Chapter 71
Henchmen ManifestedAnnie forced brightness into her voice as she stepped back into the living room. “How’s everyone doing? Still enjoying the Barkforce?”
She stopped mid-sentence. One of the aliens, the one with scales that shimmered like oil on water, held her tablet. The others huddled close, multiple eyes and sensory organs focused on the screen. But it wasn’t the show playing. The translation app was open, fragments of broken text visible as they passed it between them.
“...means they hunt us for... credits?” the scale-shimmer one said, voice like coins rattling in a jar.
Annie leaned in to read the translation on the tablet screen as the blue-gilled alien made a harmonious trill. The text appeared: “The scary one. He choose not to... to show what happened to us. To prevent war.”
Annie’s stomach dropped. “Wait, you guys could hear us?”
She watched the screen as the scale-shimmer one responded patiently, his words appearing in broken English below his alien script. “Human species is very young. Most Council races have enhanced senses. Through evolution or genetic enhancements.” He tapped where his ear might be if he had human anatomy. “Nearly half of us here have... superior hearing.”
The multi-limbed alien made what might have been a chuckle, moving pieces on a makeshift game board. Annie caught his translated words on the tablet: “We also turned down entertainment program. Used device’s listening function. Pointed at kitchen.”
“You used the tablet’s microphone to...” Annie blinked. “That’s actually pretty smart.”
“We are not animals,” the rock-skinned one rumbled, though his tone was gentler than before. “We understand... pieces. The woman with sharp voice. She explained before. About the System. About what these mean.” He gestured at empty air, presumably at his status screen.
Annie found herself checking the screen less frequently now, starting to pick up the rhythm of their broken English. Some of them had picked up enough to get by in just a handful of conversations. Though perhaps some of them already knew fragments from interacting with humans before them.
The gilled one tilted his head, eyes wide with that same wonder he’d shown toward Chilli. “We have the human virus now? The power sickness?”
“It’s not really a—” Annie started, then stopped. “Yeah, okay. Close enough.”
“It makes us stronger,” the scale-shimmer one said, not a question but seeking confirmation. “Smarter. Like superhumans. Like you.”
Annie moved closer, sitting cross-legged on the floor so she wasn’t towering over them. Most were still sitting or lying down, too weak to stand for long. “That’s the idea, yeah. Takes time though.”
“And if we go home,” the rock-alien said slowly, “we might spread it. To our peoples.”
The weight of that statement hung in the air. Annie opened her mouth, closed it, then tried again. “We don’t actually know if—”
“The scary one,” interrupted the multi-limbed alien. “Is he your leader?”
Annie huffed. “Alexander? Nah, he’s the sidekick.”
The aliens exchanged confused looks. The translation app flickered, processing.
“Sid... kick?” the gilled one tried.
“Yeah, sidekick.” Annie fought to keep her face straight. “It means, uh, leader. Big boss. Very important title on Earth.”
The rock-alien nodded solemnly. “We should address him as such. Show respect.”
“Definitely,” Annie said, her grin threatening to break free. “Every chance you get. He loves it.”
The scale-shimmer one shifted, producing a sound like wind chimes. “We talked. All of us. Last night. Today. And now, when you were... discussing our danger.”
Annie tensed slightly. She barely glanced at the tablet now, understanding their cadence.
“We want to go home,” the alien continued. “All of us.”
The words hit Annie like a slap. They wanted to return even with all the danger that would bring their people?
“But not to hide,” the gilled one added quickly. “To bring this gift. This power. To help our peoples become strong like superhumans.”
“The ones who hurt us,” the rock-alien rumbled, and Annie could hear old fear under the words, “they were bad humans who wanted us to make special powers for stealing. But you saved us. You are strong without stealing. Or hurting.”
Annie blinked rapidly, not sure how to process this.
“We cannot go home now,” the scale-shimmer one continued practically. “We understand. You are hunted. Must relocate. Must hide.” He straightened as much as his injuries allowed. “We will help. To repay debt. To learn. When time comes, when it is safe, you send us home.”
“You want to help us?” Annie’s voice came out smaller than intended.
“The woman healer tends our wounds,” the rock-alien said. “The one with grand presence brings food. The scary one, the sidekick, made choice to protect your peoples and ours from war, even though it brings you all danger. And you...” He pointed at Annie with one thick finger. “You came into the dark place and brought us to light.”
The gilled one trilled agreement. “Also, your bird is magnificent.”
“Pretty bird!” Chilli squawked from his cage.
Annie sat there, stunned, as the implications hit her. Then her face split into a massive grin. “Holy shit. You guys are volunteering to—” She shot to her feet, bouncing on her toes. “Grimnir has its first henchmen!”
The aliens looked at each other, confused.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Hench... men?” the scale-shimmer one tried.
“It means, uh, loyal allies! Helpers! Part of the team!” Annie was practically vibrating with excitement. “This is so cool! Wait until I tell—” She paused. “Actually, let’s keep the sidekick thing between us for now. It’ll be funnier when he figures it out.”
The multi-limbed alien made what might have been a laugh. “You are not like the ones who took us.”
“Damn right we’re not.” Annie’s grin softened slightly. “We’re the ones who are gonna burn their whole world down. But first...” She glanced toward where Talia had disappeared upstairs. “We gotta pack. You guys really think you can help? Some of you can barely stand.”
“We stand enough,” the rock-alien said firmly. “We carry what we can. We learn your language. We grow strong.” He paused. “And when we return home, we remember who saved us.”
Annie felt something warm bloom in her chest. It wasn’t just gratitude or relief. It was the sudden understanding that they weren’t just saving victims anymore. They were building something. Maybe something bigger than any of them realized.
“Alright then,” she said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s get you guys ready to move. But first, important question. That episode where the corgi figured out the mailman was a demon? Totally called it, right?”
The gilled one made that harmonious trill again, all six eyes brightening. “The signs were obvious! The irregular schedule! The suspicious packages!”
“Right?” Annie flopped down beside them again. “And don’t get me started on the squeaky toy conspiracy episode.”
As the aliens eagerly began discussing Earth entertainment with broken but enthusiastic English, Annie’s mind raced with possibilities. Alien henchmen. Alexander was going to flip when he found out.
But not as much as when they started calling him sidekick.