Read Online For the Love of Gelo! by Tom O'Donnell - Free Book Online Page B

my originator has been gone for a while. But that’s exactly why we need the starfighters in good working order. I just heard a distress beacon coming from the surface of Kyral. We need to undertake a rescue mission. Kalac, Ornim, Chayl—they could all be in grave danger!”
    â€œHmm,” said Sheln. “That sounds like a pretty big decision. I think we would need to hold a Grand Conclave to debate something so important. It doesn’t seem like a matter that should be decided behind closed doors by the political elite. Everyone should have a chance to weigh in.”
    â€œSo then let’s have a Grand Conclave already!” I cried.
    â€œAh,” said Sheln, “you may remember there is a second unilateral power of my new office. Loghoz?”
    The Council looked at one another in despair. Loghoz spoke faintly. “Only the Chief of the Council may call a Grand Conclave.”
    Now Sheln really did burst out giggling. Everyone stared in silence as its flabby body shook with laughter. I had been struck speechless. In an accomplished lifetime of political dirty tricks, this was Sheln’s dirtiest.
    â€œCome on,” said Hudka quietly. “We don’t have to listen to this nonsense anymore. Let’s go home, Chorkle.” It placed a thol’graz on my i’arda.
    â€œNot so fast,” said Sheln. “I’m afraid the two of you have something I need.”
    â€œOkay, Sheln,” said Hudka, “you can borrow some soap. Honestly, I’ve been wondering when you were going to ask.”
    â€œShut your wrinkled gul’orp, or I’ll have you jailed for sedition,” snapped Sheln. “From the time of Jalasu Jhuk, each Chief of the Council has been passed down an eight-digit numeric code. I think you know what I’m talking about.”
    Indeed, I knew exactly what Sheln was talking about. The code was 9-1-5-6-7-2-3-4. I had memorized it when I saw Kalac punch it into the keypad to open the door of the Vault, the ancient structure where Jalasu Jhuk placed the Q-sik for safekeeping.
    â€œI’m the Chief now, so that means I get the code,” said Sheln. It was speaking very quietly, but there was a crazed look in its eyes. Sheln wanted the Q-sik, our ancient weapon of mass destruction, a device capable of destroying ships, planets, even stars.
    â€œSorry,” said Hudka. “Don’t know where the code is. Wouldn’t tell you if I did. Furthermore, might I respectfully suggest that you go jump in a hot pile of slime eels?”
    â€œOne more word and I’ll throw you in the Hall of Wonok with the Vorem,” said Sheln. Then it turned to me and stared hard. “What about you, Chorkle? Do you know where your originator left the code? Did Kalac give it to you? What is it?”
    â€œDon’t know either,” I lied. “But I will confess to being mildly curious as to why you want it. What with Jalasu Jhuk forbidding us from ever opening the Vault and all.”
    â€œHuh,” said Sheln, looking around the room. “Do you see Jalasu Jhuk anywhere around here? Because I don’t. And I don’t see Kalac either. I run Gelo now, Chorkle. And I want the Q-sik!”
    The rest of the Xotonian Council looked horrified.
    â€œTo keep it safe, of course,” Sheln added, smiling once more.
    â€œPretty sure it’s safe in the Vault,” I said. And with that I turned and walked out of the Council Chamber.
    â€œI’ll get that code,” said Sheln behind me. “One way or another, I’ll get that code.”
    Sheln proved to be a creature of its word. It had already secretly ordered members of the city guard to search our home for the code during the meeting. By the time we returned through the pitch-black streets of Core-of-Rock, two guards, Nar and Ydevi, were already ransacking the place. They opened drawers, flipped furniture, and rifled through documents. We had to wait outside until they