Traveling Companions

Chapter Four: The Other Player

Rambler and the hat have finally managed to get off the planet, and made some new friends while they were at it!

Everything should be smooth sailing from here on out, right?

Thank you so much to those who read and commented. It makes me so happy to see!

Enjoy the chapter!

The cockpit of the braxior ship was spacious. It had to be. Braxiors were almost ten feet tall and about four feet wide, solidly built and reinforced by their bright blue scales, except for their waving eyestalks and the six, long fingers they had on each hand. When Rambler emerged from the top of the stairwell, he found himself facing quite a crowd. It seemed only a few members of the tribe had been outside on the tarmac.

Bri introduced him to the others and Rambler greeted his new friends enthusiastically. They were well clear of the atmosphere by now and he was feeling a little more relaxed. He was ready to take things slightly easier than they had been over the past few days.

It was while they were in the midst of all the enjoyable first meeting questions and answers that Rambler absolutely lived for when a blaring warning erupted from the front of the cockpit. At the same time a tremor hit the ship as their forward motion was arrested, then began again, but slowly and likely in a slightly different direction. They were caught in a tractor beam. Rambler and his hosts turned to see a massive black ship filling the viewscreen. The emblem on the ship, a particularly angular black head on a gray background, made Rambler's stomach sink into his sneakers.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. That was a phrase that seemed to apply to Rambler's life a little too much sometimes. When he'd figured out that Gragnar the Greedy and his antagonists had been driven off, he had assumed they hadn't gone too far, but he hadn't thought that they would be hovering right outside the planet's orbit. Maybe the battle hadn't been as over as he'd thought.

These thoughts flittered through the back of his mind as his eyes darted around the cockpit for somewhere he could hide.

Too late.

There was a bzzt of static, then the screen cleared to reveal Gragnar himself, seated on his throne of polished, gray rock. His gaze swept across the group of surprised braxiors and settled on Rambler in the middle, black, segmented body leaning forward as his eyes narrowed.

"You!" he spat. "There you are!"

Rambler waved, smile quirking at his face despite his trepidation.

"Hiya Mr. Gragnar!" he greeted. "It sure is nice to see you again! Ya look like yer doin' pretty well after all that hubbub back at the palace."

"Silence!" The harsh voice cut across the screen like the crack of a whip. Gragnar's segmented eyes shifted, taking in the whole group of them and particularly Captain Brenda at the fore. His voice lowered to a grating purr. "Perhaps you were not aware that your clan is harboring a wanted fugitive." He phrased it like a question, pausing to give the braxiors the chance to respond, and Rambler stepped smartly forward, recapturing the warlord's attention, not without a silent apology to his companion.

"Well golly," He exclaimed, letting his gaze trail over his hosts in an exaggerated way. "I don't think we've all formally met. Sure is nice of you ta ask though! And I'm awful flattered that you remember me! I know there was a lot goin' on back there. D'you remember my name?"

Gragnar's eyes seemed to blaze, antennae twitching with rage as he leaned forward.

"I wasn't asking you, thief!" he snarled.

"It's Rambler!" Rambler proclaimed happily. "I was just passin' by last time, so I wasn't sure y'heard me."

There was a tremor under his feet as the forward motion of the ship stopped altogether. They must have been pulled into the hanger.

"I am not interested and I do not care!" Gragnar's claws were digging into his arm rests now, creating a spiderweb of cracks through the hard stone. The guy was a tad high-strung if you asked Rambler. "Cutter!" he yelled. A smaller antagonist slid unobtrusively in from the side. His lower two arms were filled with papers and folders while he made notations on a clipboard with the upper two.

"Yes, general?" His strained voice, in addition to the drooping antennae, made Rambler think Cutter could use some more sleep.

"Lock them up." Gragnar shot Rambler a nasty grin. "All of them." He paused as his eyes went back to Brenda. "If you and your crew cooperate, I might be convinced to let you go." He turned again to Cutter beside him. "And get us out of here! I do not want to give old mouldy wings an opportunity to counterattack." His eyes narrowed on Rambler's face one final time. "And then I will deal with you," he spat.

"See you soon!" Rambler gave a little wave as the feed cut off abruptly.

Despite himself, Rambler couldn't stop the anxiety that twisted through his belly. He wasn't really worried about himself. He'd been captured before, quite frequently in fact, and things had always managed to work out. But he wasn't used to protecting someone else in those situations, and this time was especially worrying, since his friend was what the warlord was after. He didn't want them to get separated, or for the hat to end up back in the situation he'd found it in.

