The Return of the Lost (Macey Dean series inspired)

[Voyager55]

CHAPTER TWELVE

"You have my full support, Shelbus. I will do what I can to mediate the situation and maintain civilities."

AL rolled along behind Shelbus on slow hike towards the shelter. Shelbus's feet felt heavier than they did after the time he made a two day journey across the desert.

"She's never going to understand. You know that AL."

"We must try, Shelbus." Cresting the hill, Shelbus could now see the shelter.

"Give me a minute." Shelbus stooped over in the sand, breathing heavily. "AL, what do I say?"

AL was silent, staring with an unfocused lens, for several seconds.

"Unable to formulate appropriate response from RAM. Referencing linguistic social interactions database." Al was silent for another few seconds before Shelbus waved for him to stop.

What to tell them? Gregford was insane? A traitor? Will they believe me? Genenie will never believe it. Why would she believe me? Shelbus stood again and plodded down the hill. As he closed the gap between himself and the shelter he could hear Merbald and Genenie talking to eachother.

"Shelbus, it's going to be ok. I'll lead." AL drove around the corner of the Shelter, followed by Shelbus. Immediately Shelbus made direct eye contact Genenie.

"Wait, just wait!" Shelbus cried. Genenies eyes widened. She jumped to her feet.

"You!"

"Ms. Genenie, please." AL quickly inserted himself between the two.

"Shelbus, you little rat! What are you doing back here you traitor!"

"Genenie, I can explain!" Shelbus's voice shook with each word.

"Explain what? How you gave our location to the invasion force? How you killed Gregford!"

"Please, Genenie, just let me..."

"YOU KILLED HIM!" Genenie cried out and lunged towards Shelbus. AL quickly intercepted Genenie and firmly attached on to her with his graspers. "AL, what are you doing? Let me go, AL!" She struggled and futilely swung her fists at AL.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Ms. Genenie, but you may not harm Shelbus."

"How dare you show your face, Shelbus?" Merbald slowly rose and pointed accusingly. "Do you know the pain you've put us all through? Captain Chadbret was murdered in the invasion!"

"I'm not a traitor! Why would I have helped you two escape? I swear!" Shelbus took a few steps back, the searing glares coming from both Merbald and Genenie burning into his heart.

"There was a bomb! Gregford had a bomb! I had to stop him!"

"AL, LET GO OF ME!" Genenie was furious and struggled even harder.

"Liar! Gregford would never do something like that." said Merbald.

"He planted a bomb on AL! He was going to destroy the colony and everyone in it! Look! Here's the bomb" Shelbus gestured frantically at AL's underside.

"Mr. Merbald, Ms. Genenie... Shelbus is telling the truth. I have 5 hours of transmissions between Gregford and Hanland's Vall outpost recorded."

"You're both liars!" Genenie hissed.

"This can't be." Merbald muttered under his breath.

"Please remain calm, Kerbals." Maintaining his grip on Genenie, Al began to play the recordings.

Edited April 3, 2015 by Voyager55

[VelocityPolaris]

Love it. Just, absolutely love it. Have some Rep. That was absoflippinlutely awesome.

[billbobjebkirk]

Might want to add another "l" to "Val"

[Voyager55]

Love it. Just, absolutely love it. Have some Rep. That was absoflippinlutely awesome.

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that you enjoy it.

- - - Updated - - -

Might want to add another "l" to "Val"

Thanks for catching that.

[Thunderous Echo]

Now it's going to be sad because Al is going to run that self-diagnostic and "fix" his "vocabulary errors".