Chapter 11

My apologies for that oversight. Here’s the revised passage with the and code preserved:

Ray pulled again, feeling the strain on his body. Damn it, it felt like it was right next to him, but it also felt like a wall was between him and it. Now Ray was starting to sweat. He knew the strain could kill him if this wasn’t ended soon. Another bad thing, Ray could feel that his disguise of a Chorton was about to fade. Looking around, Ray started looking for a place to hide. Sticking to the shadows, Ray was almost in a panic when another stray thought entered his mind. Treg Trag, come. I have a place for you to hide, but you must hurry!

Ray saw a smaller spider creature peeking around a corner. Why are you helping me? Ray asked.

Come, I can’t explain right now, the creature replied.

For lack of a better plan, Ray took off after the small Chorton, unsure of exactly what was going on. Maybe a minute later, they both turned and entered a small doorway. Inside, the lighting was poor, but even Ray could see that the creature that had saved him lived in absolute squalor. Now I have to ask, Ray started, why did you save me?

Bowing its head (at least Ray thought it was a head), the creature started its story. I am near the end of my long existence cycle. I was controlling the first set of gatherers that were on the planet. Here, the Chorton stopped, seemingly having a hard time breathing.

Wait, Ray asked, you were controlling it? I thought they were all automated?!

After that first confrontation, they were made that way. The battle with you, so long ago, changed me and many that I had contact with later on. Though we do not number that many, there are enough to upset the Queen’s plans. I knew when I saw the Queen being wheeled in, then I saw her daughter drop with nothing apparently wrong with her. I knew, at that instant, that you were here or very close. When I saw you standing outside the palace, I saw you, not the guise you were wearing. It was at that moment that I knew I had to help you, to help all of us.

Ray’s mouth dropped open. What the hell was this thing talking about? If, and it was a big if, this were all true, then... Why did you tell me? Why didn’t you give me a sign?

I did, the creature answered. You really think you could have broken through the security as easily as you did?

Ray had to admit, at the time, he’d been a little surprised that he’d gotten in as easily as he had, but had attributed it to the fact that they weren’t ready for him.

Sighing, Ray realized that the creature was right. He’d just been too caught up in the moment to recognize the signs. So, can you tell me why I can’t return? Ray asked.

I believe it is a technology that was developed because of you. Each time the scientists worked themselves to death trying to find ways of defeating you. This is nothing more than another attempt to defeat you. Why not do what you usually do to defeat it?

Nodding, Ray started to vibrate as fast as he could. Yes! He could feel it starting to work. Looking back at the Chorton, Ray told him he’d be back soon. Ray was vibrating faster than he ever had when he felt the pull, then the snap-like action of being pulled back to his body. Within minutes, Ray was waking up. The sweat coming off his body had soaked the sheets and his clothes. Elizabeth/Nali were standing over him, a look of extreme worry etched on Elizabeth’s face.

“Ray,” Elizabeth cried as soon as he opened his eyes, “you had us both scared. Nali said she felt you trying to return but were stopped each time you tried. Are you alright? You’re not injured, are you?”

Shaking his head, Ray looked around. This had to be the longest he’d been out that he could remember. “How long was I gone?” Ray asked.

“It was just over 8 hours. We both tried everything that we could, but you seemed to be locked into whatever was happening. Nali said she could feel the strain your body was making trying to bring you back. Are you sure everything is alright?” Elizabeth replied.

“At present, I’d say yes. But as both of you have noticed, my body was strained trying to return. I’ll just have to see for the time being how it all goes.”

Elizabeth nodded for a moment, then Ray could see the look in her eyes change, and he knew that Nali had emerged. Holding out a hand, Ray watched her as she ran it up and down his body. Oddly enough, Ray could actually feel a tingle wherever her hand passed over a section of his body. That’s odd, he thought, guess there’s a first time for everything.