had freed itself from the planet, opened a portal, and disappeared.

Shaking his head, Samuel sought out the one called Atata. A few moments later, Samuel heard the creature. [Sam! Did you find anything there in the dead place?]

[Yes, I did. They appeared to be the ones trying to destroy your air. They are gone now, and I hope they don’t come back,] Samuel replied.

Suddenly another set of thoughts broke into the conversation. [We wish to thank you for the consideration you showed Atata. Being the last of our poddle's mating, it is important that Atata survives. If you have need of us, call out, and we will do all we can to help. We will also keep in touch with you if the grumel returns.]

[I will welcome any help that you can provide when the time comes. I must go; I am following another of my kind. Be safe, friends,] Samuel said as he rocketed out of the atmosphere, following the even fainter energy trail of Mellos.

Back on the blue gas world, two smaller forms of the air bladder creatures were in discussion. [Did you recognize the energy of the strange being?] the first asked the second.

[Partially, it was a form I have not felt in a very long time. Tell me, Mite, did you know what it was?] the second asked.

The first shook a part of its bladder body. [Yes, I did. Do you remember long ago when the seer foresaw the return of our old ally?]

The second creature also shook, though it was the entire body. [Mite, do you think this is what the seer saw?]

[It is hard to say one way or the other. I know this: if they are finally starting to return to the star cluster, there will finally be justice for the millions of races that have been enslaved. They won’t allow it, especially if they find out the truth,] the first replied.

Samuel had been following the trail as fast as he could, as it appeared to be dissipating at a faster rate. Damn it, Samuel thought, if I get close to her again, I need to mark her ship somehow. I might lose her for a while if not.

Chapter 3

Samuel was flying as fast as he could, cursing himself for stopping to help Atata and its people.

Sighing, he shook his head as he flew into another wormhole. Hmmm, he thought, as many as Mellos's ship has taken, you'd think she was trying to lose me.

Flying onward, he suddenly dropped into normal space. Looking around, he blinked at what appeared to be Earth, though shaking his head, he knew better. Rubbing his eyes, he looked closer, his mouth dropping open.

On the planet, he could see very thin, extremely tall human-like creatures. Their eyes were huge, and they also appeared to have nothing resembling a nose. Shaking his head again, Samuel was about to leave the strange world when he heard a scream. Trying to resist looking again, Samuel attempted to leave when he heard the scream yet again.

Sighing, he muttered, “Damn it, why now? I was just starting to get close to finding her again.”

Looking at the energy trail, he saw it wasn’t as faint. A third scream finally had him flying planetward, cursing under his breath. He saw what appeared to be a female trying to hold off a huge crowd of... were those beetle-like insects?

Landing with a ground-shaking thud behind the female, Samuel ducked when the female swung a long, very sharp-looking blade at him. “What the hell?” Samuel shouted as she swung again at him even faster.

Growling loudly at him, she swung back toward the insects, in the process decapitating ten or twenty of those that had tried to advance in the front row. “Unless you want to join your headless, dead friends, I suggest you get away from that which is mine!” the female growled louder.

“Yours!?” Samuel asked as he started to look around. He saw what appeared to be about twenty smaller versions of the female. Why, Samuel thought, were they all buried up to their necks in the ground?

“Yes, my frinklings,” she replied. This prompted the forward row of insects to move. The female again swung her blade, taking the heads off about ten more. “Neither you nor those you work for can have them!” the female growled fiercely.

Swinging toward Samuel again, the blade actually hit Samuel’s neck, his attention momentarily drawn to the smaller versions. There was a clang, then a gasp from the female as her eyes went wide. “What are you?” the female asked, her arms and then the rest of her body starting to shake from the vibrations.

Loud chirping and clicking issued from the beetle insects as they started to surge forward. The female’s eyes got even larger as she turned, swinging the blade furiously.

Samuel could quickly see that the female was going to be overrun in no time at all, at this rate. Growling, Samuel took to the air, meeting the front of the insects, pushing back as hard as he could. Catching them off guard, he started to move the vast majority of them backwards. All the while, he could hear them shouting, "Kill, kill!"

Growling loudly, Samuel stated, “Unless all of you want to be seriously hurt, I suggest you BACK OFF!” This last shouted at them, the force of Samuel's voice pushing the multitude back even further.

“Who are you to even try to order us?” several of those at the front hissed at Samuel. “Now you will die with all of these here!” With that, a huge wave of greenish liquid flew from many of the insects, covering Samuel. This burned what little was left of his clothes from his body. Looking down at his body, his face momentarily twisted into anger.