The braxiors looked around at each other and at Rambler, concern growing to fear on many faces. There was now the distinct sound of the outside door being accessed.

"Okay, partners!" Brenda barked suddenly. Everyone turned to look her way. "We've been through some tricky astral currents before and this is no different. For now, we do what he said: we cooperate, at least up to a point." Her eyestalks waved in a warning pattern before she turned to Rambler. "You seemed to know him a little. What are our chances of getting out of here?"

Rambler clasped his hands subconsciously.

"I don't actually know him all that well, 'm afraid. Motivated fella from what I've seen, an' he's prolly not that interested in you 'r yer fine ship here, so ya might be in luck." He truly hoped they were. His hand tightened around the hat brim protectively as he heard the wrenching noise that meant the door had finally been pulled open, then many feet climbing the stairs to the cockpit.

At least it sounded like they weren't about to be separated just yet. Rambler wondered if the warlord had been keeping the hat's secret from his soldiers, even after everything they must have seen at the palace. He hadn't instructed them to take the hat immediately and bring it to him, but instead to imprison all of them. That was something.

The next second the door burst open and antagonists flooded into the cockpit, a sea of waving, black antennae and gray suits, their deep red belts the only slashes of colour. Each soldier carried a curved astral saber and a blast gun, and they waved the weapons around with such reckless abandon that Rambler was worried they were going to hurt themselves.

Cuffs were slapped onto his wrists and he was roughly herded out of the ship along with the braxiors. He went along with it for the time being. There wasn't really an opportunity to do anything else.

Their new hosts were grimly silent, and that seemed slightly concerning to Rambler. Perhaps they didn't enjoy their jobs very much, or maybe they were just having a tough day. Gragnar didn't seem like the most considerate boss from what little he'd seen of him. Either way, Rambler figured it couldn't hurt to at least make some friendly conversation. He nudged the soldier next to him with one elbow, giving her a sympathetic smile over the blast gun pointed at his middle.

"Havin' a rough day? Must be hard to find time to yerself with all this goin' on." He nodded at the crowded hallway they were currently marching down. "I know what it's like when travelin' gets a little hectic." He'd been having a bit of that himself lately. "But you've gotta take care of yourself too! Sometimes you've just gotta take some time to relax, even when things'r busy."

A few of the antagonists surrounding him exchanged looks, antennae twitching self-consciously.

"It has been kind of busy," the guard Rambler had addressed muttered. "We don't get a lot of time off."

"Especially right now," the soldier next to her put in.

"And when we do get a break, there's nothing to do except hang out in the mess hall and the barracks."

Heads nodded around the group and Rambler clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

"Well, that's no good. Everyone needs some downtime every now an' again. How can ya be expected ta face that daily grind without somethin' fun to do at the end of the day?" He was just opening his mouth again to make some suggestions; the antagonist beside him looked like a yoga feller to Rambler, when a harsh voice cut across the chatter.

"Stop that talking! Straiten up and eyes forward!" As one, the antagonists snapped to attention, one of them shooting Rambler a suspicious look as she did so. Rambler recognized Cutter from the view screen, though he wasn't sure of the antagonist's rank. Wanting to be polite, he waved his bound hands.

"Hey there, Mr. Cutter! Sorry 'bout the noise. I was just tryin' to see if these fine folks needed…"

"That's enough out of you!" Cutter snapped. He marched up to Rambler, pushing past the guards, and poked him in the chest with the small baton he was carrying. "The general may be too busy to deal with you at the moment, but soon you'll be sorry you ever messed with the future ruler of the galaxy."

Rambler gave a small shrug, smile softening a little.

"Well, I am sorry if I've caused any problems," he offered sincerely. "I wasn't tryin' to put you and yer friends out. An' if you need any help cleaning up after that big battle I'd be happy to lend a hand."

"No!" Cutter screamed. His antennae vibrated in fury and his four feet practically left the floor as he shoved his angular face closer to Rambler's. Rambler noticed the bags under his segmented eyes with concern. "We don't want any 'help' from a filthy outlaw like you! Now," he pulled back and addressed the soldiers. "Get him out of my sight, and no more fraternizing with the prisoners!"

Rambler was lead away. Before they turned the corner, he managed to give the antagonist another wave over his shoulder.

"See you soon, Mr. Cutter! Ya might want to try some warm milk before bed, or maybe some peppermint tea!" There were a few chuckles, quickly hushed, from some of the soldiers around him.

