The Revenge of Excalibur (14 page)

“We already understand the ramifications of Pam being named Queen, Tigget,” Excalibur said in his deep, rich voice, making Tig's skin tingle. “Pam has no desire to be Queen, or to rule your people. As far as we are concerned, you and Tobah will be in charge until Arthur recovers. We have work that needs attending to on Teth. While we are gone, you will be in charge. If you encounter any problems, let
Weesa
know, and she will contact us. Advise your people not to make Pam angry. She is, after all, her father's daughter.”

He winked at Tig, but she wasn't sure if it was a good wink. She gulped, nodding her head.

Excalibur turned his stern gaze to Tobah, who was also trying not to show her fear as she bit her lower lip.
They are afraid of me, because I am a Shalit.
He didn't care. He had no interest in ruling them. His only concern was freeing his people, who were buried somewhere on Teth. Once that was accomplished, he and Pam intended on traveling to Earth.

Being one of the most powerful beings on Calen, Eilsel, and Teth, he didn't fear much. Nevertheless, he wasn't sure if he could be captured or contained again in this 'man' shape. It was his new breeding form, and he was far from helpless in it, but he didn't want to take the chance with these fickle people. The more distance he put between Calen and himself, the safer he would feel.

“I will take you to see your father now. Follow me.” Tig took off out the room.

They followed her down a wide hallway to the King's chambers. Pam stared in wonder at all the opulence. By most standards, she lived in a mansion with her mum and step-father, but this place was breathtaking. She felt as if she was walking through a museum.

When Pam stepped inside the bedroom, she saw Panth holding up Arthur, as Pohat spooned soup into his mouth.

She rushed over to his side, elated, thinking her father was awake. But when she saw his eyes were still closed, she stopped, uncertain. “How is he doing, Panth? Is he awake?” she asked hopefully.

Panth looked up at her with sad, brown eyes. “I regret to inform you his condition has not changed. He is only swallowing due to an automatic reflex. I have tried to establish a mental link with him, but I am being blocked. I cannot get through.” Pohat finished spooning the rest of the soup into Arthur's mouth, so they gently laid him back on his pillows, then recovered him with the comforter.

After they were done, he glanced at Excalibur. “Perhaps the Shalit can break the block. He is more powerful than I am.”

Pam took her father's left hand, noticing the silver ring still on his pinky finger, but she knew it didn't contain a Shalit any longer. “Would you try, Cal?” she asked with beseeching eyes.

“I would do anything for you, little one.” Excalibur stepped to the side of the bed, then knelt down next to Pam.

While he'd been contained in the sword, he flitted in and out of Arthur's mind several times over the years, so he was able to slip back in with no difficulties. His mind flinched from what he discovered. Utter chaos. Arthur was using his own powers against himself. As the Shalit scanned further, he found the problem.

Excalibur reached out, taking his lover's other hand. “I am sorry, Pam, your father's condition is not good. When the rebels shot Arthur with the silver beam focused through one of the Others, the combined power forced an opening between his conscious and subconscious mind. He is experiencing a total separation of self. The two halves are at war, fighting against one another.”

“You mean he's trying to commit suicide?” she asked, with a trembling voice.

“In effect, yes, little one. When your father was hit by the two beams, he fought as hard as he could not to be absorbed by them. His struggle to survive caused the rift in mind.” He looked sadly down at the man he came to know as a friend. “I do not know if this type of damage can be repaired.”

“You mean, he will stay in a coma forever?” Pam's lips quivered. She'd been too late, again.

Panth looked with raised, bushy eyebrows at Pohat, who nodded her head, then turned toward Arthur's distraught daughter. “No, Pamela,” Panth said solemnly, as he absently scratched a mite with one of hands. “His energy level will not last that long. He will die.”

Pam shook her head. “I still don't understand. He was talking fine when we saw him in the cell. What happened since then?”

“It was his inability to accept a few disturbing facts,” Excalibur said. “He just learned the ring he had been wearing for years contained a female Shalit, that I was the Shalit, Excalibur, and lastly, you were his unknown daughter. These are major events his conscious mind could not accept without the buffering of memory and subconscious.”

“Excuse me,” Panth interjected, “while I was In the process of trying to heal his mind, I found no signs of the separation you speak of. He was disorientated and confused, yes, but no separation existed between his conscious and subconscious self. There were a few times when he was able to recall some memories of his own.”

“You may not realize this, but I was also in his mind, as you were trying to heal him, and I did not see the separation either. We were looking into his memories, not his actual conscious; therefore, we did not see it. However, his separation of self is there, I assure you.”

