Chapter 7: War

Thursday, February 17, 2022:

“Are you absolutely certain about this, my Queen?” Tsod asked.

“Yes,” Theresa said. “This would be a good deal for both our countries. We can help Ukraine eliminate its radioactive waste with no side-effects and in return, we would have a fully-functional botanical research facility. With that facility, we can more easily spread Gingravik DNA across Europe.”

“But now is not a good time to do this, my Queen,” Tsod said. “Not with Russian troops right across the border in Belarus.”

“We won’t be in Ukraine itself,” Theresa said. “We’ll be on board the royal yacht Mar’rldn in international waters south of Snake Island. Besides, Putin has said he doesn’t intend to invade and he wouldn’t dare attack an unarmed neutral vessel in international waters. Didn’t you read that link I sent you from the Atlantic Council website? It’s not in his best interest to invade. Surely he knows that.”

“Yes, I read that article, my Queen,” Tsod said. “And as much as I respect Harlan Ullman, I tend to disagree.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Simply put, I do not trust Vladimir Putin,” Tsod said. “But I see you are determined to do this. So, who do you plan to meet and when does this take place?”

“We will be meeting with a delegation from the Ukrainian Education and Science Ministry on February 23rd,” Theresa said. “April Jennings will accompany me to demonstrate the method she devised to neutralize their waste material. She has also performed thorough tests on the soil samples we received and she will share that information with them.”

“Who else is going with you, if I may ask?” Tsod asked.

“Harmon Caldwell, Dr. Alan Johnson and a team from our main research center,” Theresa said.

“No one from the diplomatic corps?” Tsod asked.

“Not this time, Tsod,” Theresa said. “We’re simply going to discuss the underlying technology of the deal. We might get into some of the framework, but nothing will be finalized until you and the Ukrainian foreign ministry can iron out an acceptable package. I do know that if this goes well, they have indicated they would recognize us as a sovereign entity.”

“Yes, that is my understanding as well,” Tsod said. “If so, they would be the first. What is your itinerary?”

“We will fly to Pisa International Airport in Italy, then drive to Marina di Carrara, where the Mar’rldn is currently docked. From there, we’ll go by sea to the rendezvous point south of Snake Island in the Black Sea,” Theresa said. “The Ukrainian delegation will fly out by helicopter and meet us on the twenty-third. The current plan is to spend three days in discussion, then return.”

“In and out,” Tsod said, nodding his head. “The sooner you can conclude this, the better, my Queen. But I would feel better about this if you took some armed security.”

“As would I,” Bernie said, wheeling his cart into the room. Theresa and Tsod turned to look at the plant, his large penises focused on his mate. His cart’s speech synthesizer/translation device was recently updated to give the large, bushy Gingravik a more human-sounding voice. “Of course, I would prefer to accompany you on this trip.”

“I know you would, Bernie, and so would I. But things are different now that we have declared our statehood. In my absence, you will be the titular head of the Prefect,” Theresa said.

“Very well, my Queen,” Bernie said. “Have you made progress with any of the other nations, Ambassador?”

“It has been extremely difficult, Lord Bernard,” Tsod said. “As you know, all of the Silicon Valley tech giants and their affiliated ‘fact-checkers’ say we do not exist. They have declared our existence to be ‘fake news’ and ban anyone who even mentions our name. I cannot tell you how many times foreign diplomats tell me they do not believe I exist, even as they look me in the eye. We cannot even establish an account from which we can post.”

“Yes, I can see how that would be frustrating, Ambassador,” Bernie said. “It’s almost enough to make me think the entire species is turning stupid. Present company excluded, of course. What about that woman the United Nations left behind? Greta Schultz? Has she been any help at all?”

“Not much,” Tsod said. “She tells me the bureaucracy at the UN can be very difficult to get through.”

“That does not surprise me, Ambassador,” Bernie said as he shook his branches. “I will do as you ask, my Queen. But I agree with the Ambassador. You should take security personnel with you. I understand the armory on the Mar’rldn is fully-equipped.”

“Of course, dear,” Theresa said.

“Has there been any activity at the Colony, Facilitator?” Bernie asked Margaret, who, until now, had sat quietly in the room.