They reached the prisons only a few minutes later. The braxiors were put into several cells along one wall, and Rambler found himself pushed into a cell on the other. The soldiers filed out of the cellblock, though it was likely that some would remain outside to guard the door.

The hat was being awfully still. That seemed a strange thing to notice; it was a hat after all, but there was a certain stiffness to the way it sat on his head, and Rambler could see none of the expressiveness he had noticed previously. His friend was probably frightened, and Rambler desperately wanted to reassure it, let it know that everything would be okay, but he also didn't want to draw attention to it right now. The soldiers may not have been told about its abilities, but some of them probably suspected something, especially after the scene at the palace a few days before. He was still surprised it hadn't been taken from him immediately. Gragnar must have confidence in his prisons.

Rambler went up to the front of his cell and peered out through the bars, looking to left and right down the long corridor. No antagonists were in sight. He gave a friendly wave and a wink to the braxiors across the way. Bethany had been sniffling and Bri was reassuring her. Rambler would have liked to help, but he didn't think he had long before Gragnar came to get his friend. Before that happened, maybe it was time they had a talk.

Rambler retreated again to the back of the cell, curling up on the hard, metal cot. He took off the hat, setting it in his lap instead. He thought it might be easier to talk quietly like that. He didn't exactly know how this was going to work, but he'd been wondering about some things ever since they'd met. He needed some answers now if they were going to work together to get out of here, and the hat probably did too. They were still getting to know each other after all, and it was probably still a little unsure about him after the circumstances he'd found it in.

It really had been the strangest meeting, and Rambler couldn't help thinking back to how it had all started.

He hadn't exactly intended to steal the hat.

He'd arrived on the planet in the morning a few days before. It was sort of overcast, but not quite raining; a lovely day for a stroll, and Rambler had been taking full advantage of it.

He'd noticed the palace from quite far away. Two huge ships were parked beside it, hovering over the beige stone edifice ominously, and he could hear the sounds of the two armies fighting even from this distance. It seemed like it had been going on for quite some time. He wasn't sure what he could do to help, but he still found himself heading that way. It looked like a pretty rough conflict, and he felt that he had to see if there was anything he could do.

He was still well out from the palace when he heard a rumble, followed by what sounded like a dull explosion. Something gushed out of the palace's windows, a torrent of strange and varied objects. As he drew nearer, he could make some of them out; paintings, statues, glittering gold and gemstones intermixed with a variety of deadly looking weapons and warlike vehicles.

Rambler put on more speed towards the castle, worried there might be people trapped inside. The big front doors had been ripped from their hinges and lay buried under piles of treasure, guns and land mines, but the frantic gush of objects had slowed somewhat by this time and Rambler was able to pick his way through the mess and into the castle halls.

Once inside, he could hear angry voices screaming at each other, along with crashes and ominous thumps. He did his best to make his way towards the source. It sounded like two people fighting. Objects still flowed past him like a sluggish river, and he had to choose his footing carefully. Most of the soldiers he passed looked dazed, and didn't seem to be fighting any more, so he left them after a quick glance to make sure they were alright for the time being.

When he reached the throne room it was awash with treasures and weapons; great heaps piled up almost to the high ceiling. They were still trickling down from the highest heap, more lazily now as though whatever was causing this was running out of steam.

Rambler climbed the pile carefully, avoiding the occasional treasure chest or armoured car. He could hear the yelling voices from further in the room, but he was curious now, and he didn't think they needed immediate help. They didn't sound hurt, just angry, and the language they were using was a little colourful for Rambler's tastes.

He reached the top of the pile. Across the hall, he could see the fighters. He'd heard of both of them as soon as he had arrived in this galaxy. Gragnar the Greedy and Hive Queen Slarina were galactic conquerors and former allies who had turned on each other, plunging much of the galaxy into a civil war. He'd heard they were both organized and dangerous, but he didn't see much of that right now. Soldiers lay in heaps across the room, bruised and battered, and no longer in any shape to fight. Only the two leaders were still going at it; pushing and shoving and scratching each other in the center of the hall, and hurling all kinds of verbal abuse every which way.

Rambler spared them only a glance for the moment. At his feet objects continued flowing forth from what seemed to be their source; a battered green hat.

The hat lay on its side on the pile, crown swollen with the items it was creating. It was patched and faded, and the green colour looked almost sickly. It gave a shuddery cough, expelling another stream of items, some so large they couldn't possibly have fit inside it.

