.Chapter sixteen.

The next day I woke up and was slightly confused by my surroundings, but then I remembered what had happened yesterday. I got out of bed and began to get dressed. I was kinda missing Bruno and his sweet way of saying good morning, but I decided not to dwell on the past and just carried on as normally as possible.

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I had just put my long sleeve top on when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said.

Cloak walked in and smiled at me.

"Good morning," he smiled somewhat smugly at me.

"Good morning." I returned his smile with one of my own.

"I've got breakfast ready for you in the kitchen."

"Thanks." I walked up to him, still straightening out my clothing.

"No problem." Cloak turned and led me out of the room and into the kitchen.

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The kitchen was quite small, but it was big enough to fit a small table, a few of the necessary appliances and a few cupboards.

"Nice little place you've got here, Cloak," I said.

"Thanks," smiled Cloak, as he pulled a chair out for me.

I sat down and he pushed it towards the table slightly.

"I hope you don't mind my cooking," said Cloak, as he sat down opposite me.

"It can't be any worse than Monza's," I replied.

"Come again."

"You tried his cooking?"

"No."

"I'm warning you now, don't."

"He that bad?"

"Worse."

Cloak just chuckled and started to eat his breakfast, as did I mine.

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After we had finished, Cloak put the dishes in the sink and we just sat at the table talking.

"So, I've been meaning to ask you something since I came into your room this morning," said Cloak, as he rubbed the back of his neck somewhat uneasily.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"No, just… that kiss last night…"

"Oh, that." I just smiled and blushed slightly.

"Yeah, that; did it have any meaning?"

"Sorta."

"Oh." There was a hint of intrigue in Cloak's voice.

"It meant 'good night'."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed at my reply.

"Why? Did you want it to have some meaning more than 'good night'?"

"Well… uh… never mind. I'll be ready to take you down to see about that job in about half a helate; so, if you need to do anything before we go…"

"Okay. Thanks for breakfast, Cloak, it was definitely better than Monza's cooking." I got up from the table and turned to leave.

Cloak half smiled at me.

I smiled back and walked back to my room to make sure I was presentable for my new employer.

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Half a helate later, I walked into the living room area of Cloak's apartment; he was still in his room so I just waited there for him. There were quite a few pictures on the walls and on top of, I'm guessing, the mantle. There were pictures of families of Triceratons, pets, and of course of Cloak as he was growing up; he kinda stuck out like a sore thumb with those black lines in the grooves of his frill.

"I see you're admiring my gallery," said a voice from behind me. I turned 'round to see Cloak.

"Yeah. You've got a large family," I said.

"Eh."

"Do you see them much?"

"Every now and then."

"Right."

"Come on, we've wasted enough time talking about my family."

I gave him a look.

"What? I've got more important things to do than talk about them," he said.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Finding you a job."

"Right."

"Come on then." Cloak turned to leave his apartment.

I shook my head at his impatience and followed him towards the apartment's door. He opened the door and allowed me to walk out first.

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We soon made it to a desk that stood just to the side of two very large doors.

"How can I help you?" asked an old female Triceraton.

"We're here to see if the secretary position is still open," said Cloak, as he put his arm around my shoulders.

"Yes, it's still open."

"After all this time?"

"Yes. No one wanted to take it, so my retirement has been on hold."

"Well, you're in luck today ma'am; my young friend here is willing to take the job."

"Really?" She looked at me with surprise and delight.

"So long as you tell her what to do and show her how to work the various pieces of equipment."

"I will, my boy, don't you worry. Are you sure you want this job young lady?"

"Yes ma'am, I really do want this job," I replied.

"Then welcome aboard. Now, Cloak, you better get going; you'll be late for your shift if you hang around here too much longer," said the old female Triceraton.

"Yes ma'am. I'll come by after my shift to see how you're doing, Cal," smiled Cloak, as he gave me a side hug.

"Okay," I replied with a smile.

"Take care of her, Marge."

"I will; now go! Shoo!" said Marge, as she gestured for him to get going.

"Okay, okay. See yah later, Cal," smiled Cloak, as he started to walk away.

"See yah later, Cloak," I smiled.

