“Speaking of which, I’ve yet to even see proof you brought the gemstone. Hand it over.” The fucker held out its hand, obviously expecting Ishtar to drop the stone into its palm.
Ishtar instead pointed to the ship. “It’s here, but I’ll need a moment to yank it from the engine.”
“Why would you need such a power source unless… Your vessel is capable of space flight.” Alien Jesus’ eyes began to glow.
“Not once I remove the luughal.”
Its gaze narrowed. “I seek the stone known as kyawthuite.”
“Same thing, different name.” Ishtar waved a hand as if it were of no importance; however, it brought a cunning expression to the stolen alien’s face.
“One has to wonder where this singular stone came from and where one can find more,” it mused aloud.
“Nowhere,” Ishtar’s quick reply, which lifted the thing’s brows.
Aquarius tensed as he saw Ishtar leading the alien into a trap while also antagonizing it.
“You are too quick to lie. You know where to find more.” It glanced at the ship. “But not on this planet.”
“Don’t even think of going to Mars. Your kind have already caused enough destruction to my home world.”
“Marsssss.” It rolled the name as it tasting it. “A barren planet in this solar system, rejected by the scouts, as it lacked life. But that wasn’t always the case, was it,Your Highness?”The title emerged mocking.
“If you know of its past, then you’re aware we wiped out the last Kukakk that invaded this solar system. Four of them, poof, gone!” She exploded her hands.
“Gone at the cost of your world.” The Kukakk grinned so wide its human face risked splitting.
“Yes, it destroyed Mars, but it was worth it to rid ourselves of your kind,” she spat.
“Will you destroy this world as well?”
Her head hung. “No. Unlike the last time, we have no other planet to escape to.”
The alien glanced past her once more to her spaceship. “Without the kyawthuite, your vessel will lose its ability to fly, correct?”
Her lips pinched. “Only until I replace the energy source.”
“I thought there was nothing comparable.”
“There isn’t, but it will still work even with inferior materials. Travel will simply take longer.”
“Which begs the question, why have a spaceship if there is nowhere to go?”
“Because I like to explore. Now, do you want the stone or not?”
“Why would I want a single puny rock when I can have many?” it countered.
“There are no more.”
“Here. But I’m thinking Mars might not be as useless as expected.”
“You’d be wrong. I’m going to hand over the kyawthuite, and as bargained, you will tell your followers to leave the non-believers alone.” She pivoted and began heading for the ship, but the Kukakk barked, “You will leave the stone where it is and transport me to Mars.”
“Like hell I am.” Ishtar went to dart up the ramp for her vessel, but a gesture from the Kukakk brought forward a man with a gun.
Who didn’t hesitate to shoot her in the back!
Ishtar face planted and didn’t move. Blood blossomed, spreading and staining her pale robes.