Rambler felt his heart twist in his chest. Whatever the hat was doing, it was clear that making the items was hurting it. He knelt beside it on a heap of expensive looking rugs.

"You doin' okay, buddy?" He put one hand on the hatband, rubbing gentle circles. "Just breathe," he advised. The hat shuddered again, spitting out a diamond as big as his head and a spiked shield. The brim trembled and Rambler's heart went out to it even more. He picked the hat up gently, cradling it with the brim over his shoulder. "It's gonna be alright," he murmured. "Listen to the soothing sound of my voice. You don't have to do that. Just relax." The items stopped and the hat slumped, empty, against him. It still didn't look well, and Rambler continued murmuring softly to it for another minute before he noticed the shouting from before had stopped.

He looked over the edge of the pile to see that both combatants had stopped fighting and were staring right at him. Rambler froze, meeting two sets of furious eyes.

"Hey you, give that to me! It's mine!" Slarina snarled.

"No, it is mine! bring it here!" Gragnar shoved Slarina back, starting towards Rambler with a scowl.

The hat seemed to shrink a little in Rambler's arms and he tightened his hold on it defensively. He gave a little nod to the two rulers, not wanting to let go of the hat to wave.

"Good ta meet you, Queen Slarina, General Gragnar!" he called out. "Folks call me Rambler! I'd love to stay 'n chat, but I think this feller needs some air, so if you'll excuse me…" He was scanning the pile of items to find an easy path down.

The two rulers had continued advancing while he talked, and he was pretty sure they hadn't been listening to him since they'd continued yelling the whole time. That was a little rude if you asked Rambler, but he supposed it was a bit of a stressful situation. They threw themselves at the pile and the nomad felt it sway under his feet. He braced himself as the whole thing tilted, then felt his feet sliding as the pile began to collapse.

Well, this could actually work out pretty nicely. Rambler took a flying leap and landed on an embossed golden shield. He caught hold of the handle with one hand, slipping the hat onto his head as he did so, and slid down the pile, gaining speed as it collapsed and items pushed and shoved from behind him.

He landed at the bottom without a scratch and was off for the door without sparing a glance for angry voices behind him. He could hear the voices rising in volume as both combatants continued shouting abuse, at him this time, along with demands and plenty of threats thrown in.

Normally he wouldn't have rushed off so quickly upon meeting some new potential friends. Sure, they didn't seem all that friendly at the moment, but it was like he always said; an enemy was just a friend you hadn't made yet, and he would have liked to spend some time getting to know them, but the hat was clearly frightened and that was more important than spending more time with Slarina and Gragnar right now. He was sure he'd run into them again.

A few soldiers tried to stop him as he darted through the hallways, still having to climb over the carpet of objects, but they all looked pretty dazed still, despite the angry voices of their bosses egging them on, And Rambler was able to avoid them pretty easily.

Then he was out, and making for the relative cover of the forest, the hat drooping on his head, and Rambler still a little confused, but happy that he seemed to be on his way to making at least one new friend.

They really hadn't been together too long after they escaped from the palace, only a few days, and most of that had been spent on the run. The hat looked healthier than it had been; the green richer and the scuffs and scratches much less noticeable. Normally, Rambler wouldn't want to rush their friendship, or the trust they were building together. He knew the hat had been through a lot, certainly more than he'd seen, and he didn't always know what it wanted to do, or even whether it would want to keep traveling with him once they were well away from the two rulers. He didn't want to push it, but he knew he was going to need its help to get them all out of here safely.

He hoped it would be willing to hear him out.

Giving his friend a nervous smile, he clasped his hands and began.

Looks like Slarina was not the first main villain we ran into. We will get to see her eventually.

I hope you all enjoyed the flashback. I tried to account for the information Wander gave us in The Bad Hatter. I hope it doesn't feel too rushed or out of place. This chapter has been fighting me ever since I started writing it. I had to give it lots of Wander-esque hugs. Hopefully it all came together in the end.

I wanted Slarina and Gragnar to feel like they could have been allies at one point, but also wanted them to work as bitter rivals, so I made them aliens inspired by wasps and ants respectively. And yes, their minions are the same species' as them. We have the swat-soldiers and the antagonists, and I can't take credit for either of those names but I dearly love them both.

And the poor overworked antagonists. I bet they don't even have a food court or a movie theatre on their ship!

"Taking The Plunge" is probably getting updated next, though it may not be for a couple of weeks. June is going to be very busy!

See you next time!