I watched him until he was out of sight.

"Should we get started with this crash course in how to be a secretary?" asked Marge

"Yes ma'am," I replied.

"Good let's get started then."

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Marge was an excellent teacher, even though there wasn't much to teach. Basically I just had to answer the phone, set appointments, and make sure my boss knew what was on his schedule for the day.

"Okay, I think that's it. Now, any questions?" asked Marge, as she picked up her bag and prepared to leave the desk for the last time.

"Just one," I replied.

"What is it, dear?"
"Who's my boss?"

"You're Prime Leader Zanramon's new secretary."

I stared at her in surprise; I hadn't expected to be working for Zanramon.

"Everything okay, dear?" asked Marge, she seemed a bit uneasy about my silence and my stare.

"Yeah, fine," I replied with a smile.

"You still want the job now that you know who you're working for?"

"Of course. It'll be interesting to see what Zanramon's really like."

"Right." Marge looked at me as if I was completely nuts.

"What?" I asked.

"Not many people want to meet Zanramon; they usually see him as an intimidating, strict, somewhat irrational leader," said Marge.

"Well, I guess I'm just too curious to know better."

"Maybe. Well, goodbye, my dear; take care."

"Will do ma'am."

Marge nodded and then took her leave.

Once Marge was out of sight I sat down in the chair that was at the desk and waited for my first assignment.

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Within three trigons of Marge leaving the intercom rang. I pressed the button to speak.

"Yes," I replied a bit hesitantly.

"Come through to the throne room, Marge," came a familiar voice from the intercom.

"Yes sir." The intercom went off with a beep. Marge had told me that 'my boss' would ring sooner or later that morning to have his schedule brought to him; so, I collected the schedule that she had left and walked into the throne room, which was just through the doors that were behind the desk.

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I opened the doors and walked in. The area I was in was quite dark even with the doors open. I started to walk towards Zanramon's throne at the other end of the room; the doors closed behind me.

"You sounded a bit hesitant today, Marge, something wrong?" asked Zanramon, he was sitting as tall as he could on his throne.

"It's just that…," I started.

"You sound different. Are you sure you're okay?" Zanramon couldn't see me just yet because I was still in the shadows at the far end.

"You'll see the problem shortly, sir." Zanramon looked a bit taken aback by that.

As I walked into the lighter area near him, his eyes widened.

"You're not Marge," he said, as he looked me over quickly.

"Yes sir, I took her place this morning," I replied, as I stopped at the steps in front of his throne.

"You look familiar. Have we met?"

"You and Commander Mozar kidnapped me from my home planet, Earth. You were also the one who gave me my atmosphere converter."

"Oh, yes; now I remember. You were actually quite a decent captive, but, uh, I thought we put you in prison."

"You did, but I was given a job with the All-stars as their maid."

"Right, but the All-stars are on a tour now."

"That's why I'm with you now, sir. They couldn't take me with them and so I came back here and found this job with the aid of a friend of mine."

"Are you living with this friend?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure if I can stay with him forever."

"Why not?"
"Well, Cloak's a pilot and I don't know what his job really entails so…"

"Wait!"

"Sir?"
"What did you say your friend's name was?"

Am I stupid or what? Cloak was the one who defaced Zanramon's statue.

"Well?" asked Zanramon, getting impatient.

"His name's Cloak," I replied with a bit of a cringe. This was possibly going to spark off a shouting session and my being fired.

"The one who defaced my statue I believe." Zanramon tapped his fingers along the armrest of his throne.

"Uh…"

"No need to reply; I know who he is. He's the only pilot named 'Cloak' that we've ever had." Zanramon gritted his teeth some.

I didn't know what to say.

"Well, he may have quite an irrational schedule. I suggest you come stay with me in my palace," said Zanramon.

I was about to say, 'Usually mad Prime Leader say what?' but I decided to keep quiet; so I just looked at him surprised.

"Don't look so surprised, my dear. I can be hospitable when I want to be," smiled Zanramon. I couldn't quite tell from where I was, but I was sure that he had just looked me over; more thoroughly than when I had been walking towards him.

"Did Marge have the same deal?" I asked a bit hesitantly.

