Chapter 38
For the third time in as many minutes, Lilo found herself face up on the floor. Hands clamped around tufts of yellow fur. Her jubilation manifested, she almost screamed, the little ball of lightning in her hands clasping her in a strong embrace. She felt him buzz with relief they shared. Not a word was said. Save for the uncomfortable sound of shuffling around them. She grinned in delight, more at herself than anyone else. Lilo felt content for the first time in days. She felt they were one step closer to her goal. The returning contentment, shattered in that instant. She felt the worry seep into her again. Her goal? The other experiments were still in danger.
Sparky felt her embrace, she was here! Safe. The perpetual feeling of worry- now void in the wake of their meeting. Lilo meant more than even she knew. She was the keystone for the experiments. The reminder of what goodness they had become. Without her… There was no telling what the experiments would become. To meet her again now, safe, was like the first ray of sunshine breaching the lighthouse - he'd always had the best view.
Trilby felt his limbs regain animation. Though he still moved like a rheumatic. His reflexes felt slow, which was unhelpful. He gritted his teeth, before noticing that time seemed to have stopped. No one moved. He shuffled forward to see what they stared intently at. Lilo! She must have escaped when the power went off. But the other people. The small one was in command. He was signalling the other two to hold off. He knew they hadn't seen him, hence he stayed low. Why was Lilo with these aliens. Did they capture her? Trilby crept forward, he could find out.
Sparky, finally turned to the blaster levelled at his face. He looked above him to the huge face looming above him, two fists pulled back. Sparky snarled back, jumping in front of Lilo. He should protect her. But they didn't flinch. They both looked at the little grey alien who was looking at him through a pair of goggles. One arm in the air, the other changing settings on his goggles. Whatever he was doing, he didn't like it. He tried to scare them again by letting electricity fizz up his antenna. Lilo put a hand on his shoulder shaking her head.
"Negid, I'd like you to meet…"
"Negid? Unusual for an Yiggik." All eyes turned toward Negid's leg were Trilby stood arms folded. He smiled a devilish smile at Lilo and Sparky. Sparky returned the grin, while Lilo seemed dumbfounded. The other aliens followed suit with their own brand of reaction. Janqe's target swapped instantly but he didn't fire. Hoklert flailed his mighty head, trying to figure out who to loom over. Negid's goggles actually slipped off his head again. Trilby allowed the shock to sink in. Negid's eyes lit up with fear as he saw Trilby. Trilby's antenna were now clamped around his leg. Trilby leant up against his leg, in a thoroughly nonchalant fashion.
"I'm sure I don't have to explain how much electricity I can pump into your body." Trilby scratched his fur. "So I was thinking you could answer a couple of questions, else… And I'm sure it won't come to this, but I may fill you with enough electricity to power this ship. Oh what I wouldn't do for my friends, you know?"
"Trilby!?" Lilo gasped in a mixture of surprise and desperation, "Don't hurt him."
"Can we trust these people, Lilo? How do I know I won't bet blasted as soon as I let go." He shot a look toward Janqe, masked and steady. Lilo looked Trilby in the eye. They still didn't trust each other. But common cause was easily conveyed. Trilby was trying to fix his mistake, and Lilo was in sympathy for the little impersonator. Being thrown unceremoniously into a world confusion. It was tough: she knew.
"Yes, Trilby, you can." Trilby let go of Negid's leg, he fell back panting like a dog, sweat beads covered his face. Clearly, he didn't handle pressure so well. Janqe holstered his blaster. Folded his arms and leaned back. He wasn't bothered. Hoklert was still confused, and Negid was catching his breath. The mayhem calming to little more than a pant from Negid. Silence ensued as the group began to contemplate the situation. The atmosphere was rife with hostility, and the armistice hung in the air. The composed members were forced to sit, engulfed in awkward silence. As the veil of confused head shaking and gasping ensued.
"My word… He listened… Lilo I didn't believe you before, but such irrefutable proof… You are smarter than I thought… smarter and braver." Negid rasped, his voice tinged with the telltale note of fear. Trilby moved next to Sparky, everyone seemed to notice then- that they were identical. Trilby looked between the three aliens. He felt electricity in the air, or tension, or both. But he knew compromise. It all depended on what they wanted.
"Why are these people helping you? They clearly don't know much about us."
"Lilo, I think you better tell us everything." Negid and Trilby asked simultaneously.
And everyone else in the corridor nodded.