Lady Kell
A Surprise for the Count
THE CAST:
Count Barrack, Lady Kell, Corren
Count Barrack was returning to Preenasette in the Alpheratz system in the small Garm Ranger vessel he’d stolen from the Residuum spaceport. He had just about mastered flying the ship – usually requiring at least three reptilian pilots – and was ready to attempt a wormhole. But the arrival of a mysterious message within another strange communication had forced him to stop to consider his options.
He reread it.
Count Barrack.
We have forwarded you a message we received, but may not open. It contains information vitally important to your cause. We are confident you’ll find the means to open it, and trust you’ll do your very best to act on the contents.
Good luck.
Your eternal friends.
I am Morvina of the Rammor and I respectfully request the help of anyone who receives my desperate plea for assistance.
I’ve led a reconnaissance mission to Zerot – the killers of worlds – but it’s failed, thwarted by their queen. The members of my mission are either captured or dead. I have precious little time left. An armada, despatched to destroy Earth in the Sol system, has been diverted by the queen to my adopted world, Residuum – a haven for the remnants of species destroyed by the Zerot. This planet has no defence against the armada’s firepower.
Please, anyone, help those on Residuum. Seventy-six sentient species of this galaxy are about to be erased forever.
‘What am I supposed to do?’ he shouted. His confidence was at an all-time low, following the admonishment from Countess Bor and his pathetic behaviour during the last conversation with Lady Metalinda. ‘Do I go back to Residuum? She wouldn’t believe me, anyway.’ His volume increased with his frustration. ‘And my friends from Earth? They need my help. I CAN’T DO BOTH!’
‘You can with our help, Count.’
‘Who is that? And how are you using my Pindora crystal?’
‘I’m Lady Kell. And I have with me Corren; a Bellogorn, just like you – born of the old ways.’
‘And you’re a Bellagarn?’
‘Yes,’ Lady Kell replied. ‘The Lady Metalinda almost discovered our eavesdropping into your recent conversation – for which you have our deepest apologies – but we needed to find out more about both of you.’
‘Apologies accepted. But I’m at a loss. Where, why, how?’
‘Don’t concern yourself with the details,’ Corren said. ‘We need your help, so we’ll help you first.’
‘How can you help?’ asked Barrack.
‘We’re near Residuum, and can go to Countess Bor,’ he replied. ‘We have a proposal to put to her. You must carry on to Preenasette to join your friends going to Earth on the science vessel. There’s no time to lose.’
‘I’ll do as you ask, but what are your plans for Residuum?’
‘The fewer that know our plan, the better. Trust us, young one.’
‘Okay,’ he replied, ‘Tell me, please. Your name is a recent Bellogorn name. Why haven’t you taken an old one?’
‘I’ve selected an old name, but I’ve chosen not to use it until I prove myself a worthy male.’
‘I’m not worthy,’ said Barrack, ‘I should revert to my old name.’
‘No, you shouldn’t,’ Lady Kell said. ‘The deeds you’ve already performed in your short time away from Bellog are already legends. You saved countless lives on Preenasette, with action both brave and imaginative. Corren’s motives are completely different. Trust me; we’ve passed many years arguing about this.’
Corren said, ‘Remember, the Zerot are aware of your Penumbra device, so it will be of no use to you. But the Lady Kell and I made a disturbing discovery during our time in the Andromeda galaxy. Go to Earth on the science vessel and study dark matter. Your engineering prowess will serve you well.’
‘How do you know so much about the war on Preenasette, the science vessel, and the Penumbra device?’
‘Our Pindora crystal, of course,’ Lady Kell replied. ‘Just like we’re hijacking your communications console. We listened in to everything.’
‘Why didn’t you help?’ the count asked.
‘We were too far away and our ship possesses no offensive weapons,’ Coren said, ‘and anyway, you’re much more talented in the workings of such a device.’
‘And’ Lady Kell added, ‘we weren’t yet ready to reveal ourselves, but we are now. Our first priority is to help Residuum. You must tell the Earthlings to return home in the science vessel, and to enlist all the help they can get. A mighty foe is coming their way.’