The Eye of the Llama

by Gary D. Snyder

Part 23:

For the first few seconds following Jimmy's defiant cry Khormak was filled with doubt and indecision as he wondered how it could be that this meddlesome human had returned to plague him. Then, seeing the three Yolkians flanking Jimmy, he relaxed. King Goobot had apparently transported the Earth boy back so that Jimmy could personally witness his friends' humiliation. In spite of himself Khormak felt grudging admiration. Despite the hopeless situation Neutron remained defiant.

"Arrest myself?" Khormak replied with mock civility. "On what charge?"

"Kidnapping, conspiracy, and treason," Jimmy answered coldly.

The crowd stirred restlessly at the accusations but Khormak only smiled, secure in his invincibility. "Those are serious charges," he remarked. "Have you any proof?"

"Proof enough. You seem to forget that after the stasis ray wore off I could hear everything you and your henchmen said. How you brought Carl here to demonstrate to your people how easy it would be to fight humans. How you arranged with Goobot to assist you in conquering Earth. And how you bargained with him to help you overthrow Princess Leama afterwards if you hand't already."

A growl of anger began to grow among the crowd nearest Khormak, but he remained unmoved both by that and the glare of hatred Princess Leama gave him. "Your word only, human," he replied coolly, spitting out the word human like a distasteful morsel.

Jimmy smiled grimly. "Not quite, Khormak. There's one other. And under galactic law two independent witnesses are sufficient to indict."

"You're bluffing," Khormak sneered. "None of my associates would ever betray me in such a manner."

"You're right," conceded Jimmy. "But the witness isn't someone you would ever considered an associate." As Khormak looked baffled Jimmy called, "Exjay Nine! Will you corroborate my charges?"

From out of the crowd the robot emerged. "Yes, sir, I can."

Khormak looked aghast. "Exjay Nine! What are you saying?"

"I'm relating the truth, sir, " the robot replied in its polite tone. "For some time now on Princess Leama's orders I have been gathering information about your activities for Her Highness, even while you believed that I was doing the same for you. She has been quite aware of your activities for some time, but without proof could do nothing."

So that's how she knew so much about what was going on, thought Cindy. She shook her head in admiration. She was smart enough to not let even me figure out just how smart she really is.

The robot was continuing to confirm Jimmy's accusations. "You did in fact bring Master Wheezer here to demonstrate how easy it would be to defeat the humans. I was privy to and, by Her Highness' direct orders, part of your plans to kidnap Master Neutron. I was also witness to your bargain to turn him over to King Goobot in exchange for his military assistance. And I have filed many reports substantiating your intentions to depose Princess Leama. Yes, sir, I must witness that the charges against you are true."

During Exjay Nine's testimony the expression on Khormak's face had changed from polite indifference to cold rage. When he spoke a dangerous edge to his voice made his words cut like razors. "Bravo, Jimmy Neutron," he said. "I see King Goobot's warnings about you were well-founded. You've uncovered the truth. And why shouldn't I admit it? It is no secret that I've long believed that I should rule. Power is the right of males and warriors, not simpering females."

"Traitor," hissed Princess Leama furiously. The anger of the crowd at Khormak's treachery was nearly as intense and several Felangians started forward to seize the War Minister. Seeing them closing in Khormak gave a loud, harsh laugh that caused them to freeze in their tracks.

"Idiots!" he shrilled. "I offered this planet a chance for greatness. And if you won't accept it of your own free will, then I will force it on you. Have you forgotten the war fleet above you? It could have carried you to victory against Earth. Now it will subjugate you to my will and your destiny!"

Cindy wasn't sure that Khormak was entirely sane any more, if ever he was. He would destroy his own people and planet to bend it to his twisted purposes? She looked pleadingly at Jimmy, wondering what he could hope to do now.

Jimmy gave her an odd smile and turned again to face Khormak. "I don't think so," he told the would-be tyrant quietly.

Khormak stared. "And what do you intend to do about it?" he jeered.

"Stop you."

Again Khormak loosed a mad shriek of laughter. "You and what army?" he sneered when he had caught his breath again.

"Funny you should ask," Jimmy replied with an evil smile. "This one." He brought his wrist communicator to his mouth and said, "Mib."

"What?" asked Khormak, baffled.

"Mib mib," came from Jimmy's communicator.

"Not that sound again!" screamed Sheen, tearing at his hair.

