Chapter 12

Now then, any others? Ray thought. The last three scrambled out the door far faster than Ray thought they could move.

Are you injured? Ray asked.

No, I thank you, great Treg Trag, I am Miahally, the creature responded.

Miahally, you said before that you had to save me so I could save all of you. What exactly did you mean by that? Ray inquired.

You have already started. Once the Queen is dead, if there are no daughters to take her place, then a high council will be convened. A council that is populated mostly by those that I have had contact with. I can say with confidence that there will be no more Queen. The only problem is you left the worst alive, the youngest. She has had aspirations of being Queen but with 7 older sisters knew she’d never have a chance. Now I am afraid she is the only one to take her mother’s place, plus all the bitterness of being the youngest is soon to come out. I know you can kill her, though I was hoping you might be able to change her mind, I saw the two sisters attacking each other, Miahally stated.

Are you thinking I can change her? To be what? I’ve as of yet, only done that once to the two sisters. I’m not even sure if I can find all the parts you want me to. I will need a clear picture of what she needs to be before I can even attempt it, and even then I can’t guarantee she will be what this planet needs.

Ray was about to add more when he heard several of the Chorton guards moving towards them.

You should try on them, make them forget that they ever saw you, maybe ignore you when they see you, Miahally suggested. Nodding, Ray reached out delving into several of the guards’ minds. At first, Ray was at a loss, then suddenly it began to get clear. Within each of the minds, Ray began to see what many parts were for and what he had to do to change the thoughts. Within moments, he had the first five turning away, then the next five. Well, Ray thought, at least I got that down, but for what Miahally wants, it might be far more complicated.

I can try, Miahally, that’s all I can do, but I will have to do this my way. I won’t have her be a pawn for anyone else. Yes, she may be bad, but I won’t let someone else use her if I can change her, Ray stated.

Yes, Treg Trag, I expect no less. As I said, if you cannot and have to destroy her and the Queen, then the council steps in. Though it is made up mostly of many that have been touched by me, there still might be fierce resistance, Miahally said.

Ray sat thinking exactly what it was that this ‘new’ Queen was going to need to be like when he felt a tug, then heard a dim voice.

“Hey Ray? You ok in there?” came a voice.

Struggling, Ray snapped back immediately. Taking a deep breath, Ray answered, “Yeah, think I ate something bad last night, got the craps, be out soon!” Damn, Ray thought, gonna get caught if I’m not more careful. Coming out, he’d just made it to his desk when he heard Nali, though this was in his head.

Are you alright, Ray? You were gone for 20 minutes, we thought something might be wrong. Nali asked.

I was back on the Chorton world. The one who saved me had an idea. I tried a variation of it, but I think I might need help to do the rest of it. I’ll explain later, Ray said.

Crap, he thought, I hope Nali doesn’t do that a lot; it could become very distracting after a while.

The day was finally over, but Ray was still no further in his plans of what to do about the youngest daughter of the Queen. Arriving home, Ray sat with Elizabeth/Nali and disclosed all that had happened when he was on the Chorton planet. Nali was pleased that Ray had kept from killing more of the Chorton, though the one he had killed had her slightly upset. Finally, he came to the part about the plan that both he and Miahally had come up with concerning the last Queen’s daughter. Elizabeth’s face showed pride as Nali expressed her pride in Ray for the thought he and the other had put into the plan.