“No, Lord Bernard,” she said. “According to the daily reports, there has been no activity whatsoever since we left. I expect to receive today’s report within a few hours.”

“Very well,” Bernie said. “Perhaps we have successfully managed to elude the feds after all.”

...

Alvin Johnson looked through the window in his small security shack. He watched as a long line of dark military-looking vehicles and black SUVs came up the road that led to his gate. He was one of five security contractors who worked in this post.

Other than those four men and some other contractors who came to the facility, he had seen no one else at the compound since last November, just before Thanksgiving. He didn’t mind, really. It was a very quiet post, and he was paid well to sit and watch television, read or surf the web while nothing happened at the remote facility.

It wasn’t always like this, though. Before everyone left, the place was a hive of activity. He especially enjoyed seeing the scantily-clad women who sometimes came to his post, like that CEO, Theresa Hemmings. She was one good-looking woman, he thought. And she was always so nice to everyone. He remembered the last day they were here. Ms. Hemmings herself called him to see if they would be alright.

The long line of vehicles rumbled up the road, and he wondered what was going on. The lead vehicle stopped at his post, and a gruff-looking man in a dark suit and sunglasses rolled down his window. Alvin stepped out of the guard shack and approached the vehicle with his clipboard. He was required to take note of the license plates and identification of everyone who drove up.

“Can I help you, young man?” Alvin asked.

“Special Agent Smith. FBI,” the suit said, holding a set of official-looking credentials. “Open the gate.”

“Hold on there, young man,” Alvin said. “I need to check your drivers license and registration.”

“Did you hear what I just said, old man?” Smith growled. “I’m with the fucking FBI and I have a warrant to search this facility. Now open the fucking gate before I have you locked up for obstructing justice.”

“No need to be an asshole,” Alvin said. “Just doing my job, same as you. You got that warrant with you?” Smith showed him a folded piece of paper. Alvin took it, read it, then handed it back. “Alright, I guess you can go in.” He hit a button on his console, and the gate opened. He knew the surveillance camera would capture the vehicles coming inside.

Hands on his hips, Alvin watched the convoy make its way into the compound. He hadn’t seen this many government vehicles in one place since he left the Army 50 years ago. There were a lot of men and a lot of serious firepower here.

He even spotted what looked like heavy machine guns and a couple of modified tanks. What the hell were they expecting, he wondered. After the last vehicle entered the compound, he closed the gate and sent a report, complete with video.

...

“Find anything?” Smith asked as Agent Harrison came up to him three hours after entering the compound. Harrison shook his head.

“Nothing, boss,” he said. “Not even a fingerprint. There’s nothing here but dust. Whoever they are, they did a damn good job of cleaning up.”

“What about the airfield?” Smith asked.

“Zero. Zilch. Nada,” Harrison said.

“Just doesn’t make sense,” Smith said. He pulled out his cell phone and made a call.

“There’s nothing here, sir. Not even a partial fingerprint,” Smith said when the man at the other end answered.

“Bullshit,” the man at the other end said. “Someone there knows something. Do what ya gotta do. I want answers and I want them yesterday!”

“Yes sir,” Smith said before ending the call.

“Well?” Harrison asked.

“Recall the detail. I’m going to see what I can get outta that smart-ass security guard,” Smith said.

“Careful. He’s an old man, you know,” Harrison said. Smith snorted.

“Yeah, I know,” Smith said with a wicked smirk. He had a lot of recent experience scaring innocent older people lately and found that he liked it.

...

Alvin watched the long convoy leave the compound and closed the gate after the last vehicle came out. He was surprised when it pulled up next to his shack and wondered what would happen. The driver-side door opened, and Smith got out, adjusting his tie.

Smith donned a light jacket that read “Federal Terrorism Task Force” before approaching the shack. He found that generally helped intimidate the people he spoke to.

“Mind if we talk for a bit?” Smith asked.

“Not at all. Come on in,” Alvin said. He went into the shack and sat down in his chair. Smith followed and looked around the hut a bit. He saw a small book, picked it up, and flipped through the pages before looking at Alvin.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Called a pocket constitution,” Alvin said. “I like to read it from time to time. Took an oath to protect and defend that before you were a glimmer in yer daddy’s eye. You might want to familiarize yourself with it sometime.” Smith snorted.