Panth stared at Arthur, one hand tapping his chin, while the opposite hand held the elbow. His other two hands were busy scratching and itching in various places on his lice infested body. “I see. That could account for his lack of learning. His memory was not accessible for storage.”

“Correct. And that is why
Weesa's
theory of teaching Arthur what he has forgotten will not work. He has no memory to retain what he will learn. Unless you can rejoin his mind, he will remain this way until his energy level decreases to the point he expires.”

“Oh God. This is my fault,” Pam wailed. “I should've kept my big mouth shut. He didn't need to know I was his daughter. He didn't need to know any of it. I should've waited until he was stronger, but I got carried away at the sight of him. I'm so sorry, Father.” Pam buried her head in her hands, sobbing.

Excalibur pulled her into his arms. “No, little one, this is not your fault. When Panth shared his memories with Arthur, they kept your father busy; giving the impression his mind was still functional. Unfortunately, It was not. Any type of disquieting news he heard would have caused him to slip into this coma. If he had been thrown into that cell by himself, he would already be dead. Do not berate yourself, my Pamela.” He tenderly stroked her hair.

Tig stared open-mouthed at Pam and Excalibur.
Daisy is correct; there is definitely a bond between them.
She cleared her throat. “If Arthur cannot be healed, how long will he live in his comatose state?”

Excalibur peered over Pam's shoulder, giving Tig a sad smile. He knew Tig loved Arthur. “Only a few days, and that would be due to Panth and Pohat force-feeding him. Arthur's life force is very weak. When he attacked me at the jail with his psychic blast, he drained what little energy he had remaining. I am sorry, but I do not know any way in which to re-connect his mind.”

Pam straightened up, wiping her eyes. She had a determined look, her jaw clenched. *
Weesa
,* she said mentally, *bring me aboard. I need to speak with you alone, if there is such a thing as privacy around here.* Pam gazed up at her new lover. “Cal, please wait here, and could you try again?” His blond head nodded, then Pam disappeared with a soft POP!

Excalibur stood, and strode away from Arthur's bedside, sitting in a chair in the corner. He watched as Tobah and Tig took his spot, crying over Arthur's unmoving body. Even though he'd been encased in the silver sword, he had mentally bonded with Arthur over the years. They had become friends. From Arthur, he learned about compassion, a concept foreign to Shalits. His people only cared about themselves and their own kind. They never became involved in other species affairs.

Excalibur also learned the difference between lust and love. Shalits only experienced lust during their breeding cycle.
As far as I know, I am the first Shalit to feel love, especially for a different species.
His understanding of the difference between lust and love laid the foundation for his plans.

Pam and Excalibur knew Arthur was dying, and Pam's idea was risky, but most likely fatal. Even if her experiment worked, Calen would still need a new Queen and King. As he watched the interactions between Tobah, Tig, and the Tethians, he started implanting suggestions into their minds. The same type of suggestions he'd embedded in Pam's mind, to help her accept him as a man versus a Shalit.

These people have a reason to fear us. Not because we absorb energy, but because we are very powerful beings.
The Shalits' biggest power happened to be the power of manipulation. Thankfully, for them, Shalits didn't interact with other life forms. But this one time, here, would be the exception. If his plan worked, no more would Shalits have to fear being hunted down and trapped in Husken Silver.

As Excalibur sat there, observing, he tweaked their minds with feelings, suggestions, and ideas to prepare them for what would happen later. He smiled to himself.
They will never know their feelings and ideas aren't their own.
Just as he finished his last implanted suggestion, Pam reappeared with a soft POO!

Pam narrowed her eyes at Excalibur. Ever since they bonded in the cave, Excalibur had finally opened his thoughts to her. She read in his mind what he had done. *Did anyone ever tell you, that you have a devious brain, Cal?*

*Yes, little one. Just now.* He gave her a disarming smile that made her knees go weak.

Pam forced her eyes away from Cal. She couldn't wait to get back to the cave with him. As she stepped to the side of the bed, Tobah and Tig made way for her. Pam took her father's hand, tears forming in her eyes. She didn't want to do this, but she had no choice.

“I've just come back after conferring with your Queen, Daisy, and we've concurred on the only possible course of action. There is no easy way to say this, so I'll just spit it out. Arthur will be leaving with
Weesa
, and you'll never see him again. So, please say your good-byes.” Pam wiped her eyes, backing away to make room for everyone's last farewells.

