to arrange just now. Perhaps in the near future—”
“What about the others?” Derek asked. His question again brought an uncomfortable silence upon the group.
“The resuscitation of our research subjects is a new idea,” Yob3 finally said. “You are the first subjects in this experiment. It is something of a political battle at the moment to determine whether or not additional subjects will be revived, and if so, when and how many. Much depends on the results of the current experiment, and how much influence Arkan9 can exhort on the Amulen government.”
“Wait a minute,” Brandon said. “Just hold on there.” He glanced at Derek, who was now looking back at him expectantly.
“Are you saying the other humans you have trapped here in comas might stay that way indefinitely, and it somehow depends on the two of us if they are to be saved? Woken up like us, I mean?”
The professor looked to Arkan9.
“I’m afraid there is truth in that,” Arkan9 confessed. “The future of your race is now very much dependent on both of you.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Derek asked.
“Nothing happens quickly,” Arkan9 said. “Please do not become upset over this. All of us here are supporters of your cause.” Yob3 cocked his head at Arkan9.
Arkan9 continued. “Mip7 and I are appointed to oversee your development. It is important to integrate you into our society. How well we can accomplish that will greatly affect the influence we have in attaining approval for a secondary phase of Earth subject revivals.”
Brandon suddenly felt the weight of responsibility fall on his shoulders. All thoughts of escape or rebellion were now gone from him. There were other abducted humans who needed his help. How many, he wasn’t sure he even wanted to know.
Derek looked upset. “Oh, bummer, man. Like, we have to behave or others will suffer. Oppression, man. This is like, blackmail. Total oppression.”
“I want to take you both to Banor with Mip7 and myself,” Arkan9 said. “I have permission from the Amulen Chancellor. As soon as we think you are fit for local space travel, perhaps in a few days, we will make the trip.”
That seemed to perk Derek back up. “Whoa, a ride in a spaceship? Groovy, man.”
“Let’s finish our walk,” Arkan9 said. “Professor, take us through sections four, five, and seven please.”
Yob3 shook his head. “No, we can’t go through those sections. Maybe seven, if you really think it’s a good idea. Not four and five. We have work going on in those wings.”
“Yes, I know about the work, as I was the one who arranged it on my visit with the chancellor yesterday. It will be all right. I want the Earthlings to see it.”
Yob3 cocked his head again, then tapped something on his device, waited, and read something. He looked back at Arkan9, appearing to be very concerned. He then stood up and looked each at the Earthlings for a long moment, before finally answering Arkan9.
“I think this is a bad idea. I want them together, between us.” He turned to Brandon. “Stay in formation and do not enter any rooms. Remember, your behavior affects the fate of your fellow Earthlings.”
Brandon nodded. Everyone stood up.
“This way,” Yob3 said. Arkan9 followed directly behind him. Derek walked with Brandon behind Arkan9, and Mip7 came last. They entered the building by another door and walked down a corridor a ways. Yob3 was met by another lizard-man, a silver-colored one who held odd-looking instruments. They talked for a minute or two, and then the new one went ahead while they all kept standing for a few more minutes. Finally, Yob3 began leading them again.
The wall on the right-hand side became glass, so they could see the inside of a large room. It was well-lit with unrecognizable gadgets placed about and several Torian natives performing various tasks. In the middle of the room were two clear glass coffins with what appeared to be some kind of creatures inside, possibly dead
“What about the others?” Derek asked. His question again brought an uncomfortable silence upon the group.
“The resuscitation of our research subjects is a new idea,” Yob3 finally said. “You are the first subjects in this experiment. It is something of a political battle at the moment to determine whether or not additional subjects will be revived, and if so, when and how many. Much depends on the results of the current experiment, and how much influence Arkan9 can exhort on the Amulen government.”
“Wait a minute,” Brandon said. “Just hold on there.” He glanced at Derek, who was now looking back at him expectantly.
“Are you saying the other humans you have trapped here in comas might stay that way indefinitely, and it somehow depends on the two of us if they are to be saved? Woken up like us, I mean?”
The professor looked to Arkan9.
“I’m afraid there is truth in that,” Arkan9 confessed. “The future of your race is now very much dependent on both of you.”
“What are we supposed to do?” Derek asked.
“Nothing happens quickly,” Arkan9 said. “Please do not become upset over this. All of us here are supporters of your cause.” Yob3 cocked his head at Arkan9.
Arkan9 continued. “Mip7 and I are appointed to oversee your development. It is important to integrate you into our society. How well we can accomplish that will greatly affect the influence we have in attaining approval for a secondary phase of Earth subject revivals.”
Brandon suddenly felt the weight of responsibility fall on his shoulders. All thoughts of escape or rebellion were now gone from him. There were other abducted humans who needed his help. How many, he wasn’t sure he even wanted to know.
Derek looked upset. “Oh, bummer, man. Like, we have to behave or others will suffer. Oppression, man. This is like, blackmail. Total oppression.”
“I want to take you both to Banor with Mip7 and myself,” Arkan9 said. “I have permission from the Amulen Chancellor. As soon as we think you are fit for local space travel, perhaps in a few days, we will make the trip.”
That seemed to perk Derek back up. “Whoa, a ride in a spaceship? Groovy, man.”
“Let’s finish our walk,” Arkan9 said. “Professor, take us through sections four, five, and seven please.”
Yob3 shook his head. “No, we can’t go through those sections. Maybe seven, if you really think it’s a good idea. Not four and five. We have work going on in those wings.”
“Yes, I know about the work, as I was the one who arranged it on my visit with the chancellor yesterday. It will be all right. I want the Earthlings to see it.”
Yob3 cocked his head again, then tapped something on his device, waited, and read something. He looked back at Arkan9, appearing to be very concerned. He then stood up and looked each at the Earthlings for a long moment, before finally answering Arkan9.
“I think this is a bad idea. I want them together, between us.” He turned to Brandon. “Stay in formation and do not enter any rooms. Remember, your behavior affects the fate of your fellow Earthlings.”
Brandon nodded. Everyone stood up.
“This way,” Yob3 said. Arkan9 followed directly behind him. Derek walked with Brandon behind Arkan9, and Mip7 came last. They entered the building by another door and walked down a corridor a ways. Yob3 was met by another lizard-man, a silver-colored one who held odd-looking instruments. They talked for a minute or two, and then the new one went ahead while they all kept standing for a few more minutes. Finally, Yob3 began leading them again.
The wall on the right-hand side became glass, so they could see the inside of a large room. It was well-lit with unrecognizable gadgets placed about and several Torian natives performing various tasks. In the middle of the room were two clear glass coffins with what appeared to be some kind of creatures inside, possibly dead
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