“I’m a federal agent,” he said, tossing the book back on the desk.

“All the more reason why ya oughta read it from time to time, don’tcha think?” Alvin asked. Smith chuckled, but Alvin saw no humor in his laugh.

“Tell me, Mr. Johnson,” Smith said, looking at Alvin’s badge. “How long have you worked here?”

“I reckon about five or six years now,” Alvin said.

“You know what kinda work they did here?”

“Some kinda research facility,” Alvin said. “It was called a botanical research facility, so I guess they worked with plants. All above my pay grade.”

“When did they leave?”

“A few months back. November, I think,” Alvin said.

“You know where they went?” Alvin shook his head.

“No idea,” he told Smith. “I get paid to keep track of who goes in and out of this gate. That’s it.”

“Anybody come or go recently?” Smith asked.

“Only people through here in the last three months are you and that battalion of soldiers that came with you,” Alvin said. Smith nodded his head and looked around some more. His eyes fell on a red baseball cap hanging on a wall hook. He picked it up and looked at it closer before eyeing Alvin.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“That’s called a baseball cap, Agent Smith,” Alvin said.

“That’s SPECIAL Agent Smith to you, Mr. Johnson,” Smith said with a hint of anger. “Now tell me, what IS this?”

“Like I said, it’s a baseball cap,” Alvin said. “From my grandson’s Little League team. I used to coach before I retired.” Smith nodded his head and put the cap back.

“Where were you on January 6?” Smith asked.

“I don’t know. What year?” Alvin asked.

“Don’t get smart with me, Johnson. You know damn good and well what year. Last year,” Smith said.

“Don’t know. What day of the week was it?” Alvin asked.

“I think it was a Wednesday,” Smith said.

“If it was a Wednesday, then I woulda been right here, working a shift,” Alvin said.

“Uh huh,” Smith said. “Ever been to Washington?”

“You mean, like Washington, DC?” Alvin asked.

“Yeah,” Smith said.

“Fifty years ago. I guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a while after I came back from ‘Nam,” Alvin said.

“You were in the Army?” Smith asked.

“Air Cav,” Alvin said. Smith nodded his head. “You ever been shot in the line of duty, ‘Special’ Agent Smith?”

“Can’t say that I have,” Smith told him.

“I have,” Alvin said. “Damn near didn’t make it home. Tell you what. You get yourself one of those little red badges of courage, then come see me. I’ll buy ya a beer. Deal?”

“Deal,” Smith said.

“Anything else?” Alvin asked.

“No, not at this time, Mr. Johnson. But I may want to talk to you some more,” Smith said.

“I’ll be here,” Alvin said as Smith turned to leave. “Wait a second.” Smith turned and barely caught the small booklet Alvin tossed at him. “Keep that. I got another one. Read it sometime. You might just learn something.” Smith nodded his head and left the shack. Alvin watched him get back in the black SUV, then sent his report.

When Smith closed the door, he ripped the small pocket Constitution and tossed the two halves into a trash bag. Harrison watched him closely.

“What’s that?” Harrison asked.

“A pocket Constitution,” Smith said. “Can you believe it? He actually suggested I read it.” Harrison chuckled.

“One of those, huh?” he asked derisively.

“Yeah,” Smith said as he pulled out his phone. “Let’s go.” As Harrison drove, Smith pulled out his phone and requested a dossier on an Army veteran named Alvin Johnson.

...

Margaret read the reports as they came in from the old stateside Colony and looked at the video Alvin sent. She went into Theresa’s office and saw her queen naked, impaled on one of Bernie’s 12 massive cocks.

“Um, excuse me, my Queen,” she said. Theresa stopped long enough to look back at Margaret. “I hate to interrupt...”

“That’s okay, Margaret,” Theresa said. “This isn’t anything you haven’t seen before. What is it?”

“I just got a report from the security guard at the old Colony,” Margaret said. “The FBI was there with a large number of soldiers.”

“Well, it certainly took them long enough,” Theresa said. “I take it they weren’t happy to find nothing.”

“No, they weren’t,” Margaret said. “But the security guard who was on duty seemed to think they might be back.”

“Let them come back,” Theresa said. “It’s their time to waste.”

