Waiting Shapeless

Chapter 36. Deep space, unknown location

Hud stayed silent.

"The Rhaa would simply kill the traitor, but unfortunately he has gone missing. Besides, where is order when they cannot teach a lesson? Simply killing the traitor would be too... well, simple. And that is where we come to you." The creature turned back to look at Hud, it's bright, yellow glowing eyes piercing through the blackness of its face. "The Rhaa knows you will meet with Gaunth again, to more or less carry out your plan. When that happens, you will kill him."

Hud jolted in his seat. "What??"

"We will continue to track you. And when the time comes, we will be there along with a few authoritative Rhaa who wish to spectate. As I mentioned earlier, you are in a tricky situation. Along with your treasonous dealings, the Rhaa know you have deviated from your original task, and are displeased. But all will be forgiven if you complete this new mission."

Hud stood up from the chair violently. "Do you think I care about the Rhaa knowing about taking a bit longer with 'my task'??" He threw his thick arms into the air in fury. "I'm going to kill the damn Circuit, what does it matter that there were a few bumps along the way??"

"Yes but remember the greater transgression: you are yourself a traitor. Please sit back down, Hudaryous. I have more to say." Said the floating creature calmly.

Hud lowered his arms and stood in silence for a moment. He then complied, lowering his large body into the small seat slowly.

"Thank you." Smiled the being. "The Rhaa know that you and Gaunth have a special relationship. Surely you can't be too surprised with their desire to have you kill your own friend? But there is a greater prize to the task."

The spindly creature smiled hauntingly at him. "Along with forgiveness from all previous transgressions, they promise a separate reward for performing this... shall we say, emotionally difficult task."

Hud laughed with a sneer. "They're not going to set me free; what else do they think they can bribe me with?"

"I think..." nodded the being "there is much more the Rhaa can do for you." The creature smoothly raised it's sickly hand into the air.

Suddenly the mist surrounding Hud rose up and engulfed him as he sat. As it circled around him, Natilliea swiftly rose off of Hud's chest, as if caught up by the mist.

Before he could react, she along with the mist lifted up off of his shoulders and floated above his reach.

Hud stood up from the seat, ready to fight to get Natilliea back. His heart was beating fast.

"What if," continued the creature, keeping Natilliea elevated in the air, "you could see her again? As a human, I mean."

"Give her back to me." Spat Hud, adrenaline coursing through his veins.

"I will." Said the creature gently, lowering his arm and causing Natilliea to glide back into Hud's arms. Hud quickly strapped her back to his chest and gripped her tightly.

"What if the Rhaa could bring her back, Hudaryous? Really bring her back."

"Impossible." Muttered Hud. "She's dead now. They killed her."

"The Pentaverse is a changing place, Hudaryous." The being tilted it's hooded head to the side. "New technology is invented every second. Who are you to say what is possible and what is not?"

Hud sank back into the chair. Was it possible to be with Natilliea again?

"What do you think, Hudaryous?" Said the creature warmly. "Kill one Rhaa, then with every break you can spend with your lost lover instead of rotting away in a bar. As long as you stay obedient, the Rhaa will keep your illegal relationship secret from the government. That shouldn't be too hard of a decision. You hate the Rhaa anyway, do you not? How hard could it be to kill one of them?"

Hud sat in silence.

"You neither have to agree nor disagree. Your decision will be manifest through your actions when you next meet with Gaunth. Listen closely now Hudaryous, this is what you must do."

Hud subconsciously tensed up in the chair.

"When he contacts you," continued the floating being, "you will meet with him and make your choice. If you follow through with the Rhaa's will and kill him, you will be rewarded as promised. If you chose not to comply by warning Gaunth or refusing to kill him, we cannot guarantee a comfortable existence. You are still considered a traitor to the Rhaa."

Hud nodded slowly. "I understand."

"There is... one last thing." The creature nodded at one of the guards standing at the side. The guard glided forward holding a gun in its hands, passing it to the head Welvet. "You may be familiar with the Rhaa tradition of how to deal with traitors." The floating being raised the gun and examined it.

Hud shivered. Oh he knew. The death must be as painful and slow as possible.

"The Rhaa want you to kill Gaunth, true. But they want it to be a little more interesting than just a quick, clean death. It is standard punishment for treachery against his own species. If you choose to kill the Rhaa Gaunth, which is still up to your own agency to decide, you must use this gun. You will not receive any reward if Gaunth dies by any other means."

Hud grimaced. The weapon would more than likely send it's victim into a prolonged coma of twisting and torturous pain, an irreversible coma that would eventually deplete the soul of life.

The alien handed the weapon to Hud. He held it loosely, a sickening pit forming in his stomach.

"Excellent." Said the creature with a grin. "Do you have any questions for us, Hudaryous?"

"Yeah." Grunted Hud. "What the hell are you?"

The being chuckled. "We belong to the Welvet species of the Seroah Universe."

"Ah. The Seroah Universe." Hud exhaled. "You guys are definitely not the prettiest beings of Seroah."

The creature smiled. "Yes I'm sure your 'unbiased' opinion would favor the Human species. Let me remind you that you are not in a good position to be mocking us, Hudaryous."

Hud ignored the threat. "Why would the Rhaa work though your organization to tell me this? Why wouldn't they just come tell me themselves?"

"Why do they have you go to kill something off instead of doing it themselves? I think you know the answer to your question already, Hudaryous."

Hud shrugged his shoulders. "...Fair answer."

The alien eyed him. "Anything else?"

Hud shrugged his shoulders. His stomach felt like it was tied in a knot. He was ready to get off of this creepy ship.

"Hudaryous, unless there is anything else you want from us, we are done with you. We will continue to keep an eye on your activity, but until you come in contact with Gaunth, you will neither hear from us nor see us again.

The towering creature waved its hand at the direction of the door and it opened. The guards surrounding it stepped aside.

Hud could see the beckoning interior of his ship from his current seat. He felt eager to get away from the swirling mist and the dirty artificial light.

Hud looked back at the hovering Welvet.

"You are free to leave." Nodded the creature. "Thank you for your time, Hudaryous."

Suddenly the chair beneath Hud disintegrated back into mist, causing the large Pardos to topple backwards onto the wispy ground in surprise.