"No, but you're different and I think you'll make excellent company in the palace."

I just looked at him a bit queerly.

"Do you have my schedule?" asked Zanramon, as he held out his hand for me to hand him the papers.

"Yes sir. You seem to have quite a full day today," I replied, as I stepped up a few stairs and handed the papers to him.

He nodded a thanks to me and then started to read the schedule, while I stood there waiting to be dismissed.

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After a trigon's worth of waiting, I wondered if I was supposed to just leave on my own accord. I started to turn to leave.

"I haven't said that you can leave yet," said Zanramon, as he peered at me over the top of the paper.

"Sorry sir, I didn't know," I apologised.

"Of course you didn't; you're new. Hmm." Zanramon looked at the papers he had in his hand.

"Something wrong sir?"

"Marge was an excellent secretary, but the woman still hasn't learnt how to write legibly."

I nearly giggled at his obvious irritation, but I was just able to stifle it.

"I mean can you read this?" asked Zanramon, as he held the papers out to me again.

I stepped up a few steps again and took the papers from him. I looked at the papers and I couldn't make heads or tails of it because it was all written in Triceratonese; and very squiggly Triceratonese at that.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't know how to read Triceratonese," I apologised.

"And with her hand writing you'll never learn," said Zanramon.

I just looked at him.

"Can you read the numbers next to the chicken scratch?" asked Zanramon.

"Yes sir, but… did you just say chicken scratch?" I asked, as I looked at Zanramon in a bit of surprise.

"Yes. We Triceratons do know a few Earth phrases, my dear."

"Right."

"So, you can read the numbers."

"Yes sir."
"Then phone them and ask them what their appointments were for."

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed."

I nodded, turned on my heels and then started to walk out of the room again.

"Hold on a second," said Zanramon.

I stopped and turned to look at him.

"I don't even know you name," he said with a smile.

"It's Cal, sir," I replied with a smile.

"Cal; that's a nice name."

"Thanks."

"You're dismissed, my dear; we've already wasted enough of the day on talking."
"Yes sir." With that I turned back towards the doors and walked out of the room.

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I spent the next helate calling up all of the numbers and re-entering their information; unfortunately I had to write it in our characters because I still didn't know how to write in Triceratonese. I had just finished calling the last number when I heard the intercom beep. I pressed the button to talk.

"Yes," I said, a bit more confidently this time.

"That sounds better," said Zanramon.

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"You can tell me whether or not you're done with my schedule."

"Yes sir, it's done."

"Good. Can you bring it to me then?"

"Yes sir. I'll be there in a moment."

"Very good."

I switched off the intercom, picked up the schedule, and walked into the throne room.

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I came to stop at the foot of the steps that led up to Zanramon's throne.

"Come up here, my dear, I don't bite often," smiled Zanramon.

I just smiled, walked up the steps, and handed him the schedule.

Zanramon looked through the schedule and looked at me a bit exasperated.

"I kinda had to write it in my native characters because I don't know how to write in Triceratonese, sir," I said a bit uneasily.

"That's okay, Cal, just read it out to me," said Zanramon, as he handed me the papers back.

"Very well, sir. The whole thing?"
"No, just who's first."

"Yes sir. First you have Morazar."
"For what?"

"He wants to talk to you about the level of training the soldiers are receiving."
"He's always going on about that. Thanks."

"Anytime sir."

"It'll be every time until you learn to read and write Triceratonese."

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed."

"Yes sir." I walked down the steps and started to head towards the door.

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I walked back out to my desk and sat down in the chair again. Not much happened while I waited for Morazar to arrive. When he did I admitted him into the throne room, as Marge had told me to do, and then went back to waiting for the phone to ring or for Zanramon to call me. Fortunately my boredom was cut short by a familiar Triceraton coming down the hallway towards me.

"Hi," smiled Cloak, as he came up to my desk.

"Hi. You off duty so early?" I asked.

"Yeah. So, how's your first day on the job going?"

"Okay."

"How's your new boss?"

"He's fine."
"Who is your boss?"

"You mean you don't know?"

"Of course I don't; I've never been down this way before."