At first nothing seemed to happen, but as the crowd looked curiously at Jimmy the Yolkians at his side slowly wavered and coalesced into the shapes of a young Gorlock girl, what seemed a cross between an earthworm and a tripod, and a brain and spinal cord with eyes. Despite the circumstances Cindy seethed inwardly at the sight of April. What's she doing here? she fumed to herself.

Khormak's supporters shifted nervously and muttered among themselves.

"Gorlocks…"

"Needleheads…"

"And Brains…"

"Oh, my," said Libby.

"Look!" cried Cindy, pointing up at the sky. The crowd strained to see what she was staring at. High overhead the Yolkian ships also rippled and shimmered, hardening into ships of a different but lethal-looking design. Most of the spectators didn't recognize them, but it was clear that Khormak and his followers did and were not at all happy about it.

"Gorlock battle cruisers," Cindy heard one of them mutter.

"Manned by the First Alliance of Gorlocks, Needleheads, and Brains," Jimmy added.

"Although I personally felt that it would have been more logical to arrange the names alphabetically and call it the First Alliance of Brains, Gorlocks, and Needleheads," the Brain at Jimmy's side stated.

"It's all over, Minister Khormak," said Jimmy. "Or maybe I should say 'Ex-minister Khormak'."

"You should," Princess Leama agreed. "Guards, take Khormak and his cohorts into custody." The guards quickly obliged, fastening collars about the prisoners' necks and gripping the captives securely by each arm as the crowd cheered and shouted Princess Leama's name.

Carl looked curiously at the collars. "What are those?" he asked one of the guards who was holding Khormak.

"Shock collars," the guard replied. "They're used if the prisoners get out of line."

"Do they hurt?"

The guard glanced at Khormak's sullen face. "I hope so."

Princess Leama stepped up to Khormak, her face devoid of expression. "Khormak, I might have been able to forgive you had your malevolent villainy been directed against me alone. But you sought to betray not only me but your own planet and people."

"And I would have gotten away with it, too," Khormak responded bitterly, "if it hadn't been for these meddling kids." Suddenly he writhed as a momentary shock passed through his collar and left him temporarily speechless.

"What was that for?" Sheen wanted to know.

The guard shrugged. "I hate that cliché."

The princess had briefly paused at Khormak's outburst but now went on. "Because you sought to betray your entire world it is not within my power to forgive you. Your punishment must be severe."

"What are you planning?" asked Cindy. "Banishment?"

"Permanent exile?" suggested Libby.

"Execution?" whispered Carl fearfully.

The princess smiled and shook her head. "No. I wish to have an enlightened world, and I think an enlightened punishment is called for. Exjay Nine!"

The robot obediently trundled forward. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Take Khormak and his supporters to the detention area," the princess said, "and have them each write 'I will not seek to usurp the seat of the rightful ruler of Felangie' one billion times. Neatly, of course. And be sure the spelling is correct."

"Pretty harsh sentences," commented Carl.

"Yeah," agreed Libby. "A billion each of them."

"As you wish, Princess," the robot replied. He took charge of Khormak and the other prisoners and began leading them away. As he did so Khormak gave a final shout of defiance.

"I'll get you, Jimmy Neutron!" the Felangian screamed. "Eternal vengeance will be mine!"

Again he squirmed as a shock passed through his collar. "Sentences first," Exjay Nine said primly. "Eternal vengeance later."

As the miserable prisoners were taken from the arena Sheen shook his head sadly. "If only he had used his malevolent villainy for good, instead of evil," he said sorrowfully.

Libby gave Sheen of look of bewildered disbelief. "Sheen, do you ever listen to what things sound like in your head before they come out of your mouth?"

"Well, I used to," Sheen admitted. "but I found that it slowed conversations down a lot." Libby shook her head in despair and rolled her eyes.

Jimmy had made his way down to the ring accompanied by April, the Needlehead, and the Brain. "Hi, guys," he called cheerfully. "Did you miss me?"

Cindy folded her arms and refused to look directly at him. "No need to," she responded coldly. "It looks like you have more than enough companions to do that when you're gone." She gave April a sideways glance out of the corner of her eye. "More than enough," she repeated, her voice growing even more icy.

The others, on the other hand, were curious as to what had happened and had a lot of questions they wanted Jimmy to answer. "Come on, Jimmy," said Libby. "There are a few things I still don't get and I want you to answer them."

"Okay," Jimmy said agreeably. "If it's all right with Princess Leama."

"Certainly," the princess replied graciously. "Why don't we all go back to the palace? I think we all have questions. And I would definitely like to thank everyone properly."

End of Part 23