“What should I do with this report?” Margaret asked.

“First, make sure the security people there are taken care of. Then see if you can find out who was in charge of that little raid. You might have to reach out to our operatives in Washington,” she said.

“Yes, my Queen,” Margaret said before closing the door. Theresa turned back to Bernie.

“Now, where were we, my love?” she asked as she took one of her mate’s penises.

...

“Can you believe it? Theresa wants me to join the team meeting with the Ukrainians,” April said as she sat down with the shrimp salad Jake had put together for her. He had gotten much better at handling kitchen utensils over the last few months and rarely made much of a mess in the kitchen. Not that April ever complained. She thought it was sweet how he bent over backward to please her and never complained about picking up after him.

“That is good news, my queen,” Jake said. “But isn’t it a bit dangerous with the Russians so close?”

“Theresa says we’ll be meeting the Ukrainian delegation on a royal yacht in international waters, so I don’t think we have much to worry about,” April said as she took a bite of her salad.

“I hope you are right,” Jake said. “How long will you be gone?”

“Only a few days,” April said. “We’re flying to Italy in a couple days, then taking the Mar’rldn to the rendezvous point. We’ll spend three days in talks, then come back.”

“I will miss you so much, my queen,” Jake said sadly.

“And I will miss you as well, my love,” April said.

“I have news as well,” Jake said.

“Oh? What’s that?” April asked.

“You know Lord Bernard has asked me to consume as much as possible about computer science,” he said.

“Yes, I know,” April said. “How is that coming along?”

“So far, I have absorbed the equivalent of a Master’s degree at MIT,” Jake said.

“Wow,” April said. “I’m impressed. All that in just three short months?”

“Yes,” Jake said. “So Lord Bernard has invited me to help him with some special projects. I’m not allowed to talk about them with anyone, though.”

“Oh, Jake! That is wonderful. I am so proud of you,” April said. “You don’t need to explain anything. I understand completely.”

“You are really proud of me, my queen?” Jake asked.

“More than you’ll ever know,” she said. “We need to celebrate.”

“Oh?” Jake asked.

“Yes,” April said. “This is a special day for my mate. I know! Why don’t I put on something really sexy and you can rip it off of my body then make mad passionate love to me?” Jake shook with excitement, his leaves trembling as he clapped some of his branches together.

“Yes!” he exclaimed. “I LOVE ripping clothes off of my queen!”

“And I love it when you rip my clothes to shreds and ravish my naked body,” April said, her excitement growing. “Let me finish my dinner and then I’ll go change into something more ... comfortable.”

“I like the sound of that,” Jake said, shaking with anticipation. April finished her salad, then went into the bedroom.

“No peeking,” she said, looking back at her mate with a mischievous smile. A few minutes later, she came back wearing a black fishnet body stocking. She strode to her mate and stood over him, her legs spread. “Well? What do you think?”

“Oh yes,” Jake said. “Come to papa!” She giggled and sat down on the couch, putting a leg on each side of Jake so he could have access to her.

“Do it, baby,” she moaned, running her hands along her legs. Jake extended his leaves and covered the fishnet stocking with his dew, causing them to rip open. He worked his branches into the holes he made and tugged. Not too hard – just enough to cause the flimsy fabric to rip. April moaned in delight as he systematically tore the stocking off her body.

“You are so sexy, my queen,” Jake said in her mind as he destroyed her lingerie.

“I love it when you do that, baby,” she said. “It feels so damn ... sexy ... when you strip me naked like this.”

“Should I stop for a bit?” Jake teased as he toyed with her ruined stocking.

“No! Don’t stop! Rip them off of me, baby,” she moaned. “Please!” She felt a jolt as his dew dissolved the top half of her stocking, exposing her bare breasts. She loved how it felt on her nipples and rubbed it into her skin. Jake continued ripping and destroying the garment as April moaned and squirmed in delight as each piece of cloth was torn from her body. Her shaved pussy was dripping wet, and she needed him inside her.

“Ahhhh,” she cried as one dew-laden leaf rubbed against her pussy, depositing some of the viscous liquid on her clit. She instinctively began rubbing herself as she spread her now-naked legs wide for her mate. “Please, baby. Fuck me now!”

