Xeno Xoo Lost Chapter 7: Loud-Ass Ministry

Like everything else in Randhra, the Ministry chambers were carved out of solid rock. It was a circular amphitheater tucked into a corner of the cavern not far from the entrance and accessed by a single door. Representatives from all eleven cities were there, and the bulk had arrived early. Minister Napthar had invited the whole crew, but only Denk, Geddy, Oz, and Dr. Krezek came.

The chambers had been buzzing with conversation when Napthar welcomed them inside. It quieted to a murmur when Geddy and Doc entered behind Denk, then a hermetic silence when Oz came in. Between her preternatural beauty and the fact that every single member of the ministry was male, it was easy enough to understand.

“Ministers, this is Denk Junt, Geddy Starheart, and Osmiya Nargonis of the starship For Sale Make Offer. They are joining us as my guests along with our most esteemed Dr. Ehrmut Krezek, who many of you will recall was instrumental in driving the crypsids away from Suragga.”

Ingo and the chief warden were in the front row. Ingo rose and said, “Respectfully, Minister Napthar, outsiders are one thing, but a woman in the Ministry chambers is beyond the pale.”

“He’d better not be talking about my complexion,” Oz muttered.

“I’d be less worried if he was,” Geddy said. “Guess it’s one of those cultures.”

Napthar frowned. “Deputy, you would do well to mind the difference between protocol and law. I alone decide who may enter these chambers, and she is welcome here.” He smiled and turned back to them. “Please, friends, take your seats.”

“Imagine that …” she mumbled in Geddy’s ear. “Another patriarchy on the brink.”

“Just act entitled and arrogant. You’ll fit right in.”

Denk led them up the side aisle to the end of the back row of stone seats. The ministers shuffled down to make a bit of room, but not as much as they could. Denk sat first, followed by Krezek, Oz, and Geddy. Napthar waddled into the center and held up his hands to quiet the remaining muttered conversations. Mercifully, the ministers shifted their eyes from Oz back to the Overminister.

“The Ministry is called to order.” He paced slowly around the perimeter of the circular space as he spoke. “Gentlemen and distinguished guests … Our city is under threat. For reasons we cannot explain, as many as three thousand diggers have all but emptied the myre and surrounded the city. We are here to discuss our options and set a course of action.

“Earlier today, about a dozen ‘sids breached the wardengate.” Shocked murmurs traveled around the room. “We’ve contained them and are looking into the cause, but make no mistake … it will happen again. Now, before we debate this matter, I’d like to invite Dr. Krezek to share any theories he might have based on his experiences in Suragga. Doctor?”

Krezek cleared his throat and timidly rose. “Thank you, Overminister, but I don’t need a theory. What’s happening to your city is my fault.”

Shocked whispers traveled around the tables, heads shaking in confusion.

— You’re not going to let him take the blame, are you?

— Hell, no.

Napthar guffawed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Dr. Krezek. This situation has been developing for several weeks, and you just–”

Geddy stood. “That’s wrong.” All heads swiveled toward him now.

“Captain Starheart,” Napthar said, clearly surprised.

“I think they’re being driven from the myre on purpose.”

More whispers. Napthar blinked. “By what?”

“Not what, who,” Geddy stated. “The Zelnads.”

Napthar’s disbelieving expression pivoted back and forth between Krezek, who remained credulous, and Geddy, who really didn’t want to be right.

“I don’t understand. The Zelnads could not be more removed from this matter.”

“Everything you think you know about them is bullshit. They’re not a cult, they’re ancient aliens who have taken people over. They want to wipe out civilization. Part of their master plan is to breed deadly creatures like your crypsids. We think they’re making a play for the queen.”

There was a brief, dramatic pause. Then the ministry exploded in laughter. Geddy frowned and looked pleadingly at the crew.

Oz stood and piped up loudly, silencing them. “It’s true! The Zelnads abducted Dr. Krezek from Afolos and forced him to synthesize a pheromone that would drive the crypsids out of the myre.”

Ingo shot to his feet and pointed. “He was telling the truth! It is his doing!”

“Sit down, deputy!” Napthar scolded, and Ingo reluctantly complied. “How do you know this, Miss Nargonis?”

“Because I was their prisoner, too. They’re probably trying to get to the myre as we speak, which means our time may be shorter than you think.”

Confused, Napthar turned his head toward Krezek. “Doctor?”