Tig and Tobah started wailing, bending down, and planting kisses on Arthur's forehead. “I love you,” Tig whispered in his ear.

Pohat tenderly caressed Arthur's forehead, as Panth held his hand and removed the silver ring from Arthur's pinky finger. “Farewell, my brother,” he said huskily, a tear slipping into his fur covered face.

Arthur's emancipated body disappeared from the bed, the only trace he'd been there, a slight impression in the mattress.

With a tearful voice, Pam said, “Now that Arthur and Daisy are gone, we must begin seeking a new Queen and King. I won't leave for Earth until they have been found. Then, Daisy and I will coronate them as the rulers of all three worlds.”

Panth bowed, holding out the silver ring to Pam. She took it with a trembling hand, placing it on the finger next to her grandmother's ring. She kissed it, saying, “Good-bye, Father. Until we meet again.”

Feeling Excalibur standing behind her, Pam turned to see a tear slipping down his face. With big eyes, he swiped the moisture from his cheek, tasting it. “Hmm, salty. Remarkable. I believe I have just made history. Shalits don't cry, as we don't have tear ducts. Or emotions, for that matter. Since you released me, I have been flooded with sensations I have never had to deal with before.” A heaviness in his heart settled over him, as he grieved for his mate's father.

Pam reached out, wiping a tear sliding down his other cheek. “I believe you're more Human than you realize, Cal.”
How I wish I didn't have these emotions to deal with
.

With slumped shoulders and a broken heart, Pam followed the other five mourners back to the throne room.
I wish you were here, Mum. I need your strength, and a shoulder to cry on.
Pam sighed. She didn't have time to miss the father she never knew. She had prisoners, and bodies to transport back to their home planets, plus Shalits to release. “Panth and Pohat, Cal and I will be leaving for Teth soon. We're going to take your people home. If you want a lift, you can join us.”

As if a light had been switched on, Tig and Tobah's demeanor changed. They became giddy and started giggling. With a smirk, Pam glanced sideways at Cal. She knew what was going on.

Tig and Tobah were talking over each other before Tig finally said, “Er, I think, well, WE think,” and she pointed to Tobah and herself, “that the Tethians should stay.” They were both staring at Panth with gleaming eyes. Panth looked a bit uncomfortable, as he shifted around on his four legs. “At least for a short time. They have much to learn about Calen.”

“That does sound like an excellent idea, Tig. Especially since Panth is one of their leaders,” Pam said with a cocked eyebrow aimed at Cal. He winked back at her.

“He is our top leader, now that Ganga is dead.” Pohat said, looking at her brother with pride in her eyes. “I wish to return to Teth with you, if I may. Since I was the first one to discover where the Shalits had been hidden, I yearn to see them released from their wrongful imprisonments. How can you tell if the silver contains a Shalit, or one of the Others, Excalibur?”

Cal chuckled. “The same way you can tell if you are with a Calen or Tethian. I am Shalit, one of the most powerful of us. I know my own kind. We will remove the Others from Teth, and relocate them to a place far out in space, where they will never be released from their prisons. My people will guard them so they will never be a threat to your worlds again. I promise you.”

Panth was studying the two Calen females, tapping his chin, a sparkle in his large, brown eyes. “Then we are agreed. I will remain on Calen and learn their ways, as they will learn the ways of Teth.”

Cal winked at Panth. “I am sure you will be doing more than learning, Panth. And you will be an excellent teacher, as well.” Panth frowned, his facial hairs twitching in confusion. Cal slugged him on the shoulder. “Never mind, old man. Just enjoy yourself.”

Pam shook her head, chuckling at Panth's discomfort. “Tig and Tobah, you're in charge now. Take care of Panth, and Calen, while we're gone. Pohat, if you wish to leave with us, come stand by me.”

Pohat shuffled reluctantly next to Pam. She'd never been this close to a Shalit before, and she wasn't looking forward to being teleported again.

Pam looked at Cal. “Would you do the honor, and take us to Bindkall Prison?”

“Certainly, little one.” And they were gone.

Tig stared at the empty spot where they just disappeared from. “What has happened today is quite confusing to me,” she said, throwing her hands up in the air.

“Me as well,” said Panth. “I lost my brother while incarnated in cell 376. Just as I was ready to give in to their torture, they threw Arthur in with me. Knowing he was the King of Calen, I strove to mend his mind with what little mental energy I had remaining. Even though he was in a horrible physical and mental state, we bonded. Our psyches connected in a way I have never felt before. I am not sure if I loved him, but I felt a deep respect for the man.” He shrugged his wide shoulders. “I not only mourn for a lost brother, but a friend and King as well.”