"My boss is Prime Leader Zanramon."

Cloak just stared at me.

"You asked," I said.

"And you're still on the job?" asked Cloak.

"Yeah. Zanramon seems to like me."

"Right. So, you free for lunch?"

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"I've got work to do."

"Yeah, but surely you've got a lunch break sooner or later."

"Yeah, but I've got to at least see the next appointment in."

"Right. Hey, did I keep you awake at all with my, uh, snoring last night? I forgot to ask you when we were having breakfast."

"No."

"Right, then I don't have to give you a pair of ear plugs."

"You wouldn't have had to even if I was staying at your place tonight."
"Come again."

"What?"

"It sounded like you implied that you weren't going to be spending the night at my place."

"That's right."
"Where are you going to stay then?"

"Zanramon 'suggested' that I stay with him in his palace."

"I can see why you didn't turn that one down." Cloak folded his arms and turned his back on me.

"Cloak, it's not that I don't like staying with you."

"Then what is it?" Cloak turned back to me and unfolded his arms.

"Well, living with you is something that I think I need to work up to."

"Hey, if you're thinking that you have to earn a spot at my place…"

"No, I know you'll let me stay without hesitation. It's just that…"

"It's a bit awkward stayin' with someone who you've only just gotten back together with?"

"Sorta, yeah."

"Okay. Maybe someday you'll come live with me."

"Perhaps." I smiled at him.

"Right, but until then I'll come visit you daily."

"Thanks." Just then the next appointment arrived.

"Hi, I'm Mr. Zargo; I'm here to see Zanramon about his proposed solution to the war," said Mr. Zargo.

"Yes sir. Zanramon will be with you within the helate; I hope," I said.

"Why do you say that?"

"He's been in there with Morazar for at least a helate or so."

"Right." Just then Morazar came out of the throne room in a bit of a bad mood.

"Cal!" snapped a voice from the intercom.

"Sir?" I asked, as I pressed the button to talk.

"Is my next appointment here?"

"Yes sir."

"Send him in."

"Yes sir." I stood up and led Mr. Zargo through to the throne room.

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After admitting Mr. Zargo into the throne room and telling Zanramon what he wanted to talk to him about, I rejoined Cloak out by my desk.

"You shouldn't allow him to snap at you like that," said Cloak, with a bit of a scowl on his face.

"He's just wound up; possibly from a heated debate with Morazar," I said.

"Right. Now that you've admitted the next appointment in can we get going?"

"Where?"
"To lunch."
"Sure."

"Good." I walked out from behind my desk and followed Cloak towards his apartment again.

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After lunch, Cloak walked me back to my desk. As we turned the corner to my desk we saw Zanramon standing at it, he caught sight of us and gave me a glare while he tapped his foot on the floor. I quickened my pace a bit, as not to keep him waiting.

"Where have you been?" asked Zanramon, as he narrowed his eyes.

"She was having lunch with me," said Cloak, before I could reply.

"I wasn't talking to you, Cloak."

"I'm sorry. I should have left a note, sir," I said before Cloak could get another word in; the last thing I needed now was a fight between them.

"Yes, you should have, but from now on I think it would be best if you took your lunch break with me, Cal," said Zanramon.

"She's very responsible, Zanramon, she would be back in time," said Cloak, as he stood up to his full height.

"All the same, I would prefer it if she would take her lunch break with me," said Zanramon, as he too stood up to his full height.

I was starting to feel very small between them.

Just then Cloak's communicator went off.

"I believe that'll be your commanding officer," smirked Zanramon, as Cloak pulled out his communicator.

"It is. I'll come by later to say good night, Cal," said Cloak, as he prepared to leave.

"Okay," I smiled.

Cloak nodded, gave Zanramon a look, and then left.

"How do you stand him?" asked Zanramon.

"He's sweet," I smiled.

Zanramon just rolled his eyes and started to walk back into the throne room.

"You're fortunate that no one called while you were gone," said Zanramon.

"Yeah," I replied.

"We'll be leaving for the palace in four helates."

"Sir?"

"You heard me. It has been a hard day and when I leave you come with me. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

Zanramon nodded and walked back into the throne room.