“You are so delicious, my queen,” Jake teased. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“Quit teasing, baby,” April moaned. “Do me! I NEED you in me! NOW!”

“As you wish, my queen,” Jake said, extending one of his twelve hard penises until it penetrated her wet pussy. She moaned in delight as he gently worked his way into her. After a couple of minutes, he worked a second, then the third penis inside her. She took the fourth penis in her mouth and sucked as the other three fucked her.

After the first four penises erupted inside her, Jake replaced them with four more, and they continued coupling. April lost count of her orgasms as Jake continued to pound inside her. By the time all twelve penises had ejaculated in her, she was little more than a quivering mass of flesh.

Jake bundled his branches together, lifted her, and carried her into the bedroom. She wrapped her arms around his central stalk and held on as tight as possible. She looked at her mate when he laid her in the bed.

“I love you so much, my husband,” she whispered.

“And I love you more, my queen,” Jake responded before April fell asleep with a satisfied smile. Jake lovingly pressed a leaf against her face as he considered his beautiful human mate. He could never imagine life without her and knew he would miss her terribly when she left for her mission.

...

Friday, February 18, 2022

“What the hell do you mean, you found nothing?” the older man bellowed.

“Just that, Director,” Special Agent Smith said. “We found nothing. Not a partial fingerprint. Not a stray piece of paper. Nothing. It’s like they sterilized the place before they abandoned it. There was a security man at the gate, but he was less than useless.”

“You expect me to tell the big guy you found absolutely nothing? Even though you had a small battalion of agents with you?”

“I would expect you to pass on what we found, Director,” Smith said. “I can go back and press the security guard again, but I don’t think anything will come of it.”

“Speaking of the security guard, boss, you picked one helluva man to fuck with,” Harrison injected, dropping a folder on the desk in front of Smith. “Alvin Johnson. Army veteran, Silver Star, Bronze Star with combat ‘V,’ Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Real war hero.”

Smith sighed heavily as he shook his head. The agency had taken a lot of heat over the last couple of years. He knew what would happen if word got out that an agent was too harsh on an aging war hero who had been shot in Vietnam.

“Democrat or Republican?” the Director asked.

“According to the local voter registration rolls, he’s listed as an Independent,” Harrison said. The director nodded his head and turned his attention back to Smith.

“Leave the security man alone,” he said. “Whoever operated that place is now gone, and there’s nothing we can do about that. But that doesn’t mean we’re completely empty-handed.”

“What do you mean, Director?” Smith asked. The older man dropped a folder containing satellite photos on the desk. Smith opened the folder and looked through the images.

“What’s this?” he asked as he thumbed through the pictures.

“Satellite photos,” the Director said. “If you look closely, you’ll see the aircraft that left the facility seem to ... disappear once they reach international waters. As you can see, some of them headed southwest, while others went southeast. We tried to extrapolate their destination based on their heading at the time they disappeared, but we haven’t been able to come up with anything. Yet.”

“That’s not possible,” Smith said. “From what I saw that facility looked like it could’ve housed thousands of people.”

“Yes,” the Director said. “We estimate as many as 25,000. Perhaps more.”

“Do we have anything else?” Smith asked.

“It just so happens that we do,” the Director said. “I’ve had teams of analysts on this for the last month or so. Last November, shortly after this mass exodus, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and a group of diplomats left New York in a very sophisticated long-range aircraft that flew in the same general vector as many of these aircraft.

“They came back in the same aircraft a few days later. We don’t know where they went, and all anyone will say is that he participated in some kind of climate change meeting. But all of the climate people we’ve spoken to said they have no knowledge of any such meeting,” the Director added.

“Interesting,” Smith said.

“It gets better,” the Director said. “There was a massive shift of funds into something called the 1st IGC Bank. We have no idea where the money originated from, but we know that almost all of it was held offshore. We have nothing to suggest that any laws were violated, but the shift, in and of itself, was quite interesting.

“Then, on the evening of December 3, this went out over social media,” the Director said, handing Smith a tablet. “Go ahead, play it.” Smith pressed the play button on the video and watched as a totally nude woman sat at a desk with two unfamiliar green, gray and black flags behind her.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” the woman said, looking directly into a camera. “Thank you for taking time to join me this evening. As you know, I’m not one for long flowery speeches, so I’ll come straight to the point.