Tobah sighed in agreement. “Well, time to get you settled in. We need to find you a room, then we will show you around the palace.” She giggled. “I imagine you will raise some eyebrows. Most Calens have never seen a male Tethian before.”

Tig nodded, smiling. “They are going to see a lot of this one.”

Tobah eyed Panth from head-to-toe, nose wrinkled. “First though, I think we should get you a bath. Tethians don't always smell like you, do they? No offense,” she hurried to say, “but, you do cause my eyes to water, and my nose is plugging up.”

Panth laughed in a deep, guttural rumble. “Do not worry, Tobah. I am not offended.” He raised his four hairy arms. “I am afraid I have become accustomed to the stench. The prison had less than stellar sanitary conditions. Yes, a bath,” he said, scratching two of his armpits. “That would be agreeable, indeed. My fur is infested with mites.”

“We will get you fixed right up,” Tig said, beaming at Panth. “A good hot bath, a thorough brushing, a little perfume, and you will be as good as new.”

Tig and Tobah took one hand on each side of Panth, and led him down the corridor.
I am so glad I came up with the idea of Panth staying on Calen,
Tig thought with a self-satisfied smile, as she escorted him into a hallway where Daisy and Arthur's children's bedrooms were located.

Strolling along with a beautiful, female Calen on each side, Panth thought,
Maybe staying on Calen was a good idea after all.

* * *

Pam, Excalibur, and Pohat stood next to a steep hill located in the mountainous region of Teth. These weren't the type of mountains Pam was used to. They didn't have snow or living green plants, just brown, dusty rock formations.
What a depressing planet,
Pam thought.
I can't even imagine living here.

They had visited Eilsel, where they returned the surviving prisoners and the dead to their home world. Both Calen and Eilsel were lush, vibrant planets, while Teth was nothing but a huge dust bowl. Pam shook her head. Since she'd been around all three species, she found the Tethians were the most intelligent and sensitive of the three races. Yet, they were treated so badly, reminding her of the Native Americans on Earth.

While they'd been on Eilsel, Pam made it clear to their leaders they would no longer abuse the Tethian people. Instead, they would build trade relations with them. Since she had a huge, hulking Shalit by her side, the terrified leaders were more than willing to comply. Rumors had already reached them about this daughter of Arthur's. She not only had his amazing powers, but she controlled a Shalit. Pam smiled at their fear and subservient attitude. She would do whatever it took to bring peace to the Tethian world.

Pam mentally scanned the hill, feeling the trademark signature of Husken Silver buried underneath the dry, barren ground. “Are you sure these are Shalits and not the Others?” she asked, biting her lip. They all felt the same to her.

“They are not all Shalits. After I have unearthed the silver casings, I will sort out the ones containing Shalits and leave the Others.” With a flick of his wrist, the whole top of the huge hill flew backwards, landing gently on the ground behind the ridge.

Pohat gasped, taking several steps backwards, her eyes wide with fright, hands clasped to her stomach. As the dust settled, Pam saw thousands of silver objects glittering under the stark, relentless sun. She was stunned. She knew they'd be freeing imprisoned Shalits, but she had no clue there would be so many. They had been trapped for almost as long as Cal.

Excalibur began walking among them, removing some, leaving others. As he worked, the sun set and two full moons rose. The darkness didn't seem to daunt him, but Pam needed some light, so she conjured up a string of fluorescent lanterns, and a few chairs to relax in.

After a few hours, the task had been completed. Out of all the silver cases, only five hundred remained in the hole. These were the Others, the Planet Destroyers.

Excalibur strode over to the enormous pile of contained Shalits. He sat cross-legged on the ground, and began mentally communicating with them, telling them his plans, and what he expected from them once they were released.

Excalibur let his thoughts flow to Pohat, and as he unveiled his plans, two of her hands flew to her mouth, and she started giggling. She glanced sideways at Pam, who gave her a return smile, nodding her head.

“By Osso, Excalibur has a brilliant course of action, Pamela. Some of the citizens from both worlds will feel threatened by his idea, and it will not be widely accepted at first, but it is the best plan I have heard. Oh, poor Panth. I hope he enjoys his role.” She started giggling again, this time Pam laughing with her.

In between giggles, Pam said, “I'm afraid your brave brother has no choice. On my world, we call it being suckered. But, he's only part of the equation. We need your help to finish it. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?”