Shaking off what he assumed was a type of acid, he turned to the insects. Growling, Samuel brought his hand down flat on the one in front of him, smashing it easily to a pulp. Then, turning to the rest, he took to the air again, faster than any could follow, crushing a three-foot path in front of him all the way to the back of the mass of insects.

"Were you actual beings, not obviously mindless killers, I might feel remorse for a moment," Samuel said, settling in front again and looking hard at the front row. “Though in your case, I’ll make an exception,” he growled lowly.

“Ha! We are many; there is but one of you. Even with the amount that you have destroyed, you stand no chance at all of victory,” several of those in front hissed at Samuel.

Samuel’s eyes narrowed as he whispered, “Wanna bet?” Moving far faster than anyone could follow, and then even faster, he appeared and crushed an even wider swath before doubling back on the opposite side.

The screams of the dying were almost overwhelming. With only about a hundred left alive, the insect beetles slowly started to withdraw, then more rapidly. “You will pay dearly for this!” they threw back at Samuel in their retreat.

“As you saw, nothing you did affected me at all. Don’t return or the rest of you will perish!” Samuel growled at their retreating forms.

A movement past him caught Samuel completely off guard. The same female with the long blade was giving chase to the rapidly retreating insects, slaughtering them all as she glided through them with ease.

Returning to stand in front of Samuel after the last fell, she gave him an odd look. Then, bowing low, she stated, “I wish to thank you for saving my frinklings.” Still bowing, she continued, “I do not know you, though your actions seem vaguely familiar. Tell me, just who are you? Exactly where are you from?”

Samuel returned the low bow of the female, causing a soft gasp from her. “I am Samuel, though you may call me Sam. I am from a planet called Earth, though Mellos Thymp told me that I was not.”

Again the female gasped, “You talked to Mellos and survived?” She looked closer at Samuel, then even more intently. “Yes, I can see that you are exceedingly strong. I am Queen Triada. As I said, I do not know you, though for some reason, I feel that I can trust you.”

Shaking his head, a thought came to Samuel. The Queen was royalty; she therefore had access to far more information. “If I may ask, Queen, have you ever heard of the Cliveastones?”

The Queen’s mouth dropped open, her eyes wide as realization struck home. Nodding, the Queen stated, “At one time, long ago, they were a most noble race. A few of their kind rebelled against what almost all of those in power believed in; although they were also quickly put down by their own people. The Intergalactic Patrol was formed over a three-decade period, lying low until they had a chance to strike. Then they began a massive bombardment of the Cliveastone planet.”

“Wait! You’re telling me that the Patrol destroyed them when there was no reason for it?!” Sam cried out in disgust.

The Queen sadly nodded her head. “It wasn’t long after that many worlds suddenly fell under the protection of the Patrol. It was also around this time that many massive executions took place, all under their so-called protective rules.”

Samuel’s face quickly twisted into a mask of massive rage, but calmed only when the Queen gently touched his arm. “I should crush all of them!” Sam shouted, startling the Queen.

“No, not yet. What you did today has possibly saved our planet from them and their agents, as well as what you did for the Prodons,” the Queen replied.

Sam’s mouth hung open, astonished. That had only been a few hours ago, at most. “I knew they had powerful minds, but not this powerful!”

The Queen gave Sam what he guessed was a smile. “All free planets are linked now; it is the only thing that stops them,” she sighed, “though we may lose that soon, I am afraid.”

“While I am after Mellos first and foremost, I will do what I can to help,” Sam told the still-smiling Queen.

“Thank you, Sam of the Cliveastones. It brings me great joy to know that a few of your noble race still exist,” the Queen stated as she bowed again. “You now have all of our loyalty.”

Sam also bowed to the Queen. “I was glad that I could help. If you ever need me again, just call, and I'll return as fast as I can.”

A third gasp arose from the Queen’s throat. “We are equals, noble sir. You've no need to bow to me,” the Queen said with a broad smile.

“Perhaps, but this is your world. I am merely paying you the respect you deserve in your realm,” Sam replied honestly, prompting the Queen to nod in acknowledgment of his wisdom.

“Ah! I was correct; you are of that most noble race. I am also surprised that you still have your abilities here,” the Queen said, filled with curiosity. “Our atmosphere was said to greatly weaken your kind.”

Sam smiled. “I grew up on a world with an atmosphere not unlike this one. It seems I've developed an immunity to it, so it no longer affects me.”