Krezek lowered his eyes and nodded. “They knew what I’d done for Suragga. They knew my research. They wanted a pheromone that would make them seek a new home, and to my everlasting shame, I made it for them. My guess is, they somehow introduced it into the myre and are working to extract the queen, like Miss Nargonis said.”

“If this is true,” asked Napthar, “why go to such lengths when their weapons are so powerful?”

“It’s more efficient this way,” Geddy explained. “They’ve been trying to acquire ranses, mogorodons, and skysnakes. That’s land, sea, and air. Crypsids will take care of the underground. Thousands will become millions, and worlds like this will be wiped out. They don’t have to lift a finger.”

The ministry’s stunned silence soon gave way into a heated, animated debate amongst the men.

Again, Ingo shot up. If it was a breach of protocol, he didn’t care. “This is ludicrous! We have cameras on the myre at all times. There are no Zelnads!”

“That’s enough, Deputy! One more outburst and I will have you removed!” exclaimed Napthar. Ingo seethed, his scowl hardening to a spiteful sneer, but he sat again. “As difficult as this is to wrap our heads around, Dr. Krezek has earned the right to be heard. Doctor, what do you suggest?” He gestured for Krezek to speak again.

Krezek heaved a sigh. “The fear pheromone is powerful. So powerful that I believe the only thing that can lure them back to the myre is the queen. We must convince them she’s threatened.”

“How?” asked Napthar. “With more pheromone?”

“Yes. And I believe I can produce it from QP.”

“What’s QP?” Geddy asked Denk in a low whisper.

“Queen pheromone,” he whispered. “The wardens wear it to keep from being attacked when they harvest gamat. Soldiers and workers won’t touch anything that smells like the queen.”

“Not exactly union work.”

“Dr. Krezek, how soon could you synthesize your pheromone?”

Krezek gave a big shrug. “It depends on your equipment, but perhaps … two days?”

Napthar gave a slow nod, taking the temperature of the room. It seemed warm to the idea, suggesting no one had a better one to date.

Krezek continued, “In theory, the wardens would spread the pheromone near the myre and place fans that would distribute the scent through the tunnels. We can activate them from behind the gate.”

Again, Ingo stood, this time on the bench. “The warden tunnel is incredibly unstable. There are tunnels above and below. It’s suicide! We should gas the crypsids and be done with this menace for good!”

Geddy didn’t think much of Ingo, but he didn’t make a terrible point, either. Gamat was clearly important to their culture, and the symbiosis they’d evolved with the crypsids was admirable, but it seemed they could get by without it. Killing them also took care of their Zelnad problem.

His face reddening, Napthar bellowed, “Your position on this is abundantly clear, Deputy, and if it comes down to us or them, we will consider the failsafe, but we are not there yet.” With that, Ingo sat once again. “Yes, the mission is dangerous. But not so dangerous as inaction. I, for one, trust Dr. Krezek. Doctor, I take it this is your best idea?”

“It is, Overminister.”

“Then let us call the question!” someone shouted.

“All in favor of Dr. Krezek’s solution?” Almost every hand went up. Napthar nodded with satisfaction. “Opposed?”

Ingo’s hand shot up along with six others. “Then our course is set. Now … who will volunteer?”

Denk shot from his seat. “I’ll go.”

“Denk …” Geddy said, shaking his head and mouthing No. Denk ignored him. “My old man, Mundt Junt, was Chief of the Ward. I know the way.”

The Overminister took a deep breath of pride, nodding. “I applaud your bravery, Mr. Junt. Who will join him?”

— Not it. Not it. Not it.

Everyone looked anxiously around the amphitheater at everyone else, clearly hoping another hand would go up and let them off the hook. For a painfully long few seconds, nobody did.

Finally, the current Chief of the Ward, who was at least twice Ingo’s age, shakily stood. “It should fall to me. I will accompany master Junt to the myre.”

“Very good, Chief,” Napthar said. “Anyone else?”

Predictably, nobody else volunteered. Geddy might have, but if the warden tunnel was just a little taller than Denk, then he’d practically have to crawl through it. Crawling through what seemed like ten kilometers of ductwork on Aku was enough for a lifetime, and those weren’t even full of giant insects.

“Very well,” Napthar said. “Dr. Krezek, I suggest you get to work. I’ll worry about the fans. This meeting is adjourned.”