Pohat looked thoughtful, her facial hairs twitching as her mouth turned down. “Pamela, I may have a solution. In the cell next to mine were three women from the ruling family of Eilsel. Sadly, two of them died, but Sheeta survived. You may have seen her, as she would have been in the group we took to Eilsel. They did not support what the Eilsel men were doing on Teth, so they were captured and imprisoned. I believe Sheeta would not take much persuasion to partake in your strategy.”

“She sounds perfect, Pohat. Cal will give her a visit when we're done here. Thank you for helping.” Pam reached out and lightly clasped one of Pohat's hands.

“You are truly welcome, Pamela.” She smiled, giving a light squeeze in return.

Excalibur rose, stepping over to Pam, looking down at her with his intense eyes. “My people are ready. They are prepared, and agreeable to my plan. Queen Pamela, please release my people.”

Pam stood, taking one of Cal's hands. This was a momentous occasion for him, and his people.
Then why am I afraid?
she wondered, chewing her lip.
What if he selected one of The Planet Destroyers by mistake?
She didn't want to be responsible for setting even one of them free to wreak havoc in the universe.

Reading the uncertainty in her mind, Excalibur kissed the palm of her hand. “Do not fear, little one. I have chosen wisely.”

He was gazing down at her with such love in his eyes, how could she not trust him?
Yes, he implanted a suggestion in my mind so I would accept him as a Human male instead of a Shalit. But in the scheme of things, did it really matter?
The few men on Earth she'd had relationships with didn't compare to how she felt with Cal. She could be herself, all of herself, not having to hide her powers. And, the sex was fabulous. That was a huge mark in his favor already. Thinking of huge reminded her of Cal's breeding organ, which made her face grow warm, her blood boiling for his embrace.

He leered down at her, knowing what she was thinking. “Later, Pamela,” Excalibur whispered, his throaty voice making her shiver. “For now, we must free my people.”

Pam nodded, then glided to the pile of shimmering, silver globes. She took a deep breath and focused, thinking of a warm, gentle, summer rainstorm. A dark cloud appeared overhead, expanding until it covered the whole field. Warm, soft, gentle rain began falling onto the exposed containers.

Pohat watched in wonder, her eyes huge, turning around, arms outstretched, face uplifted to receive the warm water falling down. Rain clouds were such a rare event on Teth, and Pam had just conjured one out of thin air. If Panth found a way to enhance their brains, as he envisioned while in prison, they could create their own rain clouds. Teth could be transformed from this bare, dusty world into something beautiful and magnificent.

Pohat stopped, staring at the silver objects. When she'd first found the containers, she tried everything she could think of to open one. But she never thought of water.
How simple.
Her fur rustled, shivering in fright. She might have accidentally released one of the Others.
I am so happy I never figured out the proper catalyst.

As the warm, fresh rain pattered onto the gleaming orbs, dark shapes shot up through the rain cloud, going up so far they disappeared from sight. Some of the shapes stayed on the ground, taking the forms of the Calen or Eilsel races. Pam could see the wonder on their faces, as they flexed their arms, stared up at the night sky, breathing deeply of the rain-scented air. After a million Earth years of imprisonment, they were feeling freedom again.

Looking around at the historical scene before her, Pam's throat tightened with emotion. Her eyes fell on several small, six legged creatures furiously breeding away. She gulped, her face draining of color. These were Shalits, in their natural breeding form. Cal had told her, but until she actually saw them, she really couldn't believe it. She glanced sideways at Cal, trying to picture him as one of these small animals.
Nope. Thank God, he took the shape of a Human male.

Pohat started laughing. “Why, those are Rems. I have pictos of them from years ago. We thought they were extinct.”

Excalibur chuckled. “Shalits ARE Rems, and Tethians share the same parentage.”

Pohat's arms waved about, her facial hairs twitching. “I don't understand. Then what are Eilsels?”

“We are all genetically connected. Calen and Eilsels were the parents of the Patens, who were the parents of the Rems, and also the Tethians.” Excalibur turned toward Pam. “Even Humans have our DNA. The Calens genetically engineered homo sapiens when they first started evolving. Our vast universe is actually small worlds of inter-related life forms.”

Pam stared at him with her mouth agape. Growing up, she knew there was life on other planets. It'd been hard for her not to spill the beans when getting into heated debates about proof of extraterrestrials. After all, her father had left with one. She'd read theories of homo sapien's being genetically engineered during their evolutionary period, but she never put two-and-two together before.
Thank goodness it'd been the Calens and not the Eilsels; otherwise Humans might be sporting four arms and legs.