The Queen's smile widened. Immune? She nodded, hopeful that this time they’d have a chance to set things right, unlike what had happened with Mellos. She sighed, hoping this one was as strong as she believed him to be.

After bidding the Queen goodbye, Sam was about to leave when half of the smaller versions of the Queen emerged from the ground. With a nod and a shocked smile, Sam took off into space.

The Queen felt guilty for deceiving Sam. She just hoped the path she had sent him on would truly help their cause.

Following the Queen's directions, Sam opened a wormhole and slipped in. He was only there for about ten minutes before appearing not far from an orange, gaseous giant.

As he tried to fly past, following Mellos's energy trail, he almost made it when he saw a titanic battle below. Shaking his head, then sighing, Sam took one last long look at the energy trail, then turned, heading planetward.

Far below, a technician ran to his commander. “Sir! I’m picking up the energy signature of the being that the sub-commander advised all posts about.”

“What!? It's here already? Get all the anti-Cliver gas guns ready. I want all troops armed. Call the garrison, command, and the General's residence,” the commander barked, issuing orders.

“Sir! What about command’s advice that he might be immune to the effects of the gas guns?” the technician asked.

The commander paused deep in thought before responding. “Good point. Advise the General and all his men to evacuate planet-side. Have all ships ready to depart as quickly as possible. If, as Command says, he is immune, then we need to be ready to leave.”

The technician rapidly nodded and ran off to relay the orders. After a mere twenty minutes, all was ready.

Slowing down, still surveying the scene below, Sam was surprised to see several Intergalactic Patrol ships hastily leaving the planet. Well, that’s a few less to deal with, he thought.

Landing with a thud, Sam soon noticed that the indigenous race was currently losing the battle. As he walked toward them, several bristled then relaxed when he passed without making any threatening moves. A central group a distance away drew his attention.

Stopping before the group, Sam quietly waited for them to make the first move. “From the bravery you just showed, you are either the biggest fool I have ever seen, or you are this Sam that Queen Triada told us about,” the apparent leader said.

Quickly bowing to them, Sam heard many gasps. “Are you not a Cliveastone? Why are you bowing to us? Your people were among the most noble of all races,” said another, whom Sam assumed was the second in command.

“As I told the Queen, this is your planet, not mine. I am only here to help, and therefore, I offer you respect in your home,” Sam explained to all present.

The leader, supported on strong spider-like legs, stepped forward. “You realize that if you help us, you will make an enemy of the Patrol.”

Sam turned to look back at the army of Intergalactic Patrol forces. “They, I think,” Sam said with a growl, “already believe I am their enemy. They may be right, as I get further into this.”

The leader’s eyes widened, and then he nodded, leading Sam through all that they knew. Pulling the leader aside, Sam looked for ears on the scarecrow-thin head. Shrugging, Sam whispered for a few moments then lifted off, flying toward the I.P. troops.

A quick shout from the commander had all the I.P. troops firing their gas guns at Sam. Shocked momentarily, Sam flew through a cloud of air almost identical to that of Earth’s. Stopping, Sam sucked all of it in, then turned and blew it straight up at an accelerated speed. No sense poisoning the air of those that actually live here, he thought.

“Retreat! Now!” the commander of the I.P. troops shouted as they rapidly pulled back to the field of ships. Smiling with a nod, Sam flew toward the I.P. troops, grabbing the commander at blinding speed, then just as rapidly returned to the leader of the planet’s people. “Release me! I shall make sure that you die!” the commander railed and spat at Sam.

Slapping the commander across the face, Sam growled back, “I know you were told I was immune. Yet, like the good little soldier, you thought of nothing but glory. What a fool! I saved the I.P. the trouble of killing you. Besides, I think they would relish the pleasure of executing you for disobeying orders. So, for me, it’s a win all around.”

With that, Sam threw the I.P. commander on the ground at the foot-like protrusions of the leader of the planet’s troops.

Nodding, the leader bowed to Sam. “We should take the planet back in no time now with all of them gone.”

Sam nodded as he looked up, watching well over a hundred ships rapidly leaving the planet. “If you need further help, you have but to ask. I’m happy to help.”

The leader shook its head. “You made them leave; once we are back in our strongholds they held, we will be able to hold. Leaving them in the first place is what gave the I.P. the advantage they needed over us. Never again!” The leader shouted, echoed by the rest of those present.

“Go, our friend,” the leader said as he clapped Sam on the shoulder. “Queen Triada has given you a clear path. Be well, friend.” With that, all those present bowed low to Sam. Blushing, Sam nodded then bowed to them, lifting off into space.

