She said it with a straight face, but you could tell that her apology was sincere. Ben must have thought so too, because the tension was beginning to ease from his muscles.

“Slizzik, what are your projections for the time needed to clear this infestation?” King Kei asked.

“Aegis. Show us their coordinates, and the approximate size of the hive.” Slizzik requested.

Aegis groaned in irritation, but did as he was told. From his eyes, a flickering holographic grid appeared, showing a lightly detailed map of the region. A green dot marked Aegis’ location, and about 20.4 miles northeast, there was another green dot. Both of them were connected by a white dotted line.

“I don’t think I like where this is going…” he muttered.

“Me neither…” Mekara mumbled.

“They’re still about a day out.” James said from his lowered position.

“That was my thought as well.” Slizzik said, regarding him now with those slitted eyes of his.

King Kei nodded, and signaled for Aegis to suspend the projection. The giant Texan robot did so with great relief.

“If you don’t mind waiting two–no...three days,” King Kei began, looking directly at you. “I can lend you the strength of our mighty Roving Army!”

He said it like you were supposed to be impressed, so you made sure to look properly grateful, while paying careful attention to the movement of your ears and tail, just to make sure they wouldn’t give you away.

“With all due respect, sir…I don’t think this is a threat we should take lightly.” you stressed.

He nodded.

“I know. But what have we to gain from sending in untrained civilians? That would only increase the death toll.” he countered.

“Your people are strong, Kei.” Grandma Young pleaded. “Heck, everything living down here is tough in their own way. We should at least offer them a chance to prove their worth to the army.”

“You would have me conscript my own citizens?” King Kei said, his eyes widening in outrage.

“We cannot take away their choice to fight for their country.” Young replied, her eyes resolute as she stared up at the Kaiju King.

The old man’s eyes closed, and you could practically make out the pain in them from behind his eyelids. After a moment, he let out a deep sigh, and opened his eyes to stare down at you and Grandma Young.

“You are right. I cannot.” he confessed. “They will have their chance. Slizzik, make the necessary arrangements. Aegis? Mekara?…”

The two stiffened.

“I’ll need the two of you to go help deal with Brood cleanup.” he finally said.

The two started complaining immediately, but they were quickly silenced by a single look from their King.

“Please, and thank you.” Kei said, a little more stern than last time.

(Cont.)