“I am here to officially announce the formation of the Gingravik Prefecture of Earth. What that means is that we are now a sovereign entity. Our work will continue, but from this moment forward, it will be done independent of any authority or government on Earth save our own.

“All of you who joined me in this transition know who we answer to, and what we pledge our allegiance to. I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work, your dedication, and your loyalty. You have earned my everlasting gratitude. And my undying love.

“To the rest of the world, please know this. We seek only peaceful coexistence. We make no demands, issue no ultimatums. We have already reached out to the United Nations in hopes of establishing diplomatic relations with the world community.

“There will be more to come in the following days and weeks but tonight, I ask only that you join me in celebrating this moment. May Marsook’s will be done, and may each of you be blessed in your own special way. Thank you and goodnight,” she said to loud applause. Smith ended the video and looked at the Director, shocked.

“We were able to get that video squashed before it went viral,” the Director said. “As you know, the administration works closely with a number of tech companies, so this video and any mention of ‘Gingravik’ is monitored and, thanks to various algorithms set up by these companies, immediately removed.”

“Gingravik. That’s the name of that facility we went to,” Smith said.

“Yes, it is,” the Director said.

“Do we know who this woman is?” Smith asked.

“We have no idea,” the Director said. “She was introduced as ‘Tere, Queen Mother of Earth.’ We have no other information on her whatsoever. For all we know, she’s simply an actress performing a role.”

“She mentioned the United Nations,” Smith said. “Has anyone from the UN mentioned this?” The Director shook his head.

“No,” he said. “And they’re stonewalling all of my inquiries into it. I’ve spoken with our ambassador to the UN, and she assures me she’ll look into it. But she hasn’t learned anything yet.”

“What do we do now?” Smith asked.

“I’m assigning you and Harrison to an inter-agency task force set up by our friends at Langley,” the Director said. “Effective immediately. I understand there’s going to be a lot of travel involved, so pack accordingly.”

“Yes, sir,” Smith said.

“Get me some answers,” the Director said. “Immediately if not sooner. We need to know who these people are working with and if they’re a threat to national security.”

“Got it,” Smith said.

...

February 20, 2022

April stowed her luggage in the closet of her spacious stateroom aboard the Mar’rldn and joined Theresa on an upper deck. They had arrived at Marina di Carrara without incident, and the hybrid Gingravik crew had assumed their posts with no problems. Captain Sean MacFarland reported to Theresa that all was ship-shape and the boat was underway.

As the boat moved slowly out of the port, they saw a much larger yacht moored to a pier. Theresa pointed at it before speaking to April.

“See that?” she asked. April nodded her head. “That’s the Scheherazade. I’m told it belongs to Vladimir Putin.”

“That’s a big boat,” April said.

“Yes, it is,” Theresa said. “I’m told it has gold toilet paper holders and a tiled dance floor that drops to become a pool.”

“No way,” April said. Theresa nodded her head.

“I’ve also been told it’s like a mini-city and every surface is either marble or gold. Every screw in that thing is supposedly gold-plated,” she said.

“That’s just a bit much,” April said.

“Yes, I agree,” Theresa said.

“How much do you think he paid for that?” April asked.

“I’ve seen estimates that suggest over $750 million,” Theresa said. “Meanwhile, the average Russian makes just over $6,500 a year and struggles to eat.”

“That’s so wrong,” April said.

“You’ll get no argument from me,” Theresa said quietly. She looked at the younger woman before speaking. “Please do me a favor, April.”

“What’s that, my Queen?” she asked, causing Theresa to smile.

“Never let me forget where I came from,” Theresa said. “And never let me get like ... that,” she added, looking at the massive yacht. April knew what Theresa meant. She knew of the queen’s humble origins and how her Gingravik mate transformed her into the beautiful and powerful woman she is now.

“I won’t ... Theresa,” April said. Theresa smiled and hugged April like a sister.

“Thank you,” she said. “By the way, I hear Bernie has enlisted Jake’s help.”

“Yes, he has,” April said. “He seems to really enjoy whatever it is Bernie has him doing. I’ve never seen him so animated. I’m really proud of him.”