[Queen Triada, Sam just left. We will start re-establishment as soon as we are back in the strongholds,] the leader thought.

[Good, that will recreate the triad in this sector again. If you need him again, call us and the Prodons,] came the Queen’s thoughts. [He has freed both your and their worlds? Perhaps as you said, there is hope again. I take it you are sending him to the next sector,] the leader asked.

[Yes, after what he did here, they might react far quicker than you think. Please hurry, re-establish so we are all ready for them this time,] the Queen replied. The leader, smiling, led all those with him forward, dragging the cursing, spitting commander of the I.P. troops.

Only about five minutes from the orange gas planet, Sam sighed. Another wormhole? Creating another, he slipped in, this time traveling for half an hour. Finally dropping out, he emerged near a grayish world.

Looking hard at the energy trail, Sam was startled when he saw Mellos’s ship. Flying full speed toward it, he stopped, vanishing at the hull.

Appearing inside, Sam saw another female strapped to what appeared to be a table with several restraints. “Are you ok?” Sam asked the obviously scared female.

Her lips quivering, she barely whispered, “No, please help me!” Reaching out, Sam easily snapped the restraints on her arms. That’s when Sam heard someone rapidly approaching.

Sam swung his arm back, catching the same blonde man from before, sending him crashing into the bulkhead unconscious. Turning back, Sam snapped one of the restraints off the female’s legs. Then he was hit, flying away from the female, struck from the side by a great force.

“What in the hell do you think you are doing? I need her to finish healing where you stopped!” Mellos almost screamed, sitting on Sam’s chest, her legs on either side of him.

Flipping up unexpectedly, Sam surprised Mellos by throwing her across the room. To his astonishment, Mellos bounced off the bulkhead with her legs and charged back towards him. Smiling, she thought she had him-until he caught her midair and slammed her to the floor.

Landing with a loud crunching thud, Mellos struggled to remain conscious, but to no avail. Damn it, she thought, almost had him! Then her eyes fluttered shut.

Sam hurried to the female still on the table, struggling to break the last restraint. He snapped it easily, noting she had greatly weakened it. As the female tentatively got off the table, Sam stepped back, giving her space. She looked over at him, appearing afraid to move.

“Would you like help getting home?” Sam asked. The female only nodded, prompting Sam to smile encouragingly. “Can you show me where exactly you live on the planet?”

She stared at Sam, her expression incredulous. As Sam slowly moved closer, she flinched away. “What are you doing?” she cried, trying to retreat.

“I just need to touch your head. Think of where you live before I touch you. You say when, okay?” Sam reassured her.

After a few tense moments, the female slowly started to nod in agreement. As Sam reached out, she quickly grabbed his arm with surprising speed and strength. “Nothing but a touch!” she whispered.

Sam nodded, and once she released his arm, he gently touched her head. Visualizing her home, he also felt her abilities begin to stir. Good, she’s going to be alright after all.

“Alright, take my hand. We’ll appear outside the ship, then I’ll fly us down,” Sam instructed as she hesitantly took his hand.

Materializing outside the ship with the female, Sam began descending toward her home. When she pulled away, Sam smiled, accompanying her until they landed. As he nodded to her, a shout caught his attention. Turning, he saw several I.P. troops approaching them.

Sighing, Sam shook his head, then noticed the female backing away in fear. Damn it, she’s still scared because of Mellos, he thought. As he heard her scream and collapse, his fury grew. Sam quickly dispatched the men around her and carried her out of sight. With a murderous look in his eyes, he took to the air, heading back to where the I.P. troops were searching.

Chapter 4

Landing with a thud, Sam faced the I.P. troops advancing towards him with almost murderous rage. “There it is!” one of the troops yelled. Several aimed their gas weapons at him and continued to advance.

They were only twenty yards away when Sam raised his hand. “Unless you wish to seriously anger me, I advise against using those weapons. You see, I am immune to them.”

Several of the men laughed as they advanced further, a look of supreme confidence on their faces. “You’re nothing but a savage that we will expunge from the universe!” Laughing, at least twenty began to fire at Sam.

Standing still for a few moments, Sam wondered how long these fools would continue firing when they saw that their weapons had no effect on him. Moments later, shouts filled the air as more men entered the area.

“Trooper report,” a man obviously in command said as he entered the clearing.

“That thing told us he was immune. At least twenty of us used the gas guns. It appears he is indeed immune to them,” a trooper reported, swallowing hard. “I believe, sir,” he continued, “that we are in deep trouble.”

The commander pushed the trooper aside and advanced towards where Sam was still standing patiently. As the IP commander opened his mouth to speak, Sam raised a hand. “I have a suggestion,” Sam said through clenched teeth. “So far, I haven’t tried to make an enemy of the Intergalactic Patrol, but if things continue as they are, I surely will.”

The commander gulped hard as a renewed murderous look crossed Sam's face. He started to speak, then snapped his mouth shut. He tried again, but thought better of it. As Sam was about to move off, he heard a familiar voice.

“Samuel Ray?” the female voice said. Snapping his head back toward the commander, Sam’s eyes narrowed.

“Hello, Drivas. I take it you are nearby? Good. I think you should get here real damn quick. I’m very close to harming every trooper here for what they've done, especially calling me a 'thing.' I don’t think the galaxy would miss this foul bunch!” Sam shouted.

“We are almost there, Samuel; I ask that you spare them for now. I’m sure that an apology would placate you?” Drivas asked.

“Don’t think so, Drivas, though seeing most of them dead would!” Sam seethed.

Sam heard a sigh, “If you could hold off for a few time frames, we will be there.”

Sam, still seething, considered her request for a few moments. Finally nodding, he replied, “Alright, I’ll wait, but if I don’t like what you have to say, there are going to be a lot of hurt people.”

“Good, we’ll be right there,” Drivas told Sam.

Moments later, a ship touched down and Drivas, along with Thellus, approached Sam. He hadn’t moved from where he’d stopped, and though he was holding his temper, it was beginning to slip as the waiting irritated him. “Alright, I waited. What could you possibly say to deter me from hurting all of them?”

Smiling, Drivas stopped in front of Sam. “As I recall, you had no desire to make an enemy of the I.P. I assumed you were still of that mindset.”

Shocked for a moment, Sam grimaced. “That WAS how I felt. But being treated as something non-living has extinguished that desire.” Looking straight at Drivas, Sam growled. His attention snapped to Thellus, who suddenly screamed, clutching her head.

“No!” she shouted, her eyes widening. “How? You have no training.” With that, Thellus gasped and then passed out.

Turning back to Drivas, Sam’s eyes narrowed. “I suggest you don’t try either. I can sense your mind has been greatly boosted. You might attempt it if you wish, but after you wake up, you can tend to those that are left alive!”

Drivas placed a hand on Sam to halt him. “If you do this, then all of the I.P. will be your enemy, including us. I do not wish for that, Samuel. How can we mend this situation? I do not want to fight you.”

Calming slightly, Sam considered. “One chance: they ALL leave NOW! They don’t come back, or I'll know. I have powerful thought friends out there; I’ll know.”

Drivas nodded and turned to the trembling commander. “I suggest,” she began, “that all troops and officers evacuate this planet as soon as possible. The sooner, the better. And if you ever encounter this individual again, be more respectful. Now GO!”

The commander was about to speak when Drivas’s stare made him shake uncontrollably. “Yes, Special Agent! Right away!” he stammered, tripping over himself as he started to bark orders.

Turning back to Sam, Drivas nodded, “Will that do, Samuel?”

Sam paused deep in thought. “For now, Drivas, for now. I’ll remove all the rest of the I.P. monitors as soon as they're gone. So, are you following me?”

“No, we were on a special assignment when we heard you were here. I was told that if I could aid you, I should.” Drivas responded.

Sam nodded, though he found it hard to trust her words. Then, feeling a surge, he snapped his head up and growled, pushing back as Drivas stepped back. “I told you not to try!”

Drivas's eyes widened. She'd hardly probed his mind and yet he had detected it immediately. “I am sorry, Sam. This new level my mind is at is harder to keep in check,” Drivas said, hoping that Sam would believe her blatant lie.

Sam's eyes narrowed as he stared at Drivas. He sensed she was lying, though he couldn’t discern any advantage for her in doing so. She had grown stronger, almost matching his level when they first met. Yet now, he had far surpassed that. Peculiarly, he felt his strength had grown since his time on the blue gas world, and even more so after visiting the Queen's world.

Drivas sighed, knowing she would have to report this encounter to Thantas. She anticipated that Thantas would not receive the news well, especially since Drivas had been granted permission to advance to the third level. Few could resist her now, yet Sam had dismissed her influence as if it were nothing. “I must go, Sam. I apologize for Thellus’s intrusion. She’s had a far rougher time with her new level. It's taxing to maintain control during the initial weeks,” Drivas explained, attempting to placate Sam.

That was a preview of Sam. To read the rest purchase the book.

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